Just some more personal stuff to brag about - the next book in my marching band series was just published! Whoo-hoo! Check out my profile for the first three chapters of A Fine Line or links.

I've also got a new poll up – I'd be curious to see your response.

AN: I still don't own the characters.

Chapter 20

"Connect the cause and effect
One foot in front of the next
This is the start of a journey.
And my mind is already gone
And though there are other unknowns
Somehow this doesn't concern me.

And you can stand right there if you want
But I'm going on
And I'm prepared to go it alone.
I'm going on.
To a place in the sun that's nice and warm.
I'm going on.
And I'm sure they'll have a place for you too..."

-Going On, Gnarls Barkely

Toph hesitated for a minute before accepting the invitation. Her instincts told her to tread lightly with the old man in front of her. As most people made assumptions about her because of her blindness, she assumed the same thing with this Iroh guy. Although his voice was entirely friendly and he sounded too old to really make a difference, it occurred to her that it was a bit convenient that he should show up right when she was hearing something interesting.

She answered lightly, "Sure," and wondered what was taking Smellerbee so long. She hoped the Fighter wasn't attracting untoward attention.

"Is this your first event?" The old man's voice brought her attention back to the present.

"Is it that obvious?" Toph asked playfully. Until she decided otherwise, cute and unassuming were going to be her trademarks.

He patted her much smaller hand gently, "Don't worry, I'll play nice."

She giggled and decided this guy was worth trusting. The other people they had interacted with so far had come off as decidedly vapid, boring, and insecure. When they learned there was nothing she could do for them – no connection she could provide – they always politely lost interest. Everyone was looking for a way to climb up the social ladder, and here was no different. Toph could recognize the irony of the situation – she was also hoping to get connections…just of a bit different nature.

Her partner was silent as he poured two cups of tea, and passed a small cup to the earthbender, who inhaled deeply before taking a sip. It was the most delicious tea she had ever had. Surprised, she exclaimed, "This is great!"

"My own special blend," he chuckled.

Toph sat back and relaxed a moment. Although he was a harmless old man, maybe he had some hidden insight into the inner workings of the government. She laughed to herself at the notion, and suddenly deeply missed Sokka. She wondered what sort of crazy plan and costume he would've come up with in order to sneak in to the Qi's tonight. She missed his sense of humor and wondered if she would get to witness it again…

"Something wrong?" Iroh responded to her deep sigh.

"No. I mean, I was just thinking of a friend who would really like to be here."

"Where is your friend now?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly.

"Oh, the war..."

"Yes. Has it affected you at all?"

If Toph could see, she would witness a wave of genuine concern and grief cross over the man's lined face. Instead, she only heard the moment of space before he answered, "It has."

He definitely wasn't lying. Toph decided to play the common bond, "I just wish…well, nevermind, it will sound silly."

"Come on, you can tell me."

"Part of the reason I came here was to get the closure I needed with my friend and wherever he is..." She swallowed and had to force the words out, "If I got to see Fire Lord Ozai become Phoenix King, well, I think it would all be worth it."

"Really?"

Toph hated lying - it didn't come easy to her, but she managed to grit out, "Really."

"There you are!" They were interrupted by a servant, who stated in a frustrated voice, "C'mon you old Dragon, it's time to go."

"I hope to see you later, Su Zi."

"Me too," she replied genuinely, noting the 'Dragon' was definitely a proper nickname. Knowing the Fire Nation put dragons on the same level as their precious Agni, the term had to be given out of respect. The tea slid gently down her throat as she considered that particular piece of information – who exactly had she been sitting next to?

"Who were you talking to?" Smellerbee asked – bringing back to world's most loaded down plate of food ever.

"Someone we need to find more about."

Jun and her new passengers picked their way through the dense forest. The fire was spreading rapidly, and it wasn't sunset that they finally put a safe distance between themselves and the blaze. As the shirshu switched and changed courses while searching out the scent, Zuko was able to figure out where their friends had gone. Sokka and company had taken the overland approach to the city, while he and Katara had chosen to follow the river.

He coughed to break the silence and announced, "I think we're going to meet them near the gates of the city."

Jun nodded and said, "Then let's take a break. Nyla needs some rest."

She slowed the animal to a stop, and they all jumped off. Katara immediately got to the business of doing what she could to heal Zuko. He had ridden behind her, and she could tell that he was definitely in a large and steady amount of pain. Enough time had already passed that she was worried some of his injuries had set.

Locking her eyes on his, she asked, "What hurts the worst?"

"I'm fine."

"This is no time to act manly, you're obviously in pain."

"I said I'm fine!"

