Hello everyone! I can't believe it's been over a month since I've last updated (don't worry, I am just as upset at myself for this as I am guessing you are after that cliffhanger). Please excuse my lateness for posting this, I have been busy this last month graduating from college, enjoying the holidays, and taking a GRE test for grad. school applications (gross!). But luckily, I'll have a lot more time now to work on this. Since you've all been patiently waiting for this next installment, I have given you our longest chapter yet with over 8 thousand words and 18 pages total! As always, please feel free to leave a review or inbox me! Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra, but I do own the other characters who are not cannon here (and totally should be because they are awesome! ;) Not that I'm bias or anything). Enjoy!

Falling To Ashes

Republic City Police Station: 9:45 am.

Lin sighed deeply trying to ignore the swarming of reporters as she slowly climbed the steps leading up to the podium. It was the morning after the Ryokan Fujimoto Hotel bombing and she knew an impromptu press conference would be necessary as soon as possible. She was sure the dark bags under her tired eyes only darkened more deeply when she scowled thinking about the events of last night. Pausing only long enough to clear her throat, the Chief of Police addressed the mass of reporters, the flashing of the cameras momentarily blinding her.

"Citizens of Republic City, it is my solemn duty to express to you the events that transpired last night only a few blocks from this very site. Last night at 10:38 pm an explosive device was detonated in a suite room of the Ryokan Fujimoto Hotel. No fatalities have been reported at this time as most of the residents and staff had been evacuated, many of whom only received minor injuries from the showering debris. However while serving as a delegate for the Convention, Miss Asami Sato of Future Industries was seriously injured by the explosion. She is currently residing in Republic City Hospital in critical condition while under the protection of my officers. According to our investigation, it is believed that Miss Sato was not the intended target of this attack. This matter will be looked into more upon further investigation.

"While it is unclear at this time whom is directly responsible for the attack, it is suspected of the involvement of the Red Lotus, an extremist group whom believe in political reformation via the destruction of governments and the assassination of political leaders. I have every available officer working on this case. I assure you that the safety of our citizens and guests from the other nations take full priority. I will now take this time to answer any questions on behalf of the Police Department."

Lin paused as multiple reporters waved their arms frantically in the air while shouting for her attention. She pointed to one at random, a set grimace on her face.

"Chief Beifong! How has the Avatar responded to this attack and the involvement of the Red Lotus?"

Lin gripped the sides of the podium. "Avatar Korra will be informed of the situation at hand, though she is currently unavailable for comment. While the Avatar is recovering from her injuries, the Republic City Police Department will be conducting the investigation on this attack and the Red Lotus' involvement in her stead."

She pointed to another reporter on site.

"How will this event affect the Convention proceedings? Will the Convention indeed continue?"

Lin nodded sternly. "The Convention will continue as planned, though added security will placed inside the building at all times. General Iroh has graciously offered to station several soldiers from the United Forces in the Convention center as added security throughout the remainder of the Convention along with more of my officers."

"Chief Beifong!" Lin's eyebrow twitched as an elderly reporter interrupted her. "How can you guarantee the safety of the citizens of Republic City with such a huge threat facing us?"

Lin's cool eyes stared down the reporter until he visibly shank inward on himself. Keeping her voice steady she answered his pressing question.

"I simply ask the citizens of Republic City to remain calm during this time and allow the Police Department to do our jobs. Your safety is our number one priority. We ask that if anyone has any information regarding this attack, please report it to the police immediately. I will be accepting no further questions at this time."

Without so much as a backward glance at the crowd of reporters she made her way inside the inner doors of the police station. To say the place was in utter chaos, was an understatement as police men and women ran around the building. The constant ringing from the switch board room and the frantic chatter of the officers and their radios did nothing to calm the nerves of the Chief.

Making her way over to the makeshift evidence room, she scanned the walls filled with black and white photographs of the crime scene along with table upon table filled with various burnt items. The smell of smoke made her nostrils flare and her eyes water from the irritation. Walking over to an older officer who was leaning over the charred remains of some item, she clasped a hand on his shoulder.

"What do you got for me, Tadashi?"

He pulled out a spotty handkerchief and wiped his sweaty brow before answering. "Not much, to be honest. This is all that remains of what seems to be the triggering device. I'm surprised to see it still remained somewhat intact," He gestured to the chunky remains of the twisted scrap metal. Lin strained her eyes and could just make out the inner cogwheels of the timer as well as part of what looked like a triggering system.

Tadashi sighed dejectedly. "Although the metal casing was all but blown away, I can tell that this was built by an expert. However, any possible physical evidence of our attacker was burned away by the blast. I can't tell who built it based on this alone. However, there is something you should see." He pointed with a gloved hand to a piece of scrap metal.

Leaning close to the burnt metal Lin Beifong scratched her head as she observed the twisted burnt remains of the explosive device. "This doesn't make sense."

