It was dusk, the sun had dyed the sky with beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow and violet. Gaara looked toward the sky, he loved sunsets. They made feel...human, unlike the way most of the people of his village made him feel, even now..
"Hey uh.." Gaara stammered
"Toph, the name's Toph." the little blind girl said
"Right, Toph...so is this kid you speak of strong?" asked Gaara
"Of course he is! Otherwise why do think I said that he's probably the only one who can help you?" Toph said forcefully
"You make a good point, I guess...It's just...well putting all my hope on the line for one person doesn't seem very smart.."
"Heh...You'd be surprised.." said Toph under her breath as rode through the countryside
The two had been searched for hours across and to their dismay they have had no luck, but although he was worried about his friends and family in the village...he had secretely lost interest in finding this "Avatar" that Toph spoke of.
"Hey Mr. Happy-Pants, what you thinking about so hard?" said Toph in her usual tone
"Oh nothing at all." said Gaara in a gruff tone
"Really now?" questioned Toph
"Yeah." said Gaara
"You know you are a liar right?" said Toph as she smiled
"Ok, how are you doing that?" asked Gaara
"Doing what?" said Toph
"You know things like, figuring out that I was lying...a-and how did you get so strong for that matter?"
"Heh..If we told each other everything it would ruin the mystery.." giggled Toph
"Ugh..Why do you insist to irk me?" sighed Gaara
"Well how else am I going to get you to talk?" said Toph
"You are impossible." muttered Gaara under his breath as he smiled
"Hmph! Anyway we've been at this while now..why don't we take a break, maybe even get some food?" said Toph
"(sigh) that sounds good right about now. Heh..Now that think about I haven't eaten at all today.." said Gaara as he stared at his stomach
"Then it's settled. Let's go get some grub!" said Toph
As they searched through the town for Aang, the two found a nearby cafe decided to grab a quick bite. As they sat at the table, neither one talked as they waited for their food. Though they never said a word, they could tell what they were each thinking about.
As their food was delivered Gaara asked "So..you never did tell me why you left the Avatar in the first place." as he ate his ramen.
"Well it's a long story, but the short version of it is..I was tricked." Toph said bluntly as she took a vicious bite out of her rice ball
"Humph..I take it that it's a touchy subject right?" Gaara said as Toph nodded
"Oh you don't know the half of it.." as she thought back to that day..
