Hurray I have time to update (as I ignore what my professor is saying in class because I'm a good student lol).
(-)
Chapter 22
Instinct
"I'm coming, Naga, I'm coming. I hear you." Senna approached the large bedroom door and cracked it open.
The whimpering polar bear dog bolted out, heading straight for the exit to the house. She sped past Tonraq, who flattened against the wall to prevent a collision. Naga burst through the front door that Senna had opened prior to freeing her from Korra's bedroom. She sprinted away from the village, looking for a place to relieve herself.
"Korra, it's time for –" She halted at the doorframe. Her eyes were on the mattress where her daughter lay, fast asleep and undisturbed by her animal companion. Asami was in Korra's arms in a similar state of deep sleep. A gentle smile crossed her lips.
"What was that all about?" Her husband joined her side, glancing over his shoulder at the path Naga took down the hall. One of the fur rugs was in a heap against the wall, displaced by her giant paws. He twisted back around and stared at his wife. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine. Naga just had to use the 'great outdoors'." She shut the door as soft as she could before Tonraq could step inside. "Korra is still sleeping. I don't want to disturb her; she really needs the rest."
He nodded and walked down the corridor with Senna. "What about Asami?"
"She's sleeping as well. I'll keep the sea prune stew warm until they wake."
"Good idea. I've got a convoy going with me to the forest nearby to haul a tree in for firewood to use in the village. It seems like we're not the only ones who are low. I should be back in a few hours."
They stopped at the entrance of the house and observed the sky. It was clear of clouds as far as they could see, though there was a considerable arctic gust blowing between them.
Tonraq adjusted the cuffs to his parka, ensuring there was a seal between the fur-lined fabric and his gloves to protect his skin. He motioned to leave when a soft hand stopped him.
Senna looked into his eyes, her palms on the outside of his upper arms. There was a hint of concern in her blue-grey irises.
"Don't worry, Senna; I'll be fine. I've made this trip dozens of times before." He bent over and kissed his wife, pulling her close to him as he did. "I'll return soon."
The pair spun around when they heard heavy feet coming their way.
Naga approached them – tongue hanging out the side of her mouth – in a rather joyful strut.
Tonraq smiled and rubbed the animal's scruff once she slowed down. "Why don't you go to the Aakaga and find some fish for us to eat tonight?"
She barked and hopped in excitement. Within another second, she was taking off towards the river to do one of her favorite activities: hunt.
"I better get going. I can hear the snowmobiles coming. I'll see you soon." He pecked his wife one more time and departed to meet his small group east of the village.
Senna watched after him until he was out of sight. She stepped into the common room and grabbed a small bucket to leave outside the entrance – half-submerged in the snow to keep it cold – for any fish that Naga brought back. She took a moment to enjoy the familiar quietness of the Southern Water Tribe before shutting the door and returning to the kitchen.
(-)
Korra's eyes fluttered open from her dreamless sleep. Though it hadn't been a long slumber, it had brought her more peace than any of her previous combined. Confusion struck her when all she could see was black.
No, no, not again.
She braced herself for the voice calling her name and the horrible pain that accompanied it. When nothing happened, she cracked her lids in a mixture of hesitation and curiosity. Her sight was still just as dark, but the scent of arctic lilies filled her nostrils. She took a deep breath to inhale the sweet aroma. Whatever was surrounding her – whatever delusion this might be – she enjoyed it. She took another sniff that tickled her nose.
The movement in front of her got her attention.
Korra's hazy mist of torpor was replaced with a waking body. Soon, she was conscious of her limbs, of the fingers intertwined with hers, of the gentle expansion and deflation of the lungs next to her, of the great amount of warmth against her chest.
Much to her surprise, she didn't panic like she was expecting to. Her cheeks didn't burn with a blush. Her heart wasn't racing out of her rib cage.
She was calm. Relaxed. Peaceful.
She released a soft sound of satisfaction that was similar to a hum, desiring nothing more than for this serenity beside Asami to last forever.
