A Few Notes

~This is actually one of my favorite chapters. It handles the major issue I have with Toko (See: Mai). I Think it turned out pretty decently, for a change.

~To anonymous reviewer Midnight, yo thanks for the line. Actually, my violent side is always used 100% in jest. A gentlemen does not pick fights, fights pick him. Like Soviet Russia, know what I'm saying? And believe it or not, in spite of what my directions may have implied, I don't want strangers' lips on my ass or anywhere near me (with the exception of one or two of you :)). That said, fuck off. Jk Jk, See what I mean?

~As usual, errors may or may not exist. Speaking of which, thanks Metella. You point out my flaws in greater detail then I could ask. And I hate you for it. Enjoy your new enemy :)

~WARNING: Product may contain disproportionate amounts of Katara. Consume at own risk. (Seriously tho, here is another of those conversations between Katara and Zuko. They basically exist to explain away things for me. This one has the added benefit of being entertaining imo)

Chapter 6: Man of the Hour

"Ridiculous," Zuko stated, mildly disappointed. The "party," and he used the term liberally, had amounted to nothing more than fine dining, awkward and forced conversation with diplomats and nobility, and drinking on a level a slight bit above social. In other words, it turned out to be incredibly boring. Not that he had expected anything else. While dancing was no longer strictly outlawed, it still remained something that dignified and proper lords and ladies of the court would not stoop so low as to engage in. Which lead to a few solid hours of listening to serpent tongued paper pushers and greedy noblemen using his birthday event as a means to grease his wheels and further their own agendas.

The one and only thing that made it bearable was Toph. Her and a generous portion of rice wine his dear uncle brought from Ba Sing Se, but mostly he thanked Toph. She had stuck by his side throughout most of the night, and true to her tendency to leave him surprised, demonstrated a masterful ability to mingle and manipulate. She would slip away from his side without him noticing, only to return and steal him away from whatever conversation he was trapped in. He knew she was keeping an eye on him, in her own way, of course. And sometimes, he would swear that he could feel her feeling out for him. It was an absurd thought, to be certain. And despite the questionable amount of sense it made, it was a comforting notion.

When she had stomped off earlier to get cleaned up, he was sure she was more than a little pissed at him. However, when they met up before all their guests arrived, she was all smiles arm crunches. As per their wager, she had dressed to the nines. Red silk, golden trim, hair sticks, and shoes surprisingly, sole-less though they were. But unquestionably, the most spectacular thing on her was the one he had gone out of the way to make sure no one took notice of; a small, unobtrusive but highly suggestive golden head piece that sat comfortably on the crown of her head. A simple circle cut in the center with a square, made in the same fashion as the golden flames that rested on his own topknot. Thankfully no one seemed to take much notice in it, aside from his uncle, who did nothing more than grin feverishly. Zuko doubted if even Toph herself understood the significance of it, but she took it when he handed it to her, and put it on when he asked her to if for no other reason than to make him happy. And it did. She looked good. Very good. But he didn't bother telling her. Those clothes were for his benefit, not hers. And the second she wasn't obligated to wear them, she would tear them off.

The thought made him grin.

"What's with the smile?"

Zuko reluctantly withdrew from his hazy thoughts and gave his attention his questioner, "Just surprised everyone crashed so quickly. Maybe we're not as young as we used to be."

Katara joined him in gazing at the tangle of bodies that occupied the common room with them. After the guests left, their small group of friends suddenly found themselves with a healthy surplus of food and wine, which, with the obvious exception of the Avatar, they of course helped themselves to with uncharacteristically miniscule amounts of self restraint. "Yeah, or maybe there's not one between us that can handle their sake."

After Aang had bailed for the night, only he and Katara were left conscious. But as the Fire Lord looked over the room full of his friends passed out here and there, he couldn't help but smile. Haru was spread out face down on the floor, which would have worried Zuko had it not been for his even snores. Jin's feet were resting on his head, barefooted as she too slept. Zuko remembered vaguely something about her trying to "earthbend like Toph," which had led to nothing more than her stomping around and punching people in the arm. Sokka was on the couch with his head back, mouth open, and Suki sprawled out on his lap. It was comical that he had been so eager for a Royal Harem and yet he hadn't been away from Suki the entire night.

