Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, the Last Airbender, Dell Computer Company or any really good movies.

A/N This is the first chapter and hasn't really been edited, not to mention I typed it fast and didn't hand-write it first (which is unusual for me), but stick with me for a little while! And, yeah, it's short (which is also kinda strange for me) but I'm working on it!

Return of The Dragon of the West

Zuko was lying on his bed in the Western Air Temple, staring at the ceiling with unfocused golden eyes, his mind lost to another time, to another world where no one but he could reach. It was his uncle's birthday, a day to celebrate a man who had been more like a father to Zuko than anyone else, a man whose instant wisdom could tame every fire– laterally. But Iroh was lost, to Zuko, to the Fire Nation, to the world. There had been no sight of him, anywhere, for months.

The ex-Prince rolled onto his side and studied the faded in portrait that was framed on his bedside table. He thought the picture did Iroh a cruel injustice– first off, there was no tea in sight. And besides that, the artist had missed the glimmer in his eyes and the wise words that had always been brimming on the tip of his tongue.

This is not my uncle, Zuko thought bitterly. But it is all I have left.

There was a sharp knock on the door, and Toph, the young, blind earthbender, walked into his room.

"Hey, Sifu Jerkbender, unless you truly plan to sleep all day, breakfast is waiting for you."

Zuko paused. "Yeah, okay," He said at last. "Tell them I'm coming."

Toph turned to leave but decided against it. "It's Iroh's birthday, isn't it," She stated calmly, although Zuko caught the grief in her voice.

"Yeah," He sighed. "And I still have no idea where he is."

"Do . . ."Toph paused awkwardly, for once lost for words. "I mean, you don't think he's–"

"No," Zuko said suddenly, standing up. "I know he's still alive. C'mon, I'm starving."

Toph opened her mouth as if she was about to contribute more to the conversation, but closed it again and left without a word. Zuko looked back at Iroh's portrait one more time and followed her.

"Well, well, look who's descended on high to mingle with the common peasants," Katara remarked sarcastically as Zuko walked into their small eating area. Toph shot her a warning look with sightless eyes.

"Yeah, well, um, good morning to you to," Zuko muttered dejectedly, taking his steaming bowl of rice and sitting beyond the group's ring of people.

Katara watched him as if internally battling wether or not to ask him what was wrong, and what caused his unusual lack of anger, but Toph interrupted.

"It's his uncle's birthday today," She muttered quietly to Katara.

"The uncle who–"

"Helped us, yeah." Toph paused and tipped her head. "I can feel his heartbeat from here– Katara, he's really angry and upset. Maybe you should–"

"Look, obviously you can't see that he wants to be left alone right now," The older Waterbender snapped, angry at the mention of going to talk to him. (And completely disregarding the fact that only a moment ago she had been contemplating the same thing.) "I'm not his personal psychiatrist. I'm sure he can handle this on his own."

"Whatever, Sugar Queen," Toph sighed in return. "It would probably be best if he didn't do anything rash, though. Aang needs him– he can't leave."

"I told you. He can handle himself well enough, as we saw when he was chasing us around the world."

Toph rolled her faded eyes and walked away, though she could tell that Katara was still sending Zuko worried looks.

"Sokka, wait up!" Zuko yelled as Sokka disappeared around the hallway's corner.

Sokka stopped and let him catch up, lazily flicking his boomerang up and catching it in his hand. "Yeah?"

"Uhh . . ." Zuko stammered unintelligently, catching his breath. "Uh, remember, when, uh, you were tracked down by that giant mole-rattish thing that, uh, found you at the convent–"

"Yeah, with the creepy lady on it's back that used Katara's necklace to track us down. And the monster that tried to kill us all with its poisonous tongue," Sokka stuck out his own tongue as if trying to emphasize what body part he was talking about. "Sure," He shrugged casually, as if a near-death experience made no difference in his memory. "I know who you're talking about."

"Yeah, well, um, you never happened to, uh see the, uh, creepy lady again, did you?"

Sokka looked surprised. "Well, no. I mean, it's not like we exactly looked for her, you know, but she was probably taken captive. Or turned into a nun at the convent." He grinned at the thought.

"Yeah, okay," Zuko said, turning away. "It probably wouldn't have worked anyway."

"What? What wouldn't have worked?"

Zuko cringed, as if he had not realized that he had still been speaking out loud. "Nothing. I, uh, was just wondering what happened to her."

Sokka frowned. "Why? If you bring her back here, we'll all kill you, and Katara will be jealous."

Zuko turned back around, surprised. "Jealous? Why?"

Sokka let his boomerang fall to the ground next to him and covered his mouth with his hand in mock-regret. "Oops, I've said too much," He exclaimed.

"There you guys are!" Said a voice behind them. Both of the teenagers jumped and looked at Aang, who was standing behind them, glider-staff in hand. "Zuko, what happened to fire-bending lessons this morning?"

"Right, coming," Zuko brushed past Sokka, who gave him a deliberately suspicious glare, and followed Aang down the hall.

"I still want to know why!" Sokka called after him.

Zuko shook his head. "No, you don't," He muttered to himself.

A/N Yeah, I know it's not exciting yet. It's . . . nothing, yet, really. But never fear, bold readers, for more is coming! Soon! (Because summer is here and I have lots of time!) And I know that so far it may seem a little bit Toph/Zuko, but that is not going to happen. It's still Zutara.