Asami looked around, peering into the night as Naga picked her way down the river bank. The moon was just bright enough to help her see, but not so bright that she'd be easily spotted. Her plan was to follow the river, and ride around Sweetwater, then turn towards Zaofu. It'd take a little longer, but she wanted to avoid the gang members that were riding around the outskirts of town.
In the time since Sherriff Harvey's murder several of the gang members had been seen riding on the outskirts of town. There had been reports of them keeping people from leaving or entering town. Asami had no doubt if found, they'd try to prevent her from leaving, and possibly even kill her. "That'd be one way for Zaheer to get rid of me," she mused, whispering to Naga.
She kept to the shadows as much as possible. Easing Naga around tree roots, and rocks. The way was slow going, but if it increased her chances of getting to Zaofu, so be it. She could see the twinkle of Sweetwater far to her left, and then the sound of a horse drew her attention. She squinted into the night, and pulled Naga to a stop. She could just make out the vague outline of a horse and rider in front of her.
She held her breath as they eased their way towards town. She waited until she could see the silhouettes of both horse and rider before she nudged Naga into a walk. She kept this pace until Sweetwater lay far behind her, then she nudged Naga into a trot. With little light to guide her she kept Naga below a gallop, she didn't want her to step into a hole. A twisted or broken ankle could be disastrous.
She rode until the sky started to lighten and turn pink. She found a shaded place near the river's edge and stopped. She hobbled Naga nearby, letting her feast on some of the low hanging branches and shrubs. Asami napped till noon, ate a quick bite, and then mounted. She pointed Naga towards Zaofu and dug her heels in, watching the land around her turn into a blur.
Korra slept restlessly that night, and all the rest. Her mind kept turning to Asami and if she was safe or not. It had been over a week since Asami had rode out, Korra knew it'd take at least a few more days before she arrived with reinforcements. In the days since Asami had left, the Red Lotus Gang had increased its numbers. They had taken over the Fire Ferret Saloon running Mako and Bolin out of their own establishment.
A few families had tried to pack up and leave only to reach the edge of town and have their belongings torched. Supplies at the general store were dwindling with the lack of shipments coming in. To help Korra had butchered a couple of Asami's cows. She had delivered them to town, and upon returning to Asami's ranch, she'd found the place in flames. She'd watched the flames consume and the smoke rise, she wept for Asami's loss. Then she wept at the memories that rolled over her.
She was suddenly back to being a small, scared child. She sat in the saddle, huddled against Lin, and watched thick black smoke rise into the sky. The smell of charred flesh wafted towards her. The little graveyard swam into her mind. The graves she'd dug. The bodies, friends, family she'd buried, all children. The faces of the ones she'd left. The ones she'd been too small, and too weak to carry.
Korra wiped her eyes, and mounted her horse. As the house behind her burned she rode back towards town. She had plans to make and put into motion.
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Korra, Bolin, and Kya sat around the small table in Kya's kitchen. They had discussed and dismissed most of their ideas to fight the Red Lotus Gang. The townsfolk were too scared and like sheep, they cowered in front of the wolves circling them.
"We need Asami to come back with the others." Bolin glanced towards Korra.
She nodded, her arms crossed across her chest, her eyes staring blankly at the table.
Kya looked at her as well and frowned. "She'll be okay Korra. I'm sure she's fine."
Again, Korra said nothing. The plan she'd had had been one of the first thrown out. She'd hoped the townspeople would ban together and fight, but after seeing how many more Red Lotus Gang members had entered town, she knew it'd only be a slaughter.
Gommu limped into the room. "Bunch of Lotus members just rode up to the Saloon, Zaheer is with them."
Korra's head jerked up and she shoved herself to her feet. She surged for the door and felt a heavy hand fall on her shoulder.
"You know you can't walk in there." Bolin gave her a worried look, and a small smile, "at least not through the front door."
While Bolin walked to the saloon, Korra slipped down alleys and around corners. When she reached the saloon, she took the back stairs to the balcony and waited.
"Fancy seeing you here." A voice called from a nearby window. Korra watched as Ginger leaned out and smiled at her. "You're always welcome to climb through my window."
Korra rolled her eyes and clambered through. "Where's Bolin?"
Ginger pouted. "All business I see." She walked towards her wardrobe and opened it. "He's downstairs." She pulled a dress out, studied it, and tossed it on the bed. "You want to get closer, put that on."
Korra straightened and peered at Ginger through narrowed eyes. "What kind of man do you take me for?"
Ginger smiled, placed her hands on her hips, and laughed. "Honey, we both know you're no man. I knew it as soon as I sat on your lap." She pointed towards Korra's crotch. "Or does your soldier not salute?"
