New Beginnings
That night they stayed up talking about their feelings for one another, how they knew that they were falling for one another and Korra’s reasons why she had distanced herself from Asami even though she let her see more of her despite that. They laughed a little and some tears were shed, some of sadness and happiness. They had spoken what they always held back before Korra had left.
They both had missed the other during that time and now here they were, Asami in Korra’s arms while she gently scratched at her head with her nails, practically lulling her to sleep. But Asami was determined to stay up longer before exhaustion took over.
“I’m so happy that you’re back.”
“It’s good to be home again, Asami.”
Whether she herself didn’t know it from before but Asami was her home. She would never leave it once again.
She was alive, she was given a chance again to be with everyone. She was holding on tight to this, this new beginning.
While in her head for a bit, she heard soft snores coming from the girl she loved. She looked down to her chest where Asami’s head laid and smiled. She continued her ministrations and soon Asami was in a deep sleep. Now, Korra couldn’t wait for morning to come. And the next one and the next. She laid a kiss to the crown of her head and laid there in bliss.
The window was left open and as the sun rose, Korra and Asami were slowly being bathed in sunlight. Asami did not stir until Korra started laying kisses all over her face. The scrunch of her nose gave way to a smile and green eyes opening. They laid in silence for a few moments. Asami’s hand moved to her lovers cheek and was softly caressing her face. Korra leaned into the touch naturally and spoke a soft good morning.
This moment was theirs and theirs alone.
They stayed that way for a while before getting up to face whatever the day had ahead for them or for Korra.
They walked hand in hand, Asami squeezing Korra’s hand in assurance and for that she was grateful. They were quickly and loudly greeted as they walked into the dining room where everyone was having breakfast. It brought a big grin to both of their faces and sat down with the rest of them.
Korra sat their thinking while everyone ate and talked to each other. There were things she wanted to ask and things she wanted to do. She wanted to ask her parents to tell her who and how she was as a child. If they could recount back to her her own childhood that she has no memories of. Everyone at the table she sure knew had some recollection of their childhoods except for her. There was a point where she just didn’t want to know but now, now she did.
As the Avatar now, she wanted to openly be able to help. For everyone to now know who the Avatar was. Now the white lotus was also something she wanted to do something about. After her mistreatment by them and the way they operated, they should no longer be able to exist. Sure she knew that they weren’t like this in the beginning but when she became the next Avatar and a demon they had changed. They should not be able to run anymore, this she was certain. As she pondered on, Korra had rested the side of her head in her hand, elbow on the table, and her nails had subconsciously just dug into her brain as if she were prodding for something. Which in fact she was.
She had zoned out and the look on her face was dazed with furrowed brows. Korra did not hear the conversations at the table stop or notice all eyes on her or Yushiro trying to hold back a snicker. What got her out of her prodding was the sound of her parent’s voices.
Asami’s hand was holding Korra’s free one and even her squeezing it did not get Korra to snap out of it.
“Korra?” They both said with questioning looks. Their daughter had seemed to be thinking about something and thought it might be important if she was dazed off at the table.
Korra’s hand came out her head with a satisfying pop. She lifted her brows in confusion before the scene in front of her settled in her brain. Everyone looked expectant yet were patient. Yushiro on the other hand was still trying to cover up his snickering.
“What’s on your mind sweetie?” Her mother, sweet as always, had asked.
Korra straightened her back out trying to prepare herself to ask the question she was now ready to ask.
“Can you tell me about my childhood?” She was able to get it out in one breath without stuttering.
The table had quieted again but the look on her parents faces and Katara’s was soft. They nodded their heads as a yes to her question. Korra was now expectant with answers and curious if she was anything like she was when she was little.
She thought her mother was going to start but was quickly mistaken once her father opened his mouth.
“During your waterbending training with Katara you bent a pile of snow on top of her.” That memory flashed into Katara’s mind and chuckled at remembering little Korra apologizing profusely afterwards.
Then her mother spoke after, “You were very impatient and headstrong. You were also very proud and when you found Naga you were very adamant on keeping her.”
“Oh you were also very brash!” Her father exclaimed before continuing, “You wanted to do everything and anything you set your mind to. You also loved to yell ‘I’m the avatar and you gotta deal with it’ around the hut.”
