The warrior was in awe examining the man in front of him. A short, auburn, white old man in front of her, looking with disappointment at the couple in the room. She reached for him grabbing both hands in her own.
I must be dreaming. This can't be real. She thought touching his hands, feeling all the calloused edges and dry skin.
"It is you!" She hugged him tearing up. It's been so long since he has visited me. Too long actually. She thought in glee, until noticing he didn't return the hug. "Dad?"
"I can't believe you are with a snow savage…after all what's happened" He said piercing with his eyes at the man behind them
Her heart dropped, feeling torn. She turned around and saw Sokka was hurt too.
"He doesn't mean it" It doesn't stop him, as he is now passing by them and leaving the room. "Sokka!"
"Let him go" He holds her by her arm, startling her.
She freezes for a moment. "Why am I even listening to him?" She thought pushing through hid gripand walking outside the room, only to see the floor full of snow. A hard cold breeze knocked her to her knees. It was cold, she shivered there, unable to stand up.
"I told you to let him go. Can't you see that's all they are good for?" Her dad said walking towards her.
"You are not my dad. You are dead" She whispered, "There is no way I am at the Southern tribe. It can't be."
"I came back for you. We need to move now before we lose our ship" His hand pated her back and she looked up to see his sky blue eyes.
She screamed and fell to her front, crawling away from him and ignoring the burning cold sensation on her fingers. That wasn't her dad anymore, it was a mere carcass levitating from the ground, pale limbs and white eyes. The twitching in his body incremented the more she looked at him.
She felt powerless to move, to run. The carcass floated towards her, she closed her eyes and the moment it got close enough, it exploded, blood covering her whole body.
Her hands covered her ears and she rocked back and forth, biting her own tongue to repress the urge to scream and cry. Opening her eyes she saw in the floor the last memento that lady in Kyoshi gave her.
A katana. Her katana. She watched it until more footsteps were heard in the whites of the city. Gripping and unsheathing it, she barely stood in guard. There it was, the waterbender who did that.
"Stay away" She said though her teeth, still shivering. She felt like that young Suki. Courage was non existent and in this moment her emotional pain was destroying her will to fight her.
The woman lifted one hand, water forming and patiently waiting to be used. Suki readjusted her position, ready to charge.
"Sit down child, we need to talk about you" The woman said getting closer, Suki in fact, didn't sit down, instead pushing the katana towards her. She stopped and rolled her eyes.
"Really? Do you think you benderless scum can win against me?" She laughed and that made Suki's blood boil. She rushed forward and baited her, using a kick as offense instead of her sword. The bender easily dodged the kick but not the incoming blade towards her neck.
Her head rolled on the snow along her blood. Suki sighed and a wave of dizziness rushed trough her, using as support her katana trusted in the snow below.
"That didn't kill me you know?" The head in front of her talked, scaring her. Suki now couldn't repress a scream, falling to her butt. "Relax child! Finally you took a sit."
"Wh..what are you? What do you want?!" Suki slurred scared, the cold was affecting her voice and her body. The numbness was easy to ignore until now that she wanted to flee.
"Weren't you searching that boy?" The woman asked, Suki blinked unsure of her motivations.
"Yes" she coldly replied
"Good, he is the last sane strain in your head. Ever wonder why you are so miserable without him? Search for your roots. I made you a favor killing your miserable father"
Rage ignited again her will to fight, she pulled her katana and slashed her head like a wood log. Her breathing became erratic as she saw the head keep talking.
"As I was saying. Do you think repressing your emotions was the good thing to do so dadda wouldn't be sad you mother left you both? You grew to be a caretaker, something you loathed."
"Lies…you are lying" Suki said turning away, her tears unable to come out due to the cold air.
"You always comforted your dad, he didn't bother to ask you how you were coping? Your mother didn't care enough for you to take you away from him! Why do you think you are too attached him?"
Suki looked tearfully to the talking head. Her anxiety and pain rising in her, all because of hearing the truth. She was not loved nor welcomed at her small home. She wanted a happy family and made everything to keep her parents together, until she couldn't.
Until she was left alone. The girl nobody asked for nor loved enough to take her in. An Orphan.
"Because I love him" Suki replied "And that's enough for me to keep fighting"
"And does he? You are another trophy, another accomplishment, do you see how proud he is to say he tamed the girl who kicked his ass? You are weak child, a pair of eyes and a crumb of love and you are again, that caretaker girl who begs to be heard"
The piercing laugh was what sent her over the edge. She was seeing red, this new will to kill, to fight, to defend her name and her love. She gripped the sword and slashed the head again, and again, until she was crying.
Loud, ugly sobs. Her whole body froze at the cold of the environment, coughing uncontrollably, she embraced herself and breathed, tired of fighting against herself.
"And you see I am right, that's why you are crying. The warrior who was kind but not too kind is a ghost of your past, because of you, not him. You don't love him, you love the way he makes you feel"
"No, that's not…"
"Suki?"
She turned around and saw Zuko, a carcass of Zuko. Burned halfway of his body instead of his face, pale with dried blood in his clothes. She was breathless…
"I am supposed to protect you…" She ran towards him without losing the grip on her katana. Zuko moved backwards, blasting fire towards her. She fell avoiding the flame, hurting her torso.
"He is not the Zuko I know…"
"What are you!?" The warrior screamed in a strong tone, correcting her form and breathing, ready to fight.
"Did you eat Jennamite?" Suki's head was spiraling, searching the root of the voice. It felt familiar.
And then the snow ate her, her screams sealed below earth where the dirt found a new place in her throat until she passed out, tired of fighting.
Her friends stood shocked at Toph actions, who just decided drowning Suki on earth was the best idea so she would stop attacking them. Aang immediately pulled her out but Suki was still dozed off.
"What did you ask her? Jenamite? That's just a candy, isn't it? King Bumi always ate them" Aang asked to Zuko who was currently inspecting her.
