Thursday morning was accompanied by muffled voices, the clangs of pots and pans drifting down the hall. Korra listened to the quite din as it floated through the cracked door. She stared at the ceiling, her arms wrapped securely around a still snoozing Asami, the woman resting on her chest. She stroked her finger tips along Asami's spine, Asami's warmth and the sounds of her parents' laughter filling her with peace. She sighed in happiness, sinking further into the soft mattress, Asami's weight settling more comfortably on top of her.

She was tempted to close her eyes and let sleep claim her once more, but a look at the bedside clock pushed that notion aside. She barely suppressed a groan as she wiggled her way out from under Asami, without disturbing her. Crossing to the bathroom she washed her face, brushed her teeth and hair, then stepped into a comfy pair of jeans, and pulled a lightweight, soft sweater over her head. Padding out of the room she followed the sounds of laughter till she came to the kitchen.

Kya and Pema stood at the sink peeling potatoes, while Senna stood over the oven stirring a large pot of what Korra figured was soup. Her nose caught the heavenly scent of baking bread and her mouth watered. "Morning." She called as she crossed to the coffee pot, pouring herself a cup and settling at the small kitchen table.

"Morning sweetie. Asami still sleeping?" Senna kissed Korra on the forehead as she set a plate of freshly buttered, still warm, bread and a couple eggs in front of her.

"Yep." Korra took a bite of the bread, savoring the delicious delicacy by eating it slowly. "I think she may have had one too many shots of Frozen Tundra. She's usually up before I am."

"She wasn't the only one. You're father's nursing a headache." Senna said adding a few seasonings to the large pot.

"And I don't think Bolin or Opal will roll out of their bed until much later." Kya said as she turned to look at Korra. "Lin said they were in bad shape when she drove them home."

"Korra, would you be a dear and stuff the turkey when you finish?" Senna glanced at her daughter.

Korra shoved the last of her bread into her mouth and stood, brushing crumbs from her clothes. "Sure thing mama." She grabbed the bowl of stuffing Senna pulled from the fridge and rolled her sleeves up. Grabbing a handful of stuffing she started scooping it into the turkey's cavity. This was how Asami found her, elbow deep in a turkey. She smiled, her face lighting up when the woman strolled into the kitchen. The sight of her messy bun, a few tendrils spilling free to frame her face, her dark rimmed glasses, and painted lips, all combined with her sporting Korra's favorite hoodie sent said woman's heart fluttering.

"Hello everyone." Asami smiled, somewhat timidly as she found four pairs of eyes on her. "Can I help with anything?" She asked leaning against the counter near Korra, directing her question towards her.

"Mom would be the one to ask." Korra grinned over at her.

"What's that look for?" Asami asked quietly, leaning closer to her.

"Nothing, just basking in your cuteness right now."

Asami rolled her eyes, as the corners of her mouth turned upward. "I forgot my contact solution."

"Babe, your glasses make you look very cute. I like them." Korra wiped her hands on a towel and stepped forward, kissing Asami on the nose, causing the other woman to giggle.

"Thank you." Asami patted her cheek and turned her attention to Senna. "Senna, may I help with anything?"

"Well, I think we have everything covered." Senna caught the quickly covered look of disappointment on Asami's face. "Have you ever made chicken and noodles from scratch?"

"No. But I'd love to learn." Asami smiled enthusiastically as Senna waved her over.

"First let's get you one of these." Senna pulled open a drawer and placed the straps of an apron over Asami's head, before stepping around behind her to tie it in a neat bow.

"There's my Korrabear!" Tonraq bellowed as he stepped into the kitchen, snatching his daughter into a hug.

Korra's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, not only from the force of the hug but the fact that he had used that name. "Dad, we talked about this!"

Asami hid her smile behind her hand. "Oh, Korrabear is there something wrong?"

"Oh no! Not you too?" Korra covered her ears to block out the tittering of laughter.

"It's cute." Asami grinned as she rolled the sleeves of the hoodie up.

Korra only growled as she followed her father outside.

