A few days had passed and Korra seemed much livelier. Senna was so happy to see that her little girl was finally smiling once more. She was washing dishes in the sink when she saw Korra from the corner of her eye.
Korra was by herself in the living room, she looked like she was concentrating on something important. Only one arm had a crutch and the other was trying to balance on the furniture next to her. Then, suddenly, the crutch fell. Korra was attempting to walk without a crutch.
Inside Senna was trying not to get overly excited; she had been trying to keep it all in. You can do it Korra! She thought to herself.
Korra's foot slowly moved over to where she would take her next step. Her knees were shaking, but not as bad as usual. She had begun getting her balance when her dad walked in from the hallway. Tonraq gasped when he saw his little girl taking her first few steps again. Korra's bare feet gripped the cold floor to keep her grounded, and then she began to take another step.
At this time Senna stopped doing dishes and Tonraq was frozen like ice. One by one Korra's feet began to step on the ground.
They were so proud and immediately ran to hug their daughter as soon as she reached the other side of the living room. Korra was making progress and nothing could've made that day better.
Asami had been out doing errands at that moment. She had gone through town grocery shopping for Senna. Asami had one arm filled with bags and Naga (who was trotting right next to her) had a few strapped to her sides.
The wind was cool, the people were kind, and it was a wonderful and relaxing morning. The entire Water Tribe had buildings with different shades of blue and it had a way of sparkling like an ocean when the Sunlight would hit the ice just right.
"Okay Naga just a few more stops and we'll head back, okay?" Asami said while petting Naga with her free arm.
Just then Asami had passed a small trinket shop. It had jewelry hanging from the top posts of the structure. There was a person inside sweeping and when she walked in she was just in awe of what was around her.
Inside the small shop was jewelry from rings to earrings to betrothal necklaces.
"Excuse me, what are these?"
An old man turned and saw a beautiful young woman pointing at the betrothal necklaces. Asami had put down the bag of groceries to reach for a necklace.
"These are betrothal necklaces. You're not from around here are you?"
"No, I'm not; I was born and raised in Republic City."
The old man motioned for Asami to follow him. "Look here."
There was a display case with roughly fifty betrothal necklaces. Some looked centuries old, others looked new; each was unique.
"In our culture when someone wishes to win another's heart, we make a betrothal necklace. However in the past, the necklaces would be used to show that a girl was to be married. Over time things had changed, initially you would put your family seal on the necklace, but now men usually put a symbol or design that signifies their love for the girl."
"It sounds beautiful…" Asami said in awe. "But, what about the one's here?"
"Oh, these? Some of them come from people who were rejected; others come from old widows who had passed away. Each one has their own story and I plan to keep all as long as I can."
"But, why? Wouldn't it just be a somber reminder of what never was?"
"In a sense, yes. However, we cannot go through life wondering what could've been. Take this one for example." The shopkeeper held out a poorly made one with a bunny symbol on it. "This one in particular was made by a boy of only eight years who had a crush one a girl. Eventually he grew up and so did she, they threw the necklace away because neither loved each other. They both ended up married to different people. Now, you can say that it's a sad story, but I for one like to view things positively. This necklace symbolized youth and innocence, which all children have."
Asami had reached over to see a partially shattered one. "What about this one? It has a fire symbol on it."
"This, this one always intrigued me. It's very old you see, about as old as the hundred year war I can assume. I think it was made by a Southern Water tribe warrior who fell in love with a Fire nation girl. Looking at the cracks thought, I imagine something tragic happened."
Asami grew quiet, especially when she realized that each one of these necklaces symbolized a lost or failed love.
"Do you have a special man in your life?"
"No. but…" She heard a small noise from her watch, it was an alarm. "I'm sorry I have to go!" She said as she grabbed her bag of groceries and hopped on Naga to go back to Korra's house.
Asami reached Korra's house and knocked on the door. Then she got some of the bags off of Naga. Unexpectedly to Asami, Korra was the one to unlock the door.
