-Toph-

"It seems that you have lost your touch," Zuko said as we sparred in on of the fields outside of Gaoling.

"I am totally just going easy on you," I said truthfully…or maybe not so truthfully. I heard him laugh and then with a flash, he vanished from my 'sight'.

"Hey, that isn't fair! I can't tell where you are!" I complained. He must have learned how to hover with steam like Aang was trying to show him last time, I thought silently to myself.

Suddenly, a warm finger touched the back of my neck just as the Fire Lord reappeared into my 'sight' behind me. I tensed up for a moment as I felt him lean in closer to me, his breath on my ear.

"Give in?" he whispered in my ear, his breath feeling warm as it tickled the inside of my ear.

"Fine, I give," I said with a sigh, flopping down onto the soft ground below me, worn out from our heated spar.

"Hey, Zuko, about what time is it?" I asked as he flopped down beside me.

"Late evening, I guess," he said, shifting into a more comfortable position.

I sighed, with exhaustion, and with a heavy heart.

Zuko and Uncle had already been here two and a half weeks and I found that I would miss them both dearly when they left. I had grown so attached to both of them since they came here, especially Zuko, and it was making it so hard for me to even think about the fact that they would have to leave.

Again, I sighed, a sigh filled with sadness.

"What is it, Miss Forward?" Zuko asked, using the nick name he had inadvertently given me when he had arrived.

"Oh, nothing," I lied…badly.

"Toph, I know you well enough to know when something is bothering you," he said.

"Oh Zuko, it's just that you and Uncle only have a little while left here and then you have to leave," I spilled out for him. I felt Zuko sit up and turn to me.

"That is what's bothering you? Oh Toph," he said with a sigh, "When I first got here you couldn't wait for me to leave, and now you're getting all sentimental about it. What the heck is going on?"

I felt my face start to heat up as I blushed. "Well, it's just that we've grown a lot closer than we were before," I said, only making me blush more from my own words.

Gods, why do I feel so shy around Zuko now? He's my friend, my sparring partner, I shouldn't feel shy around him! Well, maybe I- wait! No way, I so don't.

"Toph?"

"Hmm?"

"How would you like to come back for a visit with us to the Fire Nation?" Zuko asked hesitantly.

"WHAT?!" I bolted upright and turned to where I knew he sat.

"I understand if you don't want to. It's just I already asked your parents and they said that they were fine with it if you were," Zuko said hastily. I felt that his heart was beating rather fast as if he were nervous. I grinned a wide smile.

"Of course I want to come, you big goof. Good god! If you keep this up you'll be as big of a goof as Sokka," I said laughing as I gave him a big hug. When I did I felt him heat up and his heart beat even faster than before.

"Come on. I have to get home. If I don't my parents with give me the 'you-shouldn't-be-out-with-an-older-man' lecture even if you are the Fire Lord and a close friend," I grumbled, jumping up to my feet. Zuko got up as well and together we made our way back to my home…

I told you that it was fluffy! Don't you just love them together? ) Next chappie probably tomorrow! Bye!