The sun was starting to set. Lasting a warm glow over the land Appa flew over. Toph sitting in the front of the saddle pulled a blanket around her to keep warm, as the cold evening wind rushed past her. She never liked flying after the sun set, it was always to cold. Zuko didn't seem to be affected by the cold. Neither had said anything since they left the fort. They wouldn't have known where to even start.

So many things were going through Zuko's head, it was lucky Appa only had to keep going straight ahead to get back to the capital, because he wouldn't have been able to direct him properly. The one thing that he kept coming back too, was what he was going to do next. He never wanted things to end up this way. He didn't know if he could ever really truly forgive her, but maybe he could find a way to try.

With this thought and just a brief image in his head about his whole family at least the majority of his family together, Zuko was about to break the silence when Appa turned sharply to the left. Toph with her hands wrapped under the blanket fell out of the saddle. Zuko was just able to grab her arm through the blanket in time, pulling her next to him on the Sky bison's head. The blanket was lost however and floated on the wind down to the earth.

"What was that!"

Toph's question was quickly answered by a fire ball hitting Appa's saddle, with such force that almost knocked it off Appa's back. Forcing the mighty creature to once again veer sharply to the right. Toph was thrown against Zuko's as he held on tightly to the rains, trying to keep them from falling off. As Appa started to fly steady again, he felt a tight pressure on his left arm. A quick glance down told him it was Toph holding tightly onto him for support. As disorientating as that was for him, it had to be worse for her.

"I can't see where the attacks are coming from."

Zuko was trying to decide on the best course of action, as the attacks kept coming, though everyone missed for now. If they landed they could face them head on, but they could be very out numbered. If they stayed in the air they were a sitting duck. He did his best to keep his slight fear and frustration from showing in his voice, as not to worry her. Her tighter hold on his arm told him he had failed.

Before he had time to think more make a choice, Toph let his arm go and got to her feet. She made her way to the centre of the saddled. Picking up a robe for the supply pack in the saddle. He had to keep his eyes on where they were going, so when he glanced back at her, the robe was tied around her waist and the side of eth saddle, to stop her from falling out.

"Tell me were to aim."

As she spoke a stream of dust, coal sand and other forms of earth were pulled out of the pouch she wore attached to her belt. The stream was bent into a whip that she sent out, to block the incoming attacks. Zuko directed her as best he could, but he still had to keep Appa steady as well.

Toph was starting to tire, the meeting with Azula had taken its toll on her. As two indirect hits from a bolt of lightning would do. "We have to land, Appa can't keep this up much longer." Zuko could tell be her voice that she was also not able to keep this up much longer. At least on the ground they had an advantage.

When Appa landed, Toph untied the robe then jumped onto the ground. As she did she sent the earth whip out one last time before pulling it back into the pouch. Zuko moved to stand by her side, taking his stanch. Wanting to make the most of his first hit.

"How many." The sun had now almost entirely set, making it hard to see to far into the distance.

"Six coming towards us." Toph now too took her stanch, and waited.

"There taking their time." Zuko tried to sound as causal as he could. Even finishing his comment with a faint smile.

Toph didn't really hear him. She was concentrating on the six people heading towards them, they were planning something. They slowed down, and spread out.

"What are they doing." Zuko was now sure that something had changed, the look on Toph's face gave it away.

"I don't know, yet."

The silence seemed to last for an eternity. The stream a few feet away from them sounded like thunder. A cold wind blow that chilled them to the bone, something was going to happen, but they had no idea what or from what direction it was going to come from.

It happened so fast neither had a chance to block the hit. A huge fire ball, that was a combination of five very large fire balls, hit the ground right in between them, sending them back a few feet and Appa into the air for cover. Zuko hit the ground with so much force he was knocked out. Toph was about to hit a tree when a pair of arms pulled at her, forcing her to the ground. Before she could focus clearly, her hands where pulled sharply behind her back. Where they were held by a rope.

"Lady Bei Fong, what a pleasure it is to see you again."

Ozai now joined his group. He walked over to Toph, placing his hand under her chin to left her head up. If she wasn't still being held in placed by the person that caught her she would have lashed out at him. Bent an earth spike to his chest or a large boulder to the head. That would just be the start with. No one dared call her that name anymore.

"Actually its princess Toph of the fire nation. That would be my correct, and highest title I hold here. Ozai." She took great pleasure in causing his heart to race with such anger.

Zuko still hadn't come around. He was being tied up to a tree a few feet from the one Toph had almost hit. Toph kept track of the movements of the six men. One of them that stood by Zuko moved his hand to his side. When he moved it away he was holding something in his hand. Something he moved towards Zuko's throat.

"Leave him alone! He's your son."

Years ago Toph was sure she had been able to appeal to Ozai better nature, getting him to tell Zuko where is mother was. He still had to have that little bit of human compaction. An evil grin crossed the former fire lord's face. In the twilight, it would have frightened most people, but it was lost on Toph. The grin was whipped off his face, as the wind became stronger, it pulled the leaves off the trees and pulled up the dust and lose earth. It blinded Ozai and his men. Lifting there arms to cover their faces, the dagger was removed from Zuko's throat and Toph's arm was let go off.

The wind grow stronger, almost knocking people of the ground. Ozai gripped hold of Toph's arm when he noticed she was free from restraint except for the robe. Leaning in close to her. He whispered in her ear "You'll know where to find me." Then he let go and was gone.

Toph still unable to move her arms to bend, was left to the mercy of the wind as it was getting stronger. Eventually she was swept of her feet. It seemed to her that the world slipped away from her till she was pushed into a familiar pair off arms. It seemed rate simple to her. However Aang had, had to jump in at the right minute to catch her. She was close to landing in the stream that only a few minutes ago had sounded like thunder.

"Are you ok." If he had already untied her hands she would have punched him for that, she was so sick of being asked that question.

"What are you doing here." As she spoke he untied her arms before walking over to untie and check on Zuko.

She followed him, wanting an answer and to make sure Zuko was ok. "I came to help you." Toph was now untying the rope, as Aang helped Zuko to his feet. "And don't try and say you don't need my help. Because we both know that would be a lie. If I hadn't come then..."

"Ok. I get it, just don't push it." She smiled in his direction.

Zuko was coming too, and leaning against the tree. So Aang moved over to support Toph. He just took her hand in his. That was all he could do, and it was all he needed to do. Toph felt safe and calmer, she gave his hand a squeeze, before they walked to stand on either side of Zuko to help him to his feet. In silence they helped Zuko over to Appa. Who had landed on the ground again once things had calmed down again. Toph bent herself and Zuko onto the saddle and Aang bent himself to Appa's head. The silence lasted all the way to the fire nation capital. Both Aang and Toph had a lot to say to each other, but that would have to wait for a while. They could talk properly now not in front of the others.

Thank you for reading. I hope you are enjoying the story. I look forward to hopefully hearing any comments that you have on the story so far.