Well dahlings! Here's the stranded in the desert piece I promised after it received 100 notes on my tumblr.

As you can see, I'm a woman of my word!

Hope ya dorks enjoy it.

If it receives enough comments/reviews, I'm gonna turn it into a seperate story :)
WARNING: mentioning of possible character death!

Hot sand underneath her feet and a scorching sun that send her merciless rays down upon her helpless victim. Asami Sato walked. No, dragged herself through the endless sea of sand. Hoping she'd escape what she had left behind some hours prior.

The city she used to call home was under attack. Fire nation soldiers came in the dead of night. She had been asleep when her mother woke her. Telling her to get dressed and hurry. Her voice trembled and her eyes showed fear.

Panic held Asami in a tight grip when the two of them rushed through the halls of their home. Yasuko, Asami's mother, held onto a small bag while they ran for their lives. The sound of screams filled the area when they walked outside. Citizens and soldiers all mixed up in the streets. Yasuko never let go of her daughters hand and she guided the two of them into an alley. Hoping they'd escape the bigger crowds.

They reached the courtyard in the middle of the city. The scene before them caused their hearts to skip a beat. Ever once a week, there would be a market here. Farmers and craftsman would sell their goods. Now, it was mostly engulfed in flames. Bodies scattered over the pavement. The stone colored in black and red.

"Mom…! We need to go…! They're coming! Please!" Asami's voice had snapped Yasuko from her train of thoughts and they quickly turned around. Back into the alley. A small group of citizens followed along with enemy soldiers.

They ran as fast as they could but instead of going back to where they came from, Yasuko decided to take a right turn. Hoping that the sudden change would go unnoticed. She had miscalculated. The citizens followed her and her daughter and so did the soldiers. To make matters worse, she had lead the group into an alley with a dead end. Panting like mad, she stood there. Looking at the wall as if it had insulted her personally. She swallowed the growing lump in her throat. No… It won't end like this!

She made another calculation. Yes… yes this will work… Before she knew it, she was bringing order in their small group. Telling people to help up one another and over the wall. Asami saw her mother talk to a young man who nodded and started to climb over the wall. Reaching out his strong hands to Asami, who in return looked at her mother. "I'll be right behind you… go." She assured her, kissing Asami's forehead in a manner only a mother could. She had her doubts but nodded at her mother's words. Letting herself be pulled up by the young man with green eyes. She immediately turned around and reached both arms out towards her mother. She was the only one left. The group of enemy soldiers slowly closing in.

Yasuko didn't waste any time, throwing the bag she had with her up for Asami to catch. Hanging it on her shoulder quickly before reaching out for her mother once again. The young man with green eyes was still there too. Reaching down as far as he could. Together, they got a hold onto Yasuko's hands. Pulling her up. Asami smiled down at her mother who smiled right back. It was short lived.

Her mother gasped and her face slowly changed while her grip lessened. She shook her head slowly at her daughter, who was desperately trying to hold on to her mother's hand. Asami saw something sticking out of her mother's back. An arrow... The young Sato screamed at the top of her lungs while she watched helplessly how her mother fell back down on the ground. Tears streamed freely down her face while she tried to jump down. Strong hands held her back and pulled her away. Away from her mother. Away from the soldiers that closed in on the only family she had left. Her screams drowned out by the explosions that occurred not far away. The final image of her mother burned in her memory.

The young man held onto her with an iron grip even when she continued to fight him. To try and get back. She yelled at him. Screamed at him to let her go but it all fell onto deaf ears. Slowly but surely, they made their way through the streets. Stepping over the bodies that were scattered around. Men. Women. Children. Fire nation soldiers. City guards. The young man picked up a spear while he and Asami continued to try and reach the city gates.

"I'm sorry about your mother." He suddenly said and it caused Asami to look at him. She wasn't able to answer and kept on going instead. "I lost someone too…" he swallowed hard and his admission made her heart clench.

"W-who… did you lose…?" She asked softly. Holding onto the bag her mother gave her for dear life. He had lessened his grip and she now walked willingly along with him. She still wanted to go back but deep inside her heart she knew it was too late. She would die too and she knew that her mother would never forgive her if that would happen.

"My brother." He said and took a deep breath. "He was a firebender too… tried to fight the soldiers off… they fired lightning at him which he redirected back. Taking down quite a number. They didn't think he would be able to. They didn't make the same mistake twice…" fresh tears slid down his dirt covered face. "He told me to run. Run and survive." He sobbed.

Asami knew how he felt. She let the tears flow freely and without shame. They continued in silence and finally reached the gates. There were several groups of people who were all forced to leave their homes. This area was also covered in bodies. Most of them being from the city guards. They had clearly not expected an attack. Many were burned beyond recognition. Others had simply been hit by an arrow.

"Almost there…" he said and let out a sigh of relief. Asami nodded at his words and for a second, she felt relieved. However, that was short lived.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going!?" The pair turned around and now stood face to face with two fire nation soldiers. Frozen in place. The soldiers grinned wickedly at the two and held a crossbow in hand. "Seems we caught a pretty bitch and her boyfriend, Lee. Try not to damage her too much."

