Author's Note: Wow. Ok. People are actually seeming to like this story 0.0 Cool. Thanks, guys. And thanks to those who pointed out my misspelling of Zhao's name.

It didn't take long for them to decide upon a plan that suited both of them. Iroh would board the ship, claiming to be there to take the position Zhao had offered him, and Zuko would sneak aboard and pretend to be one of the many masked soldiers on the same ship. With so many soldiers and the fact that most of them seemed to have been brought together just for this, it was very unlikely that Zuko would be recognized or noticed for being new or out of place. Plan set, it wasn't really a difficulty for them to catch up with Zhao's ship. It seemed that the admiral was waiting on reinforcements. It did take a bit of work for Iroh to cement his place on the ship properly, and Zhao was suspicious about his change of heart, but Iroh was no babe in the waters when it came to deception. He drew on the very real grief he felt while standing on the burning dock to sell his story to the other man. Pirates, he told Zhao. And aren't the best lies based around truths?

Once they'd settled on the ship Iroh and Zuko began searching out their crew. To neither of their surprise, the crew has been separated onto different ships, but the ships are docked while waiting and it's simple enough. This was the most dangerous part of their plan and they were well aware of this. Iroh was fairly certain he knew how the crew will react, they had lived together on a small ship for around three years after all, but it was always a risk. They were lucky though and everything went well. The crew was on board and no one else learned of their plans. It was several days later that the rest of the fleet arrived and Iroh was shocked by its number even as he was called to Zhao.

"This will truly be one for the history books, General Iroh," Zhao bragged coolly as he stared out at the waters in front of his ship "Just think, centuries from now, people will study the great Admiral Zhao, who destroyed the last of the Water Tribe civilization. You're lucky you're here to see it."

Iroh was careful not to let his true feelings on the matter shine through as he replied, though his voice was somewhat scolding "Be careful what you wish for, Admiral. History is not always kind to its subjects."

"I suppose you speak from experience," Zhao almost sneered "But rest assured. This will be nothing like your legendary failure at Ba Sing Se."

Iroh grimaced as Zhao walked ahead, closer to the front of the boat "I hope not, for your sake." And for the sake of the people on both sides. There had been far too much death at Ba Sing Se.

"Tell the captains to prepare for the first strike." It was a dismissal and they both knew it. Iroh chafed at it, for the admiral certainly had no right to treat him in such a manner, but used it as an excuse to get away from the cruel man. As he moved away he let his expression drop to a more severe one. What was Zhao planning? He seemed so confident in this battle, but the Northern Water Tribe still stood strong for several good reasons. And the full moon was almost upon them, meaning they were near their strongest. Zhao must have a good plan if Ozai had sent this many troops under his control for this plan, but for the life of him Iroh could not figure out what it could be. And something was sitting heavy in his chest, warning him that there was something very wrong. He would keep his eyes and ears open for what was going to happen.

Iroh did his best to keep himself occupied as the first strike begins, hating not being able to do anything to protect the people on the ships or in the Water Tribe, but as the sun dipped down he made his way back to Zhao with a word of warning.

"It's almost twilight Admiral," he noted "As your military consultant, I must advise you halt your attack. The waterbenders draw their power from the moon and it is nearly fully tonight. You should wait and resume the attack at daybreak." And perhaps that would give the tribe time to figure something out as well.

"Oh I'm well aware of the moon problem and I am working on a solution. But for now, daybreak it is." Iroh stared at the other man, something akin to horror flaring up in his chest, but he kept his tone even and curious.

"Working on a solution for the moon?" he asked, disbelieving "Unless you plan to wait here until the new moon I can't imagine what you could do for it. And that would take far too much time." Zhao gave him a superior smirk at that, cruel amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Oh I don't think we'll have to wait that long," he drawled with what sounds like sadistic pleasure "I plan to take care of the moon, and their barbaric attempt at bending, very soon." With that he turned away, missing the abject horror that Iroh can not quite hide. He took several long minutes before he could speak in any sort of calm manner.

"I see." He paused, trying to think of what else to say to learn more, but Zhao waved him away.

"Go inform the captains to halt until daybreak." Iroh hid a frown before turning and making his way out, mind racing. He passed on the order before drawing his nephew away so they could speak in private.

"We may have a problem," he told Zuko with a grim frown and is gratified when his nephew immediately straightened to listen, looking worried. "Zhao is talking like he intends to do something to the moon itself. To stop the waterbenders from being able to bend at all." Zuko frowned, looking both confused and somewhat alarmed and Iroh could not help but feel a swell of gratitude that his nephew realized this could be a problem.

"Is it even possible to harm the moon?" Zuko asked, somewhat baffled.

