"Tenzin, I need to go to the North Pole."

The Air Master looked up, startled, from his newspaper. Despite the severity of the storm, which had blown itself out before morning, there was very little damage, as said in the paper.

"What? Why?"

"I need to visit the Spirit Oasis. Last night, Mako attacked Tahno. I healed him as best as I could, but the water I had could only do so much. I need the spirit water. Otherwise, he'll be paralyzed from the neck down."

"Hold on, what happened to who?" Tenzin said, rising swiftly to his feet.

"Mako attacked Tahno with lightning last night. He might've died, but I healed him enough for that to not be a possibility. Mako is still skulking in his room, not that I'm complaining," Korra added in a sour undertone.

"The boys got into a fight? I specifically told them that I would not tolerate it! I'll just bet that Tahno boy—"

"Tahno did nothing but defend himself," Korra interrupted hotly. "Mako was the aggressor, and the only one trying to hurt anybody."

Tenzin's blue eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Korra. She glared right back at him, hoping to Aang and all of her other past lives that Tenzin would just believe her and let her go. She bothered to tell him this, because she needed a Sky Bison. She couldn't get to the Northern Water Tribe quickly enough riding Naga. Plus, the Sky Bison would have an easier time carrying Tahno, since he wouldn't really be able to sit up or hold on. And he had to come, so that she could heal him as soon as possible.

Tenzin finally sighed and set his paper down.

"Alright, but you can't go alone."

"I'm not taking Mako," she said immediately.

"I think you should take both of the brothers," Tenzin disagreed. "And Asami. It'll give you the chance to sit down and really speak with them."

"No. I am not staying in close quarters with Mako on the back of a Sky Bison. Not with Tahno."

"Korra, it's either that, or you don't go. I won't allow you to go on your own. I would send Lin with you, but she's busy with the police. Those are your options," said Tenzin sternly.

Korra looked at him with an expression of incredulity stamped across her face. She threw her hands into the air and turned to leave the room.

"Fine, but if he ends up in the ocean, don't say I didn't warn you."

~…~

"So how long exactly is this trip going to take?" asked Bolin as he watched Korra single handedly load up all of their supplies. Food, blankets, water, and sleeping bags were tucked carefully into bags that would attach to Oogi's saddle.

"It should only be a couple of days on the Sky Bison," said Korra, hefting the last bag up. Tahno was already in the large saddle, propped up against the side. His silver eyes followed Korra's every movement.

"So why are there so many bags?" Asami inquired, coming out. She had actually managed to pack a reasonable amount of things for herself.

"I'm planning for everything to go wrong. With my luck, it probably will." Said as she draped a blanket over Tahno, tucking the side beneath him like he was a baby.

"Sounds smart."

That was Mako. She barely threw him a cursory glance where he stood, slightly behind Asami, before leaping onto Oogi's head and grabbing the reins. Wordlessly the others climbed on, with Bolin and Asami both sitting between Mako and Tahno. Tahno closed his eyes; Mako looked pointedly off to his left. Nobody breathed a word to each other, save Asami's short scream when Oogi took off.

The morning air was cool against their skin, a little chilly as they climbed higher, and moved faster through the air. It wasn't long before both Bolin and Asami were wrapped up in their own blankets.

Something Korra had noticed, and she wasn't sure what was going on, was that Asami had not spoken one word to Mako since the incident. Although feeling entitled to a little enjoyment of that sort, Korra couldn't help but wonder if Asami had broken up with him. Spirits, she hoped not. Without Asami, Mako might just dive right off the deep end, even with his brother there to try and help him.

Plus, she knew her anger at him wouldn't last forever, and she did still want him to be happy. However, right then, she was okay with him getting the silent treatment all around. Even Bolin didn't seem to know whose side to take. Of course he wanted to back his brother, but he also knew that what his older brother had done was absolutely not okay, and should never be condoned.

Thus, the ride was ridden in tense silence for several hours. The first time anyone spoke, it was Bolin, wondering if Korra wanted a break from flying the Sky Bison.

