Chapter 4
KPOV
Thursday couldn't come quick enough. With me in a distracted state, training was a nightmare. Whenever I tried to focus, Mako crept his way into my thoughts, always making me ridiculously happy and of course causing me to lose whatever focus I might have gained. Tenzin wasn't happy. He kept reminding me that my job was to protect the world, not have a social life. I knew he was right but I was just so excited; it had been a long time since I had friends that were around my age.
TPOV
Korra was losing focus. Over a boy! She needed to buckle down and work, because honestly, she was making no great achievement in air bending. I wasn't getting anywhere with her. I needed to crack down on her and she needed discipline. I found her in her room, meditating—or trying to. She kept squirming and sighing heavily. I cleared my throat. "Korra?" She opened her sky blue eyes and smiled.
"Oh, hey Tenzin." Okay, this will be hard. Be firm and in control. I cleared my throat again. She laughed. "Come on Tenzin, spit it out." I took a deep breath preparing myself for the verbal abuse I would no doubt be experiencing shortly.
"Korra, I believe you are spending too much time focused on your social life and not on training," Korra's face fell. I pushed onwards. "It is my belief as you air bending master that you should not leave Air Temple Island until you have moved forward in your air bending training." Korra's eyes widened at this.
"No!" she yelled. "Tenzin, you can't. I need some time to myself; you of all people should realize this." Her tone was pleading, but her hands were at her sides in fists. My resolve wavered for a moment. She would fight me until the very end on this. I could see that much.
"Be that as it may, you have been slacking in practice. Distracted, over some boy!" I shook my head at this. "Your duty comes first, Korra. I'm sorry, but you will not leave the island until significant progress has been made."
"Tenzin- " she began. But I held up my hand.
"Not another word," I warned.
"But- "
"I said no more on the subject. My decision is final." I hurried out of the room before she could say anything else.
KPOV
I felt like screaming. Tenzin couldn't do this! The first chance I get to have friends and he blows it for me. What was I going to do? What was I going to tell Mako? I growled in frustration. I couldn't let this opportunity slip through my fingers, but I needed Tenzin to tech me air bending, and if he wouldn't…well then I would return home; where I really have no one.
I got up and paced. I couldn't master air bending in a couple of days. That would be impossible, but Tenzin never said I had to master air bending. He said I had to 'move forward.' I suddenly remembered the gates! Those gates that I had been unable to make my way through. If I made my way through those, would it be enough? I needed to find Tenzin.
Play it safe, I warned myself as I rushed from my room. Don't lose your head.
TPOV
Korra came rushing into the dining room. "Oh spirits," I groaned to myself. But her face wasn't angry, it was calculating and controlled. If anything it was more terrifying than when she was angry. She spotted me.
"Tenzin," she called. I heaved a quick sigh.
"Yes Korra?" she took a deep breath. "If I make my way through the spinning gates you showed me on my first few days here can I leave the island?" she said in a rushed, hopeful voice. I shook my head in confusion. Was she bargaining with me? "On top of that I will meditate at least three times a day," she continued. "This to me sounds like significant progress in my training, and it doesn't hurt that I will meditate more. It'll make your job easier." I found my voice.
"Korra, that does not excuse your distraction in lessons, " but she cut me off.
"The distracted state will fade after I get used to having friends. I'm new at this Tenzin, but if you let me do this, I promise you, you won't regret it." She looked at me hopefully. I bent my head in thought for a second or two before coming to my decision.
"You drive a hard bargain Korra, but I accept. However, all promises must be kept. You have to make your way through the spinning gates, do all of your meditation, and improve your focus. If you fail to do any of these you will not leave this island until you have mastered air bending completely." Her eyes brightened and she hugged me around the middle.
"Thank you Tenzin!" she exclaimed. I smiled at the top of her head.
"Go to bed. We will resume your training with the gates in the morning." She gave me one last parting smile before bounding out of the room. Oh spirits, I hope this doesn't come back to bite me.