Kya had been silent for the entire ferry ride to the island. Something was bothering her and it was unusual for her not to talk about it.
It will still be a few minutes before we get there. Perhaps I should try asking?.
"Kya is there something you're not telling me?"
"It's nothing, just some troubles at home is all." her tone was far different from her usual cheerfulness. For her to get this way must mean there was something really upsetting at the temple. Whatever it was we'd find out soon.
The ship let it's horn loose as we came into port. Kya took my hand and led me down the pier and up to the gate. Once there and onto solid ground I was able to see if only a couple feet.
"Alright Lin lets go put your stuff in my room and get started with your daily healing session."
"Alright." I hadn't brought much so it wasn't hard to carry my bags throught the temple, althought I did have some trouble once on the wooden floor.
This is ridiculous. I practially grew up here and yet I've already bumped into two walls just by walking down the halls.
Finally after some trial and error I finally mananged to find her room, although I was nearly turned around by the smell of the candles burning.
"Okay just sit down and I'll get everything ready."
Over these last few sessions I'd felt my skin start to heal a bit. It still stung when exposed to the fresh air but hopefully when this was all over my scar wouldn't cover to much of my face.
Just as she put the water on my face there was a knocking at the door.
"Girls are you in there?" I felt myself relax when I heard Katara's voice
"Yeah mom I'm just starting our session." the door opened and I heard her walk in.
"Well from what I can see the sessions are helping. The redness is going down and it's even starting to heal. What do you think Kya?"
"She's getting better but we're still a long way off."
Like being able to see!
"Well at the rate she's healing her skin should be back to normal before long but as for her sight..."
"Only time will tell, I know Katara."
" I truly wish I had some better news Lin. Oh and Kya we'll be serving dinner soon and I expect you and Lin to be there. You know that Tenzin has wanted the entire family there."
"We'll be there mother." OKay something is up and I'm not going anywhere untill I know what it is.
I waited untill I heard Katara's footsteps down the hall and the closeing of the door to ask.
"Kya whats going on?"
"It's nothing impormant."
"Don't give me that crap Kya, you've been different ever since we got here. And I know it's going to sound strange comming from me but I'm here if you want to talk."
"Fine I'll tell you but this conversation goes both ways. I know that you're upset and hiding things so we're not going anywhere untill we discuss them."
Arguing wouldn't get us anywhere and after I opened up to Su it was as good as time as any to share with Kya. But I wouldn't tell her everything.
"FIne but you start."
"Okay fine, the reason I didn't want to come home is mainly because of Tenzin."
Figures.
"He's been a royal pain ever since he got his tattoss a few years ago but that's not the worst of it. About a year or so ago he fell for one of th acolytes and has been seeing her ever since."
"That's whats bothering you?" I asked as she sat down beside me and groaned.
"Have you seen them? Every time I'm home I have to watch the two of them flirt and talk about how many babies they're going to have and blah blah blah. Literally every time I come home. And at first I thought it was just becasue he was annoying but the more I watched them the more envious I got of them. A part of me wants what they have you know?"
And I did if only a little bit. I did truely want a relationship with someone. Of course by someone I meant Kya but that was easier said then done.
"Alright Lin your're turn. Tell me how you really feel about being blind, don't hold anything back."
"If I'm being honest being blind isn't the worst part about all this. Sure it's terrible but it's the mental aspect that's really dragging me down. Anger, regret, dissapoitment those are pretty much the only things I've been feeling lately. I mean don't get me wrong when I'm with you I start to feel better but then something happens and I'm reminded of what' I lost and how I'll probably never get to enjoy life like I did before. Then I get angry and the whole cycle starts over again."
As I finished I felt the dampness on my cheeks and realized I'd started crying a little.
She quickly pulled me into a hug and wiped my face clean. As her arms wrapped around me I pulled her even tighter.
"Thank you Kya, I don't think I could do this alone."
"Don't worry Lin. As long as I'm here you'll never be alone. But from now on I don't want you to bottle up your emotions, next time you start to get down I'll be there to help you."
I should say more, I need to say something more. But I couldn't think of anything. Despite that I was determined to say something while I had her here.
"Kya there's something I want to tell you."
"Lin you don't have.."
"Kya please I need to say this while I still have the courage. For the longest time I've had feelings for you. You've always managed to make me smile when nobody else could. When you're around I fell like I can let go of all my problems. I can't say if what I'm feeling is love but I'd like to see where this leads, that is if you're still interested." she went silent which worried me.
Was this not the right moment? Alright just calm down and try to salvage what you can.
As I opened my mouth to save what I could I felt the sensation of her lips on mine.
She's kissing me!
Quickly I returned the kiss. Every passing moment I felt like my heart was about to explode from pure happiness.
Then as I started to deepen the kiss she quickly pulled away.
" Lin as much as I would love to see how far we could take this right now, I think we should we should take things one step at a time."
"Okay... but what are we now?"
"Well that's simple. From now on your mine" to drive her point home she bit down on my neck so that a make would be vissible.
"Kya!" she laughed as I reached for whataver I could to throw at her. When my hands landed on one of her pillows I chucked it at her face becoming satisfied when I heard the sound of impact.
Satisfied I got up and left the room with her joining me a few moments later. "Come on Lin it's not that noticble."
"Kya it's not that." Well that's not entirerly true. In fact I actually enjoyed having it there. A constant reminder of our new statues
"Okay then what is it then?"
"I've never done this before. You're the only person I've ever had feelings for and I've spent most of my life supressing those feelings along with most of my other emotions. I'm just worried that this is going to end badly because of something I do."
She said nothing, instead in her usual style quickly pulled me down for a quick kiss.
"Lin trust me when I say that there is nothing that you can say or do that will drive me away."
"...Okay" that was all I could manage before my mind snapped back from the paradise it was in. "Good now come on we have a dinner to get to."
She took my hand and helped me to the dining room. Once there she tightned her gip on my hand as I heard the sound of laughter.
Tenzin's voice wa easily reckonizble and as for the other higher one I could only assume that was Tenzin's girlfriend.
"Ah girls there you are. I was wondering what was taking you so long. Tenzin and Pema have been waiting forever for you two."
"Sorry mom we got held up."
"Well you're here now so come and sit down and join us."
"Kya it's good to see you home. It's been so long." Tenzin said as we sat down.
"Yeah well I do have a life outside the island you know."
"Well it's good to see you. And Lin I'm glad to see you're doing okay. I'm sorry about what happaned but I know you'll be okay if Kya's healing you." Even though I could hear the sinsearity in his voice it was overshadowed by how aggiated he was making Kya.
For the entire dinner Kya kept her hand on mine as Tenzin kept asking her questions or flirted with Pema. For the first time I was actually glad that I wasn't able to see, just hearing them was drving me crazy.
Now I see why Kya didn't want to come back here.
"Anyway I just wanted to say it's really good to see both of you again. With Kya spending nearly all of her time traveling and Lin focusing on working I hardely ever see you two."
" Well Tenzin it's kind of hard to take time out of my very best schedule to talk when I have to make sure criminals don't run the streets."
"Yes I'm aware but you think you could at least stop by every once and a while to say hello."
"Not my style Tenzin." Now it was Kya's turn to be the soother. Just being near him was reminding me of how annoying he could be.
But my troubles were soon over as the two love birds excused themselvs and left for a stroll.
"I really wish they'd get a room."
"Kya be nice. Tenzin is serious about Pema and while yes they can be a bit much at times he's just being young."
"I know but it's a small island and they're always so open about it."
"Speaking of open I've been meaning to ask, how did you get that mark on your neck Lin?"