Title: "Pabu and Naga - the Human Side"
Author: A6
Rating: T for Paaga and Makorra romance, war violence, AU
Summary/Notes: Pabu and Naga find themselves in human form in a dream they share one night. Or is it a dream? Soon they find themselves sharing feelings in a way they can't as animals. Soon they share the dream with Mako and Korra, and the four are involved in an adventure in another place and time helping another Avatar with a grave situation. Six chapters. Characters property of Nickelodeon.

Authors Notes: Inspired by KF friend aangismyhomie's post the other day of human versions of Pabu and Naga created by DA artist foxsnout45. Please go to her website to see Pabu and Naga as a beautiful young human couple.

Chapters 1 and 2 in this dream/AU story combines the ALOK "The Revelation" scene in which Pabu and Naga discover each other while Mako and Korra were riding Naga together - where Pabu almost becomes a polar bear dog appetizer - and the scene when both animals combine to save Korra and Mako from being injured, killed, or kidnapped by motorcycle-mounted Equalist combatants.

...

Outside of the Air Temple, in a comfortable garden, Pabu and Naga watched as their people went inside the living quarters - Bolin, Asami, and Mako to the Air Acolyte dorm rooms set aside for them, and Korra to her guest room in Pema's and Tenzin's family dwelling. Pabu and Naga weren't really sure what happened, but they knew everyone was mostly forced to move to this pretty green, lush island. Both animals liked it better than the steel and concrete cityscape.

Nothing was done for them, and no one heard them whimper for attention, so they fended for themselves. They were long over their very first encounter together when Naga was eyeing Pabu as a polar bear dog snack. As their humans were friends, so were they. It was almost like they were littermates as animals. The enormous size and species differences meant nothing to either one. They were proud to have worked together to save their humans from some kind of bad humans in the center of the city. They sensed they were going to have to do that again and probably sooner than later.

Finally they curled up together near the prayer garden and slept comfortably. And dreamed.

...

Pabu and Naga were immersed in a huge crowd of people in a crowded speakeasy. It was cramped, and hot, and they were sweating. They didn't know a soul, but were surrounded by the citizens of Republic City, who were a mix of benders and non-benders from all the nations. It was both uncomfortable and exciting. People everywhere were pairing up for whatever occurs between children of the night after the bars close. The jazz band was energizing.

Teenager Pabu noted the incredible sight of a water bender across the room who was like no other. She wore a very short blue fabric tunic and skirt lined with white fur, extremely low cut in front that accentuated, well, everything that was a woman about her, and she wore blue tights and boots - the new modern style for water tribe heritage citizens in the big city.

But that was not what attracted him the most about her. It was her snow white hair, held back with a beaded headband. But he wasn't the only young man who noticed this striking hair style, and they were all surrounding her, trying to get her attention and affection, and he was completely across the room. For some reason, he didn't feel comfortable in his own skin, but couldn't place the reason why, and didn't care. The only thing that mattered was to get next to the pretty white-haired water bender girl. He almost felt like he knew her...from somewhere.

Although he had a single focus on the water bender, girls of all nationalities all around him were touching, caressing and wanting him, calling him by name. He had very stylish hair, and wore the modern garb of a Republic City fire bender, complete with his dark and light red striped belt, which matched his gauntlets. He had a sleeveless shirt that set off his strong muscles very well. He didn't feel special, but he was somehow appealing to all of the young women in the room. He felt a couple of unwelcome inappropriate touches, and glared at the girls giving them. They coyly winked at him, but moved away. One was bold enough to invite, "Come back later when you have more time for me." and blew him a kiss. He scoffed. None of these girls held a candle to the white-haired water bender.

Naga was dazzled by the attention of all the handsome boys surrounding her, and though this place should be familiar, she could not recall ever being here ever before. The conversations of the boys around her droned on, nearly incomprehensible. But she could tell they were all trying to hit on her. All who sought her were water benders, but there were a few earth benders. She felt claustrophobic.

She waved off all the boys and said, "I have to go to the bathroom for a moment to freshen up. I'm sorry."

In the stall she just buried her head in her hands, sighed, and thought,"Why am I here? How did I get here? Why is this so familiar, and yet not? Why do I feel strongly feel like I have no business being here at all?"

She regained her composure, took a deep breath, and checked herself in the mirror. She stared at herself like she didn't recognize the strikingly beautiful person in the reflection, but did acknowledge that her thick white hair, low cut clothes and tights that set off her perfect legs and well proportioned body would attract all those boys. She steeled herself and went back into the noise and confusion.

And immediately bumped head long into Pabu.

"Oh excuse me. I am so sorry, Miss..."

"Naga."

"What a pretty name. Definitely water tribe."

"You think?" she laughed at how obvious that was, but was sincere because he appeared to be, "Thank you."

She noticed he was the lone fire bender in the room.

"You seem a little out of place here, Mister...?"

"Pabu."

"That's a pretty unusual name for a fire bender."

"Well, my parents never shied away from a chance to be different. And speaking of unusual and different, I couldn't help but notice...um...your beautiful hair, if you don't mind me saying so. History writes that only one other woman had hair like that, and she's well, shining down on us right now."

