Authors Note 8/10/2016: This was my first attempt at writing fanfiction and in hindsight it's bad/shouldn't be read by anyone. Luckily I have a better version going up that you should go read instead. s/12099783/1/The-Avatar-s-Anagnorisis-Redux


Korra sighed as she stared out over the Sato estate at the nearby trees. She was sitting on a window sill in one of the towers. It had been a month since she and Asami had returned from the Spirit World. In hindsight, Korra wished she had brought a larger pack so that they could have stayed longer.

Just like when Korra was recovering the Red Lotus poison, the world had continued moving on without her. Bolin, Suyin and her family had returned to Zaofu. Lin and Mako remained in what was left of Republic City overseeing the police as they dealt with constructing a new city and patrolling what was being called the Spirit Ruins. While it had started to become a tourist attraction, there were issues with looting amongst the abandoned buildings, to say nothing of the dangers that came from the new Spirit Portal.

Kuvira had been tried, convicted and locked away somewhere by the White Lotus. Korra didn't even know which nation she was being held in or how they could even keep someone with Kuvira's bending abilities in prison. She had to admit that they had held Zaheer's team for well over a decade until Zaheer gained airbending. Baatar JR had been tried as well, but Suyin's influence had kept him out of prison. Instead, he had been placed in Varrick's charge and ordered to assist him and Zhu Li in undoing his actions under Kuvira.

Prince Wu had returned to the Earth Kingdom, following through on his promise of dismantling the monarchy. Tenzin and his airbenders had gone with him to help with the elections and dismantling the education camps.

She had offered to help them all, but everyone had told her to take things easy, that things were under control. Toph was right, the world didn't need her anymore. At least until things started going horribly wrong anyways.

Korra sighed again and rubbed her forehead for a moment until she heard a laugh behind her. "You're starting to look like Naga when she's been cooped up for too long." Korra turned to see Asami behind her, a bemused look on her face. Asami was wearing her usual red and black coat with the half gear on her shoulder. She held a piece of paper in one hand, the other resting on her hip.

The Avatar stood up starting to pace "I'm not used to sitting around like this, I've always had a goal in the past or someone to fight against. Mastering the elements, Amon, Unalaq, the Red Lotus, Kuvira, I've always had something to do. But now? Everything is being handled by someone else and doesn't need my help. It's just like after I was poisoned, the world doesn't need me."

Asami frowned in response "You're allowed to take some time off every once in a while, you don't have to do everything yourself. And you don't need to prove yourself to anyone, you've done more then what can be expected or asked of anyone else."

She looked down at the message she was holding in her hands. "I have an idea, I received an invitation from Fire Lord Izumi today. She's expressed some interest in a business arrangement with Future Industries, you should come to the meeting with me. You've never visited the Fire Nation right? This is an invitation to the Royal Palace in Capital City. Come with me, it'll be fun." And having the Avatar as a guest could give me some negotiating leverage she thought to herself.

Asami was right, she never had been to the Fire Nation. And it wasn't like she had anything better to do. She turned hugging Asami impulsively. "You're right, let's go."

Asami started, surprised at Korra's sudden decision and quickly went rigid as the Avatar closed the distance and embraced her. Her heart started beating faster at the close contact and despite herself, she remained still in surprise as she looked slightly downwards at the shorter woman. As the embrace went on, she started to move her face down slowly towards Korras, her lips parting slightly.

Korra's face started to turn red as she realized what Asami was doing. There had been a few moments like this in the Spirit World, but she had backed away each time, unsure of what her feelings towards Asami actually were. They were close friends and had fought together since the Equalist rebellion, she cared for her for sure, her feelings were like what she once held for Mako, but at the end of it, they were both women.

"Is the Avatar joining us Miss Sato?" The sudden question from Mako's grandmother, Yin, caused both Asami and Korra to jump then back away from each other looking embarrassed. Asami coughed, then turned towards the elderly woman "Yes, we'll be leaving in an hour. Is that enough time for you to gather your things Korra?"

Korra, her face still blushing, nodded not trusting herself to speak. She hurried out of the room receiving a curious look from Yin as she did so.

