Chapter 30
That night, the Gaang slept over at Toph's place for the first time ever. It took a lot of convincing on Toph's part, since it was hard to get her parents to see her way, but her parents had finally agreed to let them stay when Toph told them her friends can protect her if trouble comes, only on the condition that the couples stay in separate rooms. They thought it was inappropriate for unmarried people to stay in the same bed. No one looked happy about that. Don't the Beifong's realize the couples have to sleep together? Not only were they more comfortable together with their other halves, it assured them the other was safe and sound. It was as if the adults were trying to sever their bonds.
When everything was quiet and still, Katara and Mai snuck out of their rooms, breaking the rules, and walked together toward their boyfriend's rooms, which was ,luckily, side by side. They didn't say anything, worried that their voices would echo in the silence.
Aang was lying on the bed, trying to get comfortable, then sat up when he heard his girlfriend say, 'Open the door, Aang.' Smiling, he did so, very quietly. Luckily the door was more or less brand new, so the hinges didn't squeak. When he saw Mai with her, the boy knew she was seeing Zuko. Go figure. He had had the feeling from when they met that the oldest couple were the most rebellious ones.
He pointed to the door on his right, showing her where Zuko was. Mai nodded in thanks and quietly opened the door without knocking. There was no need to. A moment later, Suki appeared from around the corner, and Aang directed her to Sokka's room across from his own. She nodded in thanks and quietly went in.
Then he gestured Katara in with a grin, and as soon as he closed the door and turned around, Katara kissed him fiercely. Aang responded instantly, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her closer. He had missed her so much; the teenager hated being away from her.
Sharing tongues, they backed up to the King sized bed and fell on it, Katara on top. Despite the fact of them being apart for a short period of time, it felt like an excruciating eternity for them. Being together felt right, normal.
Aang broke away and started kissing and nibbling her neck, and Katara couldn't supress a moan of delight. Her hands massaged his bare chest, and Aang groaned into her neck, his warm breath tickling her and making her give a breathy chuckle. He flipped them over so he was over her before kissing her again.
Some time later, he broke away and they smiled, both breathing heavily. A lock of long brown hair had fallen into her face and he pushed it away before tenderly kissing her nose. "I missed you," he murmured after pulling back.
Katara laughed quietly. "It wasn't that long, Aang," she answered, though she felt the same way.
Aang chuckled. "It might not have been, but it felt that way. I hate being away from you for any period of time."
Katara stroked his precious face staring lovingly at her. Her heart fluttered like a butterfly trying to escape its cage. She didn't know what to say; there was nothing more to say, because she knew he knew what she felt for him, about them. Instead of talking, choosing instead to let her actions speak for her, Katara started kissing him again. Aang didn't mind that one bit. They made out lovingly, like the night at the dance when Aang asked her to live with him Senior Year. She still had not given her answer yet, but Aang wasn't going to rush her. She'll tell him when she was ready.
Afterwards, both breathless from kissing so much, Aang rolled off of her and settled down for the night, the girl sinking into the warmth, from both the bed and him. He kissed her hair and when he had enough breath murmured, "You do know you have to leave before the Beifong's find you here, right?"
Katara nodded her head in assent. "I know. I've actually developed a habit of waking up before everyone else, usually at the crack of dawn." She raised her head to playfully glare at him. "I think it's your fault, Mister Up Before Sunrise. If you slept in, like a normal person, I wouldn't have this problem."
Aang quietly laughed. "Oh, sure, blame the guy," he said sarcastically, gray eyes twinkling. "Besides," he added, "I think you enjoy having me up early to spoil you."
Katara let a huge grin break out. "You're so corny," she stated, rolling her eyes.
He brought her closer. "You know you love that about me."
She rolled her eyes again. "Whatever, Aang," she said nonchalantly, though she had to work hard to keep the smile from breaking through. Patting his chest she added, "Now let's get some sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us."
Aang nodded. "I agree. Goodnight, Water Lily."
Katara sighed, a gentle smile gracing her lips. She really did love that nickname. "Goodnight, Flowing Wind." Aang smiled, loving the sound of her nickname for him, and the two of them fell into a deep slumber.
Toph lay on her bed, fast asleep. She had been tired since uncovering her Earthbending and practicing it a little, more to make Sokka uncomfortable than to actually learn. Earthbending. The name has a nice ring to it. Combine that with talking to her parents, the Blind Bandit was exhausted, and she fell into a deep sleep as soon as she had hit the large pillows. At first her mind was blank, then everything morphed and became different.
The Realm Of Dreams is a mystic place, where dreams and nightmares spring from depending on what thoughts were hidden from the outside world. It can take the form of anything, from a swamp, to the nicest town. It can produce old childhood fears, bringing them to life to terrify its occupant to no end. Or it can bring dreams to a temporary reality, fulfilling the dreamer's ambitions.
