A/N: This chapter gave me so much freaking trouble. I rewrote it twice. The original was Kaji pushing Korra into the supply closet but I didn't really like the way I was going with it so I switched roles. Then my writer's block was active for about two full days. This chapter is Part 1 for a reason and I will upload Part 2 later on today when I'm done writing it. Enjoy and please review. They make me happy. :)
Disclaimer: One day, when I am rich and powerful and ruler of the world, I will own Avatar. Until that day, I own nothing but a computer, a keyboard, and ideas. I don't even own the time it takes to write them down.
Previously on Events Unexpected…
Korra gaped at Kaji, now standing in front of her, fist wrapped in blue flames that licked up to her elbow. The girl was wearing an outfit similar to the one she had on when she challenged Iroh, only the sleeves of her dull yellow shirt were longer. All Korra could stammer out was, "Y-you almost hit me."
"Well, it appears that your ability to state the obvious is in perfect condition," Kaji stated before going in for a fiery jab.
Korra didn't wait for a reply; she raised her fist and brought it down on Kaji. The princess jumped out of the way and circled the Avatar. Strong arms encircled Korra from under her arms and wrapped behind her neck. Korra's anger only grew when she realized that she was trapped. Not taking time to think, Korra pressed her legs to the trunk that was closest to her. Kicking out with a burst of flames, she threw herself and Kaji back. The firebender released her hold in order to catch herself. Korra wasn't going to allow the girl to regain her bearings. She made a twist in midair, utilizing her airbending skills, and grabbed Kaji's wrists.
The ground was covered in grass which cushioned Kaji's fall somewhat. The impact was still a shocking one however and she felt her head whiplash as her back hit the earth. Korra's added weight caused them to slide down the slight slope of the glade.
Korra was straddling her, gasping for air. Her light brown hands were iron shackles around Kaji's pale wrists.
"Do you feel a little better?" Kaji asked hoping her concern didn't show too much. The last thing she wanted was to insult Korra by commenting on her fragile state.
Korra's fingers began to uncurl from Kaji's wrists. She wasn't looking at Kaji's face, opting to find a very interesting blade of grass off to the side of the other girl's face instead. She didn't even feel Kaji move until she felt a warm hand against her left cheek. Her eyes flashed back to the girl under her a second before Kaji's full lips crashed into hers.
"I can't do this," Korra whispered. Then louder, "This is wrong."
"I apologize for tonight Avatar Korra. Forget about it if you will… I am glad that you are feeling better. Before I leave, you should know something. You are deserving of the most love in this world. If you forget everything else, don't forget that," with that, Kaji turned and made her way down the candlelit corridor. Korra debated going after the girl and asking her what she meant. Those eyes, full of regret and loss, were haunting images of her own. It was as though Kaji had taken Korra's sadness into herself. But, the Fire Princess was already gone and Korra was not about to get lost searching. She would see Kaji again, it was inevitable.
Korra woke up feeling light. She hadn't noticed it the night previous, but the fight had done her good. It was an emotional reprieve she hadn't been aware she needed. Her good mood lasted long enough to run into recalling Kaji's final goodbye. A strange feeling of guilt overwhelmed Korra. It was unprecedented, but then again, so was the whole situation. Kaji's words made no sense, and yet, it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever told her. No! What are these thoughts? Fear replaced guilt and she was desperately aware that she might start trembling. It was a strange emotion, as though she was doing something wrong by enjoying Kaji's presence, her touch. It was as though she was betraying Mako. That's stupid, she chided herself. He's not even with you. He's with Asami
somewhere out there. HE left YOU. But, it wasn't just Mako. It was like betraying her first love, the raw emotion itself, by giving up on it for this other person. Korra knew she had to somehow resolve the warring emotions inside of her. She hadn't even been aware that she liked girls until last night.
Korra wasn't sure how she wanted to breach the subject of the few moments of passion she had shared with the firebender. Still, she knew that she had to ask Kaji about it. The girl was infuriating and yet, Korra wanted more. Now that I'm being honest with myself, I haven't felt that wanted since… well ever. Inner monologue done, Korra decided to go for breakfast. She had somewhat of a virtual map of the building that housed her and the Airbender family by now.
