|Alright guys here's the sixth chapter of my ATLA story. How I've lasted this long is a mystery to me. So here you go please enjoy it.
Anyway, quick things to point out if haven't noticed.
Text Like this = Someone thinking to themselves
"Text Like this" = A conversation (for those of you who don't know.)
TEXT LIKE THIS = A full on shouting match
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. That goes to the creators of the story Bryan and Mike
Chapter 6: A New Face
After Aang and Toph had their little moment Aang decided to stick around and help around the house. He spent another six months in the Earth Kingdom getting to know the place and its people. Besides getting to know it's people he even got closer to Toph and her parents. Her parents were pretty surprised to find her and Aang sleeping together even though they're not in a relationship at least not an intimate one. Well Poppy was ecstatic while Lao, not so much.
"How is it that they're still not together?" Lao asked.
"Let time do it's magic honey. Besides at least we don't have to worry about Toph's arranged marriage." Poppy said.
"Well I guess you're right. At least we won't have to go through interviews. Maybe these old bones of mine can finally get some rest." Lao said. Poppy looked at and wondered why he took Aang with him after dinner.
"So what happened last night?" Poppy asked. Lao gave her a quizzical look.
"About what dear?" Lao asked
"Why did you take Aang last night from the dinner table?" Poppy asked. Lao looked at her deep in her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Well just to chat." Lao said.
"Was that really all you were doing?" Poppy asked.
"Yes dear that's all we did." Lao reassured her.
"What did you two talk about?" Poppy asked.
"Well for starters I apologized for holding a grudge over him." Lao said.
"Is that so?" Poppy asked.
"And also, I simply wanted to know what he thought of our daughter and how far he is willing to go for her." Lao said.
"Well what did he tell you?" Poppy asked.
"He's willing to go as far as to give his life if she were on the verge of death. That's very foolish of him if I do say so myself." Lao said
"But dear-" Poppy said as she was cut off.
"However it's that foolhardiness of his that makes me hope more than ever that he can help our daughter." Lao said.
"It must've been quite a long talk." Poppy said.
"Well it was worth it. I'm telling you I haven't seen a kid with this kind of promise in ages. When he decides he wants to marry our daughter I will gladly give him my approval." Lao said,
"Is that so? Well I guess I'll have to believe in him as well." Poppy said.
"However there's only something that bothered me last night." Lao said. Poppy looked at her husband with a confusing look.
"And what's that?" Poppy asked.
"Well after asking him about Toph and hearing his response I started to get a little worried." Lao said.
"Worried? That's a new one. Why were you worried about his response?" Poppy asked.
"Well I don't know if that's the mentality he should have while protecting Toph." Lao said.
"But you were just complimenting his ideals." Poppy said.
"I know I did it's just…" Lao trailed off.
"It's just what?" Poppy asked.
"If he were to lose the thing that he cares the most for he will be a broken man. I've only seen someone so broken once in my life. I don't want him to have that same look. I think that's why he couldn't give me a straight answer." Lao said.
"Wasn't him protecting Toph the answer you were looking for?" Poppy asked.
"Yes and No." Lao said.
"I don't understand." Poppy said.
"After I was done hearing what he had to say I asked him a question that I once heard: Am I willing to save the one person I love and let the rest of the world die or am I willing to save the world, but let the person I love die." Lao said.
"What was Aang's answer?" Poppy asked.. Lao looked away from Poppy and saw Toph and Aang sleeping next to each other.
'That's just it, he didn't have one. I could tell he clearly cares for Toph, but he's also the Avatar and it's his job to save the world no matter what." Lao solemnly said.
"Well when the time comes we'll support him no matter what, regardless of who or what he chooses to save first." Poppy said.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Lao said.
"Of course I'm right when am I never right." Poppy said. While both of them kept bickering they suddenly stopped when they heard someone stirring from their sleep. Once they heard that they decided it was time to leave.
"We should get out of here." Poppy said.
"I'm right behind you dear." Lao said. Poppy then looked behind her as she saw Toph waking up from her slumber and she smiled inwardly.
I'm going to have so much fun teasing Toph later. Poppy thought to herself. As Toph was waking up she felt arms around her and to say she was surprised was an understatement. She gave no time for her brain to think and socked the mysterious person next to her. Aang woke with a start as he was holding his head in pain.
