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Heart of the Warrior - Chap. 7

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Zuko ran through the halls of the palace, thinking only of Mai.  He knew she could take care of herself, but he would still feel better if he could be with her and see for himself that she was safe.

He rounded a corner and found two firebenders battling each other.  Neither was wearing a guards' uniform, so he was unsure of whom to assist.  The larger of the two sent a fire blast with his fist at the smaller man.  The smaller one dodged the blast, yet he could not avoid the other man's fist.  His chin absorbed the entire force of the impact, and he was unconscious before he hit the ground.  Zuko was ready to defend himself against the victor, but eased when the man saluted him and bowed.

"Lieutenant Zhan, at your service, My Lord," he said.

Zuko nodded.  "Thank you Lieutenant," he answered.

Zhan looked over the Fire Lord's shoulder at a commotion behind him.  "Go, My Lord," he said.  "I can take care of this."  Without waiting for an answer, he ran down the hall.

Zuko watched him go for a moment before returning to his own search.  He ran into his study, the last place he knew Mai was.  

At first glance the room was empty.  He was about to leave when the stench of fresh blood reached him.  He looked back into the room, and saw two pairs of feet under his desk.

Praying to every spirit he could think of that it wasn't Mai, he walked around the furniture.  Zuko breathed a sigh of relief when he saw two men, one on the floor, the other sitting against the wall.  The one on the floor was very obviously dead, his unseeing eyes staring at the ceiling.  He looked familiar, but all thoughts of his identity were lost when he looked at the face of the other man.

Sokka was slumped against the wall with a sword impaling his shoulder, a small trickle of blood running down his chest.  

Afraid of what he might find, Zuko bent over his friend.  He placed two fingers on his neck, looking for a pulse.

"Hey Zuko."

Zuko was startled by the voice.  It was so thin and raspy, it didn't even  sound like Sokka.  "You're alive."

Sokka looked at him from under half-lidded eyes.  "Am I?  Oh good."

He didn't want to sound unconcerned, but he had to ask.  "Have you seen Mai?

Sokka gave a weak nod.  "She went down the passage.  She's fine.  Nice going by the way."

Zuko narrowed his eyes at him.  "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means congrats, buddy!"

Now he was completely lost.  "Sokka, I think you may be delusional.  I'm going to find Katara and-"

He was cut off by Sokka's laughter.  "You don't know yet, do you?"  He laughed even harder.  "That's just perfect!"  He laughed more, until it turned into a coughing fit.  

Zuko wanted to pat his shoulder, even hug him, but was afraid of hurting him any further.  "I'll find your sister and Aang," he said.  "Hang in there, I'll be right back."

"No problem!  I'm not going anywhere!"  He tried to wave with his good arm, but only managed to raise a couple of his fingers.

Zuko ran through the halls again with a different purpose but the same desperation.  Mai was fine, but Sokka was dying.

He could hear the fight ending around him.  The shouts were getting quieter, the sounds of battle lessening.  The handful of rebels were well-trained and organized, but they were  no match for Zuko and his guards, let alone the Avatar.

He rounded a corner and uttered a small prayer of thanks when he ran right into Aang.

"Where's Katara?"

Aang pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.  "Right behind me.  Why?"

"I need you both now."  He turned and started back to his study.  "Sokka's hurt."

Katara suddenly materialised at his side.  "How badly?"

He glanced at her, but couldn't meet her eyes .  "It's bad," was all he said.

They arrived at the study together.  Katara pushed herself ahead of all of them and ran to her brother's side.

Sokka looked at his sister and smiled.  "Hey Katara.  What's going on?" If Zuko didn't know any better, he'd say that he sounded drunk.

Katara tried to return the smile, but failed.  "What happened to you?"

"Not sure," he said.  "But I can't really move right now.  Maybe later..."

Aang and Zuko kneeled around the fallen warrior.  "What do you need?" Aang asked.

