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. Tragedy follows as Toph confronts Katara and tempers flare.

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights or titles to the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Wholly owned by NICK!]

Chapter 4

Monsters Within

(Early evening the following day, about 21 hours after Toph lost consciousness.)

Mai walks out of the bedroom that the injured earthbender has been recuperating in for the night. "Hey, everybody, I think we need to call a doctor."

Katara shoots to her feet in a panic. "What's wrong. Is Toph having more problems?"

"She doesn't seem to remember most of what happened yesterday. Nothing about you two arguing or being choked out with your vicious blood-bending cheat."

Sokka steps in front of his sister so that she is facing only him. "That was uncalled for Mai. You know she didn't mean for it to happen."

Mai returns a cold stare. "She still did it, numbskull. Whether she meant to or not, she almost killed that girl in there. Now that girl doesn't remember jack about what happened. She probably has some sort of brain damage from lack of blood."

Before Sokka could defend Katara once more, Iroh speaks up. "Mai may be right. We need to have an expert look at her."

The Fire Lord face darkens as he stands and joins the discussion. "I'll send my aid over to the university's medical hall and get their top person." He walks over to a guard, whispering. The guard bows, bolting from the room.

Sokka turns to look into the anguished face of his sister. Her eyes shift from left to right in their sockets as her lips tremble. "Calm down Katara. Toph will be okay. She's pretty tough."

"Mai's right. I – I almost killed her Sokka. What if I had? How could I go on living with myself?"

Sokka takes hold of her trembling shoulders. "Listen to me, Katara. Toph is not dead. She's awake and talking. That's better than she was last night, right? What happened last night was unfortunate, but you fixed it. You saved her."

"That doesn't account for yak-shit Sokka. I was the one who put her in that condition. Face it; I'm cursed. Hama cursed me," Katara exclaims covering her face with both hands. "I'm a - monster."

Iroh placed a hand on the waterbender's back. "We're all monsters, Katara. I've killed people I called friends, intentionally. I sent my own son into the battle that took his life. He was one of many sons and daughters I ordered to their deaths. How much more monstrous is that?"

Katara spins around and embraces the old general. "How – how did you get past it?"

His sizeable warm hand pats the center of her slender back. "You have to forgive yourself, no matter what you've done. If you stop living, you'll just be compounding the issue."

Katara starts to gulp air as her tears break loose. "B-but what if – if Toph doesn't forgive - meee?"

Mai sighs. "Can you blame her?"

"Really, Mai? Was that necessary to say at the moment like this?" Zuko takes hold of her slim arm.

The knife-wielder twists out of his grasp. "Don't touch me. I don't want you to touch me right now, Zuko."

A flash of anger crosses the Fire Lord's face as he turns away.

Mai crosses her arm at her waist. "You can keep going. I still haven't forgiven myself, and I still keep waking up to this fucking world. You almost killed, but I did kill and kept killing Katara. How do you think my dad got to be governor of Omashu? Just look right here at daddy's bloody little daughter."

Zuko turns in shock. "Mai, please stop. You don't have to…"

"This isn't about you Zuko, and it's certainly not about the weeping princess over there that everybody wants to comfort. When – when I – had to face my demons, I only told what a good job I was doing for the Fire Nation."

The Fire Lord's throat thickens as he hears Mai's voice begin to crack.

The knife-wielder pulls out a wicked-looking shuriken. "Let me tell you, Katara. I trained from the time I was nine-years-old to throw these things. They taught us how to do damage, not to targets, but real people. They would string up the condemn and demonstrated what we were supposed to do."

"That's terrible," Katara gasps. "How could anybody to that to a child."

"Good question. I have often asked myself that. More importantly, what type of parent would turn their child into a killer? My dad did."

"I'm so sorry, Mai."

"What are you sorry about Katara? You weren't the one teaching me how to carve up and torture people for sport. Zuko knew about it, didn't you, Your Majesty?"

The Fire Lord can no longer lift his head as he nods.