Tadashi shrugged. "That was my thought exactly. Looks like you've got quite the case on your hands."

Lin pinched the bridge of her nose while she thought about the evidence at hand. "Well this makes things more difficult than I anticipated, but we need to start somewhere. I might know someone who can give us an insight into the triggering mechanism itself and the origin of this symbol," She packaged up the burnt remains into an evidence box and headed for the door, bringing the box with her.

Tadashi watched her actions curiously. "Where are you going, Chief?"

"The hospital." She grimaced before abruptly closing the door behind her.

[-][-][-]

Republic City Hospital: 11:09 am.

"Please Sir, you need to keep still."

Mako reluctantly stopped fidgeting enough to allow the elderly healer to finish unwrapping his injured arm and hand. A soft hiss escaped his mouth as the tender flesh was once again exposed to cool air. The detective tried to sit as still as possible on the examination bed while the healer bent close to examine the wound. This attempt at stillness was broken however when Mako began to cough vigorously into a dirty handkerchief.

"Sorry, Sinaaq." Mako muttered as he wiped the blacked spittle from his mouth. His voice was raspy and devoid of its usual strength and energy.

"Not to worry dear. Just remember to keep hydrated and rinse out your mouth as much as possible. The smoke inhalation did some serious work on your lungs," She handed him a glass of water which the detective took eagerly before sipping the revitalizing liquid. "Don't worry, your lungs will heal over time, but you should take it easy for the next few days."

The elderly healer smiled at him even as he bent over to cough again. Despite his obvious discomfort, her smile widened as the deep wrinkles around her bright blues eyes crinkled together in mirth. "I thought you police type are supposed to be made of stronger stuff? Now hold still and let me look at your arm." She gently prodded his burned skin before reaching for a bowl of water set on a side table. With flowing movements she bent the water from the bowl and formed it around her hand like a softly glowing glove.

Mako fought off the urge to cough before sighing in relief the moment the healing water touched his skin. He closed his eyes in bliss as the moments drifted by without a word from either companion. However, this peaceful silence was soon broken by the sound of knocking on the examination room door.

Without glancing at the door Sinaaq called out to their intruder, "Come in!"

Mako opened his eyes and was happily surprised to see Chief Beifong stepping carefully inside the room while closing the door behind her awkwardly with one hand, the other wrapped tightly around an evidence box.

"Chief!" Without being able to stand up, Mako adjusted his posture rigidly, his left hand coming up for a quick solute as his right arm was preoccupied by the waterbender's healing. The effect was slightly ruined when he realized that he was currently shirtless while on the examination bed.

"Hello Mako, it's good to see you." Lin flashed him one of her rare smiles. She turned to the older healer in the room before bowing her head slightly. "My apologies for interrupting. How is he doing?"

The healer had nodded her gratitude at the police woman's acknowledgement before jerking her head at the young firebender before her. "First degree burns on his hand and forearm, with only a slight area in the upper arm with more severe burns. Also mild smoke inhalation has temporarily damaged his lungs. Don't worry though, the way his healing is progressing, he will be out of here shortly," She turned to smile at Mako before nodding at his visible injuries. "This will be a tender area for a few weeks, but there should be little to no scaring on your arms. As for your lungs, those will heal more slowly, so try to limit your physical activity for the next few days."

Mako let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding before clearing his throat and nodding to her. "Thank you for your help."

Her smile widened. "You're most welcome." Having finished her healing segment, the old women gently wrapped his hand and arm with a fresh bandage.

"Why are you here, Chief?" Mako asked while gingerly shrugging on his black undershirt.

"I'm afraid I'm not here on a social visit. I need to speak with Miss Sato."

Mako frowned before replying briskly. "I don't know if that will be possible any time soon. She was hurt pretty bad, but I'll take you to her room."

After bowing his thanks to the old healer, Mako escorted the police chief down the stark white hallways of the hospital. After a short walk he stopped outside a room and gestured for Lin to enter. "She's in here."

Expecting the worst, Lin entered first with a grimace on her face, Mako following shortly behind her. Asami was unconscious while lying in bed dressed in a hospital gown with a blanket pulled up to her chest. Her arms were covered in gauze and her head was wrapped in a tight bandage. A huge wad of cotton was strapped against her right ear and her left eye had formed a huge bruise. What skin could be seen of her body was littered with small cuts and angry burns. Only the faint rise and fall of her chest alerted the officers that she was still alive.

"How is she still alive?" Lin's voice seemed to echo in Mako's ears as he became engulfed in the memories of night before…

The minutes seemed agonizingly slow as Mako zipped in and out of traffic on his satocycle. Zula was hunched down behind him, her face pressed on his back either to stop herself from falling off or to drown out the sound of the siren, he wasn't sure. The engine roared as he sped up a side street leading to the hotel. Mako skidded his satocycle to a halt upon arriving to a small mob of people being ushered away from the entrance of the building by the police.

