A Kiss in Ba Sing Se: Secrets and Promises

[A/N: Truth may seem simple, but the telling it may not be so easy.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar: The Last Airbender

Enjoy.

Comment if you wish. All feedback is welcomed.]

Chapter 80

Blush

"Release them; Toph instructed Lei and Mei Mei as she turned back around. "So as long as we don't have any more nonsense, I think we can get a good story together," she said as they entered an empty room.

"But we didn't do anything," Mai declared rubbing her wrist where the tightly fitting earthen cuffs left their mark.

"That was a just warning," the princess replied. "You know; if one of you decides to get frisky again and throw pointy things around, I want you to know what Mai happen.."

Mai and Suki looked at one another with a puzzled expression.

"So, what story are you talking about Toph," Suki asked as she carefully surveyed the room for possible exits.

"Well, since Mai has essentially confessed to the deed, and tossed herself on the sacrificial fire, no doubt from some misplaced guilt," Toph declared offhandedly.

The blade-wielder voiced a little non-verbal bluster at the comment but held back what she was thinking.

The princess continued. "But I'm sure there is more to this, eh, little tale. It Mai be clear to me that there are mitigating circumstances, and possibly this was an accident, but do you think Katara will be as level-headed when it comes to her beloved brother?" Toph asked them as she faced the ladies with a cryptic grin. "Knowing Sokka, and how the universe just loves to mess with him, he probably walked into the room at the wrong time!"

The stunned silence that filled the air let Toph know she had deduced the truth, but still, there was more she didn't know.

As the quietness wore on, Mai 's amber eyes looked up towards the high ornate ceiling as she dabbed at the wetness on her cheeks. "Nobody, nobody else has ever made me cry like this," she finally said. "I don't really care what Katara thinks or threatens; she can do to me as she wills. It'll be better than this emotional hell," Mai stated in a strained tone.

"Listen, Mai, it was a stupid accident, and I know you've been feeling, well you know, not yourself," Suki said empathetically, moving closer to the emotional woman.

"If you're talking about yesterday Suki, that was his fault too! He's in my head, and I can't get him out! He looks at me, and I can't think straight! That stupid laugh and all those bad jokes, they're driving me crazy!" Mai complained.

"Some of those jokes would drive anybody to tears," Toph commented under her breath,

"Sounds like a bad case of lovesickness to me," Mei Mei teased, nudging Lei in the side. "I guess I win that bet!"

The Fire Nation lady spun around to face the snarky dame. "What bet? What are you babbling about you oversexed, big boobed, twit!" she snapped, instinctively reaching into her sleeve for a non-existent weapon.

Mei Mei and Lei both took defensive postures, prompted by Mai's reaction, but upon seeing that the tall woman was empty-handed, they relaxed. The two cousins laughed nervously.

"From what you did yesterday, Lady Mai, I'm obviously not the only 'oversexed' one!" Mei Mei fireback with a taunting smirk. "Girl you lit a fire in that man for sure!"

Mai felt as if her face suddenly burst into flames. "You saw? Did... did...eh, you guys see us in the garden?" she stuttered, stepping back covering her mouth.

"Garden?" Lei and Mei Mei responded in unison.

"Whoa, that's news I didn't expect. I was talking about the way you two were swapping spit during the game," the full-chested Toph look-a-like retorted.

Lei nodded. "Indeed, you appeared overjoyed to kiss him so fully and frequently, even when it was supposed to have been a casual exchange. He must be a gifted kisser! The displeasure of your royal paramour was obvious," she said with a mischievous smile. "But what of this garden tryst you speak of? Something perhaps more… intimate in manner and nature, happened?"

Mei Mei began to cackle. "Oh, he's good, trust me! Just look at her cute face, Lei! I didn't think it was possible for a human to get that shade of red! They totally did the deed! Did you handle that big, bad curse all on your own? Did he plunge you till dawn?" she taunted.

This time Mai's embarrassment was replaced by her ire. "What I did, what we did… I needed to do, or he would have died! Can a feeble-minded, venereal disease-ridden slut like you understand that? You're just an ignorant, stupid mud wallower and you call yourself a lady? That's a joke! What do you know of honor, sacrifice or duty? What comes out of that filthy mouth of yours proves you just have dirt for brains, shitbender," she yelled, glowering defiantly at Mei Mei.