Asami frowned slightly as she watched Korra beat a hasty retreat from the room. It was obvious that the the Avatar was interested in her, but every time she made a move, Korra found some sort of excuse or reason to break the moment. Well, there would be plenty of time to discuss the matter once they were alone on the way to the Fire Nation.

She turned towards the elderly woman "Are you sure you won't stay here? The railway is still damaged so you'll have to wait in Republic City for it to be repaired before returning to Ba Sing Se." Yin gave her that patiently tolerant look that all old people somehow had mastered. "We know that dear, but we've imposed on you enough already and the war is over. Our place is among our people during these elections." Yin turned and walked away down the hall. Asami faintly heard her muttering to herself as she went. "Dissolving the monarchy, oh Prince Wu you foolhardy boy."

Despite Yin's obvious determination, Asami made one last appeal to Yin as she got out of her truck. "Are you sure you don't want to stay at my house? It could still be dangerous in the Earth Kingdom." Yin shook her head "No dear, we'll be fine as I said. You and the Avatar should ..enjoy yourselves my dear." Asami blinked startled at the expression on Yin's face. What seemed like a look of contempt only lasted for a moment and quickly disappeared, but it had been there.

She turned towards Korra, "There anything you want to do or get before we leave Republic City Korra?" The avatar rubbed her chin for a moment before shaking her head "No I don't think so, I have everything I need in my pack already. Are you ready to see the Fire Nation?" Asami smiled "Let's get underway then, I hope you brought something to read." It was a quick truck ride to where Asami's aircraft was docked and they were lifting off in short order.

Asami finished setting the coordinates as she engaged the auto pilot. She glanced out the window for a moment towards the ocean below before pulling out a small hand mirror from her pocket. Looking down, she cast a gaze over the makeup she was wearing. Everything was fine, but she applied a thin layer of lipstick anyways. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders "You can do this Asami, it'll be all right." She turned away from the helm and made her way back towards the passenger area of the airship. There was one other person on the ship besides her and Korra, but the handyman had instructions to stay on the lower levels. That left the upper floor for just her and Korra.

She found the Avatar standing near one of the windows gazing outwards. If you looked to the east, you could just barely see the glow from the Spirit Portal amidst the ruins. Asami moved slowly not wanting to be heard. Her heart began to beat faster as she moved closer. The pace gave her plenty of time to admire every curve of the Avatar's body. Korra had abandoned her usual fur lined clothes in favor of garb that would be better suited to the Fire Nation's warmer climate. A bead of sweat started to run down Asami's forehead, both from the sight in front of her and what she was planning to do.

Once she drew within arm's reach, she reached out grasping Korra by the shoulders and spinning her so they were face to face. Korra started to utter an exclamation of surprise but was cut off as Asami leaned forward and crushed her mouth against Korra's. Her heart had been beating quickly before, but now it felt like a hammer was pounding against the inside of her chest.

Korra had fought in wars, journeyed to the spirit world, battled against some of the most powerful benders in the world. She had even faced Vaatu in single combat and won. But nothing, nothing in her life had been as exhilarating as this moment with Asami. Every nerve in her body seemed to come awake as her world shrank to just the two of them. It felt wonderful and awful at the same time. The guilt was as strong as the pleasure she felt at that moment. After what seemed like an eon, she broke away from Asami and stepped back, taking a deep breath. "Asami..."

Asami shook her head and put two fingers on Korra's lips silencing her. "I'm speaking first here. I've admired you from the first moment we met. You're the strongest and most amazing person I've ever met. Even when we were both chasing Mako, I never hated you. I was hurt yes, but I never actually hated you. When you left after Jinora's ceremony, it felt like a part of me was missing. I realized then that I loved you. I've been trying to say it ever since Varrick's wedding and in the spirit world, but you kept changing the subject/being elusive with me. I'm not letting you run away from this anymore, I know you care about me, what I don't understand is why you won't give us a chance."

As Asami spoke, she had stepped forward again placing her hands on the Avatar's sides. Korra remained me still as she attempted to collect her wits . Despite her best efforts, she couldn't think of anything to say. Bursting into tears, she pushed Asami's hands down and ran from the room.