A/N: Hello again! Chelber here... I'm really sorry for the lateness of this, but now that we're back in school, I actually have a secure internet access thingy. I don't really know what's it's called. But, anyway, the thing is we're back in business and will be updating regularly once again! So read, enjoy and review!

[Toph]

Wait. What?

"Demon?" I repeated? "You're kidding, right?" As if I'd believe that, right...?

Gaara nodded. "Shukaku, the One-Tailed demon."

"Shu... wha?" Jeez, I swear, if I come across any more hard words Imma chuck a rock at someone! "Demon? You're not making any sense."

Gaara sighed softly. "Before I was born, a demon was sealed inside of my mother. I was the only one of three compatible with the demon, and because of that I was born prematurely. I stole the life away from the woman I would've called my mother."

I was speechless for the first time in forever. The only thing even remotely close to that I'd ever heard of was the Avatar Cycle, and even that was completely different. I am thinking my hardest here, and there are no words to describe what I felt in that moment. [A/N: Probably because I'm having a little trouble here... ^-^']

"I... uh..." I tried to find the right words, but they just wouldn't come to me. "Well, I'm not gonna say I'm sorry, cause it wasn't my fault, but there's nothing really else to say."

"Don't bother." The chair scraped as Gaara stood up again. "There's nothing you can do for me." I heard footsteps as he walked away.

With a grunt of pain I swung my legs over the side of the bed and put my feet on the ground, so at least I had some sight, although it was barely any. "Hold on a sec," I called after him. He stopped and turned. "I, uh, kinda have a favour to ask," I started.

"What is it?"

I looked in his general direction. "Um, can I stay here until I figure out how to get home?" I asked carefully. "I mean, I don't really know where home is, or where the fricken hell I am, so I don't exactly have anywhere else to go."

Gaara was silent for a few seconds. Then he turned again and said, "Of course. As long as you need." I wasn't sure, but I swore I could hear a hint of a smile in his voice.

...

About five days later I could finally go without my bandages and not bleed all over the place. I could walk without too much pain and earthbend without a problem. But I guessed I wouldn't be having another fight like the one I had with Gaara for a while.

And I figured out that he really didn't like his nickname. I made a mental note to come up with a better one. And by better, I mean more annoying. Stretching in the hospital room, I grinned to myself. I feel like I've been issued a challenge. It's on.

I stood up straight when I felt footsteps coming towards the room. The door creaked open and someone I was unfamiliar with entered the room.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"Someone who doesn't want to be here," came the answer. Kankuro. I grinned.

"Hey doggy," I said. His heart rate picked up in annoyance and embarrassment, making me grin wider. "Haven't seen you in a while. How you been?"

"Good, when we're in different rooms," he answered, gritting his teeth (at least, it sounded like it). He walked over to a table and put something metal onto it. I sensed a major rivalry coming between us.

"Right back at ya, doggy," I walked over to the table, sat down on the bed next to it and placed my hand on the metal object. It was big, rectangular and held smaller objects. A breakfast tray. "I suppose you want me to say thanks, huh?"

"That would be appreciated."

"Too bad." I picked up a bowl of rice and some chopsticks. I snapped them apart and dug into the food. Kankuro's heart pounded in annoyance. I am awesome at this, I thought to myself with a grin.

"Why are you grinning like that?" Kankuro had to ask. "It's kinda creeping me out."

"Nothing..." I smiled in the creepiest way I could.

"Yeah, I'm leaving," Kankuro's heart rate picked up considerably and he quickly exited the room, almost slamming the door behind him. I couldn't help myself. I laughed. And laughed and laughed and laughed. Aw man, I haven't had this much fun since I saw Sokka last! A moment later, I finally collected myself and kept eating. This is gonna be fun.