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The Fall of Ozai	By : CaptATKirk Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female Views: 5957 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Note: All mistakes are my own. I don’t have a beta. =}
Fall of Ozai Chapter 2: All roads go to Bah Sing Se
Lan had left the North Pole after she put her parents in a boat and using both her water and fire bending set it out to sea and set it on fire. She watched as the sun came up, the next day the rays matching the flames of the boat. By ancient traditions it was a sign that her parents had lived a full, good life.
She wandered from place to place dancing mostly with preforming troops and occasionally winning in Pia Sho games at Tea Houses. She had plenty of money with witch to do so. Her father had left along with a white Lotus tile and a letter to General Iroh a medium size chest filled with gold. The spirits that she could see since she was three didn’t come to her lately which felt odd to her. She had always heard them or at least seen them in her sleep. For them to suddenly not speak was quiet yet disturbing.
Until one night before she reached Omashu she did dream. She was standing at the edge of a grove of beautiful big lush trees that were releasing delicately fragrant purple flowers. She felt them kiss her face and swirl away on the breeze. She then looked up and saw a big blue butterfly floating on the breeze dancing in front of her. It landed on her outstretched hand and gently opened and closed it’s wings before lifting of her hand and floating around her.
“ You want me to dance with you ?!” It floated up and down three times before floating away from her. What did she have to loose. She followed it dancing and twirling as it did. She was so at peace here and wondered where here really was. Then she felt hot and that’s when she saw him. She stopped dancing and made her way to his side. He was sitting there his hands in his lap looking at the butterfly too. She kneeled down beside him and watched as his head turned to look at her. He looked almost the same as he did in the North Pole except he had hair all over his head now and no cue. He also looked a little thinner then she remembered but his calm expression made up for all the changes.
“ This is the last time I will see you isn’t it ?!” He asked her. She didn’t know why she knew he dreamed of her all this time but she did. She had dreamed of him as well. She had dreamed of him not leaving and making love to her in a quiet place. He would take her in different ways each time but it was still always him. She didn’t know why this would be the last dream he would have of her but she just knew and nodded her head sadly putting her hand to his cheek. He covered it with his own closing his eyes and breathing in the smell of her skin. She bit back a moan that wanted to escape. His touch alone was enough to get her excited.
“ I will never see you again will I !?” He opened his eyes and looked so forlorn. She knew and had it on good authority they would see each other in the physical world. That is when it hit her how she knew. They were connected in the spirit world. She had thought the spirits had left her when in fact they were connecting her to him which brought a smile to her face.
“ I told you, if your heart believes you will see me then you will. It will be awhile but we will find each other again.” She kissed him and woke up to hear Yue’s voice echoing a name.
“ Bah Sing Se.”
Her mind was made up now. She was going to Bah Sing Se. He father had told her that the wall was the most magnificent thing he had seen. He had wanted to go into the city and see what other fascinations it held but only made it past the first wall and not the inner wall. It was slow going but it wasn’t as if she had anything better to do. She stopped at a town that was being occupied by the fire nation and decided for once too look at the wanted posters.
“ Hmm Blue Spirit.” She scanned some more posters and dropped her duffel bag. She couldn’t believe it there was a drawling and a very good one of the guy she was with in the North Pole.
” Prince Zuko!” She screamed as she read the list of crimes the Fire Lord had put onto his own son. Treason, desertion were at the tip of the ice berg.
” Great I fell in love with the Fire Prince.” She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder mumbling to herself. “ My father would be so happy but, man oh man would my mother kill me.” She looked above his picture and saw a drawling of a kindly old man with way too many laugh lines etched on his face.” Hmm so that is what General Iroh looks like.” She walked away and into the east heading for Bah Sing Se.
“ I told you that you would find his name on your own.” Yue’s laughter filled voice informed her carried on the wind.
Thanks a lot you goof. Lan smiled to herself as she made her way.
