Written for the Korrasami anniversary! :D
Full summary: Korra is the Avatar, arguably the most spiritual person in the world.
Asami Sato is an engineer, which means that she is a logical, practical person in the whole extent of the word. But what happens when she faces a dilemma she has no idea how to deal with?
As Korra's partner, Asami questions her place by her side because she isn't one of the most spiritual persons. In fact, she thinks she is not spiritual at all. Asami gets frustrated by this fact and lets her fear of losing Korra fuel her insecurities, but that won't stop her from trying to do what she thinks is right for both of them.
Asami-centric story with a happy ending, promise.
"Korra, why are you so eager to return to the spirit world?" Asami asked.
"Aren't you?" Korra was actually skipping.
"Well, yes, but I'm not almost jumping from excitement, like you."
"I cannot help it Asami. There were so many things to see, and last time I couldn't show you everything, we had to return to rebuild the city. I want to see old and new things. The spirit world can be a very magical place… especially if I'm going with you." Korra showed Asami her lopsided grin.
"I know." Asami smiled back, an excited glint in her eyes. She reached for Korra's hand and they continued walking towards the portal.
It had been a week since the expansion and reconstruction of Republic City ended. Citizens were slowly returning to their home and things were getting back to a new normal, given the changes the city suffered since Kuvira's attack. Korra and Asami, after major efforts from both of them to get the city back to its feet, finally had time to relax and they decided to visit the spirit world once again.
The night was cool and the spirit portal bathed with its soft light the only two people near it; with backpacks slung over their shoulders, Asami and Korra entered it and arrived to a known place full of wonders. They marveled at the numerous sights, but this time Korra took Asami in a different direction than the one they tried in their first trip, hoping to see and experience many beautiful things again.
"Do you know where we are going?" Asami asked.
"Not really." Korra shrugged. "I just feel like walking this way."
Asami giggled. "Just like the last time."
"Hey, we had a great time, and we didn't get that lost."
"I know. I am just teasing you." Asami pecked Korra's cheek, causing her to blush a little.
The couple continued wandering aimlessly for a while until they stopped to take a short break. Korra lied down on the ground, not before tossing her backpack; Asami carefully placed hers beside a flower garden, but she was startled by a little animal that jumped out of it. This spirit was very similar to an otter penguin, but it had a beak instead of a snout, its tail was shorter, and it had only two wings. The spirit was running fast, as if late for an appointment, and it somehow had white petals stuck to its fur, but they dissolved in the air as the spirit ran away.
Korra, propped on one arm, looked curiously at the spirit. "The little fella looks like it is covered in cream."
"A little creamy penguin?" Asami said without thinking. Korra burst out laughing at this, rolling on the ground and holding her sides. A heartbeat later Asami was doubling over with laughter before joining Korra on the ground. After a while they calmed down and, resting one beside the other, just stared at the subtle changes of color in the sky, their hands interlocked without any of them realizing it. They were enjoying the moment, the here and now, without any concerns for what the future may have for them.
Before sleep took them both, Asami stood up, motioning Korra to do the same. They were in the hollow between two hills, so they decided to climb one of them and see what lay beyond from atop of it. The sight took their breath away, even though it wasn't new for Korra.
"Wow, that mountain looks astounding." Asami said.
"That's Hai-Riyo Peak! That's where the dragon bird spirit dwells. You are gonna love seeing it, even take a little ride, maybe. But first…" Korra pointed down to her left. "…I want you to meet someone, we didn't come across him the last time we were here."
"Someone important?" Asami winked at Korra, she already knew the answer.
Korra just took Asami's hand in hers and they went down the slope half jogging, half running, with Asami laughing at her girlfriend's playfulness. Panting, they reached a white single storey building, a house with grass roof; a few feet away from it there was a huge table ready for a tea party. After both of them managed to catch their breath, Korra knocked on the door of the small house, a friendly voice answering the call.
"You are arriving early, we were not supposed to begin the party yet." The door of the house was opened by an old man with a huge belly and a long white beard, who was surprised to meet the Avatar. "Oh, Korra, what a nice surprise." He gave Korra a hug.
"It's so good to see you, Iroh." Korra said after pulling apart.
"I heard what you did, well, all the spirits did. You created a new spirit portal. You really are bringing true balance to the world."
"Thank you, Iroh. That means a lot coming from you." Korra turned towards Asami, who was respectfully not interrupting them. "Iroh, I want you to meet Asami. She's the smartest person in the physical world, and she also happens to be my girlfriend."
Asami bowed politely, about to greet Iroh formally when he cut her off.
"Oh, it is an honor to meet the Avatar's soulmate." Asami and Korra turned red at Iroh's words, feeling a little awkward because of them. Asami looked at Korra, who just gave her a reassuring smile. Neither of them contradicted Iroh.
Recovering from her astonishment, Asami found her voice again. "The honor is mine, general Iroh. Korra has talked a lot about you, and I have read several books about the great deeds of the Dragon of the West."
"You are very flattering, but I was just a man who fought in a war, nothing out of the ordinary. And please, just call me Iroh."
"Korra has also told me that you are a master at preparing tea." Asami said smiling.
"Ah. That is one of my passions. Now that you mention it, would both of you like to accompany me and have a cup of tea?" Iroh jerked his head towards the tea table.
Korra showed her lopsided grin. "We'd love it."
"Asami, do you like ginseng tea?" Iroh asked.
"I love ginseng."
Iroh leaned toward Korra, telling her with a not so low voice, before entering the house. "She's a keeper."
Korra got flushed by this, and Asami just laughed at her dorky girlfriend.
