CEREMONY
Jinora sighed and took another deep breath, a wind caught her hair, tickling her chin. She tried to ignore it, but finally had to swat it away. Another prickly sigh escaped her lips, causing the rest of her Air Acolyte class to notice. Glancing to her side she found that Ronin had popped one eye open, his gaze asking if she was okay.
"Everybody take another deep breath, and concentrate." She said to her meditation class, and took a breath with the rest of them. She usually loved her meditation class with the acolytes, she'd found that the acolytes had a very strong spiritual connection. The airbenders where usually so focused on their bending they staggered when it came to the meditation and spirituality. But that's where the acolytes shone the brightest.
Since she left Republic City three years ago to rebuild the Northern Air temple, that had been one of her main focuses, giving the acolytes a greater place and purpose in the air nation. One of her brightest students, Ronin, had joined her shortly after the start of the restoration.
Jinora propped one eye open again, still unable to concentrate on her meditation, and glanced over to Ronin. He was 22, five years older than her, with smooth pale skin, sharp jawline and jet black hair, unlike many of the other acolytes he'd never shaved it off.
Ronin opened his eyes, like he was sensing her gaze and she was met by golden eyes. Ronin was the only fire nation acolyte she'd met. His eyebrow turned upwards and he grinned slightly, Jinora felt her cheeks heat up, she'd forgot she was staring.
That's all for today everybody" she flew to her feet. "Great work today" she managed to add, as the acolytes scattered. Ronin however came up beside her, a warm hand placed lightly on her shoulder.
"Is everything okay? You're not usually this... jumpy." He looked down on her, worry in his warm eyes.
"I'm fine, I didn't sleep much last night."
That wasn't a lie, but it wasn't exactly the whole truth either. She knew Ronin could sense she was leaving something out, but thankfully Opal came to her rescue.
"Oh there you are!" Opal practicly bounced over to them "I've been looking for you, I need you to check to see if everything is ready for the ceremony tomorrow!"
"I'm sure you got everything right Opal", Jinora smiled.
"I know but I want everything to be perfect, please"
"Of course" Jinora grinned, and Opal squeled and hooked her arm into Jinora's.
"I'll see you later" Ronin said as Jinora and Opal went back towards the temple, and Jinora felt Opal's fingers digging into her arm.
"Look I just need to ask, you dont have to answer if you dont want to. But is there something between you and Ronin?" Jinora's sheeks heated up, but looking back at her friend she realized Opal wasn't looking for gossip, and relaxed a little.
"No, why would you think that?"
"It's just that, you've been here for a long time with him and you seem really close. And you have barely been back at Republic City since you moved here years ago."
"You haven't been back in Republic City since you came here?" Jinora pointed out.
"That was six months ago, you've been here three years. I just came to study under the best spiritual master there is so I could get my tattoos!" Opal grinned, just as they reached to ceremony hall.
"And I am very proud of you" Jinora said truthfully. Opal was the first airbender to receive her tattoos since herself and her siblings. And it had been fun having Opal around, it wasn't like she got to see the rest of her friends and family very often since she moved.
"Thank you" Opal's eyes glittered with excitement as they looked around the ceremony room. Everything was perfect just like Jinora expected.
"Arent you excited to see everyone again?" Opal pushed a candle slightly to the right, and then back again.
"Probably not as excited as you are to see Bolin again", Jinora cocked and eyebrow humorously. Opal signed dreamily.
"You have no idea."
Jinora swallowed, she didn't. Opal noticed the sudden silence. And came back over to Jinora.
"I hope it's okay I invited him, I mean, I haven't seen him in a long time either, he probably wont even show up. If he even got my invitation."
"It's okay, he's your friend, and a part of the air nation. I mean, it's not like there that many of us." Jinora forced a smile. "Everything will be perfect tomorrow at your ceremony... master."
"Can't say I'm that excited to cut my hair off though." Opal grinned, and the two girls laughed.
…
Jinora was already awake when the first rays of light made it through her bedroom window the next morning. She rolled off her bed, shivering as her bare feet hit the cold stone floor. She went down to the baths to get clean and try and calm herself, but the warm waters did little to relax her tense muscles. Irritated she sat down to brush her still wet hair. She'd let it grow long, and it hung down to the middle of her back now. She pulled her bangs into a bun to keep it out of her face. The arrow staring back at her tountingly in the mirror.
She was an air bending masters, she shoudn't let herself get this windled up over just one person that may or may not appear.
Probably not.
Finally she went down to do some meditating, alone. They'd rebuilded the temple pretty much like it had been before, when she and the new airbenders had gone there to train together. She decided to sit by the south balcony, with a view across the valley and the wild bison. Her ming wandered to the time she and Kai stopped those barbarians trying to steal the little bison.
She quickly pushed the thought of him away. Closing her eyes and tried to relax... focus...
"Jinora?" A whisper, surprisingly near her ear.
