A/N: I was planning for this to be a one shot, but halfway I decided it could be the beginning of the next book. Read, review, enjoy!
Update: For some reason, Chapter 2 is not being shown, but I assure readers that it is in fact there. I am emailing FanFiction to fix this. Please check back.
They arrived in the Spirit World, the green and gold glow from the spirit portal still holding them in it's warmth. Korra went to take a step out of the portal then stopped. She grabbed Asami's hand again, looking into her eyes.
"C'mon... we'll do it together" she chirped. Asami smiled at her and nodded. They both turned towards the edge of the portal and synchronized a step onto the blossoming flowers in front. The two then pulled themselves away from the glowing portal, fully emerged into the Spirit World and out of the Physical World. Asami looked around, her eyes drinking in the beauty of the world brand new to her.
"Wow... it's amazing..." she dropped her gaze onto Korra, who was beaming at her in delight at seeing the pure wonder in her friend's eyes. Asami's face broke out in a smirk. "How come you never brought me here before?"
"When have we ever had the chance for a vacation before? Besides, it's kinda cool that you haven't been here until now." Korra looked away slightly, blushing. She looked back to Asami out the corner of her eyes and tried to fight off an embarrassed smile. "I get to act like your tour guide". Asami giggled, covering her lower lip with her hand.
"Ok, I know you're 'The Avatar' and the bridge between the two worlds, but from what you and Tenzin have told me, the Spirit World would serve as a better tour guide than you" she giggled again. Korra hung her head in a sulk, arms dangling in a shamed surrender.
"Your faith in me is so overwhelming right now..." Korra mumbled under her breath. Asami approached her and cupped Korra's hands in hers, lifting her arms up. Korra raised her head, the smile on her face easily returned.
"Korra, right now... you are everything I have faith in." Korra released her hold on Asami's hands, preferring the feel of her torso, wrapping her arms around her. Asami immediately responded in kind and began to nurse Korra's head, holding it close to her chest and slowly closed her eyes. The two remained silent for a moment, enjoying the intimate embrace. Asami opened her eyes, taking in the moment around her.
The purple shinning at their feet. The soft and caring glow of the spirit portal. A small group of spirits, which she thought looked like swan foxes, dancing around each other playfully. The orange grassy field ahead of them, to the purple mountains in the distance. A rainbow display of colours surrounded them in a sweet harmony, from the flowers, to the grass, the spirits to the mountains. Korra to Asami. Korra pulled back slightly, arms still firmly clinging to Asami's waist. Asami looked down to her to see that Korra's smile still remained, and Asami still showing the wonder she displayed on the moment they arrived. "You're doing really well as a tour guide"
"But I've not shown you anything yet"
"Yes..." Asami began. She moved back a touch and lowered her hand to Korra's once more. Asami turned to the field with the swan foxes. Korra followed Asami's gaze and turned to look out to the fields also. "You have".
"If you think this is cool, I know a place you are bound to like" Korra said gleefully.
"Where's that?" asked Asami, not taking her eyes off of the view.
"Have you ever heard of Wan Shi Tong?"
"I'm not sure..."
"Do you know of any spirits?" Korra asked, raising an eyebrow in delight. She realised that she's not usually more knowledgeable about spirits than someone else, only knowing what her uncle taught her. Nor is she ever more knowledgeable of something than Asami.
"Not really. There's Boom Ju" Asami went on.
"He doesn't really count. Yeah, he's a spirit, but he's more like a pixie with a walrus pig moustache" Korra went quiet after her last comment. "I think I'm ruining the mood"
"No, no. I find Boom Ju's moustache cute" Asami giggled, trying to boost Korra's attempt.
"So Wan Shi Tong... he owns the one thing that I can't imagine you without" Asami blushed at the remark. She tried to speak but her throat suddenly felt dry. "Books!" Korra shouted happily, throwing her arms in the air with excitement.
"You can't imagine me without a book?" Asami said, a little stunned.
