Chap 8- In A Different Light

The loud banging at her door woke her, but Toph chose to ignore it. The banging went on and on and on, and in turn, she continued to ignore it further by burying her head under the pillow.

"I know you're awake!"

It was the Fire Lord.

"We should let her sleep."

And the Avatar.

Toph pulled the covers over the pillow to drown them out. She'd been having a wonderful dream where she and Aang had a whole Fire Palace worth of space earth to play with. Well, she had a lots of space earth to play with, he was kinda just there, which was a bit strange now that she thought about it... Anyway, since space earth is more malleable than metal and at the same time stronger than regular earth, she build an endless amount of things she later enjoyed destroying. Something like a carriage, that she could control easily, moving it from one place to another. A house, with rooms and doors and windows, completely furnished. A palace, with a giant earthbending arena inside. A temple-

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Ugh! Toph groaned and sat up.

"Lemme alone!" she yelled. This is the thanks she got for saving Aang's sorry butt! Two weeks had passed since they'd been stuck on that island, but still.

"Open this door!" the Fire Lord commanded.

"Maybe we should come back?"she heard Aang whisper.

"Listen to Twinkletoes if you know what's good for you!"

The banging ceased for a second, but before Toph could settle back into her bed...

"ARE YOU THREATENING ME?" Zuko roared.

Just like she knew he would, Sparky lost it and Toph laughed. He was just as easy to rile up as Twinkletoes.

"Open up!"

She ignored him.

"I'm not leaving until you open this door!"

And he wouldn't either. Toph knew this, so she got up, stomped over to the door, and opened it. Without saying anything, she walked back to her warm, comfy bed and climbed under the covers.

Both the Fire Lord and the Avatar stood under her doorway, faces bright red, each for very different reasons. Zuko was trying to calm his escalating anger. That infuriating girl always knew how to get his temper going. Aang, on the other hand, was trying not to continuously replay the image of Toph wearing so very little in his mind. She'd opened the door in only her wrappings. Even when they'd been out for a swim before the defeat of Ozai, her yellow top and brown shorts covered so much more. But even more surprising than that - and it hit him like a rockalanche and blue lightning combined! - Toph was a girl! Well, he knew she was a girl, but he'd never looked at her as one. She was always just his friend, his Sifu. Not until this very moment when his throat went dry did the obvious snap into place.

As he looked on while she climbed back into bed, his cheeks and ears felt like they were on fire. He felt uncomfortable and a little bit...excited? No, that couldn't be right.

"I-I'll uh, wait in, um...your study," Aang managed to say before he ran out of Toph's room.

Zuko took one long, deep breath. It was too early in the morning to deal with this nonsense.

"I need to talk to you, so can you get out of bed? The sun's been out for hours."

There were some muffled words (that sounded a lot like curses) from under the covers and Zuko took another breath to keep from yelling again.

"Toph Bei Fong."

Throwing the covers aside, Toph sat up. "What, dad?"

Zuko saw then that she wasn't wearing very much. "No wonder the poor monk ran away," he mumbled and reached for Toph's robe.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. But, you know you do have a nightgown, right? A few, actually."

"They're too cumbersome. And, clunky."

"They're silk."

"Eh," she shrugged.

Zuko rolled his eyes. "Here," he said, averting his eyes to give her the privacy she required, but didn't seem to care for. She took the robe he offered. "Come on, get dressed. We need to talk. It's important."

Earth! She hated when her friends got all serious.

"Fine," she replied, "Step outside so I can change." She shooed him with a wave of her hand.

Zuko nodded, "We'll be waiting in my study." Once the door clicked shut, Toph tossed the robe aside and fell back into bed.

...

The morning was a cold one.

Zuko served everyone a hot cup of tea, then sat behind his desk. Aang stood near the open window. Sokka and Suki sat on the two chairs across from Zuko.

"She's not coming, is she?"

Sokka shook his head, "Not unless you would've stayed and dragged her here, no. Someone should go get her or we'll be waiting until lunchtime."

"Aang, would you-"

"Why can't Suki go?" Aang yelled before Zuko could finish with his question. He didn't want to see Toph in her barely clothed state again! Actually, he kinda, sorta did, but he knew he shouldn't want to! "I mean, Suki's a girl, you know? Like Toph's a girl, so there's nothing there she hasn't seen. I mean, Suki knows all about that and I don't want - I mean I do, but-"

"What are you talking about?" Sokka raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Zuko.

Aang was starting to blush. "I don't know," he said, pathetically, "What are you talking about?"

"I was going to ask you if you could close the window. It's kinda chilly," Zuko answered.

"Oh?" Aang let out a sigh of relief and ignored the Fire Lord's inquiring gaze. "Yeah, heh, I can do that."

Sokka grinned, a knowing smile growing out of it. "What were you talking about, Aang?"

"Me?" the Avatar scratched the back of his head, "I was...thinking, um, nothing?"

"When we went to wake Toph, she opened the door wearing only her wrappings," Zuko said matter-of-factly, as he looked over another scroll. He might as well get some work done while he waited for his youngest friend. Without giving it much thought, he added, "Oh, and then, Aang stuttered and ran away."

