"Asami, dear, you must be sure to make a good impression tonight." Lord Sato said sternly while staring down his daughter. "You have reached your twenties and remain unmarried."

"Father, that is because you are very discerning to any suitors that call on me." Asami said flatly.

Lord Sato frowned. "Beware your tongue, daughter. A man has no use for a woman with a mouth on her. I am, indeed, discerning about potential suitors because I can not allow any of the common rabble to secure my bloodline." He straightened his shoulders. "Now, I do have an very capable young man attending tonight. He is the son of the Firelord him…herself. Can you image, Asami, Firelady."

Lord Sato smirked and Asami bit the inside of her cheek. From the look on her father's face she knew that this would be the man she would be forced to marry. The Sato Family had been minor Fire Nation nobility, but her father had married into a noble family from the Earth Kingdom. However, since she had some nobility in the Fire Nation, this made her an acceptable candidate for marriage to the future Firelord.

"Now, ready yourself for dinner." Lord Sato turned on his heel and left his daughter's bedchamber.

Asami sighed and stared down at her hands. She knew that her life was just this. She would marry a man she didn't love, nor even be attracted to, and be forced to bear his children to perpetuate the royal family. It was times like these that she missed her mother most of all. Her kind-hearted mother, who had grown to love her husband, passed from an illness more than a decade ago. She knew her mother never would have allowed her father this opportunity and would have understood her daughter's heart.

She sighed in defeat and prepared for dinner.

"What's the plan, Captain?"

A wild-eyed young woman smiled at her first mate. "Why, my dear Bolin, we hit the Sato Mansion tonight and take the Firelord's son hostage. Firelord Ursa will undoubtedly pay whatever ransom we request and as a bonus we'll get to embarrass one of the most nauseating nobles on the face of this world." She picked the dirt under her nail with a knife. "We've received word from Mako, who successfully infiltrated Lord Sato's staff, that Prince Iroh came with limited guard."

Bolin leaned back and smiled. "Korra, you are a genius."

"Tell me something I don't know." Korra said with a smirk. She looked down at the map and raised her eyebrows. "Well, shit, this is going to be fun."

"Lady Sato, it is truly an honor. I am Iroh of the House of Sozin and son of Her Majesty the Firelord." The man in front of her said as he bowed deeply.

Asami smiled politely. Even she had to admit he was good looking and he seemed nice enough. Her stomach lurched when he took her hand and kissed it softly. She saw her father beam out of the corner of her eye and she forced a smile when Iroh stood straight.

"It is a true pleasure to meet you, your highness." Asami said sweetly.

Iron raised his eyebrows. "Oh, no. Formalities are not necessary. Please, call me Iroh."

Asami bowed her head slightly. "Very well. It is a pleasure to meet you, Iroh."

He smiled brightly and turned to Lord Sato. "Sir, you have a lovely estate and an even lovelier daughter."

"Well, thank you. I encourage you to spend some time with my daughter before dinner."

Iroh smiled brightly. "I would love that." He turned and held his arm out to Asami. "May I?"

Asami bit back a sigh and took his arm. Her father beamed as he turned to walk back to his study. Iroh smiled at Asami, who made a feeble attempt to return it.

"May I take you around the garden?" He asked sweetly. "I am sure that you could use some time away from your father. I know I could."

Asami couldn't help but chuckle softly. She smiled and led Iroh to the garden after he turned the wrong way.

"Truly beautiful." Iroh murmured.

"The garden or me?" Asami asked, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

Iroh looked at her and smiled. "Would it be cliché if I said both?"

"Well, thank you." She said in an even tone. "You are quite handsome yourself."

"I do not seem your type." Iroh said with a knowing smile. Asami snapped her head over. "May I speak plainly, Asami?"

"Yes."

"I saw you 'appreciating' one of the female guards." He said with a small laugh.

Asami's eyebrows shot up. "I do apologize, but I do not know what you speak of."

"Asami, please, my aunt is the same. Well, great-aunt technically." Iroh smiled. "I know it when I see it. She and her lover have been together for decades - since they were teenagers."

"You're kidding." Asami slipped a hand over to mouth in embarrassment for slipping into common dialogue.

