The Thief |Sokka

PART II

Five years later

In the middle of what once used to be a courtyard, beneath a tree, a woman sat. Her back was facing the tree and she was looking straight at the most breathtaking view that had ever existed; the sight of dawn breaking out in between the mountains, the initial purple fading away to give its place to blinding light. Only she wasn't seeing it, for her eyes were closed. She was breathing in slowly, deep breaths, inhale after exhale, deep in her meditation. She was dressed in simple clothes consisting of yellow and scarlet hues, her long, thick, dark hair falling to her back without a single ripple. The shortest of her strands rested on her forehead, moving with the gentle breeze of the wind and occasionally briefly hiding the blue arrow that stopped on her forehead. It was an arrow that started there and found exit at her legs and hands, covering all the length of her body. An arrow that instantly let anyone watching know who was standing before them.

Her focus didn't waver as the sun rose even more, burning brightly enough anyone would have shielded their eyes at the light. She didn't even move when a flying lemur flew over to her and perched itself on her shoulder and then proceeded to curl its tail around her neck. Not even when something stood in front of the sun and blocked her from receiving its light. She only fidgeted when a person spoke.

"We've got to go."

She slowly blinked her eyes open even as she did not lose her position, deep, grey eyes peering up at the person who had stolen her light with curiosity. Before she had the chance to ask, he was handing her over a piece of parchment.

"Zuko's asking us to be at the palace of the Fire Nation on the eve of the anniversary of the war," he explained as she reached up to take the parchment and read on her own. "If that's to happen, we need to get moving. The Fire Nation capital is on the other side of the world."

"So we are to leave the temple," she mused softly as she reached the end of the letter and handed it back to him. "It seems like Zuko's worried. You haven't heard anything, have you?"

"Nothing at all," he assured her as he moved back and headed over to where a sky bison was resting, still sleeping even though all other members of the company were awake. "I imagine we will find out once we get there."

She still didn't shift as she watched him get ready. "Are you certain he means for me to be there?"

"Everyone knows by now that wherever I go you go, Jaya," he sent her a look. "Hadn't we already established you are the official representative of the Air Nomads?"

She laughed softly as she fluidly stood up, not jostling the flying lemur that seemed content to rest against her side even though she was moving.

"Fine, Aang, I yield. Perhaps they should consider sending me a separate letter, then. It's not guaranteed I will always be by your side."

"Yes, but until then-"

He cut himself off, his lips breaking into a wide smile. Jaya looked to where he was looking only to see a messenger hawk flying over. It landed on the tree beside her and outstretched the letter to her. The moment she took it, it flew off. Jaya watched it for a moment longer before she opened the letter.

"Do you think it's Teo? He told me he would be sending me something." Aang remained silent as she finally read the letter in her hands. Her face instantly broke into a smile. "It's not Teo. It seems like Zuko has thought of everything."

Aang laughed and headed for his sky bison. "That's settled then. We're both going to the Fire Nation."

There was no use protesting any more. Jaya took another look around at the Air Temple they now had to leave behind and headed after him. It was a long journey until they would reach the Fire Nation. It was better they left as soon as possible.