*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ MIRACULUM ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ A GAME OF CAT-DEER
AND MOUSE ❫ ❞

⋆ 🌪. CHAPTER SIXTEEN ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ 112 a.a ─── book two: earth

BY MIDDAY THE GROUP HAD LANDED ONCE AGAIN TO SET UP CAMP. THE SUNLIGHT filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground as they unpacked their gear with eager enthusiasm.

"Hey, you guys picked a great campsite," Toph said, wiggling her toes into the surprisingly soft ground. "The grass feels amazing!"

Uki, who had been exploring the area with a skeptical eye, scrunched her nose in distaste. "That's not grass, Toph."

Sokka, looking less than thrilled, chimed in, "Appa's shedding again. It's just his fur all over the place."

Katara, noticing the tufts of fur clinging to her leg, gagged and attempted to flick the offending strands off with a disgusted grimace. "Ugh, that's so gross!"

Uki laughed, shaking head.

Aang, tried to salvage the situation and smiled innocently at the waterbender. "It's not gross, Katara! It's just a part of spring. You know, rebirth, flowers blooming, and Appa getting a new coat!" He grinned, clearly delighted by the natural cycle as a bird perched on his head.

"Ah, the beauty of spring," Katara said dryly, her sarcasm evident as she flicked away another strand of fur.

At that moment, Appa let out a tremendous sneeze, sending a thick cloud of fur into the air. Katara flailed her arms, trying to shield herself from the onslaught of airborne fluff. "Stop! Appa, stop! Ugh!"

Uki spluttered, waving the thick tufts out of her hair with a groan—the boys however seemed more amused—and in true teenage boy fashion, delighted to joke around with it.

Sokka turned around with a smirk, revealing a wig made entirely of Appa's fur perched atop his head. "It makes a great wig!" he said, clearly proud of his new look.

Katara, still brushing fur off her clothes, shook her head with a small smile. "I'm just glad we finally have another girl in the group because you two are disgusting."

Uki held back her laughter as she noted Toph gathering tufts of fluff from the ground.

"Excuse me, does anyone have a razor?" Toph interrupted with a dramatic flair, pulling up her sleeves to reveal clumps of fur stuffed inside. "Because I've got some seriously hairy pits!"

The group burst into laughter, their mirth echoing through the clearing. Even Katara, despite her earlier complaints, let out a slight chuckle as she watched her antics with a mix of amusement and resignation.

Nudging her shoulder with Katara's Uki spoke: "Let's go see if we can gather something to eat."

Katara nodded in agreement, and the two set off into the woods, their footsteps rustling softly against the underbrush. The air was filled with the earthy scent of damp leaves and the distant sound of birds chirping. As they walked, they kept an eye out for anything edible—berries hidden among the bushes, or perhaps some wild herbs to make some fresh tea.

After gathering a decent amount of firewood and a small collection of ripe berries, they stumbled upon a clear, sparkling river. The water flowed gently over smooth stones, creating a soothing melody that filled the air. Uki's eyes lit up at the sight, and she quickly rolled up her sleeves.

"I'll see if I can catch us some fish," she said, already focusing on the river, her stance becoming more purposeful.

Katara smiled, watching Uki as she concentrated on the water, her movements fluid and precise.

Uki's hands moved with practiced ease, creating a gentle current that guided a few fish toward the shallows. With a quick, graceful motion, she lifted a couple of fish out of the water, their silver scales gleaming in the sunlight.

"Nice catch," Katara complimented, holding up the basket of berries and firewood they had gathered earlier.

Uki grinned as she set the fish down. "Thanks! This should make for a good meal tonight," she replied, wiping her brow with the back of her hand.

She glanced up at the sky, noticing the sun slowly dipping beneath the horizon, casting warm hues of orange and pink across the landscape.

"Looks like we've been out here longer than I thought," Uki remarked. "Let's get back before it gets too dark."

