First thank you for all the reviews and adds to favorites list. It is greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA - that unfortunately belongs to someone that is not me.
Slight M near the end - Sokka in a bit of angst here.
R&R
Chapter 9 – Forest of Gaipan
Sokka:
(Sunset three days after the rescue of Sokka)
Infiltrating the Fire Nation camp had not been easy, guards were doubled and more alert than Sokka had remembered them. He had managed to find the basement where they had kept their weapons and grabbed a new machete and bow and arrows; he sorely missed his boomerang. Toph and Aang did major damage to the barracks and prison hold, many of the prisoners escaped and helped them fight off the guards. An older woman that Sokka had gotten to know helped him gather supplies as much as she could and get them to Appa. By the time they left the camp there wasn't much left for the Fire Nation to guard, and the prisoners seemed to have been in control. He only hoped it would stay that way once they gone.
They had decided that they would head towards Gaipan, and search for the Freedom Fighters' or what was left of them before heading to Ba Sing Se. Sokka had heard the soldiers in the compound talking about a resistance there. He didn't know if it was Jet and his gang or not, but it was worth a try to attempt gathering recruits.
Mostly flying at night and resting during the day, so Appa wouldn't be spotted as easily. So far it had proved to be a good plan. They were nearing the edge of the forest of Gaipan, the sun was setting to the west of them, and days seemed to be getting shorter and cooler.
Sokka hadn't had much to say to Aang over the last couple of days, only to ask him to pass him something to eat. He just couldn't imagine why Aang would abandon his duty again, knowing what had nearly happened the last time. Aang was different, he was fighting a war, but not the one he was needed in. Sokka figured out after overhearing him and Toph the night before that Aang was still having trouble letting go of his earthly attachments. He could only assume this was Katara.
But right now that was the last of Sokka's concern; he wanted to find his sister. A day didn't pass that she wasn't at front of his thoughts, hoping and praying that she wasn't being held captive like he was, or worse, being held in the Fire Nation palace as a concubine. He may have seemed like an oblivious brother, but he knew that Katara was an attractive girl. Mostly he tried to ignore the looks he had observed from Zuko in her direction and Jet when he was around. Katara was just too kind hearted for her own good; she always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. That was usually what ended up hurting her, she believed that people could change, she believed in the greater good.
Though he never felt closer to Toph, don't think for a minute that she backed down from him. She always had her way of putting him in perspective with things, usually at the end of a very heated and frustrating debate. He would never understand the opposite sex completely, this he was comfortable with; who would want to be inside their ever changing minds. Toph had made him a new boomerang out of some fire nation metal they found, it wasn't his old one, but it had its value to him. He sharpened it while they flew at night, trying to keep his mind from slipping into pessimistic thoughts.
"I think we should just walk the rest of the way in," Sokka said as the last of the suns rays filtered through the tall canopy of trees.
"I think your right Sokka." Aang stroked Momo who was on his shoulder.
"Yeah, if there are any of Jet's people around, they will find us before we find them." Sokka adjusted his bow and arrow.
"You have no argument from me; I prefer to be on the ground, where I can see." Toph knelt down putting her hand on the earth. "So far all I can see is us."
"From what I understood, Azula didn't waste much of her efforts here, mostly because soldiers that were sent here to take down the resistance were never heard from again," Sokka said in a low voice. "So maybe we won't have to deal with any of them."
They walked in silence for an hour maybe longer, the air getting cooler as the last rays of the sun disappeared. No sign of anyone in the forest; Sokka was beginning to think that maybe there was no resistance here any more. Momo began to chatter and move about on top of Aang's head. Toph stopped suddenly and turned to Sokka and Aang then pointed in the direction ahead of them. Sokka absently removed the boomerang, and he noticed Aang tighten his grip on his staff.
Toph moved forward very slowly, then suddenly she stomped the ground and moved her hands swiftly, producing four watchmen from behind a thicket of trees and rocks. All of which were groaning in discomfort when Toph sent them piling one on top of the other. Sokka noticed they weren't dressed in Fire Nation clothing, yet they looked like they had pieced together uniforms from scraps they had recovered from here and there.
The three of them closed in on them, Sokka with his boomerang ready to attack. Aang with his staff directed at their heads and Toph in her bending stance.
"Who are you?" Sokka demanded.
"Come now Sokka, don't tell me you have forgotten us that quickly," a voice said from the trees above.
