I wake up with an horrible headache. The rooms smells good…almost like vanilla and…gooseberries? Lilacs? I'm not sure. I hope this room isn't of that…girl. What was her name? Electra. Shit!
I try standing up and my head pounds harder, making me groan.
"Take it easy cactus boy" I hear Zuko tell me from somewhere in the room, as it is still really dark with all the curtains down. I hear a snap and some candles lit in the room, making me see where he was, just beside a desk with papers on it.
"What are you working on? I ask him a bit slower than usual, as moving anything in my body feels heavy. He looked at the papers and discarded them.
"Some research about the old laws and customs, but nothing seems to work in our favor" He says bummed, grabbing a glass of water and approaching me. He sits on the bed besides me and smirks, passing me the water.
I grab it out of courtesy, taking a small sip. Hey, this actually reminds me that I'm really thirsty and hungry. I turn around to offer some to Suki but instead there is no one in the bed.
"She slept with Katara last night, she was drunk too" he said it looking at me. I nod.
"Can we get something to eat? I'm starving!" I said a bit louder, making my ears bleed and cringing a bit.
"Sure. But before we go, we need to talk to you." He said going to the door. Who is this we?
Of course he would bring his uncle into this. Now he will tell me that I have commitment issues and a drinking problem.
"No, I'm not here to talk about your adventure yesterday" He replies to me without even asking him, I guess I have become more easier to read with them. I nod and stand up to greet him.
"Hello Iroh" I say with a weird taste in my mouth. I'm not sure what type of relationship we have, so being courteous is the best thing.
"Hello, Sokka. I am afraid the news I will tell you won't make you happy. Is from yesterdays reunion" Oh, he thinks I don't know I have to travel in 2 days.
"Are you refereeing to my visit to the North Pole?" I ask, he nods.
"Yes. The north…we both know how special is to you." He approaches me with compassion, I hug him, feeling sheltered. Maybe I'll steal Zuko's uncle for myself.
"I will be okay, Electra is probably going to keep me pretty occupied the whole time" I said trying to be positive, even if I know that's not going to be the end of it
Is the first time I will go since Yue died.
And I'm still not sure how to deal with that without Suki by my side.
I thank Katara for taking care of me and leave the room, feeling energized thanks to her healing me before waking up. It's almost as if I don't have any hangover! I get into my room and ready the bathtub to take a shower, thinking still of her engagement.
"They are so young…" I say out loud. Must be the pressure of the airbender to stop being the last one.
The water is warm enough for me to get inside and relax a little bit, my body that felt a bit sore getting better. I then think of Sokka's compromise in the North Pole. Maybe that's why yesterday I couldn't stop thinking of princess Yue. I have even talk towards her as if she was my friend.
I didn't have the chance to know this special and loved person by everybody. Including Sokka, who had a relationship with her. But…that shouldn't matter right now. At least my feelings don't.
The last time they mattered my dad died, ironically, to a waterbender. Or that's what they told me anyway. He disappeared and never came back to the island, his trip to the fire nation being the last thing I knew about him.
It makes me wonder how I manage to be so far away from Sokka all this time. I was attacked twice after encountering him. Maybe that was a sign from above? Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Being too involved in my feelings makes bad things happen…
I sigh and get out of the tub, readying myself with the war paint as I examine my body. It is slim, somehow toned from all the exercise we do, but the curves are not as visible as I would like to. Being a pretty girl was never a thing I could afford to do, as my mind was always in the forms and horse stands to do better and longer. After all, that's how I became the leader.
My face and my body have no use to me if they are not capable of protecting and attacking. I put my last piece of armor and walk out to see Katara waiting for me.
"Good morning! I thought I would see you in the dinner room" I say a bit surprised of seeing her, a welcomed one for sure, as our bond has been really severed.
"I thought I might talk to you for a bit longer. Yesterday you immediately fell asleep, Toph fumed!" She said laughing, making me a bit embarrassed.
"Alright, let's go. The boys are probably starving" I said moving forward, my sis in law walking by my side.
"Suki, first of all, I'm so glad we can be friends again and talk as if the things that had happened weren't so severe" she said, I nodded for her to keep talking, still checking and greeting my sisters that were doing their rounds.
"But?" I asked, as she hadn't continuing talking.
"But if there is anything I can do for you to forgive me about…bloodbending you.."
"Is that what it is called?" I interrupted with a chill on my body. She nods. "Interesting. Self-explanatory"
"Yes. I'm not proud of it, by any means. I swore I would have never use it again." She says with hurt in her voice. I still feel uneasy about her, but try to empathize with her. I have done some stupid shit under the influence too.
"It's okay, lets just move forward. In our relationship. "I said a bit reluctantly. If I look too deep in my past some points can be connected and I don't want that. At least not right now.
"Okay. Well…if there is anything I could help you with, including my brother…Let me know" She said putting an arm at my shoulder, I let her and smile to myself. She is not a bad person, Katara was just…hurt too.
"Thanks. If there is anything I could do to help you with your wedding….let me know" I reply giggling, she got away and smiled, walking without questioning her.
Should I…ask her about Yue? I'm not sure how right is that. After all I only know half of the story he told me at the Serpents Pass. Mmm….
"Katara…May I ask you something a bit more personal?" I ask unsure of how this is going to be received. Cactus juice sure helps me roll my tongue a bit better. She nods and watches me as I try to formulate the question.
