Korra had meant to return to Republic City as soon as she'd regained her Bending. That had been four days ago. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed home, her mother's home cooked meals, and the crunch of snow beneath her feet. So everyone had decided that they'd allow the Avatar to have a much deserved break. Senna and Tonraq loved having their daughter home with them. They had missed her so much.

Korra sighed at the thought of leaving the next day. But she knew she needed to go back. The city was still in disrepair and it needed a lot of fixing after everything Amon had done. She silently promised that she'd come back and visit when things were more settled.

"That is not a good look for you."

Korra turned her head toward the pale skinned Waterbender sitting beside her, a questioning brow raised. "What look?"

"That look you just had. It looked like you were troubled. And that just doesn't look good on such a beautiful face," he answered, a charming grin in place. Korra playfully nudged him, a smile pulling at her lips. "So what's troubling you?"

Korra swung her legs back and forth as they dangled off the bluff, a thoughtful expression returning to her features. "Going back to the city. There's so much to do. And I…" She trailed off, her eyes returning to the ocean view in front of them.

Understanding of the situation dawned on the boy and he slung his arm around her shoulders, pulling her towards him so that her head lay on his shoulder. "This isn't forever. It might take a while but you can come back here to see them anytime. And if anyone has a problem with that they can take it up with me," he added, his tone playful towards the end.

Korra smiled up at him. "I'm sure you'll have them peeing in their pants," she teased. Tahno rolled his pale eyes at the girl.

*** Senna had noticed that her daughter seemed distracted during dinner. She hadn't made much of an attempt at conversation. So afterwards, when everyone was getting ready for bed, she decided to talk to the girl. She knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Senna opened the door to find her daughter sitting in the middle of the floor in her shorts and muscle shirt. Senna eyed the cuts and bruises that decorated her daughter's arms and legs and her cheerful expression wavered slightly. She had to turn her attention away. That's when she noticed Korra was holding something in her hands, examining it with a small smile on her face.

Senna took a seat next to the younger Waterbender and saw that they were drawings Korra had doodled when she was little. This caused a sad smile to grace the woman's features.

"I remember when you drew that," she stated, pointing at the one that showed a crudely drawn portrait of Korra, Tonraq and herself, as well as a little fur ball that represented Naga as a pup. It had been a year after the White Lotus had taken Korra to the compound and it was the parents' second visit.

*** The little Korra stood at the door, waiting eagerly. The White Lotus had informed her that her parents would be arriving today and Korra couldn't wait to see them. She had a surprise for them. The little Avatar was practically vibrating as she waited impatiently.

Finally the door opened and in walked Korra's parents, both with huge smiles on their faces. Korra jumped into her father's outstretched arms and clung to him tightly. Her father chuckled and kissed her forehead as the girl quickly jumped from his arms to her mother's.

The woman laughed and put Korra back on the ground. "Look how big you've gotten!" she said. "You need to quit growing."

Korra giggled. "So how's my little girl been? Behaving herself, I hope," Tonraq said with a suspicious raise of his brow.

Korra rolled her eyes at her father. "Dad! You know me! When do I ever get into trouble?" she asked with an innocent smile.

Tonraq looked over at his wife. "Well let's see, wasn't there that time when she-?"

"Dad! Don't bring that up again!" the little girl whined with a pout, knowing exactly where her father was heading. Both parents laughed. "Oh and by the way, I have a couple of surprises for you," she continued with a grin.

Both parents gave their kid a skeptical look. Korra put her fingers to her mouth and whistled. There was a loud barking sound and then Tonraq was tackled from the side by a massive ball of fur. "Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet Naga!" the child exclaimed with pride. "I found her all by herself so I asked Katara if I could keep her."

Tonraq let the dog lick him before Korra whistled for Naga to come. The dog trotted over to her side and sat down, licking her face while she was at it. Senna and Tonraq shared a look but smiled when they heard their child laughing.

"So, you found yourself a polar bear-dog did you?" Korra nodded. Tonraq shook his head and looked over at his wife. "She gets it from your side," he muttered. Senna rolled her eyes before kneeling down to pet the pup.

"And what's this other surprise, Korra?" she asked.

Korra grinned. "Just wait a second. I'll be right back!" And with that she ran out of the room only to return a few seconds later clutching something in her small hands. The five year old handed the piece of paper over to her parents, who examined it closely. Senna felt tears prick her eyes as she saw what her daughter had drawn. And in the top corner, written in barely legible scribbles was the words 'My family'.

*** "Mom, are you okay?"

Senna snapped out of her memory and looked at her daughter. She realized her face was wet and wiped away the remaining tears with her hand. "I'm fine, dear," she replied. Korra hugged her mother and Senna returned the embrace, holding her daughter tightly as if fearing she'd leave. Korra felt her own tears coming but blinked them away.

"I love you so much. You know that don't you?"

Korra nodded her head, not pulling away from her mother's embrace. "I love you too, Mom."

Senna slowly pulled away so she could look at her daughter, placing her hands on either side of her face. "And you know that you always have a home here? And that we're sorry we didn't visit you as often as we should've."

