Book Four: Air

"Well, to tell the truth, I'm confused about it," Sokka confessed knowing it was no use to lie to Toph, not that he wanted to. He splashed some water with his foot idly, "I mean, I have no enemies except for those that'd hate the Avatar and he's the more important target. So is Zuko, come to think of it."

"See, that's what bothers me," said Toph. "I don't think it was to get to them. Sending in rat-vipers is kind of personal. Somebody wants to hurt you, Sokka."

That gravely concerned her. Even worse was that she had no idea why anyone would be out to kill Sokka, or even who this person could be.

She smiled, though, and thumped him on the back. "But don't worry. You've got me to protect you."

Toph's words were not a mere boast. She meant it. She wouldn't let anyone hurt him, not so long as she was around.

Sokka smiled at his best friend. He didn't know why, but her words made him feel warm, not t exactly the type that made him feel sweat, but the one that made him feel good inside. He spoke, "I'm glad to have you, Toph."
He grinned again and added, "I feel sorry for whoever's trying to kill me now."

Toph laughed. "You're darn right! Whoever's out to get you will have to get through me first. And, believe me, it'll be nasty." She cracked her knuckles for emphasis. "If you're lucky, I might leave some scraps for you to kick around to."

She beamed, feeling rather good after hearing his words. It made her insides flutter and, for once, it was not so bad to feel that way.

Sokka laughed a bit, enjoying her sense of humor as well as her laugh, strangely enough. He spoke, "Nah. I got some new boots. I don't want to get them dirty."
It suddenly struck him that if he and Toph were a couple, then he'd be the woman. That bit at his pride.

"Hey, it's your loss then," said Toph with a toothy grin, shrugging. "More fun for me. I might even thank you for that later. I'm always in the mood for a good butt-whooping."

She had a very mischevous thought. Toph knew where it would lead, but it was warm and she didn't care.

She kicked, and splashed Sokka with water in the process.

"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed before smiling at her and splashing Toph back, soaking her. He msirked, "Of course, you realize this means war?"

Toph stuck her tongue out at him. "It won't even be a contest," she said, clearing challenging him. Toph kicked again, this time harder. She was still close enough to Sokka that the splash soaked him. "Aw... Is little Snoozles all wet?"

As long as he didn't drag her out into the deeper waters, Toph did not mind, in the least, a good, old-fashioned water war. She liked goofing around with Sokka.

Sokka smirked as he removed his tunic and tossed it at the beach, revealing his tan musckles. It was already wet anyway. He took a mock-stance, as though this was really a battle. He then kicked at the water, causing Toph to be splashed in the face.

"How about you, Blind Bandit?" Sokka asked with a grin.

Toph sputtered a little, surprised by the splash to the face. She quickly recovered and flashed Sokka an almost scary smirk.

"You've done it now, Snoozles," she said. "Mess with the bull-horse, and you get the horns."

Wow. What a corny saying.

Toph dragged her right foot along the sand. She was still connected to her element, even if she was up to her knees in water. The grainy earth responded. It undulated and shot beneath Sokka. It dragged his feet out from under him.

She laughed at Sokka as he fell back into the water.

"Come on, admit it!" she teased, easily falling into that confidence she displayed during any battle, for play or otherwise. "I'm the best, aren't I?"

Sokka grunted as he fell into the water. He was thoroughly soak. She cheated!He smiled a little, getting an idea. Oh well, two could play at that came. He tripped Toph, causing her to fall on top of him.

She did not have time to react. Arms pinwheeling, Toph toppled over and into the water. Sokka broke her fall, for the most part, but once she realized what was going on Toph almost wished she had been given a face full of water.

She practically straddled him. Sokka's shirt was also off. When had he done that?

The water was cool, but Toph's face warmed considerably.

To cover herself as she struggled to get her blushing under control--she hated it when she blushed like a girl!--Toph fell back on her sarcasm.

"Jeeze, Snoozles. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were making a move on me," she teased.

Sokka felt himself blush bright red, a little ashamed at the senation he felt when she fell on top of him. He certainly didn't mean it to happen this way. He just wanted to get his friend as wet as he was.
He took Toph's hand and brought them both up. Still blushing he replied, "No, I wasn't! I'm scared of yours and Suki's anger too much."

Zuko

"I second that motion," Zuko announced. He liked the idea of Toph, Sokka, and Suki mediating the conference, not because he had their friendship, but because they were fair and understanding, who would help keep peace as best they could. Well, maybe not Toph... she was a little impulsive and mischevous, but she was twelve, so that we to be expected.

OOC: Well, I feel terriable...I completly fergot to warn everyone that I'm visiting my girlfriend right now, so my time online kinda...piddles away. My bad. I'll try to get on more frequently, seeing as I'm gonna be here fer awhile, but I might not get a post in somedays.

I apologize fer holding anything up.

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IC: The Voice & Drakon

The Voice clapped her hands twice, and the large rock-face infront of them came to life. The monsterous figure slowly stretched it's limbs, before looking at them with a strange air of curiosity. "Gursh?"

