WARNING readers - blood mention ahead! Enjoy the chapter!
"-What do you want your legacy to be?"
Toph's final words echoed in his mind. Sleep didn't come easily after their conversation. He was confused and angry, and now, sleepy. He tried to stifle a yawn, but he simply couldn't fight it. His eyes felt heavy, and as if they had sand in them.
Sokka shook his head to clear his weariness and splashed some water onto his face. He had another council meeting to attend that morning. He was already on the verge of being late, so freshening up was the best he could do before he left.
His stomach growled in protest; it wasn't used to neglect.
As Sokka was rolling in, Yura looked to him with concern. Her brow lifted and she whispered, "you don't look so good. Are you okay?"
"Peachy," Sokka replied, hurriedly taking his seat beside her.
"Thank you all for coming out again." A man said from the other end of the room, silencing the small chatter taking place before-hand.
Sokka had noticed the day before that the man speaking had a kind face. He always enunciated his words, saying each syllable with utmost care. And his wardrobe proudly represented the Earth kingdom as he spoke on behalf of the Earth King, Kuei.
Kuei hadn't arrived yet.
Aang told them that he was waiting on his guards to return from a mission before he could travel. So in his stead; he had sent his adviser, Zhi. Sokka didn't know much about Kuei's newest right hand, but he seemed like an honest man. And at least a better confider than his former Grand Secretariat, Long Feng.
Zhi had added something to his greeting, but Sokka had zoned out, missing the words completely. I hope it wasn't anything important. With the morning he was having, it would be his luck. He side-glanced to the familiar faces of his companions. Their expressions seemed neutral enough.
"-And he should be arriving here shortly. Earth King, Kuei will explain further then," Zhi said before taking his seat next to Toph.
"Thank you, Zhi," Aang said, bowing his head in respect. "-I suppose your answer will have to come through Fire Lord, Zuko, and Sokka, of the Southern Water Tribe. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to discuss the next course of action with you and The Earth King."
Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! Aang's cheerful face met Sokka and Zuko, and Sokka could only hope his expression wasn't displaying the panic he was currently feeling. He composed himself quickly, turning to face Zhi. "Of course! We can go more into detail once the king arrives. Then, we should be able to -"
The sound of the wooden door opening behind him put a stop to the rest of his sentence. The people sitting in front of him stood and bowed. Zhi said the Earth king's name in greeting.
Sokka and those sitting beside him turned and bowed along with the others. With his head lowered, he could only make out the footfalls of King Kuei and his entourage.
"Zhi," the Earth King greeted back before addressing the rest of the court. "-It is an honor to see you again Avatar Aang, as well as your company and council. Please, forgive my tardiness."
"We are honored to have you," Aang said, lifting his torso to stand upright again.
Sokka waited his turn before he did the same. The king and his guards came into his sight.
His stomach rolled, and he wished he hadn't lifted himself as quickly as he did. His knees threatened to give out on him, and his chest tightened painfully. Without realizing it, his mouth parted as if he was going to speak, but nothing came out. His throat refused to take air properly.
Her eyes - rimmed with their trademark, red, grease-paint - were the only thing he could fixate on; even as the king began to speak to him and Zuko.
"I do hope my adviser has spoken to you regarding my plans?"
Thankfully, Zuko answered Kuei on both of their behalfs. "Yes, he has. Sokka -" he roughly patted his friend's shoulder to draw his attention back. "-And I would be delighted to speak with you more in detail. Unity between the 4 nations is our end goal in all of this, and we are pleased to know you desire the same. Our people - no matter which nation they represent - deserve a brighter future. And as their leaders, it is our duty to repair and restore our world."
Kuei seemed pleased by Zuko's response, nodding his head. "I couldn't agree with you more, Fire Lord, Zuko."
"I'm glad. And I see you've taken the Kyoshi Warriors as your guard? There are no finer women you could entrust your life with. Personal experience says."
Their pleasantries continued, and Sokka stood there like a fool - staring at her. She was still shorter than him but had most definitely grown a few inches in height. And her hair was longer - down to her waist - but he knew it was her, even before double-checking her head-dress.
His heart begged for her gaze to meet his own, but she kept her attention on Kuei and Zuko.
Jealousy rumbled like lightning in his chest; he almost wondered for a moment if he'd been struck by it. Her name sat at the end of his tongue. He wanted to shout her name to the heavens, run to her as he had in the past. He wanted to kiss her pouting, red lips.
