Chapter 15: The Gang Plus
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Topekaia strode happily into the camp only to find it deserted. "Hello?" she called. She walked up to Appa and received an obliging lick. She stifled a grimace. "Hello?"
Suddenly she spotted a triangular prism made of earth. She walked up to it and knocked. It sounded hollow. "Hello? It's Topekaia; I'm here."
The tent crumbled. "Topekaia? Where did you come from?" Toph rose from a sleeping position to face Topekaia.
Topekaia blinked. "Um, from the palace? I came from the palace."
Toph blew hair out of her face. "I meant more recently."
"I came from a little town east of here."
"Meaning, you were there when Twinkle Toes and Lord Hothead were there?" Toph smirked. Everyone else had been playing tell-all. Now it was her turn.
"Yes," Topekaia sighed softly. How much information did Toph need? "I helped them lock up the prisoners. Aside from that, where is Mai? Where is everybody?"
Toph felt the ground for a moment. "Well. If you really want to know, Sokka and Suki are having a tickle fight. Aang and Katara are playing with water. Mai and Zuko are… well they're… over there." Toph pointed in the direction of the woods. "Mai just told Zuko the big news." Toph tried to make her words as enticing as possible.
"Big news? What's going on?" Topekaia demanded. She was beginning to think that she should have swallowed her fear of heights and traveled on Appa with Aang, Zuko, and Sokka.
Toph yawned, putting on an indifferent act. "Only that she's working on a little heir for the Fire Nation throne. Nothing special."
"Working on... Toph you're speaking in r..." Topekaia's hand flew to her mouth. "You mean, Mai is pregnant! Oh how wonderful!" She smacked Toph playfully on her arm. "Why couldn't you just tell me that? You always make things difficult."
Toph grinned. "Why don't you go tell her how great it is? Good night." Toph made a new tent and settled down for the night.
Topekaia rolled her eyes. "Oh, well, I asked for it." She sighed but inside she was beaming.
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The next morning, Topekaia woke up when she heard a knock on the door of the tent she had convinced Toph to make for her.
"Toph! It's time to get up!" The tent muffled Aang's voice.
Topekaia turned to the small tunnel Toph had formed so that the two of them could communicate. "Toph! The door!"
A muffled cry came back to her: "What?"
"The door!"
Instantly the door fell open to expose Aang standing there with a puzzled look on his face. "You're not Toph."
Topekaia flushed. "No, I'm Topekaia."
Aang stared blankly back at her.
"You know, from the earth kingdom town…"
"I thought you were a fire bender."
"I am. Toph opened the door."
"Okay." Aang shrugged and went to the other earth tent to rouse Toph.
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After washing up, Topekaia joined the others, except for Mai, for breakfast. "Where's Mai?" Topekaia inquired.
Zuko nodded towards a tree, where Mai was sleeping in the shade. "She's never been a morning person." He shrugged.
"Oh," Topekaia replied, seating herself.
Katara cocked her head at Topekaia. "Why didn't you come back with the boys?" she asked. "You got here really late."
"I like to walk."
Katara blinked. "You know, Appa and the war balloon are our main form of transportation. If you want to come with us, you'll have to ride at least one of them eventually."
"Following them by your own means is not a good idea," Zuko added.
"I know that," Topekaia replied, trying to act casually, even though she dreaded the thought. "Where are we going next?"
"According to the map, we should be heading north a bit, and we'll find the old city there." Sokka's eyebrows raised in anticipation as a thought occurred to him. "So, Dad, are you excited?" he asked Zuko, jabbing him with his elbow.
Zuko looked at Sokka, remaining motionless. "Of course I am," he said in a complete monotone. He'd dealt with Sokka before. Now if he could just put on a Mai-like performance for long enough, Sokka might lose interest.
"You don't sound like it," Aang said worriedly.
Zuko gave Aang a "you're not helping" look.
Topekaia grinned. "You're a very bad Mai, Zuko."
