A few days later we arrived at the Southern Water Tribe. The kids and Katara were happy to see each other but I think Katara was more excited that all of her kids were together for the first time in a while. Kya, Tenzin's older sister has been staying with Katara recently, just to help her out.
Korra parents were also there to greet us. "Mom! Dad!" Korra ran into her parents arms.
"It's so good to see Korra." Senna, Korra's mother, said.
"Good to see you to mom. You too dad." She smiled at her father. "You remember Bolin, my boyfriend right?" Bolin nervously looked at Korra's father.
"N-nice to see you again sir!" He said extending a shaking a hand.
"I hope you're not getting my daughter into trouble." Tonraq said sternly.
"N-no! No, no of course not!" Bolin looked as though he was going to feint. Tonraq let out a big laugh.
"I'm just messing with you son." He said shaking Bolin's hand.
"And how are you guys?" Senna said coming over to Mako, Asami and I.
"We're great." I said hugging her. Just as I said a large group of people started walking in our direction.
"Look at all these people who came to greet us!" Bolin said proudly.
"Sorry Bolin, but they came to greet them." I said pointing at a very large, very lavished white ship coming in. Korra and I instantly knew who it was. It was Korra's uncle and cousins from the Northern water tribe.
"The great Chief of the Northern Water tribe came to grace us with his presence." Tonraq said very sarcastically. He never got along with his brother; therefore we don't see them very often.
"Just relax Tonraq." Senna said trying to calm her husband. "He'll be gone soon enough."
The crowd started roaring as Chief Unalaq walked out of the ship fallowed by his stone faced kids, Desna and Eska. Desna and Eska were not the nicest to Korra and I when we were younger; they always kind of stayed confined together. But I wasn't complaining when they didn't talk to me, they both scared the living daylight out of me. Bolin was looking at Desna and Eska as they walked down, and Korra took quick notice of it.
"What are you looking at lover-boy?" Korra said, her voice expressing her rising anger.
"What? Oh! Nothing, who are those girls behind your uncle?" Bolin asked.
"That's Eska and Desna, the chief's children. And just so you know. Desna is a guy." Korra explained. Eska and Desna could be very easily confused. They both shared the same tan skin, narrow eyes and long black hair. The only really difference was that Eska wore purple eye shadow.
Chief Unalaq and the twins walked over to greet us. "Good to see you again Avatar Korra." Unalaq said bowing. "And you as well Kalani."
"Nice to see you too, Uncle." Korra said.
"Always a pleasure to see you, Sir." I responded.
"How are you, brother?" Unalaq said turning to his brother.
"Well." Tonraq said under his breath. They just stared at each other silently.
"How about we all go enjoy the festival?" Senna said breaking the tension, we all agreed.
"You guys go ahead." Asami said. "I have to go meet with a potential client." She then scampered off.
We all walked around smiling at the games, and children laughing but Unalaq looked more…Disgusted.
"This used to be time dedicated to the Spirits. A time of meditation and fasting. Now all it is a chance to see some rube try and stick and whole artic hen in his mouth.
"I've always loved the festival. It's fun." Korra commented.
"Traditions change brother. It's not the end of the world." Tonraq said crossing his arms.
"Tell that to sailors who are being attacked by angry spirits in the southern waters." Unalaq said turning to his brother. "Some traditions do have purpose."
"Wait, what? People are being attacked by spirits?" I asked genuinely concerned. Angry spirits have been a…sensitive topic after the voice.
"Yeah, what are you talking about?" Korra asked.
"I'm surprised the Avatar doesn't know about this. She obviously isn't getting the information she needs. It would be an honor for me to teach the Avatar about the Spiritual ways."
"I wouldn't mind learning how to fight some spirits. Anyway, Air bending is pretty boring."
"Tenzin is Korra's instructor." Tonraq said stepping in front of his daughter. I had to agree with him on this one. Tenzin would be heartbroken if Korra blew him off. "He can give her all the training she needs."
"So you've said." Unalaq said walking away. Once again we were left in an awkward state.
Later that night we went to the royal feast in Unalaq's honor. Korra was siting directly on his left. The feast was incredible, but Unalaq didn't seem as thrilled and happy as everyone else was.
"When this festival was founded the tribe would commune with the spirits. We would watch the brilliantly display of the spirits dancing in the sky."
"That sounds gorgeous." I commented.
"Yeah, I've never seen anything like that!" Korra said smiling broadly.
"That's a shame, considering the avatar is the bridge our world and theirs. That is why I want so badly to teach you. I can help you fulfill your destiny as the avatar." It looked as though Korra was considering it. It would break Tenzin's heart if she decided to leave, and Korra's father appeared to agree.
