Crossroads

AN: Thank you for the reviews and comments. I am surprised that people like this fic. Anyways, thank you for everything. For those that are questioning why Zuko proposed to Mai in front of Toph and the rest of his friends; it's something that happened to me. As always, review and enjoy.

-Mercy

The Winding Road

The autumn sun shone down mercilessly over the wandering group. Aang used his air scooter and circled his friends, encouraging them to continue forward. Toph was about to create a crater on the floor, big enough, hoping that he would fall in. His peppiness was annoying and irritating.

Toph continued walking, dragging her feet along the path, following her friends down the winding path. She was physically, spiritually, and mentally tired. But she wouldn't let anyone know. She was a strong female in the eyes of her friends. She was her son's anchor. He couldn't see her look defeated.

If they only knew how her personal struggles kept her up the previous night. She stopped walking, placing her beloved son on the floor and grasped his hand tightly; afraid to let him go. Her heart ached, her chest felt tight as they got closer to the city. Her fears grew and the hope of an amicable encounter with Zuko dwindled.

"Are you okay, Momma? You are quiet," Rae said, as he looked up at her, his hand covered his light eyes from the afternoon sun. He offered her bright smile and sighed, when he remembered that his mother couldn't see him smiling. "Can I help you with anything?"

"No, son. I'm fine." Toph smiled down at her son and held his hand firmly. The fear of this being the last time she would be this close to her son scared her. "Are you okay? This is a different setting for you."

"I'm fine, Mommy. I'm just hungry," he said, shrugging nonchalantly and kicked a pebble with the tip of his shoe. "The city is close, Mom. Can you see it?"

"I can see it, son," she said, swallowing the invisible lump that was caught in her throat.

It took them about thirty minutes to enter the gates of the city. Aang and Haru took the liberty to ask the villagers for information.

"There is an inn just around the corner. They have plenty of space for Appa…" Aang said, placing Momo on the floor, next to his feet. The lemur looked around, flapping his arms and screeched. "There's also a carnival,"

"He said it was a festival, Aang," Haru interjected, "not a carnival."

"Yeah, that!" he said excitedly and turned to face Katara. "Because I told him I am the Avatar and you guys are my friends, we get to participate in the afternoon parade! There will be plenty of food, games, and awesome events."

"What? Are you crazy?" Katara said aggravated. "I told you to keep a low profile! We agreed that we were going to keep a low profile. Was it so hard to understand?" she said, placing her hands on her hips. "This is an undercover mission, Aang! We are here to look for our old friend Zuko." She said. "Not have fun and let everyone know that the Avatar is not in the Fire Nation like he's supposed to be."

Aang cringed and lowered his head. "Fine. Ruin my fun."

"Your fun?" Suki said exasperated, walking in between them. "Let's just go to the inn and get settled. I want to take a bath and I'm sure that Sokka wants to eat, right, hon?"

Sokka nodded and smiled lovingly at his girlfriend. "You sure know me, Suki. I'm going downstairs to talk to the innkeeper."

"Be safe," Suki said, kissing her boyfriend.

They walked to the nearest inn and Toph followed them. She didn't let go of her son's hand. Rae tried to break free, but she held him firmly. She was deep in thought and didn't have the strength to follow after him if he decided to separate from the group.

"Oh, Katara, here," Aang said, placing a silver key in her hand. "This is the key to your room. The woman at the front desk told me that the inn used to be the mansion of an old Fire Nation family.

"Thanks," Katara said, smiling at him. "You did well, Aang. Just try to keep yourself out of the public eye, please."

"I'll try,"

"Thank you," Katara mumbled and touched Toph's shoulder. "Here, this is the key to our room. You could use a nap, Toph. You have dark circles under your eyes."

"Thanks, Katara," Toph sighed thankfully when Katara placed the key on the palm of her hand.

"The guys are going to sleep in the same room," Katara said in her motherly tone. "Suki, Rae, you and I are going to share a room. Will that be okay?"

She nodded and pressed the key close to her heart. "Yeah, there won't be any problem. Thank you."

"Good and you are welcome," Katara smiled and turned to Haru and Aang. "Aang, try to keep a bit of a low profile. We have Toph's son's safety to consider."

