Book Four: Air

IC: Suki

She glared at the strange man. "Well?" she demanded alongside Sokka, irritably. Now wasn't the time for theatrics. "Where is she? The rest of us would like to know!"

Suki more or less meant Sokka. Her words and touch did not have any affect on him.

***

IC: Mercenaries and Toph

She began struggling again, swearing behind her gag and, no doubt, leveling all manner of insults at him. Maku watched her fight her bonds for a few minutes. Toph finally tired herself out. Breathing heavily, she lay on the wooden floor and did not move.

"You might as well get used to that," said the mercenary. "Like I said, you're not going anywhere, kid. And if you're holding out for your friends to save you? Forget it. They're not coming. They're not coming, 'cause they don't care."

Her eyes widened and she glared in his direction. Maku smiled.

"You doubt me? Or is it that you're afraid that it's true? They left you behind after the War, didn't they? They all had better things to do than keep you company. What makes you think now is any different? They'll be glad you're gone."

IC: Azon

"A small Sloop," replied Azon, turning to face them and the guards.

"In the waters north of the Island. I do not believe Toph's escape is likely. The ship is wooden and she is bound by something that makes her feel powerless. I'm guessing mythril; metal without impurities."

He smiled at them.

"I can see their intentions clearly. At the moment, we do not have to worry about her dying."

Aang looked at the mysterious man for a second, his curiosity growing. "How do you know...are you some kind of Guru or something?" He asked the strange man, feeling relieved inside to hear that Toph was safe for now but still rather unsettled by the man's apparent skills.

IC: Suki

"Oh, that's real comforting," said Suki.

She was angry, but not with the stranger. Even she knew Toph hated being bound and in a tight place. It frightened her.

"What now?" she said.

***

IC: Mercenaries and Toph

Toph had fell silent again. She looked incredibly hurt, and Maku knew he had touched on the right sore spot. For such a powerful bender, she had a very fragile heart. She wanted so badly to have friends who cared about her, and for a certain boy to like her.

He had preyed on those feelings those doubts, and well.

"Jing, you're in charge of her for now," he said. "Keep an eye on her, eh?"

Maku left and walked back up on deck. Kara was using her own bending to push the sloop along. They were making good time.

"Where are they going? We still have to rescue her!" Sokka exclaimed.

IC: General Narrative

"Don't you have some important meeting to go to?" demanded a guard. It was Sei. He looked rather smug. No doubt he thought it was funny Toph had fallen into a trap. "And don't you leave for that meaning tomorrow? Or, since it's early morning, this afternoon? I'd think helping bring about peace would be a lot more important than going off to save some brat who probably deserves what she got. She won't die, so why bother?"

Sokka moved so fast that his speed rivaled Aang's. He had his hand at the guard's throat in an instant. He then banged his head against the wall, perhaps harder than the guard deserved. He yelled in Sei's ear," That girl is my best friend and if I can't hurt her kidnappers, I'll have to settle to hurting people who insult her!"

Aang turned his head and looked at the guard, feeling very angry at this man's comments. "Sokka don't hurt him, it's just going to slow us down even more." The Avatar stated before he glared at the man and walked over to him.

"Toph happens to be one of the most important people I know, she is supposed to be at that meeting with us and we are going to save her before it starts. Maybe if you had done your job and protected people then none of this would have happened!" Aang stated with a hint of childish spitefulness before he looked away from the man towards Suki.

"We can take Appa, he should be fully rested by now."

Sei gasped for air, unable to breathe because of Sokka's iron grip. Having banged his head against the wall had not helped him, either, and now the soldier swooned.

"Sokka!" said Suki. "That's enough!" She tried pulling Sokka away from Sei. "Sokka, it's not worth it. Calm down!"

She was glad Aang added his own words. He had so much more force then she could hope to command. Suki nodded at him.

"That's a good idea."

