Avatar: Rebirth

Chapter 8: The First Avatar

It took a few days but, finally, I reached the edge of the forest.

"Just days of straight flying are boring, aren't they Yi?" I got a loud moan in response. "Especially when you don't have a friend to talk to... But hey! We've finally made it our of this place! That's reason enough to celebrate." Yi grunted in agreement.

I flew to small group of rocks near the forest's edge. "This looks like it'll be a good enough shelter." A cold winter wind blew past, making my teeth chatter. "Better get some fire wood," I mumbled to myself.

I stood up and began collecting scattered sticks when I noticed a figure walking toward me. I shrugged him off though. "Probably just some crazy traveler trying his luck in the forest."

Soon enough, I was warming myself by a blazing fire, the cloak I had stolen draped over my shivering body. "It's s-so c-c-cold." Just as I said this, a flake of white landed on the tip of my nose. "Great. It's s-snowing now." I scowled at the icy petals as they slowly blanketed the scenery. "At l-least I have food."

"I thought you told me nothing in that forest was edible."

I turned around to see the traveler from before. But it wasn't just any traveler. It was--

"Wan!" I exclaimed. Immediately, I threw myself into him, wrapping my arms around him. The bundle he was carrying fell to the ground as his body was pinned beneath my own.

"Woah! Looks like someone missed me," he remarked cheekily. I ignored him and nuzzled my face into his chest, taking in his scent. I began to cry.

"Guess you really----hey!" He sat up and brought me onto his lap, cradling me gently. "Maylin, what's wrong?"

I was sobbing so hard it was difficult to put together a sentence. " I was so worried I, I thought, you, I just..."

"Shh, it's alright." Wan softly stroked my back, rubbing small circles where my shoulder was.

Slowly, my sobbing ceased and I was able to form sentences. "I was so worried about you. When I didn't see you with Yi, I thought you had gotten lost. Or maybe eaten by a spirit."

"I'm really sorry May," he said, releasing me to look into my face. "Don't worry about me. Ever." He stood up and brought his bundle of stuff beside the fire, unpacking it's content. "Trust me, there's no need to."

"Why not?"

He ignored my question, continuing to unpack.

"What do you mean by 'no need to worry.' And how did you make it out of that forest anyway?"

Silence.

"Wan answer me." He tossed me a bundle of clothing. I caught it before it fell into the snow. "Hey Wan, are you----"

"Put those clothes on before you catch a cold," he instructed. "That cloak won't be enough for you." He smiled. "I worry about you, too."

"You're avoiding my questions," I grumbled, but did as he asked and put the clothes on. He bought me a cotton tunic and a thick cloak lined with fur, not as expensive looking as mine but considerably warmer. At least, I think he bought everything.

Looking at what he'd brought, all that was left were a few blankets and some food. No clothes for himself. "Wan?"

"Yes May?" he responded, lining through the food the spirits had given me.

"Won't you be cold with what you're wearing now?"

"I told you May, don't worry about me. If you want," he said, pointing to the thin cloak on the floor, "I'll just wear that. I'm not bothered by the cold." He smiled. "My clothes are warmer than they look."