Its more than just a game. Its stradegy. Its timing. Its experience.

Ikki was staring across the board as I thought out my move. We frequently played Pai Sho together, and this time, she was beating me. We are both equally skilled at this game, so it takes unusual and new stradegies every time to beat one eachother.

I moved my white lotus tile two spaces from the center with a smirk on my face, and crossed my arms.

Almost looking defeated, Ikki narrowed her eyes down at the board as she prepared for her move.

I heard footsteps in the hall.

I turned around to see Asami leaning against my bedroom door.

"Hey, I was wondering if you would like to go for a walk to the market with me, Jinora." She had on her same friendly smile that she always does.

"Sure!" I jumped at the oppurtunity to get off of the island.

"Haha, great! Come on then. You might wanna change out of your airbending robes."

Ikki opened her mouth "but what about our game? We were almost done!"

"We can finish it later," I said turning around and waving as I ran after Asami.

The wind scuttled the leaves across the busy street next to the market.

"So Jinora, Tenzin tells me that you're only ten years old. You seem so much older. Very mature." She examined an apple and added it to her basket.

I shrugged. "Yeah, I am. People tell me I act mature and rather studious for my age all the time. I don't see anything wrong with it, though. Its just who I am."

She turned to me. "Oh no, nothing is wrong with that at all. Sorry if I implied that."

"No, you didn't. Its just that people point it out all the time, as if I don't know."

She paid for all she got and we started walking towards the park.

"I thought we could go to the park, use some fresh air and just hang out a little."

The thought was lovely. "Sounds great. I haven't gone here much. Dad says its dangerous because the equalists often stake out here."

"I don't see any.. we should he safe. Just don't make your bending too noticeable, haha."

We picked a place close to the bridge and sat down.

I relaxed a little and got in a reclining position, and she did the same.

Before I could think, words escaped my mouth. "You know what I like about you, Asami?" She turned her head and gave an innocent smile. "Go on."

"You're so independent and strong. Like anything could happen and you would make it through and still find happiness."

The smile turned to seriousness "That really means a lot to me. Sometimes I feel so paper thin that I could just tear at any second. But I try my hardest and keep moving on as much as I can."

"I admire that about you. Things seem.. I don't know his to put it.. better.. since you and Mako and Bolin moved in. Why did you move in, anyway? I mean, I know that you had nowhere to go, but why didn't you? Don't you have a home?"

Asamsi looked away, as if in pain. And her familiar smile she always had faded away. I feel that I went too far.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry, I was just curious. You don't have to explain if you don't want to."

She was still looking away, and sat upright. "No, that's fine. I need to vent anyway."

I sat up, too, and looked at her attentively.

"I did have a home, Jinora. I lived with my father, Heroshi Sato."

Heroshi Sato.

"He is your father?" I couldnt believe it. The creater of the Satomobile's daughter was Asami. Why hadnt I heard this?

"Sure is. I had lived with him all my life up until now. Just a few days ago I had found out that he had been working for the equalists."

I gasped.

"He made all of the technology they use, and never once told me. He kept me in the dark about his horrible secret. When I invited Korra over, she had filled me in on what my father had been doing. I called her a liar and didn't believe her. Later a tunnel was found under my house. A tunnel that my father had used to make and distribute the terrible weapons and machines. It was there he tried to capture Korra, your father, Mako, Bolin, and the law force. He might have succeeded if I hadn't.." she trailed off and tears spilled our of her eyes. Now she was close to yelling. "I had to electricute my own father! I hate him! I hate him for what he has done! And I hate Amon and I hate the equalists!"

My stomach flipped. This was too freaky.

"I am sooo sorry! I had no clue.." sorrow cracked my voice.

Her voice sounded dark. "He asked me to join him. I have never in my life had a sicker offer. The equalists have damaged my life- permanently. And they are going to get what's coming to them when the time comes."

She looked straight at me.

"Promise me you will never have anything to do with the equalists." It sounded more like a demand.

"I promise. I wouldn't ever dream of it." Ever. "They've impacted me too.. my father could get killed in all of this.. it worries me greatly. But I stay strong."

Asami leaned forward and hugged me.

"You're a great kid, you know." Her smile returned.

"Thanks." I really meant it.

"We should probably get going now, your mother and father must be getting worried."

We both got up and made it toward the sidewalk when I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head.

"Ow!" I looked down. It was a rock. Someone threw a rock at me. "Who-"

I was interrupted.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to - I was just fooling around with my friends and- I really am sorry."

I turned my head to see a boy. He was tan with dark hair and dark eyes, and looked a couple of years older than me.

"Its okay, it was only an accident after all.." I trailed off

He spoke again, "my earthbending just got a little out of control."

"Oh, you're an earthbender? I'm an airbender." I sounded a little more excited than I should have.

He looked impressed. "Really? You must be one if Tenzin's daughters."

I blushed and smiled towards him "Yeah, I live on air temple island."

He looked me up and down. "I'm skoochy, by the way."

"Jinora."

He returned a boyish, charming smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Jinora."

"Likewise." Very likewise.

"Well, I guess I will see you around, Jinora." He hurried away with some other boys on the sidewalk.

I heard Asami giggling behind me. "Someone sure is smitten."

"Smitten..? No.." I was in denial.

"Whatever you say.."

It was noon when we got back to the air temple. Bolin was teaching Pabu new tricks, Mako was talking with Pema, Asami was sweeping the floor, and Korra was training with my father. Ikki was trying to teach Meelo how to play Pai Sho, but soon gave up after he airbended all of the tiles away. Twice. Besides learning some bad news from Asami, it had been a pretty good day.