Several months later...
Asami had a full morning of meetings and was feeling worn out. While she always insisted on being well dressed, there was still a difference between what she would wear out all day and what she wore when meeting with her equals. She also wanted to switch to her new Satomobile convertible, the newest model of course. In order to keep herself prim and proper, she had taken out a more boring sedan to get to the office in the morning. At home, she put on a more relaxed set of clothing, still elegant by Korra's standards. Freshened up and hair in place, she headed back out. She was scheduled for two plant visits rounded out by the typical load of paperwork in the evening that seemed to always populate her desk now that Future Industries was back in full swing; however, she would never make it back to her desk today.
The plant visits were uneventful. The engineer in her wanted to check up on production and look at new tooling that had arrived. She was always more interested in the real work and process of her factories than the business end of things. She found that this attitude did have the positive benefit of strengthening ties with her workers. It meant a lot to the line workers that they knew their CEO was not only capable of the grunt work they did day in and day out, but she actually enjoyed it. Asami made it a point to make several appearances in her plants just for these types of visits. More impressive was that she remembered a worker who put on lug nuts just as well as her board members, despite the fact she may only see them once in a year. She even liked to keep tabs on these random people she met and was curious how they grew within her company.
Not looking forward to the rest of her day, she headed to her Satomobile. She took a long route back to Future Industries headquarters to enjoy the day. She had just settled into the trip; it was a beautiful day, the feeling of the wind rushing through her hair, filtering down to her scalp was wonderful. Always blessed with such silky hair, she never even bothered to tie it back even when in the convertible. It would take her all of thirty seconds for her hair to obey command and fall back into place, like she just left home. Making a left turn, she saw a road block up ahead. "I wasn't aware of scheduled construction on this route," she thought. She waved over one of the workers, "What's going on? You don't have any sign-age for this work you know." He stood in front of her vehicle. "Emergency gas repair Ma'am," he responded, waving his hands. As she glanced around, the hair stood up on her neck as she saw a truck barreling towards her. The reality of what was about to happen swept over her.
She had no time to react to the in-coming vehicle, it was already on her. From years of racing, she instinctively braced herself. The hollow sound of metal on metal, glass shattering, flashes of darkness and blurred surroundings. The crash left her disoriented and her Satomobile was completely disabled. By the time she even reached her seatbelt to attempt an escape, the worker was back at her side. She felt a sting on her chest followed by the rapid creep of numbness over her body. She stared at the worker, trying to form words, still uncertain of what was happening. She tried as hard as she could to resist this feeling of sleep, but she only had seconds before the light closed in around her and she was unconscious.
The drug lingered in her. Asami's eyes opened slowly, heavily. It took what seemed to be several minutes for her to recall the events that led her to this predicament. Everything was a blur, the little light there was still seemed blinding. She tried to ascertain where she was, though all she would determine was that she was inside what appeared to be a small prison cell. "How long has it been?" she contemplated. She arms responded sloppily and she could not stand up. The numbness sapped all strength away from her. Through the solitary porthole in the door, she could see a light approaching.
"Good work, she appears to have minimal injury despite the rather brutal methods you choose to employ," she heard a voice say. A light was shone into the cell, Asami's eyes still could not take it and she had to look away. "You must have a rather resilient constitution Ms. Sato, you are the first one to have woken up prior to treatment. Unfortunately, we need you to be asleep for maximum effect, so sorry about this inconvenience." Quickly her thoughts digested the exchange. What treatment? This voice seems familiar and the formality seems out of place. She again felt a small sting, to her leg this time. She knew the sensation. Before losing all awareness, she heard their parting exchange. "Get her ready, we don't have much time. We may not be able to get close to the Avatar, but she can." Fear griped her as she passed out.
"Ms. Sato? Ms. Sato?" Asami recognized the voice of her long time personal physician, Doctor Su, "How are you feeling?" the doctor asked as she proceeded with her exam. Korra paced in the background, not yet noticed; as much as she wanted to interrupt, she felt it was best to let the doctor complete her work first. After she finished the exam, she squatted by Asami's side, "You are going to need to take it easy. Physically you aren't in too bad of shape, some deep bruising. It is probably the cause of the weakness you feel in your legs, but it should clear up as you heal, a couple of days to a week I would guess. My one concern is that you must have taken a good knock on your noggin'." She pointed to purplish Asami's forehead and turned to Korra. "Everything looks fine, but you should make sure to get her to me or another doctor if she develops any signs of mental distress, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, things like that. Other than that, she just needs to rest. It's a good thing you were wearing your seatbelt." With that Doctor Su packed up and headed out of the room. Asami logged a thought in her mind, "Consider designs for added supplemental protection to prevent collisions with vehicle interior in the event of an accident." Korra noticed the familiar expression on Asami's face, "You're thinking about work even now aren't you?" Asami turned to her with a smile.
