I do not own the avatar characters, sadly. I hope you all enjoy this! ~ Snyder

"Toph!" Lao yelled for his young daughter, head turning to the left.

The young girl got up, her grumbling to herself under her breath. She wiped her eyes, just waking up. A maid rushed into the room to help the six-year-old and grabbed Toph gently by her arm.

"My lady -" The maid spoke before Toph yanked her arm away.

"I can take care of myself," Toph huffed, blowing a strand of her black hair out of her face, "Tell my dad that I'll be there soon."

"No no, I insist!" The Maid said, helping Toph up.

Toph groaned mentally, letting the maid help her get dressed. Many more maids came in, she could tell. It was going to be a rough day, Toph could already tell. After she was dressed in a formal Earth dress that hugged her slightly, the hair yanking began. One of the maids tugged hard, making Toph grit her teeth.

"Ouch." She mumbled, closing her eyes.

"My lady, did I hurt you?" The exact maid asked, tying Toph's hair into a bun.

"No." Toph lied a bit, shrugging it off.

After a couple minutes, Toph was finally ready. Her hair was tied into a bun with two side pieces at her face, framing it perfectly. The young girl walked out of her room with the maids behind her. Poppy and Lao were talking quietly about Toph before their daughter walked in.

"Lao, she's old enough to meet him."

"I don't want our daughter to be hurt by him. He is four years older than her. I do not need him giving her any ideas."

"He is a prince! He should know better and won't give her any ideas."

"...Fine. Tell them to come." Lao sighed just as Toph walked in.

"You called for me, Dad?" Toph asked, sighing after.

Lao nodded before pausing. Toph's eyes dulled, and it was as if she knew he nodded.

"Dad. Did you just nod to a blind girl?" Toph spoke, spunk in her voice.

"..That's no way to talk to your father, young lady!" Lao scolded her, and Poppy walked out of the room.

"So you did." She mumbled under her breath.

"What did you say?" Lao asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I said, why am I here?" Toph smiled at her father, playing him like an instrument.

"Well, there is someone we would like you to meet. But! You must be on your best behavior, young lady. They're a part of the Fire Nation." Lao spoke just as they arrived.

Ursa and Zuko walked in, and Toph felt their vibrations. Her mouth went dry and she remembered what her father said. As much as Toph hated it, she bowed.

"Hello, Ursa." Lao bowed just as his daughter did.

"Hello Lao," Ursa spoke back, bowing after Lao got back up.

Zuko bowed also, not saying anything. His golden eyes drifted over to Toph, looking at her. She was short, and her eyes seemed to be drifting off into space.

"Zuko, go meet Toph." Ursa gently patted his shoulder, and Zuko gave a smile to his mom before nodding.

He walked over to Toph and looked at her. Her eyes were beautiful, he had to admit.

"Take a photo. It does last longer." She spoke; snarky.

"I don't seem to have my camera with me, Lady Toph." He smirked.

"I'm guessing your name is Zuko." Toph changed the topic, slowly smiling.

"I'm guessing you change topic well." Zuko grinned now.

Toph and Zuko went back and forth, having a good conversation. For a six-year-old, she kept up pretty well.

"Zuko!" Ursa yelled very gently.

"Mhmm, sure - Yes, mom?" Zuko interrupted himself.

"It's time to leave," She spoke, very upset with Lao and grabbed Zuko's shoulder gently before walking off.

Zuko looked back at Toph who gave a small smile and was harshly turned around by her father.

Chapter 1: I'm Sorry.

"..Sugar Queen, I really don't want to go to this Party. I already dislike the dress - Toph please!"

Toph was held down by Mai and Suki with Ty Lee and Katara messed with her dress and hair. It was a Fire Nation Party, courtesy of Zuko. Aang said it would be a good idea, it would be the nations together by showing them that they all enjoy each other's company.

"Toph, look at yourself," Suki spoke, removing the wooden block from Toph's feet.

"Ah, sweet ground - .." Toph quiets down, realizing what they did. The dress had a metal belt around the waist, in case if anything bad happened. It was beautiful, from what Toph could feel of it. It was also very soft, which was enjoyable.

"What are the colors?" Toph turned to Ty Lee, her awaiting the response.

"Green, pink, white and gold," Ty Lee spoke, "It looks beautiful. And don't worry, it's not much pink at all."

