Hi everyone! This is my first LOK fic and I'm going to attempt a different approach than my usual writing style by incorporating two storylines into one. One will focus on Mako and Korra and the other will be Kai and Jinora [my two favourite couple!] As such, the chapters will alternate between the two storylines but they are usually complementary. You can read them in totality or skip accordingly depending on your preference. Hope you enjoy this first installment!

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179 AG

"Jinora! I can't believe you're finally here!" Jinora barely made it off Pepper, her air bison when a clean shaven beauty raced towards her, leaping at the last moment to tackle her in a fierce hug. "I've missed you so much!"

"Opal, I've missed you too! I can't believe you're finally getting your tattoos today!"

Bright green eyes beamed at her. "Come, you need to meet Kai and the rest. Everyone's been so excited to see you!"

Five years had passed since Jinora last saw Opal, Kai or any of the air benders, much less her own family. It had been her father's decision to split his family amongst the four air temples, as masters in their own right, to guide the growing number of air benders coming forth to join their way of life.

Tenzin, her father, had chosen to stay with her mother Pema and youngest brother Rohan on air temple island while her two siblings Ikki and Meelo were sent to the East and West respectively. Only her uncle Bumi had stayed in the Northern air temple, continuing to run the air bending academy where finally the first batch of air bending masters –at least those outside of Jinora's own family –were being granted their air bending tattoos.

Leading Jinora by her wrist, Opal bounced around the long passage ways of the Northern Air Temple until they both arrived at the inner sanctum where the other air benders and air acolytes were busy getting the place ready for the masters ceremony in the evening.

Looking up, Jinora smiled in remembrance of her own air bending tattoo ceremony and felt the slight twinge of pride that her name was still whispered amongst their kind as the first master of her generation and the youngest in the history of air bending.

But that reputation didn't come without its price. Her father had continuously stressed the importance of securing a new era of peace, with the air benders being at the forefront of peacekeeping. And Jinora, being the first master amongst her peers, was expected to lead the way –

Which was why perhaps, she couldn't bring herself to look up at the young man inching forward with a broad smile on his face. Eyes a shade darker than Opal's, Jinora often found them mesmerizing; remembering how she used to stare at him from across the hall while pretending to meditate.

Though she knew it was him, nothing about Kai, save his eyes and side shaved hair, looked familiar. Even the lining of facial hair along his jaw and chin made him look completely different from the young boy she once knew.

"Master Jinora, I've missed –it's been a long time." The young man bowed in deference before straightening up and giving her his signature charming smile.

Before, Jinora could have looked him straight on but now she was finding herself tilting her head up to acknowledge him. Since when had he doubled in height? And his voice…

Deep, sensual – like a finger tracing the tattooed lines along her forearm.

"It's good to see you Kai," she replied, hoping the hitch in her voice was not noticeable. "I had hoped for a double celebration today but Master Tenzin tells me you're not ready still." That was putting it mildly. Her father had berated her uncle for failing to instill discipline and spirituality in that 'hooligan of a boy'.

Not to mention reminding Jinora that her uncouth love attraction was a clear distraction from her true mission. She hadn't thought the threat real until now. Kai was certainly sending her into a fit of chills despite the warmer weather up here.

"I can't communicate with spirits, big deal. I'm still a great air bender," proclaimed Kai proudly. "Look, your father couldn't even guide Korra into the spirit world when she needed it and that wasn't a –"

"Do not speak of Master Tenzin in that tone," warned Jinora gently before turning her attention to the new group of guests. "Excuse me. I am needed somewhere else."

With her back to him, Jinora shook off the slight disappointment tugging on her heart and plastered a warm smile as her family came into view.

"Ikki, Meelo, Rohan!" Their hugs were a comforting welcome, as was that given by her parents. "I've missed all of you much too greatly."

"Jinora, look at you!" Her mother fussed over her tresses and cupped her cheeks in affection. At her father's turned back, she tiptoed and whispered, "So, did you like the new romance book I sent you?"

Almost immediately, Jinora could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks. "Mother, please!" Never mind if she read page 54 over and over and over again…

At her mother's laugh, Jinora did her best to hide her embarrassment. "Don't worry; I passed the same copy to Korra. I wonder what she thinks about it –oh, I'll just ask her when she arrives."

"Korra's coming too?"

This time, her father turned, almost surprised that she had asked the question. "Well of course. In fact, Opal had invited Bolin and her family along as well. I'd expect Mako, Korra and Asami to be arriving shortly too."

Jinora hadn't expected that the Avatar would grace a humble masters ceremony but it had been a few years since she had seen Korra too. The last time Korra had visited the Southern Air Temple where Jinora was training was four years back; on her way to see her family in the Southern Water Tribe. She and Asami had just returned from a holiday in the spirit world and while Asami returned to Republic City, Korra had resumed travelling the world to ensure that the various Earth Kingdom cities were regaining their independence post Kuvira's Earth Empire.

