WARS AND WALKING

Chapter Three: Walking Together

Most people walk together because they're alike. We… weren't alike.

We fell into step with each other, the strengthening sound of synchronized footsteps signaling that neither of us was alone. The wind found its way through the trees to swirl around us, a hardship and a blessing. We plowed through the wind, side by side, and we were united as friends in our efforts against it. As we prepared to fight a force much stronger than wind, each of us knew that the other thought back to earlier that evening…

"Toph. Please, wait."

A slow turn. "But you're right. I'm terrible at relationships. I'll admit that I like making people mad. I like causing pain, and I don't care about others. So I don't have honor." Sadness. Downcast eyes.

"Uh, well, I'm sure you do, uh, have honor… somehow. Um, right?" Awkwardness.

A small smile that fades quickly. "Well I suppose my definition of honor could have been off, but that doesn't mean much. I'm probably not going to treat people any better because that just isn't who I am." More sadness.

"Well, um, my uncle – you, uh, know him I think – would say, um, 'Who you are is as fickle as, um, a broken tea kettle on the stove. The tea isn't going to be as hot or as, uh, good if the kettle is broken because the tea won't stay inside. And, um, that's like identity because we have to stay inside too – inside of our, uh, comfort zones'." Uncertainty.

A chuckle. "Iroh probably wouldn't have said it like that. But I get it. A part of honor is being true to yourself. So I guess I've got some after all."

A nod. A smile. A frown. Furrowed eyebrows. "I think that's the part of honor I was searching for. My identity. I always thought that I'd find myself, my purpose, when my father accepted me, but now I know that my purpose is to fight my father with you and Aang and Katara and Sokka. I've finally found myself. I've finally found my place: here, with everyone. With a team. Because, despite what I used to think, no one can do everything alone. Sometimes, even leaders need guides." A brotherly look.

Confusion. "So you're saying that we have to stick together?"

"Of course. We're at war. I can't move faster than someone else on my team or I'll be defeated. You can't move slower than someone else on your team or they'll be defeated. If we can move together as a team, no one will be defeated but our enemies."

We continued forcing our way through the wind, each of us matching the other's stride and finding comfort in the knowledge that the other was there. War happened. People divided; friendships were lost. People walked too fast or too slow because of their differences, but others found the strength to walk as a team. Most people walk together because they're alike. We walk together because we're different.