A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating for a while... But here's Chapter 6 finally! Enjoy :)
"So this is the South Pole!" Nanami exclaims, running around the ship's deck excitedly. She looks in awe at the huge icebergs surrounding them as the First Division's ships sail on the clear waters of the South Pole. "I've never left Republic City, so this is quite refreshing!"
"There's nothing special here though," Kyra states flatly, walking away from the gunwale to go back to the dining room. "Only snow and a permanent, icy wind that burns your cheeks."
"How can you say that? Everything's white, and it's so pretty! It's my first time seeing snow." Nanami follows Kyra inside, and goes to the kitchen to take some snacks. She brings out a plate of small mochi balls of multiple colors that she puts on the table. "Is your family still here Kyra? Or did you all move to Republic City?"
Kyra sighs. She doesn't really like to talk about her family. The only one who knows about them is Ziki. However, even though she hates to admit it, she has grown really close to Nanami for the past few weeks. She could probably tell her. "Yeah, my father and my brothers are still here."
"That's so nice! You must be happy to see them again. What about your mom?" Nanami asks, her mouth so full of mochis that it's hard to hear her well.
"Don't stuff your mouth with so many sweets. It's gross," Kyra laughs. "You look like a hamster-squirrel with your cheeks!"
Kyra and Nanami burst out laughing together, and bicker a bit in a nice atmosphere. Ziki looks at them with kindness, relieved that they now get along. Those two are quite stubborn, so they don't want to accept that they are already friends, and keep squabbling – much to his regret.
Kyra stopped laughing, and taking a serious face, she decides to tell her story to Nanami. "My mom died giving birth to me," she started, her head hung low. "I have three older brothers, so it's only men in my household."
Compassion draws on Nanami's face as she totally understands the pain of not knowing her mother. Unconsciously, she grabs Kyra's hand, trying to comfort the young female soldier. The latter looks up, surprised by Nanami's gesture, and a faint smile forms on her lips. Nanami is a good person that she could trust, even though she never expected it.
"I'm the only girl and the youngest, so they're very protective of me," Kyra carries on. "It's a bit annoying sometimes though. I can't do anything on my own. They actually refused to let me join the United Forces."
"So you defied your father and brothers?" Nanami says, chuckling as she imagines Kyra going wild.
"Yeah. I left home, and moved to Republic City on my own." She sighs at the thought of her fight with them. "That's why I'm not too happy to have another mission here."
A screeching sound interrupts their conversation. "Soldiers, report to the deck. We're arriving soon," General Iroh's voice commands through the speakers.
Kyra and Ziki stand up, walking towards the deck as instructed. Nanami rejoins Bu Po in the kitchen, and the two of them also head outside to wait for the ship to dock. When the cooks arrive at the deck, the soldiers have already formed three groups depending on their bending abilities and a fourth group for non-benders.
"Ready to moor," a marine announces.
The ship advances slowly through the glaciers. Once the boat is attached to the docks, some soldiers take out the gangway, and the troops disembark in order and discipline, following their commanders. Last to get off, Nanami and Bu Po carefully land on the ground, the snow crunching under their every step.
While General Iroh and the other officers talk to the White Lotus members that are welcoming them, Nanami looks around her exaltedly. Everything is white, and the snow reflecting the sunlight depicts a magnificent painting of the South Pole.
"This is beautiful Bu Po," she states as her eyes contemplate the immaculate snow stretching as far as the eye can see.
The old cook chuckles, seeing his young colleague amazed by her first time in the South Pole. Nanami steps out of the ranks, and runs like a child in the snow. She grabs the white powder, and despite the cold sensation, she keeps playing with it.
Nanami sits on the frozen ground, not even caring about getting her clothes wet. She was dying under the scorching sun in Republic City just a few weeks ago, and now she is lying in the snow, with an icy breeze blowing on her face. Even the large hood of her coat doesn't prevent her cheeks from windburning. But, just as a child absorbed in playing with snow, Nanami doesn't feel the sting, and has fun by herself.
The young woman is so immersed in her discovery of snow that she doesn't sense a silhouette approaching. A shadow draws on the white ground, and Nanami jumps, letting out a small cry of surprise, when she hears a soft voice whispering in her ear, "First time seeing snow, miss Nanami?"
