Little Soldier Boy (Iroh II)

Chapter 30

Iroh removed his jacket and placed it around his grandfather's shoulders.

Zuko slid his arms into the sleeves. He was shocked by how baggy it was on him. He remembered when Iroh was the one wearing his baggy clothes.

Iroh wrapped Zuko's arm around his neck.

"Come on," Iroh said, heading further down the hallway. "I've studied the layout of this building many times."

He knew about an emergency staircase on the other end of the floor.

They made their way down the hallway slowly.

Iroh was practically dragging Zuko.

"I'm going to get you to the ship, then I have to look for Suki," Iroh said, avoiding looking at his grandfather.

"S-Suki?" Zuko stuttered. "But she's--"

"No, Grandfather, she's not," Iroh said. "I don't know what happened, but she made it to my ship in the middle of the night about a month after you all were captured."

"She's alive," Zuko breathed. He smiled weakly, "Thank you Uncle! Thank the Spirits."

Zuko's eyes narrowed and he cursed. He shoved Iroh behind him, holding out his left hand as a bolt of lightning shot at them.

Zuko redirected the lightning into the wall.

He stood tall, but immediately collapsed.

Iroh caught him and held him up, glaring down the hall.

A man stood at the end.

He stood in a bending stance.

Iroh was sure he wasn't much older than him.

"Who are you?" Iroh demanded.

"You don't know me," He grinned. "But my father was the man your disgrace of a grandfather locked away for crimes against that revolting club you people call a military."

"Takai had a son?" Iroh frowned.

"Yes, and unlike you," Taru said. "I'm not a mutt."

Iroh lunged to the side, taking Zuko with him, when Taru shot another bolt of lightning.

Iroh could lightningbend, but he still had yet to master redirection and he wasn't taking chances right now.

"You're exactly how I imagined," Taru laughed. "Too pathetic to fight. That's why you don't crossbreed."

Iroh stood up, "I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be," Taru said, bending at Iroh.

Iroh caught the flame and swung it around himself before throwing it back at Taru.

Taru dodged it, "I see you learned from other elements. Too bad that's useless in a real battle."

Taru shot another stream of fire, directing it at Zuko.

Iroh did a spin kick, redirecting the fire away from his grandfather.

Iroh shouted, falling to the ground as electricity coursed through his body. He jabbed two fingers out, shooting the lightning back towards Taru.

Taru stepped aside grinning.

Iroh breathed heavily when the lightning stopped and he attemped to get to his feet.

Taru walked over and slammed his foot down on Iroh's back, pinning him down.

Iroh gritted his teeth.

Taru laughed, creating a fire dagger, "I'm going to enjoy this."

Zuko grunted, crawling towards them.

"Enjoy this meathead!"

Taru snapped his head up and shouted when he was hurled backwards by an invisible force.

Iroh and Zuko looked to the source of the airblast.

Suki stood in a firm bending stance.

Iroh looked at Suki wide eyed.

"You're an Airbender?" He shouted.

"I told you I know how to keep a secret," Suki smiled.

Iroh sighed, "I don't know whether I should be happy to see you or offended you never told me."

"Decide later!" Suki said, dodging a fire blast that came from behind Iroh.

Iroh whirled around, cutting Taru's feet out from under him.

He fell onto his back.

Iroh got to his feet.

Suki ran over and placed herself next to Iroh.

Taru stood up, "You mutts aren't getting out of here easily."

"Bring it," Suki spat, balling her fists.

Iroh placed his hand in front of her.

"What?" Suki growled.

Iroh pulled Suki towards Zuko as the sound of thundering footsteps approached.

"Taru!" Bumi's voice erupted and he approached with a hoard of soldiers, "By order of the United Forces. You are here by placed under arrest!"

"Apprentice Iroh," Bumi looked at him and Iroh stood at attention. "Escort the Fire Lord and Princess out of the building."

Iroh saluted.

He turned to Zuko and wrapped his arm around his shoulders, pulling him to his feet.

Suki stuck her tongue out at Taru before following her brother.

Bumi grinned at Taru, "Have fun in prison."