At First Sight
Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA!
A/N: Hello readers. If the story has too much drama, imagine my life right now. I am taking exams and classes just started. I wanted to write the second chapter to this story as soon as possible. Once again, I am in search of beta readers. Anyone out there?!!--I don't know how to find them or how to get a hold of them. Please, read and review. I am anxious to know what you think of my story so far. I had some reviews and I adapted the format to the way they asked me to. I did it and I hope that this is much better. Thank you so much. I want to receive more reviews, so keep them coming. YO PUEDO!!!
At Last
Katara sat on Toph's bed, waiting silently for Toph to stop crying. She felt confuse about the situation and did not know how to proceed with a conversation.
"Sugar Queen, don't tell Aang about me. I don't want him to lecture me the way I know you will. I had enough of people pitying me. I can manage this situation. I am not crying because of sadness. I am more scared than sad. I have never been in a quandary like this. I will manage, with your support of course. But please, don't tell anyone." Toph pleaded.
Katara took a deep breath and looked away from Toph. What she was asking Katara was against the vows she shared with Aang. They had promised to be completely honest with one another. There was to be no secrets between them.
"Toph, I can't promise you that. Aang is my husband and he deserves to know why I am here. I mean- I can't! I know that if I tell him, he will not tell anyone." Katara said softly. She stared at Toph, who remained silent.
Katara ran a hand over her forehead and gave an exasperated sighed. "Toph, how are you going to keep your secret?" asked Katara, trying to reason with her friend.
Toph stood from her bed and paced around her room. She stood in front of a small opening that acted as a window to her igloo. "I have been blind all my life, what makes you think that I can't act blind. I will keep this a secret, and if you tell anyone…" said Toph, she turned to look at Katara.
Toph's eyes were no longer opaque; they were now bright and misty, with a deeper shade of green. Her black hair was pulled back into a braid. Her arms were across her chest.
"If you tell someone, I will disappear. I will leave far and you will never find me!" said Toph.
Katara was becoming annoyed. Toph could act mature when she wanted, but lately she was really being a pain in the neck.
"Why are you being so immature? First, you run from your home. Second, you come to the North Pole to use the Spirit Oasis to heal your blindness. Thirdly, you didn't write for almost two years and a half. No one knew of you. You just disappear and you didn't write to any of your friends. Then out of the blue, I receive a letter from you asking me to come here. When I get here, you were having healing sessions to cure your blindness. What made you do it?!" said Katara with frustration in her voice. Her face was flustered with anger. She tried to remain calm, but Toph was really yanking her chain.
Toph's jaw dropped open. "How dare you talk to me like that?" Toph yelled. Anger began to flare inside her. "You don't know what I have to go through. My parents forced me to come back home after Fire Lord Ozai was defeated. They locked me in a wooden room, unable to do my bending for fourteen months. If it wasn't for my new ability to bend the wood and the maid they assigned me, I would still be at my parent's house. I went through hell! I wanted to send you a letter, telling... begging you to rescue me," said Toph, tears welling in her eyes.
"I wanted to die. My own parents kept me in a wooden prison. They were only going to let me out if I married Huan Yan-Hi, a moron that owns the other half of Gaoling. I refused to married a man that is almost twenty years my senior. During those sleepless nights I remembered how you saved Aang after Azula shot lightning at him. You used the healing water from the Spirit Oasis. I thought that if I escaped the hell that my parents put me through, I could come here to the North Pole. My maid, Haruna, she is from here. She helped me escape. We came here to this ice box to run away from my parents and to …" Toph stopped speaking; tears were blinding her view of Katara.
Both girls were crying. Katara cried silently, feeling helpless. She got to her feet and walked to Toph. She wiped her tears and stared silently at Toph.
"I am so sorry! I-I can't imagine what you went through. I promise not to tell Aang about your ability to see. I-I w-will keep your s-secret." sobbed Katara. Toph embraced Katara and both girls cried until there were no more tears.
It was dark outside and Aang was getting worried. He had not seen his wife, Katara since breakfast. She told him that Toph was in the North Pole, but she didn't specified or gave any useful information. He wandered through the village contemplating the new improvements they have done. But still, his mind was picturing different scenarios of things that Katara and Toph could be doing.
