Wow I'm updating quicker than expected, that last chapter had a really good reception, which I'm glad for cos it's my headcanon. This chapter is a request from Emirii- chan. The ending to it is based of a fanart I saw a while ago, I just can't remember where or what it's called.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own.

Drowning

Team Avatar was hiding out, in the Fire Nation, on Ember Island, and not just anywhere on Ember Island at that, they were hiding out right in the Fire Lord's beach house. Why were they doing that? Toph didn't really care, Zuko had said some mumble-jumble about his dad not looking for them right on his doorstep, and it sounded perfectly reasonable to her. Besides this being the Fire Lord's beach house, it was conveniently located on a hidden stretch of beach, which was where everyone was located now. Aang and Katara were Waterbending, knee-deep in the sea, Sokka and Zuko were discussing swords and sword fighting, Suki was watching them with mild amusement, and Toph was practising her Sandbending skills. Everything was fine until Katara decided it would be fun to taunt the little Earthbender.

'Hey Toph!' Katara called. 'Why don't you come join us in the water?'

Toph refused.

Katara laughed, this was her chance at getting revenge on Toph for her latest prank.

'Ooh, is the great Toph Bei Fong scared of a little water? I sense a chicken!'

Toph went livid.

'You did not just call me a chicken, Sugar Queen!'

To prove this she marched right into the water and bended sand towards Katara, hearing the older girl's shrieks she grinned and crowed:

'Who's the chicken now?'

Unfortunately for Toph, the act of bending the sand had caused her to slip into an unnoticed undercurrent, which immediately dragged her under the surface and further into the sea. Never had Toph felt so isolated, so cut off from all her senses. Even in the metal cage she'd been able to feel and hear, but underwater all she knew was water and the crash of waves in her ears. This was one of the rare moments that Toph Bei Fong was truly terrified, she was drowning.

Dimly through the water she heard sounds of panic. Then more clearly a muffled male voice shouted: 'I'm coming for you Toph!' moments later strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her back to the shore. Toph resisted the urge to hug her saviour, it could have been anyone; Aang, Sokka, Zuko, Suki again, or even worse Katara, who'd started this mess in the first place. No, she'd learnt her lesson; she was not kissing anyone who pulled her out of water again.

Water was still blocking her ears, when her saviour asked her whether she was okay, she just roughly shoved them aside, snarled: 'I'm fine!' then shook her head; unblocking her ears.

'Oh,' the person she now recognised as Zuko said dejectedly. 'This is about me burning your feet isn't it?'

Toph suddenly felt guilty, all this time Katara had been being so nasty Zuko, and now she seemed to be doing the same.

'I'm sorry,' she said flushing. 'I just thought you were Sokka.'

They sat in silence for a while, then Zuko broke it:

'You like him, don't you?' it was an observation, not a question.

Toph's silence confirmed it.

'Then he's an idiot for not seeing how amazing you are.'

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I update once there's 100 views and at least one new review. Requests are welcome.

~Ember