AN:

Chaper 13 I messed up at the end and for some reason it autocorrected. Where it says Kama pulled up his deep blood over his messy hair, I meant dark blue. So at the moment Kama is wearing dark blue clothing, not red. Sorry for that mistake. It'd be hypocritical to say red right after he got after Mako for his red scarf. xD

Song is Discovering Oceans by City In The Sea.


Korra rolled off her stomach to her side and angrily threw a flaming punch in the direction of the waterbender whom easily stopped it by kicking up a large ball of snow in the direction melting it instantly but diminishing the fire none the less. It could not be from assiduity that the Avatar refused to give up. She did not know the full length of what was going on and with her knee's completely buckled and dislocated it was near impossible to stand without snapping them back into place. Going into the Avatar state wasn't an option either. Besides, the time was not appropriate for it and the power was not to be used every time she was in a predicament. It would be an abuse of the power even though she once or twice used it to beat the air bending kids at a race in the past.

"This is pathetic, Korra. I do not wish to fight but you are provoking. Let me leave in peace." Shoichi folded his arms over his chest.

"You attacked us!" Wobbling on her arms to push herself up, she only managed to maneuver herself onto her backside and lean up. The pain from her knees shot through both legs causing her to vaguely whimper low enough for only her to hear as she tried to reset them properly. "Do you think I'm going to forgive you for that?!" Unknown to her, once she reset them Noatak used a bit of bloodbending to help circulate the blood flow so she'd be able to stand sooner. The sooner she stood, the sooner she would be able to handle him. Noatak was fully capable, but he was in no mood to take the Avatars glory when it was her title to fill.

Unfolding his arms Shoichi held up a palm to prevent her from saying any more. "Purely out of keeping my secret. We all have secrets, Korra. Just because you believe I am the one the monster is after does not mean that I am. It is the bias assumption of this unsightly bloodbender that stands before you. A criminal, no less. I flee because I do not want to be involved in her violent wrath, common sense, don't you think? Who would? Except maybe those who seek her out, such as you. But that is a foolish ambition to want to stick around, even for you. Perhaps all of this is one big mix up. Did you ever think that it could be neither of us? My tabs are justified as a way of protection. If she hunted me down it does not mean it is for the reason you believe it is. It would be to erase all evidence of her being known – just like myself. We both want to be a shadow to the world, something she and I have in common.

"My past is my past, something only I need to know. And for that, this man should hold his tongue lest it be cut out and cooked in a pot." Shoichi concluded and turned around. The wind picked up but did not send chills down neither one of their backs, the frost bite threatening to tickle their fingers.

The fire kingdom held many promises to him. A warmer climate, a place of sanctuary and a state of free mind; there would be many benefits supplied. Constantly traveling between places tended to be tiresome and it was in that time that Shoichi would rather settle down in one place and relax without having to have so much conflict coming about. The last time he had left without notice, it was a sad moment for what acquaintances he had made in his visits. And though he did miss idle chit chat, it could not be helped. Life moved on, as should he. And he will do the same here and now.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Korra. I'm sorry I could not stick around longer, but I'm afraid delaying will not be necessary." Shoichi's eyes wandered over the clear sky with fallen snow trickling down and sticking to his clothes as it landed. He inhaled the smell of fresh crisp snow and took it to memory wondering if he would ever return to it again or if this would be the last. The silence was much like the sound of a billion screaming souls ringing in his ears, pleading for retribution. It was agonizing. As beautiful a melody as the silence was, it too must end.

And so, he trudged through the snow with his black coat bellowing behind him in the wind and a hand rose as a farewell, not looking back.

Noatak did not chase him and neither did Korra. Neither were quite sure why, but they did not. It could either be the biggest mistake made, or a memory to remember of a man who was whole and merely misunderstood.

There was a moment of silence.


"I'll be extraordinarily blunt with you right about now." Kama confronted. "Our chances of finding him may be higher because of the Avatar but that doesn't mean they're still traveling together. We have to weigh all our possibilities as of right now and expect the worst."

Mako mentally played back all the plans of actions for each possible outcome but frowned in contemplation. "We won't have to fight Korra, will we?"

It began to dawn on him heavily.

"It seems very unlikely," Kama said in a repressive tone, hoping along with Mako things would not come down to that. He did not fear the Avatar in the slightest; it was the complications that would arise if they had to. She would become a milestone in their mission and just halt their completion of goals. Despite himself, he commented the most practical line of thought that hung by a string. "If the Avatar makes any attempt to attack us, I will not hesitate to draw my blade, but I will not hesitate to run either. It would be a pointless fight if she's not my target. Now, if she knows more information on him and refuses to spill the beans–"

"I'll deal with her then."

"Good." Kama left the conversation at that and led them into the small village of the Northern Water Tribe. It had been a long time since he had been here. It didn't necessarily bring fond memories or bad ones. The feeling of this place was simply neutral to him and he thought nothing more of it besides a nation built upon an empire of ice and snow.

