"Don't make the mistake of thinking you're in charge of me Mako!" Korra's shout carried through the halls of the air temple, reverberating down the corridors.

"I never said I was," Mako's eyes blazed with anger, his face inches from hers. They stood tensed in the middle of the courtyard, glaring at one another haughtily, seething with anger. "But I am bot about to stand here and watch you traipse around like an idiot, doing stupid things that will get you hurt!"

"I think I can make my own decisions, thank you very much," Korra spat, eyes reflecting her fury. "Maybe you should go Mako. If all we are going to do is fight then I'm not sure what we can accomplish here." Her words were cold, her eyes decisive.

"Fine! If that's what you want," he whispered, shaking his head and whirling on his heels, flying up the steps, leaving Korra alone in the courtyard.

Korra shuffled to the edge of the courtyard, plopping herself on the stone steps with a thud, her anger causing her to heave great breaths, wracking her entire frame. She held her head in her hands, grasping tufts of her hair in her hand and fighting the urge to pull as hard as she could.

Why, she thought, soothing her pounding heart, attempting to calm her rapid breaths. Why can't we just get along. Normal couples don't fight this much do they? Is this how it's supposed to be, hating him one moment and loving him the next?

Korra already knew the answer to her question, and deep in her heart she scoured for reasoning, explanation for why her relationship with Mako was so tattered. But the more she searched, the more she felt that perhaps she should be mourning their crumbling love, rather than mending it. Korra's shoulders stung with tension, her body writhing with the turmoil, unsure of where to go next.

It was not just this incident, for there had been many, many more. Ever since returning from the Pole and beginning the recovery efforts, rebuilding the City, Korra and Mako's relationship had been rocky, as an understatement. The two constantly fought, some days never speaking, purposefully ignoring each other, verbally attacking each other and going to any extent to garner a rise out of the other, to infuriate one another until they were both left with burning anger in their hearts, screeching at one another. Korra couldn't understand it, and now that the tension had been building, waiting to erupt like a great, violent volcano, she wasn't sure if she could contain herself anymore, to continue on this way.

Commander Bumi perked up as the young Firebender flung himself down the hall, bristling with ferocity. His footfalls were hard and purposefully, speaking of a hidden vengeance that simmered just under the surface.

"Howdy," Bumi crowed, raising his hand in a hearty gesture. The only response from Mako was a grunt as he sped past him, swallowed up in the corridors of the temple.

"Well….." Bumi raised a skeptical eyebrow but continued on his way, whistling to himself, remembering an old melody of his mother's. He reached the entrance to the courtyard and stopped. The sun spilled in over the threshold, painting the cold floor in a lustrous gold hue. A shadow interrupted the scene, leaning against the door, gazing unnoticed out into the yard.

Korra's body sat hunched and defeated, nestled on the steps across from where Bumi stood. The poor girl sat alone, nursing her new wounds in the shadows of the awning. Iroh leaned against the door, eyes trained on the young Avatar, his quiet intensity surrounding him in the light of the setting sun.

"More troubles with that boy of hers then, eh?" Bumi threw a lanky arm around Iroh's shoulders, startling him out of whatever revelry he had been have. The General bolted upright, his thoughts closed off once more, his eyes regaining their old closed, unreadable expression.

"I guess….Aren't they always having problems?" Iroh asked, still gazing forward into the courtyard.

"'Suppose so. Not a very healthy relationship if ya want my opinion. But hey, she's young, she'll learn." Bumi took up Iroh's position, leaning against a pillar, secretly observing Iroh out of the corner of his eyes. Iroh's expression, while it was unsure and still distant, walled off from the world, it also had a glint of something else. Interest, genuine concern, perhaps care for the young Avatar.

"I just hope she is ok," Iroh muttered, swaying his head back and forth.

"Well then go talk to her ya bafoon! She won't bite you…at least I hope not….can't hurt to give it a try," Bumi crowed, shoving Iroh forward with a grin. Iroh's face looked hesitant, glancing back at Bumi, his reservations drawn plainly on his face. Bumi gave a wink and waved him off and Iroh, apparently putting aside whatever pessimisms he had flashed Bumi a crooked smile before strolling over to where Korra was huddled.

As Iroh crept over to Korra, he grimaced, thinking of Mako and the trouble he always carried with him, like a pungent perfume, feeling the air with an acrid atmosphere.

She deserves better, he thought as he came closer, slowing his steps as he pulled up right in front of her. She deserves somebody who builds her up, makes new happy. Not someone that leaves her….like this.

As Korra lifted her head to inspect her company, Iroh saw the torment in Korra's eyes, the pain that was so raw, so blatantly written on her face. Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she averted her gaze, trying to maintain some semblance of composure as Iroh sat down next to her.

