I had a little trouble writing this chapter but hopefully it turned out ok.

It was unreal how in synch the Fire Ferrets were. Mako's blasts of fire hit every sparring dummy squarely in the chest. Bolin's earth disks struck every angle he aimed for in the waiting net. And Korra swept her water whip around—something that had always been easy for her—with a yet unprecedented grace. Taking out chi blockers hadn't been this seamless. It was like breathing.

Even when the three teammates faced against each other at the close of today's practice, their instincts were linked. Mako sent a jet of flame at Bolin just as the younger brother snapped a disk at Korra, who flicked a stream of water at Mako at the same moment. All three benders were knocked to the gym floor with echoed grunts.

It was like someone had placed both hands on her stomach and shoved her to the floor, though Korra felt a slight tingle above her navel that she couldn't place. A residual effect of Bolin's attack, or something else? Someone else? Korra sat up and saw Bolin and Mako do the same, both brothers clutching the spots where the fire and water impacted. Korra peeled off her helmet, clutched her stomach too, and laughed.

"That was amazing!" Bolin wiped a tear from his eye and fell back, laughing harder.

"It really was," Mako said, dusting his chest off, flicking away lingering droplets of water as he stood.

The grin on his face made Korra's breath catch a little; Mako was so serious all the time, so it was nice to see him outwardly happy for once. And she couldn't be sure, but when she took Bolin's attack, she thought he might've winced. But her water blow could've done that. And it's not like she felt much from whack she took; the padding on their practice gear was decent, plus getting hit in the chest with a puny earth disk didn't exactly hurt anymore; her years of Avatar training built up her tolerance for pain.

There was also the issue that she hadn't felt anything from Mako after she hit him, but her attack was meant to unbalance, not bruise, so he probably didn't feel much through his equipment either. Right? Plus, she reasoned, Mako was seasoned in taking blows, so his pain tolerance must be up there with hers. Ugh, why did this soul mate crap have to be so confusing?! She bit her lip and looked to Mako, finding his amber eyes already on her.

"We're really clicking together." Korra looked straight at him and shifted to her knees, ready to get up, walk over, and see if maybe he'd felt something other than her water shot when his eyes softened, making Korra flush.

Mako nodded before taking off his helmet and resting it on his hip. "I think this means we're ready for the tournament."

"Not quite!" Asami's voice bounced around the room and her shoes clacked against the gym floor as she walked towards the team, oddly hunched over a big, white box in her hands.

Great. Beautiful, elegant, prissy, rich girl was here. Korra popped up from the floor and searched for her equipment bag as Bolin and Mako darted over to Asami.

"Oooh, what's in the box?"

Curiosity and the excitement in Bolin's voice made Korra turn. Asami gently pushed the package into Mako's hands. The smirk on his face had Korra ready to bail, vomit even, but at that moment, Asami's green eyes locked with hers. Her painted lips curved into a timid smile and she waved at Korra. "Come see!"

She was answering Bolin's question but her gaze never left Korra. So Asami wanted to be friends, huh? With a sigh and a roll of her shoulders, Korra shuffled over. Might as well get this over with. Asami's smile grew when Korra stopped beside her. "Nothing better pop out of there," she grumbled as Asami's fingers fiddled with the folded box flaps.

The other girl laughed, which made her delicate, black tresses quiver around her shoulders. Korra could smell the floral scented shampoo floating off of the taller girl and scrunched up her nose when she realized she liked the aroma. Pretty and she smelled good? Life was not fair. Asami peeked at her from the corner of her pale green eye. "No popping, promise." The cardboard flaps fell away to reveal bundles of orange, yellow, red, and white fabric. "See?"

Bolin surged between them, buffeting Korra to the side, and pulled one bundle out of the box. He shook it out to reveal a long sleeved pro bending uniform shirt. The red Future Industries gear blazed on the chest. Korra smiled because, okay, even if she had to deal with Mako's crush-lady-friend-whatever, the girl designed some pretty awesome-looking uniforms. The Fire Ferrets would look like a real team, and if they played like they practiced, they'd feel like the real deal, too.

"They look great!" Mako said, juggling the box in one arm as he tried to fish out a shirt for himself with his unencumbered hand.

"Glad you like them," Asami said, crossing her arms, before shooting a quick glance at Korra.

Mako set the package down on the floor and held a top up to himself. He cocked an eyebrow and half posed with the shirt pressed to his chest. "What do you think, Asami? Do I look good?"

Korra groaned. Their flirting was giving her a serious case of the oogies. Asami giggled, pressing a hand to her lips to stifle herself. "I think that one would look better on Korra, but I'm sure your fan girls wouldn't mind," she said, tugging on the hem to show it barely fell past the firebender's rib cage.

Korra couldn't help but snort. "Didn't know you wanted to show off your abs, Mako. I could've traded uniforms with you weeks ago!" She laughed harder as Mako grumbled, balled the shirt up and tossed it at her face.

Asami chuckled slightly, took a step closer into Korra's space, and raised a hand, but she pulled back. She bit her lip, staring intently at the ground as she addressed Korra. "Er, you weren't around when I stopped by last week to get measurements, so I guessed your size. I know your last one was kind of baggy, so this one should fit better, but if it doesn't, let me know and I can have it ready by tonight's match."

