Air Temple Island was abuzz with activity. Tomorrow Ikki would become an Air Master herself, joining her father and older sister as the only Air Masters, currently.

Lin was helping again to direct the airbenders and acolytes in setting up tables and chairs for the celebration party after the ceremony. Airi was on her hip as she walked around, and making mental notes of what else needed to be done.

"Lin?" Tenzin called out, walking over to her quickly. "Have you seen Ikki?" He asked, urgently, eyes slightly widened in a panic. "I can't find her, and it's time to start her tattoos."

"I'm sorry, Tenzin. I haven't seen her."

"Do you think she changed her mind? If she isn't ready, I would hope she would just say something. What are we going to tell everyone? There are dignitaries who have travelled far to be here tomorrow. What -"

Lin slapped a hand over his mouth. "Calm down, airhead. We don't have time for your panicking. Now, I'm going to remove my hand, and you are going to take Airi. Then I will go find Ikki, while you keep yourself occupied with taking care of your niece and the set up out here. Understood?"

She waited until he nodded, and then removed her hand. She then quickly handed Airi over to her Uncle.

"If Ikki is anything like you were before getting your tattoos, then she is hiding somewhere quiet to think." Tenzin nodded along with her as he settled Airi against his shoulder. "Give me a bit of time to find her and talk with her. We'll come to you."

"Thank you, Lin."

"You can thank me by changing Airi's diaper." Lin said with a smug smirk as she turned away, but not before catching his face when he realized the scent that finally hit his nose.

She snickered a little as she headed off in pursuit of her missing niece. Once she was out of sight of Tenzin, she paused to slip her shoes off. She placed them off to the side to collect later. Lin then slammed one of her feet down to use her seismic sense to see if she could locate the girl. Sure enough, she was able to find her quickly.

Lin made her way to the cliff face and bent a set of steps down to the small alcove below. It was the same one Ikki had found her in many months ago.

"Hey, kid. Have room for me?" She asked, seeing Ikki leaning against the rock wall, with her legs pulled up to her chest.

Ikki shuffled over a little, making enough room for Lin to settle in beside her. Her own feet dangled off the edge and she leant back on her hands, looking out over Yue Bay. She decided to just stay quiet for a bit, offering her silent support. Ikki would speak when she was ready, and they still had a bit of time left before Tenzin got into more of a tizzy.

It was silent for a while, just the sounds of nature could be heard. The waves hitting the rocks below; birds flying in the air.

"What if I'm not ready?"

Lin shrugged. "It's okay not to feel ready. If you want to wait, we'll tell your father." She paused, looking over the water.

"He'll be so disappointed." She sniffed.

Lin turned to her niece. "You leave your father to me. I've known your father my whole life. He may be disappointed, but it will be at himself, not with you. He will think he has pushed you to have the ceremony."

"But he didn't! I asked for it." Ikki said, eyes wide with panic. "I thought I was ready."

"Ikki, if you truly feel like you aren't ready, no one will be upset with you." Lin wrapped her arm around her niece. "But… If you are hesitating because you are scared how others will see you, that is okay too. People will say whatever they want, and I won't lie, some of it will be hurtful. But it doesn't matter what anyone but the people you love think. And we all support you in anything you want to do… Well I may draw the line at breaking the law." She gently nudged the girl's shoulder to show she was teasing.

Ikki's lips quirked a little, before settling back into a worried frown. "But I'm not like Jinora, or Daddy… People are going to expect me to be."

"I spent a lot of my life trying to fit myself into what people expected me to be. But, while I exceeded many of the expectations… I lost myself in the meantime. It wasn't until your Uncle Bumi crashed back into my life that I decided to live for myself." Lin smiled down at Ikki, squeezing her into her side. "All that is to say, screw everyone else's expectations of you. You may not be exactly like your father, or your sister, even your younger brothers. But that is what makes you, you.

"You are intelligent, imaginative, and inquisitive, but most of all you are kind to both human and creature alike. I think you will be a fine Master of Airbending."

"You really think so?" Ikki asked quietly.

"I don't think so, I know so."

Ikki flung herself further into Lin's embrace, wrapping her own arms around her aunt. Ln held her close, resting her head on top of the younger girl's.

