Chapter 1 : What past is not past

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It was a fine day on Air Temple Island, as a warm breeze carried the smell of the ocean. A thin cloud blocked the sunlight making the courtyard cool enough to hang around in. To seize the opportunity of such nice weather, Asami wheeled Korra to a flower garden for some sunlight and fresh air.

The other airbenders on the island were busy with training or answering the press; who didn't seem to understand the concept of isolation or privacy, as they had been here every day since the official announcement of the Air Nation. Tenzin, Jinora, and the other students were using most of their patience, so as not to soil the reputation of a newly born nation by blowing the entirety of the annoying press off the shore. Although a week ago, Kai had almost beaten one of the journalists with his glider for making fun of Jinora's baldness.

Mako had just gotten a promotion and rarely left the police station. Bolin was currently staying in Zaofu with Varrick, discussing about a new propaganda film in an effort to help sustain the situation in Ba Sing Se. They said something about it being a sequel to 'The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South'.

Tonraq had to go back to the south pole to govern the tribe. At first, Senna wanted to stay with Korra but decided to go back to help her husband. While she does worry, she knows that her daughter will be in good care, since Katara herself now stays on the island to prepare healing sessions for Korra once a week.

Needless to say, taking care of Korra has become a full-time job for Asami. She helps the Avatar on a daily basis, accompanying her while she goes to healing sessions, and spending every bit of free time she has to give Korra moral support, either just to chit chat or take her to watch the sunset by the beach. The Avatar, who at first felt a little bit gloomy seeing everyone barely having enough time for her, has come to appreciate the level of personal care she received from Asami.

Korra inhaled a deep breath of fresh air as the tulips swayed like a colorful wave in the passing breeze. Asami takes her to the middle of the garden so she's surrounded by all the flowers. The Avatar may still look feeble and crippled, but she is in far better condition than she was in the first three weeks. The bags under her eyes are almost gone, and she can eat solid food, even if it's only a limited amount. While it still feels exhausting to move her body, it no longer causes her any pain or ache.

"Her recovery may be slow, but it's all just part of her physical condition. Her mental condition is as good as it can be. It's only a matter of time before she can walk again." Katara's words made Asami smile as she picked up a tulip and gave it to Korra. The Avatar tries sniffing at the relaxing scent that the flower exudes, but her senses are still a little numb from whatever poison the Red Lotus used on her.

"I could almost smell the sweetness of the petal...almost."

Even in disappointment, Korra still tucks the flower behind her ear before she feels a smooth palm on her shoulder. Asami nods her head a little so she could whisper in Korra's ear, "Don't worry. Your senses will return soon."

"Hope so, the food can't be as good as it is if my tongue can't taste anything," Korra tries to speak with a cheerful tone, though it still sounds raspy and is barely louder than a whisper.

Asami knows better than to continue their conversation and just stands beside the wheelchair; letting Korra close her eyes as another low breeze blows past the garden, losing herself in the moment of the silent and peaceful day.

"Miss Sato!"

The heiress was not expecting the moment to last forever, but she wishes it could have lasted a little longer without being interrupted so roughly with a yell from one of the White Lotus guards that was running towards them. Korra was spooked a little by the sudden loud noise but Asami pats her shoulder softly to calm her down.

"Yes?" Asami tries to hide the irritation in her voice.

This guard looks quite young and seems to have a lot to learn about proper behavior, "Your presence is required at the temple, ma'am. The press is waiting for you there."

"What does the press want with me?"

The guard glances swiftly at Korra, Asami understanding the meaning and immediately snapped before he could answer, "I thought everyone agreed not to give any info about the Avatar to the press yet. She's still in recovery and needs her privacy!"

"I know, ma'am. But master Tenzin said that today we should give them a few details so the press would stop asking. He thinks you should be the one to give an interview since you know what should or shouldn't be told."

The heiress sighs heavily. She is considers for a moment before turning to whisper to Korra, who had given her a curious look during the entire conversation since she couldn't hear well enough to know what they were talking about. Asami explains the entire situation about the press, "I'll just go tell them something pointless so they can shut up for a while."

"Try to be polite with them, Asami. You and your company do have a reputation to keep."

Korra raised her hand to touch the heiress' cheek gently. She knows Asami is upset with the press for continually trying to intervene on her privacy, and while Korra appreciates her concern, she also doesn't want Asami to overreact or say something mean to the public that she would later regret.

"It won't take long. I'll be right back," Asami kisses Korra's eyelid softly before turning around and walking out of the garden, leaving the Avatar with a young guard who looked a little bit disturbed by the intimacy of the two women.

"You...must be tired from all of this attention, Miss Avatar," The young guard spoke loudly so the Avatar could hear, since he didn't feel comfortable whispering behind her ear like Asami had done.

"A little, but I'll always prefer being annoyed to being lonely any day. At least the attention means that some of them still care about me."

"You have such an optimistic point of view, Miss Avatar."

"Thanks, optimistic is what I need to get through this rough time."

"You have been through many challenges in the past before, Miss Avatar. I'm confident you can get through this one as well."

While his words were like honey to her ears, Korra started to feel exhausted from speaking too much so she cut their conversation short with silence. She took a deep breath and stared openly at the horizon with a pale smile, waiting for Asami to return.

"But of course, you never know when the PAST will come back to bite you later..." the once mild, gentle tone had suddenly shifted to a cold piercing voice as the young man whispered to himself, knowing the Avatar couldn't hear him since she was no longer paying attention to her surroundings.

His right hand slipped under his White Lotus uniform before slowly pulling it back out with an electric glove in place. The blue glowing spark from the glove's palm failed to catch Korra's eye. She couldn't even feel the menacing grin on the face of the person behind her. The suspicious guard whispers while moving his finger with joyful excitement.

"It's time for you to finally get equalized, Miss Avatar."

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