She had went and almost made it to the walls of Bah Sing Se when she met the nice family she was with now. There daughter was ill and Lan tried everything she could to save the girl but it didn’t happen. It was a heart problem the girl was born with and no healer no matter how well trained could fix that.
Feeling obligated to do something she stayed with the family to help them recover and get back on their feet. They adored her and life was good. Lan really couldn’t complain except she knew something, maybe just maybe even Zuko was waiting in Bah Sing Se. Eventually fate stepped in and made her go to the city. Mara was expecting and was having very unusual cravings. Lan was helping Bongo who had come back from the front work the flames of the forge. The city had made a big order for the new wheels. She had learned to be a blacksmith from her father and Bongo being one himself finished where her father had left off. It was while they were working that a craving hit Mara.
“ Lan would you mind going into the City to get the tea I like?”
“ Nope.” She looked at Bongo who smiled warmly at her and nodded. Lately he had been giving into Mara’s every whim.
“ Should it take X’ing with me?” She untied her Smithing apron and was dusting herself off. She touched her hair and felt that the hair sticks were still there holding all of her hair in a big bun.
” I can get him out from under your feet.” X’ing was out in the yard chasing the hog chickens around. He was a rambunctious little five-year-old boy and usually liked to follow Lan everywhere. Lan knew if she were to go into the Big City without him he would pout for a week.
“ No I think a day to yourself would be a good thing.” She smiled at Lan before going into the house taking the little boy with her so that he wouldn’t see Lan leave.
Lan shrugged and made her way to the city. She went through the first wall on the train and was amazed. The walls, trains, buildings, everything fascinated her. Unlike the North there were so many colors and things to see. The cherry trees really were beautiful with their delicate blooms open and falling. She hoped that wherever her father was he could see this. Her Mother would have loved it here too. Even the section of town she was in was beautiful. Lan made her way threw to the tea shop that Mara always bought her tea from. The owner, a weasel of a man in her opinion, greeted her.
“ Good day, Can I help you?“
“ I’m here to get Mara’s order of tea.” She inclined her head before smiling sweetly.
“ Oh Yes. You must be Lan the daughter they have adopted.”
“ I am. Will it be long? ”
“ It shouldn’t be much longer I have my best tea maker putting the leaves together now. Mushi is very good. Why don’t you stay and have a cup of tea while you wait?” He motioned to an empty table for her to sit down.
“ Okay. I have no where I want to be right now.” She sat down happily and waited.
“ Lee get this nice girl a cup of ginger root tea.” He called to someone in the back before going there himself. She watched as a butterfly floated by the window. It was big and blue and seemed to be dancing to get her attention. For some strange reason she felt at peace but also felt very hot as if someone had lit a fire in her. She hadn’t felt like this since being kissed senseless by Prince Zuko, and there was no way he would be here.
“ Your tea.” Lan turned her attention to who just brought her tea and almost yelped. He was here in Bah Sing Se. Zuko was here in Bah Sing Se. Seeing the blue butterfly from your dream should have been the first sign stupid.
“ Thank You. “ He began to walk away and Lan thought to try. She had remembered him all this time would he remember her.
” I’m sorry for my reaction but I thought you were a friend of mine I haven’t seen for a long time.” He had stopped but didn’t turn around. When she had finished, he left and went to the back. He didn’t remember. She finished her tea and waited.
Lan watched him out of the corner of her eye for any recognition but he showed nothing. He had changed so much since the North. The hair was one thing but the sour look was another. She didn’t remember him being so angry. Not to mention he looked paler and thinner then she remembered. What has the world done to you now? She was so deep in her own thoughts that she didn’t hear who was talking to her.
“ Is something wrong? ? !”
“ I’m sorry I am so out of it today.”
“ I can see that.” A kindly old face with so many laugh lines smiled slyly at her.
“ Is he always that grumpy? “ No use denying where her attention was.
“ Lately yes. My nephew has not had many reasons to smile, but maybe you could change that?” He held the bag of leaves to her. She was very pretty. Flirting with pretty girls was a pass time. Who knew maybe it would work for him this time. Having a pretty girl like her would not be such a bad thing. Grant it she was young but maybe she liked older men.
