Chapter Ten: I'm in danger of Falling in love

Almost year had past since Kai had stayed in the ice palace with Korra. Although he felt he was going to be living a life of hell, He never felt more at home then here in the palace, everyone was so kind and was able to teach him things he never knew before. Like new styles of fighting and styles of bending even when he couldn't bend any of the elements himself. He also spent every moment he could with Korra. Showing her his ability's by carrying her in his arms when he used his speed, shattering huge rocks of earth and ice with his strength, starting a fire with his heat vision in the fire place while they read in the Library, Showing her how he could hear things from very long distances or in a very crowded room and sometimes with out Korra's knowledge he would use his x-ray vision to watch her in the south wing. But he had a feeling she knew he was watching her.

One afternoon Kai was reading aloud to Korra the story Oma and Shu the legendary lovers who became the first earth benders. While he was reading Korra kept looking at him with a dream like look, She never get over how beautiful he was while he read,

"The great city was named Omashu as monument to there love, and to this day people still say 'That Love Is Brightest In The Dark'"

Kai finished closing the book and holding it to his heart. This was always his favourite love story, it always gave him hope of finding a love like that.

Korra smiled and asked Kai "could you read it again?"

She loved the way Kai made the words sound so dreamy. Kai smiled and handed her the book

"Why don't you read it to me?" He asked.

Korra hesitated then took the book "Uh..Okay" she answered,

She opened the book and tried to read the first sentence "Uh..um. I can't" she said in shame,

Kai was saddened by this "You mean you never learned?" he asked.

Korra looked at him and said "I learned.. only a little. But then I got bored of it and threw it a side. It was so long ago"

She said turning the page's wish she could read and get lost in the story. Kai gently took the book from her and said "Here let me help you. At least we have something to start with then."

He opened the book to starting page "Lets start here" he said,

Korra looked down at the page and began to read

"Kay 'tae'?" she asked, Kai smiled and corrected her "They" he said,

Then Korra shrugged and said " 'They' I knew that, Okay 'They met on top of the m..mountain' ".

Two hours later they had reached the end of the book Korra was the last page reading "and to this day people still say 'That Love is Brightest In The D..D..Dark' "

Kai was so happy, Korra had done so well and only stumbled on a few words but was able to get right back up and keep going. Korra held the book close to her, Now she understood why Kai loved this story so much.

Kai stood up and asked "Korra I would like to ask you something"

Korra look bewildered for a moment then let Kai ask what he wanted

"I want a second chance, I would be honoured if I would join you for dinner tonight" Kai asked when all the while trying to stop his heart from racing.

Korra inside did a summersault. She jumped up and almost yelled "You and ME tonight, Yes I would love too".

I didn't take long for news of Kai and Korra's dinner date to spread through out the Palace, Everyone was working non stop to get things perfect for two young soon to be lovers. Mako took charge as he always did, But every one told him to lighten up and let nature take it's course

"It obvious there's a spark between them" Asami told Him.

"Are you kidding me, They practically ZING" Izlee said with great excitement.

"But there's no harm in giving them the right push girls, I believe that's what Mako is trying to do with all this fussing. Isn't that right Mako" Pama said to them having experience with love.

Mako nodded and said "is there any harm in fanning the flames of love just a little. Beside they must fall in love tonight if we ever expect to human again".

With that everyone worked upstairs and down, in and out, left and right through the inter Palace to make it the most romantic evening Korra and Kai would never forget.

The afternoon past in a blaze of fuss and sunshine. Korra was freshening up for tonight with help from Izlee and Asami "tonight is the night" Asami said to Korra while brushing her hair. Korra stomach was in knots, She was so nervous and full of drought on what If Kai didn't feel the same way she did.

"I'm not sure I can do this, I don't think I can tell him how I feel" Korra said timidly.

Izlee put her hand on Korra's and asked "You care for him more then anything right. So buck up and tell him" Izlee said encouragingly.

Korra thought to herself for a moment, She knew that she cared for Kai and she knew all about him. She knew that he trust's her with his secret, and to be honest with her self she loved him since she was child even tho both of them remember small parts of that day.

Lin and Pama came to the door cleared there throats and said "Your gentleman, awaits you".

