A/N: Again, thank you all for being so patient with me and my brain farts, or, for better wording, writer's block. Here's the next chapter, so please, read, enjoy and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar
Chapter 10
Toph woke up feeling Zuko pacing in his room and Ming trying to approach her. She also felt many other people in Zuko's room and Aang approaching the rooms with Iroh.
"Toph, the Fire Lord needs to speak with you," Ming said softly, obviously seeing Toph waking up.
Toph considered rolling over and trying to get more sleep, but Zuko's pacing intensified as Iroh and Aang entered his room along with Kalaya and Seth as well as a few other guards.
"This had better be good," Toph growled as she sat up in bed. Ming practically dragged her into the small bathroom and rushed her through a bath before helping her into a dress. Toph made Ming leave her hair down and mostly alone, just a quick brushing and it hung down to her waist neatly. As Ming finished brushing her hair, Toph felt Zuko approach her door and she went to it, opening it before he could.
"I'm awake and dressed," Toph growled to him before she walked past him to sit next to Kalaya and Kuzon. "Now, what got me up early?"
Aang chuckled and Toph knew Zuko was staring at her in shock
"It's not early," Zuko stated, irritated.
"It's about an hour after dawn," Toph stated with a frown as Iroh approached her with some tea. "That's early. Now start or I'm going back to bed."
She smiled a thank you to Iroh as he handed her a cup of tea and she heard Aang and Kalaya trying to hold back laughs as Zuko ground his teeth before sighing.
"Since talks are going to be starting soon, we'll all be stuck in the throne room for hours at a time. Until the talks are completed, Kalaya, you are not to leave the prince unless Toph or I take charge of him." Toph frowned and Zuko obviously saw it before adding, "Preferably both of us together." Toph nodded and Zuko turned to the guards.
"I want three to be in the same room as Kalaya and Kuzon and four when I am with my son. More if needed, depending on the situation. A small waiting room next to the throne room will be used only for Kalaya, Kuzon and the guards with them while we are in meetings. There is a secret passage that leads from that room to a more secure room behind the throne should anything happen."
Zuko turned to Aang and Iroh and his stance relaxed. "Aang, I know you and your family are more than capable of protecting Kuzon, and if Katara, Suki, and Ty Lee are willing, Kalaya can stay with them and their children during the talks, but there will be guards."
"I know," Aang said gently. "Katara may not like it, but she'll understand. But they may want to get out and see the city a bit while they're here. They won't appreciate being shifted off as babysitters."
Toph smiled as she imagined Katara's temper being taken out Zuko.
"I know," Zuko sighed. "That's why Kalaya can be with Kuzon close to Toph and I. And, if you're willing Kalaya, you can watch the other children while my friends take turns going out into the city or joining the talks."
"I think that would be wonderful," Kalaya said with a smile in her tone.
Zuko nodded. "No one outside of this room save for the guards who couldn't be here is to know of these plans," the Fire Lord said in a serious tone. "Thank you everyone."
With that, Toph felt and heard the guards leave the room as the strong tea started to affect her. Iroh sipped his own tea as Aang stood.
"I just received a hawk form Katara this morning," Aang told Zuko once the guards had closed the door. "She left the Northern Air Temple early yesterday and will probably arrive on Kyoshi Island by tonight or tomorrow morning. Then, in a day and a half, depending on weather, they'll arrive here."
Zuko seemed relieved but he turned to Toph. "And what about Jasmine?" he asked the earthbender gently.
"Well, I need to talk to my people, but I'm starving right now. The monster-in-law is having breakfast and if she apologizes, it will be easier. I'm going to try and control myself, but I will not let her walk all over me or those I care about." Toph felt Iroh move as if he was going to speak and she smiled at him. "Don't worry Uncle, I'll be diplomatic."
Iroh nodded and Toph rose. "Relax Sparky, I'll take care of it," she told Zuko with a smile before she headed out of the room and towards the dining hall where she felt Jasmine and Thom breakfasting with their son and a few older men.
Toph knew an informal breakfast was laid out every morning for whoever wanted it unless plans changed and she walked in to the dining hall to complete silence. Tom-Tom waved at her shyly and she smiled at him as Jasmine gave a snotty sniff and Thom excused himself from his wife's side to talk with several of the older men. Toph just ignored the uppity lady and grabbed some toast and a moon-peach before she sat next to an older dignitary she had been introduced to at the banquet.
