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Chapter Text

Asami Sato ignored the stinging in her tight shoulder muscles as she loomed over the blueprints on her desk. Placing a finger in the top corner, she dragged it around, following an outline, making a mental note of the numbers and calculations written on the paper. Asami paused as Korra put her hand on top of hers, lacing their fingers together. Asami sat in the seat at her desk, lowering her head.

“Your calculations have been perfect just like the last three times you double-checked them,” Korra said. She gently moved Asami’s hand and rolled up the blueprints before gently placing them off to the side of the desk. She then gently moved Asami’s chair around, before kneeling in front of her. Korra reached out and placed a hand on Asami’s cheek, gently turning her head. “Please, talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Asami insisted, her voice quiet. She raised her shoulder, brushing Korra’s hand off. “You already made your decision, and there’s nothing else I can do but go along with it.”

“That’s not true.” Korra shook her head. “You know I value your thoughts and opinions. Just because I’m the Avatar-.”

“I should listen and do what you think is right.”

“No,” Korra said. “I don’t want you to be like others who blindly follow what I say just because I am what I am.” She half-smiled. “What are you thinking?”

Asami took a deep breath, holding Korra’s gaze. She then got up out of her seat and turned around to walk over to the large windows behind her desk. She grabbed two handfuls of the curtains before flinging them open. The lights of Republic City glittered along the harbor’s waters. Avatar Korra Park was filled with people watching a performance by the Wandering Mask Troup or taking a stroll along one of the many paths. Turtleducks gently skimmed the surface of the pond, creating ripples and distorting reflected images.

“After my mother died, my father put his all into this company,” Asami said. She continued to look out over the city. Korra got to her feet but decided not to join her girlfriend ad the window. She just stood and watched as Asami’s eyes scanned the city.

“I remember,” Korra said.

“He kept a watchful eye over me after that,” she continued. “I had to ask for permission before doing anything, even using our pool or taking a walk on the grounds. I had someone follow me to and from school or when I went shopping in the city. He didn’t think I noticed but I always knew. All of that I could handle.”

Asami turned around, looking in Korra’s direction, her green eyes filled with anger while her face remained calm. “I detested when he made decisions for me. Who I could and couldn’t hang out with. When I would do my homework, and what school I would attend. Don’t get me wrong, I got into all of this after watching my Mom and Dad, but after she passed…I didn’t feel like I had a voice, or a mind until I decided not to side with him and the Equalist movement. I don’t like being a puppet.”

Korra closed the space between the two of them, placing her hands on Asami’s shoulders. “You’re not a puppet.”

“Then why did you agree to it?” Asami demanded. “My father was murdered because of all of this.”

“The Earth Kingdom-”

“There is no Earth Kingdom anymore.”

“The Earth Nation needs my assistance now more than ever to rebuild and become,” Korra said. “It will be better that I do that now as the world turns towards being more…self-reliant.”

“And I don’t need you?” Asami asked.

Korra removed her hands from Asami’s shoulders, stuffing them into her pockets. “The bad timing is not lost on me.”

“Korra, a few days ago someone attacked me.”

Korra inhaled sharply. It wasn’t something she could easily forget. It was supposed to just be a simple day in the city, spending some time together, out shopping, and grabbing some lunch.

It had become increasingly difficult for the two to find some alone time together as reconstruction projects continued in Republic City, and the calls for the Avatar’s assistance in the Earth Nation from King Wu became far more frequent.

On that day, Korra and Asami had just left a store when someone ran up and struck Asami in the back of the neck. “Asami,” Korra cried, holding her girlfriend in her arms as she slumped over. Korra kicked her foot out, using firebedning to knock the chi-blocker down the street. He gently placed Asami onto the ground, brushing some of her dark hair out of her face.

“My arms feel weird,” Asami whispered.

“Chi blockers,” Korra hissed, through gritted teeth as the chi-blocker got back to his feet.

“I’ll be fine, go get him,” Asami insisted.

Korra pressed her lips to Asami’s forehead before calling out to the shop owner to watch over Asami before taking off down the street. Korra shouted out to people to move out of the way as she dodged civilians, never letting the chi-blocker out of her sight.

The two task members on the truck bent the water out of the giant tank, shooting towards the doors as Tarrlok and another task force member pushed the main doors open. The water quickly flooded the room and knocked the chi-blockers inside against the walls. Korra charged through and split the water in half, freezing the chi-blockers against the wall.

She spotted movement from the corner of her eye. A chi-blocker had flipped over a table to block the water from him hitting him. Korra rushed over, kicking the table away from him. The chi-blocker grabbed her leg before flinging her across the room. Korra landed on her feet. She waved her arms high in the air, bending some of the frozen water into a stream. She circled the stream of water around her body before punching it forward.

When the water struck the chi-blocker, she expected him to be swept off his feet by the force of the water. She was thrown off guard as a huge cloud of steam filled the room. Korra flinched as the water vapor stung her cheeks. The Avatar shielded her eyes and peered through the steam, looking for the chi-blocker. She dropped her arms, her mouth opening in shock when she watched the embers of a fire being put out at the end of the chi-blocker’s fist. “What?” Korra gasped. The chi-blocker, no, firebender, slowly moved into a low, crouching position. He raised his arm high into the air and stepped forward, before being pushed back by a giant wave of water. It instantly froze.

Korra then unfroze the water, letting it splash to the ground before spiritbending nearby vines, tying him up to a nearby light pole. When Lin and her police force had arrived, she seized Equalists equipment and weapons from the body of the attacker as well as a photograph of Asami out shopping from a few weeks prior.

“And that’s why I need someone here with you. To make sure you’re safe,” Korra insisted. “I would have you be with Tenzin and his family, but he and Jinora are wrapped up with the new Air Nation recruits. The South Pole is too isolated even with a direct access from the new portal, and…I haven’t talked to my Dad since…well, you were there. Plus, the Fire Nation and Fire Lord Izumi has always been off by themselves. That didn’t leave a lot of choices.”

“A choice was to bring me into the conversation when my name came up,” Asami pointed out. “I can come with you and help.”

“I’m not disagreeing with you, but you’re needed here.”

Asami inhaled before slowly letting out the breath. She moved to take a seat in one of the chairs that faced her desk. Korra grabbed the other empty seat, moving to place it in front of Asami’s before sitting down. Their knees touched. Korra reached out and grabbed a hold of Asami’s hands.

“Then why did you do it?” Asami asked.

“I know I can make rash decisions for others without thinking, but as I have to focus on some many people at once and their safety-”

Asami stiffened. “Why are you hiding behind the Avatar title? I’m trying to talk to you, Korra."

“And I’m listening, Asami,” Korra said, squeezing her hands. “Why are you picking a fight with me?”

“I’m not.” Asami shook her head. “I’m just…letting you know that people view the Avatar and bending from many different points of view. Just like the equalist movement. I’m not saying I agree with the extreme lengths the Equalists stood for and put into play but-”

“But?” Korra repeated.

Asami smiled sadly. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against Korra’s. “I always knew the risk of being with you,” Asami said. “I don’t see you as the Avatar who is Korra. I see you as Korra, who just so happens to be the Avatar. There are a lot of responsibilities and decisions that you will have to make to keep balance in this world.

Korra pulled back. “I’m confused on what the overall issue is. Are you upset, and rightfully so, that I coordinated for Kuvira to keep watch over you while I’m gone? Or that I’m trying to bring balance to the world which includes eradicating this new Equalist threat, but you’re agreeing with what they stand for?”

“I can’t bend, Korra,” Asami pointed out. “I have nothing against benders, but I don’t see a problem with things being more equal. Just not their methods.”

“Which started with your dad funding them,” Korra pointed out. Her eyebrows furrowed, before realization raced across her face. “Who died in action-“

“Murdered,” Asami interrupted.

“Murdered by Kuvira, who will now be here.”

Asami nodded. “Whom will be a reminder of everything. So much has happened since we first met. It’s not just one thing. It’s a lot of small things. For me, it feels like everything.” She raised and lowered a shoulder. “With her here, I don’t know if I’ll be able to breathe.”

Korra leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Asami’s forehead. “I’m sorry. We will get through this. Together. You just have to trust me.”

Asami pressed their foreheads together again. She then slightly rubbed their noses together. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in the slight salty and smoky air around Korra. “I always have.” She then started to chuckle. “It is nice to know that you care enough to have someone look after me…in the Sato Estate…in the middle of the city…with someone after me.”

“The irony is not lost on me.” Korra smiled. She then regarded Asami with a determined look on her face. “I promise you, whenever you need me I’m just a radio call away. I will be back as soon as I can. I should only be gone for a week at the most. I may protect the world, but you will always be my priority.”

“I should be second.” Asami pointed out. She opened her eyes, locking onto the blue ones before her. “You should be your number one priority to get back here safely.”

Korra kissed her. “I love you.”

“I love you.” Asami squeezed Korra’s hands before sighing heavily and leaning back in her chair, her fingers slipping out of Korra’s hands and into her lap. “When does she arrive?”

Korra winced. “About an hour ago.”

Chapter Text

Kuvira clasped her hands behind her back, keeping pace with Asami as they moved down the hall. Her head was constantly on a swivel, scanning each entryway and exit, silently sizing up the staff who worked in the Sato Estate, or any visitors. Of course, she kept a comfortable distance behind Asami, about five or six spaces. She was as comfortable as she could be with the tight band around her ankle, reminding her that her freedom was still out of reach.

The scratchy carpet brought. Kuvira preferred to barefoot indoors when she could. As an extension of her dancing, it helped keep her grounded and aware of her surroundings. It made her feel more in tune with the world, that she had a place where she belonged, even if some didn’t think she deserved it, with all the lives she had taken during her attempted siege of Republic City.

Asami glanced at some of the papers in her hands before coming to a stop. Kuvira immediately came to attention, one foot bent, paused in the middle of her step. She quickly looked around, before focusing her attention back on Asami.

Asami slightly turned her head to the side, speaking over her shoulder. “I need to grab something from my room. You don’t need to follow me in,” Asami said curtly. Without another word, she harshly twisted the doorknob at the entryway next to her before stepping inside the room. Kuvira stood still next to the door, but leaned in close, peering into the room from the crack in the doorway.

Clothes were strewn about on the floor in various piles. Paperwork was stacked high on a desk, and some random dog toys littered the ground. It was a vast difference from how prim and proper Asami looked every day. She was always well put together, not a hair out of place, and carrying an air of elegance and grace. It wasn’t until Kuvira looked closer that she noticed the clothing was in varying shades of blue, white, and gray.

Korra. She tried to hold onto her as much as she could during her absence. Kuvira knew the lonely feeling very well. It constantly nagged at her – even while growing up with the rigidness and friction among her parents, she always felt lonely. At times, she wondered if she was born lonely. She couldn’t ever recall happy memories with her parents. Not without a lack of trying.

“Kuvira, why can’t you keep your room clean?” her mother asked as she stepped into Kuvira’s room, picking up some toys from the ground. “Please stop what you’re doing and help me clean, and then you can go back to playing.”

“It’s my room. I can do what I want,” Kuvira answered, looking up at her. Two dolls were held tightly in her hands. She was lying flat on her bed, her legs crossed behind her.

“You’re not playing with these,” her mother said, loading up her arms with more toys. She walked over to the bed and gently placed them onto the comforter. “You should clean as you go. Please put them in the bin.”

“My puzzle,” Kuvira cried, looking at the displaced pieces in front of her. “I wasn’t done with those. I may go back to them.”

“It’s not ladylike to make such a mess and talk back,” her mother said. “Why can’t you do as you’re told the first time?”

“No one else must see my room,” Kuvira answered. She turned her attention back to the dolls in her hand. She wiggled the female doll around as she spoke in a high-pitched voice.

Kuvira’s mother reached over and snatched the two dolls out of her hand. Kuvira jumped down from her bed and raced over, trying to reach up and grab them back. “Clean up like I asked and then you can have these back to play with.”

“No! I wasn’t done!”

“Kuvira!”

Kuvira clenched her hands into tight fists before letting out a yell and stomping her foot to the ground. Her wall cracked before exploding into dust and rubble. She turned on her heel and ran out of the gaping hole, out into the streets.

“Not again!” her mother shouted.

Kuvira kept running until her legs gave out. She collapsed to the ground panting. Sweat trickled down the sides of her face. Panting heavily, she looked up at the sky, her face contorted with anger before slowly slipping to sadness. “I’m sorry,” she wailed before burying her face into her knees. “I’ll be good. Just give me a chance to be good.”

Finally, after moments of crying, Kuvira lifted her head, glancing up at the sky. A light breeze picked up, cooling off her heated cheeks. She reached up and rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. Letting out a deep sigh, Kuvira got up to her feet. Shoulders hunched over, arms crossed her chest, she started to make her way back home.

Minutes later as Kuvira made her way back into her neighborhood, she spotted a collection of rocks by the side of a house. Sprouting between each rock was a bright red flower, glittering in the sunlight with droplets of water leftover from the shower of rain earlier in the day.

“Mother may like these,” she commented, plucking a flower. With each flower, she took her time, inspecting each of the petals for any signs of damage, dirt, or bugs, Finally, she had a handful of about eight flowers, all the same height and same fullness, and the same deep rich red. Kuvira held them closely to her chest, smiling softly.

Upon arriving back at the house, Kuvira spotted the hole she made in the wall. Lowering her head, she stepped into her room before bending the wall back to its original state. She carefully placed the flowers on her dresser before moving to clean up the toys in her room.

Once everything was back in its place, Kuvira gathered up the flowers, took a deep breath, and opened her bedroom room door, tightly gripping the small bundle of flowers in her right hand as she twisted the doorknob.

“Mother…” Kuvira called out. She closed the door behind her and walked towards the kitchen, staring at the ground to make sure she didn’t drop a piece of the flowers. Stepping into the kitchen, she paused when she spotted the breakfast dishes still on the table. Her mother would never leave such a mess. Kuvira placed the flowers at her mother’s spot at the kitchen table.

