A/N – Thanks for reading Chapter 1! Again, forgive me if the first few chapters are a bit angsty. I'll try to get to the fluff as quickly as possible. I just find the idea of Korra actually befriending the water babies (Tarrlok and Noatak) interesting, probably because the three of them are such interesting, multidimensional characters (the only character I like better than them is Meelo. xD). I want these first few chapters to really emphasize that, because I think Korra showing forgiveness and a softer side of her personality will really add to her character in general. I also want to emphasize her friendship with Asami and look at their relationship as best friends rather than love rivals. Korra already has a great relationship with Bolin and Mako (obviously), so I want to expand on the Korrasami friendship a little more too. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the next chapter, even though this writer's block is KILLING ME. =.=
"T-that's Amon!" a horrified Korra exclaimed shakily. She rushed to his side, all fear and hatred for him disappearing for a moment. She unknowingly rested her hand on his back, aggravating the severe cuts and scratches carved into his charred skin. His soft blue eyes snapped open, but quickly shut tightly as he inhaled sharply at the pain.
"Spirits, I'm sorry!" Korra gasped, withdrawing her arm. Despite her small size, she lifted him onto her back, her knees shaking.
"You can't carry him on your own, let me help!"
"It's fine, I got him."
She heard a weak, but distinctively deep voice behind her. "Tarrlok. Is he okay?" Amon whispered softly
Asami quickly put her head to Tarrlok's chest, a faint heartbeat present. "He's alive, but we need to get him help. He's dislocated a shoulder, and he has more cuts and burns than I can count. What happened to these two?"
"We'll find out after they recover," Korra adjusted Amon's weight on her back and whistled three times. A large, fluffy figure came running towards them and started licking Korra's cheek affectionately. She climbed on Naga's back, situating a now unconscious Amon behind her. "For now, we need to get these two to Air Temple Island. Get on."
"I don't think Tenzin will think too well of it, Korra," Asami pleaded.
"For now, I don't care what Tenzin thinks. I'm getting these two help," Korra's bright eyes twinkled with determination, and without another word, Asami slung Tarrlok's limp arm around her shoulder and climbed on Naga's back behind Korra. She didn't know why Korra was so adamant on helping these two, why she suddenly trusted them enough to be around Tenzin and his family, or if Korra even knew what she was doing. But Asami knew that Korra was right. Her gut was telling her she was right.
"What the hell is that!?" Mako frantically pointed at the window.
Tenzin's eyes widened at the sight of two of Team Avatar's arch enemies unconscious on Naga's back behind Korra and Asami. He put his hand to his forehead in disbelief, "What has she gotten herself into now?"
Mako and Bolin immediately rushed outside, both screaming, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MIND!?"
"We need to get them inside Mako, help me!" Korra pleaded.
"Korra, they're dangerous! You're putting all of us at risk by doing this."
Tenzin scolded her lightly, "This is reckless even for you."
"I know it's dangerous. It's dangerous and EXTREMELY reckless. But you HAVE to trust me on this. I'm not going to let anything happen."
"Korra-"
"I'm begging you Mako. You know I'd never let anything happen to you, I never have."
The fierce determination in Korra's voice and her longing expression were enough to make Mako climb on Naga's back and scoop her up.
"You're lucky you're cute," Mako teased, earning him a pout from Korra. "But, you need to rest too. I don't want you overworking yourself."
"I'm fine, I want to make sure they're okay before I rest."
"I'll make sure they're okay, Kor. Bolin can help me, and I can always call Iroh here if I need to," Asami assured with a smile.
"Thanks, bitch."
"No problem, hoe."
Both girls began laughing uproariously, but Mako just rolled his eyes and carried Korra inside bridal-style.
"I have legs, you know."
"Oh hush."
Korra's eyes snapped open, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She heard soft breathing and a snore every now and then, finding Mako fast asleep in the chair next to her bed, his head resting by her hand. Calming down, she stroked his cheek lovingly, a soft smile forming on his face.
