A.N. Hope you all enjoy this week's chapter, I am debating updating twice a week or as soon as I have the chapters edited and ready so look out for some more updates hopefully! Also, the update got super weird last week, I totally did not know what day of the week it was.

Hope you all enjoy!

Part I Revolution

Chapter Six

Akira

Akira wasn't quite sure how it happened but, she was falling. She watched helplessly as the ship slowly got further and further away from her. The dark blue depths were creeping closer and would soon envelop her vision. Akira felt fear seize her but fought hard to prepare herself for the impact.

Her eyes closed finally, canceling the ship from her vision as she made contact with the frigid water below.

Her body was shocked by the frigid depths making her gasp at the shock of water as it made its way into her mouth. Which surprised and frustrated her; she was never one to abandon reason in dangerous situations. Particularly swimming, her mother ensured she was well equipped. And yet now she was struggling, her limbs were getting heavier by the second. And deep within a voice called to her, telling her to sleep. Give in Akira, relinquish yourself.

So she complied, allowing her body to be dragged further into the darkness.

Suddenly air returned to her lungs, forcing the saltwater out of her. The force alone caused tears to stream down her face as she violently got the water out of her airways. She looked up and the bright sun almost blinded her, she instead focused on the face that eclipsed it.

Mako's eyes met hers she felt instantly comforted by the warmth radiating from those golden pools. His warm hands cradled her face gently, and he leaned forward whispering into her ear. "I won't let you fall."

He leaned his face closer to hers his eyes begging for permission, and this time she didn't deny him. His breath ghosted over her face before soft lips suddenly brushed against hers, she sighed against his mouth before capturing his bottom lip between her own. His hands tangled themselves into her wet hair and she deepened the kiss further her arms snaking around his neck as his body loomed over her own…

Akira bolted upright, her body buzzing with warmth from the dream she had. She brought her knees to her chest a sigh escaping her; before peeping at the clock at her bedside table. Once she realized the time, she sprung into action. Akira was never one to be late, today would be the first of many things.

She frantically pulled on her dark red trousers, and black turtleneck, not bothering to find her trench coat in the pile of unfolded laundry at the foot of her bed.

She shoved her feet into her black boots before bounding down the stairs. She ran her fingers through her hair as she hurried down the steps managing to tie the top half into a ponytail. She burst open the door of the building huffing from the extensive amount of stairs, to find Asami and Korra leaning against the Satomobile talking casually.

"Good morning," Asami said with a smirk while Akira merely glowered at her friend while catching her breath. "Never happens, an outlier." Asami and Korra laughed, and with that, the young women were off. They enjoyed a rather temperate conversation and light teasing at their friend's tardiness.

"What caught you up anyway?" Asami asked looking through the review mirror. Akira felt her face get hot at the question as her mind returned to the dream. She hadn't given herself enough time to think about it, but now all she could think about was Mako... and his hands on her body.

A very, dangerous thought.

Akira shook the thought away violently, this was not the time for those thoughts. "Overslept", she said quickly forcing a light laugh. Although from the look she was getting from Korra, she could tell she wasn't exactly buying it. Sensing the soreness of the subject, Korra detoured the conversation. "So, how's everything going at Piandao Industries? I heard you were making new military vehicles."

Akira smiled thankful for the subject change. "Yeah, I sent my mom the new designs, we should be supplying newly equipped vehicles for the United Forces. Although this wouldn't be possible without our new partnership with Future Industries. I would have been completely lost if it weren't for Asami's insight."

Asami beamed at the mention, "Not true, you just needed some fine-tuning. You've done the same for me." Asami said making eye contact with Akira while still seamlessly maneuvering down the road. It always impressed Akira when she did that, but then again, the girl was born behind an automobile.

"We 've also begun construction on the new United Nations fleet, we're beginning with eight battleships but afterward once the city is rehabilitated, we'll revisit with President Moon," Akira said unable to contain her excitement on both projects.

"That all sounds great Akira, and I'm sure General Iroh and the rest of the United Forces would appreciate being back to work." Korra chimed in trying to remain in the conversation, she often would leave the Asami and Akira to talk about their "mechanical stuff" as Korra endearingly called their chatter. "So, when does work finally begin?" Korra asked turning her head back towards Asami as she had turned her whole body to ask the question.

