A/N; Sometimes I wake up at night and cry, like seriously…why didn't Taang happen? Bryan, Dante…you gave me life then wrenched it right out of my grasp. I DEMAND an alternative ending for Zutarians and Taangists! Please, so that I can finally stop sketching nasty Taang business at the back of my physics books; one of these days I'm going to end up in rehab… okay pause as i fangirl for whoever faved or reviewed...u make this girls heart flutter...in a good way, k am done dancing around my room now-
CHAPTER TWO; I'll fetch the monk
She heard a knock at her bedroom door. From the light patent footsteps, she could tell it was Katara.
'Yeah, yeah come in…' Toph exclaimed, flailing her arms uselessly; rather irritably to the girl who had interrupted her toe-picking session.
'Well…I was, I… wondering if…have you seen-'
'Spit it out, sugar queen'
Katara sighed and held the bridge of her nose in an exasperated gesture; Toph could tell she was very tense. 'Aang's not back yet.' She said with a confirmatory shrug of her shoulders.
Toph was highly un-amused, true to his element; Aang took the opposite direction when he faced resistance. What did he expect to do? Run away for another a hundred years and come back when the fire nation had been defeated and they could all hold hands and sing that song Sokka always sang when he polished his sword. What was it again?-something about a secret tunnel. Toph let her feet go and sat up straight.
'The wuss!' she spat, standing up. 'I'll go find him.' She announced.
'Are you sure? 'Katara asked, 'It's getting pretty dark outside.'
'The beauty of being blind…after all, I am the reason he ran off like a scared little girl-I'll find him'-and knock some sense into his head.
'Oh thank you! I'll tell Zuko he doesn't need to go out to search for Aang anymore.'
'Huh?' Toph was doing some quick math in her head. 'Why can't he come?'
'He wouldn't be able to see.' Katara answered quickly, shiftily, Toph sensed, she was holding back.
'He's a fire-bender, Katara.'
'Yeah, well…'
Toph sighed. 'I'll go fetch the monk.'
She maneuvered easily through the trees that surrounded the compound, feeling the earth around her like an extension, a vast extension that somewhere hid the bridge between the spirit and material worlds. Inwardly she cringed, did he really fear her that much, like some sort of monster, oh he was being melodramatic- That was twinkles for you! Of course she would never do anything to purposely hurt him-a lot, but he didn't know that, clearly.
'Okay…I'm sorry, sifu Toph okay?'
Even when he talked to her, he revered her, which she really didn't mind- the whole world ought to revere her, but Twinkle toes, they were friends, but she just didn't know how to get past that "I'll kill you" barrier without losing her pride in front of him, and she had a LOT of it.
'I…think you need to calm down a bit…'
Calm down? Psssh-she was the epitome of calm. Angrily she swiped away a protruding branch, momentarily forgetting what she was doing in the first place; overcome with unbridled rage for…well she hadn't figured out yet exactly. But when she did she would act upon it. She heard a slight rustle in the bushes beyond her, but not so slight that it was mere wind, something, someone had moved that branch. She stamped her right foot forward in a brief motion, the waves rippled through her body.
'Twinkles!' she gasped, shocked by the excitement in her voice-it was unrecognizable. Then he really started to move, darting away through the vegetation…What? She wasn't going to eat him. Eating all powerful monks was her least favorite thing to do. She ran after him, now with a lot of energy, using the earth to enhance her lithe movements.
'Wait, Aang!' she was getting irritable, why was he making things so hard?
