Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay; life has been busy and stressful and I drank a whole bottle of wine last night because of it... Anyway, here's an update! I'm hoping to post more chapters now that I have a brief few days off from obligations and classes. And I need to work on my Korrasami month fic. And The Arts. *sobs in the distance*

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Chapter 18

Bargaining chip

Okema returned to Tonraq's side, following behind her fellow Kyoshi Warriors.

"We were wondering where you disappeared to."

"We aren't too far from the main road." She ignored his statement with one of her own. "Do you want an escort to the shore, or will you manage by yourself?"

He paused for a moment to consider her. "We should be able to follow the trail if you point us in the right direction." He looked around, eyes scanning for a pair of blues. "Where's Korra?"

"She's bringing up the rear. Her and Naga wanted to keep an eye out in case any cougar bears come back."

He nodded and focused on the path ahead of him, not entirely sure if he believed her.

They walked in silence, maneuvering through the frosted trees with quiet steps. After about twenty more minutes, they came across the second right bend that Okema was looking for.

The Kyoshi Warriors stopped as she did. She waited for Korra to emerge from the brush they had just cleared before addressing the group.

"We're here. If you travel south on this road," she pointed with her right hand, "you should be able to get to the shore. At this pace, you'll get there in a little under an hour or so."

"Don't worry: we don't plan on going at that pace."

They all turned to Korra as she crawled on top of her polar bear dog. She adjusted herself behind the reigns and took them in her hands.

"Naga and I were talking, and she agreed to carry us back to the boat so that we can get going sooner." She smiled and scratched the back of the animal's head.

Naga barked and waved her tail. Her tongue hung out the side of her mouth.

"She really wants to go home."

Asami smiled and crossed her arms. "Well, what are we waiting for?"

Korra brought her companion closer and had her kneel. Asami climbed onto the saddle and put her hands on Korra's waist to anchor herself. Korra fought to hide her blush; lucky for her, she actually fulfilled the task.

Tonraq and Senna exchanged a perplexed look before following suit, the former hopping up first to help the latter. They settled, Tonraq gripping the sides of the pillion while Senna held his shoulders.

Korra circled Naga around until she was facing Okema and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors. "Thank-you."

She nodded and bowed. When she straightened, she gave Korra a look that conveyed a mixture of trust, vulnerability, pleading, and threatening; her dark blue eyes said all that Korra needed to know.

Korra lowered her torso in response and bobbed her head at Okema, confirming that she read the message loud and clear.

You can trust me.

"Farewell, friend."

Her smile hid the exhaustion in her ocean eyes. With a shift in her hands, she steered Naga south. She waved to the Kyoshi Warriors, who gestured back, until they were out of sight. Korra leaned forward and whispered to Naga. "A little faster, but nice and easy."

Naga woofed and sped up into a gentle trot, her tail wagging as she did so.

Asami tightened her hold upon the change in speed and inched forward. Korra didn't mind in the slightest; she enjoyed the growing warmth between them, perhaps a little too much.

Her tan cheeks blushed and she shriveled forward to hide it, incapable of keeping it inside this time. She almost wanted to send Naga into a full sprint to reduce the time that her body was in contact with Asami's and to hide both the thoughts and embarrassment that were sure to be a result of moving slow, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. So she kept a good grip on the reigns – a bit too tight of a grip – and enjoyed her presence in a warm, silent guilt.

(-)

"Yoki, can I speak with you in private?"

The Kyoshi Warrior stuttered for a moment before replying with a nod.

They walked off from the group, most of which were returning to their homes in Shili.

Their journey had been short, for Okema wanted to get to shelter as soon as possible; it was getting dark, and she doubted that they would be able to handle the four cougar bears alone, should they run into them again. Not only that, but she wasn't all that sure that the animals would listen to them the way they listened to Korra. So they made haste through the forest, dipping and skipping through their normal path in a near-sprint. The sun was setting by the time they reached Shili. Words of the Southern Water Tribe Chief and his family escaped in fragmented sentences from the passersby around them.

Okema and Yoki approached the large statue of Kyoshi towards the center edge of their village. They sat at the base of the mighty pole upon which the Avatar stood, frozen in time and place. Exhaustion was in their postures and they remained quiet until the citizens were in their homes for the evening.

"You want to talk about Akaishi, don't you?"

She nodded. She cracked her knuckles before adjusting her position. "When was the last time you heard from her, Yoki?"

"It was about a few months ago. I've written her twice since then, but I haven't gotten a response. Maybe she's just busy."

"It certainly seems like she's busy."

Yoki crossed her arms and stared at Okema. Their eyes didn't meet. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You heard Korra. That Striker group was using chi blocking."

"Oh, and you just assume that she taught that to them? Anyone can learn about it if they find the right book. She's not a bad person, Okema. She wouldn't do that." She tucked her knees up to her chest and rested her elbows on her legs. Her arms remained in their angry, folded position. "You just never took the time to get to know her."

"I did what I could, Yoki. We were ten years apart, and by the time I was a teen –"

"You were already training for the Kyoshi Warriors. I know. That's why you were mom's favorite."

