Several nights later Korra was still having bad dreams. I heard her in the night, yelling so I got out of my own bed and went to her room, rubbing my eyes before I opened the door and stepped inside. "Korra? Is it that dream again?" I asked her as she gasped for breath and wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Yeah, it's nothing. It's stupid." Shaking my head I crawled into bed with her then hugged her against me, stroking her hair to calm her down as Naga rested her head against us. "Sorry I woke you."
"That's okay, I wasn't sleeping well either." I admitted and Korra looked up at me from the safety of my arms.
"You're getting nightmares too?" I nodded my head, a little distressed that I still couldn't shake those nightmares even after all these years. "About the night your dad died?" Korra didn't even need me to answer. She wrapped her arms around my waist and we held one another tightly in sleep as we struggled with our dreams. Hers were of Amon and his threat to purge the world. Mine were of black waves and the drifting figure of the man whom I had loved with all my heart. Even though I had been so young, I remembered it as clear as day and no healers could cure me, not even my grandmother.
Still, I shook it off and carried on with my day. It was my turn to watch the kids so whilst Jinora practiced her techniques, Ikki and Meelo played a game of air-ball whilst I made sure they were all safe. "Hey Kanna! Can you do that cool ice trick again? Please?" Ikki requested, pulling me from my reverie as I sat up a little straighter. "Can you make us a swing? Or a roundabout? Or how about a whole park?!" She spouted off ideas and I laughed as I walked over, picking her up easily and tossed her onto my shoulder where she sat with a squeal of excitement.
"Maybe not a park, but I'll see what I can do. Just hang on a second." I winked to her as she held onto my head for balance, gripping a little too tightly for excitement.
"Yay! I want a park too! Come on Kanna, show us your ice-bending!" Meelo chanted and Jinora looked over as I got into stance, relaxing my shoulders before beginning to move, pulling the water in small ebbs and flows, making sure to keep it small before beginning to form a roundabout, making it as simple as possible until finally, it was done. "Woo! Push us! Push us!" The two youngest laughed happily as they jumped on, making me grin and chuckle as I began to pull the ice around, directing it in a spin.
"Okay, hold on tight!" I called as Jinora smiled before continuing with her practice. She works too hard. I know that as the eldest a lot of pressure was put on her, however I think it's important that she remembers that she's still a little girl, even though she was growing up fast. "Hey Jinora! Come join us!"
"Maybe in a little while." Jinora answered but I wasn't about to take no for an answer, so I formed a snowball in my right hand then threw it expertly at her, catching the back of her neck and she shrieked as the cold slid down her back and made her brother and sister laugh as they spun around. "Hey!"
"Tag, you're it!" With a crow of laughter I raced away from her, leaping all over the island as the kids chased me relentlessly, Jinora finally loosening up and having some fun as she used her glider to get ahead of me however before she could catch me I ducked underneath her and picked her up, spiralling around with her until she was laughing uncontrollably. By that point I got body tackled by Ikki and Meelo, the four of us laughing together as I cushioned their fall, tickling them until they began to tickle me and I screeched at the top of my lungs very loudly, writhing and wriggling until I was begging them to stop. They collapsed on top of me, crushing the air of my lungs but I didn't care, they were happy.
"You're the best cousin we've ever had Kanna! Will you stay with us forever?" Ikki asked and I laughed again.
"Ikki, I'm kind of your only cousin so you're stuck with me, forever and ever!" They cheered again as I leaped to my feet, all three of them caught in my grasp as I swung around before I let them go, chasing them all down over the island as Pema watched on contentedly. It might not exactly be quiet, but at least she wasn't the one running around after them. I was pretty sure that the baby would be arriving any time soon and she had even asked if I wanted to help her with the birth. I was touched that she would ask me to help deliver the baby and gladly accepted. With Katara as my teacher, there was no way I could mess up. She once told me that she had delivered a baby in the middle of the road on the way to Ba Sing Se. It was one that made me laugh the most as Uncle Sokka had totally freaked out.
When it was time for dinner we all sat down as a family where Tenzin blessed the food, our hands pressed together and our heads bowed. "We are grateful for this delicious food, for happiness, for compassion, and…"
"I'm not interrupting, am I?" Instantly we all looked up in surprise to see one of the council members standing at the door, not even waiting for an invitation to come inside.
"Actually, your timing couldn't have been worse you moron." I answered him coldly as he arrogantly stepped inside. "And yes, you are interrupting." He recoiled in surprise, blinking at me as I held his gaze firmly, unwavering until he laughed.
"My, my, you are definitely Kya's daughter. It's a shame that she couldn't be with you more often and left you to the rest of your family to raise." He said and I felt like punching him in the throat, however before I could leap up Tenzin placed his hand upon my shoulder to keep me anchored to my seat whilst he looked coldly towards our intruder.
"This is my home, Tarrlok. We're about to eat dinner."
"Good because I am absolutely famished. Air-benders never turn away a hungry guest, am I right?" Sighing dejectedly my uncle reluctantly agreed despite Pema's glare at him.
"I suppose." Tarrlok walked around the room and head directly for Korra, making my eyes narrow further so I pointedly got up and took the seat next to her, occupying the only space at her side so that Tarrlok was forced to sit next to Tenzin instead. For a moment he looked at me, brow furrowing so I just looked up at him with a smile.