All the laughter had ceased as the two women glared at one another. Lei was holding back Mei Mei, and Suki likewise had an arm on Mai's waist.

Toph stepped between them. "That's enough, ladies! There is no need for taunting or insults. I expect better of you as a member of my staff, Lady Mei Mei and you as well, Lady Lei!"

Both of Toph's cousin's dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to the floor. "We beg your pardon, my Queen," they said in perfect harmony as if they rehearsed it.

"Queen?" Suki repeated suspiciously.

"Please excuse my impropriety Lady Mai. It was most unbecoming to have insulted her Majesty's comrade," Lei further apologized.

A few hushed moments passed, and all eyes seemed to be on Mei Mei.

"Go on, apologize," Lei prompted her fellow lady-in-waiting. "Cousin is going to be really mad if you don't. Do you really want another spin in that chair?"

The thought alone made Mei Mei queasy. "But she called me a, a mud wallower and a shitbender. How can I let such a disgrace go unchallenged?" Mei Mei hissed. "Why should I be the one to offer recompense for her bigotry and insolence? We are of equal station."

"I don't want or require your apology," Mai remarked with a roll of her golden eyes as she took in a deep breath that obviously produced some notable discomfort. "Regardless, I offer you mine, Lady Mei Mei. I shouldn't have said such shameful things, even though I was angry. I not only disgraced myself, but I also dishonored my esteem host and her family. I would bow, but I don't feel I could get back up, so, you can do with it as you will, Lady Mei Mei."

Mei Mei scowled as she rose to her feet. "Just like a Fire Nation noble to take the high ground! But, I shouldn't have teased you either. I know the Vice Regent's life was in the balance and my only regret is that I wasn't the one to service him," she revealed. "Forgive my jealous rant, but I heard that he's as thick and long as a bull-mule, so I'll leave it at that. Please accept this oversexed shitbender's humble apology, m'lady," she said with a bow at the waist.

Mai shook her head and smiled ever so slightly as Mei Mei looked up with a wink of her jade green eyes.

This time Suki was a bit incensed, turning to look at Mei Mei. "And how would you know how big he is?"

"Pardons Captain Suki, but it is just talking amongst the courtiers," Lei explained with a slight bow. "There are always rumors… making heroes bigger than life; so to speak. Some say they have seen him the bath and the length keeps getting… huh, longer."

Mei Mei could tell by the looks and the blushes from Mai and Suki that the rumors were not far off the mark and it just whets her curiosity.

"Snoozles size is of no concern to anyone," Toph declared as she recalled his nickname, 'Sokka da Monsta.' "We need to get back on task. We need to come up with a foolproof story, one that Sugar Queen will believe."

"But shouldn't I just tell Katara that he was hurt because of my recklessness," Mai once more bemoaned. "Wouldn't that be the honorable thing?"

"There you Fire Nation folks go on about honor," Suki sighed. "That's why you idiots keep burning each other up in those ridiculous Agni Kai's! Sometimes misplaced guilt is just that Mai, misplaced! Accidents happen, and nobody is to blame!" Suki said placing a hand on Mai's arm. "Listen, what good will that do? I mean, there's no need to beat yourself up over this. Well, any more than you are right now. Look you can barely move and getting stiffer even as we speak. He's alive, and that should be your solace. You know between Lily and Katara he's going to be okay, do you hear me?"

Mai covered her face as she began to weep. "But… but you saw him, Suki! He was almost killed by us and our stupid fighting1 What would you have done if he died? Could you live with that guilt? Even now I see him near the Spirit World and my heart… my heart is breaking," she cried, slumping to her knees.

Suki knelt beside Mai, cradling her in her arms. "But Mai, he didn't die, and he's not gonna die," the fan wielder replied. "So there is no need for you getting so down on yourself. You know he's tough as they come and honestly, even if he did die, Katara would drag his behind back from the Spirit World, kicking and screaming."

Those words made a small but noticeable smile return to the melancholy woman. "Okay, Suki… you win," Mai declared.

