I Need To Find Myself.
Song Inspired: Hat 2 Da Back by TLC (And you'll see why as you read this chapter)
This chapter will have several small flashback; it will be written in italic and should be self-explanatory when the reader approaches them.
Aang and Appa were about to make it to the Southern Water Tribe when so many thoughts began to go through his head, "Okay, So I'll invite Sokka and Katara at the same time; that way, there won't be any awkwardness between us and she won't feel so bad about seeing me." said Aang, contemplating how he's going to deliver the message to his old friends, and his old girlfriend. "Ugh, why did Zuko entrust this to me? I should've said no..." said Aang, but soon stopped himself, "No, there's no reason why I shouldn't deliver this message to Katara; I'm over her so this won't be a problem." said Aang to himself.
Aang and Appa were soon hovering over the icy village; Aang gave Appa a caring scrub on the top of his head, "Good job buddy; we made it." said Aang. After a couple of nights of traveling on Appa's back, he was ready to step foot on solid ground and lay on a comfortable chair, not to say that Appa's not comfortable, but a chair sure beats the back of a giant flying bison any day. Aang chuckled to himself at that thought as they descended down to the snow below them. He had to admit, he was not looking forward to seeing Katara, "What if she tries to kill me?" thought Aang to himself, but he had to deliver the invitation; after all Zuko entrusted him with the task, and Zuko won't hesitate on him if he doesn't do what he said he was going to do, Avatar or no Avatar. As Appa laid his giant feet onto the snow, Aang took a deep breath and climbed out of the Bison.
"I'll be back buddy" said Aang as he patted Appa on the head; Appa groaned in agreement.
Aang walked towards a native of the village, "Excuse me sir, would you happen to know where someone named Sokka would be in this village?" asked Aang.
"*Gasp*; the Avatar." said the villager, "It truly is an honor to be in your presence." continued the villager as he placed one knee onto the ground and bowed.
Aang chuckled, "Please, rise up sir; I'm just a man as are you." said Aang reassuringly as he gave a comforting smile to the elder man.
The man smiled as he raised up, "Well, I know Sokka and his kin; they dwell in that igloo." said the villager as he pointed towards the farthest igloo to the north of the village. "I'm pretty sure that his father Hakoda had gone off to hunt, and his grandmother Kanna had just embarked on a journey with her husband not too long ago before you arrived." Finished the villager.
"Thank you very much." said Aang as he gave a traditional salutation to the elder.
"The pleasure's all mine." said the villager as Aang continued on towards the igloo.
Aang began to walk towards the igloo and entered; only to regret having done just that.
He walked through the icy entrance, to see Sokka and Sukki half naked under animal fur sheets by a fire, making out ferociously.
Aang gasped and covered his eyes as he immediately turned his back on them; He about to exit when his foot got caught by a small mountain of snow by the entrance. Aang grunted as he hit the floor face first.
Sokka took quick notice of the stranger that entered into the igloo during his private moment and suspended himself over Suki, "Hey! Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" yelled Sokka as Sukki covered her breasts with her arms.
Aang groaned as he got up and placed his hand over his face, "Who leaves a small batch of snow by the corner of an entrance?" asked Aang irritatingly as he placed his other hand on his bent knee.
"Aang?" asked Sokka as he squinted his eyes.
Aang managed to get on his feet, "Just meet me outside after you put some clothes on." said Aang embarrassed by the sight of Sokka and Suki together in such a personal way as he walked out.
Aang waited outside the igloo for Sokka and Suki to come out; they finally did.
"Aang! good to see ya buddy!" yelled Sokka.
Aang was kind of surprised to see Sokka in such a giddy mood, maybe Suki helped make him that way, but he thought he'd be furious at him over his breakup with Katara.
"Don't worry Aang, we know all about it" said Suki.
Aang was shocked, "You know? And you don't want to kill me Sokka?" asked a baffled Aang.
"Well Aang, there's nothing more that I would love than to personally shove my fist in your face for breaking my sister's heart, but she insisted that I not get involved for her sake and remain friends with you." said Sokka.
Aang was wowed by Sokka's statement. He thought that Katara would just let Sokka's anger get the best of him in light of the situation and let him do whatever he wanted to him; but on the contrary, she told him not to get involved. This sent a wave of relief over him, "I guess she's over it" thought Aang as he smiled, "But I don't think she mentioned anything about Onji, so I'll just keep that to myself, for now." thought Aang to himself.