“ I would like to.” She stood up and took the offered bag of tea leaves.” But not today. I have to get this to Mara. She seems to go through it like water.”
“ Then you should come back tomorrow for more.” It wasn’t working for him. It was working for his nephew. Why girls were drawn to him, he couldn’t even begin to imagine. He had hoped that Jen would have stuck it out but it seemed Zuko had crushed her little notions of that. He should have known better. She was a very sweet girl but that was all. It seemed there was nothing more to her. He should have known that kind of girl could not hold his nephew’s attention. Maybe this one could.
“ I’ll do that.” She waved goodbye and left. Zuko had come back to watch her leave. He stood by his uncle, Ready to kill him.
“ Uncle what are you doing!?” He couldn’t go through another Jen. Although this girl did seem a far cry from that. His uncle trying to play matchmaker was irritating.
“ She’s a very pretty girl.”
“ I have eyes, and I can see that.” He could also see she had long pretty legs, a nice backside, just to mention few pretty things. He was beginning to smile.
“ I think she likes you.”
“ I can see that as well but like I told you before I don’t want a life here.” He slammed the tray down on the table and walked out the door slamming that too.
Zuko stood against the shop folding his arms across his chest and watching as the girl who thought she knew him, went away. He could see she was pretty he wasn’t blind but, girls like her probably had guys lined up all the way out to the city walls. Not to mention she was probably like Jen all sweetness but nothing up stairs. Besides it wasn’t as if he would see her again, but see her again he did want. He couldn’t explain it but he really hoped she would be back again and again.
                                                                        * * *
Lan had made the excuse she was going to go and get Mara more tea. She was but she was also going to do what her father had told her to do if she ever met General Iroh. In one hand she had the letter her father had written the day before Zhao attacked. In the other the white lotus tile that her father had also given her explaining that all she had to do was to show it to him and he would know. She walked into the shop and the chimes announced someone had walked in. She watched as Iroh saw her and smiled wide. She made her way to the counter looking left and right but there was no sign of Zuko. She couldn’t hide her disappointment.
“ I sent him on a break.”
“ That obvious.”
“ A little.” They both laughed over it. “ What can I do for you!?” She slid the Lotus tile on the counter toward him. “ You’re a little young to be a member.”
“ I am also too young to have seen the delights and remember what they are but,” She held out the parchment to him and waited.” You were friends with one who did. He is dead now and wanted me to give you this.”
She folded her hands demurely on the counter and waited. Iroh could tell by the hand writing that it was Jiang not to mention the Yellow Dragon seal helped as well. So this was his daughter. She was very lovely. Just like her Mother. He could tell just by her posture she was a dancer just like her Mother. If he remembered right, her mother also was a very good Pi Sho player. It was watching Lao that he learned how to redirect lightning. Maybe she would suit Zuko just fine.
“ So he has met his end. For you I am sorry.”
“ Thank You.” She looked away from Iroh for a moment. Saying ‘dead’ out loud didn’t make the hurt go away.” She sighed and plastered a smile on her face.” I know you are busy so I can come back later. She was about to leave when his question caught her off guard and made her stop.
“ Do you have plans for dinner?”
“ No.” She laughed and it was a nice rich melodic sound to his ears. If Iroh were a younger man, this young lady would be in trouble.
“ Good. I was planning on going home early today. Give me a few moments and we will go have a nice bowl of noodles.”
“ I’d like that . . . oh and the tea order.“ He lifted the bag and shook it a little smiling the whole time.
“ Only after I read this.” She smiled brightly and waited for him to finish up. They made their way threw the busy streets to his and his nephew’s apartment but it was getting late. Soon it would be nightfall. She hadn’t realized it was so late. She hoped it wouldn’t be much longer or her family may get very worried about her.
