A/N: Thank you everyone for reading, reviewing and being patient. Again, a huge thanks to my beta, DeepAzulaEyes. Don't forget to review! Also, I'm selling Avon now, so if anyone is interested, you can check out my website on my profile. Thank You!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
Chapter 11
He was awake and saw the dawn light coming through a slit in the curtains. It was Saturday, but that didn't matter to his internal clock. Zuko had always been an early riser. He got up and made his way to the garage, keeping his sweat pants on, but left his shirt off. The chill of autumn had invaded the house and he knew it would be worse in the garage, but Zuko also knew that in no time at all, he would be hot and sweaty. He started hitting and kicking the punching bag, warming up before he moved onto some forms. Iroh entered the garage with a steaming cup of tea as Zuko finished a difficult routine.
"You seem agitated, Nephew," Iroh remarked.
"I'm telling her today," Zuko said as he passed his uncle to head to his shower.
Iroh nodded and went to the kitchen as Zuko reached his bathroom and thought over what he was going to tell Toph. The hot water felt good and helped relax him as he thought about the night before. It had been worth it, kissing Toph, and even breaking Hahn's nose, but now he was nervous again about telling Toph about his past. But he had told her he would and now he had to wait for her to get up. From talking with Sokka in history and gym, Zuko had found out that Toph was a late riser, sleeping in to 9 or 10 on the weekends. When he got out of the shower and started getting dressed, he saw it was only 8:30. Sighing, he went to the kitchen to grab some breakfast and found his uncle watching him as the general sipped some tea.
"Good morning, Zuko," Iroh said with a smile. "Not ready yet?"
"No," Zuko said as he poured himself a bowl of cereal. "Toph sleeps in."
Iroh smiled and nodded and continued to study his nephew. Zuko grew tired of it and frowned at his uncle as he finished his breakfast.
"What?" Zuko asked, trying not to growl as Iroh continued to watch him after he placed his bowl in the dishwasher.
"What happened last night?" Iroh asked with a knowing smile.
Zuko scowled, but was interrupted by his phone ringing. Hearing Toph's ringtone, he answered it quickly.
"Hey," he said, turning his back to his uncle to avoid Iroh's penetrating gaze.
"Hi, um, where did you want to talk?" Toph asked.
"Can we go to that place where we talked two weeks ago?" Zuko asked.
"Sure, meet you outside in a few," Toph said before she hung up the phone.
Zuko slipped his phone into his pocket and turned to see Iroh questioning him with his expression.
"I'll tell you later," Zuko muttered before he grabbed his leather jacket and hurried out the front door.
He took a deep breath once he was outside. He waited for a minute until he saw Toph coming out her front door. She was frowning, but smiled as he walked up to her. Zuko was unsure how to approach her after showing her how he felt the night before and he saw Toph blush when he stopped in front of her, but she smiled and started walking towards the beach.
"You ok?" he asked as he started walking next to her.
"Yeah, my dad didn't approve, but I got out anyways," Toph replied.
Zuko nodded and glanced at her as they walked. She was in tight black jeans again, but had a large, comfortable looking, green sweatshirt on and her hair was up in its usual bun. She turned to smile at him and he smiled back.
"What about you. Are you ok?" she asked.
XXXXX
She heard Zuko shrug in answer to her question and figured he was probably nervous about telling her about himself. They walked in silence to the rocks and Toph heard Zuko move his head around as if looking for people before he started climbing the rocks. She was surprised how well he found the cave after only being there once before. Toph followed him and he grabbed her hand and helped her up the last few steps. She felt herself blush, but pulled her hand away quickly once she was in the cave. She could take care of herself and was determined to make Zuko see that. Hearing Zuko sit on the ledge in the back, Toph went and sat near him, leaving almost a foot between them. She had been ecstatic about the kiss the night before and her heart had swelled when he told her he meant everything that he had said and done, but she was still mad at him for beating up Hahn before she could have.
Zuko took a deep breath and sighed and it also sounded like he was running a hand through his hair. "I've never told anyone this in this short amount of time," Zuko started hesitantly before he let out a sharp, hoarse laugh. "It took my uncle a year and nearly twice that for a therapist to get me to tell them what I'm about to tell you. All I ask is that you not interrupt, because I may not start again."
