A Kiss in Ba Sing Se

[A/N: This is an A/U story. The Toph character does feel inferior to Katara and so in order to compete for Aang's affections pulls out all the stops. Aang is a boy with near infinite power and is being offered love and comfort from the two girls most dear to him.

Sometimes the best way to get what you want is to allow others to come up with the solutions... under your direction that is!

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights or titles to the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Comments are welcomed.]

Chapter 45

Scuffle

Mai's cheek exploded in an array of vibrant hues of magenta as she saw that her robe top was partially open, displaying most of her right teat. Her hand reflexively went to close the fold, but halted midway.

"No," she breathed out in a heavy voice, as she lifted her wanting eyes to join with his.

Sokka could barely believe his ears, let alone the site of the beautiful, wanton woman before him. "Uh... what did you say?" he asked, an incredulous grin growing on his straining face.

She boldly pulled the flap back completely, leaving nothing to the imagination. "I think I spoke clearly enough my lord," she replied, even letting that side slip down off her slender shoulder. "I said... no, I will not close my robe."

He attempted to keep his eyes synced with hers, but the distance still allowed him to view the curve and fullness of her exposed breast. He gulped deeply, "Ah... Mai, why are you doing this?"

"Because you idiot," she yelled into his face, "... you-you gave me the best kiss of my life! You made me doubt everything I had believed in before... damn you! Everything! You, with your, beautiful blue eyes, an-and those perfect white teeth with that amazing smile, not to mention that thick, full chestnut hair I just want to run my fingers through!"

Sokka placed a finger to his lips, "Shush please, lower your voice Mai. Suki is standing right outside that door. If she overhears you talking like that... about me, you can only imagine, it would be all over. At least for me."

The knife thrower nodded, taking in a deep breath as he dropped his finger. "So, you will take responsibility? You do know that my, my... current unstable condition, is entirely your fault," she concluded in a whisper.

This time he yelled,"How is, your current... unstable condition, my fault at all!"

She now put a finger to her lips, glowering at him. "Shush yourself now! I thought you said Suki was just in the other room! Do you want her to come in and see us like this?" she admonished him in a loud whisper.

He lowered his voice, "No... but how-how in the hell, is this my fault... we're talking about the way you feel, right? I thought Zuko was everything to you, Mr. Right."

She let loose a deep breath, still looking at him crossly, but not covering her chest either. "If-if you hadn't used that moonlight mojo, you know, that Water Tribe magic on me back then, in Omashu, he would have been," she contended. "I've heard of your people's crafty ways and..."

Sokka started to snigger, "Wha, what are you saying? Moonlight mojo, water magic? Uh, that's not me Mai, I don't know anything about that kind of stuff. I'm not even a bender, what could I possibly do?" he asked with a shrug of his shoulders.

Her mouth twisted, "Don't play coy with me," she said in a serious tone. "Th-the way you touched me, you call that... normal?" she countered. "I was enthrall immediately... I've never been taken like that... that quickly. I mean, I peaked faster than I've... ever had!" she explained, her voice starting to quake.

He smiled with a bit of bravado, "No, I guess that wasn't normal... but it was all skill," he said proudly wiggling the responsible fingers. "But... you can call these fingers magical if you want."

She scowled, "It's not nice to boast my lord."

"Uh sorry... my bad," he chortled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "One of my... many faults."

"That, and apparently dishonesty," she threw in, pointing an accusing finger in his face. "Everyone knows that the moon governs love... an-and that under the moonlight, water tribers have special abilities... unnatural powers when it come to holding sway over normal people's desires... ah, especially hapless young maidens. I heard tale that one look into a triber's blue eyes reflecting the full moon's light, and virgins swoon in heated passion. Is that how it happen with Suki?"

Sokka started to laugh even more, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Don't laugh at me!" she told him through gritted teeth as she swatted him with the loose sleeve of her robe.

"Sorry, sorry," he sighed as he caught his breath. "I didn't mean to laugh at you Mai. No, it didn't happen that way with Suki. She pursued me more than I did her. But, who by La and Tui, who told you something like that? I mean, when I was younger, I would have wished that were true, but I can assure you... no virgins swooning here."

