Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Korra

"We will be there in about five minutes."

Lin nodded at the air acolyte politely as she held onto the railing of the boat. She hated being on the boat. Ever since she got her bending taken away, the sensation was something she did not want to feel ever again. The feeling of being disconnected and having a part of her ripped right out was not a pleasant experience. Now when she was forced to fly or step aboard a ship, Lin would feel a small sense of panic rise in her stomach and would take a minute to calm herself. Never again she would tell herself.

The earthbender was out of her metalbending uniform and dressed in a casual green tunic that had sleeves that ran to where her arm bent and a loose collar, appropriate for the beginning heat of summer. Her tunic was matched with brown pants, mirroring the earth perfectly. Like her pants, her shoes were simple and brown and ran up to her mid calf. Overall, she looked relaxed for once. After being reinstated as chief, Lin could have sworn she hasn't worn anything but her uniform for months. She wouldn't admit it, but she liked dressing casually now and then.

Five minutes.

She could see the island perfectly. The multiple buildings and the tall temple that stood on the island were all so familiar to her, ever since she was a kid.

Four minutes.

The closer she got to the docks, the more she thought she could see small figures dressed in autumn colors waiting on the impatiently. The tallest one had her hands clasped together in anticipation. The second tallest was jumping up and down as if she couldn't handle waiting any longer. The shortest one was running around the other two and Lin could have sworn she could hear the child's voice screaming into the air.

Three minutes.

The noise coming from movement on the ship indicated to her that the time for docking was soon. Because of the steps on the ship, the boat started to rock a little more than before, causing Lin's senses to go full peak.

Two minutes.

Almost forgetting, Lin quickly remembered why she was even coming to Air Temple Island. I wonder what Councilman Baldy wants now.

One minute.

Tenzin had asked her to come on the island as he needed to discuss something very important. Lin had assertively asked her old lover what it had concern to but the master airbender kept his mouth shut and just urged her to make a trip to the island. Frustrated, Lin got dressed and made her way to the docks, complying with his wishes.

"We're here, Chief Beifong."

Lin stepped out of the boat and onto the wooden dock. Not even a second later, loud steps vibrated the dock and Lin looked forward to find three children running towards her, ready to tackle her.

"Auntie Lin!" One by one, the air children latched themselves onto the fifty three year old, Jinora and Ikki wrapping their arms around her waist on each side while Meelo launched himself upwards so that he could hug her from the front. The young boy latched his legs around her thin frame and his arms around her neck. She was practically suffocating.

"Hello to you too." she responded calmly. Naturally, she pulled her arms around all the children. After a couple years, her love for the kids had grown and it was easy for Lin to break down her stern walls for the air kids.

The kids finally released their embrace. Meelo was the first to talk. "Why are you here? Not that I don't want you here." The goofy little boy had grown into an equally crazy seven year old. His attitude was still the same and was still the hardest to maintain out of all of the children.

"Meelo, remember dad has to talk to her?" Jinora reminded her brother. The thirteen year old was now a blossoming teenager. Her womanly figure was starting to appear, much to Tenzin's dislike. There was no doubt that the elder airbender would steal many hearts as she continued to age. However, on a different note, there was only two or three more years till she would receive her airbending master tattoos and her father couldn't have been more proud.

"Oooooh! I wonder what daddy wants to talk to you about? Maybe he did something bad. Or maybe he is going to give you a present. WAIT! It's probably about Roh…" Before the ten year old could say anymore, Jinora had already covered her mouth. Ikki was nothing like her sister at this age. It seemed as if the older Ikki got, he ability to ramble on would lengthen.

"Let dad tell her." Jinora told her strictly.

"I think we should go find your father now." Lin informed the kids. Meelo and Ikki took her arms and started to haul her around while Jinora directed them. After about ten minutes of walking, the four of them had finally found the master airbender playing with his youngest son in the practice arena.

Lin couldn't help but give out a slight smile. She had never been around to watch Jinora, Ikki or Meelo grow up as babies. It was just too painful at the time. To see what could have been. However, after the Equalist invasion, Lin had finally gotten over past feelings and realized that the best thing for her now was to come back to Tenzin as she had been for most of their childhood: his best friend. It took some time, but Lin couldn't help but feel young again and remember memories whenever she was with Tenzin. Memories of sparring with him, pushing him into the mud, chasing each other all over the island and playing in the exact same arena that Tenzin was right now swirled through her mind as she watched the father and son. Tenzin was currently chasing the three year old around and Rohan couldn't help but giggle at his father's antics. Rohan had grown beautifully. He now had a head covered in dark brown hair and a full set of teeth. The boy had strong arms and legs which would turn into muscle once he grows older. His eyes still remained the stunning emerald green that shined amazingly in the light, just like when he first opened his eyes after his birth. However, Lin had noticed that instead of being clothed in traditional airbending clothing that matched his siblings, the young boy was dressed in a green tunic, loose brown pants and feet left bare.

Too lost in thought, Lin almost missed Tenzin's greeting to her. "Hello, Lin. You are looking radiant as always."

Lin shook her head slightly and responded back in her usual attitude. "You know compliments don't work on me. Will you tell me why I'm here now?"

Tenzin brought his serious composure back and looked towards his three elder children. "Children, can you go and help your mother with dinner while I talk to Lin? And make sure to set an extra plate."

"Awwh. I want to know!" Meelo said disappointed.

Jinora put a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Meelo, you already know remember?"

