Thank BG-13!

Korra's POV

I froze. Five years ago, Mako and I had argued before a match. We'd almost lost because of it and we went to celebrate the victory afterwards due to Bolin's and Asami's insistence. I had gotten a little more intoxicated than usual and the Firebender had decided to take me home. We were walking by the arena when we sort of…talked.

"I know you like me," I said with a laugh. The Firebender rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by the comment. He was helping me walk, keeping an arm around my waist. When he didn't answer me I stopped and made him look at me. "Come on, Mako. Admit it. You like me."

He pinched the bridge of his nose at this. "Korra, its two in the morning. I need to get you back to the island," he said. "And I don't like you."

"Yes, you do," I countered, a little infuriated by this. Who didn't like the Avatar? "I've seen the way you look at me. Admit it."

The Firebender sighed lowering his gaze. "Well," Mako began, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I-I do think you're pretty amazing," he mumbled.

"I knew it!" I shouted. He stepped forward as I almost tumbled to the floor and I looked up into his amber eyes.

I would never admit it to him, but I also liked him. I had liked him since the first time I laid eyes on him. Before he could pull away I crashed my lips into his. I didn't expect him to respond but when he did, I deepened the kiss. I don't know how long we stayed that way but it felt like a long time. However, we both 'forgot' about the incident the next morning, never mentioning it to anyone.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, trying to play it out as nothing.

"Korra, you don't have to lie to me," he replied. "I know this little act of yours is just a barrier, a wall you've built to keep everyone out. But you can't keep me out, and you know why? Because you like me."

"Um, actually I don't," I lied. "You want to know why I wasn't surprised that you and Asami were going out?" He didn't say a word. "Because I have someone on the side."

The Firebender pinched the bridge of his nose. "Whatever," he replied. I smirked a little.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"On business," Mako answered with a shrug.

"Business?" He nodded. "What kind of business?"

"Well, in case you didn't know, Bei Fong is dropping all charges," he began. "And I will be your escort on your expedition to the Swamp."

My jaw and hands clenched at this. He had to be kidding. "My what?"

"Zuko said you're going to the Swamp and asked me to go with you," he said with a shrug. "I told him I would."

I didn't even bother to respond; I just stood up and jumped out the window. I heard him call after me but I simply ran till I reached the end of the island before jumping into the bay. A certain White Lotus Elder had a lot of explaining to do.

Zuko's POV

I was in my office, reading a book when the door flew off its hinges and crashed into the opposite wall, one of the guards with it. I stood up, closing the book before seeing who the intruder was. I had to admit I wasn't surprised she was here, and I already knew what she wanted to discuss. I put the book down and stepped in front of the desk.

"Did you really have to do that?" I asked, looking over to the guard who groaned as he tried to sit up before slumping back to the floor.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," Korra growled.

"It is in your best interest-" I didn't even get to finish.

The girl was already heading towards me, fist raised and I barely managed to dodge the attack. Her fist connected with the table, actually making a dent. She turned her attention towards me once again and I readied my stance.

Her attacks were swift and precise and surprisingly I was having a hard time keeping up with her. I launched a kick towards her but she simply blocked it with the back of her arm before sending a kick of air, that made me crash into the wall. She was in front of me and picked me up by the collar, lifting me off the floor.

"Why?" she asked. "Why him?"

"I already told you Korra," I began. "You need to let others help you."

"You could have told Howl to go with me. You could have told anyone else, but you chose him."

"Because he wants to help you."

"I don't need anyone's help," she snapped. "Why is it so hard for you people to understand that?"

"You keep telling yourself that, don't you? You're lying to everyone, yourself included," I said. She looked like she wanted to slam me against the wall again, but she managed to refrain. "I know what you feel. Rage drives you, that impossible anger strangles your grief and that becomes poison in your veins."

The fire in her eyes began to fade until she finally lowered me onto the floor again. I fixed my clothing before walking over to my desk and sitting down.

"Why do I need to go there?" Korra asked after a while.

"You'll find the answer to that yourself," I replied.

She waited a moment before nodding her head. "I will comply with your request, just this once," the Airbender said. "But don't ever play me again."

Korra's POV

Shortly after my…visit, Zuko had called and told my mother about my trip to the Swamp. My parents weren't too approving until the elder mentioned that Mako would be my escort. For some really weird reason they liked Mako, which is why they always called him whenever I distanced myself too much or didn't come home to sleep. I was getting my stuff ready when a familiar sentry entered my room.

"So you're going?" Howl asked. I nodded, not bothering to look up at him as I zipped up my bag. "Korra, I'm sorry about what I said the other night."

"No, you're not," I answered, turning around to look at him. He wasn't sorry, he was guilty. I knew the feeling well enough to know the difference. He pitied me.

"Yes, I am," he countered. "I was frustrated and I took it out on you."

I let out a humorless laugh at that. I'd heard that before. It seemed everyone was 'frustrated' these days. "The real question is, who doesn't?" I answered. "I seem to be everyone's punching bag, but who's mine?" I asked.

Howl didn't say anything. He knew what I was saying was true. Since I'd come back, everyone took out their anger on me, and me…I couldn't take it out on anyone. I had to control my feelings in order to hide the Blue Spirit part of myself.

"What am I supposed to do while you're gone?" he asked while I put on my parka.

"Do whatever you want," I answered.

"Korra," Howl began his voice gentle. "What's the plan?" So, now he was interested in the plan.

"The plan is the same," I answered. "Make everyone believe I'm not the Blue Spirit." I'd leave how to do that up to him.

With those words I left my room and went outside to meet everyone. I heard my mom and dad talking to Mako, asking him to 'take care of me'. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Katara saw me coming and smiled before heading towards me, hugging me tightly.

"Be safe," she said. I gave her a smile. "And remember this: not everything is what it seems."

I frowned at that but nodded. The ship was waiting for us at the docks so I gave my parents a quick hug before heading over, the Firebender trailing behind me. I didn't even look at him when we boarded.

"Looking forward to the trip?" he asked.

"You were hired to escort me to the Swamp," I began. "So save the small talk." I saw him clench his jaw at the comment. I wasn't thrilled about going to the Swamp or him coming with me.

I sighed. This was going to be a long trip.