Disclaimer: The last time I owned something, it burned down.

Summary: In the end, there is no weak or strong, there is only you…and that is good enough for now.

Authors Note: I have no idea where this came from, but this is for all the females of Avatar and (if I so choose) Naruto

Chapter One: Toph

You never had sight.

(You were always blind, never to know colours of a rainbow or even the faces of your friends)

But you do know earth, the brown-ness of the dirt beneath your scarred feet. The feeling of a solid surface, of the unmovable substance created by the crushed rocks that are just as solid. You dance on the earth; it is not bending, not a skill, but an art-form. The way your body moves with the earth, letting it spike up around you (earth was never graceful like water) as you coil around the rocks, avoiding them like the plague while it is a part of you

(And you need it)

That is why you are an earthbender, not to teach some Avatar how to make a rock move or how to make dirt dance beneath his feet, you need it to feel needed. To feel like you have purpose. Like Aang needs you. Because he is the Avatar. And he is in love with the blue-eyed water-bender in the group. And you know your place in his heart is not nearly as strong as hers.

And Qi Rang, it hurts.

Because once again, SHE is who is blessed.

(She is able to see, able to bend, able to show emotion, she is loved…by everyone. By Snoozles, Fan-girl, Sparky, and Twinkle Toes…and you hurt. And she heals. And you break. And she mends. And all the power you once had, all the ability, all the strength turns to dust and crumbles so much like the earth you move.)

And you have never felt more alive than when Sugar Queen declares her and Sparky are together. And though Aang is hurting, after all a broken heart has no cure, you are happy. But you don't tell them the grin on your face isn't a truly happy for them smile, but the selfish grin of a girl (never a woman) who suffered from an unrequited love. It never escapes you lips that your soft congratulations is not for them, but for yourself (you achieved a new level of self-hatred).

You spew lies of how you knew they would be together, because in reality you had no idea. You were too preoccupied with YOUR love life, and YOUR issues. And when you leave it is not to get firewood like they think, it is to bend. Bend like no other, because in bending you find release. You find all worldly issues fade with the mist of morning.

And they believe your twisted words, and your deceitful actions.

Because there was nothing else to believe. And they think they know you, they think they know the Toph Bei Fong they WANT to exist. And you have never felt more alone than right then.

And your lies stay up until that one day when the only truth escapes your chapped and bleeding lips.

'I love you'

And just like that you are his.

And maybe you'll stop lying to him. For each lie you told, a new wound is inflicted upon your pale body.

Because, maybe (just maybe) you've suffered enough for one lifetime.

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AN INTROSPETIVE LOOK INTO TOPH BEI FONG'S EVER ELUSIVE MIND!!

Lub,

Shiori-chan