Fire Academy

Chapter 7

Toph thrust her foot on the ground and spread her arms, raising a piece of earth to charade as a chair. She sat down on it and leaned forward, resting her right elbow on her knee and chomping a bite out of the apple in her hand.

She watched as Sokka slumped down on the ground and shifted her view to Aang and Katara, just entering their make-shift home. They weren't talking, and seemed to be looking anywhere but each other, but they still kept a close distance of an inch or so. Their heartbeats were on the danger end of accelerating, which wasn't quite as frightening the first time it happened.

The young airbender, with a current heartbeat average of one hundred thirty a minute, broke off from his stride pattern with Katara and set his bag down. He kneeled on the ground and began removing things; possibly parchment of some kind, a book, and something thick, like a folder.

Once he'd opened the thick item and flattened it to the ground, Toph was positive it was a folder. His hand skimmed the top of it momentarily and he pulled something out.

"Okay, guys. We haven't really collected much information today. Some things they said were even borderline lies, and others... were. It's like they're molding the kids brains to what they want them to think." Aang shifted the papers on the ground and silently regarded them, shaking his head afterward. "The earth kingdom military triggered the war? Sozin tried his best to stop them but found a weak point and altered the direction of the war? These aren't even remotely true."

Sokka sighed heavily. "I don't think we're getting anywhere, Aang. Maybe there's no point to this school thing, anyway."

Katara stood.

"Guys... I think I'm gonna waterbend for a little, okay? I haven't been able to lately... I'll be back in a bit."

Sokka eyed her. "What about our discussion about what we learned today?"

"Like Aang said, it's false information. I don't think a discussion will change that."

He nodded. "Just don't get yourself caught."

"I won't."

"Bye Katara," said Aang.

The warrior nodded his head and shooed her off.

"See you in an hour or so. Love you, Aang."

Toph could feel her freeze. Her whole body stiffened and everything fell silent.

"Katara?" Aang questioned calmly, yet his voice shook a little, "What'd you say?"

She turned to him and dropped her arms from their crossed position. Aang cocked his head while awaiting his answer, but she mumbled something even the earthbender didn't hear.

"What?" he asked again, persistantly.

"I... I said I loved you. Must be habit by now, y'know acting like your girlfriend at school..."

Sokka laughed.

"Then wouldn't you have said 'I love you, Kuzon'? Hopefully you're not calling him Aang there. A lot of people know the Avatar's name, Katara."

She opened her mouth to speak, but seemed to consider something before words came out.

"I don't call him... Why is this such a big deal? It was a mistake! I'm sorry!"

She turned on her heel again and paused momentarily, her shoulders rising and falling in a large breath that altered her heartrate.

"Katara..." Aang mumbled, "Can I come with you?"

The waterbender peeked over her shoulder and nodded. When she began to walk, Aang caught up with her and put an hand delicately on her shoulder. Sokka began to laugh, enough to clutch at his sides, and when they were out of the cave, shouted, "You two have fun practicing your lovebending! I'll be here if ya need me!"

He really was more of an airhead then Aang somedays