Hello loves! First I would like to thank those of you who followed and favorited, I appreciate it so much! This is the final stretch and I've decided to just post the chapters as I have them so it won't be as consistent, so my warning is some weeks may have two chapters or some weeks may not have one, I'm just really excited to conclude Akira and Mako's story and start the new ideas I have.

Much love and hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.

Finale

Chapter One

A Day After…

Akira

Akira could feel the bile rise in her throat; she was sick to her stomach at the reality of the situation. She dry-heaved into the toilet for the fourth time that night but nothing came. It was as if her body was trying to expel the truth from her, her blood ran hot at the thought of it.

Shin Ito…her father.

The concept was foreign to her, this mentioning of a father. She had never needed a father figure before, not with her grandfather and Akon in her life. And the way her mother would speak of him, the way her upper lip would quiver for a moment, or the way her hands would shake inexplicably until Akon or Kili would quickly distract her with something.

It was because of that reaction that she knew he wasn't a good man, no one like that could be worth knowing. But now she didn't have the privilege of the unknown, now she knew, and it made her feel dirty. She had rubbed her skin raw twice that night as if she could remove his DNA from her body, but all it left her was the stinging feeling tingling across her skin. Then the thought of what she had to do infiltrated her mind, she had laid out the logistics of the plan, and that in itself made her skin crawl in a new way.

The door to her bathroom opened, and she looked up to the tired face of Akon. He didn't say a word and simply sat beside her by the floor, his gaze fixed on the wall ahead of him. Akira watched him, waiting for him to say something, she wanted so badly for someone to come and fix this. But this was not the case, she was not a child any longer...her actions had consequences.

"Akon, I think I have a plan." He turned to her his eyebrow raised, and Akira relayed the details to him. She didn't stop once letting the words flow out of her in a rush, she watched Akon's eyes widen each time she revealed a new detail until ultimately the exhaustion she had witnessed before returned.

He laid a hand over hers and uttered something she had not expected, the missing puzzle piece in the disaster that was her plan. He turned to her suddenly serious, a new fire invigored in his eyes.

"This just might work," Akira muttered in awe as Akon nodded a grim smile set on his face.

"It very well could…but the possibility that…" Akira stopped him understanding fully what he meant, because while she was sure that this would work that she finally would have Shin bending to her whim. There was the large possibility that Shin Ito with his money and influence would crush them, Akira didn't have the luxury of playing it safe anymore.

"It's the only choice."

Akon hummed in response and the two returned to looking at the blank wall in front of them, realizing it was much like the events of their lives. So much potential, for good or for ruin.

A Week…

Akira could barely keep her eyes open; sleep had become more of a burden than a reprieve. Each night she woke to the same nightmare as she had the past week, she dreamed of the same event, that smug smile on Shin's face when he realized he had one. The triumph within his hard eyes, but when her eyes returned to the figure on the ground it was her own face staring back at her. Reminding her that it was within her, that desire for more of that burning inferno, the type that suffocated the air around people. He was like a living flame eating and eating away at everything.

Akira set her lips in a hard line as she stared down at the trembling parchment between her fingers, it was beginning to eat at her how long simple tasks took to complete. In the past weeks, she was in her prime, but now she was crippled by loss. Her hands shook at the thought of her defeat, the image of Reli flashed violently in her mind. The edges of the paper were blurred from the onset of tears as they threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Do you need that letter sent out Miss?" Akira looked up at her butler and forced a smile to her face as she handed him the paper.

"I suppose so." He took it, a small smile gracing his face before laying a hand directly over hers, his hand was warm and the shock of it brought her eyes to his face.

"You did the right thing, do not doubt that." She gave him another forced smile before taking her hand from his and fumbling with the papers at her desk. She laid it out before her a shuddering breath escaping her lips, the family legacy stared back at her only documents and ink but so much more.

