CHAPTER 10

A/N: Hello all! Last chapter was pretty jarring huh? I knooowww! Just a reminder that characters in this story are completely different from the OG. Things are a lot harsher in my story. These are teens/young adults who have witnessed death and destruction their entire lives and they've been trained to kill. They're fucked up to say the least haha. And the way I write Toph is kind of like the Earth Kingdom's Azula. She's unbelievably smart and fierce with the bending and fighting skills to back it up. Let me know in the comments if you guys want me to go deeper into Toph's story and how her relationship with King Bumi came to be! As always, thanks for reading :)

ZUKOS POV

Zuko woke the next morning to an empty bed. He had left the curtains open last night, therefore he could see clearly the morning sun just breaking over the horizon. His muscles ached from the battle the other night. He was sore, but it was the good kind of sore. He had missed the sweet ache of his body after a battle, which reminded him that he lived to fight another day. He stretched his limbs and pushed himself up and out of his bed. His thoughts traveled to his water bender. Although Zuko was quite satisfied with last night's outcome he still felt bad for Katara and her friend. It certainly wasn't the worst thing Zuko's ever had to participate in, but it does hit different when it's someone close to your inner circle. He knew that Katara was probably drowning in guilt right about now. He bathed and decided to head out for the day.

By the time he had eaten and attended to the hens it was still early morning. There was a heavy fog ghosting over the dirt packed road that Umi and Zuko rode. As he approached the Saelim estate Umi began huffing at the scorched smell permeating from the soot covered white walls. He figured that most of the servants had fled during last night's battle, therefore he tied his mare down and pushed open the gated front entrance without announcement. The grand front door was cracked open. Zuko stepped inside surveying the opulent two way stair case. It was dead silent, not a soul in sight. He walked further turning down a hallway lined with arched windows that filtered in the morning light. As he continued he smelled something savory cutting through the burnt odor coming from down the hall. He followed the smell eventually leading him to a door. Behind that door he could hear the faint sounds of skillets hitting each other and the shuffling of drawers. He pushed it open, greeted with the sight of Katara in one of Song's sage dresses cooking in the palace's kitchen. She looked up, not in the least bit surprised to see him. She looked exhausted, dark circles staining her under eyes. As she continued stirring a large pot Zuko came up behind her placing his large hands on her hips.

"Cooking for Song?" he asked, resting his lips on the top of her head.

"Yeah. She wouldn't eat last night"

"That's…understandable"

Katara sighed deeply, turning in his arms. He looked down at her and cupped her cheek, studying her forlorn face.

"After I put out all the fires last night she tried to make me leave. She said I helped kill her dad" she whispered, tears rimming her crystal eyes.

"I'm sorry…"

"I couldn't leave her here alone. She eventually came around and apologized….but….I know a part of her thinks it's true"

"It is true" Zuko said honestly. He loved Katara but he wasn't in the business of lying to her. This war was harsh, and sometimes they had to make hard decisions that hurt. Katara looked down and away, wiping a stray tear quickly.

"You and I both know how expensive the price of war can be" he continued. She looked back up at him, her expression hardening.

"We didn't have to kill him then and there! We could have sent him to the King"

"Katara you know the punishment for high treason" he followed up. She shut her lips tightly, knowing full well that Toph may have been merciful in her swift ending of Mr. Saelim's life. King Bumi was known to have some eccentric ways of punishing people, and this operation had to have angered him deeply. There was no telling what kind of fate Song's dad would have been met with, had they sent him to Bumi's doorstep instead. She let out a short puff of air, turning back around to continue stirring. He kissed her temple lightly before moving away from her.

"All you can do now is be there for her" he tried to assure her. Zuko could admit that he wasn't the greatest at comforting people. He preferred showing people through his actions how much he cared, but he supposed he'd try for her. She rolled her eyes while ladling some stew into a bowl.

"Easy for you to say" she grumbled.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Song is my friend, and we just murdered her father right in front of her! You won't have to deal with the emotional aftermath that will take place…"

"It wasn't murder, it was justice"

"Whatever! Either way he's dead. And our hands are the one's stained red" she yelled, pointing to herself.