Of course none of these things appeared in Korra’s memories. They were long gone but hearing about who she was brought her comfort. It also brought her more comfort to know that indeed she was like how she was as a child yet more mature now.
“However, you were also a kind and compassionate child.” Her mother said.
Without skipping a beat, her father continued after, “And you still are.”
Of course she won’t deny how much she would’ve liked to have remembered her childhood herself but having it retold to her was more than enough for her. It brought a smile to her face and now new memories to herself but familiar ones to her family now filled that empty spot in her mind.
Breakfast was over but the conversations kept going about her as a child and the things she used to get up to and how her parents had found her and Naga out after a storm had passed. Korra found herself laughing at some of them and getting slightly embarrassed at others but it brought warmth to her heart.
They eventually cleared the table of empty dishes and trays of food and moved on into the living room.
However two certain demons had stayed behind to discuss matters at hand.
Tamayo and Yushiro would use the medicine on themselves to turn back into humans while they would offer the choice to Korra. They would not force her but leave it up for her to decide if turning back into human was what she wanted. It was what Tamayo and Yushiro wanted for themselves and they are both very grateful for Korra’s blood to develop such a cure. It had failed in the past, many failed variations of the medicine even when Aang was around but now it was complete.
Yushiro had waited at the table while Tamayo went to go grab Korra who was currently arm wrestling with Bolin in the living room while Asami and Mako watched, like old times.
Tamayo had no idea how this news would have Korra react but in just a few moments she would know.
She walked in and strode over to Korra, gently laying her hand on her shoulder to grab her attention.
Korra slammed Bolin’s arm down ensuring her easy victory once she felt the hand on her shoulder. She looked over her shoulder to find Tamayo who politely asked if they could speak privately in the other room and who was she to deny her?
She stood up and excused herself but before she could go she kissed Asami on top of her head and then let Tamayo lead the way.
“Everything alright?”
Yushiro just glanced at Tamayo as she held a neutral face, waiting for her to speak. Tamayo and him decided that they would take the medicine later today together but before they would do so they would tell Korra of course and the rest of her family and friends. The medicine was now perfect.
Tamayo started off gently, her voice very soothing.
“You remember how very long ago Yushiro and I had tried to make a medicine to turn demons back into humans?” And currently the only demons walking this earth were the ones in this very room.
Korra nodded her head long.
“Every variation had failed, and we simply stopped but Korra,” she took a pause then. She locked eyes with Korra who could see the bright hope in Lady Tamayo’s eyes. “Because of you we were able to finally complete it.” Korra could see the unshed tears prickling at the sides of her eyes along with Yushiro. No doubt that they have waited decades and longer for this very day.
Then the question came.
“We don’t want to force you to take it with us but Yushiro and I want to give you the option.”
It was now Yushiro who spoke next.
“The choice is entirely yours Korra. Whether you ever thought about this before or not, now you can decide.”
It’s true that Korra was created a demon, just like Tamayo and Yushiro however, Yushiro was dying and Tamayo had given him a choice if he wanted to survive by becoming a demon. Her and Tamayo were never given a choice. It was forcefully put upon them. Korra not once ever asked to become a demon despite later on accepting that was who she was. But now a choice lay in front of her. Korra needed some time to think, alone.
She stood up from the table then. “I want you both to know how happy I am for you, I can’t imagine how long you’ve waited for this day.” And she was sincere about it because really Lady Tamayo never asked for this life and Korra knew that Aang would be happy for them. “I need some alone time to think about this before I can give you two an answer.”
Of course they both understood and they would not rush her.
Korra excused herself from the table, headed towards the front door, put on her boots and left without a word to anyone besides the two she had just spoken to. She walked straight ahead into the early afternoon sun now. Naga sensed that her best friend needed to be alone and sat by the front waiting for when she would return.
Once Korra walked past the gate she had broken, she broke out into a full sprint into the direction of the cliff she was just at. She just ran and ran and ran. Even passing the area of the cliff. She only stopped once she came across a beach area full of otter penguins.
She walked towards the shore and sat down. She was not out of breath of course, she was perfectly fine. She watched the tiny waves reach its way up the shore, the water never coming too close to her covered feet.
Korra had an answer already.