"You're brother's not nearly the player he thinks he is," Zuko said as he hoisted himself up off the floor. For a moment, his head spun but as the world stabilized around him he made his way over to their only unaccounted friend.

Katara laughed as she watched Zuko stumble lazily over to Toph, "You think I don't know that? Suki's the one to worry about."

This gave Zuko pause for a moment, and in that brief second, he considered asking Katara just what she had meant by such a thing. But he instead he decided to save his curiosity for later and squatted down, kneeling next to Toph. She was quite inebriated the last time Zuko had seen her conscious, and even now, her usually pale cheeks were tinted an unusual shade of crimson. He smiled as he watched her breathe, the occasional frown and twitch making him wonder what was going on in her head. Sometimes Toph forgot her prowess in earthbending did not translate to all other aspects of life. And her petite stature and not so petite ego did not give her the best compatibility with alcohol.

"I should get her to bed," the Fire Lord murmured. And after a moment of silence he began to wonder if his only conscious companion had heard him.

"You…sure don't seem to have any gripe leaving the rest of us here." Katara said, letting her words take a teasing tone.

"None of you have the potential of destroying my palace simply because your not a morning person."

The waterbender smirked, simultaneously pleased with how well Zuko was able to handle himself drunk and disappointed that he had sidestepped her implication so easily. She watched Zuko pick Toph up, limp like a ragdoll as he slung her ungracefully over his shoulder, "Yeah, I'm sure that's the only reason."

Zuko yielded to turn around and cock his good eyebrow at his friend in question of her sarcasm.

"I bet you just want an excuse to get into Toph's bed," Katara expanded slyly.

Zuko shook his head, amazed at how bothersome the waterbender was being, "Toph is right, I should stop hanging out with you."

"Hey, that isn't very nice. And for the record," Katara paused to shoot the Fire Lord a smile, "I'm not hearing a denial."

"Katara. Go to sleep before I light you on fire," Zuko replied as he turned his back and set off toward Toph's room.

"That sounds familiar," the Water Tribe woman breathed to herself before starting after the Fire Lord, "Oh come on Zuko I was just kidding. Wait up and I'll go with you,"

The firebender halted his steps somewhat reluctantly as he waited for Katara to catch up. As she joined his side they continued again, and to Zuko's dismay, as they continued so too did her prying questions.

"So, when are you gonna break down and ask her to marry you?"

"Not going to."

"Ooh the Fire Lord and his eternal earthbending concubine, how scandalous."

"You're lucky my concubine isn't awake to hear you say that."

"So you admit it?"

"Shut up."

"How far have you gone with her? She's still young, you know."

"All the way, all the time. Why, wanna join in?"

Katara stopped, eyes wide, mouth hanging, aghast that Zuko had said such a thing.

The Fire Lord tried to stifle his laughter so he wouldn't wake Toph, but the look on Katara's face was completely priceless and he was more than a little pleased he had managed to make her shut her mouth for a change, "I'm joking, of course."

Katara's shock turned into a scowl as she pouted, "Since when do you joke?"

Zuko pushed open the door to Toph's chamber with his free hand and waved the torchlights into life, "That isn't fair. I've made jokes before."

Katara rolled her eyes, "Fine, since when have you made successful jokes?"

Zuko threw back the covers and slid the sleeping earthbender off his shoulder, "Success, failure," he pushed her legs down and drew the heavy blankets back up over her, "All matters of perspective."

In the dim, flickering firelight, the firebender took the opportunity to examine his own perspective. Looking down at the young earthbender, a thought occurred to him. This would be the first night in quite a while that he would be able to get out of their customary "goodnight ritual." For a moment, he considered ignoring Katara and just pressing a chaste kiss into her forehead. But it would only be fuel for the fire. So he let out a sigh and settled for brushing a stray hair away from her open and snoring mouth. In spite of the fact that he would never admit it, Katara was, basically, hitting the nail on the head. The Fire Lord was not completely oblivious; he knew how he felt about Toph. And if he were to hazard a guess, he would not hesitate to put it in the realm of possibility that the crazy little earthbender felt the same way.