But he couldn't.
His eyes drifted off of her, finding the floor instead. It didn't matter that they had a past together; 5 years had divided them just as much as the sea.
She could be married. He thought, jealousy and sadness rooting themselves again.
She might even have kids! Little ones could be back on Kyoshi Island waiting for her return. They probably dream of one day becoming a warrior, just like her... Has she told them stories of our adventures? Of how we saved the world together? Would she have even mentioned me? Do she and her husband joke about me - as just her 'first little crush'?
The meeting seemed to last centuries.
Sokka was certain his hair had gone grey by the time they were starting to close up. He did his best to stay active during the meeting. Responding to certain issues appropriately. And though Suki stood directly by the king's side, he kept his focus on Kuei solely. He honestly had a decent plan to pursue the peace they were trying to spread. It would be a long process, but they all agreed it was worth their time. Republic City would hopefully go down in history as the place where change took place.
As Aang was saying a closing speech, Sokka finally expelled a breath. He allowed his shoulders to relax some; they were sore from being tense so long.
Though he knew he shouldn't, he chanced a final glance her way. For a brief moment, their eyes met. She averted her gaze quickly though.
A lightness filled his chest.
He saw the faintest amount of heat rise to her cheeks through her paint.
Hours had passed by and Sokka's heart had yet to return to a normal pace. He felt foolish for his behavior but simply couldn't stop his mind from wondering. He hadn't for a moment considered the possibility of seeing her again. His thumbs were raw from his teeth knawing on them. The wood beneath his feet probably had dents in it from his pacing.
Her reaction at the end of the meeting replayed in his head on a loop.
If I get the chance to talk to her, what am I going to say? Should I let her say something first? Does she even want to talk to me? She might not want to have anything to do with me, for all I know!
He swallowed a lump in his throat and pulled at his hair roughly. "I don't know what to do," he whined to himself quietly, slumping dramatically in a wooden chair. He didn't have much time to prepare; he'd have to make do. It was almost time for dinner with everyone.
Lifting himself from his seat, he grabbed the finishing pieces of his garb. He was the main representative for the Southern Water Tribe, and he did his best to dress accordingly.
Even with the event being a casual get-together; this was still business.
With the exception of his wolf-styled helmet and his larger weapons; he put on his favorite battle armor. He also limited the number of furs due to the warmer weather.
Checking his appearance in a mirror, he ensured he looked presentable. He felt like - for the most part - he looked nice. White fur lined the dark blue material, lighter blues contrasted against it, along with his leather belt and boots. He readjusted his top pelt to realine the centerpiece with his chest.
Straightening his shoulders, Sokka attached his sword to his back and started making his way out.
As his journey from his sleeping quarters to the dining room progressed; his stride quickened. His heart seemed to pull at him like little, puppet strings. He didn't even notice his lips starting to lift from the corners of his mouth. I hope she wants to see me.
He entered and every one of his senses was immediately overwhelmed. Warmth radiated from the candlelight and the cooked foods spread across the tables. His mouth watered at the divine smell. He would most definitely quell his anxiety with a good portion of the offered meal.
People of every nation were clothed in their representative colors. A sea of reds, blues, and greens made it nearly impossible to pinpoint familiar faces. If Aang didn't stand out from the crowd with his Air nomad yellows and oranges Sokka would have struggled to find his friends due to the sheer amount of people.
Before committing to nearing his friends, he subconsciously did a once-over of the room, searching for a mop of red hair. He noticed King Kuei in all of his splendor, but she wasn't at his side. Maybe she isn't coming?
He quickly bottled away his thoughts on the matter.
Hearing his friend's voices put his mind at ease; he stood between his sister and Toph. He noticed Katara had a protective hand over her belly and a reddish tint to her cheeks. Aang stood by her side with his hand resting on her back. He didn't seem to notice the little circles he was making as he spoke to their group with animated expressions and gestures.
Zuko and Mai stood hip to hip; they were less open with their displays of affection in a gathering such as this. Even so, Sokka caught Zuko nudging her hand with his pinky every so often. The corners of her mouth would quirk up the smallest amount; just enough to catch if you were looking.
Sokka thought the motions endearing. Though he would never admit it. He was so very tempted to mutter oogies under his breath. He decided against it. Instead, joining into their conversation, and making little quips when he felt necessary.
