Finale

Chapter Five

Akira

Akira stared at Shin; she wasn't quite sure how much time had passed but it felt like years. The tension between them charged the air thick with electricity. It was so intense that Akira could feel the soft hairs on her arms stand at attention ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Shin took a step forward smiling that same shark-like smile, "What? No warm welcome for your father?" Akira stalked forward stepping as close as she could to the bars her eyes meeting his. It made her stagger when she looked into them, she could really see it now how similar they were to hers. And she wanted to be able to take away the similarities between them, she wanted to strike down the anger in her belly that she knew she inherited from him.

"What do you want Shin?" He wrapped his fingers around the bars of her cell, and she had to admit her stomach turned in delight at the frustration she saw in his eyes. The anger that she knew all too well was raging in him, and she had to admit that it was worth being in this cell to see him so unnerved.

"Where is it?" Akira fought the smile that threatened to break across her face as she watched the vein in his neck pulse from restraint. His face was beginning to redden by the second, she raised an eyebrow "Where is what?" She watched his knuckles turn white from the force in which he held onto those bars.

He pressed his forehead against the bars, looking more like the prisoner than she did at the moment. He looked so unhinged she was beginning to not recognize the man before her, "The inventory Akira, the designs where are they?"

"I tore apart that factory in Shu Jing, your mother's study. Your grandfather's study in the mainland I can't find them anywhere. That is over three years' worth of work lost, work my company will never get back. So, where the FUCK IS IT!"

Shin swallowed down the anger, she watched him force it down as he stepped away running a hand through his hair mussing his usually immaculate ponytail. It caused a true smile to stretch across her face, she leaned forward getting as close to the monster as possible, that fire in her stomach danced with her as she watched the vein in his temple quiver.

"If it was truly your company, you'd figure it out." Akira watched as Shin lost it, he roared in anger his hands exploding in a heap of fire, he burned the chairs in the room shouted, and screamed in a tantrum, not unlike a child's. He charged at the cell with a wildness in his eyes, "Tell me Akira, tell me where you hid it or…Or I'll kill him I will kill Mako without a hesitation, and the more you resist the more of them will die."

Akira smiled at that the fire in her raging into an inferno as she pressed closer. Her rage was different, and she realized that now, it wasn't the irrational heap of flames that Shin's anger produced. But a quiet simmering heat, one that you'd never know was burning until it was too late.

"You won't do that Shin, because if you do, if you touch the people I love, if you raise even a finger to harm them, I won't kill you. I will burn everything, the company you, even myself if I have to."

Akira stepped away from Shin the satisfaction of confronting him burned in her chest in what she supposed was pride. She watched a series of emotions cross his face, and it happened in such a flurry that she wasn't quite sure what he was thinking. All she knew was he looked at her one last time and clenched his jaw, it returned as clearly as before that anger that always seemed to be there.

"This all could have gone over peacefully, but just know you are the reason that this is going to be hard. You want a fight, a fight is what you'll get." Akira smirked walking closer to Shin taking her time as she did.

"I look forward to it."

Akira woke with a start, the metallic click once again greeted her ears. She prepared herself tensing her muscles and clenching her fists as Shin's face filled her mind. It filled her with a bitter sort of satisfaction knowing he couldn't win, and that he was driven to see her again.

But instead of Shin, she saw her lawyer's pale in the morning light as he inclined his head in greeting. Akira rose to her feet in surprise as she stepped forward, eyeing him suspiciously. While a good lawyer he was terrible at hiding things from her and looking at him now Akira read him as easily as she could read her own name.

He was beyond nervous, his face was paler than usual and a light shining of sweat was beginning to bead along his forehead. " I am not sure if you are aware of your current situation but I have come to debrief you and take you home."

Akira tilted her head in surprise, her friends and family had been trying to pay her bail for days but it had always been dismissed by those corrupt officers.

"While I am relieved to hear that, what the hell is going on?" She watched his eyes dart to the doors before returning to Akira's face his lips set in a firm line. "It's best if we spoke in private, Kili has lodging prepared for you in her home here on the mainland." Akira nodded her body still in shock from waking to the news, a guard came and unlocked her cell before escorting her and her lawyer from solitary to the street.

