June tossed a chunk of meat towards her companion who greedily chomped on it. She went up to the beast and cuddled its giant head, patting its long snout. "Who's my little snuffly-wuffly?" She turned back to the others, her expression meaning business. "Okay, so who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?"

Katara gave her Aang's staff and June held it up for Nyla, the shirshu, to sniff. The beast went in circles around them a couple of times, sniffing continuously around the path, the air, and the trees. After a couple more steps, Nyla lay flat on the ground, holding its clawed paws to her nose.

"Well? What does that mean?" Zuko crossed his arms over his chest.

"It means your friend's gone." June replied simply, patting Nyla comfortingly.

Toph placed her hands on her hips. "We know he's gone. That's why we're trying to find him!

"No, I mean he's gone gone." The bounty hunter stood up. "He doesn't exist."

Identical expressions of confusion and fear were painted in their faces. Is Aang dead? Is he in the Spirit World? What did it mean when June said that he 'doesn't exist'?

Sokka was the first to ask their questions. "What do you mean Aang doesn't exist?! Do you mean he's... you know... dead?"

"Nope, we could find him if he were dead. It's a real head-scratcher." June approached Chiyo and patted the top of her head lovingly, much like she did with Nyla. "I guess I'll see ya when I see ya, little one. If ever you need an escape from our cage, find me."

"Is there really no chance in finding Aang?"

"If Nyla can't find her, I doubt anyone can." June hopped on the beast's saddle and took the reins.

"Wait!" Zuko stopped them before they left. "I have another idea!" He climbed on Appa's saddle to retrieve his belongings. He rummaged through a bag and pulled out a single sandal. "There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord. My uncle."

Everyone's fingers automatically went to pinch their noses as Zuko approached. "You saved your uncle's sweaty sandal?!"

Without June commanding Nyla, the beast lunged forward to sniff the strong scent of the sandal. After a good long whiff, Nyla dug her paws through the dirt, waiting for June's permission to chase. "Alright, let's do this."

Not wasting another second, Nyla set off with June. The others hastily got back up on Appa to follow them.

"So how exactly is the mole lady your auntie?" Sokka asked Chiyo as he set up the sleeping bags for Toph and Suki. They had agreed to take turns in watching over their journey.

"All I can remember is that she was an entertainer as well who lived in our troupe quarters, but she ran away when I was very young." She pulled the cloak around her tighter, shivering from the cool evening air.

Zuko moved closer to her, taking her hand and rubbing it between his own. "You're freezing." He focused his chi onto his palms and let some of the heat flow through her hand.

"Did you at least wipe your hand after touching that foul sandal?"

"Hey! I did!"

"Fine." She smiled and sighed happily at the warmth of his hand. "I do still envy your firebending. I never really did like the cold."

He smirked and placed his arm around her. "Don't worry. I can heat you up anytime." Zuko leaned in and added in a whisper. "All you have to do is ask."

They rode all through the night and all through the following day, occasionally stopping for a few minutes of rest and meals. By afternoon, they could see from the distance where Nyla was taking them.

Ba Sing Se.

June halted Nyla once they were by the rubble of the outer wall. "Your uncle's somewhere beyond the wall, Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far." She pulled the reins and turned the shirshu around. "Remember what I told you, Chiyo. If you want to leave the cage, find me."

"Yes, Auntie June."

She turned to the others and gave them a rare smile. "Good luck."

Zuko watched as they left before looking beyond the ruins of the outer wall. Somewhere out there was his uncle. Was he ready to face him? Can he face him after his betrayal? "It's been a long day. Let's camp and start our search again at dawn."

A few hours into their rest, they were disrupted as bright flames surrounded them, leaving them no means of escape. They looked around for the source and found four old men standing above the mountain of rubble. "Well, look who's here!" One of the old men snorted in laughter.

Katara and Sokka's worry turned into smiles upon seeing who it was. "King Bumi!"

The fire dissipated and they went down to meet the young ones. Katara went forward to introduce them to the others. "These are great masters and friends of ours!" She clasped her hands together and bowed. "Pakku."

He reciprocated the bow. "It is respectful to bow to an old master, but how about a hug for your new grandfather?"

"That's so exciting!" She ran into his waiting arms while Sokka stood in shock. "You and Gran Gran must be so happy to have found each other again!"

"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything!" Pakku beamed at his grandchild.