"Jet?" Sokka looked up above him to see a shadowing figure squatting on a large tree branch.
"The one and only." Jet slid down on a rope to the ground where they were.
Sokka was actually surprised to see him still alive. The last time he had in fact seen Jet was beneath Lake Laogai, and he was hurt pretty bad. None of them thought he would make it out alive.
"I thought you were-," Sokka started.
"-dead," replied Jet. "Pretty damn near was."
Sokka couldn't see him very good in the moonlight that was barely making it to the ground through the thick canopy. His hair was much longer, and he limped as he walked toward them. From behind him they were joined by a much taller Smellerbee, she still had the red paint on her face, but she had grown up quite a bit. Sokka was as surprised by her appearance as he was Toph's. Longshot followed close behind her, he only nodded his head to Sokka.
"Don't let him fool you Sokka; Long Feng nearly did kill him." Smellerbee placed her hand on Jet's shoulder.
Sokka noticed Jet looking around.
"Where's Katara?" he asked.
"We don't know," Toph answered moving closer to Sokka.
Jet didn't respond he only chewed on the piece of grass between his teeth.
"Why don't you all come back to camp, and we can catch up there," said Smellerbee. "You look hungry and tired." She turned and motioned for them to follow her.
Aang moved forward first, walking past Jet, with Appa by his side and Momo on his shoulder. Sokka was hesitant to move.
"Are you coming Sokka?" Jet asked him.
Toph put her hand on his arm.
"Come on Sokka," she said.
Hesitantly Sokka moved forward and followed Jet and Aang, with Toph by his side. He hadn't forgotten that day when Jet tried to do away with him. He couldn't help but be cautious of him. The only thing they had in common was their extreme dislike for the Fire Nation. Sokka never trusted him after he deceived and manipulated Katara, turning her against him. Another example of how she always let her emotions rule her.
"You still don't trust him do you?" Toph asked him.
"I don't know," he answered, keeping his eyes on Jet.
"Right now he's all we have Sokka."
"Yeah, I know." They continued to walk forward through the forest.
Sokka couldn't believe his eyes, when they came up on a small village situated in the trees. Jet's "little gang" had grown to the size of a small village. There were several hundred people; women, men and children roamed the encampment.
"Meet the new Freedom Fighter's," Jet said as he stood on the edge of the camp.
Several fires were set on the ground, people sitting around eating and talking, but they all stopped when they entered. Appa drew most of the attention, he was very hard to ignore. Several children ran up to him and began petting him, asking Aang if they could get on his back. Momo was happier than ever, all the attention and Lychee nuts coming his way.
"Most of these people are refugees," Smellerbee said. "We have some deserters from the Fire Nation army."
"Make your selves at home," Jet said as a little boy ran past them chasing a group of young girls. "We have food and healers if you need them."
"Thanks Jet," said Toph still holding to Sokka's arm.
"You guys can stay with me," Jet said, moving in the direction of one of the larger huts in the camp.
"I think I will just stay outside with Appa," Aang said, patting the large fury beast on the head. Momo jumped on to Toph as she and Sokka followed Jet. Sokka looked back at Aang who was staring around the camp at the devastation of the Fire Nation.
Jet's hut was nice and roomy, a metal stove in the center of the floor. It looked as if he always expected company, or perhaps more refugees. Several beds lined each wall, all with fresh clothes on them.
"I keep beds ready for those that may arrive in need of assistance." Jet gestured to the beds. "Sometimes we get a few families a night. I just hoped that by now we would all be free from the Fire Nation."
"Yeah, I think we all did." Sokka sat on the edge of one of the beds.
"Aren't you all still wanted by the Fire Nation? The Duke confiscated some wanted posters of you guys from some Fire Nation a night or so ago." Jet moved across the room. "You know news of your escape and Aang's return has swept through here like a storm."
"Yeah we are," Toph snorted.
"You really don't know where Katara is?" asked Jet, he turned around and took a hot pot of tea from the stove.
"No, we don't," Sokka answered resolutely. "That's why we came here."
"You thought she would be here?" Jet handed him a cup of tea, then one to Toph.
"We think she may still be in Ba Sing Se," Toph answered taking the hot cup.
"Why?" he asked with a genuine concern.
