(A/N) Hi! Ok, I am so sorry this is so late, I usually try to update at least once a week. My friend, who I am now very mad at, pushed me into a pool while my flash drive was in my pocket. I had to re-write everything that I hadn't already published! Well, I'm really short on time right now, so I'll keep this really short.

Thanks so much to my reviewers: Lilyflower655, SarySoda, NKSCF, Kimjuni2, 4everMaiko! You are always appreciated! And once again thanks to NKSCF for helping edit my stuff!

I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender! Not my brainchild! Not mine!! Regrettably…

"Trails of the Fire Lord" Book 1 "The Black and White Flames"

Chapter 3 "I almost wish…"

Fire Lord Zuko saddled his black mound first thing in the morning. He hadn't been able to sleep, and figured it was best to set out early. His body felt like lead. Iroh still snored on his back in the middle of the clearing. Zuko walked over and prodded him roughly with one rather sharp-toed shoe. Iroh woke with a snort.

"You should head back now." He said gruffly, half dreading being alone again. But Iroh only smiled.

"Oh, no, Zuko." He chuckled. "Someone has to watch out for the Fire Lord, and I think I'm the man for the job!"

Zuko scowled, half to hide his relief. "Then let's go! We need to find Mai as fast as possible." He pulled himself into the saddle.

*~*~*~*

For Zuko, silence was far more comfortable than any words. Iroh, on the other hand, seemed determined to start a conversation.

"Word of your success has reached even Ba Sing Se." his uncle continued conversationally. "I heard you disbanded many troops, and you already have treaties with both Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdoms."

"Yeah." Zuko grunted, not elaborating.

"And how about Mai…" Uncle Iroh sighed. "I heard you were considering asking for her hand."

"Yeah."

"So… how are things going with her? Before this whole mess, I mean."

"Fine."

"So…" Iroh leaned over and elbowed his nephew. "How far have you gotten with your queen-to-be, hmmm? Any heirs coming anytime soon?"

"Uncle!" Zuko cried, flushing pale pink, then scarlet, then beet red. "How could you ask that?!"

"Well, I got more than a one-word response, didn't I?" Iroh laughed, grinning triumphantly at his young nephew.

"Hmf." Zuko pointedly turned his mount, urging it on ahead, muttering something that sounded like "… perverted old man…"

*~*~*~*

Iroh insisted that they stop around mid-day for lunch. While Zuko much rather would have rode on till night, Iroh just wouldn't. So, more than a bit disgruntled, Zuko sat, silently fuming, his back to a tree, as Iroh seemed to take an unbelievably long time heating and eating one of the packaged meals. Zuko took to burning the individual leaves on a nearby bush. He soon lost his temper, though, and the whole bush went up in flames.

"Uncle!" Zuko threw down the unopened meal and set it on fire. "We need to go, now! Come-"

Zuko found himself cut off by a steaming cup of fragrant tea being thrust under his nose. Iroh smiled at him.

"Please, sit. I've made enough for two." Uncle Iroh smiled kindly.

Zuko found his anger evaporating in the scent of the tea. No matter how hard he tried, the fury he had worked himself into seemed to slip like sand through his fingers. With a sigh, the young Lord took the cup and sat down. Iroh put a hand on his shoulder.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Zuko sipped the tea, feeling a deep warmth blossom in his chest, moving though him and relaxing him. He felt the walls he had meticulously built around himself begin to melt away in the sweet-smelling steam. He realized, as he gazed around the peaceful wood, that he hadn't set foot outside the palace grounds since his coronation.

"Zuko…" Iroh's gentle voice broke his thoughts, "Son… is there… anything you would like to talk about?"

For a moment, Fire Lord Zuko considered confiding in his uncle. He considered telling him about all the stresses and anxieties, all the trials and expectations, all the unsettling and angering things about being Fire Lord. How he almost wished he wasn't Fire Lord. How he almost wished he was once again a banished prince, unrestricted, not bound by responsibilities or duties, not doted on 24/7 by unwelcome servants, not expected to be perfect. How he longed, every day, to be traveling with Iroh again, just like this, and how he reflected forlornly on the fact that he had taken that for granted, even resented the time he spent like that. But only for a moment.

"No, Uncle. Everything is fine."

Iroh sighed. "Well, if you every need to talk…"

"Thank you, Uncle, but I won't" Zuko's voice was firm, despite the fact that, deep inside, he was trembling.

Iroh nodded as his nephew got up and unrestricted their two mounts. Zuko handed one set of reins to his uncle before dragging himself up into the saddle. Iroh followed suit.

"Finding Mai is the most important thing." Zuko decided aloud. "Let's go."

With a sinking heart, Iroh followed his disconsolate adopted son.

As Zuko rode, out of ear-shot of his uncle, he thought of all the unspoken words. He found himself whispering roughly, "I almost wish… I almost wish I could tell him."

(A/N) So we finally find out what's eating Zuko. Not that we couldn't guess. Anyway, I'll see you next time, which will be a lot sooner, so please review! I hope you enjoyed!