A/N I'm writing this on an airplane to Boston, for Thanksgiving. I'm rather tired, but I'll try to make this one good.

My reviewers: I love you all dearly. :)

Toph soon found herself working into a rhythm, a pattern of sorts. First came the trimming (for the bushes) then came the weeding, then came the sweeping of the path. She had been at it for hours now, not keeping track of the time, enjoying the feel of the sun and the caress of the breeze. With her bending gone, any sensory experience felt like a breath of fresh air in a still room. Her world felt dulled and bland, like it was beyond her reach. But the wind and the warm daylight made her feel better, like she could see more of the world, even if it wasn't with her eyes or her feet.

She was on the third side of the courtyard, trimming the last bush. She found that talking to them was relaxing, and it helped to relieve the sharp pang of loneliness she was feeling.

"You're a quiet one," she commented to the bush. "Your neighbor was fighting me the whole time. I swear my arms are bleeding, although I can't really tell." She paused to shake a finger at the bush in question. "Yes mister, I'm talking about you.

"Anyway, I'm very grateful. You make my job a whole lot easier."

Snip. Snip. Snip.

"I was thinking of giving you all names. You know, just so that I could call you something. I'm sick of calling you 'bush' or 'plant'." The bush didn't respond. "That's ok, you don't have to like the idea. But if you could have a name, what would you want it to be?"

No response.

"That's ok too, I suppose."

Snip. Snip.

"Would it be a Fire Nation name? Just tell me that."

Silence.

"All right, fine. Keep your secrets. I'm done anyway." She stood up carefully, taking the time to feel the ground around her so that she knew where she was. Next, the weeding. Hopefully this side wouldn't have as many weeds as the last one.

The breeze blew through the courtyard again. She could hear the plants rustling all around her, their sounds echoing off of the high stone walls. The sound empowered Toph—perhaps it would be easier to find her way around if she could actually feel the earth beneath her. Even without bending, surely it would make some difference?

She plopped down on the stone path, reaching for her feet. The metal bonds that held the bandages had loosened, and no one had bothered to tighten them. After all, why would she want to take the bandages off of her burns? But her burns didn't hurt her nearly as much now—except when she stubbed her toe, or someone stepped on them. She wiggled the cloth out from underneath the iron ring, unwrapping the bandages as quickly as she could. She needed to try, to feel the earth under her feet again…

Her right foot was free. She felt it with her fingers, noting that it didn't seem to be terribly scarred. The healer had done a good job, and it probably helped that she was able to see a healer so soon after the wounds were inflicted. The skin was a little tough, a little warped—but Katara would be able to heal it with her magical water, right?

The cloth on her left foot came off quicker, as she was more eager to free it this time. Now she was left with bare, burned feet, her ankles adorned with iron rings. "Very attractive," she commented aloud to the bush next to her. "What do you think? Do they match my outfit?"

She grasped a low branch of the bush and heaved herself to her feet, testing her weight cautiously.

Toph was able to stand.

The feel of cool stone felt wonderful, absolutely wonderful. There were no words to express the sensation. She rubbed her feet gently back and forth, caressing the path. She took one step, then two—suddenly she was skipping, still cautiously aware of where she was in the courtyard, following the path around and around in circles.

She lost track of time. She began to spin, letting her arms fly out like wings as she went around and around the courtyard. The wind was whistling in her ears, she could hear the plants whispering to her again—

"What are you doing?"

Toph froze, feeling a blush begin to creep up in her cheeks. She pushed it down with the desperation of humiliation, keeping her expression blank.

"Spinning," she said simply, as if it were as normal as walking or sitting. "And skipping. Why do you ask, Pansy?"

Zuko started to approach her, his footsteps slow and casual. "You've done a lot," he commented, his voice away from her; he was looking around the garden. "Have you been here all day?"

"What do you mean all day?" she asked, frowning. "What time is it?"

"It's late afternoon, almost time for supper."

"You're kidding."