"Is it something personal?" She asks me stopping.
"A bit" I said ashamed, maybe I shouldn't be so nosy about it. But…he is going to the North Pole. Might as well get to know princess Yue by someone who was not completely smitten. "How..What…"
Katara looked at me with concern, being lost in the words to describe something was uncharacteristic of me.
"Who was princes Yue? As a friend, as a person" I said with a pitch higher, something I haven't done in a while. Katara's eyes grew a bit and then her face dropped, smiling a bit.
"She was…she was gentle." I already know that, that's the first thing Sokka told me about her. "She always looked out for her people, her duty coming first. And I mean, he rejected Sokka multiple times, as she was engaged to a son's general in the North."
"I thought…"
"Yes, princess Yue seemed to like Sokka. I'm not sure to call it love, maybe it was. But she wouldn't give her back to the people she loves. When the moon was slashed by that stupid general.. Iroh noticed she had the moon spirit inside her and without doubt she gave it back, dying in Sokka's arms."
Oh. Maybe I shouldn't have asked about her. Maybe knowing about blood bending would have been better.
"Oh…." I only managed to say. It was stupid to be…even jealous of her for being a pretty planet.
"Yeah… the last moment they shared was very intimate. She came back for a last time and told him that she would always be with him. Sokka was obviously crushed and…well… trauma hit in. It's no surprise at times he got so crushed of the thought of you…."
"Being dead" I said remembering my time as a prisoner. I never gave up on him, but didn't exactly expected him to save me.
"Yes" She said getting closer to me. I hugged her, she seemed to need it more than I did. We pulled apart and saw her eyes a bit glossy. "You are really the best person that could be with him. I'm so sorry he has been an ass to you"
"I'm not that far behind him" I said laughing a bit. "C'mon, let's go eat. They have probably started" I walked towards the dinning room, it was already close.
Katara got close again and opened the door. Of course Sokka would be eating already, since yesterday he looked as if he was starving.
"Good morning fellow humans. Sorry for our late entrance" I said sitting next to Sokka, who was already munching half of his steak.
"Don't sweat it, Sparky and Snoozles have been eating before Ty Lee and I arrived" Toph said biting a bit of her pastry, I looked curiously to Zuko.
"We need to finish packing, as the departure for the states we will visit in the earth kingdom is tomorrow. Sokka is going to the North Pole" Zuko said before taking a bite of his wrap.
"What? We are going to the north?" Katara asked Aang, he only nodded, eating his noodles.
"No no, I'm not going to the north. Is cold, I can't see anything." Toph said bitterly, finishing her tea. "I'm going with you Zuko"
Zuko almost chocked and I laughed, he is so awkward is cute.
"But we are going to the earth kingdom. Ba sing se. Last thing I knew you hate it there!" Zuko said shocked.
"You need a Beifong, specially a liar detector. You are still so naïve." Toph said standing up. "Till later! I need to train some Kyoshi Warriors today"
Oh right, I forgot today was that. I binged half of my fruit and stood up to get behind her, Sokka's hand stopped mine. I looked at him and he was confused for a bit. Damn it, I don't have time for this. I kissed his forehead and he dropped my hand like that.
"Can I see you later?" I heard him ask as I exited the door behind Toph, Ty Lee on my heels too.
"That's a bet!" I yell as the door closes, Ty Lee giggling by my side. "Stop it!" I say blushing.
"Suki and Sokka sitting on a tree. Kissing, G." She said dancing around me, while Toph laughed her ass off.
"Hope you are enjoying yourselves, today's training is going to, probably, kick your asses." Toph said as we turned around to the training room.
On the surface everything was seemingly normal, all of my warriors were already stretching. Good thing.
"Sisters, today is the second part of our training for the earth kingdom visit. Everyone will be put on test with courtesy of our friend and mentor: Toph Beifong." Toph stepped in front of us. "Myself included, will try this test. She has the best experience with Dai Lee agents trying to kill the avatar"
"Thanks for the introduction, Captain Suki" Toph said as Ty Lee and I took our places in the formation. "In a few words, try to land a punch on me. I double dare you to try it. Dai Lee agents are a bit less smart than me, so if you can approach me, you are eligible to go. Simple isn't it?"
All of us nodded.
"Then, let's start" Toph immediately drowned in the floor, disappearing from our sight.
We got in a circle formation, looking for any type of sign of Toph. I need to focus a bit and then this fight will be over.
"Watch out!" I scream as one of my sisters move out of the rocks way. It's a hand? A rock hand? Huh, interesting.
"Oof!" I hear one of them fall, with the hand on her head. Creepy. "Out!" I yell as the hand leaves her. Poor Ninpha, she was exited to see Ba Sing Se. I split from the formation and everybody does the same, searching everywhere in the room where would Toph hide.
Ty Lee starts doing her acrobatics and goes up some pillars…Saw her! I follow her in the other side, taking a bit of impulse with the armor rack close. She was hiding all this time behind the pillars?
"Arcgh!" I hear Ty scream as she falls to the floor. I suddenly see a hand flying behind me and barely dodge it. Where the heck is Toph?
I dodge another hand and decide to go where Ty Lee was running seconds ago. A shadowy figure tries to punch me in the face and my fan barely protected me with a dodge. I focus in how to get over a rock sculture.
Here goes nothing. As another pair of hands try to grab my feet from bellow I use them as plataforms to jump up the figure, feeling a bit lighter than usual.