"Azula and Ty Lee went to the same training I did. Have you ever looked at Ty's smile? I've seen her break a man's neck and keep smiling and laughing as he fell to the ground dying. Now, that girl frightened me that day."

Sokka looks into the knife wielder's amber eyes. "Why are you telling us this?"

"Because, as uncle said, we're all monsters, her included. What kind of monster are you Sokka?"

The corner of the young man's mouth lifts. "Just look into your nightmares, Mai. Past the demons and grossest things imaginable. Then you'll find me."

A cold chill ran down Mai's spine as she saw the darkness in those sea-blue eyes. It reminded her of a storm she once saw at sea. There wasn't a degree of warmth or mirth in them. She thought she knew fear, but somehow this young man seemed to take it to a whole new level. Am I afraid or turned on?

Katara confronts her brother. "STOP IT SOKKA! Mai isn't our enemy. We're friends here. Put that away!"

Mai's eyes shift to the warrior's hand. Sokka was holding a whale-bone stiletto. She didn't even realize he had drawn it.

"She pulled first Katara. I didn't know what she was going to do."

"Listen Sokka; things are bad enough without you showing everybody your bad side. Didn't dad say that's the last resort."

Sokka's glowers as he clenches his teeth. "I'm not going to let anybody hurt my little sister, not if I can help it."

Katara smiles as she hugs her big brother. "Nobody's going to hurt me here Sokka. But it makes me happy, right or wrong; you have my back." She tip-toes up and kisses his cheek.

Like magic, the young man's killer-look dissipates to his usual friendly appearance.

Mai keeps staring at Sokka. "I can see why Azula was so impressed by you now. She said you were the only man that could make her heart that fast. Slapping that wall when she was pinned in."

Katara's jaw drops open. "What did you do with that psychotic witch, brother?"

Sokka puts both hands on his chest. "I swear, I've never laid a hand on her, not a kind one."

Mai rolls her eyes. "Azula likes it rough. The rougher and more dangerous, the better. That was the only way she said she felt anything. If she doesn't feel endangered, or in total control, she just doesn't get excited. She kept crowing about how turned on you made her."

Katara looks him in the eye. "Sokka, were you going to hurt Azula?"

"Honestly, Katara, I tried my best to kill her. No offense Zuko. I wanted to kill her when she told me about Suki, but – well – she could fight back, now could she?"

"None taken. I tried to kill her too," Zuko confesses with a sorrowful expression.

Mai shakes her head. "You idiot, you should have slit her sick throat and let her bleed out. You had the perfect opportunity to end that nut job and cripple the Fire Nation all in one slash. Your plan would then have had a chance, and we wouldn't have had to fight four long years more."

Sokka places the stiletto back into his belt. "Not my style. Even when I know she won't afford me the same quarter; I can't go against our own ethics."

Mai clicks her tongue. "And now you know why the Fire Nation almost made the Southern Water Tribe extinct."

Sokka moves closer to the cynical woman. "Almost and what-ifs are not just that. They are speculation until something actually, happens, in reality, Mai. If we don't have things, we are willing to live for; then we don't have anything, we're willing to die for, either."

Mai swallows as her heart pounds in her ears, sounding like thunder. "I – I see."

Sokka's follow-up smile and wink cause her entire body to flush. "Are you okay, Mai?"

She turns her back to him. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"Uh, your face, it just got red, just like tomato red. I've only seen people change color like that when they're…"

Mai turns and looks him in the eye with a menacing glare. "When they're what?"

Sokka's grin gets broader. "Never mind, my mistake."

"So, do you think Azula is dead?" Katara asks offhandedly.

Zuko nods. "I saw her get caught in that blasting jell explosion myself. I can't see how anyone could survive that kind of heat. It ruptured that lava vent."

Sokka places a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "If it weren't for you and Suki flying in to help us on that dragon, Toph and I would have had our bacons cooked. Stupid me, I let myself get distracted, and our airship took that round, right through the magazine. It took all my strength to hold Toph like that. I thought for sure we were both going over into that volcano."

