Katara lay back on Appa, bending a small amount of water around her hands. She loved the intricacy of water. It's ease of shifting shape, flowing from one formation to another. Katara continued bending with her rhythmic following movements, completely unaware that she was being watched.
A pair of grey eyes spied from the tree tops, taking in every movement the waterbender made. As he watched, he began to feel a gnawing sense of guilt. He shouldn't be there, watching his friend without her knowing. It's not like I'm doing anything wrong. All she's doing is lying on Appa.
Yes,said his conscience, look at how she's lying. You are just imagining yourself with her, filling in the empty space.
I do not. I'm watching to learn.
You mean watching because you yearn. You want her Aang. Admit it.
I don't! We're friends.
Indeed. How friendly are you planning to get?
What!? Get out of my head! What I'm doing is not wrong!
She's beautiful, isn't she?
Yea – no! Stop it!
"I don't want her!!"
Katara sat up in surprise, causing her water to fall with a splash onto Appa's saddle. "Aang?" She called, startled. The boys and Toph had left to gather food. Toph was supposed to stay with Appa, but had encased Katara in rock until she agreed to switch jobs.
Aang mentally kicked himself. How could he have said that out loud? He was a terrible liar and would have to think fast. Another trait he was not blessed with. Aha! I'll pretend I'd been asleep. I'll fall out of the tree and claim I was dreaming!
Thus the Avatar fell most unceremoniously from the tree, into a prickle bush below. Apparently aiming while spontaneously falling out of a tree was not one of his forthright gifts either. "Yarg!" Aang emerged from the prickle bush and looked at Katara. He felt a hot flush spread across his cheeks – a sure sign to all that knew him that he was about to tell a mind bogglingly awful lie.
"Oh, hey Katara! I didn't know you were here." Aang mentally kicked himself again. Of course he knew she was there. She knew he knew she was there. His face grew redder. The piercing look she gave him, suspicion written across her face, one eyebrow raised, was not helping his blush.
"Well, of course I knew you were there – I just, er…"
"He was shirking his duties and hiding in a tree."
Aang yelped with surprise, whirling around to see Toph smirking, sightless eyes sparkling with mischief.
"AANG!" An exasperated Sokka burst from the surrounding trees, followed by a huge swarm of bees. "Gerromoff! Gerromoff!" rolled around on the ground in complete hysteria. "Bees! I'm covered in bees!" He cried before rolling and disappearing into the undergrowth. Aang and Katara stared, surprised for a few seconds before collapsing onto the ground in laughter. Toph was already laughing hysterically, but managed to whisper, "Lucky save Twinkle toes." He blushed but pretended he hadn't heard.
Prince Zuko lay on the ground, mindlessly bending a small flame around his fingers. He hated being on the run. He longed for the indoors, the cold tiles of the Fire Nation buildings beneath his feet, the warm wind beating against his face. His home, however, was always that little bit outside his reach. Part of him didn't believe he could ever get home. Only a small part, easily overpowered by Zuko's stubborn determination. "Tea, nephew?" His uncle sat watching him, his expression unreadable. He was holding a teapot poised to pour. This enraged Zuko. How could he be thinking about tea?? They had to catch the Avatar, and restore the shred of honour he had been left with to its former glory! He sat up and glared at his uncle. "We leave. Now." Iroh sighed, crestfallen. His nephew did this every time he mentioned the word 'tea'. "Are you sure you don't want some tea?" Iroh asked hopefully. "It is very soothing. Helps to clear the mind."
"I don't need a clear mind. I need to capture the Avatar!" Zuko stood up and ran his fingers through the shaggy mop of hair that had grown atop his head. "Come Uncle, we have no time to lose."
Sokka returned to the campsite, covered head to toe in large, painful looking bee stings. "Are you ok Sokka?" Aang asked rushing over. "Me? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I mean, I only got attacked by a WHOLE SWARM OF MANEATING BEES!!!!" Katara rushed over and began healing his wounds, rolling her eyes as he told of his valiant attempts at defeating the beasties. A prickling at the back of her neck told her she was being watched. She looked quickly around but didn't see anyone. Shrugging, she went back to work.
Zuko stomped through the undergrowth, looking for any signs of the Avatar or his monster bison. Pottering along behind him was his uncle, hands resting on his rotund belly, swaying gently to his own humming. Trying to contain his frustration, Zuko whirled on his uncle. "Are you going to help me track the Avatar or not!?" His uncle looked at him and sighed. "Fine Prince Zuko. Turn right here." Zuko looked stunned, but his shock was soon replaced with anger. "You knew where they were but didn't tell me?" His uncle shrugged. "Why not!?" Zuko was on the brink of a temper tantrum. "You looked like you were doing well, so I thought I wouldn't bother you." Zuko roared in frustration, setting trees on fire as he left.