"Jenamite is a drug here in Ba Sing Se, is that same candy but…with something else. I don't know what makes it addictive but it does" He answered opening more Suki's eyelids while she tried in vain stopping him.
"So…why?" Toph asked, crossing her arms across her chest
"Why would I know? You literally lived with her in the boat" Zuko barked feeling exhasperated at not knowing what to do. Both silently insulted each other as Aang inspected Suki's current state.
Her eyes were dilated and oddly open, her breath stopping for a few seconds before resuming heavily and cycling. She was sweating even if she had almost no clothes on, her cheeks turning purple, although he wasn't sure if that was because of the Jenamite or some bruises.
"What do we do?" Aang asked Zuko. Zuko sighed
"Nothing, we need to wait for the drug to go down, by it's own. She will be off for some hours"
"Even more? We just came home, how long has she been on this? Is already midnight!" Toph said annoyed, walking side to side of the room.
Toph wasn't someone who shared how much she cared for someone, but she was someone who liked having control and power over the situation. This was getting off her hands. "What is into you Suki? Is even helping you being alone without that dork?" Toph thought frowning.
Zuko sat by Suki, seeing how she tried pulling off the earth shackles with no results. Aang sat by her other side in a lotus position, meditating. Both couldn't do anything to help their friend, but all of them still took guards looking at her.
The night passed and the coldness in the room showed it. Toph was by the wall, each second that passed making her more sleepy, the slow heartbeats of her companions lulled her.
"You still don't have an answer Toph, you need to keep guard for them" She thought shifting her position so she could sense them better. She decided it was the right moment to let Suki off the shackles, as she did it she rearranged her body on the floor so she wouldn't be so sore the moment her consciousness came back.
Calmed down, Toph finally laid flat on the floor to sleep.
Zuko noticed how Toph was seeking out for all of them, watching her silently. He smiled at how the group was taking turns in taking care, as Aang was the one with the first shift. He didn't move and opted to look at her lover.
"Had she been spiraling down since we were on the boat? What triggered it?" Zuko thought to himself, trying to fix the puzzle laid down to them. "she doesn't make rash decisions, she usually has everything planned. She is too smart for this"
He rested his head in both hands. He was feeling more anxious than usual. "I wonder if this is how she felt when I was a mess" Zuko thought scratching his head. He looked at her chest going up and down, it made him feel as if she was at ease sleeping.
He still couldn't sleep. An increasing gut feeling that something was not right.
"Aang wake up!" Toph screamed and stumbled to Suki's side, quickly shaking the monk who was already up. Zuko got alarmed and immediately ignited his daggers, suspecting an ambush.
Aang went to work and sweated while Toph waited for him, both looking at Suki. Then it hit him.
"What is wrong with her?" Zuko asked, rushing to their side. Both were quiet, still looking at her body. "What is wrong with her? Answer me!"
"She is…she is not…" Aang stuttered
"Do something! You are the waterbender" Toph urged, physically dragging him closer to Suki as she ran for water. She came back with the bucket and placed it by the avatar, whose heart ached. Toph noticed and gritted her teeth, feeling impotent. "What are you waiting for?"
"I don't…I don't know how to…" Aang started talking before Zuko placed both hands in her chest and started pumping.
"What do you mean you don't? Didn't Katara teach you something? Anything?!" Zuko's voice had fear and anger in them, every time he pumped doing it a bit stronger.
"Zuko you will break her bones" Toph said trying to reach him
"DON'T. This will keep her alive and then… why hadn't any of you called for help? GO!" Zuko commanded as Aang ran outside to Appa. Zuko kept pushing, the anger in Toph raising at being unable to do anything.
She hadn't felt this way with Sokka. No, the last time she felt this useless was when the Avatar was dead. She sat and focused on Suki's heartbeat, who was pumping blood thanks to Zuko's efforts.
"You are going to break her, Stop" Toph whispered as she focused too much and felt the density of Suki's ribcage.
"No! She will die If I stop" Zuko repeated pushing more harder. Toph physically pained as she sensed Suki's ribs almost breaking.
"She will die of internal bleeding if you keep pumping that hard!" Toph replied
"She won't because Aang will be here with somebody who can reverse that shit she ate" Zuko answered tired, the constant pumping was tiring, and with the force he was applying it took a toll.
Jenamite. "Why the hell would she try Jenamite anyway? Dumb piece of candy" Toph thought trying to ignore the cracks in her friend ribs. She instead focused on her heart beat, who was steady thanks to Zuko's efforts. She touched Suki's hand.
She shot her eyes open and grabbed her whole arm. "Why I can feel her blood?" Toph thought alarmed, touching more parts or her body.
"What in the…what are you doing?" Zuko asked still pumping, almost breathless.
"Metal. Rock. This has poison" Toph said amazed "I can feel it"
Zuko wanted to stop as it was hard talking, thinking and pumping. "Spit it Toph, so what?"
"That means I can DO something! Move, now" Toph said standing up and grounding herself. Zuko looked at her and Suki. He sighed, removing both hands from Suki.
"Please work" Toph thought as her body and hands moved. She remembered some forms Aang and Katara would do at the beach, so she did them, rougher than they both would, but she did them, focusing on the metal inside Suki's body.
She frowned at how slow the metal was moving in Suki's veins, her heart still. Toph grunted as she focused on liquifying it, both arms extended as she danced with them. Zuko looked shocked as he saw, for the second time, how Suki's body was moving by another force.
Zuko's eyes grew amazed as the greyish black liquid came out of her body. Toph proudly held it in the air as she felt Suki's heartbeat picking up speed again.
"You did it…" Zuko said with hope, picking up the pulse in their friend.
"Who do you think I am? Of course I would do it" She said putting in the bucket the liquid metal, cleaning with her arms the sweat from her face.
Both smiled to each other and laughed. Suki slept peacefully on the floor, as both waited for Aang to be back with the medic.
