The Demon Avatar

It had been about a week or so since Korra had started on her new diet. The energy in her body felt renewed and her training, the physical aspects, had proven to be looking more fruitful. She had finally made it through the gates without stumbling at the very end which earned very loud cheers from the kids. From then on she was able to move on to other air bending techniques and practiced them inside her room during the day and outside at night. Even Tenzin seemed to notice how fast she was improving, even with her new attitude when they were going through the motions. He had seemed much happier for her and she couldn’t help but feel the same. 

It was just like any other night, practicing the techniques with the kids at her side showing her through each step albeit just a tad distracted…she couldn’t help it if the pro-bending arena just happened to be easily seen from across the bay. The flashy lights once again lighting up the arena making it appear golden and inviting. She hadn’t snooped around the guards post where they’d listen in on the radio lately due to either spending her time chatting it up with Daki or just roaming around the city after training. She mentally berated herself for not even remembering to catch up on her new favorite entertainment. 

As her eyes flitted towards the arena once again, she made an incorrect move and was suddenly getting blasted in the face with air by Ikki, “Korra you gotta pay attention or else you won't be pros like us!” She stood there with her hands on her hips scolding her. All Korra could do was blink at the fact that she was getting scolded by a child, “Or else the almighty Meelo will surpass you!” Meelo flexed his puny arms and by doing so let out an unpleasant fart which was followed by, “Ewwww Meelo! Dad!” Meelo went chasing after Ikki around their little training area as Tenzin yelled at them to stop which was of no use. Jinora simply stood by Korra, she had noticed during their training where her eyes would wander off to.

“I heard that tonight is a big night at the arena.” She offered her a bright knowing smile which Korra returned easily as she crossed her arms, “and what’s that?” 

Jinora continued on while her father was trying to wrangle up her two siblings in the background, “When we went out for groceries, we overheard that tonight is to see which of the best teams make it to the championship tournament next month.”

Korra eyed Jinora, she seemed a little suspicious…that innocent smile she had on wasn’t going to fool her, “Is that so?”

“Yep.” She popped the p as she swung her arms back and forth rocking on her heels.

It wasn’t that late and it seemed that things across the bay were barely starting. Jinora started to look a little antsy as it seemed like she was waiting for something. But then it clicked, earlier today she saw Jinora reading a new book that she got when they went into the city. She was practically glued to that thing all day, must’ve been too good to put down she figured when she’d check up on her per Pema’s request.

“You knew I was gonna get distracted so you could get back to your book.” She had a look of feign offense as Jinora simply nodded unashamedly, “I stopped at a really good part and I just have to know what happens!”

The ten year old continued on, “You know this works out for both of us. You get to go to your match and I get to go back to my book!” It’s true that Tenzin got less strict about the whole pro-bending thing, finally opening up to it despite his reservations so she knew if she told him that he’d let her go. 

“Wow, you were really looking forward to this weren’t you?” Korra couldn’t help but laugh a little at the situation. Jinora was just too good.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t.” Jinora stretched her arms behind her back before she continued, “Besides we have all of tomorrow to focus since clearly we have other things on our minds.” Touche, Korra thought.

Just then it seemed Tenzin was able to calm his other two kids before he announced training was over for tonight. At that Jinora zoomed back toward the house to finish her beloved book while Korra stood there with her arms behind her back looking at her airbending master with a knowing look.

Her airbending master had a look of defeat on his face as Meelo was perched on his shoulders just gnawing on his bald tattooed head, she had to admit it was quite the funny sight. 

“Well, I suppose we’ll call it early tonight.” He ruffled Ikki’s hair before she ran off following her sister into the house. He noticed Korra started to inch away step by step with that knowing look and all he could do was let out a chuckle, “Apparently, you don’t want to miss tonight's matches.” 

“I heard the same just a few seconds ago from Jinora.” She said as he turned to walk away with Meelo.

“You can tell us all about it in the morning, right Meelo?” At that he stopped gnawing on his dad’s head to reply, “Have fun Korra!”

“And don’t get into too much trouble!” Tenzin replied before Korra was out of earshot.

“No promises!” 

