I woke up, achy and sore, and I was hot all over again, like just before I had collapsed. I didn't feel like moving, but I knew I needed to find a stream to cool off in. I rolled over onto my side, and began to look around for a water source.
I located a stream, and got up slowly, making sure as to not strain my stiff joints. I walked down to the stream and quickly glanced around. There was nobody here to see me, so I stripped down eager to get in the stream. I looked down at my hands as I did and realized that there wasn't any blood on my hands this morning.
Toph had been right, I wasn't near Aang, so there was no need to practice bloodbending every night. I jumped into the stream, so that you couldn't tell that there where tears streaming from my eyes, my face now completely covered with water. I knew Aang would be safer with me as far away from him as possible, but it still hurt to be away from him.
I dunked my head in the stream and began to create little ripples in the water around me. I tried to clear my head, which seemed to be immensely easier when I was surrounded by water, manipulating it. It gave me something to concentrate on. I couldn't hold my breath forever though, and I had to resurface.
I finished washing up and got out and slipped my dress back on, feeling rejuvenated and ready to go. I walked back to where I had slept, grabbed my bag and kept walking. I wouldn't have to run today because I had put enough distance between me and the Western Air Temple the previous night. I began walking slowly, realizing that it was kind of nice to be by myself- if I didn't think of the circumstances. I walked along, enjoying the soft breeze, which brought my thoughts back to Aang.
I let out a sigh. This would be harder than I thought. I turned my head sharply, towards a rustle in the bushes. I looked around, feeling extremely alarmed. I was in a spot in the forest where the trees and grass were dry, and I had forgotten to fill up my waterskin. I was completely defenseless. I heard another rustle, and even though I knew it would be useless, I took a bending stance. I snapped my head around, and a pair of hands came from behind me, covering my mouth so I couldn't scream and my eyes so I couldn't see. I was dragged behind a tree, struggling, but it was no use. I was caught.