A/N: Thank you everyone for being son patient and understanding. And thank you everyone who continues to read. I'm sorry this is so late, and I guess an explanation is in order. If you've read Love is Blind, you can skip this and start reading. Wait, Go and read Redemption by NonFiction. He's a good friend and asked me to beta his post war toko. It's a wonderful read and holds you, making you want more. Go read it, and then come back. If you need a link, go to my page and I have the story under favorites,
Ok, now, for the explanation. I left my animal training job because there wasn't any work and no pay, starting two part time jobs. I currently work 12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week and during that time, also moved back home, closer to my family. We are trying to extend our own family, and waiting patiently for that. Unfortunately, during that time, my computer crashed. We took it to our friend who is an IT guy and he tried, but it was the only comp he couldn't fix in 20 years. Then we took it to Best Buy and they fixed it, but it got back without word. A week later, I got word and have started writing again. Alas, I can only write in the mornings and at lunch, but I do continue to write. Thank you everyone and a huge thanks to NonFiction for helping me with this chapter. Ok, go read, and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar, obviously, or I wouldn't be working this much!
Chapter 16
Toph stayed silent throughout dinner. Her father had been waiting for her and Jun when they had gotten to the house and had expressed his intense displeasure at Toph going out, let alone with that boy. Her mother had tried to calm Lao down, but it had been to no avail, and now the entire table was silent except for the sounds of utensils and chewing. Lao finished whatever he had been eating and set his fork down with a sharp clang.
"I don't want you seeing him again," Lao stated.
Toph frowned at her father. "Well, no problem there, seeing as how I'm blind."
"You know what I mean," Lao grated.
"Well, too bad," Toph retorted. "He lives across the street, we have nearly all the same classes, and, Zuko's my boyfriend."
"I don't want you associating with him, at all!"
"Lao, relax," Jun said calmly. "They're just kids. Let them have a life."
"No, and you are to stay out of this," Loa said sharply to Jun.
"I won't," Jun shot back. "I'm here to guard them, and the closer they are to each other, the easier my job is. I'm trying to catch the bad guy, remember?"
"If he hadn't come into my daughter's life, none of this would have happened!" Lao stated.
"Well, it happened, get over it," Jun said and Toph heard her adjust to the front of her chair, probably ready to dive for Lao's throat if need be.
Toph scowled and stood, pushing her chair out of her way. "I'm right here, and I won't be talked about as if I'm a baby!"
"Toph, dear," Jasmine started to say, but Toph merely threw her napkin onto her plate.
"No, Mom. I'm fourteen! Almost fifteen! Most people my age are dating, going out, getting ready to learn to drive, but I'm being treated like an infant! I like Zuko, and he likes me. He didn't ask for this, and neither did I! I will continue to 'see' him, and I don't care what anyone thinks about it!"
With that, Toph stormed out of the dining room and to her room, hearing her father shout, "Get back here at once!", but she ignored him. After slamming her door, Toph grabbed her phone and iPod. Instantly putting one of the earphones in and turning up the volume to Breaking the Habit, she then called Zuko.
"Hi," Zuko said, sounding unusually happy.
"Hi," Toph sighed and the other line became silent.
"You ok?"
Toph remained silent for a bit.
"Toph?" Zuko asked.
"I'm feeling better now," Toph said, feeling a smile tug at her mouth. "Had a fight with my dad. He hates you even more right now."
"Did you tell him going out was your idea?" Zuko asked with a wry tone.
Toph smiled more. "No," she said with a light laugh. "He wouldn't let me. Kept saying about how bad an influence you are, how bad your family is, yadda, yadda, yadda."
She grinned as Zuko chuckled. "So, what's got you in such a good mood?" she asked.
"Catching up with my mom, and Nyla is actually kind of…fun."
"Never thought of you as a dog person," Toph said with a grin.
"Never had one before. No pets as a kid," Zuko said and Toph thought he sounded sad. She knew what it was like to not have a true childhood, probably better than most.