"No, it's alright Bo," she answered, throwing a quick smile over her shoulder. "I'm fine."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah."

And again they lapsed into silence.

Korra was consumed with worry for Tahno. She didn't know for sure whether or not the spirit water would heal him like he needed. She was just working on a hunch. What would they do, if nothing happened? If he was stuck, paralyzed, his entire life? Korra would feel terrible, and extremely guilty.

Tahno knew that Korra blamed herself for what had happened. He knew that she felt incredibly guilty that she had let Mako hurt him, but he knew it wasn't her fault. Honestly, he shouldn't have taunted the Firebender like he had. But who was to blame was hardly important anymore. Right now, what was at stake was far more imperative, at least to Tahno. He couldn't twitch a muscle on the rest of his body. He tried to move his fingers. They stayed as they were. He tried to cross his legs. They refused to budge. How could he live like this? He had thought it horrible to have his bending taken away; had thought it the worst possible injury ever done to him. To not be able to move his own body…it was like being under that Bloodbending hold all over again, but this time, it wouldn't go away with someone getting distracted.

He knew people lived like this every day, but he didn't want to be one of them. He couldn't stand the idea of not being able to move. Of not being in control of his own body. It brought back visions of his worst nightmares, where Amon held him captive, helpless, and stole away his bending.

Korra was trying to get him to the North Pole as fast as she could, to the Spirit Oasis where she could use the powerful water to heal him completely. He prayed to every one of her past lives that her plan would succeed. He prayed to Kyoshi; he prayed to Roku; prayed to every Avatar before Korra. Her plan had to work. It had to.

~…~

True to Korra's expectations, they were maybe half way between the North Pole and Republic City when Bolin spotted storm clouds ahead of them. The group landed at the first opportunity, not wanting to risk flying through a storm even with a Water- and Airbender. This was at Korra's insistence. If she had been alone, she would not have hesitated to fly head long into the gathering tempest, but she would never put her friends at risk when she did not have to.

"I'll look for water," Korra offered.

She could bend some out of the ground, or they could take from their supply, but it was best not to, if there was some nearby. Groundwater had a tendency to taste like dirt, and their supply was, of course, limited.

"I'll go with you."

Korra clenched her jaw, but said nothing as Mako fell into step beside her. They walked in strained silence away from the campsite, Korra's hands shoved in her pockets and Mako staring fixedly at the ground. Occasionally she would catch him looking at her when he thought her attention was elsewhere.

Her senses were on hyper alert, trying to sense any nearby water, listening for threatening sounds. And she was extremely on edge with Mako right beside her, their arms almost brushing. She didn't want him anywhere near her. Not after what he had done.

However, he was still her friend. She didn't want to lose any of them. Not even Mako. Like Tenzin had said, they would eventually have to sit down and talk to each other. Communicate.

"Korra," said Mako finally, when he could bear the silence no longer.

She glanced over at him, electric blue eyes shining in the half-light of the overcast moon. He swallowed convulsively, and slowed down until he was no longer moving.

"Mako?" she prompted, stopping in front of him.

His throat worked almost spastically, but no words made it past his lips. Korra watched him impatiently, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Mako, come on," she said, a little less harshly.

"Korra, I'm more sorry than any words can say. I have absolutely no idea what came over me, but I wish none of it had ever happened. I never meant to do something like that. You have every right to be angry with me. I deserve. Whatever I have to do to make it right, I'll do. I just don't want to lose you."

His voice cracked on the last word. Korra's face softened a little bit, and she put a slight, warm hand on Mako's shoulder. His eyes flicked down to the point of contact, then looked back into her gaze. No longer was her gaze quite glacial. It was still cool, but nothing like it had been.

"Mako, you'll always be my very best friend. But you are going to have to give me a reason to forgive you, because yeah, I'm still mad at you."

"Whatever I have to do," he promised fervently.

~…~

Mako and Korra returned to the hastily erected campsite soon after their brief but comforting talk, with several gallons of fresh river water floating along behind the two of them. Bolin had set up the tent and moved Tahno inside it, and Asami was working—rather unsuccessfully—at lighting a fire. Korra glanced over and snapped her fingers. The logs Asami had collected flared with bright orange flame. Asami jumped back and looked around, relaxing enough to smile when she caught Korra's mischievous wink.

