A Kiss in Ba Sing Se
[Author's Notes: This version is milder than the original, but is still rated M. May get a bit sexy at times.
Disclaimer: I do not have Title or Rights to the Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Now... On with the Story]
A Kiss in Ba Sing Se
Talks
The usually happy-go-lucky Water Tribe boy looked anything but, as he threw his arm around the young Avatar's shoulders. "Katara, Aang and I need to talk man-to-man for a few, you don't mind do ya?"
"Are ya gonna talk about cherry tarts?" she asked rolling her eyes. "I think that subject has been beaten to death."
"Na, I was just fool'n around about that, " Sokka quipped with a wide grin. "I was thinking more along the lines of what dad would say if he were here, ya know?"
Immediately Katara's stomach formed into a huge knot, "Dad? That conversation? You mean... that conversation Sokka?"
"Well, not exactly that conversation, Katara," he clarified. "Just a general one. Maybe on how he should be nice and respectful, and no fooling around on my sister."
"Not sure what your getting at Sokka," Katara replied, somewhat perplexed, "Aang has been nothing but nice and respectful and since we only just started today, I really don't think the third one applies just yet."
"No harm in talking is there sis?" he insisted.
Katara crossed her arms with a concern look, "I guess not, but leave that other thing for dad, you hear me?"
"Sure thing sis," he replied as they started out to the patio. "I'll keep it light."
"You better!" she warned.
Suki put a comforting arm around her, "He's fine Katara, they're fine. Sokka is just watching out for you. You know, always playing the big brother. I'll go out with them and make sure he doesn't get carried away okay?"
"I'd appreciate that Suki," she replied meekly.
"Stop worrying sweetie," the Kyoshi Warrior assured her, "Sokka loves him just like a brother."
Suki gave her a final small side hug and headed out onto the stone porch after the boys.
As she closed the door behid her, she heard voices in the distance, angry voices.
Suki broke into a full run coming upon the two apparently squared off, "Sokka, Aang... what are you two doing?"
"Avatar or not, I'm gonna kick his ass! Nobody plays my little sister," Sokka growled holding up his fists.
Aang had equal looks of defiance and sorrow. "If you want to hit me, go ahead I said!"
Suki saw her boyfriend draw back a fist, only to have it drop to his side. "Dammit Aang, why? Why did you go and do something so, so... stupid?"
Sokka shoved him, forcing him back a few steps.
Even the hardened Kyoshi Warrior was holding back the tear.
Aang looked down at the stone deck, "Sokka I just want you to know... I do love your sister."
"Okay, and so you prove that by making out with Toph, right?" he mocked.
"If you're not going to listen to me, then why am I here?" Aang spat back bitterly. "This hurts me too, even though you may not believe it. You are my brother and I know I have wounded you. But I, I can't take this back... Suki... how can I change this?" Aang pleaded.
Suki walked over to him, "Once her veil has been rent, how can it be changed Aang?"
Aang's brow furrowed, "What are you talking about? Veil being rent?"
Sokka shhok his head, "Let me make this simple, looks like you gave her the business end of your war club from all indications," he pointed at the stain on the shawl, "What if there's a little Aang flying around here nine months from now? Who's going to tell Katara! She's not stupid... one airbender and one airbending baby... DUH! What's worse you know how Toph's parents are. I wonder how they'll treat her being pregnant from the guy they think kidnapped her!"
Aang looked back and forth between the downcast Suki on the verge of tears and the bitter young man.
"Nothing like that happened... I swear," he pleaded, folding his hands, "y-yes we kissed, and I-I admit, it went further than even I could have imagined, b-but we didn't do that!"
Sokka lifted an eyebrow, "So, no war clubbing?"
"No, defintely no clubbing! She said she wasn't ready for that yet," the monk confessed.
Sokka gave him a sideways glance, "So you did try?"
"Yes, I did... but she said no, and I had to respect that Sokka! Please believe me."
"I think there is evidence to the contrary," Sokka retorted, his eyes fixing on the obvious spot.
Aang thought for a moment to let Sokka draw whatever conclusion he wanted at first, but his feelings were so hurt but he really wanted him to know the truth. Toph also deserved not to be thought of as some fallen woman as well.
"This stain is where I put a moon flower in her hair. I know it seems far fetched, but a bed of them had bloomed under the half moon. It got smashed on my shawl when we... well you saw... got carried away... a lot carried away." he said, laying out the details.
"I believe you," Sokka unexpectedly said. "Suki and I came upon that same grove of flowers. As red as blood, blooming under the half moon, just like you said."
The airbender dropped his head, "Thank you Sokka... thank you for believe..."
"That still doesn't explain what you did Aang," he said in a calmer voice. "Making out with Toph... not as bad as fucking her... but still."
Aang ground his teeth as he stepped up on Sokka, "I would never FUCK Toph! I love Toph! I love her more than life. Do you get me!"
"Whoa, calm down Aang," Suki stepped between them. "We get you. So you love Katara and you love Toph. Sound pretty confusing.
"He took in a deep breath, "Not to an Air Nomad, we are taught to love openly, have many companions."
Suki placed a hand on his neck, rubbing the back of his head softly, "You know that was a 100 years ago Aang... I don't think Katara will go along with it."
"I know," he remarked, keeping his head down, "but it is the truth you guys. How does an Air Nomad live now when he loves two women, Suki?"
"I don't think my opinion is the point here Aang. You and Katara and of course Sokka, are all tied up in this. Where Toph stands, and who you want to be next to you for the rest of your life, well that's a heavy decision you're gonna have to make." she said, giving him a friendly hug.
