Wow this is a long Chapter. Ok...So sorry that it has been what? 8,7 days since I have updated? I've been busy. School is quickly approaching and well I won't bore you with the details. I Particularly like this chapter it was interesting to write. I introduce a new character this chapter and watch out for foreshadowing. ;) Anywho Thank you for all the awesome reviews and follows! I love receiving both and I just cherish the fact that people are loving my story. You guys are such amazing readers and I just love your feed back and constant encouragement. I hope this chapter is fulfilling for you guys. This chapter is actually based HEAVILY of episode Leaf on the Wind. So I will leave you to the story. :)
Disclaimer: The Legend of Korra belongs to Bryke. I claim nothing but the plot. If something sounds familiar to you like dialogue than it belongs to Bryke. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
Enjoy!
He had known Linjin and Mertai ever since he was a child. They are two of the toughest and sleaziest men in the Triple Threat Triad. He had never seen them defeated- yet alone by a teenage girl. But there they were lying with the life draining out of them after a small girl who weighs no more that hundred twenty pounds beat the living day lights out of them.
She moved like a goddess but fought with the passion of a warrior. She was light on her feet and seemed to counter every move with stealth and grace. Yuke didn't need Mako's help. He just watched perplexed. Linjin and Mertai tried and failed to bring Yuke down, but in turn, the two ended up with multiple broken bones. She didn't seem scared or intimidated. In fact she had a sly smile of satisfaction on her lips the whole time. She held her ground with the skills of a master, without bending. How did she learn to fight like that? He had wondered as he stood frozen in horror at the scene unfolding before him.
Mako begs the question: who is Yuke Shen?
She is just a girl of mystery who showed up without warning. She seems sure of herself but at times she seems distant and disturbed. Mako saw her bend that wall of earth. There was no denying it. He could see the fear in her eyes as she drew her hands up to protect herself. Mako remembers Bolin rambling on about how worried he was for Yuke the night of the accident. After the hysteria wore off, Bolin began to go into depth sharing every little great aspect about the cerulean eyed girl. Bolin mentioned how Yuke said she is originated from the watertribe. That furthered Mako's suspicion and sent him into a mental war of possible explanations. He came up with none. Funny that a girl who originates from a waterbending family can earthbend.
Mako can't help but feel there is something more behind Yuke Shen. He can tell she is building up a wall of lies to protect something. But what, and to what cost?
One thing was for sure though. He is furious at Yuke for almost getting him arrested. Filling out that paperwork was no way he wanted to spend his night. He has a feeling though things are about to get a little more complicated.
An hour later Mako walks up the stairs of his apartment above the arena. It's dark. The only light is the silvery radiance of the moon pouring in through the lofty windows. Bolin is already fast asleep. He can hear his brother's loud bear like snores from his bed up on the landing. Mako flicks on the small shadowy light in the kitchen and stares over at the clock. His wrist still profusely bleeding, Mako gathers supplies to wrap his wrist. He sighs and collapses in a rickety chair at his table, tightly wrapping gauze around the stinging cut .
Leaning his head back on the frame with a sigh, he stretches his long legs out and his limbs pop and relax. Biting his lip he pushes back up to his feet and prepares himself instant noodles.
He sits back down with his plastic bowl of steamy noodles and a thin slice of wheat bread. He eats silently trying to clear his head. He chews slowly on his bread when a thought slams into him with the force of freight train. He pushes his food away as his stomach twisted and his eyes widen. His eyes wonder to his laptop lying across the table and without hesitation he snatches the laptop and pulls the screen up. He tentatively clicks on the small search engine icon.
She made no plans getting up from her bed. The sheets wrapped around her curled up body and her neck was positioned just right. Her eyes were closed soundly and not even the bright amber sun bathing her room bothered her slumber. But her sleep was disturbed in the night by nightmares that woke her in tears and thin layers of sweat. From then her thoughts swallowed her. Mako's accusation rang in her head as if he was next to her. He saw her earthbend, and he is convinced that she is lying. She could see the certainty in his fiery eyes. Then he saw her fight those men. She guessed that since they knew Mako's name they were once acquainted. The man went in to assault her and she didn't hesitate to bring him down, the other man as well. And she couldn't lie, she found joy in it. But she completely forgot about the small audience of one behind her. The look in his eyes was hard to read. It was neither horror nor confusion. Korra just thanked the spirits she didn't lose her self-control and bend those sleazebags into another life. Then she got herself arrested and Mako too no doubt. Korra mentally kicks herself for slipping up the way she did. As far as she knows she feels she is treading on thin ice.
Finally as the sun peaked above the mountain, her thoughts faded to black and she fell into a deep oblivion. It only felt like a couple minutes before she woke. Her eyelids felt tremendously heavy and her muscles fatigue.
Korra stirs as the edge of the bed dips, and small circles are rubbed on her back gently. "Wake up Korra." A bell tone voice whispers. Korra moans sleepily and pulls the sheets up over her head.
Pema laughs softly. "C'mon sleepy head. You have school."
Korra's eyes fly open at the word. She curls in further into the mattress and pulls her pillow to her chest. "No." She huffs squeezing her eyes close.
"You need to get up dear. You will not be ditching." Pema says sternly.
