Okay, chapter two was an immensely tough chapter to write. It was just gut-wrenchingly emotional, not a lot of action and a lot of detective work. The next chapters will be easier and a lot more fun. I also want to state before the world that there is a discussion of a controversial nature. I do not express my opinions on the issue through the characters and am only writing what I think the characters would think. Under no circumstances am I preaching on the issue or expressing solidarity with one side or the other. So no flames!

The next chapter is halfway written, just as sad but we get to meet Zuko! Special thanks to Khazia, Sarah and Firebend, my three angels of writing who are amazing people. This chapter is a result of your greatness! Since I can't answer your reviews here, I posted answers in my live journal. The address is www. livejournal .com/ users/ dungeonwriter / 8520.html Hope you enjoy this chapter! Leave a two word review if you don't have time, but at least tell me what you think!

Hope On Fire

The sun was still hot, but Iroh found it unable to warm him. It had been two days since Hanae had died and Iroh was no closer to finding the Lost Prince. His hand reached for his usual glass of sake till he remembered he had sworn off drinking till he had solved this case. He needed the use of his entire alcohol soaked brain.

He studied the evidence he had collected on his desk. He had made a model of the procession, marking the place where everyone had been at the time of the attack. The first thing he had noticed was contrary to popular belief, this had not been an Earth-bender attack. Although Ozai and the other nobles had confirmed seeing people wearing green and brown at the top of the gorge, Iroh had found traces of blasting jelly everywhere. It was an assassination, guaranteed to take out every member of the Royal family in one fell swoop. This has been planned well. Had Iroh gone to greet his brother, he would have been dead as well. This had been an inside attack, as no one besides Ozai and Iroh of the order given.

Iroh had questioned all the nobles and had made sure his soldiers guarded them as to insure no messages could leave or enter the camp. But which noble had tried to take out the royal family? It had to be someone close to the royal family. He had narrowed down the list to the following suspects.

Count Minamoto had lost two sons in the war and he was known to have a grudge against the royal family for not choosing his younger sister Michiko as a bride for one of the two princes. Yet, the count was also known as a honorable man. Iroh could not see him behaving in such an underhanded manner.

Baron Nihonbashi was next in line to the throne, being the great-great nephew of Fire-Lord Souzhen. Iroh had to admit he had a good motive to kidnap the baby prince, he was the child's guardian should something happen to his parents and Iroh. He had always been so loyal to the Fire Throne, but power was often worth the price of betrayal.

Chamberlain Kyo was another suspect and a distant relative of the royal family. He was known to have significant influence within the court and he would do anything for more power. His family had a grudge against the royal family for three generations, when two young ladies of the court had tried to be the first to bear Fire Lord Souzhen an heir. Iroh's grandmother Shan-Wen had born a son and was made a Queen. Zhao's great-grandmother had born a daughter and had been hurriedly married off to a civil servant. The family had never recovered from the loss of power. Kyo and his young son Zhao were famous for their ruthless methods. Yet, they had no way of seizing power without an army and chaos was not good for government officials. Unless they had planned to turn Zuko over to the Earth Kingdom for a large bounty and watch the Earth Kingdom pillage the disorganized fire kingdom.

Yet, he did not have enough evidence to pin it on any one of the three. He didn't dare accuse people on a crime this severe unless he wished to be responsible for their deaths. This left him helpless to fulfill the promise he made so long ago. He remembered….

General Iroh sat in the beautiful garden, trying to clear his mind. The flowers were so vivid in the sunlight. He imagined Lien would have loved them today. He had ordered this corner planted just for her, filled with her favorite plants. He supposed her spirit was still here. Iroh had found spirits too, and plenty of it. He was surprised he was still able to run an army on the amount of alcohol he drank. He hadn't been in the royal palace for at least two years now. He had to admit, he hated being here. So many painful memories were pressed into every crack and crevice, memories that had been the highest points of his life and the lowest dregs of his existence. He had only returned for a few days to discuss some plans for an invasion of the port city of Shenzhen. With any luck, he would be back to his troops in less then a week.

