Okay guys bear with me here. I had a bit of writers block making this chapter so if there are a few mistakes or it's a little choppy please help correct me for future mistakes. Oh yeah, and if you have any suggestions or ideas pm me ;) Like always enjoy the story and don't hesitate to leave a review!

Rating: T

Location: Western Air Temple

Disclaimer: Sorry but I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender… Unfortunately

CHAPTER 2: Sparring

Previously…"SQUIRT! You've gotta be kidding me! I'm an earth rumble champion so you better watch your back bub or I'll have you halfway across this canyon by sundown!"Toph raged.

"Is that a challenge?" Teased Zuko. He cracked his knuckles and un-sheathed his Dao swords. "You're on!"

The earth rumbled beneath his feet, he knew what was coming. Just in the nick of time, Zuko rolled harmlessly out of the way as a pillar of stone shot out beneath the very ground he was just standing on.

The column stopped an inch before striking the ancient crumbling ceiling of the old Air Temple.

"Nice one Sparky! Though I doubt your little dodging game is gonna work much longer." The little earthbender taunted. And with that smart remark she punched the ground fiercely creating a massive wave of earth.

He saw the danger approaching and thought fast. Glancing over his shoulder, Zuko found a thick green vine hanging from an old column. He jumped up and with the assistance of the vine, swung into safety.

Although the firebender evaded the wave of earth, he proceeded to fall down from the vine, landing hard on his feet and sending a shockwave of pain up his legs. He winced but only slightly, not wanting to damage his ego.

"Come on tough guy, lemmie have it!" Bellowed Toph enthusiastically.

"Oooh it's on now short stack!" He retorted with as much enthusiasm as his friend.

Twirling his blades viscously, Zuko sent a blazing jet of fire towards his opponent. For a moment he shot a worried glance at the little earthbender, thinking she was about to be engulfed by the hungry inferno, but with was quickly reassured when she sunk into the temple floor below him, barely missing the powerful attack.

Whipping his head about, trying to find the hidden location of his young friend; Zuko began to get paranoid, feeling slight tremors and vibrations below the surface of the dust coated ground.

He circled around the deserted sparring ground, carefully watching for any signs of movement in the barren atmosphere. After what seemed to be several minutes of waiting a low rumble was sounded below him.

Without warning a large boulder shot out of the ground barreling itself into the alarmed teen's stomach, sending him across the courtyard and into a hard jagged wall.

A sickening crack could be heard as Zuko made contact with the stone, breath being stolen by the wind.

"Ugghh!" He grunted as pain spread through his body.

"Oh-no" Toph ran through the debris of their battle and over to the figure leaning limply against the wall. She didn't mean to break his ribs! Oh Oma please let him be okay…

His breathing was labored and his chest throbbed with a dull ache. Through hazy vision he managed to notice a dark red spot slowly gathering at the side of his tunic.

He grabbed his side instinctively and noticed the red rubbed off of his robe and onto his hands. It felt wet, he wasn't sure what it was at the moment, but it had a foul coppery smell to it. Then he heard a voice, was it talking to him? He wasn't exactly sure.

He struggled to keep himself conscious as darkness began to overcome his vision.

"Sparky? Zuko! Stay with me buddy! "Toph noticed his eyelids were getting heavy and starting to drop, his heart beat was also very faint. She was no healer but she was pretty sure she had to keep him awake. The blind earthbender began shaking him vigorously; no effect.

She bit her lip and turned her head the other way, tears brimming her blind eyes. With a hard smack she jolted her friend slightly more awake than he previously was.

"Hu-wuhh…? T…Toph?" The injured firebender slurred.

"Listen, Zuko. You need to stay awake for me buddy."

Slightly confused but still aware of the words she said, he nodded his head reluctantly. What was going on? Why does my side hurt so much? He wanted to ask all these questions but he couldn't get the words to come out of his mouth.

Toph noticed Zuko was moving his mouth slightly as if to seem he was struggling to say something. "It's okay, I'll have you fixed up in no time, just hang in there." She told him.

That seemed to stop his struggling, but now he just lay there with glazed over eyes that were straining to stay open.

Toph evaluated the situation and realized it was probably best if she didn't move his body so she came to the unwanted conclusion of leaving him there to go for help.

She bit her lip shifting her eyes from Zuko back to the path of camp, finally she made up her mind.

"Listen, Sparky I need you to stay here for a little bit longer. I'm going to get Katara and she'll heal you right up."

He bobbed his head slightly .

"Oh, and one more thing. Please, please! Stay awake." With another worried glance back, Toph sprinted off for camp, leaving the injured prince against the wall.

Little did either know, there had been someone watching the whole time.

What do you think? Honest opinions PLEASE(: Leave a review of pm me, whatever you want. See ya later everyone and stay tuned for updates!