── 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.

[ 008 ] GETTING PRESSURED
❝Don't think I'm warming up to you, Avatar.❞

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 THE NEXT DAY, AFTER finishing her shift and routine tasks, Sanyu made her way to Air Temple Island. She was eager to visit her sweethearts. She missed them terribly and wanted to spend time with them without the weight of her own worries. The last thing she wanted was for her mood to dampen their spirits.

 When she arrived, she spotted Ikki and Jinora near the veranda, deeply engrossed in a game of Pai Sho. Their heads were bent close together as they studied the board. Meelo was nowhere to be seen, likely busy tinkering with the Sato-mobile that Councilman Tarrlok had gifted Korra. Perched on the mansion's railing, Korra looked visibly irritated, her gaze fixed on a council page standing nearby. This time, the page bore no gifts, only a letter clutched tightly in his hands.

 Sanyu chose to ignore the tension between Korra and the page, focusing instead on her sisters. She landed gracefully, her glider snapping shut as she called out, "Hello, my sweethearts!" Her wide smile brightened her face as she made her way toward Ikki and Jinora.

 The girls looked up in unison, their faces breaking into matching grins. Ikki waved enthusiastically, while Jinora offered a gentler but equally warm greeting.

 Korra had already spotted Sanyu from a distance, and her heart did a little happy dance when she saw her. But at that moment, she was too caught up in the council page to even greet her properly. It felt like forever since she'd last seen Sanyu, even though it had only been the day before──when Sanyu had somehow managed to blow up a small part of the mansion wall.

 "What are you two up to?" Sanyu asked, crouching beside her sisters and glancing at the Pai Sho board. "Pai Sho?"

 Ikki nodded eagerly. "Yes! I almost beat Jinora—look!" She pointed to the board, though its intricacies were lost on Sanyu. "Tell her, Jinora! I beat you twice!"

 Jinora giggled and teased, "Or should I tell her how I beat you eight times?"

 Ikki immediately pouted, giving Jinora a look of disapproval before turning to Sanyu for backup.

 Sanyu chuckled, ruffling Ikki's hair. "I already know Jinora's a master at Pai Sho," she said, grinning as Ikki huffed in mock indignation. "But I'm proud of you, Ikki. Beating her twice is amazing! That's two more wins than I'd ever manage──I'm hopeless at Pai Sho."

 Ikki's face lit up instantly. "I can teach you, big sis!" she exclaimed. Then, glancing at Jinora, she added, "Or... Jinora can help too!"

 Jinora nodded, encouraging.

 Sanyu shrugged and lowered herself to sit cross-legged on the ground between her sisters. Her eyes focused on the Pai Sho board, studying it closely. Just looking at the layout made her head spin, reminding her of her time training in the United Forces.

 Back then, Pai Sho was a favorite way to kill time, and no one was better at it than General Iroh. The memory of him filled her mind, stirring a deep ache in her chest. She missed him terribly now, especially as this game of Pai Sho brought his image so vividly to life.

 "I'd like that," she said after a moment.

 Ikki squealed with delight, clapping her hands.

 "I remember someone I really admire being amazing at Pai Sho," Sanyu remarked, picking up a game piece and twirling it between her fingers. "Maybe if I improve, I can play with him──and with you two, of course!"

 Ikki's eyes sparkled. "Oh! Who is he? Is he handsome? Is he kind? If not, I'll set him straight!" She rattled off questions without pause. "Does he like broccoli pudding? Pumpkin pie? Mom can cook for him when he visits!"

 Jinora added dreamily, "Does he make you feel like you're floating into the sky, like in the book I just finished?"

 Sanyu couldn't help but laugh at their curiosity. Ikki, as usual, had a million questions bubbling out of her, while Jinora spoke with her head in the clouds, lost in her romantic daydreams.

 "Well," Sanyu began, a fond smile playing on her lips as her thoughts wandered to Iroh. "All I can say is that he's a very kind man──"

 Korra's loud exclamation cut her off.

 All three sisters turned to look at her, curiosity now directed toward the Avatar.

 "It's not a gift──it's an invitation," said the council page, shaking slightly after being tossed aside by Korra's earlier outburst.

