Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Korra and Avatar: The Last Airbender

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A/N: I have a lot of unresolved Asami feels. And since it's not even sure if Asami will be included at LoK's season two, I've decided to make her happy here. Plus there wasn't enough Iroh in LoK. I'm hoping though that I'll be able to do them justice here.

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A New Beginning

So Long, Republic City

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If you told her a year ago that her life would be a living hell in just a few short months, she would've laugh at that crazy person. She's Asami Sato of the Republic City. The heiress of the Sato Empire, the princess of her genius loving father, she can outrace anyone on the tracks, she has friends and a few suitors wooing her from the small upper-class population of the City.

Then she dated Mako, the captain of one of the rising pro-bending team. Through him, she met his brother Bolin and their famed teammate, Avatar Korra. She believed that life couldn't get any better than that. And how she wish right now that she was wrong with that postulation.

Her father, consumed with revenge, betrayed her and the city's trust. In doing so, she turned away from her wealth and status. She found out from Bolin that her boyfriend kissed her friend, Korra. That made her wary and jumpy with the two while she's still disturbed from the fact that her father turned against righteousness. She then noticed how attentive Mako had been to Korra all those days. And how he cared so much for Korra when she disappeared. She tried to cling on to Mako, didn't dare to break-up with him even if they're hurting each other. Mako, Korra and Bolin were the only ones she had.

Amon then decided to do an all-out war with the city. They had to fight for their lives. But she never in her existence expected that she had to fight for her being against her own father – the very person who had brought her into this world. That day, she had let go of father. And she knew she had to let go Mako soon as well. She never felt so alone from that day on.

Asami chose to go back to her estate after Korra got her bending back. She's happy for Korra and Mako but she's not ready yet to see them so blissful while she mourns. At least when she's at her house – she stopped calling it home the day she found out the truth about Hiroshi – she still had the memories of her dear mother. With no one to take notice of her, she buried herself in self-pity, crying herself to sleep that first night. The next day, Asami busied herself with cleaning the estate. With no helpers to assist her, she cleaned the enormous floors until she can't feel her arms anymore. She did that for a week until Bolin, accompanied by Pabu and Naga, showed up one day.

"Asami!" Bolin engulfed her in big hug. "I hope I'm not bothering you because I've decided to spend my day with you!"

The earth-bender brought a lot of food cooked by Pema. They filled up the pool and swam until they're all wrinkly. They had a hard time coaxing Naga to leave though. Bolin begged her to teach him how to drive. She did because she couldn't resist the puppy eyes he's giving her. And she's very grateful that the seatbelts were well built. It was already dark when Bolin left, with a promise to visit some time again.

Lying on her bed, she cried herself to sleep again after she realized that for the past week, no one bothered to stop by except for Bolin. No Mako, no Korra, no other friends. She knew that they're busy. So she'll wait.

A month had passed and nothing had changed. Bolin came twice and they enjoyed the same routine. Twice, Bolin had the same excuse for Korra and Mako – they're still busy. On the third week, Bolin just dropped by to invite her to join them to South Pole for a month's vacation. She civilly declined when she concluded that her invitation must've just been an afterthought since they'll be leaving in an hour. She vowed that that's the last time she'd cried herself to sleep.

Hiroshi's lawyer came by one day to update her about the trial. He also discussed her options regarding the Future Industries and Hiroshi's will. The lawyer also handed her a sealed letter from her mother. She said she needs a few days to think it over.

Asami was summoned to the council a few days after. Tenzin informed her that Hiroshi was sentenced to life imprisonment and the city will seize all his assets that were directly connected to Amon. That includes the estate where she grew up. The air-bender offered his home, to live with his family, together with Bolin, Korra and Mako. She abruptly turned down his offer. On her way back, she dropped by at the lawyer's office.

"Are you definitely sure about this Ms. Sato?" The lawyer asked with a skeptical gaze.

"I'm not. But I know I want this." Her face was void of emotion, voice firm. "I want to sell the remaining stocks of Future Industries that the city wouldn't be taking to Cabbage Corp. I don't care where the money will go after that. But please make sure that all the workers would be compensated justly. I don't want my inheritance either. Please prepare the necessary papers as soon as possible."

"But what will you do? Do you have a place to stay?"

Her eyes hardened. "Somewhere far from here."

She made sure that she'd leave before Bolin, Korra and Mako's return to the city. She didn't notify anyone of her departure. She just sent a letter addressed to Bolin – thanking everyone for their help and to wish them a good life. She didn't state where she'll be going.

She knows it's a cowardly way. But she had to run away. She's on her way to a new beginning. Clutching her mother's letter to her side, she moved towards the ticket booth.

"One ticket to the Fire Nation please. To the Center Islands."

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Chapter 1 End

June 25, 2012