Korra rolls over and opens her eyes to look at Pema. The sun burns her dilated irises but she doesn't care. "Please. Don't make me go." Korra pouts her eyes watering from the sting of the light.
Pema smiles sadly. "I'm sorry Korra but you have no choice, so get up… Or I will have Tenzin come in here." Pema threatens patting her shoulder one last time before getting up from the bed.
Korra rips the sheets from her body and leaps to her feet. She sways dizzily but steadies herself. Korra grumbles before stomping past Pema and into the bathroom. She slams the door shut.
She showers slowly and prepares for the day. She pulls on a grey tank, blue hoodie, dark grey jeans and a pair of fuzzy boots she has worn many times before Yuke Shen. Korra slings her backpack onto her shoulders, slides on her fake eyeglasses and leaves her room. She doesn't bother eating anything. She walks down to the dock and boards the ferry that will take her to the city.
Sounds of lockers slamming, molded conversations and announcements on the intercom was the symphony Korra listens to as she weaves through her peers to her first class. She keeps her eyes peeled for Mako as she cautiously walks the hallways. She can't help but feel uncomfortable around him.
No one recognized her as Korra the Dead Girl as they did last week. Korra smiles as she guesses her new and improved disguise is working. Still she keeps her head down.
She would rather be anywhere than school. Her buzz to be here faded Friday as her teachers doubled her homework. She hated the fact that her life just took a turn for the worst and she has no one to turn to. Korra hugs her text books to her chest and sighs tiredly. Korra turns the corner of the stairwell and walks to her first class of the slow and hazy morning.
Come third period the skin under Korra's eyes became dark and loose, and her lids become heavy. Every time she opens her mouth a small yawn widens her lips. Her posture slumps and her backpack seems a tad heavier than usual.
Korra collapses in her seat next to her neighbor and lets her head fall and hit the desk.
The boy runs a hand through his shaggy dark hair and pushes his glasses up. "You alright there?" He asks staring at the Korra's face as her eyes fall close.
"Mhmmm…"Korra moans against the cool wood of her desk. As soon as the lesson begins Korra forces herself to stay awake as Mr. Koniekzo teaches the lesson. She sloppily jots down notes in her notebook at times putting her head down but jolting back awake at the slightest noise. The rest of the class was a weary blur.
As the bell sounded Korra drags herself to her feet and ponders out of the room. She avoids the cafeteria. Instead she walks around the hallways dragging her heel. Korra walks up to the top floor of the school and stumbles across a thick door with a little white plaque. Roof.
Curious Korra wraps her fingers around the cold handle, pulls it down and kicks the door open with the toe of her shoe. It swings open to a dark room consisting of a spiral metal staircase. Korra peers over both her shoulders to make sure the hall is empty.
Korra steps in the dark room and lets the door shut quietly behind her. The light of the room ceased and it goes pitch black. Figuring it's safe, she lets a small flame of fire ignite in her reached out palm. The small flame illuminates the small room enough to see the steps in front of her. She ascends the steps running her hand up the cold metal railing. At the top of the stairs is a heavy metal door. Korra opens it easily and closes her fingers over the flame. The door closes behind her.
Sun light hits her unadjusted blue eyes as she takes in the scene before her. Her jaw falls open.
Small clay planters filled with flamboyant and outlandish flowers line against the edge of the roof and a green canopy shades small trees and blooming flowers. A small white lawn chair sits in the middle of the canopy. Korra walks along the planters, peering down and admiring the soft petals and their fragrant scents. She runs her fingers along the petals of pale yellow lilies with dark brown splotches dancing along in a line till it meets the end of the petal.
She marvels at all the flowers and plants and the serenity of the roof itself. She could spend hours up here.
"What are you doing up here?" A deep voice asks from behind Korra. Korra jumps and spins around to see a tall middle-aged man with coffee tinted skin, long hair pulled back in traditional water tribe beads, and his eyes are the color of clear water. His grey suit is well tailored, and a powder blue tie is wrapped around his neck. Mr. Tao Ran? Korra's Chinese Literature teacher stands with his hands folded over his chest.
"M-Mr. Tao Ran… I'm sorry." Korra stammers. Korra stares directly into his soft blue eyes.
Mr. Tao Ran nods "No need." He smirks and walks over to his planters. He maneuvers his hand in a swift graceful dance and water from a small pot beside the planter rises in an orb of aqua. He guides the water over the flowers and showers them.
Korra raises an eyebrow. "You're a waterbender." She says idiotically. She twiddles her thumbs behind her back.
Mr. Tao Ran smiles at Korra. His smile is genial and crooked. "Am I that obvious?" He asks sarcastically. "Are you?" He asks Korra.
Korra swallows dryly. Yes. "No. Non-bender." Korra confirms. She looks around the garden and tweaks her head to the side.
"You got a haircut. And glasses…" Mr. Tao Ran observes.
Korra tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah. I lost my contacts."
"Well that is too bad."
Korra snorts. "Yeah…" She sighs. "Is this your garden?"
"It is." He brushes his long tan fingers along the petals and leaves of his ostentatious plants then he turns his head back up to Korra looking down at him awkwardly. He arches a thick eyebrow. "And you shouldn't be up here Miss Shen."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I will leave." Korra backs away and turns.
