Chapter 30

Taking the ferry to the island was one of the things Asami enjoyed most about her weekly visits with Tenzin and his family. The ferry from the mainland to Air Temple Island was short but pleasant, especially on a day like today. The sun was shining bright and glinting off the water, causing the mild waves from the wind to sparkle. The smell of salt was strong in the air and even though it was a smell she was accustomed to from living in the city, it was obviously stronger and more pleasant out here on the water itself. The city, as much as she loved it, often overpowered the senses with the amount of smells and sounds that could overtake you.

But not here, not out on the water where everything seemed so clean and pure. The ride to the island and to the people who had become family to her was definitely an enjoyable experience that she savored. It was nice to get out and relax, away from the pressures of the company and the never-ending pile of projects. Maya had been right, as she usually was, that Asami needed to take care of herself as much as she did the company. And so, Asami had made it a point to visit the island and have dinner with Tenzin and his family at least once a week. She had grown close to them, especially since Korra had left a year and half previously. Spirits…had it really been that long?

Asami was shaken from her thoughts as she felt the ferry begin to slow and pull into the dock at the island. She smiled, remembering a time when the ferry to the island only ran once a day. Even with the air acolytes, there simply hadn't been enough people on site for there to be a need for more than that. Now though, oh now there was indeed. Ever since new airbenders had been discovered across the world the need for the ferry had increased as many made their way to Tenzin for his guidance.

For certain there were still airbenders out there who had no interest in joining the reformed nation. But many did, more than Tenzin had dreamed possible. Asami smiled wider as the man himself was there to greet her on the dock. He waved and smiled at her as she waved back and disembarked behind other passengers. They all gave him a deferential nod, whether Airbender, acolyte or neither, as they walked past. Tenzin was well respected in the city.

"Asami, it is good to see you again."

"It's only been a week Tenzin!" Asami laughed as she hugged the older man who had become so important to her.

"Much too long, of course. You're always welcome here Asami and you know we miss you greatly when you're gone. Though I'm surprised to see you here so early today," Tenzin said as they slowly made their way up the hill to the main house.

Asami smirked and told him about how Maya had asked her, or rather commanded her, to leave after Asami had snapped at one too many people that day.

"All I said was that if he was planning to continue working for Future Industries, he should at least have the presence of mind to wear proper safety gear on the floor and not set such a bad example to the rest of the team! Seriously Tenzin, not wearing safety glasses while welding metal is just asking for trouble!"

"Ah yes, I can imagine. However, I somehow doubt you were quite so er-diplomatic when you explained that to him," Tenzin told her, his eyebrow raising, and she realized he knew her much too well.

"I might…might…have been a bit more…colorful…in my language when I explained matters to him. But I was right to do so! He could have gotten seriously hurt! Maya agreed with me but sent me off and made me promise to not come back until I was properly fed and cooled off, her words by the way. She's under some silly notion that I can't take care of myself," Asami explained to him, a small smile on her face

"She cares about you and having someone like that working with you is a blessing indeed. She's not wrong either Asami. Sometimes, you do neglect yourself. That's why I'm so glad you started coming back to visit us each week, and we are all so glad to see you."

Asami smiled up at Tenzin. They had stopped at the top of the steps of the hill where the main house rested and she looked around, marveling at how much things had changed since she had come here that first time so long ago.

Sighing a little, Asami's shoulders slumped at she peered at Tenzin, knowing he was waiting for her to ask the question that always came when she visited.

"How's Korra?"

If Tenzin noticed how less bright her voice was, he didn't comment on it. Just smiled at her knowingly and answered as he usually did, mostly.

"She's doing well. My mother informed me in her last letter that Korra has been working hard in her sparring sessions that she finally began again 3 months ago. She still has a long journey ahead of her, but my mother is certain that Korra will overcome it. We can look forward to having our Avatar back soon, I think."

"When she left, I never imagined that she would be gone so long. She's a force of nature, literally! I know she's human, but I don't know…." Asami muttered, unsure how to explain it.

"I understand Asami. Korra is one of those people that when we seem them brought low, it's terrifying because they so easily make us believe it's not possible. Not just because she's the Avatar, but Korra's own inner strength is what gives us that faith. Seeing her like that wasn't easy for any of us. It was a sobering reminder that she, like the rest of, is also human. As hard as it was, I think it was in a way, good for us too."

Startled, Asami stared at him. "Good? How can you say that?"

"I don't mean it's good that she was hurt. I simply mean that life sometimes deals us harsh lessons. With everything she is and has accomplished, it is easy to forget that Korra is not unbreakable. When we believe the Avatar is unbreakable, perfect, that she will always be there, well I think doing so forces us to rely less on ourselves. That is something we cannot do. We have to believe that we can stand against the dark as well. If we rely too much on the Avatar, we lose sight of what we are capable of," Tenzin explained.