"I know what you mean," she sighed as she heard her door open and a stealthy person entered her room. "You coming over tomorrow?"
"If I don't get shot," Zuko replied.
"Don't think he owns a gun. I'll check on his plans, and call you later."
"Guess you just got company," Zuko said with a smile in his tone and Toph couldn't help but smile back, knowing he would hear it.
"Yeah, see you later."
"See you," Zuko said, almost laughing as Toph heard a dog panting before he hung up.
"You still say 'see you'?" Jun asked with a smile in her tone as Toph heard another person come to the doorway.
"Yep. Hi to you too, Mom," Toph said as she turned down the volume of her iPod.
"Toph, you shouldn't have shouted at your father like that," Jasmine said, almost reprimanding her daughter.
"Yes, she should have, and I'm glad she did," Jun said proudly.
"Hello, right here. Again," Toph sighed, frowning at both her mother and cousin. "He asked for it, and I'm not going to apologize. I'm not a child anymore!"
Jasmine sat on the bed and placed a hand on Toph's shoulder to which the blind girl shrugged off.
"But you are, dear," Jasmine said softly. "You are your father's daughter, and always will be."
"She's got a point," Jun said with a wry smile in her tone. "Your father never did what was expected of him either. So, you still going through with tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Jasmine asked.
"Everyone's coming over tomorrow to watch some of the new anime I got," Toph said before she sighed again. "What's the old man's problem? He gets used to my school, my friends, and then hates my newest friend who turns out to become my boyfriend."
"He's just worried about you, dear," Jasmine said in a gentle tone. "You are his daughter and you are blind."
"Being blind doesn't mean being frail and weak!" Toph nearly shouted.
Jasmine had been reaching for her, and Jun was standing tensely as if to send a retort to Jasmine, but Toph heard both women stop and turn after she spoke, almost as if they were staring at her. Then came the sound of Jun shrugging as Toph heard another person stop in the hallway.
"She's right," Jun said to Jasmine, suddenly calm. "Toph, you can handle yourself, I'm just here to watch out for you. If you'll be civil with your father, so will I. Night, Jaz."
Toph nodded to her cousin and waited as Jun left and went to the front room, probably to do her rounds before she turned in for the night. Toph then turned her face towards where she could still hear her mother breathing, almost as if she was still frozen in shock.
"Mom?" Toph asked after a minute of silence.
"Sorry," Jasmine said, shaking her head as she relaxed a little. "Your father and Jun have…history. And not the best. He's worried about you."
"I know, but it's too late now. Zuko's dad saw me, and though neither one of us wanted to be in this position, here we are."
"I know," Jasmine sighed. "Toph, just promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you won't go out looking for trouble."
Toph smiled at the 'looking' comment. She could remark on it, as she usually would, but her mother was serious. "I promise, Mom. Jun can handle the bad guys, just let me live at least a partially normal life."
Jasmine nodded and a slight smile was in her tone when she spoke again. "I'll talk to your father. He's leaving at ten, tomorrow for a business trip and will be gone a couple of days. You two should at least be civil with each other before he leaves. Goodnight dear."
"Night Mom," Toph said and waited until her mother had left and gone to her own room at the end of the hall before she called out. "I know you heard at least most of it, you can come in now."
She hid a smirk as she heard her father walk to the door and stop just outside of it.
"It's hard to do this," Lao stated in a firm tone and Toph waited a full minute before he spoke the next two words. "I'm sorry."
"I know," Toph replied, and frowned, knowing what she had to do, and realizing that it was as hard for her as it was for her father to do. "I'm sorry too, but I'm not a frail, little girl anymore."
"And I will always see you as my little girl," Lao stated with affection in his tone. "You promise you'll be careful?"
"Yes, Dad. I promise. I won't leave Jun, and I won't make Zuko go out if he doesn't want to," Toph said and almost laughed as she heard her father stop, startled.
"He…"
"Yes, he didn't want to go out to the movie today. I made him. Also, Jun had her people check the place out. Everything has to be as close to normal as it can be for Jun to catch this guy. You know this is true."
