Benders of Our Lives

Chapter 8

By: Iroh Tea Shoppe Girls

Disclaimer: We don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender. Yet.

He had been defeated. Zhao sighed. It wasn't really like him to mope around after losing, but he had really expected to have been able to goad Zuko into the Angi Kai and defeat him. That was why he had those pictures of Azula to begin with, after all.

Zhao's interests shifted to finding the Avatar. If he couldn't directly defeat Zuko, he'd outdo the young prince. From the intelligence his soldiers gathered, even weak Zuko would have been able to handle the Avatar, if he had been better prepared.

The admiral pulled out a map from his desk and pondered what the best strategy would be. The Fire Nation hadn't faced an Airbender in about a hundred years, so it wasn't common knowledge anymore. At least he was going to be able to make good use of his artistic ability, drawing Xs and lines on the map recording the Avatar's movements.

-.-.-.-.-

The cabbage merchant turned around, his face warped in an angered frown. You could almost see smoke coming out of his ear. He had never heard anything so offensive in his life, the woman accused him of overcharging. Did she not understand that cabbages did not just fall out of the sky?!

He took a deep breath, letting go of the woman's comment. He figured that it wasn't the worst thing ever. At least there weren't any kids running around, knocking over his cart, destroying his merchandise. So what if sales were slow today, they'd probably pick up tomorrow. Just like the moons waxes and wanes each month, so do cabbage sales increase and decrease.

-.-.-.-.-

"I have news, my lord," said a soldier. He was one of Zhao's men

Fire Lord Ozai looked at the man, "What is it?"

"The Avatar has returned," the man said. He tried his best to look professional and not like a deer-rabbit caught in headlights. Every soldier hated reporting to Ozai, which is why most commanders used it as punishment. "It seems your son has come across him."

"The Fire Sages informed me of the Avatar's return yesterday," Fire Lord Ozai growled, he wasn't happy that the soldier mentioned his disowned child. "I don't have a son. I only have one child, a daughter, Azula. "

"But, my lord, you had a son, named Zuko," The man said quickly. He was so nervous he had forgotten to think before speaking.

"Leave my sight at once!" Ozai barked. He didn't want to hear anymore bad news. He just wanted to forget about his son that he had sent on a fool's errand.

-.-.-.-.-

Katara noticed Aang stirring. She approached him and asked, "How are you feeling? What happened?"

Aang sat for a moment, and reflected on what had happened. He had found the remains of his mentor Monk Gyatso and entered the Avatar state. Logically it made no sense for him to be that upset, it wasn't if it would've been reasonable to expect Monk Gyatso to still be alive, it had been a hundred years, and the good monk was old to begin with.

"I'll explain later," Aang stated, his mind wondering to his sight-seeing goals. "We should make a stop, and I'm hungry."

"Good idea," Sokka said as he steered Appa towards the closest town.

Aang was happy that he got his way. He wanted to be the one stearing Appa, and the pit stop was the the perfect excuse to get Sokka to give up the reigns. And so the gang was off to go Koi-Elephant riding.

-.-.-.-.-

Azula was surprised. She didn't really surprise easily, but then again, she didn't get many letters from her older brother. In fact, this was the first she had ever gotten, and this was after he had been gone for two years. She wasn't sure if she should even bother opening it, it was probably just pleas for help, or wimpy excuses for failure.

But then her good friend Mai showed up.

"Who is that from?" Mai asked, tilting her head sideways to see if the seal was the one she thought it was.

"A letter from Zuko," Azula stated, in a bored voice, as if he mailed her everyday. She looked at her friend to see the other girl's reaction.

"I wish I would get mail from Zuko," Mai bemoaned, causing Azula to frown sternly. "What is it about?"

"Does it look open?" the princess snapped, pushing the unbroken seal towards her friend's face. "How should I know?"

That didn't stop Mai from asking questions. All questions about Zuko and how he's been and things like that. Azula didn't know, nor did she care. After about 10 minutes of that Azula was officially bored, and broke open the letter and began reading it, ignoring her friend.

Dear Azula,

I have an urgent message of the utmost importance. After my recent sortie with the Avatar, I had a chance to visit Commander Zhao. He showed me several pictures of you, some done by the palace artists, others by less talented fellows.

This is hard for me to explain, as you, my beautiful sister, are still in your youth, a maiden of wonderful innocence. It is a pity that I should have to bear such horrific news to you.

While some of the pictures the commander showed me; bear a pleasant likeness to you, my favorite younger sister, others are not befitting of a Fire Nation princess or any noble woman. I must warn you that the worst of them was done by Command Zhao, who is lacking in character and virtue.

To restore your honor, our esteemed Uncle Iroh challenged Commander Zhao to an Agni Kai and defeated him. If Commander Zhao ever gives you any trouble in the future, be sure to let either uncle or I know, and we shall protect you.

Sincerely,

Your Brother,

Zuko

Mai sighed, after hearing the contents of the letter. She had hoped that Zuko would've at least mentioned her in passing. But she felt worse for her friend. It was dishonorable for such pictures of her to exist.

Azula rolled her eyes when Mai was looking at the floor. Her brother had clearly just lost his mind. Then another letter arrived. This one bore the seal of her Uncle Iroh. She silently opened it and read it. It informed her of the same problem with Zhao that Zuko's did. Apparently Zhao was confused about his place, the princess realized with a sadistic smirk. That would have to be fixed.

-.-.-.-.-

Lao was relaxing at the tavern drinking his favorite drink. He didn't have a care in the world. The earthbending teacher was hitting on the ugly waitress, he had his tea, all was right with the world.

Then Lao's father entered the tavern.

"Son, we need to talk," Lao's father said. "About your problem."

Lao was listening but didn't care, he didn't give his father eye contact.

"It's really affecting your family."

"I see that you take Jian's side on the matter," Lao grumbled, his father had hit a nerve.

"No, it's not about Jian- your problem is affecting. Toph," the old man said, with warmth in his voice. "She seems to think it's normal behavior for a man to abandon his family to go out drinking every night. And I think you need to seek some help to resolve this."

"Toph's knows?" Lao asked, frowning. "I thought, she wouldn't know. I mean, I don't talk about it."

"Yes, well, I know someone in Ba Sing Se that could help you," Toph's grandfather said. "I think you should resolve this, for your family's sake and for the sake of our family business."

Lao sighed, and nodded sadly. He didn't want to destroy his family, so he packed his bags and went to Ba Sing Se.

-.-.-.-

NEXT time on Benders of Our Lives:

Sokka begins to write the Scripture of the Momo, Katara gets in over her head, and Aang discovers that having fangirls can be a fun experience.

PLUS -

How does rehab go for Mr. Bei Fong? What will his rebellious wife do now that he's away? What's up with that ugly waitress? Will Iroh's heart ever mend from the loss of his son?