"Iroh?" a lilting voice asked. Iroh rose to find his beautiful sister in law standing at the edge of the garden. Iroh had to smile at the sight of his usually willowy sister in law, who now looked like she had swallowed an entire watermelon whole. Her usually trim waist ballooned out with the swelling of new life. She waddled over to him, obviously tired.

"Lady Hanae! You look…beautiful," he said, rising and bowing deeply. He could not believe the changes motherhood had done for the wife of the Fire Lord. Hanae, usually so elegant had abandoned the formal kimonos and was now wearing a simple shift, which allowed more space for her enormous belly. Her once elaborate hair style had been abandoned for a simple bun on the top of her head. Iroh was amused. Hanae's proud nobility had faded to nature.

"I look like a Komodo rhino, Iroh. Don't lie to me. It is good to have you home. I haven't seen in you in so long," the future mother said, giving Iroh a radiant smile. Despite Iroh's hatred of his brother, the feeling for his beloved sister in law was quite warm. Hanae and Iroh had been friends for years, a friendship bound in blood. Although the majestic Hanae and Iroh's beloved free spirit Lien were completely opposites, they had been close friends as well. It was Hanae who had convinced Iroh on his future courses of action. He would do anything for her.

"How are you feeling?" Iroh enquired, moving over on the bench so that the Lady could sit. Hanae had tried to give her Lord a child for years, but she miscarried early each time. She had suffered seven miscarriages in the last fourteen years. So far, Hanae had managed to carry the baby this far without problems, but each day was precarious.

Hanae plopped down next to him and clutched her stomach. "The little prince is practicing fire-bending in my stomach. Little warrior won't stop kicking me," she continued, her voice sounding weaker then normal. "Besides that and feeling fatter then a sumo wrestler, I am fine. Just a bit tired and always hungry. I've had cravings for the strangest foods. I think I've consumed five pounds of noodles in the last day," she sighed, removing her fan to wave some cool air on her pale face.

Iroh smiled indulgently. "Well, you are eating for two now. When did you last visit the healer? When will my niece be born?" he teased, praying his words would ring true. Nothing would please him more then seeing Ozai forced to hand his throne over to a female. It would serve that blaggard right.

Hanae's golden eyes narrowed as she stroked her belly. "Ozai needs a son and heir, you know that. I want to give him this. Even though he doesn't want to risk me, it's our duty. I will not allow some mere harem wench to have the honor of giving my love the heir he requires," she said in a firm voice. Iroh knew that Hanae had seen to it that the harem that was every Fire-Lord's privilege went nearly unused. It was amazing how a slim woman untrained in fire-combat could hold her own against Ozai, a Firebender even Iroh acknowledged as supremely talented. "I wish the two of you would get along better. Blood is thicker then water," Hanae continued ruefully.

Iroh nodded. "I agree, and my brother is thicker then stone." He laughed as he ducked a fan thrown at him. Hanae gave him a cold look. "It was just a jest!"

"For your own sake, I will ignore that silly comment. To answer your question, I just returned from Healer Niu and…so far everything is going according to schedule. I should have you an uncle in two months. He'll be born in the year of the Dragon. I find that appropriate," she mused, patting her belly. "Here, feel him kick. He is going to be a great warrior someday."

"Between the two of your tempers in this one poor creature, I find that very appropriate," Iroh retorted. He gingerly patted the large mound of flesh and could feel kicking. He had to admit, he found it marvelous how Agni has designed women to bring forth life like this. A new life was inside her!

"If it's a boy, he'll be named Zuko after your great-grandfather. Lien once suggested the name," Hanae said in a kind voice.

Iroh's lips tightened at that. He knew Hanae meant well, but the topic was still sore to him. He knew it had been years since Lien's death, but Iroh still spent each day mourning for her. "Well, I really must be going. I have to send out some reports. I wish you an easy birth," he said quietly, needing to find himself a good strong glass of sake.

"Iroh, wait. I need something from you," Hanae's weary calm had faded into a desperate look he knew only too well.

"Last time you used that tone of voice with me…," Iroh warned, leaving off the final words. He didn't want to remember that memory, he would need a lot more sake before he could talk about that.