After a nice bowl of noodles and some tea Iroh settled in and un furled the parchment. It was very long. Lan took to laying on the couch propped up on one elbow throwing a ball against the wall and letting it bounce back to her.
“ Jiang has a lot to say.” Even with the characters small and squished it was a lot.
“ Well it is about eight years worth of things he has to tell you I guess.” She shrugged and let the ball bounce again.
“ Lan you are what Sixteen now? “
“ Yup.”
“ Hmm.” Iroh then began to read.
To my old friend,

            I am sorry I am not there to deliver this my self but if it has made it to you by the hands of my daughter then I and Lao are dead. If Lan has been the daughter I know her to be she has not read this and does not know what I am about to ask.

            I know you said I was not to blame for your beloved sons death but I feel, and know I am. If I was any kind of aid, I would have moved sooner when you told me to and stopped the earth benders from reaching his unit. In this I have failed and have never made amends. Therefore I give you the one thing in this world I have left to give you and that is my baby Lan.

            She is an excellent Water Bender but there is more. She is also a Fire Bender. I believe she is the child that the fire sages whisper about behind closed doors. Her Mothers Peoples Priests say that she is the Chosen Child. She knows nothing of this. She knows nothing of the prophecy that each kingdom holds. I leave it to you to tell her when the time is right, if you decided to tell her at all.

            I have not been able to teach her as I would like for her Mothers people forbid it. She knows her basics and can learn more quickly. As for her water bending she could if she wished handle her own against a Master. Once again the archaic limitations of her Mothers’ people forbid girls the opportunity to learn combat. I have taught her what I could before her Mothers’ people discovered what I was teaching her. Her healing abilities are very good and she has also learned how to use her Fire Bending to heal. I know with you she will be safe and learn much. I have taught her every Military and Naval tactic I can think of. She is excellent at playing Pia Sho ( Even though she hates it ) and she can also play a fair game of Four Nations.

            She is all that I have left to give. I fear that without guidance she will not live up to what I know she can achieve. I ask that you take her under your wing and if you do manage to ever go home (I know that you are with your nephew now who has been banished but for why or what I have no idea.) That you take her to my parents and be sure that they acknowledge her as their granddaughter and a member of Fire Nation nobility. I also ask that when the time comes to make a good marriage for her. Someone who can accept and love that she is from both Nations.
             I know that I have asked much of you but I feel that one this is the right thing to do and two you would not lead Lan down a road that was not right for her.
Eternally in your debt
Jiang Yin Meng
P.S.
Lao says you still owe her some of your famous Jasmine Tea.
“ Well.”Iroh sat back and shook his head. After so long this had plagued his aid, his friend. This weighed on him still. He could understand it still plagued him as well but as he said then. It was his fault not his aid’s.
“ I know my father can be long winded sometimes.”
“ You know what is written here.”He patted the parchment and watched her face, more importantly her eyes. Being a father once himself and a better father to Zuko than Ozai ever was, he knew when he was being lied to.
“ No.” She walked to the table and sat down before him gracefully.” My father told me it was for your eyes only.” She looked him dead in the eye and shrugged.
“ I see.” She wasn’t lying. Iroh had to think on this long and hard. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t worth teaching but he didn’t plan on ever going back to the Fire Nation. He was about to tell her what her father had wrote when Zuko appeared at the door all fire and brimstone.
“ Uncle why did you . . . “ He stopped and saw two big blues eyes staring at him questioningly. He had thought the worst. He had thought that the city knew who they were and had locked him away. Instead he comes home to find him sitting down having tea with “her.” He felt his chest go tight and something stirring in him. He shouldn’t be feeling this he had seen her before, but this time she looked right at him. Eye to eye. Why did this all feel so familiar?
“ Hello Lee it’s nice to see you again.” She inclined her head slightly to him and smiled. His chest felt tighter and for some strange reason so did his pants. He couldn’t stop looking at her. Those big blue eyes commanded his attention and those soft ruby lips of hers were just begging . . . This was way too, deja vous like for him.