Toph felt his breath on her face as he turned to her and thought it smelled like cinnamon, exactly like how he had tasted the night before. Nodding her acceptance to his terms, she tried to get the thought of what Zuko tasted like out of her mind and concentrate on what he was going to tell her. He took another deep breath and started talking, his tone even, though Toph made out many emotions in his voice as he spoke.
"My family was perfect from an outsider's point of view," Zuko started with a tinge of irony. "But we were anything but. My uncle served as a four star general overseas, and his son had died in the first surge into Afghanistan after 9/11. My aunt had died from cancer a few years before, and though my uncle was grieved by his losses, he still made time to visit us and continued to work. My father," Zuko said, almost spitting out the word 'father', "worked for the government. My mom stayed home and had a part-time computer business while my sister and I went to a private school and excelled at our classes."
He took another deep breath and almost laughed bitterly as he said the next thing. "Although Azula was always better at everything than I was. My father loved her for it and hated me for not being equal or better. But that's beside the point. I didn't know my father was abusive until I was ten. He did it while we were in bed, after he came home late. I caught him hitting my mom for not cleaning the kitchen properly when I was ten."
Toph felt sorry for Zuko as she heard rage and regret enter his tone. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, but knew he didn't need that, not yet.
"I started seeing the bruises she tried to hide and asked her why she let him hit her. My mom said it was none of my business, but after a really nasty bruise formed over her eye, she told me it was to protect my sister and me. I started running away, getting into fights, and my grades dropped. I was so angry at my mom for allowing it to continue, and even angrier at my dad for doing it," Zuko said as Toph heard him grip his knees in anger and the rage became even more intensive in his tone.
"When I was thirteen, I came home late to find my dad home and looking at our report cards. My sister idolized my father, and she waited while our dad read them. He looked up and glared at me before he turned to frown at my sister. He asked her if she thought she was better than he was and she looked confused. I pulled her away from him when I saw him getting angry and before he could turn his anger on me, my mom was there, telling us to get upstairs and do our homework."
He sighed and it sounded as if Zuko was reliving that day, and that the worst was still to come. Toph scooted closer to him and waited as Zuko drifted off into silence for a minute before he continued.
"I heard shouting and then a door slammed and I heard my dad's car peeling out. Hearing my mom on the phone, I knew she was ok, and turned on my cd player. My sister left to hang out with her friends and I stayed in my room. I heard my sister call later and found out she was staying at her friend's house that night. Much later that night, I woke up to near silence and heard my mom in the kitchen and talking, almost pleading, with someone."
Toph heard him clench his fists and heard his anger enter his tone again, though he tried to breathe evenly and stay clam.
"I heard my dad, though I couldn't make out what was said and then I heard a slap and then someone hitting the floor. Hard. I grabbed the knife my uncle had given me, and started sneaking towards the kitchen. I heard my mom begging for my father to stop, that she was sorry, but he continued to hit her, every time she got up. I saw his back as the tea kettle started to steam and moved towards him, ready to stab my father for hitting my mother."
Toph heard so many emotions in Zuko's tone, she couldn't name them all, but she knew he was confident enough that if he had to choose how to react that night, he would do the same thing again. She scooted closer to him and placed a hand on one of his. He was trembling, whether from fear or rage, she didn't know, but he stopped when she touched him. She felt his breath on her face as he took a deep breath and Zuko seemed to calm down before he continued.
"He turned and saw me and I rushed him, yelling at him to leave my mom alone. I had been learning martial arts since I could walk, but I was still a novice compared to my father. He twisted and hit me, knocking me down. I can still hear my mom's scream as I went down, but I was up again in a flash with my knife out. He laughed when he saw it, but stopped when I rushed him again. Again, he turned and twisted out of the way, hitting me, but not before I was able to cut his arm. When I rushed him again, he grabbed the tea kettle and then I saw the bottom of the kettle heading for the left side of my face."
Zuko stopped and it sounded like he was touching the left side of his face where his scar was. Toph felt so bad for him, and squeezed his hand as if to let him know she was there for him. The sound of his other hand dropping back to his knee came to her before he started again.
