It's is finally here, after God only knows how long..X( Sorry bout the delay I had different things pop up over the summer that just killed any chance of me putting this up..until now that is. So anyway, I hope you enjoy this one. I have already started the next chapter so it should be up fairly soon, (at least a week) so keep an eye out for it..

-Hitasu Michima

Chapter 21

"(Knock, Knock, Knock)...So Mr. Happy-Pants, are you ready to come out, or do you need another time-out?" taunted Toph playfully

"Oh you're so funny..why don't you just let me out of here..Now!!" yelled Gaara from behind the stone wall

"Well I'm sorry but I can't...that is until you learn how to control that anger of yours.."

"Wow, now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black.." said Sokka under his breath

"Cram it Snoozles!" Toph yelled to Sokka

"Ok ok, I get it.." said Sokka in a smart-elec tone

"(huff) Now where was I? Oh yeah..all you have to do is promise me you won't hurt Snoozles over there." said the earth-bender as she pointed to Sokka

"What?"

"You heard me. Just promise you won't hurt him and mean it, then I'll let you go...and trust me I'll know if you're lying." said Toph confidently

"You're enjoying this aren't you?..." growled Gaara as he stood in his dark prison

"So what if I am? That's not the issue here. The issue here is you, and your temper. You can't just kill someone just because they look at you the wrong way.."

"Heh..I'll think about it.." said Gaara in a defiant tone

"Well by all means, go ahead and take your time..after all I can and will do this all day. Just ask Snoozles..." said the little tomboy

"I would do what she says, because she'll do it too. Last time, she kept me in there for a whole day.." said Sokka as he lowered his head in shame

"Grrrr...Fine!" said Gaara in a frustrated tone

"Fine what?" asked Toph in a sarastic tone

"Grrrrrr..." growled Gaara from behind the wall

"Come on say the words.." coaxed Toph

" sigh..As long as he promises not to call me a freak again...I promise I won't kill the pony-tailed weakling, You have my word." said Gaara in a more relaxed tone

"Good enough for me. Ok, stand back Gaara!" said Toph as she stood away from the earthen prison

The girl got into her stance and exhaled a deep breath. With one stomp of her left foot, the stone cylinder that had trapped Gaara quickly descended back into the earth.

For a brief moment the young sand-bender stood in shock as he watched the wall go down with such speed...but eventually he stepped out and made his way towards Sokka..

"Eep!" Sokka squealed as he got into a squatting position as he tried to cover himself up

"(sighs) A deal's a deal..you're safe...for now." said Gaara as he turned his back to Sokka and began walked toward Toph

"Wait a minute...was that supposed to make me feel better? You were getting ready to kill me just a few seconds ago, and if it wasn't for Toph getting involved I probably would be! Now I'm supposed pretend like it never happened?" Sokka yelled as he pointed his boomerang at the young sand-bender's back

"I don't see what the big deal is. I apologized for my actions, and even gave you my word that I would not hurt you..and unlike some people I never go back on it.." said Gaara in an irritated tone

"Hmph..yeah well I wish I could believe that.." huffed Sokka as he turned his face from Gaara

"Snoozles, stop provoking him." said Toph as she grabbed Sokka by his shirt and drug him away from Gaara

"No Toph, I won't! We can't trust this guy any farther than you can see with your own eyes...I think it's time he left." said Sokka in a low and unusually serious tone as he left the campsite

"Really? Is that what you really think?" asked Toph as caught up to Sokka

"Yeah, that is what I think!" said Sokka in a stern voice as he kept walking

"Let me tell you, I know first-hand the guy isn't all bad. I mean think about it..if he wanted to kill you, you would already be dead by now, wouldn't you?" asked the little earth-bender in a matter-of-factly tone

"I guess you right..but that doesn't mean I'm going to trust him."

"Don't worry bout that, it will come in time.."

"Alright.."

"You know what you gotta do now right?

"Yeah I do, but I'm not gonna like it..will you be there to back me up if I say something wrong?"

"Sure will. Let's go." said Toph as she led Sokka back to the campsite

A few minutes later at the campsite..

"Gaara! Hey Garra, can you come here for a sec?"

"Hey Mr. Happy-Pants! Where are you?" yelled Toph as they both searched for Gaara

"He's not here..where could he have gone?" said Sokka

"I don't know..but we need to find him fast.." said Toph