"Why? He's probably a strong earthbender just like his mother, right?" Aang asked, scratching the back of his head.

"Um, n-" Rae began, but Toph dragged him away.

"We are on a peaceful mission. We shouldn't anticipate any hostility." Aang said confused. "Why is Toph leaving? Did I say something wrong?"

"Aang," Katara paused curtly. "You are nineteen, going on twenty," she sighed. "Stop acting like a kid, please. And Toph is just tired. She probably didn't sleep last night…"

Toph remained quiet and kept her distance. It's not that she didn't want to talk to her friends. She didn't want to tell them about Rae. He was her precious secret. She also had so much that occupied her mind. The constant fear of turning around and finding the Fire Lord was too much. It was too nerve-racking and she just couldn't take it any longer. She wanted to get it over with; face Zuko and tell him the truth. If he tried any sudden movement or any shady stuff, she would grab her son and make a tunnel where they could make a quick escape.

"Hey, Toph," Suki said startling her. "You've been off lately. Was it Sokka's loud snores?"

"Sorry, yeah, something like that,"

"If you need anything, let me know,"

"Thanks, Suki, but I'm okay,"

"Okay, then," she said worriedly, placing a caring hand on her shoulder. "Our room is this way. Follow me."

Toph nodded and gladly followed. She was so tired that her entire body was going numb. Her legs could barely sustain her body weight. Her back ached so badly and her shoulders were so tensed, that she felt like she held the weight of the world on them. All she wanted to do was take a nice warm bath to relax her muscle and eat a good, satisfying meal to calm her growling stomach. She knew that Rae needed to eat too. He was too proud to say anything about. She cringed at the realization that her son was so much like him: proud.

"There is a festival going on tonight." Suki said, turning left on to the hall. "A man in the lobby told me that the town was celebrating their bountiful harvest. We should rest and go later. I feel like celebrating that you are with us…"

"Thanks. I heard Aang say something about a festival," she said tiredly. "We are supposed to be part of the parade, but I'm not participating. Where is our room?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm not participating either. It'll be embarrassing." She chuckled, as she walked ahead of Toph and Rae. "Oh, here it is… room 34." The Kyoshi warrior said, looking at the number on the door. "Yes, this is it. Katara gave you the key, right?"

Toph bobbed her head tiredly and opened the palm of her hand. "Here is the key, Suki."

"Thank you," Suki grinned and opened the door. She handed the key back to Toph and entered the room, tossing her belongings on the futon next to the window. "I claim that futon," she said, turning on the balls of her heels and beamed at Rae. "Sokka was going to the bakery. I should go with him. I'll bring some treats for you Rae."

"Thank you!" Rae said excitedly.

"Sokka's probably getting kicked out for eating all the pastries," Toph commented.

"That's what I'm afraid of. You remember the last time we came to a place like this, right?" She chuckled and waved at Rae.

"Yes," Toph said, the corner of her lips curving in to a smile. "I remember."

"Anyways, I'll be leaving now. Do you need something from downstairs, Toph?"

"No, I'll be fine. Thank you."

"Welcome," she said and waved at Rae. "Take good care of your mom."

"I will," Rae said happily, stepping to the side to allow her room to go out the door. "I'll always take care of her." he said proudly.

Toph's felt boastful. Her son was the best. Hopefully, she'd done a great job at raising him as a single mother. He was a good kid, helpful, kind, and respectful. Everything that she'd been raised to be.

"He's such a good kid," Katara said, entering the room. "Suki, the lady from the front desk told Aang that Sokka is looking for you." She said looking around the room.

"Where is he?"

"By the bakery, I think." Katara said indifferently. "He's complaining of a stomach ache,"

"Okay, bye, girls and Rae," Suki waved and trudged down the hall.

"I'm going to take a bath," Toph said, gesticulating to Rae to come closer to her. He obediently walked over to his mother and took her hand. "Do you want to take a bath first?"

"No, I can go after you, Mom." He said. His mother nodded and offered him one of his favorite smiles.

"But as soon as I am done, you are next. Got it?"

