Author's Note:

Credit for this chapter goes to HeartlessDemonWolf for giving me the ideas to make this chapter.

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Seeds Of Separation

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"Class we have some visitors joining us today, Hide and Jin. Welcome them to our class," The English teacher announced "They are new to this school and I'd like you all to wish them a warm welcome."

"Nice to meet you all," Jin smiled slightly. He was tall, lean and handsome. His skin unlike the other was creamy white and his eyes were a deep crystal blue. A long black vest covered his muscular torso, covered with a white unbuttoned shirt with sea blue jeans attached to chain hanging out of his pocket with a pair of white sneakers. A silver pendant hung around his neck which complimented the twin piercings on his left ear.

"A Pleasure if I may say so," said Hide smiling charmingly. Hide, the dark haired boy's skin was a soft shade of chocolate brown with scintillating topaz eyes. He wore a red long coat. Underneath he wore a white vest which matched in color with his cloth pants and his black boots.

"Nice to meet you both, welcome to the class." the class spoke nervously all but Toph who gave both the boys a puzzled look. They seemed familiar but Toph shrugged off of the feeling and returned to her previous conversation with Aang. Hide noticed Toph's glance and grinned. Feeling mischievous, he spoke out.

"Hey, if it isn't the little princess!" he said point directly at Toph "I didn't know you were in this class Toph."

"Huh?"

"We didn't finish what we started last time! How about we finish today?" The whole class went silent and all eyes were forwarded towards Toph who had a dumbfounded look on her face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" She stood up from her seat "Nothing happened between us! I don't even know who the hell you are!"

"Oh? Nothing you say? You were all over me; ask Jin over here," he looked over to Jin who sighed.

"Oh dear god don't involve me."

"Toph, ignore him before the class gets anymore wrong ideas." Aang whispered. She looked around her to see the class staring and whispering to each other, she took Aang' advice and just sat down.

"Well the tension in the atmosphere is making me uncomfortable," said the teacher smiling "You two should calm down before you jump onto each other like that." He joked.

Toph rested her head on her desk her cheeks seething with anger. Who the hell was this guy? Hide feeling accomplished, smiled before he and Jin resigned to the back left corner of the class right next to Toph. During class Hide would occasionally look her way and smile but she just ignored him all through classes until lunch time.

"What was that about?" Toph appeared in front of Hide's desk after the class was done "What's wrong with you?"

"Just felt like my halo turned to horns for a bit," he said putting his book down "Nothing is wrong with me honey."

"Before I bust your face open, tell me who you are?" Despite the fact that Toph grabbed his collar, his smile didn't fade.

"Oh you don't remember me? I mean we did have a hot night at your place a few months ago."

"Start making sense!"

"I can help with that," Jin walked up to her with an exasperated look on his face "Mistress Toph, do you know of the Lyuang family?"

"No. Am I supposed to?"

"Well yes, since your family and the Lyuang family proceeded to establish a co-operate merger with one of their smaller firms three months ago."

"Your point being?"

"Hide is of the Lyuang family. For the meeting, he came with his parents and during that time he met you."

"Oh?" Toph looked at Hide's face for a moment before she let his collar go "Sorry don't remember you."

"That's a really shame you know. You've been on my mind ever since."

"You honestly don't remember him Toph? Was he that forgettable?" Aang added. Aang couldn't help but feel out of place in the conversation. She shrugged.

"Apparently. But still," Toph glared "That doesn't give you any reason to make fun of me in front of the classroom!"

"I was only kidding. Can't you people take a joke?"

"They don't seem to think to think it's a joke," Aang nodded towards the rest of the class, all of which were whispering and facing their way.

"Speaking of classmates, who the heck are you?" Hide's smile faltered when he looked at Aang.

"Oh, sorry. My name's Aang."

"Still doesn't answer my question."

"He is my friend. You had better leave him alone."

"Unnecessary competition, I see."

"Competition for what?" Toph's eyes narrowed.

"Oh nothing. Well if you'll excuse me, I'm off to get my lunch. Later princess." Hide got up from his seat and made his way to the door. Aang opened his mouth, but in a fraction of a second Toph raised her hand to his mouth.

