Chapter 4

*Air Temple Dining Hall*

"And, in the final round, the Buzzard Wasps won with a decisive knockout!" Korra said excitedly as she read the morning paper. "What do you say we go to the arena tonight, catch a few pro-bending matches?"

"That sport is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending." Tenzin said dismissively.

"Oh come on Tenzin! I've dreamed about seeing a pro-bending match since I was a kid" Korra argued pointing to the arena across the bay. "And now we're just one little ferry ride away."

"Korra, you're not here to watch that drivel. You're here to finish your Avatar training. So, for the time being, I want you to remain on the island.

"Is that why you're keeping the White Lotus sentries around to watch my every move?" she asked, pointing out several guards posted around the dining hall.

"Yes, in order to learn airbending, I believe you require a calm and quiet environment free from any distractions."

"Father, I don't think this is the best way for Korra to learn airbending as she has never had that much freedom growing up and air is the element of freesom" Said Akira in his usual soft voice.

"Which is why I believe she would do well with some meditation after she finishes her first lesson for today." said Tenzin.

The discussion was closed after his words and all continued to eat their food, though, Tenzin did not see the apologetic look Akira threw Korra.

*Air Temple Training Grounds*

"Korra's gonna airbend, Korra's gonna airbend!" Ikki cheered, jumping up and down in excitement.

"What's that contraption?" Korra asked pointing to a circle of wooden gates, all standing in different directions.

"A time honored tool that teaches the most fundamental aspect of airbending" said Tenzin. "Jinora would you like to explain this exercise?"

"The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it to the other side without touching them" Jinora explained, a textbook answer.

"Seems easy enough" Korra said confidently.

"Jinora forgot to say, you have to make it through while the gates are spinning" Ikki added.

Stepping forward Tenzin released a gust of wind, spinning the gates. "The key is to be like the leaf" he lectured, sending a leaf through the device to illustrate. "Flow with the movements of the gates. Jinora will demonstrate."

As Jinora skillfully maneuvered through the gates Tenzin continued his lecture. "Airbending is all about spiral movements. When you meet resistance you must be able to switch direction at a moment's notice."

Exiting the gates Jinora sent another air blast to get the gates spinning again.

"Let's do this!" Korra said determinately. Sadly determination alone wasn't enough to get through the gates.

"Don't force your way through!" Jinora advised.

"Dance! Dance like the wind!" said Ikki.

"Be the leaf!" said Meelo. But the airbender kids' advice didn't help much as a thoroughly bruised Avatar was once again flung out of the gates.

"Are you ok?" Akira asked, doing his best to cover the amusement in his tone. But he didn't try hard enough as Korra narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

Tenzin could only sigh as the disgruntled Avatar walked away.

Later that night Korra was doing her best to produce even a single puff of air, sadly to no avail.

"Argh, what is wrong with me?!" she yelled in frustration.

"Nothing is wrong with you. Its just the first time that an element does not come easily to you as the other elements" Akira said voicing out his presence.

"Oh really, I didn't see it" she remarked sarcastically.

"Sigh. Come here Korra. I would like to show you something" Akira said as he and Korra made their way to a gazebo where the White Lous sentry guards were listening to a radio. They made their way to the top without making a sound and just stayed.

The duo listened excitedly as the announcer relayed the events of a pulse pounding match. The match was just reaching its climax when Tenzin came in and unplugged the radio.

"Hey! You shut it off at the best part!" Korra added.

"I thought I made myself clear. I don't want you listening to this distracting nonsense and Akira, what are you doing listening to this drivel" Tenzin said authoritatively.

"Actually you said I couldn't watch a match. You didn't say anything about listening to one" Korra argued.

"And I just wanted to know what was so good with the sport since everyone is either watching, listening or reading it." Akira said.

"You...You know what I meant! Anyway shouldn't you two be in bed?!" With a gust of air, Tenzin flipped his cape as he turned and left taking the radio with him.

The following night, Akira found Korra in her room, sulking after difficult day of airbending training.

"It seems medition is not for you" said the ravenette, joining her by the window. "It does not surprise me all that much."

"Yeah well I need a break from all this" said Korra staring longingly at the pro-bending arena.

"You can go if you want. I do not see why father even bothers to have you locked down here in this temple" Akira said.

"Hmm, you should home with me then. I hear you don't go out much and this could be a good learning experience" She replied.

"I suppose it is time for me to see what is so good with this probending I hear everyone speaking of" He said as the two made their way to the famous Bending Arena.

*Bending Arena*

Slipping inside the pair found themselves in a bending gym. As they looked at the different workout equipment with interest they failed to notice someone walking up behind them.

