The Truth
It wasn’t often that Asami would find herself going out. If she wasn’t at work she was either in her home garage working on her personal satomobile or racing at the tracks. She could always be found in those two places if she had a day off and sometimes if her dad had a rare day off too, they would play pai sho. It was safe to say that Asami didn’t have much of a social life outside of work. She didn’t have many friends growing up either because sometimes they would only see her as the heir to her father’s company, Future Industries. You couldn’t blame her really.
Despite the lack of a social life, she still kept up with all the latest trends and news. She also enjoyed listening to the radio, especially when she was staying late at work. One of the stations she’d look forward to was the one where they broadcasted the pro-bending matches. She herself was a non-bender but she always found bending to be amazing. She had always wanted to go watch a match in person, Future Industries had their own private balcony which wasn’t even being used and yet she’d get too distracted and time would get away from her.
After what she had witnessed not too long ago, she was in need of some me time. She was less focused at work during the rest of the week and tried to replay that night in her head. She had heard of demons, everyone had, though most people weren’t alive to tell the tale except for her. One minute she was just heading back home and then the next she was more than likely to end up like the rest and the thought of it didn’t sit very well with her. But then she was saved, by none other than a demon. Watching her fight was incredible, she was mesmerized and that strange demon, her hero, has not left her head since then. Those bright blue eyes of hers were practically ingrained into her memory and she wondered if she would ever see her again, to properly thank her of course.
She couldn’t think about that right now though as she was now finally at the pro-bending arena in the private balcony watching the Fire Ferrets. She was sure her dad was proud of her for finally going out even if it was by herself. “You should take your own advice sometimes sweetie,” he would say. She left work early and made it right on time to see all of the matches that were going on tonight. All the teams were pretty good but if someone asked her if she had a favorite, it’d be the Fire Ferrets.
Getting to see the “cool under fire” style from the team's firebender was way better in person than on the radio. Their earthbender was also impressive to see even if his opponents were stronger, he never gave up without a fight unlike their waterbender. Getting to finally enjoy a match in person had her cheering and yelling along with the crowd. She surprised herself a little bit when she realized what she was doing but then continued, she was having a blast.
But nights do have to come to an end as the match finished and the Fire Ferrets won. She would definitely make time in her calendar to come watch the semifinals. She was really happy that she ended up coming out instead of drowning in her work.
As the arena emptied out slowly, she too made her way outside to head home for the night until she saw two familiar guys who she recognized as the fire and earth bender from her team. There was no harm in going up to them to congratulate them on their intense win that got them into the semifinals. It sure would be a step in the right direction in trying to make friends again now that she was older and not a young girl anymore. And if it was one thing about Asami, she had the damn confidence to go up to someone.
She walked a little faster to catch up to them and tapped on the taller one’s shoulder, “Hey you guys are Mako and Bolin right? From the Fire Ferrets?”
Mako turned around as he opened the door to head outside the arena with his brother, “Yeah?” His typical brooding face quickly fell and changed to one of a hint of shyness with his cheeks reddening a little. She’s gorgeous , he thought to himself. Of course he lost the will to speak over a beautiful woman that Bolin took over.
Bolin was more bubbly compared to his older brother, “Yep, that’s us!” He nudged his elbow against his brother's arm before speaking again, “You a fan?”
Asami smiled as she followed them outside, “Yeah, my name’s Asami. I just wanted to congratulate you guys,” she glanced towards Mako before continuing, “especially you with that hat trick at the end!”
Mako scratched his cheek while he replied back to her, “Oh you saw that? Yeah that was nothing!” He tried to cover his blush by looking to the side. Bolin continued on about the match animatedly using his arms, “It sure was a tough match,” he sighed dramatically, “but we’ll be ready for the next one and we’ll win the whole tournament!” Asami would be lying if she said Bolin’s energy wasn’t infectious.
She replied in kind, “I’ll definitely be there to see that.” She gave them a warm smile and then Bolin had an idea. Him and his brother were going out for victory noodles, the amazing idea being his, and thought why not invite their new friend Asami along, especially noticing how bashful looking his brother acted around her. He jabbed him in the arm and proposed his idea, “Hey, we were going to go get some victory noodles at Narooks! You’re more than welcome to come.” He had this big smile on his face and Asami liked the idea. Why not come along and make some new friends. She gladly accepted Bolin’s offer and even offered to drive the three of them there since it felt like the right thing to do.
They made some conversation as they started to walk to her car. Bolin intentionally walked on the other side of his brother so Mako could talk to Asami but something in the distance slowed them.
“Did you guys hear that?” Mako surveyed their surroundings while they all cautiously took steps. It sounded like a bouncing ball that was getting closer each step they took. Mako, taking a defensive course of action, stepped in front of both his brother and Asami. There was nobody else outside the arena but them, he thought it was weird.
Until the sound they heard passed by them at such a high speed, destroying Asami’s car, leaving it in an almost unrecognizable state. Sharp pieces from the car shot out towards them and Asami was cut on her leg through her pants whereas the boys earned some smaller scrapes on their arms. That’s when they saw her, a pale skinned demon wielding a temari in her right hand, looking at them like they were her feast.
