Hey it's been a while.

I've been real busy lately with work and my older brother just graduate collage. (I'm so proud of him)

Today I got a blessing in disguise. Yesterday I was doing strength training for Taekwondo (I explain more on my profile in the next day or two) and I over did it so I can barely walk because of sore muscles :-(
but I got to caught up on my writing, so it's not all bad.

So I'll shut up and let you read.

Enjoy.

Betrayed and Loved

Appa rose above the clouds for coverage. The only sound they could hear was the wind blowing.

Toph finally broke the silence saying "So what happened after you caught them kissing, and ran off?"

Aang looked over his shoulder a bit surprised. "How do you know about that?"

"Sugar Queen came running to Sokka, Suki, and me after it happened and told us."

"Oh." Aang turned sitting facing Toph. "I tore apart a field with bending out of anger. Then Zuko found me and we 'talked'."

"How did that go?" Toph almost didn't want to ask.

"I attacked Zuko. Katara had to hold me back so I would stop. We said some things and here I am." Aang ran through the scenario, not feeling like lingering on those harsh moments.

Toph sat upright at this, but she didn't act surprised. "I don't blame you for attacking Zuko. It's in your nature."

"Violence isn't in my nature." Aang said in a confused tone.

"No but, when ever you feel someone or something you deeply care about is in danger or taken away, you tend to get aggressive."

Aang knew she was right. He hasn't felt this way since Appa was stolen by sandbenders. Aang tried to force a smile in agreeance, but noticed something else.

"Your foot. It's still burnt from this morning? Why didn't Katara heal you?""

Toph stretched her leg out. She forgot about her injury until Aang brought it up. "Well I was kinda yelling at her for not telling you. She was suppose to heal me after she finished telling you, but…" Toph didn't feel like making Aang relive those feelings twice. "I'm fine though."

"You really did want them to tell me, didn't you?" Saying like he just found out.

"Well duh. Sugar Queen bent the soup in the first place to stop me from telling you about her and Sparky. Then I threaten to tell you myself until they finally caved and went."

"Wow." Aang didn't realize Katara was the reason Toph got burnt. Knowing Toph got hurt trying to be honest with him when no one else would made him feel guilty. Then thinking about Katara going that far to lie to him made him feel they probably wouldn't have told him in the first place. Maybe him catching them was a blessing in disguise. He was able to find out everyone's intentions this way. If they had just told him, the fact everyone knew might not have come up again, and it still would have been a lie.

Aang looked back down at her red foot, and felt guilty again.

"Well you should at least have it properly bandaged."

Aang crawled back to saddle and pulled out a white bandage roll. He rested her heel on his knee and started slowly wrapping her foot. Toph normally didn't like someone touching her feet, but she made an exception with Aang. As he finished, he tied it off with a jerk. The pressure on her tender skin made Toph jump.

"OW! I thought you were suppose the delicate gentle one?"

"Not since I meet you. I'm rocklike." He pounded his fist on his chest. "Remember?"

They laughed. The first Aang cracked a smile since he dropped the flowers. When they calmed down Toph took a serious tone.

"What now?"

Aang paused. He didn't think to much ahead of running away, but he did have a plan.

"I've pretty much mastered waterbending, you can continue teaching me earthbending, and I guess I'll just have to practice the firebending that I know now. Hopefully I'll be able to defeat the Fire Lord then."

"So it's you and me against the world." Toph half stated and half questioned.

"I guess so, the Avatar and a blind earthbender."

"I'm not just a 'blind' earthbender." She raised her arms like she was flexing. "I'm the world's greatest earthbender!" She pointed her finger at Aang's chest. "And don't you forget it, Twinkle Toes." She tapped his chest with every word she said.

"Mam, yes mam." Aang said soldier-like.

"Well I'm going to take a nap. Wake me when we land."

Aang looked back at the 'world's greatest earthbender'. He usually doesn't get to see her sleeping since she's always in an earth tent. During their training sessions when she was yelling at him and barking orders, she would be pretty intimidating, but sleeping, she looked small, delicate… peaceful. Katara was always so strong and independent. A mother. Toph on the other hand was definitely strong, and always tried to be independent, but Aang knew that deep down Toph did rely on other people. It was now his job to take care of her. Aang had the strange urge to cradle her in his arms like the porcelain doll she was. But he shook it off; Toph would kicked him off Appa if he was dumb enough to try that anyway. He turned back to steer Appa and let his earthbending teacher sleep.

'Blessing in disguise' seems to be the theme for today. So if you've ever had one PM me and I'll put it on my profile. (I won't use your Pen name if you don't want me to)

I know it's kinda short, but the next chapter is going to be extra long so look out for that.

Next Chapter: the title is 'Swimming Lessons'

Review please!