A/N: I first developed the idea for this about a year ago and wrote it out as a one-shot. Since then, the idea has grown on me and I probably have developed enough of a story around it to continue and build this into a novel. Based on the reaction to this, I might. But we'll wait and see...


A gust of chilly air hit Iroh square in the face as he opened the door. Gathering the edges of his thick winter cloak about him, he stepped outside and shut the door firmly behind him. No need to let a draft of this unseasonable cold into Pema and Tenzin's cozy home. Especially with little Rohan roaming the halls.

As another stiff breeze cut into Iroh's skin, he swiftly regretted his decision to escape the stifling confines of the council meetings being held within. He cupped his hands and blew softly on them with a warm stream of air that only a firebender such as himself could summon. Rubbing his hands together and blowing on them alternately, he slowly walked the length of the long path leading to the meditation pavilion, enjoying the smell of the salty sea air and the soft, soothing sound of the waves in the distance. Iroh rotated his neck one way and then the other slowly, stretching his stiff muscles and enjoying the pleasant feeling of the tension draining from his body. It had been a long day.

Iroh knew that Tenzin had done what was right by installing him in the Avatar's Council. With the aftermath of the anti-bending revolution and Amon's near-destruction of Republic City to deal with, Avatar Korra had her hands full. She needed all the help she could get and Tenzin had done his best to get her that help. Over the past year, he'd organized the Avatar's Council; a small group of officials that answered directly to the Avatar and each contributed to the massive clean-up movement in some way. As general of the United Forces, and commander of the First Division, Iroh was a key member, along with his commander of the Second Division, General Bumi. In Tenzin's words, "The United Forces serve as a protection against panic and a safeguard for the rampant emotions of the people." And yet... Iroh sighed and bit his lip. Patrolling, guarding, defending... all things he understood. But as of late, the Council had been facing something more daunting than the unpredictability of the populace. Both Korra and Tenzin insisted that they could feel a spiritual imbalance affecting the city, something that was clearly a matter of concern for the Avatar's Council. In today's meetings, Iroh had been called upon for quite a bit more than mere military assistance. However, all this talk of emotional and spiritual dealing felt somehow underhanded to him, and far enough removed from his usual sphere to make him uncomfortable. He'd excused himself after sitting through several hours of discussions that he didn't even want to understand, to go clear his head.

Rounding a bend in the path, Iroh was given his first clear view across Yue Bay since he'd arrived late last night. Even with the cold air making his eyes water and his temples throb, he had to stop and gaze at the view in awe for a full minute.

Air Temple Island was situated just off the coast of the iconic Republic City. Although he'd visited the city several times throughout his life, the grand scale of it still took Iroh's breath away. Majestic skyscrapers towered high over crowded streets, tranquil parks, and industrious factories, all of which were teeming with thousands of benders and non-benders alike, each living harmoniously with each other. Or so was the hope that they all lived for.

Iroh took a deep, satisfying breath that sent an electric tingle through his muscles. This was what his grandfather, Fire Lord Zuko, had fought and bled for. This was the peace and balance that was needed in every corner of the world. He resumed his walk, caught up in visions of the past.


Iroh saw her as he rounded the corner and stepped into the gazebo, still lost in thoughts of his grandfather's glory days. She was leaning against the railing, gazing out across the bay, unaware of his presence. Her long dark hair tossed back and forth gently in the cold breeze. She wasn't even wearing a cloak, he realized, as he noticed her luxurious red and gold sleeveless dress and the jeweled hairpins that held back stray curls from her pale face, yet her slender body, seemed unaffected by the bitter bite of the autumn weather. A figurative goddess. Asami Sato.

He'd run into her several times in the past year, but usually at a dinner or formal occasion and never without someone else present. In fact, she was nearly always at Air Temple Island at the time of the monthly council meetings Tenzin insisted on. Upon first joining the Council, Iroh hadn't been sure of Asami's position in relation to the Avatar or how exactly she was involved in the clean-up efforts, but since then he'd heard it mentioned by chief of police, Lin Beifong, that she'd been working closely with the police effort to investigate her father's involvement with the Equalists. No doubt, she'd been a veritable goldmine of information, enabling the police to dig up many years' worth of evidence against Hiroshi Sato. Lin, at least, had spoken highly of her.

But what else did Iroh know of Asami? He searched his mind. Nothing. Embarrassment clouded his thinking for a moment; shame at coming upon her unexpectedly like this. Stepping forward slowly, he cleared his throat as quietly as he could, hoping not to startle her. "Excuse me."

Asami straightened and turned to face him. Her green eyes brightened and she smiled politely at him. "General Iroh." She dipped her head gracefully. "It's good to see you again."

Iroh bowed stiffly and uncomfortably, feeling his lack of polished manners sorely. He'd spent far too much time away from the Fire Nation Royal Palace.

"Miss Sato," he said. "It's a pleasure to see you again as well."

Asami's fixed smile melted into a genuine grin. "Don't bother, General. Call me Asami. Please."

Iroh relaxed and allowed a smile to creep onto his own face. "I wouldn't dream of presuming such a thing, Miss Sato. Especially when you keep calling me General. Iroh's my name."

Asami laughed and tilted her head. "Fine then, Iroh. There, is that better?"

Iroh grinned. "Yes, it is, Asami."

