Whisper into the Sky

Chapter Three

By DamageCtrl

All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.


The table went quiet. Katara looked up from her dish, her eyes locked on to the tiny figure of her three year old daughter. Zuko raised an eyebrow, curious at his daughter's choice of words. Iroh pretended nothing was wrong while Suki bit her lower lip. She had been wondering as well. Beside her, Kyoshi nodded her head vigorously; completely agreeing with her cousin.

"Be lonely…?" Aang asked, his eyes showing his surprise at the idea. He knew he'd be alone, however never thought about being lonely. After all, he would be with Appa and Momo.

Silence drifted through the room. Suddenly, Sokka's voice cut through the tense silence he apparently wasn't aware of. "Nah!" Sokka laughed as he swallowed his food. He looked over at his niece confidently. "Aang won't get lonely!"

"He won't?" Ai Li Zhen asked, confused. She was sure that the Avatar would. After all, when her cousin left, she got lonely. Her parents were still with her, as well, but she still missed her cousin and playmate.

"I won't?" Aang asked, equally confused.

"Of course not!" Sokka assured him. He grinned. "You spent a hundred years by yourself with Appa, remember?" Beside him, Suki raised her hand and rubbed her forehead, tiredly.

"Umm…Sokka, are you forgetting that during that period of time, Aang was basically asleep?" Katara reminded her brother. Sokka paused for a moment; his spoon still in his mouth.

Slowly, he pulled the spoon out and nodded. "Oh yeah…"

At the head of the table, Zuko rolled his eyes. "Idiot…" he mumbled under his breath. He neatly placed some rice into his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully before looking at Aang. "My daughter brings up a good point. You haven't traveled by yourself since Katara broke your ice berg. This will be a change for you."

"Yeah," Aang nodded, agreeing with him. "But Toph needs to talk to her parents, and that's more important than traveling with me."

Toph frowned and slammed her chopsticks on the table. Everyone turned to look at the blind bender as she turned to Aang's direction. An accusing finger was pointed at him as she frowned. "You keep talking like I'll be gone forever! I told you, it's only until I get this whole marriage thing straightened out with them!"

"But we don't know how long that'll be," Aang answered meekly. "And it sounds like your parents really want you to get married." He added quietly.

Toph snorted and pushed her chair back. "Toph-" Katara began as she began to move her chair back as well.

"I'm done," Toph stated, agitated. She stood up and turned around. She slid her foot across the ground, moving the heavy chair back in place before she headed for the door. "Thanks for the food."

"Toph!" Katara called out. She stood up from her chair only to watch Toph stomp out of the dining room. The waterbender closed her eyes and released a heavy breath.

"I'm sorry…" a quiet voice said from the table. All eyes returned to the bald monk. Aang looked down at his bowl, and silently placed his spoon against the side as he released a deep breath. "I didn't mean to get her angry."

"She's not angry," Katara told him softly. "She's just…tired."

"You don't have to cover for her, Katara," Aang said softly. His eyes narrowed at his food. "I've traveled with her long enough to know when she's angry." He pushed his chair back and Katara's eyes widened.

"Aang, wait-" she said as she reached out.

"Its fine," Aang assured her without looking back up. He stepped around his chair and pushed the chair back under the table. "I'm just going for a walk," He told them as he headed for the doors. "I won't bother her."

A pained look crossed Katara's face as Aang slipped out the door; his head downcast as he turned in the opposite direction of where Toph had gone. "Sit down," Zuko's voice was quiet as Katara turned her head to look at him worriedly. He let out a heavy sigh. "He'll be fine. They'll both be fine." he assured her softly.

Silently, the young Fire Lady sat back down in her chair, and looked down at her plate of food. Her appetite had disappeared.

"Is it my fault?" Katara lifted her head and looked across the table at her daughter. A forlorn look crossed Ai Li Zhen's face as she gripped her spoon tightly. Her eyes were glistening with tears as her lower lip came out in a slight pout. Katara's face softened as she shook her head.

"No, honey," Katara assured her softly. "It's no one's fault."


The garden was peaceful and quiet. Only the chirping of small, nocturnal insects and the splashing of one of the many pairs of turtle ducks at the palace sounded in the garden nestled within the maze of palace buildings and halls. Every few steps, there was a stone lantern resting on one side of the path; illuminating the walk way on that moonless night.

Aang silently walked through one of the stone lined pathways that cut around the greenery, and around the main pool of Katara's garden. His head was lowered and his movements much slower than usual. On his wanderings around the palace, the servants had merely stepped aside, and bowed their heads respectfully.

Usually, he would've smiled amiably and perhaps start up a conversation or two, however he was currently lost in thought. His mind was pre-occupied with one thing; Toph leaving him.

