I do not own Avatar. Nickelodeon does. If I did own the franchise, I would not have allowed any live-action version.

Enjoy!

Sokka had very specific standards when it came to quests. Simple, but specific.

He needed to be in charge. Katara was a girl, so she couldn't do it. Aang was a good bender, but he was just an impulsive kid. And Gyatso was old. And old people should have tried to do better when they were young.

He also needed people to respect him as a warrior. He was the best warrior of the South Pole for a reason. That reason might have been by default, but it counted.

But ever since he got to this stupid island, none of his simple demands have been met.

Katara, Aang, and Gyatso hadn't listened to a single word he said. Instead, they've been following around that one girl that every single one of these girls in makeup listened to. They hadn't even asked for his opinion.

"Hey, Sokka! The foods going to get cold!"

Sokka frowned at the younger Airbender. He never hated the kid, but he was starting to dislike him. He was supposed to be the Avatar. The guy who was supposed to save the world. And he didn't even care that the entire chain of command just got thrown out of the loop.

He was busy eating a bunch of vegetables while throwing fruit at his new wind buffalo. A wind buffalo that was supposed to be useful, but so far was only sitting and eating. Did they seriously take time to come here just for a useless animal?

"I'm not hungry," Sokka said bitterly.

"But you're always hungry," Aang pointed out.

"Don't mind him. He's just mad that a bunch of girls made a fool out of him," Katara said. Sokka glared at his mutinous sister.

"There is no need for anger Sokka. You can use these experiences as a chance for persona growth," Gyatso said calmly. "We will be staying here for a while. Perhaps you can reevaluate the beliefs you once had."

Sokka stood up quickly. He didn't want to hear any more. "No thanks. I'm gonna go for a walk."

Sokka stormed outside the house, ignoring the concerned looks that everyone else was giving him. He didn't want their pity. He stormed outside the residence, ignored all the fangirls that came to see Aang, and walked towards the forest. If there were any small animals, he would find a way to validate himself.

He didn't pay any attention to his surroundings. Otherwise, he might have noticed the curious pair of blue eyes in red eyeshadow that was watching him walk away.

"Ugh! Why can't I do this?!"

Huu watched in slight concern as his new student threw his arms in frustration. They had been trying for a few hours now. It was probably lunchtime, now that Huu thought about it.

But in all that time, Zuko had yet to make the water move even an inch. It didn't even ripple.

"Relax there kid. You can't force the water the move. You-"

"I heard you the first time you said it! But it doesn't make any sense!"

Zuko started grabbing his head. Huu was slightly concerned that the boy might start pulling on his hair.

"How do I make the water move without forcing it to? That's the only way I could make fire and move stones. Why is water different?"

Huu nodded his head slightly as he came to a realization. Zuko's problem wasn't in any technique. He could show him any waterbending move, and the kid would be able to perform it well. He had seen him using swords and the other two bending arts. He was talented, and he could obviously learn the physicality of a waterbender.

The problem was in his mindset.

Water was an element that was guided, not forced. Water was an element that moved through its own current. The waterbenders job was to change the current, and guide the water in a desirable direction.

So what Huu needed to do was explain the concept to Zuko. Which might not be easy, given how the kid was now sitting on the floor in defeat.

"You alright?"

"No. I can't even get a stupid drop to move. How am I supposed to learn waterbending now?"

"Your problem isn't in technique. You just need to open up your mind."

Zuko frowned at Huu. "What?"

"How do I explain this to you?" Huu wondered aloud as he scratched his chin. "How about this? Has anything in your life changed recently?"

Druk walked closer to stand by Zuko. Zuko smiled at his dragon.

"A little. Yeah."

"Ok. Now think about this. Do you fight these changes? Or did you go along with them?"

Zuko thought about how to answer. He was a little upset when he came back from the spirit world. He even tried to find a way to undo what happened at first. But after seeing the dragons, Zuko had come to accept what he was somewhat. He learned from Toph and was even trying to learn waterbending.

He wasn't fighting the changes in his life anymore.

"I did a bot of both."

"Alright. Did things work best when you fought these changes, or when you went with them?"

Zuko kneeled to pet Druk's head. The dragon's throat rumbled happily at the touch.

"Things went more smoothly when I went along with them."

"Good. That's the way you need to think about waterbending," Huu explained. "You don't make the water move by forcing it to. You need to change the current. Water is a smooth and adaptable element. It will follow the current however it goes."

Zuko still had some trouble understanding that.

"How do I change the current then?"

Huu was about to answer when the ground exploded. At least, that's what it had sounded like. In reality, Toph just woke up.

She blasted away her makeshift tent and stood up. Her hair was a bushy mess, and many parts of her skin were covered in dirt. The fact that the first thing she did was spit out a noogie did not make her look any less like a wild child.

"Good morning young Toph," Iroh greeted, trying to ignore Toph's appearance. "Would you care to partake in...?"