Aang stands up from his crossed-leg position. "Everybody fought so hard to put an end to that terrible war. I'm just sad it cost so many lives before it ended."

Sokka bit his lip. "I'm so grateful to Bato and the Boulder for making the way so that we could escape the Capital when Ozai's fleet invaded. They died to save us all."

"I should have known my dad a fallback plan. He always tries to think a few moves ahead. Fire spewing airships, that was incredible. We just weren't expecting that kind of power or in those numbers."

"That was my fault for letting him get away after the comet. I thought I had him, but then he creates all that steam and – vanishes." Aang strokes his goatee as he recalls the battle. "Only if I had reconnected with my past lives. It would have been over in an instance."

"Why is everybody talking about what-ifs? Even you Aang. Man, can't we live in the here and now. What's done is done. We can't go back and change a damn thing." Sokka crosses his arms as he glares at the group.

"It is human nature to think about what would happen if we had chosen another path," Iroh interjects. "We can't change the past, but we may be able to make better decisions in the future."

"See Sokka, what-ifs aren't so bad," his sister states with a pensive smile.

"You got me Katara. I'll go along with all of you for now."

"Sweetness, where's my Sweetness." A timid voice calls out from the doorway of the bedroom.

The group focuses on the small figure who is just able to stand as she clutches the door frame.

Katara freezes in place for a moment before one word blurts out. "Toph!"

"Sweetness, my head – it hurts so bad. Please help me."

Toph begins to slip down to the floor. Aang catches the earthbender on a cushion of air as Katara slides under her on her knees. Cradling the petite young woman, she kisses her forehead. "Water, get me some water. Hang on Toph; I'll make it feel better real soon."

"Thanks, it hurts like hell. Mai said I fell and bumped it. I'm scared Katara. I can't remember, and it feels like something important happened."

Katara strokes Toph's thick black locks. "Don't be afraid. I'm right here for you Toph. You'll be okay."

"Promise?"

Katara kisses her head once more. "Promise. Where the hell is that water!"

Sokka walks back to the inn by himself. It's good that Katara is staying there with Toph at Iroh's. They both look more relaxed. Sleeping in the same bed like that, they remind me of kids.

His laughter mixes with an anxious sigh. If Toph remembers their fight, it might not be such an idyllic scene come morning, but that doctor said traumatic injuries like that take time to heal fully. So, it's not a matter of if she'll remember, but when.

Sokka looks up and sees that he is just blocks away from his destination. Maybe I should get a little something to eat before I call it a night. I think there's a tavern at the other end of this alley.

He cuts down the narrow backstreet framed by two- and four-story brick and stone buildings. Toph looks so weak; I'm surprised she was able to get out of bed. That nightshirt was a way to big; I think it's uncles. Still, Katara didn't have to get so mad when Toph's boob fell out — asking if we saw anything. Of course, we all saw that awesome tata.

He lets his memory revel in the imagery that it beheld as drool slips down his chin. Wait you pervert. Toph is hurt, and I'm lusting over her like she was a fine hippo-cow steak. I'm the worst.

His self-chastisement reminds Sokka that he's hungry. Maybe they have hippo-cow steak here. He enters the better-than-expected establishment with growing anticipation.

"So, things aren't going so well between you and Mai?" Aang looks over at the troubled face of his friend. "I thought she would be staying here with you."

"Since Toph is here and there's a room at the inn, she thought it would be better if she just stayed in Toph's room there. Uncle offered to let us use his room last night, but we just crashed in here. But you were here too, right?"

Aang nods. "I slept with Appa on the balcony. Warmest, cuddliest, and comfy bed in the world. If I knew, you two could have joined me."

"Mai doesn't do, cuddly."

"She just hasn't slept on Appa yet."

"Maybe." Zuko looks towards the paneled wall of Iroh's personal study. "Truthfully buddy, we – been having some issues."

"Like what? If you don't mind me asking. I may not be able to help, but I can listen."