"Look how tender you are with her, Zuko. Why don't you spill it?"

Zuko was sucked back into reality as he began to lean over the bed. How fortunate that Katara had actually chosen a good moment to interrupt, "Why don't you drop it?" he replied more nastily then he intended to. With a sigh he continued, more gently this time "How about I get you to bed also? Come on, I'll take you to your room."

"Ooh are you going to carry me too?" The death glare Katara received from her friend was more than an answer, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But in all honesty I'm not ready for bed yet." The waterbender watched Zuko's head drop in defeat and she smiled,

"It isn't that late, I'm not that drunk, and I would like a drinking buddy."

The way back to their common room had thankfully been filled with lighter conversation. When they arrived, everyone was still asleep and Zuko, after some rummaging, managed to find a single clay bottle of his uncle's sake that still had its wax seal intact. He let himself crumple onto the ground and sat at the low table across from Katara. After grabbing two small glasses and heating the bottle, he began to pour. And pour. And pour.

"Who would have guessed my uncle was such a connoisseur of something other than tea." Zuko said as he slid Katara her cup.

"A belly like that isn't coming from tea alone," Katara replied with a grin and a sip, "No offense to Uncle Iroh, you know."

Zuko waved it off with a shrug, "He takes pride in being a great person to hug…that sounds weird, doesn't it?" The firebender added with an afterthought and a sip of his own, "Creepy old man."

"No worries," Katara laughed, "Iroh is a gentlemen. More importantly, should I be honored that the Fire Lord himself is pouring sake for a lowly Water Tribe midwife like myself?"

"Not at all," the firebender responded genuinely, "It is my honor to pour for the woman who saved my life."

Katara wasn't sure what to say in response, so thinking it was better to say nothing than ruin Zuko's gesture, she remained silent and sipped her cup. And for a moment, the room was filled with a comfortable silence broken only by the soft sounds of their sleeping friends' breathing and the flickering flames of the torches on the wall. Both benders sipped occasionally at the warm sake as they sat peacefully.

"Zuko, can I ask you something?" Katara asked suddenly, drawing the Fire Lord out of his almost trance like state.

"You may," Zuko replied as he poured them both another cup of sake, "However, whether or not I reply is my decision."

Katara smiled at Zuko's discretion and rewarded it with unusual directness, "What happened with you and Mai?"

"We broke up," the firebender said simply. But at Katara's expecting stare he continued on, "She and I grew apart. A lot faster than I ever thought we would."

"Why?" the brunette inquired before adding, "If you don't mind me asking."

"I discovered that she and I had less things in common once my severe teenage angst cleared up," the Fire Lord joked, "She and I wanted different things. Mai wanted the cushy life, fancy clothes, servants, and power and prestige. I wanted to better my country in a time of economic strife. I started to get the impression she wanted the Fire Lord, not Zuko. Plus, she didn't like how I was dividing my time."

"Oh? Too busy being Fire Lord, I assume."

"Partly. I split the majority of my time between my duty to my country and… Toph." Zuko finished awkwardly. He still was ashamed of what happened with Mai, and being reminded of it was never pleasant for him.

Katara nodded, "I can see how that would be a problem."

"I think somehow, I already knew we were done, even if it was subconsciously or something. I started spending less and less time with her. Then before I realized it, I was only seeing her at night when we went to bed. Then I started working through the night on occasion. Somehow though, I always had time for Toph. I think that was what pushed her over the edge."

Katara remained silent, listening to what Zuko had to say. She could almost feel the guilt wash off him as he spoke, so she let him continue.

"I knew she would leave. And if I wanted, I could have stopped her. Even if I didn't love her, she deserved better than the neglect she got from me. But instead, I was too much of a coward to tell her how it was to her face and I let it drag on and on until she left. The worst part is, not only did I make her hate me, but she must resent Toph as well. And the kid doesn't deserve to be dragged down for my mistakes with Mai."

