Title: Searching
Word
count: 283
Rating: PG for alcoholism
Challenge: #65: Half
Sick of Shadows
After Lu-Ten died, Iroh had been haunted by the shadow of his son's death. Everywhere he went, he saw his son's face. But nothing could change the separation between them.
He had invaded the Spirit world to try and drag his son back. That had failed miserably, leaving Iroh a broken man.
He had tried to find solace in the bottom of the bottle. Alcohol numbed his mind and made him oblivious to the pain. He was half-sick of shadows and fully sick of regret.
Iroh had forced himself into isolation. In cold dark rooms, he tried to hide from the shadows of his dead child. He would creep through the palace at night, trying to settle his mind.
It was on such a walk that Iroh thought he heard his son's footsteps. He had ran through the palace to the training room. Perhaps his prayers had finally been answered?
Sadly, it was his nephew, struggling through a difficult set of moves, moves that Azula had mastered a year ago. He had snuck out of bed to keep training.
Hanging over his head was the spirit of Lu-Ten, watching over his unseeing cousin. Iroh was shocked to see his son's ghost there, looking so peaceful and happy.
"Hello Uncle," the boy said shyly, looking up. "I almost mastered this new move." As he spoke, the shadow smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I can tell. I'm very impressed. Zuko…come visit me in the morning. We'll have tea," Iroh whispered as the spirit faded away. "Then we can walk in the garden and I'll help you practice. But first, can you open the window and let the moonlight in? There's too many shadows in this place."