Chapter 5: Confessions, a proposal, and goodbyes
Sorry I haven't updated in who knows how long. I got kind of lazy. I know, bad me.
Here it is the last chapter of Ember Island Reunion. Here, we'll see who Toph's mystery boyfriend is and what Zuko has to ask Mai. And, there will be some goodbyes too. Also, I've decided to go ahead and make a sequel to this story. It's called Staying Together. I'm almost finished with the first chapter so be prepared for it. One more thing. After finding someone with the same penname as me, I've changed my penname to Kataangfanatic. Just to let you all know. Enjoy!
They stood at the water's edge, holding hands. "So, when are you going to tell them?" Toph knew what he meant. She still hadn't told her friends that she was dating.
"I'll tell them soon. I just need time that's all." He gave her a serious look, even though he knew she couldn't see it.
"Well, you'd better tell them soon. This reunion won't last for long." He kissed her on the cheek and walked away. Toph went as red as a fire lily and made her way back to the beachhouse. 'How am I going to tell them?' she thought. 'I can't keep it a secret. But I still don't feel comfortable telling them. I could probably tell Katara first. She's like my big sister; I know I can trust her enough to tell her things like that.'
Katara began to stir from her slumber. She felt Aang's arms around her waist and smiled. She always woke up with his arms around her like that. He just didn't want to let her go. 'He's so sweet,' she thought. 'He just wants to be close to me I guess. So much for Sokka's "Men are tough" thing. I'm glad he's not rough or tough though. I like Aang just the way he is. Always wanting to keep me safe and happy.'She slowly slipped out of his warm arms, trying not to wake him. But as soon as his arms left her, he opened his eyes slowly. She just smiled and gave him a peck on the lips. "What are you doing up?" he asked.
"I'm just going downstairs for something to eat. You don't have to come. I know you're tired. Just get as much rest as you can." She gave him another kiss on the lips and walked quietly out of the room. Aang just grinned and went back to sleep.
Katara came through the doorway and found Toph sitting at the table. "Hey, Toph. What are you doing down here?" Toph set her glass down and sighed.
"I have something to tell you Katara," she said somewhat softly. "Here, sit down." Katara got some tea and smoked sea slug and sat in the empty seat next to her friend.
"What is it Toph?" 'Oh brother! Should I tell her or should I just let it slide?' she thought. Toph moved her cup around the table nervously and wondered what to do. "Toph, you can tell me anything. I'm like your big sister. I'm sure whatever you have to say isn't that hard."
Toph took a deep breath and decided that now was the best time. "Allright, I'll tell you. This is kind of hard for me to say so listen carefully. Katara…… I've got… a… a boyfriend." 'There, I said it! But what will she say?'
Katara gasped in surprise at what her friend had just said. 'Toph is dating?' She couldn't believe it. But Toph had just told her. "Oh my gosh! Toph, that's great!!" She said.
Toph's foggy eyes widened. "Really? Well thanks, Katara. I'm glad you think so."
"So, who are you dating?" Katara asked. Toph smiled at the question. Boy would Katara be blown away when she told her.
"Well, you know that guy who you met in the earthkingdom who was at the invasion? The one with the moustache?" Katara's eyes widened as she figured out who she meant.
"You're dating Haru? That's fantastic!" She gave Toph a sisterly hug and Toph couldn't help but hug back. "So, are you going to tell the others?" Just as she said that, Suki walked in.
"Tell the others what, Katara?" Toph smiled as she spoke again.
"Well, I'm dating Haru, from the invasion." Now it was Suki's turn to smile.
"That's great Toph!"
"What's great, Suki?" Sokka had made his way into the kitchen for a snack just as Suki said that.
"Toph's dating Haru, Sokka!" She said happily. Sokka stared in shock and the next thing they knew, he fainted. Just then, Aang walked in and stared at Sokka on the floor in disbelief.
"Hey girls, why did Sokka faint?" Katara couldn't contain her excitement any more.
"Aang, Toph's dating Haru!" Aang looked shocked. He never thought that Toph would want to date someone. It took him a while to recover from the shock.
"Toph's dating?" There was quite a long silence. "Sorry, Toph, It just caught me by surprise. I mean, no offense Toph, but I didn't think you'd date somebody."
"Ahh, that's allright twinkletoes. I was kind of surprised myself, actually."
The next evening, Zuko was on the balcony with Mai. After a long silence, Mai spoke. "Okay Zuko, I came like you said. So, what did you want to ask me?" She asked in her usual dull tone.
"Allright, I might as well say it." He got down on one knee and looked Mai in the eyes. "Mai, ever since I met you, I've been in love with you. We've been together for years so I hope this doesn't surprise you too much. Mai, will you marry me?"
Mai gasped and an awkward silence came over the two. "Zuko," she said at last. Before Zuko could do anything else, Mai pulled him into a long kiss. When they finally broke, Zuko was speechless. "Of course I'll marry you Zuko. I wouldn't marry anyone other than you."
"Really?" Mai nodded. "That's great!" Again, their lips met in a long kiss.
Finally, after a long week of being together, the reunion came to an end. Nobody wanted to leave, but Zuko had to return to the palace. Being the fire lord, he still had his duty to do for his country. And Aang had to leave as well. From what Zuko had said, a band of slave traders were kidnapping many people in the fire nation capital. A matter that clearly needed the Avatar's attention. Katara couldn't stand to be apart from her husband. "Let me go with you Aang, please," she pleaded. Aang smiled and shook his head.
"I want you to come too, Katara. But you heard what Zuko said. Those slave traders have been capturing hundreds of people in the capital; I don't want you to be their next target." Katara looked downcast, her eyes glistening with tears. Aang smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry; I'll be home before you know it. And besides, you could stay with Sokka and Suki on Kyoshi until I come back."
"Actually Aang, I think we'll stay with Katara," Sokka said. The couple turned at the sound of Sokka's voice. "Suki and I are moving to the southern earthkingdom where you guys are. This way, we won't be separated." Katara's frown instantly turned to a big smile. She ran into her brother's arms and gave him one of the tightest hugs he'd ever gotten.
"Are you serious, Sokka?" The twenty one year-old warrior nodded. Katara smiled even more. Finally, after six years of being separated, she and her brother would be together again. Aang, Zuko and Iroh climbed on Appa and took off. With the reunion over, the friends all went their separate ways. But now, Sokka and Katara would still be together.
Well, that's the end of the story. I hope you all liked it. My next story will be out tomorrow, so check back soon!