Her words echoed in his mind over and over; telling him that it would only be for a few months, at the most. However, Zuko's words also haunted him. The Fire Lord made a good point; ever since Katara broke his iceberg with her angry, uncontrolled waterbending, Aang had rarely been alone.

He was almost always with Katara and Sokka. Then he was with Katara, Sokka, and Toph. And then he was with everyone. He always had someone to talk to, to joke around with, and to share his adventures with. And while he loved Appa and Momo, they couldn't take the place of human companionship and conversation.

Aang walked up some stairs and back into one of the numerous halls of the palace. He stood in his spot and looked back at the garden behind him. There was a time when he stood before the Water Tribe siblings as they decided they would split up after the war. However, unlike when they had split up previous to the war, there was a chance that they would not join him again.

Sure, Sokka had assured him that their adventures had yet to end, and that they'd continue traveling together once things were more stable, but then Katara fell in love with Zuko; Sokka got engaged; and…it just wasn't the same.

Throughout all that time, when his oldest friends were slowly leaving him, he still had Toph. Toph was his age. Toph didn't claim any ties and wanted freedom. Toph never seemed to want anything more. Aang closed his eyes. Did he really think that Toph would stay with him forever?

He turned around and walked down the hall. His eyes squinted in the dim light of the corridors as he released a heavy breath. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that one day, Toph would leave him, too. There would be a day when she would get tired of flying around and want to settle down.

Aang also knew about her parents. She had been hiding them from him for years, and he knew why. She didn't want to worry him or have him pressure her into going home. What she didn't know was that every three or four letters from her parents, one would come to him. They would ask him to try to talk her into coming home. They weren't demanding it; that would be disrespectful to the Avatar. They were merely asking if he could steer Toph their way.

After each letter, he left compelled to at least try to urge her to go home and visit. Perhaps even just write a letter back, but Aang never told her for the same reason she never told him; he didn't want her to worry. He didn't want her to think he didn't want her with him anymore, because he did.

He loved traveling with her. She was his ally, his companion, and his friend. Aang closed his eyes as his heart clenched in his chest. She was so much to him. Whenever he returned to their inn or to the house where they were staying, he always had a feeling that he was returning to something good. Something familiar and comforting.

What would he do the next time he returned to his inn and found nothing but an empty room?

The thought dug into him. He raised his hands over his stomach; as if a gaping hole had just appeared in his middle. Without Toph, there would be no more late night chats before they went to sleep. There wouldn't be anyone to set him straight when he was wavering in his decisions. There wouldn't be the comfort that a familiar face provided.

Ai Li Zhen is right… he thought to himself as he looked up into the night sky. I am going to be lonely. He found himself standing on the top of some steps that lead down into the courtyard just before the stables where Appa was being kept. Aang let out another heavy breath, and hopped off the top step.

He silently acknowledged the lone guard in the court yard with a nod of his head before heading towards the stables. Quietly, he wandered over to the smaller side entrance and slipped through the door.

"Who's there?" a sharp voice cut through the dark of the stables. Aang's head snapped up at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Toph?" What was she doing in the stables?

"Twinkle Toes?" The voice was coming from the large stall where Appa was laying; lazily chewing some hay. As Aang's eyes adjusted, he could make out the shape of his human traveling companion lying across Appa's massive back, just beneath the open sky light in the ceiling above them.

She sounded surprised. Aang fidgeted where he stood by the door. He hadn't expected her to be there. "What…what are you doing here?"

He looked up hesitantly. Toph was still lying on Appa's bare back, her arms curled behind her head as she chewed on a piece of hay. She seemed to shrug. "I'm going to miss this." She stated simply.

Aang lowered his head. "I'm sorry about earlier," He began quietly. Toph snorted and moved the piece of hay from one side of her mouth to the other. Aang waited for her reply, but it never came. His head rose and looked back up at her. She didn't seem to have moved. "Are you mad at me?"

A few more moments of silence passed. "Yeah," Toph finally told him. "The way you were talking, you made it seem like I'd never come back."

"Six months is a long time," Aang said as he walked forward. "A lot can happen." It wouldn't be the first time that so many things happened to him in less than a year. From being reawakened to saving the world; it only took a few months. Things had changed drastically in just a few months, and he didn't know what else would change in the passing of another few.

"It's still not forever." Toph reminded him.

Aang walked into the stall and gently patted Appa's head. He slowly rounded the sky bison, his eyes looking anywhere but at Toph. "We're going to miss you."

His voice was quiet and Toph almost didn't hear him. For a moment, Aang thought she didn't. Silently, she raised her hand, and pulled the piece of hay from her mouth. She paused for a moment; the piece of hay twirling between her fingers.

"There's room for one more up here," Toph said as she tossed the hay over Appa's side. "Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to come up?"

A wide smile appeared on his face as he airbended himself up. He took his seat next to Toph, and carefully lay down beside her. One arm rested on his stomach while the other cradled his head. He turned his head, and looked over at her. A small smile was on her pink lips as her eyes rested closed.

