A/N: Sorry it's a little late, but working this past weekend has put me behind. I think I'm catching up now, but we'll see. Thanks again for reading and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
Chapter 7
The morning actually went pretty smoothly for Toph. Shin Fu and many of the older men loved the idea of bringing several options to the table. Toph also reminded them to keep their minds open in case new information was brought up. Before lunch, all the dignitaries had left in a better mood with three solid suggestions, and the option to think of more. Toph made her way back to the palace and found Aang talking with Kalaya in Kuzon's room as carpenters created a wooden door between the princes' bedroom and the room next to it.
"What's going on Twinkle Toes?" Toph asked as she sat next to the healer.
"What?" Aang asked innocently.
Toph tapped her foot onto the tile floor and found Ming putting things away in the side room and her bed has been moved to the new room as well. The earthbender then turned to scowl at Aang as she noticed the shoddy metalbending around the new door.
"You know what I mean," Toph replied.
"Oh," Aang said as he moved to rub his bald head with his hand. "Um, Zuko moved you next door. Something about rumors and reputation."
Toph sighed and got up to move to the door. She knew Kalaya and Aang were both watching her, but she calmly walked to the wall next to the door and placed a hand on it.
"You still need to work on your metalbending," Toph said as she kicked the wall to bend the last couple of metal rods into place. The carpenters jumped as the wall moved slightly before continuing to work at a hurried pace.
Toph moved back to sit next to Kalaya, but went to the crib and picked Kuzon up as he started to cry.
"He just wants to be held," Kalaya said softly as Kuzon relaxed in Toph's arms.
Toph smiled down at the prince as she cradled him and moved to her seat again. She knew Aang was watching her intently as she sat, making sure Kuzon was comfortable.
"Zuko was right," Aang said as he kept his head turned towards Toph and Kuzon. "You do adore him."
Toph frowned at the Avatar. "That doesn't matter. You still need to work on your earthbending and metalbending. Maybe I should have you do some more exercises. I've had five years to think up new training techniques."
She felt Aang become uneasy and Kalaya hold back a laugh. The carpenters left at that moment and Kalaya rose as well.
"Since you'll be watching the prince, I'll tend to my own duties. It was a pleasure to meet you Avatar Aang," the healer said as she bowed before going to the crib to pick up her own son. "Toph, I'll be in my room if you or the prince need anything."
"Thanks Kalaya," Toph said with a smile to the healer.
Aang and Toph both remained silent until Kalaya had exited. Toph concentrated on Kuzon as the prince started to fall asleep, but she knew Aang was waiting to burst with questions. A minute after Kalaya had exited, Aang turned to Toph again.
"So, are you going to tell me about your date?"
Toph sighed lightly. "It was really nice."
"Aw, come on Toph," Aang whined. "Details. Do you like him? What's he like? That kind of stuff."
"Twinkles," Toph said sternly. "You have no right to but into my love life." She felt Aang sag as if dejected and sighed again. "Fine, yes, I like him, and he's sweet. But I haven't seen him spar yet."
She felt Aang perk up and start to speak, probably to ask more questions, but Toph beat him to it. "And no, I'm not going to tell you anything else. Besides, Sparky's coming. I think the in-laws are here."
True to her word, Zuko came into the room, agitated, but he seemed to relax slightly when he spotted Toph and Aang.
"I was worried you would still be in a meeting," Zuko said as he walked over to Toph.
Toph moved her face to the new door and then back to Zuko and the Fire Lord sighed.
"Wan Lo remarked on rumors about you sleeping in my room. I will not have your reputation tarnished because of my worry for my son. You'll be next door and can easily enter at any time," Zuko answered to the unspoken question.
"Ok, but there's something else I want to do," Toph said with a smile as she switched Kuzon to her left arm and pulled her meteorite bracelet off.
Zuko picked Kuzon out of her arms as she removed a small piece of meteorite before replacing the bracelet and standing to face the Fire Lord and prince.
"Just think of this as a first present," Toph said as she bent the small piece of meteorite into a bracelet on Kuzon's wrist. "Now I'll be able to tell where he is in about a half mile radius."
Zuko was oddly silent for a minute before he whispered, "Thank you."
Aang coughed discreetly and Toph felt Zuko start to hand his son back to her. She took the prince with a smile as Zuko stood tall again.