The buildings did not stand very tall but at least had a much better economy than the Southern Water Tribe. It did not surprise him that things had gone downhill once their Chief had been banished and imprisoned putting new government officials in charge. Both he and Vinioz agreed on their dislike for politicians. Corrupted with power, they were all – well, most of them – selfish assholes who wanted things done their way or no way.

He recalled one of their run-ins with the official of the Fire Nation a long while ago, a thoroughly annoyed looking Vinioz whom at the time was fed up with the representatives and their mockery, flaunting their power with pride and displaying no sense of moral support to their cause. It was one of the incidents leading up to the conflicts of today but now-a-days it was just a speck of a memory, a small flame that fueled a fire that continues to grow and engulf.

Their claim was substantial, evidence provided. Kama at the time could only exchange a look with his partner, praying that this would be enough to convince them. Unfortunately, it did not. The representatives did not believe them regardless and merely dismissed their claims.

"The news is quite informing." Mako cut Kama from his thoughts. When he looked over to where Mako was pointing, he saw there was a large stack of newspapers on display. Neither were very interested to pay just for one when they had a very good idea of what was inside of it. The front read the latest news though.

"They think I was kidnapped."

Kama frowned. "If news has reached here this quickly, we may be more in a pickle than I thought. And knowing our enemy, he's probably already read it. Fuck."

"Maybe he hasn't escaped yet? Vinioz is watching the ship at the dock; I don't think he'd be able to sneak past her undetected." Mako said, proposing vaguely. "Besides, if knew we were coming wouldn't he give it time to escape or find another way?"

"Not necessarily." Kama adjusted his glasses, pushing them up farther up off the brink of his nose. "There's a chance he may not even be here."

"What do you mean?"

"Just because your friend told you she was taking him to the Northern Water Tribe doesn't mean they went. It could be to throw off suspicions and lead us elsewhere."

"Korra wouldn't lie to me." Mako grit his teeth at this man's assumption. It's not like he knew her better than him. In fact, they've probably never even met before anyways. He had no right to make such a claim!

"She might not, but he may have." Kama pointed out, lifting his head up to look at the sky, his hair that curtained his eyes moving to either side of his face. Winter would be ending soon and then would come spring – a time where everything came to life and vibrantly bloomed. Now, now was the time of withering. And withering he felt.

Most the afternoon proved to be a waste of time with no real sign of them anywhere. It was only when they had checked almost every inch and cranny of the town did they decide he was not here. He must be hiding somewhere on the outskirts. It made sense, really. Kama didn't expect him to be lively in town unless it was to destroy suspicions of him being a hermit, but even then it was risky on its own.

As they walked towards the outskirts of town where there were said to be other homes, Mako decided to bring up a question. "Why don't we ever say his name?"

"What?' Kama asked dryly but then understood what he meant by the implication and gesturing hand of a standing figure that would play as a representation. "Oh, right. Well, I guess it just pisses Vinioz and me off to say it. Too much hatred for the bastard. It's as though it's a tainted name I guess you could say."

"Makes sense…I guess," Mako replied, not in the least bit convinced but let it slide for now. Tarlokk's name was renown, he was a councilman in Republic City beforehand, his name had made the papers multiple times when he and Bolin were growing up as he rose higher and higher to power over the years until eventually he represented the Water Tribe.

Still, Kama's tone was rather sour when it came to any mention of Tarlokk, excluding his name being spoken. It was like some codename or something, always referring to "he" or "him." It became rather irritating as time went on, even if it was a short period time he's been alongside them.

Mako's last talk with Vinioz didn't entirely make him feel all that more comfortable being around the two, but it gave a sense of feeling that perhaps the two of them weren't just monsters but had a human side to them too.

The answer about why they were after Tarlokk was never answered for him, probably also because he didn't ask. He figured if he did he would be brutally turned down – which was half true. Kama may open his mouth and spill a little, but Vinioz would keep quite about it. The most processed was that they wanted revenge and that was final. What Tarlokk had done was uncertain – he guessed it was probably bloodbending them. Maybe something to do with politics. It didn't really matter.

Without any warning, a rippling yell came from the side of them. Kama was first to turn, seeing it was a woman who let out the yell. At first thought he was worried someone recognized him but it was not the two of them who she was pointing at. Confused, Kama swiveled his head to the side to investigate only to be nearly as shocked as she was.

The sky was darkening farther off in the distance, a swirling mass of blue and black clouds circling much like a tornado and coming down from the sky. Bewildered by such a display, Mako wasn't sure what to make of it. All he knew is that his stomach dropped.

It was the spirit portal opening for someone to step in. Korra would have been his first guess but when they traveled there with her and she first opened it, it didn't look anything like this. Unless it perhaps was the Avatar State?

"I think I found our next location to check out." Mako muttered in a dry sense of humor. Kama smirked triumphantly, almost half proud.

"Looks like things just got easier…"