: : :
Korra and Asami were sitting at the table, enjoying their freshly brewed tea, and they were having a pleasant talk with Iroh.
"The damage Kuvira made to the city was huge." Korra said. "And Republic City had to be rebuilt again. But Asami managed to fix everything and even made it more beautiful."
"Korra, you are exaggerating." Asami put a hand on Korra's leg.
"I am not. You designed the city to be functional in every aspect, but you did so without neglecting the beauty it could have, and above all, you are always veiling for humans and spirits alike." Korra said, proud of her girlfriend.
"The way you describe it…" Iroh interjected. "…it sounds as if she rebuilt the city with the spirit portal at the center of it."
"How did you know that?" Asami asked.
"It was easy to deduce, I'm a spirit after all." Iroh let out a heartfelt laugh. "Tell me, Asami, I can tell that you like to build a lot of things, what else do you like?"
"I like to tinker, create and innovate mostly mechanical stuff. It is a passion that runs in the family."
"She is also a terrific Pai Sho player." Korra added.
"Oh, terrific you say. Asami, would you like to play a game or two with an old man?"
"I'd love to, but…" Asami looked at Korra, knowing her girlfriend got bored if she wasn't doing anything.
As if reading Asami's mind, Korra immediately reassured her girlfriend. "No no no, these mini vacations are for the two of us, and the last time we came here I was kinda disappointed that you didn't meet Iroh. You should play as long as you want. I'll just sit by your side and watch you two play."
"Thank you, Korra." Asami kissed Korra on the lips, a quick gesture so as to not make Iroh uncomfortable.
Iroh set the board and gave the first move to Asami. Right away each contender, aware that their opponent was no amateur in this game, started to think thoroughly of their strategy, which in turn made the game go at a slow pace. At first Korra was paying attention, trying to learn from these two experienced players —when she played with Asami, she always lost— and she cheered Asami whenever she won, but some games later, Korra fell asleep on the grass, next to her girlfriend.
"Korra wasn't lying, Asami. You are a terrific Pai Sho player. It's been years, I think, since I've had so much fun." Iroh picked the tiles of their finished game and arranged them in place once again.
"I'm not that good. You have dragged me in the dirt half of our games." Despite Asami's affirmation, she showed a candid smile.
Iroh laughed. "That's not entirely true. You have a good head on your shoulders, I only won those games because I have more experience than you."
"I can tell, you must have played a lot when you were in the physical world."
"That's right, but I wasn't talking about Pai Sho, I was talking about life."
Asami was about to make the first move of yet another game, but then she remembered something. She averted her gaze from the board and focused on her opponent. "Iroh, I want to ask you something. I've been meaning to ask Korra, but it always slipped my mind for one reason or another."
"Go ahead. What's in your mind?"
"How come you are here? I mean, do all people come to this place when they die?"
"I'm afraid not, Asami. Only certain people can come and stay in the spirit world after they pass on. I'm pretty new at this, but I think it's those that are already imbued with a lot of spiritual energy or have cultivated it throughout their lives, those that have a strong connection with the spirit world are the people that can come and stay in it, if they choose to do so. For example, Jinora, Tenzin's child, she may be able to stay in the spirit world when she passes away, if she decides to do so, that is. If she doesn't, she will simply continue with her journey."
"You know about Jinora?"
"Of course. I haven't met her, but she is a friend with the spirits. They have a big mouth if you ask me."
"So, what happens when people die?"
"Ah, you see, some people think that they will end up in the spirit world after they die, but that's not the case. When they pass away, their souls go to the afterlife, which, I think, is very different from this world. I cannot say for sure because I haven't arrived there yet." Iroh laughed.
"Including the Avatar's?"
"The Avatar is a special case. When they die, obviously they can choose to linger in the spirit world or go on with their journey, but whatever may be the case, in the end they can always communicate with the newest avatar, and that meeting usually happens in the spirit world. It is thanks to the bond they have with Raava that they can do that. But as you know, the bond was severed, so the next Avatar will only be able to talk with Korra."
"Let me see if I understood you correctly. Korra's life will come to an end, like everybody else's, and when that happens, she will decide if she wants to stay in the spirit world or not, right?"
"Exactly. The Avatar always cultivates their spiritual side, so they always have that choice at the end of their lives."
Asami meditated Iroh's words for a long while. At last, she spoke again. "Thank you for clearing my doubts, Iroh. You have given me a lot to think about."
"You are very much welcome. You may come visit me whenever you like so we can chat a little more, or at least have a cup of tea. But right now I think it is time for you to go." Iroh jerked his head in direction of Korra, who was stirring and waking up.
The Avatar sat up, rubbed her left eye and blinked several times. "What did I miss?" Korra yawned and covered her mouth with her hand.
"Not much, Iroh won several times because I was too distracted hearing your snores."
"I don't snore!" Korra exclaimed, offended.
Asami giggled and Iroh laughed wholeheartedly. "Ok, you two better continue with your vacations. You are short of time if I recall correctly."
"Not that short, we just arrived here."
"Thank you for having us, Iroh." Korra hugged the old man.
"And thank you for our little chat." Asami hugged Iroh too.
"Both of you are welcome. Remember to visit me now and then."
The girls continued with their little trip. Korra led the way, choosing Hai-Riyo Peak as their next destination. Despite the pleasant time she was having, part of Asami's mind pondered on Iroh's words for the rest of the night.
A/N: Everything that Iroh explains about how a person can end up in the Spirit World is canon; you can check the commentary of episode 10 in Book 2. The rest was my idea, I don't explain that much, though :P