"Although, I could make an exception for you kicking my meat hill" said Sokka angrily.
"Meat hill?" asked Aang with a confused look on his face.
"Yes my meat hill! I keep my meat under that little pile of ice to preserve my meat; you know, the small hill of ice that you tripped on when you spied on me and Suki!" yelled Sokka as he pointed to the partially destroyed ice hill with meat spewing from it's side.
"I'm sorry I kicked your meat hill, but I didn't spy on you and Suki!" pleaded Aang as he waved his hands.
Sokka looked at Aang and felt as if he had the upper hand of him; he dragged Aang by his collar with a livid expression on his face and said, "Just kidding, boy did you get scared!" cackled Sokka.
Aang gave Sokka an angry face and grabbed him by the neck, giving him a nookie as Sokka began to punch him in the head.
"Ehem!" said Suki.
They noticed Suki's glare and immediately stopped.
Sokka brushed himself off and continued on with the conversation, "So back to Katara; yeah, she made this whole debacle about her finding her own way when she left for Ba Sing Se and-"
"Wait a minute, she went back to Ba Sing Se? Why?" asked Aang, interrupting Sokka's explanation.
"Well Aang I was getting to that until you interrupted me. Now I'll be more than happy to tell you why if you'll let me continue." said Sokka with a snooty face on.
Aang sighed, "Ok" said Aang.
"Well, she explained that she wanted to find her way; and that she wanted to play the field to find what she's looking for, you know, woman stuff." said Sokka, Suki menacingly glaring at her lover.
Aang couldn't help but feel a little jealous over hearing that Katara went to Ba Sing Se to date other guys, but in a way couldn't blame her. After all, he's dating Onji, so Katara has every right to date whomever she pleases. But still...
"But anyway Aang, she's really determined to make a new life all on her own, so I don't think you need to worry about her being all melancholy and depressed because of you." said Sokka, hinting at Aang that she will be fantastic without him and if he tries anything funny with his sister that he'll pop his fist right through his arrow. Aang quickly got the message and tried to change the subject.
"Okay, well I'm here to deliver a message, from Zuko." said Aang.
"Really? What's it about?" asked Suki.
"It's more of an invitation really, to a Fire Nation Event that Zuko's having. He says it's a new thing so it's bound to be interesting." said Aang.
"Wow, that sounds pretty awesome." said Sokka.
Aang smiled, "There's just one thing he said not to bring: children of any kind." said Aang.
"Any kind? Are children like fruits to you Aang? Different varieties?" said Sokka wittingly as Suki chuckled by his joke.
Aang gave Sokka an annoyed look as he caught on to his joke, "No; He said it's an adult themed party and that no children such as brothers, sister, cousins, girlfriend's best friend's daughters, kids like that aren't allowed to come to the party." said Aang.
"Ok, that's weird." said Suki.
"It's just a party guys; it's not like there's going to be guns or warships." said Aang, beginning to prefer the guns and warships over seeing Katara again. "Besides, it'll be in Zuko's palace which we all know is heavily guarded, so I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun, so you are both invited." said Aang.
"And when's this party?" asked Suki.
"The first week of the first month of the following year." said Aang proudly.
"That's a mouthful." said Sokka.
"Hey, I'm just delivering the message." said Aang innocently.
Sokka thought for a moment, "Well, alright then; we'll be there." said Sokka.
"Great! I'll see you guys then." said Aang happily.
"Alright, but Aang, just because we're cool right now doesn't mean I'm not mad at you over what you did to my sister." said Sokka angrily, poking his index finger to Aang's chest.
Aang felt shame as he understood Sokka's feelings against him.
"But, I will still keep our friendship, as long as you're willing." said Sokka, giving a smile.
Aang felt relief, "Thank you Sokka; there's nothing that I want more." said Aang meaningfully.
Sokka quickly turned around, "Alright then, who's up for some steamed sea prunes?" said Sokka as he pulled out a giant bowl of the ocean grown food and stuck it to Aang's and Suki's face.
"Ohoho, I would love some" chuckled Suki nervously, as if trying to play along.
Aang's face twisted at the thought of having to swallow what he thought was the most disgusting cuisine on the face of the planet next to broiled meat.
"Uhhh I have to go...deliver more messages! Yeah, that's it; I would really love some Sokka but, I have to go visit Toph, and then deliver the message to your sister." Aang shivered at the thought of seeing Katara again.
