Chapter 3: War Ends, Conflict Begins.
But that was three months ago...
Now the war was over after the long battle on the day of the comet. And only the soft sounds of uncle's sougi horn filled the teashop. Team avatar was spread amongst the shop. Mai and Suki playing pia sho while katara watched, Aang teasing momo with a small ball of air, Tooh leaning back in her chair just enjoying the calm music, and Sokka quietly painting, for once not making a mess of it. There was peace, but of course, peace is hard to maintain.
"Zuko stop moving!" Sokka's voice broke the music. Zuko, who had been passing out cups of tea stopped abruptly, almost spilling what cups that were left on the tray, and gave Sokka his Zuko glare, wanting an explanation. Seeing this Sokka went back to painting trying to explain as he did.
"I wanted to paint a picture so we could remember all the good times together." Katara moved away from the pia sho table to look at Sokka's painting smiling. "Well that's very thoughtful of you Sokka..." She trailed off, an annoyed look now replacing the smile. "Wait why did you give me momos ears?" The comment caused everyone but Aang and Toph to come near.
"Those are your hair loopies." Sokka whined, blaming his bad art skills.
"At least you don't look like a boar-cupine. My hair's not that spiky!" Zuko snapped. Sokka's eyebrow raised and twitched slightly.
"I look like a man" Mai piped in.
"And why did you paint me firebending?" Suki joined in the picture insulting. Sokka looked up almost straining himself to find an answer.
"I thought it made it look more exciting!" he said, just as momo hopped up on the table, chittering. "Oh you think you can do a better job Momo?" Just then, Aang left for the balcony to watch the sunset.
"Hey my belly's not that big anymore. I've really trimmed down." Now uncle Iroh had joined in, just what everyone needed. The Toph walked over to the table stretching her arms to the ceiling.
"Well I think you all look perfect!" She said, causingeveryoneto laugh at her blind joke. Seeing the bickering die down Katara slowly made her way outside to join Aang.
Meanwhile, Toph walked back to her chair and relaxed back into it. As she grabbed her slightly cold cup of tea, she placed her free hand on the small buldge on her stomach, her lies about what had happened that night in the temple were becoming harder and harder to keep, and soon she wouldn't be able to hide it. 'Twins...' She thought, cursing her luck. 'Why twins?' Taking a long sip of tea she drowned the thoughts away...
"Got a lot on your mind huh?" The sudden question almost caused her to jump out of her chair. Zuko had moved to the empty seat beside her while she wasn't paying attention.
"What do you want Sparky?" She said, setting her cup down
"how long do you plan on hiding that?" He asked, gestering to her stomach."Hide what?" Looking around to make sure no one else was around to hear then leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"I can see your pregnant.." Hearing this Toph stood up, going to leave, but Zuko grabbed her before she could get away.
"Who's the father?" Hearing this she yanked away.
"I can't tell you." She said and ran off leaving Zuko confused, and he did nothing but looked at Mai, who of course hadn't been paying attention.
~o.O.o~
Away from the teashop, Toph slowed to a walk before slumping against an alleyway wall. Sliding down to a sitting position she put her hands on her face to hide the tears trailing down her face.
"Why me? Why is this happening? I wanted this but not now!" She shouted to the dark empty street. The words echoed, back to her with a slight breeze. Bowing her head, tears dripped down into her lap of the light green dress she wore. Placing her hands on her stomach she quietly wished they could just go away.
"If only I could tell someone. Get some advice." She whispered, wishing she could talk to Katara. She knew about this stuff. But if Katara found out, then she would get mad at Aang, and then Aang would be furious with her.
"Speak of this, and I will kill you."
"I can give you some advise." A harsh, cold tone broke the silence. Toph jumped up, taking a fighting stance.
"Azula."
The slim figure of the former princess emerged from the shadows, a thin smirk on her face before the alley filled with light as she created a whip of lightning that with a flick of her wrist cracked down on the earthbender's back. Toph fell to the ground with a scream of pain. How was Azula out? Zuko had locked her and Ozai in jail had he not? Another crack of the whip brought too much pain for the young earthbender to hold and she slipped out of consciousness. Chuckling at how weak the "great" earthbender actually was Azula walked over to the limp body and knelt down beside it.
"I have plans for you greatest earthbender." She chuckled. Grabbing the smaller body Azula heaved Toph over her shoulder and quickly dissappeared back into the shadows, never to be seen again.
~o.O.o~
When Toph hadn't returned by midnight that night, Zuko began to get worried. Had something happened to her? Had what he had said to her scared her into running away? Mai constantly tried to usher Zuko to bed, but he refused, remaining at the window hoping his friend would come home.
Authors Note: Well I have the next chapter after this written, it gets more exciting there. I need time to type it up then I may get it on here. I want some reviews on this one first. And yes I know that it is very show-like. But ever story needs a backbone, eh?