A/N: Update for you! From me! Yay! This one is at least longer and more satisfactory than the previous one, so I hope you enjoy it. As my Christmas break is now over, or will be tomorrow, I wish my freetime farewell and I hope that updates will keep being uploaded at least one a week. It's not because I don't care I promise! Anyway, REVIEW! Review as a farewell to vacation and a hello to the New Year! (Even though I'm late by a few days. Not important).
Disclaimer: 2013 brought me many things but A:LOK was not one of them and I still have yet to figure out how I will take it. Legal means or thievery? That is the question.
Previously on Events Unexpected…
"Choose the girl over your duty and the world will fall into chaos."
"Choose your duty as Avatar and you will be hailed as a hero. Should that happen, I want you to bring the girl to me. You must swear to it, that Kaji will be mine as soon as her armies fall. That is my price Avatar Korra."
The questions became rampant in her head. Had Kaji been lying? Had she been manipulating Korra from the start, wanting her to put her faith in the firebender so that she would not suspect anything until it was too late? Had it all been a lie? Everything they shared, everything she felt, had it been a charade? And yet, it did not feel like that. Korra knew that she was more than a little naïve when it came to matters of romance, but Kaji's touch, her emotions, they felt so authentic. Korra could not fathom being able to lie about something like that. Her resolve strengthened, she decided on her course of action. Koh was not to be trusted, even if his perception had not been wrong. The only one who could dispel all of Korra's conflicting thoughts was Kaji herself. So to Kaji she would go.
"I'm going to the Fire Nation," Korra stated flatly, her face a mask of determination.
The blue flames that danced along the front of the raised platform that held the throne of the Fire Lord were higher than they had been for a while. The Fire Nation was known for its tropically mild climate and, on most occasions, the temperatures stayed predictably within a narrow range of warm and hot. That day was different. Storm clouds had rolled in from the Northeast, covering the entire parameter of the volcano and the lands beyond it in a chilly cloak of mist. Kaji had situated herself closer to her fire to keep the cold from her hands and feet so she had been forced to relinquish the padded throne for a cushion placed next to one of the pillars to the side of the dais. She had no engagements, something that caused her to become unsettled with wont to do something. The Earth King had set the date for the invasion; the supplies he had requested from her had arrived with no disturbances of any kind; the Northern Water Tribe was still blissfully unaware of the coming onslaught and would be caught off guard quickly; even Republic City, though the council had clearly gotten wind of what was going to happen, had yet to respond in any manner- not that she would take the brunt of their criticism as she was only aiding the Earth Kingdom, not instigating an international dispute. And yet, despite all of those things, there was something about the day that caused her worry. She would have attributed it to the weather phenomenon, but her instincts screamed that it was something else. Something that even she was ill prepared for.
Her back was resting comfortably against the tall marble pillar, its cylindrical shape throwing abstract shadows on the far wall, fluorescent in the unique fire coloration. Her fingers twirled a long strand of hair- it being a casual day Kaji had decided to leave it down for once- relishing in the way the black and blue hues flowed over each other with each loop and release. Her robes had long sleeves which she had pushed back once she was warm enough, allowing for more maneuverability and comfort. Her neck and a good portion of her chest were also uncovered to keep the heat from becoming overbearing. As it was, Kaji was most certainly in no state to be seeing anyone, even a minor servant. She had always prided herself in her attire being immaculate and practical with just a hint of charm for good measure. Her outfit was, however, the last thing on her mind when her keen hearing picked up an angered female voice shouting from behind the doors leading into the throne room. Kaji's interest was piqued, but her body had no intention of moving; like many other firebenders her inner sloth was always worst when the sun was hidden by the cumulonimbus floating below it. Instead, she sufficed in waiting out the argument, too muffled for her to actually pick anything out of it, and try to gather herself into a more presentable state. Her robe was closed until only the milky skin over her collarbone was visible, and her sleeves were let loose to hang just above her fingertips. The flames around her moved higher as she scooted, rather ungracefully, to take a seat on the red velvet cushions that made up the throne. Her hair she kept down since he had forgotten to bring the crown from her bedchambers; a mistake she was keen to not make again.
Kaji had only to wait for a few more minutes before a very flustered and red-faced servant came puffing into the room. The flames hiding her face unfortunately did not give the Fire Lord access to see the others beyond the doors before they were shut by the servant. Her eyebrows quirked up as he ran to prostrate himself before her as though he were committing a vile sin just by being there. The overacting of the staff was always a welcome amusement to the girl sitting behind the fire. She was all too happy that her element hid the smirk she could not restrain. Whichever Fire Lord had thought up of it was a genius in her book.
