Diclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender or Legend of Korra.

Important note:I couldn't help but notice as I was reading my review (which I appreciate so very much) that some of you are getting confused by a certain reader. themadprofessor is someone who I am truly grateful for as he has helped me along with these wonderful chapters since I started this story up again. Just to let you guys know who he is. He has helped me a lot and if it weren't for him, this story wouldn't be up to it's fifty second chapter. I consider him my partner in crime and I am thankful!


To Lin, the rain outside were the tears of the entire city.

The gray in the clouds reminded her too much of his eyes. Was he crying too? She couldn't possibly know. Lin just looked back down to the ground of her bedroom, shirt in her unbroken hand.

It had been three days since Avatar Aang's passing. The news had gotten out to the entire city and the grief just stained the atmosphere. Anywhere you walked, people were crying or emotionless. Aang was their hero. It was hard for the citizens to remember that they weren't being looked after by the man who had brought balance to a disintegrating world years ago.

Because of her injury, Lin was strictly ordered to rest. Without her work to keep her occupied, the earthbender was left to sulk in all her emotions. The entire day, Lin would lie down, whether it is on the couch, her bed or even the stone floor, and just think. Sadness. Grief. Lost. It was how she felt. She could always depend on Aang to be happy, at any time. And now that he was gone, so was Lin's happiness. She didn't know how she could possibly continue to live on when she knows that someone so special to her was gone. To add to that, how was she going to help the others? Just thinking about all this made her tired by the end of the day. Recently, Lin had found herself sleeping by the time either of her parents gets home. Most times, Sokka would carry her back to bed, tucking her in, as if she were a child again. For some reason, Lin found it slightly comforting.

Lin's eyes found their way back towards the window, staring at the rain once more. She found the weather suitable. Carefully maneuvering around her broken arm, Lin pulled the white top over her head and completed her outfit. She was dressed entirely in white. It was a symbol of light, as if there was something to come out of all of this. Aang had explained it to her. There was something to come out of his passing and Lin was still trying to wrap her head around it. Accepting was not always an easy task.

The door opened, but Lin didn't turn her head. The recognizable heartbeat was constant at the door.

"Lin, time to go."

The earthbender stared out the window one last time. The rain had lessened and was now just drizzles. She stood up and followed her father out the door.


Lin knew she was right once she saw the crowd of people surrounding city hall. Every single person, she could say that with as much confidence as possible, was attending the funeral. I hope he knows Republic City loved him.

Unusually, the twenty five year old had her arm latched to Sokka's. It may have been the recent events, but Lin felt a need to be close to him. Sokka had tried to act as the strong one in the house. He attempted to help Toph understand her feelings, with not much success. The thing that Lin liked was that Sokka was come into her room and sometimes sit on her bed while she lied there, his hand soothing her. Lin knew she was acting childish, but it not only helped comfort herself, but also Sokka would leave the room in tears every now and then.

The father and daughter, walked up towards the coffin that lay atop the fine steps of city hall. Even from a long distance, they could spot Katara, Kya and Bumi who were nearest to the body. Looking back a couple rows, they finally spotted the chief of police herself dressed in uniform. Toph had to come here earlier to secure the area. She was held responsible for the security and at the same time not obligated to be on full duty considering the circumstances. Toph seemed to her have head in her hands as she sat.

They had finally reached her. Lin could feel her lip trembling. She never did like to see her mother so upset. Although Toph wasn't crying, it was obvious that she was holding it in. Even in the most depressing situation, her mother was still trying to hold up her walls. But they were cracking. And with every shiver that went up Toph's spine, Lin's heart broke. Does he know what he's doing to us?

Sokka and Lin took their seats, on each side of Toph. They came just in time as the ceremony was starting. Music started to play and Lin recognized it immediately. It was Aang's favorite song. He listened to it when he meditated or when just hanging out. It was peaceful and soothing. Just like he was.