The factory in the mainland, her childhood home there, the home in Shu King, the weapons shop in the mainland that sold traditional weaponry, her trust fund that she couldn't access in its entirely until her 25th year. All of her mother's money, it was worth millions, and, in a day, it would be gone.

Akira walked down the halls her hands stuffed into her pockets; she was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she didn't register that Mako was by her side. After a moment she realized he was there, and she knew he was saying something, but her mind couldn't grasp it. She reached for his hands stopping him noticing now that they were in the hall headed towards one of the many courtyards. "I'm sorry Mako, I just…" He turned towards her his eyes filled with concern as he gently cupped her face in his hands.

She wanted to bury her face in his hands, she wanted to use him as an escape. But how would that be fair? Her mind seemed unable to stop itself from turning over every little thing, not only was she physically exhausted but mentally as well. She was so drained it felt like her body was being held together by a cord, and she knew he was worried about her exhaustion, but she couldn't tell him why.

Because Akira had been busy the past week, in ways that Mako could never know not for his own safety…

His thumb trailed down her face bringing her back into the moment, as he gently swiped his thumb against the prominent dark circles under her eyes. "I feel like I haven't seen you in days, and I know you're preparing for…" He trailed off a dark shadow passing over his face, almost literally. It was like the sun had been sucked from the sky he looked angrily at the ground his hands dropping from her face.

After a moment his hand returned gently to her face, the dark cloud passed. He forced a smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. It seemed like everything between them was becoming forced, she knew Mako felt guilty, but he didn't want to mention his guilt he didn't want to undermine her sacrifice.

"I know, I'm sorry this has all been." Akira blew out a raspberry causing Mako's lips to turn into the smallest of smiles. Before returning to that same sad gaze, and Akira hated it. She hated that he looked at her like she would break at any moment, she hated that he and everyone around her was reminding her that she made a good choice. As if there was any other choice she would make, she felt that rage burning beneath her fingertips the hot heat crawling under her skin and begging to be released.

"Stop." She said suddenly stepping away from Mako her eyes brewing with a familiar fire. And Akira saw it, she saw it for the first time. Mako looked…well like he was looking at Shin. Like she would burst at any second in a violent rage and that hurt more than his apologetic gazes, it hurt more than his unwillingness to respect her choice.

"I…I can't do this." Akira brushed past him her eyes filling with angry tears as she tore down the stairs and out into the courtyard. She wasn't' sure where she was running to but anywhere was better than where she was.

The young women entered the room dressed in black trousers and a dark shirt to match. Her reddish-brown eyes were stern and hard, it reminded the man of Mr. Ito. But the way she held herself reminded him of someone else entirely, it reminded him of the women who used to run that company back in the mainland, the one named after the old swordmaster.

This woman was beautiful, in a harsh type of way. Sharp cheekbones and those reddish-brown eyes that seemed to look into your soul, chew it up, and spit it back out at you. She was beautiful like a hawk was, it enticed you with its beauty, but its claws could take out your eyes just as easy. That or the way she walked into the room, her hips swaying and a smile on her face that seemed to entice him and make him wonder if something unspeakably horrible was about to happen.

"Hello Wren." She said simply taking a seat in the chair in front of him, her body already beginning to relax in the plush leather seat. He truly didn't understand why she was here; he was against everything her public image supported. But he could understand why she was intrigued by this, that her heart was lured by ill intent. After all, how could a family in good conscious sell wares that could contribute to a war of all nations, without some morbid curiosity for destruction?

"Ms. Piandao." He said swallowing thickly at her presence, he hadn't been around a beautiful woman in a while, and her painted red lips kept drawing his eyes to the fullness of her mouth.

"I have a request Wren; I need you and your… skill." He raised an eyebrow intrigued by how he could help such a powerful company. Ever since they merged with Future Industries it seemed like nothing could stop the Piandao's.

"Of course, Ms. Piandao, but you do realize what we do?" She smiled leaning forward, causing his heart to race at the closeness. "I know full well what it is you do Wren, and you'll be paid handsomely for it. All I ask is for your discretion and should anyone ask who did this. You say it was the owner of Piandao Industries."