"I said you aren't supposed to be up here. I never said you couldn't. You can stay if you like. It gets kind of lonely up here." He grins. Korra stops and spins back around. She leans up against a wall.
Korra rocks back and forth on her heel. "So why do you have a garden up here?" Korra asks further examining the planters.
"Cause I can." He answers. Korra raises an eyebrow and Ran chuckles lightly. "I'm kidding. I have always had a love for gardening. I used to do it with my wife and you can't have vibrant gardens like this in apartments." He explains with sadness tainting his voice.
"Used to? If you don't mind me asking where is your wife?"
Ran turns his back and sighs. "She passed away a few months ago in an accident." He explains softly.
Korra feels her jaw droop as she feels a pang of sadness. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't apologize." He turns around with a smile that is clearly forced. "Gardening keeps her with me." He continues smelling a little red Lillie. Korra smiles tears biting at her eyes.
"Well you have a lovely garden Ran."
"Thank you Miss Shen." He nods with blue eyes smiling.
The last period of the day quickly approaches and she no longer feels tired, but instead very much awake. The smell of sweet flowers still invading her nostrils. Korra still has Mr. Tao Ran on her mind. He had told her that she is welcome back to his little secret garden anytime. She graciously accepted the offer, looking forward to returning. She feels she can find a friend in the man.
But Korra's anxiousness and happiness fades as she steps into her Calculus class. Her eyes fall on Mako as she freezes in the doorway. She debates turning and ditching but she will never hear the end of it if Tenzin hears about it. And Mako is already looking at her from his seat in the back. She looks around the room for any other empty seat she may be able to situate in, but nothing. Just that one empty seat next to the boy who is way too observant for his own good. The seat mocks her.
Taking a shallow breath she pushes her glasses up and confidently keeps her chin up as she walks up the aisle and to her seat. She slides her backpack off and lets it hit the ground beside her chair. She sits slowly and keeps her eyes forward. She can smell his intoxicating smell and hear the even breath that escaped his lips in hushed exhales.
Her heart hastens. She is sitting next to the guy who saw her earthbend. She is sitting next to the guy who saw her single handedly take down two men who are twice her size. She knows his suspicions have heightened. She can see it in the way he looks at her. That uncomfortable aura that surrounds him, and consumes her. The way those molten eyes look at her makes it seem like he can see right through her façade. She knows she needs to build her walls up a little higher.
Mako avoids eye contact with her. But he can sense how tense she is. The way her shoulders are stiff and her eyes are staring forward at nothing. He scratches at his jeans and bites his lip.
The class starts and the two stay silent as their regular awkward demeanor returns to the atmosphere. What is worse that the assignment assigned requires a partner.
They both turn their heads and their eyes meet. Two pools of water and two rings of fire clashing together in an uneasy stare. Korra clears her throat and turns away. Mr. Zhi places a worksheet in front of them and instructs them to get to work. Korra jots her name at the top of the page quickly. Mako does the same.
Not being able to take the silence Korra breaks it. "How's your wrist." She blurts quickly keeping her eyes focused on the gauze around his wrist.
Mako drops his pencil and sighs. "Better."
"That's good."
"Where did you learn to fight that way?" Mako asks intrigued.
I'm the Avatar. What you saw last night was nothing to what I'm capable of. "I took classes when I was younger." Korra lies still avoiding eye contact.
"Just taking classes would not have given you the fighting skills that you have. You do realize you took down two of the toughest members of the Triple Threat Triad." Mako explains reminiscing on the way she moved and took on those two big men he had feared as a child.
Those guys were part of the feared Tripe T's? Ha! That must be an embarrassment to their little society! "They got a few good hits in." She proclaims rubbing her sore jaw.
"I guess, but you completely incapacitated them. I've never seen anything like it." Korra snaps her head to face him. His eyes bore into her and that uneasy feeling returns.
She ignores it and hardens her expression. "Where are you going with this?" she hisses narrowing her eyes.
His expression softens and he sighs. "Nowhere I guess. Let's just finish this stupid worksheet." They go silent once again, splitting the work in half.
"You cut your hair." Mako blurts idiotically once again breaking the silence between them. He focuses his vision on her chopped locks of silky chocolate strands.
Korra rolls her eyes. "Yeah?" She keeps her eyes glued to the worksheet she is bent over.
"Why?"
"Why do you care?" She retorts.
"I don't." He protests annoyed. "It's just your whole look has changed. You are even wearing glasses now." He gestures to the frames resting on the bridge of Korra's nose.
"Yeah well I lost my contacts." She informs as she begins shoving her books and binder back into her heavy backpack.
"Right…"
You are just full of questions aren't you hot shot? You are worse than your brother. Now I know where he gets it. The bell rings and Korra couldn't get out of there fast enough. As soon as she is out the door she walks speedily out of the school. But she is stopped on the concrete steps as she hears Bolin call her name from behind her. Korra turns and smiles at the enthusiastic Bolin who is bounding down the stairs with his emerald eyes gleaming in the sun's light.
He falls into step with Korra. "Hey Yuke! You look different!" He exclaims cocking his head at her glasses and shortened hair.
"Uhh..Thanks?"
