Chapter Text
“These gang of benders,” Hiroshi Sato spits. “They took away your mother, my love. My soulmate!”
You have your arm protectively around your little sister Asami. You can be strong for the both of you. Your father’s words circle in your mind. Benders... In particular a Firebender who broke in. A Firebender like you...
“Where did they take Mom?” she asks looking between you both.
Your father’s eyes slide closed.
“Mom is...” You swallow the lump in your throat. “Mom has gone to the spirit world and can’t come back home.”
Your father’s shoulders drop slightly.
“Can we go visit her instead?”
“No 'Sami,” you say gently. “Well, not for a long time anyway. One day we will see her again.”
“Oh...” Asami says with a frown.
Your father crouches down to her level. “Asami, she loved you so much, remember that always,” he says with a sad smile. “Why don’t you go find your favourite toy car to play with?”
“Okay Dad,” she says, turning to kiss your cheek before exiting the room.
You remain standing with your shoulders back waiting for your father to say something to you.
He stands and waits until your sister is well and truly gone before he speaks. “I have made arrangements for you to go to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls.”
Your mind races, you know that’s in the Fire Nation. But Republic City is your home. “But...why?”
“I can not have a dangerous firebending prodigy under the same roof as my baby girl,” he replies, looking down his nose at you.
You refuse to show him any weakness. “When do I leave?” You raise your chin.
“The day after the funeral,” he answers.
“I will do the Sato name proud,” you say holding back the trembling from your voice.
“No,” he calmly says. “You will not go by that name while you are there. I have enrolled you under your middle name. You will stay out of trouble, your grades up and keep away from your sister. I can not lose her too.”
Asami may be three years younger than you but you two are joined at the hip. It’s as if you have been struck by a fleet of Satomobiles, then backed over for good measure.
“Won’t people ask where I am?” you ask softly.
His eyebrow raises “You were deeply affected by the attack and have retreated from public to recover.”
You nod as your shoulders drop.
“I suggest you start packing,” your father says, he turns his back on you.
“Yes Father...” you respond quietly before leaving for your bedroom.
Present day.
Your finger traces the soulmate mark on your forearm. It’s a Water Tribe symbol with the letter K next to it.
The symbol of their ethnicity and the first letter of their name.
The symbol appears on your fifth birthday.
If they are named the letter appears at the same time as the symbol, if they haven’t, it appears when they are.
It softly glows when you meet them.
In Republic City it has become common to have a different ethnicity from your own. It really is a centre for all nationalities to live in peace and harmony.
Just because they’re your soulmate doesn’t necessarily mean they will be your lover. Some people are simply friends with the person.
Funnily enough your little sister has the exact same mark as you. Speaking of...
My dearest big sister,
I received your last letter with joy. It must be amazing seeing all the places you get to travel with the Fire Nation military. Your sketch of the volcano is now hanging on my wall.
Did you go to the beach on Ember Island? Remember when we’d have family holidays there as kids? Are the Ember Island Players still terrible?
You let out a small chuckle before your eyes drift over the word ‘family’. You let out a breath.
I helped Dad design the new race car. I took it for a test drive yesterday. Still need to work out some minor kinks but it should be ready for the next race.
You smile 'Oh 'Sami... Never change.’
“Who's got you smiling like that?”
You look up from the page, holding the paper against your uniform jacket.
“Secret lover?” your bunkmate asks, waggling their eyebrows.
“No,” you scoff. “It’s-it’s my little sister.”
“Is she hotter than you? Do you think you could introduce...?”
You send a small burst of flame towards them, cutting the sentence off. “Hard, don’t-even-think-about-it,” you state firmly.
“Alright, alright. No need to take my eyebrows,” they hold their hands up.
“Might be an improvement,” you mutter to yourself.
“Hey!” they exclaim. “I heard that.”
“It’s so good to see you!” Asami wraps her arms around you as soon as you step into your family estate.
“You too.” You wrap your arms around her and breathe in the scent that is Asami. This feels like home.
“How long are you in town for?” she asks moving back to look at you.
“Why? What have you got planned?” you ask instead of answering her question.
~~
“Stop fidgeting with it,” Asami says.
“This formal uniform isn’t broken-in yet,” you say tugging at the stiff collar.
“Come on, it will be fun going to the gala to honour the Avatar,” Asami says cheerily, flicking her long raven locks over her shoulder.
You check your regulation topknot is neat in the mirror. You pick up the metal hairpiece that adorns your topknot.
Asami takes it from your hand. “We might even meet our soulmates there.” She places it neatly into your hair with nimble fingers.
You catch her eyes in the reflection as you raise an eyebrow. “I thought you were dating that guy, what’s his name? M. M...Maru?”
“It’s Mako,” she corrects you. “And it’s not like you haven’t dated people who aren’t your soulmate.” She steps back.
You turn to face her. “I'm not judging you,” you counter. “Is he Fire Nation?”
“Yes,” Asami answers then looks away.
“Is it serious?”
“It’s...new,” she says, her cheeks flush.
“Is he a Firebender?” you ask softly.
