A/N:WARNING: the next couple chapters will mention abuse and torture. PG13. I know it gets dark, but there is always hope and light at the end. Reader discretion is advised. Critiques welcome. R&R please!
Chapter 29 Demands
The text had come in late-nearly 9pm. Zuko was tired of hearing his father's voice after 5 minutes of listening to the recording while they waited in Jun's room, but had stayed with Tenzin while they listened to the replay of the phone call 10 more times. They heard some water, and a slight echo as if Ozai was in an empty room, but nothing else to help pinpoint where Toph was being held. Then Zuko had continued relaying what had happened to him since he and his uncle had moved to Gaoling toTenzin. He skipped over some of the more...intimate moments. He knew Tenzin and Jun were aware of his adjustments, but they smiled in a knowing way and Tenzin just waited patiently for him to continue.
Zuko watched as Tenzin became lost in thought for a couple minutes after he had finished. "Will you truly trade yourself for Toph?" Tenzin asked.
"Yes," Zuko stated confidently. "I know Jun and the other agents will do everything to protect both Toph and I, but Ozai wants me. He won't show unless I'm there. I'm sure you and Jun have a few tricks up your sleeves."
Jun actually laughed at that and the surprised look on Tenzin's face. Then Tenzin grinned mischievously. "A magician never reveals their secrets. We'll figure something out once the demands come in and after the call tomorrow."
Zuko just nodded and turned back to his gameboy as they waited. Bato brought dinner in for them and to let Jun know that Nyla was ok, following Ursa around the house. Zuko had been about to fall asleep in his chair when Tenzin's laptop beeped again, followed by Lao coming into the room, much calmer this time.
"The demands are in," Lao stated, all business like in demeanor.
Tenizin nodded. "We just received them now. Do you need assistance with these?" He gestured towards the laptop.
Lao shook his head. "No, the man did his homework. I'll be able to get everything together and in place by noon tomorrow. He also sent…"
"I received the photo as well," Tenzin stated sadly when Lao paused. That got Zuko and Jun's attention. Zuko looked more closely at Toph's father and saw Lao holding back tears. He got up to check the laptop. Once he saw what they were talking about, he turned away, his hands clenching into fists again.
The photo was of Toph, tied and handcuffed to a chair, a gag around her mouth. She was staring straight ahead with a glare. A sign was propped up on her lap, stating "1 day down, more to come."
"Zuko, she'll be ok," Jun stated softly. Zuko opened his eyes to find he had turned towards her bed and she was giving him a sad look. "It's not your fault."
Lao sighed behind him. "As much as I don't want to agree with Jun, she is correct. Zuko, this isn't your fault. It is his." Lao's tone turned venomous as he mentioned Ozai. "I want my daughter returned. I know you don't want to run from him any longer, but if he escapes...perhaps it would be best for you to leave town for a while. For him to take his sights off my daughter, my family."
Zuko could only look at Jun. He didn't want to run anymore. He was tired of fleeing in fear. But, could it help Toph? He wanted Ozai caught. Wanted him punished. But...if he escaped...again, what then?
"You don't have to make the decision now," Jun told him softly, her dark eyes showing compassion and understanding. "Let's see what happens." She cleared her throat before speaking in more of her usual tone. "Let's work on getting Toph back first. Then we'll plan the next move that's best for everyone."
Zuko could only nod and heard Lao move. He watched Lao's reflection off the window and saw the man nodding before he left the room. As Toph's father left, a doctor came in.
"I didn't want to intrude, but I need to check Ms Shirshu, to see if she can be discharged."
"Of course, do you need us to leave?" Tenzin asked the doctor, all smiles again.
"Not yet," the man replied before going over to examine Jun. Zuko walked back to the chair next to Tenzin and sank into it. He was exhausted. Menatlly, emotionally, he was just done.
"You appear well enough to be discharged, Jun," the doctor said after a few minutes. "No activities that would give you more bumps or your next stay will be much longer."
"Thanks, Doc," Jun stated. "Any word on my cousin? She was also injured in the crash."
"Mrs Jasmine Bei Fong. She's awake and recovering, though I understand a disturbing phone call came in recently."
