Author's Note: I started writing this over a year ago, but I quit after a couple months because I got writer's block, then eventually just forgot about it. But recently I found it again, and I've decided to try and work on finishing it. And since I started long before we even knew the premiere date of Season 3, it's completely different from what has actually happened. But, hey, that's okay, right? Right.

Anyway, I'll be quiet now, and just let you all read. Hope you enjoy the first chapter!

"Concentrate, Twinkle Toes!"

Toph's voice cut into Aang's mind, breaking off his thoughts. "Huh?" He blinked. Aang had spaced out, thinking about Sozin's Comet. "What are we doing?"

Toph sighed, exasperated. "You're supposed to be earthbending."

"Oh..." Aang remembered that he'd been having his earthbending practice with Toph...but he didn't remember the move he was doing.

"You have no idea where we left off, do you?"

Aang flustered slightly. "...No...not really..."

Toph threw her arms in the air and let out a frustrated breath. "I give up! That's the third time you've spaced out! No more practicing for today!"

"Third?!" Aang asked. "I don't remember spacing three times!"

"Of course you don't," Toph mumbled, plopping down on the ground and putting her chin in her hands.

"I...I'm sorry..." Aang said.

"Mm-hm."

Aang hung his head a bit. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he focus?

"Avatar," came Iroh's voice suddenly. "Come have some tea. Perhaps it will clear your head."

Aang turned to his firebending teacher and smiled slightly. He was glad to have someone as understanding as Iroh with him.

"Thanks, Iroh." Aang sat down beside the former-general.

"Here." Iroh handed him a cup of steaming tea. "This should help you."

"I hope." They heard Toph mumble.

Aang sighed, drinking his tea. He really didn't blame Toph for being mad at him. He wished he could focus like he used to, but it seemed all he could think about was the upcoming battle with the Fire Lord...

"Aang! Your tea!"

Now it was Iroh's voice that cut into Aang's mind.

"Huh? Ah!" Aang flinched as he felt some hot liquid on his shoulders. He looked down and saw that he had spilled his tea on himself while he was thinking. Out of the corner of his eye, Aang saw Toph slap her forehead. This was embarrassing.

"Uh...I think I'll go wash off..." Aang mumbled, a blush creeping to his cheeks. He handed the empty tea cup to Iroh and headed down to the stream, where Katara was waterbending.

Even while walking to the stream, Aang's mind wandered to the Day of Black Sun. What if it didn't work? With Princess Azula ruling Ba Sing Se, how could they get a good, strong army to attack the Fire Nation? This nagged at his mind as he reached the stream.

"Aang?" came Katara's concerned voice. "What happened?"

He was dragged out of his thoughts yet again. "Huh? Oh, uh, I was drinking some of Iroh's tea and, well, I...kinda spilled it," Aang replied, blushing as he scratched the back of his head.

Katara stopped her bending and rushed over to Aang. "You're not burned, are you?" She knew how hot Iroh made his tea.

"I don't...think so," Aang replied, proceeding to take off his shirt. When it was off, he went over to the water, threw his shirt in, left it there for a few moments, then airbended it up and out of the water, drying it in the process.

Aang caught it as Katara came over. She examined his shoulders, putting her hands on them, and said, "No, you're not burned...But promise me you'll be more careful?"

Aang's face turned red when Katara's hands had touched his shoulders and somehow he managed to say, "I promise. I don't know what I was doing..."

"You were thinking about the battle again, weren't you?"

Aang was silent. It amazed him at how Katara seemed to see right through him. "Yeah...I was..." he replied quietly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Katara's voice was filled with gentleness and concern.

Without thinking, Aang shook his head and looked away from Katara. "No."

There was an awkward silence for a few minutes. It was Katara who broke it: "All right. But if you ever want to talk, I'm right here."

Aang nodded. That was what he loved about Katara: she was so understanding and didn't pressure someone into telling her something if they didn't want to.

"I'm going to head back to camp." Katara turned to head back. "Are you coming?"

Aang shook his head. "I want to stay and think for awhile."

"Okay. See you back at camp." Katara waved, walking away.

Aang waved back.

When Katara was out of sight, Aang put his shirt back on, then sat down on the bank. He pulled his knees up to his chest, crossed his arms on his knees, and laid his chin on his arms. Aang stared at the water, his mind wandering to Sozin's Comet and the upcoming battle yet again. What was he going to do? How was he going to get through this?