Zuko was walking down the hallway, in every room, men were being taken care of. Almost all of his men had been injured protecting the ship from the storm. But there was one particular person that he wanted to check on. He peered around the corner and saw the girl, and the boy in the room. The girl was sleeping in the chair, and the boy was sitting beside the Avatar's bed. He knocked quietly, to announce his presence. Katara jerked awake and looked toward the door. She rubbed her eyes and stood up.
"How is the Avatar feeling?" asked Zuko.
"Physically, I think he's doing okay. But mentally, I'm not so sure."
Zuko walked into the room, and toward the bed. Sokka restrained himself from leaping at the fire bender. Zuko leaned beside the bed and placed a hand on the Avatar's forehead.
"He has a fever. I'll go get a doctor."
Hearing this, Katara ran over to the bed and placed her own hand on Aang's head. Her eyes widened as the heat from his fore head made her palm sweat. She could see sweat, and tears of pain slide down his face.
"Zuko, hurry!" said Katara.
Zuko dashed from the room, and went to the nearest room with a doctor. He returned in about 2 minutes. The doctor placed a sthascope to his heart. The doctor then grabbed the bucket of water beside the bed. When he placed his finger's in the water, it was really warm.
"Is anybody in this room a water bender?" he asked.
Katara raised her hand.
" Oh thank heavens. I need you to cool this water down."
Katara nodded and placed her hands over the bucket. She closed her eyes and focused her attention on the water. The doctor saw the water start to solidify.
"Okay, that's enough!"
Katara opened her eyes. The doctor took a rag from his coat pocket and soaked it in the bucket. He rung out the rag and placed it on the Avatar's fore head. Aang moaned and shivered. Katara took his hand into hers and he squeezed.
"Hold on Aang, its gonna be okay."
She squeezed her eyes, and a tear fell from her check. Sokka placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, he's going to be okay Katara. The kid's got a strong soul."
Katara smiled at her brother. Sometimes, he knew exactly what to say, at the right moment.
Suddenly, Aang began to talk in his sleep.
"No... No! Don't hurt them! I can't lose them! No!"
Zuko backed up in surprise, and Katara looked at him... a little scared.
"Aang, were right here. Nothing's going to happen to us." said Katara.
Aang began to kick in his bed.
" No! Don't hurt them! Take me instead! I don't want them getting hurt!"
Aang suddenly sent an air ball toward the ceiling, causing a big gust of wind to fill the room. Katara covered her eyes, and saw a big hole in the ceiling.
"Aang! Wake up!" said Sokka.
Sokka placed a hand on Aang's shoulder.
"Whoa, he's on fire."
The doctor didn't know what to do.
"I've never seen anything like this!" he said.
Aang's eyes suddenly flew open, his pupils were dilated and his breaths came in short. Zuko was watching all this unfold, with wide eyes.
"Aang, calm down. Were right here. Nothing is going to happen to us."
Katara was trying desperately calm him down, but nothing was working. Aang eyes closed again. Katara placed both hands down on Aang's shoulders. Aang shook, but Katara wouldn't let him move. Katara could see Aang's chest rise and fall rapidly. Katara had fear, concern, and anger welled up inside her. Suddenly, Katara noticed that Aang had stopped thrashing, and was now breathing regular. His eyes were still closed, but at least he wasn't screaming. Katara leaned back, and took a breath of relief.
"Katara... KATARA!"
Aang sat up quickly, locking Katara in a hug. Tears began to spill out of his eyes.
"Aang! Oh my gosh! Your okay!"
Sokka sighed in relief and looked at Aang. Tears had actually began to fill HIS eyes, but he wiped them away. Aang slowly sat up.
"Zuko! W..What are you doing here?" asked Aang nervously.
"Can't I check up on you?" he asked.
Aang nodded.
"Sorry, im just used to you trying to capture me and stuff."
Zuko smiled.
"I can see why you would say that."
Aang smiled and looked around the room.
"Sokka, katara, I'm really glad to see that you guys are not hurt."
Sokka giggled.
"Actually, being jerked around in that cell, hurt a little bit."
Katara smiled at Aang.
"Aang, are you okay? I mean, you were talking in your sleep, and... look up."
Aang looked up and saw the hole that he had created when he was sleeping.
" I did that!" he said.
"Yeah, is there something you want to tell us about... the thing that happened in your dream?"
Aang looked away.
"C'mon Aang. You can tell us anything." said Sokka in a comforting voice.
"Well, I was facing the fire lord. I was so close to winning. Then, a guard came in carrying you two in chains. He said that he would torture you unless I gave up. I didn't know what to do. I had one last hit against Ozai, but he dodged. He gave the order... and... and..."
Aang couldn't finish the sentence. And, he didn't need to.
"I'm sorry."
Aang looked away, he was to disgusted with himself.
"I can't believe I dreamed that." he said in a whisper.
He slammed his fist against the bed. He heard a crunch.
"What was that!" said Sokka.
Aang dug under the blankets until he felt it.
"It feels like... paper!"
Aang pulled out a piece of paper, wrapped up in a white string. Aang pulled on one of the strings, and the paper rolled out to show elegant hand writing.
"What does it say?" said Zuko.
Everyone stared at him.
"WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP STARING AT ME LIKE I'M SOME FREAK?" he said.
When no one answered, Zuko sat on the floor, and looked away. Everyone shrugged and turned to Aang.
"Aang, why don't you read it out loud." said Katara.
Aang cleared his throat and began . . .
Aang,
Hi, its me Avatar Roku. You do realize that you only have 6 months to master the elements. Must I keep reminding you to stay on task! You need to get a move on. I will be awaiting your arrival at the Northern Avatar Temple in the water nation. You must contact me there, before you leave, and after you've mastered water bending. Please hurry Aang, we don't have very much time. Oh, and thank that kind fire bender for teaching you fire bending.
Avatar Roku