The sun warmed my face, signaling another day. Five weeks had passed. Everyone had their bending back and Korra was back to training. Mako still hadn't spoken to me, but Bolin was as enthusiastic as ever, constantly bugging me to tell him stories of my past or teach him some Earthbending move. Eventually I questioned whether or not he had asked Lin to teach him Metalbending. He paled at the thought, so I laughed and called her over.

"Bolin's interested in learning on how to Metalbend. You up to the task Lin?" I asked playfully. Lin quirked her lips in a smirk.

"When have I ever backed down from a challenge?" she responded, a glint in her eyes.

"Have at it!" I invited, leaving a very scared looking Bolin in Lin's hands.

Now that I had a moment of quiet, I decided to roam the island and just relax. It's been a while since I had a moment all to myself without someone needing to be healed or some bothersome dark spirit attacking. It was nice to just walk.

And then I heard it. That one voice that I really didn't feel like hearing: Mako. And he was calling my name. What could he want? I paused and steeled myself, keeping my breathing deep and even as he caught up to me.

"Yes, Mako, what is it?" I asked, trying to be pleasant despite how he had been acting.

"I want you to stay away from Korra and Bolin," he ordered instantly.

Out of sheer will power, I didn't hit him.

"Mako, just because you believe I abandoned you—which I didn't by the way—doesn't mean that Bolin does, and Korra is the reincarnation of my brother. I'm not going to stay away from her no matter what you say. And don't you think Bolin is old enough to make his own choices by now?" I tried to keep the flame out of my voice, but a little heat still escaped.

Mako glared at me.

"I don't care if you're Korra's mother! You stay away from her! As for Bolin, it's my job to protect him. I don't want someone like you to be near him," he spat back. I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"Careful Mako," I warned. "I don't want to have to make a scene."

He scoffed. "Do you honestly think I care what you do? You can blow up the entire island for all I care! Just stay away from Korra and Bolin."

He turned to walk away, but stopped dead with one word from me: "No."

Flames danced on his knuckles.

I sighed, trying to cool down a bit. "Mako, I really don't understand why you hate me, but it seems like you're the only one. Tenzin and his family, Lin, Korra, Bolin. They all like me. Love even. All I've done to you is help, so why do you hate me so?"

"Because you abandoned us!" he roared, flames licking from his lips. His fire frustrated me, but the genuine tears in his eyes softened me.

"I never abandoned you Mako. I was always there," I began, my voice gentle; he cut me off.

"Save it. You left us, and that's that. There's nothing you can say that can change that."

He was hurt.

"You don't have to listen, then. Just let me speak," I tried. He crossed his arms, seeming to accept my terms. I relaxed a little and took a breath to begin my story, only to be interrupted by a new voice. Korra was running toward us, her face drawn in a slight glare.

"What're you two talking about?" she inquired, giving Mako a warning/accusing look.

"Nothing," he grumbled stomping off.

I sighed and closed my eyes, though I still felt Korra's questioning ones on me.

"I was trying to explain why I left," I told her dejectedly.

She muttered something under her breath before I was suddenly pulled into a hug. I liked her hug. It was warm, strong, protective. It was nice.

"Don't worry. I'll try talking to him. He's just being a Jerkbender right now," she reassured me. I snorted, only really hearing the "Jerkbender" bit. "How about you come watch my Airbending training? Maybe you can give me some pointers," she suggested, obviously trying to distract me; it worked.

"Sure. I've had plenty of time to learn," I responded, forcing my mood to lighten and pushing Mako from my mind. There was plenty of time for me to argue with him anyway. Today I was going to spend time with Korra.

Watching Korra go through her training brought back so many memories. I remember playing with Aang, riding Air scooters, racing on our gliders, creating mayhem for unsuspecting passers-by. Then there was when Tenzin was young and just learning. He wasn't as much of a mischief maker, but he was still a fun child. Most recently was his children. They held all the grace as their grandfather before them.

A breeze slowly drew me out of my reminiscing and back into watching Korra flit around daintily, the air around her following her will. It looked a little forced, though.

"Hang on. Sorry to interrupt, but I've noticed something." I walked over to where Korra stood, her cheeks lightly flushed. "You've probably heard this a thousand times from Tenzin, but Air isn't like the other elements. You can't force it like you can with Fire or Earth. If anything, it's like Water: fluid. You have to flow with it, dance with it. You have to be free in order to will it to your desire."

"Be the leaf!" Meelo chimed in.

Korra blew a stray strand of hair out of her face, obviously frustrated.

"I know I know! I just can't seem to get it right!" she vented.

"Now don't get upset. Aang had a ton of trouble with Earth, almost to the point where he gave up completely, and after he hurt Katara, he refused to learn Fire until he met the true masters, who then showed him Fire isn't just destructive. I promise, Korra, you're not the only Avatar who has had trouble learning an element."

She huffed slightly, crossing her arms. "But the others came so easily! Why isn't this one?"

"You've been in a compound most of your life, right?"

Korra nodded.

"You've lacked freedom for a long time. You've gotten a taste being here, but you're still not truly allowing yourself to be free."

"How am I not allowing myself to be free?" she exclaimed throwing up her hands.

"That I don't know. You'll have to figure that out yourself. In the meantime, how about you try dancing as you Airbend? I'll dance with you if you like."

She looked skeptical, but accepted my offer anyway. What resulted was something neither of us expected.

As we danced, I lost myself in the gentle touch of my native element, almost completely forgetting that there were others around me watching. All I was aware of was the absolute freedom that Airbending brought me.

I was floating, dancing in the air now. Spinning, twirling, laughing. I was free! A soft white glow surrounded me, but it wasn't just mine. I opened my eyes then to see Korra beside me, her eyes glowing like my own. She smiled at me and came closer, circling around me. Joy overcame me and I responded. Together we danced.

