Chapter 26 Birthday
A/N: Now for some fluff! Thank you again to all reading. It may be a couple weeks before my next update. I am working on the next plot point and got a good chunk written today (during nap time). But, I need to write more and review multiple times before I post. Have fun with the fluff!
The week after Thanksgiving was...odd. Oddly normal. Zuko almost expected many people to be staring at him as they had after homecoming, but no one had. A couple people asked Toph about the tournament, but anyone who would have asked Zuko had actually been there and gone through it. Jet even sought him out Monday at the end of lunch.
"Hey, got a minute?" the spiky haired senior asked Zuko after he came up to their table. Katara and Sokka seemed surprised as Zuko nodded and they walked towards one of the walls to talk out of range of most people. Most people never included Toph, but that was ok.
Zuko was curious and waited as patiently as he could. "Uh, you were...good. As assistant coach. And...I saw you taking care of Toph when it went to hell. Well...You know."
Zuko saw Jet's eyes dart towards his scar and he frowned a bit.
"I just wanted to say you looked calm, and it...well, it helped. Bee was starting to get scared, and it's my job to protect my little sister...you know? Seeing you...up on stage, before we left...it helped."
Zuko felt his frown disappear. "I get it," he said softly which seemed to surprise Jet. "I was scared too, but...yeah, I've been in some tight spots before. I'm not really good at talking things out. Did you talk to Mr. Jeong?"
"Uh...no, not yet. I wanted to say thanks first." Jet's uncertainty was then gone in an instant and he was back to his usual, smirking self. "See you around."
Zuko chuckled at how odd that had been as he headed back to his seat, but at least Jet was back to normal.
Toph was chuckling softly as Zuko sat back down again. Sokka gave him an odd look but let it slide. Zuko made it a point to mention the conversation and his thoughts to Sokka on their way to and getting ready for gym since the blue eyed senior seemed more like a good older brother who might be able to help Jet out.
Evenings were still spent with Toph, either at his house or hers. Her father had returned late Tuesday from the business trip that had taken him out of town over the weekend and he had actually thanked Zuko on Wednesday for watching over his daughter and made sure she stayed safe when the bombs had gone off. Zuko was a little perplexed about it, but Toph later told him after they had finished their homework that her mom had passed on how scared and angry she had been after they had gotten home Saturday. Toph and her father had a heart to heart and talked through some stuff. He was still unhappy about her being in Ozai's sights, but he knew Jun and all the agents and police were doing everything they could to keep her and everyone else safe.
"I'm just glad we still get to do this," Zuko sighed as he held her while they listened to a movie after the meeting with Lao.
Toph just chuckled. "Me too."
On Thursday, Bato pulled him aside after the morning run. They were up to 4 miles already. It was hard, but doable.
"A package arrived for you late last night," the agent said. Zuko was still breathing heavily from the run, but perked up at that. "Jun checked it out, and mentioned you were waiting for it."
"Yeah, may I see it?"
Bato grinned and pulled a drawer of a kitchen cabinet open and gave Zuko a small, velvet box. The scarred teen opened the box and grinned. It was perfect, just how he had described it wanted done to his uncle. He closed the box and handed it back to Bato.
"You can look if you want," he stated as the agent placed the box back in the drawer.
Bato grinned at him again. "I already saw when Jun examined it. I think she'll like it."
Zuko could only smile back. He hoped so. Toph was hard to get a present for. Being blind, she didn't care about most of the things girls did and her parents bought her anything she needed or wanted. He really, really hoped that she liked this.
Saturday dawned bright and chill. The run with Bato and the agents warmed Zuko up, and then he moved onto his forms before heading to the shower. When he was finally dressed and grabbing breakfast, it was only 7:30. His phone started ringing. Zuko paused while reaching for his cereal. It wasn't Toph-too early and wrong ring-tone. Then, he recognized the ringtone. Sokka. Quickly grabbing his phone and holding it to his ear with his shoulder, he continued to prepare his breakfast,
"You're up early," he said to Sokka.
