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Jinora was about to bolt after the ceremony ended, but was caught in the commotion of hugs and congratulations.
"Now it's time for the party!" Bumi yelled "Everybody to the dining hall!" Everyone cheered.
"No party! No alcohol!" Her father yelled, but was ignored, Bumi threw his arm around Tenzin.
"Lighten up little brother, it's been some time since we've all been together like this. People want to celebrate"
"For once he is right, just go with it" Kya grinned.
"I need to find Ronin, he'll help me keep an eye on things." Tenzin grunted and glared at his siblings.
Jinora was caught in the stream of people to the dining hall, caught between Kya and Ikki with no escape. The dining hall was already sorling with laughter as Bumi corked up a few bottles of some liquid she didn't recognize. Jinora had never had alcohol, they didn't drink it at the air temples usually.
She found herself with Korra, Asami, Ikki Kya and her mother, franticly trying to find Kai in the commotion but he seemed to be gone. They all sat down at a table with some food, as Bumi came and handed out small glasses of clear liquid.
"And here's one for you" he handed one to Jinora. "Sorry Ikki you're not of age yet."
"Uh,"Jinora found herself confused with the glass in her hand, and glanced up at her mother. Pema smiled sweetly.
"You're of age now honey and I trust you."
"Come on, it's not that bad!" Korra downed her's in one take.
"You're the avatar, it's a bit stronger for us normal humans." Asami groaned. "But it might help you relax." She added silently to Jinora.
She looked down at the liquid, and then brought it to her lips, she decided to go all in or nothing, and downed the whole thing.
The liquid burned all thet way down to her stomach and she had to hold her breath to keep from coughing. Korra and Asami laughed.
"So Jinora, how are you doing up here, not bored?" Asami whispered, she and Korra leaning forward so only she and Ikki could hear. Pema and Kya already in deep conversation.
"Why would I be bored, I've had a lot of work to do" Jinora finally let out a cough.
"You know... are there ant cute boys around here?" Asami whispered, and Ikki chuckled.
"Except for Kai"
"Oh Kai's here?" Jinora glanced at her sister.
"Dont pretend like you didn't notice, you almost jumped off the stage when you saw him."
"I did not!"
"We're sorry we didn't tell you, Bolin and Mako went to find him, that's why they where so late. We didn't know if he was even going to come. Are you okay?" Korra asked.
"Look I'm fine okay? Can we just stop talking about it."
"Okay... so then about the cute boys?" Asami grinned, just as a shadow fell across the table.
"Oh hi Tenzin" Korra grinned.
"Nevermind" Asami's eyes locked on the person beside Tenzin, Ronin.
"Hello everybody I- Jinora what are you drinking?"
Jinors blushed as Tenzin and Ronin glances at the glass still in her hand. She was of age, and her father treating her like this in front of Ronin made her embarassed.
"Take it easy Tenzin, I said it was okay and it's only one glass." Her mother said, just as Tenzin was about to speak.
"Jinora I-"
"Actually" Jinora stood up "I think I'm going to have another one." She swiftly passed the men, ignoring the warmth spreading through her body as she manuoverd away.
Back at the table Tenzin sighed. "I can't believe her, why would she drink-"
"She's eighteen and she's the most resposible girl I know, let her relax a little. Especially today."
"Why especially today?" Tenzin asked, and the women all fell silent.
"Oh just because- Uhm- hi guys!" Korra exclaimed, as Mako, Bolin and Kai came up. Tenzin's eyes narrowed.
"Isn't this the most amazing day! Opal is a master airbender, my little brother Kai is here, everyone is where they are supposed to be!" Bolin gushed, his arm around Kai. "Hey Kai didn't you use to be shorter?"
"I grew" Kai raised his eyebrow at Bolin, and everyone laughed.
"It's great to see you again Kai, we've missed you" Korra grinned.
"It's great to be back here again actually, I've missed it."
"Oh you have to stay and train with us and the rest of the airbenders!" Ikki exclaimed, and Tenzin let out something recembling a growl.
"Ikki don't force him into anything, I'm sure he doesn't want to stick around."
The group fell into an uncomfortable silence, which Ronin finally broke.
"It was great meeting you everyone." He turned to Tenzin "I'll go check if Jinora is okay"
"Thank you Ronin."
…
Jinora found Bumi on the other side of the dining hall, and he gladly gave her another glass. She downed it as quickly as the first one, and felt a dizzy feeling spreading through her body.
"Jinora" a familiar voice said, and she turned around with the glass in her hand. Ronin narrowed his eyes at the glass, and picked it out of her hand.
"Hi" she said.
"Your father is worried about you."
"Well he has no reason to be, I'm seventeen." She suddenly felt dizzy.
"Let's just take it easy" Ronin's hand shot out to steady her. "What's wrong Jinora? You're acting weird today."
"It's nothing."
"I know you well enough to know when something is wrong."
"Just please let it go will you" Jinora groaned, she was tired of being treated like a little kid. She was an airbending and spiritual master and she'd done more dangerous things in her life than most people. She sat down at the nearest bench, and her name was suddenly squealed.
"Jinora! Have you heard the good news? Kai is back!" Daw and Yung exclaimed beside her. They where a part of the original group that where imprisioned by the earth queen with Kai.