 "Invitation to what?" Korra demanded, snatching the papers from his hands. Her eyes scanned the text, her frown deepening with every line.

 "Tarrlok is hosting a gala in your honor," the page explained hurriedly, bowing slightly to diffuse Korra's irritation. "All of Republic City's movers and shakers will be there. The councilman humbly requests your attendance."

 Sanyu stood, brushing herself off as she approached them. Her expression was skeptical, her arms crossing as she addressed the page.

 "Wait," she said. "Are you serious? Or is this just another one of Tarrlok's schemes to push Korra into something she doesn't want to do?"

 She glanced at Korra, then back at the page, studying his face for any hint of the truth. The idea of Tarrlok throwing a grand gala seemed too convenient, too calculated. Was it genuine, or just another guilt trip to coerce Korra into accepting an offer she'd already turned down too many times to count?

 Sanyu sighed inwardly. With Tarrlok, nothing was ever simple.

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 "HE WAS SERIOUS..." SANYU exhaled, standing among the influential crowd at City Hall. She was wearing a dress──a rare sight for her. Beside her, Korra looked stunning in a beautiful Southern Water Tribe gown, her gaze moving around the room as Tenzin stood nearby, his eyes scanning the crowd vigilantly.

 Sanyu hadn't expected to be invited to the gala, nor had she expected to bring her mother along. It was her first time at an event like this, and she felt out of place, especially in the dress she hadn't worn in ages. The last time she'd worn something this formal had been over a year ago when General Iroh had invited her to a romantic date before she returned to Republic City, after completing her training and military service with the United Forces.

 Tonight, she was dressed in an orange and yellow qixiong ruqun hanfu she had bought specifically for that date with Iroh. Their relationship had started to grow into something deeper, but both of them had been hesitant to label it. He was drawn to the sea, and she was deeply rooted in Republic City.

 Part of her was afraid of committing fully, unsure if their different desires and lifestyles would pull them in opposite directions. Iroh was always gentle with her, his care and concern something she had never experienced before.

 But despite all his kindness, she was the one who always made the effort to visit him at sea, even though she never felt truly at home there. She wondered if she deserved the affection he gave her──if she was only turning to him when her heart felt empty, always expecting him to fill the void.

 Their relationship was complicated, and so were her feelings for him. She didn't know what to do with the confusion inside her, so she stayed silent──just like she always did, burying her pain and uncertainties deep down. How could she ask for reassurance, for him to return her feelings with the same intensity, when she felt like she was using him to fill the emptiness within her?

 It almost seemed fitting that Iroh gave her what she wanted without asking her to stay. He knew she would always return to him, just as she always did, like an obedient dog. And she hated herself for it.

 "I can't believe this is all for me," Korra said, pulling Sanyu from her thoughts of Iroh. She blinked, realizing how lost she had been in her own worries.

 "I'm not sure what Tarrlok's up to," Tenzin cautioned as he surveyed the crowd. "He doesn't throw a party just for the fun of it. Keep your guard up."

 "Yeah, don't fall for his schemes, Avatar," Sanyu added, nudging Korra lightly. Standing a few inches taller, thanks to her Air Nomad ancestry, Sanyu often found herself looking down at most people──even Korra. "Maybe he's just throwing this gala to guilt-trip you. Who knows? Always expect the unexpected──that's one of the first rules I learned as a cop."

 Korra raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in a subtle smirk. "You know, you can just call me Korra instead of 'Avatar,' you know."

 Sanyu rolled her eyes and sighed, crossing her arms. "You shouldn't be worrying about that right now," she chided. Korra, with a mock pout, raised her hands in surrender. "And I'll keep calling you Avatar, Avatar."

 "Yes, ma'am."

 "Don't call me that."

 Korra pursed her lips, saying nothing more. She knew better than to argue with Sanyu──it was a battle she never won. Both of them were hotheaded in their own ways, but Korra was starting to realize that, despite their differences, she was willing to soften her temper if it meant earning Sanyu's respect──or, maybe more than that, winning her heart and friendship.

 But no matter how hard she tried, Sanyu always kept her distance. The cold shoulder left Korra yearning for a bond that still felt just out of reach.

