Chapter 4

"And they have these… things! Called cat-gators!" Korra rested against Naga, staring up at the Southern sky. Her face looked exasperated as she stared at the clouds passing by, Howl noticed while he watched her. Her hair moved over her cyan eyes, wisps from her failing ponytails. Howl smiled softly and glanced up at the snowy drifts in the plains.

The blizzard had finally decided to move onwards, away from the compound and village. Howl was thankful for the sun more than anything. His roots were too it and even if he wasn't a true firebender, he could still feel his father's ties strong in him. He'd never mentioned to Korra that he was of Fire Nation descent or that he had the bending blood in him. He never drew attention to him because he was unsure of how to handle it.

Korra had been cooped up and kept out of the winter storm until it passed, and she had spent her time with Master Katara. The old woman had plenty of stories to tell to the new Avatar and eagerly had explained all the adventures she could remember. Unfortunately, with the storm, Howl had been kept away from Korra too. He'd missed her something fierce and when he finally had the day of guard off, Korra had begged to go into town.

At first, the White Lotus leaders had denied it flat. But Katara had said it would be good for her to get out of the compound and visit her family while the storm was gone. The elder had claimed that all the finest food choices would be coming in because of accessibility. Korra had lit up immediately. Still, the Lotus leaders had pushed her away from the idea, saying it wasn't safe enough. So Korra decided to take one guard and one guard only.

Howl, of course.

He'd laughed when the idea had first risen. "You're crazy." He had teased. She hadn't replied, a simple pout crossing over her face. Her bottom lip had jutted out and her brows creased. She hadn't been crazy, but the fact that they were willingly letting her go with only one guard to a town sure seemed like it.

Now, Naga was taking a leisure stroll to the town that seemed miles away. He was awkwardly pressed against her back, his hands wrapped around her waist. "I can't believe you talked me into this." He muttered, hoping the wind would catch his words.

She gently prodded him in the stomach with her elbow. "It'll be fun! We can do anything we want and you don't have to worry about getting caught." She said, glancing over her shoulder to look at him. Howl didn't meet her gaze, afraid that he would be seen blushing. Instead, he started at the snowy paw prints Naga made, shaking his head in amazement. "Besides, Lotus boy, I have to tell you about the terrible Canyon Crawlers! Katara said…"

Her voice trailed into a story that he was more than happy to listen to. His late night watch had kept him up until the morning. With a subtle yawn, he felt himself relax against her. As she continued her story, his eyes dropped while the sun on the horizon rose. His back slumped over subconsciously and the light began to fade from his vision.

Korra felt him lay against her back and she smiled. "Come on Naga. Let's get Lotus boy to the town." Naga barked and raced off, sending snow chunks across the frozen landscape. The white blinded her with such stunning sunlight; something she'd desperately missed. As soon as her airbending training was finished, Korra wanted to leave this horrible place. Though she called it home and really did love it, there was so much left to see in the world. So much to do and say and experience. She would take Naga, of course, and Howl. If he'd only be willing to come. She could take him back to his Fire Nation home and he could show her all the hit things to do there. Surely the heat of the main island was more comforting than the lashing snow winds?

Howl will come. She decided, seeing a row of sparkling white igloos as she overcame a hill. And we'll have an adventure just like Katara and Aang did.

Before she could spot her parent's igloo, Naga ripped to the side and started chasing after a stray Tiger Seal. "Naga!" She giggled, feeling Howl's hands around her waist slipping. "Naga, stop!" She begged, laughing so hard that she could hardly breathe. Howl's grip flung off of hers and he fell into the snow, hitting it so hard that he nearly sunk through the snow. His helmet went skidding across the ice.

Korra threw herself off of the polar bear-dog and raced over to the helmet. A blue shaded, White Lotus, standard guard helmet. Only this one was special. This one was Howl's. She put it on her head before running back to where Naga was sniffing the stirring figure of her best friend. "Howl?" She asked as she reached him, looming over him. Her shadow covered his face, blocking any light from him so the sun didn't blind him. "Howl, can you hear me?"

"No." He teased lightly, before groaning. Korra exhaled in relief, turning to Naga and staring at her sternly. "What happened?" He moaned, sitting up in a Howl-shaped hole in the snow. He groaned once more, holding his head. "And what happened to my—"His gaze caught Korra standing innocently beside her pet, a very distinct helmet placed gingerly upon her head. He caught her smirking with pink cheeks. "Korra." He stood, placing his hands on his hips. Every part of him stung from the ice.

