THE HOMECOMING: CHAPTER 3

To say that things were tense at camp was an understatement.

Sokka and Katara gave Toph and I a wide berth, and we did the same to them. Although they understood our pain, they decided, wisely, to remain neutral. Aang on the other hand, was trying to shove his Airbender crap in Toph and my face constantly: stuff about forgiveness, and learning to live with it. After a few minutes of this, Katara wisely told Aang to back off. Toph and I just sat around, our tears expended, our cries broken. We were spent.

"Do you know what happened after you went missing?"

I turned sharply to look at Toph as she broke the silence. After a few seconds of hesitation, I shook my head.

"No." my hoarse voice replied. Toph sniffed, then began to talk.

"Well, after word came back that you were missing, I-I locked myself in my room for days. I don't know how long, I-I-I just cou-couldn't imagine a world without you. It was too hard. You were my first, only and last true friend. You know me inside out. I… I just wanted to see you again." I was tearing up, and Toph had tears streaming down her cheeks.

"After a few months, I told my parents everything. My earthbending. Your earthbending. Our team-ups in Earth Rumble VI. Our secret love. Everything. I couldn't lie anymore. I just couldn't."

I didn't know what to do; try and reassure her, or get angry at her for betraying everything. In the end I remained silent, and listened as Toph began speaking again.

"Your sister… well, she died soon after I told my parents everything. Heart attack. At the age of 12. That's completely unheard of, even from magic. People thought she committed suicide, but I don't believe that. I think that, she just, gave up. She just collapsed in the middle of town. After that, my parents, well, they became much more concerned about my mental and physical health. They started to pull in therapists, counsellors, and many others, even a magician." I half-smiled at this, and Toph smiled grimly at the memories.

"They didn't help. All they tried to do was to get me to move on. That… was hard. I think I paralysed a few, because they just made me angry." I frowned a little at this, because it was unlike Toph to permanently hurt someone like that. My disappearance must have really messed her up. She smiled sadly again, and continued with her story.

"The magician, well, he was the most help. He told me that the best way to deal with the pain was to just LIVE with it, but to always keep you in my heart. That really helped, and I just began to live again. I got out of the house, and walked around the streets of Gaoling. I talked to people, and gradually opened myself up again. I became happier. But, my parents, they thought that since it appeared that I had forgotten about you, I was ready to get married again. Well, that went well." I smiled at the thought of rich snobs trying to flirt and court Toph. Toph smiled as well.

"Let's just say that the Bei Fong Estate had some very creative statues for a while." I laughed, and so did Toph, which brought Aang running.

Katara looked up as Aang appeared to fly through the air. Initially, she thought that he was doing it himself, until she saw the sheer look of terror on his face. As he hit the dirt roughly, Katara rushed over.

"Oh my god Aang, are you ok?" Aang smiled, slightly dazed. "I'm great. Oh, Toph and Yung are talking again. And laughing. I think they're better!" Katara sighed.

"Aang. People don't forget about things like this in a few hours. Just because they are enjoying themselves, doesn't mean that they have forgotten. I mean, I still remember my mother's death. That was when I was 12, and it was five years ago now."

Aang's smile faded, and he nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'll give them a bit more space."

Yung was still laughing at Aang's terrified face as he flew the air. Toph was smiling, and she collapsed into his arms. "You know what Yung, even though you were gone, and probably seducing Water Tribe women," I gave her a sharp elbow at this, but we were both smiling, "I always knew that you would return. Maybe it was because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. Maybe it was because I simply couldn't accept your death." I fell sombre after this.

"Hey Toph, can I ask you something?" She nodded, and I continued.

"Did you see your mother die?"

Toph's eyes widened as she shook her head. "No! You're right! I didn't feel mum's death. So…"

I beamed at her. "I saw a line of refugees leaving town to the north, probably heading for Ba Sing Se."

Toph was beaming now, and she leapt up.

"Come on Yung, we need to go tell the others!" I smiled at her, and pushed off the ground as we ran towards the main camp.

"Guys, Toph and I need to use Appa. There were some refugees leaving town to the north and, since Toph didn't see her mother die, maybe she's among them." Katara, Aang and Sokka all beamed at us reassuringly, and Aang turned to look at us.

"Do you mind if we come with you?" I looked at Toph, and she sighed. "Sure. Now come on, let's haul ass people!" I smiled, and soon we were on our way north.

As Appa flew up into the sky, I was unsure about how to take my new found emotions. On the one hand, the major hand, I was upset, depressed and angry about how I had not only abandoned my hometown, but I had also abandoned my families.

However, not by a small margin, I was also still happy to be alive, and to finally be married to Toph. I sighed, and turned to face north, as the sun set in the east.

A/N: Hey guys. Sorry for the short chapter, I promise the next will be longer. The reason why this chapter was so short was that it is coming on the three-year anniversary of one of my best friend's deaths. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. Still missing you Zoe!

On a happier note, welcome my new beta, IGdude117. If you haven't read his excellent story, The Story of Qin Lee: Imperial Firebender, then go have a look!

Yours in writing,

RedBeetle