Hello fanfic readers guess who's back?
Well that's obvious. After my short hiatus; my too many ideas syndrome is managed and I am ready to deliver brand new chapters for your enjoyment. So what have our other characters been up to? You're all about to find out.

But first some answers to reviews:

Private Fire- Woohoo!

Georgelucasisawesme- Sweet I love white chip macadamia! Boo on eating them :(

WARLOCK2552- Yep and Iroh and Piandao aren't the only ones learning heavy lessons

Meandcartoon22- fair enough but you know you will love it

Winterdevils- Thanks

WARLOCK2552 and Private Fire thanks for your support and patience

Ulcaasi, don't worry I'm back so you come out of therapy now.

So let's see what Toph, Iroh and Katara and Aang are up to.

I do not own ATLA but I plan on entering probending poor Bolin needs me.

Book 4: Air: Water and Fire is Air

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Huff...huff. A tall Amazonian figure peaked just over the pathway, panting audibly; a silk white fabric was draped upon it, something that was once glamorous, now covered in dirt; pins were still attached to the unaltered gown. She pulled her hair back into a bun; bangs over her sightless eyes. As she made it over the hill; she ducked down in some nearby bushes. It seemed that no matter how, Toph's life had changed; there were things that never changed. Around the world, she had been revered as the mighty mother earth, lady authority and the blind avenger. She was offered to be the head of major groups- master of a metalbending school; the possible reformation of the Dai Li and even went on a top secret mission for a division of the White Lotus; all before the age of 17. With all of this reverie then; you think things would change? No, instead; her parents got worse and had guards on her around the clock. She understood at first; after all; she was their only child, but seriously; they were mental. She tried to get along with them and make things right, to assuage her guilt for leaving them unannounced; but once again; she found herself with little choices. She wasn't surprised to find out the moment she arrived home; that she was betrothed to Lord Sun or as she called him 'Snooty Fruity'. In the past, she had been successful with scaring away all the suitors; but this guy; they must have found him at Crazula's asylum—Ok Toph that was a cheap jab. Lord Sun was always happy and no matter how horrible she behaved; he always saw the bright side; it was sickening. Actually, if she really thought about it; he was a lot like Aang...shudders— her stomach turned. There was no convincing her parents that singleness and independence was a good thing; there was still so much that she wanted to experience; but don't tell Poppy and Lao Beifong, you might as well just shackle yourself to the room.

Finally, Toph had decided enough was enough; her parents and she were never going to be on the same page; so, she sought an opportunity to escape, during her fittings for the several gowns she would wear. She heard water trickling on the side of her and she knew where there was water, there was earth somewhere. She listened more carefully and just as her instincts predicted it was a fountain. She had asked for a drink of water; which came in handy with the new lady-in-waiting, who hadn't known of her abilities. Upon reaching the clay bowl; Toph commanded the earth to rise and trap her. Since, that day three weeks ago; she's been on the run ever since.

With her seismic senses she felt the guard's boots clumped right past her—pfft idiots. She set the trap and swallowed them into the earth. Satisfied she went to make her exit, but snagged her dress on a nearby branch; grunting, she ripped it from the seams and shortened it to her knees; exposing her muscular legs and breathed a sigh of relief. For another good measure; she ripped the sleeves and metalbended the straight pins into fasteners for her dress. She loomed over the men in the pit and smirked at them, "Tell my fiancé there's not going to be a wedding, indefinitely. She walked away but then stopped, "Oh and if you try to follow me foo-foo cuddly poots will not be happy."

The older guard scoffed, "Why should we be afraid of some effeminate sounding... whatever it is."

"If you value your life you'll never have to find out."

"I will not listen to some child and her ridiculous threats," the older man ranted.

The younger spoke panicked, "But...Zan...she's a master earthbender and has her own school."

"I don't care if she's the Avatar," he spoke with irritation, "I will not be spoken to that way!"

Rule number one of conflict resolution; always expect some macho idiot to think your bluffing. Toph let out a whistle. The men bent themselves out of the pit and were on solid ground. "It's time someone taught you manners Beifong!"