Once in the car Akira turned to him, she noticed a hardness to his eyes that didn't seem to be there when inside the prison. Suddenly Akira wasn't quite sure he was that easily readable man she had thought he was; it was suddenly making a lot more sense why he was employed by her mother for so long. He was silent for the majority of the ride before he noticed the intense gaze on him, he smiled sheepishly before speaking.

"I apologize for my lack of communication with you these past few days Ms. Piandao, but I assure you I have everything under control; Your mother had a protocol and strict instructions for me should your father come to claim the company and I have been handling those affairs for a little over a week." He flashed an apologetic smile before his eyes returned to the road, Akira was too shocked by his seemingly new mannerisms to be angry about his lack of communication. This was not the man she had met when he read over her mother's will, and frankly, she felt a lot more secure with this man by her side.

"Now I am aware of your own plans from Akon and while…I do not particularly like them." He flashed her a stern look before continuing, "But I think…no I know I can work around this…setback." Akira raised a brow but before she could get a word out, he was continuing.

"You have criminal charges now, and Shin Ito is trying to pin the illegal trading of the goods on you since after all, you were CEO at the time. Thankfully I have gotten this man Wren as a witness." He turned to Akira fully this time as he parked the car, "You are remarkably clever Ms. Piandao, and I believe with full certainty we can win this case."

Akira released the breath she hadn't remembered holding, the relief washed over her. It was the only part of her plan that she wasn't sure about, and now knowing she had a solid defense she was ready now. Her lawyer frowned his eyes training over her before widening with worry, "By the spirits that man has done a number on you. I'll call a stylist and a dresser; we need to show the court what true leadership looks like."

He rounded the car and opened her door offering his arm as he went, Akira placed his hand over his before they reached the door a sincerity in her gaze. "I am truly surprised by you, and I apologize for it. I shouldn't have doubted you, reaching out does go both ways." He placed his hand over hers a warmth to his warm brown eyes, "Looks are deceiving Ms. Piandao, let's hope your father is under the same assumption."

Akira flushed at that, but he winked good-naturedly, the door opened and Akon smiled the relief on his face made Akira feel like she was a child. She threw herself into his arms and he held her tight, his arms shaking as he did. He pulled her away for a moment and the relief was immediately replaced with hatred. She had forgotten about her injuries, not that the pain had faded but how she must have looked to others. The gash on her head was freshly scabbed, burns still stung on her hands and neck, she knew she looked like she had walked through a fire.

Something severe shined in Akon's eye but he made no word of it as he ushered her into Kili's home, Kili had a similar reaction and it didn't take much to know that the two wanted to murder Shin Ito. Kili's warm arms enveloped her and she smoothed a motherly hand through her burnt hair her beautiful eyes filling with tears. "I have a bath drawn for you, go on ahead my love. We'll speak afterward." Akira smiled at the two before heading to the bathroom, as she went, she heard a part of their conversation.

"I will kill him, Akon, I will cut him into so many pieces there will be nothing left to bury." Akira strained to hear Akon's response but only caught the last of it.

"Jail is a gift, and death would be a mercy, I want to watch him suffer."

"All done, dear." Akira looked into the mirror and frowned; her hair curled more than usual at the shorter length. But that wasn't the issue it was that she didn't recognize herself when she looked in the mirror. The amount of salves she had on her skin the past few days and a very kind water tribe woman had helped most of her healing, but there was still a pink slash along her face that would likely scar. Akira's fingers trailed from her scalp down the side of her face, it wasn't the scar that bothered her but the haunted look in her face.

She always thought of herself as confident to a fault, and strong. But looking at herself now besides the bitter determination that was driving her, she just felt tired. Her adventurous heart seemed battered; she was exhausted now. All she wanted was for this to end, she turned towards the woman with a smile.