"Ehh, suit yourself; more for me and Suki." said Sokka boastfully as Suki gave a nervous smile back to her lover.
"Alright then, but before I go, I need to know exactly where Katara is." said Aang.
"That's just it Aang; we don't know." said Sokka.
"Sokka said that she said she was going to the city but didn't specify where." said Suki.
Aang looked disappointed; he doesn't want to go on a wild goose chase to look for Katara, and besides; who'se to say that she'll even talk to him after what happened between them?
"Let's see, she wouldn't just go to Ba Sing Se and live there without having connections." said Aang as he gave a thinking face.
"And do youuuu know who lives in Ba Sing Se?" asked Sokka dolefully.
An idea snapped inside Aang's mind, "Iroh!, it has to be!" declared Aang.
"Oh yeah! Zuko's uncle still lives there; I forgot about that." said Suki.
"I'll start to look for her there, if I don't find her there then I guess I have no choice but to search for her throughout the city", said Aang, "Aagh, I'm so not looking forward to this." thought Aang to himself.
Suki caught up to Aang's befuddled expression on his face, "Alright then, I guess we'll see you on the day of the event." said Suki.
Aang gave an encouraging smile and thumbs up to the happy couple as he ran towards Appa.
Suki chuckled, "Oh boy, he is so confused." she said while she nodded her head.
"What? What do you mean?" asked a baffled Sokka.
"I mean that he's so confused that he doesn't even know what he wants." said Suki.
"What? How can you tell?" asked Sokka commandingly.
"I swear Sokka sometimes you can be so oblivious." said Suki as she rolled her eyes.
Sokka raised his eyebrow, "I didn't notice anything, how come you can?" asked Sokka as he pointed his finger at his girlfriend.
"It's a girl thing Sokka, you wouldn't understand." said Suki as she stuck her nose in the air and crossed her arms.
"Gi-gi-ha-mun-aaaghhh! never mind" babbled Sokka knowing well he's been defeated.
Aang ran towards Appa and decided to go see Toph before trying to find Katara; that way if he can't find Katara, he can spend all the time he needs searching for her without jeopardizing Toph from getting her invitation on time.
"Perfect" said Aang to himself, "Alright Appa; we have another trip to make; this time to Gaoling." told Aang to Appa. Appa groaned in agreement and took to the sky with Aang on his back; the next stop on their journey being the Earth Kingdom town.
Katara walked down the street with Lee as they enjoyed eachother's company beneath the stars in the middle of the town court.
"It's so beautiful out tonight." said Katara as the moon glistened on her dark tan skin.
Lee saw how the moon hit Katara and accentuated her in just the right features, "Yeah, but not as beautiful as you." said Lee charmingly.
Katara blushed as Lee complimented her, "I don't know if I'll ever find love again Lee; I've made so many mistakes with A-" Katara hesitated.
Lee was watching her, paying close attention to every word she said.
Katara continued as she stared at the fountain in front of her, "With him, and I'm afraid that I'll just make the same mistakes all over again." said Katara regretfully.
"Katara, don't worry, everything's going to be alright." said Lee comfortingly.
Katara gave her new friend a smile as she romantically gazed at him. Lee placed his hand over Katara's hand, "I don't think this is something that you should worry about right now; you have all the time in the world to figure that out, just relax and enjoy the time you're having now." advised Lee lovingly, gently placing his hand over Katara's.
"Lee..." said Katara dreamily.
"Katara..." said Lee just as dreamily as he placed his hand on Katara's cheek. His hand soon moved to her chin, folding his fingers around it as he gently place a tender kiss on her sweet lips. He quickly ended the kiss so as not to intimidate her.
"Katara; I've been meaning to ask you this" said Lee, nervously contemplating what he wants to say, "Katara, will you be my girl?" asked Lee.
Katara smiled, only to frown moments later, "Lee, it's been a week and a half since my last boyfriend and I have broken up." said Katara.
"I know, but hear me out Katara. You're beautiful, smart and so out there; I want to treat you like the princess that you are Katara, please let me be your guy, and you be my girl." pleaded Lee sensuously.
Katara couldn't resist, "Yes, yes I will be your girlfriend Lee." said Katara happily as she jumped Lee and gave him the biggest hug she's given him yet, and planted a deep kiss on his lips.
