Two days later, I found myself at Bolin and Mako's place, ranting to Mako about how my mother treated me as a slave as he suited up for his match.

"'Do the dishes, Zhu! Mop the floors, Zhu! Get the groceries if you have so much free time instead of being a lazy pest.'" I tried imitating my mom, flailing my arms for extra emphasis, "Damn it, it's hard enough to work under her. Now, she's making me do all the household chores on a daily ba- Mako, you're not even listening!"

"Hmm…" He absentmindedly responded, fidgeting with the firebending patch on his helmet, "I'm listening…"

I crossed my arms and frowned at him from the couch, "No, you're not."

"Dishes, floors, groceries." He recited, walking up and down the room, "Will you watch the match?"

I looked at him as if he was an idiot, "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't going to. Went through all the trouble to buy a ticket without Chief knowing." I got up and obstructed his path, "Hey, calm down. Is Hasook still giving you problems?"

"He needs to do something about that attitude of his." Mako hissed, "He's gonna screw up today. I know he will."

"He's not the only one who needs to work on his attitude." I muttered under my breath before placing my hand on his shoulder, "You got this, okay? It's just the Tigerdillos. If you've made it this far, you're sure to win today."

I didn't expect him to smile and he didn't. Typical.

He picked up his padded gloves which were lying on the table and started descending the stairs without another word.

"Oi, wait for me!" I called, following him.

We start walking to the Fire Ferret's locker room, when Hasook joined in. I nodded at him in greeting. He didn't spare a glance at me.

"You sure you want to sit with the crowd and not in the locker room?" Mako suddenly asked, looking over his shoulder.

Hasook clicked his tongue.

"Na, I'm sure." I shrugged, ignoring the waterbender, "'Sides, Bo might've brought another fangirl this time. I don't want to deal with all the squealing and what not. I'll visit after the match, though. Toza will let me in."

Mako nodded, adjusting his uniform with a determined look on his face.

"Give it your best!" I grinned, bumping my shoulder with his as I walked towards the seating area, "See you after you win!"

By the time the match had ended, I had bitten my fingernails raw. My throat was sore as I had cheered loudly for Mako in the final round.

Mako was right. Hasook had almost ruined the game by tumbling on top of Bolin. The Tigerdillo earthbender had wasted no time in pushing them off the platform.

The Fire Ferrets won though.

I quickly rushed to their locker room the moment Mako had punched fire at the Tigerdillo earthbender.

"Let me through, Toza!" I yelled, shoving the old man aside, running through the hallway.

"Crazy lass." He shot back, glaring.

I threw the door open as Mako and Hasook walked back from the platform, the former chiding the latter.

"Get off my case, pal." The waterbender snapped, flinging his helmet on the seat in anger. He walked past me, harshly pushing me aside with his shoulder and stormed out the door.

Not minding the buzzkill, I yelled at Mako and Bolin, "You won!" and threw my arms around the former.

He patted me on the back and pulled away, no doubt sour from the one-sided argument he had with Hasook. I turned to the other two inhabitants in the room only to find Korra, of all the people, who had started gushing at Mako.

"Oh, you're still here?" He scoffed, walking towards the locker situated in the corner.

"Oh, you're still a jerk?" The girl shot back, crossing her arms.

"Korra?" I narrowed my eyes at her and smiled, "What're you doing here?"

"Zhu!" She exclaimed excitedly, "I came to see the match and this guy-" She nudged Bolin, "-let me in here. That reminds me," she perked up and turned back to Bolin, "I've been immersed in Bending my entire life but I never learned how to move like that. It's like there's a whole new style here. Think you could show me a few tricks?"

"Absolutely!" Bolin agreed enthusiastically and I laughed.

Mako frowned, looking over his shoulder, "Right now? Come on, Bolin."

"Let the kid be, Mako." I chuckled.

Bolin covered his mouth and whispered to Korra, "Just ignore him." He then smugly said, "Yeah, I could show you the basics. I'm just not sure how my earthbending would translate to your waterbending. But we'll figure it out."

"I don't think that'll be a problem, would it, Korra?" I titled my head towards her and she grinned at me.

"Nope. Won't be a problem." She crossed her arms over her chest, "I'm actually an Earthbender."

The earthbender blinks rapidly then blushes out of embarrassment, "I'm sorry, no, no. I didn't mean to assume. Cause I, ya know, I was just figuring, with your Water Tribe getup... that you are... a water tribe... gal."