A loud roar resonated in the area. The younger guard eyes darted to the older in fright. "Zan just let her go; it's not worth it"

"Last chance gentleman," she said with authority.

"Please," Zan sucked his teeth, "I won't be terrified; I've dealt with animals before."

"Suit yourself," she shrugged.

The younger guard conceded, "You're crazy Zan I'm getting out of here," he said kissing Toph's hand and running off.

With a satisfied smile the bender walked off when a wall of earth, impeded her. "You will fulfill your obligation and marry Lord Sun!"

Lesson number two, when a man gets in your way; make sure he knows that he's made a big mistake, by messing with you. Toph with ease walked right through the barrier and kept going. Angered, Zan kept up the attack of creating makeshifts forts and Toph walked through each of them. Zan ran straight for her; but right before him, she disappeared behind a barrier that came within inches of hitting his face. "Oh please that's the best you can d—Ahh!"

Toph grabbed his foot and sunk him into the ground and as a finishing touch; she took her headband off and metalbended cuffs to his wrist. "Hey, hey you let me out of here this instant your parents shall hear of this!"

Lesson three, when victory taste as sweet as this; smile and strut away.

He drank his favorite brew of tea, jasmine. As he sipped slowly; he thought fondly of the changes in his life. What began as a moment of blackmail had blossomed into something unexpected. It began with a young man wanting to learn earthbending and a tea shop owner named Mushi. Through certain channels; he found out this young man is the younger brother of a certain bounty hunter. So, he made a deal with the boy saying, he knew the master earthbender personally and to deliver a message to his sister.

The following day he met the young women who didn't look any close to pleased. "Education for a date!" she shouted.

"His education will be free and I need an escort; it's my nephews wedding."
It was the first he saw her features soften, if only for a moment. She made it clear to him that she had a bounty there anyway and that she was not going to wear a dress. This made no difference to Iroh; but, he insisted she dress formal in order to blend in.

Of course, when he approached the new Sifu of the new earthbending school she stated, "I'll do it; but somewhere down the line; you're going to owe me."

Iroh shrugged, for a date with his raven haired beauty; it was worth the risk.

At Zuko's wedding he caught sight of how breathtaking she truly was. He never noticed how green her eyes were or that she was lean yet curvy. Her black hair was pulled away from her face and was a work of art her visage was. She wore red that complimented her alabaster complexion.

Later that night, she caught her bounty, as planned, but the man had a deceptive plan of his own. He ambushed her and Nyla with chi blocking. The dragon of the west earned his name, by rushing to her side and breathed a roaring fire at the men; making short-work of the group. After that display; he slumped his shoulders and exhale in relief, realizing; he's getting too old for this. He saved her life; she was grateful, for the bounty; but made it clear to back off. Iroh smiled and took her and Nyla back home.

He thought his encounters with her were over; but it seemed they always kept running into each other, which annoyed Jun and caused her to accuse him of following her. It got worse when while in pursuit of a bounty she broke her leg and whose tea shop did she wind up at? With gratefulness Iroh took her in. She was stubborn and frustrated; obviously, not one to stand still. He treated her leg with a firebending healing technique and gave her herbal tea; which made her gag after she protested that she wanted something stronger.

As time passed Iroh was tired of the silent treatment so he did all of the talking, which was really falling on deaf ears. It wasn't a wasted couple of weeks, when her gothic brother visited he saw a slightly softer side, while eavesdropping. Nyla was content so long as you fed him and watched his tongue. 'It was nice to have company for a change', the old dragon said to himself.

By two months end, Jun had healed nicely and she thanked him with a handshake. Touch is one life's greatest senses it can communicate where words fail. Jun, was so mesmerizing, more so than usual. Her raven hair glistening in the moonlight, her crimson lips, her fair skin. He couldn't help himself, just once he had to feel her in his arms. He pulled her in and kissed her gently. She pushed him away roughly. Iroh stood up straight; preparing himself for some horrible retaliation; but instead she returned his kiss and it was then that their love affair began.

The dragon of the west sighs in contentment; life was wonderful. His warrior girlfriend of a year now, greeted him with a kiss in the kitchen before opening; as was her custom. "I've got to go muscles; duty calls."