The princess clapped her hands loudly. "Splendid. Now that's resolved, and we've come to an agreement, let's continue. We better get something together or Katara is going to be delivering an ass load of pain on one or both of you," Toph warned the two women as they sat on the hard floor. "The best fabrications should always be based on the truth; my mother always used to say. So, Mai, why don't we start with you. We don't need any of that blah-blah, martyr nonsense, just stick to the facts and tell us why you two were fighting over Snoozles in the first place. I don't want to assume anything, but were you indeed fighting over that numbskull?" Toph asked with a twisted grin.

Before Mai could speak, Suki cut her off with a sigh. "Yeah, but not really. I let my pride get the best of me, even though I knew that I was the one who let Sokka down," she confessed dropping her head. I was angry that she was the one there for him and I hated myself for not stepping up. If she hadn't been there for him, who knows if he would even be alive to have gotten wounded. I blamed Mai because I was too cowardly to accept my lack of resolve.'

"Why weren't you there for Sokka last night Suki," Toph asked bluntly.

The question hit the Kyoshi captain hard. "Huh, we had that fight you know, over the game with that monster. During that fight, he and Mai seemed to be always together. It hurt my pride… a lot. After all the hoopla died down, and his 'issue' came about, I abandoned him, like an idiot! I heard what was being said and what the demon said as well, but all those women, gawking and lusting over him was sickening," Suki declared as she rubbed her forehead.

"It's not every day one sees such a man or get an opportunity to know them intimately," Mei Mei retorted.

"It should have been handled, more discreetly," the Kyoshi warrior insisted. "They all acted like saber-wasp raiding a locus-bee hive! And that fool just stood there, saying nothing and looking so weak and pitiful, I just couldn't…"

"Couldn't what?" Mai asked with a raise of her brow.

"I couldn't stand seeing him so weak, okay? Is that what you want to hear Mai? Even before all this shit went down, something was going on between you two! I'm used to him staring at you because he likes exotic looking women. His first girlfriend I'm told had hair white as snow and a great body."

The blade wielder blushed. "Exotic, me? This other, is she the one who became the moon?" Mai asked.

"Yeah, and if you see her, I'd advise you just to ignore her," Toph said randomly.

"Okay… uh, I'll keep that in mind," Suki replied, unsure as to why the earthbender would even make such a comment. "Well, I just left him thinking that he could handle it on his own, so to speak," Suki continued. "All those other women seemed available and willing. The more I think about it, the more I see that he probably thought he was protecting me. He obviously knew that this was more serious than he let on, or anybody was saying."

"I have heard the pressure is frightening for them," Mai informed them. "The madness is consuming as well."

Suki looked up as her tears streamed down her painted face. "Spirit's curse my selfish pride! He didn't want to hurt me," she gasped, letting her emotions out. Even this morning, when he came back to the room, and I saw all the marks on his back, he tried to spare my feelings! But I think I was more angry with myself and disappointed that he didn't earn to me when he was in the most need!"

"Whoa, let me get this straight," Toph said piecing it all together. "So last night, Mai, you got busy with Captain Boomerang and relieved his, uh, itch. And Suki, you just were pissed off that he didn't choose you. Do I understand this properly?"

The Kyoshi warrior stood speechless.

In the silence, Mai looked over at the princess. "Toph, I've seen what happens to men that the succubus poisons; something Suki would not possibly know. I just couldn't let that happen to him, no matter how much of an imbecile he is. I also knew that it takes a toll on a woman to try and remedy the curse. At the fire temple, there were groups of priestesses who specialized in this. Normally, they acted in teams of three or four, because it was dangerous for a single woman to try and handle it on her own, even if she was exceptionally strong. I thought about telling Suki, but I feared that one or both of them might not have survived the encounter," Mai exclaimed.

"I'm strong," Suki protested.