Lee was taken aback by Katara's action, but was very pleased nonetheless, "Katara, I hope that one day, you can be my forever girl." said Lee.
Suddenly Katara had a quick flashback, triggered by those very words...
"Katara; I know that we haven't been together long" said Aang.
"I know Aang, it's been a couple of months" said Katara as she chuckled.
"I know, just hear me out. I want you to know Katara that I love you, you are my forever girl" said Aang.
"You are my forever girl..."
Those very words echoed through her head repetitively.
"Katara, Katara?" called Lee as if trying to snap Katara out of a trance.
"Yeah?" asked Katara.
"I just wanted to make sure that you were alright, you seemed distracted" chuckled Lee.
Katara looked concerned, "Lee, I just want to take it slow; there are things that I really need to work on but in order to do so, I need to take things one step at a time." exclaimed Katara.
Lee smiled, "Of course Katara, I'll take it as slow as you want me to go." said Lee as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
Katara smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek, "Well, I'm going to cash in; been working nonstop at the tea shop." said Katara as she chuckled.
Lee nodded in agreement, "I'll see you next time?" asked Lee.
Katara gave Lee a big grin, "Sounds like a date." said Katara as she bent over to give her new beau on the cheek.
As Katara walked back into the back of the tea shop and up the stairs into her new bedroom, she couldn't help but feel hopeful about everything that's been going on in her life. She let out a sigh as she walked to her bed and took her clothes and bindings off; slipping a light sleeping gown over her head as she combed her long locks. As she sat in front of her mirror while she brushed, she couldn't help but think about Aang before she fell asleep. "How could he do this to me?" asked Katara to herself. "Lee is such a great guy, but Aang, oh Aang..." thought Katara to herself as tears began to flow from her ocean blue eyes.
"I shouldn't have, shouldn't have smothered you; this is all my fault." thought Katara.
Katara snapped out of it, "No, no Aang, I won't let you control me feelings." she proclaimed, but she couldn't help but feel the past creeping up to her...
"Katara, I've been told to go to this meeting; I can't afford to miss anymore of them." said Aang.
"Ok that's fine, but how long will you be gone?" asked Katara commandingly.
"I don't know.." said Aang as he turned his head away from her, ready to blow his fuse.
"I just don't understand what the point of these meetings are, I mean, all you guys talk about is rebuilding towns; Every nation has taken care of that pretty well without your help, so why do they need you to be there all the time?" asked Katara.
"Because I'm the Avatar." said Aang angrily.
"Yes, and for no other reason..." said Katara.
Aang sighed, "Look; I won't go to this meeting if it bothers you so much for me to go." said Aang, feeling offended.
Katara looked away from him, "It's not that, Aang." said Katara.
Aang balled his fists, "Then what is it Katara! Enlighten me!" shouted Aang.
"...I don't know..." said Katara softly.
"You never know! It's always the same argument with you everyday Katara; why can't you be understanding of my humanitarian duties?" asked Aang heatedly.
There was complete silence for a moment.
"Well! Aren't you going to answer!" shouted Aang.
Katara hesitated, "Because I don't know!" yelled Katara.
Katara's mind soon came back to Earth as she suddenly heard a knock on her door.
"Katara, may I offer you some Jasmine tea?" asked Iroh from the outside of her room.
Katara sighed in relief, "No, no thank you." said Katara.
"May I come in?" asked Iroh.
Katara quickly shuffled her bedsheets and covered herself appropriately, "Y-yes you can, come in." said Katara.
Iroh opened the door and made his way into Katara's room; he quickly let out a smile, "I just want to make sure that you're alright; you looked pretty tense on the job today." said Iroh.
Katara gave him a thankful smile, "Really Iroh, I'm fine." said the young Water Tribe girl.
Iroh raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure? You still seem pretty tense." said Iroh.
"I'm ok, really." said Katara.
"Well, if you ever need to talk to me about anything just know that I'm here for you at anytime; well, except tea time." chuckled Iroh.
Katara gave a cracked smile, "Thanks Iroh." said Katara.
"Well, I'm going to check out for the night; let me know if you need anything." said Iroh innocently.
"I will Iroh, don't worry about me." said Katara as she chuckled.
Iroh made his way to the door and closed it behind him as Katara dimmed the light in her room. She knows that Iroh wants nothing more than her happiness; and has been watching her as a father looks after his own child. She acknowledged that and was thankful; he's even been hospitable to Lee which also made her very appreciative of Iroh's kindness and understanding. Katara managed to break a small smile as she closed her eyes and fell to sleep.
