New chapter up! It's short I know but be thankful another is out :3. We're getting closer to the games but I'm a little undecided on if I want to make chapters of their Training or just skip closer to the Games. \_(^.^)_/. You'll see what I decide next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender

Days of Training

It was in the afternoon and Zuko had been training Aang and Sokka since breakfast. Zuko was tired and it wasn't because the two he was battling. He had told both of them to come at him with everything they had so he could see where they were but it was just sad. Sokka had some basic swordsman skill with his magic device but he had to many openings. Aang on the other hand was evasive and hard to hit which was good, but as soon as Zuko would strike him he'd go down and stay down for a few minutes. Their biggest problem was lack of teamwork. Sure a two on one should give the lesser an disadvantage but there was also a disadvantage to the duo as well. Zuko only had to worry about himself while they kept getting in each other's way.

" hey Aang, stop bumping into me!" Sokka said as he was out of breath. This was the fourth time he had bumped into the kid and he was tired of it.

" well if you didn't have two left feet maybe I wouldn't!" Aang said back as he dodged Zuko's fire magic.

" I don't have two left feet! Apologize to righty for that insult!"

"Not now Sokka-agh!" Aang yelled out as Zuko kicked him across the ground when he was distracted.

Everyone on the sidelines let out an 'ouch' as Aang skidded to a stop.

"keep your guard up Aang!" Zuko yelled towards the downed Ahmet boy.

"Hey uh Zuko, why haven't you pulled those Dao sabers out?" Sokka asked as he wiped his brow.

Zuko looked down towards where the blades rested around his waist before answering.

" I don't need them." He said.

" eh?! So your saying I'm unworthy of your blades! Well I'll show you!" Sokka said as he transferred his magic to his device to make a ice long sword.

Sokka charged at Zuko and swung his sword down on him. He was not surprised when Zuko sidestepped his blade but was surprised when he leaped over him and tried to kick him towards the ground.

Sokka barely had time to put up the flat side of his sword to block his kick but he did and added force to launch the airborne Zuko away from saw a nearby boulder and decided to try a battle tactic his father taught him. Sokka then charged at Zuko with a flurry of strikes that he dodged repeatedly.

Perfect Sokka thought.

He watched as Zuko backed up as planned and into the boulder. He ran his sword up towards Zuko's neck and was glad to hear the metallic noise of a 'clank'.

Zuko had drawn one of his Dao sabers to block Sokka's attack.

"Thought you didn't need them." Sokka grinned ear to ear.

Zuko 'hmph' before he pushed Sokka's blade off him with his own. He unleashed quick precise flurries that Sokka could barely dodge, let alone parry. Zuko clashed his blade with Sokka then twisted it causing him to lean forward and lose his balance. He then moved behind him before he could recover and placed his blade at his neck.

"Yield" Zuko told him.

"You first." Sokka said.

Zuko was confused by this but then he felt the cold blade against his side. He hadn't realized Sokka maneuvered his blade behind him. Both of them had a killing blow.

" Not didn't you come at me like that earlier?" Zuko questioned before he placed his blade back into its scabbard.

"I needed to test your abilities first before going all out. Basic strategy." Sokka said as he deactivated his magic device.

They both were startled as they heard the congratulations and claps from Bato and Iroh. Katara was tending to Aang who had recently awoken but was sporting a small bruise.

"Excellent training session you two. You have shown me that you are indeed a skilled warrior young Sokka. Not many could compete with Zuko and to see you survive and tie with him is something else indeed." Iroh said as he stood before them.

"Thank you Iroh." Sokka said as he bowed to him.

Iroh bowed back and walked away saying something about preparing tea.

"Truly an extraordinary performance you two. I bet your tired, why don't you come and eat what Katara has ready." He said as he led them toward where lunch was ready.

oooooooooooo

Aang was already eating a plate Katara had served him but he seemed sad. You could tell he was sad because Aang ears always curled downward.

Zuko sat down next to Aang after thanking Katara for his plate.

"What's wrong Aang?" Zuko asked when he sat down.

"Nothing's wrong just tired Sifu." he replied.

Zuko would have left it at that but he felt he should try to help the young one out.

"It doesn't look like it's nothing...and why do you call me Sifu?"

" You're teaching me how to fight better which makes me your student and you the teacher. It's just something the monks taught me."

"Proper respect..I see, but you don't have to call me Sifu I'm fine with Zuko."he said as he ate some of the curry.

"Nah Sifu Hotman" Aang said as he flicked a piece of meat at Zuko's forehead.

"Ah hey!" Zuko yelped out.

He was going to ask what the hell that was for but then he heard Aang laugh and decided it was pretty funny.

"I'm gonna get something to clean this up." Zuko told Aang before getting up. He noticed he hadn't even gotten the problem out of Aang but decided he'd get it at a better time.

"Wow look at you!" Katara giggled as Zuko made his way where she was preparing more food. She could see the curry juice smeared across his forehead.

"Aang thought it was funny, you got anything to clean me up?"

"Come here." Katara said as she grabbed a nearby wet rag. She grabbed Zuko's chin to steady him while she cleaned him.

" There..all..better" she said once there was nothing left.

"Thanks..um..Katara?" Zuko spoke in confusion.

He was confused because Katara hadn't let go off him. In fact she seemed unfocused and if he wasn't sure she looked to be getting closer.

"Your eyes..they're like—" Katara started to say before stopping abruptly.

"Katara you okay?" Zuko asked her a bit worried. She had a fearful look in her eyes, and he didn't know what to expect.

She suddenly let go of him—he hadn't noticed her hard grip until after—and backed up a few spaces before turning to run away.

"Katara wait!" Zuko yelled after her.

Zuko watched her run away and soon she was out of sight. He stood there for a moment in utter confusion until Aang came up to him.

"What happened Zuko?" he asked worriedly. Aang didn't see what transpired but he heard Zuko yell for Katara.

"I don't know. Katara was saying something about my eyes then she just left."

"I'll go check on her." Aang said. He was about to head off but then he heard Zuko say he'd come with.

"No, if Katara reacted like that there must be something about you. It's best I go and see." Aang told him.

He could see the protest in Zuko's eyes and beat him to the punch.

" I'll tell you about it after. Think of Katara."

That seemed to have got him and he went to go sit back down with a grumble.

"I'll be back Sifu Hotman!" Aang said before heading off.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed!

please Read & Review I appreciate the feedback :3