The lips that forced themselves against Zuko's were warm and smooth, much like his own. He was still struggling to get air into his lungs, the attacker kept him pushed against the wall. Zuko wasn't even concerned, focusing on the air he desperately needed, struggling to reach it.
Longshot didn't know how far he had to go, or if anyone had seen him sneaking into Zuko's office. He didn't want to go any further than this, he hoped that Zuko would be able to joke about this later.
Zuko tried to struggle against the unknown person who was kissing him, they pushed the weapon harder into his skin. They were serious, Zuko lit his fist slightly and busted them up through the assailant's arms, pushing him back. Zuko saw that the weapon was an arrow, shock crossed his face as he recognised who it was, the shock was followed by anger.
"Longshot?!" his voice came out in a surprised squeak, gasping for air. If it wasn't a serious situation, Longshot would have cracked a smile at how funny his voice sounded. Zuko growled and charged at Longshot, his hands lit with fire.
The door of his office flew open, Zuko paid no attention, Toph raised a pillar to stop Zuko from hurting their friend. Jet, Neii and Mai pushed into the room and surveyed the two individuals. "What the fuck?!" Zuko shouted, wiping his mouth. "Why are you still in the Fire Nation!?" he yelled.
"That is the question you choose to ask first?" Neii said with a raised eyebrow. Zuko made a move to hit him, Toph stopped that too. Jet rushed towards Longshot.
"Shot, Bee has escaped." he said quickly, "They don't where she ran too." Relief crashed over Longshot in waves, he sunk into a crouch on the floor and sighed in relief.
"Are you okay, Sparky?" Toph asked, feeling his heart racing, assuming from anger and/or embarrassment.
"No," he growled, finally able to get some air into his lungs, "What the fuck is going on?!"
"Smellerbee was taken by your men. If we broke you guys up, she could be released." Mai said slowly.
Zuko's heart hit the floor, "W-what?"
"Yeah, don't flatter yourself, Zuko. You may be good-looking, but please." Longshot murmured, he had a slight smile in his voice.
"What? Why didn't you tell me?!" Zuko yelled.
"They threatened to harm her, Zuko." Mai said, "They have eyes everywhere." she looked out into the hall, "Jet saw something suspicious the day after you and Toph left. We went to investigate and they took Smellerbee."
"They?" Zuko said, he already knew.
"Meei, Loou and Shi are the organizers of this whole thing, you need to arrest them, or at least prevent them from dodging a punishment."
"And calm down, earthquakes are radiating from your feet are giving me a footache." Toph said, the vibrations from Zuko's body were almost shaking the ground from Toph's perspective.
He looked apologetically at his small wife, Zuko shook his head to clear it, "Guards!" he called, he stormed towards the door, "Guards! I want Shi and Loou brought to the palace immediately, they are to be brought straight to the war room!"
"What about Meei?" Mai said.
"Meei is dead." Toph said.
Everyone exchanged a look and walked out of Zuko's office, another handful of guards ran around the corner, hearing Zuko yelling, Toph felt them coming and pointed at them, they paused. "Get Iroh. Wake up the council." she said.
They looked between each other, confused on whether to take her orders, the youngest bowed, "Yes, Fire Lady Toph." he ran towards the gates the others bowed and raced after him.
"A born leader..." Jet sneered at her, walking after Zuko, Longshot and Mai. Toph smirked and punched him in the arm.
...
"I cannot believe, you got us lost." Katara groaned.
"Hey, Appa is the one flying. He got us lost." Sokka said, trying to avoid blame, Momo chirped and jumped up next to Sokka. "He did too, Momo! Why do you always take his side?"
Aang sighed and picked up his staff, "Sokka, stop yelling at Momo." He turned to Katara, "I am going to fly up and see if there is any land anywhere." he spun his staff and leapt onto it, shooting himself up above the scattered clouds, the sun was just past setting, but it was still bright enough to make out landmasses. He prayed there would be something, Appa needed to rest and the only other thing to do would be to float on the ocean's surface until morning, and that was not a good idea.
He strained his eyes, seeing something on the horizon, specks of light dotted the shoreline. Suddenly he recognized the land, he laughed and retracted his staff. He fell down through the clouds, pulling up a few metres above Appa. He landed softly on the saddle and grinned, "See that big mass of land just yonder the horizon?"
"Yeah, a little..." Katara said, straining her eyes.
"I present to you, the Fire Nation."
…
"Do you think Teo will mind us dropping in?" Ty Lee said, scaling up the mountain side to reach the Temple, Haru was earthbending steps and removing them as they walked higher and higher. It was rather dark now and the thought of a welcoming bed owned by a close friend seemed too good to pass.
"I think he would love to see us, he knows that is out of our way. I doubt he would be annoyed." Haru said, clearing a space and erecting more steps. They had travelled across the Earth Kingdom, Haru wanted Ty Lee to see everything that the land had to offer, it wasn't long before they realized how far the actually went. "Besides, maybe we can borrow a balloon to take us home." He laughed as they reached the naturally made steps, they were nearing the peak of the mountain.
"I suppose you are right. I wonder how he and Jin are going." she smiled.
"I think they make a great co-" something had knocked Haru to the ground mid-sentence. He flew out over the cliff, his hands barely caught the edge.