"M-my Lord," the little man tripped over his words. He was skinny, so much so that even his long, flowing clothing was unable to conceal his slight frame. His hair was receding, making his forehead appear somewhat larger than is would have been had the hairline been in the same position as it had been in his youth. The red and gold patterns playing on his attire marked him as one of the palace servants and a higher one at that. The lowest ranking ones were allowed to wear only dark shades of maroon, the colors lightening as the household social rank increased. The man's indicated that he was perhaps a trusted messenger or loyal secretary to one of the noble houses or maybe even to the Crown itself. Kaji had meant to get more acquainted with her staff, but the recent increase in pace when it came to her objective had inhibited her from doing so.
"Speak," she directed in a monotone. Her, minimal, she added in her head, excitement was well covered up as it would not do to show that she was even mildly interested in what was awaiting from behind the doors.
"T-there is someone who demands to have an audience with you," the man's voice was hard to hear over the crackling fire and the sleeves which muffled the sound coming from his lips. Kaji's eyebrows quirked up in unhindered surprise. Not many were able to 'demand' anything from the Fire Lord. In fact, she could probably count them off on her well manicured fingers; not to mention that only one struck her as compulsive enough to state it like that. The man's nasally voice brought her back from her musings. Another thing about cloudy days; they apparently shot her attention span to hell. "Sh-she seems to be really adamant about it."
Kaji wanted to burst out laughing at the way the cowering servant looked over his shoulder as though the girl would burst through any second and try to eat him. Instead she settled for a broader grin and placed her flames even higher so she could slump into her chair and straighten her legs without the man noticing. He must have taken the eruption of cerulean fire as a sign of her irritation on the matter because the man burst into a long string of apologies that left Kaji wondering if he would keel over due to loss of oxygen.
"It's alright, let her in," Kaji interrupted some form of plea about sparing the man's family; quite unnecessarily overdramatic on his part, not to mention worthless since, if she was actually as angry as he thought she was, no amount of begging would save anyone with a hint of blood relation to him.
"A-are you sure My Lord?" his incredulity was unmistakable.
Kaji, to have a bit of fun before facing whatever lay in store for her once the young Avatar was allowed in, brought her voice down to a low hiss just loud enough to be picked up over the roar of the flames and growled, "Are you questioning my judgment?"
The servant's face turned so pale that even paper would have taken on a yellowish hue if placed next to it. His throat constricted until his larynx was rendered completely useless and all that escaped his gaping mouth was a high-pitched whistle of air leaving his frozen lungs. Kaji couldn't help the low chuckle that time. Her hand went up to stifle anything louder lest she appear to not take his incompetence seriously.
"Leave and let her in," Kaji finally commanded when she had herself under control. Thinking back, perhaps it was the giddiness of seeing Korra again after a month and a few days away that had her in such high spirits. She would have to make sure she kept the bubbly feeling in the pit of her stomach in check until they were alone.
"Of course My Lord," the man practically cracked his skull open on the hard marble floor as he tripped over his garment in his haste to leave and fulfill her command. The doors opened for him to slip out and then shut. Outside, more words were exchanged, probably him trying to assert himself after the utter ass he had made of himself within the throne room. Finally, the twin blocks of wood swung forth for the person Kaji had been anticipating.
Korra had not exactly had a plan of how she was going to confront Kaji. The palace was heavily guarded and she doubted that even she would have the authority to just waltz in as though she owned the place. Perhaps what she lacked in political influence, she could make up for in vindication and attitude.
As it so happened, sheer luck and charm had gotten her past the few sets of doors that led into the massive building that was representative of all of the people of the Fire Nation. Korra couldn't help but marvel again at how like a flame the building could look; reaching into the clouded sky light a pyre that could never be extinguished. In the patches of filtering light coming through a particularly thin layer of dense water vapor, the golden spires and trimmings seemed to produce their own light and warmth. Within the palace, the dark corridors lit by candles held a sort of sullen mood to accompany the weather outside. Even the servants looked like they felt the effects of the absence of the sun: a few girls lounging around in between chores; some men walking about slowly as though they could not be bothered to hurry; at one point the cook even left one of his delectable dishes in the oven for too long and the smell of burnt food filled the shady hallways. Korra also felt the mood, though for other reasons. Her resolve, so strong at the outset of her journey, was fading with each step that brought her closer to Kaji. One of the men who had allowed her into the palace walls was leading her toward the throne room, luckily for her as Korra had completely forgotten the way. It had been quite a while since she had come here after all.
