Book 2 Chapter 4

Lost Time

Asami woke up the next day fairly well rested. Rubbing her eyes, she started to think about her almost kiss with Iroh. Everything was perfect until Mako had to show up.

"Why does that boy always cause trouble for me... ughhh..." she complained as she got up and headed to the bathroom.

"Why is the door locked? Korra doesn't get up till later..." Asami wondered until she realized it must be the young earth bender in there, "Bolin! What are you doing in our bathroom? Get out" she said knocking on the door.

She was startled when the door opened suddenly revealing a shirtless Iroh. "S-sorry… Bolin was hogging our bathroom, so I thought I would shave real quick in here."

Asami was too busy eyeing Iroh's toned chest and watched as his bicep flexed as he moved his hand up to rub the back of his head and didn't realize he stopped talking.

"Uh-Asami..?" he noticed her staring at his scar on his left arm.

"Huh? Oh, no problem. You can use this bathroom whenever!" she said nervously coming back to reality. She put her hand on Iroh's arm "... the scar's still there" Asami said looking up at him.

"Yea, I expected that. I did punch a torpedo after all haha I'm just glad I didn't lose my arm! I'm sure it would have been way worse if Korra didn't help heal it. Anyways, I should go get ready. I'm going out with my fleet today, so I won't be back until later" Iroh explained.

"Alright, well I'll see you... later then" Asami said keeping her composure, because on the inside she was a little saddened that they wouldn't be able to hang out. Iroh began to walk away as Asami scurried into the bathroom.

She leaned against the closed door. "Alright, well that wasn't that awkward" she moved to lean against the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. "Why do I feel like this. He just went to his room and I miss him already... and now I don't get to see him at all today. Gosh, if he heard me talking he'd probably think I'm crazy..." Asami closed her eyes.

"Why don't you tell him that and see what he says?" Korra said leaning up against the bathroom door on the other side.

Asami's eyes widened and opened the bathroom door looking highly embarrassed.

"I didn't know you liked the General" Korra said with a big cheesy smile on her face.

"I- uh- No! I just..." Asami couldn't get her words together, her cheeks turned bright pink.

"Haha its ok, you don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to" Korra told her.

"Actually, I could use someone to talk to" Asami said shyly.

Korra gave her a genuine smile this time, "How about we have a girl's day out?" Asami nodded her head, "That would be... really nice."

The two were off headed for the front door. "Bye guys, we're heading out" Korra waved as she walked past Mako and Bolin.

"Where are you going? I thought we could do something" Mako said eyeing Korra.

"We can hang out later, we're having a girl's day out and I'm pretty sure you two aren't girls" Asami laughed at Korra's comment.

"Yea, last time I checked we were boys" Bolin turned and said to his older brother.

"Shut up Bo" Mako snapped.

"Alright Korra have fun, see you soon, be safe you two" Mako embraced her then sat back down on the couch next to his younger brother. Bolin poked Mako's arm "Bro, your girlfriend and your ex-girlfriend are hanging out. Aren't you the least bit concerned?"

Mako glared back "No... should I be?"

Bolin shook his head, "I dunno, but they'll probably talk about you." Mako's eyes widened.

Once they reached Republic City, it was just a matter of deciding what they wanted to do today.

"We could get some noodles" Korra suggested.

"Sounds good" Asami said joyfully.

They rode Naga to Narook's, and had Naga wait outside as they entered the noodle shop. Narook's was one of Korra's favorite places to eat because the food always tasted like the kind she would get back home, in the southern water tribe. It reminded her of her family. Korra decided to speak first ending the awkward silence between the two.

"So what's going on between you and Iroh" Korra said teasing Asami about her interest in the young General.

"Um... nothing really. We hung out, and had a lot of fun. He's a really good guy" Asami said slurping up some noodles which gave her an excuse to stop talking.

"I think you guys would look really cute together" Korra giggled. Asami began to blush thinking of herself and Iroh as an actual couple.

"You know Korra, I really don't think now's the right time, Iroh and I are good friends, and I think the smart decision would be for us to stay that way for a while. I'm actually thinking on starting up Future Industries again, I may not have time for anything else" Asami looked away as Korra nodded her head.

"I understand, I was only asking because I just want to see you happy. I want to support you in any way, because this whole time fighting Amon and the equalists you were there supporting me. Even when you found out your dad was working for Amon, you still fought alongside us. I owe you a lot Asami, and I think of you as a loyal friend, but I feel like I've never been loyal to you, because of the whole Mako situation. Things just got out of control and-"

"Listen Korra" Asami interrupted, "You don't have to apologize. Things happen for a reason. It didn't work out between Mako and I because it wasn't meant to be, but I'm really glad that you and Mako are together, and I don't blame you for anything. And I am happy, I'm happy that your my friend" Asami placed her hand on top of Korra's hand.

