AN: Here's the next chapter up people. I've decided to change this into a normal Capture-Katara-as-Bait-to-Get-the-Avatar plot. Just kidding! I hope you enjoy reading it.

Disclaimer: Uhhhh… I've got nothin'. Except for this Zuko action figure that spits fire. Watch! (Pushes button on the back and it erupts like a blow torch.) Cool huh? Now, on to the story!

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"You need to focus, Aang. Try it again." It had been a week since they had arrived at Midori and Ishi was living up to Bumi's description; strict. She was working Aang hard, harder than Pakku even did.

"I'm trying but this is stupid. Why are we just working with pebbles? I have to learn the big stuff."

She sighed. "You have to walk before you can run, Aang. Earth is different then the other elements." She picked up four small rocks and spun them around her hand. "Air," she brought up one rock. "You must feel the joy of the wind playing with the leaves. Water," she brought up a second one. "Water is fluid so your movements must be fluid also. Fire," a third rock hung before Aang's face. "Fire is full of passion and life. This is why you must learn Earth first. Because Earth is steady, focused." She brought the fourth stone up and fused them together. "Without that control, Fire will consume you."

"I understand." He still remembered the last time he rushed to play with fire.

She watched as he took a thin layer of dirt and formed it into a stone. Satisfied with his work she let her gaze drift to the waterbender. "Keep working, Aang, I'll be right back."

She made her way over to Katara and watched her work. She watched her flow from stance to stance, as fluid as the element she controlled. Though her element was malleable, her will was anything but. Never had Ishi seen anyone more determined.

Katara's routine came to an end and she let the water slither back into the pond before plopping on the ground, panting from the exertion. Ishi joined her on the ground. "That was amazing. I never knew water could take so many forms. I've also never seen anyone as obsessed and determined as you are. May I ask why?"

Katara looked at her for a few moments, debating her answer. Finally, she shrugged and gazed back over the water. "I need to get better. That's all." Silence reigned until Katara continued. "There's some one I need to beat. I lost to him last time and I can't, I won't, lose again."

Ishi chuckled. "You make me glad I'm on your side. I'd hate to come against you in a fight. So, who's your opponent?" Probably an ex-lover. It's gotta be something like that for there to be this much determination, this much emotion.

"Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation." The calm way she said this didn't allow the information to reach Ishi for a second. Then she was struck speechless. Katara almost laughed at the older woman's face. Her mouth hung open like a fish and her eyes were wide.

Quickly she regained her composure and refocused on the conversation. "You certainly aim high, don't you? I've heard of him, he has to be one of the best firebenders out there. I can see why you're working so hard."

"I just don't understand him." Katara spoke almost to herself.

Ishi waited for her to continue but it seemed she had fallen deep into thought. "What don't you understand?"

Katara started, realizing Ishi was still by her. "Zuko. I don't know why he's doing this. He believes in the need for balance, I know he does. Even after I've talked with him, he's still after Aang."

"Sometimes it's hard for people to change and sometimes it's harder for others to see that change. If he's as intelligent as you say he is, he'll come around." Again silence fell around them, but it was a comfortable silence.

"Do you think that fire and water can ever work together? Or are we destined to destroy each other?"

Ishi thought a moment before answering. "Fire thaws a body that has been too long cold and water cools one that has been far too hot."

Katara looked dejected. "So they can never coexist."

Ishi laughed softly. Katara looked at her questioningly. "That's not what I meant at all. They balance each other. Keep the other from going to extremes. Both elements have a destructive side and each can be used to heal. It depends on how the bender uses it."

Before the conversation could go further, a large mud ball landed directly on the two women. They wiped the mud from their faces as, in the distance, Aang called out an apology. Once their eyes were clear they sent him identical death glares. Aang, wisely, ran away at top speed.

O.o.o.o.o.O

Not far from the island, in a natural cove, sat Zuko's ship. Having just finished a training session, Zuko now paced the deck while Iroh sat by, drinking tea. "Prince Zuko; what is wrong?"

"Nothing, uncle. We just haven't done anything in a week. I'm not used to doing nothing."

Iroh let out a 'humph'. "Nothing? You've practically practiced non-stop. How is that nothing?"

"You know what I mean, uncle. We're not sailing, we're not hunting the Avatar, we're not doing anything." He let out a frustrated growl and continued pacing.

His uncle gave a light laugh. "Ahhh, the impatience of youth." He took a swallow of tea. "Makes me glad I'm not young anymore."

"I have patience, uncle. But we've been going non-stop for over two years now. I'm just not used to it." He remained stationary while thinking. "Uncle, tonight I'm taking one of the small boats and going to Midori. We need to keep track of the Avatar. Even if I don't see anything, at least the scenery will be different. I'll be below meditating till them." He headed below deck. Iroh smiled into his tea.

O.o.o.o.o.O

Later that evening, Katara stepped out onto the terrace. Across from her, Sokka was leaning on the railing, starring sadly up at the full moon. Oh Sokka. She walked up to him and hugged him from behind.

She felt the gentle rumble in his back as he began to speak; his voice sad and distant. "It's been a month. A month since I lost her. I should be happy, proud. But I'm not." His voice lowered to a whisper. "I miss her."

Katara didn't know what to do for him, didn't know what to say. So she hugged him tighter. "Of course you miss her. You're allowed to. She was your first love; she'll always be in your heart. But she's still with you. All you have to do is look up and you'll see her."

She gave him a final hug and went down the steps but stopped halfway. "I know it's hard to hear, but that was her destiny. There was nothing anyone could do."

His voice drifted down to her. "I know, but that doesn't make it any easier."

She headed for the ocean; she needed to be surrounded by her element. Things had been so muddled lately, she needed time to relax and clear her mind.

The moon rose high over the ocean, making the waves appear almost like crystals. She let out a content sigh and waded, waist deep, into the water. She moved her arms slowly, making the water dance about her body. She closed her eyes and just let the water move as it wished. This wasn't a training session, she wasn't doing drills, this was for her peace of mind.

It was in this surreal state that Zuko found her. He had been moving down the beach, looking for the Avatar's residence when he came upon her. He was captivated by the beauty before him. He remembered the stories the sailors told, about sea maidens who would tempt the unwary to their doom. He had always scoffed at such stories, at the weakness of the men in them. But, if she called to him now, he didn't think he could resist her temptation.

She's beautiful. The moonlight cascaded down on her unbound hair and the reflection off the water gave her an ethereal glow. Her moves were graceful, almost sensual, as the water moved around her body, caressing her form. And, for the first time in his life, the young prince was too stunned to move, too stunned to think. He could only stare at the vision before him.

A long while later, Katara let the water slide back into the ocean. She slowly raised her eyes to the moon, stretched her arms out and dove beneath the surface. The total submersion completed her connection to her element and washed away the rest of the tension in her body.

It also broke Zuko from her spell. He moved closer to the edge of the water and waited for her to emerge. Let's see what she's been doing for the last week. A wicked smile crossed his face as he waited for his water maiden to return.

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AN: To all those Yue fans, I'm sorry but I prefer Suki. Yue was too subservient and docile to be for Sokka, he needs a stronger woman who wouldn't be afraid to beat him across the head when he's being an idiot. Besides, Suki's name means 'loved one' and that's enough of a hint for me. Well, I hope you all liked the chapter. Tell me what you thought. (Cough REVIEW Cough).