"Well good morning to you too Toph." Aang said.
"Oh that was you Twinkle Toes?" Toph asked.
"Well who did you think it was?" Aang asked.
"Eh I didn't have time to process the situation so I struck instead." Toph reasoned.
"Great justification." Aang mumbled.
"Anyway what are you doing here Twinkle Toes?" Toph asked.
"I don't know. One minute I was asleep the next I was thinking about you and here I am." Aang said.
"Oh so you couldn't handle sleeping by yourself? Hey that's cool just announce yourself next time." Toph teased. Aang looked towards the door as he didn't feel like listening to Toph's teasing early in the morning.
"Yeah yeah whatever." Aang mumbled.
"You seem a little grumpy." Toph said.
"Are those the vibrations I'm giving off?" Aang asked
"Yes that's why I asked Twinkle Toes." Toph said.
"Well no I'm not grumpy just a little tired is all. I mean I usually don't wake up for another hour, but when you wake up to a fist in the morning then we have some problems." Aang said.
"How could you be grumpy after sleeping with someone like me Twinkle Toes?" Toph teased.
"You're not going to stop huh?" Aang asked. Out of nowhere a rumble could be heard from somewhere. Toph looked around and found that the culprit was none other than Aang's stomach. He looked at her and blushed.
"Sorry about that." Aang said.
"Why didn't you tell me you're hungry Twinkles." Toph said. She stood up off the bed and walked over to Aang's side and started dragging him out of bed and taking him to the dining area.
"Where are we exactly going Toph?" Aang asked. Toph looked back at him and gave him a grin.
"Where do you think we're going? To the dining area. Jeez Twinkle Toes sometimes I wonder if there's a brain in that thick skull of yours." Toph said.
"One of these days I'm going to make you regret everything you've done to me." Aang mumbled to himself. He thought Toph couldn't hear his little retort and boy was he wrong. As soon as he said those words Toph halted.
"Is there something you wanted to say Aang? Come on now don't be shy." Toph said calmly. Aang panicked a little trying to avoid Toph's colorless eyes.
"No, I didn't say anything at all Toph." Aang said.
"So now you're calling me a liar?" Toph asked in anger. Aang mentally slapped himself.
What does it take to satisfy her? Aang thought to himself. Aang then ran and dragged Toph along with him.
"Don't worry about it. Instead let's go eat because I'm starving." Aang said as he swiftly changed the subject. Toph exhaled in annoyance.
"Just this once I'll drop it since I'm getting hungry too." Toph mumbled.
XXXXXXXX
Once Toph and Aang arrived to the dining table Toph's parents were waiting for them. Toph's mother looking at both of them with a small grin. Aang gulped as he was way too familiar with that kind of grin.
So that's where Toph gets that grin from huh? Aang thought to himself.
"It's about time the two of you got here. We were just about to start eating without you two." Lao said.
"I probably would've missed breakfast today anyway." Aang sheepishly said.
"So why did you wake up Aang?" Poppy asked mischievously. As soon as she asked that question Aang looked at Toph and she could feel his gaze upon her.
"Well if you must know. I received a pretty good wake up call a few minutes and that pretty ended my sleep." Aang said.
"Well did you end up sleeping a little late last night Aang?" Poppy asked.
"That's an understatement." Toph mumbled to herself.
"Huh? Did you say something Toph?" Aang asked.
"Uh no. I was just saying how that explains a lot." Toph said.
"Anyway, I did sleep a little later than usual Mrs. Beifong." Aang chuckled.
"Oh I see. Well if you keep at it you won't be able to maintain yourself at full strength. Knowing my daughter she's not going to go easy on you if you start slacking off." Lao said. Toph and Aang both looked at each other as if they were reading each other's mind.
"Well to be perfectly honest, Toph's not going to go easy on whether I get enough sleep or not." Aang sheepishly said.
"That's right you're not getting any breaks unless I say so." Toph triumphantly said. Lao looked at Aang with sympathy.
"Well instead of arguing we should probably start eating before this food ends cold and going to waste." Poppy recommended.
"Yeah you're probably right honey." Lao said.