“Mother?” Kuvira shouted. She ran out of the room and into the living room, pausing at the entrance. The living room was one of the two spaces in the house she wasn’t allowed to enter. Everything in the room was white and the furniture was covered in nice fabric. Her parents would sometimes retreat to the living room in the afternoon for something to read from one of the books on the bookshelf. When she found the room to be empty, Kuvira frowned.

Her stomach started to twist and turn, her pulse began to pick up its pace. She ran to the front door and peeked out the side window. The family’s Cabbage Corps car was still sitting in the driveway. “Father?” yelled, her raising an octave.

When she didn’t receive a response, Kuvira tore around the house, looking for them and calling out: “Mom, where are you?” Every call received no response. She looked in each room on each floor of the two-level house. “Dad, are you here?” Every room was empty and looked the same, as if frozen in time. The house was quiet and still except for her heavy breathing and her footsteps as she ran around. Kuvira searched the house numerous times, ignoring the sky turning dark, ignoring the pangs of hunger deep in the pit of her stomach. Her worry and fear clouded her thoughts, driving her forward in the search for her parents.

Late that night, Kuvira trudged to her room. Her cheeks were stained with tears, her throat raw from crying and screaming. Her legs shook with each step, tired and overworked from running around the house. She walked into her bedroom, pulling her baby blanket out from behind her bed. Her parents had insisted she was too old for the item and wanted to throw it away on her birthday. Instead, she pretended to discard the item, but hid it in her room, pulling it out for when she needed comfort from nightmares or scary sounds.

She exited the room and walk down the hallway towards the master bedroom. Looking around once more, she spotted their car keys were still hanging on a hook on the wall. Kuvira sobbed when she didn’t see their wallets sitting on their dresser. “Mommy,” Kuvira whimpered, stepping into the room. She climbed up onto the bed, dragging her baby blanket behind her. She crawled up towards the headrest, pulling back the sheets before snuggling underneath. She bunched up her baby blanket into a large ball before wrapping her arms around it in a tight embrace. “Daddy.”

Her cries floated gently into the silence, lulling her to sleep.

Why have someone at all if you’re just going to abandon them? Toss them away like they’re trash? Why didn’t you see me? Why didn’t you help me?

Kuvira always knew she was a difficult child growing up, but she couldn’t help but lash out. Always being judged and compared for what she lacked: temperance, grace, patience, elegance, and awareness.

And yet…

And she’s about to stop in three, two, one, Kuvira thought, before planting her feet firmly on the ground. Asami let out a deep sigh before she paused, slightly turning her head to the side, to speak over her shoulder. “You don’t have to-”

“I know I don’t have to,” Kuvira interjected. “However, it is my job. Something I have done for years and do very well. I take my job seriously.”

“I’m aware,” Asami said dryly.

A muscle twitched in Kuvira’s cheek. She took a deep breath before tilting her head to the side, just ever so slightly. Asami frowned, turned to look down the empty hallway, and then back, fully facing Kuvira with a look of suspicion. “Lallah,” Kuvira broke the silence.

“Excuse me?”

“The elephant in the room, I think we should name it Lallah.”

Asami frowned. “None of this is funny.”

“I don’t do humor,” Kuvira insisted. “I just think it’d be best that we talk about what we need to talk about.”

“…I think we’d get along best if there is minimal conversation between the two of us throughout your time here,” Asami said. While she was polite in her request, her words were rigid.

“Noted.”

Asami gave Kuvira a long look before turning to continue down the hallway. Kuvira, again, waited a few moments before following in silence. Upon turning a corner, Kuvira winced at the brightness of the sunlight floating in through the windows.

Kuvira reached up to shield her eyes from the brightness before stopping. In the faint reflection of the window, she saw herself, Asami, tucked around another corner, a dark figure, dressed in all black, wearing an Equalist mask. Their upper body lit up from the blue electricity flowing through the baton.

“Watch out!” Kuvira cried. She rushed forward, and grabbed Asami by the elbow, pulling her back. She then turned and stomped onto the ground, a small pile of rock shot up into the air, underneath the figure’s feet. A light cry sounded before the thump of a body landing on the ground.

Asami wrenched her arm out of Kuvira’s grasp before rushing forward and around the corner. Kuvira quickly joined her side, pausing when she spotted a young woman being helped back to her feet.

“What did you do that for?” Asami demanded.

“There was…someone in front of you…” Kuvira said slowly.

“A member of my staff.”

“No, they had on a mask, and an electrified baton.”

“Don’t you think I would hear the crackling of electricity?” Asami turned her attention back to the staff member. She reached out and brushed some of the dirt off of the long skirt the woman was wearing. Kuvira touched her heel to the ground, bending the ground back into place. “Akari, are you okay?”

“Yes, Ms. Sato,” she insisted, brushing her dark bangs out of her face. “It was just an accident.”

“With her, there are no accidents,” Asami muttered. She checked over her staff once more before letting out a sigh. She gave Kuvira a quick once over before turning back to Akari with a gentle smile. “I’m getting a little hungry.”

“Of course, Ms. Sato.” Akari nodded before holding an arm out and taking a small step back. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”

Kuvira moved to follow but stopped when she heard a light beeping sound. She looked down at her right ankle and saw the light had turned red. The beeping sound pealed again, in three short blasts. She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.

“She’ll be fine,” Akari said. “You can go ahead and take care of that.”

Kuvira looked at Asami for further instructions. Asami raised her chin. “You heard, Akarai. Why can’t you do as you’re told the first time?”

Kuvira nodded once before turning on her heel. She curled her hands into tight fists before walking back the way she came. After coming to an intersection of four connecting hallways, she continued straight before coming to a door. She wrenched it open; the cold metal handle was a stark contrast to her warm and sweaty palm.

A tightness began to clutch at her chest. Kuvira’s steps quickened, matching the increase of her breath. She reached up to turn flip the light switch, her hand patting the wall, trying to find the little knob. Her hands began to shake. Down into the dark stairwell, she pushed on before getting to another door. Bursting through, she flipped on the light before collapsing onto her bed. She began to hyperventilate as she brought a pillow to her chest, holding it tightly.

Chapter Text

Asami ignored the hunger and pain in her stomach, instead choosing to take another drink of water. She clutched the neck of the water bottle, squeezing tightly, pushing herself through her stomach's immediate anger at the liquid. Looking down at the long cold food on her desk, she moved the tray closer to the edge. The moving of the tray revealed a document that required her signature, one she had been perusing for the past few days.

"King Wu is doing a pretty good job, once you get around his annoying habit of trying to please others. It's a complete 180 to how he was before, but I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing," Korra said, her voice floating into Asami's ear. Asami was seated at her desk, the bell of the phone nestled against her ear. She placed the water bottle onto the surface of her desk, picked up a pen, and began to tap it. Asami had recently created a device that clips to the shoulder of your shirt, that can hold the bell of a phone up to a person's ear so that people could be free to multitask while holding a phone conversation. Not that she was doing much else with her time.

Asami stared at the document on her desk, twirling a pen around in her hand, and breathing a hard sigh once every minute. She had been in the same position since she entered her office at the Sato Mansion, and four hours later, she was still sitting there but this time with a raging headache and a crick in her neck from being hunched over.

"Asami?"

"I'm sorry, Korra. What did you say?"

"I said, how are things with you?"

Asami sighed once more as she heard the familiar squeak of the wooden floorboards being stepped on. While the Sato Estate was covered with the finest carpet, Asami was always able to hear the slightest movement of the wood underneath. She glanced over at the door to her study, watching as Kuvira's shadow moved from left to right, as she made her routine patrol around the area.

"Everything is fine over here. Not much has changed." Asami dropped her pen and rubbed her burning eyes as the writing utensil rolled across the wood surface. The room was all but quiet except for the ticking from a nearby clock. Her lower eyelid would twitch with every sound it made.

"Sami, it's me," Korra said gently. "Tell me the truth."

"I'm not happy that she's here, you know that," Asami said, "However, as requested, she hasn't been a bother. She keeps her distance, and sometimes I don't remember that she's here. Sometimes."

"I won't be here for much longer," the Avatar reassured her. She cleared her throat. "Once King Wu gets a hold of being in charge then I'll come straight home, and everything will return to normal."

Asami couldn't help but laugh. The corners of her lips stung as the skin split, either due to not properly keeping them hydrated or from the lack of smiling for the past few weeks. "Have things ever been normal in Republic City?"

"Well, they were until I arrived," Korra chuckled.

"And I'm happy you did," Asami said, her smile dropping. Her heart started to pick up speed, as it usually did whenever she thought of Korra or was around her. They had been dating for a while now and most, if not all their close friends and family know of their relationship status. Still, she couldn't help but feel nervousness, happiness, and excitement whenever she spoke to Korra or saw her bright smile. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have met."

"Yes, we would've," Korra said firmly. "Eventually."

"Korra, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she quickly answered. "I…I've just been doing a lot of thinking while I've been out here."

"And?"

Korra sighed. "I haven't been doing much at all. People here…they don't need the Avatar. I don't think they ever have."

"Is that so bad?"

Korra paused. Asami frowned. She reached up and pressed the radio part more directly to her ear. She could still hear Korra's breathing on the other end.

"I know that they rounded up all of the benders to act as if everything is okay in the nation, but …it…it feels like things are changing," she admitted. "As if the world doesn't need The Avatar. I mean, that's kind of what the Equalist movement was working towards, right? Bringing down benders…viewing us as the problem…wanting to eradicate us."

"But, no one wants to eradicate you anymore," Asami pointed out.

"The situation is different, but the needs are the same," Korra said.

"And is that so bad?" Asami asked. "That those of us who are normal can feel like we're on the same playing field as benders?"

"Normal?" Korra repeated. Asami didn't miss the slight bite to her words.

"You know what I mean," she sighed. "Korra, I don't want to fight."

"We're not fighting. We're just having a discussion," Korra said, reassuringly. "I must go now. I'll call again as soon as I can." She paused for a beat too long that Asami had almost hung up the phone until she heard Korra's voice once more. "I love you, Asami."

Once again, Asami's pulse picked up. "I love you, Korra," she said, slightly breathless. "Please be safe."

"You too," Korra said, letting out a rush of air with a laugh. "Take care. And don't forget to eat something. I know how you get when you become busy."

Asami looked at the tray of food once more. "I won't forget. Bye."

Asami's smile faded as she ripped the bell of the phone from her shoulder before re-cradling it with a slam. The pin connected to her shirt flung off and fell to the floor with a light ping. She got up from her seat and walked around her desk to the wall on the right. The shelves were filled with numerous books from the four different nations. Books on engineering, technological advances, and computer science as well as poetry, biographies, fiction, and a spare cookbook here and there. Those were collections of different foods from different nations that included six ingredients or less.

Asami picked up a book and flipped open to a random page, not bothering to look at the title or its author. As her green eyes skimmed across the words, she soon found herself zoning out, not entirely picking up on the wording or any of the information that had been transcribed. She felt her breath catch as she skirted over her father's name nestled underneath a photo as a part of the caption. She closed the book with a snap and found his name on the cover as well; as one of the contributing authors.

She placed the book back onto the shelf and walked over to her desk. Asami reclaimed her seat and picked up her pen once more. After a few seconds of the tip hovering over the blank page, she crumpled up the piece of paper before throwing it into the trashcan.

"I have to get out of here," she muttered to herself while getting to her feet. Asami gathered up a few papers from her desk and tucked them into the crook of her arm. She then twisted a dial on the radio set on her desk before pressing a button. "Ayaka, I am finishing for the day. I won't be coming into the office. Please field all my calls," she instructed once her secretary picked up the other line.

"Of course, miss," she answered.

"Also, please let Varrick know that my portion of the city's proposal is completed, and he needs to have his part done by the end of the week." Asami removed her finger from the button and headed towards her office doors. She paused, her arm outstretched for the door handle, before turning sharply on her heel and walking back over to her desk. "On second thought, relay that news to President Moon, please," she said into the radio. "She'll light a fire under his ass to get things done."

Asami took a glance at the clock, noting the time. The minute hand had stopped moving, frozen in time as the face read 4:27. Her eyes started to burn once more, this time with fatigue and sorrow. She swallowed the large lump that began to swell up in her throat. She closed her eyes for a moment, forcing back the tears that had started to trickle near her eyelashes. "It just had to stop at the same time you passed," she muttered.

Asami went to move towards the door but stopped at the tray of food: a withering salad, a hard bread roll, and some browning apple slices sat neatly on the tray. Her hand shook as she reached out for one of the apple pieces. Her stomach growled, peeling loudly in the quiet room. Asami paused, before hitting the side of the tray, causing the food to spill to the floor.

"Oops," Asami muttered. She bent down and began to pick up the food. After haphazardly placing everything back onto the tray, she gathered it up in her hands, turning towards the door, Kuvira's shadow slowly crept along the bottom, moving from right to left.

Asami took a breath before pulling the study door open, exited her office, and locked the door before turning to face Kuvira. Without saying a word, she held the tray out, which Kuvira quickly took. Asami nodded once in thanks, before turning and making her way down the hall. Kuvira glanced down at the tray of food before following. Asami stiffened as she heard the extra set of footsteps following behind her.

Asami moved throughout the estate, stopping from time to time to address some of the staff, sharing pleasantries and some instructions. Kuvira continued to stay a few paces back, watching quietly. Asami would subtly step to the side, blocking the metalbender from her staff's view whenever they would look over her shoulder.

Asamu jumped as a bright flash filled up the hallway, followed by the crack of thunder. She placed a hand to her chest, sharing a quick laugh with the startled staff member before gently dismissing them, but not before requesting they take the tray of food from Kuvira. She turned to look out the giant glass windows. Across the vast skyline of Republic City, the new Spirit Portal glowed brightly in the distance. She smiled at the Harmony Tower that was also glowing amongst the heavy rain. Not as much as the new spirit portal, but still magnificent. The spirit vines wrapped around the structure caused a surge in tourism in the city.

