A/N: A story about how Toph copes with Aang's death. Spoof? Fluff? One-shot? I'm not sure of the term, but it's a short story. Enjoy, and R&R please.
Toph lied down on the ground. She "looked" up at the sunny sky. What did the sky look like, she wondered. She imagined he knew, he spent practically all his time up there.
There were so many things she had never asked him...
And how could she? Their time together was so short...Toph fought to hold back the tears. After all, they would be here soon. She could feel them coming.
Why did she care so much? Aang wasn't the only one to die that day. She remembered...
A final battle at the Fire Lord's palace, and earthbenders, waterbenders, firebenders, and two airbenders fought for the future of the world. Toph took down any firebender she could get to, and fighting right alongside her were Katara and Sokka. She thought they would actually succeed...
And they did. But at a terrible price; many waterbenders and earthbenders had been killed, and Zuko, after finally choosing to fight alongside Aang, was crippled by one of Azula's lightning bolts. Aang went on alone to fight the Fire Lord, and defeated him. However, he had come out of the throne room almost dead, having sustained many burns and injuries. Toph remembered that moment, where she had felt Aang receive his death wound...racing across the palace, destroying everything in her path, hoping desperately it wasn't too late...
And catching Aang as he fell to the ground.
He looked at her, and smiled. "Hey, Toph," he said weakly, "Did we win?"
"Yeah, we did. But what about you, Twinkle Toes? You look terrible." she joked.
"Toph, don't worry, I'm going to be ok." he said as he held her hand.
She wished she couldn't have felt that he was lying. She suddenly felt as if her whole world was crashing around her.
"Twinkle Toes, please don't go," she cried, "Please, the world's safe now, you can stay."
"Toph, if I had to leave this world, I'm glad it's in your arms." Aang said as he took her hand. "Toph, I love you."
She threw her arms around him. "Aang, I love you too!"
And that was how everyone found them, the Avatar in Toph's arms, and Toph sobbing into the night.
She sighed. It had been a year since that day. No matter how many things happened, no matter how much fame and honor she was given, not a day went by when she didn't think of Aang.
She got up and dried her tears hastily. They were coming. She turned to face the group that emerged from the forest. "Hey, you guys." she greeted them.
Katara and Sokka returned the greeting. Iroh trailed behind, pushing Zuko along in his wheelchair.
After about an hour of conversation, Toph realized her friends had been doing better than she had. Katara and Sokka had succeeded in rebuilding the Souther Water Tribe to its original splendor. Iroh and Zuko had reopened their tea shop as well, and Zuko was even making some progress walking on his own. Iroh confided in Toph about his latest plan to set up Katara and Zuko on a date.
"How have you been?" Katara asked, "We haven't seen you at all since...that day..."
"Oh, I've been OK," Toph said quickly. Katara didn't pursue the matter.
After paying their respects, her friends began to leave. Toph stayed, however. Day turned to night.
She walked over to Aang's tomb. and left a flower there. She might not know what it looked like, but the smell gave her feelings of happiness and love.
Just like he had. She ran her hand along the words inscribed on the tombstone, then smiled. She walked away.
The world may be safe, but to Toph, it would always be incomplete.