The gang consisting of Korra, Bolin, Tenzin, Ikki, Jinora, Atoki, and Meelo all travelled by walking toward the destination that Atoki kept announcing.

"It's this way!" He kept on saying every two minutes.

It was an uneventful walk; with maybe a few passer-bys looking at them with strange expressions, but ultimately not doing anything questionable.

Ikki had decided that she wanted to hold Atoki, and attempt to finds his weak spot, saying that all animals had a weak spot.

Atoki would jump out of her arms every time, until he eventually got so sick of it, he just let her carry him, and try out all different spots.

"Here?" She asked, touching his head.

Atoki sighed, and shook his head. "No..."

Ikki touched his upper back. "Here?"

Atoki drooped. "No! Now can you please stop trying to pet me?"

Jinora stopped. "I can sense it now."

The rest of the group stopped, as they looked ahead. There was many oak trees blocking their view of about twenty feet further. It was relatively pretty, but they really didn't come here for scenery.

Bolin spread his arms out. "But, there's nothing but trees here."

Jinora pointed slowly past them. "It's beyond the trees. I can feel the spirit world portal close by."

Atoki smirked. "Yep. This is it." He said as Ikki reached for his chin.

Korra walked a few steps forward, and tried to peer through them. "Not seeing much."

Atoki pointed with his little paw. "It's because of all the trees. There's a certain-" He stopped mid-sentence, when Ikki scratched his chin. His eyes drooped almost shut, and he relaxed into her grip.

Ikki smiled. "Found it!"

Meelo launched himself into the air with airbending, and attempted to fly over the trees, but something like an invisible wall blocked him, and sent him falling down to the ground.

Korra cushioned his fall with an air current.

Meelo stood up straight. "Ouch! That stupid wall thing blocked me from saving the day!"

Tenzin looked at Atoki in Ikki's arms. "How do we bypass it? I would assume we don't just cut them down."

Atoki shook his head groggily. "No you... you... you... too. Hard. To. Resist..."

Ikki giggled as she watched him laid down in her arms, and let his tongue pop out from pleasure.

Tenzin sighed. "Ikki, would you please stop scratching him? We are in the middle of a mission."

Ikki pouted. "Aw... but he's so cute!" He began to purr in her arms.

Bolin put his hand to his chin, and observed the trees.

Tenzin pointed to the ground. "Now."

Ikki huffed, but set him down onto the ground.

Atoki stood up, and shook his fur. "That's better. Now then, follow me!" He ran forward, and through a little crack in between two trees.

Korra stooped down, and peeked through the crack. "Um... we won't be able to fit through that you know."

Atoki's head popped out. "Oh... hehe, sorry. Hang on!" He went back through again.

Everyone waited...

And then, the trees suddenly glowed so bright, that everyone had to turn away for a moment, until the glow faded, and what was left, was an opening into what looked like the air.

Atoki spread his arms. "Tada!"

Bolin cheered. "Woo-hoo! One step closer to freeing Naruto!"

Meelo stepped forward. "I will personally lead the charge!"

Ikki slapped his arm.

Korra walked up to Atoki. "So... we can trust that this will lead to Naruto, and that you're not just lying to us?"

Atoki shrugged. "Well... I suppose you're going to have to just take the chance."

Bolin ran up. "I will! If it's even a slim chance of saving Naruto, then we've gotta do it!"

Korra already knew that everyone has set on saving Naruto. And she was too. So, if Atoki was lying, then they may never see Naruto again. But... if he was telling the truth...

Korra nodded. "Ok, then let's all go in." She was about to climb in when Atoki halted her.

Atoki shook his head. "No. Not yet. There are a bunch of guards and lackeys on the other side of this portal. We can't just waltz in unless you're looking for trouble."

And that's when Meelo charged right in.

Korra chuckled, and then shrugged. "What can you do?"

Atoki sighed. "Fine. Battle it is. But do me a favor: never, and I mean NEVER tell anyone about the chin scratching thing."

With that little command, they all ran inside.