"HARU!" Ty Lee yelled, panic attacked her features, Haru grunted as he pulled a length of earth out to catch him, he flicked his wrists and shot back up and next to Ty Lee. Ty Lee immediately jumped into her defence position when she realized he was okay.
"STAY EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE!" Someone yelled from the darkness, Haru groaned as he clutched his ribcage, a large length of wood was set up on a hinge, designed to swing and knock someone from the cliff-face. He thanked the spirits that he was an earthbender, and a good one at that. He felt the area around his ribs, yeah, that one is broken. He groaned again, the pain gradually getting worse.
"Are you okay?" Ty Lee whispered, her eyes scanning, no one was around them. The scattered torches on the trail not offering much more light than a few metres.
"NO TALKING!" The voice rang out again, Haru was now crouched over, he looked up at Ty Lee.
"My rib is broken." He wheezed. It is close to my lungs, fuck, this is just my luck. Where is Katara when you need her?
"WHO ARE YOU?!" It called, now from a completely new direction.
"We are friends of Teo's! Please, Let us pass!" Ty Lee said standing closer to Haru, protecting him.
"We will let him decide that!" Someone jumped out from behind a large stone near them, he dived onto Ty Lee and pinned her arms behind her, "Precautions, if you are telling the truth." Haru stood up and threw his fist towards the man restraining Ty Lee, the man dodged Haru and held his foot out. Haru hit the ground with an 'oof' and a painful groan. A small group of people surrounded Haru, they strapped his arm to the side with the broken ribs to support in and lifted him onto their shoulders, parallel the ground.
They walked quickly up the remainder of the mountain, Haru twisted his head around to try and see if there were any other people around. From memory, from the minute he reached the bottom of the mountain he could usually see people gliding, and by the time they reach the top there were usually people everywhere. Haru couldn't see anyone, there was a large pile of smouldering metal and materials in the corner of the platform, the smoke was blowing away. They couldn't see it from the bottom of the mountain because it was dark. "W-what happened?" Haru said.
"Only when you have been recognized by Teo as an ally, you can speak." One hushed. Haru was taken aback, the people of the Northern Air Temple were usually so pleasant and happy. The men brought them inside and into a large hall, there were a lot of people talking when they entered. As the doors shut behind them the hall went quiet.
Teo looked up from his desk at the opposite end and shock crossed his face, "Ty Lee?" he said, standing and rushing down the stairs towards her, she pushed the man restraining her away from and ran towards him.
She crashed into him, "Teo?! What happened?!"
"We were attacked." he said, removing the restraints from her hands, "Did I forget you were visiting?"
"We thought we'd drop in… I am so-" Ty Lee started, hugging him.
"Wait, we?" Teo looked up and saw the men lowering Haru to the ground, "Haru!" he ran towards his friend laying on the ground. "Are you okay?"
"Hey Teo, I think your father's invention broke me." He smirked. Teo half-heartedly smiled, and told the men to take Haru up to the infirmary and get him looked at. Smellerbee burst through the doors, after seeing Haru and Ty Lee being led across the open area.
"Smellerbee?!" Ty Lee called running over and hugging her, Smellerbee accepted the embrace but didn't return it. Ty Lee released her and grabbed her hands, not knowing that they were injured, Smellerbee gasped and writhed her hands out of Ty Lee's. Ty Lee saw the bandages and horror crossed her features as she saw how high up they went, "O-Oh, I am so sorry! Are you okay? What happened?"
Smellerbee turned away from her, rubbing her wrists and walked over towards Teo, "I thought you told your men not to set up those traps." She said, Teo pursed his lips.
"Shan!" he called, "I thought I told you not to set up boobie-traps!"
"With all due respect, they might come back." The older man said. He was not impressed that the entire place had elected Teo as the person they now turned to for guidance. There were three men that the Mechanist had as his apprentices, they were to be the consultants if Teo ever had to leave for any reason.
"I told you it was a one off attack." Smellerbee growled to the man. "I was there. They aren't sending any men after them and their only mentioned targets were Teo and his father. Anyway they came by air, boobie-traps on the mountain will only hurt unsuspecting friends."
"We had to be sure." Shan said, embarrassed that he wasn't being commended for his trap. "Sorry, I assumed that they would return to kill you too, finish the job. Forgive me."
"Too?" Ty Lee asked, confusion rushing over her. Teo looked up and his eyebrows furrowed.
"Father died." He mumbled, Ty Lee couldn't control her body as she crashed into Teo again.
"We are here for you." She whispered. Then something Teo said earlier hit her, "W-who attacked?"
Smellerbee scowled slightly, "The Fire Nation."
…
Toph walked alone towards the war room, needing to go to the bathroom, the meeting was at least an hour away. Zuko usually would have postponed something until morning, but something this serious had to be dealt with immediately, the second the entire council arrives. She was less than half the hall away from the room when she heard a distant groan, she turned her head towards the sky and waited. It sounded again, Appa? She thought, walking down to the steps and out onto the grass.
It wasn't long until she felt them touch down not far from her, she felt Aang land directly next to her, he retracted his staff and nudged her. "Hey, Sifu-Blind-Bandit-The-Runaway-Fire-Lady Toph." He smiled.
Toph rolled her eyes, "You forgot 'Melon Lord'…" she huffed.
"Oh… Sifu-Blind-Bandit-The-Runaway-Fire-Lady-Melon-Lord Toph." He smiled, bowing to her.