"No I didn't mean it that way. You look beautiful as always." Bolin's cheeks burn red as he realizes he just called her beautiful. He nervously runs a hand through his hair
Korra chuckles and blushes at the compliment. "Thanks Bolin. You're not too bad yourself." She playfully elbows his ribcage.
They cut across the grass and through the parking lot, this time not seeing Mako and Asami sucking face under any of the trees. "We missed you at lunch today."
"Yeah sorry about that. I was talking to a teacher. I will be there tomorrow though." Korra smiles.
"And the next day? And the next?" Bolin asks.
Korra chuckles. "I will try my best." Spirits. How are you related to that stiff as a stick brother of yours?
"So…Are you doing anything tonight?" Bolin asks shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
Korra shakes her head. "Not that I know of, why?"
"Well I have a Pro-Bending tournament tonight. I was wondering if you would come and watch the Fire Ferrets kick butt?"
Korra's smile grows wider. "Would I? Of course! I have always wanted to see a Pro-Bending tournament!" Korra explains then lifts an eyebrow. "So I'm guessing if you have a tournament tonight, you guys found a waterbender?"
"We did! And he's pretty great! You can meet him tonight if you come." Bolin says.
"I'll be there."
She shut and locked herself in her room as soon as she got back. She twisted the lock and settled down on her bed with a stack of assignments due. She knows she has training right now but she is still immeasurably angry with Tenzin. Homework sounds so much more appealing than meditating. It isn't long until she hears him beating down on her door. "Korra! You have training!" Tenzin barks pounding on Korra's door which she locked.
"Go away Tenzin!" She shouts sitting on the bed tending back to her homework.
Tenzin slams his fist down on the door once more. "I swear Korra if you don't open this door than I'll-"
"Do what? Ground me? I'm not coming out. So just go away!" She practically screams.
Tenzin sighs through his teeth and drops his fist from the door. He wonders what his father would say.
Be patient with her Tenzin. She is going through a lot. What she needs now is to adjust to the change. She will come around.
He turns and walks away with his father's advice on her mind.
Korra senses that he is gone and sighs. She lets her shoulders slump. She knows she can't be mad at him forever. Sooner or later she will have to come out of her room and learn about meditation and how to bend air. Tenzin is the only master airbender in the world. As much as she wants to be normal- to be Yuke Shen, she knows as the Avatar she has a responsibility. The Avatar is alive, and she needs to be ready. Denying her responsibility just because she got frustrated- she knows she is wrong. As much as they may pounce on each other, they are stuck with each other. Tenzin, the patient and serene airbender. The son of Avatar Aang. Then Korra, the rambunctious headstrong Avatar. The reincarnation of Avatar Aang.
Korra huffs in mental defeat. She pushes her homework aside and gets changed. Unlocking her door she goes to the training ground where Tenzin and the children are surrounding a maze of wooden gates. "Look daddy! Korra came after all!" Ikki exclaims pointing in Korra's direction. Tenzin turns his head to Korra who is stomping up the concrete steps. She doesn't look happy but just the action of her coming out of her room, and showing up to training is a start.
"Thank you for coming Korra." Tenzin nods in appreciation.
Korra scoffs still noticeably angry. "Don't get too happy. I'm still mad at you. But I have a responsibility to learn Air Bending." She explains crossing her arms over her chest.
Tenzin sighs. "Fair enough. Today we will be working with the more physical aspect of airbending today."
Korra smiles and throws a fist in the air eagerly excited. "Finally!" She exclaims. Tenzin shoots her a glare. Korra composes herself. "I mean…Let us begin. So what's that contraption?" Korra asks gesturing to the wooden panels with the air insignia painted on them. She is slightly amused.
"They're air gates." Ikki answers.
"A time-honored tool that teaches the most fundamental aspect of airbending." Tenzin explains in more depth. He turns to Jinora. "Jinora, would you like to explain this exercise?"
Jinora nods and turns to Korra. "The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it to the other side without touching them."
Korra shrugs. "Seems easy enough."
"Jinora forgot to say that you have to get through while the gates are spinning." Ikki adds.
Tenzin takes his stance and intakes a breath of crisp air. He raises his hands and quickly thrusts them forward. A large gust of air blows forth and pushes the gates to whirl nippily, a tangle of leaves are kicked up with the heavy breeze. Tenzin catches a leaf between his fingers then releases it, guiding it through the air and into the gates with ease. Keeping his eye on the leaf they all watch as the ripe leaf maneuvers itself, gracefully leading itself through the spinning gates. Not once does the leaf falter but glides freely with the wind.
"The key is to be like the leaf. Flow- with the movement of the gates." Tenzin explains. "Jinora will demonstrate."
Jinora nods and slowly approaches the gates before disappearing inside of them. Jinora keeps her breathing even and her emotions calm. She clears her mind and ignores the stress of having to escape the gates untouched. She bends her elbows and keeps her hands positioned up in front of her. She spins on her heel, successfully avoiding the whirling gates. She twirls through, not deciding a path- but moving with what her mind tell her. Before she knows it she is out of the gates and releasing another gust of air, quickening the pace of the gates.
