I'm back! Thanks so much for all of your reviews. I'm glad there are people who like this story. On to Chapter 3!
Korra awoke with a start. "It's about time you're up. We've been sitting in the darkness for ages!" said Bolin. Korra excitedly relit the second torch that was half-burned. I know how to get out of the cave," she said triumphantly. The three looked at her, surprised. Tenzin helped Lin up so she could lean against the wall and walked a little closer. "What do you mean? How?" "Aang visited me in a dream last night!" she said. "He told me the end of the story, Tenzin. Sokka and the Earth Kingdom Nomads got out by riding a giant badgermole and," she added with a grin on her face," Aang and Katara escaped when they had their first kiss. It lit up the tunnels with blue crystals that led the way out." Tenzin looked kind of embarrassed by his parents' story but quickly recovered. "So," interjected Bolin, with a confused look on his face," we can either find a nice bagermole to dig us out, or we pick two of us to kiss?" "I pick the badgermole," voted Lin. "Aang told me that we need to trust in love. If we don't do something, we'll be trapped in this cave until we starve and die!" said Korra, dramatically. The four of them looked at each other. "You say that my parents got out by kissing each other to light up the tunnels?" asked Tenzin. "Yep, sure did," Korra answered.
Tenzin took a deep breath and turned to Lin saying," I know what to do." Lin nodded in agreement. They both turned to Bolin and Korra, who were watching them, unsure of what was going to happen. "You two need to kiss," commanded Tenzin. Bolin started to sputter as Korra said," No way, I'm with Mako!" "Yeah, I can't do that to my own brother!" agreed Bolin. "Oh, come on. Whatever happens in the cave will stay in the cave," said Lin, crossing her arms. "But it has to be actual love," pointed out Korra. "Yeah, we're just friends," said Bolin. "Well then how are we supposed to get out if you two don't give it a try," said Lin. "We can try to bend new tunnels again," suggested Bolin. Tenzin shook his head. "We don't want to be caught in another cave-in. Someone else could get hurt or worse and we don't know how far it is to the other side, this mountain is enormous." Lin concurred by saying," If we knew which way to go, we can try but we're obviously lost. We might even end up going in circles."
"Well, I've got an idea," said Korra, mischievously. "You and Tenzin!" Bolin broke out into a big smile. "Yeah Lin, what happens in the tunnel stays in the tunnel." She gave him a hard glare which caused him to shrink back. "Tenzin is married!" she exclaimed the same time Tenzin said," I'm married!" Korra rolled her eyes and said," Aang said you would be difficult." Tenzin gave her an astonished look. Why would Aang say that? Korra continued speaking before Tenzin got the chance to question her," I also believe that once you love someone, you will always love them or you never did to begin with." Tenzin glanced at Lin who was staring at the ground with her arms crossed. She glanced up and they held each other's unsure gaze. "C'mon Mr. Heartbreaker," said Korra more teasingly. "Yeah. I think you're wife would understand. A kiss is a small price to pay for being stuck underground for another three or four days trying to bend our way out. Or possibly the rest of our lives," agreed Bolin. "You are not allowed to tell Pema!" said Tenzin quickly. "So you're going to do it?" said Korra, excitedly clasping her hands around the torch. "I-I don't know," he replied. He looked again at Lin, who was still staring at the ground. "Listen, I know you two have had a difficult past, but take one for the team! The tunnel will only light up when true love is revealed and you two are the only ones here who have a chance," Korra said persuadingly. "This'll be our secret," said Bolin confidently. Lin was a little nervous. True love? she thought. If it had been true love they would've found a way to stay together. Tenzin took a tentative step towards her as Bolin whispered, "I bet thirty yuans that she won't kiss him." "You're on," Korra said confidently. Korra then dimmed the torch, murmuring, "Love burns brightest in the dark."
