Fire Ferrets [3] Bolin

Chapter 8

I sigh as I walk back to the city centre. I had woken up with a headache, though I'm pretty sure it's self-inflicted. I didn't want to go to the meeting today with the other world leaders and my body was giving me an out. But I know I can't take it. With Kuvira taking Wu's kingdom away from him, and her threat to the other world leaders, we need to figure out the best cause of action. It helps that I'm not going alone, Mako and Wu will be there so it's not like I have to endure it without my friends.

"So, this meeting..." Wu starts and I can feel his eyes on me as we walk up the steps to the city hall.

"We will be discussing the Kuvira situation." I finish for him after a long second.

"And giving me back the Earth Kingdom." Wu says, though I can tell by the way he says it that it's a question.

"Wu, you had a coronation, you were sworn in to be the Earth King. Kuvira's place as leader is temporary." I say before turning to look at him. "I'll make sure of it." I add as I meet his eye. He smiles to me and I look straight ahead again as we walk through the doors towards the meeting room.

"Umm, Ulazu, are you sure you should be saying something like that?" Mako questions from the other side of Wu.

"Mako, you don't have to worry about Ulazu's ability to get my nation back. She is probably the most capable person I know." Wu says and there's a pause. "No offense." He mutters and I can tell he's looking at Mako.

"No, that's not what I meant." Mako corrects Wu as we turn the corner. "I meant, should she be saying it?" He says again, emphasising his words this time. I run my tongue over my lower lip before letting out a sigh.

"Doesn't matter whether politically I should or shouldn't be doing something. Kuvira has threatened my mother and nation, just like she has the other world leaders." I say as I push open the doors to the meeting room. I allow myself to look at Mako when we enter the room and I can see his wide eyes as he sees my stern expression. "Kuvira isn't going to get off lightly for an action like that." I say before walking away from them towards my mother who is already sat at the large table. She looks up as I approach and she smiles, though I struggle to return the favour.

"Ulazu, it's good to see you. How are you?" My mother asks as she stands up from her seat and pulls me into a hug. She's been doing this every time we see each other since Bolin left. It's like she thinks I'm about to break now that he's not by my side which I don't understand seeing as the past two years have been long distance. I wrap my arms around her nonetheless and sigh against her shoulder.

"I'm fine, mother. How are you?" I ask and she draws back, still smiling.

"I'm good. Now here," she starts as she guides me to her chair, "take the seat for the Fire Nation." She says and I frown as she forces me down into the seat.

"Mother, don't you think you should be speaking on behalf of the Fire Nation today, for a topic such as this?" I question, but she simply shakes her head.

"No, I want you to. I'm right by your side though if you need me." She says and I sigh again before looking to the other world leaders. They seem to smile at me as I take them all in, but their expressions quickly change as president Raiko begins to talk.

"I say we deal with this Kuvira situation immediately." He says and I straighten my posture to match the seriousness of Master Tenzin and Raiko.

"Yes! Agreed!" Wu exclaims from his seat at the table causing us all to look at her. "And I know just how to get rid of her. We tell her she won an all-exclusive-paid vacation to a tropical island. Then when she gets there, we reveal it was a trap. The island's a prison! Boom! Got her!" Wu laughs excitably whilst me and everyone else just look at him. I appreciate his enthusiasm, I just wished he put it in the right place sometimes.