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I. Sparrow

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Chapter 1

Aang was thankful to the day that Guru Patik taught him to let go of Katara. He was glad he listened to him. After a year of dating, when Katara realised that she can't love him 'that way', that after all the Ember Island Players were right, that he was and always will be a little brother to her she had broke up with Aang. The twelve year old goof ball of Aang might have been crestfallen but the fully realised Avatar Aang of 14 years of age had understood. He had respected her decision and accepted it.

Though others in their little gang had tried to comfort Aang in his silent grief, Toph had never tried, even not to say that she feels sorry for him. She had punched him hard on the upper arm and said, "You'll be alright." Four long years has passed since the end of war. Aang was completely over the shock and he was glad Katara was still his best friend. She was still the first person he turns to looking for comfort.

Even after full four years since the end of war, Aang had mastered all four elements, almost. Air was his own element, water was never a problem. Fire has given him hesitation over feeling of control but he could still tie a match with Zuko or even Iroh by now. But earth... earth was his weak point. He had developed his earth bending ability so that he could bring down many master earth benders but Bumi could still beat him in a match and Toph, well he was way below Toph's standard. Aang could not still bend metal though he was improving on his sand bending.

There was a reason for this. Every time Toph trained him or demonstrated a move, Aang was not watching the move, he was watching her. Toph moved with such grace that Aang was completely fascinated by it. Her style and movements were truly breath taking that was the first thing he noted in earth rumble six nearly six years ago. Now they have developed even more so that Aang just could not help it. He could meditate watching her graceful moves. No it was not like Aang the 17 year old was attracted to Toph, the almost 17 year old. Toph had become the live form of earth spirit to Aang. He respected her ability and power of earth bending more than she'd ever know.

Toph who never noticed this (She was never good at picking such things up like Katara) had thought Aang was having hard time focusing or been clumsy and told him off at least once every training session. She had made the training so intensive and dangerous on purpose hoping that Aang would take it seriously.

One day they were training in the special training grounds that Toph had customised for Aang.

"Focus! Twinkle Toes!" She yelled sending an earth wave towards Aang, who just thought how her hands moved with such efficiency and precision in creating the wave, not a move wasted, jumped just in time to stop himself been buried down to chest.

"Right, sorry!" He shouted rubbing the back of his neck.

So they sparred for another couple of hours and Aang was panting heavily. He no longer had strength to face her attacks head on. He just use air bender tactic to avoid them. Toph became thoroughly irritated as he hopped here and there as a hog monkey. She 'glared' at him for a one long minute. Aang assumed the training to be over as Toph's attack did not came for a while. He was panting on all fours and looked relieved. Without warning Toph stomped her foot hard on the ground and made a pillar of earth emerge right beneath the spot Anng was laying, catching his breath. Aang was so not prepared. He did not even have time to think. The pillar hit him hard on the chest and he flew backwards and landed on his back with a loud thud. From the moment the pillar hit him, Toph knew something was off. As she heard the thud the annoyed expression on her face was replaced by a worried one and she frantically ran towards him.

He was hurt. Badly. The earth pillar had broken a rib or two. Aang was barely conscious. "Twinkle Toes!.. Aang!" Toph patted his face. Something hot and thick covered her fingers. Blood was coming out his mouth.

"Oh no!" Toph took a sharp breath. She left Aang there and earth bended her way to find Katara at their house at Basing Se.

She was hardly breathing when she explained what happened in training to Katara. They rushed back to where Aang lay bleeding and Katara knelt down beside him. She checked his condition while Toph kept biting her bottom lip in panic. He had a punctured lung. May be Toph had over done it without intending to. Katara stabled his condition and they took him to the house with the help of Sokka.

He slept for hours while Katara kept healing him in regular intervals. Toph was pale and she was worried not to mention annoyed by Aang's ill prepared nature in their last training session. After all she had taught him, after all that intensive training; he had failed her by not focusing. How can he be so infuriating? She knew something had been bugging him for the last two years. It was not Katara anymore. She could tell by the way his pulse around her that he was over Katara. But when he came to train he would always become clumsy and irritatingly distracted. She knew he was observing her demonstrations earnestly, but how can she tell that he was observing her, the way she move and the grace in her style.

"I'll stay here." Toph said sitting down beside Aang's mat and leaning against the wall. Katara knew she was worried and feel guilty for hurting Aang.

"Don't worry Toph, He'll be OK by tomorrow. You should clean up and get some rest." She said walking towards Toph and pulling her up. "Common!"

"You sure?" Toph asked taking Katara's hand and sitting up. Her voice was soft and lacked the usual arrogance in it.

"Yes. Positive." Katara replied gently squeezing Toph's hand. "Common, I'll make you some Jasmine Tea."

Toph gave one last worried 'look' to Aang and followed Katara out of the room.