"More like I can't imagine you not being smart"
"Are you saying I'm a bookworm?"
"No... you're a grease jockey" Asami thought for a moment.
"I'm good with that" the two girls then giggled. Korra pulled on Asami's hand, making their way towards the field. "Just out of curiosity, do you actually know where you're going?"
"Not a clue. I just figured I'd walk until I recognised somewhere."
"And how long would that take?" Asami asked.
"The Spirit World likes to move around. It shouldn't be too long before it guides me to the Xai Bau's Grove, or maybe Iroh's house"
"General Iroh lives in the Spirit World?" Asami shouted, stunned.
"Yeah. I was surprised too, I didn't know he could do that" Korra pauses for a moment. "You meant General Iroh of the United Forces... didn't you?"
"You didn't?"
"No. Actually I was talking about Zuko's uncle" Korra mumbled.
"Wow... Fire Lord Zuko is pretty old" Asami wondered "his uncle must be nearing a hundred and fifty years old"
"Not really. He doesn't age anymore" Korra stated bluntly. "Things don't work the same way here. You don't go hungry, can't gain or lose weight, but you can still eat."
"This place really is amazing. I guess I don't have to watch what I eat anymore." Asami smirked. Her thoughts quickly went to the baked goods from the coffee shop she would take Bolin to. "What else is different here?"
"That was all I know. Iroh told that to me when he invited me for some tea. And now I'm feeling a little dumb again"
"Korra, you're not dumb. You are very wise, I mean you're the Avatar! Who's wiser than you?" Korra blushed again. She didn't look to Asami, but she could feel her stare burning on her cheek. Korra tightened her grip on Asami's hand and leaned in closer as they walked, entangling their arms together. Asami carefully placed her chin on top of Korra's head, trying not to knock together as they stepped, then nuzzled onto her head. They walked like this for a while, Korra with her eyes focused on the fingers tangling and playing with each other, and Asami, eyes looking around at the amazing sights. Asami looked down to Korra after some time and asked "Aren't you supposed to be guiding me?" Korra snapped her head up, looking around frantically.
"Oh you're right! And er... we should be careful. This place has it's dangers as much as the Physical World" she continued to look around carefully.
"What kind of dangers are there?" Asami asked.
"We've been here no more than twenty minutes and you've already asked more than twenty questions" Korra grumbled.
"I'm curious"
"That's what I'm hoping" Korra whispered.
"What?"
"This feels familiar!" She quickly changed the subject, though not entirely on purpose. She lifted herself away from Asami, who simply stared at her. "I've not been here before... but it does feel... like I know it". She looked around slowly. They found themselves in a forest, with trees of all sizes.
"You have no idea where we are, do you..."
"No... I do... I just can't figure out why..." she trailed off.
"Maybe we should just ask for directions?" Asami suggested. Korra rolled her eyes and grinned at Asami.
"From who? There's no one arou-" Korra began, but before she could finish, a loud and heavy rumble came from inside of the trees.
"NO... NO HUMAN!" a voice roared out "GO AWAY HUMAN!"
"Korra...?" Asami called out. Korra turned around, grabbed Asami's hand and began to run, dragging the other girl with her.
"I get the feeling we don't want to meet that spirit!" yelled Korra, back to Asami. She looked back and saw a creature emerge from the tree. The spider spirit with a bad attitude came racing out after them. "Tenzin told me about her!"
"What is that thing!?" Asami cried out behind her.
"A spirit!" Korra replied.
"I get that part, but what does it want!?"
"How should I know? All I know is it takes us to a place, and we don't want to go there!" The two ran, but it didn't last for long. Asami could feel it catching up behind them, hearing it's breath and preparing itself to attack. Korra span around, trying her best to throw Asami out of harm's way. She threw a blast of fire at the spirit as it shot out a web. It burned up, catching the spirit off guard. Korra jumped onto an air scooter and zoomed around to the back of it as it tried to keep up with her. She stopped and threw another blast of fire at it. It recoiled from the blast and rolled over in pain. Asami jumped up as it rolled towards her. It spotted her and tried to get to its feet. Korra raised a puddle of water, freezing it over the spirits face. She continued to firebend at it, breathing heavily with each shot of fire "Don't. You. Dare. Touch her!" she screamed.
