So I've decided to do something interesting because of a suggestion from user PandaLily22. I ordered the graphic novel "Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures" so that I can adapt the stories from it into my story. This chapter is a prime example, taking place during the comic "No Benders Allowed". There are least four more comics from this point on that involve Katara, so I will be incorporating those into this fanon. I'm really looking forward to it. :D Anways, I'll shut up now so you can enjoy and review my story. :)

NOTE: The bold AND italic words (example) are representing Katara's inner self. It's like a tiny voice in the back of her head that she's not aware of, but sometimes she will be able to hear it. It's kind of like what her heart is trying to say to her, but most of the time her hatred towards Zuko drowns it out.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show and its characters belong to Mike and Bryan, the brillant geniuses behind one of the greatest cartoon shows in the history of cartoons. Their work is legendary, and I salute them for it.

No Benders Allowed

The next morning, Appa stood in front of the fountain, waiting for his passengers to climb aboard. Toph was already in the front of the saddle, while Haru sat near the rear. Aang was already on Appa's head, Momo clinging to his back. Zuko was standing by Appa's right front leg, giving the Sky Bison an affectionate petting before he climbed aboard. Katara was walking towards Appa's tail, water skin in her left hand.

"And just where are you guys headed off to?" asked a voice from behind her, and she turned around to see Sokka, Teo, and The Duke behind her. She stopped walking to look at the three of them.

"Isn't it obvious?" she said with slight sarcasm as she gestured at Appa with her free hand. "We're going to find a place to do some bending practice."

Sokka groaned and said, "All you guys do is practice! Can't you just cut back for one day and live a little?" She gave her brother a skeptical look, as if he were crazy or something.

"We can't do that," said Zuko from behind her, causing her to look at him. "All of us, especially Aang, need to be ready to face my father when the time comes." As he clambered up Appa's leg, he added, "And the only way to do that is to practice, believe it or not."

Katara looked back at Sokka and said, "For once, I have to agree with Zuko." I never thought I'd hear those words come out of my mouth, she thought to herself in amazement. "Aang needs all the training he can get before he faces the Fire Lord-"

"You mean my father," curtly interjected Zuko, earning him a dirty look from Katara. Zuko's eyes widened a bit in surprise and he quickly looked away, continuing to climb up Appa's leg.

"But why do you guys have to go so far away?" dumbly asked Sokka, causing Katara to roll her eyes at his ignorance. "Can't you just train here?"

As Katara made her way up Appa's tail, Zuko climbed over the edge of the saddle and said, "Bending practice can get pretty intense." Gesturing to Sokka, he added, "We wouldn't want you nonbenders to get hurt in the crossfire." As she got into the saddle, she looked over to her right and smiled at Haru, who smiled back.

As she sat down, Sokka glumly replied, "Yeah…can't have that." Katara looked back to see a depressed look on her brother's face, and she wondered what could be troubling him.

"See you guys later, okay?" called out Aang from Appa's head, projecting his voice to the nonbenders in the group. The Avatar took hold of the reins and cheerfully said, "Yip yip, buddy!" Appa roared and began to rise in the air, leaving the nonbenders behind.

Katara cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted back to Sokka, "Don't forget to start dinner!" Thinking of something else, she added, "Oh, and hang up the laundry!" She saw Sokka's mouth move in reply, but his voice was lost to the wind that rushed past her ears. As she turned around, she thought to herself, I wonder what's got my brother so down today?

Perhaps he's jealous?

Jealous? Of what?

Of you guys going off without him and doing stuff. He feels left out.

Too bad. We're in the middle of a century-long war, one that Aang needs to end. Sokka can cry and pout all he wants; I'm not keeping Aang from his destiny.

There goes that nasty part of you again. Remember what happened last night? Have you forgotten about your encounter with your dark side?

…No. But this is different. This is my brother we're talking about, not my…inner demon, so to speak.

There is much hatred inside of you, Katara. If you aren't careful, it will destroy you.

I'm in control of my own emotions!

I'm sure that's how it was when you threatened Zuko on his first day. I guess your way of a friendly greeting is 'Hey, what's up? Listen, you mess with my friends in any way I don't like, and I'll kill you on the spot. Got it? Anyways, welcome to the team!' A real charmer you were…

Ugh! You are so…so…

Helpful?

Annoying!

Just trying to make sure you keep your head on straight, otherwise you're going to end up like Little Miss Red Eyes in your nightmare last night: full of anger, hatred, death, and pure evil.

