Fight # 005
General Iroh understood why Tenzin had to leave the protection of the United Forces ship to try to get the support of the Earth Kingdom. He also understood why the Councilman had to leave his family for their safety. What he didn't understand was how three children of an airbending monk and acolyte can be so wild. It has only been a day since he left and already the General was at his wit's end.
The youngest was, thankfully, still quiet angelic while his three older siblings seem to have taken a habit of trailing the General around the ship. The male hung around his arms and knees. Meelo's drool usually soaking into his clothing while the girls constantly bombarded him with questions.
"Are you ganna be the next Fire Lord?"
"Why are your pants so poofy?"
"Is it easy to lightning bend?"
"Have you ever met a dragon?"
"Where do babies come from?"
Iroh froze mid-step as the girls 'ooh-ed' in chorus, Meelo finally detached himself from the general's left knee and looked at him curiously.
"Where do babies come from?" Jinora repeated, her eyes wide.
He flushed a deep rep and speed walked to his office, hoping to lose the kids in the process.
"Where do babies come from?"
Iroh walked faster, practically sprinting down the hallways. 'A few more strides' he thought 'a few more-'
His thoughts were suddenly broken by a familiar figure blocking his path. He glanced down to find the Avatar, staring at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Avatar Korra!" he said, grabbing her shoulders in relief. "I think the kids want to ask you something." He easily lifted her and placed her between him and the kids. He was about to celebrate his escape when suddenly a tight rope made of water held his feet in place.
"Oh, don't think you're going anywhere." She forcibly turned him to face her, "What's up?"
He frantically looked around for a place to privately explain his predicament. He settled for the hall way closet beside them. He opened the metal door and entered with Korra in tow.
"What?" Korra demanded as soon as the door closed on them. The closet was smaller than what Iroh had expected. Though, mercifully, the two were not being pressed together but he wasn't really sure that as arm's length is far enough.
"They're asking me where babies come from." He whispered. Korra took one look at his panicked state and instantly burst out laughing. Iroh stood awkwardly as she clutched her stomach and continued to laugh.
"Oh spirits." she said a little out of breath, grabbing one of his sleeves for support. She finally raised her head to find him looking at her expectantly. "What?"
"What do I do?"
"Tell them the truth." She said with a shrug, making a motion to the door only to be stopped by Iroh.
"I can't tell them that! They're barely teenagers."
"Eh." She said, sending him a dismissive wave.
"You cannot be serious!"
"Why not? They're mature enough to handle it."
He merely raised an eyebrow at her in response.
"Okay, maybe just Jinora."
"You're the girl, you explain."
"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I have to deal with it, Jerk!"
He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean, General Jerkbender?"
"Jinora is a girl. You should explain because you know certain areas more than I do." Iroh felt his cheeks redden with the mention of the areas.
'PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, IROH!' he thought. 'YOU'RE TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! SURELY YOU CAN TALKE ABOUT IT WITH A FELLOW ADULT LIKE KORRA'
"What areas?" Korra asked innocently, blinking her large blue eyes at him like a child. The evil smile on her lips gave her act away but Iroh couldn't help but gulp.
"You know," he said, his arms moving flippantly "Areas." He blushed deeper.
"Wow, who knew the youngest ever general of the United Forces is suck an awkward turtle duck!" she laughed, causing the general to blush even more.
"I am not!"
"Oh yeah?" She asked daringly, her hands on her hips. "Say it with me then; sex. C'mon, General, after this you'll be able to answer the kid's questions. Just say it; sex."
Iroh – now resembling a ripe tomato – looked erratically for an escape. Fortunately, before he could form a decision whether to kill himself or Korra, Mako's voice filtered from the outside.
"Hey, kids. Have you seen Korra?"
"In the closet." They replied sweetly.
"Oh," he said, clearly taken aback. "What is she doing there?"
It was Ikki who spoke. "She and General Iroh are talking about where babies come from."
Iroh wasn't sure which happened first; Mako practically ripping the door open or Korra's palm meeting her fore head.
Fight # 006
The metal door of the bathroom creeks open, to her surprise, someone is already there.
"General Iroh? Is that you?"
