I decided I'd try writing again...

I am aware that there are probably stories out there that are similar to this but frankly, I don't give a damn. This is my story.

Just as a warning, I'm terrible with schedules so don't expect this to be updated consistently.

Anyway... enjoy!

Chapter 1: Leaving Home because your Father is Terrible at Parenting

Zuko woke up screaming again. He'd been reliving the Agni Kai in his dreams over the last few days. He'd see his father leaning over him as he knelt on the floor, pleading. His father would lift his hand, setting it alight, before sending it towards his face. And then he'd wake up to the very real pain, from the very real wound, that marred the left side of his face. He'd never stay awake for long, though he would scream and shake for a while before drifting back into unconsciousness.

Iroh had been in the next room, making tea, when he heard his nephew's cries. He rushed through to see the young boy screaming in agony, curling into himself in fear of something, someone, that was not there. The physical wound had begun to heal but his mind was still broken. Seeing him like that had Iroh's heart crumbling.

How could someone do this to their own kin? He'd never thought highly of his younger brother but this assured Iroh that he no longer considered Ozai family, in any sense of the word. He'd had his suspicions that Ozai would try to remove Zuko as his heir, but Iroh hadn't realised the lines he was willing to cross to make that happen.

He tentatively reached forward to console his young nephew but as soon as his fingers brushed against Zuko's arm, the boy shrieked even louder and buried further under the bedsheets. He looked so fragile as he lay there, shivering. Every whimper had Iroh wishing he could take the pain away.

"Zuko," he spoke softly. "Zuko it's Uncle Iroh. Can you hear me?"

The young boy stopped shaking. Iroh couldn't help but smile when he saw a golden eye peering up at him.

"Uncle?" Zuko looked confused. His hand reached up to the bandage on his face. "Uncle, I can't see. Why can't I see?" He was starting to get rather panicked as he attempted to remove the gauze from around his head.

"No! Zuko you must leave it on. It is to protect your healing wound."

"My wou-, "His face went ashen. "No, nononono… that wasn't real! It couldn't have been real…"

He denied it, but Iroh could tell by his expression that Zuko realised it was true. He held his face in his hands, muttering things Iroh couldn't make out. As the moments went on, the muttering turned into quiet sobs.

"Oh, Zuko," Iroh pulled the boy into a hug. "Everything will be alright. It's okay, you're alright."

Iroh wasn't sure if he believed what he said but he'd hoped he was convincing enough to make Zuko believe it. Zuko hugged him tighter as he sobbed.

"Why did he do this Uncle? I don't understand."

"I'm sorry Zuko, I don't know."

Once Iroh felt Zuko had calmed enough, he decided to go find some tea. Tea makes everything better. The healers never kept any good stuff in the infirmary so Iroh decided to go to his quarters to get his favourite blend of ginseng.

The hallways of the Fire Nation palace were dark and quiet. It was early morning, before sunrise, so the servants hadn't started their day yet. Iroh reached his room and found his tea with no interruption. As he walked back towards the infirmary, he heard voices from around a corner that made him stop. One voice he did not recognise but the other was a voice he was all too familiar with: Jian.

Jian was one of Ozai's advisors. While his duties were to help the Fire Lord during meetings with his council, Iroh suspected he did things for Ozai, terrible things, that were not discussed during meetings. He was a sleazy, wretched man and wherever he was, bad things followed close behind.

"What do you mean, he's alive?!" Jian whispered harshly. "You told me last week that the healers were sure he would not survive!"

"H-he made a rapid recovery over the last few days. H-he regained consciousness ab-bout an hour ago," the servant stuttered.

"The Fire Lord had been assured that the boy would die so we must find another way!"

"What? B-but that would be treason-"

"Not if the Fire Lord orders it! Now follow me. We've got to fix this mess before the Fire Lord finds out!"

The two men began walking down the hallway, their footsteps fading out of Iroh's hearing. He could barely breathe as he processed what had just been discussed. They're going to kill him. Iroh felt his world toppling around him. He knew what he must do. Never seeing Zuko again would be a price Iroh was willing to pay if it meant that his dear nephew would live.

When Iroh reached the infirmary, Zuko had drifted asleep again.

Iroh grasped his arm and shook him awake. The boy jumped up in surprise but smiled when he saw his uncle. Iroh tried to smile back but he was very aware of what little time they had. He looked around the room and found a bag in one of the storage boxes. He began filling it with some bandages, ointment and some food he found in the small kitchen area.

"Uncle, what are you doing?" Zuko sounded frightened.

"You are in danger Zuko. You must leave the Fire Nation before they find you!"

"What do you mean Uncle? Why am I in danger?"

"We need to get you clothes! I'll explain on the way to your quarters, can you walk?"