"You always were too smart for your own good," Lao said with a slight smile and pride in his tone.
Toph smiled back. "You too, old man."
"I know you're right, you'd still be in danger, and it isn't your fault. Just be careful," Lao said and Toph felt sad as she heard worry and something else in her father's tone.
"I will, Dad. You too."
She heard her father nod and then leave, his step lighter than it had been when he had come to her room. Happy that she had made peace and stood her ground against everyone in her family that night, Toph called Zuko with the plans for the next day.
XXXXX
Zuko sighed as he got dressed. Everyone being over at his house was a nightmare. His mother had taken the guest room between his room and his uncle's with his bathroom between the two. The older of the two agents who stayed took the last and smallest guest room while the younger one slept on the couch and Nyla had immediately found a place at the foot of his bed. The dog he didn't mind so much, but going from an almost empty house to an overfull house was a bit annoying. He had moved silently as he had made his way to the garage where he just barely had enough room to work out on the punching bag, but no room to work on his forms.
On top of that, he had to be quiet as he did everything, moving through the house after working out, showering and eating breakfast. He only really cared about not waking his mother, she still grew tired easily, but he was tempted to wake Danny on the couch as the agent turned and mumbled happily in his sleep as Zuko moved towards the kitchen to get breakfast after he worked out. Nyla was the only one who kept silent in the house, following him like a shadow and watching him as he worked out, ate breakfast and then dressed. Now, she was watching him as he pulled his black sweatshirt on and she opened her mouth in a dog grin as he patted her head on his way out. He heard his mother and Iroh in the kitchen as Nyla followed him out. Bato was there, holding a cup of coffee as Iroh and Ursa sipped tea. Danny was still sleeping and Zuko scowled as the young agent snorted in his sleep.
Bato glanced at Zuko and smiled wryly. The older agent walked over to Danny and crooked his finger towards Nyla. Zuko watched as the dog cocked her head, looking at Bato and Bato made a hand gesture to the dog and then pointed at Danny as the young agent turned so that his back was to the room. Nyla got up and walked over to Danny, stopping once she faced him, and then stuck her nose under the blanket and into the young agent's back. Zuko smiled as Danny shot straight up, yelling as Nyla's cold nose touched his skin. Iroh laughed heartily as Danny turned to glare at Nyla and then Bato.
"You were snoring," Bato merely said before turning to smile at Zuko.
The scarred teen nodded to Bato, thanking him silently as Nyla came back to his side. He gave the dog a scratch behind the ears and looked back up at Bato as the agent pulled out his cell phone.
"Yeah, ok, I'll walk them over now," Bato said and then hung up and turned to Zuko. "You and Nyla are to go over now. Danny, get up and check outside."
The younger agent sighed and got up, pushing some of his black hair out of his face before going to the door and windows and then strolled outside to get the newspaper before turning back to Zuko and Bato and nodding once as he walked back towards the house. Bato just nodded back and made a gesture to Nyla. The dog instantly stood, looking alert, and stayed by Zuko's side as Bato turned to him.
"She'll protect you, come on," the older agent said with a smile.
Zuko just nodded and followed Bato out of the house, smiling to his mother and uncle on his way out. He had told them the plan the night before after Toph had called him a second time and they all knew he would be ok at Toph's house. Zuko was mostly worried about telling Toph's friends about himself and how much or little he should tell them. The scarred teen turned to Bato as they crossed the street and.
"You going to teach me those signals?" he asked Bato.
"I can't," Bato said, not even turning to look at Zuko. "I only know the basic signals. The one I used was used on me a few years ago and she loves to do it. Jun will teach you more."
With that, he stopped at the door and knocked once. Jun answered the door and Zuko thought she looked tired and in a bad mood.
"Thanks, Bato. Do a sweep and then you can rest. Make sure the pups do their job and watch over Iroh," Jun told her agent, and then made room for Zuko to enter. Zuko just saw Bato nod and then turn around and Nyla waited until he entered before following. The dog sat as Jun closed the door and Zuko was about to head into the family room when Jun said, "Wait."
