The night was freezing.

Korra lied on her bed, looking out the window. A bag was put at the other side of the bed - the stuff she prepared for her crazy plan. She should have waited for a few more days, but she couldn't help but think about doing it now. Who knows when the time is right? And if she has to wait, it's best to do it now.

The only thing holding her back is she didn’t know where to start. She knew Tenzin was in Republish city, but she didn't know exactly where it was. Yamak almost told her, but she didn't have enough time, and if she tried to ask again, he would be suspicious now. She didn't dare to risk getting caught by one of the members of White Lotus. Korra has to find another person who can help her.

Her mind searched for names. Her parents? Even though she didn’t think her mother would betray her, her father, on the other hand, is always strict with the rule. She knew for sure he would never support her on this plan.

He has never objected to the idea of having his daughter locked up in the compound anyways. She thought bitterly.

What about Katara? She was always kind and never get angry when Korra mess up something. Katara might agree to help her.

Korra grabbed the bag and shot out of the room. She didn't want to waste any more time.

The moon shined in the night sky, and there was a long howl. Korra stopped. Naga. She couldn’t leave Naga here, but she might take the risk of getting caught if she let the polar bear dog tag along.

No, wait. What she was thinking? Naga was her friend, her loyal comrade. She would never leave her friend here alone, just like how her parents left her here, in the compound.

Korra moved quietly to the stable, carefully looking for any signs of the patrol. She hadn’t tried to sneak out since she was twelve. They wouldn’t expect her on a night today, at least she hoped so. Inside the stable, she saw Naga rested her head on the wooden window, looking at the mountain far away. 

You want to go outside too, don’t you? She thought. She was so glad that she decided to take Naga with her.

“Naga,” She called softly. The beast lifted her ears. Korra silently prayed Naga wouldn’t bark, and to her pray, the bear just blinked and looked at her warmly. Korra let out a relieved sighed. She opened the latch and let the bear dog out.

“Be quiet, ok? We’re leaving.”

Naga tiled her head, but she followed. They walked toward the high wall. How would they escape this? The wall was made of ice. Perhaps she could melt it with her Firebending. Usually, it would be a big problem. The wall was too thick and cold, and if they didn’t make a hole fast enough, the water from the melted wall would freeze them. It would be a matter of time until the patrols found a life-size human sculpture.

But she was different. She was gifted with blue fire. Her fire was always stronger and hotter than any other one. She could take the risk.

Completely blinded by her confidence, Korra chose a part of the wall next to the building. It was cast with a shadow that made it a perfect blindspot.

She began to remove the glove, pressing her bare hands again the freezing wall. The heat started to rise in her palm. She could feel the wall getting softer, turning into liquid and numbing her hand with cold despite the fire. Her hands started to sore and painful, but she was too stubborn to turn back now. She bit her lip and pressed harder, using both heat and strength to break the wall.

She was halfway there then she heard Naga whined softly. Korra felt water dripped on her head and looked up. She realised she was in danger. The wall above her was starting to melt too, and it wouldn't be long until more water pours on her head. She tried to step backward but finding her hands stuck on the ice wall.

"Shoot." Korra muttered angrily to herself.

Of course. They wouldn't make walls out of ice otherwise. She thought sarcastically.

The only option is to break the wall before she turned into ice. She pushed forward again with a hope to speed the process. More water started pouring down like a waterfall.

Earn the title Firebending master and got defeated by a stupid wall on the same day.

Suddenly, the water stopped and she saw a huge shadow over her head. She turned and saw Naga stood on her two legs, claiming her front paws on the wall and covered her like a big waterproof coat.

“Naga!”

Korra found herself smiling. She got even more confident now that her comrade stood behind her back. She focused on breaking the wall, and after one final blow, she reached the other side of the wall. Naga quickly followed her through the hole and shook the water out of her fur like a rainstorm.

“We did it, Naga!” Korra chuckled before quickly covered her mouth when she remembered they were on the stealthy mission. She hugged Naga again, whispered, " We did it. I can’t ever do it without you. You saved me.” Naga tiled her head, but she licked her face in return.

“We better keep moving.”

Using Naga’s white fur to blend in the snow, they crept lower to the ground in case the guards could see them from the high wall. They kept going until she believed they were far enough to be spotted. Korra climbed on Naga, and they ran as fast as they could, no turning back.

===

At a distance, she could see the Water Tribe in the dim light - her father’s tribe. Some lanterns were hanging outside, making the tribe illuminated with a warm yellow light under the night sky. This place made her felt sad and empty. It was once her home, but now it felt so strange, so unfamiliar. The people lived there, continuous with their life, while she was living alone in somewhere else. She felt so left behind.

Korra shook the thought out of her mind. She shouldn't waste her time on this. Right now, her priority was finding Katara, and she knew exactly where to go. Her mother used to take her to Katara’s house for a visit. The place was at the border of the Southern Water tribe. It could take hours to get there, but with Naga’s help, it was only a heartbeat before she reached the only house in the empty land.

