Korra, Jinora, Ikki and Meelo stood by the port of Air Temple Island, awaiting a new guest. Ikki had been especially excited to hear the news that Asami would be staying at the island and couldn't keep still, although she and Meelo were like that most of the time.
They were also still excited to hear the news that Korra would no longer have to stay in bed- which to them meant more time to play. Upon returning from the Sato estate Pema insisted she stay in bed, but she assured her that she was fine. There may have been some begging involved but she was free nonetheless.
"There they are!" exclaimed Ikki shrilly, pointing to a ferry on the sea. From her position Korra could make out three figures on board; Bolin stood waving and Asami had her arm wrapped around Mako.
"What?" She asked self-consciously after tearing her eyes from the couple to see Jinora scrutinising her face.
"Nothing" Replied Jinora nonchalantly, although her expression had turned her smug.
The ferry became bigger and bigger as it became closer and closer. The cargo it had on board became larger too; now Korra understood when Asami said she would need both brothers to help carry her things.
"You're finally here!" exclaimed Ikki, bouncing up and down as the ferry came to a slow stop "Welcome to Air Temple Island. Your new home"
The young Airbender made it sound so easy, calling an unfamiliar environment your home. Korra felt a rush of sympathy toward Asami; she was in almost the same situation as Korra. Both had been suddenly ripped from their home to find themselves at the island, but Asami's ordeal must have been worse, because she also had to deal with the fact her father was working for Amon.
"Welcome to my domain" Said Meelo, causing Korra and Bolin to laugh. Korra had quickly found out her and Bolin shared a similar sense of humour in the time they had spent together. He always could find a way to make her laugh and was convinced that was the way to unlocking her memories about him.
Meelo giggled as Pabu jumped from Bolin's shoulder and ran in-between his legs. He was quite fond of the fluffy creature, although Bolin wished he would be gentler with his smallest friend.
"So do you have…uhh…everything?" Asked Korra weakly to Asami, pointing to her large pile of luggage
"It could have been worse" came Mako's voice, causing Korra to wonder how a person could need so many things
"Well we all want you to feel at home" Korra said, tearing her eyes from the pile and smiling at Asami. Although she thought her to be prissy before, this was the perfect opportunity for her to erase all past bad encounters with her and start fresh.
"You're pretty. Can I have some of your hair?" Asked Meelo with his arm outstretched when Asami had stepped from the ferry. Asami just let out a small chuckle and smiled at the young boy
Korra motioned to Ikki to lead the way to their bedrooms. She jumped at the chance to be the centre of attention and started bounding around and yelling random facts about the island and what things were.
Bolin tried to challenge her knowledge, but he was surprised when Ikki fired answers back at every single one of his questions. One could assume she had been spending too much time around Jinora.
"Oh, before I forget, I brought that earthbending book with me 'Nora" Said Bolin, looking at Tenzin's eldest child
"Really?" Her eyes lighting up. She had been asking Mako and Bolin a lot of questions about their bending, she reasoned it was best to learn about all the elements to better her airbending. Bolin eventually told her he would try to find his old Earthbending technique book.
"Come on, I'll go get it" He said, starting to walk away, Mako joined them without a word.
As the trio walked away, Meelo stayed with them, his eyes transfixed on Asami and her long hair.
"Why don't you go with them too?" Suggested Korra, eyeing him.
"We shall meet again soon, beautiful woman" He said before running to catch up with the others.
"I'd like to say he isn't always like this but…" Korra trailed off
"It's fine" Asami laughed it off "He's been doing that for a while" Korra looked at her curiously "I would come to the island and play with them while you were unconscious" she explained, looking a little uncomfortable.
"Oh" Was Korra's only response, she was starting to become more than a little frustrated with her lack of memory. "Well, Ikki and I will take you to your room then"
They resumed their walk in an awkward silence, only ever broken by Ikki's somewhat subdued commentary. Korra noted that Asami looked sad, looking down as if deep in thought. She berated herself for momentarily forgetting everything that had happened to her over the last few days.
Korra made no move to start a conversation as they reached the doors of the woman's dormitory, their footsteps echoing through the quiet corridor. Korra remembered only a few hours ago when Pema had tried to made Asami's bed in her new room and Tenzin had started yelling about straining herself while she was pregnant. As they walked into the room Korra noted the bed was made perfectly- Pema had obviously won that fight.
"Asami, did you know Korra likes Mako?"
Korra froze.
Time seemed to slow down.
She could feel anger at the small child welling up deep inside her, warming her core.
What possessed her to say something like that?!
Even if she did like him…she shouldn't have mentioned it in front of his girlfriend! Never mind that she was in an emotionally vulnerable state right now.
What was she thinking…of course she didn't like Mako. Ikki's imagination just kept running away with her.
But, this was the second time she had heard her say that.
That didn't make it true though.
What compelled her to say that?
Asami's eyes seemed to become sadder as she heard the little ones words. "Oh" was all she said as she resumed staring at the ground.
Korra almost sighed in relief, Asami obviously knew Ikki meant nothing by it. Korra grabbed Asamis arm and slid open the door, slamming it in the young girls face.
"Hey!" came a muffled voice.
"Umm, this is your room" Korra stated the obvious, looking uncomfortable with what just happened.
Asami was silent for a few seconds.
"It's true isn't it" she whispered, a lone tear running down her cheek.
"What?" Asked Korra confused, also alarmed as to why the girl was crying.
"It's true…you do like him…" She didn't ask her this time, she stated it as though it was the plainest fact in the world.
"No…I…uhh…" Korra couldn't come up with an appropriate response, afraid anything she said would break the beautiful woman
"It's ok Korra" she was still whispering "I know"
'How does she know something I don't?'
"The way you look at him…the way you acted around him before the accident…"
"Asami, I swear if I did anything that made you think that…I didn't mean it. I don't even remember most of the time I spent with him!"
"I'm not angry Korra" She said, her voice becoming slightly stronger "I've seen the way he looks at you too"
"The way he looks at me?" Korra asked blankly
Asami nodded, "He didn't leave your room after the accident, and when he thought you were in danger at my house he didn't even hesitate before running down there"
"We're just friends" She argued weakly, but Asami had a knowing look on her face
"Trust me Korra" She said, walking toward the door of her bedroom. Korra took this as her leave and slid the door open. "You're the one who makes him happy" she whispered finally before sliding the door shut before Korra.
Korra was left in the silent hallway to ponder Asami's words and her own feelings. She started walking without knowing where she was going. She only snapped out of her thoughts when she found herself near the edge of the island, overlooking the bay.
She continued to a large tree nearby and sat under its large, comforting branches. She closed her eyes, trying to clear her muddled head.
An image.
A feeling.
Her eyes snapped open as she tried to assess what had just happened. She had just seen Mako and Asami in each other's arms, kissing.
She had felt a sharp pang of jealousy with the image.
What that a memory?
The same thing happened to her when she remembered Tahno…
That had to be a memory.
Had she been jealous of Mako and Asami before the accident?
Did that mean she liked him?
She let out a deep sigh; this was all too much to take in. She scrunched her eyes up tight and tried to concentrate on the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
The sound soothed her; she was in her natural element here.
She felt the push and pull of the water and it helped to distract her from her thoughts. She somehow found herself in the lotus position and was surprised that she was actually enjoying meditating
Too many surprises in one day…
A/N Can any of you fantastic readers draw? I'm looking for someone to make a cover image for this story and one of my others, Pandalily. Send a review or PM my way if you want to help out, thanks!