Ch 12- Changes, Part I

Two seasons turned to three and there was no sign of her friends yet. But Toph was okay with it because the Peace Treaty was important, or so Sparky kept saying. What she wasn't okay with, however, was the small, but noticeable growth spurt she went through during that time. She may have only grown an inch or two in height, but the greatest changes happened in ways she didn't approve of.

Not again! Body, stop it already!

Her body was different now and Toph did not like it. She had these mounds of flesh protruding from her chest. It was bad enough when she had asked Suki about them, but now the problem was worse. It didn't matter how tight she tried to wrap her bindings around herself, they were still noticeable. Then, her hips were not as lean as they used to be, but worst of all, there were a few days every month when no one dared cross her path for fear of dismemberment or beheading.

Her body had altered so much, she couldn't even wear her old clothing comfortably enough anymore. Much to the Fire Lord's chagrin and embarrassment — and Toph's utter enjoyment — she had continued to wear only one of the two outfits she brought with her (her Blind Bandit one and what she came to think of as The Runaway one). However, she did make a rare exception for Iroh's birthday when she wore the outfit Suki had picked for her that one time, but otherwise, Toph couldn't care less. It was getting ridiculous according to Sparky. So much so that on more than one occasion, he had the servants try to sneak a new outfit past her, but Toph instantly recognized the different material. It was stiff where hers was malleable. And the new clothing was missing the holes that gave her clothes so much character - or she imagined they did (they were badges of honor in any case). But all that didn't matter with the way her body had betrayed her, so Toph had to ask Zuko for a favor.

"Are you…joking?" he asked without bothering to look at her, instead glancing over the first of many documents that required his attention. "Because I am not having the Royal tailors make you an ensemble only so you can rip it to shreds and threaten their life like last time."

"I wish I was joking," she replied. The hint of misery in her voice let him know she was actually being serious. "Sweetness, would have loved to dress me up, but…"

"It's not a problem," he said trying to sound comforting. He knew she had to miss the others, though she rarely said it. It had been a very long time since they had seen their friends. He had suggested she meet up with them in the Earth Kingdom, but she seemed to take that as a direct insult upon her person and her ability to do things for herself, so he didn't bother bringing it up again. Besides, she would only argue that someone needed to watch his back and Mai didn't count because she was more focused on his front - a sly comment that never failed to make the Fire Lord blush.

Zuko gaze lingered on the small girl sitting across from him. He and Toph had not been particularly close when she first joined him, but he felt he owed her and not just for burning her feet. Actually, he felt he owed them all for something or other (for all those months chasing them, for destroying hometowns, it was a lot of things really). Anyway, since returning with him - and staying when the others left - he and Toph had spent a lot of time together. For two people who didn't talk a lot, they sure ended up talking a lot. It could have been that circumstances threw them together, it could have been that surprisingly they got along rather well. Whatever it was, they both let their guard down every so slightly. Zuko learned that Toph missed her parents more than she led on and that her loyalty to her friends was only matched by her fierce denial of its existence. Toph came to learn that he had trouble seeing clearly out of his left eye and the history behind his scar (something she'd wondered about since that little boy on Ember Island had accused Zuko of having it on the wrong side).

More often than not, Toph tried to get Zuko to have fun, to laugh, and as strange as it sounded, to play. He attributed that last one to her young age. It was easy to like Toph. It was also easy to dislike her. She was rude and rough and didn't care at all that he was the Fire Lord. She'd yell at him and threaten him when he needed some sense knocked into his 'lava for brains,' as she called him. And though he'd never tell her - like she needed something else to gloat about - it was nice having someone around that wasn't in awe of his title.

"Have any green lying around?"

Zuko made a face. "Green? No offense, but why would it matter?"

Toph shrugged, "True, I have no idea what it looks like, but I remember Katara saying the clothes I wore when I first joined them were various shades of green and yellow." Sugar Queen had also said she looked good in green, but she left that bit out.

"You're not getting sentimental on me now, are you?" he asked.

She could hear the humor in his voice and smirked at him. "Nah, it's too much of a hassle."

