I am so sorry for the extremely slow update! My exams finished yet then I got so many shifts at work (fun Christmas times whilst working in retail). I am so sorry everyone!

Disclaimer: I own nothing; Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto &Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko.

Katara

Studying the weirdo in the cloak, she realised that this man was one of them – that Akatsuki group. Katara remembered Sakura telling her that Akatsuki members wore black cloaks with red clouds. How on earth did this man know about her and her friends? Interrupting her thoughts, Zuko spoke.

"Why is the Akatsuki curious with people like us?" he demanded, "Shouldn't you be worrying about the Jinchūriki?"

But before the man had a chance to answer, Katara watched Toph cry out and charge him!

"Toph wait!" she called out but Toph didn't hear as she started to attack the Akatsuki member.

Toph bent two large moulds of earth to crush him, but he dodged it with lightning fast speed – as one second he was about to be crushed and the next second he was standing next to the mound laughing! Toph then went for his feet but he only jumped up into the air and landed on a nearby branch.

Katara was just about to help her when Zuko pulled her back, "What are you doing?" she demanded, trying to break free of his grip.

"This isn't our fight."

Turning back to watch Toph, she realised that Zuko was right. Toph was extremely angry for some unknown reason; she was fighting with her usual extreme skill and Katara noticed that she was also using sand, not just earth. Was that something that Gaara taught her? But something also was amiss: this Akatsuki guy was dodging EVERYTHING! Katara had never seen anyone able to dodge Toph like this – only Aang! Katara watched the Akatsuki man dodge Toph's attacks, she gasped when she realised what he was doing. How was that even possible? How can someone disappear into thin air? Was this man even human? All of this was making Toph even angrier.

"Stop being a coward and fight me properly!" she was crying out, "What too afraid to take on a blind girl?" she continued.

"I can't watch this anymore I have to help her!" Katara said, breaking free of Zuko's grip and running in to help her friend.

But just as she did that Toph bended her back, "Stay out of this!" she demanded, "This freak's mine!"

Aang, who was closest to Katara, helped her up, "Do you know anything about this Akatsuki which would make her this angry?" Katara asked him, curious as to what these two got up to in Suna.

"I cannot say. The only thing I can think of was that she was upset when she found out they killed Gaara-"

"What?" Sokka butted in.

"I'll explain it later" Aang huffed.

As he continued Katara realised why Toph was angry: it was because of this Akatsuki that they all had to leave and since this Gaara was the leader of his village; he had to leave for that Kage meeting just like many other ninja. So Toph was this angry because her time with him was cut short? Katara had to admit that this fight was such a Toph tactic that she shouldn't be surprised at all.

"You're right" she said, turning to Zuko, "This is Toph's fight however..." she paused and looked back at the Akatsuki weirdo, "Besides his vanishing act something's not right."

Just as she said that, said Akatsuki member appeared back and just as Toph was about to attack him Aang blew him away with a great gust of wind.

"And what was that for Twinkle toes?" Toph demanded.

"He was just toying with you Toph, he only wanted to see your bending skills and how good of a fighter you are. We should get out of here right away before he comes back and keep a sharp eye out." Aang said, turning into his leader mode.

"I agree" Suki said, "Leave as fast as we can, there may be more Akatsuki members around."

Agreeing, the group packed up their things and Appa lifted off.

"I'll get him next time" Katara heard Toph grumble.

Tobi

Watching the creature fly off with the benders, Tobi chuckled to himself.

Turning to Zetsu he ordered, "You're the only one who can do this part. After all, there's a war I need to plan."

"As you wish" Zetsu said, grinning. And with that he left.

When Zetsu left Tobi looked back to the benders, now he knew which one was the one that they called the Avatar.

"And you will soon be mine" he said quietly to himself before turning to leave.

Sakura

Staring at her sleeping teammates, Sakura couldn't believe she just did that. But it had to be done; she had to do it for Naruto! She had to get him out of this pain that she caused! Standing up and getting ready to go, a Leaf ninja appeared right in front of her, startling her.

"I am sorry to have startled you like that" he said.

"No, no it's fine."

The ninja was about to say something when he spotted her teammates.

"First watch" she quickly said, hoping that would convince him.

Apparently, it did, as he went right back to what he was just about to say, "Those bending friends of Naruto have been attacked by the Akatsuki."

