"WHAT?!" The shout rung through the entire palace belonging to the fire lord. And with his words followed a large burst of flames which made both guards, servants and the poor messenger cover as they stepped back. Just praying they wouldn't get burned.
"That's twelve prisons sir." The messenger whimpered. "And the prisoners are free."
"Then get them back! How incompetent are you?" Ozai asked.
"Who-Who do we concentrate on?" The poor messenger asked. "With twelve different targets we would be spreading our troops thin. They were thin all ready spread across the earth kingdom. And then there is…" he gulped. "General Iroh."
"Forget about that old fool." Ozai sneered. "Bring me Zukos head!" he demanded. "Now!"
"Ye-Yes sir." The messenger stammered. "What about… Princess Azula?" he asked. "There has been no sign of her."
"At least she has the decency to know she's not welcome until she proven her worth ones more." Ozai sneered. "Spread the message. If Azula ever wishes to be welcomed back she must bring me Zukos head! And the Avatar in chains!"
"Yes my lord! We understand." The messenger bowed as deeply as was humanly possible, his forehead basically touching the floor as he backed away as fast as he could without coming across as rude. And finally when he was far enough away. He ran… Ran as if his life was on the line. Which probably wasn't to far from the truth.
Unbelievable. The ship Zuko was one had finally made it to shore after a detour. And who was sitting on the beach. Enjoying a cup of tea by a little fire as if nothing special was going on.
"UNCLE!" Zuko shouted over the railing and Iroh looked up. Then smiled back at him waving happily.
Zuko shook his head. Then chuckled as he shook his head. "Yup. That's uncle all right."
Zuko didn't even wait for the ship to bring out the plank, as soon as they were up against the shore he simply stood up on the railing and jumped the entire way down. Complete with a backflip and all the onlookers gaped.
All except Ty Lee who grinned. "I can do that too! But with three flips. Do you wanna see?!"
What happened after that Zuko didn't really know, he was running for Iroh who laughed happily as he managed to stand up. "Nephew! It's so good to see you!" he said.
"You too uncle." Zuko smiled as he looked Iroh over. Iroh was wearing very humble and simple brown robes, his hair simply tied up in the back. But of course that really didn't change his appearance that much. Zuko tilted his head. "Uncle have you lost weight?"
"Thank you for noticing!" Iroh beamed. "I thought it might be a good time to get back into shape. The front lines of a war can be just a little tense."
Zuko shook his head and then finally rushed forward to hug Iroh. And Iroh smiled as he returned the hug until both finally let go.
"Okay so I have a bone to pick with you." Zuko commented.
"Oh?" Iroh asked.
"You've been running a global secret organisation behind my back!" Zuko exclaimed. "Each time you vanished from the Wani and I thought you were just out trying out a restaurant like you said or playing a Pai Sho tournament. You were out doing secret organisation stuff!"
"Well." Iroh glanced down though his cheek were burning a little hot.
"You're a better liar than Azula you know." Zuko commented. "You make us change course and convince me it's because of this sea food festival you just couldn't miss. But that wasn't it was it?"
"There was a sea food festival and it was most delicious." Iroh said. "That that place was also a good place for a meeting is another matter entirely."
"By Agni. That entire harmless old man act you have going on." Zuko smirked.
"Who says it's an act?" Iroh asked. "I am old. And I have no desire to harm anyone if it can be avoided."
Zuko lifted his good eyebrow.
"Listen Zuko." Iroh put a hand on Zukos shoulder to draw him in closer so he could speak in a lower voice. "It is always better to overestimate an opponent rather than underestimate them. And if you can make your opponent underestimate you. Then the battle is practically all ready won."
Zuko blinked astounded.
"Just let them underestimate you if that is what they want. It will be to your own advantage by the end." Iroh said.
"Let them underestimate you?" Zuko asked gaping.
"Indeed!" Iroh smiled warmly. "If you are truly strong. You wont care what others think of you. Only those who are weak will constantly try to proof their strength."
"Huh." Zuko held his chin, looking honestly very thoughtful.
"And it may even make them slip up. Give you information they didn't intend to give." Iroh chuckled amused.
"You are an underhanded old man. You know that right?" Zuko asked.
Iroh shrugged. "Was that Lieutenant Jee I saw on your ship Zuko?" he asked.
"Oh. Yes." Zuko smiled. "The entire crew is there! We found them in the prison camp I helped breaking into."
"Even the Chef?!" Iroh asked excited.
"Even the Chef." Zuko smirked amused. Then his smile faltered. "Urhm uncle. I need to go help the others but later… When you have time. Can we talk?"
"Of course Zuko. Anything." Iroh said. "May I ask what it's about? Just so I wont walk in suspense."
Zuko swallowed. "Azula…" he said. "I ran into Azula again. And erhm."
"Oh. I see." Iroh nodded. "Yes we'll talk later when we know we wont be interrupted." he said. "Over a cup of tea."
Zuko smiled. "Thank you Uncle."
"Any time nephew." Iroh smiled.
"So uncle. All those times you went to 'Pai Sho' tournaments to meet with organization members. What would you have done if I actually came with you? Like you always asked me to." Zuko asked dryly.
"I would have played Pai Sho." Iroh said simply. "And be delighted that my nephew would come with me and spend a day away from the ship!"
"You really are something Uncle." Zuko commented dryly.
"Well. I suppose it can't be helped that your view of me have changed now that all this new information have come into light." Iroh sighed. "I just hope that you don't resent me too much"
"I don't resent you at all." Zuko assured. "I know why you had to keep all of that from me. And I know that while you let me underestimate you. It was me who already knew of your former accomplishments and then chose to dismiss them because it was easier. I treated you with disrespect. Regardless of who I very well knew you were." he looked at Iroh. "Sorry."
"Oh Zuko. That never needed forgiveness. I was never angry with any of that." Iroh assured.
"Yeah. I know." Zuko smiled kind of awkwardly. "Cause I also know all your caring for me was very real. There's absolutely nothing to forgive." he assured.
Iroh smiled a very genuine warm smile. "Thank you Zuko. That does mean a lot." he said. "You truly have become a remarkable young man."
"Heh. Thank you." Zuko nodded. "Gotta go. The plank is down." he pointed over his shoulder.
"I'll be there in a second just need to pack." Iroh gestured at his tea set and Zuko nodded then finally ran off to meet with Katara and the first couple of people exiting the ship.