The light was completely out. Tenzin reached out his hand to find Lin. His hand rested on the soft skin of her shoulder. She knew he was nervous, she could sense his heart beating wildly. Lin hoped he couldn't feel her own. "We don't have to do this, "Tenzin whispered in her ear as he stepped closer. "It's the best chance we have," she replied, so softly only Tenzin could hear. It was a little awkward, considering how long it has been since they have been with each other. That and the fact Tenzin was married with children. She might seem cold and distant but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have a conscience or don't have any feelings. Unfortunately, her conscience wasn't working at the moment. He seemed willing so Lin allowed herself to be swept along in the moment. To hell with it. He was mine at one point in time, right? she thought to herself. Their hearts felt like they were beating out of their chests. Tenzin wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her into his chest. She balanced on her good foot as she slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, drawing herself up to his face. Their breaths were short with nervousness and anticipation. He placed a gentle hand on the back of her head and guided it upwards where their lips touched ever so gently. It only took one moment for the kiss to become deeper. Tenzin pinned Lin against the wall of the cave with his body. The kiss said so much more than words could ever tell. It was full of love, happiness, and want. All those old feelings they had thought was buried and gone rose to the surface. The flames of their past love were still hot embers burning bright in the darkened tunnel. All too soon, the soft radiance of the blue crystals began to fill the cave with light. They pulled away from each other. Tenzin thought of how beautiful Lin was with her face unmarked by a scowl and her cheeks turning a light pink color.
"Aw, yeah!" said Korra as she fist pumped the air. "You owe me thirty yuans," she told Bolin with a smug grin as he grumbled and handed over the money. Lin let go of Tenzin as he took a step back. "The only way for you to light up the tunnel was if you guys are still in love," said Korra. "Why did you leave each other?" Tenzin replied sharply," That is none of your concern. This is strictly our business and no one else's." Korra looked at him, shocked. She had hardly ever seen him angry. Lin was also taken aback. She cleared her throat and said," We better start walking." Bolin grabbed her uniform while Tenzin picked her up in his arms. She glanced at him questioningly. "It's going to slow down the pace if you try to walk even if someone is helping you," he explained, face still flushed. Korra snorted," Sure it is." This only resulted in a deeper shade of red on Lin and Tenzin's faces.
They started walking when Lin noticed Korra looked like she wanted to say something. Before she could ask Korra what was on her mind, Bolin asked," Hey, if this uniform is used by metalbenders, then why are there clasps to undo it?" "So if something happens to the person wearing it, you don't need to find a metalbender to take it off," explained Lin. "Neat," said Bolin. "How did you come up with the design?" There were few things Lin liked, but she talked animatedly about the designing process and testing of the uniform. Bolin was enthralled and asked many questions. "Do you think you could give me a few lessons on metalbending?" he asked pleadingly. "Hey, I want in on this! I want metalbending lessons, too!" said Korra, indignantly. Lin pondered the idea. They were both talented benders, and metalbending could help them on their travels whenever they left RepublicCity. "I suppose s—," she began to reply, but was cut off by a simultaneous "YES!" from Bolin and Korra as they high- fived. They then proceeded to ask many questions on the subject and listened closely as Lin told the story of how Toph discovered metalbending.
They had been walking on for a few hours when Lin put a pause on the persistent flood of questions to ask," Tenzin, are you getting tired? Do you need a break?" "Awww!" said Korra, teasingly while she and Bolin made gushy, romantic faces. Tenzin gave a short chuckle and said," No, I'm fine." They all shifted their gazes forward and saw a tiny light at the far end of the tunnel. "Freedom!" cried Bolin as he and Korra raced to the light.
"How's your ankle, Lin?" asked Tenzin when they were alone. He had been quite impressed with her. She hadn't complained about it once despite the obvious discomfort she was in. "It's throbbing a little," she admitted. "It hurts worst than yesterday. How about you? Are you tired from walking all day while carrying me through the tunnels?" she asked in a slightly playful tone. He chuckled, saying," Of course not. Remember the tunnels you made on the west side of AirTempleIsland?" She smiled at the memory. It was so long ago, she had almost forgotten.
Ever since Tenzin's family and Lin's mother found out they were dating, no one gave them privacy anymore. So, they waited until Toph had gone to work before Lin set about bending a maze of tunnels on the rarely visited side of the island. It was a relatively simple maze and when she was done she taught Tenzin how to feel where they were in the tunnel by the direction the winds were blowing. One day, he picked her up and took her down one of the passageways. When they got the end, he set her down and said," What do you feel?" She used her seismic sense to feel the earth around her. Tenzin had used thin, directed air slices to encrypt on the wall a beautifully carved heart with Lin + Tenzin inscribed in it. He had carried her all that way just so she wouldn't sense the surprise he made for her. "I'll love you forever, Lin," he said tenderly and with so much emotion, she had never doubted it. They would spend the rest of the day in that tunnel, wrapped in each other's arms silently (or none to silently) professing their love for each other.
