Before I begin, I'd like to point out that these chapters are going somewhat more quickly than I had anticipated. Of course, I'm probably only one to two percent of the way through this fanfic series.
Katara agrees to accept Zuko's proposal of a truce, as long as he does his chores and doesn't hurt them. Katara considers some options because she can't do them herself, and others For the Lulz, but above all else, sees this as a Secret Test of Character for Zuko.
Aang and Zuko train together, while occasionally having mild arguments over Aang wanting to nap. Katara then gives Zuko her chore list. She's pleased that she doesn't have to do the housework while using ladders to get to the cupboards, which are so high you have to fly to get to them (one has to wonder how a non-Airbending Air Nomad, like Sokka is to the Water Tribe, would fare), and partly because she likes watching Zuko work.
Katara talks with Zuko and concedes Toph's point that Zuko's voice is nice to listen to. She is worried that he will think that she will hate him forever, when she merely mistrusts him. She also clarifies that she doesn't like Zuko, but thinks he's useful, and concludes that they're up to grudging tolerance.
Katara lists some more observation, noting how Zuko works well, and that it's a better way of working things out with him than talking. I tend to agree; since Katara's telling us about the dialogue, actions tend to speak louder than words in this fic.
Katara's attention then turns to Zuko's training Aang, noticing that he's more orderly and less willing to praise than Katara is; it might have been good to see how he compares to Toph, who's somewhat closer to him.
Zuko calls a meeting over Aang's training, particularly his lack of aggression, which Katara believes is why Aang struggled with earthbending and firebending. Incidentally, I had the impression, at least until Legend Of Korra came out, that Avatars struggle with their elemental opposite; Aang had the most trouble with Earthbending, while Roku, from the Fire nation had the most trouble with Waterbending, as he mentions in passing in "The Avatar and the Fire Lord". But then Korra already knows not just Waterbending, but Earthbending and Firebending, and spends the entirety of "Book 1: Air" trying to master airbending.
Katara suggests that gentle instruction might be best for Aang, prompting Toph and Zuko to disagree, especially since Zuko received no positive encouragement during his training (it's a bit odd that he's implying this is a good thing, and Katara seems to pick up on this as well). Toph mentions throwing rocks at Aang until he learned it in " Bitter Work
, and Zuko considers it, concerning Katara, wondering if that's how he got his scar.
An argument ensues over which element is the most complex, leading to a three-way duel between Aang's three bending teachers. Katara concludes that in spite of Zuko's teaching style being less than compatible with Aang's learning style, and possible problems that his own training caused him, he takes training Aang seriously.
The next day, Zuko takes Toph's advice for aggressive training, and lays into Aang, who manages to counteract effectively, but fears that he's hurt Zuko. Katara, who fought against Zuko in "The Siege of the North Part 1", knows that Zuko can take a beating, and Zuko agrees; it seems firebending seems somewhat less potent than it is in real life. Perhaps this is consistent with the Avatar universe, but not with real life, which, admittedly, is not a bad thing- and I will discuss this more later.
Zuko makes a weird face as Aang hugs him, and then goes to his room for a "nap" in the middle of the day, leaving Aang to train with Toph. Katara tracks him down and finds out that he's been injured, but doesn't want Aang to know, not wanting to "set him back." Katara seems oddly ignorant of how Aang might be affected by learning that he injured his training partner, given how he reacted upon injuring Katara in "The Deserter".
Zuko elaborates on his position, saying it's partly because the first time Aang has firebended aggressively and he wants Aang to continue doing so, and partly because he doesn't think Katara would heal him. Katara regrets that her distrust of Zuko caused Zuko to get that assumption, and says she would have healed him if he had asked. Katara then gets to work, healing Zuko's inexplicably cracked ribs (one would think he would have some severe burns along with it if this were as realistic as the author intends, especially considering what Katara suffered in "The Deserter").
Zuko thanks Katara, and Katara's observations are all about how considerate Zuko is of others, how he's warm to the touch, how he smells good and how he has a nice smile.
The author points out that Zuko had difficulty with Aang because of the shortest time span and because of the aforementioned problems with the previous incident with Katara, which is a good point, and concludes that because of that, Zuko would turn to Katara for advice.
What I liked
- Katara and Zuko working through their trust issues while Katara treats Zuko's injuries.
- Interesting exploration of Aang's training.
What I didn't like
- Zuko's injuries didn't seem all that realistic.
