A/N: Hello, Zuko here. Back again with another update! Not much to say this time, besides thanks so much for the support thus far! Your faves/alerts/Kudos have definitely given me lots of inspiration and a drive to keep writing! Having a lot of fun with this so far, so I hope you are too!

Again, just wanna point out, for those of you reading for the drama, the promised pairings, or both, they'll all be here in due time after some proper setting up. It may be a tiny bit of a slowburn, but man, it'll be quite satisfying when we finally get there! With that said, I'll get into it. Be sure to review/comment, if you feel so inclined!

Jestalnaker94000: Yep, Zuko is definitely not in Long Feng's good graces... Luckily we get straight into the aftermath of it here!

MrHoodman2132: Oh absolutely. I definitely have plans for Jet and his gang in the near future. And yep, Long Feng is definitely a jerk lol.

Chapter 3: Consequences

The silence in the principal's office was deafening, as Long Feng sat at his desk across from the Firebender. Zuko didn't move in the wooden chair he was forced to sit in, keeping his arms folded and his head held down in a mix of anger and shame.

It was a shame directed at himself for not simply following directions and going to class, and also for losing his cool against that 'Jet' guy… Zuko didn't know why, but whenever Jet had touched his scar… it unleashed something inside of him. All of the anger he was holding inside had been let out at once.

Well, perhaps not all of his anger. He was still able to keep himself from actually burning anyone, but even then… it was no excuse.

Here he was in Long Feng's office, who clearly already didn't like him that much, and on his first day no less… He didn't even want to imagine what his Uncle Iroh might say or think. They had just moved into town, and already Zuko wasn't off to a good start at making his first impression seem presentable.

"Skipping class, assaulting fellow students, and bending on campus? Firebending, no less… All on your first day…" Long Feng scolded, a clear grimace on his face.

Zuko maintained his slouched posture, hanging his head down and glancing off to the side with folded arms.

"Well, Mr. Agni?" Long Feng raised his voice a bit. "Have you anything to say for yourself?"

"…I didn't 'assault' them." Zuko tried to defend himself one last time, still looking away. "They cornered the Air Nomad in the bathroom, and they-"

"A likely story, Mr. Agni…" Long Feng immediately cut Zuko off, not believing it one bit. His scowl deepened, as he leaned forward. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you!"

Zuko's fists clenched again, his narrowing eyes being partially concealed by his hair, before he turned to Long Feng with a glare, looking him in the eye.

He wanted so desperately to curse out this man, but didn't want to dig himself into a deeper hole than he was already in. And besides, he knew he needed to keep a hold on his anger before he did something else that he truly regretted.

"That's just how I would expect your kind to act…" Long Feng matched Zuko's glare, speaking with malice. "Defiant, lacking discipline, and not to mention always resorting to violence…"

Zuko's shock at what he just heard couldn't keep him from responding this time.

"What do you mean 'my kind'!?" Zuko exclaimed.

Long Feng could only shake his head, not flinching at all from his outburst, before leaning back in his black leather chair.

"Typical Fire Nation… Already proving my point…" Long Feng muttered under his breath, though just loud enough for Zuko to hear. The Firebender's breath became more erratic, his anger only increasing. What was he even meant to do here? How could he possibly win out over the one 'in charge'? Especially when the one in charge had a clear prejudice against his culture and lineage.

"Now, what to do about you…" Long Feng sighed, before standing up out of his chair. Zuko didn't move, trying to control his breathing as the principal paced momentarily, as if in thought.

When he finally stopped after about a minute, Zuko almost didn't want to know…

"Yes…" Long Feng muttered, his back to Zuko. Unbeknownst to the scarred teen, his principal had a smirk on his face, his demeanor almost… calculating in a way.

Zuko continued to remain silent, before Long Feng turned around.

"Well, Mr. Agni…" Long Feng spoke, now sitting back down in his chair. "Seeing as this is your first offense… I'll let you off light, and ask that you go home for the rest of the school day. You will return tomorrow."

