The roar of a crowd met her as Asami entered the bar. Curious she looked over to the source. Nearly everyone in the place was gathered round the fighting pit. Whoever was fighting certainly knew how to work a crowd. Maybe she would go see them later, after business of course.
The barman rolled his eyes as he noticed her approach and she responded with a broad grin of her own.
"Hey Ryu."
"My name is Ryusaki, Asami," He glared at her. "As you well know."
"But Ryu rolls off my tongue so much better," she said silkily. "You're no fun anymore."
She pouted playfully at his glare, but she knew that he wasn't really mad. The flirting was just a game they had been playing, ever since they had met and he had completely shut down her attempts to get information. Now he was the closest thing she had to a friend, and one of the few people who knew her last name.
"What will it be then Asami? The usual?"
"Two. Its been a long day," she sighed sliding down into a seat as Ryu pulled out the bottles. "And about that other thing I asked for..."
He glanced around slightly.
"Are you sure about this Asami? This could piss off some dangerus people..."
"Ryu, are you doubting my abilities?"
"You are very capable, but starting you're own Triad-"
"Not so loud," she hissed at him. "And I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Asami stared at him, non faltering until he relented. Sighing he passed her a drink, a small scrap of paper tucked underneath. Quickly she pulled it out and slid it into her pocket. She could read it later, when it was safer.
"Here... just be careful."
"I will Ryusaki. Thank you really."
"There's one more thing... That fighter over there, she's kinda new in town so she's not on that list but I looked into her. Jumps around doing freelance for various merc groups but there isn't a lot of info on her. Very talented though. Might be useful, might not."
Asami looked over, but the crowd still blocked her view. Closing her eyes, she tuned out the crowd, focusing on the sounds of the fighters. Not perfect but it could give her an impression of them.
One was a Earth bender, male from the sounds of his grunts. He was losing too, quite badly.
The other would have to be the freelancer then but Asami couldn't hear much from her. If she was making any noise the crowd was overshadowing her. Didn't really matter though and she turned back to her drink.
"I'll look into her, but I don't need non benders, too much work."
"Hypocrite much?"
"Just a fact. Statistically benders are generally the better choice. Easier to train and cheaper to hire. A non bender at the same level as a bender will have to have worked twice as hard to get there. Anyone with that drive is ambitious and ambition can be dangerous."
Ryu laughed.
"I don't know about ambition, but you'll be happy to know, she is a bender."
"I don't hear elements though," she frowned.
"Thats how good she is. Doesn't bend unless she has to, in the pits anyway. She's on her seventh fight in a row today and still hasn't needed to."
Asami was intrigued, most benders she had met tended to be overzealous in their abilities, showboating and the like being opportunity she would exploit. They also hated losing to non benders, making them easier to manipulate. Asami had yet to meet another fighter who could exploit that, and had never thought a bender would. Plus...
Ryu was smirking at her as she snapped out of her thoughts.
"So, you want me to arrange a meeting?"
There was another roar from the crowd as the earth bender went down, and the all the bets were collected. Challengers called out to the girl though no one seem to be picked.
"I've got a better idea," Asami said pounding the rest of her drink. "I'll be back soon, look after my other drink, and for spirts sake make it stronger."
"Good luck Sato."
She didn't reply pushing through the crowd to get to the center. Reaching the barrier she stared down at the Freelancer. She was water tribe, though her hair was styled in long braid of Fire Nation style. Muscles glistened with sweat, though she didn't seem tired. If anything her blue eyes seemed bored as she stood waiting for her next opponent.
Ignoring the protests of the organizers, Asami vaunted the barrier landing in the sandy pit with a smirk.
"Hi there."
The woman turned to her, and Asami felt her body being scanned, analysied to determine her worth. Finally the heiress locked eyes with the freelancer, staring into the vibrant blue orbs. A spark of interest kindled within them.
"You can't just jump in here," the referee squealed. "We have an order-"
"Its fine," the Merc said. "She'll do."
"Oh I'll do more that," Asami said pulling off her jacket, earning her cheers and more than a few wolf whistles.
The referee still seemed annoyed but couldn't argue with the roars of the crowd. Begrudgingly he began to take bets as Asami and the Freelancer circled each other.
"So," Asami said. "Do you have a name?"
"Doesn't everyone?"
She laughed.
"I see how it is, I'm Asami. How about a wager then?" she said as the girl raised her eyebrow."If I win I get your name."
"And when I win?"
"I'll buy you a drink."
The Freelancer blinked in surprise, her stoic focus briefly broken, when suddenly the referee shouted.
"Begin!"
Without letting the girl recover, Asami shot forward.
Asami had gotten the drink that night, though the real name had come much later. She smiled as she thought about their second "sparring" match and the other memories of Korra. And then she remembered why they had broken up and her heart went cold.