"Ah, Lady Toph," Cho Man-Yong said while he inclined his head to her. "My thanks to you for saving our Fire Lord and prince last night. Rumors have abounded about the assassination attempt. Have the persons responsible been caught?"
Toph nodded and withheld a smile as she heard Jasmine gasp at the news. "Yes," Toph replied. "All were caught."
She took a bite out of her toast as the elderly dignitary nodded and started talking about what a shame it was that people targeted a child and how he hoped all those responsible paid for their deeds. He tried to get details out of Toph as she ate, but she kept the facts simple and didn't name anyone.
"But perhaps it could have been because the guards were lax in their duty," the older man suggested as he continued to try and get information out of Toph about what had happened the night before.
"No," Toph stated as she finished and wiped her hands on her napkin daintily. "The guards were not to blame. Two were severely injured and the only ones at fault have already been punished by the Fire Lord."
"You had no hand in their punishment?" Jasmine asked tentatively, a guarded tone underlying the simple question.
"No, Lady Jasmine," Toph said politely. "Zuko is Fire Lord and the attempt was on him. I merely entrapped the assassin and questioned her, making sure Zuko and his son were safe. I was lucky to be close. The assassin was highly skilled and nearly killed the two guards. It was also lucky Kalaya was so close. She's a waterbender healer," Toph said to Cho next to her as she felt him turn towards her in question. "And the prince's nurse-maid. That is why she was so close to the action."
Cho nodded in understanding and Jasmine brought her hand to her chin as if deep in thought.
"But I need to speak to my own people. Thank you for the conversation sir," Toph said to the dignitary with a smile before she rose out of her chair. She felt Jasmine turn towards her and almost start speaking, so Toph waited a moment. But when the lady remained silent, Toph nodded in her direction and left the room. She was almost out of the palace when she felt Tom-Tom hurrying after her.
"And how may I help you, Tom-Tom?" Toph asked the boy with a smile before he had even stopped next to her.
"How do you do that?" Tom-Tom asked in wonder.
Toph smiled at him and knelt so that she was eye to eye with him. "I'll tell you a secret," she said with a grin. "I see with earthbending and every person has different footsteps, different vibrations. I felt you as soon as you walked out of the dining hall. Now, what did you have to tell me?"
"Um," the boy started, apparently having forgotten why he was there for a moment before he brightened. "My mother wishes for you to join her for tea this afternoon. And she humbly asks that you remove the earth."
Toph smiled and ruffled the boy's ponytail that would one day be a top knot. "That's sweet, and I would love to join your mother for tea after I finish talking with the Earth Kingdom emissaries. But I'm afraid I can not remove her new shoes until she apologizes to me herself. Thank you, Tom-Tom, but this is something your mother had to learn for herself."
Tom-Tom nodded and a smile was in his tone when he spoke up again. "Thank you, and I'll let her know. Also, can I see you practice? If you have time later."
"I would love to show you," Toph told him with a smile. "I'll see you later, ok?"
The boy nodded and took off back to the dining hall as Toph smiled and turned to head to the emissary.
XXXXX
Toph sighed as she left the Earth Kingdom embassy. The other dignitaries were ecstatic over the news of the talks resuming and especially the word that Toph had foiled an assassination attempt on the Fire Lord and prince.
"They'll have to respect our claims," Toph head one of the older dignitaries say to his comrade as she left. "With Lady Toph saving their Fire Lord and crown prince, they'll acquiesce to our demands more."
Toph sighed as she made her way out. She didn't want to use her position as a friend of Zuko to get more for the Earth Kingdom. She just wanted to make sure things got done properly and her people were helped without impoverishing others. She and the other dignitaries were read the report of the drought and lack of wells in the Fire Nation and how Zuko had cut off unnecessary water in the palace and city already. A couple of older men didn't believe it until they had walked outside to find all the fountains turned off. A few like Chang still thought it was a ruse to get them to ease up on their demands, but Toph had heard Zuko talking with Iroh and his advisors about how long it would be until rationing started.
As she entered the palace, she felt Tom-Tom walking her way very quickly and smiled at him as he turned the corner and spotted her.
"Here to show me to your mother?" Toph asked him.
She felt him nod and smiled at him as he bowed before leading the way. She followed him to a room that was next to where her old room was and found Jasmine sitting while a servant poured tea for the two women.
"Thank you Tom-Tom," Jasmine said simply. "Now, go on and do your lessons."
