Apparently, I'm not very good at keeping promises? I'm sorry. ;c; But, here is a new chapter! Chapter 4! Yay! Truth be told, I'm blindly feeling my way around this story. The two reviews have been helpful, thank you, dude. You are awesome. :D Reviews are more than welcome, especially critique! enjoy ~

Sleep didn't come so easily. I would drift off, only to wake up, sweat covering my face. I didn't remember my dreams. All I knew was that they were very, very hot. Groaning softly, I rolled over, my back cracking. I grimaced, closing my eyes. The sun was just coming up. I heard a rustle, and froze. I rolled back over again to see Aang walking slowly away. Where is he going? I wondered, and once he disappeared in the trees, I got to my feet. I hurried after him. You're so nosey. I mused, guilty.

I slowed down as Aang went out of my sight. As I peered thought the bushes, I saw him standing, back to me, on the bank of a stream. His arms were moving gracefully, and a strand of water moved with it. I felt my jaw drop as I watched. Aang then moved his left arm in a downward motion, as if scooping the water. The water twisted into a intricate woven braid, surrounding a stray reed on the side of the stream. He then lowered it, before releasing the water.

" That's beautiful. " I blurted out before I could even think. I covered my mouth, shrinking backwards in embarrassment. Aang whirled around, eyes narrowed as his hands flew into a fighting position. He relaxed as he saw me hunkering in the bushes, and he laughed. " Sorry. " I said, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

Aang smiled, ushering me out of the bushes. " It's okay. " He assured me, but he laughed again. " You should've seen your face! " he exclaimed, his eyes glittering under the sun light. I couldn't help but laugh myself, realizing how stupid I must've looked. After a few minutes of trying to regain our breath, Aang sat down by the water. I slowly joined him, gazing into the clear blue depths, my reflection dancing faintly off of it. I looked like a mess. My hair was in clumps, and dirt masked my cheeks. I quickly smoothed down my brown hair, and brushed the dirt from my face.

" Water-bending is beautiful. " Aang mused, looking out upon the lazily flowing waters, " It 's graceful. Full of life and beauty. " After a few thoughtful moments, he added, " All the elements are magnificent. Even fire. "

I wanted to object. To tell him that fire killed. Fire tortured. Fire destroyed. But I couldn't find the nerve. Because as I looked into my reflection, I also saw him, a boy that looked around my age. He looked much to young to be the Avatar. Much too young to be speaking those words.

It was quiet for a few moments. I racked my brain for things to say, and finding nothing. I dipped my fingers gently into the water, testing the temperature. It was nice, cool, and refreshing. I wanted to jump in and sink to the bottom. A sigh escaped my lips, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Aang look at me. " Let's go swimming. " I suggested, and before he could say anything, I jumped in, splashing him.

" Hey! " He laughed, and I dipped underwater. It was a lot deeper than it appeared. I surfaced, laughter echoing from me as well. Aang jumped, grabbing his knees as he hurriedly shouted, " Cannonball! " Before splashing into the water.

I kicked water at him, laughing as he returned it. Aang then brought up a string of water, throwing in at my face, making me laugh harder as I blinked the water from my eyes. " H-Hey! No fair. No water bending! " I begged, splashing him.

He stuck his tongue out, before a devilish smile appeared. He moved his hand forward, creating a gust of wind which once again splash another blob of water into my face. " You didn't say anything about air bending! " He countered, and before I could respond he mustered all the air he could into his lungs, then disappeared underwater.

I sighed, feeling happiness overflow my emotions. It overtook the grief, loneliness, and confusion. And, personally, I loved it. Basked it in. My eyes searched the water for any sign of Aang, and once I did, it was too late. I let out a shrill shriek as I was pulled under by an outstretched tattooed hand, which ticked me. Inhaling water by laughing, I clung to a rock, heaving myself up. I sputtered water, giggling feverishly. " You little turd! " I exclaimed as Aang resurfaced, laughing loudly at my surprise. I puckered my lips in a fake attempt of anger, which only fueled his laughter. " That's enough! " I giggled, splashing him.

His laughter eventually calmed down. " Sorry, Vinca. " Aang apologized, all smiles. He hauled himself up to the shore, offering his hand to me. I grasped it, and with his help, stumbled up next to him. We sat together on the grass, dripping wet, when Aang slowly bended the water from both of us and replaced it into the stream.

I closed my eyes against the sun, and let the heat warm me. It felt nice. Today was going to be very hot. I cocked my head, glancing at Aang, who was staring at the clouds. " Is Katara a water bender? " After the question surfaced, I realized how stupid it was. Of course she was. She was a healer.

" Yes. " He smiled slightly.

" Is Sokka? "

" No. "

I nodded, running my fingers through the strands of my hair. I absent-mindedly knotted it into a bun.