"Shit" I mutter as two hands almost grab me in the air, making them miss with my fans. I stumble as the platform gets narrower until I spot Toph looking at my direction, causing a bit of chaos with her other hand below.
I ran and make my best shot in getting a punch at her. If I somehow convince her that I'm going to the other side…
I touch one side of the wall to bite her, she responds putting twice of the hands up to grab me. I throw my retactable shield to them to stun them, my body crashing on Toph. I punch one of her arms so they stop.
"Hold" Toph instructs me as I grab her arm. We merge in the wall and suddenly we are on the arena again.
"Not a surprise, leader" Said Jihn, patting my back. I feel exhausted.
"Suki, out the arena, you will go. Ty Lee, out the arena, your not going. Lin, you are going, Karina you are going" I hear Toph said while Ty Lee pouts a bit then cheers.
"Well this was fun!" Ty Lee said hugging me. I feel tired! Too tired to keep training.
"Maybe because this is training. Speaking of…horse stand! All of you" I instruct as my girls return with groans. We can't afford to be weak, to get caught off guard again. To die.
Electra on the room is a bright jewel. Her exotic look makes her hard to ignore. At first her being in a big blue coat hiding her hair and face made it easier to not judge or stare at her, but as soon as she got up and we saw her… the attention seems to center around her, even if the topic on discussion is not the North.
I'm not talking for me, but as Sokka and I have noticed, the men in the room seem to gaze and love staring at her. Her face unreadable. As the discussions began to cease with everything in order, the scrolls where we had to sign to begin a tour tomorrow where bought on the table. The Water tribes on a side, the earth kingdom and the fire nation on another part. The last airbender representing it's lost civilization, taking care of the deal being respected by all parties.
"I will supervise everything that is written in these scrolls. I will start the tour in the earth kingdom with the fire lord and then go to the North pole with councilman Sokka and Electra" Aang said bowing before everyone. He seems to be natural to do this type of guidance. All of us bowed back and I dismissed the reunion.
I go get Aang and before I can reach him Sokka and Electra got to him first, and seem to be chatting very friendly, Aangs face screams that he is a bit smitten of her charm.
"Hello Avatar" I say bowing "Electra, Councilman Sokka"
"Hello firelord Zuko" Electra bowed back "Your friends are very gentle, telling me about all of the adventures all six of you went through." She said smiling towards me, her tone of voice more friendlier than when she talks to the councilman.
"I will only take away the avatar for a few minutes, after that I'll let you continue the talk" I said excusing myself, Aang did the same and we walked out of earshot.
"What's the problem Zuko?" He asks me, seeing the worry on my face.
"We need to tell them. What's this cure for the darkening" I said to him. He stood thinking for a little bit, turning away to look at Sokka who was describing the prison break. For sure, it is his favorite story to tell to every new friend he meets.
"I know. You tell Suki and I tell Sokka?" He says to me. I don't think that's a great idea.
"I am not sure if I'm the best person to do it" Aang smiles at me and pats my back.
"Suki trusts you more than me, I'm sure you will find a gentle way to tell her" I look at Sokka who is now laughing with Electra. She seems a bit too much into him. I sigh, Suki is not going to take the news the best way.
"Sure. I'll tell her before the trip" I say bowing to him. Aang bows back and goes back to Electra and Sokka. She is now doing all the talk, as both boys listen to her. I turn around and decide to go to my room, as it the best way to address it without her having to take in a façade.
I almost run towards it, hoping nobody in the hallways noticed how scared of doing it I was. How exactly do I break it to her?
I enter and see Ty Lee and Suki behind me, also worried of my sudden change in attitude.
"Suki, we need to talk" I say to her and put a hand to my side so she can enter. "Ty Lee, don't let anyone interrupt us, please" I ask her, she nods and gives a side eye to Suki, her face is still unreadable and serious.
She enters and I close the door. Gulping. How do I start?
"Suki" I say her name, of course, she is the only one in the room and is a stupid way to start talking.
"Zuko" She says my name, my stomach revolves a bit in nervousness.
"Can…can we sit? I need to talk" I say running to the small couch. She catches up and sits beside me, staring.
"Are you okay? Are you nervous of the trip?" She says giving me a comfort smile. I smile back, laughing a bit.
"You know that at your hands I don't have to worry about nothing. It's actually…another issue that has been running in my mind. It involves you..of course" I say blushing, but keeping my stare at her. She blushes a bit under her makeup, but keeps quiet letting me talk.
"It's about Sokka and you" I continue. Her brow is already doubting where the conversation is going. "About the darkening"
"Right" She only answered. Her voice is full of doubt.
"I assure you is the only solution we have discovered this far, so it doesn't consume both of you" I said trying to make her believe me. A hard task after all that has happened.
"Okay, go ahead. I have duties to do you know" She tells me a bit bothered. Of course she won't like it.
"I…read again, with Katara and my uncle how to help the three of you with this" I gulp. "And…"
"Spit it out! Seriously Zuko, I need to…" It was not proper, it was not polite. But it had to be done so they can finally heal.
"You and Sokka do need to be apart" I say standing up to her. Her eyes went wide and she stood up too.
"And what's your science behind that? How is that going to get us better? You better have a good explanation" She says gritting her teeth. She was pissed, at this point I'm talking with a wall.
