Her limbs were sore. Even more than that, she was overwhelmed and tired. Their mission with the Earth king - though temporary - was daunting none-the-less. It filled her heart with pride that King Kuei trusted her and her warriors so greatly. But she hadn't slept more than 5 hours in the past 3 days, and it was certainly taking its toll on her. She stood tall though during the meeting, setting an example for her sisters.
She continuously ignored Ty Lee's gaze throughout. Her resolve may have slipped if she looked into the eyes of her closest friend.
A shaky breath left her. Suki closed her heavy eyes and let the warm air around her fill her lungs.
She knew she should sleep during her break, but her attempt would be for naught. Her mind was at war. Her body moved in rhythm with the calming breeze passing through the garden. The paint on her face became more noticeable then; its prolonged use was irritating her skin. She resisted the urge to mess with it, returning her focus back to her movements. Training was the easiest way for her to relax - process.
"You should be resting," the familiar voice of her friend interrupted. For some reason, her fans became heavier at that moment, causing her to drop her hands the slightest amount.
Suki straightened her back, resuming her stance. "Not tired."
A quiet filled the space between them.
Suki could feel Ty Lee's gaze boring into her back. She knew the stubborn woman wouldn't just leave it at that. Suki was unsure if she was annoyed, or grateful that she was looking out for her. It's possibly a nice blend of the two. She thought dryly.
A hand met her wrist, pushing down against it with light force. Suki was too tired to protest. She allowed her hands to drop as she turned to face her company. Suki was met with understanding eyes, and it hurt her heart to think of what her friend may say next.
"I don't know about you, but even I was swooning over those muscles. Like seriously! Where did those come from?" She didn't even finish before Suki was laughing. Ty Lee joined shortly after, covering her hand over her mouth.
Her ribs burned from her slap-happy giggles, but it was honestly a welcome release. Little beads of tears sprung to her eyes. She wiped them away before they could fully develop. Ty Lee's arms wound around her shoulders in a tight hug, and she sighed, hugging her back.
Weariness hit her full force then. She was exhausted.
Ty Lee squeezed her once more before pulling her at arm's length. "I'll wake you up before the dinner tonight, alright?"
Suki nodded, her shoulders drooping at even the prospect of sleep.
I may not even make it to my room before I pass out. Suki thought.
A smirk found a home on Ty Lee's face, "I'll help you get ready! He won't even know what to do with himself after I'm done with you!" She finished her train of thought through a whisper in Suki's ear. Suki blushed, pushing her away and shaking her head. Ty Lee continued to giggle at herself.
"Why I'm friends with you, I'll never know."
"You'd be a stick in the mud without me, and you know it, Sifu sour-face!"
Ty Lee bit her lip, bottling up her emotions pitifully.
The sight of her friend was torturing her, and she didn't know how to cope. Her sisters were around her, but she felt no comfort by their presence. They were all gathered to see their leader - their friend - pass into the spirit world.
Just that morning; she and Suki had played a game of Pai Sho to keep themselves awake. They were laughing, jabbing each other with playful remarks about men.
And now?
Suki's headdress sat uncomfortably in Ty Lee's hands.
She wanted to sling it across the room, but it was also the only thing she could hold onto from her friend. Suki had only moments before silently slid it in her direction, passing her mantle onto her. Ty Lee could see the sorrow it brought her to choose her for the task, but she also saw the pride in Suki's eyes as she picked her.
Ty Lee bowed with the utmost respect. Through her tears, she vowed, "I'll bring honor to your name, and to the Kyoshi Warriors for the rest of my life. I promise."
With all the strength she had left to muster, she grabbed Ty Lee's hand and squeezed it tightly. Placing the head-dress to the side, Ty Lee bowed her head to her knuckles and held Suki's hand with both of hers.
"Th-Thank you, Suki ...for being my sister." She burst into sobs, losing all her composure. She didn't care that the others were watching.
He should have brought a shawl. But he honestly could care less about the freezing rain nipping at his skin. His whole body felt numb.
For only a split second, he wondered how he got out here. Only a moment later he realized how little he cared.
He stood far too close to the edge of the dock. The sway of the water beneath his feet did nothing to calm his raging heart. He cursed the image of himself reflecting back at him.
