I don't own The Legend of Korra
What the Storm Brought Together
The only way to describe the Avatar's state was with exhaustion. After three years of straying, she finally found a cure for her inabilities in the form of Toph Beifong. But even now, when all the mercury poison was out of her body, she still lost Zoafu to Kuvira. Shame and guilt crippled her body all over again. But even in her dire state she couldn't help smiling when they approached Air Temple Island.
'Naga!' She waved and yelled at her polar dog bear. She hadn't seen her oldest friend in three years. Opal landed Juicy softly on the ground and Korra scrapped up her last energy to jump off and give Naga a bear hug, who responded by licking her face. After that she greeted Bumi and the spirit he befriended. Then Pema and Tenzin came out and the greetings were complete.
'I have to ask what happened at Zaofu.' Tenzin said after he hugged Korra hello.
'Way to ruin the mood.' Bumi mumbled his complaint.
'I wasn't able to stop Kuvira. I'm so sorry.' Korra stared down at her feet, knowing she wasn't the Avatar she used to be. She heard Opal explain how Kuvira captured her family and how they barely escaped her. Tenzin said they should meet with Raiko and Lin as soon as possible. Kuvira was a threat to everyone and needed to be stopped. After that they walked inside for dinner. Korra excused herself and went to her own room on Air Temple Island. With heavy limbs she let herself fall down on the bed. She was happy to see her friends and loved ones, but she hated the fact that she wasn't able to keep them safe.
'Way to go Korra. You're not even back a day and you let everybody down already.' She said to herself. Better wait for the meeting, then we will figure something out.
He moved a piece on the board, causing a serious breach in his opponent's defence. He was never the kind to let anyone win easy, not even his own daughter. Not that she needed that sort of charity, since she was a full-grown strategist. Losing from her filled him with pride and winning from her was really an accomplishment. So playing Pai Sho on their weekly visits was always a treat, whatever the today his daughter looked miles away, not paying attention to the game as she used to. With her head resting on her hand, she stared blankly at the board.
'Everything okay, 'Sami?' he asked. He was always worried about his daughter, even if she didn't allow him to. She lived in the forest outside the city. There she had a humble house with a garage for work. He had never seen it since he was stuck in jail. One of his biggest regrets. He couldn't look out for her, so he couldn't help but worry and feel guilty. He destroyed the family fortune and left his daughter alone struggling with the harsh world outside these prison walls.
'It's nothing, just…' her voice trailed off when she reached for a piece and made an excellent move. Not only did she reinforce her defence, she simultaneously attacked one of his more important pieces. He let out a happy chuckle. Even lost in thought she didn't let him down in this game.
'Earth Kingdom soldiers came around yesterday.' She continued her thought before her move.
'Earth Kingdom soldiers?'
'They wanted somewhere to rest and inspected the perimeters. Kuvira is closer to Republic City then most people think.'
'What did you do?' He knew Kuvira was planning on taking over Republic City, it was all over the papers. After she took the throne form prince Wu, she became a serious threat. He just didn't knew that there were already troops on the outskirts of the city.
'I let them stay for a couple of hours. I got nothing to hide. I'm just worried for the city.' Hiroshi nodded.
'Good, don't aggravate them. It's not your fight.' He told his daughter. She glared at him.
'Of course it's my fight. They are threating my hometown. Besides, every company is changing in their Satomobiles for Cabbage Corps automobiles, because of Kuvira. They feel safer with Earth Kingdom products than with products from Republic City. Those company automobiles were my main income. Future Industries is depending on that and now I'm losing that too. So I would say that it's very much my fight.' She sounded stern and left no room for arguments. So much like her mom. Hiroshi thought, remembering how the kind nature of his late wife would change when someone questioned something close to her heart.
'I know, but you are all alone. I would feel better if there was someone to protect you.' A woman of twenty-two shouldn't be all alone in the woods. Definitely not with all those hostile soldiers around.