Jumping off his vehicle Mako ran over to the nearest officer who was speaking into the radio frantically. Even from a distance Mako could make out what the policemen was reporting to headquarters.

"Chief, all delegates have been spotted and are accounted for outside the building except for Asami Sato, and Princess Zula."After seeing Mako arrive at the scene the officer spoke into the radio again. "The Princess is with Mako, only Asami Sato is not secure."

Running up to the officer, Mako flashed his badge before shouting, "Where's Suyin Beifong? Is she out of the building?"

"She's fine!" The officer pointed a few yards away to a small group of policemen talking in a portable radio box. In the very middle of this group were the worried forms of Suyin and Opal. Without hesitation Mako ran over to them, Zula close behind him.

"Are you ok?" Mako shouted as he approached them.

"Yes, we're fine," Opal said as fear and worry flashed on her face. "But Mako, Asami is missing. She was in the hotel room when we left and no one can reach her."

"What?! There's a potential bomb threat! Why is she still in there?" Mako asked angrily.

"Everyone is too afraid to enter the building." Opal grabbed him by the arms. "Please Mako, you have to do something, the police won't let me back inside to get her. She's in room 324!"

With a determined nod Mako turned around to the Fire Nation Princess and grabbed her on the shoulders. "You need to stay here with Opal, do you understand? I can't let you near the building."

Zula looked like she wanted to argue, but instead she nodded briskly at him. "Go…"

Glancing back at his friends, Mako ran through the crowd of frantic civilians over to the entrance of the hotel. Before he could reach the ornate double door entrance a deafening explosion burst through the air. The shock of the explosion literally knocked Mako onto his back. The sounds of screams reaching his ears were muffled as fire rained down from above.

Ignoring the high piercing buzz in his ears from the explosion, Mako jumped back onto his feet and stumbled through the doors into the lobby. Narrowing his eyes he covered his mouth with his shirt to block out the smoke that was slowly filling the room and sprinted to the nearest stairwell. Mako's lungs screamed for air as he ran up three flights of steps and down the hall. The detective was momentarily frozen in his tracks as his eyes swept over the gaping hole where the wall leading into the doorframe should have been.

"Asami! Asa-" Mako's voice was cut off from violently coughing from the smoke that wafted out of what remained of the room. Flames incased the walls and floor, chunks of flaming debris fell from the ceiling. Slowly he controlled his breathing and reached out with both hands, forcing the flames to die away enough to enter the room.

"Asami!"

In the middle of what should have been the sitting room was a gaping hole in the floor. The heat of the flames hit him like a wall causing him to inhale a lung full of ash.

"Asa- Asami!"

Sidestepping around chunks of flaming debris on the floor he slowly edged along the rim of what was left of the floor and jumped through a hole that had been blown through the bedroom wall. Glancing around the carnage with watering eyes, Mako ran around the room looking for any evidence for the whereabouts of the engineer. After checking the smoking remains of the closet and the remains of the two upturned beds, the firebender approached the leaping flames that enclosed the bathroom door. With a strained grunt, Mako kicked down the door, ignoring the smoke, flames, and heat that had filled the room behind him.

His heart almost leapt out of his chest when he noticed the ash covered body that lay crumpled inside the claw footed bathtub. He ran over and upon reaching the bathtub, the smell of burnt fabric, hair, and flesh hit his nose with enough force he jerked to the side violently threw up onto his shoes. Wiping his mouth on his sleeve he reached down with a trembling hand and felt for a heartbeat on her throat. Tears started falling uncontrollably down his ash covered face as his fingers felt the faint pulse that was there.

Without hesitating he jerked off his black jacket and wrapped it around Asami's still form. He hoped that he could provide her semi-naked body some little protection from the heat of the flames. Lifting her body over his left shoulder he ran through the burning door frame and through the smoke filled bedroom. Upon reaching what was left of the sitting room, the smoke was so dense that Mako could barely make out the other side of the room.

"Almost there Asami! We're almost out!" Whether he was trying to reassure Asami's lifeless form or himself, he did not know as he continued to mutter reassuring phrases under his breath.

Concentrating too hard on his footing as he edged around the side of the gaping hole in the ground, Mako's focus was broken as he let out a choked yell as a large piece of burning ceiling fell from above. Using his body to shield Asami from the debris, Mako lifted his right arm to take the brunt of the impact. The moment the burning wood touched his bare arm he screamed as he heaved the debris aside. The smell of his own burning flesh made the detective want to throw up again, but instead he lunged his way across what was left of the flame filled room and out into the smoke-filled hallway…

Mako felt his body shiver involuntarily as he looked up from Asami's resting body and over at Lin's grim face. "The doctors told me she's in a comma. They believe that she jumped into the bathtub to avoid the worst of the blast and although her efforts seem to have succeeded, the force of the blast slammed her body into the bathtub with enough force that she broke her ribs and cracked her skull."