"Iroh…don't be cheeky. I am serious. We are friends, aren't we?" Hanae begged, reaching out a slim pale hand to him.

Iroh sighed and bowed his head. "Of course, of course. My life is at your service. Am I going to regret saying this?" he asked. Hanae had a scheming side to her personality and Iroh knew she would not hesitate at murder.

Hanae's eyes filled with tears. "Iroh…I am frightened. I can't tell Ozai this, I have to be strong for him." Her hand flew to her swollen belly, as she stroked it protectively. "I try not to cry but lately, all I have been doing is weep," she confessed, her entire body shuddering with long suppressed sobs.

Iroh placed his arm around his weeping sister in law and held her close. "It will be all right. This birth will go fine. You will be fine, it's natural for women to give birth. They do it every single day. You will be a beautiful mother, and you will have the most beautiful child in the world. The baby will survive," he assured her. He knew how dangerous child-birth was and hundred of women had paid the ultimate price for bringing new life into the world. Hanae was no longer young, she had past her thirty-fourth year. Yet, she was strong and healthy. She would be all right.

Hanae shook her head, trembling. "It's not that. The pregnancy scares me but not because of the baby. I know he's healthy, I can feel it. I never felt this with the other pregnancies, the others only quickened for a few weeks and died. I'm confident that nothing will happen. No, this baby is healthy. Iroh…I have been having premonitions of death. My death. I keep having the feeling that I am not going to live to see my baby's Agni Shahr," she whispered.

Iroh raised an eyebrow, as he allowed his sister in law to weep into his shoulder. "Why would you say that?" he asked. He wondered if women routinely went insane when they were with child. It would comfort him a bit, though he had a feeling insanity came from other factors. At the word insanity, he shuddered. Both his parents had been insane and he wondered if the family curse would strike him.

"When I was little, a fortune teller told my mother that I was born under the sign of the Cherry Blossom, the Queen of all flowers. I would know the greatest happiness and the greatest sorrows. I would one day be a great Lady. Yet like the cherry blossoms themselves, my life would be beautiful but brief. She told my mother that if I remained childless, I could escape the curse. If I ever bore a child, I would not live long enough to see his first hair cut," she explained. "Ozai forbade me from having children and every time I got pregnant, he would slip me a potion."

Iroh paled. He could not stomach that his brother could be that ruthless as to slip his wife a dangerous potion. He know his brother was capable of treachery but this went beyond his usual actions. Hanae had been able to have children! At that information, Iroh burned with fury. He was truly disgusted with his brother's behavior.

"Don't look at me like that. He just told me a few days ago when I found him trying to lace my drink. He said it was my life or what's in my stomach, and my life mattered more. He confessed everything to me, how he wants me to poison this one too. But I told him we'd put it in Agni's hands. Please don't be angry, he had my best interests at heart," Hanae said quickly.

"But his own children…what my brother won't do for you? So, Ozai will be keeping his hands off this one. Are you sure you just don't want to use a harem girl?" Iroh asked, taking her hand and squeezing it. He didn't need to ponder ethical questions now.

"This child is a piece of Ozai. I want this little life inside me to thrive. I will not allow anyone to touch my husband and live. He is mine, I am his. We are soulmates, we are one flesh and nothing will come between us! " Hanae snapped. Her eyes looked fierce. One thing about Hanae, she was intensely obsessed and driven when she set her mind on a goal. She was as stubborn as stone itself. A second later, a crack appeared in Hanae's strong posture. "Yet I am afraid to die," she confessed, bowing her head in shame. A Child of Flame should not fear death, they should face Agni's judgment of mortality with strength and pride. Weakness should never be shown like this. Yet, Iroh had never been a stoic type and he admired those with the strength to show their emotions.

"Fortunetellers can lie, my dear lady. Forget what she said. You are just frazzled about giving birth. It will be all right. I'll protect you. Ozai will protect you. We would both give our lives for your baby. We love you. I promise, you have nothing to fear besides fear itself. This anxiety is not good for the baby, it will fill the poor thing with angst. You don't want the baby to grow up and be filled with angst and anger…like a certain relative of mine," Iroh assured her, trying to be as comforting as possible. He was also unwilling to forsake an opportunity to take a pot shot at his least favorite relative.