Nanami turns her head, eyes open wide and her heart still beating fast. "Captain Ji Ji," she breaths. "You gave me a fright." She laughs as she puts her hand over her heart. "It is indeed my first time." Her cheeks, already red, warm up from embarrassment as she speaks with the earthbending captain.
"Enjoy yourself as much as you want then," Ji Ji replies, giving her a very charming smile. "We're staying here for several days." He nods at her, and takes his leave, rejoining his troops. Her heart still thumps pounds in her chest as she watches Captain Ji Ji go away. He is very kind to her, and always has this attractive aura around him which draws the young woman in and makes her pulse accelerate each time he talks to her.
"What are you doing here, sitting in the snow?" a deep voice asks from behind, shattering her pleasant daydream at once. "Are you a kid? You're going to catch a cold if you stay any longer."
Nanami sighs. She doesn't even need to turn around to know whose voice it is. "General Iroh," she mumbles, rolling her eyes. She gets up, and wipes the snow that got stuck to her coat. "You're so boring, Iroh. Captain Ji Ji understood immediately it was my first time seeing snow, and told me something nice. What about you? You're scolding me like a kid!"
"Well, you were playing with snow like a kid," Iroh points out, which earns him a glare from his new recruit.
"That's why you don't have a girlfriend, General," she teases him. "You're so uptight, and take everything seriously. You're no fun! Poor, little General…"
Iroh frowns, upset by her statement. He doesn't mind not having a girlfriend – he isn't even looking for one – but he doesn't appreciate that she's the one pointing it out. Besides, he is not boring.
"If I'm so pitiful, why don't you become my girlfriend?" he suggests sarcastically. "I don't recall you have a boyfriend either."
Nanami snickers, walking to him. She puts her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Iroh's cheeks turn red as soon as her slender arms wrap around his red collar. He can feel his heart beat faster as she brings her face closer and closer. Her breath brushes his face as she whispers in his ear in a very suggestive way, "Wanna have fun with me, General?"
Nanami breaks her embrace, a smirk on her face. She loves agitating the prim and proper general; it was always so satisfying. Red color covers all of Iroh's face, to the tip of his ears. She bursts out laughing heartily, seeing him flustered like this, and his anger only makes it more delectable for her.
"I think they're calling for you, General," she says, pointing to Captain Ji Ji who is gesturing to them. "Don't slack off. You've got work to do first. We'll play together another time."
Iroh glares at her as she keeps making fun of him. He is about to tell her off, but Ji Ji's persistent voice prevents him from doing so, and he turns on his heels, walking off to his soldiers as Nanami waves at him.
"I don't think it was a smart move to hug the General in front of everyone, Nanami," Bu Po warns her, as he walks to her, stroking his gray beard. "Especially in front of the female soldiers. You're stirring up their jealousy."
"Don't worry about that, Bu Po," the young lady reassures him. "The female soldiers only follow him because of his rank and title. None of them truly loves him." As she states so, Nanami's eyes turn to Kyra, standing afar with Ziki. None of them, expect for Kyra maybe. She isn't sure whether Kyra's feelings for the General are love, or just plain admiration. "Let' s go rest in our tent, Bu Po!" she suggests, changing the topic.
The two of them walk toward a green tent, set up near the White Lotus camp. The strong wind creates howling sounds as they move forward. Their high boots mark their every step on the crunchy snow, leaving a trail behind them.
Nanami opens the curtain which serves as a door, and walks in after Bu Po. The tent is large, and is meant to be a rest area. It is installed on a flat ground, and contains a square, wooden table, surrounded by four matching chairs. There's also a pot, hanging above a campfire, for cooking if needed.
The First Division is attending a meeting with the White Lotus at the moment. Nanami and Bu Po don't have anything to do during land missions like this, as the meals are taken care of by on site cooks.
A gust of wind blows into the tent through the thin curtain, making them shiver.
"How about we prepare some soup to warm ourselves?" Nanami suggests, as she rubs her arms.
Bu Po blows on his freezing hands, then replies, "Yeah, you're right. Let's head to town, and find a delicious lunch."