The Good and the Bad: Kainora

Blooming

Finally, after writing furiously for the past week, I am done and ready to show you guys what I've been up to! I can't apologize enough that this did not come out the way I anticipated. Originally, Blooming was a short that was supposed to come out on Valentine's Day, but the story evolved so much that it ended up becoming a light novella and thus took longer than I originally thought to finish it.

Kai has finally secured Tenzin's blessing to openly date his daughter. Would this couple's very first date night turn out the way he imagined it? Or will it end in a complete mess? I would grab a cup of coffee and strap in, because it's going to be one long ride!

***

Kai paced back and forth in his room. He rubbed the back of his head, a habit of his whenever he was nervous. Every so often, he stopped to check himself in front of the mirror, hoping that he looked okay. Kai was in a more formal attire for Old Earth Kingdom upper class citizens, which consisted of a decorative jacket that reached down all the way to his knees. In addition, he wore light layers of different shades of green, which matched the color of his eyes. A lightly-colored green and forest green medium cummerbund was tied around his waist. For all of its formalities, it was still practical, giving him the freedom to move his limbs like an airbender. Funny that should be said, because he was an airbender.

Even funnier was the fact that he actually bought the clothes rather than secretly slipping them past the counter. It had been difficult, trying to change- that, he didn't deny- but he kept his word. Airbending gave him purpose, and despite his dodgy past, proved that people could really turn over a new leaf. Had it not been for Jinora's encouragement and guidance, he probably would still be stealing things from people. Not exactly the best impression of the Air Nation.

"Oh for crying out loud!" A deeper voice called out behind him. "You'll be fine!" Bolin stood in front of the mirror, staring at their reflections. A lean, light airbender stood next to a stocky, well-muscled earthbender.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Kai said. "But still, something's gonna go wrong. I can't explain it, but I have a hunch about this." He clenched a fist.

"C'mon, both of you are practically masters now. I'm pretty sure if something comes up, both of you will have no problems handling it."

"Yeah, wait until Tenzin thinks I'm endangering the safety of his daughter..." Kai muttered sarcastically.

"Alright, you've earned it. I will allow you to openly date my oldest daughter. BUT, if anything happens to her..." Tenzin towered over the young airbender. "...consider it over."

"Y-Yes sir!" Kai answered nervously. He nearly ran into the door jamb on the way out of Tenzin's office.

Man, that guy could be intimidating.

He could hear Pema, Tenzin's wife, chiding him, as he left the study room in a hurry.

For the past three years, Kai worked extremely hard to get on Tenzin's good side; the aging airbending master wasn't known for being openly compassionate. Kai couldn't blame him. Despite the successes of recruiting new airbenders (at least a few newcomers made their way to Air Temple Island every year. Alternatively, Tenzin sent his most proficient students to extract them), the Air Nation was still struggling to recover from a genocide two centuries earlier. It took all of the old man's strength to continue the effort, and Kai could see the effects beginning to show. Luckily, his children-Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo-were all masters by that point, and they began to take over some of their father's responsibilities. Tenzin was simply protecting his children. But sooner or later, the hatchlings would have to leave the nest.

Jinora. His girlfriend and best friend. They've been through so much, saving each other's butts more times than they could count on their fingers. Kai had thought of Jinora as cute when they first met, but she was starting to look even more beautiful over the years. In that same amount of time, their childhood fascination with each other had bloomed into something even bigger.