General Iroh is a kind man. Anyone within the current fire nation army could attest to that after associating with him. Quirky, yes lazy also yes. But he had never shown a face or carried a presence like the higher ups within fire nation army.
However, not many actually knew his past. Nor the feats of the dragon of the west. The six hundred day campaign that took out the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. He only mellowed out after the death of his only son. Retiring from the war and the power play within the fire nation.
He saw the destruction his brother Ozai laid on the lands, his ambitions that took away his sister in law and the youth of his niece. He was too late to stop them, so he decided to protect Zuko.
Yet now, as Iroh walked along with the many refugees to earth Kingdom, he felt disappointed at himself. Zuko left some time ago, however the rumours about him loosing his ability to weild fire and his lost against Zhao had spread and reached the ears of the fire lord.
'If only, I was a step faster'
Iroh blamed himself.
The fire lord was merciless. He did not care about anything else than power. And a weak son was a thorn to his reputation. He had immediately sent his forces to eliminate both the origin of the rumours, and the source.
While Iroh managed to save as many crew members as he could, he was not able to help everyone. The cold fire flashed, bringing death as it flashed.
His actions held consequences. He, along with Zuko, were deemed as fugitives. A decree to kill or capture at sight came directly from the Palace, making him vulnerable in anywhere within fire nation colonies. And so, he alone, separating from the group of escapees made his way to Ba Sing Se.
Iroh calmed his troubled heart while taking a sip of cheap tea. He wanted to find Zuko immediately, but he had no clues. So it would seem that he needed the help from some of his old friends. The avatar had awaken, so it would be better to meet them as soon as possible. And then maybe bring a semblance of balance to the nations.
Ignoring the piercing gaze of couple of armed teenagers, he took another sip of his now warm tea with eyes closed.
"I hope you are safe Zuko"