Korra was clearly having fun watching him fumble, "No, you're right I'm a waterbender..."

"And a firebender." I added.

The curly haired boy rubbed his chin while thinking, "Mhmm. Zhu, I'm very confused right now." I chuckled at him.

"You're the Avatar," Mako realized and then lowered his head, closing his eyes, "and I'm an idiot."

Korra had a smug look on her face, "Both are true."

"Couldn't have said it any better." I walked to the firebender, patting his arm, earning a glare from him. I laughed and helped him pull off his gloves.

Bolin had a flabbergasted look on his face, "No... way." He turned to us and then whispered, pointing at Korra, "The Avatar!"

I sat on the stairs as Mako leaned on them, next to me. Bolin was showing his earthbending skills to Korra using the sand disks. Both the brothers were out of uniform.

"Nice work today, Captain." I smirked at Mako, leaning back on my arms.

He looked at me from the corner of his eyes and sighed, "Almost lost."

"But ultimately won."

"How do you know her?" He gestured at Korra who was admiring the way Bo shot the disks into the net.

"Remember the cop who came in running into Narook's, saying that this girl was wreaking havoc? That's her."

Mako was a little surprised, "So you had her arrested?"

"Yep."

"Nice."

"Yep."

Bo commented on how Korra should be on her toes rather than placing her feet flat on the ground. Korra shuffled on her toes for a bit and then punched the air, sending two disks flying swiftly into the net.

"Wow, nice adjustment! You're a natural at this." Bolin praised, widening his green eyes.

Mako hmphed and nodded, "Not bad."

Korra's shoulders drooped and she pointed at Mako, turning to his younger brother, "What's it take to impress this guy?"

The firebender furrowed his eyebrows, "What? I said not bad." He then shook his head, pushing off of the side of the stairs, "You know what, it's getting late. I think I'm gonna turn in. You kids have fun." He walked past Korra and sarcastically said, "Nice to meet you, "Avatar Korra.""

Korra had an amused expression and replied in an equally dry tone, "Yeah, been a real pleasure."

"See you upstairs, bro." Mako called before looking at me over his shoulder, "Coming, Zhu?"

"Yep." I got up and dusted the back of my pants. Leaping off the stairs, I followed him, "Goodnight, Avatar Korra." I bowed to her, "Make sure to return to Air Temple Island on time. Tenzin would be worried. See ya, Bo. Don't stay up too late."

Outside the gym, Mako was waiting for me.

"What's with the bowing?" He asked as we started walking towards the attic stairs.

I shrugged, "She's the Avatar. The Avatar. Reincarnation of Avatar Aang. I grew up listening to his stories as Mom spoke of him occasionally."

We stopped at the bottom of the stairs when I asked, "What're you doing about dinner?"

"Skipping."

I frowned at him, for the nth time, "Mako, that's not healthy. You need to eat well if you need to function properly during matches."

"It's just one day. What harm can not eating dinner for one day do?" He carelessly said.

I narrowed my eyes and in one fluid movement, I flipped him against the ladder-like stairs and pinned his arm behind his back.

"You were saying?" I smirked as Mako struggled in my grasp.

"You took me off guard. And I'm tired from the match." He stopped trying to fight back, "Let go of me, Zhu!"

I relaxed my grip and he wrenched himself away. Mako furrowed his brows, massaging his wrist.

"Have dinner. And then go to bed." I turned, my back facing him. "Rest well."

"Zhu!" He called and I looked at him over my shoulder, "Good night. And go straight home, got it?"

I waved at him, walking away, "Yes, dad."

"You're late."

I let out a surprised scream, hugging the plastic bag to my chest. Mom was sitting on the couch, arms folded, wearing a glare. I wasn't expecting her to be awake by the time I reached home.

"It's only…" I glanced at the wall clock, "…11:30…Oops?"

"You're in charge of lunch and dinner tomorrow." She flatly said, shuffling through the documents that she held.

I cursed under my breath and removed my shoes, switching to the indoor ones. Sighing and rotating my shoulder, I sat next to mom. Making sure that she wasn't in a really bad mood, I slowly laid my head on her lap, the bag I was carrying was placed securely on my chest.

"How was your day, Chief?"

