A/N: Don't kill me for getting things wrong. It's been a while since I saw Avatar: The Last Airbender and I have only seen one season of Legend of Korra, and that was a while ago too.
The rustling of the leaves were all that bothered the boy. He was having it up to here with it. He just wished he could burn them all. But no, I have to control my anger like a good boy.
He wished he wasn't the Avatar. It would have meant that he wouldn't need to go on this stupid adventure. And he wouldn't have had to meditate so damn much. He wouldn't have had to meditate at all.
"Eren."
The brunette teen's eyes snapped open to reveal his green eyes, which were looking up at his friend, Mikasa, an earthbender, standing up in front of him. She was dressed in a light green button up shirt with dark green full length baggy pants, her brown leather shoes poking out. A brown leather pack was strapped to her back, and a scarlet scarf Eren gave to her as a gift was wrapped around her neck. Her grey eyes looked down at him, waiting for a response.
Eren's eyes lit up as he realized she was talking to him, "Uh...yeah?"
"Tell Armin to get himself awake and ready. We are almost there."
"Why don't you tell him? I was meditating."
"Eren...you and I both know you are focusing on burning all of the annoying leaves, not on going to the Spirit World."
Eren frowned, "Hey I-" He stopped, knowing she was right.
He reached for the nearest rock, grabbing it, and turning to look over his shoulder at his friend, Armin. An airbender, dressed in yellow shirt-like robes and orange shawl. So, naturally, he was snoring really loud. Eren learned to get over it and just ignore the sound when he meditated.
He raised his arm and threw the rock at the blonde. The rock flew through the air before hitting the boy's head, making him grunt and sit straight up mid-snort, his blue eyes looking around for the source of the thrown rock. The blue arrow tattooed on his head poked out from his short hair, as it was growing back in.
Eren fist pumped and raised his hand in the air for a high five from Mikasa, who just stared at it and shook her head.
Eren sighed as he got up onto his feet, stomping one foot onto the ground for a block of rock to push his pack nearby into the air. He held his hand up and turned it, using the air to twist the pack so that it flew right to him, one of the straps being caught by the boy.
He put the pack on, adjusting it so that it does not droop on his back. He looked down at himself, wearing a red shirt with tassels at the neck, dark grey knee-length baggy pants, and black leather boots. Most people think the Avatar should wear the noble clothing of his or her nation.
Eren was not into that.
In fact, when they tried giving it to him, he burned it.
Though he kept the boots.
Eren smiled, turning around to see Armin getting up, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Come on Armin, we are almost there. I can't wait to learn waterbending." Eren said with a huge hint of sarcasm.
Mikasa turned to him, "Eren, don't diss waterbending. It's a beautiful form."
"Well I am learning it from a hermit. Probably some old guy who won't remember a thing."
"It is a man. Yes he is old. But he is a master."
"So they say."
"Alright guys, I am ready." Armin said, smiling at the two.
Eren turned to him, nodding and smiling as he turned to the path and began to follow it, "Then let's not waste time. Let's meet this loner."
Eren could feel them getting closer to it, his boots crunching the grass beneath them.
Welp, almost at the end of the road. Wonder what will happen once I learn all four elements.
He remembered learning earth and airbending pretty easily. He had gone to the Western Air Temple on foot, as they thought an on-foot journey would be the best for him "spiritually". There, the Air Nomads trained him for a year. He met Armin there too. They instantly got along, which helped Eren with his training.
Then they had went on their journey to Ba Sing Se, where he picked Mikasa to train him out of a group of trainees. She was of the Upper Ring, but liked the clothing of commoners. That was another year of learning.
And then there was this person, the waterbender, the one who is an apparent "master" who trained for decades before deciding to settle in the forest.
The forest they were in now, where he will learn waterbending for a year before going back.
Finally, after a maze of trees and greenery, Eren's foot stepped out into a clearing, where a large beautiful lake sat, surrounded by these tall trees.
And off to the east end of the lake, sat a cabin with a deck that stretched over the water, being supported by pillars.
But they also saw another cabin next to it, but this was was on the ground completely.
"What is the other one for?" Armin asked.
"Maybe for us?" Mikasa answered.
Eren shrugged, "Maybe."
Eren stood in front of the cabin for a moment, looking up at it, wondering who could be inside.
"Well, Eren? Are you going to knock?" Mikasa asked, cocking an eyebrow at her friend.
Eren blinked, his thought process falling apart as he looked over his shoulder at the earthbender, "What?"
She gestured to the wooden door, "Go on."
