A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed and read my story. I love you all! Happy holidays to everyone, and thank you for waiting. No internet on my comp for the holidays makes me sad, but I'm happy now!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar, and can't wait to see 312!
Chapter 3
Zuko lost his grip on Toph's sleeve as his shoulder hit rock. He rolled, protecting his head as he hit a rock wall. He opened his eyes carefully and saw a small sliver of light coming from the hole they had fallen through, but that light was dwindling fast as the hole closed up again. Soon there was only darkness.
He stood up carefully, creating a flame over his left hand as he sheathed his swords. He looked around and saw Toph stand up and dust herself off as if she hadn't fallen at all. They were in a large cave of solid rock that curved around them, and one end stretched on into darkness. He glanced up and saw the roof of earth fifteen feet above them. Toph grabbed his unlit hand and started pulling him away from the spot where they had fallen and into the darkness.
"Put that flame out, they're trying to follow us," she ordered.
Zuko closed his fist and the flame extinguished. He let her lead him through the darkness, following turn after turn. A large explosion sounded behind them and echoed through the cavern walls. Toph quickened her pace and Zuko had to jog to keep up.
"How do you do it?" he asked as she turned again.
"Do what?"
"Know where you're going?"
She stopped, and he felt her hand shift slightly and knew she had turned to face him.
"I see through earthbending." He felt her turn back and the pull on his hand made him start jogging again.
"Every vibration comes to me through earthbending, through touch."
She led him on in silence before turning another corner and stopping. Toph pulled him against the wall. Zuko felt solid rock at his back and under his feet, and he could smell water somewhere in the cave system.
"What…?"
"Shhh," Toph hissed. "The men have split up," she whispered. "There's three just behind us."
"So what now?" Zuko whispered back. The girl was stubborn and irritating, but she was good at what she did and underground, he had to trust her.
"So we drop them. There's an exit just ahead, but we need to lose them first."
"Ok."
They waited and the glow of a flame soon appeared against the rock walls.
"One in the lead, two flanking behind," Toph whispered. "I'll take the two."
Zuko nodded. "Alright. Ready?"
"Ready."
Zuko drew his swords and turned the corner, shooting flames at the soldiers. The man in front blocked, and started to send a fireball at the prince, but Zuko had already ducked down and swept out his leg as he turned, taking the soldiers' feet out from under him. The soldiers' blast went up and hit the roof as Zuko rose and stepped back. He ducked and rolled as the other two shot at him. He heard rocks falling and sprang up into a fighting stance, swords facing forward, glowing with flames surrounding them.
Toph stood at his side, holding her arms out, pushing downwards. The two soldiers in the back were sinking slowly. One was already encased to his shoulders, but the other only to his chest. Rocks and earth surrounded them and the soldier Zuko had faced. A large rock and a small wound on the mans' forehead showed how he had been finally taken out.
"They're here!" the man incased up to his shoulders yelled.
Zuko rushed forward to knock them out quickly. The last man shot out his hand before it was encased and a stream of fire left his hand before Zuko could knock him out and hit Toph in the shoulder.
She groaned but dropped her arms quickly, encasing the men to their mouths. Zuko lit a flame over his palm quickly, making sure all were knocked out before hurrying to the girls' side.
"Are you alright?" he asked as he knelt to inspect the wound.
"I'm fine," Toph growled as she turned away. "Put away that flame, and come on."
He could hear the pain in her voice as he extinguished the flame. She grabbed his hand again and pulled him forward. He jogged behind the earthbender and almost ran into her as she stopped abruptly.
"What now?" He asked her as he stepped back.
"We can't go on. I'm trying to see if there's another way."
"Why not?" he asked, getting irritated. He lit a flame over his palm again and stared at an underground river that stood before them. It was all that was there except rock. The river was about four feet across and looked about six feet deep. It ran smoothly, but swiftly from one hole to another.
"Damn!"
Zuko looked at the girl. "What now?!"
"There's five more coming, and no exit!"
"Yeah, there is and I'm looking at it!"
"This is granite! I can't move that much rock in time before they get here!"
She had turned to him and was glaring at him. Her whole body was stiff and her hands were clenched into fists.
"I didn't mean you! I meant the river!"
Her face paled instantly, but she kept her position. "No."
"Why not?!"
"I can't swim, that's why not!"
Zuko heard footsteps running their way, and looked at the girl and the river.
"Take a deep breath and trust me," he told her as he grabbed her and ran into the river.
