(A/N- Some of you will notice that Iroh's tale conflicts with Book Two, Episode Seven: "Zuko Alone," and if you do, good eyes. You are a true fan as I am. But remember, I am writing this story by hand, and I was already three chapters ahead of "A Tale of Angst" when that episode aired. So keep an open mind as this story progresses, okay? I am doing my best. Oh, and by the way, it was just a lucky guess that Iroh is indeed older than Ozai. Crazy, huh? -HailZuko!)


Chapter 8-A Tale of Angst: Iroh's Confession

Bumi sat at his desk, poring over that month's accident report, which was considerably higher since Aang's previous visit. "It's amazing deliveries ever got back on schedule," he murmured to himself in amusement.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock on the door. "Enter," said Bumi absently, signing the report.

"Good evening, Bumi."

Bumi glanced up in surprise, causing his feather quill to skid across the page. "General Iroh. To what do I owe this-- this encounter?"

Iroh rolled his eyes. "I will get straight to the point so as not to take up any more time than necessary.

"The thing is, my nephew has been worked dawn to dusk and day after day with barely any food or rest between tasks. I have come to plead for a more reasonable amount of labor on Zuko's behalf."

Bumi stood. "Oh, I am so sorry, General, did I lead you to believe that the prisoner is here to enjoy himself? My bad. He's not. Your nephew is here to be punished for his audacious behavior."

Bumi stuffed the report into an envelope and turned to send it down the mail chute. Despite his finality, Iroh inquired suspiciously, "And you're sure you're not doing all this to punish me?"

Bumi tensed and turned to glare at Iroh. "Zuko nearly killed a man for shoving him, General Iroh. I gave him a punishment that falls far below suiting. As for you, there is no punishment harsh enough to erase what you did to me. So don't make the mistake of thinking that you know what I'm thinking. You will always fail miserably. Goodnight, General." With that, Bumi sat down with his quill and began responding to a festival invite from three towns over.

"Okay. I'll go. Just hear me out on these two counts. First and foremost, Zuko is strong, but human. Who is going to pay that man's hospital bills if Zuko drops dead from exhaustion? Secondly, I am not proud of what I've done, Bumi. If I could take it all back, I would. I am truly sorry. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me somehow. Goodnight."

Bumi kept on writing as if he'd never heard, but Iroh knew better as he turned and exited the room.


Zuko woke up in an uncommonly good mood the next day. He sat up, stretched, and glanced over at his Uncle's cot. Occupying it was a tired looking Iroh, sitting Indian style and working on a Su Doku puzzle.

"Morning, Uncle," chirped Zuko cheerfully. "Did you sleep well?"

Iroh shut his book and sighed. "No, not really. You?"

"Listen up, Uncle, because it's not often that I can say this... but yes. I slept very well."

"I know. Your snoring was part of the cause of my insomnia." Iroh stood and stretched as well. "So I take it the usual bad dreams didn't rear their ugly heads. Were your dreams pleasant?"

"Very pleasant," breathed Zuko, collapsing back on his Uncle's cot as images of himself leaning in to kiss Katara danced through his mind. "So... what else kept you up, Uncle?"

Iroh sat down next to him. "Pardon?"

Zuko sat up on his elbows. "You said my snoring was only part of the cause of your sleeplessness. What else kept you awake?"

"Thoughts, Zuko... just thoughts."

Zuko sat up, suddenly worried by his uncle's tense and forlorn state. "Concerning what?"

Iroh waved his hands and shook his head. "I don't wish to discuss it now. Some other time."

Zuko released a loud, aggravated sigh. "Uncle, look around you! Don't you get it? Time is all we have. Furthermore, you are my mentor. How am I to learn from you if you insist on hiding things from me?"

Iroh stared at Zuko in shock. Then his expression relaxed into a dejected, however proud smile. He rested a weary hand on Zuko's shoulder. "You are blossoming into a bright and insightful man before my eyes more every day, my nephew. You are right. Maybe if I tell you of my greatest sorrows and regrets, it will help you steer towards a more desirable destiny than I've known."

Zuko hugged his knees to his chest. "Go on, I'm listening."

Iroh looked at his hands as he began the tale. "As you know, Sozan, your great grandfather, began a war about one hundred years ago, which greatly segregated the nations. When I began training at the Boys' Fire Academy, I heard many stories from the elders about visiting the Earth Nation, and as guests, not enemies. From then on I decided that one day, I would do the same.

"When I graduated from the Fire Academy, my father declared that it was time to hand the Kingdom over to me. However, as you know, I didn't accept the honor, but handed it down to Ozai, my younger brother. It seemed to mean so much more to him, and he was better equipped personality-wise to handle the responsibility. And anyway, my heart was set on traveling.

"Well, travel I did, and as you can probably guess, my travels eventually brought me to Omashu... during the reign of--"

"King Bumi," Zuko whispered, lifting his chin from its place on his knees in surprise. "Yeah, I almost forgot! He recognized you when we were brought in, and he didn't seem too pleased to see you."

Iroh lowered his face in shame. "He had no reason to be. Zuko, did you know that Bumi had a daughter?"

