(Korra)

I get to work and Asami isnt here relief sweeps across my body, It's not like I'm avoiding her or anything…

I walk inside the building and see Kuvira and Opal talking. I slowly back away hoping they don't see me, too late

"KORRA" I smile and turn back away

"Hi Opal and Kuvira, great weather we are having" I say while walking toward them, Kuvira rolls her eyes

"Oh please, the weather has been the same for the past 5 days hot and humid"!

"Are you sure, because today seems a little less humid" they look at me suspiciously

"WHAT ARE YOU HIDING"? Opal asks because she knows me so well

I start stuttering "Hide, oh nuffting what arch you talking about… nooooooo"

"Yep she is hiding something, she only stutters when she is hiding something" Kuvira says

Ok Korra don't lie, just think of an excuse, to get them off your back.

"Well you see what I'm hiding is…. I'm sort of embarrassed about crying at the party"

They both say ohhhhh in unison and Opal pulls me into a hug. "Don't be Korra, you were just what we call a sad drunk"

Kuvira cross her arms, "Hold up I don't believe that, Korra I seen you drink a thousand of times, and that's not your scene"

"Well that drink Bolin bought, wasn't that stuff we are used too, was it Kuvira, then again I don't know if you have that on the regular with your boyfriend Baatar" Kuvira then storms off

While Opal and I laugh "Why do you always have to bring up, Baatar" Opal ask while she walks me to my room.

"WHY DOES SHE ALWAYS GET UPSET"!?

"You know she hates showing her emotions, she isn't like you, she can't openly express her feeling"

"I guess" as we approach the room where we build the bombs. I see a familiar person standing in the middle talking to some man. From his uniform he must be a General

"TARA"! I call out and she turns around and she waves and walks over to us.

"What are you doing here"? I ask while she pulls me into a hug

"I'm here to talk to some of the workers, to you know give HOPE and inspire"

All my attention is focused on what Tara is saying that I forget Opal is here.

"I'm so sorry, this is my friend Opal"

Opal smiles and shakes Tara's hand. "I didn't know they allowed women to enlist" she asks

"Yes, it just recently happened, I can't believe no one knew down here" she reply back

"I agree, it's like important news dont make it's way here, I know Korra would have joined if she knew" Opal tease

"That's unlikely, My Mother would never"? Tara frowns "Isn't your Mother supportive of you"?

I laugh "I wished, she is really controlling, I mean doesn't your Mother not approve of you joining"?

"Yes and No, My Mother passed when I was little"

"I'm sorry, Tara I didn't know"

She then smiles "it's fine, I'm not upset so you shouldn't be" she says genuinely

The bell comes on meaning it's time to start work, "I have to go, nice meeting you Tara" Opal says while walking off

"You too"

"Sooo are you just following me, or do you really have a speech"? I tease

"Both"

"Hahaha give me a shout out up there"

"I will try my best, but I'm going to have to be professional" she says sternly I salute her

"Sir Yes Sir" Tara laughs and puts my arm down

"You know, you should enlist you already have the salute packed down and you are perfectly fit"

"Yeah, I have been told that"

Tara puts her hand on her hip "What that you should enlist, or that you're fit"? she tease

"Well I'm pretty strong" I slowly raise my arms and pretend to reach for something"

Tara rolls her eyes "Well I bet I'm stronger than you"

I laugh "Nooo you aren't" she then gets in my face

"There is only one way we can prove who is stronger"

(Asami)

I over slept I don't know why Iroh didn't wake me. I pull into my parking space and my hair is still wet I didn't get the chance to dry it. I really hope Korra is here and not at some camp. I just want to talk to her and explain, I don't want to lose her.

I walk into the building and see a group of women cheering in a circle. I don't know what's going on. I look around the room and see that even Zhu Li, is in the crowd cheering.

I push aside some of the ladies to see what the big commission is about when I see, Korra arm wrestling a girl who I don't recognize , she clearly doesn't work here.

Even if I could see her face, which her long hair is blocking, while she struggles to keep her strength.I put together from her uniform that this is probably the girl Iroh was telling me about.

I look over at Korra and she is just chilling, like it nothing to her, then the girl starts moving Korra's arm and Korra starts shifting her elbows.

Korra's hand is really close to the table but she regains her strength and continues to keep it up. Who ever this girl is, is really strong to be honest I find myself amused by this even though this ladies should be working. I'm also relived hat Korra is still here

Iroh and I make eye contact and he is waving money in the air. I roll my eyes

leave it to Iroh to collect bets.

