This made Aang's nerves a little better. When they entered the room, the door closed with a bang, and he could hear the latch being locked. Aang gulped and sat down across from Zuko. Zuko just stared at him. Aang couldn't take it anymore. He stood and went to the door.
" Where do you think your going?" he asked.
" I can tell that this was a complete waste of time. Your not going to tell me anything, so I might as well go back to my friends."
Aang jerked on the door. When it didn't budge, Aang got really mad. He slammed his fist against the door. Instead of sending air bending at it, the smell of burnt medal filled his nose. He coughed and stepped back. Right where he slammed his fist, was a scorched mark. Aang stifled a cry back. He looked at his hands. They looked the same, but they felt different. Zuko was a little shocked by what had happened. He smiled.
" I can see you just had your first encounter with fire bending." he said.
His voice mad Aang jump and he swirled around.
"Yeah, it kinda was." mumbled Aang.
Zuko stood, and gave Aang a look of pure seriousness.
" Avatar, I'll make a deal with you. I'll teach you fire bending, if you defeat my father."
Aang was shocked.
" C.. Could you run that by me again?" he said.
Zuko's armor began to steam. He couldn't help that he had a short temper, it came from his father. Zuko gave a relaxing sigh and turned to the air bender. A look of pure confusion was on his face.
" I said, that I would teach you fire bending, if you defeat my father."
His voice was stiff, but he refused to let his anger out. If he showed one flicker of fire, the avatar would refuse.
" So, you are willing to teach.. me... fire bending?" he said. "But, why?"
At this, Zuko didn't have an answer. He turned away.
" Just answer my question. Do you accept the offer, or don't you." he said.
" Yes, I accept."
Zuko smiled to the Avatar.
"Good, your training begins tomorrow. VERY early. Get some sleep."
Zuko tapped on the door three times. The door opened. Zuko turned to his crew.
" Men, you are to escort the Avatar back to the prison hold. Make sure that he tells his friends of our... agreement."
The crew bowed and Zuko shut the door with such a force, that wind hit Aang in the back.
Aang was pushed forward. What did he just do? He practically gave himself to Zuko.
" I'll talk to him tomorrow during our training." he thought to him self. When Aang returned to the cell, Katara clasped him around the neck. Aang felt tears run down his back. Was Katara that worried about him? This made him blush a little. Katara pulled back. Aang took a piece of his shirt and wiped the tears away. Katara slightly blushed.
" Thanks Aang." she whispered to him.
Aang smiled. Sokka saw what was going on, and smiled at the two.
" You two are just to funny." he said.
Katara swirled quickly. She did it so fast, that she almost feel. But with Aang's quick reflexes, he grabbed her before she hit the floor. Katara was blushing madly at this point.
"Stop it! He doesn't like you like that! Your being foolish.' she said to herself. Katara fixed her clothing and stared at Sokka who was now having a laughing fit.
" What is so funny?" she stared at him coldly, knowing exactly why he was laughing.
" You and Aang. That's what!"
Sokka was now laughing very hard. Suddenly, a pebble came flying at Sokka's head. It hit his head with a thump and fell to the floor. Creating a ping as it rolled away.
" Hey, who.."
Sokka didn't have to finish his sentence. He saw Aang laughing. He was spinning rocks in the air with his air bending. Katara gave a giggle as she saw Sokka rub the stop where the rock hit.
" That really hurt Aang..." he said mumbling.
"Avatar, you must tell you friends of the plan that you and prince Zuko have." said the guard.
Aang sighed.
" Thanks, I kinda forgot."
He turned to Sokka and Katara who had most curious expressions.
" Guys, Zuko is going to teach me fire bending."
"WHAT!" Sokka and Katara said simultaneously.
Aang flinched as their voices echoed off the walls.
" As long as I defeat the fire lord, who is... Zuko's father by the way."
"No way!" said Sokka.
Katara nearly fainted. Zuko was a prince!
"Why isn't he sitting in a comfy throne in the fire nation? Why is he here?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, but my training starts early tomorrow. I'll try and talk to him then." said Aang.
Sokka shook his head, but agreed with Aang's statement.
A few hours passed. The one little window they had showed a deep, orange and pink sunset. Aang was standing against the wall, watching the sun go down. He felt and elbow push against his. He looked over and saw Katara admiring the same sky. No one said anything for awhile. When the sun had finally set, Katara yawned.
" I think I'm going to go to bed." she said.
Her voice made Aang jump.
"Yeah, I'm kinda tired too." he said.
She laid down against the wall. Surprisingly, it was quiet warm. Aang laid down between Sokka and Katara. Putting his hands behind his head. His eyes were half closed. He was exhausted, and needed to sleep. But for some reason, he couldn't. Aang looked at Katara. Her brown hair was falling in front of her face, her eyes were lightly closed, and her face showed no sign of pain, or sadness. Her eyebrows were relaxed, and her lips were parted a little. She looked like a little girl, who had just gotten back from a well played day at the park. He really did like Katara. Actually, he... loved her. Aang looked over at Sokka. He saw a puddle of drool around his head, and he was snoring loudly. Aang giggled and closed his eyes. He had two of the most special friends in the world, and he wouldn't let anything happen to them, not one little thing.
The next morning, Aang felt someone shaking him. He opened his eyes and saw the face of Zuko. Aang sat up and stretched.
"Good morning Zuko." he said with a yawn.
"Yeah, thats nice Avatar. We have to start training."
Aang slowly stood up. He went to reach for his staff.
" Uh, you wont be needing that." said Zuko.
Aang sighed and took one last look at his friends, who were still sleeping soundly.
" Come Avatar, we have to go... now!" said Zuko, becoming a little impatient.
Aang followed Zuko out of the cell.
Some fire benders watched as Aang followed Zuko through the halls. He felt kinda awkward because everyone was looking at him. Zuko looked back and saw Aang looking at the ground. They came to a door. Zuko placed his hand over a hole and pushed his hand against it. A wall of dust came flying from around his hand, and Aang could hear the scraping of a door opening against the rusted metal. When Aang stepped inside, he was amazed by what he saw. There were targets (that were badly burned by the way), water canteens, a battle field, and pull up bars.
" Do you use all of this stuff!" said Aang to Zuko.
" Yeah, I've gotta stay in shape." he said. " Fire bending takes a lot of energy, and muscle. You have to have good reflexes, and a sharp eye."
Aang nodded. He was mentally noting all of this down.
" Here, put these on." he said throwing a pair of pants at Aang.
"What are they?" Aang asked, feeling the material. They were made of silk, and looked really comfy.