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Howl's POV

Katara and I talked some to pass the time, waiting for Korra to wake up. She asked about what the young Avatar was doing, what her purpose was. I didn't know whether or not to go into details but figured that the Water Tribe girl would eventually have to explain herself anyway.

The elder seemed surprised when I revealed that Korra could in fact Bend air, making Lin's accusations true. She also seemed distraught when she realized that there had been some…casualties in the work of the Blue Spirit.

Finding out a girl you practically raised has indeed killed several people had to be hard, heart wrenching.

"Korra doesn't kill unless she has to," I said, trying to ease the blow. "It is only a last resort or if someone's life is danger."

"It doesn't change the fact that people have perished during the quest your father gave her," Katara answered sternly. "The Avatar's job is to keep peace and balance."

"She's aware of that," I replied. "It isn't something Korra enjoys. But as the Avatar, her selfless duty comes first and that means doing things she isn't proud of in order to end this war."

"Only justice will bring peace," she said thoughtfully. "Kyoshi's advice to Aang."

I nodded. Korra had mentioned that before. "You know, it's less stressful when she's jumping off rooftops," I muttered.

The elder smiled at this before glancing at the Dao blades on the floor and a bow next to it. "She's injured a few people with that," she said. There was pain in her eyes. And I knew she'd never be able to look at Korra the same way again.

"Bad people," I answered.

"Howl, this doesn't bother you?" she asked after some time. "You seem like the kind of person it would bother."

I didn't say anything for a moment, before shaking my head. "Before my time as a sentry I was a soldier," I said. "I was tasked with protecting some mercenary who killed people, children even. One day a group of intruders entered his home and I moved to protect him."

Katara said nothing at this, just listened as I told my story.

"When it was over, I went to the masked person I knew I had killed," I continued. "He was a boy, no more than seventeen years of age. I had killed him to protect that piece of garbage and I thought to myself, 'am I still good'?" I stopped there to look at the young Avatar. "Doing what I do with Korra…it makes me feel good again."

"But must there be casualties?"

"I've never killed anyone if that's what you're asking."

"But she has," Katara repeated.

"Unfortunately there are always casualties when you're fighting a war," I said. "You would know about that, Master Katara."

The elder held my gaze from some time before looking over at her former pupil. Without warning, her body began to shake and sweat formed on her forehead and I had to wonder what could she possibly be dreaming of to cause the seizure.

Just as quickly as it came it stopped and her head lolled to the side. My eyes widened. No, no, no! Katara noticed this and grabbed the water, placing it over the girl's heart.

"Her heart isn't beating," Katara said, looking up at me.

"Stand back," I said as I readied myself.

While I had been in training with the White Lotus, I had been given a few courses on first aid, which is why usually was able to cure Korra's wounds without the help of others. In addition to this skill, I had learned how to focus my ability to Bend lightning to revive a person. The only catch was that this would be my first time doing so. If I succeeded.

I took a deep breath, moving my fingertips and feeling them spark. I focused the lighting on her heart and gave her a small voltage, but enough to make her body jerk up slightly. Katara once again placed her watery hand over Korra's heart and shook her head. Nothing.

I shook my head and once again willed the lightening over her heart, a stronger voltage this time. The elder checked her pulse and let out a sigh of relief, nodding at me. I couldn't help but do the same. She was back.

As if to confirm this, the young Avatar let out a small groan, moving her head but not awakening.

"Shh," Katara soothed. "Rest, I'm right here." With her words she stilled and went back to sleep.

I leaned against the table, slightly out of breath. This Avatar would be the death of me, I knew she would. The elder Waterbender sat back down on the chair as well, shaking her head.

"Now what?" I asked.

"We hope that doesn't happen again and that we don't have a heart attack ourselves."

I smiled and shook my head. 'Come on, Korra', I thought. 'You need to pull through'.

Korra's POV

I let out a groan as my eyes slowly fluttered open. I blinked a few times, trying to get them to focus though I already knew where I was: headquarters. I turned my head and found Howl and Katara standing right next to me. My former master gave me a smile before caressing my cheek.

"I'm guessing I didn't die," I said. "Again," I added. "Cool." Once again death had alluded me. But...I didn't feel disappointed. I felt...relief.

The sentry shook his head at this and Katara simply sighed. I clenched my jaw as I made a move to sit up. Katara tried keeping me lying down but I wouldn't have it. I noticed that my chest was only covered by wrappings, nothing new for the sentry to see.

"I have to admit, being shot is definitely a new experience," I commented as I looked at my wound that was still bleeding a little. "Doesn't look too bad though." I looked up at both the sentry and former master. "So how am I going to explain this one?"

"Well if Oliver Queen was still in town we could always say hicky gone wrong," Howl lightly teased.

I rolled my eyes at that. "Why haven't you closed it?" I asked.

"It'll take a few healing sessions," Katara answered. "You probably won't be able to move your arm until-"

"Not if you cauterize it," I said. They both looked at me as if I had gone mad. "I don't have a couple of healing sessions. I need to find out what Amon is up to."

"Korra, cauterizing a wound…it isn't a light experience," the elder said.

"It wouldn't be the first time it's been done to me," I replied and I saw her flinch. "Just tie me up first. After it's closed, you can heal it so that it's more like a bruise."

I could tell they didn't want to go through with my request but they did anyway. They didn't really have a choice with that one. Howl tied my hands behind my back and I gritted my teeth in pain as I felt the wound start to reopen. He lit a flame in his hand and then, hesitantly, pressed it against the cut.

If I hadn't had that done before I think I might have passed out. I could feel the sweat trickle down my forehead and back as my muscles went rigid, trying to ignore the pain. He moved his hand soon enough and Katara willed the water in her hand to glow, making me relax as the sentry untied me.

