Spirit Wounds
Chapter 1: Getting Away
It had been just a couple of weeks since the horrific events of the battle with the Red Lotus. Nearly everyone had been nursed back to health in the hands of the experienced waterbending healers of Republic City. That was everyone except Korra. Korra on the outside was fine; however her legs and arms had no strength in them and Korra was wrecked constantly with pain from her legs and thighs. The healers in Republic could barely find ways to slightly numb Korra's pains let alone heal her devastated muscles and bones. Something was stopping all progress from her body healing itself, even with acceleration from waterbending healing. Not soon after, Kya quickly took off to the South Pole to bring her mother Katara to Republic City. Katara had years ago forgone living in the cities and wanted to live in solitude in the Southern Water Tribe, her old home. Nothing had persuaded her from that decision until now. Katara assured Tenzin that she would come to Republic City a mere week after the events that nearly cost Korra her life.
Katara and Kya were due to arrive that morning, but the ship Kya had taken radioed ahead and explained that the seas were rough and had slowed them down. "Very well, but I must continue with the ceremony," sighed Tenzin into the radio. "I will pass on your regards to Jinora, mother." Tenzin was saddened by the fact that Jinora's grandmother and aunt would miss her tattooing ceremony. However he knew the two would make it up to her somehow, and they always did. Tenzin hung up the receiver for the radio.
"So they won't be here?" asked a saddened Pema. Taking her husband's expression as confirmation, "Well still, this is Jinora's big day. Come on, let's get everything ready."
"You're right we must get everything perfect for Jinora…I'm still can't believe she is ready for this," Tenzin sighed once again. This time though his wife wrapped her arms around him.
"We raised her well, she is ready." That is all Pema had to say. Tenzin smiled and the two of them continued to get the ceremony ready.
Later at the Ceremony
Korra sat in the wheelchair she had been confined to since the battle with Zaheer. Her demeanor hadn't changed once since she awoke and found she could barely move any part of her body. Over the last two weeks she just recently gained the ability to move her arms and upper body enough to feed, dress, and bathe herself; yet still not strong enough to wheel herself around even though she had no desire to. Korra mostly just sat in her room all day on Air Temple Island. Before she was able to do simple functions for herself Korra required 24 hour assistance. Almost all the assistance came from Asami or Pema. Pema bathed and dressed Korra every day until she could do it herself and fed Korra if Asami was not around. Other than that, Asami took care of Korra for the week and a half that she couldn't function. Now Asami only technical reason for being there was to make sure Korra ate and to help her get around. Korra felt useless.
"Korra. Korrraaa?" Korra suddenly snapped out of her self-loathing to see Asami standing in front of her waving her hand. "You ready to head up?" Korra reluctantly nodded. "Korra, please…please talk to me. You barely say three words every day since we've gotten back." Korra looked away from Asami with pain in her eyes. Korra hated herself even more that she was unconsciously pushing away the only person who truly seemed to care other than Pema. "Alright…Just when you are ready to talk. I'll be right here, always." Asami said with so much pain in her heart. Asami still blamed herself every day for how Korra was. She had taken two months leave from Future Industries to help Korra. Even if she doesn't want me here, I have to help her. It is the least I can do. Asami thought to herself.
Asami pushed Korra's wheelchair up to their group of friends. Bolin and Mako both said hi to Korra and Asami. Asami was the only one to return there greetings. Korra still just sat there with sorrowful expression etched into her face. Bolin and Mako looked at her and exchanged a glance of concern before Tenzin, President Raiko, and Chief Beifong approached the Avatar and her friends.
"It is so good to have the Avatar back in our city," exclaimed Raiko. "I cannot wait until you are back into peak physical condition and can jump right back into the thick of things." Korra glared at Raiko in anger at his remark, but he did not seem to notice. "I assure you Chief Beifong and I have the city under control until you are back into fighting shape." Tenzin saw the anger building in Korra and quickly interjected.
"Korra it is so good to see you." Tenzin said trying to interrupt before Raiko could anger Korra even more. "You look absolutely beautiful." This was not a common Tenzin remark, commenting on a woman's appearance, but he had to buy himself time. However he was not wrong. Korra physically look beautiful. Asami and Pema had gotten Korra to wear elegant Water Tribe formal attire and Asami herself did Korra's hair before the ceremony. On the outside Korra rivaled Asami Sato in beauty, but if anyone looked deeply into the eyes of the young Avatar they saw the scars and wounds bore by this young woman. "Shall we head up into the temple?" The group nodded at Tenzin's question. Bolin and Chief Beifong earthbent the group up the steps.