"WHAT?" she exclaimed loudly, making Kiba stir.

Glancing at him quickly, Sakura focused her attention back to the ninja.

"Your friends are fine; they're on their way back on that Bison as we speak."

"And of the Akatsuki who attacked them?"

"We've been informed that it was that one in the mask."

"Tobi" she said with concern, remembering the time she and the others encountered him for the first time, I knew he'd be back on the scene soon, but why go after Katara and the others? It doesn't make sense! She thought to herself.

Looking down at her teammates, she asked, "Is anyone free to warn Katara and the others?"

"Neji Hyuga and Tenten have been dispatched after them. If needed they will also travel back to the Avatar's homeland."

Sakura had to admit she wished that she could have been on that mission, she really wanted to know what the Fire Nation, Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom and the Air Temples were like.

"That is good to know, thankyou" was all she said.

The ninja said goodbye and left. Double checking to make sure her teammates were asleep (and safe), Sakura then left; wanting to continue this as it was her own little promise to Naruto.

Katara

Everyone was a little on edge as they stopped to rest for the night thanks to that Akatsuki man attacking them earlier. Katara along with Suki dragged Toph so they could have some serious girl talk.

"Now" Katara started as the three of them sat down, "Tell us about your feelings for Gaara."

"WHAT?" Suki yelled but Katara shushed her.

Hugging her legs whilst sitting and grumbling, Toph started, "I realised all so suddenly...this stupid crush on Gaara..." she paused and continued, "He's a great person! He's really patient whenever I'm annoyed...and you know what I get like whenever I'm angry and stuff..."

Suki then squealed with delight and pulled Toph into a hug, "Aww our little Toph's all grown up and getting crushes!"

"Okay, okay I got it!" Toph said angrily and pushing Suki off her, making Katara laugh.

"But he's the Kazekage of his village and all the girls love him...a lot like Zuko is actually..." Toph continued, "And he'd be able to find some mature kickass ninja girl to fall in love with...not some mouthy, blind twelve year old kid!"

Sighing, Katara and Suki looked at each other.

"How old is he?" Suki asked.

"Fifteen"

"Well three years is nothing!" Suki said, hoping to change Toph's mind.

"But I'm still just a kid!" Toph pushed.

"Well why not wait for a few years and then when you think you're old enough go back to him?" Katara suggested.

"And find him loved up, married with kids with the perfect family? Ugh no thanks"

Katara and Suki looked at each other again; they were not going to get through Toph at all when she was like this. Well, not for the moment at least.

"So what about Zuko?" Toph suddenly asked.

"What do you mean?" Katara asked.

"Figured out why he's being so moody lately?"

Katara had a sneaking suspicion that Toph knew exactly why Zuko was being moody. She looked at Suki to see if she knew anything, but Suki only shrugged.

"Well then?" she asked, curious.

"I think you should ask him that. After all, it's not really my business" Toph answered before walking off.

"That girl" Katara sighed, shaking her head as Toph was walking away.

However she was right, Katara was going to have to talk to Zuko to see why he was being so moody lately.

Toph

Kicking stones as she was walking along, she was thinking about that Akatsuki fellow. According to the others he was disappearing into thin air! But how could that happen? And what did he want with them? Well no matter, next time she, Toph Bei Fong will be ready for him! She wondered what Gaara was up to now. Were he, Temari and Kankuro at that Land of Iron place or whatever yet? Would she ever see him again? And what was up with that weird thing he said to her just before they parted ways? Ugh why did she have to care about all of this? Why couldn't she just care about the upcoming Earth Rumble tournament she was going to enter as soon as she got back to the Earth Kingdom?

As she was musing, she could feel two people running towards her. They were a little way away, but moving fast. Thinking it was the Akatsuki; she stood up and got ready to fight. This time she was going to win!

Feeling that they were getting close enough, she got ready to throw some serious earthbending action at them! Just as they got close enough Toph was about to trip them when she heard, "Toph wait!"

Stopping, she was surprised to find that it was that Hyuga boy and his teammate she met in Konoha just before she and Aang left for Suna!

"What are you two doing here?" she asked as the two ninja approached.

"Lady Tsunade sent us to protect you all on your way back" Tenten (Toph just remembered their names) answered.