(Korra)

My arm is killing me, Tara is stronger than she looks. I find myself breaking a sweat we both are. I can't even see her face from her hair being in the way but I can tell she is tired.

"Give up Tara" I say trying to sound cool and collective

"No way Korra, I'm winning this"

"COME ON KORRA, I HAVE 2 DOLLARS ON YOU"! Kuvira yells motivating me to gain enough strength to move Tara's hand a little bit closer to the table

Tara lets out a groan and I'm almost there.

The crowd is cheering and Tara hand gets closer to the table. I look up and make eye contact with Asami and she is smiling at me.

I panic which was a mistake on my part, because Tara gain the ability from that little panic attack I had from just looking at Asami and slams my hand down on the table

the General raises Tara's arm "WE HAVE A WINNER"!

"Never keep your eyes off the prize" Tara says while lifting up her hair and putting it back into a bun

I start rubbing my arm "Rematch but not today, I'm sore"

I get up from my seat and see that Asami isn't in the crowd anymore.

(Asami)

As soon as I saw her I rushed to my office, how is she here, this can't be she moved. I could be overreacting that can't be Katara, the last time I saw her was at the birthday party. Yet again we both changed since that party like most teens.

I get a knock on the door which makes me lose my train of thought. "Who is it"? I ask

"Zhu Li"

"Come in" I sit at my desk and Zhu Li opens the door.

"Hello Asami, I have a guest here to see you, he's a General" I nod

"Bring him in" I say while leaning back in my chair not facing anyone.

"Iroh, you made me late" I say trying not to get overwhelmed even more

"NO you just over slept, I know better than to wake a girl up when she is asleep, trust me Tara is not a morning person"

I turn my chair around "Who is Tara"? I ask

A girl steps into the room and she bows and from just looking in her eyes, I'm 100 percent sure that's Katara

"Thank you for, allowing me to talk to your workers, it's an honor for me to be here, what you're doing is really helping us overseas"

I look at her up and down and she catches me looking and smiles

"Let me introduce you to Tara" Iroh says

"Oh no need to" she says

"Do you two know each other" he asks

"NO WE NEVER MET" I say before Katara says anything she gives me a weird look that Iroh doesn't catch

I get up from my chair and shake her hand without looking in her eyes

"My Name is Asami, nice to meet you" she has a firm handshake

"Tara, same for you" I then back away and stand there awkwardly

"So I will just be outside" Iroh says but I grab his arm

"No stay, Umm Tara could you wait outside for a bit" she then nods while shutting the door

"SIT DOWN IROH" he raises his hands in defense

"Chill Asami, I will split the cash with you, I thought you were rich remember "

"How did you two meet"? I ask

a grin appears on his face "You're jealous aren't you"?

"NO"!

"Then why do you care about how we met"? he then leans in the back of his chair.

"Because, I just want to know so tell me" he sighs

"Fine, but you know I suck at telling stories

(Iroh's Flashback)

Our company had to share a ship with another company, I didn't really want to be on the same ship with some newbies or what I call guppies. Guppies are the new recruits who don't know much about the war usually straight out of high school or college.

I'm lying in my bunk looking at the picture of Asami who had a bad hair day, it's my favorite. I can't seem to fall asleep and we have rough waves tonight. I decide to head up to the deck where most of the guppies stay and socialize.

As I'm walking up the steps I can hear laughter and some kid telling a story, this kid with the black hair always tells these stories every night, they sound too good to be true but he says that they're actually real events.

I sit beside this girl with blue eyes and long hair, I think he name starts with a T. I'm still getting used to the fact that women can enlist. We haven't really talked but she seems friendly

I'm listening to this kid's story about him and his girlfriend who went bowling

"So it's my turn up and my girlfriend says, I bet you can't get a strike' so you know me a buff guy like myself was hurt but I couldn't allow my girlfriend to think I was a punk who couldn't knock over a few pins"

I find myself laughing along as this fool tell his story

"So I get up grab a red bowling ball and turn to my girl and say 'I choose red because it represents my love for you, I know I know cheesy but, it was a in the moment type thing. So I walk up to the lane and look at the pins and analyze the situation at hand.

Because Bowling involves strategy and that something I have. Anyway I lift of my arm and the bowling ball flies out of my hand and goes over to someone's else lane.

