The Sea of Ice (Sun and Moon Book 2)

Chapter 26 - The Strongest Bender

"The dreams are getting worse. You have to go soon! Please, Katara." I have never seen Toph beg, and it's not a pretty sight. She's REALLY worried about Aang. I can't imagine what it must be like to have those dreams.

I don't understand why it's Toph who's having them, but...

"I'll leave right now, Toph." I swing my bag over my shoulder to prove my point. Toph nods; her fingers twitch and her brows are creased. I frown. She's not getting enough sleep at night.

"Hey dad?"

"Yes Katara?" My dad smiles at me worridly, his beads clinking as he turns toward me.

"Can you see if GranGran will make something to help Toph sleep?" I speak quietly, hoping Toph won't hear me. If she does, she gives no sign of it. Dad puts a hand on my arm. "I will. You be careful, Katara. I don't want to lose you again."

"You won't. I promise." I hug him tightly, then head outside. Sokka and Suki stand in the courtyard, petting Appa. I pull them into a group hug, but something is off.

"I'll be fine, guys. Don't worry about me."

"It's not that. I know you can take care of yourself, Katara."

"Then what is it, Sokka?" I frown at him. I don't know how much more worry I can take.

"We..." he looks at Suki, takes her hand. She nods encouragingly, and I open my mouth to say something else. But Sokka's next words freeze me in place.

"We know about Zuko. And we know about Lia."

"W-what?" I shake my head wildly--that's impossible. No one knows! Suki takes my hand. "Katara, we're your family. We want you to be happy."

I laugh harshly. "And you think HE'S going to make me happy? Yeah, right." I shake my head. "Look, I'm grateful for the concern, but it's really none of your business." I can see that I've hurt them; Sokka flinches back, and Suki frowns. I feel my heart soften a little.

"I get that you're worried, but it's a minor problem considering what's happening with Aang. What happened between me and Zuko is long over, okay? Don't worry about it." I smile brightly, even though a part of me knows that I'm lying. How can I say it's 'over' when I still hate him so much?

Sokka looks relieved. "Oh, good. Then this won't be a problem."

"What won't?" Instead of answering me, my brother just hugs me again. I frown at him, but a sudden rush over my skin freezes whatever I was about to say. I turn around slowly, to see HIM standing behind me.

He's dressed head to toe in furs, like me, and he carries a pack over one shoulder.

No. Ohhhhhh NO.

This is NOT happening. I'm not going ANYWHERE with--

"So, we ready to go?" He doesn't meet my eyes, but I glare anyway. "WE are not going anywhere. I am going to get Aang. YOU are staying here."

I cross my arms, and Sokka sighs behind me. "You can't go by yourself, Katara."

"So, send Master Paku, or--"

"That's what I said." Zuko butts in, and to my surprise he's also glaring at Sokka. "But next to Azula and my Uncle, I'm the strongest firebender in the world. And you're the strongest waterbender. Twila said even Aang would have trouble, and he's the Avatar. We'll need both our elements to survive."

"But I'm not the strongest waterbender!"

"Then who is?"

"Li--" I freeze. I almost said her name. To HIM.

"Li..."

"Let's. I said let's. As in, let's just get going." I turn on my heel, ignoring his suspicious look. How could I be so stupid?!

Sokka has a sled waiting for us, and I climb into it, waiting impatiently. "COME ON." I glare at him, and he sighs as he climbs into the sled with me. As he settles himself in, he mutters something that sounds like 'this is gonna be a long trip'.

I glare at him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing. I thought you wanted to get going?"

With a huff, I throw my arms back, causing the snow around us to push the sled forward. Neither of us speaks for a long time.

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