'Twinkle toes I swear by earth if…WHEN I get you…'
She gritted her teeth and cautiously advanced in his direction, the evening breeze dancing in her face, playing with her untidy bangs, they'd grown more unruly of late –she'd noticed; grimacing at the tickly sensation they created as they gently grazed her pale-colored cheeks. She exhaled out a tuft of air, both to calm her and remove the hair from her face. Dealing with Twinkles could be…challenging, she mused; thinking back to the initial stages of earth bending. It had been a struggle just getting the boy to move a mere pebble (blah blah difficulty mastering opposite element) and that's when it struck her, Aang only rose to the challenge when he was…well, challenged. Katara had once told her of how he'd been forced into the avatar state because of some crazy earth general who'd trapped her in some underground tunnel. Aang had thought she was in danger and something just snapped in him. Then she began ranting about how Aang had a thing for her but she was really confused…and from then on the conversation went downhill and she tuned out before she turned homicidal on a certain water tribe girl. But in truth even when teaching him earth bending, Toph had had to first torture the calmness out of the monk. Earth was neither calm nor forgiving, earth did not retaliate-And that was it! She just had to bully him enough into getting the gall to do what she wanted.
'Really, Twinkles…you're the AVATAR, Fire pops will not take kindly to your scurrying away like a little girl!'
No answer, but she knew that she'd achieved some effect because the trees rustled with some force and a figure landed softly ahead of her…Hmm, He'd actually grown taller. She'd noticed back in the valley when they were preparing for the day of the black sun, but now it was evident-Twinkles was growing. She kept up with her taunting as she walked closer.
'I can't believe I ever thought you were the bravest person alive! I really thought you'd be able to stand up to a blind…helpless gir-'
'You're not helpless.' There was scorn in his voice; it came from behind her, well how the hell did that happen. She pivoted to face him.
'Or blind…you see more than any of us can.' She was silent. The "compliment" came with unspoken retribution.
'Girl?...yes, you are a girl-and stranger than any I've met at that.'
'And you've met how many girls exactly?' Snarky Toph was back. She placed a steadying hand to her waist. Hopefully he wasn't comparing her to Katara-psssshh, of course he was comparing her to Katara-next to her everyone was like a star near the moon, well she wouldn't really know, so like a pebble near a boulder-a tall prissy beautiful boulder.
'Enough' Aang answered in finality. Wait, was he answering her question or telling her he'd enough? She really couldn't tell with the blunt intonation. Oh well-he was in grabbing-and-dragging back home vicinity so it didn't really matter. She sighed.
'I was sent to get you.'
'Why you?'
'Well I kinda volunteered but I guess it's my punishment for trying to give you your rightful punishment. I know I know you'd rather Katara came to get you-'she raised her palms to him.
'Strangely, I'm glad you came instead.' He absentmindedly commented, cutting her off.
Toph held her breath. He was an air bender; wouldn't he be able to tell she'd stopped respiring for like a second? She exhaled nervously. Had she heard correctly?
I'm glad you came instead…why?
'It's a trap, isn't it?'
'Ha ha…no.' There was laughter in his airy voice. 'Besides, I don't think any trap would be enough to capture The Great Master Toph Beifong…'
'True…true…' she pensively mused with a slight grin, taking a few steps forward. What was T.T really up to? 'So you coming or what?' she snapped.
'I thought you were going to try to drag me back or something.' He earnestly asked, Toph had to admit it was, heart wrenchingly dare she say cute. He almost sounded…hopeful.
'You know me so well, but while I'm flattered, I figured…there are other ways of dealing with you Twinkles, you're not a child-to be forced, or begged, and I'm definitely not one to beg or force-okay maybe I force just a little, but the point is you're going to go back with your own two legs because I believe I've inflicted (tried to anyway) enough harm on you today and this is me saying I'm….I'm…'
'You're what?' Aang was on the edge .He could guess what she wanted to say but Toph could barely make the word audible. She didn't want Aang to think she was some sort of deadly monster to fear, to some extent that was awesome, but she wanted to be the nice kind of monster.
'I…I'm…'sorry. She whispered the word to herself, and truly she was for all the unbridled violence she'd put him through while Katara had to pick up all the slack. She then understood his fascination with the long-haired water bender. But seriously, how did anyone bring themselves to say that dastardly word.
'I'm happy I didn't smash you with that rock earlier.' She said with finality.
'Oh…um, thanks?' He was rubbing the back of his neck nervously, Toph was acting strange.
