A Short Visit [Korra]

[Deleted]

My heart was heavy as I walked through the tropical forest. I knew this was part of Kings territory but I could only hope that Korra would be nearby. I chirped, hoping she would hear me. I wondered about many things as I sat, waiting. How was Korra's pregnancy going? Was she living with King now? Then my mind traveled to the day before, speaking with Winks and then Tamara. I felt a familiar ache as I thought of how Tamara looked, and how badly I had wanted to stay by her side. And Winks so seemingly hopeless. I needed to see my friend. I couldn't stay with Korra long, but I wanted to be here if she needed me when her cubs were born, if she hadn't had them already. Then I would go back to Winks and Tamara.

[SORA :D]

K O R R A
Female cheetah

I wondered pointlessly through the tropical rainforest. So much had happened in the past few days, and it was overwhelming. Just the other day, I had tried to comfort Tamara. I sighed, and padded on the squishy moss, looking through the leaves overhead. I was now with King, and even though we wouldn't have cubs, at least we were safe to try again. I hearts a chirp, and my eyes lit up. Asali! I churped back, happily bounding her way.

[Deleted]

I heard a familiar voice and knew instantly that Korra was the one responding to my chirps. My ears pricked up and toward the sound of her response. I stood, looking for her. Then I saw her running toward me. "Korra!" I said happily, meeting her halfway. I gave her a hug, resting my head on her back briefly then stepped back. "How are you?" I asked. Something didn't seem quite right about her, different than the last time I had seen her, but I ignored it for now. I just wanted to know how she was and then I could tell her how things went with my visit to speak with Winks. I would leave out the details when it came to Tamara. I didn't want to relive it anyhow, and Korra wouldn't want to hear the things her daughter had said.

[SORA :D]

Asali's figure became clearer and clearer, as I came closer and closer. My eyes lit up, and I chirped happily, greeting her with a hug. My friend asked how I was. That's a completed question, no madder how un-complicated it may seem. Time with King had filled my days, and Royal was out on his own. Tamara was a broken mess, but wouldn't accept my appolige, or my help. Royal had gotten through to her, though. I simply responded with a happy "good" before politely asking about how things were with her. I wanted to know who her conversation with Winks had went.

[Deleted]

I nodded at her response. "Good," I said with a smile. I was about to ask about King and Royal, and the pregnancy, but Korra beat me to the punch and asked about me. I knew what she really wanted to know. I gave her a half smile. "Well, Winks didn't blow up like I thought he would. In fact, we ended on good terms. I told him I would go back when I was finished helping you, making sure you and the cubs were okay," I said, not knowing about the recent developments with Korra's unborn cubs. "And I spoke with Tamara." I left it at that when it came to the latter discussion. "I told her I would be back soon. I think she needs someone other than Winks there," I said, thinking about Tamara's break down. I furrowed my eye brows as I thought about it, then relaxed my features and looked back at Korra. "How has Royal been?"

[SORA :D]

"Good! Im so glad he reacted well." I said, genially happy for the turns that Asali and winks were on. it was bad enough that I had caused this mess, and I didn't want to be the cause of another. She mentioned how she could go back after she was done helping me, and my heart sank. I wanted to make nice with Winks. He didnt deserve to have a broken family. He didnt deserve this mess.

[Deleted]

"Me too," I agreed with Korra, nodding. "I was prepared for an argument, but he took it well." I didn't like the idea of leaving Korra again, not seeing her as often as I had when were in the same coalition, but Tamara needed me, and I was sure my friend would understand. I would miss her, but we both had responsibilities now. "Are you with King now?" I asked her. I wondered how long I would need to be here with her. If she wasn't with King, I would stay until she was. If she already lived with him, I would stay until those cubs were born. If they were born already, I would meet them, but my presence wouldn't be required. I would probably go back the next morning. King and Korra could handle their family alone.

[SORA :D]

"Really?" Korra said, a look of shock on her face. Winks didnt really take leaving well. She asked about king. "Yeah, I'm with him now. We're getting settled into a little peice of territory, and everything going well right now." I frowned, and looked at the ground. How as I going to tell her?

