Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Author's Note: Finally, a Tokka of sorts, with some George and Kataang on the side. Takes place shortly after the season 2 finale.
Tale of MagawaSokka paced the beach near Ba Sing Se, unable to settle down. His mind was trying to go in about a hundred different directions at once, and he didn't know which thread to follow.
"I think he's going to be fine," offered Toph, misunderstanding his agitation. She was sitting a little further up the shore, where the ground was firmer. Sokka remembered how much she hated sand. Partly in deference to that, he moved closer to her. He looked over her head to where Aang was resting, Katara hovering over him protectively. Sokka sighed, knowing that he would never have the heart to try to keep them apart now, not after what they'd just been through.
"He's in good hands," he remarked aloud. "That's not really what I was worried about. I mean, I am worried about him, but it's not the main thing."
"What, then?"
"Well, just…everything, I guess." Sokka sat beside her and hesitated. Toph wasn't exactly a first choice for someone to be discussing your love life with. Still, maybe it would help to start talking. "I keep coming back to Suki. It's so hard not knowing what happened to her." Sokka felt equally torn between anger and despair and was reluctant to give himself over to either one. A fortune about anguish and misery popped into his head, but he discarded it almost as quickly. Toph remained silent for a long moment, leading Sokka to believe that this had been a bad idea.
"Suki can take care of herself," Toph pointed out cautiously.
"Yes, I know. I might not always act like I know that, but I do. But Azula and the others had to get those uniforms from somewhere. Trust me, they were authentic."
"You're sure?"
"I've worn one. Yes, I'm sure." He wasn't pacing anymore, but he fidgeted, bobbing one knee up and down.
"Please stop that," Toph requested, and Sokka belatedly realized that the vibrations must have been driving her crazy. He stopped, and then did a double take. Had she just said "please?" That was new.
"Sorry," he said, making a conscious effort to sit still.
"I'm worried about Iroh, too," Toph said quietly.
"You don't understand! This wouldn't be the first time I lost someone I…loved." It was the first time he'd made such a statement aloud, about either Yue or Suki, and a part of Sokka found it very odd that he'd chosen Toph as his confidant. Did he love Suki? After all, he'd only really met her twice. On the other hand, one passing view of Yue had been enough. He wished he had told her how he felt, just once.
"Worrying isn't really going to help," Toph said after another long silence.
"Don't you think I know that? I just can't help thinking about it. I mean, look at what Azula did to Aang! Do you think she'd hesitate--" Sokka broke off as his throat constricted painfully. When they'd come upon Katara with eyes streaming, cradling Aang's limp form, it had been one of the scariest things Sokka had ever seen. He remembered only too well how it had felt to hold Yue's lifeless body after she gave her life force to the moon spirit, and he wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone, especially his sister. "He's the most powerful person in the world. Suki's not even a bender."
"You never let that hold you back," she reminded him. Sokka shrugged, knowing she could feel the movement. He looked back over at Aang and Katara. The wound on Aang's back still looked horrible, and he could only imagine what it must have been like for Katara to actually watch the strike. The thought of Suki with similar marks on her was almost more than Sokka could bear. He took a deep breath and collected himself. His little family needed Sokka to be level-headed, and that was about the only thing holding him together right now.
"I feel like I've failed to protect someone again," he admitted softly, again distantly wondering what had come over him that he was opening up like this. Of course, the whole situation was kind of surreal, right down to Toph being understanding and supportive.
"She never asked for your protection," she reminded him.
"I know. It doesn't really help, though."
Toph chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully. Sokka couldn't be sure, but she seemed to be having some kind of internal struggle.
"I do want to help Iroh," she went on brusquely. "Suki might have been in trouble longer, though. I think we should look for her and the other Kyoshi warriors first."
"If we can get the others to agree," Sokka added a condition. Even so, having a definite goal in mind helped him to feel more settled, and his mind stopped running in circles. He gave the earthbender a quick, one-armed squeeze.
"Thanks, Toph."
"Don't mention it, Sokka."
Sokka had a feeling she meant that quite literally, but when he retrieved his arm, it seemed that the day was continuing to get weirder. He squinted at Toph's face, and though he found it hard to believe, he would have sworn she was blushing.
--
Author's note: I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I like some parts of it, but I don't know if the whole is as effective as I'd hoped. Oh, well, tell me what you think.
Member of the Boomeraang Squad: charleegirl, Jesus.Lives, Liselle129, Strix Moonwing, Avatarwolf, MormonMaiden, and honorary member SnakeEyes16
Thank you to softballgirl9411, IGAF-kun, and Aangtheavatar for reviewing Chapter 14.
Augustus Dominic: Well, this is sort of Sokka and Suki, and it could lead into a real one. I'm sorry, but you can't be a member of the Boomeraang Squad until you've written Avatar fanfics. Maybe, if you become a regular reviewer for me or the other members, you can gain honorary status like SnakeEyes16.
White Fuzzy Ears: I only played "Truth or Dare" with a bunch of girls, but I actually had fun playing "Spin the Bottle" in college. All the guys were drunk and the girls sober, which made for a very…interesting game. The beer breath wasn't so great.
Jesus.Lives: Nice to hear from you again! Yeah, I could totally see her doing something like this.
frozenheat: Is there such a thing as a good cliffhanger? Sorry I haven't resolved it quite yet.
Durin's Bane: I am considering putting the Maiko series into its own fic and expanding it some.
MormonMaiden: Thank you for appreciating that paragraph. I thought it was time Zuko started thinking of Mai as a girl.
Nuclear Kitty: I'm still not sure how far Maiko will go in canon, but I'm finding it kind of fun to develop.
Avatarwolf: I guess she didn't start all that young, then. You're just still young.:)
Tech-Man: I'm interested to see how it works out, too. I figure that Mai doesn't really have any stake in staying with Azula like Zuko does, nor any particular loyalty. Azula won't hesitate to cast Mai aside as soon as she is no longer useful, and Mai won't hesitate to jump ship if a better offer comes along.
Kumori Doragon: Yes, not interfering with Kataang IS all that matters! I do count myself blessed that these things just sort of leap into my head fully formed, but it can be a mixed blessing, like when it keeps me awake at night.
Kimbalynn616: I don't understand the attraction of Zutara, either. I actually think they're too similar to have a lasting romance. Two quick tempers just do not go together.