Thunder Roars || LOK Mako x OC

Book 5 ~ Chapter 2

The group had divided themselves into pairs, most pairing up with their significant others into the three Sato cars. Mako and Lei sat next to each other with Juyin in front of Lei inside the car. They drove through Harbor City, where most of the commoners lived. As Lei peered out her window, she witnessed a lot of them roaming the streets. Harbor City was home to many criminals  and maybe the key to finding where the buyer was.

"Has there been many break ins?" Lei asked, turning to Juyin, who nodded. Lei had assisted Juyin with the crime rate back then to hopefully create a peaceful way of living for the people of Harbor City, but it seems their efforts had been wasted due to recent events.

"Lots of criminals have been coming out of the shadows since you first left. It wasn't as bad before since we had General Iroh II, but when he left to fight for Republic City, crime rate hasn't gone down since," Juyin explained, as she looked at the town she grew up in. Juyin and her family lived in the western side of Harbor City, right by Zoryu Park. She had met Lei when her father was a royal guard at the palace.

"I'm sure it's hard to manage since you're Head Guard?" Mako asked, knowing from experience of the difficulty and patience it took to deal with crime in such a large area. Juyin thought for a moment and shook her head.

"It's not that bad, we just have to increase patrols more often that not," Juyin answered.

"I'm back now, so it should slow things down a bit. More so, since I have the whole Team Avatar with me," Lei added.

"Or it could be more of a reason for them to attack. You are still a person of nobility, Lei, which makes you a target," Juyin replied, with a concerned look. Lei shook her head.

"It's been years and you are still trying to babysit me," Lei smiled lightly.

"I still find it funny how you landed a job babysitting the Avatar," Juyin laughed, as she leaned back on her seat. Lei narrowed her eyes at her.

"In her defense, It takes a lot to deal with Korra," Mako commented.

"Trust me, it wasn't easy as it sounded," Lei sighed, earning light laughter from Mako and Juyin.

"You know, Firelord Izumi has already started making preparations for the big wedding," Juyin started, Lei turned to her.

"No, she hasn't," Lei said in disbelief, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.

"Should I be worried?" Mako asked, as he exchanged looks between the two.

"Just be ready for a whole round of preparations, wedding rehearsals, and most importantly, meeting new people who you probably never met but heard of you for months," Juyin laughed, Mako laughed with her. Lei smiled at the thought her oldest friend and fiancé were getting along quite well.

After a short ride through Harbor City, they arrived at the Capital City. The whole city was located in a crater within a dormant volcanic crater, Hari Bulkan also known as the Royal Caldera City. Due to limited space, many of the residences in Hari Bulkan are not as large as those in other parts of the Fire Nation; indeed, many nobles who keep a residence in the city often have more spacious estates elsewhere. As a result, many of the mansions in the caldera reflect considerably more vertical architectures in an attempt to maximize floorspace.

The Sato Cars slowed down as they approached their destination: the Fire Nation Royal Palace, the most recognizable structure in the Fire Nation, situated on a vast hill of rocky, barren scorched earth walled off from the remainder of the city and defended by the elite Royal Procession. Outside of the palace walls are several gardens and villas for use by the Fire Nation Royal Family, one of which was owned by Lei. As the Sato Cars came to a stop, Firelord Izumi was waiting atop the flight of stairs leading up to the Palace. Lei went out first, walking fast and eagerly to hug her aunt. Mako and Juyin followed behind her at a normal pace. Korra and Asami's car had stopped, Bolin and Opal's following behind.