I would like to thank

HoneyC and TomMaier for adding this adopted story to their story alert

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Aang stared at the ceiling, hands behind his head. He just couldn't believe how it had all fallen apart so fast. While he was out doing his duty, the world back home came crashing down. His mind absently replayed the memories once more.

-transition-

"Ugh..." groaned a severely air-sick Toph. "There's just no way to travel with you guys that agrees with my stomach..." quickly, she leaned over the side of Appa's saddle, releasing what little she had of her lunch left in her stomach.

"Don't worry, Toph, we're almost there! I can see Kyoshi now!" Aang shouted from Appa's head.

"Oh I can't wait to see all the girls again!" Suki shouted, almost shaking with excitement. "Oh I hope they didn't get lazy on me..."

"Come on, Suki. You're super scary sometimes. I don't think they'd be foolish enough to..." Sokka trailed off, noticing the death glare he was receiving from his girlfriend.

"Oh, so you think I'm scary now?" she asked, venom in her words.

"Well..." he began slouching and pulling up his collar in a poor attempt to hide. "Sometimes... but only when you're angry...?" Big mistake.

"I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I'M THE MOST CALM PERSON AROUND HERE! I NEVER GET MAD ABOUT ANYTHING! AANG, DO YOU THINK I'M SCARY?"

"What? The wind's too loud in my ears!" he shouted back, figuring it best to avoid the conversation.

"Denial...the first sign that you have a problem..." slurred a very unhealthy looking Toph. Though she still managed to grin slightly.

"Toph, are you sure you'll be OK? You look terrible..." Katara asked softly, making her way over to the small girl.

"L-look, Sugar Queen, I said I'd be fine, so I'll be fine, got it?" she replied with a woozy tone.

"If you say so..." she replied in defeat.

"OK, guys, we're going down!" Aang shouted in excitement. There was a crowd gathering at the shore. Among them, of course, foaming mouth guy, screaming his head off, white foam flowing freely from his face. As Appa landed, Aang was the first to jump off (Airbender's advantage). He was quickly surrounded by swooning girls. There was a loud thud. Aang turned to see his earthbending teacher face down on the ground, not moving. With the help of a little airbending, he made his way out of the crowd and to her side.

"Sifu T! Are you OK?" he asked in a worried tone.

"Mmmm mm mhm mm..."

"Uh?" She lifted her face from the dirt.

"Much better now I can see" she said, allowing her face to fall back to the ground beneath her. Aang began laughing, before being crowded by a bunch of young girls.

"Aangy!" they shouted, nearly tackling him in the process.

"Hey girls!" he shouted with a grin. He looked over to see Katara looking on with a miffed expression. He mearly shrugged and airbent himself out of the crowd, landing with an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetie. I've only got eyes for you" he said, adding a kiss on the cheek, making her blush furiously.

"Aang! Not in public!" she whispered, rubbing her arm nervously. He just chuckled, lookking up to see a glaring Sokka. He shrunk back behind Katara fearfully.

"Welcome Avatar!" a voice shouted. The Gaang looked over to see Oyaji walking towards them surrounded by the Kyoshi warriors.

"Commander Suki!" They shouted, surrounding Suki and embracing her tightly.

"Girls!" she shouted with a laugh. They all backed off and stood at attention.

"Oh, Suki, it's so wonderful to see you again!" shouted a wide-eyed, big smiled Ty Lee. "We all missed you so, so much!" she shouted with a giggle.

"Oh I missed you girls too. Have you been keeping up in your training?" Suki asked, raising an eyebrow. There was a chorus of groans throughout the warriors. One girl, Ji, stepped forward.

"Ty Lee's been running us ragged day in and day out. The only reason we wouldn't be in top shape is because of exhaustion" she said, glaring, along with the other girls, at Ty Lee. Ty Lee just blushed and rubbed the back of her head.

"Well I know if I didn't, then you'd probably have my hide, Suki" she said with a chuckle.

"Well duh!" she laughed. "Of course I would! You took over in the time we needed training the most. I'd be angry if it had gone any other way" she said with a smile. Oyaji made his way to the Gaang with a smile on his face.

"It is an honor to have you here on Kyoshi Island, Avatar Aang. To what do we owe the pleasure?" he said with a bow.

"Well, we're here to return your captain, and Sokka wants to stay here with you guys" he replied with a cheery tone. "We're making our way to the South Pole to rebuild it, since it's just kind of a little village now..." he trailed off.

"Excellent! So, how long can we be expecting you to stay?" he asked. Aang took a look from Oyaji to the crowd of fans standing behind him.

"Well..." Kartara suddenly rushed to his side.

"Unfortunately, we can't stay all too long. We have to leave today" she said quickly.

"What?" Aang asked, looking at her with pleading eyes, only to be met with a glare.