She was now standing in front of the door. An old memory tripped back to her mind. The time she visited Katara, the time when no one knew she was the Avatar and she was still running around with her friends and playing snowballs. She has no time now.

Korra knocked on the door. No one answered. She knocked it again before realising it was midnight. Katara might have already slept. She groaned and ready to leave, and then she heard a call inside.

“Coming.”

The door swung opened but standing in front of her wasn’t the Waterbending elder. It was a different woman who was in her late middle age. She looked almost like Katara.

The woman looked sleepy, waiting for her reply, but Korra was just frowning. 

Did she find a wrong house? She had travelled so many times to Katara’s house that she can even sleepwalk to there. How could she be wrong?

As Korra sank in her thought, the woman suddenly looked surprised. Her eyes widened as if she recognised Korra.

“Are you looking for Katara?”

The woman asked, but she didn’t wait for Korra’s answer. The woman disappeared to the house. For a long silence, nothing happened. Korra was thinking about running, but then she heard footsteps coming toward her from the house.

“Korra? What are you doing here?” It was Katara’s voice. The elder sounded concerned and worry.

“I need your help.”

Katara looked outside like she’s afraid something would jump out. The Waterbending master shook her head and went back inside. “Come in.”

Korra walked inside before realising Naga was also following her. The giant polar bear dog rolled on her stomach, knocking things over and took half of the living room and blocked the main door as well. The beast began to snore. Korra swallowed and looked at Katara. Thankfully, the elder didn’t look angry. Korra was relieved, but then she caught an uncomfortable look from the other woman.

“Sorry.” Korra murmured sincerely. The woman didn’t say anything and went to the kitchen.

“Excuse for my daughter’s hostile.” Katara sighed. “Kya, she's just... surprised to see you.”

“Oh.” Korra realised the uncomfortable look wasn’t for Naga, it was for her. “She’s your daughter? Maybe I should come and introduce myself properly.”

"It can wait." Katara shook her head, “but for now, tell me why did you sneak out?" She looked outside the window again, “What trouble you?”

“Do you know where Republic city is?” Korra blurted out.

“You want to find Tenzin, don’t you?” Katara asked. She looked worried, and maybe uncertain.

“Katara! I have to! I can’t just stay and wait forever! Who knows when Tenzin will come?” Korra growled, walking around the narrow room.

“Is that the only reason?”

Korra bit her lip. She sighed and shook her head. “I don’t want to stay in the compound,” Korra admitted. “I don’t want to.” She stopped and stomped her feet in angry. “It isn’t right! Why do I being treat like a criminal? Did I do something wrong?" She looked at Katara, enraged. "They don't even say why they put me in there. All they said was it's for my own good! Over and over again! I don't need to hear that!"

“You did nothing wrong.”

“Then why I can't go?!" Korra snapped. Her voice echoed in the small house. Korra suddenly lost all the angry and felt bad for raising her voice to the elder.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t mean to yell.”

“You have the right to be angry.” Katara shook her head. She looked tired too. “Before you, the Avatar travels around the world to learn and master the four elements.”

“What had happened? Why am I the only one who stuck in the four walls?”

Katara was reluctant, but she didn’t look annoyed like Yamak trying to hide the information. It seems like it’s too painful for her to tell.

“S-Something happened. Your life was in danger.” She stopped. Korra waited for her to continue, but the elder didn’t say anything.

Korra let out a hopeless sigh. “I need to go to Republic City. I need to find Tenzin.” She said, looking at Katara again. “Can you help me?”

Katara was staring at the blank wall. Korra wasn't sure if she's still listening. Then Kya walked into the room. She put the teacups on the table and turned to Korra.

“Can you let us alone for a moment?" Kya told her, turning her gaze to Katara "I need to talk to my mother."

Korra was hesitant, but she walked into the kitchen. As soon as she was out of sight, she pressed her ear against the wall, trying to listen to the conversation. Naga’s snoring was quite distracting, but she still able to make out of the words.

“Mother?”

“I don’t know.” Katara gave a long exhaled, “I don’t want she get hurt, but I don’t want to make her unhappy.”

"I know."

"I promise him I'll protect her."

"She’ll be alright. Isn’t she a Firebending master already?”

“She still has a lot to learn.”

“Mom.”

There was a long silence. Katara finally sighed again, “I know what I need to do, but it doesn’t mean I won’t be worried.”

“…”

“…”

“Well, do you remember the time I left the air temple island to travel on my own?” Kya said softly, reassuring her mother.

“Yes...”

“I wanted to go alone, and you were so worried and afraid, but you still let me go?”

“Yes.”

There was a little chuckle. “Look at me now. I’m ok. See?” Kya teased "Maybe even better than Bumi and Tenzin."

Katara sighed like she gave up, but she started to smile too.

“Korra will be ok.”