"Oh yeah!" And with that the children disappeared into the house, in exception to Rohan who was trying to chase a beetle on the floor of the arena. Tenzin ushered them to sit on the steps of the arena's edge. Lin didn't complain.

"So what's this about Tenzin?" Lin asked impatiently. She had waited forever just to get to the island. She wasn't going back home unsatisfied.

Tenzin started to stroke his beard. "Well, you see. This is very surprising to ask. This is a huge favor that I probably will never be able to payback but it is crucial for the situation at hand. I can't think of anyone else to do what I'm about to ask but you and…"

"Stop rambling!" Lin yelled, getting Rohan's attention for a few seconds. The boy returned to chasing the beetle. "What is it?"

Tenzin halted his words. Slight realization hit him as to where Ikki got her constant rambling from. The fifty four year old master airbender. Drew in a deep breath.

"I need you to train Rohan."

The look that washed over Lin's face was probably the first time he had ever seen it. She was utterly confused. Throughout the entire time Tenzin had known Lin, she was always so sure of herself and what she was doing. At this moment, however, the earthbender was completely puzzled.

"Very funny, Tenzin. Even I know you aren't idiotic enough to mistaken me for an airbender."

Tenzin continued to look at her in all seriousness. "I know you aren't an airbender, Lin. You are an earthbender and the greatest to add."

Lin gave Tenzin a look of slight annoyance. "Exactly. So what would I have to train the boy in?"

"Earthbending." He still looked stern.

Lin was now returning a look of seriousness. "What kind of joke are you trying to play? If I had to train Rohan in earthbending, then that would mean that the boy is a…"

Tenzin nodded slowly.

And now for the second time, absolute confusion washed over Lin's face once more. An earthbender? Now that was a twist that completely got Lin.

"How?" she asked completely interested.

Tenzin let his eyes wander towards the young boy. He watched his son play in the dirt. Yup. Definitely an earthbender. "Turns out that Pema is of earth kingdom decent. And if that isn't much proof, there is plenty more. His green eyes. He loves dirt. And the fact that he chucked a rock way to heavy for him to lift at my head during a tantrum."

Lin was now staring at Rohan. He was covered in dirt from head to toe, something that reminded her of a younger version of herself. Her mother had told her that when she was smaller, she would hate being picked up unless she needed to or if it were by her mother, the ground being her saffe haven. She would play outside for hours and get herself so dirty that Katara would have to scrub her down for at least ten minutes when she was getting baby sat on the island. Good times.

"So the clothes?"

"He hates not having his feet on the ground. Reminds me of your mother. And you."

She pondered on the fact for a minute. If that hadn't screamed earthbender, then she didn't know what would. But she had to make sure.

Lin stood up and walked over to the little dirt covered boy. She crouched down so that she was level with his same green eyes. Rohan looked at her curiously without saying a word. Lin looked at him with the same interest. Suddenly, her eyes widened in surprise, scaring Rohan a bit. Lin lifted her sleeve to reveal a beautiful black bracelet wrapped around her upper arm. The black color contrasted her skin in the most stunning way possible. At the very moment, the black bracelet was shivering excitedly. Lin had never seen or felt it shiver so much in years. The first time was when her mother felt it while she was near a two year old Lin and the second time being when she was wearing it and was near her mother. It only shivered that way with powerful earthbenders.

Rohan had been watching the chief of police the entire time and was entirely fascinated with the bracelet. So fascinated, he wanted to touch it for himself. "Gimmie!"

Surprised by the child's demanding tone, Lin carefully took of the bracelet and handed it to the smaller boy. Rohan grabbed it and started to feel the object. Then, he started to bend the bracelet into different shapes, giggling eagerly. Rohan bended the bracelet into a star, box, circle and arrow before returning it back to its original form. Lin watched in amazement.

"I like your toy!" Rohan happily told Lin. Even she couldn't help but smile. The bracelet then started to vibrate within the small hands of the boy causing him to laugh wildly.

Rohan looked into Lin's green eyes that mirrored his own. "Why it do that?"

Lin grabbed the bracelet, put it back on her arm and lowered her sleeve hiding her most prized possession once again. She looked back towards Tenzin's youngest son. "It means that you and I are powerful benders. Powerful earthbenders."

"Earthbender?" Rohan's head tilted to the side slightly. "They throw the rocks. Like in the story! Master Toph!"

Lin gave the boy a genuine smile, a rare sight. "Yes. Like Master Toph. She was my mother."

"She your momma? So you earthbender too?" Lin nodded her head. "That mean you master too! Master Lin!"

"Just call me Sifu Lin." she patted him on the head causing Rohan to smile. "Now, let's go eat dinner."

"Yes, Sifu Lin!"

Lin stood up and started to walk towards the house with her hands behind her back. Rohan quickly stood as well and mimicked Lin's movements, his hands behind his back and posture straight. The chief of police eyed Rohan from the side. Both earthbenders, walked in Tenzin's direction. Lin halted in front of Tenzin and pointed towards the house with her head, Rohan obediently followed her orders while smiling.

"Can you see the similarities now, Lin?" Tenzin asked his best friend.

Lin looked towards him, stern expression as usual. "I know he isn't my actual child." She then started on her way to the house for dinner while saying one final thing to him.

"But he will make a fine legacy to the Beifong name."

This was inspired by a Tumblr post that I can't find anymore. Nonetheless, credit to whoever had that post about how they wanted Rohan to not be an airbender (and more of an earthbender.) Thanks for reading! Reviews would be nice!