'I can handle myself.' She mumbled and looked at the clock behind Hiroshi. 'Oh, jeez. That late already, I'm sorry Dad, but I have to go. I promised the Lee family to take a look at their boiler. Must keep my small clientele happy.' She stood up, as did Hiroshi. They gave each other their usual goodbye hug.
'I love you, keep yourself safe.' He said to his daughter.
'I love you too Dad. And behave in there!' she joked as she walked away. Hiroshi let himself fall down on his chair and let out a sigh. Seeing his daughter leave and not knowing when she will return was always heart-breaking. It was not that he regretted the ideals for which he ended up in prison. He regretted to let his daughter down and destroying the life she was meant to have. With his downfall as an Equalist, Asami was arrested too. When she got out Future Industries was almost bankrupt. He knew his daughter tried to safe what she could, but with so many debts she had no choice to sell almost everything she owned, including the Sato estate. She kept the name Future Industries and bought herself the garage in the woods. There she tried to launch new Satomobiles and other products, but people didn't want to be associated with the Equalists and she couldn't find a market for her inventions. The Satomobiles almost disappeared from the city, only rich families and companies kept them. They were more fancy then other automobiles. Asami kept her head above water with maintaining those left over Satomobiles. She was the only one who could really keep those things working on high quality. And now she was losing that business as well due to the war with knew that Asami did other technical work as well, she repaired almost anything and some households, restaurants and companies used her services. But he doubted that it was enough to keep Future Industries running.
'I'm sorry Yasuko.' He whispered to himself.
Korra raised her hand and a stump of earth came out of the ground. Naga was running towards it, panting happily. When she reached the stump, Korra levelled the ground again and raised another stump a few feet away. This game would always make the Avatar smile, but today it was different. She was stuck on Air Temple Island, while Tenzin, Lin, Raiko and Prince Wu, of all people, had a meeting about the threat of Kuvira. It was pretty clear that the Republic Nations were the next target of Kuvira's army and now they were discussing plans of action. Korra wanted to come, but Tenzin said it was better if she rested. He would inform her as soon as he was back. Even though his words were meant kind, Korra knew she wasn't invited to the meeting because they thought she wasn't ready to do her duties. And to be completely honest, Korra thought the same.
Healing from her fight with Zaheer was the most lonely time in her life. Her friends and family did everything to help her, but she felt she couldn't talk to anyone about the pain in her body and the nightmares she had at night. Mako and Bolin had been her confidants, but she couldn't bring herself to push these problems upon the brothers. Even when she had been so close to Mako. Maybe she couldn't talk to him because he had been her boyfriend. Their relationship was great, until Korra was under pressure due to a new villain in the form of her uncle. As soon as she was trying to share her worries and tactics with Mako, he would push through with what he thought was best, instead of trying to understand Korra's point of view. Not that Korra wanted to change him or blamed him to take his own route. His independence was one of his attractive features. It was just that she felt let down by the firebender.
After their breakup they became close friends again and Korra couldn't have wished for a better team Avatar. Still, when she was up against Zaheer she had to do it all alone. And she knew that when another insane person would claim world domination, she would be all alone again. She simply couldn't ask of her friends to put their lifes on hold to help her.
Korra raised another stump. Naga jumped on it with all her energy. Lost in thought, Korra forgot to pull the stump back and Naga kept lying on the stone stump.
'Korra!' The Avatar looked up. Before she could answer she was pulled into a bear hug by her friend Bolin.
'Bolin! You're back!' She said, gleefully returning the hug. Bolin released her.
'No, you're back! Well, I guess practically speaking I'm back as well…We're back!' Tenzin, Mako and Varrick joined the two long lost friends.
'Weren't you guys with Kuvira?' Korra asked. Mako and Opal told her that Bolin worked for Kuvira now, information that broke her heart. It was hard to believe that Bolin could ever do something to hurt someone else, and Korra was more worried for the earth bender than angry.
