Chapter Nine: Getting to know you

It was clear winters morning and Kai was riding Comet around the grounds, Just to give Comet a chance to stretch his legs and Kai time to think. It had only been two weeks since the wolf attack and Kai was getting used to his new surrounding. Strangely he felt more safer here at the castle rather then back home. But that didn't stop him from missing home and his mother. But there was apart of him that wanted to stay. He couldn't really explain why or what it was that was keeping him at the castle. Everyone here was so kind and always showed concern whenever he was feeling down. Pama with her kind motherly attitude, Asami and Izlee with there clever wit, Bolin with his child like spirit, Mako with his fussing leadership role, Tenzin with his great knowledge of the Air nation and many others and The Airbender kids where always fun to have around. All of them was only half of why Kai wanted to stay, the other side was seeing a familiar Beast Avatar each day. Korra had grown more tolerant the last few weeks, She was less aggressive and didn't snap as often as she did to every one. And she started treating Kai more like a guest rather then a prisoner and he was always excited to spend time with her. Maybe this is what he was looking for all his life, finding the one person he would be willing to tell his origins to. And maybe spend the rest of his life with. Then something suddenly struck Kai in chest, Every time he thought about Korra his heart would start pounding the same way it did the night he nursed her wounds. Could this be whats it's like falling in love. He couldn't be certain just yet. Something nudged Kai in the back he turned to see it was Comet maybe wanting a hug which Kai gave him, Then Kai herd barking and saw Naga running past them. She fell into a pile of snow shock it off and ran towards Kai, He welcome her with open arms and laughter she then pushed him on the snow and started licking his face.

From a balcony Korra was watching Kai playing with Naga, Along with Bolin and Asami watching with her. Korra couldn't explain what she was feeling every time she saw Kai. She could feel that there was some thing special about him, like he was out of this world. She just couldn't get that night he nursed her back to health out of her mind or when she looked deep into his eyes the next day.

"I've never felt this way about anyone" She explained to others.

Then in accrued to her "I want do something for him" but she couldn't think of any thing "but what can I offer a man who has everything?" She asked Bolin.

Bolin simple suggested "there's the usual things chocolates, jewellery for men, promise's you don't intend to keep"

Well that wouldn't show her feelings at all. All of those would just show she desperate.

Asami sated the right thing Korra should do "It has to be something special. Something that sparks his interest and I think I know what" she whispered into Korra's ear her plan of action.

—

Kai was sitting by his window looking out over court yard when he heard a knock on his door.

"Come in" He said,

The door opened and in came Korra. Kai heart started to race so he did his best to hide any expression of passion.

"Kai would you accompany me down stairs, please?" Korra asked shyly,

Kai got up and said "I would be honoured" he answered. Korra smiled then giddied Kai down stairs.

He followed her down a passage way that lead to a room with double doors which were closed. Korra stopped and turned to Kai

"There's something I want to show you Kai, But first you need to close your eyes" Kai looked at her in a curious way,

To put his curiosity at rest she smiled and said "It's a surprise" he then closed his eyes.

Korra waved her hand in front of his face to make shore he wasn't peeking. She then threw open the door and lead Kai into the dark room.

Feeling excited Kai asked "Can I open them?" excitedly Korra answered "No, no not yet, wait here" she told Kai and she ran to the curtains and toss them wide open.

"Now can I open them" Kai asked with a giggle, Korra turned smiling and said "Alright Now".

Kai opened his eyes and got the biggest surprise of his life, It was a huge library and there were shelves that towered above any building he had ever seen. Kai was so happy it felt like he was in the spirit world or in some fabulous dream.

"This is amazing, I've never seen this many books in all my life" Kai said taking everything in.

Korra was happy to see him smile "You like it, Then it's yours" she said with almost a tear in her eye.

Kai's jaw dropped, really all of this was his now. He then ran up to Korra and took her in his arms lifting her off the ground and spinning her around.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much your the best, your amazing" Kai yelled with happiness.

Korra went red in the face by this. Kai realised what he was doing and put her back down blushing himself, he cleared his throat and went get a book to start reading.

After that happy and embracing moment, Kai sat in one of the arm chairs by the fire. and started reading Korra sat on the one opposite to him cross legged and watched him read. For while they both just sat there in silence until

"You never really told me much about yourself" Kai looked up from his book surprised by Korra's statement.

So he closed the book and started to talk about where he lived and how he was brought up, But on a sadder note on how he felt so helpless sometimes. Because he couldn't save his father from dyeing. Korra just stared in silents listening to every word he said, It was nice to hear someone's story of there life but tragic to hear the death of a loved one. But then questions of her own arose, Like how was Kai able to survive her fire ball attacks the night they met.

"Kai there's one thing I just can't seem to figure out about you, I've got this feeling about you thats out of this world" Korra told him curiously, Kai gave her a look of worry but allowed her to continue talking.

"How were you able to survive my fire attacks?" she asked,

Kai sighed she was going to find out sooner or later but he felt like he could tell her the truth.

"I'm the kind of person that can do many things other human's benders and non-benders can't, You could say I'm not interlay human." Kai said slowly and choosing his words carefully,

Korra look went from curiosity to great wonder, "Are you saying you where born this way?" she asked.

