Chapter 3 - Toph! No Fair!
Revised 3/16/18
Okay, It's been a long time and I don't know if anyone even reads this, but hey my life has been shit lately. Writing is my only escape, I really want some Taang to happen and it's not happening yet. It's hinted upon in this chapter, but hey you don't wanna read this part, onto the story...
ah and by the way, as if this wasn't obvious, I OWN NOTHING.
Katara sighed, her anger had all but faded, and now she felt guilty for practically biting her own boyfriends head off. Then again, it was his own fault for being so childish- wasn't it? She sighed again, maybe it was just her? She didn't know, she only knew she was not happy. She couldn't figure out what was making her unhappy, everything was perfect for her. Her tribe was now a flourishing city, with her father practically a king, her brother was living happily with his new wife, the economy was finally stable, the world was at peace, and she had a devoted man, the Avatar no less!
With all these good things she felt petty for feeling negative feelings, but she couldn't help it. The sky bison bellowed behind her and stirred her from her thoughts. Turning, she scratched his nose and laughed softly, "I know buddy, we should get going, huh?" Appa groaned out an agreement as Katara climbed on, "come on Momo!" she called to the lemur. He currently seemed to be in a staring contest with a hog monkey on the edge of their makeshift camp. The beast lept at him, causing Momo to hiss and fly swiftly to the safety of Appa's saddle. The bison in turn lifted his large tail, and swung it down, airbending the hog monkey back into the forest. Katara laughed loudly at their exchange, "alright boys, it's time to go! Appa, Yip yip!" as they left the ground and katara set their course she let her mind wander again.
Maybe she did know why she'd been feeling so unhappy lately. She's had her answer for a while now. In the beginning, when she was searching for answers, she couldn't bring herself to ask the others, La forbid she talk to Aang about it. Then the opportunity presented itself when she and Aang happened across a familiar village in the Earth Kingdom the the previous year. To their surprise Aunt Wu was still there, giving people their fortunes and reading the clouds. Katara knew that was her time to ask for an explanation on her feelings.
Aunt Wu had only shook her head and chuckled, "you have all the reason to be feeling this way my child, after all, you're a woman now, yes? Which means you're ready for more adult things," she coughed then, noticing Katara didn't get the hint, and rolled her eyes. "More- intimate things. Tell me, what is your love life like?" Katara's eyes widened at that, she knew what that meant, and she did know that she craved it deeply. A few things stood in the way, Aang still behaved immaturely, still 16 then, and as far as she could tell, he didn't want to be more physical than cuddling and the rare make out sessions.
She shook her head, "It's true, I feel like I'm ready for more...er- adult things, but Aang," she paused and looked at the ground, "I don't know, he's never, I mean we never," she trailed off and huffed, embarrassed to be getting so detailed with this woman. "We haven't lain together as lovers yet, Aang doesn't seem to be ready, I've even tried making moves on him!"
The old woman laughed gently at Katara getting all worked up, "so you're not being fulfilled then, a young woman has needs, though I believe you know that." She leaned in and stoked the Fire, knowing the girl wasn't done yet.
Katara chose to tilt her head back, looking at the sky and continued, "I love him Aunt Wu, I want this to work because I know he loves me, but it's hard to feel attraction when your other half barely seems interested." She looked over at her then, "please, tell me what to do, I'll do anything to make him happy, I can tell that me being in this mood is not helping him at all, is there any way to fix this?."
Aunt Wu sighed gesturing over to Aang as he played with the children of her village, "as you can see my dear, the Avatar, though physically matured, is not mentally on your level. The only way I see for you to make him the happiest he can be," she paused and looked back at Katara, holding her hand up as if she were holding something, "is to let him go." her hand opened as if letting something free.
After that both were quiet, Katara in her own thoughts and Aunt Wu studying the fires ashes, it was a few moments before the waterbender spoke up, her voice shaky, "are you- are you sure this is the only way? How can I just let him go? It took so long to love him this way."
A small sad smile crept onto Aunt Wu's face and she nodded slowly, "It's the only way, that is if you'd like him to truly be happy. It's that, or you can lead him on for the rest of your life, and continue to sacrifice your own happiness for something that's not real. My dear, I have no doubt in my mind that you love that boy, but in my opinion, it's not that of a lover. True love is not something that can be forced. The fact that you had to make yourself love him is all the proof I need. You see, Love can grow, if the correct seed has been planted, but the wrong seed can lead to a terrible weed, do not try to force it."
