V
Summary: As Korra embarks on a mission to aid in the Earth Nation's reconstruction, she entrusts Kuvira, currently under house arrest, with the protection of Asami Sato. Meanwhile, Republic City faces continued reconstruction and a growing threat to Asami's life. As she grapples with her complex emotions toward her father's murderer, Asami must navigate political intrigue and personal turmoil to secure her safety and the future of Republic City.
TW/CW: Mentions of an eating disorder
Kuvira closed her eyes, gently rocking back and forth to the slow haunting melody floating out of the radio. She took a deep breath before moving into the second position and launching into a dance routine. The sounds of her barefoot on the wooden floor followed the rhythm of the music.
Her arms and legs moved automatically, flowing through the motions of a routine taught to her long ago. The cool air sent a chill throughout her body, highlighting the sweat on her back and forehead. Once the song ended, she easily moved to the rhythm of the new song, and the one after that, and the one after that. Her discipline with the changes in tempo and keeping on pace mimicked the training she gained over the years.
"I don't want to dance!" Kuvira shouted. She turned and picked up a toy from her dresser and threw it with all her might. Suyin lifted her hand and caught the toy. She carefully transferred it between her hands, her fingertips tracing the paint lines.
"I think it'd be a great activity for you to hone your skills." Suyin shrugged. "You may grow to like it, love it even."
Kuvira crossed her arms over her chest before dropping down onto her bed, the corners of her lip slowly pulling into a pout, "What does that have to do with earthbending?"
"Come now, don't make that face. I never said it was connected to earthbending." Suyin placed the toy onto a nearby shelf. "I'd like to spend some time with you. One on one."
Kuvira's pout disappeared. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned towards Suyin. Moments later it turned into a suspicious glance. "You want to spend time with me?"
"Yes. Let's go and have some fun!"
Kuvira twirled her thumbs before nodding once. "…I'll go and get changed." She turned and walked over to her closet, trying to keep her pace calm, attempting to fight the smile forming across her face.
As the song faded out on the radio, Kuvira walked over and clicked it off. Grabbing a towel, she placed it around the back of her neck, before dabbing at her forehead. "Enter," Kuvira called out.
A moment later, the door slowly creaked open. Asami stepped into the room, three document tubes over her right shoulder. She dropped her gaze to the floor once she noticed Kuvira looking at her closely. She covered the motion by tucking some hair behind her ear.
"We're due at President Moon's office in-"
"I'm aware of the time," Kuvira interrupted. She grabbed a canteen and took a long slip. "As you wait, you may want to put more makeup on."
"What's wrong with my makeup?"
"You can still see the bags under your eyes. What'd you eat today?"
Asami stood up straighter. "Oatmeal and some fruit. Do you want to go to the kitchen and check behind me?"
"There'd be no point. The staff work for you. You could've instructed them to plant scraps." Kuvira reached up and pulled her hair out from her bun, letting her hair flow down her back. "I just need to take a shower and then we'll be ready to go in about five minutes." She cleared her throat. "Thank you for letting me use this space."
"I forgot we had this room here," Asami admitted. She took a few more steps into the dance studio, her high heels echoing with each step. "My mom liked to dance. She tried to teach me, but I was never too good at it. She said I was too analytical."
"What is a negative in one space may be a positive in another," Kuvira answered.
"Do you always speak in riddles?"
"Do you always ignore Lallah when she's around?"
Asami rubbed the back of her neck. "…I'll be waiting outside." She turned to head to the door, stopping once she grabbed onto the door handle. "Woah," she muttered, before slumping over.
"What do you need?" Kuvira asked, rushing over.
Asami shook her head, before standing back up. "Nothing, I just got dizzy for a moment. I'm fine now." Kuvira made a disapproving sound before taking a step back. Asami stepped out of the room and moved to the side, allowing Kuvira some space. She couldn't help but glance at the ankle monitor strapped to Kuvira's ankle as she walked away.