"I know."

Senna felt so relieved at this. "Your father and I will try to visit you in Republic City soon, I promise."

Korra smiled, pulling her mother into another hug. "I'd like that," she replied. "A lot."

*** Republic City was in the midst of rebuilding when the gang finally arrived back. Korra and her friends helped where they were needed. One thing was for sure, the city needed a lot of fixing. About a week after their return, news of a gala reached their ears. The people wanted to celebrate the end of Amon's reign. Korra at first was weary of the idea, remembering the last party she'd went to hadn't been that fun for her.

But after some prodding from the rest of Team Avatar and Tenzin's assurance, she had reconsidered. Of course Asami was also taking advantage of this opportunity. The heiress dragged the Avatar to all the dress stores and shops. Needless to say the Avatar would have preferred being Chi Blocked.

"Hmmm…let me see. I think we'll stay with the blue but do we want navy or cerulean?"

Korra sat there in the chair, watching as the older girl compared different fabrics and colors. She let her mind drift to the party itself. She had already asked Tahno his opinion. He'd been sort of excited about the idea. He, along with the others, had even been able to sweet talk her into it. He may not have been the same jerk she'd fought in the ring but he still had his charm and methods of…persuasion.

"Korra? Are you even listening to me?"

Korra blinked and looked back over at the other girl. "Sorry, what?"

Asami shook her head and smiled. "I know you don't like this sort of thing, but we need to find you something to wear. You can't just go to this party in your casual wear," she said.

"I'm guessing there are rules about that sort of thing," Korra said with a teasing smirk.

"Yep. Now take this into the changing room and put on a fashion show," the raven haired beauty said in a no nonsense tone. Korra groaned but grabbed the piece of fabric before heading into the changing room like she was told.

The fashion show went on for what felt like forever to the Waterbender. She would come out, turn and then walk back in when Asami and she disagreed. The industrialist heir was quickly losing her patience. Korra had tried on over twenty dresses and had managed to find something wrong with each. It wasn't long enough, it was too long, she didn't like not having any straps, it was too lacy…etc.

Asami had known Korra would be difficult but she hadn't dreamed she'd be this difficult. She was about ready to give up when Korra walked out of the dressing room once more. The Nonbender was surprised at the timid look on the girl's face. She'd expected the same exasperated look she'd had for every other dress. But timid…that had been the furthest thing from her mind.

"So, tell me what's wrong with this one," Asami commented, arms crossed over her chest as she waited for the inevitable excuse. She heard Korra mumble something and almost fell out of her chair. "I'm sorry. I must be hearing things. What did you just say?"

Korra shifted uncomfortably before clearing her throat. "I said this one isn't too bad."

Asami blinked a couple of times before standing. She motioned for Korra to turn. The Avatar did as told as Asami examined the dress. It was nice length, complemented her eyes and skin tone, showed off her curves but was still modest , leaving some things to the imagination. Asami's mind was already trying to match the right shoes to the dress and contemplating how to do her hair.

Korra did look stunning. Asami smiled. "So this is the one huh?" The younger girl nodded her head slowly. Asami clapped her hands together in relief. "Good." She looked at the price and shrugged. It wasn't too bad. Probably one of the cheaper ones she'd tried on. "Well then that's settled."

Now she just had to get her to try on shoes. Asami inwardly sighed. That should be fun.

*** "How was your shopping expedition?" Tahno asked as he sat under the shade of one of the trees, Korra sitting between his legs with her back lying against his chest.

Korra leaned her head back to look up at him and groaned. "I never want to see another pair of heels ever again," she whined. Tahno chuckled at this. He almost wished he could've been there to see Korra actually shopping. He'd bet half the championship pot that she had been hard to deal with.

"Did you at least find something for the party?" Korra sighed and nodded her head. "See? Then the hardest part is already over and done. You just need to show up at that gala and every man in the room will be tripping over their feet to talk to you. And every woman will practically be green with envy because they don't have your natural beauty."

Korra gave him a look that said 'yeah right'. "Trust me on this." He smirked down at her. "That reminds me, I still haven't officially asked you to accompany me to this celebration." He gave her one of his charming smiles, causing Korra rolled her eyes.

"And who says I want to go with you?" she asked playfully. Tahno pursed his lips before shrugging his shoulders.

"What girl wouldn't want to go with a man as handsome and charming as myself?" he teased.

Korra scoffed. "There's that arrogant jerk I missed so much," she replied sardonically.

Tahno wrapped his arms around her torso and pulled her closer to his person, planting a kiss on her temple. "So what do you say, Avatar? Will you do me the honor of letting me be your date to this extravagant party?"

Korra pretended to think it over, furrowing her brow in mock thoughtfulness. She finally grinned up at him and pecked his cheek. "The honor would be all mine," she answered.

*** I realize this chapt was more Korra centric than the others but I had an idea for the mother daughter scene and…it just spun from there. And the party will be in the next chapt….I figured after everything these guys could use a little break don't you think? Now all I have to do is think of a dress design…..what fun…..

As always, I'm out! Peace!