The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 25 - The Things He Doesn't Know

Awww, guys!! Okay, I'mma get mushy for a minute. You guys are amazing!!! Thank you so much to everyone who has read, commented, and/or voted on my stories! I'm running out of ways to tell you guys that you're amazing, but you really are! You guys inspire me to keep writing, even when I feel like sometimes my stories aren't that great, you guys always prove me wrong. Thanks so much! I'd be nothing without you guys, you know that right?

*wipes away tears*

Okaaaay now that that's over.. 0.o on to the chapter!

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I frown at Uncle and take the paper from him. "What's going... on..." my words trail off as I read the words written in Sokka's handwriting.

'Katara- Aang is in danger. Please come as quickly as you can--we have to go to Araden and get him back before something terrible happens! I'm sending Appa so you can get here fast. He hurt one of his legs so he's a little slow--Hawkie will probably get there before him. Be gentle with Appa, but hurry!

-Toph'

I feel my heartbeat quicken, and raise my eyes to meet Uncle's. His expression is troubled, but there's something else going on, I can feel it. Didn't Twila say Aang was the only one capable of surviving the journey? How are we supposed to go to Araden when we don't even know where it is?

Toph can barely see in the city, she'll be completely blind that deep into the Pole. But I can't worry about that now. If Toph says Aang is in danger then she's probably right--Toph doesn't do anything without a good reason.

Suddenly I feel Uncle's warm hands on mine--I look down to see him gently pry my fingers apart. I'd been crushing the letter without even realizing it.

"When will you leave?"

"You aren't coming?"

"The Deep Pole is no place for a little girl. Someone has to stay with Allia."

I frown. I don't like the idea of leaving her here without me--I stop myself. Isn't this what I wanted? A way out without hurting her?

I nod to Uncle. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Then I run up to my room to pack--and to tell my daughter that I'll be gone for awhile.

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"I understand why you sent for Katara, but she's never going to agree to go! You should just let me ask Master Paku and--"

"No, Zuko. It has to be Katara. She's the strongest waterbender in the world."

The three friends--Sokka, Zuko, and Toph--walked along a balcony, all of them wrapped in Water Tribe furs. Even now, at the start of summer, it was cold in the South Pole. Zuko sighed. "Sokka, you don't understand, she hates me."

"Why does she hate you?" Toph sounded confused. "She's barely met you! You guys haven't talked since... ever." The blind girl frowned. "Why is that?"

"It's complicated. Trust me, she's never going to agree to go with me."

"Well she'll have to. I'm not going to let her say no." Sokka said, determined. Zuko put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Sokka, I appreciate what you're trying to do." His amber eyes told the Water Tribe boy that Sokka wasn't fooling him. The attempt at matchmaking was obvious.

"But I KNOW Katara. She won't go. Not with me."

"Then you don't know her as well as you think you do, Zuko."

Toph stomped her foot. "Hey, confused earthbender here! What's the problem? What'd you do to her, Sparky?"

"It's... complicated."