He pictured them fighting and arguing, the way they used to in the past. He laughed and imagined both girls quarrelling over stupid and insignificant things. His thoughts were far away, he did not notice his wife walking towards him.
Katara had her hair loose, symbolizing her married status, with white flowers tucked in between strands of hairs. She wore a deep blue coat that enhanced her female curves. She was smiling at her husband, but he was lost in thoughts.
She watched him sit on a bench made out of ice. He wore a thick yellow coat that her Gran-Gran and some of the women of her tribe made for him. She sat next to him and watched him silently.
She stared at the dark sky and saw the full moon decorating the sky. Tiny stars sparkled trying to rival the beauty of the moon, with no avail.
"She's beautiful!" Katara sighed. She noticed Aang jumped in surprise.
"Katara, I wasn't aware that you were here." said Aang startled. He scratched his recently shaved head. "I was wondering where you were. I am glad you are ok, though." he smiled.
"I was with Toph." said Katara, as she stroked his bald head.
"Were you girls arguing, quarrelling, fighting, or mud wrestling, just like the good old times?" asked Aang mockingly. Katara gave him a half-hearted chuckle, her hands reaching for his.
"We had a long talk. She told me of her adventures. You can see her tomorrow. She decided to join us." said Katara. She looked at Aang's grey eyes searchingly. She only found love and understanding. He still possessed the jovial and cheerful disposition that he'd as a twelve year old.
"Does she knows we are going to Zuko's fourth anniversary of being the Fire Lord?" asked Aang worriedly. He knew that two years ago, Toph, lived in the palace as one of Zuko's bodyguard, but left without leaving any trace.
"You know Zuko thinks that he hurt her, even though, he doesn't know what he did. Should we send him a message, telling him about Toph joining us?" asked Aang with concern in his voice. Katara smiled tenderly at him.
"Don't worry. Everything will be alright. Toph will explain to him what caused her to leave the Fire Nation Palace so abruptly. I know he will be glad that she is alive. I know they will work it out." Katara said.
The cold air began blow harder. "It's getting a little too chilly for my liking." said Katara. She stood up and held out her hand. Aang took it lovingly and pulled her closer. She was now sitting on his lap.
"I can make you warmer," Aang said into her ear, "All you have to do is say YES!" he said teasingly. Katara bobbed her head.
"Lead the way Oh Mighty Avatar Aang!" Katara laughed.
Aang sat on the head of the giant bison. He was unaware of the conversation that the girls were having. At least he was content that Katara would have Toph to talk to, while he guided Appa towards their destination. He knew that they were hiding something from him. He knew that Katara was dying to tell him. Yet, he also knew that Katara was a faithful friend. She would never leave anyone in need behind. He smiled to himself at the thought of her.
"Are you girls comfortable?" he asked cheerfully.
"It's a beautiful morning. Soon I will see Momo, my little flying lemur friend. Sokka promised to bring him back. I can't wait to taste the Fire Flakes from the Fire Nation. The festi-"
"Fire Nation? We are going to the Fire Nation?" yelled Toph, interrupting Aang's rant. She looked at Katara angrily. Katara only offered her a shy smile.
"You never mentioned that we were going to the Fire Nation. You said we were meeting Sokka and his family. You never mentioned the Fire Nation!" Toph screamed hysterically. Her hands were above her head. She turned away from Katara.
"I told you we were meeting Sokka. You kept interrupting me. You said you wanted to "see" Koki, his son." Katara whispered to her.
Aang was oblivious at what was going on. He just directed Appa to their destination. A heavy silent fell on the rest of the trip. They only spoke when needed. Katara only prayed that the Spirits would help them when they arrived at the Fire Nation.
More Authors' notes: I wanted to thank you for reading. I've gotten a few hundred hits and visitors, but only a few review. I beg of you (sad face), please review!!! I want to know how you feel about this story. I want to improve and I need your help to do so. I have started writing the third chapter, so it should be up in a couple of days. Take care and enjoy this glorious New Year. May it bring you enough money and health to make you happy!
