Suki

Suki saw Sokka pull her over to him protectively, and she remembered seeing his tortured expression when the man and her disappeared. She could imagine she was mirroring that expression, except more in fright than in desperation and loss. She had tried to put on a mask, tried to tell him it was okay, but even she knew that only made it worse.

Currently, she had a severe case of disorientation. She had no idea where she was, and the fact that everything in this...world was tinted in a dark film of grayness. Nothing had color. But it surely didn't look like a old-timed movie. It looked as if someone didn't color in the pages in a coloring book, almost like a dream. Her breathing came in ragged, short gasps, and she couldn't control it. Stop, Suki. She tried to calm herself down enough to pull another move on the mysterious man. Maybe since he was in his own world it'd work.

She walked forward, having no idea where she was.

"Stop," a booming, yet calm voice came. She jumped, and looked around.

"My name is Jakoh, (JAY-KOE). What is your's?" he asked, now that he appeared. The man was standing in front of her, in normal time clothes, except the grayness still surrounding them. Fight 'till the end. Fight 'till the end, she thought.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"I just told you. Jakoh," he replied, calm as a normal day.

"No, I mean who are you, and why are you stealing children away from home?!" she demanded again, trying to make her voice sound more fierce.

"Oh, girl. You are not a child, you are a simple teenager. I see past that mask of makeup, young lady." Suki stopped for a moment.

"Yes, you're very different from anyone I've ever taken. Which means you should be treated differently, correct?" He was clearly waiting for a response.

"How am I supposed to know, you little thief?!" she roared at him. He nodded, faking understandment. Suki's heart sped up, clearly showing her fear, and care for the ones she left. She imagined Sokka's face once more, and her heart ripped into two. Jakoh chuckled.

"Come, little girl. Or shall I say teenage girl?" he joked. Reluctantly, and knowing she had nothing else she could do, she followed.

Before, she was just standing in what seemed liked endless grayness. Now, the buildings and everything returned, but still no color. And when she tried touching a fire hydrant, her hand went right through at first. It seemed like everything was made of smoke and fog here.

"I need to show you this, to your great dismay." He talked weirdly, almost like a storybook. She couldn't help but find comfort from his voice. She shouldn't, but it seemed so controlled and relaxed. She made a hmph sound, trying to show she didn't care.

They walked through the "town" road by road, and finally reached a small alleyway he started down first. A pit grew to the size of MoMo in Suki's stomach. Then, at the end of the alleyway, it seemed to open up, and a huge building showed itself. No wonder this place was so well concealed. She saw the faces of many numerous children. Sadness overtook her as she looked at their expressions. Sadness reflected back at her. They were working, some playing with blocks, and others with small toy ships. Though even the ones playing looked totally miserable, and helpless. Suki clicked her tongue to her upper lip, then glared at the man.

"Why are you so nasty?" she snarled, poking the pressure point above his ribs again. Nothing happened. As a matter of fact, her hand went straight through again. She paused, and then let the anger inside her build. Then, she opened the door and with a swift movement, entered the wretched building, slamming the door behind her.

She smiled at all the children, and they looked clearly perplexed.

"Why is a big girl here?" asked a young girl, outgoing and cute. She had curly hair, and she only knew she was wearing a dress since no colors were here.

"It's okay, everyone. Come here," she said, her voice trying to relax them. Just then, the man walked in, and the children all stood up, glaring, yet smiling.

"No, you guys. Ignore the fool and just sit down. We need to talk," Suki said, ignoring Jakoh entirely. Most children walked back to her, huddling close since they just disobeyed their "guardian", while others chanced glances between the two. Suki, then Jakoh. Finally, she had the whole crowd. She smiled despite the circumstances.

"It's okay, everyone. You'll be fine." She took a sheet of paper and scribbled down that she was with the Avatar, and the ones who couldn't read, just ignored it and smiled at her some more. Soon, she had every child smiling also despite their circumstances.

"You're not staying here. Come, teen," Jakoh spoke. Suki turned, and put an innocent, yet hard expression on her face.

"Are you talking to me or them? Neither, I'm guessing, because we both aren't your dogs. If it's me, then...No. I'm not coming with you, and as a matter of fact, I'll stay where I want to stay, go where I want to go, and do what I want to do. Do not address me as "teen", I have a name, and forget talking to me like a dog. Because, simply, I don't respond." And with a smirk, she turned back to the kids, and picked up a book, leaving Jakoh completely speechless.

"NO!" roared through the room. The children gathered around Suki, some clinging to her for dear life.

"Yes," she replied simply, sarcasm and truth leaking into her voice. Jakoh set his jaw, and ran toward her. She simply moved the kids with her, aside from the man who should have nothing to do with their life.

"Get over here, teen. Forget sparing you, forget your smart mouth, you're coming right here with me, to the room." Suki shook her head in shame for him, seeing as he didn't listen at all to her.

"Nope," she said, and began reading to the children.

A/N: Like it? Sorry bout the chapters. Some are short, though. Hehehe. R&R, please! Oh, and the next chapter is going to be the gaang, figuring things out a little and preparing for whatever they plan to do. I'm off to work on that chapter now! Thanks again!