So firstly I would like to extend an apology out to my readers. I am truly and very sorry for leaving you all hanging the way I did. I feel like I abandoned this story, and that wasn't my intention. This story is really is the best thing that I have written. I requested 135+ reviews and you guys reached that many and more, and I neglected to update and for that I am very sorry. I'm so blessed to have readers like you. I have over 11,000 hits on this story and I'm surprised. I didn't know you were all that much intrigued. I don't deserve you guys but from the heart to my bottom, thank you for all the support and encouragement! It all means a lot. But how come the other day a whole bunch of you just showed up out of the blue? I get like 5 new reviews in one day after 3 weeks without updating. Can someone tell me why? Anywho, again I am so incredibly blessed an lucky to get to share my writing with you. A few years ago I was afraid to let people see my writing. Even my closest friends were not aloud to read my writing. But now you all make me feel so confident. So thank you.
So that is my apology.
Do you hate me?
So here is your guys' well deserved update. I tried to make it long but failed.-_-
It is well above 3,000 words.
I love you all.
BTW:This isn't an exciting chapter, but it is necessary.
Disclaimer: Legend of Korra belongs to Bryke and all those good people. The plot belongs to me.
There it was again. That awful empty feeling in her stomach that unfortunately for Korra, was all too familiar. She should feel happy, ecstatic, and enthusiastic that she finally gets to visit home. This means seeing the ones she loved and had to leave behind, but no. Instead she feels guilty, and somewhat nervous, and she has a certain firebender to thank for that.
She wants so bad just to scream out her feelings, letting that weight finally fall from her shoulders. Maybe then she can finally focus on more important things at hand, like being the Avatar. It is all so very simple if you think about it.
Not as simple as it should be. Korra thinks rubbing her frozen nose with the back of her hand. Since they had reached the coast of the Southern Nation, the temperature had drastically dropped. Snow falls in thick flurries that stick, and eventually melt into Korra's clothes. She slightly shivers, using her firebending chi to warm herself. It has been almost a month since she has felt the chill of the Southern Water Tribe, and being in the city Korra had adapted to its warm heat. Naga on the other hand was leaning over the bow, watching the fish as the flop in the fast moving water. Naga is excited to be back; completely tired of the heat radiation, and constricted areas Republic City offered.
Korra looks ahead at the familiar, fast approaching white glaciers that grow out of the water; glimmering in the suns light. Her heart hastens. She was just two short minutes from home, two short minutes from her parent's warm, inviting arms .
As the boat hit the icy shore, they docked. The sentries scramble to their feet as a blur of white whizz past them. They watch as Naga heaves herself off the boat and onto the snow with Korra guiding her from her back.
The cold wind whips past them with a wide smile stretched across Korra's face, and Naga's tongue hanging from in between her pointed teeth with glee. "Yeah, Naga! Run faster!" Korra cheers, and leans forward. Her hair whips in the wind that slices through them. In the distance Korra can see the huts below the hills.
Korra urges Naga to run faster. She feels like her heart is about to burst out of her chest. Naga slides down a frosty slope. Korra braces herself, holding onto the reigns as tightly as she can so she doesn't roll off Naga's back.
The villagers come to the attention to the Polar Bear Dog cascading gracefully down the hill with a young woman on its back. Instantly they know it is their beloved Avatar. As Naga hits flat ground they are instantly surrounded by the village members.
Korra smiles, and suddenly there is a big commotion. She feels nervous as her people greet her warmly all at once.
"Hello guys." She waves then lifts herself off of Naga. As her boots hit the ground, Korra sinks into the deep snow a few inches. She can admit she missed the snow. Korra places her hand on Naga's neck.
"What are you doing back Avatar Korra? I thought you had duties in Republic City." One of the villagers ask.
A pang of guilt hits Korra. Amon. "I came to visit my parents for the day." She informs. Korra then pushes her way through the crowd with Naga trailing behind her. They leave her be.