Zuko's scowl faded into a more softer, confused expression, not expecting that at all.

"What-"

"Oh, don't worry… I'll be sure and count your entire first day as an unexcused absence." Long Feng smirked, causing Zuko's scowl to return. "No bending on campus, Mr. Agni. Do you understand? That's a rule for every bender that attends this school, and that goes double for that savagery that your people pass as 'bending'."

A growl escaped Zuko's mouth, as he shot up out of his chair, but even still… Long Feng was unflinching, clasping his hands together.

"Is there a problem with that, Mr. Agni?" Long Feng smirked.

The Firebender's fists were clenched as tight as ever, but soon he had to sigh, before turning his back to Long Feng.

"No…" Zuko muttered with a raspy gruffness.

"Good…" The principal voiced calmly, knowing that he had full control of the situation. "I suppose I'll be seeing you in the morning. There's the door."

Not wanting to spend another second in this room, Zuko stormed out of the office, and passed the Secretary.

"Are you signing out, Mr. Agni?" The Secretary, whose name was Joo Dee, asked him. More likely than not, she had heard most of the conversation, since her desk was close to the principal's office.

"…I guess so." Zuko groaned, before signing his name on some sort of sign out sheet she handed him. With that out of the way, Zuko stepped out of the office and into the hallway.

As he entered the hallway, he saw that there was still a bit of a crowd that had formed, looking over his way, as if speculating just what had happened. Amongst the crowd, Zuko thought he could see Aang for a split second, standing next to the Water Tribe senior from English class and that blind girl from Math…

Zuko didn't have much time to look, however, before he stomped through the hallway and began to storm out of the front entrance.

He didn't care… about anything or anyone else right now. All he cared about was getting back home and forgetting that this day had ever happened!

'Home…' Zuko thought, before he frowned. It felt weird, that the word now held a double meaning for him. He missed his old life in Capital City a lot, as well as the friends he had made there… In spite of his father, Ozai.

Life was simpler back then… before he found out what a monster Ozai actually was, and before Azula showed her true colors by siding with Ozai instead of him.

Mai, Ty Lee, Azula before that night… He would miss seeing them on a day to day basis, now that he didn't live in the Fire Nation anymore.

'Mai…' Zuko thought, allowing a small grin to creep onto his face.

She had been his girlfriend for… at least a couple years now. It had been an awkward confession for the both of them, with Zuko being a Sophomore and Mai being a Freshman back at their Fire Nation academy school, but somehow, the two were able to get past all that and start a relationship.

Their relationship? It was… fine. At least, that's what Zuko thought. Nothing all that crazy really happened. Sure, they had held hands and kissed just like all romantic couples did. But after the first year when the honeymoon phase ended, it really started to die down.

Though, Zuko always kind of figured it was because of the stress of her parents on her end, and the stress of Ozai on his own… They were both going through a lot, so it was fine that they didn't get all touchy feely constantly. Mai would often vent her frustrations to Zuko, and he would listen the best he could.

He never really got much of a chance to vent about Ozai to her, though. Usually it was 'Mai's parents this' and 'Mai's parents that'. Not that Zuko would ever blame his girlfriend for that…

He had to leave very suddenly, and could tell the news really got to her. So he decided taking one for the team and allowing her to vent would be the best course of action here, and maybe she would eventually feel better.

He still wished he could see her, though… But he was just so far from home!

'Home…' The word repeated in his head again, a sigh escaping him and his look of guilt returning.

What was Iroh going to say?

Getting in trouble on his first day here? Especially when Iroh had been drilling into his head constantly that taking a breath and remaining calm was a good idea?

He wasn't looking forward to it…

Sure, he knew the situation wasn't entirely his fault, but it didn't make him feel any better…

Knowing that he had stalled long enough, Zuko pulled out his phone with a sigh, before calling his Uncle.

"Hello?" Iroh's voice eventually spoke as he answered the phone.

Zuko closed his eyes, before taking a deep breath, sharply exhaling.

"Hey, Uncle…" Zuko's voice caught itself in a rasp.