'Turns out, Kuvira is cray cray. Sorry I haven't noticed that before.' Bolin said sadly, feeling really bad about everything.
'Don't be sorry. I'm sure she did hide her crazy side.' Korra answered, patting her friend on the shoulder.
'Even though this is a very nice reunion, I'm afraid that Varrick and Bolin have bad news.' Tenzin interrupted the conversation. Bumi is right, he really is a buzz kill. Korra thought, turning her expression from happiness to seriousness.
'Yes, I'm afraid I may have made a supersonic killing machine! Well, I almost definitely have, but it was actually meant for generating Varrick's. And that was totally above board!' Varrick began to explain, all though his phrasing didn't really explain anything.
'Kuvira may have a weapon that uses energy from the spirit vines. Varrick and Bolin had blown up most of the materials, but Kuvira and Bataar Jr. still have the blueprints.' Mako translated Varrick.
'And I tell you, that Bataar Jr. is a real dolphin piranha, if you know exactly what I mean.'Varrick chimed in.
'So we don't know if Kuvira has a new weapon, but we do know she has a lot of man power.' Korra summed up her knowledge of the issue.
'And she is definitely going for Republic City.' Bolin added to her story.
'We need to secure the city, but we also need to keep you safe.' Tenzin continued.
'Don't worry about that. I'm still fit.' Korra answered. The city had priority, not her safety.
'If Kuvira captures you, the future of the world becomes unsure. And you still need time to…'
'Become the Avatar I once was.' Korra finished Tenzin's sentence with a frown. He coughed in his hand.
'I wouldn't put it that way, but you do need to rest up. We cannot put you in danger and we thought it best if you hide until we have more information on Kuvira. We have a meeting with Raiko in a couple of hours to decide about your hiding place.' Korra felt frustration rising in her body, but she didn't protest. She had already lost once to Kuvira and even if she wished that Tenzin was wrong, he was actually right. She had failed and was in no position to oppose Tenzin's plans. With her mind still full of fear, she was no use to anyone. She would only be in the way.
'I don't like hiding, so don't count on me staying in one place for too long.' Korra warned. She would go along with everything Raiko would suggest, but she wouldn't like it.
The meeting with Raiko was designed by Vaatu himself. It was a torturous hour and Korra sat through it, nodding and sinking deeper away in her seat. Lin suggested that the rural areas, a couple of hours away from the city, were the safest place to keep Korra. She could find a family that could be trusted and would take the Avatar in. The whole thing was embarrassing and Korra wished she was back on the street, but that was just wishful thinking and her faith was decided in that meeting.
After that she needed some time alone and decided to go on an hike. A little bit of freedom before she was locked away for her own good. The skies were getting dark, as if to sympathize with the way she felt. Korra was walking through the city with a small backpack. She had brought some food and something to drink.
'Korra! Korra! Wait up!' With a swift movement she turned around and saw Mako running up to her. When he reached her he bended forward, resting his hands on his knees well catching his breath. 'I thought it was you. Where are you going?' He asked, recomposing himself.
'I am going on an hike.' She said, trying to smile but still feeling the pile of rocks in her stomach.
'Okay, the weather is about to turn though.' He mumbled, looking her up and down. Korra knew that look. He used that when he was trying to figure out if Korra was alright and sane by mind to make decisions. It was meant good, but when they were still together that look would drive her crazy. As if she didn't knew what was best for herself. Now she recognized it as genuine concern.
'I'll be fine…' She said, smiling softly.
'Shall I go with you? Just to be sure you're going to be okay.' He said, scratching the back of his neck. He didn't want Korra to get the wrong idea. Sure, they've been together for quite a long time, but in the end they were both relieved to call each other just friends again. Somehow her stubbornness and his rational nature weren't working together.
'No, thank you. This might sound ironic for someone who had just disappeared for three years, but I need some time alone. Before… you know, they are going to put me away.' Korra said, slightly pained over the whole ordeal. Mako nodded, understanding what she meant.