"That's a shame. Everyone here had a great time the last time you were here" Oyaji said.

"Yes, well, him being the Avatar, the job never stops" Katara said with a forced chuckle as she began to push Aang off. "Excuse us."

"Katara, why do we have to leave so soon?" he asked with a whine.

"Aang, don't give me that. You know what happened last time we were here. Your ego flew through the roof!"

"Relax, Sugar Queen" said Toph, making her way to her feet. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say I'm detecting a note of jealousy in that tone" she said, sporting her Blind Bandit smirk.

"I am NOT jealous!" Toph held up a foot, pointing at it.

"The feet do not lie, sister." She began wiggling her toes. "The feet do not lie." Blushing, Katara let out a frustrated growl and stormed off, muttering something to herself. Toph made her way over to Aang. "She's certainly easy to rile up, isn't she?" she asked, still smirking. Aang just let out a laugh.

"Yeah, and you love to be the one to start her up, huh?"

"Well, love is a strong word...but yes" she said, her smile widening. "I do love it."

"Melon Lord strikes again" and added with a smile. "You've certainly got an evil side to ya, Toph. Certainly glad you ended up on our side." She just laughed and punched him in the arm.

"Well, someone had to shape your jelly bones up to being the worlds third greatest earthbender."

"Third?"

"Duh, Badgermoles, then me, then you. I can't say I'm better than the origionals."

"Well, sometimes, the student can surpass the master. This might be one of those times" Aang said mischievously. Toph brought her hand up to her chin as if thinking.

"You know, you're right. After everything that happened the day of the comet, maybe the student has surpassed the mater." A hint of hope entered Aangs eyes... "Me, then the Badgermoles, then you." ...only to be crushed. Toph felt his heart rate change and turned around, walking away in a fit of laughter. Suddenly, the ground came up under one of her feet, causing her to stumble. After regaining her balance, she turned around, glaring at Aang. His heart rate spiked because he noticed her blind eyes locked onto his.

"Uh..."

She began walking closer.

"No…Toph, I'm sorry!" he raised his hands up defensively.

Her stomps grew harder.

"I-I didn't mean it!"

Now she was right in front of him, eyes still locked. Slowly, she raised a hand to his face. His heart rate was through the roof. He simply sat in anticipation for what was coming next when he felt two fingers close around his nose. She simply shook his head side to side, and released him, falling on the ground in a fit of laughter.

"Hahahha! You should have felt your heart! Hahaha You were so scared! Ahahahahaha! I think- I think I scare you more than Ozai did!" She continued laughing as Aang's embarrassment grew. He simply turned around and stomped away, face flushed with red. He soon found himself beside Sokka, who was looking at the many meats he'd been presented with by the people of the island. Sokka noticed Aang's face.

"Hey, what's with you?" he asked.

"Ugh...Toph...her jokes and pranks...sometimes it's just too much!" he shouted.

"Woah, relax buddy. Look, it's just who Toph is. Remember, it used to be me she' prank all the time. Now how do you think I felt?"

"Well, how'd you get her to stop?"

"I didn't. One day, she just did. I think it was around when me and Zuko went to The Boiling Rock. Maybe she'll just get bored with it. Just ignore it. Now, leave me to my meats" he said, rubbing his hands, a savage grin overcoming his face.

Aang turned to see Katara laughing with the Kyoshi warriors. A smitten smile came across his face. You did it he thought to himself. Won the war, redeemed yourself, and got the most beautiful girl in the world. As if hearing his thoughts, Katara looked over to him, a blush growing on her face.

The day went on in a peaceful manner. Celebrations were had, feasts prepared, gifts given and made, and eventually, the time came to leave, having given Appa all day to rest up. As the Gaang neared Appa, they began their goodbyes. Aang bowed to Sokka, who just grabbed him into a tight hug, whispering into his ear Take care of my baby sister. Toph was next. There was an awkward silence as either waited for the other to make the first move, knowing Toph wasn't big on affection. Sokka held out a hand. With a smile, Toph grabbed his forearm, and him hers. They pulled each other into one of Toph's very rare open displays of affection. They parted, not before a solid punch in the arm was given. Now was the most anticipated moment of the night. Katara stood before her older brother, her protector, her hero. Her eyes tearing up. Sokka stared deep into her eyes, remembering all of the good times they had together. Watching her grow up so fast after losing their mother. Tears began forming in his eyes as well. As if in at an unseen queue, the two lunged towards each other, hugging tightly. No words were said, the tears had said it all. They reluctantly parted and she turned towards Appa, climbing up his tail, taking place on the saddle. After many shouted farewells, and one loud 'Yip-yip', they were off, flying off into the night. Sokka stood, watching his baby sister, waving until she was no longer in sight.