"She loved that name when she was little." Senna cut her eyes to the door before pulling a binder off the top of a shelf. She flipped a few pages until she found the one she was looking for. "Look here."

Asami leaned over Senna's shoulder and fell in love all over again. She looked upon a worn photo of a small child, dressed only in a pair on underwear, and a blue sheet tied around their shoulders like a cape. Arms raised to flex tiny muscles, belly protruding, and a big, goofy, lopsided grin on their face. Had the grin not given it away, those eyes certainly would have. Asami noted how Korra's eyes, then and now, were still full of happiness and innocence. "You had your hands full didn't you?"

Pema snorted with laughter. "When it came to Korra, we all had our hands full. With her it really did take a village."

Kya nodded in agreement. "I lost count of the number of scraped knees, and elbows I had to tend."

"As long as you could hear her, everything was fine, but the minute it got quite, then she was up to something." Senna smiled as she flipped the page again showing a seven year old, smiling Korra, front two teeth missing, basketball tucked under her arm, and a scrape on her chin. "She was so proud of that scrape. Got it diving for that stupid basketball to keep it away from the boys."

"There was also the time she broke her arm falling out of that tree. Remember that?" Pema asked grabbing a bowl from the cabinet.

Senna nodded her head and flipped to another picture. Ten year old Korra, pouting, arm in a cast. "Silly girl thought it was a good idea to try and swing from one branch to another like a monkey. Lost her grip and I swear she hit every branch on the way down."

Asami chuckled and took the book from Senna. She flipped through the pages looking at Korra's childhood. Korra standing between two boys, all covered in mud. It took her a moment to realize the boys were Mako and Bolin. Korra holding a large fish with the help of her father. Korra sitting on Senna's lap reading. Asami felt her heart clench a little, clearing her throat she closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. Turning back around she caught Senna's cyan eyes silently asking if she was okay.

A silent conversation passed between the two women. Senna smiled sweetly and opened her arms, letting Asami step into the warm embrace. Senna hugged Asami like she was her own daughter. She let her bury her face in her shoulder as she ran a soothing hand over her back.

Sniffling and wiping at her eyes Asami stepped out of the embrace. "Sorry. The holidays have always been difficult since mom passed."

"I understand dear. Korra only told me what she thought I needed to know to help. She wanted to make sure Tonraq and I welcomed you with open arms. I don't think she realized just how easy that would be for us." Senna smiled kindly at her, guiding her back over to the counter to resume making noodles.

Outside Korra helped her father set tables up on the patio, making sure there was plenty of room for all their guests, and room for the football game later. When Naga barked she looked up to see Kai and Marcus coming through the gate. "Hey guys, grab some chairs would ya?"

The boys each grabbed folding chairs and started placing them around the tables. "Grandma went through the front door." Kai told Korra.

"She made a blueberry cheesecake and lemon pie." Marcus added excitedly.

Korra chuckled as she turned to her father. "Hey dad, why don't you get these two to help you with the fryer?"

Tonraq checked his watch and hurriedly bustled the boys to follow him. They were quickly put to work carry things to the tables, filling coolers with drinks, and being the official taste testers of the day. Much to Korra's dismay, because she was swatted on the back of her hand by her mother when she offered to taste test the pudding.

The day passed in a blur and soon Korra found it was time to set the table before the other guests arrived. "Can I steal Sami away for a moment? I need her help setting the table." Korra spoke from the doorway of the kitchen.

"Do you really need her help or is this just a ploy to go make out?" Kya teased as she looked back and forth between the two women.

"Depending on how quickly we get the table set we can do both." Korra shot back, sticking her tongue out as she walked past the woman, taking Asami by the hand and leading her outside. She handed her the silverware basket and as Korra set the plates in front of the empty seats, Asami placed the needed utensils next to them.

When they finished setting the table Korra turned to Asami and took both her hands in her own. "There's one more thing we have to do."

Asami nodded and gazed curiously down at her girlfriend. "What's that?"