"Yes," he chortled. "You are the greatest!" He said happily, hugging her leg, as he looked up adoringly at his mother.

"Thank you," she said, bending down to kiss him on the cheek. "And you are the greatest, Rae." Rae was beyond himself, hopping contently. He adored his mother with the passion known to a young child. He felt like he was in heaven. His mother's friends treated him as if he was part of their small family. He secretly loved all of his mom's friends, in particular Sokka. He didn't know why, but he took a liking to him. Maybe it was because Sokka had promised the small child how to use his sword. He also loved Katara. She was so kind to him. She was like another version of Hana. The kind, young lady that took care of him when his mother went to the dojo to teach bending.

"Why are there four futons?" he asked quizzically, looking around at the room.

"Oh," Katara said, also looking at her surrounding and gave a small laugh. "One is for you, Toph, Suki, and me," she said, pointing at the futons. "Which one do you want?"

"Um," he said, looking pensive. "Suki wants that one," he said, pointing at her belongings. "Mom is there and I always stay near Momma." He saw his mother setting her bags on the futon on the far right and pointed at the futon that was next to her. "That one, by my Mommy." He sauntered to her and took her hand and looked admiringly at her.

"Rae," Katara chuckled.

The kid's world was evidently his mother. She gnawed at her bottom lip and watched as mother and son interacted. Toph had grown over the past years. She was approximately five feet and eleven inches. Her face wasn't hidden behind her long bangs. It was pulled back in a long messy braid that tumbled over her shoulders. Her once opaque, sightless eyes shone brightly as she directed her gaze to her son.

"That's a good choice," Katara smiled.

"Mom, I get to sleep on my own futon,"

"Yes, Rae, you do."

He'd never had his own futon. He'd always shared the same bed as his mother and the thought of sleeping alone was exhilarating. It was also his first time staying in an inn. He let go of his mother's hand and wandered around the room, admiring the walls. The walls were a deep crimson color with a hint of gold. He immediately fell in love with the colors.

"I like the color of the walls and curtains, Mom," He said excitedly.

"What color are they?" she asked curiously.

"A dark red and gold," he described, his eyes drinking in the room's design.

"Dark red and gold?" Toph asked perplexed.

"Yes, Toph, that's what he said. Your son likes," Katara paused. "He likes the Fire Nation's color,"

"Fire Nation? You gotta be kidding me," Toph said irritated.

"The Fire Nation colors are dark red and gold, Katara?"

"Yes, Rae,"

"I'm going to take a bath." Toph remained seated on the settee, cursing under her breath.

Rae continued to admire the room. He walked over to the window and then back to where Toph was. "There's a pond outside the inn, Momma. Can I go and play outside?"

"You are taking a nap as soon as you are finished taking a bath."

"But,"

"No, Rae, don't start. It's time for your nap,"

"But… The sun feels so good, Momma," he said, tugging at the hem of her skirt. "Can I stand by the window at least?" he asked anxiously.

"Sure, kid," Toph said soflty, ruffling his hair.

He dashed to the windows and placed his palms on the glass, closing his eyes contently and let the afternoon sun's warmth touch his pale face. The windows in the room were big, open, and welcoming. The golden curtains flowed freely with the afternoon breeze and the sun's rays filtered through them.

"The sun feels so good," Rae muttered.

Katara stared attentively at the child. There was something off about him that gave her a prickly feeling at the pit of her stomach. He's not an earthbender, she thought. Rae definitely wasn't an earthbender. His movements weren't in coordination with this element. He didn't connect to the earth the way his mother did. Toph's stance was strong, firm and study. The energy that radiated from her contact with the soil, the ground, or the earth wasn't the same for him. He didn't seem to be in harmony with the ground. Katara had observed him most of the morning; while the others complained of the sun, he seemed to enjoy it. Rae was truly different. He reminded her of a certain Fire Lord, whom favored the sun and its warmness. For a second, she thought that she'd gone mad, but the more she observed the child and watched his movements, she came to the conclusion that she'd been right.

Rae was smiling, looking down at his hands and rubbed them together. She jumped, startled when she saw a few sparks fly from his hands. He continuously pressed them together and then placed the palms of his hands against the window pane. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, making the room grown warmer, with each breath he took.