"We should move Suki to her bed at least" Toph suggested "I love the floor but all of you are too soft for it"
Zuko snorted as he delicately carried Suki to her bed, checking that she was breathing and her heart was beating. Toph and him shared the wall, snuggling in comfort of barely saving her life. The firsts rays of suns creeped through the window and with them, the Avatar came with a medical team ready to inspect Suki's condition.
Katara woke up the next day happier of being close to the sister tribe, immediately organizing her room so she could prepare an official meeting with her fellow politicians. It even seemed weird to her how laid back both, Electra and Sokka, were on the whole legislation.
She got out of her cabin and looked at the sky, where more ice glaciers could be seen in the view. Taking a mouthful, he found Sokka sitting with the boys and Electra. She grabbed a plate and served herself warm flamingocroc eggs, along some fish and rice.
"Good morning everyone!" Katara greeted to the crew, enthusiastic marineers cheered back along Sokka and Electra. She sat beside a new space by her brothers side, who was already looking for a refill on his mug.
"How did you sleep Katara?" Electra asked, eating only rice and fish.
"Really good actually! The excitement thankfully hasn't been a problem for sleeping yet. What about you?" she asked finally starting to eat.
"I cannot wait for the surprise we have prepared for both of you. Don't tell Sokka, this time we had to get to known each other has made me realize he is waay to curious" Electra replied winking, something that didn't set too well to her.
But she let it slide as Sokka sat again.
"Morning sis! I'm glad you don't eat alone in your cabin anymore, I missed you!" He said hugging her. Katara giggled and pushed him so she could keep eating.
"Yeah yeah, I bet you won't say that a lot in a few years. How are we doing with the council?" She asked sipping her cup.
Sokka only grumbled and dismissed her with his hand "Don't worry lil sis, I have everything under control"
"I mean, do we have an order of topics or…" Katara said until she was interrupted by her brother again.
"I said don't worry! Now, excuse us" He said grabbing Electra by her arm "We need to talk about that" both walked away from the table, leaving a very confused Katara eating alone.
"I guess Aang's letter hasn't come back yet" She thought, and as if she invoked him, a hawk came back with a bag full of letters, screaming as Katara raised her arm for it to land.
She dismissed herself from the table and went back to her cabin, ordering the paper to their respective correspondent: Either her or Sokka.
She counted the letters both received, four. "Four? That means…They are in contact" Katara thought annoyed, seeing the different lettering Suki used for the letter towards her and Sokka.
"So what you were so anxious to talk about the council?" Electra asked pouring down tea, Sokka waved both hands.
"It was an excuse. It is actually another topic I want to discuss…away from politics" Electra raised her eyebrow and smirked, sitting down.
"Suki…are you planning how to propose?" Electra asked excited as Sokka blushed deeply, scratching the back of his neck.
"Uh…well…"
"O m g…Am I the first one to know? I was taught that in Kyoshi is not really the necklace that matters, they do this cute ceremony where you would ask Suki for a plate of warm rice and eat half of it so…"
"Electra please! Stop!" Sokka interrupted embarrassed, taking mental notes of the ceremony but being too guilty to keep listening to his future. "It is Suki but…it's not that good"
"Oh, I'm sorry" Electra said blushing too "What happened?"
Sokka got comfortable in his chair and chugged the warm tea, making her companion more worried.
"You see…You know how I love her. She is strong…brilliant…intelligent and brave, not to mention so beautiful" He said swooning in front of Electra, making her giggle. "But… I feel as if I moved back to the South or spent too much time outside she…she would be with another man"
Electra tilted her head in confusion.
"Why would she do that? Wasn't she so in love with you?" She asked not putting the puzzle pieces together. That was the moment Sokka remembered he hadn't told her what happened in the fire nation.
"I have not been very honest Electra. Suki…had a fling with Zuko"
Electra's cheeks turned red and she covered her open mouth.
"I thought that was a lie, most of what it's published anyway is not true" She said recovering from her initial shock, the redness on her puffed cheeks still visibly.
"Yeah…not her fault really. I dumped her because I wanted to…experience other people"
Sokka could feel the moment he ended that sentence Electra's eyes were daggers on his face, a visibly frown in her usual unexpressive face.
"You..what?!" Electra said confirming Sokka's suspicion.
"I know, I know. I went back to the fire nation to make things right, and it work for a while until…until I noticed that maybe she would be better with him. I didn't add anything valuable to her and he does, so…I'm scared she will finally notice that" He finished looking down at his empty cup.
Electra supported her head on her hand, thinking on the right words for comfort.
"You have made some really stupid mistakes Sokka. I would have rejected you even if you came crying and begging. But if what you said is true…I don't think Suki would dump you. And let me say, she is really really pretty. I haven't seen someone so stunning with almost no makeup in a while, but Suki knows you better. Even if she realizes the firelord…"
"Zuko" Sokka emphasized
"Zuko then, was a better option as a partner, I don't think she would chose him. You don't give up on love and she seems to be a strong willed person. She is not the leader of the kyoshi warriors for being the older girl, she knows and trusts her gut. Time for you to trust her too"
Sokka thought about it unsure of his own feelings. It was still not the right time to confess they were actually not together and that both were on a treatment. But it wasn't needed as a knock came from the door.
"Come in!" Electra said and smiled as she saw Katara enter the room. "Hello! Want to join us?"
"I thought you'll never ask" Katara replied sitting down on the free chair between them. Sokka was still too focused on the weight of Electra's words. He thought he trusted her until she had that fling with Zuko, now he feared her rejection or that she would do it again.
"What's on your mind?" Electra said gesturing a cup of tea, which Katara agreed.
"Well first of all, I came here to deliver all 4 letters to councilman Sokka" Katara said with an edge at the name of her brother, taking him out of his mental debate. He grabbed the four letters and noticed the number.
That meant Suki replied to his first one. He smiled until he remembered he was not alone and whistled, making Electra giggle and Katara roll her eyes.
"You are not staying are you? We are about to discuss some politics, I mean I don't mind, I'm not sure of Electra" Sokka emphasized while she shrugged. Katara stood up from her chair, a big grin on her face.
