I was exhausted, for the last few hours mother had been trying to teach me to see with earthbending. So for the last few hours we'd been in my backyard as she tried to teach me. But so far I hadn't gotten any better.
"Again." this would make the fifth time I've tried and by now mother had started to worry. I could hear it in her tone.
Why can't I do this!? I've used it in the past but now I can't see more then four feet. And even then it's still barely visible!
"Lin take a break for a while."
"I can keep going."
"I know you can but even I needed more then a day to learn this. So take a break and we'll try again in a few." I sighed but inwardly was gratful. All this practice was making me more angry than anything and I didn't need anymore.
"Fine." I let out another sigh as I bent down to pick up a makeshift walking stick she'd gotton me so I could at least walk without Kya around. She knew that I wanted to get over this as soon as possible and knew that I hated to ask for help. Kya had gone into the city to get something special thus leaving me alone to practice.
I really don't want her to see me like this.
As I walked I could practially feel my mother walking just barely in front of me. I knew she was walking slowely so she could help in case I needed it but it only left me feeling weak.
"Lin I know that life seems pretty hard right now but trust me when I say you can't let it connsume you."
"Is this the part where you try and cheer me up by saying things will get better?"
"Somewhat, I know what it's like to be angry and having no idea what's going to happen next. I mean my parents had me thinking I was completly defenless because I was blind."
"Is that why you ran away so many times?"
"Yeah sort of, at first I just needed to see what I actually could do without them around. Then I meet the badgermoles and learned to see with bending. After that I ran away so I could practice and compete in tournments."
"So just keep trying?"
"Look kid you know I'm not good with words or emotions, but I know for a fact that you have someone here who excells at that kind of stuff."
I know I should talk to Kya about how I'm feeling. I know I can't keep acting like I'm fine but every time I have the chance I always chicken out.
"I know mom, I know. So tell me how's you search comming?" We both knew who I meant. She'd been sure to keep me up to date on how the search was comming. It probably wasn't healthy but the thought of getting revenge did keep me going.
"From what you told us and from what we gathred it was a enforcer working for the triad. We're getting closer to finding out who as well as bringing down their entire gang."
"Good."
After another few minutes of rest we were at it again.
"Okay Lin I can feel you sending out your waves but they're rather distoreted."
"Distorted?"
"Yeah, can't you feel it?" I could feel something but I wasn't sure what it was. About four feet was my range and even then I could bearly see anything. Beyond that it was nothing but empty blackness.
"What do you think is causing this?"
"Hard to say. Different things can mess with a persons bending. Not to menting certin techniques require a certin state. If Aang were here he could probably give you a better explantion."
"So what do I have to do?"
"Dunno kid, sorry to say but you're going to have to figure out this one on your own."
Perhaphs Katara knows something. She's been around the world healing only problem is getting to her, In my condtion getting out and about is a problem. And If I asked Kya she'd somehow find a way of makeing me tak to her. I'll have to ponder this for a while.
I heard the unmistakanble sound of Kya humming long before the door opened. One good thing about not beeing able to see is that my other senses were slowely getting sharper.
"Lin I'm back! Oh hey Toph what are you doing here?"
"Just came by to see how Lin was doing. Well now that you're back I'll be heading back to the station, that place can't run without me." as she left I felt the usualy akwardness creep in.
"So Kya what did you get what you wanted in town?"
"I did, but tell me something Lin. Of all the times for Toph do come over why was it during the time I was away from the house?"
Crap, quick think of something.
"Well you know how my mother can be. She'll showup whenever she feels like it." it wasn't a lie but not exactly the truth. It was well known that my mother went where she pleased when she pleased and couldn't care less about the conqusences.
"Lin please I'm not dumb. They're only a few reasons you would have Toph show up when I was gone and seeing your wearing your training clothes and are still covered in sweat your were no doubt trying to see with earthbending, am I right?"
There was no use trying to lie to her. But this was a conversating I really didn't want to have with her. "Yes"
"Why?
"Because I didn't want you to see me strugling." I knew what would happen next. I could practially hear it in her footsteps as she walked toward me. Her arms wrapped around me in another of her loving hugs. "Lin I know it's in your nature to be tough but I don't want you to every think I'll see you any different."
"I know Kya"
"Good so from now one I'll be helping with your training."