The starlight illuminated her smile as she seemed to lay there and relish the moment. A warm feeling filled Aang; the same one he had whenever they returned from a particularly draining meeting, and Toph would put his mind at ease with a few well placed remarks. He turned his head back to face the sky light above them. He'd definitely miss moments like this.

"Toph-" he began.

"If you get all mushy on me, I'm going to shove you off, got it?" Her voice was sharp and Aang grimaced slightly.

Same old Toph. Aang smiled widely. "Got it."

Soft trilling was heard as Momo climbed atop Appa's head, and jumped on to his backside. He squeezed between the two teenagers, and nestled himself in a small ball between them. Aang's hand reached down and patted Momo's head, gently. He felt the small breeze caused by Toph's hand as she stroked Momo's back at the same time.

Aang closed his eyes and smiled to himself. He would miss moments like this, but for now, he wouldn't let one pass him by.


"So you're really going?" Katara asked as Toph handed the messenger a letter addressed to her parents.

"Yep," the younger woman said as she gave a nod of her head, and dismissed the messenger. "We're going to go back to the Earth Kingdom after Ai Li's celebration, but we're going to stop by Bumi's first."

Katara nodded understandingly. "That's nice. You can rest before you visit your parents."

"Not only that," Toph said proudly as they walked back into the palace. "But he's the King of Messing with People. I thought I could ask him for help on this whole thing."

Katara cringed at the idea. Visions of the two laughing insanely beside each other made her shiver. "I…see…"

"Don't worry, Katara," Toph assured her. "I'll be okay. Really. My plan will work."

"I hope you're right," Katara sighed heavily. She glanced over at Toph. The earthbender was now taller than her, and Katara shook her head. It seemed like only a summer ago that Aang had first fought the Blind Bandit. The Fire Lady looked ahead of them casually. "Did you talk to Aang?"

"We've worked out an arrangement," Toph replied. "We'll keep in touch and I'll keep him updated on my status with my parents."

"I'm sure he'll be there in a moment's notice if you need him," Katara nodded. "But if your parents accept your proposal, I doubt you're going to end up getting married," Katara chuckled. "You're the best earthbender I know."

"I know," Toph grinned smugly. "Now, you see the genius of my plan."

"Right…" Katara smiled. "So what are you going to do the rest of the day, before the celebration tonight?"

"Oh, yeah, about that," Toph stopped in her tracks. "I was wondering if we can use the mongoose dragons again."

"Again?" Katara asked. "What for?" she asked, suspiciously.

"We sort of got carried away making an obstacle course for them the other day. I don't want your husband blowing his top again just because I bended some-"

"You!" A loud, booming voice, dripping with frustration echoed through the hall as Katara winced.

"Never mind," Toph crossed her arms over her chest. "Looks like he already found out."

Sighing tiredly, Katara turned around, and watched as Zuko, dressed in his armor from his early morning venture outside the palace, stomped down the corridor; his eyes narrowed, and his lips twisted into a snarl. "Zuko," Katara frowned as she stood between him and Toph. "I'm sure it's not that bad."

"Not that bad?" Zuko snarled. "Not that bad!? Have you see it, Katara? It's like a construction site gone horribly wrong! Rocks are jutting out everywhere; there is a trench – a trench, Katara, right down the center!"

"It's just a meadow, relax. I can fix it." Toph rolled her eyes. Why Katara married such a drama king, she'd never understand.

"You better fix it!" Zuko growled.

"Okay, okay…" Katara placed her hands on his broad shoulders and gently pushed him back. "I'm sure Aang and Toph can fix it before they leave. If not, you at least have a new training course for mongoose dragons."

Gold eyes shifted from the blind bender to the blue clad Fire Lady. "I know they're your friends, but-"

"They are our friends, Zuko," Katara reminded him. He opened his mouth, and Katara raised her hand. She gently stroked the side of his face and smiled intently. "I forgot how attractive you look in your armor."

Behind her, Toph rolled her eyes once more. However, she did feel Zuko's anger faltering. "Really?" he asked quietly. He straightened up; attempting to look more composed as Katara nodded.

"You look so proud and strong. No wonder Ai Li Zhen wants to be just like her daddy." Katara beamed.

Toph raised an eyebrow. Sugar Queen was more manipulative than she thought. Silently, Toph gave Katara more credit. She could feel all of Zuko's pulsating anger disappearing at the mention of his beloved daughter. "Of course she wants to be like me," he snorted proudly. "I'm the Fire Lord."

"Speaking of the Princess, aren't you going to watch her practice? Iroh is supposed to pick her up for her lessons in a few minutes." Katara reminded him.

Zuko nodded, not wanting to pass up a chance to watch his daughter's progress. "Where is she?"

