WARNING: Boring A/N ahead! (if you just want to skip to the story, I really can't blame you...)
Okki here, and I'm trying something new! (Yay to new things, right?)
So, what is Bloodbender about? Well, I've been tossing the idea about Korra learning Bloodbending around in my mind for some time now, but had never really wrote anything solid about it; just a few short drabbles here and there in a notebook. Katara finds it fitting to go against her own ban and teach Korra the ways of Bloodbending so she can protect herself fully if needed. However, with anything new, problems, mystery and drama arise as the new month and another full moon approaches them. There will be updates daily unless something comes up! (also, it's an excuse to get me to write a story with substance and stray away from all of Makorra fluff that have been products of my free time. I shamelessly ship those two ;))
So, without further adieu, here is Bloodbender.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Korra or anything associated with it (yes, including Mako :( ) It all belongs to Bryke.
"Earth, Fire, Air, Water. Only the Avatar can master all four elements, and bring balance to the world."
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"I suppose there were moonless nights and dark ones with but a silver shaving and pale stars in the sky, but I remember them all as flooded with the rich indolence of a full moon."
-Willa Sibert Cather
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第一章
Chapter One
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A full moon hung in the bitter winter sky, going all but unnoticed to all of the inhabitants in the small hut offered within the White Lotus compound. All but one.
"Mother, what are you still doing up?"
The elderly woman turned her head to the side, catching only a glimpse of her son, and smiled her usual warm smile.
"It's a full moon, dear," she laughed quietly when she saw him tense. "But I'm only thinking, Tenzin. A lot has happened in these past few months."
Tenzin stroked a hand down his beard thoughtfully while watching her eye the window carefully, almost as though she were judging something rather than thinking.
"That is certainly true. I can honestly say, though, I am quite surprised another certain Waterbender is not awake as well."
Katara sighed, her shoulder dropping the tiniest fraction, but kept her eyes on the window.
"Korra is strong," she spoke, knowing it was a matter of fact. "However, it is good she is finally resting. She has been through a lot ever since she left here. She has met many new people who have proven themselves capable of standing by the Avatar, but she also met many troubles along the way. One being her Airbending," she chuckled and Tenzin could not fight the upwards twitch of his lips. "Your father would be proud of the way you taught her."
"I hope so, Mother. I hope so."
"Well," Katara stood while rubbing the heels of her hands against her legs. "Why are we just standing around here like two stone pillars? Shouldn't my little Airbender be in bed at this time?" Amusement colored her bright blue eyes, and Tenzin shook his head.
"I don't believe I fit the 'little Airbender' position any longer. It seems as though Meelo is determined to become the next Master." Thoughts of the hyperactive boy and his infamous "fart-bending" made him shudder.
"I wouldn't fill that position so fast, Tenzin. There is still Rohan."
"For Pema's sanity, Rohan will grow to be a non-bender. Spirits know we have our hands full with three-,"
"But, think of it like this," Katara stood in front of her son and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Your family is the last Airbender's in the world, and while Korra can Airbend now, she won't be around forever. And we aren't sure what elements the next Avatar will master easily, other than Earthbending. So to have more children who are Airbender's that will, in time, slowly repopulate the Air Nomads is a good thing." She stepped aside and began heading in the direction of her bedroom, but not before a somber minded comment reached her.
"I'd rather not think of the next Avatar just yet."
"I know, dear. I do not wish to think of that yet, either."
The darkness of the room was meant to be comforting. After all the assault she had taken in the past day, everyone saw it fit that she rest, but the intended comfort felt stifling to her. Every part of her being was itching to be up, to move, to bend.
Naga had fallen asleep hours ago at the foot of her bed, like normal, her snores reverberating around the small room.
Korra sat ramrod straight in her bed, still bundled in her parka with a thick blanket draped around her. Cyan eyes measured her surroundings while she carefully bent her legs up to her chest and turned around, lowering her feet to the floor. A wooden panel sounded, squeaking under the sudden shift of weight, and she froze, listening with bated breath. Nothing.
Sighing quietly in relief, she tiptoed the rest of the way to the door, gaze flickering to the slumbering polar-bear dog every so often, but she didn't even stir once. With one hand on the handle, she pushed herself against the door in an attempt to muffle the sound of it sliding open, but made no affect on it, really. Naga still slept on, though, and Korra smiled lovingly at her pet turned best friend before swiftly vanishing through the door, leaving it open only a little so no one would get too suspicious if they came by.
Now came the tricky part. She still had the main room to cross through, and she could clearly see the lights on from where she stood. If someone was still awake, they'd more than likely question her to death about why she was awake all while guiding her annoyingly back to her room, insisting she get some sleep. If it was one of the Airbending kids, she could handle them easily; Jinora never questioned her that much, and Ikki would eventually stop talking. Even Meelo was no match to her speed, despite being a talented Air Scooter rider. But if it was someone else, that probably wouldn't end in her favor. Katara and her parents would understand her restlessness, being Waterbenders themselves, but they would still attempt to coax her to bed. Tenzin or Pema would of course only have her best interest at heart since they had become like a second set of parents to her, and even Chief Beifong had grown some form of attachment to her, much to Korra's surprise. Any of the three would send her back to bed as well.
Steeling herself and taking a deep breath, she shuffled her way down the hallway, drawing nearer to the lighted room. She walked over the small mat where she had been seated while Katara worked over her, manipulating her water with her healing powers in a desperate attempt to restore her bending. While her bending was back, thanks to her predecessor Avatar Aang, the thought still brought a dull ache to her chest and a pit in her stomach. What was an Avatar without their bending?
