Loved For Me
A/N: This is my very first fanfic so I hope you all enjoy it. This story is dedicated to Sifu-KataraRose. Thanks for being my best friend and sister and loving me for who I am. Sae nai an, sweetie! Please read and review!
Toph was in her earth tent, shaking from a nightmare. Beads of sweat were pouring down her face causing her raven colored bangs to merge together. The earthbender missed her home and parents but didn't want to show it. She knew how the gang would react: Sokka would act like a fool, Katara would be overprotective, and Aang… well, Aang had problems of his own. The four kids were in Fire Nation territory. Two whole years had passed since the water tribe youths found Aang. And now after the young Avatar had mastered firebending he was to face the Fire Lord and put an end to the 100-year-old war.
Toph began whimpering and she soon found out that she wasn't the only person in camp with good hearing.
"Toph?" came a gentle feminine voice. "Toph, can I come in?"
"Go away, Sugar Queen," the Blind Bandit managed to say. However, Katara ignored her and went inside the earth tent. "What? Are you deaf? I said go away!" But the 16-year-old waterbender sat down next to the 14-year-old and started stroking her hair.
"What's wrong? Talk to me, please." Katara stretched her arms out to the earthbending master and drew her in for a hug.
"Nothing's wrong. Now, please, just leave me alone."
"Un-uh." Toph's glazed green eyes began sprouting new tears. The waterbending master just held her. "Shh. Shh, shh. It's okay. I'm here. Just tell me what's wrong."
The blind girl pulled away from Katara and furiously wiped at her tears. "You'll think I'm a baby."
"Try me," Katara said with an impish yet compassionate grin.
It took a few seconds for Toph's breathing to become regular and steady again, but when it happened the waterbender was right by her friends' side.
"Fine. I miss my parents and my home. Are you satisfied?"
Katara pulled the black haired girl back into her arms. "Oh, Toph. I'm sure you do. I feel the same way towards my family and the South Pole." Toph started sniffling. "But you know what?" The earthbender didn't answer. She just brought her head up from Katara's chest and blindly looked into her face. "You have a new family now. The three of us are your family."
"Does Sokka have to be in it?" Toph joked.
Katara laughed. "Yes, and you'll get to have earthbending fun with him." She saw a smile creep onto the pale face.
"You never struck me to be the comforting type, Katara. After I joined you guys the first day all we did was fight."
"I know we got off to a bad start but right now I can tell you that…" Katara paused. "That I'm glad you're in my life. I couldn't imagine having a better little sister."
The earthbender was taken aback. "You… you think of me as a sister?"
"Yeah. It took me a while but I… I love you."
Toph gasped happily and wrapped her arms around the waterbender's neck and squeezed with all her might. Tears began falling down her cheeks again. "I've always wanted a sister and now… my dream has come true!" The blind girl exclaimed. "I love you, Tara."
"I love you so much, Toph. You're very special to me, you know that?"
"I do now. Thanks, Katara."
"For what?"
"For loving me for who I am."
"Always, Toph. Always."
The End