"Well, I then must be here. I am Katara, the second councilman of the Southern Water Tribe" She smugly said, making Sokka's face open in shock for a split moment before smiling and hugging her.
"Why didn't you told me that earlier? Is that why you were in your room?" He said spinning her around the cabin.
"I was doing paperwork! Something you are probably way behind anyway" The siblings stuck their tongues to each other, making Electra cough and giggle.
"Congratulations Katara. Adding you I'm sure will bring magnificent results in our sessions. Now, we shall all sit to discuss the order of presentation before we arrive at my city" She said gesturing both to sit, which they followed.
"So I was planning: I go first, then you, then my sis…" Sokka said before both girls looked at him ugly, making him cough. "But of course that would be going backwards towards your inclusion so…what do you suggest?"
Both girls looked at each other, wondering which of them would concede their place as the opening act. Sokka noticed the small tension and decided to intervene again.
"Okay…what about the laws we are trying to make them approve? We should do that. Sis, what is the law you were making?" Sokka asked properly, as Katara unrolled her scroll.
"This…is the future. Using a legal loophole in the north so both genders can freely learn the art of waterbending" Katara said smiling, her eyes full of hope. Electra grabbed the scroll and started reading it, making the siblings wait for her.
Minutes passed and Katara instead opted to shift her focus to Sokka, who was still looking at the blonde. He noticed her gaze and smiled back, annoying her sister more.
"Well, how we did not notice this sooner? It would have helped a lot when we were at war…" Electra brainstormed giving back the scroll to Katara. "Then it's set. We will use your order of events Sokka"
Both looked at each other surprised.
"Why?" He asked "Isn't equality in your teachings a priority?"
"It is. But I want the most important one to be the last one as I know it will take a few days until it's approved. Katara, you will make an important change, you are as outstanding as Sokka described you" Electra said shaking the waterbender's hand, whom looked at her proudly.
"Thanks for your kind words. I'm sure together the future will be bright for our tribes" Katara replied almost tearfully.
Sokka looked at the interaction between both girls happily, feeling as proud as a big brother could be. As he saw both girls talk and laugh with each other, he decided to trust his gut too. Katara is a natural leader and speaker, and if he wanted to leave home to be anywhere Suki wanted, he was sure they would need a new chief.
And that place would be only to Katara, her not so baby sister. The strong, humble and master waterbender woman.
"Well, time to go back to my cabin and keep perfecting the law. I think we are in less than 2 days to arrive" Katara said standing up.
"Yeah, I'll shower too, over there it does get cold" Electra said standing up too. Sokka followed and only shook her hand too to go after Katara. As they closed the door, the siblings looked at each other in a newfound shyness that grew as much as they did the last year.
"Sokka…can we talk?" Katara said gesturing her cabin, Sokka nodded and followed her, helping her close the door. They both sat at her bed, the silence in the room being comfortable to both until Katara decided to break again the silence.
"I'm sorry" She said, grabbing his hand. "I'll let it slide that you a have a letter from Suki until we hit shore" Katara thought.
"For what?" Sokka asked, trying to remember in the last 3 months if Katara made something towards him.
"Suki. The whole episode of bloodbending….I'm sorry. I should have supported both of you in a better way" Katara said tearing
"Don't tearbend now please!" Sokka joked as Katara laughed "I am sorry too. For saying that I hated you or that you weren't useful. It was not true… it.."
"It was the darkening. No offense taken" Katara interrupted smiling up to him. "I forgive you"
Sokka chuckled, pulling in a hug. "I forgive you too. Now, I have to go to my cabin to read these letters"
Katara bit her tongue to restrain herself from talking about Suki. So she nodded and let him find himself out of the room. As the door closed she sighed, feeling as if she was wronging him for letting him have contact with Suki.
She opened the scroll who had the air nation insignia, yearning to hear about her fiancée and his duties.
Flameo Hotwoman!
I was thinking about you as I walked around the walls inside the palace. They feel as cold as the ice over there when you are left completely alone. It does help me meditate better, and I remembered again of what monk Gyatso taught me about love… The passion and intensity varies at the person you direct your love. Mine is burning all my being that I'm at this rate a fire nation citizen
The date of our wedding can be the day you must like, as I want to make it really special. The only tradition I would like to keep for our wedding is the use of my traditional garments and that we both share a new big one to seal our commitment. I will explain even further in other letters, as I don't want to be a distraction to the future of the Water tribe.
Suki has been really erratic. I know she has a really serious face most of the time, but the window to the soul are the eyes. She looks so down most of the time and we all tend to drink at the end of our shifts. She relies a lot more than all of us, Toph keeps up with her but she still drinks a lot less than Suki. I do think it has to do with Sokka, Electra is the blonde is she? Maybe something is happening as a platonic friendship? I know Sokka's problem is with commitment so I don't think he will board that ship.
I will investigate further with Toph is she has any knowledge of them exchanging letters.
With love, your Aang.
PS: Let Sokka choose the food I don't mind, if it let us organize easier the wedding it is for the best.
Katara sighed, love pouring out of every fiber within her. She decided to sleep until replying, expecting Sokka to already use one of the hawks available, she would opt to use the other one. Sleepiness set in as she relaxed, finally able to write that she would, in fact, change the future.
Sokka was still up, contrary to Katara, too excited to sleep. The image of Suki wearing her traditional clothing made him swoon a bit more than he would like to admit, so he re read the letter over and over again, imagining the walks aside the shore or in the stores all over the island.
He was good enough for her, he was changing, was he? He was still thinking of her, her voice, her smell, he was still yearning to be by her side. Wasn't three months enough for both of them? He laid down with the letter at his hand, ignoring that he shouldn't be talking to her at all.
He laid down the paper and started writing, a big smile on his face that was starting to make his cheeks hurt.
Sokka with an Okka here!
I literally can't stop smiling after receiving your letter. I can see you but not quite as well as I will when we stroll around your place. How have you been? I have been doing pretty great over here actually. Not because I don't miss you, believe me, I do, a lot.