"Asami are you listening?"
"Sorry dad yes," she replied quickly, her fathers words being her back to the present. "I was just... remembering."
She trailed off unable to tell him what she was thinking. It was too dangerous, and she didn't want him thinking of her like that. Not until it was absolutely necessary. Her actions had caused him enough stress.
"The past yes... I do that a lot as well," he whispered as his hand went to his ring. "But it is your present I would like to talk about."
"What parts of it?"
"I wanted to know what you are planning to do here."
Asami blinked.
"I told you, I want to learn more about-"
"About Future Industries, yes I remember. He sighed standing up from his desk. "Except you only spend the bare minimum amount of time their to make it look like that's what you're doing."
Her face remained passive despite the nerves that lay beneath. When she had made her time table it had occurred to her that someone would notice the discrepancy, but she hadn't thought it would be this soon. And she hadn't thought it would be her father. Another miscalculation.
Another variable for her to juggle or another reason to cut her losses.
"I'm no fool Asami. You are a Sato and we do not do anything without cause. I had hoped yours was as you said, but your actions say otherwise. And when the Chief of Police shows up on our door, what am I to think?"
She didn't look at him, trying to think of an excuse. An angle, or something else to use. Only one thought came to mind, her mother. It disgusted her how quickly the idea had come to her. Manipulate one parent with the memory of the other. Was this what she was now?
"You could do more for this city than I ever will Asami. Some day soon, the non-benders of Republic City will need someone to speak for them. Not some masked man who can only destroy. No, they need someone who can inspire them to build, to create, someone who can give them hope for an life of equality. Not a revolution but a future. It can't be me, I'm too... old. But you could Asami. You have been born into a life of privilege and opportunity. You haven't had to see how bad it can be for people like us."
Hiroshi sighed turning back to her.
"And yet you squander it. You drift through the day and spend your nights with that Water... Tribe girl."
"Don't talk about her like you know her father," she snarled angrily. "You don't know the first thing about Korra."
"And I don't even know if I know you anymore Asami," he said sadly. "I wasn't there for you when your mother died, I know that. But I'm trying to make up for it."
Guilt and anger fought inside her. He didn't understand. She didn't like having to lie to him, to keep herself calm when all she wanted was to let everything out. He didn't understand that a pretty face and pretty words wouldn't change this city. Amon had that part right, even if he was a bigot.
Corruption was found in benders and non benders alike. The Triads were evil not because they were benders, but because they were cruel, greedy and selfish. Even if they somehow lost their bending tommorrow, it wouldn't make them better. Bending didn't make them who they were, it just gave them weapons.
There was suffering in this city, for benders and for non benders. Her way, her plan was the only way to fix it. So why was she having doubts.
The voice that was getting louder every night. Telling her to stop, make a difference in another way. Violence only begets more violence more pain.
Asami needed to time think, to be alone, but I was clear that he wasn't going to give her the chance.
"Let's go for a drive," he said making her exhaustion grow. "There's something you need to see."
"Father I'm tired and I have work to do," she said, the lies falling easily from her tongue. "Can't this wait?"
"It has waited Asami," he said firmly. "For far too long I feel."
Her father started to walk towards the door as after a moment she followed him.
"I can't believe its your birthday and you didn't tell me."
Asami smiled, glancing over to see her girlfriends head resting on the pillow, an adorable pout etched onto it. Then she wonders when she started considering a Freelancer she had met in a fighting pit her girlfriend. It's a strange feeling one that requires her to think about it more than she wants to.
So she deflects, taking the girls chin in her hands
"You look so cute when you pout," she said condescendingly, shaking the girls face slightly.
"I'm serious."
"So am I, it's almost as good as your gorgeous 'sexually flustered' face."
Said face appeared now as the Water Tribe girl flushed scarlet.
"I don- Shut up," she finally is able to stammer out. "But I disnt get you anything and you should tell me these things."
"Oh really," Asami laughs at the girls hypocrisy." When is your birthday again sweetie?"
"Uhh..."
"That's what I though," she said smugly before another thought stuck her making her smile even more. Slowly and seductively, she leans over her girlfriend, straddling her between her legs. A hitched breath is all that escapes the woman's mouth, but the shiver Asami feels her make tells her everything.
"Though if you want to make it up to me," she whispers."We could try that thing I wanted?"
The girls eyes widen in shock.
"Asami I-"
"Shh," she cuts her off placing a finger her lips. "For the next part, you call me Miss Sato."
A knock at door breaks the spell and Asami let out a growl of frustration.
"I'm going to fire that maid," she muttered before calling more loudly. "One moment."
The two woman break apart, as Asami moves to get her robe though letting it hang open slightly to let the servant know exactly what she was interrupting. To the maids credit she didn't so much as blink.
