100 - Toph's determination

AN: A quick message before you keep reading.

We just reached chapter 100 today for those who hadn’t noticed, and I am so proud of it.

I know My work isn’t the best, But I also know it isn’t the worst either. I'd like to believe it is somewhere in between, above average if I say so myself. (if that makes me seem a bit cocky then so be it).

But for you to have stuck here so far you have to have liked it, so I just want to say thank you all for accompanying me on this journey.

Alright, You can keep reading now you Bastards, Enjoy.

***

Levi’s danger sense screamed at him to dodge and he did, a huge rock zipped past where he was standing.

‘Sadly for you Toph I might be your worst match, it would have been better for you if you could see, but you can’t,’ thought Levi before activating stealth! Disappearing from Toph’s senses.

Toph's relaxed and easygoing attitude changed right away, her facial expression going through a variety of emotions before settling on wariness, she waited for him to appear in her senses again but he didn’t.

“What kind of trick is this,” she asked, keeping her guard up and her seismic sense spread out looking for the slightest movement.

“No trick, just skill.” Levi’s voice replied from behind her, right by her ear sending a shiver down her spine, she quickly turned around and launched an attack but it hit nothing, she could hear and feel her rock hitting the far wall of the stadium.

The people in the stands started to notice something weird, they saw Levi walking all around Toph but she was ignoring him, or more like she couldn’t see him at all!

For the first time in years Toph again felt what it was like to be blind, her seismic sense not picking up anything, but Levi was clearly still there, his voice reaching her every now and then, playing with her! 

Thinking of that Toph felt outraged but she couldn’t do anything.

“How about this then, if you train my friend I will tell you how I am doing it,” said Levi from right in front of her.

This time she didn’t launch an attack at him, she knew that it was useless from the previous few times she tried, taking a deep breath she exhaled before speaking, “Fine, but let’s speak of this after the match,” said Toph.

“Fine by me,” said Levi with a smile as he disabled his stealth, Toph could now feel him using her seismic sense, even though she knew he could hide anytime he wanted she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief that he was in her “sight”.

What surprised her was that while she was hearing Levi’s voice close to her he was actually standing a considerable distance away, “Are these voice tricks also in the deal?” 

“Nope,” answered Levi with one word before he started running towards her as she threw rocks at him, it was a precise use of Void Monarch that allowed him to do that and he wasn’t going to tell anybody about that ability, not even his close ones.

After a long fight, Toph finally managed to throw Levi off the stage “Winning” the match, but there was no smile of victory on her face as she reclaimed her title and exited the stage.

They both knew he let her win, and even though this would upset her Levi was sure it was better than actually winning, he knew it was highly likely he might hurt her pride if he won so he didn’t risk that, he just accepted his “loss”.

“Why did you let her win,” said Sokka, giving Levi a death stare.

“It was necessary,” replied Levi simply.

“Necessary for what, you could have won and become the champion and shown all the earth benders around who’s boss,” said Sokka as he got to Levi’s face.

Thump

“Ouch,” Sokka quickly held his head in pain, backing away from Levi.

“It was necessary for her to teach Aang,” said Levi.

“Why does it matter that much, we could have found a dozen others,” said Sokka in indignation.

“No, not like her,” said Levi, making all three look at him seriously, he rarely spoke of anyone like that so it was extremely obvious when he did.

“So what now? Do we just wait for her to have her next match or what?” asked Katara.

“That wouldn’t be necessary,” said Levi with a smile as he pointed to an earthbender approaching them from behind.

“Excuse me, but the blind bandit would like to meet you, follow me please,” he said, seeing they had no problem with that he turned around and walked away, followed by Levi and the others.

***

Following the earthbender they were led even deeper underground before entering a big room, the earthbender left soon after.

Inside Toph leaned back on a rock chair with one of her shoeless feet on the rock table, the other one was still planted firmly on the ground, ‘Probably so she can see,’ thought Levi.

“You’re finally here, what took you so long,” said Toph in a dismissive tone.

Katara frowned on the side but she didn’t say anything.

“Congrats on the win,” said Aang with a smile as he approached her, it was obvious he was excited to finally meet his earth-bending teacher.

“HAH,” said Toph sarcastically, “That wasn’t a win and you know it, what do you want?”

Aang looked to be hesitating before he saw Levi give him an encouraging nod, taking a deep breath he spoke firmly, “I’ll get straight to the point then, I am the Avatar and I want you to be my earth-bending teacher.” 

“And why should I?” asked Toph her tone was uncaring.

“Well because I saw you in a dream and I….” 

“Because as we speak the fire nation is killing thousands, men, women, children, and toddlers, and you quite literally have the power to help end it but you’re choosing not to,” said Levi interrupting Aang, he knew Toph was just messing with Aang but he chose to confront her with the reality of the situation anyhow.

Toph turned to look at him for a moment before throwing her hands back, “I was just messing with him alright? Jeez you must be real fun at parties,” said Toph, “Besides a promise is a promise.” 

“What promise?” asked Sokka.

“That’s for me and your friend here to discuss,” said Toph looking at Levi.

“Well I guess that settles it, Aang, congrats on your new earth-bending teacher,” said Levi with a smile.

“Just like that?” wondered Aang scratching the back of his head.

“Yep, just like that,” replied Levi, “Toph will accompany us from now on.” 

“Wait, what about her parents, what would they do, wouldn't they be worried?” asked Katara, her motherly instincts taking over.

