Book 2 Chapter 3

Memories

Iroh usually kept to himself during the day. He would be in his room constantly updating his men, not just in Republic City, but all over the world on the many issues at hand. As General, he was a busy man. Being only 20 made him the youngest General to ever serve in the United Forces. A fact that he was very proud about, but sometimes he wondered what he would be doing right now if he were off at school or travelling the world with his grandfather. As Iroh was reading over one of the maps lying on his desk, he heard a knock at his door.

"Come in" he said without taking his eyes off the map.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting you" Asami spoke softly.

Iroh looked up joyfully at the sound of her voice. "No, not at all. Come have a seat" Iroh said as he got up and pulled a chair back for Asami to sit on.

She snickered, "You're quite the gentleman."

Iroh bowed his head in return to her compliment. "So, what can I do for you? Would you like some tea?" He asked pouring himself of a cup.

"Yes, please. I was just curious to see what you were up to. You've been in your room all day since breakfast, I thought I'd stop by for a while to offer you some company." Asami blushed a little. She didn't want it to seem too noticeable, but after waking up next to him, he's all she's been able to think about all day.

"I greatly appreciate that. I could use some company. Being a General can get quite tedious at times, it feels good to be taking a break." He sighed.

Asami could tell he's been hard at work. She could only imagine the stress that comes along with a job like his. "Why don't we go out somewhere for dinner. You've been cooped up in here all day, and I can tell your getting sick of it" she said crossing her arms.

"I-uh, shouldn't... there's too much to be done..." Iroh stammered.

"Come on, I won't take no for an answer" Asami said as she got up and walked over to Iroh and grabbed his hand to lead him to the door.

"Alright... but just for an hour" he said as they walked hand in hand.

Bolin saw the two leave Iroh's room and make their way down the hallway. "Hey guys, where ya goin?"

Asami always thought Bolin made the cutest little faces when asking questions. "We're going out for dinner. Tell everyone we won't be joining them" Asami stated.

They took the ferry to the city, and as they got off Asami lead Iroh to her satomobile parked near the street lamp Korra dented a while back. "You know how to drive?" Iroh asked more as questioning his own safety.

"Of course, I've been racing my entire life. You have absolutely nothing to worry about" she winked.

As soon as Iroh buckled up, she sped off. They came to an abrupt halt outside Flameos, "the best Fire Nation food, from what I hear. I haven't been here before, but I thought you might like it"

Asami said parking the car.

"Ahh! LAND!" Iroh screamed jumping out the car!

"Hey stop being a baby. My driving wasn't that bad" Asami said giving his shoulder a friendly punch.

"Haha it wasn't, but you weren't kidding when you said you raced" Iroh said as he put his arm around Asami's shoulder, "You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Iroh asked with both eyebrows raised, wanting to know everything about her.

"Hmm, maybe..." Asami smirked.

They entered the restaurant to find it lightly dimmed. A giant stone fountain sat at the center of the building, and it was lighted to make the water look a fluorescent orange. Gold table cloths covered the tables, and the aroma was sweet with something else Iroh couldn't really seem to pin point, spicy?

"Good evening, name?" the man at the entrance asked not recognizing who was standing in front of him.

"General Iroh" Iroh said as he stood tall peering down at the shorter man.

"G-General, oh my apologies. Table for two, right this way." The man led them towards the back of the restaurant where only the VIPs were permitted to sit and they found themselves at a very nice glass table shining bright reflecting the candle lit lamps hanging from the ceiling. Two waiters came by to pull out the seats for both Iroh and Asami as they sat down, and handed them menus. The waiters started bringing out food immediately to the fire nation royal which included roast duck, komodo chicken, dumplings, fried rice, practically a whole banquet was laid out for the Prince.

"I guess there are some perks to being royalty" Asami said eyeing all the food being brought out feeling a little overwhelmed.

"This is only the half of it, you should see how it is when I'm back home."

Asami looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "I bet the ladies are all over you."

Iroh rolled his eyes, "Oh, you have no idea." Asami giggled. "So tell me Asami, any plans to take over your father's business?" Iroh asked while cutting a piece of chicken with his knife and fork.

"Oh... um, not entirely sure yet. I mean I could, my father taught me everything knowing one day I'd be taking it over. I can even build an entire satomobile all by myself given all the parts. I just... don't know if now is the right time. I haven't even stepped foot in my own home since I found out he was an equalist" Asami said twirling her spoon in her bowl of soup.