"I don't know how much you know about the attack on Ba Sing Se, about four years ago, shortly after Aang disappeared, but to make a long story short." Toph took a sip of her tea then continued, "We all got separated, and Sokka was captured by Mai and TyLee and taken to Azula, where he was sent to a prison camp near Omashu. I made it away only by the grace of Appa, with Momo, and we haven't seen Katara since.
"Wasn't Prince Zuko and his Uncle with you guys then?" Jet asked another question.
"They were, both when Aang disappeared, and when we were ambushed in Ba Sing Se," Sokka said with hatred. "If you ask me I think Zuko was setting us up the whole time. It wouldn't have been the first time."
Jet narrowed his eyes; Sokka could tell he was in deep thought.
"What can I do to help?" Jet stood.
"Now that Aang is back, we need as many as we can gather. I know it will be hard to convince people to fight and rise up again, but we have to try." Sokka took a deep breath before continuing, "We are heading to Ba Sing Se to find Katara."
"People have lost faith in the Avatar, and I can't say that I blame them," Jet commented. "But I think we can gather a pretty substantial army. Azula may not think so, but she has few allies left, even her own soldiers and people are seeking refuge from her."
"The prison camp where I was being held was in control by the prisoners when we left, they may need some reinforcements there," Sokka added. "But our first mission is Katara."
"I understand," Jet stated. "You will forgive me, I can't come with you." Jet looked away briefly. "Smellerbee was right, Long Feng nearly killed me and I haven't been the same since, and besides, I have another responsibility here."
Sokka looked at Jet puzzled, and then from another room entered a young woman, about Katara's age; very pretty and very with child.
"I would like for you both to meet Jin," Jet said introducing her. "She is from Ba Sing Se, a refugee. She came here several years ago, with her little brother. Jin this is Sokka and Toph."
"It's so nice to meet you." She bowed her head to them. "Jet has told me about you both."
"She is expecting our child very soon." Jet smiled as he laid his hand on her very large belly. "Near death experiences makes a man rethink his life."
Sokka was sure that his face was etched in shock. He just never pictured Jet to be the settling down type.
"Of course we understand Jet," Toph said as she sat beside Sokka, placing her hand on his knee, squeezing it hard.
"Yeah of course," Sokka forced out in a squelch.
"I will do what I can from here."
"We appreciate any help you can give us Jet," Toph thanked him.
"Now if you will excuse us, Jin has a visit with the healer."
Jet and Jin left, leaving the two warriors behind in the hut.
"I never really pegged Jet for the family guy." Sokka shook his head.
"Is there something the matter with that?"
"No, I guess not. Babies have never been my sort of thing, they are so squishy."
Toph laughed.
"What? They cry, whine, and want feeding all the time."
"Like you." She smiled at him.
"Me? I have you know I do not cry," he said defensively. "And I am not squishy."
"A baby wouldn't be such a bad thing Sokka."
"How could you bring a baby into a world like this, it's – it's inhumane."
"So you're saying your parents were inhumane?"
He groaned he knew he would not win this argument, with her in a million years.
"Yes, and so were yours." He leaned forward and kissed her. "I'm starving."
"See there you go, you want feeding."
"A warrior needs his sustenance."
"Careful, you don't want to hurt your self with such big words."
Sokka laughed and kissed Toph again.
"I hate you," he said with a growl.
"I can tell your lying." She lay back on the bed pulling him with her.
Sokka kissed her again, only this time lingering on her mouth. Over the last few days she had become his comfort. Imagine that, Toph a comfort. Yet he felt the urge to pull away, not allow any further involvement on either part. Relationships never seemed to work out for Sokka; usually they ended in death of the one he was involved in. The thought must have hindered his reaction.
"Sokka?" Toph's voice was soft.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking," he said looking down at her, again.
"I thought we already established the basics," said Toph with a smirk.
Sokka was silent as his finger traced the outline of Toph's face.
"Talk to me, I can only read your reactions not your mind Sokka." Toph had managed to switch positions with Sokka, now she was sitting on top of him.
How he wished she hadn't done that, it made it so much harder for him to tell her that he didn't want anything happening to her. And how that all the women in his life ended up disappearing, most of the time through death. He was fairly certain that this bit of intimate information wouldn't sway Toph's decision.
"I don't know if you have noticed Toph, but my luck in the love department doesn't usually pan out." He placed his hands on the tops of her thighs.
"And so you are going to let that affect us because why?" she asked unfazed.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you is all." He sighed heavily.
