The streets of the town were silent, everyone either hiding away in their homes or running to evacuate. The sun was at its highest point in the afternoon and General Iroh could feel the beats of sweat rolling down his back behind his armor.
From up ahead he could see the soldiers beginning to slow their pace; awaiting more commands. They had finally crossed over into the legendary town of Ba Sing Se. He was excited to report back home with the success that everyone in the Fire Nation had been waiting to hear about since they had first arrived.
The town was surrounded entirely by a very tall, very large impenetrable wall. But with threats, torture, and bloodshed, they had been able to walk through the front gates.
The sound of an infant gurgling caught his attention, however, and he found himself turning down the nearest alley next to a closed down shop.
A baby, no older than six months, lay wrapped up in a torn brown blanket on the dusty back steps on the shop exit. She giggled joyfully as she looked up at the general. Iroh felt a pang in his chest– him only son, Lu Ten, had been murdered just a few days prior. He bowed his head, the pain still as sharp as when he first received the news.
He pulled himself out of his thoughts and the glistening of something small and round in the blanket caught his eye. He bent down and picked up a blue necklace that had a lighter blue jewel attached to it which bared the symbol of waterbending. He gasped, flipping it over, and it read: Katara.
"Katara," The general breathed. The baby girl cooed happily, followed by a hiccup, at the sound of her name.
"What a beautiful name for a beautiful baby."
He leaned down and picked up the child, cradling her in his arms. It had been a long time since he held a young child in his hands. Almost two years, for his nephew wasn't of holding age anymore.
"Where is your mother? Surely she would not leave her child out to starve." He thought out loud, raising his eyebrows in amazement.
He examined the necklace once more, staring at the symbol on the front, and felt himself gasp. This child was a long way from home. She was the daughter of the last waterbender that had recently been kidnapped, and probably murdered, by the Southern Raiders.
"General Iroh!" A young, breathless solider yelled out from behind him. He turned, he had momentarily forgotten about the invasion, the murder, the bloodshed, and the war that was happening all around them.
"Yes?" He offered a friendly smile.
The solider opened his mouth to speak, but furrowed his eyebrows once he noticed the child.
"The front line is awaiting orders, sir." He spoke, choosing wisely not to question the general.
"I'll be right there." Iroh said absentmindedly, turning his attention back toward the child. He saw the solider bow before turning and walking back to his place in line.
Iroh smiled, turning in his spot, continuing his journey, but with a baby in his arms.
"I hope you like the tsungi horn."