A/N: Hey, sorry I didn't update this weekend. Got caught up on a Danny Phantom story I started working on. It's called Burning Spirit: Williams awakening, if you guys want to check it out.
Anywho, so Toph's back in Senshi's life, and man, is she pissed. Not to mention that the rest of the Gaang are there, so how's Senshi going to deal with it all. Will Sokka recognize the face of the guy that humiliated him? Twice? In one day? Let's find out.
The poll has been closed! In favor of: Ty Lee is an airbender! I was kind of hoping for this one.
….
"I can explain." Said Senshi, putting his hands up incase Toph decides to pulverize his face. Runaway or not, Senshi was still technically Toph's indentured servant, so if she attacked, he wouldn't fight back.
"Well?" Said Toph, blindly glaring in Senshi's general direction. "I'm waiting for your explanation."
"Well… Ah… Ummm… Shit. I got nothing." Senshi shrugged.
"Okay, Senshi, I can tell you two have some… Unresolved issues, so we're just going to meet you back at the fort." Said Iori, giving Senshi a pitying look.
` "Yeah, I'll see you there." Said Senshi. He looked back at the glare Toph was giving him, and gulped. "If I'm still alive, that is."
"Oh, I'm not going to kill you." Said Toph, popping her knuckles as an evil grin appeared on her face. "I'm going to beat to the edge of death, nurse back to health, then beat you to the edge of death again." She took three threatening steps towards Senshi, but frowned when he didn't move. "What, not gonna run?"
"Nope." Said Senshi, spreading his arms out. "Whatever beating I receive from you, I deserve for leaving the way I did."
"No. That's not fair." Said Toph, grinding her teeth. "You can't pull that out of your ass like that. Now I'm going to feel bad for beating." Toph slumped.
"Would it help if I tried to resist my beating?" Asked Senshi. Toph shook her head.
"No, because I know you'll be faking it. Jeez, you take the fun out of everything." Toph sat down cross legged, folding her arms and giving a decidedly cute pout. Senshi walked over and sat next to her, thinking about what he could say to make her feel better.
"I didn't want to leave, you know." He told her, causing her face towards him.
"Then why did you?" She asked. Senshi could see the beginnings of tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"I didn't have any choice. I had things that I needed to do, and there was nothing I could do about it." Senshi wrapped his arm around Tophs shoulder. "Iwould have told you if I could."
"I know." Sighed Toph, leaning into Senshi's side. She grinned after a moment. "You should have heard dad cry when you went missing." Senshi raised an eyebrow at this.
"Lao cried?" Asked Senshi, grinning at the thought.
"Yep, and so did mom." Answered Toph. Senshi was surprised at that one. He didn't really think Lady Poppy liked him that much.
"Seriously?"
"Oh, don't be so surprised. You two were the only ones that acted like adults in public." Said Toph, grinning at the memories. Then, she became solemn. "I know you're Fire Nation, but could you keep a secret for me?" Asked Toph.
"I'm not Fire Nation." Said Senshi. "I'm still indentured to you, which legally makes me nothing."
"Wait, you mean you still have to follow my orders?" Asked Toph. Senshi nodded, even though she couldn't see it.
"Yes, I'm still your servant." Senshi watched Toph with a certain bit of unease. He knew that tone of voice. Toph usually had it when she was going to do something stupid or reckless. "Unless it has an ill affect on your health, I have to follow your every command."
"Well, in that case, I order you to keep this a secret." Said Toph. Senshi nodded. Sighing, Toph continued. "I'm helping the Avatar." Senshi's eyes widened.
"You're… What?" He was dumbstruck. Lao would never allow Toph to do such a dangerous thing. He'd assumed the Bei Fong family came to Ba Sing Se to escape war and keep themselves safe.
"I ran away and joined up with the Avatar because he needed an earthbending teacher, and, as you know, I am the best earthbender alive." Toph grinned at Senshi, but the man kept his frown.
"You know, Your parents will probably send someone after you." Said Senshi.
"Yeah, but now I have you to protect me." Said Toph, slugging Senshi in the arm. Hard.
"Why do you always got to hit people?" Asked Senshi. Toph frowned.
"I hit people?" She asked innocently.
"Uh, yeah. You just slugged my arm." Said Senshi.
"Oh, that was just a love tap." Senshi shook his head at that. He'd seen Toph break boulders by head butting them. Without her bending.
"On a totally unrelated note, how about introducing me to your new friends. Whom are hiding behind the corner. Listening to every word." Senshi stood to meet the three people and one flying lemur Toph has been traveling with.
"Well, we're caught." Said Sokka, stepping out from the corner. Katara and Aang followed soon after. Sokka stuck his hand out. "Sokka. Pleasure to meet you."
"We've already met." Said Senshi, grinning as he clasped Sokka's hand. Sokka gave him a hilariously confused look.
"We have? When?" Asked the Water Tribe Warrior. Senshi pulled Sokka forward and tapped on his chest, right where the scar Senshi gave him was.
"Remember this?"
"You can't be-" Sokka started, but Senshi cut him off.
