Chin Town, Earth Kingdom

About eight months after the wedding

Sokka

Soothing tsungi horn music floated from the corner of the eatery, where a plump middle-aged woman sat playing. The soft babble of the diners hung cheerfully in the air, giving the place a pleasant atmosphere. Outside it was storming, chilly rain coming down in buckets, but inside it was warm and happy. Sokka smiled across the table at the beautiful young woman sitting there. "You're right," he said, "This is the best place around."

Suki nodded, taking a spoonful of soup. "They have the best food and the best atmosphere. Kyoshi Island doesn't have any eateries so we have to come over here to eat out, but it's worth it." She closed her eyes as she put the soup in her mouth, savoring the spicy flavor.

Sokka took a bite of flaky fish, watching Suki. She had let her hair grow out lately, and it was down past her shoulders. Tonight she had caught up two small braids from each side and fastened them in the back of her head in a style vaguely reminiscent of Katara's hair loopies. She wasn't wearing her uniform or face paint, instead wearing a simple spring green and yellow dress and substituting a thin gold circlet for her headdress. She looked amazing. She always looks amazing.

"What's Katara up to?" Suki wondered.

"She and Aang went up to the North Pole. Katara wants to train more in healing, and they have the best healers there. They're planning on heading up to the Fire Nation for a royal visit soon, and then they'll come pick me up and we'll go down and visit the South Pole."

"Shouldn't you be living down there?" Suki wondered. "I guess I always assumed that sooner or later you'd go back to the South Pole. I mean, it is your home."

Sokka nodded. "I do miss it. But there is so much here, not the least of which is you." He reached over for her hand. "This is where you live and where you belong, so I'll be here too."

Suki smiled. "You're so sweet, Sokka."

The door to the eatery opened, and a gust of rain and wind entered the room with the latest arrival. Sokka looked over and frowned. "Hey, isn't that Ty Lee?"

Suki twisted in her chair, raising an eyebrow. "It is." She stood up. "Ty Lee?"

The girl turned at Suki's voice and headed over to their small table, rainwater dripping off her uniform and the end of her soggy braid. Normally bubbly and cheerful, Ty Lee had an unusually somber look on her face. "There's a call, Suki."

Suki frowned. "From whom? What's it about?"

Ty Lee wrung out her braid. "Pirates," she said grimly. "Down near the Foggy Swamp. Omashu just sent most of it's soldiers north towards Ba Sing Se, supposedly to stabilize it after the assassination attempt on King Kuei. Never mind the fact that that leaves Omashu virtually defenseless. King Felao has no idea what he's doing. We just got a hawk from Bepai; they're being attacked. However, there doesn't seem to be that many pirates. Bepai just needs some decent warriors to sort it out before the whole town is wiped out."

Suki scowled. "I miss King Bumi. He could always keep order." She turned towards Sokka. "I'm so sorry, Sokka," she told him sadly. "But this is urgent. I have to go."

He stood too, trying to keep the unhappiness off his face. "I understand. Stay safe."

Suki gave him a quick kiss and turned to follow Ty Lee. "I'll be back by the full moon, Sokka," she called.

Two weeks. I can wait two weeks for the love of my life. He waved as she hurried out into the rainy night. The other Kyoshi Warriors would no doubt have the land coaches ready to go, and Suki would just get in and ride away. Just come back to me.