"Suki..."
"Hello... Sokka."
This is when Sokka knew. Everyone had this planned, didn't they?
Awkward tension filled the air. The silence in the dining table was surreal. Hearts were beating rapidly. For the first time in eighteen years, Sokka and Suki finally caught sight of each other physically.
Of course, Suki still saw pictures of him in the newspaper every now and then. He was even more handsome than he was in the pictures. She can see his muscles and good physique outlined through the slim shirt he was wearing. This man was always easy on the eyes, especially for her.
Sokka, on the other hand, never even seen her once ever since he left Kyoshi Island that day. However, seeing her here right now wearing a simple light green dress, auburn hair falling right above her shoulders, and her purple eyes staring right into him, Sokka knew one thing: This woman is just as beautiful as when I first saw here.
Suki walked slowly to the table. Even though she is still nervous and feels uneasy, at least the conversation started. She took the chair on the opposite side of the table that faced Sokka directly and sat down, speaking to him, "It's nice to see you again."
He was speechless. There was no words he can think of to say. This was a sudden surprise. Had he knew he was going to see Suki again, he would have practiced his emotions for this meeting. Yet, there was one thing he knew he can say first, "It's nice to see you again too, Suki." It wasn't a lie of course.
Suki smiled nonetheless, and was happy to see Sokka smiling too. This meeting so far had a good start. Now it's time for her to find something interesting to talk about to prevent any awkward silences.
"I can't believe you're the chairman of the council," Suki claimed enthusiastically, "This whole nation probably bows down to you."
The chairman himself chuckled lightly. Boy, he missed that charming voice so much. "Oh it could be bitter work sometimes, but you know, I'm just trying my best to help keep this nation and the rest of the world intact."
"You seem to be doing a good job Sokka," Suki replied happily, "The Avatar and the Firelord better watch out. They started this nation and who knows, the chairman will probably take over."
"Haha, maybe you're right Suki. The Avatar is too busy babying the new bison herd he found while the Firelord still tries to gain more honor. Typical."
Both the chairman and the Kyoshi warrior laughed. Eighteen years, and they can still have a normal conversation. One with smiles and laughter. Better to have started off the night this way. They both decided to eat dinner together, using forks and knives to cut pieces of the roasted chicken on the center of the table to eat with their separate plates of rice.
"So Suki, tell me about you. How's Kyoshi Island?"
"The island's going great! Thanks for asking! I'm still a warrior. I'm still teaching young ones. Ty Lee helps me a lot. And of course, I have Le-" Suki paused right before she finished the last part of her sentence, while also noticing Sokka raising an eyebrow to what Suki was trying to say. This wasn't the right time to mention Lei. Not yet. "I have lots of teenagers and young kids to teach. Great to see some business at the dojo."
"Really now?" Sokka was intrigued. Honestly, he's glad to know Suki herself is on a good path. "That's great!"
"Yes indeed," Suki adds, "And the island as a whole is doing quite well too. Of course, we don't have an actively booming economy like Republic City, but trade and tourism helps out the island quite a lot. Doesn't really matter that much to me though, people like Ty Lee and I like to stay around the villages or by the beach."
"Ah, nice to see the island is doing fairly well, and good to know you're still enjoying life there too."
"Yeah, but it's the important things that makes my life enjoyable," Suki says as her eyes drift off.
Noticing his ex-wife zoning out, Sokka knew exactly what she meant, "Being around your family and friends is what's important. Doing your job is what's important. It's what makes life meaningful, right?"
"Right Sokka," Suki quietly answers, a small smile on her face. Lei made my life so meaningful.
As they both finished up dinner, Suki decided to stir the conversation a little before Sokka had to get up and leave. She wanted to have this conversation go somewhere. Just the anticipation of this one night had her mind going insane for the past few days. It was time to get deeper.
"Sokka... I missed you so much."
Sokka looked at Suki, then back to his plate. Taking a deep breath and closing eyes. "I missed you too Suki, I really do."