"Rae, son, come here," Toph said alarmed.

"Yes, Momma?"

"Get your clothes out of the bag. You are taking a bath after I'm done," Toph announced nervously. "Katara, can you watch Rae for a few minutes?"

"Um," she managed to articulate. Rae's smile died when he saw the waterbender staring at him. "Sure," Katara said, her eyes fixed on Toph's son. "Take your time." She remained silent after Toph entered the bathroom. Her eyes never wandered away from the child. He took a step back and glanced over at the fireplace. "Is there something wrong, Rae?"

"No," He shrugged and sat on his futon. "Do you bend any element, Katara?"

"You know my name?" she asked joyous. "I didn't think you would remember my name- I thought that you didn't like me."

"I do." He said crossly. "I like everyone. Mom tells me to be wary of strangers, though."

"She's a smart woman and all she does is to protect you," Katara nodded, offering him a smile. "And I do bend, Rae,"

"Fire?"

"No, Rae," she shook her head and stood up from the futon and walked over to a water-filled vase that sat on one of the night tables. "You have to come here to see what I can do."

"Okay," he said and got to his feet.

"Watch very carefully, Rae." She said in a low voice, taking a powerful stance. She slowly raised her arms, moving them in an oscillating pattern. Her hand movement entranced the young boy, as large, magically spheres of water began to move before him. "See the water droplets swirling around each other?"

"Yes," he said in fascination, nodding his little head. He was hypnotized by the clear liquid that moved freely in the air at the will of the waterbender. She continued swerving her hands, allowing the water to spiral and take different shapes around the young child. "Can you make a platypus bear?"

"Of course," she said.

"A rabbit-kangaroo!" He giggled, amazed at the wonderful exhibition of water being shaped in to all sorts of familiar animals. He clapped excited, his lips slightly parted. "What else can you do?" he asked inquisitively and back on his futon.

"I can heal, using water and even create icicles. I can blo- um, do many things," Katara said, directing the water back to the vase. She walked to the table and opened her bag. "When was the last time you combed your hair?" she said, reaching for something and pulled out an ivory comb that held sentimental value to her. "Can I comb your hair?" she asked curiously.

"Um, okay,"

"Your hair is a mess, Rae," she giggled, pulling him next to her on his futon.

"Mom combed it this morning," Rae said quietly, letting Katara detangle his shaggy hair and combed it back, away from his face.

"Well," she gasped when his topaz eyes stared attentively at her. She tried to look away. "Your hair gets tangled easily." She laughed nervously.

"Are you a good friend of my Mom?" he asked, settling his head on her lap.

"You could say that," she said quietly, as she ran the comb through his hair.

"Why haven't I seen you before?"

Katara struggled to catch her breath at his sudden movement, but remained calm. The little boy watched forlornly at the bathroom door. She new that he missed his mother. She was glad that her friend Toph had someone that cared for her so much. It gave her a sense of comfort to know that all this time, Toph wasn't alone.

"So?" he asked expectantly.

Katara continued to play with his dark, satiny hair. He propped his head on his hand and waited anxiously for her answer. He closed his eyes and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. She giggled… How much did he reminded her of Zuko!

"So, why didn't I meet you before, Katara?"

He said waiting patiently for the waterbender to finish detangling his hair. Her hands were gentle on his scalp; almost like his mother's touch. After ten minutes, his little shoulders relaxed as her long fingers interweaved through his ebony hair.

"We were the best friend," Katara said melancholically, looking down at the little boy. "Almost like sisters."

"What happened?" he said groggily, rubbing the sleep off his eyes and shaking his head, causing his recently detangled hair to fall on his face.

"I don't know, Rae," she said despondently and combed the rest of his hair away from his beautiful face. "You have a lovely face, Rae. With your hair away from your face, you look like a young man… Almost like a prince," she smiled cheerfully. Rae turned to face her, his eyelids felt heavy, but he offered her a smile.

"Prince?" he asked confused.

She nodded and sighed. "Yes, a prince. Your eyes are so beautiful. They are so expressive. Your eyes, they remind me of a prince I once knew."