Lee laughed. "No worries about that, Katsu." He said, aimed and let the arrow fly. Hitting target. The young man dropped the speak and fell on one knee. Looking down at his chest and the arrow that was now sticking out. His hands trembled and he was gasping for air in panic. Asami watched in horror at the scene. She had no time to react when a second arrow was fired. The metal tip penetrating her right shoulder and sticking out at the back. She screamed at the top of her lungs and touched her shoulder with the hand of her undamaged arm.

Asami fell to her knees, next to the speak that the young man had dropped. Her entire body trembled from fear. Slowly she looked at him. His green eyes staring right back. "We won't… do d-down… without a f-fight… Asami…" He managed to say. A faint smile on his lips. He had accepted his fate. The two soldiers slowly closing in on them.

"How… how do…" She then realized that her mother had pulled him aside right before he had jumped the wall. "My mother…" She said and he nodded. "What… what's your name." She asked. A strange calm feeling filled her and her left hand reached down to the spear. long, pale fingers wrapped around the wood and held it tightly.

He smiled at her before he answered. "Bolin…" He took a deep, calming breath before he turned his gaze to the soldier in front of him. Lee towered over him but Bolin didn't care. With the last of his remaining strength he got back on his feet. Ramming his head as hard as possible against Lee's face. Knocking him backwards and onto the ground. The sound of breaking bones was sickening. Asami held the spear in her hand and thrust it upward. Directly in Katsu's throat. She pulled it back and the soldier fell to his knees, clutching his throat in an desperate attempt to prevent the blood from escaping.

The pale beauty got on her feet and walked over to Lee who was clutching his bleeding nose. Laying on his back and screaming in pain. He didn't even notice Asami getting closer until it was too little, too late. She held onto the spear like a lifeline. Glaring down at the man on the ground. He looked up at her with big, pleading eyes. Before he could beg, she thrusted the metal tip of the spear through his stomach. Successfully pinning him to the ground. Twisting the weapon a few times for good measure.

A cough from Bolin pulled her attention to the young man and away from the dying soldiers. She quickly lowered herself to his level since he sat down on one knee again. "Heh… well… w-we sure showed them!" He said, a proud smirk on his face.

"Bolin… we need to g…-" He shook his head and cut her off.

"No… you need to go." He groaned and lowered himself against the wall next to the gate. "I… won't be coming with you, Asami."

She shook her head. "No… no! We're leaving! Together! We…-"

He sighed and just shook his head. "Asami, if you don't go now… it will all be for nothing… please."

She was about to protest but he weakly reached his hand up at the raven haired woman. Hesitantly, she took it. "Till… we meet again… Asami." He said weakly. He looked up at the stars. His chest rose and fell slower until it stopped moving completely. His hand falling limp next to his body. Asami slowly rose up on her feet and closed his eyes. "Till we meet again…" She whispered and adjusted the bag on her healthy shoulder. Leaving the city behind her as she walked through the gates and into the desert.

That was four days ago. Her small bag of meager supplies was gone. All she had left was a pouch of water and even that was nearly all gone. She had managed to pull out the arrow which had cost her a night of sleep. The wound was hurting immensely but had thankfully stopped bleeding. She had been aimlessly walking around the sea of sand. Hoping to find someone. Her wish came true on the second day. She found three people. A man, woman and their son. Unfortunately, they had died from the heat and dehydration. She had tried to give them somewhat of a burial but stopped halfway through. It was draining too much of the little energy she had left and so she decided to keep going.

Now it was day four and there was nothing in sight except sand and the occasional rock formation here and there. She was so tired to the point she just wanted to give up. She wanted to drop down on the sand and just get it over with. But in the end she didn't. She just kept going and going in the hopes she'd find someone. Anyone. The sun wasn't her only enemy. During the nights it was extremely cold in the desert. She was thankful for the clothes she kept her somewhat warm during the nights. She used her jacket as a hoodie during the day. Keeping the sun off of her skin as much as possible.

It was during midday when she headed to the rock formation a little further away. When she was close, she couldn't believe her eyes. She rubbed them in disbelief and blinked but there it was. An oasis! "Oh thank Raava!" She yelled and rushed towards the rocks. Not thinking clearly due to her excitement, she just ran to her target. The only thing on her mind being the pond of fresh water that she saw in front of her. Oh Spirits… yes…! I'm going to survive! I'm going to…- Thinking she was going to take a cool dip into the pond of fresh water, she didn't watch where she was going. Her foot got stuck behind one of the bigger rocks. Sending her flying forward.

However, it wasn't the fresh dip she was expecting. Instead of landing in cool water, she landed on the hard rocks. Hitting her head and her injured shoulder. She slowly sat up. Utterly confused. Touching the rocks to make sure they were real. Something warm dripped down her eyebrow. She reached for it with her left hand, feeling a thick substance. When she looked at her fingers, they were covered in blood. "No… no no…! There was… water! Where is the water!?" she started to look around franticly. Her heart thundering in her chest. She saw it! Clear as day! How could it suddenly disappear?