"Suki…You have abandonment issues…Sokka has codependency…"
"You are lying" She stepped backwards her pitch higher, she was ready to go and don't let me explain. I grabbed her by her arms so she wouldn't block me. She looked at me with a new vulnerability.
"I wish I was… ever wonder why Sokka can't be by himself? Ever? We both know how…"
"Yes. I know. Since the end of the war he…he has acted different." She said looking down. Oh suki
"You also need someone to lean on, without fear of him or her changing you the moment you're not available to them" I said trying to look at her face. She sighed, trying to push me away. "Do you want some time before we continuing talking?"
"No" She said, gulping a bit loud. "Tell me everything. So this way I can tell Sokka"
"Alright" I said sitting down with her. "So the reason we want both of you to be apart…"
"Is to see how con we handle ourselves without each other? Forced trauma so we can be over?" She interrupted a bit aggressive.
"Suki. You are both my friends. I want both of you to be okay" I said standing up to let her read the report. I could feel her eyes on me but today, is not about me, is about her and this disease.
"Mhmm" She mutters, her eyes scanning the papers in my hand as I sit and push them to her. "What is this?" she asks with doubt
"Read them, it's all the information we gathered on how to fix it. It seriously is growing individually" I said a bit breathless. She looks at me and then the papers, grabbing them to read.
I only watch how her eyes scan one by one the pages, digesting the content. She gives me the last two papers that, ironically, have the treatment.
"I don't want to keep reading them" She says with her eyes closed.
"Want me to read them for you?" I ask, grabbing her shoulder for support. She nods, and I start reading them.
"The darkening experimental treatment in the 50 test subjects agree that the only way for the subject to be better is reversing the state of the person to the core trauma. If multiple experiences made the darkening grow, than it's better to go back step by step so the support of those it loves can help but.."
"Of course there is a but" She interrupts sighting, placing her hand on mine. I continue reading
"But if the trauma was caused by a loved one, as demonstrated on 18 of the subjects, the best way is growing out of the relationship and talking again after 12 months had passed, as to prevent loose ends to intervene and make the darkening a recurring problem" I look at her, feeling crushed at her tearful face.
She chokes a sob and stands up, walking to the door without muttering anything and leaving me alone. I wonder if she actually wants us to help her. I'm sure she doesn't, but Suki adores Sokka, so if leaving him is the best way he can recover, she will definitely do it.
I think I'm having a panic attack.
I tumble across the halls trying to reach my room, that thanks the spirits is close to Zuko's. I open it and close it, falling on the floor as soon as I do it. My breath is erratic and my armor a bit too tight.
Control yourself Suki, it is not true. You do not have abandonment issues…right? Right?. Sokka is not your family, they will not leave you. These are different people. Open your eyes.
I open them, I'm in my room, I can smell…I smell wood. Wood… pain. My hand hurts, it's the hand I used to punch Sokka's door. My throat feels….i feel like I want to puke.
"Breath…" I say to myself as my hands reach the back of my armor. Suki, you are on duty, control yourself. If you don't you might be too late to save them, just like when the ship broke.
That day…
"Just finish the mission!" I yell as I see their ship crash other, their bodies far away from me.
I touch the ground to steady myself, I can't panic right now, I need to find a way to reunite with them. I see other ship by my left, a bit too far for me to jump. I stand up finding my balance.
Breathe in….breathe out. Is now or never. And I don't see any other ship afloat. I see a piece of metal that can help me launch me a bit farther.
"Okay Suki…one…two…THREE" I yell giving myself courage. My feet ran faster than I have ever run in my short life, then I fly. I fly and focus on landing on the ship. It's too far away.
I am falling. I look below and see fire and a rope. My body is light as I continue falling, hoping my arm is strong enough to lift me.
I yell in pain, grabbing the rope. I knew this would hurt but I can't stop. This ship is still alive and I need to make an use of it. I prop myself up with my other arm, feeling numb, both feet are around it as I climb it.
Floor, finally. I climb up to it and see I'm in the lowest part of the ship. Is the same route I have to take, the same way I infiltrated with Toph and Sokka. I don't see their ships, I don't even know where am I.
"Kyoshi please, help me" I say silently praying before speeding up, ready to infiltrate and fight them bare handed. I won't let them down, not after how far we are into this. I'd rather die.
I silently walk to the control room. I need to kill them. I haven't kill anyone myself… just imagine Suki, I'm the unagui, eat them.
I touch my chest, my heart is beating so hard. Do this for your family, do this for the Avatar, do this for Sokka. He needs you.
I knock twice on the door and hide. Nobody comes out. I kick it instead, soon enough I can hear them how fast they open it.
"Who do you think you…." He saw me. He prepares to launch fire. I will burn. I ran towards him and move his arm to the inside of the control room.
"Who was…AAAAAAAAAAA"
"What the hell is going on?!" I hear the captain say. She is a woman. She is the enemy.
Burned flesh. It's all I'm smelling. He stops firebending and tries to grab me, I pull off his face shield and grab both sides of his head, staring at the emptiness of the captain.
"Girl, you don't know who you are dealing with. Leave him" She is trying to distract me. I can see he is trying to bite my leg. I need to do this quick and fast.
Snap. He is dead. He drops to the floor next to the other firebender burning on the ground, still screaming. I prepare myself, horse stand. She starts bending, I grab the shield and throw it to her head. She is stunned and I take the opportunity. She is on the floor and I remove the helmet, one blow to the head and that's it.
