The day of Lu Ten's birthday, he took Malina out for ice cream after dinner. Cho said she was tired, so she did not join them. Also she was desperate to give them some special father-daughter time. However, she did decide to go for a walk. She went to the hill where Lu Ten first kissed her. However, when she got there, someone was already there. An older man and he lit incense with his fingers before placing them in front of a bit of parchment.

"Happy birthday, my son," he said, and Cho had to stop herself from gasping. "If only I could have helped you." He took a breath, and tears began to fall from his eyes. Then he sang. "Leaf from the vine, falling so slow, like fragile tiny shells, drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy, come marching home. Brave soldier boy, comes marching home."

Cho stepped forward. She knew that this was no coincidence. This was Lu Ten's father, and she was going to bring him to his son. It was time.

"That's a lovely song," she said.

Iroh had stopped crying, and he looked at her.

"Thank you," he said. He stared at the picture some more, a melancholy look about him. "I used to sing it to my son when he was a boy."

"I think I've heard it before too," she said.

"That is unusual for a young Earth Kingdom woman," he said.

She took a deep breath. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Iroh, would it?"

His eyes widened, and he moved away from her. "Oh, no! My name is Mushi! I am but a simple refugee working in a tea shop!"

She indicated the picture. "Then why does your son wear the Fire Nation crown in his picture?" she asked.

Iroh seemed stumped. "You knew who I was before you approached me," he said. "How?"

"Your son," she said, and realized she was choking up. "Lu Ten is my husband."

His eyes went even wider. "That's not possible," he breathed. "Lu Ten died in my senseless invasion of Ba Sing Se years ago."

She shook her head, and she let a tear leak out. "No. He's probably back at the house. Would you like to see him?"

She held her hand out to him, and he hesitantly took it. She led him back to their home, where Lu Ten was playing with Malina. She was standing on his feet and he danced with her around the living room. She giggled and gripped tightly to his hands. Cho opened the door and brought Iroh inside. Lu Ten looked up and came to a very sudden halt.

Malina tugged at his tunic. "Daddy, why'd you stop? We're still dancing!"

He paid her no attention, as he and his father locked eyes.

"Daddy?"

"It's time for you to go to bed, sweetie," Cho intervened, and swept the child into her arms and took her into another part of the house.

Lu Ten was left alone with his father, and it was only a moment before Iroh, eyes filling with tears, yanked his son into a tight embrace. They held each other, tears streaming down their cheeks, but not yet saying anything. It was Lu Ten who pulled away first, but his hands rested on Iroh's shoulders.

"Dad, I-"

"You don't have to say it," Iroh interrupted. "In fact, it is I who should apologize."

Lu Ten gave him a quizzical look.

"Clearly you were under the impression that your own family could not be trusted," Iroh explained. "That is no one's fault but mine. I should have told you long ago that you could tell me anything."

Lu Ten had never felt more ashamed. "Dad, this wasn't your fault," he said. "I should have had more faith in you. I am so sorry for the pain I've caused you. I'm sorry that I have kept myself and your grandchild from you. What I did was unacceptable, and I cannot even ask for your forgiveness. I don't deserve it…I'm a terrible son."

"You are my son, and therefore worthy of my forgiveness," Iroh replied. "I will never ever turn my back on you. I know the reasons for your choices. I only hope to catch up on what I have missed."

"But, you'll keep my secret for me?"

"I will keep it," Iroh promised. "However, I cannot guarantee that your daughter will not feel cheated by you. She has Fire Nation blood in her. She was born with ambition."

"I think she'll be alright," Lu Ten said assuredly. "Malina is a fire bender, and I've been teaching her some since she's showing signs of a real master…well, for her age."

"I have missed you greatly, Lu Ten," Iroh said, and Lu Ten felt a lump in his throat at the sound of his name from his father's mouth. It was not something he ever expected to hear again. In fact, no one had called him Lu Ten since he abandoned the Fire Nation. "We have much to catch up on."

Lu Ten only nodded, and Cho made them tea, while they exchanged stories.

To Lu Ten's horror, he and his father had only a few short weeks to reconnect before the Fire Nation had claimed Ba Sing Se right under the nose of the Earth King. Lu Ten had no idea what had happened, but his father must have been arrested when he went to the palace because Iroh stopped coming to see his son and granddaughter. Then, the Dai Li opened the gates of the city to Fire Nation soldiers. Lu Ten told Malina that she could not practice her bending with the Fire Nation on the lookout, and he went out as little as possible, worried he might be recognized by any Fire Nation nobles or higher ups. Not that many lingered in this part of the city, but he could take no risks. If he were found, he had no doubt that Ozai would have him killed.