No one, of course, was that lucky, especially her.
Her stomach growled with urgency, a small ache forming in her abdomen.
She sighed and pushed herself up to her knees with her free arm. Her eyes traced over Asami's sleeping face, a smile on her tan lips. She brushed a bit of the raven hair behind her ear with tender caresses. At the same time, she slid her hand out of Asami's slumbering grip, hoping the strokes would distract her in her unconscious state.
Korra maneuvered around Asami in small amounts, careful not to wake her. Once she was free of her wolf pelt, she tucked the ends under Asami and stood at the opposite side of the bed. The wood was cold against her feet. It forced a shiver to crawl over her skin. She wanted to burrow right back under the fur and curl up against Asami, but her stomach demanded her to do otherwise.
"Get some sleep, Asami," she whispered, "you've earned it."
She stopped in the doorway once more and glanced at the woman asleep in her bed. Another smile crept onto her face.
(-)
"Good morning, mom." Korra greeted her through a yawn, plopping herself onto her usual cushioned spot to eat. She sat at a simple, dark brown table about two feet tall. "Is that sea prune stew I smell?"
Senna grinned. "It is. I froze some before we left for Republic City so that we could have something to eat right away when we got back. Would you like some?"
Korra opened her mouth to respond but her stomach rumbled before she could speak.
"I guess so," she chuckled, scooping some of the warm food into a stone bowl for her child. "When was the last time you had a hot meal?"
"Probably three days ago. I've really missed your cooking, mom. Food in Republic City just isn't the same."
She placed the dish in front of her daughter and smiled as Korra breathed the faint vapors from its surface.
"Thanks, mom." She took a bite and hummed in excitement. "It's so good."
"Just wait until I have fresh sea prunes. It'll be even better."
Korra couldn't reply because she was so absorbed in her food. She sucked the bowl dry before Senna finished stirring the pot. Another yawn escaped her; she was still quite fatigued, despite her slumber last night.
"Where's Naga? I haven't seen her since last night."
Her mother spun around and retrieved the dish from her daughter. She filled it with more stew as she spoke, knowing full well that she didn't have to ask Korra if she wanted a second helping. "Naga's out fishing in the Aakaga right now. She was whimpering at the door to get let out this morning. I'm surprised you didn't hear her."
She had a sheepish expression as Senna returned the bowl. "I guess I was knocked out. I really needed some sleep."
"I know, sweetie." She kneeled across from her daughter with her own bowl of stew. "Naga seems to be a lot happier now that you're back. I haven't seen her so thrilled to be out since – well, before you left for college. She's even hunting again instead of sitting in your room, staring out the window."
"Good." Though her tone was pleased, there was a mixed frown on her face. She pushed the sea prunes around, ridden with guilt over the suffering of her polar bear dog, picturing her alone by her bed with – "How's Master Katara doing?" Her oceans met the blue-greys in front of her. "Did she improve after my last letter?"
"I told her what you said, but I don't think she believed me."
Korra averted her eyes. "I'm going to go see her today." She lifted a spoonful of prunes out of the stew but still couldn't eat it. "I missed her."
Senna covered her daughter's free hand with her own, seeing the sorrow in her expression. "She missed you, too, Korra. I'm sure she would appreciate it if you stopped by."
A knock on the door interrupted them.
"Who could that be?" Senna rose from her spot and left the room to answer the pounds.
Korra leaned forward – utensil still in hand – trying to see around the corner. Her gut told her to follow her mother. Though she couldn't explain the instinct, she went with it.
"So you are here. One of our guards saw an unfamiliar boat sail down the Paniga yesterday evening and they reported it to us. We traced it to the shores of the Aakaga and when we saw Naga running about, we thought we'd come to see if everything was okay. You're back much earlier than we expected."
"Yes, things didn't go quite to plan, but –"
"Is Tonraq around?" A separate voice called.
