A/N: Thank you again to my wonderful beta, DeepAzulaEyes, and thank you everyone who read and reviewed

A/N: Thank you again to my wonderful beta, DeepAzulaEyes, and thank you everyone who read and reviewed. Remember, if I'm doing something wrong, or if you have suggestions or critiques to make me a better writer, please, let me know. Thank you again!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar, just the dvd of the movie I mention. If you haven't seen it, you should.

Chapter 9

Toph just smiled as he asked what kind of movies she liked. She was still confused about her feelings for Zuko, but she knew she liked him…a lot. And by his reactions, he liked her too, but something was holding him back.

"I like action, cartoons, and comedies," she told him as they walked up to her house. "What about you?"

Toph opened the door and heard her mom in the kitchen. She led the way to the living room and heard Zuko's shirt and hair move as if he had shrugged.

"I don't know. Pretty much the same, minus the cartoons."

"Why don't you like cartoons?" Toph asked as she made her way to the entertainment center.

"Its kid stuff," he replied as she heard him sit on the big couch

Toph frowned as she thought about all the cartoons and anime that weren't kid stuff, but she'd show him the good stuff later. Now, she had to decide what movies they should watch. She ran her hand over the tops of the DVD cases and scanned the brail there. She landed on one she hadn't heard in a while and smiled as she pulled it out.

"Ever seen Oscar?" she asked Zuko.

"No, what is it?"

"A comedy," Toph replied as he opened the DVD player and placed the DVD in. "With Sylvester Stallone."

"Sly Stallone in a comedy?" Zuko asked in disbelief.

Toph smiled and nodded as she hit play. "Yeah, but it's all about actions and reactions. Just watch."

She heard him sigh as she made her way to sit near him on the couch. She left a foot between herself and Zuko. Toph knew she liked him, and whether it was just another crush or not, it sounded like he liked her too. She had been forced to make a move by Katara and her mom with the nice clothes, but Zuko had taken her hand in his in the costume shop. He had seemed to regret it, and she guessed he had probably done it so they wouldn't get separated, but then again, he had held on after they were through the crowds.

Toph heard him relax into the couch as the movie started and she enjoyed the movie, but she had heard it so many times, she could turn inward and still answer any questions Zuko had about the movie. She wondered if there was anything holding him back, like a girlfriend or his past. It almost seemed like a wall had come up between them over the past week and, though they had broken part of it down earlier, it was still there. Toph knew it was hard for Zuko to express himself, but when he had explained what she looked like and her attitude, he had put so much emotion into it. His breath had caught a few times as he described her, but then he had calmed down as he described himself.

She was curious about his scar but wanted him to tell her when he was ready. And Toph kept wondering what he looked like. He was much better at describing other things rather than himself. She smiled as he laughed at certain parts of the movie and knew that her mom had come out of the kitchen a few times to check on them. But her mom approved of her spending time with Zuko, unlike her dad. Toph frowned slightly at how mean her dad had been to Zuko and hoped the old man would leave them alone when she went with Zuko to Aang's party. The movie started to end and she heard Zuko chuckling over the end of it. When the credits came up, Toph turned to Zuko.

"You know, you're really bad at describing yourself," she told him and heard him tense up.

"So?" he asked, caution in his tone again.

"So…" she started as she thought of a way to ask. "Can I see your face?"

Zuko was silent for a moment. "How?" he asked finally.

Toph held up her hands and she heard him sigh.

"I don't know," Zuko said hesitantly.

"Just this once," Toph said, giving her best innocent look.

She heard him sigh again and it sounded like he was giving in, though he remained silent for a minute.

"Why is it so important to you?" he asked.

XXXXX

Zuko watched Toph as she searched for an answer. He never knew she had been so preoccupied with how he looked. He actually liked that she didn't care, but apparently she did. She put her hands down into her lap and sighed.

"I don't know," she said quietly. "I just want to know. I hear a lot of people talking about you, and I know faces match personalities." She started to smile again and seemed to be remembering something. "Snoozles took the most time, but I could feel the laughter in his face as well as the care he had for his sister and friends. A face just suits a person and you told me you have a normal face. I don't know what a normal face looks like and everyone is different."

He watched as she started to frown at him at the end and he sighed again, knowing he was going to lose. He just hoped he could control himself if she got really close. All day long, all he had wanted to do was kiss her, but when she sat away from him on the couch, he was thankful. She gave him the space he wanted and he could actually enjoy the movie.

