Sorry I'm late, my wonderful brother found a way to mess up our internet and I have to update this from a friends computer. Anyaway, happy reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
"You," Toph came out of the Firelord's room and snapped her fingers at one of the servants passing, "can you help me with something?"
"That would depend what it is, Princess," he had stopped and was looking at her passively.
"Don't call me Princess," she ordered, "it's Toph. I need the exact location of Katara of the Water Tribe. So that someone can find her if they're sent."
He bowed, "that I can do Prin- Toph."
When he came back an hour later Toph was waiting for him, leaning against the wall in front of Iroh's room. A room had been arranged up for Zuko and her but the Prince preferred setting up camp by his Uncle's side so that was where they'd stayed. He'd been up since the early hours of the morning keeping watch leaving her free to do as she liked.
Toph had recognized the footsteps of the servant and raised her head to signal that she did. He bowed.
"I have written down the exact position," he said, passing her a slip of paper. Toph took it thankfully and tucked it into her clothing. Hopefully it would work. "Is there anything else you need?"
She grinned at him, "Yeah, who's in charge of the balloons and where can I find I find him?"
He was suspicious now, she could tell but he gave her directions anyway, "but there aren't many left. We've been disarmed. Shall I take you there?"
"No thanks," she pushed herself away from the wall and began to move into the direction indicated, "I've got it."
Toph hurried through the corridors, her heartbeat quickening. Hopefully, hopefully this would help. There were many people about but most ignored her and those who did recognize her as the Princess, bowed and were on their way. No one tried to stop her.
She soon reached the administrative part of the palace, where the government was located. Here the person she was looking for had his office.
Toph didn't bother knocking, preferring instead to just storm the room. "Lt. Colonel Toma," her voice was loud and just as brash as her actions, "I need you to send a balloon to fetch someone. "
The man turned to her startled, surprised. He was a tall forty-something year old with dark hair which was beginning to grey at the temples. He still had the physique of a soldier, though and muscular.
"Fetch someone?" he inquired, standing beside his desk. He'd obviously not been working, "Who would that be? And on whose authority?"
"My authority," Toph stuck out her chin proudly, determinedly. How it must sound, a short fourteen-year old girl, bare foot and in odd, rough green cloths commanding this experienced soldier, "I need you to get Katara of the Water Tribe. I have the location here."
"The Water Tribe?" the Lt. Colonel was not amused, "What do you think this is, your play center? I can't just send a balloon somewhere without proper authority and clearance, child."
Toph knew she was being talked down to and it made her angry. She had the authority here, damn it! And what's more, what she was suggesting was perfectly sensible and no boneheaded rule-lover was going to stand in her. She raised her right foot and stomped down onto the ground twisting it and in an instant Toma was caught waist deep in the stone floor.
"You listen to me," now Toph was towering over the man, her face set in fury, "I, Toph, Crown Princess of this fucking nation, command you to send your fastest balloon to get Katara and you will do it because it might just be a matter of live and death for your Firelord. Understood?"
There was a slight pause, then Toma spoke, humbled, "Yes milady."
"Good," Toph twisted her foot again and the earth released him, spilling him onto his hands and knees at her feet. Toph reached into her tunic and pulled out the paper with the location and her meteor bracelet, "here's the position. Give her the bracelet and tell her Toph sent you and Iroh's sick. That should do it. How long will it take?"
"If I send the fastest balloon, he paused, picking himself up from the floor and taking the paper from between her fingers and studying it, "a week."
"Hurry," Toph said, "And if you don't do it right now, I will make sure something terribly unpleasant happens to you."Then she turned around and stomped out of the room. Her blood was pounding at her temples. It was the first time she had referred to herself as the Princess.
Zuko didn't react when the door opened and Toph entered the room again. He didn't bother asking where she had been; it wasn't really important right now,
There had been no change in Iroh's condition. Sometimes he stirred or groaned slightly but other than that there was no sign of life from him other than his shallow breathing. The doctor had been here a while again and he should be coming back in a few minuets to bring the newest whatever that hopefully help his Uncle.
"Hey," Toph stepped up next to him. The room was dark; Zuko had let down the heavy curtains so that they covered almost the whole window. "How's he doing?" she asked.
"No changes," Zuko's voice was dull, "This is all my fault."
"No it isn't," she sounded exasperate.
"Yes it is," he insisted, "If I had been here, to help take some of the workload off him and help him this wouldn't have happened. It's only because he has so much to do that he got sick. I am such a rotten nephew…"
"Zuko-" Toph stepped forward and put her hand on his shoulder, turning him slightly towards her and punched him swiftly in the stomach.
"Oompf," he almost doubled over, the wind knocked out of him. Toph punched hard and he felt slightly nauseous. "What was that for?"
"You were being stupid," she said decisively, "it is not your fault. The doc said that the virus takes over the system quickly didn't he?"
"Yeah but…" he turned back to where his Uncle laid, pale and unmoving.
"There you go," her voice grew slightly softer, "it's hard, I understand, but it's not your fault okay? So don't blame yourself."
Zuko was silent for a moment. "I can't lose him Toph," he said finally, "I've lost too many people, and I just can't lose him as well."
"I know," she reached out, softly and touched his cheek, "And you won't. Iroh's tough, he'll pull through."
Her fingers were rough and calloused against his cheek but her palm was soft. That was Toph, Zuko supposed as he reached up and put his hand over hers. Punching you one minute and comforting you the next. His hand was much larger than hers, covering it completely. They lowered them together his warm, dry fingers entwining themselves softly with hers. Zuko held their hands between them.
"I sent someone to fetch Katara," Toph said finally, to break the silence and cover her own confusion. Zuko stared at her in disbelieve then a smile broke out over his face, the first in a while.
"You're a genius," his voice was hoarse; "I could kiss you."
"Could?" she teased, to keep the mood light.
"Do you want me to?" he answered back. Hope made it easy to joke.
"I –uh, I" Toph's heartbeat had taken off and heat was creeping into her cheeks. Damn, she hated blushing, hated more than almost anything in the world.
Then the door opened and she was saved from answering. The doctor had returned. Zuko moved aside, still keeping his fingers wrapped around hers, almost unconsciously now, his attention focused somewhere else. Toph felt highly relieved at the interruption, yet at the pit of her stomach there was a slight gnawing of disappointment. She ignored it.
"Doctor, we've sent for a healer from the Water Tribe," Zuko informed the physician. The doctor's tired face broke into a delighted smile.
"That is a wonderful idea," he said, "the healers should be able to be of help here I think. There technique is so much more refined than anything we have; it will be a delight to work with one. When will they be here?"
Zuko glanced at Toph. "A week," she said, "or heads will roll."
So sorry to dissappoint you but yes, it was just a plot to bring Katara into the story. Shall Sokka come too?