A Kiss in Ba Sing Se: Lovers
[A/N: This is an A/U story. Toph is a competent young lady unless Katara is involved. From the moment she realized her true feelings, she has felt as though she has to compete for Aang's affections. A kiss between Katara and Aang now prompts her to pull out all the stops if her feelings are to be reciprocated.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights or titles to the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Wholly owned by NICK!]
Chapter 2
Hidden Intents
What do I do?
The question flashed through the earthbender's mind as she sensed the movements of Aang and Katara out on the balcony.
She's going in for the kill! I know she is! I can't let this happen!
"Hey Sokka, aren't we supposed to go to some kind of Harmony something or other?" Toph asks as she begins to head in the direction that Katara took.
"Hmmm, yeah, but I thought you weren't interested in going Toph."
"Hey, a girl has to be open to new experiences. By the way, I'll let Aang and Katara know, since I'm going this way, you know, anyways, for some air. Yeah, I think I need some air."
Toph laments her clumsy excuse for leaving the room as she heads for the porch, her attention divided. She senses them getting physically closer. Their hearts starting to pick up speed, and now they appear to be hugging. The angle of their heads means only one thing!
"Hey Sweetness!" she breathlessly shouts at the couple, opening the door. Katara and Aang quickly jerk apart at the unexpected intrusion.
"WHAT TOPH!"
"Whatcha doing?" she asks playfully, relieved that the final act was interrupted, strolling out with her hands behind her back.
"Aang and I were talking – uh, about something very important. Now can you go back inside and let us finish, like a good little girl?"
The irritation in the waterbender's voice noticeable and Toph relished the payback.
"Was that why you two were hugging? Were you talking? And I'm not a little girl anymore, Sugar Queen!"
"We weren't doing anything?" Aang quickly lied as sweat formed on his glistening head.
"For the love of Tui!" Katara growled as she stepped in front of the precocious earthbender. "Toph, we were doing, rather discussing something very crucial…"
"Twinkle Toes said you weren't doing anything, so it must not have been that – crucial," she replies with a wicked smirk.
Katara glares at the airbender who mouths the words, 'sorry'.
"Aang, can Toph and I have a moment. I think we need to discuss a few things, girl-to-girl."
"Sure." The airbender makes a hasty and grateful retreat.
As the porch door closed behind the Avatar, the two women exchanged angry stares.
"You little bitch! You did that on purpose!" Katara yells, pointing a finger into Toph's face.
"Yes, I did! Just like how you took the cup of tea Twinkle Toes and I were sharing! You took my…"
"So, you take mine, is that the idea here Toph? Is this some type of childish revenge?"
The earthbender crosses her arms over her chest. "This has nothing to do with revenge, Sugar Queen. I just got bored being inside and decided to get some – air."
Katara grimaces. "You're such a liar! The only air you wanted to get was an airbender! Admit it!"
"And all you wanted to do was suck face with him, Sugar Queen! Can you admit that?"
"We did no such thing Toph!"
"But you were going too, weren't you!"
The waterbender stomped her foot on the concrete. Toph picks up on her icy glare as well as the drop in temperature peeling off of the waterbender.
"Listen here, you thieving little panther cat, Aang is my future, and you're not going to take him away from me! You got that?"
Toph smirks. "Your future? Does he know you think of him as an investment? How much, Sweetness?"
A confounded look crosses Katara's face. "How much? How much for what? What are you talking about you, lunatic?"
"You say he's your future. So, what does that mean to you? I have money, lots of money Katara. So much so that you could live a very comfortable life. Do you want a house? I own five of them. I'll give you one and 500 gold bars. That's more than most people can spend in a lifetime. You can go back to that block of ice at the south pole and live like a fricking queen."
The waterbender's expression turns from anger to rage.
"Is that what you think this is about; typical rich girl! It's all about the money with you, isn't it, Bei Fong! Yeah, everything you touch seems to make money, but the one thing you can't buy is someone to love you because you're a selfish, dirty, spoiled - mudder!"
Katara backed up a few steps as she feels the ground beneath her tremble. "Careful Toph. Don't want to break anything, now do we?"
"Take that back, Katara! Why would you call me a – a mudder? You know that's about the worst thing you can call an earthbender," Toph cries as her foggy eyes begin to glisten.
Katara grits her teeth. "And why should I? It's true, isn't it? You told me a mudder is lower than shit! It's the earth at the bottom of the shithole! I think that describes you perfectly!"
"Why would you say that, Sweetness? You're just being cruel!" Toph grips her chest.
The waterbender's face warps into a twisted smile. "Cruel, really? Even your parents treated you like a pet rather than a person. You've said as much!"