Everyone on the dock including me burst out laughing as the kid puts his hand to his head

Yeah Yeah, laugh all you want, but I don't know what was worst the elderly couple who game I just ruined, looking at me like why did I sabotage their game or my girlfriend laughing

What made the situation even worse was the fact I said the bowling ball represented my love, which went in someone else's lane. I mouth a sorry and walk back to the girl who I just humiliated and let me tell you she had a lot to say

'Don't worry Mako, at least you are good at STRIKING up a conversation' she says while getting up and grabbing her blue bowling ball

I sit back down and pout, because I just blew my chances of impressing my girl, she then rolls the ball and she starts leaning with it.

Like she was really leaning

The kid starts leaning to the side "Go to the left" he then moves to the right "NOoo Right"

This guy is really cracking me up he is really great at telling stories

"So I'm like this girl is crazy, thinking she can move the ball with her body and mind, but to my surprise

She gets a strike

She hops up in the air and runs over to me and gets all up in my face like 'Ha That's how you do it, don't bring that weak sissy stuff in here boy' she says which crushes my ego

"So the lesson of today's story is, never and I mean never….. use a red bowling ball because that was bad luck on my part"

I'm tearing up at this point "It wasnt the red bowling ball you just suck" I say laughing

The kid smiles "No it was the bowling ball" the kid says while sitting down

"So the General really does have a sense of humor" the girl sitting beside me says

"Just because my job is to be serious, doesn't mean I am all the time"

The girl nods

"Sometimes you just need to take time and remember that you're human too, that's why most of the men and women come up here to hear his stories, it reminds us all that we all do stupid stuff and make our self look silly, so yeah it's good to be serious but it's also good to be human"

I'm thinking about what she just said and it really does make sense

"My Name is Tara by the way" I shake her hand

"General Iroh, you look so young"

She laughs "I'm 18 I always wanted to be a nurse, and I thought why not enlist and do what I love"

"Well thank you for, thinking of us, and by the way I see all the men eyeing you, if you ever just want to hang out in my bunk empathize on the hang out as in just sit and talk, you are more than welcome too, I know it's hard to say no to all of these boys, beside my bunk is nicer than the others, I am a General"

She laughs "Thank you I might have to take you up on that offer"

End of Flashback

"So you met her on the ship"?

"Yes, and you have nothing to worry about, we are just friends"

"But you invited her to your bunk" I add Iroh then blushes

"Yeah,but we just talked, she listened to me go on about how I missed you and that's all, she is really nice Asami I think you too could really make great friends"

I sigh and get up "Perhaps, we could but I dont know, but I want to talk about last night Iroh" he frowns

"Asami, let's not, It was nothing"

"It was something Iroh, we need to talk about your nightmares, they really worry me, if you don't want to talk with me, talk to someone at least"

"ASAMI YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND OKAY SO DROP IT, TODAY IS A NEW DAY, I'M NOT AT WAR RIGHT NOW SO PLEASE DON'T LET ME FIGHT, LET ME DO THAT WHEN I HEAD BACK OKAY"!

"Fine Iroh, but this conversation isnt over"

(Korra)

Zhu Li told all of us to meet in front of the podium for some speech. I really don't want to be here, I turn around heading to the exit when I feel a pair of arms on my shoulder stopping me.

"WHERE ARE YOU GOING, YOU MADE ME LOSE MONEY" Kuvira says with Opal

"Well Kuvira no one told you to bet, did they"?

"I thought you were going to win" !

"Yeah, Korra what happened it's like you blacked out or something" Opal asks as we walk to the podium.

"I had an empty stomach"

"Sureeeeeee, you were intermediate by that girl" Kuvira tease

"Tara nooooooo, never I can swing remember I'm so better than her"

Tara walks past us and Kuvira stops her "Tara"

"Yes"?

"Can you swing"? Kuvira asks

"No I wished"

"HA I'M BETTER THAN YOU" I yell out louder than expected

" I know you are, but not stronger" Tara then winks and walks onto the stage.

"Hello Ladies, we have a special guest with us, a woman who choose to risk her life to save ours, lets give a warm welcome to a member of the Women's Army Corps Tara" Zhu Li says

That's strange why didn't Asami make the introduction?