 The moment Sanyu heard Tarrlok's voice, she groaned just loudly enough for him to hear, letting him know exactly how she felt about his presence. He approached them with exaggerated gestures, as if performing for an audience. He turned to Tenzin and his daughter, addressing them, "If you'd excuse us, the city awaits its hero."

 "But──" Korra started, her gaze flicking to Sanyu for support. But Sanyu wasn't paying attention. She had deliberately turned her focus elsewhere, ignoring the councilman entirely.

 Sanyu chose to keep herself busy, finding something else to look at rather than acknowledge Tarrlok. Her eyes landed on Meelo, who was dashing excitedly toward the fountain. She knew exactly what he was planning: to pee in the fountain. It was so typical of him──his antics never failed to cause trouble. But, at the end of the day, he was just a kid, and she couldn't help but find his mischief amusing.

 She nudged Tenzin, who was still watching Korra being swept away by Tarrlok. "Tenzin, Meelo..." She pointed toward her little brother, who was already tugging at his pants, clearly ready to relieve himself in the fountain.

 Tenzin's eyes widened in horror. "Meelo! No, that's not a toilet! Oh dear," he exclaimed, rushing toward his son, one hand shielding his eyes in embarrassment.

 Left alone, Sanyu wandered, unsure of what to do next. Small talk wasn't her strength──observation suited her better, a habit forged through years in the police and military. From across the room, she noticed Bolin waving her over. Standing beside him was Hiroshi Sato, the inventor of the Sato-mobile and CEO of Future Industries. His daughter, Asami, clung to Mako's arm as if he were her lifeline.

 With little else to do but observe and offer strained smiles, Sanyu made her way over to them. Bolin's eyes lit up as she approached.

 "You look fancy tonight, Officer Sanyu!" Bolin said with a bright grin, his eyes admiring her as if she were the most precious thing in the room.

 His genuine compliment caught her off guard, warmth blooming in her chest. She wasn't accustomed to receiving such earnest praise.

 Sanyu offered a rare, genuine smile. "Thank you, dear Bolin. And you look as dashing as ever, too."

 Bolin puffed up proudly, shooting a triumphant glance at his brother. Mako responded with a long-suffering eye roll.

 "Ah, you must be Officer Sanyu Beifong, Chief Lin Beifong's daughter," Hiroshi Sato greeted her warmly. "I've heard great things about you. You served with the United Forces, didn't you?"

 At his words, everyone──Mako, Bolin, Korra, and Asami──looked at her with amused expressions. Tarrlok, however, only cast her a sidelong glance, raising a brow, as if the idea of joining the military was something beneath him.

 It wasn't a well-known fact, but Sanyu had trained with the United Forces for over twenty-one months, completing her military service before leaving. Only her family, and perhaps a few council members, knew the full extent of it. How Hiroshi had learned about it puzzled her.

 "Uh, yeah... how did you know?" Sanyu asked, her smile faltering as a flicker of suspicion shadowed her features. Something about him felt... off.

 "Your mother spoke very highly of you," he replied smoothly. His answer eased her tension, and she found herself nodding, releasing the breath she hadn't even realized she was holding.

 He then gestured to his daughter, who was still holding onto Mako's arm. "This is my daughter, Asami."

 Sanyu flashed a brief smile in Asami's direction, but it quickly faded as her gaze shifted to Mako. His golden eyes were already locked on her, an intense gleam flickering in them before turning the same look to Korra. That gaze left a bitter taste in Sanyu's mouth. He really ought to learn to keep his eyes to himself. Asami──arguably the most beautiful woman Sanyu had ever seen──deserved his full attention as his girlfriend. But no, he seemed incapable of appreciating what he had.

 "So, how did you two meet?" Sanyu asked, genuinely curious about how this unlikely pair came together. What kind of man could win over someone like Asami, who seemed so captivated by him?

 Korra, newly introduced to the group, leaned closer to Sanyu. "Asami ran into him on her moped," she whispered with a hint of amusement.

 "He probably deserved that." Sanyu shot Mako a disapproving look, which he met with a glare, daring her to say more.

 "What? Don't talk to him like that," Asami defended, placing a gentle hand on Mako's chest. He responded with a warm smile, a look of adoration that somehow unsettled Sanyu.