"Well we have a tradition where we honor those that have passed. We set a place at the table for them." Korra led her to the end of the table, pulled one of the chairs out and lifted the picture frame from the seat. "This is Aang. Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi's father."

Asami gazed at the sepia photo of a grinning young man. "Tenzin looks just like him."

Korra nodded as she sat the photo in front of the plate so it would face the rest of the table. Then she moved to the next seat. "This is Katara. Aang's wife, mother of his children, and my mentor. She passed a couple years ago."

Asami smiled at the aged photo, taken in the woman's younger years. "She was Water Tribe?"

"Same tribe as myself. Aang was Air Nation. Their story is something you'd find in a romance novel." Korra placed Katara's photo like Aang's then stepped to one more seat. "You want to set this one?"

Asami was honored to be asked to help in a tradition that met so mush to this family. Timidly, she picked the last picture frame up and turned it over in her hands. Green eyes, similar to her own gazed back at her. It was like looking in a mirror as she gazed down at her mother's photo. "Where? How?"

Korra placed her hand on Asami's shoulder, rubbing gently. "The other day when we stopped at your house because I had to have my favorite hoodie. While you were in the bedroom I grabbed it and shoved it in my backpack."

"But why? You didn't know my mother." Asami continued to stare at the photo, tears splashing against the glass.

Korra reached out and turned Asami to face her. She swiped at the tears with her thumb, and brushed Asami's hair behind her ear. "True I didn't know your mother, and I really wish I had. I thought it would be nice to honor her today. Even though she's not here physically, she's still here." Korra placed her hand over Asami heart, and watched the small smile that brought light to her eyes.

Asami set the photo on the table before she wrapped her arms around Korra, pulling the woman into a secure hug. She buried her face in the woman's neck, pressing her lips briefly to the skin. "Thank you Korra. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Korra nuzzled into Asami's hair, the soft waves carrying the scent she loved. Her heart swelled with joy as she held the woman she loved in her arms. Turning her mouth towards Asami's ear, she whispered in a small, trembling voice. "I love you."

Asami felt Korra's words tickle against her skin, she pulled back and looked lovingly upon the beauty in her embrace. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss to warm lips, and watched the worry melt from Korra's eyes. "I love you too Korra."

Korra's heart soared in elation, she had never heard anything in her life that sounded as sweet as those words upon Asami's lips. Her joy came through in the form of a contagious grin that was mirrored on Asami's face. "I think that's the best thing you've ever said to me."

"Same here. It feels nice to finally say it out loud." Asami confessed as she locked her fingers with Korra's.

"Finally?"

Asami nodded her head. "Yes, finally. Meaning I've wanted to say it for a while, but I was afraid."

Korra chuckled in understanding. "I know what you mean. Glad to know I wasn't the only one afraid."

Asami's smile doubled in size as she placed another kiss to Korra's lips, this one feeling new and different. Far better than any kiss they had ever shared before. "You're mother's watching us from the door. I think she's crying." Asami glanced to the door looking at Senna then back to Korra.

"I wouldn't doubt it." Korra laughed, stepping towards the house. Hand in hand they walked back to the house where Senna waited, a knowing smiling on her lips.

:::::::::::::::

The doorbell rang announcing the arrival of the first guests. Korra reluctantly tore herself away from Asami to go answer it. Opening the door she saw Mako and Izumi, accompanied by a tall gentleman with a square jaw, no older than they themselves. She saw a familial resemblance, in the eyes to suggest he was related to Izumi. "I'm glad you guys made it!" Korra motioned for them to come into the house, giving Mako and Izumi each a quick hug.

"I hope you don't mind. My cousin's flight was canceled and Mako insisted he join us." Izumi motioned to the man beside her. "Korra, Iroh, Iroh, Korra."

"Nice to meet you, and so glad you could join us. The more the merrier." Korra shook his hand and started leading them through the house.

"Korra, dear, who is it?" Senna called from the kitchen.

"Mako, and Izumi. They brought a guest." Korra explained as the group stepped into the kitchen. She gestured to the man preparing to introduce him.

