The air is heavy with the forests morning due and the suns orange light filtering through the tree brush, gives the setting a dreamlike element. Though under the circumstances this situation is far from fantasy. The hot spring had been farther than Korra remembered, probably because everytime she went she had been small enough to be carried. No matter, they're here, and this gives Korra enough time to start practicing her new avatar abilities.
"The legend goes, you have to start with your native element." Asami's head is laid back on the edge of the pool while she soaks in the spring. Korra makes random gestures in front of her body.
"I'm not sure what the difference is between moving my arms around and bending. Doesn't the Avatar need a master or teacher or something?" Korra mutters to herself but Asami gives her own opinion.
"Yes, that's ideal but benders are scarce, let alone masters of the elements. Most of them are hiding, enslaved, dead, or worse." Asami raises her head to look the Avatar, strapping and dripping wet,
"You know something else, for years of fighting for your life in the arena, not once have you scorched someone to death or crushed them with boulders. "
"I guess because I had enough confidence in myself to know that my skills would keep me coming out on top." Korra says turning toward the other woman, Asami just stares.
I bet you would be a top. Spirits! Asami thought, though one could probably read it on her face.
" You seem stiff. Come here." Asami says as she holds herself up, leaning against the edge of the spring. Korra huffs in frustration.
"Oh calm down, there's no reason to get worked up." Asami moves behind Korra and gently directs her arms with her own. Their bodies pressed, and clinging to each other. Asami's hands are at Korra's waist, hovering over her skin. After a while they both forgot what they were supposed to be doing. How could they remember when Asami's light breaths tickle the back of Korra's neck, while she leans into her. As they both begin to relax Asami's lips brush the nape of the Avatar's neck sending chills and goosebumps all over Korra's body.
Asami's hands trace over her ribs, under her arms. Lightly passing over her scars into a slow embrace by her waist. Korra's arms fall to match Asami's. Her touch, light and trembling, Korra is having trouble focusing on anything other than how soft the heiresses skin is and how warm she feels against her back. Human contact, genuine human contact, is something they both desperately need, whether they admit it or not.
Korra feels relaxed enough to continue her practice. so she begins to move her arms wide circles to begin.
"Now tell me, what are you feeling." Asami's eyes are closed but she can feel the water around their legs begin to churn. A smile appears on her face. Opening her eyes to congratulate the Avatar on her progress the smile quickly disappeared. She's crying, the Avatar is crying.
"Korra," Asami tries to let go, but Korra leans farther into her, "Korra…" the sympathy in her voice makes Korra cringe. Her shoulders immediately tense up, but Asami doesn't let go. She holds her tighter. Her arms start to rise along with Korra's, " Here, come on, you've almost got it.", Asami begins to back away at a tentative pace, and she watches the woman's body move as she did when Korra was fighting, but this seemed different. She is less aggressive and more graceful; she seems calm and yet powerful. Asami leans on the edge of the pool, she's caught in the thought of their current state. She had left things unclear on purpose, yet she wishes she hadn't.
"It's for the best," she thought to herself, "the world needs her. This… this can wait." The moment Asami left Korra's back bare, she was missed, and the emotions from their night of intimacy, or lack thereof, grew. The water began to churn faster and fiz up. Korra's shoulders are relaxed but her gestures are forceful; they ache. Asami climbs out of the pool, the water sloshing out over the sides. The water begins to climb the rocks in a backwards waterfall, forming a thick veil of water, surrounding the Avatar.
"Korra," feeling a bit of deja vu, Asami enters a state of terror, "Korra, please, open your eyes!" she says snatching her rags off the branch. All Korra could hear was the rush of water. The thing that made her open her eyes was a drop of water landing on her face. Instantly the wall of water falls back into its pool, drenching Korra.
"Korra?" They both stand where they are, still, untill Korra jumps around facing Asami, expressing her excitement rushing out of the water, heading straight for Asami with a big wide grin across her face.
"You saw that right?"She says excited.
"Are you okay?" Asami says cautiously.
"Are you joking? I feel amazing, why did you get out?"
"Korra, the water had the current of a fast pace river, I thought you were losing control… again."
"Well I am not going to say I was in complete control, but it was under control." Korra picks up on Asami's, now, worried expression.
