Note: Please read Ya'aburnee before reading this story.

Well, folks, here it is! I missed these two, and, who am I kidding? A sequel was needed.
About half a year has passed since the ending of Ya'aburnee.

i.

More than anything, Avatar Aang wants to grab every article on his alleged relationship with Chief Beifong and burn them to ash. It's one thing to assume, and it's another to make such assumptions look like fact. Some of these journalists present a convincing argument, wondering how long the relationship has been going on – if it's at all true – and whether Avatar Aang might have, indeed, had an affair beforehand.

Aang flings the newspaper aside. 'They could always ask me.'

'Because you'd be so inclined to answer,' Toph smirks. 'You shouldn't read that stuff if it annoys you.'

'I can't not read it, though.' Returning to his prior activity, Aang searches for his outer shawl. The Avatar has a meeting to attend in a little under an hour, and he needs to be dressed appropriately. Although the bedroom he shares with Toph is relatively tidy, he can't find his shawl. Growling in irritation, he says, 'Besides, it's none of their business.'

Amused, Toph picks up Aang's shawl from the floor, and passes it over.

'Sometimes, I'm certain you're more blind than I am.'

'That's not exactly an achievement of any kind. I think most people are blinder than you are.'

Uncertain how to interpret that, Toph says, 'It's a newspaper, Twinkletoes. Their job is to attract as many readers as possible, and the general population are into gossip. So, if our alleged relationship appeals to the general population, they're gonna write about it.'

'D'you think we should speak out, then?'

'What?' Toph pulls a face. 'Uh, no. You're right: whatever we are, it's none of their business. Let's just keep it that way. People can ask if they're that concerned, okay?'

Aang raises a brow. 'Whatever we are?' Tilts his head, smiling crookedly. 'Do I seriously need to give us a label?'

'Please don't.'

Fully dressed, Aang steps over, and, grinning ear-to-ear, pulls Toph into a firm embrace. 'One would think you were allergic to this kind of discussion – you avoid it like the plague.'

'That's because it is.' Aang frowns at that. 'I, personally, don't understand why you care so much.'

Releasing her, Aang doesn't respond. Not to her statement, at least.

Their relationship certainly started rocky at first. It had taken them a while to reach this stage, in which not only are they properly committed to one another, but willing to share the same roof. The delay was mainly due to Toph's stubbornness and Aang's differences. However, over time, they found their way to each other.

As far as Aang is concerned, it's been great since. They're comfortable together. Which is their prime concern, especially for Toph. Considering she is somebody who struggles to generally open up around others, the person she's going to be able to do that with must be a person she trusts, and whom she is close to. Aang became that.

In a way, Aang always was that.

Neither have announced their commitment to each other. And neither particularly wish to. However, as Chief of Republic City police, as well as Aang being the Avatar, heads have turned. They are two people with arguably the most authority – excluding Fire Lord Zuko – in the capital. Much to Toph and Aang's frustration, their relationship is fascinating to the public.

It is mainly a self-defence mechanism as to why Toph refuses to discuss who and what they are at length. Aang has considered answering the insufferable questions the media pose at them, but he has no intention to do that, unless Toph steps forward as well. Knowing her, that possibility is very unlikely.

'The last thing I want to do right now is sit in a meeting,' Aang grumbles.

'Wouldn't wanna be ya.'

'As Chief, I'd imagine you have your fair share.'

Toph gives him a pained look. 'Fair share? That's an understatement.'

Reluctant to leave, Aang steps towards the door. 'Don't wait up.' He turns back, and stops at the sight of Toph's very innocent expression while she slowly loosens the belt of her robe.

'I won't; don't worry about that.'

Aang's eyes immediately drop to her bare collarbone, and she's teasing him, revealing a small amount of her chest. Even that, in itself, is difficult to ignore. Aang presses his lips together. Still wearing that infuriatingly unknowing expression, Toph leans against the wall, knowing exactly what she is doing.

'You're not going to let me go, are you?'

'I have no idea what you're talking about.'

Damn it. Hell to the meeting. Aang doesn't care, and the bulge in his trousers would insist the very same. Taking two strides over, he slams his mouth onto hers, his hands slipping beneath her robe, and smoothing his palms up her back. Aang is relentless, passionate, happy; he pushes her up further into the wall, nipping her lower lip.

To be honest, Toph thinks it hilarious how easily manipulated the Avatar can be. But another part of her is also aware of the fact only she can achieve this. If it were anybody else, Aang would hardly be effected.

Makes one of us, she thinks, preoccupied with tugging away his shirt.

'I win,' she smiles into his kisses.

Aang kisses her harder.

'We'll see,' he says, encouraging her back into the bedroom.

