A/N: I know that this story would work more as a memorial day special, but seeing as today is veterans day and Iroh would count as one, I saw this as a why not.

Uncle Iroh bounced gently up and down on his Ostrich-Horse. The animal was leant to him by a kind man that was beaten in a game of Pai-sho. Instead of losing his mind like Iroh's previous opponents, he took his loss kindly and honourable. Even offering him this gift which was a much different possession than what was originally promised to him.

As the former general went about his travels, he enjoyed the nice breeze of the day. Beautiful days like these while plentiful, were very hard to enjoy. Especially when he was with his nephew. Not that he didn't enjoy his time with him. He even missed him dearly right now. But he knew that his nephew really did need some time to rediscover himself on his own. Without his interference. Maybe this way he would even realise his true destiny was to help bring balance to the world.

For now, while he waited for his nephew to close his journey, he would be travelling to the outhouse they agreed upon meeting in again. This required a long journey of which he had completed a week's worth already. But he was getting close, and with the protection of the spirits, he would be getting there in one more day's journey. Right now he had to worry about his animal's health though.

"I bet you are very hungry, are you not, Kin?" he patted the Ostrich-horse's head.

It snuggled itself against the kind man's touch. Kin really seemed to like him. Maybe it was because Iroh really cared for him.

"Do not worry," Iroh chuckled. "We are very close to a village. We can rest up there. And then we can both eat, and maybe even brush up on some Pai-sho while sipping tea," he licked his lips happily while patting the pouch he had tied to his waist.

The two got to their destination right before the sunset. And after they had their fill of feasting and entertainment, they managed to get asylum in a barn that a kind and elderly couple reserved for them.

"You see, Kin? Kind people fill this world. And they do not hide." The animal gave a happy chirp as it snuggled into a mound of hay.

Uncle Iroh looked up at the stars and his eyes grew distant as he recognised the formation of the stars. It was time again. The beauty of the heavenly positions brought tears to his eyes.

"Tomorrow we will have to find a nice place, Kin. I'm sure Prince Zuko will understand why we had to take a detour, to pay our respects," Uncle Iroh shifted his body to a more comfortable position on the hay.

The Ostrich-Horse just snored silently unaware of the troubles his new owner was experiencing. The stormy thoughts of the former general were kept tightly inside his mind. He refused to let them out longer than they were supposed to. He needed his rest right now, and he would have more than enough time tomorrow.

After purchasing some materials Iroh needed for the day, he was on the road once again. This time neither his nephew nor their promise took residence in his head. So instead of travelling in the direction, he was going yesterday, he was headed in the opposite direction. Going somewhere with altitude and beauty. He was informed of the place by the travelling merchant from who he purchased his things.

It was supposedly closer and he could get there before noon.

Because of all the time Iroh had, he decided to take shelter under a small tree with enough shade for him and Kin and took out his Pai-Sho table.

A bush nearby rustled. Iroh looked at it questioningly before dismissing it and returning to his game. Kin, on the other hand, was much more suspicious about the noise and decided to investigate what had caused the noise.

Just as the Ostrich-Horse neared the bush, a metal object pierced its nose sending it in a fit of pain. As Iroh was busy trying to calm his charge, a man was sneaking up on him.

"There there, Kin. What's the problem?" Iroh managed to calm it down. He inspected his friend and found a small knick on its nose where blood was starting to drip down.

And just as he turned around to throw a punch, the man sneaking up on him quickly tied up his hands and feet.

Iroh fell to the ground with a thud as he tangled himself up.

"What?" he looked up to see an unshaven man in loose clothes holding a knife to his face with a shaky hand.

"Please. Don't move. I don't want to hurt you. I just need your things. And once I have them, I promise to untie you," the man promised as he began to hastily go through Uncle Iroh's bag nervously.

"I commend you on your ambush. But your knot tying skills do need some work," Iroh said calmly.

"It was enough to take care of you. And that's everything I basically need."

Before the thief could further search the bag, Iroh was out of the ropes and had the man tied up before he could realise what was happening.

"What? What happened? You were–you were–" the man was on the ground speechless.

"I will release you. If you promise me to join me for a cup of tea," Iroh smiled.

The man was confused at his former victim turned captor's request. He was sure that any normal person would have been furious at what he had just tried to do. But this man was asking him to sit down with him? This did not make any sense.

Iroh repeated his request snapping the man out of his thoughts.

"Y–yes," he nodded.

Iroh untied the man and took out his tea set and started a fire.

"So what made you turn to this way of life? I can see that this is a recent decision of yours. Am I wrong?" Iroh asked as he finished pouring the man a cup of Jasmine tea.

The man shook his head. "No, sir. You aren't wrong. My name is Notuan. I never wanted to do this. But my family…" Iroh helped comfort Notuan as he started crying.

Uncle Iroh spent time helping the stranger with his problems. He ended up giving him possession of his Ostrich-Horse and directions to its former owner in hopes of leading him to a job. He did beat the man in a game and if his reward was returned he could give him a different one. One for the man who tried to mug him. That was the kind of person Iroh was.

Iroh arrived at the highest vantage point of the hill at sunset. His journey had taken longer. But he didn't mind. It was his plan to arrive at sunset. He just ended up helping someone else along the way.

He set up an altar and placed the photo of his deceased son last.

Leaves from the vine

Falling so slow

Like fragile tiny shells

Drifting in the foam

Little soldier boy

Come marching home

Brave soldier boy

Comes marching home

General Iroh cracked up on the last line. His voice had grown hoarse and he finally let all of his emotion come pouring. All of the sadness streamed out of his face.

"May you find your way to your new home my son. You and your platoon. You served our nation well. As terrible as its ruler may be. You laid down your life."

Iroh woke up in the morning. The night was surprisingly warm so he hadn't needed to pull out a blanket from his pack.

Kneeling down, he began a prayer to Lee.

After cleaning up the altar he created, Iroh was back on his journey to the safe house he was supposed to get to. This time he was on foot. It would take longer than originally planned, but he was determined to get there as fast as he could.