Korra weaves through the familiar scattered huts until she is facing hers. Attending to a thin clothes line tied to the hut to a tree is a woman who looks the crisp age of her late forties. She is taking down dried clothes from the line and dropping them into a wicker basket. Her dark hair is separated in two sections, twined with a thin blue ribbon. Her blue winter parka is long. Reaching just below her knees, and her legs warmed in a pair of thick sweat pants. As she drops a tank top into the basket a movement catches the corner of her eye. She snaps up to see her only child standing just a yard away.
"Korra?" Senna asks eyes wide in surprise. Korra nods and breaks into a run and throws herself into her mother's arms.
Senna gasps at the impact, staggering back but quickly regaining her footing. With Korra's arms around her shoulders, Senna hugs Korra back. "What are you doing here?" Senna asks. She kisses the top of Korra's hair.
Korra holds back tears as she rests her head on her mom's shoulder. "I missed you. I came to visit." Korra whispers.
"Senna? What's going o-" Tonraq steps out of his hut and trails off from his sentence when he sees his daughters smiling face.
Korra turns her head to her towering father and her face lights up. She pulls away from Senna and jumps on Tonraq. She wraps her arms around his waist. "Hi dad."
Tonraq embraces Korra back while running his hand over the top of her hair. "Korra, what are you doing here?"
"I came to visit." She says simply looking up at her towering father. This man is built like a wall, thick and strong. His hair is traditionally pulled back into a half wolf tail, with a goatee hanging from his square chin.
"Well come inside. I bet you are hungry." Senna offers. Korra breaks the hug and walks into the hut. The familiar smell of home fills her nostrils. Nothing much has changed since she left. The table still sits in the back left corner along with pelts and furs draped cross the rickety wooden furniture. That pesky basket that hangs crooked on the wall is just as crooked before she left. All the wall hangings look the same, and the floors looked freshly swept. Korra sighs with a smile on her face.
Senna walks past Korra and over to the table where she snatches a bag. "You're in luck. You're father made seal jerky fresh last night." Senna explains shaking the bag teasingly.
Korra lets out a small squeal, sprints at Senna, and greedily snatches the bag from with an excited thank you before ripping it open and shoving a piece of dried meat into her mouth. Korra moans as the sweet sticky flavor dances on her taste buds. Korra turns to her father. "This is delicious!" She exclaims mouth full.
Tonraq and Senna giggle at their daughter. "Thank you!" Korra smiles traces of seal jerky wedged between her teeth.
Senna smiles and Tonraq rolls his eyes at Korra's goofiness.
They all then sit down next to a lit fire all gnawing at stiff seal jerky. "So when are you heading back to the city?" Senna asks.
Korra purses her lips. "Probably tomorrow morning so we don't catch too much water traffic." She explains.
"So speaking of the city how is your training going?" Tonraq asks poking the fire with a metal rod.
Korra swallows sharply, the seal jerky scratching against her throat. Not good. "It's going great. Tenzin has me practicing my forms. It is all going very smoothly." She lies biting her tongue.
"That's great to hear. How is the city itself?" Senna asks.
Falling apart. Korra pulls her knees to her chest and forces a small grin. "The city is great. It's a giant with lights! It is all so glamorous. Nothing like here." Because here it's peaceful.
"I would love to visit sometime!" Senna perks.
Korra refrains from screaming out. NO! It's safe here. Stay here! "Yeah,the air temple is amazing. I would love you to see it." She lies once more tearing at her jerky. The taste soon grows salty and begins to burn her tongue.
"Well if we get time we will try to come visit. Have you made any new friends?" Senna asks staring at her daughters light eyes.
Mako… Korra suddenly feels like her stomach is empty and void. "Yeah, a few." She murmurs.
"Korra, is something wrong?" Senna asks extending a hand and letting it fall on Korra's bear shoulder blade.
Korra forces a smile. "Yeah, just tired is all."
"Do you want to sleep?" Tonraq asks.
"What? No, I just got here and I want to spend as much time with you guys as I can." Korra explains jumping to her feet.
Tonraq and Senna nod.
They spend the whole rest of the day together, catching up on lost time, laughing and of course even the traditional penguin sledding. (A/N: I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself.)
Sneaking up behind a penguin, Korra lunges for it and lands on its leathery back. Before she knows it she is sliding down a slope with her legs straddling the large penguin, and arms in the air screaming loud 'Whoop's. Fierce wind slices through Korra as her hair is blown back. The speed pumps adrenaline through Korra.