Toph felt the boy bow to his mother and quickly hurried out as Toph sat in the chair across form Jasmine. The servant handed Toph a cup of tea after giving one to Jasmine and retreated to a corner silently. Toph frowned at how easily Jasmine ignored the hired help and Toph had smiled at the serving girl when she was handed her tea. Jasmine tensed slightly at that and Toph could feel her get angry.
"I hope your morning went well?" Jasmine asked politely after taking a sip of tea.
"Very well," Toph replied before taking a sip of her own tea. She held back a grimace as she tasted the bitter tea and simply held it in her lap. Iroh's tea was much better and never bitter.
"How do you think the talks will go here?"
"I think they'll go surprisingly well," Toph answered politely. "It's just a matter of making the older men on both sides see that there is no place for prejudice or revenge. Only the facts."
Jasmine tensed again and her pulse sped up slightly and Toph held back a smile. "But what of you," Toph asked the lady. "Has your morning gone well?"
"Quite," Jasmine said with a slight edge to her tone as Toph felt her get angrier and slightly frustrated. "I had wished to see my grandson, but Fire Lord Zuko was having a meeting in the room and could not be disturbed. Perhaps you could tell me, why is the healer privy to those talks? Surely the Fire Lord could take himself and his advisors elsewhere."
Toph frowned slightly but kept her face as calm as she could. "If the meeting was about Kuzon and his protection, Kalaya would need to be there."
"But she's a waterbender," Jasmine protested. "She would report certain things to her own people."
"No, she wouldn't," Toph stated as she felt her temper rising against the prejudice of the lady. "Kalaya is married to an earthbender named Seth. And he is one of Zuko's guards. Both of them would give their lives to save Zuko or Kuzon, and nearly have in the past."
"She's married to an earthbender?!" Jasmine gasped. "Why would the girl do something like that?"
"Because she loves him," Toph stated, getting angry with Jasmine, but with a firm will, kept her temper under control. "The Avatar married a waterbender, and my friend Sokka from the Southern Water Tribe married a Kyoshi warrior from the Earth Kingdom. There is nothing wrong with finding love outside of your own people."
"Well, at least none of them were Fire Nation," Jasmine muttered under her breath before she took another sip of tea.
Toph forced herself to stay calm and smiled sweetly at Jasmine. "In fact, Zuko introduced me to one of his advisors and we are currently dating. He was at dinner last night. Lord Wan Lo."
She could feel Jasmine stop as she was moving her tea cup away from her mouth and was sure the lady was staring at her. "The colonist?" Jasmine asked in a degrading tone. "Isn't he the one whose mother is from the Earth Kingdom? Mixed blood is never good. Mark my word, he'll never get anywhere."
Toph felt her temper rise, and continued to hold it in. She knew she needed to change the subject before she exploded against Jasmine again. But she couldn't resist taunting the lady back first. "Well, he did go from a second child to caretaker of his family's lands her in the Fire Nation and is now a chief advisor to Zuko. Pretty good for a simple colonist. But, I was wondering, why do you want Tom-Tom to go into the academy?"
Toph kept an innocent smile on her face as she felt Jasmine's pulse speed up against the earthen shoes before shock went through the lady's system at the change of subject.
"He's a firebender and is one day going to be a great lord and hopefully governor, just like his father," Jasmine stated proudly. "He needs the best education for that and the academy will give it to him."
"But that isn't what he wants," Toph said simply. "It's best not to force a child into leaving his home and onto a path he doesn't want."
"And how would you know that?" Jasmine replied sharply. "You don't know my son, or our family or even our ways."
"Maybe," Toph answered. "But I knew your daughter well, and I know what it's like growing up with controlling parents. Tom-Tom has a gift, and he knows what he wants. Let him try it."
"He's only 7! He doesn't know what he wants and the only way Mai became Fire Lady was because of her heritage and upbringing."
"No," Toph stated. "She became Fire Lady because she fell in love with Zuko and he loved her. She saved his life, betraying her people as Zuko had done to do the right thing."
Toph felt Jasmine become angry again, but the lady kept her temper under control. After a minute of silence, Toph brought another subject up.
"Tom-Tom told me there was another reason you wished for my company this afternoon."
"Yes," Jasmine said cautiously. "These…entrapments, on my feet. Please remove them."
Toph frowned at the hidden order and how Jasmine used every part of her will to ask nicely, but it was still an order.
"Only if you apologize for what you said last night," Toph replied as she set her tea cup onto the table in front of her.
Jasmine was silent, but Toph could hear the lady grinding her teeth against crying out in anger.