Her mind raced forward to her encounter with the new ruler of the Fire Nation. She didn't want to have her fears affirmed, to hear that Kaji indeed was aiding in the instigation of a world war, but it was a fading hope. Upon her arrival at the docks of the Capital she had seen the large military warships being loaded with large cannons and barrels of other supplies. The man with whom she had talked had assured her that only items were being sent over to the Earth King's forces, that recruits were being kept on the island for the time being, as though it should have put her at ease. Korra winced at the memory. Kaji had betrayed her. It didn't matter if Kaji hadn't done anything directly to harm Korra; she must have known that as the Avatar it was Korra's duty to keep such conflicts from happening. It was fucking selfish! Korra didn't want to have to bring down the Earth King or his allies- mainly the ally that she was currently madly in love with and terribly upset at.
"Fuck it, Kaji," Korra muttered under her breath, "Why'd you have to make things so difficult?"
"I'm sorry Miss," the guard in front of her turned to look over his shoulder. He had a handsome face with a pronounced jaw line and soft grey eyes. His ember hair was long enough to sweep into his eyes, making him shift his head to sweep the bangs to the side. His voice was gentle, nice as he inquired, "Did you say something?"
"Huh? No," Korra shook her head violently before slumping her head down between her raised shoulders and continuing to follow him quietly. Her reaction earned her a confused look from her guide, but he took it in step and made no further comments.
Korra wasn't brought out of her thoughts until she bumped into the back of the man helping her. Her eyes shot up with an apology at the tip of her tongue when her pupils shifted and she came face-to-face with someone she had hoped to never have to see again. It was the rude guy who had first given them the tour when Tenzin had brought her to the Fire Nation for Iroh's coronation as Crown Prince. The fact that he was glaring at her with the most pronounced scowl she had ever seen indicated that he had not forgotten about her either.
"What is the meaning of this Raigel?" his voice made Korra's teeth grind inadvertently. The way he talked down to the guard who was at the moment scratching his head in confusion made Korra all the more upset. Just who does he think he is? she mentally fumed.
"The Avatar is here to speak with the Fire Lord," Raigel replied, still miffed as to why he was being chided when he was certain that he had done the right thing. The girl was the Avatar after all, and he was certain that the Fire Lord would want to know what she had to say.
"And does the Avatar have an appointment?" the infuriating man standing protectively in front of the double doors leading to Kaji. Korra almost wanted to waterbend him to the other side of the palace to show just how futile his macho act was. Instead, she held her tongue and left it to the guard, Raigel, to hopefully get her in.
"Do you?" Raigel asked innocently. His face, still showing the insecurity of youth and inexperience, was silently hopeful that she did so he could avoid getting yelled at. Korra deflated as she shook her head. She might have been able to pull off a lie if it hadn't been that guy, whatever his name was, standing in her way. No doubt he would ask her for some kind of written documentation or something else that she simply did not possess.
"Well then, Avatar or not, she can go through the proper channels and set one up," the man sniffed, sticking his nose in the air and actually managing to look down at them even though he was shorter.
Raigel turned to Korra, but seeing the despairing look in her eyes and being a kindhearted man himself, decided to try one more time. He knew how much of a pain the man could be. "Come on Korsan, I know Fire Lord Kaji doesn't have any appointments today. Surely she won't be upset about having the Avatar-"
Before he was even able to finish, Korsan had raised a hand in a silencing gesture. "My decision is final and, as the head secretary of Fire Lord Kaji's meetings, I cannot allow this infraction on the rules. Avatar Korra will have to go about getting an audience through the legal means and, unless you feel like losing your job today Raigel, you will escort her out."
Korra's face had turned a livid shade of red. She wasn't about to take his snide-ness lying down so, when Raigel tried to turn her around by placing a heavy hand on her shoulder, she roughly shoved him off and grabbed the hem of the robes that Korsan was wearing. She surprised even herself by how easily she held him aloft and smacked him into the wall. The fear that was evident in his wide eyes only spurred her on and, before she even knew what was happening, she was going off on him full blast while the poor man tried to keep breathing as her knuckles buried themselves into his trachea. Even Raigel was so caught off guard that his mind simply could not come up with an action to perform that could save the unfortunate recipient of Korra's anger and tension. Said girl didn't even know what she was saying, yelling obscenities and remarks against Korsan's pompous attitude before finally running out of steam and releasing him with a screamed order of getting her into the throne room before she really lost her temper. Korsan may as well have grown wings; he flew into the room so quickly in his escape from Korra's vice grip.