When Lin felt Ikki finally let the tension in her body recede, she squeezed the girl's shoulder once. "So what do you want to do? I'm behind you, no matter your decision."

Ikki pursed her lips. "Would you stay with me?"

"Sure, kid." Lin gave the 12-year-old a reassuring smile. "Now, why don't we go freshen up, and then meet up with your father?"


Lin had left Airi with Bumi, after a brief explanation, before following Tenzin, Jinora, Pema, and Ikki into the temple.

Ikki was guided towards a chair beside a table that held items to cut her hair. She froze at the sight of it, and it took both Pema and Lin's gentle reassurances for her to lift her chin high and walk the rest of the way to the chair. Ikki took a deep breath, before nodding to Jinora to go ahead and cut her hair.

Lin placed a hand on Pema's shoulder as the woman got a little emotional seeing her two daughters take part in a part of their cultural traditions. Pema gave Lin a small smile, before focusing again on the two girls.

Once Jinora had cut Ikki's hair as short as she could, Tenzin switched with his eldest daughter, and began the process of shaving her head completely bald. When he finished, Ikki opened her eyes and raised a shaky hand to her head to feel along her scalp.

"This feels so weird."

"You'll get used to it in a few days." Jinora said supportively.

"Are you ready, Ikki?" Tenzin asked gently.

Ikki glanced up and met Lin's supportive gaze, before standing and facing her father. "Yes, Daddy. I am ready to accept my tattoo's."

Tenzin offered his youngest daughter a tender smile. "Alright, lay on the bed when you are ready. Jinora and I will set up." He placed a quick hand to her shoulder, giving it a squeeze, before he guided Jinora over to where their supplies were all set out.

Pema quickly went to Ikki and pulled her into a tight hug. "I am so proud of you."

"Thanks Mom." Ikki said, holding onto her mother tightly. Soon enough, she let go and the two older women walked over to the bed that had been moved in for the young air bender to lay on. Ikki shed her robe and stood in her wraps before laying on her stomach. She propped a pillow under her head, and took some calming breaths.

Lin and Pema pulled chairs over to sit at the head of the bed.

Tenzin and Jinora walked over and after confirming that Ikki was ready, they started with a blessing. The two then began working on the tattoos on Ikki's legs. Ikki grasped tightly onto Pema and Lin's hands, as the two women spoke softly to her.

Lin only left a couple times during the rest of the day and night to go nurse Airi before slipping back into the room. It was into the dawning hours by the time the two air masters finished. Lin got up and made some tea that Kya had suggested to help with the pain. Ikki sipped it gratefully, while the others tidied up the room to prepare for the ceremony later in the day.

"Come Ikki, it's time to dress you in your new robes and go through your rites of passage. This is as far as your mother and aunt can come." Tenzin said softly.

Pema placed kisses over Ikki's cheeks, before stepping back as tears slipped down her face. Lin gave Ikki a proud smile and nod of her head. "You did good, kid. Way better than your father did, and he was older when he got his."

Ikki grinned, and looked up at her father who was blushing furiously at Lin.

"Lin, I don't see how this is relevant."

Lin looked up at Tenzin with a quirked eyebrow, and an amused expression on her face. "You don't see how your tattoo ceremony relates to your daughter's ceremony? Perhaps you should let Jinora perform the official ceremony later… you seem to be a little forgetful." Tenzin's face reddened even more, but he was outnumbered 4 to 1 and decided to just drop the topic.

Lin winked once more at Ikki. "Good luck kid, we'll see you later." Pema said goodbye once more, before letting Lin guide her from the temple and to the main house.

"We've got a few hours, go get some rest." Lin said.

Pema started walking, before pausing and turning to offer Lin a tired, but sincere smile. "Thank you for being there with Ikki. She really looks up to you."

"I'm glad I can be there for her. She means a lot to me too." Lin replied softly, with a small smile, before giving Pema a nod and heading to her room.

She just changed and climbed into bed beside Bumi, as he rolled over and sleepily pulled her into his arms.

"How's Ikki?" He asked quietly, mindful of their sleeping children in the room, eyes still closed.

"Sore, but good. You should be very proud of your niece, she did very well." Lin said, tucking her head under his chin, closing her own eyes.

"I guess I will get her to give me pointers so I know what to expect during mine."