The twists and turns were somewhat more confusing than Korra had initially anticipated. She was only saved by the ornate vases whose pattern, she somehow remembered. Jasmines flowers, then cherry blossom, then dancing dragons in golden sky, and turn right to get to the dining area. The doors were right where she had expected. Perfect.
Tenzin and Pema had apparently started eating in the small time when they weren't busy corralling their children. They turned at her entrance and looked at her as though she had grown wings and a tail. Looking down at her attire, Korra realized that she hadn't changed since the previous day. Her pants had giant tears in them from her fight, her shirt was muddy to the point that the previous color had been all but lost, and she had the hair of a yeti.
"Rough night?" Tenzin asked, his hidden connotation lost on him, but clear as day to Korra.
Korra opened her mouth, but before she could get a syllable out Meelo burst in through a side door followed by a very angry looking Jinora. The wild boy jumped over the table by the force of one of his infamous farts and landed on an air scooter. Jinora was not far behind, though she politely used the air of the room instead of flatulence to propel herself over the table.
"Children, behave!" Pema shouted after them as they made their exit. A multitude of crashes were audible for a few minutes before order ensued in their section of the palace. Pema let out a forlorn sigh. "I blame you, you know."
Tenzin tried to come up with a substantial defense, but came up short. He was the airbender after all. Instead he decided to divert the conversation to Korra once more. "Well?"
"I have no explanation for the state of my appearance this morning," Korra hung her head and sauntered to the chair furthest from the fire flakes. It was a bit difficult with their central position, but she settled for the head of the table not occupied. "I just need to think about a few things and try not to incur the wrath of anyone with influence."
Pema and Tenzin exchanged worried glances. They tried to be discreet, but Korra knew them so well that she didn't even have to look to see it in her mind's eye.
"Would you like to try some of the fruit?" Pema asked offering a dish. "They are quite exotic and delectable. This one is called a dragonfruit."
Korra, having become wary of any and all Fire Nation dishes, looked at the pink fruit with green scales and a pale interior full of navy beads. She took a furtive scoop with a special spoon outfitted with tiny teeth on the sides. She tentatively took the small clump into her mouth and braced herself for the inevitable burn. Instead, her mouth was filled with a mild coolness and subtle sweetness. She licked her lips to take in the stray juice. The second spoonful was larger in quantity. It too did not burn her and she became braver. Pema and Tenzin couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's antics.
"What about this one?" Pema asked holding up a plate of small red fruit. They were also scaly like the dragon fruit, but were a uniform magenta color. Korra picked one up and took an experimental bite. The peel cracked under her teeth and a slightly tangy taste pricked her tongue before being soothed by a sugary syrup.
"Don't eat the peel," Tenzin added.
The fruit inside was a pale white with a slightly pink bottom. The seed within was a deep mahogany and was discarded. Korra attacked the rest until there was no more. She gave a warm smile to the room's other occupants. Tenzin's eyebrows lifted ever so slightly. He hadn't seen Korra in such a good mood since her victory against the Equalists. Pema didn't question the girl's light aura, content with being happy for her.
Now fully satisfied with her meal, Korra decided to hunt for a certain psychotic firebender. She didn't want to admit it, but another kiss wouldn't be quite unwelcome. She wasn't sure if she wanted to let Kaji in. Her previous experience had been less than forthcoming, not to mention the feelings it had inspired still lingered in the back of her mind. Still, something casual; feeling wanted. There was nothing bad about that. Kaji had seemed very casual about it the past night anyway.
"I'll see you guys later," Korra waved, and then doubled back. "Do you happen to know where I can find Princess Kaji? I, uh, forgot to ask if she wanted help fixing the window I jumped out of."
Pema gave Tenzin a look. Korra concluded that he had failed to mention her little escapade in and out of the throne room. Tenzin chose to ignore it at his own peril, replying, "I believe she is in the Royal Wing. She will be attending a meeting in an hour or so. That's taking place in the 'war room' next to the throne room."