A laughing Raigel was the first thing that registered after Korra stopped seeing red. She turned to him with an abashed look, almost pleading with him to tell her that she had not just assaulted the man who was supposedly in charge of allowing her access to Kaji. His smile never faded as he exclaimed, "I think you just did what the entire palace has wanted to do for years."
Korra couldn't help but smile at that. She was still embarrassed about losing her cool, but at least he wasn't throwing her out on grounds of disturbing the peace. Not too long after, an even paler Korsan returned from the chambers on the other side of the door. His lips quivered with barely suppressed dread, leaving even Korra somewhat baffled as to what Kaji had said to him to elicit such a response. His knees were shaking so badly that he had to lean against a wall; Korsan indicated that she could enter. Raigel opened the doors, letting Korra in and then closed them. Korsan's chattering teeth were lost to the soundproofing walls. All mirth gone, Korra looked in front of her where the signature wall of fire of the Fire Lords raged before the dais where the throne was. The flames were so different than Inzei's had been, somehow cooler even though Korra knew that they were much hotter than any red or orange ones could ever become. A silhouette was all she could make out of the girl seated on the other side. The tip of the throne was all that could be seen clearly, that and the wall and pillars in the background. Then, so suddenly that Korra had to wonder if the fire had ever been, the flames ceased to exist. Korra's blue eyes were now freely able to meet Kaji's molten gold ones. Whereas one held trepidation and hurt, the other girl was bursting with excitement. It was then that Korra knew Kaji was expecting something other than what she had come for. The realization almost broke her anew.
"Korra," Kaji exclaimed. She rose from her seat and practically bounded over to where the Avatar stood with a complexion of stone. Kaji's steps faltered until she was approaching Korra with a caution shown to a wounded, dangerous animal. In a sense, Korra felt just like one; her emotions were running in unpredictable circles and she didn't know if she wanted to hug Kaji or punch her in the face for all the trouble she caused. The rage she had felt after seeing Koh and Tenzin's admission was back, burning in the pit of her heart with as much force as the passion of seeing the Fire Lord again.
Settling for neither, the younger girl let out a biting question that she had held since leaving Republic City, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Kaji stopped dead in her tracks. Her face held the expression of someone who had just been slapped for no obvious reason. Her mouth was slightly open, the corners still raised in a smile though they were quickly turning down. The hands that had been hanging in midair, ready to pull her lover into a warm embrace, fell defeated back at the side of the firebender.
"W-what do you mean?" Kaji's voice was quiet, unsure. Korra hated hearing it that way; it made her whole being shake with the need to protect the other girl, pull her into her arms and hide away from the world and all its perils. But this time it was Kaji herself that was a peril.
"I mean, why are you helping the Earth King in his invasion of the Northern Water Tribe? You must know that it is wrong," Korra's eyes searched, implored, for Kaji to magically snap out of whatever was causing her to act this way and reconsider her involvement with King Daoguang. Far from her wish was the spiteful voice with which Kaji answered her pleas.
Kaji had not been expecting Korra to confront her about the invasion. For a brief, horrible second Kaji wondered if Korra had somehow uncovered her entire scheme. Then she remembered that, if it were so, the Avatar would not be asking her about her support of the Earth King; rather, Korra would probably unleash all hell on her through the Avatar State. As such, Kaji quickly reverted to her scripted answers. Much as she had hated to think of Korra questioning her, she had also known the inevitability of it. The younger girl was not stupid; she would have to be convincing. If there was just one thing Kaji could not accept, it was losing Korra's love, even if she had to lie for it. Even if she had to give up on the world domination she had sworn she would achieve. She would not lose Korra.
Kaji's lips were thin as she bit out her retort, scathing as the fires she wielded, "Why? Why do you think? I was stuck in a refrigerator for weeks on end, tortured and left to die, all on the orders of Chief Satren. If you want to look to the real reason for this war, it is not my choice to aide Daoguang in his offense, but the actions of the Chief whom you are now protecting."
Korra flinched, remembering the state in which she found Kaji in the cellar of the small compound in the barren arctic wasteland. The way she had looked so small and half dead. Her tone was small, unsure, where she had been so convicted before, Korra whispered, "But a war is not the answer."
