Book 2 Chapter 8

Secrets

"Looking for me... Uh-vataar?"

Korra flinched at the sound of who she knew it was. She turned to face the tall dark haired boy, "Tahno?" she said crossing her arms.

"The one and only" he smirked as he flipped his hair with his hand.

"What are you doing here?" she glared at him with her signature pout.

"Why, meeting you here of course" he brought his face down closer to hers.

Korra backed away, "wait, you sent me that note? How'd you get it in my room?" she raised her voice.

"Let's just say a little birdy whose father just so happens to be an air bending master did because she knew he would be angry if he found out she was sneaking out of the house to meet up with Skoochy" he smirked and raised an eyebrow knowing the avatar would be able to figure out his not so subtle cue.

"Jinora? Now you're blackmailing little kids?" she said in disgust. "Whatever, I'm out of here" she said pushing past Tahno, but he wasn't about to let her leave that easy.

Tahno grabbed the avatar by her arm and swung her around as he pulled out a chair for her to land on. "ooff... smooth Tahno" Korra said rubbing her backside.

"Couldn't let you leave without giving you a proper thank you for restoring my bending" his glare never left Korra's face as he seated himself across from her.

"So that's what this is about? Whatever, I don't car-"

"Look Korra.." Tahno cut her off "I know I can come off as a little bit of a... snob"

"pffftt.. a little?!" she crossed her arms, pouted and turned her head to stare out the window.

"okay... a lot! but that day I lost my bending was the worst day of my life. I felt like I lost my identity. You have no idea what it was like." He looked down at his reflection on the glossy table.

She looked back at the boy sitting in front of her "Actually Tahno, I do. When Amon took my bending, I felt helpless and worthless. I actually felt like there was no reason for me to live anymore." She placed her hand on top Tahno's. "Then a wise man told me when we hit our lowest point, we're open to the greatest change. That wise man was Aang, he gave me my bending back, and I realized that bending doesn't make us who we are. What we make OF our bending defines us. And I wanted to use my bending to heal others, not hurt like Amon" Korra looked at Tahno in silence.

"... you're amazing Korra. I've thought long and hard. I bullied so many people with my bending in the past. I even bullied you and your friends during the championship. Even after all of that, you still gave me my bending back. Why?" Tahno asked sincerely.

"Because I know you're a good at heart, you can be a jerk at times" she chuckled "but you aren't such a bad guy, I guess" Korra shrugged and smiled.

Tahno smiled back, "Korra, can we be friends?"

"...Of course. Soooo, don't friends buy their friends noodles?" she winked.

"Haha, absolutely. Waiter! Two orders of noodles, please" he shouted.

Korra and Tahno had a wonderful evening, talking to one another and didn't even notice how much time passed. They left the restaurant and took a stroll down the streets of Republic City, and Naga didn't even bark once at Tahno. The night life in Republic City wasn't something she experienced often, but it was a sight to be seen. The city would light up at night, and only a few were out this late.

"Tonight was fun Korra. I hope we can do this again sometime" he said leaning against a railing overlooking the ocean.

"On one condition. When we're in the championship finals together again, I want a fair match" she put out her hand.

"Hah who said you're going to make it that far again?" he snickered.

"uhhh jerk!" she punched his shoulder.

"Kidding! Deal, no cheating from here on out. I promise" he gave her a genuine smile.

"I should be heading home now. I'll see you soon Tahno" she gave him a hug before she turned around to climb on top of Naga.

"See you later, Uh-Vataar" he waved back then turned around and started walking away.

Korra returned back to the island, as she entered through the door she was attacked by Mako giving her a big bear hug, "Korra, where have you been!? I've been looking for you everywhere!" He cupped her face with his hand.

"Mako I'm fine" she said pulling his hands off her face. "I was with Tahno" she added.

"What? What were you doing with that scumbag? Did he do anything to you?" he glared at Korra.

"No, he invited me to dinner and we just talked for a bit, and he's not a scumbag... not anymore at least" she replied.

"How come you didn't tell me about this? Are you keeping any other secrets from me?" Mako began to get suspicious.

"Absolutely not, and I didn't even know I was having dinner with him I thought I was having dinner with you!" Korra raised her voice.

"That doesn't even make sense!" Mako yelled.

"I'm not going to stand here and argue with you Mako, when you've cooled down you know where to find me" she said calmly with disappointment in her voice. She brushed aside Mako as she headed to her room.

Bolin overheard their argument from the kitchen and decided to check on Korra. He knocked on her room door, "Not in the mood to talk to you Mako, go to sleep..." she said.

"No, it's me.. Bolin" he heard footsteps approaching him, and the doors slid open. He was greeted with a big hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Your brother can be such a jerk sometimes..." she mumbled with her head buried in his shoulder.

"Yeah, I know, but he means well. How bout you tell me what happened and maybe I can get through to him." Korra agreed with Bolin and led him inside her room to talk.

Mako sat on his bed with his arms and legs crossed with a pout on his face and his eyebrows furrowed. Bolin walked into his room, "I don't want to see any more tricks you taught Pabu, go away" he sneered.

"It's about Korra, you owe her an apology" he sat down on the edge of his brother's bed and explained.

"Man, I feel so dumb. Is she alright?" Mako frowned.

"Korra's alright, but she's asleep now. You'll hafta make it up to her in the morning. Night bro" Bolin said as he got up to go to his room.

"Me and my big mouth... " Mako said as he rolled over in bed closing his eyes to fall asleep.

Author's Note:

Keep the review coming! I like to hear what you guys have to say :)