After soaking in her advice Katara tilted her head as a question formed, "but you once told me I'd be with a very powerful bender, and Aang is the most powerful bender in the world!" She knew she was grasping at straw here but she didn't want to accept their fate just yet.
"Ah yes, I remember that well, I can still see it, and it is still true. You will one day be with a powerful bender, one of the strongest, but it is not the Avatar." With that she left the room, leaving Katara to think once more.
She gazed out the doors at Aang as he played with Momo and the children, only one thing going through her mind, 'what am I going to do?'
Now she regretted not listening to Aunt Wu, she'd let it go on too long, and now she was in too deep. She noticed her temper was shorter than ever with the young monk lately. She turned 19 in winter, and Aang was still 17, by her tribe's traditions, she should be married with a child on the way by now. She no longer had her maidenhood, having took it a long time ago with her own bending. Being a healer, if needed she could heal herself and make it seem like her virginity was still intact. Being a waterbender, she knew how to work her body and fluids to her benefit, making getting no physical pleasure from Aang for 5 years a little more bearable. A little.
She sighed and looked at the setting sun, it seemed to burn brighter here, on the shores of the Fire Nation. Appa sped up as the Palace came into view, just a little longer and she'd be in the presence of her old friends again. It excited her, finally she'd be surrounded with her adopted family. It could be lonely traveling with only Aang and the two air animals as companions. She couldn't wait to see Toph's grin and her nicknames, or to see her brother, meat in one hand, Suki in the other. The Kyoshi Warrior was fun to spar with and still needed to show her more combat training, but most of all, Katara was practically buzzing with excitement to see the Crown Prince. The weird part was, she didn't know why. There was nothing special about him, and yet her heart beat a little faster when she thought of seeing him again. As the sun finally set behind the horizon, Appa began his own descent, landing with a gush of air. This was it.
A young woman sat up in her practically non-existent bed and swiveled her head in all directions, all senses alert. She wasn't scared, Princesses are meant to be feared, not fear themselves. No, she was alert. Golden eyes peering into the darkness, seeing only a shadow. A small blue flame lit in her hand, her lip curling up when it grew slightly, casting blue light beyond the metal bars. The small light was enough to illuminate the strangers face, a bored expression and long black hair. Without permission the other woman spoke first, "Hello, Azula."
The Princess grinned then, "well look what the moose-lion dragged in," she spoke with fake light tone, "to what do I owe this honor, Mai." In hearing her name, the other woman seemed to twitch, which only made Azuela's smirk grow again, standing to her full height and gracefully walking to the cell door. Mai did not move, but under her long sleeves, her hands grasped two of her knives tightly. Ever the observer, golden eyes never missed a thing, "I've no reason to hurt you. Now, tell me, why do you bother me with your presence?"
Mai seemed to crack a bit, her voice shaking slightly, "I broke up with Zuko."
Azula shrugged, she couldn't care less about her brother and his playthings, "why should I care?" The princess looked down at her nails, still holding her small flame in her hand, "it is of no importance to me."
The aristocratic woman seemed to sigh, "I just wanted to apologize for going against you, he wasnt worth it."
The princess's brow arched, "what brought this on? Why do you suddenly go against him like this, I assumed you'd be betrothed, you could have been Fire Lady."
"He doesn't love me, it's not my name he calls in the middle of the night, nor am I the one on his mind all day." Mai hardened her voice then, "I will not be used as a placeholder for someone he cannot have. Whatever, the thought of Zuko does nothing to me, I think I like another as well."
Princess Azula thought for a moment, letting her eyes scan the room, then looked back at Mai, "Whose name does he call? Who is it that holds my brother's heart? Is it Ty Lee?" The other girls face twitched a bit and she mumbled something. "Speak up," she snapped, "your princess cannot hear you."
Mai began again, "that wretched water wench, Katara."
'Today is the day' she thought in her head, 'I can finally leave this place, Pops will come for me and I can be free again.' Toph was sitting in her room, holding a piece of rock she kept under her pillow, it counted the days she had left until Iroh had promised to retrieve her. It was covered in small, carved lines, nearly taking up all of the small rocks surface. If she kept track correctly, it had been almost a year since the last celebration, meaning the Fire Lord was to fulfill his promise to her.
'He better not have forgotten about me,' just as she thought it, she heard a knock on her front door. She grinned and hopped up, grabbing her bag she'd packed and threw on her chest plate. With a tap of her foot she scanned the room, making sure she wasn't forgetting anything, then ran out of the room. Just as she rounded the corner to open and hopefully sprint out her front door, she felt a gust of wind as the door was already opened.
