Chapter 6
Korra:
One month later:
Things were going exceedingly well. Republic City was being rebuilt thanks to Asami and Future Industries. Every aspect of the new city allowed humans and spirits to coexist in peace. However, Asami placed a few of her own personal touches here and there. The new Avatar Korra Park now included the Republic City spirit portal and was declared a National Park, the first of its kind. By law no man, woman, child, or spirit may decimate the land. Korra, however, believed that extra security was needed in order to truly protect the portals and made an agreement with the White Lotus that they would protect all of the spirit portals, including the ones in the north and south poles from any harm that may come to them. The Earth Republic, as Wu was now calling it, was starting to shape up nicely. Representatives were selected by the people of each state to meet every month to discuss new policies and laws. Wu hoped that eventually the number of representatives would be determined by the population of each province. Although a few of Kuvira's loyalists remained, Korra knew that the situation was well under control and in good hands.
Korra's mind wandered as she gazed out over the destroyed city. There was so much destruction and so much to be done, but for the first time in a long time Korra felt at peace. She felt that the world was finally heading in the direction of true balance. She didn't know if there would ever be another threat to the world, but she had new found knowledge that would help her tackle the issue head on. After a few more minutes she stood up and jumped off the side of Future Industries' old tower. She propped open her glider and soared through the air. Not five minutes later, the capital building came into view. It had certainly seen better days, but Asami and her task force were working diligently at creating a new and improved one in Republic City 2.0. Korra gently touched down on the ground and entered the building. She climbed a few sets of stairs and headed towards the familiar office of President Raiko. She could hear raised voices from outside the door. Cautiously, she knocked and went in. "What is it with you people and just barging in on private meetings!" Raiko bellowed. Asami stood in front of his desk, her arms crossed and eyes glinting maliciously at the President.
"Well, I'm the Avatar it's my job to settle disputes." Korra sneered, Raiko simply just glared at her.
"Thank goodness you are here, Korra. Maybe you can talk some sense in him. Raiko won't allow me to leave the city to go with you to the South Pole."
"What?" Korra yelled incredulously, "Raiko, listen here, Asami is coming with me whether you like it or not. I have some very official Avatar business to complete down there and I need Miss Sato's help." Korra eyed Asami who looked back at her lovingly. Raiko let out an exasperated sigh,
"Fine. But Miss Sato I expect your best men to take your place until your return. You may leave now." Korra opened her mouth to yell at Raiko, but the warning glance her lover sent her made her jaw snap shut.
Once they had left the capital and were in Asami's satomobile Korra asked, "Are you ready to go to the South Pole?" Asami turned and smiled at her,
"I've been ready for the last week. In fact our airship has been prepped since Monday." She laughed giddily. Korra reached over and interlaced their fingers. She gently brought Asami's hand to her lips and kissed her knuckles.
"I'm really glad you are coming with me this time. I don't think I could do this without you."
"Well I would think that it would be weird for you to tell your parents about us without me being there," Asami smiled, "besides I said I was never leaving you again. And I meant that. I want all of our family and friends to know about us before we tell the rest of the world" she smiled at Korra and the Avatar could feel her heart rate increase.
The twelve hour air ship ride didn't seem nearly as bad as Korra thought it was going to be. She and Asami spent ninety percent of their time snuggling together and that made time fly. As the ship began its decent Korra became more and more nervous. She shifted uneasily on the couch. She had no idea how her parents were going to react and that terrified her. She knew her parents loved Asami, but would they be just as accepting of her when they found out she was Korra's girlfriend? Asami's gentle touch on her shoulder woke her up from her worries. She grasped Korra's hands and lead her towards the walk way. The sun shone brightly off of the snow, forcing Korra to block the reflection with her hand. Korra steeled herself for what was to happen next. Asami released her hand and they stepped outside. The crunching of snow alerted Korra to her approaching parents. Her mother ran towards her, arms stretched out ready to hug her daughter. "Korra!" she yelled. She slammed into Korra and held her, "I've missed you so much honey. Are you alright?" she quickly looked her daughter over for injuries, "We only heard bits and pieces of what happened in Republic City. Is it true that Kuivra destroyed it?"
"Senna please let the girl get settled in first." Her father's voice called out from behind the hugging women. In a few short strides he pulled Senna and Korra into a warm hug. Once he pulled away Senna stepped away and hugged Asami. "It is so good to see you too dear. How are you doing?"
Asami smiled politely, "I'm doing wonderful." Her eyes flickered over to Korra for the briefest moment, but Senna had not missed the sudden movement. Her brow raised before her face settled into a smile of understanding.
