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Chapter Twelve: Beach Party

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Sun Down: Bumi

The Energy Bender looked at himself in the mirror in his hotel room, wondering why he was doing this in the first place. They shouldn’t be partying, not even for one night, because of what had happened earlier. After the explosion, Martin finally agreed to come with them to help with the war. Kya had called Mom and Dad to tell them what had happened since they left them in the mountains. Their parents were unhappy about them being out in the open, but they weren’t angry because they understood they had no choice but to leave the mountains. Azula has done just about everything to get the out, and now that she has, it was only reasonable that they fight against her. Aang and Katara were very proud of them, though, and that made some of Bumi’s guilt melt, knowing they knew it was for the good of the world.

Earlier they had seen to getting some new clothes for Martin, since his were destroyed in the fire, and Sam got his from the hideout he was using, then they talked over lunch, although everyone hardly ate; there had been too much stress, too much tension. Jade talked about the party, of how it would help everyone relax for a short time. Like Bumi, Martin and Sam thought it was a waste of time, but everyone else agreed with her, even quiet Kuzon. They needed at least one normal night before chaos reigned.

Still, the party seemed only to distract them, make them forget why they were there in the first place. That made him sound like a wet blanket. Bumi looked at himself more closely. His blue eyes looked back at him, dark and solemn, like those of a person who had seen too much, done too much. His body was tense, like it had been for weeks since the end of school. His dark hair was longer, almost covering his eyes, and skin looked a little pale. That was him, yet it wasn’t; it’s a stranger with his face.

Maybe Jade was right; they needed something normal, even for a little while. Everyone was stressed to the point where they would snap at any time and he knew it would be bad if everyone lost their temper: people would get hurt and they wouldn’t even know it was them who had caused it until it was too late. Bumi thought back to the day Tenzin had lost control and shuddered. His brother never lost control of himself, and it was scary to think he could have hurt someone without meaning to. He also thought back to last night, when Matt had also lost control and nearly killed Sam. He was afraid and had run away, not knowing what to do but knowing of what he had almost done.

Bumi thought back to the day Appa was killed; how his rage had overtaken him and he had erected that wall of energy to keep his family back. The power was awesome and terrifying, fulfilling yet scary. When he created that orb, energy had coursed through him like electricity running through water. He still had a hard time believing how much damage he had done; he could have killed someone, yet at the time he didn’t care. All he could think of was Appa saving him, sacrificing himself when the dart came shooting his way. When he had expanded that orb, his heart was racing with the effort, but he felt strong at the time and he didn’t want to stop the power until the killers learned not to mess with him. The orb had stretched until it hit the trees before vanishing altogether into the air, and the energy had left him then, making Bumi feel weak and dizzy. He remembered landing next to his best friend before passing out completely.

Bumi felt moisture on his cheeks and realized with a start that he was crying. He looked at himself again and suddenly felt like child; Appa wouldn’t want him to mourn his death, only wanted him to move on and live his life. How can he when life had taken him down a road in which he had no idea where it led, leaving him feeling stranded and out of his mind? The past could never be changed, no matter how one wishes it would be otherwise. But… there was always a chance to do better in the future, make corrections from the mistakes made. Nothing was ever hopeless, there was always a way to make things better, always a chance to change something about yourself or of your life. Nothing was ever truly lost.

With that sudden clarity, there also came resolution. Bumi wasn’t going to let Azula win; she wrecked everything, and he was going to make certain she never did so again. He was going to make the world safe. The best part was: he was not alone. Jade, Tenzin, Kya, Matt – all of them were going to fight for the same reason: to bring peace to the world. They could do it; they had to. With all of them together, they will win. Bumi will never doubt their strength again.

Looking out the window, he saw the dark sky, barely a moon, and a fire on the beach. It was almost time to go. Feeling lighter of heart, he looked at his outfit: a green t-shirt with blue jean shorts. He wondered what Jade would be wearing; probably her leather jacket and dark makeup. Still, in his opinion, she would look good in anything, and that made him blush, stopping his thoughts there.  The last thing he wanted to think of her in her swimsuit. He would fantasize about that for weeks!