"Yeah, well...don't get used to it. Katara...insisted. She said you were an early riser, and since you and Toph are joined at the hip unless she's asleep…
"Sokka! That's not nice!" Zuko heard Katara yell from the background of Sokka's phone.
"Well, YOU said it," Sokka replied to his sister in a faint voice before his voice became clear to Zuko again. "Anyways, we wanted to plan the birthday after the club meeting. Got a few minutes? Katara said we can do it over the phone."
Zuko smiled slightly. "Yeah, as long as you don't mind hearing me eat. I'm starving."
"Not at all, dude. I get it. Anyways...Katara has the food all planned out. We were wondering about gifts and decorations."
Zuko's smile grew. "You know Toph doesn't care about decorations. She can't see them. Maybe...something she can feel? Or smell?"
"I have just the thing!" Katara squealed, causing Zuko to wince at her high pitched tone. He was sure Sokka was wincing and it was confirmed as Sokka left the phone slightly to yell at his sister again.
"Katara! Not so loud! Geesh, are you a teen or a teeny bopper? It's too damn early. Zuko, you ok? I may be partially deaf from that in my left ear."
"Yeah, I'm ok. I already have her gift. Her parents actually invited my mom, uncle and I over to their house on Tuesday for dinner, so I'll be giving her a gift then. But, if you're looking for ideas...she seemed to love the smell of a leather shop we went into when we were up in the mountains."
"That's a great idea! Thanks, Zuko!"
"Should I be...concerned for whatever Katara is planning?"
"I dunno, maybe. I'll make sure she clears it with Mr. Jeong first. But I see the wheels moving in her head. Thanks, Zuko."
"No prob. If you need help setting or cleaning up, I'm sure our special friends can help too."
Sokka laughed at that. They had taken to calling the agents tailing Zuko and Toph as 'special friends'. Their small group that knew the truth of the agents' presence had not known what to call them without pointing them out to everyone else, so Sokka had lamely started calling them 'special friends'.
Zuko had initially groaned at that remark, and Toph had laughed. Jun laughed too, and then told Sokka never to call her a 'special friend'. Ever. Now Aang, Katara, Toph, and even Zuko on rare occasions used the code phrase.
"Tell Suki hi for me," he said.
"Yeah, I will. We'll have to all get together once this is done, and actually hang out, like we're supposed to," Sokka sighed.
"I know," Zuko replied with a sigh of his own. "Thanks Sokka, and thank Katara too, for doing the hard work."
"Darn right," Katara said from the background.
Zuko just chuckled as he hung up. He had grabbed a few bites as he and Sokka had talked, but it wasn't enough. He filled up the bowl twice more before he was satisfied. Bato came in when Zuko moved to place the box back in the cabinet, only to shake it and realize it was empty. With a frown, he tossed the box into the recycling instead.
"Still hungry?" Bato asked with a sly smile.
"No," Zuko sighed. But then, he grew curious. Bato was always around in the mornings, and he had never seen the agent eat more than a couple protein bars before noon. "You have a secret stash somewhere? How do you not...starve?"
Bato laughed outright and Zuko felt himself start to scowl.
"Look in that cabinet," Bato said, pointing his chin to a cabinet that Zuko had though was filled with his uncle's tea collection. Zuko gave Bato a quizzical look and then went to the cabinet. It was an upper cabinet, close to the entry to the kitchen from the entryway and family room, and was over a counter that Iroh had placed several of his teapots on.
Zuko opened it, and found his uncle's tea collection on the lower shelf. Many, many jars of tea leaves, some with labels, some without. Then, the scarred teen looked up. There were a couple large containers of….did it say protein powder mix? Zuko grabbed one of the containers and pulled it out to look at it better.
"What is this?"
"A protein drink mix. It's good for rebuilding muscles and energy when you work out a lot. Want me to make you some?"
Zuko thought about it for a moment, but the large amount of cereal had eaten was sitting heavily in his stomach.
"Later, or tomorrow, I'll try it."