"I feel like I've been hit by a truck," Asami uttered, reaching for her forehead. Korra laughed and spoke up, "Well, that's good because you were!" Still surprised, Asami's face visibly lightened upon hearing the familiar voice. "What are you doing here?" Asami asked. "I thought you were in the Fire Nation dealing with...," she thought hard, "...with, some, what was it, Red Lotus something?" "Well, yes," Korra replied, "but it turned out to not be a very large organization, so got the situation to a point where the Fire Nation should easily be able to handle the clean up." "So you had already pulverized the bad guys then?" Asami added. Korra smiled and shuffled about a bit, "Well, something like that." Korra switched back to Asami, "It's lucky, I guess, that I decided to come back early. Lin radioed Tenzin and I came over here as soon as he found me. Do you remember what happened?" Asami tried to collect herself, "I remember I was driving to the office from a factory visit, I remember a truck coming at me, it's still so muddy in my head." Korra gave Asami a gentle bear hug, "I'm just glad you are OK. My heart dropped when I heard the news that you were in a crash. I don't know what I would have done if..." Korra held onto Asami a bit tighter and Asami let go a small wince, "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean..." Korra pulled back, Asami saw that her usually, stalwart girlfriend had tears streaming down her face. "It's OK, I guess I am still a bit tender. Where'd my tough girl go?" Korra responded amidst the tears and laughter, "That accident must have given you some water-bending power or something." They held each other for some time.
Asami was elated at Korra's suggestion to move to Air Temple Island for some rest and recovery, even if only temporary. It would mean they could spend much more time together, for which both their lives often did not allow. Asami directed Korra from closet to closet, collecting a suitcase, makeup bag and various pieces of clothing to cover multiple potential occasions. Korra laughed at what she thought it must look like bouncing back and forth. "Do you really need all this stuff?" Korra questioned. "You know I like to be prepared," Asami quickly responded. Korra could not believe the amount of clothes that Asami had between the two closets, two dressers and giant armoire. Asami was quick to point out that this was just her "normal, in-season" wardrobe and that all the rest and the formal wear was stored elsewhere. Korra blew a pointed sigh Asami's way, to which she replied with a giant grin. Asami caught Korra lingering at some of her clothes, "You know, it's not so bad to have a small collection of not so practical clothes too." Korra started to form a reply, but then, taking inventory of her wardrobe, realizing that she COULD take inventory of her wardrobe in mere moments, decided not to say anything. Korra had always marveled at Asami's appearance, and not just because they were together. She had this amazing ability to always be so together. Everywhere she seemed to be perfectly dressed, everything in the right place and it never looked like she put any effort into it. "Maybe we should take a shopping trip when you are better," Korra said with uncertainty. Asami's eyes lit up, "Definitely!"
Asami's legs were a bit wobbly and she held on to Korra to steady herself out to the waiting Satomobile. Korra thought it best to not put Asami through her driving. She had been improving, but they both knew who did the driving in this couple. The trip to the island was fairly quiet. Asami leaned on Korra's chest and closed her eyes, listening to her heartbeat. Korra held onto her and stroked her dark hair, looking at the passing cityscape. Korra thought back through so many events they had experienced together and where they were in their lives together. "Asami, I am so lucky to have you in my life, you make me feel so complete." Asami softly placed her had on Korra's cheek and lifted her head up to meet eye to eye. "Korra, I don't think I could ever describe the feeling I have ever morning when I wake up, knowing that there is part of you that is just mine, that we each have a part of one another that no one else ever will," with that Asami slowly pressed warm lips against Korra's and tightened the grip around her neck. They held a long embrace as a few tears mixed on their cheeks, both happy, content.
When they arrived at Air Temple Island, almost everyone was there to meet them. They expressed how glad they were that Asami was on her feet. They had already prepared a room for them and led them up after exchanging short greetings. The kids piled in, depositing Asami's luggage. Pena pointed out some fruit and snacks that she left in case Asami was hungry at odd hours and that they could eat meals there so Asami didn't have to come down to the dining hall. Asami expressed her gratitude for everything they all did and for letting her stay at the island again. Tenzin spoke up, "Asami, you should know that you are always welcome here, and you don't have to wait until you're hit by a truck to stay with us." Everyone smiled at the usually stoic Tenzin's comment. Pema asked that they let her know if they needed anything then began to motion everyone to give them some time to settle in. Kya and Avan lingered a bit behind. "I would like to have you over for a healing session or two just to take a look at you, not that I don't trust regular doctors or anything. I mean if you would like to," Kya suggested. "I think that would not be a bad idea and if I seem to recall the healing pools feeling awfully good anyway." Kya nodded in agreement, "Then I will see you later then." Avan left saying, "I'm glad you are OK Asami." On her way out, Kya added, with a smirk on face, "Oh, I hope the room is setup to your liking, Pema put me in charge." Korra and Asami were both puzzled by this, but then realized there were two beds placed in the room, one small and one king size. They exchanged devious smiles, "I love that woman."