Zuko's heart filled with dread. "Had?"

Iroh nodded sadly, and Zuko was shocked to see his eyes fill with tears. "Yes, Zuko, had. When I approached Omashu back then, it was still secured at the entrance. The guards looked at my bag and my noble gait and decided that something about me was fishy. They began to rough me up... that is, until a female voice of protest froze their actions. I looked up to where the voice had come from... and that's when I saw her. A beautiful girl, a few years younger than I was, with straw-colored hair and unusual eyes, one brown and one blue. She was dressed as a tomboy would dress, and she sat on the wall, one leg dangling down.

"She then said, 'If he seems so fishy to you, I will take him to the king. It is not for you to decide if he is a threat.'

"And so, she took me to King Bumi, the whole way talking up a storm and saying the most curious and thought-provoking things. I immediately liked her.

"When I finally appeared before the king, I could tell she was his daughter. They looked similar, despite his lazy eye, but their mannerisms and, er, distinct senses of humor were identical.

"Well, as he did so often, Bumi threw a feast to get to know me. During that feast, he confronted me about being an accomplished firebender, and he also correctly assumed that I was royalty. When I told him my story, he concluded that I was an honest, peaceful prince despite my upbringing. I instantly befriended Bumi and his daughter, Anna. I was even invited to stay in this very palace as an honored guest.

"Soon afterward, I began to see Bumi as a sort of father-figure, stemming from the fact that my own father never had much time for me in my youth."

"Join the club," Zuko intervened bitterly.

Iroh patted his back sympathetically before continuing. "I resided in the city of Omashu for over a year before I was finally recognized by a Fire Nation Admiral that had been sent undercover to find me. As you probably guessed, I was captured without any resistance on my behalf and brought back to my home land.

"When I saw my brother, he greeted me with one word... Traitor. I insisted that I wasn't a traitor; I was simply a curious nomad who had given up my place on the throne so I may see the world. Well, Ozai did something so generous that it astounded me. He gave me the benefit of the doubt and a position as a general in his army. I was so touched that I immediately accepted.

"Now, as you know, your father is very clever. He wanted proof that my loyalty was to the Fire Nation alone. I soon regretted my hasty decision. My brother assigned me a city to take by force."

"Omashu?" Zuko asked, his attentiveness unwavering.

"You guessed it," Iroh confirmed grimly. "And I accepted. I attempted to lay siege to Omashu a week later. I watched as my soldiers invaded the palace. Bumi surrendered immediately, as I knew he would. But then, something I never expected occurred."

Iroh's voice broke, and Zuko wrapped an arm around his tense shoulders. "Take your time, Uncle," he whispered gently.

After a few deep breaths, Iroh went on. "I was already so ridden with guilt at the disappointment on Bumi's face when he was led from his home, I didn't think I could feel any worse. I looked toward the heavens to beg for forgiveness... and I saw her. On the balcony of the topmost tower. One of my soldiers stood behind her, laughing as she took her stance, ready to fight. I could already tell that she was not going to win. She looked tired and her arms and legs were burnt badly.

"As the soldier went to grab her, she dodged him and, without warning, Anna leapt over the balcony and plunged proudly to her death. I'll never forget the look on Bumi's face as he fell to his knees and whispered her name. It still haunts my thoughts and dreams. She was like my little sister..."

Zuko shook his head slowly, staring at the floor in shock. "Wh-Why did she do that?"

"She knew not of our intentions, Zuko. I had ordered the men not to hurt her, but when she saw those men surrounding her with flames ready, she fought violently and they were forced to get brutal. Well, she managed to escape and decided that she'd rather die than submit to their will.

"After that, I ordered my men to retreat. When we returned home, my brother was enraged at my decision to vacate Omashu. But, when he learned that the king's daughter was dead, it thrilled him immensely. He insisted on celebrating that small victory by allowing me to maintain my duties as General.

"Later, I fell in love and had a son, your cousin Liuten. As you know, he died in the war at a very young age, and I can't help thinking that it was God's way of punishing me for what happened to Anna..."

Zuko hugged his Uncle as he silently sobbed. "Don't say that. You never intended to hurt that girl. It was her choice to die, not yours." Zuko shifted uncomfortably, not used to comforting... anybody. "I can't believe you've carried this around for so long. And as for Bumi... well... no wonder he's nuts."

Iroh wiped away his tears. "No, he's always been that way."

Zuko laughed, and the tension lifted instantly.

A short while after Zuko had joined Iroh in solving his latest Su Doku puzzle, the wall to the pair's room rumbled open and Shisho entered. "Zuko, you are wanted for personal assistance as soon as possible."

Zuko nodded shortly and strode to the door. Before he exited, however, he turned to Iroh. "Don't dwell on it, Uncle Iroh. You are a good person. We both know that, and so does he. It won't be long before he remembers it. I should be back shortly."

Iroh stared fondly at Zuko's retreating back. "I have always loved you like a son," he whispered. "You are my most sacred and dearest treasure, and I'll never betray your trust."

And somehow, Iroh knew that Zuko had somehow heard as the wall rumbled to a close between them.