Through Fire and Ice

Chapter 1: Arrival in Republic City

Kayra's POV

Kayra didn't realize how much the streets of Republic City would feel like home until she set foot on them again. She had left this city in her early twenties, forced to part from her childhood dreams of joining the United Forces. Her father, General Bumi, had insisted she go to the Northern Water Tribe, insisting it was "too dangerous" for her here. But her time away had done little to douse the flame of old ambitions—or of certain feelings she'd hoped had extinguished long ago.

"He'll be here," Korra had assured her. "You'll both need each other."

Kayra scoffed, but she knew exactly who Korra was talking about. And judging by the uncomfortable flutter in her stomach, she wasn't as indifferent to Iroh as she pretended.

She spotted him by the Republic City harbor, his dark hair catching in the light, posture rigid as if he were preparing for battle. And in some way, maybe he was.

When he finally looked her way, their eyes locked. An old, familiar heat washed over her, quickly followed by the icy edge of years-old resentment.

Iroh didn't waste time on pleasantries.

"Where's that betrothal necklace?" His gaze dipped, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Didn't take you long to shed that Northern Water Tribe nonsense."

Kayra raised an eyebrow, biting back her reaction to his dig. Her fingers instinctively went to her neck, where the blue betrothal necklace had once rested. That engagement had crumbled months ago, but his words lit a spark of irritation in her anyway.

"I always knew you had a fascination with my neck," she shot back, her voice laced with acid. "Can't help yourself, can you?"

Iroh's eyes flared in surprise, but he covered it quickly with a cool, dismissive look.

"It's hard to miss when something so... symbolic goes missing."

Their standoff drew the attention of a few passersby, including Korra, who lingered at the edge of the pier, an amused glint in her eyes. Korra had known both of them for years, and if there was one thing that entertained the Avatar more than saving the world, it was watching others struggle through their emotions.

"Alright, lovebirds," Korra interjected with a grin, "if you're done with the reunion, we have more pressing matters. Like saving Republic City."

Both Kayra and Iroh shot Korra a glare, but Korra only laughed and motioned for them to follow.