They took some time to catch each other up on busy lives. Korra sat up at the head of the bed looking down at Asami who had laid down opposite with her legs draped over Korra's. Speech gave way to looks and touch, Korra gently massaged Asami's feet and calves. Asami's head was tilted back at the end of the bed, her dark hair splayed out and flowing over the edge of the mattress. She let escape small sounds of utter bliss in rhythm with Korra's kneading. "Ahh, your hands feel wonderful, could you just keep this up forever," Asami said with a look of complete contentment. Korra looked down upon her girl, a guise filled with love. After a bit, Korra stopped and flexed her hands and laid down. She gripped Asami's hips and pulled her close, into a tight spoon. Asami could feel Korra's body all along her legs and thighs. Korra's firm grip on her hip and chest pressed against her back. Her breath gently teased at the back of Asami's neck. She wished for this feeling to never go away. They fell into a peaceful sleep, wrapped tightly together, breathing as one.
Korra felt Asami stir against her a few hours later. They awoke as they slept, in a tight embrace. "Wakey wakey love," Korra whispered. "Mmmmm," was the only sound Asami managed in return. "I know I am the last person to push for getting up, but I think it would be a good idea to see Kya before dinner. Even if it's just for me, I would like for her to check you out," Korra petitioned. "I thought you were the one doing all the checking out," Asami said with a smile, "No, you're right, let's head over there. I would like to find out if they can help me with my rubber legs." Korra jumped up, offering her shoulder. Out of habit, Asami sat herself up and gathered her hair together and straightened her clothes. She gripped Korra's offered hand and stood, still unsure. "Maybe a little better than before, but I think I still need you to walk." Asami reached over and turned Korra's head for a kiss, "Thank you." "Sami, after all the pain I have put you through in the past, I probably owe you several years of substitute crutch time. I love you and you should know I would do anything for you." Together they made their way over to the healing rooms.
Avan was inside alone when they arrived. He was working on a globe of water, removing droplets, splitting and recombining it. Korra interrupted, "Hey Avan, what are you doing?" "Oh, sorry, I didn't see you come in. Here you shouldn't be standing around," Avan said offering a chair to Asami. "I was working on purifying a batch of water. We have been pretty busy lately and our stores are getting low. It's kind of a tedious process so I try to take care of it so Kya doesn't have to deal with it. Speaking of, let me go and let her know you are here, she should just be in the other room." As he got up, Kya entered the room speaking, "It is tiresome! Healing has never been as enjoyable as with Avan here." She shot Avan over a smile. "I guess you guys have been getting along then?" Korra probed leadingly. "I think we have both had so much to teach each other," she glanced at Avan, "admittedly, at first, I thought it was just he who had so much to pick up in water-bending, but it has really gotten me into a different frame of mind as well. I don't know if it has something to do with the earth-bending background or something else, but the way he approaches the art of healing and the manipulation of the energies is so distinct from all the water-benders with which I worked before. I can't remember when I was as excited about our art, nor when I felt I was doing as much good! It has helped me to even better understand Tenzin and his perpetual desire to learn and pass on his knowledge." Kya seemed like a giddy school-girl to them and they both couldn't help but crack wide grins. "Sorry, I know you didn't come here to hear my rambling, let's take a look at you Asami. You can change back there." Kya motioned Asami towards the screened area of the room where Korra helped her out of her outer clothes. Avan excused himself, saying he would be working in the adjacent room if he was needed. She had been through this before and had already prepared with a swim suit underneath her clothing.
There was always something different about the water in the healing pools. As Korra helped to lower her in, it was as if she were stepping into nothingness. The temperature was absolutely perfect so as she was eased in, the weight of her body slowly dissolved, but from feel alone, she could not tell where the water stopped on her body. Asami always wondered what the benders did to their waters, if only they could bottle the stuff, it would make a fortune. She rested her head against the edge of the pool, her dark hair spread out behind her, eyes closed, breathing slowly. Her only attachment to the world was Korra's hand, to which she held on the edge, out of the water. Korra sat cross-legged next the pool, quietly watching as Kya started to work.
