I'm very, very, very, very, very, very, very sorry for the long time updating. Needless to say, I've been rather distracted for a while. There were computer malfunctions, vacations, and grandparents to deal with. Yet again, I must apologize profusely. Let's hope it won't happen again. And let's hope you like this chapter...

Chapter Five: Stories and Tea-time Surprises

Iroh raised his cup and took a long sip of his ginseng tea as he watched the sun rising over the ice. Zuko should be getting back soon. He had left three days before, his mood grim but considerably lighter. The old general sighed. Sometimes, Zuko could be just as devious as Azula.

Iroh walked into Zuko's tent but stopped at the sight before him. The young Fire Lord was busy packing a bag for travel.

"Are we leaving so soon, Nephew?" he asked.

Zuko turned and smiled deviously. "No, Uncle. We're not leaving at all. I'm simply going on a little trip."

Sensing there was more behind his nephew's words, Iroh cocked his head to the side and demanded the young man tell him what was going on.

Zuko smiled again. "I've decided just how I'm going to lure Katara away from here."

"And how are you going to do that? It seems to me that Miss Katara is rather…determined to keep herself from the world."

The younger man moved closer and told his Uncle everything. He told his uncle just exactly what he planned. And Iroh had to admit the plan was rather brilliant.

Zuko picked up his pack and walked towards the entrance of the tent.

"How long will you be?"

He turned. "No more than three days." Another smile lit his face. "We'll see you then."

And now the third day had arrived. And Iroh was waiting calmly for his nephew's return. He was getting worried. Katara hadn't left her hut since Zuko left, and had even refused to see the old general, though Iroh couldn't fathom why. He had only offered her some tea and a friendly chat.

A smile lit his wrinkled face. He had, however, met the twins. They were an enchanting pair, with so much strength and kindness in them. And was it any wonder? Despite Katara's protests, Iroh had spent most of his nephew's absence with Sunil and Mitsuko.

Just as Iroh finished his second cup of tea, two figures appeared on the horizon, their faces dark with the sun behind them. But Iroh knew exactly who they were. Smiling, he stood up creakily, a full cup of tea having somehow found itself in his hand.

"Welcome back, Nephew," he greeted. "I see you were able to find him." When Zuko nodded, Iroh handed him the cup of tea. "And you're right on time, too. Here I was thinking that I'd have to be late for story time.

"Story time?" asked the man beside Zuko.

Iroh turned his head and nodded. "Oh, yes. It seems the twins are quite fond of my stories." He hugged the younger man. "It was good of you to come."

The blue-eyed man cast a glare towards Zuko. "It's not as if he gave me much of a choice."

Zuko simply rolled his eyes at the accusation. "After all this time, you still think I have ulterior motives."

"You usually do."

Zuko sighed. "Whatever." He began to move toward his tent. "Set up wherever you like; just don't let Katara see you."

Noting the disappointed look on the young man's face, Iroh said casually, "Perhaps I should bring Mitsuko and Sunil to see my treasures." His eyes suddenly lit up and he clapped enthusiastically. "We can all have tea together!" And with that, he started off towards Katara's village, humming an odd little tune.

"He certainly hasn't changed much."

A ghost of a smile found its way onto Zuko's face. "No. He hasn't."

Iroh stopped outside of Katara's hut and cleared his throat. Loudly. After a moment, he called out, "I'm here to take the children on a little fieldtrip." When there was no answer, Iroh shrugged. "I'll just go find them, then."

Inside, Katara sighed wearily. They weren't going to go away. And she had a suspicion that Iroh had a suspicion about her and the children. Another sigh escaped her. But it wasn't as if anyone could say no to Iroh. He would simply guilt them or confuse them into doing whatever he wanted. Or whatever was right. And Katara was feeling guiltier by the day. How long could she keep quiet about things before it ate away at her.

She stood up suddenly, wanting to call out for Iroh to wait for her but just as quickly changed her mind. She would await a little while longer and if Zuko and Iroh weren't gone, she'd tell them. She'd tell everyone.

A hand snaked its way up to the betrothal necklace at her throat, the same necklace her mother had given her so long ago. "What should I do?" Katara whispered desperately. "I'm so confused. Please help me."