"Iroh?" Asami stared at the man, grinning widely.

Iroh brushed past Korra and the others sweeping the woman up by the waist and lifting her into the air. "I haven't seen you in ages!" He cried smiling cheerfully up at her.

"Put me down!" Asami hollered, to which Iroh obeyed. As soon as the toes of her shoes hit the floor she flung her arms around his neck. "Spirits it's good to see you."

"You two know each other?" Mako asked as he looked to Izumi, who only shrugged her shoulders in answer.

Asami turned away from Iroh, his hand caught in her grip as she tugged him back over to Korra. "Iroh and I went to high school together. We started college together, but somebody decided to join the Fire Nation Army." She dropped his hand and embraced Korra from the side, feeling a strong arm circle her waist, pulling her near, almost possessively. "Iroh, this is my girlfriend."

If possible the man's smile grew even more as he flicked his gaze over Korra. "Korra, in case you haven't figured it out yet, you've got your hands full with her." Iroh jerked his thumb in Asami's direction. "Is she still impossible to drag out of the garage?"

Korra's mind flashed to the few times she'd met Asami while in the garage. She could honestly say that, yes she was impossible to drag out of the garage, though it was usually because they couldn't keep their hands to themselves long enough to make it anywhere else. Probably best not to share that, she mused to herself. "Actually, no, I don't guess anyway. Then again, maybe that has something to do with her being in the garage all day at school."

"I'm the Shop and Mechanics Instructor at the High School." Asami explained when Iroh gave her a puzzled look. "Korra is the Physical Education Instructor there as well."

"Korra also severed in the United Republic Forces." Izumi added, hoping the shared military experience would give them some common ground.

Iroh turned with an interested look to Korra. "Who did you serve under?"

"General Gommu. Spent some time in Zaofu and Ba Sing Se." Korra admitted nervously.

"So were you in Ba Sing Se when… the queen?"

Korra stiffened, her eyes dropping to her shoes. "Uh, yes. I was there."

Iroh's eyes shot wide. "Where? I mean were you actually there, in the room?"

Asami stepped between Korra and Iroh, a polite smile on her face. "Hey you guys better go claim your seats before the others get here."

"That's an excellent idea Asami." Mako exclaimed a little too loudly. He placed a hand on Iroh's shoulder. "Come on man, seats near the turkey are the best!"

As the three of them exited through the backdoor Asami turned to face Korra. "You okay?"

Korra pulled her eyes away from her shoes, meeting Asami's gaze. "I'm good." Korra forced a smile, hoping it looked genuine.

"Are you sure?" Asami placed her palm on Korra's cheek, smiling when Korra leaned into the touch. "We can talk about it if you want?"

Korra drew an X over her chest. "Promise, but I'll take you up on that later." She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Asami's lips, the doorbell ringing in the background. "Come on, let's go be good hosts." She held her hand out and waited for Asami to thread their fingers together.

:::::::::::

With the tables cleared and put away along with all the leftovers the group gathered in the backyard again. Improvised boundary lines and touchdown markers were placed to define the playing field. Korra held the aged pigskin ball under her arm as she spoke to her father.

"How are we doing teams this year old man?" She grinned as she poked him in the ribs with the end of the ball.

"You two are definitely not going to be on the same team." Tonraq pointed between Korra and Asami. "Couples on opposing teams."

So the teams were divided with Tonraq, Asami, Lin, Jinora, Bolin, Izumi, Marcus and Meelo on one team facing off against Korra, Senna, Kya, Kai, Opal, Mako, Iroh, and Ikki on the other. Tenzin, Pema, and Francis were content to sit and watch, and in a more than likely case, act as referees, while Rohan wiggled in his mother's arms, cheering for both sides.

Each team retreated to their respective sides, forming a huddle to quickly talk strategy.

"For the record, I have no idea what I'm doing." Asami admitted, afraid she'd be more of a hindrance than help.