Though Korra had watched Kya and other healers work many times, she was still mesmerized by them. She could perform minor healing quite adequately, but she had never been able to grasp the qualities needed for advanced healing and the use of the healing pools. As Kya slowly moved her body, the water followed her command, flowing over her girlfriend. After some time, the water began to take on the characteristic glow for which healers were famous. Korra watched as many of the bruises on Asami's body melted away, leaving only the normal, pale texture behind. Kya renewed her concentration; Korra could see she was now focusing her energy on Asami's lower body. Sweat broke on her forehead and her face began to lose some of its earlier tranquility. After a few moments, Kya stopped and wiped her brow. "Korra do you know if Asami's doctor gave her anything, perhaps for pain?" Kya asked. Both girls looked at one another, Korra responded, "He was just finishing by the time I arrived, so I don't know." "There is something blocking the flow of energy in your legs, making your lower body weak. I can try to pull it out, but it may be a bit uncomfortable." As she worked, Korra saw tension on Asami's face, but she stayed silent. Kya's face also showed signs of struggle and pain. She never understood how the water-bending created that connection between the healer and the patient. The water around her legs had taken on a misty appearance by the time Kya stopped treatment. "There, all finished," Kya stated. "I was able to pull out some of, well, whatever I felt in your legs. It is throughout your body, but was concentrated there, you should have a bit of an easier time walking now. The rest is up to your body to clear out itself, but I think you should be better in a few days."
Korra helped Asami out of the pool. She could already sense a vast difference in the amount of weight that was being put upon her shoulder. She left Asami to change, Kya beckoned Korra over, "Has Asami been okay since the accident?" "What do you mean?" Korra responded, concerned. "I don't know exactly how to describe it...it was something in her chi paths, they just felt erratic. I'm sorry, I don't know how to interpret it. It is probably due to the accident, from the bruising she must have had a knock to her head, just make sure you keep an eye on her okay?" Korra pushed concern to the back of her mind and went back to see if any help was needed. Kya asked Avan to come in, "I always underestimate what these healing sessions take out of me; to be young again. Doesn't help that it is almost a new moon." Asami, Korra, it's getting late, you two should have some dinner and get rest, that is the best thing for her." "Ok mom," Korra said with a grin. "Avan, is it all right if I leave this for you to clean up? It's been a long day." Avan nodded. As they were leaving, Korra took a jab at him, "So she gets all the glory and you get stuck with cleaning up after her eh?" Avan tossed a sponge Korra's way, which she easily dodged. Asami stood under her own strength, though Korra jumped up to hold her. Wavering, she smiled at Korra, "Thanks, I feel so much lighter now, but I think I will still need help." Kya brought in a pair of crutches, "I know you have a portable Avatar crutch, but if you want these..." Korra proceeded to whisk her up into her arms, "They can't do this though can they?" Kya laughed, "I will put them in your room later, just in case you need them. I bet in another day or so you won't even need her." Kya shot Asami a playful look, "Well not for getting around anyway." The three disbanded, leaving Avan to clean up.
Avan puzzled at the water left behind from the Asami's healing. It was as if there were a fog lying just under the surface. It swirled within itself, never fully combining with the water around it. Normally, he would just bend the water into the disposal channel that dumped the used water into the Yue Bay, but his curiosity could not leave this alone. Instead he sat by the edge and started the tedious process of purification, collecting the impurities.
Tenzin's family and the air nomads were together for dinner, joined by Korra and Asami. Pema had put together a special meal, arrays of dumplings, cakes and buns and a wide variety of fruit tarts. They all thanked Pema, knowing the pains she went through to make so many of the laborious baked goodies. Even Korra extolled the meal even though it still followed the meat-less traditions of the air nomads. Pema was flush and beaming with all the praise. Meelo doted on Asami, ensuring that she had every one of the delicacies available, offering pillows for comfort and anything else he could find. Rohan commented to everyone's amusement, "Why don't we get this stuff when one of us gets hurt mom?" Pema responded with a smile, "If I were to cook like this when any of my kids was hurt, I would never be able to leave the kitchen." The meal transformed into a cacophony of voices, everyone talking and laughing, a few listening. Tenzin moved over to Pema and wrapped his arms around his wife, a fairly rare public display of affection for the old master, and whispered to her, "It is so wonderful to see all of them together like this. All of them have gone through so much to bring about peace, to see them together laughing." Pema turned, wiped a tear that threatened to spill from her husband's eye and whispered back, "Yes it is, you old softy" as she settled back into his embrace.
As the dinner started to wind down, Lin arrived. "How are you doing kid?" she asked Asami, "You look pretty good for the lick you took." Tenzin stood up, "Lin, to what do we owe the visit, we weren't expecting you." "Oh, do I need an invitation to come over here now?" she joshed. "No, no, you are always welcome of course!" Tenzin responded with a slight tone of discomfort. "Calm down old man, I know that, not that it would matter," shooting an ominous look Tenzin's way. "I wish I could say this was entirely a cordial visit, but I have a bit of business to discuss with the girlfriends over here." Lin took a few moments to greet everyone and grab a couple of the leftovers, they looked too good to resist, then sat down next to Korra and Asami.
