2). A leaf under the wind(part 7)

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Korra was on the back of Asami's moped while she drove them back to the estate. The heiress offered to drop Korra off at the dock, but the mercenary insisted that she had to see her client all the way to her home.

"I didn't know that having you as my bodyguard would be this much fun,Kairi." Asami complimented the other girl. Her little meeting with the Fire Ferrets team was a lot of fun. The pro-benders were really humble and informal, a complete opposite of those Wolfbats.

"All in a day's work, Asami. I hope this made up for the whole deception thing." Korra tried to slip her apologies, hoping the heiress' good mood would make her more forgiving.

"Don't worry, you're just doing your job. If anything, I blame my father on this one." Asami sighed. "He's always treated me like I'm made of glass. Never trusted me with anything important. Sometimes I feel like he has become a different person since mother..." the heiress trailed off before shaking her head. "Sorry, got carried away."

Asami wondered if the mention of her mother had offended Kairi somehow, because the girl suddenly went quiet for almost a minute. Asami was about to ask when Korra spoke up.

"Don't be too harsh on your father, Asami." Korra's voice was serious. "Trust me, I hate an overprotectiveness as much as the next guy...(Damn that compound to hell.)...but at least he cared enough to tried to keep you safe, that has to count for something."

"I... That's what parents do, Kairi. Could it be brought up for an excuse?..."

"Not every parent."

Asami felt Korra's grip on her waist tighten. She glanced over her shoulder to see her passenger and saw Korra looking out over the dock to an empty ocean at night. Her eyes sparked with a glimpse of sadness and rage.

Even after what she heard about the scam, Asami guessed Kairi's relationship with her parents was worse than she thought.

"I'm...sorry..." The heiress tried to apologize, but the mercenary quickly cut her off with a sarcastic laugh.

"For Spirit's sake, what's with all the drama tonight? I thought we came out here to have fun."

"We're teenagers. We have a privilege to be angsty once in a while," Asami joked with a smile. They both shared a laugh and decided to drop the topic. No point in ruining the mood tonight.

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Lee the butler was waiting for them at the front of the mansion. Hiroshi was still in his office, but he already instructed him about the deal between him and this girl Asami had been going out with tonight.

"Welcome home, Miss Sato. Shall I have the maids prepare you a bath, or you wish to retire for the night?"

"It's okay. I can prepare my own bath." Asami dismissed his offer. Korra felt like she was being ignored, so she clicked her tongue to drew the butler's attention.

"I believe you have something for me?" Korra snapped her fingers, making the butler frowned.

"With all due respect, Miss Kairi. I think we should discuss this later..."

"It's alright, Lee. I already knew dad was hiring her." Asami smirked at Korra.

"Oh?" Lee was taken aback and a little bit uncomfortable. He tired to maintain his politeness while glaring accusingly at Korra. "I thought master Sato expected your deal to be secret..."

"My apologies. I had no idea Mr. Sato has such a keen eye and intelligent daughter." The Avatar didn't even try to hide her sarcastic tone. "Deducting my price is acceptable, but you still have to pay me for delivering her back in one piece, and without a scratch."

"Just give her full price, Lee. I had to be an idiot to not know about my dad's involvement." Asami insisted. While she didn't appreciate the deception, Kairi did try to make up to her and they ended up having fun tonight.

"If you insist." The butler took out a brown envelope from his jacket and handed it to Korra. The mercenary took the envelope, turned away, and started counting the bills, licking her finger between the count.

Asami gestured the butler to leave them alone for now. Lee looked at Korra with skeptical eyes but complied nonetheless.

"Thank you for your service, Kairi. I know tonight was just another job for you, but I really had fun hanging out with you."

"You are nice company yourself, Asami, and I already got paid, so you know I didn't just say that because of the money." Korra waved the envelope in front of Asami, making the heiress smile playfully. "I shall take my leave then. Goodbye."

"See you around, Kairi."

Asami turned and closed the door behind her. Korra looked at her payment before pulling out a couple of bills, thinking she could get a few drinks downtown before going back to the island.

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Mako stood inside a dark alley, intentionally not to draw attention of the people on the street while he counted the catch in his hands. These were protection fees he collected from shops, bars, and any businesses that opened in Triple Threat Triad territory. Normally this wasn't his job, but since his two 'seniors' were still in the hospital, he'll have to did their job until they recovered from broken bones.