With a mortified expression on his face, the Avatar stared at the Fire Lord. He couldn't believe he just said that!

"Oh, really...?" Sokka asked and Aang tried not to blush under the mischievous look his friend was giving him. "Want to talk about it, Aang?"

The airbender's face was starting to match the crimson Fire Nation decor.

"It's not...it's just..." he scratched the back of his head again. "No, I don't."

Suki took pity on the young boy and stood. "Sokka's only teasing, Aang. And don't worry, Zuko, I'll go call Toph."

...

Knock, knock, knock.

"Go away!" Toph yelled. "Sheesh, what's wrong with everyone!"

"It's Suki, can I come in?"

"Come back later!"

"I can't really hear through the door," Suki lied smoothly, ignoring Toph's outburst. "But that sounded like 'yes' to me, so I'm coming in," she said and opened the door. Damn, Toph thought, she forgot to lock it after Sparky left. "Everyone's waiting for you in Zuko's study," Suki explained. "I can help you get ready if you like?"

"Don't need help," Toph mumbled, sitting up. Seems she wasn't going to be able to sleep anymore. "What time is it, anyway?" she asked, stretching in bed.

Suki smiled at the younger girl, who was basically sitting there in just her underwear. No wonder the poor monk was blushing.

"It's going to be nine soon."

"Ugh! It's so early!" Toph grumbled. She sat on the edge of the bed and scratched her armpit.

"Would it be okay with you if I picked out your clothes?" Suki asked, trying to be helpful.

"I don't need help."

"Oh, I know you don't," Suki admitted, "You've been in the Fire Nation for nearly a year all by yourself. I don't think I know anyone who's more self sufficient than you, but I would like to do it. Maybe it's because I miss the other Kyoshi Warriors...or maybe because I never had a little sister and I always wanted a little sister-

"Fine, fine! You can pick something."

"Thank you!" Suki dared to hug the younger girl.

Toph froze and tried not to shrugged her off.

"I really don't care what I wear," Toph offered, then sprawled lazily on the bed once more.

Suki smiled. "I'll pick something nice," she promised. She went from one side of the room to the other, opening and closing drawers and chests and armoires. "All you're outfits are beautiful!"

"I'll take your word for it."

Suki paused to look at Toph. "Is there anything you don't want to wear?"

"No dresses and we should be fine."

"Got it." More rustling, more opening and closing of things, and then Suki said, "There."

Toph walked over to the older girl and sat on the bench.

"So, what does Zuko want to talk to us about? He was all serious earlier."

"I don't know," Suki answered, helping with the small tunic, then the sash that went around Toph's waist. "You know, I hadn't really noticed before, but you're starting to grow, Toph."

"Am I taller?" For the first time since Suki walked in the room, Toph was smiling.

Suki shook her head. "Um, a little. Not a whole lot, but I meant you're becoming a young lady."

Toph slumped on the bench. "Oh, that. Yeah," she sighed.

Since Katara wasn't there, Suki felt it was her place to assist with girl stuff. "Is there anything you've been wondering about?"

There was.

"Nope."

"You sure? I mean, I know I'm not Katara, but you can ask me anything."

Toph did have one question, but she didn't want to ask Fangirl.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Okay," Suki relented with a sigh, but then added, "If you ever do, I'm here for you, you know that right? Because I know we're not the best of friends, but I hoped...that maybe after all the time we spent together..." the older girl trailed off.

Toph didn't like the sorrow laced with Suki's tone. It wasn't like it was a big deal! And it wasn't like she didn't like Suki...okay, maybe she hadn't at first. Where Katara had seemed like a sister and/or mom from early on, Suki was the girl who took Sokka away. Not that Toph had much of a chance with Snoozles or anything, but that's how it felt. Since Toph had even gotten over her little crush, maybe it was time to make an effort with the Kyoshi Warrior.

"You won't say anything?" Toph muttered and it sounded more like a threat than a question.

Suki beamed. "I promise. You can trust me."

Toph pointed to her chest, one breast and then the other. "What's the deal with these!"

...

Aang was sitting near the window again. An uneasy feeling worming its way into his thoughts. Not knowing why Zuko called them all together had to be bad. Since the end of the war, whenever he was asked to join a meeting with any one of the three nations' leaders, it was hardly ever good news. However, his mind was on other things, or rather one other thing.

He was embarrassed to admit it even to himself, but he kept thinking about Toph. And he felt like he shouldn't be thinking about her like he was. They were friends, after all. It's only that, she'd looked so...so different. Her hair wasn't the wild mess he remembered her waking up with. It was longer, falling like a silk curtain around her shoulders all the way down to her waist. Then, there were the wrappings she wore, which hardly covered anything. There was a small swell to her hips that hadn't been there before and up top... Aang blushed again.

The door to Zuko's study swung open and Toph stomped inside, followed closely by Suki.

"All right, I'm here! What's so important?"