Katara nodded, and just as she turned around to the door, there was a knock.

"Hello, Aang!" Katara greeted, smiling beautifully.

Aang couldn't help but stare a bit, "How is everyone doing?"

"Good, Twinkletoes!" Toph yelled from afar and yelped as her hair was released from the bun that it was often in.

"Toph, your hair!" Ty Lee gasped, and Suki gaped before Toph hissed.

"Goddammit!" Toph got out of the seat and tried making a dash for it, "Twinkletoes, save me!"

Aang only chuckled and rolled his eyes at Toph's silly reaction, then stared at her hair. "I never knew that you had such long hair."

Toph huffed, "No one ever did! I kept it up in my bun, because…" Her voice faded, bring back the memories of her being caged inside of the castle, "Because I could." She grumbled, turning her back and grabbed the hairbrush and began brushing her hair.

"..I see," Aang nodded, not pressuring the conversation of why Toph kept her hair up. "Anyways, the party begins in five minutes. I suggest you all head down."

Mai just nodded, "Alright. Tell Zuko we'll be there in two."

As soon as Aang left, the girls finished getting ready.

"Toph, just this once?" Suki rose the heels, getting a scowl from Toph.

"NO! I AM NOT WEARING SHOES!"

..-..

"They should be here soon," Aang spoke to Zuko as Sokka was getting some Fire Flakes.

"I hope so," Zuko spoke looking at the room full of people, "They're a bit late."

Just as Zuko said that, Katara walked in with Suki beside her as they talked. Sokka walked back to Aang and stared at Suki.

"They're so beautiful," Aang spoke and Zuko didn't exactly care. He was scanning the room for one certain person.

Suki was in a formal red dress with a golden ribbon around her waist and a fake lotus flower in her hair while Katara wore a white dress that faded into a dark Navy blue with her sacred necklace around her neck. Mai wore a black dress with a belt of roses around the waist and Ty Lee with a light pink dress with a flower crown.

"Where's Toph?" Zuko mumbled, worried the Earthbender was causing commotion all over his castle.

"Right here, Princess Sparky." A small hit went to his shoulder and he looked down at her.

It was the dress. Or as Sokka called it, "The Beifong dress." It was white, but not a blinding white. The kind of creamy white. It was a Kimono honestly, yet it wasn't. She was grown up now, so it was a form hugging dress. It framed her hips and her perfected sized breast. It showed how strong her arms were from the war. It had a flower design across her chest which added a feminine sense to the dress. There was a green fabric around the neck to show that she was from the Earth Nation and a flying boar pin on her shoulder; showing that she was Beifong royalty.

"You look wonderful." Zuko complemented and Toph gave a small smile.

"You aren't looking so bad yourself, Hot stuff." She patted his shoulder and earned a soft chuckle.

Someone came up behind them and tapped Aang on the shoulder. It was a personal guard, who didn't have very pleasant news.

"Avatar Aang, there is an important matter I need to tell you." The guard spoke, his gruff voice quiet enough for Toph and Zuko to not hear.

Aang just nodded and walked off with him.

"So what is it you needed to tell me?"

..-..

"Avatar, I figured I should tell you this before I told Ms. Beifong this. I know you could tell her better than me." The guard commented, making Aang's eyebrow rise.

"...Tell me." Aang sighed, listening.

"Her parents...Her parents have passed. They were assassinated, but we do not know who has done it. I wish I had the details, but sadly I do not." Li, the guard spoke.

Aang's gray eyes widened and he closed them, pinching his bridge of his nose. He knew that Toph wasn't going to be very happy, and she wouldn't handle this well. Not very well at all.

"I will tell her. Thank you, Li." Aang walked off, knowing he might have the fight of his life on hands or he would see the greatest Earthbender break down in sobs.

Walking back, Aang wasn't very happy. He didn't want to have to break Toph's heart, but at least he would be nice about it. Or he hoped to be. Toph and Zuko were laughing, very happy together. He hated to be the bearer of bad news. Walking over to Toph, he tapped her on her shoulder.

"What, Twinkletoes?" Toph laughed, tears spilling out of her eyes from laughing so hard.

"I...I need to talk to you about something," Aang rubbed the back of his neck, looking downwards.