Toph's dream, despite what she told others, was to see, to not be blind. Even if it was only temporary, she wanted to know what the world looked like, not to just feel it, but to 'see' it. But she knew it was never going to happen. She was stuck this way forevermore. The girl will never know how her family looks, can only guess what her friends look like. She was envious of those who can see, even though she was proud she could sense better than most people. Toph just wanted to be normal for a little while.
When she opened her eyes, expecting light or blackness, depending on the mood, she received a shock. When her eyes were closed, she had sensed she was on Earth. However, Toph didn't expect to actually 'see' it.
Everything was green and the air warm, which was odd since it was Autumn; but she wasn't complaing. Along with green was the blue and green and white of the river, making light splashing sounds as it went over the bed. Toph turned on the spot, gazing around with new eyes. She ran to the river despite her fear of water and gazed at herself in the mirror like surface. If she hadn't been born blind, her eyes would have been a startling emerald green, like the ones that were looking back at her.
Toph gasped, pushing her raven bangs out of her gaping face. People used to tell her that she was pretty, but she had shrugged it off since she couldn't see. Now, looking at herself, she had to admit that she was pretty; beautiful even. "Wow," she breathed.
And jumped when an elderly woman's voice said, "You're as beautiful as I remember." Whirling around, Toph wondered why she hadn't sensed someone coming. Then it occurred to her since she could literally see, her feet weren't needed. It was a bit disconcerting, but she might as well get used to it while she was here.
"Who are you?" Toph asked, staring at the woman with a curious yet cautious expression. She was an elder with dark skin, white long hair, crinkly face, and a somewhat bent posture. She looked like an Indian. But her eyes, which was a beautiful emerald green like Toph's, sparkled with happiness and love. The girl knew that voice; her mind was adapted to remember the smallest details. Yet, she couldn't quite remember who this woman was.
The old lady smiled again. "You do not remember me by my voice? I'm not that surprised, considering I had died when you were only five and a half. But you must try to remember, my u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya." When she said that, the Cherokee word for 'daughter', Toph instantly remembered who this woman was. She was the only one who had watched Toph since she was practically a baby. The only one who actually showed love and gave Toph the attention she needed.
Tears sprung into her green orbs as dim memories rushed into her mind; being thrown into the air and caught when coming down; bath time with frizzy bubbles; going to the park and being pushed while on the swing; and taking naps against a warm body, lulled by a Cherokee song. Looking up, still baffled that her blindness was gone, for now at least, Toph smiled and cried, "Grandma Georgina!" then ran to embrace the old woman.
Georgina chuckled, running her dark hand on her grandchild's head. As Toph buried her head into the woman's clothing, she said, "I have missed you, Toph. My my, you have truly grown, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya."
Toph looked up with a happy expression, though tears still leaked out of her emeralds. "I've missed you too, Grandma," she replied; then frowned. "But why can I hug you? Why aren't you transparant? How come you're so cold?"
Georgina sighed with a sad expression. "Well, for one thing, I am a spirit. That is why I'm cold feeling. We don't need heat anymore. Second, we are in my realm, where I appear in fullest form. I have always felt more comfortable when surrounded by the element I had controlled when I was young."
Toph gaped at her. "You mean, you had the Earthbending ability that I have now? Why didn't you tell me?" She felt kind of upset to learn that her grandmother had had the powers and had never told her until now.
Her grandmother raised her hand. "I know you are disappointed to find out like this," she said gently. "But if you had known back then, at your age, it would have been dangerous. Just like Zuko's mother, Ursa, I too can sense when a Bender is near. When you were born, I knew you would have the Bending as I had. The gene had skipped your father, and passed onto you."
"Why didn't my father get it?" Toph asked.
Georgina shook her head. "Because the Spirits knew what he would do if he had these powers. He would have used it to threaten people to get what he wants. He would have been a tyrant."
"That I can get," Toph grumbled. "When it comes to money, it was never enough."
The old woman nodded. "Lao and I have never grown close. Him and his father, Lewis, were only interested in money, since we had grown broke when our business of food products went down. We had to live on a farm, worked for the nice old gentleman who rented us our home, helping with the animals. But back to the matter at hand. When I discovered your potential, I knew it would be dangerous for you, so I had to talk to the Spirits as well to have your Earthbending blocked until the time was right. When your powers were unlocked, you had been given two choices: to keep them when the fighting is over, or to relinquish them forever."
Toph thought about that. After discovering her Bending, can it be taken away from her just as easily? Can she go back to who she was before this whole mess began? She bit her lip, then looked at her grandmother. "What about my blindness? I can see you now. Will that be gone when I leave here?"
Georgina nodded. "I wanted you to see me, to give you a taste of what being unblind was like." When Toph looked disappointed, she added, "But you don't have to be blind all the time."
Toph looked up at her, shocked. "What do you mean? Are you saying I'll be able to see when I want to? How?"