She wanted to be able to grow old with Asami and her friends. She didn’t want to outlive all the people she loved now that she knew she could turn back into a human.
Her answer was an immediate yes back at the table despite wanting time to think.
So here she was thinking about this chance. This choice. It was hers to make and nobody could make her.
She thought to herself that this was a chance for a new beginning for her and she was going to take it.
She stood up then making her way closer to the water up to the point it reached her ankle. For the last time, a bone emerged from the top of her shoulder which came out as sharp as a blade. She pulled the back of her hair together then holding it with one hand and in the other the bone. Holding both tightly, she tilted her head downwards and brought the bone to her hair and in one swift motion cutting it off. She released the hold on her hair.
Her brown hair then fell to the ground and to her face tickling her jaw. She then took a breath which felt freeing. Her other hand released the bone then as she opened her eyes staring at her reflection in the water. Blue eyes with slits, choppy chin length hair, sharp fangs stared back at her. They’d be gone soon enough.
She smiled at her reflection and soon was walking back to the compound which was soon to be no more. It was going to be her fresh start.
It was late and while Tamayo and Yushiro told everyone the news about the medicine and turning back into humans and about Korra they were happy for them and understood that Korra left without a word to be alone.
Asami understood that and yet it was already pretty late while she was in their bedroom (practically) waiting for her to come back. It had been since a bit after breakfast that she’s been gone. During the day she wasn’t worried about Korra but right now she was wondering why she hadn’t come back yet. She swung her legs off the bed now sitting at the edge ready to go grab some tea so she didn’t fall asleep but then stopped when she heard the door slide open.
The muscular young woman she was waiting for all day stepped through the sliding door quietly with her head down no doubt thinking she was asleep. Asami had noticed the haircut from behind and once the woman turned around, she was able to get a full view of Korra’s new choppy cut.
As handsome as ever, she thought.
Or so she did until she saw a bright blush appear on Korra and shyly turn her head away.
She had definitely not meant to say it out loud, but she knew she would’ve sooner or later.
“It suits you.”
Korra then turned her head fully back to Asami when she spoke and had the softest and most loving smile on her face.
“Thanks.” She then crossed the distance between them and laid a soft kiss on Asami’s lips before laying her head on her shoulder. Asami’s hand came up to Korra’s head playing with her new hair. Asami did not ask any questions and just enjoyed Korra melting into their embrace.
After a moment of silence she spoke.
“I’m going to become human again, Asami.” Asami nodded her head and hummed in acknowledgment of Korra’s declaration. She would support whatever decision she wanted to do. “I’ll stay by your side when it happens.”
Korra hugged her lover a bit tighter and snuggled into her more. “Thank you.”
Asami then pulled her onto the bed and into the covers. Limbs intertwining and Korra resting her head into Asami’s chest. With Korra safe in her arms she slowly drifted off to sleep while Korra laid awake lightly scratching Asami’s back while she slept.
In the morning she’d consume the medicine and undergo the transformation. She wondered if it would hurt or not. She knew Tamayo and Yushiro had taken it today and so in the morning she would leave her trust in them to guide her through it.
Morning came slower to Korra, probably because she wondered than worried the entire night. She knew when Asami had woken up when her lover squeezed her hand. They cuddled for a while before getting up. Korra had opted for no shirt over her bandaged chest and then walked hand in hand towards the room Korra was kept while she was asleep. Asami had mentioned that that was where Tamayo and Yushiro would be.
The door was opened as they got there, noticing everyone inside including the once before demons.
Korra had let go of Asami’s hand then, walking to them both. She was now staring at Tamayo and Yushiro with no demon features. Their pupils came back, the fangs went away, and they looked so so damn happy. She engulfed them in a hug which was returned full force.
“I believe I’m next you two.” They lifted their heads up and smiled.
This was their new beginning and now it was Korra’s time.
She laid down in a futon and made herself comfy. She swallowed almost nervously as Tamayo prepared to inject her with the medicine. Her parents and her loved ones stood by sending her reassuring smiles and Asami was on her right side holding her hand.
As Tamayo brought the syringe to Korra arms, “I’m not sure how you will take it since I can’t guarantee that you will have the same experience as Yushiro and I but we’ll be watching over you.” Her eyes met Asami’s briefly when she spoke the last of sentence which was also meant for her. Yushiro brought over a bowl filled with water and some small towels incase for Korra.