"I would agree, Korra," Kaji's words were soft now. Her hand reached out to cup Korra's cheek, bringing up her face so that Korra had a clear view of Kaji's visage. The small smile playing at the corners of her supple red lips was almost enough to make Korra discard the entire issue. Almost.
"Then why don't you?" Korra asked, gripping Kaji's wrist to keep her hand on her cheek. Kaji had no intention of moving away, doing the exact opposite by coming forward until they were so close that Korra could smell the jasmine on Kaji's skin.
"Because I have already sworn my allegiance to King Daoguang in the matter. They killed one of my people Korra. They almost killed me. Going back on my word now would look like cowardice or worse, treason in favor of Satren over Daoguang. I cannot have both the Northern Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom plotting against me," Kaji explained. She had to have Korra play along only a little more. If she could convince her to just remain impartial long enough for Izuru to secure the Northern Water Tribe capital, that would be enough.
"Then do it for me," Korra cried, desperate. If she could just keep the war from breaking out; keep from having to make Koh's choice. She wanted to cry, to tell Kaji that she would be torn apart if she had to condemn her in exchange for saving the world and restoring the balance. She wanted to tell Kaji that, if she continued on like this, they would both become victims of the wily spirit. But she could not tell her such things. Koh was not someone to be betrayed.
"You know I would," Kaji's other hand went up to cradle Korra's other cheek.
"But you won't?" Korra breathed, each word more labored than the last.
"But I cannot. There is more at stake than what I want. I have to think about the security of my subjects Korra. I need to make sure the other nations know that the Fire Nation will not take their crimes without some kind of reparations."
"Don't you get it?" Korra yelled, the intensity of her voice startling Kaji and herself. She continued despite the worried look she was being given by the firebender. "I am going to have to stop Daoguang. I'm going to have to stop YOU! I'm going to have to fight YOU!"
Korra shook herself away from the other girl. Kaji's hands reached for her again but the look Korra gave her said that the gesture was unwelcome. Korra waited for Kaji to say something. Kaji waited to see what the Avatar would do next; trying to find some way to convince Korra that she was not abandoning her.
"Korra I-" Kaji started.
"Don't," Korra interrupted. She could see it in Kaji's eyes that she was not going to back off and that her mind was set. "If you have any love for me, any at all, you will stop this."
Kaji blanched. Korra stiffened. There, she had said it. She had forced Kaji into the corner while also leaving herself open to all that she feared. She had opened herself up to heartache once more; for if Kaji were to not choose her, Korra did not know what she would do. If the one person who was able to convince her of her self-worth turned and dismissed her love as second to something else, there would be nothing substantial left in those words. Kaji would have lied; even if she did love Korra as much as she said, the damage would be done. Kaji could see it in Korra's eyes. She knew that what she said at that moment could be their ruin. Her whole core was shaken by the conflicting feelings within her. She had her duty to the woman who had saved her from her fate, raised her in her image, died without asking for a single thing in return except this. And she was so close. So close she could taste the fruits of her years of training and gathering allies. But what was the cost of it? To lose the one girl who made her entire life seem brighter, even in the darkest nights. To lose the one person who rode a polar bear-dog across an entire continent to save her. Was anything worth that? Kaji's eyes darted around the room, taking in everything that she had gained; everything that she owed to her grandmother. If only it was her choice to make alone, there would be no doubt, no falter, but it was not.
"I-" Kaji stammered. Korra looked at her, hating that it was taking the girl so long to answer. "I do love you Korra, more than I've loved anyone before. I need you to know that!"
Korra's face fell, her eyes becoming a dull distortion of their sapphire beauty. She hated how her voice still shook when she said, "So that is your answer then?"
Kaji bit her bottom lip. She craved to take the Avatar into her arms and mumble soothing nothings into her ear until she looked at her with the intense passion she had once held. "Korra I'm not choosing it over you, I just-"
"Save it," Korra bit out. Her eyes were shut in an attempt to keep the tears from sliding out. Her mouth was set in a hard, thin line to keep her screams from leaving her throat, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth until she was certain that she would choke on it. She wanted to say something angry, something to hurt Kaji so that she felt as empty as Korra did. She wanted to make Kaji rue the day she had ever decided to play with Korra's emotions. She wanted to scream that she had never loved Kaji, just to give her a taste of what rejection felt like. Instead, all she could do was turn on her heel and burst from the throne room. She didn't notice Raigel's surprised exclamation or Korsan's frightened squeal as she ran past them. She didn't see Kaji rush after her and then stand forlornly at the center of the hallway, looking as Korra disappeared from sight. Korra just ran. She kept running until she reached the docks. She catapulted herself over the railing and used her waterbending to create large pillars of water which she used as makeshift stepping stones until she was able to land on the ship she had come on. The captain had been instructed to wait for her before returning to the Earth Kingdom so, with no thought as to why his passenger looked like someone had torn her open and made her watch as her blood and organs spilled out, he turned on the giant engines and began the voyage back. Korra found a quiet little nook where she let go of all of her anguish, her cries quieted by the piece of her jacket that she held firmly between her teeth.