Without even speaking, Iroh threw his arms around Korra, enveloping her in his warmth, translating his care and concern through the touch of his body. He clutched Korra too him and although she was initially surprised, her body softened against his, becoming limp in his arms. Her tension melted away, falling off of her body, releasing her mind from its angst. The relief was immense and then Korra felt her meticulously constructed walls, meant to protect her and shield her from the emotional hurricanes, to hide her own thoughts and feelings from the world. She heard the walls cracking, Iroh's embrace the final straw, sending great crevices into her emotional barriers.

The tears that had poisoned her eyes for so long, burst forth like a river released from its dam. Iroh held Korra as her chest trembled, her body wracked with sobbing tremors. He held her head, stroking her soft chestnut hair as the pressure dissolved from every inch of Korra's body, leaving her empty, like a hollow husk of who she knew she was. Her heart ached, feeling so awake, so alive and perceptive, shivering with every wave of sorrow, pain, and anger that washed over her.

With all the emotions surfacing, Korra felt as though she was raw, tender to the touch, but she pulled Iroh closer, feeling like he could shelter her from the world. In his arms she was safe, harbored from all her earthly problems, and she relished that notion. He didn't ask her what was wrong, didn't push her for details. He just let her be, gave her someone to hold as her world imploded around her. She let the gentle combing of his hands through her hair, rhythmic and soothing, calm her aching body and temper her breathing.

Bumi leaned against the entrance to the courtyard, one leg proper against the door frame, casually observing the scene before him. His eyes brightened, as him mouth curved into a grin.

"That a boy Iroh," he whispered. Then his thoughts turned reminiscent, as Bumi was reminded of how young Iroh really was. The boy had barely been a teenager when he began his training as a soldier, instructed by Bumi himself. Iroh had been strong, more than capable of assuming all the duties thrust upon him by fate and by right of birth. In the end though, Bumi feared that perhaps Iroh had lost more than he had gained from his years of training. Iroh had never known a childhood, or not a full one at least. His duties had served as his friends, his responsibilities as his vacations.

The musical trill of giggling and the clap of tiny footsteps nearing snapped Bumi out of his thoughts. Bumi and Jinora skipped down the hall, bursting into the courtyard.

"Hey Uncle Bumi where's…Korra!" Meelo's squeal turned to a grunt f frustration as Bumi snatched him up in his arms, swinging him above his head and dangling him upside down, holding a finger before his lips, "Shhhh, don't interrupt the love birds." Bumi winked and cackled as Meelo attempted to free himself with a gust of wind to Bumi's face.

"Uncle," Jinora appeared next to Bumi's leg, holding his pant leg absentmindedly, squinting forward into the courtyard. "Isn't Korra in love with Mako? Why is she talking with General Iroh?"

"Yeah!" Meelo's head bobbled in agreement, the blood beginning to flow to his head, giving his forehead a crimson tint.

"Well I'm not so sure, Korra and Mako seem to be a bit…troubled lately," Bumi faltered, not wanting to spread rumors or become the temple gossip.

"Yeah, I noticed. They are always fighting," Jinora commented, craning her head to see the couple's interactions in the courtyard. "Maybe…maybe Korra and Iroh should date! Uncle Bumi we could set them up! I read a book where a few mischievous friends pushed a couple together by forcing them to be around one another. In the end, the couple realized they really did love each other and they swam to the bottom of the sea, creating a magnificent kingdom underwater! We could do that for Korra and the General!" Jinora's eyes sparkled, excitements illuminating her face.

"Yeah! Yeah! We could visit their underwater kingdom," Meelo chimed in, wriggling like a fish on a hook as Bumi raised an intrigued eyebrow, face brightening at Jinora's suggestion.

Perhaps his niece and nephew were on to something he thought, turning the idea over in his head, speculating on the possibilities.

"I think that is a brilliant idea Jinora," Bumi replied, his lips quirking into a sly grin as he turned, shooting down the hall, dragging Meelo and Jinora with him, the trio giggling hysterically all the while.

Iroh walked down the hall, Korra by his side, heading to the dining room of the temple. Korra was much calmer than she had been a few hours earlier, a reserved serenity settling over her as she pushed her feelings aside, willing them to subside, to flicker out like a flame drowned out. She wanted a distraction, need something to occupy her rambling mind.

They rounded a blind corner, almost plastering Bumi flat on his back as they all collided.

"Wow there Speed racers!" Bumi cried, slinging an arm around each both Iroh and Korra. "Where you headed kids?"

"Ummm nowhere really. The dining hall I guess," Korra muttered.

"Well in that case, I have a little mission for you two. Will you be so kind as to run to the City and pick up some things from the market? Here, here's a list," he pushed a crumbled piece of paper at Iroh, looking between the pair for an answer.

Iroh met Korra's eyes, a silent question written there. She nodded, managing a small smile.

"Sounds like fun to me," Korra agreed, nodding her head decisively. Bumi clapped the pair on their backs, voice booming through the halls, "Excellent!" He turned, retracing his steps down the hallway, a tiny smirk dancing upon his lips.