Book 3 "Change"

Chapter 2 "The Journey"

We soon located the new airbender and I went with Korra and Tenzin to help him. After Korra got him down Raiko walked up to her with a frown.

"So, is this the deal? We have crisis every other day now thanks to you." Raiko said with a frown.

"Listen, I know you're having a tough time getting used to these changes and I'm sorry for that, but you and everyone else are going to have to learn live with it. The vines and the spirits are here to stay."

"Well, you know who's not here to stay? You! I order you to leave this city. You've caused nothing but trouble since you arrived." Raiko ordered.

"Don't worry, I was already leaving." Korra said as she turned and walked away from him.

I quickly ran up and caught up to her.

"I can see my path now. There are new airbenders out there and I'm going to find them and rebuild the Air Nation." Korra said with a smile.

"Don't think I'm not going with you. It's so exciting. Who knows who's out there now, discovering the gift of airbending for the first time?" Tenzin said with a smile.

"This will be eventful." I said with a sigh.

We soon got ready to leave and I smiled as I hugged the kids bye.

"I'll be back before you know it." I said as I pulled away.

"You better be." Ikki said with a pout.

I let out a laugh and smiled as I got onto the airship. I waved goodbye and smiled as I let out a laugh sigh.

"As of now, these are the towns where we've gotten reports about airbenders. It looks like we can hit up most of them before we get to Ba Sing Se." Mako said as I walked up to them.

"We're going to bring the Air Nation back from the brink of extinction after nearly two hundred years." Korra said as she sent me a smile.

"And it's all because of you, Korra." Tenzin said softly.

"Hey can we talk?" Bolin asked softly.

"Sure, what's up?" I asked as I followed him.

We stopped away from everyone and he bit his lip.

"Have you... you know remembered anything while you were under Vaatu's control?" He asked softly.

"I... no. I'm sorry, did I say something to hurt you?" I asked softly.

"No! No... I just... well I.. never mind." He said as he turned to walk away.

I let out a sigh and left to see Bumi and Jinora.

"You should tell him." Jinora said softly.

"Shut up." I growled out.

"He has a right to know you remember everything." She said as she set up.

"I know, but.. I... just. I'm scared that he didn't mean it." I said softly.

"He meant it." She said softly.

"Who meant what?" Asami asked as she set beside me.

"Bolin meant that he loves Kari." Jinora said softly.

"Wait you do remember everything that happened?" Asami asked shocked.

I nodded my head and she sent me a frown.

"And you haven't told him, why?"

"Because what if he didn't mean it and it was a spur of the moment! What if he did and it ruins our friendship! What if-"

"Stop worrying about the what if's. Do you love him?" Asami asked softly.

"Of course I do."

"Then tell him." She said sternly.

"Yes ma'am." I said as I nodded my head.

We soon made our way to the first stop and got of the airship.

"I'll stay here with Bumi." I said softly.

They soon returned and I let out a sigh as they failed at getting the airbender to join.

"In my head, I saw that playing out very differently." Korra said softly.

"Maybe we should have stayed and tried harder to convince him to join us." Asami said softly.

"Or we could have thrown him in a potato sack and forced him into the ship." Bolin said as he set beside me.

"That's how they got me to join the United Forces." Bumi said calmly.

"No, we can't coerce people, or throw them in potato sacks. They must come freely. But not to worry, there are plenty of other airbenders out there who will be happy to come with us once they find out what the Air Nation is all about." Tenzin said softly.

"I think the potato sack would work better." I said as I looked at Bolin.

He nodded his head and we continued to look for airbenders. After a lovely airbending show we found our first recruit.

"Hey! Hello. If you're looking for airbenders, you just found one." The kid said as he walked up to us.

I watched him airbend and I smiled softly.

"I wanna join you guys." He said with a smile.

"Get outta town!" Bolin yelled.

"We got our first recruit. Just to be totally clear, we're going to be heading to Ba Sing Se, then the Northern Air Temple to live as nomads and rebuild the Air Nation. All that sound good to you?" Korra asked softly.

"Yeah, Ba Sing Se, rebuild the temple, Air Nomad what-do-you-do, I'm in. Let's go right now." The kid said with a smile.

"This is going to be so great! You going to love it, er ... ah ... real quick, what's your name?" Bolin asked softly.

"Kai. So when do we hit the road?" He said softly.

"Hang on a second Kai, where are your parents? We can't have you come with us without their permission." Tenzin said with a frown.

"My parents are ... gone." Kai said as he looked away.

"You're an orphan?" Bolin asked softly.

"It happened about a year ago. My home town was raided by outlaws, but my parents fought back against them. I was so scared, but they told me not to worry they would protect me, and they did. My parents saved me and the entire village, but they died in the fight. Mum and pap meant everything to me, they're were my whole life. Ever since then, I've been on the run. Those same outlaws are still after me." Kari said softly.

"Well, you don't have to be on the run anymore, right guys? Tell him." Bolin said with a smile.

"I'm so sorry about your parents. I know we could never replace them ... but we are here for you." Tenzin said as he sent him a gentle smile.

"We'll keep you safe, come on." Korra said softly.

"When you board this airship, you're going to leave your old life behind and start a new path. That's big brother advice. Just think of me as your big brother." Bolin said as he put an arm around his shoulder.