"Korra, look out!" The spirit broke free from the ice, shooting a web at Korra. It stuck to her feet, locking them in place. Korra fell down to the ground, landing harshly onto her shoulder. "Korra!" The spirit turned back to Asami.
"HUMANS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!" roared the creature. Asami ran at it, attempting to out manoeuvre the beast. But it wasn't any use. The creature shuffled its legs, kicking Asami down to the ground. It shot a web at her, tangling her inside.
"Asami! No!" Korra cried. She pushed at the web around her feet, spinning out of it in a blaze of fire. She ran after the spirit, Asami sliding behind it, and tried earthbending a wall to block it off. Again, it was useless. The creature simply crawled over it, bringing Asami over with it. Korra tried knocking the wall over, to squash the beast before it pulled Asami completely over the wall. It almost worked. The wall crushed it's leg, just before Asami went under. Korra bended the wall to wrap itself around the spirit. Once more, the spirit foiled her plan. It broke free and scurried off with Asami. Korra used firebending to speed after it, but it disappeared. Korra stopped and stood for a moment. She looked in every direction trying to figure out which way it went. It was hard to tell in the Spirit World. There were no signs to indicate where it went, no way of tracking it. Korra felt her eyes begin to sting, and begin to fill. She didn't flinch to wipe them away, being too worried about Asami.
A noise behind her made her jump. "Asami!?" she choked, her throat sore with sorrow.
"What's an 'Asami'?" a voice shouted back, a hint of annoyance in it.
"Who are you, what do you want?!" Korra pulled herself together, using her anger to help her keep focus.
"I know you... I think from a long time ago..." the voice said. Korra bobbed her head to the side, trying to spot where the voice was coming from. Then, a tall spirit with grey fur made its way out of the bush. "Who are you, human?" Korra smiled and ran towards the spirit.
"Stinky!" she yelled, embracing him in a hug and lifting him off the floor.
"My name is not Stinky!... where did you even hear that name!?" it yelled back, annoyed. Korra put the spirit down.
"It's me... the Avatar. Wan... I'm Stinky" Korra tried to explain, carefully. The spirit looks back at her in confusion. It takes a moment but he then smiles.
"Stinky... I remember you! You came back!" The spirit then hugs Korra in return, lifting her into the air. He put her back down.
"I need your help. My friend was just taken by a spirit"
"Judging on where we are, I'd say it was on it's way to the Fog of Lost Souls" the spirit replied.
"You know where it is?" Korra said, hopefully.
"Well of course I do. Some of the humans in there are my entertainment" Korra looked amazed by the comment.
"You've left the fog?"
"Stinky, I am a spirit. The Fog only affects humans and their souls. Now follow me!" the spirit burst into a run and vanished within the forest. Korra went to run with him but immediately stopped.
"Thanks for waiting..." she groaned under her breath. The spirit reappeared, a look of realization on his face.
"Oh yes. I forgot you were always a little slower than I was." He turned around and began to run again, only this time at a speed that Korra could keep up with.
The two eventually found themselves at the edge of a chasm, the fog filling to the top. "If your friend is already inside that, she's already gone insane. She won't come easily"
"I won't leave her here" Korra said, determined. The two stepped forwards, leaning over the edge. The ground shakes, making Korra and the spirit wobble, nearly falling in. The sound of many legs rushing towards them made Korra turn around, hope still in her heart. "That's it" the spider spirit approached them, Asami now unconscious behind her. Korra and her spirit friend jumped towards the beast. Korra shot blasts of fire at it's face, then earth bended the ground, collapsing it beneath it. The spirit ran around to the back and cut the webbing along Asami's body, freeing her. He picked her up and sped away.
