Leaves From the Vine: Lu Ten Survives (An ATLA AU)

Book 0 Healing
Chapter 4: What Are You

Shyu was always a difficult man to truly understand. He had been against the war, and had been rather open in his disdain for it. He was one of the last of his familial line, and with his ascendence to the Sages, would be the last.

He gave up everything. Nobility, wealth, power, and even political reputation, all because he thought the war should end.

Yet you almost felt happy that he was such a man who was still allowed to walk freely. A man who could go on to become the High Sage of the Fire Sages, if all went well, and he decided to say nothing too controversial like his father.

Well, anything more than an actual call to end the war on a negotiated peace.

The Ghosts of your friends and comrades still followed you, when you entered the temple, to speak to him.

When he saw you, there was almost a sad smile, one that was filled not with any sort of malice or disgust, as many saw you. But with a genuine care, that only a few had. Like… You smiled as you scratched your face. "Sage, I come seeking wisdom."

"You've come to the wrong safe if you're looking for wisdom." He smirked as he sat down across from you. "You know what will happen, knowing what has happened to you."

"Is my reputation among the people so low that my presence is not welcomed?" You asked.

"Far from it, many would be asking what they could do to see you on the throne, despite all the politics that they do not understand." He then removed a cup, and you saw a teapot beside him. Prepared, and ready, all that was needed was it to be boiled "Jasmine tea?"

"My-" You paused and remembered something. "It was my father's favorite?"

"What is yours?" He asked. "A man like Iroh must have loved to see his son drink tea?"

You found yourself looking at the tea. "Whatever my father made was my favorite. It mattered not the ingredients or the situation. A cup of calming tea is always… needed."

A tear fell down your face. "I'll never get to have tea with him again, talk about our day… or just sit beside each other, and enjoy each other's company."

Shyu nodded. "Is that why you are here, to seek wisdom, or to mourn?"

"I don't know." You said and it finally hit you. "I would have thought that the sages would grant me wisdom, about what I should do?"

A moment passed before Shyu handed over the teapot. "You know how to get the tea right, like your father did it. I think it might be good for you to try, do something that will help you remember him."

"I've never been good at making tea." You said sheepishly, afraid of what would happen.

"No one is ever going to be a master at anything if he doesn't try." the sage replied. "Try?"

You held the pot in your hand, and held it forward, and held your hand out, and looked towards it… and you let the flame be unleashed, but controlled it, feeling it touch the bottom of the pot and move slowly around the side.

The pot bubbled from the heat, and it brewed, and then you stopped.

And then the sage held out a cup, and you poured. It was dark, and it had a rich aroma.

Than the sage took a quick sip, savoring the taste and swishing it around his mouth, before finally swallowing it.

"This is terrible." He said. "It's not hot enough."

"Cold leaf juice is what Father would say." You then held up the pot and heated it up a little more. "Did you know my father?"

"No. I wish I had. But I was never well-liked by the royal family. Too much of an outspoken proponent for peace." He paused before he saw your eyes glaze over, and staring at nothing. "You've been through a lot, haven't you son?"

You frowned and set the teapot down. "I just want the ghosts to stop haunting me in my dreams." You whispered. "They follow me in every waking hour… and I fear they will consume me."

"No they won't." The sage said as he placed an arm on your shoulder. "But you will be consumed by so much of your inner turmoil, that they might as well consume you."

A moment later, he rose and took a sip. "Much better." He said. "I believe, above all else, that this war will not end until we learn that we are no different than any of the people we conquer. And once that happens, when we have the ability to change our perspective, we will find peace."

"But we can't do that." You said.

"But we can try." He said. "You can try."
-------------------------------------------

You got the first good night's sleep in ages.

What do you do now?:

[]Meditate: You are going to rest and find balance, if you can. Maybe you can ask them for forgiveness, the ghosts that still haunt you.

[]The Ceremony: Grandfather always loved his theatrics and his love of parades. Your father will be dead in the ground, buried. But Grandfather will not care. He will cement a legacy that his father would never want.

[]Home Life: You are going to see how Zuko and Azula are doing. Maybe you can… try and follow the sage advice.

[]Retracing your Steps: You are going to follow your father's footsteps again… and your own… back to the Sun Warriors, back to the Dragons.

AN: Enjoy, because it seems now I am doing this pro bono.

You all better enjoy that.