"I'm working on it."
"Well, in that case, you still have a long way to go. But anyway, congrats!" Topekaia turned to Katara. "So, what needs to be done?"
"Well, we stopped because Mai was sick yesterday. If she's feeling better, we can pack and leave before noon."
"Leave?"
Katara looked slightly puzzled at this. "Yes, of course."
"Alright then," Topekaia gulped. "Let's get to work."
Katara stood up, glad that she'd finally found someone with a good work ethic.
Suki and Sokka groaned in protest.
Zuko got up to check on Mai. "Did you want to say hi?" he asked Topekaia over his shoulder.
"Oh…um…yes!" Topekaia hopped up and followed Zuko over to Mai.
Zuko sat next to Mai. "It's morning," he said.
"Too bad," Mai retorted.
"There's someone here to see you."
Mai didn't open her eyes, but found Zuko and scooted closer. "They can wait. Let me sleep."
"No, really, she's right there."
"If it's my mother, I'm going to kill her."
"Well, I should hope not!" Topekaia plopped down on the ground.
Mai jolted awake and stared at Topekaia in shock. "Where did you come from?"
"The palace."
"I meant more recently."
Topekaia threw her hands up in the air in mock frustration. "That's exactly what Toph asked me yesterday. I came from the earth kingdom town where Zuko locked up your attackers."
Mai tried to shake away some of her grogginess. "All right then. I didn't realize you were here yesterday. When did you get here?"
"Sometime in the late evening, I guess."
"How did you find us? I assume you walked."
"Yes, I walked—you know me—but Zuko told me where you were camped."
Mai looked at her blankly for a moment, and then shrugged. "All right then," she said indifferently. "Are you joining the group now, or are you just bringing some sort of message? They could have sent a hawk for that."
"No, I am not replacing a messenger hawk; yes, I am joining."
"That's nice." Mai yawned.
"By the way, Toph told me about the baby. How wonderful!"
"Toph told you… I guess she had to. She was the only one left with no one to tell." Mai slapped her forehead in a way she'd picked up from Zuko. "Well. Thank you."
Topekaia laughed. "You're welcome!"
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Mai threw up after her breakfast.
Zuko was unhappy, but knowing that it was morning sickness soothed his nerves just a bit.
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Mai talked with the other girls while Zuko, Sokka and Aang discussed where they were going. She kept fidgeting and examining herself discreetly. Thoughts she hadn't even considered before were starting to creep into her mind, and she shot covert glances at Zuko.
"What's wrong, Mai?" Katara asked. "You look sick. Do you need to throw up again?"
Mai wrinkled her nose. "No. I don't need to throw up. I need to go get Zuko. Do you think Sokka and Aang will let me?"
Katara shrugged. "Probably."
Mai nodded, and marched over to the guys.
"Hi, Mai!" Aang said cheerily.
Zuko turned to look at her. "Don't tell me you want to know what we're planning? I thought you said it would be boring!" He raised his brow at her.
Mai rolled her eyes. "I have no desire to look at maps, thank you very much. Actually, I just want to talk."
"Sure!" Zuko smiled, and motioned for her to sit.
Mai grimaced and looked at Sokka and Aang. "Maybe… without them?"
Zuko blinked. "Do you guys mind?"
Sokka and Aang looked at each other. "Gotta go!" they said at once, and quickly ran off.
Mai cocked her head as she watched them leave. "They seem eager to escape."
Zuko stood up. "Come on. You tell me what it is you want to talk about."
Mai looked up at Zuko as he led her into the trees. Suddenly she was embarrassed. "I—" she bit her lip and looked away. "I don't know how to ask you."
Zuko stopped, looking Mai over. "You aren't usually this nervous."
"I know. It's just slightly… awkward."
"Are you asking for something or about something?" Zuko thought maybe this line of questioning would make it easier for Mai to answer.
