For whoever is reading this story, I'm sorry it took so long to update. It doesn't feel as though it has been two years, but it has. As part of my New Year's resolutions, I am continuing this story. I want to finish things. And it's my final gap year, so this might be one of my best chances.

Anyway, this chapter is a little shorter than the rest but I hope whoever reads this likes it. As is the usual, no beta, we die like the airbenders.

"Uncle! It's time to leave! Where are you? Uncle Iroh!"

Zuko's voice reverberated through the serene surroundings.

The sound of his footsteps quickened as he frantically searched for his wise yet peculiar mentor.

As if emerging from a realm of pure serenity, Iroh's voice floated towards Zuko.

"Over here," it whispered, beckoning Zuko towards a secluded corner. Approaching cautiously, Zuko's eyes widened as he found Iroh nestled in a natural hot spring, tendrils of steam gently curling around him.

Determination etched deep lines on Zuko's face as he implored his uncle to grasp the gravity of their mission. "Uncle? We need to move on. We're closing in on the Avatar's trail and I don't want to lose him." His words hung heavy in the air.

Iroh's eyes crinkled with a knowing sparkle, his lips curling into an amused smile as he extended an invitation for respite. "You look tired, Prince Zuko. Why don't you join me in these hot springs and soak away your troubles?" His voice held a gentle persuasiveness.

The simmering flame of frustration burned within Zuko's chest, his resolve unyielding. "My troubles cannot be soaked away. It's time to go!"

Undeterred by Zuko's resistance, Iroh offered a final piece of sage advice, ""You should take your teacher's advice and relax a little. The temperature's just right. I heated it myself." he chuckled, exhaling a plume of steam from his nose.

Growing increasingly frustrated, Zuko's patience wore thin. "Enough! We need to leave now. Get out of the water!" His voice resonated with a mix of urgency and frustration, demanding Iroh's compliance.

"Very well!"

Iroh acquiesced, his eyes twinkling with a knowing smile as he rose from the hot spring, revealing more of himself than Zuko had bargained for, he quickly shielded his eyes.

"On second thought," Zuko stammered, his voice tinged with a mixture of embarrassment and horror, "why don't you take another few minutes? But be back at the ship in a half-hour or I'm leaving without you!"

Iroh sighs as he slumps back into the water.

Zuko stormed away in frustration, his footsteps heavy and laden with irritation. As he made his way back, a figure approached from the shadows, revealing the unmistakable presence of his sister. Zuko couldn't help but roll his eyes in exasperation.

"Of course, it's you," Zuko muttered under his breath, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

Zuko with a deep breath, mustered up the courage to meet Kira's unyielding gaze.

Kira's expression remained blank, her silence cutting through the air like a knife. Still, Kira maintained her stoic composure, her silence speaking volumes.

Kira's gaze remained fixed on him, her cool demeanor unwavering. The silence between them grew deafening, punctuated only by the sound of Zuko's ragged breaths. But inside her mind, Kira couldn't help but chuckle at Zuko's ridiculous attempt to assert himself.

She couldn't help but notice how his ponytail flopped around with every gesture he made. It was like a comical dance, adding an unintentional touch of absurdity to his futile rant.

Lost in her own amusement, Kira found it increasingly difficult to contain her laughter. Zuko's frustration only fueled her amusement further, as his attempts to provoke a response were met

Finally, unable to bear the tension any longer, Zuko threw his hands up in exasperation. "Fine! Stay silent, see if I-"

But before he could finish his sentence, his sister turned around and walked away without a second glance, completely disregarding his prepared dramatic walk-off. The air around her seemed to ripple with silent laughter, a clear indication of how unfazed she was by Zuko's drama. Her steps carried her effortlessly, leaving Zuko standing there, mouth agape, his grand exit interrupted, and his frustration deflated.

-

Back near the hot spring, Zuko and two Fire Nation soldiers scoured the area for any sign of Iroh.

"Uncle! Uncle, where are you?" Zuko's voice echoed through the serene surroundings, but there was no response.

The three look at what was once a makeshift hot spring for Iroh. There were rocks imbedded into the entirestructure of the thing

The Fire Nation soldier suggested, "Sir, maybe he thought you left without him."

Zuko's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the landscape. "Something's not right here. Look at that pile of rocks."

The soldier examined the rocks. "It looks like there's been a landslide, sir."

"Land doesn't slide uphill, you imbecile," Kira's voice sliced through the air, walking forward to stand in between the men.

"My uncle's been captured by earthbenders."

