AN: Hi, guys. Sorry for the wait but, umm, let's just say I was super busy and I won't bore you with the details. Well, that be all. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: Nope, still waiting.
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They flew all night and late into the next day before deciding to rest. They landed in a small clearing and gratefully stepped onto solid ground.
As they started to set up, Sokka called for attention. "Okay. We need some rules for you two." He pointed to Zuko and Katara. "First, no touching, ever or for any reason. Second, you sleep on opposite sides of the camp. And third, no getting up at night."
"What if it's important?"
A glare was the reply Zuko received. "If you value your life, I suggest you hold it."
"Sokka! Stop babbling and help me set up camp." Katara's voice broke up the little staring contest Zuko and Sokka were having. "Zuko, could you get the firewood?"
"That's original. A firebender getting firewood." Sokka grumbled as he pulled the packs off Appa. When a nut hit the back of his head, through, he spun around. Zuko had already left but Katara still stood there, looking completely innocent. She gave him a glowing smile and pointed at Momo, who looked downright insulted.
Aang watched the byplay between the siblings and shook his head. This is gonna be one long trip.
Late that evening, after everyone was asleep, Zuko sat straight up in his bedroll. He pushed to his feet quietly and moved to the edge of the camp. Before he got too far, a hand descended on his shoulder.
"I thought I told you to stay put." Sokka growled in the other boy's ear.
"Would you shut up?" Zuko was listening intently. He didn't lie when he told Katara he preferred the darkness. It really was his element. "There's something wrong."
"What's wrong?" Apparently they were loud enough to wake Aang.
"I thought I heard something." Zuko was peering into the darkness, trying to locate the faint noise.
"Figures you would, with ears like those."
"My ears!" Zuko shot a glare at Sokka. "Have you looked at your reflection lately?"
"That's enough guys. Now what are we gonna do?"
They shared one last glare and Zuko spoke up. "Sokka, you wake Katara, just incase we need to leave. Aang and I'll look into what that noise was."
"Who made you the boss?"
A low growl escaped Zuko's lips. "Then you go with Aang and I'll stay here with Katara. All alone, in the dark…"
"Good point. Be careful, Aang."
They moved through the woods as quietly as possible, listening carefully for the sound to repeat itself. Aang stopped and pointed slightly to their right. "There." The faint voice of a girl reached them.
"I said leave me alone. I'm not going back with you!" They took off at a run without waiting for her attacker's reply. Fierce shouts and thunderous crashes forced them to move faster. They exploded onto the scene only to see a young girl standing over an extremely large, very unconscious man.
The second they entered the clearing a rock flew out of the ground to meet them. Zuko dove out of the way and Aang launched himself over its path. He hung in the air for a few seconds, seeing the girl glance around in confusion, before landing behind her.
She spun to face him. "Light on your feet, aren't you, Twinkle Toes?" Another rock flew at his head.
Aang knocked the missile away with airbending and moved in to stop anymore attacks. "Stop! We're not here to fight you. We came to help you." He looked down at the figure on the ground. "Not like you needed it."
She squared her shoulders and raised her chin. "That's right. I don't need help from anybody. I'm fine on my own." Her stomach growled loudly enough to rival Sokka's.
Aang just smiled. "Why don't you come back with us and get something to eat. Oh, I'm Aang, by the way. What's your name?"
The moonlight glinted on her unseeing eyes as she gave him a cocky grin. "I'm Toph."
O.o.o.o.o.O
Iroh looked down at the woman beside him. "Are you sure about this?"
"Not really but we need all the help we can get. Plus Sokka spoke very highly of them." Together, Ishi and Iroh moved further inland until they reached the statue. There, she dropped to her knees and buried her hands in the earth.
Iroh looked at her oddly. "What are you doing?"
Her voice was awash in concentration. "I'm feeling. I'm not too good at this, it's not my real talent, but it still works." She screwed her eyes closed and leaned further into the ground.
"They should have seen the ship by now. They must be on their way." Iroh scanned the area, alert for an ambush.
And, suddenly, Ishi could feel them approach. She looked at Iroh. "They're here." She pushed to her feet and called loudly to the people around them. "Come out! I am Ishi, an earthbender and companion to the Avatar. I seek an audience with the village elders."
With the ease of those completely comfortable with themselves, the warriors emerged, ready for an attack. One girl, though, stood tall and proud in front of them. "And why should we believe you; someone who travels with Fire Nation?"
