Chapter six. If you didn't like Brisinger before, I think you'll like this chapter. Toph certainly did when I wrote this chapter.

Since no one seems interested in playing the name game, then I will stop playing it. However, I will still supply you with the answers to last chapter's names. Also, there was some terminology in use here that I wasn't sure if you would understand or not. So, I have also included footnotes.

Also, I have a fanpage on Facebook now. Tari J Deiter. You'll get updates on chapters like exerpts, quotes, and the whole shebang. Also, you'll have the insider scoop on some future stories I'm brewing up. hehe. go ahead and like me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: Legend of Korra and anything that appears. However, if you haven't heard of it, it's mine. Also, I do NOT accept nor condone any reason what so ever for people to abuse animals. Watching those commercials featuring abused and neglected animals makes me cry.

VI

Ever since being banished from Republic City, Maul made very few appearances unless if with other Firebenders. Like members of the Agni Kai. Maul was quick to gather up four others to go into the city with him. Both he and another banished Firebender named Savage*dressed in deep-hooded field cloaks; ones hat concealed their tattooed faces so they wouldn't be recognized as shunned ones. The other three weren't banished, but they were the cause of lot of anxiety in the general public, which is why Maul chose them.

The five of them made their way into the border between the ruins of what used to be Omashu's capitol and Republic City. They strode into Market Town, looking at the various objects laying around. Many were extravagant objects from the four nations, but none held any interest for the five Firebenders. Sidious had a specific list of items he wanted them to pick up and had very few yuans to pay for them.

Vendors immediately hailed them, flailing their merchandise in their direction in hopes of catching their attention. But they ignored those noisy salesmen. Savage leaned close to Maul.

"Pushy aren't they, brother?" he said.

Maul cast a sidelong look at Savage; saying nothing.

Maul and Savage were, indeed, brother. Savage was far older and Maul had figured out many Firebending applications before Savage even mastered basic forms. But Savage was much more vicious in their art. Both had earned the revered title of "Dragon" and both had altered their appearances to look like Mortal Dragons. Despite this, they weren't close.

One of the Agni Kai members paused to look at a selection of decorative knives laying under the protection of a glass-topped display case that was locked against thieves. The boy—whose name was Zazim Kath*, Maul remembered—pointed to a double-edged blade and smiled suggestively at the head of their group.

"What'chu think? Yes?" Zazim asked.

Maul took a look; suddenly annoyed when the vendor interfered.

"An excellent choice." he said, opening the display case and taking the knife out. "This is a ceremonial sacrifice knife used during the Festivals of Kosh. The craftsmanship is excellent and flawless. Try it out."

Zazim looked at Maul and the Crimson Dragon nodded his permission. Zazim took the nife; delight showing on his rough features. He tested the balance on his palm and the keenness of both edges on his thumb. Pleased with the result, Zazim glanced back again at Maul; waiting for permission. Maul nodded and handed Zazim enough yuans to make the purchase. Then, they walked off.

Badim Fass*, another youthful Firebender who had joined the Agni Kai gang, was looking at dishes. He checked the list Sidious had given them before selecting a crystal bowl. Like Zazim, Badim looked back at Maul to receive permission before making the purchase.

Maul was about to check up on their third underling when he saw them. A group of youngsters between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. They were hassling a merchant Maul knew all too well. Brisinger. The youngest-looking member of the group, an Earthbender, looked like she was pleading for something from the stubborn Firebender, who continued to lie to her.

Maul watched them, especially the Earthbender, wondering what Brisinger could possibly have that made the girl so upset. Finally, Brisinger seemed to relent after the Waterbender—with hair that was a curious shade of white—gave him a bracelet. The three women went back behind Brisinger's tent; leaving the male Metalbender alone. A few minutes later, the trio arrived; dropping an ugly, spotted kangorse behind them. After the four of them left, Maul approached.

"Excuse me." Maul said, cordially.

"Yes?" Brisinger said, clearly irritated.

"Who were those people?" Maul said, pointing after the retreating figures.

Brisinger shrugged. "One of them was the Avatar." he said. "At least, that's what the Water Tribe girl said."

