Hey people! I'm back with another chapter! But before we continue on with it though, I realized while I was writing this that I never gave credit to the ones that inadvertently gave me the idea for this story. I got the idea from Yazu Katara and Toph Attack's story Elemental Chaos. It's an amazing story, and you'll notice Toph's daydream in the story is strikingly similar to this story, in a way. I just expanded on it. So yeah, if it hadn't been for them this story wouldn't be here.

Now, on with the story!

A small boy around the age of eight sat quietly in the corner of a darkened room in his house. He didn't know where his parents or his sister were or what was going on, but he knew one thing; someone was in the house. But it wasn't just any kind of someone; it was ruthless people, corrupt by their desire to have everything in their grasp.

The footsteps below him got louder, and the creaking of the stairs could be heard. The boy whimpered a bit and pulled his knees up to his chest. He wanted to be with his daddy, who would make the bad people leave; or his mommy, who would take him somewhere safe; or his sister, who could always make a dark situation seem happy. But none of them were there. It was only him.

The door opened to the room he was in. The people walked in and one of them called to another one downstairs. He knew it was time to act brave.

"Where are my mommy and daddy?" he squeaked out. He was picked up by his hair and his hands were handcuffed behind his back.

"You won't be seeing them ever again."

A crisp, cold air had blown in from the north over the past few weeks. Winter was setting in and the tops of all the buildings in town had a whiter look to them. It wasn't quite cold enough to snow yet, but the wind chill made it seem like it could. Snow could be hidden from, but wind could break through the toughest structures by squeezing through every crack.

The tree Aang was sitting in shook violently from a gust of wind, but he held on tight. He laughed slightly at the small earthbender that was circling the tree down on the ground, arms folded across her chest.

"I know you're up there Twinkle Toes! According to your rules, I won," she yelled up with a smirk across her face.

"Not quite Toph. You have to tag me first," he said in a chipper voice. Over the past few weeks, he developed a new hobby of messing with her.

"I think it counts if I've got you cornered."

"Nope, you're going to have to come up here if you want to win, unless you want to forfeit of course."

Her smirk turned into a frown. "As if Twinkle Toes!"

She blindly reached up for a branch and pulled herself up into the tree. With little difficultly, she reached the branch Aang was on. He hadn't moved from his spot at all, his mind dulled from watching Toph climb up into the tree with a frustrated look on her face, despite how easy it was to do. He had never doubted she could do it, he just never thought she would actually do it.

The branch shook a little and Toph sat down next to Aang and punched him in the shoulder, keeping one arm wrapped around the trunk to secure herself.

"Ha! Now, I officially win," Toph said triumphantly. She had a huge smile on her face, but her foggy eyes showed a bit of fear.

He smiled and rubbed his sore shoulder. They sat in silence for a while before another gust of wind shook the tree. Toph lost her grip and started falling. Aang reached out to catch her and did, but lost his own grip and they both fell to the earth below. Toph screamed until she landed with a thud on top of Aang. He let out a small 'ow' when they landed and he banged his head on the ground. Toph quickly got up off of him and he sat up.

"What's the matter with you? I would have been fine, but you had to go risk your own skin." She suddenly got a new vibration coming off of him. "And you cut yourself too! You're an idiot."

Toph pulled her legs around and ripped off a part of the retched skirt she hated so much, yanked his bleeding arm towards her, and wrapped it around the cut.

The whole time, Aang said nothing. He couldn't think of anything useful to say that would convince her that he hadn't just reached out for her because he thought she would hurt herself. That he had done it because he hadn't wanted her to feel the fear of falling off a tree blind, not knowing how far away the ground was. He could never put that into words.

He finally realized what was going on when the cloth around his arm was tightened and knotted up. He briefly wondered where she had gotten it, not having paid any attention, until he saw the rip in her skirt that now revealed her leg a quarter of the way up her shin.

"I'll get you another one," he said quietly, feeling at lost for words.

"Huh?" Toph asked, looking up at him with blind eyes.

"You ripped your skirt. I'll get you another one to replace it."

"Oh please Twinkle Toes, I don't care about that. Besides, then maybe Sugar Queen will let me go back to wearing shorts again," she told him, smiling at the idea.