"Kai, you're supposed to be quiet." Jinora sighed, but still propped an eye open. Kai was grinning wildly, not even trying to meditate, he was sitting just next to her now.
"Let's go do something else." His breath tickled her ear.
"We're supposed to be meditating!"
"Your dad wont notice" Kai looked ahead, the rest of the class still had their eyes closed, and Tenzin seemed to be deeply focused in the front. Jinora hesitated, but Kai grabbed her hand.
"C'mon, you already know all there is to know." His green eyes grinned, and Jinora found herself following him away from the class on light feet.
They both giggled as they where out of hearing distance.
"We have to get back before they're done so my dad won't notice." She said, and Kai nodded, already thinking of other things.
"Let's play airball."
"You know I always win." Jinora giggled, already liking the idea as they made their way down to the court.
"I've been practising." Kai elbowed her lightly, before jumping across the field of poles to the other side.
"If you say so." Jinora grinned as Kai threw her the ball.
"You start"
Jinora took a jump, and kicked the ball across half the field, it bounced against a pole, back towards her and she sent it back towards Kai's goal with a puff of air as she threw herself forward. She landed on a pole just as Kai stopped the ball, sent it high and flew across the field. He caught it and sent it straight past her, knocking a pole and swung straight into her goal. Jinora's jaw dropped.
"I told you I'd been practising." Kai wickedly grinned, and Jinora laughed.
"Finally this will be a challenge."
The score was 7-7 when the sun begun to set, Jinora had the ball, not wanting to let it go to Kai she was airbending and kicking it across the field, looking up she found Kai had left his goal unnatended, and she was just about to sent it that way when a strong gush caught both her and the ball mid air.
"Ouff." She groaned as she hit the ground.
"Jinora!" Kai's voice rang out, as she pushed herself up on her elbows. He shot down next to her with wide eyes.
"I'm so sorry are you okay?" He hovered above her, and Jinora forgot her answer as she looked back into his green eyes.
"I-" she felt her face heat up, he was just inches above her. "I'm fine, I just lost my balance for a second."
"You sure?" Kai still didn't look quite convinced, and Jinora noticed his hand hadn't left her arm. Her mind wandered to the time when she kissed him on the cheek in Ba sing sei when they saved him. She wondered how his lips would feel...
"JINORA!" Her father's voice cut throught the air, making both her and Kai freeze instantly. Kai reganied his senses and immidately scooted away from her. Jinora's cheeks were still heated as she and Kai airbended themselves back up to the balcony. Tenzin was openly glaring at Kai, who only cowered slightly.
"I'm sorry master Tenzin, it was my fault, I asked Jinora to skip the class with me."
"No he didn't it was my idea!" Jinora exclaimed, making her father's burrowed brow tighter.
"I am very dissapointed in you Jinora, I expected this from Kai but not from you. How are you ever going to become a great master if you keep being distracted."
Jinora opened her eyes, jolted out of her memories by a cold breeze. She'd been eleven at the time, Kai had been twelve.
Without realizing it her hand had gone up to her lips, she'd never gotten that kiss. They'd been "together" for about a year when they where fourteen, but spend the entire time apart on airbending missions. When they where finally in the same place, rebuilding republic city, she'd thought that they'd finally get to spend some time together. But shortly after Kai had left on an airbending mission, and then never came back. Jinora had stayed a year in Republic city to help rebuild, and then went away to supervise the restoration of the Northern air temple.
She hadn't seen him since, their childish "relationship" hadn't meant that much obviously. Not even a real kiss.
"Jinora!" A voice called out, and she turned around to see one of the airbenders – Daw, waving from a balcony. "People are arriving!"
…
Jinora looked up as the sky bisons landed, the first one to greet her was Ikki, off the bison before it landed and tackling her to the ground with a giant hug.
"Huff" Jinora was surprised, Ikki was now taller than her, but she happily wrapped her arms around her."
"Jinora!" Her mother's voice exclaimed, as the sisters got back on their feet, Jinora felt strangely small as she let her mother give her a warm hug. She hadn't realized how long it been since she saw them.
"Oh Meelo, you're so tall!" She exclaimed, "You're going to outgrow dad!"
Meelo, now thirteen, looked proud, but Tenzin rolled her eyes as she went to hug the two of them.
"I see you've been doing a great job" her father said silently, "I am so proud of you."
"Thank you" She smiled and pulled away, as Opal and the rest of the temple's residents gathered.
"Ronin!" Her father exclaimed happily, immidately off to discuss something with his favorite acolyte. While Jinora hugged Kya and Bumi, her favorite aunt and uncle.
"You're so tall Jinora, and so beautiful, and talanted of course." Kya smiled warmly, cupping Jinora's cheek.
"I can't believe how grown up you are" Pema gushed together with Kya, as Tenzin came back.
"She's just seventeen, she's not that grown up."
"Old enough to drink, tonight we're going to parteeeey!" Bumi exclaimed, reciving an angry glare from Tenzin.