"Sokka listen to me," she said as she placed her hands on his chest. "If the years take away every memory that we have, then we would just be blank souls wandering the earth. I don't want you to forget about Yue or Suki, which would be like asking you to forget about Katara or asking me to forget about you. I have loved you for a long time now, and I want to just live in the here and now. What happens, well it will just happen." Her words were profound. "Besides, it wasn't your fault with Yue or Suki. Yue did what she did to protect her people and save Aang, and from what you have told me about her, she was brave, like you."
"It was my fault, I didn't protect her, and I wasn't there when Suki was attacked by Azula-,"
"Sokka," Toph cut him off, "you can't change someone's destiny for them, we decide our own fate, and if is a big word, when it comes to the outcome of a situation. We don't know how things would turn out if we had done this and if we had done that, think about it, would I be as good at earthbending if I weren't blind? Who knows, personally I don't want to find out.
"Sure I would be able to see, but then who knows what I would be if I could see. You understand what I am trying to say to you Sokka?" she asked pertinently.
In a single swift motion, Sokka sat up and wrapped his arms around Toph, pressing her body to his. His lips found and captured hers in a kiss that was unexpectedly gentle and almost nurturing. "You always have a way of making me see things in a different light Toph, thank you," he said his mouth brushing against her cheek.
"My pleasure Sokka," she said as he saw the signs of a telltale heat of a blush slipping into her cheeks.
He was sure that was something most people didn't get to view very often, Toph blushing. The truth was there were quite few people who fell short of the charisma and bravado that Toph possessed and that Sokka so had begun to depend upon. He was fairly certain that there were few people that Toph let get her off balance, and he couldn't help but be fascinated when she was that way.
Immediately he felt the swell in his groin as she kissed him again. This had been the first time they were alone since the night she had rescued him. Yes he could admit that, he was rescued by a woman, the manly Water Tribe Warrior. Sokka began to remove her shirt, his lips moving down kissing the soft flesh there. The flickering of the lamps in the room danced off her skin, making it even more appealing to him. Suddenly Sokka felt his hardness grasped in a firm, yet gentle closure, he tensed momentarily then eased as Toph moved her hand slowly over his need.
It was as if time was trapped in a cocoon, as she undressed him, her hands roaming deliberately over his body. She was looking at him again, only this time taking more time as she did so. Sokka laid back bringing Toph with him, they were both oblivious to anything but each other. She sucked in a tight breath as a wave of her heat anointed him as he entered her. He heard his throat release a moan of gratitude as she rocked back and forth in fluid motions. Her hair hanging down her back provided the perfect hold as he felt the white heat surge through his body to hers. Her nails dug deep in his shoulders before her head came to rest in the crook of his neck. Their breathing slowly was drowned out by the noise outside the hut. It took them both a moment to realize where they were again.
Now sitting in the middle of the bed, they both jumped when the door opened. Toph turned her head quickly to see who was intruding.
"I'm sorry, I was looking for someone," said the woman in the door, immediately covering her eyes.
"Suki?" Sokka said shocked as he shifted, moving Toph unceremoniously to the bed.
"Suki!" echoed Toph with a slight agitation.
"Sokka?" said the woman in the door way with her mouth agape. Her eyes darted back and forth to the naked woman on the bed, to Sokka who was quickly pulling on his pants. "I can see I am interrupting." She lowered her head and backed out the door.
Sokka closed his eyes momentarily, and looked down at Toph who had made no attempt to cover herself.
"Toph," he said with despondency.
She didn't say anything only held her hand up gesturing to the door. Sokka did something much unexpected, even of himself. He pulled Toph up by her held out hand bringing her to her knees on the bed and kissed her flush on the lips.
"I'll be back." He grabbed his shirt and hastily put it on as he headed out the door to find Suki.
A/N: Okay so the Season three episode was fantastic - Not thrilled about the Mai Zuko thing, but that is why I am here - to put my twist on things. I will incorporate things in the third season if it fits what I already have panned out. Please don't get offended when I stray from canon. As we don't know what happened yet to Jet or the Kyoshi Warriors, this is how I am incorporating it...
Apologies for the delay in getting up the chapter, I think I am in over my head with leading a new GS troop and my son injuring his hand doing a little "Foggy Swamp Style" bending on a tree. Work as always intereferes with what I want to do.