Mai's eyes shifted back and forth for a moment, "Eh, come to think of it, I think it was... Ty Lee," she answered, placing a hand to her forehead. "And, she heard it from some folks at the circus..." Mai exclaimed as she covered her face entirely. "I'm so stupid! Why would I believe anything that Ty said, especially coming from her circus freak friends?"

Sokka gently pulled her hands away, "No you're not Mai," he said softly, causing her heart to jump. "To tell you the truth, my charm has been called almost magical at times, so much so, it even scares me, honestly. Mai, what happened in the ruins... between the two of us, it was... special for sure. If you want to say, I used some supernatural force to coerce you, then that's fine by me. Just call me... Sokka the Lady Bender!"

His lighthearted joke brought a lift to the corners of her lips. Mai shook her head even as she folded her arms over her bared chest, "Why… why would you want me... to think such a thing?"

"C'mon Mai, that should be obvious," he exclaimed with a disarming wink. "Who wouldn't want to hold sway over one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my whole life. I mean, your absolutely... what's the word... oh yeah, stunning."

She suddenly covered her mouth with both hands.

Sokka ceased his compliments as soon as he saw the enraptured look on her face. Her golden eyes were glistening even as her cheeks were flushed and glowing. "Sorry again Mai, I didn't mean to embarrass you," he apologized, looking down at the floor. "I-I was only... only telling you, how I saw you."

To Mai, this handsome young man seemed to transform into a shy boy right before her. She reached over and touched his hand, "Please, my lord, continue. No one... absolutely no one has ever told me these things before. It is nice that you... you think I am beautiful?" she said as her voice slid into a question, apparently liking what she was hearing, but unsure she was truly catching the full intent.

Sokka saw the pensive small smile on her face, as his heart knew this was Mai, open and totally vulnerable. "Well duh, isn't that obvious? Why else would I make out with you? It's not like I just grab any girl in sight... even if she is pretty. She has to be special," he added seeing her face brighten. "I mean, come on now, as gorgeous as you are, you must have been told you were pretty by a lot of guys! I'm not buying the gloom and doom act Mai."

She shook her head, still beaming. "Nope, not really. I mean, a few would look my way, but then I guess, I scared them off. It was like I said before, you're the first to elaborate... so eloquently. Zuko, he says things like... hey, you look good today or your dress is pretty. He's kind of weak on giving out the compliments... at least for me. I mean, when I traveled with Azula, I was considered the dark, morbid, moody one you know. No one describe me as... pretty or special, well not special in a good way,that I knew of. Ty Lee even told me, what little makeup I did wear was totally depressing and that I needed to show more of my figure. Once she tried to dress me up in her 'girlie' clothes. Being way to short and then not quite fitting in all the same places was bad enough, but Azula laughed so hard, I though she was going to have a seizure and die."

"Too bad she didn't," he said under his breath.

"What was that?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"Uh... I said, too bad she didn't... ah... ah, appreciate your beauty... you know like I do...you know," he covered as he smiled in a big toothy grin.

She lifted a brow, "Sure you did..."

"Well, no one asked me my opinion," Sokka chimed up, changing the subject."When I saw the three of you, Ty Lee was always flirting or fighting. Couldn't tell if she wanted to fuck me or fuck me up, if you know what I mean. She's definitely not bad-looking, but certainly not my type. Aang always thought she was pretty hot. Don't tell Katara, okay?"

"Not a word," she guaranteed him with a small smile.

He returned the look. "Thanks. Well then, as for Azula, she just looked too much like Zuko for me. They are handsome people, but so are ravenous tigerdillos. Her husband would always have to worry about when he would be incinerated or electrocuted or eviscerated for that fact. The task isn't in staying on her good side, it's finding it in the first place. It was a miracle you and Ty Lee lasted so long and lived through it."

Mai's heart was starting to pound as he spoke on. His words were touching her as no one had before.

"So you see... just Mai was left. You were the hottie in that group for me. Yep, those sexy knives and shurikens and boy… the way you moved, even in that outfit of yours, I could see that sleek body of yours, wow… you always had my eyes. Let me tell you, I was never so frightened and turned on at the same time. Zuko, that sonofabitch, sure is a very lucky man."

