Chapter 1 - A Vacation, Just The Two Of Us
Republic city was safe once again. After the defeat of the dark spirit, Vaatu, peace had now returned to the centre of the United Republic, but it was not without its changes.
Ever since Avatar Korra had opened the spirit portals, vines and creatures from the spirit world had now made their home in the massive metropolis and things between the two worlds weren't exactly off to the best of starts.
Over on Air Temple Island, the Avatar herself was in the training yard, practising her bending. While her friends would have told her to rest, Korra refused. There could be a threat at any time and she, as the world's protector, needed to be ready.
But today, Korra's aim was not so good.
Every rock she lifted with earth-bending, ever spurt of fire or gust of air, Korra felt herself weary and more tired than usual.
She had been through a lot over the past few weeks and had still not fully recovered from her battle in the spirit world, but she continued to push herself.
As she tried to fire a gust of air from her hand to blow on one of Tenzin's homemade targets, she then gave up, collapsing to her knees.
Her body had finally had enough.
"Damn it," she growled, frustrated at herself.
As she sat down and took a few deep breaths, trying to get her strength back, she felt a familiar scent tickle her nostrils.
It was tea, fresh herbal tea, the kind she had gotten used to since she first started living here on the island.
She turned her head and saw her friend, Asami, walk towards her, carrying the tea on a tray.
"Hey, Korra," she greeted her. "Pema thought you might want a drink."
"Oh hi Asami," Korra responded, smiling at her. Asami had been staying on Air Temple island lately since her office over at Future Industries had been trashed and was being fixed up. In that time, Korra had felt her friendship with Asami blossom and the two of them becoming closer.
Asami then looked at what was left of the training yard, sighing. "Your bending's still in a funny state huh?"
"That's putting it mildly, 'Sami," Korra remarked, sipping some of the tea.
Asami sat down and put her hand on Korra's shoulder, a concerning look on her face. "You know, you shouldn't need to push yourself. The world's only been saved for a week and considering your schedule, it's gonna be awhile before any big threat shows up."
"I have to, Asami," Korra told her. "I'm the Avatar, it's my duty."
"Everyone needs rest, Korra," Asami said. "Even you."
Korra groaned and laid her head back. "It's just… I've been feeling so angsty lately. Maybe it's the fact that my uncle turned out to be an evil asshole, maybe it's the fact Mako and I broke up… or Maybe it's because I'm a failure."
"You didn't know what that uncle of yours was like, Korra," Asami stated "And what happened with Mako was sad, I know, I felt the same when he broke up with me for you, but you're a strong woman. You'll get through this. I believe in you. I always have done."
Korra looked down. "That's a lot coming from you. After all, you and Mako used to be a thing."
"It's ancient history now," Asami said. "And for what it's worth, I'm sure you'll find someone who you won't have a fight with every day."
"I don't know about that… When I was little, Katara would tell me stories about how she and Aang found each other and how they were made for one another… and look at me. The first person I fall for eventually becomes a pain in my ass for all the wrong reasons."
"You're only eighteen, Korra. You don't need to find someone just yet. You've probably got a long life ahead of you, probably longer since you're the avatar."
"Yeah, but it's a life I'd rather not spend alone," Korra admitted.
Asami then had a thought. "I know just how to help you unwind… and probably get you back in shape.
"Go on, anything would be good at this point," Korra responded.
"Why don't we go on a vacation," Asami suggested. "Just the two of us, to my family's place on Ember Island."
"Wait what?!" Korra exclaimed. "I can't be out of action for that long!" The world was at peace now, but it still needed the Avatar.
"It would only be for like two weeks, tops," Asami informed her. "And it would be good for you Korra. After all, you are under a lot of stress just being here. A change of scenery will do you a world of good."
"Since when did you become a therapist?" Korra joked. "Alright, alright, I guess I do deserve a vacation." She looked at her close friend and smiled. "When do we leave?"
"I can get us tickets by the end of the week," Asami stated. "Possibly quicker with all my influence."
"I thought with great power came great responsibility," Korra smirked, quoting something she had heard off Tenzin.
"It is a great responsibility, Korra," Asami implied. "I am looking after the Avatar, and I won't stop until she's ready to go kick some butt again."
Korra smiled. "Thanks, Asami."
Asami gave Korra a warm hug. "You're welcome."
xXx
One week later, Korra stood on the bow of a large steam ferry, her brown hair being blown freely in the tropical wind.
Asami soon joined her, wearing a rather casual outfit with a short skirt and top. "You sure you won't be too hot in that?" She inquired about Korra's fashion choice.
Korra looked at her usual water tribe clothing. "Hey, it's not like I've got much else."
"True, but it can get pretty hot out here," Asami cautioned her.
"I can just waterbend some ice to cool myself down," Korra remarked. "It's no biggie."
"Uh huh, tell me that when you get a big sunburn on your face," Asami teased.
