Welcome to my story. As the summary mentioned, this story will focus on Iroh, Fire Lord Zuko, and the rest of the Gaang as they enter a new chapter in their lives. I plan on updating weekly, and the chapters will most likely be short. The OCs will be one off characters. With all that said, let's get on with it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or these characters.

Ira hummed to herself as she traversed the stony streets of the middle ring. The tune was something she learned from Iroh, one of many he hummed to himself as he worked. She was lucky, having worked for him since the liberation of Ba Sing Sei. Sure it had drawn her some funny looks, working for a Fire Nation invader, but soon everyone remembered him as kind Uncle Mushi again and business picked back up.

Her eyes lifted from the dusty path towards a figure in front of her. Her cheeks grew hot as she recognized who it was. Greeting Garu with a nod and a giggle muffled by her sleeve, she resisted the urge to look away. His eyes lit up as they met hers, and he flashed a lopsided grin as his face flushed before he ducked his head. Iroh had mentioned that he thought they would make a cute couple once, and she was sure her face was pink. As she continued toward the Jasmine Dragon, a smile playing across her face, she thought it would be a good idea to ask Iroh for his opinion again.

Bypassing the front doors, where she herself would be stationed in just a few hours to bow and honor guests as they entered, Ira let herself into a side entrance. Iroh had insisted on living in the back apartments of his shop, and she could hear him clattering around in the kitchen already. Chuckling softly to herself, she slipped off her shoes to follow the noise and marveled at how early Firebenders would rise.

"Iroh? Is that you back there?" She called as she neared the source of the noise. The clattering momentarily stopped, and she called out again. "Iroh? It's me, Ira!"

"Ira, good morning!" Iroh greeted the young girl, his voice echoing through the empty building before the noise resumed.

"What are you doing so early in the morning?" She asked, having entered the kitchen. There were already several pots carefully arranged over small fires, and she shook her head. Even getting here so early and she was so far behind him already. Rolling up her sleeves and pulling her apron over her head, she bustled to prepare some cakes to serve with the tea as he replied.

"I am looking for this ceramic pot from the Eastern Earth Kingdom! I think it's just… right here…" Iroh said, the last few words strained as he reached for something in one of the teapot storage rooms. Yes, Iroh had multiple storage rooms dedicated just to teapots. He claimed each one would imbibe the tea with its own unique flavor.

His labored grunts were drowned out by the sound of smashing of ceramic against tile floors. A sharp yelp came from the other room, and Ira dropped the mixing bowl she had just picked up as she jumped at the noise, its contents splattering on the bottom of her dress as the bowl shattered.

"Iroh!?" She asked, alarmed. There was a loud thump accompanied by a softer groan. "Iroh!" Ira cried out as she rushed to the storage rooms. Her breath froze in her lungs as she stopped in the doorway of one of the rooms.

"I found the pot." Iroh said weakly from his position on the floor. He was cradling a pot on his stomach as he lay flat on his back, the remains of a couple others surrounding him.

Finally finding the power to move her limbs, she rushed over to his side, not noticing that she had stepped on some of the broken pottery herself. Ripping the pot from his hands, ignoring his muttered protests to be careful, she set it on the ground next to them and tried to help him up.

"Iroh, why weren't you more careful? I could have gotten that!" She reproached him, eyeing the stepladder next to him, and the pots missing from the highest shelf. "You could have hurt yourself!"

Iroh rested a hand on her shoulder, making her pause as she tried to get an arm underneath him. "Ira." He said gravely, golden eyes boring into hers. "I need you to get the doctor. Please."

A shudder of fright went through her at his serious tone, and she stood up hastily. "Are… are you sure? I think you will be fine with some-"

"Please Ira. I need you to go quickly." He interrupted her, folding his hands over his belly and staring mournfully at the ceiling. "I shall wait here patiently and grieve the loss of my broken teapots."

She laughed at his joke despite herself, the tears starting to drip from her eyelashes. "I'll… I'll go. I'll be right back! Don't get up ok Iroh?" She jabbered, backing out of the room. Taking one last look at the elderly man flat on his back, his white hair splayed out around him, with some of the locks tinged in red and his robes twisted around his legs. Broken pottery was scattered around the floor of the room.

Finally gathering her wits about her, Ira whirled around and padded to the side door she entered through. She picked up speed as the panic started to build, forgetting her shoes by the door. She only made it a few steps past the door before the rough cobblestone tripped her, and she fell roughly on the harsh stone. A grunt of pain escaped her lips.

"Ira?" She looked up into Garu's face as he approached her, concern evident on his face. 'What did you do?" He skidded to a stop in front of her, dropping to his knees as he took her hands in his. She looked down at their hands, as he blurted out, "You are bleeding!" He analyzed her scraped hands, before his eyes settled on her feet. "What happened! Your feet are bleeding too!"

Ira caught her breath, tears streaming down her face. "Garu! It's, it's Iroh! He fell, we need the doctor!" She panted, roughly pulling a hand out of his and rubbing at her eyes. "Please! I think he's hurt!"

Garu's face paled, and he nodded grimly. "Stay here, I'll be right back!" He declared as he scrambled to his feet and started to jog away.

I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter and that it's left you ready for more. Next update should be on Friday, as will all updates then on. I would appreciate reviews and feedback, as these characters and this story mean quite a bit to me. Thank you for reading.