She looked to both of them.  "For starters, more space.  I can't do anything squeezed in like this."

With a single blast of airbending, Aang sent the desk halfway across the room.  Zuko kicked away the body next to them.  Katara pulled Sokka away from the wall to better inspect the impalement, trying not to make the injury any worse.  It was then that Zuko first noticed the small black knife in Sokka's hand.  He tried to pull it free, but Sokka's fingers just curled tighter around the hilt.

"No," he said between clenched teeth.  "Don't touch it."

Zuko let go immediately.  "Okay Sokka, whatever you want."

"We have to get the sword out and stop the bleeding at the same time," Katara said, mostly to herself.  In an instant, her attitude shifted from concerned sister to healer.  "Zuko, hold him." Her eyes were cold and bore straight into Zuko's own.  "If he moves, I'll kill you."  He considered Sokka and his position, and figured that there was only one way he could think of to hold him so he couldn't move.  He sat behind Sokka, wrapped his legs around his waist and his arms around his chest, pinning the warrior's arms to his body.

"Zuko!" he said with a playful grin.  "I like you and all, but shouldn't you at least take me out to dinner first?"

Zuko laughed despite himself.  "Just keep joking, Sokka," he said, "and everything will be fine."

Katara took a deep breath.  "Ready Aang?" she asked.

Zuko looked up at Aang.  His hands were wrapped around the hilt of the sword, ready to draw it out.  His arms were steady, but his brow betrayed his nervousness.  The Fire Lord couldn't blame him.  "Ready," he said.

The water from Katara's canteen wrapped around her hands was already glowing.  She brought them to Sokka's back, where the point of the sword was protruding.  "Nice and slow, Aang," she said.  "And once it's out, I need you to heal from the front, okay?"  Aang nodded.  She looked over to Zuko.  "You ready?"  Zuko only nodded as he grabbed Sokka tighter.

"Now, Aang."

Aang took a deep breath and started pulling the sword out.

Sokka screamed.

It was like no sound Zuko had ever heard before.  It was a howl of agony and anguish that made even Zuko feel his pain.  Sokka squirmed under his grasp, but he held firm and made sure that he didn't move his shoulder.

Several seconds later, there was silence, and Sokka's body went slack in his arms.  For an agonizing moment, Zuko was afraid that he was dead, but the gentle rising and falling of Sokka's chest calmed him somewhat.  "He's passed out," he announced.

"Don't let go!" Katara ordered.  Even if Zuko had thought about doing so, the tone of her voice would have changed his mind.  Sweat was beginning to form on her forehead as she worked on Sokka's wound.  Aang inched out the sword, Katara's healing water right behind it, repairing what damage she could before he could bleed to death.

After what seemed to Zuko to be an eternity, Aang pulled the sword free.  He flung in across the room without regard for where it would land.  He bent over Sokka's chest and bent his own supply of water from the canteen.  His hands glowed identical to Katara's as he tried desperately to heal as well.  They worked in silence, both knowing what the other needed to do.

The water was absorbed into Sokka's body, and Katara leaned back with a sigh.  She wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand.  "That's about all I can do for now," she said.  Aang nodded in agreement.  She placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder.  "You can let go, Zuko.  I think he's going to be okay."

Zuko eased his grip, but didn't let go.  "He can stay in my room for now," he offered.  "It's only across the hall, and I assume you don't want to move him any more than necessary."

Katara nodded her agreement.  "The less he moves, the better."  She stood up with Aang's help.  "Can you two carry him?"

Zuko finally released his grip as Aang bent over Sokka.  They each took hold of his limp form and carried him to Zuko's apartments.  Katara opened the door for them and they placed him on the bed.  She began to remove his tunic, looking for any other injuries that needed healing.  She winced as she noticed a burn on his left arm, but returned her attention to his shoulder.  

"Zuko, I need more water.  Lots of it."

"Of course," he answered.  

"I also need towels, bandages, anything you have to wrap up these injuries."