Korra blushed and rubbed nervously at the back of her neck. "I, uh."
Ginger have a wave of her hand to stop her. "Relax, you have your reasons, and I certainly am not in a place to judge." She stepped forward and held the dress up. "Now, if you want to get close to the one in charge, I suggest you put this on."
Korra tugged at the skirt. "This is not a dress." She turned and glared at Ginger.
Ginger laughed as she swatted at Korra's hands. "Tugging at it ain't gonna make it any longer." She leaned forward and painted Korra's lips a bright red. "And you're right, it's more of a fancy under garment than a dress."
Korra huffed in irritation, then caught her reflection in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself. Her face was decorated with rouge and eyeshadow. Her hair adorned with a bright blue clip.
"You look good." Ginger smiled and stood from her seat. "Come on." She walked to the door and held it open. "Just add a little sway to your hips honey."
Korra followed her downstairs, doing her best to copy the over exaggerated way Ginger swayed her own hips. She scanned the crowd of men as she followed Ginger to the bar.
Ginger leaned over the bar on her elbows. "Bolin, have you and Mako met our new girl." She smiled and reached for the bottle of Whiskey in Bolin's hand.
He peered at the woman, his eyes going wide as realization hit him. Mako on the other hand just gave the woman a once over and grunted, too occupied with getting drinks for the patrons.
Bolin came around the bar, a tray of drinks balanced on his hand. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Korra grinned and patted his cheek. "You worry too much Bo." She took the bottle of whiskey from Ginger's hand, and watched as the other woman flounced off into the crowd. "Where's Zaheer?"
Bolin sighed and nodded towards the private Poker Room. "Be careful."
"I will." She gave him a soft smile and headed for the door.
Two men stood on either side of the door, barring her way. "Turn around girlie."
Korra smiled and batted her lashes. She waved the bottle of whiskey. "Compliments of the staff boys."
"Zaheer doesn't like whiskey." One of the men responded, his gaze traveling all over Korra's body.
She stepped closer, and lowered her voice. "What about me? Think he'd like me?"
The other man placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her aside. "He don't like filthy savages." He spat is disgust at her feet.
Korra's hand tightened around the bottle. Her smile took on a forced look. Her fingers itched for the blade concealed in the waist band of the short skirt.
"How dare you?" Ginger screamed from the far side of the bar. She shot to her feet and spun toward the man who's lap she had been perched upon. "I saw you palm that card! You damn dirty cheat!"
The man's eyes practically bugged as he sputtered. The men at the poker table glaring at him. The sound of glass breaking drew attention elsewhere. One of the women stood with the handle of a smashed mug in her hand, a man at her feet. Another man stepped forward and raised his hand to strike her, with an oomph he doubled over as another man slammed his fist into his gut. Then all hell broke loose in the saloon. Men were tossed against walls and across tables. Punches were thrown, glasses smashed over heads, and chairs across backs. The women screamed and ran for the stairs.
Bolin waded into the fray, pulling men by the shirt collars and landing a few punches of his own. He made his way toward Korra and paused in front of her. "You fucking owe me." He hissed and then grabbed one of the guards by the shirt and introduced the man to his face.
Korra said a silent thanks as the other guard lunged to help his buddy, and with both men distracted she slipped through the door, into the private poker room.
A cloud of Cigar smoke hung over the table, and the men around it were obviously not playing poker. Korra caught sight of a map before Ghazan was in her face.
"What are you doing in here?" He growled, his breathe smelling of soured eggs.
"Oh, I'm so sorry sir. They started fighting out there," Korra covered her face with one hand and shuddered. "I just came in here to get away."
Ghazan grabbed her roughly by the shoulder and began to shove her backwards.
"Ghazan, let her be." Zaheer spoke up, his eyes still on the map.
Ghazan growled and released Korra.
She forced a smile and took a step towards. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so." She eased her way closer, wary of Ghazan watching her. She sat the bottle of whiskey on the table. "I was taking that to a table when this all started. Don't suppose any of you fellas would like a drink?"
Zaheer glanced at his men, and nodded once. The men smiled as they picked the bottle up and passed it around.
Korra crept closer, now within arm's reach of the man. "Is there anything I can do for you while I'm here sir?" She let the sweet tone fill her voice, hoping she sounded alluring to him. She reached out and lightly rested her fingertips upon his arm.
"Don't touch me." He growled and spun towards her. "I have no desire to bed a cunt like you. Your kind are a disease to this world." He glanced at his men, then turned back to the map. "You may have her."
A greedy look gleamed in their eyes and one took a step towards her. Ghazan threw a hand against the man's chest, and shoved him back. He drew a knife from his belt and stalked towards her.
