Author's Note
This whole chapter will be in Asami's pov.
Asami
I have been spending the majority of my time, trying to free myself from these handcuffs. As I'm struggling, the memory of Korra's motionless body lying on the ground, appears in my mind.
We were stuck in traffic and I knew, if I didn't get out the van we would be too late. So I took off my heels and dashed out the van. Avoiding the on going traffic, as Eska's voice echoed, telling me to come back.
But I couldn't go back, I had to save Korra. When I get to the building, Equalists are everywhere. So my only options was to go through the parking garage.
As I ran up the ramp, I could hear bickering and the sound of Korra's voice from above me. A huge burden was lifted off me, by just hearing her confused voice. As I continued running, I'm brought to my knees, by a sudden vibration of the earth.
Not knowing the cause, I get up and continue my quest. Finally getting to the third floor, I watch afar as Korra and Kuvira battle it out. I never seen the Great Uniter so up and personal before. Her bending is not directed towards the Avatar but her form is incredible.
"Stop, can't you see she's hurt?" Korra calls out, in frustration. Who is hurt? What is she talking about? As I get closer, I see Suyin lying on the ground.
"Too bad" Kuvira replies.
The Great Uniter, slams her foot to the ground. Raising a chunk of the pavement, she sends it towards them, just as the Avatar builds a shield, but it's too late and the chunk sends her flying across the garage.
"Korra!" I call out, running towards her aid. But before I could get to her someone in all black grabs me. I try fighting out of their hold, but I can't.
"We're leaving now, grab the two traitors. Leave the Avatar, I'm sure Amon will appreciate our gift." Kuvira says, while wiping the sweat off her face.
"What about her?" The Equalist that's holding me says.
"She can come too, she seen too much." She replies. The Great Uniter, walks towards me and lifts up my chin and I spit in her face.
"Don't touch me!" she wipes her face and frowns.
"I'm sorry about this." Before I can say anything else, she puts pressure on to my neck and I black out.
Now I'm here in this cell, somewhere underground. The worst part is I'm not sure if Korra's alive or not. As I tug at the metal on my wrist, I hear keys rattling and I drop my hands. The door opens and they push someone inside. There is hardly any light in here, so I'm not sure who's inside with me. After hearing the door lock, the person sighs.
"Asami, are you awake?" I know that voice!
"Suyin? I thought you were dead!" I say, completely forgetting about our bad blood. Maybe she knows where we're.
"Yes, I'm a little sore, but I'm not dead. I thought Amon took you and your Father?"
"Well he did, but we escaped, it's complicated. Do you know where we are?"
"I'm not sure. Kuvira had the guards put a bag over my head, every time she sent for me. Which has been a couple of times now."
My guidance counselor chuckles to herself but it's not in a humorous way. The laughter sound more like desperation.
"It's a funny to me because she came so close in hitting me, but she didn't. All because I refused to speak with her. The Kuvira, I saw last night, wasn't the same person, I knew."
I sense a presences in front of me and I'm confused.
"Aren't you in shackles too?" I ask, wondering how she's able to walk around.
"Kuvira didn't think it would be necessary for her guards to continuously unlock me. So she didn't put me in any. "
We sit in silences, and I remember Suyin's involvement in my Father's story. If she was supposedly my Mother's best friend, she must know about the Avatar.
"My Father told me about my Mother's involvement with the Avatar." I begin.
She touches my wrist and the metal around them comes unloose.
"You're a Metalbender!" I ask, in disbelief which causes her to cover my mouth.
"Quiet, I don't think Kuvira knows they put us in the same cell."
No wonder she supports Benders, she is one. I wonder if Baatar knows or any of her family member?
I rub my wrist up and down to get rid of the irritation.
"Were you really my Mother's friend?"
"We weren't friends, we were best friends. That's why I hate myself, for how I treated you. I know this isn't an excuse but I think one of the reasons why I handled the situation the way I did. Was the fact, you reminded me of your Mother so much.
You had it all, the determination, passion, and even stubbornness. Every time I saw you,I saw a glimpse of Yasuko and it angered me. Not just because she was gone, but because she didn't just leave her family behind she left me as well.
I begged her not to get involved with the Avatar and that we were getting in too deep. But your Mother ignored me. I blame myself for her death, because I was too caught up in my own life to watch out for my best friend's. Maybe if I would have spent more time with her, I could have stopped her!"
Suyin's Flashback
I come into the library with my book already picked out for Yasuko's book club. We decided to come up with some sort of activity, as an escape from Motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I love my children but a break from time to time is relaxing. It also allows the Fathers to spend quality time with their children.
"I choose War and Peace. What book did you choose?" I ask. My friend turns around with a great amount of excitement.
"I didn't know you liked reading that much." I tease.
She takes the book out of my hand and throws it across the room.
"Are you serious? I was on chapter 4!" I say in disbelief.
"This is not really a book club, Silly."
I knew Yasuko since high school and this woman always been out of her mind. So I can't really say I'm shocked by this new information.
"Then what is it?" I ask, waiting for my best friend to enlighten me on the topic. She sits down on the couch and turns her body around so she's facing me.
"You know how our husbands have secret meetings?"
"You mean business meetings?" I correct.
" Anyway, I want to form one of our own."
"With who? Amon's meetings are attended by more than two people." .
"With you, Silly. This can be our safe place, where we can talk about anything we want, without consequences. What's said in the library, stays in the library. What do you say?"
"Don't you think, that sounds a bit grade school?"
I have to admit, the idea is perfect. My husband and I don't see eye to eye on a few things. So having a place where there is no filter, sounds nice.
"Maybe, but it will be fun. I know you have thoughts about your architect of a husband."
My friend's comment makes me laugh.
Yes, Baatar can be a character alright, but I love him. He's the Father of all my children and a very bright man.
my friend tugs at my arm, waiting for me to give in.
Yasuko is one of the sweetest people I know. We first met when I first moved to Republic City as a teen. I was a bit of a troublemaker. Yasuko, showed me that, I didn't have to act like a rebel for attention, and for that I owe her everything. So, if this makes her happy. I guess I can join in.
"Fine, but I get to finish my book."
Baatar walks into my personal home office and shuts the door behind him. I don't even have to look up from my paperwork to know something is upsetting him.
"Su, what is this I hear about you, representing a bender? Not just any bender but The Earth Kingdom's Bandit."
I smile to myself, realizing how quick word travel. I just took the offer today.
"I wanted a challenge." I state honestly.
I wanted to become a defense lawyer because I wanted to prove the impossible. Getting Amon's Equalists off charges isn't fun anymore. I have never represented a Bender before, so this whole thing is exciting for me.
Baatar closes my folder and I finally look up at his tempered face.
"This is not a joke Su. You're ruining our family's name with your own doings."
I get up from my desk because I refuse to be talked down on. I'm a grown woman not some child in time out!
"You need to check yourself Baatar. I have my own mind and I can make my own decisions. I took this cases because I wanted it. I'm not dropping it all because you don't like it!" I spit back.
"You don't even know the girl! How do you know she won't kill you? You seen her stories on the news. She may be fifteen, but she's a cold hearted assassin!"
My husband's right. Kuvira has been known to commit crimes, that would put any member of the Red Lotus to shame. I been following her and I grew to admire her.
For a criminal as young as she is, she certainly knows how to get attention. That's why I want to represent her. Kuvira doesn't need to be locked up, she needs a mentor. I don't see a criminal on the tv screen, I see a child who lost her way.
"Honey, she won't try to kill me. She's held inside a prison where she has zero earth bending abilities . I will be fine! You need to stop worrying about all of this!"
"How can I not? First, it's the secret meeting you and Yasuko have, now it's this. I bet Yasuko had something to do with your new love for Benders."
