Hello loves! Sorry for the late update, my goal is to finish this story before 2021 so I am probably going to be updating twice a week or more. Hope you all enjoy!

Finale

Chapter Four

The sharp sounds of the prison doors rattled against the silence; Akira looked up to see a figure making its way towards her. A breath caught in her throat as they stepped into the light.

Mako

He looked exhausted and his body was tensed, in the way it was before a fight. She tilted her head trying to think of what happened and how he was here. Shin had been paying off the guards to make sure she was forced into isolation; she knew that much from the smug bastards that stood outside her cell.

But all of that washed away at the sight of him, she rose from the cot on the floor and stepped forward her body still rebelling against her from the movement, the burns on her sides still aching.

Mako surged forward his hands reaching the bars and Akira's fingers met his, she felt the burn in her eyes as tears threatened to burst.

"How?" Mako shook his head his eyes searching her face, his eyes trekked over her body from the top of her head to her feet. The more he looked on the more his gaze lingered on the differences, her hair had been singed at the tips and now laid dead and crisped. Her face was littered with fading cut,l save for the deep gash on the side of her head. Her fingers were cut badly and beneath the baggy clothes, she wore burns traveled her sides and legs.

The fire had not been kind to her, and she had bent it to her will protecting herself as much as she could. Some would scar but most of it would heal, she was being fairly optimistic about it all, or as optimistic as someone could be when sitting in a cell for a week.

"I have to get you out of here." Mako's voice came out strained the panic evident in the way his eyes darted over her face. "We have to go now." Mako started searching the area around them the hall was empty and cells had long since lost the use of keys. It was an automated system now, much like the ones used in the Boiling Rock.

"Mako…" He ignored her, his hands reaching his hair as he tried to think of a way out of it. He bent a stream of fire and started on the cell only to be met with charred metal.

Akira gritted her teeth in agitation, "Mako stop!" He turned towards her wildly his fingers intertwining with hers, as he tried to look assuredly at her.

"I can come back with Korra, and then we'll go. Maybe see if we can get you sanctuary somewhere just….I can't let you stay here."

Akira smiled at him, her heart-wrenching at the thought of Mako breaking an oath. It took so much for him to break a law his basic urge is to stay in line. She couldn't help but feel like she had brought this out of him, her selfish desire to put herself and her company first.

Perhaps she wasn't so different from her mother, if this is what she prioritized. Maybe she deserved to burn, she deserved all of the pain that was coming towards her.

"Mako, you can't do that you have a career to think about." Mako looked at her his eyes telling her more than his mouth ever would. That his career as important to him as it was, would never be worth losing her. That being away from her, not knowing if she was alright was the worst pain he had felt in a long while.

He gave a resigned nod, "I tried speaking to Beifong, I tried appealing to any diplomat I knew but…It's delicate, it's a civil lawsuit."

Akira felt her blood run cold at that, she leaned forward invigored by something new. The intensity in which she drew forward was enough to shake Mako out of any self-loathing spiral he might have gone down.

"What lawsuit?"

Mako swallowed heavily, before telling everything she had missed in the two weeks she had been locked away.

Reli was dragged around the Fire Nation by Yara with little (and that was being generous) to no information on what it was they were doing. Why they were doing it, or where they were going. Yara had returned to her (rather nice-looking) home and received a letter. She had hidden the contents from Reli and with a grim look on her face asked him; "If I told you to do something no questions, would you do it?"

And Reli trying very hard not to throw in an innuendo simply nodded at her. She stepped closer to him her icy eyes boring into his with a ferocity that made the heat rise to his face. Reli found himself oddly flustered by the harshness and unrelenting seriousness of Yara, and it made his heart pound in his chest.

Now more so with the look she was giving him, when she stepped away it wasn't a look of disgust. But of approval, and Reli wasn't sure why but her approval made him feel more fulfilled than any time his father had approved of something he had done.

But that reason may have stemmed from the fact that his father would only approve if he had reached some sort of success. If he had clawed his way there by any means necessary, if he destroyed, humiliated, and lied his way there so long as the end goal was achieved.

"You coming?" Yara asked looking over her shoulder, and it took all of his willpower not to eye her backside especially in that glorious pencil skirt.