Eren looked at the door, "Oh...right…"
He went up the few steps up to the door, standing in front of it. He took a deep breath and raised his fist, knocking it on the door.
A few moments later, a clicking noise signaled the unlocking of the door before it cracked open slowly. What Eren expected was not at all in front of him.
In front of him stood a young teenage girl, at least seven inches smaller than the Avatar. Her hair was light blonde, with a messy bun and hair loops that framed her face. Her skin was pale, making her blue eyes stand out more. She was wearing a blue kimono-like tunic that had a hood, white lining the edges, with split sides, probably to allow better leg movement. She was also wearing fur trimmed leggings underneath, with brown leather boots completing it.
Eren was confused, "Uhm...hi…"
The girl cocked an eyebrow, bringing her hand up to brush her fringe out of her face, "Why are you here?"
Eren's eyes lit up, "Oh, uh...me? Well...I am the Avatar."
The girl seemed unimpressed, staring at him with a bored expression.
"And I came here to learn waterbending from a man named…" He looked over his shoulder, "What was his name?"
Mikasa glanced up, "Leonhardt."
Eren turned back to the girl, "Leonhardt."
The girl's eyes widened slightly. She looked around Eren at his two friends. The blonde one waved. She looked back at Eren, "A man?"
Eren nodded, "Yes. We were told he came here after learning waterbending for decades to live alone."
The girl glanced to the side, "Hold on." She said, closing the door.
She came back a moment later, opening the door and looking at them before opening the door wider, "Come in. I have tea. I have something to explain."
The interior of the cabin was decent, with one main room and two separate rooms. The main room had chairs and a table in the center. There was a counter off to the side, and a few dead animals hanging from racks above it.
On the table in the center was a kettle and single cup. The girl led them to the seats, telling them to sit as she went to get more cups.
The three sat down, looking at each other curiously as the young woman brought the cups over, "Now, what I am about to tell you will be disappointing, but it has a silver lining." She said while pouring the tea into the cups and passing them out.
She picked up her cup and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. Her eyes darted from one person to the next.
She took a sip of her tea, sighed and began to speak, "The man you are looking for is dead."
Everyone's eyes widened as they put their cups down and stared at her, "What?!" Eren exclaimed.
The girl sighed, "He died a year ago from natural causes."
"How does that have a silver lining?" Mikasa asked.
The girl put her cup down and looked at Eren, pointing to herself, "I am the silver lining."
Eren leaned forward in his chair, "You? What does that mean?"
The girl looked off to the side before turning her head back to the three in front of her, "My name is Annie Leonhardt. I am his daughter."
If their eyes could get any bigger, they would be as the three looked surprised, "I thought he lived here alone. Like a hermit." Armin said.
Annie shook her head, "Far from it. He came here after those decades of training with my mother, who was pregnant with me at the time. He built this place, and eventually I was born here, in that bedroom," She pointed to one of the separated rooms, "Unfortunately, she passed away shortly after. My father then decided he would train me until he dies. I know everything he knows, and I practice everyday."
Eren pointed at her, "You look nothing like a waterbender."
Annie looked down at herself, holding her hands up in front of her face, "Ahh, right. My father was from the Southern Water Tribe, but decided to move up when he was young the Northern Water Tribe, meeting my mother along the way in Republic City. She was a firebender. I borrowed my mother's looks, and my father's abilities. This clothing used to be my mother's when she was my age. My father made it for her."
The three fell silent, all of them sitting back and thinking.
Annie stood up, "Look, my father taught me the styles from the Northern, Southern and the Swamp tribes. I have mastered all forms. So take my help or leave."
Eren hesitated before standing up, "Wait...wait…" He sighed, looking around the room. His eyes settled on the small girl, "We will take it. I didn't come all this way to just walk back, so...we'll see. My native element is fire, so I am guessing this will be much harder?" He asked.
Annie glanced up in thought, "Hmm...yeah, much harder. Well...let's get you settled, my dad made a cabin for guests. I guess he knew the Avatar was going to come." She said, gesturing for them to follow.
The other cabin was almost like the original one, it just didn't have a back door that went out to a deck. Also it was all one room and empty, save for the counter and a fireplace. There were also some blankets in a corner.
The door opened, and Annie walked in, moving to the side to allow her three new guests to walk in.
"I don't see any beds." Eren said, looking around.
"I know, you sleep on the ground...what? Did you expect my father to build beds for people he thought would come?"
"But he built a whole cabin?"
"...Shutup, Avatar. By the way, you haven't told your names."