Lightning struck the sky. He bellowed along with the thunder, crumbling to his knees. He had lost people - mourned. But this hurt, he had nothing to relate it to. He balled the front of his tunic tightly, clawing at his chest. This pain was too much. She's gone.
He could only watch as she had choked on her breath and finally took her last. And there wasn't a thing he could do to stop it.
He threw explicits venomously at the sky, gripping his shirt tighter. He felt the stone biting into his palm, and tugged the cord hard, snapping it off his neck. Through his poor vision, he made out her necklace. He closed his fist around it before hurling it into the sea in his rage.
He watched it hit the surface, and panic overtook him. His chest involuntarily heaved, "no! No!"
Before logic could set in, Sokka dove into the sea after it. The frigid water took his breath upon entry. The dark water made it hard for him to see anything in front of him, but he had to find it before it was lost forever. It's the only thing I have left of her!
He swam harder, desperately searching. The burning in his chest screamed at him, demanding air. He pulled up towards the surface instinctively, only for waves to crash down upon him, forcing him further down. He clawed against the furious sea, fighting it to no avail. He battled it for what seemed like hours.
He carelessly took a breath, intaking seawater. The bitter taste filled his lungs. He felt himself sinking, and he stopped fighting the current. He couldn't move on his own. This is it. He thought, looking up a final time.
In his delirium; he could have sworn he saw a woman reaching for him. Suki?
A painful sting in his chest made him gasp and cough up the water from his lungs. He sat upon his hands and knees, trying to make sense of breathing again. Am I dead? He wondered, staring down at the darkened sea beneath him. Finally catching his breath, he lifted his head and saw the woman from before smiling down at him.
He blinked repetitively, trying to clear the saltwater from his eyes. Surely he was only imagining her. But when he reopened his eyes, she was still there. "Y-Yue?"
A small smile fit her features. "Hello, Sokka."
Her voice was eerily soft and brought temporary peace upon him. But confusion remained within him. "I-I don't understand. Am I ...dead?"
"You surely would have if I hadn't intervened," she said simply. There wasn't a harshness to her tone - only one that sounded matter-of-fact.
He lowered his head, "I'm sorry. I... I was -"
"Looking for this." She said tenderly, bending to her knee and presenting the necklace to him. His heart leaped for it, but his hand stilled inches away from its target. Her eyes focused on his, and she tilted her head in question. "-Why do you hesitate? Is this not what you want?"
He ducked his head feeling his lip quiver. His shoulders and his head shook. He was so tired, and he couldn't hold back his pent-up frustration any longer. He couldn't lie. "I'm a coward," he sobbed, "It's my fault! It's all my fault, Yue! I didn't fight hard enough. Sh-She's gone because of me! And I - I never told her! ...I never told her that I loved her. I was too scared she'd leave - just like everybody else did. A-And now she's -" it hit him like a stone wall.
He slumped over, spent and weary. "-She's dead."
He didn't know how long he sat there crying, only that she waited for him. He pulled his forearm against his cheeks, wiping away his sorrows. I don't deserve to feel sorry for myself.
Yue watched him slowly collect himself, and she gave him a reassuring smile. "You both denied yourselves of your place in this world. I'd say it's time you face it head-on." She lifted him to his feet. He watched as she placed Suki's necklace against her pale chest. She began glowing even brighter than before, and he had to turn away from the piercing light. "-The moon saved us both once before. It may have taken my life in its place, but I can assure you I don't need a second sacrifice."
The glow faded from her body, but the stone continued shining like a beckon in the night. Sokka furrowed his brow in confusion. "I don't understand."
She smiled at him a final time and took his hands. "Don't be afraid this time." Before he could ask what she meant, she faded like mist, and water surrounded him again.
He looked to the surface and swam towards it with ease. Breath filled his lungs. The sky was calmer, only a light sprinkle as evidence that a storm had passed through. His mind filled with questions and doubts of his sanity.
He looked to his hands, and his breath caught at what lay in it. Without a second thought, he swam to shore as fast as he could.
Happy Monday everyone! Hope you enjoyed this shorter chapter; come back tomorrow for number 7! :D Also, another thank you to MusicDrivenLady! Y'all seriously need to check out her stories; they're SO good! I haven't finished 'Teenage Dream' yet, but I'm so excited to give you my thoughts! Ah, the joys of finding amazing stories and writers! Until tomorrow, loves! God bless! 3