Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...

Chapter 8

The gang was up, and ready to leave Gaoling early the next morning. After a light breakfast, they gathered their bags and left the academy to catch the next ferry to Ba Sing Se, arriving just in time. Securing their tickets, they stowed away their bags and found a place to sit on deck. The ferry would take them through the Serpent's Pass to the outskirts of Ba Sing Se, where they would catch the train in to the city.

The ferry ride was long and boring, and everyone was becoming a bit restless. Especially Tenzin. Sokka and Suki passed the time playing with Kya, while Toph sat across from them, relaxed back in her seat with her eyes closed. Katara had gone below deck to the gally, to see if she could find them something to eat. Having nothing to do, Tenzin quietly walked over and sat down in the seat next to Toph.

"Hey Tenzin." Toph said flatly, without opening her eyes.

"Aunt Toph... if you can't see, how did you know it was me?" Tenzin asked the blind earthbender.

"I can see with my feet." Toph replied casually.

"With your feet? How?" Tenzin asked incredulously.

"I can feel vibrations in the earth with my feet. Or in the metal deck, in this case." Toph replied.

"What kind of vibrations?" Tenzin queried.

"All things touching the ground send vibrations through the earth, and I can feel the vibrations with my feet using earthbending. The vibrations are different for everything and everyone. So, basically, I can sense where things are, and who's around me." Toph explained.

"So you could tell it was me by my vibrations?" Tenzin asked. Trying to understand.

"Yep. There's only one other person that has vibrations like your's, and he's not here. So it had to be you, Little Twinkletoes." Toph said, laughing.

"Little twinkatoes?" Tenzin asked, slightly confused.

"Twinkletoes. That's what I called your daddy when I first met him." Toph explained, smiling.

"Why?" Tenzin asked curiously.

"Because his footsteps were so light, I could barely sense his vibrations. Like he was walking on air." Toph explained to the boy.

Tenzin sat quietly for a few minutes, thinking about what his aunt said. Wanting to know more about his father. "What's he like?" He asked.

"Who?" Toph replied.

"My daddy." Tenzin clarified.

"Oh..." Toph said slowly. Not sure how to answer. "Well... ummmm... What has your mother told you about him?" She asked.

"She said that he's an Air Nomad. And that he's away doing important things to make the world better." Tenzin told her.

"Hmmmmm... That's all true..." Toph began. "But really... he's much more than that." She finished, with a devilish grin on her face.

"More than what?" Tenzin inquired.

"Tenzin, can you keep a secret?" Toph asked, leaning in closer to him.

"Yeah." Tenzin whispered, eagerly waiting for her reply.

"Your daddy... is the most powerful being on the planet." Toph said to him quietly. "The master of all elements." She added. "He's The Avatar." She finished, barely above a whisper.

"The Avatar?" Tenzin asked with awe.

"Yep." Toph said proudly.

"Wow." Tenzin replied softly. His family had told him stories about Avatar Aang. How they helped him save the world and end the Hundred Year War. And how he mastered all of the elements by the time he was twelve, a feat no other Avatar had even come close to achieving. 'My Daddy's more powerful than anyone else in the world .' He thought with pride.

"Remember, Tenzin... this is our little secret." Toph said, winking at him.

"Uh, huh." Tenzin said, nodding. A huge grin on his face.

Aang left the Inn and walked down to the stables to retrieve Appa. It was getting late, but there was no reason to stay on Kyoshi Island, having found out that his friends weren't there. If he flew through the night, he should be able to reach the Earth Kingdom by morning. While loading his things on the bison's back, he contemplated his next move. 'Should I go to Gaoling, and hope they're still there? Or head back to Ba Sing Se, and wait for them to arrive?' He wondered.

After weighing his options, afraid that it would be too late to catch them in Gaoling, he decided it would be best if he went back to Ba Sing Se. He would look for them at the house they all shared during the war. Assuming that they would be staying there. Leading the skybison out of the stables and in to the street, he airbended himself on to it's head. "Yip, yip." He said, and the animal ascended in to the sky. Then disappeared in to the night.

Reaching their destination, the gang took the train in to Ba Sing Se. Then headed for the house they all shared during the war, and unpacked.

"I'm too tired to cook. Why don't we head in to town and grab a bite to eat?" Katara suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Suki said.

"Sure." Toph added.

"I don't care where we go, as long as they have meat." Sokka finished.

With everyone in agreement, they decided on a restaurant near the heart of the city and headed out. Stopping to browse in a few shops along the way. Tenzin's eyes were as big as saucers as he took in his surroundings. He had never seen so many people in one place before. The city stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was amazing.

After dinner, they stopped by the Jasmine Dragon to have a cup of tea before retiring for the night.

"Welcome friends! What a wonderful surprise! It has been a long time since we last saw each other." Iroh exclaimed when they entered. A bright smile on his face. "Let me get you a table. Please, follow me." He added, then led them to the room reserved for VIP's.

After thanking him, they all sat down around the elegant table. Iroh excused himself, and disappeared in to the kitchen. Returning a few minutes later with a large tray carrying tea and cakes, serving them to everyone at the table.

"What brings you to Ba Sing Se? Business or pleasure?" Iroh asked as he joined his guests at the table.

"Pleasure." Sokka replied. "We're taking a vacation from Kyoshi Island." He added.

"Wonderful! There is no better place for a vacation than Ba Sing Se." Iroh replied cheerfully. "And who are the two lovely children you have with you?" He asked his friends curiously.

"This is our daughter Kya..." Sokka said, gesturing to the infant in his wife's arms. "And that's Katara's son, Tenzin." He added, motioning toward Tenzin.

"Pleased to meet you Kya... and Tenzin." Iroh said with a smile. Nodding his head toward each of the children as he spoke. "They are beautiful. You must be very proud." He added sincerely.

"Thank you. We are." Suki said proudly.

Iroh glanced at Katara and grinned widely. He had obviously guessed who her son's father was, making her blush. "How long will you be staying in Ba Sing Se?" He asked them, changing the subject.

"We're not really sure. There's nothing too important waiting for us back home, so we're just gonna take it one day at a time." Sokka replied.

"Splendid. Feel free to visit me any time you'd like. You are always welcome here." Iroh said, smiling warmly as he rose from the table. "Unfortunately, I must get back to my customers. Please, stay as long as you'd like, and let me know if there is anything you need." He added, then politely excused himself.

Calling it a night, the gang finished their tea and returned to the house. Then headed off to bed, completely exhausted. Their long day of traveling finally taking it's toll.