He made a mental list.  "Anything else that you need?"

She thought for a moment.  "Yes," she finally answered.  "I need the fastest hawk you have that can get to your uncle.  She needs to know about this."

There was no mistaking who she was talking about.

A tear made its way down Katara's cheek.  Now that the fight was over and Sokka was out of eminent danger, she allowed herself to feel what could have happened.  Aang put his arms around her and let her sob into his shoulder.  

Zuko himself felt the adrenaline start to wear off, and he felt so very tired.  He resisted the urge to fall into the nearest chair and never get up.  Instead, he left the room without a sound to get the things Katara asked for.

He walked as fast as he could in the direction of the aviary.  All he wanted was to get this done so he could go find Mai.  With all that had happened to Sokka, he'd almost forgotten all about her.  Forgetting their anniversary was one thing, but forgetting her on their anniversary was something else entirely.

"Zuko!"

The shout came from behind him.  He turned around in time to see Mai running to him.  He caught her in his arms, determined to never let her go again.  

Lieutenant Zhan came up to him and bowed.  "I thought it best to escort the Lady Mai to you," he said.

Zuko released Mai from his embrace, but kept an arm curled around her shoulders.  "Thank you Lieutenant," he said.

"The guards have said they managed to capture one of the attackers," the Lieutenant reported.  "His name is Kenta and he works at the prison.  Turns out he doesn't like pain, so he's determined to tell the entire plot to anyone who will listen."  The grin on Zhan's face was wicked.  Zuko was glad he was on their side.  Something told him that the Lieutenant would make a formidable enemy.

Zuko nodded his satisfaction.  "Would you report this to Warden Ming, please?  I'll let her deal with his punishment."  Zhan saluted and bowed before turning back the way he came.

Zuko looked down at his wife, who in turn looked back to him.  Without warning, their lips crashed into each others'; all the tension and anxiety they had felt vanished as though it was never there.  Mai wrapped both of her arms around Zuko's waist.  They stood there in the hallway, oblivious to anything around them.

They broke away from each other when they both needed to breathe.  He bent down to her, touching his forehead to hers.  "I have a few things to do, then we'll go to the guest apartment, okay?"

Mai pulled back.  "Guest apartment?  Why?"

"It's a long story.  Walk with me, and I'll tell you."  He held her hand, fingers interlaced, and started again toward the aviary.

Mai stayed rooted to the spot.  "Before that, there's something I think you should know."  Zuko turned back to her.

When she finished speaking, Zuko stood dazed, unable to remove the grin from his lips.

*****

Warden Ming liked her job.  She was proud to serve Fire Lord Zuko; he reminded her of his uncle.  

She carried the food tray up to the highest level of the prison.  She would have usually given the job to someone else, but this was a special delivery, and there was nothing she liked more than to make things special.

Arriving at the cell, she knelt and placed the tray on the ground.  "Good evening, Ozai," she said.  

Ozai made no move toward it.

Ming shrugged.  "I just thought you should know that Kenta won't be working here anymore.  Turns out he was planning some major coup with the prisoner that used to reside next to you."  Ozai's eyebrow arched when she mentioned Shun.  It was all the confirmation she needed.  "Yep.  Kenta was captured a few hours ago.  Told us the whole plan."

Ozai started breathing heavier.  Ming knew she shouldn't have been enjoying this, but she really couldn't help herself.

"And speaking of that prisoner...Shun I think his name was."  She paused a moment, just for effect.  "Turns out that Captain Sokka killed him."  Ozai flinched at that.  

She kicked the food tray into the cell.  "I do so hope you enjoy your dinner." She turned on her heel and started to walk away.  "And as it's your son's anniversary, and therefore a special occasion, I've snuck in an extra bowl of rice."

Ming was out in the corridor when Ozai's frustrated howl erupted from his throat.

She had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.