Poppy and Lao looked at how Aang and Toph were interacting with one another and just smiled. Poppy smiled because she found it really adorable while Lao smiled because he felt pity for Aang as he's got a long road to go through. All in all breakfast was now going to be like this since Toph has found herself someone whom she can argue with besides her teacher she once had before meeting Aang.
All I wanted was just a normal breakfast. Aang thought in agony as Toph kept messing with him.
XXXXXXXX
"Well that breakfast sure did hit the sweet spot." Toph belched . Aang stared at Toph with amazement.
And she's supposed to be from a family of nobility? Aang thought to himself.
"Yeah I know what you're thinking Twinkles Toes. 'What manners from a Beifong.' Honestly, I thought you would've realized by now that I don't care what others think about me." Toph said.
"Yeah I already knew that it's just that every once in awhile I forget that." Aang justified.
"Well let's go do something cuz I'm getting bored being stuck in here." Toph said.
Aang looked around noticing how big the Beifong manor was. Honestly one could lost in that place if they didn't know the place.
"Well can't we wait for a little bit. We just ate and I need for my food to go down or else it's going to come back the way it entered." Aang requested of the little blind earthbender.
"Honestly, we're just gonna walk around trying to see what we're gonna today. It hardly requires any actual physical activity." Toph said.
"Yeah I know, but I don't want to risk it." Aang smiled.
"You're just trying to do nothing today aren't you?" Toph interrogated.
"Yeah I want to do something. It's just I don't want to do anything right now. I just ate so I don't feel like moving so much." Aang said.
"But for some reason your mouth doesn't get tired of doing exercise," Toph pointed out.
"Fine you want to do something right now?" Aang asked.
"Well duh, why do you think I'm trying to get your lazy butt to get up and do something." Toph said.
"Well then, how about a burping contest." Aang chuckled.
"You honestly think you have a chance a beating me at a burping contest?" Toph asked.
"Yeah I actually do." Aang said.
"Well you couldn't even beat me in hand to hand combat training, what makes you think that you're going to beat me in one of my specialties?" Toph asked.
"Are you going to keep talking or are we actually going to compete?" Aang retorted
"Alright there's gotta be a wager though." Toph said.
"Well obviously, this wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't a wager to go along with this competition." Aang said.
"How about who ever wins has to follow the orders of the winner for the rest of the day?" Toph suggested.
"That's a deal. May the best belcher win." Aang said while waiting to shake Toph's hand in agreement.
XXXXXXXX
Aang moaned as he sat next to Toph.
"How did I lose? I made sure to use my airbending to my advantage." Aang cried.
"Wow, so not only did I kick your butt, but I also beat you when you were cheating. You've got to be the worst cheater that I've ever met." Toph exhaled in disappointment.
"Look we both know I let you win Toph." Aang defended himself.
"Stop trying to save face Twinkle Toes. Just admit it that I'm better than you and that I beat you." Toph said.
"You know I could beat you Toph." Aang said.
"Yeah yeah whatever you say Twinkle Toes. It's not like I've heard those words before." Toph said.
"Fine whatever," Aang mutter under his breath hoping Toph wouldn't catch that.
"Glad you see things my way Twinkle Toes." Toph said.
"Umm… Toph? Aang asked.
"Yeah I heard what I just said." Toph said.
"Yeah ok I was just pointing it out." Aang said.
"Ok let's forget about what I just said. Anyway aren't you forgetting something?" Toph asked.
"Hmm.. Not that I remember. Why?" Aang rubbed his chin pondering.
"You really are just an airhead. Did you seriously just forget about our wager. You've got to do what I say for the rest of the day." Toph grinned.
"Oh isn't that just fantastic." Aang sarcastically said.
"Glad to hear it Twinkle Toes. Now follow me." Toph joyously said.
"As long as it has nothing to with training for the time being, I will gladly follow you." Aang said. As soon as Aang said those words Toph turned her head to look at Aang with a sweet smile, making Aang shiver.
"Who says you get an opinion on what we're gonna do? If I remember correctly you do what I say, whether you like it or not. If I tell you to jump a cliff you do it. If I tell you to make out with Snoozles- Actually he might actually like it. Ok forget that, if I tell you to make out with Sparky you do it." Toph said.