Suki placed her hand on his, getting ready for what's to come for this conversation. "I think we need to talk..."
"What do you want to talk about Suki?" Sokka asked quietly.
"There's lots of thing we need to catch up on each other's lives, I know, but, I..." Suki paused, not feeling strong enough to address what she wanted to say. Yet, she still saw Sokka looking at her, anxiously waiting for what she had to say, so Suki persisted, "I want to know, if you still have feelings for me."
Now it Sokka's turn to pause in this conversation. He froze seeing Suki walking into the dining table, now he froze again with that statement. He really didn't know how to respond. Of course he missed her, but what good will this make? Things ended sourly last time, and he doesn't want another event like that to happen. He's dealt with sadness and depression for a long time, and he can't have those dark times come back to him. Plus, he had a reason for leaving Kyoshi Island eighteen years ago anyway.
Finally, after an awkward silence and leaving Suki nervous for what he had to say, Sokka finally spoke, "Suki, it was a mistake for you to come here."
Suki's mouth dropped slightly, her hand taken back from Sokka, "What? Why?"
Sokka closed his eyes once more, trying to find the proper tone to address this situation that was forming. "You're only going to complicate things more, Suki."
Tears were starting to form in her eyes, but she tried her best to hold it back. "Sokka, what are you talking about? I traveled all the way from Kyoshi Island to see you. I traveled a long way!" Her voice began to quiver, and a tear dripped from her eye, "And here you are, telling me that I'm wrong to have come here? To have come see you?"
Seeing the pain in his ex-wife's eyes always pierced Sokka's heart. She is still so beautiful when she cries. Sokka turned his head slightly, avoiding contact with her eyes that hit him strongly enough. He spoke, "Suki, I missed you so much too, but we had enough heart break didn't we?"
The Kyoshi Warrior didn't know how to respond. Yes, her heart was broken fully ever since their separation, but she still thought of the possibility of her and Sokka reconciling. Now, this night is their chance, and she is deeply saddened by the fact that Sokka wouldn't accept it. "Sokka, it's been eighteen years. I have a lived a life and I thought I moved on from you," she claims as she let the tears slowly fall, "But I was wrong. You still stay on my mind every now and then. It's especially hard to forget you when..."
Noticing her pausing again, Sokka looked at her with sharp eyes, "When what Suki?"
When Lei looks just like you. "When I see you around the newspapers or hear of you through tourists. No matter what, I can't get you off my mind when there's something or someone constantly reminding me of you."
"So is that my fault Suki?" He shouted. "You said you would find someone better than me? Did you?"
Suki was hurt and offended by the sudden attitude given by her ex-husband. She was about to mention Koji in retaliation, but decided not to add more turmoil to the already heated conversation. Looks like Sokka remembered that awful day as vividly as she did. "That shouldn't matter right now Sokka."
"And what's suppose to matter? Me and you?" Sokka yelled, "Cause let me tell you, you mattered to me more than anything. Yet, you couldn't accept my duties. If I took you back into my life, what's going to happen next? Are you going to complain about how I spend too much time at the council fixing the world, and not spending time with you? Oh yeah, and let me guess, I crave success, right?"
Suki was surprised with Sokka's anger at moment. He's using her words she said to him eighteen years ago, and is throwing it back in her face. She wanted to yell at him, about how much she's hurting too. She knew Sokka was a great man and wanted to help the world, but she also knew Sokka overdid it to the point where he focused solely on enhancing his image to people. She wanted to argue that his proposed priority was what contributed to their marriage crumbling apart. Yet, she had a feeling that if she continued to defend herself, a similar argument to the one they had eighteen years ago would have unfolded. All she could do right now was just sit there, eyes down and tears dripping continuously.
When he noticed his ex-wife had nothing else to say, that's when he figured the conversation should end. Tears were forming in his eyes too, but he won't let them fall. At least he'll try not to let them fall. "I'm done for the night Suki," he addressed quietly as he got up and headed out the dining table.
