It was a few days after Toph had first come to Sokka and Katara's house. The rowdy, earth bending teen had settled in just fine. In fact at the moment she was talking to Katara with her rather dirty feet on a table. Everyone had grown to her rebellious manner and had come to terms with it. Her long, black hair which was usually up in a bun, was now hanging loose down to her waist. Her green, unseeing eyes lazily moved about the room almost as if she was looking for something.
"Katara?" Toph picked her nose "Why have I never 'seen' your mother? Is she always busy or are your parents split up like mine?"
Katara, Toph could tell, tensed up for a second. The younger girl would never see the reaction she got. Katara's nimble fingers brushed aside a bit of hair nervously and twiddled her fingers. Her ocean blue eyes looked broken and lost for a moment before she came back to the present day. Toph was patiently waiting. Her blind eyes 'looked' at her nails and she picked at them. Then, using the same fingers, she picked out her toes. Katara's nose wrinkled and then she shook her head. The older girl cleared her throat.
"Oh. Sorry Kat. Go on." Toph waved her hand encouragingly.
Katara's eyes watered a bit and her throat burned. Chokes threatened to come forward and tears blurred her vision. Katara's hands travelled to a necklace hidden by clothing. An elegantly carved necklace hung on a simple leather band that clasped around her neck. She touched the pendant. A natural instinct of hers whenever she thought or talked about her mother.
"My mother, Kya, was murdered 12 years ago. When I was 7 years old. We had just arrived from the shops. It was our dad's turn to buy food and we always went. Our mother always told our dad to get better security but we lived in the most stable part of town, so he saw no need. I went up to the door and heard shouting. I heard:
"Where's that water bender?"
My mum was crying loudly, saying that there was no such person in the house. When I was spotted peeking through the door, the thief stopped threatinng her and my mum smiled but I had heard enough. The man was wearing a normal suit but there was a symbol of a sea eagle on his chest. He had cold, empty eyes that could scare the bravest of men or women. He had long, brown hair that was kept up in a ponytail. He towered above me and I thought that my father (at 5 ft 11) would have been much smaller as well. I told my mum that I was scared and asked what was going on while peeking up in concern at the stranger. The man smirked unkindly and said in a growling voice "Go away little girl. This doesn't concern you."
It took all of my courage to defiantly squeak "She's my mum. I think it does concern me. "
My mother smiled calmly but I could see fear in the face that was so much like mine.
"It's ok honey." she encouraged "This man and I are just having a little chat. Go to your father. He'll be wondering where you are."
"But mum..."
"Listen to your mother." the man ordered.
"You're not my dad." I spat
"Don't argue sweetheart. Just go. I'll be alright."
She lied. I knew and she knew that I did too. I nodded and ran. She needed help. I tripped and caught myself as tears poured out my eyes and blurred my vision."
Katara took a shuddery breath as her story came to the most painful part. Toph sat patiently as she secretly knew how hard memories could be.
"My father and Sokka were at the front drive throwing our groceries at some men who were wearing the same suits. Except there were now stains on them. It was strange how they had gone so quickly but we had no time to ponder over it. I got to my dad and told him about mum. Then we heard gunshots and screaming coming from inside. He told Sokka to stay put and continue to throw stuff at the retreating men. We ran through the house and came to the kitchen then halted, alarmed. The colour in our faces went as we stared at the figure lying on the ground. My mother lay dying on the floor with several gunshots and gashes on her body. We knelt by her and held her close until my mum was no longer there. It took 5 minutes but it felt like eternity. My dad didn't weep or choke but silent tears ran down his face. Apparently I just sat there but I had delayed shock because I cried hysterically that night. Sokka never saw it happening so he found it easier to get over our mum but he stood there looking so confused. We don't really talk about her death because it's still a raw topic but you just needed to be told if you're living here."
Toph smiled and patted Katara on the back.
"Thank's for telling me. It sounded hard but she was a great mum."
Katara's eyebrow raised but then she remembered that her friend was blind so instead, she went for "How would you know?"
Toph pretended to shudder.
"Ouch. That hurt Sweetness. I have parents too, you know?"
Katara blushed bright pink and the other girl felt her embarrassment.
"Eh! It's ok. I was kidding.
"But seriously." Toph went on "I may not have had loving parents but your mother sounded amazing by the fact that you're still in pain of talking about her. And your dad?" she laughed "He sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to meet him. "
For a millisecond, the blind girl's face was touched with sadness.
"Just know that you're so lucky to have a great family. I would have killed to have siblings like you or Sokka and Aang."
Katara's face brightened up. She placed her hand on the earth bender's shoulder.
"Thank you Toph. You don't know how much that means to me."
Toph grinned toothily and punched Katara's shoulder who muttered "Ow!"
"It's my pleasure Sugar-Queen. " Toph smiled "Now tell me more. You must have hated that man for ages."
Katara laughed.
"Yes. I did and it took a long time for me to trust firebenders since he was one. It didn't take such a long time with Zuko though because he, his uncle and mother are famous for leaving Ozai. I can tell you more if you..."
The door slammed open and Sokka, Zuko and Aang came in all at once. A nonchalant Mai walked in after them. Katara muttered "I think we'll have to continue this later." and stood up.
What's happening guys?" the waterbender asked.
Zuko raised his eyebrow at the newest peer but answered the girl's question.
"We were just in town and we saw a group of men following us. At first we thought it was a group of people going the same route as us but it became clear that they were clocking us. They continued to follow us until we got to the neighbourhood, then they fell back. It must have been because there are so many people outside today."
Katara walked over to the fire bender.
"What did they look like Zuko?"
The oldest smiled bitterly.
"If I'm correct, then it's my father's men. I recognised the outfit. Black pinstriped suit, red fire crest, white shirt, golden cuff links, black shoes and a black tie."
"Why are they here though?" Sokka pondered.
"Isn't it obvious? Because it's as light as day to me, and I can't even see for god's sake." Toph frowned.
Everyone gave blank stares. The youngest sighed.
"They're looking for Aang. Ozai somehow knows he's here. Maybe your sister told him enough. I've heard how sneaky she is. And don't give me those faces. Waste them on people who will see them."
Mai smiled a little and Zuko looked surprised before he grinned and said in his gravely voice "I like this one. Honestly." he shook his head "Where do you find them all?"
Zuko held out his hand and strangely, Toph shook it.
"I'm Zuko. And you are..."
"Toph." the earth bender grinned "Toph Beifong. The greatest earth bender of all time."
Mai came forwards and took Zuko's hand in her own. Her black hair was down for once instead of being up in her iconic buns. It waved down to her shoulders and it framed her heart-shaped face nicely. Her brown eyes sparkled with a little mischief.
"If you're the greatest earth bender of all time, then how good are you at bending metal or sand?"
Toph blushed, embarrassed for a second.
"We'll..." she stuttered.
Mai could obviously tell Toph's character so her character softened a bit.
"Hey. I was joking. You don't need to answer." Mai assured in her equally gruff voice to Zuko's.
Toph nodded gratefully and smiled.
"I know I'm gonna like it here."