An adult turtle duck flew across the window. Asami watched as it landed in a nearby pond. It was quickly greeted by another adult turtle duck as well as two baby turtle ducks. She smiled softly as the small family of four floated across the tranquil surface. Her eyebrows rose as she pulled a pen out of the pocket of her skirt. She clicked the tip out of the base of the pen before scribbling on a corner of the piece of paper in her arms. "Note to self: revamp proposal to add tourism hot spots," she muttered.

"Did you say something?" Kuvira questioned.

"Nothing that concerns you," Asami said, refusing to turn around. "You are dismissed for your meal. I will be turning in early tonight and wish not to be disturbed."

"And in between then?"

"I'll be in my father's study. It's not too far from my bedroom."

Between the large crashes of thunder, Kuvira heard Asami's stomach growl. Asami moved to place a hand on her stomach, but upon noticing Kuvira closely watching her, reached up to brush her hair away from her face instead. With a parting glance, Kuvira and Asami went in opposite directions down a hallway. Asami stopped when she heard the beeping sound from Kuvira's ankle monitor. Looking over her shoulder, she watched as Kuvira let out a loud sigh, throwing waving an arm in the air, before turning about face and going back the way she came. Asami bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from laughing. The two locked eyes for a brief moment before Kuvira disappeared around a turn.

Thunderstruck once more as lightning lit up the space. "It's been raining a lot lately. What are you trying to tell me, Dad?"

On the day of Hiroshi Sato's memorial service, r ain was pouring through the clouds. The grey rain seemed to dilute and wash away  all  the colors in the city. The only  color  that stood out was the bright blue eyes that stared back at  Asami  from the other side of the glass  windows at the Sato Industries building . "What are you doing here?"  Asami  asked while stepping outside.

Korra lifted her hand into the air and bent the water around them. The rain splashed onto the ground a few inches from them as if she were holding up an invisible umbrella. "I thought I would walk you to the memorial service," she said with a light shrug. "Also, this is for you." Asami watched as the Avatar reached into her pocket before pulling out a small black box. "I know it's not customary to give someone a gift for a wake or during a grieving period, but I thought that you would like this."

Asami's hands shook as she received the box from Korra. She pulled the lid open and couldn't help but gasp when she found a ruby-red necklace inside. She lifted the round piece of jewelry from its home before holding it in her palm. She ran her thumb across the front before popping it open. Inside was a smaller copy of the Sato family picture.

"Thank you, Korra," she whispered. "This was very sweet of you. I'll always treasure it." Asami stepped closer to Avatar and gave her a hard hug. She buried her face in the shorter girl's neck, relaxing after taking a small whiff of her scent. She pulled back before closing her eyes and leaning forward.

Korra quickly turned her head to the side and flushed a bit as Asami's lips lightly touched her cheek. She ran a hand through her hair as Asami gave her a puzzled look. "We should get going," she grunted.

Asami nodded before taking hold of Korra's free hand. The two walked in silence down the street, Korra continuing to bend the water off them. She would occasionally kick her foot out as a car passed, sending up a huge wave of water towards them. With her swift kick in the water's direction, she bent it so that it splashed back down to the ground without soaking either of them.

Eventually, they made their way to Avatar Korra Park. A giant red and black tent was pitched up in the middle of the greenery. The Future Industries logo was marked on one side. As they walked through the rain, Asami noticed Chief Lin Beifong standing at the opening of the tent, making sure her metal armor didn't get wet. Korra pulled her hand out of Asami's grasp as they got closer. The chief's sharp eyes softened as they arrived.

"We're ready to start when you are," she said. "Do you have anything you'd like to say?"

"I spent all day trying to write something," Asami said with a shake of her head. Korra placed a light hand on her back. "But it felt performative, so I think I know what I need to say." She ducked her head and stepped underneath the tent.

Tahno and the rest of the Wolfbats were playing a slow haunting melody at the front of the room on their instruments. Tenzin and his family were seated among the crowd of Future Industries workers, other businessmen, and numerous socialites. Asami had said that any worker from Future Industries could take time off to attend Hiroshi's wake if they so please. She was glad to see a few familiar faces. Korra decided to stand at the back of the room next to Lin. As Asami made her way up to the podium she took the time to look at the memorial set up at the front of the room.

Hiroshi's picture was placed on a pedestal underneath a giant wreath and a few banners. Next to the memorial is a board filled with handwritten memories from those in attendance as well as a timeline of his attributes to society, technological advancements, and other accomplishments in his life. Asami smiled when she noticed Korra's handwriting; she had written one word: Asami.

The engineer stepped up to the podium and faced the crowd. She easily spotted Tenzin and his family, as well as her family's maid and butler for a few years, the greater half of Mako's and Bolin's newfound family, and even President Raiko and his wife Buttercup were in attendance. She shifted her gaze over to Korra and Lin at the back of the tent. A part of her felt wished that Mako and Bolin would attend the wake; even if Mako were to be his awkward self, and Bolin were to add in an ill-timed joke, it would bring normality to the event. It had only been a few days since Mako, Korra, Lin, and herself returned to Republic City with a badly injured Opal, Suyin, and Bolin. She knew they wouldn't be well enough to attend and understood that Mako wanted to stay with his brother.

Asami locked eyes with Korra, who gave her a reassuring smile and a thumbs-up. The engineer nodded once before clearing her throat and delivering her speech; the words just seemed to flow out of her:

"My father, Hiroshi Sato, was a great man, and I forgive him for everything that he had done in the past. Yes, he worked with the Equalists to try and eradicate all benders to have everyone on equal footing, and I hated him for it. I despised the man that he became. He wasn't my father. He wasn't the one who taught me how to fix my bike, or rewire a radio, or stumbled over the embarrassing topics of puberty and womanhood. He wasn't the one who groomed me to take over the family business. He was human. While I was close to my mother, he saw my love for tinkering and embraced it. He didn't tell me to act like a lady or dress a certain way, he accepted me every time I stepped into his workroom.

My mother was killed in a house fire during an invasion of our estate. I had never seen love before like my father had given my mother. He was in shock, and to him, avenging her death by working with Amon was what he saw as right, and I don't blame him. Not anymore. Anyone can change after going through a traumatic event, and that is normal. It shows that we are all vulnerable and in tune with our emotions as human beings. My father helped protect this city from Kuvira, and it is time we recognized him for all the good he did, not for the period where he had lost his way. To us, he had lost his way. My father felt like he found his purpose.

The clock in my office stopped today at 4:27 pm, the time he passed during the fight with Kuvira. I will not replace the batteries. I want to keep it at that set time so I will never forget when he did things right in the city. It may have taken me three years to forgive him, but I can now say that I do. I want everyone else to do the same. My father was a great man. I love him, and I will miss him."

Asami walked from behind the podium over to the grey memorial that was set up at the front of the room. She kissed the tips of her fingers before placing them onto the cold glass of Hiroshi's photograph. "Goodbye, Dad. I know you're with Mom. Now you can be happy. I hope to see you both happy whenever it is my time to join you. Then, we can be a family again, the one you always dreamed of."

She gave the room a swift bow before storming out of the tent. She gasped in shock as the cold rain quickly drenched her clothing. She continued to walk, not knowing where she was going to end up. After a few moments, she came across a bench. She sat down on the wet seat, ignoring the chill that raced down her spine before dropping her head into her hands.

Asami reached up and felt the chain along her neck, tugging it and pulling out the collar of her body suit. She brought it to her lips, lightly kissing it, before hiding it back underneath the collar. It wasn't until lightning flashed again that Asami realized she was standing outside of her father's old office in the Sato Estate. She hadn't entered the room since his arrest, and she moved out of the Estate to Air Temple Island.

Reaching out, she tried the doorknob and found it to be locked. Asami dug a hand into her pocket and pulled out a small screwdriver. She carefully stuck it into the keyhole and turned, while also applying pressure to the door handle. A loud click sounded, and the door swung open.

A cloud of cigar smoke, wood, and earthy tones wafted into Asami's nose as she stepped into her father's office. Turning on the lights, looked around the room, noticing the dust particles floating in the space among the rays of artificial light coming in through the windows. At one point, Asami had insisted that her father put in the artificial lighting to not constantly work in a dark room, 'like a batmole in a cave'.

Asami walked around the room, running her fingers along the dust-covered surfaces. Old cigars settled on an ashtray on one of the shelves from the bookcases that lined the back wall. She picked one up and held it to her nose, inhaling deeply. Placing the cigar back down, she then ran the tips of her fingers over the various trinkets, souvenirs, and boxes. A framed picture of the Sato family was placed in the middle of the shelf, in the middle bookcase directly facing the door.

Asami smiled sadly at the old photo, before noticing it sitting on top of three books: Sato Family History, Fire Nation History, and The History of the Four Nations, all with cloth covers.

She frowned, before peering closer at the Four Nations book. The spine caught the light perfectly, creating a bright sheen, making it difficult to read the title. She moved from right to left, the light only catching on the third book. She reached up and placed her fingers on the end of the book, touching the exposed pages, and found it had a smooth surface.

"Huh?" Asami muttered to herself. She reached up and yanked on the book but found that it held tightly to the shelf. Moving the photo to Hiroshi's desk, she removed other books off the top of The History of the Four Nations. She then knocked onto the cover, noting the hollow sound. Carefully removing the cover, she found a small switch, hidden along the velvet lining. She flipped it with the flick of her finger.

A low mechanical hum filled the room as the doors locked and the lights dimmed. She reached out and held onto the back of a chair, as she felt the room shift before feeling as if it were moving downward. The mechanical sound kept her at ease as she looked at the windows and found them to be blocked by a large slab of metal, darkening the room.

Moments later the room came to a stop, the mechanical sound faded away, and the doors unlocked. The windows remained covered. Asami took a few moments to steady herself before moving towards the door, yanking it open. She winced as bright lights flipped on in the new space. She was no longer in the Sato Estate, but underneath it, in the large secret factory that Hiroshi had created.

"So, this is the other entrance," Asami said, her voice echoing in the space. She walked over to a workbench, trailing her fingers over the various tools and the cool metal.

"Time to get to work," Asami muttered as she pulled a pair of goggles over her eyes. She picked up one of the bolas that lined the table and flipped a switch at the base of the handle. Her green eyes flashed with excitement as the familiar current of blue electricity shocked to life.

Chapter Text

Kuvira's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at the old plate of food in front of Asami on her desk. Putting the various street maps of Republic City to the side, she cleared her throat, clasping her hands behind her back. Asami ignored her. Kuvira raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

"I'm just about to finish my lunch," Asami said into the radio. She picked up a stray piece of bacon, broke off a small piece, and popped it into her mouth. Moving the piece of food with her tongue over to her right cheek, she chomped down, the loud crunch filling pockets of silence. Kuvira's eyes narrowed once she noticed the painful look flash across Asami's face before returning to normal.

"Okay, be careful, Korra" Asami's voice softened. It was then she recognized Kuvira's presence in the room. Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she practically curled in on herself. "I love you. Bye," she said before hanging up the radio.

As soon as Asami cradled the earpiece to the radio, Kuvira picked up the plate and held it directly in front of her face. "Eat this."

Asami pointed to her mouth as she rapidly chewed before swallowing. "I'm fine, thank you." She brushed past Kuvira before storming over to her office door, pulling it open, and moving to close it behind her. Kuvira quickly caught it with her hand, holding it still.

"You haven't been eating much for weeks."

"That's not true." Asami tugged on the door handle.

"You are good at many things, but lying isn't one of them," Kuvira pointed out. She let go of the door before holding her hand up. A light metal creaking sound creaked from the hinges of the door. Asami again pulled on the door handle but stopped upon realizing that it wouldn't move.

"Why do you care?" she demanded. Asami brushed past Kuvira back into her office. She sat back down at her desk and picked up some blueprints. Kuvira waved her right hand, closing the office door with a slam. She then used her right index and middle finger and took the blueprints out of Asami's hands, pausing to glance at the white markings. Asami snatched it back before folding it up, opening a drawer on her desk, and slamming it shut.

Kuvira rolled her eyes before placing the plate of food back onto the desk with her left hand, before clasping her hands behind her back. "We're not friends. More than likely never will be. I don't expect it and won't lose sleep over it. However, having my client endanger herself would not look good."

"You're not being paid for this job," Asami pointed out. "Need I remind you why you're here?"

"My job as your bodyguard is to make sure you are safe and protected. A way to make sure you are safe is to inspect all things that come near your person, so that doesn't cause harm or negate your health. While a gray area, this fits."

Asami placed her hands on the desk, leaning forward. Her dark hair spilled over her right shoulder, covering one eye. "Is that all you care about? Status and control? Look at how that turned out for you."

"I have been living with that guilt while trapped inside of Zaofu."

"From what I hear, you can move rather freely."

Kuvira clenched her jaw but kept her strong eye contact. "…Everywhere I'm trapped."

Asami scoffed. "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? After everything you did. You murdered my father!"

"No, I didn't," Kuvira responded calmly.

"Do you not remember?" Asami reached for a framed photo on her desk before slamming it down, facing it towards Kuvira.

"Murder would mean I intentionally set out to kill him. It'd be manslaughter. Voluntary at best, involuntary at worst." Kuvira reached out and turned the photo frame back around. "From what I hear, he pressed your eject button. He saved your life-"

"Don't," Asami snapped. "Don't talk about it as if you understand. Do you ever own up to your charges?"

Why don't you ever take responsibility for your actions?

Kuvira growled in anger. She took a step backward, before moving into a fighting stance. Asami reached into her pocket, pulling out her electro glove. Before she could fit it onto her hand, Kuvira swung her leg high before slamming her foot down onto the desk. Her ankle monitor glowed a bright green. "In case you forgot, this is my taking responsibility."

Asami slowly placed the glove onto her hand. "Only after you had to be persuaded."

"Everyone is so quick to list my faults. Consider my achievements."

"Such as?"

Kuvira took a deep breath, letting it out sharply through her nose. "I'm the youngest person to be named Captain of the Guard of Zaofu's security team. I was the leader and principal dancer of the Zaofu dance troupe. I assisted Avatar Korra in the fight against Zaheer. Not to mention, helping end the Earth Empire's reign."