Korra then saw the island in the distance, the beach being rather deserted and quite empty. "Looks like the tourism season hasn't started yet," Korra pointed out.
"It's probably more likely to do with what you did back in the city," Asami replied. "No one wants to go on vacation when the world is about to end."
"My previous self did," Korra reminded her. "It's a well-known fact that Avatar Aang took a vacation here with his friends before Fire Lord Ozai attacked."
"Well, excuse me. I wasn't exactly good at history," Asami remarked. "Mainly because my private tutor was a bit of an ass."
Korra chuckled. "I bet you kicked his butt."
"Oh I kicked a lot of butts before I met you, Korra," Asami stated with a wink.
Soon the ship had docked on the shore and the passengers had disembarked, Korra carrying both hers and Asami's bags in her strong, muscular arms.
Asami looked around the dock, getting her bearings. "Alright, bear with me a sec," she told her. "It's been a while since I've been to this place."
"Take you your time," Korra replied. "I'm not even breaking a sweat carrying these."
"You sure you don't want me carrying some?" Asami inquired. "I mean, I don't wanna tire you out."
"Nah, it's okay," Korra replied, gently lifting up the bags in her arms.
After a short stroll along the sandy beach, the two of them arrived at Asami's vacation home. It was a rather old looking place, built from wood like many of the other buildings on the island. It had two stories, a large courtyard and a balcony on the roof.
"Nice place," Korra said. "It feels a bit familiar."
"My dad told me that it was based on the house that Avatar Aang stayed in before he fought the fire lord," Asami informed her. "Guess those old memories of yours really are good."
"Well, they used to be," Korra admitted. The battle with Vaatu had cost Korra her connection to those past lives, but she still retained the wisdom and the knowledge those past memories had given her.
Asami walked up to the front of the house, opening it up with the key in her pocket. "Just drop the bags here, I'll sort them out."
"Thanks," Korra replied, dropping the bags on the entrance floor. "Wow... it's even sweeter on the inside," she said, admiring the decor of Asami's home.
Asami smiled. "Your room is upstairs. Why don't you take a rest while I go make dinner?"
"Mmmmmm, that sounds yummy," Korra agreed. Asami was always a good cook, especially when she had been staying at the air temple.
Asami giggled. "I'll make you my favourite ramen recipe. It's full of carbs and other good nutrients. It'll be perfect for you to help get your strength."
"Oh you're spoiling me now, 'Sami," Korra remarked. She quickly scampered up the steps to the guest bedroom, seeing the bed, covered in a thick red sheet.
As she lay on the bed, she gently closed her eyes, breathing softly. "Now this is the life a girl could get used to."
This island was paradise to her. The soft sound of the waves lapping outside. The gentle breeze that curved around the side of the house. Asami was right, this place was perfect for Korra to relax.
She felt her spirit feel free on the bed like it would phase out of her body and enter the spirit world without her concentrating.
The place was so serene, so calm. Asami had been wise to bring her here.
Korra wanted to thank her friend for this, but as she thought about Asami, something started to click in her mind.
Asami had always been there for her, ever since they met six months ago. She had never been angry or gotten upset at her.
Every moment she could remember with the Asian girl had been a happy one, usually ending with a smile or a comforting hug.
She had become one of her closest friends in this short space of time.
Korra then remembered another thing that Katara had told her, hearing the elder water-bender's voice in her mind.
The best relationships start with the best friendships.
If that was the case, would she and Asami be able to be together in... that sort of way?
Korra knew that she liked girls as much as boys, although she had never found that sort of connection with a girl before.
Was Asami the same? Korra didn't know that and if she wasn't, blurting out feelings like that to her might be uncomfortable to Asami, and Korra didn't want to make her friend upset, not after all she had done for her.
Korra then sighed. It was probably better to push this sort of thing to the back of her mind. It would stress her out and this was her time to relax.
She then closed of her thoughts and relaxed, drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
xXx
Korra awoke a few hours later, the scent of a freshly cooked meal tickling her nostrils. It was definitely the ramen Asami had mentioned earlier.
She didn't need to be an air-bender to know where the smell was coming from.
The Avatar rose from her comfy sheets, opening the door and hovering downstairs to the kitchen, where she knew she would find her dinner.
Asami was by the grill, warming up the ramen on the stove, humming a little tune to herself.
Korra rose up beside her, sniffing the air. "Mmmm, this smells good."
Asami giggled. "Well, good to see you up and about. Did you have a nice nap?"
"It was wonderful," Korra replied. "But this ramen looks so yummy. Where did you learn how to make it?"
"My mom found the recipe when she went to Ba Sing Se years ago," Asami replied. "She used to cook it for us every night when I was little."
"She had good taste," Korra commented.
Asami smiled. "She would have liked you Korra. Determined, driven, strong, she'd have thought you were the sister I never had."
