A/N: (edit : 7/1/07) Hey everyone! I'm back, sorry I haven't updated for a while, I've been a little busy, trying to get back into the whole 'school' thing… Uhg… I hate school, and I'm also in a sport at the moment so that doesn't help either lol, thanks everyone for being so patient! I hope this chapter makes up for the wait! Enjoy!
Book Two – Water and Air
Chapter Five - Sokka's Wish
A couple days had past, the three travelers were sick and tired of being in the air on Appa for so long, Katara almost thought she was going to kill herself if she heard the word 'food' nonchalantly trail from Sokka's mouth one more time. Although, that wasn't the only thing on Sokka's mind.
"NO! Be careful with her, hold her gently," Katara instructed to Sokka who was desperately attempting to hold Kaimah in his arms without his sister bickering and explaining on how to hold the little cub. Sokka sighed loudly and quickly scoot away from Katara who was attempting to retrieve the cub from Sokka's arms.
"Katara, I know how to hold her, I'm not stupid..." Sokka said loudly before he looked down at the adorable cub in his arms, "Girls and their...motherly instincts," Sokka mumbled, evidently Katara overheard him.
"What's wrong with motherly instincts?" Katara questioned as she crossed her arms, Sokka quickly looked up with a big grin.
"Nothing," Sokka chimed, Katara rolled her eyes and focused her attention to Aang, who was teasing Momo with the pair of marbles he always kept in his shirt. Katara instantly smiled at the cute and playful sight before her, and at that, she slowly crawled over to the boy and his lemur.
"Hey Aang," Katara said calmly, yet happily as Aang retrieved the marbles, he was airbending around, from the air causing Momo to suddenly plunge into him. Aang let out a soft giggle.
"Hi," Aang said with a small laugh as Momo scrambled about in Aang's arms.
"So, where to next?" Katara asked the young airbender next to her as she peered off of Appa's saddle curiously. Aang shrugged with a smile as Momo settled down and flew over to Sokka.
"I don't know, maybe we could go--" Aang was cut off.
"Do I have a say in this?" Sokka suddenly questioned, Katara and Aang fell silent as their gentle gaze fell upon the boy sitting not too far away from them.
"Sure Sokka, where do you want to go next?" Katara asked softly before she stole a glance at Aang, Sokka instantly grinned and looked about, he then suddenly frowned.
"You okay Sokka?" Aang asked, noticing his rapturous facial expression fall sad, Sokka nodded quickly and looked about, as if he was looking for something.
"You sure?" Katara questioned, Sokka looked up.
"N-no, I'm fine...I don't know where we should go next, you guys can just...figure it out this time," Sokka said softly as he gently pat Kaimah's soft belly, he peered down at the little cub he held, hoping to avoid eye contact form the two teens across Appa's saddle. Aang shrugged softly and turned to Katara.
"Okay, where do you want to go, Katara?" Aang asked with a small smile, Katara glanced at her brother warily, wondering what his issue was, Katara could've sworn he was going to say something along the lines of 'stop for food' but not this time, he acted as if he was the most melancholy person on earth. Katara sighed softly, knowing something was up but she figured it'd pass, whatever Sokka was thinking about, he'd most likely get over it in five minutes and move onto more important issues...like food.
"I-I don't know, maybe we should stop anywhere to uh...fill up on supplies" Katara suggested, Aang nodded in agreement as he looked over to the large food bag, sitting not to far away, noticing it was more than half empty.
"Good idea," Aang said with a smile as he stood and walked to Appa's head quickly. Appa landed near a fairly large village and Aang and Katara were eager to shop for the food and supplies they needed, although, surprisingly, Sokka wasn't at all.
He trudged far behind Aang and Katara as they shopped, hating his life at the moment. He stared at them for hours on end it seemed, a mixed emotion brewing in his heart, he began to feel jealous at how comfortable the young couple acted around each other, easily holding conversations, holding hands occasionally and every now and then, Sokka would catch Katara in the act of leaning over and giving Aang a little peck on the cheek.
Sokka would roll his eyes, feeling the jealousy in his heart go sky high; he wondered if he would ever find love for himself, and for that matter, he began to feel sorry for himself. He thought back to last winter, of Yue, he loved her so, and he knew she had reasons for leaving him like that, although Sokka still thought it was unfair.
