Crossroads

Well, it took me forever to know write this short chapter. I've been very busy with school and life. I apologize for making many of you wait. By the way, the ending is going to extend to the next chapter. It'll be certainly different.

Hopeless

She was here – once again. Her steps faltered as she walked the cobblestone threshold that led to the great wall that enclosed the Bei Fong mansion. She scuffed to herself, remembering the pride in her father's voice as he described the magnificent building. It had to be grand – nothing but the best for the Bei Fongs. They were admired by everyone in Gaoling and other nearby cities. Everyone knew how wealthy and affluent they were. But in reality - the richness - it meant nothing to the blind earthbender. All she wanted was to be herself. To be accepted for whom she truly was. But no one outside that mansion and - her friends - knew that she ever existed. Her parents kept her hidden from the world...

"I can do this," she pepped talked herself. "It's now or never."

She straightened her back and inhaled deeply. She could hear the large trees around the property swaying softly to the afternoon breeze. Suddenly, a slight change in the seismic vibration caught her attention. She couldn't see her surroundings with her eyes, but she could feel every tiny movement that was made around her. Toph swallowed a couple of times, and thanked her lucky star for the person that stood behind her.

"Nervous?" a husky voice said softly.

"Zuko," she breathed his name, embarrassed to turn and face him. "I didn't know that you were there." She lied, clenching her hands. She wanted to grasp his hand and find the courage that she desperately needed. Somehow, Zuko gave her the strength to overcome any situation.

"Surprising," he said casually. "You always know when I'm around. Are you that nervous?"

"You sound disappointing,"

"I think I am," he said teasingly. "You didn't know I was there?"

"Sorry for disappointing you." She laughed dryly, keeping her eyes closed. "I lied. I knew you were there. I'm aware that you were there. I was just... thinking of something else," she said sheepishly.

"I bet you were. Is coming here bothering you that much? You seem so out of it," he said, taking a few steps closer to her.

"What are you doing here, Zuko? I thought that we agreed that you were going to wait for me in the carriage," she said, drying her sweaty palms on her green dress. "I need to do this on my own. Who's watching Rae?"

"Katara is," he sighed. "You don't want me with you?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No, it's not that," she said quickly, her shoulders dropping. "It's complicated. You don't have to worry about me."

"Are you serious? I worry about you all the time. Especially, when you make such rushed decisions."

"You do?"

"Yes, Toph. Besides, are you seriously going to go through with this? We can do this later. You shouldn't force yourself into doing this tonight. Sleep on it. We can always stay in a nearby inn and you can mull things over. We're still on schedule to go visit my uncle," he said gingerly.

"I'm doing this," she said determined, "tonight, Zuko. It's something that I must do. I'm not getting any younger... neither are they," she said, pointing at the direction of her parents' house. "After I asked Katara to send my parents a letter... I was expecting to receive an answer. But I never did. I want to know why! I want to-"

"Are you sure?" he said. "We can come back tomorrow," the Fire Lord said kindly, placing a caring hand on her shoulder, forcing her to spin around to face him. He had a nagging feeling at the pit of his stomach. He didn't want her to be disappointed if after all these years her parents did not want to have any contact with her. "What if you don't like their answer?"

"Zuko," she whispered exasperated. The simple touch of his hand made her feel comfortable. "No, I'll do this. I have to know the answer. I thought hard and good... There are so many things that they need to know. They need to know that I was able to survive without them! I helped end the hundred year war with my disability." She said angrily, pointing at her eyes. "I need them to know about Rae – and you. I don't think that they'll like that part, but I have to tell them. My son – our son – little Rae is getting to know his firebending heritage through you. Soon, he'll meet your uncle and possibly your mother," she paused and leaned closer to him. "He'll get to know everything about being from the Fire Nation. You are his father and you'll teach him about his birthright as the son of the Fire Lord! My little guy will know every tradition of the Fire Nation. But here I am... confused, because I don't know who I am! Because all he'll know through me is disappointment. He'll know that my parents hid me from everyone. Zuko... do you think..."

"What, Toph?"

"Was I such an embarrassment to my parents that they chose to hide me from the world?" she said dejected, her head hung low.

"Hey," he said, jerking her. "I seriously doubt it, Toph," Zuko said soothingly. "I think that they loved you so much that they wanted to keep you safe. I can't comment on their behalf, but I do believe that they cared for you."

"That's bullshit, they never loved me. Look at me, Zuko, everything I am I learned from you, Aang, Katara, Suki and Sokka! I didn't learn anything from them. They didn't impart me with any valuable life lesson – What I learned in life was from the time we slept in caves, fought Fire Nation soldiers, ran away you - then from Azula - and other situations."

"Sorry about that,"

"It's fine. I forgave you long ago." she said, punching his upper arm. "What I'm trying to say is that Katara acted more like a mother to me than my own mother ever did. You taught me to swim... my father wouldn't even allow me near the water. Sokka taught me to fish. Aang taught me to meditate and Katara to cook. I- I don't have any fond memory of my childhood... I truly don't know who I am... what can I offer Rae? He only knows that his mother is an earthbender. I haven't spoken to him about his heritage as an Earth Kingdom citizen. There are certain things that I haven't taught him, because I'm ashamed."