I can take care of myself!

"Hey, Katara, are you okay?" asked Haru, snapping her from her mental argument. She looked over at him with confusion as he said, "You look mad about something."

"I'm fine," she replied hastily as she looked away from Haru, glaring at the ground below as it raced by. She could see Zuko looking at her out of the corner of her eye, and she turned her head so that neither Haru nor Zuko could see her face. She cleared her angry thoughts from her head as she turned towards Aang and asked, "So do you know any places around here where we can train?"

Aang looked back and cheerily replied, "Sure do. I used to visit the nuns here all the time a hundred years ago, back when I was a kid."

Katara chuckled and teasingly said, "But you still are a kid." Aang playfully stuck his tongue out at her, causing her to laugh joyfully. "I'm sorry," she chortled, giddiness in her voice. She regained her composure and said, "Continue."

Aang nodded appreciatively and said, "Anyway, there was a special practice area about five miles west of the Temple itself. It's a meadow situated near a river, so we'll be able to use all four elements for today's training."

"You're not worried about us wreaking that site?" asked Zuko, looking at Aang with amber eyes. Seeing the questioning look on Aang's face, he added, "I don't know about Air and Water, but I'm pretty sure Earth and Fire would destroy the living plants and animals there."

Katara raised a skeptical eyebrow and asked, "Since when did you care about preserving life?" Zuko looked over at her with a surprised look on his face, his amber eyes glinting in the sunlight. Her voice took on an angry tone as she said, "Last time I checked, people from the Fire Nation didn't care about 'preserving life'." She made 'air quotes' with her fingers as she said the last part before dropping her hands to her legs.

"I've never killed anyone, if that's what you're insinuating," firmly replied Zuko, staring hard into Katara's frozen eyes. "I may have chased after Aang for a long time, but it was never my intention to kill him."

Katara scoffed incredulously and sarcastically said, "Well, that's good then! At least we don't have to add 'murder' to your list of crimes against the world." Zuko narrowed his sharp eyes at her, and the two became engaged in a heated staring contest.

"All right, you two," interrupted Toph, "break it up, break it up!" She crossed her arms as the two looked at her and firmly asked, "How do you expect us to win against Sparky's dad if we're fighting each other?"

"But-" Katara and Zuko both began to protest, but Toph held up a finger to silence them.

"No buts," she said firmly, her pale green eyes staring off into the distance. She crossed her arms again and added, "It's bad enough I'm stuck on this flying furball where I can't see anything." Gesturing to Katara and Zuko, she said, "Then I gotta deal with you two bickering like children!" They opened their mouths to respond, but she cut them off by saying, "Either you two get along, or I'll lock you both up in separate rock huts for an entire day. Am I understood?"

Katara and Zuko both moved to protest, but then they decided it was best not to tick off the blind Earthbender. They glanced back at each other, both angrily muttering "Fine" as they looked away from each other. Toph smirked to herself, obviously pleased with her work.

Toph turned her head towards Aang and said, "Hey, Twinkle Toes, everything's under control back here with Madame Fussy Britches and Sparky." Katara and Zuko both gave glaring looks to Toph, who took no notice of their angry staring. "Should be nothing but smooth flying from here on out, right?"

Aang chuckled and happily replied, "Only the smoothest for all of my friends." Aang returned his attention to flying Appa, and soon the miles seemed to vanish beneath them.


"ROCK LIKE, TWINKLE TOES!" shouted Toph as she blasted several stones at Aang, who stood his ground and raised an earthen wall in front of him. The rocks smashed into Aang's defense, but the wall held firm. Aang heard a roaring sound behind him, and he quickly back-flipped over a fireball that slammed into his earthen defense. He twisted around and shot a ball of air at Zuko, who nimbly dodged the attack and sent a flying round-house kick at Aang. A blazing arc of flames raced towards the Avatar, who spun around and created a tornado around himself. The cyclone carried him higher into the air, well out of reach of Zuko's attack.