"Fine, what do you want me to do?" he said finally.

He watched Toph start to grin and that small change made him forget his caution. She held up her hands and wiggled her fingers at him.

"Just close your eyes so I don't poke them," Toph said before she let out a small laugh. "I poked my mom so many times when I was little, it's a wonder she isn't blind like me."

Zuko smiled slightly and closed his eyes, waiting with a held breath until he felt her fingers gently touching his arm and shirt before they moved up to his neck. He became tense as her fingers delicately moved to the left side of his face which was closest to her and she drew away before her gentle touch returned. Her fingertips were soft and Zuko could smell jasmine and a faint whiff of strawberries as her heard Toph scoot closer to him and her fingers became bolder as she traced the outline of his face. The gentle touches moved down from his forehead and strayed slightly where his eyebrow had been before going over his eyes and towards his nose. Her felt her little finger linger on his scar as others gently touched his mouth and he felt the little bit of stubble he had scrape against her fingers before her hands ended at his chin.

Toph's touch left and Zuko wondered what was happening before he opened his eyes and saw that her eyes were about an inch from his. He saw her blush slightly and his eyes darted down to her full, pink lips and he leaned closer to her, ready and wanting to kiss her dizzy. He noticed her eyes closing slightly as she leaned towards him until he heard some pots clanging together in the kitchen. Realizing what he was about to do, and where he was, Zuko drew back and scooted around Toph to stand in half a second. He glanced at the clock and saw it was getting late as he heard Toph's dad enter the house and talk to her mom.

"Sorry," he muttered, though he didn't exactly know what he was sorry for. He glanced at her and saw her looking sad and almost disappointed. "It's late, I gotta go."

"Yeah," Toph sighed before she smiled up at him. "I don't want you to fight with the old man. Anything going on tomorrow?"

"Just some chores," he replied, glad to be talking normally with her again. "Did you have anything planned?"

"The gang is going to the mall to hang out and get party supplies. You want to come?"

"If I'm done. Call me before you go."

"Ok," Toph said and Zuko turned to leave. He was almost out of the living room when Toph called out to him. "Oh, and thank you, for everything."

Zuko turned to glance back at her and saw her smiling at him. Giving a small smile back, he nodded and headed out of the door before her dad could spot him. As he walked back to his house, he started berating himself for allowing Toph to get so close and allowing his hormones to get the better of him. Just because she looked beautiful and was close to him didn't mean he could try to kiss her. He noticed most of the cars that had been in front of his house were gone and found only Mr. Pakku, Fong and his uncle in the kitchen sharing a pot of tea as he walked in.

"Zuko, how was your night?" Iroh called to him with a grin.

Zuko just glared at his uncle and saw all three older men start to frown before he turned into the hallway and slammed his door behind him before falling onto his bed. The teen knew he was going to have trouble being around Toph. Every fiber within him begged for him to tell her his life story and kiss her, but he knew he shouldn't, no, couldn't do that. Her father had recognized him somehow and that by itself could be dangerous for her. He turned so that his back was to the door as he heard it open and saw Iroh move to sit on his bed.

"I take it things didn't go well," Iroh said calmly from the foot of the bed.

Zuko just growled and sat up, keeping his back to his uncle. He didn't know what to do, and he couldn't stand sitting still. With another low growl, he got up and stalked past his uncle to the garage. He heard Iroh following him, but continued to ignore his uncle as he went to the new punching bag lying by the wall and started hanging it up. Iroh moved to help him as he tightened the hooks into the support beam above them and he nodded once to his uncle once he was done. Iroh stepped back and watched as Zuko started hitting and kicking the punching bag.

As he worked up a sweat and his discomfort lessened, Zuko started to recall the events of the past week and that day. Toph had been arguing with Katara nearly all week about something and the blue-eyed junior had had a knowing smile when Toph had dressed nicely on Friday. He knew that Katara somehow had a hand in making Toph dress like a girl. Toph had seemed rather hesitant and cautious about being dressed nicely both Friday and Saturday, but had gone with the flow, though she had blushed a lot. Zuko knew he liked seeing her dressed that way. She had been gorgeous, even more beautiful than Katara, Mai or that girl at the costume store. And definitely better looking than Jin and the other girls who had hit on him the past couple of years. He had been the one to take her hand in his in the costume shop, and though it had only been so they wouldn't get separated, he had found that he hadn't let her hand go once they were safe and had liked the feel of her small hand in his.