"Sorry about that comment bro," Sokka said extedning a hand, "We'll leave it up to you to decide if you are going tell my sister. If you decide on Toph, and she is a great gal Aang, then tell Katara right away will ya? Please do her that courtesy."
Aang shook his hand, "I will." he guaranteed them.
"Wipe those tears away Sokka," Suki ordered him as they started back in.
"Those aren't tears... some moon dust just got in my eye."
The Fan Master looked at him with a smile, "Moon dust? That's even a stretch for you, my love. Remember, smile big, and tell her Aang is out here taking care of Appa."
"How has your night been so far Avatar Aang... interesting?" the familiar voice asked from the shadows.
The airbender turned with a start.
It was Iroh, and he had been sitting on the far side of the balcony, unbeknownst to the others.
"If the young Lady's honor now being questioned here is Toph's, then I must humbly challenge you to an Agni Kai, Avatar."
The young avatar felt genuine fear, "I can assure you, her honor is in tact General Iroh, just as it was when she left."
The Dragon of the West smiled warmly, "That is good news. Because I would hate to find out that someone took advantage of one so young and beautiful because of her feeling for them." the old general shot a hard glare his way. "All one has is their reputation,." Iroh added pointing to the red smudge.
"This? This is from a flower that grows in the park. I placed it in her hair, and when she laid in my arms, it left its mark on my robe... just as she did in my heart." Aang poetically said.
"Well put Avatar Aang, I see you've received her feelings?"
Aang looked up with a long exhale before he answered, "I now love two women, and I feel as though I am going to lose my mind over this."
Iroh saw his conflict and his joy... the privilege of youth. He walked over to Aang and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Word of advice... you are tired and need your rest. You need to sleep before making any further decisions."
The advice was like a spring shower to Aang's mind and he relaxed, "Thank you General Iroh"
"Come inside, I will make you a cup of chamomile tea. It has good properties to soothed the mind and stomach when it comes to matters of the heart."
The airbender turned towards the door, "May I have a cup of ginger milk tea with honey instead?"
"Yes... by all means, but the only one who drinks that in your group is..."
"I know," Aang sighed, "and it's that flavor that was on her lips and filled her mouth to the point..."
The old general chuckled while shaking his head, "Say no more Avatar... one large ginger milk tea with extra honey, the way she likes it coming up."
Lao leaned over closer to his daughter, "Toph there are a few things you have to understand. After the fall of Ba Sing Se, we knew it was only a matter of time before Gaoling would be overrun. I of course, thought to negotiate with the Fire Nation, like civilized folk, but some Dai Li agents, still loyal to the Earth Kingdom came to us and explained the situation. We thought the Avatar was dead, but that you and the others had escaped and were fighting on. They also told us of the Fire Lord's plan to subjugate all the Earth Kingdom's Royalty and Nobility, starting with Gaoling, which was the last free remaining major economic center. They had literally declared war on the house of Bei Fong. Thanks to Hito, and other very brave people, we were able to make it out of Gaoling ahead of the Fire Nation Army."
Lao wipe away a tear, "That's when I changed from Lao Bei Fong, businessman to Grand Duke Lao Bei Fong, General of the Earth Kingdom Resistance," he announced. "Our people, and the world, needed me to stop playing it safe. I had buried my title, my responsibilities and my self-respect. Your mother and I were the blind ones Toph, we beg your forgiveness." he told her in a choked voice.
She couldn't speak. It was like a dream. She just pulled her mother closer as her father joined them on the same side of the coach, sandwiching her in.
"Your father lead and financed the resistance, moving from town to town or cave to cave at times." Poppy added. "We fought not only in our home town, but here in Ba Sing Se as well. You would have been really proud of him Pumpkin, standing up to all those firebenders and their nasty machines. He even picked up a couple of very effective earthbending moves."
Toph shook her head, "Wait... did I hear correctly? Dad you're an Earthbender?," she asked incredulously, "W-why didn't you ever tell me this before? Are there in anymore surprises I should know about like... ah maybe, you'll say mom is one as well!"
Cicada's sound lovely at night and have a great way of accenting a conversation.
"Oh come on now... mom too! I thought I was the only freak in the family, but you're telling me I come from a whole family of earthbenders?" she moaned.
"Well Pumpkin, in our circles, it wasn't considered sophisticated to earthbend. That type of thing was for common folk and the military of course. Sometimes when guys were younger, they would show off to impress the girls, but nothing really more than that except for maybe King Bumi. He was considered... well eccentric... so If you had the ability, you learned the basics but kept it low key so you weren't considered..."
Toph nodded, "I get it, crazy! So why are we going to the Palace. Does the Earth King need something from us. A loan, or is he going to thank you for holding it all together, while he and that sad excuse for a bear ran around the country?"
"Well Toph it's like this, Kuei has renounced the throne. The next in line has been asked to assume it," her mother informed her while trying also to pick a piece of bark out of her hair.
"Ow, mother…so we are going to help them or just go to some boring ceremony?"
Her father and her mother smiled to one another.
"You tell her Lao."
"No it is best you tell her Poppy?"
"C'mon tell me what?"
Lao smiled squaring up to speak.
"We are them them!" her mother blurted out.
"What!" Toph was on her feet in the carriage, "Dad did you really accept the throne! I can't believe it! That makes you the new Earth King!"
"I know Toph... number 53 to be exact." Lao answered as he saw her head spinning in excitement.
"And that would makes my mother the Earth Queen"
"That is correct my Angel, it sure would but they don't number queens," Poppy retorted laughing at her daughter's exuberance.
"And then that would make me a ah... no frickin way!"
They said it in harmony, "Princess!" Toph nearly fainted falling back in her seat with a long exhale.
She now sat up straight, "Oh this is terrible."