"Twinkle Toes," she punched him. "You guys arrived at a great time. Zuko is about to destroy some people." She smirked, the situation was not humorous at all, but she couldn't help but smile at the idea of Loou being removed from the palace.
"What happened?" Aang asked, he completely forgot that he was supposed to be helping get Appa settled.
"You better come with me." She turned and started walking towards the steps, she stopped and yelled, "You guys come too, we are in the war room. Everything will be explained there."
"What happened this time?" Suki said, catching up. "Every time we are here something happens!"
"Hey, at least you don't have to live here now." Toph laughed. They walked quickly up the stairs and towards the war room. Sokka fiddled with his sword, hanging from his belt with a multitude of other weapons, Suki pursed her lips. She was worried that Sokka was almost eager for this, regardless of what it was.
Toph burst through the doors, she felt everyone look up, there wasn't many people in the war room, only Zuko, Longshot, Mai and Jet. All four looked surprised when Aang followed Toph in, immediately pursued by the others. "Look who wanted to join the party." Toph smirked.
"Longshot? Jet? What are you guys still here?" The Duke said, he walked into the hall and saw Jet and Longshot standing with Zuko, he was surprised to see them, "Pipsqueak and Sneers are having a fit!" he looked around the room and turned back to them, "Where is Bee?"
"She was taken. We can't find her." Jet said slowly.
"Taken?!" Katara, Sokka and Suki said in unison. "By who?" Sokka continued, already suspecting the answer.
"Some Fire Nation scum." Jet continued. "No offence." He looked at Zuko.
Shock crossed The Duke's features, he quickly recovered. "At least we know that she will be okay." he half-heartedly smiled, Aang half-smiled and nodded.
Longshot and Jet exchanged a long, cautious look. "What do you mean?"
"She is with Teo. Or at least, she will be. Aang saw her." The Duke said nonchalantly, not realizing that what he had said was actually a big deal. One half of the room stared at The Duke, he stared back, confused, "What?"
Aang was suddenly the centre of attention, "I don't know if it was a premonition or if it was happening as I saw it, but it wasn't like anything I have ever experienced."
"Can Avatars see the future?" Jet asked.
"No-" he stopped and thought for a second, "Well actually, I did see Toph before I met her. And the Sozin's comet returning... I guess it is subjective." Aang said, shrugging and rubbing his forehead. "Hope it wasn't a premonition." he said quieter, Zuko raised an eyebrow.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"Because the Air Temple was being attacked." he said, looking down, his own eyes widened slightly at the memory of the vision. He looked over at Longshot, his forehead was furrowed. Anyone could read the worry and anger that lingered on his features.
He turned and looked at Zuko, Zuko shrugged, "I think they deserve death, to be honest. But I can't just kill people. They need a trail." he said, not realizing he just answered a silent question with no difficultly.
Everyone raised an eyebrow at Zuko, even Longshot, Sokka laughed, "Since when can you get a read on Longshot?"
"Oh please, tell them." Jet laughed, Toph sniggered and Mai smiled widely. Longshot raised his fist and punched Jet solidly in the arm, he cried out. The others exchanged a look of confusion, Zuko growled and move back to his scrolls. From behind him Jet and Mai made kissing faces and pointed at Longshot and Zuko.
"What?!" Sokka laughed loudly. Everyone laughed Zuko and Longshot rolled their eyes. Longshot was relieved that people were already joking about it. Zuko and Longshot were digging through scrolls.
Zuko found one that was interesting, it was the documented register of all the boats, airships and solders to leave the Fire Nation. His eyes scanned the parchment as they settled on something out of place, Iroh's signature was usually sloppy and smudged, due to the size of his hand. He never minded that is signature looked like this, as it was distinctive.
This signature was sharp and perfect, printed by a man that had a thin hand. Zuko lingered on it, the airship was ordered to the tip of the Northern Earth Kingdom. What the hell is in the Northern Earth King-, his thought was cut short by realisation. He marched from the desk to the huge mural, standing in front of it. Everyone was still cracking-up about Zuko and Longshot, but they quieted down when Toph spoke.
"What is wrong, Sparky?" Toph asked, feeling his heart speed up slightly.
"When did you get your vision, Aang?" he asked, his eyes lingering on the beautifully drawn region of the Northern Earth Kingdom.
"Two days ago now." he thought for a second, "No, we had stopped at that little island that Sokka found, so three."
Zuko was quiet, "Why, Zuko?" Katara asked, noting how absorbed he was in the picture.
"I don't think it was a premonition." he said, "Someone ordered a war balloon to the Northern Earth Kingdom." he whispered. The door opened and closed, no one turned to greet the entrant.
"To Ba Sing Se?" Mai asked.
The entrant spoke and everyone spun around to face them, "To the Northern Air Temple." Iroh said, Neii stood beside him, he swapped his spear from one hand to the other and sighed.
"By the way," Neii said, "Geio has fled."
...
Haru sat up and slipped his shirt uncomfortably over his head, he winced slightly at the strain it put on the strap they set over his ribs, it turned out he had broken two. The healers that he were caring for him forbid him from leaving the room until he felt one hundred percent better, he stood and walked towards the door. He poked his head outside and started down the staircase.
He stood straight as he walked into the great hall, he saw Ty Lee and Jin sitting and talking. Haru continued to look around the room until he found Teo, he walked towards him. There wasn't many people awake. "Hey, what on earth happened here?" Haru said, not getting much of a chance to properly talk to Teo earlier.
