Six months ago...
The familiar icy white expanse did not seem to bring me comfort, only loneliness. It has been almost three years since Zaheer nearly killed Korra, and she has never recovered from it. Not that I can blame her, I haven't either.
Korra puts up an act that she is fine and healed. It took her months to walk, but with encouragement from Katara, she did it. Korra easily beat me in a fight, and after two years, she seemed to be all there.
I sighed as I walked away from the dock and towards Korra's home. Two years of acting as the Avatar, this was never what I was meant to do, and it was putting a definite strain on my engagement to Iroh.
There has not been any time for us to wed. We never know when we are going to be free to see each other, there is no definites in our lives. We still moments when we can find them, but both of us are tired. Since Kuvira took control, things have gotten better, but it's still not enough.
"I don't know how Korra has all of that energy to look at this positively," I said aloud.
"I have a lot of practice," a voice said behind me.
"Korra!" I said with joy as she barreled into me with a hug. "I've missed you!"
"I've missed you as well," Korra said smiling at me, but she didn't have the sparkle in her eyes. "I was wondering when you would get in."
I smiled sheepishly, "the boat was delayed."
"I'm just glad you're here now," Korra said as she led me into the house.
"Yue, it's good to see you," Tonraq said as I walked in.
"It's good to see you all as well," I said.
"How have things been?" Senna asked me as I took off the huge puffy coat I wore.
"Busy," I said simply.
"How is Iroh?" Korra asked.
"Trying to keep his grandmother from swimming all of the way from the Fire Nation to the Northen Water Tribe," I said with a laugh.
"That's right," Tonraq said. "Mari and Desna are expecting their first child."
"Desna?" Korra asked in surprise.
"I'm still not sure how that happened," I muttered.
"Desna as a father sounds scary," Korra agreed before growing quiet.
"Everything all right, sweetie?" Senna asked her concerned.
"There's something I need to tell you both," Korra said. "And Yue as well."
"What is it?" I asked.
"I want to go back to Republic City," Korra said, much to my surprise.
"Are you sure?" Senna asked.
"I know I'm not one hundred percent yet, but I feel like I've hit a wall. I need to be where the action is, where my friends are," Korra said with a smile.
"I'll have the White Lotus prepare a boat and they can take you back to Republic City as soon as you're ready," Tonraq said.
"I'll go with you," I added.
"No, I want to go alone," Korra said shaking her head. "You came her to spend time with me, but I know you have to go to the Fire Nation right after. You have too many responsibilities for me to ask you to drop everything to escort me."
"But Korra," I said gently. "You're my best friend, I don't want you to go alone."
"It'll be good for me," Korra said smiling. "And I'll have some time for me to clear my head."
"If you're sure," Tonraq said.
"I'll be fine," Korra said smiling.
"I won't be there when you get to Republic City," I told her hesitantly.
"I think it's time I stopped using you as a crutch, Yue. You've put your life on hold for me," Korra said putting a hand on my arm. "I think it's time for you to continue."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"Next time I see you," Korra said. "It'll be for your wedding, and now you have time to plan it..."
~*~
Present.
I stood watching from the sidelines as President Raiko gave a speech. Iroh was due to arrive any day now with his cousin Mika, and we were finalizing the plans for our wedding. It has taken a lot of effort from Tenzin, agreements with Izumi, and lots of threatening from Lady Emiko to nail down a day where we are all sure nothing bad will happen.
"And of course, my biggest thanks goes to Asami Sato and Future Industries," President Raiko said. "She brought our old central terminal into the modern era. Ladies and gentlemen, the World is entering a new age of peace and prosperity. Soon, Prince Wu will take his rightful place on the Earth Kingdom throne. And thanks to our updated rail system, Republic City and the Earth Kingdom will be united like never before."
The crowd applauded as Raiko held the ribbon taut and Asami cut it with some very decorative golden scissors. The cameras flashed as they posed for pictures, and then Asami was dragged to the side for some interviews.
I was just going to sneak away, but then I saw Prince Wu go up to annoy Asami. "Hey there, Asami right? Great train house. Maybe you can give me a personal tour some time, what do you say?"
"I do like the idea of putting you on a train and sending you far, far away," Asami said as she crossed her arms.
"That's- that's funny. I like funny dames," Prince Wu said as I stepped up. "Maybe I should introduce myself, I'm Prince Wu, future King." He should add being a jerk to that list as well.
"Yeah," Asami said with a raised eyebrow. "I'm aware of who you are. Yue has told me all about you."