"About," Mai said quickly. "Just… a situation… that I hadn't been considering and now… I want to know that nothing is going to change." Mai had been taking deep breaths between statements.
Zuko considered her words carefully. "You think things will change now that you're pregnant?" he guessed.
Mai nodded, taking a step back and self-consciously crossing an arm over her stomach. "I hear my parents' relationship was a lot better before me."
Zuko grimaced. "Was it after you that your mother turned into a vampire witch? I can understand the logic behind that."
Mai bit her tongue so she wouldn't laugh. "I have no idea. But that's not the point. The point is, is that there was a pretty good reason Tom-Tom and I are so far apart."
Zuko blinked in realization. "You think once we have a kid running around we won't be as close? That's not happening." He reached for her.
"Not yet," Mai said through clenched teeth, stepping out of reach. "I'm not finished talking. Once you get your hands on me I won't be able to talk."
"Sorry." Zuko put his hands behind his back. "You can continue, then."
"Thanks. As I was saying, I just don't know how you'll feel about… um…" Mai looked around for Sokka or Suki or Toph lurking in the trees before continuing, "… about our relations."
"Relatives?" Zuko asked.
Mai kicked at Zuko's shin.
"Oh!" Zuko slapped his forehead. "I understand." He shook his head to clear it. "What are you so worried about? Why is this even an issue?"
Mai raised her eyebrows. "So you're not worried about how I'll look when I've been pregnant for even one more month? I'll be fat, Zuko."
Zuko rolled his eyes. "So? You think I completely ignored everything my uncle tried to teach me? I'm not that stupid." Zuko's arm twitched toward her, and he grimaced. "Now?"
Mai sighed and stepped into Zuko's arms. "What were you saying?"
"I was saying that Uncle was in charge of a lot of my lessons. He's been giving me lessons on—" he gestured at Mai rather vaguely— "stuff more than I'd asked for. I always knew what a child means for you. It's not a problem. So don't be worried."
Mai's eyes suddenly filled with tears. She wasn't just being held any more, she was hugging back tightly. "Thank you," she sobbed.
Zuko shook his head. "It's not a problem."
"It was a minute ago. For me. And now I'm not afraid any more. Thank you."
"Of course, Mai," Zuko said, planting a kiss on her cheek.
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A bit later, Katara herded everyone, including Topekaia, onto Appa and into the war balloon.
As they settled into their places, Topekaia tried not to show how scared she was; however, she sat very close to Mai in the hopes that if she started to fall out, Zuko would be right there to catch her. Despite her fear, she was determined that she wouldn't be left behind this time.
As the balloon took off, Topekaia stared at the back of Zuko's head in a desperate attempt to not look down. Her first flight was the most terrifying experience of her entire life, and the nail marks on her palms proved it.
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"Will you eat now?" Zuko asked Mai for the fifth time since they'd left.
Mai examined Zuko's pleading face, and glanced at Katara, whose hopeful look was just too much. "All right. I'll eat." She hoped looking away from Zuko would free her from having to see someone get very excited about her eating. Unfortunately she saw Topekaia's excited reaction. "Well, someone's happy," she commented dryly.
"Well, yes! I've been worried about your health. Did you keep down any food from yesterday, or did you throw all of it up?"
Mai thought about that. "I honestly don't remember. Sorry."
Topekaia frowned, and Mai could somehow sense that Zuko's reaction was more intense and of the distressed variety.
"All right. I probably kept down a little bit, and I ate later. I just wasn't that hungry. Stop worrying!"
Zuko took Mai's shoulders and tucked her under his arm. "I've never done that before. Could be pretty difficult. I don't think I'm ready to try; sorry."
Mai scowled. "Well, fine. I guess…" She trailed off, choking on her words. "I guess it's sort of—" she looked down "—sort of sweet," she muttered.
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Muchos gracias to the kind people who reviewed: 4everMaiko, broken and forgotten, gloomy maiko lover, Kimjuni2, and Silvereyes12.