Not again, Asami thought.
Both brothers got in front of Asami in an offensive stance, ready to attack. Except the demon in front of them froze in fear as someone came behind her, rendering her still. It was the demon from that night, Asami recognized her voice and those bright blue eyes. She could now see her fully, her tan skin and her rippling muscles that were no longer hidden from that jacket anymore.
“There you are Susamaru,” Korra gave the now frightened demon a mischievous grin before continuing on, “playing with your food again I see.”
Susamaru was scared out of her mind. Korra’s nails dug deep into her wrist and she was too fear stricken to move. She had met Korra years ago back in the South, her and Yahaba. Muzan would make them fight her and she swore to herself that she would never run into her outside of those circumstances. Running into an Upper Moon isn’t the most ideal thing. She knew the strength she possessed even if she didn’t eat humans, Korra was undeniably horrifying in a match up. Muzan seemed to enjoy himself everytime they fought and she was nothing but a loyal servant wanting to please him.
But she needed to tread lightly with Korra, “W-what are you doing here, in the city?” Korra could feel her tremble beneath her touch, it satisfied her. “Don’t you think it was time I left the South?” She replied while finally unhooking her claws from her wrist, the blood dripping down them. She removed herself from Susamaru and instead guided her attention to the destroyed car.
“Wow,” she drawled out as she picked up a piece of metal from the destruction of what used to be a satomobile, “what a hunk of junk now, huh Susamaru?” She crushed the piece of metal in her hands and let it drop as she looked at Susamaru with a grin.
It seemed to her that they were on the same page so she decided to return her grin, “You know, since I was in the middle of playing with my food, I’d like to get back to that.” She started to ready herself for another throw of her temari until Korra stood between her and the three humans.
This made Mako step up more ready for anything that came their way, ready to protect them. Korra noticed this and cast them a quick glance before addressing Susamaru.
“You know I don’t usually interfere with anything, however I cannot let you eat these three.” This ticked off Susamaru, why was she stopping her from killing these three who didn’t even look interesting. “Why the hell not?!”
She fixed her with a hard stare, “You’d do better to listen to me before I teach you a lesson on what happens if you don’t.” With that, she backed up a bit in fear of Korra. She wanted to avoid that at all costs if that was a possibility. Korra continued on, “Plus, I don’t need you killing my source of newfound entertainment.”
Susamaru mumbled under her breath.
What an utter mistake.
With a tilt to her head and a raised brow, “What was that?”
She sadly threw all caution to the wind, “You fucking bi-” except she wasn’t able to finish her sentence. All three humans witnessed her rip her head off in one full motion, shock painting their faces. They almost couldn’t believe what they were seeing except for Asami who had already experienced something almost similar. A decapitated demon whose body was still standing.
Korra was holding her head by her hair and brought her closer to her face, “You really don’t listen do you?” Susamaru snarled at her before she continued on, “You know what I don’t understand? Why he still keeps you around as if you’re useful or something?” Susamaru was ticked off, she was having a shitty night and honestly, it was her fault for opening her damn mouth so she might as well keep it running.
“I am! I do anything and everything to please him.” She spit right back into her face.
“Oh yeah?” She raised an amused eyebrow at that, “Then how come you haven’t found her, the fugitive, yet?” Korra chuckled at the hesitance evident on her face.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, that was something she didn’t want to hear. Yahaba and her had only gone as far as finding out that the fugitive, Tamayo, was in the city but nothing else. Yahaba and her usually always traveled as a pair except for right now since he decided to split for a bit to see if they could cover more ground that way. She knew Korra was expecting a response but she knew she wasn’t going to like it.
She tried to avert her eyes away as she replied, “No…but we know she’s here in the city..”
She clicked her tongue and started to shake her head in response, “You know if you keep this up, you’ll never become one of us 12.” At that her eyes widened, how did she know that?
Korra tossed her head around in her hands which earned a grunt from Susamaru’s head before she placed it right back onto her body.
“There, all good as new!” She smiled at her handiwork while dusting her hands off and taking a step back to look at her. Susamaru cracked her neck, getting comfortable again now that she had her head back on but then she felt Korra’s presence change. It was something sinister, fear crawling right down her spine. It even made the three humans behind her gulp in fear of what else they were to witness.
“ Kneel .” A command and nothing more.
Susamaru kneeled and bowed her head to her. There was no room for arguing or anything at all.
“Do not come back to me or him until she is dealt with. Do you understand?”
All she could do was nod in fear.
“Look at me. I said, do you understand ?” All she could do was look up into those menacing blue eyes, “Yes, I understand. Once it is done, I’ll send word to you.” She gulped, hoping that this was over now so she could go back and find Yahaba.
“Good.” A sweet smile was on her face now, Susamaru was still frightened by it. She was too focused on trying to save her own skin that she didn’t notice Korra sink her claws into her right palm but the three humans behind her did. Mako didn’t even know how to assess this type of situation.