"We were attacked by men claiming to be of the Earth Kingdom. Smellerbee told us that she actually came across with them, they are Fire Nation." Teo said.
Haru felt his mouth fall open, "F-fire Nation? Does Zuko know?" He asked without thinking.
"If he does, he has a lot to answer for." The Mechanist's head apprentice growled. Haru's brow furrowed in confusion.
"The people who attacked killed Dad." Teo said. Haru placed a large hands on Teo shoulder and squeezed. Teo sleepily smiled at the gesture.
"How many were killed?" Haru asked cautiously.
"Fourteen." Jin said coming up behind Teo and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Have you written to Zuko?" Ty Lee asked.
"The hawk went out at sundown." Jin said. "Teo? I think you should go to sleep."
He nodded, his eyes opening properly, "I think you should come with me." He whispered. She half-heartedly smiled and nodded. "Will you guys be okay to find a bed?"
"We will be fine." Ty Lee smiled. "Take him to bed."
Teo and Jin's fingers interlocked as she led him up the stairs, he yawned slightly and huffed. He was distracting himself for the fact that his father had only died two days ago. He looked up at Jin, her bushy hair that still managed to shine, he let his eyes slip down to her back, slender yet strong. He blushed as his eyes went further down, her curves mesmerized him. Suddenly he knocked into her, unaware that she had stopped. Words echoed around in both of their heads, "Take him." Ty Lee didn't actually emphasize the words, but they heard them that way.
They were at his room already, it didn't even feel like he had just walked up a large turret. Teo looked at Jin as she turned around, he lifted his hand slowly and cupped her cheek. She blushed, and smiled softly, Teo bought his lips down towards hers. He pushed his lips against them, she brought her arms up and wrapped him around his neck. Teo felt himself swelling, not something he was overly used to, he placed the other hand on the small of her back and pulled her to him.
Jin's eyes opened slowly, she looked up at him and smiled softly, moving her lips to his ear, "Whatever you need, I want to be the one to help." It had been a big change for Teo these last days, this was the first time he had even thought of sleep. The first time that they had been properly alone. Teo backed up against the door and pushed it open, they walked into the room, not breaking a kiss. They stood for a second longer before Teo moved his lips down to her neck, she sighed and tilted her head back. "Jin?" he whispered softly, "I love you."
He gently walked her to the bed and let her remove his shirt, he moved the sit on the edge of the bed, she pushed him down gently and slipped his pants off. She smiled lightly and removed her clothes in front of him, his eyes traced her soft body. She moved on top of him, leaning her bare chest down to brush against his. He was blushing furiously, not knowing what to do with his hands or mouth. He watched her as she straightened her body up, his eyebrows furrowed, Jin looked down and saw his expression, her self-esteem plummeted.
"W-what?" Jin said, he looked down at her naked body, what if he hates that one breast is bigger? Or that my hips are too wide? Or that I have a tiny bit of love handles? She was judging her own body, terrified that he didn't approve. They often only did things under the bed covers or when the candles were out. This was the first time she had made herself this vulnerable to Teo, she regretted it immediately.
Teo smiled and propped himself up on his elbows, "I-I… I am trying to figure out where to put my mouth first." He said with a blush that almost illuminated his face. Jin's eyebrows ceased and her bottom lip pouted out, her heart swelled and she felt her eyes well up. She bent down and crushed her lips to his, she moved her hips down to be level with his.
"I love you." She whispered, gently reaching and holding him softly in her hand, he quivered at her warm touch. He tilted his head back and sighed, she smiled and rested is swollen head at her warm entrance, he had never felt anything like it before, he had no clue it was only going to get better.
…
Iroh had told everyone how he was down at the airfield when someone had asked him why he sent an airship to the Northern Air Temple. He beat three men in multiple games of Pai Sho to gain the information he needed. "It was the most fun type of interrogation yet." He chuckled, but then his eyebrows furrowed.
"What is it? What did you find out?" Katara asked.
"They were sent to the Temple to dispose of young Teo and his father." He frowned and took a sip of his tea, "No one has heard back whether the mission was a success, which makes me think it wasn't."
Everyone turned to Zuko, he looked around the group of people he held closest to him, "We leave the instant the meeting is over. Shi and Loou will be sentenced in Ba Sing Se."
The generals and the remainder of Zuko's council forwarded in, they were obviously peeved to be forced out of bed at this time in the night. The meeting was over quickly, and the council left the sentencing to Zuko, though majority voted for life imprisonment, a few voted death. The final decision is his. Zuko dismissed the council with a promise of a quick return, everyone dismembered and started to gather supplies and needs for the journey.
Zuko and Toph headed back to their room to grab their necessities, Neii followed filling Zuko in on information and private intel that he had discovered. "Sources say that the General and his son were on their way to Ba Sing Se early last week. To be sure, we have sent many hawks out from various locations to try and get at least one scrolls through." Neii bowed to Zuko.
"Well done, Neii." Zuko said, "Make sure everyone is getting their shit together. We leave as soon as we can." Neii bowed again and walked down the hall. Zuko walked back into his room, he collapsed onto the bed with a sigh.
"What are the letters about?" Toph sighed, laying next to him on the large bed.
