Author's note: Believe it or not, I actually have an update the day after my last one. :) I was going to merge this chapter with the next one, but I decided that this deserved its own chapter. It's short, but sweet. Enjoy!

(And by the way, this chapter is not meant to portray any kind of shipping affiliation.)

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Toph was still steaming as the entire tournament host carried the two cages back to the arena. They didn't bother with being gentle, either…they mercilessly shook the cages as they walked, jostling the children inside, even going so far as to purposefully drop them. The Boulder, the Gecko, the Gopher, the Big Bad Hippo, Fire Nation Man…and leading them all, Xin Fu. The other competitors were relishing this…finally, they had the Blind Bandit exactly where they wanted her: contained and, for once, helpless. Toph demanded an explanation, but received only jeers in response.

By the time they reached the arena, Toph was able to piece together the reason for her capture. Apparently Xin Fu believe that she had lost to Aang on purpose, therefore cheating him out of his gold. I should have known that Old Moneybags would come after me. Why they captured Aang, she didn't know, but she knew better than to assume the best of the situation.

Once at the arena, the two cages were suspended on ropes far above the floor. Toph didn't want to admit it, but she hated heights with a passion…they were even worse than deep water. To be suspended away from the ground meant that she was separated from vibrations, and now she was only aware of the cold metal box she was in. The gentle swinging of the box didn't help, either…Toph hated the fact that she wasn't in control.

She carefully stood, stomach turning slightly with the rocking of the cage. She grabbed the bars in the window to steady herself. "Aang," she called. "Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here," he answered. Toph was relieved; it sounded like his cage was only a few feet away from hers. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm a little bruised from the trip here, but other than that…" She sighed, rubbing a tender spot on her arm. "I don't hear Xin Fu or the others…are they down there?"

"No. They left right after they hoisted us up here…I think they went outside to watch for the people coming for us."

Silence passed for a few minutes. "Don't worry, Toph. Katara said she would wait up for me, and as soon as she realizes that something's wrong, she and Sokka will come."

"Those are some good friends you have, Aang. You're really lucky to have them."

"Well, we've been through a lot together," Aang said, smiling at the memories he shared with Katara and Sokka. "So, what about you? Do you have any close friends?"

Toph backed away from the bars, sitting on the floor of her cage. When she spoke, Aang could barely hear her. "I did once, but not a person."

"Oh. Was it a pet?"

"…No, not really, but he was my only friend for a long time. It's amazing what you can learn from someone who can't even talk to you."

Aang laughed. "I know exactly what you mean. My buddy Appa and I…we go way back, even before Katara and Sokka. There's nothing wrong with having animals as friends; in fact, sometimes they're more understanding than humans."

Toph smiled. "I know that's true…Yama was exactly the same way."

"So, what happened to him?"

A long silence followed. "…He's gone," Toph said, finally.

"Oh…I'm sorry. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. I once knew someone named Gyatso…" He stopped, and neither child spoke for some time.

Finally, Toph stood, grabbing hold of the bars again. "You know, Aang, I'm really glad I met you. You're the first person that I've ever felt comfortable talking to…you actually understand me."

"Hey, no problem. We're just talking, it's no big deal…"

"Well, it is to me. Yama was my friend, but we couldn't speak with each other. It feels nice to have someone to talk to, and…well…" she reached her hand out of the bars, "…thank you."

Aang understood. He reached through his bars as well, taking her hand in his. "That's what friends are for."