Bato just nodded wisely. "I also have a drink before workouts to optimize them and a mix for long endurance runs, like marathons. I'll prep you a drink tomorrow morning for before and after the run."
Zuko just nodded in thanks before returning the mix back to the cabinet.
The next morning, he was handed a drink as soon as he was up and told to down it as fast as possible. Once he was done with the run, Bato handed him another drink. Zuko was surprised at the flavor and texture. It wasn't as bad as he thought it might be, and actually tasted decent. By 7:30, he wasn't starving like he had been the previous week. He still filled up a bowl of cereal since he was still hungry, but his need for food was easily sated.
On Sunday, Toph started to push for hints for her present as they practiced their forms together in her dojo. "C'mon, I know you got me something."
"Of course I did, but it's still on order. I hope it shows in time."
Toph stopped and seemed to study him after finishing a pattern with a couple kicks and saw her studious look change to a feral grin.
"You lied," she stated.
Zuko smirked at her. "About what?"
"You already have my gift. Come on, one hint."
"I think you'll like it."
Toph growled when he remained silent for a couple minutes as he worked on the next set of forms.
The quest for hints became more persistent when they were together in private. Toph even tried to tickle a hint out of him Monday night as she had gotten nowhere all Sunday or Monday after school.
"Toph!" Zuko cried out between laughs as he avoided her persistent hands. "No! I won't tell you!" He started laughing again as she found a sensitive spot on his returned the tickling until Jun came out and grabbed Toph's feet.
"Hey! Feet are off limits!" Toph squealed as she tried to draw her feet away from her cousin and evade Zuko at the same time, failing to do so.
"No, Squirt. You can't pry out your gift ahead of time. I'll leave your feet alone if you stop pestering your boyfriend."
"Fine!"Toph blurted out between laughs.
Zuko met Jun's eyes and nodded an agreement. They both let go of the blind girl and he and Toph caught their breath.
After Toph had caught her breath, she stuck her tongue out at Jun who was still standing behind them, just in case.
"No fair teaming up on me," she stated.
"No fair interrogating your boyfriend to find out your gift early," Jun replied back with a twinkle in her dark eyes.
"Fine, fine, I'll find out tomorrow. Right?" Toph turned her sighless gaze towards Zuko and he leaned towards her and answered her with a soft kiss.
"Yes, you'll get your gift tomorrow."
"All right," Toph conceded. "Now, do you know what Katara has planned?"
"Nope," Zuko replied in complete honesty.
Toph stuck her tongue out at him and he just kissed her in response, earning a chuckle from Jun.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Zuko frowned in front of the mirror as he prepared to go over to the Bei Fong house for dinner. He was dressed nicely, in a long sleeved burgundy shirt and black pants. Nowhere near as nicely dressed as he had been for Homecoming, but this night was special. And Lao would be there. Zuko pulled his hair together and out of his face and frowned more at his scar. He noticed his mother come to his doorway as he tied a band around most of his hair into a top knot, keeping most of it out of his face. He left a few strands free around his scar as he had for the Halloween Party.
Had it only been a little more than a month since he had first kissed Toph? It felt like it had been so much longer, especially with everything that had happened.
"You look very handsome," Ursa said as he finished from his door. She came forward and her smile faltered as she noticed the stray strands of hair around his scar. "Zuko, you don't need to hide it."
She moved to brush the hair back, but Zuko shook his head slightly.
"Thanks, Mom, but...I feel better about it this way. I know Toph doesn't care, but…
Ursa smiled again. "You care. And you see everyone looking at it. The scar does not define you."
"I know," Zuko sighed. He then took in his mother's appearance. She had her hair drawn back into a partial ponytail with most of her hair straight as it used to be. She was looking healthier than ever and had even applied some makeup to go with her modest long sleeved black dress.
Zuko let a small smile come to his face. "You look great. Not trying to impress anyone, are you?"
He was actually surprised as a small blush came to his mother's cheeks. "No, and you have no business prying, young man. Now, do you have your gift before we walk over?"
