── 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.

[ 003 ] MAKO'S MISSING BROTHER
❝Oh, so your genius plan is we don't call for help?❞

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 THE SMALL HOUSE SANYU shared with her mother, Lin, was tucked away in a quiet corner of Republic City. It wasn't fancy──just a humble home close to the market where they often shopped for fresh fruits and vegetables. Lin always insisted on buying the best greens, ensuring Sanyu's meals were healthy and aligned with her airbender vegetarian diet. Those trips to the market had become a routine, a peaceful part of their otherwise hectic lives.

 But tonight, the usual calm was shattered.

 The streets outside were still and dark, but the quiet night was exploded as Sanyu came storming home, her emotions running wild. A sudden burst of air erupted around her, knocking over trash cans that lined the alley. Garbage scattered across the street, swirling briefly in the gust before clattering to the ground.

 "Ugh, not again," Sanyu muttered irritably.

 Her airbending had always been tricky to control. It wasn't just the raw power──she could handle that. It was her emotions, unpredictable and overwhelming, that made everything spiral. Tonight had been no different.

 Sanyu inhaled deeply, trying to focus. She hated this feeling, the way her emotions always seemed to betray her. It wasn't just the embarrassment of accidentally destroying things, it was the memories tied to it. Ever since that day, when everything had gone wrong, her airbending had felt more like a curse than a gift.

 It was why she usually stayed stoic and guarded, keeping her feelings buried deep. Letting them out was dangerous. But every now and then, when she let her guard down with someone she trusted, her cheerful and quirky side would slip through. She liked those moments──rare glimpses of who she used to be before everything fell apart.

 Still, even in her happiest moments, her airbending had a mind of its own. If she got too excited? Bye-bye vase, lamp, or whatever fragile thing happened to be nearby.

 Lin's voice broke through her thoughts, commanding like a general's. "Sanyu!"

 The front door swung open, and Lin stepped outside, her eyes narrowing at the mess in the street. She crossed her arms, exasperated. "What happened this time?"

 Sanyu winced. "It's nothing, Mom. Just... got carried away."

 Lin raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but chose not to press further. Instead, she sighed and gestured for Sanyu to come inside.

 As Sanyu walked past her, Lin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You know, you don't have to keep everything bottled up," she said quietly. "It's okay to let me in."

 Sanyu hesitated, the words catching her off guard. For a moment, she considered spilling everything──about the emotions she couldn't control, the lingering pain from her past, and the bitterness she still carried over Korra's disrespect toward Tenzin, even though she told herself she shouldn't care after what he'd done.

 But instead, she nodded mutely and stepped inside.

 Maybe one day she'd figure out how to let it all out without everything falling apart. But tonight, she wasn't ready.

 Sanyu kicked off her boots, the dried mud flaking off in clumps onto the floor. The air smelled faintly of sweat as she shrugged out of her cropped police jacket, tossing it aside carelessly. Beneath, she wore a black compression shirt, the tight binder underneath flattening her chest. It wasn't just for appearances. It kept everything in place during fights. She'd learned the hard way how painful it was to fight without one back when she was still in the Forces.

 Her outfit was as practical as it was understated: black pants and fingerless gloves that allowed her to grip and move without restriction. The lighter, the better──that was her philosophy. As an airbender, she relied on speed and agility, gliding through combat as effortlessly as the wind itself. But as an officer, she knew the value of grounding herself, staying sharp, and fighting dirty if it came to that.

 Suddenly, two knives clattered onto the floor, one after the other, slipping out from their sheaths inside of her boots. Sanyu froze, her gaze lingering on the blades for a moment too long. One was hers──a dependable, unremarkable military knife with a weathered handle that fit her palm like a second skin. The other was a gift from Iroh, given with a word of advice she couldn't forget: "Use it only when you must. And when you do, make it count."

 She crouched to pick them up, her fingers brushing against the cool metal. Lin's eyes were on her, making Sanyu's stomach twist. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though they were both thinking the same thing for different reasons, though neither dared to say it aloud.

 Was joining the United Forces worth it?

