Avatar: The Last Airbender (c) Nickelodeon/ Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Kazuhiro Tatsumaru and other original characters (c) Me.
CHAPTER SIX: Never Silent, Never Done
The room was dark. Not a sound could be uttered, not a rustle made. This was it. The moment of truth. Feet tiptoed along the stone floor. This floor no mere family could afford, that was certain. The window was left slightly open, a melancholy breeze making its way into the room. Wooden blinds, strange for this kind of weather. His hand touched the floor, sensing the patterns around it. Heat. Energy. Someone was there. He knew it. However, he couldn't be distressed. They were alone, and if they were alone he could get away. He hid behind the wall, waiting for someone to make a sound. No one did. That was a good sign. But as soon as the young boy made his way past the wall, he heard a crepitation and dove back into the shadow. He couldn't be seen, he took solace in that. The noise settled and he began his trek. But something was wrong. He pulled on his foot, but it wouldn't budge so neither could he. This was bad. He grabbed it by both hands and yanked it repeatedly, but soon found that it was completely merged with the floor. In an attempt to calm his panicked state. The floor moved again, wrapping around his other leg in a tight embrace. This was it. He was caught and there was nowhere for him to run. He looked into the dark as he saw a figure move toward him.
"Gotcha," he heard a voice call out into the darkness. It was young but had bite. He swallowed. It was a kid, just like him. A girl. "Who are you?"
"I'm...um..." he stumbled over his words. The figure continued to move toward him in the darkness.
"It sucks not being able to know what's around you, doesn't it?" the girl said. Her voice was smug and jesting. "You don't have to make up stories for me. I know your kind." He could finally make out a face as the girl stepped into the light. Sweat began to pour down the boy's face.
"Y-you do?"
She got close to the boy's face, her nose practically touching his. "You're a thief." The boy quivered. He was caught, hook line and sinker. There was no doubt about it. He would be sent to jail for this. He sighed, at least it was better than the alternative. The girl slammed her foot into the ground causing a tall rock to rise out of it. She hopped onto it, monkey-like, pushing back her hair. A smile graced her lips. "I love thieves." She crossed her legs and sat on the rock, as though waiting for a bedtime story. The boy stared at her, simply blinking in response. He wasn't expecting this kind of response.
"Huh?" Was all he could make out in the jumble of his mind.
"I'm right, aren't I?" the girl asked, her face filled with fireworks. "You are a thief! Why else would you be sneaking around my room at night?" She paused, her cheeks blushing as she folded her arms with excitement. "Another mystery, solved! Though I gotta say, it was a little anti-climactic."
"E-excuse me?"
"So what kind of thief are you? Are you a part of a band of thieves that take from a bunch of different houses? Hm..." she got off the rock and began walking around him as much as she could. "I don't think you're a master thief, you're far too young. Though, I'm a master earthbender and I'm only ten." She put a hand on her hips. "I know. You can applaud now."
"Uh..."
"You're not one of those assassin's are you? Cause if you were I'd have to kill you. Haha! No, just kidding. I totally could though. I'm that awesome. Oh! No! I know who you are!" She jumped in front of him with a grin, her eyes glazed. The boy tilted his head. It was like she wasn't even looking at him even when he was right there. "You're one of those steal from the rich, give to the poor folks, aren't you?" She frowned. "That's so boring. I'd rather you be an assassin. That would be way cooler. Eh, whatever." She hopped back on her rock as the boy continued to stare at her. "You must be really poor huh?"
The boy cringed. "W-why? Do I look poor?"
The girl shrugged. "How should I know?" This confused the boy even more. Hadn't she seen a poor person before. He looked down at his clothes. They were the best he owned. Maybe if he had worn his mask the girl would be more impressed. He mentally slapped himself. What did he care what the girl thought? He was going to go to prison anyway. "My name's Toph, by the way." She held out her hand, which was now level with his face. "Toph Beifong."
"Beifong? You?" the boy shook his head.
"Got a problem with that?"