Why do I have to be here? I'm no one special anymore. I am no political figure, I am not an air acolyte, I am barely the remnants of a broken Avatar. Korra thought to herself. And why am I always so mean to Asami. She is the only one who has been there for me…I already put her through enough. Korra expression continued to sadden as she thought of her actions. Before she could even think about saying anything to Asami, the group began walking into the temple to begin the ceremony.
The ceremony was beautiful, and Korra was so proud of Jinora. However her expression showed none of that. Only Asami saw that Korra was still frozen to her sorrowful expression. Just looking at that face wrecked Asami's heart for her friend. As Tenzin was concluding the ceremony he began to speak of the entirety of the whole new Air Nation. He look straight at Korra and told her that until she was well enough, the new Air Nation would take on the role of peacekeepers of the world—especially in the shambles of the Earth Kingdom. Tears began falling from Korra's eyes as Tenzin explained this. She truly was useless she thought to herself. Tenzin saw these tears, but misinterpreted them for tears of joy and not of sadness.
Asami immediately saw and put her hand on Korra's shoulder. As soon as Tenzin completely finished, Asami bent down and put her mouth close to Korra's ear and asked, "Do you want to get away from here? Away from Republic City for a bit?" Asami had no idea where she was going with this, but she knew Korra needed to get away.
Korra turned her head quickly to Asami and only said, "Please…" Asami quickly grabbed Korra's wheelchair and desperately tried to beat the crowd. No one noticed them slip away from the upper level platform. They reached the stairs when she stopped. Dammit, thought Asami, I am not a bender. I can't get us down these stairs. Asami glanced around quickly for a solution until she found what she was looking for.
A White Lotus Sentry stood at the edge of the steps. Asami quickly concluded he was an earthbender from his green eyes. She approached him with Korra. "Excuse me sir. Um…Could you give us a ride down the stairs?" Asami asked trying not to draw any attention to them.
The Sentry immediately knew what they wanted, but was confused why. "Don't you wish to stick around and talk to everyone? I mean the Avatar must have something she must say to the press or at least to Master Tenzin."
Asami quickly thought of a ruse. "Avatar Korra must get to a scheduled healing session in less than 15 minutes. Now please can you take us down the stairs?"
The Sentry blushed at his ignorance, surely he should have thought there had to be a reason they were leaving. Not wanting to delay them anymore the Sentry quickly took Asami and Korra down to the base of the Temple. Asami thanked the Sentry and quickly pushed Korra to Asami's satomobile. Asami had modified one of her satomobiles to help accustom Korra's lack of mobility and make it easier for Korra to get in and out. Asami helped Korra in and took the wheelchair sitting next to the car. With one quick fold the wheelchair was stored into the back of the satomobile. Asami then got in and sped out of the parking lot.
Asami look over to Korra with a smile. "So where do you want to go?"
Korra looked Asami up and down. Asami looked absolutely exhausted. The young raven-haired goddess was still beautiful, but it was lightly dulled by the exhaustion that had come from caring for Korra for two weeks straight. I've done this to her. My best friend, and I've been a complete and utter bitch to her. Korra fought back tears and turned to look out the window. "Just take me outside of the city limits and drop me off. I'll find my way somewhere."
Asami was shocked by what she heard. Her best friend wanted Asami to abandon her! Asami stopped the car, and with anger in her voice said, "Now Korra stop it! Please! Korra I am not going to abandon you to the Wilds! You are my best friend and wherever you go, I go!" Asami couldn't help herself from yelling. She didn't mean to yell at her friend, no that was the last thing she wanted to do. She was just so mad from the pent up anger for what had happened to Korra. How could someone break the most wonder person I have ever met? Asami thought to herself soon after what she said.
Korra could no longer hold back the tears and lashed back at Asami. "Don't you see!? I've done this to you! I have done this to you!" Korra yelled gesturing to Asami. "I am useless and you should not have to deal with me anymore! You should be building up your multi-billion yuan company, or building some awesome new contraption that will revolutionize the world, or just be happy in the arms of some guy! Not lugging around the once-was Avatar loser!" Korra could hold nothing now. She curled up in pain from her sudden movements and yelling, giving of an audible grunt of pain as she did. So many tears ran down Korra's face her light blue collar was now a tear-stained darker blue.
Asami was now most concerned that Korra was in pain. Asami immediately reached over and placed her hand gingerly on Korra's arm. "Korra…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. And I'm not helping you because I feel obligated. I'm helping you because you are my best friend and I care about you."
Again Asami knew exactly what Korra needed. Korra slowly looked back at the shining emeralds that are Asami's eyes and knew she was sincere with what she said. Korra was still crying, but more for the happiness that she knew Asami cared now. "I'm sorry too—for yelling. Also I'm so sorry for being a bitch these last two weeks…I'm not use to people truly caring for me. Well caring for me and not wanting something else from me." Asami gave a slight chuckle at Korra's clarification. Asami reached over and gave an awkward one-sided car hug to Korra. For the first time in a long time Korra found herself smiling at the awkward embrace of her friend. After a moment Asami broke the hug and Korra spoke again. "Well I guess since you insist, I'll go somewhere with you." Korra smirked slightly at her own remark. "I have no idea where to go, but I bet you do. You always have a plan."
