yay for Toph/Chronos fans!

i am finally back. pardon my absence- I had no internet for a long time!

anyway, those of you that are wondering: Chronos is 16. Toph is 12. yes, that's a weird age group, but all their romance is totally innocent.

oh, and i'm warning you now: near sex moment halfway through this chapter. I was quite proud of myself on the steaminess of it... haha

enjoy!

-TSA

Chapter 24:

"Sex is full of lies. The body tries to tell the truth. But, it's usually too battered with rules to be heard, and bound with pretenses so it can hardly move. We cripple ourselves with lies." ~Jim Morrison

Yes, this was wrong. Anyone in the entire four nations would shake their head at him! But he couldn't help himself; it was just the natural order of his life at the moment. That didn't make it right though, and how was he going to explain that to her! Maybe it could just be his best kept secret, something he could bottle up for the rest of his life, despite any misery. Honestly, that sounded more reasonable than confessing any form of emotion.

Now, sitting in the middle of the forest while wrapping a fresh set of bandages around his wounded forearm, he was attempting to remind himself that he needed to focus on how he planned on taking back Ba Sing Se. All he had was a battalion of rebels, which didn't mean they could fight. He wasn't even sure how many were earth benders! With one stretch of the bandage in his mouth, he tried to tie it off, though struggling all the while.

It wasn't as tight as he wanted it to be, but he wasn't going to complain. He'd isolated himself from his companions, sitting on the far side of the camp while they talked amongst themselves. Wasn't that how most rulers behaved anyway? His problem remained that he hadn't bothered to tell them that they were partially fighting for Ba Sing Se so he could assume his role as king. He wondered if he told them that part they would still follow him?

"You're bothered by something, aren't you?"

He sighed, not wanting to glance over at Toph as she sat beside him, "What's the point of talking about it?"

"You don't have to." She her toes curled and uncurled into the dirt, "How did the Fire Nation find us?"

Chronos had been pondering that question since they were ambushed. How could they have known that he was even alive? Better yet, why did they even care! Ulysses swore that not many knew he would assume the throne, so how had word gotten out? He ran his fingers through his hair a few times, "Someone we know must have leaked that information. The Fire Nation knew our exact location."

"There's someone else working with the Fire Nation?" Toph balled her hands into fists, "Whatever happened to loyalty!"

"But who would have done it…?"

"It's that damn Princess Briar," Toph growled.

Chronos shook his head, "It can't be. Nalren would have tried to warn me somehow." He pursed his lips, "Ulysses knew. Spirits, it was his plan! Hikaru as well…Fuck." He stood up, pacing around in circles while reaching to each corner of his mind to find a possible solution, "Maybe I'm over analyzing this. It was crazy enough an idea that I sent a letter to the Fire Nation. I bet Princess Azula read it before giving it to Nalren and Briar."

"Wouldn't those two have noticed if the envelope was opened? Most don't just reseal that easily."

He stared off through the trees, "Maybe I've been fooled by her again?"

"I think it's sketch that she's in the Fire Nation to begin with. How does she expect anyone to trust her?"

"Her letter said that she intended on assassinating Fire Lord Ozai." He was back to pursing his lips, "Why would she say that and not at least attempt it?"

Toph crossed her arms over her chest, "She's a conniving, backstabbing bitch. How can you expect any less?"

He laughed a little, "That I can agree with, but there's more to her than meets the eye as I've come to find." He paced around a few more times before sitting down beside her, "If Nalren trusts her then I don't see why I can't. He's better at judging character than most people I've met."

"I just don't like her." Toph wrinkled her nose, "She's the reason Ba Sing Se fell."

Chronos drew in a deep breath, preparing for her reaction to his next words, "Ba Sing Se fell because it was ruled by incapable hands. We'll be better off when I gain the throne." He glanced over at her to see a smirk on her face, "I thought you were going to hit me for that comment."

"Actually…" She gave him a punch to the shoulder, which made him howl, "…I think I agree with you, Mr. Fabulous."

He rubbed his aching shoulder, "Damn, you hit hard."

"That's how I show affection."

And that was where she left him, pondering over that glorious word "affection". It tickled his ears still as he watched her amble off. There certainly wasn't a very feminine gate in her walk, but it made her all the more appealing to him. If he wasn't so preoccupied with his image, he'd try to pursue something along the line of innocent affections. There weren't any ugly, sinful feelings inside him, but more of a fondness for everything about her. He wondered if she just knew that he admired her.

. . . .