"The people who I travel with are loyal to Prince Zuko who is now an ally of the Avatar. We desire the end of the war as much as you do. But we need help if we are to succeed." During the discussion, Ishi's hands remained spread and her body relaxed. She trusted in these people, now she only hoped that that trust wasn't misplaced.
The girl stepped forward. "I believe the Elders will want to hear what you have to say. But remember, one wrong move and you won't be making it back to your ship."
Ishi nodded. "We understand. And thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. I'm just getting you in. I never said if you'll make it out again."
Ishi's voice was dry. "Warning noted. And who are you?"
The warrior girl smiled. "My name is Suki."
Ishi smiled. He was right; she does have a lot of spunk.
They were led to the center of the village and knelt in front of the headman. He looked them over carefully, trying to spot a hint of deception. "If you are companions of the Avatar, where is he now?"
He had addressed his words to Ishi, completely ignoring Iroh's presence. "They are heading into the Fire Nation. Aang is on his way to face the Fire Lord."
Suki stepped forward. "You said 'they'. Who else is with him?" The Elder shot her a look and she stepped back.
Ishi smiled. "Katara and Sokka are both still with him, along with Zuko."
The headman sighed. "Very well, what exactly are you looking for?"
Iroh cleared his throat. "We are seeking allies. After Ozai is defeated, peace will need to be restored. We are hoping that you will join us and help us work towards that end. At the moment, though, we need help to make sure they survive long enough to reach the capital. The might of the Kyoshi warriors is legendary and since you had aided the Avatar in the past…"
"Helping the Avatar is one thing but siding with firebenders is another."
Ishi watched him begin to walk away and jumped up in anger. "If you walk away from this you're as bad as the Fire Lord." Angry murmurs passed through the people surrounding them. "This man here and the men on the ship are completely dedicated to ending this war. They have severed their connection to the Fire Lord. Or did you not notice that he does not wear his hair in the traditional style?"
The people looked at him and noticed the absence of the normal top knot.
"He is a fugitive of the Fire Nation because he protected the balance of the world. He is hunted by his own family! Do you still doubt his sincerity? Do you doubt the trust Aang holds for him!"
Iroh reached up and tugged her gently down. "That's enough." He admonished her gently. He turned to the elders. "I understand your hesitation; you have the best interest of your people to think of. But, isn't helping the Avatar in their best interest? The people of the Fire Nation, the common people and the soldiers, are just as tired of this war. Parents watch their children go off to die, children are left without parents. It is time for it all to end."
The headman knelt in front of him. "And you think that us joining you will accomplish this? You are asking us to put aside one hundred years of oppression and distrust on your word alone. That is much to ask."
"I know it is. But there is no other way. Ozai must be stopped and balance restored. Families need to be reunited and parents shouldn't have to burry their children." He had to swallow the lump in his throat at this point but he went on. "War makes for strange bedfellows. Our alliance may seem strange now but, in the future, I hope that they are commonplace."
The people around him were silent, waiting for the headman's decision. Slowly, he stood. "I will need to discus this further with the rest of the Elders. Until a decision is made, you are welcome to stay here. Suki." She stepped forward. "Take care of our guests." The men entered into the nearest house and shut the door behind them.
Ishi was still fuming over their lack of foresight but Iroh calmed her down. "You need patience. Some things just take time." He chuckled lightly as she began to fidget.
The young warrior approached them and bowed. "If you would follow me please." She led them to the training house which was currently empty. She turned to Ishi. "Even if the Elders decide not to join you, I know there are some in this village who will go against them."
Ishi cocked an eyebrow. "And you're one of them I take it." Suki nodded. "Why?"
"I believe everything he said back there. The pointless deaths must end. After the Avatar left, my warriors and I left the island to do what we could to help. We protected some towns, stopped people from taking advantage of those weaker then them. I've seen atrocities done by both sides, even Earth Nation against Earth Nation." Her voice dropped. "I also lost friends. It all has to stop and the Avatar is the one to do it. I will do all in my power to see that he succeeds."
Ishi gave a soft snort. "As nice as that is, one person won't make that much of a difference."
"On the contrary." Both girls looked to Iroh who sat in front of the water clock. "One person can make all the difference." He signaled them over. "Watch the ripples. They spread to cover the entire surface but they are started by one small drop. And, if we collect them, drop by drop, we will soon have a whole ocean."
Sharing a glance, the girls left him to contemplate the ripples and droplets. As they watched to sunset, Suki spoke up. "Is he always like that?"
A large sigh answered her. "All the time. But he does have a point. We'd be glad to accept your help." They shook hands and settled in to wait for the Elder's decision.
