A/N: HEY! I'm back, wewt. lol, anywhoodles, I hope this chapter is 'action' enough for those needy of it. I'm starting to get sad; I need to write more Kataang romance. Although I'm sure there'll be some, no, a lot in my next chapter! Stay tuned & enjoy!

Book One – The Journey Begins

Chapter Nineteen - In a Mess

Aang, who was now struggling to keep his footing stable on the soft mud, walked about the small forest in desperate search for Katara. He feared even more as the rain came pouring down onto him and his surroundings.

He suddenly heard an ear-piercing scream not too far ahead of him. Aang's heart stopped as he froze dead in his tracks, lightning suddenly cracking in the sky and reverberating in an endless rolling sound across the sky.

Aang suddenly felt as if his mind started working again, as did his feet. He instantly sprinted forward, slightly tripping over a pile of mud in his way. He regained footing and quickly took off into a different set of trees. They all looked the same, but Aang was certain that Katara was in the direction he was headed.

As Aang darted around trees, he could catch little glimpses of someone on the other side of the foliage. He was a tall, young man and he wore dark red and brown clothes. Aang attempted to stop to see who this person was but instead, he lost his footing on the slippery mud, causing him to plunge into the man facing away from him.

The two hollered in pain and confusion as they crashed into the mud. Aang shook some of the dirty goop off of his face and head in a quick manner and looked up to see none other than Zuko. Aang gasped and quickly attempted to stand as the Fire Prince groaned loudly and lifted his face from the sticky mud.

Aang fully stood up and was just about to turn and run before something not too far away caught his eye. Aang took a double take and focused on the unknown sprawled in the mud. It looked as if it were a dragon but Aang wasn't close enough to tell, and, plus, the wounds and burns on the poor animal didn't help its appearance either.

Aang put his hands into a knife-hand block and cautiously kept his eyes on the prince as he stood and focused on wiping himself clean of mud. Aang, ever so slowly, attempted to scoot over to the thing he noticed in the mud.

Aang's eyes were basically glued to Zuko as he made his way across the small mud field, but once Zuko was finished cleaning himself off, he looked up and glared at Aang. His eyes widened with somewhat surprise that Aang was the one who had crashed into him.

Zuko quickly got in a fighting stance, and, at this, Aang stopped walking stand his ground. The two stared at each other for some time, debating on whether they should fight, or leave each other alone.

From other encounters the two had previously been in, Zuko always knew that Aang had managed to slip away from being captured somehow. Aang was cunning and Zuko was persistent. Although Zuko kept trying to capture the Avatar, he knew he'd never be able to actually accomplish the task.

All was calm until Zuko lashed out straight from rage and the fact that he so badly wanted Aang captured. Zuko sent fire hurtling straight towards Aang.

Aang gasped loudly and quickly whirled his arms in a circular motion, letting the fire stop directly in front of him. The blaze burnt out before him as Zuko shifted from stance to stance quickly, getting ready to attack yet again.

Aang, out of anger, quickly bended up some mud that lay all around him, forming it into a large glob of sticky dirt. He then followed through his forum and directed the mud towards Zuko. Zuko hollered in horror as the large mass of mud completely clobbered him and slammed him into a near by tree. The mud flew past the tree, pinning Zuko to it before he slowly slid from the tree and mud, falling unconscious once he hit the hard ground underneath.

Aang relaxed somewhat and quickly looked down at the creature that lay next to him in the soft mud. Aang examined it, figuring it was a dragon or some sort of reptile. Aang bent down in hopes of saving the animal, his good nature of wanting to help the wounded took over.

Aang gently brushed mud off of the dragon; as he ran his hands around the dragon's neck and face, he noticed large scratch and burn marks on the back of its neck. It also had deep cuts in its face. Aang grimaced and turned to examine its body, noticing that the dragon's ankle was twisted slightly and was bleeding.

Aang sighed shakily and gently continued to brush mud away before something shiny around the dragon's neck caught his eye. It glistened for a split second as lightning approached and vanished. Aang's eyes widened as he leaned forward to get a closer look at the shiny object.

