Korra's POV

I smiled as the ocean spray hit my skin and my ship sliced through the waves. I had been away for ten very long years. And in that time I had sailed the seas, only stepping foot on land whenever we needed supplies or the crew wanted to have some fun. I took out my flask, taking a drink as the sun began to rise. It was my favorite moment of any day, seeing the light reach over the horizon, and it was why I was usually the first one up. It was simply beautiful.

I heard footsteps down on the deck and looked down to see Lin, arms crossed across her chest as she looked up at me. I rolled my eyes, jumping down from a little ways up the mast, using my Airbending to cushion my fall. The old grouch probably wanted to shoot down my idea again, tell me how stupid it was. I mean, what could go wrong? The city was one of the richest in all the nations and we could use the loot.

"What is it his time, Beifong?" I asked, annoyed.

"We're good on swag. Why are you so adamant that we return to the one place you've been avoiding for the last decade?"

I sighed in irritation. "What's it to you? I'm the Captain, I give the orders." Though really I usually shared the title with Lin seeing as this had been her boat when I first joined the crew as a deckhand.

The woman's scowl deepened. "If you think you have something to prove, Korra, you're being-"

"Captain!" Kai called out.

I left my second in command mid-sentence to go see what the little Airbender was yelling about. I went up the steps to the helm and he handed me the telescope. I grinned when I noticed it was one of the those high class ships used for transporting items of tremendous value and handed it over to the older Earthbender so she could see. I went down the steps to get the crew ready when she called my name and I growled. Now what?

"What is it this time?" I asked my voice nearly a growl.

She handed me back the telescope and I looked through once more to see what had her so - oh. I ordered the crew to stay put, leaning against the rail, feeling as if the air had been knocked out of me.

"This day just got a whole lot more interesting," Lin commented, a tiny upturn of her lips letting on to the amusement she was trying to suppress. "How long has it been?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "Almost a lifetime."

I ordered the helmsmen to bring us up alongside the ship while I prepared myself for the reunion on board. The night I'd left I didn't even say goodbye and I knew she would to be upset. We were friends. I regretted not telling her but...I just had to get out of there, and at the time a long goodbye would've only slowed me down.

I could see the ship's crew begin to panic as we drew up parallel to their vessel and I rolled my eyes. Like they even had a chance against my ship. I stood on the starboard railing, asking Lin to stay put before using my Airbending to jump and land on the royal ship. The guards immediately surrounded me, their weapons ranging from swords to their Bending, and I sighed. If they only knew.

"I'll bet you ten Yuans you're about to put those swords down," I said to the guard closest to me, my expression calm and relaxed.

He looked like he wanted to laugh at how absurd the very idea was. "I'll take that bet," he shot back.

"Guards. Put away your swords," a familiar voice commanded and I watched as disbelief registered on each one of their faces.

I smirked and held out my hand. The guard grumbled loudly before tossing me a small bag of coins. I grinned and watched him trudge away to his post before turning to find myself face to face with my best friend. I took a sharp breath and watched as different emotions flickered in her emerald eyes. After a moment she hugged me and I did the same, holding her tightly. Oh, how I had missed her.

"It's been a long time," she said when we pulled apart.

"I know," I answered apologetically.

She tilted her head to the side before bringing a hand up to my hair. I laughed at that, knowing what she was going to say. Long hair was a pain to work with when one was sailing around the world. It was easier to deal with now that it was cut.

"You cut your hair."

"Clearly." A pause. "And you let yours grow out."

Asami chuckled, shaking her head and asking me to follow her. "So what have you been doing for the last ten years?" Though something told me there was no way she hadn't heard the rumors, or the tales that had sprung up about me.

"Oh, you know. Exploring the world, finding treasure." Stealing some of it.

She raised a brow. "You're not going to try and take the Book, right? Because I'd kick your ass if you tried." My best friend said it in a teasing tone but I could hear the seriousness underneath. Well that answered the question of whether or not she had heard about my pirating.

"What the hell would I do with the Book of Peace?" I asked, knowing that was the only book she could be referring to. I'd heard it was being transported to Republic City for safe keeping but thought nothing of it. It kept the Nations from slipping into chaos, what could I possibly use it for. "I'm more of a steal from the rich give to the poor type. Besides, I only boarded to catch up with an old friend."

The heiress stopped and furrowed her brow. "How'd you know I'd be on here?"

"Oh, I don't know. The word 'Sato' on the back of the ship?"

