This is my first Legend of Korra fanfiction, and it's one that I've been writing on and off for a while. The title's a not-so-clever reference to airbending. This is set not too long after the end of Book One. Enjoy!
"Arriving at island soon. Have news."
That was the brief telegram delivered to Tenzin at his office in Town Hall. The sender was his brother, Bumi, who was stationed at Whale Tail Island, halfway around the world. Why he seems to be in a hurry to visit, Tenzin had no idea.
He put his head on his hands. This telegram was completely out of his brother's character, Tenzin thought. Usually Bumi either dropped in unannounced (Tenzin smiled a bit at the memory of him showing up at Air Temple Island with the United Forces behind him during the battle with the Equalists), or with some notice (usually this was during a gathering with the whole family). But an urgent visit that necessitated a telegram? This made Tenzin worry.
He tried not to think about it until he brought it up at dinner. Pema and the children were assembling around the table, Korra being out in the city with her friends.
Tenzin cleared his throat. "I have some news for all of you," he began.
Everyone quieted and looked up at him. Even the baby seemed to pause clawing at Pema's hair.
"What is it, Dad?" Meelo asked, bouncing up and down a little.
"Your uncle is coming to visit in the very near future."
"Bumi?" Pema said, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "He gave you notice?"
"I received a telegram at work today. I know, out of character for my brother. But we must be glad that he gave warning for once," Tenzin said. "Now I want all of your rooms clean for when Uncle Bumi arrives!"
"But Dad," Ikki whined, and that was all that was said about Bumi's upcoming visit.
Two days later, Bumi's small ship he borrowed from the United Forces arrived at dawn, porting at the island's ferry station. From the window in their bedroom, Pema was the first to see it, and woke her husband up. They dressed and walked down, arms crossed against their chests to block out the crisp breeze.
Bumi stepped out onto the ship's deck as his brother and sister-in-law approached.
"Good morning, Bumi," Pema greeted warmly, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw the anxious expression on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked. She had never seen the carefree man looking so worried before.
"I- I don't know where to begin," Bumi said shakily, stepping off onto the shore. "You're the only one who can help and will understand what to do-"
"Bumi, what's going?" Tenzin cut him off, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"It's easier to show you. Come on," Bumi said, turning back to the ship.
The other two followed him down to below deck, where he paused in front of a closed door. "She should probably be awake by now."
Pema and Tenzin exchanged a shocked look. Both of them had begun to piece together the fragments of the story- The hurried telegram, Bumi's fearfulness, and now the apparent girl behind the door.
Bumi opened the door, and on a bed sat a teenager, around age fourteen. She looked up at the three adults standing in the entryway, bangs half covering her eyes. "Are you Tenzin?" she asked.
Tenzin could only nod mutely.
"Is she-" Pema began to say.
"Yes," Bumi answered. "Meet your niece, Ling."