Chapter 8: Iroh's Story

The gaang were continuing their short journey back to Ember Island and not a word had been traded between anyone. They had sat in complete silence looking up every so often to catch each other's eyes, staring back at one another before looking away again. But not even Iroh could say something wise nor could Sokka or Toph make any humorous remarks, or have a fight over nothing with each other. The silence was uncomfortable, awkward and for some, unbearable.

Varieties of thoughts were racing through their minds that reflected on the day's previous events. They couldn't have possibly killed anyone...right? They couldn't bare the fact of being murderers, even if it was the fire nation. They'd have the burden living with them for the rest of their lives.

The late afternoon began to get cold, a southerly change coming through, which was a change from the typical warmth of the crisp sun, especially as they were near the fire nation where it was humid all year round. The icy wind blew against the faces of the kids and Iroh that sent shivers down their spines as they crossed the vast ocean. Katara subconsciously inched closer to Zuko, feeling his inner fire heat radiating off him that extracted warmth for her body to heat up, tingling her skin. Of course Katara had been used to the cold at the South Pole, but Zhao had taken her parka and she had no track pants either, she was left with a simple blue and white top and skirt, which didn't do much to help protect her from the cold.

The gaang shivered as the wind howled and eventually the silence was broken. "Aang-," Katara started with a low, husky voice. Clearing her throat, she started again with a more confident voice and asked worriedly, "Aang, do you think it's a good idea to be heading back to Ember Island?"

"Why? Somehow I don't think we have many enemies to be worrying about at the moment," Aang responded with a half-hearted laugh, which did nothing to help lighten the mood.

"They could be on our trail right now," Katara said, urgency showing through her tone as her voice got louder and panicky.

"Well I-" Aang started but was interrupted by another voice. "For Agni's sake Katara, Aang did his weird Avatar power thing and went all ka powie on their asses, I don't think they'll be on our trail anytime soon," Top said, grinning happily.

"If I know anybody, it's my sister, and she can bounce back from anything," Zuko inputted grimly.

"Yes, my niece is quite the persistent one," Iroh told them a little darkly.

Aang sighed, "Well let me just say I don't think she'd be coming anytime soon. And anyway it wasn't her who found Zuko and Katara so she probably doesn't even know we were here."

"Ok, well for now we will stay here, I need to start teaching you firebending," Zuko said ending their conversation.

As they found their way back to Ember Island they all sat down exhausted. With a loud sigh Sokka suggested indicating to Zuko and Katara, "Well why we're all here, why don't you tell us what happened to you two."

Zuko and Katara shot glances at each other and began to tell their story. Starting from when they were on the beach, to Zuko's pearl dagger, the pirate's attack and the lies. As they retold their stories, there were questions and gasps in between. Then they turned to Iroh to hear the retelling of his story, listening intently.

"Well, when we were all at the Crystal Catacombs of old Ba Sing Se,-" Katara and Zuko shot an embarrassed look at each other as Iroh continued. "-as you know Prince Zuko-" Zuko whispered under his breath, "Ex-Prince." "-took sides with you but unfortunately when my niece hit Aang you all had to get out of there. As you saw, I tried to fight them off but you only saw them beginning to overpower me. With Azula occupied with what she thought the Avatar's death, I was free to hold them off with my breath of fire, because Azula was obviously going to take me back to the palace and lock me up."

"I followed the tunnel that Aang had made such a good job of and headed back out into Ba Sing Se. I tried to catch you before you went, but I was too late and you had already left on Appa. So I wandered the streets of Ba Sing Se until I came across a place that had the sign of the White Lotus painted on its door. Naturally, I knocked on the door and all of a sudden I was out cold."

"Yu Yan archers," Katara muttered hatefully.

"Yes, it was Yu Yan archers and I didn't see it coming. The next thing I know, I woke up with a terrible pain in the side of my temple and found that I was in a metal cage lined with bars. It was on a cart in which three Ostrich Horses were pulling with three fire nation men riding them. There was no possible way that I could get out and so I just waited for something to happen."

"I must have fell asleep because what I saw, in what I thought was a matter of minutes but must've been hours, I was on this island. Of course I knew this island well and couldn't mistake it for Ember Island. My confusion and suspicion grew even more as my small, metal prison was carted onto a ship. But not just any ship, Prince Zuko's ship. I was there for a bit less than a day when it started to move."

"So I started to put the pieces together and gathered I was being sent back to Azula. And, I was right. And you all pretty much know the rest from there. Zhao didn't ask many questions, he gave me tea and I had a game of Pai Sho with some of the men, so I wasn't bothered. I knew what was coming at the end of the journey, and it wasn't going to be good."

There was a short pause as the gaang took it all in until Zuko said, "Well you got it lucky. We had hardly any light source or ventilation in the room, we were fed terrible food and our drinks were filled with Chi Block. Why didn't they put Chi Block in yours?"

Iroh looked at Zuko kindly and smiled, leaving Zuko's question unanswered. Zuko growled in annoyance and Katara laughed at Zuko's typical attitude.

Ok, ok, well...I was only meant to have one more chapter but I thought I'd do Iroh's story. There will be a sequel! I just hope the story keeps going as well in it. I'll give you more info about it next chapter. Exams are starting Monday and my Drama is more often so chapters will be slowing down a lot.
Please note that this is not related to the series. Things are different! It's my fic so I'm changing stuff, so you'll have to go along with the new stuff =P Zuko didn't join Azula & Azula didn't take Iroh as prisoner. Hope you enjoyed! R&R. Your input will be taken into consideration!