Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters

Pointers: 'italics' means that the character is thinking

Summary: Iroh takes in the Ba Sing Se's army general daughter after the death of her father. She replaces the child he has lost. She is raised in the Fire Nation palace and endures the 100 year war with Zuko and Iroh. Zuko x OC

Author's Note: HUZZAH! Hello everyone. I've decided to edit the story~ Going through mistake and paragraph breaks! Woo, looking at this thing makes me cringe sometimes. I'm gonna make it better.

Chapter One:

The Black Jade

"The Fire Nation is coming!"

"They are going to try to destroy the outer wall!" Another had yelled.

Amidst the flocking people stood a young girl, her jade eyes had frantically looked around as people were running. "Run child, the Fire Nation will burn us all!" A man screamed, making the girl look back to where everyone seemed to be running from towards the second ring. The fear was supposed to be natural because the Firebenders were going to destroy her home, Ba Sing Se, but how could she possibly be afraid when she had no place to run to? The fear felt small and insignificant when she felt no chance for survival. Her father was within the outer wall and her mother had been passed the day she was born. She had no brothers no sisters but her father, who she assumed was defending the city and fighting the Fire Nation army. She could run home and hide but who was to say that her home wouldn't be burned down? She could go to the refugee center but who would take care of her? The only person that could make her feel safe would be her father but she knew, without a doubt, that he was in battle.

The child stood there in the now empty lower ring, holding her favorite stuffed animal; a deerhorse. She debated on going to the refugee center, to try her luck, but then turned back and looked at the large outer wall that her father was trying to protect. It was then, at that very moment, she had heard the wall being broken. The large stone wall was being breached by the Firebenders. Soldiers were flocked at the wall, prepared to protect it. She hadn't even noticed the one soldier that came and lifted her off the ground. "How is the General's daughter out here and unprotected?!" He yelled, "I told you she was the first person to be safe! Why is she out here alone?!" The man screamed from the top of his lungs. The emerald eyes of the man who was holding her looked down, "Don't worry, you'll be safe." He tried to comfort her as her eyes lit up and a smiled adorned her face.

However, the wall had been broken and the force had caused pieces of stone to fly. A large piece of it was heading towards their direction and man began to run and jump, dodging it and protecting the young girl as they had now rolled over to the side. "You have to run, get out of here!" He had said as let her go and tried to coerce her to run. The young girl looked at him and then started running forward, Firebenders were already here. There was no fight and no sudden action. She looked at the broken wall that was now becoming smaller duet to the distance, but she could clearly see the one man she loved; her father. Even though she knew better than to run towards danger's way, she had run toward him. "What are you doing? No, please!" The soldier who protected her earlier had yelled. Her small feet were going in one direction only and that was to her father, who was bowing in defeat to a Fire Nation militia.

"Papa!" She yelled with fear attached to her voice, all eyes turning towards her. The Ba Sing Se general had immediately turned around upon hearing his daughter's voice. "Papa!" She cried again as the man had ran towards her, picking her up.

"Daiyu." He held the child tightly in his arms, "What are you doing out here? You should've been taken away from here." He could still feel her small form shaking and crying.

The general turned to look at the Fire Nation General whose eyes had softened. "We won't cause further harm unless you surrender." He had said, his gold eyes staring at the opposing general and his daughter.

Daiyu had looked at the Firebender in disdain, her eyes narrowing at him. "We surrender…" She had heard her father say, her mouth opening in shock.

-/-/-

Now with the sun disappeared and the sky of night took place, the Fire Nation army had made camp at the broken outer wall and her father had gone back to report to the King upon their failure to protect it. And with that failure, her father was forced to commit suicide. Since he had surrendered and had not done a better job at fighting the Fire Nation army, he was seen an insult to the entire Earth Kingdom army. Daiyu was now parentless and heartbroken. She was not to be taken care of by anyone for who would want a child of a now shamed family? She would be another child on the street with nothing to her name. What did she have to lose by confronting the Fire Nation army? At this point, she was a child who had nothing to gain or suffer from more loss. All she had left was this growing hatred for the Nation and its army that had took her last piece of family away. Once she made it in the heart of the camp, she rose her right leg with her the tip of her foot pointing up and then slammed her heel down to make a large boulder levitate in the air, she had sent a sharp kick to propel it towards the tent. Before it could connect, she was immediately stopped. "I don't think that's a wise decision."