I find myself laughing.
Baatar and Yasuko have never gotten along. Ever since Baatar and I started dating, back in high school, my best friend and him would argue about the littlest of things.
Even though, my best friend was upset that I agreed to marry him. She was there by my side as my bridesmaid.
"She has nothing to do with this. Like I told you, I want to do this for myself!"
We're interrupted by cries from the baby monitor.
"I'll go check on Opal, since You're busy." Baatar says, but I grab his arm.
"No, I'm never too busy for my family, Let's both go." He gives me a small smile and we head out of the room.
I'm going through security and this whole place gives me the chills. This is a place for cold hearted criminals, not a fifteen year old girl. Baatar wanted to come with me today but he had a meeting with Amon.
I'm actually glad he couldn't come. His comments wouldn't help gain Kuvira's trust with me. Without her trust, she won't be honest with me and I need every detail as possible If I want to win this case.
An Equalist walks me through the area where the men convicted felons are. I continue walking as they yell derogatory comments through the bars. Once we get pass, the guard locks the door behind us.
"Sorry, Ma'am you were probably the first woman they saw in a while. We're about to go through the women cells, they will be less tense."
As he push opens the door, I see the looks on these women's faces. Unlike the angry men, they look drained, as if they lost hope. Seeing their faces motivates me to win this case, even more. Kuvira, doesn't deserve a life like this.
We walk through all the cells, and I'm confused. Shouldn't my clients be in one of them? We move to a more isolated area.
"Where are we?" I ask.
"We're in solitary, Ma'am."
"Are you telling me my client caused a disturbance already? She only been here for a week!" I say, in disbelief.
"No, Ma'am. She happens to be on her best behavior. We had orders to place her in here. As soon as she arrived."
He slides open the door, and moves his head closer to his radio.
"I'm now taking inmate 5093 out ."
He gets a confirmation reply and unlocks the door and what I see makes my heart drop. There she was, my client lying on the ground with no bed, or anything that would be essential in any prison.
"Hey, sleeping beauty wake up." The Equalist kicks my client and I'm in rage.
"Hey, what's your problem?" I yell pushing him up against the wall.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Beifong." He replies, probably in shock about my aggression. Which I'm shocked by as well, but what he did was uncalled for. Kuvira,was just lying there not causing anyone any harm.
I can't believe this is how this prison treats it's inmates, especially this child. It's bad enough they put her in a place like this. But what other option did she have? This is where the majority of Benders come.
Our judicial system is flawed. Non-Benders create more crimes because they know that they won't be as severely punished like Benders are. Kuvira could get the death penalty!
"It's alright, I'm fine." My attention is taken off the guard after hearing such a small but confident voice. I let go of the man and approach her.
"Careful, she's a Ben.." I put my hand up silencing the guard.
"Why doesn't she have a hair tie?" I ask, pushing her long wavy hair off her face.
"…well…the warden thought…it wouldn't a good idea!"
" For a hair tie? Yeah, I'm sure will defiantly hang herself with such a small thing." I say, annoyed making the girl in front of me laugh.
As I continue brushing the hair off her face, she places her hand on top of mine and I start to panic.
All these scenarios start to play out in my head. On ways she can kill me. How could I be so foolish? I let my good heart fool me into forgetting what this girl is capable of. In the corner of my eye, I see the Equalist charge up his glove, ready for things to escalate but it doesn't.
Instead of causing me harm, the girl lift up my hand and starts tracing my palm.
"You will have five kids." She says calmly. Is this one of her tactics? Does she plan to bend back my wrist, by using palm reading to throw me off?
"Let her go!" The Equalist yells, making Kuvira instantly step back with her hand raised.
"Okay boss." she says looking directly at me.
Who is this girl?
I sit across from Yasuko as I talk her ear off, about my client.
"She's also an orphan, which you already knew. The longest she ever stayed with a foster family was for three days!"
My friend covers her mouth in shock.
"I know, isn't that terrible? Also she told me that she been in places for worse than solitary. That's why the prison doesn't bother her."
Yasuko brings her hand to her heart.
"That's terrible, you have to get her out, Su."
"I know, but it's so hard. Let's say I do get her out by using her rough childhood stories or how society is against her. Who's to say someone doesn't try to kill her as soon as she walks out of the courtroom!"
Where will Kuvira go once she's free? Will she stay out of trouble? What if I lose this case, and she gets the death penalty? These questions have been keeping me up at night.
My children have beds of their own and people who are in their lives that love them. Which motivates them to do well. Kuvira doesn't have any of that. Therefore, she has nothing to lose by going back to her old ways. My thoughts are interrupted, by the touch of someone putting their hand on my knee.
"I can see she made an impression on you." my friend, says with a small smile.
I sigh out of frustration.
"She's just too young to have her life thrown away! No matter, what happens, she will forever be seen as a criminal. That's just as worst as death!" my serious explanation makes my best friend laugh.
"She stole, killed, and even kidnapped. I don't think she's a criminal, I think she's a mastermind."
I playfully hit my friend.
"People can change." I defend.
I'm confused by my friend's silence. She's usually rambling about Bender and Non-bender equality, but not today, something must be wrong.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Nothing, just reading War and Peace. This is actually a good book." I take the book and flip It upside down, so she can read it correctly.
"Be honest with me. Are you and Hiro still fighting?" My friend breaks down into tears and I pull her into a hug.
"Yes, he wants me to stop teaching the kids at the shelter. I love them so I stop, they will have nothing."
I admire, Yasuko's involvement in the Benders' community. Even though a lot of people frown upon her volunteer work.
To be honest, I'm surprised Hiroshi allowed her to teach for this long. Especially with the snarky comments about his wife from his peers. Which I defend, quickly.
I wipe away her tears.
"Look at me. Don't let anyone tell you to stop doing something, that you know is right."
"But what if it hurts Asami in the end?"
I think about that question regarding my children and this case all the time. But I remember one simple question and that motivates me every time.
"Just ask yourself, what if Asami was in their shoes." I reply.
I talked to some Equalists and they allowed me to have my meeting with Kuvira outside. Due to Kuvira's outstanding behavior and it being the last day before her trial.
I'm waiting at the table and the breeze tells me it's going to rain soon. My client makes her way out of the prison, in shackles and handcuffs. A precaution for any Bender, since those your feet and hands are crucial in defense. She gets to the table and I put on a big smile.
"Tomorrow is the big day, Kiddo." I tease. The guards walk back to their stations, giving us some privacy.
"Yes, it is. I'm a little nervous." She says, looking up at the grey sky. She starts messing with her handcuffs and I regret my decision, due to seeing her discomfort.
"I thought having our last meeting outside, would be good for you. Guess not, since you have to wear those awful things."
As I look down, I start to see them move apart. Is she metalbending? I watch the transformation in disbelief. With the now open handcuffs barely on her wrist, she intertwines her hands.
"I'm fine, now." She says, with a smile. This is the first time ever I seen her genuinely smile and she has a wonderful one at that.
"When did you learn how to?" I look around, then whisper metalbend. Making the mischievous girl inch closer to me.
"I taught myself." She whisper back. A loud whistle from the guard, makes her move back into her seat.
How can such a young girl be so sneaky? Not even my eldest son, who's the same age as her could live up to her potential, if he even tried.
If you really think about it, her tactics are similar to dare I say it, the Joker from my twins favorite comic, Batman. By the way the Earth Kingdon's Bandit, plays games with her victims.
It makes you wonder if she's the good guy or villain. I have to remind myself, not to be fooled by her ways. Even though, I have yet to be played by her.
"Tommorrow is my birthday." She says, with pride.