"Sounds a little too much like Zaheer's words…" Asami whispered. She wasn't angry at Tenzin, his words made sense. But they still unnerved her.

"Asami, Zaheer was wrong. He wanted to remove the Avatar completely from this world and let people fight for their own survival. He didn't understand what Korra, what the Avatar really is. She is meant to guide us, to be our hope and our light. She is not meant to hold the world on her shoulders alone but to teach the rest of us how to bear the burden with her. Zaheer didn't understand that, and Korra is only now learning that I think. She carries such a weight on her shoulders, not realizing that she doesn't have to carry it alone. Her lack of letters to you and everyone else being an example of this, I think. But I believe she will learn and that she will accept one day she can reach out and grasp any of the many hands willing to help her. But it will take time. She's rather stubborn you know," Tenzin smiled at her and Asami chuckled as she thought over his words.

"Korra? Stubborn? I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. But I think I understand what you mean. I just really miss my friend Tenzin. It's not the same here without her," Asami explained.

"I know. Korra is more than my student, she's like another daughter to me. We all miss her very much. Anyway, come, the children are training, and Pema is with Rohan. They'll all be so happy to see you.

"Dinner was amazing as usual Pema, thank you so much for having me," Asami thanked her. She was never so full as she was when she visited her second family.

"I'm very happy you enjoyed it Asami and you know you're always welcome here!" Pema laughed.

"Yeah! We love it when you visit Asami! You should come here every day!" exclaimed Meelo.

"I would love to, but work keeps me so busy I don't know how I'd find the time."

"It's ok, we understand! But what about Mako? And when is Bolin coming back? We haven't seen them in forevvvvvvvver!" Ikki asked, drawing out the last word adorably.

"Bolin is still out in the Earth Kingdom working with Kuvira. But he writes that he's doing well and said they might be close enough for him to visit soon. As for Mako, he's been really busy on a case for the department lately. I've barely seen him myself and my office isn't that far from the precinct. But he told me he's fine and he'll try to come out to visit soon," Asami assured her.

"That is so cool! I bet he's taking down a huge gang! Maybe the Triple Threats! Or the Agni Kais! He should let me help him. I could take them all on!" Meelo proclaimed, standing with his foot on the table and his fist on his chest looking every bit the commander he thinks himself to be. The roll hitting him on the side of his head ruined the image a bit.

"Settle down there, kiddo. You don't need to be taking on any gangs just yet. Trust me! They can be super dangerous. Why, let me tell you about the time I was backed into a corner by no less than 50 Agni Kais and all I had was my trusty boot knife, a handkerchief and the will of 100 men!" Bumi proclaimed proudly to the table as Meelo tackled Ikki who was laughing after her perfect shot at her brother.

"As fun as that sounds, I was uh hoping the kids could show me all of the new airbending moves they've been teaching the newbies. After we finish cleaning up of course," Asami told them as she tried to hide her smile at the long suffering look on Tenzin's face.

"Yeah!" Ikki and Meelo cheered.

"You can head out now if you like. It's actually Bumi's turn for dish duty," grinned Tenzin.

"What! It is not. I just did the dishes uh…two…no three….or was it one day ago?" Bumi muttered to himself.

"You did them last week, when it was last your turn. Now it's your turn again, that's how it works you know. Go on kids, go have fun. We'll take care of things here," Kya told them, laughing as she pushed Bumi into the kitchen who was raving about how he hadn't even got to the best part of his story.

Before Asami could protest and offer to help, Ikki and Meelo rushed to pull her out the door and Jinora followed them.

Once they were out in the main courtyard, the young airbenders began showing her all the different moves they had been teaching the newest recruits as well as those they had planned. Ikki and Meelo, though rambunctious and still learning themselves, were surprisingly good teachers to the new airbenders who came to the island.

As Asami watched them with a smile, she noticed Jinora standing next to her looking thoughtful.

"Jinora? Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yes. I've just had a lot on my mind," the young master told her with a smile, though it seemed a bit forced.

"About a certain airbender named Kai perhaps?" Asami grinned.

Jinora blushed and laughed, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.

"Honestly, yes and no. Things with Kai are great. He's been an amazing friend and I really…really like him. But…well it's something else."

"Oh? You know can talk to me about anything right? No pressure, if you're not ready you don't have to. But I am here if you want to talk."

Jinora looked at her, her face serious and thoughtful.

"Actually, yeah, I really would like to talk about it. Can we take a walk?"

Surprised, Asami nodded and told Ikki and Meelo they would be right back before Jinora led her away from the courtyard.

They walked in silence, Asami giving the younger girl time to collect her thoughts as they made their way to where Jinora led them, which ended up being the gazebo on the cliff. One of her favorite spots on the island.