Katara nodded in agreement, gathering up the firewood and berries while Uki carefully picked up the fish. The two of them began making their way back to the campsite, the path through the woods now bathed in the soft, fading light of dusk. The air had grown cooler, and the sounds of the forest seemed to shift with the approaching night, the rustling of leaves and distant calls of animals adding to the atmosphere.

Upon returning to the campsite, Uki greeted Sokka, Aang and Toph with a smile. "Dinner's here," she announced, dropping the fish beside Sokka and Aang.

Without missing a beat, she knelt down and began skinning the fish, her hands moving skilfully as she prepared the evening meal as Sokka started on making a fire—already drooling at the thought of the roasted fish awaiting him.

"So, Toph, usually when we set up camp, we try to divide up the work," Katara's voice rang out, her tone light but purposeful.

Toph, however, just shrugged casually, her expression unfazed. "Hey, don't worry about me. I'm good to go."

Katara pressed on, determined to include Toph in their routine. "Well, actually, what I'm trying to say is that some of us might fetch water, while someone else might set up the fire pit, or put up the tent." She paused as Momo fluttered over, dropping a handful of berries into her outstretched hand. "Even Momo does his fair share."

But Toph remained indifferent, crossing her arms over her chest. "Katara, I'm fine. I can carry my own weight. I don't need a fire—I've already collected my own food." She patted her bag, which was filled with various items she had seemingly taken from her home. "And look, my tent's all set up."

With a quick stomp of her foot, Toph created a small, sturdy tent made entirely of rock, the structure rising effortlessly from the ground. She smirked, clearly pleased with herself.

Katara, on the other hand, was less impressed. "Well, that's great for you, but we still need to finish—" she started, but was cut off as Toph snapped back.

"I don't understand what the problem is!" Toph's frustration was clear, her tone sharp.

Katara, taken aback, waved her hands dismissively. "Never mind," she muttered under her breath, deciding it wasn't worth pushing further. She turned back to help Uki with the fish, the tension lingering in the air.

The evening continued mostly uneventful, as they ate together besides the fire— Toph, seated a little apart from the group, enjoyed her own meal, seemingly content with her solitude. As the night deepened, the group began to wind down, with only a few small chores left to complete.

Aang was perched on a high boulder, carefully lifting Appa's saddle from the skybison's back—and accidentally on Sokka who had groan out in pain.

"Sorry, Sokka!" Aang called down, wincing as he realized what had happened. Sokka, sprawled out on the ground.

Nearby, Katara carried a large jug of water, her gaze drifting toward Toph, who had settled into her makeshift tent of earth and stone. Katara's brows furrowed in thought as she watched Toph.

Uki grimaced from where she had been going through their supplies, neatly checking and repacking all their bags.

Taking a deep breath, Katara set the jug down and walked over to Toph. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Hey, Toph, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I think we're all just a little tired and getting on each other's nerves."

Toph, lounging comfortably in her earth tent, glanced up at Katara. "Yeah, you do seem pretty tired," she replied, her tone casual and nonchalant.

Ah-oh...

Katara's brow furrowed slightly. "I meant all of us," she corrected, feeling a flicker of irritation return.

But Toph was already leaning back, dismissing the conversation. "Well, goodnight," she said, her voice calm and indifferent.

"Goodnight," Katara replied stiffly.

Uki patted Katara's back as the younger girl passed her. "Just give it a little time Katara—she'll get the hang of it, I'm sure."

Katara sighed, but nodded before rolling down her bedroll and laying down.

Uki, having put the last bag away, still felt quite awake, moved her own bedroll closer to the warmth of the fire and pulled out the scroll from her satchel. Her finger's brushed over the neatly written name of Atka, as if her touch would reveal all its secrets.

She sighed, peering up at the sky where the moon was shining down upon her.

Warmth filled her. "Still looking out for me Yue?" She whispered quietly.

The wind brushed through her hair and Uki smiled. "Thank you."

UKI SHOT UP, HER HEART POUNDING AS TOPH'S LOUD CRY PIERCED THE STILNISS OF THE NIGHT. DISORIENTED, SHE quickly wiped the sleep from her eyes and turned toward the earthbender, who was crouched low, her hand pressed firmly against the ground, her face tense with concentration.