"That's the plan for this week, we present the finalized plan to President Moon; then maybe we can finally get a break." Korra smiled wide at that and Akira couldn't help but smile along with her, they were a lovely couple but lately, they didn't have much time together with all the work going on.

"I mean we could always move in together…" Asami continued briefly glancing at Korra to gauge her reaction, Korra's smile widened.

"I thought you'd never ask." The girls laughed as they continued down the street, both Korra and Asami's smiles wider than she had seen in a while.

Akira approached the ship was surprised to see her Aunt Kili, usually, if her mother could attend a shipment she'd send the Cheif Engineer but this was a welcomed change to Akira. Kili was her mother's best (more like only) friend, she was originally from the Southern WaterTribe and was her great grandfather's last student.

Kili was a constant in Akira's life, she visited her constantly as she was the Cheif Designer of Piandao industries mainland factory. Along with being one of the only three authentic Piandao sword makers in the world."Aunt Kili!" Akira said rushing to the woman and hugging her tight. "What are you doing here?" Kili smiled wide her blue eyes shining in happiness at seeing her niece.

"Your mom is getting a little irritable about not being able to travel, so she wanted to make sure someone reliable could get the cargo here safely. Plus, I'd never miss an opportunity to see you kid." She said throwing an arm around Akira's shoulder as they walked down the plank of the ship meeting with Korra and Asami.

"Korra, Asami, this is my aunt Kili. She also works for Piandao industries as one of our designers and one of our exclusive sword makers." Kili rolled her eyes but bowed before the Avatar.

"A pleasure to officially meet you Avatar Korra, I happened was there when you helped begin the liberation of the South." Korra smiled and bowed back respectfully.

"That feels like forever ago, but a pleasure to meet you as well." The women caught up briefly before Kili gave Akira the rundown of the cargo and what to expect for the next months. "I'll be sure to send you updated on the battleships." Akira nodded thankful for the information, but she wasn't satisfied by it, and Kili could see right through her. "What's going on?"

"Nothing it's just... I feel like my mother is hiding something from me. I mean she has been avoiding all of my telegrams, letters, and when I manage to get a radio. I mean I just found out she's sick and as much as she drives me insane... I know how grandmother went through that cough, I need to know if it's the same thing because if it is..."Akira rambled on for a moment longer until Kili stopped her.

"There is something you should know…" Suddenly there were loud shouts from crew members. Akira turned to the noise and rushed to the other side of the deck to find a group of men in green attacking the packed vehicles. Akira turned to find Asami, Korra, and Kili prepping themselves for a fight. Asami donned her chi-blocking glove her lips set in a grim line. Akira nodded to herself before turning to Asami, "Call the police, I'll slow them down." She surged forward launching herself off of the ship and kicking down and arm of fire effectively cutting off some of them from her cargo.

Akira prepared herself for the impact as she landed on a truck, it roared to life beneath her and took off rushing down the dock. She centered herself to keep from falling off the speeding vehicle, grunting at their sharp turned as she grabbed fast to the rack on the roof. She used the leverage, to get herself to the side of the truck before kicking in the windows with a loud yell.

She quickly went to work throwing the driver out of the car and into the water at their side. They swerved dangerously close to the water as Akira grunted and pulled the other way, all the while fighting off the blows from the man in the passenger seat. She firebended a blast above his head effectively getting the car door blown off and kicked him hard. He rolled out of the car as Akira slammed hard on the breaks to keep from running straight into the next ship.

That was until she saw a man standing in the street, he jumped and brought his fists down hard sending a ripple of earth towards her. Akira opened the door quickly and rolled out of the vehicle as it flipped overhead and smashed hard into the ground, the content of the vehicle littering the dock. From seemingly nowhere more people surged forward and grabbed the boxes.

Akira pulled herself to her feet rushing towards the cargo before being pulled back by her hair. She yelled in pain and kicked out at the woman in front of her, hitting hard at the pressure points in her body and sending her to the ground. Before she knew it more people came forward, she blocked their attacks sending people to ground quickly with terrifying jabs of her visits. But as one went down another came, then another; she was fighting as hard as she could but they wouldn't stop coming.

