Friday was the last day for seniors. Next week we only show up for finals and thats it! WOOO! I'm finally done with that damn school! I'll miss it, a little, but i'm so glad it's finally over!

~*~*~*#*#*#*#*#*~#~#~

Aang felt Gyatso gently shake him awake. He could see his grandfather had either been crying again, or just hadn't slept. Gyatso helped him brush his teeth, comb his hair, and dress in that stiff suit Aang had been fitted for. He didn't know why they had to be dressed up, but he could tell where ever they were going wouldn't be fun. After pulling the comb through his hair again, and finally getting it to go in the right direction, Gyatso left Aang on his own. Aang thumped downstairs to play with his rockets scattered across the living room. There were several knocks on the door, and Gyatso slipped downstairs to let people in. Aang still didn't understand why those people were there, and why everyone looked so sad. Some hugged him, some cried. They were mostly young people, not much older than his parents. Gyatso said his mother and father weren't coming home, but that didn't stop Aang from sneaking downstairs and looking for their car every night.

He knew they sometimes came home late, giddy, and trying to be quiet. He wondered why they never took him with them. They said where they were going was for grown ups, but Aang knew they just didn't want him around all the time. So he say on the floor, flying his rockets, making Floppsy try to attack them like he saw in that movie once. He felt himself being picked up and carried out to the car. Floppsy sat in Aang's lap as they drove and drove. The radio was on and turned to a fuzzy station. Aang played with Floppsy while they pulled up to the church. Gyatso carried him inside and they sat in the front. Aang was excited, they never sat in the front for anything! When he saw the large boxes in front, he wondered what they were for. He saw more people in suits open the boxes, and put flowers near them.

"Why are Mommy and Daddy in the boxes? Why don't they come home?" Aang asked.

Gyatso gently explained to them that they couldn't come home. That this was Aang's chance to say goodbye. He told him that it was just be the two of them from then on. A man came up to the front of the church. There he talked about Aang's parents as if he knew them, though Aang was sure he'd never seen the man in his life. Then again, he never really knew any of his parents' friends. They got back in the car again, and drove to the cemetary. Another man spoke more words, then the coffins were slowly lowered into the ground. Aang became worried and started crying. They couldn't bury his parents! Their eyes were closed, they were just sleeping. Just like every saturday morning, after a night of partying, Aang would come into his parents room and practically beg them to wake up. But nursing hangovers meant no saturday for Aang, despite the promises they made him through out the week.

Gyatso picked Aang up and wiped his tears. It wasn't the sight of seeing his parents go into the earth. It wasn't watching everyone cry. It was knowing that when he went home, they wouldn't be following.

Aang looked in the mirror again. That was the only funeral he'd ever been to. He straightened his tie again and smoothed the lapel of his jacket. Toph's family had been pretty generous about the funeral arrangements. When Toph asked him what time he'd wanted the limo to arrive, he almost collapsed. He didn't expect a suit to go along with it. He was lucky he talked Toph's mother out of an entire tomb. A gravestone would have been enough. Gyatso was a simple type of person. He would have been embarassed by such a thing. Aang sighed and looked at his reflection. At least he didn't have to worry about a hair cut, he thought as he brushed a hand through his short, thick hair. It was dark, and bone straight. He looked a lot like his father. Aang shook his head and stepped away from the mirror, the likeness was starting to scare him.

There was a knock on the door and Appa barked. Aang walked carefully down the stairs, torso still sore, and opened the door. Toph was standing there, with the limo waiting outside. She smiled sadly at him and walked inside. When the door closed, she hugged him.

"Ugh...ribs," he said, flinching back.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "You look so nice. You actually out dressed me."

Aang smiled. "Waste not, want not. You look beautiful," he said, admiring her knee length skirt and blazor. He pulled her into his arms again. "I can't believe this. It feels like...like I'm a kid again. And I can't control anything."

"I'm so sorry, Aang. If I had come by in the morning, I could have-"

"Don't," he said. He tilted her face up to him. "I don't blame you for anything. These things happen." He kissedd her, then, and Appa whined at their feet.

"He's just jealous," Aang joked. He grabbed the house keys and followed Toph outside. He didn't know what to expect when he got into the limo. But he wasn't looking forward to the awkward car ride with Lao Bei Fong. He opened the door and let Toph slide in before him. When he climbed in and sat down, he was immediately crushed into a hug from Katara.

"Oh my gosh, Aang! I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Alright, Sugar Queen, he's still in pain. Now shut up before you break him again," Toph said. She wasn't too keen on the sight of Aang's cheeks flushing when the older girl hugged him. "He just got out of the hospital. Don't send him back in again."

Aang smiled at all his friends, who had the same pained look on their face. They were happy to see him out of the hospital, but upset at the circumstances.

"So, Sokka, how far are you getting on the case of the white van?" Aang asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Ugh, don't encourage him, Aang. He thinks he's a detective," Katara said.

"Hey, I did solve the mystery of the missing car keys. AND the mystery of the missing remote."

