Jinora stumbled down the rocky path. The mountain was rough and she already wanted to go back. Her feet were numb and sore. The shoes she had chosen were clearly not for this.

"I'm tired, Tahno" She mumbled.

"Just a little further and we'll find a nice place to put up camp." He smiled, stroking her face. "You're doing good. I'm happy you decided to come. I know its hard that you had to sneak out because of your father."

"No. It's okay. If things work out between us then I'm sure father will come around." She smiled weakly.

"Let's stop for the night."

Jinora nodded, finding a grassy spot to plop down on. All she wanted to do now was sleep, but she knew that she needed to help Tahno set some stuff up so they could have a comfortable night's sleep. "What do I need to do?"

"Nothing. Just sit there, and eat this." He smiled, handing her a bowl.

"Thanks Tahno." She took it, examining the contents. It looked alright. She wondered if Pema had cooked it. Her mother had always been really good at coming up with different recipes using whatever they had in the house or what they could find outside.

He dug a few blankets out of his bag. "It's going to be a little rough but i'm trying to make you as comfortable as possible," he said, adding another blanket to the pallet.

She nodded. All she wanted to do was sleep. She hoped the blankets would keep the cold wind out. Jinora shivered. "I guess I'll go to bed now."

Jinora had a hard time sleeping all night. She was uncomfortable and cold. Waking up to the smell of cooking food, she smiled. This trip was going to be hard but it was going to be so worth it. She hadn't been off the mountain in so long, so she was craving other humans and benders.

Sitting up, Tahno came into her view. He was bending over the fire he must have made this morning.

"Good Morning." She smiled.

"Hey!" He handed her a small plate, piled with food.

"What's all this?"

"I just figured you would be having a big meal that Pema had made if you were at home and I want you to feel as at home with me as possible."

"Wow. Thanks" She laughed slightly, taking a bite. Tahno was so different once someone actually got to know him. It was like he had hidden behind all this bad things that people assumed he was.

"Why are you staring at me?" He smiled, taking a big bite.

"I was just thinking.. How you aren't what I thought you were."

"Oh. Is that a good or bad thing?"

"Very good."

They made their way down the mountain. They would be in Republic City in about a day and a half. Maybe less if they moved fast.

-Skipping Journey 'Cause That Crap Is BORING.-

Republic City was buzzing with activity. A baby fire ferret ran across Jinora's feet.

"We need to find an inn to stay at," Tahno mumbled, taking Jinora's bags from her. Her shoulders felt so much better now. "Where? They just started rebuilding. There can't be that many."

He shrugged, making his way through the crowd, "Maybe we'll get lucky."

Jinora had to run to keep up with him through all the people. What were all of these people doing in the City? She sighed and just missed a women passing by. "Tahno, Can you slow down a bit?" She shouted "Sorry. I'm just having a little trouble keeping up."

He took her hand, leading her now but not really slowing down. "Sorry, but we really need to get through to the other side before all the tourists." He sighed, speeding up even more.

Jinora kept stumbling trying to keep up. She hoped Tahno wasn't getting sick of dealing with her and her slowness. It was just that it was crowded and her feet hurt.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, The crowd was behind them.

Tahno slowed. "Jee that was a little crazy," he mumbled, seemingly more to himself than anything.

Jinora stayed silent, watching him pace back and forth while saying random things under his breath that she couldn't understand.

"We need to get to the Inn" He smiled, taking all the bags himself once more, and leading the way.

Jinora could have ran when she saw the small inn come into view. All she wanted to do was collapse on a bed for the next 12 or so hours and celebrate her birthday tomorrow.

The air was warm inside the small lobby type area, in a very comfortable way.

"Oh, general!" The inn keeper bowed at Tahno "I didn't know you would be back so soon!"

Tahno nodded, digging out money, "I need two rooms."

"Of course! Of course!" He scooped up Tahno's coins for the table and dug out two keys. "There you are, general!" He smiled, handing over all the little soaps and other products.

"Thank you" He turned back to Jinora.

"Since when are you a general?" She raised her eyebrows, shocked.

"I moved up pretty fast in ranking, I know. We lost a lot of good commanders, but I like my job. I just needed something different whenever I lost my bending. I wanted to help instead of hurt." He shrugged, avoiding eye contact.

"That's really nice,. I bet it's a great job." Jinora picked up her pack from the floor. "Which rooms are ours?"

"I'm 7 and you're 6"

She took the key from him, and lugged all her things to the small room.

"Well I guess I'll see you in the morning" She smiled.

"Bright and early for your birthday breakfast," he said, returning her smile.

"Wait. Tahno." Jinora called as they started to go their separate ways.

"Yes?"

She stood on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Her feelings for Tahno were growing. Even though they had just sort of got together, she felt as if they were meant to be something. Now, within the last few days, she couldn't imagine Tahno not being around. Right now though, her heart and brain were thinking about what the innkeeper had said.

General..

That could not be the safest job out there. What if something happened to him. What if he had to go to war. She closed her eyes.

'Stop thinking like that,' She told herself. 'It's pointless. It's not going to help anything.'

"Goodnight beautiful" He took her hand, planting a small kiss on her palm.

She closed her hand around the kiss.

Tomorrow was going to be a good day.

As usual, thanks for reading!

Editor: TuiAndLa