When he was sure no one was paying attention to him though; he would scan the room. He became crest-fallen each time. She's avoiding me.
"Hey, I'm going to grab something to eat," Sokka said, excusing himself. "-I'll be back after I'm done."
Toph smirked. "So I suppose that means we won't see you again for the rest of the night?"
Everyone chuckled, and he gave the blind woman a series of fake laughs. "Oh, ha ha ha! You're so funny, Toph. Too bad you can't see how amused I am!"
"You can return after you think of a better comeback, Chief Snoozles!" She said, making a 'shew' motion with her hand.
Shaking his head, he sauntered away, carefully maneuvering through the crowd. He grabbed a plate without really looking at it, and stepped outside onto the balcony. He needed some fresh air.
The room was becoming uncomfortably loud and hot. That, and Zuko was also casting him sympathetic glances every so often, and it was starting to vex him. Their conversation on the ship continuously re-entered his mind and frustrated him even further.
He could still make out the muffled sound of the party going on behind him, but he simply let it become background noise. The last bits of sunlight cast a yellow glow across everything it touched. He felt it's rays caress his exposed skin.
The cool, evening breeze ruffled his hair and clothing. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the wind dancing around him. He leaned his weight against the railing overlooking a vast garden - much like the one at Zuko's palace.
He felt content for the moment, finally letting his thoughts halt, and peace wash over him.
"Sokka?" A quiet voice broke through his illusion of silence. His eyes snapped open. Is it?
He spun on his heel to face his company. His lungs had stopped working; he couldn't breathe. A gold halo rimmed her hair, the wind pulling it ever so slightly. She tucked some of the loose strands behind her ear, showing more of her face.
Sokka opened his mouth, desperately fighting to find his voice. "Y-Yura?" He said, his voice dropping unintentionally.
She bit her lip, and her hands neatly wound together in a shy gesture. "I um - I wanted to see you."
He found himself unable to look her in the eyes; his stomach turning. "I-I'm sorry, but I would like to be alone if it's alright with you."
Yura hesitated but found her courage after a few moments of silence. She sighed, "you mean - you don't want me as company?"
Confused, Sokka finally looked at her. For the first time since he had known her, she had a frown on her face. Even her eyes seemed duller than usual. She continued hesitantly, "-I know I have no right to ask you this, but -" her eyes looked up into his, seeking answers. "-That guard, the one from the Earth kingdom. Is she the reason you refuse my affections?"
Guilt coursed through him at Yura's expression; she looked so hurt. He didn't know how to respond. He finally settled with a simple truth, "Suki... Her name is Suki." His heart clenched, but he continued none-the-less. He turned away from Yura, and stared out at the horizon. "-She's a warrior from Kyoshi Island - the leader, actually."
A smile broke out on his face, "-she kicked my butt the first time we met. Well, several times. But after that, she agreed to teach me; even made me wear a dress and make-up. But ugh, th-that's beside the point. -" he blushed, cracking his knuckles nervously.
"-She and I were together during the 100-year war. And I - well, I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for her." He stopped speaking, feeling overwhelmed suddenly. He put his full weight against the railing.
"What happened?" Sokka heard Yura ask, her voice small but interested.
Sokka sighed and gave her a half-hearted answer, "people needed us."
He felt her come closer, and her hand rest against his arm. Yura hugged him gently, placing her head against his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Sokka. I didn't know." She pulled away and looked to him sadly. "-I-I'll leave you be. But, let me know if I can do anything for you, okay?" Pressing her palm into his cheek comfortingly, she whispered, "-I do care about you, Sokka."
A noise behind them drew their attention away, and Sokka's heart dropped at the sight of their company. Her fiery hair caught in the wind, glowing brighter in the sunlight. Her face was pale, but not from her face paint - she looked horrified, or like she had been punched.
Here he was being comforted by another woman, and she had 'invaded' on their moment.
Sokka stepped away from Yura just as she moved away from him. He gasped, "Suki! Th-This isn't what it looks like."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-" she shook her head, backing away. "-I didn't mean to intrude." She bowed hastily and rushed down the stairs leading from the balcony - the train of her green dress billowing behind her.
"Suki, wait!" He called after her, looking over the railing to her retreating form. Damn it, she's fast!
