Disclaimer: I don't own alta.

Ok a couple people pointed out that the western air temple was the female air temple which meaaaans Aang obviously didn't grow up there. Sorry bout that guys! But for the sake of this story were gonna just pretend that the western air temple is Aang's old home and the eastern is the female temple. I hope that that's ok with you guys!!

Chapter Four: Concentration?

"You what, Aang?" Katara asked when she saw him struggling to finish.

"Katara, we haven't really known each other for that long but it feels like I've known you for forever. After spending almost everyday together, I feel like we've gotten really close, and I've grown to care for you, a lot," Aang began causing Katara to blush at the last part he said, "but I think there's something more than just caring for you. Katara, I love you."

Katara smiled bigger and brighter than she'd smiled in her life and whispered, "I love you too, Aang," before pulling him into the deepest kiss either of them had yet experienced. The couple continued kissing, only breaking apart due to the realization of the darkness that had consumed them by now. The sun had long set and they'd been gone for a while. They decided to head back incase anyone was wondering where they'd been. They weren't quite sure what or when they were going to tell the others. The entire walk back they were giggling to each other as they discussed the reactions they'd get out of Toph and Sokka. "I can just see Sokka's face," Katara said between giggles.

"And what exactly about my face is so funny?" Sokka chimed in from down the hall. The couple hadn't realized how close they were to their rooms already; the walk back had flown by.

"Nothing, Sokka," Aang said trying as hard as he could to suppress his laughter.

"Aaaand where have you two been?" He interrogated.

"Just…lookin' around," Aang said on the verge of laughter.

"Just looking around?" Sokka asked in an unconvinced tone. "You lived here. Did you really need to look around?"

"But I never lived her Sokka, you know that," Katara chimed in, her voice shaking as she tried to suppress her need to laugh.

"Of course I know that!" said Sokka as his voice cracked like it normally did when he yelled. "Never mind! I don't want to know what you two were up to anyway," he finished defeated.

"Ok, Sokka," Aang said allowing himself to laugh as he said this. "Good night, Katara," he said before entering his room.

"Good night, Aang!" he heard Katara shout back before closing his door and laying on his bed. He was beaming and was unable to stop, nor did he want to. His dream came true. The girl he loves, loves him back. Nothing could make his world any better…except maybe bringing the end to the war, which he felt much more confident with since his new relationship with Katara. He felt like he was on top of the world.

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The next morning Aang had met with Iroh to discuss his training.

"You will begin today and we will train every day at sunrise. Now, lets begin our lesson," said Iroh with extreme promptness not hesitating to get to the point. "Fire is a dangerous, destructive, difficult, and beautiful element," he began while creating a small flame in his hand. "It can seem so soft," he said while bending it into intricate designs in the air. "And it can be harsh," he said while creating it into a deadly fireball and sending it off into the empty space around them. For Aang's comfort, he didn't want anyone to be around during his training, especially Katara. The memories of his last fire bending attempt still haunted his thoughts.

"I want you to begin with breathing exercises. Concentration and discipline are key to fire bending," Iroh said while Aang remembered the breathing exercises he was given by his previous master. This time, however, he left out the complaints. He learned from his mistake and knew it would be better to trust what his master was saying. "Breathe in slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth, concentrating on the sun's warmth on your skin. The sun is our main source of power. We draw our fire bending strength from the sun, much like how a water bender draws her power from the moon," Iroh added, knowing a familiar feeling would help Aang during his lessons. Unlike Toph, he was understanding, taking an approach much like Katara's.

Iroh continued teaching Aang the proper meditations and breathing exercises as well as the proper attitude one should take when beginning the process or mastering fire bending. "Fire is remorseless so you must be persistent. You must be able to tame your fury or suffer the consequences. Fire will burn where it pleases. You must learn to not only create and manipulate fire but distinguish a fire you started. Without control, the fire bends you. Without control, only destruction can come from this element."

Concentration and the introduction to fire were all Aang learned for the day. Fire cannot be rushed. When Iroh had dismissed Aang, he had a new appreciation and respect for fire. Although a lot of what Iroh was saying was the same thing Jong-Jong had said, it had a new effect on him coming from Iroh. He actually took it all to heart. Was it just because Iroh seemed so honorable, or was it just him becoming more mature?

Aang headed back up to his room to see if Katara was in her room. He hadn't seen her all day and he wanted to do something with her. He didn't care if it was water bending practice or just walking and talking, or collecting food; he just wanted to be in her presence.

When he reached the rooms he headed towards Katara's door and was about to knock when he saw that his door was open but didn't remember leaving it open. He walked over to the entrance to find Katara sitting on his bed waiting for his return.

"Aang!" she yelled with excitement while running across the room to greet him with a hug and a short kiss on the lips. Aang liked this new way of greeting each other. "How was it?"

"Not bad, I didn't really fire bend yet," he said in a modest tone, "How was your day? What did you do?"

"Um…I didn't really do anything now that I think about it," she said laughing at herself.

"Well…the day's not over. Wanna go water bend?" Aang asked thinking of how much more fun it would be with the new step they'd taken with each other in their relationship. He then wondered if she considered him her boyfriend, but decided to just keep the question to himself for now.

"Ok," she answered, smiling and blushing a little, obviously thinking about the same thing Aang was.

And with this they were off in search of the most secluded water source they could find.

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:)) I wonder why they want it to be secluded:DD

ok sry that this one took so long but i had finals this whole week and I really had to study for them

so here it is

and here comes Christmas vacation which means….lots of writing!!!!

soooooo be happy everyone!!

be so happy that you review nice things! lol ok…

bye!

and thank you to everyone who reviewed! especially wakaaaa your extremely motivating reviews lol...much appreciated...as were everyone elses! thanks so much you guys!!!