He took a few steps away, and stumbled heavily, when Katara moved quickly to help support him, and said in a stern tone, "Listen up Prince Zuko, just let me take care of you!"

"Just let me sleep, I'll be okay in the morning."

"Why should I have guessed you would be a terrible patient?"

Nearby, Jun had to hold back a laugh, and swallow her unexpected jealousy. While Katara's voice was harsh, it was obvious that she was motivated by her open feelings for Zuko. Still, it was obvious to the bounty hunter that men were the same everywhere – thinking they could do it all, never admitting to their faults, never asking for help…

Lu Ten asked for help…

He did. So what?

It was worth mentioning. Just remember you're now on course to see him again.

As if I could forget…

When Jun had come upon Zuko and the crazy young woman she guessed was his sister, it hadn't even been a question – she had to help save his life. It was only in the aftermath, in their long trip through the smoke and flames, that it dawned on her she would be seeing Lu Ten again. Had she subconsciously made the decision? Was there some way out of a confrontation with him? Or did she actually want to see him again? To take him up on his offer to help rid the world of his Uncle? Grasping the tile that was in pocket, she could swear it warmed.

While Jun struggled through her complicated emotions, Katara did what she could to make Zuko more comfortable, and an awkward silence fell over their camp. As each struggled with what had happened in the morning, it seemed there were almost too many questions to ask, too many difficult situations to comprehend, and entirely too much at stake. Recognizing something needed to be said, Katara asked blandly, "What will happen to the forest?"

Painfully stretching his sore muscles, Zuko looked into the obscured night sky, then answered, "As far as I can remember, there's only been one real fire in my lifetime. It happened about the same time as I left the country, but obviously, I never really focused on it. For something of this size, I imagine my father will want to know the cause of it, especially this close to his coronation."

He tried not to think of his sister, and the remains his father would find. Still, it could only help the Nation as a whole. He had killed scores of people in his life as Tatsu – terror of the seas, so why should Azula be any different?

Nervously, Katara cleared her throat and abruptly changed the subject, "So, Jun, what happened with the rest of the group? Why did you leave them?"

Jun looked away and absentmindedly petted Nyla before answering, "No reason. They were safe on their own."

Zuko and Katara exchanged a look – did Jun know that 'Kai' was actually Lu Ten? Had they told her that Aang was the Avatar? What was the real reason she had left?

Jun rolled her eyes and announced, "Oh, quit that. Yes, I know Kai is Lu Ten, another missing Prince. Seriously, what's up with you guys anyway? Can't anyone just be normal where you're from?"

Katara giggled and Zuko looked darkly at both of them, then asked, "What did my cousin say when he rediscovered his heritage?"

Jun's mouth immediately drew into a tight line and she began unpacking her baggage. The waterbender and the firebender again looked at each other.

"Would you two knock it off ?! Fine, you want to know the big plans of your cousin?"

"Uhh, yes?"

"He's going to claim the throne for himself."

Zuko blinked, while Katara clarified, "Like, take the throne, he's a big jerk like Ozai take the throne? Or take the throne because the Fire Nation seriously needs some help in that department? No offense," she added to Zuko, who shrugged.

"How should I know?"

Zuko pointed out the obvious, "You're the one who's been traveling with him for the past month – you would know him better than anyone!"

Jun looked away and said, "No, I don't think I know him at all…"

Downstream, an injured Jet and a tired Ty Lee heard the conflagration approaching before they could see it. Animals streamed out of the forest, running as fast as they could. Shortly after, the sun became all but blocked out in the sky. Jet thought fast and looked around at their situation – there weren't a lot of options.

"The river! It's our only chance!"

They dove in, and Jet spotted a piece a hollowed out piece of timber floating by. Quickly flipping it over, Jet beckoned Ty Lee underneath. She hesitated and he yelled above the growing roar of the forest fire, "Trust me – I've seen it done before!"

They ducked under the water, and the hollowed out part of the wood trapped a small pocket of air as the blaze swept around and over them. When they both deemed it safe, the pair slipped out from under the log and looked out at the complete destruction the inferno had caused. Everything was charred, black, and smoking - everything but a weird object on the other side of the river, just visible in the dense gray smoke.

Ty Lee took the sight in and immediately began ripping apart her soaked clothing. Jet watched as she usefully made a sling for his injured arm, and created bandanas they could breathe through. Jet admired her quick wit and reasoning (and the amount of skin she was currently showing). He wasn't sure how she would react – he had been on board various ships and seen grown men twice his size freak at their first skirmish. The pretty Fire Nation girl had lived through a serious shipwreck and a colossal fire and seemed to come out unharmed. Jet was lucky to have her at his side.

