This was a fanfic originally started by TomMaier. However they placed the story up for adoption and wanting to try my hand at continuing it the story. i offered to adopted and was told that I could. Thus the first four and half chapters of this story are not are what TomMaier wrote before they allow me to take over for them.

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He ended a war. He got the girl. He redeemed himself for running away. All of this at the age of twelve. With all of these accomplishments, you think he'd be happy and full of relief, right? Well, he was. For six years he was. So why was he so angry now? Why had his heart been filled with such despair and sadness? Why had he run off from his problems once more, secluding himself in his old room in the Southern Air Temple? Because she wasn't his.

Six Years Ago

He stood out on the balcony of the Jasmine Dragon, looking out to the sky, admiring the peace he, they, had restored. Children had single-handedly ended the Hundred Year War. He sighed deeply as a smile came to his face. Did he expect their troubles to be over with? No, but he did expect them to be less severe. He heard footsteps and turned to see her walking towards him, maintaining an air of elegance she had never shown before. Her. He had fought for her, won it all for her. He knew how much hope she held for him, and there was no way he would lose. He couldn't let himself.

She came closer and closer with each step. She joined him in gazing out at the land of peace. Quick eye contact caused a faint blush to rise on their cheeks. Slowly, they turned to each other, both having the same feeling fluttering in their stomach. Hesitantly, yet fluently, their lips met. This wasn't like the kiss on the submarine the day of the eclipse, or the stolen kiss the night of the Ember Island Players' performance. This was deep, passionate, mutual. They both felt it deep in their hearts, just how right it all felt. With unspoken words, their relationship began right there. Grinning widely, hand in hand, the two headed back inside.

"Hey, everyone! Me and Katara are together!" Aang shouted in joy. There was a silence stricken in the room. Finally, someone decided to break it.

"It's about time!" Toph shouted, causing the Gaang and Iroh to break into hysterical laughter, embarrassment edging its was across the two newly coupled heros' faces. While the others were laughing and giving their congratulations, nobody seemed to notice the young earthbender slip away from the group. Aang was beaming. Life couldn't be any better right now. After a few hours, stories, and many cups of tea, Aang felt the call of nature, and found it best to answer in this case.

He began wandering the halls, following Zuko's directions. He found himself lost and near their rooms. "The Jasmine Dragon is a lot bigger on the inside then it looks. I wonder how-" he was cut off by the sounds of sobbing. Closing his eyes, he slammed a foot down on the floor. Using his seismic sense, he found a small body curled on the floor in a room two doors back. Slowly, he tip-toed back to the room and leaned an ear against it. The sobbing had been reduced to a soft sniffle. The room was silent, so Aang concentrated more, pressing further against the door. Suddenly, it fell open, spilling him onto the floor.

"What are you doing here, Twinkle Toes?" Toph asked in a hoarse voice. Aang looked over her, seeing the dried spots where the tears had been falling, her eyes were red and puffy. What surprised him the most was the slight quiver of her lip as she stared at him. He was speechless. He never expected to see his rough-n-tough earth bending teacher, and best friend in such a state. "Well?" she asked more sternly, breaking his thoughts.

"I heard you crying, so I figured I'd come check on you" he spoke timidly. "Toph-"

"First off, Twinkles, I don't cry. There was something in my eye is all. Second, even if I was crying, which I wasn't, I don't need help. Not from anyone." Her eyes narrowed into a glare. If looks could kill...

"Toph, you're so good at reading people's lies, but you're so bad at making them up." He took a step forward, grabbing her hands. "Toph, you're my best friend. You can tell me anything. What's wrong?" She simply kept her eyes glued to the floor. partly to avoid the question, and partly to hide the blush appearing on her cheeks.

"I don't wanna talk about it" she said in a deadpan tone. "It's something I have to deal with alone."

"Toph, I'm always here for you. And as long as I am, you never have to deal with anything alone" he told her. "Now, what is it?"

"Aang, please..." she used his real name to show she was serious. "I just want to deal with it alone..." All hope of figuring out the problem was gone the minute she used his name. He let go of her hands, letting them fall to her sides. His shoulders slouched down in defeat, eyes closing in frustration and understanding all at the same time. He sighed deeply.

"Toph, if you ever need someone, I'm always here to talk, no matter what time it is or what I'm doing. Understand?" she nodded slowly, still looking down. She looked so much like the small fragile child her parents thought she was in this moment. He was about to leave when he suddenly turned around, wrapping his long arms around Toph. He hugged her tightly and left. Blushing, Toph made her way to the bed in the room and simply sat, mulling over the events that had just occurred.