Jinora squeezed her arm in encouragement. "If you get the ball, run for the goal line and try not to get tagged. If they have the ball, tag them. Fairly simple."

"Don't worry kid you'll be fine." Tonraq assured her.

With their plan in place they broke their huddle and lined up. Asami stood where she had been directed to stand, looking completely confused, because she really was. Tonraq had told her to get open, whatever that meant. She looked up to see Korra standing across from her, a cocky grin on her face.

"You are so out of your element here princess." Korra chuckled as Asami narrowed her eyes in agitation.

The competiveness in Asami reared its head at this. Taking a deep breath Asami rolled her shoulders, pushed her glasses up her nose, and dug her shoes into the dirt. When Tonraq yelled she took off down the yard, headed straight for Korra. She watched Korra's eyes grow wide as she bared down on her, then at the last second she veered to the left and looked to Tonraq. With a smile on the big man's face he lobbed the ball towards her. Asami, having a longer reach than Korra, hauled the ball in without difficulty, leaving Korra to change direction again.

Her long legs ate away at the distance to the goal line, she didn't dare look back. She knew Korra was right behind her, her heart raced with her. She took another step forward as she felt a strong arm come around her waist and spin her around as she shrieked in surprise. Losing her footing she clung to the ball as she was pulled backward, towards the ground, only to land against something far softer than the hard ground.

"Got'cha!" Korra crowed with delight as she wiggled out from under Asami.

Asami accepted the hand Korra offered, and let her girlfriend pull her to her feet. "I thought this was touch football?" Asami asked as she brushed the dirt from her.

"I couldn't help myself." Korra shrugged as the others trotted over.

Tonraq beamed at Asami with something that could only be described as fatherly pride. "Atta girl. You almost didn't have her Kor." He teased his daughter.

Korra rolled her eyes at her father. "Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades pops."

Asami smirked and cocked her eyebrow towards the woman before she flipped the football over to Tonraq. "So it shouldn't happen again, right?" She smiled when Korra was smart enough not to answer that. "Game on Miss Southern."

Korra grinned as she raised two fingers to her eyes then turned them towards Asami. "I'm watching you Miss Sato."

Each team went to their separate sides, and on the next play Tonraq connected with Lin for another gain, moving them closer to the goal line. The third play was a handoff to Marcus, who had a good run, spinning and dodging the tags of others, before he was finally tagged by Ikki. With this last play it put them in scoring position, it was do or die, or at least score or not score.

Asami lined up right beside Izumi, with Meelo less than a foot beside her. Tonraq yelled and the three took off. Meelo veered around them as Asami and Izumi paused, making a wall between Meelo and the others. Meelo leapt into the air and caught the ball, bringing it into his arms as he landed in the end zone where he promptly broke out into his touchdown dance. Asami was laughing as Korra started to walk past her, on a sudden impulse Asami reached out and swatted Korra on the backside. Giving her a wink when Korra whirled around to face her.

The game went back and forth with far more goofy antics than any other football game. On more than one occasion Tenzin had to break up a dog pile consisting of a few giggling players. It was a few hours of play before anyone discovered that no one was actually keeping score, with that they decided to call it a game, but not before Korra insisted on one more play. With a few groans from weary players they finally consented to give in.

Korra dropped back a few steps, the ball cocked back and ready to go flying. Her eyes darted around the field, looking for one player in particular. Spying her, Korra let the ball fly straight and true to its target.

Asami watched the ball coming straight for her, reaching out she felt it hit in her arms and she cradled to her chest, just before she was lifted off her feet again. She swatted at Korra's back as she was thrown over a shoulder, when a better thought struck her. Looking up she spied Izumi and quickly tossed the football towards her. Catching it, Izumi took off the other way, a laughing Mako right behind her.

As soon as Korra heard the others take off the other way she stopped running. However she didn't set Asami back on her feet, instead she started to spin around in circles, drawing a fit of giggles from both women. Dizzy, tired, and sweaty Korra finally moved to place Asami back on the ground, only to watch her girlfriend fall over from wobbly legs. Korra, though not in any better shape moved to help her up.