"I can send for some from the Earth Kingdom, but in the meantime it's most likely going to be red and black. Maybe gold," he replied. Then quickly added as an explanation, "They're the official colors of the Fire Nation."

Toph shrugged one shoulder not really caring one way or the other, she'd only been vaguely interested in her clothes being her nation's colors anyway.

"There might be some orange," he added absently.

"Orange?" she yawned. Man, she was tired. Must be close to naptime.

"Well," Zuko took a moment trying to figure out how to explain color to a blind person, but took an easier approach, "It's one of the colors of the Air Nomads."

Toph raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, sure," she shrugged, pretending she didn't care. Since she supposedly looked nice in green, Toph couldn't help wonder how she looked in his nation's colors.

Zuko wondered what that little smile that crossed Toph's lips was for but didn't ask. He really was busy and had no time to try and pry it out of her.

"Great, now that this very important matter is taken care of," Toph could hear the sarcasm in his voice as he stood up, "I have a meeting with the council. And, then the Fire Sages after that."

"Don't tell me those Sages want to marry you off again?"

"I don't know," he groaned, "Probably."

"Well, good luck with that," she said then walked around the desk to punch his arm as thanks for the new clothes before she left to take her nap.

...

"Aang?"

"Huh?"

He was trying to finish up his letter for Zuko and a shorter one for Toph. He knew Toph couldn't read, but he couldn't help sending her one, too. When he wrote to one Sifu, he always wrote to the other. It just made sense to him.

"Aang, are you even listening?" Katara asked, slightly irritated.

"Yes," he looked up, "I've been paying attention, I just wanted to finish with these." He scribbled something quick before looking up at her. "Bumi wants to leave for Omashu already, which you're okay with, but what's really on your mind is that you don't know if you should go on that date or not."

Even a few weeks ago, the conversation would have been an uncomfortable one for both Katara and Aang. For her, because she would never want to make Aang feel bad, especially since she had been unable to return his affection, by talking about someone she might or might not be interested in in front of him. For his part, because it involved Katara and another guy, but now it was just plain uncomfortable for an entirely different reason: he had no experience on which to draw any helpful advice from.

"I don't know," Aang replied honestly. "If you like him, I say you go on this date. What's the worst that could happen, right?" He sounded hopeful and Katara let that influence her. She couldn't help feel a little hopeful, too.

It just happened so suddenly that Katara had been unprepared. She had been entirely focused on getting both Bumi and Kuei to agree to the Peace Treaty - which they finally did! Thank the Spirits! - so she hadn't had time to think about anything else and then, out of the blue, Haru asked her out. Her initial reaction was no. She couldn't help it. Even though she was a teenager, with all her responsibilities, boys were not high on her list of priorities.

"I'll think about it," she had replied to spare Haru's feelings, but the sweet earthbender had smiled like he had won a prize of some sort.

Katara reasoned that since she was an Ambassador for her people, helped end the war, was sixteen, and currently living in the Earth Kingdom, where dating was vastly different from courting (which was meant to end in marriage), it would be okay. Plus, Haru was cute - Katara had thought so since since they first met, but it had never gone beyond that.

That's when a thought struck the waterbender. She had never been on a date. Sure having had Aang like her was flattering for a second, but he was so young. And though she'd really liked Jet...nothing could come of it now. Besides, she'd always been far too busy helping save the world.

"I think I'll say yes," Katara said out loud. Aang smiled at her and she was glad she had him to talk to. Suki would have been preferable, but she was in Kyoshi with the other Warriors. Katara would have even taken Toph to discuss such matters, though the younger girl would have found numerous ways to tease her about it. Aang turned out to be a good listener, so really she couldn't complain.

"I'm sure you'll have a great time," he nodded, then stood. "I'm going to find a messenger hawk for these," he said, heading for the door, then paused. "Do you have anything you want to send out?"

"Oh yeah, I do," she replied, looking for her letters among the pile of scrolls on her desk. She'd written home, to Suki, and Zuko. Katara never thought she'd be writing to the Fire Lord, but life had a funny way of turning things around. She found the letters and gave them to the airbender waiting anxiously by the door.

"Hey, Aang?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for listening."