"It is good to hear you, Nephew. Though it is a bit of a surprise." Iroh admitted, his voice sounding curious. "How is your first day of school going?"

"Yeah…" Zuko sighed, his eyes glancing off to the side. "About that…"

The car ride back home was a silent one, very reminiscent of the one they took when they drove from Capital City to Gaoling. Only this time, there was an obvious tension in the air.

Both Iroh and Zuko both knew that each of them had a lot to say, but both kept silent for two very different reasons: Zuko because of his shame and wanting to forget about it, and Iroh because he didn't want to stress Zuko out too much with all of this. He knew that he needed to talk to Zuko about this soon, but figured that some time to reflect and cool off would do him a lot of good before they had that conversation.

As they pulled into the driveway and parked, Zuko got out immediately without saying a word. Watching from the driver's seat and seeing Zuko open the front door to their house, Iroh let out a small sigh, before stepping out of the car as well, following suit.

As soon as Iroh closed the front door behind him, he heard Zuko's bedroom door shut upstairs. It was clear that something really bad had happened. But what that was, he didn't know. Zuko wasn't all that clear over the phone about the details, but Iroh knew that when the time came to talk about it, he would find out.

Rubbing his forehead in a bit of stress, Iroh walked into the kitchen, throwing his keys onto the table and prepared to heat up a pot of jasmine tea.

Meanwhile in his room, Zuko threw his hood down to the floor before crashing onto his bed, face first into his pillow. What a terrible day… And this was meant to be an improvement to Capital City?

Well, as far as not seeing Ozai went… it was great. But everything else?

Zuko sighed, before turning over onto his back and facing the ceiling. Why had Uncle chosen this Earth Kingdom influenced town anyway?

Why couldn't they just move to another Fire based city instead? One that was closer to home?

'Because my father has connections everywhere back in the Fire Nation…' Zuko sighed, mentally trying to reason with himself.

He knew why they had come here, but… he wished more than anything it never had to come to that to begin with!

He was starting to sound like a broken record at this point… Of course it sucked. Everything did in his life, and only a select few factors in it made things tolerable.

His uncle, his mother… and Mai.

Honestly, without them, he was almost certain he would go insane!

His thoughts returned to his girlfriend again, before he clutched onto his phone which he held in his hands. A sudden feeling came over him. A feeling to just… talk to someone, about this horrible day!

His mother was… gone, so he couldn't talk to her. And he was honestly too ashamed of himself to even think about speaking to his uncle…

Having no other real options left, Zuko held his phone up to his ear, deciding to call Mai. It would… be nice to talk to her again, anyway. He really missed her.

"Hello?" A feminine, yet monotone voice spoke on the other end. The familiar voice of his girlfriend, Mai.

Zuko allowed a smile to form upon hearing her. How he had missed her voice… He had missed everything about her in the time he had gone.

"Hi, Mai…" Zuko's raspy voice spoke to her, his grin still present. "How have you been? It's felt like forever since I've talked to you…"

"Yes… It has been." Mai responded, as if stating a fact. Zuko's grin faltered for a bit, but it returned when she continued. "I've been decent I guess… Pretty much the same old, same old around here. So… boring as always…" She sighed.

"Sounds better than the day I've had…" Zuko groaned, a hint of anger returning to his tone. "This new school is terrible, Mai! This whole town… I'd rather be bored with you back in the city than remain another minute in this place." He vented.

"Even with you know who around?" Mai questioned, though her tone sounded rather uninterested. But then again, her tone always sounded like that.

Zuko sighed, rolling onto his side on the bed, keeping his phone to his ear. He was unsure of how to really answer that question at first.

"I… just wish none of this had to happen." Zuko spoke lowly, avoiding her question but remaining honest. "I miss you, and Ty Lee, and mother… and everyone. But he's just made things so… so…"

Zuko cut himself off when he thought he heard a yawn on the other end of the line… Was Mai… yawning? Right now?

"You tired?" Zuko frowned.