Mai rose upon her legs closer to him, allowing the robe to slip from the other shoulder. They were face to face as her breaths were falling heavily upon his face. "Fascinating, that he doesn't see me that way isn't it?" she replied, studying his reddening face. "He's never told me such things, even in bed. He has rambled on about how smart, beautiful and talented your sister is however... on more than one occasion, even when we were in bed," she divulged, enjoying the shock on his face.

"Whoa, that was a little too much info Mai. But I'll talk to him Mai. He should be more considerate of you… even if he is grateful to her for helping him defeat his crazy sister and winning his throne," Sokka added even as her hands started to feel his bare muscular arms.

The grim lady pursed her lips, "No need, I already corrected that issue. You are so well-built, no wonder I couldn't break free when you held me. So very thick... are all Water Tribe like you?" she asked as her hands wandered over to his chest.

He was finding his concentration slipping now as his eyes were locked on her firm and visible bosom. "Ooh... uh... no, uh... some... I guess," he stuttered. "Mai, you should stop. This is not the time... not the place."

She ignored his words as she lifted up his undershirt to explore his abs. "Eight ridges, wow... now that's says something," she exclaimed, looking back into his eyes. My mother... such a foolish woman, gave me one piece of useful advice. She said, Mai, one day a man will come along that will make you cry and laugh. He's going to touch you like no one else can," she exclaimed as she leaned in to kiss his stomach.

He closed his eyes at the sensation, "Wh-why... did you call... her foolish?" he asked in gasp between the pecks.

She gave him a long, slow lick up, starting at his navel before answering. Sokka felt the shivers running through his body even as her breast brush lightly along as well.

She sat up to face him once more, "Because, my lord, she gave up such a man to settle for my father in an arranged marriage and the status of society," Mai exclaimed as she undid the tie of her robe. "Don't get me wrong, I love my parents. But my father is a weak-minded, egotistical bureaucrat that would do anything, and I do mean anything, for power and position. Mom just goes along with whatever he says. I asked her once if she loved him. She told me, 'He's okay... and he's good to me. What more could I want.' Not really an answer right?

Sokka stared into her face wondering if she had these type of conversations with Zuko. "I suppose not," he replied. "My father and mother, before she died, they were very loving and passionate... all ooey-gooey, all the time. I mean, they fought too... and when they did, you thought it was heard all the way to the north pole! But they loved each other, that's for sure."

"Passion... real passion, I want that," she said with a long sigh.

Sokka thought to ask her about her relations with his friend, but then again, the answer was pretty obvious if she was asking him for it.

"Mai... I think, this has gone far enough. Why don't I leave, and you get dressed. We can talk this out later... maybe after you calm down a bit, see Zuko... make love to him a time or three," he suggested, seeing the robe hit the floor behind her entirely.

She demurely looked into his eyes, "Does she know, you think of me this way Sokka?"

He slowly shook his head, "Suki would be definitely hurt if she knew Mai. I never want to hurt her like that. But what I've said to you... is absolutely true. I-I'm not trying to come on to you. I-I think, you do need to get dressed and just think things out. We're both turned on right now, and I can't say for sure what I will or won't do. I'm barely hanging on here girl... seeing you like this has got me going for sure!" he confessed in abject surrender.

Mai smiled seductively as she stood slowly before him giving the seated young man a complete view of her toned nude body.

"Sucks to be Suki then," she quipped, even as she placed her hands on his shoulders.

He was now focused on her midsection as he spoke in a monotone, "Why?"

She began to slowly press him back towards the floor, "Because, my lord, I'm gonna make love to you. Right here, right now..."

The click of the latch sounded as loud as a barrel of blasting jelly going off.

Mai spun for her robe even as Sokka sprang to his feet to block the view of anyone entering.

"Mai, Mai... are you okay," Zuko shouted as he ran in.

Toph braced for what she was sure was coming. "I mustn't react," she told herself even as the tears were already falling. "This is my price, my sacrifice... I must pay it... us Aang," she thought even as she felt the waterbender shift into her familiar stance with frightening speed. The spiraling torrent of water that rose from the tub created an almost deafening sound.

Toph couldn't tell whether the force of the whip or the water had actually hit her first. It exploded in the middle of her chest, carrying her up and out of the tub, totally taking her breath away and making it impossible to breathe.