"Asami!" Korra shouted excitedly
"Oh my gosh! You're back on your feet Korra!" She put down the bags and headed towards her friend.
"Whoa!" Korra lost her balance and tripped. She landed in Ms. Sato's arms.
"I got you." Asami said with a smile, Korra blushed. "Korra, it took you a while, but, I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you." Korra said softly. "I just can't wait to start bending again."
Tonraq came over to the girls, "You better slow down Korra, you just started walking. Here Asami, I'll help grab the groceries."
Once they all got inside Senna and Asami started to make supper. They were preparing some traditional Water Tribe noodles with seafood wraps.
"Thank you for helping around the kitchen Asami."
"It's no problem Senna" Asami said while peeling some cabbages for the wraps.
"I appreciate it a lot; both Korra and Tonraq had bottomless pits for stomachs. It's nice having a helping hand. Every time I tried teaching Korra how to cook she ended up burning something." Senna said with a laugh.
"What really? What kind of things happened?"
"Hmmm… Well one time, when she was about thirteen, we were going to have a special dinner with some of the Northern Water tribe representatives. I decided it would be a good idea for Korra to have some practice with making food. Unlucky for the guests, Korra kept adding too much onion powder and caused a few of the men to have stomach aches for days. It was so bad, she never wanted to cook food again."
The two women were laughing and enjoying each other's company.
"I actually learned how to cook from my maids." Asami said a bit somberly. "See, my mother died when I was a little girl, so I never had too many women in my life to teach me things. I guess that's another reason why I became my dad's 'grease monkey'"
"I'm so sorry Asami." Senna replied. "Come here, look, see how the fish turns a golden brown? That's how you know when to add the seasoning. Here, see if you can figure out what kind to use."
Asami started to look at all her options, then she decided salt would be the safest choice to rub on the fish.
"Oooh good choice, that'll bring out its flavor. But now, look at this, if you add some spicier seasoning, here taste." Senna tore off a piece of the fish.
"Oh wow that really adds a kick to it." Asami said, still savoring the seafood.
"Hey guys! Is the food almost done?" Korra shouted from a couple rooms down.
"Be patient, it's almost done!" the both of them shouted.
When they all sat down at the dining room table everyone was eager to eat. Korra's mouth was practically watering; she really tired herself out after trying to walk everywhere that day.
"So Asami how do you like it here so far?" Korra asked.
"Well, I really have to get used to the cold, but other than that it's really nice and peaceful here."
"Have you seen anything interesting?" Senna inquired.
"Actually I did, on the way over here I saw a small shop down by the marketplace. There was an old man who was selling these beautiful Water tribe necklaces."
"Oh you mean betrothal necklaces?" Tonraq asked.
"Yes that kind! They're so beautiful; I didn't know that was a part of your culture."
"Tonraq gave me mine about twenty years ago, a couple years later, Korra was born." Senna said nostalgically.
"Haha, yes I remember, believe it or not, that necklace was my fifth try, I was never the artistic type."
"But still honey, you made it out of love." Senna said, reaching for Tonraq's hand.
"We've always wondered when Korra would get betrothed. But I guess being the avatar causes you to have a different lifestyle. Even then, whoever the man is, he's got to be a good man." Tonraq said, Korra got slightly embarrassed as she remembered the last time she introduced a boy to her father.
"You've never had anyone interested in you Asami?" Senna asked curiously. This question caused Korra to study Asami out of the corner of her eye.
"Um, not that I know of, at least other than Mako. Even then, that didn't work out. Right now, I have Korra and my career to worry about."
Korra blushed but tried hiding her reaction by scarfing down some more food. Asami noticed but decided to not point it out.
When dinner was over Tonraq and Senna cleaned up. Korra headed to her room, but Asami went to the balcony. Tonight the Southern lights would be very visible, and sometimes you could see spirits flying above too.
