This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction thank you to LunaStar07 for helping out with my writing and beta reading my work hope you enjoy the next chapter

First I would like to thank all my patient reads and hope you enjoy this next chapter and for all those reading please stay safe out there especially with the virus going around because if you don't stay safe how will you be able to read what comes next

And second I'm so grateful to see so many people favouriting and following this story it becoming one of the top Suki/Zuko paring fanfics which makes me feel so honoured

Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA

Zuko and Iroh remained in each other's arms in what felt like hours, even though only minutes had passed. Iroh didn't want to let Zuko go and Zuko wanted to comfort his Uncle, a man he had not seen in months. They both had so many questions for each other, so much they didn't know about the other's journey. However, those questions could wait until tomorrow. Soon Iroh did finally pull away reaching up to cup his nephew's face smiling to him. "I am glad you are alright my nephew," Iroh finally said as he looked up to the young prince.

"Me too Uncle," Zuko said simply as he saw the exhaustion in his Uncle's eyes. "You look tired, maybe you should rest Uncle... we could talk more in the morning," he said not wanting the old general to overexert himself.

"Maybe you are right," Iroh said his old bones aching a bit as he rubbed his neck. "You should rest too my nephew, you've had a long day as well," he said patting his nephew's shoulder. Before slowly pulling away lingering a bit longer as he got up. "Goodnight Prince Zuko."

"Goodnight Uncle," Zuko said watching as his Uncle waddled over to a few blankets on the floor. Before laying down and covering himself doing his best to rest and sleep. Though his Uncle went to sleep easily, Zuko could not. His mind was elsewhere, his gaze turning to the small window, peeking out at the night sky. This was the first time in so long that he couldn't tell Suki goodnight. The first time in so long that he didn't have his mother's mask at his side. He wasn't sure which made his chest feel so hollow, his heart sinking into his gut. But he knew it was a feeling he didn't want to bare for too long. He needed to get back to her, he needed to find her and knew exactly where to look.

Through no control of his own Zuko's eyes did finally close, his mind drifting off as he slept. He soon found himself dreaming of Suki, to the moment of their first kiss. Their first real kiss by the river. Her hand on his scar, His hand in her hair. That moment where she saw him for who he truly was, without seeing his face. In that moment, he wasn't a banished prince, he wasn't a dishonourable thief, he wasn't even a firebender. He was just him and she was just her, and that was enough. His mind remained in that moment keeping at peace as he slept the rest of the night.

The next morning the sun rose high in the sky, but Zuko didn't rise with it. He remained curled in his sheets trying to remain with his Suki in his dreams. Wanting to linger just a bit longer. However soon as the scent of warm tea reached his nose he couldn't resist his eyes from fluttering open. He groaned as he sat himself up, the sun shining down on his face through the window. He rubbed his eyes clearing his vision as he looked around the shack, but didn't see his Uncle anywhere. Confused he pushed himself to his feet letting the sheet that was draped over him fall as he went to look for his Uncle. But just as he got up his eyes went wide in confusion.

"What the...?" he looked down at his body in shock seeing his once bruised and scarred body, completely clear. He reached out and felt his skin, feeling the smallest indents where his healing scars once were. He then felt his ribs, at first he winced preparing for pain, but he felt nothing. His bones didn't shift, there was no pinching or semblance of pain. Though his body ached, it was mostly from exhaustion. He couldn't explain it. How was he healed? Then it clicked.

"The water peasant... she healed me?" Zuko said completely confused. "Why would she do that?" he said to himself as his mind flashed back to yesterday. Seeing the Avatar and his friends coming to his aid. It still perplexed him even then. "Why would they do that? Did they pity me? Did they look down on me?" he argued to himself. However, he remembered when he helped others, when he came to other people's aid. He never did it because he pitied them or look down on them. he just did it because it was the right thing to do. He immediately shook his head at the thought, deciding he must just be tired and overthinking things. Instead, he listened to the grumbling in his gut, resolving to get something to eat and to find his Uncle instead of dwelling on what happened.

