I sat up in her makeshift bed. The Western Air Temple was indeed a fantastical wonder, as were the other Air Temples, but the stone rooms provided little heat during the cold night. I curled up, holding my knees to my chest, hoping that at least my own body warmth could raise my temperature.
The window revealed the breath taking view of the cliffs and steep canyon that lingered below the Temple.
The past events rolled in my memory. The failed invasion, Father's imprisonment (not to mention the others), Aang's tears…Zuko… Zuko! What was up with that? All of a sudden its like Aang and the others forgot the past. Did they not remember Zuko's attacks? Or his cruel ancestry? Oh. Come on Katara! He said he had changed and he was sorry! It's unfair to put the blame of his ancestors on his shoulders! You are better than that. But still, I could deny the obvious wrongs he had committed against us.
The moon was almost full. Of course, I didn't need to see it to know it. I could feel it in my bones. The more ripe the moon, the more powerful I became. The stars danced around the moon's luminous face, complimenting her beauty.
My mother's necklace lay beside my mat on the ground. The white surface glowed in the moonlight. I laid back down still fixed in a ball. I closed my eyes praying for a blessing of sleep. Just a whisper of rest would be appreciated. I tried to listen for the large fountain outside. Maybe the running water could soothe me to sleep. I could barely hear it. Unfortunately, Zuko got the room nearest to the fountain.
I fell into a light rest, the faint running water, lulling me to my dreams.
The sun rose high into the sky before I woke up. It's warm rays coming through the window and resting on my face. I shifted to my other side, half asleep.
The sounds of Zuko and Aang training brought me to my full wakefulness. I stood up, pulling on my clothes and put on my necklace. I made my bed, well not so much as made but smoothing the thin blanket over it and carefully rolling it up and resting against the wall in a corner. I do not know why I do this. Its not like the room would look messy with it still on the floor; it was too bare to be messy. I guess it's just a habit after so many years of mothering Sokka and cleaning up after him.
I walked out of the room into the hallway. After three days here, I already knew my way around the halls, rooms, stairways, and courtyards.
I walked down the stone steps to the main courtyard were the fountain was and the boys were training. Toph was sitting on the sidelines jeering them on.
"Morn'n, sleepy head!" Toph called.
"Hey!" I smiled.
"Looks like you had a match with a Lion Turtle!" She laughed pointing to my hair.
I quickly walked to the fountain and peered at my reflection. Sure enough, my hair was a mess. I smoothed back some stray hairs that were popping straight up. But they weren't cooperating to I, frustrated, yanked my ribbon out and let my hair fall loose. I tried to comb my fingers through my long hair.
"There…" I triumphed over my conquered hair. I pulled it back into a half ponytail.
"NO! You have to feel it! Do you feel it in your chest?" Zuko yelled at Aang. "Follow me." Zuko proceeded to teach the basic fire-bender moves.
Aang followed with precision.
"Where are the other guys?" I asked walking over to Toph.
"Oh, they wen't somewhere…Sokka tried to tell me, but all I got was something about exploring, something, something, testing his boomerang, something, yadi-yadda, blah, blah, blah." She said sighing.
"Oh…"
Toph leaned back, brining her foot, which had healed mostly, up and began to pick at it.
"Come on Toph! Have a little courtesy." I pleaded.
"Hey, you don't like it, you don't have to watch." She said simply.
I started to get up but was stopped by Aang's voice.
"Hey Katara! We need a little help. Can you come here?" He called from a few yards away.
"Um…well—"
"I promise you won't get hurt…this time." He said that last part quietly. I did not think he meant me to hear that.
"I guess…" I hesitantly walked over to them.
Zuko stood stiff with his arms crossed, waiting impatiently.
"What can I do for you?" I asked Aang.
"You can hold this shield up has a target for Aang." Zuko said even though my query was not directed at him.
I turned to look at Zuko, trying to hide the growing anger. He held out the metal shield more me to take. I held out my hand for Zuko to place it in my hand. He looked at me with an intense stare. His mouth pressed into a straight line and his jaw set in stone. Even though his lips did not move, his eyes screamed, 'Take the damn thing!'
I kept my eyes on him, daring him to give in. He squinted his eyes. I smiled. His brows furrowed. It was dangerous. I was having way too much fun infuriating him.
"Um, guys?" Aang's innocent voice came from behind me.
Zuko thrust the shield into my hand, making a low growl in the back of his throat.
"Stand there." He demanded.
I walked over to the spot he was pointing to.
"Hold it out." He mumbled.
I did as he told me to.
"No, hold it like this." He instructed, holding an imaginary object out about waist high. Venom lingered in his voice.
"Like this?" I asked innocently, purposely holding a little too high.
"No. A little lower." He said glaring at me.
"Oh. Here?" I asked going too low.
"NO! Not like that!" He stormed over to me.
I admit, I was a little nervous. I did not mean to push him too far has to make him actually approach me. I watched him come closer.
"Like. This." He said under his breath as he reached out to me. I stiffened as his hand grasped my arm and adjusted it to his liking.
I didn't say or do anything. I was too afraid.
"Keep it there." He instructed letting go of my forearm. "Don't move."
He walked back to his original spot.
"Ready Aang?" He said agitated.
"Sure thing!" He said readying himself. He changed his stance to a less vulnerable one and began the formation of the fire-bending move.
I wasn't scared that Aang might burn me. I trusted him. In a split second, I felt heat and then an unsuspecting force hit the shield sending me reeling backwards. I fell back, hitting the ground with full force.
"Ah ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" Toph shrieked with laughter.
Aang rushed over to me.
"Did I burn you? Did I get you?" He asked worriedly.
"No. I just didn't expect that powerful of a force to hit." I explained holding my head.
I looked up at Zuko. He was smirking, almost scoffing.
"You don't have to help if you don't want to." Aang offered.
"No, it's okay. I'm fine." I assured him.
I got up, patting the dirt off my clothes. I grabbed the metal shield up and got back in place, facing Aang.
"Turn around." Zuko said, monotone.
"Why?"
"Because I need to show Aang a new move. Turn towards me." He said again.
I suspiciously turned about face.
"Ok. So now we are going to step it up a notch." He explained to Aang.
Zuko's face went serious and he bent his knees as he got into his starting stance. "Watch carefully."
Now I was scared. I couldn't trust Zuko.
