Winding Legacies: A 'The Legend of Korra' Rewrite

Episode 11: The Ultimatum Part 2

"You know we still have a lot to talk about."

Zai thinly smiled as she traced her thumb over Asami's scar. Her breath shortened as she noticed the trembling of her fingers. She still hadn't fully shaken what Aiwei had done.

"We do, but after all that's happened, can't we just take a moment for ourselves?" Despite the burning questions prickling her mind, Asami understood Zai's hesitation. She couldn't imagine what she had gone through, and talking about things related to it certainly wouldn't help.

"Then let's talk about something else. Or maybe you don't want to talk at all." Asami couldn't help her grin at Zai's chuckle. She could see the firebender genuinely contemplate the offer for a moment before she lightly shook her head.

"Don't tempt me like that, gorgeous." Zai curled herself deeper underneath the blanket Asami had wrapped around them, rolling her shoulder so her back laid flat against the bed. "Not when we have important things to discuss."

Asami furrowed her brows as she scooted closer to Zai. Setting her chin onto Zai's chest, said, "Like what?"

"Like the fact that I am not going with you guys to the temple." She didn't know what kind of reaction to expect from Asami, she figured that after everything Asami would be upset that they were going separate ways. But the kind look in her eyes dispelled any of the doubts in her mind.

Zai let out a soft breath. "Are you going to stay here?" Asami asked.

"I was thinking that I might take Zhu Li back to Republic City. I figured that it was the least I could do after everything."

Asami understood why she needed to get away. She hadn't signed up for threats like Zaheer like Team Avatar had. And, if she was being honest, part of her wish she was leaving too. More than before, Asami was beginning to understand just how dangerous the world could be. "I think that sounds really nice, Zai."

"I am going to miss fighting by your side though. You're really formidable, you know that?"

"Of course. I am very well trained, after all," Asami grinned.

Zai laughed and Asami closed her eyes to soak in the sound of it echoing in her ears. She would spend hours burning the memory of Zai into her brain if she could. Opening her eyes suddenly dulled out the world of color that Zai had pained in her mind. She was reminded that this moment wasn't one they could hide in forever, it was one that was at risk of being ruined at any given moment. Shakily, she said, "I don't know what I would have done if you—"

Zai slid her arm underneath Asami's side and pulled her on top of her chest. Tucking Asami's hair behind her ear, Zai didn't even have to say a word. Asami could see it written plainly in her eyes: she had felt the exact same thing that night after the accident.

"I swear, I never wanted you to experience anything like that."

Asami's brows furrowed. She had no idea what Zai meant by what she said or why she had such a sunken look in her eyes, but the rise and fall of Zai's chest calmed her mind to the point where she didn't ask. Instead, she felt her eyes flutter closed and let a peaceful feeling wash over her for the first time in a while.

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Korra had been shouting for Zaheer for ages but he never showed. She honestly felt like she could rip her hair straight out of her head, but that wouldn't do her any good. She'd just be bald and helpless.

"You look troubled, Korra." Her head shot upward.

"Iroh? What are you doing here?"

"I was searching for a teapot for my collection, but it seems that I have found you instead. It is funny how in the Spirit World, one always seems to find something that they didn't know they were looking for."