Crossroads

AN: After a long year on hiatus, I found the creative - if you would so call it - idea to finish this story soon. I will tie loose ends and just finish this story.

Hidden Secrets

A sigh of relief escaped her lips when Toph sensed Zuko approaching their joint room. She was so tired of waiting for him, but knew that the Fire Lord would require her as his confidant, so she stayed up. She placed her open hand on the bed, and sighed again. Rae was sleeping peacefully. She'd done the impossible to get the child to fall asleep, but he'd kept on asking for his father. After much protesting from Rae's part, and much bribing Rae with promises of peach cobbler, pie, and more play time outside, he finally fell asleep. It was good that he was asleep. Rae had a deep connection with his father, and he became much attuned to the Fire Lord's mood – often worrying too much for a child. She didn't want the child to see the deep worry lines on his father's handsome – yet, scarred face.

It wasn't often, but recently, it was starting to act like the Fire Lord did when he was the Crown Prince, before the end of the hundred year war. Toph felt a chill run down her spine, and laughed nervously at her strange train of thought, and stretched herself next to her child. Rae felt her heat and snuggled closer to her, resting his head closed to her heart, just as he'd done most of his life. Toph caressed the top of his head and sensed him fall deeper into his slumber.

"I love you so much," she whispered next to his ear, and kissed the nape of his neck.

She turned her head to the side, hoping to hear Zuko moving closer to their room, but scowled when she felt Zuko reach for the doorknob, and paused. The firebender began to pace up and down the hall, pensively. She rolled her eyes and nestled her head on the pillow, and continued caressing Rae's soft hair.

This might take all night, she thought to herself.

Toph patiently waited for Zuko. She could tell that he was troubled by something or someone, but didn't want to pressure him into telling her what was bothering him. He always came to her - always when he was ready to talk.

In the years she'd known him, she'd learned to let the hot-tempered Fire Lord cool off on his own, first. It was easier to deal with him that way. Speaking to an angry Zuko was like trying to reason with a hippo-cow, not very rewarding.

Over the past few months, Toph had become somewhat of a practical woman. It was in her nature to go head on against things, but as she aged, and spent more time with her child, the Fire Lord, and her old friends, she'd come to accept that there are times that you should wait and listen, or like Aang constantly said, 'go with the flow of things'. Today was one of those times. She would wait, and listen!

After a few minutes of frantic pacing, the door came open with an almost inaudible click, and finally the Fire Lord entered the room. She heard him take off his robe; the rest of his attire, his boots and then, he flopped on the chair next to the bed.

"Are you asleep?" he asked into the darkness, his hand reaching out for her. Toph quickly grabbed it, and heard him sigh loudly. "What a long night, won't you think?"

"You tell me," she mumbled, turning on her back, as she grasped tightly to his hand. "How are you doing?" she asked nonchalantly. She sensed him shrug and waited for him to reply.

It took a little longer than she anticipated, but the Fire Lord finally spoke. "Do you think we can go out to the gardens to speak?" he said in a strained voice.

"Um, is it necessary," she stuttered worriedly. After Rae's kidnapping, she didn't like leaving him alone. She felt the need to protect him at all times.

Recognizing her hesitancy to leave their child's side, he smiled. "You are right… It's not necessary. He's asleep. He won't hear what I have to tell you…" he trailed off and gently released her hand.

"Oh, okay," she said relieved.

He got to his feet and sauntered to the other side of the large bed, and grabbed Rae in his arms. Very gingerly, he placed the child in the small bed next to theirs. He tucked his child in, kissed his cherub face and stared longingly at his son.

"I know he is my son," he said out of the blue.

"Yes," Toph said confused. "There has never been any other man, but you. Rae is your son, Zuko."

"I know, Toph. I'm not doubting you," he said, as he gave Rae's forehead one last kiss. "I've never doubted that he is mine."

"Then," she paused confused, "why do you say such things?"

"I like hearing that there has never been a man, other than me," He spun around, and crawled onto the large bed and stretched out next to Toph. He rested his head on his hand, and stared down at the blind earthbender. "Hearing those words makes me happy,"

"There has never been any other man, but you," she said again, anticipating Zuko's nearness.

As if knowing what she was waiting for, he leaned down and captured her lips with his, and gently, and oh so careful, he placed a chaste kiss on her parted lips. He could feel Toph blushing, something that he enjoyed very much.

"Marry me tonight, Toph." He sighed, resting his forehead against hers. "Let's runaway and leave this world behind, what do you think?"

"Why are you saying such things? What's wrong?" she asked. Toph always knew when someone was pensive or troubled.

"Nothing," he replied.

The hell with being practical, Toph thought irritated.

"You haven't been yourself the entire night… Actually, the entire time we have been here," she said, concern laced in her words. She pulled him closer to her, placing his head on her bosom, as she coyly played with his tresses.

"Someone said something," he began, but clammed his lips together.

