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Hope you all like it, and I know everyone asks this, but I would love some constructive criticism in some reviews? Thanks!

-Ardala91

"Most men usually lead lives of a quiet desperation." -(Don't know the author, read this on a poster.)

It was a usual day just as always. He'd go about his usual tasks without many words. No one seemed to notice. Every day it seemed as if he were slipping away with the tide. Only one person did notice though.

Not that he knew that person did. Sometimes he felt like screaming at the top of his lungs just to get someone to notice as he drowned in that pounding tide. Most of all, he wished he could save himself from himself. He tried to place the blame on his duties, on his life, and it worked for him.

Today, at last, he was finally confronted.

A small swirl of steam rose from his murky tea. He wrinkled his face and sat it back down on the low table. He'd never liked tea. Dark golden eyes watched him concerned underneath gray eyebrows. "What?" he demanded harshly, "Why are you staring at me like that, Uncle?"

A pleasant voice rumbled kindly, "I am concerned about you Zuko," he paused and took a sip of his tea, "I find myself wondering what seems to be the right path isn't always the right one."

Zuko gave him a confounded glare. Iroh attempted to explain again. "Sometimes the path you take is not the one meant for your, even if other pressured dictate it so."

Zuko's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying I will not become the Fire Lord after you? That after everything I have done I will get nothing?"

Iroh shook his head. "You're drifting nephew, you are not happy here. You are like a piece of driftwood in the ocean and I fear you may drown. You would be happy here if you were suppose to be here."

"I am fine here."

Iroh sighed. Sometimes he wondered how thick his nephew's skull. Usually the boy was quite clever, but whenever it came to issues such as this… "You've lost something or you never had it. You may not ever be happy until you find it and when you do, you may return."

Zuko stood up at this. "You're sending me away," he said in disbelief, "To find happiness? You're mad, Uncle!"

"I know."

Zuko openly rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'm leaving." He strolled towards the door fuming with outrage.

"Good luck nephew!" Iroh cried out to him in a beaming voice.

Zuko didn't look back.

He was furious. What kind of quest was this? Find your happiness? Ugh!

Yet as he walked down the hallway he knew he was secretly relieved. It was a chance to get away at last! He could visit Aang and all the others! He was free! A thought murmured in his mind as he celebrated over his new freedom.

Maybe…

Maybe he wasn't meant to be the Fire Lord…

He shook his head.

"I just need a vacation," he reassured himself, "That's all this is."