Previously, on HSOI

With that, the legend of Harry, son of Iroh was born.

A/N: Ha! I wasn't going to make this super long, just wanted to put it in because that notice in the cartoon got really annoying. Remember? That guy who said in that weird old voice that sounded kinda like Roku? Anyway, rant over, back to the story...

Oh Wait! Sorry but this is important. According to Avatar Wikia (awesome site!) Zuko was 10 when Lu Ten died. I'm going to change that age to 8, because I want to keep his age cannon otherwise, and according to Wikia he was banished when he was 13. That gives Harry 5 years with Zuko and Iroh in the Fire Nation, which I think will be better than three. Also, I'm saying Jeong Jeong deserts soon after Zuko is banished. Hope you guys don't mind!

5 years later...

Harry sat under the tree by the pond in the courtyard, meditating, thinking, reflecting, though not necessarily in that order. He was brought out of his musings when he heard a loud crash echo through the formally peaceful garden. Other than a slight twitch of his right eye, he let none of his irritation show.

"I can't believe that Father would approve of that!" Zuko's voice shouted, further irritating Harry. He had been trying to get into the spirit world again, but had been having trouble. Something was disturbing the energies, something was going to happen, he could feel it. But what could it be? Maybe Zuko's interruption hadn't just been coincidence. He stood, brushing imaginary dust off of his outfit and walked over to where Zuko was ranting to his father. No, not the Firelord, Harry's father, Iroh.

As he walked, Harry reflected on his life so far. He didn't remember anything of his life before the spirit world visit, though he would occasionally get glimpses of an sickly green light and an evil laugh in his nightmares, and Emma had never been any help. When he would even talk that is. He generally just sat on his rock and directed him to other spirits that wanted to talk to him. Except for that first time...

His first, well, second trip to the Spirit realm had been... interesting. He had been about 4 years old, and was practicing the meditation techniques that his father and Jeong Jeong taught him before going to bed. He did this every night, as instructed, only this time he was brought to a strange plane.

Recognizing the Spirit Realm from his fathers description, he had walked a short way and came across the spirit known as Emma, currently meditating on his rock. Harry looked at him and waited for him to speak up. It was rude, after all, to interrupt someone's peace. His father had explained this carefully to him after he had interrupted Jeong Jeong from a particularly deep trance, infuriating the firebending master.

After a some time, it was hard to tell how long in this world, Emma cracked open an eye to see a familiar child sitting lotus style on the insubstantial ground, watching him curiously. "Hello child," he said. "Have we met?"

Harry blinked. He felt he had been waiting forever, and had almost been surprised when the monkey actually spoke. "Well Mr. Monkey, I think we have. You see, my father said he came to the Spirit World a few years ago, and I was given to him." His nose crinkled in confusion. "I can't tell if that was true, or if that was his way of trying to explain where babies come from, but he said that a Monkey named Emma gave me to him. Is your name Emma?"

Emma chuckled slightly. "Indeed it is child. So you are the babe that wandered into the realm all those years ago hmm? Curious, very curious." He scratched his chin lightly as he observed the boy carefully. "I assume you know how to find your own way this time?" He said a little more seriously.

Harry nodded and stood up, recognizing a dismissal when he heard one. However, he hesitated before turning away. "Mr. Emma, I was wondering if you could tell me where I came from, or who my birth parents are?" His father had explained that he was not born a part of the Fire Nation Royalty when Harry had asked him curiously about why his eyes were a different color, and he had told Harry that even though he was not born to him, he still loved him as a son. But he was curious about who his real family was, if only for knowledge sake.

However, Emma frowned at the question. "I am afraid I don't know anything about you child. All I know is that as I was meditating here one day, a year old infant suddenly showed up, and I gave him to Iroh for safekeeping. As for where babies come from," he chuckled lightly again, "Well, that will have to wait til you are older my boy."

"That's what father says," Harry grumbled under his breath before straightening up. "Very well. I thank you for your time Mr. Emma," he said formally while executing a bow, turning, and making his way back to his own world.