The airbender looked around the room, putting his pack down, "My name is Armin Arlert. Airbender."
The earthbender glanced over her shoulder at the girl, "Mikasa Ackerman. Earthbender."
Eren turned around to face her, holding his hand out, "I am Eren Jaeger. Avatar."
Annie glanced down at the hand. Her eyes lifted back up to Eren before she turned around and left, saying, "Your first lesson is tomorrow." And closing the door.
Eren cocked an eyebrow before looking at his two friends, "Well...we're here..."
The Next Day, Day One of Waterbending Training
Annie stood on the deck, looking down at her reflection in the water. She crouched down to get a closer look as she got her hair loops into place. Her father taught her how to do this, saying it is something the women waterbenders do.
"And it makes you look more beautiful. Like your mother." He would say.
Annie turned her head to look at her face, running a finger down it, outlining her pronounced nose, something she hated about her face.
"I look ugly." She would say next to her dad as he helped her get ready for the day.
"Don't say that, Annie, you got that from your mother. It made her look unique. You're unique." Then he would give her a kiss on the cheek, which would cheer her up.
But now that he is gone, nothing can really cheer me up. She thought to herself, outlining her nose again and sighing.
A lone tear fell from her eyes, and dropped into the water below.
The young lady stood up, looking down at herself to check her clothing. She noticed something out of the corner of her eye, turning her head to see a figure move out of the way of the window.
Annie knew exactly who it was. She rolled her eyes before turning and walking back into the house.
She looked up at the racks to see a fish she got yesterday, placing it on the counter. She grabbed a knife off of the rack and placed it on the neck of the fish, more specifically the pectoral fin. Cutting deep, she cut it off and pushed it off to the side. Then she slid the fish to the left to bring the knife down on the tail, severing that as well.
Annie then stabbed the knife into the fish's underside, cutting along the length of the fish to cut it in half. She let go of the knife and pushed her fringe out of her face before grabbing it again.
She turned both side upward so that she could trim off the belly of the fish, tossing those to the side so that she could grab the tail end of one of the side and run her knife underneath, cutting the skin off of the side. She did the same with the other side.
She took the pieces outside, where she had a U shaped rock pattern set up, with a grill set up on the rocks. Underneath the grill was an empty space, and next to it, a frying pan with a long handle sat on the ground. She placed the fillet on the pan and stood up, walking over to the house to get some chopped up logs from a basket.
She pulled the grill up and placed the logs underneath, nudging them into place with her boot before laying the grill down carefully.
She patted her body, her eyebrows turning down as she couldn't find her flint and steel, "Damn. Time to go back insi-"
The grill suddenly burst into flames, the fire licking up into the air. This caused Annie to jump back a bit, looking around for the source.
It was him.
Eren stood there, in a stance, a fist outstretched. He smiled to himself, getting out of the stance. He waved to the girl, "Good morning."
Annie took a deep breath, nodding to him, "Good morning...Eren, right?" She asked. He nodded, so she walked over to the frying pan, picking it up by the handle and placing it on the fire, letting the fish cook.
She sat down in front of the blaze. She watched the flames lick up into the air as Eren sat down next to her.
He turned his head to look at her, his eyes looking her up and down, "So...what were you doing out on the deck?"
Annie glanced at him, "So that was you in the window?"
Eren knew he couldn't lie, especially with a girl this scary, he nodded, "Yes...I-I wasn't stalking, or anything, I was just curious as to what you were doing."
Annie nodded slightly before looking at the fire, "Well...it's none of your business."
Eren nodded, "True, but...you have a nice nose."
Annie turned her head to look at him, cocking an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"
Eren sighed, "Uhm...it looked like you were...like...uhm...self aware of your nose, like you thought it looked bad on you or something. And...I think it looks nice. It suits you."
Annie blinked before looking back at the fire, "Thanks…" She muttered.
They sat in silence after that, both of them not knowing what to say.
Annie reached over and grabbed the handle pulling it off of the fire. She held it in front of Eren, "Here."
Eren's eyes lit up as he looked at the fillet, "What?"
Annie gestured to the fillet, "Take one, it's your breakfast before we begin. But be careful, it's hot."
Eren looked at her before nodding and grabbing one, the heat burning his skin but he didn't want to drop it and make it dirty. He looked over at Annie, who got her piece off and bit into it.
Eren looked at his before taking a bite, pulling it off and swallowing it down.
The lake was calm, no disturbances in it just yet. Annie led Eren out to a clear part of the land, away from the cabins.
