Title: 'Z' is for Zebra
Rating: K
Genre: Friendship
World: AU
Summary: Zuko wants to ride a zebra. Now, he just has to convince Toph to as well.
Disclaimer: Well the end is here, and I still don't own it. So you still can't sue….
Time Period: Toph is four and Zuko is eight.
-
- Well, here we go guys. The final one.
-
"Mama, mama," Zuko said, pulling his mother and friend Toph towards the glass enclosure. "Look at the monkeys."
"Yes dear," Ursa said, patting her hand on her son's head. "They're very playful."
"Can we go see the elephants?" Toph asked while pulling on the woman's loose sleeve.
"Why? You can't see them," Zuko told her, looking around his mother.
"But I can hear them," she shot back.
"Okay, Toph wants to go see the elephants. Let's go you two," she said, taking each of the children's hands.
"No she wants to hear them," Zuko laughed.
"You're such a stupid smartie," Toph smiled back.
"It's better than being a blind brat."
"Now, now, you two, no name calling," Ursa giggled.
"We're just kidding Auntie Ursa," Toph assured her.
"Yeah, Mama," Zuko added.
They made their way across the zoo, to the 'savannah' section.
"They're so big," Toph said once they were in front of the elephants.
"They're ugly," Zuko grumbled. "And they don't do anything."
"Yeah, well, I think they're cool," Toph said, sticking out her tongue.
"You would. Hey look! Someone's riding the zebras," Zuko said pointing to the next exhibit where there was a short line of people waiting to ride a zebra. "I wanna ride. I wanna ride."
"Okay, but only if Toph wants to ride it too," Ursa told him.
"No," Toph said flatly.
"Please?" Zuko asked his friend.
"No," she said again.
"Come on Tophy, I won't let you fall," Zuko said, making sure to use his pet name for her.
"No Zuzu," she told him.
"Come on. I'll let you feed my fish."
"Your fish is gross."
"Fine, what do you want to do?" he asked with a sigh.
"I want to play soccer with you and Sokka," Toph said after a moment.
"You can't, you're a girl."
"So what, you're a boy and you want to ride the zebra," she mocked.
"Zebra riding is very manly," Zuko protested.
"Yeah, right. Then how come Katara said she only saw girls ridding when her and Sokka came?"
"Fine, you can play with me and Sokka, but you have to be on Aang's team," he told her.
"No, he always loses. I want to be on your team."
"Fine," Zuko sighed. "You can be on my team. Let's just go already."
"Okay deal," she said as Zuko took her hand and led her over to the line.
"Are you sure I won't fall off?" Toph asked as the zoo keeper placed her in front of Zuko on the stripped animal.
"I promise. I won't let you fall."
"Okay," she said, but jumped a little when the zebra began to move.
"Seriously Toph, I've got you," Zuko told her as they went faster.
"Okay," Toph said, moving up a little so she would be more comfortable. However, while she was doing so, she slid a little too far to the right, causing her to become unbalanced and start sliding off the animal.
She only screamed for about half a second before Zuko pulled her back in the center, and closer to him.
"See, I told you I won't let you fall," he smiled down at her.
"Thanks Zuzu," she told him.
"You're welcome. Hey, I bet Mom will take us to go get ice cream after this," Zuko said as their turn ended and the zoo keeper directed them back towards the line.
"Are you okay Toph?" Ursa asked, once they were back on the ground.
"Yep. Zuko kept his promise he said he wouldn't let me fall, and I didn't."
"Good. How 'bout some ice cream?" she said, taking their hands and leading them out of the zoo.
"Told ya," Zuko whispered behind his mother's back as they left.
-
-
-
All things, both good and bad, must come to end, and this 'series', if you may, is no exception. I just hoped that you all enjoyed it.
So good ending?
Thanks so much for all of the amazing reviews and of course Tabby for helping me with the ideas and listening to all of them countless times.
THANKS GUYS!! And a special thanks to thegreatblsama, for editing it!
SO MUCH LOVE,
*.*.*SPiKE*.*.*
Seriously, I don't if I could ever finished this with out all the support from all the people who reviewed, added this story to their favorites, and for subscribing to the story.
Infinite amount of thank yous! Love you all!
