Could you imagine how horrible life would be if we always told others how we felt. Life would be intolerably bearable.

~Randy K. Milholland

Zuko was still curled up in his sleeping bag, his breathing steady. Dawn had started to break on the temple and light streamed in. A ray hit Zuko in the eyes and he scrunched up his face and rolled over. Aang, finally noticing that Zuko was awake, walked slowly over to him. He leaned over Zuko and poked his forehead.

"Go away man, I'm trying to sleep," Zuko said.

"It's time to train," Aang replied eagerly, his tone brighter than the sun that was still hitting Zuko in the face.

"Fine," Zuko groaned as he rolled back over. Aang jumped up gleefully and sped away on an air ball. Zuko sat up and stretched. He looked around the camp. Sokka and Toph were nowhere in sight and Katara was standing by the fountain. Zuko quickly pulled on his robes and stood. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and yawned. There was a plate of fish sitting on a log for him. He picked it up and devoured it in under a minute. Aang bounded back into camp, a bright smile on his face. Could anything get Aang down? Zuko pondered that as he walked over to his student.

"I'm ready for training," Aang said once Zuko was in earshot.

"Let's go then," Zuko said. They walked through the temple to the training grounds. Katara didn't follow today. She seemed quit content to sit on the bench and mend Sokka's pants.

Aang and Zuko arrived at the training grounds and Zuko showed him some more basic moves.

"I think you're ready for firebending now," Zuko announced after an hour of hard practice.

"Really?" Aang asked eagerly. His face lit up at the idea.

"You have to be patient and careful though. Fire is magnificent but also dangerous. You must respect it," Zuko replied.

"I will," Aang, said, serious now. He remembered when he had first tried firebending and it had gotten way out of control and hurt the person he held most dear. He would never let that happen again.

The first few times Aang tried, all he could produce was a few measly sparks. He was starting to get frustrated with himself. He threw his hands in the air with an exasperated sigh.

"I can't do it! No matter how hard I try I can't do it!" he said angrily.

"Try one more time," Zuko replied calmly. Aang had to get this to be satisfied with himself.

"Fine," Aang grumbled. He took up his stance again and went through the moves. Finally, a true flame burst from his fingertips.

"I did it!" Aang exclaimed. He jumped into the air and punched his fist in a victorious sort of way.

"Good job,' Zuko said, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, "Let's be done for today. We'll practice more tommarrow."

Meanwhile, Katara finished with Sokka's pants and threw them at his face once he and Toph emerged from their tents.

"There, I'm going for a walk." With that she got up and left. Sokka and Toph sat in silence around the fire for a long while.

"Sokka, if we don't get up and do something we are going to become fat lard butts," Toph said.

"You're right, but what should we do?"

"I'll race you around the whole temple."

"Ok!" And with that they ran around and around the temple.

Katara walked slowly, looking at the ground.

Stupid Zuko, she thought. Not only was he a sneak, but he was stealing Aang away from them. Which sounded kind of wrong when she thought about it.

"Katara! Katara!"

Katara turned around and saw Aang running up to her.

"Katara, I did it! I, uh, firebended!" Aang's eyes sparkled with joy. Katara smiled and hugged him.

"That's great Aang!"

Aang's smile widened as he felt her arms tighten around him. But his face fell as she pulled away; and he remembered it wasn't meant to be.

"Aang, I'll be there to help tomorrow in anyway that I can with your firebending," Katara said smiling.

"No," said Aang sternly, "There's no way you'll ever be there when I'm firebending."

"What, Aang, I can go anywhere I want."

"Anywhere but where I'm firebending."

"Why!" Katara said angrily.

"Katara," Aang said, taking her hand, "I never want to do anything to hurt you again, and if you're there, there will be a big risk. I don't want to take that risk."

He looked at their hands and rubbed her palms where he had once burned her. Still running her palms, he looked up into her eyes.

"Aang," she started, "I'm always going to be there for you; no matter what."

Aang dropped her hands and stepped back. His eyes turned hard.

"I'm sorry Katara, but I won't let you."

He turned on his heel and left. Katara stood staring after him, clenching and unclenching her hands in frustration.