 The question hung in the air like a phantom. Sanyu swallowed hard, straightened her back, and tightened her grip on the knives. She didn't need to say anything to Lin──her answer was written all over her face.

 Fuck yes, it was worth it. Every grueling hour, every scar, every sleepless night spent wondering if she'd see tomorrow──it was all worth it.

 Because that's what she was: a weapon forged in war. Not a soldier, not a daughter, but a blade meant to cut through countless battles. And she'd do it all again, without a second thought.

 Lin didn't say anything either, but the faint, almost visible crease of her brow spoke volumes. Whether it was disapproval or sadness, Sanyu didn't know. Maybe both. Maybe neither.

 Sanyu slid the knives back into her boots. "I'm fine," she muttered, meant more for herself than Lin. Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed for the bathroom.

 Lin didn't stop her. She just stood there, silent and heavy-hearted, watching her daughter disappear from her sight.

 She hated not knowing anything about her daughter. Was Sanyu really fine? Or was she just another soldier carrying invisible scars that no one could fix? Lin had seen it before, the ones who came back from the United Forces looking whole but weren't. She didn't want that for her daughter. She wanted Sanyu to lean on her, to come to her when everything became too much. But she knew Sanyu wouldn't. Not yet.

 Inside the bathroom, steam began to fill the air as Sanyu turned the shower on full blast. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection as droplets of condensation clung to the glass. Her dark hair stuck to her damp skin, framing a face that looked more tired than it should for someone her age.

 Her thoughts drifted to Korra. To the way she had snapped at Tenzin, calling him a terrible teacher. It had stung more than Sanyu wanted to admit. Not because Korra was wrong──Tenzin had his flaws──but because the words dragged old wounds to the surface.

 Tenzin wasn't a terrible teacher, she thought bitterly, gripping the edge of the sink. But he was a terrible father.

 That, she'd always believe.

 Still, the hurt lingered, twisting into something more complicated. Why should she care if Korra was angry at Tenzin? Why should it matter to her? She wanted to feel nothing, wanted to let Korra tear into him because, deep down, she knew he deserved it. He had left her. Left her and her mother in this house to build a new life, a new family, with Pema.

 She shouldn't care. But she did.

 And that's what made it worse.

 The anger came in waves, crashing against the tiny part of her that still loved him, still wanted to love him. But every time she looked at the scar on her arm, that love felt smaller, weaker, like it could snap in an instant.

 Her hand shot up to feel the burn mark. The memory of fire and pain was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. If Tenzin had been there, things could have been different. If he had loved them enough to stay, maybe she wouldn't have been kidnapped. Maybe she wouldn't have been tortured. Maybe she wouldn't feel this endless, gnawing hole inside her.

 The wind in the room began to stir, faint at first but quickly building, unnoticed by Sanyu as her breaths grew ragged. Her hands clenched into fists as her reflection twisted into a face she barely recognized, one consumed by fury.

 "It could've been different," she hissed through gritted teeth. The words spilled out like a curse. "It could've been different if──"

 Before she could finish, the mirror shattered with a deafening crack, shards exploding outward. Instinct took over as she threw her hands up to shield her face, the glass slicing into her skin in sharp, stinging lines.

 The wind died as suddenly as it had risen, leaving the bathroom eerily still. Sanyu lowered her hands slowly, her chest heaving, and stared at the broken shards scattered around her feet. Blood dripped from the shallow cuts on her arms, mingling with the water pooling on the floor.

 In that moment, she hated Tenzin. Hated him for not being there when she needed him most. But underneath it all, buried so deep it almost didn't exist, was the faint, desperate hope that he could still be something more.

 "Sanyu? You okay in there?" Lin's voice carried through the closed bathroom door with concern.

 Inside, Sanyu froze, her breath catching in her throat. She glanced around the mess she'd created: shattered glass scattered across the sink, glittering like tiny stars in the dim light. Her reflection──or what was left of it──stared back at her in jagged fragments. She almost didn't recognize herself.

 "Y-Yeah, I'm fine!" she called back, a little too quickly, wincing at how unconvincing she sounded. "It's just... I, uh... broke the mirror."