Mai shook her head. "Suki, my insides feel like they have been twisted around, and my hips are out joint," she elaborated, wincing from time to time. "I think, I can feel at least two cracked ribs and even Ty Lee was dumbstruck when she saw all my bruising. And, I can assure you, he was taking it easy on me. I know you're strong Suki, stronger than most, but do you really think you would have fared so well. Given your small size," Mai asked as she lifted her blouse to show the deep purple bruises across her torso. "You know that he is very well endowed, and my hips are almost black as if under a curse. His member was more like a weapon than an instrument of love. Still, I wanted, hungered, for all of him! He used every bit of me. Nowhere has he not penetrated. Surely, I would have died if we kept at it!"

All in the room gasped at Mai's injuries, except for the blind princess.

Toph stepped closer to the amber-eyed woman. "I noticed that you weren't walking so well Mai," she pointed out. "I didn't know you were in such bad shape or we could have gone to my study to do this. You probably need some healing time with Katara and Lili yourself."

"Ty suggested that to me as well," Mai exclaim with a small shrug. "But then Suki showed up, and that plan got put on hold, for a bit. Now I can't really ask her for help knowing that I hurt her beloved brother! I almost killed him my heart is breaking! Is this the poison still?"

"Nope," Toph sighed. "You're just in love with Stupid, or should I say stupidly in love. Either way fits!"

Suki didn't look too concerned about what Toph said. "Sheesh Mai, it was an accident, only an accident, " she reiterated."Can you give the guilt thing a rest? I think if you explain everything to Katara, she would be understanding, right Toph?"

The earthbender shook her head. "Nope, she would not be. I don't know if she would be more pissed off that you stabbed him or that you screwed him," Toph said, tapping your foot in thought. "She would probably blame you too Suki."

"Blame me? Why would she blame me, Toph?"

"Suki, last night when I offered my people to help him, she turned me down flat, even made Lili promise not to help! The selfish little witch. I think she saw it as a chance to do a little brother-sister bonding or some other sick idea in that demented mind of hers. She was ready and wanting last night like a panther cat in heat! I could sense her disappointment when he came into the room and turned her down. I thought she was going to lose it right then and there. She wanted to be the one to save him and Mai; you took that away from her. Suki, in her mind, didn't find the courage and spread those legs to save him! Suki if you laid him, she would back off without guilt or at least not that much. But to have a stranger do what she desires to be and do for her brother, well that's another story!"

"How sick is she to want to join with her blood brother?" Lei asked.

"Don't knock it until you tried it," Mei Mei exclaimed with a smile.

Once more, silence filled the air.

Mei Mei rolled her eyes. "What? Just continue. Can't a woman have an opinion?"

"Yes, she's very, very sick in that water filled head of hers," Toph declared. "So we have to build a story to satisfy her delusions and lusts."

Mai now frowned. "I only did what I thought was right in the situation," she exclaimed. "I didn't know Katara felt that way about her brother."

Suki sighed as she nodded, "You don't know the half of it sister! She's into him like Sokka is into food. I found that out after he and I hooked up at that old Air Temple," the Kyoshi Captain stated. "She caught me coming out of his tent once in the early morning. I was partially clothed, well topless because Sokka got a little frisky and ripped my shirt off."

"No doubt, trying to find some evidence that she was a woman, with that flat of a chest," Mei Mei whispered to Lei. The other lady had to stifle her laughter. There was no shortage of boobage between Toph or her cousins.

Suki was unaware of the comment as she continued to speak. "I figured it was safe to leave because the sun wasn't up yet, but lo and behold, Katara was already preparing breakfast. Well, what could I say; so I said nothing. But she had a lot to say to me, and she followed me all the way back to my tent, ranting about how I had defiled her pure and innocent brother. At one point, I thought she was going to hurt me, so I ran back to Sokka tent, with her in hot pursuit, praying that she didn't water whip me or something."

"You were topless still?" Lei asked.

Suki nodded. "Yep, and we were beginning to make a commotion, so people began to wake up."

"Couldn't you have just covered those small plums with a leaf or two," Mei Mei pointed out as both Lei and Toph snickered.

Suki glared about the room. "They may be just a handful, but they won't be at my knees, like some peoples in a couple of years," she fired back, looking directly at Mei Mei. "Anyways, I duck into his tent, and there was a lot of shouting trying to explain to her what was going on between us. Well, she didn't want to hear that either and ended up throwing snow on the both of us, calling us polar dogs in heat. Sokka assured me that she would get over it and eventually understand. After all these years, I still catch her staring at us with the look of a jealous woman. She can be really scary when she is acting contrary to what she is really feeling. That's why I thought her being with Aang would change all of this, guess I was wrong."