Zuko nodded. Iroh helped him out of bed and grabbed the bag. He nearly dragged Zuko down the hallways towards the family quarters of the palace. The sun still hadn't risen so there was no-one to see their hastiness. Once they reached Zuko's door, Iroh locked them in.

"I'm sorry to say this Zuko, but it seems your father did not plan for you to recover from your injury," Iroh said solemnly.

"You mean he wants me... dead?"

Iroh could see tears starting to form in his uncovered eye. Iroh chose to look away and search for clothes that didn't look 'royal'. He found some casual looking outfits in the back of the closet. He threw a set towards Zuko and stuffed another set in the bag.

"Put that on. You'll be less recognisable."

Zuko complied but he still seemed shaken. Once he'd changed, Iroh unlocked the door and took Zuko down an old servant's passageway. It was no longer in use so everything was coated in several layers of dust.

"Where are we going?" Zuko whispered.

"A place not many people know about. If only I could find the- aha hear it is!"

Iroh reached for the handle which had been strategically disguised in the patterned wall.

The wall opened up to an even darker, dustier looking passageway. Iroh pulled the young boy inside and sealed the way behind them. They walked along a number of passages and down several flights of stairs before reaching a door. On the other side, they were met by a large underground tunnel.

"Come along Zuko, we're almost there."

Zuko didn't reply, he just looked up at his uncle with a grave expression before following him into the tunnel.

The cave tunnel was creepy and Zuko swore it smelled like death. He didn't understand why his father wanted him dead. Was it because he liked Azula better? Did he want her to be the next Fire Lord? He knew his firebending wasn't as good as Azula's but he always tried. Whenever he messed up, he got back up and tried again. Surely that meant something.

Zuko was torn from his thoughts when he saw a glimpse of daylight up ahead. The cave opened up to a small shoreline. The ocean? Where are we? Zuko followed his uncle to a small rowing boat that lay on the sand. Together, they pushed it into the water and Iroh put the bag into the boat.

"Turn around Zuko."

Zuko looked confused but turned anyway. Iroh pulled out his knife and grasped Zuko's hair. Before the boy could react, he sliced the hair away. Zuko turned quickly to face his Uncle. His hair now stopped just below his ears and it fell in messy chunks over his face, which was set in a deep frown.

"It was necessary Zuko. Now take this and keep it with you, always." Iroh handed him the small blade.

"I remember when you gave this to me the first time." Zuko smiled sadly, remembering the moment, as he put the knife in his belt.

He clambered into the boat and turned to face his Uncle.

"From now on Zuko, no matter where you end up, you must go by the name of Lee. It's a common name so you'll blend in. And when you get the chance, find some other clothes, something that's not Fire Nation. I've put a small bag of money in the bag, that should help you and-"

"But Uncle, you're coming with me, right?" Zuko looked pleadingly at Iroh.

"I'm sorry Zuko, I can't. It's for your own safety."

Before he could protest anymore, Iroh gave the boat a strong shove further into the ocean. He watched his nephew cry as the boat drifted farther and farther away from the shore. When he knew Zuko could no longer see him clearly, he let himself shed the tears he'd been holding back.

Zuko cried as he watched the shape of his uncle fade. He was drifting further from the shoreline, from his uncle, his home and everything he knew. He saw his uncle wave to him and walk back towards the cave.

When he wasn't in sight, Zuko picked up the oars and began rowing. If what Uncle Iroh said was true, people would eventually come searching for him.

Zuko rowed until the sun set and was still rowing as it rose again. He only stopped when fatigue was threatening to overcome him completely. He lifted the ores into the small boat and lay down next to them. There wasn't that much room for him but he was too exhausted to notice. Sleep came to him in a matter of moments.

He dreamt again. He dreamt of his escape but this time, Iroh came with him. They became refugees in the earth kingdom, they blended in and they were happy. Iroh would spend his days making tea and telling bad jokes. They lived in peace and Zuko felt safe. But then one day, Ozai found them. He stormed in with his troops and burned all the villages until he found them. Iroh tried to protect him but he was no match for his father. As Iroh lay on the ground dying, Ozai turned to face Zuko. He lifted his hand, ignited with flame and reached towards him…

Zuko awoke startled, only to find himself looking into a pair of deep blue eyes.

Yay! No dumb haircut! Don't worry he'll still be grumpy and dorky at some point.

Also, you can probably tell who he's going to meet from the character list.

I'm gonna try to upload the next chapter fairly soon but like I said, I'm bad at this stuff.

Did anyone notice the title didn't carry the same tone as the chapter? That'll probably be a theme throughout this story. I was also tempted to add "aka The Sam Winchester Method" in brackets but I thought that was too much.

Don't feel obligated to leave a review but if you do I'll read it. My self-conscious brain appreciates them.

Merry Christmas!