Here we go with the next chapter.

Someone asked me how Kanan's sweater vest looks like, it looks like Cloud's from Advent Children just dark-blue, he also wears it the same way with the neck collar open.

Crystalheartlover17: Yeah you're right Kanan would say it to someone if he doesn't like them, but I decided to change his pace like you said. Your idea for the first Hitokiri is amazing, thank you. What confuses me is that I don't know if you liked the lemon or not.

CHRIS: Yes they all know that the Raiju is Kanan's father he told them. Sorry if this sounds like a lame excuse but it's not.

Lelouch-Strife: Don't worry I won't have them go through the emotional/drama bullshit. There will be emotional moments in this story but that's all, they will stay together. One thing that surprises me is that fanfiction writers do better than the actual creators.

emoryjmorrill: Thanks man, nice.

I don't own anything aside from my OC's and some other stuff I might add.

Here we go.

Korra and Kanan rode atop their respective pets as they strode through town before hopping off and walking over to Unalaq.

"You're early." Unalaq stated pleased.

Korra added. "What can I say? I'm pumped to learn that Unalaq spirit fighting."

"That is not the intention of your training. We'll be taking steps to further your spiritual training. We're going to one of the most remote places in the world, the long neglected spiritual center of your tribe, the South Pole." Unalaq explained to the two.

"If I remember exactly isn't the South Pole constantly ravaged by a massive snowstorm? The Everstorm if I'm not mistaken." Kanan asked.

"You would be right. That is why going there is of the highest priority. By neglecting the spirits, the people of the South have brought a darkness that grows unimpeded and is becoming an increasing threat to your tribe. We must set things right. The Southern Water Tribe depends on you, perhaps both of you." Unalaq said.

Korra smiled wildly. "A dangerous trip to the South Pole? Sign me up."

"As if a snowstorm could stop me." Kanan chuckled.

Southern Air Temple

At the Air Temple, Tenzin, Pema and Kya sit around relaxing. Kya sits on boulder feeding some lemurs.

Ahh, I haven't felt this at peace since-" Tenzin begins, only to be interrupted by Bumi shouting. "Wahoo!"

"And it's over."

Bumi jumps onto the boulder Kya is on and exclaims. "Good morning, universe!"

Kya covers her eyes and says. "Bumi, please. Cover yourself."

Bumi ignores his sister and looks at Tenzin. "Well, lookee here. "Vacation Tenzin" has finally decided to join us."

"Yes, he has." Tenzin remarks, taking Rohan from Pema. "It's so nice to get to spend more time with my family. Isn't that right, my little Rohan? And I've really enjoyed having you two around. Reminds me of all those great vacations we took as kids with Father."

"Uh, I think your memory is a little foggy. Bumi and I weren't on those great vacations. It was always just you and Dad." Kya remarks.

"No, that can't be right. What about the time he took us to Kyoshi Island to ride the elephant-koi?"

"Nope. We weren't there."

"Hmm. Oh, remember Ember Island? Those amazing sand palaces we built on the beach?"

Bumi answers this time. "You mean you built. We never saw the place."

"I could've sworn-" Before Tenzin can continue his thought two of his kids come riding in on air scooters, Jinora and Meelo.

"Morning, kids." Bumi greets, the three hopping down from the boulder.

"Morning Uncle Bumi." Meelo greets. "Do you have a baby in there?"

Everyone laughs, but Pema soon stops and notices someone missing. "Where's your sister?" She asks.

"Who?" Jinora inquires,

Pema stands up and approaches her kids saying. "Ikki, about this tall, talks real fast. I'm sure you know her."

Jinora trails an. "Uh..." and Meelo changes the subject. "There was a lemur fight, but the bison told us not to worry because a giant was coming. Then we almost got eaten by a shark-squid."

Pema crosses her arms and asks her kids. "Jinora, were you and Meelo teasing your sister again?"

"I don't know…maybe…yes." Jinora answers, looking down.

"She ran away." Meelo inputs.

Tenzin walks up behind his wife as exclaims. "Honestly, I don't know why you kids can't just get along!"

"It's all right, dear. Ikki couldn't have gone far." He hands Pema Rohan back. "I'll find her."

Bumi then salutes, saying. "Commander Bumi reporting for duty! Search-and-rescue missions are my specialty."

"What do you say we all go together?" Kya suggests.

"Sure. I could use the help."

"Oh and Tenzin." Kya says pulling on his ear. "Kanan told me he and Korra had to listen to your speech about "abstinence"."

"Kya they are-" Tenzin began but was interrupted by his sister.

"They are teenagers Tenzin, a couple, let them experiment with their relationship." Kya says letting go of his ear.

"I would have nothing against it if the other Air Acolytes wouldn't be constantly complaining about the noise they make." Tenzin said rubbing his ear.

