Chapter 9
"Asami, are you sure you need all these?" Korra questioned her friend
"I think so. Besides, I could have taken more things," spoke Asami as Korra stared at her friend. When the ship docked to the Air Temple Island, the Air Acolytes carried the bags that Asami and Korra brought with them.
"Korra! Asami! How have you been?" spoke Bolin as he saw his friends.
"Hello Bolin, we just brought Asami's belongings," spoke Korra as she shook her head.
"Right, so, what do you think of a friendly spar? I asked Mako to practice with me, but he did not want to," spoke Bolin
"Of course I would like to spar," spoke Korra as she then looked at Asami, "But let me show Asami to her room first. I think she wants first to settle in,"
"Of course, I will let Mako know that you two returned," spoke Bolin as he left.
Korra led her friend to the female section of the island. As they walked, Asami observed the gardens, the traditional Air nomad architecture. A pair of lemurs flew in the sky.
"This is your room," smiled Korra as she opened the door. The room was quite large. It had a desk, a medium sized bed, and a wardrobe. There was a door that led to a restroom.
"I know this is not much, especially to conditions you used to live in. But," spoke Korra
"Don't worry Korra, this room is perfect. There is nothing here that reminds me of my father," spoke Asami as she sat on the edge of her bed, looking on the floor.
"Asami, please, you don't have to feel pain all alone. I am here for you," spoke Korra as she sat on her knees, looking Asami directly in the face.
"Thank you. I, I guess I would need some time to get used to living here," spoke Asami as she leaned towards Korra and hugged her friend.
"Korra, I," began Asami as their faces became very close to each other. The two ladies leaned closer.
Before anything could happen, the young women heard a knock. "Who is it?" spoke Korra as she quickly distanced herself from Asami's face.
Tenzin opened the door and entered the room. "O, hey Tenzin. I was just showing Asami her new room," spoke Korra as she blushed in embarrassment since she knew that her teacher almost caught the two women in a kiss. "Wait, a kiss? Stop this Korra, you need to control yourself," thought Korra
"Thank you for your hospitality," spoke Asami as she bowed to Tenzin. Tenzin bowed in response.
"Korra, I came here to inform you that Lin's replacement Saikhan will be inducted as the new Chief of Police today, and I thought you should be there," spoke Tenzin
"I will be there," spoke Korra
"Me too. I think I need to support Korra. And I could help Korra if Tarrlok decides to show up and try to use Korra," spoke Asami
"But, Asami, I should be one supporting you, especially now," spoke Korra
"Why can't we support each other at the same time?" inquired Asami
"You are right. It would be a good idea. We will see you later Tenzin," spoke Korra quickly as Tenzin nodded and left the room.
"Asami, about what happened," spoke Korra
"I know, but lets discuss our feelings later. I think it is important for us to deal with the crisis first, and our feelings second," spoke Asami as the two ladies went to have a light snack before joining Tenzin on their journey to see new Chief of Police.
During the induction, Chief Saikhan told everyone that he would now report to Tarrlok and his Taskforce. Korra saw that Tarrlok smiled. The crowd cheered, as they liked the fact that the police and the Task force would now work together to defeat the Equalists. Some people in the crowd, however, noticed Korra and began shouting at her.
"What's up with them?" asked Korra
"I think they are still bitter about your refusal to join the Taskforce. I even read in one newspaper that your poll numbers are like six percent approval right now," spoke Tenzin.
"Aww," spoke Korra
"Don't take this too hard. They are just frustrated. I am sure that once this crisis is over, and we put the Equalists and their leader Amon, as well as my father in jail, they would recognize how special you are," reassured her Asami
"Well I don't blame them. As the Avatar, I should be able to help them," spoke Korra
"Korra, " Tenzin began speaking but was soon interrupted by Tarrlok.
"Oh, I fully agree Avatar Korra. You should be helping people. I noticed that due to recent events, the Probending arena has closed, and you are now free to help the citizens of the Republic City. Say, would you like to join my Taskforce? We can do a lot of good, you and I," spoke Tarrlok.
"Sorry, but no. I won't join your vanity project. Keep your offer," replied Korra.