"Of course," Yara smirked and sauntered out of the home and back to his car, he opened the door for her causing a surprised quirk of her brow, but not a word was said.

"Where to?" Reli was sure now that Yara had to let him in on something, he had met with the two women quietly arguing at Kili's home. And she had thrown numerous objects atReli (some narrowly missing him) and after convincing Kili that he was on their side she sent them to Yara's to get a letter. Back and forth they went for a while trying to bring together all of their information, not that Reli had any idea what it was.

All he could do was supply information, his father's intentions, and they never said more about it. Yara turned to him with that same smirk on her face as before. "You'll know when we get there, drive I'll let you know when to turn."

Reli huffed but still turned the key in the ignition, she said nothing for the first few minutes before telling him to make a right then left. As time went on Reli knew exactly where they were headed, he turned to Yara and she flashed him a smile.

"I'm going to rely on those acting skills right about now." Reli frowned, but at least he understood why they were so willing to let him on. Because Akira only had two people that were approved for visitation. His father had managed to pay off the guards into controlling who could and couldn't see her.

Which all in itself was proof of how corrupt the Fire Nation police had gotten with his father around. Reli rolled his shoulders as they made their way to the guard tower and threw an arm around Yara's shoulder.

She raised an alarmed eyebrow, "I need you to play along, I also apologize now for everything that may leave my mouth…and has previously left my mouth." He mumbled the last part, but it did leave a crack in that armor of hers.

Reli stopped at the guard tower and looked lazily at the guard, he remembered him from one of his father's many galas.

"Hey, Lee! A fine day we're having here aren't we?" Reli leaned his head back towards Yara flashing her a lazy grin, she fluttered her eyelashes prettily and leaned heavily against his arm.

"Isn't it doll?" He asked, Yara giggled in reply batting her eyelashes again as she peered up at him from beneath them.

The guard made an uncomfortable humph and Reli turned back with an apologetic look on his face, he put his other hand to his heart in apology. "I apologize can't take my eyes off of this beauty for a second."

He turned again waggling his eyebrows at Yara and she laughed again slapping a hand against his chest which caused his heart to pound furiously in his chest.

"Alright Reli, what are you and the girl here for?" Reli turned on the charm this time leaning his arm out the window.

"We're here for a little visitation, just for the sights really."

Reli said with a heavy wink to Yara, the guard frowned at that, "Look Reli it's not that I don't want to, it's just your dad has strict orders."

Reli nodded at that, "I totally understand, he fished his hand into his pocket and flashed a couple of hundred fire nation dollars. The man's eyes widened at the money and Reli motioned for him to lean forward.

"I would hate for you to go against my father's orders, but I'm sure your captain would hate to hear you buying into the Ito's." The man paled at that, Reli continued his voice low and threatening. "So, let's not pretend here that you're above being bought, I throw in a couple extra you don't tell my dad that me and my doll over here have a thing for chains."

The guard flushed at that and nodded quickly, Reli smiled back to his charming self, "See you around Lee." The gates opened and Reli drove into the prison once out of view and he removed his arm from the back of Yara's seat, her smile had dissipated and back was her ever stoic expressions.

"What exactly did you say to him?" Reli felt his face heat up, "Please for the love of all the spirits do not ask me to answer that."

Reli walked down the dim hallways, prisoners jeered at Yara as they passed sending a chill of discomfort down Reli's spine. He squared his shoulders trying his best to shield her, but the effect was minimal as there were cells along both sides of the hall. They stopped at a large grey door conveniently labeled as solitary confinement.

Reli looked towards the bored guard, he eyed Reli at his place at the control board. His gaze lingered on Reli's fine clothes and sharp jacket, before meeting his eyes a grin on his face.

"Which cell, Mr. Ito I presume?" Reli sighed before leaning over the man his eyes scanning the names before he found it, he slipped a hand into his pocket pulling out a wad of cash and handing him a couple of bills.

"Cell 48." The man pressed against the button and a sharp click reverberated through the dimly lit hall.

"All open, the cell stays closed though…I'd hate to tell your father that you went to visit his favorite prisoner." He eyed Reli's pocket waiting for more cash, Reli sighed ready to dig his hand again when Yara stepped forward.