"It's mine!" She teased, throwing her legs around Naga and pulling on her reigns. "No touchie!" Naga barked in his face as she turned and thwacked him with her massive tail, knocking him back into the snow. Korra's laughter echoed in his ears as he miserably tried to stand again, his head pounding from hitting the snow bank in the first place. "Come on Lotus boy, come and your helmet!"

"Spirits, help me." He grumbled, unbuttoning his cloak and breastplate and leaving it in the snow, racing after the trotting dog. "Korra!" He shouted, picking up speed as his boots collided with the ice. He managed to stay steady as he reached them and he threw himself onto Naga's saddle, wrapping his arms around her.

"Oh, not fair." Korra mumbled playfully, poking him in the stomach. Howl panted from the run and having just woken, but he grabbed his helmet and put it back on his head.

"Now take me back." He begged, breathing heavily.

"Nah."

"Korra!"

Korra threw her head back and laughed, clicking the reins. "Come on Naga!" She encouraged. The dog shot forward, nearly throwing Howl off once again. Yet he tightened his grip around her waist as they raced into the town. It was full of life and laughter, so much different than the compound Korra had been raised on. It was the entire reason she loved sneaking out and coming here; it was her only source of entertainment.

She spotted her parent's igloo and smiled. "There, Naga. It's home." She breathed. Her pet barked and skittered to the home and pulled in front of the door. "Good girl. Stay." She ordered, the dog giving her a skeptical look. Howl grinned and followed Korra's gaze to the house. She knocked once or twice, but no one answered. He frowned when she spoke up again. "They're probably out in town, or congratulating Yora on his birthday."

Howl didn't remember who Yora was, but he surely remembered Korra's parents from her stories about them. He knew she missed them a lot even if she didn't show it in her actions. "Of course." He said reassuringly, unsure if she expected him to say anything. She glanced up at him and smiled sincerely. Howl instantly warmed, much to his shock.

"Then come on." She tied her arm with hers and yanked him away from the hut, leaving Naga sitting behind. He felt insane for enjoying her touch, stupid because he knew he shouldn't feel like that. His heart shouldn't be skipping beats like it was as she led him in between the market stalls. Disgusting smelling fish and sweet scented candles. Trinkets like moon necklaces, candies shaped like tiny animals. Incredible jewelry made out of glass beads and sewn wrist bands. "Ohh." Korra whispered softly, her eye catching on something and pulling both of them to a stop. Howl nearly crashed into her and peeked over her shoulder at the item that had stilled them.

It wasn't much. A tiny dream catcher hanging from a thin string that didn't look strong enough to withstand anytime of winter wind, with such intricate glass designs in a wicker circle. He frowned as Korra touched it. As she did, thousands of specks went across the snow, different colors lighting up the dazzling snow. "It's gorgeous." Korra whispered.

"Do you like it?" The vendor walked out of a pelted tent, an older woman with soft blue eyes. She smiled warmly, for an elder with hardly any pearly whites past her lips. "It was made with intricate lightning striking the finest sand in the entire Nation."

Korra nodded quickly. "It's very beautiful." She whispered, glancing at it once more. Howl stiffened. "I love it."

Korra loved it. Korra loved it. He could get it for her and she would hang it up in her room at the compound and be reminded of their adventure to the town together. His heart jump started. If it was made in the Fire Nation, with lightning, it would remind her of him too. He patted his back pocket once and cursed. The branded cow-hippo leather wallet was in his breast plate's chest pocket. He had to get the dream catcher for her.

"What's your name, young one?" The old woman asked Korra. He felt her grip tighten nervously and a similar thought popped into his head as well. While she looked harmless enough, this woman could be a cold blooded killer. He knew he could fight her off need be, but if there was a chance she got word to someone else…

"Kanna." Korra said smoothly, and Howl slowly let out his extended breath. "My name is Kanna."

"Well, Kanna, I'm sure if you ask this handsome boy you've got hanging on your arm he'll buy it for you." The old woman smiled cheekily at the both of them. Korra and Howl met gazes and awkwardly smiled, disconnecting their arms in a swift movement.

"I didn't bring money." Howl said shamefully, plotting on how to get back to his cloak and breastplate. He wanted that dream catcher just for her.

Korra didn't seem too upset when they parted from the older woman and walked a tiny book store igloo. The lightest breeze waved the sign, creaking and crawling under pressure. Before they could enter, though, Korra gasped. "Mom!" She cried, racing away from him and throwing her arms around a woman with long, fishtail braids crawling down her back. "Mom, it's so great to see you!"

