"Mommy, look!"

Korra went through her waterbending forms, squealing if even the slightest bit of water deviated from its path.

Senna looked up from the dress she was making for her daughter and smiled. Korra was a talented bender, no doubt-she was the Avatar, after all-but sometimes she wondered if her daughter was a little too enamored with her skills.

"She gets stronger by the day, doesn't she Sen?"

Tensing up at the hand on her shoulder, she relaxed upon hearing her husband's voice.

"That she does, Tonraq. I have a feeling it won't be long until she masters waterbending."

"Of course she will, she's part of the Water Tribe! It's an unwritten requirement that she master waterbending first!" he laughed.

Senna laughed as well, but her face grew long.

"Ton, why are you back? You weren't supposed to come back until the hunting expedition ended next month, and don't tell me you were the only one who missed their wife too much to stay. Something's wrong, I can feel it!"

Tonraq's easy smile drew into a hard line as his jaw tightened.

"It's nothing, Sen...they're probably just rumors," he muttered.

Senna's eyes narrowed. "Katara, could you watch Korra for a minute?"

Once the aging master had settled in with her student, she turned to her husband.

"Inside, NOW. I think we need to talk." Turning around to make sure her daughter was distracted, she and her husband went inside.

She busied herself, setting out a hearty serving of five-flavor soup, stewed sea prunes, and tea before settling down. Tonraq hesitated, then started to speak.

"We had just bagged a few seals when we went down to the ice floes-you know, where the penguins are? Anyway, Nakoda and I had decided to go and scout ahead while the others set up camp. We had just found a perfect place when we saw two men there already."

Senna raised an eyebrow. "You do know that your group isn't the only one that goes hunting at the floes, right?

Tonraq sighed. "Let me continue."

"These men weren't from the Tribe-or, at least, I don't think they were, because they were covered from head to toe and had weird goggle coverings over their eyes. We surmised that they were newbies to the region that didn't know how to approach a penguin. Then they started talking about the Avatar."

He paused as his wife gasped.

"They know that the Avatar is at our compound due to the presence of White Lotus guards," Tonraq said. "That she is a young girl no older than five or six who is already a formidable bender. They started getting really mad the more they talked about the Avatar, and they whipped out these batons and started electrocuting the penguins!"

"Ton, what are we going to do? The fact that these men are so close to our daughter sends shivers down my spine!"

"It gets worse," he said quietly. "After taking out their anger on the penguins, they started talking about how they and the others were coming to the compound in three nights. I don't know about you, but my senses are telling me that this won't be a peaceful reunion.

"That's why I returned. I am to tell the others what's going on while Nakoda readies the men to fight."

Senna thought for a moment. "KATARA!" she yelled.

The waterbender rushed into the house with her protege in tow. Upon looking at the couple's worried faces, she turned to the child.

"Korra dear, you should go to sleep. We've been working hard on your bending, and you've done well. Don't you try to protest-I saw that yawn you tried to stifle! Now go to your room dear, your parents and I have a lot to catch up on."

Once the little girl was out of earshot, she faced the couple. "My dear students, what is going on? I know that you two don't worry about anything unless it's important, so I want to hear everything."

Tonraq disappeared into the kitchen, only to reappear with a plate of dinner and some tea. Setting it in front of their old master, he proceeded to retell his story. Katara said nothing, save for a nod or an occasional sip of her tea. Once it was done, she rose.

"If what the men said is true, then Korra is in grave danger! We need to get her to Republic City, and fast. Thankfully, my son Tenzin called me this morning. He and his girlfriend are coming to visit in two days."

The waterbender paused.

"Barring any delays, I see no reason why they can't take Korra with them to Republic City."

For the first time in what seemed like ages, they smiled.

"Thank you Sifu Katara. I don't know how we can ever repay you," said Senna.

Now it was Katara's turn to smile.

"There's no need. Seeing the relief on your faces is payment enough."