As Zuko left the shack he heard a familiar chirping, making him arch his brow. And as he stepped out he was introduced to a peculiar sight. His Uncle petting the beak of his Ostrich horse, the beast nuzzling into his Uncle's hand. "You went back for him?" Zuko asked alerting Iroh to his presence as he approached them both.

Iroh just smiled as he turned to his nephew, glad to see him up and about. "No, it seems he came all this way on his own," Iroh replied as the Ostrich horse left his grasp to trot over to Zuko. The bird then pressed and nuzzled his beck against Zuko's face. "He truly must be quite the loyal and faithful creature," Iroh chuckled at the affection the beast showed him.

"Yeah, I guess he is," Zuko groaned and tried to push the Ostrich horse's beak out of his face. But then began to stroke and brush the feathered mane calming and easing the bird.

"Does it have a name yet?" Iroh asked curiously.

"It's not mine... it's not my place to name it," Zuko said simply as a silence fell over them. It became a bit awkward as Zuko stroked and pet the stolen beast. "Is there something to eat?" Zuko asked trying to change the topic.

Iroh nodded and smiled. "Yes I made some porridge and tea, I hope I made it the way you like it," he said leading Zuko over to the small fire where the pot and kettle simmered.

Zuko smiled glad somethings haven't changed while they were apart. He joined Iroh sitting across from him as he was handed a bowl and a clay cup. "So Uncle, I've been thinking," Zuko began as he slowly started to eat from his bowl. "It's only a matter of time before I run into Azula again. I'm going to need to know more advanced firebending if I want to stand a chance against her," he said before letting out a heavy sigh. "I know what you're going to say, she's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her," he said ready to roll his eyes.

But to Zuko's surprise, Iroh shook his head. "No, she's crazy, and she needs to go down," he said as he downed the rest of his tea before standing up. "It's time to resume your training."

Once Zuko was finished his breakfast, they made their way over to the cliffside overlooking the abandoned town below. "Lightning is a pure form of firebending, without aggression. It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other firebending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire. It is precise and deadly, like Azula. To perform the technique requires peace of mind." Iroh said beginning his lesson.

"I see. That's why we were drinking tea, to calm the mind," Zuko said as he approached the cliffside looking over the edge.

"Oh yeah, good point! I mean, yes," Iroh letting a chuckle slip before calming his demeanour once more. "There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang. Positive energy and negative energy," he explained.

"Only a select few firebenders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance, and in a moment the positive and negative energy come crashing back together," Iroh then raised his hand representing the two energies separating, then crashing together as he clapped his hands.

"You then provide release and guidance, creating lightning," Then Iroh raised his hand up gesturing Zuko to step back. He did, giving his Uncle space as he watched the old general getting in his bending stance. Soon to Zuko's awe, he watched as lightning poured out from his Uncle's fingertips. The crackling light dancing around him as he swayed and circled his arms. And then he lunged his hand as lightning scorched across the sky, thunder roaring and echoing through the town below.

"I'm ready to try it!" Zuko announces thrilled by the display of power.

"Remember, once you separate the energy, you do not command it. You are simply its humble guide. Breathe first," Iroh instructed as he watched his nephew get in his bending stance. But once Zuko got down in his stance matching his Uncle's movements. There were no sparks, no crackling lightning at his fingertips. And when he lunged no lightning roared across the sky only an explosion in his face. Zuko was thrown back by the unintentional blast.

Zuko growled in anger as he attempted it again and again and again, but no lightning. Each time fire would explode in his face throwing him to the ground. "Why can't I do it? Instead of lightning, it keeps exploding in my face... like everything always does," he says disheartened.

Iroh sighed knowingly as he approached his nephew. "I was afraid this might happen. You will not be able to master lightning until you have dealt with the turmoil inside you."

"What turmoil?" Zuko blurted out in confusion.

"Zuko, you must let go of your feelings of shame if you want your anger to go away," Iroh explained.

