Korra's POV

So I kind of lied before when I said I couldn't escape. Well, partially lied anyway. I could get out for a few hours without being missed. Around lunch break, my guards would leave, which was around the time I would come around from the stupid chloroform. I swear isn't that thing deadly after a while? Anyways, I had a secret exit in my room, where I would sneak off after they'd bring me "lunch". I knew Tarrlok was an asshole, but his way of feeding me just reinforced that and many other things I thought about him.

My lunch was the same every single day: cereal. Exactly. Cereal. To top things off that was the only meal I got a day. So I did any desperately hungry person would do: steal. As soon as they left the plate I got up and went to my little escape route, which was basically pulling out a couple of bricks, enough for me to fit through. I had to admit, for the low amount of food I had in my system at any given time, I was pretty fit. Once I was on the other side I put the bricks back, and off I went.


Mako's POV

I sat at the usual café I did, waiting. No, I wasn't waiting for anyone in particular, as in a date or having a small meeting; I was waiting for the little thief to make an appearance. The first time I saw her, I had to admit I was shocked, but after a while, I actually got used to the sight. The only thing I did wonder was why she targeted the same café every time.

"Who are you looking for?" Toza asked.

"Hmm?"

"You're acting like you're looking for someone or waiting for something to happen."

I smiled.

"You'll see," I replied taking a sip of my coffee.

Now you're probably wondering who I am. Well, I'm Mako, pretty much legal owner of most if not all of Republic City. You see, my ancestors were very ambitious, but noble, and they founded this great city. My power plants and businesses provided lots of work for the people here, and I considered myself a fair and understanding man. Toza, my guardian at some point, said my parents would have been proud.

If you haven't figured it out, then let me tell you: my parents are dead. They were murdered. I was eight. Toza took me under his wing and helped shaped me into the man I am now: the wealthy owner of Republic City by day and detective by night. Yup, I know, sounds cliché, but that's my life. I swore on my parent's grave's I would avenge their death. I didn't know how or when, but I would.

"There she is!" I said as I saw a familiar girl running right past me, a package in hand.

"Stop, thief!" the owner of the café cried as he ran after her.

I chuckled at the familiar sight. It was funny every single time. Usually he'd chase her around for a block or so, but this time, things were different. A man ran right behind him and held out a pistol at the girl. I don't know how I got to him but I did. I slapped his hand down but a shot was still fired.


Korra's POV

I have to admit, you would think the guy would see this coming every so often but no, he didn't. The owner of the café was just as stupid as ever. But he had the best food in town, which is why I always went there. I grabbed a package of sandwiches and made my grand escape. Well, almost.

As I ran past the outside tables, I couldn't help but notice that the same guy sat on the same chair, every freaking day. How did I know it was the same guy? He wore the same scarf everyday too. I knew who he was. Who didn't know who he was the better question. It was the grand Mako, owner of most if not all of Republic City. I stole a glimpse his direction and noticed he had a small grin across his face as I ran past him. I couldn't help but frown at that. It almost seemed as if he was expecting me.

I heard a gun go off and then a piercing unbearable pain on my calf.


Mako's POV

"What the hell?" the man cried when he recovered.

"You shot her!" I yelled.

"She keeps stealing food from my dad's place. She needs to be taught a lesson."

"Look," I began. "I'll pay for everything she has stolen and for everything she steals from here on out. Just don't hurt her."

The man thought about it.

"Fine," he growled before heading back to the shop with his father.

"Toza, bring me my first aid kit," I instructed before running towards the direction the girl went.

It didn't take me long to find her, she left quite the trail of blood throughout the alley. She was leaning against the wall a hand over her calf trying to stop the bleeding. At first she didn't notice me, but when she did she acted like a frightened animal trying to get away to no avail.

"I'm not going to hurt you," I told her gently. She didn't believe me.

She got up and made a move to run for it but I grabbed her by the waist. She thrashed against my hold and bit my hand causing me to let go of her. But she didn't get too far, crumbling over in pain. Now you would think that after she bit me I'd leave her alone right? Wrong. Slowly, to not startle her I walked towards her.

"I'm not going to hurt you," I repeated.

I held out my hand towards her and she stiffened but didn't try to bite me again. Gently I placed my hand over her shoulder and she flinched at the touch, making me wince slightly. What had they done to her?

"Master Mako," Toza called. They girl started to panic at the presence of another human being.

"Just throw me the bag and wait for me at the café," I instructed.

He sighed but did as he was told.

"I'm going to look at your leg, ok? Make sure the bullet isn't there."

The girl at first refused but ended up agreeing. Luckily for her it was just a scratch and I had it bandaged in no time. I was no doctor, my younger brother, Bolin was though, and he taught me some stuff.

"I'm Mako," I said. "What's your name?"

She didn't answer. Not that I expected her to.

"Look, I mean you no harm. I just want to help. Are you hungry?"

She shook her head but her stomach betrayed her when it growled. I chuckled.

"Let me get you some food, I have a place nearby, I promise I won't hurt you."

The girl shook her head.

"I swear on my parent's graves."

This made her look up. For the first time, I got a look of her eyes. They were an electrifying blue color.


Korra's POV

I didn't know why this guy was being so nice. No one had been this nice to me in years, and here he was bandaging my wound after I bit him. Not that I wouldn't do it again, I hadn't known what his intentions were. He kept trying to offer me food but I didn't trust him. I didn't trust anybody. But when he promised not to hurt me, and swore on his parent's grave, I couldn't say no anymore. The whole parents thing was a sensitive subject to me.

"If you want I can send my butler away, it'll be just us two, like friends," he said.

I cocked my head to the side. Sure I had heard that word before and by definition knew what it meant but I had never…had one I guess?

"You don't know what a friend is?"

I shook my head. Instead of laughing like I expected he would he smiled warmly at me.

"It means someone you can trust," he explained. "Now I know, we just officially met, but we've seen each other a couple of times. You're really talented when it comes to schemes like these."

I almost smiled. Almost.

He sighed when I didn't respond and took out his cell phone.

"Toza, can you bring the car around? Also, do you mind taking a taxi? I'm going to drive my new friend here somewhere," he said. I could hear the man on the other side argue. "It's fine, Toza."

Not too long after a car pulled up and Toza left without speaking a word to Mako. He opened the door and turned to me.

"Can you get up, or do you need help?"

I tried to get up, I really did, but my leg felt real sore and I just couldn't. He came closer, but hesitantly, silently asking for permission to lift me up. I gave him a nod. He smiled and put me on the front seat before shutting the door and heading over to the driver side.

Look, I don't know what came over me that I agreed to all of this, but shit happens ok. No one had been this nice, and I guess deep down inside I craved for it. And it's not like we were strangers really, he had said it himself, we would see each other momentarily when I'd steal food. So my advice to you for thinking I'm on crack for getting into a car with him is: deal with it.