"Is it normal for the chief of police to personally visit anyone involved in a vehicle accident?" Korra said in jest. "No, but when it concerns the CEO of the largest company in Republic City and there are suspicious circumstances surrounding it, then yes, I will make a personal visit," Lin said deliberately. Expressions betrayed the feeling of unease at the word. "Suspicious?" Asami questioned. Lin's face took on air of concern, "What do you remember from the accident?" Korra looked to her partner and could see concentration move over her face. "I...I still am having trouble clearly seeing what happened." "Why don't you start from where you do remember," Lin prompted.
"I was on my way from my second plant tour, heading back to my office. It was a really nice day, I had the top down so I took an extended route there," she paused a moment and her voice became more unsure, "I must have not been paying attention to what I was doing and next thing I knew a truck was coming right for me." Asami caught her breath, "Spirits, is the driver of the truck okay?" Lin assured her that the other driver was fine, in fact uninjured. Lin spoke, "He claimed that you came fast around a corner and lost control of your car. He was unable to react in time and hit you." Korra looked at Asami, then Lin, "Lin, I know we have at times not quite followed the letter of the law as far as driving through the city, but that was only when we were on, um, business. Asami drives all the time and she never joy rides on the public streets, believe me, I have tried to get her to let it go. She always tells me that stuff stays on the track." Lin stopped Korra, "Yes I know, I wasn't accusing her of anything. I've seen her race a few times, I know what she can do, which is why the whole losing control thing seemed a bit fishy to me, even if she were speeding." She looked to Asami, "You recall driving into the on-coming truck?" Asami said, doubtfully, "Well yes...I think. I'm sorry, it's so frustrating, I just can't quite remember." "Do you remember when you left for the office?" Asami again thought back to the day and answered with some excitement that she could finally give a response, "I don't know exactly what time, but I know I hadn't eaten lunch. I remember deciding whether to pick up something on the way to the office or not." Lin thought a moment, "So assuming you were keeping a normal schedule, it probably wasn't later than noon or one o'clock. That actually corresponds to the clock in your Satomobile. It was damaged in the crash so we can't know for sure about the real time, but this gives some credence to my suspicions. You were not checked into the hospital until after four in the afternoon. The truck driver's story supported that." Lin stood up, "You just focus on getting well, let me handle the investigation, but now I am certain there's something else going on here. If you remember anything else let me know." With that Lin grabbed one more of Pema's buns, unable to resist, said good-byes and headed for the docks.
They discussed what Lin had told them and after some time realized there was no use getting hung up on it. There certainly was reason for concern, but there was nothing further they could do. They decided not to mention this to Tenzin and the others, what was there to tell yet? The evening was still early, but it had been a long day so they headed back to their room.
Avan had been working for a couple of hours by the time Kya came back to check on him with a platter of food in hand. "What have you been up to? I brought you some dinner, Pema made some special treats for everyone tonight." She saw that he was still working on the water of the healing pool from earlier, a globule of water floating in front of him as he was deep in concentration. He let the water fall back into the pool and fell back, laying down on the cool, earthen floor. "I couldn't leave this stuff alone; I have been working on pulling it out of the pool. It is somehow tightly bound to the water and has been much more difficult to separate than the usual impurities that we find." He pointed to the glass bottle where he had been collecting the substance, there was at most a few drops worth of liquid with a milky appearance. "I've been at it for some time and this is all I have managed to recover. I don't know what this is, but I don't think any doctor gave this to Asami." Avan reached to a large vessel and bended out a ball of purified healing water. "Just touch your finger to it, just barely." Kya hesitated, "What is going to happen?" "Don't worry, I am ready," Avan insisted. Kya slowly brought her finger close, switching her stare between the glass and Avan. He was deeply concentrating on Kya's hand as it approached. As her finger just touched the cloudy surface of the substance, she felt a numbness shoot from her fingertip and pulled her arm back violently. Before she could even speak, Avan absorbed Kya's hand into the ball of water he had readied, feeling quickly returned and she was able to relax. "It was like someone removed my finger and I could feel it rushing into my hand! Like my body was being ripped away from me!" Kya exclaimed. "I felt the same way," Avan said. "Are you OK?" He nodded back, "Yes, luckily I was here with an ample supply of water and was able to bend myself as soon I felt it."
They stared at the vile drops of liquid in silence for a moment. "You are right," Kya said, "I can't see any way that something like this would be used for any valid medical purpose, but what then?" "That's what I don't know...and why was it in Asami to begin with?" They stared at one another. "We should inform Tenzin," Kya finally concluded, "Let's go now." Avan capped the vile vial he extracted, secured it into a pouch on his belt and they both headed out to find Tenzin. He was as puzzled as Kya and Avan. With only this one piece of the puzzle they couldn't make heads or tails, but they too had suspicions about something deeper going on. He said he would try to radio Lin in the morning to discuss it further and see what she thought. They were satisfied with this and headed back to their own rooms.