Korra takes a breath. She watched Jinora gracefully dance through the gates easily. Now it was her turn. "Let's do this!" Korra determinedly runs into the gates. She is instantly hits by one of the gates which throws her further into the spinning maze. A sharp pain shoots from her nose up to her head as one of the wooden smashes into her face without mercy. Every panel hits her as she is catapulted from gate to gate. The gates spit her out and she lands on her butt. Every inch of her body aches but that doesn't stop her from jumping back to her feet. She dusts her sweats off and huffs with annoyance. I can do this. She encourages herself before running back into the gates. She successfully dodges the first few, but her force comes to her disadvantage as she is once again thrown around in the gates like a rag doll.
"Don't force your way through!" Jinora advises wincing as she sees Korra collide with another panel.
"Dance! Dace like the wind!" Ikki shouts. Korra is struck in the face by another panel.
Meelo weaves his hand in a motion of a wave. "Be the leaf!"
Korra is everything but that as she is thrown forward by another panel before one last gate hits her in the face. Black spots dance across her vision as the gates once again spew Korra out. She lands on the ball of her foot, spinning to regain her staggered balance but fails as she falls to the ground in a bruised heap.
Meelo shakes his head in disappointment. "You weren't the leaf."
Tenzin shakes his head as Jinora and Ikki rush to Korra's side.
Jinora crouches beside Korra who is moaning in pain. One of her blue eyes growing swollen and the skin around it darkening. "You alright Korra?" Jinora asks.
Korra shakes her head slowly. "Spirits Korra! You're really bad at this!" Ikki exclaims.
Jinora helps Korra to the sitting position, her head throbbing in a hallow pain. "Yeah, thanks for pointing that out Ikki." Korra retorts wincing in pain.
"Don't take it literal Korra. It takes practice." Jinora explains in comfort.
"I know. It's not that fact that I can't make it through the gates. I know that that will come with time. It's the fact that I'm not able to airbend." Korra sighs slouching over.
"You will get it someday Korra. You're the Avatar! There isn't anything you can't do!" Ikki exclaims with a broad adolescent smile.
Korra smiles sadly. Despite the sweet words of encouragement she still feels very unconfident. "Thanks Ikki."
"C'mon. You have a black eye. Mom will help you with that." Jinora helps Korra stumble to her feet as a new pain shoots through her spine. But she bears it.
Pema hands Korra a bag of ice wrapped snugly in an itch rag. "Here, hold it to your eye."
Korra obeys slowly pressing the frosty bag to her eye. She hisses in discomfort as the cold ice touches her tender purple skin. "Took quiet a beating didn't you?" Pema asks with a slight chuckle.
Korra frowns un-amused. "Yeah…I don't understand Pema. Bending has always come so easy to me. I don't get why airbending is so hard for me." Korra says agitated. She sags and drops her head. "This is frustrating!" I can take out a couple of Triple Threat but a couple of gates can take me out? Embarrassing.
"Well sweetie maybe this is just a block. Give it time. It will come to you."
Korra inhales. A small annoyed smile splayed on her lips. "Funny the one thing I need is something I don't have." Time…
"C'mon. Why don't you go take a nice hot bath to heal your bruises and relax those muscles of yours."
Korra feels good as new after she is done bathing. She changes into a pair of baggy blue jeans and loose white button-up blouse.
She knocks on the door of Tenzin's office; the pro-bending tournament in one short hour on her mind. Her heart races with anxiousness. "Come in." Tenzin invites. Korra opens the door and steps in with a smile. "Good evening Tenzin." Korra greets as she leans against the wall. She runs a hand through her damp hair.
Tenzin looks up from signing his documents. "Good evening Korra. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes. I was wondering if I could maybe, please attend a Pro-Bending match tonight. Pretty please- with cherries on top?" Korra begs clapping her hands together, and widening her blue eyes with plea.
"Absolutely not. I will not have you attending that ring of violence. It is out of the question. You are forbidden!" Tenzin says sternly.
Korra's heart drops. "What? Why?" She whines sadly.
"That sport is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending!" Tenzin explains in disgust,
Korra scoffs. "What do you know? I bet you have never attended a match before!" Korra argues finding his hate for the sport ridiculous.
"You're right. Never have. Never will. Now you are not going and that is final Korra. Your further arguments will not convince me! Now if you will excuse me I am very busy. Good night Korra."
Korra narrows her eyes into crystal slits. "Night Shifu," Korra hisses with venom tainting her tone. Korra spins around quickly and stomps out slamming the door shut hard. The pictures hanging on the walls of his office quake as the vibrations travels through the walls. Tenzin sighs. She will thank me later. Tenzin convinces himself before brushing it off his shoulder and attending back to his work.
Korra paces back and forth angrily in her room. She throws her arms in the air and changes the path of her pacing. She unleashes a frustrated scream as she holds her head in her hands- trying best not to rip her hair out. Korra stops her pacing and leans against the frame of her open window that looks across the bay. She watches the illuminated, vibrant gold arena surrounded by several spotlights that move around, and propel into the night sky. She envies the people who are taking their seats right now in the arena she was just forbidden to enter. Then a thought occurs to her. "He forbade Korra. He never said Yuke Shen couldn't go." Korra smiles slyly and grabs her glasses from the nightstand. She shrugs on a black hoodie and pulls it over her head.