"You found water," noted Asami.

"Yep. Could you get the kettle from Oogi's b—"

"Bolin took care of that as soon as you left," she interrupted. "I think he put it in the tent."

"Yeah, right by the entrance," added Bolin, appearing out of nowhere as he so often did, carrying an armful of fruits and nuts.

"Dinner?" laughed Korra before she took the water into the tent.

A bundle of blankets was piled in the far corner, moving ever so slightly, like it was breathing. Korra bended the water into the basin, which was just to the left of the entrance flap inside the cloth construction. Then she turned, not toward the exit, but toward the moving pile of blankets.

At first, Korra thought that he was asleep, but when she knelt by Tahno's side, his pale eyes flashed open. She smiled softly and took his large hand in hers. His lips twitched up in the ghost of his own smile.

"Uh-vatar," he croaked. He could speak, to an extent, but only in small, chopped sentences. Korra suspected that it was just shock, and that his vocal skills would return full-force with time.

"Hey Tahno," she said quietly, brushing the hair off of his forehead with her free hand.

"Everything…okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah, everything's fine."

"Mako…not being…ass?"

Korra chuckled and shook her head. Tahno smiled a little.

"There…soon?"

"We'll be in the air again as soon as the storm blows over. It should only be a day from there until we get to the North Pole"

He closed his mercury eyes, his smile growing stronger.

"I'm gonna help Bo fix up some food. Do you want me to bring you some?"

He shook his head slowly.

"Goes in…must come out."

Korra laughed again.

"Yeah, okay. You've got a point. I'll be back after we've all eaten, alright?"

"Mmkay," said Tahno.

She squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead, then rose to her feet.

"Stay awake til I get back," she told him. Then she walked back outside, bringing a little water with her.

Bolin had found the second basin she had brought, and was just putting in some mushrooms and fruit. Korra put the water in along with the other food, in the hopes of making some kind of broth. She really didn't know how to cook.

"Thanks," said Bolin, finding a long stick to stir it all with.

Korra nodded, then found a spot near the fire where she wouldn't be in the way but could still enjoy the heat from the crackling flames. Giving a long stretch, she laid down on the ground with her arms folded beneath her head. The moon and stars were already obscured by clouds, but rain had yet to fall.

Mako and Asami were sitting a little ways away, talking quietly but animatedly. Asami used a lot of wild hand motions, and Mako continually ran his hand through his jet black hair. Asami looked furious at the Firebender, who in turn seemed extremely frustrated. Bolin kept throwing discreet glances their way, frowning.

"Mako, this obviously isn't working!" Asami hissed.

"Asami, come on. You're being ridiculous," said Mako angrily.

"Am I? You said you were just friends, and that you would get over her! But you nearly killed her boyfriend because you were jealous."

"I didn't—"

"No Mako. I'm not arguing with you. Until you figure out exactly what it is you want, we are through. I won't be the girl you go out with because you feel bad for her, or just because it's easier."

Before Mako could say another word, Asami rose to her feet and walked away, into the forest. Worried that she might get herself hurt, Korra sighed and stood, following the older woman into the trees. Mako's amber eyes, and Bolin's emerald ones, followed the girls.

"Asami?" Korra said hesitantly.

"Hi Korra," said the woman, turning to look at the Avatar over her shoulder.

"I'm…I—"

"Don't apologize," said Asami with a half smile. "It isn't your fault Mako can't make a decision. I don't blame you."

"Yeah, but still…" she said, frustrated. "I still feel like it's my fault."

"It isn't, Korra," said Asami, shaking her head. "Someday, he'll figure it out."

"Food!" Bolin shouted.

The girls tried for smiles, with reasonable success.

"Let's go eat. I'm starving."

"Yeah," agreed Korra. Together, the girls went back into the clearing.

