Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own any part of Avatar. :(

Chapter 1: Distractions

"You're not working hard enough!" shouted Zuko who had been noticing Aang's slipping focus as of late. With that he threw another fireball at the young airbender who was nearly hit, but dived out of the way at the last second. Zuko was getting tired of this.

"I'm doing the best I can," replied Aang who was already back in position, composing himself.

"Well do better!" he yelled throwing flames that skimmed the top of the Avatar's head.

"Calm down Zuko," said a calm voice from the distance. "It's going to take him some time, and yelling won't help him progress any faster. A little gentler, Katara continued "He needs encouragement, and patients." She sat down cross legged on a nearby rock and decided to see if her words of widom had affected Zuko's teaching methods at all.

"We don't have time to be patient!" screamed Zuko. He turned his back on Katara and continued shooting embers towards his fire bending pupil with as much ferocity as he could.

"Time to show Katara what I'm made of," thought Aang. He didn't want her thinking he wasn't capable of beating Zuko. So he danced away from his masters flames, while his mind wandered onto other thoughts. The truth was that Katara was actually the distraction that Zuko constantly complained about. Aang just couldn't seem to stop thinking about her.

Suddenly he was thrust backwards into a wall surrounded by flames.

"Dangit!" he thought. "I need to focus," he continued thinking to himself as he brushed the soot off his orange and yellow monk outfit.

"That's enough for today," Zuko said bitterly, disappointment ringing clear in every syllable. "I wish Saka were here, or even Toph, they'd be a better fight that you!" he spat at Aang.

"That's enough Zuko, we're calling it a day, and I'm sure Saka or Toph would love to fight you as soon as they get back from dropping off Suki at Kioshi Island." Said Katara, wearing a stoic expression. "I'm going to bed, see you two tomorrow." She sighed and disappeared into her tent.

Aang and Zuko stared at each other, both confused by her sudden lack of interest and moodiness. Then they cleaned up, and got ready for bed as well. Lying by the campfire, they stared into the flames, both thinking about what they wanted.

"I'm sorry I got upset earlier," said Zuko quietly, as soon as he was sure Katara was sleeping. "This teaching thing is new to me." A small smile creeped across his face almost reaching his scar.

"It's fine," said Aang in a monotone voice. He was staring off into space, his mind clearly elsewhere. Silence engulfed the two…

"So what's with you and her anyways?" asked Zuko nudging towards the tent, all the friendliness gone from his voice. Aang looked up at him, his eyes coming back into focus, as if just coming out of a daze.

"Nothing," he said. "I don't know what you're talking about." He closed his eyes, and looked even more monkish than usual, as if praying for patients.

"I see the way you look at her," said Zuko a few moments later. "It's the same way I look at Mai," he though. He stared at the Avatar waiting for a response. Any sign that Aang had heard him.

"Goodnight Zuko." said Aang stiffly. With that he rolled over, facing the moon rather than the fire. He crossed his arms and was mute the rest of the night.

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First chapter sucks a little, I know! But it gets better, I promise!

R&R --- Much thanks =)