"Go after her, you idiot!" Yura yelled, pushing him roughly by the shoulders. He looked to her in confusion for a moment, startled by her shift. He had never heard her raise her voice. She did it again, "Hurry, or you won't catch her!"
That got him.
"Right!" He rushed down the stairs, taking two or three at a time, and nearly tripping on the cobblestones every so often. His heart was racing, his eyes darted in each direction, trying to pinpoint where Suki had run off to.
He finally caught sight of her; she was half-way across the garden, and he was only at the bottom steps of the stairwell. He wouldn't catch up to her if she didn't let him. He didn't know what else to do. "Suki!" He yelled, his voice sounded desperate, even to him.
To his relief, she stopped and turned in his direction.
He didn't waste another second; he sprinted towards her.
He was panting by the time he could see her properly. She had reached the center of a bridge overlooking a huge pond; she stood there completely still. He stopped at the entrance of the bridge, unsure of what to do now - what to say.
Her eyes were distracting him; there was a hesitancy to them. Even her cheeks were flushed, though he knew it wasn't from exertion. She seemed as nervous as he was, unable to find a comfortable place for her hands to rest. That made his confidence rise just enough for him to clear the haze in his mind. A huge smile broke through his features. She came. He refused to quench his excitement this time. "Suki!"
The tension in her shoulders dropped and her painted lips upturned into a small smile. Sokka closed the distance between them, slamming into her fiercely. She muttered his name, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
He had to lift her off the ground for her to reach, but he could care less. Winding his arms around her back; he pressed her closer to his chest. His calloused hands skimmed over the silk material of her dress. Her hair tickled his nose; the familiar smell widening his smile to its limit.
Suki reluctantly released him of her vice-like grip, and he placed her feet back onto solid ground, loosening his hold on her slightly. Just enough for her to look up at him.
"I - I thought -" she looked over to the balcony where he and Yura had been, her eyes still broadcasting her doubt and confusion.
Sokka mindlessly took a loose strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear so he could see her face clearer. He shook his head. "No. Yura is just my friend." He chuckled, "-well, more like my babysitter. But she and I aren't - we're not -" he didn't even want to say it. The relief in her eyes was enough to shut him up.
He noticed that his hand was still in her hair, and laughed again - playing with the unusually long strands. "You let it grow out. When I first saw you, I thought you were Kyoshi herself. Scared me half to death, by the way." He knew the compliment would go over well, and he was rewarded with a genuine laugh from her. His heart melted at the sound.
"I missed you," they said almost simultaneously, causing another spout of laughter to pass their lips.
The weight in his chest from earlier was lifted, and he placed his hands on each side of her face. She placed her hands over his wrists, locking him there. Her eyes closed, seemingly enjoying his touches. At a thought, his heart tightened and he bit his lip. He felt the need to whisper, "you're not - married with kids, are you?"
She looked up at him with a ridiculous expression, giggling, "who told you that?"
"Wait!" Sokka panicked, dropping his hands. "-Are you?!"
Placing her hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter, Suki shook her head at him. Her hair swishing back and forth with her movement. She dropped her hand away from her face and took a hold of both of his hands to calm him. "No." Her register dropped, "-I'm not married. And I don't have any children."
There was a sadness that seemed to wash over her, but she banished it quickly, hiding it with a small smile.
Sokka didn't know how to feel about her response and reaction. Instead of pondering his conflicted feeling, he smirked at her and decided to play it off. "Well, can you blame me for asking? A woman as beautiful as you, unmarried? Are the men on your island that slim?" He swayed her arms playfully, brightening her smile.
"Oh, Of course," Suki replied sarcastically, smoothing her hands over his chest. "All the men back home are either married or gay. When you came along, I was desperate."
He guffawed, wrapping her up into another tight embrace. She was smirking wickedly as he lifted her back up.
Her expression fell, and for a moment, he was concerned. He felt a soft tug around his neck, and put two-and-two together. His silliness faded for a moment. Drawing the cord out, he pulled the necklace from under his pelt and showed it to her. Her eyes seemed to glisten, and she placed her fingertips over the little stone.
"You kept it?" She seemed surprised.
He gave her a genuine smile. Gently taking her hands and the stone, he placed them against his chest. Their eyes met and his stomach fluttered at her expression. The sun was just beginning to set; the last little rays of sun enhancing the color of her eyes. "I never took it off."
