A/N: This is my very first attempt at an Avatar fic, and I really hope you all enjoy this. I don't own Avatar, but I do own two original characters, Kourin and Seung. Also, if there is any OOCness in this story, my apologies in advance. Now on with the fic, and remember, to leave constructive feedback and no flaming.
Iroh walked through the city streets of Ba Sing Se trying to get home. He had been honoring his son's birthday today, and now that it was dark, he was heading back home to see Zuko. The pain he felt for his son's death and not being able to help him as he had the people he met today was still lingering in his heart. He was soon snapped out of his thoughts when he heard crying coming from not to far from where he was standing. He walked over to see a young boy, looking around for something or perhaps someone.
"Little one, what's wrong?" Iroh asked the little boy who had tears falling down his cheeks and snot running out of his nose. "My mommy and I were out in the city together, but then the streets got crowded, and I got separated from her" he managed to sob out. Iroh knew he couldn't let this boy wander the city alone considering it was already getting dark outside. 'I suppose Zuko won't mind being alone for a while' he thought with a soft inner chuckle.
"I'll help you find your mother" he said, offering the little boy his hand. The boy looked up at him, and without hesitation, took his hand. Iroh began going from shop to shop, seeing if anyone knew the little boy or his mother, but didn't have much luck. When Iroh glanced at the boy for a moment, he couldn't help, but notice he bore quite a resemblance to Lu Ten when he was little. Soon, he began to hear a woman's frantic voice, calling out a name. "Seung! Seung, where are you?" it called out.
"That's mommy's voice" the boy said as he pulled Iroh towards the voice. When they finally reached the source of the voice, there was a woman dressed in civilian Earth Kingdom garb with her hair in an elaborate style. "Mommy!" the boy yelled out as he ran towards the woman. "Seung" she cried out as she opened her arms and embraced her son tightly. "Seung, thank goodness you're okay" she said, with a soft sob escaping her lips.
"Mommy, this nice man helped me find you, and made sure I was safe" he said, pointing over at Iroh. The woman smiled and walked over to Iroh. "Kind sir, thank you for finding my son, is there any way I can repay you?" she said. "There is no need to repay me, Miss…" he said. "Kourin, and I insist you come to our house for a nice cup of tea, please" she asked softly. Iroh smiled gently, and said, "Well, I can't resist a cup of tea especially made by a beautiful young lady." Kourin's cheeks turned a soft pink color. She led Iroh to a small home near the city.
"Please, have a seat, and I'll get the tea started. Seung, you should go get changed into your pajamas" she said. Seung nodded and rushed off to his room as his mother poured some water into the tea pot. Once the put was full, she headed to the fire place, and started a fire. She then placed the tea kettle over the fire. "What kind of tea do you like?" she asked Iroh. "White Peony would be nice" he said, sitting down at the table. Kourin nodded, and went over to the counter to find the tea leaves.
As she was looking for the tea, Iroh took the time to look around the house. It had furniture here and there and a few painted scrolls on the wall. Finally, his eyes hit something that made his heart stop. Displayed on a mantle was a familiar medallion. It was one that he had given Lu Ten when he joined the army. 'Why on earth does an Earth Kingdom woman doing with this?' he thought, glancing over at his hostess. "Miss Kourin, where did you get that medallion?" he asked, noticing her tensing up at the question.
Kourin quickly walked over to tea kettle that was whistling, and poured the water into two cups, placing the tea leaves in them. As Kourin set the cup down in front of him, her hand shook a bit. "It belonged to someone important to me" she said softly, "and how do you know of it?" Iroh was quite surprised by what she said.
"That medallion was a gift I gave to my son, Lu Ten when he joined the army" he said. Kourin's eyes widened in shock, and her breath caught in her throat. "So you're Iroh, I heard much about you from Lu Ten" she said softly, tears forming in her soft green eyes. "How do you know him?" Iroh asked, his curiosity growing about Kourin's connection to his son. "I guess now I should introduce myself properly. I'm Lu Ten's wife, and my son is your grandson" she said, looking Iroh right in the eyes when she spoke.