A/n: So this is my first TophSokka (Tokka) fic, actually, my first Avatar fic for that matter. If you don't like the pairing, don't continue reading, and don't complain. Tokka needs more love. Oh, and for Tokka fans, I draw Tokka art, so if you like to see these two together, my account is (surprisingly) Winnie-Beatles on deviantart. And now, on with the fic.

The fire nation archer hardly had to squint as his notched arrow was released from his bow, speeding towards his target.

The cruel voice of the princess of the Fire Nation whispered next to him, "That should give the Avatar and his friends something to think about."

Over the din of the massive battle, Toph didn't hear the arrow fly through the air. She was too busy fighting off the Fire Nation soldiers with her bending. Her sightless eyes snapped open as the arrow sank into her side, and pain shot through her body.

Sokka had chanced a look in her direction when he saw the arrow strike her, Toph's body standing stock still. "No! Toph!"

In shock, the small earthbender took a few paces unsteadily backward, lost her footing, and fell from the edge of the cliff downward to what awaited below.

Sokka fought his way to the cliff edge and peered down, terror gripping his heart.

Splash!

Water! There was still a chance of her being alive. Sokka quickly dove from the exact spot, hitting the water like a diving otter.

He resurfaced without the girl. He was now very concerned. But there was still hope, the current was not fast, she couldn't have gotten far. Sokka submerged again, opening his eyes underwater, searching for a trace of the blind girl.

Fortunately, the water wasn't too murky, he could make out rock and some passing fish. Finally, he found her caught between two river rocks. Sokka snatched Toph under her arms and hauled her out of the water.

Both of them were sopping wet when they made it to the grassy river bank. Sokka pressed his ear gingerly against her chest, ignoring the noises of battle from the cliffs above, listening carefully with baited breath. He was thankful to hear a faint pulse still beating.

Sokka sat up again, panting and dripping as he gazed down at the equally soaked girl. Toph wasn't moving.

"Please, no," Sokka whispered. He began feverishly pumping and levering at Toph's chest, counting and pressing down in a steady beat, desperately trying to resuscitate her.

"C'mon, Toph, please!" Sokka cried, pinching her nose and taking a deep breath, his mouth met hers, forcing air into her.

He sat up once again and resumed levering. He heard a feeble cough, and brought his face close to hers, and was rewarded for his efforts by a warm draft of air from her mouth.

Toph's blind eyes opened partly, gazing towards Sokka's face, that was right above her own.

"Sokka?" She asked quietly, sputtering some river water.

Hot tears sprang to Sokka's eyes in relief at the sound of her voice. "Toph, you're alive, oh thank you." He clasped the wet girl close into the warmth of his shivering chest.

Toph attempted a smirk and weakly chuckled, "Takes more than that to finish me off," she quickly drifted back into unconsciousness. Sokka continued to hold her close.

The arrow!

He looked down at the arrow shaft protruding from her right side. Sokka knew he wouldn't be able to find Katara soon enough, he'd have to do this himself.

Leaning her sleeping form against a large boulder near the river, he examined the arrow wound. He gently touched the shaft, and began to slowly remove it. He could tell it hadn't hit anything vital. If it had, Toph would most likely be dead by now, something Sokka didn't bare thinking about. The arrowhead finally came out, and he tossed the whole thing aside odiously.

Tearing off a section of his tunic, he dipped it into the cold river water, squeezed it slightly, and dabbed at the deep, bloody, puncture wound. Toph shuddered slightly.

Sokka undid one of his long, white armbands, and used it to dress the injury. He made sure it was tight, but not uncomfortable. Sokka then sat against the boulder himself and moved Toph onto his lap. He held her tightly, to protect her and make sure nothing else would happen to her.

He looked down at her, Toph's head resting contentedly on his chest. Sokka could feel her powerful yet little body move softly with every breath she took. He also felt her shiver from the cold of her damp clothes and wet hair. He hugged her closer, attempting to wrap as much of his body around hers as he could, trying to keep her warm. She seemed to smile slightly in her sleep, and nestled her cheek deeper into his tunic front. A thought suddenly crossed Sokka's mind. He reached over, careful not to disturb the peacefully slumbering Toph, and grabbed the arrow. He licked the arrowhead briefly and carefully thought for a moment. There was a taste of cold metal and a trace of the victim's blood, and that was all. It wasn't poisoned, Sokka heaved a relieved sigh, and looked down at Toph.

The young earthbender was still unconscious. Her limp, sodden form still, save for the continuous trembling under her drenched clothes and hair. He clutched her to his own quivering body, hoping it could provide her with enough warmth.

He couldn't afford to lose her. She couldn't leave him, he wouldn't let her. Sokka wouldn't let her die like Yue, or disappear like Suki. Tears made their way down his cheeks, falling from his face onto Toph's.

"Please, don't leave me," he sobbed over her, "Stay here," he pleaded to her unmoving body. Sokka couldn't say how long he sat there, weeping over Toph and cradling her in his arms.

Toph weakly opened her eyes to the typically blackness. It didn't matter what she saw, but what she could feel. Toph felt protecting arms wrapped around her and the warmth of another body besides her own. She didn't need her feet to detect the heartbeat of the person holding her, since her ear was already on his chest. She could also pick up the uneven breaths labored with sadness and despair. "Sokka…?" She asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Toph!" Sokka cried, kissing her forehead in joy. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

Toph strayed a hand near her bandaged wound, wincing and groaning. "Cold, and in pain. Thirsty too."

Sokka caringly laid her against the large rock, "I'll get you some water then."

He retrieved his wolf-head-shaped helmet and filled it with icy, clear river water. He brought it back to Toph and held it up to her lips. "Here."

He tipped it bit by bit as she slowly sipped her fill. She then leaned back again, clutching her right side in an attempt to stop it from hurting. Toph then eased herself up with her other hand against the boulder and managed to stand.

"Let's get back to the battle." She said, and then flinched in pain and fell back to a sitting position on top of the rock.

"Toph, you'll only make it worse." Sokka stated, gesturing to the injury, "You have to stay here."

Toph slid the rest of the way to the ground and groaned, "While you go back to continue fighting?"

Sokka sat next to her, "No, I'm staying here with you. Besides," he started. "I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."

The blind girl blushed slightly at this. "Oh,"

She shivered.

"Cold?" he asked.

"Yeah,"

Sokka gently pulled her onto his lap, curled slightly on her left side, cheek once again on his chest. He put his arms around her, she wrapped her arms around his middle in response.

"Thank you," she said, "and don't worry, I won't leave you," she told him, softly pressing her cheek closer to his chest and his beating heart. "I'll stay right here."

After sitting and holding each other in silence for the longest times, Toph broke the silence, "I don't feel cold anymore,"

Sokka rubbed her back lovingly, "Me neither."

A/n: Ah yes, so touching, eh? A bit fluffy, but not too much. But, I'd like to know what all of you think, so please review. If enough people like it, I may add more Tokka one-shots.