"I thought I might find you here," said Uncle Iroh. He sat beside his nephew and gazed at the beautiful display of glittering lights reflecting in the fountain.
"How did you know where I'd be?" Asked Zuko, thinking he had found the perfect spot to clear his mind alone.
"Well, when we were here years ago as refugees, working at that small tea shop, you went out with a girl," recalled Uncle Iroh. "Oh, you were so nervous," he chuckled, "and trying to hide it under all that classic, Zuko bravado. But I could tell you were excited, too. When you got back you locked yourself in your room, but there was something different about you. You seemed lighter." Zuko kept his eyes on his uncle, who gazed into the distance as he spoke. "A few years ago, after the war had ended and I settled down here, that girl came into my tea shop and recognized me. We spoke for a little while, and she told me what happened that night. That you lit up the entire fountain just for her, in seconds. Of course, she knew you were a firebender, but she didn't say anything. She said she saw good in you, not like other firebenders. She saw light."
Uncle Iroh turned to face his teary-eyed nephew. He grabbed his hand and held it in his. "Nephew, over the years I have seen you struggle, I have seen you suffer, and I have seen you fail." At that, Zuko looked down at the ground, embarrassed of his past. But his uncle lifted his chin and looked deep into his eyes. "But more than that, Zuko, I have seen you grow. I have seen you evolve into a strong leader and fiercely loyal friend. Above all, you have learned to forgive. To forgive yourself, and others." The lights twinkled in his eyes. "You have so much to offer to the world and I know that, with Aang, you will change it for the better." He tightened his grip on his nephew's hand. "As for me, Nephew, I have nothing left to give. I have taught you all I know, and I have seen you turn into the man I had always hoped you would be. But now, it is time for me to move on, and start anew."
Zuko's eyes welled up with tears and a pained grunt escaped his throat. Without saying a word, Uncle Iroh held his nephew. He rocked him back and forth, stroking his hair, and wiping the tears off his cheeks. "What am I going to do without you?" Asked Zuko.
"Oh, Zuko. I will always be with you. You just have to know where to find me."
"What do you mean?" Asked Zuko.
Uncle Iroh closed his eyes and thought deeply for a few moments. After a bittersweet stretch of silence, he finally spoke.
"If you ever feel down, look for me in the reflection of stars in the water and pour your troubles and tears out in to me. When you crave my hug enjoy a nice cup of jasmine tea. And most importantly, when you are lost and don't know what to do, just close your eyes and listen for me in the wind, amongst the leaves from the vine."
The End (click to continue to the next part for an exclusive insight into Aang and Katara's morning before finding out)
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Uncle Iroh Enters the Spirit World
Fanfiction*ATLA FanFic!* The Gaang meet up a few years after the war in Ba Sing Se at the Jasmine Dragon. Aang and Katara have a kid and everyone is just as loving, goofy, and connected as they were when they were children. Cry with them as Uncle Iroh tells T...