"Morning Ms. Sato," a gruff voice called out. The Estate's butler appeared at her side, holding out a tray with a cloche. He pulled the metal covering off, displaying a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit. "Here is your breakfast."
"I've already eaten this morning," Asami said, gently pushing the tray aside. "I do appreciate it. Thank you."
"…Ms. Sato, I was under strict orders to offer you this plate," he said, moving the tray back to its original position.
Asami shifted the tubes on her shoulder, the papers rattling around inside. She glanced down at the tray and then down the hall. "Hmmm," she mumbled before turning her attention back to him. "Just because Kuvira is here as my bodyguard doesn't mean my staff should be taking orders from her."
"As you wish." He nodded. He replaced the cloche, bowed once, and left.
Asami reached into her pocket and pulled out a small black device. She flipped up the screen and turned the power switch. A moment later, the screen came to life, showing a blinking green dot. Sighing hard, she turned the device back off and repocketed it before making her way down the hallway toward the main stairwell.
Upon reaching the middle landing, Asami paused, hearing a low rumble sound. Turning to her left, she spotted a mechanic taking a few steps back, waving his arms in the air, directing a racing car forward. The clean red metal shined brightly underneath the sun.
A high-pitched creaking sound broke the silence. Asami turned and spotted Kuvira heading down the stairs, her captain's helmet underneath her left arm, and a large metal staff held in her right hand. Her metal suit easily bent and moved with each step as if made from fabric instead of some of the toughest materials.
"Let's go," Asami instructed as soon as Kuvira joined her side.
Kuvira looked over Asami's shoulder. "We still have time, if you'd like to-"
"No, it's okay."
"I was told you like to race."
Asami frowned. I was told… The specific wording stuck to her, but she couldn't make heads or tails as to why. "I'm not interested anymore. I just don't have a lot of time."
Kuvira raised her foot into the air before slamming it onto the ground. She closed her eyes. Her vision was fuzzy and faint, but she was able to just make out the furniture in the boardroom. A moment later, she stood straight up before rapping her knuckles on the door. "All clear." She called out.
The door opened and Asami stepped inside, followed by President Moon and her secretary. As soon as the door closed, Kuvia stepped back in front of the door, planted her feet, and pressed the bottom of her metal staff to the ground. Lifting her chin, she held her gaze at the clock across the room.
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, President Moon," Asami said as she placed the tubes on the desk. She picked one up and began to unscrew the lid. "I'm happy that you are interested in some of my new ideas and plans."
"Asami, I have said numerous times, to just call me Zhu Li," she said in her normal monotone. "Just because I have a new title doesn't mean I have forgotten everything you have done for Republic City." Zhu Li took a seat at the head of the table. Her secretary poured her a glass of water and placed it in front of her. "Have a seat."
"I'm fine with standing," Asami insisted. Zhu Li's assistant poured Asami a glass of water before taking a seat opposite her. She flipped open a notepad, clicked her pen, and began to write down the date and time.
"As you know, former President Raiko seemed to want to keep things in balance by oppressing others." Zhu Li stated. "We both see a better vision for Republic City for everyone. So, I'm excited to see what you have to offer."
Asami swayed on her feet. She held on tightly to the edge of the table, forcing a smile in Zhu Li's direction. "Based on your guidance and requests, I believe I have created the items you were looking for. This will help bring more balance between benders and nonbenders alike, so Republic City can continue to thrive, and everyone will feel like they belong here."
"Yes, well Korra has done amazing work bringing balance to the world, and with you stepping in as well, I'm sure this initiative will be a success." With that, she leaned forward and picked up a small plate and some tongs before plucking two finger sandwiches and a small stem of grapes from the middle of the table. "Help yourself to some food."
"Maybe later," Asami said with a wave of her hand. She pulled out a blueprint and unrolled it across the table, before turning it in Zhu Li's direction. "I'm sure you will find some of these gadgets fit your requests."
Asami reached up and brushed some hair out of her face. A few strands fell onto the surface of the blueprints. She straightened back up and ran her fingers through her hair again, this time, a small clump came out. "What?" she whispered. Zhu Li put down her plate of food before getting to her feet. "My apologies. I'm normally more put together."