Sokka thought back even further to last year, he remembered Suki, even though she had annoyed him to the highest extent, he did grow quite a crush on her, and that little peck on the cheek seemed to seal it, sort of like a 'goodbye, I might not ever see you again' kiss. Sokka felt as if he was running out of air from sighing so much.
Just as Sokka was about to let his mind continue to reel out pent up emotions, he noticed Aang trying to get his attention from a near by food stand. Sokka stared at the young airbender, waving one arm in the air, a big grin plastered on his face as he motioned towards the meat stand, evidently, Aang was hoping to draw Sokka towards what he loves most, he sighed, yet again and began to trudge over to his sister and the young monk next to her.
"No wonder she loves him so much," Sokka told himself, "He's so weird, they're a perfect match," Sokka chuckled as he walked up to Aang, he had a bewildered look on his face.
"Why are you laughing?" Aang questioned as Sokka handed Kaimah over to Aang.
"Nothing, you just looked funny," Sokka laughed as he pushed past Aang and over to his sister.
"Oh ha...hey," Aang said loudly as he eyed Sokka.
"Sokka, we thought you might like something here," Katara smiled as she gestured towards the stand next to her, Sokka frowned and glanced back and forth between the stand and his sister.
"Nah," Sokka said as he waved one hand in the air and began to walk away. At this, Aang and Katara fell silent. Sokka was refusing food?
"Are you kidding?" Aang asked as he gently handed little Kaimah to Katara before he rubbed the back of his head, Sokka quickly turned around.
"Look, I'm not hungry alright?" Sokka snapped as he glared at Katara, oddly enough. Katara frowned and hugged Kaimah closer to her, she didn't like it much when her brother raised his voice and at that, Sokka frowned and quickly turned to walk away. Katara nervously looked at Aang with a small frown on her face.
"What was that all about?" Aang asked softly as he took the food bag from Katara, noticing she was struggling slightly, Katara shrugged with a frown.
"I don't know," Katara breathed softly as she watched her brother disappear into the crowds, it looked as if he was headed over to Appa, Katara and Aang slowly began to follow him, having finished their errands.
- - -
Later that night, the three were all in a calm silence on Appa, Sokka sighed for literally the hundredth time as he gazed up to the moon and bright stars that dotted the night sky. He wondered if he'd ever find love again, he knew there was someone for everyone but he felt as if his two someone's had vanished from him.
He hung his head and let his mind reel on the two most beautiful girls that he had met. He suddenly remembered something, or someone for that matter. He quickly lifted his head and gazed out to the dark ocean before him, another girl had suddenly flashed across his mind, and even though he remembered her beauty very well, there was no way he could forget her name. It had such a pretty ring to it; the very essence of it seemed to fit her personality perfectly.
Sokka suddenly frowned, thinking back to the day he left 'her', it had to be one of the most painful days of his life. Sokka shook his head and shut his eyes tight, not wanting to dwell on it but it seemed as if his mind couldn't help but think of the beautiful girl he had left behind about two years ago.
Time and time again, he'd think back to his homeland, the South Pole, and at how many times he wished he could go back there. He knew Aang's destiny was to master the four elements and defeat Fire lord Ozai before Sozen's comet arrives but Sokka felt as if there was no way possible that'd he'd wait until summers end to see the girl he missed most.
Sokka sighed, yet again, he finally gave in and thought about the day he left the girl he knew most, the girl he left behind awhile ago, not knowing then how much he loved her, hoping she felt the same.
- -Flashback- -
"Sokka? What are you doing, aren't you supposed to help clean up everything?" she asked, her beautiful blonde hair, tucked into two braids, gently flicked about in the arctic air, Sokka turned around to see that she had entered his tent, a bewildered look on her face, almost one of shock, Sokka sighed softly and stopped packing for the moment as he turned around.
She entered the tent slowly, carefully approaching the boy she had known for so long, Sokka sighed softly and looked down at his feet.
"I have to go," Sokka said softly, hating those words, he wish he didn't have to say them but he felt as if he owed Aang at this time, he had saved their village and Katara was desperate to go find him.
"What are you talking about?" she said, tears now forming in her beautiful blue eyes, she slowly stepped closer to Sokka, not liking where this was going. She noticed the glum look on Sokka's face, he was serious about this and she knew it.
"We owe Aang, he saved our village...a-and Katara wants to go look for him, he could be in trouble and he's our only chance, please understand," Sokka said softly, hoping the trembling girl before him would nod or do something to show that she knew what he was talking about.