"I thought I made it clear, Tenzin is teaching Korra!" He said appearing between Unalaq and Korra.
"Every Avatar before her traveled the world to learn bending. You and Tenzin kept her secluded from the world! She's not going to be able to become a full-fledged avatar trapped in a box!"
"Dad, he's right." Korra said crossing her arms. "Who I train with is my choice! Not yours!"
"Unalaq, I swear stop filling her head with this-"Unalaq raised his hand and Tonraq stopped speaking.
"It's time for me to address my guest." Unalaq stood and tapped his glass. "My esteemed guest, this celebration is meant to bring our tribe together by worshiping the spirits. But I am saddened to see what it's become. A cheap carnival that celebrates trivial humans. I fear the time is approaching where the north can no longer stand by its sister tribe." What could he mean by that? "Angry spirits are already attacking, I only hope we are not too late, but if we are the north with have to part in this." It almost sounded like he was declaring war… With that Unalaq sat down. Korra and I couldn't enjoy the feast after that speech so we decided to leave; Mako and Bolin came with us.
We went back to the carnival and tried to have a good time but once again Korra and Bolin were arguing. This night was progressively getting worse.
Korra was looking for advice about what she should do about Unalaq and her spiritual training, and Bolin was more concerned about how many roasted artic hens he could eat before he got sick.
"Bolin! What do you think I should do?" Korra pleaded desperate for an answer.
"Do what you think is right, I'll support you." Bolin said with his mouth full.
"That's great advice." Korra sarcastically.
"Uh no." I said under my breath.
"Well what do you want me to say?!"
"I don't care! I just want you to say something!"
"I did! You just didn't like what I said. It's not like I've dated the avatar before, I don't have all the answers. Give me a break."
"Give you a break?" Korra looked livid. "I can't believe you just said that! You know what? I'm done, I give up!" Korra stormed away. She couldn't be serious. Bolin was just standing there is shock.
"Are you okay?" I ask touching his shoulder.
"Uh…yeah…I'm going to get another hen…" He walked away. They have had their fare-share of bad fights, but this one seemed different.
"Maybe we should go talk to them…" I told Mako.
"They'll be fine, just give them some time. They fight like this every week. They'll work it out."
"I don't know…"
"C'mon Kalani, we've had a long day. Let's go the house and try and get some sleep. I'm sure this will be resolved in the morning." He wrapped his arm around me and led us back to the house.
We went to sleep that night wrapped in each other's arms trying to stay warm, and just enjoying each other's company. But Kavi woke us in the middle of the night. He was growling at the sky.
Mako and I got up groggily. "Kavi? What's wrong?" I said walking outside to him. I looked in his eyes and he almost looked scared. I could hear Naga howling in the back. The whole tribe was awake now.
"Kalani…" Mako said, his voice was shaky. "What is that?" I looked ahead and in the snow covered valley and black mass was moving. Moving right toward us! We quickly jumped out of the way, but it went right past us, to Korra's tent.
We ran quickly over, Mako was shooting at is and bended the snow trying to cover it in ice. But all that did was make it angrier. It quickly knocked us over, sending us flying back with one of its tentacles. We landed right in front of Tonraq and Senna. They come over to us but Tonraq quickly left once we told him Korra was still up there. We went back up trying to aide them, but the situation was being easily taken care of by Unalaq…How?
He bended the snow in wave like motions and the entity seemed to calm. It was responding to him as if they were communicating.
The black layers of the entity turned white then left as if nothing happened. How did he do that? Korra, Mako and I ran over to him then we were joined by Tenzin and Tonraq.
"How were you able to do that?" That was the questions on everyone's mind.
"As your father could tell you, I spent my life studying the spirits. This Knowledge is lost in the south. I could teach you everything I know."
"Chief Unalaq," Tenzin started. "It's obvious you are very knowledgeable about the spirits, But Korra still has much to learn."
"Yes, she does. And she obviously is learning enough from you. Only I can teach her what she needs to know."
"And I told you that is not happening!" Tonraq almost yelled.
"Hey! I'm right here. Does anyone want to ask me how I feel?"
"Korra, please!" Tenzin pleaded.
"No! I'm tired of listening to you! Both of you! You've kept me locked up, and told me you knew what's best but both of you were helpless and would have been dead if not for Uncle! I'm staying with him! He's going to be my new teacher." We all were in shock, How could Korra do that?
"Korra I know you're angry, but we've come so far together."
"And this is as far as were going." Korra said looking away. Tenzin looked heartbroken.
"It has been a pleasure serving you…Avatar Korra." He bowed formally, and then walked away.