"Oohh is it now? That means you're turning the big sweet sixteen. Let me guess, your gift is to be set free." I tease.
The Earth Kingdom's Bandit shakes her head, telling me I'm wrong.
"No, that's not what I'm wishing for." Does she not wish to be free?
She can see the confusion on my face and starts to explain.
"Don't get me wrong, being found not guilty, would be cool, but let's be honest. The jury isn't going to set me free. No matter how smart, charming, or beautiful my lawyer is."
I clear my throat after hearing such descriptive words directed towards me come out of my client's mouth. I'm trying not to turn such compliments into something more. But by the look in her eyes, I'm thinking otherwise.
"Then what do you wish for?" I ask, trying to take the subject off of me.
"A cake." She replies.
" I was actually going to buy myself my first birthday cake this year. But getting arrested sort of ruined it." She tease.
She may think her wish is humorous but It's not and it saddens me. That wish let alone shows how young she still is. A criminal monster would never make, such a wish. I think I may have found my closing, to win this case.
I move pass the paparazzi, as they flood me with questions about the case.
"How did you do it, Su?"
"Did you think you were going to win?"
"Where will Kuvira go?"
"How does it feel being one of the first lawywers to represent a Bender and win?"
"Do you still support Amon's Movement?" With that last question, I stop and address the press and everyone is silent.
"I came here today to do my job and I did it . This case has nothing to do with Amon. This case was about a girl, who didn't need prison or the death penalty. Kuvira, needs a mentor. Someone to point her in the right direction and the judge and jury agreed with me. With her under my wing, I will help build her into a law abiding citizen and.."
My husband grabs my hand before I could even finish. He opens the door for me but I hesitate.
"Where is Kuvira." I ask, looking around frantic. She was just behind me.
"Don't worry about her." Baatar says, trying to get me into the car, but I pull away.
"No, we can't leave he.." before I could finish. Kuvira, steps in front of me, not to greet me but to block something heading my way. The object hits her and Equalists pounce on to the thrower. Baatar rushes us both into the limousine and I try to catch my breath.
"You could have been killed!" Baatar yells, but I'm not wondered about him. I'm worried about her. Kuvira took an object for me, I didn't even see the thrower and she came out of nowhere in my defense.
"Are you okay?" My question annoys Baatar causing him to roll the backseat window up, as he makes a call on his phone. I turn to her and start wiping the apple pie off her face. This is all my fault, if I didn't stop and talk to the press this would have never happened.
"Are you alright!" I ask again.
"Yea, it's just pie!" She says unfazed. How can she be okay with all of this?
"It could have been a bullet! Kuvira, don't ever do something as foolish like that again." I yell, and I'm a little taken back by my tone.
My face starts to heat up, due to my embarrassment. It's rare that I let my feelings get the best of me in public, let alone in front of my client. I don't know what came over me.
"I'm sorry, I scarred you." Kuvira replies.
"I wasn't scarred, I just thought I could have taken my own pie in the face." I say, trying to end the conversation.
With my attention now on the window. I start to question if the hotel I planned for her to stay in, will be safe.
I mean, I'm sure The Earth Kingdom's Bandit will manage. But with Hiroshi's weapons coming into play, I'm a little uncertain.
As Baatar continues to yell on the phone. I hear giggling coming from beside me.
"What's so funny?" I ask, the birthday girl.
"Why couldn't it be a cake?" she replies.
"What?"
"Why couldn't the guy throw a cake, instead of a pie?" finally getting the reference, we both burst out into laughter.
"You're too much, Vira." I say, trying to catch my breath.
" The pie, isn't that bad actually."
"DID YOU EAT IT?" I ask, using my Motherly tone, which I couldn't help.
"Not, yet but it smells really good." She tries, to take a taste but I push her hand away.
"DON'T EAT IT, IT COULD BE POISON!"
"It's not watch." She picks up my apple pie residue hand and brings it up to her mouth. I'm paralyzed by the feeling of her tongue tracing my fingers.
She pulls away and I just stare at her.
"See, told you it's not poison." She says with a blank expression on her face.
I walk into Jr's room with his folded clothes. I can't believe my first born is going off to camp all by himself. It was just yesterday I was teaching him how to tie his shoes.
"Are you almost packed?" I ask, causing him to quickly close down his laptop.
"Almost." He replies, looking guilty as ever. I set his clothes on to his desk and pretend to be tidying up.
"Great, don't forget to…." I lunge for his laptop and before he could grab it I open it back up.
"Mom, give it back." he whines, as I move around the room reading the poem out loud, to mess with my son.
" Every time I see you
I'm at a loss with words.
You are by far the only girl
I dream of.
You're like a building.
Your sketch is a work of art.
Your interior
Is equal to your décor.
You're the greatest masterpiece
my Kuvira.
After reading the last part, I don't even notice Baatar taking the laptop out of my possession .
"I can't believe you read that." My son says embarrassed.
"How long have you liked her?" I ask.
He shrugs, as he continues to pack.
"I don't know ever since you brought her here, I guess."
This information, makes me feel even guiltier for what I have done.
"You can't date her, Baatar. She's too old." I explain, which makes my son laugh.
"She's my age Mom."
"No, she's going to turn 18, in three weeks." I argue.
"Okay, and I'm going turn 18 in 3 months. I get that you're trying to protect me, due to her being a Bender and all, but she's far more than that. She's smart, funny, athletic, confident, and gorgeous. It's weird but my favorite part about her is when she overthinks. When she does that it's breathtaking. Even though she acts hard on the outside. I know deep down there is more to her. The real Kuivra and I want to bring it out of her."
I can't seem to fall back to sleep. Maybe, it's the thought of my son being away….who am I kidding? I know the reason for my lack of motivation to sleep. It's the fact I have to break Kuvira's heart.
I should have stopped all this the moment a year ago when it first started.
One year ago
Not wanting to start my New Years without him. I anxiously searched for my husband.
"Where is that man?" I ask myself, loudly.
"I think he's in a meeting with Amon." Kuvira answers. We get on the elevator and just as the door is about to close. Kuvira pulls at the bottom of my dress before it could get caught in the door. This is why, I hired her as my bodyguard. She catches things that I don't even notice.
We get off and head in the direction of the meeting room. Who has meeting on holidays? Could it not wait until the next day?
We get to the door and I knock rapidly, knowing the ball is about to drop. Baatar gets up from his chair and I wave at Amon and he gives me a nod.
"What's wrong?" my husband asks.
"Nothing, the countdown is about to start, let's go."
he frowns.
"I can't, we're discussing something very important."
I push my way through the door and into the meeting room.
"Hello, sorry to interrupt but would you all mind If I stole my husband for a few minutes?" I ask the table full of strange looking men.
Amon stands up and coughs.
"Are you saying, your time is more valuable than saving thousands of lives?" Our leader asks.
I never liked him to be honest. Especially since he ruined the judicial system that I served under before he came into power. It was a mess before but now it's just plain unfair.
"No Sir, I just think Baatar should be with his family right now. Which you men should be with as well." I reply back politely.
This causes a few of the men to drop their head down in shame. I understand that their work is important but family should come first.
"If we allow Benders to continue their wrath, we will have no family. You're just a lawyer, you don't understand the hard work us men do." Amon replies.
Is he serious? My work is more complex than his! He has people working under him basically doing all the dirty work.The only thing Amon does is tell them what to do! My job relies on strategy,perseverance, and judgement. If anything I would make a better leader than him! So how dare he use my occupation to justify whether or not I can comprehend their work.
"Sir, I will have you know that.." I'm interrupted by Kuvira stepping inside the door.
"Su , you have a phone call." she says bowing to Amon.
Everyone looks at me waiting for my next move and I bite my tongue.
