Chapter 1: Unsaid Good bye!
It has been nearly three years after the end of war. Everything was turning slowly back to normal. The world was healing. A 16 years old Aang, made occasional trips out to the different corners of the globe with his little gang to sort-out things and keep the balance of the world he saved three years ago. Katara has grown in to a beautiful 18 year old, responsible and considerate as usual. Toph, though taller, still remained the same old tomboy who would always mess around enjoying the life to the fullest. Sokka, now 20, spend more time with Suki in Kyoshi Island but was always willing to help the gang.
Currently they were Fire Lord Zuko's royal guests, enjoying the warmth of long awaited re union. Suki, Sokka, Toph, Katara, Aang and Zuko were getting back together in a calming vacation in their old house at Ember Island.
It took almost a year for Katara to realise that she care about him, but love was a different end. Aang was in denial but eventually understood. He admitted that Zuko was a better match for her. He was surprised about how Mai dealt with that so easily and walked away calmly and still be there for Zuko whenever he needed help, but as wood Zuko tell him, "when you are old enough You'll understand. She was my childhood friend and we share a bond that cannot be broken easily. We just mistook it for love". So did Aang and Katara. Though things have turned out different between Aang and Katara, they were still best of friends.
One morning Toph and Katara went on a girls' day out. Actually speaking, Katara dragged out a very bored Toph to have some quality time and try and get to her usual playful mood as Toph's being complaining about the dull sand and good for nothing tea parties. Katara's plan went well, a little too well to be precise. Katara intended to do some shopping and going to a play but Toph had a different idea of fun. So they ended up in an earth bending arena, in which the Blind-Bandit sparkled again. But unfortunately for Katara, she had been hit across the face by a large chunk of a broken boulder that Toph used to knock down her final opponent. So they marched home, Toph wearing a champion's belt and an apologetic expression as she kept 'sorrying' Katara, who had a black eye and a slight nose bleed.
"Don't worry about it" Katara assured. "I'll be fine after a couple of hours. I'll heal myself as soon as we get home. But you will have to do the cooking for today and wear whatever the dress I choose for you for the rest of the week if you are really sorry for what you did."
"Grr..." Toph groaned. "You are so evil, but OK! I guess I owe you that much."
Aang flew in as soon as they got home. He greeted the girls cheerfully before asking how their day was.
"eerr..." Toph mumbled. "Mine was better than Katara's"
"Why? What happened?" Aang asked walking towards Katara. Though Aang was a light hearted and carefree spirit, when it came down to Katara's sanity he was as much as concern as Katara was for any of them. This was something he developed after burning her palms almost four years ago.
"It's nothing Aang. I got hit by a chunk of rock over the face." Katara said turning to face him. Aang's eyes widened seeing Katara's black eye and dried blood in one nostril.
"How?" He demanded an explanation. Zuko, Sokka and Suki came hurriedly overhearing the talk going on in the living room.
"Toph wanted to fight in an earth bending tournament and we went in. During the final round I was hit by a chunk of a broken boulder that Toph used to be victorious" Katara chuckled. "It was really amazing. Just like in Earth Rumble 6. She used only three moves and this giant guy went down like a cry baby"
Aang was glaring at Toph. "How could you be so irresponsible?" He asked, anger rising in his voice.
"Relax Twinkle Toes. It was nothing major. I and Katara have agreed-" That's all Toph could managed before she felt a hard slap across her face. Everyone froze but Aang. He had just slapped his earth bending master. His anger was not yet over.
NO! He yelled. YOU ARE BEING THE IRRESPONSIBLE, SPOILED BRAT THAT YOU WILL NEVER GROW OUT OF. NO WONDER YOUR PARENTS DID NOT LET YOU OUT FOR 12 YEARS. YOU ENDANGER EVERYONE WHO IS WITH YOU JUST TO HAVE SOME FREAKING FUN!"
"Shut up Aang!" Katara shouted. "It was nothing like you make it out to be. Just a simple accident"
Aang raged out of the living room with a strong gust of wind. Sokka and Zuko ran after him. Toph just stood there, horror struck. Her left cheek was pricking with pain. Four thin fingers were clearly visible in shades of red on her ivory skin and Aang had said something she never thought he would. He had crossed the red line. Katara placed a gentle hand on Toph's shoulder.
"He was out of line! But do not worry over what he said Toph, he can be a real worried wart at times"
Toph slowly removed Katara's hand from her shoulder and walked towards her room. Suki tried to stop her but she simply shrugged Suki off. Without another word she shut the door from inside.
"Aang." Zuko started settling down beside the Avatar. "That was pretty harsh!" Aang who was still shaking with anger did not answer.
"You should not have said what you said Aang." Sokka pointed out. "You were way out of line. Silly accidents like that happen to us all the time."
And you took it far by taking her parents. To cap it all you slap her Aang." Zuko added. "You slapped the Blind Bandit and walked out with no damaged done."
"Yeah, if anything that show how upset she was at what you said." Sokka said placing a hand on Aang's head. "I think you should apologise!"Sokka said dragging Zuko by his collar, walking away. "Come in when you feel like you are ready."
Deep down Aang knew from the very moment he slapped Toph that he was freaking out over nothing. But his anger kept him from admitting it. He was so worried about Katara getting hurt. It took another hour or so before he came to his senses and stood up, felt sorry for what he said and made up his mind to apologise to his friend. This is not gonna be easy. He thought walking towards the house.
"Don't you think we should go talk to Toph?" Suki asked for the seventh time as others sat dumbstruck.
"She won't listen" Katara said. We'll just let her be for the moment and later I'll take dinner to her room and talk to her" She said applying some cream on her eye lid. "She needs time to get over the shock."
Aang entered the house, his head hung and his voice sulky.
"I'm sorry Katara. I was outta line" He said.
Katara shook her head. "It's not me to whom you owe an apology. And I don't think a simple apology would solve this. You said something you should not have said Aang."
"I know. Where is Toph." Aang sighed. "I will talk to her".
"She was in her room and did not come out for the entire time." Suki said. "She did not say a word Aang"
Aang dragged his feet in front of Toph's room. The door was locked. He knocked on the wooden door.
No answer. "Toph. Open up. It's me. I need to talk to you" Aang said. Still no answer. "I am sorry Toph. Please." He pleaded. But no Toph opened the door.
"All right! If you are not gonna let me in, I'll break an entry" Aang said taking a bending stance. "I wanna apologise to you. I've been a jerk"
As no answer came to that, Aang sent a powerful gust of wind towards the wooden door which cracked in to two and fell on the floor. The room was empty. Completely empty. No sign of Toph or her belongings. The little bag pack she always carries in their travels was gone, so as Toph.