Suddenly, she remembered something she once heard at school when she was still very young. Their teacher had told them about fatamorgana's. Illusions created by the brain in extreme circumstances. Her heart continued to pound away in her chest. She felt sick and Spirits she was tired. With trembling limbs, she tried to get up. She had to stop halfway due to the fact that the entire world seemed to spin. Causing her nausea to get even worse. She swallowed back whatever tried to get out through her throat but couldn't stop her body from collapsing on the stone below her. She tried to get up again but her body didn't respond.

She laid on her back. Staring up at the big ball of fire in the sky. Her chest rose and fell fast. Panic taking hold onto her thundering heart even more than before. She wasn't even able to move. She was as helpless as a newborn cub. No, please. Please, I don't want to die like this…! Slowly she felt the exhaustion take over. Her vision darkening while she sobbed. Begged to whoever was willing to listen. It was to no avail. Her body slowly shut down and there was nothing she could do about it. She looked at the sky for as long as possible. The color blue always had a calming effect on her and now in her final moments, it did exactly what she needed it to do. Until there was nothing left but darkness.

She had no expectations about the afterlife. She had heard tales of the Spirit world and its beauty. Once people passed away and moved on, that's where they would go to. That's where they would continue to live on there with all the relatives that had moved on before them. Spirits would roam freely among the humans. Keeping them company. Fields of seemingly endless flowers would greet them once they passed over.

What she didn't expect when she opened her eyes was the headache that greeted her. As if her head had been split into two. Oh dear Raava… where am I now… She rolled onto her side. Immediately regretting the decision when her wound started to sting. Oh for crying out loud… I thought that people wouldn't feel pain when they were dead. She groaned loudly and opened one of her eyes slowly. Taking in her surroundings. She was in some sort of tent. Laying on a rather comfortable bed if she was honest with herself. Her headache slowly subsided to a gentle throb every so often and she managed, with a little trouble, to sit up. Her legs felt heavy and didn't really cooperate with her. Once she was in a sitting position she realized that she was covered by a thin blanket. Only a thin blanket.

Oh Goddess! Did they…! She checked her body for any suspicious bruises. Wrapping the blanket around her body and her legs the only thing that was now exposed. She let out a trembling breath. She had found no bruises. Her left hand moved to her injured shoulder and she felt bandages. She examined her head next. Same thing. How did I not notice this sooner? When she looked at her legs, she noticed the bandages around her foot and ankle. Immediately feeling guilty for assuming the worst.

She massaged her temples for a few seconds before she continued to look around the tent. It was small and except for the bed, it only had a chair. Her eyes went wide when she saw a water pouch hanging on the bed. Suddenly realizing how thirsty she was. She wanted to get up and walk over to the chair but instead of walking, she crashed onto the ground with a loud yelp. Accidently letting go of the blanket that covered her. "I really need to stop making this a new habit of mine." She grumbled at herself and pushed herself up with her good arm. She just sat down on the ground and reached for the pouch. "Great… I fell and I wasn't smart enough to fall close enough. I'm such an idiot." She sighed and turned around to reach for the blanket.

Her heart skipped a beat or two at what she saw. There was a woman standing there. Holding the blanket and reaching it out to her. However, her eyes were closed. "I'm sorry, I heard you yelp while I stood outside for a moment so I came back in." The stranger said. Still just standing there. Asami was too much in shock to act at first. She wore clothes in different shades of blue. A brown leather belt around her slim waist with a scimitar attached to it. Her arms bare showed a darker skin color then she was used of seeing in the city she used to live in. Her chestnut hair was short and was hanging loosely just above her shoulders. "Can you reach it…? Or do I have to get closer?" She asked, still just standing there.

Finally, Asami found her voice. "Y-yes." Was all she could say. Her voice hoarse and weak. She quickly took the blanket and wrapped it around her body. "Y-you… can look…" Her voice still soft. Hardly above a whisper. Only then did she open her eyes to look down at the pale beauty.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." She said genuinely. Lowering herself to Asami's level. "Mind if I help you back to bed?"

Asami felt her cheeks heat up. Are you kidding me…? Why am I blushing!? "N-no…" She turned her gaze to the water pouch. Her hand touching her throat. "I'm… thirsty." The stranger smiled gently and nodded. Placing an arm on Asami's back and under her knees before picking her up and placing her on the bed. She turned to grab the water pouch, uncorked it and handed it to the injured woman. Asami drank like a sailor who hadn't had any alcohol in years and started to cough when she was a bit too greedy. One of the gulps had taken a wrong turn and ended in her lungs. The stranger took the pouch gently from her hands and sat down next her. Patting her back.

"Careful now… don't worry, we have plenty of water." She said jokingly. Asami's coughing fit slowly died down and she was handed back the pouch. Drinking at a much slower rate from now on. The liquid cool and refreshing for her sore throat. Once she had enough, she handed the pouch back to the stranger. "Feeling better?"

Asami nodded, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Yes, thank you… uhm… I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name?"

She chuckled and put the cork back in its place. "My name is Korra."

I realize you're all waiting for an update on Slavery too, sorry its taking so long but each time I open the file and start, I'm just -not- happy with what I write.
I need to get my mojo back! Be patient my loves! Know you're on my mind!