Korra walked to the stables and opened the door. A giant beast rushed out and lunged at her. Korra fell to the ground by the weight of the big Polar Bear dog. The beast barked happily and started to lick her face.

“Naga!” She laughed while scratching Naga’s head, “Naga! You should have seen it! I passed!”

“Let’s go outside!”

Naga jumped up and down excitedly and raced toward the big front gate. The guard who watched the gate looked suspiciously at her.

“Just taking Naga out for a stroll.” She sighed, rolling her eyes while the guard opened the door reluctantly.

She never understood why they were so freaked out when she wanted to go outside, nor that they bothered to explain for her. The White Lotus members said this was for her safety, and that was the only thing she needed to know. They ordered her to stay inside this Southern compound while her family, friends, and tribemates live far away outside. She hated that. They made a big decision for her and didn't even let her a part of their secret.

“Don’t stay outside for too long.” The soldier warned.

What are you going to do? Run out and drag me back? She thought. She was not allowed to go outside except for these moments. She rode on Naga and raced out the empty no-wall snow land while leaving footprints behind. The chilled wind hit her face as they accelerated. Southern Water Tribe was always cold and covered with snow. She wondered what the Northern Water Tribe would look like, and how the other nations would be like. Maybe they would have less snow and more trees.

The faster they ran, the more she felt like the thoughts of the trouble tripped away from her, staying behind the footprints that they left. There was nothing else except to run, and they could do this forever. No turning back.

====

“You’re late, Korra. Where have you been?”

Yamak, one of the White Lotus members, was waiting for her at the big gate. He complained after seeing Korra leaded Naga back to the compound. Korra heard a big sound of the door closing behind her.

Even wolves don’t like to live around here. What are they so afraid of? She thought.

“Where’s Katara?” Korra changed the subject. Yamak was still frowning. She knew he was mad at her, but they made her mad all time by keeping secrets. It was a fair trade.

“She went home.” Yamak replied. Korra sighed, wishing Katara was here. She loved hearing Katara's stories, but instead, she had to hear Yamak’s complains.

She took Naga back to the stable. Yamak walked beside her, watching as if she was a little kid just learnt how to walk. She swallowed the annoy in her throat. After saying goodbye to Naga, they headed inside.

“Let take you to dinner. I think the food is ready.” Yamak ordered, walking in the corridor. Korra wanted to say no, to tell him that she can do it alone, but she knew what he would say, and she was so tired of fighting with him every time he came to visit, so they walked side by side in silence.

“How is your day?” Yamak asked.

“When will the new master arrive?” Korra cut him off. She didn’t want to think about today her sifu had left her.

Yamak sighed. His voice sounded full of sympathy. “Be patient. He will come when the time is right.”

“What do you mean?”

Yamak was hesitant. Korra guessed the man was thinking if he should tell her or not.

“He’s my sifu. I have the rights to know.” Korra pressed.

“There are some problems at his hometown, and he wants to solve it out before coming here.”

Korra’s eyes flashed with anger. She didn’t know who the new master was, but she felt betrayed when he chose the works over his new student.

“What would I do now?” Korra growled.

“You can continuously practice Firebending, or maybe see if you can use Waterbending.” Yamak suggested.

Waterbending! She was born as a daughter of a water tribe family, and yet her first bending was the fire. She tried to control water, but she always failed to hold it and made the water splashed everywhere. Her mother tried to cheer her up by telling Korra that maybe if she mastered Airbending, she could use Waterbending properly. Now she even got more reasons for wanting to learn the air element as quickly as possible. But the Airbending master wouldn’t come anytime soon, and she wasn’t even sure when he will. Korra imaged standing alone in the compound with the sounds of the fire echoed in the compound.

“What if I come to his place?” An idea flashed in her mind.

“Absolutely not.”

“Ok. Fine.” She gazed around the empty hallway, trying to avoid eye contact. She didn’t want to let Yamak think that she was still holding this idea, and risk making him caution.

“What is his name? Can you tell me more about him?” Korra asked. Yamak stared at her. “I want to prepare, and it’s not wrong to ask about my mentor, right?” She added.

“No. I’m just surprised. Usually, you would start a fight with me. You’ve grown up after all.” He sounded satisfied.

Oh, it was always my fault that we fight. She said to herself sarcastically. “Tell me about my Airbending master.” She tried to sound more curious.

“His name is Tenzin. He’s Katara’s son. Did she tell you anything about him?”

How didn't Korra think of him? She recognised one of the names Katara had told her. Her youngest son, the only Airbender who inherited his father legacy, who was rebuilding his father lost Airbending culture. He was completely different from his siblings - Katara always told Korra that her son was so serious and took everything by the heart. Tenzin was always too busy to come to visit his mother. Korra remembered all the words Katara complained to her, but despite her annoying tone, she always saw Katara’s eyes glittered with joy and proud when she talked about him. No wonder Tenzin didn’t come to teach her yet. He was the man of works.

“Just a little. I know he's an Airbender, but that's all.” Korra lied. She didn’t want to sound too acknowledgeable, just in case of Yamak would tell her something she didn’t know.

Yamak stroked his beard, gazing far away. “Well, he’s one of the councilmen in Republic city. A wise man, although he has a bad temper.”

Republic city. She thought. That would be a place she needs to find. But where is it?

“I have never heard of Republic city before. What nation did it belong? Fire?”

Yamak laughed. “No, not Fire nation. Although, Fire Nation people do live in there too. The land was once in Earth kingdom, but now the city doesn’t belong to any nations.”

To Korra's surprise, she always thought there were only four nations. Yamak suddenly stopped and she nearly bumped into him. Korra didn’t realise they were already in the dining room. The food had placed on her table neatly, one bowl instead of two, still warm with smoke coming out. One for the student, one was for the mentor. She thought bitterly. They kept having to remind her that she was entirely alone.

“It’s getting late. Finish your dinner and rest, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe you can show me some Firebending move in the morning.” He said.

She blinked, imagining the old man stood in the training ground alone, waiting for her. Guilty jabbed her heart as she knew she might not be there tomorrow. Suddenly, she felt bad going behind his back.

He looked at her again then left the room. She sat on the table alone. There were no other sounds except the breeze blew outside, and the chopstick knocking on the bowl. No one was here except her. No one wanted to sit with the Avatar. Korra ate in silence. Her heart started to grow cold as she imaged another night like this. She filled with determination to go along with her plan. She had to leave this place.

I’m sorry Yamak.