The journey of a broken heart (hukki, Lok)

[Chapter 14 - Meditation]

Ikki was in the garden when Huan used to make sculptures. She was trying to meditate because she didn't tell anyone about Zaheer, after the incident with Aang everyone was shocked and Ikki told them about the good things they said and about the sweet advice these people give her.

Ikki closed her eyes and she let her energy flew in her body, even if she was recovered, somehow, her body still hurts, her airbending didn't come back and she's not feeling okay.

The girl wasn't spiritual at all, but in that moment that was everything she could do.

She let her memories come in her mind, but one memory was bigger than everything: the day when she got her tattoos.

"I want to get tattoos, but instead of arrows, I want lightning bolts!"

A faint chuckle escaped Ikki as the voice of her younger self-echoed in her head. She was glad that she was getting arrows instead of lightning bolts especially after trying to meditate through a lightning storm that thundered above her head all night.

Ikki had trained long and hard under the instruction of her father, Tenzin and became a valuable teacher for the new Air Nation. The day finally came when Tenzin declared that there was nothing more he could teach her.

Ikki was never as good at meditation as her sister was and didn't look forward to spending twenty-four hours in the pavilion. Jinora always talked about seeing images of bright spirits that danced around her as she meditated.

But during Ikki's time in the pavilion, she saw images of people she had never seen before. They were people carrying the tattoos of the air nomads. At first, Ikki thought she was looking at her father and sister, but then more and more appeared until a whole crowd of air nomads sat in front of her. The nomad that sat closest to Ikki was a tall and strangely familiar woman with happiness blaring in her eyes. Ikki was about to ask who she was, but she held up a hand to stop her.

"We are the people who never left." said the woman, as if she was able to read Ikki's mind.

"We have always been here and we will never leave. It's time now, Ikki, Ikki, Ikki."

"Ikki!" Kya's voice called behind her.

Startled, Ikki opened her eyes and turned to see Kya and Lin standing behind her. A wave of fear and excitement gripped Ikki's tummy and the world began to spin. Kya rushed forward and slowly helped her niece to her feet. Ikki held her auntie's arm for support from her aching legs and an empty stomach as the three of them walked towards the temple where her father was waiting.

"Good luck, Ikki!" Lin said before the doors to the temple slowly closed. Ikki tried to thank the Chief, but words failed her.

Kya and Ikki followed Tenzin into the temple. Ikki still clutched Kya's arm as she led her towards the basin of warm water next to the futon. Ikki's grip on her auntie's arm tightened when she saw the needles and razor that her father began to examine. Kya looked back to Ikki and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Kya, will you go and gather some clean rags for me?" Tenzin asked. Nodding, Kya gently let Ikki settle to the floor next to the basin and left the room.

Ikki pulled off her wingsuit and unfastened the two yellow, round ornaments from her hair. She stared at the ornaments, wondering how long it would be before she was going to be wearing them again.

Ikki slipped into the basin and Kya returned with the rags. Ikki watched her auntie as she handed Tenzin the rags and started gathering Ikki's clothes.

"Don't worry, Ikki. I'll hold on to these for you." Kya said as she picked up the hair ornaments. Ikki only smiled in reply.

Tenzin helped Ikki from the basin, handed her a towel, and led her to the futon where Jinora waited, scissors in hand. Ikki shed the towel and took a seat on the futon as Kya handed Tenzin the scissors. Ikki sat up straight and folded her shaking hands on her lap as Tenzin cut a single lock of her hair and let it fall to the floor. Kya took Ikki's hand and gave her a reassuring look as if she was saying "I'm right here and I will never leave."