 Sanyu couldn't pinpoint why Mako made her so uncomfortable. Maybe it was the way he looked at her and Korra while Asami clung to him. It repulsed her, reminding her of her father, who abandoned her mother for another woman, unable to remain loyal when it mattered most.

 She forced a polite smile at Asami before turning toward the self-service station. Grabbing an empty glass, she moved briskly, ignoring Bolin as he trailed behind calling her name. She was used to moving quickly. Time, to her, was precious.

 "Hey, Officer Sanyu..." Bolin called out, slightly breathless when he finally caught up.

 "Just Sanyu," she said firmly, pouring a glass of water. Nearby, a table overflowed with an array of dishes──meats, vegetarian fare, desserts──none of which she bothered to notice.

 "Oh... right. Sanyu." Bolin rubbed the back of his neck. He glanced at her, a little sheepish but clearly trying to figure her out. "You don't seem to like my brother much. Why's that?" he asked.

 His question was direct. It's something Sanyu appreciated. She wasn't one for beating around the bush.

 Sanyu didn't hesitate. "Because he's a dick."

 Bolin's eyes widened in surprise, but the shock quickly melted into sheepish understanding. His gaze softened before shifting to something more curious, like he was weighing her words. He sure had a lot of expressions, and Sanyu found herself unsure which one to focus on.

 "I mean... you're not wrong," Bolin admitted.

 "I'm always right," she replied.

 Bolin hesitated for a moment. "Well... Mako can be kind──" he began.

 But he didn't get to finish. Korra, surrounded by journalists on the stairs, was bombarded by flashing cameras and relentless questions about her refusal to join Tarrlok's fight against the Equalists.

 Tarrlok, ever the opportunist, exposed Korra to the fray, positioning himself to force her into compliance. The pressure mounted as Korra blinked against the camera flashes, struggling to recall the calm, diplomatic words Tenzin would have urged her to say──something about unity and avoiding division between benders and nonbenders.

 But with all eyes on her, she couldn't summon those thoughts. Instead, she squared her shoulders, determination flashing in her eyes, and defiantly made her stand.

 "I am not afraid of anybody!" Korra's voice voice rang through the microphone, strong and clear. Her gaze hardened as she gestured toward Tarrlok. "If the city needs me, then... I'll join Tarrlok's task force and help fight Amon!"

 From a distance, Sanyu froze, her eyes wide with shock. It was just another of Tarrlok's manipulative schemes──another attempt to back Korra into a corner. His methods were as cunning as they were ruthless. There had been moments Sanyu wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off his face and walk away.

 Tarrlok, triumphant, stepped forward and draped an arm over Korra's shoulder. "There's your headline, folks," he declared to the press, satisfaction dripping from his tone.

 As the cameras flashed relentlessly, Sanyu stood frozen, her stomach churning with helplessness. Her eyes burned with fury as she glared at Tarrlok, but it was no use. He only smiled back at her, a mischievous, almost victorious glint in his eye.

 Korra, meanwhile, lowered her gaze, pale with the realization that she had just played straight into Tarrlok's hands.

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 SANYU REMAINED EVER VIGILANT over Tarrlok's task force, especially after Korra had been manipulated into joining it.

 The day following the gala, Tarrlok's team raided a hidden chi-blocker training facility, capturing numerous trainees and other Equalists. While the operation was deemed a tactical success, the subsequent press conference proved anything but orderly. Korra, visibly tense, publicly challenged Amon to a one-on-one duel at midnight on Aang Memorial Island.

 Sanyu couldn't help but wonder why Korra seemed so driven by her emotions, often rushing into decisions without much thought. But as she observed Korra's impulsiveness, a part of Sanyu understood her all too well.

 It reminded her of the reckless decisions she made during her teenage years, when caution often came second to passion. Despite being three years Korra's senior, Sanyu couldn't ignore the resonance between them──a fiery determination shaped by defiance and instinct. A part of Sanyu she rarely acknowledged surfaced now, stirring protective instincts she usually kept buried.