She leaned forward her arm pinning the man to his chair, he looked up at her his eyes wide by the sudden ferocity. "You're going to keep your damn mouth shut and take that money or deal with me." Her eyes glinted with such ferocity that the man simply nodded allowing the two to pass.

"Lovely work." Reli smiled, Yara rolled her eyes the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. Reli didn't mention it but he felt a bubble of warmth in his heart at the sight of it. Maybe the ice would melt around her once he proved himself.

After a moment they rounded the corner to cell 48, the door was slightly ajar from the mechanizations. Yara took the lead her hands trembling as they reached out towards the door, her palms hovered over the door in anticipation. "Yara?"

She didn't face him her breath came out in short quips as she stared at the black door, she resembled the young women he had first met in the halls. Her eyes darting around, a gentle kindness to her that hardened over the year she had worked in Piandao Industries.

It was the type of raw emotion he could only imagine being able to portray, not having to hide how he felt just feeling unaltered raw emotion. He saw it now as tears streamed down her face, at the thought of the young woman beyond that door.

She took in a deep breath and brushed the tears aside not bothering to face Reli before pushing the door open and stepping into the room.

Reli didn't know why Yara took that moment before the door opened but he understood now. This wasn't the same Akira he had seen a few weeks ago, this was a bruised and burned girl. She was sitting in a corner in her cell not facing them and all Reli could see was the burned tips of her hair brushing her elbows, the gentle waves he had often seen were now a snarled nest of hair.

Yara stepped forward her hands clenching the bars, "Akira?" Her voice sounded small and childlike, unlike the confident and sharp women he had heard before. Akira turned slowly her eyes taking in Yara before she bolted to her feet her hands encircling the other woman's through the bars.

"Yara," She whispered her eyes searching the other woman's as if she were the one on the outside checking in on someone.

"I'm so sorry this happened…I-I will fix this Akira. We have everything you…" She trailed off her eyes finally reaching Reli's, he watched uncomfortably as Akira's eyes finally landed on him. The softness he had seen was replaced by hatred in an instant, she stepped back from the bars her body physically recoiling at the sight of him.

I deserve this. Reli thought bitterly, he took a tentative step forward, but she shook her head her hands trembling in fists at her side.

"What is he doing here Yara?" She didn't bother raising her voice, instead, it came out like a hiss she practically spit the question out. Yara turned back towards Reli a firmness in her stance before turning back to Akira.

"He's here to help…" Akira eyed her opening her mouth but Yara cut her off, "I know how you feel about him, and I know what he did. Understand that I am aware Akira, but we need all of the help we can get…Just hear him out."

Akira looked at Yara, the two locking eyes for a moment before giving a small nod. Those intense eyes were suddenly on Reli and the intensity that brewed beneath them reminded him of his father.

Now that he knew, it especially reminded him of his father; he no longer saw those eyes as beautiful rubies. It made his chest seize in fear, of remembering the harsh hands on his body, the voice that riled tears from his mother. The monster, and when he looked at Akira, he finally felt a kinship.

Because she too was hurt by Shin Ito.

"I want to apologize Akira…I know that will never be enough to just say I am sorry but I just…" Reli trailed off frustrated tears choking him as he tried to clear his throat.

"For so long I thought the only way I would be able to find my worth was through his acceptance. I thought that if I remained complacent if I abided by everything he said I wouldn't get hurt, I obeyed to survive Akira…And I know that it's not an excuse but I thought if he was finally satisfied my mother wouldn't cry at night. I wouldn't feel his hand on my back or see him…hurt her."

Reli trailed off his eyes blurring so much he couldn't see Akira in front of him anymore, it was a blur of the reddish hue of her prison attire and the bleak partially lit cell.

"Let me help you Akira, let me put that monster in his place."

Akira stalked forward her eyes never leaving his before she reached the bars, her fingers curling around the cold iron as her expressive eyes bore into his.

"I will give you one opportunity, and if you fail…" she beckoned Reli forward with a finger her eyes shimmering in that same fire that made his stomach sink. "I will rain hellfire down on you."

Reli nodded in understanding, and he and Yara left with their new task at hand. The two were prepared to leave but not before Reli turned back at Akira.