She made her way across the bay once again to the arena that was waiting just for her. Korra was met with a huge crowd as she once again bent herself up from the ocean towards the railing and back on solid ground. Sure she could have taken the ferry but she preferred her method of leaving the island, it gave her time to herself. 

She easily slinked her way through the crowd, entering the arena unnoticed by the people checking tickets. She wanted a better view than from above even though it gave her a birdseye view of the matches. Following the stream of people, she tried to figure out the layout and find what part of the stands gave a good view of the matches for tonight. Unfortunately though, she got distracted and wound up going in a different direction than the people around her. This is how she found herself in the arena’s gym and suddenly got into it with an old man who seemed to run the gym.

“Hey, now what the hell are you doing in my gym?!” Geez he was a grumpy old man by the looks of it. She sized him up and down as he stood in front of her, he was shorter than her and by the looks of it starting to bald by the temples of his head. He clearly also didn’t appear to be the helping type either by his choice of words. 

“What? Someone gets lost and that’s how you respond?” She responded to him in a challenging tone as she raised a brow at him, almost asking him to get testy with her. She really didn’t care that she had gotten lost, she’d still have found her way to where she needed to be before the matches started.

The old man put his hands up, “You know what? I’m sick and tired of you kids sneaking in without paying! I’m fetching security!” Humans were so easily riled, she had to laugh.

“Someone’s a little testy.” She laughed as he turned away to probably call security until she heard another voice, a familiar one at that.

“Korra! There you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” It was Bolin, she figured she’d see him given tonight's matches but running into him was not on her list. “Toza don’t worry about her, she’s with me!”

She could now put a name to the grumpy old man who seemed to mumble something to Bolin before he went back and started bending some of the equipment back to where they belonged. Bolin guided her out of the gym and started walking down the hallway.

“Sorry about Toza, he can get a bit much but he means no harm.” They walked side by side, not too close nor too far from one another. She simply hummed a reply while she followed him. 

“You know I was really hoping we’d run into each other again,” he had that bright grin on his face just like when they had properly met on the island. “That so?” There was no sort of enthusiasm in her voice as she replied back to Bolin, she was closed off.

“Yep! I think we could all be great friends.” He nodded triumphantly to himself before coming to a stop and opening up a door on their left. “Hey Mako, guess who I found!”

As Bolin ushered her in the room she couldn’t help but widen her eyes at the sight in front of her. The arena up close and personal, she couldn’t help but almost gravitate towards the railing that separated her from the sight, but before she could do so she noticed Sharkbrows pacing back and forth before replying to his brother. She took pleasure in seeing how frantic he looked in the moment. It was far different from that night.

“ Please tell me you found Hasook?!” He exclaimed at his brother before he stopped his frantic pacing in the locker room. His gaze landed on his brother and then quickly onto Korra, “Korra?!”

“Sharkbrows.” She looked at him in amusement, panic was such a good look on humans.

Poor Mako could not escape the nickname which even made his brother laugh before he responded back, “Even better than Hasook!”

It didn’t take her long to piece two and two together to figure out what the brothers dilemma was, “Let me guess, your shitty waterbender left?” Mako couldn’t help but sigh in defeat in response to the demon, to Korra. In her opinion, they were much better off without having someone who just dragged them.

“Sounds awful,” she drawled as she walked past him and leaned over the railing taking in the sight of the arena, “you guys were better off without him.”

Bolin couldn’t help but agree, nodding to his brother who simply palmed his forehead in frustration.

“Well we won’t be able to compete if we don’t have a waterbender and well… knowing that you’re one…”Mako let the end of his sentence linger, hoping that she’d catch what he was saying. 

“Wekindaneedoneinthenext5minutes.” Bolin blurted out in one breath as he waited for a response from Korra. They really needed this, they needed to make it into the championships and win the tournament for the money so they could finally move out from the arena. The space was small, cramped a bit but the brothers made it work. After their morning practices, Mako would go work at the factory while Bolin tried earning tips from his and Pabu’s street performances. It gets them by but it surely isn’t enough.

