'Where are you taking me, Suki?' Toph demanded, her face flushed from the words the warrior had spoken

The warrior sighed and stopped.

'There is a ritual that follows the celebration of marriage-' she began patiently, but the bride interrupted her.

'Yes, consummation. What of it?' the bride almost successfully kept her trepidation. But almost was not enough.

Suki's lips lilted up in a wry smirk.

Toph was the youngest person in their circle of friends, and it showed at that moment.

'What do you know of making love?'

'I-' Toph began, then bit her lips. 'I've had boyfriends Suki, I know-'

'Have you had a lover before?'

The blind girl pouted and rolled the eyes that could not see.

'What do you care?'

'I am your friend Toph,' Suki's voice was soft as she tried to touch Toph's shoulder, but the bride stepped back.

'I know that, but how can you look at me after everything? How can you be here like this and not hate me?' the bride blinked her tears away as her pout grew.

'He is happy,' Suki held her hand. 'You make him happy. It hurts a bit, but this is enough for me.'

Toph nodded and sniffled, hugging herself. The warrior giggled at the display of vulnerability, earning a solid punch to her arm from the bride.

Some things never changed.

There was wince and then small giggles. Suki took her hand again, this time Toph did not resist.

'Katara is waiting for you, she will help,' the warrior listed off. 'Mai and Tylee too. We will help you, teach you.'

'Why are you doing this for me?' the bride's voice was uncharacteristically soft as they walked.

'It is how it is done. The attendants in your home dressed you up, we will undo it all. You have to be prepared for your husband.'

'Husband...' Toph tested the word on her lips, and a shiver coursed through her. A word that was foreign to her, she feared that she would never be used to it. She halted in her steps, lost in thought, wondering if she was good enough to be a wife.

She was proud and stubborn and fool-hardy, how could she be a good wife to him?

'Come Toph,' she was taken and led again. 'You are our little sister, we will take care of you. He's waiting for you, let us help you get ready.'

They arrived at the hut, Katara's grandmother's hut, quite far from the festivities now.

Katara's head peeked out to smile at the two of them. Suki smiled back, but Toph was bewildered.

'When did you...?'

'Come in, there is no time,' the Avatar's wife pulled her into the hut and the bride sat amidst the four girls. 'The moon is full tonight, Yue has blessed your union.

'Sokka's first girlfriend? I doubt that.'

There were giggles in the hut, and then silence.

'Does she know enough?' Mai's voice came, flat and sullen.

'Not really, no,' Suki shrugged sheepishly. There was an indignant "Hey!" from the bride. They giggled again.

'It's fine,' Tylee knelt in front of Toph, full of assurance and positivity. 'Let us be your sisters, let us tell you what your mother told you too late.'

The bride took a deep breath and slowly sighed, nodding.

Mai undid the fastenings of her dress.

'His eyes never left you tonight.'

Tylee wiped her face clear of makeup.

'There was no smile on his lips.'

Suki laughed and then sighed, undoing her hair.

'In the end, he is still a man, full of desire.'

Katara tied on the betrothal necklace on her dainty neck.

'He won't hurt you.'

There was a scoff from the Firelord's wife as she undid her chest bindings.

'But it will hurt.'

Tylee nudged her friend with a glare as she combed her hair.

'Only for a little while though.'

Katara smiled as she brought forth a silky kimono for the bride.

'You are his half, his sprite, his own. In you he is whole.'

Suki packed her hair in a ponytail.

'He is so passionate and sensitive, he will worship you.'

Mai helped her wear the kimono.

'It only goes to show how much he loves you.'

Tylee rubbed perfume on her ankles, feet and wrist.

'Don't resist him, you are his and he is yours.'

katara hugged her.

'He wants to be one with you, for in you he is complete.'

They lifted her to her feet and led her through the estate to his room.

'It only hurts a bit, you'll forget it soon enough.'

'You will feel so good.'

'Tonight he will mark you, the wolf that he is.'

'Let him take.'

'Tonight there is no turning back.'

Katara slides the door open and she leads him to his futon.

Suki removes her kimono.

Mai lies her down on her husband's futon.

Tylee covers her with the blanket.

Their lips press against her forehead, and she leans in their embrace.

'Thank you,' a whisper. The girls smile at each other as they leave the girl behind.

Knowing that tomorrow they will find a woman.