The next morning I woke up to find myself still wrapped in Korra's arms. I would have loved to stay there all day, but there was still that storm coming, and I had work to do, so I carefully tried to slip out of her arms to get started. That didn't go well, for she shifted and held on even tighter. I suppose a few more minutes couldn't hurt. Besides, after a night like last night, I think I deserve to sleep in.
"Auntie Soraaamiii! Breakfast!"
Korra groaned and grumbled under her breath, nuzzling her face into my back.
"All right Ikki. I'll be there in a few minutes," I called back, hoping the hyper Airbender child wouldn't decide to come in.
"Hurry! Daddy says we're going to have company soon!" she chirped before running off. Company? Who could be coming here?
"Don't wanna get up," Korra whined against me.
"We have to," I replied trying to wiggle away, to no avail.
"Just a few more minutes," she insisted.
"Someone's bound to barge in. You know that right?" I pointed out.
"Let them," she responded simply. "I don't care what they think."
"So…wait. What do you mean? What should they think?" Hope fluttered in my stomach.
"They know we're practically sisters. They should think that I'm just here to comfort you," she said, not catching what I was hinting at. My hope sunk.
"True."
To avoid showing my disappointment, I settled back against her and closed my eyes. At some point I would tell her, but not right now.
"Sorami, are you going to eat? Everyone's already…" Bolin slowly trailed off as he realized that I wasn't alone in bed. "I…uh… I didn't mean…"
"Nothing's going on Bolin. I had a nightmare last night and Korra was comforting me. That's all," I explained, easing his awkward discomfort.
"Oh ok. Well, you might want to come eat. We're going to meet General Iroh at the docks soon."
My heart jumped through my throat. "Iroh?"
"Yeah! He's coming to visit before going back to the Earth Kingdom to smooth out some disturbances."
I swallowed thickly. "Ok. I'll be up in a minute."
"Korra, Pema made your favorite. Biscuits with moon peach jam."
"I'm up!" she said instantly, hopping out of bed and darting to her room to dress. I smiled slightly, amused by her reaction.
"Hey, is something bothering you Sorami?" Bolin asked, probably noticing my discomfort. I sighed.
"I had been with Zuko romantically for a while before I had to cut it off because I couldn't provide heirs. Iroh is so much like him…it hurts me sometimes Bolin. I miss Zuko so much…" Tears began to well up in my eyes. He came and sat beside me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
"Hey, it's going to be ok. Maybe it got better."
"I don't know Bo. I loved Zuko. There where points where I couldn't even look Mako in the eye because they reminded me so much of him. Seeing Iroh… I don't know if I'll be able to stay together," I whispered leaning against him for support. Korra might be able to keep the nightmares away, but Bolin was the rock in my life. Strong, sturdy, able to hold me above water when I began to sink.
"You have Korra don't you? You can deny it all you want, but I remember some of that night, and I remember you two dancing. I can still see it in your eyes. When you were saying that she was just comforting you, it looked like you wanted to cry almost. You love her, Sorami. Why don't you just admit it?"
I bit my lip. "Because I don't want to get hurt. After two-hundred years of rejection or having to leave the person I love, it gets a little hard to open up, you know?"
"I understand perfectly, but Sorami, Korra is the perfect match for you! You don't have to worry about heirs or whatever. She's the Avatar, so you don't have to worry about protecting her. And I know she feels the same, because I found her sleeping in the same bed with you, and she never does that, not to mention that she basically professed her love that night if I remember correctly, so what are you so afraid of?"
"Rejection? Having her torn from me by a foe too strong? Losing her at the end of her life? I might be able to cross the boundary to the Spirit World, but it still doesn't make up for that hole they leave. I still cry over losing Aang. What would I do if I lost the person I allowed myself to fully love?"
"You would grieve. You would allow yourself to hurt. Then you would go and find love again. Or you would find a way to have them reincarnated and retain their memory so you could love them for another life cycle. Death isn't the end Sorami. It's just another stage of life."
I blinked. "When did you get so wise Bolin?"
He smiled. "When my friends need me to be."
Korra came skipping back to my room just as I finished brushing my hair. "Come on come on! There's moon peach jam!" she said excitedly grabbing my hand. I laughed as she practically dragged me to the kitchen. Everyone was there, as if they were waiting for us.
"It's about time you two got up!" Tenzin scolded, though it was more directed at Korra.
"It was my fault Tenzin. I held her up telling her about a nightmare I had last night. Don't be upset," I said automatically, not wanting Korra to be unnecessarily blamed. Tenzin just nodded.
"Go on and eat you two. Iroh should be here within the hour."
I felt the blood drain from my face, but I tried to hide it by grabbing a biscuit and globbing jam onto it.
"We haven't seen him since Amon disappeared. I can't wait until he gets here," Korra said, promptly shoving her biscuit in her mouth.
"And I hope you will be on your best behavior. He may be a friend, but he's still an honored general and deserves respect."
"Yeah yeah Tenzin. Avatar, behavior, press, yada yada," she mumbled through her mouthful, waving him away impatiently.
He sighed, shook his head, and walked out, most of the group following. The only ones left were Bolin, Mako, Korra, and me. Bolin was giving me a sympathetic look. Mako was stealing glances at Korra, obviously still interested in her.
"Sooo… Nice morning right?" Bolin said, trying to break the awkward silence.
"Mornings are evil," Korra replied simply, taking another bite. I snickered.
Maybe seeing Iroh wouldn't be as painful as I thought. After all, I had my friends and family there for me.