"Yes," he replied evenly, reaching into his pocket where the box was. "You ready?"
"Yes. Shall we?"
Zuko smiled as he held out his arm for his mother and she hooked her arm through his to walk to the front room. Iroh was waiting for them in a dark green polo shirt and khaki pants as well as Bato who was dressed nicely too. Zuko was surprised that Bato seemed to stop and stare at Ursa and vice versa. Iroh laughed jovially as the two adults stared at each other and blushed.
"Jun suggested that Bato join us, and Mr. Bei Fong agreed. Zuko, perhaps Bato could lead your mother over to the Bei Fong residence?'
Zuko let his mother's arm go and smirked as she blushed even more as Bato stepped up to her.
"Come, Nephew," Iroh stated, motioning Zuko to walk with him ahead of his mother and the agent.
"How long?" Zuko whispered to his uncle once they were crossing the street after Danny had given them the all clear.
Iroh sent a penetrating look at his nephew and then grinned wickedly. "Since they met the day she arrived here. I believe they suit each other."
Zuko frowned slightly. He wasn't sure he was ready for his mom to have...romance. A quick glance back and she saw his mother blushing and smiling broadly at Bato. But...Bato was a good man. Zuko smiled slightly. He was glad his mother was happy. He took a deep breath as he turned to face Toph's front door. A smile made its way onto his face. He couldn't wait to see Toph and watch her face when she opened her present.
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Toph grinned as she sat next to Zuko while everyone enjoyed dinner. Dinner was actually going well. Ursa and Jasmine were talking animatedly off and on about clothes and fashion. Lao was relaxing while talking to Iroh and Bato about business and different types of drinks, from tea to coffee to alcohol. Jun was weighing in on both conversations, and Toph and Zuko were able to talk quietly while also holding hands under the table. Toph had almost laughed at the reaction she had gotten from her boyfriend when he had seen her that night. She was sure his breathing had stopped and she just smiled feeling the comfortable silk dress she was in. She knew it was form fitting, but it was also comfortable,and not restrictive at all.
"Are your mom and Bato going steady now?" Toph whispered to Zuko.
"I don't think so," he replied between bites. "I don't even think they know."
Toph had chuckled at that. She heard Jun pause in her conversation with Iroh from her left, the other side of Toph from Zuko, between Toph and her father.
"Better get those hands up more often," Toph's cousin whispered in a low tone, too low for her dad to hear as he enthusiastically talked about his favorite type of coffee.
Toph felt her cheeks heat up and gave Zuko's hand a squeeze before pulling her hand above the table to cut up some of her dinner and eat. She heard her boyfriend doing the same. They kept their hands above the table for another minute, and then were back to holding hands under the table again. Toph was sure her father may have caught them once, but they did their best to stay discreet. More so than Iroh and Jun's flirting and word slinging at least.
After dinner, both families left the dining table to the family room, where Zuko and Toph had hung out most of the time. Toph heard her mother ask Jun and Bato to help her with the presents as Iroh brewed a pot of tea. Toph settled down and cuddled into Zuko's side in a corner of one of the couches. Toph almost smirked as she felt him adjusting something that felt like a small box in his pocket. She was curious and couldn't wait to feel what he got her.
Once everyone was settled, Jasmine handed her daughter a large box. "This is from Ursa and I. We've been...collaborating together since getting you two ready for the tournament and thought you would enjoy this. It's a new fashion that's becoming popular with young adults."
Toph smiled at her mother. She opened the box and was surprised to find very soft clothing inside. It was almost velvet like, but felt more like cotton. It was very, very soft. She shook it out and found that it was a short dress. There were also a pair of pants in the box that felt elasticity.
"Do they go together?" she asked the mothers.
"Yes," Ursa replied with a smile. "The leggings go under the dress. This was the softest material we could find, and thought you would love the feel."
"This is also a test for the fabric. It's passed the other tests, but it needs a real life test to make sure it wears well and doesn't stretch or shrink too much before I put it on the market."