"I did not say that!" My throat feels tight?
Katara continues to lashes out. "Do you think Aang would have even given you a second look if something didn't force us down in that swamp? Whatever that was had nothing to do with love or even friendship. You were just a commodity, a resource so that the Avatar could restore balance! What makes you think he has any special feelings for you? If you haven't noticed, he's nice to everyone! You're nothing special, to anyone Toph!"
Hard to breathe. "You're lying!" her words wheeze out as tears start to fall.
"Am I Toph? What you can't see because you're 'blind', is how Aang looks at you with pity! That's right; he pities you! He thinks of you like some poor, crippled, animal. Even today, he was staring at you with such a sad look that I had to step in and rescue you both before he started to cry!"
Toph gasps at the curt words. Her thoughts blur as bitter emotions rise to overwhelm her senses. A tear burst forth from sightless eyes as she can only stand in disbelief.
Katara continues to lambast the weeping girl mercilessly. "Listen, you pathetic brat; you would still be doing your little tough girl show and playing princess if he didn't take pity on you! It was a miracle that you were useful at all! The greatest earthbender in the world give me a break! But you can be sure all he cared about from you is learning earthbending. Now that is done, he doesn't need you anymore, got it? Or are you too blind to hear as well? He doesn't have any romantic feelings for you and has never even thought about you in that way!"
"LIES!" Toph manages to screams as her voice weakening, covering her ears.
"By the way Toph, Aang already has a pet, and his name is Momo! He doesn't need another little monkey like you! Remember when you let Appa gets stolen by the sandbenders."
The earthbender begins to feel lightheaded. "I-I didn't have a choice; I couldn't…"
"He never believed your lame excuses. None of us did! Don't you think he still blames you, hates you? He knew you just didn't care! Well, that's how Aang thinks about you, Toph."
"Why are you lying like this Katara? Aang is my friend!" she whispers as her thoughts become jumbled. Everything is starting to spin.
"Is he? He never did apologize to you, now did he? Because you don't say sorry to a charity case! You pity them! Nobody likes you and they never will! So, be a good little rich girl and find a life and if you're lucky, maybe someone will take pity and try to love you! Oh, yeah, maybe one of those five houses can keep you company!"
"What is going on out here?!" Iroh shouts as he steps onto the balcony. "Why are you yelling Katara?!"
Toph tries to breathe through the thickness in her chest and her choking sobs. Her voice fails to utter any reply as she soundless asks - why. She feels her hands shaking and her knees buckling. She reaches for the balustrade but misses as her earth sight fails and she plunges into a void. The sense of falling followed by a sharp pain precedes the mercy of unconsciousness.
"TOPH!" the waterbender screams as she watches the petite young woman collapse back onto the concrete surface of the patio. "Somebody, bring me some water!"
"Hurry! Toph has fallen!" Iroh adds as he rushes to the stricken earthbender's side.
Soon everyone was standing about as Katara kneels beside Toph. She is streaming the healing waters about the earthbender's head. She couldn't help feeling the eyes of her companions heavy upon her, especially Aang's.
"How's she doing?" Suki asks, staring at Toph's grayish appearance.
"She's, uh, still having trouble. I don't know what's going on," Katara answers tearfully. "She has a concussion from where she hit her head, but she's not coming around at all!"
"How did she fall?" the Kyoshi warrior follows up.
"I – I don't know. One min - minute she's fine, the next she just fell! I don't know how she fell, Suki!"
"Oh, I think you know, Katara," the warrior snarled.
"How would I know? I was just…"
"Oh, we all heard what you were saying! I think all of Ba Sing Se heard ya! I knew you could be catty Katara, but I never thought you could be so cruel! Especially to someone like Toph!"
The waterbender kept her focus. "I didn't think so either," the healer says under her breath, trying to concentrate on her patient.
Iroh checks Toph's pulse. "I don't think she passed out just from your words Katara. She's pale, and her breathing is shallow. Toph's heart appears to be racing quite fast."
"What are you saying, Uncle?" Zuko asks, equally concerned.
"These symptoms I've seen before. When we battled the Northern Water Tribe, some of our troops would just collapse and not be able to breathe. We learned later that certain waterbenders could control the flow of blood and would stop it from reaching the brain or heart. It was a terrifying skill. I don't know what they called it," Iroh sighs.
"Bloodbending. They're called bloodbenders and this, this fuckin cunt, is one of them!" Suki screams as she points at Katara. "Did you bloodbend Toph?"
"Woah, Suki!" Sokka says as he steps between them. "I know you love Toph, but do you think Katara would do something like that?"
