Thank you for the reviews and follows. Please keep reviewing. It helps. And this chapter is later the same day. I thought I should finish something I touched on last chapter.

Saved. He saved her life and she grateful. More than grateful. Lin was in love with Bumi and she knew it would never work. She was fourteen and he was seventeen. Bumi was practically a man and she just a child. She wasn't afraid of rejection but afraid of pushing him too far and losing him altogether. Bumi was a great friend and he understood her. Their lives seemed to be very similar. Toph was always busy with work so she never paid any attention to Lin. She was basically raising herself and could do what she wanted. Bumi never received the proper amount of attention because his parents were always training Kya and Tenzin to be masters. All and all Bumi and Lin were left to entertain each other.

The sun had set for the day and Lin and Bumi had to part ways. Lin went home to eat dinner with her mother before she went back to work. Bumi stayed in his room until his mother was finished with dinner. Of course, Bumi wanted to eat but he didn't want to go to the dinner table. He knew his father would bring up him wanting to join the United Forces. Bumi knew his mother would overreact and give one of her speeches about how back when she was young people died in war. But it's a different world now. There is still some conflict but not any wars.

"Bumi! Time for dinner!"

Bumi heard Kya call from outside his door and his mind raced even more. He was trying to find a good reason not to go to dinner. But he knew it would be even worse if his mother and father came in his room to talk to him. Plus, what he had to say had to be said in front of everyone. His parents may not give him the attention he deserved but they never forgot to bring up anything about him. Bumi got up out of his small bed and walked over to the door. He opened it a crack and saw Kya's blue eyes. She was smiling at Bumi and all he could do was frown. He opened his door and shoved past her earning a whip to the back of his neck. Bumi turned around and saw the smirk on Kya's face.

"What was that for?"

"You could have said excuse me."

Kya was sincere about the incident so Bumi decided to let it go and walk away. He made his way to the dining room and saw his brother, mother, and father were already seated. Bumi sighed and walked to his seat at the table next to his brother who sat next to his father. Kya came in and sat next to her mother. The rest of the family began to eat but Bumi just sat there. He looked at his plate and noticed they were eating noodles and dumplings. It was his favorite food but he wasn't in the mood to eat. Nobody noticed this unusual behavior. Perhaps they were all too wrapped up in conversation to notice. Aang was bragging on Tenzin and his air bending. Katara was bragging on how Kya would be a master healer in no time. Nothing was said about Bumi. Well that is until dinner was almost over.

"And I guess Bumi has great plans for the future."

Bumi looked up from his plate. All eyes were on him.

"He wants to join the United Forces."

Katara choked on her dumpling and Kya had to help her get it out. Tenzin simply stared at his brother. Aang had a look of worry on his face. After Katara got the dumpling out she started with her lecture. But Bumi cut it short.

"You are not joining the United Forces! Back when the Fire Nation waged war people were put on the front. People died. There are not healers all over the world. You're lucky-"

"I'm not lucky at all. And the world isn't like it was back then. Its different mom. There are conflicts but nothing I can't handle."

"You can't handle it. You don't have any-"

Bumi glared at his mother. She tried to take back what she almost said but she couldn't. Aang just sat there. Kya and Tenzin stared at their brother.

"Because I don't have any bending? Is that it with you two? All of my life I've never gotten the attention I deserved-"

"That is not true Bumi-"

"Yes, it is mom. After Kya was born you gave her all your time, attention, love, and care. You have this hope that she will be a master healer that the world will depend on."

Bumi turned his attention towards his father who seemed as if he was fighting a battle inside his mind.

"And after Tenzin was born you gave him all your time, attention, love and care. Even to this day. We sit here at the table and I can never sit by either of you because you want your 'masters' to sit by you. All you ever talk about is how Kya did this, Kya did that, Tenzin is this, Tenzin is that. I'm tired of it. All I want is to prove that I'm just as good as them and that I deserve the attention for once. My decision is final. I will join the United Forces in hope that I can finally earn your love."

Bumi got up and walked out of the dining room. Kya and Tenzin got up and left too leaving their parents alone.

"He's right Katara. It's true. We have..."

"I just can't believe we did this. Drove him to this decision. Aang I'm sorry...but I'm afraid it's too late."

Katara let the tears from her eyes run down her cheeks and into her plate. Aang got up from his seat and went to sit by his wife. Katara turned towards Aang and Buried her head into his chest. She cried and Aang held her close.

"I'm afraid it's too late too. We made a mistake and we can't fix it."

While Katara and Aang were comforting one another, Bumi went to find a little comforting of his own. He went to a place he knew best. Lin's house. They lived close to the Police Station on the west side of town in a small house. Bumi walked up the steps and knocked on the door. Within minutes Lin opened the door and was standing in front of Bumi. He met her smile with a frown.

"Why the face?"

"You didn't even ask who it was. I could have been a robber or anybody."

Lin rolled her eyes.

"I can see that it's you with my feet...even before you get to the door."

"Oh yea...I forgot."

Bumi smiled and bowed playfully.

"My apologies Ms. Beifong."

Lin blushed and chuckled. Bumi stood up and walked in the door. Lin shut the door and followed Bumi into the small but comfortable living room. It was made of earth walls and earth floors. The couch and chairs were a light green and there was a coffee table in the middle of the room. Bumi sat on the couch. Lin was hesitant to sit beside Bumi so she just stood for a moment.

"Darlin sit down. I'm not gonna bite."

Lin sat beside Bumi and thumped him on the head. He didn't even say ouch but it did hurt.

"So why are you here? Shouldn't you be... I dunno. Doing whatever you do?"

"Well...I kind of told my parents the truth of why I want to join the United Forces."

Lin's eyes widened and she looked at Bumi. His head was lowered and his hair was combed down, covering his eyes.

"Why do you really want to join?"

"To try to earn my parents love and attention. They always pay attention to Kya and Tenzin. They always brag about them. I feel like they don't love me as much because I'm not a bender. But I can be a master of something."

"Oh..."

Lin's voice faded and she dropped her head. Bumi noticed her movements. He reached out his hand and carefully lifted Lin's head up and towards him.

"Lin I won't leave you. I know you're worried about that-"

Lin jerked her head away from his grasp. She turned away from him and got up.

"It's late. You should leave."

Bumi could hear the cracks in her voice and he knew she was close to crying. Instead of trying to talk to her he got up and left. He made sure he locked the door behind him. As soon as Lin knew he was gone she fell to her knees and cried.

"I love you even though you're not a bender."

Please review and follow this story if you like it. I know a lot of people aren't fans of this shipping but it would be great to see reviews. Thank you to frostystuffs for your review. It made me decide to post this a little earlier.