The fire war renaissance

Chapter 5: The field trip part three

Not much to report for this chapter, it's just some harmless aftermath of Toph's talk with her parents, a little back round on Yuexi, and some more of "the talk" with Aang and Sokka.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.

Chapter Five: The Field Trip—Part Three

"I'm glad you patched things up with your parents, Toph." Zuko smiled when he entered the blinds girl's room. The family had just enjoyed a nice quiet dinner and for the first time Toph had ever had a real conversation with them; it made her even happier than she could even imagine.

"Yeah, we did." Toph beamed, taking the multiple pillows off her bed to sleep. "Don't worry we'll stay here till tomorrow and then we can leave."

"I thought you would want to stay here?" Zuko asked, he had thought that he would make the journey back the Fire Nation alone. Toph just shook her head.

"It's not time for me to come home yet, they understand that. When it's time I will come home and we'll finally be a family but there's still so much I want to do before then." Zuko smiled half-heartedly at her wisdom and closed the door behind him only to see Yuexi right behind him.

"Uh," He mumbled his long brown hair was covering his hazel eyes and Zuko though he almost saw a faint blush. "May I please get into Lady Toph's room?"

"Oh, um, sure." Zuko stepped aside for Yuexi to enter and stood there to listen for a few minutes then quickly left the scene. He didn't want to be caught eavesdropping.

"Hello Lady Toph," Yuexi started but Toph was just standing in front of the window feeling the wind blow through her messy hair out and open and dressed in a white nightgown of some silky material. But when hearing his voice she turned shining her milky eyes at him.

"Yuexi," She said simply, when she entered the house in the first place she knew she recognized him somehow—there were some advantages for her living in a stone house with her abilities—but she was so immersed with her parents she didn't really pay attention. Yuexi on the other hand beamed at her realization. "You've grown.' She continued.

"So have you." He returned, he took a step forward but Toph completed the rest of the way, running into his arms.

"And just to think you worked in the kitchen about a year ago." Toph smiled she pushed her face into his chest, Yuexi nuzzling in the mop of hair. They had always been friends ever since she was born. He was about four or three when she was still an infant so they always played together. But he was also the only one Toph ever told about her going to the Earth Rumbles, and he

covered for her. How else was she supposed to get out of the house for that long without being caught? He was always very supportive and even told her one day she'd find a better life out in the world where she belonged, only then did she realize how right he was.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Alright Aang ground rules come first." Sokka announced. He had gone a little over board with the whole "talk" issue but Aang appreciated his dedication regardless. "What exactly have you two been doing?" He sounded a tad bit more serious than he had before so Aang though he'd give him the whole truth.