"I don't know Sokka. I didn't she would ever say all those terrible things either! You heard what she said to her about her! You know that cut Toph's heart right out of her chest!" Suki yells as massive tears roll down her flushed face. "I wanted to kick her ass just for that! Toph saved all our lives, including this monster bitch!"
"She's never saved mine," Mai mumbled to herself.
Suki shot the knife wielder a hard stare.
"Fine, I'll stay out of this," she conceded.
Katara's shoulder's shudders at the comment, but she was already moving down to Toph's chest area. Bending the water back into the basin, she looks up. "Mai, I'm going to need a knife to cut this dress and her breast-band open! I have to get to her chest right now! You guys, please leave, she's suffering!"
"Okay, how is this one," Mai says, magically producing a wide short blade. "Hmm, or maybe the razor would be better? Definitely the razor for heavy cloth," she declares replacing one with the other.
Suki gasps. "Are you all just going just to trust her and give her another opportunity to finish Toph off!"
"Katara would never hurt Toph on purpose!" Sokka defends his sister. "This must be an accident, like the time she set Aang free! Her emotions got to the best of her!"
"Is that possible Uncle? I thought firebenders were the only one to use anger," the Fire Lord asks.
"Negative feelings are a source of strength for all the elements, not just fire. It is possible that her anger manifested itself through this… uh, bloodbending method. It is possible she may not have realized what she was doing," Iroh explains stroking his beard.
"Please, you guys have to leave! I need Suki, and you too Mai to stay. I don't trust myself anymore, plus I need your help to save her!"
"Bet your ass I'm staying Katara. One false move and I swear by the Avatar spirit, I'll slit your throat. Mai give me one of your blades too," Suki asks, holding out a hand.
The knife wielder suddenly produces a stiletto and gives it to the female warrior. "I want that back, even if you use it. It's one of my best pieces."
Suki flipped the blade over a few times as Katara's glances the flash through the side of her eyes. "Yeah, take a good look, bitch. Toph doesn't make it, you don't make it," Suki warns in a low voice.
Sokka's eyes narrow. "That's my sister you're threatening Suki. You heard what Iroh said. She probably didn't know what she was doing!"
Suki looks up into Sokka's face with a cold stare. "Sorry, but right now, I only see a person who tried to kill my friend. I'm not going to give her another chance."
Before her brother can reply, Katara holds up a damp hand.
"It's okay Sokka," Katara says in a shallow voice. "Suki is right. I hurt Toph. Whether I meant
to or not, that is not the issue. I'm ashamed of myself!"
"But I can't let anybody hurt you. Sis!"
"Sokka, please! Toph is who we have to focus on right now! Suki is just upset with me, as all, you should be! But you guys have to leave, NOW! I mean all you, men! Please help protect Toph's modesty and get the hell out of here! Ah, Aang, leave your robe!" she orders throwing up her hands!
"Leave!" Iroh adds, pointing the way as the males hurry off, Aang dropping his robe into Katara's hands.
"Where does Mai keep all those pointy things?" Sokka whispers to Zuko as they head into the teashop.
"You wouldn't believe me it if I told you," Zuko replies. "It's pretty hot."
Katara places her hands into the basin of water and focuses. The waters once more glow around her hands. I have to take care of her properly; I have to make amends for this. Please Toph, stay with me. I love you!
Once all the men retreat, Mai slices open the top of Toph's dress with the razor. She also makes short work of the tightly wrapped breast band.
Both Suki and Mai gawk at the sudden release and expansion.
"They-they're huge an- an- andd perfect!" Suki yells out. "Oh man, this just isn't fair! The universe isn't fair! They're gorgeous!"
Mai's saffron eyes flash back and forth. "They don't even look real; they look more like a work of art," she states with more emotion than usual. "Ty Lee's isn't even this big!"
Even though the comments irked her, Katara applied the healing, glowing waters to Toph's chest.
"I found the constrictions. I'm opening them now."
Full color flooded back into the earthbender's face, and there was a noticeable look of relief.
The waterbender sat back on her heels. "That should do it. She'll be all better now."
"You don't look surprised at Toph's breast, Katara," Mai observes.
"No, I'm not. We bath together most of the time. I think this is one of the reasons I've been so jealous. She just keeps getting more beautiful with each passing day! She's smart, funny, strong, and filthy rich! And you said it yourself Suki; her boobs are perfect! How can I compete against all that?" she asserts, placing Aang's robe over the resting earthbender.
"Compete? Why are you competing with Toph?" Suki asks with an incredulous gaze.
Mai looks between the two women. "You didn't notice Suki?"
"Notice what?"
"Well, whenever the Avatar was anywhere near that one," pointing to Toph, "…Katara was watching them like a hungry falcon-hawk. Do you recall her earlier outburst as she pulled him away, Suki?"