"Which you started. Even during that time, I didn't trust you."

"And yet, Korra did. I find it interesting. Mere months ago, you were guarding me to protect Korra. If I recall correctly, and I always do, afterward you were happy that we were on the same side against Guan. Now I'm guarding you."

"Are you saying Korra needs protection?"

"No, you do!" Kuvira placed her hands on the desk, mimicking Asami's stance. "Something is going to happen to you," she insisted. "I just…can't put my finger on it."

"Attacking my staff won't help you prove your point/"

"I've explained it once before, someone was going to attack. They were wearing this weird mask-"

"That is ridiculous," Asami said dismissively.

"Yes, because staying in the Sato Mansion in the middle of Republic City would be a preposterous idea to attack Asami Sato."

"It would be ridiculous for someone to be my bodyguard, there wouldn't be a way for something like that to happen," she pointed out. "Or should I be more worried about you? Like I have been?"

Kuvira immediately straightened up. "You're right." Asami's eyebrows rose. She stood up to her full height before reaching up and brushing her hair out of her face. "There should be more safety around the estate, and that will only happen once I can see how far I am allowed to roam." Kuvira moved back into her usual stance; hands clasped behind her back. "With your permission-"

"You may go."

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Kuvira cursed under her breath. She looked down at the ankle monitor on her right foot before taking a step back. The beeping immediately stopped, and the small red light turned green. A moment later, Asami emerged from a hidden door in the hall, holding a small black device. "Kuvira, that was fast," she commented, placing the device into her pocket.

"Checking out the range on this device is for your safety and mine," she said, raising an eyebrow. "What I find interesting though, is that I'm able to walk around a large part of this estate, and yet I can't enter this one space."

"There are some things I'm working on. It's confidential," Asami answered with a shrug.

"What's that?" Kuvira asked.

"I just said that there are somethings-"

"No, the device you just put in your pocket." Kuvira fought the strong urge to roll her eyes. "A tracker, I assume."

"Why ask a question if you already know the answer?" Asami asked. She turned on her heel before heading in the opposite direction. She reached up and wiped at a smudge of oil on her cheek. She then glanced down at her soiled hands. "I need to know where you are at all times."

"I thought that was my job," Kuvira said, once again taking her position of staying paces behind Asami. She nodded at the Sato Estate staff as they walked by.

"I don't need the reminder," Asami answered. She paused outside of a door and smiled graciously at Akari, who was standing next to it. Kuvira quickly looked the older woman over, frowning at how she had her hands tucked into the pockets of her apron. The woman noticed Kuvira looking before slowly removing her hands from the apron and holding them in front.

"A bath has been drawn to your liking, Ms. Sato," Akari said with a bow. "Fresh pajamas, towels, and scented oils are already placed inside."

"How do you always know?" Asami asked with a small laugh. "I do appreciate it, and all that you have done for me over the years."

"Of course, Ms. Sato" Akari said brightly. "With how much your father and mother have done for Republic City… how are you holding up?"

Kuvira noticed Asami's back stiffen as she brushed her dark locks off her shoulder. A brief flash of her neck appeared as her hair fluttered into place. A light pink mark peeked out from beneath her collar.

"About the same," Asami answered with a sigh. "But life goes on, right?" she asked. Akari nodded before stepping to the side. "I just have one more request. I would like some extra pillows in my room tonight."

"Right away, Ms. Sato." Akari nodded. Asami smiled once more before stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. Moments later the loud sound of water pouring out of the faucet in the bathtub filled the silence of the hallway.

Kuvira turned and stood up against the wall, her hands clasped in front of her, her shoulders rolled back, and her head held high. Akari looked over at Kuvira, her smile immediately fading. Kuvira stared back, refusing to move from her position. The green light from her ankle monitor blinked steadily, periodically adding a pale glow to the lightly dimmed hallway.

"Was there something you'd like to say?" Kuvira asked.

Akari slowly shook her head, before giving a curt nod and heading down the hallway. Kuvira watched her out of her right peripheral but remained at her post. Steam started to spill from under the door, lapping at her ankles.

"Oh, I forgot!" Akari said with a small laugh. She rushed back over to Kuvira, pulling a bottle out of her apron. "Body wash for Ms. Sato. Would you mind giving this to her?"

Kuvira glanced at the bottle, and then Akari, and then back to the bottle. She cleared her throat before shifting her weight from one leg to the other, before becoming still again. "The door is right there."

"I must attend to her room," Akari insisted. She thrust a bottle into Kuvira's chest. On instinct, Kuvira reached up and held onto the bottle before it fell to the floor. "Thank you for your assistance," Akari said.

Kuvira made sure Akari caught the intensity of her glare before turning towards the door. Akari curtly nodded before rushing off down the hall. Kuvira lifted her hand and rapped her knuckles against the door. The loud rumbling sound of the water from the bathtub faucet into the bath was all she heard. She then knocked again, longer and louder than before.

"I said you can come in, Akari" Asami called out. Kuvira opened the bathroom door, letting out a hiss as steam came flooding out of the room. She waved her hand in the air, blowing some of the steam out of her face. Water droplets immediately spotted her forehead. She reached over and turned off the faucet.

Kuvira placed the body wash onto the edge of the bathtub and turned to make her way back out of the room but paused as she was able to make out Asami in the room. She was standing in front of the sink, washing her face with a red washcloth coated in suds. Her long dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, the long strands lightly tracing her back, barely brushing against the light pink scars splashed along Asami's back. The bumps and ridges of her ribs were visible, her skin stretching over the bone.

After rinsing the washcloth and wiping the soap from her face, Asami picked up a towel from the sink and dapped at her face, before leaning forward to wipe off the mirror. "Sorry, you know I like my water hot. I just needed to-" Asami stopped, noticing Kuvira in the reflection. Slowly, she moved the towel to cover her front before turning around.

Kuvira was caught off guard at seeing Asami without makeup on. Her piercing green eyes stood out against her pale skin. They were full of fear and shame. "Get out," she said softly.

Chapter Text

Kuvira closed her eyes, gently rocking back and forth to the slow haunting melody floating out of the radio. She took a deep breath before moving into the second position and launching into a dance routine. The sounds of her barefoot on the wooden floor followed the rhythm of the music.

Her arms and legs moved automatically, flowing through the motions of a routine taught to her long ago. The cool air sent a chill throughout her body, highlighting the sweat on her back and forehead. Once the song ended, she easily moved to the rhythm of the new song, and the one after that, and the one after that. Her discipline with the changes in tempo and keeping on pace mimicked the training she gained over the years.

“I don’t want to dance!” Kuvira shouted. She turned and picked up a toy from her dresser and threw it with all her might. Suyin lifted her hand and caught the toy. She carefully transferred it between her hands, her fingertips tracing the paint lines.

“I think it’d be a great activity for you to hone your skills.” Suyin shrugged. “You may grow to like it, love it even.”

Kuvira crossed her arms over her chest before dropping down onto her bed, the corners of her lip slowly pulling into a pout, “What does that have to do with earthbending?”

“Come now, don’t make that face. I never said it was connected to earthbending.” Suyin placed the toy onto a nearby shelf. “I’d like to spend some time with you. One on one.”

Kuvira’s pout disappeared. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned towards Suyin. Moments later it turned into a suspicious glance. “You want to spend time with me?”

“Yes. Let’s go and have some fun!”

Kuvira twirled her thumbs before nodding once. “…I’ll go and get changed.” She turned and walked over to her closet, trying to keep her pace calm, attempting to fight the smile forming across her face.

As the song faded out on the radio, Kuvira walked over and clicked it off. Grabbing a towel, she placed it around the back of her neck, before dabbing at her forehead. “Enter,” Kuvira called out.

A moment later, the door slowly creaked open. Asami stepped into the room, three document tubes over her right shoulder. She dropped her gaze to the floor once she noticed Kuvira looking at her closely. She covered the motion by tucking some hair behind her ear.

“We’re due at President Moon’s office in-”

“I’m aware of the time,” Kuvira interrupted. She grabbed a canteen and took a long slip. “As you wait, you may want to put more makeup on.”

“What’s wrong with my makeup?”

“You can still see the bags under your eyes. What’d you eat today?”

Asami stood up straighter. “Oatmeal and some fruit. Do you want to go to the kitchen and check behind me?”

“There’d be no point. The staff work for you. You could’ve instructed them to plant scraps.” Kuvira reached up and pulled her hair out from her bun, letting her hair flow down her back. “I just need to take a shower and then we’ll be ready to go in about five minutes.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you for letting me use this space.”

“I forgot we had this room here,” Asami admitted. She took a few more steps into the dance studio, her high heels echoing with each step. “My mom liked to dance. She tried to teach me, but I was never too good at it. She said I was too analytical.”

“What is a negative in one space may be a positive in another,” Kuvira answered.

“Do you always speak in riddles?”

“Do you always ignore Lallah when she’s around?”

Asami rubbed the back of her neck. “…I’ll be waiting outside.” She turned to head to the door, stopping once she grabbed onto the door handle. “Woah,” she muttered, before slumping over.

“What do you need?” Kuvira asked, rushing over.

Asami shook her head, before standing back up. “Nothing, I just got dizzy for a moment. I’m fine now.” Kuvira made a disapproving sound before taking a step back. Asami stepped out of the room and moved to the side, allowing Kuvira some space. She couldn’t help but glance at the ankle monitor strapped to Kuvira’s ankle as she walked away.

“Morning Ms. Sato,” a gruff voice called out. The Estate’s butler appeared at her side, holding out a tray with a cloche. He pulled the metal covering off, displaying a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit. “Here is your breakfast.”

“I’ve already eaten this morning,” Asami said, gently pushing the tray aside. “I do appreciate it. Thank you.”

“…Ms. Sato, I was under strict orders to offer you this plate,” he said, moving the tray back to its original position.

Asami shifted the tubes on her shoulder, the papers rattling around inside. She glanced down at the tray and then down the hall. “Hmmm,” she mumbled before turning her attention back to him. “Just because Kuvira is here as my bodyguard doesn’t mean my staff should be taking orders from her.”

“As you wish.” He nodded. He replaced the cloche, bowed once, and left.

Asami reached into her pocket and pulled out a small black device. She flipped up the screen and turned the power switch. A moment later, the screen came to life, showing a blinking green dot. Sighing hard, she turned the device back off and repocketed it before making her way down the hallway toward the main stairwell.

Upon reaching the middle landing, Asami paused, hearing a low rumble sound. Turning to her left, she spotted a mechanic taking a few steps back, waving his arms in the air, directing a racing car forward. The clean red metal shined brightly underneath the sun.

A high-pitched creaking sound broke the silence. Asami turned and spotted Kuvira heading down the stairs, her captain’s helmet underneath her left arm, and a large metal staff held in her right hand. Her metal suit easily bent and moved with each step as if made from fabric instead of some of the toughest materials.

“Let’s go,” Asami instructed as soon as Kuvira joined her side.

Kuvira looked over Asami’s shoulder. “We still have time, if you’d like to-”

“No, it’s okay.”

“I was told you like to race.”

Asami frowned. I was told… The specific wording stuck to her, but she couldn’t make heads or tails as to why. “I’m not interested anymore. I just don’t have a lot of time.”

Kuvira raised her foot into the air before slamming it onto the ground. She closed her eyes. Her vision was fuzzy and faint, but she was able to just make out the furniture in the boardroom. A moment later, she stood straight up before rapping her knuckles on the door. “All clear.” She called out.

The door opened and Asami stepped inside, followed by President Moon and her secretary. As soon as the door closed, Kuvia stepped back in front of the door, planted her feet, and pressed the bottom of her metal staff to the ground. Lifting her chin, she held her gaze at the clock across the room.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, President Moon,” Asami said as she placed the tubes on the desk. She picked one up and began to unscrew the lid. “I’m happy that you are interested in some of my new ideas and plans.”

“Asami, I have said numerous times, to just call me Zhu Li,” she said in her normal monotone. “Just because I have a new title doesn’t mean I have forgotten everything you have done for Republic City.” Zhu Li took a seat at the head of the table. Her secretary poured her a glass of water and placed it in front of her. “Have a seat.”

“I’m fine with standing,” Asami insisted. Zhu Li’s assistant poured Asami a glass of water before taking a seat opposite her. She flipped open a notepad, clicked her pen, and began to write down the date and time.

“As you know, former President Raiko seemed to want to keep things in balance by oppressing others.” Zhu Li stated. “We both see a better vision for Republic City for everyone. So, I’m excited to see what you have to offer.”

Asami swayed on her feet. She held on tightly to the edge of the table, forcing a smile in Zhu Li’s direction. “Based on your guidance and requests, I believe I have created the items you were looking for. This will help bring more balance between benders and nonbenders alike, so Republic City can continue to thrive, and everyone will feel like they belong here.”

“Yes, well Korra has done amazing work bringing balance to the world, and with you stepping in as well, I’m sure this initiative will be a success.” With that, she leaned forward and picked up a small plate and some tongs before plucking two finger sandwiches and a small stem of grapes from the middle of the table. “Help yourself to some food.”

“Maybe later,” Asami said with a wave of her hand. She pulled out a blueprint and unrolled it across the table, before turning it in Zhu Li’s direction. “I’m sure you will find some of these gadgets fit your requests.”

Asami reached up and brushed some hair out of her face. A few strands fell onto the surface of the blueprints. She straightened back up and ran her fingers through her hair again, this time, a small clump came out. “What?” she whispered. Zhu Li put down her plate of food before getting to her feet. “My apologies. I’m normally more put together.”

“Asami, why don’t we continue this meeting later?” Zhu Li asked.

“No, we can continue.” Asami reached out and plucked the few strands of hair from the blueprints, transferred them to her other hand, before stuffing them into her pocket. “If you look closely, this device-”

Zhu Li placed her hand on Asami’s. Asami felt the warmth from her palm. A stark contrast to her touch, cold and clammy. Asami snatched her hand away. “Asami, please go and take care of yourself

“I’m fine.”

