Chapter 28

Zuko, Toph, Aang, and Katara made their way through the tunnel Toph had carved into the mountain on the day of the wedding. She'd hoped the villagers would have called it Neshi's Tunnel since the little boy had begged Toph so hard not to close it up again.

To Zuko and Toph's embarrassment, someone had posted a sign outside the entrance naming it "Lovers' Tunnel" instead. Katara noticed their red faces as Zuko read Toph the sign and added, "I'm sure that's because couples like to sneak off into the dark together for a little alone time. I'm sure it has nothing to do with you guys."

"Hey, they're the original lovers," Aang said with a huge grin. "Give 'em some credit."

"We can take the path over the mountain," said Zuko hopefully as he eyed the dark entrance.

Toph took his hand in hers. "Come on, Sparky, this is our tunnel. You can make it. It's just like me going underwater. I won't let go of you," she said with a smile.

As they walked deeper into the mountain, the air grew cool and moist. Someone had placed torch brackets at regular intervals, but there was no need to light them as Aang and Zuko each bended a palm full of fire to light the way. The floor was so smooth and regular, however, there was no real need to see where they were going. The light still made Zuko feel better though.

On the other side of the mountain, they were very pleasantly surprised at the amount of work that had gone on in the old abandoned village. Indeed it was now almost half settled with a variety of working shops and market stalls as well as renovated houses. They walked to the little stone house that Zuko had removed the pythonpede skin from to see a young woman on the porch cleaning some vegetables while a baby slept in a small crib beside her.

"Oh, that crib is made of gan wood," Toph exclaimed softly. "It helps me see the baby."

"I'll make a note of that," Zuko said, giving her a soft kiss.

"I'll be able to see our babies no matter what their cribs are made of," she answered, then realized what she'd said. Babies. Zuko's babies. His children. Their children. Other little pieces of her heart out there in the world where anything could happen. Pieces made even more precious because they were part of him as well. She felt a little sick. How could she ever let them out of her sight?

The mother on the porch started to stand when she realized who her visitors were, but Zuko quickly motioned her to keep her seat. Instead, she bowed over her vegetable bowl and looked a little nervous as they approached.

"You've done a very nice job with this house," Zuko said amiably, trying to set her at ease. "Princess Toph and I haven't seen the village since people have moved in. It is coming along very well."

"Thank you, your highness," the young woman smiled in relief at his friendly tone. "My husband and I have worked hard on this place. It was a bit of a mess when we found it. You wouldn't believe the size of the pythonpede skin we found on the front porch."

Toph suppressed a slightly hysterical giggle.

"I've heard that a pythonpede skin is a good luck omen," Aang offered sincerely. "It keeps other snakes and rodents at a distance too."

Zuko put his arm firmly around Toph, aware that she was just one step shy of bursting into laughter. They made a little more small talk then walked on down the street, quickening their pace a bit as soon as they were out of sight of the house.

The second they rounded the bend in the road, both Zuko and Toph began to howl with laughter. Aang and Katara just looked at them, confused, until the pair could explain what was so funny. Zuko and Toph clung to each other for support as they told the story, but somehow it just wasn't that hilarious to the other couple.

"I guess you had to be there," Katara offered as she and Aang watched Toph wipe tears of laughter from her eyes.

"That's what I'm going to do," Toph addressed Zuko, still giggling. "I'm going to hang a pythonpede skin around your neck to protect you from other snakes and rodents."

"And what's going to protect you?" Zuko asked with a laugh.

"You are, silly," she answered. She put her arm around his waist as they walked, enjoying the fact that he was right there at her side, no matter what.

They made their way out of the village to the edge of the lava fields, glad to see that the small Fire Temple still stood unscathed. They walked inside, Zuko respectfully bowing and lighting the fire in the central court. Toph could see that the stones still stood where she'd replaced them and she listened as Zuko told the story of their wedding, followed by the explosion of the volcano. Then her ears perked up as she heard him tell a part of the story she hadn't heard before.

"I had just made a vow to Toph and myself that I wasn't going to overprotect her and cage her up, when the ground started shaking and the entire Temple began to collapse," Zuko said with a laugh. "She was yelling at me to get out so she could work without me being in the way and all I could think of was that it was just too soon to have to test out our wedding vows—surely there was a break in period for this sort of thing. But I got out like she said and stood there scared to death until she pops out the door with this big grin on her face, covered in dust. But the Temple was still standing. I didn't know whether to shake her for scaring me or kiss her for being such a fabulous bender."

He looked down at Toph with love and said, "I decided that I'd married the world's greatest earthbender and most beautiful woman and that I could just deal with it. So I kissed her."

She'd had no idea that he'd been so concerned about her. Putting the Temple back up had been more of an earthbending game than anything else, a challenge, certainly, but not the least bit dangerous—at least not to her.

He didn't understand her element any more than she did his, but he let her go anyway. He hated tight places, but entered them willingly, knowing that she was the one in control. And when he asked the same of her in the valley, she'd panicked. She couldn't give up control to him in his element. She realized that she'd been selfish—selfish with her trust and her love.

"I didn't make that vow that day," she said seriously, reaching up both hands to either side of his face. "I vowed to love you and I do. I vowed to support you as princess and I will. But I need to vow to let you go too," she whispered, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

The flames from the central fire flickered a warm glow on her upturned face as she looked up at him. "Zuko, I make this promise to you in this place right now," she began softly. "I will not overprotect you. I will not hold back my love from you because I am afraid for you. I will love you in life and in death without fear. I will let you lead me through those places where you are the one who can see most clearly. I trust you with my life and with yours."