"And who better to test it in real life than me?" Toph asked with a grin. "Thank you, Mom, Ursa."
Toph heard her father turn to Jun and her cousin shrugged. "My gift is still in transit. It has to wait. The holiday rush didn't help."
Iroh chuckled. "I have a large jar of my morning brew for you, my dear," he said.
Toph smiled and nodded her head to Zuko's uncle. "Thank you. I love that stuff."
Iroh just laughed. "So i've heard. Just keep it hidden from your cousin, she may steal it."
"Iroh! You wound me," Jun stated in a shocked voice, but everyone started laughing.
"Toph," Lao started once everyone had calmed down. "I have something special. It's been passed down, and, since you are now a young lady, your mother and I think it's time you received it."
Toph was curious as her father got up and took her hand, placing a small box in it. She opened it and heard Zuko's breath catch. Gently feeling inside, she felt two small earrings. The base was a stone stud, but each held a small teardrop stone dangling from a small wire. The feel of the stone was familiar and Toph inhaled a scent of old gardenia.
"Were these...Great Grandma's?" she asked her father.
"Yes," Lao said with pride. "And her mothers, and back ten generations before you. Your grandmother and mother and I all decided that you should receive them when you started acting...like a lady."
Toph almost snorted, but chuckled instead. "I am not a lady."
"Maybe not in everything yet," Jasmine stated gently, yet firmly. "But you have started acting as a lady should since...a certain young man entered your life."
Toph blushed and was sure Zuko was doing the same. Having to dress nicely had been Katara and her mom's idea to see if Zuko liked her. But since they had started dating, she felt more and more like she wanted to dress nice. For him and herself.
"Besides, most of the lady part comes with time and maturity," Jasmine stated with a smile in her tone.
Toph could only nod. "Thank you, Dad," she said quietly. Toph then turned to Zuko.
"Ok, Sunshine. Your turn."
He pulled away from her and she felt his hand brush against her as he pulled the box she had felt out of his pocket. Jasmine took the box with the earrings so Zuko could set his own box in her hand.
"I hope you like it," he whispered.
She smiled at him and opened the box. Feeling inside, she was surprised to find a necklace. It seemed simple; a heart that had the bottom point swaying towards her left. A small gem lay at the point in the dent, where the top dipped into the center. A bar was above the heart and Toph ran her finger over the bar, feeling tears come to her eyes, though she tried to blink them away.
"To Toph, from Zuko" was on the bar in fine braille print. So small, it seemed like it wasn't even there, but Toph could feel it. She knew it was there. She turned and pulled her boyfriend into a kiss. She didn't care if her parents saw. No one had ever gotten her jewelry with braille on it. She knew there was jewelry with words and letters, and a lot of clothes had designs and words, but no one...they had never thought about what a blind girl would want.
"Ok, ok, break it up and let us see," Jun stated, getting up to reach for the box. Toph handed it to her cousin and let the agent pass it around.
"I guess you like it," Zuko whispered to her with a smile.
"Yeah, thank you. The braille...that's amazing! What kind of gem is in the heart?"
"A fake emerald. I can't afford a real one yet. And the necklace and heart are silver."
Toph laughed lightly, still grinning. She was the luckiest girl in the world to have such a caring boyfriend.
"Toph, is this braille?" Jasmine asked. "What does it say?"
"To Toph, from Zuko," Toph answered simply. "I didn't know braille could be put on jewelry like that."
"It was very difficult to find," Iroh said with a sigh. "But my nephew insisted. And he searched hard and made many phone calls until he found a jeweler who could do it to his specifications. I made the trip so you two could focus on your studies."
"That was very thoughtful of you, Zuko," Lao stated. Toph was surprised by her father's surprised and affectionate tone, and knew Zuko was too. Lao cleared his throat to get rid of the awkward silence that had sprung up. "Now, would anyone care for some pie?"