"Your eyes are blue," he yawned. "Your eyes are blue, Katara."

"Yes, they are blue just like my parents' eyes," she nodded. The thought of her mother always caused her to choke up.

"My Mommy's eyes are green," Rae said. "They are beautiful, aren't they?"

Katara nodded, her crystalline blue eyes moistened with unshed tears. "Yes, she does have beautiful eyes..."

"She can't see like you and I," he said dejectedly. "But she can see with her heart and she can give the best of hugs. Katara," he trailed off and yawned. "My eyes are the same color as my dad," Rae said indifferently. "Amber or was it ocher. My friend Hana calls them ocher."

"How do you know?"

"Because I can see my eyes in a mirror and Hana tells me all the time," he said impatiently, furrowing his eyebrows.

"No, not that!" she giggled softly. "How do you know that your father has amber eyes just like yours?"

"Mommy told me," he said and reached to touch her cheek and stared attentively in to her eyes. "She gets sad when she talks about him. So, I never ask her about my father." He said, searching her eyes.

"Katara, the color of your eyes are the same color of my fire." He said innocently and yawned loudly. "It's blue."

"Blue fire?" she asked confused. He nodded, closing his eyes, unaware of the truth he'd just revealed to the waterbender.

"Blue fire," he whispered softly, sitting up.

"Blue fire?"

"Yes," he said, inhaling and placed his head back on her lap, curling his leg close to his body.

Katara continued stroking his hair, until his breathing was even and he'd fallen asleep. She stared at him, taking in the child's sleeping face. He looked serene and so peaceful. She gently moved, holding the kid's head in her hand and placed a pillow under his head and covered him with a thin blanket and stood up.

Katara paced around the room as she thought of what Rae had told her. Blue fire? Amber eyes? she thought.

"Blue flames?"

She shivered at the thought of Azula's destructive blue flame. She'd seen the power of those flames. They burn hotter and brighter than any type of fire. She shuddered. All the pieces of Toph's secrets were finally falling in to place. She started to understand why the young earthbender left so suddenly. She understood her protective stance around her son.

"Toph," Katara said, rushing to the door. "Toph," she said in a low voice, knocking on the bathroom door. "Is everything all right? Do you need me to help you with anything?"

"I don't need anything," Toph mumbled on the other side of the door. "I'm fine. Thank you,"

"Your son fell asleep," Katara said, placing the palms of her hands on the door. "He's a little tired."

"I know," Toph mumbled. Katara heard the splashing of water and turned her back to the door. "He's a great kid. He thinks that he has to take care of me. Sometimes, sometimes I feel like I'm not giving him a proper childhood. He acts more like an adult, than a child. "

"I've noticed," Katara whispered. "Toph, you can't blame yourself. He's a great kid… He's enjoying his childhood. Toph,"

"Yes?"

"I thought that you and I were best friends. I thought that we were sisters? You know, you could have trusted me, Toph. I could have helped you with your son. I could have been like his awesome aunt..."

"We were friends," Toph corrected.

"Aren't we still friends?"

"I-" Toph shrugged, leaning back on the tub. "I don't know," she said bitterly. Were they still friends? Was it all right to consider Katara a friend, despite the different paths their lives had taken? "It all depends if you aren't mad at me for hiding the fact that I had a son,"

Katara exhaled in relief, her eyes pooling with unshed tears. "I won't hold it against you, Toph. It must've been hard."

"It was," Toph said and sighed, getting out of the tub. She wrapped herself with a large towel and dried herself. It took her a few minutes to get dressed. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Katara engulfed her in a hug and together they cried.

"I know that you had your reasons to leave us. I won't judge you. I can't judge you. I'm not perfect either. I have made a lot of mistakes too," Katara said in a low voice. "I'm just curious to know why you had the need to hide him from us… from me. I would've loved to help you raise him."

"I am his mother, Katara. I'm responsible for him. He didn't ask to be brought in to this world. But I'm glad that I had him… despite opposition from… Rae is my little ray of light. He lights my dark world with his presence,"

"Wow," Katara said, pulling away from their embrace. "You've grown so much over the past few years. You aren't selfish at all. You talk so differently and you are such an amazing mother, Toph. I admire what you are doing with Rae. He's such a perfect gentleman."