"Asami, why don't we continue this meeting later?" Zhu Li asked.
"No, we can continue." Asami reached out and plucked the few strands of hair from the blueprints, transferred them to her other hand, before stuffing them into her pocket. "If you look closely, this device-"
Zhu Li placed her hand on Asami's. Asami felt the warmth from her palm. A stark contrast to her touch, cold and clammy. Asami snatched her hand away. "Asami, please go and take care of yourself
"I'm fine."
"Asami. I insist." Zhu Li motioned to her assistant, who got up from her seat. She moved around the table and began to gather up the blueprints and paper tubes. "Leave the blueprints here, I will take a look at them and will radio you later." Zhu Li nodded once. "I'm sure the pressure I've been putting on you to get this done hasn't been helpful. Go and take some time for yourself."
"Of course. I understand." Asami said. "As you wish."
"I was told you tend to dive into your work at your own expense," Zhu Li commented, "Make sure you're eating and take care of yourself. I hope you're able to-"
I was told…
"Wait!" Asami held up a hand. "Who told you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Make sure I'm eating and take care of myself," she repeated. "I tend to get too consumed with my work. Who told you that?"
"Well, it's been clear since we've worked together many times to protect Republic City. And with the Avatar being gone-"
"Who told you?"
"Avatar Korra has reported back to me quite a few times while in the Earth Kingdom and-"
"Thank you for this meeting, Zhu Li," Asami interrupted. "As requested, I will be going. Please let me know when your schedule can accommodate a new time." She turned on her heel before storming towards the door. Kuvira switched the staff from her right hand to her left before opening the door. Asami reached out and grabbed Kuvira by the arm, pulling her into the hallway with her, slamming the door shut.
"She spoke to you too," Asami said, her voice low. "That's why my butler knew about my breakfast order. And how you knew about the racetrack at the Estate."
"What are you talking about?" Kuvira asked.
"Korra! Every time she radioed me, at some point she radioed you, and Zhu Li, and I'm sure more. Who else? Tenzin?"
"I'm not in the habit of keeping up with those you and the Avatar are close with." Kuvira rolled her eyes.
"If your job is to protect me, you would know everything about me. All my friends, allies, enemies."
"This again."
"Why does everyone do everything behind my back for my best interest?" Asami shouted. "Why doesn't anyone just talk to me?"
"You're not the easiest to talk to," Kuvira said. "Or need I remind you of the silence you demanded once I got here." She shrugged. "Korra said-"
"So you admit it?" Asami asked.
"There's no point in lying when you've already figured it out."
"I was right." Asami held up a finger and pointed it in Kuvira's face. "You are trying to drive a wedge between us?"
Kuvira used her staff and pushed Asami's finger away. "Why would I want to do that?"
"To be able to take us down from the inside out. That's why you are so insistent about someone being in the Estate trying to attack me."
"I have told you over and over, someone was there. If I was able to have more freedom around the Estate."
"No! That'll never happen." Asami shook her head. She took a deep breath before reaching up and touching her forehead. "You're exactly like her. You're just like Korra. You're like everyone else who tries to dictate what I can say or do, and then leaves."
"Left or pushed away?" Kuvria retorted. "Maybe some just wanted to escape you and your craziness."
"Watch your mouth. If anyone pushes people away it'd, be you. You wouldn't understand someone deciding to walk out of your life."
Kuvira's green eyes darkened. "Korra left for duty. Your dad left because he was misguided in believing he was doing the right thing. But from what I remember, they eventually came back. My parents left by choice. They dropped me off at the front gates of Zaofu when I was eight, and I haven't seen or spoken to them since."
"What did you do to make them leave?"
Kuvira curled her left hand into a fist. She took a deep breath sizing Asami up with a harsh glare. "…I quit".
Asami sighed hard. "You can't just...". Kuvira stepped forward and caught Asami in her arms as she slumped toward the ground.