Many affirmative answers were made and pie and tea or coffee was handed out. Zuko helped Toph place the necklace on, at her insistence. When it was on, she noticed the point was a little sharp, but only if it hit her at the wrong angle. Resting on her sternum, it felt like the necklace belonged there, just as her boyfriend belonged next to her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Toph was...concerned. It was Wednesday, the day of the club meeting, and of Katara's planned birthday celebration. She had smelled baking spices on Katara's clothes when they met briefly in the halls between classes, but Katara was all mischievous giggles and had made her getaway quickly. Zuko was silent, as was Aang, which was odd. Aang could almost never keep a secret. If he was keeping something in, he was usually extra bubbly. That Katara had kept her own boyfriend in the dark was odd. And cold. Toph was extra curious what the junior had planned.
Whenever she asked Zuko about what was planned, he would just shrug and say they would both have to see. That always caused a frown. She knew he was being truthful, and she wouldn't be able to pry anything out of him.
At lunch, Katara avoided them. She ate her lunch quickly before excusing herself to head to the table where Song and Jin were eating.
"What's up with Sweetness?" Toph asked Sokka.
"We all know you too well," Sokka remarked slyly. "Katara doesn't want to give anything away."
Toph made herself look shocked. "I wouldn't…"
Aang started snorting and laughing. "Toph, we all know you. I'm sure Zuko even knows how bad you can get when someone tries to hide something from you."
"All weekend and week," Zuko sighed quietly next to her. Toph could only grin at her boyfriend as she elbowed him gently.
"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy some of it."
Zuko was silent for a bit then leaned over and whispered with a smile, "Payback when Jun helped."
Toph must have blushed slightly because Sokka and Aang started chuckling. Toph turned her attention back to Sokka again. "I just don't like being surprised. Come on, Sokka. One hint."
"I can't wait to try the cookies. Katara tried a new recipe and refused to let me taste them!"
Toph laughed at that. "That's because you'll eat them all. And not save any for anyone else! Or me!"
Aang laughed and Zuko actually chuckled at that. It was clear that Toph wasn't going to get anything from her friends and sulked slightly. She felt her new necklace shift and heard Sokka re-adjust.
"Toph? Are you actually wearing jewelry?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. Sunshine got it for me for my birthday."
She heard Sokka turn towards Zuko then back to Toph and back and forth a few times. Toph rolled her eyes. "I am a girl, you know. I can wear jewelry."
"Yeah, but...you never have," Sokka stated, stunned.
Zuko just shrugged next to her. "I thought she might like it. I'm glad she does."
Toph heard the affection in his tone, even though Zuko's tone was mostly flat. She pulled the necklace out from under her sweatshirt so Sokka could see it better.
'What's that on the bar?" Aang asked. "I can't read it."
"Thankfully, I can. It's braille."
"Wow! That's amazing," Aang stated.
"Wow, good job, man," Sokka said to Zuko. "Can you pass on the jeweler and cost...later? That gave me a great idea for Suki."
"Sure, on the way to gym," Zuko replied with a shrug.
Toph tried to get a few more details out of Sokka, but all he could give was that the cookies smelled amazing and he was sure there was cinnamon or ginger in them. History came too soon, followed by gym. Toph walked to the martial arts club with Zuko, surprised that no one else was with them. They weren't going fast or slow, just their usual routine. "Where are the others?" Toph asked her boyfriend as Jun and Bato walked behind them.
Zuko just shrugged. "Sokka left from gym early with Mr. Jong's approval. Said he was drafted to help Katara."
Toph smiled. She hoped all this work from Katara was worth it. She didn't care about decorations. She couldn't experience them like everyone else.
Zuko opened the door to the gym and Toph stopped. The smells that came out of the gym enveloped her. Cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, and vanilla, among others. All the wonderful smells of baking, more intense than usual. She breathed in deeply, smiling. This was about as good as being in a kitchen when her dad was baking.
"Happy birthday Toph!" the entire club yelled out.
Toph was shocked. Was everyone in on this and she had actually been fooled? Jun started laughing behind her.