"Not another word. Let's just go meet the others."

"Anyone ever get the feeling that you were being watched?" Toph spoke calmly.

"What do you mean?" Aang curiously asked.

"I think what Toph is trying to say is that," Sokka paused "Everyone is staring at us."

Aang's eyes swerved back and forth between the groups of teens that were whispering and chatting amongst themselves. They all seemed intent on singling out the three as they walked through the halls, going as far as moving away from them as they marched down the hallways.

"What's all this about?" Aang asked.

"Heck if I know." Toph responded slightly ticked by the stares.

To Aang it seemed like a regular Wednesday morning at school. Whatever it was it couldn't be good. After the three escaped the stares in the hallway they made their way to the usual spot on the lunch table where everyone had already gathered.

"So anyone else got the feeling that we're the talk of the school?" Sokka asked

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Katara asked turning away from her book.

"Well, ever since this morning people have been staring at us."

"Now that you mentioned it, people are looking over this way." Zuko claimed noticing everyone's gaze.

Seeing as everyone was so curious to know what rumors were spreading, Azula got out of her seat; walked over to the nearest person she could find and grabbed him by his collar.

"Tell me boy. What is all this gossip about?"

"Ah! Don't hurt me!"

"Speak now."

"Just a rumor about how you and your friends…Aang and Toph well umm…" Azula narrowed her eyes and the boy cringed "About how they have sex when they go to her house!"

Azula's eyes widened for a split second before she regained her usual composure."Thank you." Azula let go of the boy's collar and returned to her seat "Well there you have it."

"Azula! You can't just grab people and interrogate them like that!" Katara preached.

"On the bright side, we know what everyone is talking about." Ty Lee tried to be optimistic. Everyone's gaze fell onto Aang and Toph.

"They are just rumors!" Toph cried loudly.

"Rumors or not, you're screwed once the teachers hear about it…which at the rate it's spreading not very long from now." Mai said dryly.

"I'm not worried about it. I mean they're only rumors." Aang remarked.

When the bell ran they all dispersed to their classes but even there the staring, gossiping and constant chatting still went on. Toph could feel the vein on her forehead grow in size the more she listened.

Apparently, rumors of her and Hide sprung up. A few rumors said she and Hide had done it, 50 times even. There were even rumors of her and Aang. Mostly that Aang visited her house daily because they were having crazy monkey sex in her bedroom when they didn't want to be disturbed. Some were even saying that there was a love triangle. Aang didn't care either way but it was burning Toph up from the inside.

It wasn't until the teacher left that she exploded.

"Will you people just shut the hell up?" Aang just watched. If Toph didn't say it he was going to. Well not like that. Frankly it was getting on his nerves too. Just once he wished he could have a normal school life, just one day even. Just then their homeroom teacher entered the room.

"Toph and Aang will you two accompany me to the principal's office?"

Aang and Toph exchanged glances before they got up and followed their homeroom teacher. It was obvious the news got to the office but what were they going to do about it once they got there? They found their sits and soon enough the principal entered the room.

"I'm sure you've all heard the rumors, you both know why you're here." The two remained quiet "Well? No comments? Nothing?"

"I'm sorry sir but I don't keep track of rumors, so if you don't mind telling us about it?" If they were going to get out of this the first thing to do would be to gather information. Aang knew this and was more than willing to put it into use. The principal waited before he answered.

"There has been a rumor floating around that you and Miss Toph are engaging in strong illicit sexual activities. There are also ones involving Mister Hide, but I have already had a long chat with him."

Meaning Hide had connections with the principle that made him safe. That bastard. Toph crossed her arms and huffed.

"And may I ask where you heard this rumor?" Aang followed up.

"A very reliable source."

"Would that 'reliable source' happen to be the other students?"

"That is none of your concern." The principal angrily replied.

"Well sir isn't it nothing more than that? A rumor?" Aang noticed the heated glare he was getting from the principal but he ignored it "You know how teenagers are these days. Known to stretch and bend the truth to make something more interesting because they honestly have nothing better to do."

