2- Opposites make the best of friends

Zuko was up at sunrise the next morning and dressing in a hurry. He was eager to meet his new friend at the training arena that day. He didn't want to think of the possibility of her not being there.

He went to breakfast already in his training uniform, not wanting to waste any time. His Uncle was the only one already awake and eating when he arrived. He noticed the boy's rush and believed he knew why. "Zuko, sacrificing sleep and proper time to eat ,just for more time to train is not healthy and will not help you," he chastised. "You and I will go and start to train when we have had enough time to properly absorb the nourishment we need."

Zuko who had actually just finished his breakfast stood up from the table preparing to leave and answered his Uncle in a hurried voice. "Actually Uncle, I think I'll just practice by myself today. You have all that new tea to go through anyway. I'm sure you would much rather do that." Without another word he took off down the hall.

"Training by himself?"repeated Iroh. "Zuko's not going to beg to be taught new things that are too advanced for him? He's up to something."

Zuko was disappointed to find the training arena empty when he arrived. But, she had said that she had to sneak away to get here, so maybe her father just hadn't left their room yet. So, he settled in to wait and started meditating. He hadn't been meditating for ten minutes before he heard a voice ring out from the entrance. "It's not like you to just give up Prince Zuko. Especially not on something like training."

"Uncle!" Zuko shouted while jumping to his feet. "I haven't given up. I just...just..."

"Good," came the reply. "Because I'm not going to let you."

"Uncle perhaps we should do our training outside in the sun today," suggested Zuko.

"Nonsense," anid Iroh. "We have always done our training right here." In truth Iroh loved his Nephew's idea. But, he was determined to find out what he was hiding. Zuko had never hid anything from Iroh and it was very important to him to find out what that thing was.

Zuko was very anxious throughout the morning. He really did not want anyone, even his Uncle to see the girl. Zuko was young, not naïve and he knew all about the war his people were in. That knowledge as well as Katara telling him that she had to sneak out yesterday had him very nervous. While he trusted his Uncle with his own life, Iroh had also once been a powerful general for the fire nation. Zuko didn't know how he would react to Katara and didn't want to risk it. But, the more he tried too get his Uncle to leave, the more Iroh seemed to want to stay. After two hours of failed attempts Zuko was sweating through his shirt and his heart was pounding so fast he could swear he saw it through his shirt. Zuko jumped a mile when he heard his name called in a high pitched voice. He wasted no time looking to see his Uncle's reaction. He raced over to the entrance where Katara stood, smiling at him, with no clue to the danger she was in. He grabbed her arm and flipped her around behind him before spinning around to glare at his Uncle. Zuko knew he was no match, but he prepared himself anyway.

Iroh stared at the two children in shock for over a minute before he burst into laughter while holding onto his sides. Zuko didn't understand his Uncle's reaction, but he still never let up his tense stance. He noticed at one point Katara trying to glance up at his face. But, he hadn't left her with much room between him and the wall.

Iroh finally caught his breath long enough to speak."So that's what you've been hiding. You don't need to fear Zuko. I'd never harm your young friend."

Zuko still kept his guard up. But, he must have relaxed his arms somewhat because Katara suddenly slipped out from behind him. His eyes widened and he reached out to grab her arm and pull her back to the safety of his arms. She was too fast for him though and she walked right up to his Uncle unafraid. Zuko closely followed right behind her. "I'm Katara," she greeted as she offered her hand to Iroh.

"Ah," replied Iroh. "You must be the young Princess that came with Chief Hakoda. It's an honor to meet you. "I'm Iroh, Prince Zuko's Uncle."

"Really?" Katara asked surprised looking back at a still very anxious Zuko.

Iroh smiled at his nephew before walking past both children and slapping Zuko on the back. "Good job today Zuko. I think you've earned the rest of the day off. It was nice meeting you young Princess." With one final nod he headed for the exit.

Zuko followed his Uncle outside after telling Katara he would be right back. "You want me to let you leave so you can get the guards to arrest her? I don't think so," said Zuko.

"Zuko, you know me. Do you really think I intend to harm that young child?" asked Iroh. When he saw Zuko start to waiver he continued. "I never truly believed in this war and I really don't now. I wont hurt a young girl simply because she's from another nation." Zuko finally relaxed and gave his Uncle a smile. "Go have fun with your friend. I'll make sure no one see's her. Just make sure she's either in here, your room or her room while she's here."

"I will Uncle, thank you," Zuko replied.

"Have fun," Iroh said before turning and walking toward his own rooms.

Zuko reentered the training arena to see his new young friend staring strangely at one of the water barrels. Just as he was about to speak to inform her of his presence she lifted her hand and to his amazement a small stream of water followed her hand. Zuko's face broke into a wide grin and he shouted, "Your a water bender."

Katara quickly let the water drop and turned away from Zuko in a stance of shame. Zuko didn't understand why she was ashamed of her abilities. In the Fire Nation bending was honorable and highly respected. She acted as though she was just caught doing something she wasn't suppose to. "That's amazing," he told her. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday."

"I'm not suppose to bend," responded Katara sadly. "There are no other benders in my village and my father says that if I show my bending the Fire Nation will come and take me away." She looked a little scared and Zuko noticed her eyeing his red outfit.

Zuko never felt more angry at his own nation. For anyone to be anything but honored to be a bender was very wrong. He hated his nation for spreading these lies. "Katara. you can trust me. You should not feel ashamed of your abilities. But, your secret is safe with me." he told her. He waited for her to relax before continuing. "Would you show me that again?"

She nodded and brought the water up from the barrel. She tried to form the water into a ball, but the water just didn't shape the way she had in mine. "I know," she said embarrassed. "I'm not very good."

"No." Zuko said not liking the embarrassment in her eyes. "You said there was no one in your village to teach you and having to learn in secret on top of that. I think you have done wonderful considering. Try again," he encouraged.

Throughout the day they took turns showing the other their bending skills. When it came time for them to separate Katara surprise him by giving him a very firm hug . "Thank you for everything Zuko. Your the best friend I've ever had."

Zuko smiled before returning it. "Your mine," he told her. With one final wave goodbye she dashed off to her room. Instead of going back to his room like he normally would have, he headed over to Iroh's.

He found him just as he suspected he would, sorting his new tea. Iroh's suite had a room just for his tea. Zuko rolled his eyes wondering what his Uncle would do without his beloved drink. "Uncle?" he called.

Iroh's head popped out from behind one of of the stacked up tea crates. "Katara went back to her room?" he asked.

"Yeah," replied Zuko. "I just found out she's a water bender." said Zuko proud of his new friends talent.

Iroh stopped and stared at his nephew in nervous shock. "Really? That amazing," was his reply. But, the way he said it made Zuko believe he thought the opposite of what he said.

"I don't understand Uncle. Being a bender is something highly honorable," Zuko said slightly angered at his Uncle's response.

"It is Zuko. But, it would be best to keep that very quiet. Your father doesn't know there are anymore water benders and its best to keep it that way," said Iroh.

"What would my father do if he found out?" asked Zuko.

Iroh looked like he was about to say something. But, changed his mind. "Just don't let him find out," he said seriously. Zuko stared at his Uncle for awhile before nodding his head.

"I don't understand this war," said Zuko. "We're not that much different. In fact, the more I spend time with Katara, the more I realized how much we have in common.

Iroh just smiled at his nephew before saying, "You are going to make an amazing Fire Lord."

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