Author's note: This takes place after episode 4, so SPOILER ALERT: Amon hits Korra in her shoulder. This is what happened when she is back on Air Temple Island.

"Can you move your arm?"

"No." Korra's tone was clipped and fearful.

"Just try to-"

"I CAN'T MOVE IT, ALL RIGHT?"

This outburst was the final straw on the moose-lion's back. The healer had been trying to get her to cooperate all night but nothing was likely to convince the headstrong Avatar to listen to her. "I'm done with this." The healer stormed out absolutely seething and slammed the door behind her leaving the Avatar in near hysterics.

The sound of Korra's ragged breathing was the only sound in the dim room for a few beats of her racing heart before another, softer , voice spoke.

"I don't know why they let her become a healer."

Startled, Korra looked up to see the healer's apprentice who still stood off to the side. He was young, not more than a few years older than her. She bit her cheek and silently chastised herself for losing her cool and yelling. "I'm sorry about that." She said.

"Don't apologize to me," he said with a bit of a grin. "My Sifu always had an issue with her patience. Do you mind if I—" he gestured to her exposed shoulder where an angry welt had risen amongst the black and purple bruising.

Korra was bewildered by how calm and composed he seemed to be. "sure."

"My name's Kabbu." He said as he set to work examining the wicked looking wound. His eyes were a familiar deep blue, southern water tribe she guessed, but everything else about him seems to fit in perfectly with the big city. Everything from his haircut to his shoes was Republic city without a doubt.

"Korra," she introduced herself distractedly.

His gentle laugh made her feel a little more at ease

"but I guess you already knew that."

Kabbu's observation was less critical than the older healer's had been. "It doesn't look that bad," he lied, "but does it hurt much?"

Korra's response was automatic: "no."

But then she reconsidered: "yes…"

This prompted a bemused look from the apprentice.

"I don't know. It-It's a different kind of hurt."

Kabbu lifted the healing water from its shallow dish and held it over the physical wound. She shoulder was hot to the touch.

"This guy's a chi blocker, right?" he asked looking up from his work to catch her eye.

For some reason, Korra felt ashamed as she answered. She felt that "chi blocker" was hardly the name for a thing as terrifying as Amon, but she nodded just the same, avoiding her caretaker's gentle gaze.

With a decided exhale Kabbu returned the water to its dish and stood. "We can't fix your chi, Korra" he said solemnly, "but I'll tell you what you can do: this is going to take much more than some water to heal. I've got the physical side, but spiritual healing?" he shrugged. "I'll leave that to you Avatar."

Really all he could offer her was a reassuring smile, which she returned as best she could through all of her uncertainties.

"Thank you Kabbu, for everything."

"Don't mention it. It's kinda my job."