Sokka had recovered and rushed to hug him. "Welcome to the family, Gramp Gramp!"

"You can still just call me 'Pakku'."

"How about... 'GrandPakku'?"

"No."

Katara introduced Zuko to the older firebender. "And this was Aang's first firebending teacher."

The man bowed in front of the former prince. "My name is Jeong Jeong."

Zuko had heard stories about him, the Deserter, a former admiral of the Fire Nation Navy. He bowed in greeting of him. "It is my honor to meet you, sir."

"It's nice to see two of my best students here tonight." Piandao smiled lightly as he saw Sokka and Zuko.

Suki, Chiyo and Toph stood a few paces behind, wondering how and why a waterbender, a firebender, an earthbender, and a master swordsman are together. "So how do you all know each other again?"

"All old people know each other, don't you know that?" King Bumi answered vaguely as he laughed.

"We're all part of the same ancient secret society. A group that transcends the division on the four nations."

Suddenly it all made sense to Zuko. "The Order of the White Lotus."

"That's the one!"

"The Order of the White Lotus has always been about philosophy, and beauty, and truth. But about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important."

"It came from a Grand Lotus." Pakku turned to Zuko. "Your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation."

"We'll take you to him—"

"Wait a minute!" King Bumi interrupted Piandao. "Someone's missing from your group. Someone very important..." He squinted his eyes as he looked around. "Where's Momo?"

"H-He's gone." Sokka answered. "And so is Aang."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh well, so long as they have each other, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Let's go!"

It took them almost an hour before they reached the encampment on foot. Several tents were clustered about the plains of Ba Sing Se's outer wall. Only a few people were milling about on night patrol and making sure that everything was secured.

"Welcome to Old People Camp!" King Bumi cackled as he led the way.

Zuko looked around. "Where... Where is he?"

"You're uncle is there, Prince Zuko." Piandao pointed to the farthest tent in the encampment.

He approached the tent as the others were shown to a place where they can rest for the evening. Hesitation and fear gripped him as he stood in front of the tent. Several questions and thoughts ran through his mind, so much that he couldn't take another step, choosing instead to sit on the cold hard ground and wait for him to come out.

Chiyo sat next to him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Are you okay?"

"He hates me. I know it. After what I did to him in Ba Sing Se, how could he forgive me? He loved me and supported me in every way he could, and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?"

She reached forward and placed her hand on his cheek, her thumb running across the rough edges of his scar. "You speak of him like he is your real father. And somehow, I know that he loves you as a father does to a son. He will forgive you. I know it. I can feel it."

Zuko leaned into her touch, his eyes closing. "Can you stay with me while I talk to him?"

She sighed and shook her head. "I believe this is something you have to do by yourself." Chiyo stood up and helped Zuko to his feet. "You can do it, Zuko." She smiled and kissed his cheek before leaving.

He gathered his courage, took a deep breath and pushed the curtains apart. "Uncle?"

His call was met with the familiar loud snores of his uncle who was sleeping soundly in his cot. Zuko couldn't help but smile at how peaceful Uncle Iroh looked.

Not having it in him to disturb his sleep, he sat by him on the floor and waited.

Chiyo walked around the encampment as her thoughts took flight. "What did Auntie June mean by that cage? Was it the troupe? Why did she run away in the first place?"

As far as she could remember, she enjoyed, loved even, being an entertainer. Her fondest memories were mostly of her and Lady Suiren training, dancing, learning new skills and mastering several of the arts.

She couldn't imagine a time when she wanted to quit performing.

"Was there?"

"Lily?"

Chiyo whipped her head around and her eyes widened. She nearly broke down in tears as she saw a familiar face amidst strangers. "Kai!" She ran and threw her arms around her old friend.

His emerald eyes sparkled as he laughed and hugged her back. "It's so good to see you again, Lily."

She pulled away and smiled. "I'm not 'Lily' anymore. I'm Chiyo!"

"You'll always be Lily to me." He brought his hand up and ruffled her hair affectionately.

"What are you doing here? I figured you'd have gone back home..."

"I was about to," Kai led her to a campfire and they sat down on a flat boulder. "Shortly after you left, Fire Nation soldiers marched in and took hold of Ba Sing Se. I escaped with the other refugees and that's when I saw Mr. Gou helping out the elderly. Did you know he's a journeyman for the White Lotus?"

