I looked at my hands. These hands were meant to heal, to give life; but all they had done was harm. I thought I was doing the right thing by getting involved with Su again, but it couldn't have been more wrong. She wanted more, but could I give it to her? I didn't think so. I had to call and apologize.

Another "fresh" start, I thought bitterly. At what point do I just give up trying to become someone I'm not?

I didn't know what I wanted to say, but that didn't stop me from picking up the phone. My heart started pounding as I entered in Su's number. A faint voice answered, crackling over the line.

"Hello? This is Lin Beifong."

"Oh, hello! This is Kya, I was wondering if I could talk to Su?"

"You didn't hear? She's not in the city anymore."

"What... what do you mean?"

My heartbeat grew faster and faster. What was going on?

"It happened yesterday. I was patrolling the city when I got into a chase with some thieves. Su was driving the car, and she refused to surrender. That bitch screwed my face up, too. She left this morning."

"Where did she go?"

I was panting now. This can't be happening!

"Out to the countryside, mom's orders. She's gonna stay with our grandparents for a few months until things cool down here. Why'd you want to talk to her, anyway?"

"Oh, just to apologize for something that happened a while ago. But it's not a big deal. Thanks, Lin."

"Anytime."

No, I thought. It can't end like this.


I borrowed Oogi from Tenzin and flew out to the countryside the next morning. I asked around, and learned the whereabouts of the Beifong estate.

The house was simple enough, situated on a large hill surrounded by flowers. I could almost picture us here- Su and I. But that was another life. A better life, where I had made better choices.

I climbed up the winding dirt path and knocked on the door. An elderly man answered, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

"You're... Kya, right? Lao Beifong, it's a pleasure."

"How do you know who I am?"

"I met you when you were very young. Please, come in."

I slid my shoes off on the wooden floor and followed the man inside.

"Sit," he said as we entered the living room. "You're here to see Suyin, right? I figured one of her friends from the city was bound to show up sooner or later. I'm glad you came, she needs some company."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll go get her, then. Just a moment."

Lao walked up a flight of stairs and I gazed at the floor.

What am I doing here?

The wind echoed through the house as I waited, for what felt like forever.

"I'm sorry, young lady" said Lao, walking back down the stairs. "I'm afraid she doesn't want any visitors right now. You can stay for some tea if you want, though."

"She... doesn't want to see me? Did you tell her who I was?"

"Why, yes, I did. She told me that she wasn't ready to see you again. I wouldn't take it personally if I were you; she's been acting this way around everyone."

"Oh. Well I think I'll be going, then."

"No tea?" asked Lao.

"No thanks," I said as I headed to the door. "Goodbye."


"Is that it? Is that the end?"

"The end of your involvement."

"But what else happened? You said that I'd understand something special once you finished, but I don't know what that is. You've spent a whole hour telling me things I already knew!"

"Well, there was more that happened once I left. I became a foreign aid worker for the Republic City Hospital, traveling all over the world to help those in need. I hoped to come back to you one day and settle down, but I knew it wouldn't happen. No matter how hard I tried, no one could ever tie me down. Not even you. Once my father passed, I moved to the South Pole to live with my mom. I was happier, being close to my family. But even then, you were still in my heart. I've waited thirty years to be here with you now, telling you these things. But it's too late; I'll never find peace. You've gone and made a life for yourself, and I'm stuck behind you, forever destined to be your shadow, always with you, but kept in the dark."

Su stood up and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Kya, I think you're getting too caught up in the past. I loved you then, and I still love you, but I was just a girl. You weren't much older yourself. At that age, it's hard to not get caught up in trouble. I got lost in the Terra Triad, and you got lost in me. I don't blame you for what you did, but I think it'd be wise if you let that regret go. It held you back all those years ago, and it's still holding you back now."

"How do I do that, though? You mean everything to me!"

"But why, Kya? What made you feel this way?"

"Well, I guess it was just... the way you talked to me. It was as if you understood me, and felt what I felt. You came into my life at a time when I had nothing to live for, and you helped me realize that life could be exciting. Looking back on it, I never really loved you in the way that lovers do. Not to say that it wasn't love, it still was; it was just deeper than that. I feel like our connection might even transcend lifetimes."

"If that's the case, then why were you struggling with these feelings for so many years?"

"You can chalk that up to me not being as mature as I thought. I couldn't let the past go, but now I think I might finally understand. It's like the tide, forever washing up against the shore. The waves carry things with them, like rocks and driftwood. But these things never stay. At the end of the day, all that remains is the connection between water and earth. Su, we might not be meant for each other like we used to think, but there's still a connection between us- a deep one. Do you realize this?"

Su chuckled, her eyes lighting up the way they did when she was young.

"Yes, Kya. I realized that a long time ago. I've been waiting for you to come around, and now you're finally here. I couldn't be happier."

The metalbender wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug.

"So," she said, "How about we go get a few drinks at Gu Wong's? His son owns it now, but the tea's still great. And they're open all night long."

"There's nothing else I'd rather do."

"Good, because you're not the only one with a story. You won't believe some of the crazy adventures I've had since we parted."

I left the women's dormitory with Su by my side, a smile growing on my face. Staring out at the bay surrounding Air Temple Island, I realized just how beautiful the world really was. Even the shadows cast by the ferry lights were magnificent in their own way.

My shadow is alright, I thought, because it's me.

I was tired of running from myself. I boarded the ferry, and we sailed off to the city. Behind us, the waves washed against the shore. Two shadows stood together, in love.

THE END