AN/Warning: If you don't want to cry then don't read this chapter. Trust me I wrote this chapter and I cried.
Chapter 8: The Cruelty and Injustice of Death
Tonraq watched as the mad polar bear dog ran in circles in no particular pattern. He and Chena had been tracking the mad beast and were finally able to catch up to him, though it had taken them all day and the sun was beginning to set.
Although they were only a few yards away from the animal it had not yet spotted them due to both Chena's and Tonraq's superior hunting skills. Even though they had a clear shot, Chena suggested waiting until nightfall when the moon was out. "We're going to need our full waterbending strength to take that monster down." Chena concluded.
Tonraq nodded in agreement but he was slightly distracted. Could this really be the same polar bear dog that he tried hunting so long ago? Tonraq squinted his eyes to get a better look at the animal, it was about the right age and there was a mark near its heart.
Tonraq looked at Chena needing to talk. "You know it's funny. Many years ago I tried hunting a polar bear dog and we marked each other up pretty good. I think Anuun was right that is the same one."
Chena looked to Tonraq. "Seems you two have a bit of a score to settle."
Tonraq sighed, "Yeah, you would think so but I actually owe him quite a bit."
"What do you mean?"
"Well that incident brought me closer to my brother, and was part of the reason I went to the South Pole to learn waterbending, meet my lovely wife and give birth to my beautiful daughter." Tonraq shook his head. "Seeing him like this in so much pain. It's hard to bear."
Chena placed his hand on Tonraq's shoulder, "Well at least you will help put him out of his misery."
Tonraq smiled and nodded. He then noticed that the animal was sniffing the air. After which he started running, fast. "Looks like he is on the move."
"Yeah, let's follow." Tonraq and Chena both grabbed their weapons and started following the monster.
As Korra and Akiak munched happily on their fish Aga suddenly became very suspicious. "We're being watched."
Akiak leaned to Korra "If Aga says we're being watched then we'd better be careful. She has some of the best senses in the North Pole. They say she can hear a needle drop in the snow 100 feet away."
Aga began to bark orders to her teammates, "Hurry up and finish your fish there are two polar bear dogs 20 yards from here they must've been attracted by the fish."
Korra was impressed. "Hey wait, it might be Naga and her mother." Korra said with excitement. Then she did something that Akiak and Aga probably should have seen coming but didn't, she called them over. "HEY NAGA, COME OVER HERE!"
"Are you crazy Korra!" Aga hissed. We aren't even sure if that even is Naga. Besides even if it is you don't call a polar bear dog over like it's a pet." However before Aga could scold Korra anymore Naga had climbed into Korra's lap and began to lick her face. "Well that was unexpected."
Akiak laughed. "Korra I had no idea you tamed Naga."
Korra looked toward Akiak. "Um, I didn't do anything special I just helped it out of a polar bear dog trap, and we just clicked."
Aga looked worriedly toward Naga's mother. "Korra, why isn't the mother attacking?"
Korra shrugged her shoulders. "Chena told me that polar bear dogs don't attack children, something about them being too smart to do such a thing." Korra handed Naga a fish which she wolfed down gratefully. "Guess you're hungry Naga."
"Do you think I could pet her?" Akiak asked.
"I don't see why not." However as Akiak leaned over to stroke Naga's fur both she and her mother started growling softly. "I guess Naga and her mom only trust me to hold her." Korra said as Akiak quickly recoiled his hand.
Aga stretched her arms. "Well it seems that they came to us, and they don't look like they are going to attack us or are going anywhere." Aga then looked toward Korra, "we should all get some sleep."
Akiak gasped. "Aga usually you're so cautious. Do you think sleeping with a couple of polar bear dogs around is a wise decision."
Aga sighed. "Well normally I wouldn't make a suggestion like this but; I don't know I guess I trust them to not trust us because Korra said we will be okay." Aga smiled at Korra. "Besides we have to trust our friends Akiak."
Everyone seemed to be relaxed despite the fact that they shouldn't have trusted each other. The polar bear dogs and waterbenders both enemies in practically every aspect slept soundly together with little fear that one would harm the other. However such peaceful moments cannot last forever.
It was Naga's mother who first woke up and started growling viciously; Aga then woke up and bolted out of her sleeping bag. "Get up everyone we have company."
