Chapter 12: Unexpected Delays

**I don't own Avatar…even though I wish I did…

Aang was soaring overhead searching for his friends. He had practiced what he would say to them for hours before he finally felt that he was ready to come clean. He had expected to find Appa quickly; after all he was pretty hard to miss, so he was surprised when it was the crimson of Zuko's outfit through the trees that alerted him to his friends' location. As Aang descended, he realized Zuko wasn't alone; Katara was nearby. Although Aang planned on landing in between the two, he heard the pair mention his name as he drew nearer. Knowing it was wrong to eavesdrop, but curious as to what they were saying about him, Aang changed course and landed a few meters away from the pair. He silently crept near to where they were standing, until he could see and hear them with ease.

"I'm worried about Aang. There's something about Toph he's not telling us, something that's bigger than a simple argument between friends." Katara and Zuko were gathering sticks and brush for a fire, and as she said this, she looked to Zuko for acknowledgement that he was in agreement. When Zuko continued gathering sticks neither agreeing nor disagreeing, she continued, "I mean Toph is bull-headed sometimes, but her actions seem a little extreme for the story Aang told, don't you think?"

Zuko turned and faced Katara, an expression of apprehension clear on his face. "Katara, it is clear to everyone besides Sokka that there is something else going on here. I know that it bothers you that you don't know the whole story, but its Aang's story, and therefore his to tell; not yours to pull out of him. He will tell us if he wants to, but only when he is ready to tell us." Katara's eyes narrowed slightly at his words, so Zuko continued. "Katara, remember, all of our friends saw the exchange between me and Mai. They also saw the looks she shot you throughout her speech and the blush that came to your face. Has anyone approached you to ask if there is something going on between us? No, they have not. They know that something is going on, but they are respecting our privacy and we need to do the same for them." Aang almost blew his cover when he let out a gasp. Though the exchange between Mai and Zuko had led him to infer that there was something going on between Zuko and Katara, he didn't expect to have it confirmed so bluntly.

Katara's eyes softened as she listen to Zuko and after some thought, she sighed. "You're right." After a moment a smile crept onto her face as she gazed into Zuko's eyes. "You know, you're getting more and more like your uncle every day, although your advice is a lot easier to understand."

"Uh…thanks. I think."

Katara smiled again and, after a quick glance around to make sure they were alone, she wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck and kissed him softly. As she pulled away, Zuko's eyes looked into hers with a devilish twinkle. "Hmmm….so you'll still kiss me even though I'm no longer the off limits bad boy?" Aang's eyes grew wide watching the exchange between Katara and Zuko, but, like watching a hog-monkey attack, it was impossible for Aang to look away.

Katara rolled her eyes. "You may not be off limits anymore, but you're still a bad boy. Also, I don't plan on forgetting that it was Mai who broke off the engagement and not you. You owe me. Big time. Don't forget it." This time the devilish twinkle sparkled in Katara's eyes. Zuko felt a hot pounding below his belt as the true meaning behind Katara's words sank in. His eyes burned with longing as he dropped the sticks he was carrying and grabbed Katara by her waist. Katara wasted no time in securing another kiss, this one more passionate than the first. Zuko pulled her closer, but after only a few seconds, she pulled away and smiled at him. "Mmmmm. Later Zuko, when my brother and his wife aren't sitting so close." Katara picked up half the sticks they dropped and began walking towards the camp as Zuko followed close behind.

Aang stood, frozen in place, staring after the couple, not quite comprehending all that he saw. After a moment, he shook his head and sat down against a tree. He didn't know what to think or how to feel. Katara had ruined their relationship by cheating on him with Hahn, and now she had ruined Zuko's relationship with Mai. Aang wanted his friends to be happy, but he couldn't help but feel that what they were doing as wrong. Mai had shown real emotion over Zuko, and it was obvious that she loved him, but it seemed that neither Katara nor Zuko cared about how Mai felt. Aang had planned on returning to his friends and confessing everything, but he now realized that he needed more time to think and sort out what he saw before he could face Katara or Zuko.