There was a knock on his door and when he went over after wiping his face to open it, He discovered it was Luten who had come to fetch him. “You ready to go, kiddo?” he asked with a grin.

Bumi managed to grin back. “Yeah; let’s go.” They left the room and took the elevator down. When they reached the lobby, he saw that everyone was there, even Martin and Sam, who had objected to the idea of a beach party, yet Bumi could tell they were secretly happy about the arrangement. Martin kept throwing glances at Melisa, who was laughing and talking to Kya, and Bumi knew then and there that the guy was smitten. He didn’t blame him; the Lightbender was beautiful, but he wasn’t attracted to her. Jade always got his attention. He supposed it was because Jade was more like him, or that he had known her since they were toddlers, or that she was more tomboy, but something about Jade made him feel more connected with her than anyone else, even to his siblings.

Then the sound of someone coming down the stairs drew his attention and Bumi’s breath caught in his throat. Jade was walking towards them, wearing white shorts and a green tank without the leather jacket like he thought she would wear. Her dark eyeliner was there but there was also glitter green eye shadow and pink lip gloss, which was also strange because she never wore those kinds of things at school. Jade looked amazing!

When she reached the bottom, they looked into each other’s eyes; blue meeting green, like the colors of the ocean. He wondered if his father felt this way with his mother when they had been his age and thought maybe they did. Just like his parents, Bumi and Jade had gone through so much together and his feelings for her had only deepened as they spent more time together. Maybe, just maybe, they could have the same relationship as his mother and father do.

Jade smiled a little shyly and Bumi smiled back, his face feeling a little hot. “You look great, Jade,” he said. What kind of compliment was that? She was way better looking than ‘great’. She was beautiful!

Her smile widened a little and her cheeks grew red. “Thanks; so do you,” she answered.

They kept looking at each other until Martin said, “Let’s head out; the party’s about to start.”

Bumi stared at him as they filed out of the lobby into the warm night. “I thought you didn’t want to go in the first place.”

He shrugged. “I changed my mind,” he answered. “Better to have one night of normality than one of nightmares.” Bumi had to agree to that statement and walked the rest of the way in silence, the sound of the ocean and fire coming closer the more they walked.

Beach: Luten

He could not believe he was going to do this. The Firebender had decided to make this night worth remembering, which meant he was going to tell Kya how he felt. Going into his shorts pocket, Luten brought out the necklace he had made from shells, knowing Kya had always been a water person even before she was named a Waterbender. He just hoped she felt the same way as he does or else he would be humiliated. His heart was pounding as he put the necklace away. He was standing near some rocks near the water’s edge, collecting his thoughts before going back to join his friends. The Firebender didn’t know when, or if, he would get another chance like this. This was going to be their last night of normality before going off into war again. He might as well take the chance while he had it.

Taking a deep breath, Luten walked over back to his friends, who were joking around and generally enjoying themselves. Even Bumi seemed more at ease than he had been since the fighting started. The Energy Bender was sitting next to Jade, who was laughing and grinning at something Bumi had said. It might not be obvious to the Healer, but to Luten he could see the love and admiration in Bumi’s eyes, and he knew the boy’s feelings for the girl had deepened since they left home. From Jade, he noticed that she was sitting closer to him than usual, and definitely took that as a sign that she felt just as deeply as the boy she sat next to.

Kya was sitting on a log, staring into the fire with a content smile on her face, the spot next her empty, and he took it. There must have a strange look on his face for she frowned in concern and asked, “You okay?”