"Why are you acting like this isn't war Katara?"

Katara's face flushed deeply, her frustration showing in the way the hot liquid in the bowl was beginning to freeze over.

"Why are you acting so cold and heartless?" she countered. Zuko looked down at her trembling hands not sure what to say. He knew that just like him, she had killed before. No one born into this war could leave it with clean hands, especially soldiers like them. They each had an essential role in how all of this would play out. From soldiers, to diplomates, to team Avatar they were too deep in to be afraid now.

"Do you not want to fight anymore? Is that what this is about?" he inquired, his brows furrowing together in concern. She turned away from him, holding her right arm hugging herself.

"No…it's just…"

"We've all had to do things we're not proud of Kat. This war has taken everything we've ever known away from us. We made a vow we'd do whatever it takes to stop it, so that the kids in the future won't have to see the things that we've seen" he reminded her.

"I know…I know…but don't you ever just want peace?" she asked. Her head was down and she was gripping the edge of the counter, her knuckles gone white. Zuko stepped around the island placing his hand on her shoulder.

"The closest I've ever been to peace has been these few months with you" he whispered, kissing the side of her cheek. She sighed, leaning back into his chest.

"Me too"

"I'll do anything to have it again, and maybe we can have it…but it'll never be possible if we don't put an end to my father's rein"

"I know Zu…I'm just..tired. I'm tired of fighting…killing…living in fear" he could hear the tears in the way her voice cracked.

"Promise me you'll keep fighting Kat. Promise me"

She turned in his arms, clutching the front of his tunic tightly in her small hands. She was still looking down avoiding all eye contact with him. He placed his thumb beneath her chin, tilting her face up to look at him.

"Promise me Katara"

"I…I promise" she sighed, tears streaming down her face. He reached behind her and lifted the frozen bowl of stew heating it with his hands.
"Take this to your friend. She's going to need all the strength she can get"

Katara silently nodded her head taking the bowl and walking towards the door.

"She's lucky to have a friend like you" he added as she passed through the door. Katara didn't respond as she closed the door behind her, leaving Zuko in silence.

KATARAS POV

"Song?" Katara called softly as she knocked on the large mahogany door. When she received no answer she pushed it open. Song's room was swallowed in darkness, the thick curtains leading to her terrace shut tightly blocking all sunlight. In the middle of the room stood her four poster bed, the covers drawn over her entire body. Katara could see her shallow breathing lifting the olive sheets up and down. She let out a deep sigh walking to her night stand and setting the bowl of stew down.

"Song I brought you some food" she tried again "you need to eat"

Katara was met with silence. She sat beside Song on the bed, opting to wait her out. Several moments passed before any sound was made.

"My dad…he wasn't all bad you know"

Katara's heart lurched out of her chest at Song's sudden vocalization. She turned to look at her, only to find that Song was still lying with her back to her. Her voice no longer had that sad teary tone that she'd had the night before and that morning. Her tone was harsh now….like steel.

"He was the best dad any girl could have asked for. After my mom died he-he didn't shut down. He picked up right where she had left off. He showered me with love and attention…gave me anything I ever asked for. And now he's gone…just like that" she finally sat up and turned towards Katara. Her eyes were red brimmed and swollen, her tanned cheeks taking on a pale color. Her long dark locks were a tangled mess atop her head, and yet she still looked beautiful even in the midst of her grief.

"I'm sorry Song…" Katara realized how lame her response was, yet she didn't have the words to express her guilt "I wish things had gone differently"

"Before he was killed, he said everything he's done was for me"

"I'm sure he believed that…" Katara offered.

"What if someone made him do it? What if he was being threatened?" she asked hopefully. Katara really didn't want to go down this rabbit hole with her friend. This topic was a slippery slope that could end horribly. She understood Song's hesitance in believing her father was working so closely with the Fire Lord, but if she entertained this line of thinking it would undermine Toph's decision.