Asami had her Water tribe jacket on, it really did compliment her body, and it was warmer than most of her other jackets. She leaned on the railing and just stared out into the sky, she had never seen so many natural colors before. Then she began to think to herself.
I don't know how I feel. Something is changing, I know it. But… I'm scared to find out what. I don't think I'm worried about my company, or any other thing. Maybe it's Korra? She's getting better and nothing makes me happier than to see her light up like that. I'm so proud she's making a recovery. I didn't think I could even help. Maybe it's what happened three days ago… That hot springs incident. It wasn't like we did anything but…
She let out a soft sigh.
I sorta wish something did happen.
Korra snuck up behind Asami. "Boo!" Asami jumped.
"Ah! Don't do that Korra!" Asami said startled.
"Don't worry, I was only playing." She smiled at her friend. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt you."
Asami looked away, she was taken aback. They were alone for the first time since the hot springs.
"Is something bothering you Asami?" Korra said, inching closer to her friend.
"I don't know…" She hanged her head. "My mind has been everywhere since I got here."
"Hey look," Korra placed her hand on Asami shoulder, "I know things are difficult right now. But you have to understand that this whole healing thing. It's gonna take some time."
"Says the most impatient girl I know." Asami said jokingly.
"Alright, alright, but I'm just telling you what I know. I learned a lot from Katara these past two years."
"What'd you learn?" Asami said with a hint of hope in her voice. Maybe there was something that would be able to help her also.
"Well for one thing, I learned a lot about patience. There were a lot of times where I'd be some hot-head who would do things without thinking. I also learned a lot about Aang and Katara's relationship. It helped me understand why things between Mako and I didn't work out."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, throughout everything in Aang and Katara's life, they both supported each other's decisions and trusted each other."
"Korra, if you ever get lonely for not being with someone, please don't feel too bad… I trust and support you. You're my best friend, and the only girl I've ever had the chance to build a friendship with."
"Thank you, Asami."
The two friends looked at each other. Everything around them was perfect. The air was cool, but not freezing. The sky was lit up, and not too dark.
"Korra, when that fight with Zaheer happened. I was so scared for you."
"Asami, you don-"
"No please, let me finish, I have to say this." She grabbed onto Korra's hand.
"When Zaheer and you fought, I was terrified. I was so mad at myself because, for once in my life, I felt weak. I couldn't bend, I couldn't fight like the Airbenders, Mako, or Bolin. The entire time I had to focus on saving everyone from being imprisoned. Yes, I was happy I was capable of helping them but… It was you I wanted to protect. You're so strong Korra, you can bend all the elements, guide spirits, and you're an amazing fighter even without all your bending."
"Asami you can fight though, you've proved this on more than one occasion."
"I know Korra. But, when I first found out that non-benders were getting Airbending, I got jealous. Because this entire time, I've been pushed into the background all because I didn't have the same abilities that you all had."
"Asami, you don't have to be a bender to be great. You've worked harder than all of us just to get where you are at. That's so admirable to me. I honestly look up to you."
Korra went in for a hug. Asami stopped her.
"Korra, I need to know what's going on with us."
"What do you mean?"
"I, I'm not sure how or what I'm feeling."
"Asami, I just want to be there for my friend."
She didn't know how to take this response. Asami felt sad and hurt and she didn't know how she felt at all. There was a gap in her life since her best friend left. But there was also a sense of selfishness. She wanted Korra to be more than that but at the same time, she didn't know what she wanted Korra to be.
"Asami, please… Let me comfort you at least, if there really is something bothering you."
She gave in. Korra embraced Asami and tried giving her a warm and soft hug. Korra's eyes were closed; she was content that her friend was happy again. Asami, her eyes were open and she began to tear up; not because she was being comforted, but because she thought that something was wrong with her.
"Let's head off to bed okay? Tomorrow I need to go to therapy again, and you need your beauty sleep, beautiful."
Even though Asami smiled at the compliment, there was something off balance.