Author's note: Avatar the last airbender does not belong to me neither do the characters Iroh and Zuko. This story was played around with a lot and has gone through more than ten variations. Not Beta read. My first fanfiction story idea. Reviews are welcome, even mean ones.- end Author note.

A girl walked down the streets of Ba Sing Se. She wiped the sweat off her brow and enjoyed the fresh air and light. She had been given a forced break as she was getting slower in her work at the blacksmith's shop. Her boss had pushed her out into the street, saying she could come back in a few hours so that she could do some payable work. So she had started for home, slightly flustered but also relieved. She was tired; her arms ached from shoveling coal, her face was hot from the flames, her stomach was begging for food, and her head was aching and dizzy.

She walked and watched and listened to the people in the streets: children chattering to their bustling parents, people of all sorts pushing things, talking to one another. But one of them caught her eye. It was an old man with a beard and a kind face. He was on the heavier side and was carrying flowers while talking to a teenage boy who looked disgruntled—something about a new job.

["He looks a little like...Min come on now you know it can't be. I wonder what he would think of me if it was him though. He probably wouldn't recognize me! I doubt he'd be impressed with me. I wonder if he's forgotten me?" ]

Her head spun a little more violently; she clutched it, stopping her movements. She heard footsteps approach and felt a hand on her shoulder. She reacted quickly, raising her hands and backing away from the hand simultaneously.

"It's okay; I'm only trying to help. No one's going to hurt you!" It was the man she had seen.

"Thank you," she said, blushing. "Sorry about that!"

She put her hands down and leaned back against a building. She tried a small bow, but her vision blurred halfway, and she ended up completing more of an awkward duck of the head. Nonetheless, he returned the gesture with a well-practiced bow and stepped forward slowly.

"Are you alright? You seemed to be having trouble with your head; did you hit it?"

"No, just a headache... probably dehydrated. I was on my way home for a drink."

He nodded. "Would you like us to help you home?" The boy in the background, who was now holding the flowers, groaned.

"No, thank you. I should be fine." She took a step forward, swaying slightly, much to her annoyance. Her legs shook. ["Maybe I should take that offer. No! You can't let strangers you met on the side of the road know where you live. That boy back there looks mean and suspicious. Just... no."]

She continued walking clumsily; her stomach growled and her whole body wanted to collapse where she stood. Just as she felt like her legs might actually give out on her, she felt the same hand on her, keeping her upright.

"You know, I am going to start working at a tea shop this afternoon and would appreciate the practice if you would like to come over."

She heard tea! Oh, how long it had been since she had any; he did not even need to come to her house! And there would be blessed water on her tongue. ["I'll be careful,"] she told herself.

"Yes, I would like that too."

"Good, we'll go right now!" He winked at his nephew, who scowled back. He only smiled.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Min."

His heart clenched. Min—that was... His thoughts were interrupted.

"What's your name?"

"Mushi," he answered.

He kept his hand on her shoulder, which she was glad of. It was firm, steadying, and gently guided her towards their destination.

They reached the apartment, and she sat down next to a low table, leaning against the wall. Mushi went over to some sort of kitchen area and started his work.

The teenage boy came in behind them and sat down on the opposite side of the table after putting the flowers near the door. Mushi got some food out of the cupboard and set it down in front of the two.

"Help yourself," he said. "The tea will be ready in a few minutes."

She reached for one of the rolls and started eating. The boy in front of her just watched.

"So what's your name?" Min asked.

"I'm Lee. I just moved here with my uncle."

"Where from?"

"Well, we've sort of been moving around for a few years and ended up here," he shrugged.

She saw the older man smile in amusement and shake his head.

"Have you been enjoying yourself so far?"

"I guess."

"What's your favorite part of the city?"

"I don't really have one yet..." He looked at the ceiling. "Here, I guess."

"How long have you lived here?" The boy asked.

"About four years."

"How old were you when you came here?"

"Fifteen."

"So you're nineteen?"

"Yes!"

"How old are you?" Min asked.

"Sixteen."

"That's as old as my brother would be!" (Whoops! I did not mean to say that out loud.)

"You have siblings?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Two (I think)."

"Do you still live with them and your parents?"

"No... um, we were separated before I came to the City; I came by myself."

"Oh." He was clearly getting uncomfortable... well, more uncomfortable at least. ["What to say?"]

The older man piped in, eyeing his nephew in a reproachful manner. "So do you have any favorite spots, Min?"

"I think I like the well the best. It is usually pretty busy, but if you go a little before sunrise, it's the most beautiful spot in town."

He poured the tea and handed it out.

"That sounds lovely! I'll have to see it sometime." [This was unsettling; this girl seemed like a ghost. She talked and looked so similar to his little cherry blossom. He knew it couldn't be, but what if they were wrong? They were just too similar. A few questions won't hurt.]

"You know, Min, you remind me of a girl I used to know."