"Song…honey I understand how hard all of this must be to take in, but you didn't hear the things your father was saying in that meeting. I don't think anyone put him up to this"

"But he isn't like that Katara! You don't know him! None of you do!" she yelled.

"Song why don't you eat first then we can talk about th-"

"No!" she screamed grabbing the bowl from the nightstand and throwing it against the wall. It shattered against her vanity mirror making an earsplitting crash.

"Song please calm down!" Katara yelled with her hands out as if placating a scared animal.

"Go to hell Katara! How can you call me a friend and do something so terrible to me?" she was crying now, the rage inside of her spilling over the brim of her sadness.

"I-I didn't know the night would end like that" she tried.

"You knew they were coming for my family! You didn't even try to warn me"

Katara stammered for an answer. What she was saying was true. Katara had wanted to warn her, but Toph would have none of it.

"It was out of my control…" she said quietly.

"What did you have control of then?" Song seethed. Katara was at a loss for words. She had never seen Song like this before. The usual kind hearted and soft spoken girl she knew was no where to be found. Just then they heard the door swing open, both girls pivoting to see the intruder. It was Zuko walking in with a spiritless look on his face.

"I heard a crash" he said flatly.

"Get out!" Song hissed. If she were a fire bender there'd be smoke coming out of her ears. Zuko assessed her quietly before stepping directly in front of Song. He towered over her, narrowing his eyes.

"If you want to know the truth about your traitorous father maybe you should come back to the Jasmine Dragon with us. I'm sure the spy regimen would be happy to show you all of the incriminating documents leading up to his demise" he told her flatly. Song's breathing became heavy as she glared up at him.

"Fine" she answered tightly.

"Fine what?" Katara asked from behind, her eyes darting nervously between the both of them.

"I'll come with you guys. I want to see"

Katara let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"Wonderful, let's go. Song you'll need your own horse" he lamented.

. . .

"What makes you think we can give randoms access to confidential war documents?" Toph asked with her hands folded over the top of her desk.

"Toph come on, she isn't random" Katara reasoned. The three of them were standing in Toph's office across from her desk. Katara looked to Song, who wore the deadliest glare directed at Toph. It was a good thing she couldn't see Katara thought.

"I just want to know the truth" Song said.

Toph stood from her desk and came around to the front to face them.

"And who's to say you won't use this information to continue your daddy's little dealings with the Fire Lord?"

"She would neve-" Toph interrupted her by putting her hand up.

"I want to hear from her"

Song was trembling now, her fists balled tightly at her sides.

"I have nothing left. With my father gone now I have no family. I just want to know the truth. You don't have to worry about me after this. I just want to have peace of mind."

Toph nodded her head.

"She's telling the truth" she announced as she made her way back behind her desk. She opened a drawer retrieving a file and tossing it onto her desk in front of them.

"Everything you need to know will be in there. Proceed with caution" she said. She raised an earth chair for Song to sit, and signaled for Katara and Zuko to leave. The three of them left the office and Toph closed Song inside leaving her to read alone.

"Do you have to be such an asshole?" Katara berated once they were in the hallway.

"It's kind of my job" Toph shrugged. Katara rolled her eyes looking to Zuko for some back up. He sighed deeply.

"You could stand to be a little nicer to the girl" he said.
"Where would nice get her? What she needs is the truth which is why she came here. Once she reads what's in those files, and the horrible things her dad has done she'll understand why I had to do what I did"

"Everything isn't so black and white Toph, for the love of Tui and La why can't you understand that?"

"Some things are black and white Sugar Queen, he was a war criminal and I eliminated him. You wouldn't be saying this if you knew he was responsible for that bombing in Ye would you?"

"What?" Zuko asked in shock. Katara was too caught off guard to even react.

"It was revealed in his correspondences with Ozai, Mr. Saelim gave the fire nation the exact coordinates of where those soldiers were going to be. He even knew that innocent civilians would get caught in the cross fire. And he went ahead with it anyway."

Katara's head was swimming. She couldn't imagine how Song would react to that information. Her first instinct was to go and comfort her. She turned to make her way to the office door.