"Avatar Korra! What are you doing here?"
"I always take my baths here."
"In my private bathroom?"
"Oh, I didn't know. It was just the cleanest one in the ship."
"I'm flattered, Avatar Korra."
"Stop calling me that."
"What?"
"Avatar Korra. Just Korra is fine."
"DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS IS THE TIME TO DISCUSS THIS?"
"I just think we're in that part of our relationship where formality just went out the window."
"Uh, relationship?"
"NOT LIKE THAT! I MEAN, I WOULD NEVER THINK OF YOU THAT WAY! WAIT NO NOT NEVER, YOU'RE QUIET GOOD LOOKING AND-" she abruptly stopped and sighed. "I'll leave now." She exited before he could reply. He couldn't help but smile.
Fight # 007
Korra crouched lower beside the ship's wall, silently bending more water from the sea into mist, giving her more cover. It was the day of the first wave of attacks to take back the city from equalists and she was ordered to stay on the ship. For her own protection, they said.
"Stupid people thinking I'm irresponsible." She muttered under her breath as she continued to crawl, looking for the trap door that leads to the sea. He plan was simple; swim to Air Temple Island in her equalist's uniform to act like a spy to the United Forces, finding out information that will otherwise be left unknown if not for her.
"That'll show Iroh." She pushed the small, metal door hard. Before she could fully jump down, a voice broke in.
"Show me what, exactly?"
Korra mentally cursed as she turned to face Iroh. He looked at her like she was a child caught doing something naughty.
"Oh, uhm, hey Iroh. I didn't expect you to be up so early."
"Just wanted a little stretch before the first wave of attacks later. And you?" he prompted. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Going for a walk."
"On water?"
She blushed but raised her head defiantly. "Yes."
He merely raised his eyebrow at her. "In an equalist uniform?"
"I see you're wearing a similar one as well."
"If you must know, I will be doing some reconnaissance around Air Temple Island."
"You can't do that!"
Iroh was taken aback by her outburst and looked at her bewilderedly. "And why not?"
Before Korra could stop herself, she blurted out; "'Cause that's what I'm ganna do."
"Aren't you supposed to stay in the ship and stay safe?"
"Aren't you supposed to lead an attack?" she retorted mindlessly.
"Actually." Tenzin's booming voice suddenly cut into their conversation. They both turn to find the airbender walking towards them.
"Council man! I didn't know-" Iroh started but Tenzin cut him off.
"You both are going in."
"What I-"
"With all due respect-"
"Totally unfair-"
"Unexperienced in the act of spying-"
"No buts." He said, using the same voice he uses whenever Ikki and Jinora fight. "Iroh, you need Korra's knowledge about the interior of the Island. Korra, you need the general for optimal protection. You need each other."
"I don't need a babysitter-"
"I can figure out the floor plan myself-"
"I JUST SAID YOU NEED EACH OTHER! Do I make myself clear?"
/grumble/
"I said; Do I make myself CLEAR?" his voice boomed out the last word, nearly toppling the two over.
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. General Iroh, don't worry, my bother Commander Bumi will be here by the start of the first wave. The information you're about to gather is priceless. Good luck."
Fight # 008
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"Pretty please with fire flakes on top?"
"Let me thi-No"
"C'mon, Iroh, please!"
"Korra, this is a secret mission and we're supposed to stay hidden. I don't think that's going to be an easy feat when we have a giant polar dog following us."
"If we cover her with eaves she'll look like a bush."
"That's a brilliant idea!"
"Really?"
"No."
"Damn."
Ceasefire # 001
They shout. They smile. They hug. They laugh.
Every emotion coursed through their body as it ended.
The wrong have fallen, the darkness was slowly disappearing.
For a brief moment, their eyes meet.
For a brief moment, instinct fight logic.
For a brief moment, wants fight needs.
For a brief moment, no one cares.
For a brief moment, they kiss.
For a brief moment, there was clarity.
I hope you liked this! I'm slowly turning this into a series because Korroh is utter perfection. I really didn't expect such great feedback over the first chapter and I wish this one would live up to your expectations.
FOR THOS WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND: full moon = a woman's period.
READ AND REVIEW!