"She's a lucky one, that girl. And strong too." Lin and Mako turned their heads as Sinaaq shuffled into the room holding a large metal bowl of water. Setting the water off on a side table she reached out with tender hands and rested them on top of Asami's forehead.

"Two broken ribs, a hairline fracture to the skull, abrasions and swelling around the left zygomatic bone, a burst right eardrum, first and second degree burns along her back and shoulder, and severe damage to her lungs from smoke inhalation," Sinaaq spoke quietly before removing her hand and reached for the water. "And yet she shows no sign of a fever and very little permanent damage."

With a quick flick of her wrist the water leapt up from the metal bowl and formed around her two hands. Moving her wizened hands slowly up and down Asami's body, Mako watched in fascination as what burns and cuts could be seen were healed and faded away before his eyes. Without looking up at the officers, Sinaaq continued with her examination by gently twisting Asami's body to the side in order to reach her back. "Even the worst of her burns should leave no scarring," She rested her glowing hands over Asami's right shoulder blade and pursed her lips. "Except here, there's a bad burn here that will probably leave a mark."

The old healer flashed a smile at the Chief of Police. "Then again, the strongest women always seem to have the most scars." Lin's face was set in its usual scowl, but her eyes glittered with warmth at the woman's words. Carefully laying Asami on her back again, Sinaaq slowly moved her glowing hands up and down the engineer's bandaged wrapped chest in a fluid movement before addressing her previous patient. "Go and rest, my dear. I'll let you know if there are any changes in her wellbeing."

With a quick bow to the healer Mako and Lin left Asami's room and walked down the deserted hallway before Lin jerked her head at an empty room. "In here Mako, I'm assuming since the events of last night you will want to be placed on the investigation team?" Mako nodded and Lin closed her eyes briefly. "Very well, then I've got something to show you." Closing the door behind them with a soft 'click', Lin set the evidence box down onto an empty examination table and slowly withdrew its contents.

Mako burst into a fit of coughing as the smell of charred metal hit his nose. "Is that - *cough* - what caused the explosion?"

Lin grunted in response. "That's all we could find of the triggering device. I'm hoping Miss Sato can shed some light on this." She pointed to the little symbol imprinted on the side of a piece of twisted metal.

"No! That's impossible!" Mako bent closer to look at the incriminating symbol.

Lin flared her nostrils angrily. "Clearly it is possible since we are looking at the evidence. Mako, a reminder, you cannot let your emotions make you bias in this investigation. Do you understand? If you cannot follow my orders on this, you will be taken off the case."

Mako shook his head dejectedly. "I understand, but I pray we are wrong."

"Either way, this is going to be a Hell of an investigation." Lin clapped her hand on his shoulder. "Get some rest, Mako. I'll wake you when you're needed."

"Yes Chief." With a lingering glance at the evidence, Mako left the room in search of a bench to crash on.

Lin picked up the twisted remains of the triggering device and moved it around. The harsh glare from the overhead light fixture reflected off the sharp symbol of half a cogwheel embedded in the metal.

"Spirits help me." Lin sighed in exasperation before placing the evidence back into the box.

[-][-][-]

Only a few hours had passed since Mako had drifted off to sleep on a bench in the hospital's hallway. He woke up abruptly to the Chief shaking his shoulder.

"Wake up, Mako. Asami's awake." Lin walked down the hall and into Asami's examination room leaving the dazed detective behind. Mako shook his head and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes before gingerly standing up and following his Chief through the door.

Asami was propped up in bed using several pillows; one bandaged wrapped hand grasping a cup of water, the other holding a cloth that she coughed into repeatedly. What could be seen of her face lit up in a huge smile at the sight of the detective.

"Mako!" Her raspy voice and appearance caught the firebender off guard. Mako couldn't think of a time when his friend had sounded or looked so weak.

"Hello Asami," Mako managed a warm smile before pulling a chair next to her bed. "How are you feeling?" Lin stood behind Mako and placed a hand on the back of his chair.

"I feel like I've been hit by a satomobile and thrown into an oven." Her words were a bit slurred from her head injury, but the meaning was still clear. Sinaaq chuckled upon hearing the engineer's description and brought over her metal bowl of water to the side of Asami's bed. Using her bending, the healer slowly encased the side of Asami's bandaged skull with the liquid allowing a soft sigh of satisfaction to escape the engineer's lips.

"Ahh… That's better." Asami closed her eyes in bliss before opening them and met Lin's gaze. "Sinaaq said you wanted to speak with me?"

"First I wanted to say I'm glad you made it out of there alive kiddo. You really gave us a fright back at the station. Quick thinking, using the bathtub for protection like that from the blast." Lin grunted.

Asami attempted to shrug off the policewoman's compliment but winced at the movement. "I just followed my instincts. I should really be thanking you, Mako, for getting me out of there. Sinaaq told me about your injuries."