"Why did you want me to tie you up?" he asked.

"A person in pain is unreliable," I explained. "I was afraid I might've hurt you while you cauterized the wound."

"I hope you don't plan on getting shot often," Katara muttered while wrapping me up in a blanket.

"Never do," I replied. "But it happens." One of the perks of my side job.

"Korra, getting Katara involved…you're putting her in danger," Howl said.

"I'm going to protect her," I said looking at my former master.

"I don't need protection," the elder answered calmly. "I just need you to stop lying to me."

I smiled slightly and nodded. "So I'm guessing that the talk with Asami's father ended when he shot you," the sentry said.

I clenched my jaw at this. "He was scared," I excused. "He was defending himself." But as I recalled, I'd put my blades up when he'd decided to shoot me.

"Or maybe he's hiding something," the Firebender countered. "Like his involvement with Amon and this 'Endgame' he's planning."

"Howl, we don't always know why people do what they do," I said, getting off the table. "But what I do know is that when I was standing in his office with dao blades close to his neck, he begged me to spare him, all on behalf of Asami." He didn't say anything to this. "I've taken down a lot of bad people and none of them brought up their kids, Howl."

"Hiroshi Sato is involved with Amon?" Katara asked.

I opened my mouth to speak but the sentry cut me off. "Well, apparently not, even though he put a projectile through Korra and so happens to have the list my father gave her."

"Maybe he was working with your father."

"Oh come on, Korra," Howl said, sounding exasperated. "Let's be realistic. All of the people on that list are involved in some way with Amon, either helping him financially or politically. Open your eyes! Maybe he's not running this 'Endgame' but he's definitely involved."

"Involved in what?" I asked through clenched teeth. "We don't even know if this 'Endgame' is real or just a hoax. And until we know for sure, he is off limits. Am I clear?" I added going toe to toe with him.

He nodded, short and rigid. "Korra, are you saying this because you believe he's innocent, or because you don't want to face the fact that your best friend's father might have been involved in yours and Bolin's disappearance?" Howl asked.

I didn't say anything to that. I wanted to believe that Hiroshi Sato wasn't involved in anything regarding Amon and the revolution…but the truth was I wasn't completely sure.

"Korra, you need to go home and rest," Katara said, interrupting my thoughts.

"What am I going to say?" I asked. "I've been gone for a day."

"I'll figure something out," she assured as she helped me put on a shirt. Katara was willing to protect me yet again, even though I was sure Howl had shared what all my job as the Blue Spirit entailed.

Howl washed Naga's fur, getting rid of the now dried blood. Naga appreciated that. I hopped on, Katara following shortly after. She asked me to lean on her and I did, letting out a sigh. Jason and my parents were probably worried. And I just knew Tenzin or my mother was going to jump all over me for pulling a disappearing act.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to rest. There were hard times coming and I had to be ready.

Senna's POV

Korra was really pushing it this time. She hadn't arrived home to sleep for the night and I was almost certain she wouldn't have a valid excuse. I sat in the living room with Jason in my lap. Tenzin had come earlier, wanting to speak with my daughter and I informed him of the situation. He agreed that her disappearing act would not be tolerated and decided to stay.

Jason left my lap in favor of my husband's when I told the Airbending master the situation. He didn't like when we would scold my daughter but it needed to be done. Korra had responsibilities now and she wouldn't be allowed to elude them.

Soon after, both my daughter and Katara walked in, looking tired. The little Firebender smiled at this and ran over to Korra, who picked him up, favoring her right arm. I frowned at this. My daughter always lifted him up with her left, since she was right handed and wanted to leave that hand free.

The old Airbender's voice distracted me from my thoughts before they could go further.

"Korra this is beyond irresponsible!" he said, wind blasting everywhere. "You didn't come home last night, didn't even bother to call to say you weren't going to be home! Jason is your responsibility! But you-"

"I know what my responsibilities entail, Tenzin," she snapped. "I don't owe you any explanations! If anything I owe them to my parents, so mind your own business."

"That child's well being is my business!" he shouted. "Now unless you start acting like a real parent I can talk to the shelter and inform them-"

"Don't you dare," Korra growled, her voice going icy. Tenzin had made a very bad move by threatening to take Jason away. She would do anything for the boy. Anything.

He opened his mouth to speak but the elder Waterbender cut him off. "That's enough," she said. "Korra stayed with me last night. We were with Zuko. You can even ask him if you'd like."

"Mother-"

"Let's go, Tenzin," Katara said, cutting him off. "Senna, Tonraq, I'm sorry for not letting you know. I assure you, it won't happen again."

My husband and I gave her a small nod and watched as Jason hugged my daughter around the neck tightly, while she returned the embrace. She excused herself and went to her room and I told Tonraq I would talk to her. He shook his head at this, asking me to be careful with how I went about things, knowing how defensive my daughter could get.

"Korra?" I called, knocking on the door.

"What, you're going to tell me how bad a parent I am too?" she asked as she put Jason down on the bed. "I think you've all made it pretty clear how big a screw up I am."

I sighed and shook my head. I didn't think she was a screw up. In fact, I could see how hard she was trying to turn her life around, how badly she wanted to be a good example for Jason. But I could see where she would get the idea that I thought of her as such.

"I just wanted to ask if you were alright, if you needed anything," I replied. Something had happened to her, I just knew it. I just hoped she would trust me enough to tell me what.

She didn't say anything for a while, just studied me. She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it, shaking her head. My heart broke.

"I'm fine, Mom," she answered quietly. "Thank you though."

I lowered my gaze at this. She didn't trust me. And it hurt. "You should get some rest," I said as I closed the door behind me.