"Thank you. Come back soon," Iroh said considerately as the customers left the teashop.
"Have a tip, boy," Azula added.
"Thank you…"
Iroh and Azula felt out of place as they watched Zuko, wearing a big smile, serving his customers with genuine kindness. It was a sight they never expected to see.
Earlier that morning, Prince Zuko had woken up with a strong fever and hallucinations. While Iroh might have known the reason behind his condition, Azula did not. She spent the morning taking care of him in her own way, which involved dunking him in a tub of ice to bring down his fever.
By noon, Zuko had recovered, but his behavior made Azula seriously consider dunking him in ice water again.
"Today will be a great day, niece," Iroh said, heating tea on the fire while Azula finished washing the last of the cups.
"Why's that?"
"Apparently, Ba Sing Se is celebrating. There's talk of a new beginning, and for the first time in a long while, the King made a public appearance. They've even opened the doors for both lower and upper classes to coexist."
"I doubt many are happy," Azula muttered under her breath.
It was evident that the rich and upper class would be displeased with sharing a celebration with the lower class, but Azula no longer cared about such distinctions.
As she hummed a soft tune, Azula noticed several birds approaching the water she had set out on a plate by the window. She couldn't help but smile at their antics.
"Besides, it's not the only thing being celebrated today," Iroh said, his smile unnoticed by Azula as he discreetly got up from the table.
"What else is happening?" Azula asked, moving her hands away from the soapy water as the lights in the shop suddenly went out. She turned to see people clapping their hands.
A strange sensation filled Azula's chest as she watched her older brother holding a cake with fifteen lit candles on top.
"You didn't think we'd forget your birthday, did you?" Smiling, Iroh walked alongside Zuko to place the cake in front of Azula, who was at a loss for words.
"My... birthday," she murmured. In truth, she didn't even know when it was. It had never mattered to her father, so it hadn't mattered to her either. And now, seeing what remained of her family making this gesture, it was incredible to her.
….
"So... just you and me?" Toph glanced at Naruto, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, I think so," Naruto replied.
They stood face to face for several seconds, alone in the house where they were staying. Aang had left early with his bison after being called by a stranger from the air temple. Sokka had gone to join his father's fleet near Ba Sing Se, considering joining the war effort. Katara had departed to serve as a liaison for the Earth Kingdom army and wouldn't return until later. They hadn't been alone much in the past few months, and now...
"How's everything going with the Dai Li?" Toph asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"I have some clones with them. After destroying their base, we freed many people—women who were brainwashed and some prisoners," Naruto explained.
He never imagined he'd have to lead a group of earthbenders who had as much humor as a rock. "But the secrets and nonsense are over. They now patrol the streets and ensure everything is in order. They're also dealing with people who abused their power like Long Feng."
Naruto had looted everything in Feng's office, which contained classified information on those who had an exorbitant amount of power and money at the expense of many people who were almost slaves to them.
"All those big shots are going to lose their mansions," Toph remarked thoughtfully.
"Yes, we've already seized many of their assets and distributed them as monetary aid to the lower part of the city. I'm sure it'll create new jobs and improve everyone's lives equally."
"Can you do that?" Toph asked, confused.
"I don't know, but I did it anyway," Naruto replied.
"You're crazy," Toph said, unable to suppress a smile. "But I like it."
Taking money from the rich and giving it to the poor sounded like a good idea, as long as the lower class didn't abuse it, simply wanting money without putting in any effort.
Well, apparently, Naruto had a plan. If you wanted money, you had to work. There was always something to do in Ba Sing Se. Now, there would be fairer payment for those who worked with high society, who wouldn't be able to exploit their employees anymore.
Would this be the beginning of the middle class? Maybe the line had always been between rich and poor. It had always been about having too much money or not having any.
Whatever it was, Toph was happy about what he was doing.
"Well... I believe that every person deserves 'A fair payment for honest work,'" Naruto stated.
"And how much does the king pay you for your work?" Toph inquired.
"Pay?" Naruto's gears began to turn. He had been so focused on the Dai Li situation that he hadn't even thought about asking for a salary. Did the Dai Li even have a salary?
"Oh oh..." Naruto realized he needed to talk to the king.
"Apparently not. Don't worry, I can lend you something. My family has money in many banks in the Earth Kingdom, even here," Toph reassured him. Money was never a concern for her. Although she didn't need it either. If it were up to her, she would walk naked through the forest, living off the land like the moles she grew up with throughout her childhood.
"It's not like I need it. I have some saved after catching a bat cat from that rude lady," Naruto grimaced, glancing at his toad-shaped wallet. He was neither rich nor poor. He needed to get a more stable job. Being a hero was not as profitable as one might think.
"I see..." Toph shifted where she was sitting, moving her feet along the smooth wood. "You know... there's a festival tonight. It's probably boring, but..." She bit the inside of her cheeks, feeling the words slipping away, stuck in her throat.
"But?" Naruto noticed Toph's restless behavior, curious about what she wanted to say.
"We could go... together," Toph muttered the last bit quietly, feeling pathetic for struggling to say it.
"Sure!" Naruto's response was positive. "It will be fun. Anyway, I was going to ask you and Katara if you wanted to come with me. It would have been boring to go alone."
He never thought he could feel both encouraged and disappointed at the same time. On one hand, he agreed to go, but on the other, not in the way Toph would have wanted.
"Excellent."
"Well!" Naruto jumped to his feet, running through the house to fetch his now green jacket.
Was it so difficult to get orange in Ba Sing Se? Anyway, she still had the clothes Katara had given her.
"Where are you going?" he asked as he heard her footsteps and the door open.
"Doing my rounds is my part of the job as head of the Dai Li."
"..." For a moment Toph wanted to tell him that she would accompany him, but she closed her mouth when she heard the door close. She sat silently on the floor, pondering her next move. "What now?"
[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there.
PAT REON I'D:- Alzero ]