"Lao wants to talk to you," Jun said before passing Zuko on the way to the family room. She glanced back at him and frowned. "Alone. He's in the family room, I'll be in the dojo. Nyla, guard."
She turned and walked off and Zuko glanced down at the dog. Nyla looked up at him and cocked her head to the side, and perked her ears up as if questioning him. He sighed and made his way to the family room, not looking forward to talking to Toph's father. In some ways, Lao was scarier than his own father. He had stood up to his own father, but Ozai only wanted him dead. Lao didn't want him anywhere near Toph, and Zuko didn't know how far the man would go to tear them apart. He found Lao waiting for him, his back turned towards him, and Zuko stopped, noticing Nyla stopping and sitting next to him. Lao turned towards him and glanced down at Nyla, frowning at the dog before he frowned at Zuko, to which the scarred teen frowned back.
"You know I don't like you," Lao stated.
"I know," Zuko nearly growled, but kept his face as expressionless as possible as he tried to remain calm.
Lao sighed and suddenly looked tired. "My daughter likes you, and she tends to see the best in people. I don't like this, but seeing as how she was the…instigator, yesterday, I hope we can come to an understanding."
Zuko waited, watching Lao. The man seemed worried, nervous, but also slightly angry.
"I know Jun is going after your father, how do you feel about that?" Lao asked.
"I wish I could help her more," Zuko stated. "I'm not going to run any more."
"Why not?" Lao asked, meeting Zuko's eyes.
"He'll just hurt more people," Zuko replied. "I'm not going to let that happen."
"So you'll risk my daughter's life?" Lao asked in an accusing tone. Zuko's frown deepened, but he held his temper in check as he responded.
"No, but I'll risk mine. I didn't want him to know about Toph, but it's too late for that. I thought we had more time."
"More time?' Lao asked, raising an eyebrow, to which Zuko nearly scowled.
"My ex girlfriend showed up Friday, and warned me about my father being close," Zuko said, and tore his eyes away from Lao's to scowl at the ground. "I decided to stay, thinking I could make a plan this weekend." He looked back up at Lao and frowned. "I didn't want any of this to happen."
Lao sighed and nodded. "I know. Just don't put my daughter in danger, and protect her if you can," Lao said and Zuko studied Toph's father. He seemed resigned to a course of action, but was still planning things on the side.
"She can take care of herself," Zuko said with a slight smile as he noticed Nyla perk up, facing the hallway.
Lao looked confused at Zuko's smile but then glanced at the dog and a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. "I know she can, but I still worry. I'm heading out of town for a few days on business. Goodbye, Toph."
"Bye, Dad," Toph said as she came out of the hallway and smiled at her father.
Lao glanced back at his daughter and nodded once before glancing at Zuko. He sent a frown to the scarred teen, almost as if he was reminding him that he was still Toph's father before he left. Toph just seemed to stare at Zuko until they heard the door close and then she grinned. Zuko relaxed, knowing they were ok, and met her halfway in a hug and then kissed her. She kissed him back and the scarred teen found himself getting lost in the kiss, running one hand through Toph's hair and the other down her back as he pulled her closer, but she pulled back with a wry grin.
"My mom's still here, and Jun's coming right now," Toph said in a low voice and Zuko sighed, knowing they wouldn't be able to continue for a while. He nodded, pulling back and Toph bent down to greet Nyla as Jun entered the room and glanced around before she sighed in relief.
"I swear, sometimes Lao is worse than some of the biggest, baddest thugs I've run into," Jun said as she made her way to sit on a chair. As she sat, Nyla ran over to her and was rewarded with a scratch behind the ears before she curled up next to the chair. Zuko glanced at Toph and saw her thinking about something. She made her way to the couch and sat on it, smiling at Zuko and he joined his girlfriend before Toph turned her attention to her cousin.
"Mom said you and Dad had history. Is that what all this tension is about?" Toph asked Jun and Zuko just watched the two women. Jun tensed slightly before she smiled wryly at both of them.