The firebender took some of the bills and put them in his shirt pocket as his cut, while the rest would go to Lightning Bolt Zolt. Some gangsters would have taken this opportunity to slip some extra money into their own pockets, but Mako really didn't feel like cheating, even in this criminal career.

Mako left the alley and went directly to the bar across the street, the last place he had to collect. So far he still didn't have to threaten anyone to pay, and he hoped this convenience would last through the night. The young man entered the place and walked up to the bartender behind the table.

"Mako?" The bartender recognized him. "Didn't expect to see you tonight."

"I've come to collect the fee, Jin." Mako replied, ignoring other costumers that might be looking at him.

"They put you on this job now? I thought they only used someone who..., you know..., knew how to be intimidating." The bartender almost laughed at him. Mako sighed.

"Please just pay up, Jin. You really don't want them to send someone else who would be more than happy to trash your place for money, do you?"

"If that's the most threatening thing you can say, son." Jin said, while reaching into his pocket and handed Mako the money. "I strongly suggest you find a new line of work. You're too good to go far in this business."

"Like I have much of a choice..." The young man mumbled. He took the money before putting a few coins on the table. "Tequila."

"See, you even paid for your drink." The bartender shook his head, pouring a small glass of liquor for Mako.

The firebender took it in one shot, feeling the redness rising on his cheeks. He put the glass down and ordered. "Another..."

But before Jin could refill his drink, the person sitting next to him,who Mako didn't pay attention to, poured him a shot from her green bottle.

"My treat. Hope you like cactus juice." The girl said as she poured herself a bigger glass.

"Umm...thanks." Mako accepted the offer. He took the cactus shot while turning to see the stranger...

...and almost choked on the drink when he noticed a familiar figure. Black long hair, black sleeveless shirt, and a smirk like she expected him to react this way.

Mako coughed for a moment, feeling some of the cactus juice coming out of his nose. Korra just laughed at him in amusement.

"You?!" The young man finally recovered.

"Yep." The mercenary stared at him with half-lidded eyes. Mako noticed her red cheeks, she must have had her fair share of drinks before he came in here. "I think you still owe me a few bones I have to break, don't you?"

"If I recall correctly..." Mako tried to recompose himself. "...you said you'll let me keep my bones intact."

Korra raised her eyebrow. "I did?" She thought for a moment before the memory hit her. "Oh..., right, I did." She chuckled to herself and poured another glass of cactus juice.

"You two seem to have an...interesting relationship." The bartender commented, before he got call from the customer at other side of the table, forcing him to leave the two alone.

"Why are you still here?" Mako asked. "You shouldn't be out this late at night after what you have done."

"What have I done?" Korra replied, sipping her drink.

"You put two of Triple Threat Triads in the hospital, broad daylight, in public." Mako frowned at her, tried to look at least a bit intimidating. "The gang wouldn't stand for that kind of humiliation. You better watch your bac-."

The mercenary smashed her glass down hard enough to leave a bottom print on the wooden table. The sound echoed through the bar, silencing any other noise and drew all eyes on them."Are you threatening me?"

Korra stood up, and while Mako was taller, he felt himself shrinking at the sight of the half drunk and pissed off mercenary.

"Are you!?"

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Jinora rolled and squirmed under her blanket, before she finally jolted awake with an ill expression. The little girl sighed and groaned. She sat up on her bed in lotus position, and began meditating.

A minute passed. Jinora opened her eyes with her face still pouting in discomfort. One hand pushed softly on her chest.

"This won't do..." She looked out the window. "I need a fresh air."

Jinora walked out of her room and ran tip toe through the hall way without making any sound, which is quite easy for an airbender.

The girl was out of the building and ran to a cliff the pointing north. Jinora sat down on the grass and resumed her meditation, but this time she mumbled a mantra while doing it.

"Instinct is a lie..." She began. "Told by a fearful body, hoping to be wrong."

The girl's face looked calmer and less ill, like whatever symptoms were troubling her slowly faded away in the cool night breeze. Her mouth even curved in a small smile.

"Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void..."

In the last part, without Jinora herself noticing, her body levitated from the ground and floated steadily in the air, not too high to be noticeable if saw from afar. But it's not like there was anyone to see her at this time of night.

"Empty and become wind."

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...to be continued...