Sorry about taking so long to update. Book 4 of Korra completely through this story out of whack and made it completely AU-ish, not that I expected any of this to be close to cannon... Anyways, on forth with my crack shipping story!
She walked with Naga, lost in thought when they arrived to the train. Mako was shouting orders of where to put equipment when she finally stopped. He gave her a nod before looking back at the transport list.
"I see you took my advice."
"I did." Korra grinned tugging at the two ponytails at her temples, "You can't say that I never listen to you now."
Mako hummed knowing better than to answer.
"So," she started, "Is there a certain part of the train I can take Naga to?"
"I'll put her on personally. Just make sure your shadow gets on board."
"I will," she trailed off, catching voices shouting at her from outside of their security, "Who are they?"
Mako glanced over before scoffing, "Anti-Avatar Movement members. They're nothing but a nuisance."
"Anti-Avatar Movement?" Korra raised a brow, questioning him, "Have I angered that many people outside the United Republic?"
"Apparently so since I have to sit in on briefings about them, but don't worry about it. They have only ever protested."
The Avatar let out a pout, "I guess I should find my shadow. I cannot imagine what he would do if he stayed with the King."
Mako grinned, "He'd probably relieve some of us of our constant headaches."
"Sometimes I wonder why you decided to stay in his service." Korra trailed off as her shadow appeared, "Speaking of which; here comes the man of the hour."
"You look childish with those tails in your hair." Zhao said without a hint of tone in his voice.
"Hello again to you."
"Greetings again Makoto." Zhao grinned.
"It's Mako." The taller firebender growled.
"Right," he then turned to Korra, "I will find us a nice, private place on the train."
Korra blushed, shrinking from Mako's screech.
"Korra, put your own damn animal on the train! I'm tired of this childish game." he shouted as he stormed off.
"Which one?" Korra asked herself as Naga nudged her. She gave the polar-bear dog a pat on her nose before turning to Zhao, "Be nice to him. He is helping us."
"If he cannot take our bantering then he will be miserable and it will be on him."
"He always seems miserable. Don't make it worse than it is."
The train ride was rather tedious. They were not worrying about being attacked this time around. Korra was also grateful for being out of the snow. Her little corner of the train was warm and comfortable. Besides, Naga was enjoying having her stomach scratched.
"I bet you love not having to run with a rider, don't you old girl?" the Avatar chuckled as she continued, "What do you think, Naga; have I just completely lost my mind? Here I am, working alongside a man I have loved in the past and also with a man I despise yet I spent the night with him."
She crossed her arms, humming in though. Her lower lip jutted out as she thought over the last night. Her loyal beast nudged her again.
"After this is all over, Naga," she said sitting back against the polar bear-dog and waving her hand out in front of her, "It's just going to be you and me. We're going to move into the mountains and become hermits. Then I dare the next villain to face me when I have to come out of the mountains."
"What are you going to do then?" she heard Mako from the door.
"How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough to know that you and Naga are going to become hermits."
"It sounds crazy, doesn't it?"
"Yes but everyone knows you are a bit crazy." He sat down besides her, setting a pot of tea in front of them. He would hold out a filled cup for her, "I thought I would apologize for this morning. I went too far. It really is none of my business what you and Zhao do behind doors. But I have to know; is he better than Wu?"
Korra spat a plume of tea out of her mouth, "Spirits, why are you asking me that?"
Mako shrugged, "Just curious since you seem to be having one night stands lately."
The Avatar blushed, "Lately? No, they haven't been that common, Mako. I'm sure anyone is better than Wu and don't you dare ask me your next question. I refuse to compare you and him."
"I-" Mako stuttered, "Was not going to ask that but let's change subjects."
"Yes please." Korra reached for the tea pot, "Have you talked to Bolin or Asami lately?"
"Bolin's doing well. He and Opal are expecting their second child."
Korra elbowed him, "Uncle Mako again, eh?"
Mako grinned with a laugh, "Yeah, it feels good to have family again. Between you and him, I will never be without family again."
She snorted, "You think of Lok as family? I thought you didn't like Wu?"