"Sorry, Zuko…" Mai apologized, stifling another yawn. "I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night. Was just about to take a nap before you called me."

"Oh… I see…" Zuko sat up, now sitting on the edge of his bed. His voice held a hint of disappointment in it, but tried to be understanding. "Do you… need to go?"

"I probably should…" Mai's response was immediate, allowing another yawn to slip through. "I'll talk to you later, though, okay?"

Zuko exhaled through his nostrils, his eyes closing in disappointment. It had been too long since they had talked, and now here they were going to have to cut it short.

"Okay… Talk to you-" Zuko heard the call disconnect after his 'okay'. "-later…" Zuko pulled the phone away from his ear, before sighing.

Tossing his phone onto his nightstand, Zuko stood to his feet, more angry than ever before! He had tried to open up about his problems just then. He needed someone to confide in… But now it seemed he had all but run out of options!

'Maybe it was a stupid idea anyway…' Zuko fumed. 'From now on, I'll just keep things to myself… and save everyone the trouble.'

After all… who would want to listen to him prattle on about his personal problems anyway? That's why they were called 'personal'. They were his own problems, and no one else's… So he would deal with it on his own.

He had dug this hole, and now he would figure out a way to dig himself out of it.

Opening his bedroom door, Zuko began to march down the stairs, which Iroh heard clearly.

"Where are you going?" Iroh questioned, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Out back…" Zuko stopped at their back slide door, which was made of see-through glass, save for the curtains that gave the house some privacy. "To let off some steam…"

Sliding the door open, Zuko went into the back yard, before closing it shut.

Iroh looked on with a frown, before he stood up. He was just about to offer Zuko some tea, but had not reacted quick enough. Stepping up to the slide door, Iroh moved the curtains to the side a bit, as an orange glow met his eyes.

"Hah, AGH!" Zuko cried out, a large fireball shooting from his fists with each punch he threw at the air. The Firebender was using one of the basic forms his Uncle had taught him, since he wasn't able to ever get down the advanced forms yet.

His uncle had told him that he was 'too quick to anger' and 'too impatient'. Ironically, this reminder only made Zuko angrier, as he punched the air with more ferocity, mixing in a kick or two every now and then.

Maybe his uncle was right… maybe he was too quick to anger, but so what! He had every right to be! Especially with the way his life was going now…

All of these problems… very personal to him. They were slowly beginning to drive him to madness! And he could only rely on himself to deal with them…

Zuko had stopped keeping track of the time almost immediately after he began this 'training session'. Or at least, that's what he preferred to call it. All he knew was that eventually, he got too tired to Firebend anymore, and he finally took a breather.

With some deep breaths, Zuko briefly stretched his limbs to sooth his sore muscles, before he walked towards the back door to go back inside.

At the very least, he did feel a bit better after letting out his anger.

Sliding the door open, Zuko saw his uncle standing in the kitchen, before turning to face him. But wait… who was he with?

"Feeling any better, nephew?" Iroh asked him, to which Zuko could only give a silent nod.

Moving towards the stairs, Zuko was stopped by his Uncle's voice again.

"Hold on, Zuko… We are in the presence of company. You have a visitor."

Listening to Iroh's statement, Zuko's interest now overtook his desire to escape to his room again. What did he mean 'visitor'? No one ever visited him…

"Hey, Zuko." A familiar voice greeted, catching Zuko off guard as he turned around.

"Aang?" Zuko's firm demeanor softened for a moment, greatly surprised.

"I just came over because I wanted to explain everything to your Uncle. You know… about what happened." Aang admitted, before the man sitting next to him put a hand on his shoulder.

"I appreciate what you did for my son, Zuko…" Gyatso smiled in the scarred teen's direction. "Aang always tells me about having problems with that boy, yet no matter how many times I report it to Long Feng… it never seems to get fully resolved."

Zuko didn't know what to make of the praise at first, before his softer expression returned to a firmer one.

"It was nothing…" Zuko responded genuinely, not believing his involvement to mean that much.