"You can't protect her from the truth Katara" Toph called. She stopped dead in her tracks, not even turning to face her.

"But I can help her get through it. Open the door Toph". Katara was surprised that she actually listened. She stepped through and the door quickly shut behind her. Song was still seated in the chair, her back to the door. Her shoulders were shaking, and her small hands gripped the stack of papers. Katara could see the tear droplets that stained the pages. Wordlessly she walked up behind her, engulfing her shoulders in a tight hug.

"How could he do this?" Song cried, breaking down completely in Katara's arms. She gave no answer, the only thing she could provide was her warm embrace.

. . .

After Katara had taken Song back to her estate, she decided to give her some space. She had found Suki in the stables of the Jasmine Dragon right before they'd left and agreed to meet her for dinner for some much needed catching up. Katara was now on her mare headed to the outskirts of Chao to a noodle shop that Zuko was always raving about. Once she arrived to the quaint restaurant she found Suki already there seated at a small booth sipping some hot tea.

"Katara! Over here!" she waved her over to the table. She sat down with a smile, feeling an overwhelming sense of calm wash over her. Aside from Zuko she hadn't seen Team Avatar in months, and having Suki around made her feel even more at home.

"Have you ever been to this place before?" she questioned as she squinted to survey the menu under the low candle light.

"No, but Zuko raves about it all the time" she smiled. Suki's eyes darted up from the menu and she smirked widely.

"Speaking of Zuko…we have some major catching up to do!"

"Where do I even begin?" Katara sighed. They were about an hour, two appetizers, and two drinks into their dinner and their table was filled with the raucous laughter of two old friends reuniting again.

"You did WHAT?" Suki screeched, nearly spitting out her sake.

"I sucker punched her with an ice fist!" Katara giggled, the effects of her drink making her feel giddy and alight with mirth.

"That bitch surly had it coming, pushing up on Zuko like that right in front of you!"

"I'll say"

"Where is that broody fire bender anyway?" Suki asked as she called the waiter over for another round.

"Back at the Jasmine Dragon with Toph doing La knows what" she rolled her eyes. Ever sense Toph had found them again it was like Zuko had readjusted his focus back to the war. She'd known that this was always important to him, but she wasn't expecting him to become so vigilant all of a sudden. She had gotten accustomed to the easy going Zuko, and had even grown to love this new side of him.

"You don't sound so happy about that" Suki said raising her brow. She sighed picking up her menu and looking over the different variety of noodles.

"It's just that…Toph fuels a side of him that I don't exactly miss" she admitted.

"What do you mean by that?"

She put her menu down and took a long sip of her water.

"There's two sides of Zuko, there's soldier Zuko who we all know, then there's the simple life Zuko who I've grown to love. He has such a gentle side to him, that isn't consumed with overthrowing his father and restoring his honor. But now I'm afraid that he'll enlist as a soldier again and put himself in danger"

Suki nodded her head in understanding.

"Are you afraid he'll be in danger or are you really afraid he'll leave you?"

This question knocked Katara off her square, causing her to flush deeply.

"Well…I-"

"Listen Katara, we've all known that Zuko's been blazing a path for his destiny well before he joined Team Avatar. As a member of the royal family he has an inherent obligation and this war is a part of his identity"

"But it doesn't have to be!" she argued "He's allowed to want something else…something more"

"What would that look like for him Katara? Is he supposed to just abandon his duty as the prince of his nation?"

Katara looked down at the table embarrassed at how ridiculous she must sound. She didn't know how to explain to Suki how happy they were here in Chao. But no matter how she put it, it would always sound selfish.

"I understand wanting to put yourself and the ones you love first, but we have a duty as Team Avatar and soldiers to this war. The best we can do is fight so that we may know peace once this is all over"

Katara nodded her head in defeat.

"You're right Suki…and deep down I know that. But a part of me just wants to hold on a little longer. And another part of me is so afraid that I'll never have this feeling again"

"Who's to say you can't?" she asked giving Katara a gentle gaze and reaching across the table to grasp her hand.

