AN: Sorry, ran into a bit of a creative slump. Hopefully it's better now though. Read on good people and enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I did, we wouldn't be waiting so long for new episodes. March 17th One Week People!

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"Katara, what's up with you?" Ishi stood behind her, studying her moves as she practiced.

"Huh?" Katara barely paused in what she was doing.

"Your style is different. It seems… more playful, happy even. It's just odd not seeing you so obsessed. What happened?"

Katara sent the water streaming into the pond and walked over to Ishi, who was watching Aang. "Nothing really. It's just that the future doesn't look so bleak anymore."

Ishi misunderstood her. "I agree. He's doing quite well. Aang's a fast learner, if you can gain his attention long enough. It won't be long before he masters this."

"Ishi?" The older woman gave a nod of her head to show she was listening. "What will you do after Aang masters earthbending, after we leave?"

"I'll fight, I suppose. I don't have any military training, so I wouldn't be a commander. I'll probably join the ranks. A good bender can make the difference in a fight. The more of my people I can help to survive, the better. Why do you ask?"

"Aang will be facing the Fire Lord soon and he'll need all the allies there he can get. Allies from all nations. As you said, a good bender can make all the difference. The fight will be difficult, no doubt about it, but, if he has the right support I really believe he can do this."

"Are you asking me to come with you?"

Katara paused for a moment. "I suppose I am." She laughed softly. "It'd be nice to have another girl around to talk to. Sometimes I don't know if I'm a sister and friend or a mother." They laughed loudly. Katara calmed down and looked into the green eyes of her newfound friend. "Just think about it."

"Think about what?" The girls turned to see Aang approach them, covered in mud and dirt.

An evil grin crossed Katara's face. "You're filthy; you really should get cleaned up." She sent a spray of water at him. He diverted it away from himself but his triumphant smile faded when it hit Ishi straight in the face.

The two young benders froze, waiting to see how she would react. She dried her face with her sleeve and looked coldly down at them. She slowly raised her arms, there was a squelch behind them and soon they were covered in mud. She gave them a satisfied smirk. "Pay back."

Soon the sparring field erupted into a scene of chaos as the three benders started a free-for-all. Laughs and startled screams traveled over the island as they got in as many shots as they could.

Eventually, they dropped to the field; exhausted, laughing, wet and dirty. They turned to see Sokka doubled over, laughing by the pond. "You guys look absolutely ridiculous." The three looked to each other then looked to Sokka. A blast of air, water and earth sent him splashing into the pond. He came up spluttering. "That's not funny guys!"

O.o.o.o.o.O

"Uncle, I'm taking the skiff out tonight."

Iroh cocked an eyebrow. "That's the fourth time in a row. If you're not careful, you'll ruin our cover." Zuko was silent. "Or do we not have a cover to ruin? Have you talked to the Avatar yet?"

"Not the Avatar, no." Iroh leaned back, crossed his ankles and folded his hands on his prominent belly.

"So who have you been talking to, dear nephew? I'll bet my lotus tile it's a certain waterbender."

Zuko growled and turned his back on him. "It's not like that, uncle. We've just talked about what we're going to do after we join them."

"Four days and that's all you've talked about?" Iroh sat up in the chair and looked at Zuko, who was determinedly avoiding his gaze.

"There was a small difficulty in the beginning."

A smile threatened to crack Iroh's serious façade. "You fought, didn't you?" Zuko gave a solemn nod. Iroh fought the smile lifting the corners of his mouth. "She beat you badly. Didn't she, nephew?"

"Uncle!" Fire accompanied this shout and Zuko stormed below deck.

The smile overtook Iroh's face. "That's what I thought." His laughter echoed throughout the entire ship.

O.o.o.o.o.o.O

"Hey Aang." She walked up to Appa and stroked his head while Aang fed him. She looked out the open doorway and her heart fluttered. It was almost sundown.

"Katara!" She jumped and turned to look at him.

"Yes?"

He laughed. "I've been talking to you for five minutes. What were you thinking about?"

She turned red. "N…nothing. What were you saying?"

He laughed and gave Appa one last load of hay. "I wanted to know what you and Ishi were talking about earlier."

"I asked her if she would come with us after you learned the basics. It would be good to have the extra help."

He thought for a moment. "I don't see why not. She's not bad, especially when she's not teaching. 'Cause then she's a slave driver." They both laughed.

When they stopped, Katara pressed on. "How are you going to learn firebending, Aang?"

He shrugged. "I suppose I'll have to find Jeong Jeong again."

"What if you can't find him? He went into hiding, didn't he?"

His shoulders slumped. "You're right. What am I gonna do Katara? He's the only Fire Master I know who wouldn't try to fry me in an instant."

"What if there's someone else?" He looked confused so she rushed on. "What if there's someone who doesn't agree with Fire Lord? He could teach you. I mean, there aren't so many rebel firebenders that we could turn him down. Beggars can't be choosers. And it's not as if we don't know him. He's certainly determined and he'll be committed to our goal. He's very talented."

"Katara! Clam down. You're talking so fast I can hardly understand you. Who are you talking about?" He laughed. "It almost sounds like you're talking about Zuko." His laughter slowly died as he realized she wasn't joining in. His mouth dropped open. "You can't be serious!"

She took a breath and looked him directly in the eye. "I know it sounds crazy, but I think it's a good idea. He's changed. Somewhere between what happened with Zhao and my conversation with him and now made him realize hunting you is wrong. He could really help us. You, yourself, said he wasn't all bad."

Aang plopped down on the ground, thinking about what she said. "It's kinda hard to believe."

She knelt beside him. "I know it is. But I really think he means to help us. Think. At our last fight wasn't everything weird? He was testing us. Showing us where out weaknesses were so we could overcome them."

Aang looked at her. "Do you trust him?"

She nodded. "He gave me his word, Aang. He swore to me on his honor." A small smile crossed her face. "I trust him." Aang heaved a large sigh and concentrated on the floor. "It's okay, Aang. You don't have to decide right away. We still have time." She reached over and gave him a brief hug. "See you later." She returned to the house, leaving him to think on the offer. Besides, it was almost time for her to leave. It was after sundown.

An hour later, she was walking on the terrace where she saw Sokka again. He turned to her and crossed his arms over his chest. "And where do you think you're going?"

"To the ocean." He shook his head. "You've been going there every night. You're way too obsessed."

She put her hands on her hips. "Well, at least I'm smart enough to put a coat on when it gets cold."

"Yeah, well…yeah." Sokka sputtered, trying to find a comeback.

She brushed past him, going down the stairs. As she reached the ground, she called back over her shoulder. "Put on a coat!"

"Nag!"

"Idiot!"

Sokka smiled. There was no one like his sister.

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AN: I'm hesitating on putting Azula in here until I get a feel for her character. I've seen too many personalities for her; from weak to pure evil. I'm leaning towards something in the middle. But anyone who could look on and smile as their brother gets mutilated has to be pretty evil. That or extremely sadistic. Anyways, tell me what you thought of the chapter. Review please!