One of my favorite things about The Legend of Korra is the interaction between her and Tenzin. So I really hope I captured . Also, thanks for the reviews Karana and guest.
Tenzin led her to his room, ignoring the questions from the men of the ship. This was something unexpected and he knew that they needed their space until everything was settled. He also knew from Korra's state, that she really did need his help. He had never seen her so indifferent before and how she needed a bath too. He did not recognize the smell of what she had gotten into, but it was repulsive.
This was his former student though and they had separated in the worst of terms, something he blamed himself for. When he last saw her, it felt like he had reprimanded her for facing Kuvira too early and she called him out for not believing in her. The guilt ate at him, making him ponder himself worthy to teach and mentor anyone. When his eldest child was around, he pressured Jinora into teaching in case they found the new Avatar but with Korra's sudden return, he felt even more foolish.
"I know it's not much, Korra," he started after helping her to his bed, "But the ship makes up for what it can for home."
He watched her eyes flash around the small room. They looked almost feral as her previous smile disappeared. One of her fingers continued to tap the cigarette in her hand, even though it was not lit.
"Do we have to stay in here?" she finally asked, "I feel like I was crammed into a can."
"I'm not trying to keep you locked up here, but with your sudden appearance, I couldn't keep you on the deck." His look soon softened, "We all thought you were dead, Korra."
Her focus came back to him. She lit her thumb, planning on lighting her smoke before Tenzin bended it out.
"Hey."
"You asked for my help and stopping you from using these will only help."
The Avatar pouted before putting it away, "I didn't realize you were starting now."
"There's no better time." He said slowly and patiently, "Now, I will run a bath for you. You desperately need one and then we can talk."
He offered his hand to help her up. She quickly took it and allowed him to take her to the next room.
xxxx
The master airbender waited outside for her to finish. He had so many questions to ask and he wanted to make sure he did not ruin this second chance. His heart was breaking, listening to her talk to herself in the shower. That also brought up another question of who 'she' was.
He quickly stood when she walked out. Her ragged clothes were disposed of, leaving her in a grey Fire Nation Navy training uniform.
"How do you feel now?"
"Better," Korra said, soon crossing her arms and smiling, "Well, I thought my mind was clearer. I'm really loving the rainbow arrow on your head."
Tenzin gave her a confused look, "What are you using to make you see such hallucinations?"
"Dama, mushrooms," Korra began to count on her fingers. Her math was not adding up as she was holding four fingers up, "And if I can get my hands on it, cactus juice, but it's been a few days since I've had cactus juice. On rare occasions, I don't need anything."
Tenzin ran a hand across his face. He was fighting the urge to lecture her causing his eyebrows to twitch. Korra busted out laughing as his brow betrayed him.
"Dancing caterpillars," she continued, "They're on your face, Tenzin. Can I touch them?"
"No you may not touch the danc- my eyebrows." He shouted.
"Oh, feisty in your old age, aren't you?"
"Korra, this is not the time for this." He let out a breath of air, "I would like to hear about what you have been up to these past two years, if you can remember any of it at all."
"Right now?" she raised an eyebrow.
Tenzin paused taking a moment to look out of the porthole, "In the morning. It is late, isn't it?"
Korra nodded wildly.
"You can sleep on my bed for tonight."
She smiled, dramatically climbing into the bed. She would stretch out before speaking.
"A bed. A real one."
"They're not comfortable, but it does well enough."
She did not answer as she passed out, snoring loudly.
xxxx
He startled out of the chair he had fallen asleep in when he heard the Avatar let out a scream. Tenzin looked over, worried that they were being attacked only to find that Korra had woken up from a nightmare. He watched as she frantically searched for her smokes.
"Korra. Settle down."
She gave him a nasty look, "Settle down? I wake up in a place I'm not familiar in and I'm being denied something I desperately need."
"Korra, please." Tenzin breathed in, "This is not going to be easy. You have depended on these substances for a seemingly long time. It will be painful, but you will feel better afterwards. Now, let's go back to sleep. We have a long day before us and I'm still pondering over where to send you so you can properly recover."
