D/C: I Own Nothing.

Shout-out to ProudGeek4Ever! Thank you so much for beta reading the Floating White Lotus!

Ginseng Tea

It could be used to reduce inflammations, boost the immune system, fight tiredness and increase energy levels. Not for children , pregnant women or women that are breastfeeding.

Katara and Sokka glanced at each other as Aang talked about the Southern Air Temple. He still had hope that there could be survivors at any of the Air Temples. The siblings both had the same general thought. One hundred years had past since the annihilation of the Air Nomads and no one had seen any since then. Until Aang that is.

-.-

He was dressed in his Fire Nation uniform, sipping badly brewed tea and ignoring the newly promoted Commander Zhao. Ugh, the guy just didn't stop trying to get under his skin. It had reached the point where it was plain sad. He wished Uncle hadn't accepted Zhao's invitation for tea.

Zuko put a stop to his inner monologue. Zhao was outlining the Fire Nation's plan for conquering the Earth Kingdom. It couldn't have been thought through. Only a fool would believe that the Earth Kingdom would fall so quickly to that supposed plan. The only way the Fire Nation would even have a tiny chance at succeeding would be if Uncle helped them. He'd already seen Ba Sing Se. Iroh had told him once that he already knew possible strategies for conquering the city even with the added security.

"Tell me Prince Zuko. How is your search for the Avatar going?"

Zuko allowed a bit of his old self to resurface. Fake bitterness and impatience clear in his voice with just a tint of haughtiness. "Unfruitful." He hated himself for stooping so low.

Then one of Zhao's men walked in to deliver a newly received message. It was about a flying bison.

-.-

Lieutenant Jee kept a close eye on Zhao's men. They were quite clearly trying to extract information from them. It was unlucky for them that the crew of the Floating White Lotus was extremely loyal to Iroh and Zuko. It did worry him though when one of the soldiers found a crate filled with tea sets.

This could very well ruin everything. Jee remained calm and acted like he wasn't eavesdropping. If they suspected anything out of the norm he would-

"Remember that The Dragon of The West is an avid tea drinker. I wouldn't be surprised if Prince Zuko destroys dishes for, spirits know what, reason."

Jee felt himself relax ad he heard his crew mutter about the Prince's temper. He could even hear the cock go onto a one sided rant about Zuko's tendency to destroy anything and everything when he got angry. Say what you want, but they sure knew how to act.

"Sir!"

He turned around and saw one of his men running towards him. It was the one that had been tasked with shadowing Iroh and Zuko. The man was breathing heavily, but still managed to croak out some very surprising news. "Prince Zuko challenged Commander Zhao to an Agni Kai at sunset."

"Oh…WHAT!"

-.-

Zuko didn't care for much since his banishment. For a time the only thing he could feel was anger towards himself, his father and his sister. The only one he hadn't felt any anger towards was Iroh. Uncle took him under his wing when he got banished. It was thanks to his uncle's guidance that Zuko changed to the person he was today.

Zuko had seen red when Zhao began saying unsavory things to the man. Consequences be damned. Iroh reminded him of his last Agni Kai as he got ready to fight.

He only paused for a second as he remembered that duel.

Flashback~

Zuko breathed heavily and glared at his father as he fought against him. He knew he did wrong to question the man's plans, but it had been necessary. That so called plan was based on sending an entire division on a suicide mission. It showed no respect to the soldiers and used them as nothing other than replaceable pawns.

It was for them that Zuko wasn't giving Ozai the satisfaction of watching him beg. That would mean regretting speaking up for all those men that would more than likely still die once he got killed by his own father.

Zuko wished he was born in a different family in another nation. But he held no regrets whatsoever as unconsciousness took him.

End of Flashback~

Zuko took a deep breath and got into a stance as he and Zhao prepared to fight. They waited for the gong to signal the start of the Agni Kai.

Zhao was one of the many people that saw him as nothing more than a bitter, impatient and weak boy who the Fire Lord should have killed three years ago. So when the fight began Zhao underestimated his opponent. Iroh had managed to teach him a thing or two.

It was too bad for Zhao that by the time he'd made sense of what was happening Zuko already had him on the ground. The teen was standing over him with both hands covered in flames. "Do it. Kill me."

"I wouldn't tempt me." Zuko allowed the flames to die out. "Never speak ill of my uncle in my presence again. Next time I won't be as nice."

It was clear who the winner was.

Zuko turned away and walked back to Iroh. Zhao could see the old general smile and give the boy a pat on the back. Then he heard him congratulate the Prince for holding back. HOLDING BACK!

"Let's celebrate this over a cup of tea, Prince Zuko." Iroh congratulated his nephew once more. He looked back to see Zhao gruffly get back up. Iroh gave the defeated Commander one of his well known smiles. A smile with a hidden warning. One that Commander Zhao definitely saw as he quickly left.

-.-

"Where to next?"

"Kyoshi Island. We are set to deliver supplies there."

"You heard the kid. Set sail for Kyoshi Island."

TBC.

R/R.