"Yeah, he was my boyfriend in high school," Jun said before she sighed. "But we fought too much, and I realized it wouldn't work out between us, so I broke it off. He knew Jaz then too and before they started going out, Jaz asked if I was ok with it. I was, and told her so. Lao needed someone to anchor him, not make him more rowdy, and my cousin was the best for that. They're a perfect match, don't you think?"
Jun turned her gaze to Zuko at the last and he frowned at Jun as she grinned. Her smile was too smug, and if she was implying that he and Toph were like Jun and Lao, he would leave at that moment. Toph just smiled next to him.
"Yeah, I never figured it that way," Toph told her cousin before turning to smile at Zuko. "So you're my anchor, huh Sunshine?"
Zuko just chuckled softly, which seemed to surprise Jun. He wrapped an arm around Toph's waist and drew her close to him. "Maybe, but I think it's more the other way around," he told Toph softly.
The blind girl just grinned and reached up to kiss him as Jun went from startled to smiling again. They heard a knock on the door and Jun got up to head to the door. "Guess your friends are here early," she said as she passed them and Zuko frowned again, knowing he had to tell Toph's friends something about his past. The pair heard Sokka and Aang talking before they and their girlfriends joined them in the family room. Suki and Sokka sat on the love seat as Aang and Katara sat on the far end of the couch Zuko and Toph sat on, though Aang left plenty of room between himself and Zuko. Sokka narrowed his eyes at Zuko.
"So, gonna tell us what's going on?' the blue-eyed senior asked.
Zuko scowled, almost retorting in anger, but Toph merely placed a hand on his arm and he relaxed slightly, feeling his anger leech out through her touch. The scarred teen turned inward, trying to find a way to tell Toph's friends some information without telling them everything and still conveying how dangerous it was for them to be near him.
"Zuko, we're your friends too," Aang said, his grey eyes showing innocence as he watched Zuko. The scarred teen brought his eyes up to meet Aang's and was startled as the sophomore smiled at him. "We're worried about you too," Aang told him.
Zuko felt Toph squeeze his arm slightly and saw her smiling out of the corner of his bad eye when he turned to her slightly. He knew by her smile that she supported him and would stand by his side. She didn't care how much he told her friends, or how much he had told her of his past. She liked and respected him. He looked around and saw everyone, Sokka, Suki, Aang, Katara and Jun, watching him and waiting patiently, though Sokka seemed to be growing impatient. Zuko placed his hand on Toph's and squeezed it slightly, thanking her silently as he thought of what he should say.
"I told you a little in the car," he started, watching the people before him as he continued to try to find the right words. "My father," he said, feeling disgust at even saying the word, "tried to kill my mother and I a few years ago. He did this to me," Zuko said, pointing to his scar, "and nearly killed us. I…I managed to save my mom, but he continued to chase us. That's why my uncle and I move so much. I've decided I'm not running anymore, and he showed up at homecoming. It's dangerous for anyone to associate with me, but he saw Toph, and may go after her. That's why Jun is here."
Sokka, Suki, and Katara were all staring at him in shock while Toph and Jun smiled proudly, but oddly, Aang seemed to be nodding, accepting the simple explanation.
"Who was that girl then?" Sokka asked. "The one the cops took away."
"My sister," Zuko replied, scowling as he remembered Toph reaching for him and then her touch leaving as he faced his father two days before.
"Well, that explains some of the looks you've given me," Sokka said with a grin. Zuko nodded, turning to Aang.
"You don't seem surprised," Zuko told the sophomore.
Aang looked up at him, slightly surprised but then smiled weakly. "I lived in an orphanage for the first eight years of my life," the sophomore said, getting a far away look in his eyes. "Some of the stories I heard there, well, they were about as bad as yours. Just different. I helped a lot of them, just listening, but I was never so happy as when Gyatso adopted me. That's why I'm working towards being a social service worker." The goofy kid got a huge grin on his face as he turned to kiss Katara's cheek. "And hopefully help a lot of those kids in the future."
