Chapter 8:

Honora and Asami showed up at the hospital following Bumi's commanding orders. Seeing them rushing in Bolin and Ela both sat up anticipating good news. "Did they find him," Ela asked hopefully.

Asami and Honora exchanged a glance as if deciding who would respond. "No," Honora hesitated.

"BeiFong says Mako and Korra went to try and find them on their own. And now no one can find them." There was a lingering pause as they both took in the new developments.

"No one can find them," Bolin managed to finally get out. "There's cops all around the city looking for Kaiden, what do you mean no one can find Mako and Korra now!"

"We don't know how this happened, but all we know is the police forces aren't going to be able to handle this all themselves," Honora added. "We need to do something ourselves."

"But where do we even start," Ela asked shifting herself up so that her feet now dangled over the hospital bed.

"Tenzin, Tonraq, and Zuko are probably down at the station by now trying to figure out what Chief BeiFong is doing, and what leads if any she's got so far. And Bumi and Kya have already started checking in around the city for Mako and Korra."

"Well we can't just stand around here all day we'd better get looking too," Ela said now stepping onto the cold hospital floor.

Bolin quickly jolted behind her trying to support her as she stood. "Wait, maybe you should stay here-"

She put her hand over his to stop him. "Bolin I'm fine. The effects of the shock have worn off by now, I'll be okay."

He let their hands linger a moment, meeting her green eyes with his own. "Are you sure?"

"C'mon we take worse beatings than that dealing with BeiFong," she joked. He smiled admiring her determination.

"Is there anywhere anyone could think to start looking for them," Honora questioned getting back to the matter.

"The most logical place to look for anyone would probably be their house, but I don't think that applies here. People don't usually go missing in their own house."

"No that's a brilliant idea Bolin," Asami stroked her chin in thought.

"It is," the others collectively questioned.

"Yes. Think about it. Everyone's scouring the streets looking for Kaiden, so the most obvious places are the last places anybody would think to search. Plus, it's obvious that someone had been planning this for some time now. So they had to be watching them. Maybe there's some clues or something around the apartment."

"In an odd way that does make sense. And if there's nothing there, then what?"

"Then we check somewhere else, Bolin's apartment, my place, just places where they tend to be a lot. There's bound to be something, fingerprints, footprints, a loose strand of hair, something out of place, anything."

"Okay great, then let's go," Ela shouted pulling Bolin along and out the door, her short dark hair bouncing at the tops of her shoulders. Honora squinted her eyes in deep focus as she felt something odddly familiar about the young earthbending girl.

Asami noticed Honora's distant focused gaze. She gently placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder. "Honora, are you alright?"

She shook her head clear of the notions that had been stirring in it about Ela. "Oh, yes yes. I'm fine. We should get going." Slightly confused by the woman's random pause Asami disregarded it, running with her to catch up with Bolin and Ela.

They arrived at the apartment shortly thereafter. "Look for anything suspicious," Asami shouted as they all dispersed around the dwelling. After bumbling around for about ten minutes they were all convinced nothing there seemed out of place, until Bolin made a discovery in Kaiden's room. He called everyone in as he traipsed his hands along the wall.

"What is it Bolin?"

"I can feel metal within these walls?"

Asami stepped closer to him waiting for more of an explanation, "Metal?"

Ela ran her hand along the walls of the living room before calling out, "He's right. There's metal plates behind these walls too."

"But why would there be metal plates within the walls," Honora asked.

Bolin carefully concentrated on the walls bringing his knuckles together then separating them to expose the metal behind the wall. They all looked at the clearly odd structure that had been unknowingly concealed. Returning to the bedroom Ela glanced over the metal plate then the entire room. She ran to the open window stepping out onto the fire escape. Wrapping her hands around the metal bars of the fire escape, she planted her feet firmly on the little balcony, taking a deep breath before closing her eyes. She could feel Bolin, Asami, and Honora walking over toward the window through her seismic sense. And just vaguely she could feel their whispers reverberate through the metal. Letting go of the metal railings she opened her eyes to see Bolin watching from the other side of the window. "That's it," she muttered. "Someone put these metal plates in here to spy on them."

"Spy on them through the walls," Asami questioned.

"Yes. A metalbender would be able to feel through the metal outside on the fire escape and into these plates. I could feel you all moving around in the room, even your whispers very faintly. But someone really good and skilled could probably focus and feel even more and too from more of a distance to make it less obvious."

"Okay well this tells us how they'd been watching Mako and Korra, but how exactly does it help us find them," Honora asked.