'I know you don't like the solution. But if it makes you feel better, I think it's good that you can get some rest somewhere before facing Kuvira again.'
'Maybe, I just feel so useless. I wish I could do more…' Korra felt frustration rise in her again.
'I know. But you're not useless. See your time off as a period of training or preparation for battle. You know we need you back eventually.' Mako tried again to take away the shame Korra must be feeling from hiding away for Kuvira. Korra flashed him a sad smile and gave him a hug, which he immediately returned.
'Thanks. You guys are the best things that ever happened to me, so I will definitely come back for you.' Korra spoke softly releasing the firebender.
'Good, we will make everything ready for your return. And I will personally escort you to your knew training place.' Korra smiled, training place sounded less bad than refuge.
'Cool, but don't you need to keep your eyes on the new king?' Korra asked, remembering the somewhat annoying man who was supposed to lead the Earth Kingdom instead of Kuvira.
'Oh spirits! I promised to pick him up from his spa day. He said he was in dire need for a skin peel after all the stressful events. I don't know how much longer I can stand being his bodyguard.'
'Haha, come on. You fought with the Equalists, Unulaq and the Red Lotus. Wu shouldn't be a problem.' She joked, seeing the frown that decorated her friend's face.
'Ugh, I swear, he is the worst opponent I have ever encountered.' He said in a dark voice.
'Well, then I won't hold you up any longer. Good luck.'
'You too! Watch out for the weather!' Mako yelled while running back into town. Korra waved until he disappeared in the crowd.
The rain was pounding on the ground. Somehow she liked storms, it broke the silence of her life a little. So like every time bad weather would hit the woods, she would go out for a small walk. Her rain suit and wellies kept her dry and the forces of nature cleared her head. She saw little blue spirits dancing in the air. I'm not the only one who enjoys rainstorms.
'Hello there, lovely weather right?' She greeted the creatures as old friends. Three spirits flew to her shoulder and jumped up and down. They weren't heavy, but one pulled her hair from under her hood.
'Wow there buddy.' She said, grabbing the blue spirit with her hand. It made a high pitched tone.
'Hmmm, I'm not really good at speaking spirit.' Asami apologized. The two other spirits on her shoulder started to peep as well and the third flew out of her hand, grabbed her hair again and pulled her to the right.
'Ah, stop.' She said, grabbing her own hair to stop the pinching pain. A bit uneasy she followed the spirit who had still a dead grip on her locks.
'You don't have to pull my hair. I get it. I need to follow you.' She said, but the spirit was too preoccupied. They reached a slope with bushes some feet below them. The spirit let go of her and the three flew down, making nervous peeping sounds.
'In there? What's there?' Asami wasn't feeling like getting mud over her boots and pants, but she couldn't just ignore the little guys. They seemed very agitated and in need of help. The blue spirit flew up again, aiming for her hair. Asami turned away quick.
'No need for that again! I will go to the bushes.' She said, tucking her hair back into her hood. With a deep sigh she moved closer to the edge. Carefully she let herself descend, grabbing roots and branches. It wasn't easy and she almost slipped a couple of times, but she got to the ground without falling. Her boots were brown with mud and her pants were smudged. At least it breaks the daily routine. She thought staring down her dirty hands. She felt light tapping on her shoulder and the three spirits seemed to push her towards a specific bush.
'Alright, alright.' She said. Without knowing what she should expect she rummaged through the bush with her hands.
'What am I looking for?' She asked, but got no coherent answer. Then her hands patted something soft, like a fur, no longer than fur. She moved her hand further and felt some strange warm and soft material and after that damp fabric. Oh spirits! It's a person. With both hands she dove in the shrubbery and pulled an unconscious woman up by her collar. She had a nasty cut on her forehead and although she was tan, she looked pale and limp. Without thinking too much, Asami slung the woman carefully over her shoulder. She couldn't climb the slope with someone on her back, that would be too dangerous. She had to walk around it. With a fast pace, making sure she didn't bump too much up and down, she began her journey home.
