Moving Forward

By: Julian Amici

Notes: This follows mainly cannon pairings, such as Kataang and Maiko (sorry Zutarans), as well as Sukka, with a few new ones thrown in. After all, Toph and Foamy need lovin' too (no, it's not Tophoamy). Don't forget to review. I like to know what you all think. I really do.

Chapter 1: The End of War

Aang and Zuko stared at each other for what seemed like an hour, sizing each other up and comparing their respective auras, visualizing the battle before it began. The two fancied themselves honest with themselves, but neither could see the other one winning, no matter how many scenarios they played. They wryly smiled at each other. "I hope you're ready to lose, Zuko."

"You took the words right out of my mouth." Zuko smirked, and launched himself at the young air bender, extending out his fist in a vicious strike. It would have been amusing how far away the strike landed from Aang if white flames hadn't burst forward, causing the air bender to jump to the side. He quickly twisted around, extending his arms out, throwing an almost visible wave of air at the new Fire Lord. Zuko dropped to the ground, slamming his chest against the stone just missing the wind, and loosed a quick bolt of fire from his mouth. The young monk slammed his foot on the ground, brining a slab of stone up in front of him, blocking the fire completely. The two stayed in those positions for a moment, then began to laugh. "Man, you had me worried for a second. I thought you were gonna go all out." Aang lowered the stone wall back into the earth.

"I was going all out. You've just gotten really good." Zuko got onto his feet and began to walk toward his once-enemy. "You know, you don't have to hold back on me, though."

"I wasn't holding back. I'd definitely lose if I didn't give it my all with you." The two smiled at each other. Zuko placed his hand on Aang's shoulder.

"So, do you think they'll start making out now?" Mai asked from the doorway, a smirk on her lips. The two swung around to face the voice, and saw Mai and Katara standing there, Mai taking a bite out of an apple, and Katara trying to suppress a giggle.

"I don't know, but it could be pretty hot." Katara blushed a little as Mai took another bite out of her apple.

Aang and Zuko looked at each other, then turned away in a bit of disgust. "Girls…" Zuko muttered.

Aang shook out of his state and ran toward the water bender. "Hey, Katara, how did the meeting go?"

She looked solemnly at him as Zuko edged closer, both he and Mai interested. "Well enough I suppose. Ozai, still being as evil as we remember, hasn't regained any of his bending ability. Whatever you did, it seems to be permanent."

Zuko and Mai let out the breath they didn't know they were holding. Aang simply shook his head. "I'm just glad I could defeat him without bloodshed. What about the rest of the fire nation troops?"

Zuko felt it was his turn to speak up. "Sokka's still searching the area, but even with the damage to the fleet, there have been a surprising amount of survivors so far."

Now it was Aang's turn to breathe a sigh of relief. "Good. The less people lost to that war, the better." He tentatively put an arm around Katara's waist, glad she didn't stop his public display of affection. "What about Azula? Is she still…"

"Crazy?" Mai spoke up. "Yeah. She keeps ranting about how everyone betrayed her, which is true, in a way, and how she's destined for blah blah blah. She takes snippy pot shots at me, but she's not anywhere as lucid as she was." She brought her hand to her face and pinched the bridge of her nose. "She seems to be losing a lot of control over her bending as well. We've had to keep her in a cooler to keep her from hurting herself or anyone else."

"As much as I hate her," Katara started, "I don't think anyone deserves that. I do kind of wish we could help her."

Zuko nodded hesitantly. "One thing at a time, though. Let's get this country back in order. My father's followers still have a lot of power in the national council, and many of them wish for this war to continue, saying it's the Fire Nation's right to rule."

"That's ridiculous." Katara snapped. Zuko looked a bit taken aback. "Oh, sorry Zuko, I didn't mean to yell at you. But I can't believe them, wanting to continue this war. Hasn't it cost enough already?"

Zuko nodded. "Well, it does seem that, while my father had many followers, the majority of the council seems to be as glad to be rid of this war as we are." The older bender sighed. "I just hope no one tries to do something drastic."

A look of confusion overcame Aang's features. "Like what?"

Mai gently shook her head and took Zuko's hand in her own. "Those loyal to Ozai were appointed to the council because of their ruthlessness by the old Fire Lord himself. I wouldn't put it past them to hire an assassin or something like it."

The air bender's eyes trailed over to Mai. "Is that why you asked me to stay for a little while longer?"

Mai simply nodded. Zuko looked back and forth between the two of them, incredulity etched on his face. "What?" he yelled out, his gaze finally resting on Mai. "You don't think I can take care of myself?"

"Calm down." Mai commanded in her usual bored tone. "You don't have eyes in the back of your head, I just wanted Aang around for a little extra protection. It's not like I asked him to be your personal bodyguard or anything."

Toph seemed to pick the best times to walk in on conversations, she mused, as she walked right into the training area. "Aw, come on Sparky, you should feel honored to have the Avatar being your personal protector. After all, did I hear a little while ago that you two were gonna make out? You could even share a room! It'd be SO romantic!"

