A/N: Sorry this chapter is getting posted so late. I do not own "The Legend of Korra." Enjoy!

~Moon White Rose


Chapter 4

Noeya hadn't been on the island for five minutes when squeals of delight suddenly erupted from a tree near the dock. "Noeya! NoeyaNoeyaNoeya!" Ikki cried as she rushed at the Water Tribe girl at a speed only and Airbender could achieve. They collided in seconds and fell to the ground in a heap of blue, orange, and yellow; giggling uncontrollably as they tried to untangle themselves. "I didn't know you were coming today. Can we play? Oh, I know! Maybe we can chase Meelo and freeze him upside down to a tree with your waterbending. Can we, can we, can we? PLEASE?!"

"IKKI," Noeya laughed, putting a finger to the young girl's mouth. It worked in silencing her but she still bounced from foot to foot. "Where do you get all of your energy? I get dizzy just hearing you talk." She moved her finger away and Ikki huffed as if she had been offended. It didn't work on Noeya however; she just ruffled the child's hair. "Maybe we can play later, but I don't think freezing your brother to a tree would be wise. We'd have to let him down at some point you know." She knelt down so that she was eye to eye with the young girl. "And when we let him down, what do you think he would do? He'd get us back, and I doubt it would be pleasant."

"I'm sure you have that right." The voice made both girls jump, but they relaxed when they realized who it was. Ikki ran up to her father, hugging him hard before forming an air scooter and practically disappearing, saying something about annoying Jinora. Tenzin and Noeya both laughed, Noeya bowing respectfully once she had calmed down.

"Thank-you for inviting me to your home Master Tenzin," she murmured, looking up a moment later. Tenzin smiled and nodded in greeting.

"The pleasure is all ours Noeya; our gratitude as well. This will mean a lot to Korra, I'm sure." He motioned for her to follow him and she obeyed. "Korra was kept isolated from the tribe ever since it was discovered that she was the Avatar. She was allowed to see her parents, naturally, but she has no siblings; she has never had any interaction with someone her age and I think that's part of the reason she's being so difficult."

"You think it makes her angry to know that there are hundreds of teens just a ferry ride away and you won't let her leave the island? It's a logical assumption," said Noeya aloud and somewhat sarcastically as she brushed stray strands of hair out of her eyes, somewhat annoyed herself. It always seemed to be the same few rebellious strands that always escaped her braid. Tenzin glanced at her, smiling inwardly.

"You're very observant and have a sharp mind Noeya; just don't put them to poor use, understand?"

"Of course not Master Tenzin," came her sweet reply. He shook his head and sighed as he caught the roll of her eyes. She was so much like her uncle; he only hoped she wouldn't pursue a career in politics. Eventually they came to a stop and Tenzin pointed to the direction leading to the training area.

"She should be somewhere around there. Oh and don't be afraid of Naga; she's harmless, really. Have fun."

"Wait! Who's… and just ignore me then," Noeya muttered when the Airbender kept walking instead of waiting to hear her question. Who was Naga? Noeya shrugged her shoulders and made her way to training yard slowly. She was trying to think of the best way to introduce herself, but was drawing a blank. Would they get along? Did the Avatar liked to be treated with the respect that naturally came with the title and position she held, or was she laid back; carefree?

Dozens of other questions swam around Noeya's head but they were suddenly cut short by a sound that seemed to be a combination of a bark and a growl. From behind a cluster of trees stepped an animal Noeya had only ever seen in books. It was big; really big, with large muscular front legs. It was covered in thick, snowy white fur and it regarded Noeya with curious eyes as its big black nose sniffing the air.

It was a polar bear dog; one of the top hunters of the Southern Water Tribe. She raked her brain for information about the animal that was slowly coming closer but all she could remember was that they were very fast, and very, very, deadly. 'Oh yeah, and they like meat; they're purely carnivores.' Before she could even hope to react, the polar bear dog stood before her, no, TOWERED over her. 'I'm going to die. I'm dead,' she thought as she squeezed her eyes shut. She wondered how badly it would hurt when the fangs and claws tore her to shreds; would it hurt more than what she had endured with her father?

"'I've told you over and over that you're weak, so now it's time to strengthen you up, daughter,'" her father's voice emanated suddenly from her heart; the memory formed into an image in her brain. Shadowy light clouded her vision as she found herself in a small room. She felt the slice of the icy water whip as it ripped the skin of her back open. "'If you can endure pain, you can survive anything. No screaming; no crying. You're a big girl now. Pull it together, Noeya!'"

