The Best Romances

Deserve Second Chances

Chapter 12

"The Puzzle"

[[[[[]]]]]

'Dear Zuko,

It didn't take too long for you to write to me. Your journey through the forest sounded...quite...dangerous, very dangerous. I showed Iroh the first part of the letter, and he told me that he would put out a bounty on Bobo. I should also tell you that in a day or two, I will be at Fire Atoll, on business of course. I know you are close to the atoll, so...maybe...we could meet up again? I'll be at the Gryphon Hotel, it's in the main town center. We could at least catch up, and see each other one more time.

The Avatar stopped by last night, saying that he hasn't heard anything about Harley, but there has been a lot of activity around Whale Tail Island. He couldn't say much else other than that, but I thought you should know. How's your health? You haven't become ill already? If you have, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, and plenty of rest, and stay warm. I sound like your mother.

Speaking of your mother...based off your readings and books, I think I know where she is.'

Zuko released his grasp on the letter, letting it flutter to the metal floor. He stared past the metal fall, his mind blank. He picked himself up along with the letter.

'Speaking of your mother...based off your readings and books, I think I know where she is. I suspect that she is somewhere in Ba Sing Se. I sent a letter to the Earth King, and with his help I'm sure we will find her in the city.

Maybe the activity around Whale Tail Island is connected with Harley? I'm extremely worried about Ozai and Azula, and don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

I miss you, at least your presence. I'm sorry about Toph and Sokka (thank you for reminding me of their names) and them having "fun". I can't wait to see you at Fire Atoll.

Yours, ever and ever,

-Inu'

Zuko laid down the letter on his desk, and slipped in between the covers and went to sleep, smiling.

[[]]

Toph and Zuko were awakened by the 'All hands on deck' whistle, and they rushed to get dressed and clamor up the stairs to get top side.

"One minute. Not bad." Sokka said to the panting Toph and Zuko, "We still need to get it under thirty seconds."

For the past two days since the group left Black Ash Island, Sokka has been drilling Toph and Zuko and have been teaching them basic ship maintenance and training.

"I can't do this." Zuko sputtered, as Sokka always plays the drill at random times in the day, and Zuko was getting tired of the training.

"You can do this. I know you can." Sokka gave his own version of a pep talk.

"I agree with Sparky, I'm through doing this to." Toph said crossing her arms across her chest.

"Fine, but Zuko you need to check the charts for what time we get to Fire Atoll, and you Toph, you need to fix that horrible smell from the engine room.

"Well, if a certain captain would help me, I would!"

"Fine, I'll help you."

"When, oh sweet captain?" sarcasm dripped from the words.

"Right now."

Sokka dragged Toph by her arm to the engine room, but you could smell the rancid stench from outside the heavy, thick steel door. Sokka went to the gauge board, and all the meters looked normal. He went to check the actual engines themselves. He could smell his way to the problem, and it looked like one of the engines hasn't been properly cooled, and has actually started to melt. The smell was coming from the iron breaking down.

"Sokka, Fire Atoll is within sight." Zuko's voice cried over the intercom.

"Make for port as soon as possible, the right engine needs major repairs. Cut off all power from the right engine also." Sokka said in the nearest intercom.

Sokka felt the engine die down, but the smell still lingered.

"Sokka? What's wrong with the right engine?" Toph asked.

"I think the top of the engine has broke apart from the heat, you and I will have to do some major repairs to the engine."

"Sounds like a party."

"Look, I want you to put on your best dress clothes for tonight." Sokka adding layers to his voice.

"Why, Sokka?" Toph asked almost too innocently.

"Tonight, I'm taking you for dinner, a good, fancy dinner."

"I'm good at being fancy."

"I know you are." and they shared a kiss.

Zuko steered the iron beast into the harbor, and he dropped anchor. Zuko rushed out of the seat as soon as he heard the anchor hit sea floor, and before you could say, 'limpkin' he was on the deck, leaning over the railing to search for Inu. He saw her wave to him, and he rushed down the boarding plank and he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Zuko. It's so good to see you again." Inu whispered into his ear.

The port city of Teungstu was the fifth largest port in the Fire Nation, but the most populated. With a population hovering at half a million on a bad day, it was easy to see that Teungstu is heavily overcrowded. There were laws for population control, and land ordinances that restricts enterprising business from spreading out, to protect farm land. With the atoll being five squares miles in area, and the town covering over half of the island, the citizens need farm land to sustain the population as best as possible. The docks were experiencing the busiest day so far into the year, but out of common decency, everyone gave the hugging Inu and Zuko a wide sphere, a true sight to behold.

"Inu, it's good to see you also."

They stayed there, moments dragging into minutes, minutes grew into an eternity.

"Hey! Will you two lover birds stop making me gag!" Sokka sputtered out above the roar of the crowd.

Inu and Zuko shared a blush as they ended their hug, while Sokka and Toph joined the two of them on the pier.

"So, this is the infamous Inu, I've heard so much about?" Sokka said as he checked Inu out, which received a right hook from Toph.

"You keep your eyes off her, you pig." Toph threatened Sokka.

"Well, it was nice meeting you two, but Zuko and I have somethings to do." and with that Inu and Zuko hooked arms and walked away to enjoy their day.

"That went well..." Sokka said to Toph.

"Better than I expected."