"Very well, you men stay and get back to work. Sorry for bothering you all."
We exit out the door as Baatar closes it. I'm so furious right now!
"Who are I speaking to?" I ask my bodyguard, trying to get Amon's comment out of my head.
"No one. I thought it would be best to take you out of the room, before you said something you would regret later."
I stop and look at my guard.
"Why would you do that?" I say furious, I hate not being able to defend myself. What she did prevented from doing so.
"Su, when Amon said what he said I saw you, swift your weight and I just knew you were going to give it to him. You attacking our leader in front of his colleagues wouldn't have been smart. Don't get me wrong, you had every right to confront him, but you have to pick your battles sometimes and this wasn't the time."
As the countdown starts, I stand on the balcony hearing the partiers chant the final ten numbers.
A tear drops on to the bar and I start questioning where it all went wrong. Why didn't Baatar stick up for me?Why does he put his work before me? Am I a bad wife?
As the countdown goes from seven to six, I feel someone's hand on top of mine.
"You shouldn't remember your New Year Eve crying." Kuvira says, wiping my tears away. I forgot that she witnessed such an embarrassment.I bet she sees me as a failure, due to crying over a man who doesn't care about me. I have accomplished way too much, to start feeling sorry for myself.
"You're right, I'm worth so much more." I say trying to stay strong, unlike Baatar and I marriage.
As the chant goes from five to six , I finally manage to collect myself.
"He will never see, what I see in you." my bodyguard says.
"Yeah, that's the thing, Baatar doesn't see anything, but his work." I say annoyed.
Ever since, Hiroshi started making weapons for Amon. Baatar has been feeling like he has to compete for our leader's attention and it's foolish! Going to every meeting doesn't make you a hard worker. It makes you look desperate, just like how he made me look earlier.
"Your husband may not have told you this today, but you look beautiful in that gown." Her compliment makes me turn away to hide my blush.
"Oh stop. You're just trying to make me feel better. No need of telling me lies about my appearance ." I tease.
"I'm not!" she replies defensive.
"I know when you're lying Vira!"
"How?" she asks, causing me to laugh by seeing her pout. Which only occurs when things aren't going her way.
"I'm not doing this today." I say, trying to wipe my tears of laughter.
It's crazy how by just having a conversation with her. I can instantly forget my troubles. I truly appreciate her and everything she has done for me. I dont know what I would do without her.
"I can tell things about you too?" my bodyguard states.
"Oh really? Like what? " I ask amused.
"I can tell when you get flustered."
I roll my eyes, from such a poor example. It's apart body language, a dip of a head, the redness on your cheeks, the nervousness of looking away. Anyone can tell when someone's flustered.
"You really have me figured out!" I tease.
"I'll prove it." She touches the side of my face and the closeness of my body makes me aware that she's invading my personal space.
"Am I supposed to be flustered now?" I ask with all seriousness.
"I was wrong, I guess." She says, still not letting go of me.
"Yes, you're." I say lowly as our face inch closer to one another.
Hearing the people below us shout Happy New Years and feeling her lips on mine. I knew we started the year off crossing the line.
end
The moonlight causes me to see my reflection in the window. I take notice of a few sliver strands in my hair. No matter how many times I redye my hair. Nothing can hide the fact I'm getting older. Soon my whole hair will be grey and I will look like an elderly woman.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" I'm startled by the sound of Kuvira's voice, entering my bedroom.
"What are you still doing up?" I ask, walking away from the window.
"Opal had a nightmare and she was calling out your name. Don't worry, I checked on her and she's back to sleep."
She shuts the door and making her way over to me. I feel her arms wrap around my waist. Leaving small kisses on the side of my neck. Which is making our break up more difficult to discuss.
"Baatar is at a meeting tonight?" she asks, still not letting go of me.
"Mmhm." I can only manage to say, due to my thoughts running through my mind.
Being no longer able to torture myself with her love, I pull away from her embrace and walk around the room. Hoping the new movement will help me break the ice. .
"Su, talk to me." I stop and take the time to admire how much of beautiful woman she has become. Once a criminal but now someone more than that. A year has passed since our kiss and now I have to tell the woman I love deeply, we can't be together.
She walks towards me grabbing my hand and I stare up into her dark green concerned eyes. I try to find the words but I can't. The words I'm supported to say are what is expected to be said. But not what I want to say.
I do love Kuvira and I do want to be with her but apart me also still loves Baatar. Kuvira deserves someone who will give her all their love and not just half.
"I love you Su." She says for the first time and hearing her say that stops time. She's not supposed to love me, this wasn't supposed to happen. Of course I love her back and I'm so relived she feels the same way, but love is a powerful thing. Love is not just a wonderful feeling, but it also allows you to do things for your lovers that you think are in their best interest. I dont want Kuvira thinking of feeling like she to owes me anything.
Yet, I dont want to lose her.
She brings her lips to mine and I'm hesitant at first but as our kiss deepens. I start returning the action. I feel my back hit the mattress as I start undressing her.
Here I am, doing the thing I was trying to avoid. The moment she said she loved me. I should have broken it off right then and there but I couldn't. I'm a lawyer who can stand her ground, but I couldn't do that in this case.
Today was supported to be the day I disown our love but instead we're making it.
I'm waiting in front of the airport and as soon as I see those big green eyes. I get out the car and rush to my best friend, pulling her into a big bear hug.
"I missed you so much." I tell her, squeezing her to death.
"I missed you too, Su. I wished you would had came to the Southern WaterTribe with me." I grab her bags.
"I wished I could have too, but the kids needed me. Not like Asami didn't need you. I just have five kids remember. I tease.
"Gurl, I knew what you meant. I can't wait to see Sami. I missed her so much even though, it only been a week ."
As I'm driving on the interstate, Yasuko holds up an image of a little girl.
"She's cute." I reply putting my attention back on to the road.
"She's Senna daughter." My heart aches, remembering her loss.
"How is Senna?" I ask.
"She's doing well, I went penguin sledding." I turn to my crazy best friend.
"Are you serious?"
"Nope, and I got my first ice bruise. I think I'm officially a rebel." I roll my eyes at my silly friend.
"Two trips to the WaterTribe and now you're a daredevil." I say, as I continue driving.
I'm waiting in my library because Yasuko said it's urgent. The moment she walks through the door,she looks around frantically.
"Did you tell anyone about the list?" she asks, looking through the bookshelves.
"Of course not, why are you even asking me that?"
She stops and shows me a newspaper article of the Airbender Family moving.
"They're moving, and if they're moving that means Korra's moving." I take the article and read it.
"It could mean anything. Maybe they took Korra with them." I suggest trying to calm my friend.
"No, I know Tenzin. He wouldn't just move from the Air Temple for nothing. He didn't feel safe, and if so he would split away from the Avatar. Also I think people been following me."
"Are you serious, who?" I ask, grabbing my friend so she would stop moving.
"I'm not sure, but I think they're Equalists."
If what she says is true, we need to stop this, before things get too serious and out of hand!
"We have to stop, Yasuko. We're dealing with life and death right now. I love Senna and Korra, but this is not worth losing our lives over. We have a family!"
My friend pulls away from me. "YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT! I still have to protect her!"
"Why Yasuko?"
"It's like you said before. I have to put Asami in Korra's shoes and I would want someone to help Asami. Also I put my name on the list."
And at that moment, I knew there was no backing out now. With her name on the list, she has officially committed herself to protecting the Avatar.
"With Tenzin's name off. She's one home short. That's why I need you to volunteer." Yasuko adds.
Me volunteer? Baatar would never support that! Hiroshi is much more understanding than my husband. Baatar would rather die for Amon than his own family. Keeping the Avatar would be a set up.