Luten cleared his throat. “Yeah; just thinking, that’s all.” He smiled sheepishly and rubbed his neck when she arched a disbelieving eyebrow. “Maybe I shouldn’t do that, huh?”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I think that would be best,” she answered jokingly. The sun was setting and the light caught into her brown hair, turning it gold with a hint of red in it. Her blue eyes sparkled with mirth and puzzlement. Kya was the most beautiful girl he had ever known. Luten has never felt anything so strong before, and during the past several weeks, his feelings for her only grew, and suddenly, he knew: Luten was in love with Kya Montauk. He snapped out of his trance when she snapped her fingers. “Earth to Luten!” she sang. “Anyone home?”

He blinked rapidly and grinned. “Sorry, I was having one of my moments again.”

“You seem to be getting those moments a lot. What’s on your mind?” she asked curiously.

Luten shrugged, hoping the fire’s glow would hide his blush. “It’s nothing, really; just too much to think about and sort through. I’m alright.” Before she could say anything back he continued. “Listen; there is something on my mind.” It was now or never.

Kya stared at him. “What is it?”

He looked around, but nobody was paying any attention them. Still, someone could overhear him, so he said, “Not here.” Gesturing at the rocks he had been standing by, he added, “Over there.” His best friend looked more puzzled and bewildered but stood up and followed to the other side of the rocks, where no one could see them. Luten could hear the blood roaring in his ears and he prayed to every god he could think of on the spot, wanting this moment to turn out just the way he wanted. After once again checking to make certain they weren’t followed, he took a deep breath and started. “I’m not exactly sure how to go about this, but…” Okay, that was a really lame start. He tried again. “There was something I wanted to tell you, and I didn’t anyone else around to hear me when I say it.”

She tilted her head. “What is it, Luten?” she asked.

Hoping his palms weren’t sweaty, he grabbed her hands and began again. “Kya, we’ve been best friends since we were babies, and after almost eighteen years of being one, I don’t think I could a life without having you in it.” Jeez; it sounded like he proposing, but he didn’t stop. “We’ve been through a lot together and over the past few weeks, my feelings have grown for you.” That sounded better. Luten took another breath. “What I’m saying is, I’m in love with you, Kya. I know we’re only teenagers, but that’s how I feel, and I’m willing to do anything to prove that to you.”

Kya looked so surprised and tears flooded her eyes before they cascaded down her face; Luten had to resist the urge to kiss them away. “You Love me?” she asked in a whisper.

Luten nodded. “More than anything I’ve ever known,” he answered before letting go of one of her hands to reach and grab the necklace. She gasped in surprise. “I’ve been working on this for weeks before this all happened. Katara helped me with it, knowing I liked you and was willing to help. I thought I’d save for your birthday, but that’s too far and who knows what’ll happen before then. So I’m going to ask you this: Will you be my girlfriend?”

The Waterbender seemed at a loss for words and as she stood there with her mouth open, Luten held his breath, wondering what she was thinking. Finally, she spoke, and he breathed again. “Luten, this is beautiful and I’m flattered…” Her smile melted and he knew what was coming next before she continued. “But I can’t be your girlfriend.” His frown of disappointment must have shown for she hastily added. “It’s not the way you think. The truth is I love you too. But we can’t be together; at least not right now.”

“Why not?” he asked, the necklace dangling from his fingers, his heart breaking as he let go of her other hand.

The Waterbender took a deep breath. “It’s because… we’re in the middle of a war right now and the thought of being together makes me feel like it should be forgotten.” She started playing with her hair and Luten had to resist another urge to run his hand through the thick mass. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you; I do. But the world needs us right now and I’m…” The Waterbender looked into his eyes with fear. “I’m scared. I don’t like to admit it, but I am. The thought of losing any of you terrifies me to the point where I’m paralyzed. If we get together now and you die, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

When the tears finally came, Luten could no longer hold himself back. He wrapped her in his arms, his heart breaking for another reason. The girl he loves is afraid. He suspected as much, but she kept that fear bottled up so long he knew it was only a matter of time before she broke down. Still, a selfish part said, it felt nice to hold her like this, while the other part of him did what he could to comfort her.