Asami reached up and grabbed Korra by the arm, jerking her down to the ground as well. She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow so she could gaze down into sparkling blue eyes. "Thank you for today. I felt like I was part of a family again."

Korra moved her hand to brush Asami's hair over her shoulder. "You are a part of this family." Korra smiled fondly up at the woman hovering over her. "I love you Sami."

Asami felt her heart swell at those words. "I love you too Korrabear." She grinned as she leaned forward to press their lips together. To keep from deepening the kiss further she had to remind herself that she was surrounded by family, friends, and students. Begrudgingly she pulled back, and together the women helped each other to their feet.

:::::::::::::::

That evening, long after the others had left, Korra sat on the edge of her bed and listened to the water from the shower run. Having already discarded part of her clothes she quickly shed the rest and tiptoed softly to the door. She eased the door open, as to not make a noise, and followed the soft hums to the shower stall. She stood outside the shower for a moment, listening intently to Asami hum and occasionally sing from the other side.

Cracking the door open she poked her head in and watched as the water rolled over the body in front of her. The body was already slick, and pink from the heat of water, at the sight she lost all rationale thought. She watched the sway of Asami's hips as she danced in place, water droplets sliding down impossibly long legs. Stepping into the steam, she grabbed the soap bottle and squirted some into her hands before stepping up behind Asami.

She reached around, grabbing Asami by the waist as she jerked her backward, bringing their bodies together, Asami gasping in shock.

"Korra, what are yo…?" The words died in her throat, turning into a soft moan, as Korra's mouth found her neck.

"I thought we could conserve water." Korra pressed kisses to Asami's shoulder, bringing her hands up to cover milky white breasts.

Asami arched her chest forward into the massaging hands, shuddering as Korra rolled a nipple between her thumb and index finger. She felt Korra trail a hand down her stomach, caressing her hip, before sliding down between her legs. She bit her bottom lip as Korra's finger teased against her inner thigh, and brushed across silky hair.

Korra let the water wash away the foamy soap suds as she teased her fingertips along Asami's athletic body. Roughly she pushed Asami up against the tile on the shower wall, turning her around so they stood face to face. Korra surged forward on eager feet and pressed her lips to Asami's in a heated kiss. Relentlessly she ravaged those soft, plump lips with her own, teasing with her tongue, and scraping, nipping, with her teeth.

When Asami lifted her arms to bring them around Korra's shoulders, Korra grabbed them around the wrist and jerked them over her head. Using one hand to hold her wrists together Korra worked her other down between Asami's thighs, coaxing them apart with her knee. Sucking Asami's bottom lip between her own she slid two fingers into her entrance, plunging into scalding heat. Pumping her fingers in and out vigorously she felt every ripple and flutter that ran through the withering body pressed against her.

Asami focused on the building pressure in her core, the mounting wave of pleasure that Korra was producing. She arched against the hips in front of her, seeking more, more skin, more pressure, friction, pleasure, and more of Korra. She almost wept when Korra retracted her fingers, she whined in desperation as her eyes flew open.

"All good things come to those who wait." Korra purred, keeping Asami's hands pinned over her head still. Reaching up she removed the shower head, sliding it against her hip she clicked the settings over to a pulsating jet. "Keep your hands there." She demanded as she dropped her hand from Asami's wrist to between her legs.

Korra used her fingers to hold Asami's body open as she eased the shower head down, letting the stream hit against her inner thigh. Slowly she started to roll the shower head over, the jet of water climbing higher and higher. Her eyes were glued to Asami's face as she stream flicked over her tight bundle of nerves.

Asami hissed at the sudden burst of water, moaning at the instant pleasure. She felt the water swirl around in circles as Korra directed the spray. Instead of the slow, delectable build of pleasure that she'd felt from Korra's fingers, this one was building fast, a frenzy of pressure against a weakening dam. She bucked her hips forward unable to hold still any longer, her hands dropping to the top of her head. She fisted her fingers into her hair, needing something to anchor them to, as Korra's mouth lowered to a breast. She couldn't hold it back any longer, she let the flood surge forth, her orgasm hitting hard and ripping through her body.