"Speak as you wish around me." Iroh smiled. "I don't mind. We don't typically speak formally in my family."

"Thank you." Asami said dropping her hand. "It's nice to meet someone who isn't as rigid as my father, not to mention someone who understands."

"The Fire Nation recognizes same sex relationships. My great-aunt, the Fire Princess, married her lover with no controversy."

"Wait. The Fire Princess? As in Fire Princess Azula?" Asami spoke in disbelief. She had been aware of the Fire Princess, but not that they shared something in common, especially something so particular.

"Yes, my aunts Azula and Ty Lee. Even with all of the sibling problems she and my grandfather had, he was very supportive." Iroh said fondly. "So, to be plain, I know one when I see one."

Asami couldn't help but laugh outright. "This night is not what I expected."

"Does your father know?"

"No, I suspect my mother may have before she passed, but I've never said anything to him."

"I'm certain you know for sure."

Asami smiled. "Well, I've had women in my bed before."

"Go on." Iroh said as he raised a suggestive eyebrow.

The noblewoman rolled her eyes and shoved him playfully. "I have a feeling you and I could be good friends, Iroh."

"As do I."

"Alright." Korra whispered to her crew. "Bolin, I want you and Opal to take the western side. Mako will meet you there and help you cut off guard support."

"Captain!" A voice whispered frantically.

Korra looked up to see Kai drop down from a midlevel branch. "What?"

"The mark is in the garden. It's just him and a woman."

"Is she attractive?" Korra asked playfully.

"Like no woman I've ever seen before." He whispered so only she could hear.

Korra grinned to herself. "I may see if I can take myself a souvenir." The captain licked her lips and winked at Kai.

Bolin looked to his left, at Opal, and back to Korra. He cleared his throat. "Captain? Shall we?"

"Right. Kai, get back up and watch movements." Korra pointed at him. "Remember to only light the flair if you think it's something we can't handle."

"Aye-aye, Captain." Kai said before disappearing back up the tree.

Korra nodded at Bolin and Opal, who left for their mission. "That leaves the boy to me." Korra whispered to herself. "Maybe even a little prize, too." The Captain smirked to herself. She was very proud of the ability to talk many women into her bed. If this woman was as beautiful as Kai claimed, Korra figured she was probably as stupid. A good lay was exactly what Korra needed right now.

She slipped into the darkness and moved towards her targets.

Iroh and Asami continued their pleasant conversation. They had agreed to put on the facade of a courtship, which would allow Asami to retain some freedom. She smiled when he had mentioned that the constant wait would drive her father mad. He would be hard pressed to find someone who surpassed Iroh's credentials.

Asami thanked the Fire Princess in her mind for establishing a sense of acceptance into the Fire Nation's royal family. She turned to say something to Iroh when they heard a loud crash and some screams from the other side of the estate. They turned just in time to hear the sounds of a battle. Iroh drew his sword and held an arm out to shield Asami.

The noblewoman's eyes widened when she heard a blade whistle through the air. She shoved Iroh out of the way just in time. Half a second later she saw the blade hit a tree behind them. She and Iroh whirled around to see a dark skinned woman emerge from the darkened area of the garden, with swords drawn.

"Your highness, please, lay down your weapon and the lady won't be injured." The woman spoke. She smirked when Iroh took a defensive stance.

Iroh's mouth opened and closed. "I know you. Korra. Avatar. You're the Avatar."

"Very good, your highness. May I ask how you figured it out so quickly?" Korra asked, swinging her swords.

Iroh's grip tightened on his and he slowly moved in front of Asami. "I've seen your wanted posters. Not many Water Tribe women wield a sword, either."

Korra smirked. "You've never been to the Southern Water Tribe. Now, drop your sword and come with me before I carve up your pretty little girl."

Iroh tensed. "My guards will stop you."

"Except the fact my crew has already intercepted them. It's just you and me." Korra said with a mock bow.

"You promise not to hurt her?" Iroh said through clenched teeth.

"All we want is you for ransom. Cooperate and you won't be hurt either."

"I want a show of good faith."

Korra lowered her swords. "You have my word as the member of the Southern Tribe and my family, she won't be hurt or taken. To my people, our family is everything. We don't want to hurt anyone we just want the money."

