To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. That takes courage because we don't want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.

~Madonna

Toph, Katara, Sokka, Aang, and Zuko all sat awkwardly around the fire in the Western Air Temple. Zuko had just joined their ranks, and they didn't really know how to talk with him there yet.

"Uh…hey, Avatar, How about we start training now? I mean the sooner the better, right?" Zuko finished with a lopsided grin that looked rather creepy on him

"Uh, ok sure! I do need to defeat the Firelord before the comet. Let's go. I know the perfect place!" Aang yelled, jumping up enthusiastically. Zuko's smile turned genuine as he got up, and began to walk off with Aang. Katara glared after him. This could be a huge trap. She just knew Zuko was waiting for them to leave Aang alone with him, and then… BANG! Aang was dead. Well, she wasn't going to let that happen.

"Wait," she called as she stood up. Aang stopped when he heard Katara call, but Zuko kept on walking.

"I'm coming too. I don't trust you yet, Zuko," she said to his back. Zuko stopped and turned around, but said nothing. She was not ashamed to outwardly express her loathing for Zuko, and his stupid scarred face. Zuko looked down at the floor.

"Katara," Aang started, "I really think he's ok…"

"Well I don't!" she snapped at him. Aang shrank away, his gray eyes sad.

"Let's get this over with," Katara said with an exasperated sigh. She stormed ahead of Zuko, giving him a venomous glare as she passed him. Aang exchanged a 'sorry' glance with Zuko as they trailed after Katara. Who, was ironically, leading them in the right direction. So Aang didn't stop her until they reached a set of huge double doors.

Aang blew a tunnel of air into the lock and the ancient door creaked open. Behind it was a gray stone room that was totally empty. It was perfect for firebending.

Zuko began showing Aang some basic firebending moves while Katara sat dejectedly in the corner. She had her head in her hands, and her eyes trained on Aang.

Aang mimicked Zuko's moves perfectly. She smiled softly at how far her student had come since she had first met him. She reminisced about how she had met Aang and about how much they had been through together.

Katara was pulled from her memories as Zuko announced they were done. Aang and Zuko began to chat about who knows what as they walked out of the room. Katara followed slowly and solemnly. Aang ignored her and kept talking to Zuko. She felt jealous and left out.

They soon arrived back at camp to see Toph and Sokka unrolling their sleeping bags. Katara joined them, slowly, keeping her eye on Zuko the whole time. Unfortunately, he did nothing particularly evil. He waved goodnight to Aang and curled up into his sleeping bag. Katara watched Aang as he slowly drifted into a slumber. His breathing became more steady and even. Watching him calmed her and helped her fall asleep.

The next day, Aang woke up last. His hair was a complete mess. Katara laughed as she walked over to him.

"Let me help." She brought out a small comb and started to comb his hair. When she touched it, she expected it to be kind of prickly, but it was soft and almost fuzzy. She smiled softly as she pulled the comb gently through his hair. Aang closed his eyes as a small blush tinted his cheeks.

"Ok, Aang," Katara said as she stepped back.

Aang's eyes snapped open, Katara's face was right in front of his. She frowned as she examined her work. Finally, it turned into a smile.

"Perfect! It looks so cute," she kissed the arrow on his head.

As soon as she walked away, Aang's grin turned into a forlorn expression; because he knew the kiss was more of a motherly thing. The girl he loved so much would never love him back.