"No it wasn't…" Aang grinned. "That was unbelievable! I didn't know you were a Firebender."

Zuko flinched at that, before looking away. It only confirmed once again that everyone knew who he was now… and where he came from.

And in very unfriendly territory…

"I didn't know you were an Airbender…" Zuko threw the statement back at Aang. "An Air Nomad, sure… but not a bender."

"Yeah. I am…" Aang confirmed with a nod. "My Dad taught me everything I know about Airbending!"

Gyatso chuckled, before rubbing Aang's head teasingly.

"And you're a natural too! You'll probably be even better than me one day…"

"Well I don't know about that." Aang spoke with some uncertainty, but Gyatso wasn't having it.

"I know you will…" Gyatso smiled, even Iroh having to grin at the warm scene, taking another sip of his tea.

Zuko's shoulders began to slump as he observed this display between Aang and Gyatso. Once again, his firm expression was replaced by a softer one. But this one was more… upset and longing. Perhaps even envious.

Why couldn't his own father be like Aang's?… Why couldn't his family just be normal instead of… whatever it was now?

"So, Zuko. I-" Aang paused upon hearing Zuko march up the stairs. "Zuko?"

The sound of a door shutting was heard, which caused Aang to frown. Was it something he said again?

"As I said before… Zuko's history is a… complicated one." Iroh frowned, temporarily sitting his tea down, before sliding two more steaming cups of tea to Aang and Gyatso. "There is a reason why we moved here… to Gaoling."

Gyatso frowned, sipping the tea he was given.

"Say no more… I understand." Was the monk's response. "Aang and I are quite the rarity in Gaoling as well. Normally all you will see are Water Tribe or Earth Kingdom denizens… But I suppose that's what this country is known for, is it not? Its diversity?"

Iroh sighed, before picking his tea back up.

"It certainly used to be…" The older Firebender lamented. "But lately, I feel the divide has grown worse and worse…"

"I've never understood it…" Aang admitted with a sigh. "All my friends are from different cultures, and they're great! Why does the Fire Nation get the hate they do?"

Iroh's frown remained, unsure how to respond at first. But eventually one found him.

"It may have something to do with my brother… Ozai."

"Ozai?" Gyatso's eyes widened. "The former police chief of Gaoling is your brother?"

"Well, police chief of Capital City now…" Iroh corrected with a nod. "But yes, his career in law enforcement continues…"

"Who's Ozai?" Aang questioned, before Gyatso and Iroh exchanged glances. "I mean… I know you said he's your brother and a police chief… But what could he have done to cause such a divide between so many people?"

"I believe… we should not pry if we don't need to, Aang…" Gyatso put a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Yes, Dad… I understand." Aang sighed, though his curiosity still ate at him… He wanted to know…

Why were so many people afraid of Zuko at school just because he was a Firebender? Why was he so hated?

Why were those from the Fire Nation hated around here in general?

"Besides…" His thoughts were interrupted by his Dad's voice, as he smirked at Iroh. "I believe we have a game of Pai Sho to play."

"'A game?' As in just one?" Iroh teased, the positive energy now returning to the room.

"Impossible."

Aang forced a grin, glad to see the two men getting along so well. His Dad often did bicker about not having any good friends close by to talk to, and now it appears he had gotten his wish!

And Iroh appeared to share Gyatso's fascination with Pai Sho as well! Or, well… he took it back. It was less of a 'fascination' and more of an obsession.

Looking up the stairs where Zuko had gone, Aang felt his smile disappear once more. He couldn't… place it about him. Iroh mentioned how his past was complicated and personal. That part he understood.

He also understood that it was most likely the reason for why he seemed so… down all the time.

Well, that and because Gaoling wasn't exactly the most welcoming of anyone Fire Nation, an opinion that Aang and Gyatso vehemently despised. They were accepting of any culture, never generalizing an entire group of people. They preferred to view a person on an individual level, and on a personal level.

Never would they agree with what the politicians in Gaoling's local government were saying, about how those from the Fire culture were 'irredeemable savages'. Gyatso seemed to have more of a grasp on the history for said divide, but Aang… simply had no idea.