"I'm actually not tired anymore." She stated, rubbing her arms, "The creepy crawling feeling is going to keep me awake. This happened every time I try to stop using these."
"This is not the first time you have tried to quit then?"
"No. A month ago, I told Bolin that I would," Korra then sighed, "Then I ran into some old friends and they had plenty of new stuff to share. I'm surprised I made it here at all after my relapse."
Tenzin nodded slowly, "Which kind of friends?"
"They were my underground fighting," Korra trailed off, realizing how bad it would sound to him, "Mates. We, uh, yeah… I'm beginning to feel that you're disappointed and that I'm about to receive another lecture."
Tenzin lowered his head, fighting the urge to tell her that she was correct, "How about some breakfast and tea?"
The Avatar's face lit up at the sound of food, "I am hungry."
He shut the door to his room, leaving Korra alone to meditate; well at least he hoped she would. He had taken her cigarettes away when she was sleeping and made sure to toss her mushrooms overboard. The master airbender then headed to Prince Iroh's quarters.
"It's true, isn't it?" Iroh asked when he opened the door for Tenzin, "She is alive?"
"She is, but trying to convince her otherwise can be a challenge."
"Well, can she help us?"
Tenzin shook his head, "I came to ask if you would let me return to the Fire Nation with her. I understand if my presence here is needed, but I feel that it will be best to make sure she fully recovers."
The prince nodded, "If that is what you feel will help her and this war then I will trust your instincts. While I will miss your wisdom, I know we will be better off with a healthy Avatar."
The rest of the day was spent preparing for a flight to the Fire Nation. Tenzin would check up on Korra occasionally as he made the saddle up on Oogie.
Sailors and soldiers were scurrying around the ship, preparing for the morning's invasion. Platinum helmets and armor were shined. Leather shock gloves were handed out as leaders preached the importance of this fight. For the remaining soldiers from the United Republic, nerves were flying around. It had been over two years for most of them since they were on home soil. Their embattled comrades that had remained in the city were wearing thin from the constant fight. They had hoped that their comrades knew to take cover before the invasion.
For the Fire Nation soldiers, there was a lingering reminder of the past. There had been many briefings reminding them that they were not the oppressors this time, but the remainder of the past remained.
It was an hour after midnight when the ships' turrets fired. Tenzin had made sure to get Korra into the saddle of Oogie during that time. The Avatar did not make it easy either. Her mind was scattered when the shelling began and her mind twisted the actions of the Fire Nation. Her tutor made sure to take off as quickly as he could get the bison off the ship's deck.
He glanced back at the bombarded city as the first stage of their plans began.
xxxx
Their flight was filled with silence. Tenzin was busy with his thoughts as Korra swatted at nothing. She was muttering something about 'her' again. When he was sure of their path, he joined her in the saddle.
"Korra," he started after sitting, "I want to apologize for before. I should have supported you instead of criticizing you for fighting Kuvira."
Korra stopped what she was doing to focus on him. She shrugged as she spoke.
"It's fine. I learned a lot about the people around me and realized that the Avatar State and I are only tools for others."
Tenzin let out a long sigh, "You are not a tool for someone's gain or use, Korra. I am sorry you were treated as such, but I hope you decided to return to your duties when you are ready to."
"Do I have to?"She asked, looking up at the stars, "All of the current issues in the world are being handled and what have I done to help?"
"Please do not underestimate what you have done."
Korra sat there silently, continuing to stare at the stars. A look of melancholy came to her before she spoke.
"I do not want to return to this fight as the Avatar. I just want to hide in the background maybe as a healer or something."
Tenzin raised a brow, "How do you plan on doing that?"
He received a sincere look, perhaps the most sobering look he had seen from her since she had showed up on the ship.
"After I'm clean from all of this, I want to join the fight as a nobody. I don't care if it's the Fire Nation army, with the Resistance in the Earth Empire or even sitting back and just healing the wounded, but winning this as the Avatar won't be right. It doesn't feel right; not after being out of the picture for five years."
Tenzin sighed with annoyance, "Korra, you cannot run away from this."