"Take her outside if you wish to play first Ghazan." Zaheer drawled, as he placed a red X on the map. "See to it your men are ready to enter the mines tomorrow." He spoke to the others around the table.
They nodded and Zaheer started for the door. Korra reached for the knife and made a lunge for him. Zaheer caught the movement and twisted, the knife sinking into his shoulder, he gasped and snarled in pain. He wheeled and a fist struck Korra in the face. She grunted as she hit the wall and slid down, then screamed as a boot caught her in the ribs.
Ghazan was on her in an instant, his knife pressed to her throat, as he grabbed her by the hair.
Korra swallowed the blood that pooled in her mouth. "Sorry, did I nick you?" She smiled, her teeth red. She inhaled sharply as she felt the blade bite into her neck.
"Ghazan." Zaheer loomed over them. "Bring her with us." His eyes darkened with rage. "The men will enjoy taking the fight out of her.
Korra felt a surge of pride as she saw the blood drip down his arm, then stars flashed in front of her as Ghazan drove his fist into her face.
In the commotion of the continuing bar brawl, no one paid much attention to the sight of a woman being carried from the saloon and slung over the back of a horse.
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Naga foamed at the mouth as she ran. Her coat slick with sweat, and her eyes wide. Asami pressed herself to Naga's neck, urging her on. "Come on Girl." She encouraged, and watched the buildings ahead grow closer.
Naga hit town at full speed. People scattered as Asami cried out and spurred her onward. She pulled Naga to a skidding halt in front of the Beifong house and slid from the saddle. Her knees buckled beneath her and she landed hard on them and her hands. Her legs shook as she pulled herself up and hobbled to the door. She sagged against the doorway and pounded a fist on the door. Suddenly the door was jerked open and she tumbled forward.
"What the devil?" Lin growled as she caught the woman that fell through her doorway. She took one look at her exhausted face and swept the woman up in her arms. She paused as she saw Naga at the watering trough. "Suyin!" She yelled as she hurried to the living area.
At her cry multiple members of the Beifong family came running, Suyin pushing her way past her children. "Lin, who's this?"
Lin shook her head as she laid the woman on the couch. "No idea. She came in riding Naga, Korra's horse, and she literally fell through the door." She looked around the room, her eyes falling on Tahno, who had was practically always there since Korra's departure. "Tahno, go take care of that horse."
He nodded and spun for the door.
Suyin examined the woman. "We need to get water in her. She's been in the sun too much." She sent one of her sons to fetch water and another for rags. She watched as the woman's eyes fluttered open. Suyin swept hair from her face. "Honey, can you tell me your name?"
Asami's throat burned as she licked cracked and dry lips. "Asami Sato." She swallowed, and winced at the burning sensation. "Red Lotus Gang attacked Sweetwater. Korra sent me to get you."
Suyin and Lin exchanged looks, as Kuvira stepped forward. "I'm going with you."
"Me too." Opal spoke as she stepped beside her.
"No. Ain't no way in hell." Lin bellowed, as she whirled on them. "You're not ready to face those men yet. None of you are." She gave the rest of Suyin's children a challenging glare.
Suyin placed a hand on her sister's arm, and squeezed gently. "Lin and I will ride out in the morning. Opal, Kuvira, no arguments."
Asami watched as the young women exchanged a knowing look, and she knew, they were leaving that night. After that the Beifong's departed, leaving Asami to rest and hydrate, and as dusk began to set in she slipped from the house and to the stable. She heard the hushed voices of the young women inside.
"You got everything?" Kuvira asked Opal as they both did a quick check of their gear.
Opal nodded and turned towards her sister. "Mom is going to be so pissed."
Kuvira snorted. "Aunt Lin will be worse."
Opal chuckled and took the reins of her horse. She paused when she saw Asami in the doorway of the stable. "Shit."
"I'm going with you." Asami announced and made a path for Naga.
"Nope, ain't happen princess." Kuvira shook her head and stepped into Asami's path. "You can just turn on around," her words died off as Asami's knuckles met her jaw. "Goddammit!" Kuvira yelled, her hand clutching her jaw.
Asami marched past and began saddling Naga. "You should have stayed out of my way."
Kuvira rounded on her. She took two steps towards her and then felt two arms circle her waist from behind and picked her up.
"Br br breathe Kuv." Tahno drawled as he hugged her. He waited, and when Kuvira nodded he sat her down.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed at him.
"Heard you you you yell." He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the three women. "Ma ma ma and pa ar fighting." Tahno had taken to spending more time around the Beifong's not only because his friend Korra was gone, but because his parents had started fighting.
"We don't have time to argue. Get a horse ready." Opal cast a look at both Tahno and Asami.
Quietly they all slipped from the stables, horses ready, and gear packed.
