"Fire Rat." Mako didn't even need to turn around to know who was calling him.
"What do you want, Tahno?" he asked.
"I came to ask you a favor," the swamp dweller stated, standing a few feet away from the Fire Ferret captain.
Mako turned to face the former Waterbender, a skeptic brow raised. "And why should I do you any favors?" he asked, trying to walk passed the other boy.
"Mako." Tahno grabbed his arm to keep him from leaving. "You care about Korra. As do I. If that lunatic managed to…" He shook his head. "I don't want that to happen to her. So I'm asking you to keep her safe." Mako blinked at him. "Please," he added the last part almost as if it was an afterthought.
Mako seemed to be mulling over the ex-Wolf-Bat's words, debating what he should say in return. The sincerity in his voice, and the fact that he had asked him of all people any kind of favor…it struck a chord with the Firebender. He hated to admit it, but Tahno and he had something in common. They both were concerned for Korra. Finally, he nodded. "I wouldn't want it any other way," he answered. "I promise."
Tahno had known Mako wouldn't let anything hurt the Avatar. But it helped calm his nerves to have reassurance of this fact. "I appreciate this." Mako nodded in reply. "But this changes nothing between you and me, Fire Rat."
Mako smirked. "Agreed."
*** "I don't like this."
Korra sighed as she turned to face the taller boy. "I'm going. This needs to end."
"I know," Tahno admitted. "I just thought it appropriate to let you know that I don't like that I know."
Korra smirked at this. "I could have just snuck out to face Amon. Would you've proffered that?" Tahno said nothing. "That's what I thought. Besides, it's not like I'm going alone. Mako will be with me the entire time."
"I'm aware," the former Pro-Bending champ stated. "I'm not particularly fond of that idea either."
Korra rolled her eyes. "While we're taking care of Amon you guys will be taking care of that Air Field. The reinforcements won't stand a chance if those planes aren't grounded," she said, changing the subject.
Tahno nodded his head. "Shouldn't be too complicated. Our job is the easy one. You on the other hand…" His nonchalant expression was ruined when his brows furrowed and he stared down into her cerulean eyes, his own pale ones revealing his worry.
Korra placed her hand on his shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. "I'll be fine. Mako and I will find Amon, kick his ass and then we'll all meet up after it's all said and done."
Tahno grinned at the confidence in her voice and nodded. But he knew that nothing ever went as planned and the worry didn't leave his eyes. Korra smiled up and him and wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes so she could hug him and mentally cursed the fact that he was taller than her.
Tahno returned the gesture, wrapping his long arms around her frame. "Don't do anything stupid, Sweetheart," he muttered, reiterating her own words.
Korra chuckled and pulled away from him. "How can I?" she asked, walking backwards. "You're taking all the stupid with you," she finished playfully. Tahno shook his head at this. "Besides, what could go wrong?"
**** Tahno groaned as he started regain consciousness, his senses slowly returning to him. "Are you insane?" At first, he thought the question was directed at him, but then Asami's voice continued. "How can we be a family after everything you've done?" Tahno looked over at the heiress and saw she was talking to an older man. Hiroshi Sato. In Tahno's opinion, Hiroshi looked like he hadn't slept in days and his beard wasn't as neatly trimmed as he remembered seeing on the newspaper advertisements.
"Mom would hate what you've become!" Hiroshi's face contorted from caring to angered in a split second at his daughter's words.
"How dare you!" he barked. "I'm avenging your mother's death!" Asami glared at him as an Equalist came and summoned him, saying that they were ready to annihilate the reinforcement fleet. So he'd known. And since they were stuck in this cell there was nothing they could do. The general had come to, as had Bolin and they were trying to come up with a plan to escape. Metalbending was out of the option since apparently the Earthbender hadn't been taught how.
Tahno sighed and looked over at Asami. The fire in her eyes had faded once her father had left and what remained made her look uncertain. "You okay?" he asked, causing her focus to turn on him. She nodded slowly.
"Yeah…I'm fine."
Tahno didn't buy it. "Hey, it's okay to be upset. He is your dad." The simplicity of the statement made Asami stare at him. She nodded her head, not knowing exactly what to say. Both Nonbender's turned their attention back to the General and Bolin, who were still tossing ideas back and forth. That was about the time Naga decided to help them out.