*****

Iroh sat in the room at the back of his teashop that served as his bedroom.  He read the letter for a third time, but nothing was going to change the words on the page.  He felt a stab of guilt at not going to the capital for his nephew's anniversary.  If he hadn't been ill the week before the celebration, surely he would have gone, and the nightmare that had unfolded might have been averted.

He stood with a sigh.  There was nothing to do but to tell Toph.  It was the middle of the night, but it didn't matter.  He would have to wake her up for this.

The short walk from his teashop to her apartment took longer than usual.  He shook his head as he walked.  No amount of stalling was going to make this any easier.  It was obvious to him how she felt about the Water Tribe Warrior, despite the fact she'd agreed to marry Lin.  What he didn't know was how she would take the news that he'd almost been killed, and was, in all likelihood, still very close to death.

Iroh knocked on her door, hoping he was loud enough to be heard.  He listened, but heard nothing from the rooms within.  He knocked again, louder and longer this time.  Listening again, he heard a faint curse from the other side of the door.  A lock clicked, and Toph slid open the door.  Her hair was wild, her clothes wrinkled and dishevelled from sleep.

"This had better be good, Old Man," she warned.

He put a hand on her shoulder.  It was no good leading up to it; she'd know he was trying to buy time.  Best to just come right out and say it.  "Something has happened, Toph."

Ten minutes later, Toph was dressed, packed, and running through the streets of Ba Sing Se, desperate to get to the docks and onto a ship.

Iroh could only shake his head.  He sent a silent prayer of sympathy to the unlucky sailors Toph was going to wake up, probably in the most violent way possible.

*****

Toph sped through the streets of the Fire Nation Capital, grateful that it was still early in the morning.  There were few people around to get in her way.

She found the entrance to the passageway that she and Sokka had made.  Sokka had designed the tunnel as an escape route from the palace and Toph had dug it out.  Zuko wasn't convinced of the necessity, but at that moment, Toph was glad to have it.  She could get into the palace unseen, and, with any luck, she'd avoid everyone inside as well.  

As she emerged from the passage and entered Zuko's private office, she was grateful that Zuko wasn't in it.  Anything to get to Sokka with as little explanation as possible.  

Toph left and crossed the hallway to Zuko's apartments.  With a small sigh, she opened the door, snuck in, and closed the door behind her.  Walking in silence, she went to the Fire Lord's bedroom, and to Sokka's side.

For a long time, Toph just stood there, head bent towards him.  She could feel his shallow breathing.  

She finally sat in the chair next to the bed.  Obviously it had been left there for Katara and her healing sessions.  Toph took his hand in hers.  She felt his heartbeat, so light and erratic.  She suddenly had the urge to run back to Ba Sing Se as fast as she could.  There was nothing she could do for him, she wasn't a healer, and she wasn't his wife or girlfriend or anyone significant.  She was just Toph, and she always would be.

"What did you do to yourself?" she asked him.  She didn't think he'd be able to hear her, but she felt like talking to him anyway.  "Why didn't you just get out of the way?  Why didn't you duck?"  Worry had somehow given way to anger.  "Why did you let this happen?"

"Toph?  Is that you?"

Toph wiped the tears from her cheeks and turned to the voice behind her.  "Oh, hi Katara," she said.  "I didn't hear you come in."

"I gathered as much from your yelling."  She placed a stack of towels on the floor then checked Sokka's condition.  

"Is he going to be okay?" Toph could have kicked herself as soon as the words were out of her mouth.  She didn't care about Sokka anymore.  Not enough to cry about him anyway.

"It'll be a few days more before he wakes up, I think.  He has a fever, and I'm afraid the wound may have gotten infected."  She rose from Sokka's prone form.  "But overall, yes.  He's going to be fine."  Toph nodded in response, afraid that if she spoke, she'd start crying again.   "You know, he's been asking for you."

Toph turned her head to her friend.  She couldn't have heard that right.  "What?" she whispered.

"He's been asking for you," Katara repeated.  "In his sleep, he's been saying your name over and over again."