She stopped, turning around to face her new student, "Okay...waterbending. It is an element of change. We learned to bend by observing how the moon pushed and pulled the tides. It is fluid...and graceful. It is taking your defenses and turning them into offenses, turning the forces of your opponent against them. Our moves flow, like the water itself."
She gestured for him to watch. Facing the water, she got into a stance and held her arms out, one lifted higher than the other.
She flicked her wrist up, making the calm water pull up. She took a long noodle of water out and moved her hands like a river, flowing. She turned, the water coiling around her.
She then quickly turned and shot her hand out, the water flying right into Eren's face, soaking him.
Eren had his neck leaning back and his eyes closed as he spat out some water, "Well...that was refreshing."
Annie nodded, "Now...try making the water move."
Eren looked at Annie, sighing before turning to look at the water. He saw his reflection, staring back up at him, waiting for him to bend the water.
He took a deep breath, getting in the stance he saw Annie get in. Everything was silent. Annie's eyes switched between the water and Eren.
Eren exhaled, raising his hands, before shooting them out at the water.
Nothing happened.
Eren frowned, "Uh...am I suppose to be doing something?"
Annie nodded, "Focus on the water, focus on it moving. Moving it back and forth, it won't happen fast, but you will be able to get it."
Eren nodded, and took another deep breath.
This will be a while.
Day Fifty-Three Of Waterbending Training
Annie looked at her reflection in the ice mirror she created on the wall, putting her hair in a bun, like her father taught her to.
Her father who...might be disappointed in her.
She thinks herself a horrible teacher. She tried being gentle, like her father did with her, and she still tries, but she thinks that force is the only way to do this.
I will start today, force is good. He is a teenager, like me. He can take it.
She connected her hair loops before taking a deep breath and nodding to herself, "Alright, let's do this."
She walked over to the front door, placing her hand on the knob and turning it. She pulled the door open, the sun poking through the branches blinding her. She raised her forearm to block her eyes, letting them adjust so that she could see two people sitting around the fire.
Armin and Mikasa.
And they were eating fish.
She cocked an eyebrow, I did not get any fish.
Armin looked up to see her. He waved, "Hey, Annie!"
Annie gave a slight wave back, descending the steps of her house, "Where did you guys get the fish?"
Mikasa gestured to her own left, which was Annie's right, "Eren."
Annie's eyes widened as she was about to question her answer, when the boy himself came.
With a bag of fish thrown over his shoulder.
Annie stared at him in amazement. He smiled back.
Annie walked over to him as he put the bag down, "H-h-how?"
Eren looked at her as he took a fish out, smiling, "I uh...I got a fish out of water...by waterbending."
Annie narrowed her eyes, "How...did you...how could you go from moving water to picking fish out of it? You couldn't even move water yet."
Eren glanced down, "I kinda learned to move water after day twenty-two. I kept it hidden from you so that I could surprise you with this."
Annie's eyes were wide as she stared at Eren, who smiled back.
Suddenly, she hooked a leg around his leg and pushed him in the face, tripping him and sending him down, smashing into the ground. The fish in his hand smacked the floor harmlessly.
Mikasa shot up, "Eren!"
Eren held a hand up, staring into the face of Annie, "Calm down, Mikasa, I am fi-"
Annie punched him on the chest, "You son of a...you made me feel like I was a horrible teacher!"
Eren grunted at her punch, "Ahh...no, no, I am sorry. I didn't...I didn't mean for you to feel that way. You are a great teacher, and I just wanted to surprise you. I am sorry."
Annie paused as she readied her fist again, her eyes staring into his. They held it for a moment, before Annie took a deep breath and lowered her fist onto Eren's chest slowly, bumping it.
She stood back up and held a hand out to help him up. He took it and helped her pull him up. He stood up, rubbing his chest, "Good hit."
Annie patted him on the shoulder, "You did good, Jaeger. Just...next time...tell me your progress. I have never taught someone before, and...I am...I am doubting myself."
Eren smiled and placed his hands on Annie's shoulders, "You are a fantastic teacher. My teachers back in the Fire Nation would be forceful, and…" He leaned in close, "Mikasa was kind of forceful," He leaned out, "But you are patient and gentle and...thank you…"
Annie could feel heat rushing to her cheeks. She turned her head down, her hair blocking her face, "I gotta...go inside, I forgot something."
Eren nodded, "Go ahead. Tonight, we feast on fish."
Annie nodded before turning around and heading into her house at a quick pace.
Eren cocked an eyebrow at her, "Does she seem...strange?"