Let's see how he handles getting a little wet, mischievously thought Katara to herself, a plan already formulating in her mind as she stood near the river. She raised her arms, sending a wall of water skyward. With a flick of her wrists and a twirl of her arms, she bent the water into a stream. She spun around and sent the water stream racing up towards Aang, who was still in his cyclone. She sent the water into the open top of the cyclone, the most vulnerable part of the tornado. Aang cried out as the water slammed into him, sending him flying out of the bottom of the cyclone as it disintegrated. Katara smiled to herself and thought, Got him right where I-

Aang quickly recovered in mid-air and swished his arms below him, sending Katara's water stream under him. He froze it into an ice slide, which he smoothly rode along on. The slide went down to the ground, bringing the young Avatar with it. As Aang glided over the ground, he blasted a stream of air from his open palm. The air hit Katara and sent her flying back into the river, landing with a hard splash. Katara quickly sat up, spitting a squirming fish out of her mouth. Her hair was plastered to the front of her face, obscuring her view of the others. ...want him… she glumly thought, parting her hair down with middle with her hands so she could watch the others.

"Katara's out!" shouted Aang to others, and the Waterbender let out a heavy sigh as she stood up in the water. For their bending practice, they would hold periodic spars: everyone versus Aang. Anyone who was knocked into the river was taken out for the rest of the sparring match, just like Katara was now. As she sat down on the shore of the river, she bent the water out of her clothes and back into the river. She hugged her knees as she intently watched the others fight against Aang, who was doing surprisingly well.

You totally meant to do that.

Do what?

Get knocked into the river. You wanted Aang to do that.

That's ridiculous. He just caught me off-guard, that's all.

You were the one staring at Aang as he slid on the ice slide. You could have easily blocked his Airbending attack. Why didn't you?

I just didn't! He…he came at me too fast.

Spirits, you really are head-over-heels for this boy!

I am not!

It's been that way ever since Ba Sing Se! Say it! You're in love!

I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH AANG!

Ah, young love…so beautiful.

WILL YOU SHUT UP?

Not until you admit it! You know exactly how he feels about you! He kissed you, for La's sake! How can you not know how you feel about Aang?

Before Katara could answer her annoying inner self, she heard someone cry out in surprise. She looked to see Zuko get sent flying upwards with an earthen pillar, sending the Firebender flying over Katara's head and into the river behind her with a huge splash. She quickly bent the resulting waves on either side of her, preventing her from getting wet again. Once the water had settled, she saw Zuko sit up in the water with an annoyed look on his face.

His eyes suddenly went wide, and he jumped up as he yelped like a little girl. "AH! Something's got me!" he shouted frantically as he tried to get something wriggling out of his soaked clothes. Katara laughed hysterically as she saw a fish poke its head out of Zuko's collar, and the two stared at each other with wide eyes. Finally, the fish jumped out and slapped Zuko across the face with its tail before it fell back into the water. Katara started laughing even harder, holding her stomach as she fell over onto her side. Zuko glared angrily at her, the water on his head steaming as it evaporated. "What's so funny?" he angrily snapped at her as she sat up, wiping merry tears from her eyes.

"Oh, nothing…Mr. Fish Face," she jokingly teased before she burst out laughing again, leaving an angry Zuko to snort fire out of his nose. She chuckled and said, "Oh calm down, Zuko. I was only messing with you."

"I'm sure you were," sarcastically said Zuko as he rolled his eyes. He walked to the shore and sat down by Katara, drying himself off with his Firebending. "Just like you were messing with me when you threatened to kill me if I hurt Aang," he firmly added as he looked at her, causing her eyes to widen slightly in surprise. He could see the accusing look in his amber eyes, but also something else…regret. Before she could respond, he looked back at the sparring fighters and said, "It's what I deserved, considering everything you've been through because of me." He sighed heavily and added, "Listen, I want to-"

"Don't even, Zuko," she sternly interrupted, causing him to look at her in surprise. "Don't even think for a second that you can just erase the past, that you can wipe away everything that you've done to us…that you've done to me." She stared at him with hard eyes, her heart frozen over with icy anger towards the Firebender. "And if you think that you can just make up for all of it with your petty words, think again." She turned her gaze to the sparring fighters, watching Zuko out of the corner of her eye.

Zuko looked down at the ground as he turned his head towards the others, muttering, "I should have just stayed in the water…" Katara allowed a small smile to creep onto her face, which instantly faded away as he quietly mumbled, "Fish would be friendlier…"

There's that anger again…

He deserves it all. I can never forgive him for what he's done.

But can you forgive yourself for what happened to Aang in Ba Sing Se?

It's because of Zuko that Aang ended up that way! Why would I need to forgive myself?

Because you felt like you failed Aang. You felt that it was your responsibility to protect him, and you hated yourself when he was killed by Azula.