The food was actually pretty good, albeit a little lacking in substance. The girls sat close by each other, and far from Mako. Bolin, after looking between the separate parties like a lost puppy, went to join his brother. Dinner was quiet, and rather tense, and Korra wolfed down the food as fast as she could so that she could escape the awkward atmosphere. She was just about to head to the tent when the first drop hit her forehead. With an exasperated sigh, she plopped back down beside Asami, making a barrier with air that the rain collided with, water droplets falling harmlessly on the ground instead of on her friends.

Mako just played with his food—fruit stew?—and Asami didn't do much better. She was used to great food, and while she may not be entirely prissy, she wasn't into anything that fell beneath her expectations. That wasn't the problem for Mako, who had spent most of his life on the street, eating whatever he managed to find for him and his brother. His problem had more to do with the ever-deepening pit in his stomach, the one that had nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with his chaotic emotions. Bolin had no such inhibitions, and was the second one done.

When at last everyone decided that they had eaten enough, they dumped the excess out in the woods, so as not to attract any critters during the night, and retired to the large tent. The fire had been put out for them the instant Korra let go of the barrier. Even with the comfortably sized interior, fitting the five of them into the tent was a bit crowded. Korra was the last one in, and in the process of trying to tiptoe to the empty space by Tahno, stepped on Mako's hand—by accident—kicked Bolin in the ribs, and nearly tripped over Asami's arm.

Nevertheless, she made it with minimal injury. Tahno's eyes were just starting to droop when she knelt beside him, crawling beneath his blankets and curling up against the Waterbender's side. Her small arms wrapped around his waist, and she rested her head on his chest like it was a pillow. Had he been in control of his own body, Tahno would have returned her embrace immediately, rolling onto his side so that he could hold her against his chest. As it were, he just had to make do with enjoying her warmth against his body. Finally he allowed his eyes to drift shut, and sleep carried the two of them away into peaceful oblivion.

~…~

"Look!" shouted Bolin, pointing out over the side of the Sky Bison. The others followed the gesture.

"Yep, we're there guys," said Korra.

Oogi began his descent into what resembled the town square in Republic City. They could hear the excited shouts from the people below, and when they touched down, the people of the Northern Water Tribe converged on the Sky Bison.

"It's the Avatar!" someone shouted, reaching up and tugging Korra down from Oogi's back. Bolin leapt from the Sky Bison and held out a hand to help Asami down. She took it with a smile, jumping gracefully to the ground. Mako sighed, but didn't come down. Instead he knelt like he was just going to sit back down.

"Hey, Mako, come on bro—" Bolin called, but he cut himself off when Mako straightened up. He held Tahno slung across his back, with the Waterbender's arms over his shoulders. The krew all blinked to make sure that they weren't hallucinating as Mako carried Tahno down to the ground.

"What?" he said defensively in response to the stares.

The others all shook their heads, then pushed through the crowd.

"Oogi, follow!" Korra called. The bison thumped along behind them as they headed for the entryway to the Spirit Oasis.

She knew about where it was from Tenzin's description of the city's layout from the few times he had been to the North Pole. It was near the palace-type building, behind a round, intricately decorated door. The Moon Spirit and the Ocean Spirit had both resided in there for centuries as koi fish. That was where Yue had returned the life that the Moon Spirit had given her, when its mortal form had been killed by a power hungry admiral over seventy years ago. As small amulet filled with water from the Oasis had been given to Katara when she was younger and still traveling with Aang; that water had saved Aang's life when Zuko's brother Azula had attacked him with lightning whilst he was in the Avatar State.

Lightning…

The water had to have the power to heal Tahno. If it had brought Aang back from the brink of death, it had to be able to return Tahno's mobility. It had to.

"There it is," pointed Korra.

The round door in the otherwise frozen cliff to the west of the palace was just ahead of them. The colorful paintings had lost some of their luster over the years of no protection from the harsh elements, but it still had a rustic charm. It also was too small for Oogi to fit.

"Would you guys mind waiting out here with Oogi?" asked Korra.

Asami and Bolin shrugged and nodded easily.