"Mai's family is arriving," Zuko told her and Aang. "I don't want to aggravate them. I know they cared for Mai, but Toph, don't leave my son alone with them."
Toph heard the worry in Zuko's voice and knew she would have to ask him about it later. After Toph nodded to Zuko, the Fire Lord turned and led the way out of the bedroom and towards the throne room. Aang fell in easily next to Toph as they walked and the earthbender felt many guards surrounding them as they walked.
"What was that about?" Aang whispered to Toph.
"Sparky will explain later," she whispered back. Toph thought about the reasons Zuko wouldn't want Kuzon left alone with Mai's parents. Mai herself had told Toph about how controlling her parents were and both women had exchanged horror stories on controlling parents. Toph knew that the in-laws were probably not going to hurt Kuzon, unless smothering him with affection and control was hurtful.
But from what she had heard from Mai, the in-laws were not only controlling, but they also were not the brightest. Especially Mai's mother, Jasmine. She was a little too doting on the children at a young age and not very watchful. From what Mai had told Toph, and the story about when Tom-Tom had followed the resistance outside of Omashu during Aang's search for an earthbending teacher, Jasmine could very well take Kuzon out into public and into harms' way just because of who she was. And since Toph was now Kuzon's protector, the earthbender knew she'd have to keep watch on Zuko's mother-in-law.
Toph and Aang stopped behind Zuko and Toph noticed that Zuko had to take a deep breath and straighten his features before nodding to the guard to open the doors to a parlor. A man announced them as Toph felt a woman, man and young boy bow to Zuko before rising to greet him. Toph also noticed Iroh was there and she smiled at that. The general had probably already diffused the situation.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Jasmine said respectfully as she approached Zuko. "I feel your pain. Mai was the best daughter in the world, and I know you loved her dearly."
Toph felt Zuko tense as the lady wrapped him in a hug and start to cry on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Zuko said as he patted the lady's back awkwardly. "It is hard, but there's someone else to worry about now."
Toph felt Zuko move away from the lady and gesture to Toph.
"This is Kuzon," Zuko said and Jasmine immediately rushed to Toph. The earthbender almost tightened her hold on the baby prince instinctively to shield him from his grandmother, but willed herself to smile at Jasmine and show the lady the sleeping prince.
"Oh, he's adorable," Jasmine said as she fawned over the baby before Toph felt the lady turn her head up to study the earthbender. "I know you from somewhere. Who are you?"
Toph almost frowned at the lady's accusatory tone, but Zuko stepped in.
"This is my friend, Lady Toph Bei Fong. She is an ambassador to the Fire Nation now and was the Avatar's earthbending teacher. She was there when Mai went into labor and has helped me take care of Kuzon."
Toph did frown as the lady gave a small, snotty sniff.
"Mai was a good friend of mine as well," Toph stated strongly, giving an edge to her tone. "She asked me to watch over Zuko and Kuzon before she died."
"And if it weren't for Toph," Zuko continued in a lighter tone, "both Mai and Kuzon would have died."
Toph felt Jasmine draw back slightly at that and Toph heard a small gasp before the lady held out her arms.
"My thanks to you then. May I hold my grandson?"
Toph nodded and smiled again, happy at the understanding truce she had with the lady. Neither liked the other, but they knew they both had a claim on the prince. She handed the baby to Jasmine as she felt the little boy come over. Jasmine oohed and awed over the baby as she made her way to her husband and Iroh to show them her grandson. Toph kept track of the woman's every movement as the little boy tugged on her skirt.
"Yes?" she asked him as she kneeled to face him directly.
"My mother says I shouldn't touch the baby, but…where's my sister? Mother said she left."
Toph turned her head to Aang, trying to ask for help, but the Avatar had moved to be with Zuko as they approached Iroh and Thom.
"Have you heard of the spirit world?" Toph asked the boy as she turned back to him. She felt the boy nod and Toph smiled. "Well, Mai is in the spirit world now. She left this world when she died when Kuzon was born, but we'll see her again one day. But why does your mom say you shouldn't touch the baby?"
The boy sniffed and wiped his nose before answering. "She says babies are for women to hold and I could hurt him."
Toph frowned and noticed Jasmine heading out towards the garden with Kuzon.
"Come with me," Toph said to the boy before getting up and striding purposefully to Zuko's mother-in-law. "Lady Jasmine, it's a little too warm for Kuzon at this time of day. Perhaps we could sit and talk?"