"That will be enough of that! All you've said is true, or should I say would be true, if there weren't eye witnesses listening in to your conversation saying that you did in fact go to her house."

"Sir, that isn't enough evidence to the pin these rumors on us." Aang defended.

"We are just friends! And we're under-aged for god sakes!" Toph pointed out, not trying to hide the anger in her voice.

"If you haven't noticed, kids these days don't consider being under-aged a problem. But I am not unfair. I will pass this off as a warning. Keep your minds on your school work, not each other."

When the two returned to the class there was an unusual awkward silence. It was like the trip to the principal's office was a confirmation to all the rumors that were going on between them. Toph returned to her seat trying to ignore the other students but one thing caught her attention, Hide's dirty smile. That was the last straw for her. She walked pass her seat and slammed her fist on Hide's desk.

"You. Me. Roof. Now!"

After her tiny explosion, she exited the class instinctively grabbing Aang by his shirt and pulling him along with her. Both Hide and Jin looked at each other, before Hide got out of his seat and followed her. There was only one way to settle this. It wouldn't solve the problem of the rumors but it would serve to make Toph feel better. As the three teens walked through the hall all the students whispered to each other.

"Are Toph and Hide going out?"

"Are they going to make out?"

"But why is that other guy with them?"

"No way! Are they going to have a battle to the death over her?"

"God! I love, love triangles they are so romantic."

"In case you're wondering," Hide turned to the students flocking in the hallway "We are going to make out."

"What?" Toph rushed over to Hide and dragged him by his shirt to speed up their trip.

The students started making whistling noises and started cheering. Toph tried to ignore it but couldn't help but grow angrier. Hide savored the moment and grinned at everyone they passed by. When they got to the roof and both stood in opposite areas of the roof. Aang, still indifferent about the whole thing was resting against the fence.

"Why'd you drag me up here princess?" said Hide grinning slyly.

"Don't call me princess!" Toph retorted taking a fighting stance.

"Wait," Hide paused for a moment to think "We aren't going to make out?"

"Of course not!" shouted a flustered Toph.

"Toph! Control yourself! You don't need to do this!" Aang tried to calm her.

"No! This bastard started it all! I'll only feel better if I beat him down!"

"Toph don't-"

"Aang shut up and let me do this!"

Toph charged straight for Hide ignoring Aang's protests. Hide stood still as if waiting for her. When she was close enough, Hide grinned. She shot her fist forward which he evaded by stepping in and grabbing Toph' wrist. He then placed his free arm around her waist and tilted her backwards bringing his face closer to hers.

"Let's not fight Toph," Hide whispered seductively "Let's make love." Toph pushed him away and moved back while clutching her chest as she yelled.

"Pervert!"

She then lunged at him again with a raging straight kick. He dodged to the left and moved towards her. She whipped her hand to the left which Hide easily dodged by promptly ducking to avoid the blow, but a rising knee caught him off guard. He barely had time to block it before it hit him in the chest.

"Dang, that was a close one," said Hide as he shuffled backwards.

"There's more where that came from!" Toph yelled as she rushed Hide once more. This time around, she attempted an outward horizontal sideswipe with her hand aimed at Hide' torso. Hide ducked quickly avoiding the blow, and then stepped forward grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close to him.

"You know what they say." Hide lowered his head closer to hers "Make love, not war."

Toph grinded her teeth together before she slammed her forehead into his causing him to stagger backwards and lose his grip on her.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" Hide yelled as he clutched his forehead.

Hide could barely dodge the next attack. Toph swiped her leg through the air with great speed. He side stepped narrowly avoiding it the attack, but it still managed to tear off a button on his shirt. So she can fight? Interesting.

Toph, not missing a beat, used the momentum tospin around delivering an axe kick downward at Hide who was still off guard. Hide didn't have time to dodge and if he tried to block his arm would have taken serious damage. Toph was certain the hit would connect but then there was a flash of light causing Toph to stop her attack midway. Toph was surprised which gave Hide the perfect opportunity to spin around her and slide his arm around her waist from behind.

"I have no witty saying for this moment," Hide rubbed his cheek against her "So just kiss me."

