Title: Respect
Pairings: None
Rating: G
Word count: 548
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar and make no money with this.
Spoilers: Spoilers for the first half of "Day of Black Sun", even though the spoiler in question is basically just the fact that we get to see a certain character again (which is why I put the character list at the bottom of this list - stop reading if you don't want to see the minor spoiler). Okay, and the premise of what Aang and his allies planned for that day... even though that gets mentioned all the time in S3, so I don't consider it a spoiler.
Comment: Written for the "Minor Character" contest over at the "avatarcontest" community on LJ. This is just a short "Awwww..." moment because I like spoiler character so much.
Characters: Toph and The Boulder

He strode through the masses of warriors and Benders, holding his head high and proud. He didn't look like somebody about to participate in a surprise attack against a foe that outnumbered his side a thousand to one in the best case; no, he looked more like the kind of guy who expected them to have a parade in his honor. People instinctively stepped aside to let him pass, and he nodded politely at them. He was used to being treated with respect - after all, he had won several tournaments and show fights, and his Earthbending skills were quite remarkable. Only one person had treated him with absolutely no respect, and it was this person he was looking for.

It didn't take him long to find her: She was sitting on a rock a short distance away from most other people, preparing the rest of her outfit. He cleared his throat as he approached her - a completely unnecessary gesture, all things considered - and waited for her to acknowledge his presence. "Blind Bandit," he spoke when she turned her head towards him, "The Boulder would like to have a word with you."

The young girl blinked. "Sure, what is it?" she asked, her tone completely belying the fact that she would be in the front lines of an invasion in just a few hours.

"People told The Boulder about your adventures." He slowly began to pace. "They spoke of how you trained the Avatar and even invaded the palace of the Earth King himself."

"Jealous that you're not the only one with a reputation around here, Boulder?" the Blind Bandit asked and gave him a silly grin that reminded him of the day she had defeated him in front of a large audience. He stiffened slightly, and she snickered, obviously able to "see" even this minor movement.

"Hardly. After all, The Boulder is about to launch an invasion, side by side with the Avatar and the people who significantly stalled the Fire Nation's quest for the Earth Kingdom." The Boulder took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Regardless of the outcome, we are writing history here."

She gave him an annoyed look, staring at him with unseeing eyes. "Well, we would, if a certain someone got to the point already..."

So impatient. Isn't she supposed to belong to one of the wealthiest families in Gaoling? One would think that they could afford somebody to teach her some manners... He frowned deeply, but then shook his head and smiled. "The Boulder has come to pay you respect, Blind Bandit."

Now it was her turn to frown. "Oh?"

"Yes. Without you, we wouldn't be here, striking the Fire Nation during its weakest hour. The Earth Kingdom owes you a lot, and..." He looked to his left. Then to his right. Quickly spun on his heel to make sure that nobody was behind him, then spun back to face her. Lowering his voice, he continued: "And I think that the Avatar couldn't have chosen a more talented Earthbending teacher than you."

Ignoring her expression of shock, surprise and embarrassment, he turned around and walked away. He was almost out of range when he heard her reply: "Thanks, Boulder..."

The Boulder smiled to himself. No. Thank you, Toph Bei Fong.