She meets your eyes. “Yes, can we drop it now?”
You hold up your hands “Whatever you say Salami.”
“Don’t call me that.” She punches you in the shoulder.
“Ouch,” you say with a smirk. She raises her fist again. “Alright, alright, I won’t call you Salami.” You take a few large steps to escape her reach.
“You’re lucky I’m wearing heels!” she calls out after you.
“Mr Sato, sir,” you say, bowing to your father when you bump into him at the gala.
His eyes swiftly rake you up and down. “Captain looks good on you.” His lips pull together.
“Dad...” Asami says hushed.
“Miss Sato, it is a pleasure as always,” you cut her off before giving a formal bow. The eyebrow twitch from your father doesn’t go unnoticed by you. “And who is this young gentleman?” you ask as a tall dark haired boy approaches.
“This is Mako,” Asami says before introducing you.
You bow “Pleasure to meet you Mako.”
“Yeah, it’s...” He scratches the back of his neck.
“Hey bro!” a shorter, stocker boy says before wrapping Mako in a bear hug.
“Uh, this is my younger brother Bolin,” Mako says awkwardly before giving your name to his brother.
“How do you know Asami?” Bolin asks looking over your uniform.
“We are childhood friends,” you answer smoothly.
“Yeah, some may say we’re as close as sisters,” Asami adds with a small smile directed at you.
“If you’ll excuse me,” your father says raising an eyebrow at you both before leaving.
“What’s up with him?” Bolin asks.
This kid appears to not have a filter between his brain and his mouth.
“Mr Sato would prefer it if we weren’t such close friends,” you answer quietly.
“Oh...” Bolin says “Why?”
“It’s a long story,” Asami answers. “Mako and Bolin are both pro-benders.”
You pause to think. “Oh, the Fire Ferrets?”
“Yes,” Mako says. “Future Industries is going to sponsor us.”
“It’s going to be so awesome,” Bolin says before he starts talking Asami's ear off.
You glance at them before back to the Firebender “Shall we get drinks?”
“Uh, yeah okay,” Mako says with a nod.
“Is this the part where you warn me about hurting her?” he asks when you’re out of earshot.
You turn to him with a blank expression. “No,” you say calmly.
He lets out the breath he was holding.
“If you hurt her, she will destroy you,” you say with a low tone.
His eyebrows shoot up.
“I will stop anyone who tries to stop her from doing so,” you say with the same calm tone.
His jaw goes slack.
“Better take these back to Asami and Bolin,” you say, motioning the drinks in your hands as you smile.
“Hey Korra!” Mako says noticing her in the crowd.
“Mako hey...” the Avatar dressed in her formal Water Tribe dress answers. You look to her left at the older lady wearing a similar outfit to the Avatar. “This is Kya. She is one of my waterbending masters and Tenzin's sister.”
“Lovely to meet you Master Kya,” Bolin says giving a small bow. He introduces Asami and you to them.
Asami looks down at the mark on her arm, you see it beginning to glow. She looks up at you wide-eyed, her eyes dart to your arm.
“What the...?” Korra is looking at her own arm. She peels back one of her navy coloured sleeves.
You glance down at your forearm, and pull the jacket sleeve up. Your own soulmate mark is glowing.
“Oh my goodness!” Bolin exclaims, he points between the Avatar and you and your sister. “You guys are soulmates!”
“Bo!” Mako scolds. “Not so loud.”
You look at Asami. “You can’t share a soulmate...right?”
Korra's eyebrows furrow “What do you mean?”
Asami and you hold out your matching marks for the Avatar to see.
“Oh...” Korra says “So you’re both Fire Nationals?”
“Yes,” you answer in synch.
“They’re childhood friends,” Bolin stage whispers to the Water Tribe teen when she pulls another face.
“I mean, of course you are. You’re both wearing Fire Nation colours...” the Avatar says face palming.
Asami and you share a glance with a small smile.
“Don’t you have the letter of the first name?” Mako asks.
Korra scratches the back of her neck. “I had an accident when I was four, it caused a scar where the letter appears so I only knew the Fire Nation part,” she says sheepishly.
“I think I may be able to help, Korra show them your mark,” Kya says before peeling back her own sleeve.
You’re drawn to the mature woman's sparkling blue eyes.
“How exactly will this help?” Bolin asks. Man he really has no filter at all.
“The mark’s glow changes when you hold them near your soulmate,” Kya explains.
“You know this doesn’t necessarily...” Asami turns to Mako.
“I know,” Mako cuts Asami off. “But who am I to stand in the way of the spirits.”
“But why are...? Oh you’re glowing too!” Bolin exclaims when he sees the older Waterbender's mark glowing. “Being silent now,” he says after Mako gives him another scowl.
“Ladies first,” you say to Asami.
She takes a breath in before placing her arm next to the Avatar's.
“Oh wow, that’s a neat effect,” Korra comments as the glowing fades to a different colour.
“Huh,” Asami says.
“The Avatar...” your father says looking down at Asami and Korra's arms.
“Oh, hey Dad. Meet Avatar Korra,” Asami says “My soulmate.”