 There was a pause on the other side of the door before Lin sighed heavily. "Again?" she asked in disbelief. "That's the fourth mirror this month, Sanyu. What are you doing in there? Sparring with your reflection?"

 Sanyu bit her lip, crouching down to start picking up the larger shards. "I-It's not my fault! It just... fell!" she tried, though even she didn't believe that excuse.

 Lin wasn't buying it either. "Mirrors don't just fall," she said flatly. There was a faint sound of her arms crossing──Sanyu could practically feel her mom's stern gaze boring through the door. "You better not be barefoot in there."

 Sanyu froze, glancing down at her socked feet. "I'm not!" she lied. Who wears shoes or slippers in the bathroom? she thought for a moment. Then her gaze drifted to the shower slippers in the corner, and she cursed herself. Of course, her mother would.

 "Sanyu." Lin's voice dropped into that dangerous, no-nonsense tone that meant she was two seconds away from kicking the door down herself. "Open this door. Now."

 Sanyu groaned, standing carefully to unlock the door. As soon as it swung open, Lin's eyes scanned the scene: the shattered glass, the guilty expression, the unmistakable lack of shoes.

 "Really?" Lin asked, arching a brow. "How many times have I told you not to lie to me?"

 "I wasn't lying!" Sanyu protested weakly. "I just... didn't tell the truth... right away."

 "That's the same thing." Lin pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something about the rising cost of mirrors. "This is getting ridiculous, Sanyu. What's going on? You're not this clumsy."

 Sanyu hesitated, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "I don't know," she mumbled, avoiding Lin's gaze. "I just... get mad sometimes, and then... stuff happens."

 Lin's expression softened, though her shoulders remained stiff. She stepped into the bathroom, careful to avoid the glass, and placed a hand on Sanyu's shoulder. "We'll figure it out," she said. "But for now, let's get this cleaned up before you end up in the ER. Again."

 Sanyu nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "Thanks, Mom."

 Lin snorted. "Don't thank me yet. You're paying for the next mirror."

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 THOUGH LIN WOULD NEVER admit it out loud, Sanyu could see it──the way her mother's eyes softened whenever Tenzin's name came up, the lingering affection that cracked through her otherwise tough exterior. It wasn't much, just little things: a question about whether he still kept his rigid schedule or if his meditation sessions had mellowed with age. Sanyu wasn't a fool. She knew her mother still cared for Tenzin, maybe even loved him in a wistful way.

 But Lin was nothing if not disciplined. She kept her distance. Pema deserved her happiness, and Lin wasn't about to intrude on that. It was the kind of selflessness Sanyu admired deeply, though it made her ache for her mother. Lin had loved Tenzin with all she had, and when that fell apart, she had poured what was left of herself into her daughter.

 Sanyu wanted to be just like her: resilient, selfless, and strong in ways that didn't always need to be said out loud. If anyone asked whether Lin was a good mother, Sanyu wouldn't hesitate to say yes. Sure, Lin's love wasn't showy or sentimental, but it was constant, tireless. Every clipped "Did you eat today?" or the way she'd silently leave a fresh pot of tea on Sanyu's desk after a long day──that was Lin. Tough on the outside, endlessly caring underneath.

 And Lin had been there when it mattered most. After that night──the night Sanyu nearly lost everything──her mother had stayed at her side, nursing her back to health, brushing aside the demands of her job without a second thought. Sanyu had seen the cracks then, the guilt and fear Lin tried to bury, but she never let it show for long. Lin was all Sanyu had, and Sanyu was all Lin had. They had both lost so much.

 Sanyu would do anything for her mother. She had to, because Republic City was unforgiving, a place that took more than it gave. Every day felt like it's their last. She couldn't lose Lin, not after everything.

 Maybe that's why she threw herself into her work, patrolling the streets long after most officers clocked out. Even tonight, after barely getting through her own stack of reports, she was out again, scanning alleyways and rooftops for trouble. It wasn't just about keeping the city safe──it was about sparing Tenzin the headache of waking up to yet another report of break-ins or worse.

 Tenzin. Her father.

 Sanyu's feelings for him were complicated, entwined in anger and a sense of longing she wished she could throw away. He had never understood her, not fully, and the pain of that still burned. But some part of her cared, even if she couldn't bring herself to admit it.

