Time To Heal

Chapter Two

Asami awoke with a start, feeling someone beside her who was clinging loosely to the front of her gown. It was only when the boat lurched lightly that she recalled where she was and why she was there.

Glancing down she felt the corners of her mouth pull up as she found that Korra was curled up beside her, a peaceful look on her face for what had to have been the first time in weeks.

The memory of how broken that the young Avatar had been the previous night flashed through her mind and the comment of suicide caused her mind to darken as her thoughts turned to her best friend actually going through with ending her own life.

I won’t let that happen Korra. I am not about to lose my best friend….I can’t lose another person.

She silently vowed just as a slight shudder shot through the bronze skinned girl who slowly opened her eyes and blushed.

“Asami. How….Why are we in the same bed?” Korra stammered, quickly releasing her grip on the heiress’s gown and putting some distance between them the best that she could.

“You had a nightmare and I guess we both ended up falling asleep afterward.” Asami answered, standing up and starting to get ready to face the day.

“You must think I’m pathetic. Waking up in the middle of the night crying like that. That’s why I didn’t want you to come with me. I mean I’m the avatar….I should be able to get through this!” Korra’s voice suddenly growled out after a few minutes of thick silence.

The outburst caused Asami to stiffen, wondering if the other girl really thought as badly of herself as she seemed to whenever she spoke.

“Korra, No one thinks badly of you. After what you’ve been through anyone would have nightmares.” The Engineer replied carefully, hoping not to cause her friend to snap at her like so many times before.

“What about Raiko? Don’t pretend that he and Tenzin don’t think I’m useless as the protector! Hell, Tenzin even said that the air nation could do a better job than I could with the earth kingdom!” Korra retorted; her voice raising with each word until she was practically yelling.

“That’s not what he meant…” Asami began, only to be cut off by a glare.

“No, everyone’s right. I am a useless Avatar…Bound to a wheelchair. Waking up in tears every night like a toddler and going back home while I am needed in the Earth Kingdom.” The southerner spit out each word as her body began to shake with emotion.

Unsure of what to do Asami just stood there, one part of her wanting to comfort her but another warning against it.

“You need a break. You need to be able to focus on getting better without all the distractions.” She finally said, kneeling down beside the bed and placing a hand on the southerner’s arm, only to feel her go rigid at the contact.

Suddenly tear filled azure eyes met emerald as the shorter of the two lightly slid out of the touch.