She let the young woman fall from her back onto the couch. Her clothes were drenched. Asami moved her fingers lightly over the cut on her forehead, she also noticed a big one on her arm. In Asami's opinion the clothes of the girl were way to thin for this kind of weather, but her body seemed to emit enough warmth on its own. Which was to be expected from a Southern.
Asami got out of her own rain suit and grabbed some towels and the first aid kit. Slowly she dapped around the wound on the woman's forehead with a piece of cloth. Thankfully it stopped bleeding. With a trained hand she disinfected the cut which caused a groan from the unconscious woman. Asami smiled, at least she was aware of her surroundings, which was only good. She then patched up her head with cotton and some plasters. Then she moved to the arm, cleaning the cut and wrapping it in bandages. With a contented smile she looked at her work. The wounds were tightly covered and some colour seemed to creep back up on the face of the Southern, all though that could just be in her mind.
With a feeling of relieve she decided she deserved a cup of tea and entered the kitchen. She placed the teapot and two cups on a plate. She thought her visitor might want a cup of tea when she came around. With her back she pushed open the door to her living room, carrying the plate with two hands. When she turned around again two blue eyes stared at her in confusion and shock. The woman had her back pushed firmly against the couch, sitting straight up ready to launch an attack or defend herself. Slowly Asami put the plate down on the nearby table and raised her hands in the air, backing down a little.
'Hello, I'm Asami… I found you in the woods. I brought you to my house, you were bleeding.' She said as calm as she could, pointing towards the woman's arm. She decided to leave out her last name, that would only agitate the girl more. Korra traced the bandage on arm and head with her fingers. Calming down a little at the friendly voice Asami had used. Asami… Sounds familiar…
Korra shifted her composure a little, so she looked less aggravated.
'Hey, I-I am…'
'I know who you are.' Asami interrupted her and brought the plate to the salon table in front of Korra. She knew she was carrying the Avatar the moment she pulled her out of those bushes.
'Okay, thanks for helping me…' Korra was still uneasy. She could remember the rain. All of a sudden it poured down, blurring her vision. She must have tripped or something. The rest was a blur and now she was here. Jeez, I really am a terrible Avatar.
'No problem. I don't want to go down in history as the one that let Avatar Korra die.' Asami said, attempting a joke but seeing the frown from the Avatar she knew it wasn't really funny. 'Sorry, that was kind of macabre. Must be the weather.' She apologized, pouring Korra an hot cup of tea.
'That's okay.' Korra was still suspicious. After Zaheer and being left to her own devices for over two years, she had a problem with trusting strangers. She knew most people were kind, but they always wanted things from her.
'Where are we? Besides in your house.' Korra asked. She kept focused on the woman's face. Her green eyes were kind and soft, but there was also a certain coldness in them.
'I life in the woods, just outside Republic City. I can give you a lift back to the city tomorrow if you like. It looks like it's not going to stop raining for a while and the roads are pretty muddy and dangerous. But tomorrow it should be alright. You can stay here tonight, I have some extra blankets.' Asami offered calmly.
'Thanks, that would be nice…' Korra answered, it wasn't like she had a lot of choice. Out of habit she bended the water out of her clothes and concentrated it in a bubble in front of her. Asami stared at it, not having seen anything like that before. She had of course seen waterbending, but not this close-up.
'Hmm…' Korra looked awkwardly at Asami. She snapped out of her thoughts.
'Oh, wait!' She ran off to the kitchen and returned with a bowl. Korra bended the water in it without spilling a drop.
'I could dry you as well.' She offered.
'Oh, no thanks. I need to change anyway.' Asami refused, not wanting to strain the wounded Avatar.
