It had been a week since my lesson with Tahno and I haven't seen him since. Only his teammates have been showing up for training. Even Mako and Bolin have noticed his absence from the gym.
"At this rate they won't be able to make into the tournament and we'll win for sure." whispered Mako.
"I hope those nasty Equalists didn't get him…" said Bolin, glancing at the Wolfbats.
"Yea, I wouldn't wish that for anyone." replied his brother.
I looked at Tahno's teammates; they've looked depressed since that night, all they do now is mutter to each other and give me dirty looks.
"Oh Damn, I wonder If Tahno told them what I said to him…" I think, coming to the conclusion of why I get the dirty looks. I shake my head back into focus and splash some water into Mako's face.
"Why you worrying so much Mako? Got a crush on Tahno or something?" I tease.
"No but do you? You seem jealous." He smirks back.
I blush; I don't know if it was from the jealous comment or from the smirk. Either way I still punch him in the arm. He laughs and rubs the spot where I punched him and grinned at me. I look away, I know it wouldn't happen but a girl can hope. I look up at Bolin who quickly looks away.
"Shit…" I think, I don't mean to forget about Bolin's feelings but it happens. I get a horrible knot in my stomach every time I see the hurt in his eyes. We try to treat each other as good friends but his feelings for me are too strong for us to stay just friends. I can't deny that I haven't thought of Bolin in a romantic way, but as long as there is the slightest chance of Mako and I, I can't see me with the earth bender. He gives me a reassuring smile and gets back to practicing. I exchange looks with Mako and he turns to the change room.
"Well I have a date with Asami so I'm gonna go get ready. See you guys later." He tells us while walking off, leaving me and Bolin alone.
"So…You wanna go grab some noodles?" I ask with a grin.
"Um actually Korra, I have a date too." He answers awkwardly, trying not to make eye contact.
Ouch. That hurts. Even though we're not together I still feel betrayed. I put on a smile and go in for a hug.
"Wow Bolin! Who's the lucky girl?" I ask.
"This girl I met downtown…hehe…she liked mine and Pabu's show and we hit it off. We're going to the noodle shop actually." He tells me with a grin.
"Well, have fun kiddo." I say as a ruffle his hair. "Kiddo? Am I babysitting him? Call him Bolin!" I tell myself.
"Thanks Korra! I really like this girl, I hope it works out."
I put my hand on his shoulder. "I know it will kid-Bolin." I catch myself before kiddo slips out again. He gives me his signature bear hug and runs off upstairs to get ready.
Now I'm alone, on a Friday night, in a gym. I could go back to the temple…but Tenzin would probably put me on babysitting duty while he takes Pema out…
"Ah what the hell, Pema needs a night out, I'll go babysit." I say out loud. I turn to go change but I'm blocked. Tahno's teammates are blocking my path.
"You're not going anywhere sugar cakes." said the earth bender. Behind the pillars more men appear, and I could hear a dozen more behind me. I glare at them, arms ready for an attack.
"What do you want?" I snarl.
"Well we haven't seen Tahno since he said was gonna go tease the 'Uh-vatar' and we think the Fire Ferrets did something to our captain." said the fire bender smoothly, stepping slowly towards me. "And his fans have been worried sick. We thought a water bender for a water bender would be a good trade." He sneered.
"Back off!" I yell, about to put the punk on fire when I feel sharp jabs all up my back, arms and legs. I collapse to the ground. I frantically look around, fearing Amon is here. Tahno's fans just laugh.
"The Equalists aren't the only ones who know Chi-blocking Uh-vatar." The earth bender laughs. I feel a shoe hit the side of my head and everything goes black.
When I finally wake up my vision is blurred. I make out some people in a dark room. I could hear from their voice they've been drinking. So much giggling, spilling of drinks, breaking of glass and loud music gives me a raging headache. I finally am able to focus and see the earth bender having his hand on my shoulder. I writhe around, trying to escape his grasp while screaming profanities. They all just laugh.
"Struggling is useless, you're tied down. Even if you escape my chi blockers can paralyze you in a second." He whispers in my ear. I struggle even more, desperate to escape the warehouse, by the looks of it I'm in. I scream and cry for help but they're drowned by the sound of the music and talking. As the night went on my energy is drained from fighting. I just sit there, watching everyone drink themselves silly. After a couple more hours the men become more…promiscuous, touching and feeling the girls there up. I snap into attention when I hear my names through their drunken slurs.
"…yeah Korra…."
"I bet she's so…"
"…..livin' up there all your life you gotta be…."
I glare at the men as they stumbled towards me. I hopelessly scream for help, knowing what their intentions were as they drew closer and closer. The fire bender got to me first and cupped his hand under my chin.
"Why don't you give daddy a kiss?" He pout, lips puckered. I spit on him at that drives him into a rage. He growls and wipes my spit off him and glares at me. After several moments over glaring he raises his hand and slaps me as hard as he could across the face. It was numb at first, then the excruciating pain settled onto my cheek. I yell in pain in unison with his satisfied laughing.
"Next time I use a crow bar, Uh- avatar. Now open up." He commands, unzipping his pants.
Just then the door bursts open. Everything goes quiet as everyone gets a look at the man standing in the doorway. He stumbles in and everyone gasps as the get a look at the mysterious man. I finally see him clearly when he faces the fire bender. We both gasp and say
"Tahno."