"I wasn't her favorite."

Yoki snorted. "Are you that blind? You were definitely mom's favorite, and if she were still around, she would say so, too."

Okema looked away, her heart heavy at the thought of her mother's death. "I still miss her."

"I know you do." She paused. "I miss dad." Yoki shifted so that her legs were outstretched against the ground and her hands were behind her, holding up her torso. "We never should have let him hike alone."

"Yeah." Okema tucked her knees this time, sadness on her face. "He never really cared for Akaishi, did he?"

"Neither of them did. Especially after they found out about Zunyu –"

"I had to tell mom; she was our leader. There can't be division amongst ourselves."

"Well, I don't think you helped by doing that, Okema." Yoki rose, adding to the sting of her statement.

Okema pushed herself to her feet. "What should I have done? Kept it a secret and risk them breaking off? Risk a war between us?"

"You're always so worried about war and death and destruction that you don't realize the damage you cause trying to prevent it." There was anger in Yoki's eyes that pierced right through her sister. "Maybe if you had been a little more considerate, Akaishi wouldn't have run away to Republic City."

"I had nothing to do with that, Yoki. Akaishi was always a bit –"

"A bit what? Disturbed? Troubled? Or just different from you?"

"Ever since Sokka died –"

"Gramp Gramp."

"That's not his name."

"Well, that's what we called him." Yoki's glare intensified. "Akaishi loved Gramp Gramp. Loved him. She was devastated when he was killed by those Bending terrorists, and you didn't do much to help. You were so caught up in your own affairs and being the 'best Kyoshi Warrior' that you were blinded to your own sisters." Her eyes glistened with the onset of frustrated, hurtful tears.

Okema picked up on this. A deep sorrow swelled into her heart. "I didn't just let Akaishi down, did I?"

"No, you didn't. And even now, you act like…" She turned away from her older sister. "Like you own the damn place. Like you're the Spirits' greatest gift to the earth, the all supreme Kyoshi Warrior leader. But you're not." Yoki faced her again, the tears streaming down her cheeks. "You don't even know Akaishi and you're already trying to convict her."

"Yoki –" She took a step towards her sibling.

Yoki backed away.

"We should see what's going on in Republic City."

"That's none of our business."

"People are dying."

"People are dying here. We are Kyoshi Warriors, not United Republic of Nations Warriors. Like you would always say, our duties are to our people on the Island and nowhere else, or did you forget that night when Akaishi told you and mom that she was going to Republic City and you shamed her?"

Okema folded her arms and looked away, the severity of her actions and past behavior becoming clear to her. "I'm not perfect, Yoki. I – I guess I messed a lot of things up. Mom always put so much pressure on me to 'follow the Kyoshi way' and to 'be the best Warrior of them all' that I guess I lost sight of what's important." She turned to Yoki and gripped her hurt sister's shoulders. "I'm sorry, Yoki."

"I'm not the only one you need to apologize to. Let me write to Akaishi again. She's not the person you think she is. Just – just give her a chance, for once."

Okema nodded, solemnity in her expression. "Send it out tonight."

(-)

"We made it!" Korra led Naga to the shoreline until they were at the docks. She hopped off and remained beside her polar bear dog until the rest of her passengers followed.

"Let's get moving. It's going to get dark soon, so we'll be better off on the water than where the cougar bears can come back." Tonraq walked past her, a bag flung over his shoulder. Senna was beside him, yawning.

Korra stood on the tips of her toes and pulled the other carrier off Naga's saddle. She untied the laces and retrieved her portion of the dried meat. "Here ya go, girl. You've earned it."

Naga licked her cheek before devouring the food.

"Was that your bargaining chip?"

Korra spun around to find Asami smiling with her hands on her hips. She grinned and scratched the back of her head. "How'd you know?"

She took a step towards Korra. "Because I know you, Korra." Asami continued approaching until she was side-by-side with her. "Come on; let's get on the ship before it sails away."

"Let's go, Naga!"

The polar bear dog hopped up, licking her chops. She walked beside the pair, panting with a wagging tail.

Korra couldn't help but laugh. She caressed the white fur by her ear and smirked.

Asami watched on with a similar smile.

Maybe things are actually going to be okay.

"Alright: Korra, Asami," Tonraq addressed them once they reached the deck of the boat, "your mother wants to check on your wounds, Korra, to see how your body is holding up. Asami, I need you in the helm so I can show you our route. Afterwards, you can show Korra, when she's done with her mother. I'm not sure how long it's going to take," he turned to his daughter and met her eyes, "but your mother and I are exhausted. I've been up all day and she nearly has been, too. We need rest."

Korra nodded. "I understand, dad. Get as much rest as you need."

He put a hand on his child's shoulder and smiled. "Let me know if you need anything, even if I'm sleeping. Alright?"

"I will."

"Asami?"

She locked her peridots onto his blues.

"Come with me." Tonraq lifted his hand up to chest height and waved a rolled up paper at her.

Asami glanced at Korra once he turned his back on her before proceeding with him to the helm.

"Naga, behave."

The polar bear dog barked and circled her spot before plopping down with a huff.