He's the only hope left for the world, the only hope we have for peace.

Look beyond that, Katara. You do care a lot about him, maybe on a deeper level than you're willing to admit right now. He's more than just the Avatar to you. He's your Aang, the goofy and fun-loving Airbender who is your best friend in this crazy, mixed-up world.

But I can't bring myself to talk to him about what happened before the Invasion…it's just too awkward.

Sooner or later, you're going to have to face him about it. He's not going to wait for you forever.

Katara sighed tiredly as she watched the others, a heavy ache taking hold of her heart. She watched as Aang spun around and blasted a fireball at Haru, also sending a blazing kick at the Earthbender as well. Haru raised an earthen wall, which blocked Aang's fiery attacks. What Haru didn't see was Aang charging up a larger fireball in his cupped hands, which he now brought to bear as he fired at Haru. The massive fire stream smashed into the rock wall, instantly crumbling it and sending Haru flying back towards the river…specifically where Katara and Zuko were sitting.

Katara's eyes widened as she saw Haru sailing towards them, and she quickly jumped out of the way. She looked back to see Haru slam into Zuko, sending the two of them crashing into the river with a massive splash. As the water settled, she saw that the two were now a jumbled mess of arms and legs. She burst out laughing again, holding her sides as she chortled with joy and amusement. Zuko and Haru managed to get untangled and made their way to the shore, their clothes completely soaked. "Here," she chuckled, "let me help you guys out." She drew the water out of their clothes, sending it all back into the river.

"I gotta say," said Haru as he looked back at the fighters, "Aang sure has come a long way from the first time I met him." He chuckled and jokingly added, "I guess you could say that this is one time where I actually like getting blasted back by a Firebender." Katara smiled and nodded in agreement, while Zuko just rolled his eyes humorlessly. The three of them watched as Aang fought against Toph, using everything he had in order to defeat the blind Earthbender.

Toph sent an earth wave of spires at Aang, who quickly jumped up on a burst of air to evade. He drew a stream of water from the river, sending it to strike Toph on her right side. Toph raised her right arm, bringing up a wall to block the liquid attack. Aang quickly shot downwards and slammed into the ground, burrowing into the earth. Toph tried to strike at him from above ground, sending tremors below her feet to shake up the young Avatar. Aang suddenly popped out of the ground behind Toph, flying over her head as he blasted a stream of flames from his fist. Toph raised her arms above her head, encasing herself in a rock dome. The flames hit the dome and parted on either side, and the dome fell apart around Toph just as the flames disintegrated. Aang landed in front of her, taking up a stance as he faced down his Earthbending teacher.

Katara smiled as she watched Aang fight, impressed with the way he moved with confidence around a battlefield. It's pretty amazing to see him use all the elements in such harmony with one another, she thought to herself. He really has changed ever since I broke him out of that iceberg. He's learned so much: how to be free like air, how to be changing like water, how to be steadfast like the earth, and how to be powerful like fire. He's learning to accept his role as the Avatar, and he's become more mature. Her smile grew even bigger, a sense of pride welling up in her soul.

Aang and Toph continued to spar for almost half-an-hour, neither one gaining an advantage over the other. Finally, Aang launched a two-pronged attack of air and water at Toph, catching her off-guard as a water stream crashed into her left side and an air blast threw her into the river. Toph instantly broke the surface of the water, thrashing around and shouting, "You idiot! I can't swim!" She continued thrashing around, even though the river was very shallow. "Farewell, cruel world!" she said in a dramatic tone, throwing her arms into the air before falling back with a light splash.

Katara laughed and said, "Toph, the river's shallow. You're not going to drown." Toph sat up, feeling that the river was shallow enough to sit in. Her mouth formed a tiny 'O' as she realized her mistake, an embarrassed blush covering her pale face.

"Right," she said quickly, "I knew that." Toph got out of the river, and Katara bent the water out of her clothes. Toph brushed herself and said to Aang, "Not bad, Twinkle Toes." She placed a hand on her hip and added, "Not bad at all." Aang smiled proudly at her, grateful for her praise.

"All right everyone," said Katara, "I think now we can take a break for lunch. We've been practicing for a few hours now, and we could all use a break." Everyone nodded in agreement with her, and Zuko, Haru, and Toph made their way back to where Appa and Momo were. She walked up to Aang and said, "I must say, I was very impressed with your performance just now."