Kira runs a hand through her hair "Why are both of you still here?" Her voice carried, causing the soldiers to jump. "Find him." They scurry off without a word, but Kira swiftly stops the nearest soldier by grabbing his arm and pulling him back. The man stumbles but meets her eyes hesitantly.

"If I find out you've neglected your duty to protect a member of the royal family, you will answer for your incompetence." With that warning, she shoved the soldier away and walks away to begin her own search, well aware of the shortcomings among Zuko's men.

-

The sun hung low in the sky, painting it with streaks of gold and orange as Kira and Zuko rode atop their bison in tense silence. Zuko's gaze was fixed downward, scanning the faint ostrich horse footprints below with laser focus. The trail was their only lead, and his jaw clenched with determination.

Then, suddenly, a familiar shadow soared across the sky, causing Zuko to jerk his head upward. His amber eyes locked on the unmistakable silhouette of the sky bison. "The Avatar!" he exclaimed, his voice sharp with urgency, his entire body tensing as he gripped the saddle, already preparing to veer the bison in pursuit.

Kira, seated in front of him, remained calm as always. Her voice broke the moment like a blade cutting through water. "Let him go."

Zuko froze. He turned to glance at his sister, her expression unreadable, her tone carrying no hesitation, no room for argument. For a moment, he looked at her like she'd lost her mind.

He looked back at the footprints below, the ones leading to their uncle. The Avatar, the mission, the glory-all of it warred in his head, clashing violently against the bond he held with the man who had raised him.

Finally, with a frustrated growl, Zuko pulled the reins, redirecting the bison back to the path. The shadow of Appa disappeared into the horizon, and Zuko's grip tightened on the saddle, his knuckles white.

Kira said nothing else, her eyes fixed forward. The wind caught her hair, whipping it behind her as their silent ride continued. Though her words had been few, their weight lingered in the air between them, heavier than any argument could have been.

-

Kira strode along the road that wound through the dense woods having got off the bison and continued the journey on foot.

As the day began to cool, she felt a sense of urgency; she had no desire to linger in this place longer than necessary. The imperative was clear-find Iroh before the earth kingdom took possession of him. The prospect of dealing with earthbenders who harbored animosity toward the enemy, especially the general who had laid siege to their capital for 600 days, made her task even more important.

Her internal monologue abruptly halted as she stumbled, instinctively thrusting her arms outward to regain balance.

As soon as stability returned, she swiftly surveyed her surroundings, straightening her appearance with a quick, composed demeanor, hoping no one had noticed.

Curious about the obstacle that had nearly sent her tumbling, Kira glanced downward and was taken aback to find a sandal at her feet. Ordinarily, such an item wouldn't have warranted a second glance, but the familiarity of its style caught her attention. Without hesitation, she bent down, delicately retrieving it with her nails.

Zuko approached his sister from behind, observing the sandal she held at arm's length. "What's that?" he inquired, wrinkling his nose at the peculiar object.

Kira, maintaining her composed demeanor, glanced at him briefly. "Uncle's, most likely," she replied.

Zuko took a quick sniff and recoiled with a disgusted expression. "Yeah, that's Uncle Iroh," he concluded, remounting his rhino with an exasperated shake of his head.

-

Iroh found himself surrounded by Earth Kingdom soldiers, his hands bound tightly with chains. The earthbending captain stood before him, ready to crush his hands with a massive boulder.

As the earthbender captain prepared to unleash a boulder upon Iroh, Zuko leaped into action, swift and precise. His powerful kick deflected the rock away, simultaneously shattering Iroh's chain with a forceful stomp. Iroh, now liberated, commended his nephew's skill.

"Surrender yourselves. It's five against two. You're clearly outnumbered," warned the earthbender captain confidently. With a wry smile, Iroh responded, "Yeah, that's true, but you are clearly outmatched."

The soldiers retaliated with a barrage of rocks, but Iroh skillfully used his chains to destroy the projectiles.

Meanwhile, Zuko engaged with two soldiers, swiftly dispatching them with his firebending prowess.

The captain fired three rocks at Zuko, which he dodged. Zuko countered with fire blasts that were dodged. The captain brought up a large mass of rock, however, Iroh threw his chains around his ankles, knocking him and causing the rocks to fall on top of him and the other soldiers. The soldiers were heard groaning underneath the rocks.

"Now, would you please put on some clothes?" The two men looked up and saw Kira looking down her nose at them.

She then turned around and walked away back to ship.

Hoping to rest before Zuko puts them in another inevitable chase.