"I think everyone's been looking all wrong," Bolin said tapping at his chin as the revelation came to him. "Think about it, someone clever enough to use metal plates to spy on someone isn't just going to take them and hide them in some run down building in the city somewhere in broad daylight. They're probably using earth and metal to their advantage to get around the city."

"Tunnels," Asami shouted. "No one can find anything because they're probably using tunnels!"

"Exactly," Bolin replied.

"You're a genius Bolin," Ela patted him on the back.

He started blushing at her compliment, "Well...you know me-"

Asami cut him off grabbing his arm, as she darted out of the room, "We have to get to BeiFong and tell her!"


"The tunnels have been secured and closed off Boss," a burly man explained.

"Excellent. What about the Avatar?"

"We've separated her and the firebender. He's in a cell already."

"This is easier than I thought it would be." She stood from her seat, making her way over to where Kaiden was cringing in a corner. As she knelt down to his level and extended a hand to him he cowered deeper into his corner. "It's okay little one," her voice was now sweet and reassuring but he still didn't trust it. Tear stains ingrained his soft tan skin. "Would you like a toy?" Kaiden remained silent, as she pulled a stuffed badger-mole from behind her back. "No? Okay suit yourself." Turning sharply on her heels she exited the room leaving Kaiden alone with the stuffed animal at his feet. After a moment of staring at his only companion his eyes began to water again followed by whimpers of fear. "Momma," he squealed desperately in fear before violently starting to snivel.


Korra gathered the last of her bags, loading them up onto the sky bison saddle. Though the equalist threats had been long extinguished Korra still made it a point to check in with the nations periodically as a part of her Avatar duties. After Kaiden had come into the picture she put her travels on a temporary halt, too enthralled with this new addition to her life to part from it so soon. Inevitably, she knew the time would come for her to resume her check-ins. And here, the day had arrived. She had it all mapped out: meet with the earth queen, hit up the Northern Water Tribe, Honora in the Firenation, stop at the Southern Water Tribe, then be right back to coddling Kaiden in about a week.

Everyone had gathered around to see her off on the Air Temple.

"Be careful now Korra," Tenzin cautioned her as he pulled out of their goodbye hug.

" Tenzin relax. How many times have I done this?"

"True. But you can never be too cautious,-" His words of worry were interrupted by his own children running up for their hugs, nearly knocking her over.

"I think this is the most danger I'll be getting into any time soon," she breathed out through the squeezes of the young airbenders.

Asami, Ela, and Bolin were next to offer their parting words and embraces, leaving Mako and Kaiden at the end of the goodbye train.

"Sure you'll be okay by yourself?"

"I'll be fine, you guys seem to forget I'm the Avatar. I should be asking you the same question." She gestured to Kaiden who was propped up on Mako's shoulder.

"We'll be good, right buddy?"

"Be good," the little boy parroted. Korra reached for him, playfully spinning him as she clutched him to her body. His giggles stopped when she put him down. Kneeling before him she focused on his sparkling eyes.

"I'm going to be gone for a little bit baby. But I'll be back before you know it," she said rubbing his warm tan hands between her own. His eyes focused on hers, carefully absorbing her words vaguely understanding the gist. "You take good care of your Daddy for me okay? And the both of you stay out of trouble," she threw a scolding glance to Mako who gave her a sheepish grin. Standing now to his level, she was unexpectedly scooped into his arms. Reluctantly pulling herself away from his warm body she looked at him with unwavering eyes, "I mean it Mako. No bending."

"I got it."

"I'm serious."

"Korra, I know you are. And I'm telling you we'll be perfectly fine?"

She pursed her lips at him. "All I'm saying is I better not come back to find the place burned down because you caved and let him bend again."

"Relax. We will both be in one piece when you get back. Promise." He extended his arms once more as if asking for a genuine hug this time. Korra obliged, fitting herself perfectly into his taller figure. He placed a kiss on her cheek whispering, "Be safe out there. I love you."

Without breaking away from him this time she replied, "I'll try. Love you too-" Their moment was slightly interrupted as Kaiden weaseled himself between them. He stared up toward Korra with wide eyes as if suddenly realizing the severity of her soon departure. "Momma no go, no go pease" he said shaking his Mako-coiffed chocolate hair aggressively while tugging at her legs. Her heart broke a little as she watched the tears start to trail off his face and hit the ground.