Lin had made it back to headquarters and was just sitting down to her desk when there was a knock at her door. It slid open and she saw Mako standing there with his notebook. "Mako, what do you have for me?" Lin commanded.
"Chief, I was looking into Asami's incident and the more I dig into this, the more things just don't add up. First thing is that no one can account for how Asami even arrived at the hospital. Normally the ambulances log patients being dropped off, but there are no records of any drop off for her." "How did she get checked in then?" Lin questioned. "The head of emergency remembered her being brought in by a EMT, well someone dressed as an one anyway, but she said with all the activity they get, she didn't really pay any attention to him. It wasn't until I was questioning them that they even realized there was no log entry for her." Mako continued, "Next, the timing that you caught. I don't even know how you think about this stuff with everything else you have to do as chief." Lin replied, "Mako, you can't get to where I am or do this job without being able to pick up on every little detail or contemplate any possibility, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. We should play some Pai Sho sometime." She shot Mako a devilish smile. "Go on." "So Asami's arrival at the hospital lines up with what the truck driver claimed and with when we were called out for the accident. I talked with the scene investigator. He still hasn't put together his final report, but he mentioned two things. He arrived shortly after the call, the victims were already gone from the scene. Both Satomobiles were cold, so it couldn't have just happened, and he believes, based on the skid marks and damage, that Asami's convertible was stopped at the time it was hit." Mako stopped. Lin got up from her desk, "Let's go have another talk with our driver."
It was getting late into the evening when they arrived at a fairly nondescript apartment building, made their way up to the fourth floor and found unit 418. "Mr. Negi, Republic City police, we have a few questions we need to ask you," Mako stated as he knocked on the door. After a few moments, he tried again, knocking harder, "Mr. Negi!" Mako shrugged at Lin. She immediately lifted her foot, closed her eyes and stomped the ground. After a brief silence, she ordered Mako to stand back as she quickly bended the door to the apartment with its frame clean out of the wall and rushed inside. "Lin, what are you doing!?" Mako blurted as he ran in after her. His answer came swiftly. Negi was face down in the kitchen, motionless, dead. Lin rapidly turned to Mako with a barrage of orders, "Get investigators here immediately, tear this place apart. If I am right, we aren't going to find anything, but do it anyway. Get statements from neighbors, find out if anyone was seen lurking around or coming in and out. Once they are setup, get yourself and whoever you can collect to Air Temple Island. I don't know exactly what is happening, but it is going to go down soon." "Yes chief!" was all she heard. "If this is some kind of conspiracy, they are cleaning up loose ends; they are ready to act," Lin thought as she darted down the stairs, "Blast it all, I should have just stayed on the island."
Darkness blanketed the island, only a few torches remained lit to light a few of the main paths. Tenzin shot up from sleep and sat in stillness. "Dear," Pema mumbled sleepily, "what's wrong." After a few moments with no answer, Pema too stirred from concern, "Honey, what is it?" "Something is not right, I can feel it in the air." Jinora floated in with the lightest of steps, even in the darkness, Tenzin could sense from the movement who it was. "Dad, do you feel it too?" "Jinora, wake everyone, then stay with your mother. Go in silence." Jinora was also a master, but she could sense when it was the wrong time to argue with her father about such things. She left as quietly as she came. Pema was already dressed, she left to collect their children. Tenzin walked toward the main temple when he felt the presence of others...intruders.
He couldn't see how many, but felt that they were more than just a handful. The trespassers were cloaked in black, with the minimal light available, they were merely blotches on the background of the night. Tenzin concentrated on the movement of the air around him. A small twitch from behind. He dodged to hear a solid 'thwack' to the ground. They are using darts of some sort. He sent an air blast in its direction, but he felt it miss the mark. Several more times their darts failed to reach their target. He was far to agile. Even attempting to overwhelm Tenzin from all directions was to no avail as he whipped himself into a cocoon of air that simply deflected the onslaught. Tenzin quickly began to hone in on the attackers and was able to reduce their numbers with more blasts. He heard a whistle and felt a shift in tactics. They came upon him in force. "How could so many attackers have made it to the island, so close to his family without being detected," he thought. He sent numbers of the attackers flying with tornadoes and wide walls of air. He sent forth piercing funnels of wind from hands, feet and lips, but they were relentless. One of the darts finally found its mark. Tenzin felt his bending drain and his strength along with it. Left without his bending, he was still formidable, but it wasn't long before he was subdued.
Tenzin pleaded, "What is it you want?" but no answer came. The attackers remained as they started, silent. He could see the figures gathering the unconscious forms strewn about the courtyard and carrying them away. Lights appeared from the direction of the dormitories, "It must be the others," Tenzin thought. It made its way towards them. The group did not move up to attack, some waited, others scattered. Tenzin yelled words of warning, "Stay back from the courtyard; there's too many of them and they have chi-blocking weapons!" Though they had bound him, they made no effort to silence or disable him, as even bound, he could still shuffle along the ground. They others still advanced, Tenzin knew they would. Those he could see all faced the incoming group. Suddenly he felt a tremor. "Tenzin!" It was Lin.