"Hey!" Turning in surprise Akira and Korra saw a white haired middle aged man wearing a towel around his neck. "What're you doing in my gym?"

"We got lost on the road of life" said Akira confusing both the man and Korra. Before the man could even try to make sense of what the blond said another person called from the hall.

"Hey there you guys are" said a boy with slicked black hair and dressed in a pro-bending uniform. "It's all right Toza, they're with me." Luckily Toza bought it and let them go on their way. Following the boy who introduced himself as Bolin, they were led to a booth overlooking the entire arena.

"This is amazing" said Korra in awe.

"Yeah" said an equally impressed Akira.

"So are you two together?" Bolin asked awkwardly.

"What?!" the now red faced Korra shouted in shock. "Me and him. We're just friends. Not that he isn't great and all but I've known him for only a day at most. It'd be super weird. But no we're not together unless you mean did we come here together because we totally did that....together."

Finishing her rant, Korra just chuckled awkwardly begging for a distraction as Akira was just amused at what was going on. Bolin on the other hand just focused in on the fact that they weren't dating and Korra was available. Thankfully before things could get even more uncomfortable for her, another pair of pro-benders entered the booth, one of which had a family resemblance to Bolin.

"Bolin" the one resembling Bolin called, summoning the boy to his side. "I told you, you have to stop bringing your crazy fan girls in here before the matches. This one even brought a date. Get them out of here" he whispered.

"Come on, Mako" Bolin sighed. "Look I promised them they could stay. Plus they're not together. Well they're together because they're friends and came here together. But they're not together together. And man, I've got a good feeling about that girl, there's something special about her. I know it." Turning towards Korra, Bolin grabs her and drags her over towards Mako, sighing Akira follows soon after. "I want you to meet my brother, Mako."

"Mako? Wow, we heard you playing on the radio" said Korra, offering her hand. But Mako simply ignored her, telling Bolin to hurry up as it was their turn to play.

"Yeah, sorry about that. My brother just gets real...."

"To be a real jerk" Korra finishes for him, clearly not happy with Bolin's brother's attitude.

"No he just gets real focused before a match" Bolin defended. "Okay, I gotta go, wish me luck. Not...that I'll need it."

All the same Akira and Korra wished Bolin luck and stuck around to watch the match. Despite herself, Korra had to be impressed with Mako's performance. After both Bolin and their third teammate were knocked off the field, the firebender managed to single handedly knockout the entire opposing team and win the game.

"Woohoo! Yes!" Bolin cheered, walking into the booth. "One more win and we're in the championship tournament! So, what'd ya think, Korra? Bolin's got some moves huh?"

"What did I think? What did I think? That was amazing!"

It seems she does not realize he is flirting with her Naruto wondered. How cute this is.

"You guys were incredible out there!" Korra praised. "Especially you, Mr. Hat Trick!"

"Oh, you're still here." Mako said coldly, walking past the Avatar.

"I'm sorry about that, though to be fair your brother did invite us to watch" Akira commented in a dignified manner getting a chuckle from Korra and Bolin. Still riding the high of watching her first pro-bending match Korra asked Bolin to show her a few moves something that the boy doesn't hesitate to agree to, though Mako was annoyed by the idea.

"Yeah I could show you the basics" said Bolin. "I'm just not sure how my earthbending would translate to your waterbending, but we'll figure it out."

"Won't be a problem. I'm actually an earthbender" Korra said slyly, she could hear Akira struggling not to laugh behind her.

"I'm sorry, no, no! I didn't mean to assume! 'Cause I, you know, I was just figuring ... with your Water Tribe getup ... that you are ... a Water Tribe ... gal."

"Nope, you're right. I'm a waterbender and a firebender."

"I'm very confused right now." said Bolin causing Akira to start giggling to himself. While his brother may have been confused, Mako was able to put the pieces together.

"You're the Avatar, and I'm an idiot."

"Both are true" Korra said mockingly.

"Yes she's the Avatar" said Akira cutting as Bolin looked as if he was going to have a meltdown.

Moving to the gym, Akira and surprisingly Mako watched as Bolin showed Korra the pro-bending style of earthbending. As expected she picked it up rather quickly.

"So you're friends with the Avatar" said Mako starting a conversation.

"Yeah, though we just met a few days ago" Akira confirmed.

"Not bad" the firebender commented on Korra's latest strike.

"What does it take to impress this guy?" she asked Bolin. But Akira was starting to get a better idea of what kind of person Mako was.

"I think he actually meant that as a compliment" the ravenette spoke up looking to Mako for confirmation.

"Well at least somebody gets me" Mako smirked confirming that he really wasn't the kind of person to waste words. "I'm gonna turn in. Nice meeting you, Avatar Korra, Akira."