"Oh, yes. Gotten any better, Sokka? I'm sure you'd like a rematch." Senshi grinned at the struck look on Sokka's face, recognission dawning there. Sokka instantly reached for his boomerang, but Senshi grabbed his wrist, and would have judo thrown him, but somehow, Sokka reversed it, throwing a shocked Senshi, whom had a huge grin on his face.
"Oh, this should be fun." The ex-Fire Nation prince stood up, stretching, read for some fun.
Sokka had a little smile of his own. He didn't see Senshi using a weapon, so he wouldn't either.
"Sokka, are you sure you want to do this?" Asked Katara. "He beat you in one hit last time.
"I'll be fine." Placing his weapons on the ground, Sokka ran at Senshi. Senshi jumped up in the air, and double kicked Sokka in the chest. Sokka stayed up, and began throwing quick punches, which Senshi dodged easily. Finally, Senshi jabbed Sokka in the throat, and the Water Tribe boy choked a bit. Senshi turned around, thinking it was over, until Sokka jumped and put him into a head lock.
"I… Do not… Like… Being…(Wait for ittttt :o)) MANHANDLED!" Senshi suddenly spun around, picking Sokka up off his feet and slamming him into the ground. Senshi saw what he did and paled. "Oh, shit. Are you okay? I didn't mean to fly off the handle like that!"
"Yep, yep. I'm fine." Groaned Sokka." I should have remembered that from back in the North."
"Okay, so." Toph cut in. "Senshi's coming with us. No ifs, ands, or buts about it."
"No, no, no, no." Said Sokka. "He tried to kill Aang up north. He can't come."
"Well, he won't do it again." Said Toph. "He's my servant. He can't do anything unless I order him to."
"How can we believe that?" Asked Katara. "He really hurt Sokka twice. What's saying he won't do it again?"
"Well, to be fair, he did make sure I'd survive." Said Sokka. He liked Senshi. He was a pretty cool guy.
"So, what? You think we should let him come along?" Asked Katara, frowning. Toph nodded enthusiastically.
"I'm saying, we should as Aang. You know. The Avatar." Said Sokka. Aang gulped.
"…Well, if he promises not to try and kidnap me or hurt Sokka…" Aang tried to be the peacekeeper. Katara sighed. Suddenly, Senshi got down on one knee, in what Toph has referred to fondly as his "Regal Position."
"I swear upon the spirits, I will not try to capture you again. Hurting Sokka, though. I can't promise anything on that one." Said Senshi. Katara smirked as Sokka's jaw dropped.
'I think I'm beginning to like this guy.' Thought Katara.
"Hold up." Said Toph. "I can feel three people, coming this way. All girls. One feels loaded down, like she's carrying something. Another walks almost militarily. The last feels, how do I describe it? Arrogant."
"Oh. Shit." Said Senshi. Everyone frowned at his words. "My sister's here. We need to go. Now."
"You're not going anywhere." A knife raced towards Senshi's face, but he deftly dodged the blade. Another raced towards him, this one was guaranteed to hit its target. That was, before Iori came out of nowhere and caught it. Suddenly, Senshi and the Gaang were protectively by the Circus Troupe.
"Hello, Mai." Said Iori, grinning as he dropped the blade. Mai frowned at him, before her eyes fell on Zuko.
"Oh, Zuzu." Said Azula. "I wasn't expecting to see you here." Her eyes fell on Senshi, and she smiled. "Oh, Sensen. I'm sorry we missed the performance. I'm sure it was a masterpiece, with you leading it." Senshi smirked.
"Yeah, well, there wouldn't have been a circus if it weren't for OUR dear friend, Ty Lee, here." Senshi motioned to Ty Lee, whom was positioned on Rox's shoulder. She smiled nervously, and waved.
"Okay, if you two are done flirting, let's finish this mission so I can get my money." Said June. Azula blasted with her blue flames, but Senshi wasn't quick enough to respond to the attack, instead, Uncle Iroh was suddenly there, cutting a path in the flames with his bare hands.
"Go on, kids. I can handle this." Said Iroh.
"I am not a kid." Said Cedric. Luanshi patted him on the head from her place on his back.
"Thank you, uncle." Said Zuko, as the group took off.
"Well, hello there, Uncle Iroh." Said Azula, smirking at hr 'Beloved' family member.
"Azula, what you are doing is wrong." Said Iroh. He prepared himself to fight, nonetheless.
WITH THE TROUPE AND THE GAANG
"Where d'ya think yer goin'?" There was a large group of earthbending mercenaries blacking the path.
"we're leaving. Kindly move." Said Senshi, trying to smile a friendly smile. It came out more like a grimace.
"Not on your life." Said the lead mercenary. "Which, I will be taking by the way."
A sudden gust of wind blew the mercenaries away, and everyone stared at an out of breath Ty Lee.
"When we're safe, you have some explaining to do." Said Senshi. Everyone nodded.
….
A/N: Finished. Sorry for another rushed chapter, but I do have other responsibilities.
R&R
