Chapter 2

Since Tahno's bending had been taken from him and the end of the last pro-bending match of the season, Korra had resolved to not use her own bending abilities.

The two were circling one another, carefully watching each other for any slight indications as to who would strike first. Naturally, it was Korra who made the first blow. Or, rather, tried to.

Korra struck quickly, her arms moving in a blur as her fists shot out rapidly at her opponent, one after the other. Tahno, having prepared himself for her attack, immediately slid out of the way, then gracefully regained his stance and threw a quick shot in her direction. Korra blocked it almost instinctively, the moved in the opposite direction to throw a jab aimed at his abdomen, which he dodged.

The two continued like this, in their back-and-forth and almost rhythmic pattern, for only a few moments. After a few minutes, the two regained their original stances, each now breathing quite heavily.

As Tahno stared his opponent down, he noticed how something was...off about her. She had lost all focus, and appeared to be drained of energy. The basic sparring they were doing now would usually be a breeze for her, but right now she was completely disheveled. Her stance was sloppy and unbalanced, her posture was slightly hunched, and she seemed unable to even hold her hands up in the correct defensive position.

Something serious must have been going on with her for her to be this affected by it..

What had that stupid firebender done to throw her off like this..?

THUD!

Tahno felt it before he realized what had happened. Korra's foot had connected with his lower abdomen to send him flat onto the floor. While he had been busy thinking, she had managed to catch him off guard.

Serves you right for caring.

He groaned as he attempted to get up, clearly in some amount of pain.

Korra approached him and held out her hand to help him up, but was rejected. He struggled and pulled himself up, despite the clear agony it caused him. "Feeling better, I see." Tahno groaned. Now standing upright, he hunched over slightly, holding his sides inconspicuously. Korra stared at him blankly for a few seconds before responding. "Serving justice is my job, you know."

Tahno snorted.

"Whatever you say, Uh-vatar."

Korra rolled her eyes and began heading towards the large gym exit. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Tahno asked.

Korra halted.

Mako will be waiting for me if I go back home.

"I'm sure the firehead will have a lovely reception awaiting your return."

Tahno spoke, interrupting the silence and reading her exact thoughts.

"I don't know."

A grin played across Tahno's face. "So your plan was to just walk around in this lovely weather until you just happened on a place at this hour that let you-"

"I don't know, okay?!" Korra interrupted him loudly, turning around to face him. "I didn't exactly have a plan, okay? Sorry to be so irresponsible." The loud volume of her voice could be heard echoing briefly after, then left the silence hanging in the air.

Now you've done it.

The voice in Tahno's head told him that he'd gone too far.

"You could stay with me for the night."

He said a bit quieter, feeling guilty.

Korra stared at him, trying to read his face for a hint of joking or some ulterior motive for this offer, but found none. She hated that the most. She didn't want him pitying her. She didn't want him patronizing her this way.

"Oh come on, Uh-vatar. Even you aren't that stupid." Tahno grinned as he walked over to her. "It's better than sleeping in the streets, I can tell you that at least."

...Right?

Korra didn't even hesitate before turning around and looking him dead in the eye.

"I'd rather sleep in the streets."

Tahno shrugged indifferently.

"Suit yourself."

9/27/2015