Wren's eyebrows jumped into his hairline, but when she slid over the envelope and encased was directions of what she needed done. If possible, his eyebrows rose higher, especially when he saw the sheer amount of cash enclosed. Who was he to argue with the will of this woman, especially when she came with so much cash, "You give me a call, and it'll be taken care of." He said eagerly pocketing the cash and her carefully worded directions.

"You're a gem Wren." She said with a wink before leaning forward and planting a kiss on his cheek.

As she sauntered out of the room Wren remembered something his father had said about the Piandao family.

Never get in the way of the Piandao women.

Especially one that been scorned.

The day arrived and Akira was more than prepared to act her part, she dressed early that morning and had her servants prepare for Shin's arrival. Akira was so lost in tasks that she didn't quite notice Mako until he cornered her in the hall. His eyes pleaded for some type of explanation, and she felt a cry bubble in her throat.

"Akira this is crazy, this past week you've been avoiding me and Akon. We tried making plans to illegitimatize Shin's claims, but you've done nothing to help us." Akira bit her lip, her heart racing because he was the one that didn't know. She had given Akon careful instructions and he had delivered, every move she made was so carefully planned that it would ruin everything if she told Mako now.

So, Akira did the one thing she knew she could do, deflect, and avoid. "Mako I don't know what else you want from me." She brushed past him only to feel his hand envelop hers as he tugged her back and the look on his face broke her heart.

"Akira please don't do this, don't shut me out." Her heart broke watching him, the way he looked mirrored how she felt on the inside. His eyes were full of so much confusion and pain, and all she wanted to do was wipe it away. She wanted him to trust her, but this was the path she had to take.

Alone.

So, no one would get hurt again, so laid her hand gently laying on Mako's cheek as she leaned forward whispering in his ear. "Do you trust me?" Mako pulled away from her and she knew she was asking a lot of him; she knew that he had every right to walk away.

"Always." He promised, with a firmness in his eyes that almost brought her to tears. "And I promise I'll tell you everything…one day." Mako's jaw tightened but he nodded, he pressed a soft kiss to her temple before taking her hand and leading her to the dining room where Shin and Reli stood, beaming in triumph.

Akira felt her hands begin to tremble as she looked at Shin, she knew she would have to face him again, but she didn't expect the reaction from her body. Something about seeing him in the flesh turned her stomach, it made her hands itch in a hot rage. So many emotions were flashing through her body at once, it took all of her strength to bury them down.

After gathering herself she finally looked towards Shin, she expected to see triumph in his eyes, yet when his eyes flickered over her she couldn't quite place his thoughts. The harshness she had seen so often was gone; his eyes took her in as he calculated something a shadow passing over his face as he tried to quell what she'd imagine would be emotions.

Akira felt her hands clench at her sides as they studied one another, and as she finally allowed herself to look at him, really look at him…

She supposed it was common to see yourself in your parents, but what she saw unnerved her because he mirrored her his hands clenched at his sides to keep whatever went through his mind at bay. Something Akira had done so often mirrored on this man made the nausea return with a vengeance, "Let's begin, shall we?" Akira asked squashing down the bile that threatened to rise in her throat and the shakiness of her body.

Akira motioned for the men to take a seat and moved to the head of the table, only to be stopped by Shin. His vicious smile returned, as he gave her a condescending look.

"I think it's best if I took the head of the table, after all, I own it." Akira bit back an angry retort, she released her hold on Mako's hand as she felt the heat rise in her fingers. Her eyes met Shin's at that moment, and she knew what he was doing now, he wanted to see it. He wanted the physical proof that she was his child, Akira blew out a breath, the force of her anger so strong that her breath escaped as steam. Akira headed to another chair and dragged it loudly across the floor if nothing more than to prove a point.