"There's something coming toward us!" Toph shouted, her voice urgent.

"What is it?" Aang asked, his eyes wide with concern as he scrambled to his feet.

Toph's brow furrowed deeply as she focused on the vibrations beneath her hand. "It feels like an avalanche, but... not exactly," she replied, her voice tinged with confusion and unease.

Uki's frown mirrored Toph's as a sense of dread began to gnaw at her. Her instincts kicked in, and she quickly began to gather her things, rolling up her bedroll with swift, practiced movements. She glanced at the campfire, its low flames casting eerie shadows, and kicked dirt onto it to smother the light.

"Your powers of perception are frightening," Sokka quipped dryly.

"Should we leave?" Katara asked, her tone laced with worry as she looked between Uki and Aang for guidance.

"Better safe than sorry," Aang decided, his voice steady but filled with urgency. The rest of the group immediately sprang into action, hastily packing up their own bedrolls.

As they hurried to Appa, Uki cast a quick glance over her shoulder at the dark, forest, trying to spot any sign of the approaching danger. The ominous feeling in her gut only grew stronger.

With a quick yip yip, Aang guided Appa into the air, and the bison let out a low growl.

The night sky enveloped them as they soared away from their campsite, the cool wind rushing past them. As the rose higher in the sky, from the distant a large cloud of dust became clear as it rushed in their direction.

"What is that thing?" Katara murmured, blue eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"I don't know..."Uki trailed off, "But it can't be anything good."

As they continued to fly, the adrenaline began to wear off, and the exhaustion from their long day crept back in.

"We should stop Aang." Uki whispered to the boy, casting a glance at the sleeping kids behind her. "I think we are out of range of whatever that was."

The boy nodded, his own half lidded eyes drooping as he looked at her.

As they neared the earth, Uki moved quietly toward Sokka, Katara, and Toph, nudging them awake. "Come on, we're back on the ground."

"Ah, land, sweet land!" Toph exclaimed, leaping off Appa with a sense of relief. She immediately laid flat on the ground, running her hands across the dirt. "See you guys in the morning!"

"Actually, can you help us unload?" Katara asked, her voice tinged with tiredness as she began gathering their gear.

Uki, dragging her feet to a spot where she could set up her own sleeping bag, was struggling to keep her eyes open. She watched the interaction through heavy eyelids, not really wanting to get involved.

"Really? You need me to help unload Sokka's funky-smelling sleeping bag?" Toph quipped sarcastically, not moving from her spot.

Aang, still trying to shake off his weariness, handed Sokka his sleeping bag. Sokka, being Sokka, sniffed it curiously and immediately recoiled, feigning a dramatic faint.

Katara turned to Uki, seeking some support.

Uki sighed and turned to face Toph, "Toph, please, we are all tired and the quicker we unload, the sooner we all can get some rest."

Toph huffed, "I already got my stuff, I can go to sleep right now."

Uki groaned.

"Yeah, well," Katara said, her patience wearing thin as she turned to Toph, "You're part of our team now, and—"

"Look! I didn't ask you to help unload my stuff!" Toph interrupted angrily, sitting up with a scowl. "I'm carrying my own weight."

"That's not the point," Katara snapped, her frustration boiling over. "Ever since you joined us, you've been nothing but selfish and unhelpful!"

Uki pushed herself up to her feet, moving quickly to intervene between the younger girls. "Hey cut it out you two!"

"What?" Toph shot back, her voice rising in anger. "Look here, Sugar Queen, I gave up everything I had so that I could teach Aang earthbending. So don't you talk to me about being selfish!"

With a sharp stomp, Toph used her earthbending to create a solid stone tent around herself, shutting Katara out in one swift motion.

Uki rubbed her forehead, "This is going well."

"Sugar Queen?" The moment katara opened her mouth, Toph raised a final wall of earth. "Did you just slam the door in my face? How can you be so infuriating!" her voice shook with fury.