"Who's to say it's even possible?" Katara countered, "We all know Uncle doesn't want to rule. Who will usurp the throne once Ozai is gone?"

"It will…have to be Zuko"

"And there goes my happiness" she sighed leaning back into the booth with a huff. Katara had never allowed her mind to even go this far into the future until now. She knew the Fire Nation would never accept a foreigner as their Queen, and it wasn't something she even wanted to ask of him. It would cause too much civil unrest, especially coming off of the coat tails of a 100 year war. Besides, Zuko had never even said that he'd wanted to pursue that with her.

"Don't be so pessimistic! You never know what the future holds. But what you do know now is that Zuko loves you, and he always has"

"Are you ladies ready to order?" their waitress approached them with a smile.

"Yes, I'll have the Chili noodles please"

ZUKOS POV

"We've discovered an entry point towards the Eastern part of the wall where an Earth Kingdom governor resides. If we ambush his guards tonight during the skeleton shift we should be able to gather all the information we need" Toph explained as she pointed to the wall on her map, materializing a tiny Estate out of Earth.

"What are the entry points?" Zuko asked as he surveyed the estate. They were dressed in the same spy gear as before when they attacked the Saelim estate with the squad, but this time it was just the two of them.

"There are three, here, here, and here" she pointed to each, one in the front back and side of the large mansion "Each one is has two guards. Should be easy work for you and I"

Zuko nodded his head in agreement as he sharpened his dual swords on Toph's wet stone.

"Where do you expect to find the information? And do you know if the governor will be home tonight?"

"My sources say he'll be at a play with one of his mistresses tonight, and his wife and children are currently on vacation, so it's now or never. I suspect most of the files will be hidden in his office which is in the west wing here"

"Great, let's head out"

They were as swift and stealth as a puma lion in the dead of night, opting for one of the spy headquarter's black stags for optimal camouflage. Zuko steered the beast at top speed while Toph held onto his back tightly. He knew she felt uneasy being this high off of the ground so he allowed her to hold him tightly even though it was cutting off some of his air flow.

"We're almost there" he whispered lowly.

When they arrived at the gates he dismounted, hoisting Toph into his arms and onto the ground beside him. As soon as her feet hit the ground he could see her eyes come alight with vision.

"The main entrance is there" she hissed "there's actually three guards"

Zuko squinted in that direction, just making out between the trees three figures walking back and forth.

"Flank me" he whispered. He moved in swiftly, unsheathing the swords at his back. The first guard had no time to even register what was going on before his head was severed from his body. The blood splattered across the face of the second guard and he stood in shock and horror before being kicked in the chest, the sickening crunch of his rib cage enough to alert the other guard who's back was to them.

"Hey!" he yelled turning around and registering his two dead comrades. He tried assumed a bending stance but the ground slid from under him, causing him to topple over on his side. Toph send a pillar of Earth into his temple effectively cracking his skull upon impact.

"Did you hear that?" they heard a guard question from far off on the other side of the house.

"I'll take care of the others, you go inside and search for the info" Toph ordered. He nodded silently pushing the back door open. Zuko knew she was more than capable of holding her own. Inside the home was dark, not a single fire was lit. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he could see how opulent the space was, nothing less than he would expect from a governor of the Kingdom. He sheathed his bloody swords, the metal sounding sharp against the silence of the empty house. He walked swiftly through the house following the mental map of the mansion in his head. He passed two rooms he assumed were children's rooms before reaching the end of the hall where the study should be. He pushed the door only to find it locked.

"Fuck" he lamented wiggling the handle against the resistance. Just then he heard footsteps coming down the hall behind him.

"Hey! You! What are you doing?" shouted a guard as he sent three large stones hurtling towards his head. Zuko ducked easily, running towards his attacker head on. He knew that earth benders tended to be grounded and breaking his stance would be an easy win. He dropped down just before reaching him, kicking the mans feet out from under him. This guard proved a little more proficient than the others as he didn't stay on the ground long enough for Zuko to land the final blow. Instead he used the earth beneath him to pop himself back up sending an earth fist at Zuko's chest. He barely dodged it, pivoting to the side and unsheathing a single sword. He didn't like using his bending in such close quarters, as the fire could catch quickly especially in houses made of earth. Instead Zuko grabbed the mans shoulder with his free hand and brought a knee to his groin sending the man to his knees with a groan. Stepping behind him he rested the sword at the back of his neck and gripped his collar to hold him in place.