I think this trip, just like you do, is not helping at all. I didn't want to tell you, because we both have our own reasons to be worried about other things, the other day I was about to sleep my bowls puked all black. I went to Tara's room for a quick check and It was nothing.
Have you been drinking a lot? I'm glad you said you broke the cycle, only twice I've seen you tipsy and I worry that it is now affecting you to the point you lean on it. Was it something really bad? You can trust me to keep your secrets, warrior to warrior.
After all, we have each other to lift. No burden is too heavy when it's shared.
With a little bit of hidden love, Sokka
As much as in love he was with Suki's image, the other contents in the letter reminded him why they were apart: The darkness. The one that both saw themselves in worse conditions then with the ones they started.
He sighed, his arms behind his head as he lay down on the bed.
"When will we see each other?" He thought taking a deep breath. IT hurt him not being able to care for her. He couldn't do anything to ignore her, alcohol or not in his body, he would still think about her.
"Well, the other reports ain't gonna do themselves" He grumbled sitting up and opening the other ones too, to read about the political leg in the earth kingdom.
"I'm fine! Stop worrying about me" Suki said annoyed at everyone keeping an eye at her, entering a bit too frequent for her liking.
"We wouldn't if you hadn't binged drugs" Toph spat as suki put on her traditional make up on. Suki sighed loudly, unable to counter that.
"I said I was sorry…I just…didn't know what to do about.."Suki suttered but was interrupted at Toph, who was beyond annoyed.
"About what? About whom? Suki you were dying, you were dead. You scared the shit out of everybody" Toph reprimanded her, not for the first time, standing defiantly in her face. "Whatever reason you tried drugs to look for a clue, it's not worth it"
"He is worth it" Suki whispered, looking at her clouded eyes. "I felt hopeless, I don't know why I'm so focused on him, it pains me, it bothers me because it is interfering with my job. And I hate it because I vowed protecting all of you and I'm not doing it"
"Then, let's stop this shit experiment, let's get you to the north so you can reunite, continue being a bunch of jerks and keep fighting, I'm sure that'll help you more" Toph insisted, the sarcasm making Suki grunt.
"I did not said that, let's just get by, hope something exciting happens at least" Suki said walking past her, Toph closely following to the dining room were Zuko and Aang ate amicably, talking about more firebending training.
"Morning girls! Did you already eat?" Aang asked smiling, offering a bit of his rice.
"Yup, earlier than both of you logs. Suki's first day returning to duty made both of us too excited to sleep" Toph said punching her, Suki smiled.
"I'm glad you are returning to work, welcome back" Zuko welcomed with a polite smile.
"Yeah, welcome back! Today we will, hopefully, approve something exciting." Aang said sipping his tea, as Momo begged for some bread. Aang gave him one without breaking contact with her.
"Thank you, I'm sure the meeting will flow more smooth than last days" Suki said leaning on the wall, looking at Momo who jumped a place higher to eat.
"Are you finished or do we have to babysit you more? Hurry up!" Toph said almost by the door, making both boys grunt and walk towards her, Suki following Zuko's path.
Appa was munching some hay as they walked towards him, who greeted all of them.
"Time to work Appa!" Aang said jumping up to him, while he lowered his tail so Toph leaning on Zuko, and Suki could walk up to the saddle, finding their places.
"Alright, yip yip!"
Flying through the skies was something that relaxed Suki, it was odd as the only time she flew on Appa was just before ending the war, were she couldn't know if her warriors were still alive. Any chance were she could fly she would take it now so she could enjoy a bit more the time on Appa.
The routine was the same. They landed, were escorted, prepared for the meeting and then reunited. Suki's warriors welcomed her without asking too much, as they knew she hated showing weakness, and at this case, some behavior like that was something not worthy of a leader.
Even if Suki hated she had to tell them, as her roll as a leader was put on second place by something not worth it, addictions.
"Girls, we need to talk" Suki said as the warriors circled her, their faces unreadable. Suki gulped and closed her eyes as the silence surrounded the room, calming herself before speaking.
"We are listening" Karina said to her, her voice flat. Suki opened her eyes again and breathed.
"You must know why I was absent these past days. I owe you an explanation as I have failed you as a leader" She said looking at their eyes, who stared back with mixed reactions. "I…did something not worthy for me to continue being a leader"
Suki unclasped her headpiece and put it forward, her breaths calmer than the faces of her girls.
"Suki, calm down, I'm sure is nothing that serious. We all make mistakes" Lin replied putting a hand on her shoulder for comfort, Suki fought the urge to look down, instead puffing her chest.
"It was not a mistake. It was a bad decision, I knew the risks and consequences. Both of you are fit to be the new leader" Suki continued holding in front the headpiece, waiting for one of them to hold it.
Karina placed her hand on her free shoulder and patted it, giving her a sympathetic look before speaking.
"It's okay, we forgive you. We know it's hard"
Suki's body shivered, of course someone would tell Karina, she was the closest to Suki from all the girls. Karina grabbed the headpiece and walked behind Suki, placing it on her head and clasping it again.
"No hard feelings" Karina said as she brushed some strands of hair in place. Suki hugged herself and bite her tongue again, as the urge to cry was too high. Lin and Karina hugged her, making her release a breath she didn't knew she was holding.
"Just…please, no next time" Lin said squishing them harder, as Suki laughed a cry.
"It's a promise, nothing of value in that experience anyway" Their leader said in a coarse voice, still fighting the urge to cry. A knock from the door made them split their hug and take their positions, as the guard opened it and indicated them to follow to the room.
Hiding their good humor as they step a foot outside the main room, Karina and Lin took their hiding positions as Suki walked towards the Fire lord who was already seated. Zuko couldn't suppress a small smile as he saw her stroll towards him, Toph reminded him with a tap that she could still notice everything, and Zuko stoic face came back.
Avatar Aang was the last one to arrive, hurriedly sitting with excitement.