"No, he just left a little while ago to –"
"Do you know when he'll be back?" A third man spoke up.
"Can I help you?" There was a sting in her voice; it wasn't so much a question as it was a means of defense and intimidation. Korra could feel something radiate off of her mother, and the more she heard these three men in blue and white robes talk, the more she agreed with the sentiment. Though her hair was down and disheveled and she was in her pajamas, she wedged herself between Senna and the visitors – arms crossed over her chest – in an attempt to look menacing. Her face, despite carrying dark rings under her eyes, was in a partial scowl.
"A – Korra. We didn't know you would be back as well, but I'm glad you're here. I don't believe we have formally met." The person in the front of the group, a pale man with a thin, black mustache and somewhat-hidden hair of the same shade, bowed to her in the style of a typical Fire Nation greeting; having experienced it firsthand, it didn't take Korra more than a second to recognize it. "I am Piku, of the Fire Nation. I'm one of the head officers of the Order of the White Lotus down here in the Southern Water Tribe, along with my colleagues, Shan and Natchik."
Korra stared at them, refusing to bow back to the Fire Nation man or to acknowledge the other two people behind him. She kept her position, though the anger in her eyes was now mixed with curiosity.
What the hell is the White Lotus doing here?
When she remained still, Piku straightened with an expression harboring confusion and offense.
Korra read it with ease and revolted with her own distaste. "I don't appreciate the way you were talking to my mother."
"Korra." Senna put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, attempting to calm her.
"Please accept our atonement. We meant no disrespect." One of the men, with tan skin a shade or two lighter than hers and graying hair that spread from the crown of his head to a full beard on his chin, bobbed his head in sincerity.
"If you wanted to know where my father was, you would've been able to find out if you would have just let her speak." The aggression in her tone was core shaking, though the volume of her voice never rose past that of normal speech.
A powerful gust flowed through them, prompting the members of the White Lotus to burrow their hands in their sleeves. Even Senna rubbed her elbows for a moment to combat the chill.
Korra didn't even flinch.
"May we come in? It's quite cold out here."
She turned to her mother and met her eyes, attempting to evaluate Senna's expression. She twisted back to the others and nodded in reluctance.
"Thank-you."
Senna stepped inside, ushering Korra to follow.
Instead, she stood part way in the entrance, forcing the White Lotus members to squeeze by her in order to enter. Once they were in, she pushed the door shut with her heel. Korra stood by her mother's side, still agitated and protective.
The three men looked around, each standing at a different location: Piku was near the mantle in the back center of the common room, Shan – the lighter-skinned man – was near the entrance to the hallway leading to Korra's bedroom, the training room, and the bathroom, and Natchik – who was a shade quite similar to Korra herself – was near the entrance leading to the kitchen and her parent's quarters.
Korra squinted at the men in her house, a bit uneasy for reasons she couldn't decipher. "So, why do you want my dad?" She cut to the point, wanting nothing more than to get them out of her home.
"We just wanted to speak with him about the state of the Southern Water Tribe," Piku began, staring at the half-burning log with pale-yellow eyes, "and to welcome him back, of course."
"Is there something wrong? You seem pretty urgent to see him if you just want to wish us back. Besides," Korra shifted her weight, "why is the White Lotus bringing this type of news? Shouldn't that fall under the realm of the Council of Elders?"
Piku raised his eyebrow. "You're very well versed on the political structure down here, for someone of your age." He faced her and folded his hands behind his back. "How did your last semester at the University go?"
A bit of shock hit her face. She tried to maintain her domineering appearance, but faltered just a bit. "How did you know about that?"
"You're the Chief's daughter, Korra. It's important that we know. It came up in conversation quite often when your father and I would talk. Moreover," he took a few steps towards her, though his pupils were examining the large doorway nearby, "you were the first person from the Southern Water Tribe – directly – to attend the college in Republic City. It's quite a big deal to the people here."
"Yeah, well, you won't have to worry about that anymore." She tightened her arms and looked away, her scowl intensifying.