The ground opened up to swallow several of the attackers and he could hear the sound of rock crashing upon bone. Lin did not need any light, she could sense all of them as clear as day. The group was thrown in disarray as they changed formation to meet the new threat. Lin took up position next to Tenzin, throwing up a wall to protect him, "Are you okay old friend?" Tenzin tried to quickly sum up what he gathered of the group's abilities. Lin had to throw up several new walls to protect from the incoming projectiles of which Tenzin warned. She began to chisel away at their numbers as the rest of the air benders had joined the fray. They threw torches about the courtyard to provide better light for the foray. This only allowed them to see the extent of the numbers in front of them. Whoever they were, they had come in force and prepared. Lin attempted to restrain a few with metal bands, but it was ineffective as others came to their aid to release them. The air nomads pushed the invaders back initially. Though they were not as skilled as Tenzin individually, they were able to combine their strength to great effect. The tide turned once again; however, as the attackers still had numbers on their side. They were able to slowly use their chi-blocking to reduce the numbers in the air nomads' defense. Bumi, Daw and Kai all fell victim to chi-blocking and had to take shelter.
Tenzin heard the sounds of the battle increase further and looked to see Jinora riding atop a vortex of air, cleaving through the lines of attackers as she powered through. She moved with such power and grace, sending blasts of air in all directions while simultaneously evading and throwing off the attempts at blocking her powers. Throwing another powerful wall of air downward, she cleared a path for the chi-blocked benders back to the main building, where they made an escape. Tenzin placed his hand on Lin's shoulder, "That's my girl." Jinora landed near them, "Dad, are you okay." Lin's face showed great frustration and disgust, "What is their scheme; they are just toying with us. Why aren't they pushing their attack? They are just holding their ground here. I hate to say it, but we are outnumbered and outclassed here."
It was still dark when Korra woke to the feeling of Asami's hand on her back. "Mmmm, Sami it's early, you should rest." There was no response. Asami gently traced the curves of Korra's back, up from her waist, along her spine, then caressing the ridges of her shoulder blades. Sleep quickly left Korra as feelings of love and lust began to well up inside her. She held Korra's shoulder and pulled her close to kiss her neck, on the verge of a bite. Korra exhaled quickly, it was difficult for her to contain the feelings that were surging through her. She lightly moved her hand down from Korra's shoulder, along her side, eliciting a laugh as Asami's touch tickled Korra's ribs, finally resting on Korra's hip. "Sami, what has gotten into you?" Still no response. The taller girl turned Korra onto her back and straddled over her. She held Korra's face in her hands and kissed her forehead, nose, cheeks, lips. The pressure of the woman on top of her in that moment sent new waves of warmth through her body. It was dark and Korra could only make out the curvy outline of Asami's body. She had never fully appreciated the way in which Asami's nightgowns could flow over her body. They left mystery, hints of the forbidden.
Asami stood up in front of Korra and moved her to the edge of the bed. Her kisses quickly became more forceful, neck, chest, stomach. She bit at Korra's earlobe. "Korra, don't you want this?" Asami asked. "Sami?" Something inside Korra caused her desire slowly dissolve into worry. "Sami, you're not acting yourself." She was roughly pushed down onto the bed and Asami crawled over top. Korra rolled out and flicked her finger to light the small lamp on the wall. Asami was stared at her from the bed, but something wasn't right. "Asami, what's wrong?" In the light, Asami's face lacked any expression of a lover. Nothing met Korra's eyes but a blank face, Asami's eyes, her beautiful, green eyes, devoid of spirit and transfixed on Korra's. Korra yelled out, "Asami! Snap out of it!" but there was no reaction.
It was at this moment that Korra noticed the distant sounds of a battle. "How long had that been going on? What is happening?" She could tell it involved the air-benders, but she had to stay and figure out what was happening with her Asami. Suddenly, a flash of light caught Korra's eyes, she instinctively dodged backwards. "Asami, please, I don't want to hurt you...I can't hurt you...Come back to me...," Korra pleaded. Asami's body relaxed slightly, she was covered in sweat. Tears. "Sami!" Korra was interrupted by a figure, cloaked head to toe, appearing at their window, "Asami, it is your duty," it spoke. Her poise became rigid, threatening, blade in hand. Asami slashed at Korra, catching her hand with the edge of the blade. She could feel energy leave her, this was not some ordinary weapon. Lunging forward in another attack, she left a shallow cut across Korra's stomach. The familiar feeling overtook her, chi-blocking. She tried to summon an air blast to knock Asami down, but nothing. The figure spoke again, "Asami, it is your duty."
