Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA. Hope you all enjoy the chapter, have no fear to R&R, I truly appreciate the comments :D
Zuko paced back and forth across his chambers, waiting for Toph to come. He'd summoned her a few second before but it seems as though hours had passed.
"You summoned me, my Lordship," she said stiffly, walking into his room. He rushed to her, enveloping Toph in a rough hug. She squeezed him tightly, burrowing her face in his chest.
"I missed you," he muttered.
"I missed you too," she replied, standing on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. He bent forward to deepen the kiss but Toph pulled back hesitantly, pressing her hand into his cheek.
"We can't, Zuko."
"Why not? I lo—" he paused as someone knocked on his door. They leapt apart as Yuan pushed inside. He smiled softly, holding out his hand to her. Toph drifted away from Zuko, interlacing her fingers with her fiancé's.
"Good day, Fire Lord Zuko!" he said cheerfully. Zuko inclined his head, trying to keep a scowl off his face. "My rooms are beautiful."
"I'm glad they're to your liking. How was your night? I'm sure if you're not too tired that we could arrange something for you to do while Toph and I go to a council meet," Zuko said. Yuan raised an eyebrow, glancing down at Toph before frowning at the Fire Lord.
"Maybe I could sit in on the meeting?"
"Oh, darling, I'm sorry, you can't. Only diplomats are allowed into meetings," she said. He sighed, kissing the top of her head.
"Very well. I will simply wander the palace," he said numbly, waving his hand with an insignificant gesture. Zuko smirked and walked closer to Yuan, placing a hand on his shoulder, steering them all out of his chambers.
"Why don't I arrive a palanquin ride for you around the city? See the sights? There's not much to see in the palace and the meeting will most likely take a while," he argued cheerfully, gesturing to a group of bearers standing next to their small pagoda shaped palanquins. Yuan shrugged his shoulder but agreed.
"You there! Captain Yuan would like to see Royal Caldera City. Take the scenic route," he instructed, clasping his hands behind his back.
The four men nodded and arranged the palanquin, bearing Yuan away quickly. Toph and Zuko walked briskly to the meeting chamber
where various generals, lieutenants, admirals, and other military persons waited on further instruction on how to act on the threat of
Azula and Ozai. Toph seated herself on Zuko's right side, replacing one of his generals before everyone settled into silence.
"Anymore news?"
"They were spotted again by our scouts moving across towards Makapu Village. Since your last orders were to make no direct contact, we are trailing them with Yu Yan Archers," a young admiral at the end of the table said, rising from his seat.
"Very good. Lady Bei Fong, do you have anything to say?" Zuko asked formally. She shrugged, tapping her fingers lightly against the metal table, feeling the vibration of each and every person in the room.
"I believe this should remain quiet for as long as possible. Princess Azula and Ozai caused the world enough pain and devastation. Now we finally have peace, let's try to keep it this way for as along as possible. Also, keep your ears to the ground. Watch out for any rumors about the escape and squelch them immediately," she said firmly. A wave of murmured agreements resounded throughout the room before Zuko rose to speak again.
"We will continue as we've been doing. Make no contact with them; make them think we are unaware. We need to keep everyone safe for as long as possible," Zuko announced.
"Your Lordship?"
"Yes, Commander Kai?" he asked, turning to face the older man. He rose slowly, groaning and then face his leader.
"Forgive my ignorance, but why is Avatar Aang not among us? Does this not concern him as well?" he said simply. Zuko nodded, gesturing for the man to sit once more.
"It is true. Most of you have probably noticed the Avatar is not among us. It is not that we are trying to keep this away from him. It is that we're trying to keep as many people as possible safe. If Aang were to know about Ozai and Azula, he might go looking for them and get himself killed, or they would target his wife and unborn child. We're keeping them safe," he explained.
"Of course, my Lord," the man said. Zuko nodded.
"If there are no more questions, I will leave further strategizing to my esteemed generals and will retire. Any more questions, I will take personally. Good day," he said, nodding. They all rose and bowed as Zuko walked out quickly, followed by Toph.
"Why did you tell Yuan the meeting was going to last all day?" she asked as soon as they were in the hallway.
He smirked, "Why didn't you deny it?" She blushed slightly but stared straight ahead, her naked feet padding on the smooth marble.
"Come to my rooms with me? Please?" he whispered, nuzzling her neck. She laughed, shoving him away roughly and walked in the opposite direction to her rooms. He grinned sheepishly and turned into his room, letting the door close silently behind him.
Toph sat softly on her bed, trying to sleep, but it seemed to be the last thing her body wanted to do. Her mind was exhausted but her body was full of jitters, tossing and turning on the silken sheets. Finally, she gave up entirely and changed into her typical training clothes, jogging out to the training area again to earthbend. She knew Caldera city was large so Yuan would not return for a few hours. She took deep breaths, focusing on the earth beneath her feet, feeling its life and movement.
Although she was extremely glad to be here with Zuko, Toph still missed Gaoling. She even missed her parents, who had coddled her and protected her for as long as Toph could remember until Aang showed up. She had been so happy to live with Aang and the others for as long as their childhoods lasted but now those days were gone and Toph was learning to take responsibility for the people she abandoned for over a year.
"Lady Bei Fong?" Her head whipped sharply to listen to a messenger's voice. She'd felt him coming but decided to ignore him.
"You are being requested by Captain Yuan in his chambers," he said softly. Toph's eyes widened. She nodded and walked back into the palace, enjoying the feel of fresh dirt on her skin.
"Yuan? Are you here?"
"In here, Toph," he called, coming out from behind a bedpost. She moved to him, hugging him awkwardly.
"How was the palanquin ride?" she asked simply.
"Lovely. Caldera is a beautiful city," he replied. She nodded, pulling away from him to sit on the bed.
"More beautiful than Gaoling?" she murmured. His sighed, sitting next to her.
"No. Nothing is ever more beautiful than Gaoling," he assured her. Toph smiled, reaching up to pull the pins out of her hair.
"Your hair is so beautiful," he whispered, kissing her temple softly. She shifted away awkwardly, estranged by his sudden intimate behavior.
"We are betrothed Toph," he muttered into her neck. She nodded, staring blindly at nothing across the room as she decided finally and kissed him back, letting him laying her on the bed as the afternoon turned to night and the stars rose into the sky.
Note: I hope that chapter was a lil' bit longer than before and I hope you like it! Again, please R&R! Virtual brownies for those who review! ;P