Mako waved off her comment with his uninjured hand. "Don't mention it. Besides you would have done the same for me." Mako leaned forward on his chair as his face darkened. "Asami, we need to talk to you about the triggering device." Lin walked around Mako's chair and placed the evidence box gently on Asami's lap and slowly pulled out the burnt remains of the device.

"If you know anything about this about this equipment, I need you to tell me." Lin grunted as she gestured to the burnt remains. "Do you know how this works, who built it, or anything of that nature?"

Sinaaq stepped away from Asami to free her movement as the injured girl carefully held the evidence in her bandaged hands and moved it around using the light from above to see the blackened metal better.

"Well, you are right. This is definitely what triggered the explosion. See this here?" She pointed to a collection of springs, wires, cogwheels, and a slim steel lever bent slightly out of shape. "This is what was making that clicking sound in the room. It seems to act as a type of mechanical timer, possibly triggered by a pressure plate system or lever attached to the door. Of course any evidence of that was probably wiped out from the blast. I'm surprised this survived the explosion as much as it did." She angled the device up toward the overhead light. "This looks expertly made. Whoever made this sure knew what they were doing. The design itself is complex and yet it looks familiar, but I can't place where I've seen it before."

"Perhaps this will help jog your memory." Lin pointed one metal clad finger at a twisted piece of metal on the corner of the device.

Asami squinted at the symbol imprinted on the charred metal. Her eyes widened with shock as she whispered, "No…"

"This device was built by someone in Future Industries," Lin crossed her arms, her face set in a harsh scowl. "You better start talking."

Mako narrowed his eyes at his superior. "You don't honestly think Asami's behind this, Chief?"

Lin's eyes narrowed as she glared down at the engineer before her. "All I know is someone tried to blow up my sister and the one person smart enough to build something as complex as that," she nodded to the charred remains of scrap metal laying in Asami's lap, "… is laying on a hospital bed before me. It's nothing against you Sato, but I have to look at all my options."

Asami jabbed a finger at the partial cogwheel symbol imprinted into the metal. "This emblem is stamped onto every sheet of metal that comes in and out of Future Industries. Anyone in the factory would have had access to these materials. Besides, this design is not exactly my style. The design itself is too bulky and I would have made it silent. However…" Asami paused as she absentmindedly ran her thumb against the metal imprint. Memories of a similar device sketched out on blueprint paper resurfaced from the reaches of her fogged mind.

She cleared her throat before continuing, her palms becoming slick as the realization of what she was looking at hit her. "However, I know where I have seen this design before."

Asami looked into the eyes of the older policewoman before her. Fighting down the feelings of betrayal, her voice was soft as she spoke. "This was built by my assistant, Sakura Himura."

[-][-][-]

Republic City Police Station: 9:45 pm.

Lin's scowl could be seen reflecting off the one-way glass of the interrogation room. Mako glanced over at his Chief before looking through the glass at the girl handcuffed to the table. The young engineer had leaned forward on the steel table where she was chained. Her immobilized hands supported her head with her slim fingers pressed into her brow. Her eyes were closed while the rest of her solemn face was hidden by a curtain of flaming red hair.

Mako turned his head as a soft knock announced the arrival of Officer Tadashi holding an evidence file in his hand. With a quick glance over at their detainee, Tadashi adjusted his wired-rimmed glasses before offering the file to Lin.

"Chief Beifong, these papers were recovered from Himura's desk at Future Industries and also at her apartment."

Lin opened the file and after glancing down at the evidence within, she turned to address her comrades.

"Good. Thank you, Tadashi. I want you to stay back here and watch the interrogation. I want detailed notes on everything that's said. We can't overlook anything on this case."

Tadashi bowed to his superior. "Understood."

Lin nodded back in response. "Mako, you're with me on this one." Together Mako and Lin exited the back room and entered into the interrogation room. Sakura's head shot up as they entered, her red rimmed eyes were startling blue in contrast as they locked onto Mako before firing off questions.

"What's going on? Why am I here?" Her eyes shifted frantically from Mako and onto Lin as the older woman began speaking.

Lin's cool eyes narrowed. "I think you know exactly why you are here, Miss Himura." She tossed the evidence file down onto the steel table. Dramatically spinning the file to face the engineer, Lin quickly opened it and spread multiple blueprints out in a fan-like formation.

Sakura stared down at the incriminating sketches etched on each paper before looking up at the police. "I… I don't understand. Where is Miss Sato?" Her frantic eyes traveled passed her interrogators and searched through the one way mirror as if expecting her employer to be behind the glass.

"Don't play dumb with me. Sato mentioned you were quite the genius. You must have heard about the bombing at the Ryokan Fujimoto Hotel. However, I shall inform you that you fatally miscalculated in your attempt," Lin slammed her hand down on one of the blueprint designs. "The bomb you built to kill my sister instead targets that of your beloved boss. How poetic…"

Sakura's eyes widened and misted over as her mouth hung open slightly from disbelief. "Asami? She's… dead?" Slamming her bound fists together on the table she shouted at the policewoman before her. "No! No, I would never! I didn't kill her!"

