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Tokka: Sword in the Forest, Chapter 7

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Wulong Wadi

"Let's take the day off. Seems counterproductive considering how much we still have to cover I know, but I would rather give your foot time to heal than risk infection."

Sokka was adamant with his proposal. Toph was to spend the day off her foot.

"I could sense metal while on the boat. Even if I have to wear boots I'll be able to spot your sword. So just give me your extra pair of boots and let's go!"

In her concentration the hunks of airship had stood out to her like beacons in the mist. She might rely on her "additional" sense most of the time but she was confident she could be useful today.

After all, other blind people get along just fine. I can be competent human being even without my earthbending thank you very much!

"Your foot still hurts. Look, you're walking with a limp."

"A small limp and I can take the pain. I won't be walking on anything if I have your boots."

"Even though they're waterproof I'm not too sure a sweat filled boot is the most hygienic place for an injured foot to be, plus you'll have no idea where you are! You'll just… be wandering into stuff the entire day!"

Now that hurt.

"I am more than capable of walking without being barefoot Sokka! I've crawled in a forest, alone, when Zuko burned my feet remember?"

"Well, I guess that's kind of my point. You had to resort to crawling, using your hands to instead of your feet."

"That's because I couldn't walk on my feet! Not because I needed to use my hands."

"Did you or did you not use your hands as a substitute for your feet when that happened?"

This was an argument she was losing. She had to think of something, another reason it would be ok to continue the search. She didn't want to be stuck at camp all day, bored out of her wits.

"It won't be half as bad as you think. For someone who brags about being smart you aren't considering one key factor."

"And what would that be?"

"You."

"What?"

"You, Snoozles. As long as you're there you won't have to worry about me getting lost or hurt like you're my parents or something."

"I don't know…"

"Come on! It'll be like old times. We'll lock arms and romp around this place."

"Hmf…alright. But we're turning back at the first sign of trouble."

"If you see trouble just tell me where to chuck a boulder."

A bit over half an hour was spent preparing for the day's expedition. With a change of pants Toph was able to properly stuff Sokka's boots and make them work. Sokka stored any and all supplies he thought they would need in his rucksack along with another peculiar item.

"What's that in your other hand? A fishing pole? Some weird spear?"

She couldn't quite make out what it was Sokka was holding. It felt like a relatively long stick with some weird cloth or paper surrounding it.

"It's something we'll probably find useful considering the area we'll be searching today."

"Where exactly are we going?"

"West, to Wulong Wadi."

"What's a Wadi?"

"Um, I guess you could describe it as a gorge that occasionally fills with water. Though considering the time of year and what I saw flying over the area, there should only be a few pools."

As the sun crept up the two made their way west through the swamp. At Sokka's request, whenever the water was more than puddle Toph would bend a short, thin, bridge as to not risk getting her feet plastered in swamp sludge. They eventually made it past the trees and arrived at the entrance to the canyon. With no trees to obstruct it, the yellow sun now beat down on the pair.

"I knew this would come in handy." Sokka said as he undid the lace on the item Toph hadn't been able to identify. Putting his hand under its wrapping, Toph heard a clicking noise before Sokka swung it back over his shoulder and the two were suddenly under shade.

"An umbrella? Your big secret was an umbrella?"

"What can I say? I am a man of many mysterie-Ouch!"

Toph hit him in the arm before leaning closer in. He was a goofball, but he was her goofball.

The day went on and the two strolled through the gorge. Every so often Sokka would point out any odd fact he knew about the flora and fauna or make an observation about the geography.

"Hear that hissing sound? I'm not sure if you can tell but there is steam coming from several crevasses around the area. I've also seen steam coming from the pools we've passed, looks like this place is a hot spring."

It was like a dream a come true. A nearly identical scenario had played out in her mind only days ago when she thought of them in Republic City. It was a glimpse into all the future had in store for them, though the present felt good enough.

"We'll take have lunch here. I'll also change the dressing on your wound while we're at it."

Sokka had selected a place near three hot springs, two were small and nearly touching each others' edges while the largest one was located at the bottom of a slope several feet below. He took off his rucksack and began to take out a pick nick. Toph took off her boots and wiggled her toes.

"I don't suppose our break can also include a dip in the hot springs?"

"I would say no, since we don't know how hot these hot springs are or if they might contain some type of toxic substance or killer fish or-"

Toph had already begun her confident stride over to the pools.

"Toph…Toph don't do anything brash!"

Toph knelt down near the spring and dipped a pinky finger in a bit. After a moment she stood back up and declared, "Feels good to me," before striding back to the pick nick site.

Sokka sighed. "Well it looks like your limp has cleared up. I'll change bandages after your little swim, but if you get eaten or your skin melts off don't blame me!"

Toph stripped down to her undergarments and eased her way into one of the smaller pools.

"Ahhh. Come on in, waters fine!"

Sokka had his head down as he tried to busy himself with studying the maps he had brought.

"No thanks. I'm hot enough dry thank you."

"I remember someone saying hot springs could have holistic properties. Perhaps bathing in this could help heal my foot faster."

"Yes well, pardon me for not trusting the hearsay in your vague memory. Besides I'm not the one who is hurt. Maybe it's the exact opposite and you should get out of there right now."