"She's in the eastern court yard with my brother and Kyoshi. He said he'd watch them while Suki is resting." The blue eyed woman pointed down the hall, and Zuko nodded.

"I'll go see if she's still there, then," Zuko nodded. He looked over Katara's shoulder and frowned. "And I expect my property to be returned to its original state before you leave." He hissed as threateningly as he could.

"Sure thing," Toph told him as he turned and walked down the hall. After seeing him falter at a few choice words from Katara, she was hardly worried. When he was far enough, Toph's arm shot out and grabbed Katara's sleeve. "Promise me that you'll never do another 'I forgot how handsome you looked' act in my presence again."

Katara chuckled and pried Toph's hand off of her sleeve. "It calmed him down, didn't it?" she blushed slightly and looked down the direction her husband had headed down. "And he does look good in armor…"

"Save it for the bedroom, Sugar Queen." Toph snorted. Katara laughed. The two walked down the corridor, following Zuko's footsteps until they found him standing at the edge of the eastern court yard.

Katara raised an eyebrow at her husband as she saw him standing behind the railing; his eyebrows furrowed as he stared out into the courtyard. "What's wrong?" Amused chuckling alerted the two women that Iroh was there as well. At the bottom of the steps, Iroh pointed out into the garden.

"Well, Fire Lord Zuko," Iroh beamed as he pointed at his grandniece. "This, if anything, proves she's your daughter."

Katara followed Iroh's hand, and let out an indignant snort. Standing before her captured Uncle Sokka, Ai Li Zhen crossed her arms, and narrowed her eyes. She was attempting to look as menacing as her father...and failing.

"I'm going to ask you again, Uncle," the three and a half year old said as she circled the man tied to a newly transferred sapling in the center of the court yard. "Where is Kyoshi?"

"And I'm going to ask you again," Sokka repeated. "How did you tie me up?" He looked confused, and Katara raised her hand and rubbed her forehead.

Ai Li Zhen released a deep breath. She crouched down and picked up Sokka's boomerang. "Maybe can make an ex…ex…" She narrowed her eyes as she tripped over the word, and furrowed her eyebrows. "A trade!" she finished. She gave a satisfied nod of her head at her choice of words.

"What? How did you get that!?" Sokka gasped in horror. His hands wiggled at his sides, and he realized that his niece had someone how relieved him of his weapon.

"Tell me where my cousin is hiding!" Ai Li Zhen repeated, her lisp making her sound more adorable than threatening. From the walk way, Katara let out a groan.

"Princess Ai Li Zhen," Iroh called out. The princess turned around. Upon the sight of Iroh, her 'menacing' scowl was gone and replaced with a beaming smile. "It is time for your lessons."

"Yay!" A second later, the boomerang was launched behind her as she ran off excitedly. Sokka whimpered helplessly as he watched his favorite weapon fly into the bushes…where it got caught, and, subsequently, did not come back. Ai Li Zhen looked over her shoulder. "I'll see you later, Uncle Sokka! Tell Kyoshi that I have to go practice now!"

She waved cheerfully at her Uncle before racing up the steps. She raised her arms as she reached her father, and Zuko immediately bent down and picked her up. "Excellent job, princess. How did you capture your Uncle?" he beamed proudly as he ruffled her hair.

"I waited, and then jumped out at him!" She smiled widely. "I even tied him to the tree, like in the stories mommy told me!"

As the three firebenders disappeared around the corner, Sokka caught the sight of his sister. "Katara! Katara!" he called out desperately as he struggled against the rope his niece had run circles around him.

"I better go down and help him," Katara sighed. "Are you going to look for Aang? He said he'd be in airbending in my garden."

"I'll just walk around." Toph opted.

As Katara walked down the steps, she looked over her shoulder. "Don't go too far, I want you to fix the meadow before lunch!"

"Yeah, yeah! Don't worry." Toph waved her hand dismissingly behind her as she wandered back up the hall.

Katara stopped in front of her brother and raised an eyebrow. "Care to tell me how my three year-old managed to tie you to a baby cherry tree?"

"All I know is that I was walking along innocently, when she somehow turned into Zuko. The next thing I know, I'm sitting here with a rope around me," Sokka stated blandly. Then, he began kicking and wiggling in the ropes. "Now, will you please help me out? My boomerang is stuck in a tree!"


In the background, he could hear the steady trickling of water from one of the stone fountains at the far end of the garden. It flowed down a small stream and into a rock lined koi pond to the side of the main pool.

Aang kept his eyes closed as he stood on a pillar of ice. Slowly, he stepped back; waterbending another ice pillar up for him to place his foot on he began to make slow, circular steps. His hands moved in front of him, turning the air around his body into wind.

That was how Toph found him. While she hadn't planned it, she had somehow ended up in Katara's garden; at the same spot where Zuko had been the night she stumbled there. From the sound of water coming from the pool, she deduced that someone was waterbending. Since Katara was probably still helping Sokka come to terms with his capture by his niece, it was probably Aang.