"Should we do something?" Aang asked hesitantly, glancing at Sokka as they watched Katara pounding on the stone tent.

Getting the last of their stuff from Appa, Uki turned to look at the boys "Let's just all go to sleep, everything will calm down in the morning." She assured rolling out her sleeping bag.

"I'm just enjoying the show," Sokka said with a smirk, clearly amused by the drama.

Aang, trying to defuse the situation, approached Katara gently. "Okay, okay, you both need to calm down," he said softly, hoping to soothe her.

"Both? I'm completely calm!" Katara screamed, whirling around to face Aang with a crazed look in her eyes.

Aang blinked, taken aback by her intensity, before awkwardly responding, "I can see that."

Uki couldn't help but let out a small, tired laugh at Aang's response.

A couple of minutes passed before Katara's stomped away from Toph's tent and laid down on her own sleeping bag besides Sokka, Aang and Uki. But whilst they were trying to fall back asleep—the young waterbender was still glowering.

"The stars sure are beautiful tonight. Too bad you can't see them, Toph!" Katara spoke loudly, looking over to Toph's tent.

Uki groaned, She barely had the energy to keep her eyes open, let alone mediate their argument.

Just as Uki was about to fall asleep, a sudden rumble beneath them shook the ground. A fissure shot through the earth, sending Katara flying into the air before she crashed down on top of Sokka with a yelp.

"Hey! How's a guy supposed to sleep with all this yelling and earthquaking?" Sokka grumbled, pushing his sister off him with a scowl as he rubbed his eyes.

"That thing is back!" Toph shouted as she burst out of her earth tent, her face tense and worried.

"Well, how far away is it?" Sokka asked, sounding more hopeful than realistic as he tugged his sleeping bag over his head. "Maybe we can close our eyes for just a few more minutes."

Aang stood nearby, his eyes narrowing as he watched the thick cloud of dust and smoke billowing from behind the treetops in the distance. "I don't think so, Sokka," he said, his voice tinged with concern.

Uki quickly scrambled to her feet, the lingering fatigue replaced by a surge of adrenaline. She shot a worried glance at Katara, who was already on her feet, brushing off the dirt from her clothes.

"What do you think it is?" Uki asked, her voice low, as she moved closer to the group.

"I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it's big—and getting closer," Aang replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Seriously, what is that thing?" Katara asked worriedly, gnawing on her bottom lip as Appa flew speedily away from the massive metal machine that seemed to be relentlessly following them.

"I don't know," Aang replied, determination etched on his young face. "But this time, I'm going to make sure we lose it." With that, he urged Appa to dive between two towering mountains, navigating the narrow pass with skill before landing on a small rocky plateau nestled between the peaks.

As Appa touched down, the bison stumbled and collapsed onto his side, sending everyone tumbling to the ground along with their scattered belongings.

"Okay, forget about setting up camp," Sokka groaned as he crawled out from under his sleeping bag, his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. "I'm finding the softest pile of dirt and going to sleep."

Uki followed suit, barely managing to keep her eyes open as she dragged her bedroll to a corner of the plateau. She dropped onto it with a sigh, not even bothering to unfold it, using it as a pillow instead—she was too tired to care about anything else.

"That's good because Toph wasn't going to help anyway!" Katara snapped, her frustration from earlier resurfacing.

"Oh, I didn't realize the baby still needed someone to tuck her in," Toph shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Please, just go to sleep." Uki mumbled, her voice muffled by her bedroll as she tried to block out the argument.

"Come on, guys. There's something after us, and we don't even know what or who it is," Aang reminded them, trying to calm them down before he glanced at the horizon, still unsettled by the metal behemoth they'd left behind.

"It could be Prince Zuko, we haven't seen him since the North Pole."

"Who's Zuko?" Toph asked, curious.

"Oh, just some angry freak with a ponytail who's tracked us all over the world," Sokka explained with a dismissive wave, not even lifting his head from his bedroll.

"What's wrong with ponytails, ponytail?" Katara asked mockingly, raising an eyebrow at her brother.