"Soy beans are my favourite." I said, gesturing to the bowl in front of me then said nothing more, turning my head to then blatantly ignore him as Tarrlok continued around the table and assumed the seat I had left behind.
"It is truly an honour to finally meet you, Avatar Korra. I am Councilman Tarrlok, representative from the Northern Water Tribe." I snorted quietly, making Pema give a small giggle however nothing was said as I began to help myself to food and helped Meelo pick out the stuff he wanted and cleaned up the area around him from where he'd spilled the rice.
"Nice to meet you." Korra answered politely however she glanced my way but I could do nothing more than shrug. I didn't know why he was here so I couldn't answer the silent question in her eyes.
"Why do you have three pony-tails?" Ikki questioned as I placed some rice into my mouth whilst she sniffed him. "And how come you smell like a lady? You're weird." All at once I choked, stifling a loud laugh which turned into a hacking cough as the rice got stuck in my throat, adoring my little cousin for her bluntness. Korra quickly smacked me on the back and dislodged the food, allowing me to grab a drink of water.
"I'm good." I croaked, lifting a hand to assure everyone as Tarrlok cleared his throat.
"Well aren't you...precocious." His tone dripped with sarcasm so I shot him a glare as I tried to eat again. "So, I've been reading all about your adventures in the papers. Infiltrating Amon's rally, now that took some real initiative." He was back on Korra already, what did he want with her? This guy just radiated bad news. He was arrogant and stuck up and I don't like him. Maybe I should have Korra call Naga in to join the party so that she could chase him out.
"Oh, thanks. I think you're the first authority figure in the city who's happy I'm here."
"Republic City is much better off now that you've arrived." I rolled my eyes and thankfully, Tenzin seemed to share my sentiment as he put down his food and firmly cut across the conversation.
"Enough with the flattery, Tarrlok. What do you want from Korra?" He demanded to know and instantly everyone had lifted their heads to listen to what it was he had to say. I for one was intrigued and no doubt it would be something stupid. He looks like a stupid kind of guy. Just saying.
"Patience, Tenzin. I'm getting to that. As you may have heard, I am assembling a task force that will strike at the heart of the revolution and I want you to join me, Avatar Korra."
"Rejected." I answered immediately, planting a fist down on the table as I turned my head slightly towards the chairman. "That task force of yours is nothing more than a way for you to assert your own power and authority. A personal vanity project. You'll do more harm than good if you have your way and Korra doesn't need to share in your bad rep. Besides, if there are rebellions in the first place, then it means that there has to be something wrong with the foundations of this city. Deal with the cause, you'll get rid of the consequence. Understand me?" My dry tone seemed to only irritate Councilman Tarrlok further, which only made me happy.
"Now, now little girl I don't think the decision is yours to make, and your opinions are not required on this matter. What would a child who only until now never stepped foot outside their hometown know of diplomacy?" His eyes bore into mine and I felt that strange urge to punch his throat again. Children present, Kanna, keep it cool. "I need someone who will help me attack Amon directly, someone who is fearless in the face of danger, and that someone is you, Korra." Obviously he wasn't the kind of guy that would give up any time soon, however I know Korra. This Amon guy really freaked her out and there was no way that she would want to be placed directly in his way.
"Join your task force?" She questioned before looking away. "I can't." Smirking smugly to myself I continued eating, the both of us focusing on a peaceful meal and nothing more.
"I must admit, I'm rather surprised. I thought you'd jump at the chance to help me lead the charge against Amon." Tarrlok mused as Tenzin quietly agreed under his breath, frowning at Korra quietly with a thoughtful expression.
"I came to Republic City to finish my Avatar training with Tenzin. Right now I just need to focus on that." She gave her excuse however under the table I reached across and placed my hand on hers, feeling her relax a little as she turned her hand over and linked our fingers together as I silently gave her my support.
"Which is why this opportunity is perfect. You would get on the job experience while performing your Avatar duty for the city." Growing angry I stood up from the table and folded my arms, glaring down at Tarrlok.
"Korra has given you her final answer and you should respect the decision of the Avatar. This little vanity project of yours is going to have to proceed without Korra at your side. So, if you would excuse us, we are sitting down to a meal as a family which you are not a part of. The Air Nomads may not turn away hungry guests, but I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. We hunt and fight for our food, so if you haven't done anything to grow, harvest or catch what we have on this table, then I suggest you leave." Deep blue eyes as sharp as glass narrowed at me, picking me out to be the main obstacle to get to Korra. He knew if he wanted her, he'd have to go through me. He rose up to the challenge, standing tall and proud however with a glance around, he thought better of it.
"Very well. However, I'm not giving up on you just yet. You'll be hearing from me soon. It has been a pleasure, Avatar Korra." With a polite bow Tarrlok breezed past us all, leaving the room but not before Ikki jumped up.
"Bye-bye, pony-tail man!" Spluttering with laughter I dropped my shoulders and flumped back into my seat, amused at Ikki's innocence as the children continued to eat their food.
"Korra, are you alright?" Tenzin questioned, still looking very surprised by Korra's answer.
"Yes, I'm fine." But under the table where no one could see, she was holding my hand so tightly I thought my fingers were going to break.