For a moment, she stood there and closed her eyes. Her hands reached out and held on to the railing as she leaned forward. She could feel the wind against her face. It was different from the breezes that swept through the palace. Aang must've been bending two elements at once. Suddenly, the bended gusts stopped.

"Toph?" his voice called out, sounding curious. The black haired earthbender jerked her head back from where she was standing. Her hands pulled back from the railing as she stood up straight. Aang saw her. "Toph! Have you seen Katara's garden, yet?"

Sighing tiredly, Toph headed down the steps, and walked on to the path. "Yeah. Zuko gave it to her."

"I know! Look, he even got her a fountain and a pond. It has koi! Want to feel it?" Aang asked enthusiastically.

"Nah," Toph shrugged. She stopped at the edge of the pool and sat down on the grass beside it. "I'm fine here. Don't let me stop you from practicing." She told him as she reached back and lay down.

Aang tilted his head curiously from where he stood, still perched on top of a pillar of ice. "Okay." he agreed. He nodded his head, and slipped back into a defensive fighting position to begin his practice once more.

On the lawn, Toph closed her eyes and allowed the cool breeze, and the sounds of water surround her. After years with traveling with the last airbender, she had grown accustomed to his practices and his style. Airbending and earthbending were exact opposites. Despite that, she still found something comforting about the feel of a breeze through her hair.

As Aang practiced the basic movements before her, she could make out the change in air pressure and current against her skin. Being blind, it didn't take her long to focus her senses on touch. A slow, smooth breeze meant Aang was turning his body. The faster the wind; the more movements he was using. Depending on which part of her body she felt the air, he was either going to jump or keep his feet on the ground.

Even without her feet planted on the ground, she knew how he was moving. She could see his well practiced movements in her mind. They were familiar. So familiar, she sometimes felt that she could do them, too. A small smirk tugged at her lips, and she sat up.

"Hey, Twinkle Toes!" Toph called out as she sat. Her eyes stared blankly at ground as a wide smile graced her lips. "You got a moment!?"

The pillar of ice was bended down and merged back into the pool as water. Aang jumped down from the water, and landed on the edge of the pool. "Yep! What is it?" He asked as he crouched down beside Toph.

"I feel like sparing," she said as she held her hand up. Aang took it, and gently pulled her up. As she pulled her hand back, she brushed off her clothes and looked in his direction. "Think you're up for a challenge?"

Aang laughed and nodded. "I think I can beat you this time."

Toph snorted. "By just using earthbending? Go ahead and try, Twinkle Toes!" She said as she pointed at him. She shifted into a fighting stance. "Bring it on!"

"No!" a horrified voice shouted from the walk way behind them. Aang looked up from where he had jumped back in preparation for the sparing. Katara was rushing down the steps, waving in her hands in the air. "Don't you two dare earthbend in my garden! Do you know how long it took Zuko to get this thing built!?"

"But, Katara-" Aang began, only to have Katara silence him with a frown.

"Don't 'but, Katara' me," she said sternly as she stood between the two of them. "This isn't like the meadow, where you can just earth bend everything back to the way it was! And speaking of meadows, that's why I came to find you two."

Aang cringed. "Did Zuko find out?"

"Find out? He practically breathing fire," Toph grumbled as she lowered her arms. "He said we have to put it back to the way we found it before we leave."

"Right," Katara nodded. "And there are two mongoose dragons waiting at the main courtyard to take us back to the meadow."

"Us?" Toph asked. "You're coming, too?"

"Someone has to make sure you two stay on track," Katara told them. She narrowed her eyes, and put her hand son her hips. "Any complaints?"

The two teenaged benders lowered their heads and sighed. "No…"

"Good…now, let's get going! We need to get back by lunch."


"Grandpa!" Two small figures latched themselves on to Hakoda as he walked through the doors. He laughed as he nearly stumbled back, and the reached down to pick up the two girls.

"Ai Li, look how big you're getting!" he chuckled as he leaned down, and kissed the top of his granddaughter's head as she giggled. He looked over at Kyoshi and raised an eyebrow. "And didn't I just see you two weeks ago?" Kyoshi beamed him a toothy smile.

"Yes, but I still missed you, grandpa." She stated.

"Well, I'm honored." Hakoda chuckled. The girls wiggled out of his grasp and attacked the next victim of their affections.

"Gran-Gran!"

"Oh, my…" the old woman chuckled as the girls grabbed on to her thick, blue clothes.

"I can't help but feel disappointed…" Pakku sighed regretfully as he looked down at the energetic young firebender who was hugging her great grandmother. "She would've made an excellent waterbender with a mother like hers."

"Don't feel bad!" Iroh chuckled as he patted the other old man on the back cheerfully. "It's not like she'll be the last."