"I know my father has made moves to ruin your life, but I hope that you know. No one hates Shin Ito more than I do, and I hope I can prove that to you." Reli paused his eyes meeting Akira's they were hard as before, but she was at least receptive bobbing her head for him to continue.

"I do want to be different."

Akira didn't say a word, Yara motioned for Reli to give her a moment alone with Akira, and he shut the doors he could have sworn he heard Akira say something.

"I want to believe that you can."

Yara exited the cell a moment later she closed the door behind her, sniffing quietly. As her head rose he could see the lines of tears trekking down her face, she made no move to mention them and simply walked past him her shoulder brushing his as she went.

"Come on, we have work to do."

Reli got into the car and again waited for her directions they eventually got to the docks taking a boat. Yara went to the front and whirred the vehicle to life as they sped across the sea. Yara's once pristine bun whipped behind her in a ponytail and while Reli didn't mention it he could see tears flying behind her as she trained her gaze in front of her.

They rode in silence before a land mast came into view from the horizon, she turned back towards him looking over her shoulder a small smile on her face. "Welcome back to Shu Jing."

Reli returned the smile as the small island came into view, as they rounded the side of the island, she parked the boat at a dock and the exit. The two reached a car and silently drove to the castle, Reli had known splendor in his life thanks to Shin's deep pockets. But nothing he had could compare to the vast wealth that the Piandao's held.

It was at that moment that Reli understood his test, it was the test to determine who he was; and if he lusted for the riches around them. Reli stepped into the pristine house to be met with none other than Akon, the man looked at him disdainfully; before turning a gentle smile to Yara.

He enveloped her in a hug and whispered something in her ear before turning back into the house tilting his head to invite Reli inside. The two spared no time to show him the house making his initial thought feel like a childish assumption.

This had very little to do with him, but his mind wouldn't stop turning, why would she trust him so suddenly. Was Akira so desperate for help that she didn't care if he was the reason…

Reli shook the thought away as they entered the study Yara and Akon went through files before reaching a small wooden box and cross-referencing more documents the document and that's when Reli saw it. A small parchment, it looked ordinary Akon and Yara were still not looking so he reached for it and unraveled it.

Reli read it over quickly before pocketing it and turning back towards the two.

(break)

After finding whatever it was Yara needed they returned to the mainland, Yara was quiet the whole time her eyes flittering back to him, and Reli made no move to strike a conversation. A war was pounding in his brain, the innate desire to please Shin still burned in his belly. But the guilt that had wracked him for months, the shaking that never seemed to leave his hands for almost ending a life; that was what was driving him now.

When they returned to the jail, Akira eyed him carefully her face gave nothing away but he could still tell she was studying him. She and Yara spoke with some excitement not that he was paying much attention to it. They were ready to leave when Akira finally addressed him.

"Did you find anything Reli?" He turned to her a small smile on his face before stepping forward finally reaching her where the cell ended. She didn't back away and held his gaze fast a defensive edge already to her.

"I found the letter Akira; I know it was a test." He reached into his pocket and put it into her hands a sad smile on his face, "I know what it's like to hate what fate has given you, but we both know that Akon is not your biological father."

Akira smiled at him before reaching through the cell and placing a hand on his cheek, Reli relaxed into the gentle touch not expecting something so tender to come from someone that shared Shin's blood.

"We've both been burned; I hope that I can prove different. As much as I want to hate you Reli I understand now. I want to make sure no one has to be hurt by him again."

Reli opened his eyes and met hers with new vigor, "I look forward to it."

Akira sat on the prison floor; the constant dripping of a faulty facet was beginning to drive her insane. It echoed across the cold stone floors sending a reverberation across the room. For some unknown reason it left a chill across her skin, an unnerving feeling settled in the pit of her gut. As if the universe was sensing her wariness she heard the sharp click from the automated locks at the door.

Akira sat from her cot and rose to her feet, it was far past the ordinary times for visitation. Akira swallowed heavily knowing well who it would be when they stepped into the dim lighting of her room. He waited right before her cell the doors closing with a sharp click.

Into the center of the room stood Shin Ito, with a grin on his face as he looked at her with a new understanding blooming within those eyes…

Her eyes.

"Hello, daughter."