"Which one was the Avatar?" Maul said, keeing his voice even with a mild hint of interest.

"The short, female, Earthbender. Called herself Toph. Said she was the daughter of Oma Bei Fong." said Brisinger. He shrugged again. "Didn't look like the Avatar to me."

"I don't suppose she does." Maul said.

Brisinger suddenly recognized Maul's tattoos. "Hey, you're not a banished Firebender, are you?" he asked, a little too loudly for Maul's liking.

Maul's hand was suddenly at the center of Brisinger's chest. A spark of lightning erupted from beneath his palm and Brisinger slumped over as thought sleeping. Maul withdrew his hand and tucked it into the pocket of his field cloak. He didn't like taking life, but for a lowlife like Brisinger, Maul was willing to make an exception.

A gasp from the rear tent flap told Maul he wasn't alone. His golden eyes met those of a young boy. Maul's hands turned into fists. He didn't fathom the idea of taking the kid's life. Instead, he called one of the other Firebenders over and the boy was taken away to see if he would be any worth to Sidious' plans.

-A-

On the way back to the townhouse; Boar let Zero travel at his own pace. The rush to find Ichiru was gone and with the injuries he had sustained while with Brisinger, we didn't want to pressure into moving faster than his burns allowed. However, Miakoda kept a blanket of cool water over the burns to provide him with some form of comfort.

The journey back, unfortunately, supplied me with a lot of problems that flitted around in my brain. Each problem was coupled with an emotion and I knew exactly why I was feeling that way.

I was happy—overjoyed, actually—because he had found Ichiru. Though in less-than perfect condition, I was just really really happy we found him alive and not hanging by his feet on hook in a butcher's freezer. Ichiru scanned happy, too. He was back with me. Despite his burns, he seemed to be dancing or at least trotting beside me. His intelligent-looking brown eyes sparkled in unmistakable glee. Yep, definitely happy.

But I was scared. Scared that this sort of thing will happen again. Dad's attempts at getting rid of Zero was proof enough that Mom would try this kind of thing again. But I was more afraid that, next time, we wouldn't be so lucky to find him alive.

Then, there was hate. Hate directed at my narrow-minded mother for doing this to him. For selling my darling Ichiru to the Firebender. And I hated the Firebender for his obvious abuse toward my pet. No animal should be treated like that. Thinking back, I really wanted to return to Market Town and make good on my promise to cave his skull in with a brick. And even though Mom had yelled at me and grounded me, I was glad I had earthquaked Mom's room. But, again, the fear set in. Fear that Mom would use that as a reason to attempt this again.

Asherah was sitting directly behind me. She leaned forward and patted me on the back. Despite her roughness, Asherah was deeply sensitive to the feelings of those around her. Miakoda was, too, and I was sure even she could feel my anxiety.

"Things will turn out okay, Toph." Asherah said.

"She'll try it again, I know she will." I said. Thoughts of losing Ichiru hurt me and I was still refusing to cry. Earthbenders didn't cry in public. At least, that's what it said in our social records. We had to be stoic like a stone and face our problems head on.

"She won't try to sell Ichiru again." Miakoda said, disbelievingly. She knew I meant Mom.

"Yes, she will." Boar said. The hardness in his voice suggested that his jaw had tightened. He knew the truth just as well as I did. "Mom would try this again. No matter how many times we rescue him, Mom will continue to sell him until he's finally out of the way for good."

I leaned forward until my head was resting against Miakoda's back. She didn't shy away from me, nor did her concentration on keeping Ichiru comfortable break. I took a few shallow breaths into her tunic; trying to hold back the tears that threatened to show.

"It's alright, Toph." Miakoda said.

I looked up, noticing for the first time just how blue her eyes were. Like glittering sapphires in her russet face. She smiled at me and my fears were relieved.

"We'll think of something." she finally said.

I believed her. It wasn't very often I believed Miakoda, not because she had a tendency to lie, but because of her positive outlook on things. She always saw the silver lining and I looked at things realistically from past experience. But, this time, I believed her. Because, this time, I wanted to believe her.