Iroh nodded "It is difficult but possible. And I have heard rumors that a physical embodiment of the moon spirit exists at the Northern Water Tribe and that this is part of why they remain so strong. It could be just a rumor, but..." He trailed off with a deeper frown.

"But it could be fact," Zuko finished for him "It's clearly enough for Zhao to be willing to risk this." A pause before he pressed on, looking pained "And enough for my father to put this many troops into it. They must honestly believe it's possible, otherwise, why would they risk this kind of gambit."

Iroh shook his head grimly "I can think of no other reason myself."

They were both silent for several long moments, looking out at the moon as it rose in the sky. Eventually, it was Zuko who broke it.

"Zhao's insane. And if he believes it then my father is too." It was a grim, certain statement "Attacking the moon spirit? Even if they succeed don't they realize that the Fire Nation needs the moon just as much as the Water Tribes do? And what about the reactions of the other spirits?" He looked at his uncle, somewhat desperately "Tui is the wife of La and sister to Agni. Do they think that the ocean and sun will not draw down retribution upon our nation?" A cold sort of panic crept into his chest. The spirits would be unlikely to only punish those involved. The entire Fire Nation would suffer their wrath, even those who were far from the fight. The Fire Nation was a collection of islands for Agni's sake! And to anger the ocean itself! It was pure foolishness!

"I fear many have taken to disregarding the true strength and dangers of such things," his uncle sighed, shaking his head grimly and Zuko felt another flash of what was close to panic. What could they do? It was possible that nothing would come of it. That Zhao would fail or that the moon spirit was in no danger at all, either because his uncle misunderstood (unlikely) or that there was no way to harm Tui here. But could they truly take that risk? Zuko looked out across the water at the damaged walls of the Water Tribe and a thought crept up on him.

"Someone has to warn them." He barely recognized that the words come from his own mouth and his uncle's startled look shows that he isn't the only one surprised.

"What do you mean?" Iroh asked, sounding somewhat wary.

"Someone has to warn the water tribe of what Zhao is planning," Zuko's voice and expression grew more firm as this thought solidified in him. It felt right. "That way they know to guard the moon spirit, if Tui truly has a form there." He looked at his uncle and sees the fear growing in his gaze. Iroh had always been good at reading his thought process "I need to go warn them."

"Nephew no!" Iroh's tone was sharp, but from fear rather than anger "You're obviously fire nation. They will not listen, they will simply believe it's a trick, a trap."

"I know," Zuko replied grimly "But they'll still become warier of the possibility, watchful. Someone has to go. And it can't be you. You're needed here. To keep an eye on Zhao and try and figure out what exactly he's planning." He could see the naked fear on his uncle's face and it warmed him. Until recently he'd never really accepted how much his uncle cared. Before he could reply Zuko took two steps closer and pulls his uncle into a tight embrace, the first one he had initiated in a long time "It will be alright Uncle. We have to do this."

Iroh had never been more proud in his entire life, but that is far drowned out by the fear that was swamping him as he hugged his nephew back. How long had he waited for Zuko to start truly thinking about others? He'd sometimes feared that Zuko had lost that caring spark, that it had been burned out of him during that Agni Kai against Ozai. Here was proof that it was far from gone, but the price may be too high for Iroh to bear. What were the chances his nephew could survive the trip to the Tribe, let alone survive trying to convince the tribe of the threat? But he could hear the finality in his nephew's voice, he had made up his mind and won't be changing it. So he just held on tight until Zuko stepped away.

"I need to be going if I'm going to have a chance to make it there on time," Zuko pointed out, cheeks slightly flushed in response to the drawn-out affection.

Iroh took a deep, settling breath and nods "I know," he replied before forcing himself to straighten "Let's get you a boat. Once you're on your way I'll inform Lieutenant Jee of the change of plans and have the crew wait for us at a distance for a couple of days." Zuko frowned but knew he couldn't convince his uncle to go with the crew if Zuko himself was going to be out on the ice. So instead he nodded sharply and they made their way to where the lifeboats were stored. As he finished getting the boat ready Iroh pulled him into another quick hug.

"Be careful out there," he said firmly "and remember your breath of fire. It could save your life."

"I know Uncle," Zuko replied, sounding more fond than exasperated as he moved to get onto the boat and start lowering it down.

"Don't forget or pull up your hood! Keep your ears warm."

"I'll be fine!" Iroh was certain that this called reassurance was for both of them, but forced himself to nod and not call down any further advice. Once his nephew was on his way Iroh moved to lean against a nearby wall and close his eyes. Tears slipped down as his face as he took several deep, shuddering breaths and tried to calm his aching, racing heart. Zuko would be alright. He had to be.

"Please," he whispered into the night to any spirits listening "Please protect my son." That was all he could do for now.