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Chapter 9: Training

Katara adjusted the collar of her suit as she entered the Training hall. The other tributes all stood, lined up, and listening to the instructor. Hurriedly she rushed over next to Jodi, and began acting as if she'd been there the whole time. The instructor finished explaining what was to happen and the tributes dispersed to their chosen station. "So… what're we doing," she turned to Jodi.

"Over there is bending practice, then there are weapons training, and the last few are just survival techniques," Jodi pointed to each station as she described them. Katara nodded her head and walked off towards the bending practice, she hadn't actually fought with her bending before, so it'd be best to learn now.

As she walked over there, Katara realized that she was the only Waterbender; Jodi had sprinted off to the weapons. Probably to flirt with Loki, she thought, smirking. Turning to the weapons station instead of seeing Jodi, Katara caught the eyes of a certain gold-eyed Firebender. Zuko glared at her as he bent over to pick up another dagger. She feverishly to turn away, but his golden eyes transfixed her, leaving her caught until he actually directed back to the target. Katara watched as he hurled the small dagger at the target, it pierced the center dot going throw till all you could see was the handle. Zuko made no movement to neither retrieve the dagger nor grab a new one; he just stood there head angled to the floor seeming to wait until she looked away.

"He's good isn't he," a voice spoke up. Katara's heart seemed to jump into her throat as she turned to see Aang standing next to her. Placing a head on her chest, she caught her breath.

"Oh my Aang, you really startled me," Katara said breathlessly. Aang gave sheepish smile, and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yeah, Toph says I don't make any noise when I walk, like I'm floating on air."

"Well, you sure do, I didn't even notice you. And yeah he is pretty good," she said taking one last glance at Zuko as he throws another dagger hitting the same spot. "So, Aang what are you working on?"

"Bending, I don't really know anything about weapons accept for using a staff, so I just decided to work on my bending. Hey, you wanna spar?" Aang asked. Katara smiled at the young boy, but her heart ached slightly at the fact someone so innocent could be place in such a horrible situation. She responded: "Yes, of course."

The two chose one of the empty mats and got into ready position. Katara bent water from one of the nearby buckets set out; she sent it flying at Aang who quickly dodged out of the way. Skidding to a stop, he shot a blast of air at Katara. Caught off guard as Katara tried to get more water, she was propelled backwards into the wall.

Blinking, she looked up to see Aang smiling, and then he held out a hand to her. Katara quietly bent some water over to her, and as she reached up shot it at Aang. He went flying to the other end of the mat, soaked but still laughing. And for almost an hour the two continued their spar, each getting an equal amount of hits on each other. By halfway they even had some spectators.

In the end, both Katara and Aang were breathing heavily and soaked with water. A bell rang through the training hall, dismissing them to dinner. "Good spar," Aang said happily. With that they shook hands and went their separate ways.

Zuko sat on the window seat, mesmerized by the shining lights of the city. He'd found himself at the window a lot since this whole thing started. It calmed him, and helped him forget; which was nice. Zuko had decided not to attend dinner tonight, for hopes to escape having to listen to people gush about him.

During training he'd had several people stop to watch or compliment him on his skill. It wasn't like it he minded actually having someone notice him; it was the fact that people were noticing him here that was the problem. If it had been any other time he may have even accepted the praise, but here he feared it. Because if others knew he was strong enough, they'd go after him first, which is not what he wanted.

A pounding at the door interrupted his thoughts. He turned to the door without answering. "It's me Toph, Roku sent some dinner for you," she called. With no response from Zuko, she broke the handle and swung the door open.

"Hey Sparky," Toph said casually walking in. She closed it behind her, before setting the platter down on the desk.

"Hey Toph," he replied, "It's nice to see you too." Toph chuckled, than turned towards the window where he sat. "So why didn't you come down to eat?"

Zuko shrugged in response, but then remember she couldn't see him. "I don't know, just didn't feel like dealing with people, I guess," he told her. Toph gave an 'humph' before climbing up onto the window seat across from him.

"Don't blame ya, some of those people can get annoying," she said, "But you'll have to deal with me." Zuko smiled, she reminded him of what an older sister would be like. Despite her petite structure, she could really pack a punch. It certainly amazed him, that Toph's parents knew nothing of her talent.

"So I heard you're good with a sword," Toph inquired. She stared at him expectantly waiting for an answer.

"I guess I'm okay," he replied.

"Where'd you learn, I didn't know they trained Firebenders in anything else but bending," she continued. Zuko smirked knowingly; she seemed not to know much about the outside world. Firebenders were much more ahead of the game than what she knew.

"We're trained from a young age, it's supposed to be an honor to be chosen for this, but I can't see why," Zuko explained.

"Ah," she said yawning, "Well it's getting pretty late and we have long days to come. Good night." And with that Toph left, he watched as she exited and as soon as she was for enough away. He got up from his seat and went over to the platter sitting on his desk. Lifting the lid, Zuko was only half surprised to find no food inside.

A/N: This is the original Training chapter, that I had I just moved it. Wow, I am so sorry about the delay I had a softball tournament and then right after I got real sick and time just got away from me, I will get quicker updates! R&R Please Review!