"About keeping Jo-Lou and the General there." Zuko said, "Are you finished packing?"
"Yeah, just waiting for everyone else." she said. They lay in silence for a few minutes. "That thing you did. At the hot springs... It was good." she blushed.
Zuko turned his head towards her, "Err, I am glad you liked it." he answered, also blushing. "Maybe when all this drama blows over, we might be able to make love more regularly." he half smiled.
Toph pursed her lips, she tried to keep it in, but a giggle escaped her lips, "Make love? Isn't that just adorable of you." she smiled widely and punched him in the arm.
He rolled his eyes, and rolled onto his side to face her, his eyes traced the lines of her face. Her face wasn't as round as it was when she was only twelve, though only four years have passed, her entire body had changed. His heart secretly swelled with pride when he thought about how she was for him. "Toph?"
"Yeah?" she said turning her head towards him.
"I love you." he said softly.
"Nice try, Sparky." she smiled sitting up and jumping from the bed. "I can feel the others heading this way. Let's roll."
Zuko sat up and sighed, she will eventually say it. He grabbed their two packs and walked towards the door, Aang and Katara joined them and walked towards Appa. The Duke was throwing bags up onto Appa, Sokka was securing them, Appa was to fly them to the airfields where they would board the airship to Ba Sing Se. "Zuko, I think we should head to the Northern Temple first." The Duke said, not bothering to keep his tone light.
"We'd have to double back." Zuko said, "We sent out multiple hawks to the Temple, letting him know that he should connect with us in Ba Sing Se."
"That won't matter if he is fucking dead." The Duke growled, Zuko scowled at him. "Let me go to the Temple. I could borrow a war balloon, or Appa." he said.
"It isn't safe to go alone." Katara said.
"He won't go alone, I would go with him." Longshot said. "You said you saw Smellerbee there, I need to know where she is." he looked at Aang, then to Zuko.
"So our group is going to split up?" Zuko said with a tone of annoyance. "When we are halved, not everyone gets what is going on."
"Then fly directly up to the Temple." Toph said, "It is only a day extra of flying. And what if something has happened."
Sokka jumped down from Appa and walked to Suki. Aang leapt high and flipped onto Appa, the others were going to catch a ride to the airfields, there wasn't enough room with the supplies.
"I care about Teo too, and Jin, and Smellerbee. But we have two dangerous men on board. We can't risk them doing anything." Zuko said, everyone looked between each other.
Toph smirked slowly. "I am going with Aang. I will meet you at the airfields." she shot herself up into the air and landed gracefully on his head. Zuko went to grab her arm, but stopped himself.
Aang shrugged. "Yip yip!" he called, Appa took off into the air. "You hate flying..." Aang started slowly.
"I wanted to get ten minutes alone with Shi and Loou before my dearest darling of a husband arrives." Toph said placing her arms behind her head.
"What are you going to do to them?" he asked, looking out of the corner of his eyes at her.
"Why, use my feminine charms and persuasion of course." she grinned.
...
"King Kuei!" the advisor yelled urgently walking into the great hall at the palace, the King of the entire Earth Kingdom sat cross-legged on the ground across from his bear, Bosco. He playfully rolled the ball back and forth, laughing as the bear would roll it back with a goofy grin.
"Ah, is it dinner time yet?" he smiled up at his advisor as he approached.
"Well, no, but your Majesty. You-"
"I think we shall go for a wander around the garden until the food is prepared, what do you say, Bosco?" He smiled, walking towards the door.
"Your Highness!" he tried again.
"Come get me whe-"
"KING KUEI! I HAVE A SCROLL HERE I THINK YOU MAY WANT TO READ!" the advisor almost screamed.
The king was shocked that his advisor, Mehdi, had yelled at him. "W-well, who is it from?" He said, Bosco looked between Mehdi and Kuei, he flattened his ears against his head.
"The Mechanist of the Northern Air Temple." Mehdi said quietly, walking towards the king. "He writes to you." He opened the scroll and cleared his throat. "Well, let's just say that he is not a happy person at the moment."
He handed the scroll to Kuei who opened it timidly, his eyes scanned the paper and his brow furrowed. "… Attempted murder of my son… Hostages… Aggressive attacks on Fire Nation…" he mumbled aloud. He had no idea where such accusations were being fired from. "When did we get this?" He asked walking back towards his thrown.
"Two days ago, it went straight to the immediate attention section of the mailing, the same place that all the offical letters are sent too. As you asked." Mehdi said.
Kuei had requested that any letters from the Fire Lord, Avatar, Water Tribe leader's and Bumi be separated and tended to immediately to avoid another incident of misunderstanding. He quickly added The Mechanist to that list after meeting him after the invasion and becoming interested in his work. "This was left unattended for two days?!" Kuei grumbled. "I never ordered an aggressive attack on anywhere, especially the Fire Nation!" He thought for a second. "Round-up the council. I want this sorted out!"
Bosco's stomach rumbled loudly, as did Kuei's, "After dinner of course." The King said, patting his pet on the head and walking to the kitchen with the scroll in his hand.
…
Toph held herself parallel to the floor, she had been doing push-ups for the last half an hour in a desperate attempt to entertain herself. Feeling the metal of the airship, she could pick out where everyone was and what they were doing. Appa groaned next to her, she sighed and lowered her nose to the ground before straightening her arms again.