Zuko

"I heard what happened," Zuko said, walking into the room. "I hope you guys can find her quickly, but I wouldn't worry about her too much. Toph is the toughest person I know, she can look after herself for awhile, even if she's with a bunch of thugs." He didn't really care about Sei, he had heard his comments as well and was not too eager to come to the man's aide.

Sokka let go of the man's throat. He sighed, "Sorry."
He turned to Zuko, "How soon do we have to be at the Colonies?"

"S-See?" said Sei, sputtering. His voice was tight and breathless. "Even the Fire Lord says so! She can take care of herself! Don't forget you have duties you can't put off! Let her handle it herself for a while, or send somebody else after her! There's gonna be trouble if you don't go to the Colonies!"

Zuko

"No, Sei. If Toph was kidnapped, these people are dangerous, and the group you see before you is about the most powerful in the world. We need Toph back, and they are going to get her. You have about a week, Sokka," Zuko said. "The council will wait for you, but their patience won't last forever. But don't give up without finding her, her safety is more important than the council meeting."

Sokka nodded, "Thanks Zuko." With that said, he turned to Aang and asked, "You said Appa was ready to fly?"

"Are you so sure about that, Fire Lord?" said someone, before anyone else could speak or Aang could answer.

Lord Kai leaned against the doorframe. He had not spoken until that moment, but it was obvious he had been listening for quite some time. He grinned nastily at the group.

"Putting off the fate of the Colonies--of many innocent lives--for one person are we? That is rather selfish of you, Fire Lord Zuko."

"I swear to the Spirits that I will impale anyone that tries to stop me," Sokka said bitterly, fingering his sword.

"It's not just his decision Sir. It was decided earlier that Toph would be necessary for these meetings, it certainly wont take us long to save her. While Toph is our friend, she also happens to be a hero for the people of the world, especially those a part of the Colonies as well since she was part of the effort of the three people that saved the Colonies from being burnt down." Aang pointed out as he tried to sound less like a child and more like an Avatar.

"Perhaps that is true," said Kai. "But how long are you willing to force my people to wait, Avatar? Hero or not, the girl is but one person, and one you all admit to be able to take care of yourself. And, as the saying goes, some sacrifices must be made for the good of all. I am sure Toph would understand that."

"Bullshit. Toph doesn't think that way," Sokka argued, "And if I know her, she'd be fighting tooth and nail to save me or any of her friends that were in her situation."

Aang looked away as he realized that Kai was correct, though the Airbender knew that Sokka would never see it that way. "Sokka, Suki? You guys take Appa and go find Toph. Zuko and I will continue to the Colonies." Aang stated as he realized that this would be the only option, and that Kai really had no good reason to keep Sokka and Suki from going.

"Maybe you can see if Katara will go with you with you as well." Aang added as he looked at his friends weakly, feeling rather guilty about not being able to go with them.

Zuko

Zuko nodded, noting that he'd have to talk to Aang about going to the colonies. He knew the colonies were important, but he needed to go find Mai, and he had a feeling his father was involved. It was looking like he was going alone though, what with Toph being kidnapped now.

Sokka sighed, wishing that Aang would go with them. He brightened, however, at the mention of his sister. Whether he liked it or not, he knew that a bender would be helpful if they had to fight people strong enough to kidnap Toph.

"I will go with Zuko and Aang," said Suki, all at once.

She smiled at Sokka, apologetic, but continued, "Don't get me wrong. I care about Toph. But let's face it. Kai and his support group are not going to listen to Zuko, and maybe not even Aang, on this one. But maybe they will listen to me. They can't keep you from going, Sokka, not if I'm going in your place."

But how she wished she could go.

Sooka sighed, disappointed that Suki wasn't going with him. He knew better to change her mind though. Her reasoning did make sense. He nodded, "Good luck."

"Good luck to you too. And please, be careful," said Suki.

She hugged Sokka close and kissed him. She hated that she would not be going with him. If they had more options, she would, but she knew her reasoning was sound. If she played mediator, Sokka did not necessarily have to join the Council.

He could go if she stayed. It was as simple as that.