"I'm not running. I'm being forced back into this duty and I want to help but on my terms." She then rubbed her face with both hands and left them there for a moment, "This hurts, Tenzin. I know it must sound bad."
Her mentor searched a few of the bags, pulling out a blanket and one of her cigarette boxes, "Here."
She sat there, peeking between her fingers before hesitantly reaching out and taking them. A long sigh of relief came from her as she took a puff of her smokes. She sat back, taking in the familiar taste before looking back at him.
"Why are you giving me these?"
"I am giving you control over something in your life. I will allow you to smoke these until you run out. After you use them all, you will no longer be able to use them. I think it's a fair deal." He said holding out the rest of the boxes she had. He gave her a concerned smile, "If these help you with recovering from the harsher drugs, then I will allow it."
Korra's gaze lingered on him for a moment more before she spoke in a soft voice, "Thank you Tenzin."
xxxx
Fire Lord Izumi was interrupted from her slumber. The young lieutenant, Shin, walked in apologizing to her as she quickly dressed in a robe and followed him.
"Master Tenzin has come back, Lord Izumi, and he brought a young woman claiming to be the Avatar."
Izumi's eyes widened, "She's claiming to be?"
"To be honest, my Lord, I couldn't tell. She doesn't look well either way."
The Fire Lord nodded, "Tenzin would not just bring any stranger into my palace and let her claim to be the Avatar. Can you have the kitchen prepare some tea and a small meal?"
Lieutenant Shin bowed, "Of course, my Lord."
Sure enough, when she stopped in her main hall, the master airbender and the woman were walking forward towards her.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Fire Lord Izumi." Tenzin bowed.
She returned his greeting with a bow of her own, "Come now, Tenzin. We are old friends. There is no need of formalities, especially this early in the morning."
Her gaze shifted to the Water Tribe woman to his right. A surprised smile formed.
"Avatar Korra. You are alive after all."
Korra bowed, "I am, even if I feel I should not be."
Izumi raised a brow, looking at Tenzin for an explanation. He gave her a look, letting her know that he'll tell her later.
"I have tea and something to eat being made right now. Come; let's get out of the hallway."
She led them to the prepared room, sitting down after Tenzin did. Korra paced around behind her mentor for a moment longer before sitting down beside him. She then began to tap her fingers on the table as if it was a nervous habit.
"Now, what brings you here?"
"Avatar Korra has been suffering from a drug addiction and now wants to stop. I brought her here to heal, as I thought it would be for the best of her to be here since some of the other airbenders are staying here. She can start to train with Jinora and the others."
"It's funny you say that Tenzin." Izumi chuckled, "Jinora is not here."
"What!?" Tenzin almost jumped up from his seat, "I told her and Opal to return."
"I have not heard from anyone about her return."
Tenzin crossed his arms, mentally talking himself down from his anger. Korra watched them both as she picked at the snack before them.
"I have a young lieutenant that I can trust to get her back into fighting shape if that is what you are both looking for."
"Yes, she will need a firebending teacher. I fear finding someone to work with her earth and waterbending will be more difficult."
Korra sighed before finally speaking up, "I remember how to bend. It's not like I'm a brand new Avatar."
"We are not doubting your knowledge, Korra. We only want to make sure you are getting back into proper form again."
"That's what you said last time and then you made me start with the basics again. I don't need the basics, I need to get into shape."
The Fire Lord interrupted Tenzin from continuing to argue, "We're not going to look for a teacher in each element. I will provide the best therapists here in the Fire Nation to make sure you stay on track with recovering from your addictions and anything else you think your will need. If you need to go over certain bending forms, then we will worry about that, but we want to see you healthy again, as Korra."
Tenzin mouthed his thanks to her as he nodded.
"Alright." Korra said, finally putting something to eat in her mouth.
Their time together was interrupted as the guard came running in, looking frantic. A howl was heard outside before the doors were busted open and the guards were knocked over. Standing in the doorway was a large polar bear-dog. She was sniffing the air before looking towards the only person she broke out of the stables to see.