'Coz then we'd have no one to save the world and stuff...'
'Of course.' He said with an aura of finality.
'I don't mean that we only need you because you're the world's sole beacon of hope…' but he was walking away.
'Twinkle Toes, Aang, wait!' Since when did she become the pleading one?
'I'm going back like you wanted.'
'No, first hear me out- you're one of my best friends, you literally freed me, and to think that we, I take you for granted is utterly… stupid!' That was Toph for you, she wouldn't exactly say I want you and I need you and I think we belong together, no- she'd say don't leave me, no… she'd say I dare you to leave me, implying an inaudible threat and leaving you to supplement with your own gruesome possibilities, yet all she ever wanted was company. But Aang was learning to decipher her odd way of self expression.
'Thanks, Toph. I wish I had a nickname for you.'
'Don't push it Twinkles…' She lashed out and struck him in the shoulder. That was tough love for you.
'So I take it you no longer want to kill me in a landslide?' he asked while rubbing his shoulder, it was more of a request
'I have to be flame boy's slave for a day…I WILL kill you-after you save the world of course.'
'Yeah, you probably will be the death of me…' He muttered under his breath. She chose to ignore him.
'Why the hell did you help him anyway?' Toph blurted, meaning Zuko as they made their way past the trees.
'Katara once said,' Ah…There it was, again- Katara. Toph really didn't understand why the sound of her name on his lips really nagged her of late. "Stealing is wrong- unless it's from pirates."
'Huh?'
'Like in the fire nation, when you said it was okay to cheat a cheater…' He further explained.
'So I was the cheater?' She sounded un-amused but there was mirth under her voice, also she had a strange feeling of bubbly joy because he'd remembered her words.
'Hey, it's my job to maintain peace, fairness and balance in the world…' that tone, was he mocking her? - He WAS mocking her.
'Well if you're so smart you'll want to maintain peace between us because in all fairness I will balance you off a cliff if you don't stop being smug this instant.'
'Touché.'
They approached the clearing. Toph could sense Katara's nervous movements pacing around the house with someone else seated on the verandah. Probably Zuko, those two were awfully close of late, especially since the Western Air Temple.
'Aang!' she exclaimed when they went into view. She threw herself against the startled but not displeased air bender in a tight embrace. Cautiously he returned the hug, probably afraid of rejection-again. Toph gingerly went to sit next to Zuko.
'What? No hugs for me?' she feigned hurt and placed a hand to her breast.
'Quite frankly we were worried you were going to kill him.' Zuko answered in that beautifully husky voice of his. He was grinning, but then he turned to face Toph.
'Come here, I'm glad you're back.' he declared. The wind was knocked out of her as the fire prince gripped her in a brief yet tight embrace. Blood rose to her cheeks, by the spirits he smelt good…like a sweet incense with a lingering whiff of burnt ashes that was not at all displeasing. She wanted to remain like that forever. She could feel Katara freeze in the distance as she released Aang.
'See…flame boy is the only one who cares about me…' Toph said. She didn't want to imagine Katara's mood as she approached.
'That's not true, we were just a bit…worried for Aang is all.' She stood right in the middle of her and Zuko. Geez, woman- leave some guys for the rest, she wanted to growl. From what she'd heard the fire prince was hot-both literally and metaphorically. Suki's breathless spasms during fire-bending practice were proof enough, and that's when she thanked the spirits she was blind, no need for all the hoopla. Katara reached down and gave Toph a quick hug with a squeeze of her arm, Toph felt it was meant to convey a subliminal message of utmost importance…she sighed and stood up. 'I'm going in…Zuko I want tea.'
'I'd like that too…' Aang said, walking in after Toph.
'When I am fire lord, Miss. Beifong you will…'
'Yadda Yadda-I'm not a fire nation citizen!' she hollered back just as she walked in.
'Aang, you're okay!' Sokka exclaimed when they had entered.
'Seriously people…' Toph drawled, why was everybody doting on the boy?