Asami's eyes widened when Iroh lowered his sword and stabbed it into the guard before releasing it. The dark skinned woman smiled smoothly. Asami narrowed her eyes at this brash, yet attractive, woman. She grabbed Iroh's sword and swung at Korra.

Korra moved and deflected the attack quickly. This girl had some life in her. Before she could think of various unsavory activities to propose later, Asami hooked her foot behind Korra's knee and swept her leg out from under her. Korra dropped down but quickly recovered. She raised a sword to strike, but Asami spun and kicked the weapon from her hand. Korra stared at her hand stupidly before blocking Asami's strike at the last moment.

The young captain moved away quickly to examine the woman in front of her. She had classical weapons training and she was good. Korra frowned. She could only assume this was Sato's daughter. 'How could I be so stupid? I should have someone watch her. I just assumed she was a typical wealthy woman. Damn it.' Korra thought before avoiding a well-timed attack from the noblewoman.

"Stand down, you bloody pirate." Asami growled as she struck at Korra again. This time Korra felt the blade slice across her cheek. She pressed a hand to said cheek and felt a shallow cut. She raked her eyes up at this woman.

Silky ebony hair had become tussled in their fray and her cheeks were slightly flushed. Red painted lips were parted slightly and jade eyes flickered dangerously. Korra's eyes moved down Asami's form quickly, but didn't fail to notice the ample bosom and the way Asami's elegant clothing framed her curvy figure. She unconsciously licked her lips and her eyes slid back up to dangerous jade eyes.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Lady Sato." Korra said raising her remaining sword defensively. "I need to take a hostage. Ransom is an excellent way to pay the multitude of pub tabs and ration fees we rack up."

"Go to hell, criminal." Asami seethed.

Korra saw what she thought was an opening and moved to strike. Asami dropped her sword, which caused Korra to hesitate, a pale hand grabbed Korra wrist and the young captain was disabled in a fraction of a second. Korra watched her last sword fall to the ground. She managed to escape Asami's grasp with a quick backflip. The noblewoman took an offensive stance. Korra smirked, no matter how good this woman was she still had the upper hand.

The captain reached behind her back and pulled a loaded pistol out of its holster. She cocked and pointed it at Asami, who froze. Korra knew Asami was attempting to assess the situation. Unfortunately for her, Korra was too far away to be disabled. Iroh was worth far more than she was, so theoretically, Korra would have no problems shooting her.

"Asami! Stand down." Iroh called out.

Jade eyes locked on azure ones. Korra arched a dark brow before moving the pistol in Iroh's direction. Asami frowned at put her hands up.

"Move over there, away from the swords." Korra gestured with the pistol. "Down on your knees."

Asami bit her lip. 'If she is that pirate...The Avatar…what's to stop her from killing me?'

Korra's attention briefly shifted to Iroh. "You, on your knees too." Iroh complied. Korra moved to him quickly and used the butt of the pistol to knock Iroh out. Asami's blood ran cold when she saw Iroh fall, passed out, on the ground.

"Now, Lady Sato, we can do this one of two ways." Korra said turning her attention back to Asami. "One, you can keep quiet, cooperate, and you will be unharmed. Two, you attempt to fight me and find out where in your body I'm willing to shoot you. I promise, I've had little discrimination in that respect. I'll shoot you anywhere."

Asami's head hung down. "Just don't hurt him."

"Oh, he's fine. He's also not the one I'm taking." Asami snapped her head up and Korra grinned devilishly.

"What?" Asami muttered in disbelief.

Korra moved to Asami, training her pistol on her. "On your knees, my lady, if you please."

Asami grit her teeth and knelt down. When Korra came close behind her she attempted a surprise strike but she stopped suddenly. Her eyes widened; she had lost control of her body.

Korra bent down and pulled the dart from Asami's neck. She held it up to Asami's face and smirked while motioning for Kai to drop down from the tree he was in.

"My apologies, Lady Sato." She said handing the dart to Kai, who smirked as well. "You're a feisty one and we can't have you beating my crew."

Asami grit her teeth. Korra laughed and used a finger to push her back onto the ground. Asami fell like a rock, and this caused Kai to laugh.