"He's sending us on a vacation?" Just the thought of it irked her, "What kind of an order is that?"

Nalren shrugged while helping her pack a few things away into a bag, "I think he's on to you…"

"It's not like I waltzed up to the man and said 'Hi, I'm here to assassinate you!' I was just looking around!"

"You were wandering around his corridors. That's suspicious as it is. No one wanders around there."

She rolled her eyes, "I've not known any place to be restricted to me."

"Well, you're still not a queen." Nalren braced himself for the instance that she'd slap him, "You never married…"

"I think marriage is a juvenile thing to be considering at this present time."

She sat down on her bed while mulling over her past day that she had spent snooping around the palace. With a sigh of defeat, she gave him a sideways glance before stomping into her closet to find her most appealing outfits. If she planned on seducing Zuko, then she needed her best weapons. But that thought saddened her. She hadn't even tried to seduce him the first time. All those wonderful moments were strictly her falling in love, though she knew he'd never believe that.

"I don't see how you're going to be able to kill Fire Lord Ozai," Nalren muttered.

"I'm a very talented spy." She shrugged her shoulders, the straps of her dress tumbling down her shoulders to her elbows. Glancing over her shoulder at Nalren, she licked her lips and beckoned him closer. To her surprise, he staggered toward her as she turned around to face him. Fingers dragging along his cheek, she pressed herself up against his rigid torso while her lips circled around his ear, "I've perfected the Art of Seduction."

Nalren wasn't sure what the sound it was that he made when he was seized by his collar and thrown onto the bed. Eyes wide, he gazed up at Briar, who was straddling him while her hair tumbled over to curtain their faces, "Pr-Princess-"

"Lesson one, Nalren." Her lips ghosted over his, "Always remain in control."

"I don't think I like this."

Briar laughed heartily, sitting up straighter, thighs still encompassing his waist, while her fingers drummed on his chest, "How are you ever going to win Mai over?"

"I plan on being the same prude that I am."

She growled with irritation, "Contrary to most peoples' belief, women desire sexual encounters, especially as teenagers looking for adventure during the summer."

"I highly doubt Mai is like you." Nalren grabbed Briar's wrists and rolled over top her, laughing as her eyes widened while he held her locked underneath him, "Contrary to your belief, I'm rather capable of pleasuring a woman."

He climbed off her, resuming helping her pack the things she had set aside at the bottom of her bed. When he glanced over at her, she was staring out the window while absentmindedly tugging at her bed sheets. Shaking his head, he walked over to her and handed her the dress she picked out for their voyage, "I've given up on guessing what's on your mind."

"My stomach isn't sitting well with me…" Briar turned her eyes to his, "I feel like through each careful step I've taken, someone knows exactly what I'm doing."

Nalren began to laugh, "You've told me your entire plan and I still don't think I know what's going on!" He tapped her on the nose, "Stop worrying."

. . . .

Ember Island, the perfect place for a getaway…Why now of all times was annoying her. As she glided down the ramp from the ship to the dock, she found herself staring at the glistening water that rolled against the wood. She could see the sand beneath it and all the fish that swam merrily. Bag slung over her shoulder, she gratefully accepted Nalren's arm as he strode up beside her, though he was casually sending glancing over at Mai, who looked less than pleased to be here.

The trek up to the house owned by the royal family felt like miles, but once atop the hill that gazed out over the beautiful island, the walk felt worth it. Briar wasted little time wandering inside and declaring one of the rooms with two beds. Nalren was reluctant to follow her, and he noticed that Mai felt the same, despite that she went with Ty Lee. Throwing his things onto the bed on the left, he made to leave the room, but Briar stopped him.

"Can you do me a favor?" she said.

Nalren rolled his eyes while watching as Mai strode past their door, making her way outside, "Since that's not a question, yes."

"Tell Prince Zuko that I need his help for a moment."

He didn't want to argue, didn't want to ask her what the fuck she had planned, since the most important thing to him was catching up to Mai. Bowing his head, he left in a rush.

Briar slowly removed the pins holding her hair in its twist. Each curl cascaded down past her shoulders, glistening in the glow of the sunset that leaked into her room. She listened for the sound of footsteps and upon hearing that familiar pattern, she unclasped the brooch holding where her dress was gathered in the valley of her breasts. The silk material slid down her shoulders, moving delicately along the curve of her hips until it hit the floor at her feet.

That was when she heard the door shut.

