Chap 3- Separate Ways

Aang stepped into the room where the others were waiting. Sokka walked past him and took a seat between Katara and Suki. Ty Lee was closest to the door. Zuko and Mai were off to the side near a corner. Toph was the only one not in the room and he wondered why no one had bothered to wake her. Finally, a man Aang had never seen before stood near the entrance with two large men at either arm. There was something about the three strangers that had his friends on edge.

"Avatar Aang," the man began, bowing reverently, "If you would grant me a few moments of your time, I carry an urgent message for your ears only."

The energy in the room shifted and every one save the man who spoke tensed at the words.

At any other time Sokka would have made a comment saying it must have been a pretty big message if it was meant for Aang's ears, but though he thought it, he said nothing. It wasn't the time for it. He'd make sure to tell them all later though.

"Whatever you need to say, say it here," Zuko ordered.

The man turned to him. "I'm afraid I cannot, Fire Lord. Forgive me."

"What's this about?" Katara asked.

The man signaled for the two at his side to leave. They bowed towards Aang and exited the room.

"It concerns one of your friends, Avatar Aang. That is all I am liberty to reveal with others present."

Aang glanced sideways at his friends. Sokka shook his head no. Zuko did the same. He was sure Katara's concerned expression mirrored his own.

Most of the world rejoiced when he defeated Ozai, but Zuko warned him there might be a few, Fire Nation nobles in particular, who might hold a big enough grudge to try something because of it. Aang had never given the warning much thought until that moment. He assumed that was the reason his friends were all gathered there. They were worried about who sent the messenger and why.

A closer look at the messenger himself revealed little. His attire could belong to any person living in the Earth Kingdom and the man did not look particularly harmful either, but Aang knew better than to rely on looks alone. Toph suddenly came to mind…and again he wondered why no one thought to wake her. Her ability to detect the difference between a lie and the truth could have really helped him out.

"It's okay," Aang looked around the room, "I'll hear what he has to say."

Sokka stood, "No, Aang."

Aang smiled at his friend trying to put him at ease. "It'll be okay."

Zuko approached, giving the airbender a look that assured Aang they would be ready should he need them. Grateful for their support, Aang replied with a curt nod.

Reluctantly, one by one, they left the room. When they were alone, Aang addressed the man.

"So, what's your message?"

…

Toph woke up feeling refreshed. Staying up with Twinkletoes had left her exhausted. As she sat up in bed, she wondered how long she had slept. The room had turned chilly.

When she stepped on the cool, stone floor to stand, Toph sensed it immediately. Everyone's heartbeat. So much quicker than usual. Something wasn't right.

She ran out the door, down a few hallways, until she reached her friends. As she burst into the room she asked, "What's going on?"

"Toph!" Katara scream, her heartbeat was out of control now, like she'd been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to. "We thought you were sleeping."

"I was. Why's everyone so worried?"

Toph felt the light footsteps get closer.

"What happened, Twinkletoes? What's with everyone?"

"Come on," he said, taking her hand and trying to lead her out of the room.

"Where we going?" she asked snatching her hand back.

Aang sighed, "It might be easier if we talk in private."

"Easier for who? Just spit it out!"

Earth! She hated not knowing.

"A messenger arrived while you were sleeping," Sokka said, "He asked to speak to Aang alone."

"Thank Yue it was nothing like we expected," Katara continued, "But it wasn't good news either."

"Will someone just tell me what's going on?!"

"Toph," Aang stepped closer to her and his heart beat so fast, she was sure it work burst straight through his chest. "Your father is coming for you. Tonight. He plans to take you back home."

"What?" Toph's eyes were wide, on the verge of tears. She wasn't sad, oh no. She was furious! "Did you tell him I won't go back!"

"I did," Aang said, his voice a whisper. "But the messenger said he was only hired to deliver the message, not return a reply."

Toph stormed out of the room. Aang and Katara followed her.

"What's the big deal?" Mai asked.

"Yeah," Ty Lee joined in, "Isn't her family like the richest ever?"

Sokka looked up at them, "Yeah, they probably are. But…" Suki squeezed his hand, "It's a long story and it isn't mine to tell."

…

"Toph, wait!"

Toph didn't stop, she continued towards her room. She grabbed her small satchel and started throwing her things inside.

"What are you doing?" Aang asked.

"What's it look like? I'm packing my stuff and getting outta here before he arrives."

"Toph, wait," Katara tried again, "Don't you think you should at least talk to him?"

"No!"

"Maybe he's changed?" Aang added trying to help. Toph almost hit him for being so stupidly hopeful, but that would waste time she didn't have.

She threw her satchel over her shoulder and faced her friends, "If he had changed, he would have asked me if I wanted to go home. He wouldn't be barging in here planning to drag me there whether I want to or not. Now, move, you're in my way!"

Katara placed a hand on Toph's shoulder, "You wrote to your parents, remember? You don't hate them. And you know they love you. Maybe it'll be different this time. Just talk to him, Toph."

"You talk to him!" she snapped. The mood she was in, she didn't want to talk to anyone especially not her dad. "I'm outta here," TOph growled, bending them away from the doorway.

As she stomped down the hall, light, airy footsteps trailed behind.

"You're leaving? Just like that?" Aang called after her.

The sorrow in his voice made her stop. She didn't want to leave them. They were her friends, the first ones she ever made. The only ones she had. They'd been through so much together; she couldn't imagine her life without them. But she was realistic enough to know they would all be going their separate ways soon anyway… Maybe it would be easier if she just got a head start and went off on her own.

"What would you like me to do?" Toph whispered. She tried to fight back tears. "I can't go back there, Aang. I won't."