'Spirits!' Korra yelled all of a sudden. 'Can I use a phone? Tenzin… I mean master Tenzin expects me back and I don't want to worry him.' He would send out a search party if she wasn't back before nightfall. Asami frowned as if she was solving a mathematical formula. Her phone was dead for about two weeks now. The phone lines snapped at the last storm and she hadn't had time since to repair them. But she also knew that people would panic if the Avatar disappeared again and with her last name that would only mean bad news if they found her here.
'Okay, hmmm… You can use the phone in half an hour if that's alright.' She decided, the storm was bad, but there was no thunder. So she must be able to climb the poles without being electrocuted. Korra looked puzzled, but an half hour was good.
'O-okay.' Asami nodded and took her coat.
'I'll be back in half an hour then. The kitchen is behind this door and the bathroom is through there.' She pointed. Korra nodded uneasy, not knowing why she had to leave to get her a phone in half an hour. 'Okay, make yourself at home.' Asami walked out of the door, leaving Korra with two steaming cups of tea.
It didn't take long for Korra to get utterly bored. Her head ached and her arm was itching, but she was too tired to heal herself. Besides, her hostess had taken so much care in binding up her wounds that she felt bad to let that work go to waste.
With big steps she walked around the small living room. She was wondering what Asami was doing. Was she buying a phone for her? That wouldn't make any sense, since she said that she couldn't drive to the city now. Maybe she had a phone hidden in the forest? No, that was just as ridiculous.
After inspecting some items in the living room boredom took over again. There were some paintings, papers on a desk, a radio with its innards spilling out, a bookcase with too many books. Everything was tidy and clean, but there was just too much stuff. Loose screws, tools and gears decorated the small salon table. The living room was a well ordered chaos.
With the same curiosity, Korra inspected the bathroom. Again, very clean and well organized, but this time no clutter. There was a simple sink, shower and toilet. Soaps, shampoos, perfume, toothpaste, something Korra guessed were various make-up items, were stacked in straight lines. Korra decided to return to the living room. After a while her hand was lingering on the doorknob of a door Asami hadn't introduced as something. She knew that it was bad to snoop around someone's place without asking. She liked to think of herself as a full grown Avatar with manners. Not the impulsive hot-head that she was years ago. But her childish curiosity was tucking at her heart. Slowly she pulled open the door.
It was the bedroom. A double bed took most of the space in the room. There was also a closet. I really shouldn't be doing this. Korra thought, but her hands had a mind of their own. She couldn't help that that woman was so mysterious. What if she was a villain and something dangerous was lurking in that closet? Of course that was nonsense, Asami hadn't been anything but nice to her. Still, it was a good excuse. Korra took a deep breath, but had lost any sense inhibition. She opened the doors and organized shelves with clothes greeted her. What did she expect? There were shirts, pants and skirts neatly folded. There were also some leather gloves and hangers with coats. Korra's eye fell on a red dress, hanging on the right far end of the closet. Without thinking Korra let her hand slide over the soft fabric. A very fancy dress for someone in the woods.
'You need to be prepared for everything.' A voice said behind her. Korra jumped up and let out a squeak. With terrified big eyes she looked at her hostess. Her hair was wet and there were smudges of dirt on her shirt. She pulled off a leather glove, identical to the ones in the closet, and let the fabric of the dress running through her hand.
'I kept it in case I needed to go somewhere with a dress code. But there aren't a lot of those places in the forest.' She said with a smile, seeing the embarrassed expression on Korra's face.
'I-I'm sorry, I didn't m-mean to pry.' She stumbled over her words.
'Don't worry about it. I hope you like my place.' She said teasingly, closing the closet and walking back to the living room.
'Yes, i-it's nice.' Korra followed her and could beat herself for being such a creep. Asami sat down at the desk in the living room. There was a phone on the desk now and she slowly dialled a number. Maybe she had a phone hidden in the forest. Korra thought, not taking her eyes off Asami.
