So, someone pointed out that I left the ending wide open without really saying how Tahno had changed or what he'd done after getting his bending back. That's a little too much left up to my readers' imagination for my liking so here's another chapter. I hope it's worth the read.

Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra

Chapter 4: Stepping Forward

"You should just get up and accept defeat like a man," Korra said smugly, staring down at a sulking Tahno on the ground. His hair and clothes were slightly smoking, and he had soot smeared across his chin from rubbing his hand across it.

He sighed and looked up at her with lively light ice blue eyes. Korra could see something there that had been missing since he'd lost his bending. "I know. I know, but I'm a sore loser," he explained with a grin.

Korra's cheeks colored. "Is that why you kissed me earlier?" she asked, glancing over at the still fuming Mako and her friends who were trying to calm him down. He stood in the water at the edge of the river. The water around his feet was boiling.

Tahno scratched his chin, staring off into the trees. "Partly, I guess. It was more of a thank you, and stating for no one to mess with you," he said with a shrug, pulling himself up from the ground. He stood straight and proud without the arrogance. It was like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Despite the stories people tell about us swamp dwellers, there are a few who are much worse than I am. They won't just make harmless comments. They'll act on them." He crossed his arms over his stomach, pursing her lips as he thought of the people.

"Were," Korra corrected then kicked out her leg. The side of her boot connected squarely with his ass making him yelp in surprise and drench her in water. It must have just been a natural reaction.

"What the hell was that for?" he shouted, whirling on her.

"I promised your mom, brother, and teammates that I'd give you a kick in the ass once I found you," she said surprisingly calm, ringing out her hair and then pulling off her shirt to ring it out, "They've been worried sick about you." Somehow, her temper had stayed unlit.

Either the fact that she'd said people had been worried about him or the fact that she was shirtless brought him up short. He stared at her with wide, surprised eyes, as were all of the other men standing around them. The women just watched her in envy.

"You… you bitch!" one of the teens with dirty blonde hair and dark skin shouted as she pulled her shirt back over her head, "You stole my only chance!" He pointed an accusatory finger at her, his teeth clenched in undisguised rage.

Korra raised an eyebrow at him in bemusement. "What are you talking about? I haven't stolen anything from anyone. I've only returned people's bending," she said like it was no big deal, putting some attitude behind her words. Physically behind her were Asami and Bolin. Beside her were Mako and Tahno, each giving the teenager their worst glares.

That didn't seem to affect the teen at all.

"That's exactly the fucking problem!" the guy growled, stepping closer to her despite her backup. He had backup of his own that looked like they couldn't really do a thing. "If you hadn't come here sticking your nose in our business and given this dick back his bending I'd still be first in line for chief. You've ruined everything!" He clenched his fists, taking another step forward.

Korra shrugged and smirked. "Seems to me like you're the dick here. I don't see why I have to refuse someone their natural born gifts just to stroke your ego and help push you up the food chain. That's not my job." She crossed her arms tight over her chest, leaning back.

Tahno spoke up beside her, not enjoying the way the teen was talking to her. "Lay off Jackson, this is between you and me. Don't drag her into this just because you're pissed about having to actually work for something. I'm your competition, not her."

Korra stared up at him in amazement. It almost sounded like he was sticking up for her. I guess there's a first time for everything.

"You stay out of here, Tahno. You should have just stayed in Republic City. Why should you even be allowed the chance to become chief?" Jackson snarled in reply, "You didn't give two fucks about this tribe while you were there, but suddenly, the moment you return, your put back into the running as long as you found a way to restore your bending. Tell us, who'd you have to fuck to get this special treatment?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Malcom, the man who seemed to be second in command, and the other men from the river watching the conflict with crossed arms. They didn't make even a move to stop them. Either they were curious as to how this would play out or teenage conflicts were solved by the ones who started it here.

"I didn't have to bend over for anyone, Jackson. My natural talent gave me the exception," Tahno spat back, "Just because you did doesn't mean the rest of us had to."

