Tunnelwind: Chapter One

You could feel the salt from the brisk sea brush up against your neck. Even the wind had a kind of warmth to it. The sun was shining down and kissing Asami Sato's skin. She had been on this boat for three days now, and although she had grown tired of the ship, it was the fresh sea sky that brought her a sense of peace. Her hands grazed the railing of the small water tribe ship as she walked down to its edge. Nothing would replace this moment. She had enjoyed coming onto the ship and was dedicated to her mission that was at hand.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sea and its noises, she was one with the water and its power and grace.

"Ms. Sato!" A carrier girl came into Asami's office with a letter at hand. "Ms. Sato there's an urgent message from the South Pole."

Asami turned around from her chair that had been near her window from her companies building that overlooked Republic City.

"Thank you!" Asami said as she eagerly received the letter from the young girl. Almost immediately she began to open her letter, but she had paused. Her fingers softly touched the Water tribe waxed seal that was present on the letter. Its blue wax reminded her of her closest friend. She didn't want to ruin the seal, however she had to know what was in the letter.

To Asami Sato

From Tonraq and Senna

We're in need of your assistance Asami, we also apologize if this is a unorthodox time to contact you. However, we're becoming desperate. It's been about two years since Korra has been poisoned and she's not healing at the rate as she should be. Even Katara has been concerned with this pace.

The reason we are asking you to come down to the South Pole is because we know that you and Korra are very close friends, and we believe that you presence would be able to help her along the path of recovery.

Please respond soon.

She was needed. That's all there was to it. Asami had a jumble of mixed emotions. On one hand she was so hurt that her friend had not contacted her, herself. It was as if she completely fell out of existence except in Asami's mind. Her eyes began to tear up as she traced the thoughts she had for two years. Unable to handle her emotions properly she closed the blinds of her office and sat down in her chair.

Korra needed her. Asami began to feel doubt and hurt, how am I supposed to help her heal if not even a healing master can help her? She thought to herself. Her hand began to support her forehead as she closed her eyes and faced towards the hard ground.

Why didn't she talk to me herself? I tried going with her two years ago. In two years I didn't get to hear a single word. How can that happen? I know she's struggling and I know I need to be considerate but… It hasn't been the same without her.

Asami lifted her head up and realized what she had to do. She knew without a doubt that she had to go to the South Pole again to help her friend. It was of the utmost necessity. Her company would be in good hands for the time being, she had hired good people with great leadership skills, and she had trusted all her workers.

She headed to her desk and began to write a draft of a letter that she would send back to Korra's parents. With a fountain pen she was determined to stay confident and be there for her friend when she needed her the most.

Although it did take her time to set up a schedule for her company and how to manage certain orders, she ended up finishing in a week's time. Nothing would stop her from going to the South Pole. She knew her purpose and her mission.

When she had finished re-writing her draft she put it in an envelope and had her own official seal. Then she called the young carrier girl over.

"Make sure you get this to the postage office safe and sound, this letter is top priority."

"Yes ma'am!"

With that the young girl was off, and Asami was left in her office wondering what would become of Korra if she went. The only way she would know, is if she went to the Southern Water Tribe and found out.

Water had been falling from above. Steam had been the air that surrounded her. A warm constant had encompassed her body, holding her in all places of comfort and discomfort. Korra was in a private hot springs, it was requested by Katara as a form of therapy.

Korra barely had any peace of mind these days. She was in the shackles that held her for two years, since the fight with Zaheer. Mentally she had been trying to escape from a cage. Even with two years of therapy Korra had only been able to recover some physical capabilities. Now she could walk (even if she was a bit wobbly), feed herself, and do some minor tasks. Katara had warned her to take it easy, especially that event with Tenzien and the White Lotus members that were testing her bending abilities after a two year hiatus. That incident in particular really hurt Korra's self-confidence and made her digress.

But here she was now, enjoying the only peace she could get. The warmth of the water gave her a sense of harmony. Sometimes when she would go to the private springs she would often daydream and try to escape the world that she was currently in. Right now, she was thinking about her past.

"Mom! What are you doing!?"

"Honey we're just renovating a little" Senna said reassuringly.

"But you're getting rid of the stairs!"

"Honey…" she came closer to Korra, "… We want to make sure you have as little as trouble as possible. As soon as you get better we'll put the stairs back. Until then we'll have ramps around. I don't see why you have an issue with it though."

