A/N So this is an idea for a story that I started a long time ago. I just found it now and decided to dust it off edit it and share it with you. A lot of what I write (the little details like the name of Iroh's ship) was originally from this story and was going to be published before I started on Beyond the Void for any one who remembers when that story originally came out. So I hope you enjoy!

Time Gone by

Chapter: The Sea of Ice and Fire

Korra wrestled with the collar on her dress for the fourth time that hour. She hadn't worn traditional Water Tribe clothing in a long time and now she was remembering why. She looked around the bridge as United Forces sailors tended to their posts. Outside the rain pelted the glass windows and lightning flashed illuminating a raging sea with pillars of ice rising up to the sky. Even on the bridge of the massive war ship the pillars towered over them. The waves rocked the ship so much every one on the bridge almost feel over every few moments. To her left General Iroh was talking to the captain.

"And you're sure we are in the correct area?" General Iroh asked looking around at their surroundings. "This place is extremely dangerous to navigate in good weather. Why the hell would Tenzin want to meet up with us here in this weather?"

"I don't know Sir, this is just what our code breaker told us."

"I wish they'd get here faster." Iroh whispered under his breath. He looked over at Korra who was messing with her collar again. "You're just going to aggravate your neck more you know. Why'd you choose to wear that anyway?"

"I haven't seen any of them in almost four years. I just wanted to be more recognizable." She gestured to the dress, "I just forgot how these clothes make me look fat and itchy."

"It's the fur." Iroh said nonchalantly. "It's meant to keep you warm but since your not used to it, it makes you itchy. And you're not fat."

"Yeah to you. To them I'll be a blimp."

He shook his head, "They're not going to think you've gotten fat either. If they are really coming," another wave rocked the ship sending it dangerously near an ice pillar. "Damn it, Tenzin, why did you pick this place?"

Korra looked down at the deck. "Do you want me to go below and help the other water benders with calming the seas?"

Iroh shook his head, "I don't think that's going help any." He looked at the solider manning radio. "Markos any word from the Gorgon or the Chimera? Do you know if either of them are not stuck in these ice pillars?"

"Yes Sir, I just got a report from the Gorgon. It never left port, engine troubles. I'm still trying to get a lock on the Chimera's position. I do know they left port right after us but if they entered the ice pillars with us I don't know."

"Keep the lines open."

"Yes Sir, but this storm has been wreaking havoc on transmissions, if I do get through to either of the ships what are you orders?"

"If you reach the Gorgon tell them to stay in port until the weather clears. If you reach the Chimera and they're not stuck in this maze tell them to return to port."

"And if they are sir?"

"Tell them not to get themselves sunk, back up is not going to come in this storm."

Markos nodded and went back to his radio.

"This ship can take a few hits right?" Korra asked. "I mean The Leviathan has never let us down before."

Iroh gritted his teeth as another wave crashed over the bow and they drifted dangerously close to a pillar, "We've never sailed her through iceberg city in a bloody hurricane before either. We can't even clear a few of these things away without causing more chaos."

Korra nodded, "Well I always wanted to go iceberg dodging."

"Yeah, I just wish we weren't doing it with a battle ship. I swear if we sink I will come back and haunt Tenzin until he joins us in the spirit world."

Korra crossed her arms. "If we sink I'll help. I mean it's been four years since the whole," She put on her best Tenzin impression, " 'We need to split every one up to find the Red Lotus,' and the President's idea of 'Hey! Avatar Korra you should travel with the General with a three ship fleet-y-thing and you can find Zaheer and keep the Prince safe since it appears Zaheer likes to kill Royalty!' honestly was any of this a good idea." Korra groaned. "And now after all that time we get a message to come here, icy death ally, to meet up with Tenzin and whoever still cares about the Red Lotus! Which is probably no one! Because everyone hated the Earth Queen! I mean really what the fuck did they did they send us out here? Did they just want to see if we'd come running to the worst time and place to meet up ever?"

Iroh looked a little shocked. "I'm going to go out on a limb here and state the obvious but you seem more upset then I am."

She crossed her arms. "Well maybe I am."

Iroh's face softened, "You mind telling me why?"

"I see them!" A sailor called out interrupting conversation.

Iroh nodded at the Captain who was grabbing the ship's intercom. "Deck crew ready for our guests, make sure your tether's tied properly and, aside from the Bison, escort them all to General's office."