"That's just what I fear. Ozai…he's grown so angry lately. He's anxious about me, he's anxious about ruling the country. He has grown so suspicious lately. Sometimes…he gets into these dark paranoid moods. When he is in them, he scares me. He believes that everyone is against him, he becomes possessive, cruel and jealous. I can always reach the good inside him, but it breaks my heart. It's your father's influence, I can feel it. You don't know what he did to him. Even I don't know the extent of what he did to Ozai but he still has nightmares from it. He wakes up looking so haunted and afraid. And those horrible scars that your father gave him." Hanae's cherry lips pursed with concern as she plucked a flower and put it into her hair.

Iroh recognized that gesture. Hanae was trying to manipulate him into doing something. His jaw tightened. It would not work this time. "I would have known all too well what he went through, but Ozai choose that path for me. Maybe I should be grateful that he was the sacrificial lamb but frankly, I don't think it was worth the price," he admitted grudgingly. He knew his brother had been unspeakably tortured by Father, the torture meant for Iroh, when he had been the heir to the throne.

"At least love him for what he went through," Hanae pleaded earnestly. She was so beautiful and full of life that she could have melted a heart of stone, let alone a heart of sake. Iroh hated how easily Hanae could manipulate him and Ozai to do her bidding, female wiles be cursed.

"Love him? I would have died for him once. Sometimes at night I still dream of the days we spent as children, united. But those times are over, Hanae. I have no more wish to love anything anymore. Love is just a painful excuse to get your heart broken and suffer,"

"I still would die for him. I love him, Iroh. I'd kill for him, I risk my life bearing his child. It's…addicting. Ozai is like my other half, when I am around him, I feel whole. He's…my life," Hanae sighed.

"I really can't see the point of love, everyone you love will either betray you or die. I suppose you are the only person I still care for, sweet sister in law," Iroh said in nonchalant voice.

"I hope you find someone to love again," Hanae said in a kind voice. "It's worth the pain."

Iroh sighed. He had been right, love had been worthless. Hanae's love had lead her to commit suicide and push herself in the way of a rock slide for her husband. She had fulfilled her own prophesy, she had believed her death indisputable enough to cause it. His last friend had been taken from this world. Iroh mourned for himself, and for the kingdom. Hanae had been the last anchor to the Ozai Iroh loved. Now, it would be like living under Father again.

He wondered if the little lost orphan prince was all right. He wondered if the child was still alive. What a sad little world this child would be forced to inhabit, between a father who is half mad, a dead mother and stern tutors who would break the boy's spirit. Iroh's father had been a nightmare, his mother had been an invalid but at leasthe had Ozai. He had a good, earnest, kind brother for at least a few years. This child would have no one in the world.

A knock at the tent interrupted Iroh's thoughts. A young man stood at the edge of the door, his posture conveying a mixture of arrogance and insolence. Iroh smiled, hating the brat on sight. The newly promoted Corporal Zhao managed to give off the aura of a slimy worm, with absolutely no honor to speak of. Iroh had seen the boy beat up younger recruits for their pocket money and throw his father's influence around for personal gain. "My lord General, my father the honorable Chamberlain has sent me to see if I could be of any assistance to you," he oozed, bowing deeply. It was amazing how Zhao could make the simple act of bowing seem insolent.

Kyo was up to something and his toady of a son was here for a reason, a reason Iroh planned to find out. He resisted the urge to have the boy flogged till he talked. Prince Zuko's life was in the balance and frankly, Zhao annoyed him. Yet first, he had to try the diplomatic approach. For now. "How very generous of your good father," Iroh replied, giving him a nod of his head. "You were questioned by my men already, weren't you?"

Zhao's face twisted into a painful smirk. "Yes, sir. Most thoroughly," he said in a smooth voice. Iroh hide a smile, he hoped the boy had resisted and had to be coaxed a bit. "So, have you any new information on the search for our future prince?" the boy asked, walking forward to stand by Iroh as if he was a trusted aide.

"No, but I am devising new ways of getting information and convincing people to remember," Iroh said placidly, enjoying the fear in the young corporal's eyes. He knew he was a suspect.

