This is Chapter III of my AtLA fic (Trying Circumstances) I should probably have something semi-constructive to say here... nope, nothing!Wait... Taang!!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words

Chapter III (pain)

Aang experienced several seconds of being unable to breath while being dragged underground. During those few seconds, all his hurt, pain, and feelings of betrayal squeezed themselves into a narrow little emotion called rage. Aang felt his entire body tense up just as he was expelled down from the earth into what appeared to be a small cave. It was too dark for him to see anything, but he heard the sound of his assailant landing next to him loud and clear.

He had just died a thousand deaths from pain, sadness, and knowing that Katara would never be his. Now some unknown earthbending opponent had dragged him underground. At least now, he had somewhere to direct his emotions.

Without hesitation, Aang tackled the person who had landed lightly next to him. They fought back against his grip as he tried to pin them to the ground, but were slowly failing. Aang was surprised to find that he weighed more than his opponent did. He had never been much for wrestling, or hand-to-hand combat, but his opponent was apparently not very skilled in these areas either, as Aang was quickly gaining the upper hand.

He had just managed to get atop his opponent and pin their arms to the ground when they yelled at him that in a voice that managed to sound ticked off, slightly fearful, commanding, and more ticked off at the same time.

"Twinkle-toes get off me now!"

Aang nearly yelped like Sokka when she said that. He loosened his grip and scrambled off her, his pain momentarily moved to the back of his mind while the front half concentrated on panicking and hoping that Toph didn't kill him.

"Ah, Toph… I, I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was you…"

After a slight pause and a sigh, Toph responded.

"Remember to wait and listen before you attack next time…"

During the extremely awkward pause that followed, all of Aang's thoughts involving conversation with Toph came to a screeching halt. His emotions and the scene above ground had just returned from their short vacation to the back of his mind. Aang felt a tear carve a path down his face. He withdrew from Toph and hugged his knees to his chest.

Toph really didn't know what to say. She had never been the 'comforting' type of person. She blew her bangs out of her face and sighed as they flopped back into place.

No… comforting would be Katara, but she's not here right now and I don't think her presence would help Aang, considering the circumstances…

Toph put her face in one of her hands. He was hurting in the dark of her hastily made cave, his breathing, heartbeat, and posture said as much. She reached out an arm towards him, but stopped halfway. He wouldn't be able to see her arm in the dark; she pulled it back and swallowed a frustrated groan.

I could try to be comforting like sugar queen, but I don't think that would help, and I still wouldn't know what to say… I guess the only thing for it is to try to be comforting in my own way… I hope it helps more than it hurts.

"Aang… uh-"

Toph cut herself off. If she didn't know what to say, why under the earth had she tried to say something?

All right Toph, try following your own advice: wait and listen.

Toph stopped moving; she closed her eyes (for no reason) and listened to the earth. Not so far away, the two sources of Aang's pain were still wrapped up in each other's arms, kissing gently. Toph rolled her eyes and scowled.

You would think that nice little Miss Sugar Queen would think about the consequences of her actions and who could be watching before she went and started making out with the newest addition to 'Team Avatar'

Toph closed in her 'line of sight' so that she only focused on the vibrations within the cave. Normally she tried to 'see' as far as possible, taking in as much as she could. Now she concentrated completely on the vibrations coming from Aang's huddled form. He was breathing heavily, and shaking slightly. There was a sound in the air, like someone's breath catching. Suddenly, Toph detected the vibrations of a small drop of water striking the ground.

A tear… that's just great… now what do I do?

A/N: There you go! I hope you liked it. God, Toph just isn't a nicey-nice comforting person... but tried to keep her in character. The next part will be up as soon as I'm not lazy enough to type it ;) The more people review, the faster the next chapter comes out...

Review or the foamy mouth guy will come after you!!!