In his lonely prison cell Iroh was sitting with a bowed head. His breaths were slow and even. His features seemingly serene. But it was impossible to read what was actually going on inside of his head.
Just then, the heavy metal door opened up and Iroh opened his eyes to look up.
"Niece." Iroh spoke in a kind voice. "What owes the pleasure?"
For there she was. Princess Azula, wearing fire nation armour. Her hair put up in a traditional top knot arrangement, but she seemed… Odd. Multiple hairs were out of place and there was an odd manic look over her eyes.
Iroh frowned slightly.
"I thought I should tell you personally." Azula commented as she leaned back against the door. Her arm crossed and a cruel smile on his lips. "The boy you loved oh so much has abandoned you." she said. "He left you to rot in your cell! And after all you given him too."
Iroh looked up at Azula, his eyes wide.
"See what adoration gives you." Azula smirked. "You've been abandoned. Uncle."
And then of all things. Iroh smiled. "He got away." he said making Azula blink. "Thank you Azula. For offering me these news." he said as he lifted his chained hands and bowed his head.
"What… What are you talking about?" Azula asked. "Don't you understand you old fool! He left you to rot!"
"Azula. Are you quite all right?" Iroh asked concerned as he stood up. "You don't seem well."
"Don't even start to pretend that you care!" Azula seethed.
Iroh took a step forward, reaching a hand towards Azula.
"Don't touch me!" Azula slapped Irohs hand away. "Don't you even dare! I know you, I know what you want. You want little Zuzu to have the throne. And you want me to be cast out. Well that wont happen! I did what you couldn't do. Uncle! I took Ba Sing Se! The Earth Kingdom has fallen! I won!"
Astounded Iroh looked up at Azula who was gasping for breaths. "Well yes. All of that is true." he said. "So why are you looking like someone who is breaking into pieces?"
Azula gasped for breath as she wide-eyed looked at Iroh.
"Azula." Iroh tried to take another step.
"I told you not to touch me!" Azula shouted and Iroh halted. "I wont be weak like you. Uncle." she seethed. "Or little Zuzu! I will take you to my father and you will face the punishment traitors deserve! I will capture Zuzu soon enough and it will all be over."
Iroh exhaled deeply. "Niece… This wont bring you the happiness you seek." he said. "You're only destroying yourself."
"And what do you know!" Azula seethed.
Iroh sighed. Sadness in his eyes. "Azula. I want you to know. If there ever is a day when you are ready. I will be here." he said. "The path you are walking now is one that will only bring misery. To you and those around you. But still you are family. You are my niece. It brings me no joy to fight you and I sincerely wish that one day. Even if it's in a long time from now. You will find a different path for yourself, and if you do. I wouldn't mind being there."
"Spare me your platitudes." Azula seethed. "You are a sad, pathetic old man. You were weak and that's why my father is now fire Lord. And I shall not make the same mistakes as you. So go ahead and rot!" she exclaimed as she walked out and the metal door was slammed behind her.
Iroh though as he looked at the closed door. He didn't look angry at all. If anything he just looked sad.
Worried Katara put a hand on Zukos forehead only to be rewarded with the burning sensation under her fingers. Proving what Katara already knew. Zuko had developed a fever, and it seemed to be rising.
At least with Toph on Zukos chest there was someone to constantly check on Zukos heart. Katara had no doubt that Toph would speak up at ones if anything happened.
Sokka had managed to break his arm in three places. Katara would have to make sure to put it back in place ones they landed.
It was a good thing they had just seen their dad just a few days ago and already told them about Zuko.
Hakoda had sure seemed surprised as he blinked and had to ask again. "Prince Zuko is… Travelling with you?"
And both Sokka and Katara had confirmed that Zuko was their friend and was going to help them overthrow the fire lord.
Even better, he for sure would be fair to the water tribes ones he was fire lord and free any war prisoners.
Katara couldn't even describe what a huge relief it was that she wasn't even in doubt. She hadn't even realized before that point just how important it was that Zuko truly was on their side.
All though now he was laying there, inhaling deep rattling breaths.
His face filled with so many bruises and scratches, the rest of his body not much better… It really didn't do anything for his looks. He looked terrible.
You idiot… Katara couldn't help but think to herself. You big… fat… stupid.. idiot.
"There it is!" Aang shouted. "We're here!"
Katara exhaled deeply as the big bison landed on solid ground and carefully Zhau-Li picked Zuko up in his arms to slide off the bison closely followed by Katara, Toph and Aang.