Councilman Lutok's townhouse was busy outside. Lutok, Yorie, Komanchi, Cherokee, and Sokka were standing outside on the front stoop, talking to Mom and Roku. At least Lutok and Yorie were talking to Mom and Roku. The boys seemed to be taking bets on how soon Mom would cave.

When Boar pulled Zero into a stop, Mom stopped in the middle of her argument with the other three adults—who seemed to be ganging up on her—turned and sent Boar and me a glare. The glare said it all. She was very very resentful that I had disobeyed her and had gone after that "impure creature" that Ichiru was, and she was even more unhappy that Boar had run off with me. In her eyes, our actions were comparable to criminal activity. I knew exactly how this was going to end. It wasn't going to be pretty, but I quickly decided I wasn't going to let it bother me.

We slid off Zero's back and Boar wordless handed me Ichiru's lead rope. I held the rope as tightly to the clasp as I dared, keeping Ichiru tight to my side. But my kangorse didn't seem to mind. Quite the contrary, he seemed to revel in my closeness.

Mom closed the distance between us in only a few, short strides. Once again, her hand flew into my vision. My right cheek now matched my left. Looking over mom's shoulder, I could see the looks of astonishment thrown her way. Surprise that Mom had even hit me in that way. To me, it was her way of disciplining me. To them, it probably looked demeaning.

Mom started yelling at us now; telling us how stupid we were for retrieving my pet. She rambled on and on about how our actions reflected badly on the "most noble house of Bei Fong" and everything she had done thus far had been for us and our futures. I noticed she didn't try to strike Boar. She never hit Boar. His future had always been securely locked as a Metalbending policeman. Brik's future had been secured as head of the household. Mine had always been somewhere in the middle, what with me being an Earthbender and having minimum skill necessary to bend metal. Even though we were never truly sure where I fit in at, Mom and I had never been able to see eye to eye.

Her last words rankled me and I couldn't help but feel very angry. My anger erupted out of me like a volcano and I was shouting loud enough for half of Republic City to hear me.

"Since when has everything you've done been for the benefit of anything but yourself?" I said. Mom took a step back. She had been expecting some kind of reaction . . . just not this. "When has everything—the press conferences, the events, the charities, the arranged play dates—been for anyone but yourself?"

"You watch your tone, you selfish brat!" Mom snapped. "Everything your father and I have done was for your futures. How is it you couldn't see it?"

Roku decided enough was enough and he stepped in; placing himself between me and Mom. Once again, he exuded a calm that pushed my anger aside.

"Lady Bei Fong, I'm afraid Toph is right." he said. "Youhaven't done anything for her future. If anything, what you've done so far was only a wild attempt to gain more public awareness for your house."

"How dare you!" Mom shrieked. "This matter does not concern you, Grand Lotus Roku!"

"If it concerns the Avatar, then it does concern the White Lotus." Roku said, keeping his voice calm. "And what you have done only upset the balance. Selling the Avatar's animal guide is a serous crime. A crime which has happened at least once before. To Avatar Aang."

I looked at Ichiru. Animal guide? I had never thought of him that way. To me, he had always been a pet. A lovable pet. He nickered at me softly and I patted him on the forehead—one of the few places that wasn't burned.

"Animal guide?" Mom said, equally as disbelieving at Roku's choice of words as I was. "She picked him to spite us!"

"I did not!" I said. I was surprised by how calm my voice was despite Mom's accusations. In fact, I was more upset with Roku's calming presence and his ability to keep me from reacting badly then I was with Mom. "I picked him because I wanted him."

"You wanted him because I told you to choose the best of the pure breeds." Mom said, her candor getting more and more aggressive.

"Ichiru is a pure breed." Boar said. "His parents were both kangorses."

Mom's gray eyes were suddenly on him. "Don't get involved with this, Haru. You're in enough trouble for helping Toph already."

"I'm just saying that—" Boar began but mom raised a dainty hand to silence him.

"No. Enough. You do not speak today." she said. She inhaled sharply, glaring at the two of us, her oldest kids. "I'm very disappointed in the two of you."