We laughed and she wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I smiled and opened my mouth to speak only to be knocked down. I shook my head, glaring towards my ship only to see that it had also been knocked in to, and was rocking violently away from Asami's. What in the name of the Spirits...

Suddenly there was a loud roar and I looked up, my eyes widening at the sight. It was a large green serpent with a dragon face and most importantly a large mouth. It let out another screech before diving under and rocking the ship again with the waves it made.

Asami stood to look over the edge and I did the same before the creatures resurfaced. The serpent let out another screech, prepared to attack and lunged toward the mast of Asami's ship. I pushed both hands forward and knocked it off course with air. It veered, its head hitting the water. The soldiers started manning their stations, and I heard the heiress barking out orders. After glancing across the water to see that my own vessel was fine.

"Korra," Asami called. "That thing is going to resurface. I need you to aim something sharp just below its snout, in the throat. If it doesn't pierce the skin then it should at least disorient it."

Oh, Asami, always the thinker. At least that hadn't changed.

I nodded and I waited, waited for the beast to resurface once more. The surface of the ocean broke and the beast stood up tall, its green scales slick and shining in the early sun. It leaned back, prepared to strike. I'd had enough of this mess. With one quick, hard sling of my arms I made two huge strips of water turn to ice and pierced the beast's hide through and through, causing it to unleash a terrible screech and midnight colored blood to seep from both sides of each wound.

And then it fell into the water. The crew cheered and Asami looked relieved. I myself could only give a crooked smile, feeling pretty sure of myself. But then I saw a green tail break through the surface and knock into the boat, the monster's last ditch effort. It hit hard and the ship tipped dangerously and I turned just in time to be hit by some lose cargo.

I fell over the side, the raven haired girl calling after me as I hit the water.

Azula's POV

I grinned as I watched the Avatar sink down into the murky depths, struggling to free herself from my serpent. As I had thought, the young Avatar hadn't disappointed me. Everything had played out just like I'd thought it would. When she started to squirm less, unable to form any kind of Waterbending bubble due to my serpent's coils, I let out a sigh and decided to come to her rescue.

I blew a bubble at her, letting it expand until she was inside and could breathe again. I watched as she took gulps of air, now free from the sea snake and no longer sinking to the bottom of the sea. Quickly the young woman stood, drawing out a knife, ready to fight off anything that may appear but with a flick of my wrist it disappeared. Just the way I wanted my noble thief. I appeared to the Avatar and I saw her brow furrow before her eyes lit up in recognition. I wasn't surprised, everyone had heard stories about me.

"The day began with such promise and now look, my serpent is dead and I still don't have the Book of Peace," I began. "All because of you, Avatar Korra."

"Azula, I have to admit I never thought I'd get the, uh, opportunity to meet the Goddess of Chaos," she replied. "And I go by Captain Korra, if you don't mind."

I hummed in response, the corner of my lips tugged up in a smirk as I flicked invisible lint off the skirt of my blood ruby red dress. Oh this was going to be so much fun. "Now was that any way to treat someone's pet?"

The pirate crossed her arms over her chest. "Well he was trying to kill us."

"Still, it shows poor manners. I expected better from a Chief's daughter." The Avatar flinched and I didn't bother to hide my smile. "I think you'll just have to-" I disappeared and reappeared behind her, leaning in close to her ear. "Make it up to me."

She visibly shivered and I grinned. I tended to have that effect on people, nice to know I hadn't lost my touch. The Avatar cleared her throat awkwardly and I held my head in my hand, watching in amusement as she tried to gather her thoughts.

"Listen, I'm sorry about that. I don't suppose a heartfelt apology would do?" she asked rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, turning around so that she was facing me.

I chuckled. "Heartfelt? From you?" She had to be joking. "Korra! You don't have a heart." The Avatar shifted uncomfortably and I brought up my hand to caress her cheek, leaning close. "I'm going to let you live, but you are going to have to do something for me."

She stepped back. "Really?"

I nodded. "Get the Book of Peace and bring it to me."

She laughed, shaking her head. "See, there's a problem. I have no interest in stealing the Book."

"That's because you're not thinking big enough. The Book may hold no value to you, but what about your freedom."

Korra didn't answer. I could see different emotions flickering in her blue orbs. I knew I'd hit a soft spot. After all, the woman had been running for ten years.

"You get me the Book, and I can make sure you never have to go home again, that no one from your past will ever find you unless you want them to," I continued. "You'll be free of those inner demons that have held you back and that you've tried to drown."