Ignoring her outburst, Lin aggressively placed both hands on the table and leaned toward her captive. "Don't lie to me. These designs perfectly match what was left of the triggering device found at the scene of the crime. The evidence has the Future Industries emblem, materials you had access to. These blueprints were found in your desk at your work and at your apartment. You have the technical skill to manufacture this pyrotechnic device. You built the bomb!"

Lin's nostrils flared as she shouted at the engineer. But Sakura was not listening. She tried to block out the accusations by shaking her head rapidly, all the while muttering the same mantra: "I didn't do it. No, she can't be dead. Please, I didn't do it. I'm innocent. I didn't – I didn't… No…"

Mako watched this verbal interplay silently between his Chief and the young engineer before deciding to strike the source for this investigation. "Sakura Himura, what is your connection with the Red Lotus?"

Hard amber eyes locked with shocking blue. He was surprised to see that she was crying. Her voice was choked as she attempted to speak. "I didn't – I… The what?"

Slowly reaching into his outer coat's pocket, Mako pulled out an evidence bag and placed it before her. Inside the clear protective plastic was the envelope, newspaper clipping with Suyin's picture, and the Pai Sho tile that had been delivered to him only hours before.

Sakura's eyes fixated on the little round flower tile, before shaking her head slowly. "I don't understand. What's the Red Lotus?"

Mako locked eyes with his Chief who briefly shook her head. They were at a dead end.

The metal of her uniform clinked together loudly as Lin removed a picture of the remains of the triggering device and placed it before Asami's assistant, before crossing her arms in front of her chest. Nodding to the photograph she addressed the emotional engineer. "Did you build this triggering device?"

Sakura glanced at the photograph before she stared down at her handcuffed hands avoiding the policewoman's gaze. "No, but over a hundred engineers at Future Industries could have built that." Lin caught Mako's eye briefly before the engineer continued speaking in a dejected tone.

"I designed the schematics for the device over a month ago. Last week I registered a patent for the design under the Future Industries name. A few nights ago, I had Miss Sato sign contracts with the Republic City Department of Civil Engineering and the United Forces as a means of a safe detonating device for demolition projects involving pyrotechnics.

"My webbing layout of explosives allowed for a more controlled blast, while the detonation device itself had an audio countdown for the pyro-technicians, a 'clicking' sound of sorts that warned them of the time left before detonation. It was safer and more cost effective means of demolition than Varrick Global Industries' latest design. The blueprints for the designs are cataloged at Future Industries, so anyone with an inclination towards engineering could have made it."

Looking up at the detectives, Sakura sighed while silently crying to herself. "And now because of this, Miss Sato's… Asami's dead. It's all my fault."

Gathering up their pictures and evidence, Lin and Mako made for the door. Before exiting the room, the firebender turned to address the grieving engineer.

"Asami's alive," Mako stated softly. "She survived the blast and is recovering at the hospital." Looking back on Sakura's shocked face he saw the girl shed new tears, but those of joy, before slowly closing the door behind him.'

Upon arriving in the hallway Mako turned to face the Chief of Police. "Now what, Chief?"

Lin pinched the bridge of her nose before answering sternly. "Now we look into our new leads: any suspicious activities at Future Industries. From there, we look into any orders made for the Republic City Department of Civil Engineering and the United Forces within the last few weeks."

"And what about her?" Mako jerked his head back at the interrogation room.

"Make sure her statement is written down and then work with Officer Tadashi to have her processed out of here officially. She's free to go."

"Right away, Chief." Mako bowed before turning to enter the interrogation room.

"Wait! Mako!"

The detective stopped as he was addressed. "Yes, Chief?"

"When everything is settled here, I would suggest having an officer escort Miss Himura to the hospital to see Sato herself. I believe seeing her friend might be some comfort to her now."

Mako flashed a wide grin in response. "I'll take her myself."

[-][-][-]

Republic City Hospital: 2:40 pm.

Asami was sitting up on the hospital bed sipping a cup of tea while watching Mako as he sat on a chair pulled next to bed. The detective ran a hand through his hair disheveling his slicked back hair style as he shuffled through the ever growing case file. This had been a common occurrence over the last three days. During his breaks between his work shifts, the detective had sat with Asami and had gone over the details from case together. He appreciated having another set of eyes going over the details the police had gathered and, as long as they reported back to Lin, the Chief of Police turned a blind eye to their shared examination of the investigation.

Asami set down her tea and reached for the papers containing the transcriptions from the police's most recent interrogations. Reaching up with a bandaged hand she felt her course hair that had been damaged by the fire. She was going to need a serious haircut the moment she got out of there. Sighing to herself, the engineer glanced over the material again and sighed before she addressed her companion.

"Ok, Mako. Tell me again about what we've got so far."