The door was open, providing Korra with an advantage. She could see parts of the room before getting too near, and from what she could tell, it was empty. But she refused to let her guard down just yet; she hadn't been so careful in moving about for nothing. As she cautiously neared her destination, her thoughts wandered back to Air Temple Island, during the Equalist ambush.
What you're saying is...we need to be patient.
You're learning well.
Huh, she almost laughed. It seemed as though Tenzin's crackdown about patience was finally paying off. The Korra before her trip turned sudden move to the island would have rushed in there head first, not caring who she ran into or what they would have to say. The Korra now, however, well, she had become a person she was proud to identify as Avatar. She was still herself, no doubt-headstrong, fiery, and maybe a little too sarcastic at times-but with more patience, more resilience. She held the title of Avatar with more responsibility than pride now.
The soft light of the, thankfully, empty room was a welcome energy change to the bustling Avatar, and she stretched her arms above her head in an exaggerated manner. The-morning-is-evil Korra must have vanished somewhere with her lack of patience, because she was almost certain it had to be the earliest hours of the morning. Her eyes flickered over towards the same window Katara had stared through just moments before, a smile spreading over her worn down face.
"Good morning, Yue. You look especially beautiful today." The bright white orb glistened against the velvet backdrop, beckoning the Waterbender within to bend.
Us Waterbenders are at our highest power during the full moon, Katara had once told her during one of her extensive night training's. That had been the night she learned the water whip, almost tackling the Waterbending Master to the ground out of excitement.
Korra could feel the energy of the full moon rushing through her, like some unseen force drawing her very spirit to the water. It wasn't an unknown feeling, but it still startled her how powerful it was every time. She flicked her wrist, drawing the water from a glass left on the table by someone out, letting it ripple lazily around the rim before pulling it into her hands, caressing it into shapes constructed of soft edges and pure grace.
"That is possibly the most graceful thing I've seen you do."
The voice snapped Korra out of her reverie and she lost her hold on the water, it splashing down over the floor and her boots, staining them darkly. Her head whipped around at breakneck speed, only to be met with the amber eyes of the one person she was unsure if she wanted to run into or not.
Mako stepped out of the shadows, and Korra took in his appearance briefly before finding her puddle suddenly very interesting. His hair was a mess, as though he either had trouble sleeping or allowed Naga to bathe him-she was going for the first thought-, sticking in several different directions. Although, that look was kind of cute on him...
His jacket was crumpled in some spots, looking as though he hastily threw it on, but the red scarf still hung perfectly, wrapped loosely around his neck. Altogether, he looked as worn out as she felt.
"Although, I have to say, when I saw you moving through those Spinning Gates back on Air Temple Island, you seemed pretty graceful then, too," he placed a hand on her shoulder, studying her with a tender expression. "Why are you awake?"
Korra sighed and shifted slightly under his gaze, just enough to knock his hand off of her, letting her own gaze travel back to the window.
"Full moon," she muttered, shrugging. She barely caught his nod, but didn't turn back to face him.
"Would you like to go out?" Korra's head turned abruptly at his words, her eyes glowing with mirth as his own widened comically when he thought over what he just said. "No, th-that's not what I meant! I...I mean, do you want to go outside?" His cheeks turned an endearing shade of pink as he stumbled over his words, and she barely contained her laughter, it spluttering out like little hiccups.
"It's not too cold for you, City Boy?" She raised an eyebrow while cocking her right hip out, hand already placed on it familiarly.
Mako raised his own eyebrows in response, adorning a mischievous smirk. He raised his hand back towards her, gripping the sleeve of her parka and twisting it in his fingers, tugging her towards him.
Korra obviously did not expect him to do such, because she let out a startled breath and pushed her hands out, them landing firmly against his chest.
She felt his breath ruffling her hair as he breathed, spoke, whispered against her head.
"I have you. I'll be fine."
Immediately, her face erupted in flames, and she tried her best to hide, burying her face against his shoulder while nuzzling his neck softly with her nose.
"Someone sure is bold tonight," she mumbled, and he turned his head the best he could, catching a glimpse of the red stained tan. He only smirked once more before lowering his head, pressing his mouth right against her ear to make sure she caught every word.
"You're my girlfriend now. You'll just have to get used to this." He felt her stiffen up, causing him to chuckle silently and wrap his arms around her shoulders, holding her tight against his body. It was a different feeling, finally being so open with how they felt about each other, but neither could complain or say they weren't enjoying every second of it. "I love you."
Korra turned abruptly, moving out of his reach and sashayed in the direction of the front door.
"Outside, City Boy," she called over her shoulder, sliding the door open swiftly, the cold air whipping harshly into the little warm room, and slipping out into the new falling snow.
He shook his head, a jovial grin replacing his former smirks, and followed her out, sliding the door closed behind him.
He didn't even notice the knowing, pleasured eyes that had caught the little moment between the two of them.
So, yep. There's chapter 1! Like it, love it, hate it? Tell me! I'm sorry if there are confusing parts or if it's just not that good. It is my first attempt at a LoK story, even though that's not a very good excuse.
Reviews are appreciated greatly, no matter how long or what is said, and each one will be responded to! :)
Until next chapter? Updates will be daily unless it can't be helped!
-Okki