Aang smiled sheepishly at her as he rubbed the back of his head and said, "Thanks." A light blush came over his face as he nervously said, "You, uh, were pretty impressive too." She smiled sweetly at him, further deepening his blush. He timidly looked away from her as he dropped his hand, a small smile on his face.

She put a hand on his shoulder and said, "That's sweet of you to say, Aang." She chuckled and added, "But don't count yourself out because of me." She took her hand from his shoulder and rubbed his bald head, teasingly saying, "You're the one we're all doing this for, after all." Aang chuckled as she said this, obviously enjoying her teasing. She dropped her hand from his hand and cheerfully said, "Now come on. You've got to keep up your strength if you want to stay standing through this training." Aang nodded in agreement with her, and the two made their way back to the others for lunch.


After several more hours of training, the benders were making their way back to the Western Air Temple as the stars filled the night sky. I wonder what Sokka and the others have been doing to keep themselves entertained all day, thought Katara to herself as the Temple complex came into view. She was sitting in the front of the saddle with Toph, while Zuko and Haru were in the back and Aang was at the reins. Momo was sitting on Aang's shoulder, chattering into the wind as they flew. Aang brought Appa in for a landing just behind the large fountain, and Katara saw something that made her stand up and think, What in La's name?

"Whoa!" excitedly shouted Aang as he jumped off of Appa's head, Momo flying close behind. Katara jumped off of Appa's saddle and landed on the ground, her toned leg muscles absorbing the impact. She heard Zuko jump down from Appa as well, and he came up on her left side. She put her hands on her hips as she looked at the thing that had sprung up while they were gone: a domed tent. It took up almost the entire space, it was so large. The dome was built out of wood and covered with colorful sheets, which were stitched together. The sides were blue, while the door flap was red with a golden edge. White boomerangs were painted on each of these flaps, one on the blue sides and two on the main entrance. A wooden ramp flanked by two flaming torches led up to the entrance, while building supplies were scattered around.

This is Sokka's doing, Katara thought to herself. It has to be.

Zuko looked at her and gestured to the tent, asking, "Was that there when we left?"

Katara gave him an incredulous look and said, "Zuko, it's a giant tent. How could we have missed it?" Both of them looked back to see Aang and Momo speeding towards the tent, and they saw a figure walk out of the entrance flap. The figure was dressed in a light blue robe, with a purple ting along the edges. He wore a fancy green hat that had a blue fabric draping down the sides of his head, stopping just at his shoulders. He wore the same white boomerang symbol on his chest, indicating that he was the culprit behind the tent. Yep, it's Sokka, thought Katara as she stared at her brother's fancy get-up.

"Please do come in, Lord Momo," said Sokka in his cheery formal tone, holding the entrance flap open with his right hand while gesturing with his left. Momo flew in as he said, "We've been keeping your hat warm for you." He closed the flap behind him as he stood in front of Aang and held out a hand, causing the Avatar to stop as he said, "Oh, so sorry! I'm afraid you can't come in."

Katara angrily glared at her brother as she crossed her arms, but his attention was on Aang. The Avatar pointed to the tent and said, "But you let Momo in!"

Sokka folded his arms behind his back as he said, "Of course! He isn't a bender." Gesturing to the tent, he added, "And this is a strictly 'bend-free' establishment." Aang hung his arms by his side in disappointment, turning his back from the tent as he sadly walked away. Once Aang was far enough away, Sokka went back into the tent and shouted, "Hey! Leave some Lychee Nuts for me!" Aang desolately looked back at the tent as Sokka vanished, disappointment filling his once-cheery eyes.

"Don't let him get to you, Aang," said Katara firmly as she glared at the tent, her arms still folded across her chest. Aang stood by her side as she said, "We're at war. We have to train." She looked at Aang and said, "It's not your fault he's being such a baby about it." Aang continued looking at the tent over his right shoulder, and she knew that she had to get his mind off of the tent. She put her arm around his shoulder, leading him away as she said, "He'll come crawling back in a few hours when he gets bored." She watched as Zuko shot a fireball at the ground, lighting the campfire that Haru had step up.

The five benders sat around the campfire while they ate their supper, with their sitting order being this in clockwise order: Katara, Aang, Toph, Haru, and Zuko. They are a dinner of possum-chicken dumplings and lettuce wraps, using chopsticks to eat out of their white bowls. From the tent, they heard Sokka's voice say, "Let the first meeting of the Bendless Boomerangers Club commence!" Katara glared at the tent, angry about what Sokka had done. "Beverages and snacks will be served in the main hall, followed by advanced boomerang lessons in the foyer!"