"I'm gonna go break some rocks somewhere. Later," was all Toph said before walking away. Everyone just watched as she walked into the trees, her feet dragging mud behind her.

"Perhaps you should speak to her," Iroh said as he walked up beside Zuko.

"What? Why?" Zuko asked. "I still need to figure out waterbending. And you're better at talking to people than I am. You could figure out what's wrong."

"That is not the issue Zuko. You should be the one to speak to her," Iroh said sagely. "Trust me. This may be for the best."

Zuko sighed. "Alright. I'll go see what her problem is."

Zuko started walking off. Druk walked closely by his side. Once he disappeared into the same trees Toph had gone into, Huu walked close to Iroh.

"Why send him after the girl? He did say you were better with people."

"And you believe him?" Iroh asked.

"I've spent the morning trying to teach him. I learned that fact pretty quick."

Both men shared a hearty chuckle. They both now knew how difficult Zuko could be when he wanted to.

"This will be interesting."

Both men abruptly stopped laughing when they saw the ancient spirit floating right next to them.

"How long have you been there?" Huu asked.

"I am always here. I am always where I wish to be."

Huu's face fell as he contemplated the ramifications of Vaatu sticking around. Iroh, on the other hand, only frowned.

"Do you not intend to follow them? Zuko is your vessel."

"Why would I do that? As I said, my vessel's chaotic potential is best left untampered. I wish to see what he does himself."

Iroh's frown deepened. This spirit would be harder to stand than he might expect.

"Toph? Where are you? Toph?"

Zuko got his answer when he felt a splash of mud coming in his direction. He was lucky he was quick enough to dodge it.

"Damm it!" Toph suddenly yelled. Zuko turned to see her aiming a fist in her direction. "My sight is still messed up. I would never have missed if I could still see."

"I don't doubt that," Zuko said as he straightened himself out. "Now. Do you want to tell me why you've been avoiding me all day?"

"Why do you care? Don't you have some splash lessons next? And I still have to figure out how to see."

"I took a break. You could do that too Toph," Zuko said as the girl tried to turn her back to him. "Why don't you just tell me what's wrong? I'm pretty sure Uncle or anyone else would tell you it helps."

"Well, Uncle isn't here right now. And neither is anyone else. So no one will tell me what to do. Now go away."

"No."

Toph raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Zuko stated while crossing his arms. "You told me that stubbornness was useful for earthbending. So I'm going to use your teachings. Tell me why you're so upset. I'm not leaving until you do."

Toph glared at Zuko. "What if I don't want to tell you anything?"

"Then I'll just stick around until you do feel like telling me," Zuko responded easily. "You're not getting rid of me Toph."

Whatever reaction Zuko had been expecting from Toph, he wasn't prepared for her to just look at him incredulously. Her face then morphed into a look of confusion.

"Why do you care so much? I'm just- doing my own thing. Why is it bothering you?"

Zuko frowned. "Because you looked upset. Even Druk noticed."

Druk nodded.

Zuko scratched the back of his head. "Is- is it something I did? Did I... offend you? Somehow? I'm sorry if I did."

Toph lowered her arms. "No. You didn't offend me. Not really."

"Then why are you upset?"

Because... because...," Toph was just as lost as Zuko was now. Neither of them really knew the best way to keep the conversation going. "I guess... I kinda felt like you wasted my time? Maybe?"

Zuko frowned. "What?"

"I mean- you and your uncle came to my house and asked me to teach you earthbending. I did that cause I thought it might be fun. And it was. Then you two decided to leave and go to a swamp, and then you force me to come along..."

"You forced us to bring you."

"Not the point. Now we're here, and you don't even need me anymore."

Zuko's eyes widened. "Toph, it's not that I don't need you. I just-"

"Need to learn another element, I heard you the first time. It just means your replacing me with some old fat guy who eats weeds."

"I'm not replacing you Toph. I still need you."

"For what?"

"I- I'm not a master at earthbending. I'm nowhere near as good as you."

Toph nodded. But she didn't relent.

"What about when you are a master Sparky? You going to keep me around then?"

"Yes!" Zuko shut his mouth when he realized he shouted. Even Toph was surprised with how loud his voice got.

"Sorry. I mean, if you want to stick around, that's up to you. I won't force you to go or stay."

"Where am I going to go Sparky? I am in the middle of a swamp hundred of miles away from my family's house. Where am I supposed to go?"

Zuko's response died in his throat. "Oh. Right. I forgot about that."

The two of them stayed quiet for a few moments afterward. Neither of them was very much experienced when it came to basic conversations. Both of them were expected since birth to only say what was needed and move on. Friends were basically unheard of for them growing up.

"So, why do you want me to stick around?" Toph asked.

Zuko, not knowing what else to do, just shrugged. "Do I need a reason? I like having you around."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I don't have a problem with you. You've been... helpful. And..." Zuko struggled to find another word to add.