"Why?" We all looked at Councilman Lutok who had suddenly spoken. Lutok was a big, strong man. His face weathered from a childhood in the South Pole. His long, dark-brown hair was suddenly gathered back into a wolf's tail and the rest underneath was braided and capped with accent beads. His fine robes bore very little ornamentation except for the tassels of fur down the front and a few beads on the hem. Lutok descended the steps and approached; his hands extended in a gesture of calm.

"Why?" he said again, directing his question at Mom. "For doing what any other child in Republic City would do? What any child in the world would do?"

Mom immediately rounded on him. "They're not any other child, Councilman Lutok. They're my children. They are members of the Bei Fong clan—the oldest noble family of the Earth Kingdom colonies. We raised them to respect that much. Instead, they continue to run amok. Befriending ruffians"—she said this while sending Asherah a dark, scathing look. Asherah was Bei Fong clan public enemy number one as far as mom was concerned—"and doing all sorts of foolish things! They never think about how badly this reflects back to the clan! How it makes people see our ancestry! It's a disgrace!"

"So, this is all about your clan, is that it?" Lutok asked.

"Of course it is!" Mom said.

"never about the kids and what they want?" Lutok pressed.

Mom's answer took too long for anyone's liking. "Of course everything I've done has been for them." she said, acting as though Lutok would be stupid to think anything else.

"I don't think it is." Lutok said. "See, you align yourself with all individuals of importance. Anyone less than that is not worth your attention." He gestured to his daughter. "Miakoda, though descended from two members on the council, is hardly a welcome visitor in your home though you pretend to accept her company. And Asherah—a talented young Firebender who earned the title of 'Dragon'—is even less welcome because her father works in a factory which provides energy for the entire city. Both girls are very good friends with Toph and they make her happy. Yet, you think she could do better."

Mom was at a loss for words. Lutok continued.

"Our children are the future of the world. Your son is going to be a Metalbending policeman and your daughter was just named Avatar. And Brik—it's my understanding he will become head of the clan in time, right?"

Mom nodded.

"Is this a future you would have picked out for them?" Lutok said, staring her down. "Maybe you had factored in Haru and Brik's places, but what about Toph? Did you have any plans for her future? Even if you did have a plan for all three, they either would have succeeded in their own time or they would have decided a future for themselves. And Toph's placement as Avatar isn't something you could have predicted."

"I only wanted what's best for Toph as Avatar. That kangorse is hardly the kind of animal the Avatar should be seen on." Mom said, gesturing to Ichiru around Roku.

"It is if she picked him." Roku said. "Now you had no business selling him to begin with."

"They had no business buying him back." Mom said. "Especially since Toph had no money."

Everyone looked at me. "How did you get him back, then?" Yorie asked.

Miakoda stepped up. "I gave the trader the bracelet Katara gave me." she said.

"Miakoda!" Yorie said. "Why would you do that?"

"I gave it to him as collateral. I'm goin got pay him the whole fifty-six yuans he wanted." Miakoda said, unashamedly.

"That's how much he paid Lotek for him to begin with." mom said. She straightened up, stiffly. "If he wants his money back, he can forget it. It's not going to happen."

I glared at her, about to say something harsh when Lotek stepped in.

"We'll pay for him." he said.

"No, you won't, Chairman Lutok." Roku said. "Because Oma Bei Fong is going to pay Miakoda back for this."

"Like hell I am!" Mom snapped; gray eyes blazing fiercely at the Grand Lotus.

Roku suddenly looked very big. His golden eyes turned to cold chips of amber as he stared into my Mother's eyes. Mom backed up. The air was intense. It was like Roku could see into Mom's very soul. He was a formidable giant, not quite capable of loosing his Firebending at a moment's notice.

"You will pay Miakoda back." he said in a voice that forestalled any argument.

What happened next was totally unexpected. Throughout my childhood, I had never known Mom to carry any kind of money with her. When she reached into her pocket, however, I became aware of a lump and the sound of coins clacking against each other as she took the bag of money out. She handed it to Roku who tested its weight before giving it to Lutok. Now that mom had been released from Roku's penetrating gaze, she glared at me.

"If you continue in your path of defiance, you are no longer welcome in our home." she said.