"How do you like that you little bitch!" Katara screamed at her even as she rode a massive swell of water to stand victoriously over her.

She laid naked and helpless on the cold stone floor gasping, feeling consciousness fade. "At least, it didn't hurt as bad as I thought," she chuckled to herself before passing out.

"Toph…Toph, oh please be okay baby girl... can you hear me?" Katara cried as she cradled her head in her lap, the glowing water circling the still bleeding gash on the earthbender's forehead. "Oh my gods, please be okay Toph. I love you so much, but you make me so mad! I didn't mean to hurt you... not like this, what's wrong with me!"

"A question.. I often... ask myself Sweetness," Toph moaned softly through the throbbing pain. "I think... you have some serious anger issues girl."

"Ha ha… and that from the Queeen of the Ring, herself," the relieved waterbender replied in a soft and soothing voice as she worked on closing the wound. "You really know how to tick me off, you know that?"

Even the act of smiling the princess found painful "I know... that's why I'm still breathing," she remarked, attempting to sit up.

The healer easily pushed her back down unto her bare lap, "Lie still baby girl, you may have a concussion. Even that rock you use for a head seems to be breakable afterall. I didn't think it was."

"You just caught me by surprise is all," she lied closing her foggy eyes. "We'll settle this later Suga, after my date with Aang... or are you going to kill me now? You have something against executing the wounded?"

Toph felt the pain of the wound increase as the Katara stopped the healing process. "Toph... were you serious, I mean, when you said... if the opportunity, on this date... came for you to make love... to... to Aang, you would? Were you being honest with me?"

She kept her muted green eyes shut as she thought about her answer. "What does it matter Suga, you thought I was. Look what you did to me. Besides, it takes two people to make love. He'd have to want to do it too... wouldn't he? Of course, if he told me he loved me and that he wanted me... like a woman... I would, I really by earth would... wouldn't you?" she answered simply and seemingly without emotions. "But, you be honest with me. What are my chances compared to you Katara? 100 to 1, 1000 to 1... maybe a gazillion to 1? I guess you thought my odds were better than that. What aren't you telling me Sweetness."

The waterbender returned the glow back to the water, "I-I guess... I just overreacted. I'm sorry Toph," she sighed feeling ashamed of herself.

"YOUR MAJESTY! What has happened here... are you okay?" Fong yelled as she rushed in on the scene seeing all the blood. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER WITCH? I see the signs of a battle here!"

Before Katara could answer, she felt a sharp point at her jugular, "Don't move a muscle," Fong hissed into her ear, "...or by Earth, it'll be your last moment here, vile harlot!"

"I-I can't heal her... like this, she's hurt... can't you see, I'm helping her," the waterbender insisted even as the brown-eyed lady wrapped her hand deeply into Katara's wet hair, exposing her throat even more to the edge of her blade.

This time, the water splashed into Toph's face as Katara froze, eyes wide in fear.

"Let her go Fong!" Toph now said in low commanding voice, her head pounding. "She's fixing my head... and she can't do that with a knife to her neck... so let her go."

The princess' second lady didn't move but instead tightened her grip in Katara's hair, making her whine in pain.

"I said, let her GO! Toph commanded, bending the blade into a tight metal ball, hilt and all. "I know how you feel about bloodbenders, but she is helping me, so please cousin, let her go." She could feel the waterbender trying to shift under her, "Fong is an assassin Katara. She doesn't need a knife to kill you, so please wait until she releases you," Toph advised in an ultra serious voice.

Again Katara sat still, "Uh... okay. Sitting still... this really hurts!"

With a strong wrenching tug that jerked the waterbender's head back, Fong let go of her hair. It was the hard bump to the back of her head that caused Katara to turn her blazing blue eyes upon the tall woman with anger.

"Anytime you want witch, I'm ready," the assassin offered, picking up the ball of metal. "Full moon or not, water bitch! Your choice."

"You are dismissed Lady Fong! Toph yelled, pointing at the door.

"Yes your Majesty," she replied, still glaring at Katara. "Oh Lady Katara, if I were you, I would take care of that cut on your own throat as well. Consider it a deposit until next time," she laughed.

Katara reached up to where the blade point had been, feeling the warm dampness on her neck. As she looked at her hand, she saw the bright red blood.