" Are you a bender, Vinca? "

His question took me by surprise. I froze, unsure. " I don't know. " I replied, staring down at my scared wrists. I swallowed.

A few thoughtful moments surpassed before Aang sprung to his feet, his smile wider than before. " Let's find out! " he exclaimed, pulling me to my feet. I stumbled forward, startled.

" What do you mean? " I asked, anxiety sweeping through, mixed with confusion.

" Try to bend all the elements. Maybe you can bend, but you didn't know! "

" But - "

" I'll help you out. Let's start with water! " He motioned for me to imitate his movements, and I hestiantly obliged. Aang moved swiftly, his arms extending as his right leg moved back. He then moved his arm downwards in near the water. I concentrated, mimicking his exact movements. A bulb of water rose with Aang. None for me. I exhaled loudly, and Aang shrugged. " It's okay. Now, let's try earth. "

He frowned slightly, before adding, " I suck at this. " he sighed, rubbing his head wearily.

I smiled, patting his shoulder, a sign of mere comfort, " That's normal. " He looked at me, confusion lining his gaze. I continued, " You're an Air bender. So it's only normal that you'll have trouble with earth bending. " I reasoned, " Don't be so hard on yourself, Aang. " Where did that come from? I curiously thought.

Aang nodded, smiling back at me, considering this, " I guess you're right. Okay. Just follow my footsteps. " He brought his feet into a steady stance, bringing his fists quickly downward. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he focused. I did as well, my brows furrowing in frustration. Aang moved his fists forward, and a nearby rock lifted, before dropping with a loud thud. He let out a relieved sigh, as if holding the rock was a chore. It probably was.

I sighed, slumping onto the ground. This was hopeless. I rubbed my eyes, suddenly feeling the effects of fatigue after a sleepless night. Aang poked me, offering a smile of encouragement. " Don't give up yet, Vinca. We still have two more to go. "

I stuck out my tongue, but found a new kind of courage. Aang smiled, his eyes twinkling as he stood across from me. He hesitantly said, " I don't know about this. " Aang whispered, appearing distant.

I blinked, reaching forward, " It's okay - "

" No, it's not. " He shot back, his wide gray eyes closed tightly, " Is it okay if we skip this? I can't risk - burning you. If you are a fire bender, I guess we'll find out. " His voice shook slightly, as he turned away from me. I backed up. I gave him the space he needed, and turned my attention to the leaves dropping slowly to the ground.

After a few moments, Aang seemed to get back to his normal, cheery self. " Okay, let's try air now. " He seemed happy with this, and he smiled.

" Aang, I think we better give up. There is no way I can be an air bender. You're the last one. " I countered, matter-of-factly. " Then there's not risk in trying, is there? "

Aang teased, his hands moving in a quick movement, an orb of air forming from his finger tips. I watched with awe, this striking a new pang of hope. Even if it was unlikely, why not try?

" Fine."

This time, Aang's movements aren't as difficult as the others to follow. They come easily. I break away from Aang's instructions and finish the movement, moving my arm diagonally. The familiar, brilliant rush returns. It's like an adrenaline rush, but so, so much better. I feel a powerful, tingling sensation before I react almost instinctively, moving my arms rather gracefully in a half-circle, creating something I've never done before. A ball of air dances quickly in my palms, and I feel my heart stop for a quick second, and in that time the ball vanishes. I tear my eyes away from the used-to-be orb of wind was, locking eyes with Aang. His eyes are glazed as he stares wide eyed, and after a few moments, he exhales. I let out a staggered breath, realizing that I, too, had been holding it in.

" How? " He inquires meekly, rubbing his forehead feverishly as if he had a horrible headache.

" I don't know. "

Aang falls into a sitting-position, his eyes narrowed as he processes things. I stand where I was, awkwardly tugging on the hems of my shirt, wondering if anything remains from the ashes of my home. I don't know if I could go back. I suddenly felt breathless, and wrapped my arms around my chest, dizzyness making me sick.

Finally, after what seems like hours, Aang turns his head to me, appearing calm now, " I don't know, either. " He pauses, puckering his lips in concentration, " Maybe the Spirits will know. " He says, more to himself than me, " Yes. " He squeezes his eyes shut, before opening them, " I'm going to meditate. "

I nod, adding a shrug, " Okay. Um… I'll go back to camp. "

Aang doesn't respond, so I make my way back to the clearing. Thoughts rudely buzz through my eyes, giving me a migraine. I billow a sigh, feeling suddenly exhausted as I stumbled into the clearing. Sokka looks up from whatever he was doing, shooting me a suspicious glare, and Katara glances at me, and I easily spot the concern. Toph doesn't even nod my way.

Needing something to do, I ignore their stares and somehow find my way back to my village.