Howl blanked. Now was his chance. He had to get back to the outskirts of town and get her that dream catcher. He walked up to her and touched her shoulder. Korra turned back to him, her cyan eyes wet with happy tears. Instantly a pang of sadness filled him. "I'm going to be in there." He said softly, pointing to the bookstore. "Stay with your mother. I'll meet you back at the igloo when I'm finished." He said sternly, trying to put on his strongest guard voice on.

"O-okay." She said, smiling up at him with knowing eyes. He shook his head, ignoring her. It was hard, but he didn't want to see Senna staring at him after he'd been watching her so closely. "Be careful, Howl."

"Yes ma'am." He muttered, dipping his head to both of them and walking across the snow-pact road. With a swift glance, he peeked over his shoulder to see the two girls moving down the line of market stalls. His heart pounded out of rhythm and he ran as fast as he could to the old woman's stand. She glanced up, curious to see his return. "I need that dream catcher. You can't let anyone get it, please."

She frowned. "And what do I get for it?" She questioned. Howl huffed. She certainly was a cruel woman, but he shook his head at the thought.

"I'll be back and I'll pay you extra for it. Please." He hated begging as much as he hated expressing his feelings. The old woman eyed him skeptically before she slowly nodded. He exhaled in relief as she took it down from the tendril string. "Thank you." He breathed, before taking off running back towards where he'd left his stupid uniform.

It was nearly covered in snow when he reached it, yanking it off and brushing it off. He went to take off his helmet when he frowned. Spirits, please don't let me kill her after this excursion. The Avatar had once again taken his stupid headpiece. Shrugging on his chest plate and cloak, he lugged himself back to the town. Korra's igloo was still locked, thankfully, and he removed the leather wallet from his pocket and shed the breastplate. His shoulders ached from the run back and his throat screamed for a simple glass of water. He wrapped the cloak tighter around himself, noticing the sky getting darker. Any minute now, Korra would be home.

He patted Naga to stay once more and shuffled into the marketplace, where each and every one of the vendors were putting away their things and closing up for the night. He reached the empty trinket stall and whimpered, noticing it, too, was empty. "No." He whispered, rubbing his head angrily. "You must be joking."

With a heavy heart, he started back towards the igloo, his feet stomping slowly against the snow-path. His head ached from the run and the chill was getting heavier. His heartbeat was almost too slow, as compared to when he was racing to get the one thing he wanted most other than Korra. "Excuse me?" He heard from down the way. A young woman stood in the place of the old woman's shop, her faded grey eyes anything but pretty. She had a scraggly braid that hung across her shoulder and small shoulders, and a nose that pinched in. "My grandmother said you would return."

In seconds, he had his wallet out and was holding the dream catcher. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He whispered, nearly hugging the intricate piece of art to his chest. He forked over the cash of whatever was needed, his cheeks aching from the smile. The woman just smiled and shooed him away as it grew darker. Howl's eyes had grown accustomed to the night in the South Pole; he was used to the Southern Lights shining across the sky and leading his way around. But tonight there was no such hope. Instead, the clouds were returning.

With a curse, he realized that he and Korra couldn't stay the night.

He ran with whatever energy he had left and found Naga already saddled up. Senna and Korra's father stood beside her, his helmet resting on her head. "Korra!" He shouted, running up to her. Korra turned and grinned, something that appeared thankful and relieved. He walked up, grabbed his breastplate, and swung his legs over Naga's saddle. She returned the Eskimo kisses that her parents gave her sadly and glanced at him. There was pain behind her gaze, pain and depression and loneliness. Before he could speak, she lashed on Naga's reins and pushed the polar bear-dog into the freezing night.

It was just before midnight when they made it home, in the darkest and coldest storm yet. Korra was already asleep; she'd passed out from exhaustion before they were half way there. Howl hauled her from Naga's form and carried her through the wind and snow, tucking her close to his chest. She was cuter when she slept, at peace with the world and with herself. He opened the wooden door to her room and sighed at how warm it seemed. She had thousands of unread books lining a shelf by her bed. The seal-quilted ice bed seemed comfortable enough as she snuggled inside of it.

Howl spotted the lone window on the other side of her bed. Careful not to disturb her, he tiptoed around and hung up the dream catcher. He bid her a peaceful night's sleep and stepped out into the storm, where the first watch was his.