The Unpredictable Fire Adventurers [General Iroh II x Reader] [Legend of Korra]

『a diplomat, a prince, a prince, and a queen

The following day arrives with less tension. You're back on speaking terms with Iroh, and the group is once more complete. Everyone pitches in to help with the camp clean up before heading out for the next adventure. Once everything has been settled, Iroh clears his throat for an announcement.

"Our next destination will be Ba Sing Se."

Everyone stops what they are doing, and Haku drops all his belongings. "W-What?!"

"[Name] suggested it, so we're doing it," Iroh clarifies with a shrug.

"B-But, that's not fair. Why do you guys decide everything?!" Haku sputters out.

"Because no one had stated a request?" You tilt your head, answering as if it were obvious.

Haku groans and shakes his head. He's searching for something to say but his panicked state doesn't allow him to fully develop a thought. 

"Oh, Tonraq is there something you want to say?" You call out to the waterbender raising his hand.

"I would like to visit the Southern Water Tribe."

"Accepted!" Iroh exclaims with eagerness.

"WAIT!" Haku shouts. "He just joined! Why does he get to chose before me?!"

"First come, first serve. You still haven't chosen a place."

As Iroh and Haku argue, Tonraq shuffles over to your side. "[Name]..."

"Hm?"

"While you went to find Iroh yesterday, I was able to acquire you a hood and..." He reaches for the floor where you spot a weird contraption. "A weapon I think you can handle."

It takes you a moment to realize what the contraption is. A bow made of steel with a spring that allows it to bend in the middle for a compact form. Tonraq whips the bow into shape, and it springs into life in its full form. There are some subtle engravings on it true to the village's roots, but the sight of it is overwhelming.

Knowledge used to be your main weapon; now it will be a bow.

"We can practice along our way. I'll do my best to help teach you some things," Tonraq explains. "Of course, this is all optional but it will give us all a peace of mind if you can at least defend yourself."

By now the other two have directed their attention onto the bow. Iroh puts two and two together and nods his head in agreement. "Yeah, it'll be nice to have you prepared."

Once you place the hooded cape on, you reach out for the bow. "This does seem like a sound idea. Thanks, Tonraq."

The waterbender scratches the back of his head. "Don't thank me so soon. We have a long way to go for you to even send an arrow flying."

"Well we should get started right away then!" you exclaim.

[_______]

It's been two weeks since you've first received your bow, and Tonraq has been gracious enough to train you. Although it isn't his area of expertise, he has you on a strict regime in getting your arms ready to pull the bow. It takes quite a bit of strength in your arm muscles, strength that had been void all your life. All this training results in your sore muscles, but thankfully your travels chiseled your stamina to carry you through the training. 

At the moment, you are following Tonraq through the forest to hunt. He thinks you're ready enough to attempt some practice with the bow, and excitement courses through your veins. Haku is getting the camp started up for dinner, while Iroh tags along to supervise--well, he wants to watch you fail miserably.

"You see that elk-deer?" Tonraq whispers as he points at the animal that is eating grass with little care for the world. "You need to aim for the vital points, which I think you already know where they are."

Your memory references the encyclopedia of animals, and a smirk appears. "Mhm!"

"You have to make sure to kill it if you injure it," Iroh adds. "It's no good in the wild with an injury."

"I understand."

You squint your left eye as you begin to aim your weapon. Sore muscles tense under your skin as you pull at the bowstring. It's as if your whole world had become silent; you can hear the drum of your heart and the wind of your breathing. Sweat beads roll down your forehead as you concentrate. 

And it's then your brain goes into overdrive. It's thinking of angles and directions of where to shoot. The best spots for an amateur to hit, rates of success and failure, the strength and direction of the wind, and the bowstring's tension. However, all these factors plus more are still foreign to you in practice and you're aware of the high chance of failure.

'Maybe I can test the strength of one arrow before I shoot my real arrow.'

With that in mind, you take your chances. If you were to shoot twice, your second arrow must be almost immediately afterwards. If not, the elk-deer will have a chance to escape. 

You inhale and ready yourself. One, two, pull, three, shoot. You let go of the bowstring and the arrow flies to miss completely. Iroh lets out a chortle, while Tonraq slaps the back of the boy's head. You, however, are unfazed as you quickly pull at your next arrow.

Before the other two can protest, you shoot based on the feel of the previous arrow. More tension, the bow must tilted more to the side, the vital point is nestled more on the left, the winds are stronger north-- it's all formulated into your second arrow.

The sound of metal hitting and downing the elk-deer reverberates across the forest. The three men watch on with slacked jaws. A gasp of joy escapes you as you jump from your spot.

"Yes! The beauty of mechanics!"

"How... How did you do that?" Tonraq asks breathlessly.

"I used the first shot to determine the trajectory of my next arrow and then adjusted. Since I'm still a newbie, this is the best I can do."

Speechless, the three continue to stare at you. It isn't until Iroh shakes himself from his stupor that he speaks up. "I guess that makes you the two-shot wonder..."