Korra lingered by the railing, weighing their words in her head. She came to watch not to play, but she’d be lying if she didn’t think their desperate plea was enticing. They were practically begging and the thought made her feel good. How the tables have turned , she thought.

“First you don’t want my help and now you’re practically begging for it,” she spoke into the air as she looked around at the huge audience, “change of heart Sharkbrows?” When it came to Mako, Korra didn’t like him right off the bat unlike his younger brother who she felt indifferent towards, but she made a choice that she knew both boys would like. 

She turned her body fully to them, giving them her full attention, “I’ll do it, but I’m not doing it for your sake.” She walked over to the bench and grabbed the baggy uniform that was left on it, “I think it’d be fun to let out some steam and show you both how it’s done.” She smiled smugly to herself as she pulled the uniform over her clothes and adjusted the helmet over her head. 

Bolin pumped a fist excitedly in the air, happy that they were now back in the running for the championship. A sudden knock at the door alerted them all as a man opened it and asked, “Have you guys found a waterbender in the last five minutes?”  It was Mako who replied with a rush of urgency and excitement in his voice to the man, “Yes! We’re playing!” That was something she expected to come out of his younger brother's mouth, not him. She guessed there was more to him than meets the eye.

But here she finally was, stepping into the ring in her baggy uniform next to the boys. Both Bolin and Mako were taking in the cheers from the audience waving at their fans while Korra instead eyed their opponents across from them. The Tigerdillo’s, who she had heard play on the radio as well, looked weak upon closer inspection. Humans were weak beings, she would exploit that in the ring while also having to control her true strength. She had to, this was an arena full of humans after all. 

As each side readied themselves waiting for the bell to ding, the announcer was hyping everybody up but the cheers fell on deaf ears as Korra was honed in on their opponents. She eyed their waterbender with a frightening toothy smile, her fangs glinting in the light and once she heard the sound of the bell she went at him. 

Ding!

And they’re off folks!

She sent a kick of water at him which got him across his chest causing him to stumble back. He tried to get back at her as his other teammates went at the brothers but it was too easy. He aimed at her but she dodged it by swiftly bending backwards and on the way back up she aimed a punch of water right at his shoulder which sent him flying off the platform and straight into the water. 

Now just who is the Fire Ferrets new waterbender! 

The cheers got even louder after she pushed their waterbender off in just two moves, she was reeling in the excitement of the crowd now. Now she could help the brothers as they seemed to be on both defense and offense as the Tigerdillos were on the offensive. She noticed how both the brothers and the Tigerdillos took on a more modern approach of bending whereas she took on a more traditional stance but also incorporating every element she used by the others that she knew. She could learn from the modern approach as well.

As she went to help out her teammates she was met with a barrage of attacks from their earthbender. Earth discs after earth discs came at her and instead of dodging them she punched them which created a cloud of dust gaining them the advantage. They wouldn't see where they were attacking from. They both eyed her and quickly understood. 

They sent a barrage of attacks, one after the other, earth, water, and fire all at once knocking the Tigerdillo’s off the platform and taking the first round.

Now that’s how you do it folks!

“That was awesome! We have never taken a round so fast like that before!” Exclaimed Bolin as they waited for the Tigerdillo’s to come back up. 

“Yeah Korra, that was amazing!” Mako followed alongside his brother. 

“Well we’re here to win aren’t we?” She had that cocky smirk on her face and the brothers mirrored it with a smile of their own. Thanks to her of course they were able to take the first round easily.

“Hey sharkbrows, show em your ‘cool under fire’ style but less stiff.” She eyed him from the corner of her eye as they readied themselves once again to take the win. Before the bell dinged once more she spoke to Mako first, “Their firebender has a slight limp on their left ankle,” and then to Bolin, “The earthbender has a slow comeback time.” Useful information she figured they deserved to know if they didn’t analyze their opponents which seemed to be highly likely. Both brothers responded with a grunt before the sound of the bell went off and the cheers of the audience became louder.

The second round came and went just like the first. They were able to tire them out going offensive the entire time. She’d take glances every so often to see if the boys had picked up what she told them and was pleased to see that they did. Good to know they were humans who took direction well. Korra was even able to apply her airbending training in this match, “moving like the leaf” as the kids would say. 

