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Pema had been acting very strange lately.

Ever since Lin tried to arrest her three weeks ago, she had been trying to avoid Tenzin. She would get up earlier, do more chores, or bow out of social engagements she normally loved to attend. Not to mention the fact that she would disappear off the island for hours on end.

So he decided that he was going to confront her.

His saffron robes swept across the bamboo floors as he approached her. She visibly jumped as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Pema dear, what's wrong? You've been especially jumpy after the incident."

She nervously put a lock of hair behind her ear. "Oh, it's nothing, Tenzin. You don't need to worry."

"Is it about the incident? Because I already told you that I completely believe you. I know Lin can be abrasive, and that's enough to put anybody on edge. So don't stress out. Everything's okay."

Tenzin sweetly kissed Pema on the cheek. "I've got to get going-councilman duties wait for no one!"


Tenzin arrived right as the other council members were taking their seats. "So what do we have on the agenda today?" he asked.

"The first topic we have is whether or not there should be a set age to begin training if one is a bender and if so, should they be taught by their parents," Councilwoman Izumi said.

Councilman Tarrlok, the youngest member, groaned. "Ugh, not this one again!"

"It's a valid question, Councilman Tarrlok," Councilwoman Suki said. "Besides, there isn't anything else that's particularly pressing. Unless, of course, you want to debate about how far apart radio towers should be placed?"

Tarrlok crossed his arms and pouted. "Fine."

Izumi cleared her throat. "I'll begin. I don't like the idea of setting an age to begin training. I started to bend when I was seven, but my Aunt Azula was only three when she started! Already there's an inconsistency . That being said, parents should not teach their children. Imagine how you would feel if you were a nonbender and your parents spent paid special attention to your bending sibling. Doesn't exactly foster close ties."

The others nodded along.

"I personally wouldn't mind a set age for training," Tarrlok said. "You are able to be in classes with others, and your learning would be more standardized. I don't like the idea of parents teaching children; the line starts to blur between parent and teacher."

"I would like a set age to begin training," Tenzin said. "You appreciate it more and are more mature when you start learning. Also, I actually am for parents teaching their children. That's how I learned airbending. As far as I know, my father made it a point that despite him teaching me he loved us all equally."

"I don't have much to say on this," admitted Suki. "But I do believe that children should learn bending at their own pace, be it facilitated by their parents or not. For one thing, it would be immensely dangerous to have bending children who are unable to control their element running around."

"As Chairman of the Council, I do believe I have the last say," Sokka said. "I believe that children should learn their bending when they first show it, be it three or thirteen. Also, while parents can be excellent teachers I believe it best that they not teach their child unless they are a master. All in favor?"

Everyone raised their hand.

"Good. Let it be that children may learn when they first show it, and let them be taught not by their parents unless they are masters. Meeting adjourned."

Tenzin took back his airglider and flew back to the island. Finally we get out before dinner, he thought. I'll surprise Pema and we can go on that picnic we've been planning for ages!

He burst into the dining hall, looking for her.

"Looking for Pema, I see?" Tenzin whirled around to see his brother Bumi.

"Yes I am, I'm taking her out for lunch I will let you know."

"Really? I wouldn't think you'd be hungry the way I saw you two making out in the orchard."

Tenzin stopped dead in his tracks. "Bumi, I was at City Hall all morning."

"Then who was.." Bumi never got to finish his sentence, since by that time Tenzin had already found his way to the orchard.

Sure enough, Pema was having a makeout session in the orchard. And it wasn't with him.

"Pema?" he said softly. She whirled around to see her boyfriend both saddened and infuriated.

"Tenzin? This is not what it looks like-"

"How could you? I trusted you! You know what, just go. Go and pack your bags because you are being transferred to the Eastern Air Temple."

After they left, Tenzin sat down and put his head in his hands. He remained there until he heard footsteps approaching.

"Uncle Tenzin?" His head snapped up to see Bumi's daughter Melati, her chest heaving from exertion.

"Melati, what happened? Are you okay?" he asked, worry tinging his voice.

"It's Auntie Lin-she's in the hospital! She got hurt really bad and-" her words came out in a jumble and would have continued to had Tenzin not taken out his airglider and flown away.

"I'm coming for you Lin!" he yelled hoarsely. "I'm coming!"


Tenzin had never liked hospitals; they were always filled with such suffering and pain. He nervously paced outside the room number he was given until his sister and her daughter came out.

"Kya! Kanna!" he said, engulfing them in a hug. "What's going on? Why is she here?"

"Uncle, perhaps you should sit down," Kanna said, leading him to a chair.

With a start, Tenzin realized their dresses was covered in blood.

"Your dresses! Spirits, please tell me she's alive," Tenzin cried into his hands.

Kya sat next to her brother and delicately put a hand on his shoulder. "Brother, you've heard that members of the Agni Kai triad broke into the Sato mansion, right?" Upon seeing him nod, she continued.

"Lieutenant Saikhan was able to put all but one of the members involved in jail. Lin, however, was furious that someone got away. She went undercover to bring them in, and was almost successful when she got caught. There was a physical altercation, which was bad enough until the bloodbenders arrived…she was still being blood bent when Lieutenant Saikhan found her and took out the bloodbenders."

Kya's voice dropped to a quivering whisper and tears filled her eyes. "She is one of the worst bloodbending cases I've ever seen," she said softly. "The wounds from the fight were bad enough but the bloodbending burst veins and vessels, which will further aggravate her injuries. It's a miracle we saved her, much less—well, perhaps you should see for yourself."

Tenzin nodded, and got up to see Lin. He gasped upon reaching her door.

Her chest was hardly moving as she lay in bed. Bandages covered her body. On her face were two large gashes, from jawline to cheekbone, that were certainly going to scar. The healers, upon noticing him, got up and left.

Tenderly he stroked her face, resting his hand on her slightly rounded abdomen. It took him a couple minutes to fully register what it truly was.

"Oh Lin," he breathed, tears filling his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"