Mako shrugged, "He's kinda grown on my like another brother to be fair. He is actually trying. Between being king and his awkward self, he is not that bad of a father. And yes, I do actually think of Lok as a nephew. Someone has to make sure he doesn't completely become like Wu."
"Thank you." Korra said softly as she leaned into him, "It means a lot to me that I know someone is taking care of my 'bargaining chip' child."
"I still don't understand how you deal with it."
"Lots of useless flirting with a certain bartender in Republic City and bickering with a man I despise. There's not much I can do about it."
Mako shook his head, "You are crazy and lonely."
"Unfortunately." She sighed, "How's Asami doing?"
Mako breathed in, "She's doing well for being the wife of the United Republic president. I think she misses her company though. Future Industries is her calling after all."
Korra grimaced at the thought of her friend's husband. He was almost as enjoyable as former President Raiko was except that he was like family.
"I hate him," Korra spat out, "I hate him more than I did Raiko. It's like he's scheming behind my back."
"Kyung's," Mako had to pause to think of a good word, "Dedicated."
"Too dedicated. He's also paranoid. He has it out for me and he's waiting for me to mess up again so he can convince the world to stuff me into a box and forget where they place me."
"Hear me out; I just think you are over thinking it."
Korra sighed, drinking some of her tea. She turned to look at Mako with a smile.
"Thank you for listening. I miss chatting with you in a civil way."
"Shouting at each other does get old." He then stood up and took the tea pot with him, "Care to join me in the planning car? I should know what we're working on."
The Water Tribe woman nodded, standing up soon after.
Work on the railroad began in the morning after they arrived. After watching them for a few minutes, Korra realized that it would be faster if she used metalbending to move the rails into place. The workers would place the bolts needed into the ground and made sure they stayed. Of course, her work did not go without some comments from her new favorite firebender. She did ignore him most of the day. She was feeling slightly embarrassed about the night before and he was annoying her.
"I do wonder how this world would move on without you, Avatar." Zhao was sitting down with his arms crossed as she placed two more rails down, "These workers are useless. You could easily take the world as your own. Well, except for my bed."
Mako sighed loudly, "You know, no one cares that you slept with the Avatar. Just stop already."
"Guys, this is not the time to talk about me lik-"
"Hold on Avatar," Zhao interrupted as he put a hand up, "Indeed, no one cares about what the Avatar does behind doors but you do. Jealously is written all over your face like a book."
Korra slapped her forehead before chasing the railroad workers away. They did not need to hear anymore of this.
"I am not jealous. Alright, maybe I was when she went out with my brother on a date. Or when she took Asami to the Spirit World for some girl fling thing, but I'm not jealous because of you." Mako shot back. "What are you anyways, some gossiping noblewoman?"
"Guys…"
"Even if I were, you cannot even admit to yourself that you are bad with women."
"Guys…!"
"I slept with her first while you were trapped in the Spirit World, wondering if you would ever get out!"
"Seriously Mako?!" Korra finally shouted, "You two are worse than Ikki and Jinora! And at this rate, I am going to become a hermit."
She stormed off back to the train leaving the firebenders to wonder in their thoughts.
"You are a charmer with the women, Makoto." Zhao laughed.
Mako grumbled, "Just like my grandfather…"
After a physically and mentally painful month of getting the railroad made, they finally finished the project. Korra made sure to hide from Mako and Zhao for two days in Chongsheng just so she could mentally prepare to go to Republic City with them. Whether the Earth King wanted it or not, she was going to steal his favorite bodyguard and mentor so she could figure out what is fueling all the hatred towards her.
She cleared the harbor again and traded the red, silky bed sheets for a boat ride to Republic City for three of them. Mako was going to head back. Naga seemed happy to be coming along with her person again. The beast jumped all the way up the plank, nearly causing Zhao to fall off. Korra stood on the deck laughing at him.
"Some sailor you are." She grinned
"You didn't have a giant pet trying to knock you from your feet."
Just as Zhao stepped onto the ship, someone from the town came running and shouting.
"Avatar Korra," the man panted as he reached the ship, "Some brigands are coming."
The Avatar did not think twice about it. She jumped over the railing of the ship and started running towards the train station. Both of the firebenders later chased her and joined into protect the town.