Mikasa shrugged, "She is always strange."
Annie closed the door, instantly leaning against the wall as she slid down it, allowing her cheeks to turn bright red. She smiled faintly, an emotion she doesn't like to let out. Mostly because I never got to show my emotion to anyone but my dad and his rare friend that comes by.
She felt a shiver go up her spine as she thought of Eren's kind words. Dad...he said it. I am a great teacher.
She felt her heart flutter, the butterflies in her stomach, and the tingling that her father told her about when he saw her mother.
Wait, that means that…
Annie's head shot straight up, her cheeks only getting redder as she covered her face, even though no one was around.
"No...no...I can't be attracted to the Avatar. I can't…"
She thought about it, her mind running a mile a second. She sighed.
"Can I…?"
Day One-Hundred-and-Fifteen Of Waterbending Training
"There, you got it! Now...freeze it!"
Eren held the water in front of him, then twisted his hand.
The water fell from his hands, back into the water. Eren sighed and made a noise of disapproval.
Annie shook her head, "Don't down yourself. It will only make it worse. You can do it."
Eren looked at Annie, nodding slowly as he got back into his stance. Taking a deep breath, he moved his hands, the water coming up.
He inhaled, then balled his fists.
The sound of cracking was heard as the water began to freeze up, traveling up until the whole noodle of water was ice.
"Now back into water."
Eren relaxed his fist, letting the ice melt into water, which was taken back by the lake.
Annie smirked, "Good work, Jaeger. You are progressing nicely."
Eren smiled, "Thanks. It's all because of you."
Annie nodded, "Yeah, thanks. But you still have a pretty long way to go. But, now you should be able to pick up on it faster. Work on your ice, try to do things with it. Make weapons, defense, mobility, anything. But also keep on practicing with your water."
Eren nodded, bowing to her, "Of course. Thank you Annie."
Annie cocked an eyebrow, "What's with the bowing?"
Eren shrugged, "You're my teacher. I forgot to do it when I met you, and I guess I only remembered today."
Annie shook her head, "Don't do that. I want us to be equals." She said, walking up close to him, putting two fingers on her chest, "Just a waterbending master…" She got close to him, to the point she could feel his very warm breath. She placed her two fingers on his chest, "And the Avatar."
Eren stood there, looking down at her small figure, giving a faint smile, "Yeah."
Annie nodded, giving a faint smile back before she released an amused breath from her lips and pushed him with her fingers, "Now...practice some more."
Day Two-Hundred-and-Sixty-Seven of Waterbending Training
Eren shot up from his sleeping position, breathing heavily and sweating profusely.
He realized he wasn't in a dream and sighed in relief, resting his face in his hands as he relaxed himself, looking out the window at Annie's deck. He remembered the second day of him being here, seeing her on that deck, checking herself. He thought she looked pretty, nose and all.
She still looks pretty. He thought to himself.
He stood up, getting his regular clothes on. He crept by his sleeping friends, carefully opening and closing the door.
He turned around, seeing the cabin and the campfire site in front of him. His eyes darted to the forest.
That will be a good place to relax, he thought to himself, starting on his adventure into the forest. He never got to explore it on the account that he was training and practicing. But now he was able to enjoy it under this beautiful starry sky.
As he progressed deeper into the forest, passing all of these probably century-old trees, he saw something glowing in the distance. From afar he can't really figure out what it was.
He began to run towards this curious place, not caring what is was or who was in it. He jumped over bushes and ducked under low hanging branches.
As he got closer, he realized that it was a cave. A glowing cave. He slowed himself down to a jog, which eventually turned into a walk. Reaching the cave, he stopped in front of it.
He hesitated, unsure about this, before walking in slowly.
His eyes widened as his eyes spotted crystals all around him, glowing beautifully like the moon.
He reached out and touched one, retracting his hand.
"That is really cold." He said, seeing his breath visible in front of him.
He slowly walked past the crystals, his shoes crunching the dirt beneath. Eventually, he reached an open area.
It was like a huge frozen lake, with large crystals out from it in certain areas like pillars.
Eren stepped onto the icy floor, the sound of the footsteps echoing throughout the room. He glanced at the crystals as he passed them. Turning his eyes forward, they widened, spotting a familiar figure.
A kneeling figure was identified by her blue hood over her head. Eren took a step forward, "Annie?"
The figure looked over her shoulder at Eren, seeming frightened at first, but relaxed as she realized who it was. He could hear a ragged breath escape from her, "Oh...hey Eren. Please...kneel next to me."