"You don't have to," he said coming around to stand in front of her. "I wouldn't let him take you anywhere you didn't want to go. But that doesn't mean you have to leave by yourself either. You're not alone anymore, Toph. You have us," he assured her, stepping closer still. "You have me."

"Aang's right."

Toph had forgotten for a moment that Katara was there, too.

"I just thought it might be good for both of you," Katara explained. "But I never meant returning to your parents' home was your only option. I figured you would come with us to the South Pole. You know we were planning on leaving in two days, but we could leave tonight if you want."

Suddenly things didn't seem so bleak and Toph was glad her bangs hid the hopeful smile on her face. When she sensed others approaching, she forced the smile away.

"No offense, Sweetness, but I'd rather wait for my dad to come get me than freeze to death at your ice pole."

"Hey!" Sokka argued, stopping at her side, "Only one person ever froze to death! Okay, it might've been two, but—"

"You can come with me?" Zuko offered.

They all turned to look at him. Even Toph turned her face up to his.

"What?" he justified, "It's warmer."

"Really?" Toph asked, her smile returning full force.

Zuko shrugged as though it wasn't a big deal. "It's a big nation. I'm sure there's room enough for the two of us there."

Katara tried not to sound worried, "Are you sure about this, Toph? None of us would be able to go with you. Not for a while. A few weeks, at least. I mean, it would just be Zuko there."

"What's wrong with me?" the firebender asked, sounding offended.

"A lot of things actually," Sokka replied and Toph couldn't help the smirk that appeared. "Where would you like me to start?"

"No," Katara shook her head, "It's just…it's always been the four of us since Toph joined the group." It wouldn't be the same with one of them missing.

When everyone was starting to look sad again, Sokka jumped to the rescue. "Well, maybe now Toph can go on her life changing field trip with the jerkbender."

"Oh... that's right!" Toph grabbed Zuko's arm. "Sweetness…"

Zuko placed his free hand on the waterbender's shoulder. "You don't have to worry, Katara, I'll take care of her."

Toph punched his arm, "Whatever, Hothead, I don't need anyone taking care of me, but it would be nice to stay in the Fire Nation without having to hide in a cave."

That gave Zuko pause. "You…hid in a cave?" he asked.

"Yeah, you know Snoozles," Toph shrugged and left it at that. "So, when do we leave?" Things were starting to look up.

"I'll send order to have the ship ready as soon as possible."

Her face dropped.

"We're…we're not flying there?" Toph asked and turned to Aang.

The airbender made no reply. Actually, he hadn't said anything since he managed to stop her attempt at an abrupt departure.

Toph wasn't about to admit it, but she'd gotten used to Appa. Sometimes, though she would never, ever, ever say it out loud, she actually even enjoyed the ride. It was better than being stuck on a ship. She'd pick flying on Appa over travelling by water any day!

"Aang's flying the others to the South Pole," Zuko reminded her. Toph made a face, but he had trouble reading her expression. "Still sure this is what you want?"

Toph nodded with certainty. "Yeah, go get your ship ready already! We're wasting time just standing around here."

"Prepare your things, then," he replied and left to get things in order.

"We assumed you'd come with us," Aang finally spoke. "But that was before your dad's messenger showed up…and we would drop you guys off first, but I promised Chief Hakoda I'd help with some of the treaty problems they were having, which is why we were going to the South Pole before heading anywhere else."

"Oh. Okay."

Aang didn't like the way her smile disappeared so quickly or how she tried to keep her shoulders from sagging.

"But maybe—"

"It's okay, Twinkletoes, we've been at sea longer than this trip will take. I'll be on warm, dry land in no time," she grinned at him and he felt she was doing it solely for his benefit. "Besides, this'll give me more time to get back at Zuko. He still owes me for burning my feet. And there won't be many places he can hide aboard his ship."

Aang forced a laugh. "Yeah, I guess," he smiled at her. She couldn't see it, but he put up a happy front for her, too.

"Well, I'm really going to miss you guys," Toph said and meant it. Before she could add anything else, Katara was smothering her in a hug so tight, Toph was having trouble breathing.

"Need…air…" she gasped and the waterbender pulled away.

"I'm sorry," Katara sniffled, "I'm just… I'm going to miss you, too, Toph."

"Come on, Sugar Queen, you'll be so busy with all your Water Tribe stuff you won't have time to miss me and then before you know it, you'll be back in the Fire Nation and we can team-up to drive Sparky nuts all we want."

"Yeah, you're right…" her friend replied, taking a step back to give the younger girl space.

Sokka hugged her next. "Take care, Toph. Won't be the same without you."

"No, it won't," she smirked at him. "But you'll cope, Snoozles, what with no one smacking you around, no one keeping you from sleeping…"

Sokka rubbed his chin. "That does sound nice…"

"Sokka!" Katara yelled.

"What? It does," he said, but he hugged Toph again. "I will miss you though."

Toph tried to keep from crying. "I don't know why you guys are getting all mushy on me, we'll see each other in a few weeks. You two should learn from Twinkles. At least he's not—agh!"

Aang wrapped his arms around her in a crushing embrace. "I'm going to miss you, Sifu Toph," he whispered. He never realized how much until that moment. "Thank you for staying up with me the other night," his voice was so low Toph barely heard him. "The new day seemed brighter with you there."

Toph stopped fighting and gave in. As she hugged him back, the tears finally fell.

Katara and Sokka joined them, turning it into one their customary group hugs. Who knows how long it would be before they had another chance to do it again. As uncomfortable as being all touchy-feely made her, Toph didn't mind their group hugs. It was a simple reminder that they were all in it together. But that was about to change.

"Better get going," the tough earthbender said, reluctantly pulling away. "Gotta start planning ways to get Sparky and all that."

She smiled at her friends one last time and left quickly before she made the mistake of agreeing to go with them and freezing in the South Pole.