"You know, I never really did have a lot of friends growing up. I went to an all-girls private school. While the other girls were braiding each other's hair and gossiping, I usually spent my time drawing designs of satomobiles, and playing with toy race cars that I would bring with me to school" Asami confided in Korra.

"Wow, I never would have really guessed. I thought that being rich and stuff would make everyone want to be your friend, but I guess that's something we have in common. I didn't really have friends either growing up either. We found out I was the Avatar when I was fairly young, and all I did ever since was train along with being home schooled. I never really knew any kids my age, then I found Naga and she became my best friend. Kind of pathetic, right?" Korra looked down.

"Not at all, so what we didn't have friends when we were young. We turned out perfectly fine if you ask me" Asami said trying to cheer up Korra.

"Yea, I guess you're right, but sometimes I feel like I missed out on my childhood, because I was too busy trying to act like an adult and be responsible. Being the Avatar isn't an easy job" Korra looked out the window and saw kids running around in the street and laughing. Asami saw Korra watching the kids have fun and had an idea on what they should do next on their girls day out.

"S-Soo... What do you think they'll say about me?" Mako asked his younger brother. Bolin brought his hand up to his face and rubbed his chin. "I don't know, maybe girly stuff like... whether or not you're a good kisser.. stuff like that."

Mako began to nervously sweat a little. "Maybe I should go see what they're up to" Mako said getting up, but was quickly stopped by his brother.

"You don't even know where they went, and even if you did find them what would you say. You'll just have to wait here until they come back" Bolin pushed his brother back down on the couch as Lin walked into room.

"Ahh Bolin, just the person I wanted to see." The green eyed boy looked up and smiled at Lin. "I'm starting up my mother's metal bending school again, and registration has begun. How would you like to join your fellow earth benders and learn how to metal bend?" She said looking at Bolin knowing she's made a good choice asking him to join, he's fairly talented for someone his age.

"That.. would.. be.. AWESOME!" Bolin jumped and gave Lin a big bear hug.

"Alright, that's enough. Why don't you come to City Hall with me and we can fill out your registration papers" she said as she pushed Bolin off her.

"Congrats lil bro, I am so proud of you" Mako gave Bolin a hug and rubbed his head messing up his hair. Lin and Bolin left leaving Mako to sit on his couch and remember back to the days when he and his brother were kids, and how much they've grown up since then.

"...7...8...9...10! Ready or not here I come!" Korra yelled as she set off to find the raven haired girl hiding somewhere in the park. Asami taught Korra a game that she used to play with her mother, hide and seek. Korra looked behind bushes, up in trees, even under water in the lake, but there seemed to be no sign of her. That is until she heard a familiar giggle, coming from what seemed to be under the bridge.

Korra quickly ran towards the sound, and slowed down the closer she got to the bridge. As she peered around she saw Asami sitting with her back turned to Korra not knowing she was there. "BOOOOO" Korra said scarring Asami and making her jump.

"Hahaha found you!" Korra laughed.

"Haha you did, I'm running out of hiding places" Asami giggled.

The two walked over to one of the open fields and lied down in the grass looking up at the clouds.

"I'm having a lot of fun, thanks Asami" Korra said petting Naga who was lying down next to them.

"Me too Korra. We've been out for a while, think we should start heading back home?" Asami asked the young Avatar.

"Yea, we should before Mako starts getting worried" Korra said getting up.

"Yea, he does that a lot" Asami jumped up on Naga and sat behind Korra.

"Right, what is with that?" Korra laughed. "Let's go home girl" Korra said petting Naga's back.

The two got off the fairy and entered their home on Air Temple Island.

"Hey we're back" Korra announced as she opened the door.

"What did you guys do, sit on the couch all day" Asami asked.

"Mako did, but guess who's going to learn metal bending? This Guy!" Bolin was very excited. "That's great Bolin" Korra and Asami each gave Bolin a hug.

"Korra, I missed you" Mako said getting up and giving her a big hug, then gave her a kiss on the lips.

"I missed you too" Korra said when their lips parted, then kissed him back. The brothers sat back down on the couch, while the girls walked to their rooms to go freshen up before dinner.

"Yup, I'm totally a good kisser" Mako smirked.

"Whatever you say big bro" Bolin shook his head.