"YOU'RE CRAZY IF YOU THINK I'M DOING THAT." Aang shouted.
"Glad you see things my way." Toph said, walking towards the exit.
"You clearly ignored every word I just said huh Toph?" Aang asked.
"What's that I couldn't quite hear you Twinkle Toes." Toph said as she kept walking further from Aang, pretending not to hear what Aang was saying to her.
"Ughh… Nevermind Toph." Aang said in defeat as he followed Toph.
"You might wanna catch up before I end up leaving you Twinkle Toes." Toph said, leaving Aang behind. Knowing that she wasn't one to lie nor slow down for anyone Aang had to pick up the pace a little so he won't get left behind.
"Alright now that I caught up, ya mind explaining where we're going?" Aang asked. Toph stopped and looked smiled.
"Hmm… I don't know yet. We'll see where the wind blows." Toph said as she continued walking. Aang moaned as he was dissatisfied with Toph's answer, but he still followed her. As they walked out of the Beifong's estate they argued over the pettiest of things such as why eating meat is better than eating plants or who Aang should make out with first- Sokka or Zuko. Aang kept arguing with Toph that he's not making out with either of them.
Once they got to the Marketplace they walked in silence as they ran out of things to argue with. As they walked, Aang would notice that people were pointing at Toph and him muttering and whispering things to one another. Every now and then he would hear them saying things such as, "Oh the Avatar and the Beifong's daughter are a couple now. That's so adorable." Aang on the other hand disagreed with those statements. Aang would look at Toph from time to time to see if she reacted to any of those comments because he would naturally have to stop her from attacking any civilian. However, once Aang walked towards Toph he saw that Toph was a little red.
"Hey Toph you're looking a little red from over here. Are you okay?" Aang asked. Toph stopped as she mentally slapped herself. Of course she was a little red. Some of the conversations she overheard from the pedestrians talking about Aang and her would have anyone turning red.
"Yeah, I'm fine it's just the heat is coming on stronger today." Toph said.
"Oh right. That makes sense I guess." Aang said. Toph thought of places of where they could get a quick stop so she can avoid overhearing gossips about her and Aang. Then, it finally hit her.
"Let's go visit an old friend." Toph said.
"You're talking about Iroh and his tea shop aren't you Toph?" Aang asked.
"You know me too well Twinkle Toes." Toph said smirking at Aang.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get going." Aang said.
"Hold up Twinkle Toes." Toph said.
"What was it now?" Aang asked.
"Give me a piggyback ride all the way to the tea shop." Toph ordered.
"Why should I?" Aang asked.
"Let me think well maybe- and just bear with me on this one, maybe because you lost the one bet you thought you could beat me." Toph said.
"Ughh… You're not making things easier for Toph." Aang said. Toph laughed at his expression and patted his back.
"Oh come on, lighten up Twinkle Toes. You know that's my job. I'm never going to make things easier for you and you're gonna have to get used to it." Toph smiled. Aang exhaled in defeat as squatted down waiting for Toph to get on.
"Well come on. Let's get going Toph." Aang said.
As soon as she was getting on the murmuring around them was getting louder. Aang would notice girls blushing as soon Toph got on his back. The comments and rumors being spread by the pedestrians would make Aang blush. Hopefully he wouldn't be the only one who blushing as hard. Toph just waited for Aang to start walking toward the Jasmine Dragon, but noted that Aang wasn't doing anything. She slapped the back of Aang's head so he'd snap out of it.
"Well what are you waiting for Twinkle Toes?" Toph said.
"Oh uh… Nothing I'm going." Aang said.
About a few minutes into the walk Aang would get used to murmurings of others as he was carrying Toph in his back. Toph on the other hand would start to lose her patience the more she kept hearing her name and Aang's involved in some sort of romantic relationship.
"Well Toph how ya hanging up there?" Aang asked.
"It's fine just wanting you to go a little faster to get there." Toph said.
"Fine I'll go faster, but you're gonna regret saying that." Aang said.
"Wait what are you-" Toph said.
"LET'S GO." Aang shouted as he used his airbending to his advantage. Toph gripped her arms around Aang as she had no time to react to Aang's actions. In a matter of seconds they arrived to the Jasmine Dragon.
"DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN. YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT LEAVING THE GROUND." Toph shouted at Aang.
"Well you're the one that wanted me to go faster." Aang reasoned.
"Ugh… Never mind. there's no point in arguing now that we're here." Toph said.
"Let's get going Toph. I'm dying to drink some of Iroh's tea." Aang said.
"You said it Twinkle Toes." Toph said in excitement. Both of them walked into the Jasmine Dragon and noticed how quiet the place was. Usually the Jasmine Dragon would be full of upper class people, like the Beifongs. However, today only a few people were found at the teashop.
"Well if it isn't Aang and Toph?" said a familiar face from a far.
"How's it hangin'?" Toph asked.
"And hello to you Toph." Iroh said.
"It seems a little quieter than usual huh?" Aang asked.
"Well, business is going slower than usual, but I'm not complaining. It's nice having a little bit piece of quiet once in a while before the customers overflow the place." Iroh said.
"Huh you'd think someone died or something." Toph said. Aang caught her slip and he elbowed her.
"Toph." Aang said trying to get her to correct her mistake.
"What? What did I- Oh shoot. My bad Iroh I didn't mean-" Toph said remembering about Iroh's son. Iroh laughed at Toph's expression leaving both Toph and Aang in confusion.
"Oh there's no harm done. I know you didn't mean it Toph." Iroh said.
"Could I please get some of your deliciou tea?" Aang asked.
"Why certainly." Iroh said as her started walking away to prepare the tea.
"Make that another for me as well." Toph added. While they were waiting Aang excused himself to the restroom, since the food from breakfast was starting to kick in.
"Looks like you really are full of crap Twinkle Toes." Toph grinned.
"Shut up. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Aang said.
"Aye-aye captain." Toph said. Once Aang left Toph noticed how boring her surroundings were. Not a single fight in the teashop. Granted it was tea shop, so fighting was out of the question.
It's pretty boring here without Twinkle Toes. Toph thought to herself. She didn't understand how people can remain quiet and well mannered. It was completely boring. As she tried keeping herself occupied for a couple minutes Iroh showed up with their drinks.
"You're pretty quiet over here Toph." Iroh said bringing them their tea.
"Well yeah, it's because Twinkle Toes left to the restroom." Toph said. As soon as she said that Aang came back from his adventure at the restroom.
"Hey, Iroh that tea smells so good." Aang said.
"Speak of the devil." Toph mumbled.
"Did you say something Toph?" Aang asked not hearing what Toph said.
"Nothing. I said nothing. Anyway I have to go to the restroom." Toph said. Iroh smiled as he saw both benders bickering. As she left Aang decided to start drinking the tea without her.
"You seem pretty fond of each other." Iroh observed.
"Well she is my best friend and teacher." Aang reasoned.
"I see… Well that's not what it looks like from here." Iroh said.
"Well I… Wait what do you mean?" Aang asked
"That's for me to know and for you to find." Iroh said. Aang sighed out loud as Iroh spoke those words.
"You're not going to tell what I want to hear right?" Aang asked.
"That's one of the benefits of being old. I can say whatever I want and no one's going to understand what I was saying." Iroh said.
"Great." Aang mumbled.
"I will tell you this though. You have to tell that special person what your thinking or feeling because it might be your only opportunity. It's rare that you ever get a second chance so might as well take it. What do you think?" Iroh asked.
"Umm… Well I don't-" Aang said.
"Then let me tell you something. Opportunities don't wait for anyone. If you let an opportunity slip through your fingers with an excuse like, 'I wasn't prepared', you'll never get an opportunity like that again." Iroh said.
"I'll think about what you said Iroh. For some reason Sokka kinda said the same thing. Is there something both of you aren't telling me?" Aang asked. Iroh shrugged as Aang asked his question.
"Who knows, not me." Iroh said.
While they kept talking Toph strolled from her trip to the bathroom. As she was walking she overheard them talking and she was trying to hear if the conversation, even if it was a little. But Aang felt Toph's feet and turned around to see her with a smile.
"What took you so long? Ya get stuck or something Toph?" Aang asked.
"Ha-ha you're very funny Twinkle Toes." Toph sarcastically said.
