Disclaimer: I do NOT own "Avatar: The Last Airbender".
Noku and Toph were eating at the village restaurant, which was crowded by fans of the Blind Bandit. Noku managed to get a table far from the common (with the new Fire Nation money won). The table was from the finest trees in the Earth Kingdom lands and the walls around them were pictures of the Fire Nation in victorious battles; with the generals standing proud and the other army retreating. He was eating the spiciest things on the menu while Toph was eating the normal meals.
“At least it’s better than sitting with the mental people,” joked Noku.
“Yep, not getting ran over by the crazed fanatics,” replied Toph.
Noku just couldn’t keep his eyes away from this Fire Nation Toph. Her hair just looked perfect let out. Also how maroon and red seemed to match her. He tried to stop staring, but it was like pulling something off super-glue. While he was trying to look away, he completely was shocked to see something unbelievable.
“What’s wrong?” asked Toph, feeling his stunned stance.
“Wait here, I’m going to check something,” replied Noku.
He put his mask back on and went toward the entrance of the fancy restaurant. A huge line led to the restaurant from the outside as people wanted to eat there just to see if they can find the Blind Bandit. He saw a person wearing a mask, but behind it was some dirty-blonde hair.
‘It couldn’t be…’ thought Noku.
He tapped the person’s shoulder, who just got a table for himself. The person turned around to reveal a very funny looking mask with a boar as the mask.
“Are you like a spirit? Man, you’re everywhere Ito,” said Noku.
The person took off his mask and was, indeed, Ito.
“Never leave your friends behind!” Ito said, shaking his hand.
“What in the world are you doing here?! This is hostile territory!” whispered Noku, while also making sure he understood his rage.
“Long story, well sorta,” started Ito. “I saw a flying bison flying out of the city. I knew it was the Avatar and I knew you were with him. I asked my dad if we could go hiking outside the walls to actually see if we could find you and the Avatar. When we were in the high lands, the mountain just started to shake and many rocks fell and injured my dad. So I found this place. I had to put on my old mask to ‘blend in’. I took my father to the hospital here. They said to wait a while, so I’m making a living here! I also checked out the wresting matches here, geez, the Blind Bandit can sure kick butt,” explained Ito.
“That was rather long. Well, would like to meet the Blind Bandit yourself?” asked Noku, keeping it down a bit.
“You’re with her?! You’re so lucky!” exclaimed Ito.
“Over here, but stay quiet!” said Noku.
He led Ito to their table, where Toph still sat at. She was just finishing her meal when she felt Noku and the other person walking to her.
“Ito meet Toph, Toph meet Ito, my old friend,” said Noku.
Toph got up and stuck out her arm for him to greet it. Ito didn’t shake her arm. Instead, he was staring at her eyes.
“You’re really blind?” asked Ito.
Noku was furious and locked him in a headlock. He was actually choking him a bit.
“Don’t be rude!” said Noku, looking like a red dragon behind his mask.
“It’s all right. I’m just wondering why he hasn’t figured out why I’m known as the BLIND Bandit,” pointed out Toph, looking a bit annoyed.
“Sorry. No--coo, yoo--re chok--ing me,” whispered Ito, gasping for air.
Noku let go of him and Ito rubbed his neck a bit.
“Man, for an Earthbender, you’re pretty wimpy,” said Noku.
“Very funny…”
They all sat back down at the table. They were actually just waiting for Noku to finish his meal. While they were waiting, a clerk came over looking very happy.
“We’d like to thank you for coming. You brought us all these customers! It’s a surprise how a few people can make hundreds crazy,” thanked the clerk.
“Yeah, it is a surprise,” replied Toph, chuckling a bit.