In Hiding

Summary: Korra tried hard not to think about Kuvira living in a jail cell waiting for her trial to start – until she finds her sitting on her bed, looking for a place to hide. Set after series finale.

Chapter 12

Kuvira woke up and groaned as she felt the sweat attached to her skin. She slowly sat up in the bed, peeling her drenched shirt away from her skin. With a frown of discomfort, she pushed the sheets off of her body before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Kuvira let out a deep sigh before holding her head in her hands.

"Hey," Korra muttered as she looked up at her. She rubbed her forehead before pushing herself off of her stomach, her dark hair falling into her face. "What's wrong?"

"Just a bad dream," she muttered. "Or a memory, I'm not really sure anymore." The Avatar quickly got up and sat down next to her on the bed. Kuvira shivered as a light breeze wafted into the room through the cracked window. Korra waterbent the sweat off of Kuvira, before using her airbending to dry her clothes. "They're so vivid. I can still smell the chemicals."

"Thank you for telling me about it last night." Korra placed a hand on Kuvira's shoulder. She squeezed lightly before moving to rub small circles on her back. "It must have been hard."

"I needed to. I wanted to." Kuvira lifted her head out of her face before turning to look at the darker girl. "You deserve to know everything," she added. Korra nodded once before half-smiling. Kuvira reached back and pulled at her long braid, slowly untangling it so that her dark locks flowed down her back.

"When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?"

"Before I attacked the city, ironically."

"How about we take our minds off of it?" Korra suggested. She reached over towards the bedside table and flicked on the radio. Kuvira grabbed a comb off of the table, wincing as pain flared up in her shoulder, before running it through her hair.

The Earth Kingdom is still in a state of disarray, even with the tactics King Wu has been trying to implement to help bring peace to the nation. While many have responded positively to his movements to have each state have independent elected leaders, there hasn't been much of a change as many are in dispute as to who should lead their individual states.

In a recent interview, King Wu has admitted that he is facing troubling times ahead if he can't come to a resolution. His first and main worry, at the moment, is to try and rebuild various states to bring back a sense of normality, and to supply more jobs for those out of work. While it is still a work in progress, various benders from every nation has traveled to the nation to offer help. Slowly, but steadily, things are looking towards turning for the better.

"It sounds like Bolin is doing well," Korra commented before she turned the radio off. Kuvira remained silent as she continued to brush her hair. The Avatar removed her hand from the earthbender's back, before rubbing her hands against her pajama pants. She swallowed hard before taking a deep breath. Kuvira turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. "I have an idea that would help get you in people's good graces."

"What is it?" Kuvira asked. She winced as her comb caught a few small knots. She tugged at her hair a few times before the comb pulled the knots out of her locks. Korra frowned as the earthbender tossed the small clumps to the floor.

"After things calm down here, a bit, we travel to the Earth Kingdom and help them rebuild," Korra announced. She waved her hand in the circle, bending the air to pick up the knots of hair from the floor and pushed them out the window.

"At this point, there's a bounty over my head," Kuvira pointed out. "People will recognize me."

"Not if we change your appearance," the avatar said with a bit of excitement. Kuvira scoweled. "You can blend in and just say you've come from Republic City and want to help bring back your nation to what it once was," Korra continued. "Then, sometime later, we'll reveal your true identity and people will see that you've atoned for your actions."

"Atoned?" Kuvira's scowl turned into a smirk. "You've been spending a lot of time with that detective. at least when you're not with your little girlfriend."

When Korra wasn't out going to various meetings with President Raiko or Chief Lin Beifong, or conversing with Mako about ways to sneak Kuvira out of the temple, Korra would spend what little free time she had left with Asami either at her office or at the Sato Estate before retreating back to Air Temple Island. While Korra did move into the estate, she still found herself spending a lot of time at the Temple, making sure things with Kuvira were going smoothly, as well as working with Tenzin on new meditation techniques. All of which Asami was fine with, excluding the Kuvira issue.