My best friend waits impatiently for an answer.
"I can't, it's too dangerous." I reply.
"Are you serious? You help people all the time, why not Korra? You even helped a criminal!"
My temper gets the best of me, due to my friend calling Kuvira out of her name.
"SHE'S NOT ANYMORE AND DON'T YOU GO THERE YASUKO!"
She nods.
"You're right, I won't go there. It's just...I hardly ask for your help, yet you would do anything for her."
She can't be serious? I understand her frustration, concerns, and paranoia but she's going too far. I did everything for Yasuko. I even agreed to do this stupid secret meeting! Now she's saying I'm no help.
Does she not understand the position I'm in? Amon already sees me as a traitor. I can't draw any more attention on to myself.
I have to do what's best for my family and I hate to see Yasuko get hurt. That's why I'm trying to talk her out of this. I see tears run down my friend's eyes.
"I need you Su. Please do this for me." She begs.
"I need you, Yasuko not to do this. You have did enough for Korra. Don't put yourself in harms way. Think about Asami." I plead.
"I am, I told you that! Please just sign the list."
I hate seeing my best friend in this state but I have to stand my ground.
"I love you, but I can't sign the list." She wipes away her tears and nods.
"Its fine, I understand, you have a lot of responsibilities. Sorry I asked." She says, as she moves past me heading out the door.
"Yasuko!" I call out, following her but she exits out of my home.
Ugh, why can't see how much danger she's putting herself in?
I punch the wall out of frustration. Why does she have to be so stubborn? Why couldn't she see it my way and understand the risks? I rub my hand, regretting my action between the wall, who clearly one the fight.
"What did the wall do to you?" Kuvira, tease as she comes from around the corner.
"Nothing, it did nothing." I say under my breath.
It's been a week, since Yasuko stormed out my house. I'm trying to give her time, so she can see how I'm right. This is the longest we ever not spoke to one another and I miss her deeply.
As I'm sorting through my files in my office. I noticed that Baatar walk in along with Kuvira.
"Su." My husband says sternly.
I get up with a smile on my face from seeing the impossible.
"Hold up, let me get a camera. This is the first time I have ever seen you both together not fighting." I tease.
The neither of them laugh.
"Baatar has something to tell you." Kuvira starts.
"What's wrong?" I ask, seeing the looks on their faces. Neither of them speak and I start to get concerned.
"There has been a death." Baatar says, finally.
"Who? Is it Amon?" I ask. My question causes my husband to roll his eyes.
"No, he's fine." He replies.
"Then who is it then?"
My husband refuses to continue, so I look over at Kuvira who has her head down.
"Who is it dammit?" I yell, growing impatient.
"It's Yasuko, Su." Kuvira finally answer.
My husband rushes over to me and pulls me into a hug.
"That can't be true, I saw her last week!" I ask in disbelief.
"No, she was murdered this morning by a bunch of Benders!" he says in disgust. I feel my legs start to give out and he holds me up, as tears rush down my cheek.
I look over his shoulder at Kuvira, hoping she will tell me this is all a joke, but she's stand their motionless.
"This can't be true." I say between sobs, waiting for her to tell me this is a joke.
"Tell me this is not real, Kuvira!" I yell out to her causing her to finally look up at me.
"I'm sorry." She says walking out the room. I hold on to my husband as my world crumbles. This has to be a joke.
I didn't go to the funeral, I couldn't bear to. They haven't caught the Benders yet and I want to know why. Republic City has one of the best police forces in the nations. How hard is it, to find these sick bastards who took her life?
Why couldn't it had been me? I deserved to die, not her. I haven't been the perfect wife or Mother. I let my selfishness get in the way of me doing what's right.
It was just a name! Why couldn't I just put my stupid name down?
I open my fifth bottle of wine. As I go through my law book for the hundredth time. All I can see on the pages are signatures and I can't even find my name.
I gotten to the point where I'm no longer using a glass, but drinking my pain right out of the bottle.
I hear my office door open and I look up and see that it's Kuvira. Soaked from the rain outside.
"What are you doing here? You should be at the funeral taking my place." I hardly make out.
"No one can take your place Su and you know that. I came back because I didn't want to leave you alone."
She picks up one of the empty bottles off the ground and frowns.
"You can't keep living like this. I didn't say anything before but your kids miss you. Alcohol isn't going to fix anything. You need to talk about this!"
I toss the now empty wine bottle to the ground.
"And who would I talk about this to? My husband, a therapist, You?"
She nods.
"Yes, talk about it with me!"
I roll my eyes, I blame her youth. People her age think they can fix everything by just talking. Well they can't! There is more to life than talking. Yasuko used to talk, now she can't. I don't want to talk it's pointless.
"You wouldn't understand, you're a Bender, and an orphan. I bet being at that funeral met nothing to you. You are used to killing people and being alone. How am I supposed to talk to someone like you ?" I spit out.
"You're drunk, you don't mean that." My bodyguard says, balling up her fist. Trying to keep her temper and I smile to myself.
Finally after all these years, I seen her break.
I get up, even though I can barely stand and approach her. I start trace the outlines on her all black uniform. Now running my hands up and down the curve of her hip, I take notice of her weapon. I wonder how many people she killed with this? Out of curiosity I take the gun out of her holster and back away. I start to admire the coldness of the gun. That's how I feel inside cold.
"Su, give it back!" Kuvira says, trying to lunge towards me but I move away. Bringing the gun up to the side of my head.
"Maybe, I should pull the trigger on myself." This move causes the bodyguard to stop in her tracks.
"Su, that wouldn't be smart. Think about your children."
I shake my head in disagreement.
"They would be ashamed to have me as their Mother. They're better off without me."
I take the safety off and the sound is memorizing.
"What about me? I wouldn't be better off." The Bender replies, and she's right, what about her? I move the gun away from my head and point it at her.
"You're a Bender, maybe I should kill you?" she raises her hand, as I squint my eye making sure I have a clear shot.
"Suyin, you don't want to shoot me. I'm your friend remember?" she says as she walks towards me.
"I have no friends now, all because Benders took them all away!" I fire the weapon and she ducks out of the way and the bullet ends up hitting my family portrait.
Spirits, I always sucked at shooting. Maybe, if there wasn't two of her, it would make things a lot easier on me.
I look around the room and I can't find Kuvira anywhere. As I'm walking, I'm tackled to the ground and the gun slides across the room. She gets up from on top of me and walks across the room.
As I lie on my back looking up at the ceiling, my view is suddenly blocked by a barrel pointed in my face.
"DON'T YOU EVER FIRE AT ME AGAIN! I SHOULD SHOOT YOU RIGHT NOW!" The Benders says, with hatred.
I always wondered what her victim saw before they were killed. Was it Kuvira's smirk, anger or even tears? I would have never guessed it to be such a dark but calm face. Now I'm going to be just like one of her victims. I have officially seen the fifteen year old girl everyone used to warn me about in the past.
I look up at her, waiting for her to pull the trigger but instead she groans and puts her gun back into her holster.
" I'm going to find the people who did this to Yasuko, I promise." she walks out of the room leaving me shattered like the wine bottle, beside me.
Kuvira did keep her word and found one of the Benders. Yet I didn't keep my word. I continued drinking and getting lost into my work. Only coming out to greet my family. My act was good enough for my children but not for Baatar and Kuvira.
"You know when I was at my lowest moments in my life, I turned to bending?" Kuvira says.
I pull my flask out of my coat pocket, as we continue walking through the backyard.
"How is that supposed to help me?" I ask taking a swig.
"Maybe if you started bending, it could relax you."
"I'm a non-bender." I reply.
Kuvira nods.