"Nah, I'll take the risk. Besides it's nice to get all the swamp stink off me."

This little revelation did peak Sokka's interest.

"Well, maybe just a little while."

Sokka stripped down till only one article of clothing remained and entered the small hot spring that was several inches above and adjacent to Toph's. An aura of relaxation overtook him as hot water soothed his weary muscles.

"Feels good, don't it?"

"Sure does Rocky, sure does."

"Just watch out for the lava worms at the bottom."

"What!?"

"Just giving you a hard time Snoozles."

The two simmered down as the springs washed away the stresses of their journey. Mist swirled around as the heat of the sun competed with the spring for dominance. All in all, this had been the most enjoyable part of the journey yet. The opportunity that this particular moment presented wasn't lost to one Toph Beifong. She began to swim laps from one end of her small spring to the other.

"Hey Sokka, get over here, I want a race."

Sokka was relaxing at the edge where their springs came closest when he responded, "Mmm, no thanks, I'm good right here."

"That wasn't a request."

She placed her back to the spring's edge and let her harms relax outside the water. With a kick of the heel of her good foot she collapsed the earth that had been separating her and Sokka's pools.

"Ahg" * Glurp!* "AAH!"

Were the sounds Sokka made as the rush of water sent him spiraling into Toph's domain.

"Are you crazy!? I could have hit my head, broken a bone, drowned, or all three!"

"Cool it warrior of the water tribe. You need to have more faith in me."

"Hey I have faith in you. I have faith that you'll find my sword right? I just think you're a bit reckless."

"Well if you want me to continue doing that I want you to race me."

"In this small pool?"

"No in the big one."

"Ok fine, just be careful not to slip as you climb down."

"Who said anything about climbing?"

"Well it's a slope, I'm not sure how- oh boy."

Toph focused herself and balled both her hands into fists. Placing both fists in front of her, she drew them back in circular motion before thrusting them forward with force. Her efforts produced a half-cylinder impression from their pool to the large spring below. As the smaller body of water quickly drained into its new home Toph let herself be pulled by the rush and slid down with a thrill-seeking holler. Sokka had tried to brace himself but found every surface to be too wet and slippery, eventually being pulled into a less than graceful descent.

*SPLASH* *SPLASH*

The two landed into their new pool. Toph found her way to the surface first, laughing as she breached the water.  Sokka quickly followed, spewing out water like a fountain before sputtering his disapproval.

"You are crazy! Do you realize how dangerous that was!? We could have had our skin scrapped off as we slid down that thing! You're blind! What if after diving you swam to the bottom instead of to the top? Come to think of it, you used to hate water! And who taught you to swim!?"

"Quit your whining, you sound like your sister."

Sokka's face became dejected at the comparison.

"Oh, that's low Toph, real low."

Eventually Sokka did calm down and agree to a few races across the spring. He was quite surprised when Toph beat him every time. As the two of them rested at the side of the pool, curiosity got to him and he decided to ask once more.

"So, seriously, when did swimming become your thing? I seem remember you having quite a different attitude about it before, especially considering that time you almost, you know, drowned."

Toph took a moment before answering.

"Well…I guess that's exactly why. Water was another place where I was helpless; another big void to be afraid of. It was another item that went on the big list of things to be minded while around Toph Beifong. It's no secret that I don't like to be pitied or feel weak. And when there is something I can do to change such perceptions, both real and imagined, I'll do them. In this case I learned how to swim, so now I don't fear water."

"Oh, I see. Makes sense."

A solemn look came over Sokka.

"I suppose I should say I'm sorry then."

"Hu?"

"Looking back I have been a bit…protective of you on this little adventure."

"Hm, maybe just a bit but don't sweat it."

"I mean I didn't like the idea of you even getting in a hot spring."

"Well these are small, shallow, hot spring. I mean if it was a rapid stream or the middle of a lake, someplace where I couldn't use my bending, your worrying would be a completely different-"

"I just want you to know I do think you're capable of handling yourself."

"Stop. Stop. You're getting all sappy."

"It's the truth. You don't need me coddling you."

"Hmf, well to tell the whole truth. Sometimes I might need somebody to pull in the reins."

"Someone like me?"

"More like only you, Snoozles."

The two shared a laugh in the hot vapor.

"In that case I'm going to insist we go soon. I'm not sure if the condition of "soaking wet" is good for you injury, which I still need to redress by the way. We also want to finish our search and be back at camp before it gets too dark."

"Alright, alright. Just give me another minute or two."

Toph poised both her feet on the pool's wall before launching herself outward. Sokka made some remarks but she didn't hear him over the water. As she drifted to the pond's center she let her mind wander.

This trip wasn't turning out half bad. They both might have grown up a bit, but he was still himself and she was still herself. What she had said she believed, and meant more to her than he probably knew. If she was to be coddled, there would be only one person with that privilege. As she floated in the liquid emptiness, she felt no fear, for if anything were to happen she knew who would rescue her. It wouldn't be Suki this time, it would Sokka.

With that knowledge she closed her sightless eyes, took a deep, calm, breath, and let herself sink.
Chapter 7. Hot Springs, of course that was going to be in here! What did you think you were reading?

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