I start clapping which too others may seem as a bit too loud from the irritated looks they're giving me but I don't care

Tara gets closer to the microphone

"Thank you Zhu Li for that introduction, you basically told my life story, I'm just joking

My name is Tara, and I love protection what I love. I could stand up here and tell you all the things I seen overseas and how good you all have it but, I want to focus on

why those who choose to enlist do it and trust me it's not for the food they serve.

Let me tell you how this war all started. The 4 Nation was like one big family the Fire Nation was like the spoiled kid

and The Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe were the spoiled kid's parent. They kept compromising and giving the Fire Nation a warning every time they did something bad.

So just like any kid, that keeps getting warning, you will never take them seriously.

So the Fire Nation did something really really bad, and threaten to invade Omashu. The parents realize that their kid really is out of control but just said no like all the other times.

The spoiled kid like repetition invaded Omashu anyway because they knew, it's parents would just give another warning.

So Father Earth Kingdom thought it would be easy to discipline his spoiled child, but to his surprise it was hard.

Do you all want to know why?

because the spoiled child got everything they needed from their parents to continue their plan. Every time the parents let their spoiled child off the hook, was an opportunity the spoiled child gained.

So the Earth Kingdom goes to his wife the Water Tribe because like always the woman always has to fix the man's mistake. That last statement was for comic relief.

Back to the story

The parents have a meeting with their spoiled child, to let their kid know that, enough is enough but the

spoiled child just laughed and continued to invade cities.

The parents realized that now their child need to be put in time out so they declared war on the Fire Nation.

I know what you all may be thinking at this point, maybe if the parents would had disciplined their child earlier

we wouldn't be in this mess. But let me assure you that, it's not the parents fault it's the kids fault and by me joining this war I feel like I'm helping put the little brat in time out and you all here on the home front are doing that too, we are no different

So continue doing what you all do best because I have a feeling that we are going to win this war"!

Tara is great at public speaking and her speech is really motivating. The way she put the war in perspective like that was brilliant

(Asami)

Iroh and I are listening to the speech by the door, I'm looking at Korra and she looks so fascinated by her words.

How come she doesn't look that way when, I tell a speech? Iroh puts his arm around me

"So there is this drive in movie tomorrow, how about we go"? he asks

"Shhhh Iroh, she is talking"

"Okay, she can't even hear us, we are in the way back"!

"Iroh we will see okay, now be quiet"!

"I hope you all don't mind if I stay for a while and watch all of your tasks, I'm so fascinating by what you ladies do here, especially the bombs"

There is no way, Tara can be in the room where we build the bombs, that is too dangerous and also she might distract the workers.


After Katara wraps up her speech the ladies go back to work. Now that everything is over I can finally talk to Korra.

I see her walking with Su to the production room and just when I'm about to follow them. Zhu Li calls my name

"Asami"

"Yes"? I turn around and see a solider along side Zhu Li

The solider salutes Iroh and he returns it

"Are you Ms. Sato" the young solider asks

"Yes, I am" he then hands me a letter and walks off

I look at the letter and it's from President Raiko

"Will you two excuse me" I say while walking to my office to open it

Dear Ms. Sato

I don't know if you are aware of the events that took place these past weeks. A few Production Factories have been sabotaged in order to stop our goals of winning the war. Sadly these tactics have been committed by spies that falsely identify themselves as workers"

Let me remind you that we are at war.Therefore I need a list of all the ladies in your company so we can do a background check.

Especially the ones who work closely with the weapons, it's not that I don't trust you or your workers it's just I want to make sure all is well, and with your factory being the most successful that makes you a target.

I want the background check to be confidential, therefore make sure none of the workers are aware of your duties

Thank you for all the hard work and for understand my requests

President Raiko

Why would anyone try to sabotage this factory?

(Korra)

It's almost time to head home I just have one more bomb to build then we are done for today. As I'm scrubbing down the end.

Kuvira and Tara walk in "Ladies, stop" Su orders us

"Everyone Tara would like to see the process" Kuvira says while Tara bows at us and shakes Su's hand

"As you were ladies" Su tells us

After making sure the it's all scrubbed down I past the bomb to Azula.

"Korra, you are too fast I can't keep up with you" she tease

"Well the faster the better" I reply back

Tara finally makes her way toward me "How much do you produce a day"? she asks

"Around 79 bombs a day we are working on doing at least 100 one day" she smiles

"I'm impressed, these bombs don't make you nervous"?

"No, I would be more nervous by speaking in public then, making a mistake and blowing this place up"

All the ladies on the line give me a irritated look and I mouth a sorry.