"Good girl." Korra smiled and took achy steps over to the staircase leading into the interior of the ship. With a sigh, she descended to find her mother.

(-)

"So, you've got the engine up and running?" Tonraq asked as he stretched the map out across the table.

Asami nodded and bent over the top, getting a closer look at the depiction on the paper. "There was quite a bit of damage. This ship must have been next in line for the maintenance crew, but I made do with what I had. It definitely won't go as fast as before, but it should last." She walked around to Tonraq's side. "So I'm assuming this is the Southern Water Tribe," she pointed to the center of the icy landmass on the bottom of the map, "right?"

"Not quite." He placed his index near the northwestern shore of the continent. "This is where the Southern Water Tribe is. You're pointed more towards the South Pole."

I didn't know there was a difference.

"So where are we now?"

"Right here," he slid his fingertip across the paper, northeast of the Southern Water Tribe. "Now, we could go through the Patola Mountain Range just south of the Southern Air Temple," he traced the route as he spoke, "but it would be better to go south of the mountain range altogether. You'll have more room to navigate in the open waters. It's a bit dangerous to go through the mountains when you're inexperienced."

Asami didn't mean to take offense to the comment; she knew she had very little navigation practice when it came to boating. That certainly didn't mean that she didn't know what she was doing, though. Whether it was her exhaustion or her constant need to prove that she could 'handle herself' to those who questioned her, she wasn't sure, but she felt ridiculed regardless. She bit down her nasty remark and replied with a simple nod.

"Good. Once you get around this bend, it should be smooth sailing from there." He straightened and stretched out. "I'll help you get the ship going, if you'd like. Then I'm going to head to bed." Tonraq walked to the wheel and toyed with several knobs. "Will you be alright by yourself?"

"I'll be fine. I can handle myself."

"I know you can." He flicked another control and the engine roared to life – a loud life. With the crank of a lever, the anchor rose out of the water, running on a mechanized pulley system. Once he heard the clang of the weight against the side of the boat, he brought the ship out of the shores of Kyoshi Island and back into the South Sea. "Judging by this speed, we should get there within a day." He twisted around to her, hands still on the wheel, when he heard Asami approach.

"It's alright, Tonraq. I've got this under control. Go rest and check on Korra. If anything happens, I'll come get you."

"They should be fine. Senna is just checking to see how her sta – her wound is doing after she healed it yesterday and if she's got any more nicks from today."

"Then go rest. You've been up all day Bending us to Kyoshi Island. I can take over from here on out."

He released the controls and nodded, gracious to sleep once again.

They held each other's gazes for a moment before Tornaq departed in silence.

Asami's peridots were glued to him until he was out of sight. With a sigh of her own, she faced the never-ending blue stretched out before her.

(-)

"Hey, Asami. Are you hungry?" Korra stood in the doorway, a few fruit in her hands. "I managed to sneak these from the bags before my parents locked themselves in their room and fell asleep." She creaked across the floorboards until she was at Asami's side.

Asami's eyes picked up on the outstretched hand of medium-sized red berries first. She traced up the arm until she met the irresistible crooked grin on Korra's face. When their pupils locked, there was a small smile on her ruby lips. "Thanks, Korra. I'm pretty hungry, to be honest." She tried to retrieve the fruit from her tan palm but a strong gust forced her to stay at the wheel.

"Here, let's trade." Korra stepped nearer and slid her arm in front of Asami to grip the controls.

Their bodies were close.

She could feel the heat radiating from Korra's skin. Asami blushed and backed up, attempting to hide her flustering.

Unlucky for her, Korra caught every inch of that reddening, which forced her own cheeks to light up. "Here," she offered the food again without looking at Asami, "eat up."

Asami took the berries out of Korra's palm and ate them one at a time, savoring their sweetness. "Thanks again, Korra. These will help with the long night that I've got ahead of me."

Concern filled her expression. She glanced at the woman beside her. "What do you mean?"

"I've got to helm the ship all night while your parents catch up on their rest." She pushed herself off of the empty console that she was leaning against and joined Korra's side. "I don't mind, though. I doubt I'll get much sleep anyways, even if I am tired."

"I feel the same way." She averted her ocean irises and loosened her hold on the wheel. "You should probably take this." She stepped aside to give Asami some space.

She took the controls with a confused eyebrow raised. "I thought you knew how to helm."

"I do, but nothing this advanced. I can guide a sailboat like a pro. That's what we use in my village. This, though," she waved her hand out over all of the flashing lights and gears, "I've never seen something this complex before."

"How about I teach you?" Asami grinned and readjusted so that she was only holding half of the wheel.

Korra moved closer to her and grabbed onto the other side. "Are you sure?"

"Neither of us will be sleeping anytime soon, so why not? Once you learn, we can take turns steering and navigating. It'll be fun."

Given all of the difficulty she faced earlier with her nightmares and her memories, Korra wanted nothing more than a distraction. Not only did this fulfill that requirement, but it also involved Asami. While this made her more nervous than she would have liked, it also excited her. And she could feel the exhilaration radiating from Asami as well. A crooked smile crossed her face. "Let's do it!"

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