A/N: I am going back through this monster fic and just making some general tweaks and changes. I do plan on a sequel, so do look out for it sometime in the future.

Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar, Katara and Zuko would have gotten together by now…

Chapter 1: The Blue Spirit

The morning was crisp and bright when Katara finally managed to get away from Toph, Aang and Sokka. She loved them dearly, but the need for silence and water was as powerful as the love she felt for her friends. Her blue eyes lit up when she saw the gentle stream lazily washing over the colorful rocks that reflected the sun's light. The surrounding area was a beautiful glade of green grass, brown oaks, flowers all colors of the rainbow, and alive with the call of several different animals. Katara could never get over the beauty of such a place. Living in the south where there was nothing but ice and snow made one appreciative of the contrasts of the lands. She removed her outer tunic, and bare save her pristine underthings, waded into the water. As she came waist deep in the cool stream, peace and contentment washed over her. Her hand went to the water's surface, and then pulled back, bringing a glob of water with it. It was routine to pratcie her skills, going through the motions and stances of bending. It had been awhile since she could be alone to do this, so the bending in itself was easy and relaxing. She twisted the water into a whip, slashing it about. After that came the water wall; a huge wave suspended in air, blocking her from frontal attacks. Her favorite was using the water like scythes to cut into the air, or an opponent. After an hour of working with the water, Katara slowly crawled onto the bank, where she rested in the sun.

It was late afternoon when she woke, and all was quiet. Katara sat up quickly, noting that time had indeed passed and she ought to be returning to her friends soon.

"I'll bet they're probably thinking I've been eaten by a wolf-bear." She stood to her feet and brushed herself off. Her tunic lay by the water's edge, and as she went to retrieve it, she noticed a form lying just in the shadows of a large oak.

'What in the world?' Katara pulled on her tunic and walked over to the dark form. It turned out to be a man, and it seemed he was badly hurt. Katara bent down, the Healer in her demanding that she check him for any serious wounds instead of running to the safety of her friends. She touched his shoulder, and felt a slick wetness.

'Blood. He's bleeding. What could have happened to him?'

He lay on his stomach, so the extent of his wounds could not be found until he was rolled over. Katara knew that it would not be easy. He was a good head taller than she was, and she was afraid to hurt him. He looked muscular, yet lean, and his hands bespoke hard work. He wore dark clothing that marked him with no nation. He could be anything. Katara pushed back the warning bells resounding in her head.

"Stop being so silly, he needs help!" with that, she pulled him over.

She was not prepared to come face to face with a mask. It was an ugly demon mask, blue with white detailing.

'The Blue Spirit…'

So, this was the thief that had the Fire Nation's feathers fluffed. He looked too young to be the one to slip past numerous guards to save Aang. However, she was grateful. Aang never did say if he knew the identity of the man who had saved him. Katara forced the curiosity back, and began the slow process of checking and healing his wounds. When the task was finished, all she had left to do was look at him.

The curiosity in her finally won out, and had her fingers edging their way to the edges of the mask, intent on finding out who lay under it. Just as her finger pads touched the mask, the man sprang into action, knocking Katara on her rear.

"Hey! Wha-" a knife flew to his hand and slashed at her, catching her forearm. Her cry could be heard for miles. The Blue Spirit was about attack again when Katara's name was blasted into the air.

"KATARA! WHERE ARE YOU?" Only Aang was that loud. Katara's pain induced brain did not want her friends to tangle with this man.

She pulled a bit of water from her pouch and took her stance. The injured arm was stinging in pain, but she ignored it as she faced him. The Blue Spirit didn't relax from his pose, but seemed to tilt his head, gauging whether or not she would be worth the effort.

"Well, are you going to just stand there or fight me? I've got friends coming, and you're in no condition to battle all of us. Why don't you just put down the knife, and we can-" A blast of fire stopped her words, forcing her to step back and throw up her water to defend herself. When the steam cleared, there was no one before her.

'So, a rogue Fire Bender is running around as the Blue Spirit. This could be a problem.' However, she had no more time to think on it as Aang and the others came bursting through the forest. She groaned as the Avatar loudly inquired as to her wounded arm. She smiled widely and rushed to reassure him, trying hard to forget about the mysterious Blue Spirit.

Again, some general tweaks and changes. I actually plan to change alot, so if interested, stick around!

-Wolf