"No! No! Not at all!" He swallowed. "You live here, then?"
"Of course I..." she stopped, realizing what she was saying. "Yeah, I live here. What about you? Where do you live?" The boy bit his lip, unsure of how to answer. "Oh. It's a secret, huh?" The boy just stared at her. She had to be out of her mind. "If you can't tell me then...maybe you could show me!"
"N-no! No! I...don't think that's a good idea."
"Come on! I've been trying to get out of this dung heap since I was six years old! You're already, what, eleven-"
"Twelve"
"And you're out there! Living your life!" She smiled. "I wanna do that." The boy scratched the back of his neck. The girl huffed. "What? You think cause I'm a girl I can't live out there on my own?"
"No! That's not it!" he exclaimed. Toph lifted an eyebrow. "It's just..." He tried to think of an excuse. "Being a thief really isn't all that fun. You could get into real trouble."
"Good! At least then my life would mean something!" she snapped. She smirked. "You'll change your mind once you see what I can do. I'm the best earthbender in the world. At least, I will be someday."
"H-how..." the boy tried to find the right words. He didn't want to be rude. "How did you see me?"
"Huh?"
"In the shadow...no one ever sees me, but you did." He fiddled with his fingers. "How?"
Toph laughed. "I didn't, Stupid." She stood on the rock, slamming it back into the floor. The boy jerked from the vibration of the floor. "I could sense your movements from the other room."
"Wow. Earthbenders can do that?"
"Only the awesome ones," The boy sighed. She was certainly the 'modest' type, he thought sarcastically. "But you didn't even wake the guards. That's impressive." The boy frowned. He thought the guards were all in the courtyard. There were some in the house too? Were they all trying to protect the scroll? He paused, looking at the girl. Or was it something else? "You know what? I changed my mind."
"What?"
"You have to be a master thief in order to get past security without anyone noticing, except me of course. Do you have a cool name and stuff? What do they call you?"
The boy gulped. "Uh...Kazuhiro."
Toph's face flattened. "Kazuhiro? But that's just a dumb old normal name. Don't you have a thief name?"
Kazuhiro blinked. "Not really."
"That stinks," Toph mumbled. "Kazuhiro is no fun to read on a wanted poster. I mean, I assume. You can't whisper that name in fear. 'have you heard? Kazuhiro might strike again tonight'. Bo-ring."
"Sorry my name isn't interesting enough for you..." Kazuhiro snarled. "But I can't get anything I want just by uttering my name like you can."
"Excuse me!" Toph shouted, growling. She froze, looking like she was about to punch Kazuhiro in the face. But instead she crossed her arms. "Is that an actual backbone in there, Kamikaze?" She grinned. "Didn't think you had it in you."
Kazuhiro blushed. "Kami-kaze?"
"That's my new nickname for you!" She said seriously. "Got that, Kamikaze?"
"G-got it."
"Good! Now that this horrible injustice has been conquered, take me to your thieving liar so I can learn your pillaging ways."
Kazuhiro looked down at his feet, then at the girl. He could just bring her for a little while...but he didn't know who she was or why she wanted to leave. Her parents would be devastated to find her gone. He couldn't do that to them...
"Listen," he said calmly. "You really should just turn me in."
"Turn you in? Why would I do that? I'm not going to turn on a fellow-"
"You can't come with me, okay?" he said, much louder than his usual tone. "Believe me, you don't really want to be a thief. It's...not all it's cracked up to be."
Toph was silent for a moment. He wondered if she was going to call out, scream, what? But she simply moved her foot and released Kazuhiro's own feet from their bondage. Confused, he looked at her, but she kept her eyes covering her face. "Get out," she hissed.
"I'm sorry?"
She clenched her fists and screamed. "Get out!" She moved her foot, causing the stone floor to pick up Kazuhiro and shove him towards the window. She walked over and used one more rock to shove him halfway out. "And never come back!" She turned around then and began to walk away. The young Kazuhiro stood, eyes glued to the back of her head. She was breathing heavily. He could tell he had hurt her feelings. He sighed as he silently slipped out the window. He would have to come back another evening, he decided. What was most important, was the scroll.
