Time for chapter 5! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Come on! I still don't Avatar! I never will! ARGH!

Ch. 5: Katara's Resolve

It was pretty late when Zuko and Mai returned from thr meeting with Fire Nation delegates, Sokka, Suki, and Toph were still up and in the main room, with really down looking faces. Even though they weren't talking at the moment, Zuko knew something was up.

"All right you guys. I'm a master at brooding, so I know that's what you're all doing. What happened?"

Toph spoke up first. "Twinkletoes got beaten pretty badly in round one of his test. Now he is forbidden from using the Avatar State or talking to his past lifes until he passes the whole thing."

Zuko raised an eyebrow. "And who exactly can forbid the Avatar from these things?"

"Try the spirits themselves, Zuko," Sokka replied depressingly.

"Gee, that sucks." Mai's voice had its usual lack of emotion.

"Right now Katara is having a private chat with him," Suki added.

"Yeah. I'm sure those two are 'talking'." Zuko teased.

"She's his waterbending teacher, Zuko." Suki's reminder stopped Zuko's chuckle.

"In the meantime, we all have to be there for Aang and help him through this," Sokka added. "Right now, we're all he's got. The order can't support or help him, obviously."

Katara had to help Aang all the way to her room. His injuries were fully healed, but he was still sore and limping. When they got into her room she commanded him to sit at the foot of her bed, which he did without question. Her expression was full of love but very serious at the moment. Whatever she had to say to him, it had to be important. He remained quiet until she decided to speak up.

After a bit of pacing, she finally spoke. "Aang, I have to be honest as your sifu. You lost pretty badly out there. You had heart and drive, but you fell quickly."

Aang hung his head to avoid her gaze. "I know."

"I know why you failed Aang." Katara lifted his chin, forcing him to look at her as she explained herself.

"It's something that I had noticed a long time ago, but I never brought it up. I didn't think it was important… but I was wrong."

Aang raised his eyebrow in confusion. "Katara, what are you talking about?"

She sat down next to him and told him the straight truth. "Aang… you failed because you almost never use waterbending."

Aang was a little shocked at Katara's sudden claim. "What are you talking about Katara? We practice all the time."

"Training and practice isn't enough, Aang. You must apply what you've learned in real combat, and in real situations. You don't do that."

"Sure I do, Katara!"

"Aang, let's be honest. Compared to the other elements, you're usage of water is rare. You even use earthbending more often, which confuses me because that is your natural opposite. I thought that would be your least favorite element, but you use it all the time."

Aang sighed. She was speaking the truth, but he tried to debating from another approach. "Okay, I don't use waterbending that much. But that's only because It's rarely available, Katara. I don't carry a water pouch like you do because I have 3 other elements I can use. It's not often I have a source that let's me use waterbending."

"Aang, do you remember when we were in the swamp fighting the swamp monster? You had a whole swamp full of water at your disposal, but you didn't use waterbending at all. You only used air. Then there was the time we destroyed that factory. There was a lake right outside, but you never used it. What about the catacombs of old Ba Sing Se? There was plenty of water, and you used it only one time with me. You used earth and air after that. You can't ignore this fact Aang. You almost never use waterbending. The truth is this actually hurts me inside a little that you don't use my native element." Katara's voice had a little disappointment to it.

Aang dropped his head again, this time in shame and admittance. "I'm sorry Katara. You're right, but I don't really know why. Maybe water is just so similar to air that I just prefer to use air instead when given the choice. But you are right. I have shown disrespect for water in my Avatar duties."

Aang slid off the bed and landed on hid knees before Katara, bowing to her in shame. "Please forgive me. I have failed you, Katara, as both a friend and as a pupil."

Katara went down with him and embraced him. "No, Aang. The fault is mine."

Aang pulled away and looked at her. "How is it your fault, Katara? I'm the one who has failed to apply your teachings."

"It's my fault because I didn't do anything about it. I knew you didn't apply waterbending that much, but I never spoke up. I never encouraged you to use it more often. I failed to see that it would be a problem. As a teacher I should've foreseen this, but I didn't. Perhaps Pakku was right. Perhaps I don't deserve the title of Master."

"Don't think like that, Katara. You are a great teacher, and a great master."

"And you are a great, Avatar. However, we all make mistakes. Nobody is perfect. We both have failed in this matter, Aang, and we both need to fix our errors."

Katara and Aang hugged again and then got to their feet. Aang had to double check on something.

"You still love me, right?"

"I told you I'd still love you even if you lost your Avatar powers. Losing the Avatar State does not change my opinion of you, Aang, nor does failing to apply waterbending." She gave him a quick kiss for emphasis.

"Okay, so now what? I have to face Pakku again. How am I going to beat him? I didn't even lay a scratch on him tonight."

Katara already had a solution. "It is quite simple, my young pupil. We are going to do intense water training from now until the rematch. But not just us; you are going to apply it with everyone. From this point until the rematch, you will only use waterbending. Whether you are sparring against me, Toph, Zuko, or even Sokka, it doesn't matter. You will only apply waterbending, and you will find a way to use it in all situations. When you aren't sparring, we'll be doing drills. When we're not doing drills, we'll be learning new techniques."

Aang smiled. "This idea is perfect Katara. I agree with you. I shall only use waterbending from now until my rematch. I shall learn to use it against any opponent, no matter who it is. I will train with you nonstop until the rematch. I will listen to everything you say, and apply everything you teach me."

"I am proud of you, Aang. Your drive and heart is unmatched. Your training begins right now."

"Right now?"

"Yes. We must first learn strict obedience. As your teacher I order you to kiss me."

Aang smiled, and happily obeyed. The two kissed and fell upon the bed. Aang rolled them over so he was on top. His tongue demanded entrance into her mouth, and she accepted. As his tongue explored her mouth, she slowly ran her hands across his bare chest. His shirt was still removed from their healing session. She was careful not be too fast or rough, as he was still a little sore, but he didn't complain. He moaned in satisfaction, actually.

Katara undid the sash that kept her upper robe tied and let it come loose. Aang assisted her in sliding it off, leaving only her upper bindings covering her chest. Aang let his hands explore her waist and hips, careful not to go to high; he didn't want to go to fast and make her feel uncomfortable.

After about ten minutes they pulled apart and pulled the covers over their bodies. Then they cuddled up as they prepared to drift off in dreamland. Aang fell asleep fast. Before Katara fell asleep she whispered something into his ear.

"Sleep well, my darling. Training starts early tomorrow, and it's going to be extreme."


I wrote this mainly because I have noticed Aang doesn't do much waterbending in the series, which is baffling. Earthbending is his natural opposite, yet he uses it almost more than air. I always wanted to address this little issue.

Anyways, thanks for reading!