"I guess I can tell you since you know most of it. Remember when we were retreating from the Capital? She's still ticked off I cheated with Ty Lee, but that was, uh, almost four years ago and it happened only once."

"I hear women don't take that kind of thing lightly. But I thought she and Ty were still close."

"They are. Mai blames me for preying on Ty's obvious need for attention. She called me a – sexual predator. Come on; we had just survived almost getting killed by my crazy sister and her Dai Li death squad. It just – happened. I didn't mean for it to happen. You probably never experienced something like that, Aang."

"Oh, I understand." Aang stretches as he lays out on the floor. "There was this girl, Fire Nation; I met at this school, I once attended when we were on the run."

"Aang, you went to school? That's funny."

"It was just for a week, and I got into trouble. Sokka and Katara pretended to be my mom and dad. Now that was funny."

Zuko snickers. "I bet it was."

"I was surprised when I saw her in our encampment. She joined the army under your banner, and I just happened to see her. We chatted, and I told her I was the Avatar, but of course, she already knew that. She told me she had a crush on me and thanked me for the dance party."

"You held a dance party? I thought my dad banned dancing and other 'frivolous' forms of entertainment?"

"That's why we had a secret dance party. Katara and I showed them how it was done. That girl can really move, almost as good as Toph."

"Yeah, that little earthbender can shake her stuff, can't she? At my inauguration party, you guys danced the night away. I've never seen a couple so in sync."

"Toph is awesome when it comes us fighting together or dancing. I don't have to say a thing, and she just seems to know what I need or how I'm going to move. I feel like we're almost one person sometimes."

"Must be nice. Mai and I mostly butt heads. I say right, she says left. You know this is our fourth try at making a go of it. I don't think it's working, Aang. The council wants me to get married and have a kid or two so that the line of succession can continue."

"Does it have to be a Fire Nation girl?"

"No, just a respectable one. Someone without something to hide. Scandals are a big taboo."

"Then, what about Toph? She's a Bei Fong, ultra-rich and super cute. Super, super cute. You saw her boob tonight, didn't you? Zuko, that just made my mouth water, for sure."

The Fire Lord licks his lips. "You don't have to tell me how cute she is. But every time we're alone, we don't talk. I don't even know where to begin with her. We're literally like dirt and fire, nothing in common."

"Is that why you're never alone with her?"

"So, you've noticed, Aang?"

"Katara was the one who noticed. She pointed it to me. I asked Toph if she liked you."

"Huh, what did she say?"

"She said you were alright for a stick in the mud royal. Her words not mine, buddy."

The Fire Lord scowls as he lays his head back. "You were telling me about that girl you went to school with?"

"Yeah, we met up right before we were making that assault on that industrial plant in the Hobol Mountains. They were making that gel that burned even underwater, Agni's Fire."

Zuko presses into the high-back upholstered chair. "Thank goodness you had your Avatar ability by then. No way we would have been able to destroy that place otherwise. That was a rough battle even with you, bro. We won, but we lost a lot of good people."

Aang purses his lips. "She died in that battle too. She told me about her crush on me back then. I was seriously flattered at the time. Toph was supporting the rear troops, and Katara was leading that attack on the main navy, so I was alone."

"Was she pretty?"

"Gorgeous."

"Must have been pretty tempting. Katara scares away most women who show even the faintest interest in you."

"I don't mind. I like her a lot too."

"I think we all know that Aang. So what else happened."

The Avatar's gray eyes sadden. "I don't know if she knew she was going to die, but she asked if we could make love, just in case. Unfortunately, the 'just in case', happened that next day. As they ran up that hill, the Ozai's soldiers rained that stuff down on our people. It looked like hell had come to earth. I saw all those people just burst into flame, and the next moment, they were smoke. Burnt bodies, all curled and blackened. I couldn't even tell which one was her."

"Did you fulfill her request Aang."

"Yeah," he replies in a whisper. "It was both our first times. We held each other so close. She was so warm, so small in my arms. I thought if I held her any tighter, she would break. I wanted to hold her forever."