"Good morning miss Sato, you have many packages and letters waiting for you-"
"That's great, please leave them in the drawing room," she said quickly trying to escape though the maid didn't get the hint.
"I was also told that this was to be handed to you in person."
"By who?"
"Your father, Miss Sato."
Her smile becomes fixed at the mention of him, though she begrudgingly took the book, if only to get her to leave.
"Thank you miss..." Asami can't remember her name and leaves it at hanging. "That will be all."
The Maid bowed and left, letting the door close behind her.
Asami let out an exasperated sigh that ontl increases when she turned around to find her girlfriend out of the bed, and also robed.
"Where do you think your going?" She asked sternly but the water tribe girl has regained her composure.
"To shower," she replied smoothly. "I have contacts I have to meet with. I would have scheduled for a different day but I didn't know it was your birthday."
She brushes past Asami, on purpose she is sure, as she goes to leave.
"Fine but we will be resuming this later."
"Of course," she gave a mock bow. "Miss Sato."
Alone again, Asami looked down at the book. It was fairly plain looking, no symbols or author or any identifying markings. It made her curious despite its source.
She hadn't had any contact with her father since he had cast her out but that hadn't stopped him writing. Letters came at least once a week, with the insistence from her servants and watchers that she accept them. But even they could not make them read them and all had been thrown away, or burned if her mood had been particularly foul.
Despite her silence, he persisted and gifts were common even when their was no occasion. This one was the first in four years to intrigue her however.
Mentally cursing her inquisitive nature, Asami opened the book stiffining as she looked down onto the neat cursive handwriting she still recognised after all these years.
Dear diary,
I don't really know how to start this. I must admit, writing down all my intimate thoughts is somewhat frightening thought. Many things are private for a reason after all and I don't see Hiroshi writing a journal each night.
But, like usual, his idea to keep a record of my pregnancy is an interesting one and we shall just have to see if I still have time to write after the baby arrives.
The car journeys was quiet, the soft hum of the engine the only sound. Her father still wouldnt tell her where they are going, not even calling a driver before they left. Possibilities ran through her head, based on direction, roads and landmarks but Asami couldn't bring herself to care.
She was too tired, tired of juggling this life, tired of her agents telling her the city was even worse than she thought. Tired of being alone.
The Sato-Mobile rolled to a stop and the engine died leaving them in silence.
"We're here," he said softly but she didn't look up.
"Where?"
"You'll see."
The door opened with a click, the bright sunlight blinding her as she blinked, trying to recognise where she was. Her vision returned and Asaminwished it hadn't as she realised where she was.
"You've haven't been here since..."
She shook her head, not trusting her voice to speak.
"I'll wait for you," he told her softly.
Her legs moved forward despite her minds protests. She didn't want this so why was she moving. She walked past rows of stone, dirt crunching underneath her foot until finally she reached the stone that made it all real.
Here lies Yasuko Sato
Loving husband and mother
She dreamed of better
Dear diary,
Asami started work on her first Sato-Mobile today. I don't know who is more excited, her or Hiroshi. It seems like I will be remaining the dunce of the family though I hope that Asami doesn't inherit his grace.
Honestly I love him, but I doubt he could dress himself without me. Asami will surpass us both I feel.
I just hope that she will have a better- No I will make sure that she will have a better life than we did. If it takes everything I have, Asami will not have to live with the prejudice and corruption that Hiroshi and I had to overcome.
Sometimes I wonder if we should just leave, go to Zaofu or somewhere else. Somewhere better for Asami... But I know we can't. Too many people suffer in Republic city for us to just abandon it.
And this is my home, so I will keep fighting for it, even if it takes the rest of my life I wi-
The writing stops there, abrupt and unfinished. There are no more entries.
Asami stares down at the final words, not realising how long she has spent reading her mothers diary. Not realising that she is on her knees, shaking and crying in the middle of her room. She just continues to stare at the words barely registering when the door opens.
"So I know that you said I shouldn't get- Asami!"
Strong arms grab her shoulders and she looks up into her girlfriends blue eyes, filled with concern and worry.
"Asami what's wrong? Did something happen? I-"
And Asami breaks, realising everything she has been holding in since her mother died. She hugs against her girlfriend sobbing uncontrollably into her.
"Hey mom," she whispers as she looks down at the gravestone. "Sorry I haven't visited. I've been busy..."
The strength in her legs fails and she lets herself fall to her knees on the mildew soaked grass. The words feel hollow in her mouth, pitiful excuses from a girl to scared to face a ghost.
"I don't know what I should do Mom. I want to help this city, like you did but what if I'm just making it worse. Or what if what I do doesn't make a difference. Dad doesn't understand and Korra is only here for me... I don't know if I can keep doing this."