After traveling on Appa for a couple of more days, Aang finally made it to the town of Gaoling, Toph's hometown. He saw a small clearing below them with enough berries to sustain the large Bison for a certain amount of time; Aang wasn't planning on staying too long, so he landed Appa below them.
"Alright buddy, just wait for me here; and make yourself comfortable, there's plenty of berries for you to eat here." said Aang cheerfully, the Bison groaned in compliance as Aang waved goodbye and ran towards Toph's direction.
"Man, it's been so long since I've seen Toph, I wonder how much she's changed." said Aang to himself.
Soon after, he arrived to his destination. He walked towards the front of the luxurious estate that belonged to the Bei Fong family when he was stopped by several guards.
"Stop right this second!-" The guard paused his orderly yell when he suddenly realized he was in the presence of the Avatar. Aang was a bit startled and backed off in a fighting stance until the guard bent down on one knee.
"Avatar Aang, please forgive me; I didn't receive word that the Bei Fongs were expecting you." said the guard honorably.
Aang quickly relaxed, "Actually, they're not; it's more of a surprise drop-in." chuckled Aang.
"I will aware them of your presence immediately." said the guard as he got up from the ground.
"No!" said Aang frightfully.
The guard looked at Aang in a suspicious manner, "Avatar Aang?" said the guard.
"Please, don't let them know I'm here; I'm actually just here to see their daughter Toph."
The guard gave Aang a reassuring nod, "Of course, Avatar; please this way." said the guard.
The guards led Aang into the giant estate. He had forgotten how beautiful it was; the flowers in constant bloom, the grass freshly cut, the landscape well taken care of, "wow" he thought to himself. The guards then led Aang through a couple of corridors and hallways until they finally reached a rather large green door, but before the guards could knock on it, a voice spoke from the other side, "Leave us be" said the feminine voice.
The guards were taken aback by the sudden response and exchanged glances at one another, "Of course Miss Toph." said the guard.
As the guards departed from Aang, the voice spoke again, "You can come in twinkletoes."
Aang immediately twisted the knob in front of him and opened the door to reveal his old friend sitting on a chair bending a piece of metal with her fingers. She immediately placed the piece of metal down on her dresser and acknowledged her old friend.
"It's good to see ya!" said Toph; she ran to Aang and gave him a 'light' shove to his arm with her fist.
Aang smiled and observed her, and how little her physical appearance had changed, same pants, same shirt, and most importantly, same bare feet, except that now she sports a ponytail instead of the giant bundt hairstyle she used to carry, and her frame looked much more feminine, "Toph; it's good to see you too!" said Aang.
"Yeah, well it's not like you visit much anyway," said Toph slyly, trying to push Aang's buttons. Aang blushed in embarrassment at Toph insinuation.
"Oh and by the way, you smell." said Toph. Aang now felt even more embarrassed as his blush turned deep red, whiffing his underarms as he twisted his face to realize that she was right.
Aang got into defensive mode, "Well, it's not like traveling constantly leaves you smelling fresh and rosy!" yelled Aang.
Toph chuckled, "Relax twinkletoes, I understand. Just take a shower in my bathroom; I'll wait for you out here." said Toph as she pointed to the door at the very end of her room.
Aang looked at Toph baffled, "Are you serious?" asked Aang. Toph nodded in agreement.
"Well, ok." said Aang, feeling almost threatened. He proceeded to her bathroom and closed the door. As he took off his clothes, he couldn't help but observe the bathroom he was in, and how clean it was, "Hmm, for someone as butchy as Toph, I never expected for her to be so clean. Heh, even the tub has a curtain on it" chuckled Aang to himself. He got in the tub and pulled the curtain so as to have some sense of privacy. He washed under his arms as he suddenly thought of Onji and how perfect he thinks she is, "Ahhh, Onji..." but his thoughts soon turned on him as the thought of Katara crept up, "Katara..." he continued to think of her, "I hope you're alright about us now Katara, because I'm coming to see you next, and I don't think I can bear to see you upset; after all, you're still my friend". Suddenly a voice from outside his door suddenly interrupted his thoughts, "Hurry it up in there, I haven't got all day!" yelled Toph.
Aang quickly took a bath and dried himself off to get dressed, only to find that everything he had on when he arrived was missing, "Toph, where are my clothes! And my medallion!" asked Aang loudly.