Suddenly, he felt a small round object bounce of his head. He had a pretty good idea of who threw that rock as he looked mockingly at Aang who looked like steam would come out of his ears at any second. Toph broke away from his embrace and turned around quickly.

"What the hell is your problem!" Toph said as she struggled to find the words to say "Just fight me seriously!"

"I just want to love you!" Hide tried to sing. All it earned him was a glare from Toph.

"Don't take this the wrong way," Hide sighed and spoke apologetically "You're kind of an amateur and I don't want to hurt you or anything."

"I am not an Amateur" Toph shouted in retaliation "I have a black belt in Karate! I've beaten countless people before!"

"You mean low-class hacks that were probably paid to lose to you?" Hide retorted with a grin "That isn't really a great feat."

"Toph, that's enough!" Aang stretched his arms out in front of her "You don't need to do this! If you want the rumors to go away, all you have to do is ignore them!"

"Pfft, rumors don't go away that easily you know. It's only a matter of time before the whole school knows." Toph clicked her teeth. Toph could tell that Hide had no respect for her whatsoever. She was just a weakling. That was enough. She had had it.

"Aang, out of my way."

"No!"

"Move!"

Toph grabbed Aang's shirt and tossed him to the side. He was hurt. Toph could tell but there was no way in hell she was letting Hide get away with everything he had done so far. Hide noticed the air between the two and shook his head. He turned his gaze to her and said "Look, if you want me to fight seriously I will." He entered a ready stance; his right fist pointed forward and his left pulled back.

Hide clenched his fists and with blinding speed rushed Toph and karate chopped diagonally downward. Toph blocked using her arms but the force from Hide' attack pushed her backward a bit. Toph retaliate by thrusting her enclosed fist forward viciously. Hide hit the top of her fist downwards leaving her open.

Hide performed a straight kick aimed at Toph' abdomen but was blocked by her knee. But Toph' strength was considerable less than Hide' so she was pushed back again. While Toph struggled to regain balance Hide took the opening she gave him. Toph watched in horror as Hide' right fist entered her field of vision. She couldn't dodge the blow that was aimed for her face.

"No!"

Before Aang realized, he was already in the air. In one swift movement he spun his right leg which launched itself into Hide's face. He hit Hide with such force he flew through the air shortly before he rolled against the rooftop floor before he came to a stop. Toph who was clearly shocked by her close encounter, fell to the floor when her knees gave out.

"You idiot! Look at what almost happened! You almost got hurt!"

Toph's eyes were momentarily unfocused before their usual vigor returned "You didn't need to do that! I could have blocked it!"

"Even you knew you couldn't!"

"Even if it was going to hit me, I don't need you babysitting me! If he wanted to hit me let him hit me! I would have stood right back up!"

"I don't want to see you get hurt! I was protecting you!"

"I don't need your 'protecting'!"

"Why won't you listen to me? If you didn't come up here none of this would have happened!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Toph screamed. She wasn't sure about the things she said. Her mouth kept moving and her mind went dead.

"Get away from me! I don't need you around 24/7! I don't need you at all!" She wasn't fully aware of what she said until she heard Aang stormed off the roof slamming the door behind him. Toph immediately felt a deep-seated regret.

"Wait Aang!" But he was already gone.

"I was right. You're nothing but an Amateur." said Hide, as he dusted himself. Toph gritted her teeth. She had tasted defeat for the first time. It wasn't very pleasant.

"You really pissed off your boy toy there." For once, Toph could tell that Hide wasn't in his usual joking mood. He wasn't gloating like Toph had expected him to do. He was calm. He didn't seem to even mind the blow Aang gave him to the face.

"So?"

"You sure you want to leave things like that? I've been there. He'll only get angrier if you don't talk to him about it."

"It's none of your business. He is Aang. He'll get over it." Toph claimed. Hide didn't say anymore. She knew Aang would have been angry with her but he was an overachiever when it came to being happy. He'd be fine by the next day. She hoped.

The Seeds of Separation have been laid. Will it grow into a tree? Or will it be stopped before it's too late?