A/N: Since these were short, I decided to post them together, enjoy!

Of all the things that have changed during our travels, I am glad that a few things have not. Our homes have not been one of the things that had stayed the same, though I've grown quite fond of this one; never did I think I would ever feel quite at home in Ba Sing Se as I do this moment, sitting at the table beside the window of our apartment, overlooking the side of the home next to ours. Ba Sing Se truely is a beautiful place and as I sit here, reflecting on how awful the paint on the house I am looking at is, I feel a guilty for trying to claim this place for the Fire Nation.

'The paint job on some of these houses may have been better though,' I briefly consider, though a sudden chill does not allow me to continue on that thought; it had been rather cold in the spring time and whatever warmth Ba Sing Se did get to enjoy was done during the day when the sun shone high. However, it had been raining all day today, never allowing for any hint of the sun, making the day quite cold as far as spring went.

I would have lit a fire had my next move not been to go to bed; I never did feel comfortable about leaving a fire unattended, even if it was set up in a fire place. No matter, though, I wouldn't notice the cold if I were asleep; I was merely assuming it was late, as the clouds had made it difficult to tell night from day; It was most likely why Zuko had gone to bed so early (I think it was early, at least), regardless, I still get up to check on him before I turn in for the night. I find that the chill of the night has already settled into my bones,making standing a bit more difficult than it usually was.

Once I am upright, I begin to make my way to my young nephew's room; had he been awake, he would have made sure to barricade the door as he has been taking less time to clean his room lately. Any other time, I would have said something about it, but tonight, I decide not to wake him. Had I known it would get so cold tonight, I would have left another blanket for him, though he does not seem, in the least bit, bothered by it. I can't help but feel the need to place another blanket on him, however; though I remember the only extra one had been outside drying...that is, until this unsuspected rain hit.

I know I have told Zuko before, but ever since losing Lu Ten what feels to me as though it were only yesterday, I have begun to see my nephew as my own. He knows this, I'm certain. Its for this reason that I head to my own room and pull the blanket from my bed.

I'd much rather stay up a few extra hours making sure the fire did not burn the apartment down than have a blanket anyway.

"Prince Zuko, it is really not that difficult of a task." I watch in slight agony from my seat beside the table as yet another attempt has been failed by my young nephew.

"I'm never going to get this right, Uncle." He has long since resorted to scowling to prevent any sudden outburst of anger. I don't blame him; this process is almost mind-bogglingly easy, and yet, so few could truly master it; sadly, my nephew seems to be one of those people. I rise from my chair, joining the boy across the room.

"Zuko, just pour the water over the tea leaves. It is really that simple." I can hardly contain my own amusement as Zuko stares at me with a look of pure anguish; for the given reason, it is actually quite funny.

"Well, yeah, duh," Zuko glares, turning back to the tea kettle, "It never turns out right, though!"

"The art of making tea takes time. You must let the-"

"Why are you showing me how to do this anyway? Can't you just do it!" My nephew shoves the kettle back toward me, but I set it back on the fire.

"If I do it for you, you will never learn," I sit back in my chair, reaching for more tea leaves to prepare for the next mishap and/or miracle, "I will not always be around to make tea for you, Prince Zuko, and I would feel better know that the art of tea-making is still in the family." I know the topic of my not being around is not one the young prince before me likes to hear much about, but its a sad reality he must learn to face. I know my words upset him slightly as he has turned back to the kettle, the anger in his face lost,

"Fine...can you show me how to do it again?" He looks back up at me and I smile,

"Just as long as you never make a cup like the one you just did ever again."

"Oh, come on, Uncle! It wasn't that bad!"