Hey everyone, it has been forever I know and all I can say is that I am really really really sorry. Life happened and gave me the spin of my life, but now I am back and I have a friend who will help me with posting once a week while I'm on holiday. So here is ch7, Enjoy!

"You're up early." Suki could see Katara flinch in the dressing mirror, "I didn't mean to scare you I-"

"It's fine."

"I can bring someone to help you change."

That was the last thing Katara wanted. Those old women serving her with so much hate in their eyes and in the tone of their voices.

At least they are honest, she thought. They seem to be the only honest ones here. I wonder if, "Suki," Katara turned to look the warrior in the eye. She would have to dance around what she wanted to know just to get an honest answer from the girl.

"Yes, Lady Katara."

"Have you ever met the Fire Lord? Have you seen what he looks like beyond the flames he sits behind?"

The puzzled face was clear on Suki, one eyebrow slanted down and lips pursed to the side.

"Yes, he and others fought alongside the Kyoshi Warriors during the war. There was even a time we had set up camp together."

"But, you're not a firebender. Why are you here?"

"Lady Katara, I thought-"

"Sorry, I was just wondering if Fire Lord Iroh or any of them could be trusted. Wasn't Iroh the eldest? It wouldn't be odd for him to want his birthright back." Kartara quickly explained.

"Lady Katara, Fire Lord Iroh is not that kind of man. You will understand. Once you meet the Fire Lord you will see he is nothing like his brother."

"Yeah," But I had already met him.

Katara waited for Suki to leave before leaving the room herself. She didn't want to be bothered by anyone she didn't want to talk to anyone all she wanted now was to just go home.

#

"Ah, good morning Suki, why so blue?"

"Fire Lord Iroh, I'm sorry I didn't see you there." She looked around and noted Zuko sitting at the table as well, "Nor you Prince Zuko.

"It's breakfast time isn't its normal to be at the table around this hour? And my name is Iroh, just Iroh."

"I'm sorry."

"Will Katara be joining us?"

"I don't think she would want to join you all right now."

Zuko and his uncle looked at each other wondering the same thing, did Azula say something to her again?

"What seems to be the problem," Iroh finally asked.

"I think Lady Katara found out about you and because I didn't come out and confirm her doubts I think she won't trust even me now."

"Oh, I see." Iroh began to rub his beard showing signs that he was already coming up with a way to fix the problem he'd caused."You needn't worry about Lady Katara. There is nothing that can't be solved over a nice cup of tea."

"Is she still in the palace?" Zuko became worried all over again. That Katara had left the grounds alone.

"I let her believe I had gone before I followed her to the garden. Before I came here she was sitting on one of the benches."

"I will go talk to her then," Zuko rose from his seat, but Iroh took hold of his arm before his nephew could stand properly.

"No Zuko. The issue is my fault. Because I have made the mess it is my job to clean it up. Suki, could you take me to our guess?"

"Yes, Fire Lor...I mean, yes Iroh."

Iroh stood asking one of the servants to prepare two cups of tea before following Suki to the palace garden.

#

Suki and Iroh walked for a while in the garden before catching a glimpse of brown hair flowing in the light morning breeze. Iroh rested his hand on Suki's shoulder,"I can take it from here." He smiled and then grabbed the tea tray from the servant. "You both can leave now. I am sure everything will be fine once she has some tea."

Suki bowed and the servant did the same before leaving the two amongst the flowers.

"There you are. We were walking down the stone paths looking for you."

Katara instinctively looked up despite her efforts to avoid responding to anyone's call.

"Bo," she figured that she would play along just in-case.

Iroh smiled at the young girl before sitting next to her with a tray of tea. "Mind if I join you?"

"No," Katara replied, but her mind was screaming just the opposite.

"How about we have some tea. You look a little down. Tea is good for the body as well as the spirit so it should cheer you up. I know it always cheers me up when I am feeling low."

"No thank you Bo." It could be poison.

Iroh frowned this may be harder than he thought. With a heavy sigh, he let his shoulders round forward and his head bow gracefully. "You do not need to call me Bo any longer Katara. I know that you are aware of my true identity."

Katara glanced over at Iroh unsure if she was angry or hurt by the old man. He was the first friendly face, one who deceived her. However, though his mask was down he seemed no different. "Why did you lie. I thought you were from the Earth Kingdom. I thought you were an outsider like me who could understand, but now I see that was a lie."

Iroh looked into the cup the held the warm tea with a sweet scent. "I am sorry for hurting you Katara, but that was not my intention. When we agreed to this union I knew the anger, confusion, and other displeasement you would have when coming aboard our ships. You were plucked from your home and given such a short time to say goodbye. I hoped to make the transition easier on you-"

"With false hope?"

"No, with a friendly face. One you would not accept if you knew who I was, who I soon will not be."

Katara's brow kneaded the skin between together and her eye's squinted. Iroh noted her expression and smiled after taking a sip from his tea-cup. "I am not dying if that is what you are thinking. No, I never wanted this title, this great weight to bring harmony to the nations was never meant for me to do. This responsibility is Zuko's, and yours. Your marriage will not just be a symbol of a bond that many thought impossible, but it will be a vision of hope. A future that consists of peace and harmony, that I cannot bring. It is not meant for me to do."

Katara was amazed, she was in the presence of something rare. Iroh was not a Fire Lord wanting power. He thought of all the nations, ones he had no control over, when he made decisions as a leader. The idea of him willingly stepping down from such great power for the betterment of others was selfless and something Katara could admire.

She reached for the cup of tea that had been offered to her and took and steady sip. It was still warm and had a mild sweetness that lingered on the tongue. "I guess I understand. I forgive you Fire Lord Iroh and I am honored that you have faith in sharing such a task with Zuko."

Iroh smiled, he knew she had forgiven him once she drunk the tea. "I knew you were the right one when I first saw you come aboard the ship."