She repeats the precautions she took last night when she snuck out. Throwing pillows under the blankets she erects herself up on her window and scales down the roof. She stealthily sprints across the courtyard, and sneaks past the White Lotus Sentries that Tenzin has standing guard. She dives into the bushes and pitches herself off the cliff and into the waters of the bay.
She makes sure the coast is clear before using her waterbending to catapult herself out of the chilly water and up into an open window at the back of the Arena. She lands on her heels and quickly waterbends the water drenching her body. She takes in her surroundings as a gasp falls from her lips. The hallway is illuminated brightly with iridescent lights that create a golden glow. The hallway is long as far as Korra can see, and she guesses it stretches along the whole structure. Korra walks the wide hallway searching out Bolin. That is until she stumbles across an impressive looking gym. She walks inside and examines the different equipment that is more modern than what she is used to. "Man this is cool…" She breathes running her fingers over a pile of green disks made of insubstantial rock.
"Hey!" A voice barks from behind her, A familiar voice. Korra jumps at the voice and turns to see Toza who is glaring at her with his dull green eyes. "What are you doing in here shrimp?" He hisses approaching Korra who glares back.
"Shrimp?" Korra snorts. "I would beg to differ!" Korra responds.
"Someone takes offence for being small and weak." Toza throws back.
Korra scoffs and shakes her head with a low chuckle. "Wanna mess with me? I will show you just how small and weak I can be." She challenges balancing on the tips of her toes as she gets in Toza's face.
Toza was about to remark when a voice comes from the doorway. "Geez guys again? Why can't you two just be friends?" Bolin encourages. Bolin grabs Korra's shoulder and gently pulls her away from Toza. But she doesn't break the stare.
"I can think of some reasons." Korra answers.
"What is she doing back here? Has she paid?" Toza asks.
Korra raises an eyebrow. "Paid?"
"Dammit Bolin! She needs to leave if she hasn't paid!" Toza commands more than eager to see Korra walk out that door.
"Chill Toza. I'll cover it. Just tell your dad to add it to my tab." Bolin says before wrapping his arm around Korra's shoulder and leading her out. Korra glances back over at shoulder and childishly sticks her tongue out at him before she turns the corner, leaving the room. Toza glares back shaking his head.
Yuke 2, Toza 0. Korra counts in her head. "Thanks for saving me back there. Again." Korra giggles.
Bolin blushes. "No problem. But how did you get in here without paying?" Bolin questions.
"I…Uhh climbed in through the window." She admits.
"You scaled the building? What are you ninja?" Bolin asked majorly impressed.
Korra shrugs. "I guess you could say that." Korra notices Bolin is dressed in some kind of armor. Red arm, elbow, shoulder, and knee pads are tightly strapped to his body. Along with a red chest guard. Under all the protective gear he wears a cream colored jumpsuit. A long green belt is wrapped around his waist, and he wears some kind of cleats on his feet that match the color of the rest of his uniform. He also holds a helmet under his arm. "What's with the get up?" Korra asks with a small grin.
"This my humble friend is an official Pro-Bending uniform." Bolin answers.
Korra nods impressed. "Very cool."
Bolin halts in front of a heavy door. He swings it open and Korra gasps loudly. Her jaw falls open in marvel.
The arena is massive- no that's an understatement. It's a gargantuan open area of water with a diamond shape platform elevated up above the pool of calm water. One side red, and one side blue. Above the platform are seats and booths that surround the entire arena. Korra guesses you could seat the entire city in this place. She wouldn't be surprised. Thousands of spectators roar in the audience. Some hold sings and others faces are painted. Their shouts and screams echo throughout the arena. It almost tickles Korra's eardrums. "Pretty cool huh. It looks better from the inside." Bolin chuckles.
Korra nods in agreement. "This is amazing! It's everything I could have imagined it to be!" Korra exclaims with a large smile. Yeah too bad you can't play huh Miss Avatar?
"Bolin. C'mon we have a match to prepare for." An excruciatingly familiar voice scolds from behind. Mako. Korra turns to face him. He's strapping on the rest of his gear, but Korra can't help but feel he looks so handsome in his uniform. What? No he is a jerk and you hate him! Korra tells herself. She turns away and back at Bolin who is guzzling a bottle of water. Then she looks around and sees no waterbender. "Where's your waterbender?" Korra asks.
"He's coming." Bolin assures.
The door swings open and a tall boy stumbles in already dressed. His long hair is dark and tied back at his neck. He's thick- muscularly that is. He has a baby face with small blue eyes, tan skin, and a socially awkward demeanor. "Sorry I'm late guys!" He quickly apologizes with his pitchy voice. He seems urgent as her pulls on the rest of his gears but when his eyes fall on Korra. His imperative facial expressions turn hard and he quickly turns before she catches him staring. Bolin walks over to the boy and pats his shoulders. "Yuke this is Kai. Kai this is Yuke." Bolin introduces.
Kai hesitantly reaches out his hand. Korra shakes it with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you Kai."
Kai pulls his hand away and nods. "You too."
"C'mon guys we're up." Mako informs slamming his locker shut. The three of them walk over and take stance on a small ramp. They all pull on their helmets before the ramp moves outward. The crowd explodes with excited screams. Korra can make out people screaming out Mako's and Bolin's name.