He returned her smile. "No problem. That's what friends are for."

...

The sun had set in the Fire Nation when Toph joined Zuko in his study per his request. She liked his study though. It had some of the most comfortable chairs in the whole Palace. It was located on the third floor, which allowed a cool breeze to dance in through the open windows at nearly any hour of the day. And when she placed her feet on the warm floor, she could feel everything going on below them all the way to the courtyard and everything on the two levels above them. Plus, no one bothered them there. Any other place in the Palace had people barging in at all hours of the day. It was very annoying.

When she walked into the study, Zuko was craning his neck to the right obviously sore from the previous night's fight.

"Katara wrote," he said.

"Again?" Toph asked slumping into a comfy chair. As usual she threw one leg over the armrest, but kept the other foot flat against the floor.

"Yes, again," Zuko replied, but it didn't sound like he was complaining. "Aang wrote as well."

"Got anything new to tell?"

"Not much. The Peace Treaty is pretty much a done deal. Aang and Katara were finally able to leave Ba Sing Se after so long and are in Omashu with King Bumi. They're working to get many other issues resolved there and plan to fly here as soon as they're finished. Aang wanted to make certain I told you they missed you."

Toph grinned at him, ignoring the sudden fluttering in her chest.

"Who wouldn't miss me?" she smirked. "When I leave this place, you'll be so bent outta shape, you won't be able to get outta bed for at least a week."

Zuko chuckled, "I'm sure I'll survive."

There was a hesitant knock at the door. Here, we go again, he thought. Something else that required his attention. He'd been so busy lately, he hardly had time to see even Mai. Zuko cleared his throat and his expression returned to his usual stoic one. "Enter," he ordered, his voice level.

It was a servant bringing the Fire Lord his evening tea and once he was gone, Zuko relaxed noticeably. He poured Toph a cup, then one for himself.

"Should I write back to Aang saying you miss him, too?" Zuko teased. He found it much easier to joke around with the small earthbender than anyone else. As a matter of fact, the only time he didn't take certain things so seriously was when she was around.

"And lie to the poor kid?" Toph tsked and shook her head.

Zuko looked up at her surprised by the reply. "You don't miss him at all?"

"Hmm," she pretended to think. "About as much as I miss Appa and Momo, I guess," she shrugged, hoping he bought it.

"Ouch," he laughed.

She didn't laugh, instead choosing to hide her true feelings behind her trademark smirk. Let's see how he likes it, she thought.

"Did Sugar Queen say she missed you?"

Those strange vibrations Sparky gave off whenever Katara's name had been mentioned ever since her short stay in the Fire Nation reached Toph from across the desk.

"What? No!" came his too quick reply.

"Oh," Toph sipped her tea calmly. "I guess Katara only said so in the letter she wrote me."

He shifted in his chair. It took him a moment, but then he muttered, "Ha, ha. Very funny."

Toph let out a little laugh, he was just too easy.

Zuko ignored her self-satisfied smile and pretended to enjoy his tea.

...

"But isn't His Majesty engaged to Lady Mai?"

"Well, I don't know about that. It hasn't been made official, you know, but Miss Toph spends more time with Fire Lord Zuko than anyone else in the entire Palace."

"They are together often."

"Did you hear that she was with him in his study just this evening. Again."

"You don't think…?"

"I wouldn't doubt it. Miss Toph has blossomed into a very attractive young lady."

"She is very pretty."

"And, very rich. It would be quite a beneficial alliance for both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom."

"Do you think they get on rather well?"

"Of course! Why else would they spend so much time together?"

...

"Toph! Stop acting like a child! I have things to do! I'm speaking with the nobles today."

"Then, go!" Toph yelled. "I don't need you here!"

Zuko was about ready to pull his hair out. "You called me here!" he yelled at her through the door.

"Fine!" Toph growled as she stomped across the floor. "But laugh and die! Got it?"

He rolled his eyes.

Toph yanked the door open and stepped out into the hallway. Zuko actually took a step back to appreciate her more fully.

"You look good," he said meaning it. "It's about time you dressed like a lady and not some kind of savage."

