~Chapter Five~

~Breakfast~

Korra was holing on to Iroh's arm, laughing as the two, sweaty from the run, walked into the living quarters. Tenzin sat surrounded by newspapers his face in perplexed shock. He looked up at the pair.

"So, Korra when were you going to tell me about this?" He held up a newspaper.

Korra leaned forward to look at the paper. "I don't know, I thought as a world leader you would have kept up with the clash between the Fire Nation and Southern Water Tribe."

Tenzin looked back at the paper and realized it was one of the early headlines before the treaty and subsequent marriage had been arranged. "Oh," He pulled up another paper with a more appropriate headline, "This! When were you going to tell me about this?!"

Korra sat down at the table. "Again I thought you knew. I've only recently learned that it's not public knowledge here like it is back in the Southern Water Tribe and Fire Nation."

Iroh sat down next to Korra. "You were sent a invitation."

Tenzin crossed his arms. "I was sent one but I didn't open it." He looked over at Iroh. "And why didn't you tell me this morning?"
Iroh smirked. "Because between you and Korra I rather not be on her bad side, while you, cousin, I think I can survive your animosity." He leaned back. "Anyway you should have known."

Pema walked into the room holding a tray and looked over at Tenzin. "What should you have known, dear?" She looked over at Korra. "And who's this handsome young man?"

Tenzin sighed. "I should have been aware of world events six years ago, and this is Prince Iroh of the Fire Nation."

Pema patted Tenzin on the shoulder and smiled at Iroh. "Well, welcome to Air Temple Island your highness."

Iroh nodded. "Thank you, but just Iroh will do."

Pema smiled. "Aw aren't you sweet. Hey Korra can I have your help in the kitchen."

Korra nodded and fallowed Pema into the kitchen, leaving the two men alone for all of a few moments as Tenzin's children soon joined them. Meelo looked at Iroh suspiciously.

"Who are you stranger?" The little Air bender demanded putting his hands on his hips.

"I'm Iroh, and you are?"

Meelo sat down next to Iroh, his arms crossed. "I am Meelo, and I demand you tell me why you're here." He looked at Iroh. "It's my job to keep everyone safe and I don't know if you're a security risk or not."

Iroh chucked. "I just came to check up on Korra since I haven't heard from her in a few days."

Ikki looked at Iroh. "Oh! So you're the no good low life punk Korra spent the night with? Huh, I did not picture you so…"

"Handsome?" Iroh offered flashing a smile.

"Geeky. Those glasses make you look like a librarian. I'd expect you to be with someone more like Jenora than Korra."

Iroh felt like someone had just stabbed him and he forced a smile. "Oh, yeah the glasses."

Jenora looked over at Iroh. "So how do you know Korra enough that she's sleeping over at your place?"

Meelo looked at Iroh. "And did you sleep on the sofa like a gentle men or did you make her sleep on the sofa because she's a girl?"

Iroh could feel the little air bender's eyes staring in to his soul and he gave a nervous laugh. "Well I've known Korra for a really long time and we-"

"Do you like her?" Ikki asked standing up and using her brother as a support so she was right in Iroh's face.

"Yeah I like her, I-"

"Do you love her?" She was now very close to his face.

"Yes, I love her." He leaned back a little.

"Do you want to marry her?"

"I already did." He held up his hand showing off the wedding ring he had worn since he was sixteen.

The two girls squealed causing the others in the room to cringe.

.o.

Pema gave Korra some dishes to carry. "Well He seems like a nice young man but," Her face became serous, "I don't think it's really wise to just through yourself at the firs guy who looks your way." She glanced towards where Iroh was sitting. "Even if he's a prince. I mean what about that fire bending teammate you have, I thought you like him?"

Korra rolled her eyes. "One: Mako's a friend, only a friend who has a girlfriend and Two: Iroh's my husband. So I think the point is moot."

Pema looked at Korra in shock. "Husband? When did that happen?"

Korra shrugged. "A few years ago, it was part of treaty that kept our two countries from going to war. You know how people normally end up married at such a young age." She glanced back out at Iroh talking to the airbending kids. "But I lucked out in this case. I got a pretty one."

