"We need more tea," Iroh murmured as he climbed to his feet, his joints creaking. They tended to do that more often nowadays.
Once his back was turned to his nephew, Iroh wiped away the tear that fell over his wrinkled cheek.
Despite Iroh's effort to hide his sorrow, Zuko caught the gesture and frowned.
He couldn't imagine the deep love his uncle had once known.
"So what happened then?"
Iroh looked back to Zuko, his face holding a wistful smile as he put leaves in the teapot. "Lu Ten grew up, Natsuko and I grew old, and I continued to go to war. Ozai married your mother and she became pregnant with you."
"I felt Little Cousin!" Lu Ten chirped happily from where he lay.
Iroh smiled as he watched his son stretch out across his sister-in-law's distended belly. There was a look of awe on the boy's face as kept his cheek pressed against his aunt's crimson robes.
Ursa laughed heartily and rubbed Lu Ten's back, "I think he likes you."
The young prince sat back up and smiled, "Good, since I have no brothers, cousin can be my brother…in a way."
"I think it's time to go, your mother was preparing dinner tonight," Iroh interjected in his jovial tone.
Lu Ten's expression clearly stated he wanted to stay there with his aunt, but he made no effort to disobey his father. Rising from the cushions on the floor, the small prince hugged Ursa briefly and took his father by the hand. "I'm ready."
"It was good to see you," Iroh said as he bowed to the pregnant woman.
His sister-in-law smiled and waved, "Come back any time. I always enjoy yours and Lu Ten's visits. Please, send my regards to Natsuko. I haven't seen her in the longest time."
Iroh nodded, "I will do that."
With a last bow, the two princes left the palace of the Fire Lord where Ozai and his wife still lived.
Ozai had been away for several months now, somewhere in the Earth Kingdom claiming city after city in the name of their father.
Iroh wasn't exactly sure when his brother had grown so interested in the war or conquering the world, but apparently he had.
"Father."
The fire prince looked down to his son with a smile. "Yes?"
"When will Aunt Ursa have Little Cousin?" Lu Ten asked, gazing up to his father in his open, innocent manner.
"Well," Iroh thought for a moment, trying to figure up how long Ursa had been pregnant. "Any day now I suppose."
There was a long silence before the little prince spoke again. "Father?"
"Yes Lu Ten?"
"You're it!"
Lu Ten grinned at he tapped his father's arm and darted off over a hill.
Iroh laughed and jogged after him. He was growing old, and round, and it was becoming harder and harder to catch the boy.
The two of them laughed as they ran down the hill that led to their home. In a burst of youthful energy Iroh sprang forward and caught his son up in a bear hug.
Unfortunately they were still on the hill. Down they fell, tumbling and rolling until they reached the base of the hill. Still they laughed, hysterically almost before they were interrupted.
"What on earth are you two doing?" Natsuko asked with a laugh of her own. She stood on a balcony, looking down to them with a bemused expression.
"Playing tag," Lu Ten chirped happily.
Iroh chuckled and slowly climbed to his feet. "I lost."
The dark-haired woman laughed again. "Come inside, dinner is growing cold."
Lu Ten hopped to his feet quickly and ran into the house, leaving his father alone.
The elder fire prince shook his head with a smile and followed after. It seemed that lately Natsuko had been wanting to spend more time with her husband and son, taking it upon herself to do little things like fix dinners and mend clothes. He wasn't sure why but said nothing.
As Iroh entered the house he saw Natsuko usher Lu Ten into the dining room. He smiled and watched with a tender gaze.
The tenderness turned to concern as he watched her break into a fit of coughs.
"Natsuko? Are you all right?" he asked, coming up and gently resting his hands on her shoulders.
She coughed hard into her lilac handkerchief then turned to meet her husband's gaze. "Yes, I'm fine. I think I'm catching a cold."
Iroh's brow furrowed but he nodded and gave her a tight embrace. "I'll summon an apothecary after dinner."
"I promise I've fine, Iroh," she replied with a smile. "Now come on to dinner."
Natsuko took him by the hand and led him into the room, lacing her fingers with his.
He returned her smiled and brushed the thought of the apothecary aside. He trusted her judgement.
Chi: Happy New Year you crazy kids. May you stick to your resolutions and may the upcoming year be the most kick-ass ever. Much love.