He stood up and offered his hand to her. She took it, not because she needed his help, but because she was slightly tired from running around the yard after him in this new game he told her about called tag.

He pulled her up and they just stood there, not talking, for a little bit.

"So… should we stay out here or go back inside?" Aang asked finally, rubbing the back of his neck from the awkwardness.

"How about we stay out here? I really don't want to go back and do more chores," Toph told him, thinking about the new chores he was having her do, such as carrying his food from the kitchen. Aang blushed out of embarrassment and looked down. He hadn't been really fair to her; always finding new things to do and making her follow him around all the time like a lost dog.

Suddenly he was knocked off his feet after being punched in the shoulder. Looking up at the culprit, he shouted, "Hey! What was that for?"

"If I remember correctly, you told me when I met you that you didn't ask for much. Is following you around not much?" she asked standing over him. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had a scowl on her face. Aang couldn't tell if it was fake or not.

"W… well, I… I like being with you, and that's the only way it can happen," he said sheepishly.

Toph scoffed at him. "Next thing I know, your going to put a chain around my neck and drag me around with like rag doll."

Aang was temporarily hurt by her words, thinking she actually thought he would do that, until he looked up at her face to see that she was smiling. He started to laugh and airbent himself off the ground as Toph pulled her cloak tighter around herself.

"Hey Twinkle Toes, weren't more suitors coming for you today?"

Aang groaned. Hanging around with Toph for the past hour or so made him temporarily forget that the five girls the matchmaker ordered… er, asked to come were arriving today. He wasn't looking forward to it at all.

"Aw, are you not looking forward to a bunch of girls parading themselves in front of you?" Toph teased. They had started walking slowly walking back to the palace, very much so taking their time. Aang shot her a glare, but upon remembering she couldn't see it, he bumped his shoulder into hers, telling her that her comment wasn't appreciated.

"Twinkle Toes, everything will be okay. It's the first day and late in the evening. All you'll have to do is greet them. Tomorrow's when the hell starts."

Aang chuckled a bit at her swearing. She was the one of the only girls he knew that did that, except Azula, who would do almost anything. He threw an arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him, and roughly rubbed the top of her head with his knuckles.

"Hey! Stop it!" she yelled while laughing. He released her slightly, but kept his arm loosely around her shoulders.

"That was for knowing everything. Can't you not know something?"

"Nope. I know everything," she said before sticking her tongue out at him.

Little to the two's knowledge, they were being watched. But it was alright, because Zuko would never rat out his best friend to his father and most likely cause Toph's death sentence. He had actually become quite accustom to Toph presence. He also knew Aang was head over heals in love with her and would probably kill anyone that caused her harm, despite his caring nature. Zuko chuckled as he saw Toph shove Aang's arm off of her as they reached the door and Aang blush, no doubt from some sarcastic comment Toph had made.

A pair of arms wrapped around Zuko's middle and someone's lips were on his ear. "What's so funny?" He turned around to see his girlfriend, Mai. She had her signature bored look on her face, but he knew better than to only read her face.

"Just at the obviousness of Aang's affections with his slave," he responded, wrapping his arms around her, completing the hug. Since the two weren't for displays of affection, they let go of each other after about a minute and sat down at the nearby desk where all of Zuko's work was. Mai was just there keeping him company.

Zuko hated all the work his father was making him do. Ozai had been telling him it was because he was going to have to do it all eventually, but Zuko knew it was because he didn't want to do it himself.

As much as he tried to, Zuko couldn't concentrate on his work. The pile of papers in front of him was lots of people's complaints on their village. These people expected him to fix every little thing wrong! How on earth was he supposed to get rid of a termite infestation? He put his head in his palm and leaned on it. Everyone outside this castle had such problems, how could they stand it?

"Hey, why don't you take a break?" Mai said, seeing the look on his face. She looped one of her arms through his.

"I can't Mai, I have to work," he said as he sighed. She was quiet for a minute.

"Can we talk while you work?" she asked. Zuko gave her a look. The only time she wanted to talk was when something was wrong.

"What's on your mind?"

"Us."

Zuko froze. He knew what she wanted to talk about, even though he tried not to let it on. He realized now that Mai had removed her arm.

"What about us?"