"Who the fuck are you?" the man spat. Zuko answered in silence pressing the blade flush against the mans skin, drawing blood. "Tell me!"

"How about I make the demands here. Open this fucking door and maybe I won't cut your ugly head off"

The man was shaking in terror.

"Fine…just, let me up man"

Zuko gripped his collar tighter pulling him up but keeping his blade pressed to his neck. They walked to the door together, the man pulling out a key from his pocket.

"No sudden movements" he warned. He unlocked the door slowly then put his hands up in the air in surrender.

"Smart man" he smiled hitting the man in his temple suddenly with the hilt of his sword, knocking him out cold. Just then he heard a loud crash outside and a man screaming. He figured it was Toph raining hell on the men outside. Walking into the room he immediately went to the governor's desk searching for any fire nation seals he could find. He had been ripping the mans desk apart for about five minutes before Toph came into the room looking like she'd barely broken a sweat.

"Find anything?"

"Not yet, I'm starting to think we might have the wrong-" he paused, suddenly in his field of vision he saw a wooden box sitting at the bottom of the drawer "guy…".

Picking it up he surveyed the box, painted with gold dragons; his family insignia. He smashed the box against the ground splintering the wood and releasing all the papers inside.

"Jackpot" Toph smirked. He made quick work gathering the documents from the ground. They swiftly left the estate and stole off into the night, headed back to the headquarters at lightning speed.

. . .

"What do we do with this information?" Zuko asked. He was raking his fingers through his hair, gripping the roots; a habit he had when he was stressed.

"We take it to the King" she decided.

"He'll want us to go to Caldera"

"Good"

"No not good. I'm not ready to face my father"

"You don't have to just yet. We still have time. Six months to be exact"

"You're such a little shit" he growled. She laughed whole heartedly enjoying their banter. But Zuko was being serious. They didn't have a solid enough plan, and Aang was still nowhere to be found. Now that they possessed the exact location of the bomb factory his father had built he was sure that King Bumi would make them go destroy it as soon as possible.

"Look at the bright side Sparky, we get to join the army again!" he frowned and looked away "don't tell me you've lost your spark" she chided.

"Katara won't like this…" he said softly.

"Oh horse shit! Sugar Queen doesn't like anything"

"Back off Toph"

"You gonna let her fears control what you know you have to do?"

"No, but the way she feels is important to me! I-I care for her" he admitted. He never liked showing this vulnerable side of himself, especially to Toph of all people. Out of all of his friends their bond was built off of their mutual toughness and tenacity, but certainly not emotions. Her face twisted in disgust.
"Gross."

"Toph…please be serious for once" he begged pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Fine. I get it. But what are you going to do when you usurp the throne? Keep her as a concubine?"

"What? Of course not!" he yelled in offense.

"Get real Sparky. We're counting on you to be Fire Lord, you need to start thinking about these things".

He looked down and away. He didn't know why he was shielding his face from a blind girl but he felt the embarrassment all the same. He hadn't thought this far in the future, and maybe that was unfair to Katara. The truth was he wanted nothing else but to spend the rest of his life with her, but what he knew was his destiny stood directly in the way of that. There was no way he could be Fire Lord and have Katara by his side…at least in a dignified way. He had been so wrapped up in the life he had created, that he hadn't stopped to think about the life he was bound to exist in if all things went as planned. He would inevitably have to choose duty over his own happiness….over Katara's happiness.

"C'mon Sparky, lets go get a drink, I'm sensing you need one. First round of shots is on me"

He didn't even question what kind of bar would let a fifteen year old in. He just followed behind her silently, because she was absolutely right. He did indeed need a drink.

END CHAPTER 10