"Ugh, that's so disgusting, Toph!" Zuko started to rub his temple. "Thanks for putting THAT image in my head!"

Aang shook his head vigorously and slapped his cheeks. "Thanks Toph, I'll probably have nightmares for weeks because of that."

Mai and Katara giggled at the reactions of their respective boyfriends. Toph's smile widened. "Well it looks like Mai and Katara'll be having dreams too, if the way their heartbeats jumped is a sign…"

Zuko and Aang looked at the blushes starting to form on the girl's faces. "Girls…" Aang muttered, copying Zuko directly.

Toph let out a loud laugh before regaining a bit of composure. "Anyway, the reason I'm here is because there's something going on in the council chambers. I don't know what it is, but aren't they supposed to be empty if you're not having a meeting, Oh Venerable Fire Lord?" She tacked on the last bit with a large embellished bow and amused sarcastic tone.

Zuko, on the other hand, didn't look amused at all. "Yes, they are supposed to be empty. There's no reason for anyone to be in there now." He immediately turned toward the exit from the training grounds and started a brisk walk toward the council chambers.

Aang, Katara, Mai, and Toph followed after him. "Hey, wait up! What's going on?" the young air bender asked.

Zuko didn't even look back, keeping up his hurried walk. "Council meetings are presided over by the Fire Lord in all cases, and I've been encountering more and more interference from pro-war Ozai loyalists. Something's going on." It didn't take long for the group to reach the council chambers. Zuko pushed them open with such force that the echo created through the palace as they slammed against the frame lasted for a few seconds. "What is going on here?!?"

The three older men looked surprised as they stared wide-eyed at the angry fire lord. "My lord, what an unexpected surprise it is to see you here." The tallest and oldest of the three said as he nervously brushed a strand of hair out of his face.

"I could say the same." The fire in Zuko's eyes was unmistakable. "The council chambers aren't exactly supposed to be used without me."

Two of the older men's eyes darted back and forth as they searched for an explanation, but then the youngest of the group, a mere few years older than Zuko himself, stepped forward. "My apologies, Fire Lord, this was my doing. I required the assistance of men with experience in certain matters. Certain marital matters."

Zuko looked at the young man, and recognized him as Luso, a young councilman who was on of his most aggressive supporters. "What's going on? Tell me."

Luso looked down, and his long hair fell in front of his boyish face. "I believe my new wife is unhappy, and Lord Seto and Lord Ibiri have been married for a long time. I just wanted someplace neutral to meet. Please forgive me." He quickly bowed down to Zuko. "I did not mean to intrude."

Zuko looked to the two older men, knowing them to be opponents to his policies, but shook his head. "Very well. As long as that's all you were discussing. Just let me know if you're going to be using the chambers next time."

"As you wish, Fire Lord." With that, the three turned and began walking down the hallway, Luso speaking on their way down. "See, that's why I like him better than Ozai." They turned a corner and were gone.

Zuko sighed heavily. Mai looked over to Toph. "Were they lying?" she asked.

Toph just shrugged. "I dunno. Wood floors, remember?" The group looked down to see the dark, polished wood. "It does sound kind of fishy though. They could have had a conversation like that anywhere. Why did they need to have it here?"

"I don't know," Zuko started, "but Luso is one of my most vocal supporters, so I'm more willing to trust his word. Why he was talking with Seto and Ibiri, though…"

Katara walked up to the gloomy Fire Lord and threw an arm over his shoulders. "Hey, it was probably exactly what he said. He seems like a nice guy, and what man doesn't want to make his wife happy?"

Aang and Toph both laughed, but Zuko looked to the floor. "My father." That statement sobered the whole group.

"Well, look at it this way, very few other people are going to be like him." Aang looked back up to the Fire bender. "I mean look at you. You're his son, and you're nothing like him."

Zuko looked into the Avatar's eyes before Mai caressed his chin, bringing his face to hers. "Exactly. You're the greatest man in the world." She leaned in and placed a kiss tenderly on his lips. "Ozai only thought he was."

"So, how about dinner? I'm starving!"

Zuko smiled, grateful for Toph's change of topic. "Let's get to the dining hall and get things started."

They all headed for the hall, gathering around the large table which had already began to be populated with all manners of traditional fire nation dishes, including a whole selection of salads for Aang. Toph sat over by Katara, which was quite unusual for her. She usually sat next to Aang. Zuko started to eat, starting up pleasant dinner conversation with everyone as well, in which everyone but Toph joined in. Katara looked over to her, and noticed that despite her earlier proclamation, she had barely touched her food. She leaned in closer to the young Earth bender, who had just turned thirteen. "Hey, Toph, is everything alright? You're barely touching your komodo chicken."

Toph seemed to snap out of a reverie and looked up to Katara, her eyes not quite centering on her, and pasted an obviously fake smile on her face. "What? Yeah, of course everything's okay. I guess I wasn't as hungry as I thought, that's all."

