Thank BG-13!

Asami's POV

Everyone was gathered outside the City Hall. Korra would be reinstated as the Avatar today and the people of Republic City had gathered around to see it. Many still didn't believe she was alive since she had kept to herself since her arrival. Only those who went to her Welcome Back Ball had personally seen her. I was surprised, however, when I saw a brooding Firebender in the crowd. I raised a brow and walked over to him.

"I have to say this is a surprise," I told him.

He smiled and shook his head. "Korra invited me last night," Mako replied with a shrug.

"Last night?"

"Is that surprise or jealousy?" he joked.

I managed to smile. "Look, Mako," I began. "I don't want her to find out. Korra's been through a lot."

"Asami, I think we've all been through a lot." Admittedly, he had a point.

"Good afternoon, and thank you all for coming," Tenzin began, getting everyone's attention. "Today, Korra will be reinstated as the Avatar. She will keep up the legacy of Avatar Aang, and-"

"Whoa, whoa!" a very familiar voice shouted.

Mako and I turned our attention to Korra, who was clearly intoxicated, coming up the steps to the stage. I clenched my jaw. Was she being serious?

"I'm a legacy on my own!" the brunette continued before walking over to the Airbender. "Thanks for warming them up," she added, taking over the microphone.

I could see Tenzin's jaw clench as well. Korra's parents, her mother in particular, seemed sad that their daughter had shown up to her reestablishment this way.

"Some of you may not know me, my name is Korra," she said. "You've heard the radio broadcasts or read the newspaper; I'm kind of famous right now. Mostly though, I'm famous because I'm the successor of Avatar Aang. But-um-like, what's his name? Oh yeah, Tenzin was saying, I'm not much of a legacy." I shared a look with the Firebender and I could swear I saw a hint of concern in his eyes.

"Korra, I think you should-" Tenzin began.

"No, no, sit!" Korra continued. Reluctantly the Airbender did as he was told. "See, I was supposed to come here today and take my rightful place in the long line of Avatars. You know the whole, prodigal daughter returns home and becomes some great person who does great things. But I'm not Avatar Aang. I'm not the Avatar he was. I'm not even half the Avatar he was. I never will be," I could hear the pain in her voice as she said those words, like she was admitting a long held secret she knew everyone else already knew. "So please, stop asking me to be." The last part was a sort of whisper.

Both Mako and I made our way to her as she was walking down the steps. As she was coming down, she tripped but Mako caught her. Their eyes locked for a second before she shook her head and pulled away from him. Howl went behind her and helped her get on Naga before she took off at full speed.

I looked over to see Chief Bei Fong. She had her arms crossed but I could see some sort of smugness under her normal scowl.

Korra's POV

After I put out my little show, I guess you could say, I locked myself up in my room. I took my usual place by the window and stared off across the bay at my training grounds. I knew I had disappointed a lot of people today. The city, my past lives, Katara, Tenzin no doubt, and my parents. It killed me inside to go through with that little stunt, but I had to put up a cover. I couldn't let them see the new me. No yet, probably not ever.

After I felt myself sober up a little I snuck out and went to the cliff side where my tomb was.

I remembered being out here most of the time. Whenever I went missing, they would find me here, staring out across the bay. Some thought I was starring out to the Pro Bending Arena, being a Pro Bender and all, others that I was looking at Avatar Aang Memorial Island. Truthfully I wasn't looking at either. I would come up here and think about the kind of person, the monster I was. But I was too hard headed and stubborn to change.

Quietly I took Naga out of the stable and jumped into the bay, heading to the place I'd meant to go to since my return. I instructed my friend to stay outside while I went inside the cemetery. It wasn't long before I found who I was looking for, I knelt down in front of the tombstone gently cleaning it with my hand.

"I'm so sorry Bolin. I wish-" I had to stop for a second as tears threatened to fall. "I wish it had been me, just like Mako said. I deserve his hate and much more. You-you always saw the best in me and I miss you so much. I hope that someday you can forgive me for killing you. For letting you rot at the bottom of the ocean. I'm so sorry." There was so much more I wanted to say, but the words wouldn't form and I ended sitting there for awhile in silence.

On my way back I stopped at Avatar Aang Memorial Island. I looked up to the statue of my past life and lowered my head, feeling shame welling up in my stomach.

"All that time I spent in that prison, plotting for my return, I didn't think about how hard it would be for me to reconnect with everyone. With my loved ones, even Mako. I didn't…I didn't know how painful it would be to come back and look at them, knowing I was responsible for someone's death, to keep my secret," I whispered.

"You wanted me to uphold your legacy. To keep peace and balance in the world, to save the city, to right my wrongs and I will. I swear. But to do that, I can't be the Korra everyone wants me to be. Which means that sometimes…I need to dishonor you and the past Avatars. I'm sorry. I wish," I sighed. "I wish there was another way," I said quietly before continuing my way back to Air Temple Island.