“Asami. I insist.” Zhu Li motioned to her assistant, who got up from her seat. She moved around the table and began to gather up the blueprints and paper tubes.  “Leave the blueprints here, I will take a look at them and will radio you later.” Zhu Li nodded once. “I’m sure the pressure I’ve been putting on you to get this done hasn’t been helpful. Go and take some time for yourself.”

“Of course. I understand.” Asami said. “As you wish.”

“I was told you tend to dive into your work at your own expense,” Zhu Li commented, “Make sure you’re eating and take care of yourself. I hope you’re able to-”

I was told…

“Wait!” Asami held up a hand. “Who told you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Make sure I’m eating and take care of myself,” she repeated. “I tend to get too consumed with my work. Who told you that?”

“Well, it’s been clear since we’ve worked together many times to protect Republic City. And with the Avatar being gone-”

“Who told you?”

“Avatar Korra has reported back to me quite a few times while in the Earth Kingdom and-”

“Thank you for this meeting, Zhu Li,” Asami interrupted. “As requested, I will be going. Please let me know when your schedule can accommodate a new time.” She turned on her heel before storming towards the door. Kuvira switched the staff from her right hand to her left before opening the door. Asami reached out and grabbed Kuvira by the arm, pulling her into the hallway with her, slamming the door shut.

“She spoke to you too,” Asami said, her voice low. “That’s why my butler knew about my breakfast order. And how you knew about the racetrack at the Estate.”

“What are you talking about?” Kuvira asked.

“Korra! Every time she radioed me, at some point she radioed you, and Zhu Li, and I’m sure more. Who else? Tenzin?”

“I’m not in the habit of keeping up with those you and the Avatar are close with.” Kuvira rolled her eyes.

“If your job is to protect me, you would know everything about me. All my friends, allies, enemies.”

“This again.”

“Why does everyone do everything behind my back for my best interest?” Asami shouted. “Why doesn’t anyone just talk to me?”

“You’re not the easiest to talk to,” Kuvira said. “Or need I remind you of the silence you demanded once I got here.” She shrugged.  “Korra said-”

“So you admit it?” Asami asked.

“There’s no point in lying when you’ve already figured it out.”

“I was right.” Asami held up a finger and pointed it in Kuvira’s face. “You are trying to drive a wedge between us?”

Kuvira used her staff and pushed Asami’s finger away. “Why would I want to do that?”

“To be able to take us down from the inside out. That’s why you are so insistent about someone being in the Estate trying to attack me.”

“I have told you over and over, someone was there. If I was able to have more freedom around the Estate.”

“No! That’ll never happen.”  Asami shook her head. She took a deep breath before reaching up and touching her forehead. “You’re exactly like her. You’re just like Korra. You’re like everyone else who tries to dictate what I can say or do, and then leaves.”

“Left or pushed away?” Kuvria retorted. “Maybe some just wanted to escape you and your craziness.”

“Watch your mouth. If anyone pushes people away it’d, be you. You wouldn’t understand someone deciding to walk out of your life.”

Kuvira’s green eyes darkened. “Korra left for duty. Your dad left because he was misguided in believing he was doing the right thing. But from what I remember, they eventually came back. My parents left by choice. They dropped me off at the front gates of Zaofu when I was eight, and I haven’t seen or spoken to them since.”

“What did you do to make them leave?”

Kuvira curled her left hand into a fist. She took a deep breath sizing Asami up with a harsh glare. “…I quit”.

Asami sighed hard. "You can't just...". Kuvira stepped forward and caught Asami in her arms as she slumped toward the ground.

Chapter Text

“No, Korra, she’s still asleep. Yes, I’m fine to talk, give me one moment.”

Asami stirred, wincing at the bright lights in the room as she slowly opened her eyes. She groaned, moving to reach up and rub her right temple. She stopped when she felt a slight stinging in the middle of her arm. Looking down, she spotted gauze on her inner arm, held in place with medical tape. She winced as she reached out and ripped it off.

Asami carefully sat up in bed, before looking at the empty seat next to her.

“Your friend hasn’t left that spot since you got here.”

Once more she reached up to rub her pounding head when she spotted the medical bracelet on her right arm. Slipping two fingers underneath, she pulled and pulled but the bracelet remained in place. Asami let out a sigh of frustration before dropping her arms back down.

“Ms. Sato, is everything okay?” Akari asked, stepping closer.

“Oh, I didn’t see you there,” Asami said. “How long have I been asleep?” she held her arm out in her direction.

“For a long time.” Akari reached into one of the bedside table drawers and pulled out a pair of scissors. “Kuvira carefully got you up here to your room before you had another fainting spell.” She snipped off the hospital bracelet before placing it and the scissors onto the table, next to a blue teacup. Swirls of steam rose out of the top.

Asami reached up and rubbed her wrist. “I thought she quit.”

“She said something about completing her job first.”

“Watch your mouth. If anyone pushes people away it’d, be you. You wouldn’t understand someone deciding to walk out of your life.”

“Korra left for duty. Your dad left because he was misguided in believing he was doing the right thing. But from what I remember, they eventually came back. My parents left by choice. They dropped me off at the front gates of Zaofu when I was eight, and I haven’t seen or spoken to them since.”

“What did you do to make them leave?”

“Is she still here?” Asami pushed the covers off herself, before turning and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Akari held her hands out, and Asami grabbed onto her wrists before pulling herself up. “I need to speak with her.”

“Are you sure that you’re up for that, Ms.?” Akari asked, helping Asami walk around her bed. “It’s the first time you’ve been up since-”

“Yes, I’m sure. I need to speak with her.” Asami paused once she spotted Korra’s clothing still on the floor of her bedroom. “After I clean this up.”

After cleaning up the bedroom floor and placing the dirty clothes in a nearby hamper, she made her way over to the bedroom door and carefully pulled it open. She spotted Kuvira a few paces down the hallway, talking into the radio with a hushed voice.

Akari stepped out of the room behind Asami and handed her a cup of tea. Asami smiled her thanks before lifting the drink to her nose, inhaling the herbal scents. She carefully leaned against the wall, holding the warm cup in her hands, relishing in the heat chasing the cool of her touch away.

“I’ll see you when you return.” Kuvira turned off the radio. “You shouldn’t be up,” Kuvira said, before turning to her right, to see Asami standing near her.

Kuvira woke up with a start at the loud noise in the room. She sat up straight, looking around to see what had shifted. It wasn’t until she felt the familiar tingling in her foot from low circulation that she realized her foot had slipped to the floor in her sleep. She reached up and wiped the bit of drool from her chin, glancing over at Asami. She wouldn’t have been able to endure the embarrassment of being caught sleeping on the job.

Not that Asami has been doing much since she was released from the hospital a few hours ago. It was confirmed that she was fighting anorexia, but it wasn’t at too advanced of a stage like Kuvira had initially worried about. They held her in the hospital for about two days, just to run some tests and to make sure she was well enough to return home, which Asami had fought with her doctors the entire way. This was the quietest Asami had been in the last few days. After returning home, Asami insisted on going to her father’s office to get some work done but almost passed out while going up the stairs. Kuvira insisted that she get some more rest and was surprised that the engineer listened without any pushback.

Just like the hospital stay, Kuvira was perched by Asami’s bedside in a chair, just sitting, watching, and thinking. At least after the initial visit. Kuvira wanted to crawl into a hole when her ankle monitor went off as soon as she left President Moon’s office building and continued to beep while in the hospital lobby. Lin was fast to appear, as if she also had a tracker on Kuvira, to see what caused the disruption. After a radio call to Avatar Korra, the radius on her and the functionality of her ankle monitor had changed.

In the few times that a nurse would come into Asami’s hospital room to check her vitals, get her to eat some food, or prepare her for a therapy session (now prescribed to be held once a week as part of her improvement plan), Kuvira still pondered as to why a certain part of the Sato Estate she couldn’t get near without her monitor going off. Of course, Asami insisted she didn’t need to be on that part of the estate, but the secrecy was always at the forefront of her attention. Surely, it would be easier to let her have a free roam of the estate and just lock a few doors instead of deliberately leaving her out. Suspicious actions…

As Asami drifted in and out of sleep since returning to the estate, Kuvira would swap places with Akari to watch over her, giving her free reign to scour the Estate. Ever since that stormy night when the ‘intruder’ almost attacked Asami, there hadn’t been any more suspicious attacks on her. It was as if the attack within the city was a distant memory, even though it was splashed across the news space for days. Many feared that a new threat to the city was growing, but just as fast as it came, it went away. Of course, Kuvira’s surveillance around the estate may be the benefit as to no other attacks occurring.

After the initial attack at the estate, Kuvira constantly checked who would come in and out of the estate, made hourly patrols on every floor, and escorted Asami as she traveled from room to room, much to her chagrin. Although news of the estate attack didn’t make it to the news, which wouldn’t surprise Kuvira if that was Asami’s work of cutting the news before it became public fodder. Or, it was to keep Avatar Korra at ease.

Kuvira rubbed the sleep from her eyes before shifting her focus over to Asami. ‘This is probably the most relaxed I’ve seen her since I got here’.

The radio crackled to life, causing Kuvira to jump in her seat. She rolled her eyes before plucking the radio from her hip and putting it up to her ear.

“Kuvira, are you there?” Korra asked. “Is Asami awake?”

“No, she’s still asleep,” Kuvira whispered.

“May you step out or are you busy?”

“Yes, I’m fine to talk, give me one moment.” She carefully got up out of her seat and made her way over to Asami’s bedroom door. Kuvira signaled over to Akari, who was standing in front of the closet at the other end of the room, putting away the clothing that she had brought with her to the hospital. Carefully stepping over Korra’s clothing that littered the floor, Kuvira let out a curse as she lost her balance. She carefully dropped to one knee, wincing at the pain that shot up through her kneecap.

Letting out her breath, she moved to get back to her feet but paused when she spotted a framed photo of Asami and Korra on a nearby vanity. In the photo, they were seated in one of the large turtleduck boats, with Asami curled up into Korra’s side. Kuvira looked over at Asami still asleep in the bed, before getting to her feet and exiting the room.

“Go ahead.”

“When you can, let Asami know that I’m on my way back to Republic City,” Korra said. “I’m ending my time here early.”

“This news would be best to come from you. She wasn’t too happy to know that I had been talking to you during my duration here.”

“I think she’s more upset that I was essentially using you to spy on her to make sure that she was okay.”

“If the two of you love each other as much as you say, why are the both of you lying to each other?” Kuvira asked.

“Haven’t you ever lied to someone for their protection?”

“Hmmm,” Kuvira muttered but didn’t say much else. It wasn’t that she had lied, per se, but turning against her fiancé while trying to take control of Republic City ranked close to it.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Korra responded. The light tone to her voice indicated to Kuvira that she was smiling on the other end. Kuvira fought the urge to roll her eyes. “I know you said you have already decided to quit, but I am requesting that you stay until my return.”

“That was already the plan, so I don’t see how this would be any different except the duration has changed.”

“I mean, if you’re not up for it…”

“Don’t try reverse psychology on me,” Kuvira snapped. “It won’t work, and you’re too obvious so you’re not good at it.”

“I just thought if we are as alike as you say, you would take it as a challenge to show me up.”

“I’m glad you’re finding amusement out of this.”

“I didn’t think you would know what that is.”

“I’ll see you when you return.” Kuvira turned off the radio. “You shouldn’t be up,” Kuvira said, before turning to her right, to see Asami standing next to her, leaning up against the wall. Looking at her now, it is the most normal she had seen the engineer. Her hair was down and in loose waves across her shoulders, her eyes, while tired, were the most alert she’d seen since she started her work.

“We need to talk,” Asami insisted. Kuvira brushed past her and moved down the hallway. It didn’t surprise her that Asami decided to follow. The bottom of her purple nightgown flowed around her legs with each step.

“I quit, remember?” Kuvira pointed out. She opened a door and stepped inside, turning on the light. The fluorescent lights of the dance studio hummed to life, slowly brightening. She turned on the radio in the room and a jazzy song started to play. Kuvira placed the mobile radio on a table.

You never finish anything. You always quit when things get too hard. Can’t you do anything?

“Then why are you still here?” Asami asked, her voice carrying over the wide space. She stood in the doorway, looking around the room, as if afraid to fully answer. “One call to Su in Zaofu and I’m sure she and Lin would have an aircraft ready to take you back.”

“I’m only here until Avatar Korra’s return, which will now be in a few days,” Kuvira answered over her shoulder. She walked to the center of the room, moving into second position. “You have made it abundantly clear, that there is no one here to attack you. So, there is no need for me to watch over you. Though, I will still have to deal with this until I return to Zaofu.” Kuvira kicked out her right leg, emphasizing the ankle monitor strapped tightly to it.

“How are you on house arrest there?” Asami’s voice sounded closer. Kuvira turned, frowning when she noticed Asami had placed her teacup down on the floor, a few feet away from them. Slowly shaking her head, Kuvira held her left hand out, touched her thumb and pointer fingers together as if grabbing a hold of something, and then twisted her wrist to the left. The volume on the radio cranked up.

“I can’t leave Zaofu,” Kuvira answered.

“And yet you still felt trapped.”

“I always feel trapped.” She twisted her hand again. The volume rose even more.

“How so?”

“I spoke too much as it is.” Kuvira harshly turned her hand in the air. The volume increased rapidly. “If you’ll excuse me,” she shouted.

Kuvira closed her eyes, gently rocking back and forth to the slow haunting melody floating out of the radio. She took a deep breath before moving into second position and launching into a dance routine. The sounds of her barefoot on the wooden floor followed the rhythm of the music.

Her arms and legs moved automatically, flowing through the motions of a routine taught to her long ago. The cool air sent a chill throughout her body, highlighting the sweat on her back and forehead. Once the song ended, she easily moved to the rhythm of the new song, and the one after that, and the one after that. Her discipline with the changes in tempo and keeping on pace mimicked the training she gained over the years.