'Hello Chan. I fixed my phone lines. …. I know, it was about time. … The weather didn't bother me, I'm fine. Anyway, you can call me again and I will be picking up my order tomorrow. … Yes, thank you. Bye.' Asami hung up. She turned to Korra.
'It works, so it's all yours.'
'Did you repair your phone lines? By yourself? In this weather? For me?' Korra blurred, feeling more embarrassed and guilty for rummaging through her stuff. Asami chuckled at the flabbergasted expression of the Avatar.
'Yes I did.'
'You shouldn't have. I mean, it wasn't that necessary, I don't want to cause you any trouble.' Korra mumbled. Great, besides being a nuance to my friends and loved ones, I start to bother strangers as well.
'No problem.' Asami said with a friendly smile She stood up so Korra could take place. She walked out of the living room into her kitchen to give the Avatar some privacy. Korra slowly dialled Tenzin's phone number.
'Hello, this is Air Temple Island, home of the airbenders, Ikki speaking.' A happy voice boomed through the phone.
'Hello Ikki, it's Korra. Can you get your dad?'
'Of course Korra, DAD!' Korra held the phone away from her ear. That girl really could scream. She heard some stumbling and the muffled voice of Tenzin.
'Hello, Tenzin here.'
'Hi Tenzin, it's Korra.'
'Korra! What a surprise, from where are you calling? I thought you were hiking. Are you sheltering from the storm?' He asked.
'Yes I am. I will be staying for the night. Don't worry, the people are very kind.' Korra thought it best to keep it vague. Explaining to Tenzin that she was with a complete stranger and cut open her head and arm would only make him fly down here to pick her up. And she didn't want to deal with speeches about being careful and not risking her life on stupid hikes.
'Okay, have you found a hotel or something?' Tenzin asked, not recalling a hotel close by the forest.
'Something like that. Anyway I have to go. See you in the morning.'
'Wait, Kor…' Korra hung up so she didn't have to elaborate on her lies. She sighed and sank back against the chair.
'All done?' Asami asked, walking inside the living room again with to plates with sandwiches.
'Yes…' Korra said.
'I made you something to eat. It's not much for supper, but it's something.' Asami half apologized for not coming up with a decent meal. She put the plates down on her table and wiped some papers to the side to make room for her guest. Korra sat down at the table and looked at the simple sandwich. She was famished.
'Thanks, looks great.' With big bites she swallowed half of her sandwich. Asami looked at her in horror, if she kept on eating at this rate one sandwich wasn't going to be enough. In no time Korra started on the last part of her simple meal.
'You can have mine as well, if you're hungry.' Aasmi said, not having touched hers yet.
'Oh, no. That's okay.' But at the same time Korra's stomach made a loud rumbling noise.
'You're stomach seems to like the offer.' Asami said with a smile, pushing her plate towards Korra. Korra's face turned red and coughed uneasy.
'Aren't you hungry then? I don't want to take your bandages and all your food.' She felt that Asami had done already so much for her.
'I'm not a big eater.' She said, waving away Korra's doubts. Korra nodded and started on Asami's sandwiches.
'I will make it up to you.' She said in-between bites.
'Don't worry about that. I owe you.'
'What do you mean?' Korra asked, genuinely confused. Maybe they had met once before.
'You saved Republic City from Unalaq. I saw you in spirit form fighting him in the bay. If it wasn't for you I had no city to call home anymore.' Asami explained. Korra swallowed and felt strangely touched by her comment. Her friends and family had been grateful for her work, but the people of Republic City usually found something to complain about. Whether it were spirit vines or collateral damage from defending the city.
'Thanks…' She said, feeling a blush coming to her face. Why would I blush!? She scraped her throat and concentrated on her sandwich again.
'You're welcome. I will get you some blankets. Are you okay sleeping on the couch tonight?' Korra nodded and Asami left the living room for blankets. Of all the strangers she could have met today, Korra had a feeling that Asami was one of the best.
