AN: Chapter isn't terribly long, but it just really seemed like the proper place to stop it.

Still no Beta, sorry about that.


Silver eyes looked down into unseeing green ones. Aang tried not to blink. He knew it was foolish, but he felt like it would be a sign of weakness. One didn't want to show weakness in front of a wild animal.

"I can hear your heart, Twinkle Toes. You also should probably start breathing again," Toph informed.

Aang let out the pent up breath he had unknowingly held in. He took in a deep breath and pushed past Toph. He moved over to his bed and took a seat on the edge.

His eyes traveled to Toph who was now leaning on the door frame. She had grown in many different directions. She was far from a twig, but no one would ever call her plump. She wasn't quite as tall as him. Her hair hung down her back in a traditional Earth Kingdom braid with a cream headband. She wore a deep green kimono with cream jasmine flowers that hung to her knees with slits on each side to her hips. Cream colored pants hung loosely down to her green slip on shoes. Age had matured her. Her baby fat was now muscle. In a word, she seemed sturdy.

"I didn't think you left Earth Kingdom any more," Aang half questioned.

"Well, I didn't think you entered the Fire Nation any more. Guess things are changing," She replied.

"It would seem that way. Well, I have some things-"

"Oh no you don't. You are not getting away that easily. If you don't stay sitting there, I'm going to test out my latest metal prison on you. I can tell you this right now, you wouldn't like it. One way or another, we are going to have ourselves a little chat," Toph informed him.

She had an advantage over him. Aang had attempted for many years to master metal bending, but for all his abilities he had discovered a few disadvantages. There were just some things he had never been able to learn.

"From your lack of movement, I assume that means I'm still the metal bending champion," Toph said with a feral smile.

"Toph, there are meetings and Avatar duties-"

"You can't spare even a little time for an old friend? I think you got your duties confused."

"My duty is to save the world!" Aang half shouted.

"What about your duty to your friends?" Toph asked.

"Who do you think I'm saving the world for?"

"The world doesn't need saving any more, Aang."

"The world always needs saving! I can't just slack off now! I killed someone last time! Zuko nearly died. This time they might succeed. What if they did? What would happen if they killed him? If they killed all of you? What do you think of that?"

"I think that the only one that needs saved right now is you," Toph answered.

"You're right, Toph."

She tilted her head to the side in slight confusion.

"Aang..."

"Toph, I've know for a while now that I haven't been good enough. Too long, I wanted too long to be the care free kid. My emotions and attachments are making me weak. I've got to give it all up, Toph. I have to let it all go. I can't protect the world like this. I've slipped up here. In the last week, I've noticed more of my emotions then I have in years. I have to fix it. You're right, I need saved."

Aang watched frustration ripple across Toph's face. He tried to keep his own a blank mask.

"I can't help you, if that is the kind of help you think you need. I'm not sure there is anyone that can." Toph replied.

The response Aang was about to give was cut off by the gentle knock on the door behind Toph. She pulled it open to reveal a smiling Iroh. Aang was surprised to realize that there seemed to be no real change to the man.

"Hello, young Avatar. You are looking well. It seems you have grown quite a bit since our last meeting," Iroh said with a slight bow.

"Hello, Iroh. You seem well. Age has been kind to you," Aang replied getting to his feet and giving a bow of his own.

"It would seem that my nephew is quite concerned about you," Iroh said.

"It would seem that your nephew's only real concern is with starting a war. If your nephew doesn't keep his hands to himself, the Fire Nation may need to find another Fire Lord," Aang exclaimed.

Toph gaped a moment and turned to Iroh. The older man's face was marred by a frown that cut his face like a scar.

"Careful young Avatar. There are those that might find that a threat. It is of no matter here though, as it seems Zuko wants to challenge you to a Test of Rights."

"What is that?" Toph asked.

"Any master of the Fire Nation may challenge their student at any time they deem it so. It is a way for the master to see if the student is continually learning as they should. It keeps the students in shape," Iroh explained.

"You mean Zuko is going to beat the snot out of Aang?" Toph asked.

"I am thinking that Zuko is the one that shall be beaten in this case," Iroh said.

"What is Zuko thinking?" Aang asked mostly himself.

Toph shook her head before saying, "Aang, you may have gained control of all the elements, but you are not truly proficient at any of them. In all these years, you have not learned to bend metal and I'm guessing you have not learned to throw lightening or blood bend."

Aang frowned. His mind seemed to play the worlds, "You're not good enough" on repeat. There was only one way to prove himself. He would have to fight Zuko and win. There would be one large disadvantage to the battle though. Every attack would have to contain fire. Which meant he couldn't just water bend away Zuko's attacks or just smother the fires by pulling out the air. This battle would mean fighting fire with fire.

"Alright, I accept the challenge," Aang stated.


Footnote: Please let me know what you think with a review. Thank you kindly.