Toph turned back to Sokka.  It wasn't possible.  After all the time they spent apart, he didn't – he couldn't – want to see her.

"Well," she said, sighing, "I really only came to make sure he was going to be okay."  She stood up and started to leave the room.  "I have to get back home."

Katara caught her wrist before she could get away.  "That's it?"  She sounded almost shocked.  "You're not even going to see him?"

"I can't see him, Katara.  Remember?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Toph."  She took a deep breath.  "Look, I'm not going to pretend to know what happened between the two of you.  Frankly, right now I don't care.  All I know is I've spent the last three days trying to save my brother's life.  I haven't eaten, I haven't slept.  All I want is for him to get better, and if that means he has to see you, then damn it Toph, you are staying here!"  Her hand was shaking where she was gripping Toph's wrist.

For her part, Toph was surprised at Katara's reaction.  Sure, Katara was someone you didn't want mad at you, but this was more than that.

"Okay, Katara," she said with a sigh.  "I'll stay, but only for a couple days.  I do have to get back to Ba Sing Se at some point.  I did kind of leave without any kind of warning, and I'm sure His High and Mightiness isn't too pleased with me."

Katara let go of her wrist with a small laugh.  "Since when do you care what people think of you?"

Toph answered with a little grunt.  "I don't care.  It's just a job."

"Okay, Toph."  She turned to leave.  "I'm going to get a couple hours sleep.  Will you get me if he wakes up?  I'm in the next room on the right."

"You got it sweetness.  One wake up call."

Without warning, Katara pulled Toph into a hug.  "Thank you for coming, Toph."  She let go, but held on to Toph's shoulders.  "He's missed you."

Toph shrugged.  "He's my best friend," was all she said.

It was the only explanation she could give.

*****

Sokka ran through the fog, searching.  His voice was hoarse from screaming her name.  All he needed was for her to respond, say something, anything, so he could find her.  He didn't even know where he was, but he knew she was close and he had to keep searching for her.

"Sokka?"

He stopped in his tracks.

He heard the voice, but didn't know where it came from.  There was no direction in the fog.

"Where are you?" he yelled.

"Can you hear me, Sokka?"

In front of him, a tiny light glowed in the distance.  He started running again.  He wanted to answer the voice, but he didn't know what to say.  All he knew was he had to get to that light...

*****

Toph held on to Sokka's hand and felt his heartbeat begin to increase.  She didn't dare hope that he was finally waking.

His groan told her that he was coming to.  

"Sokka?  Are you awake?"

He stopped breathing and his heart skipped a beat.  "Toph?" he asked.   She was shocked by how weak his voice sounded.  "What are you doing here?"

She smiled at him, relieved that he was conscious.  "I thought I'd lost you."

Sokka took a deep breath, and perhaps tried to speak, but instead a coughing fit racked his body.  Toph reached for a glass she knew was on the table beside her and poured a little of the water into his mouth.  She felt him nod and replaced the glass.  "Better?" she asked.

He sighed as he leaned back on the bed.  "Yeah, I feel like I've been trampled by Appa now rather than a herd of komodo rhino."

Toph laughed despite herself.  There was nothing funny about the situation, but Sokka would always have his sense of humour, warped though it was.  "So, tell me Boomerang Boy.  What happened?  I've heard Katara's sugar-coated version of events, but I want to hear it from you."

"It was Shun."

She thought for a moment.  That name sounded familiar.  "Wait a minute.  Isn't Shun that weak old guy from the raid on my birthday?"

"Yeah, that's him."

"But he was such a weenie!  What happened?"

Sokka shrugged.  "He wasn't such a weakling after all.  He was a firebender and an expert swordsman."

Her voice fell to a whisper.  "Did you kill him?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Good."

A comfortable silence passed between them.  At that moment, Toph knew she could spens an eternity in silence, as long as Sokka was alive and with her.
She shook the thought from her head.  She had just spent the last months apart from him, and missed him.  That was all there was to it.  He and Suki were probably engaged by now.

