The second Appa landed, Toph jumped off his head. Landing on the hard familiar stone of the court lard. She was quickly followed by Aang. He then hung back a little not knowing what to do next. He patted Appa, and guided him to the direction of the stables, were he could rest. When he turned to look at Toph, he saw her running towards the large door that linked the main hall of the palace to the grounds.

Zuko had seen Appa approaching, and made his way to meet them. He had been keeping an eye out for them as often as he could. The second Toph's feet had touched the ground, she had ran to meet Zuko. His heavy heart beat came to her loud and clear the second her feet touched the earth. They met each other just as Toph entered the palace. She ran to him throwing her arms around his neck. He pulled her in tight, lifting her a few inches off the ground.

Aang followed slowly after her. He let them have their moment. As he saw them he felt a slight pain in his heart. He wished he could have been the one to be able to help his friends. He was not as good at reading vibrations as Toph was, but he could tell that the second she wrapped her arms around Zuko and he held her just as tightly, a weight had been lifted from her. It was he realised because she had a friend she trusted to hold onto now, to help her and for her to help as well. He wished his presence had given her even a little comfort, but feeling the change in her now, he knew it hadn't.

"How is he." Toph whispered into Zuko's ear, just before he lowered her back onto the cold marble floor.

"Looking forward to seeing you." He slowly pulled away from their embrace. Starting to walk away. Leading the other two benders up the main staircase to the first floor. Aang felt that he was intruding on a personal moment, they seemed to have forgotten his presence. Regardless he followed the fire lords lead.

Toph didn't ask any more questions. She and Aang followed in silence. The closer they got to Iroh's room, the more clearly Toph could feel his heart beat. It was strong, but strained. An overwhelming need to turn and run away as fast as she could swept over her. She took in a deep breath, pushed aside her urge to run. Zuko entered the room first leaving the door open for Toph and Aang to follow.

"I was wondering when you would get here. It is so nice to see you together again." Iroh had a huge smile on his face. Toph didn't see that, all she saw was the thin pulse and struggling heart beat. She pushed that aside, and did what he was doing, put on a brave face, a mask. She was very good at that.

"How are you." as she spoke she moved closer to the side of his bed, stepping in front of Zuko as she did. Aang remained just outside of the scene in front of him, he was hanging back in the door frame, Momo on his shoulder.

"Your the healer you tell me." there was light tone to his voice, as he tried to but the three young benders at ease. he reached out to take her hand, but stopped, as she took one large step back.

"I'm a herbalist, not a healer" even though her eyes did not let her see the old man in front of her, she still cast her head down towards her feet. She was worried her useless eyes would betray her. Do the one thing that they could do, cry.

"And a very good one, you helped to heal Zuko's scar." his voice was gentle, as he tried to coax her to lift her head so he could see her face.

"I only stopped it from affecting his sight. The scar is still there." even though her eyes didn't work, she still managed to keep then from looking any where near Iroh "Speaking of medicine. What are you taking." before he answered, Toph took a few steps to the table by the bed. It was covered in bottles. All of which contained some kind of medicine, from pain killers to disinfectants. Her hands moved over the bottles, lifting up some to her noise. A look of slight disappointment crossed her face for a second before she turned to face the three men again. "I should go and make something that will actually work, ease the pain." She left so quickly, there wasn't a chance to say anything. It was clear that she just wanted to get away, to do something. She and Iroh both knew that nothing she made would make any real difference.

"I'm glad I have the chance to speak to the two of you alone." Iroh pulled himself to sit more fully up in the bed. With a nod of his head he instructed Zuko and Aang to sit down in the two chairs by the left side of the bed. Slowly Aang and Zuko moved to do as they were told.

"I what to ask you two to do something for me." Aang How sat in the chair at the end of the bed, moved in closer so he didn't miss anything that was said. He like Toph was happy that he had something to do, to focus on.

"Toph is a very special person. She doesn't see it herself, but she is. There may come a time when she dose, though I hope that will never happen. She feels like she is on her own. So I want you two to make sure you look after her. When I'm gone." This was the first time he had said anything about the fact that he was not going to be around much longer. It shocked Zuko, who clenched his hands so tight he almost drew blood. He also clenched his eyes shut, trying so stop the tears that where building up from falling.

"We will, we promise" Aang answered for the both of them, meeting the old man's eyes. He chose to avoided looking at the fire lord, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable.

"Good." he let out a sigh glad to have that off his mind. His eyes closed, as he leaned further back into the pillow that propped him up. He felt more relaxed, at peace, having finally seen for certain that they would be just fine.

They made small talk for a few minutes after that. It started off as a way of not thinking, It ended up being more than that, they enjoyed it. They had never really had the chance to talk before. They found that they had a few things in common. When Toph returned they didn't notice at first. She walked over to the chair close to the head of the bed, on the other side of the bed from the boys. She had a bottle in her hand that she loudly dropped on the table by the bed. To finally get their attention.

The small crash, got the three benders to turn and look at her. "Great, now I have your attention maybe I can give you this pain medicine." she picked the bottle up and forced it towards Iroh. He took it. He knew that no matter how good a herbalist Toph was, it wasn't going to do him any good. He drank it to make her happy. Once he had drank the contents of the bottle, made up of various herbs and plant that grew in the the grounds of the palace. He placed the empty bottle on the table with the others.

Toph slowly let herself fall back into the chair behind her. The four of them talked for while after that, about nothing of any importance. Enjoying ever minute of it. Aang filled them in more on where he had been for the three years he was gone. It was all new information to Toph, it made her regret a little how harsh she had been with him, but only a little. Zuko told Aang more about the two life changing field trips he and Toph had taken, with Toph interrupting ever now and again to add her side of the story.

Just as the sun was starting to set, Iroh asked for Toph's hand. He knew they were going to be going to their own rooms soon to sleep, this was his last chance. With a little reluctance Toph did as she was asked. The old firebender then asked the avatar to do the same. He placed Toph's thin pale hand over Aang's larger sunburnt one.

"The white lotus will protect the balance of the world. The avatar." leaving there hands as the were, Iroh took hold of his nephews, placing it over Toph's. "The nations rulers will aid the white lotus" a single tear rolled down the old man's check, as he looked at the future.

It was clear to all three of them what Iroh was trying to say to them. They had to protect each other, and maintain the balance of the four nations. As the avatar, the fire lord and the as he hoped the future grand master of the order of the white lotus. He was entrusting the new generation with the future. Passing on his duties onto them.

The rest of the gang would arrive soon early the next day at the earliest. Iroh knew there was a strong chance he would not be able to see them again, but he was so glad to have these three people with him now. That he was able to take to them like this before the others arrived., tell them what he wanted to.

Toph fell asleep in her chair not long after Iroh's gesture of hope for the future. She hadn't been sleeping very well lately. Iroh fallowed suit not long after. Zuko and Aang left them to rest. Before they left the room Aang pulled one of the spare blankets over Toph. As he did he moved a strand of her hair out of her face. Zuko caught a glance of this as he took one last look around the room. he felt a smile appear on his face. He worried that he wouldn't by able to be there to help Toph as much as he would like, but seeing that Aang was willing and eager to step into do it in his place, despite the reasons, made him feel worried about her. They left the room without saying a word. Each had a lot on their minds.

Aang to cast one last look around the room. He was looking for Momo, he saw him curled up on Toph's lap. The flying lemur opened his eyes and looked at the airbender. His eyes seemed to tell him it was ok, he would stay with Toph. Look after her and Iroh fro him and Zuko while they too rested.

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