Korra was ready, more than ready. She nodded her head for Tamayo to go ahead and laid her head back down, eyes towards the ceiling and hand squeezing Asami’s. She closed her eyes as the needle broke through the skin and entered her body. She was out right when Tamayo pulled the needle out.
As the hours passed Korra had started to run an extremely high fever. All they could do to ease the discomfort, if Korra had felt any, was putting cold towels on her forehead and removing the sheet covering her. Korra had not made any movement during the time besides the steady rise and fall of her chest. When her fever had begun, she did not even stir even when it got worse. Tamayo was a bit concerned that she hadn’t even made tiny movement except for breathing.
Korra however felt practically numb and the feeling of something coursing through her entire being. For a time being it was steady and then it went erratic from time to time, which on the outside was the start of her fever. And then that erratic feeling stayed and with it joined the feeling of something coursing through her entire being with the pain of being slashed at.
She began to cold sweat to the eyes of the people watching over her.
Korra began to feel uncomfortable. She felt the need to escape from this feeling, to run away. But she could not.
She felt pinned down now as if she was being forced to see something. And what happened next came to hit her full force.
Her childhood up until that fateful night flashed before her.
Lady Tamayo, Yushiro and Asami took note of the tears streaming down Korra’s face. Her face had even contorted into a look of severe pain. She started to stir lightly.
The entire events of how she met Naga, the day she found out she was the Avatar and how excited she was, all the water bending lessons with Katara to the messes she did as a kid. It was like a movie or more like she was experiencing all of this firsthand.
She had started to move more jerkily and clawed at her face trying to put pressure on all this pain and her memories coming full force. The three of them tried to hold her down but she was too strong to hold down. Korra was now on her stomach trying to curl upwards into herself sobbing a bit vocally now.
It was all too much for Korra and she wanted to wake up.
She was starting to gain her conscience back. She was now aware of her limbs and their movements which was trying to claw at the wooden flow beneath her.
On the brightside of this, she’d be able to scream that she remembers.
Korra’s nails were now clawless and in turn were bleeding as she continued to claw at the floor. Her sharp canines had become less longer and more shorter but still there. The demon like features on her face vanished and so did the slits in her eyes as they were slowly opening up into the world. It was blurry as she started to open her eyes, the tears crowding her vision. She had stopped clawing at the ground and instead bunched her hands into a fist tightly. Her breathing was fast, panicky.
The vines on her body started to go along but what stayed was the mark of Raava. Looking as if it belonged there.
Korra now more conscious tried to speak.
With choked sobs and sharp intakes of breath, “I remember.” She let the arms grabbing her body pull her back and into the arms of someone. She looks up with tears in her eyes, vision slightly blurry and yells roughly, “I remember all of it.” She then leans back into the arms that feel familiar and tries to steady her breathing.
Asami holds her while Lady Tamayo checks out Korra and asks for Kya to heal Korra’s bloody fingertips.
At the loud outburst from Korra, it was loud enough that her parents had heard along with everyone else who wasn’t in the room.
Hearing that Korra had gotten her memories back put smiles on all their faces.
Kya had healed her fingertips, Tamayo checked out Korra and with a smile said she did it. Korra was human again and Asami was happy for her.
Korra felt like she got thrown really hard while also landing really hard. Her breathing started to level out and she started noticing how different she felt. She could hear the thrum of something in her body. She could feel the blood moving through her veins. Her heart was beating. She felt warm because of her now moving blood along with her fire bending energy. She took a deep breath and felt it reach the bottom of her lungs. Breathing out she couldn’t help the small smile she started to make.
Hands were gently rubbing her arms and she turned her head to a figure that looked like Tamayo. She blinked the tears away and her vision finally focused on Lady Tamayo who held a gentle smile. “We did it.” Her smile grew bigger, almost goofy looking and Lady Tamayo and Yushiro returned it back.
They were finally human again and the world was now free of demons. She did it.
Tamayo allowed everyone else in the room slowly since Korra was still regaining her senses.