"I need to find out how to actually learn this." Korra says walking away, forgetting to cover herself. Asami doesn't complain though, she just picks their wraps off the branch they were hanging from and begins to walk close behind her.
"You know there are some scrolls for bending. They were all supposed to be destroyed, but I know where we can find some."
"Really? Where?" she turns around all wide eyed and a small sideways smile, truly adorable. Asami hands her her wrap, she takes it and quickly wraps it around herself with practically half of it hanging off of where it would actually cover something.
"Yes really. They're with an old friend." Asami says wrapping herself in a more efficient way.
"You have friends." Korra jokes.
"Well, it's someone I can trust more than most. " There's a short pause as Korra thinks about what Asami had just said.
"You know, I don't remember the last time I trusted someone. Must be nice."
"You don't trust me?"Asami asks with a sarcastically offended tone.
"Not completely, no. I barely know you. I know nothing about you." Korra answers straight, killing the playful mood.
"Then why did you save me?"
"I don't know, maybe to protect someone who needs my help." Asami remembers the first time she saw Korra fight in the arena, and she remembers the boy she saved. Though very plausible, that couldn't be the only reason she saved her. Or is that just what Asami is hoping for.
"I don't feel completely off guard but it's still a relief." Korra says smiling back at her. As they walk Korra goes on about what she needs to do next. She went on about how she thinks she can get the rest of the elements just as easily. Asami sits back content to see the other woman so engaged, seeing how open she is right now really humanizes her and she finds it rather endearing.
From behind, Asami watches the other woman walk with such confidence, for her, Korra is a sign of changed that this world desperately needs. In the midst of all the talking and daydreaming, they lose their way. Eventually they get hungry, tired and thirsty, and their attitudes completely change.
"Korra, where are we?"
"Not sure."
"It's hot." Asami says shrugging off her wrap, just enough to expose her shoulders.
"Mhmm."
"Should have thought this through."Asami says annoyed.
"Yup."
"We should stop and find something to eat."
There was a long pause while Korra sifts through the same thoughts she has been for the past few miles. She's becoming agitated because all she could think about is how her stomach feels like an empty bag of air.
A ruffle from the shrubs running parallel to them catches Asami's attention,
"What was that?" Asami stops and stares at the greenery waiting for.
"What? Your hunger is making you hallucinate. Keep moving." Korra brushes off Asami
"Korra…"
"Asami, we're in the jungle, everything moves…" when she turns around, her mouth is left gaping. Only then was she aware of the deep snarling sound.
"Don't move." Korra raises her hands as if to hold the beast in its place. Asami begins to back away, her eyes going every which way to find an exit route.
"We're okay it hasn't called its pack yet." Just then the tiger-wolf howls through the trees scattering anything smaller than it; a natural warning for what's coming.
"Avatar, now we need to run."
"Got that, now just don't turn your back on her." Without taking their eyes off of the creature, they move around it to meet just where the brush begins, and at a slow effort creep behind the greenery. The sound of branches breaking and leaves rustling draws near. She takes her hands in a firm grasp and quickens their pace from a brisk walk to a skip on into a full sprint. They pay no mind to the splinters and thorns they may be getting, all they care about is how close the snarling and the massive thump's are getting. At matched pace, they run, to wherever the noises are not coming from. The adrenaline pumping through them both, has them running as if they themselves were wild animals. Both focused to their front, never bothering to look back. They occasionally catch glimpses of each other. Their faces tight and their eyes wide, they can hear the chopping of sharpened teeth, rear them, one even got close enough to snap their jaw at Asami's wrap. In an instant they were falling down a sharp decline. When they opened their eyes, below them is a river of rushing water. Korra never let go of Asami, so as they were falling she pulled her close into a tight embrace, so that when they hit the water, Korra would be the one taking most of the impact.
They hit the water with a loud smack, Korra gets knocked out on water feels like ice clinging to their skin. The water is aggressive, slamming them against fallen trees and boulders. Asami feels the Avatar's body go limp in her arms, a clear sign that says not to let go. Now she thinks to herself, she needs to find a way to keep them from drowning. Spinning and barely able to keep her head above water. A low baring branch is approaching. She physically prepares herself for the feat she is about to pull. Turning Korra around, so that her back was to her chest, Asami wrapped her legs around Korra's waist, locking her ankles together, so that her hands could be free.