She is a girl. Like me. She is no older than fifteen. She however, is not scared. She pulls out a knife and tries to stab me, I break her wrist and she screams dropping her knife. I grab it and I'm unable to stab her.
Sokka.
Toph.
Katara
Zuko
She tries firebending again at me, I barely dodge screaming. I could feel the flame closer this time. My face is in a frown, but I'm scared.
Aang
Iroh
Kyoshi
"Scum. You will regret killing them!" She says getting out fire daggers. Wrong choice. I use her force against her and slit her throat. She is gagging, I dig it dipper, this time in a vertical motion, this will make her bleed out. She drops to the floor.
My hands are full of blood. No time to do anything. I close the door and search for something in these cabinets that might help me feel better. Water. I drink first and then wash my hands, I'm bloodless.
Might as well use Sokka's same joke. I put the helmet on and speak. They fall for it again, I'm sorry, I need to save my friends.
I take the ship alone.
I hope to find them and I only see one ship flying in the air. I quickly change the direction towards it, they must be there. As I get closer I see…
Toph!
I motion the ship to crash with it so I can get out and help them gain control again. I climb out as fast as I can, taking the side of the airship and directing them to where she is dangling. Sokka is there too!
They are finally in my control.
"Did boomerang come back?" I hear her voice surprised. Did Sokka lost her boomerang? Is a good sign if she is asking something to him.
He turns to see me as I maneuver the ropes to climb where they are.
"No…but Suki did!" He is happy. He is alive. I finally land on the top where they are and run towards them. I grab Toph's face with both hands.
"I'm okay!" Toph says grinning. Of course she is not, she was about to die. I finally fall to my knees and hug Sokka tight.
"I will always come back to you" I say chocked in my feelings. He hugs me too and I can feel his heartbeat racing too.
"C'mon, we need to check your leg" I said pulling him up.
"I'll help" Toph says making a whole where we can fall. I dive in first and then Sokka passes me Toph. He sits on the border and jumps, I barely catch him.
"Oof" He is in pain. I recognize this way, is close to the control room. I think I saw some bandages there.
"C'mon big guy" I say trying to be as laid back as possible, even if I didn't feel that way. "This way" We finally reach the room and Toph just rips out the door so we can enter and cure him.
I look back again at the mess I made. 3 dead bodies, with my own hands. Sokka is shocked, he is looking at the girl.
"Toph can you…"
She makes a metal table and I lay Sokka in there. His face is pale. I ignore it and search for more water and bandages. I swore I saw them…
"You killed them?" Sokka asked me. What a stupid question. I continue searching until I find them, an emergency kit. I quickly put the things on the table and Toph sits on the corner of the room. I go to the navigation panel and redirect ourselves to the earth below. I come back to Sokka and he is looking at me in awe.
"Suki…"
"Let me heal you" I whisper, touching his boot. My hands are suddenly shaking, why is that? We are alright, we will land on the mountain I found. There we are safe. I look up to him and he looks at me worried, he nods and I pull off the boot, he wails in pain.
Exposed luxation, great. I start cleaning the area, kyoshi warriors are trained for short fixes, so this must do until we go towards Katara and Zuko. Kyoshi, please protect them too. I bite my lip, hearing him muffle his screams is not something so easy to ignore.
"This will hurt you…please hold on" I whisper with all my strength as I grab part of his exposed bone and flesh. I look at him and he has the boot on his mouth, biting it, his eyes closed. I fix the bone back to its place and he screams so bloody loud.
I unroll the bandages and start cleaning with water the last of blood that's going out.
"Shit" I mutter forgetting we need something to stop the bleeding. Metal. Yeah, that can work.
"What?" Toph asks standing up. Perfect.
"I need, something thin and pointy Toph, made of metal." She does her best and manages a curved piece.
"Is this okay?" She asks concerned.
"No. I need something in a U form" I grab her hand and do the form. She notices my hands are shaking, I still have some of Sokka's blood. "I need multiple, not too big" I say closing her hands the size I need.
She nods and do multiple ones. I grab them and pull them in the table. Sokka is looking at me wide eyed.
"Thanks Toph" I say grabbing her shoulder in appreciation. She goes back to her corner and pulling up the charred body on the floor gently rolls it out of the room.
"I'm sorry, it smells strong" She says looking at nothing, or everything.
"It's okay" I turn to Sokka, who looks in fear at the metal binding I'll use. I go close to him and kiss him, putting back his boot on the mouth. "This will hurt you more, is until we can properly fix it"
"Suki" He muffles, looking at me with fear and worry. I go back to his leg and look at him, he nods. I start piercing the skin and he screams.
Ground, we are on the ground. Sokka supports himself with me and Toph as we touch the grass.
"Finally" Toph says as she sits. Sokka is in the middle of us.
I feel numb.
I can see Sokka looking at me, he is crying. We did it. We are alive.
We did our part.
He hugs both of us, his face in my shoulder, silently crying. I can't cry, I need to be strong for him just a little more until we win this.
Blue and red light shot in the sky. Sokka and I stand up, gasping. Red…red?
"Who is Aang? I hope is red" Sokka says scared, as the sky is that color. Blue. Everything is blue.
"No.. we won" I say, excited.
"We won!" He says pulling me in his arms, we laugh like crazy people. "Suki!"
"Suki! Suki please!"
Sokka?
My breath is still erratic, Aang and Sokka are looking at me shocked. I feel my skin cold and wet, I'm shaking.
