The Avatar Abandoned

Summary: Aang wasn't frozen for 100 years, he wasn't even born in the Eastern Air Temple. He was born into a family of travelling Air Nomads who were living in the Earth Kingdom of Ba Sing Se. However, when he was five, his parents discovered him playing with little figures made of fire; even though he was an Air Bender. Knowing their son could only be the Avatar - the first in over 100 years, they panicked and abandoned him in the Fire Nation, hoping they would never have to see him again.

Chapter Summary: In which Aang gets bored and wanders off, and Uncle Iroh makes some tea and makes Aang almost as confused as Zuko.

Warnings: AU/AR, slash, Zukaang, rating may go up later.

A/N: Thank you my loverly readers for making me so inspired :D What would I do without you? Actually, I'd probably curl up in a corner and cry because no one loves me, but, eh, life goes on. I'm so glad I'm writing so quickly, because it's a mad rush at the moment for coursework and such in school, AND IT'S FINALLY THE WEEKEND! I'll write as much as I can, but I can't make any promises about updating, cause I'm going out tomorrow with mum, looking for prom dresses (Eww. Dresses.) and on Sunday Mike is coming round so I'll be busy all afternoon. :/

I'm still beta searching! No offers? :(

Anyway, thanks to the following people for reviewing!

Karma Roo- It wouldn't be the same without Azula poking fun at him, would it?

Avatard -Hehe, he really is, isn't he? X)

PonyboySlashLove - Zuko is a bit oblivious, but that's what makes it fun. :)

ArrayePL - Thank you!

VixenReborn - No don't do that! Here's the third chapter! It's only been two days since I published it, that's why! But I'm glad to like it so far. :) Hope this chapter is as good as the other two!

Read on for the next chapter!

Aang was lying on his back on the floor, watching Momo fly in circles above him. He was bored. Zuko had left him in here alone about an hour and a half ago, and told him not to leave the room. And he was really bored. He had already explored the wardrobe fully and wandered around the bathroom for a bit. Unfortunatly, there is only so much a twelve year old can do in a room with barely anything interesting to play with before he either dies of boredom or wrecks the place.

Being sensible, Aang had chosen to die. He sighed, flopping his right arm over his eyes.

'Hurry up, Zuko! You said you'd only be gone for five minutes!' Aang groaned.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zuko stormed in, his eyes murderous. 'Useless, absolutely bloody useless!' he nearly shouted, fuming.

Aang sat up immediatly. 'What's up?' he asked, scooting out of the way as Zuko stomped over to the bed, falling onto the sheets, moaning into his hands before sitting up and looking at Aang.

'Well, I was trying to get you a bed, but they can't get one for a few days, as they'd have to get a carpenter to build one from scratch, and they're all bloody useless!' Zuko sighed, calming himself down. 'You don't mind sharing my bed do you? I mean, it'll just be for a few days, until your bed is made, after all,' the teen asked, hoping fervently that Aang would object - sharing a bed might be awkward for both of them, but especially uncomfortable for him, seeing as he might, just be attracted to the younger boy.

Aang coughed slightly, a tinge of pink spreading across his cheeks. 'Well, I, ah, I don't mind sharing, I mean, it's not like we'll be doing anything, is it?'

Zuko had to actually stop himself from groaning and facepalming. 'No, of course not.'

Aang grinned. 'Then sure! Wait, what about Momo?' he asked, his brows furrowing as he thought about the pet he'd had for nearly all of his life.

'He's not sleeping in the bed too,' Zuko said flatly. 'He can have a basket or something.'

'Oh ... okay then ... ' Aang said, somewhat sadly. Then he thought of something that had been bugging him since he first got bored. 'Can I go and explore the Palace?' he asked, his face lighting up.

'What?!' Zuko spluttered, caught off guard at the complete switch in subject.

'Oh, pleeease? I've been stuck in this room for ages and you said you'd only be gone for five minutes, but you were gone for at least an hour and a half and I've got nothing to do!' Aang begged, hating how childish he sounded, but he really was sick of this room.

'I guess ... as long as you don't go down the West corridor ... if you get lost you can always ask one of the servants where you are. Just make sure you steer clear of my sister and my father, okay?' Zuko really didn't want Aang wandering around the Palace on his own, but he couldn't go with him without it looking weird, and besides, he really couldn't be bothered moving from his bed. 'I'll be here when you get back, alright? Just make sure you don't get into any serious trouble,' Zuko said, flopping back on the bed, tugging off the armoured shoulder plates that he usually wore around his home(1).

