Hello fanfic readers! Yes I am back and no; you're not hallucinating; unless you have had some cactus juice. You have been patient and waited long enough for the return of my story and I would like to thank all of you for the support. So let's respond to some reviews shall we:

Thank you WARLOCK2552 and Private Fire for being great fans and so supportive.

Toaneo07 ver 2.0- thanks

Winterdevils- Yeah I inspired a lot of my material from "the runaway" glad Toph and Katara's arguments translated well

Kate- You are an amazing fan and thanks for inspiring me to begin this story again :)

Ok let's get down to the nitty gritty and visit with Sokka and Suki and Ty Lee. A fair warning though, this chapter is rather sad.

I do not own ATLA but I do own my vivid dreams

Book 4: Air: Water and Fire is Air

Chapter 2: Pink Boomerang

The Pink Boomerang

He felt the circumference of her belly; within beat a tiny heart; a life soon to be brought into this world; a symbol of the love and everlasting bond between two people. Sokka wiped the mist from his eyes; the oncoming storm of sadness formed a hard lump in his throat. Within his calloused hand, was a message from the Fire nation that read, 'dinner and peace talks'. Usually the idea of food was appealing, but this time around the Water Tribesman couldn't stomach anything. Life was moving forward and felt somehow stationary. He looked to his beloved Suki; his Suki—his former girlfriend. Former; how that word hurt him more than he realized. He reached in his mind, back to better times; a more beautiful place and searched for where it all went wrong. Heartbreak does many things to those who never fall out of love. The truth, the horrible facts that were remains of something once lovely. What a liar he was to his friends and sister; unable to speak of reality and to remain in the fantasy that was he and Suki. He forced the tears back and looked over to his shoulder as if his younger self was there before him; taunting him with images of past. How? That was the only question he could ask.

After the war had ended; with an eagerness to begin their new life; Sokka and Suki agreed that he moved would move to Kyoshi Island; they were happy; for their romance budded like the many rose blossoms. Sokka was so taken in his whimsy; that he overlooked his original ambition to stay with his father and 'Grand Pakku' as he called himself, and rebuild his tribe. He waved this off and put it in the back of his mind and told himself; life had other plans and Suki was enough. That was the first untruth. There were times he missed his land and made several visits; but somehow it wasn't enough; he felt a twinge of resentment; but like always; he pushed it back; he was in love and couldn't stand to be parted from her. At first, he tried to reason with Suki and insist they live in the then Southern Water Tribe; just for a few months; but she was busy after the war and couldn't leave the other Kyoshi's; especially after newly recruiting Ty Lee. Sokka picked his battles and shoved his dreams aside once more. Periodically, they began to spend time apart, Suki, traveled the expanse of the Earth Kingdom; helping settle town disputes and replacing the former Dai Li. Sokka, enlisted to become a Water Tribe Soldier; how the ocean took him into its bosom and made him feel alive and purposeful: his other saving grace, was when Zuko called him to be an ambassador, consulting the newly appointed Firelord on various social and political matters. When he would come home to Suki he realized that they had become strangers to one another; where there was once love; a monstrous anger ensued: the war had changed them both into stubborn leaders. He remembers that scary horrific night when her face that once glowed with ardor; was a mask of the Kyoshi leader. She said such hurtful things that ripped him apart:

"You never belonged to me Sokka; I already knew that; but part of me just hoped that possibly you could learn to love me."
He grasped her waist close to him, holding on for dear life, "Suki I do love you…so much."
She pulled away, voice shaky and despondent, "No honey; you love the way I love you. I can tell you're not happy here and its ok you don't have to make me happy; what would make my heart swell with joy is if you do the things you want."
"Suki—"
"Sokka please don't make this any harder than it has to be. This is for the best."