Kaji paced the entire span of her room, her eyebrows knit together and her eyes clamped down tight. She had become accustomed to the chambers and had counted the exact number of steps it took her to get from one end of the expansive quarters to the other. She had only tripped over something once, regaining her balance and cursing as she kicked the offending piece of armor under her bed. It was perhaps not the best thing to do as her toe throbbed painfully for another half hour after that. Still, the physical pain was nothing in comparison to the virtual Tartarus of her mind. When she had said those things, made those decisions, she had stupidly assumed that Korra would understand and forgive her in time. She had completely forgotten the insecurity Korra held after Mako's rejection and departure. Thinking back on it made the Fire Lord want to slam her head into the nearest wall or conveniently placed piece of furniture.
"Oh fuck it all!" she moved toward the door that led out of her bedroom. She wasn't about to let her dimwittedness drag down the one person who she had grown to care about since the passing of Princess Azula. Her grandmother would understand, and even if she didn't… well, she would have the entire afterlife to chide her about letting her heart rule her head. So, with a new fire kindled within her chest, Kaji left to procure herself a way to follow Korra and damn the consequences.
"My Lord!" Korsan exclaimed when she slammed through the small entrance to his office. It was well into the evening, Korra having arrived early in the day.
"Get me a ship to Republic City. I want it ready for departure by tomorrow evening at the latest. Also, make sure that any engagements I have for the next two weeks are either taken care of by my advisors or pushed back until my return."
Korsan looked ready to blow a gasket, but he smartly kept his mouth shut and nodded before digging for the schedule book he always kept tucked in his desk. His curiosity caused him to sneak a glance at the distressed girl that stood in his office. Kaji was looking down at her fingers, not really inspecting them for flaws as much as needing something to occupy herself with while waiting. He had never seen her in such a panic; all of the times he had contact with her, she had been the perfect example of a calm individual. In the back of his mind, he wondered if it had something to do with the meeting with the Avatar girl earlier that day. She had left in quite the rush as well.
"I am paying you to do as I tell you, not analyze my motives Korsan," Kaji's cold words shook Korsan out of his thoughts and he realized that he had been staring at her. Bowing and uttering a quick apology, he returned to making notes in the calendar.
"Y-your sh-ship will be ready f-for you My Lord," he managed. Not even a second after he had finished, his door was slammed shut by the Fire Lord as she whisked out of his office. Signing, he checked his pulse and wondered whether his job was going to give him a heart attack or some form of cancer before long.
The ship docked into the port at Air Temple Island just as the sun was rising on the seventh day of their journey. Korra was cramped, soggy from the morning mist, and miserable. She had hoped that the journey would give her enough time to think about things and calm down her hammering heart. Instead, it had only let the depression settle in and bring her pulse to a near standstill. It was almost as though she was kept alive by sheer apathy. Her eyes didn't even meet Tenzin's as he met her at the entrance to the Air Temple. Korra's hair had been pulled down, something he hadn't seen since the onset of Mako's departure had actually hit her. It was all the answer the master airbender needed. His hand wove over Korra's shoulders to pull her into his embrace but she barely even felt it. It was as though everything around her was a mirage of grey bleakness. The only thing that seemed in color was the sun, and it was even more painful to look at. Korra made up her mind in the personal comment of all of Agni's children are damn assholes.
"Korra?" a voice that tickled at her ears said. It was concerned, but also happy. The soft masculine lilt of each word was so familiar and yet ethereal at the same time, as though spoken by a ghost. Korra's eyes moved up to take in the dark amber eyes and tussled hair that pointed up to the ceiling in a spiky, yet flowy hairdo. As her brain was finally able to comprehend what was going on, only one word was able to leave her mouth.
"Mako?"
P.S. Cliffhanger! Don't you just love those, I know you do. Please leave any comment you would like, as long as you leave something. I accept flames and fire extinguishers... that makes no sense. Good morning, day, or night whenever you are reading this!