One by one, the leaders of each nation walked up to the podium that was placed next to the coffin and spoke out to the city. The last of the leaders to talk was the firelord. Zuko stood up from where he sat, next to all the previous speakers, long red robes differing from the rest of the crowd dressed in white. Mai kissed his hand for comfort and Ursa put a comforting hand on her father's arm. Zuko nodded at his two girls, depressing expressions on their faces, and made his way to the podium. He stood professionally and it could have fooled everyone else. But team avatar could see right through him.

His voice started strong. "Avatar Aang was a hero. To all of us. He successfully ended the hundred year war as a child. He restored balance to the four nations. Most significant, he created the very city that you all live in today."

The firelord's voice started to choke. "Throughout the entire time I knew Aang, we weren't always friends. Looking back now, I really wish we would have become friends sooner. I remember him once asking if we could ever be friends and all I could do was firebend at him. But I knew he meant it. I just wish I could have realized it sooner. I may have had more time with him…"

Streaks of tears were now prominent on Zuko's scarred face. "The people and generations to come will not let Aang fade into some distant story. His story is meant to be told throughout time. And as the citizens of his city, I could only ask you do the same." He walked around the podium and stood right in front of it. "To Aang."

A moment of silence was taken for the avatar. No one said a word. Lin closed her eyes and allowed herself to cry once again for Aang. Is this enough emotion for you, Uncle Aang? Do you know how much you mean to me?

After taking a minute to herself, she opened her green eyes once again and took the time to look around. The racking sobs of the two waterbenders in the front caught her attention. Kya was holding on to her mother for dear life and Katara just stroked her hair, trying to calm her down, herself sobbing limitlessly. Beside them, Bumi sat, his eyes staring straight at the coffin. His form trembled and shivered, as if he just wanted to just get up and get his father back once again. Sadness filled Lin again, the sight of her friends suffering so badly.

Next, the avatar's family and close friends were allowed to approach the coffin, letting them look at him one last time. One by one, they got up and formed a line.

Katara was first. The coffin was opened, Aang's body being able to be touched. Katara looked down and let her tears fall freely onto his body. As if it were an instinct, the waterbender leaned down and kissed her lover on the forehead one last time. She returned back to her seat in more tears.

Kya was next and the moment she looked her father in the face she practically crumbled. Her cries were very audible and it took Bumi to come and collect her. As he held his older sister, Bumi stared his father in the face as well and closed his eyes as hot tears spilled out. He took both he and his sister back to their seats, to be consoling with their mother.

Zuko and Mai approached and they both stared down at the body. Mai let her head lay on his shoulder while they trembled and cried silently for their friend in front of them. Ursa followed and stood next to her parents, Iroh holding on to her weeping. She had a hand to her heart and mimicked her father with her own silent crying.

After the royal family, it was her family's turn. Lin allowed her parents to approach first. She stayed behind on the few top steps of city hall. Sokka approached the coffin first, Toph behind him. The water tribe warrior, already crying, looked down towards his brother in law. In his mind, he remembered the goofy kid that Katara and he had freed from the iceburg. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have the life he had now. He was forever grateful.

Sokka stepped out of the way. Toph sensed his movements and at first hesitated to make a step forward. The emotions bottled up inside of her were now breaking free. She was on the brink of losing it. Toph approached the coffin and placed her hands on the side. Shakily, she reached out and placed her bare hand atop Aang's robe covered chest.

Nothing.

"Twinkle Toes…"

She started to cry.

The tears left her milky eyes and her whole face shivered. Toph blinked, only causing her to cry more. He was gone. Truly gone. Never again would she ever get to feel his familiar heartbeat, so happy and joyful. Never again.

Her legs became shaky and soon enough she had to use the coffin to hold herself up. Through her mouth, small whimpers escaped. She wouldn't hold up much longer.

Sokka's arms came around her. The entire time he was watching her, he was stunned. Never had he seen Toph so emotionally exposed. Her tears were real and true. Her feelings were out in the open for once and Sokka had no way of knowing how to handle her. His arms were awkwardly around his wife and he tried best to soothe her. Shockingly, Toph didn't fight him. Her head seem to even bury into his shirt, dampening quickly. It broke Sokka's heart.

Knowing they had longed their stay near the coffin, Sokka lead Toph and him back to their seats. This left Lin alone in the front of everyone's gaze.

