A Tale Of Kyazumi [COMPLETED]

Memories pt. 2

As the day progressed, Kya spent most of her time meditating in the gardens of Air Temple Island. She is lost in thought as she feels the aura shift. The shift is very slight, but enough to know someone else is approaching. The person that's been haunting her thoughts ever since she saw her.

"Mind if I join you?" Her voice is soft, almost uncertain. Izumi has noticed that after they hugged this morning, Kya has been awfully quiet.

Kya inhales slowly as she takes another meditative breath. She then says, "I don't mind."

Izumi reflects Kya's position, aside from not closing her eyes. "Is it something I did,  Kya?" Izumi is still looking forward, not wanting to face Kya if she says what Izumi is fretting her saying. I don't want you here Izumi. It's just too much.

This catches Kya off guard. She opens her eyes and looks at Izumi. "What? You didn't do anything? What are you talking about?"

Izumi, still looking forwards, sighs. "You've been quiet. More than I am used from you. Ever since this morning, you've been wanting to be alone, away from everyone and everything."

Kya takes her hand in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze. Izumi looks at her now, making eye contact before turning her head so she's facing forwards again.  "Oh... Zumi... it's not you. I've just been... reliving the past. And for that, well, I just prefer to be alone, but I don't mind you being here at all. In fact, I've been wanting your presence ever since we hugged this morning." This causes the Firebender to chuckle.

"So, I'm not in trouble? Well, that's good. I wouldn't want to be in trouble with Kya." She dramatically shudders and Kya snorts. "And, well... you're not the only one that's been..." She trails off, a memory bubbling to the surface.

"Izumi! You're in big trouble!" Kya is furious. She is usually a very easygoing person, but Izumi has gone too far today.

Izumi sighs, slumping and letting her head hang. "I know what I did was wrong, but..." She trails off, watching Kya shove her bag at her. "What are you doing?"

"You're staying with Lin tonight." Kya is almost taken by surprise when Izumi chokes a sob down, but fails to keep the tears in.

"I.. I didn't mean to! It was... it was an accident! It won't happen again. I swear on my inheritance of the throne."

"Izumi. Enough. I don't want to talk about it right now. I need time to meditate." Izumi sighs and gets up, heading towards the door.

She stops in the doorway, turning her head a bit,  and says,  "I love you." She waits a bit for an answer, but all she gets is the bedroom door shutting.

Izumi comes back to the present when she feels hands cupping her cheeks. She opens her eyes only to find herself inches from the thing that's been on her mind for years. She realizes that she was crying.

Kya looks at her, a frown playing at her lips. "What were you thinking about? I've never seen you cry like that."

Izumi makes eye contact with her, her bottom lip trembling. "I was..." She bursts out into another bout of tears.

"Oh.. honey.. shhhh." Kya swipes her thumbs over her cheeks. Izumi is now crying in short, little spurts. "Yeah. That's it. Take deep breaths. If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. I was just worried."

Izumi takes a few deep breaths, trying to collect herself. "I was just thinking of that time when you hated me. You absolutely hated me."

Kya pulls Izumi's head to her shoulder. "Zumi, I've never hated you. Sure, I've been mad and I've said that I hated you, but I've never meant it."

Izumi sniffles, pulls her head away, rubs her eyes and nose, and says "I hope nobody saw that." This causes Kya to laugh.

Kya whispers, "I'm pretty sure nobody was watching."

As if right on cue, Ikki sighs. "Aw, man! I thought you were going to kiss!"

Kya snaps her head towards the sounds and says,  "IKKI! What have I told you about eavesdropping?"

Ikki shrugs, looking down at her feet with her hands behind her back. "I just thought it was cute how you were comforting her like that. You know, I look up to you because of that. You always want to help people."

Kya smiles and motions for Ikki to come to her. "Why don't you go to bed. It's getting late." Ikki smiles and hugs her aunt.

"Okay."

When Ikki was out of sight, Kya takes Izumi's face in her hands. She slowly turns the elder ladies face towards her. Izumi's breath hitches and Kya smiles. Cupping her cheek in one hand and her chin in the other, Kya leans in.

At first, it was just a little touch, but then Izumi leans in.

Kya smiles, as she traces mindless patterns on Izumi's arm as they sit watching the midnight. "See you in the morning?"

"See you in the morning."