Lin propped herself up onto one arm, looking down at her husband. "You've decided to go ahead with it then?"

Bumi blinked up at her, before smiling sheepishly. "I think… I think I am ready. But maybe after our vow renewal? Not sure I want to look like Tenny on our wedding day."

Lin made a face at that and smacked his chest. "That's not even funny!" She then caressed the spot she smacked with the same hand. "But I am behind you no matter what. So if you are ready, I will be there with you, holding your hand all night."


Ikki's ceremony was just as beautiful as Jinora's had been. Ikki had stood proudly at the front of the temple hall, with her new tattoos on display.

Bumi was proud that he was able to be a part of Ikki's ceremony this time. Rohan and Haru, were even able to be involved, as the two youngest airbenders on the Island.

Lin sat on the side of the immediate family with Pema, Katara, and Kya, Airi settled on Katara's lap. She didn't miss, though, that Kya had added an extra chair at some point before the ceremony and that Nira was seated beside her.

After the ceremony, everyone was guided outside, where like the reception after Jinora's ceremony, refreshments and food were prepared and served to the guests. Unlike Jinora's ceremony though, Ikki had requested there be a dance floor, as she loved music and dancing.

Lin made her way over to where her sister was speaking with Izumi and Uncle Zuko.

"Lin! Oh Ikki's ceremony was just beautiful!" Su said, pulled Lin into her side.

Lin rolled her eyes at her sister's antics, but did smile softly. "It was. Ikki did very well today, she will make a fine Air Master."

"It is good to see you again, Lin. And look how much this little one has grown since I last saw her." Izumi said, pulling Lin into a hug, before stealing Airi into her own arms. "Aren't you just a sweet thing?" Airi gave Izumi a gummy smile.

"It's good to see you too, Izumi." Lin then turned to her Uncle, and they hugged as well. "You look well Uncle. I'm sorry I wasn't able to greet you when you arrived, Ikki had requested I stay with her during her tattooing."

"No matter, we are seeing you now." Zuko said with a smile. "Now, Izumi, please give me my great niece. I would like to hold her myself, before you hog her the rest of the evening."

Izumi handed Airi over to her father. She instantly reached up to tug on his white beard.

"Oh Airi, no. Uncle Zuko's beard is not a toy." Lin fretted in embarrassment.

"Don't worry Lin, she is nowhere near as bad as Ursa was." Zuko said with a chuckle, while thinking of his own granddaughter. "Speaking of my granddaughter, where has she gone off to?"

The three women looked around, before spotting the princess with 'Team Avatar'. "Ah it looks like she is getting to know your older kids, Lin." Izumi said. "Speaking of, I believe congratulations are in order to you both on Opal and Bolin's engagement. You both must be so happy!"

"I love seeing my baby happy, and Bolin makes her happy." Su said, with a smile.

"Though it is fairly weird that it kind of makes us in-laws." Lin said with an amused smirk.

"I suppose I should have added Lin to the bet as to who would have grandchildren first, huh?" Kya teased as she joined their little group, Nira attached to her hand. "I think you are in the clear, Izumi, for not being the first of the group now, unless one of your kids decides to get hitched or have too much fun with a date one ni-"

Izumi slapped a hand over Kya's mouth. "Don't you dare suggest anything of the sort. My children will be married before they have kids." Izumi gave Lin an apologetic look. "Not that there's anything wrong with that, just its required by our laws in the Fire Nation."

Lin just waved Izumi off. "No offense taken, Zumi. Bumi and I were also not expecting to have children this late in life." She said with a shrug. "It worked for us."

Izumi finally took her hand from Kya's mouth, before motioning between her and Nira. "So when did this happen?"

Nira blushed a little, but leaned into Kya's side. Kya smirked and was about to respond, when she was cut off.

"I told you they were girlfriends when we were on Ember Island." Toph said, popping up beside Zuko. "Hey fire pants, gimme my granddaughter. I ain't getting any younger, and I'd like to hold her before she gets too heavy."

Lin rubbed a hand across her forehead, but saw Zuko just smile at his old friend and gently place Airi into her grandmother's arms.

"Wait, hold on, back up. You've been together since you went with Lin and the boys to Ember Island?" Su asked, still focused on the previous topic of Kya and Nira.