Toph's ladies exchanged looks as they saw the little princess' demeanor stiffen with that last comment.

"I'm glad you know all that about Sugar Queen's picadillo, Suki," Toph said that she moved closer to Mai and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Wow you are pretty banged up if I do say so myself, and no pun intended, I would say four cracked ribs and a few things out of place. You're going to need a healer for sure. Mei Mei, please go and get the harem's Chief Healer and tell him to come without delay," Toph ordered. I want you to 'personally,' escort him here."

"Yes my liege," Mei Mei replied as she bolted from the room.

"Toph, I can assure you, that I can wait," Mai remarked as she tried to stand straighter. "The pain isn't that severe."

Toph turned towards her. "Liar, you can barely stand even now. The longer we wait, the more damage will be done. We don't want you to end up like Aang with a punctured lung or lacerated liver, so please take a seat and rest Mai. I am grateful for what you did for Snoozles. He's my friend, but also he saved my life. I owe you a debt of gratitude. So Mai, Suki, here is how we are going to handle Katara."

Toph laid out her plan, leaving it up to each woman as to how she wanted to do it. Mai and Suki both acknowledge the details and repeated them back.

Suddenly all of Mai's strength began to fade, and she slumped down in her seat. Lei stopped her before she fell to the floor.

Suki rushed over and began to check the weak and confused woman. "She's going down, and her color is also off too. I think she is going into shock."

Mai felt as though the room was starting to spin. "Shit, I only thought this happened when I was drinking," she joked unexpectedly. Her body began to go completely limp.

Suki was already administering first-aid and talking to the failing woman. Stay with us Mai; you've got to stay awake!" she yelled. "I know you're tired, but hang in there, okay?"

Mai nodded her head. "You know Suki; I shouldn't have been so greedy. The spirits are punishing my greed."

"Greedy? How so," the Kyoshi Warrior asked, just to keep her talking.

Mai smiled uncharacteristically. "Well, after the curse was gone, we kind of kept going," she confessed. "I think the adrenalin was still pumping pretty hard, and so was he!" she giggled. "I didn't really know I was hurt this badly."

The succubus' poison has that effect on people," Toph explained. "It numbs the body to pain so that it can exceed its natural limits."

"And how do you know this, Toph," Suki asked, checking Mai's pulse.

"Soo Ming told me last night all about it. That's why I had all my ladies on hand in case he needed them. I wasn't going to let him die or end up a eunuch on my watch," Toph declared. "No matter what Sugar Queen said."

"So, why didn't you just have Mei Mei or four five of your people take care of him, Toph?

"Trust me, Suki, I would have if Katara wasn't acting all weird and making sure that I stayed away from Aang. I think she knocked me out somehow, not sure. Talk about greedy; she wants every guy that even gives her a second look. Lili, fortunately, was observing everything and I'm sure she knew the care Mai was bestowing on our unfortunate fellow. Normally, she would have reported this all to me by now, but as you can see, we all have been a bit busy," Toph expressed with a pained grimace. "We can't wait any longer for that healer. My suite is closer! Lei, get some guards or attendants, I don't care who. We'll have to carry her to Katara!"

The waterbender was amazed at the number of contusions on Mai's body. "She's suffering blood loss from all this bruising," Katara stated. "How did she get like this? Did… did my brother do this to her? Is that why she, huh, stabbed him?"

As Katara began her healing and Lili started to deal with the pain in Mai's limbs, Suki began to explain the circumstances that lead up to Mai's condition. She watched as Katara's expression shifted from sorrowful to angry several times.

"So, Mai, I owe you a debt for saving my brother's life last night," Katara said with a strained smile.

Mai laid quietly as Katara ran the healing waters over her naked body.

"It was most, uh, unfortunate, that Sokka got between us sparring, and just as I deflected that star, she lightly tossed my way… it hit him," Suki reported with a nervous grin. "I'm so sorry Katara!" the warrior cried as she kowtowed before the healer.