Senna and Tonraq who are already at the bottom the steep hill watch up at their daughter, taking in the happiness that light up Korra's face. They had miss their daughter. She had always been away; the time they could spend with their daughter has always been scarce. But that is the price they know they must pay to have an Avatar for a daughter.
When Korra reaches the bottom the penguin slides to a stop and Korra jumps up, laughing. Her hair is windblown. "Whoo! Lets go again!" Korra cries fist pumping the air.
Senna and Tonraq follow Korra back up the snowy hill to jump on another penguin and feel that familiar sensation of adrenaline.
After several times of traveling up and down the icy hill to penguin sled, Senna, Tonraq, and Korra made their way back to the hut to prepare supper.
Tonraq though left to help a fellow tribe member fix a broken wall. With Senna slicing up raw meat and Korra stirring noodles in a large pot over the fire place, Korra sets down the large wooden spoon and sits at the table with her mother.
Korra props her elbows up and leans her cheek into her palm with a sigh.
Senna drops what she is doing and focuses her attention to Korra. "Korra, is something wrong?" Senna asks.
"Mom, can I talk to you about something?" Korra asks.
Senna smiles warmly and places a hand on Korra's. "Of course you can. What's on your mind?" Senna asks intrigued to give her daughter advice.
Korra sags, letting her elbow fall from the table with a sharp huff. "There's this guy…" Korra breathes restlessly.
Senna raises an eyebrow. "Ok. Continue."
Korra bites down on the inside of her cheek. "And I like him. A lot." More than that actually.
Senna shakes her head when she notices the rosy blush that creeps across Korra's cheeks. "Then go for him Korra."
Korra scoffs. I wish it was that easy. "It isn't that easy."
"What's holding you back?"
"Many reasons: He has a girlfriend, and we are constantly fighting. One minute he seems to care, then the next he acts like I'm some rabid disease! It's frustrating!" Korra cries throwing her hands in the air.
Senna scrunches her nose. "Have I ever told you how me and your father met?" Senna asks.
Korra groans at her mother's sudden topic change. "What does that have to do with my guy problems?" Korra asks growing annoyed with her mother.
"Yes or no?"
"No."
Senna chuckles. "Korra, your situation sounds a lot like your father and I."
Korra arches a eyebrow skeptically. "How so?"
"I met your father when I was very young. I was twelve and he was fourteen. We were neighbors and we met when he was brought in for healing after an accident on a hunting trip. We though did not become fast friends, we saw each other around the village. But when we did talk, we fought. We said hurtful things and it lead to hurtful actions. But when we weren't fighting, he was genuine and made me feel so grounded and loved. I realized I loved him after three years of friendship. What I'm trying to get across is that though we fought, and we still do but there was always that love that somehow swallowed all the hate.
"I'm not encouraging this boy hurting you, but maybe both of you misunderstand each other. I know young love is hard and you may feel heart broken, but it will all eventually pass. I encourage you to talk to this boy, to set things straight. Maybe he is feeling misunderstood by you too." Senna smiles at her daughter.
Senna's words absorb into Korra and she feels tears spring to her eyes. Korra slides he chair over next to Senna and rests her head on her shoulder. "Thank you mom," She whispers. Senna kisses her temple.
"You're welcome sweetheart." Senna sighs. She knows she can't always be there for Korra. She isn't nearly around enough to realize all of Korra's personal troubles and it pains her to see Korra sad. But Senna is glad that she could shed a little light on Korra and help her. She wishes she can have more of the moments with Korra, but she will take what she can get.
They stay that way for a while. Senna stroking Korra's hair, and massaging her scalp while Korra lets the tears fall. "I really missed you mom." Korra says. Another tear falls from her wet lashes.
"I really missed you too." More than you could ever imagine.
Korra wipes the tears away and jumps to her feet when she remembers the boiling noodles.
Tonraq returns and by then supper is ready and they all sit down to eat. As they eat, they joke and talk. Sitting at the round table; enjoying a wholesome meal with meat.
Like a family.