Asami laughed again and then glanced over his shoulder. "I assume that since you've had time to brave the cold for the long walk up here, the Council has adjourned all ready." she said.

"Unfortunately, no," he answered, with a heavy sigh. "I think they'll be in discussion for quite some time yet. I just needed time to think on my own. Without constant interruption." He waved his hand at the surrounding pavilion. "This seemed like an appropriate place to do that."

"I guess we had the same thought then," she said. She sighed and leaned on the railing again, gaze suddenly far away. "Believe me, I understand your feelings. It's nice to be able to think in peace."

Iroh leaned on one elbow against the railing, studying the girl with interested eyes. Her mind was worlds away as she stared out at the shifting waves. He knew because he'd often let his mind travel to those worlds himself.

She glanced up at him and smirked suddenly. Heat crept up his neck as he flushed scarlet. She'd caught him staring!

She laughed lightly again. "What is it?"

Iroh coughed, hoping the cold air would quickly fade the blush from his cheeks. "May I ask, what you were thinking about, Miss Sato?"

Asami's brow puckered in thought. "Just now, or earlier when you first saw me?"

"Just now."

Asami looked back at the water and was silent for a moment. "I was thinking of my father."

A wave of empathy for the girl swept through Iroh without warning. Her father had betrayed many, but the man's worst crime of all had been against this beautiful young woman standing next to him. What was it like to find out that your father was a monster, a wolf in sheep's clothing? How many sleepless nights did Asami spend wondering how deep the betrayal had run, how long he'd hidden his hatred from her? How many times had she relived in her nightmares the moment of awful truth when her own father had come at her with the intention to kill her? No child deserved to see what Asami had seen in the eyes of their parent.

"I'm sorry," Iroh said. His words rang hollow in the wooden gazebo. How many others' sympathy had been expressed in those two words, those two words that meant nothing now. They wouldn't bring back her peace of mind or restore her security. No matter how sincere his sorrow for Asami, he still sounded like an empty-minded fool, incapable of understanding her pain. How could he let her know that he understood?

"I miss him," she said softly, voice trembling.

Iroh looked at her, thinking that maybe she was crying. Her face was set like stone, eyes like two shards of emerald, reflecting the sea.

A new train of thought went rumbling through Iroh's brain. Asami's mother was dead. She had never known a mother's love. Instead, she'd depended on her father, her daddy. She'd given him all the love her heart had been capable of giving and she'd been closer to her father than a daughter ever had. And now he was in prison, consumed with hatred. Not just hatred of benders, but hatred of her, his daughter, who he'd claimed to love. Hiroshi's love was a jealous love; he needed all or none. Asami hadn't given her heart to the same thirst for revenge that he had. So now, Asami's love was being returned with hate.

In that one moment of clearness, Iroh saw into the depths of Asami's pain. He saw an emptiness within her heart that couldn't be filled. A gaping hole that screamed to be acknowledged, but never again could be. In those simple words, "I miss him," Asami had attempted to convey all the pain, the fear and the darkness of that hole. She'd meant so much more than she'd said. What she'd really meant was that she missed her father's love.

Watching her as she stood there, strong as steel, yet vibrant and delicate as a fire lily, Iroh felt his heart go out to her. She hid her pain from everyone, even going so far as to help in the search that would only uncover the true extent of her father's evil, that would only wound her more. On the surface she was the strong, unyielding Miss Sato, but underneath, she was nothing more than Asami, the little girl who wanted her daddy.

Iroh noticed her bare arms were covered in goosebumps. Maybe the best way to show that he understood would be to show her, not tell her.

Reaching up to his neck, he undid the clasp of his cloak and let it slide off of his shoulders. The long sleeves of his tunic would keep him warm enough. He shook the cloak out and tossed it gently over her shoulders.

Asami started a little at his touch and then looked at him with concern. "Oh, no thanks, General. I don't want you to get cold." She tried to shrug the cloak off, but Iroh held it tight.

"Don't worry about me, Miss Sato," he said. He snapped the clasp at her throat and then smoothed the material over her arms. "I'm perfectly fine."

When he looked back at her face, her eyes were shining, with tears or gratitude he couldn't tell. For a moment he lost himself in her gaze. Time seemed frozen. Then he realized that he was still touching her arms. He dropped his hands and started to step away. Suddenly Asami grabbed his hand.

"You know what I was thinking of when you first came?" she whispered.

Iroh shook his head.

"I was wishing for someone. Someone who would understand, who would be there for me." She looked him straight in the eye. "I think you understand, General, more than anyone else."

Iroh took her other hand and squeezed it, holding her gaze.

"Asami," he said. "No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you when you need me. I promise you that."

Asami held his gaze for a moment then closed her eyes and turned away again.

Iroh stepped away, giving her some space. "I'll be going now, Miss Sato," he said gently. "But if you need me..." He paused. "If you need me, I'll be there."

Asami didn't answer. He wasn't sure if the tear he saw drip down her cheek was his imagination or not.

Iroh slipped silently from the gazebo and down the hill towards the house, but his mind was no longer focused on the problems of the Council or the legacy of his grandfather or the marvelous sight of Republic City across the Bay. Instead, it was the image of Asami's figure, black and still against the gray-blue of the sea and sky, that stayed fixed firmly in his mind.