"Thanks Tenzin," Korra beamed before scampering off to put on something more suitable for a walk in the palace. They had no way to deny her entrance to the meeting, what with her being the Avatar and all. There, she could cement the details of the, whatever it was, she wanted to have with Kaji. It was the perfect plan.
Perhaps it wasn't the perfect plan. Korra had been admitted, with only a few raised eyebrows at her sudden interest in the politics of the Fire Nation. She was wearing one of the fine blue satin dresses that Pema had given her. The hem reached the floor, constricting movement somewhat. At least her arms were free along with most of her upper back, excluding the strap that ran down from the collar to connect to the material covering Korra's lower back. The tight collar induced a bit of claustrophobia, but it was worth the lingering eyes of someone in particular among the crowd. Kaji had indeed been present, though she sat at the far end of the council table and rarely took part in the conversations. She also wore the traditional garb of the Fire Nation. Her hair was pulled into a topknot with the golden crown pin stuck firmly in place. Her dress was a block red, with a plain gold lacing.
For the most part, the meeting itself was all boring jargon. Nobles notifying the Fire Lord of issues they had with something or another. Requests for more land or loans were made. Compromises were drawn up. Random deals were made. Even Inzei seemed to be relieved when the clock struck the third hour and the meeting was dismissed.
Korra's eyes lightened up. Her chance had finally come. She stood and moved toward Kaji's retreating form… only to be cut off by a rather plump little man wearing a fine golden robe encrusted with mother of pearl. He came up to Korra's chest and he looked as though he had just run a mile though they had been sitting. The puffy red cheeks expanded with each laborious breath he took.
"Avatar Korra, it is quite the pleasure to meet you," he said. His voice was awfully nasal.
"Yes, a pleasure," Korra looked over the man, trying to find Kaji. The girl was gone. There was no sign of her amongst the milling noblemen drinking and socializing. Korra cursed herself and the tub of lard in her way.
"I don't know if you know me," the fat man continued. "I am Count Fuwa, I am the main supplier of metals to the Fire Nation and some Earth Kingdom cities. The one where you are from, Republic City I believe it is, is one of them-"
He talked nonstop for the good part of twenty minutes before Korra was able to politely untangle herself from his banter and leave. Well, Plan A failed, Korra's mind raced, I need to find out Kaji's schedule and try to get her to talk to me. Korra wasn't stupid, and she knew when she was being avoided. Kaji could have stayed in the room, even approached Korra, but she hadn't. Walking down random hallways, Korra began to formulate a course of action.
In the end, Korra had no other choice. Kaji had effectively fallen from the face of the Earth and Korra had no knowledge of where anything was in that place. Grabbing the next servant that walked by her, she pulled him into the nearest room she could find. Said room was actually some sort of supply closet. A coil of rope took up most of the center of the room, making it a little difficult to stand without getting tangled. Buckets and mops were stacked to the right of the door. Cleaning supplies and rags were neatly piled onto shelves to the left. Piping ran up into the ceiling, little knobs releasing steam to relieve some of the pressure dotted the cylinders. The hissing of the vaporized water was quite loud. Other random pieces of equipment such as wrenches, screwdrivers, nuts, and bolts also had their places along shelves running along the walls. It was not spacious, but Korra could easily have lain down, stretched her arms and legs and been barely able to touch one end of the room to the other. A fluorescent red bulb bathed the room in a notorious cardinal. Korra shoved the boy into a free wall, making sure he was unable to move.
The poor servant's face would have been a white sheet had the light not cast it red. His small hat indicated that he was a kitchen server. "M-may I help you with something ma'am?"
He had obviously not recognized Korra, or else he would have used her title. "Yes, in fact you can," Korra smiled wickedly. "Do you serve the royal family their meals?"
"Y-yes ma'am," the poor boy was visibly shaking now.
"Then you must know their schedules, so that you can serve them when they are free from any distractions," Korra pressed.
"Yes ma'am?" the tone was one of confusion. Korra couldn't blame him. She had only half planned out her next moves. Step one: find out Kaji's location throughout the day. Step two: talk to her somehow.