Eren cocked an eyebrow as he walked over slowly, not realizing what she was kneeling in front of until he was close enough to look over her shoulder. His eyes widened.
In front of her, the wall was smooth stone, and had two engravings, one was more neatly written than the other.
The first one read, in standard writing:
Here Lies
Annette Leonhardt
Loving Wife and Mother
Beautiful Firebender
Your Husband And Daughter Will Miss You
Eren's eyes were wide as they switched to look at the other one, this one was a little more poorly written:
Otto Leonhardt Lies Here
Loved Father
Best Waterbender
I miss you everyday
I hope to be with you soon
Eren turned his head to look down at the hooded girl, seeing her shake and shudder. He kneeled down next to her, looking down at his hands. That's when he noticed something in the ice beneath them.
Two rectangular wooden boxes were in the frozen water below them, under each engraving. He realized who they were.
Annie put her hands on the ground, her body convulsing as she cried, the tears falling down onto the ice. Eren looked at the girl. Not knowing what to do, he decided to do what he thought was right.
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in close.
And she allowed him.
In fact, she wrapped her arms around his warm body, crying into his shirt. All of her pent up sadness from the last time she came here falling out now onto him. And he accepted it, wanting her to feel warm in this cold cave.
Eventually, she fell silent. Eren didn't want to disturb her, but he slowly reached over and pulled back her hood. The beautiful sight he saw was something that seemed so rare to see.
In his arms, the small blonde girl was asleep, her eyes red and puffy from the crying. She looked so precious, so...fragile, it was hard to believe that this girl could possibly be tough.
I should probably get her in bed, he thought to himself, steadying himself as he held her bridal style and stood up.
He looked at the two coffins beneath him. Then his head turned up to the two engravings, nodding to them, before turning around and heading out with the girl in his arms.
The trek through the forest wasn't a long one. Eren looked down at the girl, imagining her as a child, being carried around by her father when she fell asleep.
"Now look at you. Grown up and living on your own." He muttered, smiling at her as he walked into the large clearing.
Eren ascended the steps to her front door. He twisted his wrist, using airbending to unlock the door and have it swing wide open.
He stepped in, twisting his wrist again to close the door. He began walking toward one of the bedrooms, opening the door to see it had a bed meant for two in it.
Eren stood there, staring at it, before shaking his head and turning around, walking to the other bedroom. Opening that door, he walked in to see a bed meant for one.
He made his way to it, stopping next to it so that he could lay the beautiful girl down in the bed.
Now here was the issue. He didn't want to leave her alone. He looked back at the bedroom door, thinking.
The Next Day, Two-Hundred-And-Sixty-Eight of Waterbending Training
Eren opened his eyes slowly to see the sky, a colorful mixture of red and orange, as the sun was rising over the horizon. He blinked his eyes as he realized that he was laying on the deck of Annie's house. He decided last night that he would not stay in the room, but he would stay close, just in case.
He wondered if Annie was awake, when the sudden voice came from nowhere.
"Hey."
Eren jumped, "Ahh!" He rolled to the side, when he realized his legs were hanging off the edge of the deck. He rolled right off the deck, and into the water below, splashing as his body hit the cold lake water, his arms scrambling to push himself back up to the surface.
His head poked out of the lake, looking up to see Annie bending over the edge, laughing at him. A beautiful sound to his ears, but still. Eren frowned and shot some water at her. She blocked her face with her arms, laughing as she began to make the water move, pushing Eren back and forth.
"Hey, stop!"
Annie laughed as she threw her arms up, pulling Eren out of the water and back onto the deck. He fell to his knees, the feeling of being pushed out of water into the air very strange.
He got up slowly and looked at Annie, who was trying to hold back her laugh. She then walked into the house, "Let me get a towel."
Eren dried his hair, smiling at Annie as she leaned against the wall. Her laughter had died down, leaving her with a smile.
After Eren finished drying his hair, he looked up to see Annie's smile gone, replaced with her mouth open, as if she was about to say something.
"Thank you. For last night."
Eren shook his head, "It was nothing. I don't know what it's like to lose family, but...I'm sorry for your loss."
Annie nodded, "...Thanks...thank you...no one ever came to pay their condolences. My father passed away, and...I had to bury him...it was horrible. The writing is horrible."
"You're alone."
"Well, not right now. I have you guys. Just…" She looked like she was going to say something really important, but she closed her mouth, "Thank you...you can leave...I will be out soon."
Eren kept his eyes on her, hesitating, before putting the towel down, standing up, and walking out of the room.