Silence answers her, not that she expected any different.
"Is this what it was like for you? I still don't know what you did to anger the Agni Kai's but it must have been bad. You would have known what might happen but you kept going anyway."
Sobs threaten to escape but she holds it back, determined to finish.
"I wish I had your strength Mom, your hope. I wants better city too but I dont know what I'm fighting for. Who I am fighting for? Is this what you wanted for me or should I just stop."
A shudder escapes her but she rose to her feet.
"But it doesn't matter does it? That's why you fought so hard. You knew you could end up here but you did it anyway. Dad thinks it was for me, that's why he sent me your diary, but it wasn't was it? You did it for them. Everyone who needed it. I have to do the same. I can't do it in your memory but I can do for your dream... My dream."
The stone is cool as she places her hand on the gravestone.
"Bye mom, I'll try visit sooner this time but I might not have a lot of time," she said a small smile on her lips. "I think you would understand."
Her father is waiting for her when she gets back to the Sato-Mobile. He smile to greet he and they leave without a word. It's not until they have left the graveyard far behind that she finally speaks.
"I'm sorry dad."
"Asami you don't-"
"I'm sorry I acted like that when I was younger. Sending me to the Fire Nation was th best thing for me. And I'm sorry I never wrote back to you, I was just..."
"Neither of us are perfect and I think it's time we stopped acting like it. You don't have to be alone Asami. You are still my daughter and I love you."
"I love you too Dad, I'm just sorry it took me so long to remember."
The Satombile drove up the long driveway of the Sato mansion and for the first time since returning to Republic City, Asami feels like she is home.
"You look different is," the first thing Korra says to when she walks into the safe house.
"I feel different," she smiled. "I feel... renewed."
The blue orbs spark wistfully, hoping that Asami has changed her mind that they can be together again. She looks away, not wanting to see that spark go out. One day maybe they could be together again.
She wants its too. If she could reconcile with her father then Korra shouldn't be difficult. Yet now is not the time. Once this was over, Asami could think about it properly, for now it was just a distraction.
The heiress returns the smile regardless though. Korra deserved that hope as well, Asami owed her everything.
The ice should feel cold, her brain tells her as she stares down at the makeshift weapon protruding from her stomach. Blood streams out, pooling around her and Asami knows she is dieing.
"No no no."
Her love is there at least she thinks. That's something. Tears are streaming from her face and she looks more scared than Asami feels. Typical always worrying too much.
"Please," she whispers. "Tell my father I'm... I'm-"
She can't finish the words too hard to say, she feels her eyes start to close and a voice cry out.
"Asami!"
Pain shoots through her stomach as the ice blade is pulled from her. Asami cries out, eyes snapping open before widening in shock, as she sees the glowing water between her loves hands.
Her hands subconsciously traced the scar that still adorned her stomach. One day she would be able to repay Korra for that, but for now the cause had to come first. It would be hard and it would hurt the waterbender in the short run but it had to be this way. Their goal was too important to let personal pleasure to get in the way.
"What have you got for me then Korra?"
The waterbender guesures towards the pile of new files that had appeared in her desk.
"Nothing new really, just conforming what we already suspected."
"Still useful," she mused softly as she thumbed through the papers. "We dont have the luxury of making mistakes."
"Of course," Korra nodded. "Oh and one more thing. Hasook has a new recruit you might be interested in. Back from his old Probending days."
Curiosily, Asami took the dossiers, skimming over it a smile forming on her lips. If this was legit...
"The brother of the Dectective trying to take us down? Risky."
"You like risky," Korra smirked. "And Hasook vouches for him."
"I need you to vouch for him," she replied. "Go talk to him, find out if we can trust him."
"Yes miss Saro," Korra said leaving the room with a mock bow.
Letting out a content sigh, Asami looked around at the papers stuck haphazardly to the walls. Different coloured sstrings attach them to each other, the connections the corrupt and the criminal try to hide but they can't hide from her.
The triads lined one side of the wall, the grunts at the bottom with the webs cascading upwards, through the captains and right up to the leaders, their grinning pictures gloating down over their empires.
The opposite wall shows the police force, the enemy that should be an ally but circumstance and ideology prevented. Beifong sat in the middle with very few lines connecting her to anyone. Mako was there as well, in the ring around her that formed her knights, the few she seemed to trust. Asami stuck up Bolins picture connecting the brothers together, how deep that connection was remained to be seen.
In the middle of the room lay the council, the root of the problem. Tenzin sat the lone light in a sea of corruption and complacency. Almost a potential ally until Korra had disagreed.
Now she stared at one picture. The man that represented her goal, the real problem that plagued the city. The man that had more string connecting him to the corrupt businesses, dirty cops and criminal gangs than any one else.
The one man she would take down or die trying.
Councilman Tarrlok.