Lowering her foot, she had placed it flat on the ground and watch the rock fall along with her movements. She turned around to see a young man with his hair in a topknot. His dim gold eyes, surprisingly, were not showing any ill will or malicious intent like her own. He bent his knees to reach eye level with her and gave a smile, "What are you doing out here?" He asked her as she looked at him, her jade eyes showing fury.

"I'm here to kill you and your general!" She spat, her anger not lessening.

The man had rose an eyebrow, somewhat surprised at her bluntness. "And why would you want to do that? A child should not be murdering." He countered.

"Its yours and the Fire Nation's fault that my dad was forced to commit suicide!" Daiyu was not enthused nor moved by the man's act of kindness. The man's expression had definitely changed, his mouth forming a frown.

"So you're the General's daughter?" He had asked as she looked at him with glaring eyes.

"Yes, he was my Papa." Daiyu clenched her teeth, blinking away her tears.

"Lu Ten? What are you doing outside?" The Fire Nation General had exited the tent and went around, seeing Lu Ten and the child.

"Aren't you—" Daiyu immediately pointed her finger at the man, "It's you! You who Papa surrendered to!" She screamed, the Fire Nation soldiers hearing her and now circling around her with weapons in their hands.

"Lower your weapons. She is just a child." Iroh had said to them, the soldiers lowering their spears, swords, fists and any weapon that they had in their hands. Daiyu had looked around, her heartbeat was fast and she could feel the fear creeping down her throat as she swallowed. "Your father surrendered to protect you and knew he could not win the war. He did the right thing." Lu Ten had looked at his father who explained, trying to reason with the child even though they both knew there was no reasoning with a grieving child.

"If it was the right thing then why was he ordered to kill himself?!" Her eyes were filled with new, fresh tears as her hands bawled into fist.

"Because your King is a coward. Your father was an excellent general. He did not deserve to meet such an end."

Daiyu's bottom lip quivered, "…Papa…." She shook her head and began to cry.

Lu Ten had placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and she looked at him from the corner of her eyes, "You said he was your only parent, right?" Lu Ten had asked her as she nodded her head.

"Papa was all I had." Lu Ten had looked at his father who closed his eyes out of empathy.

"You don't have any family left, do you?" Daiyu shook her head, her head lowering as her bangs covered her forehead. She had nobody left… "Let her stay with us. We are the reason that her father had passed. She's a child, she cannot be left alone." The General then spoke.

"But father, we're in the middle of war." Lu Ten tried to reason.

"General Iroh, she's a Ba Sing Se civilian. We have not one reason to take care of her. This is war and she is an enemy."

Iroh had glared at the man at the corner of his eyes, "She's a little girl who is homeless. It was not my intention for the General to have to commit seppuku. She is not an enemy, she is a child. This war has nothing to do with her. Yes, casualties are abound but I feel in my right that I should take responsibility." Daiyu appeared confused, unsure what all of this had really meant.

Iroh had then went on one knee and looked in Daiyu's eyes, his smile warm and friendly. "You will be safe under my care. It is my fault that your father is dead. I do not expect you to forgive me, but I will provide for you." He held out his large hand. She looked down at it, her eyes reading her confusion. She wanted to hate him, in fact she still did, but she had nowhere to go and vengeance was impossible. She was only ten and surrounded by a Fire Nation army of expert Firebender and fighters. What chance did she stood? If she had gone with the general, she would be able to eat and be safe but was it worth it? Daiyu stood there, still unsure. Her mind could not register if it was the right thing or not. She looked at his outstretched hand again and then back up at him as he still smiled. Slowly and hesitantly, her small hand had grabbed onto it. Iroh had then given her a handshake as to confirm his words as promise. Lu Ten smiled and followed after his father as he led her to the main tent.