"Get on in there, Squirt," Jun said quietly, low enough for only Toph and Zuko to hear.
Toph stepped in and then heard Sokka pulling on something. Suddenly, she was being showered with balloons. She started laughing. This was amazing! She started whacking at the balloons as they hit her, sending them towards everyone else. She heard others start laughing and then several people were wading through the balloons and tossing some back and forth and into the air. Toph reached back for her boyfriend and pulled him into the fun. After maybe 15 minutes of playing in the balloons, Mr. Jeong cleared his throat.
"We will not have our usual meeting today, as it was impressed on me that we should celebrate a birthday today," he said with a slight smirk in his tone. "Before we grab the wonderful smelling snacks made by some of the ladies, we have a guest here on behalf of the tournament."
Toph paused, noticing that Sue Kyoshi, one of the agents, was there. Sue had also been a referee for the tournament.
"Hello, everyone," Sue started in a deep tone for a woman. "You've probably seen me around as one of the school reviewers. I am also a referee for martial arts tournaments and was happy to be a part of the one that occurred this weekend. I'm here to bestow a trophy to Avatar High and your team on behalf of the tournament. Unfortunately, the tournament was cut short before a true champion could be named, but Avatar High had the most points when the tournament had to be cancelled. The staff also wanted to pass on this trophy to Mr. Jeong for taking control of the situation so all could exit safely."
With that, Toph heard Sue turn towards the teacher and bow before picking what sounded like a large trophy off the ground and handing it to Mr. Joeng.
"Wow," Zuko breathed.
"Describe it," Toph whispered to her boyfriend.
"The trophy must have been the first place one. It's three feet tall, three layers with a person doing a high kick on top. It's gold in color, with four pillars each holding up each layer before a single pillar holds up the figure on top."
Toph whistled appreciatively.
"Thank you," Mr. Jeong stated after everyone applauded. Toph smiled as she heard some emotion in his tone. He was obviously not expecting this. "This is for our entire team, even those who couldn' be there. Now, please enjoy the snacks. Principal Feng has informed me that any trophies earned by the club will be placed in the hall among our other sports teams' trophies. This will be placed there. Now, please enjoy the treats. Next week shall be our last meeting for the year, before winter break."
Toph grinned and pulled Zuko to where she could smell the treats. There were at least four different types of desserts from what she could smell. Three different types of cookies and one cake. Toph grabbed one of each and heard Zuko grab a plate before grabbing some of the treats.
"Any preference on drink? There are at least 5 different types of sodas,"Zuko asked.
"Root beer or sprite," Toph replied with a smile.
He nodded and she made her way to sit on one of the practice mats so she could enjoy the treats. Toph could only smile as she had to wade through balloons, kicking them and hearing other people doing the same as the teens grabbed the desserts and sat down to eat. Katara sat down next to her as she started on her second cookie, a ginger snap.
"Happy Birthday, Toph," Katara said with a grin as she sat down.
Toph nodded, savoring the bite she had taken. "How'd you do it?" she asked her friend once she could talk. "Keep everyone in the dark so I couldn't find out?"
"Well, Zuko gave me the idea for the balloons…"
"I did not say balloons," he cut in before Toph could turn her attention to him. "I said something you could feel."
Katara only laughed. "Well, that gave me the idea for the balloons. Smellerbee was able to help me get people to blow them up and prep them. Jin and Song helped me with the desserts and Angie and Pipsqueak helped with the sodas."
"And the smells?" Toph asked. The whole gym still smelled of baking spices. She could even smell some of it on the balloons.
"Smellerbee had essential oils and I had extra vanilla that we spread on the balloons and crumpled paper towels in the area."
Toph grinned. "I love it." She took another bite of the delicious cookie. She almost snickered as she heard both Katara and Zuko breathe a sigh of relief, glad that she wasn't angry at them.
Many people came up to her and wished her a happy birthday as they ate and played with the balloons. All too soon, the hour was coming to an end. Sokka came over to give Toph her gift, from him, Katara, and Aang. Toph was pleasantly surprised to find it was a small leather wallet with a flying boar engraved onto the outside.