Uki chuckled tiredly.

"This is a warrior's wolf tail," Sokka replied defensively, gesturing to his hair with an air of wounded pride.

"Well, it certainly tells the other warriors that you're fun and perky," Katara quipped, earning a drowsy laugh from Uki.

"Anyway," Sokka grumbled, clearly unamused, "whoever's chasing us couldn't have followed us here, so now would everyone just shh?"

Momo flew toward Sokka, chittering before climbing onto Sokka's sleeping bag.

"No, Momo, shh," Sokka whispered, closing his eyes. "Sleepy time."

But Momo wasn't so easily lulled. He perked up, ears twitching as he darted to the edge of the plateau. He made a nervous sound, his eyes wide with alertness.

"Oh, don't tell me," Sokka groaned, burying his face in his hands.

Uki pushed herself up on one elbow to squint down the ravine.

"That's impossible," Aang said, shaking his head in disbelief. "There's no way they could've tracked us here."

"I can feel it with my own two feet," Toph confirmed, her expression grim as she crouched low to the ground, sensing the vibrations from the approaching threat.

Uki tried to shake off her exhaustion as she stumbled to her feet.

"Let's get out of here," Katara said nervously, already gathering her things.

"Maybe we should face them, find out who they are," Aang suggested,"Who knows, maybe they're friendly."

Uki glanced at Aang in disbelief, "I don't think so airhead."

"Always the optimist," Sokka muttered, shaking his head in exasperation as he prepared to leave.

Uki's attention returned toward the approaching danger, squinted at the figures emerging from the dust cloud as it drew nearer.

Her heart sank as recognition dawned on her. "Aren't those the girls from Omashu?" she breathed out as she took in the trio.

"We can take them, three on four," Toph said confidently, widening her stance.

"Actually, Toph, there's five of us," Sokka pointed out.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't count you," Toph replied with a hint of mischief. "You know, no bending and all."

"I can still fight!" Sokka shot back indignantly.

"Okay, three on four plus Sokka," Toph smirked as Sokka let out a frustrated noise.

Toph wasted no time, bringing up her arms to raise three tall columns of rock, hoping to slow down the approaching enemies. But the mongoose lizards the girls from Omashu rode simply leaped over the obstacles and continued to crawl forward.

"Well this don't bode well for us." Uki muttered.

"Well, we wanted to find out who they were, and now we know," Sokka said hurriedly, "Now let's get out of here!"

Uki, Sokka, Katara and Aang rushed back to a sleepy Appa while Toph attempted to buy them some time, raising a massive wall of earth in front of the oncoming girls to block their path.

But Princess Azula, simply generated a bolt of lightning that obliterated the wall, scattering rocks through the air

"Oh spirits!"

One of Azula's companions swung her arms, sending a flurry of deadly stilettos flying at Toph, who narrowly dodged them by launching herself onto Appa's back, the eartbender immediately clutching onto Uki's tunic in fear as she lost her sight again.

"Appa, yip yip!" Aang commanded, urging the bison into the air just as they narrowly avoided a blast of blue fire from Azula.

"I can't believe those girls followed us all the way from Omashu," Katara looked at them in disbelief.

"I still think we could've taken them," Toph muttered frustrated.

"Are you kidding me?" Katara retorted. "The crazy blue firebending and flying daggers are bad enough, but the last time we saw them, one of those girls did something that took our bending away. That's terrifying!"

"Oh no, the sun's rising," Sokka groaned, glancing at the horizon. "We've been up all night with no sleep!"

"Sokka, we'll be okay," Aang tried to reassure him, though he looked equally worn out.

"Are you sure?" Sokka asked, his voice tinged with panic. "I've never not slept before! What if I fall asleep now and something happens? And something always happens!"

"Every time we land, those girls are there," Katara said with a sigh. "So we'll just have to keep flying."

Aang glanced at Appa, worry etched on his face. "We can't keep flying forever," he said quietly, his concern growing as the sun rose higher, marking the start of another long, uncertain day.

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