Kya and Avan appeared in the doorway, both confused by the scene unfolding in front of them. "Asami isn't herself, she doesn't know what she is doing," Korra warned, chair in hand, defending herself. They turned to the figure in the window. "Worthless," the figure shouted, as he lunged for Korra with a sword drawn. Kya and Avan both reacted, drawing water from their skins, pinning him against the wall with ice. Asami brought a weak attack against Avan and Kya, but they easily evaded. Kya knocked Asami against the wall with water blast, she fell to the floor. Seeing a moment of opportunity for escape, fire exploded from the cloaked figure. The water-benders countered with their remaining water to protect the four. He had released himself from the ice. A whistle blew from outside. Clinging to the window, he addressed Korra, "This is only the beginning Avatar," then turned his gaze to Asami and spoke in a commanding tone, "Asami, you are finished," and leaped from the window. Avan and Korra ran to the window, but the intruder had already disappeared into the night. They all turned their attention back to Asami, to their horror, they saw her standing, with blade pointed. Korra opened her mouth, but could not summon any words. They were all paralyzed with disbelief of what was unfolding before them. Time froze in the room, they could only watch as she plunged the blade into her own chest. As she slumped onto the floor, Korra saw Asami's spirit return to eyes and fear to her face.
Jinora and Lin held position with Tenzin as the group refocused their attack on the two of them. Just as their situation seemed to turn dire, they distinctly heard a high whistle. Suddenly everything stopped. The black forms gathered unconscious companions and ran for the bay. Lin and Jinora tried to seize some of them, but they were still working as a group to escape and the battle had left the two of them too exhausted to continue their counter-offensive. They ran with speed that surprised Lin. As they escaped into the distance, she saw how they arrived. The attackers disappeared into the open mouth of a submarine. It slipped silently under the surface of the bay. They helped Tenzin up, trying to grasp what had happened. There was a blood-curdling scream from the direction of the women's dormitories. Lin spoke up with new urgency, "What about Korra and Asami?" Jinora answered, "Kya and Avan were going to their room to warn them." They looked at Tenzin, "Go! Don't worry about me!"
Korra lost all strength, legs buckling under her. The twist in her heart shot pain throughout her whole being as tears welled up into her eyes. She clambered over to Asami and brought her into her arms. Blood covered both. Korra tried in vain to stop its flow with her hands. Korra rubbed Asami's cheek as she struggled to form words. "I'm sorry." Asami's words were barely a whisper, all she could manage. Much of the color had already drained from her lips; eyes faded, lacking that brilliant emerald green with which Korra had fallen so deeply. "Shhh, don't talk, look at me, stay with me," Korra comforted. "I couldn't stop," Asami continued, tears in her own eyes. Korra could feel the warmth slowly leaving Asami. Panic. Korra looked over at Kya and Avan, still in shock. "Please can't you do anything?" Kya shook her head, "Korra, I'm sorry, it's...it's too much." Korra knew this; the blade had penetrated through her chest, lung and back. She kissed Asami's forehead, tears forging clean paths through the dark red streaks. Her own spirit shattering, "Asami, I love you, don't leave me..."
Avan took a deep breath and knelt down next to the grief stricken couple. Korra barely paid him any attention. He closed his eyes and started moving his hands above Asami's wound. "Hold her still, this will hurt," he quietly commanded. Kya saw his motions seemed similar to that of normal healing, but lacking any water. Asami's face contorted with pain, her skin almost rippling with the command of the motions, but she remained quiet. Korra struggled against her still surprising strength, even in her condition, struggling to free herself the discomfort. It was not long before her breathing became more regular, the pain was lessening, her face became more relaxed. At the same time, they could see Avan's growing discomfort. As some of the color returned to Asami's face and lips, Avan's body had grown pale and his face appeared gaunt. Kya and Korra stared in silence at what was happening. Lin and Jinora arrived at the door. Before they could speak, Kya motioned them to be still, which they heeded. Sweat dripped from Avan's forehead and he was becoming visibly fatigued; they could see him struggling, shaking. They just watched as the bleeding slowed, stopped; wounds slowly healed over. After some time, the only evidence remaining was the old blood, already dark and thick, and light scars on Asami's chest and back. She reached up to Korra's face, she was weak and cold, but alive, safe. Korra gripped her tightly, crying uncontrollably with all the emotion that had run through her body this evening. Avan fell back and curled up on the floor, wrought with pain. The women all looked at one another in disbelief of what they had just witnessed. Kya was the one to say it, "Blood-bending."
AN: So I was really conflicted about using Asami for all this. I tried putting this together with a couple other characters, but, in the end, Asami was really the only one that made any sense to me. I also debated about splitting this whole thing into two chapters, but decided to just plunk it all down at once in the end.
To anyone who may be tracking my story, life has become busy for me, so the time between new chapters may increase or be a bit erratic for a while.
