The Only Hope

Book 1: Chapter 9

“I wish you could go.”

“I wish I could go.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t be that great.”

Maia glared up at me, telling me to cut my lie.

“Don’t lie. They’re going to be amazing, and I’m only going to hear it through my radio.”

“I guess it will be pretty cool, it would only be amazing if you there, sitting next to me cheering on Korra, Bolin, and Mako. At least you’ll be getting live, second by second action.”

She sighed, and picked at a stray string on her knitting.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

I looked down at her, my heart felt as if it was dying. Because hers was. It was hard enough on me and her as young children to lose our mother to the mystery sickness which not even the most skilled healer can help, but now that it had somehow passed to Maia, it was even worse.

When she first got sick, she was so young, I contacted my father. I begged him to help out his daughter; he owed it to her for abandoning her. In response he sent every doctor from every corner of every land. Every single one told me the same thing; they had no clue what was wrong with her. But she would die young, just as my mother had.

Her eyelids drooped, and I could tell she was fighting back a yawn. She was always tired.

“Well, I’m gonna go, but when you dream,”

I leaned down, and lips barely touching her ear. My fingers worked to cover her up as she laid down.

“Think about next year. Dream you’ll be better, and I bet you will. Then we can go to the Finale Tournament. Together.”

“Ah-ah, promise?”

“I promise. Good night, little Cherry Blossom.”

I kissed her, tucking her in, and leaving.

Tomorrow night would start the tournaments, and I would have a front row seat during everyone. Maia was extremely jealous, but it was too big of a risk to take her from the hospital. Though she hadn’t had an attack in a few weeks, they were so un predictable I wasn’t willing.

I made it home safely, and did some meditation before dinner. After that I head straight to bed, hoping to get enough rest for the coming nights. I was about to go in when Korra’s voice stopped me.

“Wanna come feed the lemurs with me and the girls.?”

I looked from her to my bed, the thin stream of light from the hall landing on it. I went in my room, and crabbed my coat. Then I slid my door close, and smiled.

“Sure. Let’s do it.”

I slipped my coat on, and button the last button just as we came out into the fresh falling snow. I gave a girlish grin, and closed my eyes. I loved snow. It was like getting a gift from my grandmother. And I knew they were because the last winter I had with my mother I prayed for it to snow, because she loved snow as much as me. That very night the clouds came in and by the next morning we were covered in over foot of snow. It was the last snow fall my mother ever saw, as if was a beacon light for her from her mother. Telling her to come join her in the sky.

Outside, I held the ladder while Korra put the fruit in.

“So, how’s it going with the tall fire bending guy. You two have been spending a lot of time together lately.”

“Ouh yeah! Tell us all about the magical romance!”

I rolled my eyes, and held back a laugh. These girls had no idea what they were talking about.