A/N: You wont believe this but my internet is down! So I have to come to the library to post. The updates may not be as often since I am not down here except once a week but on the bright side I can get more written in that time. Anyways, these chapters should be good!

Chapter Nine

"Do you think Katara's ok?"

"I don't know. I hope so. Don't worry. No fire nation soldier is smart enough to challenge Katara. I'm sure she'll be alright."

"I hope so."

"We should meet your teacher tomorrow. Then you can learn, hey, what's that? AANG! Look out!"

"Sokka!"

"Ah!" Katara gasped and sat up with a start. "What's going on?" she whispered to herself. Her mind was racing. "Was….was that just a dream?" She tried to remember what she had been dreaming but she couldn't. All she knew was that it had been scary. Someone was in trouble. Who was it? "Aang!" Katara gasped out loud. It had been Aang! I've been so caught up in everything that's happening that haven't even given him a thought! Katara felt the shame over take her. I hope he's ok. I've got to get to him! She stood up and peered out of the tent flap at the other tents gathered in the clearing. There were two guards on watch but they were both sound asleep. Katara looked up at the moon. It was close to midnight. Prince Zuko will be waiting for me. She thought and gritted her teeth in determination. I will beat him! And when I do, I can escape! She walked swiftly and silently out of the tent to the far side of the clearing. She reached the woods and shot another look at the guards. They were now hugging each other in their sleep. Katara stifled a giggle and then turned and walked into the forest. She walked quickly along the path, not even bothering to look where she was going. She knew exactly where the place Prince Zuko had been talking about was. She had seen it on the way in. Soon she reached another semi-clearing that was surrounded by high, rocky cliffs. She hesitated, looking to see where Prince Zuko was, and checking to be sure this wasn't some dirty trick. Seeing nothing strange she stepped into the clearing.

"So you came after all." Zuko's voice came from the left. Katara turned to see him sitting on top of a large rock smiling smugly at her.

"Yes. Did you think I would chicken out? I think that's more in your line of duty."

His smile tightened but he gave no other sign that he had even heard her. He slid to the ground, landing on his feet. Fire started to grow in his hands. For a split second Katara felt panic rising inside her as she realized she couldn't remember if there was any water here. But it was quickly eased as she spotted a large stream out of the corner of her eye.

"Shall we settle this once and for all then?" he asked, raising his hands in a fighting position.

"Whenever you're prepared to lose." Katara answered, drawing water out of the spring towards her.

With that Prince Zuko jumped towards her, shooting fireballs. Katara splashed the water at him in a water whip, striking him on the cheek. He retaliated by hurling another fireball that grazed her arm. Then they attacking each other with everything they had.

Now, I could go on to describe this edge-of-your-seats, action packed fight but I think that one well described fight between them is enough for now, and I'm sure you will all be glad I skipped this once you see what comes next. So, here we go.

Katara was breathing heavily. They had been fighting for at least minutes and she was exhausted. Her hair was falling out of its braid, making it harder for her to see and she was burnt in several spots. Prince Zuko wasn't looking much better. Besides being soaked (for the second time in this story) he also had several nasty looking cuts from Katara's improved work with the water whip. Yet neither one of them was about to give the other the satisfaction of quitting. Prince Zuko jumped onto a rock behind Katara and aimed a fire ball at her. Then, without waiting to see if it had hit its mark, he jumped back in front of her to hit her while she was distracted.

But at that moment fate had something else in store for the feuding teens.

Katara managed to dodge the first fireball. But doing so caused her to lose her balance. She turned, trying to catch herself, and caught her foot on a root. She stumbled……and landed right on top of Prince Zuko, who was so surprised that he didn't even think to shoot a fireball at her.

Katara raised her head up, and for a minute both of them just stared at each other. Katara felt her cheeks turning bright red. Oh my goodness. I never realized just how good he looks.

Prince Zuko stared back at her, still to surprised to even think about trying to get up. All he was aware of was the warmth of her body as it pressed against him and her long black hair falling across her face. I have never seen anyone more beautiful in my life. His heart was thumping in his chest. Suddenly he found himself looking at her lips. He hadn't realized how close her face was to him. What am I thinking? I shouldn't be doing this! This is my enemy, who made a fool of me! I should finish her off! But these thoughts seemed to die away almost before they could surface in his mind. All he was aware of was her. Then, slowly, he reached up and lightly pushed her hair back from her face. Katara stared at him. He waited, half expecting her to pull back in disgust. After all, he thought, who could ever like me? But to his surprise he found that she was slowly moving her lips towards his. He hesitated, wondering what he should do. Oh what the heck! he thought. Then he leaned forward and kissed her.

Sokka opened his eyes groggily. "Where am I?" he muttered. "Aang?" he said slowly. Suddenly memory flooded him. They had been flying on Appa when a giant bird had attacked them. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. Its wing span was at least 15 feet across and its eyes were bloodshot. They had tried to dodge it but it had swooped in and grabbed them. Appa had followed but he the bird was to fast for him. They flew for what had seemed like forever. The last thing Sokka remembered was falling, then everything had gone black.

"Aang!" he cried, jumping up in alarm.

"It's ok Sokka! I'm over here!"

Sokka spun around and saw where he was for the first time. He had been lying on a cot inside a small hut. Aang was sitting on a cot opposite him. There was a wooden chair next to Aang's cot and sitting there was an old woman with grey hair.

"What-what's going on?" Sokka asked uncertainly, sitting back down.

The lady smiled at him. "Do not worry, you are safe here. The Actu will not attack this town."

"The what?"

"The Actu. The bird of death."

"You mean the crazy monster that attacked us!"

"Yes," she said, grinning. "My name is Kokingo. I live here in this village with my people. We have long fought the fire nation, but recently they have turned interest upon us for some reason. The bird you saw is a monster created by the fire nation. It is the only one of its kind and very deadly. Its beak is tipped with poison and if struck you will die in minutes if not treated. I did not know what their interest here was but your friend here has explained about your travels. It seems the fire nation is extremely worried. They must be afraid you will mess their plans up, otherwise they would not have sent their most deadly creature to attack you."

"How did we get here though?" Sokka asked, holding his head. This was all so confusing.

"Our archers shot at the bird. Of course it took no damage, but it did agitate it enough that it dropped you. We caught you in one of our fishing nets. They are very strong."

"But, where are we? How did the fire nation know we would even be here in the first place?"

Aang laughed. "Don't you get it Sokka? We're in the North Pole!"

"What!" Sokka looked around with a start. Aang was right! Sokka hadn't even realized it but it was very cold and he, Aang, and Kokingo were all wearing thick fur coats.

"You know what this means Sokka?" asked Aang, jumping up excitedly. "I can start my training! I was telling Kokingo all about while you slept, and she said there is a trainer here who can teach me earth bending and that her people could help me improve on the water bending I learned from Katara!"

"Whoa! Slow down Aang." Sokka looked at Kokingo. "We're very grateful for your hospitality and we are greatly in your debt but if the fire benders know we're here, maybe even know why we're here, I wouldn't want to endanger your people any farther."

"But Sokka-" Aang whined.

Kokingo held up her hand. "I understand your worries and you are right. My people would be taking a great risk. But I have talked to them. We do not care. It is worth taking so that your friend may learn his bending skills. It may be the only way we can stop the fire nation and we are prepared to do anything we can to help."

"Are you sure?" Sokka asked uncertainly.

"Absolutely." She said firmly. "Now," she added smiling, "Let's go find you boys something to eat."

Sokka jumped up eagerly. "Ok, we'll stay!"