"Well, tell me Princess Kaji's and I may consider letting you out of here unscathed," she hated threatening the poor guy, but she had no way to make him talk really. Asking politely would bring on questions.
"Umm, sh-she's not someone I serve. S-since she's n-new around here."
Korra smacked her head against a mental wall. Of course only a few of the staff would be at Kaji's beck and call at that moment. She had only been there for two days. Two days,
Korra mused, feelings can't develop that fast can they? She let the servant slip from her fingers.
The sound of falling metal hitting the floor and scattering accompanied the boy's attempt at secretly moving toward the door. Korra lifted an eyebrow at his lack of stealth. Really, it wasn't like she was going to eat him or anything. Seeing that he wasn't about to meet an early demise, the servant grew bolder and reached for the handle. He jiggled it a few times before giving up on his approach and rummaging in his pant pockets. Korra's other eyebrow lifted as she connected the dots. She couldn't believe her luck.
"This closet locks from the outside?" she asked. The boy practically dropped the keys as he jumped from the sound of her voice.
"Y-yeah, only the servants carry the keys for it."
Korra's smile returned in full force. "On second thought," she stated grabbing the servant's collar and yanking him away, key stuck into the small keyhole under the plain bronze knob. "You can go find Kaji for me. Tell her that Fire Lord Inzei or someone important wants to see her and direct her over here. Which rooms are located here that would sound convincing?"
"Well- there is the study… and that one council room around the corner-" the boy cut off. "Why do you want to see Princess Kaji?"
"'Cause I'm the Avatar and it isn't your place to question my motives," Korra snarled. She really hated being such a bitch about her title. Still, it came in handy. She let him go with a shove.
"O-oh, Avatar Korra! My sincerest apologies!" he turned the key and let them out of the supply closet. "I shall get her right away!"
"Leave the key to this place," Korra added as a last minute precaution. She was sure that her metalbending would be able to handle the knob, were she to get stuck, but she didn't want to be yet again responsible for property damage.
"Yes, Avatar Korra," a curt bow before the boy flew off in search of one Fire Nation Princess.
Korra gave a content sigh and leaned against the hallway wall. She actually hadn't noticed, but a small alcove was conveniently placed before the closet door. It would be a perfect hiding place to jump the Princess and drag her into the supply closet. Then she'd… she'd explain that she didn't mind the intimacy, without the emotions. Kaji seemed to be craving the same thing. Korra just hoped that she could keep herself from developing any feelings. The keys jingled as she moved into the shadows.
Her timing was impeccable. Just as she had fully submerged herself into the dark wall, hurried footsteps came from the direction of the servant's flight. Said person trotted into sight and zipped through on his way to a fake location. Silent glides followed him. A formal looking Kaji, still wearing the kimono from the previous meeting, walked purposefully. Her eyes gleamed, a frown firm in her lips and brow. Her back was now to Korra. Her ebony strands of hair streamed down almost brushing her waist. She had apparently let it loose at some point.
Korra saw her chance. The closet door was practically at a ninety degree angle to her target. She used a puff of airbending to propel herself to Kaji's right side, and then rebounded against the adjacent wall into the unwitting girl. Kaji's eyes barely had time to widen, her arm moving up in a half block, before Korra smacked her into the door. The closet swung open, dumping them both on the floor. Korra kicked the door closed, hearing the content click of the lock set in place.
Kaji was being rather docile underneath her. Korra had expected somewhat of a fight, what with her flying body slam. Instead, the girl hadn't moved an inch, buried under coils of rope and a thin layer of dust scraped from the floor in her slide. Korra pushed herself up and turned her companion. Kaji's head had a large red mark on the forehead that looked like it was about to swell. Her body limply fell back without Korra's supporting hands.
"Great," Korra huffed at no one in particular. "I execute the most amazing maneuver of cunning and acrobatics, and she gets knocked unconscious."
Sighing, Korra settled down in a meditation pose, ready to wait for her victim to wake up. Silently, she was happy for the opportunity to go over what she was going to say.
