Author's Note: I understand that this long, unexpected hiatus is enough reason to flog me. And then burn me at the stake. I'm sorry. I lost interest for a while and then it was forgotten. But I went back over the last couple of chapters and... and guys... this probably sounds terrible but... I loved my own story. I wanted to know what happened next. Like it wasn't even my story. So, I am writing again. It will probably be trashed compared to what I have already published and I apologize for that. Well, enjoy, I suppose.


Korra went to practice with her head held high. She had to. False pride was the only protection she had, the only barrier between her and the stabbing pain of Mako's rejection. Because that is what it had been. He had wrapped her up in his arms, taken her advances, and thrown them in her face as her nearly threw her to the ground and left the room without looking back.

But that didn't matter, now. Korra was bound and determined to pretend it had never happened. They had only had a good spar the other day and then parted ways. And that is what she told Bo when she entered the training room and the earthbender asked how her time with Mako had gone. It was alright. She wasn't upset.

It was easier to think that way when Mako wasn't in the room. For a split second after the firebender had opened the door the bottom of Korra's stomach had hit the floor, her heart had flown into her throat, and all of the air in the room had disappeared. Then Bo saved the day without even trying. He flung his arm around her neck, said something about her kicking his brother's butt, and brought Korra back to life. It was easier to be her normal, cocky self with Bo backing her up.

Still, Mako wouldn't really look at her. Sure, he would look in her direction to block an attack or complete some part of a drill. But her would look at her. There was a wall there that had been erected specifically to keep her out and it hurt her so much she didn't even attempt to knock it down. That wall made Korra feel like sobbing. And she couldn't let herself do that.

So instead she started a fight.

All she did was fling a disc of earth at Mako's back. That was all it took. He turned around at glared at her. "What the hell, Korra?"

"Maybe you should have been paying attention," the waterbender said as she flung another disc in his direction.

Mako dodged it and pounced at her. For the brief second he was in the air Korra entertained the notion that he had forgotten his control over fire. Then he had her pinned to the floor. This wasn't a spar. This was a fight, a brutal fight. The kind of fight that took place in back alleys. Korra channeled all of her hurt into her fists. What seemed like hours later, Bolin pulled them apart. Korra sported a split lip and a large collection of bruises. Mako didn't look any better.

This time Korra was the one who left without looking back.


Author's Note: Okay, after writing this whole thing I believe the whole thing lost the feeling of the previous chapters. I'm sorry. Please let me know what you think! Please. Reviews would be so welcome. You have no clue. Well, you probably do. But you know what I mean. :P