Korra waited in the doorway leading from the south wing. She breathed in and out so is to clam her nerves. She was wearing a long blue and white water tribe dress that came over her knees and showed only her clawed feet. She also had a small white hair hat on the back of her head, around her neck was an opal neckless. Also her hair was down to make her look even more beautiful. She may look beautiful but she didn't feel like she was. She headed down the stairs that lead to main stairs to the main hall. There she waited for Kai. The door to the north wing opened and Kai stepped out. What Korra saw took her breath away. Kai was wearing a black tucks with a white shirt, a red vest and blue silk scarf. His raven black hair was combed back accept for a loos lock of hair that curled on his four head. They came up to each other and smiled trying and failing to hid the blush. Kai bowed to Korra while Korra bowed and lifted her dress as to not to trip over. Kai offered his arm and she intertwined hers with his and they both started to walk down the main stairs to dining hall. Both of them praying to the spirits they wouldn't trip.

Tale as old as time,
True as it can be,
barley even friends,
Then somebody bends unexpectedly.

Before they sat down Kai cleared his throat and said "You look beautiful tonight" he said calmly,

Korra blushed and replied "So you do you".

They both sate in silence while they ate. It was a big water tribe feast of sea prawns, seal meat, fish, arctic hen, water tribe noodles and various other types Kai had never seen in his life. It was a wonderful spread but Kai didn't focus all of his attention on the food, He looked at Korra and he could see that she was very nervous about tonight. Kai was nervous to about coming out tonight, wondering if Korra wouldn't like what she saw. But she said he looked beautiful so he could put that worry aside.

Just a little change,
Small to say the least,
Both a little scared,
neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast.

After they had finished eating Kai offered Korra his hand and they both headed for the ball room. It was a giant room with a high ceiling and on that ceiling was grate ice chandelier. All the lamps where lit to create a romantic feel.

Kai turned to Korra and said "Would you care in joining me in a dance" he asked holding out his hand.

Korra trembled all over "I don't dance" she said shakily,

Then there was a whisper from Izlee and Asami saying "dance with him".

Korra screwed up her courage and nodded, she took Kai's hand and lead her on to the dance floor. She put her left hand in his and He put his right arm around her waist, Korra tucked her wings down around her neck so it looked like she was wearing a cape, just to make it easy for him to hold her. She gulped a little when he place her right hand on his shoulder. Her heart left like it was going to burst out of her chest when Kai pulled her close to him, Then started dancing.

Ever just the same,
Ever a surprise,
Ever as before and ever just as shore,
As the sun will rise.

At first Korra thought she could't do this but she was proven wrong. Kai was leading her with ease, not once treading on her feet. He guided her to the left, then spun her around then let go of her left hand and let her span out then brought her back into his arms.

Tale as old as time,
Tune as old as song,
Biter sweet and strange,
Finding you can change,
learning you were wrong.

While they turned Korra then place her head on Kai's chest to listen to his heart beat. While Kai placed his cheek on the to of her head. Korra could hear Kai heart beating very fast. That when she knew that he could feel the same thing she felt.

Certain as the sun,
Rising in the east,
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as Rhyme,
Beauty and the Beast,

The light began to die down and the music was slowly coming to a end. Korra and Kai brought there heads back up and look longingly into each others eyes. Neither of them wanted to look away, then they headed on to the balcony out side.

Tale as old as time,
Song as old as Rhyme,
Beauty and The Beast.

Korra and Kai sate on the balcony to rest for awhile after that long dance. Funny it was the first time either of them danced. Korra rubbed her neck, she had to tell Kai how she felt

"Kai. Are you happy here with me?" she asked taking his hands in her own.

Kai smiled and replied "Yes"

but he looked out over the sky. Korra could feel that something was bothering him.

"What is it?" Korra ask worryingly.

Kai sighed as much as he wanted to tell Korra how he felt about her, He just couldn't get the thought of his Mother all alone out of his mind

"If only I could see my mother just for a moment, I miss her so much. I'm sorry this night was supposed to be special" Kai said with sadness.

Korra could understand why he missed her. It was was Korra actions that separated them.

Then something came to her "There is a way for you to see her".

Korra brought Kai to south wing for the first time in a year. She then guided him to the table that held the enchanted lotus. It was now dropping with only a few petals left. Korra then showed him the spirit mirror she had

"His mirror will show you anything, Anything and anyone you wish to see" Korra said handing it to Kai.

Kai swallowed and said "I'd like to see my mother please",

The mirror then hummed and shone so bright Kai had to close his eyes. What he sour made his heart jolt, Mai was wondering through the forest probably heading for the palace. But she started to cough and fell to ground.

Kai couldn't breath "mom, no she's sick. She could be dyeing and she all alone" Kai said in fear.

He looked at Korra with pleading in his eyes. Korra didn't know what to do, She then looked at the lotus, her time was running out. What was the right thing to do. She then turned to Kai and said some thing that made her heart break.

"You must go to her. She needs you". When she said those words, she wished she didn't and wished she could take them back