Determined to make up for causing problems in the dessert, Sokka sets forth making plans to get to Ba Sing Se with her whole heart. Of course, her original choice to take the Serpent's Path is shot down when they learn about the ferry.
Thanks to Toph, the group gets tickets on the ferry. Too soon, a security guard shows up. "Ticket and passports please."
"Is there a problem?" Sokka asked nervously.
"Yeah, I got a problem with you! I've seen your type before. Probably sarcastic, think you're hilarious and let me guess, you're traveling with the Avatar."
"Suki!" Sokka said with a grin before latching onto the other girl and giving her a hug.
"How did you figure it out?" Suki said with a cute pout.
"As if I could forget how you sound when you're mad." Sokka said playfully bumping shoulders with the other girl.
"I can't believe we gave up our tickets and now we're going through the Serpents's pass." Sokka whined.
"I can't believe you're still complaining about it." Toph bit back.
Suki ran up in her warrior's uniform. "I'm coming too!"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Sokka, I thought you'd want me to come." Suki replied.
"I do, it's just…" Sokka couldn't find the right words.
"Just what?" Suki questioned.
"Nothing. I'm glad you came."
"Me too." Suki said with a grin. "I love what you did with your hair by the way! The white streak looks really good. How'd you do it?"
"It's complicated." Sokka said with a frown.
When they were on the trail and the Fire Nation attacked, Sokka couldn't help but feel a need to protect Suki. Of course, in her rush to protect the other girl, she didn't think about herself. Toph had to earth bend to keep Sokka safe. "Thanks for saving my life, Toph." Sokka said with a grin before running to catch up with the Kyoshi Warrior. "Suki, are you okay? You have to be more careful! Come on!" She pretends she can't see the judgmental look Suki gives her.
That night, after she makes sure Suki has a safe place to sleep, Sokka sneaks away from the group. She sits down once she finds the right spot and looks up at the moon. She stays there like that for quite some time before Suki approaches.
"It's a beautiful moon." Suki says sitting down by her.
"Yeah," Sokka agrees. "It really is."
"Look, I know you're just trying to help," Suki explains, "but I can take care of myself."
"I know you can." Sokka says quietly.
"Then why are you acting so overprotective?" Suki looks at Sokka.
"It's so hard to lose someone you care about. Something happened at the North Pole and I couldn't protect someone." Sokka can feel the tears gathering in her eyes. "I don't want anything like that to ever happen again." Soon she can feel the salty water falling down her face.
"Oh goodness," Suki wipes away Sokka's tears. "Sokka, what's wrong?"
"I'm still in love with Yue."
"I'm flattered, and you're great," Suki says scratching at the back of her neck, "but I'm not attracted to girls."
"Not you, Princess Yue." Sokka says with a little giggle. Even though there are still tears streaming down her face, she can't help but start to laugh at the interaction.
"Oh." Suki laughs too. "Well, do you wanna tell me about what happened?"
Sokka tells her all about the princess and the Moon Spirit and how the streak ended up in her hair. Afterwards they sit staring at the moon.
"I'm sure she knows." Suki says suddenly breaking the silence. "I mean, I'm sure she's always watching over you. Like…" Suki pauses. "Maybe that's what the streak is about. So a part of her is always with you."
Suki's words really seem to reach Sokka.
The next day Sokka learns why the path is called Serpent's Pass.
"Okay, I'm coming!" Toph yells as she slowly starts to cross the ice.
"You're doing great!" Sokka yells back. "Just follow the sound of my voice!"
"It's hard to ignore." Toph snarks back.
When Toph is almost there, the serpent breaks the ice trail. Sokka doesn't even wait for Toph to resurface, she just dives into the water, swimming out to get the girl. Soon Sokka's pulling her out of the water. "Looks like we're even now for life saving." The water tribe girl says with a smirk.
Hope is born, Sokka faints, and when she wakes up she's pretty sure she's never planning on having children.
"Sokka, it's been really great to see you again." Suki says when they get to Ba Sing Se.
"Whoa, hold on." Sokka says holding a hand up. "Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye?"
"I came along because I wanted to make sure you got through the Serpent's Pass safely. But now I need to get back to the other Kyoshi Warriors."
Sokka starts to laugh. "So you came along to protect me?" The two girls both start to laugh.