 She resolved not to let Korra shoulder her burdens alone. Sanyu had weathered her own storms of recklessness and suffering, and she wouldn't stand by while Korra faced the same fate. The Avatar needed someone by her side──someone to remind her of her strength and to anchor her when self-doubt threatened to consume her. Even if Sanyu struggled to voice her emotions, her actions would make her intentions clear.

 As Korra prepared to leave for Aang Memorial Island, Sanyu stood beside her as a silent pillar of support. Her presence alone conveyed a promise: Korra was not alone.

 "You're not heading home, are you, officer?" Korra asked, stepping onto the boat with a frown.

 Sanyu shook her head. "I'm here to protect you, just in case anything goes wrong on the island," she replied. "I'll be there the moment I sense trouble."

 Korra raised an eyebrow. "Are you starting to care about me?" she asked with a teasing smile, though her heart was troubled by the impending fight with Amon.

 "No," Sanyu answered curtly. "It's about your safety. Amon can take your bending away in seconds, remember?" The thought of Amon's threat made her uneasy, but she masked it well. "Don't think I'm warming up to you, Avatar."

 Korra gave her a skeptical look, a smug grin spreading across her face. "Sure, officer. Whatever you say..." she murmured, brushing off Sanyu's retort as she resumed her preparations.

 Tenzin's voice suddenly cut through the tension. "Korra, this is madness!" he exclaimed, stepping up beside his daughter, who gripped her staff tightly in her hands.

 "Don't try to stop me, and don't follow me," Korra insisted as she bound her arms and hands with rope. "I need to face Amon alone."

 Tenzin's brow furrowed with frustration. He turned sharply to confront Tarrlok, his anger simmering just below the surface. "This is all your doing!"

 Sanyu nodded in agreement with her father. Tarrlok had deceived Korra, and he alone was responsible for putting the Avatar in such danger. Sanyu could see how Korra's recklessness was fueled by the pressure to meet everyone's expectations, her fear of appearing weak. It was something Sanyu understood all too well. She had been there before.

 Tarrlok, however, feigned innocence, shrugging casually. "I tried to talk her out of it," he claimed unconvincingly. "But her mind's made up."

 But Sanyu saw through it. He wasn't trying to stop her; he was pushing for this confrontation. He wanted Korra to face Amon, and he was determined to make it happen.

 Sanyu didn't waste a second. "Don't ever let your guard down," she advised Korra, her voice as cold and firm as her expression. She wasn't one for sentimental words, and she didn't have time for that now.

 Korra offered a tight smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I won't. Don't worry," she promised before waterbending the boat away from the dock, guiding it toward Aang Memorial Island.

 "We'll be watching the island closely," Tarrlok told Tenzin and Sanyu, watching as Korra's silhouette faded into the night. "If anything goes wrong, I have a fleet of police airships ready to swoop in."

 Sanyu shot him a disgusted look, her teeth clenched in barely contained anger. "Oh, as if that's supposed to make us feel any better," she snapped, her staff itching in her hands, almost begging her to strike him.

 Tarrlok ignored her retort, unfazed. He took his place beside them on the dock as if he were awaiting a show to unfold.

 Everything had seemed quiet──almost too quiet──as Sanyu scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of Amon. But there was nothing. No shadow, no movement. He was nowhere in sight.

 Still, unease prickled at her skin like a needle pressing against her chest. The unsettling stillness felt wrong, like the eerie calm before a storm. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong.

 "I'm going," Sanyu declared after hours of restless pacing. She snapped open her glider; the sound breaking the tense silence and catching both men off guard. "Something doesn't feel right."

 "No, Sanyu, it's too dangerous!" Tenzin protested. "You can't go alone."

 Sanyu scoffed, her glare fierce enough to scorch the entire city. "And sending Korra alone wasn't dangerous?" she shot back, her voice sharp and biting. "I know she's the Avatar, but she's still human. She's terrified of Amon──and honestly, I would be too. I need to be there for her, just like Mom was there for me after the incident."

 Before Tenzin could argue further, Sanyu launched herself into the sky, gliding toward Memorial Island. Her father's urgent calls followed her, but she didn't look back.

 The wind rushed past her, but her mind raced even faster. She couldn't quite pinpoint when she started caring about Korra, who often seemed like more trouble than she was worth. Their interactions were rare and yet... Korra always seemed to linger in her mind.