"THAT'S ENOUGH FONG!" Toph barked as loud as she could, unable still to rise to her feet from the vertigo and pain. "You will apologize this instance to Lady Katara! She is my personal guest!"

The second lady stood straight with her hands folded in front of her. "I cannot concur with that request your Majesty. I will not apologize to the likes of this, this... traitorous trollop, that is masquerading to be your friend cousin," Fong stated, throwing Katara an obscene hand gesture. "I would rather be flogged in the city square for my insubordination than to know I have betrayed you... your Highness. This cock sucking whore must have ambushed you in your loving trust. That's how her kind are! Cowards that can't stand up to a true woman!"

"Go to your quarters Lady Bei Fong, this instance! Toph ordered as she managed to finally sit up. "We will talk about this in the morning and you can expect dire consequences cousin... dire consequences."

The lady now knelt and pressed her forehead to the soaking wet floor, "Yes your Majesty, I am yours, body and soul. Your loyal defender and servant. My life is in your hands. Do with me as you will."

As Fong stood, she offered Katara both middle fingers before exiting.

"So much for respect," Katara muttered as she started to work on Toph's head once more. "Lay back Toph, you have quite a crew here. That girl could give Mai a run for her money. Toph... I know why she really hates me so much, and I don't blame her. I did a terrible thing to you, and I know you're cousins, by the seas you guys all look so much alike it's frightening. I don't take it personal... so please, could you go easy on her?"

Toph frowned even under the soothing hum of the healing waters as she let out a long sigh. "Katara... I love Fong, I really do, almost as much as I love you. But... as a princess, I still can't have my assassin not obeying me. Next time, she might slit your throat, do you understand me? I-I know she thinks she's trying to protect me... but what I need is her obedience. Her love for me can't get in the way of that, even though it is touching. She will be flogged for her insolence, and there's nothing either one of us can do about it. It's the law."

The healing was interrupted once more but the pain did not increase as much to the princess' relief.

"Please, no Toph," Katara pleaded even as her tears fell upon the earthbender's face. "This, all this... was my stupid fault! She was rightly defending you and you know that! If anyone deserves to be flogged, it should be me. In truth, I could have killed my friend because of my jealousy. Please forgive her Toph, an-and let me, let me take her punishment. I'll endure it! I won't let anyone pay a price I owe!"

Toph sat up once more, facing her healer. "Katara, do you even understand what you're asking? You would be chained to a post and then stripped to the waist in the public square. No breast band... totally naked we're talking about here. Then the Lash Masters would start to beat you with reeds. For her offense, seven lashes for insubordination and another fourteen for threatening the life of a diplomat. That's twenty-one lashes Katara! Your back would be laid open to the bone, do you know that. You could die! The pain and public humiliation alone for most is considered an unbearable dishonor. Some commit suicide instead, considering that to be a more honorable solution. Can you still endure this?"

Katara wiped her eyes, swallowing hard, "If-if you're going to put Fong through that barbaric torture, law or not, then yes, I'll take her place Toph. Live or die, I'll take her place!" she declared defiantly.

Toph looked to be in deep thought, her general face on, as she seemed to be weighing the options.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot allow an Ambassador to be stripped and flogged in public... so that is not an option. You have diplomatic immunity, Fong was wrong for threatening your life, no matter what. My father, the king would, never allow such disgrace to befall the kingdom. He would see me stripped and whipped before you Suga."

Katara rubbed her neck where the point of the blade made its impression. She had a massive headache from having her hair pulled and the smack on the back of the head. Toph looked much as she felt with her wet hair with blood on the side of her face that had flowed from the gash. There was also a bruise on the earthbender's cheek where it had made contact with the stone tile she hadn't noticed before.

"Toph, please, don't do this," she pleaded. 'She's your family, how could you allow such a terrible thing to happen to her. I thought I knew you, but this... princess thing, I really don't get."

"What you don't get Sweetness, is that it's not about me.. or you. For her, it's a matter of honor. I am her liege lord and you injured me on her watch. That is like an insult to her. She feels... disgraced and will not just let this... fade away quietly, no matter how much you or I would want that for her. That's not their way. I cannot order her to give up her honor."