"But Mai here, she had relations with my… my brother?" Katara asked as Mai winced in pain. "I thought you hated my brother Mai; why the change of heart?"

Mai looked away from the woman's hard stare. "I wouldn't say a change of heart as much as, well meeting a need," she replied just as Toph had instructed just before they carried the near conscious woman to Katara.

"Yesterday, you were messing around with his emotions, weren't you?" Katara whispered in her patient's ear even as another jolt of pain racked Mai's body. "Why? Why were you tempting him so? Sitting in his lap and kissing him like he meant something to you."

Mai had to take in a deep breath to alleviate the pain before she could answer. "He… uh, was flirting with me, and I found it… annoying," she stammered. "I… I decided to tease him, but I went too far. Last night, I was going to tell him to leave me alone, and that I had no interest, but…. he was in so much pain. I took pity…"

A wave of pain mind-numbing pain swept through the blade wielder's body as her back arched from the table and a sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Pity, you took pity on my brother! Why you arrogant, emotionless, good-for-nothing, cum-catcher! I ought to freeze your nethers!" the waterbender growled.

"Are you going to heal her or torture her?" Toph asked nonchalantly. "I don't think Zuko would take kindly to having his girlfriend abused. He probably wouldn't mind you doing that to him, but to Mai, he might take exception."

Katara's head snapped around to glare at the mouthy princess.

Toph said nothing as she faced the waterbender. The tension in the room felt like a living creature, but there was no doubt, Toph had the upper hand.

Katara now turned her gaze on the cowering Kyoshi captain. "Where were you, Suki, when he needed you?" she demanded. "You're his girlfriend… why didn't you do it yourself?"

Suki bit her lip hard so that tears could form in her blue-green eyes. "I'm so sorry sister! I did return here looking for him. I didn't want to lay with him for all to see! For modesty sake, as not to shame him or you, dear sister, I returned when all had left the hall," she pretended to cry. "I… I… oh, Katara! I couldn't find him, and I've been so worried all night! I barely slept at all!" she flagrantly lied. "This morning, Sokka returned to our room and told me how Mai saved him, and even sacrificed her body! At first, I was jealous and angry, but I know that the most important thing is that he survived and is still… whole," Suki added, going off script.

Katara's look softened. "Yes, that is the most important thing," she sighed as Mai felt a surge of warmth and relief replace the cold, stabbing pain. "I guess I do owe you my brother's life, Mai. You saw him when he was trying to keep… keep everyone safe. Trying to be honorable. You could have walked away, but instead, you chose to… help."

Mai was relieved the torture was ended and exhaled loudly. "I must tell you, Suki, spoke to me about It, seeking the truth after he returned to her. I told her everything and during our, conversation, the accident to your brother occurred."

Katara smiled down at the blade wielder. "I've had 'conversations' like that before, and I know how accident prone my dumb brother is. I really do appreciate all you have done Mai. Even a strong as you are, it's going to take some time for all the battering you took to heal."

"We are never aware of the extent of our actions, or courage until a need is at our door, Katara. You should know that better than anyone. I heard, when you fought so bravely against Azula, you not only saved Zuko, but you were able to comfort him," Mai added as she stared into the waterbender's guilt-ridden eyes.

Katara laughed nervously. "Ha, ha, we, uh, do what we can, well you know that, right Mai?"

"Indeed, we act with honor and concern, even when we are not compelled by feelings," Mai replied, feeling sickened by her lie.

Suki stood and faced Katara. "I was wrong mixing it up earlier with Mai like a jealous housewife. My foolish pride kept our spat going and lead to injuring the man I love," Suki confessed. "I should have yielded my pride and modesty for Sokka's life even last night."

Katara ended her healing session. "How are you feeling now Mai?"

"Better thank you, Katara."

"If you had it all to do again, would you, Mai, knowing the cost," the blue-eyed healer asked.

Mai locked eyes with her. "I would do so a thousand times over. My, virtue, is of small consequence in relations to his life," Mai declared, straining to keep her emotions in check.

"I see," Katara replied, her smile disappearing.