"I don't remember much else except the pain and then the sounds of sirens. I later learned the neighbors had called the cops when they heard my parents fighting and I was rushed to the hospital. Both my mother and I were treated, but my father had escaped. My uncle was called, and a warrant was issued for my dad, but he had disappeared. The next day, we were released from the hospital and since my uncle was still flying in from Germany, and the sheriffs would guard us anywhere, my mother took us back to our house. My sister stayed with her friend, but she didn't seem to care."
He sneered at the last comment, and Toph wondered what else had gone on between Zuko and his sister. But she continued to pay attention to him.
"My left eye was bandaged and I felt like crap, but the pain pills helped. I went straight to bed and my mom did the same. Late that night, or early the next morning, I heard some scuffling coming from my parent's bedroom. I got up quietly and made my way down the stairs and towards their room. I stopped when I saw a figure moving in the hall and waited. I saw my dad exit the house and then I heard him move something against the front door. I almost went to investigate, but I smelled smoke, and my mom hadn't come out. Hurrying to the back of the house, I felt heat coming from her room and saw smoke coming out of the cracks around her door. I kicked the door open and found my mom on the floor. It looks like he had beaten her to within an inch of her life. There was blood everywhere and she looked like a broken doll."
Zuko's breath caught and Toph heard what sounded like a sob caught in his throat. She squeezed his hand again as he clenched his fists and she felt several scars on the back of his hands and some on his palm as well. She wanted to erase the scars and the pain he felt, but remained silent, knowing he wasn't done yet. Zuko took another deep breath, releasing the death grip he had on his knees before he continued.
"The fire had been started in the closet and I heard sounds coming from the back door where the kitchen was and the sound of a fire coming from the front of the house. I grabbed my mom as gently as I could and half-dragged, half-carried her as I made my way to the kitchen. The fire swelled, and I felt heat all around me as the second story caught fire. The walls and ceiling started to catch fire as I reached the kitchen and a lot of debris was falling on us. The kitchen door was blocked, I heard sirens approaching and I was coughing from all the smoke. I dragged my mom to the dining room and broke the large window there before dragging my mom out as carefully as I could."
Zuko took another deep breath and the anger in his tone dissipated as he calmed down. Toph could even feel his pulse slow as she shifted her hand slightly to touch his wrist while still keeping her hand on his.
"A firefighter spotted us and took us away from the building. My father had killed the two sheriffs watching our place before starting the fire. My uncle arrived the next morning while I sat next to my mom in the hospital. She was in critical condition and it was touch and go for a few months. Uncle took guardianship of my sister and I and we entered witness protection while the authorities searched for my father. My sister didn't understand, or didn't want to understand and even made contact with my dad a few times. She even tried to kill me, twice. After that, my uncle had her put into a school and home for the mentally unstable. We kept moving and changing names, but my father always found us. So my uncle took us out of the program and formed a network of his old friends and we just change our last names now, always moving to a place where his friends are. The moves are less frequent now, but we still have to move whenever we get word that my father has been seen around us."
Toph felt Zuko turn to her and take her hands in his, and she blushed at how nice it felt for him to be holding her hands.
"Toph, I told you the truth last night. I like you, but it's your choice whether to go further or not. Now you know why I can't stand seeing a woman mistreated. I ignored it for years and then nearly lost my mom and my own life when I tried to stop it. It's dangerous for you to know me, and I'm pretty sure your dad recognized me somehow," he said as Toph felt his breath on her face. She smelled the scent that was uniquely him, like cinnamon and spice and warmth with a little bit of bonfire in it and understood the reason behind that now. He leaned forward and kissed her gently and Toph wanted it to continue, but Zuko pulled back after kissing her for only a second. "It's your choice, and I won't rush you, I just needed to do that once more."
With that, Zuko pulled away and moved a foot away from her, giving her space and seemed to be waiting for an answer. Toph thought over everything he had told her and knew it was a lot to digest. He had left a few details out that she wanted to know, but she knew he had relived the entire event as he told her and those details were insignificant compared to everything else.
"How old is your sister and how often do you move?" Toph asked.
"Azula's sixteen, but looks a little older than Katara. And we move every time we get word that my dad is getting close. The longest I've stayed in a place was eight months, while the shortest was two and a half months," Zuko stated calmly.
Toph nodded. Zuko had only lived in her hometown for a month, but would his dad show up and ruin everything?