 As she moved through the dimly lit streets, her thoughts drifted to her siblings on Air Temple Island. She hadn't visited them since the incident yesterday. She'd been too furious with the Avatar to risk it, worried her temper might get the better of her. Sanyu and Korra were both hot-headed, both stubborn, and putting them in the same room when tensions were high was like tossing a match into a barrel of fireworks.

 Still, she felt a pang of guilt. They were family, after all, and family mattered even when it was messy.

 Sanyu sighed before she turned a corner. The city stretched out before her, alive and restless. It wasn't an easy place to live, but it was theirs. And as long as she had her mother, she'd fight for it. For Lin. For her half-siblings too. For their little world.

 After finishing another round of patrol, Sanyu glided toward the small island, the wind tugging at her hair as her glider sliced through the air. She landed smoothly on the stone path near the temple gates. From afar, she could see a familiar trio by the wooden gates.

 Korra stood there with Ikki and Jinora, her wide, toothy grin lighting up the scene. Even from a distance, Sanyu could tell Korra was buzzing with excitement, which likely meant one thing: she'd finally gotten through her training without setting something on fire. Progress.

 Sanyu closed her glider and strolled toward them, her little sisters spotting her first. "Sanyu!" they squealed, rushing to wrap her in a tight hug. She chuckled, ruffling Jinora's hair and pulling Ikki in closer.

 "Hello, ladies," she greeted with a smile before her gaze shifted to Korra. The Avatar was full with energy. Sanyu looked at her as if she had better places to be──the memory of yesterday's argument still fresh in her mind──but she couldn't resist asking. "So, how's your training? Manage to stay on your feet this time?"

 Korra puffed out her chest, punching her fists into the air like she was ready for a fight. "Better than ever!" she declared. "Pro-bending's helping me crush it."

 Sanyu raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Pro-bending?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You're playing pro-bending now? Who's crazy enough to let you on their team?"

 "I'll have you know I'm with the Fire Ferrets!" Korra shot back, grinning ear to ear. Her enthusiasm radiating as she bounced on her heels. "And we're competing for the championship pot! You should've seen us last night. I was unstoppable!"

 Korra's energy was so over-the-top that she had started to invade Sanyu's personal space, practically buzzing around her like a gnat. Sanyu's bored look twisted into a scowl as she pushed Korra away with her staff.

 "Yeah, okay, Avatar Monkey. Tell me all about it──from over there," Sanyu said dryly, extending the staff to keep Korra at bay. Ikki and Jinora dissolved into giggles behind her.

 "Come on, Sanyu! I thought we were bonding!" Korra groaned, throwing her arms up. "I'm sorry about yesterday. It was my fault, okay? Can't you just cut me some slack already?"

 Sanyu gave a casual shrug, unbothered. "I dunno. But you can tell me about your match──just, loudly."

 Korra groaned, crossing her arms in defeat, and pouted like a child caught sneaking sweets before dinner. "This is why you don't have friends," she muttered.

 Before Sanyu could retort, Ikki and Jinora leaned to the side, their gazes fixed on something──or someone──beyond Korra. She followed their gaze to a figure approaching from the distance.

 A man with spiky dark hair and a red scarf walked toward them with confident strides, his hands buried in the pockets of his pants. Even from a distance, his sharp jawline, distinctive eyebrows, and serious demeanor were impossible to miss.

 "Ooh, he's cute," Jinora remarked with a smile, sidling closer to Ikki for a better look. "Korra, is that the handsome firebender who drives you crazy?"

 Sanyu raised a brow at the comment. Firebender, huh? No wonder he's so attractive, she thought nonchalantly. Fire Nation? More like Fine Nation.

 "Who's that, Korra?" Sanyu asked, nodding toward the approaching figure. "Looks like Mr. Firebender is headed straight for you."

 Korra's eyes widened as she stiffened, glancing nervously between the sisters and the man drawing closer. Sanyu observed her squirm, clearly noting how the Avatar's usual bravado melted away when faced with this particular firebender.

