The Girl After

Chapter 31

The remainder of the journey was awkward. Tonraq and Mako were quietly having an exchange in the back of the group, while Korra held me by her side. I wondered how she was doing without Dakota attached to her hip. Was separation anxiety taking its toll on her? I wasn't going to ask, but I could see it weighing on her.

"What could they be talking about?" She asked me in a grumble as we mounted Naga's back.

I shrugged. I looked over my shoulder and watched as Eska and Desna's camel dragged the severed sidecar of the snowmobile behind them, where Bolin sat with his arms folded and a disgruntled look on his face. He looked up at me and smiled softly. I smiled back, grabbing the unwanted attention of both twins. Eska scowled at me warningly, while her brother looked at me with what I assume was an attempt to smile.

It looked more so uncomfortable than anything. Maybe his face had never made such movements before.

I chuckled at the thought and looked ahead. When I did, I noticed Mako riding beside us now. "You know, sometimes I wonder whose side you're on," I heard Korra say.

Mako replied, "There aren't any sides. We all just want to help however we can. You have to trust that we're here for you." This silenced the Avatar. Mako looked at me. He opened his mouth as if to say or ask something, but he closed it. He turned away for a moment, then looked at me again. "Maybe you should've gone with Tonraq, Leinani," he said. "You've been attacked twice since we started this journey. I don't think it's safe for you to be here."

"Nothing in this world is safe," I told him. "Everything has the potential to harm or kill you, and yet you still push through. That's how life works."

"Maybe... but-"

"Thank you for your concern, Eyebrows, but I can take care of myself," I said. "A few apparitions don't scare me."

Mako frowned at me. Whether it was annoyance with my stubbornness or the fact that I had just called him 'Eyebrows', I'll never know.

"And they shouldn't scare you," Unalaq finally spoke up. He was in front of his children, a determined look painting his face. "Once we reach the South Pole, all will be well again."

It wasn't long after that that we came upon the South Pole. Across the massive sheet of snow and ice, trees stood like popsicles. They were frozen in an icy encasing, forever to be paused in time. It was a captivating sight. A faint whisper fell over us. I looked around to see the reactions of the others, but not one of them seemed to notice it.

Was I the only one hearing this?

I frowned. No more Spirits; I wanted nothing​ more than to cease any affiliation with Spirits and go back to Republic City with Asami. Perhaps my expression made this very clear - Mako looked at me and said, "There's still time for you to catch up with Tonraq. Really, Nani, I think-"

"No, I'm fine," I protested. I wished I could shut myself up. I wasn't fine. My body ached. I was freezing. I was hungry, and I was only one more glare away from fighting Eska.

He obviously didn't believe me, but he didn't press. We dismounted our beasts, and Mako and Bolin immediately came to my side to warm me. I hadn't realised just how violently I was shivering until the two were pressing themselves against me.

"Worry, fair panda lily​," Desna's voice said from behind me. "It won't be long before you are free of this Spirit-infested tundra."

"Move away," I warned, and he obeyed. As soon as he did, a rush of cold air nipped at my backside. "No, no - wait!" I cried out. "Come back. You're warm." Without saying a word, Desna returned and awkward pressed himself against my back. Despite the huddle that the boys formed around me, I was still shivering. Bolin squeezed me tighter, but it made no difference. It only earned him a hard jerk away from me, being held by Eska by the collar of his snowsuit.

"Why are you making such prolonged contact with another woman?" Eska questioned. Bolin gave an awkward laugh as a response.

"It's just like the sacred forest Tonraq destroyed in the North," Unalaq stated, paying no mind to us.

"So what do I do?" Korra asked.

"You must find your way to the heart of the forest where the dormant spirit portal lies." Her uncle said, "From here, you're on your own."

"Wait a second," Mako cut in, separating himself from​ me and allowing cold air to blast against my face. "There's no way she's going alone."

"Yeah," Bolin chimed in, "if she goes, we go too." Pabu popped from Bo's hood, chattering in agreement.

Unalaq persisted. "The Avatar must go alone."

"But I don't have any connection with the Spirits," Korra argued. "In fact, it seems like they hate me."

"You're the Avatar Korra," I said. I was numb at this point, only being held by Desna. He appeared to have no intention of letting go, either. "You're the bridge between both worlds; you're the only one that can do it, and I know you can do it."

Her uncle nodded. "You have to believe in yourself like I believe in you."

Korra smiled faintly. She faced us and gave us a firm nod. "Wait here," she said. "I'll be okay." With that, she turned and ventured off on her own.

Mako and Bolin wrapped their arms around me again, trying hard to keep me warm. Mako lit a flame in his palm, bringing it closer to me. I breathed out a "Thank you" and laid my head against his shoulder. He nodded in reply

"So what do we do now?" Mako asked Unalaq​. "Do we just wait here until she gets back?"

The man nodded. He eyed me carefully. He looked like he'd a vast array of questions playing out in his head about the strange girl that his son and other young men were hugging. He finally said, "You mentioned before that your mother has a connection with the Spirits, young lady."

"I did."

"Why? What could she be accomplishing with the Spirit World?"

I shrugged. "I haven't the slightest idea," I admitted. "I've never really known her, to be honest with you."

"What do you mean?"

This is where I fell silent. I didn't enjoy talking about my mother, though it seems like I could never stop. Lately, she had become more  prominent than ever. Bolin put a comforting hand on my shoulder, indicating that I didn't need to go any further into detail if I didn't wish to. Luckily, I didn't need to. A glowing light demanded our attention, luminating the sky. Energy surged and danced through the pillar of light, and we all watched in awe.

"I can't believe it," Mako said.

"It's beautiful," Bolin exhaled.

"She did it," I noted, eyes wide as I watched the light.

Korra soon emerged from the distance, looking proud but excited. In excitement, Bolin ran forward to hug her. He was stopped by a sudden wall of ice jutting from the ground and turning him to face Eska. "Why are you initiating physical contact with another woman?" She asked.

I frowned. I didn't like this girl, and her brother didn't exactly make things better. The whole "possessive girlfriend" thing — it wasn't my thing. Then again, there was no hiding or denying the little bit of jealousy bubbling inside me.

But you've no reason to be jealous, my subconscious reminded me. You completely ignored his confession that he wanted to be with you.

I shook my head to rid myself of the internal lecture from my conscience, which sounded a lot like Iroh. Sometimes it sounded like Gran Gran. Either way, I hated when it was right.

No, I needed to focus. There were more important things to think about than my faltered romance.

More important things — like figuring out what exactly my mother was up to.