"Hello and welcome again to this session, hopefully the last one. Today the last topic of discussion is the one where a new country would be born, with the people of all nations sharing cultures and costumes without fear of repression" Aang said looking towards Suki with a big smile, nodding her of the original idea she had.
Suki's own stomach dropped of the surprise. "Are they using…using my idea?" She thought hiding behind her own makeup, placing both hands behind her back to relax.
"Yes. Suki, your idea made us think a few days back of what would be a city like this. Even if Ba Sing Se has a diverse culture of the refugees, we can create, with help of the powerful Earthbender in charge, Miss Beifong, a new city were these divisions don't matter anymore. The land would be from some part of the earth kingdom, we are still deciding, and hopefully, in a few more days, the water tribe representants will come and agree too" King Kuei said smiling too, as more councilman members nodded in approval.
She couldn't believe it, a small draft in her mind of how she could help her own nation gave the king enough inspiration to bring out a new hope.
Breaking character she smiled, the glee in her eyes made the King smile wider too.
"The name is yet to be decided, but it's my pleasure to tell you that, as it was part of your idea, that you'll be the one to name it" Zuko said as he opened a scroll, were the rights to the original idea with their four names on the bottom were visibly, the only signature missing was her own.
"I'm honored for the opportunity" Suki replied as she grabbed the pen Aang held for her, quickly writing her signature down. As the ink dried, Aang decided to keep talking about more details concerned with how the first buildings would be placed, with help of Toph.
Suki smile faded from her face but her happiness was still running dreams on her mind, she couldn't wait to tell Sokka how her idea helped for a new future. She couldn't wait to tell him how he could benefit from this, as she knew being with his dad was something he couldn't wait to do.
This city would serve as a meeting point for everybody, as Toph described in the map made of earth.
Suddenly Toph stopped talking and quickly molded the project into fighthing gloves, ready to break someone.
"We are being ambushed!" She screamed throwing more rocks to one side of the wall who wasn't even opened, but as the rock crashed it revealed Dai Lee agents moving away from. Suki looked at where her girls were hiding and saw them already fighting some of them who tried to corner them.
Aang already ran to help them, Suki opened her shield and immediately searched for more as Toph took care of the earth king and the companions of Zuko. Zuko's own hands were ready to fight, their backs touching each other to cover all their viewing range.
Except his left side was blurred, thanks to his scar. Suki saw that opening and saw a blast of fire from that side. She switched places and covered herself with the shield, a small grunt as the force of the fire was oddly strong.
"I didn't…" Zuko talked as someone else ambushed him from behind, trying to blast more fire.
"Focus! It's alright" Suki said disabling the one she already fought, running again to where he was to help him.
This girl was good. She was taking care of Zuko and her and didn't sweat a lot. Her fire technique was clearly of someone prepared to fight, her lack of training, his tiredness or both made it hard for them to keep up.
She was built larger and taller than the usual fire nation girls, it gained her and advantage, as she kept her distance to Suki and still fought with Zuko. Zuko side eyes Suki, so he could bait her into attacking him.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked blasting more fire, while the girl tried to approach him without talking. Suki intervened quickly taping her on that arm.
However, she didn't expect the girl to have good reflexes. Most benders when chi blocked stood in shock at the new sense of losing their bending, She however, didn't care and instead tried to burn her face.
Suki's own trauma with Azula made her lift up her hand to protect her face, her shield was on the outside and the position she was in made it impossible to her to use it. She screamed at the burning sensation on her hand and arm, the girl taking the opening and kicking her to the ground.
Suki fell and rolled, trying to drown the fire in her limb.
"Suki! Do you want…" Aang screamed to her but stopped talking as he saw her already standing up, her blodied limb holding her fan with determination. She ran back to where Zuko fought and dodged.
Zuko saw her and didn't hesitate to cover for Suki, unaware of the burn. The girl still fought with her hand and legs.
"Who sent you!?" Zuko screamed as she continued dodging both of them.
"You don't deserve the throne! You twat!" The girl said launching more fire. Zuko easily dodged it and tired to lead her more.
"Who do you think deserves it? You?" He mocked lowering his guard, a bait she took as she ran with her guard open to him. He didn't even flinch and instead smirked, seeing Suki behind the girl.
A slash was heard through the room, Zuko's smug face turned into pure shock as the severed head was barely holding into the owners corpse, both of them falling into the ground in front of him. The bloodied weapon in the floor not far away from the victim, with Suki raging far behind.
As Toph contained the Dai Lee agents with Aang and the Kyoshi warriors, all looked at the scene with surprise. The group ran towards them, noticing the burned hand from Suki.
"Are you alright?" Aang asked her. The adrenaline in Suki's body didn't register the pain in her limb, as she focused in the burn wounds.
"I'll be, don't worry too much" She said breathless, retracting the shield. The tremble in her right side increased as the adrenaline slowly descended. Toph registered the scene and patted Suki's back.
"You had to do what you had to do, good job" She congratulated her, as Aang looked at the girl corpse.
He was angry. He couldn't believe there were still fanatics worshiping and doing planned attacks to their friends, who were finally restoring harmony between the four nations. He had enough of people believing and complying a murderer.
His friendly face was terrifying, as he turned around to face the prisoners, who looked scared at the situation they involved themselves in.
"This will be the LAST time your group try us. Violence is not the answer, but we WILL start taking more severe actions to those who try to defy the Avatar's authority. This is the last warming to YOU" He spoke angrily, as the group of prisoners whimpered afraid of him going berserk on them.
Aang walked towards them and looked at the group.
"We will FINISH whatever you try to start again. Imprison them" He said turning around and walking towards his friends again, his fist clenched so hard his skin was turning red.
Suki's wounds finally caught up to her and she relied on Karina, who tried to hide her leaders face of pain in her own shoulder. Toph stood by with Zuko, who already had someone brought in to cure her.
"I'm so sorry Katara is not here to help you" Aang said apologetic, looking at the severity of the burn.
