Bolin insisted that he knew where to go as the compound was just located outside the city. Asami and Mako simply said that they didn't really know the area as they were being guided by Korra the last time they went here. After initially getting lost in Harbor City, Iroh gratefully took directions from a woman in the market. She approached them and asked if they were lost having notice that they've passed the same line of stalls for the fourth time. Iroh and the rest of them followed the woman as she showed them to the outskirts of the city and told them to follow a path going uphill.

"This is as far as I can go." She said. "I have to get back to my store."

"Thank you." Iroh said.

"I remember now." Bolin said. He pointed towards the same direction the woman just showed them and said, "It's that way."

"It's the quickest way there." She insisted.

"Thank you." Asami and Mako said. Iroh waved at her as she disappeared back into the city.

They walked along the small trail keeping their jackets close to them and dragging along their bags. The wind was blowing and it was only getting colder.


Korra hadn't exactly told anyone that she was visiting the South Pole except for Master Tenzin and there was great surprise when they finally got to the compound. The sentries initially recognized the avatar's friends but refused to let them enter on grounds that the Avatar was not with them. Iroh stepped forward and casually mentioned his name hoping that they'll let them in because of his grandfather's uncle. It worked.

Iroh found it peculiar that the building they entered was beneath the ground but quickly thought that it made sense as most of the ground had been filled with obstacle courses. Iroh tried to imagine a younger Korra running around with various bending masters or sentries yelling at her. He always envisioned that Korra would be a very mischievous child a bit like her current self. They were led down a set of stairs and showed to their own individual rooms. The sentries allowed them to settle in and left.

A few hours after they got to the Avatar's compound, Korra had still yet to catch up with them and he noticed that some on the white lotus sentries were getting wary. Iroh left Korra's friends and decided to go back to the ship as he wasn't keen on walking around the compound for hours on end.

He was confident that he knew how to get back to the compound from the town. So he walked down the path they had followed earlier on and thankfully found himself in the town once more. He passed by small shops and brightly colored houses and went on towards the direction of the sea. Amidst the entire crowd, Iroh saw a group of children running around in the alleyways. They were all giggling loudly and a boy was quickly on their tracks as they disappeared into the next right. Iroh smiled remembering his childhood home playing with his sisters.

Unaware of how long it took him to get there, Iroh finally reached the ship. He talked briefly to the Captain and was informed that the crew had settled in well.

"There might be something you might want to see." The captain said smiling. Iroh raised his brows silently wondering what it could be. They went off the ship and the captain had told him to go further down to the right. "You'll know what I mean when you see it."

Iroh did as the captain said and walked down. He was truly unsure as to what the captain wanted his to see. There were only ships beside another ship all lining up the dock. But as the captain predicted, Iroh quickly figured out what the he meant. There was a fire nation ship with the emblem of the royal family. His mind reeled. Was his family here in the South Pole? If so, who? Iroh walked towards the ship eagerly. He hadn't seen nor heard from his family for months, maybe even a year.

Immediately after talking a few paces, he saw someone get off the ship that he recognized to be his grandfather. Apparently, Zuko had seen him as well as he smiled brightly and was looking at his direction, waving slightly.

"Grandfather." Iroh gave him a customary bow and was pulled into a hug.

"How are you, Iroh?" Zuko asked.

"I'm very well." Iroh said.

"You've been gone a while." Zuko casually commented.

"I know." He sighed. "I've been busy."

"Your parents are asking for you."

"I know." He repeated.

"Your mother wants you to come around soon." Zuko said. "They are a bit worried. No word and no visits, it sends a bad message, grandson."

"I haven't been home in three years." Iroh looked down at the snow that was on his shoe.

"And yet I find you, here, in the South Pole, away from Republic City and home." Zuko observed.

"I came here with the Avatar." Iroh informed him. "We're here to attend the festival."

Zuko nodded. "Yes. Avatar Korra had informed me earlier."

"You've already met Korra?"

"As I just said, yes, I did." Zuko said. "It made me wonder. You know the Avatar quite well, Iroh?"

He blushed. "I know her well enough. We met last year through work. She was looking for a way to get to the South Pole and I offered." He said defensively.

"Of course." Zuko said looking at him pointedly. Iroh noticed that his grandfather kept glancing behind him as if anxious for something.

"Are you waiting for something?"

"Yes." Zuko said nodding. "I was hoping to meet the newly elected chief. I asked Li to try and find out if I can actually do that."

Iroh bit his lip to prevent him from laughing out loud. He reckoned that anyone would be able to entertain former Fire Lord Zuko, no matter how busy their schedules were at that period. "I'm pretty sure you'd be able to do that."

"Yes." Zuko said. "I want to do it as early as possible considering the fact I'll be leaving pretty soon."

Iroh frowned. "You won't be staying for the festival?"

"No." He replied. "I need to be at a meeting in the Earth Kingdom."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, Iroh." He said. "I won't be leaving until just before the festival."

