Ba Sing Se. Could anything be more peaceful and beautiful than the largest city in the Earth Kingdom?
In the opinions of The Dragon of the West, yes it could.
Iroh, firebending master, former Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, and now proud owner of Ba Sing Se's finest tea shop, thought there was nothing more beautiful in the largest Earth Kingdom city than a nice cup of tea. And nothing made him happier than seeing the smile of yet another satisfied customer.
Although, not a day went by when he missed his favorite nephew, his only nephew, Zuko. Zuko was like a son to him, and after he lost his only son, Zuko was the only one who came remotely close to filling the empty space left by his biological son.
He went through the curtains of his shop that led to where the tea magic happened. "Two jasmines and three mint teas!" he called to the rest of his loyal staff. They had become some of his best friends while working at the shop.
Iroh was met with friendly smiling faces. "Sure thing, boss!"
He smiled at the rest of his crew, and returned to the front of the shop, where a messenger hawk was waiting for him, perched by the entryway.
Immediately Iroh recognized the hawk as Sokka's messenger hawk, otherwise known as Hawky. The magnificent crimson-colored bird bore the symbol of a golden flame on the strap he wore across his feathered body. Iroh held out his arm, inviting the bird to come to him so he could see what his favorite Firelord had wrote him. He took the bird inside and sat him on a table so he could search the contents of the tube on its back. He unrolled the parchment and read,
Uncle,
Azula has escaped from prison. Katara's brother is being held hostage at the Boiling Rock in exchange for the Avatar. I've got a feeling the two are connected, and I need your help. Aang and Sokka are in great danger. I hate to ask this of you, Uncle, but I need you to return to the Fire Nation to help us face this threat.
-Zuko
He reread the note a couple times, unable to believe his eyes. He lowered the note and glanced over at Hawky, who was oblivious and unaware of the importance and urgency in the letter he had just delivered. It was settled then. Iroh would leave as soon as he possibly could. He could leave his shop well in the hands if his staff. He rolled up the parchment and placed it back in the tube around the hawk. He rushed back to the back of the shop to tell his crew.
"I'm going to be gone for a while," he said, concern apparent in his voice. "My nephew needs me. You can take care of the shop, right?"
He got several nods in response. "Of course, Iroh!" one of his staff members replied. "I hope everything's okay with the Firelord…"
Iroh nodded, and rushed out of the shop and over to his apartment about a block away, and Hawky quickly flew after him.
Author's Notes: So, I know I haven't been updating as much as I'd like to. I've been really busy, *and* I'm actually working on my verify first crossover fanfiction. That'll be fun. So, I'm still not really sure whether I should to Kataang or Zutara, or Tokka or Sukka, or whatever other pairings there are in the Avatar universe. I know what you're thinking; This is my story and I should what I feel is right.
Just one problem: I don't know what's write! DX
So I'll just make subtle hints towards both Kataang and Zutara until I feel a definite vibe one way or the other. Suggestions are appreciated!