 "That's Mako──he's just my teammate, okay?" Korra mumbled, her face flushing slightly.

 "Does he drive you crazy in a bad way?" Ikki chimed in, clapping her hands together, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or does he drive you crazy like you like him?"

 Korra slammed her foot into the ground, raising a pillar of earth that sent the Air Nomad sisters tumbling into the sky. Jinora and Ikki burst into giggles as they gracefully landed behind her, riding soft cushions of air. Sanyu sidestepped the entire commotion without so much as a flinch. She caught the glint in Ikki's eye just before the girl shouted something painfully embarrassing about the Avatar.

 Sanyu knew the feeling of being called out in front of her crush all too well. She went through it before, back when she was training with the United Forces. Some loudmouth thought it'd be hilarious to blurt out that she had a "fat crush" on General Iroh. She'd wanted to die of embarrassment right then and there.

 But, in hindsight, it worked out. A few days later, Iroh had pulled her aside and, to her shock, admitted he felt the same way. A rare win-win in the world of romantic disasters.

 Korra turned to face Mako as he pulled up in front of her, clearing her throat like nothing had happened. "Oh. Hey, Mako," she greeted, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

 "You seen Bolin?" Mako asked, his voice all business, his brow furrowed in a way that made him seem perpetually annoyed.

 Korra blinked, her mood shifting instantly. "Wow, nice to see you too, Mako," she said, rolling her eyes. Crossing her arms, she softened her tone. "No, I haven't seen him since practice. Why? Do you think something's wrong?"

 Before Mako could respond, Sanyu stepped in with a serious look. "Do you think your brother Bolin is missing, big guy?" she asked, standing beside Korra. The Republic City Police uniform she still wore made her look oddly out of place on Air Temple Island at night.

 Mako appeared startled to see her, especially in full uniform. He clearly hadn't expected to encounter an officer lingering around the island this late.

 "Officer," he greeted stiffly. "My brother, Bolin, has a knack for getting into foolish situations. But I'll handle it. Thank you for your concern."

 As he turned to leave, Sanyu grabbed his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Not so fast," she said firmly. "If he's missing, that's a serious matter. You can't just brush this off."

 Mako hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. He wasn't used to relying on others, let alone the police. He raised a hand, as if to wave off her concern, but Sanyu's grip held firm.

 Korra, standing right next to him, reached out and grabbed his arm. Now Mako had both women holding him back from leaving the island. It made him wonder if coming here had been a mistake in the first place. But who else could he rely on? Korra was his Fire Ferret teammate, after all. And to top it off, there was Sanyu──a police officer. What a fantastic day for Bolin to go missing.

 "Hey, cool guy, let me help you," Korra said, flashing a grin that was just a little too bright. She faltered when she caught Sanyu's glare, sharp enough to slice through steel. Korra scrambled to backpedal. "I mean, let us help you! Sanyu's a cop; we need her! And she's right──this is serious."

 Korra then added enthusiastically, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "Plus, we can take Naga!"

 Mako frowned, puzzled. "Who's Naga?"

 Korra's face lit up like the sun as she talked about her polar bear dog. "My best friend! And the best tracker in the world!"

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 WHILE KORRA AND MAKO mounted Naga to head into Republic City, Sanyu opted to follow on her glider. Before leaving, Ikki and Jinora had warned her about the dangers of the city at night──dark alleys filled with shadowy figures, thugs, and illicit deals were a far cry from the safety of the Southern Air Temple. But Sanyu was accustomed to such dangers, as navigating them had become second nature to her as a cop.

 By the time they reached Central City Station, the square was alive. Citizens filled every corner──groups of friends chatting, couples laughing under streetlamps, and kids darting between them in an endless game of tag. In the center of it all, the statue of Fire Lord Zuko loomed tall, his eternal flame casting flickering light over the scene. It was the liveliest night Sanyu had ever seen, and yet, she felt like a stranger in it.

 As a cop, Sanyu was used to order, but here, among the chatter and laughter, she felt lost. She followed Mako closely, unsure of what to do. Part of her wished she'd spent more time living a normal life──grocery shopping, picnics, or just eating a meal without wondering if it was poisoned. Instead, her days were consumed with chasing criminals and adhering to strict protocols. Now, she felt like a fish out of water, trailing after Mako with no plan of her own.