"S…kk.." I can't say his name, I can't breathe.
"Help me, her armor" Sokka says as he lets Aang sit me up, supporting myself in him. He slashes it with his sword and Aang pulls it out. I still can't breathe.. .the…
"Bindings" Sokka says laying me on the floor. I feel as if I'm watching from outside my body, he is already undressing my top half, searching for the start of my bandages. "Fuck"
He is stressed and I feel dizzy. Air suddenly reaches my lungs, Aang is bending it inside me.
"Hold on Suki, we almost got it" He says to me. "Let me go for Katara" He grabs his glider and flies.
"Stay still please Suks, I will rip it with my sword, I don't want to hurt you" Sokka says to me with the most lovely voice he has. He rips it and my chest is free. I finally breath.
He closes my kimono and looks at me worried. He sits me to hug me, and Katara and Aang come back to the room.
"How…" I ask, my breath barely coming back.
"You didn't lock the door…you could be heard from the outside…Suki…" Sokka was… was crying? I hug him back, I feel a bit numb. How they want me to get away from him?
"Suki, where you having an attack?" Katara asks me, looking at me seriously. I can't tell, I think so.
"I can't leave you." Sokka says "I'm not going to the Northern Tribe" He looks at Aang and I feel like a burden.
"You must go" my voice comes out raspy, I look at him seriously. "I have to go too"
Sokka is about to say something but decides against it, I knew what he wanted to say. Don't go. His eyes tell me everything.
"Can we be alone?" Sokka asks Katara and Aang, both nod.
"Yell if you need something" Katara says stepping out and closing the door.
Both of us are silently looking at each other. I wonder if the news to him were easier to digest?
"What happened?" He asked, stroking my loose hair. I gulped, gathering courage to talk about it.
"I remembered…the airships…" I speak soft and raspy, unsure why.
"Oh Suki…" He gets closer and hugs me, and since a long time ago, I don't feel strong enough to be away from him. "We are here…we are alive." He repeats into my air, as I smell his perfume.
I close my eyes and let myself relax with him, matching his respiration. He kisses my head, making sure not to touch my headpiece. He opens his legs so I can merge myself with him and I do, my back against his chest. He scoots to the side of the bedframe and he relaxes.
"Can we…have our last date here?" I ask, turning around to face him.
"Of course, what do you want to do? It's not our last" He says smiling. I don't and he worries.
"Aang told you...right?" I ask and his smile fades a bit.
"Yes. That doesn't mean we won't be together. I trust in us. In what we have gone through and our love. 1 year is practically nothing. We can write each other letters. I'm sure I will send you three times a day" He says brushing my hair.
Give it to Sokka to find loopholes in almost all of the laws and rules in the world. I smile at his intelligence.
"See! It's not forever, and this time, my heart is all yours. I don't want anybody else. I am not searching, I won't. Ever." He kisses my cheek and I blush.
"Okay" I say a bit cheered up, let's make the most of this last date we will have in a while.
"So what do you want to do?" He asks me smiling "Want some tea and cookies? Want to spar? I feel a bit rusty if I'm honest"
I kiss him instead, catching him off guard. My hands go down to his pants and he stops me, looking confused.
"Are you sure?" He asks me, what a gentleman he is still.
"Never been more sure in my whole life" I say kissing him again. "Let's lock the door first" I say standing up, moving my hips with exaggeration so he can take a good look. I lock it and turn around to him, who is looking at me like a goddess.
I love you so much, Sokka.
I hear them lock the door. I can only wonder what will go on for the rest of the day.
"We should go" I say grabbing his hand. Aang looks puzzled and then giggles, getting the idea. We made our way towards my room so I finish packing everything left. It's not that much, but Zuko gifting me some of the Southern Water tribe laws will help me when I go away with Sokka.
"What are those scrolls about?" Aang asks me, sitting on the bed besides the bag. I hand him one and he opens it.
"The story of the Southern Water tribe, laws and customs..Oh! I didn't know Zuko had this ones!" He says excited, continuing reading silently.
"He has of multiple cities too. There was some of the air temples…" I say looking at him. He looks a bit nostalgic, rolling the scroll to put it in my bag.
"It's alright, I'll have time to study it later. I wanted to tell you something" He stands up and gets closer. I feel a bit nervous, I thought we already had discussed everything?
"Okay. What's going on in your head?" I ask. He grabs one of my hands and kisses it.
"We need to discuss how to help your darkening. I remember you telling Zuko how you felt made you feel a bit lighter" He says, waiting for my response.
Oh. Right. I almost forgot I did that. Zuko was so professional when we talked about the treatment, he has grown up for sure. We all have grown.
"It…did" I say, the feelings towards him settling to a friendship. "It did help"
"Okay" Aang said without doubting me. "If I ever make you feel ignored or neglected…tell me. Please. I will drop everything and listen to you."
I think about that for a minute. There is actually a way I can feel better about myself. That I can feel my own person…Katara. The last waterbender from the south.
"Actually…there is something" I say smiling. He looks excited and mirrors my face, listening to me.
Okay Katara, here goes nothing.
"I want to go with Sokka at the Northern Tribe. I want to help reconstruct our tribe" I say a bit more excited about the future. He looks a bit taken back but immediately shares my desires, hugging me.
"I'm sure you will do an amazing job" He says stroking my hair. I hug him back tighter. We stand some minutes like this until Aang gets away and kisses my head. "You have all the heart to make it a great place, and…Sokka still needs support" he tells me giggling.
