Disclaimer: Avatar and The Hunger Games are not mine.


Chapter 7: Emotions

Zuko watched as the train came to a stop at the Capitol depot. Huge crowds swarmed around, they all waved and cheered, but he didn't return the gesture. Instead he turned back to the elder man sitting in a small lounge chair sipping tea. "You seem distressed Zuko, do you not enjoy the praise," Roku inquired simply.

Taking a quick last glance at the window, he sighed. "Not really, it's not real, well at least I don't think it is," the Firebender responded. He took a seat next his mentor, politely refusing the cup of tea he offered.

"Now let's not jump to conclusion, not everybody in the Capitol is as ruthless as they're made out to be, some actually care," his mentor justified. Zuko tried to see the reason behind the other's words, but he couldn't imagine anyone who lived in such a great place while the rest suffered could actually care who died or not. Setting the porcelain tea cup down Roku stood, smoothing his robe. "We best be going, finding a good place in the Training hall is hard to do."

Zuko followed his mentor obediently, trying his hardest not to look out the window to see the crowd once more. Out in the hallway several other tributes and their corresponding mentors were filing towards the exits. Within a few minutes they were all standing in a long line on the depot platform. The enormous crowd boomed with excitement, their extravagant clothing and hair flew everywhere, the colors were almost blinding.

He squinted his eyes and looked out over the wave of people. Buildings towered like giants and several other monorails bolted across the sky, it truly was amazing. Too bad it belonged to the most coldblooded society in all of Panem.

After 15 minutes of standing in a line for the whole city to examine, they were led to one of the tallest buildings he'd ever seen. Zuko tried not to gape outwardly at the remarkable structure. Soon he was inside a room ten times more elaborate than the one he'd stayed in on the train. "I'll leave you to get acquainted, and the Fire Nation dinner at 6, then tomorrow we shall began training," Roku explained before closing the door. Zuko sighed inwardly before going over the window seat, hoping to drown out the world with his thoughts.


Aang walked the halls of the Training building out of curiosity. He hadn't seen Zuko or Katara since the day before, so he'd become rather lonely, and decided to check out the place for something to do. The Airbender came to a main lounge area, and looked around to see if anyone was there. Nope, it was empty; Aang suspected that everyone had decided to relax in their room after the long train ride.

Shortly, he came across a gray metal door labeled ROOF, and to his surprise it was slightly opened. Checking to make sure the coast was clear, he snuck through the entryway and closed the door to the position he had found. After three flights of stairs, Aang arrived at a large rooftop garden. Several exotic plants filled the concrete platform, it was very beautiful. "Hey Twinkletoes what are you doing here," a familiar voice called.

The Airbender whipped around to see Toph watching him with a slight smirk on her face. His nerves relaxed as he smiled back. "Hey Toph, I shoulda figured you'd be the one I'd find up here," Aang said jokingly.

"Haha, yeah Metalbending comes in handy when trying to break through doors," Toph uttered proudly. Aang walked to his Earthbending friend and sat down next to her. "You never answered my question, Twinkletoes."

"Oh you know just taking a stroll," he replied, pulling up his feet. Turning his head he noticed that the bright city shone like stars. It was astonishing such a heartless place could look so beautiful, he certainly enjoyed the view. "You know that being blind and all, I didn't think the roof would be a place you'd like to be."

Toph was unfazed by the intimate question. "Yeah, it's shocking to me to, but you'd be amazed by the things I can see, the depths and corners of the city, I see it all," Toph replied voice wistful. Aang gave a small smile at the emotion in her words. He knew behind her rocky exterior lived a fragile young girl, and the Airbender craved to see more of that girl.

"Do you think we'll die," Toph continued bluntly. Aang frowned at the sharp turn this conversation had taken. He saw no need to discuss the depressing future, but he would not ignore her.

"No Toph, I don't think you will, you're the strongest person I know, you can survive," Aang told her. Toph's eyes did not turn to him, but the look on her face told him she was hurt.

"You'd so willingly give yourself up like that, just so I could live," Toph inquired, voice quiet and wispy. Giving an indignant scoff, Aang scooted next her, pulling her closer and letting her head rest on his shoulder.

"I'm not saying I'm giving myself up, I'm just saying you're gonna come out of this thing, whatever the cost," he explained trying to seem reassuring. Toph buried her head deeper into his body, quietly he leaned in to place a simple kiss on her forehead. Snuggling close for warmth, the two benders stayed there wrapped in each other's arms for the rest of the night.


A/N: I know, I know, I'm sorry I meant to include some action in this chapter, but I felt we needed to set the emotions down first before people actually did something. But I hope you enjoyed the rooftop seen with Toph and Aang, that had the be the first PeetaxKatniss moment in the book, so I had to use it. Thank you all for the reviews, they are so amazing, and I really hope you'll submit some more. Please R&R:)