Suki only raised her free hand in a dismissing demeanor, biting her friends armor to mumble her screams as the healer disinfected the wound. Aang got closer to her and grabbed her free hand, Suki's face shot up from Karina's shoulder and saw the comforting face of Aang, who smiled at her.
She tried to smile back, until the alcohol burned again on her skin, burying her face on Karina and crushing Aang's hand for her dear life.
They were back again, after what felt only weeks for him. He got out of the ship, clenching his teeth in a mixture of nervousness and coldness. Katara's hand took his, comforting him as he tried his hardest to not look at her. It would be admitting that he is not ready for this confrontation.
They walked hand to hand, completely forgetting their other friend behind. As they approached the main gate of the sister tribe, Pakku and the Chief waited for them with big smiles. Katara ran to her new "Grandpa" while Sokka took his time to walk.
His head was spinning around like crazy. His eyes tried his hardest to focus on shaking the hand of the man, but the snow was not helping him pull up his feet. He tried to not show any sign of the loss his heart still felt.
"Welcome back son" Arnook said stretching his hand. Sokka's face, as much as he tried to force a smile back, was blank. He shook his hand and then smiled, the Chief laughing at seeing him again.
Of course he was, after all Sokka was one of the few who saw her alive.
His own head started replaying moments he spent at the city with Yue. His heart gradually beating slower as his focus shifted to his memories:
Sokka and Yue were calmly walking to a cave full of precious stones. Yue indicated it was the one most of the men in the tribe went to pick and carve their engagement necklace. Sokka smiled just listening at her talking about it.
He wondered when would he be able to carve one, and as much as he hated the idea of Yue marrying that jerk, his head was already carving a design specially for her. As dumb as it was, maybe she would change her mind and run away with the Avatar and him.
"Here is it, the wonderful cave. Want to peek?" She asked with enthusiasm, something he was getting used to. He nodded and offered his arm to stroll inside, she smiled and accepted it, walking together inside.
The light that reflected all the stones was almost as mystical. Numerous shades of blue, some even he never thought of, were displayed in numerous figures and places.
"As I told you, taking one must be forged since being a pure rock. Some new colors can be made with the right equipment" She said picking a small crystal, one that somebody left behind. The light contrasted beautifully with her eyes.
Sokka held a breath, thanking Tui and La for this moment, for this image.
"I see you already met Electra, was she nice to you?" The chief asked as they entered the palace. Electra's name was enough for him to wander back to earth.
"As nice as she can be, she is fierce. Good for a politician" He replied, maintaining his political posture about her.
"And pretty too" Another voice was heard, Sokka turned to see her approaching them. "Let's all wait for Katara here, that way I can take you to your rooms"
Sokka nodded and quickly studied her features. They reminded him of Yue's, superficially at least. The blonde in her hair was similar, her bright eyes too. But nobody really was close to Yue's beauty. How he wish he could have her image forever in his mind.
He was starting to forget her. Forget the way the corners of her mouth forged when smiling, how her laugh sounded, how cute she would look at him, lovestruck. It was unusual to him. He hadn't experienced this with his own mom.
"Suki… Will I forget her if we go our own ways?" He thought, shifting at the uneasiness. Chief Arnook kept talking about the news that rounded in the Northern tribe, but his own mind was gone, trying to remember his daughter.
As Arnook spoke with more seriousness, Sokka's eye narrowed trying to focus. Not on him, of course, trying to remember Yue's own face.
His first love, he knew it was love. Would it have lasted? He wasn't sure, but he wouldn't doubt it. Anything could go if she was alive. If he had done his job correctly, maybe Suki wouldn't had to deal with how he was.
He saw Arnook smile and he smiled too, mimicking whatever he was trying to pass on him. He smiled wider at noting similarities between his first love and Suki…Both stubborn, both gentle, both saved his life.
And Suki had done it twice already!
Katara and Pakky finally arrived and Electra clapped in excitement, Sokka's attention shifted to her.
"Ah I see, similar eh?" The chief told him as Sokka looked at him with confusion.
"Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water tribe, I'm so glad both traveled from far away to forge a new world. I will escort you to your rooms so you can rest and get ready for a welcoming feast, new robes and clothes are displayed in both of your rooms and are free to dress with them if it pleases you" She said walking upstairs, the siblings following closely.
"Are you okay?" Katara whispered, Sokka didn't meet her eyes and focused on not tripping.
"Katara, here is your room, in front of Sokka's" Electra said extending her arms so both could see their designated rooms. "The feast starts at twilight, we still have some time before it starts so…relax" She smiled, brushing past them to walk downstairs.
Sokka kept her gaze on Electra until he looked at Katara, who was looking concerned at him.
"I will be fine. I just…" Sokka said looking at his opened hands, a pain in his heart growing as he tried to find the right words.
"It's okay Sokka. It is still a fresh wound, we won't pressure you" Katara said trying to reach a hand, being rejected by his brother immediately.
"No. I saw her, when I was dying…" He tried to explain, his voice broken and coarse at keeping eye contact with his sister. Katara's face turned serious, paying attention at his words.
"Mhm…"
"But… I can't remember her face" He finished pained, his eyes watering "Her face. Her. I am forgetting her" He admitted, his breath hitching too.
Katara placed both hands on his brothers shoulders, trying to calm him. Sokka was visibly shaken at forgetting her, and she could guess why, it was an important chapter in his life.
"It's normal Sokka, people come and go and then we forget them" She said reassuringly, something that didn't please him.
"But I don't want to. I already forgot mom's face and…" His voice strained, he clenched his teeth trying to calm his emotions.
"Sokka, we were young. Take it one step at the time." Katara guided him, as Sokka nodded furiously, trying to end his pain.
"Yes, we were young. But you still remember her. It pains me that I don't have a memory from her"
Katara's face paled, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
"We shouldn't be discussing this on a hall, don't you think?" She said gesturing to his room.
"I don't care. Nothing will repair it…I lost my mom's face and I'm loosing Yue's too." He exclaimed sadly.