It wasn’t until the third song faded out that she heard the extra set of footsteps next to her. Kuvira opened her eyes, and turned to look at Asami, who was staring at their reflections in the floor-length mirror across the room. Her arms were held out to the side as if she was holding onto an invisible climbing rope. Kuvira’s arms were in the same position but bent at different points.

“What are you doing?” Kuvira asked, dropping her arms to the side. Her chest calmly rose up and down, in stark contrast to Asami’s who was trying to catch her breath.

Asami quickly dropped her arms. “I’m trying…to follow you,” she panted. A look of determination on her face.

Kuvira felt the corners of her lips move upward. Before she knew it, she was fighting back a laugh, forcing the bubble of glee back down into the pit of her core. “Not well. For someone so gives the air of grace, you look like an uncoordinated kitten moth,” she commented.

“You have a nice smile,” Asami admitted.

Kuvira paused; her eyes widened. She lowered her head, as she felt a flush race across her cheeks. She reached up and brushed her braided ponytail off of her shoulder. “Thank you,” she said quietly, carefully lowering herself to the ground. She stretched her legs out in front of her before leaning back and placing her hands on the ground.

“Why don’t you share it more?”

“Not every situation requires a smile.”

“And yet, you seem the most relaxed when you dance,” Asami pointed out. She took a seat on the floor next to Kuvira. She leaned on her left hip; her legs curled up underneath her. She placed her left hand on the ground, leaning her weight into her. Their hands were so close together that their pinkies became intertwined. “Why wouldn’t that make you smile? It’s clear that you love it.”

“It’s just something I do to ground myself.” Kuvira shrugged. “Su taught me that. It must be like racing for you.”

Asami nodded. “Racing helps me clear my head.”

“Or, does it help you run away from your problems?”

“There’s only so far I can run until it catches up.”

“Which is why you had to take control of it by any means necessary.”

“Yes,” Asami admitted. “When Korra first told me she was leaving after everything had wrapped up with the Earth Empire, it felt like she was leaving me. Everyone in my life finds a way to leave. My mom, my dad left when his grief for my mom took over and he focused on what was the to be the Equalist movement. Korra left for three years for her recovery. Mako joined the police force, and Bolin joined you with the Earth Empire. It made me feel like I was meant to be alone. Controlling what I ate gave me a way to push those feelings to the side.”

Kuvira nodded in understanding.

“I’m sorry for what I said to you,” Asami said.

“…I think that’s the first time anyone has ever apologized to me.” Kuvira admitted. She flushed again, this time in embarrassment for admitting that fact. Asami moved to lower the bottom of her purple nightgown. The movement caused Kuvira to notice a light pink mark on the back of her left calf.

“Those markings…just like the ones on your back. They’re scars, aren’t they?” Kuvira quickly changed the subject.

“So, you did see them.” Asami inhaled slowly before letting her breath out. “The night my mother died, there was a break-in here at the estate.”

Six-year-old Asami sniffed before rolling over to her side. Her small chest moved up and down as she breathed deeply. Her mouth hung open a bit, allowing a little dribble of drool to seep out onto the pillow. She sniffed, a bit harder this time, before flipping to her other side. A soft grunting sound followed. A few moments later perspiration began to drip down her back. Asami whined before moving onto her back. She squirmed in her sleep, trying to get the feeling off.

With a gasp, Asami’s eyes snapped open “Too hot,” she whined.

Her bedroom door was flung open a moment later before the light flicked on.

“No school,” Asami cried. She turned over and curled herself into as small of a ball as possible as she felt her father’s arms wrap around her body.

“Come on, honey, we have to get out,” he insisted. Asami didn’t recognize the tone of his voice. She quickly opened her eyes. Hiroshi leaned her against his chest before turning to rush out the door, a small briefcase in his hand. Asami’s squirmed in his arms.

“Bed,” she cried.

“Asami, we have to go. Now!” he barked.

Asami turned and looked up at him. It was then she started to cough and rub her eyes as smoke filled the air. Hiroshi ran down the stairs as fast as he could. When reaching the bottom landing, he tripped over his feet and crashed to the floor. Asami flew out of his arms and rolled across the floor a few feet before stopping.

The smoke was thicker and caused her to cough harder. She was immediately drenched in sweat as the heat was much more intense on the bottom floor.

“Asami,” Hiroshi coughed.

Asami rubbed her head and got onto her hands and knees. She remembered learning in school that she was supposed to stay down, close to the ground so that there would be cooler air. She still breathed in a bit of smoke, but it was cooler nonetheless.

“Daddy?” she called out. She started to crawl in the direction she thought was the front door. She felt a small breeze coming from that direction. On the way, she paused when she felt a weird texture under her hand.

She softly patted her hand, following the texture up until she reached something hard. She then patted her hand a bit more until she felt a pair of cold lips underneath her palm. “Mommy?” she whispered as she pulled her hand back. Her palm had red lipstick stained on it.

“Ow!” Asami wailed as she felt immense heat on her legs and back. She turned and saw flames flickering closer to her feet. She then saw burn holes in the back of her nightgown and near the bottom close to her legs. She quickly patted them out before scooting closer towards her mother. “Mommy,” she shouted.

Hiroshi wrapped his arms around Asami before picking her up and rushing out of the house. Asam sighed in relief as she felt the cool night air. Her eyes widened in shock when she noticed the flames licking at the front door they had just passed. She started to furiously kick her legs, a tactic that was used to signal that she wanted down out of her parents’ arms.

“Mommy!”

“Don’t look, honey,” Hiroshi said softly. He shifted her in his arms and started to wipe away her tears. Asami ignored him as she struggled to get out of his grasp. A few water benders walked up and started to move cool water over the burns on Asami’s back and legs where her nightgown had melted. Her whimpers gradually faded as she relaxed in the soothing healing.

“Get away,” Hiroshi ordered

“But, sir, your daughter will scar-” Asami flinched as the cool water disappeared from her body and her father’s clothes rubbed up against her burns.

“Leave us alone, your kind did this!”

“In my father’s anger, he turned towards working with the Equalists, to eradicate bending as if to get back at those who took my mom’s life. It drove him mad. He only became the father I was used to after sitting in jail for three years. We had just reconnected when…”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Kuvira said.

“I’m sorry about your parents,” Asami answered. “I don’t think I could ever imagine what that must have been like.” She cleared. “I’m sorry about what I said. It was rude and uncalled for.”

 “I’m sorry about your father,” Kuvira said. “I wasn’t intentionally aiming for him. I would do anything to stop anyone from ruining my plan. If it is any consolation, your plan wouldn’t have worked if I didn’t swat at him. The metal broke through after I crushed the hummingbird suits, not from him completing cutting the hole. He made a great sacrifice to continue, and I believe was the deciding factor in the fight.”

“You know, I think that’s the first time you’ve apologized,” Asami commented. “Thank you.” It was then she looked down and noticed that their pinkies were overlapping on the ground. She cleared her throat and pulled her hand away. “I’m going to reheat my tea and then head back to bed.”

Asami picked up her teacup and carefully got to her feet. Kuvira nodded once before getting up, reaching out a hand, in case Asami needed something to steady herself with.

“No, stay here,” Asami insisted. “If I need assistance, I’ll just call for Akari.” She half-smiled before leaving the room. Kuvira went to change the station on the radio but stopped when she heard loud footsteps from the hallway, moving quickly.

“Kuvi-“

Kuvira felt a chill race down her spine as Asami’s scream filled the air, followed by a thump. She raced to the door and pulled it open. She took one step into the hallway when she felt a quick hit to the back of her neck. She instantly lost feeling in her limbs before slumping to the ground. She groaned loudly as her forehead smacked to the ground. Slowly rolling her head to the side, Kuvira spotted Asami’s teacup on the ground, the liquid seeping into the carpet, making a dark stain. She carefully lifted her head and spotted a dark figure turning the corner at the end of the hallway, with Asami hanging over their shoulders.

“Dammit!”

Chapter Text

Kuvira grunted in pain, her neck muscles straining, as she fought to move her arms and legs, but to no avail.

I guess this is it. This is how things were supposed to end up. You can’t do anything right, Kuvira, so why bother trying? It was just like when you were a child. You just couldn’t take responsibility for anything. Nothing was ever your fault, you never did anything wrong, and everyone else was wrong. Everyone else was the enemy. Everyone else was out to get you and make you the villain. So, you did just that. You proved to them you were the villain. No matter how much you try to show people your growth and progress, they will always see you as nothing else.

“No,” Kuvira wheezed, “I’ve changed.” She felt a twitch in one of her toes. “I can do this.” Kuvira closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose. Calming the pace of her breaths, she moved in a meditative state. “I am disciplined. I am in control. I can focus.”

She felt warmth trickling over her body as if someone had poured a liquid on top of her head. A light orange glow began to wash over her. The deeper the breath, the brighter it shined, before slowly beginning to melt away, pulling back until it formed into a large sphere near the middle of her back.

A sense of peace relaxed her as the ball of orange light phased through her body. Everything was falling away. Flashes of her childhood, her time with Su and the Beifong family, her time at the Sato Estate, all came through like a mover, like she was viewing her life instead of participating.

It’s not ladylike to make such a mess and talk back. Why can’t you do as you’re told the first time?

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

Why don’t you ever take responsibility for your actions?

“I do.”

You heard, Akari. Why can’t you do as you’re told the first time?

“I will.”

I’d like to spend some time with you. One on one.

“I am worthy”.

Kuvira’s eyes snapped open, a chill rushing over her as sweat beaded on her skin. On instinct, she moved to sit up and found that she could push herself to her knees. Kuvira gasped, before wincing and rolling her neck around. She then looked at her hands, moving one finger at a time, carefully bending them. “How?”

“You opened your sacral chakara,” Korra said. Kuvira turned to her right, jumping at the faded light blue figure floating beside her. “I’m not dead, this is just an astral projection.”

“Chakara?” Kuvira repeated.

“Energy points in the body. There are seven.” Korra reached out and pointed out the various spots. “If blocked, they may hinder your mind, your body, and your spirit. Congratulations, you fought through the block.”

Kuvira was surprised to find her touch warm, despite not holding a physical form. Kuvira carefully got to her feet, placing a hand against the wall to keep her balance. “How did you know something happened?”

“I always know when something is wrong with Asami,” Korra said. “On occasion, during my absence, I would astral project just to spend some time with her, but I can’t do it too often as it takes up a lot of energy. That’s why I’m not as present as I should be. “I’m trying to get back there as fast as I can.”

“You can’t do anything in this form?”

“No. While doing this, my body stays in place, although it can be moved. If so, it will be difficult if I don’t make it back in time. But everything is okay, my body is being watched over. It is being moved right now back to Republic City under respected and careful watch.”

“And you say we’re the same.” Kuvira turned and rested her back along the wall. She hung her head down, her braid ponytail falling over her shoulder. “You’re more spiritual than me.”

“I beg to differ.” Korra placed a hand on Kuvira’s shoulder. “You were just able to break through a chi block. I’m not sure how many people have successfully done so.”

“If I were spiritual, I wouldn’t feel trapped all the time.” Kuvira reared her head back, knocking it against the wall. She winced at the pain that throbbed in her temples. “I’d find a better mental escape. My parents affect me in all aspects of my life. My first night here I had a panic attack because I remember their disappointing words and comments. This is just a physical reminder of that.” Kuvira pointed to her right ankle.

“Well, you just broke through physical limitations, then you can break through those,” Korra said.”

“I can’t take this thing off.”

“Have you tried?”

“…”

“You didn’t try because you didn’t want to,” Korra pointed out. “The old you would’ve tried anything to get it off, maybe even rip it off with your teeth.”

“It’s the punishment I deserved,” Kuvira admitted. “I needed to prove to everyone that I can take responsibility.”

“We all saw that when you pleaded guilty. I don’t think we were the ones you wanted to convince.” Kuvira turned towards Korra, her eyebrows raised. She bit the inside of her cheek before taking a deep breath, exhaling sharply through her nose. “Don’t let them control you anymore.”

Kuvira reached her right hand out and curled it into a fist. She closed her eyes, imagining the ankle monitor in her hand. The green light flashed, taunting her. She growled, before closing her first crushing the device in her hands. The green light quickly turned red and let out a high-pitched, one-note ring, before petering out and going dark. Kuvira tossed the device to the side. She felt resistance against her right ankle before hearing a loud snap. Looking down, the ankle monitor clattered to the ground in pieces.

“Good job,” Korra commented.

“No time, we must find Asami,” Kuvira said before running down the hallway in the direction she last saw the intruder. Korra’s astral projection floated beside her. “I just don’t know where to start.”

“Start from the beginning. What was off to you since you came to the Estate?”

As Kuvira raced around the hallways, checking various rooms, she explained to Avatar of the strange attack on Asami a few weeks ago, and how Asami was so adamant that nothing was going on in her mansion.

“Asami normally wouldn’t be that dismissive,” Korra commented. “Even if she didn’t agree, she would always listen.”

“Well, she was trapped in one of her last safe spaces with someone she despises.” Kuvira continued to run around the empty halls. “Where is the staff?” she pondered.

“Kuvira, I chose you on purpose. I could’ve easily asked Lin or the Republic City police force, or members of the White Lotus to look after Asami while I was gone, but I knew you were the best pick for the job.”

“Because of my background in patrol and security?” Kuvira asked.

“That, and you are the only other person who knows what it feels like to be trapped.”

Kuvira slowed to a walk, catching her breath. “When has Asami ever-”

“Under the expectations of her father, the public comments of Future Industries’ ties to the Equalist movement, being brainwashed by Guan, some believe nepotism was at hand for her Future Industries being able to get the large contract with Republic City to rebuild and advance it’s infostructure,” Korra listed off. “Not to mention the general conferment of femininity and the effects of misogyny, but that’s a conversation for another day.” She waved her hand in the air. “I was gone, so who else would be a better pick.”

“What if…” Kuvira trailed off. “What is your purpose to be in the Earth Kingdom?”

“To assist Wu in reunification and rebuilding.”

