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Korra's POV

After opening the first chakra, Asa decided it was time for a change in scenery. To be honest I wasn't at all surprised since Aang had written that in his journal. But as we made our way outside to the cave I couldn't help but feeling a bit tired. I was practically dragging my feet until we stopped by a waterfall. He sat down and so did I, along with Howl who kept his distance from us, as if not wanting to interrupt.

"Next is-"

"The Water chakra," I finished for him. I already knew this.

He smiled and nodded. I sighed. This guy had a lot of patience, that was for sure.

"This chakra deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt," Asa continued. "What do you blame yourself for?"

I connected my fists together, taking in deep breaths as I closed my eyes. The first image that came to mind was that of Bolin's, the fear in his eyes right before Amon stabbed him and threw him off the boat. Next it flashed to when Aiden was lying lifeless while I cried hysterically. My breath hitched a little at the next image. It was when I had returned to the Boiling Rock, the guts, body parts scattered all around...My former master's death and that of those who I had killed came last.

With a gulp of air I opened my eyes, panting, trying to catch my breath. "It's my fault," I whispered. "I killed them. Maybe not directly but…if it hadn't been for me they'd still be alive."

The monk shook his head. "You didn't kill them," he told me gently. "They're deaths weren't your fault."

"Yes they were," I countered, my voice wavering. "If Bolin hadn't come with me…if I hadn't tempted the guards…if I would have gone back sooner…they'd be alive."

"Everything happens for a reason, Korra," Asa said. "We are born, we live and then we die. It is the circle of life. You must accept this. Don't let this cloud and poison your energy. If you want to be a better person, a positive influence for those around you, for Jason, you need to forgive yourself."

I sighed and nodded before closing my eyes once again. I remembered when Mako and I were at the Swamp, he'd said Bolin's apparition had led him to me. Howl Sr. himself had said he didn't want to break me, he cared about me. Aiden's dying words were my name, my destiny to do great things.

Perhaps I wasn't a lost cause after all. Jason had seen something inside me, something I couldn't see. I smiled at this and opened my eyes, the crushing feeling in my chest lifting a little more.

Asami's POV

I was playing with the kids at the shelter, teaching them a few self defense moves when I saw my father walk in. I could see the disgust in his face as he looked at the children, as if they had some sort of disease that no one could see. My father had never really been fan of benders though he had humored me when Pro Bending was still around. I looked over at Mako, silently excusing myself.

As I walked over to my father, I couldn't help but question where Korra was. She hadn't been coming for a couple of days, and the Firebender and I had our hands full. He had been reinstated in Lin's police force, limiting his time at the shelter. I gestured my father into one of the vacant rooms and he followed me shortly.

"Hello Asami," he greeted.

"Dad, I'm kind of busy," I told him, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall.

I was. The kids would soon be lined up to have their bandages changed. As I thought about that, I wondered why my father was here. I hardly ever saw him at home anymore and we hardly even talked. Of course, this had been going on for some time. He probably had just noticed. We hadn't been in the best of terms for months now. Since Korra arrived actually. He had never liked my friendship with her but I was not about to cut ties with her. Nope, it wasn't happening.

"What are you doing here, Asami?"

"The better question is, what do you want?" I countered.

"I want to share a meal with my daughter," he answered, pausing for a moment. "Dinner, tomorrow night?"

"Mako and I have plans."

"Bring him along then," my father replied. "I think it's time I got to know him a little better." I nodded and made a way to the door and he gently placed a hand over mine. "Asami, I know I've said some hurtful things before," he added. "And I regret them. But you're still my daughter, and I still want what your mother would have wanted." I waited for him to continue. "For us to be close."

"I'll check with Mako and get back to you," was all I said before going back to the kids.

Korra's POV

I don't even remember closing my eyes. I just remember leaning against the wall of the mountain and then nothing. I woke with a jolt, realizing that I'd fallen asleep. I looked over at Howl, who gave me a soft, reassuring smile. I rubbed my eyes tiredly. My own energy wouldn't let me get the rest I needed. Asa hadn't been kidding when he'd said I wouldn't be able to stop once this process begun.

"Fire chakra?" I asked.

The monk chuckled and nodded. "The Fire Chakra is located in the stomach, which deals with will power and is blocked by shame," Asa explained. "What are you ashamed of? What are your biggest disappointments in yourself?"

Once again I connected my fists, regulating my breathing as I let my mind wondered. I remembered the cruel, selfish, inconsiderate person I was before. I didn't care about anyone, just myself, the party animal.

The night that I had gotten drunk came to mind as well; I had taken the easy way out, drowning my sorrows in liquor instead of confronting them. But that wasn't the only time I tried taking the easy way out. When my master had given me the knife in the Swamp, if it had only been real…I wouldn't be here anymore. Almost drowning while drunk, I had done that on purpose as well.

But that wasn't all. I had disappointed my parents, Katara, Tenzin, the world in my actions. I had hurt them…and I hadn't cared. I had hurt my friends too; ignoring Asami, pushing Mako away. The list was endless.

But I knew what I really felt ashamed of. Amon had taken my Bending. The one thing that made me who I was, that was part of me.

"I hurt those around me," I said quietly, opening my eyes. "I'm not good. I-I could have…" I stopped there, remembering what I could have done the last time I entered the Avatar state. "I couldn't have killed someone. I'll never enter the Avatar State again and once I take care of Amon I'm going to leave and never come back." That was a promise. That was my plan.

"While a younger version of yourself might have caused pain to others, you have changed," Asa replied. "The Avatar State is a part of you, and if you want to reach the balance you seek, you must accept all the aspects of your life. You are a daughter, a pupil, even a surrogate daughter. You can't turn your backs on the people who care about you."

I sighed and nodded, letting his words sink in. My parents were so happy that I had been found. They had been given a second chance with me, and I had also been given a second chance to right my wrongs.

But...they weren't safe with me.

Tonraq's POV

Korra had left. My little girl had left and this caused my heart to ache. I knew why she had made this decision. She had thought we would take Jason, the boy who had become her entire life, and to be honest I didn't blame her for leaving.

Senna had informed me of her absence shortly after we had made our decision for her to keep the small Firebender. She had walked into his room and found him alone, staring out the window. When she finally got him to sleep, she went into our own room and told me what had happened.

It was morning now, and we had called Tenzin and Katara over to tell them what had happened. Our former master seemed slightly upset, but understanding at the same time. She understood just like we did, why she had left. The Airbender on the other hand was blowing air left and right, ranting about how he had been right all along.

"I knew this would happen! That girl-"

"That girl is my daughter!" Senna growled defensively.

"Don't be mad at Korra," Jason sniffed, bringing our attention to him. "She had to go. But she promised she'd be back." His voice was tiny and sad.

Tenzin shook his head. "She's abandoned him," he replied, looking at Senna with hard grey eyes. "Just like I knew she would."

"No!" Jason said, his voice louder now but only slightly. "Momma promised."

"Her word has never been worth much."

"My daughter isn't a heartless monster," I finally snapped, standing up. "You pride yourself on your patience and peacefulness yet you attack and degrade my daughter every chance you get!"

The Airbender straightened at this, visibly taken aback. The man was nothing but a hypocrite. I picked up Jason in arms and went into my room, my wife following behind. I stepped aside so she could go in first and saw that Katara had also left him standing there. With a glare I went inside the master bedroom and shut the door.