"Does it has to do with one of Ursa's guests?" she mumbled. "I sensed the glare-war between you and the ol' man."

Zuko chuckled. "Glare-war?"

"Yes, the asshole that spoke down to you, Oh Mighty Fire Lord,"

One of Ursa's dinner guests had been very condescending towards the Fire Lord, bombarding him with useless political questions that had nothing to do with him. Zuko had replied so graciously, and acted as the perfect Fire Lord. He had been diplomatic, well-mannered and respectful. In other words, the embodiment of politeness. But those that knew him well, knew that Zuko was about to blow up. Toph had felt the tension on Zuko's magnetic resonance earlier. Everyone at the table had been tensed, as they waited for Zuko to reply to the stranger's questions.

The atmosphere had been tainted with animosity all thanks to the butthole. She couldn't stand being around the man, that she had excused herself before the man had introduced himself to everyone at the table, and taken Rae with her. Soon, Katara, Suki, and Sokka had followed after her. They ended up having a late dinner in the kitchen with Ursa's servants.

"Sorry that I left you to fend for yourself,"

"Yes, you left me alone," Zuko said, nuzzling his nose against the soft spot behind her ear. "I'm glad you left the table when you did. I said things that weren't suitable for little Rae's ears," he chuckled again.

"Why is that?"

"You wouldn't have like the snarky remarks of that old Sage. Or the things he said about -"

"What did he say?" she asked curiously. "Why did Ursa invite him over for dinner?"

"He is my mother's father," he said, draping an arm over her waist, and pulled her closer. "Apparently, tonight was supposed to be a family reunion from hell." Zuko chuckled humorlessly.

"Why did she bring him over? It's obvious that she doesn't like him." Toph said angrily, but gently kissed Zuko's forehead."

"I don't know what she thought bringing him would accomplish," he shrugged again. "But it wasn't good, Toph. Apparently, he'd been spreading some vile rumors about my parentage."

"What? Rumors? What's going on?" Toph asked, raising her voice.

"Shhh," Zuko grimace. "You'll wake the baby."

"Nonsense! Rae can sleep through a thunderstorm." She snapped. "Zuko," she said, lowering her voice, "what is this man saying about you? What rumors is he spreading about you?" jabbing him on the chest with her index finger

He grunted and sat up, grabbed Toph's index finger and shook his head. "Kail… Ursa's – um, my mother's dinner guest was Kail. He came from a long line of Fire Sages that served the Fire Nation. He is also a descendant of Avatar Roku. I think his grandson…" he said confused. "I wasn't paying too much attention to his backstory… He is also my maternal grandfather and a loyal friend to my Uncle Iroh."

"Oh, please," Toph said and sat back against the headboard of the bed. "What does he has to do with you?"

"From what I got from my mother… a lot. As I said before, Kail is my grandfather. A grandfather I never knew I had. He's as lunatic as Azulon was, too." He said indignantly. "He wants to put Uncle Iroh as the rightful heir to the Fire Nation throne."

"But Iroh doesn't want it. I remember the day of Sozin's comet… he told us that the Fire Nation would need a young leader to end the war, and inspire hope." She said defensively. "You are its rightful heir! Iroh has no descendant."

"Well," Zuko began, but kept his mouth shut.

"What?" she asked.

Zuko gulped loudly and raked his fingers through his hair and drew in air. "Actually, he does," he said quickly.

"He does, what?"

"He has a descendant, Toph," Zuko whispered.

"How is that possible? He told me once that his son died when you were 10 years old," Toph said fast, without pausing to take a breath.

"Actually, I was eleven," he corrected her. "He died two years before Ozai challenged me to an Agni Kai, at the age of thirteen,"

"I don't get it – What are you…" she trailed off.

Before Toph was able to ask him another question, he touched her shoulders and cleared his throat. "I am his descendant, Toph."

"I know that you are his neph-"

"No, Toph,"

"Yes, Zuko, you are part of Iroh's descendant…" she said frustrated.

Zuko exhaled and gently shook her by the shoulder. "Let me talk, please. I can explain."

"Okay," she nodded. She felt Rae stirring in his sleep and lowered her voice. "Sorry,"

"I am part of Iroh's descendant…" he said slowly.

Zuko waited, until his words finally clicked. Toph's eyes opened widely as she gasped. "Yes, do you understand what I am trying to say?"

She nodded very slowly. "You are – Iroh's son?" she asked loudly. "But... that means that..."

"Shh," Zuko shook his head and let out a long breath.

"No, not Iroh's son… more like his gran-"

Rae stirred in his bed and quickly sat up. "Zuko!"

"Yes?"

"Zuko!" Rae crooned, when he heard his father's voice. "Zuko!" Rae removed the covers and dashed to his parents' bed. "I waited for you." Rae said happily, hugging his father.

Toph rolled her eyes, flopped on her back and hoped for another moment where she could speak to Zuko.