Once they were free, Tahno approached the beast and petted her snout. "Good beastie." He could only hope the Avatar was having better luck than they were.
*** Korra felt her limbs twist in a familiar way as she was grabbed from her hiding spot and levitated in the air. She tried to break Amon's hold over her body but her efforts proved to be futile. Mako tried to free her but he too was soon unable to control his own limbs as Amon slammed them both into the ground.
"Really, Avatar? Is this the best you could do?"
Korra ground her teeth together as Amon made her get to her knees. "I must say I'm disappointed. The way that pathetic excuse of a Pro-Bender talked about you, I was lead to believe you'd be more of a challenge."
Korra managed to meet the man's cold eyes as he grabbed her neck from behind. "No!"
"How did he put it? He said I'd have to be an ingrate to underestimate your abilities." Amon pressed his thumb against her forehead and just like that…her Bending was gone. Korra fell limply to the floor, looking drained. "Perhaps he overestimated you," the madman mused.
*** Hiroshi threw Asami's mecha tank into one of the planes, causing her to jerk inside. The heiress stared up in horror as her father tore away the glass. Hiroshi raised his mecha tanks fist into the air and was about to deliver the final blow when a metal claw knocked him aside. Asami looked over to see another mecha tank, Tahno inside the capsule.
"Okay, so now I know what that does," he muttered. Tahno had never seen such a complicated machine….and honestly, he'd hit that lever by accident. Hiroshi made to go towards him when a huge boulder crashed into him, making his tank stumble backwards. Bolin appeared on Naga, throwing more rocks at the industrialist.
"Mr. Sato! You are a horrible father!" the Earthbender shouted. Asami's tank stood and threw Hiroshi's across the warehouse. She moved over and tore off the capsule, her burning eyes meeting Hiroshi's terrified ones. Asami clenched her teeth but sighed. She couldn't do it. Hiroshi took advantage of the situation and sent a claw at his daughter, which she dodged as he ejected and attempted to make a run for it. She looked over at Tahno and he nodded at her, gesturing for her to do the honors.
"He's right," she mumbled. "You are a horrible father."
*** Tahno and the gang returned back to Air Temple Island, somewhat proud of the mission's success. Asami hadn't said much on the way back, but the other Nonbender assumed it was best to let her think things over. Bolin was practically grinning like a madman all the way back. Everything seemed to be turning out for the better.
Tahno spotted Korra and immediately made his way toward her. "Avatar!" he greeted, some relief in his jovial tone. The girl turned to face him and his grin vanished. The usual gleam in her eyes was gone and she seemed somewhat paler. "What happened?"
Korra's eyes met his and realization struck him. He'd taken her Bending. He noticed Lin Bei Fong standing next to the Avatar. She looked to be in disbelief as well, though Tahno was somewhat glad to see she was alright. Finally Tahno's eyes locked on the Firebender. Mako noticed his stare and looked away.
"He took her Bending," he said, still looking straight at the Firebender accusingly. He had trusted the eldest brother to bring Korra back, unharmed and unscathed. He realized how foolish that had been. He should have gone with her instead. He should have been the one there to protect her.
Mako nodded his head and explained the what had happened. From finding out about Amon being a Waterbender to Korra having her Bending taken away to Amon getting away. Korra remained silent throughout the whole thing, only nodding occasionally to confirm the story. But Tahno knew that her mind was drifting somewhere else. He knew…because he'd been there.
***Everyone waited with baited breath for Katara to give them the verdict. It had been hours since that door had slid shut and Tahno was becoming impatient and increasingly worried. Korra had looked visibly broken on the way back to the South Pole. And Tahno had tried to find a way to comfort her but had come up dry. He knew what she was feeling, probably better than anyone else in the room…beside Lin of course. And yet, he didn't know what to say to make her feel better.
When the door finally did open, the look the master gave them was not a comforting one. She explained that there was nothing she could do. The Avatar's connection to the elements had been severed. Korra appeared shortly after, her face blank. The Airbender tried to comfort her but Korra didn't buy it. She looked at all of them, her parents, her masters, her friends, the former chief and Tahno himself, and he could see just how devastated she truly was beneath that expressionless façade.