Korra and Akiak sat up in alarm. Naga was shaking violently in Korra's arms. "Naga's scared, you don't thinkā¦" Before Korra could finish her sentence a giant white mass of sheer muscle jumped in the middle of their camp landing mere feet away from Korra's position. Too shocked to move Korra watched as the polar bear dog lunged toward her and Naga when a solid wall of ice appeared blocking it.
"Korra are you alright." A familiar voice called.
Korra shook her head recovering from the shock. "Dad, is that you? What is the plan of action?"
Tonraq smiled, his daughter was quick to recover. "You, Akiak, and Aga need to put some distance between yourselves and the polar bear dog. He has the advantage at close range even in the night time."
Korra nodded as did Akiak and Aga who also heard the plan. However getting distance between them and the monster was easier said than done. "I have an idea let's split up." Akiak said. "I'll make some noise so it follows me then Aga, you and Korra can slip me out of there." Despite Aga's plea to reconsider they went ahead and split up. However things did not go as planned.
Instead of chasing Akiak the animal chased Korra. "I don't understand. Why is he after Korra?" Aga wondered. Then it hit her. "Korra he's after Naga, let her go and run."
Let of Naga? How could Aga suggest such a thing? Naga was going to be her animal guide. Naga looked up to Korra with one of complete faith and trust, a look that showed Korra that she could also put her faith and trust into Naga. Despite the fact that Korra should've been tired after so much running she felt Naga give her strength as she sprinted as fast as she could toward Tonraq and Chena.
"If I can just get him close enough, dad and Master Chena should be able to take him out." Korra thought aloud.
Understanding Korra's plan everyone readied themselves. Tonraq and Chena readied to attack, while Akiak and Aga readied to pull Korra out of harm's way. It was a good plan, if only Korra didn't underestimate the speed of a mad polar bear dog. "Korra, watch it!" Akiak yelled. "Damn, I can't reach her."
Korra spun around and saw the giant foaming mass lunging toward her. Holding Naga in her arms Korra could not do any waterbending to protect herself. However before the beast could reach her and Naga he was broadsided by another white and muscle-filled mass. "Looks, like mama came to save us." Korra grinned excitedly.
"Korra now's your chance. Get over here" Chena yelled. Korra nodded carrying Naga as fast as she could toward her father and Chena, she made it.
The mad polar bear dog and Naga's mother started to circle each other, both baring their teeth, each one intending to kill the other. The mad one was the first to attack. He lunged at the mother with full intent to bite her on the throat, but the mother was too fast as she leapt back. She then charged him knocking him off balance.
Korra and Naga both cheered in excitement. "Yeah go Naga's mom, you got this!"
However before the mother could finish off the mad one he twisted biting her on the leg. The mother yelped in pain. The mad one growled and got up. The mother was in a great deal of pain. The mad one struck again slashing at the mother's shoulder, but only managed to get a minor scratch. The mother was able to return the favor only delivering a much deeper cut exposing muscle tissue. However the mother knew that the pain was too much for her. She would not be able to finish the mad one off that would be up to the waterbenders. Pushing through the pain she rammed herself into the mad one knocking him towards Tonraq and Chena. Understanding what needed to be done they readied a large ice spike crushing the mad one's head killing it instantly. With a bit of remorse Tonraq bit his lip; he had finally gotten his old enemy.
Akiak and Aga cheered joyously. Korra however was solemn. "Master Chena, I saw the mad polar bear dog bite Naga's mother."
Chena nodded, "yeah, I saw it too."
Korra looked down. "Before you kill her make sure she knows that I'll take good care of Naga."
Chena knelt beside Korra, "of course."
Chena walked slowly toward Naga's mother who was breathing shallowly. The rabies were already spreading through her bloodstream. Expecting her to snap at any moment Chena readied himself. However to his surprise the mother did not growl at him as he approached.
Chena smiled at her, as she started licking the wound on her front left paw where she had been bitten. Despite her predicament she seemed to be at peace. Did she already know about the relationship between her daughter and Korra?
Chena knelt close to Naga's mother and spoke softly. "Do not fret. Korra will take good care of Naga." The mother stopped licking her injury then looked towards Korra and Naga, then turned and looked to Chena with sad eyes nodded. "You are a remarkable creature." Chena praised as he shot the spike of ice down to her neck with pinpoint accuracy that killed her instantly.
The same way that blood flowed out of the mother's neck, tears flowed out of Korra's eyes. Sensing Korra's sadness and feeling great sadness of her own, Naga tilted back her head and howled a solemn song to the moon.