"No drinking at the ceremony Bumi!"
"I mean after."
"No drinking after the ceremony either!" Tenzin growled.
"We'll just see about that" Bumi muttered, making everyone giggle.
"When are the rest arriving?" Opal asked.
"Korra, Asami, Mako, and Bolin should be arriving any minute. And I think your family is just a few hours awway." Tenzin answered. "The rest of the airbenders are just behind us."
Jinora let out a sigh of relief, no mention of Kai, and she didn't spot him as the rest of the airbenders landed. Opal's eyes flew over to her, giving her a reassuring smile.
…
Suddenly the temple was buzzing with new energy, Jinora went with her father and Ronin for a walk around the temple, showing all the new things and sharing their latest ideas. Jinora felt proud as she saw her fathers eyes light up at the sight of the complete restoration, all of the new acolytes and their spiritual progress.
"It's amazing! We've never had this many acolytes before!" Her father said, as Jinora petted a small bunny spirit that landed on her shoulder.
"It's all because of your daughter Master Tenzin." Ronin said.
"That's not true, you've been here and helping since we started the restorations" Jinora pointed out. Ronin was a bit of a leader amongst the acolytes, so far along in his spirutal training, her father had always favotized him for all the good work he'd done.
"You're too kind." Ronin smiled warmly.
"You've both done amazing work around here! If my father was here he would have been so proud."
Ronin and Jinora both felt a little taller as they made their way back to join the others. The ceremony was soon to start.
"I shoul go find Opal" She announced as they got back to the temple, and left the two men to their discussions. She took the stairs two at a time, already feeling lighter, reaching Opal's room in no time. She knocked before entering, and found Opal bent over on a chair, an acolyte shaving her hair off. Soon she would get the tattoos, and then be presented at the ceremony tonight.
"Dont worry, it doesn't hurt that bad." Jinora said, patting Opal's back as she sat back up. Opal grimaced.
"I feel like a baby like this though."
"It'll grow out again" Jinora laughed. Another knock cut them off.
"The Avatar and the Beifongs are here!" A voice rang out, and Opal shot up.
"Bolin!"
Jinora followed, also excited to see her friends again. When they came out on the courtyard Opal was immidately gladly received by her family. Jinora spotted Korra and Asami.
"Jinora!" They both exclaimed as theyall hugged. "You're so grown up!"
"I'ts so good to see you guys again!"
"I can't believe how long it's been. But Tenzin says you've been doing great work", Korra said warmly.
"You have to catch us up about everything at the party tonight!" Asami said, just as Opal reached them.
"Where's Bolin?"
"We ah-" Korra glanced at Jinora, "They got hold up for a bit, but they promised they'd get here before the ceremony started."
"He better not miss this." Opal grunted, as she went back inside. It was time for her tattoos.
"Come on, I'll show you too your rooms." Jinora waved.
…
"How can he not be here yet?" Opal exclaimed, pulling on her traditional airbender master clothes, wincing as the hood scraped against her newly tattooed scalp.
"I'm sure it's nothing, he still has some time." Jinora tried to calm her friend. But glancing over at her sister, Ikki shook her head slowly. Bolin was oficially going to miss the ceremony if he didn't arrive now.
"I'M HERE!" A voice rung out, as someone pushed past the drapes surrounding them. Bolin practicly fell into the room and knocked over a scented candle in the process.
"BOLIN!" Opal shrieked, throwing her arms around him.
"Oh I'm so glad too see you! I'm so sorry I'm late and- oh- oh you're bald"
"Yes? You knew that." Opal pushed him away at arm's length and gave him a stern look.
"Yeah but- it's just- new... but nevermind I'm here and I'm so so proud!" Bolin grinned, and Opal melted.
"I'm so glad you're here."
Tenzin poked his head around the curtain, "It's time everybody, Bolin what are you doing back here get out there and take a seat!"
"Yes sorry! I just need to tell Jinora something first-"
"NOW!" Tenzin growled, and Bolin squirred away past him. Jinora narrowed her eyes confusedly, but had no time to dwell on what he was about to say.
"You ready?" She glanced at Opal who nodded. Tenzin smiled and held up the drape for Jinora and Ikki to take their place with the rest of the airbenders at the small stage.
"Good luck!" She whispered as they left Opal.
She and Ikki took their places as Jinora looked out at her friends and family in the audience. Bolin had sat down beside Mako with Korra and the rest and-
Jinora involountarily twitched, and Ikki glanced over at her just as Opal entered the stage. She coudn't believe it. Was it really him though? It was quite dark and she hadn't exactly gotten a good look. She glanced up again, and this time she was sure.
Kai was looking straight at her as she met his gaze, a small but confident smile playing on his lips, just like she remembered. But his face wasn't a boy's anymore, more like a young man's. She found herself trapped in his green eyes for a second before she was able to regain her senses.
The rest of the ceremony she kept her eyes locked on a spot on the other side of the room, not letting herself even glance towards him.