Chapter 3: You knew this was coming

Fang, against everything he held dear, was running away from his friends. It hurt him, causing a growl to rise from his throat, but he knew what he had to do.
The moon was just below the horizon. He barely avoided the firebenders that had surrounded the camp and made his way to the nearby forest. He couldn't let any human see what was about to happen.
He dived into the underbrush as the moon rose. A light flashed from the brush, and a silver-haired kid unfolded himself and stood. His grey hakama and vest nearly blended into the night itself. He took three sticks and fastened them together before screwing a blade on the top. His naginata ready, he took off into the night, back the way he had come.
Toph regained consciousness first. She blinked her useless eyes before attempting to reach out through the earth. But it's kinda hard to do that when you're suspended by ropes.
"YOU SONUVABITCH LET ME DOWN NOW!"
"Ohoho, a feisty little one, aren't you? That's good, I like 'em feisty!" a deep rasping voice spoke into her ear.
"YOU DIRTY PERV, LET HER GO!" Katara screamed, having been roused by Toph's yell.
Elsewhere, Fang was approaching the first firebender. Without pausing, he cut the soldier short by ruthlessly lashing out with the blunt edge of the blade, knocking the man out cold. He dealt with the next two in the same fashion. He slid to a stop as he came upon the two girls and the Fire Nation leader.
"Yes, you will make a fine slave," he rasped as his hand trailed along her side, regardless of her protests.
"GET OFF ME! FAAAANG!!"
"Your precious pup ran off and hid! No one can - YEARGH!"
His statement was cut short by a scream, caused by the sudden loss of his hand. Fang whipped his naginata back to the ready.
"You bastard, who the hell are you?" he demanded, cradling his hand.
Fang gave no response as he slashed through the ropes holding Toph and Katara. For the first time, Toph got a feel for her rescuer.
He stabbed his weapon into the ground, then slid his feet into a solid stance. For a second, Toph could've sworn he was an earthbender. But instead of bending, he pulled his fists to his hips, dropped his weight, then kicked the firebender square in the chest. The firebender went flying out of camp and slammed into an earth column Toph summoned.
Toph lowered the hand she had used and approached the newcomer. She stopped and put her hands on her hips.
"Well, I'm waiting for an explanation."
Fang sighed and hung his head.
"Uh, Toph, I'm not sure he can..."
"Shut it, Sugar Queen. I'm waiting for you -" she tried to punch him in the arm.
He caught it, then held it to his throat. He growled as well.
Toph immediately grew quiet. "Oh... sorry."
"See, Toph, I was about to -"
Both Toph and the newcomer glared at her. "Go find the others, Sugar Queen."
Katara hmph'ed off to find the others. As she did, Fang frowned and growled.
"You have to leave? Wait, before you leave... I wanna 'see' you."
Fang nodded his permission and dropped his hand.
She reached out with her other hand and framed his face. His face felt... warm. Like he was a heat-source you could go to if you were cold. His skin was smooth, yet firm, like the stone she was so fond of. He leaned his cheek into her hand as she skimmed his cheekbones.
She couldn't explain it, but her heart was pounding like Sokka's and Suki's did when they were together. "Wow, you... you're..."
Fang only smiled, then winced at some unknown source of pain. He frowned, then, after what seemed to be a second of thought, quickly touched his lips to hers. She stiffened in surprise, then relaxed. The two shared a moment, then Fang pulled away and ran off into the night.
"Hey, what the heck just happened?" Sokka asked as he and the others came upon the campsite.
Toph smiled, then said, "Too late to be jealous, Sokka."
She looked off into the forest. "Just a couple seconds too late."