Fractured
Bolin laid wide awake on his bed, worry wrinkles and messy hair adorning his face, and his tired eyes peering out the window. He had stayed up all night, worry and hope consuming him as he thought about Mako slipping off into the night with Naga, most likely to find Korra. The crescent moon had vanished and was replaced by the rising sun in the horizon, meaning that Mako had been gone all night. It was simply nerve wrecking to the younger brother.
"It's already morning, Mako," Bolin muttered to himself, "Why aren't you here yet?"
Caw
Caw
The morning birds' songs echoed through the island, and Bolin sighed. Sure, the earthbender was worried about Korra, they all were, but he had to be a little bit rational about this. Acting on impulse when the Avatar was missing could turn out bad, so Bolin tried his best to remain calm. Mako had said that Tarrlok seemed suspicious, and Bolin believed him one-hundred percent. But did Mako have to sneak out at night without telling anyone? Bolin didn't think so. He thought that the elder brother should have just said something to either Asami or even himself! They would've understood…to an extent.
A million scenarios ran through Bolin's head. Some were the sight of Mako still roaming the streets with an exhausted Naga, and no Korra in sight. Another was an image of Korra in Mako's strong grip, beaten and bruised, close to the brink of death. This one sent shivers up the young man's spine, but it wasn't the last. Tarrlok came across Bolin's mind a couple times. It had the scenes of Mako stranding before him, palms flared as he yelled at the councilman's location of Korra. It all ended in Mako failing to get Korra, which made the earthbender disgusted in himself.
"I need to have more faith in him." Bolin states simply as he stares at his bedroom ceiling.
Caw
Caw
Bolin's bushy brows furrowed at the birds' noises again. Throwing both legs to the side of the bed, Bolin got into a sitting position, and buried his tired face into his palms, and green eyes closed shut. More thoughts ran through the earthbender's mind. They were all the same. Tarrlok, Korra, Mako, and Naga swarmed through his imagination. But a certain thought brought another spine tingling sensation.
It had the image of a broken Mako lying in the streets, and Tarrlok stood tall and mighty, a blood drenched weapon in his hands. Naga lay unmoving and her once white coat was covered in blood and dirt. The firebender still was still breathing, but it was shallow and pained. Korra was still nowhere in sight, and this time, Mako and Naga were the ones close to the brink of death.
Bolin growled in frustration and pulled on his dark brown locks with anxiety. Where was Mako?
"Naga, you can rest…we're here."
Deep green eyes snapped open to a familiar voice coming from outside. Even though the command was muffled through the closed window, Bolin recognized who it was. Jumping onto the balls of his feet, Bolin strode to his window, and busted it open. Propping both palms on the sill, Bolin leaned out, green eyes narrowing through the large bushes that crossed his path. He stared out until he finally saw it: The thick white fur of Naga at the courtyard.
Bolin practically busted through his door and rammed through the hallways. His heavy footsteps boomed through the still quiet home, but he didn't care. Mako and Naga were back and hopefully with Korra.
.
Mako perched himself on the first couple stone steps to the airbending home. His muscled ached and his head throbbed from tiredness, but it didn't stop the man from pulling himself away from Naga, so she could have some weight off of her. Gold eyes gazed at the sight before him. Tarrlok was still on his belly on the lower side of the polar bear dog, passed out. It worried the firebender a little bit, but he brushed it off. Korra splayed her damaged limbs all over Naga, taking up most of the space, still asleep. In the morning light, Mako could now fully observe the amount of hurt she endured in her 24-hour abduction. Scabs, dirt, bruises, and dried blood covered her body, and it enraged Mako to no end, but he was glad the young girl was safe now. Gold eyes averted to the large beast that seemed to have fallen asleep.
Naga had been such a strong trooper. The creature took alleyways and abandoned streets to avoid any human conflict, and even took great lengths as to swim across Yue Bay once more. Naga didn't take as much damage, but she was still a living being. Sleep probably consumed her mind, but the polar bear dog was focused on getting her master back home for medical attention. Mako tensed when he realized that Korra was still in a broken condition.
Medical attention
For Korra
Agni, how could I forget!
Muttering curse words to himself for forgetting, the firebender moved to get up when the main door behind him opened with a large thud. Mako turned around, expecting either Tenzin or one of the White Lotus guards to be rushing towards him, but was surprised to see someone else.
"Mako!" Bolin yelled as he ran out the door with outstretched arms, "I'm so glad you're back."
Bolin attacked the tired man in a tight hug, and all Mako could do was roll his eyes and smile.
"Glad to see you too, Bo. Did know you were awake this early." he started, "Wait…you knew about me leaving?"