"So this is what we know right now," Mako sighed. "The police looked into Future Industries for any more leads in which case we found records of shipping five of the demolition devices within the last week. Three went to the Republic City Department for Civil Engineering, the RCDCE for short, and the other two were shipped to the United Forces' office here in the city.

"Upon investigating the RCDCE, we found all three devices accounted for. When we searched the United Forces' office here, we found that although two of the devices had been cataloged in their systems as being in storage, we only found one device with no trace of the other machine."

Asami's popped an eyebrow at the detective's comment. "So all of the evidence points to someone with the United Forces having stolen the demolition device. Is that why you were interrogating officers within the United Forces?" She gestured to the stack of transcripts from multiple interrogations that had been made in the last few days.

Mako nodded. "Our investigation led us to Sergeant Airi Hashimoto, who had a key to the storage units that the device had been stolen from."

Asami tilted her head to side in order to hear her friend clearer out of her non-injured ear. While most of her injuries had healed rather quickly with her healing sessions with Sinaaq, her ruptured ear drum would take time to heal. Even then it was unclear if she would suffer permanent hearing damage. "Sergeant Hashimoto? Isn't that the woman who is the United Forces delegate, with General Iroh?"

"The very same and that's where this gets tricky," Mako sighed. "When we interrogated her, we discovered that she had an alibi for the night of the bombing and even the night before. Several witnesses place the Sergeant at a local bar on both nights. We also discovered that she still has her key which shows no signs of being tampered with, though that is expected even if it had been stolen and copied."

"I see, so the only person in the city with the authority to be given access to the storage unit, key or no, besides Sergeant Hashimoto would be General Iroh. Am I correct?"

Mako pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Exactly. And if we arrest him not only would the police department be straining our relationship with the United Forces, but we could potentially place the United Republic at risk of war with the Fire Nation, simply because General Iroh is the Crowned Prince. Not even the Chief's friendship with Fire Lord Izumi will be enough to smooth things over if we cause an international scandal."

Asami locked eyes with her friend. "So what are you going to do?"

Mako got up from his chair and collected the paperwork from his case file. Straightening his black jacket, he reached over and placed a hand on Asami's shoulder reassuringly.

"Right now, I am going to do my job." After giving her shoulder a soft squeeze he released her and walked determinedly out of the room.

[-][-][-]

Republic City Police Department: 8:57 pm.

If the soft 'click' of the door closing behind Mako alerted Iroh to his presence, he didn't show it. The General continued to stare into the mirror that he knew served as a window to the officers on the other side of the interrogation room, his white gloved hands clasped behind his back as his eyes never left his reflection. Mako had no idea if Iroh was aware that on the other side of the glass Chief Beifong was staring him down just as intently.

"General Iroh, thank you for agreeing to meet with me." Mako gestured to the table and chairs in the center of the room. "Please, sit."

Turning away from his reflection, Iroh narrowed his eyes at the man before him, before speaking in a cool manner. Normally a cheerful man, this situation called for a more somber demeanor from the General.

"Detective Mako, I would prefer to stand."

Mako frowned, recognizing the power play at hand, but shrugged regardless and placed his case file on the table, choosing to remain standing himself.

The detective crossed his arms as he sized up the General for the first time in years. He was slightly taken aback to notice how much Zula resembled her elder brother. They had the same sharp cheekbones and deep amber eyes.

"I have a few questions I need to ask of you. I am hoping you can shed some light on the situation." Mako took out a picture from the case file and placed it on the table. "Do you recognize this?"

Reaching out with a pristine white gloved hand, Iroh examined the photograph thoroughly. "This is a demolition device from Future Industries. The United Forces just ordered two of them last week." For the first time since he entered the police station, Iroh cracked a smile. "The device is actually quite impressive."

Mako nodded. "So it would seem. Works like a charm too." He rubbed the bandages of his injured arm thoughtfully. Iroh's eyes followed Mako's movement, a frown developing on his handsome face. Mako took a determined step closer and crossed his arms. "Are you aware that upon searching the United Forces storage warehouse, only one was found."

Iroh narrowed his eyes at the detective. "You've been investigating my men."

"Yes, all evidence currently points to a mole within the United Forces."

Iroh looked away from the detective, clearly troubled at the news. When he spoke next his voice was soft, but steady. "And you think it's Sergeant Airi Hashimoto."

"No, we looked into her and she's clean. Her alibis all checked out." Mako shook his head and frowned before crossing his arms. "We think it's you."

Silence stretched out for a few seconds following his accusation.

"What?!" Iroh roared as he stepped closer to his accuser. Mako held his ground as he stared down the General. Iroh's amber eyes blazed like living fire. "How dare you accuse me of this!"

Mako's eyes narrowed. "You have access to the storage room where the devices were held. You also had access to Suyin Biefong's hotel room. And as part of the United Forces you have the training to step up the device."

"I have no motive and you have no evidence against me." Iroh's voice cut like steel.