"Toph, I-"

"Sokka-"

They both laughed as they spoke over each other.  "You first," Sokka insisted.

Toph took a deep breath.  "I have to go back to Ba Sing Se tomorrow."  Why did it hurt so much to say that?

"No rest for the mighty General Toph Bei Fong, huh?"

Toph snickered under her breath.  No matter how bad she felt or what kind of mood she was in, Sokka would always be able to make her smile.  "Nope.  Don't know how anyone gets along without me!"  

Sokka's hand squeezed hers a little tighter.  No one else would have noticed; the change was almost imperceptible.  "Do you really have to go so soon?"

Toph marvelled at him.  After everything, after her birthday all those months ago, he really did care about her.  And despite all she'd told herself about moving on and letting go, she cared for him so much more.  "Yeah, I do," she answered.  "Besides, you have to get better.  I expect you at my party and in top condition."

"Oh yeah.  Your birthday is coming up, isn't it?"

Toph nodded.  "My parents are hosting it this year, so I'll be in Gaoling."

"Your parents?  Why?"

"Well, it's a little more than just a birthday party."  She wondered why it was so hard to say it to him.  She'd told dozens of people about her fiancé.  So why did it feel like telling Sokka would be the worst thing she could do?

She took a deep breath.  "It's also my engagement party.  I'm getting married a few months after it."

"Oh."

Toph blinked.  What else had she expected?  It wasn't like Sokka was going to forbid her marriage to someone else.  "Look, Katara wanted me to get her if you woke up.  If she finds out you've been awake all this time, I'm in for the lecture of a lifetime."  She stood and crossed the room to the door.  "If I don't get back up here for another visit, I'll see you at my party, right?"

"No."

She was taken aback.  "What?"

"You won't see anyone, will you?"

Toph laughed out loud.  "You'll never change, will you?"

"Nope, not me."

She hoped he never would.

*****

Sokka just watched as Toph left, shutting the door behind her without a sound.  He hadn't realised just how much he'd missed her until he felt her hand holding his.

And now she was getting married.  He never would have guessed that Toph – strong, independent, nobody-is-going-to-tell-me-want-to-do Toph – would agree to an arranged marriage.  But the truth of it was there.  An engagement party was pretty final.

Her laugh continued to echo in his ears as Katara rushed in.  She threw her arms around him and told him over and over again how worried she was and how stupid he was to risk his life.

Once Katara had calmed down, she began a healing session, running water over the gaping wound in his shoulder and the burn on his arm.  An hour later, she left with orders that he get more sleep.  He had to admit that both wounds were feeling much better.

He sat back against his pillows and stared at the ceiling, still thinking about Toph, still hearing her laugh.  Next time Katara came back for another healing, he would have to remember to ask her to do something about the sudden ache in his chest.
How long has it been? Over two months? But yes, I finally got this chapter finished.

There are so many little moments in it that I love. Try and find them all! :D

But the best part of all - Toph's back! :w00t:

Only a few more chapters to go, and this story is finished. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it looks good. ;)

Thanks to :iconmyah5000: for betaing for me, as the Captain is getting ready to move.

And thanks to you all for sticking with me this long and being patient. I appreciate it more than you know.

Chapter One: [link]
Chapter Two: [link]
Chapter Three: [link]
Chapter Four: [link]
Chapter Five: [link]
Chapter Six: [link]
Chapter Seven: You are here.
Chapter Eight: [link]
Chapter Nine: [link]
Chapter Ten: [link]

Bonus: For Tokka Week Three, I wrote a short scene for Toph that takes place at the end of this chapter. Check it out here: [link]
© 2009 - 2024 Leona629
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90skid67's avatar
I loved this line: No matter how bad she felt or what kind of mood she was in, Sokka would always be able to make her smile.

And this line: He sat back against his pillows and stared at the ceiling, still thinking about Toph, still hearing her laugh.