The Other Airbender

5

Haru showed the trio out of the house, after his Mother agreed to let them spend the night in the small barn. I stayed in the house to help his Mother with some chores, and also because I didn't really want to deal with those strangers at the moment. When I finished helping, I decided to go up to the barn and find Haru and check on him to see if he was ok after what happened. He was probably behind the barn, near the mountains past the thin forest, since he liked going there. 

I ran up the the fields towards the barn, and  I heard a strange grunt followed by some munching sounds that definitely didn't sound human as I past it. The more I learn about these strangers, the weirder they get. Nearing the end of the trail, I slowed my pace and went off the path and into the trees. I wanted to sneak up on Haru and scare him, since he's been doing that to me a lot lately. I need payback. I stopped in my tracks, and the traces of a smirk on my face were wiped off. 

"The only way I can feel close to my Father now is when I practice my bending." Haru said wistfully, bending two rocks in his hand as he stared into the setting sun. The Water Tribe girl, who I had learned was named Katara, was standing behind him. "He taught me everything I know." I felt a pang of jealousy as I watched them, not wanting to interrupt because I felt out of place. Haru never opened up to people so easily, yet here he was with the pretty waterbender, who had now lowered herself to sit beside him, pouring out his feelings. Like he does with me. 

"See this necklace? My Mother gave it to me." Her voice interrupted my thoughts.

"It's beautiful." He murmured. But his twinkling, green eyes were staring at her face, not the necklace, and and he gave her a small, comforting smile. My jaw clenched, but I didn't do anything. What could I do? I had no right to stop him. My feelings were worthless anyways. I just thought, maybe, somehow, we could've ended up together. I guess the feeling wasn't mutual. And its not like I told him, either. 

"I lost my Mother in a Fire Nation raid. This necklace is all I have left of her."

"It's not enough, is it?"

"No."

Katara leaned against him, and he wrapped and arm around her waist. I leaned against a tree, feeling deflated. I've lost Haru too. I'll still be his friend, but it just won't be the same. It was always just us two, no one else. We didn't need anybody else. It's selfish of me to think that way, but I can't help it. It hurts and I don't know why. I've never felt like this before and I don't know what to do with my feelings. I barely notice Haru and Katara walking down the ridge of the mountain, too consumed with my own confusing thoughts.

"Help me!" A voice croaked out in the distance. I snapped back to reality. I heard shouts, and it sounded like Haru and Katara. I stood up hurriedly and rushed down the mountain path to see what was happening. As I rounded the corner, I saw Haru rushing away from a collapsing mine and into an earthbending stance. I watched in confusion, as Katara was trying to pull an old man out of the rubble. Haru twisted in his spot and moved his hands in a pushing sort of motion, sending the rocks down the mine shaft. 

"Haru, you did it!" She smiled happily, and he looked relieved as he pulled the old man over his shoulders. He grinned and was about to say something before he noticed me. 

"Miko, what are you doing here." He asked, his face almost looking guilty. No, that couldn't be right.

"I went looking for you, and then I heard shouts," I muttered, "but it seems everything's fine so I'm going back." I turned around, really not wanting to face him right now. I couldn't keep all my emotions in check. I didn't like feeling this way. 

"Miko wait!" He called, "We need help carrying him." I turn around, seeing him propped between him and Katara and I raised an eyebrow. Katara didn't look too happy either.

"You certainly don't look like you need help." I sighed, motioned to Katara. He opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. I turned around again and headed towards the village.

"Just make sure what you just did doesn't come back to bite you." I called over my shoulder. It better not. 

That night, I couldn't sleep again. I climbed onto the roof soundlessly, and sat there, inhaling the cool night air. I didn't want to deal with my emotions, but I needed to. I breathed in and out, my body in lotus pose. I closed my eyes. 

Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty, and become wind.

Earthly tethers. I breathed in. Let them go. Let him go. Let Haru go. I breathed out. It was almost easier than I had imagined. I felt free, I didn't need him in my life. I knew he didn't need me. I had nobody, but, strangely, right now, looking out onto the rest of the village, and the sea beyond, I didn't feel saddened by that fact. I didn't really feel anything. Just... empty. It was neither pleasant nor unpleasant, neither good nor bad. But I knew I was free.

A light breeze blew against me. Above me. Under me. Under me? I opened my eyes and looked down, unsure of myself. The roof was a couple of meters below me. I was levitating. I had done it. I let out a gasp of excitement, I had managed to do it. Finally. I released my body from the lotus position and pushed myself upwards, feeling the rush of wind on my face. I did a flip in the air, smiling to myself. I wasn't touching anything, it was just me, and the air. I pushed myself higher, until I was above the clouds. The moon's silvery light was shining on me, and the whispy clouds caught the moon beams, reflecting the light back into the night sky. The sky was dark, but a blanket of glittering stars engulfed it, like little fireflies. It was almost ethereal, it felt like time had somehow slowed, and the feeling of being completely alone and free, out of everyone's sight, was amazing. 

Sleepiness took over me, and although I wanted to stay up here, I didn't want to deal with my Mother's shouting, so I came back down. I slunk back into my room, and lay on the scratchy mattress, exhilerated, but drained. 

I could fly.