"You also have no alibi. As for a motive, there are always means for a motive: greed, political differences, and of course for just wanting to cause chaos." Mako counted on his fingers as he listed each motive. Iroh's deep amber eyes glared at each movement. Mako in turn stared the General down, neither man refused to look away. Iroh stepped forward, closing the gap so they were only inches apart.

"If you believe I did this then arrest me," Iroh challenged. "Otherwise I am leaving." When Mako made no move toward him, Iroh straightened his immaculate uniform and briskly walked out the door behind him.

Only a few seconds passed as Lin entered the interrogation room. She glanced over at the tabled scattered with evidence pictures, her gruff voice cutting through the silence. "Well… that went as well as it could." Mako groaned in response. Lin walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Relax kid. You couldn't arrest him without causing an international scandal. We'll keep an eye on him until more evidence turns up."

"I guess you're right. Still, I hate to think Iroh might be responsible. Something doesn't seem right about this whole thing."

Lin nodded. "I know what you mean. We looked into his history and he has no connection to the Red Lotus group that we can find, but this is where the evidence trail leads. If the Red Lotus wanted to cause mass panic, then they are doing a fine job of it." Lin scowled. "Keep an eye on him and if anything suspicious happens bring him in."

Mako saluted his superior and mentor. "Yes, Chief."

Both policemen turned at the sound of knocking on the door. Officer Tadashi stuck his head into the room. "Sorry to interrupt you Chief, but there is someone wishing to speak with Officer Mako in the lobby."

Lin popped an eyebrow at the young firebender who shrugged and walked out of the room. Together they walked through the building until they got to the entrance of the lobby. The woman waiting for them was turned away from the detectives, but Mako recognized the young woman in her deep red robes at once. The detective cleared his throat before calling out to their guest. "Zula?"

As the Fire Nation Princess turned around, her deep amber eyes narrowed at the detective. "Hello Mako. We need to talk."

Lin cleared her throat awkwardly. "I'll leave you to it, Mako. Report to the Council Center tomorrow at 8 am sharp, the Convention is proceeding as planned, though with added security and I need you there to protect Prince Wu."

Mako turned his head at his Chief. "I'll be there." He turned back to the Fire Nation royalty in front of him as Lin's footsteps echoed away from them down the hall. "Zula, what can I do for you?"

"Why are you interrogating my brother?" Her voice was calm, yet stern as she addressed him. Mako crossed his arms as he locked eyes with the Princess. "Unfortunately, he is the prime suspect in the bombing of the Ryokan Fujimoto Hotel. While he has not been arrested, protocol calls for us to do a thorough investigation, even when involving royalty."

"Mako, this is insane! This is my brother we are talking about. He would never attack a delegate, let alone Asami. They are old friends, for crying out loud!"

Mako pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "While I am aware that Asami and Iroh fought together during the Equalist movement scare, it must be said that the bomb was not intended for her, but for Suyin Beifong. That being said, Iroh has the training and the access to the demolition device that triggered the explosion."

"So you are targeting all people with military training? I heard that you interrogated Airi too."

Mako crossed his arms. "Sergeant Hashimoto was the most logical choice for a suspect at the time. Further investigation cleared her name of any involvement."

Zula let out an exasperated sigh. "Of course she's cleared, I trust Airi with my life. She has served with Iroh for years and her loyalty to him and the United Forces has never wavered. She would never have tried to hurt anyone here." The firebender cocked her head to the side as she stared thoughtfully out the lobby window. "Have you also questioned Turo yet? He might serve as the delegate and security for President Raiko now, but he was once in the United Forces as a Lieutenant. He served under my brother a few years back."

Mako shook his head slowly. "I didn't know this, but if President Raiko hired him, then his background check must have been cleared with the police."

"Either way, I suggest you look into him and everyone else that worked in that hotel that would have had access to those rooms. I don't know who did this, but I can guarantee it was not Iroh."

"Unfortunately, that remains to be said. Zula, please listen to me." Mako tried to place a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him off. His face fell at her reaction. "I'm sorry, but we have to continue our investigation."

"Stay away from my family Mako, or you'll regret it." Zula glared at him.

"You know I can't do that, Zula." Mako looked away from Zula's piercing eyes.

"He has no motive." Zula pleaded with him, but the detective refused to look at her.

His mind wandered to Jinora's bloodied body found on the back of her flying bison and then to Asami covered in ash, the smell of burning flesh in his nostrils almost causing him to gag in reflex at the memory.

His voice was cold as he spoke. "The Red Lotus has no need for rational motives."

"You can't honestly believe that he did this." Zula looked at him skeptically.

"I don't know what to believe anymore." Mako turned away from the Princess completely. "I'm sorry, Zula." Without looking back at his friend, Mako walked back into the heart of the station.

Zula watched him go, torn by her sadness and betrayal she felt toward him. "I'm sorry too."