"I hope they'll arrive soon. I'm getting all jittery with this speech!" This announcement was made none other than her uncle Bumi; his fuzzy hair looking wind-swept as always. "Not to mention my shaky hands! Tenzin, I don't think I can do the tattoos in this condition!"

"Nonsense! Opal is a graduate of your Air Temple. As its master, you must confer her tattoos. It is customary!"

"But Tenzin, look! My hand's all cramped up. My fingers are separating from my body…" Bumi held his hand out, shaking his limp fingers as though the bones were missing.

"Stop being so dramatic Bumi! That's what I'm here for."

At the sound of her favourite aunt's voice, Jinora's face lit up even more. "Aunt Kya!"

Jinora saw her aunt the most seeing how close she was to the Southern Water Tribe but seeing her now with the whole family made Jinora's heart warm a little. It had been too long since they all gathered like this. And to be separated – not just from her immediate kin –but also from her larger air bending family, made Jinora feel a little too lonely.

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Kai had stopped everything he was doing the moment Jinora walked – no, floated – in with Opal. She was everything, and more of what he'd imagined her to look like as an adult. At nineteen, she no longer had the flat, lanky body she spouted as a young teenager. Even under her saffron robes, he noticed her curves; those rounded globes forcing him to look away in embarrassment.

Not that he was ever shy around Jinora.

But what he noticed most was her new hairstyle. Growing past her shoulders, the waves seem to bounce ever so lightly like being caressed by wind each time she walked.

Especially now that she was walking away from him –right after she'd given her signature reprimand masked as a gentle request.

"Give it up little bro, you're never going to get her if you drool all over the floor like that."

Eyes widening at the familiar voice, Kai turned and stepped into the wide open arms of Bolin, hugging the returned mover star who had been adamant to adopt him into the family.

"How's the new movers coming along?" asked Kai enthusiastically. "Heard the recent one is in colour!"

"Techni-colour," corrected Bolin. "And it cannot be better! Varrick and Zhu Li are co-directing and boy are those two on a roll. They've been doing the 'thing' so much, I don't know how they do it at all!"

Kai decided then that Bolin had been spending too much time with the mad genius that his incomprehensible style was becoming contagious.

"Is Mako coming?"

Immediately the joy was knocked out of Bolin's face. "Oh you mean Mr Serious-I'm-so-busy-Senior-Detective-Mako? Ever since Chief Beifong took him back on the police force, Mako's been off the radar." Coming closer to whisper at Kai, he slowed his speech, "T-O-P S-E-C-R-E-T"

Kai was about to respond when Bolin went instantly still, straightening up and grinning like a hapless puppy. "Opal!"

What was it about not drooling after a girl? Kai rolled his eyes as Opal led the love struck Bolin by his collar away from the public eye – no doubt for a little tongue in cheek session.

Truth be told, Kai was happy that Opal was getting her air bending tattoos today. At least she was now free to decide which Air Temple she would like to serve, instead of being stuck here in the North away from civilization. Seeing how Bolin was a mover star in Republic City, it was likely that Opal would choose Air Temple Island.

As for him and Jinora…

The four years apart had been difficult for him. Writing letters at first seemed like a good idea but then soon training and peace keeping took up too much of his time that they began to correspond less and less. She too had begun to gather more air benders in the South and was probably too tired to write about her day. After a while, they just drifted apart.

And now it seemed as though a rift stood before them.

If he was lucky, he might get a chance to dance and hold Jinora in his arms during the post-ceremony celebrations tonight. That's if she doesn't air bend a typhoon in his face first.

/ / / /

Jinora knew the instant Korra's landed at the base of the Northern Air Temple. Her tamed fiery spirit was like a spark of energy brightening up everyone's mood – whether they realised it or not. Even Lin Beifong, who was usually sullen and snappy had a soft smile on her face as she and her sister fussed over Opal, with what could only be described as pride on their face.

The only person in the room who was not tuned up by Korra's presence was Mako; his eyes retaining those piercing amber that seemed to look past your soul. Jinora had remembered the first time she met Mako. She and Ikki were training with Korra and when a handsome stranger came walking towards them, Jinora knew it had to be him. There was just a certain… intensity to him that made it obvious he drove Korra crazy –kinda like how Kai did, and perhaps still does to her.

Korra however was not alone. Asami had probably given her a lift on one of her latest aircraft models. And from the looks of it, Asami might have also given Korra a little dip into her wardrobe.

Hair half-bunned in her signature Water Tribe style, Korra also wore an ankle-length dress that had all the right colours but cut in the same slim flitting style as Asami's. Though covering her from neck to wrist, Korra need only turn to offer a beautiful view of her tanned back. A quick glance at Mako and Jinora couldn't help but laugh silently to herself. His eyes were glued on her like a hawk after its prey.

After all these years, Jinora still had hoped that the two of them would get back together somehow.

Trailing her eyes over to where Kai stood amongst the other air benders, she caught his gaze and for the briefest moment, it was as though he too thought the same. Maybe not so much for Korra and Mako, but for them.