"Like we really need protecting" Toph said.

"We're more here just to help you and make sure you all get back safely" Neji explained.

"Well come on then I'll take you to the rest of the group" she said and motioned for Neji and Tenten to follow her back to the others.

When they reached the camp Toph got the shock of her life when she saw Katara and Zuko sitting a little away from the campfire talking to each other with the both of them smiling! Well about time those two sorted it out!

"Oh hey what are you two doing here?" Aang asked happily as he jumped up to greet the two Konoha ninja.

Neji and Tenten explained to the others why they were here and they were all happy to have them come back to their world. Aang was chatting away excitedly telling them where he'd take them.

"I'm pretty sure we're not allowed to stay for that long" Neji said.

"Well it's at least a five day journey; you two are going to want your rest before you head back to Konoha" Sokka said.

"I'm sure Lady Tsunade wouldn't mind us being gone for too long" Tenten said, looking at Neji.

"As long as we're back before anything major happens because of that Kage meeting" Neji affirmed.

The group then got talking about the Akatsuki threat on them.

Temari

Just as she, Kankuro and Gaara were about to enter the Kage meeting, Kakashi suddenly appeared in front of them (must've been one of his shadow clones)!

Curious as to why he was here, she asked, "Kakashi, what's going on?"

"I cannot talk for long as I've got to deal with Sasuke with Naruto. But I thought it best that you three know: Aang and his friends were attacked by Tobi from the Akatsuki, so far we know that they are alright. Neji and Tenten have since been dispatched to help them."

Standing there, frozen from shock, Temari thought of Toph and her student Aang. She really hoped that they were okay! She felt a little easier since Neji and Tenten were going to be with them. She turned to look at her brother Gaara, he and Toph grew quite close and he really cared for her.

Even though her brother looked okay, Temari knew him too well to know that he wasn't okay, not at all. Gaara was staring at the floor, and she could see that his hands were balled up into fists and shaking ever so slightly.

But instead of growing in a rage, he simply said, "At least Neji and Tenten will be with them."

Kakashi nodded, then said goodbye and his shadow clone poofed (A/N: Sounds weird, I know. I couldn't think of a better word to describe a shadow clone...ah...poofing...away) away. The Sand Siblings stood there in silence for a moment and then Gaara motioned for Temari and Kankuro to move forward.

When Temari passed Gaara she heard him say softly, "It's times like these where I wish I wasn't Kazekage so I could go and protect people."

She really wanted to talk to her brother, but right now they were in official mode – personal matters had to wait. She wondered what Gaara thought about Toph, sure he cared for her but was there something possibly...more there? However, she pushed this out of her head as she entered the main room with her brothers and where the other Kage were waiting.

Toph

They were finally back home! Toph grinned as they walked through the streets of the Fire Nation heading towards the Royal Caldera City. She was laughing as they passed his fan girls; who were crying at the sight of Zuko and Katara holding hands.

"So what do you think?" she asked Neji who was walking along with her. The two of them were talking about Toph's blindness and how she used this to her advantage.

"It's so different to Konoha; I think I could enjoy this place however."

"Ooh then you'd so have to come to the Earth Kingdom! Ba Sing Se's boring as hell but where I'm from is pretty fun! You can even see me in action in Earth Rumble!"

"I may have to save that for a second trip, I worry about what this Kage meeting's going to bring."

Ugh, during her excitement of being back home she forgot about that stupid Kage meeting. Way to bring her mood crashing straight back down.

They all continued walking, and soon enough they reached Zuko's palace. As the gates were opening, Toph felt something coming out of the ground. Just as she turned around someone screamed, causing everyone to look. Some weird plant like person was coming out of the ground!

"Oh no not again!" she heard Sokka groan.

Wondering who it was, Toph didn't need any explanation when she heard him speak.

"I've got them Tobi, it's all up to you now" he said and as soon as he did he disappeared at that same Akatsuki guy who attacked them earlier appeared!

The benders including the two Konoha ninja got in their fighting stance, Toph had to admit as much as she was pissed off to see this Tobi guy again; she was excited to see this Byakugan in action!

I will get to work straight away on the next chapter as I'm sure you're all sick of my incredibly slow updates! But my work shifts are back down to normal & I'm pretty much free till the end of February! I'll upload the next chapter ASAP!