After a few minutes, her crying stopped but she didn’t back away; just stayed in his arms as her breathing regulated. While it was doing so, Luten talked. “I suspected you were going to say that, but I understand.” Kya looked up at him and he cupped her cheek, feeling her warm skin and the trail left by her tears. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you, Ky, but I didn’t know if I would get another chance like this, so I took a shot. I wanted you to know and I wasn’t going to wait anymore. You deserved to know the truth. Knowing that you love me back… It made me happy. If you need to wait, then I’ll wait for you. I’m not going to push into something we won’t have time for. Until we get the chance to be together, I want you to have this.”

While she gaped at him, Luten placed the necklace around her slender neck, and she fingered the shells as if they were priceless jewels. There was a slightly bigger shell that acted as a pendant, a pearly white one like the kind hermit crabs would have on their backs. The Waterbender looked back up at him with adoring eyes. “You really want me to have this?” she asked, still fingering the shells.

He smiled. “It’s yours,” he said; then stepped closer to her. “There’s just one thing I want in return.” When her face became a question mark, he leaned slowly towards her and brushed her lips. Her breath caught and pulled back, wondering if he had upset her. “Sorry,” he said gruffly. “I just wanted to know what it would-“ He was interrupted when her lips touched his, softly but more firmly. Luten’s gold eyes fluttered closed, and he wrapped his arms around her as Kya’s arms went around his neck. Her hair tickled his arms, which made him tighten his grip, deepening the kiss. She was so warm, her heart beating against his chest, synchronizing with his, and his body felt alive for the first time in a long time.

The time for air was needed, and they slowly broke apart, gasping, at a loss for what to say. He smiled at her and she smiled back. After regaining his breath he said, “That was even better than I imagined.”

“I have to agree,” she answered softly.

The Firebender hugged her. “When we win, I promise to be the best boyfriend I can. I won’t let anything hurt you again.”

Kya squeezed back. “You don’t have to promise me that; you already do.”

He looked into her face with a serious expression. “Still, I just want to make it clear that I’ll be there, no matter what happens now.”

The Waterbender touched his cheek. “I know; when this is over, we can be together.” She kissed him softly again. “I love you, Luten,” she whispered against his mouth.

“I love you too, Kya,” he answered, hugging her again. After a minute they let go of each other and with one more smile, Kya walked out from the rocks and over to the fire. Luten’s heart was still pounding and a goofy grin formed. They would have to wait a little longer before they were official, but knowing Kya loved him as he loved her, Luten was willing to wait until the battle was over and their futures could really begin together.

Later That Night: Beach: Bumi

The Energy Bender looked at all of his friends, sitting around the bon fire as a band played on a makeshift stage built specifically for this occasion. There were smiles on everyone’s face and he couldn’t help but notice how Kya and Luten looked secretly at each other. Bumi had noticed earlier that evening how they had slunk away to the rocks out of sight, and he had a pretty good idea what had happened. So, the big guy finally spilled his heart; good for him. The necklace of shells was around his sister’s throat, yet he could tell it was only for a promise: If they made it out of this alive, then they would be together. Luten had confided in him a few times while the necklace had been in creation, and the Firebender had known there was a possibility where she said that now wasn’t the time. Bumi hopes they do survive; they deserve to be happy together.

The sun had long since vanished and it was a new moon, so the only light came from the fires spread out and the lights from the stage. Bumi looked at Jade a slow song started playing, and thought: If they had a chance, why not take it now like Luten did? He wasn’t much of a dancer, but maybe if he did, he would gain courage. He took a deep breath. “Hey, Jade?”

She looked at him with a smile. “Yeah, Bumes?”

He swallowed and hesitantly asked, “Would you, uh… well, I mean do you-“

She laughed, cutting him off. “Are you trying to ask me to dance with you?”

He blinked in surprise and he relaxed. “Yeah. Do you want to?”

Jade grinned at him and his heart beat faster again. “Sure, Bumi; I’ll dance with you.”

