I do not own The Legend of Korra or anything Avatar related

It was hot, smelled of smoke and was unbelievably loud. Opening his eyes, this was the first thing to cross Bumi's mind as he slowly sat up. Looking around him, his eyes widened in disbelief. Republic City was in total and utter chaos. Bodies littered the ground around him. Those that were not as injured were rushing around trying to look after as many people as possible. Taking in the scene before him, he moved faster, ignoring the wave a nausea that threatened to overcome him.

The front of the restaurant was completely gone, glass shards littered the front of the building. Giant flames rose high to the ceiling, dispersing thick clouds of smoke. Cries and groans could be heard all around as bloodied bodies jostled about, desperately trying to locate loved ones in the wreckage. A line of water benders stood on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant trying to extinguish the flames that quickly consumed the building's structure. People started flooding out of the buildings surrounding the restaurant, rushing towards the scene to help.

Now on his feet, Bumi staggered forward, eyes frantic. Rei. Where was Rei? Ignoring the hand on his shoulder that tried to keep him in place, Bumi moved through the bodies on the floor. Blood covered the sidewalks and he had to be careful not to step on the various limbs sticking out at awkward angles. Pausing in his search, he turned as a feeble voice sounded to his right.

"Someone help me, please."

Turning, Bumi located a woman almost completely buried under a pile of debris. Her eyes were only slightly open and continuously flickered as if she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Her soot covered skin and clothing made it nearly impossible to see her. As Bumi neared her side, his heart nearly stopped in his chest. It was Rei.

"Rei, it's Bumi. Can you hear me?" Kneeling on the ground next to her, Bumi tried to assess the damage before moving anything and potentially hurting her any more.

"Yes, I hear you Bumi. I'm glad you found me." Her eyes closed, her voice was no more than a whisper. The heavy debris she was buried under covered nearly all off her body, except for her neck, head, and one arm.

"I'm glad I found you too. Don't worry, I'm going to get you out." Grasping onto what seemed to be a charred piece of paneling from the wall, Bumi grunted under its weight as he removed it from the pile on her body.

"I'm not worried, you're here." Her voice had an airy, almost delusional quality to it. "You know, I don't feel any pain."

Faltering, Bumi slightly paused as he removed another piece. He knew that given the weight and amount of debris crushing her, it was not likely that Rei was going to make it.

"It's okay, I'm going to save you Rei. Just hold on." Grasping another piece, Bumi ignored the increasing ache in his back as he continued to unbury her.

"I'm really happy I met you today Bumi." Her eyes only opened slightly, she gave Bumi a small smile.

"I'm happy I met you too. Just keep talking Rei, stay with me." He was nearly there. Only a few more pieces to go.

"Bumi, am I dying?"

It felt as if someone had driven a wedge straight through his chest. Shaking his head, Bumi tried to fight the tears that sprung in his eye. "You will live, Rei. You are going to live. We just met, it's too soon to say goodbye."

With one last giant pull, the last piece of debris crushing her body was removed. Taking a sharp breath once her air passage was no longer constricted, Rei's small body slightly bowed off of the ground. Her legs were bent at impossible angles, and one seemed to be completely crushed flat. She lay in a pool of her own blood, and only then did Bumi notice the glass shards piercing her body in various places. Taking a seat near her head, Bumi reached for the hand that had not been under the rubble. Lightly rubbing the back of her hand, he watched as she struggled to catch her breath.

"It's okay Bumi, just let it be." Violently coughing, she grimaced as she spit out the blood that flooded her mouth. "I'm so tired."

"I'm right here Rei. I'm not going anywhere." Slowly, Bumi gingerly pushed back her hair from her face.

"I'm just going to sleep for a while, Bumi. I'll see you when I wake." Her eyes flickered once more before slowly closing. Her head slightly fell to the side, and her lightly moving chest stopped as the breath left her lungs.

Biting his lip, Bumi struggled to keep his composure. She was beautiful even in death. Expelling a shaky breath, Bumi cradled her head in the crook of his arm as he carefully lifted her body off the ground. Looking around, he located a small group congregated to the side, bodies on the ground covered with sheets. Knowing this was where she needed to go, Bumi took his time carrying her body, not wanting to jostle her in the slightest. As he stepped closer to the group, a few men nearby rushed forward to help him lower Rei's body to the ground along with the rest. Folding her arms across her chest, Bumi pressed a kiss to her forehead before covering her with a sheet. Knelt down next to her, he closed his eyes for a second, trying to gather his bearings.

A hand on his shoulder took him out of his reverie. "I'm sorry for your loss." Looking up, Bumi met the hollowed eyes of an elderly man. A rather large cut on his head was still bleeding, and one of his arms was covered in gauze. He pointed to a body a few down from where Rei laid. "I lost my wife too."

Not bothering to correct the man, Bumi nodded his head. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

Standing to his feet, he turned back towards the wreckage. During his time with Rei, the damage and chaos had grown a considerable amount. The flames were still going strong and quickly spreading to the other shops that were next to Narook's. Masked figures ran through the streets, breaking shop windows as they passed. The Triple Threats were determined to destroy the city. Benders and non-benders alike were engaged in various battles, aiding the very small number of police officers that were present.

Anxiety and dread filled Bumi as he watched the police force struggle. The city was in danger, and Lin was sure to be in the mix of it all. He already lost someone today, and he would be damned if he let the same happen to Lin and her baby. Taking a deep breath, Bumi squared his shoulders before throwing himself into the thick of it all.


So I've been sitting on this for a while. I certainly did not want to end the chapter here, but I nothing I wrote seemed satisfactory. I'm so sorry for the wait.