From the cloud line descended a flying bison. The large beast landed on the slippery deck and United Forces sailors rushed out in heavy winter coats to help the Bison's passengers off and to take it down in to the hull where it would be fed and kept out of the icy cold rain. Another wave rocked the boat tossing those on the deck about like dolls.

"They'll be knocked off the edge of the boat! They need help!" Korra yelled as she started to run down to the deck.
"Korra wait!" Iroh yelled after her, He turn to the Captain, "Keep the ship as steady as you can!"

.o.

Teniz looked at the storm raging around him. It had come up so fast he almost turned around but Kya had convinced him that if they did they would have put General Iroh's ships in danger for no reason.

"It's dangerous I know but Oogy can handle it." She said, "And anyway we don't have any radio equipment we can't tell them to turn back."

The others in the group had also agreed and so Tenzin steered the Bison on and above any weather he could. When the reached the meeting aria he flew down past the clouds and into the rain. He saw Iroh's flagship the Leviathan practically trapped in between five ice columns. About seven lieges away was the Chimera just as trapped. He couldn't even see the third ship. Had it been sunk? He hoped not. Tenzin gulped once the storm was over it would not be easy getting the ships out but right now it was impossible.

With a thud they landed on the deck. He could see people running out to help them. Then a giant wave crashed against the ship causing every one to stumble and slide against the wet metal floor. From one door Tenzin saw a young water tribe woman run out. She used her bending to bend wave back before it hit the ship but another from the other side rose up and crashed into her. He thought I must have knocked her over board but then he saw the white and blue glow and the woman was now standing on a funnel of water.

Tenzin had not seen Korra enter the avatar state since Harmonic Convergence and now he could feel the power radiate form her. He watched as she looked to her right to where the Chimera lay trapped and with one had she bent the ice to move away and she pulled the ship in next to the Leviathan. Then she made the ice pillars move out until they encircled the two ships then they started to grow like trees spouted out icy limbs that interwove. Soon they were encased in what could only be considered an intricate icebox the top of which had no holes to let the rain in. The side of the box protected them from big waves but still had holes to let in air and water in and equalize.

Tenzin was so taken by the icebox he didn't notice Korra leave the avatar state and fall. Fortunately, Iroh, who had chased after her, hadn't taken his eyes off her and caught her. She was just coming to as Tenzin approached them. He watched as General Iroh helped Korra to her feet. When he was close she bowed.

"Master Tenzin, I'm glad you could made it here safely." Tenzin could hear the hostility in his former pupil's voice. When she stood he saw that she was not quite the same girl he has sent away four years ago. At the age of 24 Korra had grown in to a beautiful woman with shapely hips and bust. While she still retained the two locks of hair by her face and her bangs she had lost the high ponytail in favor of a long braid. The most striking change was the water bender's eyes; the four years apart had turned them sharp like a wolf's eyes.

"It is good to see you Avatar Korra." He bowed, "I sense that my visit troubles you."

"You asked us to meet you in a sea of ice columns in the middle of a hurricane. I don't mean to sound overly cross but this put hundreds of lives at risk." She looked up at him and then hugged him. "I've missed you Tenzin."

Tenzin hugged her back. "I have missed you too Korra."

Korra stepped back and surveyed the rest of the group. She smiled when she saw that Bolin, Mako, Asami, Lin, and Kya had come. Also among the group was a figure in a robe. Curious Korra made her way over to the figure as she approached the figure pulled her hood down. Korra's eyes widened.

"Jenora is that you?" the young woman nodded.

"Yep its me and look!" She held up her hands. "I got my tattoos!" Which was true, her hands and forehead now had the traditional blue arrow tattoos of an air bender.

"That's awesome!" Korra smiled, "Congratulations! Man that must have taken forever!"

Jenora nodded, "Yeah dad fainted twice while I was getting them done which sucked because he was the one doing them."

"Ouch, I would've hated it that happened to me." She looked past Jenora at the others. Of her three friends Asami had changed the least, in fact except for her hair being pulled back in a bun and being wet, she hadn't changed at all. Mako looked broader in the shoulder his hairstyle had changed to be a bit less teenager and more police officer but he was still Mako. Bolin was the one who seemed to change the most with his cheekbones being more pronounce and sporting a mustache that really didn't fit his face. I hope someone's told him that doesn't look good on him. She thought looking at it.