I hung back slightly, clenching and unclenching my fists nervously. It's been years since I've seen Iroh, or been to the Fire Nation at that. This would be tense in more ways than one.
"There! I see his balloon!" Korra announced pointing at a dark blob moving across the blue sky. I bit my lip. Time was running short.
The balloon landed at the dock, hovering just over the water. The door opened slowly, only adding to the tension building in my stomach. Then he was there, three guards trailing nearby. My stomach knotted, a cold sweat breaking out across my forehead.
"Iroh!" Korra called happily, not even hesitating in running to give him a platypus-bear hug. Tenzin sighed and shook his head.
"Hello Avatar Korra," Iroh greeted her warmly. His voice hit me like a wave, nearly knocking me off my feet. Then his eyes found me. "Is that…?"
Korra turned and followed his gaze. "You know Sorami?" she asked.
"Yes. She used to visit when I was young." He began to walk toward me, never breaking eye contact. "But she stopped soon after I became a teenager."
"Why?" Korra asked.
"I intend to find out," Iroh replied. He was nearly in front of me now; I was shaking like a leaf in a storm. He stopped. "Hello Sorami."
"Hello Iroh," I whispered in response. Suddenly I was pulled into a hug.
"Why did you leave?" he whispered against my head. "I've missed you, and Grandfather has been wanting to see you again for a long time now."
"It reminded me of what I had given up," I replied, the tears from earlier escaping down my cheeks.
"It doesn't have to be this way," he said, making me flinch.
"He said the same thing," I croaked.
"Well it doesn't! Just because you two decided to end the relationship romantically doesn't mean that it has to end friendship-wise."
"I can hardly talk with you without falling apart Iroh. How can I see Zuko again and stay in one piece?"
"Let yourself love again, but this time as a close friend. It doesn't have to hurt Sorami. You can love a friend." He was right, but it was still hard. "Just…please try. We miss you so much."
"I miss you guys too," I whispered, knowing I couldn't stay away any longer. They were my family too, and cutting them out of my life was no longer an option.
After that hard yet heartfelt greeting, Iroh was soon whisked away by Korra, who wanted to spar. She was jumping around like an excited polar bear-dog pup! So as they went to spar, I began my planned strengthening of the house. Despite the nice weather today, I knew that the storm would be here within the next couple of days, and it was just gaining strength as it came. We'll be lucky if the island isn't flooded! I should probably construct a dome or wall of some sort…
A warm hand grabbed my shoulder, startling me enough to nearly slug the person connected to it. Luckily I saw it was Mako before it was too late.
"Jeez you scared me! You really shouldn't sneak up on me like that!"
He snorted. "Sorry."
"So what do you need?" I asked catching my breath again.
"I was just wondering what that whole scene was about with Iroh." And there goes my breath again.
"I used to be with Zuko. It…didn't work out," I replied softly.
"So that was the reason you left without saying goodbye," Mako said, finally completely understanding.
I nodded.
He rubbed the back of his head, his eyes downcast as he shifted from one foot to the other. "I'm…I'm sorry…for everything. I didn't know…"
"It's fine Mako. I understand. I've been there. You have to remember that I've been around long enough to have pretty much every heartbreak possible happen to me," I reminded him.
"And that's what makes this worse. I was making it that much harder for you." I pressed my finger against his lips.
"Stop it. You were hurt. You were just lashing out. I forgive you. That's all there is to it."
"Well still. I'm sorry," he repeated after I took my finger away.
"And you are forgiven," I echoed.
He smiled slightly. "Thank you for being patient with me Sorami. I promise to be a better friend from now on."
I have him a quick hug. "I'm just glad to hear you call us friends again."
The reinforcing with Spirit Earth didn't take nearly as long as I originally thought it would. It was only about mid-day and I was finished. Guess I had enough time to swing by the orphanage after all. I was just about to leave when I remembered that Korra wanted to tag along, so I took out my glider and went to find her.
As it turned out, she was still sparring with Iroh, so I paused to watch. He always had been good as a child, so it didn't surprise me when Korra was forced on the defensive multiple times. Over the years, he had learned to watch the opponent's moves to foresee where they would move, making him a very challenging person to match, as Korra was quickly finding out. After some time, he managed to get her on her back, a triumphant smile on his face. She scowled up at him.
"You have improved since our last match Korra, but you still get caught up in sheer force when you're forced on the defensive. Keep light on your feet and watch your opponent and you'll be able to strike back quicker and more accurately as well as dodge their attack," he suggested helping her to her feet.
"Also think of your Airbending training. You can't always rely on force to accomplish something," I added, pushing away from the tree.
"Same time tomorrow," she demanded, determination shining in her eyes.
"Of course Avatar Korra," he replied with a slight bow.
"Ok, how many times have I told you? Just call me Korra!" she huffed crossing her arms. He smiled.
"About twenty-five counting this time."
"Can you actually listen this time?"
"Nope."
I laughed, now remembering why I had come over in the first place. "I'm going into the city Korra. Did you want to come with?"
"Yeah! Just give me a sec to go tell Tenzin," she replied.
"You go ahead. I'll go let him know," Iroh interrupted. She shot him a smile.
"Thanks Iroh! You're the best!" she exclaimed, giving him a quick hug. "Let's go Sorami."
Again, she practically dragged me to our destination with me laughing the entire way.
I can't believe an entire week has gone by already! I'm so sorry for not updating for so long! Guess musical is taking up more time than I thought. As compensation I will try to get up a second chapter tonight. Thank you for being so patient with me :)