"Thank you, I really like the haircut." The woman smiled squeezing her shoulders and whispering words of luck as she left the room. Akira looked back into the mirror trying to urge some vigor, anything into herself to prepare herself in seeing Shin again and the real fight to begin. Akira wasn't scared, she knew her plan was full proof…it was because of the consequence that made her apprehensive.

Her freedom was numbered, and she had been sheltered in Kili's house for four days straight, she hadn't seen Mako since and had only gotten a few messages from him and Asami. She was afraid that these would be her last days outside of a cell, with one last glance in the mirror she opened the door of the room and made her way down the hall.

She could hear Akon and her lawyer speaking, and readied herself for the prep. Today was the first day of trial, after all, she pushed her shoulders back and opened the door. She followed the voices she heard only to find Mako at the top of the landing. Akira paused the breath suddenly struck out of her body, there was a pause between them as they stared at one another before she bounded the three steps between them and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Mako held her just as fiercely she buried her face in his neck, the relief of seeing him made her body sag. Mako held her firmly saying nothing as they held one another for who knows how long.

"Do I get a hug?" Akira pulled away to find Asami standing on the stairwell with Korra close behind. Akira pressed a hand against Mako's cheek a small smile on her face before reaching Asami, the girls held onto one another for a moment before separating.

Asami took Akira's hands her emerald eyes shimmering, "I am so sorry…I feel like I abandoned you and..." Akira cut her off shaking her head, "Asami I count on you to call me out when my decisions are questionable, and I knew that if things escalated, I'd need you uncompromised."

The girls hugged one another again before Akira made her way to the Avatar and hugged her tight. Korra slung an arm around her shoulders before pulling away and giving her a once over a protective edge to her eyes. "I still vote for throwing Shin Ito off the factory roof." She said with a smirk causing Asami to chide her, although it was with less severity than usual. Akira matched her mischievous smile and with an incline of her head led her friends down the stairs.

Akon and Kili waited for them downstairs her lawyer in the center of it all with piles of evidence, with Mako's hand in hers and the determination brewing inside her Akira felt hopeful.

"Let's begin."

The Fire Nation Court House was an ornate building, golden pillars marked the building along with a large flight of stairs leading to the red and black building. Automobiles lined the streets while reporters waited to see the fallen daughter of the Piandao legacy. In past years she had been photographed with her mother, for charity events and numerous occasions but now the spotlight was on her. With a reassuring smile from Mako the doors opened and the lights blinded her.

Akira's body was shielded by Mako and Akon and the photographers got very little. But the images they did get featured the fresh scar on the left side of her face. As they continued up the step's questions were asked at a fervent pace. Akira could barely wrap her head around them only capturing a couple of words from each.

How does it feel?

Legacy

A Criminal

Fall from grace

What would your mother think?

Akira stopped at the last question her gaze meeting the reporters with such an intensity he had the decency to look embarrassed. "What would she think?" Akira asked him, tilting her head to the side. The man nodded eagerly his pen and pad in hand as he waited for her answer.

"That Shin Ito is a monster." With that, a flurry of flashes went off and more questions were asked but Akira ignored them all and stepped into the building.

When Shin Ito got out of his car, he greeted the cameras like a mover star. He spread his hands out before him smiling at the cameras and answering all of their pressing questions. His wife hung off his arms like the beautiful accessory she was and Reli trailed close behind, he looked livelier than usual.

Shin was sure he finally was accepting that his life was changing for the better, it was about time truthfully. Shin strut up the steps making witty remarks to the reporters winking at them, and all in all just working the crowd. Shin was prepared for his moment; this was only the beginning of his renown all that he worked for would be his.

He placed a hand over Jade's and gazed down at her with happiness she had not seen in his eyes in a long time, her heart stuttered at the look of it. She saw something she wasn't sure she'd ever see in Shin again; it was the prospect of a future. Finally, his anger had been quelled his desire satiated, finally she would live and love. Jade placed her lips against his cheek and smoothed down his collar before he entered the doors of the courthouse.

"Everything is looking up my love." He beamed down at her, and it was like the sun finally peaking through what she thought was eternal clouds. "It truly is." He held out his arm and slapped his hand against Reli's back before leading them, their family through the doors.

