Chapter Two
Zuko and Uncle
Prince Zuko walked down the long corridor to the prison cell where his uncle was being kept. He could not believe that his uncle was a betrayer to the Fire Nation. When he reached the cell door he slid the view hole cover aside. "How are you Uncle?"
Iroh didn't reply to Zuko.
"Look, you brought this upon yourself. How could you betray the Fire Nation like you did? You attacked me and Azula," Zuko said.
"It is you who are the betrayer my nephew. I thought you had changed. You even let the Avatar's bison go. I thought you were different now. But I was a fool to think that. All you wanted was honor from your father. Well congratulations! You have it!" Iroh said angrily.
"How dare you speak to me in that tone of voice-"
"How dare you betray me Zuko! I was beginning to feel like I had a son again! That is what you became to me! These years we were away I stuck by you. I loved you Zuko. Now what connection we had is gone. There is nothing left," Iroh said.
Zuko didn't know what to say. Part of him was very angry and at the same time the other part felt sorry for what he had done. His anger over came him though... washing away any feeling of sorrow. "The Avatar is dead. I have my honor back," he said finally.
"No Zuko, you have no honor. It was not you who killed the Avatar. I know because I was there. It was Azula. I should just tell the Fire Lord the truth and you can be in this cell instead of me," Iroh said with a sigh.
"Uncle if you hadn't betrayed Azula and I like that you could have shared in this glory!" Zuko said.
"There is no glory in killing the Avatar Zuko... none at all. Your father only wanted the Avatar dead because he was scared. Your father is nothing but a scared little child who wanted another child killed just because he was scared," Iroh said.
"What right have you to speak about my father in that way?" Zuko said.
"He is my brother Zuko... I have the right to say whatever I want about him. What are they going to do? Throw me in prison?" Iroh said.
"You could have had better Uncle... you could be out here right now being celebrated," Zuko said.
"Do you remember when the Jasmine Dragon was opened in Ba Sing Se? You were so happy then. Now..." Iroh chuckled. "Now you are unhappy, even with your honor restored you are unhappy. What happened to the Zuko from then? The one who didn't care what happened," Iroh finished.
"I came home and was welcomed back with great applause and acceptance," Zuko said.
Iroh sighed. "You shame me Zuko... just leave me be," he said.
"Fine. Good bye Uncle," Zuko said and slammed the view hole shut.
Iroh sat there, now staring at the wall, a tear sliding down his cheek. "I love you... my nephew."