Katara watched Zuko stare down his cup of sake, a look of pure unfiltered regret plaguing his face. She was starting to catch a glimpse of a side of Zuko she hadn't seen in quite a while, and began to wonder if it was the sake making his lips so loose, "What happened in the end?"

"Nothing," Zuko said as he downed the last of his sake, "I came back one night from late training with Toph and she was just… gone. No note, no warning. Just gone."

"I see." Katara responded neutrally. She was starting to feel bad for making Zuko relive something that was obviously so hard for him.

"And I was so weak that I was actually relieved. Can you believe that? Pathetic."

Katara watched her friend poor himself another cup of sake, "Did you already know how you felt for Toph when she left?"

"No," Zuko answered immediately, "At least…I'd like to think not. But it's hard to say. I can't remember not feeling this way anymore…"

The waterbender shook her head; displeased it took this much alcohol for Zuko to admit his feelings. And he probably didn't even realize he had, "You know you just owned up to having feelings for Toph?"

Zuko sighed. He had had a feeling that she was going to drag that up eventually, but somehow, right now he just didn't feel like hiding it. Looking around at his friends, Zuko was relieved to see that they were all still asleep, "I suppose you are not going to just let sleeping dogs lie?"

"I'm sure I've probably been driving you two crazy the last two days, but… I don't know… I never thought I'd ever think this or hear myself say these words, but you two just seem right for each other. Three days ago I'd have labeled that thought as ridiculous." Katara watched as Zuko's gaze drifted as he listened to her words.

"It's still ridiculous," was Zuko's only response as he rested his head in his hands.

"You can't still really be telling me you see Toph as nothing but a friend," Katara stated evenly. She could tell her friend across the table was becoming uncomfortable, and that made her frown, "I'm sorry. I know it's not my business. I don't mean to keep bugging you."

Zuko drew his gaze back to his friend. She was still looking at him, and although her persistent pressing was annoying, he could tell it was built on good intentions. "Well, it was good to get the Mai thing off my chest. Maybe."

The waterbender rose her eyebrows, surprised by Zuko's sudden change, "I'm always happy to lend an ear." Katara was not about to let this opportunity slip by her, "So what's going on."

Zuko sighed, wondering for a moment when, not if, he would later regret what he was about to tell the waterbender. With a mental shrug he spoke, "When we tell you nothing is going on with us, it is not a lie," the Fire Lord started, "I think Toph and I know how we feel, but neither of us will ever do anything about it."

"Too prideful to make the first move?" she questioned, wondering if that was all it really was.

Zuko smiled, "If only that was the case. I'm afraid things aren't that simple."

"So then why? If you both know how the other feels, what's stopping you?" Katara couldn't believe her two most hot-tempered friends were being so passive.

"There are a lot of reasons."

"Such as?"

The firebender ran his hand through his hair, pulling it out of his face before letting it fall back down into its usual mess, "Well, for one, I'm the Fire Lord and she's an earthbender. That might be a little frowned upon by, you know, my entire country."

"So what? You rule them, not the other way around, remember?" She retorted quickly. To Katara, that seemed more like an excuse than anything else.

"It doesn't seem that way sometimes," Zuko drawled, "Besides, Toph knows that some day I will need a Fire Lady. I will need children to rule when my time comes. What if my kids were earthbenders?"

"Fifty-fifty chance," the woman from the southern pole shrugged.

"I'm not gambling with the future of my country," the Fire Lord shot back, "And even if, purely for the sake of argument, our children were guaranteed to be firebenders, I could and would never ask Toph to bear that kind of burden for me. Can you imagine her being bound with that kind of responsibility, having to stay here, raise kids, tend to a family?"

Katara smiled at Zuko as he counted off the reasons on his fingers. In his doubt, there were so many obvious things he was ignoring, "Zuko, she hasn't left you in four years. You already saddle her with all kinds of responsibilities. She's around you everyday, all the time and hasn't gotten sick of you yet. That in and of itself is a miracle."

Zuko laughed quietly, "Wow, thanks."

"The point is," the waterbender held up her finger in emphasis, "She hasn't bailed on you yet in spite of all that. I don't think she'll leave for anything, really."