"Forgive me, great general but you didn't get the order of procession correctly. Baron Nihonbashi was supposed to be here. He's a high ranking noble," he said, moving a small piece of cloth in the colors of the house of Nihonbashi from the back of the procession to the front…a place that had been a few feet behind the Fire-Lord's palanquin. That was also a place where the rocks had fallen especially hard, killing nearly everyone in the vicinity.

"Every single source placed the Baron in the back of the caravan. The Baron was not feeling well," Iroh answered. Why else would the proud Baron Nihonbashi give up his place of honor?

"He seemed fine when I saw him. He was teaching his son Ichiro to fire bend and he managed to have enough energy for that," Zhao said softly. "Ask any of the cadets with me, they'll confirm what I saw."

Iroh stared at him. He distrusted the little brat more and more at every moment. For all Iroh knew, Zhao was trying to place blame on some other party. He had no way of verifying the information and frankly, he knew any member of Kyo's family saw selfishness as a virtue. They did nothing without personal gain. Those cadets that Zhao spoke off would have been threatened into submission and would probably confirm that emus flew if ordered.

"Thank you for telling me. That piece of information should be quite valuable if proven true. Of course a smart young fire corporal like you wouldn't be so foolish as to try and blacken the name of the Baron, who is a powerful man and could have your tongue cut out for such audacity. Your kind assistance is duly noted," he said in an amiable tone.

Zhao paled again, but hid it well. "Anything in service of such a great general," the little sycophant bowed, a bit more humble and aware of the precarious position he was in.

"My greatest thanks, corporal. You are dismissed," Iroh said, pleased that a lesson had been learned. That boy was ambitious, and he'd most likely go far. How sad for the Fire Nation. With monsters like his brother on the throne, and ambitious little cretins like Zhao rising up, Iroh feared for his nation's future.

As if Agni himself had heard his thoughts, who should stride into the tent but the Fire-Lord himself. He shoved young Zhao out of the way, sending the little brat flying into a painful heap outside the tent. He took a moment to glare the frightened boy away before closing the tarp of the tent.

Iroh rose and bowed deeply, taking in everything about his brother. He could see the stiffness in his bearing, Ozai walked like a coiled snake ready to strike. "Have you found anything?" he demanded.

"I've narrowed down the suspects to three people, my lord. I just can't narrow it down any further," Iroh explained, bracing for what he knew would be a storm of anger.

A jet of fire erupted from the candles in the room. "You are weak and useless, you incompetent dolt! Between this and Ba Xing Xe, I don't know why I even keep you alive," he roared, pounding his fist on the table. "Sending that sergeant out instead of coming yourself, as Baron Nihonbashi suggested. He said that it would show unity, but apparently, your loyalty for your lord was nothing compared to your love of lazing, you incompetent oaf!"

Iroh's eyes narrowed. "Forgive me, my lord but if I would have gone, I would have been killed too and there could have been nothing I could have done to help the situation. I am trying to discover the assassin who has plans for all our lives," he snapped. No one could make him lose his temper faster then his brother.

"I should sentence you to an Agni Kai for this. Maybe you should have died, you can't seem to do anything right."

"One moment. Baron Nihonbashi wanted me to come and meet the caravan, not you," Iroh noticed, feeling on the edge of a breakthrough.

"Yes, he insisted that you come and meet the caravan. A lot of good it did," Ozai retorted.

"The rocks slide the moment the sergeant I sent arrived. The blast was meant for me too," Iroh muttered. "I know who it is."

"Who is it? I'll kill him," Ozai answered, his eyes glinting dangerously. "I will kill him with my bare hands, the most long and lingering death I can think of." As much as Iroh agreed with his brother that the Baron deserved a most terrible death, but that would neither bring back Hanae or save the Lost Prince.

"Brother, calm yourself. We need to first know where Zuko is. If the person dies, then we may never find him," Iroh cautioned, taking a few steps away from his irate brother. He knew that Ozai had violent mood swings and his brother was definitely arriving at the end of his pendulum.