"Perhaps there was a misunderstanding," Jasmine started. "I meant no disrespect."
Toph frowned more. "Of course you did. You disrespected me, my friends, my people and my date who is Fire Nation. And you disrespected Mai's memory and wishes."
Jasmine gasped and Toph felt her get angrier and was sure her temper would break.
"I…disrespected Mai?! My own daughter?! How dare you," Jasmine growled. "I trained her to be a lady, and she was a great Fire Lady! How dare you…"
"No, how dare you!" Toph stated as she rose to her feet. She was tired of being belittled and berated and strode to make Jasmine see. "You made Mai dull so that she couldn't hurt her father's career. It wasn't until she started dating Zuko that she showed any emotion at all. It took me a year to get her to open up to me and I counted her as one of my closest friends. She was a great Fire Lady because of who she was and who she loved. Not because of any 'training' you gave her. Mai asked me to watch over her son, and I will not allow you to ruin his life as you ruined hers."
Toph spun to the door and started walking out as quickly but calmly as she could.
"I don't want you anywhere near my son or grandson!" Jasmine cried out as she rose to her feet behind Toph.
"Too bad," Toph replied as the servant hurried to open the door for her. "Because Zuko wants me near his son, and he is Kuzon's father. Good day Lady Jasmine."
The earthbender nodded to the servant and felt Jasmine stomp her foot down slightly in anger as the servant closed the door behind her. Once in the hallway, Toph took a deep breath to control herself and sighed, knowing Jasmine would be more difficult that she had originally thought. She started walking towards her room when she felt Wan Lo heading her way. She smiled at him as he approached her and she could tell he was happy at finding her.
"Ah, Lady Toph," he said with a smiled as he stopped and bowed before her. "Fire Lord Zuko asks that you join him in the gardens when you are free."
"Thank you Wan Lo. Perhaps you would join me?"
He nodded and Toph could tell he was happy as he took her arm and started walking out towards the gardens.
"Are you all right?" he asked her as they walked.
"Just peachy," Toph sighed. "The monster in law is going to be harder than I thought."
"She doesn't seem the generous type," Wan Lo stated with a frown.
"No, more the arrogant, prejudice type."
He nodded and Toph felt around. She found them approaching the gardens where Aang, Iroh, Tom-Tom and Zuko were waiting and felt Kalaya in Kuzon's room along with the prince and her son as well as four guards. Knowing Kuzon was safe, Toph let herself relax as the warm sunlight hit her as she stepped outside. There she felt Iroh watching Tom-Tom as the boy went through some basic firebending forms, though Tom-Tom put his own style into it.
"So what's going on, Sparky?" she asked Zuko as Wan Lo bowed before the Fire Lord.
"I thought you might need to relax," Zuko said with a slight tease in his voice. "And Wan Lo has agreed to a spar if you're willing."
Toph turned to Wan Lon and concentrated on him. He was slightly nervous, but seemed to be smiling as he bowed to her.
"If you are up to it, my lady," Wan Lo said to her.
"About time," she replied as she grinned and stepped away from Zuko and Wan Lo before sinking into a horse stance.
She felt Tom-Tom and Iroh stop and retreat to sit next to Zuko and Aang as Wan Lo moved away from them and Toph before settling into a classic firebender stance. Toph waited and it seemed Wan Lo was waiting as well before he stepped forward and blasted a fireball at her. Toph sidestepped, bringing up a shield of earth while also shifting her foot and causing the ground to tremble as she studied her opponent. Wan Lo continue to fire at her, and lowered his stance to keep his footing and Toph continued to block herself as she sent small boulders at him.
"What's she doing?" she heard Tom-Tom ask Iroh quietly as she continued to study Wan Lo.
"She's studying her opponent," Iroh replied with a smile.
Toph smiled, knowing Iroh, but again turned her concentration to Wan Lo as his movements became more elaborate. She noticed he was grounding himself like an earthbender and had even incorporated Tom-Tom's moves into his attacks and defenses, but he was holding back. He was studying her as much as she was studying him. And he was being cautious. Obviously her reputation had preceded her.
"Come on Greenie," she taunted with a smile. "Where's that firebender energy?"
"It's only half there," Wan Lo replied with a smile in his tone as he fired at her. "Where's the Blind Bandit who takes out her opponents immediately?"