"Why would I be?"

She sighed. He was so serious. "So I missed lunch?"

"And breakfast. Hungry?"

"Starved."

He set something down, something that crinkled like a dried plant. A basket? "I thought you might be," he said. "I brought you some leftovers from lunch. As many as I could get."

Toph grinned. "The dogs must hate you for taking away their meal."

"They never liked me anyway."

She laughed. She could hear him smile. (It was a strange thing, hearing someone smile. It was in their breath, the way they let it out when their lips curved upwards. It was audible, but no one with sight ever noticed it.) "What's—well, what was for lunch?"

"I don't know. I had a picnic with Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee in the front courtyard. Azula was craving some meat, and so the cook made it for us. I asked for some leftovers for you, and the cook shoved this basket at me. I don't know what's in it."

Toph walked forward, feeling her way with her feet. It was so much easier now! "Thanks," she said honestly, lowering her hand to ground level and waving it back and forth in front of her as she walked, trying to find the basket. "I didn't realize how hungry I was until now."

His callused hand gripped her wrist, and led it to the wicker basket. "You certainly didn't look hungry just then. What were you doing?"

Toph's fingers drifted over the dry, scratchy surface, opening the top. "I already told you," she said as she searched the basket's contents with her hand. "I was spinning. And skipping."

"With your bandages off?"

"It feels better that way. And it's easier to know where I am." Was that bread that she felt? She eagerly snatched it and began eating—even as leftovers, the bread was spectacular. She made happy noises as she chewed.

She heard Zuko sit down, across the basket from her. "So I'm assuming your feet don't hurt any more."

"Nuh uhliss ah stuh m' tow," she replied through a mouthful of bread, her other hand blindly searching for other food.

She could feel Zuko's stare in his silence. "What?"

Toph swallowed. "I said, not unless I stub my toe. Or someone steps on my foot."

"Ah yes…well, that would hurt anyway, wouldn't it?"

"I suppo—is that pie that I'm holding?"

"Yes."

"PIE!" she exclaimed wildly, cramming it into her mouth. "How could this possibly be a leftover?! Mmm, berries, my favorite kind…"

She heard Zuko stand, the cloth of his robe shifting. His voice came from high above her now; he was so tall. "Can you find your way back to my room?" She nodded. The earthbender had taken special care to memorize the way that morning. "Good. I won't be back until nightfall. I'm spending the evening with Mai."

"Does she have a monotone voice?"

"Yes."

"Ah. Her."

"Yes. Her. I'll be back later tonight. Please don't misbehave? I don't want to have to stay up all night waiting for the Servant Lord to return you again."

Her shudder was completely hidden this time. "Don't worry. I'll be the perfect servant. All the other servants will be jealous of my amazing loyalty and obedience. I'll have the Servant Lord's mouth gaping open. I'll be given an award, by the Fire Lord himself. He might even give me a giant tapestry right next to his."

"That answer was too perfect."

"Why are you complaining about it? And I was serious about the tapestry."

He snorted. His footsteps became softer as he walked away, exited the courtyard, and continued down the corridor. Toph listened until they faded completely, then placed the bread she had been holding back in the basket. She wasn't really that hungry. Food could wait. She would finish this courtyard. And she would rub it in Azula's and Monotone's faces. The stubborn earthbenders weren't defeated yet.

-x-x-

It was dark when Zuko returned to the palace with Mai. Her arm was linked with his, and she leaned on it gently as they made their way through the front hall.

"We should do that more often," Mai said quietly, walking a little closer to him.

He brought up his other hand to stroke her arm. "Definitely," he replied, smiling at her. She smiled softly back.

"Mistress Mai, your carriage awaits you," a footman said, walking up the pair. Mai looked up at Zuko somewhat sadly.

"I guess I have to go, then."

"Come back soon."

"I can't. My family will be busy. A noble family will be staying with us for a few weeks, and we have to prepare."

"Would they mind terribly if I came over and 'distracted' you?"