With a sense of relief, he grinned and took Jade’s hand before leading her to the sand where a few other couples were dancing. When they stood face to face, Bumi became nervous again because he wasn’t sure where to place his hands. Luckily, Jade seemed to read his mind, for she grabbed his hands and placed both of them on her hips. “Relax, Bumi; it’s just me,” she said softly, which made her voice seem a bit rougher than usual and he shivered, causing his hands to tighten a bit. She placed her hands around his neck and he swallowed, slowly starting to move from side to side. The song that was playing was Be Your Everything by Boys Like Girls.

He laughed a little. “I honestly don’t know what I’m doing; I don’t dance a lot.”

Jade smiled, her eyes sparkling. “It’s okay, me neither. Just go with it.” He nodded and they continued dancing, starting to get the hang out of it. After a minute or so, Jade placed her head on his shoulder and his heart beat faster and a blush crept into his cheeks, but he moved his hands to the small of her back and tightened his hold, holding her close. He felt more relaxed now as the song went on. Before it ended, she lifted her head and looked him in the eye, and he felt himself drown in her jade eyes, and the next thing he knew he was leaning forward. She didn’t move but her eyelids flickered.

His lips hovered over hers and still she stayed put, so Bumi closed the remaining distance and lightly kissed her. She sighed through her nose and held him closer, kissing him back. It was even better than Bumi had ever dreamed; Jade’s lips were even softer than he thought, like dew on a tulip. Her body fit perfectly into his, like two puzzle pieces coming together. He deepened the kiss, loving how she fit, how they fit, and never wanting it to stop. The butterflies in his stomach fluttered pleasantly, and he brought Jade closer, not getting enough of her as their kiss deepened and lengthen. This was one memory he was going to hold onto until the day he died.

Slowly, reluctantly, he drew away from her mouth; yet her mouth stayed partly open and her eyes remained closed. After a few seconds, she opened them and looked at Bumi with sparkling eyes filled with wonder and something he couldn’t identify. Her eyes had darkened, but not in a bad way.  They stared at each other as a fast song played but they didn’t move; just watched one another as if seeing the other for the first time. Finally he cleared his throat. “Well… I uh…” She still didn’t say anything and he Bumi wondered if he did anything wrong. Then she smiled and relief swept through him.

“Wow,” she breathed, still looking at him with wide eyes. “That was… that was…”

“Nice?” he suggested.

“Wonderful,” she corrected and grinned at him. “Since when did you learn to kiss so well?”

Bumi grinned back. “After watching Mom and Dad do it for almost sixteen years, you learn a few tricks.” They laughed, still amazed by what happened. He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go for a walk,” he added. She nodded and they left the crowd, walking along the beach, hands intertwined.

After a few minutes Jade asked, “So, do you like me?” She was casual but Bumi could sense she was a little nervous too. One of the perks to being a best friend: You know that person too well.

He squeezed her hand. “Yeah I do; since that first day in fourth grade, actually, when you gave me a spot at your table and shared your crayons.”

She chuckled. “But I did that in Kindergarten too. What made fourth grade so special?”

He shrugged. “I guess it’s because it was the day we really got to know each other. The kids were picking on me that day and you also came to my rescue. Even then, something about you intimidated those kids. We became best friends that day.”

Jade nodded. “I have to agree; I’m pretty awesome!” He laughed and she joined in. Despite displaying his affection earlier, they still acted like best friends, like nothing had changed. Yet, something was different about his. It might the holding hands part, or being closer together, but something made this moment special. It felt nice.

He decided to explore the water. “Do you like me back?”

She scoffed. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have kissed you back, now would I?” He frowned at her and she laughed again. “Chill out, Bumi. Yes, I do feel the same way as you, maybe a little stronger. Let’s see where this takes us before we make any commitments, though, okay?”

He nodded while stopping and wrapping his arms around her. “Sure, Jade; just as long as I get to do this.” He kissed her then and she kissed back. Bumi could feel her smile against his lips and he chuckled slightly as he broke away.