Korra laughed. "Nah, I didn't really like the idea of having siblings. Although if I had a big sister like you... that would've been awesome."
Asami spooned the freshly cooked noodles into a bowl for Korra, placing it on the nearby table. She was happy that Korra had enjoyed her cooking, although Korra did seem to enjoy everything she did for her.
"Here you go," Asami then stated, gesturing to the meal.
Korra sat down at the table, picking up the pair of chopsticks in front of her and beginning to eat Asami's meal. "Mmmmmmm, they're just as good as they smelled."
"I told you that you would like them," Asami stated, sitting down with a bowl herself.
Korra then started to stuff her face with the chopsticks, gorging on the beautiful golden strips.
Asami laughed. "Easy there, Korra. I don't want you being sick."
"This iz eh ah ormally et," Korra said through a mouth full of noodle, before sucking up the strips into her mouth. "You gotta eat your hot food quickly down at the south pole. Otherwise, it goes cold very quickly."
"We're not at the south pole," Asami corrected her.
"Old habits die hard," the Avatar then excused.
Asami sighed. "You are a dork. Why you were reincarnated as the Avatar, I'll never know."
"Because I'm the feisty, badass kind of dork?" Korra assumed.
Asami giggled. "Possibly, I mean you are quite good in a fight."
"Maybe we could spar sometime?" Korra wondered. "I mean, your technique is good, but I bet a little training from a pro-bending master could really help you out, especially if anyone tries to kill you again."
"Korra, I have a glove that zaps people, I don't need any of your training."
"I was just saying, 'Sami," Korra remarked.
"Besides," Asami then pointed out. "I'm a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to you. You're a master at all types of bending. I'm a master of none."
"I get it, you're the brainy girl, not a brawny girl."
Asami smirked. "But then again, I suppose one sparring session with you wouldn't hurt."
Korra's eyes widened. "Wait, are you seriously offering to train with me?"
"Just this once," Asami corrected. "I mean if you aren't scared of getting your butt kicked by me."
Korra cackled. "Please, 'Sami. I will not go easy on you. I'm the Avatar."
"Oh I wasn't expecting you too," Asami remarked. "You can never resist a good fight."
"We'll see about that," Korra mused. "So when do you wanna train?"
"Tomorrow morning," Asami said. "It's getting a bit late now."
"Yeah I guess so," Korra agreed, seeing the sunset outside of the house. Suddenly, the avatar then had an idea for something her and Asami could do together. "Hey! I got an idea!"
"What is it?" Asami asked, sipping some Jasmine Tea.
Korra grinned. "You got a Pai Sho board here? Mako always used to tell me you were an ace at it."
"You want to play Pai Sho?" Asami assumed. "Korra, do you even know how to play?"
"No," Korra admitted. "But I'm willing to learn."
Asami smiled. "Then my dear Avatar, game on."
xXx
Korra grabbed her hair in frustration as Asami placed her final piece on the Pai Sho board, the Asian girl smirking proudly as she claimed victory.
"Checkmate," Asami stated, grinning at Korra.
"No fair!" Korra argued. "I was this close to beating you this time." She held her fingers together to emphasise her point.
Asami giggled. "You weren't bad for a newbie, but I was a master at this when I was eight years old."
Korra groaned. "No wonder Mako moaned about losing to you at this. You're so damn good."
"Hey, you at least gave me a challenge, unlike him." Asami smiled. "Mako was a total pushover."
Korra placed her head on the table, groaning. "Do you think we should turn in for the night? It's pretty late."
"Yeah, I think you need your rest, Avatar," Asami told her.
The two then changed into their nightgowns and walked up the stairs to their bedrooms.
As they arrived at the top of the stairs, Korra looked at Asami one last time. In the moonlight, the Asian girl looked different to Korra. So peaceful like the island they were on, yet strangely captivating.
Korra had known that the feelings she had for Asami were growing stronger the more they were here, but she knew she couldn't say anything yet.
Suddenly, Asami then walked over to Korra, wrapping her arms around the Water Tribe girl's body, embracing her closely.
Korra blushed softly and hugged Asami back, knowing that Asami probably meant this in a platonic way.
Asami smiled as her head rested on Korra's shoulder. "Sweet dreams, Korra."
"You too, Asami," Korra replied.
Their arms pulled away and the two retreated to their separate rooms, both of them getting into their beds for a nice long sleep.
xXx
Author's note: And here is my brand new Korrasami multichap! I think when one does a ship as a multi fic for the first time, it must be of their couple meeting for the first time, so they can get a good idea of how they're going to act around each other... or something like that. I dunno really. Anyway, if you're wondering when this takes place, it's between season 2 and season 3, so the same time gap covered by the Korra video game. And yeah, Asami being good at Pai Sho is something ripped straight from the show.
Anyhoo! I'll see you soon for part 2 :3
Take care!