He understood as she pulled his head down to hers. The kiss they shared was not passionate, but even more meaningful because it sealed a sacred vow. They would face life together, trusting each other, leaning on each other, loving each other. The future suspended itself before them, no less cloudy than before, but illuminated by their love for each other, no matter what came.

Aang and Katara were busily making themselves scarce when Bumi woke up from his nap and began to fret for his lunch. Zuko and Toph came back to their surroundings at the noise, smiling a little shyly.

"We'd better be getting back," Katara said reluctantly. "I think Bumi is ready for something to eat."

They walked back through the village, each couple hand in hand. At the opening of Lovers' Tunnel, Toph paused and looked over at the steep trail up the mountain. She turned to Aang and Katara, "You guys go ahead. We're going to take a hike."

"You don't have to do this for my sake," Zuko said with a wry grin. "I can handle the tunnel."

"Nope, I just feel like stretching my legs, Sparky," Toph replied. "Are you up for it?" Zuko agreed and the two of them began the long climb up the mountainside.

Inside the tunnel, Aang and Katara took advantage of the privacy for a little smooching of their own. It was, after all, Lovers' Tunnel. "Do you think they've got things worked out?" Aang asked, nuzzling Katara on the neck while Bumi patted him on the face.

"I think so," she answered distractedly. Then after a long pause, she added, "Bumi should take a long nap after he's had something to eat."

"Good," Aang replied, taking her hand and leading her back to the village.

Up on the mountain, Toph came very close to regretting her offer to climb with Zuko. It was hard work. When they finally reached the lookout post just over the summit, Toph collapsed in relief on the nearest wooden bench, breathing heavily. She was glad to see that Zuko was also a bit out of breath himself.

Zuko looked out over the vista that stretched out below them, wishing Toph could see the magnificent view. Since she couldn't, he tried to describe it for her.

She listened to his voice, enjoying the sound of it with its rough edge and the sweet motivation behind his words as much as the description of the island, the beach, and the bay.

"I'm so glad you saved this place from the volcano," he said, turning to look at her. "You really are amazing."

"I couldn't have done it without you," she answered. "You're pretty amazing yourself."

He moved closer to take her in his arms, pulling her across his lap to face him. "And I can't believe you walked all the way up this mountain just for me," he said with a smile.

"I would walk through fire for you," she answered seriously.

Toph looked at him, all the beauty of him, the strength, the gentleness, and the power of him. She put her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair and kissed him deeply with all the love and passion she possessed. It thrilled her to feel him respond to her touch as his hands traveled up the back of her shirt and tangled in her hair in return.

He kissed her throat and pulled the strap of her top aside to kiss her shoulder.

Just then they heard voices from below them on the trail. Hastily, they rearranged themselves and got up to continue their trip down the mountain. A group of boys met them as they left the lookout post, led by Neshi.

"I thought nobody ever used the trail anymore," one of the boys whined. "So much for a secret clubhouse."

"Don't worry," said Zuko. "That was our last trip—the tunnel's much nicer. It's cooler and a lot shorter."

By the time they reached the beach house, they were both hot and tired. The shower felt good to them and they felt a new intimacy as they shared it. They were completely open with each other, neither had anything to hide, nothing was being held back.

They moved in a sort of unity as they found something to eat, then went out to the veranda where they relaxed on the steps, Toph with her feet in the sand. The waves sounded rhythmically below them and the wind blew through the tree tops. Birds called from off the point.

"This place is so beautiful," Toph sighed. "I never want to leave."

"We'll be back," Zuko answered with a sigh of his own. "I don't think we'll ever go too long between trips here."

Toph watched him get up and stretch, enjoying the play of the muscles in his stomach and chest. "You are so gorgeous," she said.

"Yeah, but you're blind," Zuko replied playfully, reaching down for her hands to pull her to her feet.

"I can see you," she answered knowingly, running her hands over his bare shoulders.

"You know when you said you'd walk through fire for me," Zuko began, as he led her slowly into the house.

"Yeah," she replied, running her fingers down his back.

"Well, you kind of have to do that during the summer solstice. It's the longest day of the year and a huge Fire Nation holiday," Zuko continued as he pulled her down onto the bed with him and began to pull at the ties holding her blouse together.

"What exactly do you mean?" she asked, fumbling with the drawstring of his shorts.

"It's a tradition that all the Royal Family parades through a tunnel of fire," he replied, running his hand across her stomach.

Her breath caught at his touch.

"I won't let you get burned though," he continued, bending his head down to kiss her shoulder.

Her hand ran up from his shoulder to the back of his neck, pulling gently at his hair. "It's not going to be easy being married to you, is it?" Toph asked, a little out of breath.

Zuko looked down at her, his eyes sparkling. "No, but it will be an adventure," he added, then proceeded to finish what he'd started.

THE END

AN: Well, that's it!!! I hope you have all enjoyed it. It has been a blast to write and reading your reviews really kept me going. Many, many thanks to Daisy Snapdragon, my best friend, for getting me started on fanfic and to Sakura Taichou for making the request for this longer work. If you've been reading and not reviewing, drop me a note if you've liked it. Also, feel free to rec or add this to a C2. I don't know what will come next; feel free to make requests!!