Differing Views

I'm trying to interest Zuko in the world outside the Fire Nation. This is a great opportunity to expand his horizons. There is much the world has to offer and satisfaction can be found in the future. Unfortunately, my nephew is not interested in the outside world and continues to try to regain the past. He cares only for gaining the notice and affirmation of his father which will never happen. The man my brother used to be is dead. He cares only for power. I wish…well, it is useless to wish.

I have passed much of my knowledge and life experience on to Zuko, but I doubt he listens. He is too young to be so cold and bitter. It worries me. I fear he will again attempt to take his own life. I fear he may succeed where he has failed before.

It took nearly a week for him to recover from his first attempt and I didn't want to leave him alone for long. He feels like there is nothing left for which to live —no purpose in living. I know, after Lu Ten's death, I felt much the same. I was angry. I cursed the Spirits. They stole my son from me. I sought to destroy them.

It is useless to try to destroy that which has no body.

Zuko is determined to achieve what no man has been able to for nearly one hundred years and he will not be persuaded otherwise. It has given him new life. It's become an obsession. It's worrying. I fear to encourage my nephew in this damned search for the Avatar. It only leads to disappointment.

We're beginning with the abandoned Air Temples.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Iroh gazed around in wonder at the walls of the Western Air Temple. Despite his many years of military service, he had never been to any of the Air Temples. There had been no reason. After all, Fire Lord Sozin had wiped out all of the Air Nomads nearly a hundred years ago. The Air Temples were nothing more than dusty ruins of a past civilization. Regret and disappointment were bitter pills to swallow. The evidence of an entire nation destroyed lay before him and for what purpose?

Zuko stomped by him, muttering angrily, and Iroh watched him pass in dismay. It was time to provide a distraction and perhaps allow the young man an outlet for his temper before it consumed him. Iroh turned back to the walls, adopting an awed look and pitching his voice so Zuko would be sure to hear him, "Look at these frescos, Prince Zuko, such exquisite detail."

As he expected, Zuko whirled around, his fists clenched angrily. "I don't care about frescos, Uncle!"

Iroh sighed. Despite his nephew's flash of temper, he didn't seem any calmer. So much for that distraction. Zuko's sharp steps paused and Iroh glanced over his shoulder to find his nephew gazing out across the wide canyon. Iroh shifted, moving to look over the younger man's shoulder.

"What a stunning view," he sighed.

Zuko's shoulders twitched. "The only view I'm interested in is the Avatar in chains."

Iroh grimaced. Such cold-hearted words from such a young man. Tucking his hands into his sleeves, he decided to point out the flaw in Zuko's ambition. It would do no good to let the boy's hopes get too high and perhaps he could tempt Zuko to turn his ambitions towards something more beneficial. "You know, the Avatar hasn't been seen for one hundred years. The chances of finding him here are very slim."

Zuko ignored him. "First we'll check each of the air temples, then we'll scour the world, searching even the most remote locations until we find him."

Iroh reached for Zuko's shoulder, lightly resting his hand. "Prince Zuko, you should take some time to heal and rest."

He twisted away, exclaiming, "No! The only way to regain my honor is to find the Avatar; so I will."

Iroh watched him stalk off without so much as a glance at their surrounding and sighed again. Some mistakes had to be made before anything could be learned.