Headquarters is usually bustling with activity during daytime hours. Except for the occasional few, as well as the Chief, the building is vacant after nine o'clock in the evening. Despite only having been established for half a year, Republic City possesses a strong defence of military officers, most of which have been trained by Chief Beifong herself.

Metalbending isn't an easy skill to possess. While Earthbending requires a heavy amount of concentration, Metalbending is far more intense. Strength, and lots of it, is naturally demanded. However, Metalbending goes beyond that. In a way, the Bending is not so much a step up from Earthbending, but separate from it.

Fortunately several officers are speedy learners. Others, however, still struggle to master the ability.

Crime in Republic City has been at a minimum, considering Toph's reputation. The very few who stir trouble always regret it. Not only is Toph brilliant at her job, she also has a strong force, and the Avatar on top of that.

However, recently, it seems apparent that Toph might have met her match.

Aang busily flicks through a report an officer passed on to them. Initially, it was mere rumour that there might be a criminal empire trying to pull strings in the capital. Now, said rumour appears to be true. The boss of this criminal empire is somebody Aang has heard about before but never properly met.

A member of the Northern Water Tribe, and a skilled Waterbender too. Aang refused to believe it at first, but this Waterbender has been Bending an element so evil, and corrupt, Aang made sure it was illegal within Republic City, and anywhere else for that matter.

'Fatalities,' he locks his jaw, 'I didn't think it would resort to this.'

'How many?'

'Three deceased, six injured.' Aang lowers the report.

It's difficult to read Toph's expression. Sitting behind her desk, she idly fiddles with a paperweight. 'Huh.' She places the paperweight down. 'Hey, maybe I should invite Katara up. See who wins.'

Aang sighs, sitting on the edge of the desk. 'You know that's not very funny.'

'It is a little bit.' Toph pauses. 'Okay, I won't do that, but she's a Bloodbender too. I'm not gonna waste the resources that I have.'

'Katara will really appreciate the fact you referred to her as a resource.'

'I'm merely implying she's useful.'

For a while, Aang lets that sink in. Then they both smirk knowingly. 'You have a way with words, Chief.' He drops the report onto the desk. 'Even if Katara was willing to help out, that doesn't mean she can necessarily reason with him.'

'Who said I wanted him to be reasoned?'

'You can't kill him, Toph.'

Groaning in frustration, Toph falls back into her chair. 'That would be so satisfying, though.'

'Yeah, well, you're not a killer, and I know you don't mean it.'

'I want this creep locked away. In my experience with him, he likes to hide in the shadows, but I know a few places where he willingly shows his face.' Aang makes a noise of puzzlement, to which she answers, 'Being Chief means I have eyes everywhere.' She reaches for the report, and slides it towards her. 'This isn't the first time Yakone has pissed me off.'

Aang takes the report from her. 'Look, if you're going to dive head first into this, then please be careful. I–I've seen Bloodbending, and it's ugly. There's a reason why Katara refuses to do it. Toph, this man can take your Bending away; he can control you. I'm not suggesting you are in any way more vulnerable than I am, but–'

'I know what you're suggesting.' Toph stands, 'And you need to chill out.' Grabs the report from him. 'I can handle him.'

'That's what worries me,' Aang murmurs under his breath. More than anybody, he admires Toph's fortitude. Yet while it is one of her greatest strengths, it is also a weakness. 'Fine. If you're going to meet him, then I'm coming with you.'

'Do I have a say in the matter?'

'No.' He kisses her.

Toph isn't too fussed about Aang coming along. They've worked in the field together before.

She twitches a smile, 'Just don't lose your temper. He's avoided imprisonment before. And I've heard the report. There's no definite evidence which points directly to him. He not only has a lot of men who work for him, but he's a slippery piece of shit. Not to mention he has a set of very discommodious lawyers.'

'Careful: that's a big word for you.' Drawing her close, he presses her lips to her cheek, and tightens his embrace.

This criminal night be difficult to manage but he wouldn't dare do anything to damage Toph's work. Besides, this is his city as well. And if anybody is causing problems, let alone killing civilians, then he will do everything in his power to ensure this man is thrown behind bars.

'Don't worry,' he whispers, 'I've got your back.'

Note: I've altered the timeline with Yakone in this. Canon-wise, he was causing many problems before Toph was finally able to imprison him properly (and she was forty by then!), but I thought it'd be fun to feature him much earlier in her career when she's only twenty-five.

So, I'm studying a Masters, which means I'm busy a lot of the time. But I really need to have another project to focus my attention on, which is why this story is up. Plus, Aang and Toph are so much fun to write about, and there's a lot more about their relationship I need to delve into.

From here on out, I will warn you I'll probably be stepping into very sensitive material. This story is rated mature for many reasons, and that is one of them.

Thank you for reading! I hope to update quickly. Until next time.