She suddenly remembered what had happened that morning and snuck out of her bed, trying not to wake her boyfriend. Tugging at the curtain slightly, she exposed a small corner of the window. A tiny sliver of a moon and billions of stars were sprinkled across the ink black sky.
How long was I asleep? Last she remembered, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon.
Korra tiptoed across the empty hall into Asami's room, surprised to find no one there. She thought a moment, then ran to the men's dormitory, using her newly acquired airbending to lighten her steps.
After finding both Bolin and Bumi snoring loudly in their rooms, she finally found the room she was looking for. Inside was Amon, fast asleep, his thick black hair again in his face. He was now clean, and Kya had healed the majority of his cuts and burns. In the seat by his bed, Asami was sitting motionless.
"Asami," Korra whispered. She realized that Asami was asleep when she heard a tiny snort, and she giggled quietly. She ran her fingers through her soft brown curls and rested her head on the doorframe.
Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she turned her head to find Mako behind her, resting his head on her shoulder.
"She kept running back and forth to check on him, Tarrlok, and you. She said she knew how important it was to you and that she wouldn't sleep until she knew they would be okay. Iroh kept an eye on Tarrlok, but she was still running between rooms."
"You didn't tell her you were taking care of me?"
"More times than I can count. But she wanted to make sure you got your rest, so I didn't argue with her."
Korra smiled warmly and rested her head on Mako's, "Wait, where is Iroh?"
"In the room across from Tarrlok's, down the hall. He offered to stay here, but Asami wouldn't let him," Mako chuckled. "There was no arguing with her today."
"I can tell."
"I've been meaning to ask you this, Kor," he took her hand and led her outside the room. "Why are you going to so much trouble to help these guys? Haven't they done enough?"
Korra sighed, "I've been thinking about it for a while, and . . . I want to forgive them."
He stared at her in disbelief, "One of then shot ice projectile thingies at you, kidnapped you, and kept you in a metal box in the mountains. The other one basically started a war in Republic City, TOOK YOUR BENDING AWAY, and made his mustached freak of a sidekick electrocute the box you were being kept in. In the mountains. And you want to forgive them?"
"Well, that's an . . . interesting way of putting it."
"I try. But seriously Kor, why would you want to forgive them? What have they done to deserve it?"
"Do you remember the day I got my bending taken away? We found Tarrlok in a cell, and he told us who Amon really was and that Yakone was their asshole of a father?"
"Yeah, Amon's real name was Noatak, or something weird, and they were forced to learn bloodbending. What's your point?"
"My point is, after Amon, well Noatak, ran away, he left with a hatred for bloodbending. Over the years, what if it turned into a hatred for bending itself? I know he didn't start the Equalist Revolution just for the hell of it. He truly believed he was right."
"Korra, I know you have responsibilities as the Avatar, and I know you have to help people, but this is-"
"This isn't about me being the Avatar. Look, I'm not saying what either of them did was right. But I don't think it's right for me to hold it against them either. I don't want to have to hold it against them. Maybe they can be helpful to us. They can be our Zuko."
Mako brought a hand to her cheek, "If you can forgive them, I can too. You're lucky you're cute."
Korra giggled, "I love you, City Boy."
"Love you more, Mrs. Hat Trick," he kissed her tenderly before scooping her up and taking her back to her room.
A/N – Hooray for super cute bags of Makorra chips! As you can see, things are already starting to get really fluffy. And I know this chapter was WAY longer than the previous one, but I'm trying to fit all of this deep, serious shit in the first three or four chapters. Chapter 1 was really more of an introduction, and since it was so short, this serious, angsty stuff might get pushed to Chapter 4. Many apologies! But, there will definitely be more cutesy Makorra goodness coming up, Noatak will speak much more (in that sexy voice of his ;3), and Tarrlok will actually get some lines. Also, Korra and Asami calling each other names for fun was intentional. That's how I always act around my best friends, and we find it hilarious, so I wanted to make their friendship a little bit more relatable. xD This writer's block is totally killing this fic, so hopefully it's gone by the time I start Chapter 3, and it might actually be less painful to read. But, thanks for reading, and please REVIEW. xoxo –Vanisha 3