A/N: I thought I'd try my hand at a relatively young Iroh. I'm being liberal with friendships and acquaintances-most of it's fluffy goodness-and I'm getting rough ages from the avatarwiki site.

And as always, I don't own Avatar, but Kaida and Katsu are mine!

Chapter one: Friends don't let friends flirt drunk.


Two young soldiers were sitting at a table in a bar after a long day. Both handsome, both dressed in the traditional Fire Nation armor, both sitting with a beer in front of them. Through the course of the evening one was trying to engage in conversation, but his was friend distracted by a pretty face across the room.

"Iroh...Iroh? Iroh!" His friend got his attention as he grabbed for the Prince's beer.

"Huh?" The young prince turned to his friend.

"Your beer is getting warm," His friend took a swig, "What's left of it."

"Jeong Jeong, how do you know when you're in love?" Iroh looked back at the dainty waitress.

Jeong Jeong rolled his eyes, "Is that why we come to this dump? They don't even have fire flakes..." He began to watch the waitress his friend was enamored with. She was relatively short, had long black hair that she tied away from her face with a red ribbon, and big hazel eyes that were almost out of place in her thin face.

"I don't get it, I've been coming here for weeks and all I have to show for it is her name. And I got that from the bartender!"

"I can't stand seeing you drunk and in love," Jeong Jeong sighed, "Ok, here's what you do..." He whispered in the prince's ear.

"Are you sure?" Iroh slightly slurred as Jeong Jeong motioned for the waitress.

"Just say it like I told you. And be sure to use her name, girls like that!"

Iroh nodded, turned to the waitress, and managed to mumble, "Kaida, is your father a thief? Because he stole my wallet and put it in your eye."

Jeong Jeong slapped his forehead. The waitress, Kaida, raised her eyebrows, "You're not very good at this are you?" Iroh put his head down on the table in shame. She looked at Jeong Jeong, "Do you need anything else?"

"Yes, I'll have another beer and my friend will have sake to wash down his humiliation." As she walked away he turned to Iroh, who still had his head on the table, "After this round let's go, I think you've had enough."

Before the prince could respond they heard a commotion outside. The patrons of the bar looked at the pair of soldiers, "Well," Iroh said, "I guess this is part of the job description. Let's go."

The men went outside to find a small mob encouraging a fight between a grown man and a young teenager. The man was short, squat, and had dark hair and clean shaven face; the teen couldn't have been older than 15, had dark hair, and was tall and lanky. Although the teen was ducking and avoiding many blows the surrounding crowd made it impossible for him to flee. Iroh and Jeong Jeong exchanged quick glances and nodded before wading through the crowd. Jeong Jeong grabbed the teen, and in a fluid motion Iroh stepped in front of the man and caught the oncoming blow with his hand.

"The full grown oak fear the young sapling taking what is rightfully his but if the sapling doesn't take it will never grow."

Jeong Jeong gave a heavy sigh as he let go of the teen, "Please don't try proverbs when you're drunk."

Iroh ignored his friend and gave his full attention to the man in front of him, then asked in recognition, "Admiral Katsu? Why are you fighting a boy?"

"Prince Iroh?" The admiral bowed, then answered, "He stole from me, sir."

Iroh turned to the teen, "Is that true?"

"No," The teen said, "he's pissed because I was flirting with his daughter."

"You little pissant!" The admiral yelled back.

"Dirty old man! I should..."

The boy lunged but Jeong Jeong caught his arm and said quietly, "Calm down. Trust me, this is one fight you don't want." He then called to Iroh, "Your call, what do you want to do?"

Iroh looked at Katsu, then at the teenager, "It would be best if you two avoided each other in the future, yes?" They both nodded, "Good."

Jeong Jeong raised his voice, "Nothing more to see here, go home."

The crowd started to disperse, but before the teenager could disappear Iroh caught him by the arm, "Not you, boy."

"Don't call me 'boy'. Just because you're a soldier doesn't mean you can boss me around."

"Brat!" Jeong Jeong spat out, "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

"Don't listen to him," Iroh commented, then pointed out the teens split lip, "You're hurt, come inside."

As they escorted the teenager inside, Jeong Jeong whispered to Iroh, "Why are we helping him again?"

"Because we care about all citizens."

"Even obstinate teenagers who insult you?" Jeong Jeong raised an eyebrow.

Iroh chuckled, "Especially those."

The trio arrived at their table and sat. Kaida came over, "Almost didn't think you..." She gasped when she saw the addition, "Piandao, have you been fighting again?" she asked angrily.

"No!" The teen said obstinately.

"You two know each other?" Iroh asked.

"Yes, I volunteer at his youth camp. We'll talk about it later, young man," She turned to the soldiers, "I figured you guys left for good. Do you still want your drinks?"

"Yes, please," Jeong Jeong said.

As she left, Iroh turned back to Piandao, "I see skill in your fighting, unrefined as it is."

"They give us a little training at camp." The teen said.

"They don't do shit at those youth camps," Jeong Jeong sighed.

"I agree. I'd like to help you," Iroh said as Kaida returned, "Meet us at the south gate of the palace tomorrow afternoon if you want some proper training."

"He doesn't need any help fighting," Kaida said as she put down the drinks.

"It's alright," Iroh stated, taking his sake in one shot, "Kaida, more beer for my minions."

"You're so kind," Jeong Jeong said sarcastically.

"Let no one say Iroh is not benevolent!" He stated, then promptly fell off his chair.

...

A/N: There will be more from Katsu and Kaida later, I will not leave you in the dark :) And does anyone else love watching Iroh struggle with his crush? I know he has that smoothness buried somewhere deep within him, he just has to work on it...a lot...