Okay so It's been a while. I still don't own anything!
Sorry for the delay I went on vacation.
Thanks for all the favorites and reviews, they make me want to continue this!
I'll try to get another chapter up later today or tomorrow!
Hope it's worth the wait!
The orange and yellow clad monk perched next to the injured girl's bedside, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger. He was fortunate enough to find Katara rather quickly and even luckier to do so when she was alone. His mouth moved a million miles per hour, words spewing from it rapidly as he described the injury. The water tribe healer simply nodded and quickly went about healing the fallen bender before the cut got infected. A few hours had passed since then, and though Katara had insisted that Toph would be okay, the young monk was still watching over her. His normally soft gray eyes were narrowed at the white bandage on the girl's head.
"This is all my fault." The airbender murmured as the sleeping form groaned. Had he not lost his temper, she wouldn't be lying on this bed now. Had he not distracted her, this wouldn't have happened. So the least he could do now was make sure she was comfortable. Why would a firebender attack her anyway? He obviously knew who she was. Aang made a mental note to ask around about this mystery fighter. Suddenly, the small form in front of him twitched back to life, first rolling over, and then sitting up with a hand grasping at her head.
"Ugh, what happened?" The blind girl asked rhetorically, unaware of the other presence in the room.
"You got hit on the head. You lost consciousness so I ran you back here." A black eyebrow arched before her milky green eyes scrunched in confusion.
"You… Ran me back here? Like carried?" He didn't miss the twinge of anger and embarrassment in her voice. Her sightless eyes turned in the direction of the boy, glaring at his forehead.
"Yes… You were hurt." The Avatar explained as the earthbender tensed. "It was my fault you got hurt anyway. I'm so sorry Toph." The girl snorted, wanting nothing more than to get off the bed and go outside. He caught the way she moved towards the edge of the bed and gently pushed her back with a gust of wind. "Don't get up! Katara said you need another healing session before the cut will go away." Clouded eyes once more glared at the bald monk.
"I don't need anyone's help. I'll be fine." The boy rolled his eyes and fixed the girl with a stern look.
"It's okay to need help sometimes. Will you please just lay down for a little bit?" The raven haired girl 'humphed', crossing her arms.
"Your help is what got me here in the first place Twinkles. I think I'll pass on any other offers you give me." Tempers rose and the same tension from earlier seemed to surface. The bold determination of an earthbender meeting the compassionate care of an airbender only spelled disaster. Just when all seemed like it was going to boil over, a graceful waterbender entered the room. "Sugar Queen! Get the airhead out of here!" The brunette jumped at the commanding voice of the previously unconscious girl.
"Toph, you're awake. Good, we can do a checkup." The calming motherly voice of Katara spread throughout the room, effectively ending the argument. With a few grumbled protests, Aang left the room.
"I never thought he'd leave." A nervous chuckle erupted from the healer. She very slowly moved towards the injured girl. Her hand touched the soft wrap before a black head snapped away.
"I have to check it." The usual soothing tone did little to calm the earthbender. Once more Katara reached out and was met with air.
"He's gone, no need to play doctor. I'm fine." The blind figure sat irritated on the bed. Was there some reason she was being so difficult? What had Aang done that upset her so much? Katara wondered. With an exasperated sigh, the girl moved off the bed and out the door, leaving a confused waterbender behind. The Avatar jumped as the door slammed shut next to him. He quickly followed the angry form of Toph, wanting to apologize for losing his patience.
"Toph, I'm sorry. I just want you to be safe. I'm the reason you got hurt." The boy's voice was genuine, a feeling of regret travelled through him.
"No, you're wrong. I lost my focus, this is my fault." The tattooed head tilted at the quiet admission.
"It's mine, I made you angry. I made you lose your concentration. Let Katara heal you, please." Suddenly, the anger in the girl resurfaced. Her infuriated face meeting a surprised one.
"I'm not some little kid who can't take care of herself." That's when he finally understood. This was not about whose fault it was, she thought he was calling her weak.
"I know you're not. You're the strongest, most infuriatingly stubborn girl I have ever met." The boy confessed.
"Gee Twinkletoes, thanks." He was expecting a sarcastic quip, but he wasn't done.
"Not just that, you're sarcastic, mean and you don't worry about how you look. You're so confident and you have issues with your anger."
"Your point?" Milky eyes met determined gray.
"You're all these things but above all else, I care about you. You're loyal and funny. I want you to be healed not because I think you're weak, but because I can't stand the thought of losing you." Two sets of eyes widened at the monk's words. Slowly, a smirk spread across the lips of the earthbender.
"Well if it means so much to ya, I'll go get checked out. But remember this was not my idea Twinkles." The airbender smiled, feeling as though he just talked down a rabid beast.
"That's all I ask." With a quick move, the boy's lips came into contact with a pale cheek. The girl went rigid, her thoughts racing as a blush spread across her cheeks.
"What was that for?" Aang laughed, a light melodic sound over the subtle wind. His heart began to speed up. It wasn't a completely intentional act.
"That's how I show affection." With that, the boy quickly turned and walked away. While he tried to calm his racing heart, she attempted to cool her cheeks. Both felt the tingly after effects from the kiss, and though neither would admit it; it was a nice feeling. Slowly, the earthbender walked back to the room that held a still dazed Katara while the airbender sought out his firebending sifu. The sudden appearance of the Avatar caused the Fire Nation Prince to flinch, noticing the cold expression on his normally tranquil face.
"Zuko, I need you to tell me something. How many firebending assassins do you know of?