Something about her made him want to open himself, as if he saw part of himself in her and wanted to watch over her and protect her. That thought brought a smile to his face as he continued to kick and hit the punching bag. Toph could beat anyone up, including him. She didn't need or want any protection, and though it seemed like she had been hurt before as he had, it wasn't the same kind of hurt, or from the same cause. Zuko knew Iroh was waiting for him and watching him from a chair the older man had brought in and finally Zuko turned to his uncle after grabbing a towel and sat next to Iroh.

"Why can't things be simple?" Zuko sighed as he sat.

"Because for lessons to be learned, there must be hardship," Iroh answered with a smile. "A lesson without trial and hardship is a lesson soon forgotten. What trial are you going through, Zuko?"

Zuko frowned up at his uncle, but Iroh merely continued to smile.

"I like her, and want to tell her, but it's too dangerous," Zuko told his uncle.

"Maybe it would be best to let her decide how dangerous it could be."

"Her dad recognized me. I know he hasn't said anything, but I saw it in his eyes. And he doesn't like me," Zuko sighed.

"Ah yes," Iroh said as he stroked his grey beard. "Fong had told me about Mister Bei Fong asking you to keep your troubles away from his family. But it was and is Toph who seeks you out, is it not?"

Zuko nodded and turned to stare at his feet.

"Then my suggestion is to tell her and let her decide what choice to make. You have feelings for the young lady, and I can see you wish to tell her the truth about yourself. If she feels the same, then she will have the choice to let it go further or end it, but your conscious will be free. And," Iroh said with a chuckle, "Toph can take care of herself."

Zuko smiled and nodded at that, but he still felt apprehensive. "But if I tell her, she'll still be in danger. And what if we have to move again?"

"Then you can still have contact, and I know a few people here and around who will make sure she isn't targeted. Perhaps you need to search your heart some more, but I do recommend telling her of your feelings at least by the party. Goodnight Nephew, it's been a long day."

Iroh got up and stretched before leaving the garage as Zuko continued to stare at his feet, thinking over his uncle's words. The cold of autumn was starting to creep in and Zuko shivered once before getting up off of the cold concrete floor and heading to his room. Once there, he fell onto his bed again and fell asleep thinking about Toph.

XXXXX

Toph listened to Zuko leave before getting up to head to her own room. She grabbed her costume before she went and wondered what kind of reaction it would bring out of Zuko. She smiled as she thought of the tips Ty Lee had given her to really use the costume to her advantage. But that turned to thinking about what had happened just then on the couch. Something had happened, something special that had been interrupted by her mom banging a couple of pots together in the kitchen and the sound of her dad coming home. Toph didn't know what it had been, but she had felt him leaning towards her as she leaned towards him, and silently cursed her parents for interrupting whatever was going to happen.

"Toph," her father called to her from behind her as she started walking down the hallway. "I heard that…boy, was here."

"Yes Dad," Toph sighed as she stopped with her back to her father. "Zuko was here. We went out to get costumes for Aang's party and then watched a movie since his house was full with his uncle's friends."

"And what kind of costume did you get?" Lao asked hesitantly.

Toph turned to her father and held up her costume. Her father took it and it sounded like he turned it over a few times before he handed it back to her.

"I guess that's decent enough. Is that boy from across the street going as well?"

"Yes Dad, I'm going with Zuko to the party. We're going as friends. What do you have against him anyways?"

Toph heard her father straighten up as he tensed and was sure he was frowning. "I thought I recognized him from an article a few years ago. If it is him, his family is messed up and I want none of his troubles disturbing this family," Lao said sternly before his tone softened. "And I'm worried about my little girl."

Toph let a wry smile come onto her face. "Dad, you know I can take care of myself. I'm tired, goodnight."

"Goodnight Toph," Lao said as she turned and continued to head towards her room.