"Oh, I had my maid come in and clean those off for you too, I mean, what's the point of having a clean body if your clothes reek too, am I right!" yelled Toph from the other side of the door. Aang was so enthralled in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the door in the bathroom open, "Oh, and don't worry about your medallion, it's right here on my dresser, Just wear the robe and slippers that she left you on the hanger!" continued Toph.
And that's when Aang spotted it, A long, purple robe with fuzzy pink slippers next to them. "Ugh...this is so wrong" thought Aang to himself. He slipped on the robe and slippers as he left the bathroom.
Toph took a big whiff of the air as Aang approached, "Aaahhhhhh, that's more like it." said Toph, Aang giving her a menacing glare, "So, what's up twinkletoes?" asked Toph.
Aang took a seat on one of Toph's chairs uncomfortably, "I came to deliver a message to you" said Aang while trying to recover himself.
"Well, I hope it's a verbal one; you know I can't read." smiled Toph.
Aang chuckled, "Of course it's verbal; otherwise I wouldn't be here to give it to you." said Aang sweetly.
Toph laughed, then a thought came to her head "Come to think of it, what are you doing here?" asked Toph.
"Well, Zuko asked me to deliver this message, to the old gang; he wanted me to do this for each and every one of you personally." said Aang.
"Ahh I see" said Toph, as if examining Aang's every move with her seismic sensing.
There was an uncomfortable silence between them, "Soooo, How's everything with your parents?" asked Aang.
"Eh, the usual; they still don't like the idea of me bending, come to think of it, they don't seem to like the idea of me at all." said Toph dissapointingly.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" asked Aang, concerned for his friend.
Toph put her elbows on her knees and clapped her hands together, "Well, it just seems that they don't like some of the 'choices' that I've made in my personal life." said Toph.
"You have a guy in your life? That's great! Why would your parents hate that?" asked Aang.
Toph blushed; Aang quickly noticed her uncomfortable state and didn't want to push the issue further for he knows very well how strict and annoying Toph's parents are. Come to think of it, Toph's own parents are two of the very few people that really get under her skin; and they haven't made her transition back home from the war so easy either, so he's heard.
"So, do you still participate in Earth Rumbles?" asked Aang as he made a punching motion towards the air.
"Of course I do, otherwise how would I survive being in this miserable house with parents that are constantly trying to change who I am?" asked Toph.
Aang seemed baffled, "Toph, if you really hate it here, then why don't you just leave?" asked Aang.
"Well-" Toph cut herself off as she sensed the ground below her feet. Toph got up and walked to her door; Aang was a little suspicious of her action, but trusted Toph's judgement completely as she went to open the door.
As she opened the door, a young woman with a long black braid and emerald green eyes was standing at the door. Aang suspected she was a personal chef by the apron she was wearing, and for the food she was carrying on a pure silver server along with his robes and undergarnments on her arms.
"Hey Mana, and thank you." said Toph in a disinterested tone.
Mana smiled, "It's always a pleasure to serve you" said Mana in an understanding voice.
Aang looked confused as Mana gave Toph her server and Aang his clothes; She soon dismissed herself from the room. Toph, on the other hand, was gobbling up the food that her personal chef brought her, "Fuuu wan srrm?" asked Toph with a mouthful of rice.
Aang gave a disgusted look as he watched Toph eat her food while he put his robes on, "What?" asked Aang.
Toph swallowed her food, "I ASKED if you WANTED SOME!" said Toph demandingly.
"Oh! no thank you." said Aang, chuckling at Toph's vulgar manners; observing her as she wiped her fingers with her shirt and let out a huge belch.
"Ahhhh, that hit the spot." said Toph as she satisfyingly rubbed her belly. "So twinkletoes, what's this message that you have to give me?" asked Toph as she placed her hands behind her head.
Aang relaxed as he put on the final piece of his ensemble, his medallion, "Well, Zuko's holding a Fire Nation Event; he says it's adult themed so no kids of any kind are allowed." said Aang.
"Heh don't have to worry about that, no kids around here." said Toph boastfully, "Come to think of it, I see this as being more of a problem for you and sugarqueen than for anyone else." said Toph as she cackled a bit.
Aang's happy expression quickly took a turn for the worst, Toph took quick notice.
"Twinkletoes, you don't have to talk about anything you don't want to." said Toph.