A muscle worked in Jackson's jaw. Someone called out a warning just as Jackson swung his arms up, sending a flurry of ice spears at Tahno.

Korra stepped back quickly with the rest of the crowd. This was Tahno's fight, and she wasn't going to interfere with it. At the last second, the spears changed direction. They were headed straight for her.

Mako let out an angry shout, trying to move in front of her, but he couldn't get through the crowd fast enough. Instead, Tahno slid in front of her. The spears melted instantly. He sent the water back at Jackson, curling it around his waist before he could react. He was flung into the water which immediately iced around him only leaving his face free.

Tahno walked out to him, his old swagger replaced by something more akin to Mako's proud walk. He stopped once he was standing over Jackson. "You have no right to be chief if you are a cheater and willing to use your bending to hurt others," he told the teen, staring down at him in contempt.

"Oh, how quickly you forget that you are just like me, Tahno," Jackson sneered, his face dominated by his smug smile.

Tahno flinched, glancing over at Korra. "Not anymore. I refuse to be like I was," he said, his eyes never leaving Korra's. He wanted her to know that she'd made the right choice by choosing to return his bending. He wanted her to know that he'd changed.

"You're not fit to be chief," he finished, turning his eyes back to Jackson.

"You're not the one who decides that," Jackson spoke just as Malcom spoke up.

His voice held pride for his son that had been missing before as he spoke. "I do believe that this test is over and that we've found our next chief," he said, watching his son with a barely visible smile, "But I'm not resigning yet. You'll have to wait through the couple years of hell I'm going to put you through."

The two males stared at their chief in utter disbelief. Tahno stammered out something that sounded like, "Thank you, Father." The teen still encase in ice just threw a raging hissy fit like some ill-behaved child.

Korra narrowed her eyes at Malcom, wondering about his new found pride. "So, was all that stuff about basically hating your son just an act or are you really that arrogant and narrow-minded?" she asked, pointing at him.

The man grinned smugly. "A little bit of both," he admitted with great pride.

…..

"So what are you guys going to do now?" Tahno asked Korra as they loaded everything into Appa Jr.'s saddle. Mako took the supplies, disappearing to the rear of the saddle. Asami and Bolin entertained a gaggle of children vying for their attention.

"Oh, I don't know," she said casually, dragging out her syllables, "Head back to the North Pole and visit Master Kanna , then go back to Republic City and visit some old pro-bending enemies before going back to the South Pole." She clasped her hands behind her back, not paying attention as they disappeared around a bend in the river.

Tahno sighed loudly, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, okay, I get it. Go visit my mother and friends soon," he said, shaking his head at her antics, "Got it."

"Good," Korra chirped, grinning.

"I heard that Amon's dead and that you know how to airbend now," Tahno immediately said, not mentioning that Bolin had only told him that the day before, "You're a full-fledged Avater now."

It was Korra's turn to sigh. "Not yet," she said, "I'm still a spiritual failure, and I haven't mastered airbending yet. I've still got a long way to go."
"Don't worry, you'll get it. I'm sure you'll become a great Avatar," he said encouragingly, "But if you ever want those private lessons, I'm always here." For a second, the old arrogant Tahno was back, and then he was gone, laughed away by the new Tahno.

"I'm joking," he said, slapping her on the back making her laugh, "I'll be back one day though to claim you as mine from that fire breather." He caught her by surprise again, grabbing her face and pressing his lips over hers.

She was so shocked that she didn't know whether to melt from the overwhelming heat the kiss had produced, or to freeze up completely. She didn't need to make a choice in the end because he was already walking away when her brain finally came back online.

"Just remember that promise," he called over his shoulder as he walked away, waving back to her.

"Jerk!" she shouted, her mouth finally working again. She'd never forget that promise or that kiss.

Well, there you go. I hope this closed up most of your questions. If not, I can't help. Sorry :P Anyway, review please! :D