As one hand pulled at her hair she pressed the other against her mouth to hold in her scream of pleasure. Her body shuddered at the assault of wave upon wave of glorious sensations coursing through her. Her knees felt shaky, and she was certain the only thing keeping her upright was Korra's body pressed firmly against hers.

Korra hung the shower head back in place, using her hips to keep Asami pinned to the wall. Easing back she felt Asami sag against her and brought both arms around the woman to hold her up. "We're going to have to do this again when my parents aren't here." She murmured into Asami's neck. "Then you won't have to worry about being quite."

Through her high Asami chuckled in response, resting her head on Korra's shoulder as she clung to her. "I want to know why we haven't done this before." She panted, her body still rippling with aftershocks.

Korra laughed as she pulled them under the stream on water, her mouth finding Asami's again. They didn't conserve much water, and didn't bother to emerge from the shower itself until after all the hot water had been exhausted. When they did emerge they had just enough strength to dry off and stagger to the bed, where they collapsed in a tangle of limbs.

Korra pulled the blankets up over them, leaning forward she softly kissed swollen lips, watching emerald eyes flutter closed. "I love you."

Asami smiled as she nuzzled closer to Korra's warmth. "I love you more."

:::::::::::::

In the early morning hours Korra woke to the sound of a deep rumble. Sitting up in bed she listened carefully, registering the sound as Naga growling. Creeping from bed she pulled a robe on to cover her nakedness and padded softly in search of her canine companion. The growls grew louder when she reached the kitchen. There Naga crouched, poised to attack, staring out the sliding back glass. The hair on her back bristled, teeth bared in a snarl as she sensed something in the darkness outside.

"What is it girl?" Korra asked as she flipped on the light, blinking at the sudden brightness. She started to step around Naga, to open the door, but as she moved Naga gave a sharp warning bark and moved to stand between Korra and the door. "Naga, quite."

Korra reached for the door again, this time causing Naga to bark louder and nip at the air. "What's gotten into you girl?" Korra scolded, not being able to call to mind a time when Naga had ever showed any aggression.

"What's going on?" Asami whispered in a sleepy voice.

Korra turned to her, an apologetic half smile on her face. "I'm not sure. She won't let me open the door." Korra shook her head in annoyance as Naga continued to growl. She stepped forward again, ignoring Naga pressing her body against her legs, like she was physically trying to hold Korra back. As Korra's hand closed around the doorknob Naga lunged forward with a furious growl, her teeth snapping closed around Korra's forearm. "Naga! Son of a fucking bitch." Korra hissed as she felt teeth puncture her skin, she retched her arm away, cradling it to her chest.

Naga let out a whimper as she turned away, resuming her stance in front of the door.

"Oh shit Korra. Are you all right?" Asami grabbed a hand towel from the counter as hurried footsteps ran into the kitchen. Gingerly she took Korra's bleeding arm in her hand and led her to the sink.

"What's going on?" Tonraq boomed, eyes darting around the room.

Korra gritted her teeth at the sting of cold water. "I don't fucking know. Fucking Naga's growling and wouldn't let me open the goddamn door. She fucking bit me."

"Senna, can you get the first aid kit from under the bathroom sink please?" Asami asked as she inspected Korra's wounds.

"That's not like Naga." Tonraq took a cautious step forward, drawing no response from the dog.

"Tonraq, don't." Senna handed the kit over to Asami. "There's clearly something out there she's trying protect us from."

"Probably a fucking stupid ass raccoon." Korra mumbled as she eyed the bottle of alcohol Asami was holding.

"This is going to sting." Asami said as she tipped the bottle up, pouring some of the contents over Korra's arm.

"Mother fucking hell." Korra hissed.

Asami cocked an eyebrow. "Really? You take an elbow from some jock twice your size and go toe to toe with a grown man, who almost broke your ribs and you don't say one foul word. Yet suddenly you have the vocabulary of a sailor over this?"