Suddenly her advantage was gone, a kick landed sharply in her side and she skidded against the ground. The wind was knocked out of her, she laid there gasping for breath as a figure came over her. That as until someone jumped over her fire blazing forcing the people back.

She was brought to her feet quickly by Mako, there was no time to thank him as the two fought back to back. Their firebending mirroring one another and blocking the protestors from leaving their path. After numerous attacks from the Avatar and Akira's crew they began to recognize their failure especially as the Republic City polices' sirens wrang out.

They began to retreat, and Mako surged forward ready to arrest them. Just as Akira spotted a man rummaging through one of her cargo boxes. Akira knew she had to make a quick decision, without thinking she gabbed Mako quickly and pulled him off the docks with her into the water.

Akira felt the weightlessness of the water and saw the depths below; her heart raced, in fear completely losing all thoughts of rationale. This only happened to her when she was young when she'd fight bitterly against the water and fail. Akira felt the panic rise in her chest and tried to fight it down but it overpowered her as she thrashed helplessly, she felt a firm hand grab her and force her head above the water.

Akira sputtered and coughed as the arms wrapped around her and brought her to the dock and the awaiting hand of Korra. Akira took it thankfully before reaching down for Mako's hand. He took it and climbed onto the docks breathing hard. "Thank you," Akira said, although Mako didn't say much…not that she was surprised by that. Mako remained their catching his breath and glancing quickly at Akira, who by now had recovered from the shock of the water. With that, he rose to his feet and began to make his way to the squad cars.

Akira felt something other than fear, the direct opposite in fact. Perhaps it was the influx of adrenaline but she was no longer going to let Mako get by."Mako!" Akira called jogging towards him. "Can you at least say something to me!" Mako turned towards Akira sharply and stalked forward in an anger Akira had not seen in him before.

They had disagreed before, it's natural for friends to fight sometimes but this was something different entirely. Akira couldn't quite place the rage that she saw within him, she wasn't frightened if anything it only added to the anger she felt.

"No! I won't say something, because I'm trying to refrain from saying something I'll regret." Mako spit, before shaking his head. He moved to turn around but abandoned that before turning on her and releasing what he wanted to say. "Your choices Akira almost got you and everyone here hurt!"

Akira staggered backward from his words, the anger flooding out of her body as the hurt flowed in almost like as painful as a physical blow. "If you had just let me do my job none of this would have happened! God, you just had to be so damn stubborn! Just know that all of this is your fault!" Mako said angrily, Akira opened her mouth ready to defend herself but Asami beat her to it.

"Mako you're not being fair! Akira was just trying to help; you can't blame her for them taking advantage of her kindness." Mako shrugged past Asami. "Yes, I can." Korra blocked Mako her arms crossed, causing him to stop in his tracks. Mako ran a hand down his face, "Your turn?" He asked Korra who smirked slightly.

"She's right you know." Mako turned back towards Akira his eyes still holding so much anger. Akira scoffed at him. "Don't worry about it Mako you're right, this was my fault. I won't deny that, but I won't feel bad about it more than I already do." She stalked off into the ship itself, both hurt and angry by what he had said. She was surprised to hear footsteps and see Mako following her.

"I'm not done talking yet," Mako said his brows still furrowed."Well, I'm done listening! You've said what you need to so go yell at someone else! Do you think I don't feel bad about putting my crew in danger? Well, I do!" She yelled fiercely, ganging up on Mako.

"Of course, I know that! But you didn't even think about it the outcome of your actions!" Mako yelled back, this time he tried pushing her back as she had done him. Akira found herself taking a step back before holding her own.

"Not everything has to be carefully calculated and thought out!" Akira yelled back. Mako tried to speak but she cut him off. "I am trying to bring this city back to what it was! I gave up EVERYTHING to be here so why are you acting like I am trying to destroy this? WHY ARE YOU..." Akira was cut off by Mako he grabbed her arms unconsciously pinning her to the wall.

"BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU!" He shouted, releasing her afterword. Akira was stunned, she stood frozen against the wall as Mako turned away from her running his hands through his hair.

"I was so worried something happened to you when I got that call," Mako said softly, now turning back towards her. Akira unintentionally softened her resolve slowly reaching for Mako, he stepped forward tentatively as Akira looked up at him.

"I appreciate your concern, but that hurt. Your actions and your words hurt Mako." She said softly, Mako sighed not meeting her eyes.

