Uncle Zuko

It was a mystery why Uncle Zuko was always in a permanent scowl and never even bothered to try playing a simple game of Pai Sho. To him, Iroh, Pai Sho was the best strategy game ever invented, as well as a constant reminder to him in the gloomiest of times that even if you seem to fail, you can always sweep your board clean and try again.

"Bah! I have tried more at life than your measly 14 years and let me tell you this, my Nephew, most of the time life doesn't even give you all the necessary Pai Sho gambits to succeed! I don't even know where you picked up such a wasteful hobby and your love of incessant and unnecessary shopping sprees and WOMEN! For Agnis sake! Where does the love of brothels and those blasted girls -who -will- leave- you- as- soon -as -you -run- out -of -money -and -fame kind even bring you?! Nowhere but being stuck on a rotten ship and helping your wild goose-chases for the Avatar!" General Zuko blasted one day when Prince Iroh was simply reciting a few very reasonable ancient proverbs to his crew while playing Pai Sho with the steering captain.

"And why are you promoting a slack workplace by letting the steering captain play Pai Sho with you while he is on duty?!"

Uncle Zuko has been especially cross ever since General Zhao was promoted and granted yet another Armada of ships to lead. But what gives? Just sit back and relax, or better yet, soak in a hot spring for a bit, letting your frayed nerves be washed away. After all, Uncle is the Dragon Of The West and the Firenations best strategist! Surely a newby like Zhao could be beaten back into place?

Well Iroh told him just exactly what he thought, but oh well! Uncle was never an optimist. So Iroh just silently did the rescue-me-from-Uncles-tempertamtrums-and-i-will-give-you-a-whole-week-off-oh-pretty-pretty-please-oh-Agni-somebody-just-placate-Uncle look to his intimidated crew. Yeesh, those scared cats! Well time for plan B, then. Just verbally agree with everything Uncle has to say, make his Pai Sho board disappear for a day or two, and make sure the ship has a full stock on fireflakes. Yes, after much avail, the clever Prince has found a small crack in his armour of stubbornness and refusal: Fireflakes! But be careful not to let Uncle know that you know that he has a liking for Fireflakes, though!

So Iroh ended up on the deck with Uncle drilling him on his katas and boy, did his muscles ache by the end of the non-stop session!

"Uncle, may I take a short break now?" The Prince gasped as he was doing yet another basic Firebending form.

"Hmph. Alright, but I don't see much improvement in the dragon's roar or the stiffening in your too loose limbs in the basic katas."

Well of course Iroh would have jelly limbs after 2 hours of punching, kicking and backflips! Iroh wiped his sweat off his face as he went to reach his shirt.

"Well, Uncle, it's not like I am a prodigy like Azula or the greatest general in the Fire nation!" He mumbled with a hint of sadness.

"Everybody can be a master, only if they put all their effort in it and pay close attention to their teachers." Uncle said pointedly to Iroh, making him squirm in guilt. Uncle's stares would give Koh the creeps if he happened to meet the spirit!

" I was an ordinary bender to begin with, but I was diligent and it worked to my favour in the end." Uncle's face had softened a notch.

He adjusted his position to avoid the Sun's glare and recrossed his arms.

"But didn't Firelord Azulon favour you more and give you the better bending instructors? And actually, Grandfather originally intended that you be the Fir-" Iroh bit his lower lip nervously as he almost got himself treading on the eggshells of sensitive-topics-that-would-really-upset-Uncle.

General Zuko's eyes slightly narrowed as Prince Iroh glanced around to see if any soldier was near earshot.

"Nephew, why don't you go inside your room and take bath? You don't smell very pleasant, and your room needs some inspection."

Uncle's tone and his death glares at Lt. Lee and Hatsuo, who happened to hear, meant something completely different.

Zuko closed the door silently behind him as he went over to Iroh's messy desk and placed a thick book titled: Firebending- The Basic Katas For Dummies on top of three random trinkets that Iroh refused to throw away. Yes, Zuko really needed to strip this pack-rat of his junk before he makes another excuse to go shopping next time the ship docks. But now, there are more important conversations to be dealing with.

" This is the seventh time you had a slip of your tongue Iroh. What do you have to say for yourself?" The aged General asked while standing in his usual no-nonsense posture.

Prince Iroh stood innocently beside his bed with his hands lazily clasped in front of him.

"U-uncle I'm really sorry I slipped up,but maybe you could tell your crew to zip their mouths or something, or you might even want to talk about it? I-i mean, since it's very hard to shut my babbling mouth, and all."

Zuko sighed in defeat. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he contemplated the options he had left.

1- Yell at him for his foolish talk and give him a curfew.

Hmm, but wouldn't he just be acting like Ozai did? And after all, giving him a curfew would push things a tad too far since Iroh is, well, banished and all.

2-Excuse him.

But Prince Iroh would just pick up another opportunity to speak what is in his short-sighted mind and Agni knows who should be listening next to time?

3-Duc- ah never mind!

3- Just explain it to Iroh and hope he would understand and shut his mouth next time.

Well, this seems like the only reasonable option left. After all, Zuko followed his Nephew on board and sacrificed his life of ease at the palace to try to be the father Prince Iroh never had. It was so cruel to think of how Ozai could just mutilate a quarter of his son's face because he spoke up about something that wasn't all too idiotic.

General Zuko went over to Iroh's unmade bed and sat at the edge of it. Hmph, when Zuko was Iroh's age, he made his bed the minute he woke up. What has gotten into this boy that made him so slack?

Right. Back to explaining to Prince Iroh the reason why Zuko refused to take the throne. He remembered that day so clearly…

Iroh slid on the bed next to Uncle and noticed his eyes had that far away look for moment, before snapping back to reality.

"Nephew, the reason your father Ozai is on the throne and not me, is because… because of the 600-day siege of Ba Sing Se. I was deemed unfit for the throne by the matter of law after my only son LuTen passed away in the heat of battle."

"But almost everybody knows how much of a better Firelord you would be Uncle! You might even be able to nullify the effects of the 100 year war. Isn't that more important to the world then some dumb law?" Iroh collapsed backfirst onto the bed and fiddled with the corner of a red blanket.

"That is not the only reason, Nephew. Even if I manage to take my place at the throne, 100 years of lost lives, broken families and war-torn lands cannot simply be swept under the carpet like a Pai Sho board game. Your father is a very clever and cunning man. As from the beginning of his political power he has been replacing politicians with those that are loyal to Ozai. If I was to snatch the throne back from my brother, It would be necessary to execute Ozai, which is bound to cause a civil war and in the long run, it would look very selfish for an old man to steal the throne and kill his own kin to rule for a a meager 30 years.

But what is In my power, influencing you, the would-be Firelord, is something worthwhile."

"Uncle, i-im sorry about what happened to your son."

"Don't be apologetic about something that you were never involved in." Zuko sat up and placed a calloused hand on Iroh's shoulder.

"The only way you will have a chance to take the throne, Nephew, is to capture the Avatar and restore your honour."

Dun, dun DUNNN!

Should I keep this as a drabble or continue onward as a full-blown fanfic? Reviews, guys!

And tell me what my next Avatar drabble should be in the comments section!

-Sapphiresocks