"Zuko be damned. I want justice for her! He stole my love, he stole my happiness. He must die!" Ozai howled, letting out another burst of fire. This was getting out of hand, Ozai had to listen to reason.

Iroh stood his ground. "This is Hanae's child, and she will haunt both of us until we find her son. Now, I will go question my suspect and find out where that child is. Unless we recover the prince, the kingdom will look weak," he said, staring up at his taller brother without fear. He had little enough to live for anyway, let Ozai strike him down.

Ozai's eyes glinted. "Summon him and question him in front of me. If you don't get a location for the boy, then I will get it out of him my way," he growled.

Iroh was not phased by Ozai's black mood. It was about time someone stood up to him. "The moment he steps into the tent, you'll incinerate him. Just trust me once and leave this in my hands. Agni knows I've earned the right to some trust," he answered calmly.

Ozai glared at him for a moment before sitting down in Iroh's chair. "For your own sake, I hope you succeed," he hissed softly. He left the threat hanging menacingly. Iroh was almost tempted to call him "Father," but even he would not stop that low. He walked out of the tent and across the camp.

It was raining, slow and gentle. Iroh found it rather soothing, the cool rain falling on the earth, renewing the cycle of life and death. Iroh breathed deeply, trying to compose himself before he did his duty. The Baron was a relative, Iroh would have to shed his own family's blood. It would not be the first time, but it still angered Iroh. Why did family have to turn on each other like this? Why couldn't he belong to a loving normal family and not from eight hundred generations of despots all vying for power?

He nodded his way past the guards by the Baron's tent and gave some instructions to them in a low voice. The guards looked confused but filed in behind him. Best get it over with as soon as possible. He could hear his cousin's voice speaking. "Prince Jen bowed before the Demon Emperor, concealing the magic dust in his hand as he pretended to be a mere clown," said in a soft soothing tone, harmonized with the sound of childish giggles from two other voices.

A pang hit Iroh's heart. Lord Sajja, Iroh's father had never read to Ozai and himself. Why did a good father have to die like this? With a sigh, he opened the tarp. Baron Nihonbashi was tall and handsome, in his middle forties. Flanking him were his two young sons Ichiro and Takuya, sitting by his feet as he told them a story. They looked so happy and cozy. How Iroh hated to disturb them!

"Then what happened, Dad?" Takuya asked, his large brown wide. He couldn't be more then seven years old. He was so young and innocent! Perhaps he was wrong, perhaps he should question Kyo some more. Iroh had to force himself to continue, another young life hung in the balance. He cleared his throat.

The Baron looked up from his scroll and laid it aside calmly. "Children, we have a guest," he said, his voice steady. Iroh studied him to see if any hint of his betrayal colored his features. The noble seemed as dignified and collected as always.

The two boys turned around and bowed deeply. "Good day, General," they chorused obediently. Iroh studied the children's young faces. Takuya's face was a picture of childhood innocence but fifteen year old Ichiro was quite a different story. He was blinking a great deal and a good deal more pale then normal. There was a tightness in his body which wasn't natural.

"We are honored by your presence, General. Might we offer you some tea?" the Baron said, bowing just as deeply.

"Regretfully, I must abstain. Boys, would you go outside so I could talk to your father?" Iroh answered, returning the bow. Ichiro exchanged an almost imperceptible nervous glance with his father before guiding his brother out of the tent. Iroh mentally counted to twenty before turning his glace on the Baron. "I thought it best we spoke alone," he explained.

The Baron showed no fear. "I understand completely. What assistance can I offer my lord general?" he asked, extending his hand in an all encompassing gesture.

Iroh shrugged. "You could tell me where Prince Zuko. That assistance would greatly assist me," he said, just as calmly, seating himself down on a cushion.

Nihonbashi's eyes narrowed. "How would I know that? He's most likely taken by the Earth Kingdom by now," he answered angrily.

"Spare me your stories, Cousin. I'm not seven. There was no Earth Kingdom soldiers. The rocks weren't bent. Blasting gel was used on the rocks at the top of the gorge. I believe you trained in blasting gel years ago." Iroh held his ground calmly.

"And your point is? I was in the caravan, not exploding rocks," Nihonbashi retorted, folding his arms.