Iroh didn’t miss it though he had watched his nephew as she began to talk and his whole body went into peace. He knew that his nephew liked this girl. Hopefully she would stay around. Ursa is she the one you told me of? Is she the girl that haunted his sleep?
“ Well I’m glad to see you too, Nephew.” Zuko shook his head to clear it of what he wanted to do to her and looked at his uncle. She watched as Zuko’s face went back into angry guy mode.
” It’s a little late and my joints are sore. Why don’t you take Lan home? “ Iroh put the letter up his sleeve and decided not to make a decision just yet. Something was telling him that they would be leaving Bah Sing Se and following another path. Oh well it was nice while it lasted.
“ That’s okay.” She stood up slowly and gracefully showing her legs off in the process. “ I’ll be fine.”
“ Nonsense! Jr. will take you home.” He handed her the bag and shoved them both out the door closing it with a loud thwack behind them. Iroh looked up at the ceiling and prayed. Ursa if this is, her fate is giving me a big helping hand.
“ I live beyond the city walls. I can handle myself if there is someone waiting for you?” She waited for him to answer and when he began to walk down the stairs she sighed and followed. She didn’t want to cause him any problems but it was nice to be around him again . . . even if he had forgotten her. They made it to the street and he stopped and looked at her questioningly.
“ What?” He was staring at her eyes again. Not that she minded. Most guys lately now were looking lower. She hated when they did that.
“ Which way should we go?” He looked at her with a completely blank expression on his face.
“ That way.” She pointed to the west and to the west they went. They fell in step with each other each in their own thoughts. Zuko’s were running around in circles with questions like Why did he feel at peace around her? Why did he feel as if he knew her? Why did her eyes hold him captivated like a moth to a flame?
Lan’s head was filled with other thoughts but still running in circles such as, What has happened to him all this time to make him so angry? Why was he here of all places? Should she say something to jog his memory of her? Was she that forgettable? Before they realized it, they were outside the city walls looking at the night sky lit up with stars. Neither remembered going on the train. Everything to this point was a blur.
“ Do you live much farther away?” He didn’t know why but he hoped she did. He didn’t want to leave her just yet.
“ A little. I should be safe so . . . “ She shrugged and was about to walk away when his hand reached for her hand and held her to the spot. She turned and looked at him and watched as his face softened and once again she saw the man she had met at the North come back.
“ No. I want to walk you home.” She nodded her head slowly and they walked hand in hand to the farm where she was staying. They reached the gate to the house and stopped. She looked to the house that was lit up and back to him. She didn’t want to go in.
“ Well this is where I live.” She looked down and noticed they were still holding hands. His eyes followed hers and he shrugged before releasing her hand. She sighed and mumbled her thanks before opening the gate. She heard voices coming from the house. She hoped that they haven’t been waiting up for her.
“ Lan.” She stopped and turned her head to look at him. His heart stopped as she looked at him with her eyes reflecting the sky. She had always wanted to hear her name be said by him.
“ Yes?” Her heart-shaped face looking at him in anticipation.
“ Would you like to go out with me sometime?” He cursed silently, as he said it, in his head for even asking. For one why was he even asking and two she was going to turn him down he was sure of it.
“ I’d like that.” She came back and stood toe to toe with him. “ How about a week from today?”
“ Oh!” She had actually said yes. He still couldn’t believe it. “ That would be fine.” He mumbled.
“ I would make it tomorrow but Mara is expecting any day now.”
“ I see.”
“ Then I will see you at the shop in one week.” She kissed his scarred cheek. “ Good night Lee.” She whispered to him before walking to her door.
He watched her hips sway and her skirts swished around her creamy legs. He touched the cheek where she had kissed him before making his way back to the city with a small smile on his lips. He still couldn’t believe what he had done. It was great except for one thing. She didn’t use his real name and it made him angry and sullen gain. He didn’t know why but he wanted to hear her say his real name.
TBC
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The Fall of Ozai