"I think those two are sex-addicts." Pema adds.

"Come on it can't be that bad." Kya said.

"Since the Equalist revolution six months ago they did it almost every day, sadly I heard them most of the time. I'm actually surprised Korra isn't pregnant by now." Pema said.

Kya's eyes widen.

"Wow kid sure is a ladies man." Bumi laughs before his sister slaps him on the head.

"It's their relationship, they can do whatever they want... I think." Kya said walking off to find Ikki.

Southern Water Tribe

Mako joined Korra, Kanan, and Unalaq in preparation for the trip to the Pole. Mako had a snowmobile, Unalaq along with his children had mounts, while Korra and Kanan had Naga and Byakko for transport.

"Hey Rent-a-cop, where are Bolin and Asami?" Kanan called out.

Mako got a slightly irritated expression as Korra spoke up. "Asami benched herself on this trip, wanted to go over some things with Varrick."

Mako filled in. "Bolin said he would be here."

They turn seeing Tonraq arrive on a snowmobile as well. Unalaq glares at his brother as he walked over. "Tonraq, what do you want."

"I heard you were taking Korra to the South Pole and I'm coming too." Tonraq stated crossing his arms.

Unalaq wasn't having it. "Absolutely not. You would be no more than a hindrance to Korra's training and distract her from what has to be done." Unalaq countered his argument. "You remained in ignorance after my past warnings and still have not learned since."

"What happened in the past?" Korra questioned.

Tonraq responded quickly."It doesn't matter. What does matter is the Everstorm."

"What's the Everstorm." Mako asked.

"The Everstorm is an ongoing blizzard that hasn't ended in decades." Kanan explained.

"Exactly, so I'm going." Tonraq takes a step closer to Unalaq. "Unless you think can stop me."

The two stare at one another for what felt like hours until Bolin finally arrived breaking the tension effectively.

"Hey, wait for me!" He called from his new brand new snowmobile with a side car. He was also sported new cold climate attire. He pulled down his hood. "I'm riding in style now.

Mako asked. "Did Varrick give this to you?"

Bolin nodded happily. "Yep and this fancy snow suit. It's inflatable, has an emergency beacon, internal heater, and a food pouch. I could get lost for a month and survive in this thing." He noticed how Tonraq and Unalaq held themselves. "Uh, did I interrupt something."

"No Bolin, because it's over." Korra replied quickly, turning to her dad. "You can come if you want, just don't interfere with my training."

She and Kanan ride away from the group on Naga and Byakko. Eska walked over to Bolin. "Does this sidecar have the space for two passengers."

Bolin replies. "Sure does. But, uh… who's gonna drive?"

Bolin grumbles at his predicament as Desna and Eska ride together in his sidecar. Mako guides his snowmobile over to him. "Well, what do you know? Looks like-"

Bolin frowned. "Go away, Mako."

"So we get to the South Pole, then what happens?" Korra asked.

Unalaq replied. "You will open an ancient spirit portal."

"Hold on a second, a spirit portal?" Kanan asked. "To help stop these evil spirits from tearing up the South, we have to open a portal to their world. Isn't that counter intuitive?"

"Let me ask you this then Kanan, do you believe that light and darkness can be found in everything?" Unalaq questioned.

"I believe that there is a capacity for both to exist in people, but sometimes people lean to far to one side. They lean to far to the light and are blinded by it, but if they go to far into the dark, they surround themselves in it." Kanan said thoughtfully.

"Excellent observation. Spirits are no different, there is light and darkness in them as well. But it is when they become unbalanced, the darkness takes over." Thunder resounds as they near the Everstorm. "If Korra can open the portal in time, balance will be restored."

"Wait, what do you mean in time?" Korra asked.

"There's a reason the Glacier Spirits Festival ends on the winter solstice. That's when the Spirit world and the physical world are closest to each other. Only then can the Avatar open the portal." Unalaq explained.

"The winter solstice ends tomorrow." Korra said figuring the big picture out.

Unalaq nodded. "Which is exactly why we must make haste."

Naga growled making the group come to a halt. Everyone looked to find a dark spirit watching them from a far. Korra calms Naga as two more dark spirits flank the original.

"Uh, what are those things." Bolin shakily asked pointing at the spirits.

While the group gave him weird glances, the spirits disappear as soon as they had appeared and Tonraq said. "We need to keep moving. We have to find a safe place to set up camp."

Cave

Everyone was gathered around a fire and Korra asked. "Uncle, why do you think the dark spirits are following us?"

Bolin shivers. "Can we not talk about dark spirits, please." He scoots over closer to Eska and grabs her arm.

Kanan arches an eyebrow. "Uh, you fought one the other night and didn't get scared. So what's different now?"