"Are they still there?" she asked. "Yes. Some people have discovered them but never venture too deep. As far as they know, the tunnels link around the entire island. I even go to meditate there sometimes," he admitted. "Really? Why?" "Because it is isolated from everyone else. I usually sit on the shore in front of the caves and watch the sunrise. It's a good place to think." He wanted desperately to ask her about the kiss. If she felt the spark that he felt was still there. They were almost to the mouth of the cave so he slowed his pace and plucked up the courage to say," Korra was right. About the kiss… There was no other way we could've lit the tunnel." "It seems so…" she replied. He took a deep breath and said," I still love you." She looked up at him, her eyes shining and said," Even after all this time?" He nodded down at her and said,"Always." He felt liberated by telling her how he felt. "I still love you, too," she said in such a tender voice, Tenzin thought he would go crazy.
Bolin and Korra were now in earshot so they had to cease their conversation. He set Lin down against the cave wall and gave her a wistful glance. It nearly broke is hear to see how much sorrow filled her eyes. "It's about time you two turtle-doves showed up," teased Korra. "After we get to Omashu, no one is allowed to say a word about this whole ordeal. Ever again," ordered Lin roughly. Her voice was so stern, Bolin and Korra put on nervous smiles and nodded. Korra changed the subject. "I made a fire," she said, gesturing to the flames with a load of kindling laying next to it. "Well done," said Tenzin. "We'll have to stay here tonight." Streaks of pink, orange, and purple painted the sky. They were also able to view Omashu on the horizon. Korra bended some water from the masses of snow outside and went to work healing Lin's ankle. "That should do it," she said satisfactorily as she stood up. Lin stood up, too and thanked Korra.
Bolin, Korra, and Lin set about making four earth tents circling a good distance away from the fire, but still close enough to feel the it's warmth. Bolin yawned and said," I don't know about anyone else, but walking all day has made me tired." He laid down inside his tent, ready to sleep. "We should all get some sleep. We'll arrive in Omashu in the morning and I don't want anyone falling asleep while we greet the EarthKingdom officials." "We also have to find Mako, Asami, and the police officers," added Korra, hoping they were okay and hadn't been captured. Tenzin nodded casting a glance back at Lin before going inside his tent. Korra glanced at Lin, who was watching the fire dance in the darkness. She sat down beside her and remained in silence until she heard Bolin's soft snores.
"Can I ask you a question," she asked Lin. "Of course." "I don't understand a few things. How did you guys light the cave when you aren't together anymore? And what about Pema? She said Tenzin was her soul mate. How did you even break up?" Lin smirked. "I thought you were going to only ask one question." "I guess I had a lot on my mind." "You should be able to guess lighting the cave. And we didn't leave each other because we didn't love each other," said Lin. "Then why," asked Korra again. Lin frowned, saying," I don't want to talk about this." She could sense Tenzin wasn't sleeping and knew he was listening to their conversation. "When Aang came to me in my dream, he showed me a vision of you and Tenzin, back when you were together. I don't think I have ever seen two people more in love and happy. You two were great together. Lin and Tenzin, Earth and Air," she softened her voice," Yin and Yang." "Anyways maybe I can help. You've been keeping these thoughts bottled up for so long, talking about them might make you feel better," said Korra. "You just want me to tell you because you're curious," Lin deadpanned. Korra smiled sheepishly. "Just a little." Lin supposed she would tell the Avatar. She had left so many things gone unsaid, it is possible talking about it would make her feel better. Maybe part of her wanted to explain her story to Korra so Tenzin could hear. He can hear her side and what he had put her through and just how bad he hurt her.. She gritted her teeth in anger for a moment. "You won't tell anyone?" asked Lin, suspiciously. Korra shook her head and said," Avatar's honor." She gave in and started her story. "We just chose different paths to follow. I was on the verge of being elected Chief of Police. Avatar Aang had passed away just the year before and Tenzin wanted to start having children. I didn't want to settle down just yet, I was so close to making it to the top. I only wanted my job secured first. In a year at the least, I would've started trying to have a family with Tenzin. I would've taken temporary leave to start a family and raise a child," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "Did you tell Tenzin that?" inquired Korra. "No, I thought he would wait