CRASH!
"Yes! I finally learned the whirlpool whip!" I cheered as a removed my helmet. " Oops! Sorry Mako!" I said when I noticed him toppled on the ground.
"No worries, as long as you have the whirlpool whip down, I'll be happy to get a little wet." He said with a wink.
I of course look away, not knowing how badly I'm blushing. Who knows how long I've liked Mako, but he's got Asami Sato as a girlfriend so I know nothing could happen between us. I've come to accept this but I wasn't ready to move on immediately even though Bolin has tried to start something. He's a nice guy and really handsome but I'm just not ready and I don't want to lead him again so I'm just keeping my distance from any flirting with Bolin.
"Well me and Bolin are going to grab some dumplings in the city, you wanna come?" asked Mako, changing into his regular clothes.
"Nah, I'll just stay here and practice some more, maybe even work on some earthbending." I said non-chalantly, not letting on how I would enjoy spending more time with them.
"Alright, we'll be back late so close up when you're leaving Korra." Said Bolin, heading for the door. "I'll make sure to pick up some noodles for you too!"
I smile at him "Thanks Bolin, see you guys later" I say as I get back into training.
Hours pass, my whip has improved greatly, but something about the flexibility wasn't working. I was still pretty satisfied with its power. I was about to go home when he came through the door.
"Oh." He smirked "Didn't think the Avatar would be here this late."
"What do you want Tahno?" I growled, he made me lose my concentration and drop the water. That stupid Wolfbat has been dropping in on our training sessions over the past couple weeks. Always making comments and "accidentally" splashing us. Every time I heard his voice, something in me just boiled, wanting to hurt him as badly as I could.
"So Avatar, alone tonight?" He asked innocently
"What's it to ya?" I snap back, not in the mood for his teasing, I was trying to perfect the Whirlpool Whip.
"Whoa there, no need for attitude." He said walking up to me. "Just seeing you're having trouble."
"Maybe I am, but I don't need your help!" I yell
"Hey, I'm just trying to help. Water-bender to water-bender." Tahno said, his eyes pleading.
I stare at him for a long time, trying to find any hints of sarcasm on his face. I couldn't.
I sighed "Fine, but only for a little while."
He grinned "Alright, first take off your clothes."
My eyes widen, comprehending what he just said I raise my hand ready to slap his face when he grabs my wrist.
"What are you-?"
"Please, don't flatter yourself, I meant your uniform." He said with a frown. " Don't worry I won't look."
I glare at him and finally yank my hand away from him and go change in the other room. I come a couple minutes later, wearing my under garments. Tahno raised his eyebrow at me quizzically.
"That's it? I thought being the Avatar you'd have some fashion sense."
I cross my arms and roll my eyes. "Alright, pretty boy, you better teach me something real soon or you're getting that slap." I exclaim
He chuckles "One second Uh-vatar, I need to get ready too."
He began taking off his clothes right on front of me. I didn't know whether to be embarrassed or angry, either way my cheeks were scarlet as he took off his shirt. As he lifted his shirt he revealed his toned body. His skin was pale with a pink glow all over . I noticed scars all over his back too, some faint, others newly placed , red and swelling. I wonder why he hasn't went and gotten them healed, being the gaint pris s he is I thought maintaining looks would be his priority. I catch myself staring at his scars and quickly look away as he turns back to me.
"Alright Uh-vatar…" he says, coming uncomfortably close to me "…time for your private lessons."
I stare at him. Annoyed.
"Mhm." I say "Cut the crap and let's get started pretty boy."
An unnerving smirk settles on Tahno's face.
"Alright, if you say so."
"COME ON AVATAR!" Tahno screamed again.
It had been hours of warm-up and I haven't learned anything new. Sure, I had snapped a couple time and hit him with some earth disks but Tahno always ended up convincing me to continue and just wait. But I was tired of waiting. It was almost five-thirty in the morning. I was exhausted, sweaty, and angry.
I stop the warm-up and Tahno starts yelling at me again.
"Why are you stopping Uh-vatar? You tired." He questioned mockingly
"Tahno, I swear…" I reply, fury building up inside of me.
"What's the matter? Uh-vatar gonna go cry to her Fire Ferret friends?" he asked.
"NO BUT I'LL ANOTHER SCAR TO YOUR COLLECTION!" I scream at him.
As soon as I said that Tahno's jaw stiffened, his fists clenched and his voice got cod and sharp.
"Oh? You wanna play that card eh? Fine. I'm out of here." He snapped, pulling his clothes back on.
Guilt flooded my body, something pulled my stomach into a huge knot as I watched Tahno storm out. I fight the urge to go running after him. I couldn't stand letting know I crumbled at the sight of him walking out. I hanged around the gym for a while and practiced a couple more moves before I finally changed and went back to Air Temple Island. The sun was rising by the time I got back. I was so tired I just plopped right into bed; that's when the nightmares began.
"Mama!" a pudgy little boy yelled, holding what seemed to be a little cup of water; His face lit up and showing off his smile which was missing a tooth. "Mama! Look what I can do!"
He runs through a violet curtain into what looks like a flower shop, all different kinds of flowers and my favourite kind, arctic lilies.
A man and a woman stand in the middle of the shop. You can feel the tension in the room as the two adults stared intensely at each other.
"Mama?" the little boys asked confused of who the man was.
"Go in the back sweetie, mama just has a customer she's attending to." She says to the little boy, still staring at the bulky stranger.
"But I wanna show you-"
The woman hesitates, eyes darting back and forth between her son and the stranger. Finally she looks away and turns to her son.
"Honey." His mother said as she bent down to pat his head. "Mama is busy right now. But when I'm done I won't be able to wait for what you want to show be." She gave him a reassuring hug and scoots him off to the other room. Little does she know the little boy stays, watching from a crack through the curtain.
"Now that the runt his gone, we can get back to business. You got my money?"
"About that Kaioto…We barely made enough this month for ourselves let alone you too."
The brooding man named Kaioto started chuckling mincaly. There was something evil in his golden eyes and the little boy sensed something bad was gonna happen because of it. He was about to run in front of his mother when a pale hand stopped him. He looked up to see his father clutching his son. He signals him to keep quiet and steps through the curtain.
"We don't have the money Kiaoto. Just leave us be for the month and we'll pay you double next time." The pale man said.
Kiaoto laughed a cold laugh. "Ah but, Sunjo. It doesn't work that way does it?" He said, erupting a flame from his hand. He advanced to the married couple with the fire growing larger and larger.
The father's eyes grew wide as Kiaoto drew closer.
"Please! Please! Don't hurt us! Take all the money just don't hurt my wife!" He screamed.
"I'm afraid it's too late for that my friend." The firebender said with a smirk.
The ear piercing scream that followed made the pale boy run as far away as his chubby legs could get him. Out of the room. Out of the shop, crying the whole time.
I awoke startled. The nightmare seemed so real, and a the little boy looked eerily familiar…