Katara finished sweeping up the rest of the broken glass off the molding wood. Some had tickled into the crevices and grain of the floorboard, but there was nothing she could really do about it. She felt absolutely terrible. They had managed to clean everything up as best they could. Sokka was outside helping Toph repair the entry while she and Suki helped Kazuhiro tidy up in the main entry. Aang had left to get material to fix the roof and would be gone for a while with Appa. She couldn't believe that someone was capable of doing something like this. Even if they did clean it up to the point where it could function again, it would take days to recreate all the crystal that was broken. She looked over towards Kazu, who was focused intently on a certain section of the room. His shrine had been demolished along with the sand crystal. He slowly put back the candles and the drawing, not saying a word the entire time.
"Um...Kazuhiro?" Suki said, not sure whether or not to disturb him. "We finished sweeping. Is there anything else we can do?"
"No, you go on and take a break," he said in an almost whisper. He walked past them, bumping into Sokka on the way out.
"Hey...the archway is finished."
Kazu forced a smile. "Great, thanks so much. You didn't have to-" But Sokka put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"You're right," he said with a genuine smile of his own. "We didn't." Kazu nodded, the heaviness in his heart beginning to lift.
He noticed Toph sitting outside on the front steps, at least what was left of them. He exhaled, staring at the back of her head. There was no way he could justify what happened, no way he could explain to her why or how. On top of everything, he went and made things more complicated. He gulped and walked outside, his brain searching through files of ludicrous excuses for what he did. But when he got out there, he noticed her sitting there, her breath completely calm. He didn't say anything, but walked by and sat right next to her on the rickety stairway. They sat there for a while, taking in the silence and the sounds of the waves crashing onto the beach. Kazu closed his eyes, hoping he could sense what she sensed. He wondered if she could smell the sand and sea, the weeds that rose up onto the shore. What did they feel like? He paused. What did he feel like? His mind wasn't able to wonder too long before she spoke.
"I'm sorry," she said. Kazu turned to look at her in astonishment. Toph was...sorry? She was never sorry, even when she should be. He could tell she meant it.
"It's...not your fault."
"No it isn't," she said again, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. "That's what makes it worse. This would have happened whether I was here or not." She rested her chin on her knees.
"I suppose."
"Still, I'm sorry I-" She tried to speak again, but was stopped. Something in her couldn't say it. She took a breath. She had to say something. "So what now?"
"Tomorrow's the summer solstice," he reminded her. "Then I guess it's just business as usual." He sighed, moving the sand with his foot. "It's weird having people know. I feel like this weight has been lifted, but is still looming over my head, you know? And now, talking about it..." His chest grew tight. "I never realized how much time had really gone by."
"You miss them, don't you?" she said. "Your family, I mean."
He chuckled. "More than anything."
"The war is over, Kazu." She sat up slightly. "You can go back to the Fire Nation any time you want. No one is stopping you." She sneered. "From the sound of things they would be grateful if you left."
Kazu was silent for a long time, as though pondering this idea. "I would have no idea where to start."
"We could help you."
Kazu shook his head. "You've already done too much."
Toph held her legs tighter, her breathing beginning to shorten. "There's no way I'm letting you stay here."
"Where else am I going to go?"
"Somewhere!" Toph stood up. "Anywhere! Anywhere but here!"
"Toph...I can't."
"Why not?" she snapped. She walked down the stairs, getting to his level. "All you have to do is hop on Appa and we'll drop you off in the Fire Nation! It's not that hard!" She nudged him in the arm. "We're tight with the Fire Lord, too. I'm sure he could help us find your parents for you."
"Traveling to the Fire Nation would be dangerous, even after the war. The law is still tightly enforced there." He sighed. "And besides that. I don't even know if they're alive anymore."
"That stuff's all in the past!"