“I’ll leave you with this reminder,” she raised her right hand in front of Susamaru and flicked her blood right onto her face which earned her such a pleased sight, Susamaru’s eyes widening in complete terror, “Now go.” She vanished in an instant, not even wasting a second to get away from Korra.
Now that Korra had finally dealt with that nuisance, she remembered the humans behind her and turned their way, “You guys are still here?” She cocked her head to the side as she took a good look at them. Tall and lanky, short and stocky and then she looked at the girl from that night, now finally getting a good look at her. She was taller than her, had beautiful long dark hair, such striking green eyes and plump red lips, her beauty was unreal. She looked her up and down and as she made her way down to her legs she noticed something.
“Oh, you’re hurt,” she could see the cut through her pants near her shin, it didn’t seem too nasty of a gash, “I’m a healer, I can help you with that.” Her tone was far more different than before, Asami noticed. A bit softer.
Korra didn’t get too far when she started to get close. The firebender shot a punch of fire at her, yelling at her to stop.
“Don’t come any closer, you monster!”
She of course dodged smoothly before she replied back to him, “Gee, very original sharkbrows, not like I haven’t heard that one before.” She deadpanned while giving him an unamused look unlike him who had a fiery and rage filled face. He clearly did not like that little nickname but the boy next to him seemed to think it was funny.
Bolin had taken a look at his brother’s brows when the demon had said that and really couldn’t help it in this weird situation they were in, “You know, now that I’m really looking at them they do look like sharks.”
“Bolin not the time!” he replied back to his brother before focusing back his attention to the second demon of tonight.
“Would it make you more comfortable if I did this?” She raised her hands and started to retract her blue claws and when she blinked her eyes looked just like theirs, “I’m not too fond of changing my eyes like this but if I must.” She rolled her eyes as she finished her sentence.
Honestly, Asami had forgotten she got cut when her satomobile got destroyed by that demon's temari. She moved her leg a little and let out a wince that got the attention of both boys.
“Hey bro, she doesn’t have too nasty of a cut but it is worse than ours.” Bolin had bent down to check her gash on her leg inspecting the damage, “We should let her help.” He looked at his older brother, who was still staring down the demon, waiting for an answer.
“How do we know you’re not going to kill us, you monster .” That last word was said with such a bitter tongue, just like that night, reminding her of the white lotus guard. The word wasn’t foreign to her but it at least didn’t bite as it used to when she was younger. The guards have said many things about her, even in front of her face. How else do you think her hatred was so easy to cultivate? No she was no human but she was proud to be a demon. She earned praise from him for all the things she did and that was enough.
Humans are weak
Humans are beneath you
His words would ring through her head from time to time and there was no evidence that those were false statements. The proof right in front of her. If an Avatar was to help the people and the world but the people refuse her aid just because she’s a demon, a monster , then what even was her role as the avatar? She was no Avatar even if nobody else knew, she was not Korra, she was a monster just like the boy said.
But would someone who’s a monster offer aid to someone who is hurt?
She wanted to help her.
“If I were your enemy,” her eyes had changed back to her usual slits and so did her claws as she approached the firebender, “you three would not be alive.” Even though he was taller than her, she got up into his face as she spoke those words. She could see the sweat slide down his temple and the gulp he took. She wasn’t hearing any complaints so she took that as her go to help the girl. She had noticed that once she turned her attention to the other two that they did not look scared of her, not one bit. Her demeanor had softened as she bent down to the cut on her leg and started to pull water from the air.
But just as she was about to start healing her wound, the sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance and they were coming closer.
Fuck.
Someone must have called them when they heard the commotion earlier.
Out of habit, she scratched the back of her neck, “Sorry,” and now she was apologizing? That’s new, “I can’t stick around for the cops, but make sure you get to a hospital.” She made eye contact with those green eyes waiting for her to nod if she understood and once she did, she made her way to the railing that separated her from the ocean. She leapt onto it and before jumping down into the water she remembered something, “Ask for a woman named Kya.”
She was now gone, making her way across the bay and to the island. Once she made it back she faded into the darkness, but before she went to her room, she made a quick visit to Naga to wish her a goodnight. Once in her room, she collapsed on her bed, “What a night,” she said to herself.
Now was as good a time as ever to think. What were her next moves after she learned airbending? As a demon? As an Avatar to the people? What else could she do to please Master Muzan? There was that flower that all the upper moons were tasked with finding but besides that, what else was next for her? After she completes her training and unlocks her airbending she’ll live her life as a demon and leave this island, sure. She knows she is not wanted by humans, except for the few exceptions but she could never live amongst them, that she knew. She was the darkness.
But tonight was just another night, she didn’t need the answers to everything right away. They would come to her soon enough, so she would just focus on the task at hand. Learning how to airbend and trying to connect with Raava, including if the world really needed her as an Avatar, a demon Avatar at that, or if the world even needed one at all. Perhaps she was destined to live the rest of her days as a demon.