"Hey are you okay Jinora?" Yung asked, but in a way that only showed concern for her well being.
"I'm fine."
"Maybe you should go lay down and sleep it off." Ronin was still hovering above her, his hand gently trying to catch her arm. Jinora sighed, she felt a little dizzy but not bad, it actually made her feel a lot better. She stood up with determination, not realizing how close Ronin was and ended up practicly toe to toe with him. His hand grasping her wrist. She didn't let that faze her.
"Thank you Ronin, I am fine, I'll just stay here with my friends and sit down for a while." Yung and Daw cheered slightly, but Ronin didn't look too happy.
"Are you sure?"
"She said she was sure" A resolute voice said beside them, and Jinora turned around in surprise to see Kai beside them.
"Kai!" The airbender gang erupted, and Kai grinned swiftly towards them before he turned back to Ronin with a glare. Jinora was too busy looking at him she didn't dwell on the hostility between them. This was the first time she'd seen him up close, heard his voice, and it made her strangely calm. He was much taller then she remembered, and his arms and chest were broader, with lean muscles she didn't remember him having before.
"I wasn't talking to you." Ronin said, keeping his eyes on Jinora.
"Well you weren't listening to her." Kai said, sitting down at the bench, leaving an open spot bewtween him and Daw for her. Jinora barely hesitated.
"I'm fine Ronin, you don't have to worry about me." She sat down, and Ronin sighed, glancing over at Kai.
"Just... be careful okay?"
"I will" she smiled, as Ronin walked away. The gang cheered, just as Opal reached the table and everyone's attention was turned on her. Everyone's except one that is.
"Hi" Kai's voice was different, darker, but still oh so familiar. Jinora didn't realize how much she'd missed her best friend until now. They where still facing the wrong way on the bench, away from the ohers, and when she finally looked up their knees bumped.
"Hi" It was all she could manage, she didn't know what to say, what to ask. He did apparantly.
"So, are you drunk?" He grinned crookedly, and she let out a giggle, but quickly covered her mouth.
"No."
"A little maybe?" Kai leaned closer, his grin wider.
"Maybe a teeny tiny bit." She whispered through her hand, and Kai laughed, and it was the most amazing sound.
"I've always wanted to see that."
…
Kai felt so easy, like a feather around her, he'd forgotten how she made him feel. Like he could do anything, like he would do anything, just to see that smile of hers.
He knew this wasn't it, he knew Jinora would have questions, he knew she would be angry. He wasn't exactly sure how to explain himself, but he just knew he needed to try. The moment he saw her coming out on that stage he'd immidately regretted those three years. No matter what Tenzin had said. He knew now that he'd never be able to leave again, not after hearing her voice.
Someone called his name, and he was drawn into conversation with Daw and the others, Opal grinning at him across the table and over at Jinora. Kai was happy to see the rest of them too, he'd missed almost everything about this place. Except the meditation maybe. During the rest of the evening he looked over at Jinora every chance he got, sometimes she noticed, and her cheeks would turn slightly pink in the most beautiful way.
The later it got the more people started to drop away and go to bed. Kai had been on such a high being so near Jinora that he'd almost forgot about the rest of his troubles. Soon everybody but Kai and Jinora had left, and he knew he was going to have to face reality.
"Jinora I-"
"Let's go" Jinora glanced across the room, most of her family was still sitting there, and Kai met Tenzin's cold eyes.
"Sounds great." He let Jinora take the lead as they left the hall, and followed her out on the nearest balcony.
"The place looks the same, you did a good job rebuilding it." He said, watching as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I had a lot of help."
Kai's mind wandered over to the guy holding her arm, the guy who was going to see if Jinora was okay.
"I uh-" He'd thought about how he'd excplain himself a hundred times if he ever saw her again. But now he coudn't find the words.
"Why did you leave?" Jinora went straight to the point, eyes clear and unfaltering. He sighed. He wanted to tell her the entire truth,but he coudn't do that. He'd neverdo that to Jinora.
"I thought it was for the best- at the time. Jinora you have no idea how much I regret that now-"
"Why would that be for the best? I lost my best friend!" Jinora exclaimed, crossing her arms. Kai groaned inwardly. None of his explenations sounded right at the moment.
"I just, I thought so, you're so talanted and the world needed you and I didn't want to stand in your way."
"Why would you stand in my way?" Jinora's face dropped.
"I dont-" Kai let out a sigh "I don't really know any more okay? I just know I regret it. I can't stand not having you in my life. I miss my friend." He missed her a hell of a lot more than as just a friend, but he wasn't going to shoot for something out of his reach.
"I missed you too. I thought you just didn't want to be with me." Jinora looked at the ground. Kai's inside turning on himself, mad at himself for making her think that.
"I always wanted to be with you, you have to believe me when I say I really thought I was doing the right thing. I know things just can't be like they where, but I really want to be your friend again." And he was going to stick around to do it, no mather who stood in his way.
I guess-" Jinora sighed "- I guess that woudn't be too bad."
Kai coudn't stop himself, he'd wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground in the process. He realized his actions as he caught a whiff of her hair, it smelled like lavender. With a blush he put her down, to his great relief she was smiling.
"Welcome home Kai."