With a few nerve wracking snaps from the branch, Asami pulls herself and the unconscious Avatar to safety. Struggling to catch her breath, Asami drops on her back to rest. She looks down to see the Avatar laying on top of her, rising and falling with each breath she takes. She looks down at her wrist, noticing how Korra's grip had left a pretty distinct phantom touch.
Korra rolls off, coughing, "W-We made it?"
"We made it." Asami answers. Korra rests, laying on her back with her eyes closed.
"Hey, look." Asami gestures above them. The trees bear fruit, and the vines below hold karpoozi and peponi. Korra didn't waste any time at getting her next meal, rushing up to rip an apple from above, and taking a careless bite out of it, so much so she forgot to breath until she swallowed. After a few gulps of barely chewed food, Korra momentarily averts her attention over to Asami, to witness the heiress face deep in a melon. Korra nearly chokes, laughing,
"I'm kind of jealous." she says making a lewd suggestion about the fruit. Asami looks up, wide-eyed, and her face dripping with red juice. Korra laughs even harder.
"What?" She says wiping off her face.
"Nothing, I just never thought to see you without your regal… demeanor." Korra says imitating a proper posture.
"Well what use is it when you're starving," she sits up, regaining an actual posture, "besides, I'm not the one trying to stuff… w-what is that two-tree apples, in my mouth." she spits out a seed in what Korra finds, the most charming way possible.
"Well how else does one get this cut." she holds up her arms and flexes, earning herself a soft laugh from the other woman. Asami goes to take another bite of the heavenly melon, until something crosses her mind.
"Korra, we were just chased by a pack of tiger-wolves," her mouth full, Korra makes an affirmative sound," and were we not drowning a few moments ago?"
"Mhmm." Not bothering to look up.
"Is this what you would go through, and don't you say you've been through worse." Korra ignores Asami, almost completely.
"Isn't it amazing how food controls what mood you're in?" She flashes her perfected half smile just as she took a melodramatic bite from her apple. Asami gives her a disappointed look before slurping up the rest of her melon.
A half dozen peponi later, they had their fill. Asami leans against a tree for back support, while Korra is splayed on the ground with juices staining her tunic.
"I'm kind of use to it actually." Asami looks over to Korra,
"Running for my life. Its branded into who I am."Korra continues.
"Tiger-wolves, though." Asami says still processing the event. Korra laughs.
"I've been through worse-" Just as she finished, Asami chucked a melon shell at Korra's head. Causing her to laugh even harder. She takes a moment to calm herself before taking on a different tone.
"We need something to carry some of these in. Who knows when we'll find food again." Korra suggests.
"I think I'm set for the next few days." Asami says in a heavy breath.
The sun has not been out all week, instead the sky looms with dense layers of gray fog. Mako is in no mood to be outside today, he'd rather stay inside and play with his brother, but the fates will not allow it.
"Makaki, come to me!" Little feet smack against the tiled floors, as Mako rushes to his mother in the kitchen.
"Go help your father and the workers cover the crops, will you? The storm is coming fast."She watches as Mako's slumps his little shoulders and drags his feet on his way outside.
"But what about Bolin?"
"He's too little, now go."
"Aw, Ma."He whines.
"Stop it, you remember what happened last time we didn't cover them in time. We were covering them in the middle of the storm, and lost half the crop and almost got everyone sick, am I right."
"Yes, but-"
" No but's, now hurry, or no Bourekakia, your father said it'd be nice after yesterday." His little face lit up at the mention of his favorite treat. As for the mention of the events of the day before, a wave of guilt falls over his face. Though he still manages to trot out of the house with a small smile on his face. Sweet treats always made Mako's mood better.
San, his father and many of his family's workers are far down the lines of grapevines, throwing tarps over them as they go. He runs up to his father.
"Ah, little Mako, come to help?"
"Yeah." He says in a high pitched squeal.
"Alright then you, little man, can start with tying them off after their done, with the spool of thread."
"Okay," Mako says catching the thread, "Pa, I-"The man looked at him, waiting to hear the rest, and then he thought of yesterday.
