Hey guys!
Sorry the last one wasn’t very fluffy, but do not despair. It will be soon.
I know I say this every time, but I really am grateful for all your encouragements. You guys are the best :D
I really hope you enjoy my story as much as I enjoy writing it.
-Ellie
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Sokka sat on a boulder slowly rubbing the soles of his feet. The long hike through the forest had tired him out. He’d regretted their decision only an hour into the trek, but they’d been walking for a day now and Sokka was on the verge of suggesting they turn back.
In Appa’s saddle, both boys had agreed to find the hideout on foot. Jets lair was too well-camouflaged to be seen from the air and the only clues to its whereabouts were animal traps on the ground and the pink vines dangling from the trees.
But they’d seen neither on their journey and Aang was starting to feel the same way as the Water Tribe boy. He felt despair crashing down on him as he realised they’d have to come up with a different way of finding Katara. Aang and Sokka had spent hours trying to figure out what had happened to her, but they hadn’t managed to come up with any ideas. They couldn’t even be sure she had been taken.
If he was honest, Aang would have much preferred it if she had left them. It would hurt more, but it would mean she was partly safe. He couldn’t stand to imagine her stuck somewhere with her kidnapper. A shiver ran up the Avatar’s spine and he shook his head.
Enough. Thinking like this wouldn’t help her.
Aang turned sharply to the teenager behind him. “Come on,” he said. “If we haven’t seen a sign after an hour, then I’ll call Appa. But we can’t give up yet.”
Sokka looked up and nodded wearily. He’d been thinking the same thing.
Groaning, the Water Tribe Boy stood up. Greenery stretched in every direction, making him slightly dizzy. It was hard for Sokka to get used to the freedom after living in the snowy plains of the Southern Water Tribe for 15 years. He’d grown up surrounded by white and bits of blue. Despite having travelled with Aang for so long, he still couldn’t help marvelling at all the life so obviously bursting from the trees.
In a way, he envied Jet at his isolation. He was always so far above everything. It was a great advantage.
Aang watched Sokka staring wide-eyed at the forest surrounding them, and wondered if Katara had had the same reaction the first time she’d seen trees. Growing up in the mountains, there had been less greenery than here, but he had seen forests before. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for them living in such a barren landscape, seeing the same people over and over again. How boring. He wondered what they’d done for fun.
Taking a mental note to ask Katara to teach him how to play Southern Water Tribe games, Aang started walking again, Sokka following closely behind.
Neither wanted to admit the obvious: they might never find Jet’s hideout again. It was too awful to even think about. Sokka’s basic hunting skills weren’t enough to track his sister’s abductor, and even Appa wasn’t much help. Whoever was able to take Katara must have been clever enough to hide where you can’t see them from above.
Both tried to keep their minds off Katara as they pushed further and further into the dense forest, each losing a little hope with every step.
***
There was no warning. One minute they were alone, the next they were surrounded.
Sokka put a reassuring hand on Aang’s shoulder and they both raised their hands in surrender.
“Well, well, well,” said a familiar voice behind them. “Wasn’t expecting to see you two again.”
“Jet,” Aang nodded towards the dark-haired boy coming towards them. They might have to work together, but that didn’t mean Aang was going to trust him. The time for that had been and gone.
“And to what do we owe the pleasure, Avatar?” Jet said, his speech a little stunted by the grass he kept chewing on.
What had Katara seen in him?
“We need your help.”
