Chapter 10: Even

Toph's vacant eyes stared into the distance as she used her Earthbending to survey their surroundings. Toph could feel the adrenaline pumping through everyone's veins as they tensed for Azula's arrival with Kira. Suki was standing with Ty Lee on one side of the house-the side Azula would presumably enter through-and Katara had taken up her position behind Toph. Aang and Zuko were side by side in front of Toph and Katara. Sokka and Mai were on either side of the women, bracing for the worst possible outcomes.

Toph's silence had become unnerving to Sokka, and it wasn't until Suki made the mistake of pissing her off that he realized why.

Suki stepped away from her position, and turned towards the house. Toph rounded on her, her small fists raised, and began to scream.

"You stupid bitch! We are about to begin a hostage negotiation! Where the hell do you think you're going?" Toph yelled, causing Suki to freeze in place.

"Excuse me?" Suki replied, her temper igniting. "What gives you the right to call me names? I have to use the bathroom?"

Toph rolled her eyes and slammed a bare foot into the ground. "I'm Toph Bei Fong bitch, you better get that straight quick! I have my family's lives on the line, and I will be damned if you're going to endanger them! Just because you and Sokka make with the nasty still doesn't mean that you are exempt from protecting me!" Suki and Sokka stared at Toph in shock; Katara put a hand on Toph's wrist.

"Toph," she began, her blue eyes filled with concern. "Maybe now isn't the best time for this." Toph turned away from Suki in disgust and tapped her bare foot again, her green kimono swirling around her leg.

"She's here," Toph whispered, "And she brought Kira." They all tensed for battle as Azula entered through the left of the expansive yard. Her hair had grown back; she wore it in a simple ponytail. She wore a red tunic and black pants. She had become gaunt, presumably from avoiding Zuko's soldiers. Kira was beside her, holding her hand and telling her a story like they were great friends. The group managed to catch the tail-end of it.

"And then," Kira concluded. "Uncle Sock fell asleep in his soup. Mommy said he was innovative." Azula smiled at the child.

"I see, but I think you mean iniebriated." Azula corrected. She turned to Aang and Zuko. "I see that you showed up, and with reinforcements. Not to worry. I have no plans of taking you all on." she added flippantly.

Aang took a step forward. "Zuko's here, now give me my daughter." Azula smiled brightly at him.

"You know," she began. "A thought occured to me. I happen to know that Zu Zu desperately wants to find our mother, and if you give me Aang instead, I'll tell you exactly where she is." Zuko and Aang exchanged a glance, and Zuko stepped forward.

"That isn't what we agreed on Azula." Zuko replied, and Azula stretched her arms above her head.

"Fine," she answered. "Take a minute to mull it over, and I'll even allow Ty Lee to restrain me if it will make you feel better." Aang nodded to Ty Lee, and the acrobat moved forward, slowly, drawing everyone's attention but Toph. The moment Azula shifted to strike.

Toph created a crater beneath Kira, covered it, and brought it to Katara. Toph shifted the crater into a protective barrier for the two as chaos broke out.

Ty Lee struggled to reach Azula, dodging several fire-blasts. Aang came up on the other side and sent a rush of air at her. Azula dodged and sent a burst of blue-flame towards Zuko, who had been sneaking up on her.

Suki flung a fan towards Azula, and Mai threw a knife at the same time. Azula dodged and both weapons went over her head. Ty Lee attempted another hit as Aang tried to contain Azula in a rock. Azula dodged both attacks and aimed a burst of flames towards the barrier Toph had created to protect Katara and Kira.

Toph struggled to maintain the barrier, and sent a boulder towards Azula, knocking her backwards a few feet. As Azula got to her feet, Sokka rushed to join his sister, hoping to assist Toph in any way possible.

Toph felt the lightning the moment it left the ground, and jumped in front of Sokka. As pain coursed through her body, she encased Azula in a pillar of rock. Mai and Ty Lee surrounded the rock and Ty Lee hit a pressure point on the side of Azula's neck, effectively knocking her unconcious.

Sokka rushed to Toph's side as the young woman fell to the ground. Aang ran over and picked up Kira. Katara rushed from behind the barricade, and crouched beside the woman, rushing to open her water pouch. Toph tilted her head towards Sokka, a grin on her face.

"Now," she choked out. "We're even, and you can get out of my life and stay out of it." Toph went limp, and Katara ran her healing waters over the woman.

A/N: Okay, so hopefully this chapter-yes I know it's short-was in better format. Thank you to all of my reviewers. I'll try to get another chapter up, but I have to add to my other story first. Thank you for reading and please review. Thanks, Kirsten