"Mako, it was not your fault," His father's bolstering voice grabs hold of his nerves, "you had no idea- we all had no idea that you could do that. I remember the first time I earth bent; I nearly sunk the house into the ground. All you did was set a small part of it on fire."
"But what if Bolin was in there?"His voice cracking under strain.
"He wasn't, Mako."
"What if someone saw?"
"No one besides us saw, Mako."He says kneeling down, holding his son's shoulders.
"How do you know?" The man stared down at his little boy, and saw the fear in his eyes. He knows what happens to those who so happen to display their abilities; they all do.
"Listen to me, Makaki mou, no one's coming for you. Do you understand?"Mako nods without breaking his father's gaze.
"Now go help, Cameron, she needs someone to tie after her."He says with his most reassuring smile he could give. Mako mirrors his smile and runs off towards the woman as she throws over a tarp.
Later they head in just as it started to pour down. Mako's father covers his son's head with his shirt as they rush in, spouting playful nonsense about how he's saving his eldest from drowning. Their laughs and boisterous family time wakes the younger of the two boys, Bolin. Mako's eyes widened and stared at his parents, waiting on one of them to go fetch him. His parents kept saying he was too small and weak to be "played" with. Mako disagreed. Judging from the size of the boy, he seemed strong enough. His parents laugh at his rather adorable persistence. His father kisses the top of his wife's head before going into the other room to get Bolin. Outside, the summer rain beats against the soil in a barrage of pellets of water. The sound is loud enough to drown out the sound of the fleet of sentinel officers hurling towards them. Little Mako is the first to see them riding on the backs of giant nute's, from the window, his father follows his gaze. He gives a small signal to Naoki to take the boys into the other room.
"Mako, watch your brother, okay?" She stands under the door frame, straining her ears to hear what is being said. She could only hear little words like, "residence" and "boy", then her husband took up a much louder tone.
"No, I'm sorry, you are mistaken."
"Then why is that portion of your home burnt." Says the sentinel at the door
"It was an accident, candles caught fire in the-" a distant voice says something inaudible. Then there's a short pause between the men… something's wrong.
"Where's your son."At this Naoki, grabs some things and puts them in a small satchel. The men's voices get louder.
"He didn't do anything wrong!" San's voice roared through the house, it shook. The ground beneath them vibrated.
"Take him." An officer walks in. San straps the little pouch to Mako's back.
"Mako, run. Me and Pa will find you, now take Bolin and go." she quickly nudges him towards a small opening in the wall, leading outside. In an instant the rain soaking the boys.
"To the forest." For a young boy, Mako is able to grasp the situation in it's entirety and reacts accordingly. No questions, and no pleading, just keep little Bolin safe.
Reaching the mouth of the forest, Mako finally looks back in the direction of his home. He holds his little brother closer when he hears rock crumble. The guilt was back, he knows what his father said, but those soldiers were not there for nothing. He ventures deeper into the forest, until he comes across a small brook they could rest by.
He spends this evening caring for his brother, but when Bolin sleeps, Mako stairs at a pillar of smoke coming from the direction of their home.
Mako looks across the estate in disbelief that some place like this actually exists. All kinds of people with all kinds of bending abilities, on one island. It's a peaceful community, where the elementals harmonize their techniques with others. He wonders if this is what the world would be like if bending were legal. So peaceful.
"Mako?" Tenzin is dressed in air nomad threads, a different look for the bureaucrat, yet it suits him.
"Apologies, this place it's-"
"My father, knew what was coming, he prepared this place for those who would be hunted for their abilities, myself included."Tenzin begins to walk towards the common area.
"Only here?" Mako says walking along side him.
"No, there are a few throughout the districts. This island is dedicated to the Air Nation culture, but as you can see we house more than just airbenders." They both look over the courtyard.
"You did good yesterday, Mako. To hold your people together as long as you did, but Lady Sato, I can not help but to worry."
"I wouldn't worry too much." Hurried heavy feet rush behind them. They both turn around to a strapping young man out of breath.
"Ah, Bo-"
"Bolin?" Mako cuts Tenzin off. Little Bolin all grown up. He looks just like their father.
"Y-yeah." Tears burn in the brothers eyes as they rush into a warm embrace. Tenzin slides from behind them, and takes off, giving them some privacy.