"Don't say that," Zuko said, grabbing her by the shoulders and angrily shook her. "You are an amazing person. Rae is a lucky kid to have you. He has you as his mother and damn it," he said, cupping her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. "I wish someone gave a damn about me when I was growing up in that empty palace."

"Your mother gave a damn about you,"

"That's not – the point is that you are beautiful... wonderful." He whispered, changing the subject. His yellow orbs glistened with an unknown emotion that Toph found difficult to detect through her seismic vibrations. Zuko's eye trailed down her face, examining her features. "You are Toph Bei Fong... the cutes, sassiest, in-your-face and greatest mother, friend, earthbender and metalbender."

"You forgot sandbender," she said cockily, the corner of her lip turning into a smug smile. "And best kisser."

"Sorry, I forgot," he chuckled, giving her a soft peck on the cheek.

"Continue,"

"Am I making you feel any better or am I just rambling on incessantly?"

"You are making me feel much better, Fire Lord," she said, clasping her hands on his forearms.

"Okay," he chortled and cleared his throat. "You have defeated countless opponents. There are stories upon stories of your heroism and how valiant and courageous you are. You made that all possible, because you feared no one... You can stand up to anything. Yes, you may not feel confident at times, but don't let it get you down. Don't doubt yourself. You are who you are... and to be honest, that person is amazing."

"You think?" she smiled, slowly dropping her arms to her side and turned to face the opposite direction.

"I don't think." He said haughtily, walking closer to her. He ran his hand over the nape of her neck and grasped a strand of her hair, coiling it in his finger. "I know so... Listen," he said, walking around her, the hair still curled in his finger. His free hand reached her face and slowly stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Rae will know about his dual citizenship in time. He's just a kid, Toph. It's never too late to teach him the traditions of the Earth Kingdom," he said, slowly bringing her closer to him and cautiously putting his arm around her neck. Toph pressed her chest against his and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I know."

"Toph," he said and gently unwound his arm from around her neck and placed them on her hips.

"Zuko," she whispered, extending her hand and without hesitation, he grasped it and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I have to do this. This is the perfect time to do it. If I don't, I'll regret it. I don't want to live with regret anymore. How would you feel if it was you and I was stopping you?"

"Okay, fine." He nodded.

"I should go inside," she said nervously, tugging at his hand.

"Yes, you should... Um, listen,"

"Yes, Zuko," she said, waiting for him to finish.

"I'll go with you," Zuko said firmly. "I won't leave you alone. You have me to keep you safe."

"Thank you," she smiled, entwining her fingers through his.

She turned around, tugging at Zuko's hand. He gave her the strength she needed. With vacillating steps, she knocked on the large door. She could sense the seismic movements of the Bei Fong family guards on the other side of the wall. She inhaled deeply and gathered her strength. Zuko kept his eyes steadied on the opening doors. He watched the emerald clad guards offering them questioning looks. Their gazes lingered on the young earthbender. Recognition marred their eyes, as they regarded Toph quizzically.

"Young Toph?" the eldest guard asked baffled. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me, Enn." She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"You know who I am?" the eldest soldier asked curiously. Toph nodded and waited for him to finish speaking. "How is that possible? Can you see?"

"Enn," she said in a low irritated voice. "Are my parents in? I must speak with them. Would you allow me entrance to the Bei Fong estate?"

"Yes, Lady Toph, this is always your home," Enn said, bowing before Toph. He turned to glare at the other guard who just nodded. "Ron, go, and inform the mistress that Toph Bei Fong is here." Enn said excitedly, instructing the young guard to tell their masters that Toph had returned home.

The young guard rushed back to the large house, leaving Zuko, Toph, and Enn in an uncomfortable silence. "Can we at least step inside the compound?" Zuko said, filling the awkward moment.

"Yes, of course, I apologize," Enn said, taking Toph's elbow and guided her to a gazebo tucked under the shadow of a large tree. "Would you like anything to drink? How have you been? You've grown lovely, lady Toph."

"No, Enn, I can't see."

"Ah?"

"You asked earlier if I could see you?"

"Oh, that," he said mortified, massaging the back of his neck nervously. "Are you staying neaerby?"

"Yes," Zuko answered, as he scanned the area.

"We won't stay for too long. I - we only wish to see your masters,"

"Of course,"

After a few minutes, the young guard came, a horror look on his face as he faced Toph and Zuko. "Lady Toph," he began. "I regret to inform you that Master and Mistress Bei Fong does not wish to see you. They have asked that you vacate the premises."

"Oh, thank you for your trouble. Enn, it was nice speaking with you." Toph said sadly. "Let's go, Zuko. This was such a waste of time." She walked past the guards, holding her chin high – pride hiding the pain her parents rejecting left in her.

"Thank you, Enn," Zuko said politely, rushing after his beloved Toph. He caught up with her and tried to hold her hand, but Toph snatched it away. He walked a few steps behind her, pondering how he was going to console her. He halted, spinning around to have one last look at the home where Toph grew up in. He saw a well dressed woman staring at them from out of the second floor window. She waved dejectedly at him and slowly retreated in to the shadows.