.:Legend of Korra:. The Promise

The Promise

When the letter came, it wasn't a surprise. Mako had known it would come, though he had hoped he would be wrong. But he was right, and when it came, there was nothing he could do about it. The war raging between Republic City and the New Earth Kingdom was one the Avatar couldn't fix. They two sides were fighting over a dispute for some land. But the war had escalated to more of a show of strength. When the men of Republic City had quite Voluneering, the draft had started. And when you wer drafted, it was either fight or go to jail.

As Mako sat and read over the letter for the 10th time, wishing it was a bad dream, Sorin jumped on him while screaming "Sneak attack!" Mako immediately smiled and grabbed his son, tickling the five year old until he begged for mercy. When the boy had caught his breath he picked up the letter and handed it to his dad.

"Daddy what does this letter say?" He asked, as if he wondered if it was for him.
"It says... It says I have to leave for a little while buddy" The confused look on his sons face made his heart break,
"How long daddy? Like for a few days to go visit grandma and grandpa? Or to go see King Boomy?"

Korra walked into the room just then, saving Mako from explaining any further.
"Sorin go help your brother set the table for me okay?" She asked in her no-buts-about-it tone. The young boy, forgetting his questions, ran to help his oldr brother.

"You don't have to tell them the truth you know" She said soothingly as she sat down carefully, her belly round with their soon-to-be daughter. "They deserve to know though" He sighed

Korra had decided to let this one play itself out, saying the Avatar couldn't always fix every little problem the world had. But now it was starting to get out of hand, yet she couldn't intervene now, not while heavy with child.

"Come eat dinner, you can tell them after we eat"

---

"You can't leave dad!" Junior yelled. The ten-year-old hadn't taken well to the news of losing his father to the war. "You have to stay here!"
Sorin had begun crying when he heard the news, Korra tried soothing the young boy but his cries wouldn't decrease. Junior ran his fingers through his hair before grabbing fistfulls of it, a trait he'd gotten from his father.

"I have no choice son, I have to go, the war is at it's climax right now which means it should be ending soon, I won't be gone that long" He promised. But he knew it was a promise he had no right making.

---

When the boys had finally settled down and Korra had gotten them to bed, Mako stood much longer in the door way to their room, watching them both sleep peacefully. Junior resembled his father in every way, tall stature, amber eyes, jet black hair. While Sorin looked like, and acted like, his mother. His tanned skin was a few shades lighter then his brunette hair, and the only time he was still was when he slept.

Finally Korra pulled him away from the boys, encouraging him to lay down himself. He would have to leave in just two days. He would need all the rest he could get.

---

When the day came to say goodbye, the family could have filled the Nile with their tears. Sorin clung to his father's chest while Junior hung onto his waist as if he were no older then Sorin. Both cried into his clothes, leaving large wet spots. Finally, Uncle Bolin tugged off the two of them, giving Korra access to her husband.

"Don't you dare die" She whimpered into his ear as she hugged him tightly. "You still have to meet our daughter, and help me raise these crazy kids" She tried to smile but it failed.

Mako held onto Korra, he wasn't ready to leave his family, to go fight a war that was not his, but he couldn't miss his plane.

"I'll be back soon, I promise"