He halted and turned to her. "Why?"
Their eyes met, hers holding fire. "I won't be returning to the University at the start of the new year."
"May I ask the reason?"
"You can. It doesn't mean I have to answer."
"There were some – difficulties – last semester," Senna slid between them, attempting to relieve the tension in the air. "But it's probably better that Korra not return. She'll be safer here than in Republic City."
Korra scowled and pouted her lip. Her peripherals noticed one of the men travel into the corridor leading to her bedroom. Her stomach turned.
Asami.
Before she could slip away to address the issue, Shan returned to the common room and faced the pair.
"Excuse me, Senna, do you mind if I use your restroom?"
"Of course." She paused for a moment when he hesitated at the frame. "It's to your right, at the end of the hallway."
He bowed and scurried along. The shutting of the door echoed into the room.
"So, where is Tonraq right now?" Piku asked as Natchik emerged from the opposing hallway, unnoticed by everyone except for Korra.
"He's out in the forest gathering some wood for the village." Her mother replied, facing Piku once more. "He's with several others and a few of the snowmobiles."
"Do you know when he'll return?" Natchik asked, joining Piku's side.
"In a few hours, I believe. He didn't give me a specific timeframe."
The two members of the White Lotus shared a quick glance.
"You never answered my question," Korra noted in a rather annoyed tone. "Why are you delivering messages for the Council of Elders?"
"If you must know, we were requested to do so."
"By who?"
"Katara. She wanted to speak to Tonraq herself, but she's at home right now; the cold is a bit too much for her today."
Korra's heart jumped for a moment. "Oh. Is – is she okay?"
"She's fine. Just a bit tired, but the cold will do that to you. Will you be seeing her, Korra?"
She met Piku's light gold irises with an eyebrow raised. "I plan on it. Why?"
"We are heading there soon, if you would like an escort."
She shifted her weight once more. "I know my way there. I'll have Naga with me; she's the only escort I need."
"Of course. By the way, where is your polar bear dog right now?"
"Hunting, the last I heard."
They held each other's stares until Shan returned from the bathroom. His eyes met Piku's for a split second before the Fire Nation man switched his gaze back to Korra.
Her heart pounded in her head and she wasn't sure why.
Relax, Korra, relax. It's just the White Lotus.
Well, I've never met these guys before.
They've never really needed to be concerned with you, have they?
I suppose not.
They're too busy trying to find Water Benders to care about you.
If that's the case, then why are they here?
To deliver a message. Weren't you listening?
A loud scratching at the door interrupted her thoughts, though her oceans were still burning into his yellows.
"That must be Naga," Senna left the group and cleared the entrance.
Naga tossed the fish she was carrying to the side and circled around Korra, forcing the three White Lotus members to step back. She rubbed against her human companion until she finished her revolution. Naga kept her side near Korra's back and wrapped around so that her head was almost in between Korra and the men. The look in her eyes matched Korra's, almost as if they were on the same mental page.
Korra maintained a ferocious fire. She didn't know why she felt so guarded. Perhaps it was her natural instinct to protect her mother – especially after the way they were speaking to her in the doorway. It could even be the off-putting feeling of having strangers in her home when she had just gotten back. Or maybe it was the fact that Asami was asleep nearby, unable to defend herself if something happened.
Not that anything would happen, she concluded. The White Lotus is a trusted organization; she had no need to worry about them harming anyone here. They were simply here to welcome them back to their home and send a message from Master Katara. Nothing more, nothing less.
But still…
She held her gaze regardless, trusting her instinct above her mind in her tired state. Her cumulative enervation seeped into her more and more with each passing minute of consciousness. Korra shook her mental head and focused.
"We should actually get going, Senna. We have several other stops to make before midday hits." Piku bowed to the matriarch first and then to Korra. "Please, inform Tonraq when he returns that we were looking for him."