Aang pondered for a moment. The round, light blue, shiny pendant looked almost too familiar. The dark blue ribbon did too, although it was frayed and muddy. Aang's eyes widened; it was Katara's betrothal necklace.

Aang frowned, thinking what would a dragon be doing with Katara's necklace? Then it finally hit him: the dragon was Katara. Aang's eyebrows raised in surprise as he quickly examined her new form, although the thought of surprise was quickly filled with rage. Someone had beaten Katara until she passed out, and it wasn't just any someone, it was Zuko. Who else could it have been?

Aang's head flung upwards in attempt to see where Zuko went, but he was nowhere to be found. As if he had vanished into thin air. Aang's heart stopped as he nervously looked around, fearing for his and Katara's life. Aang ever so quickly looked down and gently pressed his hand to Katara's scaly face.

"Katara, Katara, please wake up. Please," Aang whispered soothingly, yet, he had to admit, this whole situation scared him and he wasn't at all sure what to do. To stand his ground and fight? Or stay by his love's side to make sure she was ok? Aang gently shook on Katara, tears forming in the young airbender's eyes.

"Please, Katara, PLEASE," Aang begged, his whispers turning into loud, desperate rasps. Slowly but surely, Katara's eyes started to flutter slightly. Aang perked up somewhat as Katara slowly opened her eyes and blinked a couple times.

"A-Aang?" Katara rasped softly, Aang nodded and gently caressed his hand across her wet cheek in reassurance that he was there. Katara let out a long, exasperated sigh before she let her head fall onto the mud, her eyes drifting shut.

Aang softly called out her name one more time before lightning cracked the sky once more. Aang jumped and peered up into the sky. The rain literally penetrated his skin--it was coming down so hard. Aang then quickly looked down at Katara, scared for what was to become of her if he didn't get her to Appa right then. Or at least a dry, warm cave or something.

He quickly searched his red poncho for his bison whistle before he pulled it out and turned it around. He then harshly blew into it, hoping Appa heard him. It made its traditional whirling noise only audible to Appa and Momo.

It was hopeless. There was absolutely no sign of Appa, Sokka, or Momo. Aang resided to his next idea: to find a warm, dry cave. Aang examined Katara's new body.

She was no bigger than her normal self. The only thing that added length to her was her long tail and wings. She looked as if she could easily be picked up, just like in her human form.

Aang ever so gently inched his arms around her upper waist and behind the back of her knees, easily picking her up in his arms. Her wings draped down to Aang's feet and her tail dragged slightly in the soft mud as Aang began walking in search for a place to rest until the storm died down.

In no time, Aang found a fairly large cave. He made a small fire and set Katara next to it. He began examining her wounds and other dragon-like features of her body.

About ten minutes went by, and Aang was busy cleaning Katara's burns and cuts. As he ran his hands about the back of her neck, he came to find that her dark black scaly skin was indescribably soft to the touch. Aang couldn't help but caress his hands around the non-wounded areas of her neck and back.

Before he knew it, Katara opened her eyes and let out a loud groan. Aang couldn't help but chuckle at how cute and helpless she looked, although he knew that Katara was safe with him. Aang gently placed his hand on her soft cheek and bent down to her level.

"Don't worry, you're safe, just a little wounded," Aang said as he glanced at Katara's twisted ankle. It was busted and Aang knew he had to go to drastic measures to most likely put it back into its normal spot. Katara sighed softly and lifted her head slowly before the weariness and fatigue got the best of her. She let her head fall to the ground slowly.

Aang had cleaned up all her wounds except for her ankle. He figured that he'd fix it later when Katara was awake or able to sit up so she could prop up her foot. Katara whimpered before she spoke a few words.

"A-Aang, what happened?" she groaned as she tilted her head to look at Aang who was sitting next to her, stroking her neck gently for her comfort.

"You're in another Vyntresser form," Aang said happily. "Although, you've been ambushed and you're hurt pretty badly."

"Yeah," Katara groaned as she peered at her ankle in agony. "My-my foot hurts really bad."

