Chapter 5

I was surprised when I noticed the red firebending uniforms in my battle class, since we only had one or two last time. But since I was, once again, late all I did was silently scoot over next to Aang and Haru. I took a moment to scan over the fire benders, who were standing on the opposite side of us, master Jeong Jeong among them. Weird, I thought he was supposed to teach the third years.

"So", I whispered towards Aang, "any idea what the fire benders are doing here?"

Aang just shrugged, fidgeting a little with his clothes. He seemed a little out of it, like he was nervous about something. Did he not want to fight again? or was it just that he didn't want to take this class?

I was about to ask him if he was okay when Master Fang burst into the room, Zuko following right behind him. What in the moon's name was Zuko doing here?! I scanned the faces of the firebenders again, finally realizing, none of them were from my class.

"Master Jeong Jeong and I have decided to work together since most of our class is filled with waterbenders, and his students need to practice against other elements", Master Fang explained.

Some of my classmates whined, occasionally saying "But they're older", "This is unfair! They have much more experience!". I on the other hand, couldn't stop looking at Zuko, who silently made his way to the front of the firebender's lines. Did he have something to do with this?.

Master Fang raised a hand, silencing the whining students, "This is a great opportunity for you to grow and to fight with someone who is more experienced and has your opposing, or a stronger element". He proceeded to grab a piece of paper from his desk, "We have also paired you up judging by your skill level".

I felt a pair of eyes land on me, and though I didn't turn to look, I had a feeling I knew who it was that was staring so intently at me.

"Aang", Master Jeong Jeong started, "since you didn't perform in the mock-battle last class, you will be working on your firebending with me". 

Aang shot him a big lopsided smile and a thumbs up, glad to not have to fight anyone. 

"I will now begin to read the partners out loud, when you hear your name please step forward so you can identify each other", Master Fang announced. He started reading off names, students pairing up and walking out towards the empty field. Haru got paired up with a cute-looking girl named Onji, who seemed a little too excited to be working with him.

"Katara and Prince Zuko", Master Fang announced. 

Zuko swiftly stepped forward, while I, rooted to my spot, could only stare in disbelief. He definitely had something to do with this. I was nowhere near Zuko's skill level! Aang gave me a little push, breaking me out of my trance. He shot me a half-forced half-pity grin and a small thumbs up. Turning back around, I locked eyes with Zuko, giving him a nod while he bowed towards me, fire nation style.

We made our way towards the field. I pulled on my arm wraps, eager for something to focus on.

"Uh, Katara, right?", Zuko asked, startling me a little.

"Mhm", I nodded at him. I couldn't help but think about had close he had been to me that night, the warmth of his fire still vivid on my mind.

"You must be a pretty great waterbender to end up paired with me", He said, his eyes growing wide as plates a second later, "Not that I'm saying that I'm better than you or anything!", he shook his hands in in front of me, "I mean I am in a more advanced class, but I didn't mean for it to come off as egocentric or anything, I-"

I couldn't keep my laughter in as I giggled at a now blushing and rambling Zuko, "It's okay, don't worry about it". Right then, something from that same night came back to me, "But didn't Azula say you thought I was an awesome waterbender that night at the Jasmine Dragon?", I teased.

Zuko, suprisingly, grew even more red, "I have no idea what you're talking about". He then proceeded to grab me by the wrist, pulling me to an empty spot near the battle area.

I stared at him, too amused with how much I had affected him, his ears and cheeks still a little red.

"I might have seen your mock-battle while passing by but that's it", he mumbled, "you were pretty good against that earth-bender".

I stared at him, at a loss for words. I had no idea he had watched the match, or from where he had seen it, but the fact that he knew I went up against Haru proved enough. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, when a hand smacked my shoulder playfully.

"Onji, meet Katara, Katara, Onji", Haru beemed at us as I turned around. Zuko grunted, crossing his arms.

Onji smiled at me, and then looked over at Zuko, "Oh you got paired with Zuko! You must be really good!" she was about as energetic as Aang.

"Are you friends with him?" I asked her.

"Pfft, Zuko? Well that's kind of hard to explain, see", she made way towards Zuko, poking him in the ribs which earned her a snarl from him, "our angsty fire prince isn't really much of a social butterfly".