Mako seemed to catch on to what Korra what looking at. "You see Bo, even Korra thinks it looks weird."

"Well can't blame me for trying." Bolin shrugged before holding his arms out wide. "Hug?"

Korra hugged her old friend. "Ew, your really wet. We should get you all inside and changed before you all get sick."

Korra usurer the group into the ship and towards the rooms intended for visitors. As they walked Asami managed to get to the front of the pack and walk next to Korra.

"Hey, long time not talk." Asami smiled.

"Yeah I know, I've been hating this lack of communication with everyone thing. I mean I've literally had no idea what you or any one else is up to!"

"I'm engaged!" Bolin yelled from the back of the group.

"Who?!"

"Opel!"

"Awesome, buddy you'll have to tell me more at dinner!" She turned back to Asami, "Well I know that now but what's up with you? It's just been so long."

Suddenly from the back of the group came Bolin's voice again. "Hey, wait Captain Beifong once I marry Opel do I get to call you Auntie Lin?"

"Only if you're not attached to your knee caps." The whole group laughed.

Asami wiped a tear from her eye. "You're right it has been way too long. There's so much I mean you've changed so much."

Korra raised an eyebrow, "Really? How have I changed?" Korra looked down at her dress she was never going to wear this thing again.

Asami giggled, "I meant you're demeanor has changed. You look well calmer and wiser. Less hot headed."

Korra laughed, "There's three whole ships that would say other wise." Korra giggled, "Oh spirits the stories they're going to tell you when I'm not there. Ehh, So how's business?"

"It's going great! I just released a bunch of new Satomoblie models. Maybe once this is over I'll finally finish teaching you how to drive." Asami glanced over at Iroh. "Unless a certain handsome general beat me to it."

Korra shook her head, "I'm actually not allowed near the auto pool on The Chimera." She gave Asami a mischievous look. "Asami are you developing a crush on the good general?"

Asami was about to answer but was cut off by Mako, "Hey ladies I know that you two haven't seen each other for an eternity but could you wait for your girl talk when its just you too?"

Asami patted him on the head, "Sure Mako I forget you're not used to being around so many women."

Mako looked offended, "I'm used to women! I work with Chief Beifong everyday!" Asami sent him a telling glance, "And I-I'm used to women!"

Bolin put a hand on his brother's shoulder, "I don't think your going to win this one bro, just quit now it will be easier. Let it go. They're in a pack now it's dangerous to anger them in a pack."

The group stopped when they came to a part of the hall that had six open doors, three on each side. "Well here we are." Korra turned to face the group. "Ok so these six rooms are the only empty ones on the ship." She looked at the seven people in front of her. "So, uh, there are multiple beds in some of the rooms for sharing if you guys want or I can check for an empty room on the Chimera if you don't."

Asami put a hand on Korra's shoulder, "This is fine, I'm sure we'll find two people who are willing to share and if not Mako and Bolin can bunk together."

Korra nodded, "Well ok, I'm going to go let you guys get settled. There's a phone in each of the rooms my number's on a card. Once you all are in dry clothes we will meet in General Iroh's office and talk about the information you brought." She turned to walk way but stopped, "Oh, since it's a hurricane night, the ship has a little tradition of turning the mess hall into a music and dance hall after dinner so you know. You're all invited of course don't worry about what you're warning either it's not that formal at all I mean you can dress up, but most don't." Korra sighed she was rambling again. "I'll tell you more about it at dinner. You guys really need to get out of those wet clothes."

Before she could ramble on more she left the group to their own devices and headed to her own room. Locking the door behind her she leaned against it. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. They all seemed the same, barely a difference. She knew she had changed, god knows she changed. She looked around her room. Would they hate her for how much she changed? Would they hate her for the secrets she would have to keep form them? Would they forgive her when she did tell them the truth?

She stripped of her wet clothes and changed into her usual attire with her questions unanswered. She looked over on the top of her dresser where she kept a few of her books. There sitting next to a copy of air bending forms was a large binder of a book. She picked it up and looked at the front cover. The Cover read My Life, next to it was a picture of her and Iroh laughing, his arms around her waist. Korra touched the dog tags around her neck. She had wound the chain around her neck twice so it was more of a choker.

"Oh, guys I really hope you forgive me."

A/N: Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. As always comment if you feel so compelled. ~ C.C.