Toph reached her room and sighed as she flung the costume onto her chair before falling onto her bed. She again wondered about Zuko and his past, but her thoughts turned slowly to his allowing her to 'see' him. His face was unique, and different, though it suited him perfectly as she knew it would. What really surprised her was how smooth his skin was. It seemed he took care of himself, and though she had felt a little stubble on his chin, it felt like he shaved regularly and didn't get all gross like Sokka did occasionally. But his scar was what really fascinated her. It didn't cover half his face like she had heard people say, more like a third, and only around his left eye before heading back towards his ear. It had the smooth, almost waxy feeling that the burn on her wrist had from when she had accidently touched a hot skillet when she was five. Toph knew he had tensed at her touching it and she was sure he didn't let many people touch his scar.

She blushed as she thought of how Zuko had let her in and how close she had gotten to him. Toph wondered if she should have kissed him then. They were only an inch apart, but she had never kissed anyone besides her parents, but parents don't count and those were cheek kisses anyways. Katara and Suki had said it just felt right to be kissing a guy who truly cared about them and Toph longed to feel that. With shock, Toph realized that maybe, just maybe, that was what was going to happen. Zuko could have kissed her! She turned over and sighed into her pillow. But he hadn't. And then he had apologized for whatever he didn't do. Knowing it was getting late, she quickly changed into some pj's and went to bed, determined to sleep in the next morning.

Toph woke to the sounds of her parents and Fong moving around. She curled up into her nest of blankets, determined to sleep more and stay warm against the chill that had invaded her house, but she was awake. Sighing, she listened to the people moving throughout the house and threw the covers aside in a mad dash for the shower. Turning the water on quickly, she waited until it was nice and hot before she entered, reveling in the heat. Once clean and warm again, Toph dressed herself in a pair of black jeans and a tight shirt Katara had picked out the day before, but also put on her favorite hoody. There was a chill still in the house that told her that fall had finally arrived and her sweatshirt was nice and fluffy and warm and big. Just the way she liked it.

"Good morning Miss Toph," Fong said to her as she walked out to the living room. "It's nearly ten, what would you like for breakfast?"

"Just some of my cereal," Toph answered as she made her way to the couch, jumping onto it as she grabbed the remote. She placed her phone next to her as she turned the TV on and started flipping through the channels until she heard some cartoons. Fong came out and handed her a bowl of cereal and she could smell the cinnamon and sugar of her favorite cereal as she listened to her cartoons. Toph heard her father come out and stop to look at something, most likely her, shortly after she finished her breakfast.

"Yes, Dad?" Toph asked as he continued to stand there.

"Do you have any plans today, Toph?' he asked.

"Yeah, I'm going out with my friends to help them pick up party supplies at the mall. I should be home for dinner."

"And will that boy be going as well?" Lao asked in an arrogant tone.

"Yes," Toph replied, frowning. "Zuko said he might go too."

She heard her father sigh before he spoke again. "Well, I'll be taking your mother to the airport later. She has a fashion show in New York tomorrow. I hope to see you for dinner tonight."

With that, he walked away and Toph let herself sigh before she flipped a channel to another cartoon station. She hated having dinner with just her dad. They were too alike, and so fought over everything; her attitude, her independence, her friends and her choices. And now, after her dad had finally gotten used to her other friends, he was picking on her new friend. Startling her out of her bad mood, her phone started ringing with Sokka's ringtone.

"Hey Snoozles," Toph answered. "What's the plan?"

"We'll be there at 12 to pick you up. Uh, is Zuko coming too?"

"He said he had some chores, but he will if he's done. I'll call him in a bit."

"Ok, see you in about an hour."

She set her phone back next to her and just relaxed throughout the rest of the current cartoon she was listening to as well as the next. Once that was finished, Toph knew time was getting short and picked up her phone again to call Zuko.

"Hello?" Zuko answered.

"Hey Sunshine," Toph said with a smile. "Can you still make it out today? Snoozles and company will be here by 12."

"Yeah, I'm just finishing up now. I'll meet you outside when he pulls up."

"Ok, see you then."

"Yeah, see you," Zuko said with an ironic twist and Toph smiled as he got her little joke. She always said 'see you' to everyone and even her best friends didn't think anything of it. But Zuko had picked it up and just thinking about him made her blush a little. Sighing, she changed the channel again to a different cartoon and waited until she heard Suki's car pull up to her house.

"Bye Mom, bye Dad," she called as she made her way out.

"Wait dear," Jasmine called back and Toph stopped in the entryway until her mother came up and hugged her. "Have fun, and try to behave around your father," Jasmine said as she hugged Toph.

"I'll try," Toph replied with a smirk and heard and felt her mother sigh before Jasmine hurried back to her room, most likely to finish packing.