O.o.o.o.o.O
Toph smacked her lips. "Not bad princess." She stretched. "Well, it's about time I got going."
"Wait. Why don't you stay a while?" Katara liked the waif, even if she was a little rude. She reminded her of Aang.
"Yeah, that'd be great!" Sarcasm dripped from her voice. "Sorry, princess, but I work alone."
Katara narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak but Aang stopped her. "You don't have to stay for long. Maybe just for the night."
"I guess." She plopped down in front of the fire looking quite comfortable for someone who wanted to leave.
"So," Aang moved next to her while the others settled back into sleep, Sokka snoring between Zuko and Katara. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"
"Hey. I don't need help from anyone. I take care of myself."
"I didn't mean anything by it. I was just curious. Plus that man said something about taking you back."
She sighed. "I guess you won't shut up until I tell you, huh? Fine. I ran away from home. That guy was trying to bring me back. But I won't go. I won't!" She slammed her fist down and a cloud of dust rose up.
Sokka snorted slightly in his sleep at her shout but everyone stayed asleep. Aang's curiosity was peaked. "Why? What happened?"
"Are you always this nosy?"
"Yes."
She made an annoyed sound in the back of her throat. "My family babied me because I'm blind. I'm not allowed to do anything on my own or leave the walls of my home. I'm not even allowed to practice any higher level earthbending. They're afraid I'll get hurt. It drove me crazy. It's like being kept in a cage."
"So that's why you left?"
"Not exactly. As a way of practicing my bending, and getting out of the house, I started to wrestle."
"Wrestle? How can you wrestle if you can't see?"
"I see with my feet." She could practically hear the question coming. "I feel the vibration and I know exactly where everything is. That's what made me unbeatable. Apparently, the fame of the 'Blind Bandit' spread quickly. My father even decided to 'slum it' once and come see a match. When he recognized me he was furious. My restrictions before were nothing to what he made them. He even forbade me from doing the smallest bending. I was being suffocated."
"So you ran away."
She nodded. "So I ran away."
"But where are you going? What do you plan to do?"
"I don't know. I just planned to wander and see what happens. Something exciting hopefully."
"You know, I am the Avatar. And we get into all kinds of excitement." He scratched the back of his head. "We get into a lot of danger too. But we do have lots of fun. You should come with us. Have you ever ridden an elephant koi?"
"No. Is it fun?"
"It's the best! They're so fast and the spray of the ocean's so cold. It's an amazing feeling. You'll love it."
She actually looked interested. "Is that where you're going now?"
The air around them suddenly became heavy. "No. Perhaps you shouldn't come with us."
"What? Why? You already invited me, you can't take it back."
"We're heading into the Fire Nation. It's gonna be very dangerous. There are soldiers and bounty hunters out looking for us and I'm gonna have to fight the Fire Lord. I don't know if we'll all survive. It's too dangerous for you."
A ball of mud smacked him in the face. "I already told you, I can take care of myself. I'm not some fragile little girl. I'm tough. Besides, I eat danger for breakfast."
"That's good 'cause it's Sokka's turn to cook." They laughed together for a while, the tension broken. Silence returned and Toph began to settle in to sleep. Before she could succumb, Aang had one more thing to say. "I'm glad you'll be with us."
Toph couldn't see the blush that colored his cheeks but Katara could. She smiled and closed her eyes once more.
O.o.o.o.o.O
They heard the messenger before they saw him so when he finally appeared, they were waiting for him. Wordlessly, they followed him to the center of the village. With Suki by their side, they stood in front of the elders.
The headman stepped forward. "What you have placed before us was difficult to decide upon. Some doubted your sincerity and others, your authority. This offer of peace seems too good to be real, a false promise. And for this reason, we hesitated to accept it. Your…"
The ground shook violently as, in the distance, explosions rang out. A man covered in soot staggered into the village. "A ship… attacking the other… fighting down on the beach." He fell to his knees. "They fight like demons."
Iroh turned to the headman. "We must act quickly. These are not your average soldiers. They must have followed us here."
"How right you are, uncle." Iroh turned and watched as Azula emerge from the shadows.
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AN: That's it for this one. I don't really remember that Toph calls Katara so, if anyone knows, feel free to fill me in. I'd like to have this story finished before school starts, that's in 3 weeks. (shudder) So, probably not but I'm aiming for it anyways. So, hope you liked the chapter. Hit that little button and tell me what you thought. Thanks for reading.