"I know," Aang said sadly as he nodded, "but I think I'll be able to fix it if not help it heal." He said this with a reassuring smile. Katara looked up at him, a little skeptical as to how he was going to do so, but she trusted Aang nonetheless. He'd never do anything to put her into pain or danger. All Katara could manage at the moment was a little smile.

Suddenly, there was a loud, annoying voice heard.

"AANG!" Sokka squealed as he darted into the cave quickly, drenched from the rain. To Aang's surprise, Sokka skid on his knees once he came close, and threw his arms around Aang's neck, embracing him in a huge, awkward hug. Aang stiffened slightly.

He loved Sokka like a brother, but he never actually thought he'd be hugged--no--smothered by him anytime soon. Although, he and Katara probably worried Sokka to death because they were gone for so long. Sokka kind of had a right to go ballistic and show a more sensitive side, signaling that he cared.

Although Aang was glad Sokka was ok, he was furious at the fact that two hours ago, he was the biggest jerk on earth, and now, all of the sudden, he thinks it's acceptable to be kind without so much as an apology.

Aang quickly placed his hands firmly on Sokka's chest and shoved him away, out of the awkward hug. Sokka clumsily fell backwards and landed on his side. He then peered at Aang in confusion.

"W-what are you-"

"Do you have any idea how mad I am at you?" Aang hollered as he stood, his hands quickly clenched into an unforgivable grip on his yellow airbender pants.

"What? Why?" Sokka chuckled as he stood up and brushed his shirt off.

"You've been such a jerk to Katara and me lately and now all of the sudden you think its ok to-to think everything's alright! Katara left us to do you a favor and look what you put her through!" Aang yelled as he motioned towards Katara.

"...What is that thing?" Sokka squealed as he pointed to the small, black dragon lying next to Aang. Aang glared at Sokka angrily.

"Your sister," Aang said softly yet angrily as Katara opened her eyes and peered up at Sokka with a small frown. She took a deep breath slowly before she managed to speak.

"Thanks a lot Sokka," Katara said softly, in a somewhat irritated tone. Sokka gaped and stared at Katara in utter confusion.

"H-how did this happen! You were a human like two hours ago, and now you're a dragon!" Sokka chuckled and crossed his arms, "and a small one at that."

"It isn't a bad thing that she's small. It made it easier for me to carry her over here. Although, usually dragons are big, like Avatar Roku's dragon. At least she's about the size she is in human form," Aang explained, calming down a little.

"I don't know, she'd be too intimidating if she were huge, like the normal size of a dragon, you know?" Sokka chuckled as he wrung his ponytail dry. Aang nodded slightly before he sighed softly.

"Yeah, you're right," Aang said. Katara looked up at him.

"You did this to me," Katara chuckled softly. Aang raised his eyebrows.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"Oh no, you two kissed again didn't you?" Sokka rolled his eyes before he stared at Katara with a small smile. Katara grinned sheepishly before she lifted her head and gazed at Aang. He shrugged softly

"S-sorry?" Aang chuckled. Katara shook her head with a smile.

"No, don't be, that means I've already been able to get into two animal forms out of six with your help," Katara smiled before she looked down with a small frown. "Although, I think I got into this form with the help of some anger."

"What were you mad at?" Sokka asked eagerly. Aang and Katara stared at him for a few moments before Sokka grew uncomfortable by the two pairs of eyes laid on him, almost as if the two teens were saying the same thing in unison in their heads.

"Don't you mean 'who' was she mad at?" Aang chuckled. Sokka glanced at Aang and Katara for a moment.

"...Me?" Sokka asked. He seemed shocked, while Katara rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Gee, nothing gets past you," Aang laughed. Sokka gaped.

"You guys were mad at me!"

"DUH!" Aang and Katara said loudly at the same time. Katara giggled at the randomness. Aang smiled and shook his head.

"You have been in a bad mood all day, just for your beloved meat. If you weren't so pushy and rude to us, Katara wouldn't even be in this mess," Aang explained. "Not that a new Vyntresser form is a mess, but your wounds and your ankle, you know," Katara nodded at him and glanced at Sokka.