That seemed to be their last reserve. He drew her closer, closing his eyes.
He could feel her breath on his lips, and he swore his heart stopped.
Her hands stilled against his chest, and his eyes opened to the sight of her retreating away from him. Guilt and sadness radiating from her. She turned her gaze away from him and his heart clenched. "Sokka, I - nothing's changed." She sighed heavily, drawing further away.
She lifted her eyes back to his, seeking understanding. Even with the sky darker at the moment, he could see unshed tears lining her lashes. "-I'm still sifu, and you're next in line to be chief." She was chewing on her bottom lip; he wanted to stop her assault.
"Suki? I -"
She interrupted him with a shake of her head, her feet moving her further away. "I - we can't do this again. We're being foolish." Her voice was almost harsh; It seemed forced. "-I'm sorry, Sokka. I shouldn't have come."
She moved to leave, but Sokka grabbed her wrist. "Suki! Wait!" He pleaded, meeting her eyes. "I - I just -" he hesitated, pursing his lips into a tight frown. A million words cluttered his thoughts. There were so many things he wanted to say to her.
The Earth shook beneath their feet, throwing them off balance. Sokka subconsciously grabbed onto both of her wrists to keep them both upright as the bridge threatened to give out on itself. A loud crash and screams followed suit and continued from the dining hall.
Suki didn't hesitate to dislodge herself from Sokka's hold, barreling towards the stairwell. Sokka was hot on her heels, and once they reached the hall - stood in shock at the chaos around them. Elements of almost every kind flew around the room. The members were under attack by what seemed to be masked assassins. Sokka was almost startled at their deadly precision.
They were standing their own against master benders like Toph, the Fire Lord, his sister, and the Avatar.
He was suddenly shoved out of harm's way and cast his gaze upon the woman who was now wielding his sword. He didn't even notice her removing it from his back.
Suki threw the weapon in his direction, and by the time he caught it, she had already unsheathed her fans. "Move!"
He was to his feet in a moment, fighting alongside the Kyoshi Warrior. They had always fought well together, and even their years apart did nothing to break that truth. They fell right back into their old rhythm, complementing their different fighting styles beautifully. They had - at one point - even traded weapons without hardly noticing.
In his personal opinion, they fought just as well as the benders they were rivaling.
His grip on his sword tightened, his heart racing with adrenaline. He didn't realize he was grinning ear to ear; he forgot just how much he loved the thrill of battle with his friends at his side.
He chanced a glance Suki's way, marveling at her grace and accuracy.
Her gaze went to him, and her eyes widened. Without warning, she threw her fans at his head. He didn't have time to duck out of their way, but he didn't need to. They whizzed by each side of his face. He blatantly heard the cutting of the wind they made by his ears and the distant 'thwap' of them slicing through her target.
Sokka turned and saw the shards of icy daggers that were meant for him - lying helplessly beside his feet and her golden fans. His heart sank at the realization that he came so close to going down by his own, homeland's element.
A loud gasp of breath brought his attention back over to his fighting partner. Her eyes were wide, staring at him blankly. Her mouth was parted.
The ice wasn't only directed at him.
She slowly looked down at the large pieces of ice penetrating her chest and abdomen. Their attacker bent the ice back into water, forcing her wounds to become fully exposed. Her knees gave out and she fell back into the pool of water beneath her feet. He heard her head hit the floor with a painful thud.
"Suki!" He shouted, racing toward her. He scooped her up, pressing against the wound of her chest. She was limp in his arms, choking. His vision was becoming blurry as he looked down at her broken body, begging nonsensically for her wounds to repair themselves. "Suki, no! No, no, b-breathe! Please!"
She gasped - trying to catch her breath - but failing. Blood began trickling out the side of her mouth. She stared up at him hazily, tears falling freely.
"Suki? Stay with me," he whimpered, pushing her hair out of her face. He blanched in horror as blood stained her auburn hair.
A mass of water phased by them, and Sokka looked up. Katara stood guard in front of them. She had thrown their attacker halfway across the room. She shouted over her shoulder, "we have to get out of here, Sokka! Now!"
Dun Dun! 0.0 Chapter 5 will be up tomorrow everyone. And also a thank you to 'SukkaShipper' for your review. I hope you continue enjoying. :) Until tomorrow, friends!