"I see. It's a pity really. But I guess I should have expected this from a half- baked Avatar. How is your Air bending Training?" asked Tarrlok as he made a grin.
"Leave her alone," spoke Asami as she intervened in the conversation.
"And you are the infamous Miss Sato. I still remember how you made a fool out of me. For your sake, I hope you will not give me any reason to arrest you, for mine, I would gladly do so when I get a chance," grinned Tarrlok
"Tarrlok, that's enough. Don't you see that Miss Sato is hurt? Her father is an Equalist, and she electrocuted him to save us yesterday," defended her Tenzin.
"It could have been an elaborate ruse for her to become a spy for Amon, for all I know. I guess I should be going. Oh, and Miss Sato? I suggest for you not going alone after dark as we just passed a law almost unanimously," he looked at Tenzin with disappointment, "for placing a curfew on non benders,"
Korra and Asami returned to the Air Temple Island. "Asami,"
"I am fine. I remember you wanted to spar," spoke Asami as Korra grinned. The two friends soon joined Mako and Bolin in a garden. Asami watched the group spar for a while, before an idea popped up in her mind.
"Guys, I have an idea. Why don't you all try to attack me, and I help you in fighting these Equalists," spoke Asami
"Um, Asami, no offense, but how would you do that?" asked Korra
"Simple. You all try to knock me down with your bending, and I will use my fighting skills and chi blocking to fight back. This will help you to learn these techniques, so that when we later encounter the Equalists, you would be better prepared," suggested Asami
"I don't know. Us free versus you?" asked Mako
"I will be fine," spoke Asami as three different elements flew at her.
Asami quickly dodged the attacks, and then ran towards the Fire Ferrets. As she kept avoiding their attacks, Asami jumped and with quick few moves incapacitated Bolin, who promptly fell on the ground.
"Can't move," spoke Bolin as Asami then fought the other two benders.
Asami jumped back, and picked up her electric glove that she brought with her just in case. She quickly put it back on, and dodged two fireballs, one from Korra, and the other from Mako.
Asami then jumped towards her friends, and punched Mako with the electric glove. Electricity entered his body; Mako quickly took a hold of it, and redirected the electric charge at a nearby rock. Asami then promptly chi blocked him as well.
"It you and me, prissy girl, " grinned Korra as Asami faced her opponent.
"You are next, Avatar," spoke Asami as the two friends began to fight. Korra managed to avoid many attacks, and then sent fire from her hands and feet, keeping Asami away from her.
The mock fight continued. After an intense session, Asami managed to overpower Korra. She chi blocked her, and pulled Korra's arm behind her back.
"Mom, dad, we are under attack!" cried Meelo, as he arrived on the scene.
"Meelo, we are just practicing," spoke Korra but the youngest air bender did not hear and instead sent a powerful air current at Asami, throwing the heiress on the ground.
"What is it? I heard that Equalists attacked us," spoke Tenzin as he quickly arrived on the scene.
"False alarm, we were just sparring and Meelo here thought that Asami was actually fighting us," spoke Korra
"Meelo,"
"But dad! That beautiful woman was fighting with Korra! And they all need to learn how to be the leaf," spoke Meelo before forming an air scooter and riding away from the scene.
"I am sorry for this mis understatement," spoke Tenzin as he left the scene as well. The three benders sat on the ground as the chi blocking effects wore off.
"You were good. I think we can take most Equalists easily, as I am sure they would not be as skillful as I am," suggested Asami
"So what was the point of this? I don't get, what have we learned?" asked Mako
"That Asami is a badass. And Equalists are scary. And that they have no defense against air bending," spoke Bolin
"Bo, you are a genius," spoke Korra
"I am?"
"Yea. Since Equalists rely on short ranged attacks, there is no way for them to take down an air bender, who can easily avoid their attacks, and then knock them out with air bending," spoke Korra, "And now I need to work even harder on my Air bending. Thanks Asami,"
"Well, I wanted to help you all to be more acquainted with chi blocking for future battles, but I guess this works too," spoke Asami
"Alright! Team Avatar is ready to kick some Equalist butt," spoke Bolin as four friends laughed.
A/N: next chapter: Team Avatar patrols the city and face Tarrlok.