"A year before that, actually. We're going on two years now." Kya said with a smirk.

"They weren't being super sneaky about it in the past year either." Lin said with her own smirk, causing Nira to blush even more, and Kya's smirk to deepen. "You don't even want to know the number of times I've caught them."

"Okay, Lin, I think they've got the point." Kya said, wrapping her arm around Nira's waist, pullin the embarrassed acolyte into her side. "Can't have my girlfriend die of embarrassment. I love her too much."

"Awe, so cute!" Su gushed.

"Do your brothers know yet?" Izumi asked.

Kya fidgeted. "Not yet. We decided to just stop hiding it today and see how it goes."

"Good luck with Twinkle Toes Jr figuring it out on his own. You may want to try kissing in front of him." Toph said with a snicker. "Now, I'm gonna go find Sugar Queen and sit down. Coming Sparky?"

"I'll see you ladies later." Zuko said. He turned to Kya and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm very happy for you, my Moon Lily. And welcome to our crazy family Nira." Zuko kissed her hand, before following his short friend.

Lin decided to not follow her mother, allowing her to keep Airi in her arms. She was enjoying being with her friends for now.

"There you ladies are." Bumi said, coming up behind Lin, placing his arms around her and rested his head on top of her own. "What did we miss?"

Baatar and Raijin joined in, standing beside their own wives.

"My mother and Uncle Zuko have taken our daughter to go sit with Katara. I'm not sure we'll get her back anytime soon."

"And Nira has joined our group officially." Izumi said.

Bumi smirked at his younger sister. "Finally decided to come clean?"

"You knew?" Kya asked with a raised brow.

"Well you did hint a while ago that you were involved with someone. It wasn't hard to put two and two together to get four. Especially when Nira came with us to the South Pole. I've known you your whole life, of course I would pick up on that."

"Do you think Tenny knows?"

"Not at all." He smirked at her.

Kya smirked back.

Soon their attention was called to the stage where a band was set up. Right at the front of the stage though, Ikki sat with a gleaming new air horn.

"Good evening everyone. I thank you all for being here to celebrate this beautiful day. Before we open the dance floor, our newest Air Master would like to play a traditional song of the Air Nomads." Tenzin said to the crowd, before motioning that the floor was now Ikki's. He left the stage.

Ikki began bending the air gracefully, pushing it through the horn, creating beautiful music. It was soon joined by her own singing voice as she sang in the old dialect of the ancient Air Nomads. Lin had never realized her niece could sing like this. The sound caressed everyone like a gentle breeze. Bumi's arms tightened around Lin, and she in return leant back into him, both enjoying this moment. So proud of their niece.

Soon the dance floor opened up, and Bumi dragged Lin onto it. They were soon joined by the other three couples and other guests. Lin nudged Bumi when she noticed Ursa had dragged Mako onto the dance floor, and he looked about as comfortable as her mother wearing shoes. They smirked at each other, before Bumi swung her around at the swell of the music.


That night, Lin snuck to Ikki's room as she had with Jinora after her ceremony.

She knocked on Ikki's door. The girl opened it promptly and was surprised to see her aunt outside her door.

"Hi Aunt Lin, please, come in." She said.

"I just wanted to drop something off to you, as I did for your sister on the day of her ceremony." She held out a wrapped parcel. "Here."

Ikki excitedly opened the wrappings to find a scroll. When she unfurled it, she found a beautiful watercolour of three flying bison. "Wow, Aunt Lin, this is beautiful! Did you paint it?"

Lin smiled at the girl's honest excitement. "No, but your grandfather did. This larger bison right here is Appa, and these two are just two of his own children. Your grandfather gifted it to me as I had had a close bond with Appa. I used to have it hanging in my room as a child. But I would like you to have it as I know you will cherish it like I did."

"Oh thank you, Aunt Lin!" Ikki said, gently putting down the scroll on her desk, before hurling herself into Lin's arms. "And thank you for staying with me for my tattoos. I really appreciated it."

"It was not a problem Ikki, I was honoured you wanted me to be there." Lin said, hugging her back.

"I love you, Aunt Lin."

"I love you too, kid."


A/N: Kya and Nira are official... well at least to everyone but poor Tenny... lol

I really enjoyed writing Lin and Ikki again 3