She grabbed her parka and went outside, Mako made a move to follow but Tahno beat him too it. He was out the door before anyone could even blink.
"Korra," he started. She stopped but didn't turn to face him. Tahno grabbed her shoulders and gently turned her to face him, but she still avoided his gaze, preferring to look at the snow covered ground.
"Please, Tahno, don't," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sweetheart, look at me." His voice was pleading, using the nickname endearingly instead of teasingly. When she still didn't look at him he hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up. Her eyes, once able to mesmerize him with their sheer intensity looked defeated and lifeless. Tahno felt something inside him twist at the sight.
"I know how you're feeling right now. You feel empty, like a huge chunk has just been ripped right out of your soul. But you can't let that stop you."
Korra sighed. "Tahno…" She pushed him away from him. He didn't try to stop her as she took a step back. "Just go back to Republic City."
Tahno raised a brow at this. "What?"
Korra shrugged her shoulders tiredly, once again looking down at the snow. "You don't owe me anything. You need to go home…and I'll do the same."
"Now that's where you're wrong, Avatar," he stated. "I owe you more than I care to admit. You're the one that helped me when that bastard took my Bending. Let me return the favor…please." Korra looked up from the ground to meet his pale gaze. He was serious, that much was clear. He took a hesitant step toward her and moved his hand to caress her cheek, tilting her head up. The former master of the elements stared up at him in confusion as he lowered his head toward hers.
Korra turned her head away from him and stepped out of his reach. He straightened at this, giving a nod that he hadn't expected anything less. "I'm sorry," she said. "But you need to go back to the city." And with that she hopped on Naga and left him standing there.
*** "Go away, Tenzin," Korra sniffed. She didn't need Tenzin's understanding at the moment. She just wanted everyone to leave her alone.
"But you called me." That wasn't Tenzin's voice. The girl looked up to see Aang standing before her. The monk explained to the Avatar that she had finally connected with her spiritual side, claiming that when we're at our lowest point are we open to the greatest change. Korra saw all her past lives stand behind the Airbender, and closed her eyes as Aang restored her Bending.
Tahno watched from a distance as Korra rose on a pillar of air, her arms spread out as she Bended each element. He smirked to himself when she finally touched the ground once again and turned to see him. She smiled at him as he approached her, hands in his jacket pocket as he grinned crookedly down at her.
"So, Sweetheart, do you still want me to leave?" Korra rolled her eyes at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. The taller boy returned the embrace, chuckling.
Korra pulled away and took a step back. "Get on your knees," she commanded. Tahno raised a brow at the statement. "Just trust me." He did as he was told and got down on one knee. Korra pressed one finger on his heart and another on his forehead, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Tahno felt a strange sensation jolt through his whole body until something just seemed to click into place. He could feel a odd power boil in his stomach and when he opened his eyes, Korra was still there, a huge grin on her face. Tahno stood slowly, still not sure what had just happened.
"What did you just-?" Before he could finish the question, Korra launched a water whip at him. Tahno instinctively raised his hand to block it and the water stopped in mid-air. Tahno nearly jumped out of his skin, the water dropped onto the ground and Tahno looked down at his hands before looking back over at the Avatar.
"Consider this my way of making up for not being able to get Amon for you," the Ferret said. "And for being such a jerk earlier." Tahno continued to stare at her as if she had a second head. After a moment of this Korra tried to shake him out of his stupor. "Hey, Pretty Boy, are you-?"
She didn't get a chance to finish before Tahno leaned down, his lips moving against her own. Before she could even register this however, he pulled away and smiled down at her. Seeing the surprise on her face, he smirked. "And you, my dear, can consider this my way of saying thank you," he said before leaning down and recapturing her lips with his own. And this time, she got the chance to kiss him back.
******Shoot me! Do it now before this fluffy virus spreads! This was a nightmare! Put me out of my misery! Can you believe the season over? Can you believe the seasons over? Its unreal! Well anyway...I hope you enjoyed this chapt...finally he kissed her! Sigh...I've actually been dying to write that...
In other new, please read and review….yeah.
I'm out! Peace!