Note from the Author: Hello all my Zutara lovlies! Long time no talk. This time I was gone for a really long time. I came down with a really bad case of the flu for weeks and it was awful. I could barely do anything and now I am finally starting to feel better. Sorry this chapter is a little short, but please enjoy! ms. dani ~ xoxo

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 11

"Do you think you could actually hit the target this time?" Zuko scowled at Aang.

"I'm trying!" Aang yelled back at him," It's not like this is exactly easy. I didn't have years to learn like you have."

"Well why don't you just explain that to the Fire Lord and see if he cares?" Zuko sneered.

"You know, you don't need to keep making all these stupid comments", Aang rolled his eyes," It's not like they're making me feel better."

"It makes me feel better", Zuko smirked.

"I'm so glad", Aang sighed.

"Stop yapping and hit the damn target!" Zuko yelled and pointed to the dummy Zuko made for training.

Aang punched fire into the air and missed it every time.

"Oh my God! This is useless!" Zuko ran his hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry! I swear I'm trying!" Aang frowned," I'm just not... I don't know, aggressive."

"Well you better get over being the nice, soft guy or else you're going to die!" Zuko roared at him," I don't understand why you aren't able to grasp this! The comet is happening soon and you aren't even nearly prepared! How much longer are you going to be the pathetic, soft excuse of a man before you finally get it through your thick head?"

"Hey!" Aang clenched his fists," I'm not pathetic or soft!"

Zuko snorted with laughter and shook his head," Of course you are. Look at you! You let people walk all over you Aang! I mean, look at us. I'm teaching you how to firebend. Me. The guy who stole the woman of your dreams and whose family torched down your air temples."

"Stop it Zuko", Aang's face darkened and his teeth clenched.

Zuko kept laughing," I would have never thought that I would be teaching the guy who had a little crush on my wife for so many years. It must have driven you crazy that she was still in love with me even after I screwed her over so majorly."

"Ahhh!" Aang yelled and punched fire at the target hitting it directly in the center.

He lowed his fist and looked at the gaping hole," I did it."

He felt Zuko walk up next to him and place his hand on his shoulder," I told you. You have to keep the anger and that focus. Fire is rage. The more you control it and can tap into that pure feeling, you will be fine."

Aang nodded, but said nothing.

"And I'm sorry for saying all those things Aang", Zuko spoke again," I didn't mean any of them."

"I know", Aang lowered his head," Thank you Zuko."

Zuko felt a little torn as Aang slowly walked away. He knew his words did hurt him, but it was needed. He had to make Aang prepared.

Katara frowned at Zuko's retreating back from where Aang and he were training. She heard all the Zuko was yelling at Aang and it tore her heart in half. Yes, she doesn't love Aang like that, but why did Zuko have to use that to make Aang angry?

Sometimes she believes that Zuko is actually happy how miserable Aang is not to be with her. It's something she actually couldn't stand. She was torn however. Yes, she was mad, but it was for the greater good. It was to train Aang and make him better prepared. Ozai was going to ruthless and if Aang wasn't prepared, he would be ripped in half.

She sighed and walked away, putting what she was feeling deep down in her gut and hopefully the feeling would go away.

She walked aimlessly down a path before wondering where Haku was. She hadn't seen him all morning. With that thought in mind, she set out to look for her son.

"Aunt 'Zula! You have to be patient!" Haku rolled his eyes at his aunt.

"Ugh, Haku, this is so boring", Azula huffed.

They sat beside a pond, fishing rods in their hands.

"It's not boring", Haku smiled at her," It's a good life skill to have. My papa taught me how to fish."

"Yeah? Do you see him often?" Azula inquired.

"No", Haku frowned," He lives far away. He only comes around once in awhile."

"Well at least you get to see him once in awhile", Azula shrugged," How much longer do we have to sit here?"

"Until you get a fishy", Haku smiled at her.

"I don't even like fish", Azula stuck her tongue out.

"We don't eat them. We just let them go", Haku laughed at her.

"What!" Azula straightened her back," You mean I've been sitting here for no reason?!"

"No", Haku shook his head," You've been hanging out with me."

She smirked at the smiling boy who was beming at her. He was right. This wasn't pointless. He was the only person so far that has made her feel actually welcomed and loved in awhile. She missed it. Someone to talk to and hangout with, even if it was a toddler.

"Haku, there you are!" Azula heard Katara yell out and turned to see her walking towards them.

"Hey mommy!" Haku smiled at her and waved," Aunt 'Zula and I are just fishing."

"Aunt 'Zula, huh?" Katara actually smiled at Azula.

"Uh, yeah", Azula shrugged," He keeps calling me that and I don't know, it just sticks."

"What else would I call you?" Haku looked confused.

"Nothing", Azula shook her head," Aunt 'Zula is perfect."

"So how has Aunt 'Zula liked fishing with you?" Katara sat down next to Haku on the grass.

"It has been incredibly boring", Azula sighed," But Haku seems to enjoy this."

"It's fun!" Haku told her.

"You are right", Azula nodded," Plus, Haku and I get to hangout."

"Well he is pretty fun to hangout with", Katara ruffled Haku's hair," So how have you been enjoying your stay Azula?"

Azula shrugged," It's been okay. The main highlight has been Haku here."

Azula bumped her shoulder into Haku's who smiled at her.

"He's a great kid Katara", Azula told her," I don't know how you did it without Zuko."

"It wasn't easy, but it was worth every minute", Katara smiled at Azula again.

Azula smiled back, but then her smile fell. What was happening here? Were Katara and her starting to be friends again? She thought she hated Katara for so long, but now... She wasn't sure about anything anymore. She needed to be by herself.

Azula stood up abruptly and Katara frowned slightly at her," Well, I'll let you two have some time together. I have to go... Take a nap."

"Aunt 'Zula! I wanna hangout with you", Haku frowned.

"I'll see you later bud", Azula smiled at him," I promise.

Haku nodded and looked back at the pond.

"Bye Azula", Katara waved limply to Azula's retreating back and sighed. It was some progress. Not a lot, but some.

So there it was. Hope you enjoyed!