It really didn't take Kaji that long to regain consciousness, but to Korra, who was stuck sitting in a closet with nothing to do, it felt like it had been hours. The girl's groan was almost musical. Before Korra could even think about her actions, she had pulled Kaji into a hug. Kaji lifted a hand to gently prod her forehead. She grimaced then hung the arm limply at her side.
"So, are you going to explain why I woke up in a service closet?" Kaji asked. Korra finally noticed their proximity and pushed Kaji away. The firebender let out a yelp, but caught herself before smacking her head against the floor again.
"I umm," Korra faltered. "I just wanted to… About last night I… Urgh why is this so difficult?"
She couldn't have seriously run out of words at that moment. After everything! Opting for actions instead, Korra reached for Kaji's hand. The nearest one happening to be propping the girl up, so she practically fell on Korra when it was pulled out from under her. Kaji's head collided with Korra's chin, making both girls wince.
"If you're going to just physically assault me, I would like to leave," the venom in Kaji's tone did not go unnoticed.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," Korra hung her head in shame. She mumbled an added, "excessively."
"Really?!" was the sarcastic reply. "Could have fooled me, what with the propulsion into a door!"
"That wasn't," Korra tried, but failed to come up with an argument. "You were avoiding me."
"Honestly, what do you want?" Kaji ignored Korra's remark, "I'm very busy right now. The Fire Lord isn't exactly ecstatic that his son lost the Agni Kai, the nobles are all at my throat trying to appeal to me about something or other, and I still need to win over the populous. I have no time for these games Korra."
"You're the one who started it!" Korra wasn't about to be chided like some little child when it was Kaji who had attacked her out of nowhere and then started a make-out session.
"And you ended it quite effectively. So what is it that you want," the bitter tone hadn't left Kaji, though there was less sting in it.
"I didn't-" Korra was quite certain now that words wouldn't work well in the situation she found herself in. Instead she opted for cupping Kaji's jaw in her hand and pulling her into her lips. To ensure she wouldn't get away, Korra wrapped her arms around the slim shoulders, bare and smooth as the silk of her dress. In the end, it was a null concern. Kaji was more than eager to deepen the kiss, pressing her entire body into it.
Korra nearly pulled away when she felt Kaji's wet tongue trace against her bottom lip. She hadn't kissed someone like that before, at least that she recalled. Kaji was adamant, snaking around Korra's lips until she moaned from the pleasurable pressure. The moan turned into a gasp as Kaji sunk her teeth into Korra's swollen bottom lip. It wasn't a hard bite, just enough. Kaji took advantage of the now parted lips to fully taste Korra's mouth. She was lost in the sweet aftertaste of lychee and dragonfruit among Korra's own flavor. Korra too was lost in the spicy arches of Kaji's tongue. The girl tasted of burning cinnamon. If fire had a taste, that would be it.
They broke apart to take in air. Korra's lungs burned ever so slightly. Whether it was from the flames overtaking her heart or the exhilaration, she did not know. Kaji left no room for recovery. She took Korra's lips once more, caressing them with her spiced tongue, tracing every curve and couture before claiming Korra's mouth again. This time, Korra fought her for dominance. Their tongues swirled around each other as though in a dance, cool against heat. Korra couldn't think. She was drowning in the sea that was Kaji.
"I want to talk," Korra was finally able to mumble against Kaji's lips. Kaji groaned and ignored her, trying to pry open Korra's lips for more. Korra placed a restraining hand on Kaji's shoulder, splaying her fingers so she could feel as much of the warm skin under her fingertips as Kaji's dress allowed. "I want to know what this is."
"Whatever you want it to be," Kaji said curtly before pushing into Korra. Talking was the last thing on her mind at the present moment.
"I don't think I can handle anything… substantial… right now," Korra continued. She didn't want to be hurt again. Not like Mako had hurt her. She wanted to feel wanted, but she wasn't willing to give up her heart for that. Kaji lifted her eyes, before half-lidded now open, to meet Korra's sea irises.
"I'll take whatever you're willing to give me. Can't promise you won't want to give it all after a few more days with me though," she winked and smiled. Korra visibly stiffened, then relaxed at the attempt to lighten the mood.