"Oh?" Pakku asked as he raised an eyebrow; obviously interested. Iroh nodded and leaned in conspiringly.

"I have a tip from a very reliable source that Ai Li Zhen won't be an only child." Iroh whispered.

Pakku raised his eyebrow, suspiciously. "How reliable is your source?"

"Well," Iroh chuckled as he patted his belly. "Let's just say that she told Katara that she'd marry a powerful bender…"

"Interesting…" Pakku mused as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Keep me updated."

Zuko looked around the decorated courtyard as he stood in one of the walkways at the top of the stairs. The guests were slowly trickling in. Food had been prepared and he could make out his brother-in-law already stuffing himself. Beside him, Suki was eating at a more moderate pace, although her plate was filled. She was eating for two.

Circus entertainers were once again set up in one corner. He found that his daughter liked watching the acrobats, and enjoyed the exotic animals; especially the 'bear'. Everything seemed to be going well. He had already received many congratulations from nobles for providing strong firebender progeny. He stroked the small beard that was growing on his chin thoughtfully.

She'll make an excellent heir…

"There you are," Katara's voice called from the top of the stairs beside him. He turned his head and smiled softly as she approached him with extended arms; her body wrapped in traditional Fire Nation red. "Gran-Gran, Master Pakku, and dad arrived."

He nodded as she reached him and gathered his hands in her. She pulled him forward, and he followed behind silently. "Do you think she likes the party?"

Katara didn't answer right away. She looked over her shoulder and smiled weakly. "I'm sure she's happy that her grandparents came."

Zuko frowned. "That means no."

"Well…this isn't exactly the kind of party for children. Everyone is so…" she mulled over her thoughts. "Old."

"Old?" he snorted indignantly.

"I just think that she should be able to have more fun at a party in her honor. Instead, she has to stay here and greet all those old nobles and dignitaries. And I just know someone is going to ask her fire bend instead of run off with Kyoshi." Katara sighed.

"It'll give her a good experience. She'll learn how to deal with it quickly at this age, and when she gets older-"

"She'll remember how boring her father's parties were…" Katara mumbled under her breath.

"What?"

"Nothing!"

From their seats at one of the tables, Aang and Toph were popping hand held snacks into their mouths. "You know, for a kid's party, this is kind of boring." Toph mumbled as she reached into a dish with fire flakes.

"It's not exactly a kid's party," Aang said as he tossed a berry into his awaiting mouth. "Zuko is throwing it for his daughter."

"Which makes it a kid's party," Toph asserted. "Look at this place…they're all filled with old people. Who ever heard of formal dancing at a kid's party, anyway?"

"Well…" Aang looked around the court yard. "At least there's a circus."

"With that freaky bear…thing?" Toph snorted. "If you ask me, this party is boring."

Aang let out a heavy sigh and nodded. He slumped forward and twisted another berry from its bunch. "I know…but we can't just take the kids and leave," He sat up straight in his chair. His eyes darted across the table and he mentally groaned. Toph had that smirk on her face again. "Toph…we can't."

"Who says we can't?" Toph beamed. "I bet Iroh and Sokka won't care as long as we're watching them."

Aang bit his lower lip. He envisioned an enraged mother coming after them when she discovered her daughter had disappeared. Not to mention the infuriated Fire Lord with her.

"Miss Toph!" A voice piped. Toph felt someone's small hands tugging on her sleeve. "Mommy says you look bored!"

Toph snorted. "Your mom is right." Aang followed Ai Li Zhen's pointed hand. Katara was standing beside Zuko and glanced over. She looked back at her husband as he spoke to some dignitary before looking back at them. She gave a nod of her head as she held a finger to her lips.

Aang's eyes widened. "Really!?" he gasped. Katara nodded in the distance. Zuko turned around, wondering who was shouting, before Katara smiled at him and directed his attention back to the dignitaries, before he could figure out what was going on.

"Avatar," another voice said behind him. He turned around and saw Mai standing there. "The Fire Lady has a carriage by the stables, where your bison is being kept. She asks that you have the girls back before the fireworks end."

"That gives us an hour to get back from when they start, right?" Aang asked. Mai nodded. "Toph!" He whirled around excitedly, and saw Toph running up the stairs with the two girls holding her hands.

"I'm already gone!" she shouted. Beaming, Aang jumped up and ran after them.

Several giggle filled minutes later; they were riding into town on a komodo rhino drawn carriage. Ai Li Zhen and Kyoshi were peering out the windows excitedly, and pointing at the decorations. As soon as the doors opened to one of the plazas, the duo ran out. Their eyes scanned the crowds as they took in the sights and smells of the city during a celebration.

Suddenly, Ai Li Zhen's eyes zeroed in on a puppet theater. "There!" she grabbed her cousin's hands and dragged her forward.