"It hurts!" Korra whined. "Besides both those times there were children present."

"You got into a fight?" Senna stepped to Korra's other side.

"You didn't tell them about Marcus's dad?" Asami looked from mother to daughter getting an unspoken answer from the looks on both women's face. Shaking her head she blew on Korra's arm, getting the alcohol to dry.

"I didn't want to worry you." Korra started, deciding now she did have to explain what happened. She told her parents about that night, the run in with Marcus's father, and the threats he'd made.

Asami watched as Tonraq paced the kitchen floor, his posture and bubbling anger making her think of the caged grizzly bear she'd seen at the zoo as a child. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? I could have done something!"

"What, like assigned one of your men to guard me? My problems here are of no concern to the White Lotus. We agreed to that when I stepped away from the tribe." Korra crossed her arms forcefully, yet mindful enough to be careful of her now bandaged arm.

"We agreed that as long as you were safe you could have your distance." Senna interjected.

"I am safe. It's been months, nothing has happened!" Korra leaned against the counter, her foot bouncing in agitation. "I can take care of myself, and I do a fine job of protecting those around me too. Katara made sure of that before she died."

At her words a hush fell over the room, it was only then that they realized how quite it was. All of them turned their heads to Naga. The large white dog laid in front of the door, her tongue lolled from her mouth as she watched with intelligent eyes. Her tail wagged back and forth.

"Whatever was outside must be gone." Tonraq stepped to the door and slide it open, walking into the backyard.

Korra surged forward to follow him, but found her path blocked by her mother. "Don't even think about it." Senna all but growled as she directed her daughter to march back from whence she came. "That goes for you too missy." Senna motioned for both women to follow her as she made her way to the living room.

Korra plopped down on the couch, slouching into the cushions as she put her feet up on the couch. Asami took the space beside her, resting her head against the back rest. Korra frowned up at her, eyeing the small space between the two of them. "What?" Asami asked when she noticed Korra's frown.

"You're too far away." Korra said as she leaned over, wrapped her arms around Asami, and pulled her closer.

Asami tucked her legs under her, and placed an arm around Korra's shoulders, while the other rested on her own knee. She leaned into Korra, the other woman shifting so her head set comfortably against Asami's shoulder. "Better?" Asami questioned when Korra finally quite moving.

Korra quickly reached out and rested her hand on top of Asami's, lacing her fingers between hers. "It is now."

Senna sat in the chair across from them, watching, a small smile hidden behind her hand, but shining in her eyes. "Asami dear. I know it's a ways off but, do you have plans for Christmas?"

"Well no." Asami shrugged her shoulders.

Senna studied her for a moment. "Would you like to come to the Southern Water Tribe and celebrate with us?"

A grin split Asami's face. "I'd love too. Thank you." She extracted herself from Korra and crossed the living room, pulling Senna into a hug.

"I take it she agreed to come to Christmas?" Tonraq asked as he joined them, Naga at his side.

Korra sat up straighter on the couch, her attention trained on her father. "Of course she did. Did you find anything?"

He flopped down next to his daughter on the couch, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. "Nothing. Maybe there was a skunk or fox. You know Naga doesn't growl or bite," he gestured to her bandaged arm, "without cause."

"I know, it was just surprising." Korra glanced to where the white dog sulked in the doorway, picking up on her owner's agitation. Korra looked into big brown eyes and softened. Patting her leg, calling Naga over, she ran her fingers through soft fur and scratched behind Naga's ears. "She hasn't done anything like this before." She slid into the floor, pulling Naga into her lap, as she sat cross legged in the floor.

Asami stood from where she'd been perched on the arm of the chair listening to Senna. "I'm going to head back to bed."

Korra stretched her hand up. "I'll join you."

Asami smiled as she grabbed Korra around the wrist and helped pull her to her feet. "Good night." She called to Tonraq and Senna as Korra led her down the hallway and back to bed.