"It had to be Azula. Of course. I should've never come home. I can't believe I didn't see this coming." Toph hadn't stopped mumbling to herself since they left the room where Azula had been tied up. Upon Toph's insistence, Azula's hands and feet were encased in rock and she was being carried by Ty Lee. Toph had been leading them down hallway after hallway avoiding any earth bending so as not to attract the attention of any guards that may be near. Ty Lee was doing her best to remain cheerful, but Azula was making the trip a nightmare.

"Could you please just bend us out of here already? If you're so scared of being heard you should free my hands. I am after all a master fire bender and the true Firelord, I could be a real asset to this…team." When Toph didn't answered Azula turned her attention to Ty Lee. "I don't even understand why you would come back for me Ty Lee. I mean I thought you had moved on to better friends and became a fan-girl of the Avatar's. Apparently I was wrong. You're a fan-girl for the blind girl."

Ty Lee was used to Azula's rants and complaints, but Toph had been grinding her teeth loud enough that Ty Lee knew she needed to intervene before Azula went too far.

"Uh… Azula…Toph's aura is turning a funky shade of red. It might be best if we talked about happy things, and not insult the only person who can get us out of here…"

"Ty Lee I…URGGGG!" Azula's response was cut short when a small chunk of rock flew into her mouth.

Toph turned around and faced Azula with a bright smile. "There. Now we don't need to hear any more of your bitching." Azula's eyes flashed at Toph as she struggled to push the rock out of her mouth, but her attempts were met only with laughter from Toph. Eventually, Azula stopped struggling and the only sounds that could be heard were their footsteps as Toph continued to lead them through the maze of tunnels.

The silence was soon interrupted by shouting and the rumbling of large amounts of earth. Ty Lee shot Toph a panicked look as Toph cursed quietly to herself. "Shit. Ty Lee they know we're down here." After several more seconds the shouting increased in pitch and rage. "And now they know we took Azula. We need to get out of here, fast. I'm going to bend us to the surface…shit! There's not enough time; people are coming." The rocks above the group were shifting apart when several guards rounding the corner, followed by Quon.

Quon surveyed the escapees, a smirk on his lips. His focus came to rest first on Toph. "Ah…my little…princess. I knew you were faking it. Your acting is rather horrid, but I had hoped you'd put up more of a fight when you escaped. You really need to stop coming back down here. It's really too predictable." His gaze now shifted to Ty Lee. "And Ty Lee, I knew I shouldn't trust you, but what can I say? I must have been fooled by that pretty face." He gave Ty Lee a repulsive smile. It was several seconds before he noticed Azula squirming on the back of Ty Lee, but as soon as he saw her, his face fell and he rolled his eyes. "I should let you escape so you can take that little bitch off of my hands, but then I supposed I would no longer receive payment from the royal family for keeping her out of the public eye. Oh well. Anyway, on to business." He turned and looked at the soldiers, "Capture them. Tie the bitch back up, put the little one with the nice rack back in her bed, and bring the pretty one to my room."

Quon turned to leave as the room erupted into shouts and the sound of a struggle, but before Quon had taken ten steps, the noise died down. He stopped and listened for several seconds before turning around and coming face to face with Ty Lee. Azula was being supported by Toph, but half the guards that had come down with Quon were lying helplessly on the ground, unable to move, while the other half were buried up to their necks in rocks. Before Quon could utter a single syllable, Ty Lee had used her favorite pressure points to block his chi and paralyze him. Ty Lee turned and walked back to Toph and Azula, not sparing Quon a second glance.

Quon starred at the trio, hatred burning in his eyes. "I may have underestimated you this time, but this isn't the end Toph Bei Fong. I'll follow you and your little friends to the edge of the earth and subject you to unimaginable tortures that will make the genocide of the Air Nomads look like child's play."

Toph had begun bending the earth above them, but her movements faltered upon hearing Quon's declaration. While the hesitation had been minor, Toph knew that Quon had seen. Quon's laughter and final words followed after Toph and it was only Toph's determination that stopped her spine for shivering at the assurance in his words.

"See you soon Toph."

I know it's been a while, but I'm going to try to get a couple chapters up over break. I'll finish the story I promise! I know how irritating it is that it's taking me so long but I really appreciate you guys sticking it out! The comments and reviews are great so please keep them coming!