Note: I am sorry for the extended leave of absence but I've literally just finished a month of exams and it's been exhausting. To make up for posting nothing here's a longer chapter. Sorry for any plotholes and OOC, it's been awhile since I've watched the show. To make this chapter larger I've joined both Iroh's and Zuko's p.o.v together. Again sorry for the lack of action, I'm ended up making more of a storyline than I intended to. R & R!

Zuko

He could remember being jostled, being carried by large hands, with the change in climate being the only indication to him that they were no longer in the fire nation. A gentle breeze tickled his cheeks as he struggled to open his eyes.

"Zuko please rest, we are almost there."

He recognized that voice, it was warm and familiar. If his uncle was with him then he had little to fear, he concluded before succumbing to the growing pressure in his head.

The next time he opened his eyes, he was greeted to the sight of his uncle sprawled across a chair, mouth hung open as he snored. Rubbing at his eyes, the young fire prince took in his surroundings. Much like the ship he had been on, this room was sparsely decorated.

Hauling himself off the bed, he limped over to the balcony, opening up the shutters. The night was mild as the scarred boy glanced up at the full moon.

"Waterbenders rise with the moon nephew, not firebenders."

Drawn out of his reverie Zuko turned to face his uncle.

"Uncle" the boy acknowledged, smiling before greeting the man with a hug.

"You startled me when I woke up to find your bed empty."

Apologising, Zuko was led back into the bedroom, using his uncle as support. Being ushered back into bed, the prince let out a frustrated sigh.

"Uncle what happened?" he said while gesturing to many bandages that covered parts of his body.

Settling himself back into his previous seat, Iroh looked up worriedly.

"You mean you don't remember?"

Zuko shook his head.

Stroking his beard, the older firebender took on a thoughtful expression.

"What is the last thing you can remember?"

The young firebender looked up at his uncle through his shaggy fringe. "I could hear loud noises, you were all fighting above on the deck and I was just stuck with my arms frozen together" he huffed.

"Zuko, you know Lee only did that because I asked him to, we wanted to keep you safe."

Zuko offered no reply instead choosing to glare at the wall ahead.

"If you don't mind nephew could you please continue on with your story."

He sighed before continuing, "I'd finally managed to melt all the ice away and pull myself out of the holding unit when I could hear loud noises coming closer. I wasn't sure who it was Uncle but I had a feeling I'd have to fight them. The guy came in, dressed as a guard. He had that helmet on" Zuko gestured, imitating the points of their helmet.

Iroh nodded, understanding Zuko's description.

"He was wielding a spear and recognised me. I started to panic. I remembered how you said it was important that no one knew I was alive."

"What happened?" Iroh questioned.

"I… I'm not sure. All I can remember is getting really mad. The guard said something about you and mother. I remember the rage and how hot my body felt. The fire from my fists felt hotter than before. I just remember wanting to hurt him."

Zuko stiffened as his uncle placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Nephew your bending is growing" Iroh smiled. "Your latent firebending is starting to show. We'll have to intensify your training."

Astonished, the young firebender stared at his uncle, as if waiting for the news to be a joke.

"I have to go to a meeting soon, but we'll discuss more about your training once I return. I'm so proud of you nephew" the former dragon of the west smiled.

"Wait!"

Iroh halted in front of the door.

"Where are we?"

"The order of the white lotus headquarters" his uncle replied in a softer tone.

"The order…?"

"For now sleep Zuko. This is a lot to take in. I promise we shall talk about all of this later."

Iroh

Underground beneath the building where Zuko slept, the headquarters of the Order could be found. A series of connected tunnels and rooms ensured that Order business could be kept as secret and discreet as possible. All rooms and tunnels were designed in a way to connect to the most central and largest of rooms, which served as the meeting hall for the council (the most senior and highest ranked of the Order members). Its walls were decorated with a large white banner with the lotus emblem stitched on and lamps that occasionally flickered. A circular wooden table occupied most of the floor space.

"Iroh, it has come to the orders attention that although Zuko may be your nephew he is also his father's son." Fung, an order member dressed in white robes addressed the Grand Lotus.

All gazes fell upon the disappointed expression of their leader.

"Shame on you."

The startled order members looked on at Iroh in confusion.

"Shame on you all!" Iroh reprimanded as he stood up. "There's a young boy whose only crime is the man he has the misfortune of calling his father. You judge the son for the father's sins?" He called out to each member sitting around the table. Some became ashamed at his words.

"He has been raised by a monster!" Fung exclaimed.

"Ozai played no parent part in Zuko's life I assure you. I raised my nephew as my own and I can testify that he is pure of heart. He has no ill intentions, no desire to take after his father's footsteps."

"That is all very well dear friend but what shall we do with the boy?" Bumi, a member known for his eccentrics questioned.

"We'll train him; mould him into a man worthy of uniting the people and ending this war."

"I don't trust him! He's Ozai's spawn!"

"ENOUGH!" another member exclaimed, slamming her fists onto the table. "Fung, the Grand Lotus is right. We need his nephew. Who would quell the people of the fire nation? If we are to bring an end to this war and stop any further attempts then we need someone trusted to rule over and lead the fire nation. Zuko is not only royalty but with our guidance he will become a peaceful and just leader."

"I second this" Bumi interjected before Fung could offer his rebuttal. "We are thinking of the future Fung, we need the youth" Bumi said, smiling at Iroh toothily.

"I am pleased to have your support" Iroh replied. "Now to move on to other matters, if our sources are correct it seems the fire nation had launched an attack on the Southern Water Kingdom."

"What's the damage?" Bumi questioned.

"They've taken most of their waterbenders and their chief, Hakoda as prisoners."

"Any news from Pakku?" a member named Piandao inquired.

"None whatsoever" Iroh replied solemnly. "It seems our friend in the North still holds on to his grudge against the South. If things continue as such I may have to pay him a visit."

Zuko (1.5 years later)

Releasing a series of aggressive of fire kicks and punches, Zuko stood panting, watching as his uncle dodged all but the last combination. He watched as his uncle pulled himself off the ground and began to dust his clothes down.

"Agghhhh!" Zuko cried out in annoyance.

"Calm down nephew! You have much improved."

Sweeping into a crouched kick Zuko released an arc of fire that his uncle was successful in blocking.

"I said enough Zuko!" his uncle reprimanded. "If you are so eager to train then I believe Piandao would be more than happy to practice your broadswords with you."

Shrugging his robe back on, Zuko bristled with anger. "Broadswords?" he spat. "At least I've managed to master one thing."

Iroh sighed as he glanced at his sullen nephew. Placing a hand on Zuko's shoulder, he gave the younger firebender some advice.

"It is not about strength or power but about the end goal and the fight. You will get there soon enough, I can see the talent within you but nothing comes without practice and dedication. Just look how far you have progressed in the past year and a half."

Zuko offered no reply.

Iroh sighed once more. "What is this really about Zuko?"

"I want to go on a mission" he muttered loudly enough for his uncle to catch.

"We've been over this Zuko. The Order and I agree you are just not ready yet. Perhaps after I return from my trip to the North we can reconsider."

With no response from the angry youth, Iroh left the training room, bidding farewell to his nephew once more.

Staring at the ornate masks that decorated a section of the wall, Zuko made a rash decision. Pulling a blue and white horned mask down, Zuko picked up his dual dao swords, if the order doesn't think I'm ready yet then I'll have to prove it to them.

Note: I know I've messed up with the age slightly with this timeline but at this point Zuko would be around 14 yrs old.