She blushed, "Thank you, Pabu. It is a gift from the spirits, but I would never compare myself to Princess Yue. I am just a Southern Water Tribe peasant girl. She was Northern tribe royalty."

Naga was drawn to this handsome, red-haired, but seemingly innocent and kind young man. She clung to every word he said. He was somehow...different... from everyone else in the room. He was more like her, in a way she couldn't put her finger on.

He smiled a heart-stopping smile, "How about a drink, Naga?"

"Oh is that your best line, Pabu? I bet you do that with all the girls. I saw how many you had around you over on the other side of the bar."

He said with a wry smile, "Well, I have a better line I reserve for the most special girls."

She blushed.

"Do you like to play games, Naga?"

"Umm, sort of. The word games that are going on here tonight I am not very fond of. But what did you have in mind, Pabu?"

"This!"

Pabu grabbed Naga's water tribe medallion and took off in a dead run. They ran at top speed through the seedy streets of Republic City, turning corners at every block. She needed to get her medallion back. Master Katara had given it to her. She tried to water bend from the storm sewers what whips and ice shards to stop him. She wasn't sure he was actually stealing or really playing with her. Her anxiety was exhilarating, and actually hoped she wouldn't catch him too soon.

Further down the street, he grabbed a light pole with one arm, spun around it, and climbed it, looking down upon Naga. Instantly they were nose to nose, breathless. They stared at each other for a moment, not certain of what to do. He leaned in to kiss her. She leaned into it too, as both closed their eyes as their lips touched tenderly. It was electric. They drew back and smiled at each other, a little embarrassed at how intense that first kiss had been.

Not quite sure what to say, Pabu offered, "Wow, looks like you caught me, Naga. Nice to be out of that crowded place."

Naga really wanted to leave no doubt how comfortable she was with this boy, "Yeah, especially since I am with you."

Pabu dropped from the pole. They kissed again, only longer and deeper, and held each other in a strong embrace.

More than a little nervous, Naga asked, "Has this ever happened to you before, Pabu?"

"What is that, Naga?"

"Well, having a hunger for someone so strong, and finding out he was everything you thought he was? And more."

"Only once."

"Oh," she was disappointed.

"Tonight."

"Oh!" And they kissed again.

But they were interrupted by noises coming from the plaza.

Dark clad men with glowing eyes were fighting benders in the dim light.

It was Avatar Korra and a fire bender. They were losing.

Naga spoke resolutely, "We need to help."

"Right there with you, Naga!"

They ran hand in hand to the square at full speed, but stealthily, so the attackers with glowing eyes would not notice their approach. The strangers beat up the fire bender and the Avatar, who soon slumped helplessly to the plaza tiles. The assailants seemed to know how to render the benders helpless through well placed blows. Pabu and Naga needed to avoid the same fate.

Before the attackers could kidnap the benders, Pabu unleashed a volley of fire bending from his hands and mouth, startling the attackers from subduing Avatar Korra and her fire bender companion. But Pabu was outnumbered, and while startled, the assailants re-assembled, ready to attack Pabu. He tried to distract them by directing a fire bending thrust that exploded one of their motorcycles. It didn't phase them.

They started to advance on Pabu, but running from behind, Naga rushed the attackers, screaming an unearthly sound of some ferocious animal. She leveled them with an enormous wall of water she drew from a nearby fountain, scattering them across the plaza. Defeated, they quickly ran to their remaining motorcycles and retreated.

Pabu and Naga stood over the still figures of Avatar Korra and the fire bender. They were completely exhausted, but looked at one another.

"Wow, Naga, where did you learn that noise?"

"My Mother taught it to me when I was little to scare away attackers who would harm us at the South Pole."

They bent down and attended to the Avatar and her friend, trying to revive them with water she hydrated from the air around them.

Soon the Avatar and her companion revived and came to their senses.

Korra groggily said, "Kinsman! Thank you so much for helping us. Are they gone?

"Yes, somehow we managed to chase them away."

"Thank you. We were really unprepared," noted Korra.

"Who are you? We need to thank you for saving us!" asked Mako.

Motioning to themselves, Pabu spoke,"Well, uh, I'm Pabu and this is Naga."

"We are most grateful Pabu and Na-! Wait! Those are the names of our spirit animals? What...?" blurted Korra.

...

And then Fire Ferret Pabu and Polar Bear Dog Naga woke up with a start. Each had a sparkle in their eyes for the other. There was no question to them that they shared a dream together.

Pabu gave Naga a tender lick on the nose with a little yip to go with it. Naga returned the lick which was actually a huge slurp with her gigantic tongue and an affectionate growl. Pabu was actually soaked in polar bear dog slobber, but happy as he could be.

They snuggled together closer still, their first night together in a new place. It felt secure. They could hear the sky bison lowing in their corrals not far away, so they were among other animals. It was home, in a way the city never could be. And they had each other, united now through their joint dream in a way no other animals could ever be. They truly loved each other.

Perhaps they would dream of being together again.