After two days on the luxury airship, everyone was beginning to grow bored, Zuko, Longshot, Aang and Sokka had been concentrating on covering every possible scenario of what they might find at the Northern Temple, everyone hoped for the best.
She smiled as she remembered how she threatened Loou and Shi, and their response.
"Aang, lemme handle this." Toph smiled, walking up to the airship. They saw Loou and Shi being led onto the ship as they were flying down to the Airfield.
"Toph, lemme come with you." He smiled with a mocking tone, jumping off and grabbing his staff. "Unload all of Appa's saddle." He yelled at the servants, "Please… And Appa! Be good!" Appa groaned and dropped to the ground allowing the servants to reach the bags.
The pair walked briskly up on the ship and towards the rooms where they keep prisoners for transport. Loou and Shi were just settling down for the flight as Toph and Aang walked in. "Hey assholes." Toph smiled, twisting her feet on the solid metal, the material obeyed her and wrapped snugly around the feet of the two men. The grunted and struggled. "Oh, you don't like being kept against your will?" she said sarcastically.
"Don't talk to us, you spoilt little-" Loou started.
"DID I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO SPEAK?!" she yelled, the men were shocked by the sudden outburst, Loou swayed back and fell onto the seat, his feet still secured to the ground. "YOU MAKE ONE FUCKING MOVE! I WILL THROW YOU FROM THE MOTHERFUCKING METAL DEATH TRAP AND SO HELP ME YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE THE FALL!" She yelled, "DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND!?"
They scowled at her and sat down, she turned to leave, "What about our feet?" Loou grumbled.
"When I feel that you understand, I will release you from the metal." She smiled. Aang smirked and followed her out.
"Feminie charm?" Aang laughed as the guards locked the doors behind them.
"The feminie part was your presence…" Toph smiled, punching him in the arm. Aang scowled.
Katara was walking towards where Toph was, pulling her back from her memory, she could feel her as she walked out onto the holding area, she didn't expect anyone to be down here.
"Oh, hey Toph." she smiled, coming to check on Appa.
"Hey Sugar Queen." Toph grunted, letting herself collapse on the floor and roll onto her back. They were silent for a second as Katara stroked Appa's ear and fed him some cabbages, Momo had come to, squealing and chittering.
"Hey, I actually wanted to talk to you about something." Katara smiled, rubbing Appa's large head. "It is a serious topic, and may be a bit hard to answer. If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me to go away." Momo sat on Toph's stomach and flapped his ears.
"Are you going to ask it, or just keep talking about it?" Toph laughed, turning her head towards the sound of her voice, reaching up and stroking Momo's ears.
Katara half smiled, then sat down next to Toph, "You know that The General was put up to collecting you, by your father, right? Well, what if they turn the blame to him, and try to get him sent to prison. Or executed."
Toph was quiet for a while, she pursed her lips and turned her head to the ceiling, "I have thought about that. My father organized the attack and return of me. But he didn't kill Taki, or attempt to kill Jet. I think he will be okay."
"And if he isn't?" Katara pressed.
"I don't know." Toph mumbled.
Katara nodded thoughtfully, her eyes traced over Toph's face, subject change! "How is married life treating you?"
Toph laughed at the subject change, "Is this your attempt to ask about my sex life?"
"No!" Katara almost yelled, she started to laugh after a minute, "Well, maybe." she continued to laugh, Toph sightlessly rolled her eyes and laughed. "Has it gotten easier? To be yourselves?"
"You pervert." Toph smirked, then she sighed, "It is, well, great. He seems to have all this knowledge about how everything works. I asked him forever ago if he ever had sex before, unless he has the lying-skills of Azula, he was telling the truth when he replied 'No'." she sighed, "I don't know anything except the drunken advice you people forced on me when we went out to that snooty restaurant."
Katara smiled, "How does that make you feel?"
Toph shrugged, "I kinda wish I knew more. Or that I could surpris-hey, I thought Sokka was the therapist."
"Would you rather talk to him about this?!" Katara laughed loudly, "I can go get him? Or at least his fake beard and horrible eyebrows…"
Toph laughed with her, "Please, he would make fun of me." she was quiet for a minute.
Katara spoke quietly. "Well, why don't you do something to surprise him? Who is usually the dominant one?" she said.
"I tried to be once, I don't think it worked. He is too..." Toph thought for a second, "I don't know."
Katara raised an eyebrow, "Too what? What were you two doing that made it fail?"
Toph felt her cheeks glow, it isn't like Sugar Queen will tell anyone... "I was on top of him. I couldn't go fast or do very much because... Well... You know." Toph was blushing by the end.
"I don't think I do know..." Katara smiled widely and tried not to giggle. She wanted Toph to say what she already knew and all of the girls already suspected, not that she would share this information without Toph's permission.
"He is too big to do that." Toph whispered, she could felt her face burning. Katara couldn't help it, she let a giggle escape her lips. Toph scowled at her friend, embarrassed that she said it. Toph knew she didn't have much to compare it to, but she knew that he was.
"Sorry Toph," she giggled, "I kind of already knew that he was... Well equipped." she laughed louder.
"You knew? How?!" Toph said, blushing.
"He got hit by Sokka's boomerang once, near his groin. He didn't want me to help, out of embarrassment, but after seeing him walking funny an hour later... Well, I forced him to let me look, I got out my water and placed it over the injury on the inside of his thigh. He, well, kind of got an erection." she was laughing by the end, "It wasn't like it was sexual, but he was blushing and tried to get me to leave, but I told him that being a healer means that I see plenty."