She sighed with a silly grin. “Yeah, that’s allowed; and so is this.” Jade grabbed his hand once more and squeezed it, earning a squeeze in return. He nodded again and she tugged him back the way they came. “Come on, Bumes; we don’t want a search party coming to look for us.”

Bumi chuckled. “Oh no; what a nightmare that would be!” he said jokingly and she laughed. They walked back to the fire together, holding hands all the way there.

Meanwhile: Night: Suki

She stood, wearing a spaghetti strap, pink silk nightgown, staring out the living room window, watching the night darken and the stars pop all over the velvet of the night. The Warrior was tired but she couldn’t sleep. After what Aang and Katara had told her and Sokka earlier today, Suki had make many calls to M16, trying to get as many people into their cause as she could. She called the Headquarters and the boss, and he had told her he would get as many people on this as possible. The spies were stationed all over the world, so hopefully that would give their side an advantage. Over half of the recruits are Benders as well, so that would help.

An army of evildoers are going to destroy the world unless they can stop them from doing so. Even with the help of her friends, what of the kids? How will they win? Some of them are Benders too; but if the Blaze was coming and all the Firebenders were going to gain strength from it, how can kids of different abilities beat a mad Firebender? Suki hoped they would be alright. If anything happened to them, she would never forgive herself.

Soft footsteps came from behind her and felt strong arms wrap around her waist, squeezing her close. She felt him kiss her shoulder. “What are you doing up so late?” her husband, Sokka, asked.

Suki sighed. “I couldn’t sleep. I’m exhausted but the thought of rest seems foreign to me now. It’s been like that since the kids left.” She turned in his arms and laid her head on his bare chest, relaxing a little into his embrace as he started rubbing her back in soothing circles. “I’ve called as many people as I could, but I’m not sure it’s going to help. If the Blaze is as strong as the kids say it is, than how are they going to beat a madwoman with Firebending capabilities? She’ll use the comet against them and she won’t stop until everything is gone.”

Sokka kissed the top of her head. “I know; but so far the kids have prevailed. We all raised our kids to be strong and they have been. They’ll survive, and when they come home, everything will be better. You can count on that.”

The Warrior looked up at him. “I hope you’re right, Sokka. I really hope you are.”

He kissed her lightly. “Don’t worry; we’ll make it. I know it.” He led her slowly to their room. “Come on; let’s try to get some sleep. We’re going to need it.”

Suki knew better than to argue, and since she talked a little of her fears, she was ready for bed. They had a lot of work to do tomorrow. They went upstairs and climbed into their king sized bed. Sokka pulled the covers over them and held her tightly to his chest, where she snuggled, feeling his warmth spread over her like another blanket. As she lay there, she heard him say, “Goodnight Suki; I love you.”

She squeezed his chest. “I love you too, Sokka.” His breathing evened out and he was asleep in less than a minute. Suki studied him, marveling at how he could sleep, especially now, when their world is close to the end. She berated herself for thinking that; they were not going to lose. Azula will be defeated. The madwoman thinks they had no chance, but that was her first mistake. Suki and her friends, along with their children, were stronger than Azula thought; they were clever and they will win in her little games. The kids were very resourceful and it’s going to take a lot to outsmart them.

The Warrior thought of all they had learned; Bumi was the one to fight Azula when the comet came for he controlled the very base of power: energy. He was the only one who could beat her. Suki hoped and prayed that he would win, and wished the same success for the others. This battle was going to be big, bigger than the Black Mamba they had fought years ago. She only hoped they would win. As sleep took over her at last, Suki prayed, ‘Please let them win; help them survive.’

 

That was quick! A little fun and romance for the gang, lol. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter an dthank you all for faving and commenting. Let me know how I did. The next chapter will involve more of Pema and Tenzin, I promise.

Chapter Thirteen: katara434.deviantart.com/art/C…
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avataradam's avatar
This was the kind of chapter I was looking forward to! :D (Big Grin)