Iroh found them building a giant snow fort. Well, actually it looked as if they were adding onto an already existing structure, but it was hard to tell when the fort looked as if it were a giant hill of snow.

Mitsuko was giggling as Sunil kept falling asleep. Every now and then, Mitsuko would throw a snow ball at her twin brother, her eyes flashing in delight as he jerked awake.

"Are you ready for more stories?"

At the sound of Iroh's voice, the twins jumped from the top of their fort, eyes wide and alert. In the few days they had spent with the firebender, the twins had grown to lover his stories. And they were always eager to hear more.

Delighted, Iroh held out his hands. The two latched onto him like lightning, their faces fazing up at him adoringly. The sight touched him and for a moment, he said nothing. And then he began his story, this one more familiar to him than any other.

"There was once two lovers, who loved each other more than life itself. But their love was not meant to be. For you see, their families would not let them see each other. But, as their love could not be denied, the two ran away to the spirit world, declaring that they would not return until they could see each other once more. The spirits of the moon and sun took pity on the two lovers, knowing how painful it is to be separated."

Mitsuko tugged on Iroh's hand, her golden eyes shining. "The moon and sun loved each other, too?"

Iroh smiled and gave a small chuckle. "Yes, they did. when the spirits saw Savitri and Nilam, they took pity on the two lovers and promised they would be together forever. And that day, as the sun set and the moon rose, the ocean was set ablaze, allowing the lovers to become one."

"That's nice," Sunil said quietly.

"Yes, but it was not meant to be. In death they were separated once more, one to live during the day, the other to live in the night. Only twice a day were they permitted to touch one another. When night and day blended into one, as they had blended, they met and could hold one another once more."

"But Uncle Iroh! That can't be what happened!" Mitsuko exclaimed, pouting. "Everyone knows that the prince and princess are 'posed to live happily ever after."

"Ah, but there was a prophesy, you see, told by the greatest of Seers, as there is always a prophesy concerning two such great lovers. 'The price in death was paid, so that the two who loved lived a lifetime as one. In death they are parted, but for a moment when night becomes day and day night, until two of such like are made whole.'"

"So did they ever get to live happily ever after?" Sunil asked, sharing a concerned look with his sister.

Iroh smiled. "Of course. A prince and a princess met and fell in love and released the two lovers from their spell."

"And did they live happily ever after, too?"

Iroh was silent a moment and then shook his head sadly. "I don't know. Their story isn't quite finished yet."

"Will it ever be finished?"

At Sunil's question, Iroh looked off into the distance and sighed. "Only if they want it to be, I suppose." And then he smiled down at the children. "But hopefully they'll most definitely get their happily ever after. Now, come. I have something exciting to show you."

The twins grinned brightly. "Will we get tea?" they asked enthusiastically.

Iroh laughed. "Of course!"

When the trio entered Iroh's tent, they found a kettle of tea ready and waiting for them. The twins squealed with excitement and ran over to the tray, eyes bright. "What kind of tea?" they asked Iroh.

The old general crossed the room and lowered himself onto the cushions before answering. "Ginseng, of course."

"That's our favorite!"

Iroh paused in pouring the tea. How intriguing. "Well, it's my favorite as well," he confided before pouring the rest of the tea. "It's so soothing."

"Well it certainly isn't mine, Uncle."

Sunil and Mitsuko stared at the entrance as Zuko entered. After a moment, the two children jumped up and tried their best to bow. Though their attempts were failures, they managed not to spill their tea.

Zuko laughed. "Please, sit down. You don't have to bow." He smiled at them and then half turned back towards the entrance. "Listen. There's someone who wants to see you."

The twins, who had already plopped back down onto their cushions, immediately jumped back up, still managing to keep their tea in their cups. "Who? Who?"

The flap to the tent lifted and for a moment the twins stood in shock. And then they squealed, running forward. Their teacups lay forgotten on the ground, their contents already spreading on the packed ice.

"You're here, you're here, you're here!" the two cried in unison, jumping up and down. "You're here!"

The young man laughed and then picked up the two squirming children. "Of course I am. I haven't seen you guys in what, a month?" He locked eyes with Zuko as the twins shouted their answers. "Thank you," he whispered.

Zuko nodded. His plan was beginning to take shape.

So, how was it? Please review, even though I don't deserve it for taking so long to post. Please?