"Well I try." Aang smiled.
"So how's the tea?" Toph asked.
"It's delicious and Iroh made a new batch since your's was kind of getting cold." Aang said.
"Well then I guess I better drink up." Toph said.
"So, has anything interesting happen around here?" Aang asked Iroh.
"Not really. Honestly it's better like this." Iroh said.
"Pretty boring around here if you ask me." Toph said.
"Well that 'boring' you speak about is essentially what peace is about." Aang said.
"Not necessarily young Avatar. It doesn't have to be boring. You could always create your own kind of fun to deal with that 'boringness'".
"Yeah, but if there's no one to fight it actually gets boring." Toph interjected.
"You could always just fight against the Avatar." Iroh said.
"It gets boring sparring against Twinkle Toes. Plus he's never beaten in the numerous fights we've had." Toph said.
"You really want to go there huh Toph?" Aang asked.
"Relax Twinkle Toes. It's not like you're gonna do anything anyway." Toph said.
Ah… This never gets old. Iroh smiled to himself as he saw them bickering with each other.
"Are you two going to want more tea?" Iroh asked.
"No thanks. I've already filled my satisfaction of tea." Aang said.
"Yeah same here." Toph said.
"Well then I guess my services are no longer needed.." Iroh said. With that he walked to attend the next customers.
"Wait don't we have to pay you?" Aang asked. Iroh turned back and looked Aang.
"Oh don't worry about it. It's on the house." Iroh said.
"Well then, I think we should probably get going Toph." Aang said.
"Fine let's get going Twinkles." Toph said. As soon as they walked outside Aang looked at Toph.
"So where are we going to now?" Aang asked.
"You seemed irked." Toph noted.
"Not really I'm just being curious." Aang said.
"Well to answer your question I don't know where we're going." Toph answered.
"Great answer Toph." Aang said.
"I don't see why your complaining. Look at it like this: we've still got the whole day, so we'll go wherever the wind blows." Toph explained.
"I guess why not?" Aang asked. Toph smiled in excitement as she continuously patted Aang's back.
"Glad you see things my way." Toph said.
"Pitch black?" Aang asked.
"Great we've got ourselves a smart ass." Toph said. Aang gasped as Toph said that.
"Toph you said a bad word." Aang said,
"Oh that's the one thing you zeroed in on?" Toph asked.
"Now you know how I feel when you say stuff like that." Aang said.
"Ah whatever let's get going Twinkles." Toph said.
"Right behind ya Toph." Aang said as he followed suit.
XXXXXXXX
"So how are the preparations going along?" A mysterious man asked.
"Everything's almost done Lord Ukano. In a few days we'll have more recruits coming in." His soldier said.
"Good that's good. You may retire now." Ukano said.
"As you wish my Lord." The soldier said. As soon as he left Ukano stood up from his seat and walked towards the window and smiled.
"It won't be long before we remove your nephew from his title as Fire Lord and return what was taken from you Lord Ozai." Ukano said. His servant stood behind him and gave him a confusing look.
"My Lord might I ask something?" His servant said.
"You may." Ukano said.
"Will you be getting rid of the Avatar as well?" His servant asked.
"I will be getting rid of everyone who's attached to Zuko and the Avatar in order to send them a message: Nothing will get in my way of giving Lord Ozai what was wrongfully taken from him." Ukano said. His servant looked away from him and started walking towards the door,
"I see...well then I will be taking my leave." His servant said.
"Very well then you are excused." Ukano said. As soon as his servant left he started laughing maniacally.
With the amount of reinforcements coming it won't be difficult of getting rid of the Avatar and Zuko. Ukano thought to himself.
A/N: So thanks again for reading my story guys. At this point I've realized that I suck at uploading chapters. This story was supposed to finish in January of last year. This story is almost 2 years old. So, I'm gonna post a chapter once a month. So the next chapter will be uploaded in March. Like in every chapter I upload there's usually a reference. If you find it I might give you a Sprite with licorice as a straw, but it's been caught by my attention that some people don't like it when it dries up. Weird huh? Anyway I'm rambling again, so thanks again for everything guys. If you could read and review that would be fantastic. Any type of criticism is fine. Anyway I appreciate you guys.