Toph couldn't help but laugh at the story, it wasn't a big laugh, but it was funny. Katara sighed and nudged Toph, "I think you should try again, but this time, you show him who is boss." Katara stood and stretched, she walked towards the door, Momo followed, "If you can kick his arse up and down the battle field, what is stopping you from showing him who is boss in the bed?" Katara smiled. "I will call you when dinner is ready."
Toph nodded, but wasn't paying attention.
…
"Whoa, Sokka!" Aang said, holding the stamp up to the light, "You have really outdone yourself!" Sokka had been serious about making Aang his own stamp, making his scrolls more official and noticeable. The stamp was simply the four nation symbols in a circle, but how small they were was very impressive.
"Yeah, I have that magic touch." Sokka laughed, Iroh walked over and held his hand out to receive the stamp. He looked upon it with an impressed expression. Katara walked into the large metal room, it didn't look like it was on an airship, there was a long stretch of windows that allowed the passengers to see outside, the floor was laid with a large fine rug and candles were all around giving the room so extra light. Katara saw that dinner was in fact already half gone.
She quickly walked over to the wall and hit it twice, as hard as she could. Everyone stopped talking and looked over at her, "Are you okay?" Aang asked, concerned.
"Hmm? Oh yeah, I was just letting Toph know that lunch was ready." Katara said, taking a large leg of chicken-pig and sitting next to Suki. After a few minutes Longshot and Jet walked through the door followed by Toph, without even realizing it, she went straight over and sat next to Zuko. He held out his bowl of noodles to her and she took it, she absentmindedly started eating. She was stuck in Katara's words.
Everyone sat down, this was the short intermission before the men disappeared to coordinate again. They said that anyone could come along and listen but no one really wanted to, they would have preferred to get the plans when they had all been worked out. The Duke noticed that Toph wasn't really involved in the conversations, or that she was even on the same planet as them.
"Hey Toph, are you alright?" he said, Toph looked towards the voice, "Did you have a big night?"
"Of course," she said, "just lost in some thoughts." She mumbled at him, making her reply rhyme as The Duke's question had.
"Gah! Poetry!" Sokka groaned. "I hate rhyme!"
"That should be a crime…" Suki laughed, Sokka shot her a look.
Aang and Jet laughed, "We used to have a really nice poem at the Southern Temple:" Aang continued with a small smile,
"The air currents lift the spirit;
let our spirit be free;
forever we will stay;
living for love;
as one;
together."
He started the poem with a smile, but ended up with a frown. "That doesn't rhyme…" The Duke said, everyone gave him a look like he missed something obvious.
"They don't have too." Iroh said, placing a large hand on Aang's back. "That was beautiful." He said.
"Back home, Sokka and I would insult each other with poems." Katara smiled. "Like, the ice is white;
Seal fur is brown;
When I see your face;
It makes me frown."
Sokka laughed, "Your boyfriend is lame;
He is full of air;
He is the only kid I know;
Who ain't got hair!"
Everyone laughed, Jet snorted and clapped his hands together, Zuko smiled and looked at the Water Tribe siblings, "The Fire Nation had better ones."
"Let's hear it!" Katara said with a laugh, standing and giving Zuko the 'bring it on' gesture.
Zuko stood and smiled and looked at Iroh, the poem was one Iroh said long ago, but he had decided twist it to fit a different description. "People beware;
Of her cunning and stare;
Her fierceness and strength;
She holds her knowledge at length;
To hold her heart in your own is something to be;
After all that she further mesmerizes me." Zuko looked down at Toph, and turned back to Katara, "Take that."
She placed her hands on her hips and stuck out her tongue like she was fourteen again, not expecting an educated and classy poem. She laughed as she retorted back to childish banter. "Fire is red;
Water is blue;
The Spirits made me pretty;
What happened to you?" Katara chanted at Zuko, with a large smile.
He raised an eyebrow and knew the perfect way to make her feel bad. "My father happened." Zuko said, he pretended to scowl and turned away, he looked up at the people sitting behind him and winked, they smiled.
Katara's stomach hit the floor, her eyes widened as she realised what she just said. "Oh! Zuko! I am so sorr-" She started, but then she noticed everyone was laughing. "What is funny?"
Zuko turned around with a large smile and walked towards her, "Air is transparent;
Earth is opaque;
The Spirit's should have gave you wit;
Beauty was a mistake."
Everyone around them laughed loudly. "Oooh! Burn!" Sokka yelled, The Duke and Aang high-fived him.
Katara pouted, "Water can't get burned!" she huffed, crossing her arms across her chest.
Sokka, The Duke and Aang all looked between each other. "Oooh! Evaporate!" They chanted in unison. Everyone laughed harder and Katara's pout turned into a grin.
…
Teo was looking out at the early afternoon sun when he saw the large balloon coming over the mountains towards them. He could see that it was Fire Nation, and knew it was Zuko. He walked quickly down the stairs, the pain in his legs was starting to fade, meaning the serum was exiting his body. He grabbed the wheelchair from the doorway of his father's old office. He sat down and wheeled himself to the air powered elevator.