"I completely deserted my position, Toph!" he cried as he stood to meet her. "People get beheaded for things like that!"
"And this is any better?" she retorted. "Waiting around day to day, trying not to get killed?"
"It's not like that."
"This isn't going away, Kazu! We thought it would just gloss over but it won't!" She felt something tickle her nose. "Next time you might not be so lucky."
"There isn't going to be a next time," Kazu assured.
"You're darn right, there's not," Toph hissed. She sat back down on the steps, folding her hands under her legs. She sighed. "But if you had the chance, even the smallest bit of it, that your family was still out there, wouldn't you want to take it? Wouldn't you want to find them?"
Kazu felt his entire body grow stiff. He knew that in his heart, he wanted nothing more than to see his family again. But the way Toph was speaking, it almost sounded like there was more to it.
"It's been years since you've seen them..." she continued. "They must be worried, right? I mean, they might think you're dead or something. Even if you send them letters, they never write back. But you never wait long enough for them to give you a reason why."
Kazu watched as Toph slowly sank into her seat, her heart pounding. He rested his hand on her thigh and smiled. "You're absolutely right."
Toph's face expanded in bewilderment. "Huh, I mean, yeah always...but why exactly am I right this time?"
"I have to see them," he said with a determined smile. "I have to at least try." He scooted closer to Toph. "And so should you."
"Wh-what? No. No way."
"Why not? You're back in the Earth Kingdom, Gaoling is easy to get to if you follow the river."
"I haven't seen my parents in three years! What am I going to do? Walk in there and say 'Hi guys, sorry I'm late for dinner?!'"
"Toph," he said in a hushed tone. This caused a blush to creep onto her face. "I know you miss them."
Toph scoffed, moving her head slightly away from him. "What's to miss? Nothing but rules and itchy clothes." Her her body still felt heavy. It was true. She told herself she would be fine shutting out her family and living on her own. But abandoning them completely, now that she had done it, was something she wished she could take back. She was older now, wiser, stronger, perhaps they would finally be able to see how capable she really was. She didn't want to go back to the world where everything was done for her. She had the taste of freedom and wasn't going to give that up. But still...if she could see them again. If she could change their minds and show them who she really was maybe, just maybe, life would be a little bit easier.
"They're right there," Kazu finally said. "What do you have to lose?"
Toph sighed, standing up again. "Fine, but you're going to have to come with us."
Kazu mimicked her action with more urgency. "Are you crazy? I can't go back to Gaoling!"
"This was your dumb idea! And anyway, you can go into the town. No one's gonna remember you there. Just don't walk through my front door and you'll be fine." Toph uncrossed her arms. "Then afterwards we can take you back to the Fire Nation."
"I just stay in the town?"
"Yep."
"With the Avatar?"
"If you're good."
Kazu put a hand on his chin, thinking for a moment. Finally, he took his hand and ruffled Toph's hair. "Alright, if you really need the moral support."
"Shut up," Toph grumbled. The truth was she didn't want Kazu to stay by himself any more. She figured if she faced her fear and talked to her parents, he would go back to the Fire Nation where Zuko would be able to protect him. At least she hoped that was the case. She felt her cheeks grow florid as his hand moved away from her head. She felt the urge to punch him, but it was coupled with something else. She touched her lips for a moment before shaking her head. That wasn't what was important right now. She had more essential things to worry about at the moment. Mom...and Dad...she thought as she sat back down, feeling Kazu go back inside. After all these years, I wonder if you'll finally notice.
Kazuhiro sat outside the window, perched precariously so he would not be seen. This time he was going to get it, there was no doubt in his mind. Still, he shuddered at the thought of running into that girl again. He shook his head, vigorously. What was he doing? Afraid of a little girl who obviously didn't have any sense for danger? Ridiculous. Then again, she wiped him good and clean the night before while wearing a nightgown. He sighed and continued to take watch on the Beifong estate. He was certain the scroll was in there...but where? Suddenly, the light from the hall turned on. Kazu could see the silhouettes of two people. He waited for them to come up the stairs, but they didn't. Instead, he heard a shrill voice echoing down the stone walls.