"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Future Industries Fire Ferrets and their newest addition Kai!" Shiro Shinobi announces and the audience goes berserk with cries and screams. The three men wave to the anticipated crowd as adrenaline surges through their veins. They step up onto the platform and take their places as the opposing team, the Cabbage Cop Tigerdillos.
Once the competitors are situated the referee holds a hand out. "Players are you ready?" The players nod in unison. The referee slices his hand down and blows a whistle.
A disk of earth is kicked at Mako but he easily sidesteps it. "Looks like the Tigerdillo's earthbender is after Mako as he shoots a disk his way but he dodges it- And Mako retaliates kicking a wave of fire at Suski." Shiro Shinobi explains. Suski is hit full force in the gut and is thrown backwards and off of the platform where he plunges into the cold waters. "And looks like Suski is in the drink! Mako is fierce today hitting that player back two zones. Only two Tigerdillos remain."
Bolin kicks up a disk of earth and hurls it forward while Kai surrounds himself with a ring of water and catapults it forward. The thick stream of water slams into the Tigerdillo's firebender's chest and knocks him from his feet. "And the Tigerdillo's firebender, is knocked back to zone two."
The firebender quickly recovers and pitches a ball of fire at Bolin. It hits him square in the chest and throws him off his feet. Bolin skids on his back across the field; tumbling backwards until he drops off the platform and drops into the water below. "And looks like Bolin is taking a dip. Looks like the playing field is even now. Mako still in Zone one and Kai in Zone two. The two remaining Tigerdillos residing in zone two."
Mako rolls his eyes as he sees his brother fall from the platform, and Korra cringes witnessing Bolin land on his belly in the water. "Ouch…" She whispers leaning over the rail to look at the water. Bolin swims slowly back to the ladder and climbs from the water. Korra turns her attention back to the match.
Mako sends a series of flames at the opposing firebender who is struggling to block the attacks. "Mako is showing no mercy to Zhong who is trying his best not to get moved back a zone- and oh he's over the line! But Mako isn't finished yet! He continues to strike Zhong with his fire!" Shiro exclaims excitedly. Mako unleashes one last flurry of a thick flame that sends Zhong into the air and off the field. "And Zhong is in the drink!" A high pitched bell sounds. "And the Fire Ferrets take round one!"
Korra throws her fist in the air. "Whoo! Go Fire Ferrets!" She screams with a wide smile. Oh spirits do I want to be out there!
As soon as all the players are back to Zone one the whistle to start the next round is blown. The six benders begin to send arrays of attacks to their competitors. "Zhong sends several attacks towards the Fire Ferrets' waterbender." Kai deflects each flame of fire easily by extinguishing it with his water, then propels a stream of water at Zhong who is hit in the upper-chest. The impact sends him back three zones. "Zhong is knocked back to zone three by Kai's attack." Zhong quickly recovers and blasts vigorous fire at Kai. Kai is hit hard and is hit off the platform. "And Zhong blasts Kai into the drink. Mako and Bolin remain. But Bolin looks as if he is struggling as he goes toe to toe with the Tigerdillo's earthbender!" Shiro announces as the audience scream in awe watching Bolin as he desperately blocks earth coins from hitting him. Mako on the other hand is working hard to knock Zhong off. At the same time deflecting attacks from the opposing waterbender. Mako focuses his chi and shoots a large wave of flame at Zhong who is hit full force and is thrown back off the platform and into the water. Mako then turns his full attention to the waterbender unleashing the last chunk of energy to propel forward a torpedo of flame. "And the Tigerdillo's waterbender takes a swim. Ten seconds remain in the round. Does Suski, the Tigerdillo's earthbender, have what it takes to take down these two bending brothers?"
Suski's energy and adrenaline runs thin as both brothers release their remaining drips of energy. Suski's legs buckle in and Bolin flings a disk of earth at him while Mako blasts a stream of fire. The impact is enough to knock the exhausted earthbender off the platform where he took the long fall to the water. "And the Fire Ferrets are going to the quarter-final!" Shiro Shinobi announces! The boys below throw their arms around each other with booms of laughter. "Good job Bro! We did it!" Bolin says holding his brother tight.
"Yes we did!"
Both Mako and Bolin are transported back to the locker room where they find Korra smiling and jumping up and down excitedly. A look of awe rooted in her irises. "That was amazing guys!" Korra sings with a smile of giddy. Mako scoffs and rolls his eyes as he casually strolls by her. Korra's smile drops and is replaced with a annoyed leer. Bolin pats her shoulder. "Don't mind him. He isn't good at taking compliments." Bolin explains with a flirty smile.
Korra returns a smile than she remembers something. "Hey Bo what time is it?" Korra asks. Bolin looks up at the overhead clock. "10:30. Why?"
"Spirits." She curses under her breath. "I have to go Bolin. I'm sorry." Korra turns to run to the door but Bolin catches her wrist. "You're not going to stay for the rest of the tournament?" He asks with disappointment.
Korra shakes her head. "No, I'm sorry. I have to get back to the temple. Another time ok?" Korra gives one last smile and nod before running out of the locker room and out of the arena.
Korra pulls the wooden shutters of her window open before throwing her leg over the sill and pulling her body up. She throws her other leg over before sliding off the sill and into the pitch darkness of her room. Sighing she closes the shutters and flicks on the small blue lamp beside her on the night stand. Looking up in front of her across the room Korra is met with a severely disappointed sneer.