Kai took a deep breath and told her "I wasn't born anywhere near the northern or southern water tribe or any other nation. In fact I wasn't born any where near this galaxy".

Korra's jaw dropped she didn't know what to say about this. He looked so human rather then someone from outer space. Kai screwed up his face waiting for whatever was about to come but nothing did.

"Please don't tell any one, And please say something" he begged.

Korra stood up walked over and touched Kai's face with her clawed hand "I have no reason to be scared of you, Your still here with me despite what I have done. You are strong enough to see past what I am and what I look like" Kai relaxed at this.

"I should learn from this because now I know who you really are. A man who is willing to do the right thing and is able to see the good in people no matter what. So I'm doing the same" Korra said with a smile.

Kai couldn't take any more, he threw his arms around Korra and held her closed to him. Korra was shaken for a few seconds then returned the gesture. She felt tears running down her face, she looked up and sour Kai crying.

"What's wrong?" she asked wiping away a tear with her thumb,

Kai shakily answered "I'm just happy that I can finally show all of myself to someone. And not having to be afraid of being alone anymore"

—

The next day was bright but still cold, A new patch of snow had fallen on to grounds. Kai wonders if Korra would like to spend the day outside with him. She agreed because it would give them time to get to know each other more. Walking out side Korra was wearing her blue parka and blue pants and Kai was wearing a furry red coat with brown pants and brown boots.

"So is there any one beside your mom and dad who knows of your gifts?" Korra asked,

Kai sighed and said "No, there where many times I wanted to tell someone but.. I was always afraid on how they would react. But when I was five there was this one girl who I did like very much. She was a water bender like you and she was very head strong, But I had this strange feeling that there was something more to her." he said while looking down at his hand and fiddling with his fingers

"I never went out of my way to impress her not just because of my secret but because I was just too shy to talk to her. Then one day I finally had the courage to say hello, suddenly before I could stop myself I kissed her on the cheek right out of the blue. But I ran away from her because I felt so embraces. That was my first kiss"

Korra smiled but thought for a moment, come to think of it she did kind of remember something about what Kai said. When she was little her and her parents lived in the northern village, This was before they realised she was the Avatar and when she was human.

There was this little boy about her age who lived next door to her. He was a sweet boy with a kind face, raven black hair and sky blue eyes. Every day she would see that boy walk down the road to market with his parents. Then one afternoon the boy finally came up to her and said hello, He then offered her a red rose. Then catching her off guard he kissed her on the cheek, then ran back to his place leaving Korra staring with disbelief. That was the first time anyone had kissed her. Looking at Kai he sort of remind Korra of that shy little boy.

"Could that have been you Kai from twelve years ago?" she thought to her self.

Then she thought "when we first touched, You didn't shudder and you always look at me in way no one has before. It's the same look that boy gave me. Whenever you do it makes my heart race, Could this be what falling in love is like?"

Korra wondered with Kai looking up from his hands and giving her that smile that just made her melt.

Kai had brought with him bird seed to feed the birds, He placed some in Korra's hands and watched her feed the birds. As she did so he kept wondering about these new feelings that were happing inside him. Feelings that he never had since he had met Korra.

"There's something sweet,
And almost kind.
But she was mean
and she was corse
And unrefind

And now she's dear and
so unsure. I wonder why
I didn't see it there before."

Korra tried he best to feed the birds but all she managed to do was scare them way. Kai knelt beside her and took some of the seeds from her hand. He placed it on the snow along with Korra's hands. One small bird followed the trail and then lept into Korra's clawed hands. This put a huge smile on her face. She then felt Kai place his hand on her arm as he got back on his feet. She felt her heart skip a beat.

"He glasted this way,
I thought I saw.
And when we touched,
he didn't shudder at my paw.

Though it can't be,
I'll just ignore.
But then he's never
looked at me that way before."

Korra stared at Kai as he stroked a bird, he let it go then caught Korra looking at him. He smiled at her gazing face. this made him blush a bit so he went behind a tree still smiling. Kai couldn't understand what was happening to him. When ever Korra looked at him he felt like he couldn't breath, he couldn't think straight. Could he be falling for Korra?

"New and a bit alarming
Who'd have ever thought that this could be?
True that she's no Princess Charming
But there's something in her that I simply didn't see"

Kai looked back at Korra with a smile. Birds where flying all around her but suddenly they flew away. She looked a Kai only to be greeted by a giant snow ball. She shook the snow off to see Kai laughing.

"Oh now your gonna get it" She said creating a snowball out of the air.

Asami, Izlee, Mako and Bolin watched them playing in the snow from the entrance. Izlee became excited, after all these years things were finally going to change for the better. She was so excited she began to sing. This made the others joined in.

"Well how'd had thought,
well bless my soul.

Well, who'd have known?
Well, who indeed?

And who'd have guessed,
They'd come together on their own?
It's so peculiar
We'll wait and see

They hid as Kai and Korra walked in laughing and covered in snow.

"A few days more There may be something there that wasn't there before
You know perhaps there is something there that wasn't there before There may be something there that wasn't there before"