Asami had nearly forgotten how difficult it was to run in designer pants and shoes. She hadn't had to do it in a while. The Agni Kai man and the Red Monsoon woman were posing a larger threat than she thought. Instead of attacking each other and then going after her, they'd collectively decided that the boss of the Platinum Blades was a much more worthy target, and had teamed up on her.
Where are you, Avatar? Asami thought in annoyance. Just as she was about to give up, she was being slammed into a wall.
Damn, Asami thought to herself. I always thought I'd go out in a much more dignified way.
But death never came. Instead, when Asami turned her head, she saw bright flashes of fire and water whipping around a figure obscured by the elements. Asami assumed that some Platinum Blade member had come to her rescue-and was about to die because of it-when the earth moved.
The triad members went flying; they hit the pavement and did not get up again. Only when the dust had settled did Asami see the figure that had withstood attacks of fire and ice. Avatar Korra's fist was in a crater that she had created. Her body heaved with her breathing, and she stood up slowly. Asami licked her lips. The pictures had not done her justice.
When Avatar Korra turned around, Asami made sure to play up the damsel in distress card, with her hand on her forehead as though she felt faint.
"Are you alright?" Avatar Korra asked her, crouching down. "I didn't mean to throw you into that wall."
"I… you saved me!" Asami said, voice dripping with false enthusiasm. "You're the Avatar!"
Just as Asami predicted, Avatar Korra grinned cockily and said, "Call me Korra. Who're you?"
"My name's Asami," she said. "Could you… uh… help me up?" Asami batted her eyelashes.
"Of course," Korra said.
Instead of helping her to her feet, the Avatar lifted Asami up.
"Oh, Korra!" Asami said, gripping Korra's shoulder muscle. "You're so strong!"
"I work out," Korra said with another cocky grin. "Where to?"
"Oh! Um… do you know where Ping's is?" Asami asked, wrapping her arms around Korra's neck.
"Uh, no. I kind of just got here," Korra said, looking sheepish. "I snuck out of Air Temple Island to go exploring."
Asami grinned, "I'll show you around, then! But maybe some other time. I'm not feeling so well."
"Of course," Korra said. "Hey, how do you feel about polar bear dogs?"
"What?" Asami asked, genuinely confused. "Aren't they viscous killers that live in the tundras of the Water Tribes?"
Korra winced, "Well, uh, usually. But I trained one! Her name's Naga. She's real sweet, honest! She's the best way to get around."
Asami doubted that, but went along with her plan, "I trust you."
When Korra placed her on the back of the large, dangerous animal, Asami leaned back against Korra's chest.
"Scared?" Korra asked. Asami could hear the grin in her voice.
"Not that much. I'm with you," Asami said, placing a hand on Korra's thigh.
There was a pause, and Asami worried for a minute that she'd overdone it. Then, Korra covered Asami's hand with her own, giving it a squeeze.
"You know," Korra said as they voyaged to Ping Fa's restaurant. "I'm really glad I got to help you. Not that I'm glad they were chasing you," she added quickly. "I just mean that I'm really happy I met you, and-"
"Korra," Asami cut her off. She turned so that she was facing the Avatar. "I understand. You're very sweet." Asami kissed her on the cheek, and Korra blushed.
"I… uh… thanks," Korra stuttered.
"Don't mention it," Asami said, settling back against Korra's chest.
Korra, after a moment of hesitating, wrapped her arms around Asami's waist. "Don't want you to fall off," Korra said.
"Of course not," Asami said with humor in her voice. She reached up and covered Korra's hands with her own.
"Here we are," Asami said a moment later.
The restaurant looked inconspicuous; which was what had kept it away from allegations of triad involvement. It did, however, open up to a shady back alley where somebody could make a quick escape through the sewers, if needed.
"Can I treat you to dinner?" Asami asked.
"Well, Tenzin doesn't really know I'm out…" Korra said.
"But you've done so much for me!" Asami said. "It's the least I can do."
"I should make sure you're okay," Korra said.
"You should," Asami agreed. "Please? You make me feel safe."
"Well," Korra said. "If you insist."
"I do," Asami said, taking Korra by the hand and leading her in.
"Hi, Ping," Asami said sweetly, entering the restaurant.
"Hello," Ping said, bowing respectfully. "Table for two?"
"If you have the room," Asami said sweetly. And you better, she thought.
"I always have room for you!" Ping said.
Good answer, Asami thought.
They were seated at a table near the back of the restaurant. A white candle flickered in the middle of the table.
"Are you enjoying the food?" Asami asked sarcastically as Korra wolfed down the food on her plate.
"This is delicious!" Korra exclaimed.
"I love Fire Nation food," Asami agreed.
"Asami," Korra said, adopting a serious tone and face. "Those people who were chasing you…"
"Triad members," Asami said. "Agni Kai and Red Monsoon. If… if you hadn't been there, I would've died."
That was certainly true. Asami made a mental note to listen to Lao more often.
"Hey," Korra said, covering Asami's hand with hers. "Don't think about that."
Korra attempted a smile. Asami kissed the dimple by her lip, "You're incredibly sweet."
Korra blushed again.
"Can I see you again?" Asami asked.
"I have a ton of training," Korra said. When she saw Asami's shoulders slump, she quickly added, "But I'll work around it. Can you come to Air Temple Island this Saturday morning?"
"This Saturday?" Asami pretended to think. "I can do that."
"Good," Korra grinned goofily.
"It's a date, then," Asami said.
Korra stood, "Can I take you home?"
Asami shook her head, "Ping's family. He'll make sure I get home okay. Thank you, Korra."
"I'll see you Saturday morning," Korra promised.
"Saturday morning," Asami agreed. She waved as Korra bounded off on the large, dangerous animal, before turning back to Ping.
"Well, Ping," she said. "Consider yourself lucky. You just witnessed the first part of my plan coming to be."
"Your plan?" Ping echoed.
"And if you tell anybody that I have a plan, I'll cut your tongue out and make you eat it," Asami said sweetly.
"I… uh… what do I do now?" Ping stuttered.
"Show me to your phone so I can call Lao, dingus," Asami said.
"Oh, uh, right," Ping stuttered, hurriedly walking off.
Asami rolled her eyes and followed.
You want to know something weird? I haven't actually written anything in about a year. This was on my hard drive, before I dropped off the face of the Earth. I may do so again. I haven't decided yet. So, I also have the third chapter written. I'm not sure how good it is, or if I'll publish it.