A/N: Long-ish drabble inspired by the song that Uncle Iroh sings in the episode "Tales of Ba Sing Se". I woke up in the middle of the night and had this idea in my head, and I absolutely had to write it ASAP. Please pardon any grammar mistakes, I wrote this way early in the morning. I decided to keep Zuko's daughter unnamed at the moment because I don't want name-wars detracting from the actual story. Enjoy 3

The young General Iroh finally stepped foot on dry land after a long journey over sea. He had and his trusty crew had docked in the Earth Republic Capitol city of Ba Sing Se. Iroh took a deep breath in smelling all of the new scents of this brand new place he had never been before.

The young firebender had not been General for too long and part of his new duties was to familiarize himself with all of the Republics protected under the United Forces. Ba Sing Se was his last stop before the long journey home. It didn't take long for General Iroh to become recognized, not by name or face, but by his uniform. The people of Ba Sing Se were suddenly stirring from their daily activities to catch a glimpse of the new and seemingly important visitor from a distant land.

Iroh smiled and greeted each person who had the courage to approach him and shake his hand sheepishly. The other Republics he had visited were not as friendly or as charming; not to say that such behavior was a bad thing but simply had caught the young man off guard. He had expected the people the be more distant from him as if, not in fear, but in a curious wonderment of the unknown that held the people too shy to know what to say or how to act around such a high ranking official.

Iroh took the attention humbly as he himself didn't know how to act.

Navigating his way up to the palace had taken a lot longer than he expected with the bombardment of welcomes and questions from the people. Quickly Iroh apologized to the King's Advisor, a tall, older man in a green palace uniform, for such a late arrival.

"Nonsense my boy!" the Advisor exclaimed as he ushered the General into the great hall, "King Li Sen is happy that you could arrive today at all! We heard about the stormy weather and were worried you'd be delayed another day."

"Ah yes," Iroh said relaxing if only slightly, "the weather was a bit tough but nothing my crew couldn't handle."

They walked together down the long hall and approached a great banquet table filled with Ba Sing Se's finest delicacies. "You are quite lucky to have such a reliable crew." The Advisor said as they halted before the table.

"I would be nothing without them."

The Advisor smiled, "Please sit. I will tell the King at once that you have arrived so you may discuss your business right away, sir." He gestured toward a large green pillow on the ground.

"Please, call me Iroh. I find myself too young for such formalities."

"Iroh it is then."

The two exchanged their bows and the kindly Advisor parted. The General took the suggested place at the table and waited patiently for King to arrive.

'What a place.' Iroh thought as he reflected. The day was barely half over and he felt like he went through a lifetime of excitement already. He had agreed that Ba Sing Se was an enjoyably city, upbeat and more upfront than the other places he had been.

Once the King arrived and they finished off their greeting and comical small-talk, it was right to business. This portion of their meeting was the most boring part as both sides would most-likely agree. Alliances were already in tact, signed and agreed upon, but, as a part of General Iroh's duty to humanize with the people, his assignment was to establish an understanding with each of the Republics; especially the ones with monarchies still in place.

Iroh was relieved that the King was so compliant with all the terms and conditions of the alliances, treaties and all of the logistics that went into keeping the world at peace. Talk of war and battle plans were soon over and the two could comfortably enjoy their meal.

Iroh left the palace physically drained; not so much because of the boring business that needed attending to, but the King had been insisting on Iroh trying a bit of every dish on the table. He had been exhausted.

As he entered the lower part of the city Iroh made his way to a tea shop suggested by the King's Advisor on his way out of the palace.

"It's very popular among all classes here in Ba Sing Se. I'm sure you'd enjoy it as well."

Iroh could use a nice relaxing drink to clear his mind.

Upon entering the young firebender immediately started to feel the effects of the calming tea. Because the day had grown late, the shop was almost empty except for a few lingering customers and a young man a few years older than Iroh who was sweeping the floor humming a sweet tune.

Iroh seated himself and the young man approached soon afterwards.

"Good evening sir, what may I treat you to this fine night?" The young man smiled brightly.

"What do you have that will make my muscles feel like pudding?" Iroh asked rubbing his shoulder.

His server chuckled, "We have a nice Ginseng tea that will relax those tense nerves up in a jiffy."

"Perfect, I'll have a pot."

The server bowed and withdrew to the kitchen humming the same tune cheerfully.

Iroh sat on his cushion cross-legged and eyes closed with the young man's tune echoing in his ears as he tried to relax. His journey had been three months long, almost three times longer than a regular crew would be sea. As part of the Fire Republic's royal family he would have work to do at his own palace even when he was done traveling. Iroh knew what he was getting himself into when he agreed to become General of the United Forces, but he was not prepared for the mental and physical strain it would put him through.

Although that tune seemed to make things better, if not for a short while.

As it grew louder Iroh opened his eyes to see his server approaching with his tea. "Here you are." He said placing the tiny kettle on a mat and pouring the first cup. "Enjoy!" Iroh thanked him for the tea and he was once again left to his thoughts.

It was remarkable. The effects of the tea were almost instantaneous; he had not tasted such delicious tea since he had left home and started on this long journey.