Pema nodded slowly. "Yeah, ok. Do you want to be moved to another room with a bigger bed?"

"Nah, I don't think Iroh will really want to stay the night here." She started to walk out. "There's a bit of bad blood between him and Tenzin."

.o.

Korra walked Iroh down to the docks, both fully aware of the three little air benders 'covertly' watching them. Korra held Iroh's hand.

"So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" She asked.

"I've got to get back to my apartment, change, and get back to my ship. You?"

"Nothing as important, well I guess Tarrlok has that task force meeting tonight and I've got practice with the team this afternoon." She looked up at Iroh. "What's with the concerned look?"

Iroh shook his head. "Nothing, I just want you to be careful with this taskforce, it makes me nervous."

Korra's eyes narrowed. "Why because your people aren't running it? Not everything has to be a-a thing your boss controls to be a good thing."

Iroh sighed. "It's not that, I'm just worried that it's a task force completely comprised of benders and it might seem to some unbalance and anti-non-bender. At least that's how it stuck me at first."

Korra crossed her arms. "Well it's the non-benders that are causing the problems."

Iroh crossed his own arms. "No, it's not just the non-benders causing trouble but that's the only thing people seem care about." He sighed and cradled Korra's face with one hand. "Look I don't want to fight about this, just promise me you won't let people talk you into the idea that all non-benders are equalists."

Korra turned her head and kissed Iroh's hand. "I won't don't worry," She looked at him, "I won't."

Iroh leaned down and kissed her sweetly. "Be safe Korra, if I can I'll call you tonight."

Korra nodded. "You too, be safe Iroh." She watched him turn and walk away a few steps. "I love you."

Iroh turned and smiled. "I love you too."

Korra turned to see the three children smiling at her. "What?"

"You two are a cute couple." Ikki cooed. "You're babies are about to be really cute. When are you going to have a baby?"

The color rose in Korra's cheeks. "Uh, oh look at the sun! It's meditation time let's go meditate."

.o.

Mako looked at Korra as she was about to leave for her task force meeting. Korra was so lost in thought she did not even notice Mako's gaze. A week had passed since she had seen Iroh on Air Temple Island and she had only talked to him for a few minutes on the phone. He seemed so stressed she hoped that with their anniversary in three days she could do something to help him relax. She smiled an idea coming to mind on how to help Iroh relax.

"So are we ever going to meet this guy of yours?" Mako asked crossing his arms.

Korra shrugged. "Maybe, he's really busy lately. I can try to get him to come to the next game. I know he's been trying to get away from work."

Asami handed Mako a towel. "Does this guy even exist? No offence Korra but we haven't once seen this guy you're supposedly dating. What's his name Griffin?"

Korra laughed. "No, it's Iroh and he's not the invisible man. He's just really busy with work."

Mako's face darkened. "Yeah, he's busy with work. Korra are you sure that's all that's keeping him busy?"

Korra crossed her arms. "Yes, I am. Iroh has a very important job and it takes a lot of his time." She grabbed her bag. "I've got to go or I'll be late for my meeting. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Bolin waved. "See you tomorrow."

.o.

Korra was just getting back to Air Temple Island the hotel key hot in her hand. Her anniversary was tomorrow and she had been all around town getting things read. She had just stepped into the hall when the phone rang. She answered it and Mako's panicked voice came over the line. "I can't find Bolin! I'm a afraid he's been kidnapped by Amon!"

Korra looked at her watch. It was 5 P.M. Iroh should either be at UFO H.Q. or on his ship, either way she could try to call him for some extra help. "Calm down Mako, we'll find him. I'll make some calls and join you and Asami as soon as I can."

"Thanks Korra, Asami and I are starting in the Ta-pan district since it's rumored that's where a lot of Equalists meet." Mako's voice sounded a little less frantic.

"Ok, after I make some calls Nagga and I will head down there to help." Korra hung up the phone and redialed the number for the UFO and got another person answering it. She left a message hoping it would get to Iroh even though the man on the other end clamed he didn't know a General Iroh. She tried his ship but wasn't able to get through. Cursing under her breath she hung up the phone and tried his apartment and again no answer. Finally she gave up and headed in to the city on Nagga.