"You're friendly enough for the both of us", Zuko grunted.

I tilted my head, noticing his change in demeanour. He was all smiles and small talk a few minutes ago, but now he seemed just as closed off and guarded as when he was around Azula and her group. I had no idea why, but I felt a growing interest in me to know the happier side of Zuko. 

Haru pulled me by the elbow as Onji enveloped Zuko in some crazy-looking talk, while the fire prince just stared at her with obvious boredom. 

"I can't believe you got paired up with Zuko!", Haru exclaimed quietly.

"I don't know Haru, this whole situation seems... off".

"Off how?", he asked, seemingly confused.

"Third years pairing up with unexperienced, new first years? Seems pretty weird to me", I deadpaned.

Haru rubbed his chin, "Well when you put it like that, yeah they don't have much to gain".

"And I bet there are other battle groups more experienced for them to work with", I added.

"Maybe Master Fang just asked Master Jeong Jeong if he could help", he suggested.

"But that makes no sense!", I cringed at how loud my voice got, bringing it back down to whisper, "He tested us the last class to pair us with each other", i pointed between us to emphasize my point. "Now suddenly next class we're up against third years?".

"And we know that Jeong Jeong had nothing to gain from pairing up with us", he added. "So who's idea was it?".

I sneaked a glance at Zuko, who averted his eyes when he noticed I had looked his way, "I have no idea".

Just then Master Fang  walked onto the center of the field, "Everyone! for this class we will be working with beginner bending techniques. Third years, please take it easy on the first years, and try to perfect your technique. First years, do you best to not get wiped out". He lifted a finger up in the air, "And, third years, since this won't be much of a task for you, you will each be meeting with a master from your partner's element so you can help them improve. You will be evaluated on how much your partner improves, and the first years will be evaluated on the same basis".

"We suggest you spend after-school hours working together", Master Jeong Jeong interrupted, Aang standing behind him. "Your grade depends on it".

Zuko sighed beside me, "I hope you're a good learner".

I frowned at him, "I hope you're a good teacher".

Zuko smirked, putting a few steps between us and dropping into a solid fighting stance, "Show me what you got, waterbender".

"Oh it's on, fire prince", I countered, mimicking his posture.

Zuko made the first move, sending a column of flame towards me, barely giving me any chance to dodge. I quickly bended two octopus arms of water onto myself, using them as extensions of my arm and as whips. Zuko smiled ferally, looking more in his element than ever. He dropped, sending an arc of flame towards me which I swiftly jumped over. Before landing, I struck, sending a whip of water towards him, hitting him on the ribs. Zuko groaned, staring at me with angry, shimmering golden eyes. 

I paused for a second, transfixed by the liquid gold of his eyes. But that was all Zuko needed. He started moving, acting like he was going to punch a column of fire towards me, so that I would try to strike him. And I fell for it. I sent a whip, and I would have hit his arm, if he had not dodged it and started running towards me. Before I knew it, Zuko was in front of me, making me lose balance by sending a swift kick towards my legs. 

Out of instinct, I tried grabbing onto the closest thing to me. Unfortunately... that thing, was Zuko. He must have not expected me to be quick enough to grab onto him, because next thing I knew, we were both on the ground and I was laying on top of him. 

I quickly got up, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, "I'm so sorry, I grabbed you by instinct I didn't-"

"Are you okay?"He interrupted, rubbing his head a bit.

"Am I okay?", I screeched, "Are you okay? You literally collided with the ground, and then I collided into you. Am I okay? Of course I'm okay! But it looks like you hit your head!"

Zuko chuckled, "I'm fine, I just didn't want you to take the hit".

Several of our classmates had stopped what they were doing and had started to stare at us, some of them frowning and some of them giggling. Others smirked at Zuko, some girls sent me death glares.

I cleared my throat, "Right, well, let's take you to the infirmary, just in case". I got up, offering a hand to Zuko.

He looked at it for a second before taking it, "Whatever you say, boss".

I pulled him away from the class and headed towards the healing wing, not noticing the slight blush on Zuko's face  since I kept his hand in mine as I dragged him towards the hall.