Korra Appreciation Week

Day Four: Friendship

Summary: Because like friendship, that crooked smile seemed to transcend lifetimes.

Katara was one of the first people to be introduced to the newest Avatar. She had promised Aang that she would help train his successor. But she hadn't expected the White Lotus to find the Avatar so soon (especially since they could no longer rely on the old ways of tracking them down). She had been expecting more time.

But as she soon learned, Korra did things on her own terms.

The first time she saw that crooked smile on that cocky four year old, Katara nearly broke down.

As if sensing her sadness, Korra had hugged the older woman and said, "Don't be sad, hugs always make me feel better."

Choking back a laugh, Katara had returned the young girl's hug.

Korra quickly become so much more than a student to her. She was a handful at times but she truly enjoyed the time she got to spend with the girl.

Sokka's visits were some of the only highlights of the ten year old's week. Every weekend without fail he would show up to visit his sister at the compound, delighting the young Avatar in the process. He always snuck her in some extra seal jerky (which she always shared with Naga) and had some new crazy tale to tell her.

Korra loved listening to the older tribesman's stories, almost as much as he loved to tell them.

"Sokka, Sokka, Sokka," Korra excitedly greeted the older man, grabbing him by the arm and pointing to her hair. "Look, I got a wolf's tail just like you."

He chuckled deeply and ran a hand through her ponytail. "You're becoming quite the little warrior. It won't be long before we're taking you ice dodging"

She beamed proudly up at him, and for a second he swore he saw Aang behind that smile.

"I'm gonna be the best Avatar ever. Tougher than Avatar Kyoshi," she boasted, puffing out her chest.

"I met Kyoshi once, you sure got a lot of catching up to do shrimp," he teased, poking fun of her height. She may have shared the same spirit as his former brother-in-law, but they were unique individuals that he was honored to have met.

She huffed loudly and declared, "Just wait. I'mma show you."

Zuko didn't visit often, but every now and then he made time to visit his old friends in the South Pole. It was always nice to see Sokka and Katara and reminisce about old times.

And more often than not, young Avatar Korra would join them as some point. Whether she had snuck away from training or had been invited by Kata herself (Sokka never bothered, knowing the young girl would find a way to show up).

The old Fire Lord never minded though. She was always so full of energy, not unlike his grandson when he was young, or even Aang back when Zuko knew him as that crazy twelve year old.

She was the only one who appreciated his tea. He may be old but he was still sharp enough to catch Katara subtly waterbend his tea out and Sokka spill it on purpose.

He even tried to teach her the basics of Pai Sho once. But they were both rubbish at the game, and neither was sure who had been the one to se the board on fire.

"Ooo, can you show me that firebending dance you learned with Avatar Aang," Korra begged, tugging lightly on his robes.

"It wasn't a dance," came his first reaction before he composed himself. "I mean you should be focused on earthbending right now. Firebending will come in time."

She pouted and looked up at him her large eyes and he quickly lost his resolve. "Fine, but don't tell the others."

"Yes!" She fist pumped, smiling brightly up at him.

Korra was just as much as a stubborn brat as she was the first and only time Toph had met her as a kid (she absolutely loathed the icy tundra). How Katara had been able to put up with her for so long was beyond her. Though admittedly, the Sugar Queen always did have more patience than her.

She liked the girl though, not that she would ever admit it. She certainly had a lot more backbone than Aang ever did.

But it was the similarities that had caught her off guard. The biggest one was that annoying joyful energy that radiated off the both of them.

And though it had been diminished it a bit, she could still practically feel it through her feet.

It drove her nuts.

Smirking, Toph stomped her foot down sending a torrent of mud onto Korra.

Oh how she loved tormenting the Avatar.

"C'mon Twinkletoes, you were much lighter on your feet that last time we fought," she cackled, delighting in the tired groans she got from Korra.

"According to Ikki's reports, he's nothing like Korra," Asami commented as she, Bolin, and Mako followed Meelo down a quiet neighborhood in a nicer part of Republic City.

"He's timid, but he has a good head on his shoulders," Bolin replied having already met the new Avatar. The young earthbender was a classmate of his grandson's, and it had been a huge surprise to find out that he was his friend's successor.

"Apparently he sucks at earthbending," Meelo bluntly stated as they turned into a small park. A group of kids were playing around with a small ball. "He thinks we got it wrong, that he's not the Avatar."

"How do you know he's not right," Mako asked.

Meelo only grinned knowingly at him before calling over one of the boys. "Hey Yun, come over here! I want you to meet some important people."

A scrawny fourteen year old slowly trudged over. No doubt he recognized the former Team Avatar. He offered them a polite, hesitant crooked smile. And the three knew without a doubt that this was Korra's successor.