"Same old. Some morons from the Triads started a fight with those from Agni Kai. Got them arrested. Had a couple of meetings. Mostly drivel." She sighed, pushing back her grey hair. "I heard the Avatar is staying."

I hummed in agreement, "She's making friends too. Met Bo and his brother at the arena."

The corner of her mouth twitched, "As if dealing with the Anti-Benders wasn't enough, now we have to protect the Avatar too."

"Isn't the White Lotus sufficient?"

Mom carefully placed the loose sheets of paper on the coffee table, "There can never be sufficient protection for the Avatar. There is always someone stronger out there on the wrong side of law. What did you bring in there?" She gestured to the bag I was holding.

"Pie!" I said, gleefully.

"It's almost midnight."

"You can't say no to orange pie, Chief!" I whined.

"Tomorrow, Zhu."

"Yes, Chief." I squeaked, "You have more work?"

She nodded, absentmindedly running her fingers over the scars on her jaw, "There are applicants for the detective position. I'm going over their forms."

"Oh."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"If you fall asleep on me, I will not hesitate to push you off."

"So cruel, boss."

Hasook didn't show up for the match the next day. Bolin looked downtrodden, pouting at the floor. I sat next to him, leaning against his arm. Mako was leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

Korra walked in with high spirits which disappeared the moment she saw the brothers' faces, "I didn't miss your match, did I? You guys look like you lost already."

"We might as well have." Bolin whined, lifting his eyes to look at the girl.

Mako huffed angrily, "Hasook's a no-good no-show!"

The referee peeked into the room, "You have two minutes to come out ready to play or you're disqualified." He announced and closed the door

"Well, there goes our shot at the tournament..." Mako snapped, "and the winnings."

The Avatar pointed at the other team in the back of the room, who were busy prepping, "Can't you ask one of those guys to fill in?"

Bolin looked away, "Nah, the rules say you can only compete on one team."

"Well, then..." Korra thought for a moment before pointing at herself, "how about me? I'm a top-notch Waterbender, if I do say so myself."

"But, you're the Avatar." The green-eyed boy turned to his brother, "Isn't that cheating?"

The girl smiled widely, "It isn't cheating if I only do Waterbending."

"No way." Mako refused, looking at me and Bolin, "I'd rather forfeit than look like a fool out there."

"Mako!" I protested, "That's not nice."

Korra glanced angrily at him, "Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Hey," I calmly called to him, "Something is better than nothing."

The referee peeked in again, "Times up. You in or out?"

The Avatar answered for everyone, "We're in."

"We are?"

"Yes!" Bolin punched his fists in the air.

He and Korra hurried to the lockers.

"Hey, I didn't agree to this." Mako pointed out as I stood up, placing myself next to him.

The dark-skinned girl turned, grinning as she pulled out a uniform from the locker, "You can thank me later."

He turned his ember eyes to me and pointed at Korra with his thumb, "This girl is crazy."

I laughed and grabbed his forearm, "Have faith in her. You guys will win today too."

Sighing, he pushed my elbow away and as I pulled back, he grabbed my hand, "We can't afford to lose. Not now. Not after-"

I gripped his hand a little tighter, "Focus, Captain. You got this. Who knows? Maybe Avatar Korra will end up surprising you and help you win the match. "

"Don't fall."

Mako turned to me, as he sat on the window sill. He smiled at me, tugging his red scarf that was wrapped around his neck, "You were right."

"I'm right about a lot of things," I bragged, sitting opposite to him, "Be a little specific."

He pulled his leg back, giving me space to sit, "About the match. About…Korra. I almost lost hope in the second round."

"So did my fingernails," I wiggled my fingers, " You need to up your game, especially now that Korra's a member."

"Yeah," He turned his sight towards the sea and I followed his gaze to see Air Temple Island.

"She really is something, huh?" I mused.

"A headache, maybe." Mako snorted, "She drives me nuts."

I chuckled, "Maybe you drive her crazy too. Spirits know that you drove me crazy when we first met." Ignoring his 'Take that back!' I continued, "Maybe she's looking at the arena right now. Who knows?"

Mako fell quiet and we sat in silence, enjoying the breeze.

I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Wonder why...

There will a total of four books, one for each season. This one will not focus on the development of a romantic relationship between Mako and Zhu, but more of the relationships that Zhu has with the characters of the series.

Please don't be a silent reader. I'd really love some feedback about this fic.

Thank you for reading!