Chapter 3
Next day Asami picked up Korra, and the two friends went to visit a Future Industries factory, where many workers were creating new Satomobiles. "Wow, this is impressive, these people are so efficient at doing their work," spoke Korra
"You bet. My dad organized everything, since he wanted to create best possible Satomobiles. Some of the vehicles are custom made, so people put more work into them, while many of the Satomobiles are made," began Asami as Korra stopped listening to the mechanical aspect of the Satomobile production.
"Greetings Avatar Korra, what do you think of my operation here?" asked Hiroshi Sato
"It is impressive. I bet it would be even more impressive if I understood how all this worked," spoke Korra as Asami laughed.
"Many people would. Future Industries is the current leader in modern technology, although Cabbage Corp has a lot of ambition to be our competitor," commented Hiroshi
"You have a great business here Mister Sato," spoke Korra
"Please call me Hiroshi. So, I understand that you are dirt poor," spoke Hiroshi Sato bluntly.
"Not exactly true. Since I am the Avatar, the White Lotus took care of all my needs, and I do live on a rather nice island, but one thing that I never had is money. Avatars are not supposed to have worldly possessions, and I never needed money before I came here," spoke Korra
"Still, the fact remains that you are poor," spoke Hiroshi Sato.
"Yes," sighed Korra
"Dad, tell Korra the good news," smiled Asami
"The good news?" questioned Korra
"Yes. So, as I was saying I can understand where you are coming from. From my daughter's account, you and your team are great at the pro bending sport, and fully capable of winning the tournament. You know, I was not always this wealthy. When I was a young kid, I was a mere shoe shiner, and I only had an idea of the Sato mobile. One slightly eccentric inventor from the Southern Water Tribe noticed my talent and gave me a loan, so that I could start up my business. Years later, Future Industries is the richest company in the Republic City, if not the world," spoke Hiroshi
Korra gave another strange look at Hiroshi.
"As I was saying, I had humble beginnings, and with the help of one generous man I became the person I am today. I want to help you," spoke Hiroshi
"Korra, my father agreed to sponsor the Fire Ferrets," smiled Asami as Korra opened her mouth widely.
"Thank you so much, I will practice extra hard, and will do everything in my power to win this tournament," spoke Korra
"I am sure you would. But there is one condition. You have to wear Future Industries logo on your uniforms," spoke Hiroshi Sato
"That's it? You have a deal," smiled Korra as everyone laughed.
"Alright, I hate to do this, but I need to work now. See you later," smiled Hiroshi as Korra shook his hand, and the two ladies exited the factory.
Hiroshi Sato looked at the two disappearing figures. "Why, why did you have to fall for her? Asami, of all people you decided to enter in a relationship not with a regular person, not even with some bender, even a fire bender, but her. The Avatar, the ultimate bender," thought Hiroshi as felt anger and sadness at the same time.
"Where are we going Korra?" asked Asami
"I thought I should introduce you to the Fire Ferrets. I know our morale was low lately, and I just want to tell the guys that we will be in the tournament," smiled Korra as she jumped in the air, clearly excited. Her excitement was clearly visible, as fire escaped her hand, and burned a part of a wooden roof of one building.
"Whoops," spoke Korra as she used water bending to put of the fire. Asami noticed this.
"Please forgive my friend. She is new in the city, and she does not always know her own strength. Please send the bill to the Future Industries, and we will fix your roof free of charge," spoke Asami as the two ladies then continued walking.
"Asami, you should not have. I don't want to think of you as my donor friend. I like you. A lot, and I don't want you to be my purse, but rather my friend," spoke Korra
"That's alright. I understand you still need adjustment to life in Republic City. But I do have a concern that you sometimes act before you think. You should learn more patience, and when in argument or in battle, you should be more strategic rather than confronting your problem head on," spoke Asami as the two continued walking.
The two soon arrived to the Pro bending stadium, where Asami briefly spoke with the sport administrator, and told him about Future Industries sponsoring the Fire Ferrets. After that discussion, the two ladies entered the gym.
"This is actually a larger gym than I originally thought," spoke Asami as she looked around, "You have no idea what this means to me!"
Asami squealed, and then blushed in embarrassment. Korra laughed.
"Hello Korra, I have not seen you," spoke Bolin as he spotted Asami, "Hello, my name is Bolin,"
"Come on Bolin, it is your turn to buy groceries," spoke Mako as he also entered the room, and saw Korra and Asami.
"Wow, you are. I mean, wow," spoke Mako as he looked at Asami.
"Guys, this is Asami, and she helped us to get into the tournament," smiled Korra
"Korra, this is not a time for prank. We need to practice here, since we could still get into the tournament next year. This is not time for some pro bending fan girls. I bet Bolin asked you to find some fan girl,"
"Mako,"
"No, I get it, very funny Korra. Now, please tell me about sponsorship when you actually manage to find a sponsor, like the Future Industries,"
Korra and Asami looked and each other. Asami tried very hard not to laugh, while Korra's voice erupted in loud laughter.
"Hello Mako of the Fire Ferrets. My name is Asami Sato, " spoke Asami
Mako looked at the older woman. "Wow, you are Miss Sato, and I am an idiot," spoke Mako as he realized whom he just met.
"Both are true. It is especially funny, since you told me the exact same thing when we first met," laughed Korra
"Alright, the Fire Ferrets will play! Come here for hugs from Bolin," spoke Bolin as he hugged the three people. Mako shook his head.
The rest of the day the group spent practicing various moves, while Asami was watching the three benders play.
"Korra, can you come here for a second?" asked Asami as Korra nodded and approached her friend.
"I want you to hit me. No bending," spoke Asami.
"Wait, what?"
"You heard correct. Hit me," spoke Asami
"Are you sure?" asked Korra as Asami nodded. Korra took a fighting stance, and threw a punch, but Asami dodged it easily.
"See, it is great to be able to defend yourself without bending as well. Again, I want you to learn some of the moves I know, which you could later apply at during real game," spoke Asami as they sparred for half an hour.
"That was great. Thanks Asami,"
The older woman grinned. "Mako, Bolin, I want you to use your elements and try to fight Korra, while she would practice the techniques I just showed her. And Korra, no bending. Then, you could do a counter attack," smiled Asami.
"What?" spoke Korra in surprise as two Earth discs hit her
She saw Bolin winked at her.
"Oh, it's on," smiled Korra as she began to repeat the same motions Asami used before. Earth and Fire still hit her, but Korra managed to dodge the attacks, and then went onto offense, using water to defeat her friends.
"Wooho, Pro bending Champion," spoke Korra as she jumped into the air.
"Lets celebrate this great day at Narook's," suggested Bolin as the group agreed. During their meal, the four laughed, especially Bolin and Korra at some jokes the group made.
"We are a team, the New Team Avatar," smiled Bolin as he ate some of his favorite noodles. Apparently, he ate too much noodles, which resulted in Bolin's face hitting the plate full of noodles.
A/N: next chapter, Tarrlok will host his gala. Asami will again meet him. Asami and Korra are friends already, while Hiroshi already suspects that both Korra and Asami have not realized that they already have feelings for each other. And this drives him crazy. I thought it was nice that Asami taught Korra some of her martial arts techniques, as well as suggested her to be more patient.