Gorgina laughed at her granddaughter's eagerness. It was music to Toph's ears. "Calm down, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya. Yes, it is possible." More solemnly she added, "But I must warn you: When you use your sight, you will be unable to sense with your feet. The best way for that to work is to only use your eyes during Winter, when it is too cold for your feet to be of use. And another thing, do not, under any circumstances, tell your father about any of this. He would never believe it. Poppy, on the other, will. She does not know who you really are, but she does know that you are special. You can tell her in the garden, perhaps."
Toph nodded, then asked, "How does my eyesight work? How do I turn it off and on?"
"Close your eyes," she replied mystically. She did so, her heart pounding with nervousness and excitement. "And I want you to think 'A-s-du-di A-go-wa-dv-di '
Toph did so. She knew those words. Her grandmother had always joked about Toph's blindness, and had used the same phrase. It meant 'Close Sight'. After thinking the Cherokee words, a warm tingling took place under her eyelids.
It felt very strange and foreign, yet pleasant. It was almost like getting a massage on her eyelids. When it stopped, she opened her eyes and saw… nothing. Nothing but light. She had gone blind again, and her feet regained their sight. Toph knew her grandmother was there by feel. A little saddened, she said, "Well, that turns it off. How do I turn it back on?"
Georgina smiled. "You close your eyes again and think ' A-s-du-i-dv A-go-wa-dv-di.' It will give you the ability to see again. Try it."
Toph took a deep breath and closed her eyes again. She thought the words that meant 'Open Sight', and the warmth occured again. When it stopped a few moments later, she opened her eyes and saw the forest once again. Grinning, she said, "That's wicked cool. I love it. Does this mean I get to see my friends, see their faces for the first time instead of just guessing on how they look?"
The old woman nodded. "You now have the power to see. But remember: when you are using it, your feet will not be able to. So be very careful, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya." Everything started to look watery, and she sighed in sadness. "I am afraid it is almost time for me to go. Do not despair," she added, seeing her granddaughter's face fall. "We will see each other again when the war is over. One more thing before I go. Zuko's great grandfather was right: there are Benders on the evil side. Be wary, my child."
Toph nodded, feeling herself starting to wake up. She stared at her grandmother. "One more question. Since you had controlled Earth, are you part of the Council?"
Georgina nodded. "Yes. And Aang's and Katara's mother's will be too, in a week. Let them know. We have our domain." The Realm Of Dreams started fading. "I must go now. I love you. Good luck."
Tears going down her cheeks, Toph waved. "Goodbye, Grandma! I love you too!" The woman waved back. Everything became dark, and Toph lost her sight.
With a start, the now blind girl sat up. She ran a shaking hand through her messy bangs and calmed her breathing. As the dream played in her mind, Toph smiled, and thought about her grandmother. Georgina had died from being shot multiple times. She had been in her early sixties. Toph let the tears falls as the dim voice of the priest talked about how kind and loving the woman was, and how she shouldn't have passed on when she had a lot of life left. The Blind Bandit had only been five, almost six at the time, but she had known then that her grandma had passed on, and would never come back.
Now, as she sat there thinking about what Georgina said, Toph remembered that she could see now if she wanted to. Closing her eyes, she thought, 'A-s-du-i-dv A-go-wa-dv-di.'
The warmth occured after a second; and when it stopped, Toph hesitated, thinking for a few moments. What if it doesn't work? Georgina had said all Toph had to do was think the Cherokee phrases for Open Sight and Close Sight. What if Georgina lied? If she did, why? There was only one way to find out. Slowly, the girl opened her eyes, and gasped. Her eyesight was working!
She looked around with new bright green eyes, the sparkling emeralds taking everything in; her desk, her drawers, even the closet. She held in her laughter, knowing the others were asleep. The last thing she needed was to wake them up at two o'clock in the morning. Knowing the risks of having her eyesight, however, she reluctantly closed her eyes again and thought, 'A-s-du-di A-go-wa-dv-di' :Close Sight.
When she opened them again, only darkness flooded in. Her eyes had changed back into the pale green and white like they had been since she was small. Sighing, Toph lay back down with a small smile, knowing that she will be able to see her friends for real. She couldn't wait to tell the others the awesome news. 'Thanks, grandma' was her last thought before darkness of sleep fell over her like a shroud. No more dreams invaded her mind that night.
Lol, it's finally here! Sorry it took so long; I have been busy with life. I would like to point out that the u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya parts I do not own as well. I got the idea from reading The House Of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast. . If you're a vampire fan, READ IT! It can be addicting though, just warning you. If you have read it already, then good for you. You know what I'm talking about. Anyway, Toph has talked her grandmother's ghost. I hope I did okay with her, since I never knew if Toph had had a grandmother. It just seemed appropriate since Toph had been basically ignored by her parents to have someone to fall back on. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and please comment if you can. They make me energized. Love y'all! Oh; and if it isn't too much to ask, could you guys read and review Week Of Love? I would like your opinion on that too. Thanks guys!