Levi could see Toph visibly stiffen up from the corner of his eye, “I am sure Toph can deal with that on her own, right Toph?” said Levi.

“Huh?...oh yeah…right,” she replied absentmindedly.

“Alright we will be waiting for you outside of town then, don’t take too long,” said Levi as he turned and headed out followed by the others.

“Wait,” called out Toph, “You didn’t fulfill your end of the promise.”

“Oh, sorry I forgot about that, you guys get going, I’ll follow right after,” said Levi.

“So care to explain how you avoided my senses,” asked Toph after the others got out, only she and Levi were left inside.

“A promise is a promise, but I am sure you’ll be disappointed,” said Levi as he entered stealth.

Toph's eyebrows twitched up but she didn’t panic, “Can you not do that? It’s disturbing.” 

“Sorry about that,” said Levi deactivating his stealth, “Long story short, It is a skill I spent more than a decade perfecting.”

“You expect me to believe that is a skill? How do you even silence the beating of your heart,” asked Toph incredulously.

“Told you you’ll be disappointed,” said Levi.

“Wait, if it’s a skill then doesn't that mean anyone could learn it,” said Toph a shiver running up her body.

“You don’t have to worry about that, I doubt there is anyone else who can do…,” said Levi before he stopped mid-sentence, remembering Tobirama, “I doubt there is anyone else besides me and a good friend of mine who can master it,”

“And is that supposed to make me feel better? As long as I stay in your good graces then I am ok? Jeez thanks,” said Toph sarcastically.

Levi could only smile weakly At that, “Anyhow, now I fulfilled my side of the promise, it is your turn, we will be waiting for you outside the city,” said Levi before turning and heading out.

He suddenly stopped at the entrance, “And a piece of advice miss Beifong,” he said, her body stiffened up at that and her heart started beating faster, 

“Some people never listen to reason, so you can’t take the easy road with them, sometimes you have to be harsh and firm, no matter who they are.” leaving her with those words Levi left the underground chambers.

***

Dressed in her noble robes Toph walked the halls of her estate accompanied by two escorts.

She seemed to be lost in thought, walking aimlessly.

‘Am I really going to do this?’ she thought, she couldn’t believe what she was about to do.

She had always followed her parents' arrangements and orders without complaint, even though most of the time she didn’t agree with them, but this time she felt compelled to go.

To explore the wider world outside and have adventures and make memories, and most of all to train the avatar and eliminate the threat of the fire nation, she had to go! If not for herself then for the people oppressed by the fire nation.

Before long she was standing by the doors to her father’s office, she felt a pressure like no other, she was more at ease in the underground arena fighting grown men and breaking bones than she was here standing before a random set of doors, she hoped the hallways of their mansion were even longer.

Exhale

‘You can do this Toph,’ she thought, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door.

Her two earth benders escorts raised an eyebrow as they looked at each other, usually they had to guide the way for her and tell her where she was, but today she had walked all the way from her rooms to here all by herself before knocking on the door.

Sigh 

Toph could hear a sigh from inside before her father spoke, “What is it?” He was the only one who had spoken but Toph knew someone else was inside with him, her mother.

“Dad, it's me, can I get in?” 

“Oh, of course, darling, guards open the doors,” he said, his tone softer, the two escorts behind her stepped forward and opened both doors.

She slowly strolled into the room, her mother getting up to escort her to a chair, “No need Mom, I got this,” said Toph as she walked to the chair before sitting down.

Her parents looked at each other in shock, the same for her escorts.

‘No more pretending,’ she thought, her heart beating loudly in her chest, faster than it ever did when she was in battle.

“Mom, Dad, there is something important I want to talk about,” she said, her tone serious, gone was the helpless and weak tone she always used around them.

“What is it Princess?” her father asked, his voice wrapped in warmth and love.

“I am leaving home,” said Toph seriously.

…

…

“Hahaha, where did this come from sweety,” said her father as he struggled to contain his laughter, he got up and stood beside her putting his hand on her head.

‘Why are you making this more difficult,” thought Toph, it would have been easier if he started shouting or became more aggressive.

“I am not joking Dad,” said Toph, “My bag is already packed and ready.” 

“Sweety you’re not a prisoner, if you want to go anywhere we can have guards accompany you…” said her mom.

“No, I...I am going alone,” said Toph, interrupting her mother. She felt her heart tearing inside but she didn’t show it.

Her father’s expression hardened before he spoke, “Toph, you know we both love you, but you’re not going anywhere, you will stay here where it’s safe,” he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

‘Some people need never listen to reason, you can’t take the easy road with them, sometimes you have to be harsh and firm, no matter who they are.’ the strange boy's words echoed in her head making her take a deep breath before exhaling.

“I was afraid you would say that dad, just know this, I love you and Mom no matter what, but I am leaving and there is nothing you can do to stop me,” said Toph as she jumped out of her chair.

“You wait right there, we are not done yet,” said her father, crossing his arms and giving a signal to the guard to stop her.

“Wait dear we don’t have to…” her mother’s protest was caught off short as the guard who reached his hand towards her was unconscious and buried underground with only his head out, in barely a second.

All three adults in the room stood frozen in shock as Toph stood straight again releasing her hand from the guard's head and turned towards her parents, “As I said, there is nothing you can do to stop me, so please accept my decision dad,” she said, and before lord Beifong could reply she kicked the ground which opened up and swallowed her whole, leaving her parents and the shocked guard in the office.