Katara put a knowing look on her face, then remembered that Toph couldn't see. She stood up and took Toph's arm, standing her up too. Quickly bowing to the head of the table, she turned around to leave. "Toph and I need a little 'girl time'. We'll be back later."

Aang quickly got to his feet, a gust of air helping him. "Do you want me to come with?"

Katara looked at Aang and a smile appeared on her face. "'Girl' time, Aang. Avatar doesn't trump Girl."

Zuko actually let out a laugh at that statement. "Well, if you need us, we'll be here."

Katara bowed again to Zuko and left the hall, Toph in tow. She quickly led the blind girl to a small garden just outside and sat her down on a bench. "Okay Toph, spill. Something's on your mind."

"It's nothing, I swear, I just wasn't that hungry, that's all." Her tone was softer than normal.

"I know you better than that." The older water bender put an arm around the young girl. "It must be really bad if you can't even say it. You're the one who doesn't ever have a problem speaking her mind. So come on, it's not like I'll judge you. You could even say you're jealous of me being with Aang and I wouldn't be upset. Please, Toph, tell me."

Toph looked to the ground. "I am jealous." Katara reeled back a bit from the news, and the earth bender felt it. "Well, kind of. I'm jealous of what you have. You and Aang love each other so much, and I can feel the love between Zuko and Mai. And then there's Sokka and Suki. But I don't have anyone. No one loves the poor little blind girl, the tomboy earth bender. And before you say it…" Katara closed her open mouth. "I know you all love me, but you know that's not what I'm talking about. I may not seem it, but I do think about those things. And I know that despite how many times you've told me that I'm pretty, I'm not. I don't have to care about appearances, but I know every one else does."

"Toph, you are pretty. And you will find someone, it's just…"

"It's just what, Katara?" she yelled out, standing up. "It's just not the right time? It's just that I'm too much like a guy? It's just that I'm unlucky? Are you going to say that I have to be patient? Well I'm tired of being patient! My parents never loved me, and now it's pretty clear that no man ever will!"

Tears fell freely from Toph's eyes now, and Katara stood up, embracing the girl tightly. "That's not what I was going to say. I was going to say 'It's just that the six of us have a history.' We've worked long and hard at these relationships. We've fallen down, we've stumbled, Zuko even threw away what he had for a long time. He was lucky to get Mai back. It wasn't easy for us either. So believe me when I say that I know what you're going through." She began to rub Toph's back when she began to cry. "I do believe it will happen for you, I do believe you will find someone who will love you. And I believe you're wrong. I know you're beautiful. And since I'm the one here who can see, I think I'm the expert on the matter."

Toph laughed into Katara's tunic despite herself. She brought her hands up and pushed the older girl away. "Thanks Sugar Queen. Even though I still don't think you're right, it's nice to know that there are people on my side. I just want to stop thinking about this and go back to what I do best."

"Throwing big rocks at people?"

The two laughed a bit, Toph wiping her eyes. "No, being the wild, happy, crazy, powerful bender you all know." The smile on her face faded. "It's just whenever I'm around you and Aang, or Zuko and Mai, or anyone else really, I feel left out. And then there are the nightmares."

"Nightmares?"

"Yeah." Toph took the step back to the stone bench and sat back down. "I've been having pretty vivid dreams about, well, being alone."

Katara sat back down as well. "Being alone?"

"Well, um…" she paused. "Dying alone."

Katara was taken aback. "Toph, you're not going to die. And you're certainly not going to be alone."

"I know you think that, but every time I try to convince myself that it's not true, the nightmares just get more powerful."

Katara simply leaned over and held her. "Oh, Toph…"

Toph lifted her foot and slammed it on the ground. At the same time, Aang leapt out from behind a bush, almost getting hit with a stone pillar jutting out for the ground. "Nice dodge, Twinkletoes."

Aang floated to the ground, knowing that Toph knew how long he was there. "Katara's right, we are all here for you. And she's also right, you are very beautiful."

The young earth bender blushed a bit. "Thanks. I know you don't mean that, but thanks."

"You can tell when people are lying, Toph. So then you would have been able to sense that I was lying. And I wasn't." Aang walked over and sat on the other side of Toph, putting his arm around her shoulders.

Toph let out a laugh. "Well, now I understand why you all got so bent out of shape when you saw that play about us. Being a big buff guy isn't exactly what every girl wants." She let another laugh escape her lips. "Not exactly what every guy wants either."

Katara and Aang joined in the laughter. "Well, I can definitely say you're the cutest big buff guy I've ever seen!" Katara laughed out, wiping a tear from her eye.

Aang hopped up, turning to face the two most important women in his life. "So, are you two ready to rejoin dinner?"

Toph simply nodded and stood up. Katara stood up and placed her lips on the young air bender's forehead. "Yeah. I'm still pretty hungry."