"Hey," she began to soothe him, wiping away his streaming tears. "No tears baby, you're gonna be okay and I'll be right back for you in no time!" He sniveled, pouting as she pulled her hands away from his face. Moving one hand in a back and forth motion she gathered the droplets of his tears making them dance in front of him. Just as the trick had worked when he was a newborn the trickling water dance calmed him. Realizing that she now had his relaxed attention she separated the droplets into three explaining to him, "This is me, you, and Daddy. When we're together we're one big family." She combined the droplets to demonstrate. "And because we're one big family, when we're apart we still have a little piece of everybody with us. See," she separated the droplets again for a visual. His fixation on the droplets deepened, making as much sense as a two year old possibly could out of her little analogy. "So even though I'll be gone for a little while I'll be right here when you need me," she said gently poking toward his heart. "And here," she said poking at a different spot. "And here. And here, and here and here too!" He erupted into an outburst of chuckles as she tickled him. "Mkay, I love you!"

"I wuv woo," he echoed. Tilting his head back he pursed his lips with a hum awaiting her kiss. Cupping his small face tightly she pursed her lips in the same fashion until they met his. She hesitantly returned him to Mako before finally boarding the sky bison and fading off into the air on her voyage.

The first few days without Korra weren't so bad. With Bolin, Ela, and Asami's help Mako had no problems keeping Kaiden occupied and distracted from Korra's absence. But by the third day it was obvious that the little boy was getting antsy and agitated without her.

With the sun finally setting, Mako readied Kaiden for bed. He tucked him in snug and warm before dimming the lights. The clouds that had been looming all day finally began to shed their festered up showers. Hearing the sudden drops fall and splash against the open windowsill Kaiden jolted up from his tucked in position, " Momma?" His eyes shot to the window only to see the billowing curtains. Seeing Kaiden's eyes go from pure excitement to disappointment in that split second, Mako himself was beginning to wish Korra would come home sooner.

"Sorry buddy it was just the rain," he said walking over to close the window. Kaiden sulked back into his sleeping position underneath the mound of blankets.

"Me miss Momma," he grumbleed with a pout.

"I know kiddo," Mako said gently stroking the boy's tussled hair. " Me too. But she'll be back soon. For now how about we get some sleep and dream about all the fun things we'll do when she gets back." Kaiden stared at him blankly while clutching one of the many stuffed animals on his bed. He let out a long yawn followed by his fluttering eyes craving sleep. Mako started listing off some things they would do when she got back until Kaiden was finally asleep. Exhausted himself Mako began dozing off. A crack of thunder startled him awake. Figuring Kaiden may have been just as shaken he looked over to him. To his surprise Kaiden hadnt stirred. Mako readjusted himself in the chair beside the bed. As he began drifting off into sleep again he noticed a faint glow around Kaiden. Feeling that his eyes were deceiving him he rubbed them for clarity. Peering past the blankets Mako was shocked to find that his eyesight hadn't failed him. A light, spirit glow surrounded the boy as he slept. Immediately nervous and afraid Mako reached out a hand gently touching the small body. When his hand made contact the glow vanished and Kaiden rolled over half asleep, half awake. "Daddy?" Mako patted him down making sure he was still in one piece.

"See Momma," he mumbled

Confused, Mako could hardly reply. "You...you saw Momma?"

The corners of Kaiden's mouth drew up into a small grin as he confirmed, "Saw Momma." Followed by an effortless yawn, he wiggled back into the blankets shutting his eyes and returning to his slumber.

Mako darted to the phone feverishly poking and prodding at the numbers until the call went through. "Bolin," he shouted anticipating his brother's voice.

Groggily responding Bolin yawned through the phone, " Mako do you see the time! We all aren't on vacation this week bro. I legit just got in from a five hour stakeout of the Triple Threats and got to be at the station at five."

"Bolin when you or Ela or Asami watch Kaiden do you ever notice him do anything odd?"

"Hmm I mean sometimes he picks his boogers but-"

"No Bo I'm serious. One minute he's asleep then the next he's glowing!"

"Well, now that you mention it, sometimes he does have this glow about him. It's probably that rich mix of Firenation and Water Tribe complexions-"

"I'm not kidding around here Bolin,'" Mako's voice quaked in frustration. "He was glowing, like Spirit World glowing. And then he was half awake saying that he saw Korra."

"Whoa okay slow down. Is he alright, is he hurt? And what do you mean he saw Korra? She probably in the Southern Water Tribe by now."

Peering past the doorway Mako observed his son, quiet and still in a peaceful sleep."He seems fine now I guess. He's sleeping. But I'm worried Bo. I mean you know how crazy things could get in the Spirit World, what if something happens to him if he does that again!"

"Okay try and calm down Mako. You said he's alright now, maybe this-whatever it was, was just a one time thing."

"Maybe...but what if it's not? Should I take him to a doctor or something?"

"Just keep an eye on him like you always do. And if anything call Tenzin when it's actually daylight out. He's like a spirit encyclopedia he might know what's going on."

