The Story of Aya: Book 2~Earth

Toph is Short for Tough

"It's pricey, but I really do like it." Sokka hemmed and hawed over a nice Earth Kingdom bag. 

After Aang's vision in the swamp, we had started to scour more towns to search for the girl Aang saw. I hoped that she was somehow related to Aang's earthbending training because it would be nice to get that started soon. Not that we were on a time crunch or anything, noooooo.

"Then you should get it. You deserve something nice," Katara agreed with Sokka while Aang and I sat around people-watching for the girl.

I had also learned my lesson about Earth Kingdom towns, and managed to snag a few pieces of clothes off of someone's clothes line. They were more formal clothes, and they were a lot more restrictive, so running around was no longer an option. Hopefully we won't have to be in a fight anytime soon while we're in this town.

"I do, don't I? But no. It's too expensive. I shouldn't."

"Then don't get it. Just make up your mind." I groaned and stood up as Sokka went back and forth on his decision. It had already been maybe thirty minutes, way longer than normal to decide on some bag. I walked away, Katara and Aang following my lead and walking with me. Sokka started to follow, but stopped to stare back wistfully at the bag. 

"You know what? I'm gonna get it!" Sokka finally decided, and we came back to him. As he was buying the bag, someone got our attention.

"Psst, psst. Hey, you kids like earthbending?" a dude asked, grabbing Aang's shoulder as he spoke quietly to us. "You like throwing rocks? Then check out Master Yu's Earthbending Academy." He handed Aang a small, yellow piece of paper before quickly walking away.

I glanced over Aang's shoulder to read it. Aang flipped it over to reveal a coupon. "Look! It says the first lesson is free!"

"Who knows? This Master Yu could be the earthbending teacher you've been looking for." Katara spoke encouragingly. 

We went to the address listed on the flier, and entered Master Yu's dojo. Well technically, Aang entered the dojo while we were asked to stay outside. Sokka, Katara, and I found a bench and waited patiently while Aang did his lesson.

However, he came back out less than fifteen minutes later as the other students went and grabbed water.

"Eh, he's not the one." Aang sighed, brushing bits of rock off of him. 

"I think the Boulder is going to win back the belt at Earth Rumble 6!" I overheard one of the students talk to his buddy.

"He's gonna have to fight his way through the best earthbenders in the world to even get a shot at the champ," The other guy piped up to his friend. 

Their words had caught our attention, as I realized I wasn't the only one who was listening. The best earthbenders in the world? That sounded like a good teacher could be there. 

"Excuse me!" Aang ran to catch up with them as I stood up and stretched my arms over my head, turning to my friends. 

"Well I guess that's where we're headed next!" I said excitedly, happy that we're finding a promising direction to head towards. 

"It's on noneoya-"

"None o' ya business!" The kids sneered at Aang and walked away laughing.

I frowned, waking up to Aang as Sokka burst into laughter beside me. 

"I have got to remember that one! That was good," Sokka wiped a tear from his eye as he caught his breath. 

"I'll take care of this," Katara smirked, touching Aang's shoulder before she ran after the kids. "Hey strong guys! Wait up!"