"Cut the act Zuko. You know what I'm talking about." He couldn't look her in the eye.

"I've told you, my father doesn't quite approve of us, even though you're one of Azula's friends. I hardly doubt he'd go for that."

"Zuko, you're nineteen, you don't need your fathers approval anymore. You only need mine's."

"I know, but…"

"No more buts. I'm getting sick of them. Just confront your father already." With that, Mai walked out of the room.

Katara stood in the Grand Entrance of the castle waiting for all the hopeful brides of Prince Aang to arrive. Even though she was coming to terms with Aang liking Toph, she still hadn't lost her crush on the Prince and didn't want all these girls parading around for him.

Haru came and stood next to her. Both were there because the guards were busy escorting all the girls and the royal family, so many slaves had been taken from their normal positions to wait on one of the five girls. Katara wouldn't have minded, but the fact that she had to do her regular chores as well made her mad. Too bad she couldn't do anything about it.

"So, how are you doing?" Haru asked her quietly.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Katara asked in her ticked off voice.

"Well, you seem a little cranky." Katara glared at him.

"I'm fine. I just hate getting new orders like this. I hate thinking about how we're slaves to these snobs."

Haru was about to respond when the trumpets sounded, announcing the arrival of the royal family. The two got down on their knees and bowed. Katara snuck a peak up at Aang. He was dressed elegantly in orange and yellow robes. He wore his small crown on his bald head and his blue arrow tattoos stood out against his clothes. He didn't look anyone in the eye as he walked down the hallway next to his father to his throne at the other end of the room. Katara's eyes followed him to the other end of the room, where she was surprised. Next to the King's throne, also on her knees bowing was his slave Lily. However, Aang's side was vacant. Katara's eyes scanned the room, but Toph was no where to be found.

Before the two sat down, King Sako waved his hands for everyone else to rise. Then the father and son sat down in their thrones that contained a good chunk of the world's wealth. King Sako then motioned for them to start calling in the girls.

"I'd like to present Miss Star."

A snooty looking girl came through the doors and walked up the father and son and curtsied.

"Star, why don't you tell my son a little bit about yourself," the King said.

"Well, I'm from a very wealthy and privileged family. Some of my favorite past times are reading and writing and I'll do anything to make Prince Aang happy."

Katara felt like she might throw up from Star's comments. She sounded like a very boring and annoying person.

For the next half hour, four more girls were presented to Aang. All of them repulsed her. Joo Dee was extremely creepy, with that smile constantly on her face. Koko looked like she was barely twelve and was very demanding. Macmu-Ling had to be ten years older than Aang. On Ji was the only one Katara thought she might be able to stand, but she still sounded like a bitch.

Sadly, Katara was assigned to Macmu- Ling. Katara followed her upstairs to her room and listened at she was given instructions.

"I expect my breakfast to be brought to me an hour and a half after the sun rises. My room had better be always clean and clothes always clean. Got that much?" she sneered.

Katara nodded her head obediently.

"Good." The two stopped in front of Macmu- Ling's door. "You can go now. I'll ring for you when my luggage comes up."

Katara nodded again and gladly left.

"And I need you to tell me everything about the Prince. I have to be the one he picks for his bride. I'm obviously the most qualified," Koko said throwing part of hair over her shoulder. Haru had been assigned to Koko and they were currently in her large room, Koko not letting him leave because, one, she wanted to know every little detail about the prince, and two, because she would have to be quiet for more than the amount of time it takes to breathe to give that command.

Haru had been in her room for less than twenty minutes and she had already given him fifty commands. Like all the other spoiled brats in the kingdom, these commands were basic daily things that she couldn't do herself because she didn't want to be bothered with do such silly little things. Apparently things such as cutting your own food and brushing your hair were considered silly little things. Haru had a feeling that by the time this was over, he would know more about girls than he would ever wish to.

But right now, his job was to tell Koko everything he knew about the Prince.

"Well, His Highness is a very caring guy. He loves animals and knows all kinds of people from what used to be the four nations. He can be very optimistic at times and makes friends easily, but sometimes he just likes to be by himself. And he'll do anything for the people he cares about," Haru said truthfully. Oh yeah, let's not forget he's in love with his slave; but don't worry, that won't affect his decision at all (… yeah right).