The moment they were on ground they were met by a group of water tribe warriors and one man pushed himself through.
"Out of the way!" A familiar voice shouted and Katara swallowed.
"Dad."
Finally Hakoda appeared and he gasped. "Katara! You're all right!" he grabbed her for an embrace. "You got back so quick. Where's Sokka?" he asked.
"I'm up here dad." Sokka called from up on Appa. "Sorry. My leg has been chi blocked. It'll be fine though. I'm fine."
"He's not fine. His arm is broken." Katara stated. "But that's not even important dad." she turned to Zuko in Zhau-Li's arms and Hakoda gasped.
"You have to help him." Aang stepped forward. "Zuko is hurt! Really really hurt."
Hakoda stood still as he looked at the limp body in Zhau-Lis arms and then looked up. "Am I to assume. That's Prince Zuko?" he asked.
"Dad I told you." Katara touched his shoulder. "It's all right. Zuko is our friend."
Hakoda nodded. "Of course. This way." he gestured and lead them to a tent where he opened the flap for them to reveal a couple of futons.
"Dad. Don't you have anything elevated?" Katara asked.
"Other than hammocks. I'm afraid not." Hakoda shook his head.
Katara sucked in a breath. Being on the ground they ran the risk of getting dirt into the wounds. But a hammock wouldn't be good either for a bruised body. Then this was better. "Put him down." she asked and Zhau-Li stepped in as he gently put Zuko down on a futon.
"I need fresh water." Katara then said. "And get Sokka in here too. But be very careful with his arm. I told you it's broken."
Hakoda and Zhau-Li both nodded as they stepped outside leaving Katara alone to work on Zuko. She just hoped he wasn't developing an infection. That would be the worst thing that could happen right now.
Soon enough Zhau-Li came back carrying a huge clay pot of water and Hakoda with Sokka in his own arms as he grunted.
"You've become quite heavy son." Hakoda said.
"Heh." Sokka smiled embarrassed. "Sorry dad." he said as he was laid down on the other futon in the tent.
"Thank you." Katara simply said her eyes not leaving Zuko as she picked up water. "Now please get out. I need peace to work."
"But." Zhau-Li began.
"I said get out!" Katara snapped and both Zhau-Li and Hakoda stiffened in shock. Then finally scrambled out while Katara returned all of her attention to Zuko.
Sokka was to smart to speak off and instead took the time to close his eyes for a bit of rest. Katara would get to him the moment she had time. It would be okay.
Outside the tent Zhau-Li gasped for breath. Katara could be very scary when she wanted to be and then he realized… This man. Katara and Sokkas father was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
Zhau-Li turned to the older man to see the narrowed blue eyes right at him. "Sir?" he asked.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Hakoda asked.
"I'm… Zhau-Li sir." Zhau-Li said.
Hakoda lifted an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. "Zhau-Li?" he asked. "That sounds very fire nation."
"Well… yes sir. I'm fire nation." Zhau-Li said. "I… I serve Prince Zuko."
Still those blue piercing eyes stayed on Zhau-Li. And Zhau-Li couldn't help but stand a little rigid... The only time he had ever seen blue eyes were when he met Katara and Sokka. All ready then it had stood out to him. And now as he glanced around pretty much everyone had blue eyes. It suddenly made it sink in... This was a water tribe camp! The tents as well looked so different from anything Zhau-Li had ever seen before. And these people... The only water tribe people he had ever met were ones again. Katara and Sokka. And he couldn't say he knew them that well. Though yeah, considering that Zhau-Li had grown up being told that the water tribes were nothing but under developed barbarians. Katara and Sokka had proven that wrong all ready. Then Zhau-Li turned back to Hakoda, sucking in a breath.
"I deserted the army." Zhau-Li finally admitted. "And… I am a fire bender. I do not mean to have any secrets sir."
"Well then I assume you would have an easy time starting a fire." Hakoda commented. "That's convenient. Any wood we have managed to find lately has been pretty wet. Would you mind go helping Inuk?" he gestured his head towards the centre of the camp where true enough. A man looked very frustrated as he tried to start a fire with some flint stones.
"Sure. Of course sir." Zhau-Li said.
"Help him out with the cooking too." Hakoda asked. "He'll tell you what to do."
"Okay." Zhau-Li said and quickly bowed for Hakoda in the respectfully manner he was taught before running to the other guy who was struggling with the wet firewood.