"I'm sure he does" I replied excited, looking at him. He didn't hesitate to give me the freedom to be my own person, apart from the avatars girl. I'm not that anymore. The air in the room is a bit romantic, our breaths following similar breathing patterns.
It also meant this was our last time together until he returned from the earth kingdom. I put both arms around his neck, pulling him closer again. This time felt different from the courtyard. This time I feel connected to him, I feel truly viewed as a myself and not as an object.
Our faces get closer and our noses play with each other, both of us smiling. It is the moments like this that makes our life easier and more meaningful. At any point in the close future, we will marry. And hopefully, without any doubts in my love for him.
Maybe it was time for a more intimate demonstration.
Our eyes lock for a few seconds before I decide to get closer. He follows my lead and we both kiss. This time it is different.
My heart doesn't dance between anybody. I chose to love him again, after all that has happened.
My hands go from this neck to his shoulders, admiring his physique. I venture to explore what many times I dreamed about, his hand also caress my lower back, unable to completely give in what we both have thought.
I have been waiting for him, and today is the day. I have been saving myself to the perfect moment when I realized you just need the perfect person. And although, he is not perfect, he is just what I need.
I push myself closer to him, so he doesn't fall, he steps backwards, holding me still. I continue walking until we are on my bed, beside the bag with the scrolls. As I am on top of him, he blushes and gives me that half grin that I recognize as being too nervous or too excited.
"We need to put this away so…" He says without losing that grin. I smile at him, almost standing up before I see him gently putting on the floor the bag.
"That was smart" I say, as I admire his blushed face.
"Thanks, anything to help" He says sitting too, now holding me in a more intimate way, his hands still avoiding my lower back.
"Aang…"I say in a whisper, locking eyes with him. "I want this"
He looks at me with a straight face and grabs my hands. "Are you ready? I can wait you know is not…"
I opted to kiss him, a soft peck that then turned a bit more passionate.
"I am ready Aang." I answer with the heat on my face rising. He does that lopsided grin and carries me a bit further in the bed, so we are both completely inside.
"I can't risk you falling" He giggles and I smile. I am already falling for you.
I want to remember us this way after I'm gone. This moment.
We close more our space and start kissing like we used to do before. I let him roll above me so he takes his time exploring ourselves and the pace where all of this goes. We are both still new thought.
I wish I have asked someone for tips. Suki would be a bit too gross, but Ty Lee could have helped! I decide to deepen the kiss, pushing him to do the same. His hands are by my sides so his weight doesn't fall completely on me. I really like this.
Ironically, he gets out of air, breaking our kiss and breathing. I open my eyes and see his face is flushed, looking at me adoringly. I touch his face, feeling a bit dreamy. My hand decides to do a trial from his face to his shoulder, where his robe is held. I ask for consent, and his hand helps me put it away, unveiling half of his toned body.
I can't imagine if he actually ate meat how he would look! I blush as I see myself staring a bit too hard on his torso. He grabs my face and we continue kissing, I can feel how he is grinning a little bit and I smile.
He carefully touches my shoulders, as if doing it too fast would break the spell. His hands are a different type of warm, the one that melts my heart so it can we can share it. He breaks the kiss again and starts giving me soft kisses in me neck, almost as if his mouth is a flower petal touching me.
I hold a breath as he get's closer to my chest. He stops as his hands roam through the belt that is holding the front part.
"Are you sure?" He asks me, his eyes letting me know he was asking for consent again.
"Yes" I say grinning, he looks at my chest and slowly unbinds the belt. This anticipation is killing me! As the dress opens his eyes never leave my chest. He looks so into them. I feel the blush and I turn away my eyes from him.
He looks again at my face and his hand makes me look at him, he gives me a quick kiss.
"You are so beautiful, Katara" He says adoringly.
"And you are so handsome" I reply winking, he blushes and kisses me again. He gets to work now licking and biting softly my neck down to my chest. If the room wasn't hot, now I think it is. His fingers touched the bottom of my breasts, carefully gripping.
My breath became more hitched than before, making me a bit more anxious of doing this. I am ready, but Tui I'm nervous! Aang's hands travel to my undergarments, making me hold a breath. I put both of my hands on his head, that's still in my chest, so he continues.
This is it. He readjusts himself and I help him kick his undergarments too. I try not to peek as I still feel shy about this. His eyes lock on mine, a shine and bliss on them. I nod and get close to him so we can kiss. He follows me and prepares himself.
"I love you Kat" He says, afterwards kissing me very slowly. I can't help but feel pain at first, he goes slow and gentle, just like I imagined. Then it hits harder the pain, making me cringe my nails at his back and whimper.
"I'm sorry" he says as he gives me more kisses. This seems to help, his kisses have always made me feel a bit dreamy. He stays put so my body can gets used to him. I buck my hips a bit, moaning with a mixed feeling. He starts slowly moving.
Oh my, now I get why they stay so much time in their rooms.
Our heavy breaths is the only sound in the room, as I lay besides him, his whole face showing pleasure.
"Suki…damn" He only says and I snort. He slaps a bit my shoulder, quickly hugging me and spooning.
"We should really get out and do our jobs." I say trying to get away from him, he kisses my back and I just sigh. I am going to miss this.
"Just a bit more…If they needed us they would have already laid down the door" He answers.
I just laugh and he follows.
