Homeplot, Part Two: Journey to the Capital City

[irisewiththesun]

It's still a little surreal, having four people from the island there with Zuko as he heads into days that could change everything for the world he knows, and for his nation. It’s surreal just being home again, even though he knows that it’s not real - it feels real, not like a dream at all, and that makes Zuko want to keep from screwing anything

Comments

Iroh

[irisewiththesun]

It isn't until they've left the Fire Nation soldiers far behind that Zuko starts to relax a little, though he stays on his guard. They've kept to the more untraveled roads along the way, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible. Now, as they're getting close to the point where they ought to stop and camp for the night, Zuko can't help but think for the millionth time since he woke up back home of his uncle.

He isn't sure where Iroh is; the last news he'd had of him was that he'd broken out of prison on the Day of Black Sun. Zuko figures he's out there somewhere, gathering forces maybe, or knowing his uncle, maybe he's just running a tea shop. All Zuko knows for sure is that he'd give anything to see him one more time, even if all of this is just a dream.

Re: Iroh

[drinkspoison]

Iroh had set up a little campsite, just a little off the road ahead. He knew about the coming comet and he had his own plans in place. For the time being though, he was keeping his head down, dressed in commoners clothing, drinking tea in a little stove and watching the road.

[irisewiththesun]

It seems like almost too much of a coincidence, that Zuko's thinking about Iroh and all of a sudden he appears like he's been sitting there, just waiting for Zuko to come along.

Then again, this is Iroh. Maybe it's not that much of a surprise.

Zuko's suddenly terrified, unsure of what to do now that the moment he's longed for all the time he's been stuck on the island is finally here. He stops in his tracks several feet away from his uncle, and there's so much he wants to say, but he can't get his voice to work. How can he expect to be forgiven for what he's done?

[drinkspoison]

Iroh held no such hesitation. He got up and walked straight over to him.

"Prince Zuko," he greeted him in an impassive voice, clearly waiting for Zuko to say something.

[irisewiththesun]

"Uncle," Zuko says in a broken voice, unmindful of whatever everyone else in his group's doing, and suddenly, all the tension and fear he's been holding in breaks through as he drops to his knees.

"Uncle, I'm so sorry," he says, tears streaming down his cheeks as he looks up at Iroh. "I know you probably don't want to see me right now. What I did was unthinkable, and I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I swear if you give me a chance I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. I was so wrong, and I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

[drinkspoison]

Iroh reached down and pulled him up into a silent hug, his own cheeks wet with tears as well.

[irisewiththesun]

"I don't understand," Zuko says shakily, even as he's pulled into his uncle's arms and returns his hug gratefully. "I thought you'd be furious with me! How can you forgive me so easily?"

[drinkspoison]

"I was never angry," Iroh replied, still holding his nephew. "I was sad because you'd lost your way. And, I am so happy, now you've found it again."

"And, so glad, that your path has led you back to me."

[irisewiththesun]

"I did, Uncle," Zuko says. "I'm helping Aang now. And I'm so glad to see you again."

[drinkspoison]

"You make an old man proud, Prince Zuko," Iroh told him with a smile.

"Now, what are your plans?"