"Hey, wait!" Aang called out in vain. He felt a warm hand grasp his, and jerk him forward. He up and saw Toph rushing ahead; her hand clasping his tightly.

"What are you waiting for?" Toph said as she dragged him forward. She tilted her head towards him and smiled. "Let's party!"


They were scheduled to leave after breakfast, but as Aang nestled into his bed, he wondered if it were possible to post pone their leave. The night before, he and Toph barely made it back to the palace before the fireworks ended. He found out from Katara that Zuko had spent the majority of the night looking for his daughter.

The Fire Lord was not pleased to discover that his precious princess had left the celebration, which he had planned, for a romp outside the palace. Katara assured him that as long as Ai Li Zhen was safe, and had fun, it was a successful celebration. Still, the disappointed look on her father's face caused Ai Li Zhen to apologize and assure him that she did enjoy his party. Even if she wasn't there the whole time.

After the celebration had ended, and Aang finished speaking to all the dignitaries and nobles that sought him out, he and Toph had sat around in his room eating the food they had smuggled in from town. Momo had gotten his fill early on, and collapsed at the foot of Aang's bed, his stomach bulging.

Aang and Toph had stayed up the whole night, recounting their little trip through the city. From Ai Li Zhen being asked to dance by a little boy, only to have Kyoshi drag her cousin away, proclaiming he wasn't good enough for her cousin; to the moment where people surrounded Aang to 'meet' the Avatar.

Over all, it had been a great night. The perfect way to end a large celebration. If only he hadn't stayed up so late…

Suddenly, heavy thuds echoed on his door and Aang sat up straight. His eyes squinted as he scanned the room. Momo chirped, and then promptly rolled over to continue sleeping. The knocking continued, and Aang opened his mouth.

"Come in!" he yawned as he reached back and scratched the back of his head. The door opened, and Sokka marched in.

For a moment, Aang did a double take. Sokka was up? Before him? The older man saw the confused expression on the Avatar's face and sighed. "No, you didn't sleep in. Suki woke me up. Then they sent me to wake you up."

"Oh…" Aang nodded. He stretched his arms over his head. "Thanks, Sokka."

"No, no, thank you," Sokka beamed. "Thanks to you, I had the pleasure of watching Zuko run around like an artic hen with its head cut off last night, looking for Ai Li."

Aang grinned. "Yeah, but he sure was mad when we told him what happened."

"Nah, he'll get over it," Sokka assured him. "So you and Toph are leaving today, huh?"

"Yep," Aang said as he pushed off his blankets and hopped off the bed. "We should be arriving in Omashu in a few days. When are you guys leaving?"

"At the end of the week," Sokka told him. He tilted his head to the side. "So…are you going to be okay with Toph leaving?"

"Well, like she said," Aang said as he tugged his shirt over his head. "It's not like its forever."

"Just a few months, I know," Sokka said as he raised his hands and nodded. "But it's still a few months. You'll still miss her. I know a few months away from Suki made me miss her."

Aang paused in the middle of putting on one of his boots. "What?" he gasped as he nearly dropped his boot.

"Of course, I started to miss her when she said she was going back to Kyoshi," Sokka mused, completely ignoring Aang's confused face. "And let's not forget what happened to Zuko when my sister left him…"

"Wait a minute, Sokka!" Aang put his foot back down, and looked at his old friend. "Why are you telling me this?"

The Water Tribe Warrior gave the last airbender a curious look. "Well…I mean…" he trailed off. "She…means…a lot to you, right?" he asked weakly. Aang nodded. "Then you'll miss her." Sokka asserted.

"I don't think it's the same kind of 'miss' as with you and Zuko."

Sokka made a face. "Please don't put it like that. It sounds wrong."

Aang sighed. "I don't think I'll miss Toph like you and Zuko missed Suki and Katara."

"I don't know Aang," Sokka mused as he rubbed his chin. "Katara and Suki were talking about how dependant you've become on Toph being there. They're worried."

"About what?" Aang asked. "I'm eighteen years old, Sokka. I can be out on my own. I am the Avatar."

"This isn't exactly the kind of thing you can fight with bending, Aang," Sokka pointed out seriously. He paused and sighed. "I'm just saying…be prepared. You'll know when it hits you," Aang gave Sokka a strange look, and the blue eyed man patted him on the back. "Well, I better get down for breakfast. See you there, buddy!"

Without another word, Sokka marched out the doors and closed them behind him. Aang raised an eyebrow. "Be prepared for what?"


"All right!" Aang said as he jumped down from the massive bison's back. "Everything should be packed. We have enough supplies to last us until we reach Omashu." He clapped his hands together to dust them off and looked at the group that surrounded them.

"This is it!" Toph said as she stood before them, beside Aang. "See you guys in a few months!"

