I'm sorry it took so long. I had a bit of writer's block and I've been mostly working on the new chapter for After the War.
So here it is. Kuzon's still five and he's learning earthbending from Toph, but mostly Lin.
Chapter 7
"This is hard." Kuzon complained to his mother. He was standing barefoot on the ground, trying to feel the vibrations.
His response was a snort. "You're an earthbender, Kuzon. You need to feel the earth properly if you want to be a good bender." Lin said. "Keep trying."
He tugged at the blindfold. "Okay, I'll try again."
Kuzon took in a deep breath and slammed his foot on the earth. He felt...tigerdillos?
"Is it tigerdillos Mom?"
"Not even close."
He sighed.
"Are you even trying?" she asked.
"Yeah! But it's kinda difficult."
"Seismic sense is not an easy thing to learn." Lin admitted. "But you'll get the hang of it."
Kuzon rubbed his foot against the dirt and then slammed it. Everything was clearer now.
"Uh, I think I feel it." he said.
"What is it?"
He replied, "A rose bush...um, a picnic basket, and there's someone coming over here."
Lin smiled. "Good job. I told you that you could do it."
"Yeah, but who's coming?" he asked as he removed the blindfold.
Her smile faded. She sensed it was someone...familiar.
"Kuzon. Why don't you go to the bathroom?"
He pouted. "I don't gotta pee!"
She rolled her eyes. "Kuzon Beifong..."
"Okay, okay!"
When she was sure he was gone, she took a deep breath.
Tenzin was walking alone when he came to her. "Lin. This is a surprise."
"What do you want?" she asked with a hint of anger in her voice. After six years, her hatred for him had still stayed the same. Actually, it had only increased.
"I was just taking a long walk. To clear my head." he said and glanced at the picnic basket. "Are you having a picnic with someone?"
She shook her head. "No. I just came here after work. To unwind a bit."
He nodded. "Oh."
This had been their first interaction since she tried to put Pema in jail. Tenzin had been furious. Now he just seemed nervous, his gray eyes flitting away.
"Well, you should go now." said Lin, who nervously looked at the public bathroom a few feet away. Kuzon was going to exit in any minute.
Tenzin coughed in his hand. "Yes, of course. Good bye." he said and turned to walk away.
"Bye." she replied curtly.
About a minute after he had left, Kuzon ran out of the bathroom.
"Hi Mom!" he chirped and jumped into her arms.
She patted his back. "Hi."
"Mom, who's the bald guy in orange?"
Lin bit her lip. "He's...an orange." she lied.
He giggled. "Why's he an orange?"
"He's a walking advertisement."
More laughter. Lin smiled and put him down.
"How about we eat lunch?" she asked.
Kuzon's gray eyes gleamed. "Lunch! I love food!"
"So you love food and not your own mother?" she said in mock offense.
He shook his head. "I love you too, Mom!" He hugged her and his stomach growled. "Now can I have food?"
Lin ruffled his hair affectionately. "Yes, my little badgermole."
Review please! It would mean a lot.