With a heavy heart; they amicably split up. Sokka was so beside himself; why couldn't he make it work? She was everything that he ever wanted; but the spark that ignited their romance was gone. After several months went by; he thought at that moment things would finally begin to heal; instead life has a way of surprising even the most careful of planners. He got an urgent message to come to Kyoshi Island and he was frightened; letting his imagination run away with him.
He met her on the bridge; she looked sad and at odds with herself; she had been crying, which was evident. Her face had taken on a red hue. He immediately held her in his arms; he had forgotten how much he missed the feel of her body; the caress of her hair: all of those feelings he had were stronger with each breath. He kissed her forehead gently and then he cupped her face with his hand wiping her tears with his thumb. He went to kiss her; but she pulled away and held herself. "Suki what is it what's wrong?"
She uttered three words that would change their lives forever. "Sokka—I'm pregnant."

The Pink Warrior had been helping her leader for the past six months; she had been on bed rest. Ty Lee was diligent in her duties to Suki; even though she was often independent minded. Suki would have these burst of energy and would want to perform at the various functions the warriors were invited to. She gently reminded Suki that she was pregnant and it was unsafe for the baby. Somehow her leader was paranoid that she was going to be replaced; but Ty Lee had all the Kyoshi warriors come over and assure her that her placed would be kept no matter what. Ty Lee looked at her Aura; it was awful shade of blue dark and swirling like the vacuum of space. Comforting her leader had become a bigger task than Ty Lee anticipated. There were days she tried to remain strong and others where she would cry so much she was drained: it reminded her so much of someone, a best friend she had abandoned and tried to justify it with her sense of adventure. Ty Lee was in the wrong. She recalls that day; that haunting echo from the past.

There she was in the middle, with so much at stake, friends turning into foes. Mai affirmed in her resolve to fight for the man she loves. Azula felt the seething sting of betrayal. Both ready to strike at any moment. Between the girls was a horrific blood light and black darkening creeping shadows. What was she to do? She saw a series of steps; what she knew was light bending; Mai was going to be horrifically hurt. Azula wasn't going to have victory, nor was she to leave unscathed: Mai had her hand trained on the stiletto that would stab the princess right through the heart. Mai was fighting for Zuko; Azula was fighting for her dominance; different causes, both resolute, both were going to die horribly and Ty Lee would be left alone. There was one way to settle this act fast; the choice was easy; subdue Azula; but the consequence was the only question left. It didn't take long for her to discover when Azula commanded the soldiers to lock her up; she knew from then on her life would change. Ty Lee became so selfish, distancing herself from Mai, the reminder of that night keeping her awake. She didn't want to have anything to do with the both of them anymore; just once, she wanted to feel special; like she was a part of a fellowship. One day in the courtyard; she met a group of earth kingdom girls around her age; their bond was instantaneous, they hadn't recognized her; but she knew them as the Kyoshi Warriors, she found it best to be honest in the beginning. She thought they would dismiss her; instead they embraced her strength; still she had to earn their trust. Time flew by quickly; within moments she found herself a part of an unshakable sisterhood.

When she first applied the make up in the mirror; she smiled to herself; for the first time; she truly belonged and was an equal; no one to referee between. It was relief. Her old home in the Fire Nation was no longer a thought; even when she heard about Azula's condition; she didn't care much; it was distressing; but universal law of consequences made her pay for her mistakes. She was there for Zuko and Mai's wedding and that was all. With all the training for the Kyoshi Warriors; life was fulfilling. She was content with her friends and settled in with Suki; until her leader and Sokka moved in together. Life was good peaceful, less dramatic. Unexpectedly, her life was interrupted and fractured, when she received a letter that changed the game; the firstborn son of the Firelord and Firelady, had passed at the age of three. When she arrived at the palace and went to hug Mai; she saw nothing in her old friend; what used to be gray was now a dark black hole, slowly taking Mai to deaths door. She had never seen her like this. Ty Lee decided to spend a couple of weeks with the Firelady to help her grieve; but she was a mess. What hurt the pink Kyoshi the most that week; was hearing the truth, the one she had run away from. Mai's once stanch mask crumbled and for the first her friend couldn't hold in her pain, "Mako is g...g...gone!"
Ty Lee was a coward to think that her former—no best friend was strong enough to stand on her own. Everybody needs someone; that is the lesson she learned. She vowed to herself that moment; never give up on your friends; but forgive them.