Toph hurried out and heard Zuko opening the side door of the minivan. He tried to get in, but Sokka stopped him.

"Hey Zuko, why don't you ride up front and be co-pilot? The girls want to talk about something," Sokka said with a smile.

Toph sighed and blew her bangs out of her face in a frustrated manner as Zuko shrugged and moved up front before Katara grabbed her arm and pulled her into the back. Toph wanted to kill Katara and Suki as they surrounded her and tried to hold back giggles as Sokka started driving off. She also heard Aang turn back towards them, probably questioning them, but whatever faces Katara and Suki made, Aang turned back and started talking with Sokka and Zuko about ideas for decorations.

"So, anything happen?" Katara asked in a whisper.

"No," Toph replied with a frown, crossing her arms over her chest. She did not want to be questioned and Katara and Suki had no right to but into her life.

"Nothing?" Suki asked innocently and Toph heard her head turn as if she was looking up towards Zuko and Sokka. "But didn't you two hang out yesterday? Katara said she did your hair and make-up."

"We got our costumes and saw a movie," Toph replied, starting to sulk. "Nothing. Happened."

"Fine," Suki sighed and Toph heard Katara open her mouth as if to talk, but Suki started shaking her head. Whatever was said between the two older girls, Toph didn't understand, but she was thankful that they left her alone for the rest of the car ride. When Sokka finally pulled the van into a parking spot, Toph waited for Katara and Aang to get out first, even though she wanted to rush out. Once out, she stayed as far away from Katara and Suki as she could, bit since the girls made up a third of the group, it was hard. Zuko was quiet as everyone talked, but she was ok with it. Sokka and Aang led the way to the party store and started handing out lists of things to get to pairs.

"Ok. Toph, why don't you go with Zuko, and…" Sokka started, but Katara interrupted.

"No, I'll go with Toph," the junior said sweetly. "Sokka, why don't you go with Zuko and Aang can go with Suki."

"Awww," Sokka whined as he realized he wouldn't get any alone time with his girlfriend in the store.

"That way, we'll make sure we all get what we need and won't get sidetracked," Katara said smugly to which Sokka and Suki both sighed. Katara grabbed Toph's arm and started pulling her down the aisles.

"So, what happened?" Katara asked once they were away from the guys. "Has he kissed you? Has anything happened? Come on, Toph, please?"

Toph glared in Katara's direction, but knew it wouldn't do much good. Katara would keep on asking and interfering.

"No and yes," Toph said in a low tone.

"What?" Katara asked, confused. "No to what and yes to what? It can't be both."

"Look, he's had a hard life, and he's cautious about letting someone in," Toph stated with a stern voice. "He was acting a little off when I had the make-up on yesterday and he grabbed my hand to lead me through the outrageously busy costume shop, but no. No kissing. Now will you please just leave it alone?"

She gave her best innocent look to Katara and hoped the junior would take the hint. Toph was desperate for Katara to leave well enough alone.

"I guess," Katara said, dejected. "But there's always the party!" the junior stated with enthusiasm in her tone again.

Toph sighed and let Katara lead her around the shop, holding items, but was glad that Katara let the subject drop for the moment.

XXXXX

Zuko watched Katara pull Toph away and wanted to intervene, knowing by the blind girl's expression that Toph was not enjoying the girl time. But, he knew Toph would face it sooner or later, and he didn't want to be in the middle of that. He turned to look at Sokka, to ask what they needed and saw the blue-eyed senior staring after Toph and Katara with a sad expression. When Sokka noticed Zuko watching him, he shrugged and smiled.

"Sisters," Sokka sighed. "What can you do about it?"

Zuko started scowling as he thought about his own sister and Sokka frowned.

"Hey man, I'm sorry. Look, before we shop, I wanted to ask you something."

"What?" Zuko asked simply as Sokka narrowed his eyes to study the scarred teen.

"I know Katara had a hand in getting Toph to dress nicely, and I noticed both you and her blushing a lot on Friday. Toph is like another little sister to me and I don't want to see her get hurt. Do you like her and if you do, will you promise me not to break her heart?"

Zuko frowned as he though of a way to answer Sokka. He did like Toph, and he was sure Toph wouldn't like hearing that Sokka thought of her as just a little sister. "Yeah, but I can't promise that," Zuko answered. "I have a lot of stuff to deal with, and I don't know whether I'll take it past friendship."