for me. I thought that we would find a way to make it work. Then Pema came into the picture and everything started to change," Lin said bitterly. Tenzin lied awaked in the tent as he listened to Lin talking to the Avatar. He felt a wave of guilt crash over him, threatening to drown him. She thought I would wait for her... His heart ached as she continued. "She confessed her love for him and just like that, he left me. I was so angry, I tried to put her in jail." Korra listened to Lin's painful memories with sadness in her heart. "You really loved him," she said. "Yes, I had never thought about being with anyone else," she replied. "That must be awful. To watch him have a family and see his kids grow, I mean. Those could've been yours. Are you still angry that Pema had kids?" asked Korra, quietly. "Whatever I feel for Pema doesn't pass into what I feel for their children. Ikki is so full of life. And Meelo is… different," she said with a half snort half laugh. "I quite like Jinora. She's so bright and likes to talk with me about my books she borrows," said Lin, smiling fondly. "Jinora borrows your books?" asked Korra, surprised. Lin nodded and said," I saw her in the library one day and it turns out we like the same types of books. So I let her borrow a few of mine. Ever since then, she would stop by every once in a while to give them back and borrow some more." Korra grinned. "Does Tenzin know." "No, she never stays long, just long enough to pick out new books and tell me her favorite parts of the last one. Jinora said she didn't know how he would feel if he knew she had been visiting his ex-girlfriend's house." They both laughed. So that's where Jinora sneaks off to! he thought. He was actually kinda satisfied Jinora had found someone that shares her love of books. He knew Lin had such a large collection of books, she had her own private mini library. That was one of Lin's many surprising traits. You wouldn't think someone so rough and uptight as Lin would like to read but she would often lay outside on the grass with a book and read for a good four hours, immersing herself in a different world. Pema liked to read, too, but not the same kinds of books or to the same extent as their daughter.
Once the laughter died down, Korra said," I'm glad you gave their kids a chance." "So am I. But sometimes when I look at them, I think of what could've been," she added wistfully.
Korra shook her head and said," Wait, wait, wait. If you two broke up a while ago, why aren't Pema's kids older?" "Good question," Lin grudgingly admitted. "Well, Pema and Tenzin didn't get married until a full two years after we broke up. It took them a while to get pregnant the first time and after all that trying, Pema had a miscarriage. So Tenzin didn't pressure her about it until she was ready. Then, they tried until she got pregnant with Jinora," explained Lin. How does she know about that? wondered Tenzin. It was a rough few years with Pema after marrying her. Tenzin had almost given up on her ability to have children when a miracle came their way. "How do you know?" asked Korra. Lin gave a short laugh and said," I have an in with one of the guards." Korra laughed as well. Tenzin was a little peeved and Lin could sense his hearbeat rising slightly. He wasn't mad, just a little annoyed the guards gossip about his private life. The smile slid off of Lin's face. "I know this sounds terrible, but I was kind of hoping he would come back to me in those early years of their marriage."
Korra fell silent, unsure of what to say. Lin continued," It wasn't just the fact he left me that hurt. He left me for someone so much younger. So much more beautiful." She laughed mirthlessly before adding," I never did care what I looked like. I actually never thought about my looks. Pema was my opposite in every way and I often wondered if that was why Tenzin chose her. I loved a good sparring match but she wasn't much for violence. I enjoyed being outside, barefoot and free. She likes to stay near the temple, surrounded by other Air Acolytes." Korra sat, mesmerized by the sad bitterness in Lin's voice. Tenzin mentally kicked himself. Pema was a lot younger than him and he felt bad for making Lin feel like that's why he left her. And how could she think she was anything less than beautiful? Lin looked up and said sincerely, "Men have come and gone through my doors and there wasn't one that I actually loved. Korra, I hope you never have to go through this with anyone you love. If you really love them, fight to keep them. Don't let your legacy as Avatar stand in the way." Korra closed her eyes, trying hard not to imagine Mako marrying someone else and having beautiful children with her. In an instant, her eyes snapped open to reveal a glowing light.
I don't know if anyone will catch the little Harry Potter moment in there but I couldn't help it. I freaking love HP. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please review!