A content smile was permanently spread across his face.

As Iroh finished the kettle the young server approached, humming still, to collect the dishes from the table and to leave the bill. Iroh gladly paid double for wonderful service and such delicious tea.

"Thank you, very much sir! Please come again!"

Iroh paused at the door and turned to the humming man who had returned to his sweeping duties.

"Excuse me," Iroh interrupted, "but I can't help but to wonder what it is that you keep singing. It's such a sweet little tune." Iroh explained.

"Oh," the man suddenly looked sullen and Iroh wondered if he had offended. "I don't really know what it is. My grandfather used to sing it while he worked as well, it has words to it but I've forgotten what they were." He smiled and laughed, "My grandfather seemed to teach me everything about tea except that song. He said he learned it from a long-time friend who taught him everything about tea-making."

Iroh smiled, satisfied with the answer, "Shame you don't know the words, but it's no matter your tea makes up for it ten-fold." Iroh bowed his good-bye and waved as he exited the shop humming the jolly tune.

Iroh crash landed on his bed not bothering to unpack his bags or even strip into his sleeping clothes. It had been another month since he went the tea shop in Ba Sing Se; another whole month to finally arrive home and sleep in his own bed. He pulled the covers messily over his stiff body; morning would come soon but he hoped that his mother would let him sleep in until he was fully rested.

Why he hoped such a ridiculous thing was beyond her.

Early the next day it was rise and shine, and off to palace duties right away. Iroh accompanied his mother to every single meeting that wondering through the day in a sleepy haze.

"Iroh you're such a lump sometimes." She told them as he helped her carry large stacks of books and bundles of scrolls to the library to be reorganized.

"I'm exhausted, mother. Can't I have a decent night's sleep at least once?"

"Your grandfather would be disgraced, Iroh! All he did for three years was sleep at sea!"

Iroh grumbled as they entered the library and began organizing the various pieces of literature into predetermined piles.

"How was it though?" his mother asked from across the room.

"Hm?"

"Your trip. How did it go?"

"I think it went well. I met some interesting people and learned some interesting things about each culture. The leaders of the lands seem to understand how thing will be working from now on. You'd think 70 years would be a long enough time for these types of things to sink in."

His mother chuckled and brought a small stack of books and scrolls to Iroh for him to sort through, "Better later than never, hm?"

Iroh chuckled in agreement and continued sorting. He and his mother didn't normally have the chance to spend time together like this very often, even if work was the activity in which they spent together.

The last time Iroh really spent good quality time with his mother was almost five years ago when he was still a child. Ever since then the time he spent with her was royal family business or palace work. He didn't complain thorough, he respected his mother more than anything in the world.

To Iroh, she knew everything.

"I never taught you that song." She had broken his thoughts and concentration on sorting.

Apparently he was absentmindedly humming the tune from the tea shop, "What? I learned it from man when I was visiting Ba Sing Se."

"No." She said her brow furrowed and focused as if she had forgotten something. "I know that song."

A chill ran down Iroh's spine and he suddenly grew excited, "Do you know the words?"

"I can't remember." Iroh's heart sank. "But I know someone who will."

Iroh's mother took him by the wrist and them out of the library and though the various corridors of the palace toward the north end where his grandfather's chambers were located.

She placed a finger to her lips warning him to be quiet and she softly knocked on the door. "Father?" She called softly pushing the large door open.

"Come in, my child." Iroh heard his grandfather wheeze from inside the chamber. Slowly the two entered the room and approached the elderly firebender. He sat in a chair placed in front of the window that over looked the flowered court yard.

"Ah, young Iroh joins you this time, my dear." Zuko said as the two stood in front of him holding out his hands to greet young Iroh.

Iroh took the out stretched hands and bowed respectfully before his grandfather. "Iroh learned a peculiar song while in Ba Sing Se a while ago." His mother said placing a hand on her son's shoulder.

"Is that right? Well go on, let's hear it my boy! I do enjoy the occasional folk song." Zuko shifted himself in his chair waiting for Iroh to sing.

Iroh blushed, suddenly shy; he glanced at his mother who nodded for him to start, "Well, um, I don't know the words just the tune." Zuko gestured a hand for him to continue. Iroh tugged at his collar and cleared his throat, "Here goes."

It took a moment for Zuko to recognize the tune. As a flooding of memories washed over him he sunk in his chair a weak, nostalgic smile spreading on his face.

Iroh suddenly dropped to his knees seeing his grandfather beginning to cry, "Grandfather! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you! I-"

Zuko began to sing, cutting Iroh off in mid-sentence. His voice filled the room with the somber lyrics that had been lost until now. Iroh was frozen, unable to move or even react to his grandfather's singing; even his mother began to tear up at the sound.

The room fell silent as Zuko finished his song. Zuko placed a hand on Iroh's head, tears streaming down both of their cheeks.

"Promise me you'll always march home to your mother."

"I promise, grandfather." He said softly. Iroh stood to leave but bent over to hug the old man before parting. As he and his mother left, they could hear Zuko quietly singing to himself:

"Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow
Like fragile, tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Little soldier boy
Come marching home
Brave soldier boy
Comes marching home."