He had never really bothered to learn why, since he and his friends got along great. But ever since Zuko came along? He had to wonder just what the big deal was…

"I'm gonna head on back, Dad." Aang stood up.

"Are you sure, Aang? You are more than welcome to join us for Pai Sho if you wish." Gyatso responded, to which Aang shook his head.

"Sokka, Katara and Toph are coming over in a bit to hang out. I hope that's okay." Aang told his father.

"Well, just be careful. And have fun." Gyatso smiled, as he and Aang embraced. Upon letting go, Aang stopped at the front door, before looking up at the stairs.

"You think Zuko would wanna go?" Aang questioned Iroh.

"You could certainly ask him…" Iroh smiled at the Airbender.

Taking a breath, Aang quickly went up the stairs almost naturally, as was his Airbender nature. Maybe some time out would do Zuko some good? After all, Sokka and Toph already knew him. He would still have to introduce him to Katara, but he was sure she'd be cool with it.

Lying in his bed, Zuko thought about sending another text to Mai out of boredom, but then remembered her wishes about taking a nap. Zuko sighed, as he sat the phone down again, moving his fingers through his hair.

He was just so bored. But even worse… he felt alone. It had become almost routine to curse his life and go into a state of self loathing, but honestly? Who could blame him?

Just reflecting on what happened today… he was certain that tomorrow wouldn't be any better.

More nightmares and bitter memories of his father… More Long Feng… And now? Likely more judgement from everyone else now that they knew he was a Firebender…

A sudden knocking at his bedroom door snapped the Firebender out of his thoughts.

"What is it, Uncle?" Zuko called out, but immediately cursed himself when he had. There's no way those were his uncle's knocks… They were too light, too quick… too energetic.

"It's… not your uncle. It's me, Aang." Zuko heard the Airbender's voice on the other end of the door.

The scarred teen groaned, before putting a pillow over his face. Now he couldn't even pretend that he was asleep…

After not hearing a response for a bit, Aang continued,

"Uhm… well, I'm having my friends over in about a half hour so that we can hang out. You remember Sokka and Toph?"

Zuko continued to listen, allowing the pillow to slide off of his face, but still remained silent.

"Well, Sokka's sister will be there too! Her name's Katara. You haven't met her yet, but she's really nice! And she's a Waterbender! Pretty cool, huh?" Aang continued to make conversation with the door separating them.

Zuko sat at the edge of his bed now, but allowed his silence to continue and take over. Maybe the Air Nomad would take the hint and go away.

He wasn't interested in new friends… He already had his old ones that he had known for years.

"Well, anyway…" The scarred teen heard Aang sigh, probably getting worried over the silence. "You wanna come hang with us? I don't mind, and I'm sure they won't either. It could be fun."

Zuko's expression softened, as he took this into actual consideration. Would it really be that bad? I mean… he was already bored out of his skull… And it would be better than having to listen to two old men play Pai Sho over and over.

But then his old mindset returned to him, reminding him that it would be a bad idea. He didn't need new friends, and he didn't have to try anything new. When the school year was over, Gaoling would be nothing more than a distant memory…

He would wait for Mai to wake up, and he would talk to her instead.

"Zuko?" The Firebender heard the Air Nomad question again, followed by a defeated sigh. Zuko sighed in slight relief when he heard the retreating footsteps, knowing that he could now be alone.

It wasn't that he had anything against Aang… It really wasn't. But he was already tired from practicing his Firebending outside, and he had his own agenda in mind for the evening.

Probably a minute or so later, Zuko heard another knock at his door. Could he really have come back to try again?

But no, those didn't match the knocks of the Airbender. These knocks belonged to his uncle.

Without waiting for a response, the door to Zuko's room opened, and Iroh entered with a stern expression.

"What, Uncle?" Zuko questioned.

"There is no reason to show such rudeness and hostility, my nephew…" Iroh scolded.

Zuko's eyes widened, before he stood up, sounding agitated.