"I know…I just…I don't know Akira if something happened to you. I would never forgive myself." Mako still not meeting her eyes instead, he focused on something else. His eyes focused on the collar of her shirt and he smoothed it down; before reaching for her cheek his large palm enveloping her face, "I care about you." He croaked his voice cracking from emotion. Akira wanted to fight him, but she missed him and maybe it had something to do with that damned dream, but she let his hands stay where they were.

And uttered five words she wasn't prepared to share just yet, "I care about you too." She whispered, placing her hand on his shoulder. Mako leaned down and Akira placed her other hand on his neck feeling his heart race beneath her fingertips. They both leaned towards one another, slowly closing the distance between them. Akira felt Mako's breath against her face and tilted her head the right, her nose brushing his cheekbone.

"Hey Akira, if you're ready President Moon…" Bolin interrupted, Mako and Akira launched themselves away from one another both of them blushing fiercely. Bolin's smile grew on his face, "Once you two are finished, Akira has a meeting with President Moon." Bolin left the two firebenders and they looked towards one another, the moment clearly gone. Mako looked unsure and Akira felt every bit as confused as he was."We should probably go," Akira whispered, but she didn't want to, and it was clear that Mako didn't either. Akira wanted him to step forward, she wanted him to invade her space again and kiss her till she couldn't breathe. But she also knew that it was probably a bad idea, but Mako seemed to take the lead.

"C'mon, we better head off before I make myself into a bigger ass," Mako said smiling weakly, Akira smiled at that understanding what he was doing, and she was appreciative of it. He was aware that she wasn't ready, and the fact that he could put aside how he felt it made her heart full.

"You're right about that." She said shoving him playfully, Mako laughed and the two walked side by side their hands brushing against one another as they did; but neither were in a rush to pull away. "I'm sorry Akira," Mako said softly as they made their way to Bolin. Akira smiled weakly at Mako, "I know, and I'm sorry too." Akira said softly as they met up with a smiling Bolin who kept looking between the two. Mako shoved his brother good-naturedly causing a good-natured sibling squabble. But his eyes never strayed too far from Akira's, and she wasn't too mad at that.

Fire Nation- Shu Jing

Lein Piandao had always considered herself a strong woman, in her youth she had felt unstoppable. But that was the furthest thing from the truth, humans are fragile, and while they can hone their bodies into destructive machines…everything ends. And Lein was afraid that she was closer to that than she had thought.

Her cough was becoming insufferable, there were moments where she wanted the sweet relief of dreamless sleep. To sleep into oblivion and never feel that pain again, her lungs felt like they were on fire. Each instant that she tried to stand took every ounce of her concentration, she was fading and at a faster rate than she thought.

Her doctor had finally told her that the day had come, she was restricted to bed rest. Her friend Kila had come to visit her and she swore her to secrecy, her friend had never looked more disappointed."I can't do that to her Lein. Just answer a damn call! Or write her, but I can't sit by and let your daughter…" Kili trailed off tears filling her large blue eyes, she reached for her friends' hand and held it close. "I just never thought you'd leave so soon."

It was moments like that that Lein dreaded. She didn't want the goodbyes or the tear-filled moments, it was because of that very sentiment that she refused Yara. The only person she allowed Akon to see her, his stoicism allowed her to feel a semblance of normalcy. It was what she needed more than anything. After weeks of living in seclusion and thinking of her impending demise, she decided to do one good thing.

If this truly was her time, she was going to do one right thing by her daughter. "Akon," Lein called weakly, he entered the room in his usual stoic manner.

"Ma'am?" He asked simply, she asked him for parchment and paper, and he returned quickly handing it to her. While Lein wrote her will, she also wrote a story; a story about a young girl who fell in love. A story of a selfish woman who made a mistake, she wrote until her hands hurt; she wrote through the tears and the regrets.

After hours of writing, she still had so much more to say, she turned to Akon her eyes filling with tears. "I don't want to go yet." Akon took her hand his eyes tenderly looking at Lein.

"I know." He said softly, his voice a smooth baritone that she hadn't realized she'd missed. "I don't want you to go either Lein," Akon said softly his eyes telling Lein everything she already knew.

"In another life." She murmured reaching for Akon's other hand.

"In another life." He agreed.