"She's learned to study her opponents more, especially when they don't give 100 to their fights," Toph replied as she felt him take a step forward to blast her again. She smiled as she kicked the ground and sent a tremor to destabilize him when his foot landed. He landed softer than she expected and turned with the earth before turning around and sending a blast to her again. Toph smiled at how well he adapted but knew she'd have to end it soon. She sent a few more boulders at him before shifting her feet. As Wan Lo dodged the boulders, blasting at the last one, he stepped exactly where she knew he would and was caught by the earth.
Toph grinned as Wan Lo tried to get out of the sucking earth, but she won and pulled him in until Wan Lo was in the ground to his neck. She knew he was staring at her before he laughed.
"I knew you would win, my lady. I yield."
Toph smiled and shifted her foot again, causing Wan Lo to rise to his feet, out of the earth. He bowed to her, still smiling and she grinned back at him, but she felt Zuko twitching as if agitated.
"That wasn't much of a workout though," Toph said as she turned her face to Zuko. "Come on Sparky, you know you want to spar too."
Zuko sighed, but rose from his seated position and took Wan Lo's place in front of her. Toph was sure he was smiling as he started blasting fireballs at her. She dodged expertly, bringing up shields and sending boulders at him. She felt Wan Lo, Aang, Iroh and Tom-Tom watching them and heard Iroh explaining both her and Zuko's style to the boy as she and Zuko continued to spar.
"So, any luck with Jasmine?" Zuko asked when they moved in closer to each other and continued to exchange blows.
"She's as stubborn as me, and more prejudice than all the old folks combined," Toph replied as she ducked under a fireball and hurled a boulder at Zuko.
"So the answer is no," Zuko replied in a dejected way as he dodged around the boulder and stepped closer to her, trying to seize her arm.
"Yeah, but more like not yet," Toph said as she stepped away and brought up an earthen rope to try and seize his reaching arm. "She's still trying to order me around, but last night's foiled coup helped."
"I can order her to leave," Zuko suggested as he evaded Toph's rope and jumped back, sending a fireball at her.
"And you know that isn't the right way. Give me time, and Sweetness can help when she gets here," Toph said as she stepped out of the way of the fireball and shifted her foot while sending boulders at Zuko.
Zuko jumped out of the way of the loose earth she had caused and the boulders, but stepped onto another patch of loose earth that grabbed his leg. He blasted down next to his foot and moved away again before creating fire whips and sending them at Toph. She brought up a shield, but felt the fire try and go through them. Shifting, she sent her shield at Zuko before going underground. Waiting as she felt him stop and wait, she sent several spikes up towards him and rose out of the ground as one captured his foot. Zuko struggled to get free, but Toph was already bringing more earth up to capture his other limbs. He relaxed and nodded and she let the earth go, releasing the Fire Lord.
"And don't forget Ty Lee as well," Zuko said with a small smile in his tone as he stood again. "She was Mai's other close friend and she is from a noble family as well."
Toph nodded as their audience applauded them. Tom-Tom got up and headed straight to Toph, bowing before her as he nearly bounced on his toes in excitement.
"That was amazing!" the boy said before bowing to Zuko who came to stand next to Toph. "And thank you, Fire Lord Zuko for allowing me to watch."
"Anytime Tom-Tom," Zuko said with a smile. "But I think my uncle is still waiting to teach you several things."
Tom-Tom bowed and hurried to Iroh who took the boy farther away and started to show him several moves. Wan Lo took Tom-Tom's place and bowed before Zuko and Toph.
"My thanks for a wonderful spar and observation," the advisor said before turning to Toph. "My lady, would you be so kind as to accompany me to dinner tonight?"
Toph laughed lightly at how formal he was and nodded. "Yes, Greenie, I'll go out with you. But, I need to clean up first."
Wan Lo nodded and bowed again before he left, his vibrations telling her he was as happy as she was about the prospect of another date. Zuko turned to Toph before she had a chance to start heading inside and she stopped as sadness and anxiety seemed to radiate from him.
"Toph, I need your help before your date," Zuko said sadly. She nodded once, waiting for him to go on. "I…I've decided to go back to my room and see what Mai would want her mother to have. It might help Jasmine leave faster."
Toph nodded again, understanding what her friend was asking. He couldn't bear to be in the room where Mai had died by himself, and Toph knew she could be the strength he needed to do what needed to be done.
"Ok, just tell me when," Toph said with a gentle smile.
"Let's get this over with while I'm still thinking about it," Zuko replied and Toph nodded, accepting his outstretched arm. She knew she could be strong enough for him to do this and that Zuko needed a friend as strong as the earth to go back into his and Mai's room.