The main tent was large as Daiyu looked around, her eyes scanning and soaking in everything. Everything in there was a shade of red and everything Fire Nation was about. Daiyu had let go of Iroh's hand and sat on a chair and looked down at the floor. She couldn't even begin to wonder how she even accepted his proposal of allowing him to take care of her. He was a Firebender and a Fire Nation General. He was evil in the eyes of everyone else in the world, but she felt that he was safe. That he could keep her safe.

Lu Ten had gone inside the tent and gave her a smile. "So what are our plans for tomorrow?" He had asked his father. Iroh had then poured some tea from the kettle that was hanging at the center of the fireplace. He had walked towards Daiyu and handed her a tea cup.

"It is very hot." He warned her, not ignoring Lu Ten. Daiyu had took the teaplate and teacup and looked down at the hot tea, which had smelled good.

She looked up at Iroh and Lu Ten who gave her a nod, urging her to drink some. "Its good. My dad makes the best tea." He had went on to say, giving his father a pat on the shoulder.

With their words of encouragement and praise, she had raised the cup to her lips and carefully took a sip without burning her lips. She felt her eyes widen for a second but then gained her composure. The tea wasn't too sweet nor was it was too bitter. It was in good balance and tasted delightful. Once it went down her throat, it felt like it warmed her whole body and even made her want to smile. She hadn't though, still trying to keep a serious expression to show her disdain. Daiyu had looked back up at them as they wanted to hear how it tasted. She had looked back down at the cup.

"It's good." She had said as Iroh smiled and then turned to Lu Ten and then talked about the blueprints of what they were going to do for the rest of the week. Daiyu had not said anything but continued to drink her tea in silence. After their discussion of battle tactics, they had then sat at the low table and began to play a game of Pai Sho. Recognizing the game, Daiyu had slid off the chair and crept her way towards the table and sat next to Iroh.

He had watched her, her eyes curiously looking over the game. "Have you played Pai Sho before?" He asked her.

Daiyu looked up at him and slowly shook her head. "No." She answered flatly and truthfully. "I've seen people play it before." She went on to say as he had moved a tile piece three spaces up in which left his son confused and somewhat stuck. The young man had his hand tucked under his chin as he tried to figure out his next move. Daiyu had looked at Iroh who was smiling away, watching his son try to decipher which would be the best move to make. Daiyu had looked back at the game, looking at Lu Ten's tile pieces. She didn't know to play the game, but she knew that something was wrong with the way that Lu Ten had played it.

Iroh had then looked back at Daiyu, who was staring at the game. "So..." He decided to break the silence. "Are you hungry?" He asked her as she looked away from the game and up at him.

"Mhm." She nodded.

"We don't have any food cooked from dinner but I did order for more fireflakes!" The man grinned from ear to ear as he stood and went to a dresser and picked up a bowl of the snacks. "They are very spicy though, so becareful." He warned as he placed the bowl on the table. Daiyu looked at the steaming bowl of flakes covered in a mixture of hot spices.

She then picked up one and bit it, her tongue immediately felt like it was on fire. She yelped and shook her head, "This is too spicy!" She said as Lu Ten laughed at her reaction. Her cheeks flushed pink of embarrassment as the young man had a hand over his stomach, laughing at her reaction.

Iroh kept his smile, "You're not fond of spicy foods?"

Daiyu shook her head, "I… I eat spicy foods but not things this spicy." She explained, putting emphasis to get her point further across. As she finished the rest of the flame, her tastebuds were now adapting to the hot food. She began to ate more, chewing them and then suddenly grabbing handfuls. Iroh chuckled at her reaction, now realizing what she meant about how hungry she was. Soon enough, he found the bowl empty and her head resting on the table because she had fallen asleep.

His game with Lu Ten was not over, but he picked her up and laid her on what was his bed that he was now giving her. He tucked her in and then back to the low table. "She's a doll, isn't she?" He said to his son. Lu Ten smiled, "I see you are growing attached to her already." He finally picked up a Pai Sho tile and made his move. Lu Ten had begun nodding since he was strongly convicted that he made the right choice.

