The Fire Nation's Lily (Wing Beifong x OC)

Book One, Chapter Seven: Threats

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Sayuri asked deadpan.

Korra lowered banged her head on the railing of the ferry and grumbled. "You were angry with Mako and me last night."

Sayuri glanced up at the night sky and sighed. "I wasn't angry, I was disappointed," she clarified.

"Is there a difference?" Korra asked, turning her head.

"Yes."

The ferry docked and the guards followed behind Korra and Sayuri. They were locked in a heated debated regarding the current leader of the Earth Kingdom, Queen Hou-Ting. Princess Sayuri had heard tails of the cruel queen and it seemed that those rumors were based on truth.

The ladies saw the golden glow of the arena and beams of light shot up into the inky sky. People were loitering about on the bridge and Korra hid behind the princess' shadow, trying her best not to gather a crowd.

When they reached the door, Korra paused and placed her hands behind her head. Her eyes were trained on nothing in particular and she was tapping her foot in an erratic manner. Sayuri stopped at half-way through the doorway and sighed. Korra was scared to face Mako and Bolin, which was understandable considering the events of last night.

"What am I going to do?" Korra asked barely above a whisper.

Sayuri walked back towards her friend and stopped a few feet in front of her. "I can't tell what to do." She said. "But I believe it would be in your best interest to apologize."

"Apologize?" Korra snorted. "It's not that easy."

"Sometimes the right thing isn't always the easiest."

Korra arched her brow and shook her head in exasperation. "You sound like a wise old man."

A small chuckle fell from the princess and she took Korra's comment as compliment. Fire Lord Zuko practically raised her and some of his wisdom rubbed off on her. Korra took in a deep breath and walked into the arena. She bound up the steps and the princess decided to stay back and wait for Asami. Korra needed to apologize to the brothers by herself.

Sayuri leaned against the wall leading up to the locker rooms, and she watched as people came and went. A tall man walked into the building and his dark hair bounced with every step he took. His skin looked luminous under the fluorescent lighting of the building, and he tilted his head to the side, catching her staring at him.

He stalked over towards her and the princess tried to push herself further into the wall. It was at this time that she wished she was an earthbender, she would have broken the wall and disappeared.

"Well, well, well, what do you have here?" the man said, placing his hand on the wall above her head. His eyes were blue in color and he wore a devious smirk.

He was handsome but he didn't seem to understand the importance of boundaries. She lowered the lids of her eyes and discreetly glanced around the room. Her guard was talking to an older man, completely unaware of the princess' discomfort. She wanted to throw something at him to get his attention, to scream, but she didn't want to cause a scene.

The man gently grabbed her face and tilted her head up so that their eyes met. He leaned closer and she snapped her eyes shut. Her body acted on instinct and she could feel his lean body through the numerous layers of clothes he wore, and then her leg shot straight through the air. There was a loud thump and when she opened her eyes, she found the stranger passed out on the floor.

The guard rushed over to her side and he escorted her up the stairs as a crowd swarmed the unconscious man. They reached the dressing room and the guard knocked for the princess. It swung open and Mako greeted her.