"You've grown." Mako holds his brothers shoulders, he no longer can say his little brother. Bolin's built just like their father. His shoulder broad, and his body mass is just layers of muscle. Not to mention his facial features, his bushy eyebrows and his bulbous nose; those are definitely their father's.
" I've missed you, bro-" Mako's pulled into a tighter, more aggressive hug
"Heh, I missed you too, Bo. I'm so sorry. We will never get separated like that again. I'd die before I let that happen." Bolin squeezed him tighter.
"Ah, Bo, breath," Bolin lets him go, looking embarrassed with a heavy stream of tears falling down his face.
"Sorry…"
"No, it's alright. Come on." He puts Bolin under one arm and walks.
"W-where did you go? What happened to you?" Bolin's voice is cracking, he's just as emotional as Mako left him.
"I could ask the same… sort of? Where did you go? Who helped you?"
"What makes you think I needed help… yeah okay, there were few guys that helped me out?" Mako picks up his tone,
"How do you mean?"
"I mean they weren't the best but they were...what I had." Bolin drops his head.
"Hey, I may not approve, but you made it. You survived when there was no one really looking out for you, Bro."
The brothers have been united for a few days now, and they're getting used to the air temple routine. It's also been a few days since anyone has seen or heard from the Future Industries hearess. Her estate had been torched by a small group, that for those who know nothing of Zaheer, were called bandits. Those who had fled from the Sato estate have been distraught with worry for their House Lady. The political world is falling apart with so many people of power dead, of which very few know of. After all, what happens when an oppressive government shows weakness?
A young boy runs up to Tenzin with a look that said the world held hope.
"Oh, Kai, good morning-"
"Master Tenzin, news from the capital! The Avatar has returned."
The rain hasn't let up in days, not that Korra's complaining, she's been playing in it for every second of that it's there. She and Asami put up shelter under two tree branches tied together. They may still get wet, but atleast they aren't drenched. Only today, they realize how dangerously low on food they are, and why it seems like they are nowhere closer to where they need to be, than when they started. Also, Lady Sato is beginning to worry about her people and her families business. She's wondering if they were picked up by another slave owner and forced into labor or arrested by the sentinels, and if they were would they be blamed for what happened? Would they be accused of rebelling and burning down the estate, along with their domina? No one knows where she is, let alone that she's alive; what is happening?
"What's wrong?" Korra asks comes over from outside, dry.
"Nothing. You seem to be enjoying your new abilities." Korra looks at her a moment before playing along.
"Yeah, I'm really catching on to it."
"Have you tried any other elements?"
"No. I just thought it'd be better to practice one kick 10,000 times, than rush to learn too many and not grasp them all. Those people, made me feel weak. I don't want to face them the same way again." She says reaching into one of their baskets, looking for something to eat.
"We are going to run out of food, soon."
"I'll go find some more fruit or something, and I've been collecting rain water ever since it started." Korra sits next to her, handing her a hand full of berries.
"Am I going to have to ask what's wrong again or do I have to beat it out of you." Korra says as a joke.
"Heh, you can try."
"Is that a challenge?" Korra says bumping their shoulders together. Asami gives a laugh and holds a forced smile for a bit, and pauses to let the joke die.
"Do you really need to know…"
"Asami, I may not know much about other people, but I know a person can't keep things to themselves. It...hurts. I'm saying this from first hand experience. I want to know."
"I'm worried about my people. I took them in to protect them and give them a chance at life-"
"So you're sorry?"
"No. I'm frustrated, I'm frustrated that I can't do anything for the people I promised to protect and I just feel so helpless."
"Asami, your home burned down. The people that burned it down, were there to kill you. They made that clear. You were vulnerable in that moment. That's exactly what they wanted. I'm just glad you alright," Korra stops talking while she takes in how true those words are, "and alive. So...good." a light blush comes over the both of them. Korra pushes forward.
"It's normal to feel this way when it feels like someone took away the thought that you're human; like you deserved it." The rain outside trickles to a stop as the evening sun peeks through the treetops. Korra gets up Asami extends her hand for Korra's.
"Korra, you know… you can come to me for… stuff too." Korra gives an appreciative smile, and walks towards a drop off that looks over the outskirts of Republic City.
