Every wondered what transpired during Iroh's siege of Ba Sing Se? Why Zhao hated Zuko so much? Who taught Zuko how to use dao swords? The real reason Iroh returned in disgrace? And most importantly how Lu Ten died? Well, here's a story that tries to explain everything since the show couldn't/wouldn't go into detail. I do not own Avatar. If I did Zuko and Katara would've been all over each other XD.
Young Rhinos: The Lu Ten Chronicles
Prologue
Lu Ten's Lullaby
The piercing wail of the infant Fire Prince echoed throughout the palace halls, causing patrolling guards to clap their hands over their long-suffering ears. The babe's cries were rivaled only by the snores of his honored father in his bedchamber.
"Husband," came the groggy voice of Princess Rumiko. Crown Prince Iroh blinked blearily, groaned, and curled back up into the covers.
"Husband," came Rumiko's voice again, this time more firmly. "You're son's awake."
"Before sun up," yawned Iroh. "He's your son."
"Don't make me kick your lazy ass out of bed," sniffed the Fire Princess, but Iroh could hear the amusement in her voice, and smiled in spite of himself.
"Can't the nannies take care of it?" whined the new father. "That's what they're paid for isn't it?"
"Come on now," commanded Rumiko in a tone that would broach no argument. "It's a father's duty to see to his son."
"Fine," grumbled Iroh as he rose from the bed and reached for a robe. His wife smiled fondly as he wrapped himself in a maroon bathrobe with golden flame patterns at the hem and chest and followed the wails to the Royal Nursery, exchanging curt pleasantries with the night watchmen as he passed them by.
When he reached his son's bedroom, he stopped short at what he saw. Four nannies surrounded the crib. One was pushing a bottle into his son's face. Another was shaking a rattle. A third was making a stuffed hippo-cow do a stupid dance. The last one was making what Iroh assumed was a funny face meant to entertain the babe but only succeeded in causing trauma that would no doubt haunt both father and son for the rest of their days.
"What are you doing to my little boy?" demanded the Fire Prince making all four nannies issue startled squeaks. They looked at him like baby moose-lions staring into bright lights and prostrated themselves before him.
"F-forgive us Prince Iroh," stammered one.
"We didn't mean to rouse you from your sleep," assured another.
"Consider me roused," said Iroh dryly, stroking his beard. "Did you give him his milk?"
"Yes, Fire Prince."
"Read him a story?"
"Of course."
"Give him Mr. Cuddles?"
"We've tried everything!" exclaimed the youngest nanny. "Stories, stuffed animals, warm milk, three diaper changes, and he still won't stop crying!"
The Fire Prince sighed, "Have you tried singing to him?"
"Like a lullaby?" inquired the last. "Yes of course."
"His favorite lullaby?"
"Er..."
"If you don't sing his favorite," sighed Iroh. "He won't fall asleep no matter what."
He reached into the crib and started to gently rock him back and forth, smiling fondly at his son. "He's very stubborn in that way," he whispered. "Like his uncle. Always has to have his way."
With that, he began to sing:
Leaves from the vine,
Falling so slow...
Prince Lu Ten ceased his cries and regarded his father curiously as he continued to rock him back and forth...
Like fragile, tiny shells
Drifting in the foam.
The babe yawned and gurgled as his golden eyes began to flutter shut and his father continued to sing softly...
Little soldier boy,
Come marching home;
Brave soldier boy,
Comes marching home.
Iroh smiled, lifted the sleeping Lu Ten to kiss his forehead and gently placed him in his crib.
"Good night my son," he whispered. He looked at the nannies in turn and put a finger to his lips. The assorted nannies mimicked the gesture in agreement. Then as one they began tiptoeing their way out of the nursery.
Well, I'm wide awake now, though Iroh wryly. Maybe I can convince Rumiko to sing me a lullaby. Then he stepped on one of the myriad of children's toys that were strewn all over the nursery floor. That in and of itself wouldn't have been so bad were it not for the fact that this was of the variety that squeaked loudly when one squeezed it or - as the case may be - stepped on.
A piercing wail echoed throughout the palace, and the nannies glared at Iroh accusingly.
Ah well, sighed Iroh ruefully. Some other night then...
For six hundred days, the Fire Nation lay siege to the great Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se, led by the great General Iroh, firstborn of Fire Lord Azulon, and the feared Dragon of the West. Great were the armies under his command. Among them were the deadly Yu Yan Archers, the mighty tank division, and, of course, the fearsome Rough Rhinos. As was tradition, General Iroh brought his firstborn son, Prince Lu Ten, to accompany him on the campaign in order to learn the art of warfare.
This is his story...
Short but satisfactory I suppose. Yeah this is something I've been wanting to do for a while so here it is. I actually sang "Little Soldier Boy" for my baby cousins when I went up north to visit and it worked so well that their mothers and grandmothers (my cousins and aunts) kept pestering me to sing for them over and over. I guess I just have a way with kids. As always R/R please. Constructive criticisms welcome. Shibui out!