"Shame?" Zuko then paused as he started to look off thinking of his shame. The things he had done, the things he had lost. His throne, his country, his failures to capture the avatar, the crimes he's committed, the kill of Akechi. There was a lot he was ashamed of and knowing this he knew learning lightning would be impossible.

Iroh then reached out placing a hand on his shoulder. "Only true humility is the only antidote to shame."

"Well, my life has been nothing but humbling lately," Zuko replied dryly.

Iroh then sighed before stroking his chin. "I have another idea. I will teach you a firebending move that even Azula doesn't know, because I made it up myself," he said watching a small smile grace his nephew's lips. He then guided him to sit as they continued his lesson.

Iroh then picks up a thin branch and proceeds to draw the symbol of the Fire Nation into the loose dirt. "Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy to drive and achieve what they want."

"Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom," he said as he drew the Earth Kingdom insignia then began drawing the symbol of the Air nomads. "The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humour!" Iroh chuckled, but Zuko just arched his brow in response to his Uncle's words.

Iroh then cleared his throat then began drawing the symbol of the water tribe. "Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."

"Why are you telling me these things?" Zuko finally questions unsure of its purpose.

"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale," Iroh explained drawing divides between each of the symbols. "Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole," he finished as he drew a circle around them all symbolically uniting the elements.

"All this, four elements talk is sounding like Avatar stuff," Zuko replied still confused waiting to see the point of the history lesson.

"It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful, too," Iroh said as Zuko nodded in understanding.

"Now first stand with me and match my stance," Iroh instructed as Zuko follows his led. "Water bending is all about fluid movements and circular motions," Iroh said as he swayed his arms creating a pulling and pushing motion with his hands. Zuko matched and mirrored his Uncle's actions. He then started to instinctively remember these same types of moves from the water peasant.

As they continued the motion, Iroh then summoned a ball of fire in the palm of his hands. He now guiding it towards Zuko as he instinctively guides it back to his Uncle. "Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy. A waterbender lets their defence become their offence, turning their opponents' energy against them," Iroh said as they pushed and pulled the small flame. "In order to face Azula, you must learn to turn her strength into your own."

Zuko kept listening to his Uncle's words taking them in as he bent the fire. Picturing in his mind the bending styles he had witnessed. The techniques that were used against him and how they could be used against Azula. "You see the technique I'm about to teach you is one I learned by studying the water benders. To turn your opponents' energy against them. I learned a way to do this with lightning," Iroh said as he continued his lecture.

"You can teach me to redirect lightning?" Zuko said the excitement returning to his voice.

Iroh smiled and nodded his head at his nephew's enthusiasm. "If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it." Iroh then stopped his movements and snuffed out the flame. He then began to demonstrate the new technique. Extending out his arm pointing out two fingers he gestured to it. "You must create a pathway from your fingertips, up your arm to your shoulder, then down into your stomach," he described drawing a route along his body. "The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi. Only in my case, it is more like a vast ocean," Iroh laugh heartedly as he held his stomach. But once again Zuko didn't laugh at his joke.

Iroh then resumed his lesson. "From the stomach, you direct it up again, and out the other arm. The stomach detour is critical," Iroh said pressing his fingers over Zuko's heart. "You must not let the lightning pass through your heart, or the damage could be deadly," Iroh said gravely. "You may wish to try a physical motion, to get a feel for the pathways' flow, like this."

Zuko and Iroh got back in their stances, Zuko doing his best to mirror his Uncle's actions. He slid his fingers along his arm, down his shoulder to his belly, then up and outward. They repeated this motion again and again and Zuko started to swear that he could feel something. The smallest tingle along his skin as he slid his fingers along his body.

"Now, are you focusing your energy? Can you feel your own chi flowing in, down, up, and out?" Iroh asked as he instructed him.

"I think so," Zuko admits but was not sure if it was just in his head or not.

Iroh then smiled up to Zuko seeing his form was on point. "Excellent! You've got it!" he congratulated.