She stared into his dark blue eyes, cold tears were now streaming her cheeks and her eyes were glassy, she had her arms and hands tucked close to her chest for warmth. Just as it looked as if she was going to turn around and leave, she instantly stepped forward and dove into Sokka's warm arms, she embraced his around his neck and shoulders as she continued to sob into his ear.
Sokka, slightly taken aback, frowned and quickly returned the sweet embrace, he rubbed her back gently in hopes of helping her calm down. She, still shaken from the sudden idea of Sokka leaving, continued to cry over Sokka's shoulder, the strong grip the two had around eachother only got tighter, as if they'd never let each other go.
"I'll miss you Sokka," she whimpered in Sokka's ear ever so softly, she continued to press herself closer to Sokka, loving his warmth, his presence, taking in it all, the closeness the two wouldn't be able to share for a long time to come.
Sokka took a deep breath as he blinked back tears himself, hating the fact that he had to leave, although it was either staying at the South Pole, or traveling the world with the Avatar, he felt as if he wanted to see more of the world, have that opportunity, live his life and hope that some day, the two would meet up again in this crazy adventure they called life.
"I'll miss you too..." Sokka whispered softly as he tightened his arms around her lower waist, she continued to cry until she calmed down a bit, hating this moment, yet at the same time, it was the first time her and Sokka had ever truly hugged each other and stayed there, it was almost as if it were a reassurance to the both of them.
After some time, she pulled away from Sokka, her eyes red from crying and her hands trembled slightly, that is until Sokka gently took her hands in his.
"It'll be okay," Sokka said softly as the beautiful girl nodded along with a small sniffle, Sokka continued, "I promise you, we will be back again, I can't stay away from home for too long," Sokka chuckled, causing his significant other to do the same as a lone tear trickled down her cheek.
"Okay," she said softly as she looked down at the ground, regretting the fact that she could very well protest and make Sokka stay, although she didn't want that for him, she knew that he and Katara had found Aang for a reason, and that the two were set out to the world to find that reason, whatever it was.
Sokka continued to hold her hands tight in his, that is until she perked up and stared at Sokka for a minute, her mouth open a gape.
"What?" Sokka questioned softly.
"W-why don't I come with!" she exclaimed, loving the idea, she began to jump up and down, squealing slightly and clapping her hands together quickly, "Don't you think I should? It'd be so much fun Sokka and..." she broke off and fell into Sokka's arms yet again, "We could be together," she whispered softly as she gently let her eye lids fall.
Sokka frowned, as good as the idea sounded, he couldn't at all risk putting her in danger, taking her out to the world only for the reasons to be with her, he felt that if something bad happened o her, he would never be able to forgive himself. Sokka heaved a long sigh and gently nuzzled his nose into her soft hair; he breathed her soft scent, loving the very essence of everything.
"I-I can't..." Sokka uttered softly, dreading that he even said anything, the girl in his arms slowly pulled away from Sokka and stared into his eyes, she had this look on her face, one of sadness and almost one of hurt. Sokka frowned and stared into her eyes for a moment before he continued, "I can't loose you, and you need to stay here and be safe, take care of the village... Or what's left of it," Sokka explained softly, she seemed to understand although tears in her eyes began to form all over again as she slowly nodded and let go of Sokka, she stared down at the ground, her tears cascading from her rosy cheeks down to the fur rug of Sokka's tent.
"I'm so sorry," Sokka said softly as he gently took one of her hands in his, yet again, feeling more closer to her than ever before, he loved the feeling although he hated leaving it, he felt as if it wasn't unfair.
"T-that's okay," she mumbled softly as she wiped a few tears away from her face.
After a few moments of silence, the two had finished packing up Sokka's stuff; they silently loaded Sokka's stuff up in a water tribe canoe, ready to go chase after the fire nation warship Aang was taken away in.
"Katara's taking this hard isn't she," Sokka said with a small chuckle as the two teens stared across the way to see Katara staring at the far off, early noon sun. The girl next to him let out a small laugh as she turned to Sokka.
"Yeah, I would be too," she smiled, "Is Aang her boyfriend?"
"No, but it sure seemed like it," Sokka smiled as the two laughed.
"You should tell her that," she said with a smile as the two continued to watch Katara far across the large ice sheet the three were on.