Before he closed the door, he looked over his shoulder at her, to see her standing in the same spot, looking down at her feet.
Like a sad lonely girl.
Day Three-Hundred-and-Thirty-Four Of Waterbending Training
"Alright, Eren. Remember when I made you do the bubble and go to the center of the lake?"
"Yeah."
"Now I want you to do it, but this time for two people. I will be accompanying you."
"Y...you trust me?"
"Of course. We have been doing this stuff for almost a year."
Eren looked uneasy. What if I screw up? He asked himself.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked to see the arm connected to Annie, who was giving him an encouraging look, "I trust you. Now let's do this."
Eren glanced at her before nodding and turning to the water.
Taking a deep breath, he began to wave his arms around slowly, walking towards the water. Annie was right as his heels.
As he approached the water, it began to push away, forming a circle around him. Eventually, that turned into a sphere, keeping any water from touching them.
They began their journey to the center of lake in silence, but slowly they sparked a conversation.
"You have progressed significantly, Eren. I am impressed."
"Thanks."
"Thank you. You learned pretty fast, and I am glad that you appreciate my skills as a teacher. I...I just wanted to say thanks."
"I should be saying thanks. You taught me."
"I am suppose to do it. You are the Avatar."
"I don't see how that title should force you to do something. Sure, I am the Avatar, but I can find another waterbender."
Annie looked down, feeling slightly bad.
"But they would not be as smart, kind, or talented as you."
Annie lifted her head, looking up at Eren, who was looking back.
Slowly, a smile appeared on her lips, and she turned her head down, trying to hide her blush.
"I like it when you blush."
Annie snapped her head up, "How?"
"I can totally feel the heat in your cheeks."
Annie looked down again.
Eren laughed.
"Annie, you should show this side of yourself more. I like it."
She looked back up, showing her smirk.
"It make you looks pretty. Well...either way...you are pretty."
She stopped, with him stopping with her. He looked at her to see her give an appreciative look.
Then she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him.
This made Eren stop waving his arms around, the water enveloping them, and lifting them up to the surface.
Eventually, their two wet heads broke through the screen of water, with Annie still holding Eren. Eren held his hands out to have the water push them to land.
Eren crawled back onto land with Annie, her arms still wrapped around his neck.
She picked her head up, her hair wet. Eren smiled and pushed a fringe out of her face, laughing a bit before nodding to her.
She smirked, "You did good."
Day Three-Hundred-And-Sixty-Four of Waterbending Training
Eren laughed as he tossed a rock into the water, skipping it across the lake until it drowned half way, "How can you throw it better?"
Annie smiled as she flicked her wrist, the rock skipping across the lake like Eren's, but it ended up on the other side.
Eren scratched his head, "Seriously...what the hell?"
Annie shrugged, "It's all in the wrist."
Eren looked up at the moon, "All...in the wrist." He got into a stance. Then he flicked his wrist, the rock skipping onto the ground and into the water.
Eren frowned, "I probably should've thrown, then flick, right?"
"Yeah."
"Damn."
"Don't worry, you'll...you'll get it."
Eren turned his head to look at her, "Is something wrong?"
Annie sighed, but then gave a short laugh, "No it's just...it's just...you won't be staying here. Tomorrow you have to leave."
Eren looked ahead, his eyes wide, "Has...has it already been a year?"
"Yeah…"
Eren fell back to a sitting position, staring out at the reflective water, "Well...why don't you come with us? To Republic City?"
Annie shook her head, sitting down next to him, "No...I can't just leave this place. I was born here. I grew up and lived here. My parents died here and it is where I want to die."
"That's a morbid thought."
"Eren…"
"Sorry…"
Annie sighed, "Eren...that night you found me in the cavern. You saw what I wrote, right?"
Eren nodded, "Yeah, it was beautiful."
"The last part?"
Eren frowned at her, trying to remember.
His eyes widened.
"'I hope to be with you...soon...'"
Annie nodded.
Eren blinked, "You...tried to kill yourself?"
Annie looked down at her hands, "That day you arrived...was another attempt…"
"What...made you stop?"
"What makes me stop every time I try...life…"
"What do you…"
"My father told me to live life after he is gone. To try and find people to love. To bring people here and start a town. I tried...I tried...but no one comes here...only you three…"
Eren stared at her wide eyed, "Well, you can still do that. I can help."
Annie shook her head, "I don't want your help...you have helped me enough…"
"What?...You have helped me more than I helped you."
"No...I didn't…"
Eren didn't know what to say. They sat there in silence before she got up and walked away, "Goodnight Eren."