His father stroked his beard and already made his next move, "Attached? I feel guilty for killing her father. She did not deserve to lose a parent. But she is a good child with a good heart; I hate to see war to turn her bitter."

His son had agreed. "Besides, you can finally have the daughter you always wanted." Lu Ten said with a smile, "I'd like to be a brother, finally." He teased as his father had smiled. He then looked over at his shoulder at the sleeping child.

"I don't know if she would be willing." He had said to his son. "That would be her decision and I am sure my father would not approve; an Earthbender being adopted into the Royal Family." Iroh went on to say, "Though I believe I could convince him if I stay true to being able to win Ba Sing Se."

Lu Ten nodded his head, "We will be victorious." His son had said confidently.

The older man smiled, "Of course."

-/-/-

A few weeks had passed and Iroh and Lu Ten had begun teaching Daiyu about the Fire Nation. Though they were gone most of the day, leaving her in the main tent with books to read about the Fire Nation history, etiquette, and novels she had become quite accustomed with talks of the Nation she had never seen. She read books about the beautiful Fire Nation girls with long hair and eyes of many shades of gold. With beauty that could surpass any goddess. In a way, Daiyu wanted to be like those beautiful Fire Nation girls that painted their lips red and wore clothing made of the finest material.

It was nighttime now and she had already gone through five books out of the hundred that Iroh had given her. She had soon saw the tent curtain open and Iroh and Lu Ten had entered. Standing, she had walked over to them and gave them a smile. This was how she had greeted them the whole week. No asking how they were feeling or how the war was going, she just greeted them with a smile. In fact, Iroh and Lu Ten felt that was better than her bringing up the war even though they were having an easier time since the general had surrendered and his life was taken. Daiyu had then fiddled with her fingers, wanting to asking the men something but changing her mind. "Did you eat yet, Daiyu?" Iroh had asked her as she then shook her head.

"No. I wanted to wait until you both came back." She admitted truthfully.

Iroh had then patted atop of her head with a smile. "Let's go." Daiyu had followed behind them as they had gone to the large campfire where the soldiers ate. At first things were quite awkward with Daiyu's presence because for one: she was an outsider. secondly, she was a child. However, during the first two weeks, they had eventually warmed up to her. She had sat in-between Iroh and Lu Ten as of the soldiers were obviously drunk. "It feels like it's going to take us forever to take this city!" The drunken soldier said as Iroh handed Daiyu a bowl of the chicken roasted soup.

"Yeah, General, when can we go home to our wives!" Another said, hiccuping afterwards. "Though, I can say the break from hearing my lady nag is quite nice." Most of the men had laughed.

Iroh gave them all a confident expression, "We will be going home soon, men. That wall will not last, I can guarantee!"

"Sing us a song, General Iroh!" One soldier requested.

"We haven't had music night since were on the ship!" Another one said.

"Let Daiyu hear how real music sounds!" Another boasted.

Daiyu had looked up at Iroh, who smiled. "Alright, alright." He waved his hand, a wave of cheers ringing around. "The soil of the Davanching is hard but the watermelon is sweet." Iroh sang as one soldier played the Er-Hu and the other a Tsungi horn. "My darling is in Davanching, Qambarhan is so sweet. Qambarhan's hair is so long, it touches the ground. Please ask darling Qambarhan does she want to get a husband. My tiny pearls spilled on the ground. Please help me to pick them up." Iroh had picked up Daiyu, her eyes widening by the sudden gesture as the other men had danced drunkingly, Lu Ten laughing and clapping his hands. "I'd like to kiss you, but can't reach. Please bow your head down. One can ride a horse around icy mountains."

Daiyu had laughed as Iroh sang the song, lifting and spinning her in the air. "One tortures a good soul by an evil man." He continued to sing, few of the other men singing along. "It is hard to see. No matter how hard I look. The separation with Qambarhan is extremely hard to endure." That night they celebrated with song, dance, and laughter. Which was something Daiyu hadn't had in such a long time.

