A/N: This fic was originally supposed to be a oneshot, but when some people mentioned it, I realized that it could still be expanded. And since it was pretty much fun to write, I decided to add to it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or the characters
Airbender's Thinking
It was once again, time for training. However, this time, it wasn't your regular training because now, the role of teacher and student had been reversed, and the subject matter changed. Unfortunately, this did nothing to help with their usual quarrels.
"Come on, Toph! You're still too stiff."
"It's not me that's stiff, Twinkle toes! This stance is too soft!"
It was Toph's first formal lesson of airbending. They had been arguing a lot more compared to their time actually training, and even though they had already been at it a couple of hours, they had hardly made any progress.
"Really, Toph. Here, let me show you what's wrong. Get into the basic stance."
Toph made a fuss but eventually followed. Though she complained a lot, surprisingly, she still hadn't done anything drastic for her to actually stop being taught airbending. Aang smiled at this thought. He knew that if she really wanted to, she would just get up and leave, so this must mean that she really wants to learn.
"Okay, I'm in position," she said lazily. "Now what?"
Aang suddenly rushed forward and gave her a rather generous shove, which resulted in her being pushed over and knocked to the ground. She sat on the stone floor, dazed a moment. She had seen his attack just before it had gotten to her, but wasn't able to move quick enough to do anything about it.
"See? You fell."
Unfortunately for him, Toph did not see (no pun intended). She was much too angry at being pushed down to see anything.
"What was that for?"
"It's kinda the only way you'll learn," Aang said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "If you weren't so stiff, you wouldn't have fallen down."
"What do you mean? It's only because I was in that sorry stance that I was pushed down. If I was in my earthbending stance, I wouldn't have even budged an inch."
"True, but that's earthbending. Being tough isn't the only way to take an attack."
"This airbending stuff is really weird," she said getting up. Feeling Aang rushing toward her again, she got into her earthbending stance just before he pushed her again. This time, she really didn't budge an inch.
"Ha! Let's see how you like it Twinkle toes!" She quickly closed the distance between herself and Aang, but just before her open palms could make contact, Aang stepped out of the way, leaving her to crash into the ground again.
Aang did all he could to hold in his laughter, but the best he could manage were suppressed choking sounds. It was really fun teaching Toph, despite all her complaining. He doubt he would have this much fun with a student like Katara or Zuko.
Toph finally managed to pick herself up from the ground. She sent him a glare that would make most people shrink back. "Hey, no fair! You dodged!"
"Exactly." Seeing Toph's confused face, he continued. "Earlier, when I first pushed you, you saw me coming right? It's just that you weren't able to do anything. That's because you're too stiff. I've told you before already, air is flexible, almost intangible. We airbenders rely on that flexibility to move as quickly as possible and move any way imaginable."
"We?"
"Yeah, you're kinda an airbender now too," he smiled. "Pupil airbender though. You're not anywhere close to mastering the basics."
Even though Toph rather disagreed with the method of teaching, she was able to basically comprehend what Aang was trying to teach her. She once again got up from the floor, and without Aang telling her to, got into an airbending stance. There was no way she would allow Twinkle toes to get the better of her.
"Come on, let's see you try that again," she challenged.
Aang immediately complied, but despite her being able to move, it wasn't enough. To her frustration, she was sent sprawling over the temple floor again. Not admitting defeat, she got up once more. This went on for the whole of the next hour, Aang rushing forward to push Toph, Toph trying to move out of the way, Toph being knocked to the ground anyway.
"Argh! This is so frustrating! Why can't I get it?" she yelled, getting up from the floor again. Aang, however, definitely wasn't helping her mood, as he tried to choke back his laughter. "What are you laughing at?"
"You!" he finally laughed out loud. "See how frustrating it is, learning your opposite? Honestly, it's quite funny seeing you like that."
"Hmph! I've had enough," she huffed. She turned her back to Aang and started walking away.
"Aw, Toph!" he whined. "Come on, don't be like that." He jogged to her side, reaching a hand out to stop her. But just before his hand made contact, she suddenly whirled around and gave him a strong push, knocking him a good five feet away.
"Ha! How'd you like that?" she laughed. But she wasn't the only one laughing. Aang was laughing too.
"That was great Toph!"
"Huh? Why the heck are you laughing?" The fact that Aang seemed to be unaffected by it put Toph in a bad mood again. She would have liked to see him disappointed at least. Whimpering at most.
"What you just did, it was great! You're starting to think like an airbender!" Seeing Toph's confused expression, he explained. "I told you the other day, airbenders aren't straightforward. They aren't particularly strong, so they look for ways to get an advantage. What you just did right now, luring me in so that you could get an easy shot at me, it was a great example of airbender thinking!"
He got up and dusted himself off. "And besides, look..." He rushed forward again, attempting to push Toph down like he had been doing for the past hour. However, Toph had managed to step away just in time. "...You're starting to move like an airbender too," he smiled.
Toph smiled as well, proud of herself, but immediately tried covering it up. "So? Why should I be happy of being like an airbender? I mean they're wimpy, and gutless, and-"
"Toph, remember what I said about expressing yourself?"
"Okay, okay." She straightened up, giving him a genuine smile. She made a small bow, "Thanks, Sifu Aang."
Aang smiled and bowed in return. "Anytime, pupil Toph."
They both looked up at each other and cracked up, laughing at how formal they were being. Aang knew she had meant her gratitude though, and he truly appreciated it.
"By the way, is this how the monks taught you?" she asked.
"Nope," he smiled. "Made it up. Earthbending-style airbending lessons."
"Thought so. This method is way too tough for guys like you."
"Anyway, lesson's over for today! Come on, let's get back."
"Hold up," Toph ordered. Aang immediately tensed up, noticing that her commanding tone had returned. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Camp?"
"Nope." Her usual smirk was once again on her face. "You still haven't gotten your lesson today. And if you think that I'm done with payback, think again."
Aang's shoulders sagged. "Yes, Sifu Toph."
Her laughs and his groans were heard throughout the temple for the rest of the day.
A/N: It's getting tougher to write this thing. I actually had to research about Ba Gua, the martial art airbending is based on. Still fun though. Again, like I said, I have decided to add more to this story. But because this was originally intended as a oneshot, I don't have a concrete story in mind, and I'll probably only be able to add when I get a good idea or if I work long enough on it, so don't expect quick posts. Don't worry, I really do intend to add more, it's just I don't know if I should create an actual plot for this thing, or give it an actual ending. Anyway, we'll see. Please review!