Iroh saw how upset she looked, "How about we stop by your home before we go back to Air Temple Island? You could show me around" he said taking a bite of his food.

"O-Okay.." Asami said knowing she would feel safer going with Iroh. After dinner, Asami drove them to her estate.

They made it to the front door, when Asami had a change of heart. "You know what, let's come back some other time" and she turned to walk away, but Iroh grabbed her by her hand.

"Why are you so afraid to go inside?" Iroh questioned.

"I just don't want to go inside Okay!" Asami snatched her hand back and took a seat on one of the steps.

Iroh sighed and took a seat next to her. He didn't say anything to her. He just looked at her waiting for a real answer.

"What?" Asami pouted which soon turned into a frown "...My house used to be filled with so many fond memories. Family dinners... parties... but now it just reminds me that everything was fake. It was all an illusion.. my dad's been lying to me all these years, going behind my back. I don't feel happy here anymore... all those memories gone to waste..." she looked up at the sky leaning her head against Iroh's shoulder.

"So let's create new memories" he whispered.

"What?" Asami popped her head up, he was staring into her bright green eyes that lit up the darkness. "Let's create new memories, come on!" He grabbed her by the hand and dragged her around back.

"Where are you taking me? Iroh!" He stopped right before the race track "Found it! Bolin told me about your giant race track, he talks about you a lot. I figured it be around here somewhere... soooo.. let's race! Unless you're scared I'll beat you" he winked and ran to the red satomobile.

Asami smiled and quickly ran into the penthouse near them which had the controls to light up the track. She came back and jumped in the blue satomobile and pulled her racing goggles over her eyes.

"On your mark, get set, Go!" Iroh yelled over the motors, and off they went.

Iroh got a good enough head start, but Asami wasn't going to give up that easily, she came around from behind to the other side of him and started to speed up when Iroh cut her off. He wasn't going down without a fight. Asami tailed him until she saw an opening on his right side, she moved over just a bit then shifted gears quickly and sped right past him, blowing him a kiss as she drove by.

Iroh shook his head, "man this girl's amazing" he said to himself. She was already too far ahead for him to catch up in time, and before he knew it Asami was already crossing the finish line. She jumped out of her seat.

"Come on up, losers park over there haha" she said making fun of the General who just lost to a girl.

"You totally smoked my ass back there. That was a lot of fun. We should do this more often" Iroh smiled.

"Deal" Asami jumped towards the General and gave him a hug. She startled him slightly, but then he wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank you Iroh. This is one memory I will never forget" she said with her face buried in his chest.

They made their way back to Air Temple Island. They were out much later than expected, everyone was already asleep, or so they thought.

"Hey Bo, what time did Asami say she was going to get back?" Mako said lying on his bed wide awake, not wanting to sleep until he knew all his friends were safe at home.

"Uhh.. not sure, but she's with Iroh. I'm sure she's fine" Bolin said sitting on the floor teaching Pabu a new trick.

"Yea, you're right. I'll be back, gonna go to the bathroom." Mako got up and left the room. What he didn't want his brother to know was that he was actually on his way to Asami's room to see if she got back alright.

"Thanks for tonight, I had a great time" Asami said standing outside her room door with Iroh.

"I should be the one thanking you for making me to go with you. To think I was just going to spend the rest of my night planning routes" Iroh laughed.

They looked at each other in silence. Iroh gazed once again at her eyes, they were addicting to look at. He placed his hands around her waist and brought her close to him. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I think I've got one more memory you'll never forget."

Asami closed her eyes as the warmth of his breath trickled down the side of her neck, and felt his lips brush across the side of her cheek as he neared her lips.

"Oh Hey Asami! You're back" Mako shouted and he was walking down the hallway. Iroh and Asami jumped as soon as they heard his voice.

"Gahhh... Mako! Hey! Yeah I'm back, Goodnight!" she half yelled at Mako trying not to sound too angry.

"You're right, won't be forgetting this anytime soon" she whispered to Iroh then turned to enter her room leaving Iroh and Mako staring at each other in the hallway.

"She alright?" Mako asked.

Iroh placed his hand on Mako's shoulder "Yup, uh Mako... go to sleep."