“…Who asked him to call you out there?”

Korra opened her mouth to answer but stopped before slowly closing her lips into a thin line. “This was all a setup,” she muttered. “To get me out of the way to get to Asami. The attack while out in the city may have been planned as well.” She slammed her fist against her forehead. “I’m so stupid.”

“While I would normally agree, this is a special case,” Kuvira commented.

“What else has been going on?”

“She would disappear into her father’s office and hidden doors lot. Except I wasn’t ever able to get within twenty feet of the place as my ankle monitor would go off.” Kuvira closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I’m such an idiot. It was right under my nose the entire time.”

“While I would normally agree…” Korra smirked.

“We’re not on a joking level,” Kuvira said dismissively. She started running again. “How else would the intruder get into the Sato Estate without being detected?”

“You’re not thinking-”

“They had to have already been in the building.”

Kuvira and Korra moved in silence as she rushed towards the wing of the Sato Estate that she normally would be blocked from entering. Reaching a dark dead-end corner, Kuvira walked up to a locked door. The initials H.S. are etched into the wood grain. She reached out and twisted the doorknob. “Stuck.”

Korra placed her fists together before closing her eyes. She then faded away. A moment later a soft click came from the other side of the door, before the doorknob twisted and slowly pulled open. “What should we look for?”

“Nothing, the false book is right here,” Kuvira commented, walking over to the bookcase. “For a genius, this is not hidden in plain sight as much as they believe.”

Kuvira reached up and swiped at the books, tossing them to the floor. The History of the Four Nations stayed in place. Kuvira flipped open the cover and found a small switch, hidden along the velvet lining. She flipped it with the flick of her finger.

A low mechanical hum filled the room as the doors locked and the lights dimmed. She reached out and held onto the back of a chair, as she felt the room shift before feeling as if it were moving downward. The mechanical sound kept her at ease as she looked at the windows and found them to be blocked by a large slab of metal, darkening the room.

“Kuvira, I can’t…join you…” Korra’s voice became distorted. Her blue figure began to flicker in and out. “There’s something…blocking…my ability…take…care…Asami…please…save…” Kuvira blinked, and Korra’s astral projection disappeared.

Moments later the room came to a stop, the mechanical sound faded away, and the doors unlocked. The windows remained covered. Kuvira stormed towards the door, yanking it open. She winced as bright lights flipped on in the new space. Equalist signs, flags, and symbols were hung from each wall and parts of the ceiling. A group of people were standing in the middle of the large hangar, facing the back wall. A figure stood along the large railing, looking down at the gathering, with a shorter figure slumped over next to them.

“Ah, Kuvira, you finally joined us,” the figure said, taking a step forward. “I was wondering how much longer it would take until you figured it out.”

“Akari?”

Chapter Text

“I have to say, Great Uniter, I figured you would’ve put all of this together much quicker,” Akari taunted. “Although, Asami’s help was of utmost importance,” she said pointing to her right. Asami’s arms were handcuffed behind her back and a piece some cloth was stuck between her lips, wrapped around her head, a blindfold placed over her eyes. Asami attempted to call out, her voice muffled. Akari kicked her in the shoulder, causing her to fall over.

“Admittedly, it did take me a bit, but I always knew there was something weird about you,” Kuvira admitted. She walked further into the room. Various people in the room shifted towards her, turning on electric gloves and bolas. The blue electricity crackled to life, adding to the hum of the lights in the room.

“Stand down,” Akari called out. “Let her approach.” The gloves and bolas were turned off. People stepped to the side, allowing a path for Kuvira to walk forward. “You were getting a bit too close. It wasn’t until Asami came out of the hospital that I knew it was the right time to put my plan into action.”

“So why all of this?”

“Well, it was all Asami’s idea,” Akari commented. “I’m just putting it into action.”

“What was her idea?”

“Making things more equal,” she spat. “Republic City was created to be a utopia for benders of all nations and non-benders alike, but it seems everywhere we turn, benders are the ones getting more preferential treatment. You all think you’re so special.”

“What’s wrong with bending?” Kuvira kept her eyes on Akari, but out of her peripheral, she was able to see some of the Equalist fighters starting to gather in a circle.

“Look at all the damage you have caused. You and The Avatar have opened another Spirit Portal and created The Wilds. Many of us have lost our homes, have had our lives uprooted, and work twice as hard at our jobs while you all have the ease of whichever element you weld to make things easier,” Akari said. Her eyes became wilder. “We can’t bounce back as fast, and in turn, we’re treated as second-class citizens.”

“What is it you want?” Kuvira clenched her fists. None of the metal under her feet moved. Platinum. “You all say that this is for the good, but what was your ultimate goal?”

“Asami was creating gadgets and weaponry to make things more equal. She wanted to bring a balance to the world that The Avatar struggled to do. She wanted to continue her father’s work.”

Asami groaned, slowly shaking her head. Akari looked over at her, before rolling her eyes. “Here I thought you would be like your father, but you can’t match up to him. What a waste of my teaching you how to chi-block.”

“What?”

“No, stay here,” Asami insisted. “If I need assistance, I’ll just call for Akari.” She half-smiled before leaving the room. She turned to Akari, who was carefully pulling on a dark mask over her head. Once in place, Asami nodded once before taking a deep breath.

Akari nodded in return before lifting a radio to her mouth. “Go.”

The sound of footsteps moved toward them from the dark hallway.

“Kuvi-” she shouted, before Akari placed a hand over her mouth, before pulling her backward. Asami carefully dropped her hands, the teacup landing on the floor.

Kuvira burst through the door. Asami stepped forward and quickly jabbed Kuvira in the back of her neck. Kuvira groaned before dropping to the ground.

“Good work,” Akari whispered over her shoulder to Asami. “I’m sorry.”

Before Asami could say anything, she felt a head blow to the back of her head. She gasped before falling forward. Akari grabbed a hold of her and placed her over her shoulder before running down the hallway.

“Dammit!” Kuvira shouted.

“After signing the contract of the city’s infostructure, Asami was working with President Moon in bringing focus to have a better balance for non-benders in the city. Moon was the one who commissioned Asami for these devices. The meeting would’ve gone well if she didn’t bring her emotions into everything. Her poor father, her girlfriend, you…she was just too weak.”

“I’ve seen her in action, she can handle herself.” Kuvira nodded, looking a bit to the right. Akari followed her gaze and found the spot that Asami was in, empty.

Akari let out a curse, before looking around. “Go find her!” she demanded.

The room erupted into chaos. Kuvira turned and ran back in the direction she had come, but instead of moving back into the lift to take her to Hiroshi’s office, she moved over to a workbench and picked up an electric glove and a bola. She slipped on the glove and brought the bola to life. Looking down, she spotted the reflection of two Equalists behind her. Kuvira performed a backflip and jabbed the bola into one’s back while touching the glove to the other’s arm. Both Equalists yelped at the shock before slumping to the ground.

Kuvira took the bola in her hand before throwing it up in a light, high up in the ceiling. She jumped as blue electricity shot in four different directions before the lights shut off. Loud yelling erupted in the space.

A few of the electrified weapons were turned on but they didn’t provide enough light to see but a few inches in front of the user. Kuvira moved around the table and slumped against the wall. Using her foot as a guide, she carefully made her way up the incline towards the platform where Akari and Asami were placed. She grunted in pain as someone stepped on her foot in their rush, but it wasn’t heard over the loud commotion.

“If you all don’t find them, then all of this would have been for nothing,” Akari shouted, her voice coming from Kuvira’s left. Kuvira continued her way up the incline before the slanting leveled out. She reached out her hands against the wall, searching for a crease in the door. She only felt cool metal.

Kuvira raised her foot into the air before slamming it onto the ground, the metal sound ringing in the space. “Someone is still here,” Akari called out.

Kuvira closed her eyes. Her vision was fuzzy and faint, but she was able to just make out a small square space in the wall she was just searching. Opening her eyes, Kuvira crouched down and pushed against the space. The metal panel slowly moved into the ground, revealing a dark tunnel. Kuvira crouched low before beginning to crawl. A few feet in, the door closed and a set of lights turned on.

Asami has curled up on the ground, struggling to bring her arms from behind her back. Kuvira hurried over and pulled the cloth gag out of Asami’s mouth. Her red lipstick was smudged, and sweat speckled her forehead, causing a few strands of her hair to stick to it.

“Are you okay?” Kuvira asked. She moved behind Asami, taking a look at the handcuffs.

“How’d you find me?” Asami rasped. She coughed a few times before swallowing.

“My sensing is weak, but helpful when needed.”

“It was all supposed to be non-violent,” Asami whimpered. “The gadgets I was making was to give people a choice to have their bending taken away if they wanted.”

“So, you’re trying to eradicate us?” Kuvira asked.

“No!” Asami shook her head. “I wanted people to have free will. When the airbenders returned we took some people from their homes to try and rebuild a nation. Tenzin was so set on that.” She licked her dry lips before stretching her jaw. “I’ve heard stories about Aang, and how he was so steadfast in rebuilding his nation with Tenzin. I think he was a bit blinded by his desire to rebuild what once was that he didn’t take into consideration those who didn’t want to be benders.”

“People who became benders chose to follow Tenzin and their principles,” Kuvira pointed out.

“And those that didn’t were rounded up by the Earth Queen, and then what happened afterward? Some may have been shunned or disowned.” Asami sighed. “I wanted to provide a safe space. I wanted to continue the non-violent work that some Equalist factions have held over the years but bring it to the masses. A bit like Yoshiro, where he brought in technology, but only for good purposes.”

“And the chi-blocking?”

Asami shook her head. “When I was attacked in the middle of Republic City while out with Korra, I admitted to Akari how embarrassed I felt to have it happen. She had convinced me to learn how to chi-block to up my skills as a non-bender. Her husband taught her years ago.”

“Who’s her husband?”

Asami sighed. “…The Lieutenant, Amon’s right hand when he was in power.”

“And you didn’t think-”

“Akari has been with my family for years. She was like a mother figure to me and-”

“Say no more.” Kuvira tilted her head to the side. “These look to be platinum.”

“They are. I designed them, but there’s a fail-safe to get out of them if you know how,” Asami commented. “There’s a small button on the right inside of the cuffs. You’re going to have to push that and then push the cuffs in tighter. It should then pop open.” Kuvira made a sound of agreement before getting to work. “Akari was the one who convinced me to diet, to become more leaner to become more agile. With my control issues with that, I believe when it started to become connected with Korra and everything, she started to enact her plan.” Asami lowered her head. “I’m such an idiot.”

“You can dwell on that later.” Kuvira let out a cry of success as the handcuff fell off Asami’s right hand. “For now we need to find a way out of here.”

“It’s this way.” Asami gestured with her chin. She turned and began to crawl further down the tunnel. Kuvira wiped her forehead free of sweat before following. The further they moved along the tunnel, the wider it became with the ceiling moving higher. Soon, the two were able to get to their feet and walk. “When first raided the Estate back when the Equalist movement was at its most powerful, we discovered that my dad’s secret weaponry and training bay was hidden in a cliffside. I did some research and found some secret passages in and out, a bit like an escape route. You should be able to feel the Earth under you in a few moments.”

“Who knows what’s going to be waiting for us at the exit,” Kuvira commented. She slipped off her electric glove and held it out to her. “Do you think you’re up to it?”

Asami slipped on the electric glove. Her green eyes flashed with excitement as the familiar current of blue electricity shocked life. “Time to get to work.”

Chapter Text

“Enter,” Asami called out when she heard a knock on the door. She looked up from the blueprints she was working on to see, her assistant opening the door before stepping to the side. She smiled brightly when Korra walked through. Asami’s assistant bowed as Korra stepped past. Korra stopped, turned, and bowed back. She frowned when the woman bowed once more. Korra hesitated before bowing.

“You may go,” Asami laughed. Her assistant bowed once more before leaving, closing the door behind her.

“Hey,” Korra said with a small wave. She walked over and leaned over Asami’s desk. Asami stood, placing her hands on the arms of her chair, before leaning forward and sharing a kiss with her girlfriend.

“Hey.” Asami smiled. She rested her forehead against Korra’s for a few moments before moving to reclaim her seat. Korra moved to take one of the seats in front of Asami’s desk. “I’ll be with you in a sec.”

“Have tons of secs,” Korra said with a wave of her hand. She paused, her blue eyes widening. “Oh, out of context, that sounded bad.”

“It’s alright, I knew what you meant.” Asami giggled. She finished marking a blueprint before placing her pen down. Rolling up the document, she carefully placed it into a document tube, twisting the lid until she felt resistance. “What brings you here?”

Korra leaned forward in her seat, resting her elbows on her knees. “We need to talk.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” she sighed.

“No, no!” Korra waved her hands in front of her. “I’m not breaking up with you.”

“Korra, I’m kidding.” Asami got up from her seat before moving around the desk and taking a seat in the empty chair next to her girlfriend. “This must be serious if you’re this jumpy. Whenever you come to visit me at Future Industries you normally enter through the window, so I know this is big.”

Korra held out her hand, which Asami quickly took. She couldn’t help but laugh when Korra easily pulled her out of her seat and into her lap. She wrapped her arms Asami’s waist, holding her close.

“I have to go to the Earth Kingdom for a few weeks,” Korra said.

“Earth Nation,” Asami corrected. “Why? Has something come up? I thought Wu had a handle on things.”

“Apparently, he got a little bug in his ear that makes him think reconstruction will move along better under the guidance of the Avatar.”

“How would Avatar be helpful if they’re moving towards a democracy?”

“I’m not sure,” Korra admitted with a shrug, “but if it worked with Republic City, I may as well try.”

“You sound excited,” Asami commented.

“What can I say? President Raiko opened my eyes and made me realize that I despise politics.”

“Everything in some way shape or form has politics involved,” Asami pointed out. She flipped her ponytail off of her right shoulder, before placing her right arm around Korra’s shoulders, snuggling closer. “Do you think I enjoy having to attend all these meetings as the only woman in the room where they try to establish contracts with businesses that only interest them in what they leverage they can acquire.?”