Aang gulped when he saw her. What was she wearing? A small red tunic that showed off her midriff. Pants that hung low on her hips and a sash that showed off just how tiny her waist truly was. Sure, she had a vest over all that, but he really wasn't looking at that. Only her hair was the same as usual, the huge bun holding back most of her hair, while unruly bangs covered half of her pretty face. And, that surprised him, too. Toph was incredibly pretty. Why was he only noticing now?

"Nice outfit," Zuko said. She was finally making use of the wardrobe he'd provided. Good. Usually, she was always in one of her two outfits despite his protests.

Toph shrugged. "Suki picked it out. Which reminds me..." Toph punched her arm.

"Ow, Toph!" Suki yelled and rubbed the tender spot. "What was that for?"

Sokka smiled. "That means she likes you!"

"I received a letter," Zuko began because if he didn't someone was bound to say something that Toph didn't like, that someone would end up being thrown out the window or something equally as painful and it was simply too early in the morning for him to have to deal with anyone's potential injuries. "It was from the Earth King," he continued.

"What's happened?" Aang asked, sitting up straight and tearing his eyes from Toph.

Zuko held a hand up. "Nothing serious. He only wanted us to know that Katara was on her way here. She should be arriving in a few weeks."

"That's great!" Sokka said.

Zuko agreed, "It is."

"I didn't have to be here for that," Toph complained. "Twinkletoes could have told me when we had our rematch. I'm going back to bed."

"Hold on," Zuko stopped her. Toph didn't sit down again, but she waited by the door. "Apparently, Katara wanted to surprise you all, so I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"Ah," Toph understood, "So, you wanted to take us down with you. Gotcha."

"Not exactly."

"Okay, then what?"

"She's bringing a guest."

Sokka sat up in his chair, "Who's coming with her?"

Zuko looked at them, "I don't know. The Earth King doesn't specify, but I was hoping one of you might be able to give me some insight."

Toph shrugged. Sokka rubbed his chin in deep thought. Suki and Aang shook their heads.

"My dad? Gran-Gran? It could be anyone."

"That's what I thought too," Zuko admitted. "But since the Earth King found it important enough to mention...?" He was hoping maybe Katara had made plans with one of the others, but they seemed as confused as he was. "Very well," he said and everyone stood. "Oh, and there's one more thing."

Toph groaned impatiently and plopped down on Sokka's chair.

"Hey! I was sitting there!"

They all ignored Sokka's outburst.

"My geologists have been studying the island you two landed on. They informed me that no geological surveys have been conducted in that area for decades, what with most funds going towards the war and everything."

"And?" Toph flicked earwax that Sokka barely dodged.

"And, the island has no name. So, they thought it would be a good idea if you named the island since, in essence, you rediscovered it."

Aang glanced at Toph, then smiled. "That's pretty cool."

"It is," Sokka spoke up next. "What about 'Avatar Isle'?"

"I meant Toph and Aang, Sokka."

"Yeah," Toph exclaimed, "And what's with Avatar Isle, I was there, too."

"Okay," Sokka said, ignoring Zuko. "How about...Isle of Tophaang!"

Suki rolled her eyes. "Um, no."

"Try something else."

"That's the best you can come up with, Snoozles? I thought you were supposed to be the 'idea' guy?"

Sokka snapped his fingers. "I got it! Taang Island!"

Toph shrugged, already losing interest. Aang thought it sounded okay. Suki liked it. And, since no one opposed the name, Zuko declared it Taang Island.

"We done? 'Cause I got better things to do," Toph announced and walked out. The others walked out as well, leaving Zuko alone in his study. Once they were down the hallway, Toph grabbed Aang's arm and led him away from wherever Sokka and Suki were heading.

"All right, Twinkletoes, you gonna tell me what's going on or do I have to beat it outta you?"

He was silent, but she could sense his heart beating faster.

"What do you mean?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"Back there, in Sparky's office, you kept staring at me. Now, if Suki picked a stupid, girly outfit for me, you gotta tell me. I don't want to look like an idiot."

"You d-don't look like an idiot," he said, shaking his head. "You look...nice, actually." He was surprised he didn't stutter. Much.

"O-kay," that wasn't what she expected to hear. At all. Something made her want to hit him for saying so, but she figured if she gave it no importance, it had no importance and it didn't matter. Besides, she had been so sure she looked like a fool in whatever Suki put together. "So, what was it then?" She crossed her arms over her chest and waited. "Come on, I don't have all day."

After debating whether he should say something about how he saw her with so little on or about the thoughts that ran through his head when he did or that he thought she looked so pretty right now glaring at him, Aang decided he liked living so he should keep his mouth shut.

"Nothing, I just felt bad we woke you up so early. I know how much you like to sleep in." It was true enough and he hoped she'd be able to tell that much.

She narrowed her eyes having thought there was more to it, but she let it go since he was telling the truth about not wanting to wake her.

"Whatever, then. Hey, what do you say we have our rematch? I know we said after lunch, but since I'm up..."

"Sure," he said, then thought of something. "We can have it on our island. Taang Island," he said proudly.

"Don't tell me you're going to start calling it that?"

"Why not? That's its name. The Fire Lord said so."

"I can't believe that's the best Sokka could come up with."

Aang smiled at her. "I like it, actually."

Toph snorted, "Yeah, you would."