"Fun?" Toph suggested with a grin.

"I guess?" Zuko sighed. "I'm sorry, this isn't something I'm good at."

Toph nodded. "You didn't have friends growing up, did you?"

Zuko sat down by a tree. Druk curled up his leg. "No. My father wasn't too keen on me... being happy."

Zuko almost choked when he spat out the last two words. No matter how much he accepted it, it was still hard to come to terms with how much his father disappointed him.

"Sounds like a jerk."

"You have no idea."

Toph sat down next to Zuko. Zuko was surprised for a moment, but he let Top stay next to him.

"If it makes you feel any better, my dad didn't want me to make any friends either. Neither did my mom."

Zuko raised a brow. "You mentioned they were strict. Was it really that bad?"

"Yeah. They wouldn't even let me leave the house. Or tell anyone I existed. Apparently, socializing means death for blind girls."

Zuko chuckled. "Yeah. And face burns build character."

Zuko's second chuckled died when he realized what he had just said. He could even see Toph stiffen a little bit.

"What?"

"Nothing," Zuko said quickly. Too quickly, because all it did was make Toph more curious.

"You said face burns. You specifically said face burns." Toph's blank eyes widened. "Hold on, did your dad actually-"

"We're done here. You can go if you want."

Zuko tried to get up and leave quickly. But he was unable to after Toph erected a mud wall to keep him in place.

"Sparky. Did your dad actually... do that to you?"

Zuko tried to brig the wall down himself. But the earth wasn't his natural element. And his limbs were trembling too much for him to get the technique right.

"It's not important Toph. I'm going to..."

"Just tell me Sparky. It's not like I'm going to judge you over it."

Toph slowly and gently lifted one of her hands. "Just let me see it. I'm not going to hurt you."

Zuko really didn't want to do that. It was one thing to have to carry the scar everywhere he went. It was a mark he would never be free from. It was a mark anyone would recognize him by.

But Toph was the only person who didn't know about it. She was the only one who wouldn't judge him based on his appearance. She didn't even know what she looked like, so she didn't care what others looked like. She didn't need to know about the scar.

But by the time Zuko was about to make his decision, Toph had already made hers. She made a small pillar out of rock and reached toward Zuko's face.

Her hand rested on his left side. On his permanently squinted eye.

Zuko could see how Toph's eyes widened when she felt the red skin.

"You... how... what...?" Toph did not know how to respond to the mark at first. Zuko was tempted to simply pull away until she asked her question. "Your dad did this to you?"

It took a moment before Zuko could respond.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Zuko let out a breath. A smoky one.

"To teach me respect."

Toph let go of his face. She undid the pillar and stepped away.

"He's one of the people you want to take down? Right?"

"Yes."

Toph nodded in response.

"Ok. We'll do that."

"Huh?'

"I'll stick around and help you take out your dad."

Zuko frowned. This wasn't the response he was expecting.

"Why? Not that I don't appreciate it," Zuko quickly added. "But why?"

"Because you don't deserve that."

Zuko's eyes widened when the meaning behind Toph's words reached him.

"So let's get back," Toph said, her voice snapping back to its usual carefree tone. "If I'm gonna keep teaching you, I'm going to need to up the ante. I'll throw bigger rocks at you."

"I'll look forward to it," Zuko said, his own voice getting lighter. "Tell you what. I'll help you learn to see better out here. It's only fair."

"Damm straight," Toph said as the two (plus Druk) started walking back to the Swamp camp.

Zuko didn't notice until later that Toph was holding on to his arm. He didn't stop her.

Iroh waited for his nephew and Toph to come back. It was around midday when they finally returned. Both waved at him.

"Zuko. Did it go well?"

Zuko smiled. Weakly. "Yeah. It did."

Iroh knew there was a story there But it was a story best saved for another time. Huu had told him of the difficulties Zuko was having with water. And Iroh might just have a solution.

"Come with me nephew. There is a lesson I must teach you."

Zuko frowned. "But I was going to go back with Huu. We need to go over waterbending."

"I am aware of this nephew. That is why you must come with me. I have a technique that will help you to better grasp fire's opposite."

"Uncle, how am I supposed to learn waterbending from a firebending move?"

Iroh smirked. "You will see."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Toph is the little sister Zuko deserves. She's a naturally better bender, but she won't hold that fact over his head. She'll actually be encouraging rather than actively try to bring him down. And she's just fun enough to balance with Zuko's natural broodiness.

Unfortunately for Azula, Toph does a better job being Zuko's sibling. Literally, the only thing Azula has over Toph is a blood relation. That's it.

Zuko's waterbending training is about to go over a little more smoothly. Since he was able to learn lightning redirection from Iroh, a move that was built from studying waterbenders, he should be able to learn this art well enough. Once he learns water, all that will be left is air. And that's where the real problems will kick in.

Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.

Bye!