Zuko probably should have figured out that to run out and find his uncle in Ba Sing Se was already a lost cause.

The city was massive! And there were multiple gates. There was no telling if this was even the gate Iroh had gone through!

Or even if it had been Iroh… It had to be though! It had to be Iroh! Who else would just show up and ask kindly about him while making everyone amazing tasting tea?

Iroh was here! Iroh was in the city! He had finally caught up! Zuko just had to find him! He had to be somewhere around here.

As Zuko exited out to the hills he was faced with endless of fields and barren hills and his heart sank.

This was impossible! How was Zuko supposed to find him! Still he was here. He might as well try and Zuko started to run. Running across the fields and he just kept going.

Didn't even notice as the sun started to sink and paint the sky's in a deep orange colour revealing he had spend the better part of the day out here just running around.

Finally Zuko stopped as he gasped for breath. This was impossible, and there was no saying if Iroh was even out here. He could have gone back in to look for Zuko. Where was he?

Hopelessly Zuko stood up as he looked around desperately trying to see if there were anybody out here.

And then suddenly Zuko saw it… A little hill. It was exactly like the hill from the spirit realm where Irohs lingering regrets had been. With the little tree and.

Zuko gasped. There was a figure there. Silhouette in the sun as he was sitting on his knees and his back to Zuko.

Could… Could it be? Uncle Iroh?

Zuko rushed forward only as he came closer did he notice the incense burning and the picture which rested against the tree.

Then Zuko halted and first then did he realize.

…. Lu-Ten. This is where Lu-Ten had fallen. And that meant. There was no question about it!

This man… It was.

Zuko gasped for breath as he saw the back of his uncle, sitting with a bowed head.

Then suddenly Iroh stiffened. Slowly he looked up and he turned his head, revealing tears dripping from his eyes. Those eyes fell on Zuko and they widened in shock.

Zuko as well stood with wide open eyes, his body stiff. He hadn't meant to intrude on this private moment! That hadn't been his intentioned.

Yet still… It was Iroh! Iroh was here. And Zuko gasped for breath as he sniffed, his own eyes becoming misty.

Then Irohs shocked face turned into a smiling one. Tears were still falling down his face, but they didn't look sad as he took in a shaking break. Then he dried his eyes with his sleeve.

"Uncle…" Zuko gasped and then shouted. "UNCLE!" as he ran across the field without stopping.

Barely did Iroh manage to stand up before Zuko crashed right into him in a crushing hug.

"You're okay." Zuko swallowed as he held his uncle.

"And you! Zuko!" Iroh laughed as he returned the hug tightly. "Let me look at you!" he asked as he let go only to grab his face instead and Zuko was faced with Irohs shining happy face. "Now there's a handsome looking young man. You remembered to eat well? You don't always eat."

"I've eaten." Zuko rolled his eyes.

"And slept?" Iroh asked.

"I slept." Zuko assured. "Don't worry. Even if I didn't take good care of myself. My friends would be sure to take care of me."

"Friends?" Iroh asked as he let go of Zuko face.

"Oh… yeah." Zuko blushed deeply. "Heh. My friends." he smiled a little shyly. "You know. Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph." he said. "Oh and also Zhau-Li! And Ming and Ying! And Tanyi! People have been so nice!"

Wide-eyed Iroh looked up at Zuko. Then he softened in a smile. "I see. That makes me very happy."

Zuko smiled then he looked behind Iroh and saw the portrait of Lu-Ten and the incense burning. "This is where he fell… Isn't it?" he asked.

"Yes." Iroh replied in a sad tone. "He would have turned twenty-four today."

Right… eighteen. He had only been eighteen.

Zuko put a hand on Irohs shoulder then stepped forward his hand slipping away. Then he sat down on his knees in front of the picture respectfully folding his hands. "Hello cousin." he whispered. "I think you should know. Your father has really done his best looking after me. And I owe him a lot." he said. "He misses you a lot. And so do I." he said. "But from now on. I promise I'll do my best to take care of him too. It's the least I owe him."

Zuko felt the hand on his shoulder. He didn't have to look up to know that Iroh was crying.

Then Iroh sat down on his knees and wrapped his arms around Zuko. "You don't owe me anything. You know that. Don't you Zuko?" he asked.

Zuko turned to Iroh so he could burrow his face into Irohs shoulder closing his eyes as he just allowed the moment to play. Realizing just how safe he felt in his uncles hug, and how the familiar scent of tea herbs got to him. "Let me be the judge of that." he replied in a whisper.

And Iroh smiled amused. "Well. Family are there to help each other. So it all works out I think."

"Yeah." Zuko smiled warmly.

In the upper ring. The rest of Team Avatar was hanging out in the house trying to figure out a plan… Thus far they had nothing though.

And things were boring. Really boring.

Toph pouted as she was sitting on the table, her head resting on it.

Katara was sitting at the other side of the table calmly sewing while Aang was playing fetch with Momo and Sokka was practising hits and kicks on the floor.

A hundred of each a day. He had to keep it up.

Toph sighed deeply as she blew on her hair though suddenly her eyes widened and she sat up straight earning everyones attention. "Zuko is back!" she proclaimed loudly.

"Oh thank La." Katara sighed deeply. "It's getting late I was worried."

"He's not alone." Toph then continued making everyone look nervously at her. Tophs face how-ever was cracked upon in a big wide smile. "MR. IROH!" she screamed as she sprung up and zoomed towards the door making everyone gasp.

"What?" Katara asked. "Mr. Iroh?"