After taking their seats Shin sat with his lawyer a lazy grin on his face, Akira Piandao sat with her own lawyer her boyfriend, and friends sitting not too far behind her. The judge entered the room, an older woman her lips were set in a stern line and she eyed the courtroom with the impartiality only a judge of the highest degree could muster.

"Shin Ito versus Akira Piandao." The courtroom was struck in silence as the judge peered down at the two of them. She didn't make a move to smile at the wide grin Shin had on his face and nodded towards Akira her eyes widening at the marks on the young girl's body. Many had read in the papers of her unfortunate accident but witnessing them in person was a sight to behold, this girl was a force of nature to most world leaders wrangling a legacy at just over twenty years. Everyone had read in the papers how severe her injury was and almost drowning couldn't have been easy for the girl but here she was standing tall in the courtroom.

The judge cleared her throat before nodding to Akira and Shin allowing the two to take their seats. "Ms. Piandao you are being charged for breach of contract, the distribution of stolen goods, false claims." The judge put down the papers her eyebrows rising as she peered down at her. "It seems you were up to quite a lot young lady, but before we begin with your attorney's opening statements I have to ask. Why did you sign away your company?"

Akira glanced at her lawyer; he gave a brief nod Akira stood grimacing a bit from the soreness of her body. "Your honor, I…" before she could continue Shin Ito cleared his throat loudly flashing an apologetic smile at the judge.

"I apologize but I feel it is my duty to explain, Ms. Piandao was not signing away the company she did it as a show to what cannot be disputed. I believe this can begin our opening statements; you see her mother Lein had written a clause that should we share a child I would control 100% of the company till their 25th birthday."

The judge's eyebrows rose in surprise, "Are you insinuating?" Shin smiled broadly at that, "If I may approach the stand." The judge nodded and he produced the letter flashing a smirk at Akira as he did.

"Now I believe this will put into perspective what has occurred between Ms. Piandao and I. It is the question the Fire Nation and abroad have wondered for the last 23 years." The judge frowned at that not liking the showmanship, "Speak plainly Mr. Ito."

Shin turned to the courtroom a wide smile on his face, "I am Akira Piandao's father, and the guardian of her trusts till her 25th year."

The reporters in the room lost all sense, the courtroom was in a frenzy, cameras went off in flashes as they all tried began barking questions at the two. Those in the courtroom would say that Ms. Piandao looked overwhelmed and shameful at the admission, but those who knew her saw her duck her head down and smile.

Because Shin Ito was playing his part perfectly.

Jade Ito felt her breath catch in her throat at the admission, she turned towards her son and saw his jaw clench. But he wouldn't meet her gaze, she didn't need him to say it to know what that meant.

He knew, and he didn't tell her. Neither of them thought the information was worth her knowing, Jade rose from the chair and left the courtroom her heart pounding in anger. She reached the restroom and clenched the sink her knuckles turning white at the force. She looked up into the mirror and reached for a tissue dabbing at the water threatening to spill from her eyes.

All those years making her feel like a failure, the incessant push he had for her to produce a child for him. The blood, the tears, almost losing her own life to make him happy. And she had been there all along, Jade wasn't sure what she felt anymore.

The bathroom door opened, and her son walked in unashamed that he wasn't in the correct bathroom and looked at her tentatively. It reminded her of her sweet little boy, his eyes were wide and fearful and his bottom lip trembled ever so slightly.

"I'm so sorry, I should have told you." He rasped, his throat getting tight. Jade knew he was about to cry but he cleared his throat blinking rapidly. "I just didn't want to hurt you."

Jade took a step forward placing her hand on his cheek, "You don't have to protect me Reli, it's my job to protect you." Jade paused fighting the emotion threatening to strangle her. "I failed you, I failed." Jade Ito crumpled to the ground and her son's arms softened the blow like they had so many times before.

And while she sat there weeping on the floor Jade began to wonder, how many more times would she cry over this man. How many more times can she weep over her inadequacy? Because if things continued on how they were, Jade wasn't sure her heart would survive heartbreak again.