“That sounds like torture,” Korra groaned. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“I have good motivation to get through it and go home at the end of the day.” Asami kissed Korra on the cheek. She then reached out and rubbed the lipstick stain off with her thumb.

“Will you be okay if Naga comes with me?” Korra asked.

Asami lips pursed in a slight pout. “What am I going to cuddle while you’re gone?”

“A pillow!” Korra said. “You know she reminds me of home. I can’t sleep well without Naga nearby.”

“You slept well when we were in the Spirit World on our vacation.”

“That’s because I was so tired from our adventures and trying to make sure nothing would attack us or the ground would eat us.”

“I get it.” Asami smiled. “She’s your first love.”

“But not my greatest,” Korra whispered. Asami smiled before placing a hand on Korra’s chin and pulling her in for a deep kiss. Korra smiled against Asami’s lips before holding her closer. The two only broke apart when Korra’s stomach growled.

Asami laughed as Korra pulled away, groaning. “It’s okay. I was about to take a break. Where do you want to go?”

“I was thinking we head into the city,” Korra suggested. “We can get some noodles and do some shopping.”

“Sounds perfect.” Asami got up off of Korra’s lap before moving to her desk. She picked up a radio and held it up to her mouth. “Let me just let Akari know that we will be late getting back to the Estate today.”

Korra took the radio out of Asami’s hand before scooping her up in her arms. “Call her from the lobby,” she instructed.

“We’re not taking the stairs, are we?” Asami asked as Korra moved towards the large windows.

“What fun would that be?” Korra asked. She quickly unlocked one of the windows before stepping on the sill. “Hold on!”

Korra sighed hard as she pushed against the large doors leading into the Sato Estate. She took the stairs two at a time, walking over to Lin and Su, who were standing in front of one of Republic City’s cars.

“Korra, we have been here for an hour. We can’t wait all day,” Lin called out.

“I told her the news, and she wasn’t happy about it,” Korra reported. Naga let out a loud park before rushing over. She barely flinched as her large pink tongue licked the side of her face. Lin looked on in disgust, as Su smiled. Naga sniffed Su’s hand before licking it. She then moved over to Lin, who snapped her fingers and pointed away. Naga’s ears folded back and she moved to sit next to Korra.

“I never expected her to be, but if you think this is the way to go, I will follow your judgment,” Lin commented. “I just can’t believe you didn’t tell her before making this decision.”

“I admit it was hasty,” Korra said.

“You know I would make myself available if need be. I owe a lot to you Avatar Korra.”

“You’ll always be one of my go-to's, but in this case, Kuvira needs to do it.”

“She has followed every rule and restriction that has been asked of her since she returned to Zaofu,” Su reported. “I don’t think she’ll be an issue.”

“We’ve also reprogrammed her monitoring device so that she can walk around the Sato Estate as well as accompany Asami to President Moon’s office. Luckily, they are not too far apart,” Lin reported. “However, if she were to go anywhere else in the city, the monitor will immediately go off and she’ll have ten seconds to get back into the safe zone.”

“This should be something that you explain to Asami,” Korra pointed out. Naga lowered herself onto the ground before leaning forward, sniffing at Lin’s shoes.

“It may be best that you explain this to her,” Su said gently.

“I’m not her favorite person right now.” Korra frowned as Naga made a low whimpering sound, as Lin took a step back. “Would you give her some attention?”

“I’m indifferent to animals,” Lin responded.

“You’re indifferent to everyone,” Su commented.

Lin sighed before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a treat. Naga instantly perked up before jumping up and placing her paws and Lin’s shoulders. “If you didn’t like her, why do you always have treats for her?” Korra asked.

The sound of a clear voice interrupted them. “I hate to break up this moment, but normally you shouldn’t leave people in hot cars,” a low voice called out.

“The window is rolled down,” Lin commented. She gently pushed Naga away before turning and opening up the car door. Kuvira carefully placed her right foot of the car and onto the ground, the black ankle monitor reflecting sunlight before moving her left. She bent down low to clear the roof of the car before standing to her full height. Platinum handcuffs were strapped around her wrists and held in front of her.

“Kuvira.” Korra nodded. “Good to see you again.”

Kuvira nodded in response before her gaze shifted to Korra’s right. Korra turned around and watched as Asami made her way down the front steps to the estate. Her face was calm, but Korra could tell from her sharp green eyes, that anger was fighting to be released.

“Asami,” Kuvira greeted her.

Asami stood next to Korra, her arms crossed over her chest. “There’s a space cleared for you in the estate. In the sub-wing.”

“Asami-” Korra started.

“It’s the only space we have been able to clear on such short notice,” Asami continued. She continued to stare down Kuvira. Korra ran a hand through her hair, while Su and Lin shared a look.

“Thank you,” Kuvira said.

“Before releasing her to you, there are some things we should discuss,” Lin said.

“Of course.” Asami nodded.

“We are still looking into those that attacked you, and until we find the culprit we believe you’ll be at your most secure under surveillance inside this establishment,” Su explained. “You may want to bring your work from Future Industries to the estate.”

“May I point out the flaws with this plan?” Kuvira asked. “If those that attacked Asami know of her whereabouts are to always be within the estate, what is stopping them from launching an attack?”

“We will have police ramp up patrolling of the grounds,” Lin said. “Although, it is my understanding that you have a background in surveillance so your duties, while covering Asami, will be in the security of the building from the inside.”

“So, I’m trapped?” Asami commented.

“No more than me,” Kuvira pointed out, holding up her arms. Asami bit the inside of her cheek but remained silent. The two continued to glare harshly at each other.

Chapter Text

“I think we’re about to reach the end of the tunnel,” Kuvira whispered. “What are the chances that Akari knows about this entrance?”

“It’s a tossup,” Asami admitted. “She didn’t see me escape, but that doesn’t mean it’s what she is waiting for.” She slipped off her electric glove before holding it out to Kuvira. “Hold onto this for me, for a second,” she instructed.

Kuvira took hold of the glove and watched in slight amusement as Asami made quick work of her nightgown, taking the long flowing piece at the bottom, twisting her hands around, and fashioning a knot, so that it now resembled a pair of pants. She pulled her hair up into a low ponytail, before working it into a French braid.

“Impressive. Very handy with little you must work with,” Kuvira commented. She held the glove back out to Asami who placed it back onto her hand. She took a step forward, relaxing once her foot came across the bare earth. She sighed happily upon feeling its coolness against her barefoot. A moment later, she stiffened. “Your hunch was right. They’re outside, patrolling the area.”

“Then it’s a good thing it’s night so they can’t see this entrance,” Asami commented. “I’m right behind you.”

“Be careful, in your condition.”

“It almost sounds like you care.”

“Almost,” Kuvira shot back.

Kuvira moved into a wide stance before stomping her foot down and punching the air. A piece of rock flew out from the side of the rocky tunnel before propelling forward. Kuvira then broke out in a run, sensing Asami right before her as they made their way out of the dark cliffside.

An Equalist grunt moaned in pain as they were hit by the rock, coming out of the darkness. Asami charged out of the tunnel, striking anyone within reach with her glove. The few equalist grunts quickly began to fall. Kuvira emerged from the tunnel. She slid to a stop before reaching her hands out and twisting them left and right. The equalist grunts close to her, and cried out in shock as they were suddenly thrown into the air before being flung left and right. Kuvira made a throwing motion over the shoulder, and two cried out in pain as they were thrown into the cliffside.

The moon shined high above the cliffside providing some light. While it was still dark to see, the sun reflecting on the various pieces of metal assist Asami and Kuvira in finding and attacking any target.

“Retreat.” A gruff voice called out. A few of the remaining equalist grunts ran in opposite directions, disappearing into the night.

“Hey!” Akari cried. “Where are you all going?”

“Stand down,” Asami demanded, marching over to Akari. Her green eyes glowed underneath the moonlight and the electric glove.

“Asami, you know that this is the only way to get others to take us seriously,” Akari said. Her breathing began to get heavy, her anger coursing through her body. “Your father understood.”

“I’m not a terrorist,” she growled.

“And yet you decide to work with one.” Akari nodded over to Kuvira. Kuvira stomped onto the ground and performed an outside block movement. A large slab of rock popped up from the earth, before exploding into many pieces, kicking up a large cloud of dust. Kuvira then punched and jabbed, sending rock flying out of the dust towards Akari. Akari easily dodged the projectiles. “You’re a legacy. That is all that people will see.”

High up on the cliffside, Kuvira was able to hear the music wafting over Avtar Korra Lake. A familiar melody made its way high up to the cliffside, instantly causing Kuvira to relax. She took a deep breath before moving into the second position and flowing through a dance routine. The dirt cloud slowly became thicker.

Asami glanced over at Kuvira, taking in her form. Her muscles pulled and stretched with each movement, and yet she moved with such grace. Asami turned off her electric glove, took a breath, and began to move through the same motions, albeit a bit more stiffly.

Akari looked between the two of them, the wild look in her eyes turning to confusion. “What are you two doing?” she demanded.

“Letting go,” Kuvira answered. “Leaving everything behind.” The dust cloud became thicker, the more she moved. Akari coughed harshly, waving her hand in the air, attempting to move the cloud away.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

“To distract you,” Asami said.

Kuvira appeared behind Akari’s back, and dropped low, performing a leg sweep. Akari lifted one foot, trying to jump out from beneath the move, but got hit in her inner right ankle. She crashed to the ground with a loud thump. Wheezing, she turned, raising her arm, and thrust it towards the middle of Kuvira’s neck. Kuvira her arm in her hands, and let out a loud yell as she rolled, bringing Akari around and back onto the ground. She then pulled Akari’s arms behind her back, removed the handcuffs from her pocket, and slipped the platinum handcuffs on her wrist, quickly snapping them into place. “Threat equalized,” Kuvira announced, wiping the sweat off her forehead.

Asami walked over, taking off her electric glove. She stopped in front of Akari, before stooping low, meeting her eye level. Akari growled before rearing her head back and spitting directly into Asami’s face. Kuvira moved but stopped once she noticed Asami calmly reaching up and wiping off her face, before striking Akari in the ball and socket joint in both of her shoulders and kneecaps. Akari grunted in pain before teetering over, and slumping to the ground. The sound of police sirens filled the air, mixing with the final notes of the haunting melody.

“Are you all set to head back to Zaofu?” Korra asked, placing an arm around Asami’s waist. She and Asami were at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Sato Estate. Kuvira joined their side, her steps light but grounded.

“I didn’t bring anything with me, so there’s nothing to take back,” Kuvira commented.

“There is one thing you’re leaving behind,” Asami pointed out. Kuvira glanced down at the pieces of the ankle monitor in her hand. She took her left hand, waving her palm over it. The crushed metal evened itself out and reformed into its original shape, albeit the light feature and a few buttons were missing.

“I was thinking of keeping it,” Kuvira admitted. “I don’t have a lot of things from my life, so it wouldn’t hurt to have something tangible to see how far I’ve come.”

“What if you have to wear one when you get back?” Korra asked.

“Then it’s a possibility I’ll face when I get there,” she said with a shrug.

A Republic City Police Department car pulled up to the Sato Estate. Lin stepped out of the driver’s side while the police officer left from the passenger side. Lin walked around the front of the car, over to Korra, Asami, and Kuvira. Naga barked loudly from across the way, chasing a butterfly. As soon as she spotted Lin, her tail wagged rapidly before she plodded over. Lin rolled her eyes before pulling a treat out of her pocket and throwing it in Naga’s direction.

“I hope you understand, we still have to follow procedure,” Lin said to Kuvira pulling a pair of handcuffs out of her pocket.

“Understandable,” Kuvira said. “Before I make my leave, may I speak to you, Asami?”

Korra glanced over at Asami in confusion, before removing her arm from around her waist. Asami nodded before motioning her head to the left. She gave Korra a quick kiss to the side of her head, before walking over. Kuvira glanced over at Lin who made a watching motion with her fingers to her eyes. In turn, she made a look of confusion before following Asami a few feet.

“So?” Asami asked.

“We’re not friends, and I don’t have plans on changing that,” Kuvira stated. “However, I do want to state my appreciation for taking the time to understand me.”

“No need to speak so formally,” Asami half-smiled. She crossed her arms over her chest. “A simple thank you will work.”

“I don’t do things simply.” Kuvira raised an eyebrow.

“No, you don’t,” she agreed.

“I understand how you’re a valuable member of her team.” Kuvira felt the corner of her lips twitching upwards as Asami dropped her guard. “It makes sense as Aang also had a nonbender. Just because you don’t have powers doesn’t mean you aren’t beneficial to society.”

“I plan to continue my equality efforts. I just need to find a way to break the ties with Future Industries. It may even require a name change.”

“It more than likely demands a name change at this point,” Kuvira said bluntly. “Although, with President Moon in your pocket, many may be in agreeance with your initiatives.” She cleared her throat. “I do want to say; that your dancing is not half bad. If you ever want to learn-”

Korra cleared her throat as she walked over. She made a clicking sound with her tongue, before pointing over to Lin. “I don’t mean to break this up, but Lin is making it clear that’s ready to go.”

Kuvira held her hand out. “Avatar Korra.”

Korra smiled brightly, taking hold of Kuvira’s in a firm handshake. “Thank you, for all that you’ve done.”

“Don’t mention it. I will be sure to continue my work on my redemption and bettering the Earth Nation.”

"If I ever need you in the future-"

"I will do my best to assist you, Avatar Korra." Kuvira nodded. She then turned her attention back to Asami. "As well, to you."

“Since you’re returning, do you have any more thoughts about…” Asami trailed off. Kuvira shifted her glance over to Korra before returning to Asami. Korra looked between the two of them in confusion.

“Some part of me wanted to properly fix the Earth Kingdom so that I could show my parents I learned control,” Kuvira admitted. “I wanted them to see that I had changed and that I was worthy of being their daughter again.”

“How do you feel about it now?” Asami asked.

“I think I’d like to find them,” she said, “to say goodbye.”

END