Mako sighs. "He doesn't like ghost stories. Always have and always will be."

"Don't worry. I'll protect you, my feeble little turtle duck." Bolin lightly thanked Eska for her attempt to reassure him, even though the gesture was purely emotionless.

"I think everyone should know I'm off the market." Eska exclaims.

"I'm sure the pulse setting on your shower head will be devastated." Kanan responded, as Korra and Mako laughed, while Tonraq snorted. Eska glares at Kanan who smiles back.

Unalaq eyed Tonraq deciding to change the topic. "The spirits are upset because he's here. Have you never wondered how your father came to the South Pole? Why he's never taken you to visit his homeland in the North?"

"Unalaq, this is not the time nor place." Tonraq stated strongly.

Unalaq narrowed his eyes. "That dear brother, we can agree on. She should have been told long ago."

Korra grew frustrated of not being in the know. "Tell me what?!"

Tonraq sighed heavily. "I left the North Pole because… I was banished."

"You were banished?! Why?" Tonraq looked down at his daughter's question.

"Twenty years ago I was a general in the Northern Water Tribe, sworn to protect my people. One day, Unalaq informed me of an attack, and I went to stop it. I drove them out of the city and deep into the tundra. We tracked them deep into an ancient forest. Many believed the forest to be home to spirits, and the barbarians retreated there because they thought we wouldn't attack on such hallowed grounds. They thought wrong. We captured the barbarians, but in the process we destroyed the forest. I didn't realize the consequences of what I had done. By destroying the forest, I unknowingly let loose angry spirits. They threatened to destroy everything. The entire city. However, Unalaq saved us. Unalaq was able to guide the spirits back to the forest. But by then, the damage had been done. For being the cause of so much devastation, my father banished me from the Northern Water Tribe in shame. That's when I came to the South and started a new life."

"Whoa, so you were supposed to be the chief, then he became chief. No wonder you don't get along with each other." Bolin said piecing the story together. Mako elbows his brother. "Ow! What? Isn't that what happened?"

Korra got to her feet, upset. "I can't believe you kept this from me."

"I was only trying to protect you from the shame I brought on our family." Tonraq futilely explained.

"You keep hiding things from me and then telling me it's for my own "protection"? I'm tired of your protection." Korra yelled out as she left the cave.

Tonraq calls out. "Korra!"

She stayed on her path, making Kanan stand up. "I'll go after her."

He jogged out after the distraught teen.

"Korra, wait!" Kanan called out.

"Why? Why is so much kept from me?" Korra said turning to her boyfriend/lover.

"You never really cared before that he never took you to the North Pole, right?" Kanan asked.

"No." Korra said not understanding what he meant.

"And he's never done anything but love you, right?" Kanan asked.

"Right." Korra nodded.

"So then, aside from him hiding it from you, what was it about the situation that made you so mad?" Kanan asked.

Korra was silent for a long moment before sighing. "The fact that it was Unalaq that made him tell me. He set it up in the most negative way, and at the worst time possible, specifically to make me mad. Spirits you were right in not trusting him."

"I can't say I don't understand him. I was scared of telling you all about the things I did." Kanan added sadly.

Korra hugged him. "You're right. Come on let's head back."

Reaching the small camp again Korra hugged her father.

"I love you, dad." Korra said. "Please don't hide anything from me again. I just want you to tell me the truth in the future, even if it'll hurt."

"I promise I will." Tonraq nodded.

Korra nodded, smiling and sat down beside Kanan. Kanan catching the glare Unalaq flashed before he hid it.

Southern Air Temple

Tenzin entered with Jinora into a wide open room, her eyes widened. "Are those..."

"Yes all the previous Avatars." Tenzin explained to his daughter. Ikki and Meelo come zooming in on air scooters making their father sigh exasperated. Meelo trips over a statue, making Tenzin run over to tend to him.

Jinora eyed her grandfather's statue, marveling at it as she never got to meet him. She soon made eye contact with the statue. She felt a presence behind her, but when she turned to make sight with it there was nothing there.

Near the South Pole

The group continued their trek.

They stood in front of the massive Everstorm.

The group closed in on the Pole as dark spirits screeched around them as they trek on to their destination.

"Is that what I think it is?" Bolin asked fearfully.

The ground began to shake catching everyone off guard as dark spirits rose from the ground, the dark spirits lunge at the group... but stop.

The spirits stand there almost trembling, cowering in fear... of Kanan.

Shocked at the display in front of them, Unalaq specifically. "How? Why do the spirits fear him so much?" Unalaq thought.

Killing intent surrounds Kanan forming a gigantic demon. But the demon manifests into a full transparent form. Purple skin underneath a long white robe with several prayer beads, sharp claws as nails, large fangs as teeth, a tanto dagger held in it's mouth, two horns on it's head, with snow white long hair.