Aang gaped. "He caught up to us?" he asked

Toph was already at the door and flung it open as she screamed in delight. "MR. IROH!" she shouted as she jumped forward and right into an older man who stumbled back.

"Young Toph!" Iroh laughed. "How good it is to see you again!"

"I would say the same to you. But I can't see." Toph grinned making Iroh laugh.

And Zuko smiled as he stood next to them. Then he looked up where he saw the rest looking at them. "Guys!" Zuko grinned. "Look who decided to show up!"

"Mr. Iroh!" Katara beamed happily.

"You made it!" Aang cheered. "That's amazing!"

"About time if you ask me." Sokka smirked.

"Come in uncle. Sit down." Zuko invited as he guided Iroh inside and sat him down at the tea table.

"Mr. Iroh it so good seeing you again." Katara smiled.

"And you too Katara. Sokka. Young Avatar Aang." Iroh bowed for each of them as they grinned. "Thank you for taking care of my nephew."

"Well to be honest." Aang replied. "A lot of the time he took care of us."

"Just relax." Zuko asked. "I'll go make some tea for you. We have Ginseeng. Your favourite."

"Oh. That would be lovely." Iroh said. "I can make it too."

"No I got it." Zuko assured. "I can make tea!" he said as he headed towards the kitchen.

Iroh blinked as he looked after him then he turned to the others. "Look." he said in a much lower voice. "It's not that I am not happy but… What exactly have you done to my nephew?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" Katara asked.

"Well." Iroh held up his hand as he whispered. "He's acting a little strange isn't he?"

Everybody looked confused at Iroh.

"You know." Iroh tried. "As we walked through town he was… How can I put it?" he asked.

"Happy?" Aang asked.

"Polite?" Katara tried.

"Considerate?" Toph suggested.

"Well adjusted?" Sokka said.

"Well… yes… All of that." Iroh said.

Everyone looked at Iroh.

"It's a bit much." Iroh then finally said.

Aang smiled warmly. "Zuko has changed a lot in a very short time. It has been super inspiring. He is without a doubt one of the strongest people I have ever met."

"I know. I know." Sokka said. "Sometimes you have to think that's an alien and not Zuko. But believe me I checked. It's not an alien. It's really just Zuko."

Iroh lifted an eyebrow as he looked at Sokka. But elected not to ask… Just don't ask.

"The thing you said. Back when we first really talked." Katara said. "About how Zuko value lives above even honour. You were right." she said, then reached over and grabbed Irohs hand. "Zuko has a good heart. He really cares about his people. He always did, even back then. He was just very confused and very lost. Thinking his own empathy was a weakness. All he really needed though, was a push in the right direction and a bit of support. And now he's good. I'm really happy with got to know him. We owe him a lot all ready."

Iroh smiled. "It warms my heart to hear you say that." he said as he padded Kataras hand. "Thank you." he said as he let go.

Just then Zuko came with the tea tray. Nervously he sat it down. "I erhm. I hope I managed to make it the way you like it." he said awkwardly as he put up a cup and lifted the tea pot. Pouring nervously.

Of course everyone all ready knew that Iroh was going to drink it even if it tasted like soap water and the old man smiled kindly. "I'm sure it's just fine." Iroh said as he lifted the cup. He hesitated a little bit and took a sip. Then his eyes widened and he removed the cup. "This is…" he halted stunned. "Good?!"

Zuko frowned. "You sound surprised."

"Zuko has been practising so much making tea!" Katara beamed. "He's becoming really good at it! It was pretty thin in the beginning. And then it was bitter. But he became really good."

"Wait what?" Zuko asked. "You didn't like it back then?"

"It was pretty cosy drinking tea just for the novelty. But it didn't really taste good at first." Sokka admitted and Zuko gaped.

"Are you serious."

Iroh how-ever sniffed. "This… This is the happiest moment in my life." he said.

"Uncle." Zuko blinked.

"I am so proud of you nephew!" Iroh cried as he grabbed Zuko in a hug. "So much you have grown!"

"Uncle! It's just tea!" Zuko shouted as he tried to wriggle himself out of the hug. "Let go! Let go of me!"

"Forgive me." Iroh asked as he let go. And as a result Zuko yelled in shock as he fell back and down on the floor.

"Uff. Auw." Zuko groaned rubbing his backside.

"Are you all right?" Katara asked as she rushed to Zukos side.

"I'm fine." Zuko snapped as he managed to stand up. "Just… Give me a minute." he asked annoyed as he staggered off. Probably to try and restore his wounded pride.

"Sorry about that." Katara blushed.

"Actually I'm pretty relieved." Iroh admitted. "That's the first time I recognised my nephew all day."

Katara smiled amused. "That's not how he usually is you know."

"Still… While change is good. It's still a little overwhelming. So forgive me." Iroh asked. "Believe me. All I ever desired for him was to find happiness and peace. It's just… A little overwhelming to see such change that quick."

"You'll get used to it." Aang smiled. "And it's not like he's all soft now. He still has his prickly sides. You should have seen him with Long Feng."

"Yeah he was mad." Toph smirked.

"Oh dear. I hope he wont get into trouble." Iroh blinked.

"Well if he does. We got his back." Toph grinned and the rest nodded as they smiled. Iroh smiled warmly as well.

"You have my thanks." Iroh said sincerely. "Now I'm going to enjoy this tea." he smiled taking another sip then lowered the cup. "Zuko really made this?" he asked in a wondering voice and they all chuckled.