Suki rolled her eyes. "The remote was under your bed and the car keys were still in the door where you left them that night you got drunk."

Sokka sat back in his seat and grumbled. "Well, I have three suspects as to who was in the van. One-"

"Sokka," Toph interrupted. "We all know Ozai was behind this. We just need to figure out exactly what he wants from me."

"How the hell am I supposed to figure that out? I've never met the guy!" Sokka said, throwing up his hands in frustration.

"Well, I could try to talk to him. To see what he knows," Zuko suggested.

"No," Katara said, shaking her head. "It's too dangerous. We should just call the police and let them handle it."

"There's really no evidence to fall back on," Toph said. "A car pulled up and drove away, a van followed me. With no liscense plate or driver description, the cops won't give it a second thought. Plus, Aang was on meds when Ozai threatened him. They could say he was hallucinating. Ozai could have an alibi in two seconds."

"Toph's right," Zuko agreed. "If we're going to figure this out, we need to do it our selves."

Suki scratched her arm. "So, we sneak into his office and go through his stuff?"

"More or less," Zuko said. "Either we figure out what he's up to, or Toph is in serious trouble."

"Can I sneak in? Please?" Sokka begged. "I'm excellent at being in places I don't belong."

"Sokka, you can't even sneak into the kitchen without Gran Gran noticing," Katara said. "I'm better at stealth than you."

"Says the girl that fell down a flight of stairs because a stink bug flew on her shoulder-"

"Okay, guys, knock it off," Aang said.

He was greatful for the distraction, but they were nearing the church. It was almost exactly like he remembered it. Only, this time he fully understood everything that was going on. He recognized all of the guests. Neighbors, old friends, classmatess, everyone came to support Aang in his time of need. Gyatso had touched a lot of lives. It made Aang proud to see how many people truly missed his grandfather. He sat in the front again. This time accompanied by his friends. When the minister started preaching, it took Aang back. He didn't realize he'd been crying until Katara reached around Zuko to hand him a tissue. It was a beautiful service. There were older people talking about how Gyatso touched their lives. There was a slide show of pictures of old friends. Aang was suprised to see their principal, Roku, on one of the slides.

Some where in between a hymn and another tear jerking story about Gyatso, Toph held Aang's hand. He smoothed his fingers over hers. He didn't know how he would have survived without her there. Her jokes, her laughter, her blunt and offensive sense of humor. Aang wouldn't have survived the harsh changes of eigth grade without her. They went through everything together. Even when she embarassed him by fighting his battles, he still couldn't go a day without being at her side.

"Watch it, loser," a taller, and definitely bigger boy said, pushing Aang out of his path. Aang stumbled, and fell, scattering his books across the hall. Several students laughed and kicked his notebooks out of his reach, causing him to scramble around the hall on his hands and knees, trying not to get stepped on. Toph approached him, sighed, and began picking his things off the ground.

"You gotta learn to stand up for yourself," she said, helping him put his notebooks in his bag and zippen it shut. "Otherwise, these kids will walk all over you. They smell fear. Just look at that kid." Toph pointed to another girl with her head down, walking quickly through the halls. "She's from a private school, just like me. They eat rich kids alive in here. I set the record straight on day one. See anyone starting shit with me?" she asked.

"It's not that easy, Toph. I could get in trouble," Aang said, pulling his back pack onto his shoulders.

"Well, what about the assholes picking on you? They're getting away with it. And they'll keep getting away with it as long as you let them. You gotta face things head on."

"I'm not as brave as you," Aang said. "I'm not very brave at all. I'm short, always picked last for gym, I'm-"

"Scrawny, uncoordinated," Toph finished. "You're pretty fast, so that's something. But you suck at pretty much everything else. As for the height..." she looked at the hieght difference between them...there was none. "Well, we'll be midgets together. It's not so bad. Being tall is over rated anyways- oh good grief, Aang, what did I say about the damn glasses?"

"I need them to see the chalk board!"

"You sit in the front, you air head! Take them off before I catch the nerd simplex virus!"

Aang rolled his eyes and put the glasses in a side pouch. He didn't really need them, but he liked wearing them. He thought they gave him definition.

"I'll tell him your kicking his ass after school," Toph said. She took off down the hall towards the taller boy and tapped him on the shoulder. He scowled down at her. When she began talking, he got angrier and angrier. He glared at Aang down the hall and drew his finger across his neck.

Aang stood there stunned.

"There," Toph said, skipping back towards him. "All set. Don't worry, he probably won't even show up."

"Toph, he just got off suspension for beating someone up last week! I'm dead!"Aang said. He sunk down to the floor and buried his head in his hands.

"Well, you can either run away and have everyone laugh at you, or you can challenge this guy and he'll never bother you again," Toph suggested. "I can't keep fighting your battles for you. One of these days, I just might meet my match."

Aang's head snapped up. "I never thought I'd hear you say that." He stood up and brushed off his jeans. "But I can't fight him, Toph! He'll murder me."