Bolin froze and unlatched his arms from the elder brother. Mako raised a brow at the young man's behavior, but was taken aback at the feeling of a rough shove against his chest. Taking a couple steps back, Mako blinked and readjusted his sight. Bolin had a large hand in front of him, a scowl on his face.
"That was for sneaking out last night, and making me worry! I stayed up all night because of you." Bolin said with a deep frown.
Mako shook his head and laughed a little, appreciating the fact that his younger brother did his actions out of worry and love. Bolin heard his older brother's chuckle, and broke a tiny grin, too. A groan broke from a couple meters back broke their bond, and the brothers knew who it was. The earthbender turned to the noise and a gasp escaped his lips. Bare feet trudged across the cobblestone ground, and Bolin finally stopped to Naga's side, where Korra rested.
"Mako, what happened?" Bolin asked quietly as he ran a gentle finger across Korra's face, "Who gave her all these cuts?"
Mako sighed deeply and walked towards his brother. Placing a firm hand on Bolin's shoulder, Mako pointed to the chained man that was close to slipping off Naga. Bolin followed Mako's direction and his thick brows furrowed.
"Tarrlok?" Bolin asked incredulously.
Mako nodded, "I told you he was hiding something yesterday. I snuck out to get answers from him last night, but ended up following him all the way to the mountains. He was the one that hurt Korra."
Bolin remained quiet for a moment, drinking in the information Mako had said. The earthbender knew that Tarrlok had something to do with Korra's disappearance, but he didn't know how bad it would turn out to be. Another groan, but more pained, came from Korra, and Mako was instantly by her side. Bolin's green eyes observed the pair. Mako had a soft but worried look on his face as he stroked Korra's bruised hands. Korra's groans and whimpering died down at his touch, and Bolin couldn't fight the knowing smirk off his face. But it hit the young man that Mako's touch wasn't going to repair the avatar's beaten body.
Stepping backwards from the couple, Bolin called out to Mako, "Hey, bro. I'm going to get Tenzin and a few healers. Korra's going to need them."
Mako didn't take his stare off Korra, but instead nodded and waved an urgent hand to the younger brother. Bolin's light footsteps pattered away, leaving Mako and Korra alone.
.
Knock
Knock
Knock
Quiet snores emitted from a large bedroom. The room was cluttered with rustic furniture and the walls held tall windows. Light shone through and covered the room in yellow light. A heavily pregnant woman laid with her husband, her eyes closed, and sharp brows furrowed with every knock that came from the door. The husband was sleeping away, not hearing the loud knocking.
Knock
Knock
"Uh…okay. Mr. Tenzin? Mrs. Pema? I'm sorry to wake you but it's urgent."
Bolin's muffled yells penetrated through the wooden door. Pema's light green eyes opened and propped her elbows behind her. Tenzin twitched in his sleep, but showed no signs of waking up. Pema's face dropped to an annoyed expression.
"Tenzin, wake up. Bolin's at the door."
Incoherent grumbles
"Tenzin!"
A snore.
"Please open the door. It's Korra. She's here. Mako brought her back."
Pema's eyes widened at Bolin's muffled statement and immediately began to shake Tenzin awake.
"Bolin? I hear you! Just let me wake up Tenzin." Pema shouted back at the door.
The woman violently shook the airbending master, but nothing worked. Pema guessed that all the stress of Korra's abduction took a toll on Tenzin's well-being, for he was usually pretty easy to wake up. Pema understood her husband's stress, through. Korra was seen as another daughter to both of the adults' eyes, and even more so towards Tenzin. Korra was the reincarnation of his late father, so of course Tenzin always felt a strong connection towards the girl. The airbending master was always so stern, but loving towards the teenager through the highs and lows of her life. Pema sighed and shook the man again, but to no avail.
Losing all patience for her husband, Pema raised her hand and swoop it across the older man's face, creating a loud popping sound to echo through the room.
Pop
"Pema!" an enraged and very much awake Tenzin yelled, "What do you think you're doing?"
Said woman simply pointed to the rustic door, "Bolin's at the door. It's about Korra."
The moment the word 'Korra' left the pregnant woman's mouth, Tenzin leaped out of bed and searched for the closest robe he could find. Quick footsteps approached the bedroom door, and Tenzin almost about ripped the door in half. Tenzin finally pried the door open and was surprised to see Bolin waiting nervously. The earthbender was twiddling with his thumbs, and he seemed to perk up when he saw the elder man emerge from his bedroom.
"Master Tenzin! It's so great to see you! It's Korra. Mako got Korra back!" Bolin exclaimed with animated arm movements.