There was a moment of hesitation before the blue eyed captain shook her head. "Thanks for the offer but I think I'll pass."

I sighed in foe disappointment before waving my hand to split the air, showering her an image of both Spirit Portals. I wasn't going to give up that easily. "In case you change your mind, open both Spirit Portals and this will open a gateway to Tartarus, my realm of chaos. You should come visit me," I purred.

"Yeah, I'm kind of booked for the rest of the year."

I laughed and leaned in close to her, noticing that she fought off the urge to back away again. "Now where were we? Ah yes." Without warning I closed the gap and kissed her, pulling back just as fast as I watched her sputter in shock. I grinned wickedly. "You were holding your breath."

The bubble disappeared and I watched as she quickly swam up, back to the glittering light of the surface. This wasn't the last time I'd see the pirate captain. She would get me the Book. I'd offered her a deal she couldn't resist. Humans. So cute. But so gullible.

Lin's POV

I could still remember the first time she'd boarded the ship. A couple of days earlier my crew and I'd docked at Yue Bay to restock on supplies. By the end of the week we were good to go, and by that I mean people started to notice their stuff was missing. We had barely left the bay when Su had brought me the thirteen year old that had been hiding in the hull. The teen had crossed her arms over her chest, avoiding my gaze and I'd cursed under my breath when I recognized her. She was the heir to the Southern Tribe. I'd wanted to take her back immediately and commanded my crew to turn the ship around but she shook her head furiously.

"What are you doing on my ship?" I asked.

"I need a ride."

"You're the Chief's daughter. He's probably looking for you."

She shook her head. "No... I'm not his daughter. Not anymore." A pause. "He won't be looking for me."

She sounded sad, even disappointed. "Why should I let you on my ship?"

"I'll work. I'll swab the deck and do chores. I just need to get away from here."

And that was that. We could always use a good deck hand. I was hard on her, making her do all the chores at first so she could earn her keep. Despite the work she seemed happy to be on board and I found that she was agile, using Bending skills she knew to help make her work easier. I taught her how to navigate and eventually let her take the position as Captain. She was a natural, that much was obvious. And I still called some of the shots, being the quartermaster and all.

I was beginning to panic when Korra didn't resurface right away. The kid always managed to get herself into trouble but she always got out of it, by some miracle. We all waited, and I saw the rest of our crew watching with concern. After an eternity she resurfaced, taking a big gulp of air and I used my metal cables to lift her up. She continued to spit and cough up water and I watched as Wei gave Wing a few of coins, muttering in irritation, his brother's grin being the only response. I rolled my eyes. Those two were always betting on something.

The kid's white beast sniffed her owner, checking for any injuries before licking the girl's cheek and whining. Finally the kid stood, using her Waterbending to Bend the water out of her clothes and giving Naga a scratch behind the ears. "What happened down there?" I asked.

She let out a small chuckle. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

I raised a brow. "Try me."

"Okay, here goes," she began. "So I meet Azula, the Spirit of Discord? She's got a major crush on me, and she invited me back to her place."

I snorted as Opal and Su tried their hardest to hide their laughter while Bumi, Iroh and Kai looked perplexed by the explanation. Wing and Wei almost fell over in laughter. Kid had obviously swallowed too much sea water if she was imagining the Goddess of Chaos.

She pouted at all of us but knew better than to try and say it was true. I walked away but soon noticed that the Sato ship was sailing up alongside ours, promptly named the Rebel Spirit. Korra smiled and had a gangplank brought out so she could walk across to the other, more extravagant ship, her mutt trailing happily after her.

I watched as the ravenette and brunette talked animatedly with each other, laughing, catching up after ten years of separation. A smile snuck onto my face. I had never seen the kid this happy.

Korra's POV

I waved at Asami as her ship continued to sail away. After some talking we both thought it would be best if we weren't seen arriving together and giving everyone the idea that I was either casing her ship or had intentions to steal the Book of Peace. I had to admit that I'd enjoyed my best friend's company. We'd talked for hours about what we'd done the last decade and I'd even shared a couple of my stories, and told her how I got Naga.

The heiress had been a little hesitant with my four legged best friend but after a moment she'd realized the polar bear dog was just a big softy, except when I didn't give her treats. I sighed as I sat down on the gunwale. It had been quite a day. I heard footsteps and I didn't have to look to see who it was.

"Asami mentioned that there was a celebration in Republic City, something about basking in the Book of Peace's majesty or something."