“Hello Mr Sato,” Korra says with a small bow.
Hiroshi's eyebrows almost reach his hairline, he glances at you.
You ignore the subtle look he gave you. You move your arm next to Kya's, the marks change the same way Asami and Korra’s did.
“Master Kya, meet Hiroshi Sato, my uh...” you trip over your words. “My friend Asami's father.”
There is a twinkle in those hypnotic blue eyes, she looks between you and your little sister. “Childhood friends? No. You two are family.”
Hiroshi stands up straighter “What are you talking about?”
“When friends are so close, they become family,” Kya says with a soft smile.
“Oh, yes. Very true,” he says with a nod. “It’s lovely to meet you both,” your father smiles at the Water Tribe women. “I hope your stay in Republic City is enjoyable.”
“It’s been really eye-opening so far,” Korra beams.
“Be sure to go to ‘Flameo Hotman' in the Fire District. I like their spicy roast elephant-rat,” you say.
“Elephant-rat?” Bolin says with his jaw wide open.
Kya smirks.
“Yes, it was something I became accustomed to in my survival training. It’s not as bad as it sounds,” you explain further.
Asami giggles behind her hand. “They have good tea there, it’s not all strange dishes.”
Hiroshi looks down his nose at you. “A word Captain,” he says clipped before turning his back and making his way to an exit.
“Excuse me,” you say with a reassuring smile to the group before following him. You know better than to keep him waiting.
Asami bites her bottom lip as she watches you leave.
“Man, he really doesn’t like your friend,” Bolin comments.
Hiroshi opens a door, holding it open with one arm.
You walk past him with your head held high, like you were trained at the Academy.
“I thought I made it clear,” he says after closing the door.
“I haven’t breathed a word to anyone,” you defend. “But like I’ve been telling you since you sent me away, you can’t erase me like I never existed. We were a family of four, not three like you cling to.”
Hiroshi huffs.
“I am the mysterious recluse, some say I was horribly disfigured by the attack. Others wonder if I ever really existed.”
“I’m warning you...” His finger raises, pointing at your face.
“Do you know how hard it is to hear stupid rumours about yourself and have to hold your tongue?” you continue, ignoring his tone. “My favourite is, I am responsible for the death and am currently imprisoned under the mansion.”
Hiroshi back hands you across the face. “You insolent child!” he spits.
You don’t react to the blow or his words. “I have done everything you have asked of me and more,” you say calmly. “Including keeping Asami in the dark about why you sent me away and why she can’t call me her sister in public.” You take a breath. “I don’t know why you’re so afraid of the world knowing. I'm not some criminal or...or gang member. I proudly serve my nation, your nation.”
Hiroshi stares at you like he’s looking at a faulty engine part.
“I’ve just met my soulmate, I’d like to speak to her,” you say when he has been silent for long enough.
“That old woman?”
“Yeah. What of it?” You look at him.
His right nostril flares.
“Do you know who her parents are? Avatar Aang and Master Katara, you know the people who ended the 100 year war as kids. Master Kya is a world renowned healer in her own right.”
“Don’t expect your allowance this month,” Hiroshi warns.
“You hate benders so much the spirits decided your children will be with the strongest benders on the planet, the current Avatar and the last Avatar's child,” you say smugly. You’re already in trouble for no reason, might as well give him a good one. “Don’t worry about me claiming to be your first born, I don’t want to be associated with you.” You turn to leave.
“I do not hate benders,” Hiroshi says to your back.
“Right, you sponsored Asami’s boyfriend’s pro-bending team as proof...” you say with your back still to your father. “Must just be me then...” You lift your head, pull your shoulders back and school your features before opening the door and exiting the room.
“Hey, isn’t that Sato's oldest daughter?” a reporter says as he sees you and Hiroshi.
“Let’s get pictures,” another says as he takes a photograph.
“Gentleman, let me pose with my daughter,” Hiroshi says.
“So it is true, you’re not a really recluse?”
“I think Mr Sato was talking about the stunning Asami Sato,” you answer. “I’m not his daughter.”
“What were you discussing in private?”
“Eh, I was asking the captain about...” your father is unusually caught off guard.
“Mr Sato is an esteemed family friend,” you state smoothly. “He graciously took a moment from his busy rounds to ask about my life and time in the military.” After years of denying your relationship with Hiroshi, twisting the truth is as easy as bending.
“Oh, the captain is being modest, she is one of the liaison pilots between Future Industries and the Fire Nation. We also discussed the handling of the newest Future Industries airship,” he answers, clapping a large hand to your shoulder.
“Is the Fire Nation planning something?” a reporter asks.
“The airship was used during a recent volcano eruption. It helped spot citizens who were stranded. Thanks to Future Industries, 14 citizens, 5 dogs and 3 koala-sheep were successfully saved,” you answer.
“Can we get a photo of the heroic pilot and the inventor?”
“All credit should go to Future Industries,” you say gesturing to your father.
“Let me get my daughter, Asami,” Hiroshi says gesturing into the crowd. “She helped with the design.”