"Yes, in the back of the caravan, not your usual place of honor," Iroh reminded placidly, his hand going to stroke his beard thoughtfully.

"I felt ill. Five children can really tire a man out. My lord general, I have no idea why you are making such accusations," the Baron said, his voice growing edgy.

Iroh raised an eyebrow, hating every moment of this mental game of Pai Sho. He sighed inwardly and placed his second piece out of the table. "It was you who suggested to my brother that I come to meet the Royal caravan. The moment the sergeant I sent arrived, the rocks began to slide. Had I been in place and had the Queen not shoved the Fire Lord out of the way, the entire royal family would have been taken out within one fell swoop. You are the one who would have benefited most from that. The evidence is stacked against you. Hence, I am asking one last time. Where is Prince Zuko?"

The Baron stared at him. "I am afraid I can't answer that question," he answered shortly.

"I am therefore afraid that I must make you," Iroh said, snapping his fingers. The doors of the tent. Nihonbashi blanched as his two children were dragged inside. As per Iroh's orders, their hands had been tied behind their backs and a bare hand was around their throats. "I think you should reconsider." He was becoming his father, he could feel it. Next thing he knew, he would find tormenting people amusing. At that point, Iroh would happily drown himself in the largest barrel of sake in the kingdom and hope he never woke up.

Takuya screamed as the hand holding his throat began to heat up. "Dad!" he begged, tears of fright streaming from his eyes. Ichiro wasn't crying out, but he was shaking in pain. His eyes were on the floor, clearly unwilling to torment his father more by allowing him to see his pain.

Baron Nihonbashi rushed forward but Iroh held up one deadly hand. The Baron knew that Iroh could defeat him in combat if he wished. Iroh was unmatched in single combat, only the Fire-Lord himself stood a chance against him. "Unhand my children," he ordered, his voice shaking.

"Where is Prince Zuko?" Iroh repeated, his voice eerily calm as he listened to the sobbing young boy. Iroh had been the sponsor at Takuya's Agni Shahr rite of passage into formal training. He remembered something his relative had said, that the Royal Family had been cursed to destroy each other until the day they would finally escape their demons. Well, that day had not come and Iroh doubted it ever would.

"Please…Lord General, don't hurt my brother. Do what you want to me, but please let Takuya go," Ichiro begged in a choked voice. His eyes were wide with terror as he tried to struggle against his guards.

Iroh was touched by the loyalty the brothers had. He had once had that loyalty to his brother. What a crazy mixed up world this was, that a happy family should suffer. Perhaps they were doing them a favor, Iroh found Hanae's blissful eternal slumber far better then a life of sorrow and struggle. He had promised to avenge Hanae and he needed to save her child. "The evidence is clear. Your father tried to kill me and the Fire-Lord. His plans took the life of the queen. His plans include having my nephew captured. I am sorry, Ichiro but unless someone starts talking, you must all die," he explained, watching the blood drain from their faces. He was only following orders. That was always the defense of cowards and villains.

"Listen, Nihonbashi. All this can't be changed. But I will be willing to spare your lives if you talk. I need Prince Zuko alive. If he is, I can grant mercy. It would mean exile but you'd be unharmed and together. If you have information, just say so," Iroh explained in a sad voice. He was a monster. He would definitely require sake after this. The once proud Baron looked so bedraggled and broken. There was a long pause as he stared at the floor, unwilling to speak.

"Nihonbashi, your son definitely knows something. Don't make me torture him for information. This can end painlessly," Iroh urged, nodding to the guards. The hands grew hot enough for both boys to cry out in pain.

"All right! Prince Zuko is being held on the Island of Kasumi, in Nobu hall!" Ninhobashi gasped, his entire body trembling. Iroh nodded and the boys were released into their father's embrace. Iroh felt a pang of jealousy but ignored it. Could exile with one you cared for be better then a palace?

"I hope for all your sakes that you are telling the truth. If you aren't, I will have to turn you over to the Fire Lord," Iroh said softly. He motioned for the guards. "Lock them all up under my personal protection. You there, summon a ship and my squadron," he ordered. He had a prince to save!