Written for: the beautiful prinsesseazula

Dedicated to: the entire Sokkla fandom – love you, family! Happy belated birthday, Seyary-Minamoto!

Artwork: A wholehearted thank you to the lovely beluu-gomez for her gorgeous artwork! This girl is not just talented, but she's such a sweetheart too.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Author's Note: Please be aware that I wrote this story before the release of "North and South: Part 2". The second two parts of the graphic novels will almost certainly contradict some details in my story, but I have no way of knowing that yet!

Chapter 1: From the Past

The frozen intricacies of his sister tribe were just as magnificent as he'd remembered. The sights, the sounds, the energy. But something was different this time around. Something was just… off. The thrill was gone. Not even the modern infrastructures and technological advances could pique his interest.

It didn't help that Katara and Aang had abandoned him almost instantly upon arrival. No, the lovebirds were off on their own, probably doing something that would give him the oogies. They certainly hadn't eased off the public displays of affection through the years, even after distance severed his long-term relationship with Suki.

It wasn't so long ago that he believed he'd be with the Kyoshi warrior forever. That they'd settle down and raise a family together. How could he feel nothing toward her now? How was that even possible?

He laughed under his breath as he meandered through the icy fortress, eventually settling on a frigid structure overlooking the city. Surely people-watching would help combat his boredom. His laughter only grew when he realized exactly where he was standing: the bridge where he first kissed Princess Yue. Yue. Another girl from his past about whom he had nearly forgotten.

To distract himself from the bitter cold and emptiness gnawing at him, he began creating fake dialogue for the random citizens he observed, changing his voice to fit their make-believe personalities. "I'm sorry ma'am, but you're a little short on change." "But this is all I have!" "Fortunately for you, I'll accept a traditional Earth Kingdom jig or a koala-sheep as payment." "What luck! I have a wagon full of koala-sheep just around the corner." He assured himself that his improvised skits were far more entertaining than the idle pleasantries being exchanged. Even so, the buzzing drone of the town was beginning to lull him to sleep. With each passing second, his cheek pressed deeper against his fisted hand.

But then, something unusual caught his eye. Among the sea of blues, whites, and browns stood something that did not belong. A fair-skinned hand exchanging currency for some fruit. Two long black braided pigtails peeking out from a fur hood. There was no way this girl was a Water Tribe native.

He watched her make her purchase. And then she turned around. His blood froze. Two gold eyes shot through the crowd like lightning striking through rainclouds. Although she had grown out her signature side bangs and her face was completely unpainted, he'd recognize those cat-like yellow eyes anywhere. The eyes of the missing Fire Nation Princess.

What was she doing here of all places? Nothing good, he presumed, now completely determined to find out. And just like that, his boredom vanished, leaving only intrigue and curiosity in its place.