Where It All Began

Image used is: 'Come over here' by Kelly 1412 on Deviantart - favourites/#/d4jsqf5

"There is no way we can trust you, not after all that you have done." Aang's voice was one of finality. He turned his back from the banished prince refusing his assistance. From what Toph could tell the prince had been disheartened by the young avatar's words. He knelt down with his head bowed.

"If you won't take me as a friend then keep me as a prisoner." he said defeated.

Katara's heart beat quickened with rage and she moved swiftly "GET OUT OF HERE." she yelled bending water at him. Toph felt his body being shoved back, he laid there slumped for a moment before moving to leave. His feet dragged across the floor slowly. The rest of the group continued to discuss the issue, but from what Toph could tell every word the banished prince had said was sincere. She mulled over that fact for a long time before making her decision. Quietly she sneaked away to where the Prince had set up camp. It took a few moments to pin point where he was located, but eventually she found him sleeping in a small clearing. But her foot caught on a twig, and snapped it. Immediately he was awake and alert, swiftly out of paranoia or habit he blasted fire at who ever moved.

"Wait It's me!" Toph quickly screamed and threw her hands up to bend a rock to guard her. The flames snaked around the rock and behind her. Without knowing Toph stepped back right into the flames, they licked at her feet burning her.

"AAARGH" she fell down and felt searing pain it was unbearable and in need of cool water for relief. "You-you burned my feet!" She screamed half because of the pain but more because of the fear of being completely in the dark. She scrambled around on her hands and knees frantically, she was confused and the images where fuzzy. She felt Prince Zuko coming near her. "Sta-STAY AWAY FROM ME!" she felt the tears in her eyes and shot rocks at him in fear. She was disoriented and could only focus on running away. Her heart hammered more as she felt him still coming closer.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know it was you! PLEASE! COME BACK!" He screamed helplessly after her. Rocks flew past his face but he trudged on.

She stumbled a bit and when she felt strong hands around her she was alarmed, like a fish out of water.

 "Calm down I'm trying to help you." He said gently, and for a moment she was calm his body was warm and relaxing. His chest was wide and comfortable. She then found herself back at his small camp. She was put down on soft earth and quickly felt a coolness at her feet. Relieved from the pain she closed her eyes trying to ignore the occasional sting. She felt a little delerious from the pain, but that was lessening too.

Zuko acted quickly, ironically he knew how to take care of burns incredibly well. After training by himself over the years and...well after what happened, his Uncle shared his knowledge about various plants. He shifted through his belongings and found the prize plant for cuts or burns, Aloevera. He bit into the stem letting the juice gush out before quickly transferring it to the young earth bender's wound. He spread it evenly over both of the benders feet. Following the emergency treatment, he sat down and ripped the bottom of his tunic and laid the pieces down. He only had a small amount of Aloe plant left but he used it up as best he could and spread it around the cloth. When he was finished he picked them up and carefully placed them to soak on Toph's feet. The relief was evident in the small girls features and her body became relaxed. He sighed in relief and sat there calming down. He rushed so much that he barley realized what had happened. He looked over the young girl's features, her skin was milky white and perfect, she had a doll like face her lashes were long and her lips a perfect pink formed in a slight pout. He felt him self move, his hand going to her face but stopped.

"Having fun staring at me?" Came her soft voice.

He snapped out of his trance and quickly retracted his hand away What am I doing! he thought.