"Sure. Thanks." Korra scratched the back of her head, then glanced at the clock. "Uh, should I try it on now? I've gotta go meet Tenzin soon for training."

"Yeah!" Bolin nodded excitedly in his own shirt, his training gear littering the floor around his feet. "Let's see how the Avatar looks in something that isn't blue!"

Korra shucked off the brown practice gear with ease until she was just in her skin-tight navy blue undershirt and pants. She picked up the new Fire Ferrets jersey from where she set it on the floor, but caught the audible silence around her. Mako and Bolin were staring at her, red-faced. Even Asami's eyes were wide. "What?" Korra snapped.

Bolin's jaw dropped and Korra shifted a little as his eyes traveled from her head to her toes. "You look—"

Mako elbowed his brother and coughed. "You just usually get changed in the girl's locker room."

Oh. Korra hadn't really thought about it; she'd just reacted. She looked down at herself. The dark blue shirt was maybe slightly tighter than her usual sleeveless blue top, but that was because she needed to be able to dodge and weave easily in it, like a second skin. She shrugged and tugged the white and red uniform over her head, the sudden tension in the room dissolving. She straightened the collar, fastened up the front, then looked back to the group in front of her. "How do I look?"

Bolin beamed and gave two thumbs up. Mako nodded slightly before looking away and saying, "Good, I guess."

Asami stepped right up to her though, a hand curled around her chin. She walked around Korra in a full circle, which made Korra's stomach flip. Asami came to a halt in front of her and frowned. "The lengths look good. Not too short in the sleeves?"

Korra blinked, then stretched her arms out. The sleeves didn't ride up too much. "They're good."

Asami nodded, her lips pursed. "Try twisting at the waist. Make sure the chest area isn't too tight. I'm worried I might've guessed your bust size wrong. I didn't have to deal with that with the guys' measurements, so…"

Heat flooded Korra's face, her brain only picking up the words "chest" and "bust." Mako and Bolin both dutifully inclined their heads, staring at the gym rafters. "My…er…what?" Was Asami really asking about…about…

Asami's pensive face slipped. Her eyes narrowed, though her thin eyebrows shot up. She looked thoroughly confused. "Is it too tight around your chest?" She repeated, her voice dropping so only Korra could hear her.

When Korra just stared dumbly back at her, face burning deeper, Asami grabbed Korra's shoulders and forced Korra to twist side-to-side with planted feet. "Do you feel any restrictions…anywhere?" Asami flashed a look downward, then back to Korra, one eyebrow cocked.

She's asking if my breasts are squished or not, Korra thought, almost slapping herself for taking so long to figure out what Asami was talking about. Love rival or not, she was thankful Asami had the tact to keep it between the two of them, rather than embarrassing her in front of the bending brothers. "OH. Oh yeah. Yep. All good. So good. It's perfect, Asami. Thanks!" She shrugged out of Asami's light grip on her shoulders, stumbling over a discarded shin guard.

With a cough, Asami retreated back a few paces, and smiled. "Good. I'm glad."

Silence stretched for several seconds and Korra wanted nothing more than to be anywhere else. She spotted her duffel bag off to the side of the gathered group, so she darted forward and snatched it up quickly. She thrust her equipment inside, almost shoving her helmet through the bottom of the bag in the process, then tossed her shirt back in the box beside Mako's feet. "Well, would you look at the time? I've gotta do bendairing I-I mean airbending training. Now. With Tenzin. I'll see you guys tonight? Here? At the stadium?" She zipped up her bag and started walking backwards towards the door.

Mako and Bolin exchanged looks before eyeing her. "Uh, yeah. Guess so," Mako said.

"Cool. Put my new stuff in my locker for me? Thanks guys! And uh, thanks for the cool, new stuff, Asami." Korra spun on her heel and sprinted from the room, nearly running right into the doorframe.

As she passed through the doorway, she heard Asami ask, "Did I do something wrong?"

No, Korra thought, I'm just an idiot. She felt the heat return to her face. As if Asami would really be asking about her breasts. Ha. She was strictly asking as a business lady, making sure her player could perform optimally. The critical, green eyes scanning Korra had proved as much. They were the Future Industries Fire Ferrets now.

And Asami was totally into Mako, maybe even soul mates with him. Except the pair didn't even hug after Asami walked in, so maybe they weren't. Aaaaand Mako totally, possibly flinched (no way was she imagining it) after Korra got him with her water spout, and she felt that tingle in her own stomach. Korra groaned in frustration and all but kicked the arena exit door open.

Stupid Mako, probably too cool to show pain. Stupid Asami, being super pretty and distracting Mako and making Korra seem like a naïve kid. Stupid universe making this whole soul mate thing harder than Katara made it out to be. In her irritation, Korra barely paid attention to where she was going and was surprised to see she'd already reached the docks. The ferry to the island wasn't here yet, so rather than being trapped with her thoughts, Korra dove straight into the choppy, cool water of the bay. Maybe a brisk swim would clear her head, set her right again.

