2. Mixed Emotions
I woke up early the next morning. I gathered my few traveling supplies and quickly left. I was to meet Gyatso at the entrance of the woods not far away from the air temple. I rushed to get out, insuring that no one would see me. No one else knew that I was leaving. I hate goodbyes. If I try to say goodbye to everything that I know and love, I know that I won't have the strength to leave.
I start running down the steps. I can see the tall trees of the woods up ahead. The moment my leading foot leaves the last step and touches the ground, I realize that this is the beginning of my new life.
I can't look back at my old home. This is what I wanted, right? To become something new. To do things that I've never done before. To explore the world around me. It sounds so adventurous. Something that I am not, but that I will strive to become…
About five minutes later, I finally find Gyatso at our meeting spot. His flying bison is with him. I do hate saying goodbye, but I promise myself that I will see my brother again.
We are both sad, yet joyous. We are sad because we have spent what seems like an eternity together. We are siblings. We care for each other. We are joyous because we know that this is what both of our hearts want; because we honor and encourage each other's decision.
"Hello, sister," he greets me.
I just smile. I am speechless. There are no words that can truly explain how I feel right now. I want to cry and laugh at the same time. I have mixed emotions that I don't know how to express.
He is standing near what used to be my favorite thing in the world: the first tree I ever climbed. Gyatso was there to guide me. Gyatso has always been there. It's so hard to imagine a life without him.
I walk closer to the tree, drawing nearer to my brother, my best friend. When I am about a foot before him, he lunges forward and captures me an embrace.
We say nothing, for there is nothing to say. He lets go. I turn my back to him and walk in the opposite direction. I don't look back. I sense that he has done the same thing. I imagine him climbing onto his flying bison and disappearing into the clouds. But I don't look back. I don't want to hear him take off, I don't want to seemy brother fly off into the sky because it will make me feel like I'm losing him forever. I try my hardest not to cry. The pain is unbearable. I can't think about this anymore.
I focus on the task ahead of me. I don't know where to go. For the longest time I just walk, trying to shun out any hindering thoughts, any reflecting memories.
I look up at the sky. It is about noon now. The sky is bright. The sun warms my skin. So this is what being alone feels like. It's not as bad as I thought, though. But it has just begun.
Soon all of the trees begin to look the same. So this is the outside world. I know there is more to it than a few broken logs, fallen branches, and slithering snakes. Where is this so-called excitement. Where is my adventure?
A few hours later I reach the end of the woods. Finally! Just as I pass by the last tree, a victorious grin emerging on my face, looking out at the grassy meadow before me, my stomach starts to growl. I need food. I had decided not to pack food with my supplies (trying to embrace the idea of being 'adventurous').
I recall Gyatso mentioning a town being around here before. I notice the sky is turning blue-black. I decide to journey back into the woods, find a few berries, and make camp for the night. Tomorrow is another day.
As I close my eyes to sleep, I reflect back on my first day as a true 'air nomad'. Was there anything that I should have done differently? But I could think of nothing, because there is no wrong way when you are a nomad. You just go in the direction the air leads you.
To be continued...
Author's Note: Okay, this is my first fanfic and I hope you enjoy it. There is a lot more to come and it will become more and more interesting as time progresses. I appreciate reviews (comments, ideas for the story, and constructive criticism is always welcome), so keep them coming. :)