A/N- Tahno has taken over my life. I'm serious, guys. Sexy beast, he is. I feel sorry for him.

Anyways, here's this that I came up with in the middle of the night. Thank/blame my stupid insomnia, depending on how you like this. :D I don't really have another explanation for this.

I will be writing the next chap of The Day He Broke Her, but I needed a break from that. Total writer's block. It sucks.

Anyways,

Enjoy!

Tahno stood looking out over his porch on the beach of Yue Bay. It was quite the view with a stunning visage of the waves crashing on the shore and Avatar Aang Memorial Island in the distance, along with Air Temple Island. It hurt him now, though. Without his bending, he was nothing but a nobody. He couldn't feel the waves' push and pull, or the gentle tug in his chest as the full moon rose above him. Having his bending taken away really hurt, and not just emotional.

Without thinking the former probender raised a hand to touch the bruise on his arm from having to protect himself from thieves just a few nights ago. It was a testament to just how helpless he was now. Yes, Tahno had been able to chase the men off, but before the championship they would have gone running at the sight of him.

Now though…

Tahno sighed and looked down at the small rocky cliff. It was a strange stone formation, probably from some earthbenders. It was there before Tahno moved in, so it wasn't that particular thing that caught his eye. No, it was the figure standing on top of it.

His curiosity spiked and slowly the ex-bender went down the steps and started walking towards the shadow. He was about to call out once he got to the bottom of the rocks, but was stopped as he saw the person bending down. They were doing something with their ankles, and in only the moonlight, all Tahno could see was something akin to string in their hands.

The person stood straight again and two quiet words came from the now-discovered girl's mouth. Two little words that struck fear and an overwhelming sense of nausea in the rich young man.

"I'm sorry."

She took an almighty leap and jumped off the edge of the rock, the stones tied to her ankles yanking her down alarmingly fast. She let her arms hug herself as she crashed into the water. Her body quickly disappeared from view.

Tahno's breath was coming short and heavy now. Did she just…? It doesn't matter! he yelled at himself mentally. You got to do something! With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Tahno leapt into the water after the girl.

The water was freezing cold and almost made the ex-bender gasp. The water was thankfully clear enough that he was able to see a glimmer of a reflection off to his left. It was obviously a piece of jewelry or something of the like. He swam after it as fast and as hard as he could.

Halfway there Tahno was forced to come back up for air. His lungs were burning and his eyes were stinging from keeping them open underwater. However, he only allowed himself a few more breathes before diving back under.

He couldn't see anything. It was too dark, too murky. The moon alone was not enough light to see properly and his hope was slowly falling. Tahno's lungs were screaming, pleading for oxygen. He dispelled a few bubbles before spotting the glitter again. He chased after it.

Soon the girl appeared, rocks settled at the bottom. Her eyes were closed and Tahno couldn't tell if it was because she didn't want to see or she was already unconscious or worse. Without touching her the former probender swam down and pulled the knife he now carried out of his boot. Immediately he set to work on cutting the ropes that held her down.

Just as he didn't think he could go on for much longer, both snapped. The girl's eyes did not open and she didn't move at all, suggesting she was no longer awake. Tahno didn't have time to speculate anything as he pushed off the muddy bottom, grabbing her and pulling her body close to his as he desperately swam upwards.

Tahno's vision was dotted with black spots as he finally saw the glimmer of the moon. They were close. They were going to make it. Tahno burst from the water and drug in much needed breathes, lungs aching from deprivation. She did not stir from her position against him, head lolling slightly from side to side on his chest. The black haired young man fervently hoped her heart was still beating.

They came to the shore and Tahno tossed up onto the ground and crawled up next to her. He shivered in the cold autumn air but ignored it. He pressed his fingers below her jaw on her neck, fumbling for a pulse. With the other hand he pulled his hair back from his eyes, watching her chest to see if she was breathing.

Ba bump. Ba bump. Ba bump.

Her pulse was there, but just barely.

With a jolt, Tahno realized that though she was still alive, her chest was not moving and there was no air coming from between her slightly parted lips. He had to get her breathing, and soon. It only took a split second before his mouth descended on hers, pushing his breath into her body. Her stomach rose and then fell after he pulled back. Tahno put his hands on her and thrust down roughly, trying to dislodge the water that was no doubt blocking her airways.

No luck. He repeated the process again and again. Finally, on the sixth try, the girl lurched forward, harsh coughs erupting from her. Tahno quickly grabbed hold of her shoulders and turned her onto her side, wincing in sympathy as water spewed from her and onto the ground. He gently put an arm around her waist and held her up, threading his fingers through her long ebony to keep the strands out of the way of her sick.

Once everything was out, the girl fell back into his arms, slipping back into unconsciousness. Tahno sighed and sat back on his haunches. For the first time he actually looked at the girl. She appeared to be about the same age as him with raven black hair that reached just past her shoulders. Her cheekbones were high and prominent, bags hanging her eyes showing the product of many sleepless night. If not for the fact she was skin and bones thin and the deep sadness that showed on her face even in sleep, Tahno might have thought her beautiful.

The ex-bender shivered again and decided it would be best if they both got inside where it was warmer. He gently lifted the young woman and slightly stumbled back to his house.

A/N- There we are, the first chapter. I know I left a lot of questions hanging now, but that's how it's supposed to be! I really hope you all liked it! :D

Not much else to say…

Please review!

~L~