"Why hello Fire Lord Iroh, and Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation," she heard her father's voice, "to what do I owe this visit?" Lao greeted, a little edge in his voice, he clearly did not want them here.
Toph scooted around her father and jumped into Iroh's arms "Pops! You came for me!" She buried her face in his chest while his large arms circled her small form, his laugh vibrating through to her cheek before she let him go. Feet on the ground now, she turned slightly, "and you brought Sparky along too!" she cried out as she was lifted off the ground again in strong arms.
"Toph," Lao scolded, "you should not be so informal with the Firelord and the Prince," Toph seemed to shrink a little in Zuko's arms at hearing her father's voice, "you should use their proper titles."
"Of course we came for you Toph," Zuko replied to his companion, ignoring Lao completely. He spoke softly and pressing his good cheek down on top of her head, "it isn't a celebration without you there, you know that." He seemed to think, then pulled back, looking into her face, "Oh, and Uncle missed you." He set her down then and ruffled her hair.
She grinned and punched his arm, "of course he did, and you did too, don't even try to deny it. So when are we goin'?"
Zuko rubbed his arm, grimacing slightly before glancing over at his Uncle, "we can actually leave now," getting a nod from Iroh he looks back at Toph, "if you have all your things that is."
She grinned and held up her small bag, filled with her training clothes and a few other belongings, "all set."
Lao spoke up again, not quite understanding, "what do you mean? Where are you taking my daughter?" Toph hadn't filled him in on the celebration, he assumed they'd go as a family, make an appearance like every year, then go home again.
Turning to her father, she smirked, no longer afraid of what he thought, she was with her real family now, "I'm going back to the Fire Nation, I'm a grown woman now father, I'm 18, single, and ready to mingle. There is nothing left for me here, I love you, but you need to let me grow on my own." She couldn't believe she was finally saying this, "I will not be coming back for long visits anymore, tell mom I love her, and I'll write." With that she turned on her heel and walked off her porch, out to where the docks were, "come on Princess, I'll race you!"
He winced at the nickname, but turned to Lao, bowed and left the departing words to Iroh as he whipped around and chased after his adopted sister, "Toph! That's not fair! You got a head start!"
Iroh smiled, hands in his sleeves and bowed to Lao as well, "we will be leaving now, we look forward to your attendance at this year's celebration, and do not worry, your daughter is in good hands." Leaving Lao speechless with a very upset expression on his, Iroh followed after his adopted children, humming softly to himself, 'Little Soldier Boy, Come marching home'.
"So, you're telling me, I flew all day long to see my old pal- er the Price and he's not even here?" The servant boy at the front gates of the Fire Palace nodded hesitantly, not sure how he should act around the tall Avatar, he'd heard stories that he's an easygoing person, but you can't trust what you hear in the Palace halls.
"Yes sir, but the Prince did leave a message in case any of his close friend's arrived before his return," he coughed and looked around in his robe until he found a scroll, unrolling it he read, 'Dear friends, I'm glad you've arrived, I trust your travels were well. It's going to be great spending time with you. If you're hearing this message, it means I have not returned from my trip, feel free to use the Palace to your liking, after all you are our guests. As to my trip, since I know you're curious, Uncle and I had to leave last-minute to pick up some special cargo for the Celebration. If you'd like, you can meet us at the docks around sundown, see you soon. Sokka don't eat all the food -Prince Zuko'
Aang smiled at the last part, then looked at the horizon, "well it's almost sunset, I suppose I'll go wait for them," as he peered closer he saw a speck in the air, it was Appa, meaning Katara was close, he did not want to talk now, at least not to her. He looked at the servant boy "what is your name young man?"
"My name is Kahli Mr. Avatar," he responded, inquisitive about why a great man like him would ask such a simple question, he was surprised when Aang bent down and ruffled his shaggy hair.
"Thank you Kahli, you've been a lot of help, but I'll need two more things from you." Seeing the boy nod made Aang smile, Kahli's face was determined, "first, there's a young woman who will be arriving soon, very important, be sure that her and her animal companions are taken care of, oh but don't tell her I was here." He winked at him and earned a curt nod, "good boy, I'll be sure to talk to you later," he ruffled his hair again and flew off on his glider toward the docks.
Looking back he saw the boy's large smile and hop in his step as he ran to the stables. He grinned and gazed out to sea, seeing a ship coming into dock. 'That must be them! I wonder what kind of 'special cargo' they could have brought,' he thought to himself. Finally he reached the dock and dropped down, landing lightly on it about the same time the door from the ship slid down. Aang stood off to one side, slightly behind the opening of the door, ready to pounce on his friend.