"Have you had any girlfriends before?" Toph asked with a blush. "You sure seem to know how to kiss."
She thought that Zuko was blushing, too, by his silence before she heard him nod. "Yeah, once. About eight months ago, I moved to a town where one of my sister's old friends had moved to. We started going out, but she told my sister about us dating and my dad showed up. I broke up with her through a note. Hey, why is this just you interrogating me?"
Toph chuckled. "Fine, Mr. Mysterious. What do you want to know since we're revealing all?"
"Why didn't you hear me when I got under the tree last night?" Zuko asked in a serious tone.
Toph frowned as she thought about the night before when she had run out from the party. Her only thought had been to get away from Zuko and Hahn and all men wanting to run her life, but then the storm had drowned out all her senses and she had become lost. She had been grateful to find the shelter of the tree and had just hoped for the storm to lesson until she heard Zuko calling for her. She shivered as she thought about how blind she had really been and heard Zuko scoot closer to her and take one of her hands in his.
"I don't like storms," Toph stated. "The pounding rain is the only sound I hear and it just drowns out everything else. I lose my bearings - and I hate thunder."
"Thunder's not that bad," Zuko said in an easy tone. "Lightning is what's dangerous."
"Yeah," Toph said as she frowned at Zuko and pulled her hand away. "But I can't see lightning. And thunder just comes out of nowhere and echoes all around me. And, I can take care of myself!"
Zuko chuckled. "I know," he said with a smile in his tone. "But I told you, I couldn't help myself. I'll try and do better next time."
Toph started smiling again. "You better," she growled playfully and Zuko chuckled again. She turned sober again as her thoughts turned to what he had told her, especially at the end. "But, what if you have to move again? What will happen…with…us?"
Zuko sighed. "I asked my uncle the same thing when he told me I should tell you. He told me there are a few people who can watch out for you here, and we can still have contact." He paused for a few seconds before he started speaking hesitantly. "Do you want there to be an …us?"
Toph felt her cheeks heat up in a blush and dipped her head to try and hide it. "I don't know," she whispered. "It's a lot of stuff to digest." An idea came to her and she brightened. "Will you go to homecoming with me? We can go with the gang."
"I guess," Zuko said. "I mean, yeah."
Toph smiled and stood, stretching. "Well, I'm sure you'll be able to find a suit in time. But as much as I love this place, I need to move around. I'm sure the old man is wondering if you've abducted me."
She heard Zuko tense and punched his arm gently and smiled as she passed him on the way to the entrance.
"Come on Sunshine, let's get some sun while there's still some warmth out there."
XXXXX
Zuko nodded and followed Toph out of the cave. She seemed happy and less anxious than when they had started walking earlier that morning. He thought she understood why he reacted the way he did, and she seemed to like him as much as he liked her. But what he had told her was a lot for anyone to take in. Toph waited until he jumped down beside her and he soaked up the warmth of the sun before a cool breeze blew in from the ocean. Toph started walking, obviously more at ease, but stopped suddenly as a female giggle and male laugh came from behind them.
"No way!" Toph breathed before she turned and Zuko followed her lead and saw Aang and Katara approaching them, laughing and smiling at each other while holding hands. The two spotted Zuko and Toph and their smiles widened as they hurried to catch up.
"Hi guys!" Aang said cheerfully and Toph started smirking. "We were just looking for you two."
"Your dad said you guys came out here, and we wanted to make sure you were ok," Katara said as she tried to hide a blush and glanced from Zuko to Toph.
"We're fine Sugar Queen," Toph said, continuing to smirk. "Just needed to talk. What's up between you two?"
Katara blushed more and tried to hide their joined hands, but Aang pulled the older girl closer to him.
"We're going out now," the cheerful sophomore stated with a slight blush and a huge gin.
Zuko nodded as Toph started laughing. "About time!" the blind girl stated. "What happened?"
"After you guys left, the party kind of died down," Katara said as she continued to blush.
"And Katara did a slow dance with me and I kissed her," Aang said, grinning. "Sokka saw and went ballistic, but I made my intentions clear and we're now going out."
"Yeah, now it'll be two couples instead of a group going to homecoming," Katara sighed, but smiled at Aang and Toph made gagging sounds as the two kissed.