"And where are you going now?" Suki yelled as she got up herself, her voicing shaking tremendously. "You're just going to leave me again? Even after I traveled all this way just to see you?"
Sokka stopped in his tracks and bothered not to turn around to face her. He knows that if he see's Suki crying, his heart will break even more that it already did. "Suki," he spoke calmly, "I can't be here right now."
"Why, so you can just continue on with your life without me? And if I can't accept it, then I can just stay out of your way? Is that it?" She shouts furiously. Now it was her turn to throw Sokka's words back in his face.
Trying his best to avoid this situation before having an emotional meltdown, Sokka proceeded to walk away. As he opened the door out the dining table, he heard Suki spoke once more.
"Because I can't not be around you Sokka..." She spoke quietly, her voice still quivering, "I can't handle the heartache," she proclaims as she sniffles, "I need you."
Sokka turned around to look at her, his face filled with sorrow and a tear falling out of his eye. His ex-wife was looking back at him, trails of tears on her cheeks and overall sadness on her face. She is so beautiful, so meaningful, and Sokka just wanted to walk up to her, hold her and kiss her forcefully.
No, I can't. I can't risk another heartbreak with her, especially when I tried my best to heal.
"I'm, sorry Suki," he says as he leaves the dining room, shutting the door.
Again, he left the woman he loved crying by herself.
The kids always loved riding a hot air balloon over the city. Having been used to riding on sky bison, especially Appa, they were never afraid of heights. Republic City looks amazing from the sky, especially at night. Its bright lights illuminate the landscape. The kids would try to pick out familiar spots from where they stand, while Aang and Katara would hold each other's hand and absorb the breathtaking view.
"Mommy, daddy, look! I'm gonna try to see if I can see our guests from here!" Kya exclaimed while pointing out towards Air Temple Island.
"Chill Kya," Bumi responded, "How would you even see people from here anyway?"
"You never know Bumi," Kya retaliated while sticking her tongue out at her older brother.
Tenzin was also looking at Air Temple Island. He liked to see the flying bison soaring around. Then, he noticed something, "Hey, look! That looks like uncle Sokka's boat!"
The whole family looked out and spotted the boat leaving the island.
"That is uncle Sokka's boat!" Kya exclaimed.
Aang and Katara looked at each other with curiosity. Katara whispered quietly to Aang, "I hope everything went well."
Bumi found it weird to see his uncle's boat leaving the island and noticed the exchanged looks on his parents' faces. "Is something wrong? Did uncle not know we're out for the night?"
"No son," Aang answered, "He definitely didn't."
"Awww, poor uncle Sokka," Kya spoke sadly, "He probably came to see us and was probably going to have fun with us."
"Don't worry Kya," Katara assured her daughter, "We'll see uncle Sokka very soon. We'll probably go out together too." That she knew would comfort her children.
After another half an hour, and noticing Tenzin getting sleepy and Kya yawning, the family decided to head home. It was safe to go after noticing Sokka's boat leaving the island. The hot air balloon slowly descended right by the port and the family took a short walk to the ferry.
However, Bumi still had plans for the night. "Mom, dad, I think I'll see you home in a few hours. I told Zhang I'll meet him at a new restaurant to have a late night meal."
"Bumi! This late? Why would you make plans after we had a family night?! " His mother didn't really feel comfortable about her teenage son being out in the city this late at night.
"Don't worry mom," Bumi assured his mother before he gets scolded, "I'll be safe. And the reason why I made plans is because you guys told me that it's best we stay out long so our guests can spend the night handling some business themselves, and you never even mentioned what business."
Aang and Katara gave each other a guilty glance. They felt bad that they had to lie to their children so they wouldn't know that they're uncle and long lost aunt-in-law had to have an encounter for the night.
"I think Bumi is old enough to stay this late," Aang added.
"Fine, but make sure you make it home before midnight okay?" Katara asserted strictly.