"Will I see you tonight?"

"No, I'm afraid this is a three day kind of thing, maybe more. King Keui is paying good money for the rogue former Dai Li."

"Ahh, you will need the satchel then; I've packed tea and herbs."

"Give me some strong liquor and I'll be fine—but since you went through all the trouble of crushing those leaves."

Iroh furrowed his brow, putting his nose in the air, "Do not mock the art of tea mak—"

She interrupted him with a kiss on the lips and smirked; Iroh returned with a grin, "I fell for it again; you were teasing me weren't you?"

Jun nodded and flipped her hair over her eye. "If I will be longer I'll send a messenger hawk."

"Of course goodbye my love and be careful."

"I won't be," she said as she exited.

A smile stretched upon Iroh's face, yes he landed the 'ultimate bounty'; he laid back in his chair and picked up the inventory list; when suddenly, he was greeted by a pair of pale green eyes. Iroh not one to be surprised gasped, "Toph?"
Oh, the smile on her face; oh Agni she knew about him and Jun wonderful; now that was going to be a grand total of two favors he owed her. As he examined her dress he noticed she was wearing white or what used to be a formal dress soiled and stained with mud. "Is that a—"

"Well gotta say; I did not see you two shacking up."

Iroh glared at her; but realized this gesture would mean very little; however, he came to the conclusion that she wouldn't be here; if everything was all right. Come to think of it; he hadn't seen her in months since the tea testing. He calmed himself and began, "You should not speak that way to someone you need help from."

"Who says I need you?" she jeered folding her arms.

"You are obviously a runaway bride and knowing your parents they will send many guards and offer a sizable reward, for your return. I don't have to remind you how greed motivates people. But, you did say you didn't need my help, which in this case, makes you a customer, which means I have to politely ask you to leave."

"Hey, hey you are not allowed to kick me out; you owe me!"

Iroh raised an eyebrow, shook his head and let out a sigh, "What Jun and I have is private, so please, I need you to use the utmost discretion."

"So long as you pay me back; I'll be as quiet as a mouse-cat."

"Good I have a room upstairs with some clothes that may just fit your height; we will discuss what to do from there."

"Thanks Iroh"

Iroh moaned, staring at the ceiling, "I thought retirement was supposed to be uneventful."

The sunlight trickled through the window a cool breeze blew through. On the nightstand was a necklace with a blue cerulean jewel and attached behind it was flat amber stone, with the air symbol etched in it. Two lovers lay in bed, she in a white linen gown and he in white lounge pants. With smiles upon their faces, they were bathing in serenity. Aang rubbed the small of Katara's back, which sent shivers up her spine. She rubbed his beard and beamed, "You know I wasn't sure at first; but I really like it; you look mature, without looking like your trying too hard."

"Thanks Katara," his voice squeaked.

"Now all you have to wait for is your voice to catch up."

Aang looked into her pool blue eyes and declared, "Katara, I love you."

"I love you too Aang."

"I just wanted to say thanks."'

"For what?"

"I know all of this hasn't been easy for you, you know with all the fan girls and Sokka in our faces constantly; but I'm glad we did this. It certainly makes up for the engagement."

"You mean when you proposed trying to recreate the day we met and couldn't get out of the ice or losing the necklace in the ocean and having to find it."

He hit her with the pillow playful. Katara winced and smiled impishly giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Aang laid his arm around her and held her closer; but some part of him kept staring at the door nervously. Katara brushed her hair back and looked at her husband concerned. Aang noticed her looking and let out a sigh.

"Katara I know we're married now but I feel... I don't know"

"Jumpy" she surmised

Aang looked at the ceiling and nodded, "Sokka put me on edge and he's always watching and every time we kiss or say anything he shouts oogies"

Katara waved it off, "Don't pay attention to him; he's ridiculous; we're grown people Aang, he'll still be gagging if we were 70."

"I know but he's still your family we should tell him about our marriage: I don't like lying; I don't know how much longer I could hold out."

"Aang you know as soon as people find out that means goodbye to privacy do you want that?"