Zuko just gave Toph a wry smile, thinking about how she didn't mind so much when he was kissing her.
"But enough about us, what happened last night?" Katara asked.
The blue-eyed junior glanced at Zuko but he merely looked at Toph, hoping she would find a way to explain what had happened.
Toph shrugged. "We were enjoying the party and dancing when the dumbass cornered me. Before I could beat him up, he slapped me and then Sunshine here beat him up. I got angry that he did what I wanted to do and stormed out. He followed me and we went home."
"Is that it?" Katara asked slyly. Toph remained silent and Katara narrowed her eyes at Zuko before turning back to Toph. "Sokka told me you guys went upstairs after your dance, and then you guys seemed pretty flustered when you came back down before the big fight with Hahn."
"Doesn't matter," Toph said, waving it off, though Zuko could see a faint blush on Toph's cheeks as he felt his own cheeks heat up, thinking about what they had done upstairs. "Oh, and we're going to homecoming."
Katara brightened immediately and Aang grinned at his new girlfriend's excitement. "As a couple or with the group?" Katara asked.
Toph shrugged and Katara stepped up and grabbed Toph's hands. "Oh, we can go get our dresses! I can drive us." Katara turned to Aang. "Is it ok if we go right now?"
Aang nodded and Zuko watched Toph. Toph seemed to be thinking about whether to go or not and she smiled.
"Fine, Sweetness. Let's go before I change my mind. Sunshine, you ok with that?"
"Have fun," Zuko said with a small smirk to which Toph sighed, but she went with Katara back to the street.
"I'm glad everything is working out," Aang said from beside Zuko as they watched the girls leave.
"How so?" Zuko asked.
Aang turned his head to smile at Zuko. "Katara and I, you guys, everyone coming together." Zuko started to protest, but Aang spoke up again. "I saw you kissing Toph upstairs and it gave me the idea to kiss Katara."
Zuko felt his face fall in shock, and quickly recovered to give Aang a small smile. "I knew I heard someone sneaking up the stairs. I'm heading home then, you?"
"Yeah, I'll walk with you. It's on the way to my house."
Zuko nodded and the two walked back, Aang thankfully staying silent until they reached Zuko's house.
"Hey, do you still need to get a suit or rent a tux?" Aang asked expectantly.
"No, I have one," Zuko replied and Aang nodded.
"Ok, I'm getting mine with Sokka tomorrow and just wanted to check if you needed one. Wanna come to the mall anyways?"
"Can't, family stuff," Zuko stated and waved goodbye to Aang before he hurried into his house. He was feeling better about the day until he saw his uncle waiting in the kitchen and frowning.
"What happened last night?" Iroh asked calmly. "A Mr. Du-moss called while you were out and said you broke his son's nose for no reason."
Zuko sighed and slipped into the chair across from his uncle. "I did break Hahn's nose, but it was because he hit Toph."
Iroh's face fell into shock and worry before anger shown in his amber eyes. Iroh then took a deep breath and his face became impassive again. "Explain to me the events from when Fong dropped you off until I picked you up."
Zuko nodded and relayed everything, helping Sokka set up, dancing with Toph, then leading her upstairs to kiss her and then the confrontation with Hahn and Toph running out. He watched his uncle's face and saw the anger in Iroh's eyes become stronger when Zuko told of Hahn slapping Toph, but then Iroh started smiling at how Zuko had pulled Hahn away and tried to push him away before having to punch Hahn. But Iroh's face returned to calm as Zuko told him about finding Toph and her punching him and then what had happened after they got home and that morning.
Iroh nodded after Zuko finished. "I'll call Fong and then Mr. Du-Moss and tell them the real tale. I'm surprised Mr. Bei Fong hasn't called yet." The general smiled and got up to lay a hand on Zuko's shoulder on the way to the phone. "I'm proud of you, Zuko. Has Toph decided what to do yet?"
"No," Zuko replied. "But we're going to homecoming with her friends. I need to get my suit out from storage."
"Good, good," Iroh said with a smile. "And since you two are getting along so well, why don't you invite her to come with us to visit your mother tomorrow?"
Zuko shook his head. "No, if he's watching Mom, Toph may be endangered. Maybe the next time."
Iroh sighed and moved onto the phone. "Very well, Nephew."