The stuffy air released from inside of the ship as the door hit the dock, and Aang saw Iroh step out, then shuffle quickly to a shop further down the dock. Behind him was a short beautiful woman with dark hair tumbling down her back and no shoes, 'probably an earthbender' and a very well-proportioned body. He couldn't see her upper face, but the smirk she held when she spoke to her companion shook something in him. He couldn't help smiling when he saw it, forgetting he was supposed to jump out and scare the Prince.
After a long ship ride, Toph was really missing her element. She climbed off the deck and onto the dock with wobbly sea legs, Zuko practically strutting after her, "What's the matter Shrimp, you're looking a little green there," he grinned as she swayed a bit, unable to fling anything at him she only smirked back.
"As soon as the world stops moving, I swear to Oma you'll be sorry, why couldn't we have taken an airship?" Toph began walking a little better but held onto Zuko's sleeve.
Aang watched the woman closely, she seemed to sway a little, and he noticed she was holding onto the man's arm. Aang bristled a little, his eyes trained on how close the couple was, then shook his head in confusement. He remembered the feeling of jealousy, he'd felt it before, but never towards a girl he didn't know. As he looked closer he noticed the man was Zuko, he had heard about his and Mai's break up. Maybe this girl was her replacement, 'if that's the case, I think it's wrong and too quick to move on- but he should definitely introduce me- er...I mean the Gaang to her.' He moved from behind the door and followed behind them slowly, not sure why he was sneaking up on his friend, but something made him want to know more about the girl. He kept close behind them, which was easy since the girl clearly wasn't used to sailing, and seemed to have a difficulty walking. As he inched closer, he could hear them talk.
He saw Zuko shrug, "There were none available, it was either take a warship or wait another two days for an airship to be ready." He looked down at her, smirking when she seemed to hold him tighter when the dock rocked slightly, "why are you holding me, did you miss me that much?" He chuckled a little before seeing the look on her face.
Aang noticed it too, now that he was closer he could see milky green eyes, the ones that haunted his dreams. Though these eyes were slightly different, they held fear in them, not the power he usually finds. Zuko bent down to the woman then, peering into her face and rasped her name softly, "Toph?" The Avatar's jaw dropped.
"It's the water," she cut in, then hung her head, ashamed, "I'm afraid of the water." Zuko gaped at her, his little sister, greatest earthbender in the world, is afraid of a little water? He couldn't believe it, but the look of fear on her face spoke volumes, she wasn't kidding. When he questioned her, she replied, "I'm a blind earthbender, I have no sight in the water."
Though Zuko understood, she continued, her eyes getting wider as she mentally fell into her fear. Her voice got distant then, "how terrible would it be, to die alone and cold, blind and deaf to the world. To be disconnected from all that I love and my sweet element wouldn't be able to help me. It's like Aang, being buried alive, away from his true element, or Katara, burning in flames. I'm afraid of the water-" she paused and seemed to look directly up into Zuko's eyes, "because it's the only thing that can take my freedom away for good."
Hearing Toph talk like that, and seeing it on her face, Zuko felt for the girl. Wanting to reassure her, he reached out and stroked her cheek gently, "you're with people who love you now, and we have your back no matter what an-" he was cut off by a tall blur of yellow and orange sweeping Toph up and racing the remainder of the dock, to land. He blinked, then shouted out after her, running behind.
"Hey! Let go of me! Who do you think you are?!" Toph screamed, being held tightly to a strong solid form. Most likely a male, around her age, and his heart was racing, it was a very light beat, she'd heard that heartbeat before.
The man nuzzled her head as he ran and held her tighter. Finally reaching land he spun her around, "Oh Toph!" he cried, "you came back! I thought I'd never see you again! I've missed you so much!"
'I know that voice,' she thought, then exclaimed, "Twinkletoes?" She reached up and felt his face, then grinned, "you got taller."
He laughed and nodded, feeling lighter than he had in months. He looked behind her and saw Zuko was finally catching up. Then he looked down at Toph and lowered his voice, "I heard what you said Toph, and you have nothing to fear, I'll protect you from that and everything else, as long as I'm able. You're my best friend and I'd never let anything hurt you." He noticed Zuko was almost to them and that he was still holding her in his arms, so he put her down reluctantly, noticing that he didn't mind holding her that way…
She punched his shoulder, "I don't need anyone protecting me, especially you Twinkletoes. I don't even know why I said that pansy stuff." She flicked her wrist dismissively, "Must have been the stupid sea air." Even as she said it, she was fighting a smile, she'd missed the stupid Monk, and was glad he was the first she'd met since coming back. Now that she was on the ground, she could 'look' at him clearly. In the year she'd been gone Aang had reached his full height, he was about as tall as Sparky now. He seemed to have filled out as well, his muscles were toned and strong, he had lifted her quite easily. His clothes were about the same, very light and she assumed they were bright colors, not that it mattered to her.