Toph gestured to the couches on the far side of the room and felt the lady nod before changing her direction to head that way. Toph felt the lady start to look around as she reached the couch and Toph grew curious.
"What's wrong?" Toph finally asked as the lady stopped before sitting and seem to get agitated at not finding what she was looking for.
"Where's the nursemaid?" Jasmine asked in a whisper.
Toph was confused for a second before she realized Jasmine was trying to get rid of holding the baby. "Kalaya is tending to her own son at this moment. I'll take Kuzon."
Toph held her arms out and after an awkward moment, Jasmine handed the baby over to the earthbender. Toph smiled as Kuzon woke before snuggling into her arms and falling asleep again. The earthbender sat while still holding Kuzon and knew the lady was looking at her oddly.
"Come on Tom-Tom," Toph said as she adjusted Kuzon to one arm so she could pat the seat next to her. "You can sit next to me so you can have a better look at your nephew."
The boy got happy and tried to contain his excitement as he sat next to Toph and peered over at Kuzon.
"He's so tiny!" Tom-Tom said in an excited whisper. "He looks like Zuko, but without the scar."
"Tom-Tom!" Jasmine said sharply. "Mind your manners!"
"It's ok," Zuko said from behind Jasmine. "And look, he has Mai's nose."
Toph knew he was smiling at his brother-in-law and Toph smiled at the boy as well. She adjusted the baby closer to Tom-Tom and took his hand, moving it to place it around Kuzon's. The earthbender heard Jasmine gasp and almost retort, but Tom-Tom was ecstatic as he gently turned over Kuzon's hand in his own.
"He's so tiny, but look how strong he is! He's making my pinky turn purple!"
Zuko let out a low chuckle as Toph smiled at the boy. Jasmine seemed to turn to Zuko and rose, moving to the far corner with the Fire Lord and her husband. Toph ignored them as she turned to Tom-Tom.
"Is it hard being an uncle?" the boy asked her.
"I don't know," Toph replied. "But I know it's an important job. Uncle Iroh helped Zuko find the right path. And he was a better father for Zuko than Ozai ever was. That doesn't mean you need to be a father to Kuzon, but a friend and good uncle."
She felt Tom-Tom nod as Iroh and Aang approached them.
"And uncles give good advice," the old firebender said as he sat on Toph's other side as Aang sat where Jasmine had been. "Toph, Zuko needs your assistance. I can take Kuzon and teach our young friend some wisdom."
Toph nodded and smiled at Iroh as the general took the baby prince from her. She then rose and walked to Zuko's side as he talked with his in-laws. The earthbender could tell he was getting agitated and angry, so she stepped in.
"Zuko, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
She felt Zuko relax slightly as Jasmine and Thom tensed up. Zuko made his excuses and followed Toph away from his in-laws.
"You ok?" Toph whispered to him as she felt Thom and Jasmine huddle together for a conference as their son talked excitedly with Iroh and Aang.
"No," Zuko whispered back to her. "They want me…argh! They want me to go through Mai's things now and Jasmine wants to move in to take care of Kuzon. Toph…I can't! I can't do either!"
"I know," Toph said as she smiled sympathetically up at Zuko. "Let me deal with the monster-in-law, and I'll help with Mai's things when you're ready. Right now, relax, and suggest they rest and get ready for dinner." She felt Zuko sag and give out a small, relieved sigh before he glanced back at his in-laws.
"Think you can do it?" he asked.
"A mother wanting control?" Toph asked with a smirk. "Please. Been there, done that. No worries at all."
She knew Zuko was smiling as he turned away from her and moved to his in-laws. She heard the low tones as he suggested they rest and offered to have servants show them to their rooms. The in-laws were happy about that, but Tom-Tom was not.
"Don't worry, my boy," Iroh said with a chuckle as Tom-Tom got up with a sigh. "We can talk more at dinner."
"And we can talk more about traveling too," Aang said with a smile.
Toph noticed that Tom-Tom's steps became lighter as he and his parents bowed to Zuko before following some servants to their rooms.
"Thank you Toph," Zuko sighed as he sagged into one of the chairs.
"Actually it was Uncle's idea for me to help you," she replied with a smirk to which Aang and Iroh smiled.
"They are actually kind of nice," Aang said. "What's wrong?"
"They are too controlling," Zuko replied with a frown in his tone. "And Jasmine wants to move in to raise Kuzon."
