Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The last Airbender. Same old, same old.
Summary: "I need you to write some things down for me. I want to send a letter to my parents."
CHAPTER TWO – I'M SORRY
It was a few months, that still felt like years, later when another letter came, delivered by a Fire-Nation messenger hawk. The potential trouble of being seen to have recieved a message via Fire-Nation methods was instantly forgotten in the face of joy and relief at the discovery of who the letter was from.
To the Honourable Lord Lao and Lady Poppy Bei Fong, by this my dictation, greetings.
Dear Mom and Dad,
I asked Katara to help me write this, because she was the one who convinced me that I needed to.
First, I need to apologize. I did need to be the one to teach the Avatar Earthbending, and I can't regret the things I learned and experienced while travelling, but I shouldn't have left the way I did.
Katara already lectured me for the way I phrased my note to you, when I told her, and about the trouble Mei must have been in over it, and I'm sorry for that, too.
I promise that I'll come back as soon as I can, once the War is over. I never had the chance to hear your side of things, and I think I need to. I need to explain myself, too. You'll be glad to know that I'm learning to think before I act or talk, and that accepting help isn't the same as admitting weakness.
I admit that I had to learn the hard way.
I only recently started to think about how much I hurt Katara by being nasty to her when she was only trying to be nice or look out for us, or how Sokka can sometimes be smart and doesn't need to be the butt of my humour, or that Aang being a peacemaker doesn't mean I can take out my temper on him.
I also realized how much I must have hurt you when I left, and the way I kept everything secret, just because I didn't know how you would react.
Anyway, this letter is to say that I'm sorry, and I miss you, and I'll be home soon.
Toph Bei Fong
P.S. I'm still mad about the Bounty Hunters, though, and I'm not sorry for metalbending them inside that cage!
Lao and Poppy nearly collapsed with relief when they received the letter.
When news of the Avatar's death had spread, they had feared the worst, but now they had proof that Toph was still alive, more-or-less safe (they thought), was willing to attempt reconciliation, and, best of all, didn't hate them.
They weren't sure what she meant about Bounty Hunters, though sending Master Yu to track her down might possibly be seen as such. That was definitely one of the things that they would need to talk about.
As was the topic of Master Yu himself. Lao had never actually seen Toph bend before, beyond carving a small chunk out of the courtyard when her bending first manifested itself during a tantrum. With a highly recommended tutor saying that Toph could barely bend at all, but Toph and other witnesses claiming a finesse that was virtually unmatched, the issue of Toph's bending proficiency was confusing.
No one likes to be so thoroughly confused, especially those who are used to being in control, so Lao had temporarily shelved the issue of Toph's bending in favour of addressing the reckless behaviour of sneaking out to participate in Earth Rumbles. Overprotective or not, no parent would ignore that, and it was sadly easy for that worry to manifest as anger.
Lao and Poppy hadn't been nearly so blasé about their daughter's skill as it might have appeared, but rather proud and overjoyed, once they had a chance to sit down and think about it. Unfortunately, between the entire Fiasco, followed by the panic of Toph disappearing with only a letter to say that this time she hadn't been kidnapped (which they would have considered a forgery if the maid hadn't spoken up – Toph couldn't write), it had been several weeks before they had that opportunity.
It was good that Toph was making friends and learning about the world with them. One of the reasons that they had kept their daughter secret from the world was the fear that she was not strong enough to face it. That was clearly not the case, and now they could proudly claim the daughter they loved without the fear that others would try to use her.
From the undertones in the letter, and the rumours floating around about the Avatar's Earthbending Sifu, they rather pitied anyone who tried, as they would probably find themselves buried up to the neck with Earthbending, anyway. That was if the rest of the Avatar's party didn't get to them first. Upsetting a Master Waterbender, who needed only a puddle to defend themselves or do something unpleasant, or the Avatar, the most powerful being on the planet, was not a good idea.
Poppy resolved to have a long talk with this Katara girl. She was clearly the one in charge of the group as a whole, even if the Avatar had been the more public front; a sort of quasi-mother. The Avatar's duties would take him all over the world, and they didn't know if Toph would stay at home, when she returned, or continue to travel with them.
Lao and Poppy had tried to make Toph's decisions for her, and see how that had turned out! It would be nice if they managed to come to a compromise, but whatever Toph chose to do with the rest of her life, everyone would probably be a lot happier if Poppy could convince Katara to make the group at least visit a few times a year. Toph would no longer be cut off from the world.
They were still worried, but now that worry was mixed with relief. Toph was safe, and would be coming home.
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A/N: Second chapter up! I hope everyone likes it.
Thanks go to SCWLC, Somariel and Snoopydog213 for their wonderful reviews and encouragement! Seriously, you guys are wonderful. I'm debating whether or not to do a final chapter, showing the reunion. Feel free to encourage, discourage, or offer suggestions.
Thanks, Nat.