Ch. 2

The ride to the factory was quiet.

"Asami, I think maybe…" her father began.

"Dad, I know what you're going to say… you think that because some crazy person is running around there it isn't a good idea, look I can take care of myself you know that… Pema and her children want to see some family plus I really need to see the Chief, at the last world leaders summit I was requested by him in hopes that I could help his tribe by creating a more specialized ship needed to better withstand harsher weather conditions.", she lied not bothering to look at him.

"I was actually going to say that I have been hearing rumors about the Northern Tribe and South not getting along, speculation, a war could be headed their way in a matter of months. I agreed to go with you to take care of my family and friends, but yes this Avatar is dangerous, and yes I agree you can take care of yourself but I am still your father and I still worry…" He trailed off.

Asami just smiled.

"I know."

Finally the group reached the factory and boarded the airship. The ride to the south took a few hours and by the time they reached the south none of the adults wanted to look at a Pai Sho board again at least not for a few more weeks. It was fine when the young CEO was playing with her father at first but… throw in a pant less Meelo arguing about not getting his turn because the old guy and his future wife were taking too long, A clearly bored Ikki asking a million questions about how to play the game and pointing out and questioning every single move Asami makes, and a crying new born; it can kind of take the fun out the game.

As they emerged from the airship Hiroshi whispered, "Asami stay close to me there are benders almost everywhere here we must be careful."

Asami just nodded.

The south was freezing and there was snow all around them. "I should have brought a better jacket." Asami thought to herself.

There were small quaint shops and many people walking around in furs. It was not uncommon to see rather large built men walking around with all sort of fur about carrying their latest kill. Men in the south hunted for sport, for fun, and for tradition.

"I think we are going to go see the children's grandmother now Hiro, but we will see you tomorrow thank you for everything, you too Asami.", Pema smiled. "Come on guys let's go see Katara."

The Satos just smiled and waved goodbye.

"Dad, I have to go see the Chief soon so I…"

"Look, Asami, a tiny snow savage." He said and pointed to a small tan skinned child standing in the doorway of a small ice block shack. "Wouldn't that make a fine picture, now?" He chuckled.

Asami grimaced.

"I wish he didn't have to be so insulting to people different then us." she unconsciously let out a sigh.

"He doesn't have a jacket on," Asami gasped.

"He probably doesn't have any, not enough money or just doesn't need it" the elder Sato explained.

"Little snow savages like him in this nation don't have things like we do in Republic City or people back in The Fire Nation and they are used to the cold anyways so they probably don't get as cold here as we do. If I could paint, I'd paint that." He said.

"Dad I need to go speak to the Chief I will see you back at the inn tonight. Okay?" Hiroshi shook his head.

"NO Asami, I am going with you I cannot just allow you to go about this city with these beasts lurking about." He shouted.

Asami was mortified as all eyes turned to them. "I am sure dad the people of this wonderful nation took care of any beasts and hunted them all." She glared at her father.

People who witnessed her father's outburst seemed pleased with her response and continued about their business.

"Fine, he muttered, but I am not happy about this." Hiro frowned.

"I'll be fine look just wait at the inn if you feel uncomfortable until I get back." She stated.

"All right sweetheart, just be careful a beautiful young lady like yourself could be eye candy to these savages if anything happened to my only daughter…" His eyes began to water.

"I'll be fine dad you'll see." She smiled.

Hiroshi headed back towards the inn and Asami headed off in the one of three sato-mobiles she and her father brought with them.

The Palace was big and elegant and was mainly a light colored blue. It had intricate tribal markings on the massive front door. Guards that wore some sort of dark indigo colored outfit with white details, a similarly colored cape and what appears to be a lotus tile on their helmets. Stood about the area with serious expressions on their faces.

Asami was stopped by a guard at the palace entrance. "State your business!" He demanded.

Asami put on her professional and cool demeanor," I am her to see Chief Tonraq in regards to services he has requested of Future Industries." She simply stated.

"Let me see your documents!" He nearly shouted.

Asami kept a straight face and presented them to the young rather rude guard.

"Right this way Ms. Sato, sorry for being rude earlier we are very weary of unfamiliar faces you never know who could have unjust intentions." He apologized as he led her to their beloved chief.

"A Ms. Sato of Future Industries is here to speak to you Chief." He spoke.

"Mmm yes, you are dismissed Kun." The man smiled.

"Ms. Sato it is good to see you made it." He smiled warmly then turned serious.

"As I told you before we are in grave need of new battleships, my men have intercepted a message from the north stating they plan an all-out war with us in the coming months. My brother Chief Unalaq of the Northern Tribe is convinced I have led my people to spiritual decay. We do not force our daughters to marry, we teach women to fight, we aren't as connected to the spirits, and we just are considered by the northerners as less than." He frowned.

"WE NEED YOU MS. SATO! Without your help the North will surely win this war and take over the South. I will be thrown in prison or maybe even worse. They have already done spirits knows what to my daughter," He cried.

"Your daughter?" Asami questioned.

"Yes my daughter Korra had been manipulated by my brother Unalaq into going north. He convinced her that she wasn't spiritual enough to handle the odd occurrences occurring here in the South.

"What do you mean odd occurrences?" She asked.

"Dark Spirits!" an old woman said as she approached the pair.

"Master Katara? What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with Pema and your grandchildren and what do you mean by dark spirits?" Asami looked at her in disbelief.

"Pema and the little ones seem to be tuckered out from the trip and are resting back in my home you and your father are welcomed to join us." The old woman smiled.

"I hardly doubt dad would like to be roomed up with a water bending master, I should decline as politely as possible." Asami thought to herself.

"Thank you Katara but my father and I are already settled in our room." She smiled warmly.

Katara chuckled, "If you say so." Then she turned serious for a moment, "Asami, the spirits have be plaguing our tribe for a few months destroying our supplies. The Chief's daughter, my god daughter, Korra felt that since she was the Princess of this tribe she felt she must do something for her people. She left with her uncle from the north who claimed to know how to stop the angry spirits and hasn't been seen since."

Tonraq interrupted, "We weren't too worried about it before since Korra has always been able to take care of herself, but after we intercepted the message we became afraid for Korra's life. What if my brother tricked her and planned to hurt her? Then we found out she was back in the south a few days ago when we saw this…" Tonraq placed a copy of the Republic City Journal in her hand with a picture of the most beautiful woman Asami has ever seen. Although the picture was black and white and even a little blurry Asami could still see the woman in the photo had the most amazing eyes. She had tan skin and her hair was cut into a short bob. She glanced at the headline. "The Avatar a Killer in the South". The article went over in grave details how the Avatar killed men, woman, and even children with no care. Asami felt disgusted.

"I need those ships Ms. Sato I need to know what those monsters up North did to my little girl". He said solemnly.

"You can count on me Chief." She stated with fire in her eyes.

"Please call me Tonraq Ms. Sato". He gave a small smile.

"If you call me Asami we have a deal." She chuckled.

…

Else where

"Please stop I have a wife and a child at home waiting for me, please don't hurt me!" The man cried.

"I never let anyone just go," the tanned woman gave a sly smirk. "I tell you what though, I'll give you a five second head start…One." She began to count.

The man jumped to his feet and staggered passed the other bodies on the ground.

"Two."

The man scurried towards the only exist.

"Five." The young woman shouted.

Just as the man fell to the ground blood seeping out of his mouth.

"Mako, Bolin." She sneered. "Take out the trash."