Zuko too smiled with pride. "Great, I'm ready to try it with real lightning!"

Iroh nearly doubled over in shock at his words. "What, are you crazy? Lightning is very dangerous!"

Zuko blinked in confusion. "I thought that was the point! You teaching me to protect myself from it!"

Iroh then exclaimed. "Yeah! But I'm not going to shoot lightning at you! If you're lucky, you will never have to use this technique at all!"

Zuko grew frustrated with his Uncle's words. But then his eyes caught the sight of a storm rolling in over the mountains. He wanted to grab his Ostrich horse and ride off, he wanted to yell on the mountain tops and prove he could do it. But risking his life pointlessly was something he wasn't interested in anymore. Right now he knew what he wanted and he wasn't going to lose sight of it. "Let's just go to bed," Zuko sighed turning to head to the shack.

Iroh was bewildered to hear his nephew say that, but he didn't argue as he followed Zuko inside. They both settling in as Iroh made dinner. Iroh fishing out some food rations from Zuko's saddle. They both sat and ate some of his dried meats and rice.

As they ate a silence fell between them and something on Zuko's mind started to bubble to the surface, unable to stop himself. "How did you find me Uncle?," Zuko asked curiously as he looked to the old man.

Iroh sighed as he looked up to his nephew. "After you left... I did my best to follow after you," Iroh said softly blowing away the steam that wafted from his teacup, before taking a sip. "I know you didn't want me around but... I still wanted to be there for you," he said as Zuko felt his chest twisting at his Uncle's words.

"So I followed, but it seemed you were always a few days ahead of me. I was too slow... and when you truly needed me... I wasn't there," Iroh said his voice cracking remembering the destruction he found, the bodies, the death. His heart shattered each time he knelt to check the bodies, praying each time he didn't turn one over to find his nephew. "I failed you, Zuko," Iroh said tears welling in his eyes.

"Uncle... you didn't fail me," Zuko said shaking his head.

"I did, you faced so much on your own," Iroh replied as Zuko shook his head once more.

"But I wasn't alone," Zuko said to Iroh's confusion. Zuko then began to explain his journey, telling him of the Painted Warriors that he travelled with. The battles they faced, the friendships he's made, the brotherhood he formed with them and also the life he took.

But to Zuko's surprise, Iroh did not look at him with judgement or disappointment he looked on him with pride. In truth, it did break his heart to know the pain his nephew went through, but it also lifted it knowing how much his nephew had grown.

Though Zuko did leave out a few details from his story. He failed to mention that these warriors he travelled with were all women or the relationship he had with their captain. Zuko wasn't really ready to talk about that kind of stuff with his Uncle just yet. He already started to get some idea how his Uncle would react and wasn't really up for him to give him "the talk." Even the idea sent a shiver up his spine.

"It seems you have been on quite the adventure Zuko," Iroh said with a soft smile.

Zuko was surprised at Uncle's reaction surely believe he would look down on him. "I thought you'd be disappointed in me," Zuko admitted.

"Why do you say that Zuko?" Iroh asked curiously as he poured himself another cup.

"Because of what I did... the life I took, the people I hurt, from our own nation," Zuko said still dealing with that regret. Sometimes even now he could see Akechi's face starring back at him when he slept.

Iroh just shook his head. "All that matters is you are safe," Iroh said with a warm smile. "You are a survivor, Prince Zuko. Though you faced many challenges, and I don't doubt that there will be more to come. Knowing that even times of strife and pain, your honour will always win out. It makes me proud."

Zuko then returned the smile as he looked to Iroh. "Thank you, Uncle."

"Now get some rest Prince Zuko, for tomorrow we train. And the next time you face Azula you will be ready," Iroh announced triumphantly. They both finishing their meals and heading off to bed. "Goodnight Zuko."

"Goodnight Uncle," Zuko said curling up in his cot knowing there was one thing on his mind, one thing that he will not give up on. "Tomorrow we head to Ba Sing Se."

Please leave a review and let me know what you think and again stay and stay well