"You want to know why I can't forget mom's face?It pains me Sokka" Katara asked, her eyes tearing up. Sokka's own pain shot down as he saw her sister in pain.
"No, Kat, it's okay. I'm sorry I bringed it up" He apologized, grabbing her hand. Katara took it, shedding tears.
"I remember so vividly mom because you look like her" She said smiling at him. "You don't have to look further for a memory, you are her description"
Sokka was taken back with this new information, his eyes opening at the emotion and shock of it. Katara cleaned some of the silent tears that felt, smiling in a comforting way. Sokka stopped her.
"I…I need air" He said running down the stairs, visibly shook about it.
Katara sighed, entering her room instead to take a shower. She felt tired and her chat didn't help at all with her energy. She looked at some of the clothes left for her: Beautiful warm gowns for her to use. She smiled and chose to use one of them, she deserved it after all.
"I hope you can get a closure" She thought as she unbraided her hair, looking at the mirror.
Sokka tried moving across the snow in the city, feeling as his legs were giving up as he tried harder to reach for somewhere to hide, to be left alone.
"Are you lost or exploring the city?" Chief Arnook voice startled him, as he saw he had already caught up with him.
"Sorry, I didn't see you" Sokka replied, his voice still a bit raspy from the emotions.
His hand grabbed his shoulder, stopping him on his tracks. Sokka looked at him, trying to hide his emotions.
"I see you are still shaken up Sokka, I'm still grieving too" He confessed, the sadness who was not present at first was now visibly to him.
"I wouldn't be as sad if I still remembered her, I can't tell him I am already forgetting her" Sokka thought as his face strained.
"It is okay. If I can help you with anything…you are free to tell me" Arnook said walking away from him.
"Sokka! You need to get better so it can work. Some choices we will make won't be pleasurable at all, but it will form our path for a better future" Sokka remembered Aang's voice when reasoning on the experimental treatment.
"If only I could find the way to get better…" Sokka swallowed.
"Chief Arnook…." He said out loud, as the man turned around "Can you take me to the spirit oasis?"
He nodded, gesturing with his arm to follow him. His legs were weaker than ever, as he sprinted he felt the strength draining. The rush he had to get there made the Chief chuckle, Sokka didn't care as he knew already the path.
Were Aang saved the Northern water tribe and Yue died. Were they kissed for the last time.
He waited at the entrance of the place, not planning to be rude and intruding in case someone was there. Chief Arnook entered first, signaling him to follow as he checked nobody was using the place.
"Spend as long as you need to be here, your sister can cover for you in case you decide to take the night." He said leaving the sanctuary, leaving Sokka and his insecurities alone in the warm, calm and scary place.
He started some breath exercises Zuko taught him, his breath was now in control but the heat he felt was abysmal. He took of one coat and started walking in circles around the pond, trying to find the best place to talk to her.
He decided to sit right were they held for the last time. He looked at his face in the water after months of not doing it: His beard was getting longer, his face was not as young as it used to when he was last there.
He had grown, at least physically. His normally playful face was now serious and anxious.
"This is it Sokka. Talk" He thought looking at the sky, who had still a little bit of light in it.
"Yue…Hello? Can you hear me?" He asked out loud, not sure he would get a response. He never got one while on the road, but he still faithfully talked to her.
"I…I know, it's a bit weird for me to intrude in your sanctuary" He stopped, looking at the fishes circling in the pond "Why would I expect you to talk back? It's useless."
He continued looking at the fishes, who seemingly looked in peace. One teardrop disturbed the serenity of the pond, completely enraging him.
"I have tried! Really hard Yue" He screamed at no one in particular "I have ran doing everything they had said would fix me" he stood up, clenching his fists as more teardrops fell from his eyes.
He then looked at the sky, were the darkness started to merge with the sun, the twilight finally coming.
"Have I not suffered enough for me to experience life as it should be? Love? Happiness? Not worrying of screwing up everything?" He screamed again at the sky, enraged. The flush of water was the only thing that answered back to him.
He waited….and waited for an answer. "This is stupid" Sokka thought, gripping his tunic to control his anger.
"I can't even remember your face! Fuck. I hate it. I end up forgetting and messing up everything…and this one thing I want to forget… I vividly experience it! Dead, hate, loss…"He dropped to his knees, loudly crying.
His eyes matched the water that fell behind him, unable to control himself, not wanting to control his grief.
"I still love you…Yue…thank you for saving my stupid ass…I…I don't deserve you…either of you…" He said thinking about Suki, as his hands touched the grass. The night was already dark, the party had already started and he was still, mourning someone he couldn't remember. It pained him, it angered him, "I want to remember you!" He thought clenching the grass.
He cried louder, screaming and punching the floor. He felt useless, he felt lost. He stared again at the sky, with tears in his eyes expecting something, but nothing happened. Not to him at least.
Bright lights emerged from the sky and he shielded his eyes, trying to focus on what was happening. His heart stopped for seconds, witnessing the lost love he had years ago.
"Yue…" The name leaving out his mouth felt surreal, as the deity looked at him from above, slowly coming down for her to be at his range of view.
"I heard everything you said" She asked with that beautiful small smile she reserved for him whenever he said something flirty.
He cleaned his eyes and crawled to her, unsure if it was real. He touched his dress and she giggled, startling him. He stood up and looked at her face again. He didn't remember her so young…and yet…all the images came back to him.
"You look…the same…" He said dumbstruck "So beautiful…" He said without thinking at all.
"Sokka…how are you feeling?" She asked, her face worried.
It hit him right there. He was talking with the moon spirit, with Yue.
"I…." He quickly bowed down to cough, dark liquid pouring from his mouth as he made his hardest to hide it in his robe. "I don't feel really well. I am not okay" He said looking at her, to which she inspected him.
"Let's talk" Yue said, sitting down across him, in the pond, loyal to what she is. Sokka looked guilty at her, forcing her to appear to hear him whine.
"Alright" He said sitting up. "Where should we start? There is so much we need to talk about"