It was time for the final round and the Tigerdillo’s looked upset at losing pretty much already. Korra could laugh right then and there at their faces, defeat clearly already written all over them except for their earthbender who looked determined to see if they could flip their luck around. She was more than prepared to crush his dreams. 

Though defeat was clear on their face they still managed to throw attacks at them yet more sluggishly. She couldn’t lie, Korra was having the time of her life handing their asses straight to them. They sent attack after attack at the Tigerdillo’s as they stumbled over the place trying to get their footing right but as soon as they lined up with one another she moved to line up one final attack. She stepped between the brothers and yelled, “Go!” 

A strong stream of water, two earth discs colliding with each other creating another dust cloud and a blast of fire aimed at their opponents pummeling them off the platform and straight into the water with a loud splash. 

There you have it folks! The Fire Ferrets have made it into the championships! Who could have seen this coming with their new waterbender, wow!

The crowd went wild and Korra went along with the cheers, distracted enough that she even allowed Bolin to bring her and his brother in for a big group hug. She felt on top of the world as the announcer yelled out their win. She couldn’t help but let out a cheery laugh as they made their way off the platform and back into the locker rooms.

“Now that’s one way to let off some steam.” She chuckled as she went to remove her headgear before starting to peel off the baggy uniform. Bolin’s energy was riding high now from their win and she could hear it in his voice, “Korra you were like a natural out there!”

“Yeah and for your first time too, you really helped us wipe the floor with them.” Mako followed after his brother, joy clear in his voice. 

She had her back to them still, pushing the uniform off her shoulders as she replied back, “Well, I had to show you how it’s done.” There was a trace of smugness in her voice, but the boys were grateful for her help that they didn’t mind. Before anyone could say anything else, someone had barged into the locker room and Korra had from the side of her eye noticed that it was Asami who came in. Her eyes followed her as the girl made her way further into the locker room. 

Asami went straight for Mako and into his arms, giving him a peck on the cheek and something in Korra ignited at the sight. Fury had slowly started to build in the pit of her stomach the longer she looked at her holding onto his arm. She didn’t understand why the sight of them together filled her with such fury to begin with. 

Korra proceeded to remove the rest of the uniform off her body and put her shoes on while her back was turned from them. She couldn’t even hear the words coming out of their mouths, too consumed with trying to stop the pit of fury from getting any bigger and trying to figure out the reason why. Was this jealousy? Was this how such a feeling felt like? But if it was, then why? One thing she did know was that she didn’t like the feeling. Another question arose in her mind, how could such a lovely girl like Asami give a man, who practically withheld help for her, a chance or the time of day. Her lack of fondness for Mako only grew a tad more. Korra shouldn’t even care though, it’s not like she should care either, she doesn’t know them. She shouldn’t waste anymore of her time on humans.

However, Asami’s lovely voice pierced through her ears bringing her back to the present and she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed the sound of it, “It’s so good to see you again Korra.” At this she finally turned around to face them, giving Asami her full attention. “I knew it was you once you guys had stepped out by your hair, you moved like a pro if not even better.” She had this sincere smile on her face that just pierced through Korra and she looked happy but she could just be happy because of Mako. She steered away from that thought as fast as she could.

“Yeah, thanks.” She looked elsewhere while rubbing the side of her neck as she replied, her walls once again going up. She did what she said she was going to do and there was no reason for her to stick around any longer. As she started to make her way out, Bolin spoke up an idea.

“You know we have to celebrate now, noodles anyone?” His voice was cheery and the other two matched his enthusiasm in agreement.

Her hand was already on the knob when it was Mako who asked, “C’mon Korra, whaddya say?” Spirits, he really was trying. Except she didn’t respond, she twisted the knob instead but before she could even get one foot out the door Asami spoke up.

“It’ll be fun Korra, we can all get to know each other.” She made the mistake of glancing behind her because the next thing that comes out of her mouth is, “Sure.” Her green eyes, it was something about them that she was just drawn to. The way she looked at Korra, she didn’t know what it was but it was different, it felt different. She just couldn’t say no to her. 

