CHAPTER 1

A Soft Approach

"How have you been Lord Zuko?" Uncle asked warmly.

"You don't have to call me that." Zuko spoke sternly, but yet a smile crept at the corners of his lips.

"Oh, but it is such a befitting title! A name fit for, well, a lord! Heh. Nephew seems a little improper seeing as how I am only a humble tea maker."

"The best in the entire Earth Kingdom, I hear. That is deserving of a title. Thank you for meeting me. Your shop is beautiful. I'm sorry I couldn't have made it out any sooner."

"You worry too much, nephew. I'm sure you are very busy considering you are running an entire country now. What brings you here, besides my delicious tea?"

"Is it strange that I want to visit my Uncle?"

"No, but I can always tell when there is something on your mind. You are no good at hiding emotions."

"Hey, that's not true!" Zuko spouted. He paused for a moment, suddenly realizing the irony of his outburst. He sighed and sipped his tea.

"I guess you're right, Uncle. I just didn't want to throw my problems at you the first time I've seen you in months."

"Well, I'm glad that you are! I haven't heard good gossip in a while. Heh, the only thing exciting about Ba Sing Se is the girls!"

"I received a message from one of the scouting ships a few days ago. They think they've found the island that my mother was banished to. It fits all the descriptions, but it's densely forested. We aren't even sure if it's populated. The soldiers haven't found any structures and can barely make it off shore. The swamp is too thick to cover any ground."

"Well, that sounds like good news to me! It is a starting point. A water bender could help you through the cypress trees, but I have a feeling that is not what is bothering you. So, tell me Nephew. What brings you all the way to the Earth Kingdom?"

"I - I want to go find her. It is my duty to bring her home. I owe it to her."

"Zuko, do you think that is a good idea? It has only been two years since you took the throne. The nations are still a bit uneasy."

"I know. That's why I came to you. The island is only a few days away if I take an airship. I don't want to be gone long, but I need someone I can trust while I'm away. I know it's asking a lot."

"I see there is no talking you out of this, and I can understand your desire to find your mother. Besides, who am I to say no to the Fire Lord?"

"So - so you'll do it?"

"Only if I get to pick the water bender! I think that you may have met before. A familiar face is always good to have! Especially in an unfamiliar place!"

"Uh, okay then. Who is it? Okano? Sawada?" These were the only water benders he could think of that Uncle would have been in contact with recently. They were part of the Northern Water Tribe's force that came in to help rebuild Ba Sing Se after the war.

"No, no, no Nephew. I think you may need someone with a softer approach."

"Softer approach? What does that even mean?"

"You shall see in the morning, dear Nephew. All questions need not be answered at once."

"I think my guards may have fallen asleep outside. I think it's time we got going. Are you going to come with me? I can get the cooks at the palace to make you something. Give you a break?"

"No, I think I am going to spend my night here. I'll have to inform the workers that I am leaving and that they will have to run the shop for a while. Plus, your water bender is a regular customer! She will be disappointed in me if I am not here to make her special breakfast tea. I will speak with her in the morning. Meet me back here for lunch with one of your cooks!"

She? Zuko was even more confused.

"Thank you, Uncle. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Get some rest, Zuko."

The morning sun crept slowly up the horizon as Zuko paced the stone floors of Ba Sing Se's royal quarters. All night he had fallen in and out of sleep and was kept awake by an uneasiness in his gut. Exhausted, he flopped down on the bed sending feathers fluttering out the sides. His eyes felt as heavy as the sleeping robes the Earth King had gifted him. The emerald green and gold fabric did little to comfort him, and the immensity of his bed felt as if it would swallow him.

There came a tapping at his door, and he forced himself off the bed. His servants came to dress him, and off to the dining hall he went. He wearily ate without paying much attention to the ramblings of King Kuei. The breakfast was almost as bland as the conversation. Zuko had found that Bosco was much more interesting, even if he couldn't talk. The morning was full of dull, unbearable formalities. If he could have visited the Earth Kingdom without haven spoken to a soul besides his Uncle, he would have, but as Lord of the Fire Nation it was expected of him.

The meal was all but pleasant. His thoughts were unremitting, and with each echo he felt them chipping away his surety. He carried a dread that his mother may not even be alive. If she was, he feared how she'd react to seeing him. He pondered over if he should even go on this excursion in the first place. The latter thought faded quickly.

He could feel the agitation building inside him. Thankfully, it was almost time to go. One more tone-deaf rant about the King's admiration for culture and Zuko would have lost it. The last thing he needed was a dispute between the Earth and Fire nations. So, he let his advisors do most of the farewells and informed them to tell King Kuei that he wasn't feeling well. It was believable in the very least.

The walk to Iroh's shop seemed longer than it had the night before. Maybe that was because there were more people about to ogle him. Zuko felt the eyes of the commoners on him as he and his guards made their way through the stone streets. The looks usually didn't bother him. Granted, it was much different here than back home. Some gazed in admiration while others shed fearful or hateful glances. The fog of his Father's rule hung heavy over his own, and the wickedness of the former Fire Lord had yet to be forgotten. The majority of the wounds the world had endured were healing, but some had begun to fester and rot.

Public relations were another problem for another day. He tried to think of what Uncle would say. "Zuko! These things take time! And time – uh – is like a flower! Flowers take a while to bloom!" Well, it is the thought that counts.

Curiosity begun to outdo his worries the closer they got. Who was this mysterious water bender? He had come into contact with so many since taking the throne. Uncle said they had met before, but who on Earth could it be?

They finally arrived at the tea shop, this one much more ornate than the last. The daylight made it much more exquisite; Zuko thought to himself. Stone emblems dotted the exterior, and the windows were stained with deep hues of green. Even the door resembled something out of a fable. Carved on the front was the body of a dragon surrounded by fire, and the handle was like a golden tree root. He expected nothing less for the best tea maker in the Earth Kingdom.

As he reached for the handle, a head popped out of a second story window.

"Zukooo!" Uncle's voice bellowed like an opera singer.

The guards raised their weapons, taken aback by the sudden shouting of the Fire Lord's name. Zuko himself jumped as if he had touched boiling water.

"Dammit, Uncle!" He composed himself. "What are you doing?"

Iroh chuckled loud enough the King probably heard it. Zuko heard another softer laughter in the background.

"Come around the back! Your guards storming the shop will scare all of my customers away! They can wait outside - on the patio!"

The guards gave each other an amused look through their helmets and shrugged, following Zuko into the alleyway that led behind the shop. There were steps leading up to the apartment, equally as decorated as the front door. Zuko ordered the guards to wait at the bottom.

Inside he was met with a sweet aroma of fresh tea and perfumed incense burning. A beaded curtain separated the entryway and the living area.

"Come! Come Nephew! We have much to discuss!"

He swept back the curtain to see Uncle and a brunette woman, hair tied back with two distinct loops falling down, bowing to him. He quickly bowed back in respect.

"It has been a while, Lord Zuko." The voice hit him with a flood of memories. His head popped up in shock.

"K - Katara?"

That's Chapter 1! I'm sorry if it was a weird breaking point, but it would have lasted forever if I had gone on. Chapter 2 is already written and will be up soon. Hope you enjoyed! Reviews appreciated!