"Stinky! Your friend is safe!" the spirit called up to her. She looked down, seeing Asami safe, lumped over his shoulder. She landed on the creature, then flipped off of the back of it, airbended against her and tried to force her into the fog. "That won't do anything to it! She's a spirit!" She pushed another tunnel of air at the beast, causing it to topple down into the gorge. As she fell, Korra slammed down onto the edge, bending the ground, and forced a landslide to pile on top of it.
"It'll give us time to get away" she yelled, rushing back to the two.
"HUMANS!" they heard it cry. They could hear it scurrying up the side. Korra and the spirit ran fast. The sound of scurrying came faster and louder. She closed her eyes tight. Within a moment her eyes were bright with the glow of Raava. She grabbed the spirit who named her Stinky and still holding Asami, then used an air scooter at speed, firebending to speed it along.
"Next time, I carry you, Stinky." the spirit said, annoyance returned to his voice. The sound of the other spirit disappeared. Korra relaxed, leaving the Avatar State. Her friend jumped off of her, gently placing Asami on the floor. "She looks like her squishy head was hit while that thing was carrying her" Korra rushed to her side, placing a hand over her head, brushing against her hair. "I have an Oasis nearby, much like the one I lived at in the Physical World. Placing her in the water there would do her some good." Korra delicately picked her up, her arms curled up on her chest.
"Thank you. For everything" Korra replied. She lowered her head down to Asami's, and gave her a gentle but affectionate kiss on the cheek. Asami groaned at the contact, then fell silent again. The two began to walk. It took Korra a while to realize that the Spirit World's sky had gone dark, it wasn't until the sun started peaking through the clouds that she had noticed. As they walked, she could feel Asami wriggling.
"That human is going to fall out of your hands" the spirit said, the annoyance masking the caringness in his voice.
"How far are we?" Korra asked, keeping her voice low.
"We're here. Just behind those bushes" he replied. He ran ahead and Korra could hear him yelling "I told you, not while I'm gone! You've been sitting in on my leaf again!" Korra reached the bush and saw a small group of tiny spirits flying away in a hurry. The Oasis, Korra thought, looked almost identical to the one Avatar Wan found when he first met this spirit, only more beautiful. The rocks seemed to shine and glitter a blue and black, while the water glowed a brilliant purple. They stepped over the bridge and onto the tiny island. Korra takes Asami to the edge and jumps down into the water. She slowly lowers her head onto the surface of the water, her hair soaking up the glow.
"Don't worry, she won't sink" the spirit said, reassuring Korra. "But it seems that was a harder knock to the head than I thought"
"I know how to heal using water bending. And with the spirit water, it'll be easy" she replied. Korra let go of Asami, and began to allow her arms to flow around her. The glow of the water started to pulsate, building up around the head. The glow got brighter, then suddenly died down, back to the dimmed lining. Korra lowered her arms to her side, eyes closed. She waited for a moment.
"Stinky..." she heard the spirit say, but she ignored him. She continued to wait, not sure why, but she waited. She knew Asami would be fine, it was only a bump, she would do worse working in the garage. Maybe because it was Asami, maybe because she trusted Korra to look after her in the Spirit World. Was she more upset about her getting hurt, or breaking the trust?
"Korra..." a hand reached out to hers. Korra quickly opened her eyes and looked to Asami, whose smile became a huge comfort to her. Korra leaped forward, holding Asami in her arms, who in turn also held on tightly. "It's all right, I'm fine"
"You were in danger, and it was my fault" Korra choked out.
"But you looked after me. Look at where we are. No matter what happened, we're both fine" Asami comforted. They held onto the hug for a few more moments. Asami looked up from the purple pool, up to the rock and saw the spirit friend. "I think we have an audience" His eyes went a little wide.
"You'll find that this is my home" he spat back at her. The girls parted from the hug, Korra turning to the spirit. "You should be grateful I let you use it"
"Oh c'mon, be nice. I know you have a soft spot for some humans" Korra reasoned. "Asami, this is an old friend of mine"
"And you've never come back to visit!" he yelled.