"If everyone could please help clean up the balloons before you leave, it would be greatly appreciated," Mr. Jeong stated as Toph grabbed the last two cookies.
Soon, cleanup became a game of popping the balloons and Toph was still having a blast as the pops sounded everywhere. It sounded like other people were finding unique ways to pop the balloons. When most of the balloons were popped and disposed of, the remaining sodas taken away, and most of the club having left, Toph heard her cousin approach her as she tried to catch an elusive balloon.
"Were you in on this?" she asked Jun with a smirk.
"Nope, but this was fun. I'll have to keep it in mind for future parties," the agent replied with a laugh. "Here. This may help. Happy Birthday, Squirt. Just don't tell your old man you got it from me."
Toph gave her cousin a quizzical look and held out her hand. An item was placed in it and it felt like an oval belt buckle, but it had an odd feel to it. She felt it carefully, and found a button on the side. Pressing it released part of the buckle with a click. She pulled it apart, realizing that it was a hidden spike in the belt buckle, almost like a knife point.
"Thought those were illegal," Zuko stated as he walked up to them.
"In some states, yes," Jun replied. "This state...yes. With everything going on, you two could use some extra protection. Merry Christmas, Sunshine."
Toph heard her cousin hand Zuko something and it sounded like he received a belt buckle. She heard the same click from his direction that had opened her belt buckle and smiled.
"What do they look like? There's not much design I can feel."
"Nope, yours is dark green, his black. I want them to be as un-noticeable as possible. The ultimate last backup you'll ever need. Just in case. My boys do a great job, but I'm not taking chances with...you know. Not with you two being separated over the Christmas break."
"Hey, Bato, Sue, Danny, can you guys help me get the last balloons," Sokka said in the background as Toph nodded her agreement to her cousin.
She smiled at the agent. "Thanks Aunt Jun!"
"Anytime, Squirt," Jun replied with a smile as she pulled Toph into a hug and ruffled her bangs. "But do NOT show your father the special feature."
"No problem," Toph laughed as she pushed Jun's hand away. "Come on, Sunshine. I hear a couple last rogue balloons in the corner that way!" She pointed towards the far corner of the gym and started running there. She heard Zuko chuckle lightly as he jogged to keep up with her. This had been a great birthday. She was going to enjoy every minute with her boyfriend until she had to leave for Chrtsmas.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was close to Christmas. She was being escorted out and to a different facility. She had behaved. Been the perfect angel. She almost smirked. They didn't know her. Only one man truly knew her. She kept her face downcast and her head bowed as the agent escorted her towards the exit. The cuffs had been stretched repeatedly, the metal worn. She only needed the right moment.
A pause as the agent opened the door. She took her moment. She lifted her head and kicked him. First in the back, then the groin, then the head. She truly smiled as he hit the floor, unconscious. She faced the door jam and struck her cuffed hands towards the jam, striking the link between the cuffs onto the door jam, breaking the links.
She paused, listening. No one was running. Most were in other areas, but that wouldn't stay that way. She was expected. Quickly searching the agent, she grabbed his wallet, keys and radio. Then, she took off towards a different exit. She paused before using his ID to open the door. Then, she was free. She hurried through the darkness towards the fence. Alarms sounded behind her, but she didn't care. She heard a stick break off to the side, from the darkness. She whirled, ready to fight, then smiled.
"Hello, Azula. Are you ready?"
"To leave this hell hole? Yes."
"Follow me."
She smiled and followed him through a hole in the fence.
"So, where to? Mexico? Bahamas?"
"I have a charter plane, ready to take us to Brazil...after we take care of some personal business."
She frowned, for a moment. "Very well, Father. Then we will go and live the life we deserve. Correct?"
"Yes, Azula. After he suffers. He caused us to suffer. It is only fair to make him pay before we leave."
She smiled again. It was going to be a good Christmas and a happy New Year after all.