"Yes mom!" He answers as he walks his separate way.
Moments after, Aang, Katara and their two youngest children made it to their private ferry, with the White Lotus assisting them. As the boat left the port, Aang carried Tenzin who fell asleep and Kya went to sit near the edge, loving to see the city lights.
Katara talked quietly to Aang, not wanting to wake up Tenzin or letting Kya hear. "Aang, I really wonder if everything went okay."
"I hope so Katara."
"I mean, if Sokka's boat left the island, does that mean Suki went with him or something? And what about Lei?"
Aang had no answers. "Honestly Katara, we'll just have to find out once the ferry reaches our dock in ten minutes."
Katara let out a small sigh. "I'm just nervous for the both of them Aang. Like I wonder if Sokka found about Lei already, or what if Suki mentioned Hu Li."
"Yeah, I thought about that when Bumi mentioned he's hanging with Zhang for the night," Aang added. Zhang is close friends with Bumi, and is the son of Hu Li. It would be hectic if Bumi and Zhang found out about Hu Li's affair with Sokka.
The waterbender grabbed her husband's hand and placed her head on his shoulder opposite from the one Tenzin was sleeping on. "Whatever happened, I hope things didn't go too bad."
Aang kissed her on her forehead. He wanted to tell her that everything will be okay, but he's not even sure about that.
Within a few minutes, the ferry reached the dock and the family walked out towards their island. Once the couple and their children reached their house, Katara told her daughter to take a bath and get ready for bed, while Aang woke Tenzin and gave him a bath.
Katara told Aang to bring the kids to bed because she had check up on Suki. Of course, Aang complied and the waterbender walked to the women's dormitory. It only took a few minutes to get there because she was in a rush to see if everything went alright.
Finally, once she made it to the front door of her guest room, she knocked. "Suki? You in there?"
After a few more knocks and no response, Katara was about to head back until the door opened. There was Suki, tear stains all on her cheeks and pain evident in her face. It was clearly obvious that she had crying for a long time.
"Oh... Suki," Katara spoke silently as she grabbed her Kyoshi Warrior friend in an embrace.
Lei found this city to be quite amusing. Even at this time at night, many people were still walking around and lots mobiles were still moving on the streets. There are stores and restaurants that are open twenty-four hours, which Lei thought was crazy. At this time, everyone in his village back at Kyoshi Island would be asleep. He assumed that it's the bustling energy of this city that keeps everyone awake. The city lights and fast-paced energy is definitely preventing him from becoming sleepy.
He wishes Jia was here with him. He knew Jia would have lots of things to say while walking around Republic City, from its impoverished sections to its high class neighborhoods. If only she could be here right now, he wouldn't have to walk this place alone.
After much more minutes of walking, he noticed a sign across the street that read "Koji's restaurant." He could tell the place has recently opened.
Well, looks like his restaurant chain is becoming successful.
Hearing his stomach growl, Lei figured he could use either some pork chops or smoked salmon at the moment. After all, that's what Koji's restaurants are mostly known for throughout the world.
Once he walked across the street and entered the restaurant, he was surprised to see the restaurant almost fully packed. It's surprising to see so much people this late at night eating, but then again, this is a big city, not a small village. Luckily, there were two small tables side by side around the corner of the restaurant that were empty, so the waitress was able to accompany him to his table. Lei already knew what he wanted to order. He went with pork chops.
While waiting for his meal, Lei noticed the waitress accompanying two other teenagers to the table right next to him. The two teenagers looked at the menu and were trying to discuss what to order. Lei could hear them talking at full volume.
"Bumi, what are you getting?"
"I don't know, there's lots of good options here."
Figuring out that the teenagers are completely unaware of this chain restaurant, Lei decided to drop in on their conversation, "Might I suggest either the smoked salmon or the pork chops. That's what this restaurant chain is known for."
Both looking at the teenaged stranger talking to them, the two teenagers nodded their heads.