"Yeah, so?" she asked sounding uninterested.

"A celebration in Republic City, a bunch of stuff shirts from all across the world dressed in fine jewelry and carrying money?" I said turning around to look at her.

She smirked, her green eyes gleaming as she imagined the picture I'd just painted for her. We both were opportunists at heart, and couldn't turn away when an opportunity had presented itself. "What are we waiting for, Captain?"

I grinned and some time later we found ourselves sailing into Yue Bay. Iroh had the helm and he carefully docked us while Bumi managed to secure some of the rigging. Kai let us know that there wasn't anyone around and I figured everyone had already gone to the feast.

I went into my cabin, changing into my best attire before telling my crew to do the same, to look presentable so they didn't throw us out at first glance. I didn't want Hiroshi to think we pirates didn't have a sense of style or courtesy.

Upon walking in through the doors of the great hall, I noticed Asami and called her over, earning some looks from a few fancy noblemen. Stiffs, all of them. "I see you decided to crash the party," she teased when she reached me, slinging her arm around my shoulders.

I rolled my eyes. "What can I say, I wanted to give you a chance to thank me for saving your life. Again."

"Ha! You just heard we had free food and drink."

"Well, now that you mention it..." I began as we started to walk away, and I inconspicuously signaled for my crew to get to work. "This is quite a shindig, 'Sami." There was food and drinks spread out on a multitude of tables, each morsel looking like it cost more than the repairs on my ship. Then there was the sheer amount of people that had shown up from all across the nations. I hadn't seen anything like it in years.

"It should be. Every world leader is here."

I stopped in my tracks, feeling my blood run cold. "Every world leader..."

Asami nodded, seemingly unaware of the bomb she had just dropped, before calling someone over. I watched as a man, maybe around our age with combed jet black hair, a suit and red scarf around his neck approached us. His arm slipped around my best friend's waist and I raised a brow.

"Mako, this is Korra, my best friend," she introduced. "Mako is my fiancé."

I nodded my head, quickly examining this guy, trying to judge if he was worthy of Asami in one quick glance. An impossible feat, but hey, it's what best friends were supposed to do. "I've heard a lot about you, Avatar Korra," the amber eyed stiff replied. "Asami told me about how you saved her life today and your...pirate affiliation." He smirked, not unkindly but still with amusement. "So are you supposed to be a thief or a hero?"

I forced a smile. "Wouldn't you like to know?" I wasn't sure how to feel about this guy.

"Is that? It is. Korra!" I heard a familiar voice exclaim from across the room. I turned around to see my mom walking, almost jogging, towards me, embracing me in a hug which I returned eagerly and happily. It had been so long. "I've missed you so much."

"Hey Mom," I greeted quietly. Spirits, I had missed her. Another regret I had about leaving the South.

I saw my dad walk up behind my mom and I immediately let her go. He looked me over, placing his hands behind his back, staring down at me with cold indifference. But his eyes were judging me, studying me. "Korra."

I nodded my head. "Chief."

Sensing the rising tension, Asami stepped in, always the diplomat. "Glad you could make it, Chief Tonraq."

"What are you doing here, Korra?" my father asked, ignoring my best friend.

Nice to see you too, Dad. Haven't seen you in forever. How are things? Me? Oh, you know, just sailing the world, no big deal.

My thoughts were cast away as I crossed my arms. "At least I'm not out robbing someone," I muttered in reply.

"That's because anyone worth robbing is here."

"Tonraq!" my mother scolded.

I shook my head, looking over at Asami. "Thanks for the invite but I think it's time to go," I said looking around and signaling for my crew to start heading back, or at least having some of them find the others. "It was nice seeing you, Mom."

"Korra, wait," she pleaded.

My hands turned into fists as I fought not to look back. But I looked over my shoulder anyway, watching my mother's eyes beg me to stay, beg me to talk to her like we'd used to do when I was a little kid and Dad was being unreasonable.

"This is no place for a thief," I answered simply before turning to leave.

Hehe. Azula is so much fun to write. And we figure since Spirits and Gods are similar in their design, you know each religion or culture having a deity or whatever, that sexuality would be fluid for them. So since Azula is a Spirit/Goddess my coauthor and I decided we could play around with that and make Korra as uncomfortable as possible. The endgame is Makorra though, so everybody chill. Besides, who doesn't love Azula toying around with her chess pieces.

So please, let us know what you thought about it by reviewing, because in reality, those make our day.

We out! Peace!