"Now, we'll continue this conversation on the ship." Korra said smoothly, taking out a small vile. She forced Asami's mouth open and poured a bitter liquid in. "For now, why don't you take a nap?"

It was then, while her vision blurred, that Asami felt true fear.

"Remind me again why we took both of them? I thought we were just going to take the Firelord's son," Mako asked, running a hand through his spiked hair.

Korra shrugged. "The girl has a fire to her. Besides, you know I want to make that Sato man look like an ass after what he did."

Mako rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine. Where do you want The Prince?"

"Tie him up downstairs by the canons. Put a guard on him. He may be stupid, but I'm not taking chances."

"And the girl?"

"I'll take care of that." Korra said with a smirk.

Mako waved her off and made his way down the hall. Korra shook her head at his retreating back. She turned and opened the door to a small room where Asami was secured. Azure eyes fell on the limp figure tied to a chair. She grabbed the bucket of water in the room and threw it on the woman across from her, causing her to rouse from her sleep.

"What.." Asami mumbled out, struggling to open her eyes. After a moment she realized she was tied down and began to struggle.

"Relax."

Her head snapped up to see Korra in front of her. "You. Where's Iroh? Where am I?"

"Iroh is fine. Tied up downstairs."

"You said you wouldn't take him!"

"I'm a pirate, love. I lie." Korra shrugged. "Oh, and you are on a ship that's happily making it's way to sea. We've sent ransom notes to the Fire Nation and your father. Frankly, it's just a matter of time."

Asami bit her lip. "You're not going to kill me?"

Korra raised her eyebrow. "Why would I? You're worth more alive. Besides, I kind of wanted to talk to you. It's rare that I meet anymore, man or woman, who can best me in a fight."

"You what?" Asami seethed. "You captured me to talk to me?"

"You should be flattered." Korra crossed her arms.

"You're insane."

"Eccentric is the word I prefer."

Asami grit her teeth. Korra threw up her hands in defeat.

"Well, I was going to untie you." Korra said and Asami raised her eyebrows. "It's rude to leave a lady tied up."

The noblewoman frowned and sighed in resignation. "You said you weren't going to take Iroh either. I don't know if I should believe you."

"I may be a pirate, but I don't want to be too much of a bitch. Especially not to someone as beautiful as yourself." Korra said moving behind Asami. "Our captures usually have run of the ship as long as they behave. I'm serious when I say we just want the money."

Asami's anger calmed a bit, something about the way Korra spoke then made her feel it was the truth.

"I won't be harmed?"

"Not at all." Korra bent down to Asami's ear and leaned close. "Maybe I can further convince you of that later? Alone and in my bed?"

Asami gritted her teeth, again. "Not on your life, Captain. I'd fight you tooth and nail."

Korra's eyes went wide. "I would never force you! I may be a pirate, Lady Sato, but I'm not a monster. Look, we don't want to hurt you. I just want to make your father into the embarrassment that he needs to be. He sold my tribe down the river during the uprising and I want revenge. What better way than to abduct his daughter and extort the money he made off of my people's suffering?"

The noblewoman fell silent. "I am sorry about that. My father was more concerned with money than human dignity."

"I seriously doubt you had anything to do with it." Korra bent down and untied Asami's hands. "You'll be returned safely when the gold comes through."

Asami rubbed her wrists; she stood and looked down at Korra. "I'll behave if you promise that Iroh nor I will be hurt."

"What part of we only want the money don't you get?" Korra asked flatly.

"I believe you." Asami said. "Now, can I see Iroh?'

"If you wish, I can take you to him. I still have him restrained by the cannons. I was worried that he might try something while we had you tied up. I'm sure you're familiar with the rumors about the royal family."

Asami nodded. She was well aware of the wide rumors that the royal family had the ability to bend fire itself.

"You don't really believe that some people can bend the very elements to their wills, do you?" Asami asked in disbelief.

Korra smiled and moved to the door. "You have no idea what we've seen."

"Iroh!" Asami called, rushing over to the restrained man.

"Asami! Thank the Spirits, you're not hurt." He said with a relieved expression.

"See? Lady Sato is unharmed. Now, please behave."

"I am not a child, Captain." Iroh said dangerously.

