Author's note: Hello everyone! After ages of being away, I have given my lovely fans a new chapter. Just a quick shoutout; I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed, faved, and alerted this story because it honestly means the world to me. Every time I get a new one, it gives me an actual reason to keep coming back and writing... Even if the chapters are few and far between. So, please, review when you finish, let me know what your honest opinion is. Even if you think this story is terrible, let me know why. I enjoy constructive criticism :) I'll stop rambling now so you can go and enjoy this long awaited chapter :3
The wind buffeted Toph as she held on for dear life, and memories of their previous adventures assaulted her mind. She'd always hated riding on Appa, where her feet couldn't see anything. If she wasn't on the ground, she was helpless. She couldn't do a thing if they were attacked.
Aang sat in the junction between Appa's head and shoulders, limply holding the reigns as the bison flew. He was nervous, or rather, terrified of the impending doom that awaited them. This would be the first time that he and Toph would see Katara since the whole breakup, and the outcome did not look promising. Of course, he was probably just being overly dramatic. The whole thing would probably go without a cinch, and everyone would be perfectly fine.
Little did he know that Toph was having similar thoughts from where she sat. What if things got violent? What if Aang decided he'd made a huge mistake? All of her blatant insecurities came crashing down on her in an instant, and she mentally flinched at her thoughts. Even if she was a girl, these thoughts couldn't possibly be normal. Other girls would have probably been perfectly calm in this situation, so why couldn't she.
With an exasperated sigh, she let her head fall onto her arm, groaning inwardly as she fought with her own mind.
Mistaking it for air sickness, Aang gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry, love, we'll be there soon. I can see it now, so it's only a matter of time before we're able to land." He assured her gently, inconspicuously encouraging Appa to move faster.
Letting him think what he will, Toph felt her stomach do a somersault as he mentioned that they were drawing near. She could almost feel the tension building around her as she struggled to calm herself. She had never been this anxious in her life, or so it seemed at the time.
With grueling slowness, Appa descended until they were outside of the royal palace, and Aang came over to help Toph before he jumped down himself.
Resisting the urge to kiss the ground, Toph instead turned and gave Aang a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Thanks." She mumbled, more out of curtsey than actual gratitude.
He grinned anyways, taking her hand and leading her towards the giant palace that rested in front of them. The guards opened the doors for them when they approached, and directly in front of them sat the ornate gold throne, Fire Lord occupying it. Katara sat at his right hand in a chair that was much less glamorous, and they seemed to be deep in conversation.
Strolling in with easy, or so it seemed, confidence, Aang grinned and extended his arms for a hug. "Zuko! How've you been, old friend?" he asked loudly, and the other two quickly raised their heads in shock.
Zuko smiled and stood, taking a step towards Aang as they exchanged a short man-hug. "I've been better, but I've also been much worse." He said with a chuckle before looking over at Toph. "Hello Toph, enjoy the trip?" he questioned with a knowing smirk, placing his hands behind his back.
Toph rolled her eyes, sticking her tongue out at him in a childish manner, "Oh shut up, Zuko, no one asked you." She shot back, fighting her smile.
Zuko let out a laugh, and that's when Katara walked over quietly. "Hello Aang, Toph." She said curtly, nodding to each of them in turn.
Aang nodded in return, giving her a small, but slightly awkward, smile, "Hello Katara."
"Hello." Was all that Toph responded with, and Katara didn't seem surprised in the least.
Clearing his throat, Zuko spoke again, "Sokka and Suki are out in the garden, if you would like to go see them." He offered, gesturing to the doors that led outside.
Aang nodded and shot Zuko a grateful smile, "Sure, I'd like to see what's been going on in the South Pole lately." He decided, taking Toph's hand once again, not even thinking about the action.
Once outside, they saw Sokka and Suki sitting by the small pond, a little baby wrapped up in Suki's arms as it giggled and tried to wiggle away. As they approached, Aang quickly went over to greet his friend, grinning, "Sokka! You never told me about a new addition!" he accused teasingly, and Sokka returned the grin easily.
"You never asked!" he retorted back, and they exchanged a quick guy hug. Suki grinned and stood, still holding the baby.
"This is Ayla, everyone." Suki explained, giving Sokka a playful glare. The baby smiled up at them, light blue eyes contrasting against her tan skin and dark brown hair. Toph couldn't see the baby, but she joined in with everyone's coos of adulation.
Sokka's arm remained wrapped around his wife's waist, and he kissed the top of her head lightly as he smiled at Ayla.
As Toph stayed at the outskirts of the group, her mind began to wander to thoughts of the future and what it would be like if she and Aang did end up together in the end. That's when the heart-wrenching thought came to her; she'd never be able to see what her children looked like. She would always be in the dark, and it honestly didn't seem fair to her.
Deep in thought, she wasn't really aware of the fact that Zuko was speaking once again.
"The funeral is tomorrow… Would you be able to say a few words?" he asked, his tone somber as he looked at Aang.
He nodded, "I would be honored too." He said with a bow, and Zuko smiled as he dipped his head in return.
"Thank you."
Those were the last words spoken as everyone sort of faded in silence, mainly just enjoying each other's company. It had been years, far too long, and it was good just to be around each other again. Team Avatar was back.