Korra swore she heard bones crunch in the demons teeth. She looked at it in a combination of curiosity and fear.

Bolin gulps nervously upon the sight, the demon looked at him like he was a snack.

Mako had never seen something like it. The red aura of the demon caused him to see visions of his own painful death.

Tonraq thought about the spirits that attacked him years ago. Forget those, he'd tackle any spirit just not... this.

The spirits quickly disappear leaving the group alone.

"He's the wildcard in this. He's far more dangerous than even the Avatar." Unalaq spoke in his mind.

"What are you waiting for. Let's go." Kanan's voice brought them back to reality.

"No." Tonraq said. "We have to turn back."

"We can't." Unalaq said. "The solstice is tonight. We're so close."

"This mission is too dangerous!" Tonraq said. "We're leaving!"

"No Dad." Korra said. "You're leaving."

"What?" Tonraq gasped.

"The tribe needs you." Korra said. "Go home. We'll be back soon."

"Alright." Tonraq sighed, sitting on his snowmobile. "Kanan, I leave her to you."

"Nothing will happen to her." Kanan promised. "Have a safe trip home."

Tonraq nodded, turning and seeding away. The rest of them turned, continuing on in silence, Bolin being dragged behind the extra camel they had brought in his sidecar, which was all that remained of the snowmobile.

Away from the camp Kanan concentrated.

"What's up kid." The Raiju said looking around. "What are you doing at the spirit portal." The Raiju spoke his voice slightly concerned.

"Unalaq wants Korra to open it." Kanan said. "What is it? Who sealed it?

"It's a hole between the realms." The wolf spoke. "The portals are holes left by great power, and they allow passage between the worlds freely by all. A spirit that passes through would no longer need to sacrifice its immortality to be in the mortal world. And a human that passes through could bend in the spirit world. The first Avatar sealed them in order to keep spirits and humans from interacting after witnessing them destroying each other in endless battles."

"These portals were created when the spirit of light Raava and the spirit of darkness Vaatu broke through the veil between the worlds." The Raiju said voice dripping with venom at the mention of the latter's name.

"I see." Kanan said. "Should we leave it close, then?"

"That is up to the Avatar to decide." He said fading away.

Minutes later Korra was ready to go in.

"She must go alone." Unalaq spoke.

"The hell she will, I'm not leaving her alone in a forest full of insane spirits." Kanan retorted.

"It's okay. I feel like I have to do this by myself." Korra said kissing Kanan who returned it before she went into the forest.

After what felt like hours to Kanan, a beam of pure white light shot into the air from the center of the forest, the Everstorm clearing before glowing trails of light filled the sky.

"It's open." Kanan said.

"It's beautiful!" Bolin said.

Kanan looked back to the forest as the ice dissolved into steam as Korra began to walk out. Kanan ran forward, wrapping her arms around her and spinning. "You did it."

"Yeah." Korra smiled. "Was I not supposed to? You said you wanted to ask the Raiju about it."

"He said it, along with the one at the North Pole, was created by the spirits of light and darkness breaking through the veil between the worlds, and the first Avatar sealed them to keep the spirit world and the human world from destroying each other." Kanan explained.

"I see." Korra nodded. "Well, I suppose as long as it calms the spirits it should be okay then, right?"

"I think so." Kanan nodded. "But maybe we should leave one closed, just in case."

"Good idea." Korra nodded. "I'll make him teach us the technique before I open the other one."

Unalaq joined their side. "It seems that you were successful in our endeavor."

He smiled. "Avatar Korra, you have taken the first step in bringing about balance back to the South, and soon the world."

Southern Water Tribe

The caravan arrived on a cliff, looking down they were greeted by the sight of a fleet of Northern Water Tribe ships taking residence in harbor.

There were as many ships in the water as Kanan would expect to see troops in an army meant to conquer a nation without reinforcements. Hundreds of ships. Probably more. On each ship, he could see lines of Northern Water Tribe troops preparing to make landfall, all armed and wearing armor.

"What are all your Northern troops doing here?" Korra asked worriedly as Unalaq gazed forward.

"Opening the spirit portal was only the first step in getting the Southern Water Tribe back on the righteous path. There's more difficult work to be done before our two tribes are truly united, Korra." Unalaq stated.

Korra watched on with worry evident in her eyes as she unconsciously held Kanan's hand with him returning the gesture not taking his eyes off the scene.

Korra's hand tightened around Kanan's wondering if she truly did the right thing.

I apologize if this chapter is short, but I think it felt good to end it here.

The next chapter is gonna be longer, I will probably publish it today or tomorrow.

And Kanan's killing intent looks like the Reaper from the Reaper Death Seal from Naruto. And it's not just a killing intent, believe me it's much more.

See ya.