Korra couldn't directly answer her. But Senna knew she was hurt. It was Korra's confidence, she felt as if her parents didn't even have hope that she would get better. These ramps would just be fuel to the fire. Now that Korra could walk they did put back the stairs in their house, like promised, however, there is railing everywhere, so Korra could still have ease of access to her own home.

But there was something still wrong in Korra's life; a piece of her was missing. She knew she missed her friends and helping the people, but that wasn't completely it. Korra knew all of this because during her time recuperating she meditated a lot; she didn't get too in depth with it though, mostly because of her lack of spiritual connection.

Remembering a painful memory caused Korra to flinch in her warm spring, she wasn't balanced, not even close. Korra sighed and started to get out of the natural spring, she had enough strength to do that at least. Once she got out, she grabbed her towel and began to dry herself off. Then she happened to notice her crutches, with that, she became disheartened at any hope in being completely healthy once more. Then she made her way out of the springs.

These hot springs were hidden in a cave outside the Water Tribe's city. Not many had known about these springs except Katara and Korra's parents. Korra managed to find this one seclusion in her world and yet it still was not good enough. Once she walked out she noticed that there was a calm cool breeze that felt light and comforting. Then she brought out her whistle and called for Naga.

Naga rushed over to her owner, Korra could see the snow being thrown up in the air as her friend ran towards her. Sometimes it really did help having the unconditional love from an animal she'd known all her life. Once Naga reached Korra she almost decided to tackle her with affection. But then she realized her friend had been injured, Naga stopped abruptly and whimpered a bit. Korra couldn't hide her disappointment. She disappointed the one being who had faith in her, this weighed on Korra.

Korra decided to push through this short rough patch and mounted Naga in a special seat that was made for her. It was meant to keep her balanced and stable while Naga would run her around all over the South Pole. Although it gave her more freedom, Korra felt like she would never be able to go back to her previous state.

The day was about to end and Asami's ship would be pulling into the dock of the Water tribe. She had a feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty. How will Korra react to me coming here? Does she want my help? What if she wanted me to stay in Republic City and wait for her? Questions like these traced Asami's mind with worry. Nothing would hurt her more than the rejection of the one person she promised to protect.

They were a few yards away from the dock now and were preparing to stop. Asami was getting the last of her possessions ready to go.

She was greeted by Tonraq; Senna had stayed at home to watch Korra in case she needed any assistance.

"We're glad to have you Ms. Sato."

"Thank you Tonraq, I wouldn't hesitate to come over here for her."

Tonraq began to get some of her travel bags, Asami didn't pack too much; she was a sensible woman.

On the way back Tonraq said something that weighed in Asami's mind.

"She hasn't been herself, and I'm apologizing for her behavior ahead of time. It's been hard on all of us."

"I appreciate the warning… Hopefully I'll be able to handle it." She showed a soft smile to him, but it did not help her worried mind.

"Well Ms. Sato, hopefully we'll be able to make you feel at home here in the Water tribe."

"I'm sure I will be."

When they reached the house Senna also greeted Asami and gave her a Water tribe Jacket. Unlike Korra, Asami didn't have any natural heating abilities.

"Senna its beautiful!"

"Thank you Asami, I hand-made it, I'm really glad you like it."

Asami thanked her more and headed up to her room that she would be staying in. It was down a long corridor and right next to Korra's. Senna and Tonraq's room was down on the other end. When she reached her room she plopped down on her bed and let out a sigh. Asami couldn't work up the energy to face Korra, she didn't know what to expect.

Eventually she worked up the energy.

Asami put her hair in a ponytail, put on more comfortable clothes, and went to Korra's room. She noticed there wasn't a door and saw Korra lying in her bed. It seemed as if Korra was taking a nap. It was much easier than Asami expected.

When she approached her best friend's bed her heart started to thump and her hand was clenched in a fist, she had never been so nervous before.

Asami decided to sit on the bed next to her. Korra's breathing was hard and she looked upset, like she was having a nightmare.

Then Asami reached for Korra's face and began to move her hair out of the way. She always had the softest hair. Asami's hand reached Korra's face and stroked it softly. For once, Asami was at peace. She was here with her friend again, nothing would replace this moment.

"I'll protect you Korra, I promise."

Then she stayed for a few more moments and enjoyed this peace. Afterwards she went to her room to take a nap. She was weary from the long trip and needed to rest. That night she would have calm and comforting dreams.