Between the six months after the battle of Republic City, and Kuvira escaping from jail Asami had moved back into the Sato Estate. After the death of her father, she felt that between the home, and Future Industries, it was the only two things of her family she had left. While she did originally move out because it reminded her of her father and everything he did in connection to the Equalists, she now found that it brought a sense of normality. She liked being able to have a place to unwind away from work instead of spending nights on the couch in her office.

"Do you enjoy making fun of me?" Korra asked.

"What else am I supposed to do to pass the time?"

"It's good to know you have a sense of humor," she answered dryly. A loud knock came from the other side of the door. There was a brief pause, before one more knock sounded. Korra jumped up from her seat on the bed and rushed over to the door. She pushed it open a crack, and peered out of the small opening, before moving to the side and pulled the door open a bit wider.

Kya stepped into the room and gave the Avatar a quick smile as the younger girl pushed the door close. "How have you been?" the older woman asked as Korra gave her a big hug.

"On edge," she admitted. "We need to get Kuvira out of here and soon before Lin gets any closer

"I passed by Mako on my way here," Kya explained as she walked over towards Kuvira. The earthbender had pulled her green tank top off as Korra pulled a spare towel out of the armoire in the room. She placed it down on the bed before gently lowering Kuvira down on the bed. "He was waiting at the docks for the rest of the police force, so you have a bit of time, but not much." Kya bent some water out of a skein on her hip. Kuvira sighed in relief as the glowing water wrapped around her shoulder. "Do you have a place to move her?"

"Yes, the Sato Estate," Korra muttered. She had her arms crossed over her chest and watched as Kya slowly worked the healing water over Kuvira's form.

Kya paused for the smallest of seconds before continuing. "Asami is fine with this?" she asked.

Kuvira's eyes snapped open. She looked up at Kya before slowly sitting up, wincing as her muscles screamed in pain. She and the older water bender both stared at the Avatar. Korra rubbed the back of her neck before shifting from foot to foot, her gaze never reaching them. After a few moments of silence she threw her hands into the air, and let out a loud groan. "She doesn't know, okay? I haven't told her yet."

"Why not?" Kya asked. "If she's really important to you, she deserves to know the truth

"How would I bring up that topic?" Korra demanded. "Hey Asami, I have a big favor to ask. Would you be okay if I bring a fugitive into the house? By the way, she tried to take over Republic City with a giant gun that blew up everything in its path and made you think I was dead, who also had a hand in the passing of your father?" she ranted. She placed a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, she'd really go for that if I didn't prepare her first."

Kuvira winced before leaning back down on the bed. "I didn't specifically go after him," she muttered.

"I know that," Korra softened, "but convincing her will be harder." She turned her attention over to Kya. "This is not something to be taken lightly."

"She's trusted your judgment before," the healer said with a shrug. "while she may have some reservations, I do think-"

"Wait a second!" Korra interrupted. She walked over to Kya before grabbing her shoulders and turning the older woman towards her. "What do you mean?" she demanded.

Kya smiled softly. "I just thought that since the two of you are pretty close-"

Korra's eyes widened a bit as a light flush rose up in her cheeks. Her grip slightly tightened on the older woman's shoulders. Kya reached up and pried the Avatar's hands off of her, inspecting her skin for any puncture marks. "What do you know?"

"That you two are together," she answered simply. Korra's jaw dropped. "No one's talked to you about it since it's just an assumed thing. Plus, you deserve your privacy." Kya then reached out and rubbed a spot on Korra's cheek. "Also, you have a bit of her lipstick on your cheek."

"Well…that makes things a bit easier," Korra muttered while furiously rubbing her cheek. Kuvira loudly cleared her throat. Kya let out a soft chuckle as she resumed her healing.

As soon as the ferry was hitched to the Air Temple's docks, Mako stepped off and speed walked up the main stairs. Suyin and Lin followed close behind him, with the rest of the police force bringing up the rear.

"We're going to talk to Tenzin," Lin explained. "The rest of the police officers will set up a perimeter. You patrol the hallways for any clues," she added.

"Yes, Chief," Mako said with a nod. He turned sharply on his heel before walking down the first hallway to his left. Captain Saikhan stood on the stairs of the temple, giving out directions to the rest of the police force. Mako quickly checked over his shoulder before running the rest of the way to Korra's bedroom. He knocked twice, before pausing, and knocking once more.