"How does that feel?" Her nimble fingers tied a tight knot to secure his arm.

"Much better." Jet cleared his throat, and struggled to check his desire to assert the fact that they were both alive – this was neither the time, nor the place, but he hoped that opportunity would present itself sometime in the near future.

Ty Lee appeared oblivious to his inner turmoil, and chirped, "Let's check that thing out!"

They stepped carefully around the dangerous edges and still warm earth, and breathed carefully through their bandanas – avoiding the embers, ash and other debris that were still circulating in the air.

"It's..." Jet squinted, unsure what he was actually looking at.

Ty Lee walked around the device, giving it distance before she exclaimed, "I've seen one of these before!"

"Where?"

"One time when we were all little. Me, Zuko, Azula, and Mai were running around the armory and we found something that looked like this. It was still an experiment, but I think it's supposed to fly."

Jet looked again and could see the design of it. The remains of a burned up tarp revealed that it had been hidden at one time, although who would leave such a device in the middle of the forest was impossible to know. It looked sort of like a blimp…something like a balloon, but had elements of a Fire Nation warship. Perhaps it could be airborne. Knocking on its panels to test it, he questioned, "How long until the crowning or whatever you want to call it?"

Ty Lee ticked off on her fingers, "About two weeks, I think."

"Then we better get to the Capital." Deciding it was worthy of flight, he bowed as gallantly as his injured shoulder would let him and asked flirtatiously, "Want to be my first mate?"

She blushed prettily, and replied, "I thought you'd never ask."

It took an hour or two of hard work, but, given they had no real tools or mechanical knowhow, they were pleased with the results. Although bulky and awkward, the motor still worked and filled the war balloon with air – causing it to rise. The pair climbed inside and looked at each other.

"You still want to do this?"

Ty Lee nodded, "Let's go for it. I want to get away from here as fast as possible – Azula is still out there somewhere."

Jet looked around at the various gears and decided it couldn't be too different than captaining his ship. After a few grinds and bumps, the little zeppelin was off the ground, and rising above the trees.

"It's here!! It's here!!" The Duke began tearing around the townhouse the next morning, waking up all its mix of sleepy and hungover occupants.

Toph, who had installed herself in the master suite, felt her way out of the massive bed, and walked to the large dining room that was serving as their unofficial headquarters. Smelling strong tea, she perked up and asked, "Can anyone tell me what is he yammering on about?"

Sneers answered from the kitchen, "The bloody invitation."

The Duke danced around the table, and asked, "What did you do last night?"

While everyone oohed and ahhed over whatever it was The Duke was carrying, Toph banged her fist on the table and yelled, "I can't read! Will someone tell me what the hell it says?!"

The Duke scratched his head for a moment and replied, "Oh yeah."

Smellerbee plucked out the invitation and read formally, "Your are cordially invited to the coronation ceremony of his Highness, blah blah, and his daughter, blah blah blah. Please note this is a non-transferrable ticket, as you will be sitting a special section reserved for the elite as all come together for celebrate Ozai's sovereignty over the world."

The words hit home for everyone.

Toph asked the room, "How did we get this invitation? 'Bee, who did we talk to last night that could've sent this?"

She thought a moment before answering, "Could be that Dragon fellow…?"

On the ride home, the quartet had discussed the name, and had sent the usually nocturnal Pipsqueak to get information about anyone named the Dragon overnight.

"What did you learn?" Toph asked the largest member of their group.

Pipsqueak ripped off a big hunk of bread, chewed, burped, and said, "Apparently he's a powerful bender, connected somehow with the royal family."

"Wait…of course! I've heard of him," Toph snapped her fingers, "Why didn't I remember this last night? He's Zuko's Uncle - the Dragon of the West!"

"Did you get a look at him?" The Duke asked.

"Sorry, buddy, I didn't catch him…" Toph deadpanned. "What about you, 'Bee?"

"I only saw him leaving."

Toph thought to herself – it was impossible. The old man she was talking with seemed so kind and gentle. Could he really be the monster who had attempted to defeat the Earth Kingdom? Who had slain an actual dragon? What was he doing rambling on about tea and talking to her? And had he been the one to invite them to the coronation? Zuko seemed to think he had changed, but had he changed enough that they could trust him?

Toph sighed loudly and said, "Well, we're just going to have to go out tonight and hope he shows up."

AN: Hmm...where did Jet learn that fun trick?

Small edits in contiunity in both Chapter 7 and this one (re: what Toph knows about Iroh) - no major impact on the story.