"Don't even talk to me!" it called. Kazuhiro's eyes widened. It was the girl from the night before.
"Your mother and I are just trying to protect you!" he heard a man shout. His voice was deep, but harsh.
"So you replace my door with metal?" she wailed. The silhouette grew larger as she moved closer.
"Those caves are dangerous!"
"I have to go somewhere to practice!" She retorted.
"That isn't the point!" he snapped. "You disobeyed us again! This can't keep happening! You can't just go anywhere you want to go!"
"Why not?" she yelled. "Why can't I just go outside like every other kid?"
"Toph, we've been over this."
"I'm good enough, Dad! I've been practicing earthbending for years and I'm really really good at it!" She flung her arms into the air, making her way down the hall. "You've seen our demonstrations, I'm the best in the class! I can kick the butts of anyone there!"
"Toph! Don't speak that way! You are a proper-" He said following her.
"No! I'm not! I'm not proper! I'm not dainty! I can talk how I want and I can take care of myself!"
"You think you're strong and tough but when you leave this place you'll see! You'll see how nasty the world is and then you'll learn the hard way!"
"At least then I would learn something!"
"Master Yu has been teaching you many things."
'"Master Yu doesn't know diddle about earthbending! He doesn't know anything about anything! You know who taught me?"
"Toph..."
"The badgermoles!"
"I've heard enough!" the man shouted. "No daughter of mine is going to go around playing in the dirt!"
Toph was quiet. "Maybe if I could go to school..."
"You know that's impossible."
"I don't think it is."
"I've given you my answer many times now." Kazuhiro felt the energy in the man's voice change. "If the circumstances were different...if you weren't..."
"Blind?" she said coldly. He blinked. The girl...couldn't see? Suddenly it made sense. Why she noticed him when no one else did. She didn't see him. She couldn't see him. Did that mean she was actually blind? "I can see just fine,"
"You can't do things like other children!" he said.
"I could if you gave me a chance!"
"Toph! We're done talking about this!"
"But it's not fair!" she shouted.
"Not fair? Not fair! I gave birth to you!" he rebutted. "I feed you, give you clothes to wear and a place to sleep! You have it much better than most and you think that's not fair!"
"And so you keep me hidden away for the rest of my life! Those are great parenting skills!" Kazuhiro watched as the silhouette began to disappear. "I'm going to bed."
"Toph? Toph! Come back here!" Slam! The door swung shut. Kazuhiro cringed at the loud sound. There was a pounding for a while. "Open this door right this instant! I mean it young lady!" The girl didn't comply. She let her father run out of steam as she leaned against the door. Kazuhiro couldn't see the silhouette anymore. He sighed. No wonder she was so eager to get out. He shook his head. No, he thought. He had to get the Gaoling scroll. He couldn't keep the other guys waiting. Toph walked into her room, her face melancholy. Suddenly, her eyebrows lifted.
"Who's there!" She asked, spinning around. Kazu slapped himself. It was over. There was no way he was going to get past her now. He climbed through the window, perching on top of it.
"Um...hey."
"Kamikaze?" She said, walking towards the window. Her eyebrows flattened. "You've been here a while, haven't you?"
"I just..."
"Whatever. I don't need your pity."
"No, no! I just..." he looked out the window, then back at her. He wasn't sure what he was doing. It was as though he was possessed by something. He should have just left then but...he couldn't just leave her there after that. "Do you...want to go somewhere?"
Toph tilted her head. "With you?"
"Y-yeah s-sure...unless you don't want to."
"Wait. You...want me..." she walked closer to him. "To follow you, a thief, into the dark with no adult supervision?" She turned her head slightly toward the door, feeling her parents downstairs. She held out her hand. "Yeah. I'd be up for that."
"Cool." He reached over and grabbed her hand to take it.
"Cool," she said, giving it a firm grip.
