Avatar's Protector

Chapter 5: Memories

"Okay! Okay Kai! I'm almost done!" I laughed as Kai continually yipped at me to hurry up while I brushed my long brown hair. Instead of braiding my hair, I put it in a high ponytail and left my bangs hanging out. Satisfied with my hair, I inspected myself in the mirror as I twirled around in my new orange dress. As I twist and turned, I couldn't help but smile at how perfectly the dress fitted me and how the dress showed off my tattoos so clearly.

If I had gotten this dress a few weeks ago, and didn't have Iroh to give me some confidence, I wouldn't be wearing this dress at all. Or I would, but with knee high boots, long sleeves or gloves and with a shoulder scarf to hide my tattoos. I still have some days were I feel like I have to hide my tattoos, because people aren't allowed to see them. But other days, I don't hide them and wear them proudly, because the monks aren't here.

Satisfied on how I look in the dress, I took my teardrop starfish necklace and put it on before I walked over to Kai and let him jump on to my shoulder before leaving my room. Shortly after, I and Kai entered the dinning room and walked over to the table that already had the retired general and prince sitting at it. Hearing my foot steps, both Iroh and Zuko looked up and spotted me. Zuko's mouth fell open as he stared at me in awe while Iroh looked at me with a warm, proud, fatherly smile. "You look beautiful Asami!" Iroh said as he picked up Kai after he jumped off my shoulder and run over to Iroh.

I smiled at him with a blush and did a small twirl for them. "Thank you Uncle Iroh!" I said as stopped my twirl and walked over to my chair. "For both the compliment and the dress!" I added with a big knowing smile as I sat down. But Iroh just frowned at my comment before he started to speak. "But I didn- OUCH!" Iroh suddenly cried out in pain and glared at Zuko, but his nephew just ignored him as he looked down at his tea. I frowned at the two royals in front of me, but they spare no mind to me. Zuko looked at his uncle for a split second before looking back at his tea and took a sip.

Iroh glared one more time at Zuko before looking back at me with a smile. My frowned deepened in confusion as my eyes flickered from the one firebender to the other. "You okay uncle?" I asked slowly as my eyes flicker over to Zuko for a split second before looking back to Iroh. But Iroh just smiled as he waved his hand before picking up a cup and poured some tea. "No worries dear Asami!" He said as he poured the tea. "I just accidently stomped my toe against the table!" He added with a giggle and handed the cup of tea to me.

I looked at him with a 'not convinced' expression, but the retired general just continued smiling at me. Seeing that nothing else to the matter, I shrugged it off and started drinking my tea. Noticing the tea, Kai yipped from Iroh's shoulders and looked at the kind man with pleading eyes. Iroh chuckled at the fire ferret's eyes and then poured some tea into a smaller cup for him. "Here you go my little friend!" He said after pouring the tea and held his arm straight towards the table for Kai to climb down on. Kai quickly climbed down to the table on Iroh's arm, and yipped his thanks before he started drinking his tea as well.

The four of us peacefully continued drinking our tea in silence until one of the crew members came in and handed Zuko a scroll. Zuko opened the scroll and read it with a blank face until his eyes widen. "Omashu?!?" He exclaimed as he looked up at the crew member who nodded before leaving the room. "What about Omashu?" I asked as both Iroh and I frowned at the scar prince in confusion. "The Avatar." Zuko answered as he handed the scroll to Iroh to read. "He's in Omashu." Hearing his statement, I couldn't help but groan as I mentally rolled my eyes at my brother.

"Of coarse he is." I muttered as I shook my head. "Let me guess... They found him riding on Omashu's delivery system." Both Iroh and Zuko looked at me in surprise but I just stared back blankly. "How did you know?" Zuko asked while Iroh scratched his head in confusion. "Because this isn't the first time he's done it." I answered as I crossed my arms, shaking my head as I thought of my brother and his crazy- Wait, sorry! Mad genius friend! "He and his friend did it every single time when we visited Omashu." I said, smiling a small smile as a flashback formed in my head.