"I'm not trying to treat you like one." Korra crossed her arms. "I could just leave you tied up."

Iroh frowned and looked at Asami. "Did they hurt you?"

Asami shook her head. "Not at all. I actually believe Captain Korra. They really just want the money."

He looked up and spoke to Korra.

"You should know that my family does not negotiate with your kind."

"Southerners or pirates?"

"Be serious." He said.

Korra crossed her arms. "I am being serious. I believe it was your grandfather and mother who supported the Northern invasion."

"It wasn't an invasion. It was a rebellion."

"Our people were massacred!" Korra took a defensive stance.

"The Fire Nation had no part in that! My mother condemned Chief Unalaq's use of force."

Korra threw her hands up. "Yet she did nothing when innocent people were being hauled into the street and taken off."

"That's not what happened."

The captain grit her teeth. She pulled the pistol out of her back holster and pointed it at Iroh. "I will not argue international politics. You weren't there. You didn't see what the Northern and Fire Nation soldiers did to my people." She cocked the pistol, anger flashing in her eyes. Asami's eyes widened and stepped between them.

"Stop it, both of you!" She said lifting her hands. "Iroh, just keep your mouth shut and stop denying what the Southern Raiders did. We all know they were responsible for the South Pole Massacre."

"No they weren't! It was the North!"

Korra fired a shot past Asami and into the hull of the ship. "I was there you ignorant bastard." Iroh fell silent. "My mother hid me when the Raiders swept through on the war machines built by Lord Sato. I lost my father that day. So drop the bullshit!"

Iroh's shoulders dropped. "We held accountable for those those responsible for those atrocities. We never authorized the use of deadly force."

"I understand that, but what makes me angry is that the Fire Nation tried to cover it up." Korra said seething.

"You must understand. We just came out of the Hundred Year War. We didn't need to give the world a reason to turn against us again." Iroh said desperately.

"My people were denied justice just so your nation could save face? Disgusting." Korra holstered her pistol and turned to leave the room. "You're free to move about the ship, Your Highness. Like Lady Sato, you will be released when we have the money."

Korra motioned for the guard to untie him; she turned to leave the room but stopped at the doorway and spoke. "I'll release you for now. Unlike your people, I am not a savage. Attack myself or my crew and I cannot guarantee your safety." She left the room.

Iroh sighed and shook his head.

"We did what we had to do." He said quietly.

Asami nodded. "I know, but can you blame her for being angry?"

"No, I can't."

Korra gripped the railing and gazed out over the ocean. She watched the sun rise over the water. She had spent the night tearing herself apart on the inside. She tried to push the memories out of her mind. 'Why didn't I try to stop it? Why?' Her thought terrorized her. 'If anyone had the power to stop it, I did.'

"Captain?" A voice called from behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Asami approaching. She raised an eyebrow and turned fully to see the noblewoman.

"You shouldn't have stepped in front of me." The captain said matter-of-factly.

"Would you have really shot him?" Asami questioned.

"No. You just shouldn't step in front of a loaded pistol. I'm sorry I fired past you in anger." Korra said softly.

"It's fine. I understand why you're angry." Asami said quietly. "What the Fire Nation did wasn't right. What my father did wasn't right. I…I'm sorry."

Korra frowned and crossed her arms. "I don't need your pity."

Asami shook her head. "It's not pity, it's guilt. My father built the ships and tanks that were used to massacre your people. I feel a certain amount of responsibility about this."

"You don't need to." Korra said with a heavy sigh. "Did you help him build them or something?"

"No, but he's my father."

Korra frowned. "It's fine. Once I get the money from your father, it'll be alright. My people will finally have the money to rebuild and your father will be an embarrassment."

"I can't say I blame you." Asami said. "I love my father, but he deserves this."

"I take it your father is the type to marry you off to secure an heir or some ridiculousness like that."

"Precisely."

"You're surprisingly level headed, Lady Sato."

"I get it from my mother."

Korra grinned wryly. "She sounds like an amazing woman."

"She was. She really was." Asami smiled softly and gazed over the ocean. "Everyone says I'm exactly like her."