Sokka sighed, but nodded before smiling at Zuko. "I understand. Asking Suki out after Yue died was hard, even though it was nearly a year after I lost Yue. But Toph, she's worth it and she really likes you. But enough about that, I need help getting all this stuff."

Zuko nodded and followed Sokka throughout the store. An hour later, they caught up with the others with all the decorations and Aang pulled out his cash, ready to pay for it. The cheerful sophomore's jaw dropped as the amount of everything they got kept increasing. Zuko was about to pull out the little bit of cash he had as Katara rummaged in her purse, but Toph stepped forward and handed the cashier a credit card. Zuko let a smile tug at his mouth as Katara, Aang, and Sokka stared at Toph in shock.

"Don't worry. I haven't used my allowance in two months. The old man is due for a little shock, even though I'm still way under budget," Toph said with a smirk as the cashier handed them bags of supplies.

"Yeah, but with Homecoming the week after the party, we'll all be tight," Katara said and Zuko stopped, glancing around.

Sokka and Suki got a dreamy expression on their faces as they looked at each other and Aang glanced at Katara and blushed. Toph had a look of shock and almost fear on her face for a second before she smirked and laughed.

"Homecoming?" Toph asked with a laugh as she started to walk out. "Please. Don't tell me you guys are going."

"Actually, we are," Sokka said with a goofy grin. "All of us, as a group. Come on Toph, it'll be fun."

"I don't know," Toph said hesitantly and Sokka and Katara turned to Zuko.

"What about you?" Katara asked the scarred teen. "Will you come to Homecoming with us?"

Zuko just shrugged and noticed Toph looking interested in what he might say. "I don't know, I haven't lived here that long. And I don't do dances."

"You mean you don't dance?" Toph asked.

He frowned, but didn't respond. She let it pass, but slowly dropped back to walk beside him as the others talked about Aang's party and homecoming.

"Do you dance?" Toph whispered to him as they exited the mall.

Zuko frowned at Toph but nodded slightly. "Yeah," he whispered, "but it's all classical training. Nothing like what happens at dances."

Toph brightened. "Do you know swing?" she whispered in an excited voice.

Zuko saw Katara glance back towards them and he frowned at her, making her turn back to whisper with Suki.

"Yeah, you?" he whispered to Toph.

"Yep, east and west coast. I can bring a cd to the party if you want."

"Sure," he shrugged.

Toph nodded and smiled just before they reached the van. They again sat where they had been and Zuko heard Suki and Katara whispering and giggling as they drove back to their houses. Glancing back, Zuko saw Toph blow her bangs out of her face as if bored and annoyed and he frowned at both Suki and Katara when they glanced at him and giggled. Soon, they arrived at Zuko and Toph's houses and both got out, Toph still frowning. Sokka and Aang waved goodbye to them and Zuko was ready to head to his house, but Toph sighed and smiled. He had noticed she was in tight jeans, but she had worn a big, comfortable looking sweatshirt and he had noticed Katara frowning when she had first spotted Toph in the sweatshirt. But he didn't care, Toph was still beautiful, and she looked more relaxed and he didn't have the urge to kiss her every time he looked at her. She smiled up at him and sighed.

"Now for dinner with the old man. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he replied easily. "You ok? Katara wasn't too annoying, was she?"

"Nah," Toph said, waving it off. "Sweetness can be a little too girly sometimes and unfortunately Fan Girl follows suit too easily. I'll be fine. Catch you later."

Zuko nodded, knowing Toph was doing better now that Katara had eased up somehow. He figured Katara and Suki had teamed up against Toph to get her to talk, probably about him. But he trusted Toph to not tell anyone else the little he had told her about himself. And he figured Katara was probably bugging Toph about her feelings, and he hoped the junior would leave them both alone. He started walking back to his house and thought about how he could tell Toph about himself and whether or not he should even do it. He found Iroh trimming some bonsai in the kitchen and walked past him to his room to finish the little bit of homework he had left. As he stared at the math, he realized he couldn't do it until he figured out what he was going to do about Toph. Searching over everything he knew of her and his own past, he decided to tell her, when the time was right. But he would tell her, or maybe, he thought with a smile, he would show her how he felt about her first. He would have to find the right moment, and knew he had five days until the party. Having decided what to do, he turned to his homework and started on it.