Book Four: Air

Katara

"I don't know if I'd call it all luck, Sokka," Katara said, not seeing how losing Yue and dealing with Suki being kidnapped was lucky. "Maybe it's just because you haven't seen Toph in months, finally having her back around is a little confusing. Just give it some time Sokka. It's not like you've got a time limit to decide how you feel."

"I know. I just don't want anyone to be hurt," Sokka told her with a sigh. He spoke, "I just hope Toph's okay. I didn't know what to say and I'm scared I already hurt her."

Katara

"Toph is strong, I don't think she'll let this bother her for too long," Katara said. "In the meantime, you should probably think about what to do in the colonies."

Sokka nodded, still concerned for his friend. He shrugged, "I'll think of something to do there. I always do."

Jerrel followed the strangers and was relieved when they passed Toph's sleeping form without noticing her. Phew, that was close. He thought to himself as he walked over to Toph. Jerrel pulled his jacket from his satchel and unfolded it, placing it over Toph, then he used his Earth Bending to create a stone shelter around her. Jerrel then went to the nearby creek to fish for food so Toph would have something to eat when she's awoken.

IC: Samanya

With a primal yell, Samanya shot up in the saddle, his hands shooting to his club and sheild. His eys darted around, before a puzzled look came over his features. This didn't look like the big boat.

Clambering down from the saddle, he glanced at Azon. "Samanya missed something?"

IC: Azon

Azon did not turn from Appa, but with his free hand he held a palm up to Samanya.

"Speak softly, large one. We've stopped for a rest, and will continue when Appa is ready."

His hand trailed from one place on Appa's resting head to another.

"It's all tangled and twisted, you've been through much, Appa."

He turned and looked up at Samanya.

"Be as you were, large one, we all need rest."

It must have been hours before Toph finally woke up. She felt better than she had before, but her heart was still heavy.

She didn't like it.

Toph crawled out of her tent. It didn't take her long to realize someone had put up some extra protection while she was out of it. It didn't take much thinking for her to know who had done that.

"You didn't have to do that," she muttered.

Jerrel came back to wear Toph was now sitting awake. "Hungry, Mistress Toph?" he asked showing her 6 medium size fish. "Figure we'd better fill up on something before we reach any vilages or colonies." Jerrel had sensed something from Toph,but could place his finger on it, and he better than to press on such matter when it came to serving the Bei Fong family.

IC: Samanya

The large man was about to respond when he heard a voice he didn't recognize adressing Toph. A frown fell over his features, and like a wraith, the giant vanished into the dark. He moved without sound, easily finding the source of the noise.

Grabbing the scruff of Jerrel's neck, Samanya glared angerily at the boy. "Who you? Why talk small on...Toph?" He caught himself, before grinning at Toph. "Hello, sma...Toph. You goods now, yes?

Jerrel crossed his arms. "Some gratitude for someone who helped save you hide." Jerrel then pointed to his belt buckle. "You see this? this is the symbol of the Bei Fong family, one of the most prestigious families in the Earth Kingdom. I happen to be one their shadows sent to gaurd their only daughter. Now could you please unhand me?"

"Relax, Samayana. He's not a threat or anything," Sokka said as he approached the two men, "And, stalker, I don't think you exactly saved him. The big guy here can take care of himself."

IC: Azon

Appa gave a roar and Azon looked up from his concentration.

"Wounds hurting again?"

The Bison blew air through his nose in reply, so Azon stood and had Appa turn over onto his back.

"Let's see...how did she do it again?"

He brought his hands together in a mirror image of Katara, and place them above one of Appa's feet. The blinding green light appeared beneath his palms and Appa gave a roar of content as his wounds began to heal once more.

Katara

"You don't need water to heal," Katara asked Azon as she came back to Appa. This man didn't seem like a bender, but he didn't really seem like anything other than a spirit.

IC: Azon

Azon shook his head.

"Oh, I wouldn't call this healing per say. It is more like an imitation of it..."

He removed his hands and the glowing stopped.

"Bending the elements is the manipulation of energy using the substance of the world. I merely imitated the same way your energy bends when you use your ability to heal, without the substance of water. I am no Waterbender after all..."

He shook his head.

"Unfortunately, it is not nearly as effective as using water. I think I'll leave it to you, Lady Katara."

IC: Toph

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good now," said Toph, smiling at the giant. "And go ahead and put him down, you big lug. Sokka's right. Jerrel's annoying, but he's okay."

What was with all these people wanting to protect her?

Well, she had been kidnapped.

Toph had a feeling the overprotectiveness had only begun. Darn it.

She took up some of the fish Jerrel had offered before. She nodded at Sokka.

"Hungry, Snoozles? I'll share."

Sokka grinned and sat next to Toph, "You know my stomach so well." He smiled at the thought of it driving Jerrel crazy.

Katara

Katara nodded and drew her water out, placing her hands on Appa's wounds. "Can you tell me how you imitate energy?" Though he claimed not to be a waterbender, there was no denying that he was somewhat healing Appa before, which raised questions as to what else he could do.

IC: Toph

"It would be hard not to," said Toph, smirking. "When it growls, the earth shakes."

It felt good for things to be like they used to be, the way they were supposed to be. She was still hurting, but at least he wasn't avoiding her anymore. Toph would rather be his best friend, and that was it, instead of not having him around at all.

She shoved a fish at him.

"Help yourself."

IC: Azon

Azon took a cross legged seat behind Katara, his blindfolded eyes watching her heal Appa's wounds.

"I bend energy like you bend water, Lady Katara," he replied.

"It's difficult to explain how one Waterbends; you simply feel the water, alive and flowing, and you are able to grasp it like it's apart of you."

He looked over at Appa's satisfied face as Katara applied water.

"As I told Toph, it is easier to show then to explain."

"It does not," Sokka argued as he shoved a piece of fish in his mouth. He murmured, "Delicious. Anyway, you're almost as bad as me! I think your stomach rumbling could bend the earth."

Katara

"But if you can imitate healing, surely you imitate bending moves," Katara said. She understood the concept of bending energy, though she didn't know the limitations to it. She had barely understood how Aang explained taking away Fire Lord Ozai's bending, though it had involved him being incorruptible.

"Probably," said Toph, with a sagely nod. "But at least I have an excuse. I'm a bender, you're not. You're just plain loud."

She chewed on her own piece of fish. It was pretty tasty, and she reminded herself to thank Jerrel for it later.

"Warriors are supposed to be loud!" Sokka pointed out indignantly. Still, he had to smile. It felt good to just be having fun with Toph.

"Sure, whatever you say," said Toph, with a shrug. "I think you're just naturally loud." Smiling, she patted him on the arm. "But that's okay, Snoozles. It only means I can find you, no matter where you run off to."