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Mysterious Dreams: Finding Yourself

Chapter 37

Somewhere in a medium-sized ship, an old man lounged back in the chair. Smiling, he took a sip of the warm tea that he held in his hand.

"Ah, this is the life, isn't it, Zuko?" the old man asked looking at the boy standing in front of him.

Zuko stopped pacing and turned to glare at the old man. His glare melted at the soft expression painted on the old man's face.

The boy sighed, and responded "We're never going to find the avatar at this rate, uncle!"

The old man sat up a bit straighter. "You worry too much, Zuko. Why don't you sit down, and play a nice game of Pai Sho. Have some warm tea?" He offered, pouring hot liquid into a second cup.

Staring the cup of tea down as if it were his enemy, Zuko groaned, taking a seat.

"Fine." he mumbled, accepting the cup of tea.

The man smiled, pleased. "Wonderful!"

Zuko opened his mouth to make a comment but shut it when he heard loud knocking on the door.

"General Iroh!" a voice behind the door said.

The old man stood up from his seat. Giving his nephew an apologetic look, he walked towards the door.

He opened the door. "Yes?"

"A messenger hawk dropped off this. It's for you." The person, whom had previously been knocking, informed.

Iroh nodded. "What is it?"

The man in front of the door, shrugged. "I didn't read it…after it all…it's yours."

Iroh nodded, and asked "Very well…Let me see it."

Nodding, the man handed Iroh the letter and then left on his merry way.

After closing the door, he opened the piece of paper and silently read it.

While reading the paper his eyes grew wide in surprise but he was quick to hide his shock. Finished reading, he neatly folded the paper, and stored it away in his pants' pocket.

"What was that, Uncle?" asked Zuko, looking at Iroh questionably.

"What?" replied Iroh, trying to look innocent.

"The letter, what did it say?" he asked again.

"Nothing of importance, Prince Zuko…Now, let's play some Pai Sho." Iroh responded, quickly changing the subject.

"Fine." mumbled Zuko, letting it go for the moment.

Several minutes later, the game was coming to an end, with Iroh winning.

Playing the last winning move, Iroh said "It was fun playing with you, Zuko." Zuko just groaned in reply. "You should play again-"

"I'm not playing again!" exclaimed Zuko, interrupting his uncle.

"Very well…maybe another time?" suggested Iroh.

"No. Never." snapped Zuko.

Iroh sighed, "Why not, Zuko?"

"I always lose and I hate Pai Sho!" he yelled.

Iroh narrowed his eyes, and frowned. "To get better at something, may it be Pai Sho or something else, you need to attempt it several times until you succeed."

"But I don't want to play Pai Sho! I want to catch the avatar! I want my honor back!" Zuko replied, hitting the table with his closed fist.

Iroh sighed, and stood up. Looking at his nephew, he asked him "How long are you going to be at that before you realize that you don't need the avatar to be happy?"

Zuko stood up on his feet, and exclaimed, "Then, you don't know what I need to be happy! Why don't you just shut up, and leave me alone!" His own eyes widened as he realize just what he had said. And to who he had said it to.

Iroh sighed, sadly. "If that is how you feel…" he opened the door, and left Zuko there, feeling ashamed and regretful.

Coming out of the shock of what he had did, Zuko ran out of the door.

"Uncle Iroh, I-" he trailed off, realizing that his uncle was long gone, and that he probably didn't want to talk to him. He walked away, towards him room, practically kicking his own self for his stupidity.

At around midnight, outside on top of the ship, Iroh was sneakily tiptoeing past the flashing lights. And, making as little to no noise as possible, he climbed down the ladder attached to the side of the ship towards the boat that he had lowered a few hours before. At the last step, he let go. Landing inside, the boat swayed causing the water around to be disturbed, and a big splash due to his weight. He stayed still, making sure that no one had heard the splash and came rushing to investigate. But as he had expected, no one came. Sighing to himself, he paddled away.

"I'm sorry, Prince Zuko…" He whispered, the ship disappearing from his sight as he paddled. "But I must help these people."

Author's note:

Well, what did you think? Did you like it? Any guess to what that paper said? Or who sent it? Where do you think Iroh is heading? Let me know if you thought that any of the characters were O.O.C. Anyways, please review letting me know what you thought. Thank you.

P.S. Reviews make me happy. And, a happy Ashley is more likely to be motivated to write more.