"That's ok Toph, I really don't mind." said Aang assuringly.
"Well I do, I don't want to hear all of this mushy stuff, but I'll make an exception for you Aang." said Toph. Toph rarely calls Aang by his name, and only does so when she senses that something is wrong.
Aang tilted his chin towards his chest, "Katara and I aren't together anymore." said Aang.
Toph picked on her feet as she comprehended what Aang just said, "Eh, I'm not surprised." said Toph.
Aang on the other hand was surprised, "You're not?" asked Aang.
Toph laid back on her chair, "Not at all, she's too pushy, and I just knew it was only a matter of time." said Toph as she got the last piece of gunk from her toes and flicked it.
Aang didn't know what to say, "Well, there's someone new." said Aang.
"Oh boy" said Toph as she rolled her eyes.
Aang raised his eyebrow, "What?" asked Aang.
"I don't know Aang, don't you think that you're moving a little too fast?" said Toph.
"No, not at all; on the contrary, we're taking it very slow." said Aang trustingly.
Toph took a big sigh, "If you say so..." said Toph. "So when's this Fire Nation 'event'?" asked Toph as she bent both of her index and middle fingers.
"On the first week of the first month of the following year." said Aang.
"Wow, that's a mouthful." said Toph.
Aang chuckled, "Yeah, that's what Sokka said." said Aang, "It'll be in Zuko's palace; I'm pretty sure that wherever there's a lot of people is where the event will be specifically in so keep your feet peeled." said Aang.
Toph got up from her chair and put her fists on her waist, "Well Aang, you got yourself an attendee; I'll be there." said Toph enthusiastically.
Aang's serious expression soon turned bright, "That's great!" said Aang just as enthusiastically. "Try to be there early so that we can all meet up together" said Aang.
"Alright twinkletoes, but one more question." said Toph.
"Yeah?" asked Aang innocently.
"Can we bring someone along, like a date?" asked Toph as she blushed at her own question.
Aang smiled empathetically, "Sure, I'm bringing my date, and Sokka's bringing Suki, so I don't see why you can't" said Aang like-mindedly.
Toph gave Aang a smile. "Then it's settled, I'll bring my date." said Toph.
Aang smiled back and patted his old friend on the back, "Can't wait to meet him." said Aang.
Toph gave a nervous look, "Yeah, well I'll see you there." said Toph.
"Alright, I'll see you then Toph." said Aang cluelessly as he jumped out of her window and ran out of the estate.
"Bye Aang!" yelled Toph as she sensed her friend take off into the outer skirts of her home.
"Alright, so I got Sokka and Suki, now Toph, next and last on the list is...Katara." said Aang, definitely not looking forward to his encounter with her. He found Appa with his mouth full of red berries, but remained oblivious to it because of his fear of meeting up with his ex girlfriend again. "What if she's not alright, and she still hates me?" said Aang to himself, but soon gave a determined expression knowing that there was no other way around it. He know that he has to invite Katara regardless of what she may or may not be feeling, so he has to put his concerns aside and do what he has to do. "Heh, it's funny, the one thing I didn't do much during the course of our entire relationship is the one thing I'm doing now." thought Aang to himself as he and Appa took to the sky once again.
"Okay buddy; we have one last stop before we go back to the Fire Nation: To Ba Sing Se!" yelled Aang as they soared towards their destination.
She finally made it to her destination, "Earth Nation Territory", said Azula to herself.
She jumped out of the canoe and dragged it into the cold sand, "I can't just leave it here, they'll discover the contraption and set out to find me." said Azula to herself. A jet of blue flame emanated from her right hand as she targeted her canoe and set it on fire, then proceeded to smash it into several small pieces as she swung her right leg through it. She then got on her knees to the ground and clawed deep into the sand to discard the remains of her boat. She broke a sweat as she got up to dust the sand from her body, and as she swished strands of hair from her face, she quickly put on her hooded cloak and proceeded to head towards who knows where.
She made a menacing gesture with her eyes, "I don't know where you are, but count on the fact that I, Azula, rightful heir to the Fire Nation throne shall fetch what is rightfully mine, your rotting corpse beneath my feet." said Azula as her minacious cackle enchoed through the night.
I seriously couldn't squeeze everything I wanted into this chapter and had to literally cut it in half. But even when I cut it in half this chapter still averages over 6000 words, so I apologize for making it so long. Stay tuned! :]