When Worlds Collide
Chapter 2
"Well, hello there, fellow brotherin!" the leader of them spoke in a raspy voice, holding his banjo.
Iroh motioned his hand in a small wave, "Hello. That's wonderful music you were playing there," he simply complemented.
"Oh, uhh... Thanks." There was a small pause, "Who are you?"
"I'm I-" he paused for a minute, remembering not to say his real name. "Isaac."
"Ok... Who's your friend over there?" He pointed to Zuko.
Iroh looked back at Zuko for a moment, "Oh, that's just... Lee. He's my nephew." He turned in Zuko's direction, "Well, are you going to come over or not?"
Zuko just stood there, his arms folded. He shook his head, "No."
Iroh gave him a blank stare, "Ok then, Lee..." He turned back to the hippies yet again, "Sorry, Lee's just stubborn. So... Do you know where we are?"
"Well of course I do!" He paused, looking around, "Uhh..." He spread his arms out, "We're here!"
Iroh gave a look of complete stupidity to him, "Ok then... Then who are all of y-"
"Are you headed to Omashu?" One of the hippies cut him off, "We can take you there!"
Iroh thought for a moment, "Well, not exactly. But Omashu is on the way to where we're headed. I'd be thrilled to have you lead us there. Thank you."
"Well, let's get going then!" They all turned, walking off, playing a song.
"Come on, Lee. We need to move on now." He followed after the crazy hippies.
Zuko whined, "Noooo..." His voice sounded much like that of a whiney five year old. He slowly followed after them, his arms still folded, his head slightly hung.
There was little talk amongst them as they walked, still singing the song. Zuko had decided to walk with his uncle, walking behind the hippies. After they'd finally stopped, Iroh was the first to speak. "May I ask what song it was you were playing? Something about a, uhh... Secret cave?"
"Uhh, yeah. It was about the cave we're going to go through to get to Omashu. I always forget the last part of it, though."
Iroh nodded solemnly, "Ohh."
After about thirty more minutes of walking, they stopped before the enormous entrance of the cave. The female member of the hippies spoke, "Well, here's the cave. The Cave of Two Lovers. To get through it, you must trust in love. Or die... According to the curse, that is."
"Heyyyy... I just remembered the last part of the song!" He played a small part of the song on his banjo, "Or diiiiiie..."
"Curse? What curse?" Inquired Iroh.
"Oh, you'll find out about it while in the cave." Replied the girl.
He gave a nod, "Seems simple enough." He followed the group as they walked into the cave, then looked back at Zuko. "Coming?"
Zuko stood frozen in his tracks, shaking his head back and forth.
"Awe, why not? This could be fun!"
"Because... Love? I have no need for it anymore."
Iroh sighed, "Zuko..." He made sure the others were out of earshot when he said his name, "Don't worry, and doubt you have to do anything... Well, ya know... Mushy..."
"Fine... I will go, but only because I have no clue where to go at the moment..." He slowly followed after his uncle and the hippies.