I still can't believe he did this.

Now you know how he felt when you guys left this morning.

Well, yeah, but he's being a huge crybaby about it! Why can't he just accept the fact that we need our space to train?

Why don't you go ask him? Oh wait, that's right, it's a NO BENDERS zone.

I'm so going to kick his butt for this.

"He never showed me how to use a boomerang," jealously muttered Aang as he looked back at the tent, giving Katara a clear view of the back of his bald head.

You're the Avatar! mentally shouted Katara. You can bend the four elements! Why would you care about a stupid weapon like a boomerang? She sighed and said, "Aang, you can throw rocks with your mind!" Not to mention shoot fire from your hands and feet!

Aang looked back at the fire and closed his eyes, angrily muttering, "Still…" As they ate, a WHUP WHUP noise came from behind Aang.

Aang gasped and pointed at the source of the noise as he looked up, excitedly saying, "Hey! What's that?" Katara looked up to see a strange toy flying above them, a small red barrel with wings and streamers coming out of the back, a spinning top prop and wheels along the bottom. Aang reached up to grab it, only to have it snatched from the air by The Duke as Teo sped by.

Katara looked to see Teo and The Duke speeding back towards the tent, their flying contraption in hand. "Wow, this went a long way!" excitedly said The Duke as he triumphantly held up the toy.

"Come on," said Teo, "let's go back and test the others ones I made!" As Teo and The Duke disappeared into the tent, Katara looked back to see Aang hold his closed fist in front of him, his sad gray eyes looking at the ground in disappointment.

"So close…" he whispered mournfully, but his sadness was quickly washed away. He turned to Toph and jerked a thumb at the tent as he asked, "Did you see that awesome toy?"

"Nope," plainly replied Toph before she put her lettuce wrap into her math, leaving Aang's face to drop in slight embarrassment.

Aang turned back to the others and desperately said, "We have to get into that clubhouse!" Katara sighed as she looked away, leaning on her right hand.

Forget what I said about him being mature.

He's only twelve years old, Katara. He's still a kid inside.

Yeah, but he's also the most powerful being in the world. He should be worried about defeating the Fire Nation and ending this, not about getting into some stupid club.

It's his way of dealing with being the Avatar. He has to remind himself that life's not all about fighting wars and bending practice.

Why can't he do it whenever the Fire Nation is defeated?

Life isn't always fair, my dear.

Tell me about it…

"Why?" Zuko asked from across the campfire. "It's just a bunch of stupid kiddie stuff." Katara nodded in agreement with him, knowing that she and Zuko were definitely the most mature people in their little group.

Aang stood up and held his arms out as he said, "But they have flying toys!" Katara looked at him as she raised a questioning eyebrow.

Zuko pointed at Aang and said, "You're an Airbender."

Aang turned to Haru and added, "And hats!" He waved his hands up and down the sides of his head, as if he were putting a hat on his bald head.

"Aang," said Haru, "you're the Avatar. I think you've got more important things to worry about." Aang dropped his arms by his sides as he heavily sighed, disappointment coming across his face.

He sat down back in his spot and hugged his knees to his chest, desolately saying, "You're right. I don't need to be in some silly club."

Katara came up next to Aang and put her hands on his shoulders as she kindly said, "Get some sleep, okay? I bet you'll feel better about it in the morning." Aang continued to stare into the fire as he sighed, the bright flames dancing in his sad gray eyes. She gave him a warm hug before she went back to her spot, picking up her bowl again as she resumed her meal.


Katara opened her eyes to see the morning sunlight peek into the canyon, heralding the dawn of a new day. She sat up in her bedroll and stretched her tired arms, her body shaking all over as her aching muscles awakened. She dropped her arms and looked around, and she noticed that Zuko, Haru, and Toph were all not in their bedrolls. She looked over to her left to see Aang still in his bedroll, his eyes closed as he slept peacefully. Don't tell me… she thought in her head as she got up and made her way over to the tent. She stood on the ramp crossed her arms, saying, "I know you're in there, Sokka! Come out here!"

The tent entrance was opened with a grandiose style, and there stood Sokka, still in his formal get-up. "Ah! If it isn't my beloved sister!" he said cheerily, folding his hands against each other. "What can I do for you, Ms. Waterbender?"