Blinking away, Jinora then waited until Korra had taken her seat near the front of the hall before signaling for Uncle Bumi to begin. Needless to say, he had to make a joke out of his stumbling speech but did an incredible job at introducing all the new master air benders.

After each master was revealed to the crowd, the remaining air benders produced a gentle circling wind that rang all the sacred wind chimes hanging above them. Meelo and Ikki rang the ancient bronze bowls while Jinora then anointed each new master with emblem for air carved onto a medal-shaped piece of wood and placed around their necks.

"I am proud to call upon these brothers and sisters of mine; your new air bending masters." Jinora welcomed all the five masters to the front and together they formed a swirling cone of air that rose above the crowd, reaching out into the rafters to produce a low horn as it exited out the chimney on the dome-shaped roof. From the outside, the sky bison mimicked the horn cry; their own sound a tribute to the new air bending masters.

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The masters ceremony was beautiful; made even more stunning by Jinora's final swirl of air paying homage to the first air benders, the sky bison.

As the crowd dispersed to go into the celebration hall, Kai tried to get her attention but failed, seeing that she was constantly surrounded by family and the new air bending masters.

"Kai, stop milling about and grab a partner!" Bumi's large hand came down hard on Kai's shoulder. "I'm about to teach everyone an old fire nation dance! Avatar Aang taught Tenzin and I when we were kids and what better way to demonstrate than now!" Turning in the direction of his brother, Bumi bellowed, "TENZIN! FIRE DANCE. NOW!"

It always was amusing seeing the two brothers together for they were complete opposites of each other and yet, each was a master in their own right. Bumi might not know as many bending forms as Tenzin but his management and leadership qualities made him an equally powerful air bending master.

Except now he was being dorky as he flapped and rolled about in what was considered high society dancing from the fire nation.

"This has got to be at least two hundred years old!" complained Meelo, huffing as he scooted next to Kai. "Uncle Bumi needs to keep up with the moves!"

The fourteen year old marched up to his father and uncle and began demonstrating a few freestyle dance moves he had mostly made up, sending the crowd into a laughing uproar.

"Alright you three, let's just grab a partner and start moving those feet!" Korra grabbed Bolin first, waving a hello to Opal as they boogied to an upbeat tune by the tsungi horn quartet. Those two made a hilarious pair! Not so much dancing champions but more a comical duo; Bolin would complement Korra's flowy seaweed hand movements with wobbly knees kicks and she would do turtleduck walks to his flapping bird hands.

Kai was in hysterics and didn't even protest when Bolin pulled him into the dance floor, doing some sort of scissors dance with his feet and hands. Mimicking the dancing master, Kai allowed himself to let loose, taking turns to dance with Korra, then Asami even Ikki and finally…

"Jinora." His feet suddenly forgot how to move. Trying not to step on his own toes, he bowed low and offered his hand to her.

"Kai… you know I don't dance…"

"It's easy, come on!" Tugging her to the dance floor, Kai began to demonstrate some fancy legwork. "It's just like going through the revolving panels. Flow like a leaf Jinora. Like a leaf…"

It was impressive how bad of a dancer she was, considering that she could blow off someone's entire face off if she wanted to. Right now, she had probably flattened all his toes and cut off circulation to his body.

"Uh… let's get some drinks," offered Kai instead.

"You think I'm horrible," she whispered meekly, trying to hide behind her glass.

Sputtering into his own drink, Kai quickly wiped his mouth and shook his head. "No, no I don't! You're amazing Jinora and you know that. Well, maybe dancing is not your thing but hey you're a great air bender and an incredible master." Taking both her hands into his, he squeezed it slightly. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier… I just don't like how far apart we've become."

Pulling her hand back, Jinora then turned away. "It's for the best, Kai."

He wasn't letting her go that easily – not this time; not after four years of being apart. "You know how I feel about you Jinora. We used to be so close, what changed?"

"I am an air bending master now. I run the school down south. I cannot afford to be distracted."

Taking her hand back in his, Kai tugged her until they were away from the prying ears of their guests. Alone in the statue hall, Kai looked down at Jinora's gentle face and wished they were just two people trying to rekindle their love for each other, instead of this difference in status.

"You used to love distractions. Remember that time we saved those baby bison? What happened to that free-spirited girl I knew?"

The reminder didn't bode well with Jinora. Bunching her eyebrows together, she pushed him back slowly, offering him a view of her back. "We grew up Kai. We have different priorities now."

"No, you have different priorities. I still want us to be together!" Twirling her so that she would face him again, Kai lowered his head to touch his forehead to hers. "If it helps us, I'll train very hard. I'll make it for next year's master's ceremony. I'll get my air bending tattoos, I'll move down south to be with you. Anything Jinora."

For a moment she stilled; her silence seeming to agree with his promise. But as Kai felt her warmth leaving his skin, he knew she had made up her mind.

"Your spirit isn't ready. No matter how hard you work, you don't actually want to be an air bending master." She pressed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Goodbye Kai."

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A/N: If you've enjoyed it, let me know! So I'll have a good idea of whether to continue or not! Next chapter will be a Korra/Mako POV.