She was surprised herself. For once, she had witnessed her mother bawling her eyes out. Lin knew in that moment she locked with Toph's teary eyes. She was hurting. Horribly. And a small sense of doubt came into the back of her mind: maybe the greatest eartbender in the world had things even she needed help to overcome.

Like her mother before her, Lin hesitated. Will I be able to handle this?

With a slow gulp, Lin stepped towards the coffin. Peaceful. That was the first thing that she thought of as the sight of her uncle. He was always peaceful.

Surprisingly, as she looked longer at Aang, Lin could only visualize happy memories. Because that was all she had with her uncle. Happy memories. It brought a teary-eyed smile to her face. Just for him to see. A small spot of sunshine landed on Aang's unmoving face. Lin stared. Are you smiling too, Uncle?

"I'll fulfill your promise." she whispered.

And with that, Lin turned around and headed back to her seat. Once she returned, she found her mother's hands on her knees and her face still drenched with tears. Her father placed his hand atop of hers and allowed her to let it all out. Lin instantly placed her free hand on top of her mother's other hand, just as Sokka did. She was going to help her through this too.

Music started again, filling the air. Everyone turned around and watched as a group of air acolytes started to walk their way, straight towards Aang. They were dressed in all white robes and were walking gracefully. At the end, stood a form covered in layers of white robes and cloth. His clothing beamed bright and there was only one thing that seperated him from the rest of the acolytes: the blue arrows.

Tenzin held an emotionless expression. He seemed focused on one thing and one thing only. In his hands, he carried a medium sized wooden bowl and a brush. The airbending master held them with power. He was the only one that could carry these. He was the only one that could carry out the procedure. Him only. He was the only one that knew how to do the traditional death ceremony. The burden of messing up was also all on his shoulders. Because he was the only one that could mess up. The only one in the world.

The acolytes halted their steps at the beginning of the stairs. However, Tenzin continued on towards his father. With each step he took, the pressure of his responsibility pressed harder atop his shoulders. His responsibility. Only him.

Finally, he reached the coffin. Tenzin stood over it. He stared deeply at his father. Unmoving and unalive. His father was always joyous and full of life. He couldn't stand to see him this way.

Tenzin placed the bowl and brush on a table near the coffin. Carefully, he undid the robes that covered his father's chest. He opened them, revealing his bare chest. Taking the bowl once again, he dipped the brush's hairs into the fine liquid within the bowl. It was white and matched Tenzin's robes perfectly. The brush soaked up the liquid and was taken out at once. With steady hands, Tenzin drew the symbol of the air nomads: the three swirls. With each swirl that he completed upon his father's chest, a tear streamed down his face. Yet his expression didn't shift. One final motion and the third swirl was complete. The white liquid seeped into the passed avatar's skin, forever staying upon his chest.

The remaining master airbender stared at his work. Within his head, Tenzin asked, would father be proud?

Returning the supplies upon the table, he turned around until he was facing the crowd of anticipated faces. Loudly, he spoke.

"He is with the wind."

An applause of steps roared into the air as everyone made their way to stand up and the entire city bowed to their avatar in respect. Lin followed everyone else, Sokka's and her hand still linked to Toph's. All three of them were shaking, tears staining the ground below them.

After a minute, everyone returned to sitting. It was finally time to have the avatar buried. Katara, with all the strength she had left, walked up to the podium. Along the way, she brushed her hand upon the side of the coffin, touching it for the last time. It was her turn to speak.

"I hope that all of us, not just in the city, but in the entire world, remember all the sacrifices that my husband has made for us. Although he will be gone, his presence still remains. Forever and always."

Forever and always.


The burial took place on Air Temple Island. The only people allowed to watch were the closest and dearest to Aang. The acolytes helped with the process. They just watched as their friend was finally being put to rest. More tears were shed and by the time it was done, everyone was bawling.

Everyone was now dispersing, and ever so slow process. They lingered a minute by the burial site, talking and grieving. Kya and Katara were still comforting each other. Ursa along with her son was latched on to Bumi whose face remained stoic, hiding the hurt. Zuko and Mai were consoling within each other and even Mai seemed more depressed than she regularly was. Lin and her parents grieved together. No longer were any of them crying, Toph built her strong walls among herself once again, Sokka holding her hand and surprisingly with no fight, and Lin had both of her parents soothing her.