She watched Suki from the doorway asleep, for a moment though brief. Ty Lee approached the scene as she watched Suki's eyes flit open and look to Sokka; who was devotedly by her bedside. The air was awful stiff almost barren of love. Suki awoke and put her hand on Ty Lee's; the pink Kyoshi turned to leave; but Sokka signaled her to stay. "Actually you're going to need to be here for this."
"What is it Sokka?"
"Suki; Ty Lee and I have to go to the Fire Nation for something important."
"I'm sorry Suki," said the pink Kyoshi hanging her head.
"Ty Lee, Suki reassured, "You have done more than enough; go, be with your friends."
"What about you?"
"Not really going anywhere; pregnant and all"
"I promise I'll be back just in time to help you."
"That's sweet; I would like to speak with Sokka alone."
"No problem I'll be waiting by the docks," she waved exiting.

They were alone with each other in more ways than one. Suki took a deep breath and adjusted her body to the pillow on her back. Sokka adjusted her posture trying to make her as comfortable as possible. He looked into her eyes, gazing wantonly and abruptly looked away clearing his throat. "What do you need Suki, anything just ask."
"I'm going to need—"
He took on a distant business tone, "Financial support, that's already covered in our agreement."
"No...Please…listen...I need us to stop pretending and start talking. In a few months the baby will be here. I just need to know how we are going to make this work."
"I'm going to visit our child every opportunity I get."
"And you'll be satisfied with that?"
"Well...no but what choice do I have. We've done enough fighting; I don't want our son or daughter to think we can't get along. We're going to be parents; we don't have time to be selfish; it's not about us."
Suki looked at him, trying to reason or plead or say something to him. Sokka wasn't sure. This was so hard for him; he didn't mean to come off so confrontational. He took a deep sigh why did things have to be this way? "We'll figure out something…together. I promise I'll be back in time to see our baby."

"That's a silly promise Sokka; but I know you will be here."

Her laughs; that smile it had been absent so long; how he wanted to kiss her lips; however, she turned serious and it became apparent, nothing was left. "Umm…well I'll see you later hon—Suki—I'll see you later Suki; you take good care; I will write you when I get the opportunity."

With that statement he exited and that was all.

Sokka caught up with Ty Lee who was at this point doing a handstand; when she spotted the Water Tribesman she flipped herself upright. The pink Kyoshi gleefully skipped along Sokka who had been in another world, "So Sokka," she butted his thoughts; "we're going to be traveling together right?"

"Well it's a short trek to the royal zeppelin; but yeah."

"I was thinking since we're going to be a team; we should have a name."

"What did you have in mind?"

"The Pink Boomerang," she squealed hugging him tightly.

"Ok…less squeezing the life out of me," he worded breathlessly.

"Sorry," she let go of him, realizing her strength.

Sokka almost fell to the ground. He steadied himself rubbing his back, He looked to Ty Lee and tried to be as friendly possible; he wouldn't want to hurt her feelings, He laid a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, "That's kind of you; but; what good is the name of something I don't—"

Ty Lee had a smile on her face that big cheesy grin that stretched so wide it was bigger than her face she looked like a crazed clown, it was creepy. Sokka went into a defensive stance and backed away slowly. "Remember me? I'm Sokka your friend, we're not enemy's right?" he said sweating and scared

Ty Lee leaped at him; as Sokka ducked shouting for his life; when she reached behind him and grabbed two items hidden in the bushes. Sokka through squints looked at a familiar work of art handcrafted from space, an ebony welded sword, and the other, a lightweight metallic it's color reminded him of his home— oh the words he lost trying to form them, sheer and utter excitement "SPACE SWORD AND BOOMERANG…What— where?"

Ty Lee blushed embarrassed and looked away she wasn't good at these types of things. Sokka knew exactly, Ty Lee didn't have to say anything. "Oh my darling Suki, thank you", he said to himself.

After a short stint of silence; Sokka took out the loaner sword from Master Piandao and put his space sword in the sheath and placed the boomerang in his messenger bag. He looked to Ty Lee and smiled and looked back at the horizon with a determined look, "Ok, team Pink Boomerang let's have an adventure."