Suki nods slowly. "Now that you mention, I do! Just like when she snatched the teacup from Toph's hands. You were jealous, Katara?"
The waterbender looked down. "Of course, I was! She's had eyes for Aang for quite a while now. When she was younger, I just thought she'd get over it. They were like friends, buddies, ya know. Then when she started to grow out, I noticed that Aang was staring at her and not at me."
"Are you the one that suggested she tie down her chest?" Mai asks.
Katara shook her head. "No, she wanted to do that. Said that they got in the way when she was practicing. I think if she knew how Aang was looking at her, she would have been – bolder."
Suki glances at the waterbender. "You mean like you?"
Katara nodded. "Yeah, like me. I've even embarrassed myself being so shameless."
"Huh, Suki, since you're not going to cut her throat, can I have my knife back?"
"I like the feel of this. Will you sell it to me, Mai?"
The knife wielder thought about the proposition. "Sure, twenty-five gold, large. That's what I paid for it."
Suki's eyes almost doubled as she stared down at the blade. It was exquisitely crafted, and the balance was spot on. The wooden hilt made in the form of a serpent has beautiful details, including scales. The wavy shape created a comfortable hand grip. She could definitely see the value in the piece.
"I can't afford that! I don't have that much money to my name! It would take me five years to make that much!" the fan master bemoans. "Why so expensive Mai? Who made it for you?"
"The greatest swordsman and Smith in the Fire Nation, Master Piandao. I used to be a student of his. He taught me most of what I know, except for the killing part. I learned that at the Academy. Master didn't approve, but my dad said I would be serving the Fire Nation," Mai explained proudly with a small click of her tongue.
"Master Piandao? Hey Katara, isn't that Sokka's teacher's name?" Suki asks, handing the weapon back to its owner.
"Sure is. He's been back a couple of times for training. He says Sokka is the best disciple he's ever had."
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Mai screams at the top of her lungs as the anxious guys run back out.
The sensation of coolness on her forehead is her first arousing to consciousness.
Where am I? What's going on?
She tries to clear away the cobwebs in her pounding head.
"Take it easy, Toph. You fainted and bumped your head."
"Fainted? I've never fainted in my – OW! Why does my head hurt so much?" She places a hand on her forehead.
"I already told you. You bumped your head when you fainted. You have a slight concussion, nothing serious. I think all that hair on your head helped," Mai explains in her usual monotone.
"Uh, Mai, why are you playing doctor? Shouldn't Sweetness be nursing me back to health? Besides, has anyone told you that you don't have the best bedside manner."
"We didn't think you would be comfortable with that. Don't you remember what happened yesterday?"
"Yesterday? You mean I've been out for…"
"About 21 hours," she replies dryly.
"So, I guess we didn't go to see the fireworks?"
"Obviously. There were enough fireworks here after you collapsed. It was – not boring."
Toph didn't know the tall knife wielder well, but she did detect a tone of amusement.
"Where is everybody now, Mai?"
"Hmmm, let see. After you fainted and then got better, Suki had a big fight with Katara and slapped her. Spun her down to her knees."
Toph looked perplexed. Why are Katara and Suki fighting? Too bad I missed that one.
"Why did Suki hit her?"
"Something about being two-faced is all I heard. Then Suki got into a big fight with her big dumb boyfriend about hitting his precious sister. That's when she left and hasn't been back."
"Must have been serious," Toph exclaims, still confused.
"Quite."
The short answer didn't fill in any of the gaps Toph was looking for, but she didn't have the stamina to pursue it.
"So, anything else happened, Mai?"
"Shortly after that, Zuko and the Avatar had a bit of an argument over her too, but then they ended up hugging. It was totally stupid."
"And what were they fighting about?"
"Whether Suki was right or wrong."
Toph grimaces at another ambiguous answer. Her thoughts aren't clear enough to connect the dots. "Okay, then what Mai?"
"Katara and her big dumb brother left for the inn last night after Iroh really laid into her. He sounded like her grandfather."
"Mai are you upset at Sokka for some reason?"
"No, why would I be?"
"Dunno. But your voice seems to go up every time you mention him unless you're talking about some other big dumb brother who is Suki's boyfriend?"
"They came back to see how you were doing this morning. They're all out in the teashop waiting for you to wake up," Mai explains casually.
She totally ignored my question! What's up with Miss Dark and Gloomy? My head is hurting too much to get into this.
"And what did Sweet – I mean Katara do after all that?"
"All she's been doing is crying. Do all waterbenders have an endless supply of tears? She was still crying this morning. That would be such a pain."
Toph giggles trying to hold her throbbing head. "I think Katara has the market cornered in that regards."