Korra looked over at Asami who had joined her at the railing. She noticed how the wind swept Asami's raven hair around her face. Emerald eyes sparkled in the early morning light.

"I doubt she was as beautiful as you." Korra said softly.

Asami grinned. "I usually roll my eyes when people say things like that but you actually sounded sincere. Are you always this polite to your captures or are you trying to get me in bed?"

"Is it working?"

"Nope."

"Then I'm always polite to my captures."

Asami threw her head back and laughed. Korra grinned. Asami's laughter was like nothing she had ever heard before and it made her heart leap in her chest. Her smile was brighter than the sun to Korra. She couldn't stop the smile from reaching her own face.

Asami glanced over at Korra and saw the smile on the young captain's face. Azure eyes were bluer than a winter sky. She felt something tug at her heart. Hearing Korra's story touched her.

She always felt her father did the wrong thing with the attempted civil war, but the only Southerners she had ever met were servants or migrant workers. She had never had the chance to sit and talk with one; Korra was unlike anyone she had ever met. A spirited fighter, confident leader, and as much as she hated to admit it, rather charming.

"How did you sleep?" Asami asked casually. "Thank you for the room by the way. Even though you said we had run of the ship, I was actually pretty skeptical."

Korra shrugged. "I slept as I usually do. Troubled. I have a lot to deal with. I'm glad you seemed comfortable. I can't say the food is nearly as good as the hospitality."

"I'll survive." Asami said. "Have captures ever tried to fight back or escape?"

"They've tried." Korra said matter-of-factly. "Never works. I have a vigilant crew. They make trouble, I restrain them or tie them off of the mast. I offer the chance to make it easier on themselves, but some people just have to take the hard way."

Asami raised her eyebrows. "Oh my. Well, I imagine as long as they return unharmed."

"Nothing much happens after that. We have a reputation and most people don't want to explore that. Admittedly, capturing the future Fire Lord is a bit ambitious, but we need the money."

"Sometimes you have to take a chance, I guess. I'm just an added bonus?"

"Pretty much."

Asami chuckled. "If it puts my dad in his place, I'm alright with that."

"Tell me about yourself." Korra said turning her gaze back to the water. "I've realized there is more to you than just being a noble's daughter. Without Kai or my pistol you very well may have kicked my ass."

"Any more than I already did?" Asami said with a grin.

The noblewoman opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted.

"Excuse me, Captain." Korra and Asami turned to see a woman with long raven hair and golden eyes.

"Aya, what is it?" Korra asked.

"We have a problem - a big one." Aya crossed her arms and motioned to Asami. "Hiroshi Sato has refused to pay ransom for her."

"What?" Asami expressed in shock. "He refused?"

Aya handed Korra the note. Korra took it and read it with raised eyebrows. "I really did not foresee this." She bit her lip and read the note aloud. "I, Hiroshi Sato, Lord of the house Sato refuse to let myself be intimidated by rabble rousers like you and your crew. You will never feel my gold in your grasp. You and your kind are the scum of the Earth and pose no threat to anyone but yourselves."

Asami's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. 'He…He didn't even mention me in the note.'

"Wow, that is harsh. He didn't even mention you." Korra said, eyes moving to the stunned Asami. Seeing the pain on her face caused Korra to frown. "I'm sorry, Asami."

"What do we do, Captain?" Aya asked.

Korra sighed. "Send another note saying we'll kill her if he doesn't comply." She quickly turned to Asami. "We're not going to hurt you, it's just a tactic."

Asami nodded blankly. Her mind had frozen. 'All he talked about was money. I'm his fucking daughter! Not even a plea for my safety... I knew Mom dying changed him, but I thought he loved me.'

A hand on her shoulder pulled her out of her trance. Korra looked at her with concern. "Why don't you go back to bed?" She said softly. "I'll let you know when the messenger hawk returns."

Asami nodded again and wandered back to her room.

Korra sat at the desk in her cabin and stared at the note of Lord Sato.

"What kind of a monster mentions the money but not his own daughter?" She mumbled aloud. She pulled the dagger from her boot and threw it in the wall. "Particularly one like her."

She stood when she heard urgent knocking on the door.

"Captain?" Aya called from the other side. "We received word and payment from the Fire Nation. We had The Prince stuck on a boat and sent towards the fleet. We also got another note from Sato. You'll want to see this."

