Book Four: Air

IC: General Narrative

"No more questions..." mumbled Toph. She tried to make her way down to Appa and stumbled, falling flat on her face in the saddle. Groaning, she said, "Can we just get out of here already? I'll even say please. Please?"

Appa roared, after sniffing and licking Jerrel, and with everyone in the saddle, took to the skies.

IC: Azon

"I agree with Toph, no more questions," smiled Azon, avoiding answering Sokka's.

As Appa took to the skies Azon remained on his head, but turned in his cross legged sit to face the sattle where the others were.

"I was just talking to Appa, and he was telling me how and Sokka first met."

Azon sniggered, bringing his hand up to his mouth.

"Apparently Appa here blew his nose on him."

Toph kicked at Azon.

"You idiot! I'm still not feeling all that great! Can you lay off those kinds of jokes? I don't know... For like a few minutes?"

Holding on to the saddle, as she always did, Toph lay her head on her crossed arms.

Katara

Katara would have to be blind and insensitive to see that Toph was upset about something other than being sick. She moved closer to her and softly asked, "did something happen in there?"

IC: Azon

Azon ducked his head to avoid getting hit off of Appa.

"Easy there, Milady. You're not much better in the air than you are on the water. Well, I suppose I can imagine why. Seeing blind must make one seem like we're going up and down, side to side..."

Azon scratched Appa's fur as the Bison roared.

"No, I'm sure it's not your flying."

"No," said Toph, more curtly than she otherwise might have feeling sick. She glowered, but the scowl missed Katara completely. "Why would you think that? Other than getting locked up with your brother, that's about it."

Katara

Though Katara wanted to press the issue, there were currently quite a few people on the bison with whom she knew little about, one of which was a stalker, though one who freed her. Come to think of it, as far as Katara had it figured out, all three of these guys were somehow connected to Toph somehow, two in the span of a few days. Why did Toph attract so many odd people?

Appa was injured, and he was carrying a heavy load with so many people on board, so he could not keep to the skies for too long. He landed in the middle of a clearing, which was surrounded by a thick forest a mile from the ocean.

Toph gladly flung herself onto the ground.

"Finally! Solid earth..."

Katara

"I'll take a look at that burn, Appa," Katara said, jumping off and bringing out some water. She spread it on her hands and put them against the burns. It was a big injury, but slowly the healing water was reducing the pain and healing the skin.

IC: Azon

Azon smiled slightly and jumped down off Appa's head. He moved around to Appa's front as the Sky Bison stretched his injured legs and layed flat upon the ground. Azon took a cross legged seat in front of the resting Appa. He tilted his head in curiosity as Appa relaxed to Katara's healing, so he raised a hand.

"May I?"

Appa gave a roar and Azon smiled before resting his hand upon Appa's forehead. He bowed his head and Appa did the same, shutting his eyes. The two remained quiet and still, the only thing moving was the calm up and down of their breathing.

Toph groaned. "Fuzzy just had to like that dope, didn't he? Crap, this has been the worst past couple of days..."

She sat up. At least her stomach felt better. Toph stood, stretching, and walked over to where a small stream was running. Cupping her hands, Toph drew up some water to drink. She also took the chance to cool herself down by splashing her face.

It had been hot on board that sloop, especially being locked up in that box.

Aang frowned as he looked at the now destroyed old home. "I guess that's enough proof to show that the colonial citizens really are unhappy." The Airbender stated as he came back to reality and realized that things were worse then he had assumed.

Aang stopped to rub his forhead and groaned as he tried to prevent his current problems from overwhelming himself. "I guess we'll just have to figure out why the citizens are so against being the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdoms then....." He stated without any confidence in himself or the words he was speaking. But the Airbender kept walking again besides Suki anyways so as not to slow her down.

Sokka approached Katara. Like it or not, he needed to talk to her about something. He sat beside her and said, "Katara, mind if we talk somewhere alone? I need some advice."