"Jin, Bee..." he said as he rolled of onto the ground level of the temple. They were watching the Airship come too. They followed him outside as he wheeled to the main platform. Ty Lee and Haru came out after they saw them exiting for the hall. All five of them stood on the large platform, Teo got out of his chair and stood in front of it.
It took a further five minutes, but the ship docked on the platform. The door opened slowly and The Duke practically dived off the ship. "Teo!" he said, his closest friend from the war was alive, he ran and hugged him. Teo smiled and received the hug. "I thought you were dead, man." he said, "I swear to Raava, if you ever actually die, I will not believe it."
Teo smirked and nudged him, The Duke moved across to hug Jin. Finally the rest of the group started to un-board, Smellerbee stood patiently, knowing that she wouldn't wait long.
Longshot walked from the ship, not expecting to see her so soon. He looked along the line of five. His eyes rested on her, standing tall and strong, he couldn't control his body. He pushed past everyone, walking quickly, she moved from her position in the line and ran towards him, he broke into a run as she did.
Their bodies collided. His lips were on hers in an instant, she gripped the fabric of his shirt and kissed him back with fierceness. They broke for a second, he removed her ring from his smallest finger and slid it back onto hers. "Never leave me." Longshot whispered.
"Never let me." she whispered back.
...
Toph stood on the balcony, she felt the warm air washing over her skin, the entire Temple made of stone beneath her feet. She opened her eyes and stared into the pitch black. She felt Zuko walking towards her, up the final steps. Coming to get her for the meeting she assumed, Zuko walked through the door and dropped onto the bed, the flat mattress on the floor was piled with animal furs. "The meeting is in five minutes. Teo is just feeding Sokka." Zuko half-smiled.
She walked back in and sighed.
She quickly removed her clothes, throwing them at the floor, Zuko heard the sound of the material and metal clasps hitting the floor. He looked across and saw Toph, naked in the late afternoon light.
"Whoa." Zuko whispered, his body reacted immediately, his heart sped and blush coated his cheeks.
"Get naked," she said, "Right now." Zuko blinked twice and sat up. "Did I hesitate, Sparky?!" He blinked again and stood, taking his clothes off quickly and dropping them to the floor. Toph pushed him against the wall, "Sit down." She growled.
Zuko slid down the wall to the ground, Toph clenched her fists and the stone grabbed Zuko's wrists restraining his hands. Zuko's heart thumped hard, he watched as the stubborn woman lowered herself onto his lap, she reached down and held him in her hands, she moved her hand slowly up and down the length of him, he groaned.
He smiled cunningly as she slid herself onto him and slowly down his shaft. Her hands moved to his shoulders and her nails dug into his shoulders, he tilted his head back and moaned loudly. He clenched his hands against his stone restraints, he watched Toph as she tilted her head back and sighed his name, butterflies filled his stomach. Her nails dug deeper, she felt him push deeper inside her as she moved up and down, and it wasn't uncomfortable like before.
She moved quicker, sweat forming from the warmth of the afternoon sun. She knew that it wouldn't be long until he reached his release. She moved one of her hands up to his hair and pulled his head back, exposing his neck. She bit into him, running her warm tongue over his heated skin, the pleasure continued to rise, he closed his eyes as it reached its peak. He cried out as he released himself, he groaned as Toph let go of his shoulder, and moved back. She meant for it to be quick and passionate, she smiled lightly.
Zuko looked at his shoulders, small crescent wounds from her fingers were across them, he watched as a tiny amount of blood came from each, he couldn't feel any pain. He laughed mentally at the expression on Katara's face if he asked her to heal them.
Toph sighed as she climbed off him, she lay on the mattress and reached for her clothes, slipping them on and running her fingers through her hair. She styled it up into her normal style and stood. "We have a meeting to attend." She smirked, heading for the door.
"Err, Toph?" Zuko smiled tenderly, raising an eyebrow. He wiggled his wrists in his restraints, "Think you could release me?"
…
"We have the men responsible for the attack in chains." Zuko said. "They will be dealt with."
"No, you have the men responsible for organizing the attack." Teo said. "Bee and I took care of the men responsible for committing the crimes."
Zuko was silent, "Teo, I had no idea, they left before we returned-"
"I don't blame you, Zuko." Teo said. "I just think it is time to be less of a merciful Fire Lord and more an eye-for-an-eye type."
"I will not let you kill their families." Zuko said quickly, "You will not sink to their level."
"Teo can decide how far he goes." Smellerbee growled. "And he meant to kill the two traitors to your crown, Shi and Loou."
Zuko scowled, he looked across at Aang, not needing his opinion, but wanting it. "Zuko. Teo, Bee." Aang started. "I never condone killing."
"The fuckers deserve an arrow in their eye sockets, Aang." Longshot whispered. And I will put it there.
"I know." he whispered, "So, did Ozai. But there is ways to punish them for life. That don't involve death."
"Shi and Loou should have been put down in the Nation's capital." Sokka said. "Why the fuck did we bring them?"
"To keep them in our sights." Toph mumbled. Mai looked out at the airship, the sun was beginning to set behind the ship, making the silhouette appear larger and threatening.
"I say kill them." she sighed, spinning a knife in her fingers, "Smellerbee take one, Teo take the other. Then, when we run into the General and his son, one for Toph, one for Ty Lee." everyone looked at her, she stabbed the knife into the table. "Just my opinion." she shrugged.
"I second that." Jet said.