Linumi Week Day 2 – Warrior
Fandom: Legend of Korra
Characters: Lin Beifong, Bumi II, Toph beifong
Rating: K+
A/N: Unbeta'd. Not exactly Linumi but what the fuck ever. Come at me.

"What is that?" A ten-year-old Lin Beifong asks a fifteen-year-old Bumi when she sees him for the first time in almost a year. She is referring, of course, to the shaved sides of his head and the little scrap of hair pulled back at the top along the entire length of his head. The last time she had seen him, a year ago when he left for Kyoshi island to train with Sokka and Suki and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors, his hair had been a little longer than jaw length. Now, with it all gone, she barely recognized him. It was only his cerulean eyes and trademark goofy grin that gave him away as Bumi.

"It's a warrior's wolf tail!" Bumi said proudly, his chest all puffed up in his pride. "Don't you know anything, Little Lin?"

"It looks stupid!" Lin exclaimed, stamping her bare foot.

"Now, Lin," Toph said, coming up behind her daughter and placing a thin hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure Bumi's ponytail looks very nice."

Bumi whooped loudly. "See! Aunt Toph thinks it looks cool and she can't even see!"

Toph smirked and passed her daughter. "You know what the best thing about ponytails are?" Toph asked. Lin and Bumi both shook their head. Quick as a flash, Toph reached over, grabbed Bumi's tail, and with a wicked grin yanked hard. The teen quickly unbalanced, and sprawled out on the group before he could let out more than a surprised yell.

"The best thing about pony tails is they make great handles!"

The raucous laughter of both the Beifong ladies bounced around the courtyard. Bumi pouted and slunk away, nursing both his head and his bruised ego. Forty years later, Lin still would not let Bumi forget.