"'Hostility'? Wanting to be left alone counts towards hostility? You should see those people at that backwards school! Especially that so-called 'principal'! Then you'll know who's truly the rude one around here."

Iroh sighed, as Zuko turned his back. It was about time they had this conversation.

"Aang spoke to me earlier, as you already know…" Iroh began. "He claims that whatever physical altercation you got into at school was not initiated by you, and that you came to his aid. I am not angry or upset at you for that, Zuko…"

Zuko took a breath, before sighing, closing his eyes with his back still turned.

"But why, nephew? Why are you so hesitant to show our neighbors an ounce of kindness or compassion?" Iroh asked him. "I know that you struggle with letting others in, but I am not asking you to do that… Not right away. All I am asking you to do is try… Try to experience new things. Meet new people… I met Gyatso only yesterday, and now here we are, drinking tea, playing Pai Sho, and having a really good time."

"How am I supposed to 'have a good time' with my father always in the back of my mind?" Zuko finally turned around. "Who's to say he won't try something else? No matter where I go, people judge me based on my mark…"

The scarred teen rubbed his hand over his left eye, before allowing his arm to fall.

"Ozai did this to me… for no other reason besides I was protecting my mother from him." Zuko clenched his fists. "And now not only do I have a permanent reminder of that day on my face, but so does everyone else… Whenever someone new meets me, that'll always be the first thing they notice… No matter what-"

Iroh caught Zuko by surprise when he wrapped him in an embrace. Frozen for a moment, Zuko didn't know how to respond, before he too returned the gesture when he felt tears threaten to stain his face.

They remained that way for a good several seconds, before they finally separated, Iroh looking into Zuko's eyes; gold meeting gold.

"That scar will never define you, my nephew… The mark that my brother left on you is his own doing, and is not your fault…" Iroh wiped a tear off of Zuko's face, as the scarred teen handled the rest of them. "You are afraid to let others in, because you feel alone. You are concerned that they will leave you in your most crucial moments, when it matters most."

Zuko forced his eyes closed. He kept his silence, but knew that Iroh read him like a book… As he always did.

"Go and find Aang across the street. Take him up on his offer…" Iroh smiled, deciding that Zuko had at least gotten enough of his point. "And have some fun. Who knows, maybe you'll make some new friends that you can relate to."

Zuko sighed, still not all that sure about this. But if it would make his uncle happy, then he guessed he could give it a shot.

Besides, now that he thought more about it… it did beat just laying in bed all day.

"Okay, Uncle…" Zuko conceded before grabbing his hood, slowly walking past the older Firebender and down the stairs.

Iroh allowed himself to smile once more, as he followed behind him. Seeing the front door close shut, Iroh and Gyatso exchanged looks, the older Airbender appearing very curious.

"How did it go?" Gyatso wondered, as Iroh sat down back in his seat with his smile unfading.

"I think my nephew will really enjoy himself… Even if he doesn't want to admit it yet."

Gyatso couldn't help but chuckle at his comment.

"I sure hope so. Aang really seems to like him so far."

"Well then…" Iroh smirked after taking another sip of his tea. "Shall we continue?"

With his burgundy colored hood drooped over his head, Zuko inhaled sharply, taking in the cool outdoor breeze, before shoving his hands into his pockets and walking across the street.

He wasn't feeling all that good about this… and quite honestly, he was sure things would just be awkward now. But if it would make his uncle happy, he would… try to show hospitality for his Airbender neighbor.

All of this was just so new to him… These different cultures were far from easy to figure out. Some of them could be half decent like Aang and his friends, while others could be total jerks, like Long Feng or Jet…

Then again, the same could be said for the Fire Nation… Ozai was the jerk of all jerks! The worst father in the history of fathers!

Zuko took a breath, trying to push that aside. He didn't need to think about that right now… He was just gonna hang out with these guys for a bit, and that's it. Nothing big…

Slowly raising his hand up to the door of Aang's house, Zuko sighed one last time, before allowing himself to knock on the door.