"I try to be the best mother for him," Toph sighed, turning around. She walked over to the futon where her son slept. "I had to stop being a child and grow up. I couldn't stay a kid forever. My son comes first in all of the decisions I make. I can't be a child while raising a child, right?"

"That's true," Katara nodded. "He looks a lot like you."

"He does?"

"Yes, but he also, h-he looks like the Fire L-lord," she stuttered nervously.

"I won't hurt you for speaking the truth, Katara." Toph laughed miserably. "Is it that obvious? I really was hoping that he wouldn't notice."

"Yeah," she gulped. "His eyes are a dead give away. But he also looks so much like his father."

"I see," Toph said somberly.

"I'm sorry,"

"It's okay, Sokka already told me." Toph shrugged.

"I didn't mean to make you sad. I knew how you felt about him, Toph, but I never knew how deeply you felt for him."

"I never said I cared about him." Toph said crossly, folding her arms over her chest. "He was a friend, that's all."

"Well, then why are you pouting and sighing so longingly? And if he was just a friend to you, why did you end up having his child?" Katara said haughtily.

"Because," Toph shrugged. "It so happens that you can't fight destiny."

"Because? Destiny? What the… what are you saying?"

"Just let me relax, Katara. I've been riding an ostrich-horse for an entire day, listening to your brother arguing with my son. I think that I deserve some time to rest."

"It's true, but," Katara said. "When can I know more about your son? How did it happen? When? Mai would never let you and Zuko be alone together," she said, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. "When did you and Zuko… do it?"

"Ugh!" Toph rolled her eyes and stretched out next to her son. "You are so nosy, Sugar Queen." She smiled and crossed her arms behind her head and closed her eyes. "I don't think that it would be fair if I tell you first, Katara. I've decided that I first need to have a heart to heart with the Fire Lord and then I can tell you all about my son."

"But, what if we never find him?"

"Then you'll never know," Toph said, turning on her side, facing her son. Her hand touched the kid's soft cheek and then ran it down to his arm. She touched the space rock bracelet he had on his wrist and made the small molecules and particles reverberate. The vibrations the bracelet sent where powerful enough, allowing the magnetic resonance to give the young earthbender a better, crisper, and clearer image of her son's profile.

"Rae," Toph gasped.

Her son was beautiful. She quickly lifted her hand and bit the inside of her cheek. She'd used the bracelet to have a more precise and defined view of someone's face. It'd been years, and she'd sworn to herself that she would never do it again. She didn't know what motivated her to do so…

"What's wrong, Toph?" Katara asked worriedly. "You look as if you saw a ghost."

"Katara," she paused and touched her son's wrist. "This bracelet,"

"Yes, the one that Sokka gave you," she said puzzled. Toph nodded. "What about it?"

"I can make it resonate and it sends off powerful vibrations that I can use to see," she said softly. "I used it on Zuko the night that we," she said, her cheeks growing hot. "The last night that we were together… before I left the Fire Nation."

"Oh," Katara whispered and sat at the foot of the futon. "What happened? Did you get to see him?"

Toph nodded and wiped a lonely tear. "He looked so handsome. I can't describe it. I loved what I saw through the vibrations this bracelet scent to me. Rae looks like him. Rae looks like Zuko."

"He really does, Toph."

Toph laid beside her son and silently weeping. Katara didn't know what to say or do, but just watch her friend cry out her frustration, fears, and insecurities.

There was a soft rasp on the door. Katara got up, her eyes never leaving Toph. She walked over to the door and slowly turned on the doorknob.

"Katara, is Toph here?" Sokka asked, as he caught his breath.

"What's worng, Sokka?" Toph asked from the futon. "Why are you so out of breath?"

"He's here," Sokka said, his eyes darting from Toph, to Rae and then to Katara. "Zuko is in this town."

AN: Sorry if there are mistakes in this chapter. I don't have a beta-reader anymore. Anyone interested, I'm in need of assistance. Have a great day!