Shin smiled widely, while Reli quietly sat down avoiding the eyes of everyone in the room. Akira eyed Reli, she supposed he was her stepbrother all things considered, which already sent an uncomfortable child down her spine. But seeing him sitting there staring at his hands made her want to reach out and throttle him. How dare he act demure; how dare he sit there and pretend that he didn't want this just as badly as his father did.

He was the sole reason Shin had won, holding that damned weapon to Mako's head. Literally forcing her hand, she was so enraged she hadn't realized that her hands were getting warmer and that the glass of water she now clenched in her hand was beginning to steam. Akon's hand on her shoulder centered her as he took a seat to her left his eyes trained directly on Shin.

He handed Akira the papers, and she watched Shin's eyes light up. "Before we begin, I do have one request, Mr. Ito." Shin's smile widened and he sat back in the seat shifting to make himself comfortable like one would before buying a piece of furniture.

"Let's drop the formalities. I know Akira." The air turned tensed, Reli shot a look at his father he looked as confused as the rest of them in the room. Which only included Akon, Mako, and Akira's lawyer (who was there against her wishes but Mako was hoping her lawyer would fight for her). Unbeknownst to all of them, Akira knew exactly where this was headed.

Because she planted it herself, Shin was given a letter in Lein's handwriting the letter was addressed to her daughter but either way it was a confession.

"Wouldn't it be more appropriate if you called me father?" All eyes turned to Akira, but her face did not betray her she turned to her lawyer who was beginning to sweat in his seat.

"I was not aware of this." He whispered his eyes downcast and staring at the paper before him, Akira could only get a glimpse before he closed his folder but from what she could see there were numerous rebuttals about how this could not legally be binding.

"Of course not sir, it seemed the Lein had set a false precedent. You see I was under the impression that Akira was Akon's daughter. It made sense with the naming and truthfully I was never too interested before, but I have this letter with proof that Akira is in fact, Akira Ito."

She stiffened at that, the entitlement that he held, he branded her with his mark as if he owned her. She knew it was coming but she needed to be believable it was all acting now. Something she was good at, schooling her face was the only good thing she had learned from that summer with Rai.

Her lawyer turned to her his hands raised as if to say There's nothing else I can do. Akira gave him a reassuring smile as she laid her hand on his. She nodded and he took in a deep breath leaning forward his eyes narrowing at the sight of Shin.

"May I see this document; I need to verify that it is indeed Ms. Piandao's handwriting." Shin slid it over a triumphant look on his face as the other man read it over, his face fell as he read, and he put the letter inside his folder. "Alright, then you are aware of what happens now?" His gaze turned to Akira's, she had to turn away from the pity in his glance.

"I am aware of what happens," Akira whispered, Mako's hands enveloped hers and when she looked at him, he looked just as gutted as she did. "Was this your plan?" He asked softly, and Akira did nothing more than nod the tears that trekked down her face now weren't for the reason he thought. It was because the more she lied to him, the more it was destroying her.

"Prior to the ending of their relationship your mother included in her will that her your father would be responsible for their trust fund and all forms of Piandao Industries until their 25th birthday. This would also allow them to run the company should the child not be fit to do so…Essentially Ms. Piandao you cannot run your company without your father's explicit permission."

Akira nodded mutely as her lawyer leaned forward gently taking the documents from her and viewing her assets.

"Alright, well since Ms. Piandao transferred all of her belongings to your name that means…Mr. Ito here is legally within his rights too…" Shin finished for him, "Essentially I own them until your 25, or until I change the legality of it all." He said with a wave of his hand his eyes meeting Akira's just to trying to get a reaction from her, not that he'd get one.

"Right," the lawyer continued a sour look on his face. He eyed the document closely before turning to Akira a shocked look on his face.

"What is it?" Shin asked apprehensively, he leaned closer trying to get a look. Akira turned to her lawyer her hand laying gently on his forearm as she nodded.

