I'm taking my first crack at a T rated fan fiction, but it may be upgraded by the time this ends. The story will be moving fast because of the fast pace of the series and it is not limited to just Tahnorra, Makorra, and Masami pairings; it is a multi-pairing story and to be honest, I have no idea how this will end. I want the characters and relationships to shape on their own.

I do not own any of the Legend of Korra characters.

Enjoy.

She was bitter and jealous, she'd admit, but she was not about to let anyone see her cry about it. So, she slowly made her way down the beaten path and to her favorite rock overlooking the body of water that separated the Air Temple from the rest of the Republic City. Korra swung her legs over the edge of the rock and let them dangle while her attention was brought to the bright crescent moon above her. She missed her home, her parents, and the spirits help her, she even missed the damn ice.

Before the tears could threaten her eyes, Korra saw the ferry docked below and a strong urge to leave once again reared its ugly head. She chewed her bottom lip, the temptation to just wander the city was becoming too great, despite the constant threat of Amon, and soon she was sneaking through the window of her room to grab her jacket and wallet, holding the money Tenzin gave her as an allowance. In the blink of an eye, the young avatar was back outside and silently making her way to the ferry, Naga close on her heals.

No one questioned her boarding the boat as it made its short trip to the mainland. She quickly got off and made her way aimlessly through the nearly empty streets; her mind buzzing with the last couple days' events. The more damage Amon and the equalists did, the more frightened she became…it was becoming too much for her to bear…

For the next hour, Korra let Naga carry her around the city, not really paying attention to where she was going. When her stomach growled, still empty from the dinner she skipped earlier, she looked around to see she was at the water tribe diner that Bolin had taken her to on their date. A small smile touched her lips and she urged Naga crossed the street; the polarbear dog licked Korra's face and trudged to the alley beside the building to wait.

Korra hadn't realized how chilly it was outside until the warmth of the diner engulfed her as she entered. The smell coming from the kitchen made her mouth water and her stomach growl loudly. There were only a few patrons inside, being how late it was getting, and most of them were alone. She saw the booth that she had sat in before was open and she quickly made her way over to it.

As soon as she sat down, a waitress made her way over and just looked at her with an exhausted expression. She opened her mouth to greet her, but Korra cut her off.

"I want seaweed noodles," she said in a low and rushed voice, "and lots of them."

The waitress stared at her with wide eyes, but turned on her heel after a few seconds, leaving Korra to her thoughts.

She looked around the small restaurant and saw a couple in the back that were sitting close together and whispering soft words to each other; Korra quickly averted her gaze to the window and once again stared at the sky, thoughts of Asami and Mako plaguing her mind again.

"She's going to need you."

But I need you too…Korra closed her eyes, fighting back the tears.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" A dark, almost mocking voice purred across from her. "Fancy seeing you here, Uh-vatar."

Korra's head snapped up and her tear-filled eyes collided with hollow silver.

"Tahno." She said with a stiff tone to her voice.

He didn't look much better than earlier that day; his hair was still a mess and his clothes weren't as lavish as she had previously seen him in. However, it was his eyes that kept Korra frozen in her seat; they were so empty and cold that she had to resist the urge to reach out and hold him.

"You look like hell," he said quietly, his tone soft.

"You're one to talk." Korra grunted in response. "What are you doing here alone?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she hadn't said them; Tahno's face fell and he slumped back into the seat. He didn't respond.

"I'm sorry," Korra bowed her head. "I shouldn't have…"

"It's fine." His voice sounded pained and her heart dropped.

The two sat in silence until the waitress returned with a couple glasses of water and set them on the table. She left shortly afterwards, becoming uneasy with the sudden melancholy atmosphere.

Korra watched Tahno as he stared at the glass with heartbreaking longing; her heart ached for him, knowing no one deserved the pain he was going through.

"I didn't see you when I entered…" She mumbled.

His hollow gaze flicked to her own, "I wasn't."

She stared at him with a blank look, before narrowing her eyes at him accusingly. "Were you stalking me?"

Tahno chuckled softly and a smirk played on his pale face. "I was curious."

"About?" Korra tilted her head slightly, ignoring how that smirk made him look just as handsome as he was when they met.

He suddenly turned serious, his eyes searching hers. "You were alone and vulnerable. Don't you think that is a little dangerous?"

Korra looked down at the table, unable to answer. Sure she knew about it, but at the time she just needed to get away…she never said it was the smartest move she had ever made.

"I wasn't thinking…" She mumbled.