"Yeah it's been a real pleasure" Korra said sarcastically.

"See you upstairs bro" said Bolin.

"You guys live here?" asked Akira surprised by this.

"Yep. In the attic, nothing fancy but we get a great view." Turning their focus back to bending Akira was content to watch as Korra learned from Bolin thinking that the brothers weren't so bad.

The following night, Akira and Korra once again snuck out to the arena to watch Bolin and Mako's team, the Fire Ferrets play. Though the Avatar was in a noticeably bad mood due to another failed attempt to pass through the gates resulting in her having a huge fight with Tenzin over the matter.

"You know father wouldn't have been so upset if you hadn't destroyed the gates" Akira pointed out. He quickly regret it as Korra shot him a glare so cold it left him shivering. "It seems I shouls be quiet right now"

"That'd be good." Korra smirked.

Walking into the booth they were surprised to see Mako and Bolin looking depressed.

"We didn't miss your match, did we? You guys look like you already lost?" asked Korra.

"We might as well have" said Bolin.

"What happened?" asked Akira.

"Hasook's a no good, no show" Mako growled. Just then the referee entered informing the brothers that if they couldn't find a replacement in two minutes they'd be disqualified. "Well there goes our shot at the tournament and the winnings."

"Can't you ask those guys to fill in" Korra suggested, pointing to the other pro-benders in the room.

"Rules say you can only compete on one team" said Bolin feeling depressed.

"Well then how about me?" Korra offered. "I'm a top notch waterbender if I do say so myself."

"But...you're the Avatar, isn't that cheating?"

"It isn't cheating if I only do waterbending."

"She does have a point" said Akira in support of the idea.

"No way! I'd rather forfeit then look like a fool out there" Mako said angrily.

"Wow thanks for the vote of confidence" Korra replied sarcastically.

"Times up! You in or out?" asked the referee.

"We're in!" said Korra before anyone (Mako) could refuse.

"We are?" the firebender questioned, shocked by what was happening.

"Yes!" Bolin cheered.

"Hey, I didn't agree to this!" Mako argued.

"Jus let it be. Even though I have known Korra for a few days now, once she gets an idea in her head there's no stopping her" said Akira.

"What he said" Korra smirked before racing off to get into uniform.

"This girl is crazy" Mako said plainly.

Watching from the booth Akira bore witness to his friend's debut to pro-bending. Sadly it wasn't looking to be a good first game for Korra as they'd both forgotten a very important detail; neither of them knew the actual rules to pro-bending. This of course meant that when she wasn't fouling the other team, Korra was busy struggling to stay in the ring as the opposing team identified her as an obvious rookie.

Akira actually had to cringe as Korra's frustration led her to using earthbending revealing herself as the Avatar. Sure the referees allowed her to continue as long as she only used waterbending but what was really bothering the blond was the fact the announcer had told the radio listeners who Korra was, meaning his illusion back on Air Temple Island was now worthless.

Well maybe Father didn't hear it.

"Akira." The ravenette cringed as he turned around to find himself face to face with an angry looking Tenzin.

"Hello father" Naruto said sheepishly. "Enjoying the game?"

"I told you I didn't want Korra distracted by this nonsense!" the airbending master said sternly.

Akira was about to reply to defend their actions when he noticed something happening on the arena floor. "Father, I think you need to see this."

"How about that" Tenzin muttered as they watched Korra circling around her opponents attacks just like an airbender.

"It seems she just needed a little bit of freedom" Akira joked, a small smile on his face as the Fire Ferrets capitalized on their now exhausted opponents and took the victory.

"Woohoo!" Tenzin cheered, then cleared his throat as he remembered his son was watching him, though all he got was an amused smile which is equivalent to a laugh for Akira.

*Air Temple Island*

After returning to the island Korra felt there was something she need to do and quickly sought out Tenzin, finding him supervising the repairing of the training gates.

"I'm really sorry about everything I said" Korra said sincerely. "I was really frustrated with myself and I took it out on you.

"I think I owe you an apology too" said Tenzin. "I was trying to teach you patience, but I lost mine."

"No hard feelings?"

"Of course not. By the way, you were really good out there tonight. You moved just like an airbender."

"Wow you really stayed. I didn't believe it when Akira told me."

"I did. Pro-bending turned out to be the perfect teaching tool for you." Korra and Tenzin exchanged smiles before the Avatar ran off promising to be up early for airbending practice. Oh and informed him that she'd permanently joined the Fire Ferrets.

As this was going on, Akira was just watching them from afar as he had a content smile on his face after the day's event.

Hey guys. How do you like the new chapter? I hope you like it since I had some time to write a lot this time. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter and please leave a review.