"Come on let's get some lunch." Sokka said as he took Toph's arm and lead her into the city.

Although some Fire Nation islands contributed building materials, most of the materials that were used to build the city were brought in from the Earth Kingdom. Teungstu was a feat of engineering prowess. Since the city was built under sea level, Teungstu was constantly under water. To accommodate the water level, the city had an underwater pillar system that supported the entire city. To travel the citizens used small rafts to get around. A complicated system of locks and levees protected Teungstu from the ravaging seas. The city was renown for being a very popular honeymoon get away, second only to Ember Island.

"Gryphon Hotel." Inu said as she stepped into the boat with Zuko's help.

"Right away miss. Would the couple like a serenade to pass the time?" the oarsman asked.

Inu and Zuko shared a glance, and Zuko responded with nod, and the oarsman began to sing and steer the boat with a long, wooden stick. Inu cuddled against Zuko, while he draped an arm over her shoulders.

"Why are we going to the hotel first? It's lunch time, I'm hungry."

"One, there's a free lunch buffet. Two, I ordered your luggage to be delivered to my room. And three, you need to take a shower for tonight."

"What's going on tonight?"

"We are going out for dinner."

Zuko and Inu let the serenade stop their conversation, and they rode the rest of the way to the hotel in silence.

[[]]

"Sokka?" Toph asked, "Where exactly are we going?"

"Lunch! You don't remember?"

"I do, I can't see anything in this stupid boat." Toph said loud enough for the oarsman to hear which made him pout.

"Toph, don't insult the man's boat! We'll be there in a couple of minutes."

"We better be."

"Is it your, you know...time?"

"Ah, no." Toph said with frustration.

"Then why are you acting so...prissy?" Sokka put it carefully so Toph wouldn't get mad.

"Prissy? No. I'm not being prissy, I'm just frustrated."

"Because you can't see?"

"Good job, Detective Sokka."

"We have arrived at your destination." the oarsman called out behind him to the fighting couple.

"About time." Toph muttered under her breath.

Sokka helped Toph get of the raft, and he paid the oarsman his fare.

"Lunch for two please." Sokka said to the hostess.

"Bending or non-bending?" she asked back.

"Excuse me?" Sokka said, "What do you mean by 'bending or non-bending'?"

"It's a new city law. Benders sit with other benders, and non-benders sit with other non-benders." she explained.

"Are there tables for both?" Sokka asked.

"Nope, I'm sorry." she said as she checked the table list.

"Sokka? What's taking so long?" Toph complained, as she walked out of the bathroom.

"They won't seat us together."

"Bullshit!" Toph exclaimed, "I want to talk to your manager."

"I'll go get him." the hostess said, as she eyes the security.

"Toph, can you calm down, it's not that big of a deal." Sokka tried to temper the girl.

"Hello, I'm the manager, what seems to be the problem?"

"Yes, hi, we want to be seated together."

"No problem. Bending or non-bending?"

"I'm a 'non-bender' and she is a 'bender'."

"Then, I'm afraid we cannot seat you. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Look here bub, you are going to seat us and you are going to like it!" Toph threatened as she bended the manager to his knees, so he was at eye level with her.

"Toph! What are you doing!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Sir, I'm going to have to escort you out of the premisses." a security guard said as he put a hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"Toph come on. Don't make things worse."

"Fine." she said and stormed off and walked through the door and she walked straight into the water.

"TOPH!"

[[]]

"So, what do you think of the buffet?"

"It's pretty good. You never told me why you are here on Fire Atoll."

"Oh, just some legal delegations. That's all."

"Sounds boring."

"It's very boring." Inu said with a smile.

"Miss, your guest's luggage has been delivered to your room."

"Thank you."

The clerk cleared his throat, indicating that he wanted a tip.

"You can leave us now." Zuko said, and the clerk walked away unhappy.

"The nerve of people these days."

"I know." Zuko agreed while he finished his last bite, "That was a good lunch."

"Let's go see if your luggage is all there." Inu said as she took his hand.

"Let's."

[[]]

"TOPH!"

Sokka bolted after his drowning girlfriend. He dove into the blue water in an attempt to pull her body out of the water's clutch. He saw her limp body sinking deeper under water, and he swam towards her, and latched an arm around her waist. With her in his arms, he kicked towards the sky, and broke the surface of the water to be greeted by the relief of air flooding back into his lungs. He got on a nearby platform that was connected to a building and laid Toph, performing mouth to mouth.

"Toph, please, wake up."

[[[[[]]]]]

Sorry for being ONE day late. I got good reasons. I got a car. BAM! Second reason I wanted/needed this chapter to be good. Zuko and Inu awww. Toph and Sokka OH NO! I feel like I could have written the saving Toph part better, but that will have to do.

Benders and non-benders... yes this will play a major part in the story. And if anyone has been following The Legends of Korra news, some might notice that Korra is supposedly fighting this problem in Republic City, or where ever. So Whale Tail Island huh? I have an obsession with that island. I still I'm not sure if Inu should be good or bad, but I do have some ideas for her much later into the story. Inu might have found Ursa! (secret YES!) Tokka is planned for chapters 13,14,15, 16,17, I PROMISE, NEEDS MORE TOKKA!

Thanks for reading, and following me. Reviews, comments, and faves are highly recommended after reading this chapter.