I only churn out the chapters early on in a story. XD With College coming up, more than likely I won't be THIS diligent with writing. But, here's the next part of this fanfiction. This chapter is uber short, though. But, the flashback with Mai will be pretty long to make up for it. Alright?

Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own Avatar. P

"So, Sparky, what's the real reason why you called us all here?"

Zuko jumped from his position on the balcony where he was surveying Ba Sing Se. He had been squinting in frustration to spot the fountain that Jin had showed him on their 'date'. Vague worries that it had been demolished over the last seven years had risen just when the blunt tone of Toph broke the silence surrounding him. Quickly, he turned on his heel to face the Earth Bender, attempting to hide the guilt of lying.

The raven-haired young woman stood before him, hands on her hips and one bare foot tapping as she waited for him to answer her. Or maybe she was just giving him her blind equivalent of a glare by sending wave after wave of vibration against him. Either way, Zuko muttered, "Mai died, I needed you all."

"After her funeral?" inquired Toph, stepping closer to Zuko and crossing her arms, "Why not before?"

"I needed it out of the way," the Fire Lord looked away from the earth bender, as if this could keep the young woman from reading his face. He wasn't lying to her. It was true, he needed to get Mai's funeral out of the way least he lose all sanity. And he had more pressing engagements concerning his son.

"That doesn't sound like you're grieving." retorted Toph, scuttling closer yet to the older man. Her blind eyes stared at his face, and Zuko wished he hadn't pressed his back up against the railing. He had no where to go, no where to run to. No excuse to get away from this earth bender. And, Zuko needed to get away lest he pummel her. Did she think his break down earlier - the snot-filled, tearfest in the tea shop - had been an act? A farce? That he was incapable of feeling such pain? Just the thought of her not believing he missed Mai made his fingertips warm with potential fire.

Yet, a more sensible voice doused the angers. Maybe Toph could help him. She didn't have a lot to lose, did she? She had no child nor a lover, as far as Zuko knew. The curiosity flew from his lips before he could stifle it, "Do you have a boyfriend or a kid, Toph?"

Well, needless to say, that shocked the earth bender. Her mouth fell open and her blind eyes widened. What was he asking? Why was he asking such a thing?! Did she look like a mother? Was he interested in her? How could he be so insensitive about his wife's death?! All the thoughts and confusion danced about her mind, reviving some old feelings she had had for the Fire Lord when she first met him. Sure, she had a slight crush on him, but she was the only one that would listen to him and he seemed nice enough when she first met him. It was a childish thing, though, and the crush had died out long ago.

However, Toph swung out and punched Zuko in the ribs, causing him to gasp and double over, "Don't you miss Mai, you sunnuvabitch!?"

Caught off guard by the painful blow, Zuko took a moment to regain his breath. If he hadn't gone soft, he had kept up with his training, such a punch wouldn't have even hit him! That just proved to Zuko how much he had let the title of Fire Lord go to his head; or maybe to the luxury of his gut. Finally, the man growled out hoarsely when he realized how his original inquiry sounded, "That's not why I'm asking, Toph."

"Then why--"

"Because Azula is back!" roared Zuko, standing up right and grabbing Toph by the shoulders. Sudden anger overtook him; it erased the pain in his ribs and the hurt in his ego from Toph's blow; it brought back his strength from years ago and it arose in him the need to spill the entire story. He wasn't angry at the girl before him. The Fire Lord was enraged by his stupidity, his weakness, his sister, himself, his inability to save his wife and, most of all, at himself for not protecting his son.

Zuko shoved Toph against a farther wall, glowing fists pressed firmly against the rock on either side of her head as he leaned his head down closer to the Bandit's ear, "I was in a meeting, Mai was…"

TBC in the Next Chappie!