The Mistress of the Fire Lord

Chapter 18 - Expectations

It was weird leaving home with no one to say goodbye to you. I knew it would be for a short period of time, but it was still weird. I missed Nana. She would have some good advice to me, on how to deal with this situation. However, she was gone, and I had to face this with my wits alone. May my ancestors guide me in this journey. 

I quickly arranged things for my depart - found a great bender to replace me in teaching, and asked Kira if it was really okay if I left. My heart was pumping, but I didn't want to admit it. Would he still miss me? Was Nerui telling me the truth? How would he treat me? I knew I couldn't lose focus on what I truly went there to do, wasting my mind with those questions, but I just couldn't help myself.

-- Are you okay? -- Nerui asked me while I was looking at my village getting smaller with the distance. 

-- I don't know. -- I answered without turning to look at him. -- I really don't know. I am scared, I guess. 

-- Of what, exactly?

-- I don't know -- I sighed. -- I never thought I'd be back, and yet, here I am, going to save the life of the wife of the man I love. And I have no idea of how being in front of them is going to be. -- then I groaned -- How did I end up in this situation?

-- You know exactly how, sweetie.

His words made me blush. He was right. I not only knew but I also remembered well all those moments.

-- Don't be too harsh on yourself, my dear. It just happened, as some things just happen. Had you arrived some years before, it would certainly be you beside him. -- Nerui tried to reassure me.

-- There's no way of knowing what could have been, Nerui. What we have is just what it is. And what is true right now is that I am going to see my ex lover, who I still love, and save his wife's life.

-- You seem determined. 

-- I am. I owe it to her, for doing what I did.

-- She did try to kill you, though.

I only shrugged in answer. As I told him, I deserved it. 

We stayed there for a long time, looking at the water. 

-- So… A waterbender, uh? -- He finally managed to ask.

-- Heh… Yeah… -- was all I could answer, embarrassed of hiding it from him.

-- You are full of surprises. Is there anything else you are keeping from me? -- I almost got offended, then I noticed he was smiling and relaxed when he asked that.

-- Not that I remember at the moment, at least. -- I shrugged.

-- For how long? 

-- Always. I didn't want anyone to know, it was something too personal, do you understand? Now I live by bending water in front of people and teaching them to do the same. Life's ironic.

-- Did he know?

-- Yeah -- I dwelled at the edge of the ship -- he caught me practicing before everything started. It was the day I started having a crush on him, too. Boy have you seen him firebending?

-- Oh, I have. Talk about hot! 

That made me laugh. 

We allowed ourselves to stay there for a while, just observing the waves. It was good to be beside a friend.