The trio eventually chased them off. Mako had managed to grab one of them and he was now trying to get some information out of the man as Korra left to speak with Rozulon. Zhao stood outside of the meeting building with his arms crossed. It was now dark outside and the former admiral was counting stars. He heard mentioning of releasing someone from prison that could aid her in getting rid of the brigands. For an Avatar, he realized that Korra was quite unconventional. It intrigued him and now his mind wandered to who this person that she wanted was.
"Eavesdropping?" Mako asked as he strolled up.
"Yes. I'm curious as to who this prisoner is that she wants to let go to help her with these brigands."
"She wants to release… oh." Mako's brow rose, "I know who she speaks about."
Mere seconds later, Korra walked out. She thanked the elder for his time before signaling to the firebenders to follow her.
"You don't really think Kuvira is going to actually help us with these guys, do you?" the Earth King's bodyguard asked.
"I think she will." Korra said as she stopped in front of the sea captain's home and knocked, "She's always wanted to help her people. Telling these misguided men to go home may be just the thing we need for Chongsheng to survive."
The door opened, revealing the sea captain, "Ready to go, Avatar?"
Korra nodded.
The President of the United Republic was on the phone when the Avatar and her firebending friends walked in. He let out an annoyed moan as he ended his call.
"What can I help you with, Avatar Korra?" the man snarled, "You're not here to steal my wife away again, are you?"
She could hear a wicked snicker come from Zhao, "No, I came to ask about releasing Kuvira for a short period of time. I need her help with trying to convince her loyal followers to just go home."
The president gave her a look that she felt could rip Raava from her.
"Mako, you're a smart man." He spoke up in a kinder tone, "Why should I let the Avatar, whom has killed a man in cold blood, have a woman who almost destroyed the Earth Kingdom and the United Republic? What do you think of this?"
"If anyone can peacefully convince them to go home, it would be Kuvira." Korra added before Mako could speak.
"Korra's right. If these followers are truly doing this for her still, then having their leader tell them to go home should work."
"And if this doesn't?"
Korra stepped forward and placed both of her hands on the desk, "Then I will bring them all back here as criminals."
Kyung then laughed. He sat back in his chair, "A murderer leading a tyrant and other criminals back. You have a sense of humor, Avatar Korra. Now, get out of my city before your presence causes riots to start."
"Riots over what?" Korra asked. Her brow rose as well as her arms in confusion, "I don't understand why people are all angry at me now. What have I done since I was released from jail?"
Mako sighed as the President gave him a frustrated look. He then placed his hands on her shoulder, urging her to leave before something got worse. The look on the Avatar's face softened as she gave up trying to argue.
"Right," she spoke softly, "Let's go then. Guess we'll have to find another way to stop this."
Kyung let out a sigh of relief until the Avatar stopped in the doorway and pointed at him with a wicked grin.
"I am going to kidnap your wife for a night out before I go though. Even you can't stop me from doing that."
The President's brow twitched as the door was slammed.
As they headed down the hall, the firebenders walked in silence as Korra ranted about her feelings of the man. Mako tried to focus on the walls and the painting while Zhao smirked.
"We could break her out. We are considered criminals to most people in the world."
Mako stopped dead in his tracks, "Oh no. Count me out. Korra, please don't consider this."
The Avatar turned to face Zhao, "I'm sure Kyung has already thought about it. It would be crazy."
"And here I thought the Avatar was the most powerful bender. You can't handle a prison full of guards? We could just break in, take this woman and force her to help us. When we're done, we return her." Zhao glanced at the others' looks of disbelief.
"Korra, you do this and you can count me out. I know that I promised to follow you into your future battles, but this is just wrong."
"Makoto is scared."
"I am not. I have a home and a job. I can't be breaking people out of prison." Mako threw his arms up, "If you do this, the world will consider you too powerful. They're revolt more."
The Avatar eyed them both for a moment. A hand went to her chin as she thought.
"Mako, why don't you go visit your brother for the night."
"No way. You can't be considering this! This is too rash. "
Korra gave him a reassuring grin, "Mako, I'm not breaking her out. I'm not seventeen anymore; I'm an adult and I will instead hit him where will hurt the most. I'm asking Asami for help."
Zhao laughed as Mako moaned.