"And that is why I am here, sir," Tenzin stated. "Zuko, come. We'll wait outside while Jun changes and then we can leave together. I'll call for a car to drive us." Zuko had merely nodded and followed Tenzin out of the room so Jun could change and they could head home to rest.
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Toph ate another cold hamburger. She was tired of cold food, but it was better than nothing at all. She had hated Ozai as he had given her clear instructions and threatened her with a knife to her throat before he made the ransom call. And then she had known he was taking a picture of her when he returned and told her to behave for a photo for her dad. She had glared at him, wanting to rant and curse him, but knew better than to do that. Apparently the glare had been enough to garner his anger. After the photo had been taken and he had removed the piece of cardboard that was placed on her, he had pressed the knife into her leg, through her jeans, just enough that she could feel the blade.
"Hope your daddy pays, and your boyfriend does what he's told for once. Don't play games girl, and you won't get hurt." With that, he had scored the knife down her right thigh, enough to rip her jeans and create a long, shallow scratch down her leg. She had tried her best not to cry out, and was able to hold most of it in, but couldn't control the tears that sprang to her eyes as she continued to glare his direction.
"Good girl, now behave and answer the questions, or I'll get more involved."
With that, he was gone, and Toph let herself whimper in pain once she knew the room was empty. She must have fallen asleep, because she woke up again without the gag on and the thin blanket draped over her in the morning. Azula brought in her breakfast again.
"You shouldn't make him angry," Azula stated as Toph ate a stale croissant.
After swallowing, Toph turned her attention to the girl. "That's what Zuko did, wasn't it? Made him angry?"
Azula huffed. "He never did listen."
"Maybe he listened too well," Toph said softly before she took another bite.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Azula asked, anger starting to color her tone.
Toph paused, then finished the bite she had taken. "From what I heard, which wasn't much, was that your dad abused your mom. When Zuko tried to stop it, he got hurt too. Then you dad went psycho and tried to kill them. For what? Standing up to someone for hurting someone else? Come on, you seem smart. Does that make any sense to you?"
Azula was silent for a while. "How many agents are around Zuko?"
Toph sighed. "Just my aunt, if you count her."
"You seem smart," Azula countered, causingToph to frown as she chewed on her last bite. "I was questioned and held at an FBI detention center. Not the local police precinct. You know more than you're letting on. Answer truthfully and he won't get involved."
Toph finished drinking the water. "All I know is my aunt and the friend of Zuko's uncle. There have been more police in the area, but that's it."
Azula sighed before taking the plate and cup. "I'll be back with lunch."
Before Azula shut the door, Toph said, "Thanks for the blanket." she heard Azula pause and then the door was shut and locked. Toph played with her necklace throughout the morning until Azula came back with lunch and the same question.
"How many agents are around Zuko?"
"Probably more there now since you and your dad kidnapped me," Toph sighed.
She heard Azula mutter under her breath. Toph decided to push her luck. "You know Zuko cares about you. You are annoying, but from what I've heard and seen, younger siblings are supposed to be that way."
"Yeah, right."
"You don't have to follow a crazy guy."
Azula hissed. "He is not crazy. We just want to be free…"
Toph heard the pause, the doubt and continued when Azula remained silent for a couple of breaths. "Then why are you still here? You could have ransomed me back already, gotten your cash and have gone."
"You don't know anything!"
"No. He just wants revenge, that's it."
"You…"
They both stopped when they heard louder footsteps heading their way. "I warned you," Azula hissed before the door opened.
"Azula, did she give an answer?" Ozai asked coldly.
"Just the same, and that there are probably agents there now that she's been kidnapped."
"Leave, Azula."
"Father…"
"Leave! Now!" Ozai's tone was firm and angry. Toph heard Azula leave and the door shut. She swallowed. She would be strong. She had to be.
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Azula saw the girl looking nervous as they both heard Ozai heading their way. The girl seemed strong, but she knew her father always got what he wanted. The girl had made a few good points. Her father had said that he had a charter plane lined up. He could have freed her before and they could have left. Sure, cash helped and the ransom from this girl would set them up for a couple years...but he wanted Zuko too.
She walked away, her thoughts going in circles as she heard screams start in the room she had left. She walked out of the building. She needed to think, away from screams that she knew would haunt her.