"Really? That's funny; you actually remind me of someone too." She took a sip of her tea.

"Who?"

"My uncle," she said quietly.

"How so?"

"Well, um, you both make good tea! You look very similar to when I last saw him. I can imagine what he would look like now, and well, you just remind me of him. Maybe it's your voice or something?"

She was clearly getting a little upset talking about this, but now his curiosity was on fire [ I remind her of her uncle; and she reminds me of my niece.]

He looked at her for a moment, thinking of what to ask, when something on her wrist peeked out from under her sleeve: red, wrinkled, and shiny. It was a scar. A horrific memory came into his mind—charred skin, screams of pain, shivering pale skin, a little girl unconscious on the floor.

[This was her!] His hands shook as he pulled her into a hug. "Cherry blossom?! It's me, Min! I-I'm here, you're alive!"

Tears flooded down his cheeks, disappearing into his beard.

"I'm so glad you're safe!" He squeezed her again.

She sobbed quietly into his shoulder. She had been on her own for years; she could never fully trust anyone. They could turn against her if they knew who she was. She had to keep her guard up, not let anything slip. She had feared she wouldn't see her family again, but now she was safe; she could let it all go and relax.

"Shh, it's okay, Min. I'm here!" He patted her back and let her sag into him.

When she had calmed down, Iroh remembered Zuko was still sitting there—in a state of confusion, shock, anger, maybe? Let's just say a lot was going on with his face.

"Zuko, this is your sister, Min!"

"ZUKO!" She flung her arms around his neck. Iroh couldn't help but chuckle at his niece.

"This is your older sister, Zuko!" Iroh said. Min hugged Zuko for a moment.

"So I have a secret sister you just forgot to tell me about!?"

"I didn't... forget. She... well, she was sent away when you were very young and right before..." He turned his gaze away. "She was presumed dead." Iroh tried to explain.

Zuko looked thoughtful. "Why was she sent away?"

"I spied and plenty of other reasons; I was sent to the colonies as a servant."

There was a moment of silence.

Iroh spoke next; " There's certainly a lot to catch up..." the realization hit him. He would have to tell her that his son—her cousin, her playmate, her best friend—was dead. "on.." he finished and almost started crying again.

"Yeah! I have tons of questions! I want to know everything; I've only heard bits and pieces of news, and I'm not even sure if they're all true!" Min said, she was grinning now.

"What did you hear?" Iroh's voice was sad and concerned.

"I heard that grandfather died and for some reason, my father was crowned Fire Lord. I heard that Zuko was... burned and banished. Oh, and I heard Azula was in Omashu a little while ago."

"I see, with just that you would definitely have some holes. Do you know the conditions of the banishment?" Iroh asked.

"No." She looked down.

"I can't go home until I have the Avatar, or I'll be arrested." Zuko interjected.

"Is that why you're here?" Min asked.

"No, we are fugitives from the Fire Nation now. We came here to escape being hunted," Iroh said.

"Oh," she said.

"How is Lu Ten?"

"I think we should save that for another day!" Iroh hastened to say.

"Why?" Min asked

"There's a lot that has happened in the past few years, and it's been a rough morning for you; we should wait!" Iroh said.

"It's been a long decade! I've been wondering, worrying, and waiting for any sliver of information about him. Please, I have to know if he's okay!" Min said flustered.

"NO! I just found out you're alive; please don't make me do that to you!" Iroh bellowed.

"Do what? Uncle, what happened? Why are you crying? It's okay, just tell me what happened!" Min said gently.

Iroh choked; tears were welling up in his eyes.

His heart squeezed painfully. "Lu Ten is dead," he choked. "I'm so sorry!"

He hugged her again, and she just sat there.

Her face was still, as if she couldn't comprehend what he had just said. Her mind swam with all this. Nothing could be felt but cold, calm shock.

"Min? Min, are you alright?" Iroh asked.

Nothing. He shook her a little. "Min?"

She looked down. "Min, look at me!"

She didn't move.

"Min?"

He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

"Home," she said her voice was monotone.

"You want to go home?"

She nodded and looked blankly in front of her as if she were blind.

Zuko looked unsettled. Iroh gave him a small smile. "Don't worry, Zuko; she's just tired!"

He took her arm and put it over his shoulder, letting her slump onto him.

"I can take her if you want, Uncle."

"Thank you, but I think I can manage; she isn't heavy." [She's also shaking like a leaf and looks like she could have a mental breakdown at any moment.]

They came out of the building. "Where to, Min? Point the way!" Iroh said.

She looked around; her stomach twisted. She pointed left, two streets down, a right, and stopped in front of a white house. Then into an alleyway? [Please don't tell me she lives in an alley.] Iroh thought. Then she pointed at a board leaned up against the porch of the house.

"Min, do you live under that?" Iroh asked.

"Move it!" she said softly.