Katara sighed, "What am I suppose to do then Toph, can you answer me that? Fight her like she asked me too? Or maybe I can just go and talk this out with her... ya know, explain that this was all a big misunderstanding."

"Do you have a death wish Sweetness?" the princess asked holding her head. "She's a bona-fide bender ender, trained in the Fire Nation...and don't ask me how. She'd cut you before you could even start to do your thing. She was the reason the Fire Lord called his children back to the Fire Nation. He got word that an assassin was hunting them. It was after Azula's governor got his head placed in her bed, they were suddenly asked to come back to daddy. Before the war ended, did you know Katara, Ba Sing Se had four military governors. The last one only lived because the war ended. "

"Oh damn," Katara exclaimed. "I guess I really don't want to do that then. But there has to be another way to help her salvage her honor." Katara's brow furrowed in deep thought, "Toph, I know you said she hated bloodbenders, but how did she know I was one?"

"Don't be mad Suga, but my ladies, they pretty much know everything about me and everyone I know, " the princess confessed.

"And she called me a traitors trollop and a cock sucking whore and a coward, why?" the blue-eyed woman asked, looking hard at the squirming royal.

"I, uh... think, well I did tell her... that I had a little crush on a certain Avatar and that a certain waterbender kept holding me back. I guess I might have exaggerated a few things... like you and Aang, ya know... getting it on... because you plied him with you voluptuous body, or something like that and maybe I alluded to you being jealous of me... " she squeaked out.

Katara laid her head into her hands, "Toph, Toph, Toph... she thinks I was fighting you over Aang!"

"But your did hit me over Twinkle Toes," the metalbender reminder her.

"Ugh! This is so frustrating now. I look like a total bitch and a floozy as well!" she growled. "Look Toph, I'll tell you what. I think I know of a way to appease Fong's honor and if possible, make peace between us."

Toph leaned in towards her auburn skin friend, "Proceed, I'm listening Sugar Queen."

"If, and I can't believe I'm saying this..." she began, "... what if I gave you Aang for the whole day, not just for a single date? I mean, to literally be your boyfriend and treat you just as he would me, for one solid day, no restrictions... no interference, and you'll have my word on it. Do you think that would prove to her I'm not some jealous backstabbing bitch?"

Toph was once again in thought, "But I don't get it Katara? How does that settle Fong's question of honor?"

"Just think about it Toph. She thinks I'm trying to keep Aang from you so when he's just getting close to you, I act out in a fit of jealous rage. By me allowing him to be your boyfriend for a day, I prove that I am not jealous and that this was all a big misunderstanding. No one needs to get beat with reeds or die. Do you see it now?" she asked hopefully.

The little general slowly shook her head, "I don't know, sounds like a long shot to me. You know, you did attack me in a fit of jealous rage and Fong is a pretty smart girl. It's gonna take some real convincing on my part to pull it off. Are you sure you want to do this? I already told you, if he makes a move on me, I'm going with it Katara. I want to be upfront with you. I mean, a date is one thing, but an entire day, well... that's something else, don't you think?"

The waterbender dropped her head, "I know and I understand what you're saying Toph. This was my fault, so I have to take that chance as well. But in my favor, I know Aang. Hell, we've even slept in the same bed and he's never made a move on me. I think I can trust him for one day, no matter how tempting you arrrre... Now it all makes sense," Katara suddenly exclaimed.

Toph looked at her with a puzzled expression,"What all makes sense?"

"That dress... that orchid dress Toph. They dolled you up so that you could catch his eye didn't they?" Katara declared with a knowing grin.

"You're spot on Sweetness, guilty as charged," Toph admitted freely. "My ladies wanted to give me a fighting chance. Remember, I turned that into a fight. Kneed him the jewels... not very lady-like was I?"

Katara smiled brightly, "Please Toph... I'm begging you! This is me, asking you from the bottom of my heart, make Aang your man for a day! Please... pretty please!"

The princess put her fingers in her ears, "Alright already Suga! I'll do it! Geez... I'll talk to Fong and make sure she understands... this was just a, misunderstanding, and that you're really a good person. Who's gonna tell Twinkle Toes? I'm sure the hell not going too. That whole date thing almost got him killed," she exclaimed throwing up her hands.

"Yeah, I know, I know," the waterbender hummed to herself happily.