Zuko was a light sleeper. It was something he had gotten used to ever since he was a child. Always being on guard in case anything happened.
Whether that was an assassin trying to get him or Azula trying to scare the crap out of him by placing a salamander on his face. Zuko had been taught to be on guard. And he didn't stop ones he was banished. Quite the opposite in fact.
And that why Zuko noticed. Lao didn't have a restful sleep at all. The man was tense, tossing and turning and many times he would wake up in a panic and would only calm down when he found Toph peacefully sleeping right next to him.
There really had been any other option. When Lao had been awake he wouldn't let Toph out of his side, and he would only sleep when she was next to him.
This man truly was a complete and utter mess. And Zuko started to suspect that the guy hadn't had a moments rest ever since Toph ran away. Which honestly explained a lot of his erratic behaviour.
The morning was weak. Toph was back acting like that meager little girl speaking in a small voice which seemed to help Lao relax the most. But also set him on edge as he would glare very suspiciously at the people around him.
"So." Zuko began at breakfast. "I spotted a watch tower not far from here. They should have some maps. We can figure out the area and the prisons in the area."
"Good thinking Zuko." Sokka nodded. "If we get a map and some intel it should help us a lot."
"So… We'll break in?" Aang asked.
Zuko hesitated. "I hope you guys don't mind but… I think it'll be a lot easier if I just go by myself. This one will require stealth. I know how these towers are. I can go in and out without being seen."
"Sure." Aang said before anyone else could as much as object. "What?" Aang asked Sokka and Katara who looked at him. "Have you seen Zuko when he is in ninja mode? He's right. You guys will just get him discovered. This will be quicker and we can keep an eye on Mr Beifong."
Katara sighed deeply. "Just don't get caught."
"Don't worry." Zuko stood up. "I wont."
Soon after Zuko was all dressed up in his black gear complete with dual blades on his back and cloth covering most of his face as he ran through the forest. He wasn't even making a sound as he approached the tower he had seen. For a while he had to stop due to the patrols and that was when a girls voice greeted him.
"Hi Zuko."
"Toph?!" Zuko turned to the blind girl and then he spluttered. "Wha-What are you doing out here?!" he asked.
Toph groaned. "I needed to get away can you blame me?" she asked. "I had run out of rocks to ask my dad about and he kept asking if I was hurt! It was so annoying."
Zuko quieted then he squinted his eyes.
"What?" Toph asked.
"Have you considered even trying to see this from his perspective?" Zuko asked. "His twelve year old blind daughter he has only ever known to be meek suddenly vanishes without a word. And then the fire nation is out to capture her. Lead by my sister. Why wouldn't he be a nervous wreck?"
"What?!" Toph gaped. "You're taking his side? Are you serious?!" she asked. "I can take care of myself!"
"Yes I know." Zuko groaned. "But does he know that? What reasons have you given him to believe you could take care of yourself."
"I literately fought and destroyed five earth bending champions right in front of his face!" Toph exclaimed. "And he still didn't believe I could take care of myself."
"So you in one day went from meek girl to earth bending master?" Zuko asked. "What if tomorrow Aang suddenly declared meat was his favourite dish and ate a whole Ostrich-horse by himself. Wouldn't you be calling bull too?"
"Why are you so obsessed with this?!" Toph exclaimed.
"Because!" Zuko exclaimed. "I would have done anything in the world to make my father show that he would care! Just the tiniest little bit would have been enough! A tenth of what your father has shown since yesterday!" he said. "But my father didn't care! He never cared and he never will. Instead he had me fight death matches against my sister. Then yell at me and slap me around for getting burned. And finally he banished me in the hopes that I would just die on my own. Your father might be dumb as a rock and a pansy! But from what I have seen, he would jump in front of a ball of fire to safe you! At least he cares!"
Toph gasped as she stood in front of Zuko and Zuko gasped for breath. They were both gasping and then. Toph turned on her heel and ran away while Zuko groaned.
Great! Amazing! It was about time someone would be mad at him again wasn't it?!
Katara had quite a shock as Toph returned to camp and she looked mad. "Toph are you all right?"
"So you were right all along!" Toph exclaimed. "Zuko is a jerkface!" she said and stomped away.
Sokka blinked as he walked up beside Katara. "What's going on?"
"Looks like Toph and Zuko had a fight." Katara said.
"Seriously?" Sokka asked. "But those two always get along so well."
Katara shrugged. "They'll figure it out." she said. "It's not like we never had a fight with each other. And with Toph."
"Yeah." Sokka sighed. "Kind of just happens when you are stuck together like the five of us." he nodded. "They'll sort it out."
Though as Zuko returned an hour later with a map in his hand he looked kind of pissed as well and both Zuko and Toph made a good show out of not even acknowledging each other as Zuko showed them the map and the location of the womens prison. Which was also a mining camp where no doubt they were using prison labour to mine iron ore.
"Poppy!" Lao exclaimed. "They have her mining ore! They can't! She's delicate!"
Zuko glanced at Lao. Considered he thought that Toph was extremely delicate. They probably should take his assessment with a grain of salt.
"I'm sure she's fine." Katara said.
"No you don't understand." Lao said. "When Poppy gave birth she…" he halted.
Everyone was quiet as they looked at Lao.
"Nothing." Lao turned his head away.
"Papi." Toph spoke in her quiet slow voice. "What happened to mother when she gave birth?"
"It is nothing you need to worry about. She survived after all. And so did you. That's all that matters." Lao said.
Zuko frowned as he looked at Lao, then finally glanced up. "Well if Mrs. Beifong truly is in a delicate state. I suppose we better just get her out of there." he stated. "Let's pack up and get moving."
And they all nodded as they got and started to pack. Just kind of glad to get away from this awkward conversation.