"What? Mako? How?" Tenzin questioned as he walked past the excited man.
A shy laugh escaped Bolin's lips, "Well you see…he snuck out last night. Don't be mad at him though!" Bolin's hands rise up in defense, "It was all for Korra, and he brought another person with him. They're at the courtyard!"
Tenzin momentarily stops at the young man's last remark and continues on again, "Who else did Mako bring? It's very early."
A pause.
"Tarrlok."
The airbending master visibly flinches and runs towards the courtyard, Bolin in tow.
.
Mako was left alone with a napping Korra and Naga, plus a corrupt councilman. The firebender ran his hand through Korra's thick locks, soothing her pain away. A few healers arrived moments later, thanks to Bolin. They carried towels, blankets, and Spirits, even a tray of food. Mako was surprised to see that the tray of food was for him, and not the sleeping girl. As he took a bite out of a fresh toast of bread, the firebender grew a little protective when the healers tried to carry Korra out of his sight. Dropping the tray of food, Mako ran towards the healers, worry and anger etched on his face. He argued with some of them, and others were too focused on the Politian laying limp on Naga's back.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we have to take the Avatar away."
"The name's Mako, and her name's Korra, not the Avatar."
"Never mind that, we have to heal her."
"Well I'm not letting you hold her because you're going to hurt her. Let me do it!"
So here Mako was, food long forgotten, still arguing his tired brains out with an unreasonable healer, in his opinion.
"You're wasting our time, boy!" A male healer exclaimed as he reached out for Korra.
Mako grabbed the man's wrist, "I'm wasting your time? I'm offering to carry her to wherever she needs to be, but you keep rejecting it. Let me-"
The sound of the main door unlatching itself from its locks is heard, and Mako and the arguing healers silenced themselves. Tenzin rushed out of the house, orange and yellow robes flowing behind him, and Bolin stayed by the doorway. Grey eyes spot a battered girl on Naga's back, and Tenzin rushed over, not caring if he were barefooted or not.
"Korra." Tenzin breathed out as he observed her figure. It really troubled him that dried blood caked her clothes and skin, especially her back. Wait…why was she still here?
Turning around to face the healers, an irritated expression crossed Tenzin's face, "What is Korra still doing out here?"
The healers immediately pointed their fingers towards a certain firebender. Mako felt eyes on him and he glanced around. Bolin caught Mako's eyes for a bit, and he saw the earthbender shaking his head in disappointment. Sighing in defeat, Mako dropped his head and scratched the back of his neck.
Tenzin's brow rose with shock, "Mako? What is going on?"
"They wanted to take Korra away…but I sort of freaked out. I mean, look at her!" Mako's hands whip to Korra's figure, "They were going to carry her away, like a rag-doll. No, Korra's gone through enough of that. So…I volunteered to carry her myself, but these nutjobs won't let me!"
"We were not going to carry the Avatar like a rag-doll!" a female healer spoke up with indignation.
Mako's head reeled to the woman, a snarl on his face, "Her name's Korra! Don't just address her as The Avatar!"
The woman retorted again, and Mako did as well. Soon, the whole yard was filled with angered statements from the healers and pointing from Mako. Tenzin stood by Naga and Korra, his eyes closed in what seemed like a quick meditation. Bolin still stood by the doorway, keen eyes watching out for his brother in case he went out of hand. Tarrlok still went unnoticed to the whole crowd, until a certain young woman, who was very much awake, kicked the man off the polar bear dog, creating a large thud to halt the large fight.
"Can you guys shut up? I'm trying to sleep over here."
Korra's exhausted voice weaved through the courtyard, which startled everyone in it. Tenzin jumped from the clanks of Tarrlok's chains and he immediately moved towards the councilman, remembering Bolin's statement. The healers searched for their towels and rags as they stepped closer to the girl. Bolin remained in his spot, not wanting to get caught in the heard of humans. Mako pushed past everyone else, fire igniting in his eyes, but a few strong male healers caught the man's arms, which halted the boy's journey to the girl. Annoyed yells came from Mako's mouth, as the male healers escorted him away. (Second time in 48 hours that someone did that to him)
The healers touched her injured skin, and pried at her tattered hair. All Korra could think about was how painful this is to her…how their cold skin glides across hers in an unloving manner. It all reminded her of those horrible chains…
"I want Mako to carry me."
The avatar's frail voice flows through the yard once more, and it stops the healers from touching her. A long pause grows in the area. Tenzin remains by Tarrlok's limp figure, but still stands guard of the Avatar and Bolin shifts his feet, nervous to how the healers would act. The male healers who took it upon themselves to take Mako away halted, and they looked at each other. Hesitantly, the two unleashed the firebender in their grips.
