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LEIs POV

After spending a few days in the Fire Nation, I realized how much I missed the relaxing life. When I moved to Republic City, everyday had been eventful for me. There were some days I liked and some I didn't, but I will always love the thrill of adventure. I kept wondering how Korra and the others had been doing. Lord Zuko told me that they were in the Southern Water Tribe, celebrating one of the traditional festivals. Well, it's nice to know Korra and the others are having fun. Korra must be extra happy, now that she had Mako as a boyfriend.

It was a peaceful morning, and I was brushing my hair in front of the mirror. I heard the knocking from the door, so I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it to see Aunt Izumi.

"Morning, do you need anything?" I asked politely, she smiled.

"Get ready, Lei, you're going on a walk with Iroh," Izumi said, as she stepped in the room and made her way to my closet.

"Where?" I asked, as I closed the door and went to her side.

"Around the town, greeting citizens and such," Izumi said, as she looked through my closet.

"Why so early in the morning?" I asked.

"Well, the Fire Nation is a big place, Lei," Izumi said, as she pulled out one of the traditional attires.

"I have to wear that?" I asked, as I pointed at the dress.

"Yes, it's traditional," Izumi said, as she laid it on my bed.

"Why can't I wear the clothes I usually wear?" I added.

"Because you always look like your ready for a war, Lei," Izumi said.

"That's the point, and why do we have to go on this walk anyway?" I complained.

"It's good for your and Iroh's image to the people, now go and change," Izumi said, as she left the room. I groaned.

I put the traditional clothes on, and they actually looked quite good on me. They're a bit heavy, probably because of the shoulder armor, but otherwise it looks great. I had to put on the fire pin in my hair, since I was a princess. I stood up from my dressing table, and made my way to the door. When I opened it, I was greeted by a few guards. I make my way to the outside, and saw Lord Zuko and Iroh along with a couple of guards, so I make my way over to them.

"Do I really have to do this?" I complained. Lord Zuko smiled.

"If it makes you feel better, take Kaya with you," Lord Zuko said, I smiled.

"Can I take the swords with me?" I asked,

Lord Zuko looked at me pointedly but I gave him a soft expression, with my pleading eyes.

"Alright, just hurry up before Izumi sees you," Lord Zuko sighed in defeat, before walking into the palace.

I sling the swords onto my back, in an x formation. The guards brought Kaya to me, and I got on her. Iroh was going to walk right next to me, while guards are surrounding us. When Izumi meant a walk with Iroh, I didn't expect that guards would come with us. Sometimes, I hate it when Lord Zuko and Izumi think I can't take care of myself. It's been a few hours, and I don't even know how much of the Fire Nation we covered. It was a slow walk, and my hand started getting fatigued by waving at the many people of this Nation. I looked at Iroh and he didn't look tired at all.

"Iroh, aren't you tired?" I asked, Iroh looked at me.

"I'm a General, Lei, I never get tired," Iroh boasted, I rolled my eyes.

"How much longer do we have to go around?" I asked tiredly.

"We're almost there," Iroh said, I sighed.

I soothed Kaya's head, she was probably tired as well. I continued to look around, and smile at the people. I look ahead and I see a man in a hood. I narrow my eyes at the man. I look around, and see men in hoods on the rooftop as well. Something's not right.

"Iroh," I called.

He looked at me, and I looked at the hooded figures. He follows my gaze and looks at them. Suddenly, the hooded figures dropped down in front of us, and behind us. It was a tight road, so there wasn't a way for us to pass. The guards immediately went on defensive mode.

"Whatever you want, I'm certain that whatever it is, we won't give it to you," I said.

Suddenly, one of the hooded figures jumped from the ledge above me, and got the fire pin in my hair. The hooded man run away with my pin, and so did the other men.

"Iroh, I'll get this side, get the other," I shouted, and he nodded, before I rode off with Kaya.

Kaya ran through the street, and I could see the hooded figures running ahead of us. I carefully and slowly stood on Kaya, as she ran through the street. Once Kaya was right in front of them, I back flipped off from her and landed right behind the men. They were trapped between Kaya and I. There were 5 of them. I sighed.

"I believe you have something that belongs to me, so give it back," I said sternly, as I had an open flame on both my hands.

They didn't look like benders, otherwise, they would've used their bending to attack us in the first place. My prediction was correct when 4 of them, started running at me. I quickly made a low kick fire stream, sending them 2 of them down. There were two left, I pulled out my swords to get ready to attack them. Suddenly, two fire comets flew past me, and hit the remaining two. I turned around and saw Iroh. I turned around and saw the other hooded figure gone.

"Well, at least this day wasn't all boring," I breathed heavily.

"Your pin.." Iroh said softly.

"Don't worry, Iroh, I'm sure Izumi will replace it, I just wanted to have a little action today, but one of them got away," I said honestly.

Iroh and I were safely escorted to the palace after the small attack. Izumi was already waiting for us at the entrance. Izumi ran at us, and hugged us both.

"Thank the spirits, both of you are unharmed," Izumi said, as she pulled away.

"Trust me, those criminals were more harmed than we are," I said, and Izumi smiled.

"I should really stop treating the both of you as babies, shouldn't I?" Izumi said embarrassingly, Iroh and I chuckled.

"We can take care of ourselves now, Mom," Iroh said softly, and She smiled.

After a tiring day, we all had dinner together around the table. Although, Lord Zuko wasn't with us since he had an urgent phone call. I was almost done eating, and I put a few fruits on my plate to give to Kaya later on, for all the work she did today. Suddenly, the door opened revealing Lord Zuko, and he took a seat at the head of the table.

"Lei, I think it's time you head back to Republic City," Lord Zuko said, I raise my eyebrow.

"Why? I've only been here for a week," I stated.

"Well, it seems like the Avatar needs your help," Lord Zuko said.

"What did she do now?" I sighed.

"Well, from what Lin told me, Tenzin is no longer her Avatar mentor. Korra had a quarrel with him, and now her uncle is her new mentor," Lord Zuko explained.

"What? She fired Tenzin? She can do that?" I asked, Lord Zuko nodded.

"Tenzin is with his family in one of the Air Temples, now. Not only that, but Korra managed to start a Turf War between the Southern Water Tribe, and the Northern Water tribe," Lord Zuko said.

"What?!" I said with a loud voice.

"The turf war has affected Republic City, since some people from the northern and southern water tribe live there,"  Lord Zuko said. I deeply sighed.

"I'm leaving tonight then, so I'm there to hit Korra's head in the morning," I muttered the last words, as I stood up.

"Lei, Korra isn't in Republic City yet, they escaped the Southern Water tribe apparently, so Lin doesn't know when they'll arrive," Lord Zuko said.

"I'll help Lin with the situation in Republic City while waiting for Korra, so I'm leaving tonight," I said, and Lord Zuko nodded.

"Alright, good luck," Lord Zuko said, I smiled.

Izumi came up to me and hugged me tightly. Lord Zuko told me once that Izumi cares for me like a daughter. I feel the same way since she's always been like a mother to me.

"Be safe, Lei," Izumi said, as she pulled away. I smiled at her.

I left the dining room, and went straight to my room to gather all my things.

I'm gonna hit Korra when she gets to Republic City.

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AUTHORs NOTE:
This chapter was edited but nothing from the storyline has been changed.

PUBLISHED: May 30, 2019