The Rebellion Within

Chapter 19: Valley of Thoughts

Asami gritted her teeth attempting to bandage a soldier's wounded arm, failing to get the initial grip going. She could feel the soldier's eyes on her, studying her and he sighed in relief when Asami finally started properly bandaging; murmuring an almost inaudible 'sorry'. It wasn't usual for her to be this sloopy, in fact, she almost hated herself for it. She knew, though, that bad days were natural; to not beat herself for it. Yet, alas, the mind was such a traitorous thing; our swore mortal enemy and Asami knew this too all too well.

"The first day is always hard." The older soldier said, and Asami flickered her gaze from his arm to his eyes. He stared up at her and gently smiled at her. "I got here a few years ago and the first day on the battlefield was hard...the first kill was worse." He sighed. "So, I know what you're feeling right now."

"You're kind." Asami smiled back, wrapping along the forearm. "But this isn't my first day." She wrapped up to his shoulder, then moved to examine his head injury; cleaning it with gauze and a disinfectant solution. "You might need stitches, it looks too deep."

"Asami do you need some sewing supplies? I'm getting some myself." Jinora spoke from her right side and Asami nodded at her with a smile.

"I'll get the next ones, I promise."

"I know you will." They both chuckled and Jinora stood up to gather the supplies.

"So then...your mind is somewhere else." The soldier had sat back against the bed frame when Asami looked at him and she gave him a small shrug; reaching over to keep cleaning his wound.

She had both the option to dismiss his comment or use him to vent away her problems, which seemed morally wrong. Yet, what were the odds of her seeing him again? It's been, after all, a few weeks since the whole fiasco with Mako and Asami wasn't exactly particular of the whole situation. Mako came over to the hospital more often than before to both sell the whole charade to gossiping eyes and to hear Asami's explanation of the business he'll be taking over. Which meant that Korra could barely stop by if she didn't have to speak with Katara; and when she did, she would barely make eye contact with Asami while inside the hospital. She'd even throw playful glares towards the nurse, earning some of her own to sell the whole thing further; which worked considering that the other nurses asked questions and gossiped about the whole thing. Yet, when everyone was asleep or beyond busy to notice, they'd sneak out and spend time under their tree. It was easier when Opal, Jinora, Kuvira and Bolin were on the whole thing. Both the nurses would cover for Asami, Bolin would turn a blind eye when Korra and Asami ran past the security perimeter, and Kuvira would keep Mako entertained in Tetuán for a few more hours.

Which Mako may have figured out within the third time Kuvira tried it.

She then decided to amuse the soldier with the watered down version of what was happening. "I do, actually. Just been having some relationship problems..." Asami trailed off and took the supplies from Jinora with a warm 'thank you'. "Nothing that can be solved in due time."

"They say that God's time is perfect. That the best thing He ever did was a day after the other." He said, wincing at the pain of the stitching, while Asami considered his words carefully.

She really wanted to believe it, and she did at some extent. Yet, it was so tiring and heart aching to not have Korra at the tip of her fingertips like before. It made the time they spent together more priceless, more intimate, yes, but she'd rather have all those almost 24/7. Korra, on the other hand, seemed pretty okay with the whole situation; almost as if she was used to it. She'd come over, have one of her soldiers -Kuvira if she was around- hand a small piece of paper to Jinora or Opal; who would then hand it to Asami, telling her to meet her at the tree. She's always waiting with a smile on her face, and welcomes her with the warmth of the sun.