Four weeks. Four weeks since the Sato House burned down and seven more cases of torched estates and missing aristocrats, and they're in hiding. Korra and Asami developed their own routine to move through the capital. Lady Sato is known throughout the districts for her grace and beauty, strip away the glamour and posture and she's seen a hunched hag. She's been trading meats and herbs in the market for coin. Korra uses her time searching for a name. She's heard it so many times when she was on the run. A name that is usually associated with underground fighting rings, but once she heard of someone taking bending lessons and failing...horribly. She's been prowling around the city arena for whispers, figuring she could hide in plain sight. Of course she stays to the shadows but she makes sure she's never alone, always by someone's shoulder, making it seem like she belongs there. She knows what she said to Asami about learning another element but after hearing the news of Zaheer's claimed more victims, she's been feeling like she's running out of time.
Today, however, they both go to the market, to settle a dispute.
"Is that a challenge?"Asami walks close behind Korra, whispering this in her ear. The Bazaar is crowded around this time of day; the perfect time to swipe a few things they need.
"Well I just want the proof to follow your claim. You can't just bat your pretty eyes and expect me believe you wholeheartedly."Korra says as they weave deeper into the evening crowd.
"Okay Avatar, watch me." Asami scoffs as she makes her hasty approach to a fabrics vendor. Immediately the vendor was caught in her trance. All of a sudden she was giggling, and the man leaned in closer, and Asami put a delicate hand on his shoulder, and whispered something in his ear. Even Korra got caught up enough in that moment to not notice what was going on. Asami broke off their conversation and started to walk back into the thick of the crowd.
The moment she met eyes with Korra's she starts to smirk.
"I told you I don't need your coaching." Asami says opening the satchel she's been carrying under her many layers of fabric. Two blankets. Korra stands speechless.
"Close your mouth, Honey. Something could get caught-"
"Hey!" bellows the vendor that Asami oh so cunningly charmed two blankets away from. She was about to run before Korra grasped her arm and waist to keep her still.
"Which looks more guilty, the runner, or the couple?"Asami blushes at how close Korra's face has gotten and at the idea of the two of them being a couple. They walk with the crowds flow, keeping up with their pace. They keep going until they reach a narrow alley that they make their escape with. Coincidently it's an alley way they can use to get to their little hunker spot. It's one of the many abandoned homes in the Republic.
"Asami remember when you said I could come to you if something is bothering me?" Korra asks sounding vulnerable. Asami nods.
"Why are you still here? Why aren't you at one of your summer homes, enjoying the sun and maybe a few skin maids? Why are you taking yourself through this? A woman like you -"
"Shouldn't be out in the real world?" Asami cuts her off.
"That's not what I meant."
"No? That's what it started to sound like."
"I was trying not to be blunt and ease us into this but- do you ...want me?" Caught in a state of shock Asami couldn't find her words.
"No-no i guess not...never mind." Asami's back is to Korra and she's really, really still. Just as Korra was about to shrink into herself, and walk away, Asami turns around with a radiant flip of the hair. She didn't mean to look as fabulous as she did but that didn't keep Korra from blushing. She floats her way over the other woman. Korra's mouth has gone dry, if she could gulp, at this moment, she would. Asami walks right up to her and takes Korra's face into her hands. She only moves in close enough for their lips to brush against each other. A small whimper escapes Korra's parted lips, and steps into Asami to seal the kiss, only to have Asami avert her, again.
"It's not that I don't want you Korra, just that now we- us would be a distraction."
"Please, don't do this to me, again." Korra says pulling Asami closer, trying to look her in the eye.
"The timing is … bad." Asami believed this entirely, which made it harder for her to keep her hands and lips to her self.
"You know if you keep waiting on timing, all the chances you had are going to be gone, and it's going to be too late."
"Are you saying you may not want me later because of this?"
"No, I'm saying I may not see the day you finally say 'yes'." Korra slides her way out of the woman's grasp and goes to her own little corner of the room and lays down.
Hey guys sorry for the massive delay, I haven't felt really inspired until recently. I'm not sure if I can post regularly yet with my schedule being the way it is right now but I do plan on releasing ch.11 soon after this. Please tell what you thought of this chapter, I do really enjoy people's comments. At times I use them as a crutch to get myself writing again. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed it.