The hands she felt were Asami’s she now knew. She was still laid on her and she squeezed her hand and the action returning back to her. A gentle kiss was laid on top of her head and she breathed in contentment.
This was her new beginning. Surrounded by her friends and family, in her lovers arms and just being surrounded by the people who created a big impact in her life. Her now beating heart and apparently also the grumbling of her stomach that everyone definitely just heard. Albeit a bit sweaty, Korra felt good and so sure of herself.
Korra got her fill on food afterwards and savored each thing she ate. She could now taste things and savor them. It was a very pleasant shock to her senses. Towards the night she spoke with Tenzin about the white lotus going forward. Tenzin fully supported her decision and agreed.
Korra didn’t need nor did the next Avatar need those type of people.
She didn’t wait a second more to act on it.
They grunted in disagreement, but she did not care like how they didn’t about her. She held them with a cold glare that held daggers in them. Some flinched and some started to leave, accepting the new. They were not needed and decided that the next Avatar after needed someone better than them. Whenever that time came of course.
It went without a hitch and soon found herself back in bed with Asami as sleep was catching up to her.
Over the course of the next few months, Korra was back in Republic City. Along with Tamayo and Yushiro who continued working at the hospital with Kya. Her friends and family returned back to their jobs while Korra at first was just getting started.
When they had first came back, they announced her identity as the Avatar in front of city hall and there were lots of questions that she certainly didn’t want to answer. Such as where had she been all this time and what she had been doing. Thankfully, Asami was there to cut the reporters short and end the questions.
After that, she’d been helping citizens out in all the nations. Sometimes she’d be gone for periods of time but when she came back to the apartment that her and Asami had begun living in she was home. Even when Asami came home late at night from Future Industries or she was asleep on the couch waiting for Korra, she was home.
Korra was much happier now where she was at in life. Living life her way and nobody elses.
Her and Asami had now been together for half a year and Korra decided to take her to where she had stayed in that forrest. It had seemed fitting to her because she wanted Asami to see all of her, even when she was gone.
It was the night of their anniversary. During the day they had slept in, mostly because mornings were evil according to Korra and Asami had started picking up a bit on her girlfriends sleeping habits. Just a little bit.
They left that afternoon to the forest and stopping at the base where they would walk all the way up. Korra wasn’t nervous on the way there, Asami had held her hand the entire drive there. But now as they inched closer and closer to where she used to live, she started to feel a little nervous. Her hand in Asami’s started to feel sweaty and she hoped that she didn’t notice or if she did, she just brushed it off.
Asami however could notice that her girlfriend was feeling nervous as they made their way closer. She knew a quick squeeze of her hand wouldn’t do much so she instead held her hand a little tighter and pecked her on the cheek that lingered a bit.
It’d be an understatement if Korra didn’t admit that the action practically made her melt. Asami simply had that effect on her.
She was a bit less nervous now thanks to her girlfriend and made the rest of their way up with no hitch.
As they arrived, Korra noticed that the little abandoned house she once lived in had not changed a bit. The trees around had her claw marks on them and Asami walked up to one of them to trace the pattern. Korra had done them same. That was no longer her anymore.
The afternoon quickly had turned into night and the moon was full, shining bright. Korra led Asami to that cliff she had jumped off once and sat down looking at the stars together.
They sat in a comfortable silence for a while before Korra broke the silence.
“I used to think about you all the time out here, especially when the moon was big.” A hand landed atop hers and she met Asami’s beautiful green eyes before continuing. “I was always so close yet so far from everyone. I wanted to forget you all so badly, but I couldn’t.”
Korra tore her gaze away from Asami to the view in front of her. “And I’m glad I didn’t because I’m here now with you and everyone. Especially you.” Korra interlaced their fingers together. “I wouldn’t want it any other way Asami.”
“Neither would I. Despite everything, I’m glad you’re here. That we’re here together.”
Asami laid her head on Korra’s shoulder, in contentment. In love.
“Call me brash but I wouldn’t mind not one bit with spending the rest of our lives together.” Asami looked up at her girlfriend who was already looking at her with that crooked smile she loved so much. She returned it but with a kiss sealing the deal. They both smiled into the kiss and Asami’s words reached her lips. “I think I’m in love with that idea.” They laid there till the sun rose up in each other’s arms.
This was their new beginning.