Aang grinned and jumped to his feet. 'Thank you, Prince Zuko!' he called as he dashed out of the room, closing the door behind him, missing Momo trying to follow him and smacking into the wood. Zuko snorted, and continued pulling off his armour.

----

Aang was well and truly lost.

He had been down this corridor at least five times, but he had gotten to it a different way each time. Or, at least, he thought it was the same corridor. He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. This was getting annoying. He breathed in deeply through his nose and paused. Something smelled nice ... really nice. Aang gave a mental shrug and followed his nose to the smell.

He found himself in a sort of tea room, and sitting in the middle of the floor was a chubby old man with grey hair and a pot of tea.

'So that was what smelled so good ... ' Aang thought to himself.

The man smiled and beckoned the boy in. 'Hello, my young lad, and how are you?'

Aang shuffled in nervously. 'I'm ... kind of lost ... I came in here hoping someone could help me, maybe ... ?' Aang looked hopeful.

'Of course, of course, but first to more important matters - would you like a cup of Jasmine tea?' The man asked, picking up the teapot and refilling his own cup.

'Um ... okay ... ' replied Aang, sliding over to the low table and sitting opposite the old man. Aang didn't really have much knowledge of tea, except for what Bayanai gave him when he went in to her shop.

'Ah, excellent, excellent ... I am Iroh, by the way, and I haven't seen you around here before. Have you only recently come here?'

Aang nodded, taking the steaming cup of tea and sipping it. 'I'm Aang, and yeah, Prince Zuko only brought me here a few hours ago ... I should probably get back soon, he might be wondering where I am, actually ... '

Iroh raised an eyebrow. 'So you are the young firebender my nephew has taken in, hmm?'

Aang spluttered. 'Y - you're Prince Zuko's Uncle? General Iroh? The Dragon of the West?' He instantly felt stupid. Of course it was General Iroh - how many other Irohs would there be around the Fire Lords Palace, even one this big?

Iroh smiled. 'Some call me by those names, yes. You, however, may call me Uncle Iroh.'

'But - '

'No. My nephew has taken you in and made you one of our family. I intend to treat you as such,' Iroh said, draining his cup of tea.

Aang rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. 'Well ... okay ... if you're sure ... '

'I am. So, do you know why Zuko has brought you here yet?' the general asked, not so subtly changing the conversation.

Aang blinked, confused. 'Erm ... to be his servant, he said, instead of killing me. Which I'm kind of glad about, because I would't want to die - not yet anyway.'

Iroh chuckled. 'I meant why did he make you his servant instead of killing you? Not to be cruel, but my nephew does not have the greatest control on his temper. I am sure you are a charming young boy, but Zuko is not the type to be merciful by a persons character.'

'I ... I'm not sure ... I don't know why ... ' replied Aang, scratching his head and he realised he didn't know - and now he was curious about it. He stood, bowing respectfully to the ex-general. 'Thank you for the tea, it was delicious. Do you know how I can get to Prince Zukos room from here?'

Iroh smiled again. 'Of course. When you leave this room, turn left and head straight down and then go through the door at the bottom of the hall. Go through that room and you'll be on the same corridor as Zukos room.'

Aang nearly slapped himself. He had been that close to getting back to Zuko all along?! 'Thank you Gen - er, Uncle Iroh,' Aang said, bowing again, and turning to leave.

'Before you go, Aang?'

The twelve year old turned to face him.

'My nephew does not like many people, and he shows he likes even fewer. You are the first person outside his family that he has ever shown any pure kindness. Head into the future with an open heart and mind, and you will be very happy.'

A confused look spread over Aangs soft features. 'I ... erm ... what?'

Iroh smiled at him. 'Do not worry. You will understand it soon enough,' and he turned back to his tea, pouring yet another cup.

Aang closed the door behind him, puzzling over what Iroh had said. Did Zuko actually like him? Was that why the Prince hadn't killed him when he could have? Sighing, Aang rubbed his eyes. He was tired and just wanted to sleep. His confusion about Zuko didn't help, and he could feel a headache coming on.

Living with Zuko was going to be a lot more complicated than he had thought.

A/N: Sorry about the extreme short/lame-ness of this chapter, but I needed it for plot reasons. :/ Pluss Aang wanted to get out of the bedroom. :) The next chapter will be betterer, I promises! And you know why it will be betterer? Because Aang and Zuko share a bed! :D Yay! And I'll try and get the chapter up to 3000 words because this one barely made 2000 :'( Sorry! But I'm a busy girl and life sucks.

Anyways, review and I will give you sweets! :D