Korra lets out a yelp of shock as she jumps back with her hand over her racing heart. She regains her cool composure and chuckles lightly with a wave to lighten the angry tension in the air. "Oh…Hi Tenzin."
Tenzin's already narrowed grey eyes thin into slits. His fists are clenched, lips pulled back and his nostrils flare.
Korra rolls her eyes and sighs. "Look I'm sorry-"
Tenzin's already splintered temper shatters. "You blatantly disobeyed me Korra!" He yells even though he well knows the island is asleep.
Korra purses her lips. "Well not necessarily. You said 'Korra' couldn't go. You never said anything 'bout Yuke-" Once again Korra's explanation fails as Tenzin interrupts her.
"Don't play mind games with me! You knew precisely what I meant, and you went against my wishes!" Tenzin yells his vocal chords straining with a dull tickle.
Korra's eyes narrow. "Cause your wishes are stupid!" She argues back shrugging off her hoodie and throwing it at her feet.
"It doesn't matter what you think about my demands from you Korra! I told you not to go, and you snuck out regardless!" Tenzin's face slowly grows red as hot blood boils under his skin.
Korra's teeth clench. "Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?!" Korra demands stomping a booted foot forward. Korra hates that he thinks he can control her. She has no desire to be treated like a child even though deep down she knows she is acting like one.
"Your teacher!" Tenzin bellows. A small vein bulges from his neck as he breathes unevenly with blistering anger.
Korra flinches at the volume of his usually tranquil voice. Korra is rendered silent finding no quips to throw back at Tenzin.
"And as your teacher I am ordering you to not leave this island again unless it is to attend school!"
"W-what! That isn't fair Tenzin!" Korra whines throwing her hands in the air.
"You have given me every motive to retain you on this island! I attempted to give you a little liberty Korra, and you exploited it. I can't fathom why you are defying me constantly!" Tenzin shouts.
Korra laughs bitterly with her fists clenched tightly. She bites her lip. "Because everything has changed on a moments noticed and you shove this huge responsibility in my face acting as if this is all easy for me! It's not! I had to leave my life behind. Decisions are being made for me and no one has even asked how I feel about all this! I'm so used of having control and it bothers me that I have no say what goes on in my life!" Hot tears bite at her eyes and her nails cut into the soft skin of her palm. "I have to lie to my friends, hell I have to lie to the whole world that is out there fighting a battle I should be fighting! I'm so stressed that that I can barely sleep at night! But everyone acts as if everything is all going to be fine! It's not! Being dead takes its toll Tenzin!" By the time Korra is done screaming she's heavily panting.
Tenzin's hard expression falls soft as he sees the distress Korra had been burdening. Sure it had been his idea in the first place to sell to the world Avatar Korra is deceased to buy Korra time to finish her training and protect her from being assassinated, but it was never his intention to depress Korra. He is simply trying to protect her like his own daughter but instead she is breaking apart at the seams. "Korra I…" He trails off as he watches Korra stand stiff as a pencil looking down at her feet, shaking with hindrance. "This wasn't my intention." He sighs in remorse.
"Of course it wasn't. Just go away. I need to be alone." Korra chokes turning away from Tenzin.
That night Tenzin lies awake with his arm draped over his wife's waist, and his hand resting on her belly full of life. He feels restless as he thinks about where he has gone wrong and the options he has to make it right.
Whao that was long. 12 pages on Microsoft Word and 8,400 words exactly. I like how as I go each chapter gets longer, and longer. Well that wraps up chapter 7. So Korra and Tenzin have another fight... And Mako's suspicions for little 'Yuke' have heightened. So what do you think about Mr. Tao Ran? How about the fire ferrets new waterbender Kai? I hope I did the pro bending match well. Did I lose anyone? I tried to do my research so I'm hoping I wrote that ok. Ok so now can I ask something from my readers? Just a tiny favor? Ok so recently I have stumbled across a amazing makorra fic written by a very talented writer MiniTurtleDuck. Well here's the situation:
She barely has any reviews and followers and well I seriously love her story and it has serious potential to be something people would really enjoy reading. So would you for me (I don't usually advertise stories) go take a look at her story Little Talks? It's really good and I enjoyed the 4 chapters she has written I think you will too.
Summary:
While trying to repair Republic City, Team Avatar is faced with a terrifying, faceless enemy. In a failing city, Korra must deal with the people's unrest as well as new fear for this strange and seemingly untouchable foe. More inside. Rating will go up, violence/gore warning.
Go check it out and drop this girl a review? Do it for me and I promise to have chapter 8 up very soon! Thank you soooo much! Tell her that Megan sent you. ;)
Also if you have a Tumblr and you are interested in following lil ole me my Tumblr url is anewbeginningsend. Yes it is my Korra blog. :) Drop me an ask. I want to get to know some of my readers a little better, and maybe if your lucky sometime this week (or whenever I get to it) I will post a snippit from upcoming chapter 8. :)
So again thank you for all the reviews and love that you have sent me! I send you my love too.
So I guess that is it for now. Drop me a review on what you think or predictions you may have. :)
Have a stellar day and I will see you Chapter 8! (Hey I rhyme!)
~Megan~