Zuko smiled slightly at his uncle and headed towards the garage to start searching for his suit for homecoming.
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Toph sighed as Katara dragged her through the mall. She wasn't sure what she would wear, and hoped Katara wouldn't make her try on too many things. Katara led Toph into a large shop and Toph felt a sense of dread as she heard girlish giggling and smelled nothing but silk and lace all around her.
"Sweetness, where are we?" Toph asked hesitantly.
"In a dress shop," Katara said as Toph heard her start to move clothes around.
"Fine," Toph sighed. "I'll find a place to sit while you try on endless dresses."
"Toph," Katara said enthusiastically, "I think I found one for you!"
Toph paused before she could walk away and turned back to her friend, almost fearing what Katara had found. "What does it look like?" Toph asked as calmly as she could.
"It's green, and silk, a simple cut with shoulder straps. You should try it on!"
Toph sighed in despair. "What size is it?"
"A three."
"Fine," Toph stated and grabbed Katara's arm. "Lead me to the dressing room and you have to be honest with me."
"I will, I promise," Katara said with a laugh before leading Toph to the back and to a dressing room. Once Toph was alone, she felt every inch of the dress and found it was a full-length dress, simple cut with comfortable-feeling straps over the shoulders. She quickly changed into the dress and found it fit her perfectly and wasn't too long for her either.
"Toph, are you done?" Katara asked.
"Yes, coming out," Toph replied and opened the door, stepping out to a gasp from Katara.
"Is it really that bad?" Toph asked. "I thought it felt ok."
"No, it's beautiful!" Katara replied. "It fits you perfectly! It's almost like a 20's style dress, and makes you look elegant. Zuko's not going to be able to breathe."
Toph smiled and headed back into the changing room, quickly changing back into her normal clothes.
"It's settled then," she told Katara as she walked out with the dress over her arm. "I'm getting this. I'll wait here while you find yours."
Katara sighed and headed back out while Toph smirked and found a few chairs next to the fitting room. She sat on them and thought about the night before and Zuko's reaction to her costume and then when he had kissed her. Her phone started ringing in her pocket and she smiled and blushed as she recognized Zuko's ringtone.
"Hey Sunshine," she said as she answered her phone.
"Hi, just wanted to let you know I won't be around tomorrow," Zuko told her.
"Why?" Toph asked, suddenly curious. She didn't want to pry, but after he had told her about his past, she wondered what he was up too.
"I'm going to see my mom again," he told her, making no attempt to hide anything.
"Ok, tell her hi for me."
"I will. I gotta go."
"Ok, call me tomorrow after you get back if you want to hang out or do something," Toph told him as she thought about the kiss he had given her again.
"Ok, bye."
"Bye, Sunshine," Toph said and slipped her phone back into her pocket. She was so happy that he had confided in her, and that he wasn't trying to hide anything from her anymore. Toph hoped that she could hang out with Zuko the next day, even if her dad didn't approve of him. She kept thinking about what Zuko had told her that morning and how to move their relationship ahead as she waited for Katara. She knew she really liked Zuko and he liked her back. She was sure he was worried about his past catching up with him, but the one thing Toph had learned was to experience life to its fullest while she could. She smiled dreamily as she thought about Zuko again and hoped they could continue what they started the night before. After an hour of Katara looking at and trying on dresses, she finally chose one and they headed to the cashier to pay for them.
"You've been awfully quiet today," Katara said smugly while they waited in line.
"Just thinking," Toph stated.
"About what?" Katara asked sweetly. "Zuko?"
Toph blushed and was sure Katara was smirking. "Maybe. Hey, could you tell me who the designer of my dress is?"
Katara moved the dress in Toph's arms around. "Flying Lady," Katara said. "Hey, isn't that your mom's company?"
"Yep," Toph said and knew she'd have to show her mom the dress when she got home.
"Well, why don't you ask her and get it for free?" Katara asked in a confused tone as Toph stayed in the line.
"She makes money and so do my dad and this store when I buy it here. I'm not going to take a freebie."
Toph heard Katara open her mouth to object and then shut it promptly. "Ok then, shoes next!"
Toph sighed at her friend's enthusiasm, but let Katara lead her to several shoe stores for the rest of the afternoon and actually found she enjoyed the shopping to an extent.