Mai's concealed grin warmed his heart. "I don't think they could do a thing about it if you did. You are the crown prince, after all." He could still feel her smile against his lips as he gave her a swift kiss goodbye.

He made his way down the hall towards his room, feeling content. Perhaps he'd give Dirt Girl a treat from the kitchen tonight, he was feeling so good. He wondered if she had finished the courtyard…He pushed open the door to his chambers, lighting the torch with his hand as he passed it. The room became alit with firelight instantly—

--Toph wasn't there.

He swept out of his room and stormed down the hall. Where could she possibly be? Perhaps the Servant Lord took her again? He would very much like to have a long talk with that man.

On his way down to the servant's wing, he passed the back courtyard. He didn't give it a second thought—until he heard talking.

"You stupid weed. Come on. Let's go. All your brothers and sisters came out, now it's your turn. Grow up. Get out." He heard a groan and a growl, like someone was pulling on something with great effort. "Don't make me dig you out, you stubborn plant. 'Cause I will. And I'll beat you to a pulp in the process. Literally." More growls.

Zuko stepped on to the path, squinting to see through the darkness. No one had bothered to light this courtyard, since no one ever came in here. But apparently that didn't bother the blind earthbender.

He lit a fire in his palm, spotting Toph in a moment. She was in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by uprooted weeds, pulling on a particularly large one. "Hello, Pansy," she said as he walked up. She looked exhausted. Her hair wasn't up at all now—it all hung down, just a little bit past her shoulders. She almost looked like a Fire Nation girl with her long black hair.

"How'd you know it was me?" he asked wearily, thinking that he should know the answers to these questions by now. Why did this girl always astound him?

"Your steps," she said simply. "And your breathing."

"You could hear my breathing?"

"Uh. Duh."

She continued to pull on the weed with enthusiasm. Leaves broke off in her hand, but the plant did not obey her will. "I thought I told you to go back to my room."

"You didn't tell me when. What time is it?"

"It's pitch black out."

"Well I didn't know that. Anyway, I only have one weed left."

He pushed her hand away, and gripped the weed at the root. Then he yanked it straight up with a vengeance. With a crackling sound and a shower of dirt, the plant flew up into the air. Toph scowled.

"I could have done that," she muttered. Zuko rolled his eyes, throwing the weed on the pile.

"Yeah, sure."

"I could have! I was almost there! It was practically out, you just finished the job."

"Of course I did."

"Was that sarcasm, Pansy?"

"No…of course not."

"Shut up. Shut up right now."

Zuko couldn't help but grin down at her. She looked rather silly, sprawled on the ground, surrounded by weeds and covered in dirt. There was a smear on her cheek, and her hands were nearly black. The knees of her baggy pants were ripped in several places, and very dirty. Her bare feet had gotten filthier than Zuko had thought possible, with just a half-day's worth of garden work. He suspected she had been skipping again.

"Let's go, Dirt Girl," he said, taking her by the arm and pulling her to her feet. Even standing, he had to look down on her as he would a dog, she was so short. She stood willingly.

"Fine. I'm done anyway." She let out a huge yawn.

"Tired?" he asked, amused. He fully expected her answer:

"No."

"Of course not."

"Was that sarcasm?"

"No."

"Shut up."

"Déjà vu."

"I said shut up."

They walked in silence for a time, Toph's large bare feet slapping against the stone floor, and Zuko's silent, swift steps beside her. They passed torch after torch, their faces illuminated, then darkening…illuminated, then darkening…

"What do I do after I finish the courtyard?" Toph asked, frowning. Zuko looked straight ahead.

"I don't know," he said, not looking at her. "Whatever they want you to do, I suppose. I'll ask tomorrow. Are you done with the courtyard?" he asked, watching her face. It lit up for a moment, but the expression was hidden quickly.

"Not yet," she said flatly.

She had put on her actress façade. Zuko said nothing, and they walked the rest of the way in silence.