"I…I wish you luck on the trip to the North" I say to him, he stops kissing me and hugs me tightly.
"I can't wish you luck because you are the most skilled warrior I have met." I smile a bit " But please, be careful. Even if I won't see you I want to hear from you" His voice is worried, I hug his arms, unable to look at him.
"Do you think it will work?" I ask now turning to him, he grabs my face and kisses my head.
"I hope so. I want you to be happy. With or without me…" What? I hate it when… "But I will give my all so it's with me"
"You are dumb, of course it is" I reply with a fake pout. He kisses my lips and we just look at each other. This is our goodbye. I grab his face, my hand touching all the features in his face. One last time before this is forbidden. He smiles and his eyes water a bit, I'm sure he doesn't want to do this either.
"I love you, Suki. You will be forever in my heart, it doesn't matter what happens in the next year." He says with a single tear rolling down his face. How it hurts me seeing him cry.
"I love you too, Sokka. I am proud of you, you always search for ways to be a better person. You will be always in my thoughts" I say holding back tears, my voice getting in that annoying tone that I hate so much.
He sits up and stretches, I admire him for a bit before he stretches his hand to me so I can sit. I grab it and he drags me out of the bed so we take a shower.
"Let's get ready before the last dinner" He says now carrying me as I let him pamper me.
We decide to walk hand in hand to the dinning room, our last time being this public about us. I am doing this for her and for me, so in the end we are together. Down the hall I see Aang and Katara being love birds too, almost mirroring how I use to be with Suki the firsts months on the road.
"How are you feeling?" Katara asks Suks, she smiles and bows her head a bit.
"Thank you for worrying about me. I just had a bit of panic" she said to both of them, Aang bowed back.
"You are part of the family Suki, you don't have to thank us for nothing" He said placing a hand on her shoulder. Suks smiles more and I just can't believe we are now getting send to different parts of the world because of growing up.
Replublic city will be the best thing. She and I will get to be together and do our own stuff without feeling like we gave up something important in our life.
"Snoozles! We are waiting for you!" Toph startles me from my thoughts, seeing how my sis, Aang and Toph are almost down the corridor and Suki is in front or me, her arm extended as she tried to move me. I grip her hand harder and run towards them, she follows with no problem and we are finally by the dreaded door.
"Wow…this is the last time that we will be together" Aang says before opening the doors. Zuko is by the other side already waiting for a feast for each of us
"It will only be half a year, the teashop and my palace are checkpoints until the city is properly constructed" Zuko said with a hearty smile. Suki's hand tightens mine, making me gaze at her with so much love.
I want this woman in my life, truly.
Ty Lee greets us with Uncle Iroh, the latter already serving us tea.
"Hurry and sit, I don't want your tea to be cold!" He says winking to us, while Ty Lee is seating already.
We take our places and the room is vibing. Suki and Ty discussing some parties they went together and how she can dress when touring ba sing se, Toph and Katara talking about breaking laws in that fire nation city while Aang smizes besides her. Zuko and I are left to chat, I rise a fist and he follows me, smiling.
"You are my closest friend, did you know?" I say while he feigns thinking about it.
"Right, and you are just the meat and sarcasm in my life" He laughs as I fake bark at him. I still need to tell him so my mind can be with a bit more of ease.
"Zuko" I say whispering to him so Suki doesn't listen.
"Mmm?"
"Please keep your word. Protect her." I say, he looks at me a bit sad and nods.
"With all I have, I will. You have my word" He says placing a hand on me for comfort. I laugh as the main dishes are brought in.
"So let's be clear, Suki, Aang, Zuko and I will go to Ba Sing Se and you and Sokka will go to the North?" Toph clarified addressing everybody.
"Ow, are you going to miss me?" Katara said squeezing her cheeks, Toph moved her chair and made Aang laugh, similar of how she did it to him.
"Nah, it just weird. I hope you write to me something" Toph said grinning. I know where this is going!
"Of course I will! I will even send you a postcard so you…"Katara shuts and looks annoyed at her, Toph giggles. "Ha ha, real original!" she scoffs and Aang laughs.
"Why do we always forget she is blind?" Zuko says while laughing.
"Because she is so good at everything you don't even notice" Suks said with a smirk as Toph blushes.
"The only thing she is bad at is at hygiene" I joke and we all laugh. Toph is laughing too!
"Oof! Hey! It's in good heart!" I say as the spoon hits my forehead, leaving a mark. It was worth it thought.
We talk about our old days and Toph talks at how she wants to go compete again in the underground tournaments. The feast goes so good I almost forget the next day our lives will be completely different. A week ago I would never imagined the group as strong as it is today.
Hopefully, until we meet again, the bond will be stronger.
The night ends and Suki escorts me to my room. We walk still hand in hand as we reach my room. She hesitates in leaving and looks at me, questioning.
"We…can spend the night together." I say blushing. I don't mean it in a sexual way! She gets me, as she blushes and decides to turn back to me.
"We can do anything you want" She says entering and jumping to the bed, bending herself in a really unnatural manner. I close the door and my mouth is still open.
"How can you even do that?" I ask and try to imitate her. I'm sure she will say Ty Lee taught her.
"You know how! Practice makes perfect" She winks at me and my inner savage is on.
"Big mistake, you have lowered your guard" I reply growling at her. She giggles.
"Come and get it then"
I know tomorrow we will feel like shit for not sleeping but damn will it be worth it.