Korra felt a knot in her stomach and she stood. She opened the door and saw the serious expression on her navigators face. Aya entered the room.

"Fire Lord Ursa paid the full amount with the condition that we keep it quiet. I think it's just guilt because you're Southern. However, Sato is a problem." Aya crossed her arms after handing Korra the note.

She flipped open the note and read it tentatively: 'Killing my daughter will only make me a victim. It will rally others around me. Business would boom and men will volunteer to hunt you and your crew down. Now, how would it benefit you? No money and no hostage. You would be back to square one. It is far easier to sire another child than it is to obtain a fortune. Do as you will, Avatar.'

Korra was stunned. Hiroshi Sato was even more of a monster than she could have ever imagined. He would leave his only daughter at the fate of privateers. At the hands of anyone other than her, Korra shuddered to think of what would happen to Asami. Surely, the man had slowly gone mad since the death of his wife.

The captain fell back into her chair. Aya shifted uncomfortably. "What the hell do we do, Korra?" She asked.

"I…I don't know." Korra lifted her gaze to Aya. "What kind of a monster does this?"

"I'm just as stunned as you." The navigator said plainly. "What are we going to do with her? Hiroshi obviously won't pay and it doesn't really look like he wants her back."

Korra sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I'll go break the news to her."

Asami sat on the bed and stared at her hands. Her thoughts raced. 'Dad was probably just puffing his chest out. He'll send payment. I'm his last piece of Mom that he has.'

She was startled when there was a knock on the door. She moved to it and opened it cautiously. She felt a small sense of relief when she saw Korra on the other side.

"Captain!" She gushed opening the door the rest of the way. "Have you heard from my father?"

Korra entered the room. The somber expression on her face caused Asami's stomach to knot. Korra didn't speak, but simply handed Asami the note. The noblewoman's hands trembled as she took the note. Asami's heartbreak played out on her face and Korra's own heart broke for her.

She helped Asami back to the bed. Asami clasped a hand over her mouth and her tears fell. Korra slipped her arms around the noble and held her as she cried. Even if it was a different fashion, Korra knew the pain of losing a father. Asami clutched Korra and cried into her shoulder.

After a while, the tears stopped; the captain, who stroked her hair and whispered comforting words to her, soothed her whimpers.

"Are you going to kill me?" She asked quietly.

Korra pulled back and lifted Asami's face up. "No. You're safe here."

Asami nodded and rested her hand on Korra's shoulder. "What should I do?"

"We can give you what resources you would need and leave you somewhere to start over." Korra whispered. "Or, I could speak to the crew about you joining us."

The noble lifted out of Korra's arms. "Join you? I'm not a pirate."

"None of us were." Korra said gently. "You would fit right in. You have excellent combat strategy and your fighting prowess rivals mine, to a degree. I've been needing a new battle planner."

"I might as well. I have nothing else." Asami said dryly.

"How do you think we all started?" Korra asked resting a tender hand on Asami's knee. "I can speak to the crew if you'd like. A chance at a new life may be just what you need."

"You may be right, Captain." Asami nodded. "I'll just miss Iroh, I barely had the chance to say goodbye to him."

"He was your lover?"

"No." Asami raised an eyebrow and spoke bluntly. "I prefer women, perhaps that is why my father left me."

"Exactly why a new life should be enticing."

"It is."

"Should I speak to my crew?"

Asami bit her lip. After a few long moments she nodded.

"Yes."

Korra squeezed Asami's knee gently before standing. "I'll do that now. You rest. You're life has been thrown into turmoil over the past few days. However, you're among friends now."

She turned to leave the room, but Asami spoke.

"Captain, thank you." She said looking up at Korra.

Korra offered a small smile. "I know the pain of losing a father. Rest up, I'll let you know what the crew says."

First chapter of my brand new story, it started as a oneshot Tumblr prompt but is turning into so much more. Yes, Hiroshi is a monster and will become a super monster in later chapters. I love Pirate AU.

I want to give a special thanks to my new beta. She really gave this story the extra kick it need. It's all polished and clean. Check her out on the Tumblr machine: some-asian.