'Why are you not maimed?' Sokka asked; approaching Aang who stood wide eyed at the door-way.
'What do you mean why?'
'Ha! Aang won…pay up Sokka!' Suki exclaimed from the corner where she sat.
'I don't understand.' Aang said, taking a few steps in.
'They were betting on us!' Toph exclaimed. Dismayed to see that Suki had thought she would lose to Aang in the event that they fought. Inwardly she was pleased that Sokka was supporting her. Katara walked in with a scowl.
'You people are unbelievable.' She said, setting down two tea cups. 'In any case, no one wins, because no one beat up the other…'
'Actually…' Zuko walked in. 'I do-'
'Wait, you we're betting that none of us would beat the other up?' Toph turned questioningly to the fire bender who shrugged and went on with his tea-making.
'Yeah…' he simply said, 'can't hurt to hope for peace, huh?'
'Why you lucky…now I wish I'd beaten Twinkles up…' Toph groaned. She felt Aang cringe beside her.
'You can still do it!' Sokka exclaimed much to Katara's dismay. 'Hey…that's ten copper pieces; free money.' He shrugged in self-justification. Katara rolled her eyes, 'I want no part of this. Zuko- I'm so sorry Sokka has been such a bad influence…' she said apologetically.
'I'm the best bad influence there is, if I do say so myself…I'm the WORST influence!.' Sokka answered, raising a finger to make his point.
'That's because no one else will say so, Sokka!'
'That doesn't even make sense.' Suki pointed out to him as well and Sokka replied with a glare that meant she was supposed to back him up. Toph threw her head back in laughter, drawing Aang's attention, like it was the first time he was seeing her laugh; she didn't notice but merely strode up to Suki.
'Yo! - Fan-wielding Kyoshi supporter…why were you betting against me?' she demanded.
'I…erm, Aang can bend four elements…' she was clearly intimidated by the shorter girl, her eyes grew wider. 'Besides, as a Kyoshi warrior, my loyalty is sworn to the Avatar's legacy.'
'He can't bend metal…' Sokka shouted out. 'Actually, let's have a match, right here…a sort of tournament for professional benders-which you guys happen to be, it could be fun to watch.'
'A professional bending tournament- Sokka that's silly, it would never catch on.' Katara scoffed, now bending the tea into the respective cups. Her and Zuko worked well together, Toph had noticed as she took her cup from Katara. She slowly sipped the tea, carefully…lady-like; Aang noticed how her involuntary table manners betrayed her high-born stature. She daintily tilted the cup forward in short swift motions. He stared down into his own cup of murky liquid that smelt of a strangely familiar herb.
'I'd whoop Aang's butt at earth bending.' Toph declared.
'Yeah, well I'd beat you at air bending.' Aang retorted. Katara, Zuko and Suki bit back their laughter. Sokka was not as successful.
'She can't even air bend…' Katara simply said. Toph stuck out her lower lip in an angry pout.
'Exactly…' Aang answered with a smirk. Did Aang just smirk? Katara stared, what exactly did Zuko put in the tea?
'I take it then, oh-mighty-avatar; you'd like to challenge me to an Agni kai and water duel as well?'
'Your idea, not mine.'
'Remind me why I didn't crush you with a boulder again.'
'You need me to restore the balance to the world.'
'Thanks…' she muttered darkly, no gratitude whatsoever in her voice. 'I needed that.' She gulped her herbal tea down, all manners gone. It left a trail of burning sweetness in its wake-she decided liked it.
"Who's gonna save the world-tonight, who's gonna bring it back to life…"-PentatonixYe-yaaaahhhh! Another chapter done. Sokka's a fortune teller. (Pro-bending tournaments) and Zuko is becoming quite the betting master. Racking my brains to include Zutara, but it's really hard while trying to cram chemistry formulas and with your mom threatening to confiscate your laptop every five seconds. Oh well… I shall now go pet the baby rainbow unicorn in my back yard, I'm thinking of calling him Petruchio, flameo-TAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG!