"Apparently today he likes to be dramatic" Korra laughed. "I'm sorry. I don't know if my other lives remembered you... but Wan wanted me to know" the spirit tried his best not to seem to sentimental at the mention of Wan. He stuck his nose up, which only brought a smile to Korra's face. She turned back to Asami "Are you sure you're ok?"
"Better than ever. Really. My head has never felt this great"
"Yeah... I kind of went over board on the healing... spirit water and all that" Korra blushed. Asami merely smiled back at her and then leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. Before she reached her, Korra turned into her, catching Asami's lips. It was brief, lasting only a moment. Asami pulled back after noticing what had happened.
"That... was new" she finally said.
"I'm sorry, I just-" Korra began.
"No, it was fine. I liked it. It was just my first... er..."
"Girl?" Korra asked.
"Yeah... to think the last lips we both touched were Mako's." The girls giggled, standing up and made their way to the miniature island. The spirit pulled the two out of the water and they sat beneath a large leaf. Asami sat down first, then Korra snuggled up next to her, resting her head on the girls lap. She noticed that her clothes were no longer wet, nor was her hair. "It may not be a book, but this place is still really cool"
"It was more than a book, it was an entire library" the spirit looked up, surprised.
"Library? Surely you don't mean Wan Shi Tong?" he asked, annoyance replaced with concern.
"Yeah" said Asami, quickly. "Korra was telling me about him earlier"
"Stinky... you can't go near him. He's been angrier at humans ever since harmonic convergence. It's likely he'll kill you"
"I guess we'll just have to be careful" Korra thought.
"Because that worked so well today" said the spirit.
"Hey, don't get sassy with me" she snapped back.
"We don't have to see the library, Korra, this place is amazing enough. Let's just enjoy ourselves." Asami said. She brushed Korra's hair back, resting her hand on her cheek. "And... I kinda want to talk to you about... what this is" she smiled when she finished talking. Korra gave a nervous smile in return.
"What do you think it is?" she asked, weakly. She knew exactly how she felt, and she thought she knew how Asami felt. Maybe she misread it. The way the two of them have been over the last few months, Korra couldn't stop thinking about her while she was away for those three years. She started to worry it was just one sided. Maybe Asami was just returning close friendship.
"So I've got to be the one who says it first?" she laughed in reply. Korra's heart jumped, her worries and her hopes felt as if they were racing each other to the finish line, the winner being determined by Asami's next words. "Well... I guess it's new for me... but... I like it. I mean I like... you, Korra" and there it was. The hopes crossed the finish line first. Korra rolled tighter into Asami's body, gripping at her clothes. Asami smiled and brushed at Korra's hair again, pushing a tuft behind her ear.
"I feel the same way" she murmured into Asami's body. Asami may have been smiling, but inside she was scared. She feared that Korra was going to say no, to say sorry. To hear her say those words made a warm sensation wash over her. Asami nudged Korra, inviting her to sit up. Korra obliged and was rewarded with a tight hug. Asami nuzzled into Korra's neck, breathing her in. They both sat happy, enjoying the moment.
"I see..." remarked the spirit "made a third wheel in my own home..." he walked away from the scene, allowing the two to share the moment between them. The moment lasted more than a few seconds, maybe even more than a few minutes. Korra knew the world they were in had different ways of passing time, but maybe this was normal. Eventually Asami pulled back, her arms sliding down Korra's front, allowing Korra to hold onto her still. The two girls stared at each other, not wanting to lose the intensity of what they were feeling. But it was Korra to move first. She inched forwards, making sure not to go too fast. Her blood raced to her head, filling her lips. She couldn't tell if Asami's had done the same, they were always so perfect. She waited for a movement from Asami, then it finally happened. The other girl closed her eyes and moved closer. Before they knew it, their lips met, this time, neither pulled away. They were happy.