"Don't you need someone to carry Tahno in there?" Mako wondered, shifting said man higher on his back. Korra shook her head, and held out her arms.

"I can carry him."

Mako looked unsure about this, but passed Tahno over to the young Avatar. She staggered a little, but managed to sling him across her back as Mako had. Tahno didn't speak through this. He just watched, silently, as Mako opened the door, and Korra took him inside the Spirit Oasis.

It was much warmer within the Oasis. Behind them, the door closed, but darkness did not fall. Blueish light emanated from the walls and the water, casting an ethereal glow. A large cherry blossom tree stood on an island in the middle of the subterranean pool, its branches bursting with fragrant flowers.

In the pool, two koi fish swam in whimsical patterns, occasionally meeting and swimming in a circle around each other, before drifting off again. These were the manifestations of the two Spirits. The Moon and the Ocean.

Korra carried Tahno across the narrow strip of land connecting the doorway to the island with the tree. Gently, she set him down so that his back was propped against the wide trunk. His silver eyes followed her every movement as she walked to the edge of the water. Instead of bending it out, however, she sat in front of a recurring spot in the koi fish's patterns. She bowed her head and closed her eyes, trying to reach out and sense the presences of the Spirits.

She had first made contact with the Spirit World a year prior, when the previous Avatar, Aang, had finally managed to connect with her in order to return her bending. She had glimpsed all of her past lives at that moment. By returning other people's bending, she touched the spiritual side of her self. But contacting the spiritual realm was still rather difficult for her.

That is why she took such delight in almost instantly sensing the enormous Spirits dwelling within the small koi.

What is it you seek here? asked a voice. It was soft, feminine, coming from the black koi with the white spot. Was it Yue?

My friend is injured, Korra replied silently. He needs the Spirit Water for him to heal completely.

How was he injured? asked the other voice. The second voice was lower, and distinctly male. It came from the white koi with the black spot.

He was hurt defending me. It was my fault, and I have to make it right.

We respect your intentions, which seem pure, said the voices in unison. Very well. You may take from the water to heal your friend.

"Thank you," she murmured out loud. Then she stood, and bended a small amount of water from the pool.

She walked slowly to Tahno's side, eyes fixed on his. When she knelt by his side, she paused, as if waiting for permission from him. He nodded, and the Spirit Water entered his body.

It felt as though something very hot, then very cool, then very hot again was traveling through his blood, reaching from his stomach down to his toes, and then all the way to the tips of his fingers. Awareness of his body returned slowly with the sensation of swimming through strong currents of water.

Korra sat back, and Tahno tried to remember how to sit up. Slowly, he straightened his back and leaned forward.

"It worked!" Korra cried.

She leapt at him and knocked him to the ground with her enthusiastic hug. Tahno let out a relieved breath and returned her embrace, squeezing her tightly against his hard chest.

"Yeah," he chuckled. "Yeah, it did."

Then he pulled back to press a dizzying kiss to her mouth. Korra felt the whole world just wash away beneath the feel of his cool lips against hers, and his large hands holding her waist tightly, fingertips just brushing the skin on her lower back, beneath her top.

This is a sacred place, Avatar, said the male voice sternly, making her jump.

Tahno raised an eyebrow at her.

"Uhm…let's go somewhere that doesn't have Spirits watching us," Korra suggested, laughing. Tahno joined in her merriment, and helped her to her feet. A little awkwardly—he had already half forgotten how to walk himself.

"Sounds like a plan, Uh-vatar," he whispered against her ear.

Relief overwhelmed the both of them, and they left the Oasis hand in hand, overjoyed that Tahno would be alright. The others looked appropriately pleased to see Tahno back on his feet; even Mako looked as though a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.

In time, Mako would come to earn Korra's forgiveness. It was the way they worked. Korra would demand that he earned it, and he would find some way to do so. But in the meantime, they shared a brief smile. Tahno squeezed Korra's hand tightly, and she squeezed back. Tahno couldn't bring himself to bear Mako any ill will. He already knew what the cards read. She was his Korra. His Avatar. And Spirits help anyone who did to her what Mako had done to him.