"It appears that…sometime before this knowledge came to light that Ms. Piandao transferred the brunt of her fortune to her…to her trust fund."

Akira's eyes rose to Shin and he looked like he was going to burst from happiness. The lawyer handed the papers back to Akira with an apologetic glance. "If this was all, legally there would be no need to sign off the company since…Since he already has a claim." Akira nodded and the lawyer left with a quiet click of the door. She turned back to Shin and his greedy hands hovered above his prize.

"Well, it seems we have everything settled." Akira frowned before sitting up in her chair, in the corner of her eye she could see the concerned glances of Mako and Akon but she ignored them.

"We do not have everything settled, I do realize that you control the majority of my assets but…Please this is all I have left of my family, let me keep my home." Shin eyed her for a moment, and Akira wasn't sure what was going through the man's mind. There was so much going through his face.

"Fine. Since you have the sole right to your mother's money, I cannot touch that, I will also include another 6 million to make sure you can sustain yourself. That and your home in the mainland…" Akira bolted from her seat a wild edge to her eyes as she flattened her hand on the tables.

"Please Shin…You can keep the house in the mainland but not this one." Akira's voice cracked and for the first time since that man had walked through the door real emotion was cracking through. "This was where I learned the sword, this was where my great grandfather created the very legacy that…Well that you control, I realize that you must have some sentimental value within this home as well as I do but. I ask, no I beg as your daughter. Please leave me just this and I'll sign it away."

Shin raised an eyebrow at the last part, "Why sign it, I already have legal rights." Akira shrugged meeting his eyes this time.

"Because there is honor in defeat, a true defeat." Shin looked surprised by that and from what Akira could tell there was a semblance of pride. He nodded sliding the paper towards her before saying in a soft voice, "I will grant you that Akira." She signed the paper quickly and after an awkward farewell he was off in his expensive car driving away from the home.

Akon put his arm around her shoulder as Akira took in a shuddering breath. They both stayed outside together knowing full well that they were out of earshot from Mako and any of the servants.

"Do you think he suspects anything?" Akira asked as she watched Shin and Reli drive away, she held onto her jacket tighter giving the pretense that she was bracing herself. Her face morphed into a mournful image as she pressed her face into Akon's neck, once the car was gone a smile began to tug at her lips as she pulled away. And if anyone was looking, they'd say it had a striking resemblance to Shin Ito's when he was up to something.

"Not a thing." Akon mused a smirk tugging at his lips.

Reli Ito had an eventful twenty-four hours, he had been wandering the grounds of his large estate when one of his father's spies came to him. They were posing as a new hire in the Piandao castle and he came with a letter saying it was urgent.

Reli hadn't opened the letter but he knew now, and it made his skin crawl at the thought of it. Akira his stepsister, while sure they shared no DNA it still made his stomach turn at the thought of flirting with her. Reli shook the thought away as he continued wandering through the gardens, his father had been downright boisterous since they returned to their home.

Reli thought that he would have felt inadequate now that his father had found his true heir, the firebender, the bold one. The one that mirrored him so closely it was like looking into a mirror shaped so finely to Shin's own image.

Because although his father gushed about how happy he was, and mused about legacy and how in time she would embody the Ito legacy. And although this would in a way completely eradicate Reli from his life, all he could feel was relief. Because he no longer had to be the pawn, he no longer had to be beaten into submission. He wouldn't have to be his perfect heir, the one built in his image, he wouldn't be the focus of his rage any longer.

A rage that would always come, no matter how satiated he believed he was for now.

And it always came.

Reli knew he should feel some remorse for Akira, and he did. His skin still crawled at the look on her face when he had the cannon held to Mako's head. Her face will always be burned into his mind, the distraught heartbreaking raw emotion he had witnessed. Something that in time his father would suck out of her.

He sucked the weakness from you, it was his pride. Reli realized that he did feel bad for Akira because she was talking into the world of abuse and the expectations that would never cease.

Better her than him.

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