Zuko just let a smile tug at the corner of his mouth as Toph sighed and blew her bangs out of her face as Katara kissed Aang back and Sokka started looking disgusted as the two locked lips before Suki turned to kiss her boyfriend, taking Sokka's mind off of Aang kissing his little sister.
"So…" Toph said, startling everyone as she got up to head to the entertainment center. "You guys up for some Naruto?"
Zuko almost chuckled as the couples broke apart, blushing and smiling sheepishly to which Toph just grinned wickedly. He knew Toph enjoyed needling everyone about their couple status, but kept his face calm as Fong came out with a platter of cookies and sodas as the anime started. Toph retreated back to his side, cuddling into him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He knew he could be himself in the safety of her house, but outside, and in school, he would have to be careful. The scarred teen didn't know if his father would be watching, or where, but Zuko was determined to keep everyone safe. His father had always sought him, to humiliate and harm him, thinking he was weak, worthless. And since Ozai had failed to kill him several times, Zuko knew his father was driven almost to the point of madness to finish the job. And Ozai's words still haunted him. You're going to suffer, and then I'll kill you, Ozai had told him and if Zuko had to make himself a target to keep his friends and family safe, he would.
He noticed Jun turning to watch him occasionally as they watched or listened to the anime, and saw her smiling whenever his eyes met hers. But there was a hardness to her eyes that Zuko understood. After several hours of anime, the other couples had left after talking about what the buzz would be at school the next day and getting a few more reminders about how dangerous it was to be around Zuko. Jun had even started teaching Zuko some of the hand signals that Nyla responded to, but the FBI agent turned to Zuko as Fong escorted the friends out.
"You know the risks, and I know you're trying to distance yourself from them to protect them, but no making yourself bait," Jun told him seriously.
Zuko met her gaze. "Not unless I have to," he relied and Jun merely sighed, blowing some of her bangs out of her face as Toph did before a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Just let me know beforehand," Jun replied before calling Nyla over to show Zuko a few more signals. Once she was sure he had the basic signals down pat, the FBI agent left Zuko and Toph alone to walk around the house and check on her men. Toph slid next to Zuko after patting Nyla's head and turned to smile up at her boyfriend.
"So, just you and me…alone…" she said slyly and Zuko smiled before pulling her close to kiss her soundly while they had a few moments alone. They both knew these moments would be rare, much rarer than they had been, especially since they were now being watched all the time. After what only seemed like seconds, Toph drew away and smiled when Zuko frowned at her, wondering why she had stopped. "My mom's coming, but don't worry, we'll steal a few more moments later."
He almost pouted, and she kissed him quickly and he sighed, knowing she spoke the truth. "We're going to have to be careful," he said and saw her smile falter. "Outside of our houses, we'll…"
"No," Toph said when he paused. She grabbed onto him, her hands moving until they landed on his wrists and he was surprised at how her blind eyes seemed to search his face, though they never focused. "You are not leaving."
Zuko felt his face soften at the look of shock and the small amount of fear on Toph's face and in her eyes. He pulled her close to him and kissed her forehead. "No, I'm not leaving," he told her gently. "You showed me that I can't run forever. I'm just saying maybe we should tone it down a little out there."
He felt better as she sighed in relief, though her grip on him never loosened. She then smiled mischievously and he knew she understood. "You have to ruin my fun?" she asked innocently.
"Who says I'm ruining it?" he asked her quietly as he heard her mother and Jun coming towards them and bent low to kiss her neck. Toph seemed to be startled as he continued to kiss her before she giggled and then pushed him away gently.
"You've got a point, but I smell dinner and I'm hungry," Toph said before she stood, holding out her hand to him. Zuko grinned and took it, rising off the couch to enjoy dinner with her mother and cousin before he was escorted home. He continued to worry about the safety of his friends and family, but he knew he and Toph would be ok, and Jun and her people would do everything in their power to keep them all safe.
A/N: Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!
