Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar and I never will. They belong to Nickelodeon or the the Creators of the show. Feel free to comment and criticize

Chapter Two: Uneasy Calm

The day was going to be awkward at best. Her annoying brother had decreed yesterday that she would be participating in a bending battle today in the afternoon. An event she was not looking forward to. Katara wasn't scared; no it was more of a feeling of uncertainty. The battle was a rash decision one she would not have normally agreed to if it weren't for the circumstances. But maybe Sokka was right, maybe this way she could release all her anger at Zuko, without killing him or hope fully killing him, whichever was fine with her.

She was walking towards the kitchen in a daze. It was part of her morning routine to prepare breakfast. She heard some sounds and to her surprise Haru was already there preparing some hot water.

"What are you doing here?" She asked quickly. She was usually the one at the kitchen first.

"I just thought since you were gonna battle that you might want to take it easy. So I thought to help you with your chores so you can prepare." He smiled at her. "I even asked the Duke and Teo to clean up."

"Oh thank you. But really you shouldn't have. I'm used to these chores they're not a bother honestly." She couldn't help smiling back. She took her place beside him and started to prepare breakfast. They worked silently for a while until Katara broke the silence. "Did I overreact yesterday?"

Haru caught off guard by the question, " Only a little." After not getting a response, he continued, "You only attacked him because you thought he was going to attack me."

"I guess" she replied weakly. She knew they both knew the real reason why she attacked Zuko. She was always waiting for him to mess up. Haru was just an excuse for her to lash out.

"Anyway I think it's a good idea for you guys to duke it out. Just think of it as a normal sparing match. It not entirely you're fault, I was the one who underestimated Toph". Sensing her not lighten up, the Earthbender put his hands on Katara's shoulders, and pulled her into a hug.

She was stunned, but nevertheless welcomed the reassuring warmth. Then she felt something itchy on her neck…his moustache. "Thank you Haru." She felt a lot better despite the little slip of hair

"Katara if you ever need someone…" He was cut off as Sokka cried for food.

"It's coming!" Katara answered, breaking of the embrace. "Now what were you saying?"

"Nothing. I'm just glad you're feeling better." Haru watched as the young Waterbender gracefully carried all the food to the dining area. He stood there for a full minute gazing at her long gone silhouette until he realized they would need bowls and plates.

As Katara had predicted, breakfast was all too weird. Even Toph could sense the unease. She had trudged through the hall proclaiming her impending victory, fully expecting hoots from her loyal fans, Sokka and the Explorers, but was met with silence. There was a thick air of uncertainty prevailing amongst her comrades.

At first glance, or feel in her case, nothing was out of the ordinary. Everyone was seated in their places, Aang was sitting between the Water Tribe siblings, she (Toph) would be beside Sokka, Zuko would fill the space beside her and finally Haru would sit in between Katara and the other two Explorers.

Replacing the usual chatter were downcast looks and avoidant stares. Silence was the only noise around the Western Air Temple. Even she didn't have the courage to break the tension with her brash nature. Uncharacteristically, Toph finished her food without incident and stood up when everyone else was done. Needing a change of place, she moved along the halls finding herself at the end of a cliff. She sat down, usually she felt excited about battling but now, all she felt was misery. In a daze she stared of into blank space, too distracted by her own thoughts to feel the footsteps approaching her.

"Toph?" It was Sokka.

Masking her surprise she answered, "Whaddya want Snoozles?"

"Nothing, except that you don't seem to be okay. Are you okay?" Sokka asked eyeing the blind girl suspiciously. Answering with a grunt, Toph just ignored him. Persistent as ever, Sokka began to babble. "You know as the one with all the plans, I already saw predicted this would happen. Everyone…quiet…Katara…poor Aang…surprised…affected…you…counting…mood. But…sad…I….you."

Toph finally decided to stop Sokka's babble, after all she was only hearing every other word. "Sokka will you just shut up, and get to the point. I'm blind, I don't want to become deaf too."

"You haven't been listening have you?"

"Well du'uh!"

"I'm worried about you Toph." Sokka said sternly, emphasizing the seriousness in the matter. "I expected Aang and Katara would be uneasy, but not you. What's wrong?"

"Oh that. I just feel weird about the whole thing. I feel a little responsible; after all I did start the whole thing. Maybe fighting it out isn't such a good idea." Toph answered truthfully, being tired from Sokka's chatter and interrogation.

"Don't worry about it." Sokka patted Toph's head. "Katara and Zuko would have come to blows eventually. My sister may have not said anything, but she can't hide all the resentment she's feeling over Zuko. The situation would have happened anyway, with or without your intervention. At least this way, you and Aang'll be there to control Zuko or Katara. Don't beat yourself up too much, things will turn out for the better."

"Beat myself up?" Feeling a lot better, and reassured, she punched Sokka in the arm. "Who said I was thinking about it at all." Toph said, standing triumphantly with her hands on her hips. "I am Toph Bei Fong, the greatest Earthbender in the world."

"Woo! Woo!" Sokka hooted, glad Toph was back to her normal self again.

After Sokka had gone off to look for Toph, Aang had no one to talk to. Feeling a little blue he decided to visit the temple's Avatar Shrine. He walked there, trying to remember the way when he came upon Teo in front of Zuko's bedroom door.

"Teo!"

For a boy in a wheelchair, Teo moved pretty fast. "Ssshh!" Teo motioned. "Quiet Aang I'm eavesdropping on Zuko. He's been there the whole day."

"Why are you eavesdropping on Zuko?" Both he and Teo approached Zuko's door trying to listen to any minute sound.

"I want to know how he's going to win later."

At the mention of the battle Aang slumped down and sat, back against the wall.

"What's wrong Aang?" Teo asked seeing the reaction his friend made. He took his ear off the door and wheeled himself closer to the monk.

"I just don't like the idea of fighting with my friends."

"Think of it as sparing or training. You're not fighting to hurt them; you're just practicing your skills. Just like what Sokka said." Teo tried, attempting to reassure his downcast friend.

"I know that. But it still doesn't make thing any easier. And I feel like, after this everything will change. What if we aren't friends anymore? What if Katara starts hating Zuko more? What if…"

"Aang!" Teo cut him off. "Things change. They always do, just like in the Northern Air Temple. Nothing stays the same. I know you're worried. Everyone's worried. It's normal."

"But what if things don't change for the better? What if they become worse?"

"I don't know but you'll be there anyway. You're the Avatar remember. You can handle this. I know what'll cheer you up: some gliding around the Air Temple." Teo answered with a smile. "Last one on the air is a stinky rotten egg!" And with that Teo flew off.

Muttering to himself, "I hope your right…". He then followed suit not wanting to lose to the other boy. For those few moments in the air, Aang had left his problems on earth.

After hearing Aang leave, Zuko let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He winded up listening to the eavesdroppers after Aang had called out his name. Hearing every word, he felt a little responsible for the mess he helped create. Putting his doubts aside, he went back to his meditation. A battle is still a battle even if fighting not so friendly friends. It is necessary to prepare

Feeling the sun descending from its peak, the combatants each left their places and went to face each other.

A/n: I really hate the Haru's moustache…its freakin fugly . Of course Katara found it itchy, I get irritated every time I see it.

Please feel free to comment and suggest. No need to be kind, I accept criticisms of all kinds. I'm just glad I'm able to publish my first ATLA fic.