One A Secret

They only love each other at night. Once the fire has gone dark, once everyone around has drifted to sleep, when only the moon and stars light up the night, only when they are alone.

They think no one knows, that it is a secret.

But someone hears them.

In the day, he is only quietly polite as she throws accusations and stinging barbs toward him. It is only the watcher who knows that at night, she soothes away her painful words with kisses and gentle lovers' words.

The watcher hears them, and it hurts.

During the day, when the entire group all see what they think is the truth; the watcher can almost believe it himself. But at night, that fanciful myth is cast aside as she calls the other's name, practically moans it.

The listener cringes. It's happening again. He closes his eyes and lets the silent tears fall as he hears her voice call out for the other.

Zuko set the last armload of wood down, and brushed the dust from his tunic. "Anything else?" He asked quietly.

"No. You can go away now." Katara replied snidely as she gestured for Zuko to leave. She stirred the contents of the pot, ignoring the looks her friends were giving her.

"Why do you do that?" Sokka asked after Zuko had gone. "He's been nothing but helpful since he got here." Sokka frowned. "Without Zuko, Suki and Dad wouldn't even be here!"

"Just because I have to accept him as Aang's teacher doesn't mean that I have to like him." Katara replied heatedly.

Hakoda shook his head, and spoke up, his tone firm. "No, not necessarily. But you were raised better than that, Katara. What would your grandmother say if she heard how you treat that boy?"

Katara's eyes widened. "Dad, he attacked our village!"

"And he's making amends for that by helping to stop his father." Hakoda replied. "Just…try to get along better?"

Katara frowned slightly, but nodded.

Zuko's voice carried through the Temple. "Aang, its time for your lesson!"

Aang looked at his half-filled bowl, then at the door, unsure. "Now!" Aang jumped up, and ran out of the room.

"Zuko, does it bother you that Katara is so cold to you?' Aang asked, balancing awkwardly on one leg.

Zuko set his foot down. "No."

"Are you sure?"

Zuko closed his eyes, annoyed. "Yes, yes I'm sure."

Aang tried to meditate in silence, but, well, he was only twelve, after all. "Why?"

Zuko sighed. "Just focus on your breathing, Aang."

Aang clamped his mouth shut, watching his newest teacher as he demonstrated a new set of basic moves.

Zuko finished the set, and told Aang to run through it. Watching, he couldn't help but be impressed at how quick a study Aang really was. Zuko thought that was likely what made him the right Avatar for the cycle. After all, Aang had learned so much in such a short amount of time, and while his control of the elements was still rough, he was almost a fully realized Avatar.

But for Zuko, and for firebending, rough control was no better than no control. When Aang finished the set, and looked at Zuko grinning, the expatriate prince only frowned.

"Do it again…and get it right this time." He commanded.

"But…"

"No buts." Zuko replied firmly. "Fire isn't something you can 'sort-of' master. Fire doesn't fall back to earth once you let go. It keeps burning."

Aang's ears turned red. "You sound like Jeong-Jeong."

Zuko blinked. "Jeong-Jeong? When did you meet The Deserter?"

Aang sat down, and told Zuko about meeting the firebender, and what had happened when Aang hadn't listened.

Zuko nodded. "That should only serve to convince you more, Aang. Fire is powerful, it is life, but you have to show it respect by fully striving to master it."

Aang thought about that. "Zuko, what will happen after I master the elements? What if I still can't reconnect to the Avatar State, if I can't defeat Ozai?"

"You be fine. And you'll have us with you." Zuko replied, awkwardly patting Aang on the back. "We're your friends Aang, we won't let anything happen."

Aang grinned, comforted. "Thanks, Sifu Hotman."

Zuko sighed. "I told you to stop calling me that."

Katara stirred the rice, frowning. Sokka was sitting a few feet away with Suki, both of them still catching up, and Aang was chasing Haru, Teo, and The Duke around the temple.

Toph was sitting next to her, so she would be ready when the food was done, but that still left her father, Zuko, and the new firebender, Chit Sang.

Katara saw the latter two walk past the door, discussing the finer points of making moonshine, and sighed.

In short, no one was helping her with dinner. She looked up and saw Zuko walk into the room. "Hey, Zuko!" She said loudly, bringing the prince to a halt, and drawing the others' attention. "The water boiled down too fast. Go get me some."

Nodding, Zuko picked up an empty water-skin and left.

Toph snorted, getting Katara's attention. "Wow, Sugar Queen, you have him whipped."

"What?" Katara asked. "No! I just think if he expects to eat, he needs to help."

Toph shook her head, and gestured around. "Yes, because we're all helping so much." She replied sarcastically.

Toph could have sworn Katara's heart fluttered for a moment, but she wanted more proof before teasing her friend.

And she would get it, or she wasn't the greatest earthbender around.

Haru came running into the temple. "Guys, there's a war-balloon coming!" He yelled. "Aang saw it!"

"The Fire Nation has found us?" Suki asked, her face pale as she grabbed Sokka's hand.

"Maybe. But we've got Appa, so we'll be fine." Sokka reassured her, then looked across the room at his father, who nodded slightly.

"Who cares." Toph grunted. "Let's just kick butt."

They all stood, ready to fight off any attackers. As the balloon drifted lower to the ground, Sokka scratched his head, confused by the fact that there was only one balloon. "IS this a scout balloon?" He wondered aloud.

Almost as if it was on cue, a cheery, beaded face peered over the side of the balloon.

"Ah, I found you at last." Iroh greeted.