 Maybe it was the way Korra carried herself or how she kept appearing whenever Sanyu visited Air Temple Island. At first, Sanyu found herself observing Korra from a distance, watching her train in airbending. Over time, though, something shifted. Korra wasn't just the Avatar anymore; she was a person──a vulnerable, determined, often impulsive person.

 What Sanyu didn't realize was that Korra, too, watched her──from afar and often in secret. Accompanied by Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, Korra would glance at Sanyu with quiet longing, yearning to be seen as more than just a distant acquaintance. To Korra, Sanyu represented something she had never truly had in the South Pole: the possibility of a genuine friendship. She longed for moments with Sanyu free from their usual tension, hoping that one day the officer might soften toward her.

 Sanyu pushed those thoughts aside as she landed on Memorial Island. The eerie silence of the place heightened her senses. Gripping her staff tightly, she let her eyes sweep across the desolate landscape, searching for any sign of danger.

 As she began to move, she crouched down and picked up a small rock──a crucial component of a technique she had been refining. It was a way to weaponize her airbending with deadly accuracy. She had come close to mastering it and trusted herself not to miss. Now, she just needed to stop relying on her emotions to fuel her bending──a lesson she was still learning.

 "Korra?" Sanyu called cautiously.

 Her gaze swept the island until it landed on a figure dressed in blue lying motionless at the base of Aang's statue. Her breath caught in her throat.

 "Korra!" she shouted, fear rising in her chest as she sprinted toward the figure.

 Dropping to her knees, she cradled Korra in her arms. "Korra, wake up!" she pleaded, shaking her gently. Her heart raced, focused solely on Korra──so much so that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps until they were nearly upon her.

 She spun around in an instant, raising her hand instinctively, ready to aim and shoot without a second thought. But she froze when her eyes landed on the familiar figure rushing toward her.

 "Dad?" she whispered, lowering her hand as Tenzin came into view.

 "Sanyu! Korra!" he exclaimed, dropping to his knees beside them. He placed a hand on Korra's shoulder, gently shaking her. "Korra, can you hear me? What happened? Was Amon here?"

 Korra stirred, her eyelids heavy as she looked up weakly. "Yeah... He ambushed me."

 Sanyu leaned closer, anxiety twisting in her gut. "Did he──did he take your bending?"

 In response, Korra raised her hand and summoned a small flicker of flame before closing her fist to extinguish it. "No," she whispered. "I'm okay." But the sadness in her eyes and the quiver in her chin said otherwise.

 Sanyu's expression softened. "Korra... you're far from okay," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper, as though afraid to press too hard.

 Tenzin exhaled in relief at seeing Korra still able to bend.

 Without warning, tears spilled down Korra's cheeks. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Sanyu, seeking comfort in her embrace. Surprised but unwilling to let Korra go, Sanyu held her carefully, unsure of what to say but hoping her presence was enough. Tenzin joined them, placing a reassuring hand on Korra's back.

 "I was so scared," Korra sobbed. "I felt so helpless."

 "It's all right, Korra," Tenzin said soothingly, his words like a balm. "The nightmare is over. You're safe now."

 Korra pulled back slightly from Sanyu, her tear-streaked face turning toward Tenzin. Her blue eyes brimmed with pain and vulnerability.. "You... you were right," she choked out. "I've been scared this whole time. I've never felt like this before, and... and I don't know what to do!" Her words cracked with emotions as she buried herself back into Sanyu's arms, clinging tightly.

 "Admitting your fear is the first and hardest step toward overcoming it, Korra," Tenzin said, his hand moving in comforting circles on her back.

 Sanyu nodded, wrapping her arms more securely around the Avatar. "We're here with you, Korra," she added "You're not alone."

 Korra's sobs gradually quieted, though tears continued to fall. For the first time in what felt like ages, she allowed herself to feel vulnerable, to accept the care being offered. Tenzin's presence and Sanyu's warmth surrounded her like a protective shield. She was still afraid, still uncertain, but in their arms, she felt just a little less lost, a little less alone.

 In that moment, she allowed herself to believe that she didn't have to face everything by herself.

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