"Yes sir," she whispered as the rancid, meaty breath washed over her face. It would be any moment. Any second she would feel… a tongue? Noeya cracked an eye open and she realized that she was crying slightly. She also realized that the polar bear dog was licking the tears away while wagging its tail madly. Opening both eyes now, Noeya let the animal continue to lick the tears up. It was more than a little disgusting, but she also found it to be a sweet gesture. After a moment, the polar bear dog backed away a few steps before thrusting its big head into her stomach. Hesitantly, Noeya rested a hand on its head.

"I guess you aren't going to eat me, are you?" The animal pushed on her harder and Noeya fought to keep her balance. She scratched behind one of the floppy ears and it seemed as if she had found the sweet spot, judging by the content panting of the large creature. Coming to the conclusion that she was in no danger and that this must be the Naga Tenzin mentioned earlier, she let out a breath she hadn't noticed she was holding. She continued to rub Naga's ears before pressing her face into Naga's neck. She wasn't scared anymore but remembering her father left her edgy and drained.

She had thought she was past random events being triggers to unpleasant memories, but it seemed as if that wasn't the case after all. She pulled away from Naga and wiped the slobber off her cheeks. Putting her hands on her hips, she looked Naga in the eyes. "So, where's your owner?"

"NAGA! NAGA, WHERE ARE YOU?" The voice shattered the silence; loud and definitely feminine. Naga's ears pricked and she let out a happy howl before running off in the direction the voice had come from. Noeya followed behind Naga and in seconds, the polar bear dog was pinning another girl around her age to the ground. The girl laughed and pushed Naga away. Jumping to her feet she brushed herself off, grinning as Naga licked her cheek.

Was this the Avatar? The girl was Water Tribe for sure; of that Noeya was certain. She wore her dark brown hair in a high ponytail and her eyes were a clear blue. On one arm she wore a Water Tribe band and a brown fur wrap was tied loosely around her waist. Her tank top and pants were different shades of blue and her boots looked like they were made of animal skins and furs. This had to be Avatar Korra. Shyness suddenly overtook Noeya and she almost left when Naga suddenly charged her.

Korra, confused as to why her best friend suddenly left her looked up to see a girl watching her. Naga ran to the girl, barking happily as she nudged her arm. "Umm… hi," the girl said softly. "Are… are you Avatar Korra?"

"Yeah, I am," Korra responded brightly. "You're Noeya right? Tenzin said his friend's daughter was coming over today." Noeya could almost feel her eyes widen before she suddenly burst out laughing. Korra stared; she had no idea what part of what she said sounded funny.

"I'm sorry," explained Noeya, when she stopped laughing, "but what you said… it was hilarious. Tenzin hates my… uncle and my uncle isn't fond of Tenzin in the slightest; I think they'd both rather be dead then call each other friends."

"Oh. Well, maybe I misunderstood him then; I tune out half of what he says anyway," Korra replied as she leaned against Naga, who had returned to her side. Noeya smiled as she crossed her arms; her eyes were full of amusement.

"You're not the only one there. I have great respect for Tenzin, and I like him and his family very much. There are times though where, truthfully, I only act like I'm paying attention to him. He does have a tendency to drone on."

"Tell me about it!" Korra said loudly as she threw her arms in the air. "I know he's my airbending teacher and all, but really, he's worse than a textbook sometime. He irritates me so much; I don't get how anyone can live with him." Noeya shrugged her shoulders. While it was true that part of her thought that being judgmental of Master Tenzin was wrong, she was having fun being able to share her opinions with someone who agreed with her. As she and Korra continued to talk and learn about each other, Noeya relaxed; she was enjoying herself more than she had in years.

"Wait, so, you've never seen a real Pro-Bending Match; ever?" Noeya questioned. Korra sighed angrily and shook her head.

"No, but I've wanted to for as long as I can remember; I hate that I'm so close to the Arena and Tenzin won't even let me think about listening to a match on the radio, let alone leave the island to see one." Noeya and Korra looked out across the harbor at the Arena. Noeya noted Korra's frustrated look and suddenly an idea hit her. Slowly a smile formed, and Korra arched an eyebrow.

"There's a match tonight that I was going to see… and I think I have an idea of how you can come with me."


A/N: I know this is a short chapter, but I promise the next is longer. I'm going to try to update every other week since I'm have another fic I'm working on along with this one, but I may update sooner, it just depends on my schedule and how much I get done.

~Moon White Rose