 Sanyu leaned back against the lamppost next to Korra, arms crossed, watching as Mako crouched to talk to a little boy moments later. The kid looked nervous, shifting from foot to foot, glancing at her like she was about to throw him in cuffs just for breathing. Mako gave her a pointed look, as if to say, Tone it down, will you? She rolled her eyes but stayed quiet.

 After a little coaxing, and some crumpled yuans slipping from Mako's hand to the kid's, he finally spilled.

 "Shady Shin showed up," the boy said, his voice low like he was sharing some top-secret intel. "Flashed some serious cash. Bo took off with him in his hot rod." He paused, darting a quick glance at Sanyu, who was still giving him her best I'm watching you look. "The Triple Threats? The Red Monsoons? The Agni Kais? They're all muscling up for something real big. Now, that's all you're getting outta me, and I'm innocent, officer!"

 Before Sanyu could say anything, the boy took off like a startled rabbit, his friends trailing behind him.

 Sanyu let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples. "The Triple Threats, Red Monsoons, Agni Kais..." she muttered, more to herself than Mako. "Great. Just what we need. It's like every bender in this city's got a membership card to one of these triads."

 She didn't have to elaborate. Mako knew as well as she did how impossible it was to put a dent in their operations. You catch one, five more pop up. It was like playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, except the moles could throw fire and earth and lightning.

 "We should tell Chief Beifong──" Sanyu began, already reaching for her radio.

 Before she could press the button, Mako's hand shot out, grabbing hers firmly. "No. We shouldn't."

 The sharpness in his tone hit her like a cold breeze. Sanyu froze, her eyes narrowing as she snapped her head toward him. For a moment, she was too stunned to speak. Then the surprise turned to annoyance, and her hand jerked out of his grasp like she'd been burned.

 "Excuse me?" she said in disbelief.

 Mako didn't flinch. His gaze stayed locked on hers. "If the cops show up in force, the triads will scatter. You think they'll just hand Bolin over?" he said matter-of-factly, like he was explaining something obvious to a stubborn kid.

 Sanyu's scowl deepened, the irritation prickling at her skin. "Oh, so your genius plan is we don't call for help?"

 "They'll take him, officer. Hide him. And then what? We spend days chasing shadows while he's..." His voice faltered for a split second. He didn't finish the sentence, and he didn't have to.

 "So what, then?" she snapped. "What do you suggest?"

 "We find him quietly. No backup. No force. Just us."

 Sanyu's jaw tightened. His plan was reckless, borderline stupid. But more than that, it was the confidence in his voice that got under her skin. He said it like it was the only option, like she didn't have a choice but to go along with it.

 "And if we fail?" she challenged.

 "We won't."

 That confidence again. The kind of confidence that made her want to throttle him. She hated it, hated how it made her feel like she was the one being unreasonable for even questioning him. And that pissed her off more than anything.

 "Fine," she said, the word coming out harsher than she intended. Then, softer, like she was trying to convince herself, she repeated, "Fine."

 Before the tension could thicken any further, Korra stepped in. "So..." she started, drawing both of their gazes toward her. She was folding her arms, watching them with a raised eyebrow. "What'd the kid say?" she asked, like she hadn't just walked in on a miniature war.

 Mako turned toward her. "Sounds like there's a turf war brewing," he said grimly.

 "And his brother's about to get caught right in the middle of it," Sanyu added.

 Then she glanced down at her uniform, frowning. This wasn't how she'd planned to spend her evening──running headfirst into a brewing gang war. She could already hear her mother's voice in her head, lecturing her about proper procedure.

 Sanyu sighed, pulling at the collar of her uniform. If she was sticking with this, the uniform might have to go. It screamed cop to every shady character within a mile radius, and blending in wasn't exactly her strong suit to begin with.

 But for now, she stayed quiet. They had bigger problems to deal with. And she hated how much she already dreaded trusting Mako.

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RULER OF HER HEART | ❝You don't like me
the way I like you, don't you?❞