The Thief |Sokka

NINE

Hakoda's search bore no fruit. He had looked anywhere he had thought of ever since he had separated from the rest of the company to look for Jaya who had disappeared quicker than he could ever catch a glimpse of her. He knew he must have been looking for hours now because there was a subtle ache in his legs and the light coming through the trees had changed angle. And yet, there was no sight of her. He knew he had to stop at some point, and inside he regretted he hadn't spoken with the rest of the team more to at least let them know a time they would all stop searching and return to the camp. They couldn't keep on looking for her forever and he was well aware that it was only a matter of time before the guards they had fend off returned with reinforcements now they knew both he and Jaya were in the area. And yet, those issues remained in the back of his mind for there was a problem he deemed more important; Jaya was gone and there was something she hadn't let them know.

He knew no nonbender with the strength she had seemed to demonstrate when she knocked off the guard's dagger and pushed him several meters away. He knew of no nonbender that could disappear in the blink of an eye just by running either. Which meant that she simply wasn't one. All evidence proved that she was an airbender but that made absolutely no sense for all airbenders had been wiped out by the Fire Nation a hundred years ago. He had questions, many of them, and the only person who could answer them was gone. He had to figure out where she had run off to.

Hakoda hadn't known her for long, but she had left him the impression that she wouldn't just abandon the company like this, not when they had a common goal and it was evident someone was after them. He was aware it seemed like he didn't know a thing about her and until not so long ago, she was a thief so there was probably not a single reason he should trust her, but still, he wouldn't go against his instincts. And his instincts told him she was still around. He planned on finding her.

His search had been mindless for a while now and he didn't quite realize where his feet were leading him until he could make out the edge of the forest and the remnants of a house, long since burnt to ashes. He instantly knew where he was. He followed the path that had been mostly covered by vines in the years and found himself getting to the edge, facing the house – if only he looked to the side, he would be able to see the remnants of a wooden basket that with time had almost become one with the vegetation. And there, in front of the door of the house that had long since given out, Jaya was, kneeling in front of it with her back turned to him. Hakoda looked from her to the house and instantly he knew why she had come here.

The story about the house was very much real and the girl that had escaped was not lost at all. It was right in front of him.

He swallowed and took a short step forward. Before he could step on a branch and spook her, he spoke up.

"Jaya, it's me."

For a moment, he thought her shoulders stiffened before her posture returned to normal. He took a step forward.

"We've been looking for you."

"Maybe I did not wish to be found."

Her voice was barely carried by the wind to him. Hakoda's lips turned into a frown.

"More guards will come back. We need to get out of here."

"Yeah, you should," she agreed. "Don't worry about me. You must know by now that I can outrun them any time."

He walked closer. She made no attempt to move and so he slowly lowered himself down beside her. He faced her at once, and it was only now he could make out the track the tears had made across her cheeks. His frown deepened. Still, he pushed forward.

"This was your home."

"Yes."

"And you are an airbender."