"What?"
" I am your doctor after all I can't have you pushing your limits and hurting yourself. Now come on I got something special for you." she disappared for a minute before dragging me into the kitchen and sitting me down.
"I know it's a bit late but happy birthday." I could tell something was in front of me. I could smell something sweet followed by a small flickering sound and the felling of heat.
"You really didn't have to."
"I know but I wanted to. So blow out the candle and make a wish." A wish huh?
There were a few things I wanted right now, but after a moment I setteled on something simple. I wish I could stay like this with Kya for a bit longer. I wished before blowing out the candle.
"So what did you wish for?"
"You know it doesn't come true if you say it out loud." she groaned and plopped down beside me. "Fine keep your secrets."
When we finally had our fill of the cake it was time for another of my daily sessions. She removed my bandages and maneuvered the water onto my injury. "So what do you have planned for me toady?"
"Well I thought that we could take a walk through the park like we used to. You remember back when we were kids we'd go to the park and completely loose track of time."
The park does sound like a nice idea. Haven't been there since a mugger ran there to escape. It's open so at least there won't be a lot of people there. I really didn't want anybody to notice me like they did last time.
"Sounds good to me."
We didn't waste any time and got onto the car and relaxed as she sped down the streets and across town until we were in the park. Once outside the car I took a second to take deep breath and let the sounds fill my ears.
"So where to first?"
"How about we take a boat ride? I hear they're really popular." I know of those boats and while yes they were popular they were mostly used by couples, but I doubt Kya knew that fact.
"Sure sounds fun."
From what I remembered the docks were on the other side of the park so it would take a few minutes of walking until we were there. I felt her grab my hand but I quickly let go. "Can you walk next to me? I want to try walking by myself for a bit."
"Oh yeah sure." It pained me to hear the disappointment in her voice but I needed this.
It wasn't easy to use my seismic sense as I walked, usually it was used before one did anything. But I was able to at take a few small steps at a time. I did stumble a few times but Kya was there for me. It took longer then thought to make it there, mostly due to me not allowing Kya to just guide me there. But I wasn't about to stop until I felt the wood of the dock beneath me.
"Alright Lin here we are."
After a minute we found the man who was renting these boats.
"And what do we have here? Two young ladies our for day on the lake."
"Yeah so how much to rent one of your boats?
"Well normally they're about thirty yuans for the afternoon but I'll give them to you for fifteen."
"Perfect" as soon as he got his coins Kya led me to the boat ignoring my complaints. In fact she didn't stop until I was firmly planted in the boat. From what I knew these kids of boats worked when both people worked the pedals with their feet. At least I don't need to see to do this.
"You ready Lin?"
"Yeah now where exactly are we going?"
"You'll find out now start peddling." the gears shifted and the waves rocked as our little boat peddled it's way across the lake. From how fast we were going and from the lack of movement on her end I had a strong feeling that she was just being lazy and using her bending.
"Kya."
"Fine." After a moment our speed died down and I felt the boat shift as she started actually peddling.
It was pretty nice to get out like this. I could feel the sun, hear the waves, and even better I was all alone with Kya completely isolated from anyone else. If I was going to open up and talk to her now was the perfect time.
But how to begin? Should I just be direct and let her in, or should I just ease my way into this.
"I'm really glad I came back here Lin. I miss you when I'm out traveling."
"Well I miss you to." I said without thinking.
"I knew you missed me!" she said latching onto me. "Alright Kya, yes I do miss you when you're not here. You're my best friend and without you here. I get a bit lonely.
"Ahhhhhh. That's it I've decided."
"Decided what?"
"After this is all over and your fully healed I'm taking you on a vaction to ember island, and I'm not taking no for an answer. In fact you and me are going traveling for no less then two months."
"What!?"
"You heard me. You've been in this city your entire life and it's time you see the rest of the world." A part of me wanted to scream no and tell her I wasn't going but that's not what I said.
"Sure."
"What do you mean no? You... wait what did you say?"
Why did I say yes!
"You're right I could use a change of scenery for a while. So yeah why not. We'll go traveling together." all this excitement combined with my saying yes overflowed from Kya and she tackled me causing us both to fall back into the water.
As soon as I reached the surface to hands wrapped around my neck.
"I love you Lin"
... Wait what did she just say?