"You're probably right." Now a little more calm, Mako's breathing returned to a normal pace as he supported himself in the doorway.

"Do you think he really saw Korra though?"

"If it weren't for that freaky spirit glow surrounding him I would've just assumed he was dreaming, but I really don't know?"

Bolin couldn't hold back his much needed yawn anymore, letting his words drag out with the exhale, "Well for now I think we all just need some sleep." Mako stayed quiet still looking at Kaiden now cuddled into the blankets and humming soft snores. "So try and rest up and just see how things go tomorrow okay?"

"Okay."

"Good night Mako." Bolin hung up the phone stretching his arms widely eager to get a few hours of sleep.

"Maybe he's right. It's probably nothing to be worried about," Mako tried to convince himself before heading back to sleep.


Down in the Southern Water Tribe, Korra had just arrived after a long trip from the Firenation. Although excited to see her family she was also desperately craving some rest. While her father helped her with her bags, her mother made her some traditional Water Tribe herbal tea. After making her way to her room she plopped down on the bed immediately dozing off. Her sleep was interrupted as she felt an odd sensation of spiritual energy travel through her body. It startled her awake, and upon opening her eyes at the foot of her bed she saw a ghostly version of Kaiden sitting before her wrapped in blankets and holding his stuffed badger-mole. He chuckled his familiar little laugh. "Kaiden," she whispered before reaching out to touch the figure. Her hand went right through him and suddenly he disappeared.

Senna had finally come into the room with the tea, seeing Korra oddly stretching her hand out to the air at the end of the bed. "Korra?" She turned sharply at her mother's voice, her hand slowly lowering. "Are you okay sweetheart?"

"I...um. I think I just saw Kaiden," she said not believing it herself.

"Did you have a dream about him?"

"No mom, not like a dream at all. Like he was actually here, sitting in front of me. I don't really know how to explain it." Senna set down the tea on the small nightstand before placing a hand on Korra's shoulder.

"You've had a long day sweetheart, maybe you just need some rest yea?" Korra could sense the doubt in her mother's voice, and didn't feel like trying to further explain so she nodded in agreement. Senna ignored her odd behavior and hugged her tightly, "It's so nice to have you back home for a little while, and we can catch up in the morning. Good night." Korra stared up at the ceiling trying to make sense of what had just happened, eventually just dismissing it in exchange for her much needed rest.

When she finally returned to Republic City everything seemed to return to the normal routine. One night while Kaiden slept and they ate dinner Korra decided to bring it up. "You know when I was gone, one night in the Southern Water Tribe I swore I saw Kaiden."

Mako bumbled with his fork, until it clanked on the plate. "Really? That same night probably was the night he had this weird blue spirit glow around him. He woke up saying he saw you. Korra, how did that happen?"

Just as equally surprised by the other half of the story she leaned in closer toward him. "He did! I thought I was just going crazy, I have no idea how it happened."

" I talked to Tenzin about it and he was kind of baffled too. He said it sounded similar to a technique really skilled airbenders could use, called spiritual projection. It's like spirit jumping from one place to another."

"But Kaiden's not an airbender. And he's only two!"

"Yea, that stumped Tenzin too. But I've been thinking about it and you know maybe it has something to do with the valley. You remember all the crazy spirit energy there. Maybe the Mother of Faces gave him some strange powers too."

"Could be but why? What for?"

"No idea," Mako shook his head.

Looking off toward's Kaiden's bedroom she let it all swirl around in her head another moment before finally saying, "I guess we'll find out in time."


Finally crying himself into exhaustion, Kaiden curled up asleep against the badger-mole. He still whimpered in discomfort in his sleep, tossing and turning on the pillow that he had been provided with. After some time of uneasy wallowing, the bluish glow hovered around him.

Back in the tunnels where Korra sat pressed against the metal wall. She lifted her head up from her knees only to see a glowing Kaiden before her. Shocked, and in disbelief that this was actually happening again she scrambled to her feet trying to get to him. "Kaiden," she finally rasped out questioningly. He didn't utter a sound, instead he merely began running down the dark tunnel. She followed him until he suddenly disappeared before her, leaving her at a dead end in the tunnels. Now more confused than before she patted at the three surrounding walls, "Wait! No! No! Kaiden!"

Ok, there you go finally another chapter. Can't believe Korra ended that finale was epic. Well thank goodness for fanfiction so it never is truly over. Anyways I hope you enjoyed that chapter, I know it's been a lot of flashbacks but hope you're liking them. As always tell me what you think and review and comment please. Hope you have a great New Year's. And more to come soon.