His eyes held hers for a long moment, until Korra broke eye contact. She was too tired for this game, she couldn't even bring herself to punch this pretty boy in his pretty face.

"What was it?" He prodded.

Korra ignored the question, instead trying to get a look into the kitchen.

"All right," his voice suddenly took on a teasing tone. "Who was it?"

She stiffened, but said nothing.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that damn smirk on his face and for a second, she almost believed he was back to being the arrogant asshole she had met not long ago.

"The earthbender, I wonder…" He gauged her reaction and his eyes sparkled. "No, the firebender."

Korra stiffened and held her breath. Her heart was racing; was she that obvious?

"I thought he was with that Sato girl," he said, still watching her closely. "Pretty little thing, she is."

Korra felt her heart drop and she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't know what made her do it, but she cracked.

"Asami is great," Korra commented in a voice that was barely audible. "She's resourceful, kind, intelligent…stunning. She's everything I'm not…she's perfect…" Tears began to fall down her face.

Neither said another word until Korra's noodles were placed in front of her. She continued to stare at the bowl, suddenly not hungry anymore.

"They're coming to live at the Air Temple tomorrow." She stated, her voice stiff.

She dared a glance at the ex-probender across from her and suddenly felt foolish; he was slouched in his seat and his head was bowed, hooding his eyes. Her problems were nothing compared to what Tahno was going through.

"I'm sorry," Korra sighed. "Here I am, complaining about something meaningless—" she winced at her choice of words "—when you are going through something so much worse." Tahno didn't move as she spoke, but she could feel his gaze on her. Korra's fist tightened and she locked gazes with shell of a man across from her; when she spoke, her voice was filled with conviction. "I will get him, Tahno. I will make him pay."

The two held gazes for a moment, before Korra's stomach loudly interrupted them; she blushed and nervously laughed, Tahno just smirked. He watched her as she slurped up the noodles and she tried her best not to inhale the food; when she was finished, she paid for her meal and headed out the door with Tahno hot on her heels. Naga was already at her side and giving Tahno a mean look, who in turn grew very nervous at her presence.

"I guess I should go back…" Korra mumbled as she stared in the direction of the Air Temple.

"I'll walk you," Tahno said quietly; Korra stared at him in shock, but she just shrugged in response.

As they made their way through the city, Korra stared at the sky, unaware of the watchful gaze beside her.

"Back home," Korra spoke softly, her voice sounding distant even to her, "I would look up at the stars and suddenly everything was ok; it was like all of the past avatars were watching over me. But here, they seem so distant and I feel so alone."

Tahno sighed heavily and placed a hand on her shoulder, but said nothing. They continued to walk in peace, enjoying the silent comfort they offered each other. When they reached the dock, Korra had once again grown sullen and dropped her head, wishing the ferry wasn't sitting there waiting for her.

"Korra," Tahno said her name rather suddenly, sending surprising chills down her spine. "Meet me for lunch tomorrow, here though."

Korra stared at him as if he had grown a second head. "What? Did you just demand a date out of me?"

He smirked at her playfully, his old arrogant and cocky self coming back. "I don't have to demand a date out of you, but no I'm not. Since you're helping me, I want to help you."

She narrowed her eyes. "Help me how?"

That damn smirk got even bigger on his stupid pretty face. "Chief Beifong is resigning, right? The new chief is holding a gala tomorrow night and being the avatar I assumed you would be going."

"Yeah," she said slowly.

"I will go with you."

Korra felt her eyes twitch and her jaw slacken. "And that's helping me how?"

Tahno leaned forward, his face mere inches from her own and his hot breath fanned over her face. He spoke to her in a low and teasing tone, "does the firebender like you?"

"I.." She was frozen on the spot and smelling a hint of alcohol on his breath. "He said he was confused…"

His face broke out into a full out mischievous grin. "Then I will be helping."

"Um…ok."

He turned to leave and once again, did that damn cocky salute. "Oh, and don't be late. I don't like to be kept waiting, uh-vatar."

He walked down the street, standing upright and with a familiar strut. Once he was out of sight, Korra snapped to reality and shook her head.

"What the hell just happened?" She asked herself, shocked.

She heard a cough from behind her and she saw the skipper standing on the dock, his arms crossed and a very displeased look etched into his face. Embarrassed, she and Naga quickly got onto the boat and tried desperately to ignore the that Korra was actually looking forward to tomorrow…

The second chapter will be up soon, I'm just working out some kinks at the end of it. Hope you liked it and I would love some feedback; tell me what you think/want to happen :)

With love and gratitude,

~Ell