So that is how she ended up at a table with all of them at a place called Narook’s which happened to be in the center of the Little Water Tribe neighborhood. The place was nice, the decor reminding her of back home or what she could recall from the nicer moments outside of the compound. She admired the banners strewn across different walls and the architecture of the quaint place, but if she were being honest she really didn’t know what to do with herself after she sat down. 

She doesn’t necessarily have friends, she doesn’t consider the rest of her fellow upper moons to be friends despite having her favorites but, she can talk easily among them. They have more in common than her and humans, so all she could do was watch as the three of them chatted amongst themselves waiting for a waiter to come by. Bolin and her sat across from Mako and Asami which did not help the pit in her stomach she was trying to push down.

She sat with her arms crossed, closed off but Asami would look at her and engage with Korra which she tried to reciprocate. She tried not to be short with her words but she just knew she had nothing in common with them all. She at least would think Katara would be proud that she was at least making somewhat of an effort here. 

They didn’t wait too long before a waiter came by to take their orders. Mako and Asami ordered a bowl of seaweed noodles while Bolin himself ordered three bowls to which he said, “I’m a growing boy.” Which got a small laugh out of Korra. As their waiter turned to her for her order she asked for a hot tea and nothing more. Human food was bland to her taste buds, but a hot tea would feel good even if she knew she couldn’t appreciate the taste. With that their waiter left saying their food would be right out.

Mako had turned to her with a question, “Are you sure you’re not going to eat?” He sounded a little concerned at the fact that she had only asked for tea and nothing more.

Korra turned to him calmly, “What do you think I eat , sharkbrows?” 

He mulled it over in his head for a couple seconds before his eyebrows pinched together almost in anger, “ Humans?! ” Asami had nudged him to keep his voice down as he let the word out. 

“Wrong answer.” She tilted her head at him in slight amusement, it felt like a fun guessing game to her.

“Well if you don’t eat you know what ” Bolin’s voice was curious as he put his hand next to his mouth as if it were a secret, “then what do you eat ?” 

The boys seemed to be very curious as she saw them waiting for an answer but when she looked at Asami, she noticed that even though she was curious herself, she was met with a soft smile that reminded her of the same one Katara and her parents would give her as they’d wait patiently for Korra to answer a simple question when sometimes she never gave one. The thought of it made her face and body relax, it was a smile she knew as an understanding one. If she didn’t give an answer she felt like Asami would understand just like them, but she wanted to give her, them, an answer.

“For the longest I would eat animals, but as of recently I’ve been drinking human blood.” She rubbed the side of her neck as she briefly met Asami’s eyes before looking away. She hadn’t actually told anybody yet, not even Tenzin knew and she figured Lord Muzan would know sooner or later. 

Before anyone could make a response to her answer, their waiter had arrived with their food and her tea. They all dug right into their bowls while Korra took a sip from her cup only to be met with disappointment. It was far from the hot tea that she ordered, she expected not being able to appreciate the taste of the tea leaves but lukewarm? A disgrace. Asami had noticed the subtle furrow of Korra’s brows as she slowly put her cup down. 

“Is it oversteeped?” Asami had asked her a bit concerned and the look of confusion on Korra’s face was cute she had to admit. Her face since she had seen her in the locker room looked hard and cold but this very moment that look fell even if for a moment.

“Uh no..?” She tilted her head in confusion even though she knew what oversteeped meant but couldn’t experience such a thing. “It’s just a little disappointing that it’s lukewarm.” A small frown appeared on her face, she knew she could easily warm it up to her liking with her firebending but wasn’t going to risk the chance. 

“Oh, here I can fix that for you!” It was Mako ( of course it was) as he reached over for her cup and slowly started to heat up the tea from channeling his firebending energy to the palms of his hands. I could’ve done that. 

He handed it back to her with a small smile and was met with a flat response, “Thanks.”

Before she could lift it up to her lips, a thought went through her head and then out her mouth before she could think about it. “Can you tell me what kind of tea it is?” She looked at Asami while extending her arm towards her. 

“Wait Korra, you can’t taste it?” Bolin had asked, confusion written all over her face. 

“No, everything is bland except for the taste of blood.” She didn’t have to specify the type.

