A/N: Maybe the last chapter I post till Sunday. I need to catch up on my sleep. Getting off of work at 11:30 and then staying up till 2:30 only to wake up at 9 is really doing a number on me. So until then enjoy.
I blinked my eyes open slowly, trying to adjust them to the bright light above me. I sat up and felt a weight slide from my chest and land in my lap followed by a soft meow.
"Shade? Is that you?" I said rubbing my eyes and feeling in my lap. When my hand came into contact with a ball of fur I smiled. "I dont know about you girl but im hungry."
I scooped her into my arms and opened my eyes fully, finally seeing where I was. I was in my room on the ship and in the corner of the room was Jinora and Asami proped up on each others shoulders sleeping.
"Good thing they are asleep, I dodged a viperbat there huh Shade?" I quietly swung my legs off the bed and stood on uneasy legs. I reached my free hand forward to steady myself, it was my right arm, now covered in the melted metal of the meteorite sword. I tucked Shade into my shirt and felt the metal with my left hand. I cringed everytime I reached the elbow or wrist only because when I didnt move it, it stayed hardened but when I did if flexed and bent with my joints.
I headed towards the door but stopped when I heard grumbles from the other side of the room where Jinora and Asami slept.
"Sai-Ryu...no...careful...danger...safe..." Jinora shivered and scooted closer to Asami. I turned around and grabbed the blanket from my bed and covered them with it. I toyed with the idea of waking them up but decided against it seeing as they might want to have the relationship talk.
I reached the kitchen and Eska was seated at the table eating some fruit. She looked up at me and glared or what I assumed was a glare I didnt look very long.
"My Bolin tells me that you are having troubles with the ladies." She said in a flat tone.
"Oh yeah just a little bit, ive been avoiding it recently." I said remembering that they were still asleep in my room.
"Have the talk sooner rather than later. It will be better for everyone. That way the one you turn down still has time to get over you and find someone else. You dont want to keep them waiting so long that they both give up and find other people." She sighed.
"Is that what happened between you and Bolin if you dont mind me asking?" I grabbed some cereal and poured myself a bowl. I sat down and pulled Shade out and set her on the table. I alternated between giving myself a spoonful and her a half one.
"Yes 8 years ago we broke up and I went back to the northern water tribe. I saw one of his movers and he was with Ginger, his female companion. They looked all lovey dovey but I could see it in his eyes that he didnt really feel that way." Eska went and grabbed more fruit before continuing.
"It was a little over a years later that I returned to Republic City and bumped into him on the street as he was trying to avoid his fans. We ducked into a noodle shop and talked over lunch then one thing led to another and we got back together. He publicly dumped Ginger the next day and proposed to me 4 months later and by the end of the year we were married."
I push my bowl to the side and let Shade dig in. "I dont see how that helps me though."
"All im saying is talk to them you might find out what you really want and from then on it will be OK." She stood, gave Shade a quick pet and walked out.
"She's right girl I do need to talk with them." I stood full of confidence but my stomach growled. "After more cereal though." I said as I poured another bowl.
After I had eaten all I wanted I grabbed the cereal and milk along with two bowls and spoons and headed back to my room. When I opened the door I saw that they were just waking up. I set the stuff on the table and sat down.
"Are you two hungry?" I said as I gestured to the bowls.
Asami smiled and JInora grumbled and they both sat at the table and pour themselves a bowl. After they were done eating I set Shade on the table.
"Now I would like to talk to you both right now with no interuptions and Shade here will make sure that you dont speak until I have finished what I want to say. Is that OK?" I rubbed Shades side and looked on.
Jinora rolled her eyes and nodded while Asami just looked at me.
"Great. First of all I like you both but in different ways and degrees." Jinora looked like she was about to say something when Shade hissed at her. "Obviously Shade is as serious as me so can I finish?" I looked at Jinora and she nodded.
"Jinora you found me when I first wound up in this time. You have been around me from the beginning, Asami we just met but I feel like I can open up and be comfortable around you. Not saying that I cant be comfortable around you Jinora but its just simpler with her. Jinora you have a great personality and Asami I can see that you do as well. Because of what happened with the sword and because what I think it means I dont know if I can date one of you anytime soon but if I had to say it would be JInora right now. Once I find out what it all means Ill tell you." I grabbed Shade and left the room and headed to the deck.
Hinako lay on a beach chair with Rina in his arms. "Brother you're awake." He shouted at me.
"Yeah and I just talked with Jinora and Asami and let them know my decision." I plopped down next to them and let Shade run around on the deck.
"Well what did you tell them?" Rina propped herself up on her elbows and looked at me.
"He chose but he didnt choose." Asami said as she walked up. She looked like she had been crying. She sat next to me and put her head on my shoulder.
"I understand why you chose her and I hope you find out what you need to soon." She closed her eyes and in an instant she was asleep again.
"Jinora? I figured that but what does she mean didnt choose?" Rina sat up.
"She means that he doesnt want to date yet because of what happened 2 days ago. Right Brother?" Hinako smiled and looked at Shade running back to me.
"Yeah." I picked her up and placed her over my shoulder and I picked Asami up in my arms and carried her back to her room and layed her down in her bed. I walked out and Jinora stood there looking like she had been crying.
"Jinora im sorry its just that-" She cut me off by kissing me and she backed away slowly and smiled.
"Its Ok ill help you look for the answers you need so you can ask me out for real." She cracked a smile and Shade jumped to her from my shoulder and cuddled up in her arms and fell asleep.
"Why is eveyone so tired?" I asked confused.
"Well you were out for two full days. Again." Jinora laughed and I tilted my head.
"Again? Uh can I just not pass out for a few days ever again?" I pulled at my hair and laughed. I grabbed Shade and headed back to the deck pulling Jinora by her hand.
"Im going to lounge around in the sun but if i fall asleep could you take Shade inside with you?" Jinora nodded and laid down on the chair and fell asleep.
"Or not." I smiled as I pulled an umbrella over and covered the two chairs that we sat in. I placed Shade on my chest and closed my eyes.