CHAPTER 2: FIREBENDING MASTERS
Zuko had been very wrong. His first firebending lesson with Aang had been a disaster. Somehow his bending was gone. Not really gone completely but just very weak. It reminded him of his first attempt at firebending as a child. It was dinner time and Zuko had determined that he would just come out with what he had to say to the group. He peeked out from behind a wall. Everyone was sitting in the center of the temple as usual. It was strange. Everyone had their own rooms but, generally, they all went to sleep in their sleeping bags right there. (Z) Do I really want to go in front of these people and tell them my bending is gone? He sighed. He didn't really have a choice. (Z) Let's get this over with. He emerged from behind the wall and let them know the situation. To his shock- and apparently everyone else's- Katara started laughing. Zuko frowned at her. (Z) Does she not realize how serious this is?! I have to teach the Avatar firebending if we ever plan on ending this war! Katara realized everyone was looking at her. "I'm sorry. I'm just laughing at the irony. You know, how it would have been nice for us if you'd lost your firebending a long time ago". He took a breath before responding. No need to let his anger erupt here where everyone was still wary of him. "Well it's not lost it's just…weaker for some reason". "Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are", Katara fired back sharply. Zuko wasn't exactly frowning but his eyebrows were definitely furrowed. Suddenly, an odd thought occurred to him. "I bet it's because I changed sides". "That's ridiculous", said Katara, dismissively. (K) Why is he always trying to make excuses for everything? Changing sides- please! She took brought her bowl of soup to her face. "I don't know", said Aang thoughtfully. Katara continued to sip her soup so she wouldn't have an outburst. (K) Is he really taking this seriously?! Come on Aang, it's just an excuse! I don't know what he's playing at, but I still don't trust him.
(K) This is completely insane! Katara could hardly believe her ears during the conversation. Aang was going to go off on a little trip with Zuko…alone! It was like everyone else didn't realize the extent Zuko would go to just to capture the Avatar. Did they forget that he walked through a snow storm with Aang's spiritless body? He could have died if he hadn't found a cave! Zuko was unmatched in his determination. Everything could be an elaborate ruse! She grit her teeth. (K) And back in Ba Sing Se he…I actually…I don't even want to think about this! Just about everyone had fallen asleep, or was preparing to do so, but she could not sleep knowing Aang might be willingly walking in to a trap. "Aang are you sure this is a good idea?", she asked for about the fifth time. She wanted to just come out and tell him that it could not be a good idea, but she didn't want to contradict him so openly. Aang could be sensitive at times, and she didn't want to hurt his feelings. Aang gave Katara a reassuring smile. "I do". Katara frowned, but Aang's smile never wavered. "Don't worry Katara. I'll be alright". Katara nodded, reluctantly. She could not forbid him at any rate, and she knew Aang could take care of himself. She just didn't like him going into a possibly dangerous situation without her there to look after him. "Okay. Just be careful". "I will be", said Aang pleasantly. Katara gave him a weak smile and headed off to her sleeping bag. She grabbed it up and headed to her room. Normally she slept out there in the circle with everyone else, but tonight she just wanted to be alone. She worried about Aang from that moment until the moment he and Zuko returned home, showing everyone the 'dancing dragon' firebending form they had learned. Although she had felt a massive relief when Zuko returned Aang in one piece, she still felt a fierce pleasure in mocking the 'dragon dance'. She watched as Aang and Zuko continued practicing their firebending. (K) He may have done right by Aang this time, but that doesn't mean I trust him. For the next couple of days, she observed Aang's firebending lessons. She wasn't going to take any chances ever again.
It was a little chilly one night, so everyone retired to their rooms, where the four walls would provide some protection form the cold. Katara was restless. She kept having dreams about the day where she threatened Zuko. Every time, the picture in her mind rested on his sad eyes. His beautiful, sad, golden eyes. Katara sat up with a jolt. (K) His what?! Why am I thinking about things like that?! It's Zuko! Agitated, she looked out of the window. It was a little past sunrise. She sighed. (K) Maybe I should get up and take a walk. She shoved her boots on her feet and headed out of the door. She yawned and stretched as she walked out into the center of the temple. The sky was pale blue with blots of rosy pink and pale yellow. Mostly everything was quiet, but she could hear a disturbance somewhere on one of the terraces below. Puzzled she walked to the ledge and looked down, only to see a shirtless Zuko practicing his firebending. For a moment she just stood there, transfixed. He was practicing far more complex forms than he had shown to Aang. As much as she hated to admit it, it was undeniable that he was a masterful firebender. With the watery sunlight seeming to make his pale skin glow, it was like watching moving art. (K) He looks so cool! Katara shook her head at the thought. (K) What am I thinking?! She flounced off in the opposite direction.