Eren looked at her, "What? Annie…"
"Goodnight…"
Eren stood up. He was about to take one step when he stop. He hesitated before shaking his head. He let her walk away.
When she was out of his visible sight, he kicked one of the stones really hard, making it skip once before diving into the deep, dark water.
He balled his fists, looking down, "This...is when I hate...being the Avatar…"
The Next Morning, Day Three-Hundred-and-Sixty-Five, End of Waterbending Year
"Got everything you need Eren?" Mikasa asked, lifting her pack and putting it on. She took out a small mirror and checked herself, running fingers through her short black hair.
Eren sighed and shrugged, putting his pack on, "I guess." He said in an almost depressed tone.
Armin bent over to look at Eren, "Is something wrong?"
Eren glanced at Armin, "Huh? Oh...yeah...I-I mean no, I-I'm fine."
Mikasa put her mirror away, looking at Armin, then at Eren, "Then shall we get going?"
Annie stood in front of her home. Her bun was a little more messy and her hair loops were hanging from her bangs, not connected to her bun. Her eyes were slightly red and puffy, and her clothes looked dirty. They were the same clothes she wore yesterday.
As Eren and his friends exited their house, she turned to them and gave them a faint smile, "It was nice to have you guys as company. It's sad you have to leave."
Mikasa walked up, nodding, "Yes, it is. It was nice meeting you, Annie."
They shook hands. Mikasa stepped out of the way so that Armin could walk up.
"Thanks for giving us a home. And helping Eren."
"It was a pleasure."
They shook hands. Armin stepped out of the way to let Eren walked up.
They stayed silent. Eren looked at her, up and down, looking for any hint that she would want to come with them.
He couldn't find it.
Eren gazed into her eyes, his emeralds locking with her sapphires. They exchanged much information through that alone.
"I will miss you." He said.
"Me too."
"Thank you for teaching me."
"Thank you for learning."
Eren gave her a small smile before leaning in to hug her. She was surprised by the affection, but accepted it, wrapping her arms around him.
Eren whispered into her ear, "Don't hurt yourself."
Annie sighed, "I'll try." She whispered back, her voice cracking.
They let go and pulled back from each other, smiling at each other.
Eren turned to his friends, nodding, "Let's go." He said, losing his smile.
Mikasa nodded, gesturing for her friends to follow.
As the trio made their way to the direction they came, Eren stopped and looked over his shoulder, seeing Annie was not there. She probably went back inside.
"Eren?" Mikasa asked.
He looked at her, "Huh?"
"You coming? We have to get back to Republic City in a week."
Eren glanced down, sighing, "I...I...tell them to come to me."
Mikasa cocked an eyebrow, "What?"
Eren turned around and began sprinting back to the cabin, "Tell them to come to me!"
Mikasa and Armin looked at each other before turning back to Eren, "Eren! Eren!" They shouted.
Eren skidded to the halt before rushing up the stairs to Annie's door. He quickly knocked on it, over and over again.
The door opened and Annie poked her head out, sniffling and rubbing her red, puffy eyes, "E-Eren?"
Eren looked down at her, he cupped her cheeks and, after staring into her beautiful blue eyes, pulled her into a long, passionate kiss.
Annie's eyes were wide with surprise, as everything was so sudden. But soon after, she accepted it, wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him in closer, to push his lips harder against her's.
Mikasa and Armin ran over, both of them stopping in their tracks as they witnessed the scene before them.
Eventually, Eren pulled back, looking down at the girl in his arms, "Annie...I am staying…"
Annie's eyebrows raised, "But...you have to go back to Republic City…"
Eren smiled, shaking his head, "No...if they need me, they come to me. What can they do? I am the Avatar." He said, looking over his shoulder at his friends, "Tell them that I am staying here. If they need me, they can make the trip."
Mikasa and Armin look at each other before nodding, "Alright, Eren. We may come back after telling them." Mikasa said.
Eren smiled and nodded to them, "See you."
The two smiled before they began their journey back to Republic City.
Eren turned his head back to Annie, "I didn't want to leave you alone."
Annie smiled and nodded, leaning up to kiss him again, "Well...we should probably practice."
Eren nodded, "Ladies, first."
Annie rolled her eyes before turning around and running to the deck. Eren followed her, seeing her dive into the lake.
Eren smirked before getting a running start, jumping off the deck and into the cold water.
Annie swam over, cupping his cheeks, "Thank you."
Eren kissed her, resting his forehead against hers, "My pleasure."