Chapter 5

First impressions

Neither spoke as they drove to the Probending Arena, and the hush was beginning to worry Korra. She knew from experience, that periods of long silence could be common, with Asami. Sometimes, when she was lost in a project, she would spend whole days locked up in her workshop, blasting music, and not saying a word. But her tense pose, and her troubled face, told Korra that this silence wasn't the result of genius at work, something was wrong. "It's going to snow soon," Korra said finally, breaking the silence, "my father taught me to see the signs." Asami continued to drive as if she didn't hear. "We're expecting 50 stories," she joked, trying to coax a reaction from her girlfriend, "and snow monsters…. With giant teeth… and top hats…" Still no response. Korra put a hand on her girlfriend's knee, "Hey. Is everything alright?"

Asami snapped out of her daze, "Hu? Oh, Yeah, I'm just… thinking about stuff."

"Anything important?" Korra pried

"No, just-" She debated telling Korra about her meeting with the board yesterday, or about Baiso's remark, which still rung in her head, but she didn't want to burden her before the match. Instead she interlaced her fingers with Korra's, "…Just worried about you." She said honestly, "It was easier to watch people hurl rocks, water, and fire at you before you became the light of my life."

"Oh," concern vanished from Korra's face, and was replaced with a warm smile "well, first, you're the sweetest girlfriend in the world, but don't worry." She brought Asami's hand to her mouth, "Because second, everything is going to be fine. We're seeded 2nd in the league, that means we play our first match, against the team that came in second to last, last year. The match is going to end in a knockout. And Thirdly," she took on a joking tone, "I'm the Avatar."

"Over confidence is a path to underperformance," Asami mused.

Korra scrunched her brow, "I hate it when you quote Tenzin at me. You're too good at it."

Asami laughed, "Why would that bother you?" the two had reached the Probending arena, and Asami pulled over to the side of the road.

"Because," Korra unlaced their hands to tuck a strand of hair behind Asami's ear, "I don't want his face going through my mind, when I do this." She cupped Asami's face and pulled her close for a kiss.

Instantly, Asami's could feel her face flushing, the familiar jolt ran through her every inch of her body. She pressed herself as close to the Avatar as she could.

"Hey Korra!" Bolin's voice echoed from the player's entrance across the street. "Hurry up, the first three matches already finished. We're up after the next two." He was already wearing the Fire Ferrets' new uniforms, which were grey, with the red Future industries logo on the chest. The words 'Future Industries, Pioneers of tomorrow' were inscribed above the teeth of the gears.

Korra broke away, and the familiar jolt to left Asami's body. She frowned at the Avatar playfully, "He can't have you just yet. I'm not done with you."

"Sorry gorgeous," said Korra. With a swirling motion, she leapt and airbent herself into the air, landing next to the driver's side door, "Duty calls."

"Fine," Asami pulled her down for one last passionate kiss, relishing in the electricity for as long as she could. When they finally separated, Asami grabbed Korra's hand and kissed the palm, "Duty can have you right now" She squeezed her hand lightly, "as long as I get you tonight."

"I think that's a fair deal," Said Korra happily. Her cheeks were flushed, and a dumbfounded smile played at her lips. Asami smiled ruefully. She liked to see that their embraces affected Korra as equally as they did her.

"Kooooooora lets gooooo!" shouted Bolin again.

"See you in the prep-room." Korra said quickly. She pecked Asami on the cheek and hastily airscootered off towards her teammate. Asami flinched as a car came to a screeching stop in front of the Avatar, narrowly avoiding a catastrophe.

Be safe Korra… thought Asami. Since they had become a couple, Asami was finding it more, and more unbearable to see Korra in danger. Even when she spared with Bolin, Asami felt the urge to jump in and protect her. On numerous occasions, she had to remind herself that Korra was the Avatar, and didn't need Asami to keep her safe twenty four seven. Though, those thoughts did little to ease her nerves, Just don't get hurt tonight. She put her Satomobile in drive, and left.

Korra reached Bolin, and threw an arm around his neck as they walked inside, "Are you ready to kick some Gopher Hawk ass?"

"YEAH!" Bolin threw his arms in the air excitedly, then paused. "But… We aren't playing them tonight. The league changed the line-up for the day, we play the Republic City Royals tonight." They strode down a long hallway, that ended in a set of sketchy looking elevator doors, were a small crowed of other players, coaches, and agents were gathered. Above them they could hear the muffled roar of the crowd, their cheers brought a rain of dust from the ceiling.

"The Royals? They made it to the finals last year, right? And lost to the Badger-moles?" Korra asked.

"Yeah, it was a close game, they're real tough." He put his hand up to his mouth and leaned towards Korra, speaking softly, "They like to match their Firebender, Fao, against Earthbenders. From what I've seen, he's a big guy with a lot of power. They're known for sending Fao forward, to keep their opponents busy, while the rest of the team picks players off."

"That doesn't sound so bad." The elevator doors opened and people begin to file in. "I'll just take him out quick, and the rest will be easy pickings. You know they say, the bigger they are…" Korra made a faux-flexing motion, causing Bolin to laugh. "He can't be big enough to stop the Avatar!"

Just as her and Bolin were about to board the elevator, Korra head a child's voice behind them, "Avatar?" She paused, and looked back to see a small boy in tattered clothes, holding out a folded piece of paper. The paper looked expensive, and had a black bird faintly stamped on it's front.

"Hey buddy, is that for me?" she took the paper. She could hear the sound of Bolin talking up until the doors closed behind her. "Thanks, it's always nice to meet a fan." She opened the paper and peered at it's contents, "What's your name budd-"

Korra froze, her eyes shot up from the letter, to where the boy stood. But he was already gone, and the hallway was empty. The only noises in were the feint sounds of the crowd, the dust falling from the roof, and Korra's now beating heart. She looked down at the paper again, and reread it's contents.

Tonight, someone will try to kill you.

Be carful.

-A friend