The door to the room slid open. Korra grabbed him roughly by his shirt before pulling him inside. "Did anyone see you?" she demanded.

"No, but Lin and Suyin are here," he answered while pulling her hand off of his clothes. He smoothed out his uniform before placing his hands behind his back.

"Su is here?" Kuvira asked. Kya put a hand on the earthbender's shoulder to keep her from moving, rubbing a makeup brush against her cheeks. "We have to get out of here now!"

"The rest of the police force is going to set up a perimeter soon," Mako explained. "We have to move quickly."

"We're going to need a car," Korra said, staring straight at him.

"I didn't drive one today."

She groaned before slapping her forehead. "I thought you were given one as a detective after protecting Prince Wu?"

"I was, but the chief drove me today," Mako said with a shrug. "I have to stay by her side so she doesn't get suspicious."

"The plan was to take the ferry and drive over to the Sato Estate." Korra glared.

"Well, I don't see you coming up with any good ideas."

"Did you two used to be together?" Kuvira interrupted. Mako and Korra blushed lightly before turning to face her. "You two sure can argue. Way more than friends would," she added.

"It's a long story," Mako sighed.

"Finished," Kya announced as she placed her makeup brush down onto the bedside table. Korra picked up a small handheld mirror before passing it over to the earthbender. Kya had curled Kuvira's long hair, so that it framed her face. Her face was covered in foundation a few skin tones darker than her natural shade, and her beauty mark was covered. Kya had her dressed in red and gold robes.

"Perfect," Korra commented. She frowned as Kuvira's eyes started to water. The earthbender reached up and lightly ran a finger over where her beauty mark was once visible. "What's wrong?"

Before Kuvira could answer, Korra's bedroom door slid open a bit wider. Everyone gasped, before tensing up, and turning to face the person. Rohan rubbed his eyes and stepped into the room, his hair sticking up in various directions.

Rohan smiled happily before running over to Kuvira. He paused when he noticed her change in appearance.

"KuKu?" he asked.

Kuvira tore her eyes away from the mirror and looked down at him. Her eyes softened at his nickname for her. Rohan clapped happily before hugging her leg. Korra couldn't help but let out a soft "awww" as she watched the two interact.

The Avatar instantly tensed up again as she heard loud footsteps. "You two head down that hallway," Captain Saikhan's voice commanded. "I will go this way."

"I'll hold them off," Kya said. "You three go."

Korra quickly rushed over to the window. She stuck her head out and looked around before slipping out. Mako quickly followed her. Kuvira brushed Rohan off of her leg before walking to the window.

"KuKu?" Rohan's lower lip trembled.

She paused and turned back to look at him. His wide eyes started to fill with tears. Kuvira walked over to the bed and plucked the stuffed lemur out of the sheets. "Here." Kuvira sad while handing it to him. "Thank you, for seeing me as a person." She lightly patted him on top of his head before slipping out the window. Rohan dropped to the floor, threw his head back, and began to cry loudly. Kya rushed over and scooped him up in her arms. He fought against her grip, his hands outstretched towards the window.

"Naga, come here girl," Korra quietly hissed. She lifted two fingers to her lips and blew hard. A shrill whistle floated into the air. Naga came running around the corner, barking loudly. She dug her feet into the ground and slid to a stop in front of Korra, Mako, and Kuvira. She happily licked her owner, and Mako before turning towards Kuvira. Naga bent low and let out a deep growl. "Naga, cut it out, or no treats for you." The polar bear dog whimpered softly before lowering her head to the ground, her ears folding back.

"Let's go," Mako said while climbing onto Naga's back. He moved to the middle of the saddle so that Korra could sit in the front. "They'll be here soon." Korra helped Kuvira climb up onto Naga before placing herself in front of Mako. She dug her knees into Naga's side. The polar bear dog jumped and up and ran towards the water. Naga jumped high into the air. The last sounds the three of them heard before splashing into the water, was the wails of baby Rohan emitting out of Korra's open window.