Chapter 4: The Past

**I don't own Avatar…even though I wish I did…


"Shit? That's how you greet your old friend that you haven't seen in nearly a year and a half? I'm a little hurt Toph." While Quon's words were teasing, Toph could sense the disappointment radiating from every inch of his body. She really wished she wasn't this observant sometimes, after all she hadn't meant to say it loud enough for him to hear.

"Uh, well you surprised me…and I just wanted to get into the house without…ah never mind…Anyway, I'm really glad to see you again…well not 'see' of course since I'm blind 'n all…but ah…um…I'm glad to hear your voice?" Frick, she thought. Twinkletoes did this to me. Never before would I have felt guilty about something like this, I would have hoped it would just make them leave. Leave it to Twinkletoes to make me suddenly develop a conscience. And to make things worse now I'm trying to compensate by being over friendly and jabbering on about nothing...stupid monk.

"…Uh I'm glad to hear that…" Quon seemed taken aback by Toph's obvious regret; this wasn't the girl he remembered. "Do your parents know you're back yet? They haven't stopped talking about you since I arrived nearly a week ago. They will be so excited to see you again."

"Uh…no…I just got here…will you do me a favor and tell them I'm home? I could use a minute or two to rest…"

"Sure!" And with that Quon stepped into the manor.

Oh great now I have to deal with Quon and my parents in one night. Crap, this sucks. I would've been better off having my feet and hands chewed off by savage hog monkeys and then being thrown into a freaking cage with Azula and Ozai and letting them take teams frying me to pieces. Oh my God my life could not get any crappier!

Toph waited and waited and waited, but there was no sign of Quon or her parents, so Toph decided to go back and sit in the garden. Out of all the places in the manor, she loved the garden the most because it was where she felt the most connected with the earth. The soil was so soft and full of life. She loved being able to feel the earth worms and bugs move under the dirt. The garden was also the only place she was able to practice earth bending besides Earth Rumble and the badger mole caves. With the high bushes and ample trees that blocked her from the house, it also had the best place to come and think when her parents took away any more of the little freedom that was left.

Toph sat down under her favorite tree, an oak that had been planted the year she was born. She rested her head against the soft bark and bended the earth under her feet up, so she had a foot rest. Then she put her arms behind her head and let her mind wander.

Something's not right……………letter……………family friends……………Quon……………a week……………Her thoughts had just clicked together when a sharp snap of a twig snapped her out of her thoughts and made her forget the conclusion she'd just reached. That twig sounded close. I should have sensed someone coming before they got this close. Toph was now fully aware of her surroundings, but she couldn't feel anyone close to her. "Weird…" Toph waited a few minutes before relaxing again. Just as her eyes closed, the leaves above her began to rustle. "What the…" was all she managed to get out before something landed on top of her and knocked her unconscious


"Katara quit hogging it! It's mine!"

"Sokka, first of all it's not hogging if the baby likes me more. And second of all it's a he not an It. What would Suki say if she was here?"

"She would say give the baby to its father! Now hand him over!"

The bickering continued as Aang leaned against the wall next to the open door. He should have gone in and began talk about plans for getting Toph back, but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to take the small step that would put him in view of his friends. He slowly sank to the floor and began to practice his breathing. That usually helped him calm down and focus, but today it had no effect.

Aang wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there outside the open door when he suddenly heard someone slide down next to him. Whoever it was didn't say anything, just sat there peacefully next to Aang, obviously waiting for Aang to make the first move. After a few minutes of silence, Aang finally looked up and was surprised to see the Fire Lord sitting next to him.

"Fire Lord Iroh, how are you?"

Iroh chuckled. "Aang, there is no need for proper titles. This is a house of friends, not ranks. Please call me Iroh, or Uncle Iroh, whichever you prefer."

A smile pricked the corners of Aang mouth. There was just something about Iroh that made him feel more relaxed and at ease. "Iroh then, how are you?"

"Excellent actually, I just beat the pants off Zuko, not to mention half my gaurds, in Pai Sho! They should learn that while age may weaken some minds, mine is not one of them!" Again he chuckled, and Aang's smile widened. "How are you Aang? It feels as though it has been years since we last spoke."

The slight smile slowly left Aang's face. "…It has been years…"

"Oh…even more the reason to ask how you are!"

"Well, I've been better." Aang dropped his gaze to his lap.

Iroh continued to gaze steadily at Aang. "Troubles of the heart, I see."

Aang looked up suddenly with a bewildered expression. "How'd you know?"

"The heart speaks in many ways when it is in need…And you've been sitting outside this door for an hour shaking your head and breathing funny."

The smile returned to Aang's face. "Have any advice?"

"Hmmmmmm……While one may leave his friends; he will never truly leave his friends."

"Okaaaay….." The bewildered expression was back.

Uncle Iroh sighed, then smiled kindly at him. "Your friends are in there waiting for you. They didn't come here to yell at you for leaving or give you grief. They came because you need help. Don't keep them waiting any longer."

"Thanks."

Iroh slowly rose to his feet. "If you need anything else, Zuko knows where to find me." With a wink, Iroh turned and strolled down the hallway whistling.

Aang smiled and shrugged as he stood up and marched into the doorway, ready to see his friends.


So there's chapter 4….I know it's not the longest but it'll have to do for now. Sorry it took so long! Please comment and let me know how I'm doing! Oh and thanks for all the comments I've gotten so far!