Zuko paced back and forth, filled with nervous energy. He had just gotten word that Azula had been captured trying to flee the Fire Nation. Apparently, she tried to steal a ship during a storm, and, not knowing how to sail a ship, crashed into the shore and broke her ankle.

Zuko was trying to think of what to do. He wanted to help Azula. He wanted to give her the support that Uncle gave him during his banishment. He wanted to give their mother peace, knowing that her daughter was home and safe. He wanted, maybe, to even have the relationship that Sokka and Katara had.

Would that even be possible?

The problem was, Zuko didn't see how he could help. He was the Fire Lord. He had a nation to run. Pardoning Azula entirely wouldn't go over well, because she had so much to atone for. And she would certainly try to build support for herself and undermine him.

The problem was, he wanted to help Azula, but he couldn't unless Azula let herself be helped. And how could she do that, when all their life their father instilled in her the idea that accepting help, that even acknowledging a need for help, was a weakness?

Azula would be arriving within a day or two. Her leg would hamper any escape attempts, but Zuko would have to reinforce the guards he will assign to the palace infirmary anyway. He didn't put anything past her.

Sighing, Zuko sat down at his desk and took out a brush and inkstone. Laying out a paper in front of him, he began to write.

Dear Uncle…

0-0-0

It was a pleasant day in Ba Sing Se, and Iroh inhaled the scent of warm tea as he began to open the shop. The simple routine of getting everything ready made him feel complete.

In the dining area, his employee Jin swept the floors. He had hired Jin some time ago, and she proved to be a very capable worker. Iroh remembered when she was a loyal customer at Pao's Family Tea Shop, and he enjoyed her sweet and pleasant company.

A knock came from the front door. "Message for Mr. Mushi!" called the messenger outside.

Iroh made his way over to the door and opened it. The messenger gave him his letter, and went on his way.

Iroh looked at the letter. Surely enough, it was addressed to "Mushi," but it came from the capital city of the Fire Nation. The name in the return address was "Lee."

Iroh smiled and went into his office. Zuko remembered to use their aliases when communicating. Despite the warming relationship between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom, Iroh thought it would be prudent to hide his identity in the city he besieged for 600 days. And it would be very weird for a humble teamaker to be getting correspondence from the Fire Lord himself.

Iroh wondered how Zuko was faring. He opened the letter.

Dear Uncle,

I hope everything is going well for you. Is the tea shop doing well?

I need help. Azula has been captured trying to flee the Fire Nation, and she broke her leg. I'll have some time while she heals, but I am at a loss on what to do with her.

I want to help her. I really want to help her. Our father hurt both of us so much, in different ways, and I want her to be given the chance to heal. The chance you gave me.

The problem is, I don't know how to do it. You spent every day with me, teaching me, being patient with me, helping me up when I fell down. The difference is, you were on a ship with me, with nowhere else to go, but I am the Fire Lord. I have so many responsibilities. I don't know how to be there for Azula.

I'm not sure it would be a good idea to try and ask our mother to fulfil that role. I'm worried that Azula will turn violent if I try. She already has dealt with hallucinations of our mother before, and I don't want to unbalance her already delicate mental health.

If there is any advice you could share with me, I would be extremely grateful. I know she's hurt me and so many others, but she's still family. I just want to help her, like you helped me.

I hope everything continues to be well with you,

Sincerely,

Your Nephew,

Zuko

Iroh put the letter down and sniffed. He rubbed at the tears that slid down his cheeks.

Zuko was such a good man, trying to help Azula even after all she had put him through. He was a good man seeing the wounds Ozai had inflicted on her. And Iroh felt shame, shame that he never really noticed Azula's pain like he had noticed Zuko's.

Of course, Zuko literally wore his pain on his face. But Azula was just a child too, a child warped by war and an evil man who molded her into a tool for his bidding.

Now that they were no longer fighting for survival in the Earth Kingdom, Iroh felt he owed it to his niece to be there for her. He was about to pen a letter when he heard a knock on the door.

"Yes?" he called.

Jin opened the door and made her way into the office.

"I noticed we were low on ginger, would you like me to run and get—Mr. Mushi! What's wrong?" Jin looked at him with genuine concern.

Iroh wiped some more tears from his face and looked at Jin. "I just got a letter from my nephew. Some family troubles with his sister."

"Is everything okay?" Jin asked.

Iroh sighed. He didn't want to lie to Jin, who was an absolute sweetheart. He also knew he couldn't reveal everything right now.

"I wish I could say yes, but it isn't so. My niece has always been a troubled girl, and she recently injured herself trying to run away from home. I'm ashamed to say I haven't been there for her as I should have been." Iroh looked at the blank piece of paper he had just pulled out. "I thought I might try and rectify that."

"Will you be leaving?"

Iroh shook his head. "I was actually thinking of inviting her here. I think a change of scenery would be good for her. She doesn't have many happy memories of her home."

Jin nodded. "I would love to meet her."

Iroh smiled at his employee. "You have a very kind heart, Jin. I'll be writing back to my nephew now, so I'd like some privacy. And if you could go restock the ginger, that would be much appreciated."

Jin bowed to him, Earth Kingdom style. "Of course, Mr. Mushi. And… tell Lee I say hi."

Iroh grinned. "Of course."

Author's Note:

Hello! My first try at an Azula redemption! I wonder how she'll react to working in a customer service job?

Reviews are appreciated! Please let me know what you think! :)