"Fie!" I snapped. I wasn't going to argue with her. My rise to up to Avatar had only made things more tense between me and her. I was sure I wouldn't be able to stand being in her house for two more weeks. Realizing that Roku was supposed to take me in anyway, I looked at him; noticing the grave expression on his face made me realize they weren't ready for me yet.

Once Mom was gone in her carriage, Roku turned to Lutok and Yorie. "We can't have Avatar Toph living on the streets. Is there a safe place she could stay for a while until the compound is finished?"

I looked sheepishly between Asherah and Lutok. I knew Asherah was dying to invite me in. Her dad liked me well enough. But even though Asherah and I loved each other like sisters, we still hadn't figured out how to work out our differences. I was sure I would be able to stand a few days under Weylin's roof. But Earthbenders were stubborn as rocks and Firebenders were unwieldy and could be ruthless. It would be only a matter of time before Weylin and Asherah both would get tired of my company and kick me out. Living with them was a strong possibility. So was living with Lutok and his family. Problem was, I almost felt bad about asking them. They were taking care of Lutok's nephews.

"She can stay here." Yorie said, breaking into my thoughts of living with Firebenders. She descended the stairs and put both hands on me. "Toph has always been welcome in our home."

Words could not describe how grateful I was toward Yorie for that.

Lutok smiled. "Yes she can stay here." he said. He looked Roku in the face. "Is that alright with you?"

"Absolutely. At least I know where to find her when we're ready." Roku said.

Lutok looked at Boar. "And you, young Master Haru? How do you feel about your sister living with Water Tribe folk for a while?"

Boar shrugged. "As long as Toph is safe, I'm game for anything." he said, indifferently.

Oh my dear, loving and understanding, big brother. I wanted to kiss him for this. Boar had a similar problem in regards to friends. Lakota and Sasuke were no better than Miakoda and Asherah in Mom's eyes. Their parents weren't on the council and their placement n the District Bending teams made them worse than Asherah. But at least Boar was now training to be on the Metalbender force.

Knowing boar wasn't touchy-feely, I reached up and squeezed his hand through his gauntlet in a silent thank-you gesture. Boar squeezed me in return. Then he picked up the pressure reins.

"I'll come by later with your clothes and Ichiru's tack." he said.

"Okay." I said. "Uh, could you leave the clan clothes behind?"

Boar smiled. "I didn't figure you wanted those to begin with." He wheeled Zero around and pushed the badgermole in the direction of what used to be home.

I watched him leave; aware of the phrase "Home is where the heart is". Did that phrase have any impact on how I felt about the Bei Fong manor house? Yes, it did. My heart was never there to begin with.

Miakoda took me b the hand and pulled me in the direction of the backyard. "Come on. I'll show you where you can put Ichiru." she said, cheerfully.

I smiled in spite of myself. I couldn't imagine how Miakoda could be feeling about this. She looked positively ecstatic at the idea of having a temporary sister. Not that I could blame him. She had three boys in the house. Once more girl would tip the odds slightly in her favor.

The backyard was not very big but had a lot of green grass. Already, Ichiru was munching on it. I patted his forehead, gently, and when he picked up his head, I kissed him on the nose; tugging him toward the small shed in the middle of the yard. Miakoda opened the shed and we peeked inside. It wasn't very big, only as large as a stall aback at the manor, but it was serviceable. Ichiru could bed down here at night. I sent Ichiru inside; giving him a treat which he munched on while he turned circles and laid down.

"We can get some feed from the market tomorrow." Miakoda suggested.

I nodded, but said nothing; watching Ichiru and wondering how safe it would be to leave him here unattended.

Miakoda touched me on the shoulder. "He'll be fine, Toph. The neighbors won't bother him. Neither will the boys for that matter."

"It's not them I'm worried about." I said. "I'm afraid Brisinger will come back for him."

Miakoda patted her hip where the bag of coins now rested in her pocket. "I'll lave first thing in the morning to pay him. You won't be separated from Ichiru again."

"Thanks, Koda." I said. "For everything, I mean."

She grinned. "No problem."

Chapter Five:
Yuki- Vampire Knight/Vampire Knight: Guilty
Mightyena- Pokemon
Absol- Pokemon