After Asami had piled up some cushions and blankets on the couch, she made a new batch of sandwiches. This time Korra only ate her half. Meanwhile they talked about their daily lives. Nothing too heavy. Korra found out that Asami had a garage behind her house and was a technician and engineer. Making and inventing things. She took over the family business when she was nineteen years old and was working hard to make a name for herself.
'So your parents couldn't take care of the company anymore since you were nineteen?' Korra asked in awe. She knew that she and her friends dealt with stuff that people of her age shouldn't deal with, but taking over a whole company was something else. Asami slowly took a sip from her tea. She still hadn't told Korra that her father was Hiroshi Sato and that it was Korra herself that put him behind bars.
'My mom died when I was six and my father wasn't able to keep the company going.' She half lied.
'I'm sorry about your mom.' Korra said sadly.
'It was a long time ago. Anyway, the family business is like a real family for me. I know that sounds weird.' Asami said, moving her hand through her hair. She didn't know why she trusted the Avatar with her personal feelings. Maybe it was too long ago that she opened up to someone like this. Most human interaction in her life was business.
'And your dad? Doesn't he help you with the business?'
'He does. He advises me on things, but he is sort of with retirement. Losing my mom and leading a company got too much for him. I'm just happy that he's healthy. What about you parents? They must be worried sick all the time, with you being the Avatar and all.' Asami decided to change the subject, not wanting to get deeper in her web of lies.
'They're used to it and trust me to do the right thing. I have a lot of support, one of the perks of being the Avatar.'
'I guess that is nice…' Aasmi stared in her teacup. She knew that being the Avatar was hard work and that Korra had been through a lot of heartship. She had read the full story of her fight with the Red Lotus in the papers. There was a picture of Korra in a wheelchair and that image had always stayed with Asami. How the once young and strong Avatar was looking depressed and defeated. It broke her heart. But when she read about Team Avatar, she was ashamed to feel herself slightly jealous. Since the Equalists Asami had no friends and people held her in suspicion. She was used to it now, but in the beginning it broke her up. She was too angry to visit her dad and she had no one left to turn to. Moving to the forest was a defence mechanism, to escape the judging eyes and gossiping mouths. In the end she had no choice but to forgive her father, he was the only thing, besides Future Industries, to connect her to the human world. Korra might have been in a wheelchair, but she was never lonely.
'It's getting late. I should turn in.' Korra said with a yawn.
'That's a good idea.' Asami took there empty plates and cups to bring them to the kitchen. Korra spread a blanket over the couch.
'If you need anything I'll be in my bedroom. Don't hesitate to ask for anything.'Asami said, before leaving the living room.
'Okay, sleep tight.' Korra said.
'Yes, good night.' Aasmi closed her bedroom door behind her. She changed into her nightgown and jumped into bed. Normally she would still be tinkering in her garage around this hour, but she didn't want to make Korra feel like it was too early to sleep. She grabbed a sketchbook from her nightstand and started to draw one of her newest inventions. It was inspired on the humming birds in the forest. It was a small plane for two people, that could take off and land without a landing strip. Drawing calmed her mind and she realised how much she enjoyed the company of Avatar Korra today. She was almost sad at the thought that she would leave tomorrow. Maybe the loneliness was taking its toll. She should go out more, but she didn't have any money and she wasn't interested in the bars and people who hung around bars. Subconsciously she started to sketch something that looked like a portrait of the Avatar. With grunt she laid the sketchbook back on the nightstand. One day she would make Future Industries soar again and with that friends will come along. Avatar Korra was just here for shelter and she was just fulfilling her duties as a citizen of Republic City.
Thanks for reading this story. The plot is something I wanted to try out after I had read some wonderful stories here about Asami losing her fortune or Asami and Korra meeting later in their adventures. Anyway, let me know what you think about it! I don't know how fast I will update this, because I'm still writing on my other story (For the Common Good), but this fic is a good way to get rid of writer's block. Anyway, thanks again for reading!
Ryne C.