Lastly, Tenzin stood in front of the burial site. Staring at the gravestone of his father. Upon the stone, it read:

Avatar Aang

Our greatest hero.

Aang was gone, yet Tenzin still couldn't find himself to accept it. Feeling the large amount of loneliness wasn't helping either. He didn't know if he ever will come out okay.

Having felt enough time spent just staring at the grave, the master airbender turned around and started walking towards his family. The least he can do is see how they were doing. He didn't fully approach them. More like observed them.

Katara and Kya hugging each other tightly.

Bumi, Ursa and the rest of the royal family talking.

Uncle Sokka and Aunt Toph holding onto Lin.

Lin in her sling.

Her broken arm.

The one he caused.

He caused.

The sense of shock that entered his body was overwhelming. If he could remember correctly, it was just yesterday that his mother had informed him of what he had done to Lin. He understood it, yet the information had meant nothing to him. His thoughts were all set on the ceremony and his father. Completely neglecting his best friend and love of his life. He needed to talk to her at once.

Tenzin started walking towards the family of three. Lin had been talking with her parents when suddenly her mother started growling and her face turned into scowl. Through the vibrations of the earth, Lin knew exactly who was approaching. She didn't turn around.

"I can handle this." she told Sokka and Toph.

Toph spoke with venom in her voice. "I don't care. I need to teach that boy what happens when he thinks he can get away with hurting anyone. Especially you."

Lin offered a hand to her mother's shoulder. "Go."

"Come on, Toph." Sokka urged.

Toph took difficult steps away from her daughter. She had to trust her. Sokka followed obediently.

At that moment, a hand grabbed Lin's. She shook it off immediately and turned halfway towards him.

"Lin," he started. "We need to talk."

Lin looked towards him only to regret it. She read his eyes. Before he had gotten here, Lin was planning out what she wanted to say to her lover. But after seeing the emotion behind his gray eyes, ones that reminded her too much of Aang, Lin couldn't form words. Too soon.

"Look, about your arm…"

However, Lin had already shaken her head. "Not now." she said with a small voice. Lin left him there standing alone, as if he weren't lonely enough. She walked over to her parents who had been watching them the entire time. Lin approached them, her mother impressively fixing her eyes on Tenzin as if she could actually see. There was murder in her eyes. Thankfully, Sokka kept a restraining hand on her shoulder, preventing her from earthbending his nephew into oblivion.

Taking a safety precaution, Sokka urged his girls that they had stayed long enough and it was time to head home. Not one of the stubborn earthbenders fought back against him. It was a silent trip back.


Now here she was.

Sitting at the table.

Drinking tea.

Lin's ears twitched at the silence in the apartment. It was quite depressing. But she saw it coming. Today was a dismal day. Too tired to argue or to even talk, Toph, Sokka and Lin dispersed once they had entered their home. Her parents headed to their room at once and haven't reappeared since. Lin changed into her pajamas and decided she needed a calming drink.

And now here she was. Alone with all her feelings. Her face was unchanged. She took the cup and brought it to her lips, letting the hot liquid travel down her throat. It warmed her stomach, a feeling she liked.

Lin finished her tea and started back to her room. She passed by her parent's bedroom and peaked in for a second. Her mother was balled up, not even a hand on the floor for security. She faced Sokka, yet they made no contact with each other. Sokka faced her as well, his hand lying close to hers. It seemed as if he were trying to touch her, but couldn't find the strength to. So their hands just lay next to each other, somehow distant.

Lin closed the door silently and breathed deeply. Will they smile ever again?

She continued to her room. Upon entering, a cold chill shivered up her spine. Lin looked to her window and found that it was slightly ajar. A draft circled throughout the small space and as it passed through her clothes, she tried to look for a familiar presence. Lin walked over to her bed and lied down. She pulled the blanket only up to her waist. Once her eyes closed, they didn't open for the rest of the night.

Her window still open, the wind continued to enter, hugging her body as if they knew her.