The last thing Asami anticipated doing today was reducing the Avatar to a crimson-faced, nervous wreck. She thought she could take a step towards friendship, and when Korra laughed at her crack a Mako, Asami thought they were headed in the right direction. And then she'd asked Korra to try her jersey. When Korra pulled it on, it looked like it fit, which pleased Asami; Mako and Bolin had been no help at all in procuring their teammate's measurements, so Asami had to make several educated guesses, which, as she observed, seemed to be right on the money.

Then, she'd asked what she thought was a harmless, legitimate question. Korra had a full chest, and Asami knew from her own workouts and self defense classes that ill fitting shirts in that area could be distracting and uncomfortable to move in. And Korra would be doing a lot of moving; Asami remembered the dynamic leaps and spins the Avatar made during her last pro bending match.

She assumed Korra would be okay discussing her body. Korra's usually exposed arms, her tight shirts, and the way she stood there, confused but uncaring while Mako, Bolin, and even Asami herself stared at the Avatar's lithe, toned upper body (hidden though it was under the dark blue athletic shirt) suggested Korra was nonchalant, even comfortable with herself.

Yet here Asami was now, watching Korra flee the arena gym, and Asami knew it was her doing. She didn't think hadn't acted unreasonable. And once she saw how awkward Korra felt, she'd dropped her voice, trying to rectify the matter, thinking maybe it would make it easier talking girl to girl, and blocking Korra's view of the brothers, though Korra still trembled and stammered, not even remotely as confident as she was standing there a moment ago. She even avoided using words that would perhaps further mortify Korra, giving her a pointed look downward so the Avatar could catch her drift. And Korra did. And then she promptly ran away. Way to go, Asami.

She couldn't help but voice her concern. "Did I do something wrong?"

She hadn't expected Korra to be so bashful, her face glowing in embarrassment. The reaction reminded her of a young schoolgirl who hadn't yet had the talk. It was silly, but, if Asami were honest, humanizing and very endearing. She was less intimidated by the Avatar, now that she knew Korra was as susceptible to awkward teenage moments as she was.

Mako's voice cut in beside her and she realized he was answering her question. "…she was pretty isolated in the South Pole. And her best friend is her polar bear dog, Naga."

Bolin stuck up his index finger, before slinging his other arm around Mako's neck. "And all she's probably learned is bending and other Avatar stuff. Plus she's probably nervous about tonight's match. It's a big one, but we got this!" He released Mako so he could pat one of his thick biceps.

Asami grinned, though she made a mental note to avoid girl talk with Korra until they were better friends. Because they would be friends if Asami had anything to say or do about it. "That's great! My dad will be pleased to hear you guys are confident."

Bolin nodded vigorously while Mako bent over to pick up the box on the floor. "Tell him again how much we appreciate him sponsoring us."

Asami dipped her head once. "So, are we still on for lunch? Or have our plans changed since…"

Neither she nor Mako had been eager to meet up after their last date night, though they hadn't exactly avoided each other, either. Mako paused, hefting the box of new gear closer to his chest. "We can, sure."

Bolin slung his duffel over his shoulder and groaned. "Ugh, is this a soul mate lunch date or can this starving dude come too?" He rubbed his stomach with both hands.

"Asami and I aren't soul mates, bro," Mako said quietly.

Bolin's thick, dark eyebrows rose, his mouth forming an 'o' before his hands fell to his sides, fingers fidgeting. "Sorry, guys. The last I heard…and I just assumed…but it's okay! You're still friends, right?"

"Of course!" Asami assured, lightly touching Mako's shoulder, which earned her a small smile from the taller boy. "Mako and I agreed to just hang out, do whatever until we find our other halves."

"Sounds messy. Ow!" Bolin rubbed his forearm while Mako scowled.

Asami sighed. She and Mako had drifted more towards friends now, she guessed. They hadn't held hands or kissed, which stung, but she knew it was for the best. Friendship meant she wouldn't get hurt in the long run, and she wouldn't hurt Mako, either. "Why don't we all go get something to eat, before you guys start brawling," she hedged, as Bolin looked ready to retaliate.

The brothers turned to her and agreed. "We should put this stuff away first." Mako readjusted his grip on the package in his arms and headed towards the door.

Asami and Bolin trailed after him. "Be careful," Asami warned. "I think someone tried to earthbend the hallway. There are a couple of tiles jutting up in the hall that I tripped over."

And nearly causing her to face plant, crushing the box of uniforms underneath her, but Asami left that part out. She'd stumbled instead, regaining her balance at the last second, though she caught herself in the ribs with her cargo, knocking herself breathless. She was glad no one had been around to see it.

"Got it," Mako said.

The three teens marched up to the locker rooms, and Asami watched the brothers deposit the new gear into their respective lockers. Asami carefully folded up Korra's uniform and placed it inside the girl's space before gently closing the metal door. She frowned. It was a shame Korra couldn't come with them. She still didn't really know much about the water tribe girl. But Asami shook her head. They had time to get to know each other. Maybe after the match tonight, if they won, she could talk Korra into a celebratory bite to eat. The thought made her smile as she spun back around towards the brothers. "Okay, guys. Who's hungry?"