Aang furrowed his brow in irritation, "That's not fair! I hate it when you guys put me in the middle you both always do this to me. Sokka threatens me because I'm in love with you and he can't accept the fact that you're growing up. You make me feel guilty for lying by omission; even though it makes me uncomfortable."

Katara downcast her eyes and drew circles on his chest, "You're right— I'm sorry—I shouldn't do that it's just that I don't want to share you."

Aang threw his hands up in the air, "See you're doing it again that's even worse."

"I don't know what you mean?"

"You play innocent and then you seduce me."

"Look if you don't want to be with me then that's fine; I'm sure the world would be happy to know that the avatar is single." she said folding her arms and tossing the covers and rising from the bed.

Aang ran to her side and grabbed her arm back toward him, "Wait, wait I don't want to fight. Can we just go back to before where we were in each other's arms and not a care in the world?"

Katara relaxed her features "You're right I'm sorry we should just enjoy this."

Suddenly the door busted open and in the entranceway stood Toph, Sugar queen and Twinkle toes?"

Katara cleared her voice talking in a low tone, "No ma'am you're in the wrong room; please go away."
Toph raised a skeptical eyebrow, "You guys are in bed together aren't you, Aww man, wait till I tell Snoozles!"

Aang jumped away from Katara putting a robe over her and distancing himself, "We're not doing anything wrong we're married!"

The waterbender slapped her forehead, "Aang, she wouldn't have known any better, its wood floors, she can't see."

The Avatar held up his hands in defense, "sorry, sorry I panicked."

"Oh this just keeps getting better," Toph snickered. "I think I hit the favors jackpot," said Toph rubbing her hands menacingly.

It hit Katara all of the sudden, "Wait a minute Toph; what are you doing here and what are you wearing?"

The metalbender shrugged, "Gags over sweetness; what I want to know is how did you and him get into this room without Iroh knowing."

Iroh entered the scene upon hearing the commotion upstairs; he laid a hand on Toph, confessing, "Because I performed their ceremony. The two of you were supposed to be gone by now."

Aang twiddled his fingers as if a child in trouble, "We apologize for taking advantaged but you know newlyweds and such. Anyway I'm relieved that somebody else knows."

"I would rather it be anyone else," groaned Katara, "Do you know what she's capable of?"

"She was my Sifu— so yeah— I still haven't recovered."

"Hey speaking of I haven't bossed anybody around in weeks what say we practice."

Aang tilted his head questioning, "Seriously?"

"Well it's either that or I write a letter to Sokka."

Katara got in the blind earthbenders face, "Toph you can't read that's not a real threat."

"No but my students would be more than willing to."

Katara huffed, "That's extortion!"

"Seems to be going around lately," mumbled Iroh.

A messenger hawk flew in with the fire nation insignia, disrupting the scene; Iroh took the parchment out of the tube and read with haste. The tea master's face took a serious tone.

"What does it say,' asked Aang

"We are invited to the Fire Nation for a banquet and peace talks," Iroh turned to the group with firmness, "Now here's what we're going to do, all of us are going to keep quiet about our personal lives."

"Yeah but what about me everyone knows I'm engaged except for Katara and Aang."

"What seriously, that's how you mention a life changing event. I thought you could trust me."

"Says the woman who got secretly married," returned Toph.

"At least I made it to the altar."

"I don't need a man I'm plenty happy being single."

"Of course you don't need a man you already are one"

"WHAT!" The master earthbender stomped.

Iroh separated the pair, "That's enough the both of you! There's no point in fighting."

"She started it!" they said in unison, pointing to the other

"All of this chatter is useless. We make a vow to be discreet with our business and no matter how tempting it might be; no is privy to our personal business, unless it is our own choice. Is that understood?"

"Yeah sure," Toph shrugged

"That's fair," said Katara

"Good now let's focus on seeing Zuko; my nephew needs us right now."

"Yeah you're right, I still can't believe it, Aang and Katara married and Iroh landed the bounty hunter."

Iroh palmed his forehead, "Toph what did we finish talking about!"

"You and Jun I knew it!" teased Aang

"Congratulations Iroh," said Katara with hearts in her eyes

Iroh wagged his head, grieved, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Can we please focus on leaving?"