"Trust me, I'm aware. Let's make a deal. If I can get you to bend this piece of metal in less than a week. You have to stop drinking. If you can't bend the piece of metal, I will leave you alone and fight anyone who tries to stop you from drinking."
I extend my hand out, liking the deal.
"Deal."
It's day six and I hardly moved the piece of metal. Even though Kuvira's defeat is coming soon, she's still determined!
"You have curve your hand like this."
My bodyguard, twists her arm into a C shape and I take the time to admire her muscular built.
"Can you focus, please?" she yells dropping the metal onto the ground.
"Sorry, I was really fascinated by your muscles." Kuvira rolls her eyes.
"That's your problem, you aren't taking this seriously." I push my finger into her metal chest plate.
"And your problem is the fact you're trying to teach a non-bender, how to bender! You just can't do that." She lifts up my finger away from her chest.
"Don't you ever tell me what I can't do. I can do whatever my mind tell me to do. I can be the best leader of the 4 nations, if I really wanted to!" she replies.
"Sure, you can. Let's just get this over with." I say getting back into my bending stance.
"You think, I can't do it, don't you?" Kuvira ask.
"I didn't say that. I'm sure you could, but I doubt you will be able to. Since it's a Non-Benders world now."I reply, trying to concentrate.
"Take it back!" she says. I'm not even sure if she's upset, she's has been showing less emotions lately.
"No, I will not. I thought you had tough skin? I tease. She makes her way over to me and grabs my arm.
"Don't you ever…say I can't do anything again!"
I look up at her with fear in my eyes. I try to pull away but she won't let me go. I start to hear the sound of rattling and she lets go of me. Turing her attention on to the now folded piece of metal.
I use my chance and shove her to the ground, sending blows after blows as they land on her with no impact. She laughs like it's a joke. How dare she put her hands on me! She flip me over so she's on top and locks her knees into my hips.
"You did it!" she says with joy.
"You hurt me Kuvira!" I spit in her face pushing her off of me.
she quickly gets up and grabs hand.
"I'm sorry, but look you did it!"
"No, it wasnt my fault. You had no right to hurt me!" I yell out.
"Su, shut up and listen to me, You metalbend!"
"What?" she turns around and points at the metal now bent on the ground.
"Did I do that?" I ask
"Yes, I swear. I think we found your drive."
"Drive?" I ask touching the piece of metal in amazement.
"Yes, drive, like your motivation. Mine is control and yours happen to be when you're threaten. I'm so proud of you.!" she says, lifting me up off the ground into a hug.
After a year of sobering up, I decided to put my lawyer career behind me and try and to become a guidance counselor. Which means, I have to go back to college and get my education degree.
"Mommy, I'm going to miss you." Opal whines. I pick up my precious daughter and give her a kiss.
"Forget getting rid of the Arts. They need to throw away the Education." My little artist Huan states.
"Throw away education and art. Sports are where it's at." Wing adds, which gains a high five from his brother.
The college I'm attending is in Zaofu, so I will be staying on campus.
I hear the sound of running and I turn around and see Kuvira. Drenching in sweat with my eldest behind her. A smile appears on my face, knowing that she didn't forget about me.
I'm tackled into a hug my Vira, which makes my face turn a bright shade of red. From my family watching this interaction.
"We thought we missed you." Vira says.
Just hearing her voice reminds me of the pain I will be in, from missing her.
"Yeah Mom. Kuvira made us run all the way here!" Jr. says out of breath.
"I been telling Kuvira that she needs to be on our middle school track team." Wei tease.
Kuvira wipes her sweat on to Wing as he moves away jokily.
"Why do you have to go?" Opal asks, again.
"Mommy, has to go to a big girls school. So she can help more people" I explain.
"You're an adult. You don't have to go to school, if you don't want to." I try to hold in my tears, because I'm going to miss my wonderful family greatly.
"Mommy will be home soon, I promise." I say pulling my daughter into another hug.
"It sucks, Kuvira can't come with you." Wing says.
"Yeah, she could be getting a degree and beating up the jerks who try to mess with you Mom." Wei adds, making my husband rolls his eyes.
"Your Mother will be fine on campus. You do know she managed without Kuvira before." he replies.
"Your Father is right, but things have gotten a lot better since I came into the picture. You know what they say, out with the old in with the news." Kuvira says back.
After saying goodbye to everyone, I get into the car.
"You have a very cute family." My taxi driver says. Knowing that my family can't see me now, I let the tears fall.
They're more than cute, they're my everything. I'm going to miss them so much.
I turn around to look at my family one last time and see Jr. making Vira laugh.
It's just for a few months I will be back to my family in no time, I tell myself.
I get a surprised visit from no other than my husband.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, seeing him in his old Letterman jacket with his hair jelled, just like back in high school.
"Can't a boyfriend visit her girlfriend in college?" He tease, making me pull him inside.
"I can't believe you drove all this way? You told me you had a meeting."
"Well I cancelled and told Amon my wife was way more important than some meeting."
Is this the same man I married? This happens to be the sweetest thing he done in a while.
"Sweetie, I haven't been the best husband to you. I want to apology for ever making you feel like any less of a person. Sometimes I feel like I have to work extra hard to impress you, literally. Like damn girl, you're going to have more degrees than me! Can't you wait until I go back to college? he tease, making us both laugh.
"I want to work on us. We been though too much to up and throw everything away. I don't want to lose you. You're still the best thing that ever happened to me. Without you, I wouldn't have such a great family and a reason to wake up every day. My job is not worth losing you over, Su."
He lets go of my hand and kneels down on to his knee.
"Will you marry me, again?" My roommate walks into the door and takes one look at us, and slowly turns around and exits.
Who would have known that, in just a few months, he would finally see my worth. Maybe this was the wakeup call he needed. I have missed him, and I do want us to do better, for our family sake. If he's willing to try, so am I. So I nod at my goofball of a husband.
"Okay." I say, going along with such a silly idea.
"Yes! We should celebrate, I don't think your roommate will be coming back anytime soon"
"I don't think that too small of a jacket, will be either." I tease.
"Then why don't you take it off of me." he says, pulling me into a kiss.
After successfully finishing school and gaining my degree. I was supposed to stay in Zaofu for a few months, but I enrolled into my classes and found myself staying for a whole year.
I'm glad that I'm finally home. I missed my family so much. Visiting day can only do so much justice
Baatar put together this whole cook out in my honor and I'm grateful for all the efforts he's putting back into our marriage. I have seen everyone except, Jr. and Kuvira.
"Is Hiro and Asami coming?" I ask Baatar who's on the grill.
My husband shakes his head.
"No, he said it wouldn't be best." I nod, understanding.
It's been years since Yasuko's death, and Hiro has yet to interact with us. I miss Asami and him but people mourn in their own way.
I leave my husband and head over to Opal, who's on the her swing set all by herself.
"Can I join you ?" I ask, sitting in the vacant swing beside her.
"Yes, do you want me to push you?" this causes me to laugh.
"I'm way too big for you to push. How about I push you?"
As I push my daughter, I start to wonder where the missing two could be.
"Where is your older brother?" I ask.
"He took Kuvira on another date." she replies.
Kids and their imaginations.
"Running errands together, isn't a date sweetie." I correct.
"It is, when they kiss." I stop the swing and take all this in.
"You saw them kiss? Like on the cheek?" My daughter shakes her head.
"No, on the lips. Like a Prince does to his Princess."
I run my fingers through her long black locks as I reach my climax. She never visited me like she said she would. The countless disappointments from not seeing on Visting Day.
The times where I would ask to speak with her only to find out she wasn't there. The countless letters I would send which she would never reply to.
It didn't make sense. Was she that upset that I stayed for a year? She knew how much getting my education degree meant to me.