Asami then had taken the cup out of Korra’s hands, their hands slightly grazing each other which caught Korra’s attention as she then watched Asami lift the cup to her lips and take a satisfying sip. “It’s jasmine tea, I like to drink this type of tea after a long day at work. It’s very calming.” She smiled to herself as she placed the cup back into Korra’s possession. 

“Thank you.” She looked at the cup and to the spot where Asami had drank from. As the rest of them went back to finishing their bowls she had subtly turned the cup to that spot and drank from it. A different type of feeling was in her stomach, one that she didn’t mind but didn’t know what it was.

As their bowls emptied they stayed around just talking, Korra chiming in from time to time. They all included her in their conversations even though she listened intently, especially when Asami would talk about something. The boys would try to get to know her by asking questions she figured people asked when they met new people but she would respond vaguely, she could tell both were trying to find what they had in common beside bending except for Asami who she learned was a non bender. She tried just like last time but it was hard with the reminder in her head that they are not one in the same, they simply did not belong together. 

Her loyalty lies with him , despite being the Avatar. Sworn to protect the world and its people, its people who want nothing to do with her. She couldn’t entertain the thought of trying to feel like she too belonged with them. She shouldn’t, but here at this table…she squashed the thought away as quickly as it came. 

Soon enough they were paying and walking out of the place. Korra’s plan was to say her goodbyes and never see them again, severing a connection before one could be made. 

Korra started to walk away, lifting a hand in the air to signal her departure. “Stay safe out there.” Before she could even take a couple steps in the opposite direction she was stopped by Bolin. “Wait, Korra!” He followed after, Mako and Asami falling into step right by him. “Join our team!” 

“No.” The words came out so fast as Bolin’s sentence ended. She continued to walk further but their steps didn’t falter.

“C’mon Korra, you were amazing out there! You can’t lie that you didn’t have fun, the way you looked when we won was something you can’t fake.” Bolin continued while following after her.

“I did you guys a favor for my benefit. The answer is still no.” Their footsteps still weren’t stopping and she could feel her eyebrow start to twitch at their insistence.

“We’ll owe you a favor then!” It somehow surprised her that it was Mako saying that and not Bolin. 

She looked over her shoulder, meeting him in the eyes, “You sure you want to owe a demon a favor?” She could feel his hesitancy but he powered through it. “Yes, yes I do.” He had already decided to listen to his brother and trust him about Korra even if their interactions so far were far from perfect.

She for the life of her could not shake them off.

“You didn’t have to help us but you still chose to even if you say you didn’t do it for our sake. I feel like that says something.” She really didn’t want to hear him talk anymore, it was utter nonsense.

“No, it doesn’t.” She let out a sigh of frustration, who knew they could be so persistent. 

Her steps never faltered until she heard Asami’s voice. “I know I’m not really a part of the team, but I have to agree with Bolin. When I saw you out there you looked like you were having so much fun, I didn’t even know a person could move the way you did.” 

A person.

She wouldn’t give herself the chance to even dwell on the word. 

“We could be a really great team, the three of us. Whaddya say, Korra?” Bolin tried to get her to stop by trying to place his hand on her shoulder but she moved away before he could. She stopped walking, tilted her head slightly downwards while pinching the bridge of her nose, “Are you going to keep following me until I say yes?” She knew the answer.

“Absolutely!”

“Even if I walk into a dark and possibly dangerous alley?” 

“We can all defend ourselves.” They were nothing if not determined.

She released yet another sigh of frustration before she answered. She didn’t want this to go on any longer than it already had.

“Fine.” 

“Seriously?!” Bolin perked up in excitement.

“Yes. Now, can you stop fol-” She was suddenly cut off by Bolin giving her a bear hug.

“You won’t regret this!”

“I’m going to if you don’t let go of me.” She slightly grimaced before he finally let go while apologizing, but she could tell he was excited, even Mako. “Welcome to the team, Korra.” There were happy faces all around and she couldn’t help but stare a little longer at Asami’s smile before looking away. She shook her head lightly in disbelief as they left after exchanging goodbyes. 

What have I gotten myself into?