But she wasn't buying it. He would have said anything to get her out of her old, comfy clothes. She missed her old clothes…

"It's too tight," Toph argued, trying to pull the waist loose unsuccessfully. "Look," she ran her hands over her waist and chest, "This. Is. Too. Tight!"

Any other male might have blushed by the way Toph ran her hands over certain parts of her body — the tailor did, as did his assistant — but Zuko remained unfazed. He'd seen Toph pick her nose, heard her break wind, and had been forced to dodge balls of ear wax she flicked at him. He couldn't see her as anything other than the slightly disgusting baby sister he never had.

"Come with me," he said, "There's someone I think you'll be happy is here."

Toph forgot all about the dress and her face lit up. "Who? Who's here?"

She hoped for one person in particular. To beat him up, of course. But maybe it was Sugar Queen. Toph wondered if either of them had grown. Maybe she'd be taller than Twinkles now. She liked the idea of hovering over him. Maybe it was Snoozles? Fangirl?

Toph walked alongside Zuko until they reached the large lobby near the entryway. She recognized him instantly and though it wasn't anyone she expected, she was happy nonetheless.

"Iroh!" she yelled as she ran to hug him. He'd been gone from the palace nearly two months opening up a second Jasmine Dragon. Only this one, on Ember Island. From what Toph heard, it was already the most popular tea house around.

"Toph!" he smiled, "You are looking very well."

"Uncle," Zuko bowed his head as he walked towards them at a more leisurely pace.

"Fire Lord," Iroh bowed in return.

"Just call me nephew, Uncle."

"Just hug your uncle, you silly nephew! Geez!" Toph joined in and pushed the Fire Lord towards her old friend.

Zuko tried to keep his composure despite being shoved forward and stumbling for a second over his robes. "I'm happy to see you, Uncle. I do have a few meetings today, but I'd be honored if you joined me for dinner."

"Of course. Nothing would give me greater pleasure."

"What's with the being so proper?" Toph shook her head. "Just get to work, Sparky. Me and the Dragon of the West have some catching up to do. See ya at dinner time."

The Fire Lord walked away and smiled to himself when he thought no one else was looking. It was good to have his uncle home again.

"So tell me, Miss Toph," Iroh began leading her out into the courtyard. "What have you been up to?"

...

Sokka was ready. He'd been ready for some time now. He loved Suki and he wanted to be with her always. For that reason, he traveled from the Southern Water Tribe to Kyoshi Island in record time.

Oh yeah, he was ready!

Actually, he'd felt ready since the end of the war, but he'd wanted his once simple and humble home ready to welcome people from the other nations and, truth be told, awe them into silence so that Suki could be as proud to live there as he was. Thus, he designed a beautiful, functional, and modern Water Tribe city (borrowing ideas from the Northern Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, and even the Fire Nation, though he was reluctant to admit that last bit). With the help of his dad and both Southern and Northern Water Tribe men, they dug deep and built high and finally, a year and eight months later, completed their task. There were bridges and rivers and actual buildings (not just tiny tents). Small reflecting pools and fountains (that froze most days) were situated where they could be appreciated most. When Sokka stood back to admire what they had done, he knew the place had come a long way and he was more proud than ever.

"Water Tribe..." he had whispered, with a grin.

But all that confidence seemed to have vanished the minute he set foot on Kyoshi Island. Man, why was he sweating so much? He even felt a little dizzy and like he was going to be sick. No, he had to keep it together! He didn't want anything to ruin the moment, especially not himself, so he took a few deep breathes. Then, a couple more. And then, three more for good measure. But it didn't help. He felt like he had before the Day of Black Sun when it was up to him to rally the troops, but instead he froze and started talking about Haru's mustache, of all things! For a second he wondered what had become of Haru? Something to think about later. Anyway, his father, Chief Hakoda, had to step in for Sokka. That had been both embarrassing and a disappointment. He'd never felt more like a failure. And it was happening again!

Oh, man, he was going to mess it up! And then Suki wouldn't say yes when he proposed!

Sokka started pacing back and forth. When he heard someone at the door, he froze.

All right, this is it.

The door slid open and Sokka held his breath.