"I didn't." She shook her head. "All he ever did was eat and play pai sho back at the eatery."

"Oh, and did you know that Mr. Mushi isn't actually Mr. Mushi? His real name is Iroh. And even if he's from the Fire Nation, he's kind and awesome." Kai laughed and stared into the fire. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. "You know, I never got to apologize for that day, when you came to warn me and I just stood there. And all I could think about was how you were from the Fire Nation." He sighed and took her hand, looking into her amber eyes. "I'm sorry, Lily."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Kai." She smiled, glad that everything was settled between them.

"Can I tell you something honestly?"

"Always."

He gazed at her, hesitation in his eyes but he pulled through. "I-I still mean what I said that evening, that I... I like—"

"Kai!" Sokka waved energetically as he and Suki joined them by the fire. "I was wondering where you were, buddy!"

He stood up shook hands with Sokka and Suki. "I'm glad you guys are here. The more there is of the resistance, the better. I have to thank you as well for taking care of Lily."

"So we're back to the Chiyo-Lily debacle again?!"

The sun had risen on the day that marks the passing of Sozin's comet. Iroh woke up from his slumber and sensed someone was with him in his tent. A sly glimpse of the visitor surprised him as he saw his nephew sitting on the floor. He pretended not to notice him and stretched his arms over his head, releasing a loud yawn.

"Uncle..." Zuko called out, unsure where to start. "I... I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know, I am so, so sorry, Uncle..." His voice broke as tears fell from his eyes, finally baring his emotions.

And just like that he was back to being a kid in front of his uncle, needing his guidance and love. "I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did! I-I don't know how I can ever make it up to you, but I—"

Iroh grabbed his nephew's shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug. Zuko's tears were mirrored in Iroh's eyes as he held his nephew, his son, close.

"H-how can you forgive me so easily?! I thought you—you would be furious with me!"

"I was never angry with you." Uncle Iroh said, clutching him tighter. "I was sad... because I was afraid you had lost your way."

His uncle's words stung his heart. "I did lose my way."

"But you found it again." Iroh pulled away, looking proudly at Zuko, every bit like how a father would praise his son. "And you did it by yourself. I am so happy you found your way here."

"It wasn't that hard, uncle." He said as he was pulled yet again into another hug. "You have a pretty strong scent."

Iroh wasn't going to argue about that. He chuckled and stood up, pulling his nephew with him. "Come on, let's go have breakfast."

"Uncle," Zuko smiled giddily as they exited the tent. "I have a surprise for you."

Chiyo handed out bowls of stew to everyone as they sat on the clearing. After she was done, Kai patted a spot next to him for her to sit on.

"Why do you have two bowls? Are you that hungry?"

She laughed. "No silly! The other one is for Zuko."

"Who?"

As if on cue, Iroh and Zuko joined the rest of the group "Look, uncle! She's alive!"

Iroh glanced over, breaking out into a smile once he saw the apprentice. "Little Chiyo!"

She gasped as she finally recognized him. Indeed he wasn't Mr. Mushi from Pao's teashop. He was the kind man who gave her tea when she was gravely ill.

Lady Suiren's old friend.

"Uncle Iroh!" She set the bowls down and ran towards him.

He caught the young apprentice in his arms and gave her a tight hug. "I am so glad you are alive, little one!"

"Why does everyone keep calling me 'little'?" She mused with a laugh. "I'm sixteen years old!"

"Whether you are sixteen on sixty, you will always be our little Chiyo! Now, let's have breakfast! My heart may be full from all the reunions, but my stomach is famished!"

Chiyo took Zuko's hand. "Let me introduce you to my friend!" Zuko's eyes narrowed as he saw the delivery boy from the Lower Ring. He was unnerved by the way he looked at her and that confident smile as Chiyo introduced him. "Zuko, this is Kai. He and his family helped me after I got into the accident. He also helped me get to Ba Sing Se. And Kai, this is Zuko, he's my-"

"Boyfriend." Zuko finished for her, watching him intently for his reaction. "I'm Chiyo's boyfriend."

Kai extended his hand with a strained smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Zuko. All this time, I thought you were 'Lee'."

Zuko gripped his outstretched hand, tighter than intended. "Pleasure is all mine."

"So... breakfast?"

Author's Notes

Hehehehe...

-TheGreatestConWoman-