"Hmmmm, well I guess I could really use some pork chops. What about you Zhang?"
"I think I'll go with the smoked salmon."
"Oh yes, great choices guys," Lei addresses as the three of them laughed lightly.
Bumi gave this teenager a curious glance, eyebrows pressing forward. Something about him looks familiar.
Lei, noticing the brown-haired teen looking at him, asked, "Everything okay there?"
"Oh, sorry," Bumi apologized as he noticed he was staring at the teenaged stranger unintentionally, "It's just... you look so much like my uncle."
"Oh really now? So is that a compliment or what?" Lei questions jokingly.
"I mean he's related to me and everyone in my family is good looking. So yeah, you're complimented."
The three laughed once more. Lei was glad to see there's friendly teenagers in the city.
"I'm Bumi by the way," the brown-haired teenager introduced as he gave Lei a handshake.
The black-haired teen also introduced himself, "And I'm Zhang."
"Nice to meet you guys," Lei responded happily, shaking their hands. "I'm Lei, from Kyoshi Island."
Both the black and brown-haired teenagers had their eyes wide opened.
"Kyoshi Island?!" Zhang exclaimed. "Dude that's so far away from here! Welcome to Republic City man!"
"Haha thanks dude," Lei responded, "It's a nice place here. Very nice."
Bumi wanted to know more about this teenager having found that he's from Kyoshi Island. He remembered his parents mentioning they've been to Kyoshi Island before, and they even had a Kyoshi Warrior as a friend. "So how is Kyoshi Island anyway?"
"Well it's nothing like Republic City, I can tell you that," Lei answered, "But it's a nice, calm place. We have some good mountains and nice beaches. And over at the bay we have giant elephant koi and a humongous eel called the unagi."
The two fifteen year-olds were fascinated with Lei's description of Kyoshi Island. A unagi? Both these teens were adjusted to city life, and even though they have visited places outside of the United Nations, they are still unfamiliar with the world around them.
For the rest of the night, the three teenagers ate their meals and talked about anything teenaged males would talk about, from sports to girls.
It was almost midnight, and Sokka just laid in bed, his eyes toward the ceiling. He couldn't sleep.
Did I hurt her badly?
Sokka did not want to be the cause of her pain. He loved this woman tremendously, but he just couldn't get back with her instantly like that. He just doesn't want to risk the chance of being heartbroken all over again. His days of crying and depression are over. He's an independent man now.
Besides, like he told himself, he had his reason for leaving Kyoshi Island anyway.
She's still so beautiful.
Even though he would tell himself that he shouldn't be with her, she still couldn't get her off of his mind. Eighteen years of moving on, or at least trying to move on, thoughts of her would enter his head every now and then.
Do I still love her?
As much as he would tell himself that he's over her, just one sight of her and his breath is taken away.
Does she still love me?
Laying on his bed, he knew he couldn't stop thinking about her. She said she needed him.
Maybe I need her too...
Sokka got up, went to the phone, and dialed Aang's number.
No one picked up, but it was actually no surprise. Everyone is probably asleep at this time. Yet, Sokka still persisted. He dialed the number once more. To his success, he heard a tiring voice on the other line.
"Hello...?"
"Aang."
"Sokka...?"
"Tomorrow morning, do me a favor," he addressed in a serious tone, "Tell Suki that I would appreciate it if she comes to visit me at my apartment."
And with that, he hung up. He didn't ask for a favor, he commanded it.
So for you guys who watch The Legend of Korra (hope you guys like Book 4 so far btw), you know Republic City as a really advanced city. Well for this story, just imagine Republic City as a really early 1900s New York City. Still a big city, but not much advances yet. For example, there are "mobiles" in this story, but they aren't advanced like the "Satomobiles" created by Hiroshi Sato.
Anyway, thank you so much to the people that are reviewing. And for those of you who are reading but haven't review yet, please do so! Any comments and even suggestions are appreciated and helps!