Everyone took the information in. Only Aang really knew the background of the girl who was walking away.
"Wait. Toph." The air bender called out. Toph stopped again and turned around once more.
"What is it now?" the tomboy groaned "I can't stay here for ever you know?"
Aang held up his hands and nodded "I get it. Just hear me out okay?"
Toph sighed and exhaled "Fine," she snapped "But make it quick."
The young man ambled over to Toph and whispered something in her ear. Katara flushed in jealousy but forced it away. Aang stepped back and Toph's sightless eyes glinted with humour as she whistled low but clear.
"Wow." she admitted "That is a tight spot you're in."
"I know. Just help me with this." Aang pleaded.
"What will I get in return?" Toph grinned.
"I'm...Sorry? What?"
"What will I get in return? Fair's fair Twinkletoes."
"Aang?" Katara scowled suspiciously "What's going on?"
"Yeah." Sokka matched his sister's face "What aren't you telling us?"
"Well." Aang scratched his neck nervously, a sign that he didn't know what to say. "Er. You see..."
"Wait a moment!" the smallest girl guffawed "They're practically your family, and you haven't told them yet?"
"Tell us what Toph?" Katara growled "What is she talking about Aang?"
"Katara," Aang hushed "Can we go back to the house for this? I don't want to say anything where I could be heard."
His friend tapped her feet in an annoyed manner with her arms crossed then snapped her head up.
"Fine Aang!" Katara yelled, throwing her arms up "Let's go back and have a biscuit and a drink. Then we can sing campfire songs and everything will be just peachy."
She stuck her nose up in the air and walked off as the leader. Toph shrugged and attached herself to Sokka's arm (who looked puzzled). She could obviously feel the stare and said "What? I'm blind." They followed Katara's lead.
Aang trailed behind. Forlorn as Appa when he wasn't fed.
They all reached the house to find that it was unlocked. The group walked in and Toph let go of Sokka's arm to join Katara.
"Hey." she mumbled "I'm not great at friendship speeches but I didn't mean to make such an elephant in the room back there. I just didn't think before I spoke. I'm sorry."
Katara smiled. She had calmed down on the walk back home.
"It's okay Toph. I probably overreacted back there. I just didn't like the fact that he had hidden something from us, but I hid some things from him too. I eventually told him. It was a long time after we first met him so I'm surprised that he took everything so well." She turned away and then back again. "Thank you Toph. I appreciate it."
The blind girl smiled and dismissed Katara with her hand. "It's alright Sugar-Queen."
The older girl's smile wavered. "Sugar..."
"Ahem" Aang cleared his throat.
Everyone turned around to look at him and Toph grinned expectantly.
Aang ringed his hands nervously and gulped a few times.
"I have something to tell you two. I should have said earlier, but I was trying to protect you." he looked at the siblings.
"Go ahead Aang." Sokka smiled gently "We won't bite."
Katara nodded.
"Okay then." the tall air bender laughed anxiously "You may want to sit down though. It may come as a shock. Well it will but..."
"Aang. Buddy." Sokka interrupted s he and Katara sat down "Don't ramble. We're waiting."
"Right." Aang inhaled "Right you are."
"Come on Twinkletoes. Otherwise I may just let it slip out. Very loudly, may I add?" Toph moaned.
"Okay. Okay." Aang closed his eyes and then opened them again for dramatic effect "I am the Avatar."