"That's in three days." Iroh exclaimed.

"So, I still have two days." Zuko said calmly.

"Now, do you have to be anywhere?" Zuko asked. "I have to excuse myself grandson. I need to rest now."

"Of course." Iroh bowed. "Pardon me for holding you up."

"If only we saw each other more, Iroh." Zuko said, shaking his head.

Iroh stood still and watched as his grandfather walked into the ship. Grandfather still had a knack for dramatics, Iroh thought to himself.


Walking back from the port was a quiet affair. Iroh could see the lights on the guards' lanterns on top of the gate. Only during this did he realize that there was absolutely nothing around aside from the ice fortress. The compound was actually located within, he estimates, fifty meters from the cliff. He saw a large furry being moving around and noticed someone sitting by the edge looking towards the sea. From their position, they would have been completely hidden from any bystander.

Iroh strayed from the path and walked towards the figure. He didn't really know who it was but had a sneaking suspicion. Just as he had predicted, he found Korra was curled up and was sat on the ground.

"Hey." He called out.

"Hey yourself," Korra replied without taking her head off her knees.

"Are you alright? You've been gone a while." He winced as he remembered that those were the same words his grandfather had used on his earlier.

Korra sighed. "I went to Katara. But she can't do anything."

"I'm sorry." He said quietly. "Your friends were looking for you."

"Probably." Korra said tiredly. "You seem less… joyful, general." She paused and thought it over. "Joyful doesn't seem to be the right word to use. Perhaps the word enthusiastic is more appropriate?"

Iroh laughed. "It does seem more suitable."

"So, a few hours in the south pole and it's already bringing you into a depression?" Korra asked chuckling. She felt a bit better now.

"I saw my grandfather earlier." Iroh said quietly. "My mother wishes for me to go back to the fire nation."

"Oh." Korra said. "But you have to go back to Republic City. I mean you're still the general of the United Forces. So how does that work?"

"I want to go home." Iroh began. "But I don't want to resign just yet. I figured that I could at least visit the palace for two weeks or something."

"It seems fair." Korra said.

Iroh crouched down beside Korra and sat beside her. He found himself just looking beyond. He found it similar to the view from the ship's balcony. Ironically, it's also where he saw Korra alone. The only difference was that on this cliff she owned the world. It was her spot just as the balcony on the ship was his.

"So what's in that direction?" Iroh said nodding towards the direction of the sea.

"Nothing." Korra said. "Or maybe something, eventually."

"The great unexplored world, it's always a source of imagination and 'maybe's." Iroh mused.

"Did you ever want to just do that?" Korra asked.

"I did." He confirmed. "In a way, I did do that. I actually would have thought that you'd do that."

"I know." Korra said. "Aang travelled all the four nations, for spirit's sake. I've only been here and Republic City."

"You'll get there eventually. You're only a teenager, Korra." He said. "You have your whole life ahead of you."

Korra snickered. "Your spiritual side is showing again."

Iroh snorted. "How can it show when it doesn't exist?"

"Keep telling yourself that." Korra smirked.

"I will." He promised.

Korra laughed again and took his hand into hers. She gave it a small squeeze and smiled. It felt good to have someone else's presence.

Iroh stared at their hands feeling the heat radiating from her hands. "In all seriousness, you're going to be able to do whatever you wish after all your training is finished. You've only got air left, right?"

"Yes." She replied.

"See, one element left and you'll be able to go and explore the world." Iroh said smiling.

"My training is going to take a lot longer after air bending is done." Korra said. "I can't even deal with spirits." She sniffled.

"I don't think you can learn about spirits." Iroh said suddenly. Korra looked at him confused so he elaborated. "I mean you can't just learn how to connect with spirits just by reading books about it. You'll have to do it yourself."

"But, how?" Korra asked. "That's the thing, I do not have a single clue. I don't even know where to start. Tenzin was supposed to teach me, but with all the air bending… We never really got around to it."

"We'll I think it's like bending. They just guide you." Iroh said. "But you are the only person who will be able to get yourself connected to the spirits. So, if you aren't able to do it now, you just need to find a guide."

"How do you know this?" Korra said. "This is really helpful, for a man who supposedly knows nothing about spirits."

"When I'm not at work, I think too much." Iroh shrugged. "It makes sense though, like bending."

"I want some time to think about this." Korra said, more to herself. "Can you tell them I won't be going back tonight? I don't want to face everybody yet."

"Then don't." He answered simply. Just as he realized that his hand was still clasped tightly to Korra's hand, she let go and stood up. Korra bade goodbye but he said nothing. She got on Naga and left him on the cliff.

Iroh liked holding her hand. He sighed and turned heading back to the compound.


A/N: Late upload, I know. This is short for a reason. School is being a pain and I don't have enough time to write. Their first moment thing with the holding hands thing: Hell yeah. Anyway, reviews please.