"Have you seen Zuko, Haru, and Toph?" she asked. "I woke up just now and I saw that they weren't in their bedrolls." Sokka cupped his hand under his chin as he thought, and Katara was slowly losing her patience. "I don't have all day," she impatiently said.

He held up a finger as he said, "You must be referring to the newest members of the Bendless Boomerangers Club." He gestured to the tent and said, "They're all inside enjoying themselves." Katara groaned and slapped her palm to her forehead, thinking how ridiculous it was that the others had joined.

She held out her hand as she said, "I don't even want to know." She dropped her hand on her hip as she added, "Can I at least come in?"

"I'm not sure about that," replied Sokka. "We are getting pretty full in there." Katara arched a skeptical eyebrow at him and folded her arms across her chest, impatiently tapping her foot. "And then there's the massive amount of paperwork and-"

"If you don't let me in," firmly cut in Katara, "you're going to find yourself doing all the dirty laundry and the dirty dishes for a month…alone." Sokka paled at the thought of the colossal amount of cleaning, and he held the entrance flap open as he gestured for her to enter. She cheerily smiled at him and said, "Thank you, dear brother." She gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek, which he promptly wiped away with his hand as she chuckled. Sokka closed the flap behind her, leaving him to remain outside.

"About time you showed up, Sugar Queen!" said Toph, who had her feet propped up while she ate fresh fruit. The Duke was giving her a foot massage, which Katara found rather strange. Almost no one ever touched Toph's feet without getting blasted a mile away by an earthen pillar. Zuko was sitting next to Toph, playing a solitary game of Pai Sho. Haru and Teo were tinkering with flying toys while Momo flew over and landed on her shoulder. Everyone in the tent was wearing a hat of some kind, showing their membership.

"Here's your hat," said Teo as he handed Katara a red and green one with a yellow frill on top. She put it on her head, suddenly feeling very much ridiculous. She spotted a low table with a tall green cup on it, two white bamboo straws sticking out of it. "It's a special blend of different fruits," explained Teo, seeing Katara stare at the cup. She made her way over to table and kneeled down in front of it, taking a sip from it with the straw.

Her eyes widened with pleasure as she sipped the tangy and sweet drink, and she said to her furry companion, "Momo, you've got to try this!" Momo put his mouth on the second straw, and his tiny face lit up with the same reaction she had had. Suddenly, Katara heard a voice from the front of the tent.

"Please, please, please let me into your club!" begged the voice, and Katara instantly recognized the voice.

I guess Aang's up, she thought to herself as she took another sip of her fruit drink, relishing in the delicious taste of the fruity concoction.

"Well…" said Sokka from outside, "I suppose I can make another exception…" The tent flap opened as Sokka showed Aang the way inside, a confused look on the Avatar's face.

"Another?" said Aang as he scratched his head, and his eyes widened as he saw the others. He stepped into the tent and pointed an accusing finger as he said, "I thought you guys said this was dumb kids' stuff?"

"Uh…" said Zuko hesitantly as he looked up at Aang. "Well, they're having a Pai Sho tournament, and it's um…what Uncle would want?" Katara knew from the look on Aang's face that he wasn't convinced.

"Free foot massages twice a week," helpfully put in Toph as The Duke continued to rub her feet. "Enough said." Aang looked over at Katara, who took another sip as she looked away.

"And you know…" Katara weakly added, "…the hats." She patted her hat and cheekily smiled at him, trying her hardest to feel like a total idiot in front of him.

What kind of excuse is that?

I don't know!

Spirits help you when you marry this boy.

FOR THE LAST TIME, I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH AANG!

"Well," Aang said as he looked at Sokka, "I'm glad you let us benders join your club, Sokka. It's pretty cool!"

"Of course, of course," said Sokka as he patted Aang on the back. "Although…" he said as he held up a finger, "you do still have to recite the Boomeranger Oath."

You've got to be kidding me, thought Katara to herself, and soon all five bender were kneeling on their right knee. They held their hats to their hearts as they held up their left hand in the shape of a boomerang as they all recited:

"I pledge allegiance to my bendless brethren, and admit that no bending can equal the might of the noble Boomerang. One team, under hats, indivisible, with snacks and field trips for all."

And she hated every moment of it.

I feel like a complete idiot...

If it's any consolation, I think Zuko's hating this as much as you are.

At least that's one thing we can agree on.

See? You're on the road to friendship with Zuko after all!

Fat chance.