Asami's heart fluttered when she saw Korra slightly smile for the first in two weeks. She then began to think about where to go. Shit. I don't know where to go. She knew that she and Korra weren't permanently running away, but they needed some isolation for at least a couple of days. Eventually they'll question the Sentry about who and where they went. They'll immediately check my mansion, so that won't work. How about…Aha! Asami finally lit up with an idea. She knew exactly where to go and no one else in the world knew of this place of hers. "Alright I have an idea, but it's a couple hours out."
"Sounds perfect." Korra slowly curled out of the ball she confined herself in. "Except I think I might need my medicine at the very least. And maybe some different clothes." Korra and Asami look at the tear-stained attire that Korra was sporting. They both laughed at the poor planning they had.
"Don't worry. I can pick some medicine up quickly from the hospital, it's on the way anyway. And also—"
Korra quickly interrupted, "Asami that stuff is expensive."
"Hello? Earth to Korra, I'm a multi-billionaire." Asami chuckled. "Besides a bottle of pain-killers isn't going to bankrupt me."
"Oh yeah, sorry." Korra blushed at her ignorance, just as the Sentry had earlier. "Anyway what about clothes? I don't want you buying me clothes, even if you are a billionaire."
Asami laughed again. "Korra this is one of my places we're going to." Korra looked back confused. Asami suddenly realized, "Oh, yeah! I forgot you've never seen my closets at home. Don't worry, I may be a bit taller, but my clothes should fit you." Korra's eyebrows raised slightly when Asami said closets. All Korra has is one chest of drawers that is only half full of clothes.
"Well I guess I can deal with red clothes that are a bit too long for me." Korra gave Asami a little nudge as she said it. Asami laughed again as she had so many times since they calmed down. She began to put the car into gear when Korra interrupted. "Asami do you care if I lay back and nap while we head that way?"
Asami smiled. "I don't mind at all." She begins to put the car into gear again, but this time Korra puts her hand on Asami's arm. Asami looks at Korra with confusion.
"I mean, I want to but…" Korra pushes back against the chair, but it doesn't budge. Asami continues to look at her with confusion. Korra sighs and submits to her ignorance. "I don't know how to lean my chair back, it just won't go." Korra keeps rocking back and forth trying to pushing the chair back.
Asami finally understands. Asami could have told Korra to reach for the lever on the side of the chair, but instead reaches across Korra. She is careful not to put weight on Korra's tender legs and finally reaches the lever. "Now lean back." Korra pushes back to a comfortable position. "Better?"
"Thank you Asami." Korra snuggles against the chair.
"Anytime." Asami never judged her friend for being oblivious of technology, she knew Korra was extremely intelligent. Cars and other technology were still just something Korra hadn't yet put time in to learn. It's actually really cute how hesitant she is to admit she doesn't know something. Asami puts the car into gear and starts to head out towards the hospital. Asami reaches the hospital in a matter of about ten minutes. She looks over and sees Korra is already fast asleep. She quietly gets out of the car and heads into the hospital.
Asami quickly walks to the pharmacy of the hospital. She digs out the prescription card for Korra's pain pills. She had been the one who went and got the pills originally a week ago. She tried to hurry as she thought the search for them was probably beginning and they had accidently gave away their first destination to the Sentry before they even knew it. Asami looked over and saw a little white polar-bear dog stuffed animal holding a red heart. That looks like Naga. Korra will love it, I hope. Asami picked it up and immediately decided to get it anyway. After a short wait Korra's medication was ready and Asami took the pills and the stuffed polar-bear dog to the cash register.
Asami came out of the hospital and went to her car. She peered in and saw Korra was still asleep. So Asami silently slipped back into the car. Asami quickly stashed the polar-bear dog behind her seat and hoped to give it to Korra tonight. Asami looked down at Korra. She examined every aspect of the darker-skinned beauty. Damn, I wish my complexion was that dark some times. Asami chuckled to herself. As she did she felt a deeper tingling inside herself. She disregarded the feeling and put the car into gear. Asami pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the street. As she was turning the corner towards their next destination, she saw a police cruiser in the rear view mirror heading for the hospital. She knew it was Chief Beifong's cruiser. That was close. Asami began driving to their destination with more speed now.
To be Continued….
I again apologize for short comings. Also for any grammar or spelling mistakes. I am a business major, not an English major.
Please leave a review if you would like! =)
-KingKomodoC7