Making Tara laugh "I guess the women don't like you speaking of the negatives"

I nod

"Is it true you don't, like the food overseas"?

She makes a gagging sound "it sucks, I just want a good old southern water tribe meal, like back home"

"Like eel and seaweed noodles"? I ask

"YESSSSSSS, I MISS THAT STUFF" I laugh

"Well you're in luck, my mother does a great job, you should come over for dinner tonight"

"Noo I would hate to barge in"

"Nonsense, my Mother loves noting more than to be complimented by her cooking"

"Well I do miss seaweed noddles, what time do you want me over"?

"Well my mother should have dinner ready by 5 so as soon as we leave here"

"sound great, thank you"


Tara and I are walking out of the building when I hear someone call my name and my heart starts beating. I know that voice Tara and I stop while I turn around

"Yes" I say putting on a fake smile

"Can we talk for a second" Asami ask while looking at Tara then back at me

"Umm we are sort of in a hurry" I reply back while scratching my neck

"It wont be long, I'm sure Tara can wait"

"We have to get to dinner, Asami can we talk another time" I say back

"So you two are having dinner together"? she asks

"Well not dinner dinner, she is coming over to my house to have dinner"

"Oh….. well Tara, her Mother's cooking is really great, I had it before when I went over her house, which was multiply times not just one time like you, so enjoy yourself"

"Thank you" Tara says confused and we continue to walk.

"Sorry about her, I don't know what is up with her today" I say

"No big deal, I think she is funny"

"Not funnier than me, also I hope you aren't afraid of dogs"

"No, I don't mind dog, I have a brother so it's like the same thing"

We both laugh

(Asami)

I'm standing in front of the address Iroh gave me, where Tara is staying

Iroh thinks I'm here to thank her, but really I'm here to get some answers. I knock on the hotel door and someone unlocks it

Katara and I come face to face and she isn't in her uniform anymore but in some high waist shorts and a tank.

"Katara" I say nervously

"I'm sorry, I thought we didn't know each other remember" she says crossing her arms

I don't say anything

"I don't understand, Asami I thought seeing you would be a good thing, but ever since I came here you been nothing but rude and cold to me"

"That is not true Katara"

"It's Tara now Asami, maybe if you would have read my letters you would know that" she then tries shutting the door but I stop it

"I'm sorry Katara I didn't know what to say to you its been so long"

"Enough time to continue your grudge for me" she says bitterly

"DON'T MAKE IT SEEM LIKE I'M THE JERK KATARA, IF ANYTHING YOU'RE IN THE WRONG"

She then laughs "How, tell me, I would love to know, and if It's about that kiss which happened when we were TWELVE, it's not a big deal"

"IT IS A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE EVER SINCE THEN EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SO HARD ON ME"

"It's hard on you because you make it hard Asami, don't put the blame on me"

"But it's all your fault, you're the reason, I have such a hard time dating guys and now you are trying to take everything I have and don't lie to me and say that you coming here was a coincidence , because I know Iroh probably brought me up to you, you came back to ruin my life again"

"you're right Asami, I did come back here for a reason, TO APOLOGIZE NOT TO RUIN YOUR LIFE, thought we could be friends, but clearly I make things worse for you, but from the looks of it you are ruining your own life with you being in denial"

"Oh I'm in denial you're, and I don't want you talking to Korra anymore, I don't want you hurting her like you did to me"

"Asami if anything you hurt me, and it took a long time for me to forgive you, you just left and I tried reaching out to you but you never replied back. maybe you're still in your twelve year old self because I grew up and took responsibility for my own action instead of putting the blame on others

It took a grown woman like myself to come back here to the city that brought so much pain to apologize to you, because I respected you that much to put my pride aside and do that.

I'm sorry I kissed you and I'm sorry I left you feeling so conflicted but that kissed wouldn't have meant anything if you didn't already feel it.

But I refuse to have you say I'm the reason everything is hard on you and I dont understand why my friendship with Korra have anything to do with you,

so that request of me not talking to her is declined and by the way I asked Korra about you and we had a great talk at dinner and her Mother cooking is really delicious you weren't lying, turns out Korra's mother knew my Mother when they were younger, so we really hit it off.

I'm really tired and I think it's best if you leave, Korra and I have plans tomorrow involving a drive in movie so good night"

Katara then shuts the door leaving me speechless

You already know that drive in movie is going to be crazy lol Thinking about updating again this week. ;)