Ch 2
Aang was beat from the constant training Katara and Toph put him through. Yet he was also in a good mood. Right now, he was teaching Katara toe touches.
"You jump into a straddle and touch your toes. Really have to be flexible for that." Katara deadpanned.
"It's a good workout." Aang said. He and Katara performed several high kicks to stretch the muscles and tendons, Aang chuckled when Katara hit herself in the face with one of her own kicks.
Taking a deep breath, Katara jumped and lifted her legs apart into a straddle and also landed in the straddle. Katara winced a little as she stood up, yet wanted to continue. Next on the list was handstands and some contortions.
"One thing I find distasteful about the handstand, is the blood rushes to your head. Not fun." Katara said, as she supported herself on her arms. After a few minutes, she let her body collapse onto the ground.
"When your ready, we'll do some contortions." Aang said, sitting down. Katara sat up and followed Aang as they went into a butterfly stretch. After the stretch, Aang showed Katara some contortions. He was in a backbend and pulled his hands and head closer to his feet, which were firmly planted to the ground thanks to earthbending.
"Spirits, Aang! Don't hurt yourself." Katara scolded, watching Aang compress his back in a painful bend.
"Katara, as you continue to practice, you'll find yourself more flexible than before. Besides, there's something I want to show you." Aang said, smiling at her.
"Do you have any bones in your body?" Katara asked as Aang twisted his back to the left and right. Katara was sure Aang was going to badly hurt himself. Aang removed the earth holding his feet and let his body roll forward from the backbend, ending as he lifted his torso up with his hands, while his legs stay on the ground.
"Show off. I might start calling you the rubber avatar, since you're as flexible as rubber." Katara said.
"Toph calls me twinkle toes. Last thing I need is to explain your nickname." Aang said.
Katara went into a bridge, and watched as Aang locked her feet to the earth. Katara then pulled herself towards her feet, half-expecting her spine to break. Aang released her feet and Katara let her body move just as Aang's did.
"Next is the forward roll. Basically the move we just did, in reverse." Aang said.
The two spent the new few minutes practicing the roll. They also continued to practice what they already knew before.
"Maybe the two of us can put on a show together." Aang suggested.
"After we win the war. Besides you've got your training to work on." Katara said.
Aang groaned in displeasure. He was not looking forward to Toph's training. She and Sokka were getting suspicious of their 'training.'
"They were bound to ask sooner or later. Can't dodge it forever." Katara said, seeing his displeasure. She pulled out a scroll and showed it to Aang.
"There is one stretch I want to do with you. If we're capable of doing this." Katara said, pointing to one stretch.
It showed two people, one on top, the other on bottom. The one on bottom was doing a wall stretch, the legs spread into a full straddle. The one on top also had his legs in a straddle, sitting perfectly flush against the bottom person.
"You want to attempt it?" Katara asked.
"You're on top." Aang said.
Erecting an earth wall, Aang lay on his back and let his legs fall to the sides in a straddle. Katara sat on Aang and spread her legs apart until they were resting on Aangs own legs. It doesn't take long for both of them to end the contortion.
"That really beats your legs." Katara said, massaging her leg muscles.
"We'll probably be a little sore tomorrow. By the way, I know some dance halls in Ba Sing See. You want to visit?" Aang offered.
"You bet!" Katara enthusiastically answered.
A week passed, and Aang was dueling Toph with earth bending. Toph was getting unnerved with Aangs acrobatics.
"Fancy dancer is your new name. Those sessions with Katara have helped." Toph said, as she broke thru his defenses and forced him to adapt. Aang quickly jerked himself into a backbend to avoid a large rock only for Toph to lock his arms and legs into place.
"I'll say this, fancy dancer. Your flexibility is amazing." Toph said, preparing for his next move.
"If you want I can teach you along with Katara." Aang said as he freed himself.
Toph's response was to increase her attacks. Aang dodged and braced against the flying rocks, at one point leaping into the air. When he touch, Toph moved the earth so his legs were pulled apart in a wide straddle.
Of course fancy dancer can do the splits. Toph thought before speaking her mind.
"You know fancy dancer with my teaching and your flexibility, we'll have plenty of fun with each other." Toph smirked.
Aang groaned both in pain and annoyance.