I support her when she tells me she wants to be a leader one day. Even though she would get offended, when I told her she would have to get a degree, in order for people to take her seriously.
Truthfully, she could have came to college with me. She offered to come but I declined. Not because I didn't want her to purse her passion, but because I was scared.
Afraid that she would find some new young fling and she would forget all about me. It was selfish of me and I regret my decision, but now hearing about the kiss from Opal. I start to have some doubts.
"You know, Baatar has that same birth mark just below his waist. Like you do." She says coming up to me. How does she know about such a personal feature on my son?
"Relax, I saw it in a picture." She adds.
"A family picture?" I ask, thinking if there might be a beach photo of some sort. That could explain his birthmark being exposed.
"No, from the photos he sends me to my phone." She says with a blank expression.
"When did you get a phone?" I ask, because this news shocks me. Kuvira, could have easily sent me a text or called me.
"Jr. bought me one. It was a part of a special deal . I know because I went to the store with him, to buy it."
It took them three whole days to come and see me! They knew when I would be back. They couldn't give me a day?
"You two have been spending a lot of time together, lately." I reply. This catches the old Earth Kingdom's Bandit off guard.
"I'm sorry, what else should I have done? Should have I stayed in the house while your oh perfect of a husband verbally attacked me? Or maybe I should have made more of an effort in contacting you?
Jr. was the only one who prevented me from not killing Baatar. I doubt you would want to come back home seeing your husband dead. I know how much he means to you and I don't know why! He's not a good man, Su. If you would just open your eyes, you would see it too.
There are more important things, in this world going on. Like Amon's unfair target on Benders. My people are dying by the minute, but instead of helping them.
I'm here with you, even though you stayed in Zaofu for a year. You have everything you want. Your new career, your family, the power, and even me. Yet you're still unhappy!"
She's right, I did leave her behind and I have taken her for granted. I was doing the same thing Baatar was doing to me and I didn't even know it.
she gets up and starts putting on her clothes.
"I think I should sleep in my room tonight."
We're seating at the dinner table and I'm cutting up Opal's food.
"What do you mean by Amon's Military tactics are brilliant? He literally has one single man who's making his weapons. That's a foolish move. Who's to say that man won't turn on him. Let's say if he does stop working for Amon. Who will design and produce the Equalists' weapons? And don't get me started on his plan to invade the Earth Kingdom. There is no way his Equalists can take down the greatest nation ever!" Kuvira yells across the table.
"He did a fine job, taking down Omashu." My husband replies, making the Bender glare at him. These debates are nothing new at the dinner table. Neither I nor anyone can stop my husband and Kuvira when they have these heated discussions.
I look down at my fork, making it bend back and forth.
"Amon threatened to kill the King! The people of Omashu are loyal, so they had no other option but to surrender. You can't use that as argument." She yells back.
"The people of Omashu are cowards." My husband's statement causes Kuvira to stand up and flicks her drink on to him. This sudden action doesn't just shock me, but Baatar as well.
"Don't you ever call my people cowards again! Especially, when you have a man hiding behind a mask leading your city! You choose your work over your family seems like you're a coward as well."
My husband gets up and charges at Kuvira and before he can get to her. Jr. pushes his Father back, knocking him to the ground.
"You will not touch her!" My son says, looking down at his Father in disgust.
"How dare you. I'm your Father!" he booms, trying to get back up.
"I'm not sure anymore, because I know my Father would never hit a woman. No matter, how upset he is."
This time I intervene, this has gone too far.
"Jr. apology to you Father now!"
"What? No Mother, he's wrong." My son say in disbelief.
"I think that liquid color look quite nice on you, Dad."
"Now's not the time, Huan." I tell my son.
"You're on her side only because she's yanking your chain." Baatar shouts, as I help him up.
"What?" both my son and I say in unison.
Kuvira moves from behind Jr. and smirks.
"I don't yank chains, I bend them. Something you can't do because you're weak. I'm no longer hungry."
Just when she's about to exit, Baatar grabs the knife off the table and throws it.
The sound of my voice saying no, causes Kuvira to turn around and stop the object halfway before it hits her.
"A coward always kills it's opponent from behind. I like to look at them in their eyes, before I do so"
She metalbends the knife so the blade faces my husband. I step in front of him, knowing Kuvira won't hurt him, with me in the way.
"Kuvira, please go to your room!" I say, using my psychology development training to try and gain control of the situation. I don't want her to think this is her fault.
So by having her leave the room it puts the blame on either of them.She glares at me with the knife still pointed in our direction.
Apart of me hopes she doesn't send it flying, because from look on her face, she looks careless and that's the only quality I hate about her.
Kuvira will have her moments where she will blank out and this is one of those times. When she does that, it's like she doesn't have a conscious and that sometimes the one thing that justify life or death.
Jr. slowly makes his way over to her.
"Let's go get some ice cream." He says in a soft tone. But Kuvira doesn't take her eyes off the man behind me and I can feel his heartbeat.
"Come on Kuvira, you proved your point. He's a coward, but my brothers and sister are here. They don't deserve to witness this." Jr. continues.
The sound of Opal crying makes Kuvira's eyes soften. Something I didn't think she would do after being in her state of mind for so long.
She drops the knife and it hits the ground.
"I'm sorry." She says under her breath, but I'm not sure who the apology was for.
Jr. takes her hand and they leave out of the dining room.
Since the incident from dinner happened. The tension between Baatar and Jr. has gotten worst. It's not just verbal, it's physical now . I can't recall how many times, I had to pull them off each other. My Family is falling apart!
I'm in the kitchen being the referee in another one of their fights.
"I can't believe you're taking such part in such activity, Father. You're supposed to be a man of courage. What you're doing is the act of a coward." Jr says, on the topic of a new anti-bending law being pass.
"YOU WILL NOT RAISE YOU VOICE AT ME SON. I DON'T CARE, IF YOU'RE A MAN NOW. YOU'RE STILL MY SON AND YOU WILL RESPECT ME!"
"I can't respect someone like you! You helped that bill be approved. You could have stopped this" Jr. replies back.
"Why would I do that? Amon is doing great things! Without him we wouldn't be as successful as we are."
"No Father, we were successful with the help of Benders and what you're doing is erasing their progress!" my son replies.
"Oh really? I hardly had work competing with them. I had visions and those Benders just destroyed them. They don't care about the art and structure behind it. Our city relied on Benders, and when they didn't like their pay, they would go on strike. So that means no homes being built and no repairs. Their selflessness were putting others at risk."
"Then show them Father. Show Benders the right way. You're a leader, do the right thing."
"I AM JR! Your girlfriend is just brain washing you."
The term my husband used still hurts me. Kuvira and I have been having arguments of our own. Things have changed over the past year. In hopes of getting a job at Republic City High. I had to get more involved in the movement.
So I been attending city hall meetings with my husband. Kuvira didn't like that, especially when I was present when new bills were getting written, without stopping them.
We just stopped talking to one another, like we used to. I wouldn't call it a breakup because we never gave one another titles. But I still hate seeing my son and her together. It give me a glimpse of how she must have felt seeing Baatar and I together.
"Su, I agreed to have your intern Kuvira stay with us for years. Little did I know that she would brain wash our child. She's no longer welcomed here!"
This causes my son and I to say "what'" in confusion.
I have been neutral in all of this for a very long time, but I refuse to have my husband put her out on the streets.
"Baatar, you have gone too far, Kuvira is family!"
"No she's your family." he says in disgust and from his eyes.
I just knew that he knew about my affair. Who am I kidding, how could he not? Anyone could see my love for the old Earth Kingdom's Bandit, even Yasuko. The only ones blind to it are my children.