"Ew, I hate animals. That I won't allow. Oh well, he can love me instead," Koko said, handing him her hair brush.

"Now make sure my hair looks good, I can't get one hair get out of place, if he sees me like that, I'll just die of embarrassment."

"Are you kidding me?!" asked Suki, giant grin plastered on her face.

It was late at night, and some of the slaves were gathered in their quarters, talking about how strange the new people were. Right now all the slaves were roaring with laughter at Haru's story about Koko.

"Oh Haru, you need brush each little clump of hair to make sure they look perfect, otherwise I'm going to cry," Toph said teasingly, twirling the end of her ponytail around and speaking in a high pitched voice. Everyone started laughing.

"It's almost as if you were there Toph," Haru said, still laughing. He was about to add more to that, when Jet entered the room.

"Hey guys, the guards are starting to be able to hear you upstairs, you might want to keep it quiet," he told them.

Everyone quieted down and continued to talk, but Toph was unable to make any more cracks about them because Jet pulled her away from the circle.

"Hey, what gives?" she asked in her ticked off voice, yanking her arm out of his grip.

"I was just wondering how you were doing," he asked, seemingly sweet.

She gave him a suspicious look and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

Jet shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "Well, I figured that with all these new girls prancing around the prince for the week, you wouldn't be so happy."

"And why wouldn't I be?"

An almost evil smirk came across Jet's lips. "Well… it's pretty obvious you like him and therefore you would obviously be jealous of all the attention he's going to be getting." Jet's smirk grew as a small blush formed across Toph's face. Her arms dropped from her chest and she placed them on her hips.

"What are you talking about? I don't like him, he's just my friend."

"Well, maybe you don't realize it yet, but you do."

Toph, thoroughly ticked off now, grabbed at the front of his shirt and pulled his face down towards her.

"Look Jet, I don't like him like that. He's just my friend. Get that through your thick and perverted skull!" she shouted at him before shoving him down.

He landed with a loud bang, but instead of being afraid of her, like she had wanted, his eyes gleamed with mischief. "Don't worry babe, if he goes after one of those other girls, you can always come to me."

Toph kicked him in the sides just before Sokka comes up behind her. "Jet, is it possible for you to stop being a jerk all the time?"

"More like pain in the ass," Toph spats.

"How am I being a pain in the ass? All I did was state the facts."

"No you weren't, you were lying through your teeth."

"Whatever, just remember what I said babe," Jet said before getting up and walking away.

Toph was distracted for the rest of the night. She couldn't even come up with anymore witty banter to make fun of the other girls here. And they were just an imitation waiting to happen. Instead, she spent the rest of the night keeping to herself, only slightly laughing at the stories. She didn't know why, but Jet's words kept running through her head. They were even keeping her from falling asleep. She was just lying on the ground on her back, blind eyes staring at the ceiling.

The night was quiet and everyone else was asleep. If she concentrated, she could hear the heavy breathing of everyone else in the room. It was a calming noise, like the night had been the first time she and Aang went outside…. AHHH!!

She rolled over onto her stomach and grumbled. Stupid Jet! Why couldn't he just leave her alone? And where did he come up with this stuff? Does he just sit up at night and try to think of ways to annoy her?

She banged her head into the floor, creating a large dent. This is stupid! Why was she still awake? Why was thinking like this? It wasn't helping her get to sleep any faster. She had to get up in a few hours to help Aang get ready for his day full of obnoxious suitors. A day full of never shutting up suitors that care more about your status or money than you do and will do anything to get on your good side. Just thinking of those kind of girls made her cringe.

"Floozies," she mumbles to herself.

…

…

…

Toph's eyes widened as her brain slammed into a stone wall. That sounded suspiciously like jealousy. What was she thinking?! There was no way she was jealous. To be jealous, that would have to mean that she liked him. And she so didn't.

…

…

…

…

Right?

Alright, I know this is shorter than my others and definetly not as good, but I figured since I've been holding you out on this chapter that has been nearly finished for almost a month, that I should just finish it up and post it. I think the next chapter will have more detail, because now it's really starting to take off. Yay!

Thanks for reading and please review! I can only get better if you tell me what's wrong.