"We're sorry Lord Izumi. We tried to stop her." The guards shouted.
The Fire Lord dismissed them, knowing very well why it happened.
Korra sat in her place, blinking in shock before jumping up and rushing towards the door. The beast met her half way knocking her person over and laid down on top of her. She was telling Korra in a sense that she was missed. The Avatar soon had to surrender and cover her face from the large tongue.
"Naga, I missed you too," Korra said in between the animal licking her face, "But let me up."
Naga then hopped back to her feet and began to nudge her towards the door. Korra was excused as she was being dragged out the door to go play with her animal friend.
"Help, I'm getting attacked by my polar bear-dog." Korra shouted, laughing.
The master airbender and the Fire Lord laughed after the doors were shut with the image of the Avatar dangling in Naga's mouth.
Tenzin sat and watched them as they took their places on the training grounds. It had been two days since they arrived and Korra wanted to start right away in her conditioning. Fire Lord Izumi reassigned the young lieutenant from his palace guard duties, putting him in charge of the Avatar's recovery.
xxxx
From the short time he's known the man, the lieutenant was soft spoken, patient and forgiving, yet when Korra shouted something at him, the man did not cower.
"Come on, Avatar Korra." He stood in a fighting stance, "You're not going to do any harm to the dummy if you're standing in that stance."
Tenzin noted that Korra was in a pro-bending stance; a rusty one in fact. Her dull blue eyes were attempting to be threatening, but he could see that she was fighting more than a training dummy. He was sure that she was fighting a vision, the weighted vest and the effects of skipping her new favorite past-time.
Korra hit the dummy, using the stances the lieutenant wanted her to use.
"Again, that form isn't proper." He said, using his feet to push her own around.
His arms would then guide hers to the correct spot. He would pluck leaf from the nearby trees and hand it to her, lighting it slightly.
"Now breathe. Not only is your stance incorrect, your breathing is off. Don't let the leaf burn up."
Korra scoffed, doing as she was told. This was going to be a long day.
xxxx
Later that night, she sat alone in her room in a meditative position. It had been a long time since she had tried to get into the Spirit World and it was not going well. Every time she tried, she returned to the material world, shaken from the memory of Zaheer trying to kill her. Korra got up and opened her window. She had planned on smoking but the sight of 'her' made her forget about it.
Tenzin later found her in the training grounds beating on a training dummy. The guards had woken him as she was not just training. They could not get her to get out of the Avatar State and she was beginning to make more noise as she went on.
"Korra."
She seemed to ignore him and she finally ripped the dummy out of the ground.
"Korra, stop this nonsense."
The Avatar's eyes flickered before returning to their normal blue. She let out a sigh as she walked towards Tenzin.
"I thought if I trained long enough in the Avatar State, 'she' would disappear." She sat down on the ground, stretching her legs out, "But 'she's' still here."
"Who is still here? That vision of yourself?"
Korra nodded, "What kind of Avatar am I supposed to be now, Tenzin? I can't go into the Spirit World and every time I try to use the Avatar State, 'she' is there stopping me."
He watched her fall back onto the ground, "I'm broken. Zaheer broke me for good. What if… what if I just let the Avatar Spirit pass to the next in line?"
"Korra, why don't you sit up and we'll meditate."
She nodded as she joined him. He started to lead her, talking her through their meditation. It started off going well, but as he continued the look on the Avatar's face changed from calm to stressed and finally to almost frantic. She fell back and covered her eyes with an arm.
"I can't do this, Tenzin."
The airbender nodded, "Let's return to our rooms then. I will see you in the morning."
He stood there, waiting for her to get up. She did not move and stayed there, pinching the bridge of her nose. He then laid down beside her and looked up at the stars.
"My Uncle often stargazed with me when he thought I was becoming too much of an airbender. Surely you must remember a few Water Tribe stories about the stars?"
That caught her interest and they stayed there for a few hours, sharing stories about the Water Tribes and trying their best to guess at the Northern Hemisphere's constellations.
I realized that my breaks in each chapter aren't working. I apologize it they were confusing and I'm going to fix them. Please review and enjoy.