Zuko let his head fall onto the table. He was suddenly feeling very tired. This conversation with Katara, and this bottle of sake, was lasting a lot longer than he had been expecting, "There's another, more important reason it'll never happen."

"What is it? I'll shoot that one down too." The blue-eyed bender replied as she poured herself a cup for a change.

"It's simple. And with as perceptive as Toph is, I wouldn't be surprised if she knew it too."

"And?"

"I'm just not good enough for Toph," Zuko said with a feeble laugh. Without raising his head, he held his hand up to silence the protests he knew would be coming,

"Before you even say I'm being too hard on myself, just know, I'm not. You heard what happened with Mai. And that was just the short, abridged, non-hysteric, drama-free version. What if I did something like that to Toph? Mai was one thing, but I don't know how I'd handle Toph walking out on me. And even if it doesn't come to that, do you have any idea how amazing Toph is? She deserves someone better then me. A lot better. I'm just not good enough for her. And the reality of it is, there's simply no arguing against that fact."

Katara waited for Zuko to finish. His words echoed off the wood of the table as he spoke into it, and she could tell that at the very least, he believed what he was saying whole-heartedly. "I'm disappointed with you, Zuko. When did you become so full of doubt? It isn't like you."

The Fire Lord let out another sad laugh, "That's where you're wrong. It's just like me."

The waterbender sighed as she watched Zuko go limp with the onset of sleep. She hoisted herself up, finding that she had to brace herself on her knees for a moment to steady her balance. She was a little tipsy was the conclusion she came to. So, slowly, making every move deliberate and focused, she made her way around the table and placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder. After a few seconds of coaxing shakes, he was conscious again.

"Come on, Fire Lord, I'll escort you to your quarters," Katara almost stumbled over as Zuko used her hand as an aide to pull himself up. He was deceptively heavy, but she managed to keep her footing even as her friend put some of his weight on her, "Wow, officially changing your name to Fire Lord Fat-ass."

"Itsall muscle, all havyou know," Zuko slurred in response as they started towards his room.

Katara rolled her eyes. She had forgotten that Zuko had already been drinking at the party, and with their friends before their most recent round of sake. He was pretty drunk, she decided. As they walked through the corridors, that were unfortunately unlit for the most part, both benders kept their silence. And soon, much to Katara's relief, they were outside the heavy mahogany doors of the Fire Lord's personal chambers. With an extraordinary amount of effort on both of their parts, Zuko and Katara heaved the doors open. After dragging Zuko increasingly less responsive body to his oversized bed, she let him slip off her arm and down onto the red silk.

She took a moment to catch her breath from the arduous task of hauling Zuko's dead weight to bed. As she did, she examined the chamber's surprisingly spartan style, not at all what she would picture the bedroom of a Fire Lord to be like. But exactly how she would picture Zuko's. There was hardly anything in the room, which was unusual for its size and at first a lot of it seemed like wasted space. A big bed on the wall, a couch just barely big enough to stretch out on, a large doorway that was open which led out into the garden Zuko had led her through the night before, a wardrobe she guessed housed all his royal attire, and what looked to be a small ring outlined only by a thin, engraved line in the stone that took up nearly all of the unused space in the room. As she looked at it, she smiled, almost able to see Zuko practicing firebending and sparring with Toph in it. How like him to have a miniature ring right in his chambers.

Katara turned her attention back to the firebender and found that he was already sleeping quietly were she had plopped him down. After making sure he was comfortable, she turned around and headed out. But as she reached the heavy doors, she paused, turning around to examine the doors on the other side of the room that were still wide open to the garden beyond. She considered closing them for a moment, but it was a warm night and they were letting in a nice breeze. So, after bidding Zuko a silent goodnight, she turned her back to him again, shutting the doors behind her as she left.

Okay good news. In the next chapter (whenever that may be), finally...

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SHIT GOES DOWN. FINALLY.

R&R, or I'll insert threat here, and you don't want that, do you? Exactly.

On one last (serious) note, let me ask you all a question. What is the weakest aspect of my writing? Don't be afraid to be brutal honest, I don't bite unless you want me to.