Jerrel leapt from Appa and climbed a nearby tree so he could keep an eye on the whole grou, and so he could keep look out for any suspicious people. Seems something has upset Mistress Toph......something must have happen in the holding area with this "Sokka" person. Jerrel looked down to see Sokka talking to Katara. Maybe I should see if I can't find out just what went on. Jerrel smirked his eyes narrowing, and he used the foliage for cover and silently followed Sokka and Katara, listening to their conversation.

IC: Suki

"I don't think they have a problem with the Earth Kingdom. At least not just yet. Let's keep that information in mind. It'll probably come in handy."

She glanced over at him. It was easy to tell that he was not feeling very confident. Smiling, Suki patted him on the back.

"Don't worry so much, Aang. You've accomplished far harder things than this. Just do your thing, and you'll be fine. Don't forget, you're not alone in this."

***

IC: Toph

Once she had cooled herself off, Toph found a mostly secluded area away from the others. She was tired. She wanted a nap, and after everything that had happened she felt it wasn't all surprising.

And, besides, she couldn't help but think he was avoiding her, now that they were back in a group, and it hurt her. Toph didn't want to deal with all this mess right now.

So she just made herself a tent, crawled inside, and lay on her stomach.

She tried to find some sleep.

IC: Azon

"Don't worry, I'll stay with Appa, Lady Katara," said Azon, his hand still upon the Sky Bison's head.

"And be careful, they say the forest is full of stalkers."

As he said this, his blindfolded eyes turned to stare directly into the shadows were Jerrel was hiding, before turning back to Appa.

The Sky Bison's eyes were closed, and he looked at peace as Azon's hand slowly moved aross his furry head.

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IC: Azula

Azula had straightened out the clothes the doctors were willing to give her. Surprisingly, she had made a substantial effort to clean and straighten out the once destroyed room. Her makeup was still sloppy, but she did not let her mangled hair fall in front of her face this time.

"Guard," she called from her place at the table in the center of the room.

"When Mai arrives can you show her in?"

The guard looked to his companion for help, but finally nodded.

"Uh...Yes...Yes Princess Azula, I will do so."

Azula nodded and began to hum, pulling a piece of parchment towards her and a tray of ink.

Katara

As she finished up Appa's burns, Sokka asked her for advice. "Wait, you actually want advice, from me," she asked. Azon would stay with Appa, and he pointed out something about stalkers, which she assumed was the only one who wasn't in the camp aside from Toph, and stood up, walking with Sokka to wherever he felt secure enough to ask.

"Toph likes me," he told her as he walked beside her, mindful of what Azon said.

Katara

"Toph likes you," Katara asked. She was only a little surprised since she had been expecting something like that for awhile now. Toph was around the age where she would start to like boys, and Sokka was the only one she'd had much contact with for months aside from Aang. Still, she would have thought they'd be more like siblings, instead of Toph liking him.

Sokka nodded and sighed, "And I don't know what to think, much less what to do. I mean, she's my best friend!"

Katara

"Sokka, this is probably a crush, and Toph will grow out of it," Katara said. "If it bothers you so much, you can talk to her about it, but you should just treat her like you always have, like your friend, not someone you want to avoid."

"I know, but there's something more," Sokka told her honestly as he walked back in forth like a caged lion-turtle, "I might like her back!"

Jerrel had follwed, but had stayed far enough away only to hear Sokaa say that Toph liked him. That loudmouth buffon? Jerrel thought as he quickly headed back to the camp, he was planning on confronting Toph about it, but then he decided not to, since its not his place to get involved. Well atleast he doens't seem to like her the same way, judging how he's reacted telling Katara. Jerrel thought to himself as he neared the camp, but stopped when noticed some people head in the same direction Toph went. "Crap!" Jerrel said through gritted teeth as he took of toward them, barely making a sound.

Katara

"Oh," Katara said. This definately stumped her. "So are you saying that you don't want to date Suki anymore?" It was difficult to think of Toph and Sokka like a couple, considering not only the age difference but the fact he had a girlfriend already.

"I don't know," Sokka told her honestly, "I mean, I've never been in this situation before. It always dumb luck for me with romance."