For the first time in a long time they feel like a family. It feels like the way it did before Korra was hauled away to the compound. Though they never stopped being a family they never got to share moments like this with their daughter, and they greatly miss it.
Korra asleep in her bed dreams of Mako. He dreams of him pulling her into his arms and holding her there; like a missing piece to the puzzle.
He nuzzles his head into the crook of her neck and trails little kisses up her jaw.
Korra melts into it, knowing it is a dream but not caring. She yearns for his touch.
"You're beautiful." He whispers before crashing his lips to hers.
The next morning Korra is awoken early by her parents. "The White Lotus is here." Senna whispers rubbing circles into Korra's back. Korra can hear the sadness in her voice.
Korra groans and pulls the pillow over her head. "I don't want to go back!" Korra protests groggily. She just wants to lie there are dream of Mako.
"Korra c'mon. Wake up. You need to go back... Training remember?" Tonraq says shaking Korra's shoulders.
Korra scoffs and removes the pillow from her face. She squints as her vision adjusts to the sun bathed room. Korra rises from bed and stretches her arms in the air with a yawn.
Korra pulls on her boots and parka and is guided out into the cold where Naga and six sentries stand waiting for Korra.
Korra turns to her father and hugs him tightly. "I will see you later dad. I love you." She says breathing in his musky scent.
"Looking forward to it squirt. I love you too." Tonraq chirps embracing his daughter tightly. Korra breaks the hug then moves to her mother.
Korra represses a sob before throwing herself into Senna. Senna hugs Korra back tightly, never wanting to let go. "Thank you so much for the advice mom. I love you so much!" She whispers softly nestling into her neck.
"You're welcome sweetheart. Go get him." Senna soothes. Korra pulls back from her mother giving her one last smile. Senna holds back a bag of seal jerky. "I know they don't have this in the city, so preserve it." Senna smiles. Korra graciously takes the bag.
"Thank you!" She smiles one last time before leaving her parents behind her, a tear rolling down her cheek. "I love you!" She call back behind her.
"We love you too!"
Back on the boat, it felt like Déjà vu to Korra sitting at the bow of the boat with knees pulled to her chest.
She recollects on her time with her parents. For the first time in a while, she had good old fashioned fun with her family who she doesn't see half as much as she should. She felt happy and at home. Safe with the people she wished could have raised her.
Korra wonders what it would have been like to have days like that every day. Sleep in, and not have to worry about responsibilities all the time. When Korra was there she forgot. She forgot she was the Avatar. She forgot about Amon and Republic City. She felt like a normal teenage girl, and it felt amazing. She felt as if she could do the normal things other girls her age can do. Like help cook dinner, and penguin sled, and sit down and ask advice from her mother. It all felt so good.
Korra can't help but cry at the thought that it is over, that once again she is the Avatar and there is a war waiting for her back in Republic City.
Not only that, but she has her personal problems to deal with as well.
Mako. One of the big stresses of her life ,and one of her main reasons that she cries herself to sleep at night. She had tried to kick him out of her life, thinking that maybe things would get easier. She thought that just maybe her feelings would diminish. But that isn't the case.
It is hard to forget about someone who appears in your dreams, who shows up at the worst possible time. It is hard to forget when he comes springing back.
But how could she have a relationship if they even tried? She is the Avatar and shouldn't, doesn't have the time to have a relationship. She is always far too busy, and stressed. But that doesn't stop Korra.
What she wants now more than ever is Mako. To be in his arms, to smell his sweet, spicy scent, to look into those liquid fire eyes, and melt into him. For him to be mine.
Tired of fighting her feelings, she gives in.
Slowly stroking Naga's sleeping body, Korra loses herself for the millionth time in her thoughts. Thinking about what she is going to say to Mako the next time their eyes meet.
So because I feel so bad, I'm going to work on another chapter. I think the next chapter will be plenty interesting.
This time around I'm not asking for any designated amount of reviews before I update. I saw on tumblr something that said that it is annoying when people do that and they lose interest in the story. I really don't want to lose readers. So just out of the goodness of making me happy, Review?
I would love to hear your opinions on this story. :)
Thank you! See you very soon
~Megan~