That had been the first of many trips to the Spirit Realm. Usually, he only had to meditate and will himself into the Realm, as most spirits were bored and willing to talk with visitors. Most were neutral and enjoyed talking with him. Some, however, were downright creepy, and he had to be careful with. "Koh is a good example", he thought to himself repressing a slight shudder.

After telling his father about his ability to easily travel into the Spirit Realm and converse with the spirits, his father had eagerly asked if they had any news on the Avatar. The next time he entered, he had asked Emma where he could find the avatar. Emma merely directed him to a temple with the symbol of all four nations that looked like it had been deserted for years. When he had told his father this he had been disappointed, but not surprised.

Breaking out of his reminiscing and looking up, Harry noticed he had finally reached Zuko and his Father. Zuko was still ranting about how a general was sending troops on a suicide mission and his father, Firelord Ozai, was going to let him! Apparently, Zuko felt strongly enough about the injustice of this to speak out during the War Council meeting and was challenged to an Agni Kai. Harry snorted quietly, amused at the thought of his 13 year old cousin in firebending duel against a seasoned general. No doubt Zuko would loose, but he knew the consequences of challenging someone who outranked you.

As he sat, he rolled his eyes at his father, who tried, and failed, to conceal a small smirk at his son's actions. He loved Zuko like another son, but Harry was a child after his own heart. Where Zuko was hot tempered on a short fuse, Harry was quiet, calm, and collected, and possessed a sharp wit for a 6 year old. Not to mention he loved tea and Pai Sho while Zuko couldn't stand either, not having the patience or peace of mind necessary to enjoy such things. Iroh hoped, however, this was merely the result of loosing his mother and being a teenager, and that he would eventually grow out of this stage and not follow in his forefathers footsteps.

When Zuko was finally done ranting, he sat down on the ground and crossed his legs and arms, almost pouting. Harry got up, walked slowly over to his cousin, smirking still, and poked him in the side. "Well Zuko, shouldn't you get some practice in before tonight? Common, I'll spar you!" He eagerly poked Zuko again, but was suddenly grabbed in a choke hold by the crown prince, who then proceeded to rub his head. Hard

"Oh?" Zuko said with amusement, raising an eyebrow. "And what is my little cousin going to do against big bad me?" He smirked as Harry struggled to get free and finally loosened his grip enough to let him escape, chuckling under the boy's 6 year old glare.

"First," Harry huffed, holding up one finger for emphasis, "I am not little. Second, I'm faster than you, so you will have trouble hitting me. Third, it can't hurt just to get some bending practice in and I'm bored, and forth," Now Harry was smirking. "I can kick your butt any day cousin!"

Zuko laughed and looked at the boy mischievously. "Is that so?" He asked. Harry nodded, smirk still plastered on his face. "Well, we'll have to see about that, won't we?" He jumped up and started running after Harry, who had ran into the garden at Zuko's first sign of movement, laughing as he did.

Iroh watched the two as they mock dueled in the garden, both being careful not to hit anything living. Harry had really grown during his years here. He was already well on his way to mastering firebending, and soon would be ready to face his own former teachers. While Zuko had been trained in the Fire Nations new, perverted form, Iroh had taught Harry the Philosophy of the ancient Sun Warrior tribe, and it showed in his style.

Perhaps after visiting his old teachers, Iroh could introduce Harry to other masters. After all, having different styles of bending came in handy. He and Jeong Jeong had proven that. He himself came up with the way to deflect lightning by studying waterbending, though he kept it secret, and Jeong Jeong's style of firebending was based off of earthbending techniques. And both were considered masters. Perhaps Harry could learn something by studying the other styles, after he mastered the firebending basics of course.

"Ouch! Hey, no fair! Distracting me with Turtle Ducks is cheating!" Iroh smirked. Of course, maybe giving a mischievous child such abilities wasn't such a good idea.

A/N: Okay, second chapter done! Hope you guys liked it, now for Reviewer Responses...

SimFlyer: That would be telling!

LilC: Yea, my grammar is bad. I no has beta reder. :P I am working on it though. Oh, and the reason I used "The monkey" again was just to establish the name, in case people wouldn't get it. You are probably right though, it was unnessesary.

Blackwolfgirl88: If you still want to, please do! I like reading other people's work, not just my own!