"I know you don't but I like it when you're soft Toph," he immediately turned red, realizing what he said could be taken in a wrong way, "I mean when you open up, of course."
Zuko stepped up behind her then, panting slightly, "W-we need to shorten this dock." He straightened and looked at Aang, "Ah, Aang it was you stealing Toph away," he smirked as the monk's face got redder. The Prince reached around and hugged her from behind, they had gotten very comfortable with each other when she'd lived in the palace. It was nothing romantic, just comforting. He rested his chin on top of her head, arms encircling her waist, and looked at Aang, "so, when did you arrive Avatar?"
Aang swallowed, a lump forming in his throat, "Um, about half an hour ago." He suddenly had the urge to swat Zuko away from Toph, not comfortable with the familiar way he held her. He didn't know why, but seeing him hang off of her like that really bothered him. He reached over and tugged on her sleve arm, "we should go back to the palace, I'm excited to see the Gaang again.
"Hey, guys, who gave you permission to touch me?" She shrugged them both off and started marching her way to the Palace, "besides, from what Sparky told me, you're the first to arrive, or is Sugar Queen here too?" She noticed that Aang's heart didn't speed up when Katara's name was mentioned, but Zuko's took off like a moose-lion in heat.
Both men followed behind her, and Aang spoke up, "we had a bit of an argument on the way here, so she's on her way with Appa right now." He looked up at the sky, the sun was gone but the sky was still tinted pink with the last rays of light, "she might actually be here already." Toph only nodded, she knew they'd all be together soon, there was no need to rush.
"Well that's good," Zuko said quietly, "it feels like forever since we've all been together." Toph nodded again, a small smile on her face, he didn't know the half of it.
"I agree," Aang said, his gaze unconsciously following the sway of Toph's hips. He blinked and shook his head, turning his attention to Zuko at his side, "oh, by the way, are there any rooms open? I don't think it would be a good idea for me and Katara to share this year. We've gotten into fights a lot recently," he paused and sighed, rubbing his bald head, "I don't want to be stressed during this time of celebration is all."
"Yeah of course, I understand. From what I remember, there's a room next to Toph is open, it's in the East Wing, whereas your room with Katara is in the West Wing." He had a feeling that it wouldn't matter, the pair were best friends. "If it's cool with Toph, I can have some servants clean up the room for you right away."
Aang grinned, that was fine with him, he was interested in finding out if Toph had changed during the year she was away. "Sounds good to me, how about you Toph?"
She shrugged, "doesn't matter to me, this way if I'm bored at night I can just go throw boulders at Twinkle's head for a while," her grin re-appeared at the thought and Aang smiled. She hadn't changed much apparently.
"Well it's settled then, as soon as we get back, I'll request the change, I take it you don't want me to tell Katara?" Zuko figured Aang hadn't told Katara about this.
Toph threw back her head and laughed sarcastically, "of course you can't tell her, she'd probably get all yelly and stuff, no one wants that. Just tell her that it's against palace rules to have a man in your bed if you're not married," she turned her head towards Aang as they started climbing the steps to the Palace, then stopped mid-step, "you're not married, right?"
"No, of course not," he noticed he answered too quickly, "I mean, I'm not old enough, my birthday is in fall, and it's not even the middle of summer yet."
"Right, right, well either way, Sparky, don't tell her the real reason, got it?" Her head turned to the other side, listening to Zuko as he trailed up behind them. Hearing his robes rustle as he nodded, she continued up the steps, "good, now, you slow-pokes, I'll race you to the top, first one there wins!" She hopped on a rock and blasted herself up the stairs.
"Toph, No fair!" Aang shouted, practically flying on a gust of wind behind her. Zuko chose to sit this race out, shaking his heads at his younger friends and slowly climbed the stairs. He'd missed them more than he thought, and he hadn't even been with them longer than a day. In the morning, they'd have to deal with adult things, finishing the preparations for Zuko and Aang facing his girlfriend, but for now, they were just a couple of kids forced to grow up before their time, having some fun.