[Earth on Fire] Zuko x OC

Chapter 20: The Chase (Part 2)

"Kioni?" he replied, looking equally puzzled.

I gaped at Iroh, my mouth opening and closing like some kind of stupid looking fish, but I couldn't help myself. It had been ages since I'd seen him, not since Zuko and I left the boat at the North Pole. Iroh looked decidedly different - he appeared to have lost some weight, but not in a healthy way, and looked older and more tired since I'd last seen him.

Still, it was Iroh. The softness in his eyes had not disappeared, and I could smell the faint scent of tea that always wafted around him. It smelled so comforting that, before I could stop myself, I ran forward and embraced him.

"Oof!" Iroh huffed, stumbling backwards slightly, but he wound his arms around me all the same. I buried my face in his shoulder, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones again, making me feel like a child.

"I'm sorry," I sniffed, and pulled away, horrified to feel tears building up behind my eyes. "I didn't mean... I don't know..."

"Do not apologize, Kioni," Iroh said, giving me a warm smile, his strong hands still resting on my forearms. "I have missed you, my dear." I smiled tentatively at him, suddenly feeling loads better.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. Suddenly, I froze. If Iroh was here, then that must mean... "Um, is... is Zuko with you?" I coughed once, my eyes darting around the clearing nervously.

"No, actually," Iroh replied, looking sad. "I'm traveling by myself at the moment." My eyes stilled, settling on Iroh again and widening with surprised.

"What?" I asked, puzzled. "Where... " I trailed off, unsure what to say.

Iroh heaved a sigh and looked at me tiredly. "It's a bit of a long story. What are you doing here, out in the woods by yourself?"

"Also kind of a long story," I hedged, shifting my weight. The corners of Iroh's mouth quirked upwards in a smile.

"Well then," he said. "It seems like this is the perfect discussion to have over a cup of jasmine tea."

I let out a laugh, shaking my head as Iroh chuckled next to me. "I would love to," I smiled, feeling something like home settle in my chest as he pulled out his tea set from his bag.

________________

"Thank you," I said, accepting the steaming cup from Iroh. We sat on the ground in the clearing, around the small fireplace which Iroh had made. I noticed his teapot and cups were simple and crude, made from clay instead of the porcelain I'd seen him use aboard Zuko's ship. I sipped the tea tentatively, sighing when the exquisite taste spread across my tastebuds. "Oh, Koh, I have missed your tea, Iroh."

"Why thank you," Iroh smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I must say, I have missed having someone around who appreciates it as much as I do."

I set my cup down, and opened my mouth to inquire about Zuko, but Iroh spoke before I did.

"As the lady, I believe you should start," he winked, and I huffed out a laugh.

"I was looking for someone, actually," I said. "She was traveling with us, but... some fights occurred and she left. I was hoping to find her and convince her to come back." Iroh's brow crease and a thoughtful look formed on his face.

"Would this girl happen to be blind, by any chance?" he asked. "Petite, with green clothes, black hair that falls over her face, and a stubborn necessity to do things without the help of others?"

I looked up, surprised. "Yes... that sounds exactly like Toph, actually," I said, titling my head. "Did you see her?"

"I had tea with her not thirty minutes before I bumped into you," Iroh smiled. "I gave her some advice, and I think it got through to her."