"Well..." Sokka started as he turned to the beautiful girl next t him,
"We should probably... get... going," Sokka said, careful not to throw her into another crying fit, although he thought it was okay, he's never really seen her cry about him up until now, it made him feel special.
"Yeah," she sighed softly, feeling hot tears sting her eyes, she sighed softly and quickly embraced Sokka in yet another warm, loving hug before she leaned closer to his ear, "I love you Sokka,"
Sokka froze, he didn't know if she meant it for sure or if she was just saying it as if e were her brother, he never figured out that fact but he would do anything to know for sure if she truly loved him. Sokka smiled and gently hugged her back, loving the almost new feelings of everything.
"I love you too," Sokka said softly, although he truly meant it, he had known her for more than half of his life and he was now more than certain that a one little and simple crush for the girl had grown into something more as the two matured, whether she knew that fact or not, he wanted to make sure that those three simple words were now out in the open, free for opportunity possibly later on.
The two pulled away from each other, knowing this would be the last time they'd see each other for awhile, although Sokka wanted to do one last sweet thing for her to make her feel better about his sudden idea of leaving. Sokka slowly leaned forward and gave his love a small peck on the cheek, causing her to blush and slowly afterwards press her fingertips to where he kissed her, as if to hold the kiss there.
Sokka smiled at her, noticing her face light up somewhat before she smiled back.
"T-thanks," she said softly with a small giggle as her face only grew more red, Sokka nodded slowly before she started to walk away, feeling a little bit more confident about Sokka leaving, especially after that one little kiss.
"Bye Sokka," she said softly with a gentle wave as she stared at him for a moment.
"Bye, Kiari," Sokka replied before she slowly turned and headed back to the village about a mile away, up a large snow hill. Sokka heaved a long, satisfied sigh before he groaned and bent over to pick another one of his packs up. He slowly began to trudge over to the small canoe sitting in the water. Evidently, Katara felt his close presence.
"We have to go after that ship, Sokka," Katara said as she stared out to the ocean, "Aang saved our tribe, now we have to save him,"
"Katara I--" Sokka was cut off.
"Why can't you realize that he's on our side? If we don't help him, no one will, I know you don't like Aang but we owe him and-"
"Katara! Are you gunna talk all day or are you coming with me?" Sokka said loudly as he slowly gestured towards the watertribe canoe, floating in the water next to him. At this, Katara gasped with a big smile, she, overjoyed, began to run over to him.
"Sokka!" Katara said happily before she quickly threw her arms around Sokka's neck, the two then pulled away before Sokka smiled at her happily.
"Get in," Sokka started as he motioned towards the canoe, "we're going to save your boyfriend," Sokka teased, Katara grew tense.
"He's not my-"
"Whatever," Sokka said as he shrugged and looked away.
end
Sokka chuckled softly and rolled his eyes as he shook his head. He continued to laugh before he thought of 'her', he loved her more than anything and there was no doubt about returning to the South Pole to see her, along with the other Water Tribe villagers.
Sokka heaved a long sigh, knowing that big of a detour to the South Pole would only cause fire nation to most likely follow the three and end up destroying the South Pole, he didn't want that. That only made him stress out more, although the more and more he thought about the idea of returning home, the more he loved it and at this point, he was determined to make it happen.
Just as he was getting ready to heave yet another sigh, he felt someone's presence next to him; he tensed slightly and looked over to see none other than Aang. Sokka smiled at him before Aang spoke up.
"You okay? Katara and I have been hearing you sigh all night," Aang said with a small laugh, Sokka shook his head and gazed out to the moon drenched ocean before the two.
"It's nothing, I-I just miss home," Sokka said softly as he turned to Aang, "I wish there was a way to get there,"
"Why wouldn't there be?" Aang questioned, "We have Appa," Aang smiled as he pat the huge bison's head, he groaned in response.
"Well...I was just thinking, aren't we on the way to Ba Sing Sei for the eclipse? We can't just suddenly turn around and go home," Sokka said softly, as he said it, the eclipse idea came flooding back to his memory and at that, he let himself sigh, yet again.
"Well, the eclipse isn't for a few more months, we could take a few days to go down there if you really want, why do you want to go home so badly?" Aang questioned softly as he gazed out to the beautiful moon.
