Toph had always feared water

Because water had always made her feel what she never wanted to. Blind.

Yes, she was truly physicly blind, her eyes usless, nothing more then decorations on her face. But she had her own unique way of seeing. Her feet picked up every vibration from the earth, from the smallest ant scuffling a foot away, to a flying bison landing heavily over a thousand feet away. Her ears could hear anything, and her sense of smell was well improved.

But when she was in the water, it filled her ears with its terrifying rushing sound, it filled her mouth, it swept away her feet from under her so she couldn't feel a thing. She felt all the things that she hated, all the things people viewed her to be. Small. Helpless. Vulnerable. Weak.

So when she, Aang, Katara and Sokka landed for Aang and Katara to practise water bending, she sat about 2 meters away from the waters edge. True, it was a calm stream, 5 feet at its deepest, but that didn't stop a seed of fear planting itself at the pit of Tophs stomach. The sound of Aang and Kataras laughter reached Tophs keen ears, as she hugged her knees, accompanied by Appa and Sokkas soft snoring as they floated and slept. Not for the first time, she felt alone, and missed her parents, even if they were incredibly strict.

"Toph!"

The sound of a happy underwear-clad avatar broke Tophs sad train of thoughts.

"What'd'ya want, Twinkle Toes" she replied with her normal attitude.

"Come in!" He yelled happily. "The waters great!"

"Did you know I can't swim?"

"Uh...yeah."

"THEN WHY THE HELL WOULD I GET INTO THE WATER?"

"Oh, come on Toph." Came Kataras calm voice. "We could teach you."

"No."

"Come on"

"Which part of no don't you understand? The first part or the second part?"

"The part that means you won't come in."

"So you're so stupid you can't understand any of it?"

"Please?"

Toph just 'hmmphed' and glared.

She could feel the light footsteps of Aang walk over to her. She was expecting everything except...

"PUT ME DOWN YOU AIR-HEAD!"

Even though Toph's pride was screaming at her to blast him into oblivion, she was actualy quite enjoying this. The feel of his cool skin against hers, the way that he held gently but firmly onto her as he lifted her from the ground, bridal style...a tide of red came over her face as she forced herself to obey her mind. After a few moments of battle against her heart, she flipped out of his grasp...

To end up ankle deep in cool water.

She turned to get out, but a hand clasped around her own.

"You can do this Toph."

Aangs gentle voice calmed her temper a bit.

"If I do this" she said slowly, "will you leave me alone?"

"Yup."

"Fine." She huffed, striping down to her underwear just like Katara.

Although she couldn't see it, she knew Aang was blushing.

"Come on." She said in an irritated voice, grabbing his arm. He smirked and gently led her into the water, until it was up to her chest. On Aang it was about up to his waist, since he had gone through a growth spurt when he turned 13, much to Tophs annoyance, which made her the smallest member of the group.

Once, she had actually made the ground swallow him up to about mid calf, just so she could look him in the eye and demand that he stop growing, only to have hi demand that she stop being so short.

Which resulted in him been crushed by a boulder. You'd think he'd learn, but nooooo.

He gently squeezed her arm when he heard her breath quicken.

"Aang, I don't want to go any deeper. Can I get out?"

He gave her a gentle hug. "Toph, you're the bravest person I know. Trust me, you can do this." He put his arm around her, making her feel protected and giving Toph more strength. Not to mention giving her more warmth, from the bodily contact.

Maybe water wasn't that bad after all.

Eh, just a one-shot to fill time. Flame me, praise me, all accepted, except praise is preferred. Review, don't review, whatever floats your boat.