Mako felt a warm sensation in his chest when Korra called out to him, and felt even the tinge of success as the men released their grip. Walking towards Korra, Mako observed the odd looks of the healers. He couldn't help but grin at their expense.
Mako got to Korra's side and outstretched his strong arms like he had hours ago. Korra gave the firebender a small smile before she felt the feeling of Naga's soft and warm fur leave her and was replaced by the familiar hands and arms of Mako. The young man's hands and arms were encircled around the back of Korra's knees and upper back.
Turning around to the crowd of healers, Mako smirked, "So, where do we go?"
A few grumbled and a couple thought it was cute of the avatar to ask for her…friend. Were they friends? Or more? They didn't even know.
"Just…follow me." The same male healer that told Mako he was wasting their time mumbled.
Mako followed the man, Korra in his arms. As Mako walked, the healers slowly followed the firebender and Avatar, still peering and observing the couple. (They're dating. It's he with the Asami girl? Nah, I think they're done… Rumors spread fast 'round here, ya know?)
They all passed through the doorway and into the house, and only Korra caught the knowing glint in Bolin's green eyes.
.
"Tenzin, what are you going to do with Tarrlok?" Bolin approached the airbender with his hands on his hips.
The two men were left in the courtyard, not bothering to get crossed with Mako. Naga still slept on the cobblestone ground, whining or snoring every so often. Tenzin was bothered with the fact that Tarrlok was with Mako and Korra, and in chains no less!
"I'm going to call Lin and Saikhan," Tenzin answered the earthbender after some time; "I believe Tarrlok has some explaining to do."
Bolin nodded and stared at the Politian with hate and confusion. A whine from Naga caught the attention of both men, and Bolin affectionately rubbed the beast's side.
"Tarrlok's got a lot of explaining to do."
.
"I thought you didn't want me to carry you." Mako whispered to the girl in his arms. The light patting of his feet to the floorboards was enough to keep the girl awake.
Korra grumbled, "I didn't like how cold their hands were…"
Mako's taken aback with her answer, "Did they…remind you of those chains?" He's almost regrets his question. Almost.
The slight nod of Korra's head to his chest is enough for Mako, and he holds her a little tighter.
"Don't worry about Tarrlok, alright? He won't hurt you anymore." Mako wonders why his voice is once again so dry.
"I'm not worried…" Mako gives Korra a pointed look, "I'm not!" A chuckle escapes the older boy.
"Whatever you say, Ms. Avatar"
Korra is silent after his statement, and Mako looks down with worry. The girl's blue eyes stare tiredly at his chest, and Mako suspects that she just wants to sleep. A cough interrupts the firebender's thoughts.
"You're going to have to set her in this room, is that alright?" A young healer said as she stood in front of a rustic room.
It was too soon to let go of Korra, but Mako knows he has to. Walking into the stale room, Mako observes the plainness and how dark it was, until another healer brushes past him to open a very large window next to the bed, and leaves.
Mako is left standing with Korra in his arms. Trudging his feet to the bed, Mako gently lays the wounded girl on her back. Korra's sapphire eyes meet Mako's golden ones, and a wide grin sets on her face. Mako grins back and ruffles her hair in an affectionate manner.
"Promise you'll get better?" Mako's hands brush the side of her wounded cheek.
Korra looks up at him through her tussled hair and nods. Mako nods back and slowly walks away from the bed. The girl stares longingly at the man's back, and she subconsciously calls out his name. Mako freezes in mid-step, and turns around with a questioning look.
"Uh…" Korra feels her cheeks burn up, "Promise me you'll be here when I wake up?" Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! Korra wanted to rip her hair out.
Mako's tired laugher reaches her ears, but doesn't answer. Instead he turns back and calls on healers to re-enter the room. Korra is left fuming in her bed, not liking how Mako just brushed her question off. Moments later, healers with buckets of water and a syringe enter the room, and Mako leans on the doorframe, honey irises watching their every move. The feeling of water pouring onto her skin and a sedative come to her senses, and Korra just realized how transfixed her attention was to a certain firebender. Everything became bright as day, then bursts of black engulfed her once more.
I am so sorry for not updating as soon as I wanted! I got some AP homwork to deal with, plus work!
Well, they arrived at Air Temple Island! Tenzin will elaborate more on Tarrlok's case in the next chapter!
I thank you so very much for the amount of reviews, favs, and alerts this story has been getting! Please keep them up! Especailly the review! I am very motivated by them!
Stay tuned for the next ch!