Zuko nods. "I guess you do understand. Did you tell Katara about it?"

"No, I thought about doing that, but then I thought, what would be the point. It just…"

Katara checks on her bedmate. There are no visible wounds, but Toph appears uncomfortable. The waterbender looks at the small flask of medicine the doctor left. Let me see. He said to put two drops of that stuff into a half a cup of tea. Okay, I can do that.

The healer slides off the futon and makes her way over to the small table that holds a teapot, a small porcelain cup, and the medicine. First, I'll pour the tea and heat it a bit. Careful Katara, not too hot. Don't want to burn her. I've hurt her enough.

The waterbender starts to tear up. Stop it Katara. You crying and feeling sorry for yourself isn't helping Toph. Get yourself together.

After warming the tea with her bending, Katara adds the medicine. She approaches Toph, careful not to spill.

"Please Katara, don't hurt me. It hurts so bad, please Katara," the sleeping girl groans as sweat beads up on her forehead.

Is she talking in her sleep? It sounds like she is reliving it in her dreams, and I'm the monster. If you remember Toph, what will you do? Could you forgive me?

"Stop it. Please don't kill me Katara. I'm sorry – I'm so scared, it's so cold, so dark."

Tears were pouring from the corners of Toph's tightly closed eyes as she began to thrash on the bed.

Katara sets the cup down on the floor and begins to gather water from the air. As her hands glow, she sits beside the struggling earthbender. I can't lose you Toph. I know I'm selfish, but I can't take seeing you suffer like this. The healer places her illuminated hands on either side of Toph's head, gently pressing her temple. "We had a playful argument, and you slipped and fell. It was all an accident. I love you, Toph," she whispers.

As the waterbender repeats her litany, Toph relaxes and starts to mumble. "Silly me, I slipped. Sweetness loves me." The giggle that follows causes Katara to sigh with relief.

The waterbender returns the water to the air and picks up the cup of medicine. I think - I need this more than you do, Toph. She downs it in one gulp, and her head starts spinning. Katara returns to her place on the futon, pulling in the still sleeping, giggling woman into a full-body embrace.

Sokka walks into the inn and asks for his key from the night clerk. He's carrying a small bag of leftovers from his meal. This will make an excellent late-night snack. I think I'll do a little reading before I hit the hay. I just got that new tome, Sandbender slave girls. That ought to put a little grit in the right place.

"Where have been?"

The familiar voice jolts him from his reverie. "Toph's room is two floors up, the penthouse. You're in front of my door."

"Don't tell me you're still angry with me, Sokka-kun?"

"Don't you think Katara feels bad enough about what happened between them. They're more like sisters than friends."

"When are you going to stop defending her Sokka? She screws up, and you're the first one to excuse her. Just like when she water whipped those rhino-riders, our rhino-riders."

Sokka begins to laugh. "I cuss, but they were just hilarious. What did they call her, oh yeah - Captain Dip-shit-water-bitch-witch." Sokka wipes a tear from his shining blue eyes. "I still call her that when I want to see her get all bent out of shape."

"Okay, that was funny, and they were two thick-skinned to get hurt, but what if they were army regulars, Sokka?"

"Let's go inside. My food is getting cold, and I'm tired." He unlocks the door, and they enter the neat room. The desk in the corner is full of scrolls of various size.

"What did you get?"

"Oh, I wanted hippo-cow, but they only had elk-cow, so I got the hog-chicken ribs."

"What? Never mind, just give me a bone."

"Okay, but only one. These are good, extra saucy."

"Hmm, so am I."

Sokka pauses as the solicitous comment. He drops the bag and sweeps up his guest, as they fall upon the bed in a frenzy of kisses.

"I thought you were mad at me. You even pulled out that knife I gave you for your birthday. Now you're stripping off my clothes?"

"Mai, babe, I just thought you would see it and back off. I would never threaten you, well, not with such a small blade."

Mai grins, baring her teeth as if hunger was consuming her. "Then show me your real blade, Sokka-kun. Run me through."