"Twinkles, did you see the way Tom-Tom held back? Or when I suggested moving to sit on the couch?" Toph asked. "When she couldn't do what she wanted, she tried to hoist Kuzon off on the nursemaid. I am not going to allow her to run Kuzon's life."
"But…" Aang started, but Iroh interrupted.
"Children," he said sternly before a smile came into his tone. "You can bicker all you want, but Kuzon is still her grandson. I suggest diplomacy with this. Toph, you can keep track of Kuzon while you are not preoccupied with your own agenda and perhaps suggest and show Lady Jasmine that the prince is already well taken care of. Avatar Aang, you can do the same while Toph is busy. Zuko, you need to be better to your in-laws. And I will take care of Thom."
Toph smiled, feeling better that Iroh was in control.
"Zuko, what did you mean? Earlier," Aang asked, "when you told Toph to not leave Jasmine alone with Kuzon."
Toph felt Iroh turn to Zuko, probably questioning his nephew with his expression.
"Aang, you were there when Tom-Tom got out and followed the resistance out of Omashu," Zuko replied. "They didn't miss him until that evening. Mai was actually the one to figure out he was missing. Jasmine can be a little absentminded and could accidently take Kuzon out into harm's way."
"Then why not just tell her the danger?" Aang asked.
"Because she will not listen to it," Zuko sighed. "Or worse, try and control Kuzon's life more and make him a prisoner in his own home. I won't have my son endangered by her carelessness, nor will I make him a prisoner here."
"Then what are you going to do about the war's end festivities?" Iroh asked calmly as he rocked Kuzon.
Toph felt Zuko and Aang both tense, but Zuko was far worse.
"That sounds bad, but what's so wrong about it?" Aang asked.
"The festivities start with speeches and the royal family and all the advisors make an appearance to the people. The capitol will be filled to the brim with people from every nation. And this year, King Bumi and Chief Arnook are coming to our festival." Zuko sighed and Toph felt him move his hand and she was sure he was pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Relax Sparky," Toph said with a smile. "That's why I'm here. I'll take care of Jasmine and Kuzon."
"But since you're an Earth Kingdom dignitary, you won't be permitted to stand with the royal family," Zuko sighed.
"But since she is a war hero, and the Avatar is here, perhaps she can," Iroh said with a wry tone.
"Well, Katara, Sokka and Suki should be here by then. It's in two weeks, right?" Aang asked.
"Twelve days exactly," Zuko replied and Toph knew he was feeling better by his tone and vibrations.
"Then that gives me time to work on the lady, and Sweetness and Fan Girl can help too," Toph stated. "And who knows? With five kids in the area, Jasmine might give up on trying to control one."
"Make that six," Aang said with a smile. "Ty Lee married Haru last winter and they have a month old daughter."
"Happy married Pansy!" Toph cried, but kept it low as Kuzon shifted. "I knew they were dating, but I can't believe they got married."
"Mai couldn't either," Zuko remarked with a smile. "But it was because Ty Lee became pregnant that they married so fast. Ty Lee and Mai were so happy they were going to be mothers together. She must be so sad."
Toph's smile wavered as Zuko became slightly depressed again, but she knew he would get over it.
"Well, that gives three options for Kuzon when he's older," Toph said with a smirk. "Katiana, Shyanna, and now Ty Lee's daughter."
She grinned as Aang and Zuko turned to look at her in shock as Iroh let out a belly laugh.
"You are not going to control my son's life either," Zuko said with a warning in his tone, though Toph could tell he was smiling.
"No, I'm not, I'm just giving him plenty of options," Toph replied as her grin became larger.
Aang started laughing and Toph could tell Zuko was smiling until Kuzon woke up and started to cry at the noise.
"I'll take him," Toph said as she reached towards Iroh and the prince. Iroh handed her the baby and Kuozn quieted as Toph rocked him. "He's probably getting hungry," Toph said as she rose and started heading towards the door.
She felt Zuko and Aang nod before the men rose to go out with her. Aang left to head to his own room as Iroh talked with a guard on the way to Kuzon's room.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," Zuko said as he turned to look at Toph and Kuzon.
"Good, because I don't plan on leaving you to wallow in misery any time soon," Toph said.
She felt Zuko nod as more guards fell in around them as they headed back to Kuzon's room to rest and get ready for dinner and the in-laws.