"Don't let my reputation intimidate you," Wu said. "I'm still human just like everyone else, only more human, like extra-human, or, hmm, super-human."
"Super-human?" We asked together.
"So, what do you say? Can I show you a low-key night out with a super-human soon to be King?" Wu asked and I resisted the urge to gag.
"Prince Wu," a familiar voice says as Mako walks up. "President Raiko has some really important king stuff to talk to you about.
"Now?" He asked with a sigh. "Fine. Think over the offer, I'll be back."
"You almost married that guy?" Asami asked.
I shrugged, "considering my options."
"He's a real charmer, huh?" Mako asked.
"He's something," Asami said. "How can you stand being his bodyguard?"
"Well, I just remind myself that once he's on the throne, I go back to being a detective," Mako asked.
"And that works?" I asked in surprise.
"I also go home and smash my head into the wall for an hour. You know, just to get the stress out," Mako said, making us laugh.
"It's good to see you, Mako. It's been too long," Asami said. "You hear from Bolin lately?"
"I haven't talked to him for a while, but he's coming in a few days for the coronation," Mako said. "And Bei Fong told me that Korra is getting in tonight."
"I can't wait to see her," Asami said with a smile. "It's gonna be weird having the old Team Avatar back in the city after all these years."
"And they're not the only ones coming in," Mako said as he smirked at me.
I rolled my eyes, "Iroh should be here around the same time as Bolin. He's also bringing his cousin Mika with."
"When is the wedding?" Asami asked.
"It will be after the coronation," I explained. "Iroh has to be here to represent the Royal Family. We figured that everyone will be focused on Wu that we'll be ignored."
"Is it going to be in the Fire Nation?" Mako asked curiously.
"It'll be here," I said. "Considering our two nations would not be happy if we favored one over the other. So, President Raiko agreed to let us have it here."
"The Royal Family of the Fire Nation is coming here?" Mako asked nervously.
"Don't worry, Lin has been getting ready for them all coming for a while," I told Mako with a wink. "Besides, Lady Emiko will keep her family in line."
~ ********* ~
I sat next to Asami as we listened to Meelo. "When Korra gets here, I bet she's not even gonna know who I am."
"Why is that?" Ikki asked.
"Because Meelo the Boy has turned into Meelo the Man," Meelo announced.
"Right, you're completely unrecognizable," Ikki said sarcastically.
"He has hair, that's why she won't be able to recognize him," I whispered to Asami.
She laughed and then looked at Mako with concern, "it looks like he's having a bad day."
"I'll go check on them?" I questioned as I stood up and walked over to Mako and Lin. "What's going on?"
"I'm stuck with Prince Wu," Mako said.
"I tried to get you out of it, but it's over my head," Lin explained. "Wu personally asked Raiko. He said he doesn't know what he'd do without you."
"So you're going to Ba Sing Se again," I said.
"This can't be happening," Mako panicked. "I'm not even an Earth Kingdom citizen, I work for the Republic City Police Department."
"Not anymore. You're just a pawn in Raiko's diplomatic game," Lin said. "You can try talking to him, but I don't think he's going to let you quit."
"Raiko isn't the only one who can play that game," I said.
"What are you saying?" Mako asked.
"I would like one of my closest friends at my wedding," I told him.
"I would also like some help with keeping track of the Fire Lord's family," Lin sighed.
Mako sighed and then we heard footsteps, an air acolyte walked in. "There's a Southern Water Tribe ship pulling up to the dock."
"Korra!" Ikki and Meelo said in excitement.
I shared an excited glance with Mako before I ran out of the building. The ship came to the dock and out walked Tonraq with Iroh and his cousin Mika. Mika had been staying in the Southern Water Tribe, so Iroh went to go and grab her. I thought Korra would have been here a few days ago, but I assumed she decided to wait for Iroh to interrogate him.
"Iroh!" I said as I ran into his arms.
"I am chopped liver," Mika said crossing her arms.
I smiled sheepishly as I gave her and Tonraq a hug, I looked into the ship, but was met with confusion. "Tonraq, it's good to have you back in the city, and everyone is excited to see the Avatar again," Tenzin said.
"What do you mean?" Tonraq asked.
"Isn't Korra already here?" Mika asked.
"No, we thought she was coming with you," Tenzin said.
"Especially when she didn't come in yesterday," I told him.
"Korra left the South Pole six months ago. She's written me letters. She said she was here in Republic City," Tonraq said looking at me confused.
"She told me that she changed her mind," I said in confusion.
"I assure you, your daughter's not here," Tenzin told Tonraq.
"Then where is she?" Tonraq asked concerned.
~****~