"Yes, Drakon. We have what we need. It's time to go." She relied, before looking to Ozai. "If you will pardon me for a brief while, my lord, I shall aquire us a proper means of transportation. We are far from the rebellion, ad it will not do for us to make you walk." Not even waiting for a response, she walked off, her cold eyes seemingly watching something that wasn't even truely there.

Drakon looked to Ozai for a moment. "Gursh. Gursh." The armoured giant started down the slope, towards another large rockface. One that would easily conceal both him and Ozai.

IC: Toph

She chuckled. "And there you go again, proving you're actually a pretty smart guy. I wouldn't want to mess with us, either."

Toph suddenly flashed another one of her mischevous grins. She shoved Sokka. The push sent him sprawling back into the water.

"Ha! I win!"

***

IC: General Narrative

Several other members of the council voiced their own agreement with the plan. Kai, however, did not seem to like it at all.

"Why are we sending children to decide the fate of our nation?" he demanded.

Yun bristled. "You are not a nation yet, you traitor!"

Once again, Shan was quick to smooth over hostilities.

"These children are allies and friends of the Avatar. Avatar Aang, himself, protects the balance of our world, so he will be impartial. He will help decide what is best for us all," said the old noble. "As for the other three, well..." He smiled. "I am given to understand that they are rather popular in the Colonies, are they not? They did save most of your land only six months past."

Sokka crossed his arms and declared clearly, "Cheater!"
He was, however, taken aback when he looked at Toph. At the moment, he clothes were soaked, almost see-through. He blushed and looked away. I am not attracted to Toph. She's my best friend!
He got up and told her, "You always cheat..."

"Cheat!" Toph mocked shocked surprise. "You wound me, Snoozles!" She poked him in the chest. "Just 'cause you're too slow not to notice when I'm up to something, don't blame me!" She tapped her head, grinning. "Use your noggin. It's what I do, and that's why I win."

Stretching out her arms, she turned and sauntered back to the beach.

Sokka sighed and followed Toph. He said, "You're right. I should have guessed you were up to something, Angel Eyes."

IC: Azon

After several failed attempts to hit Azon from a distance, said man side stepping each one with careful precision, The Inferno ran towards him in a fury. When the man was less than a foot from his enemy, in a flash Azon brought his right hand up around The Inferno, pressing against his neck and using it spin himself behind his attacker in what was clearly a Ba Gua Airbending style.

When The Inferno turned back to face him, Azon was already in a Hung Gar Earthbending stance. With one quick and amazingly strong punch, The Inferno was thrown out of the ring and crashed into the outer wall.

The crowd cheered as the gong rang to signal victory.

"And the match goes to The Sage! Impressive first victory without even a single attack of Firebending!"

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IC: Ozai

"Take her," commanded Ozai, half handing, half tossing Mai to the larger Drakon.

"And be careful, she's my daughter-in-law."

Meanwhile, Ozai reached into his cloak to pull out a mask he had stolen during their escape of the city. It was a red and white Oni mask; its base white, while its features a blood red. Ozai lifted it to his face, securing it in place and turning back to Drakon.

"That they did Sir. I saw them single handedly take down Ozai's forces that were going to attack the Colonies." Aang admitted as he walked into the Council wearing his official Avatar robes. He honestly did not want to be here at all, but he supposed that no one else probably wanted to be here either so he should just get over himself.

"I apologize for missing yesterday's meeting everyone, there was an...unfortunate incident on Whale Tail island yesterday, but Ka- Lady Katara and I handled it." He explained in half-truths before looking back at who he assumed was the Colonies representatives.

IC: General Narrative

The whole of the room stood at attention once the Avatar entered the room. They inclined their heads in a respectful greeting. Even Kai was awed and silenced by Aang's arrival.

"We are most honored by your presence, Avatar Aang," said Shan. "Thank-you for coming."

***

IC: Toph

She laughed. "Don't sound so down, Snoozles. Maybe one day you'll catch me by surprise. I doubt it, but you never know, right?"

Toph did not turn around as she teased him. If she had, she knew he would have seen her blushing at that stupid nickname.

They were both soaked to the bone. Slipping back into town would do little good when their wet clothes and hair would give them, and their absence, away to anyone. Toph found a good rock and sat down. The sun would warm and dry them both.

"Hm, that was fun," she said. She took down her hair. It annoyed her, hanging down past her shoulders and clinging to her face, but it would dry faster this way. "It was a good idea to come down here."

Katara

"Really? Because I don't think so Toph," Katara said, walking toward the pair. "I went to see Sokka earlier, and I find he's gone! Do you have any idea how worried I was? I thought something else had happened to you!"

IC: Toph

Toph grumbled. Leave it to Katara to ruin a perfectly good moment. She only shrugged, and finger-combed her air.

"Don't get your panties in a knot, Sugar Queen," she said, using one of many nicknames she had given Katara. "You act like Sokka'll just keel over and die if you so much as breathe on him. There's nothing wrong with having a little fun."

Katara

Katara huffed, and said, "I heard about the rat-vipers and about you being there. I don't know how he was healed, but don't you think he should take it easy?" This was one thing she didn't think Toph would ever get, that you didn't always need to be goofing off. At times like this it wore Katara down.