[Deleted]

Korra's surprise was understandable. I had been just as shocked by Winks' reaction to my leaving to help his ex-mate. Korra's response to my next question sounded happy and hopeful, but the look of concern crossing her features as she finished had me worried. They were settling in, and she was with her new mate. What could be bad about that? Something stirred in me as I thought of the possibilities and I couldn't help but ask about it. "What is it?" I asked warily. My own smile shifted to a slight frown. Three possibilities stuck out to me. One, Winks could have threatened her or her cubs, maybe even King. Two, Korra could be second guessing her decision or King was losing interest. Three, something had gone wrong with her pregnancy.

[SORA :D]

"It's about the cubs..." I said, looking away. My voice was a sad, maybe even angry tone. I was so disappointed in the hole situation. Surely I could tell Asali, after all, she was my closest friend. "It..." I started, realizing I wasn't even looking at her. "The cubs were a miscarriage." I said, my face turned downward, a disappointed frown now spreading. It struck me that sence the cubs weren't going to be around, Asali would be leaving me. I sighed sadly, and looked away again.

[Deleted]

My breath caught when Korra said it was about the cubs. Of the three options I had come up with, the second was eliminated. It was either a problem with Winks or a problem with the pregnancy itself. My eyes went briefly to Korra's stomach as she looked away, hesitating. She was definitely smaller than when I last saw her. There was definite sadness in Korra's voice as she finally explained the miscarriage. I took a deep breath. "Oh, Korra..." I said, shaking my head sadly. "I'm so sorry." I went to her to comfort her then. I couldn't imagine losing my own cubs. If I ever have my own, I thought to myself. Her expression was more of disappointment than sadness now, and I assumed she had probably dealt with any grief it may have brought her. I wondered if she was thinking about my lack of reason to stay. I had come to stay with her so that I could help until the cubs were born and she was safe with King. Now...

I stepped back from my friendly hug and looked at Korra. "You can always try again, now that you and King are together," I told her, attempting to lift her spirits. Mentally, I decided I would stay tonight, and part of tomorrow to catch up with my friend and spend some time with her before heading back. But in the back of my mind, I could see Tamara lying on the ground, crying into the dirt as she'd been before I left. I just couldn't bear staying any longer than necessary, though I desperately wanted to be here and comfort Korra, and be with my best friend.

[SORA :D]

Maybe this wasn't as bad as I had originally thought. King and I could always try again, we were young. A small smile started to breach my face. Asali was always good at cheering me up. She would make someone a good mate, and a great mother to someone. I knew deep in my heart that she would be staying long, but at least I would get to see her. "Well....Enough about me....." I said, stretching out, and smiling, edging Asali to move to another topic.

[Deleted]

My spirits lifted as I realized my words had cheered Korra up some. She even smiled. I returned it. Korra changed the subject, suggesting we no longer discuss her cubs or King; Korra's life, really. I sat down and took a deep breath, thankful for this time with Korra. "I haven't seen Royal, lately. How's he doing? I bet he's a fantastic hunter by now," I said with a smile. Both of Korra's children had been gifted with hunting skill. Tamara just didn't have much skill at all anymore. She was wasting away. But Royal...I assumed he hadn't stopped working on his skills and would make a fine hunter by now.

[SORA :D]

Asali smiled back at me, and I sighed thankfully. All this talk about my life was getting just the slightest bit boring. I feet like I was just a broken record, repeating it over and over. But oh well. Asali asked about Royal, and feeling of pride swept over me. Royal was all grown up now, able to hunt and fight for himself. I honestly found it heart breaking, because he wasn't my little boy anymore. "He's not my baby anymore." I answered, holding back happy tears.

[Deleted]

I could see the pride on Korra's face when she spoke of Royal. When she finished speaking I shook my head. "He'll always be your baby," I told her with a little smile. "Just bigger and more independent." I chuckled a little. I could imagine him out hunting, catching his own food. Maybe bringing some for his momma...would he help with the cubs when Korra and King finally had their own? I thought of Winks again and felt sad, but I pushed it to the back of my mind for now.  The sun was starting to set, and my time with Korra would end tomorrow, at least temporarily while I helped Winks with Tamara. I looked up at the sky, seeing the first few stars light up on a dark blue canvas.