I turn to my son and look him in the eye.
"Sweetie, don't worry. Your Father is just doing this to just to get back at me".
"No, he's doing this to get back at me Mother. My Father just wants you to take his side, that's why he's so stubborn. If you want my girlfriend out fine, but I'm going with her!"
My husband laughs.
"You're just a follower son. You're following someone who's a wannabe and unstable leader."
Jr. storms out the kitchen, leaving me and Baatar alone.
"You know you're wrong" I says between gritted teeth.
"Too bad, I'm not a leader, I know how much you adore them." he whispers.
I knock on the door, waiting for her to answer. She's upset, I can't have her leave being upset. I can easily see her doing something foolish. Kuvira can't leave the house like this.
"Leave me alone, I'm leaving." the woman call out, but I open the door anyway. I watch as she throws all her clothes into a duffel bag.
"I can't believe you're on his side. You know he's wrong." Kuvira yells.
"He's my husband, Kuvira. I took vows and promised to stay by his side." I explain.
"Like that stopped you before!" She replies.
"Don't you put this on me. I don't want you to leave. The kids will miss you. I will talk with Baatar to allow you to stay for a few more days, please don't leave like this. Your emotions are getting the best of you. You need to take time and think." I plead.
"What is there to think about? He wants me out and I don't blame him. I no longer want to be in this house!" she stops what she's doing and looks at me.
"This house ruined me! I was so great back then, before all of this…before you!"
I can understand her frustration and she has every right to be angry at me, but it's dark and I rather have her here upset, than upset driving in the dark.
"If you were so great, why did you get caught?" I reply, hopeful that by starting an argument, she will stay longer and be able to think.
She smiles from my question and throws her hands in the air.
"I WAS TIRED! I was tired of never getting caught. I didn't want the attention, I hated it. People wouldn't leave me alone. People were rooting for me to continue my savage life. There was no one, who actually saw me for the person I really am."
"I did Vira, I know who you really are. You don't have to run away from me!"
"NO, YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I AM! You saw yourself in me! If you really knew me, you would have never asked why I got caught."
Tears start following down her face and I never seen her cry before. All my training and I can't comfort her. Not because I don't know how, but because she officially broke down. Even when I pulled a gun on her she never cried, the countless heartbreaking moments from seeing me interact with Baatar, she never cried. Seeing me go off to college, she never cried and even when she was in that prison, she never cried!
She quickly wipes her eyes and continues packing.
"There is a house near Omashu ." I start off, trying not to make her feel uncomfortable.
No, I'm not staying in some vacation house that Baatar bought, as soon as Amon invaded Omashu."
"Then where will you stay?" I say, trying to stay calm.
"On the streets, I did it before." she says coldly.
"You aren't leaving Kuvira. I won't allow it!" I yell out, remembering the promise I made to myself years ago.
" How are you going to stop me, you don't control me...well not anymore."
"vira?"I say lowly, seeing if I can still reach the old her.
"NO, DON'T' CALL ME THAT, you know the meaning behind that name. The one you choose to throw away!"
I threw us away? She's the one who did it, not me.
"I should have never allowed you to date my son. You're ruining him!" I reply, now upset for her putting the blame on me.
"No, your husband is ruining him, not me. You are just too much of a coward to admit it!"
I'm tired of the word coward being thrown around like it's an insult. By me being a coward, I'm able to protect myself and the people around me.
Why won't she listen to me! Why can't she have a normal adult conversation, without allowing her emotions get the best of her! Where is the Kuvira, who was so calm and collected? It's as if she's finally releasing all her emotions she held behind her blank expressions all these years.
"He's in love with you, Kuvira. You're using him!" I say, looking pass her act.
"Like same thing you did to me?"
There it was, the final confession. I knew her love for him couldn't be true. She thinks I used her but that's not the case. I love her ever so much, but us being together is poison right now. Baatar already knows about us. Who's to say he doesn't try and hurt Kuvira, he tried to before.
I move closer to her and bring my lips to hers, trying to put an end to all of this. It only lasted a few seconds, before she pushes me away.
"You can't pull me into your trap again. This is one of the reasons why I need to leave. I can't keep doing this with you!"
"If you're doing this to get back at me for leaving you? It's not working, but the fact you're using my son is the worst thing you could ever do to me. To see him… heartbroken no Mother wants to see that." I say, trying to hold back my tears.
"I love him Suyin, I really do!" she says without looking at me.
"No you don't" I say, voice cracking.
"Yes I do, and he asked me to marry him." She says looking down. I shake my head in disbelief. I know she doesn't love him, but I also know, she's willing to marry him just out of spite.
"What did you say?" I ask.
"I didn't say yes, but I made him a promise. A promise, I will fulfill once my plans go into action."
There is a knock on the door and my son walks in with his suitcase. As I wipe away my tears.
"Kuvira we're leaving" Jr says.
"Jr. please dont leave, please."
"Mother, I love you but I can no longer allow Father to disrespect myself, my views, and the love of my life."
I turn to Kuvira with frustration. She did this, she lead him on. Can't she see how much he loves her? Why must she put him through all of this?
"Kuvira stop this! I yell.
My eyes no longer show compassion for this girl, but hatred now. She's right I don't know this woman, because this woman in front of me, is not the one I love.
She walks to my son and pulls him into a hug.
"Baatar, please stay here I will be fine."
"No, I'm not leaving you."
"Please Babe stay. I will contact you, I promise. Right now you need to be with your family." Kuvira says, and with that she leaves out the room.
The Earth Kingdom's Bandit had to steal and hurt one last thing , which was my heart.
End
After hearing the Suyin's story I start to understand her loss. She didn't just lose my Mother but everything. Even her family isn't together, so all her effort of keeping them together was pointless.
"When you overheard my conversation at the dinner party. I was talking to Jr. Not Kuvira. I haven't spoke with her in years. I have been giving money to Jr or what ever he needed. Only because I knew he was the one taking care of Kuvira and because he was my son.
When Kuvira took back Omashu. She became a target by Amon.I remember travelling through the Earth kingdom to watch her speeches. Everything she preached she did. I can't believe I ever doubted her. She was a great leader. Much better than Amon If you ask me.
It was hard at first, I missed my son and her greatly. I think the hardest part was trying to pretend that they didn't exist , in front of my children.
Opal used to ask me when her brother and sister were coming home and I would say soon every time. Until she no longer asked and I no longer knew how soon, soon was.
I started hating my husband, because he was the reason why they left. After that got tiring, you know from putting the blame on him. I realized it was my fault, maybe if I would have never went off to college, I could have prevented this.
Maybe if I would have never taken her case. Maybe, we wouldn't be here. Maybe if I would have wrote my name on the list. Maybe your Mother would be alive. So I wouldn't have drunk my pain away, and rely Kuvira to pick me back up. Allowing me to show my true feelings for her and fall in love.
After all these years, I'm tired of justifying my actions for her behavior.
She's wrong this time and she's doing all of this, to get back at me and I refuse to have that happen. That's why."
I hear rattling and crunching of metal and the placement of a sharp object in my hand. Which feels like a spear of some short.
"We're breaking out of here. When they come and get me again, just follow my lead."
I wish I could just make a movie about this. Then maybe my fingers would rest lol jk.
Suyin's flashback is very important in the story and you will understand why soon. Next chapter will be all in Korra's pov.
Watch as Operation Save Cousin turn into team Avatar. Guess you're wondering who will be on the team. Here's a hint, it's going to have some non-Benders on it:)
Don't be afraid to leave your thoughts. I thought the whole Suyin and Kuvira relationship would be skeptical and I was a bit afraid to make it happen, but all writers must take risks. Was it too risky?