Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. Get it?

"The thing is, nothing can or ever will happen with me and Zuko."

Katara looked at Toph sadly, "Why do you say that?"

Toph shrugged, and let out a sigh, "For one thing, there's an age difference."

"It's not that big of a difference," Katara went to approach Toph, to set a hand on her shoulder reassuringly, but the earthbender backed away.

"...he's a Prince."

Katara smiled slightly, "You're practically rich enough to be a Princess."

"But," Toph turned to her, "he's Prince of the Fire Nation! Our enemy nation!"

Katara raised a shoulder and dropped it, "But he's not our enemy."

Toph was silent a moment, "I know...but wouldn't he rather have some firebender then a blind little earth rat like me?"

"Toph!" Katara exclaimed, "Don't talk about yourself like that! You're pretty, and nice, and a great earthbender," she crossed her arms, "Zuko would be lucky to have you."

"No," she slowly shook her head, as if thinking about the next thing she was going to say, "I'm always angry at everything."

"Well..." Katara tilted her head, "...so is he."

Toph's mouth formed a few sets of words, picking through them and trying to get a sentence out of her mouth. She finally settled on being blunt, "...I'm blind."

"What does that matter?"

"He'd never want someone who's unable to see..."

"And why do you say that? How do you know?"

Toph turned away angrily, a few tears welled up at the corners of her eyes, "I just know he wouldn't!" And with that she stormed off, into the woods. Katara called after her a few times, but received no reply.

"Why can't I do this!?"

"I told you," Zuko rolled his eyes, aggravated, "you need to break your promise with yourself to never firebend again."

"I did that!" Aang complained.

"Well, obviously you didn't," Zuko crossed his arms and leaned back against a tree, "Now show me proper breathing exercise."

Aang assumed a horse stance and inhaled, exhaled.

"Now."

He raised his hands above his head, inhaling, and shoved out in front of him, exhaling. The only thing that happened was he lost his balance and fell forward on his face.

"Wow Aang," Sokka said sarcastically from the side, "that was hot."

"Shut-up, Sokka," Aang rubbed his head as he got back to his feet.

"No, no," Sokka tapped his fingers against his chin, "you're doing great. You're really smoking."

Zuko rolled his eyes at the teens pathetic attempt at being funny.

Lately he found he was harsher, more the Zuko everyone had come to know and love, whenever Toph wasn't around. But when she was there, he was like a whole new person.

He turned his attention back to the Avatar.

Sokka was silently laughing to himself at his "witty" remarks.

"Hey Katara," he offered when she sat herself next to him, "where's Toph?"

She shook her head, "I don't know, but she's really upset."

Zuko kept his eyes on Aang's pathetic firebending attempts, but listened in on Katara and Sokka's conversation.

"Why is she upset?" Sokka asked.

Katara lowered her voice, "You remember what we were talking about before? About her..."

"Yeah, is that what she's upset about?"

Zuko strained to hear.

Katara nodded, "She doesn't think she has a chance. Doesn't think he'd want someone who's...blind."

"Stop, stop stop," Zuko interrupted Aang's jumping-kick, "Why don't you work on some more breathing techniques. Firebending is all in the breath." He demonstrated a technique for Aang to do, then headed off.

"Wait, where are you going?" Aang called angrily.

"For a walk. Don't stop until I come back."

The Avatar muttered angrily under his breath, but practiced the technique all the same.

Katara watched Zuko pass, before continuing on with her story, "I just don't know what to say to her...about this."

Sokka shrugged, "I'm sure she'll work it out. Toph's tough. She can handle herself."

Katara sighed, "I guess you're right."

"Of course I am," Sokka waved a hand nonchalantly though the air, "now let's watch Aang try to firebend. It's funny."

He was blown back against a tree with a gust of airbending.

Toph was sitting at the edge of a little stream, small enough to be missed unless you were looking for it. She leaned back against a tree, arms around her legs, which were tucked up under her chin. She felt someone approach behind her, but didn't pay any attention; she didn't feel like talking or dealing with anyone at the moment.

The person stopped behind her; she could feel their eyes on her back. She didn't feel like sorting out their vibrations, to figure out who they were.

There was silence as he stood there; the leaves around them rustled from the slight breeze.

"Toph?" A gentle question, light as the breeze. A caring tone of voice, worried and wondering.

She turned around, recognizing the voice. She hoped he couldn't see the tears gathering in her eyes; she didn't want him to know she was upset, "Zuko?" she asked lightly.

A pause, and he smiled.

A/N: Yes, long time since I updated. Sorry