It is already late at night. A peaceful calm reigns over the port at this hour. Only a single porthole emits light on the United Forces main ship. In his office cabin, General Iroh is sitting at his desk, reviewing the map for the new mission. After finishing his work, he yawns loudly, tidying his desk, and blows on the lantern next to him. He then leaves the room discreetly, so as not to wake his crew.

Before going back to his own cabin to sleep, he decides to patrol on the deck one last time. Iroh climbs the steel staircase leading outside, and is surprised to see a figure standing alone, leaning on the starboard gunwale. Everybody should be sleeping by now.

"Why are you still here?"

Nanami turns around, facing the general. Iroh stares at her, observing her new hairstyle. She had just cut it earlier in the late afternoon, after returning from the orphanage. Kyra, Ziki and he were all dumbfounded by her action. She took Iroh's dagger – a gift from his grandfather, Fire Lord Zuko, which was originally given to young Prince Zuko by his uncle – and sectioned her long, black hair in a single, sharp cut.

Under the moonlight, Iroh discerns a melancholic expression on her face. Nanami turns her head back, gazing at the ocean. "I couldn't sleep, so I came here to get some fresh air. It's hot though," she chuckles.

Iroh stands next to her, staring at Yue Bay too. "What happened at the orphanage? You look gloomy since you came back."

"You're very observant, General," she comments, tittering.

She stays silent, as a warm wind blows, swinging her hair around. Her hair is now at shoulder-length. It seems sleek, and unconsciously, Iroh reaches out his hand to touch it. Nanami looks at him, surprised, and bursts out laughing. "What are you doing, General? Inspecting my hair?"

Iroh blushes furiously, his cheeks as red as cherry tomatoes. Fortunately for him, it is night time, so Nanami probably can't see it; else, she would have teased him for sure.

"I was feeling down, but I feel a lot better now thanks to you," she declares, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes. She straightens her back, and, staring into space, she tells him what happened at the orphanage. Her voice is low, and Iroh can feel the bitterness in her tone.

"Don't worry about that. They're still kids. We'll find a way to clear your name, and I'm sure it will be like before," he comforts her, leaning on the gunwale in turn. She thanks him with a faint but grateful smile.

The two of them stand next to each other. Only a few centimeters separate them, their elbows almost touching. Nanami and Iroh don't get along in front of others, but when they're alone, the atmosphere is different. Nanami is calmer and more honest with him, making her more likeable and friendly.

The sound of the waves crashing on the battleships dominates the pier. Nanami listens to this repetitive melody, staring into space. Her mind is somewhere else as her golden eyes look unfocused. Iroh watches her hair swing around, following the wind, not even paying attention to his own hair being dishevelled.

"Must be nice to be a general. No one would ever think of doubting you," she says absently.

"Yeah, probably. But it also comes with a lot of responsibilities which aren't always fun."

Nanami glances at Iroh. His jet black hair shines under the moonlight, highlighting his handsome profile: a high, narrow nose bridge and a sexy square jaw. Everything about him seems so perfect, from his face to his job. "What could possibly trouble a perfect general like you?" she teases him, giggling.

"Well, various things," he replies. He knits his eyebrows and, after thinking for a bit, he continues, a friendly smirk on his lips, "For example, taking care of a troublesome fugitive, wanted by both the Police and the Triple Threats?"

Nanami dissolves into a spontaneous and adorable laughter. She looks into his eyes, catching his attention. She grins, showing her teeth. She has recovered her usual cheerful attitude. Her eyes are back with their beautiful vibrant golden color, full of playfulness again. "I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you, your highness!"

"Being a prince is not always joyful though..." Iroh stated, his voice trailing off weakly.

Nanami looked at him. His usual serious expression is now replaced by a pensive one. She has stepped on a landmine. "Tell me more?"

Iroh turns his head, facing her. He has never told anyone about his insecurities. However, tonight, he feels different. Nanami's voice is bewitching, making him want to spill everything out. Maybe he could tell her. Nanami is gazing straight into his eyes, just like the night they first met, causing Iroh to shiver from an indescribable feeling.

"Everyone thinks I obtained this job, this position, because I'm a prince. But it's not true. I worked hard, just like everybody else. I started as a simple soldier and I struggled to get here. But people are just talking behind my back, saying I was favored and that they appointed me as a general to please my grandfather, the Fire Lord."

Nanami doesn't utter a word, waiting for him to continue his ranting. She listens to him, a compassionate smile on her lips. She would never have imagined that the perfect General Iroh of the United Forces could have worries at all.

When he finishes his monologue, Nanami laughs quietly, in a childish way. "So even the mighty General Iroh can feel frustrated," she teases him, before praising him, "I know you're a good general. An excellent officer. Probably the best they ever had in the United Forces."

Nanami walks closer to him, standing face to face with him. She locks eyes with him, and continuing, she says, "Don't worry about what the others say. People deserving your trust and respect can see you're working hard. You're always the last one to go to sleep because you're preparing the missions, right? Everyone on this ship knows you're amazing, Iroh."

Iroh doesn't respond anything, feeling shaken after confiding in her. He got everything off his chest, and he feels better now. "I'm going to sleep." He hears her say as she yawns loudly in a graceless way, and she adds, with a light-hearted tone, "Thanks for the little chat, General. It was nice."

Nanami is about to leave, but she turns back. "Oh, and I heard you asked some of your acquaintances to remove the posters in town?"

"Oh, yeah. I asked Tenzin, Avatar Aang's son. He … used to go out with someone in the police, so after convincing her, she commanded the removal of the posters."

"For real? Who is she?"

"You're so curious…" Iroh shakes his head, but still reveals it to her, "It's Captain Lin Beifong, daughter of Toph Beifong."

"Oh, nice," she answers, obviously uninterested even though she's the one who asked. "Good night, Iroh."

"Good night, Nanami," he answers as he watches her go down the stairs.