"Toph," Katara began as she stepped forward. "If you need anything-"

"Stop right there, Sugar Queen!" Toph said as she held her hand up to stop Katara from continuing. "I'll be fine." Katara rolled her eyes and proceeded in hugging Toph anyway.

"I still don't think this plan of yours is going to work." Zuko stated as he crossed his arms.

Toph snorted as Katara let her go. She glared in the direction of Zuko. "I told you, it'll work," she asserted. "Care to put some money where your mouth is, Fire Lord?"

"Are you suggesting we make a bet out of this?" Zuko asked, uncrossing his arms.

"Zuko…" Katara frowned.

"Yeah, I'm suggesting we make a bet! Anyone can clearly see that my plan will work, and in six months, I won't have to marry!" Toph retorted.

"Um…Toph…" Aang said weakly.

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "You're on. Name your terms!"

Katara ran her hand down her face. "For the love of…"

"In six months, my parents won't be able to find anyone to marry me because no one can beat me!" Toph stated. "If I win, you have to shave your head!"

"Now, hold on a minute!" Katara snapped. She immediately squeezed herself between the two 'combatants'. "I'll have you know that his hair is mine! There is no way I'm going to run my fingers through scalp!"

Zuko went silent. He turned to his wife, a slightly sad look evident in his eyes. "I thought you said you liked my old prince's pony tail."

"But you still had hair," Katara reminded him. She looked at Toph. "If you win, I'll take over any Ambassador relations for you and Aang for a month. And Zuko will pay for your travel expenses all that month while you two do whatever you want. Even if it involves komodo rhinos and the Fire Nation Summer Palace."

Behind them, Iroh grimaced at thought of the summer palace; demolished under the feet of stampeding komodo rhinos. Toph rubbed her chin. "Okay…and if he wins?"

"You shave your head!" Zuko stated. Everyone made a strange face. Ai Li Zhen looked up at her father and wrinkled her nose.

"Daddy, that's silly."

"No one is shaving anything," Katara frowned as Zuko grumbled. She looked back at Toph. "If he wins, you two will not be allowed to ride any more Fire Nation animals on Fire Nation territory."

Aang let out a sharp gasp; as if the unmentionable had just been spoken. He reached out and tugged on Toph's sleeve. "I'm starting to think it's a bad idea-"

"You're on, pony tail!" Toph challenged.

Zuko wrinkled his nose. "Remember to invite us to your wedding. Ah!" Toph slid her foot across the floor just enough so that Zuko stumbled.

"Just get on Appa." Katara sighed heavily as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She reached out, and firmly held on to Zuko's arm as the two other benders climbed atop the beast. Momo began waving from the saddle.

"Yip yip!" Appa's massive tail rose into the air, and they were lifted into the skies. The girls jumped up and down, waving energetically as Aang and Toph yelled from the saddle.

"Do you really think her plan won't work?" Katara asked Zuko quietly as she lowered her waving arm.

He narrowed his eyes. "Not the way she thinks it will."


It had taken them several days of flying to finally come to the sight of the old, earthbended city. Much of the iron bridges and other buildings the Fire Nation had wrapped around the city during their siege and conquest several years earlier had been removed.

It now looked similar to how it had looked before the conquest. Aang sat atop Appa's head and carefully maneuvered him towards the front gates. They landed before the stone wall and were immediately allowed in. They were familiar faces in Omashu.

"Avatar! Miss Bei Fong!" a messenger ran forward and knelt down before them as they appeared on the other side of the gate. "Welcome back to Omashu!"

"Good to be back," Aang beamed. "Is Bumi expecting us?"

"His highness is awaiting you in his throne room," the messenger said. He reached into the satchel at his side. "And Miss Bei Fong, you have a message that was sent here in your wait."

He pulled out a scroll sealed by the familiar flying boar. "It's from your family."

Beside him, Toph instantly stiffened. She reached out her hand, and the messenger placed the scroll in her awaiting palm. Her fingers fumbled through the seal in her rush before spreading it open. She balanced it on one hand as her fingers ran across the embossed characters.

Aang waited beside her anxiously; his eyes fixed on her face for any sign of disappointment. A wide smile reached her lips. "They've accepted my terms!" she gasped as she clutched the scroll against her chest. "They've accepted my terms!"

Before Aang could say another word, he found himself crushed against the earthbender as she threw her arms around him triumphantly. His eyes widened as Toph repeated the words over and over.

However, instead of hearing them, he heard Sokka's voice instead.

"This isn't exactly the kind of thing you can fight with bending, Aang …be prepared. You'll know when it hits you."

Carefully, Aang's arms rose and wrapped themselves around his long time friend. Even as she stood there; hugging him as she yelled gleefully with the knowledge that her plan was working; he already began to miss her.


A.N. – I'm sorry; I've been so busy at work lately! My full rant on my profile. Once again, thanks to Nakuru for helping me getting over my writer's block! Much love!