Sakura Beifong

Underground

And here is our next chapter! Enjoy it!

...

Normal pov

The group landed gracefully on the palace grounds, the sunlight glinting off the gilded rooftops. Despite the serene exterior, tension crackled in the air, a harbinger of the chaos brewing within. Toph was the first to slide off Appa's saddle, immediately planting her bare feet on the ground. Her hands rested on her hips as she tilted her head, her unseeing eyes focusing intently, a confident smirk appearing on her lips.

"Well, what do you know, there's an underground beneath the palace."

Sakura dismounted next, and joined Toph as she crouched down and pressed her palm to the earth. Her emerald eyes narrowed in concentration as she tried to sense the layers below them, the vibrations were faint but clear, resonating like distant echoes, before standing up and spoke.

"Toph is right, but it's really deep. It's going to take forever to get down there. It's better if we split up."

Sokka nodded in agreement, his expression serious as he stepped forward, scratching his chin thoughtfully before he looked around and began to explain.

"You're right, we really should split up. Aang will go with Iroh and Sakura to save Katara and the angry jerk."

Sakura's eye twitched at the mention of "angry jerk." Her patience with Sokka's barbs had worn thin over the course of their journey, and this one pushed her over the edge. She was still in a bad mood, and Sokka was making it worse each time he says something bad about Zuko. She fixed him with a sharp glare as she warned him.

"Sokka, watch it."

Sokka's face paled slightly, and he held up his hands defensively, knowing that if he keeps saying bad things about Zuko she will punch him without mercy. He stammered a quick "No offense", nervously laughing, but his voice was betraying his attempt to defuse her irritation, and Iroh chuckled a bit before shaking his head, his calm demeanor diffusing the tension as he gave a smile.

"None taken."

Sokka cleared his throat, visibly relieved, and continued to speak, but carefully this time, not wanting to anger Sakura further, and tried to ignore that Jet and Toph was smirking at him of how tense he was around Sakura.

"Toph and Jet will come with me to warn the Earth King about Azula's coup."

The group nodded in agreement, their determination solidifying. Without wasting another moment, they split up, each team heading toward their respective missions. Aang, Sakura, and Iroh moved swiftly toward the palace grounds, where the vibrations of the underground were strongest. Using their earth bending, Aang and Sakura worked in tandem to open a narrow tunnel, descending deeper with each step. The earthy scent of the underground grew stronger, the air cooler as they ventured further. At first, the descent was quiet, save for the sound of shifting stone and their steady breathing. The silence was heavy, almost awkward, until Aang glanced at Iroh with a sheepish grin.

"So... I hear Toph said you can give good advice, and make great tea!"

Iroh chuckled warmly, his expression brightening at the compliment, obviously moved that Aang's words, Sakura smiled at that, but she said nothing as she and Aang moved their hands in unison, the ground trembling beneath their feet as the stone parted to reveal a narrow tunnel leading downward. The scent of earth and stone filled the air as the passage took shape, the dim light from above barely penetrating its depths.

"Toph is too kind, but yes, tea and wisdom are two things I hold dear. Tell me young Avatar, what's on your mind?"

"Well, you see, I met a Guru who could help me master the Avatar State and gain incredible power. But... to do that, I have to let go of someone I love. And I just... I just couldn't."