Toph sighed and out her arm around Aang's shoulders. "Everyone has natural survival instincts. Just go with your gut. You'll be fine."

Aang was looking over his shoulder for the rest of the day. He lingered in the halls after school, trying to look for the quickest route to his bus so he'd dodge fighting. He'd never been in a fight a day in his life! Of course, Toph found him and dragged him outside.

"Face your fears, Aang," she told him.

"Why should I? You're the one who got me into this mess in the first place!" Aang said. He saw the crowd that had formed. Several students had their camera phones out, ready for the action.

"I'm going to die."

Toph took his bag off his shoulder and shoved him into the circle. "Give him hell, Twinkle toes."

Aang felt Toph tug on his hand. The service had ended and everyone was filing out of the church. His friends got back into the limo. They didn't feel like talking anymore. The drive to the cemetary was silent. Aang stared out the window. Nobody noticed he still held Toph's hand. They got out of the car and walked down to the grave site. Gyatso's casket was closed, and flowers were placed on top. Aang walked up and took a red carnation from the bouquet. The minister began talking again.

"Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust..."

Aang stumbled into the middle of the circle where his doom awaited. Some say cracking knuckles doesn't intimidate anyone, but Aang was scared out of his mind. He straightened himself up and stood tall. The boy snickered and crossed his arms.

"I'll give you one chance to just walk away. Admit to everyone what a scared little pussy you are, and I'll leave you alone."

Aang gulped.

"He's just scared, Aang!" Toph yelled. "He's scared you challenged him! Kick his ass!"

The bully lunged forward, fist held up, preparing to strike. Aang spun and ducked out of the way. He smiled at his advantage- he was fast. Aang continued to duck and spin, sometimes barely clearing a fist. He could see the boy was getting tired.

"Why're you running? Stop being scared!" he mocked.

Aang ducked out of the way again, but lost his balance. Just as he righted himself, hands still outstretched, the bully thundered towards him, and directly into Aangs fists. One hit him square in the stomach, the other one went to his throat. He went down and the crowd went wild.

Aang stood there for a moment, not really sure what happened. Toph ran up to him, hugged him, and collected her bets.

"Told ya you'd be fine!" she said, shoving the money in her pocket. "Now let's get the hell out of here."

Aang squeezed Toph's hand as the coffin was lowered into the ground. It was a perfect place to be buried. Right by his parents, in the middle of a tiny section next to a thicket of trees. This part was usually overlooked because of the small woods, but it was perfect to Aang. They formed a ring around the scattered graves with small head stones. The sky above them was perfectly clear. Gyatso would have wanted to look up at that sky, laying next to his daughter and son in law.

"I'll see you soon, Gyatso," Aang said, as the casket dipped out of sight. "See you soon."

Aang numbly said his thank you's to the people that passed him, all the while never letting go of Toph's hand. He didn't mind the pain of the already forgotten names and faces from the people who hugged him. He didn't take his pain killers. He wanted to experience everything. Onji came up and hugged him. Either she didn't notice Toph's hand, or she was too sad to care. She hugged Toph as well and whispered something in her ear. Toph's face was confused, but she brushed it off. Hide came next. He patted Aang on the shoulder and gave a nod to Toph. Aang decided he didn't like that one bit. There were more people Aang recognized as Gyatso's old friends. He was as kind as he could be to them, but at that point, he just wanted to go home.

Lao Bei Fong approached them. Toph squeezed Aang's hand and walked towards the limo.

"I know I've been unfair to you, uh, Aang," he started. Aang could sense the discomfort of his name being said. Lao nervously straightened his tie. "So I offer you my deepest condolences on your loss."

"Thank you, Mr. Bei Fong. I really do appreciate everything you've done to help me out."

Lao looked at his daughter's retreating form. "You know, she never had a friend before she met you. We thought that putting her with her own kind would help her develop more easily but...I never thought I'd see the day when I saw my daughter being harassed and teased by eight year old girls. She begged me not to intervene. When we moved, I didn't want to think of how cruel public school children could be. We thought something was wrong with her. And then she met you. She's always been happy around you, Aang."

Aang smiled tentatively. He wondered why Toph never talked about her private school days. "Thank you, Mr. Bei Fong."

"No, I'm the one who should be thanking you. Thank you for being my daughters friend when no one else would." Lao clapped on his shoulder and walked up the hill to where the cars were driving away. Aang took one last look at the open hole that housed his grandfather, and then trudged up the hill. For the first time in days, he felt inner peace. He got into the limo and closed the door. Everyone was too busy comforting Aang to notice the white van pulling away from the curb.

~*~*~!~!#*#*#*#

Ugh! I hate writers block! A couple things. One: lol rebecca black disabled the comments on her video! HA! Two: You guys are SO wrong about Onji! Hehe! I think one of you is on the right track, but I'm glad I've got you all stumped! Three: I think you guys were confused by the fun facts. They're supposed to be interesting facts about YOU so you feel more connected to the story. Oh, well. I enjoyed them anyways! Until next time, review! I don't own avatar.