Smirking, though hiding it in her look of surprise, she glanced over her shoulder to give Zuko a batted eyed glance. Hands crossing over her exposed chest, she beckoned him closer with no words and no gestures. He was already staggering toward her, but he simply picked up her fallen gown and handed it to her.

"I won't do this, Princess."

Oh dear…He was back to formalities.

Briar held the silk up against her chest, "Won't do what, Prince Zuko?"

He decided against responding since all words were pointless when his body was doing the talking. Arms seizing her, he crushed her against his chest while his lips met hers with bruising force. His hands began their wild trek over her tanned body, untouched by his savage caress. He craved every inch of her. Tossing her backwards onto her bed, he discarded his tunic before crawling over her, tongues meeting before their mouths enclosed over one another.

Her thighs slid along his hips until he pulled them up around his waist, pressing himself between her until she buckled. She dropped her arms from around him; fingers clawing at the sheets of the bed while his mouth moved along her neck. He bit down on her shoulder, savoring the way she arched into him with the faintest gasp erupting from her lips. Hips grinding frantically to find the right rhythm where she could feel each inch of him, she found herself whimpering for his kiss.

But he was more curious about the rest of her.

Tongue sliding over a pert nipple, he reveled the moans vibrating in her throat. His mouth closed over it while her arms came around his shoulders, nails leaving crescent marks on his shoulders. He sucked harder on the nub of flesh, waiting to hear her beg for him. She was stubborn to say the least, but he knew that her body would betray her. Trailing kisses back along her shoulders and neck, he brought his hands to her breasts, kneading them while he silenced her with a kiss.

They were fighting madly for dominance, saliva trickling from the corners of their mouths while he continued to thrust himself against her, despite that both wished for their remaining barriers to be removed. Hand sliding along her hip, he untangled her legs from his waist. Briar's fingers hooked around the metal bars of the head of the bed while her chest heaved to supply her lungs with oxygen. She blushed as he tugged her underwear down to her knees, licking his lips.

She wanted more than the world to take a picture of his handsome face, twisted with desire and lust.

He leaned over top her, lips ghosting over her ear, "Is this what you wanted?"

She writhed underneath him as the tip of his finger circled around her already wet entrance, "Z-Zuko… I-I-!" She bit her bottom lip as his finger slid in to the second knuckle. Trying to grind herself further against his hand, she threw her head back while she gasped for air, "Zuko…!"

So desperate a sound she made. He captured her lips before shoving a second finger inside of her. He felt for that pearl of hers that would send her over the edge, but each twist of her hips kept him blindly searching. Scissoring his fingers, he watched the way her features contorted- She was a beautiful, hot mess underneath him. She shivered, arching up while drawing in a tight breath. He'd found that pearl and he was only barely pressing against it.

Her abdomen hurt and she was restraining herself from begging him for release. She was still admiring the contortion of his features as he relished his control over her. Whimpers escaped her lips until she was driven over the edge, "Zuko!"

He withdrew his fingers from her, smirking over his victory, "Something wrong?"

Her thighs were quaking while she tried to shake the pressure that was slowly dissipating from her body, "Damn you! I was close!"

She gasped as his fingers circled around her entrance again, stroking her nether lips, "I know." He ran his thumb along her clit, which caused her to throw her head back while her hips thrust against his hand, "How badly do you need it?"

"No-Now…" She blushed while he untied the sash of his pants, "Fuck, Zuko. I need it now."

But her little wish was far from being granted.

There was knock on the door. Zuko clambered off her, grabbing his tunic before running off into the bathroom.

Briar tumbled off her bed while rummaging through her bag until she found her robe. Halfway covered, she tied her hair up messily while trying to force away the flush of her cheeks, which was pointless since that sense of arousal was still pounding in her chest. Opening the door, she smiled as best she could at Azula, who had her arms crossed over her chest, "Princess Azula, I wasn't expecting-"

"Of course, you weren't." Azula pushed her way into the room, "I came to give you a letter."

Briar froze, staring at Azula's back while tying her robe tighter, "May I have this letter?"

"Depends…" Azula turned on her, "I'd hate to think that after all I've done for your little kingdom that I would smell treachery." She shrugged while handing her the envelope, "I haven't opened it, but I am growing concerned with your correspondence outside of the Fire Nation." As she made to leave, she glanced over her shoulder, "Traitors don't live long in the Fire Nation, Princess."

