AVATAR Book 2.1 (Chapter 2: Relighting a Torch

Aang and crew are put up for the night in She Sung, an old yet modern castle that belongs to the last Emperor KeKo Orechoy and Empress She Sung, his wife. As welcomed guest, the Emperor, is more than enlightened by what the group has to offer.

"Some town…there's no people." Sokka revealed as another rock landed against his head, when he turned back he noticed the grin on Toph's face. "Are you sure your blind?"

"I could've sworn there was people here." Aang said running off to check the rest of the area.

"Well maybe fire nation came through"

"MOVE SOKKA!" Toph interrupted.

"Look, these little demands you have been throwing at me are starting to really…"suddenly the ground started to shake, immediately Toph ran towards Sokka. As an incline of the Earth rose above the ground, it split the group of four into two groups of two. As smoke cleared, Katara wondered if Sokka and Toph were o-k.

"What happened?" Aang called out, as he made his way back.

"I don't know…one moment Toph and Sokka were fighting and then she told him to move and they vanished. I believe they could be on the other side but"

"Calm down, I'll go and check." Instantaneously, Aang burst up with a gust of wind, only to found himself shocked by the newly created earth that went for miles.

"What? Do you see them?" Katara called out.

"No, it's just a flat plane of land."

"Well they just can't be gone." She called up as Aang landed beside her. Abruptly, he jumped into Earth bending stance. With all his focus, he pushed forward, with no effort the ground broke back creating an entrance to what seemed to be a cave.

"Momo, you and Appa stay and guard the fort." Aang called out, Momo than ran off and climb upon Appa who growled to confirm. Aang picked up a nearby stick; he snapped the end of the branch sending a pulse of fire to light it. He gave it to Katara then bowed allowing her to go ahead first.

Katara tried to remain focused but when Aang wasn't looking she found herself grinning. She hadn't been shown that most gentleman action in a long time, it felt strange but at the same time so right.

As Sokka awoke he quickly looked around for Toph, he remembered it was his stupidity that caused this.

"Toph, TOPH! Oh no." he cried out, without delay he heard a noise from behind him. He turned to find Toph lighting a bushel of branches. As the fire began to engulf more of the wood, Sokka was engulfed by something else. He didn't know if it was Toph's long and rugged hair or her gentle face that drew him to focus directly on her.

"Um…" he said rubbing the back of his neck." I owe you an apology and a thank you."

"You think." She replied sarcastically.

Sokka felt weird; usually he would not be at a loss for a snappy come back. However Toph could've said anything and he'd be happy with that.

"I'm sorry." He added, as Toph's face looked unforgiving. Sokka felt the need to make her understand, he just had to. "It's just sometimes when you're looked upon as the odd man out, the powerless fellow; it's important to encourage your ego, even if you're the only one doing so. I didn't mean to not listen to your instruction, it's just…" as Sokka continued, Toph could feel his heart race a mile a minute. Was this all over her? She thought. She just had to test this hypothesis, so she began to come towards him slowly. With every step the pounds became hard and hard, she thought what was really bringing on this affect.

"Sokka?"

"Yes." He quickly replied nervously.

"Do I scare you?" she said.

"No." he replied but that was a lie because the beats were practically coming out of his chest.

"You're lying."

"No I'm not, but if I were…how would you know?"

"Your heart is racing, every time I get closer."

"Well that's not why."

"Then why?" she said stepping closer.

"Well, because…well when…"

"Scared."

"No, I wasn't scared…I mean I'm not scared."

"You're a chicken, afraid of little old me."

"No, it's just…well-"

"Well, what?" out of the blue Sokka found himself pulling Toph into a kiss.

As Aang and Katara pressed there way through the earth, there was still no sign of Sokka and Toph.

"Sokka should have just listened to Toph, there would be no trouble." Katara continued, as Aang made sure her way was provided.

"Well, we all know that Sokka is Sokka, and I'm pretty sure he and Toph are working it out to find us." Aang added, when suddenly Katara stopped. Before her and Aang there stood a group of warriors, ready to fight.

"Stop right there." One warrior called out, as Aang took out his staff, he positioned himself between Katara and the group of men. " I said-"

"Jung Sun, only a fool would fight this young man and woman."

"What do you mean, my liege?"

"Can you see, she is Katara, great teacher of water bending and the man who stands to protect her is the avatar, Aang."

"The Avatar." Jung Sun replied. Immediately, all of the warriors fell and bowed before Aang. As Aang looked at the men, he then looked at Katara who smiled and then before the man who ousted him.

"Please, do not bow, I have yet to fulfill my journey and I am not worthy."

"Oh, but you will be. I am one who has had the pleasure of seeing two centuries of Avatar."

"And who might you be?" Katara questioned.

"I'm Emperor KeKo, leader of the sun tribe."

"The lost Sun Tribe?"

"Not exactly lost, just awaiting the last war."

"You were the first to preach to others to live in tranquility, your warriors are from every element." Aang added.

"Yes, and am so honored to have you here."

"Happy to be here."

"I do believe you are missing some friends, and I do apologize it's just my warriors are taught to capture those who step on our land, it is a way of protecting what we have. When we saw you fly above we weren't sure of who you were, so we descended in the underground. However, I have sent my men out to track them and they shall be brought to the castle. Where I hope you all will stay and feast tonight."

"I accept." Aang called out. "That is if Katara."

"Sure."

PAPP Sokka flew across the cave landing against the wall.

"OUCH! What was that for?" Sokka announced.

"How dare you do that?" Toph replied angered.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just kiss you…it's just"

"Not that. How dare you not warn me."

"What? I'm confused. You didn't mind the kiss, you wanted to know if I was going to kiss you."

"Yes. First of all, although I can sense movement, I can't see it. So when someone grabs you and kisses you out of the blue it kind of..."

"Oh…" Sokka said standing up, he then came over towards Toph. "I guess I've learned a new lesson."

"I hope you did." She said.

"Yea, I did. Next time, I'll just have to tell you…"Sokka replied serious. "Toph, I'm going to kiss you." He suddenly pulled her into a kiss. As they pulled away, Sokka looked at her and smiled. "So is that better?"

"Much better." Immediately there was blast, Sokka managed to cover her and protect her. As the smoke cleared, Sun warriors stood before them.

"What's happening?" Toph called out.

"I don't know but there is a group of warriors…"suddenly the group bowed before them. "They're bowing."

"Master Sokka, Mistress Toph…we are here to escort you back to King Keko of the Sun Tribe's castle where the Avatar and Mistress Katara awaits. We apologize for the quickness and rough housing we carried out in the capturing of you two. However it was only to protect us from the Fire Nation."

"We understand." Toph replied, quickly walking towards them and leaving Sokka confused. What was happening? Better yet, why didn't she stay with him? Questions he thought would have to be answered later or at least before he rested.

King Keko introduces his beautiful wife, Queen Sung She, the namesake of the kingdom. When the boys go off to get newly dressed garments and ready for the dinner, they learn some advice on woman and the girls the same but will this dispute on ideas forever change the Sun Kingdom, and the travel four…Next time on Avatar Book 2.1 (Chapter 3: Relighting a Torch)