Chapter 7: Confession

Toph could only remember bits and pieces of what had happened. The serpent's mighty roar, its shriek of pain as she hit it, and the fear she felt. Never before had Toph been so afraid. The feeling of her stomach trying to escape through her throat, the horrifying realization of where she was headed and the bone chilling water taking hold of her, seeping into her lungs; it was terrifying. She remembered struggling to get above the water. She would not give her life up to that water. But soon, she could remember body giving up the fight to stay conscious long before her spirit. Her body had given up, but her soul was still fighting, and it appeared she won.

Toph's conscious returned, and her first feeling was pain. Her ribs were aching furiously, but why wouldn't they be, they were only hit by a twenty foot long tail. She groaned, happy to hear that her voice still worked, and attempted to sit up. This was a step her body was not ready to take however for when she tried to push up with her arms, the collapsed, sending her crashing back to earth. This was not too pleasant on her already bruised torso so she couldn't hold back her cry of pain.

Stop being a jelly-boned whimp, she told herself, attempting to sit up again. Once more, she fell letting out a second cry of pain. Suddenly, she felt footsteps coming towards her. They grew quickly and were soon followed by the swish of the tent door and the voice of relief.

"Toph, you're awake!" Sokka's voice exclaimed. She could feel him crouching down to kneel next to her. She felt a wave of pleasure run down her spine. He does care; she thought feeling warmth in her chest.

"Yea," she managed to grunt, "I'm awake, and to tell you the truth I wish I was still unconscious right now." She said the last words through gritted teeth as her ribs throbbed. She felt his warm touch greet her on her hand. He clasped it tightly.

"You took quite a hit." Sokka said; she could feel his whole body shaking. "I thought you were dead." He began to rub her hand as though he was grateful it was there for him to rub.

Oh how she wished to see his face. After loving someone for so long, it was unbearable to not know what they even looked like. Yes, Toph had had feelings for Sokka for longer than anyone had known. The moment he had heard his voice, she had felt something she had never felt before. She couldn't recall what it was at that moment, but being blind almost all her life, she was more attracted to voices than looks. His voice was something she enjoyed to listen to weather it was a laugh, a shout, or even a squawk, she loved it.

As her journey continued with Sokka and the others, she found she was liking Sokka's personality too. Funny, kind, brave, and big headed. They were so much alike; Toph found she had quite the crush on Sokka. But she would never show it. Toph liking Sokka, it just wasn't possible. Toph was tough and independent; she couldn't love anybody. But she could, and it happened to be Sokka.

But Sokka had not loved her back; he loved Suki. When she died, Toph was horrified to find that she was somewhat relieved. She had a chance with him! He would forget Suki and then maybe, just maybe, he would see her differently. But he was not going to forget Suki so willingly; he loved her. He wanted revenge and that was something Toph had not planned on. She offered her opinion that night, but it was the wrong thing to do. He had never yelled at her like that before. He was angry, and hurt, so Toph left; he would never forget Suki and never love her. But now they were together again, and Suki was not on Sokka's thoughts tonight.

"Are you kidding?" Toph said. "I would never let that stupid worm kill me!" Toph felt Sokka's hand push her gently back to the floor from where she had risen.

"I know." He said softly. "It's the water I was worried about." Sokka stopped rubbing her hand, making Toph feel disappointed. He had saved her then. But why?

Before Toph fell, she felt vibrations coming from the opposite side of the bridge. It was not Sokka which left only one person, Azula. She was so close, why had Sokka let her go just to save her? He could have ended it just like that and yet he didn't; he chose to save her. Could his feelings for her have changed? Did he care for her? Toph felt the prick of hope in her heart grow. But then doubt also came in, choking to hope; she had to know.

"Why didn't you go after Azula?" Toph said accusingly.

"Because I had to save you!" he answered a caring tone in his voice. That was not the answer she was looking for; she wouldn't let him worm his way out of the truth.

"Yes, but why?" she asked again.

"Because you couldn't swim." Sokka said, confusion splashing over his words. He was definitely lying; his grip was giving her more information than he knew. He really wasn't getting the point of the question though; Toph had to make it serious. She pushed herself up, ignoring the ache in her torso, and managed to put herself in the best sitting position she could manage. Sokka tried to put her back down, but Toph was firm. She swiveled her useless eyes in the direction that she felt his presence.

Hoping she was staring at him right in the eyes, she continued to get an answer out of him.

"You have been trying to kill Azula for five years." She said, her voice strong, "So why, Snoozles," the old nickname made Sokka chuckle a bit, but Toph remained straight faced, "did you choose to save me, the "friend" you haven't even heard of in five years, instead of pursuing after Azula and killing her. She killed Suki." The last of her words made Sokka tremble.

Silence pressed against her ears. Come on Sokka, she thought, give me an answer! But Sokka did not say anything, his hand now dangling loosely in hers.

"Toph," he said breaking the silence, "you're my friend, and I wouldn't choose revenge over your life."

"You chose revenge over your life." Toph pointed out, " you threw five years of your life away to avenge Suki and if you can throw your life away you most certainly throw mine away!" she was almost shouting and her voice wavered. She could feel the tears coming, but like always, she would not let them.

"Why are you saying this?" Sokka asked, worry in his voice. His voice cracked as well, and she could feel his hand tightening on hers. She pulled her hand away. She knew what she had to say. He had turned her own game on her; he would be asking the questions now. She had to tell him. If they were ever meant to be, she had to tell him now. But she wasn't going to do it. She had too much pride.

"Toph, are you okay?" Toph could feel his hand going towards hers, so she pulled it away. "If it's something I did, I'm sorry." Toph suddenly realized she had let go of the grip on her tears and they were not sliding freely down her face. A hand came to wipe away the tears, but she knocked it away.

"You, idiot," she whisphered, turning her head away from him, "can't you see that I'm trying to tell you," she paused for a moment not so sure about what she was going to do, but she decided it was now or never. Swallowing her pride, she finished the statement, turning to face him. "That I love you?"