It must have been hours before the two of us finally touched solid ground again, and the moment we did, we collapsed in each other's arms exhausted.

"I believe we are done for the day. You did extremely well Korra," Tenzin announced, his voice holding awe and pride. Before leaving us to recuperate, he knelt next to us and whispered, "And thank you Sorami. You've helped her more than I ever could." With that final word, he was gone.

Not a minute later, the two of us had fallen asleep.

Something soft brushed against my face, rousing me from my stupor. With a groan, I stretched luxuriously and sat up, my sight immediately being whited out by fur.

"What the?"

A large tongue dragged across my face, making me sputter and laugh.

"Naga! What are you doing?" I giggled pushing her off. "You interrupted my nap."

She woofed, her tail thumping happily.

"Why aren't you bugging Korra?"

She woofed again, standing and spinning in a circle this time. I looked around, just realizing that I was alone.

"Where is Korra?"

Naga nudged me, urging me to my feet.

"Take me to her girl," I said climbing onto her back.

She didn't hesitate in obeying my request, taking off at a steady lope to the other side of the island.

"You can't keep me from talking to her Mako! Not only is she my friend, but she's my sister by spirit! You have no right to try to keep me from her!"

I heard her before I saw her, and she was not happy. Evidently Mako was giving her a similar talk that he had given me earlier, and she wasn't nearly as calm as I had been.

"She's no good Korra! She's just going to hurt you like she hurt me, and I'm trying to keep that from happening!" Mako shouted back at her.

"Oh my spirits Mako! She didn't abandon you! Why won't you just let her explain and stop being such a child!"

"I'm not being a child! I'm being rational! And what do you know about any of this? You weren't there." His voice was bitter and colder than ice.

"She told me. Bolin also told me. She did nothing but help you two, and what do you do in return? You nearly have her locked up, yell at her, threaten her, and try to make her miserable. I don't know how she can deal with it and still act civilly toward you!"

"Because I know how hurt he is. This isn't the first time he's lost someone he's loved," I said finally revealing myself.

The two spun at my voice, one glaring out of general anger, the other aiming a death glare at me. I met the death glare head-on.

"Don't try to get her on your side. Tell her the truth. Tell her how you just disappeared without any notice, any reason. Tell her how you just left us," Mako demanded.

"I already told her everything, but I don't mind repeating myself. Maybe this time you'll decide to listen," I responded, never breaking eye contact.

"You don't know this, but we met when you and Bolin were very young. Freshly orphaned if I'm not mistaken. I found you when Bolin was sick. Do you remember that Mako? That kind woman with the cloak that hid her eyes? The one that reminded you of your mother? That was me. After I had healed Bolin, I knew that you two needed to get off the streets, so I began to set things in motion for you to become involved in Pro-Bending. I made a deal with Toza for you to live in the attic of the arena. I made those first payments. I funded a lot of your beginning matches. I even helped get you that job at the power plant!

Years later, we bumped into each other once more. Bolin was sick again. You said I had reminded you of some kind woman that had helped you years ago, but she had been older. I returned with you to the loft and healed Bolin. We all became friends. You and I became really close. At some point, you fell in love with me. That's why I left Mako. I can't give you children. I can't give you a family. I can't give you much of anything, really, and you were still young. Still are young. I didn't want you to set your sights on me when there are better matches out there. Korra is one of the best. You're happier with her, and will be happier with her than you ever would have been with me.

And when I left, I was never truly gone. I was constantly checking up on you and Bolin to make sure that everything was all right. I continued to help pay for the loft and your Pro-Bending. I continued introducing you to people you could benefit from. I continued to protect you. There were several occasions where I scared off Triads that wanted to hurt or kill you. You remember that one night you were cornered by five thugs? Do you remember that shadow that seemed to come out of nowhere to defeat them and chase them away? That was me. So no, Mako, I didn't abandon you. I left you so you could find a happier future with someone who could give you more than I could. Is that really a reason to hate me? If it is, then I'll make sure to bury myself in a cave so no one can hate me for helping them ever again."

Korra was glaring expectantly at Mako, who was now staring blankly at me. There was still anger and hurt in his eyes, but there was a tiny spark of understanding there too, and that gave me hope.

"I really am sorry I hurt you, but it was for the best."

His eyes narrowed slightly, steeling over. There goes the hope.

"Yes. You hurt me. I loved you Sorami. The least you could have done was say goodbye."

"That would have been more painful. Trust me. I've done it." Mako's golden eyes reminded me so much of Zuko's at that moment that it physically hurt.

"There had to have been a better way," he insisted, making it clear that he wasn't going to forgive me. I sighed in defeat, finally breaking eye contact and looking down.

"Fine Mako. Hate me. If I didn't change your mind now, I never will be able to." My gaze snapped up, now hard. "But don't try to keep me from Korra or your brother. They don't hate me, and you have no right to decide who they associate with. If you try to keep me from them, then rest assured that I will become very unpleasant to live with, and trust me, you do not want to live with a grumpy immortal Avatar."

I shifted my gaze to Korra now, making sure to soften my eyes. "Be patient with him. It takes time to heal. Hopefully he'll learn to forgive before it becomes detrimental."

She gave a small tense nod, coaxing the tiniest of smiles from me. She will become a great Avatar as she grows.

This book will be a bit different from the first (obviously). Like the actual series, it's going to be a little more mature and a little more focused on relationships. There's going to be a main battle still, but probably not what you're expecting. That's all I can say without giving things away. Feel free to leave reviews and let me know what you think! I always appreciate your comments! :)