They stood there overlooking the sunset on the water for some time before Jinora finally spoke.

"Asami, what do you do when you believe something has to change but you know not everyone will like it, because it's such a big change? What if…what if you know it needs to happen, but you also know some people just aren't ready for it."

Asami regarded the younger girl carefully while she tried to think of how to answer such an interesting question.

"Well, I guess it really depends on the situation, like most things. But I think, if you really believe it should happen, then you should be able to at least talk to them about it and be willing to stand by what you think."

"Even if the person you're most afraid won't like it is your own Dad?" Jinora whispered.

Asami froze, worried about what Jinora could be talking about and also trying to ignore the rush of images that came to her of the last time she had even spoken to her own father.

"Jinora," Asami finally said after a moment, "what is it that has you so worried?"

Jinora took a deep breath and finally looked at Asami, her eyes shining slightly. "As an Airbending Master, one of my most important duties, aside from training the others, is to help my father preserve the memory and culture of our people. And I love it! Reading about our past and documenting all the events and changes that have happened. But I can't help but think of different ways we could move forward also."

Jinora sighed and looked down at her tunic, lightly running her hand the seams. "For example, I love my robes. Wearing this has always brought me such a sense of pride and accomplishment, even more so since I was granted my tattoos. But lately, I can't help but wonder if they could be better. I have this idea for uniforms that could help us really glide through the air and become one with the wind. If it works, we wouldn't even always need our staffs to fly. But…Asami…this is the same style of robe that airbenders have worn for centuries. My father has spent his entire life trying to preserve our culture. These robes don't just represent our nation but also my grandfather. I want to talk to him about my idea, but I also don't want to hurt him. I don't want him to think I'm rejecting such an important part of who we are. I don't want to disappoint him…" Jinora whispered the last part quietly.

"Jinora, your father is a very wise and good man and he loves you more than anything in this world. I know for a fact that there is nothing you could say or do that would disappoint him. If you have ideas, then as a master and as his daughter, you have every right to talk to him about them. I know that he would listen to whatever you have to say with an open mind."

Jinora nodded and smiled slightly, but still seemed unconvinced and Asami had an idea.

"I'll tell you what. I always keep a sketch book in my bag. Why don't you and I work together on the design for your idea. When it's finished, you can present it to Tenzin. That way, it's a more concrete idea instead of just a concept. I think once you have your idea on paper, you'll feel a lot more confident. I can even help you with how to present it to your father."

"Really? You would help me? And you think that would work?"

"Absolutely! This is the kind of stuff I do at work all the time and what I have my employees do. If we're working on a project, and someone thinks something doesn't work, they know not to bring me the problem but to instead bring me the solution. I'm well aware I'm not perfect Jinora and I tell all my employees to let me know when they think something isn't working and what they think we should do to fix it. So, what do you say? Ready to get to work?" Asami smiled at her young friend who grinned back at her.

"Yeah! Come on, we can go to my room!"

Asami let loose a jaw cracking yawn as she let herself into her house. She and Jinora had worked late into the night on her design idea for the new Airbender uniforms and Asami couldn't be prouder of the young master. Her idea was simply brilliant and Asami had even told her that Future Industries would be more than happy to help with the production of them.

She also didn't doubt for a minute that Tenzin would come around to the idea. Asami understood Jinora's concerns about Tenzin when it came to any changes to air nomad culture. But she also knew that Jinora wasn't giving her father quite enough credit. Tenzin wasn't as rigid as he sometimes seemed. He was an airbender after all; he could flow with change.

Asami sighed as she spied the small stack of mail on the table by the door. Her housekeeper never forgot to pick up the mail for her and always left it in the same spot. For the longest time since Korra had left, Asami would rush everyday to her small pile of mail in the hope that she would have a letter from her friend. But there never was. Today would be no different and she could leave the pile until the morning considering how tired she was.

Asami moved to do just that but some feeling stopped her. Sighing, she turned around and grabbed the stack, slowly moving through them without any real expectation. It was the last letter in the stack though that stopped her cold.

Shaking more than a little, Asami leaned back against the door and slowly slid down, her legs feeling like jelly. She stared at the letter in her hands, the rest of her mail having fallen to the floor in her shock.

The letters on the front of the envelope were there and plain as day but she had the hardest time believing they were real. The letter wasn't from Korra as she had so hoped and longed for.

It was from her father.

I know in the Avatar wiki it says that Asami designed the wingsuit that we see in season 4. But I really liked the idea of Jinora having the original idea and working with Asami on it.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for all the reviews/favorites/kudos/etc. I won't lie, reviews are my favorite so please feel free to leave one! Feedback is always great and helps me become a better writer.

Next chapter will hopefully be up in the next 2 weeks or so!