After his confession, Aang began spending more and more time away from home and Zuko's increasingly frequent visits. It was just too awkward, seeing him with Katara.

Thankfully, he had Sokka as an ally in his dislike of the older boy, and when he was with Toph all his problems could be forgotten.

Soon, a week had flown by and everything almost felt normal again. Almost. He doubted he would ever become completely adjusted to Zuko and Katara's relationship.

Aang and Toph lay in the grass, watching the clouds in comfortable silence. It was lunch time and, thanks to Zuko's tendency to eat with Katara, the young Avatar had taken to spending the time with his Spirit friend.

"So, how are Jerk Face and Sugar Queen doing?" Toph asked, keeping her pale-eyed gaze to the sky.

"They're practically inseparable, so I'm assuming things are going well," he mumbled begrudgingly. "I try to avoid them, though."

"I noticed. You're over here twice often as before."

"You don't mind, do you?" he asked rolling onto his side so he could face her. "I can go somewhere else, if you want. I just find it really awkward seeing them together."

"No, no, it's fine!" she assured him, perhaps a little too quickly. "I mean, it's not like I have anything better to do."

He said nothing.

"...So, how are you doing?" Toph asked after a few moments, glancing over at him.

Sighing, he said, "Good, I guess. I mean, things still seem kinda weird, but I don't really feel upset. Just... uncomfortable."

"So you're okay?"

He nodded.

"Good," she said, smiling. "I don't want my friend getting all depressed on me."

He laughed. "Yeah, I guess not."

Continuing to smile, she turned her gaze back to the sky. Aang copied her action, resuming his watch on the clouds. This, for him, was a perfect moment, watching the clouds on a calm, clear afternoon with his best friend at his side.

A shrill bell cut through the air. Lunch was over, and so was his moment.



With a quick good-bye to Toph, he got to his feet and hurried toward the school. Students had already crowded at the doors and were moving inside at a sluggish pace. For some reason, this always reminded Aang of herded sheep.

While he was waiting for the people in front of him to move, the Avatar glanced back over at Toph. She was still lying in the same spot, but now her eyes were closed, a peaceful smile spread across her lips.

She looked the same as she had when they first met, a soft, ethereal glow surrounding her. Yet, somehow, she seemed to have changed.

The crowd began to move forward. Aang followed finally making his way into the school.

Maybe their friendship made her seem different. Maybe it had given her a new air of peacefulness or something. Or maybe he was different, and that made her appear to have changed.

As he made his way up the set of stair that led to the floor his locker was on, Aang tried to remember if anything had been different when he was talking to her. Thinking about their recent conversations, the way Toph laughed and teased him, filled him with and unusual, but familiar, sensation. It was like...

It was like when he first met Katara.

A jolt shot through Aang's body like electricity. He felt himself falling backward, knew he was about to tumble down an entire flight of stairs, but could no longer control his body.

As he fell, seemingly in slow motion, the world faded to black.

XxXxXx

Aang was in the Spirit World.

Dark, angry clouds filled the sky. Bright, blue lightening crackled in the air, followed closely by the low, ominous rumble of thunder. Roku towered over him, glowering menacingly.

"I told you not to get attached," he said, the echoing of his voice serving only to make him more intimidating. "Your job was to convince the Spirit to move on, not become her best friend!"

"I'm sorry, I-" forgot, Aang wanted to say, but knew it would do no good. It was true, though; he had been so busy with all the dramas of his life that he completely forgot why he had even bothered to talk to Toph that fateful first day.

And now he had enraged Roku because of it.

"I don't want to hear you excuses!" the Spirit bellowed. "Yu have one week to finish the job – by conventional means or otherwise. If you fail to do so, I won't hesitate to take matters into my own hands."

Aang didn't know what that meant. He didn't want to know what that meant because there was no way it could be good.

There had to be some way to change Roku's mind, to convince him that Toph didn't have to leave.

But before he could say anything, he was over-come by the familiar falling sensation of leaving the Spirit World.

XxXxXx

When Aang woke up, he was in the hospital.

Katara was hugging him the second he sat up, sobbing and babbling hysterically. Over her shoulder, he saw Zuko, looking very uncomfortable as he watched the scene unfold.

Soon they were joined by Sokka and Kana. The former explained what had happened while the other tried to console a still frantic Katara.

"You blacked-out and nearly fell down the stairs. If it weren't for this guy," he jerked his thumb at Zuko, "you'd be a pancake right now."

"Thanks," Aang mumbled reluctantly to the scarred teen. Why did it have to be him, of all people?

The teen in question shrugged, avoiding the other's gaze. "It was nothing. I just figured falling down the stairs and getting trampled wouldn't be good for your health."

Katara laughed a little, wiping at her eyes with a tissue Kana had provided.

"So, how long am I gonna be in here?" Aang asked, looking at each of them curiously.

Sokka shrugged. "Dunno. Depends on what caused you to faint. Though, I think the doc will probably just ask a few questions and do some tests, then send you on your way."

"'Kay," he said, lying back in his bed. Closing his eyes, he sighed, suddenly feeling very fatigued. "Do you guys mind giving me a little while to sleep? I feel really tired."

They obeyed, each taking a moment to say good-bye and wish him well. Soon, he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of glowing blind girls and white-bearded mentors.

Author's Notes: Woot! Chapter ten! -throws conffeti- And just in time for Easter, too. :D

I hope you guys enjoy it! It's one of the parts of been dying to write.

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Avatar' or any of its characters.