"I-It's nothing, I just miss home is all..." Sokka fibbed, Aang could tell by the sound of his voice that he was completely lying and, at that, he turned to Sokka and gave him a look, he raised one eyebrow and continued to stare him down until he got whatever it was that needed to be said out of Sokka.
"Uh, alright ALRIGHT! You caught me, I-I just miss someone," Sokka said softly as he fiddled his fingers.
"Really? Is it your grandmother?" Aang asked softly, causing Sokka to tense up slightly.
"NO," Sokka said quickly before he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, Aang chuckled softly before he looked about.
"What's her name," Aang asked as he turned to Sokka, figuring it was a girl that he missed so badly, the way he's been acting all day was a big give away that he was having withdrawals from this certain person.
"I-I well yeah no... I just... okay... her name is Kiari," Sokka said softly as he could feel his face heat up at the way her name had this ring to it, he loved saying it and said it whenever he got the chance.
"Hmm, that's cool. You miss her really badly?" Aang questioned, Sokka nodded.
"More than anything," Sokka said softly with a smile.
"How long have you known her?" Aang questioned.
"Uh... about ten years," Sokka said as he turned to Aang.
"How old is she?" Aang questioned, yet again, Sokka chuckled softly.
"Fifteen," Sokka said, he eyed Aang for a moment before he asked yet another question.
"Have you two kissed?" Aang asked, Sokka threw his hands in the air.
"God what is this? Twenty questions or something?!" Sokka asked loudly with a soft laugh, Aang chuckled and shrugged as he looked down.
"Sorry, I was on a roll," Aang said with a small giggle, Sokka rolled his eyes and stared out to the ocean. The two boys were in a calm silence for a few moments before Sokka spoke up.
"No," Sokka sighed softly as he looked down. Aang frowned as he averted his gaze from the ocean to the teen next to him.
"I'm sorry," Aang said softly, "Well, maybe you'll get your chance soon,"
"What?" Sokka questioned as he stared at Aang, Aang quickly grabbed Appa's reins and began to steer him in a whole different direction, at this, Sokka's eyes widened.
"We're going to the South Pole," Aang smiled as he continued to turn Appa just about in the opposite direction they were headed. Sokka gaped as his eyes widened.
"R-really? You'd do that Aang?" Sokka questioned as Aang stood and
began to walk to Appa's saddle.
"Of course, I mean, it's obviously a girl you care about a lot, I mean come on," Aang said with a small laugh as Sokka stood.
"Oh, yeah of course... thanks Aang," Sokka smiled as the two sat down on Appa's saddle.
"Sure thing," Aang smiled as the two boys noticed Katara sitting at the other end of Appa's saddle, she held Kaimah close to her as she peered off of Appa's saddle in confusement.
"Uh, guys, Appa just changed direction," Katara said warily as she pointed out to the ocean, "Why are we headed South?"
"We're going to the South Pole" Aang said with a big smile, Katara jaw dropped slightly as she glanced back and forth between the two boys sat in front of her.
"What?" Katara questioned as little Kaimah moseyed out of her lap slowly; she headed over to Aang and instantly plopped down in his lap.
"Yeah, Sokka mentioned that he missed his home and someone and I-" Aang was cut off.
"Gran Gran?" Katara chuckled as she stared at Sokka and raised one eyebrow, Sokka grew furious.
"NO! Not Gran Gran, K-Kiari," Sokka said softly, "I just miss her and I-"
"No way!"! Katara said loudly as she suddenly scoot over to Sokka, embracing him in a huge hug, "I always knew you two would hook up!"
"Yeah, I-I just... I mean..." Sokka stammered around words as Katara held her arms tight around Sokka's neck, after a few moments, Katara pulled away slightly.
"That's great Sokka," Katara said softly, "I'm actually kinda glad we're going back too,"
"Really?" Sokka questioned, "Why?"
"Oh..." Katara stopped what she was saying and quickly glanced at Aang, "I have my reasons,"
Sokka chuckled and rolled his eyes as Aang stared at Katara for a moment. The three continued to fly away into the cool night air, headed south in high hopes for more crazy adventures to come, and hopefully a new love.
A/N: YAY! I hope you all loved it. And later, this sequel with introduce Kiari. The next chapter should be up sometime soon, I just gotta write it first, lol. Thanks to all my reviewers! You all are so kind you have no idea! Please R&R! No flames.
-Katara-
Mohalo ;)