Briar feigned a smile, slamming her door shut once Azula was far enough down the hallway. She set her envelope into her bag before shuffling over to the bathroom. Knocking on the door, she waited a moment before opening it. She grinned when she saw Zuko leaning against the wall, tunic in his hands. He looked less than surprised to see her, though she could tell that he was anticipating that moment. Striding in front of him, she parted her robe, inviting him to explore her further.

Zuko drew her close, hands sliding along her body hidden by her robe until he pushed it off her. He kissed her while she fiddled with the sash of his pants, which he hadn't meant to tie tightly as he rushed to hide in the bathroom. Biting back a groan as she fisted him, he pushed himself against her hand, that ache of his erection returning. She'd slide her hand along his length gently then change to a tighter grip that made him nearly collapse to the floor.

Fingertips stroking his head, he felt his vision blur and his muscles tighten to the point that he felt he couldn't breathe. He was muttering her name, but when that sweet release began to wash over him, she drew away. Eyes wide he fumbled to remain standing while she laughed and picked her robe off the floor, "What the fuck?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure that you kept me from climaxing." She winked at him while he blushed, "Karma's a bitch."

He furiously dressed himself, following her as she sauntered out into her room. He found himself in a daze for a moment when he saw her pull on a bikini that certainly didn't cover much of anything (not that he minded). Clearing his throat, he waited to see if she'd look at him, and when she didn't, he threw his hands up in the air, "What's the point of all this?"

"I'm being a territorial bitch." She face him while throwing a sheer white dress over herself, "I don't like that you claim you have a girlfriend now."

He sat down on the edge of her bed, "I'm just trying to make things what they used to be."

She stood in front of him, brushing his hair from his eyes, "Stop living in the past. Be happy with what's happening at this very moment."

He pulled her face down to his, kissing her deeply until she melted into his arms. He held her tightly, wanting more than anything to have the pieces of their true romance put back together. When their lips parted, he smiled at her, something she felt she hadn't seen him do in a long time, "I am happy, Briar."

. . . .

Four more days until the Day of the Black Sun. Her armies were assembled and she was waiting for correspondence from the Northern and Western Earth Kingdoms. The Fire Nation would be unprepared for the retaking of the great Earth Kingdom. Chronos was inches from reclaiming Ba Sing Se, and his recent letter made her smile. He was a genius, tactically speaking. She wasn't sure he would be a fit ruler at sixteen years old, but she could be proven wrong.

Chronos intended on allowing for his own capture so he could be locked into the dungeons of Lake Laogai. Toph would be able to navigate through the tunnel system, free him, and use the underground to stage a recapture of the capital. The Fire Nation would assume they were safe with Chronos detained again. So simple an idea, but so genuine in the way he planned to secure his throne. Once Ba Sing Se was under his control, he could prepare for an attack on the Day of the Black Sun.

But at the current moment, she wasn't concerned with all of that.

Hikaru sat in silence in the library, reading over the old love notes her husband wrote to her in their courting years. He had a beautiful hand in poetry, and she was growing jealous over whatever woman he was with now. She'd be spoiled with these gorgeous words of the purest affections. Even in how sad she felt, she found happiness in knowing that she had discovered love again. Her only concern was Iroh's safety in the prisons of the Fire Nation-

"Are you alright, Lady Susanoo?"

She lifted a brow while Ulysses walked into the library, setting a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of her, "I'm only thinking."

"You've been rather quiet the past couple days." Ulysses watched her gently sip of her steaming green tea, "I wanted to assure that you were feeling well."

"That's awfully nice of you…" A smirk crossed her lips while she caught his dazed stare, "Why are you being nice to me?"

Ulysses blushed, wrinkling his nose, "I'm not incapable of being nice!"

"I didn't say you were." She rested her elbows on the table and set her chin in her palms, batting her eyes at him, "I just want to know why you're suddenly being flirty."

He rose to his seat, face a deep scarlet while he threw his hands up in the air, "I'm not flirting! That's preposterous!"

He left in a rush, shouting a thousand curses as she laughed loudly.

When he was out of sight, Hikaru resumed drinking her tea, "Only liars use the word preposterous…"

hahaha... Ulysses got OWNED.

Chronos feels guilty for liking Toph... :(

well then! did you enjoy? Looks like Azula is the one figuring out Briar's plans- NOT GOOD.

how many of you liked Briar and Zuko's almost sex moment? let's be real, i've kept them from completely going at it for awhile. i promise that next time they're in a tangle, it will result in sex. now let's be honest, you're all intrigued by this M rated fic and I can assume that everyone likes a good steamy chapter. I know i do! lol

please leave a review!

-TSA