"You are the most stuck-up per-" she began only to be cut off by another kiss.
"You know, doing that won't get you out of trouble with me," Korra said admonishingly. Kaji only smirked and gave Korra one more well meaning peck.
"Alright, I said what I wanted to say, asked all my questions. You want to get out of here and get some lunch?" Korra asked, starting up from her slumped position against the wall. She hadn't even noticed that Kaji had shoved her into it until that moment. Her senses had been occupied elsewhere.
"Sure, it's a date," Kaji beamed. Korra couldn't help the strange warm feeling in her chest from spreading to her face. Perhaps Kaji's earlier jibe hadn't been all talk. Korra quickly kicked the thoughts to the back of her mind. No attachments Korra, she reminded herself.
Korra reached for the key, placed earlier into her pocket, only to discover that she, in fact, didn't have any pockets. "Shit," she muttered under her breath before jiggling the handle. She had completely forgotten that she was wearing a dress and not her usual casual outfit. The door was most certainly locked, as proven by jiggling the handle with no budge.
"Guess I'll have to bend it," she informed Kaji over her shoulder. Korra secretly reveled in the opportunity to show off her skills to the prodigy. Not that I want to impress her or anything, she quickly added in her head. Both girls stood and Korra positioned herself in front of the door.
Korra reached out with her seismic sense, feeling the door, the room, the metal pipes and tools and shelves. Each had their own pressure points which she could manipulate. She reached for the handle, reaching for the bolt that slid the lock into place. A small bead of sweat streaked down her cheeks, a single drop hit the floor. Korra's hands gripped at the lock, trying in vain to unclick it, to even move it to the left if only slightly. Nothing happened.
Behind her, Korra heard a soft chuckle. Her frustration was evident on her face and she was about to let out a verbal tirade. Kaji beat her to the punch by simply stating, "The entire door, lock included is made of wood. The supply closets were so simple; no metal was wasted in their making. They just painted it to look like bronze."
Korra stared dumbfounded. A wooden lock. Who ever made wooden locks? No one. Locks were never wooden. They just, weren't! She couldn't say anything. The finger she had outstretched to point at Kaji for added effect now hung static in the air. No key, no metalbending, no other option besides breaking the door down. Tenzin would have a freaking field day. Kaji didn't help the matter any. All she did was stand with her arms crossed in front of her chest, waiting for Korra's next move.
"I guess we'll just have to break down the door then," Korra finally concluded.
Kaji looked at her like she had just said something infinitesimally stupid. "If we do that, not only will I have to explain to Inzei what I am doing destroying the palace, but why I was suddenly locked in a closet with you. I'm guessing you don't want to actually explain our little meeting, do you?"
Korra slumped in defeat. She hadn't even thought about the repercussions of being found in the closet with Kaji, in both meanings of the saying. Even thinking about Tenzin's face made her cringe. Instead of dwelling on it she turned to Kaji. "So what do we do then?"
"You're the one who got me into this, figure it out," Kaji replied, unhelpful as always.
"You are useless!" Korra complained, kneading her temples with her palms.
"Well, it's bound to get dark at some point. I can feel when the sun goes down. We'll have a better shot at bursting out unnoticed whilst everyone is sleeping. The guards are pretty lax at night too."
Korra wasn't going to ask how Kaji knew that last tidbit of information. It sounded like a good idea. But, all that waiting was a rather daunting prospect. Korra had no intention of sitting on her butt for hours until evening. "What are we going to do until then? It must be at least eight more hours, and ten if we want to be safe."
"We-ell," Kaji slid closer to Korra, pressing her against the wall again. Korra had noticed before that Kaji was a few inches taller than her. She used that extra height to her advantage, leaning an arm against the wall over Korra's head. Her other hand slid to pull at the collar of Korra's kimono. "I think I have an idea."
P.S. Well, hope you liked it. I swear things will speed up eventually. I just want to set up a good foundation. Most of the first ten or so chapter I have planned have no real plot other than focusing on Korra's relationship with Kaji. Then come the action parts I'm dying to write. Please review