"I'll let him know," her mother responded, noticing the demeanor of her daughter and the polar bear dog in her peripherals. She wanted nothing more than to end the situation as quick as she could; if Korra was anything like her father – which she was – then that fiery hotness she was holding back was going to be uncapped soon. That was one thing Senna had no desire to see at the moment.
The three members of the White Lotus filed out of the house in a single line, bracing themselves for the cold wind. Once they were out of sight, Senna shut the door.
"That was odd." She retrieved the fish from the ground and joined Korra across the room.
"Yeah." Her mind was a bit distant as she calmed herself down from the reeling inside.
I wonder what Master Katara wants to talk to my dad about...
"I'm going to go see Master Katara." She walked right past Senna, too focused on her inward thoughts.
Senna stood beside Naga, each of them conveying a worried expression.
(-)
Korra pushed the door open as quiet as she could and tiptoed into the room; she really did not want to wake Asami while she slept. She did stop, however, to observe the woman in her bed.
Not that it was intentional.
She couldn't help but smile and gush at the feeling of seeing Asami wrapped up in a pelt – in her pelt. Even with its lighter color, she managed to make it look more beautiful. Her face was gentle. She had shifted in her sleep so that her body was curled into a ball, from what Korra could make of the shape above the fur. The pelt was pulled up to her nose.
Korra's feet moved without her permission.
She approached the bed but didn't sit on it. Instead, she squatted down, observing Asami in silence at eye level. After a long moment of dazed grinning, she snapped herself out of her stupor and rose.
Korra caught her own reflection as she passed the mirror on her dresser. She paced over to it and analyzed herself, noting the circles under her eyes and the scar on her cheek. It was no lie that she looked tired, but it was more than just a 'sleep deprivation' thing. She rubbed her lids with the back of her hands, part of her hoping that her counterpart would improve after doing so.
It didn't.
She sighed and grabbed a fresh set of clothes from her dresser drawers: her normal light blue, sleeveless top, her baggy dark blue sweatpants, a pair of less-damaged animal skin boots, and a medium-sized pelt – belt and front cover fashioned into it – to put around her waist. After another glance at Asami, she slipped out into the bathroom to change; she couldn't even imagine the thought of trying to switch her outfit in front of Asami, even if she was asleep.
Korra scurried a little quicker to the notion and shut the door before anyone could see her.
She decided against taking a fresh bath; she was too eager to see Master Katara. Instead, she just wiped herself down with a wet rag, threw on her bindings and clothes – forearm bands included – and tied her hair back into her usual three wolf tails. The final piece that was missing was the armband around her right bicep, its triangular pattern marking her as a Warrior of the Southern Water Tribe. Though she had given her first to Ahyoka, she had another that her father had bestowed upon her when she had completed her ice dodging. She stared at the fabric in her hands, a mixture of feelings running through her.
Through wordless thoughts, she picked her pajamas up from the floor and returned to her bedroom, the armband on top of the pile. She tossed the clothes next to her bag of books and scrolls from the Fire Nation and Air Temple, the patterned fabric in her fingers once more. She glanced between her carrier and the cloth, her face perplexed.
With a quiet exhale, she placed the Warrior mark on top of her dresser, abandoned. She sulked to her closet and retrieved her single parka; her other one remained on the ground somewhere back on the border of Republic City with their deserted campsite. She spun around as she lifted it to her head but halted when her eyes fell on Asami.
Korra placed the coat on the bed next to Asami, knowing full well that, whenever Asami woke up from her slumber, she would most likely be cold. She had made the trip to Master Katara's hundreds of times in worse weather and less clothing, so she figured she could make this visit without the extra layer.
She lingered in the doorway for another second, staring at Asami, before heading down the hall to join her waiting polar bear dog in the common room.
"I'll be back in a little while, mom." Korra led her animal companion outside and climbed onto her, barebacked.
"Be careful, sweetie." Senna waved from the door and retrieved the bucket of fish from the ground that Naga had filled. She watched her daughter ride off into the distance before retreating into her home.