"You were getting on my nerves, Sokka. I think that my anger was part of the whole 'changing into a dragon' thing," Katara explained, "and of course the k-kiss." Katara smiled and glanced at Aang. He blushed slightly as he looked down and fiddled his fingers, a little smile playing across his face.

"I'm sorry," Sokka sighed, "I guess I have been a jerk lately, can you guys forgive me?" He asked this with a small frown on his face, so Katara smiled at her brother genially.

"No," she teased. Sokka rolled his eyes and smiled before Katara laughed and continued, "Of course Sokka, and, I promise you, once Aang helps me with my ankle, we'll get your meat." At this, Sokka nodded with a smile. Aang crawled over to the fire and quickly made it bigger because it was almost going out.

Sokka stared at Katara for a moment before he noticed that Katara's ankle was completely twisted into an abnormal manner. Sokka grit his teeth and was almost in pain just looking at it.

"Ouch," Sokka said softly as he continued to stare at Katara's ankle. Aang crawled over next to Katara and glanced at Sokka.

"You ok?" Aang asked. Sokka pointed to Katara's foot.

"Her ankle is all bent," Sokka said as he cringed at the though of a body part bent out of its original shape. Aang quickly looked down at Katara's foot with a frown.

"Oh yeah, that's right," Aang said softly, remembering that he wanted to see if he could help Katara's foot if he could. "Maybe--maybe I can fix it. Monk Gyatso has taught me many things about injuries," Aang stated as he looked at Sokka.

"B-but how are you going to do it while she's in dragon form? Surely dragons have a different bone structure than humans," Sokka explained. Aang pondered for a moment and looked down.

"You're right. Katara, is there any way you can get back to human form?" Aang asked her. Katara stared at him a moment.

"W-well, the last time I got back to human form was because Sokka scared me out of it," Katara explained. "I don't think I can just get in and out of it willingly."

"Maybe I can scare you again!" Sokka smiled. Katara frowned at him.

"It wouldn't work. I would know what was coming," Katara sighed softly.

"Well, maybe if you just… concentrate, think about what you want. Maybe it'll happen. Maybe when Sokka scared you, you thought of what you wanted most and it was probably to be your normal self so you could protect yourself with your bending," Aang explained. Katara nodded slowly.

"Maybe you're right," Katara said softly as she looked down at the ground. Before long, she closed her eyes. Everyone was in silence as Katara attempted to get out of the dragon form. Nothing happened though, so Katara let out a breath that she was obviously holding.

"Nothing's happening," Katara said softly. Aang sighed.

"Aang, you're just going to have to fix it while she's in dragon form," Sokka said as he motioned towards Katara's foot. "I mean it can't be THAT hard, you do know what to do right?"

Aang pondered for a moment, thinking back to the advice Gyatso would always give about injuries. Aang sighed softly and peered out the cave, thinking instead that they could go to a doctor for that type of help, but, seeing as how it was pouring and the storm outside could only get worse, Aang decided that he shouldn't put his two friends in even more danger than they were already in, especially Katara.

"Are you going to fix her ankle Aang?" Sokka asked softly as he glanced from Aang to outside the cave, wondering what he was looking at.

"Yeah," Aang nodded slowly, "I'll try."

A/N: Wewt… okay wow. Next chapter should be great Stay tuned!

- Katara -

Mohalo ;)

Hey all, this is the editor for . My name's Kiari and I just wanted to thank all of you faithful reviewers for this story! You have no idea how grateful both Katara and I are for you guys! I would, however, like to take the time to remind you that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. In other words, please no flames, they hurt really bad. Sorry to all our good reviewers who are AWESOME and SUPER COOL! Thanks so much. Oh, and cussing is a huge pet peeve of mine, so if you would refrain from cussing in your reviews it would be greatly appreciated. Muchas gracias. Hopefully we'll have another update for you in a few days! Keep your fingers crossed! I hope you liked this chapter!

-Kiari