"Come on, let's get inside before we all freeze to death." Her father called out warmly. Tonraq and Senna walked hand in hand, while Korra and Asami followed behind. Every fiber of her being shuttered with nervousness. Asami shuffled closer and linked her pinky finger with Korra's. Korra looked up at her and smiled. She mouthed 'thank you' to Asami. Even the simplest of gestures from the woman she loved calmed her. As they approached the palace (which her parents had begrudgingly moved into by request of the tribe) Korra could smell the home cooked meal that Senna was making for them.
"Now I know you just got here, but it is dinner time so why don't you two go wash up and then meet us down in the dining room. I made your favorite Korra."
"Roasted Sea prunes with elephant whale steak?" she asked excitedly. Her mom smiled and nodded. "Thanks, mom." Korra said genuinely before Senna left the room. Korra turned on a dime and hugged Asami amorously. She stood on her tip toes and leaned in for a kiss. It started out as just a peck, but soon it became so passionate that Korra was out of breath. Once the two parted Asami gave her a questioning look, "What was that for?"
"For you just being you wonderful self. I didn't even have to say anything and you already knew that I didn't want to say anything to my parents until after dinner."
"I just knew that you would tell them when you were ready. I don't want to rush you or make you feel uncomfortable in anyway."
Korra pulled her in for another embrace, "Thank you 'Sami." She whispered. Asami kissed her on the forehead, "Always." and the pair left the bedroom hand in hand. As they sat down at the table her father seemed to be oblivious, but her mother on the other hand gave her a glace. She knew what was going on. Throughout dinner Asami lead all the conversations, talking to her dad about politics and the new feats in engineering while keeping her mom interested by talking about the new appliances she was working on to improve everyday life. After everyone had ate their fill, a comfortable silence filled the room. Korra reached over and grabbed Asami's hand and squeezed it under the table. "Mom, dad? There is something I have to tell you." She could feel her hands start to sweat as her parents both gave her worried looks, yet Asami kept her grasp firm on Korra's hand. She took a steadying breath before she continued, "I have known for a while now, but it wasn't until recently that I have been able to act on it. You see… I-I…. I'm in love with Asami. And she and I are dating. As in we are girlfriends." She looked up from the table to look at her parents. Her mother smiled warmly at her, but her father's expression made her heart fall.
"What?" he exclaimed, his eyes narrowing. His crystal blue eyes shifted over to Asami and his glare deepened. "Korra, do you realize what this could do if it got out to the world that you two were dating? And you," he pointed viciously at Asami, "what makes you think this is okay? What makes you think that you can date my daughter?" Senna placed a hand on her husband's forearm, but he shrugged her off. He stood up, his massive stature towering over the sitting Asami. Korra's mouth fell open. She had no idea why her father was acting this way. She hoped he would be open and accepting. "I cannot allow this to happen. I can't have my daughter tramping around with some… some woman. I'm so disappointed in you Korra." He spat out. Korra was about to stand and rip her father's head off for calling Asami a tramp, when Asami placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She instead stood up, "Tonraq. I respect you, but I have waited three years to be with your daughter. Every day that went by while she was gone, was torture to me. She is the love of my life. And I don't take those words lightly. I'm not going to break things off with her because you want me to. You can hate me all you want, but don't you dare tell Korra that she is any less of a person because she loves me. I don't care what you think or what anyone else thinks. I will love Korra and stay by her side until she no longer wants me there. And if she pushes me away I will still love her." Her expression was stony, but the tears brimming in her eye conveyed her true expression. Korra grasped her hand and squeezed it tightly. She stood as well, "Asami, I am never going to push you away. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I love you so much that it hurts." She turned to her father and accusingly pointed a finger at him, "As for you. I can't believe you would say something like that. Do you care more about your reputation than your daughters own happiness? If that's true then we are done." she gave him a glare and turned to her mom, "Bye mom, I love you." She tightened her grip on Asami's hand and they headed for the door. Tonraq's laugh forced them to turn around. He had a massive smile on his face. In a few steps he was in front of the girls and lifted them into a bear hug, "You have no idea how happy I am right now!" he set them down, Korra was utterly confused. He turned to Asami, "I'm so sorry for calling you a tramp. I only said those things because I wanted to see how you would handle it. The world may not always be as accepting of what you two have and I wanted to make sure that you loved Korra enough that you weren't going to back out of it. And I should never have doubted you. All I can say is I hope you forgive me and welcome to the family Asami!" he leaned closer to Korra, "Besides, I like her a lot better than that Mako fella." A tear fell down her face. Korra rushed forward and pulled her dad into a tight hug. She reached out and pulled an astonished Asami in to join the embrace. Tonraq gladly gripped them both. Senna quickly joined in on the group hug. Once everyone was released from Tonraq's grip, he held is hand out to Asami, "So what do you say Miss Sato? Friends?" Asami confidently grasped his hand and he once again pulled her into a hug. Korra could barely hear her father, but he heard him whisper to Asami, "Thank you. Thank you so much for taking care of Korra all these years. You have no idea how happy it makes me knowing that she finally has found her true love."