A/N: Okay, I know I said that I would get beck to TWT, but I had this in my head for a while so I had to write it. I swear this time that TWT will be the next thing published. Enjoy!

The Act of Being Proud

Bumi sat underneath an old tree on Air Temple Island, chatting with Bumju. They would do this most afternoons. Mainly because Tenzin would always drag Bumi to airbending practice with the others.

"Hi Uncle Bumi!"

Bumi looked up from his conversation with Bumju to find Jinora walking up to him.

"Hi Jinora. Want to join the conversation?" Bumi asked.

"No thanks. I'm actually here to tell you that Dad has been wanting to talk to you," Jinora explained, "something about your training I think."

"What!? I've already done today's training! If Tenzin thinks he can make me train more than a day's worth, he can-"

"Just go talk to him. You won't regret it," Jinora interrupted, talking in a tone that suggested she knew something.

"Fine," Bumi grumbled as he started to get up and find Tenzin.

"You asked for me," Bumi huffed as he walked into the meditation pavilion, disrupting Tenzin's thoughts.

"I see Jinora found you. Yes, Bumi. I've been wanting to tell you something."

"If you think you can make me train even more a day, then you must be crazy," Bumi sneered.

"Actually Bumi, that's not what I want to talk to you about," Tenzin stated, though it went unnoticed.

"I mean honestly. This is my time. You can't take that away from me!" Bumi continued.

"Bumi! Listen to me! That's not what I want to talk to you about!"

"It's not?" Bumi asked as Tenzin gestured for him to sit down.

Seeing Bumi comply with his gesture, Tenzin went on, "No Bumi. I don't want to train you even more. In fact, I want to train you less."

"What do you mean?"

"Bumi. I believe it's time for you to receive your arrows," Tenzin said.

"Really?"

"Really."

Unfortunately, Tenzin was not ready and had to airbend him and Bumi back up when Bumi launched himself at Tenzin, pulling him into a hug.

It was about three weeks later when the ceremony started. Bumi was hidden in a room behind the room where it would take place. He felt bad that he couldn't greet his mom, sister and friends, but knew it would be worth it after.

Tenzin was outside, welcoming the visitors who had come to watch the ceremony. Visitors included his family, friends, his parent's friends, the world leaders (this was one of Avatar Aang's sons being tattooed, so it would've been made an international affair – not by choice though), other airbenders and some of the air acolytes.

Eventually he spotted his mom and sister walking up, so he decided to meet them halfway.

"How have you two been?" Tenzin asked.

"We've been good. How's your brother?" Katara asked.

"Having gone through this process, I can confidently say that he's nervous and in a bit of pain, no matter how much he denies it," Tenzin replied.

"Where is he?"

"He should be in a room behind the ceremony hall, but knowing Bumi he's gotten out and is causing havoc," Tenzin explained.

"And you left him unsupervised?" Kya queried in disbelief.

"No. I left Meelo with him."

"Don't you know by now? That's a dangerous combination," Kya responded.

"They'll be fine," Katara rushed to reassure, noticing the panicked look on Tenzin's face.

"I hope you're right, mother," Tenzin drawled.

However, despite all his wishing, when Tenzin walked into the room where Bumi and Meelo were kept, all he saw was what looked like Ghazan had gone on a lavabending rampage whilst Bumi and Meelo had been reenacting his father's battle against the former Firelord Ozai (Bumi as Ozai and Meelo as Aang, using their airbending as the different elements).

All the visitors and residents were sitting on the floor on mats in the ceremony hall. Incense was lit behind the airbenders, who stood behind Tenzin and Bumi. Some of them had tattoos, about one in five.

Katara, Kya, Jinora, Ikki, Meelo and Pema were standing to the left of the stage, whilst the Beifongs (except Opal who was standing with the rest of the airbenders), the fire nation royal family and some friends and commanders of Bumi's from the United Forces were on the right.

Bumi was dressed in a yellow robe, similar to the one Jinora wore at her tattoo ceremony. His head was bowed, so only the tip of his arrow could be seen at most.

"We have gathered here today to celebrate another mastery of airbending," Tenzin started, "After four years of hard work, my brother Bumi has earned his arrows. At the start of his training, he was distracting, unfocused, undirected. However, since an incident involving some of the baby bison and some poachers, his skills have flourished. He has become more determined, more focused and more resilient. Bumi's leadership skills he developed in the United Forces will serve him well as one of the masters of the Air Nation. I am so proud of my brother, as I'm sure we all are."

Bumi stepped forward, knowing this was his cue. He knelt down, his head tipped forward. His hands tentatively reached up for the hood of the robe.

Tenzin approached Bumi, "Today, I have the pleasure of announcing Airbending Master Bumi."

Bumi lifted the hood of his head, displaying his shaved head and blue arrow to the crowd. The airbenders behind him manipulated the air to spread the incense around the room, making the chimes ring out melodically.

After the ceremony, everyone had gone to get some food and drink. Well, almost everyone. Katara, Kya, Tenzin and Bumi stayed behind.

"Bumi, we're all so proud of you."

"Thanks mom," Bumi replied.

"Are you going to stay bald or grow your hair out?" Kya asked.

"I'll probably grow it out. Too much hassle," Bumi responded.

"I just hope you know that even though you now have your tattoos doesn't mean no more practice, you need to keep it all fresh in your mind," Tenzin added.

"Great," Bumi groaned.

Suddenly sniffling could be heard. Bumi turned from Tenzin and looked at his mother, who had tears glistening her eyes and a few that had run loose on her cheeks.

"Mom, are you crying?" he asked.

"Yes, Bumi, I am," Katara replied.

"Why?"

"I just wish your dad was here."