-/-/-

It was the next day and Daiyu had woken up in the main tent alone as usual. She stretched her arms above her head and did her usual chores. She would be escorted to the waterfall in the forest to bathe by one of the guards and then she would eat whatever the chef had cooked that breakfast. She would say her usual hellos to the people that stayed behind and then go back to the tent to read her usual books of the Fire Nation. Life during the war, being with the Fire Nation army, was becoming something of normalcy to her. A part of her felt like it was supposed to be wrong and strange, but a larger part had felt happy and excited. She still missed her father and even the stuffed animal he had gotten her as a child, but she had learned to go on her days without it.

"Daiyu." She looked up, seeing Lu Ten come into the tent with a smile on his face. "You're back early." She said she stood up from the low table, leaving the book she was reading earlier. "Where's Iroh?" She asked, peering from the side to see if he would be walking in.

"He's reading over the causalities." Lu Ten then bent down until he on his right knee, "But I have something for you." Daiyu tilted her head to the side as he pulled out the one hand that was from behind him and showed her a stuffed Deerhorse. It was a new one, not her old one, but still she was happy at the sight of it. She gasped and immediately wrapped her arms around it, pulling it close. "We couldn't find your old one, but…"

Daiyu looked at him and smiled, "It's okay, really!" She looked up at him and then at the Deerhorse. "Thank you." She said to him as he then rubbed atop of her head.

"You've made my dad pretty happy." He then went on to say, the young girl smiling. "He always wanted a daughter, but my mother passed away due to an illness."

Daiyu stroked the stuff animal's head for a few minutes, "My Māmā passed away the day I was born. Papa always wanted a son, but he said he was happy because I looked just like Māmā."

Lu Ten tried not to frown at her words, feeling that guilt that his father must've felt due to the fact that they had taken away the only parent she had left. She never even knew her mother and to learn she died in order for her to live was too hard for a child to know. "But… I know Papa must be with her now." She continued on, Lu Ten looking at her as she gave him a hopeful expression. "So, I'm not really sad about it anymore." The young man had then outstretched his arms, motioning his hands for her to come into his embrace. She gave him a toothy grin and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her round and full face into his shoulder as he had his arms around her.

One hand rubbed the top of her back as her long, black hair had covered some of his hand. "I will always protect you, Daiyu." He had said, "Because that's what big brothers do."

Daiyu then pulled away a bit to look him in the eyes, "So you're my big brother?"

Lu Ten chuckled, "Maybe not by blood, but in the other ways that it counts."

"I never had a brother before." Daiyu had said as she looked down at her feet. "What do brothers and sisters do?" She asked him as he gave her a cheerful smile.

"Big brothers look out for their little sisters. They annoy them sometimes because they are very protective of them and don't want to see them hurt." Her green eyes had studied him as he continued on with his explanation, "Little sisters look up to their brother and know that they will always be there to make sure their safe. Sometimes their big brother might be overbearing but some of the time, it's for good reasons."

Daiyu nodded her head, understanding what he was saying. "Do brothers and sisters have fun and play games like Pai Sho? That you and Iroh play?" She asked as he nodded.

"Of course!" He then walked over and got the Pai Sho set, "We can play right now. I'll teach you how to be a pro at it!"

The child appeared quite confused, "But… How is that when Iroh always beats you?"

He had a deadpanned expression, his head hanging low. "N-Not all the time!" Daiyu chuckled and sat down as he set the pieces up.

All night Lu Ten had taught Daiyu the basics of Pai Sho, even though she wasn't strategic enough to beat him she had come up with some pretty reckless yet good tactics. She had him stumped a few times, scratching his head or contemplating if he had just lost. It was until the both fell asleep, laying on the tent floor at the low table and Iroh had found them both. He smiled at their sleeping faces and even brought two blankets and placed one on each of them.

What to know:

Daiyu is the Chinese name meaning Black Jade.

The song that Iroh and soldiers sing is an old Chinese song called: "The Girl from Dabancheng"