Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

Info:Usually I don't do this before a story, but I am going to for those of who haven't read my fanfic before. This is a prequel and will be multi-chaptered and is the story of Ozai's bodyguard. I have two other completed works about other bodyguards to other people within the royal family of the Fire Nation. When I do an OC story with main characters, I do not change the canons established by show. I try to weave a story within without disrupting the stories of the show. This story doesn't require you to read my other ones in order to understand it. Thanks for reading and please review.

The Tale of Tadao

"Great deeds give choice of many tales. Choose a slight tale, enrich it large, and then let wise men listen." -Pindar

This is the only autobiography that I will ever write. My mother used to tell me that we can only love by loving someone. That was when I had a different name. That was before the Society. Before Ozai. Before…

It was a long time ago. Know that I was once a child of an inconsequential noble family, one whose name is not even worth mentioning…except that this family protects the Royal males. There is a group known as the Society, led by the Guardian and a council called the Elders. This group is formed of bodyguards for hire for Fire Nation nobility, those who instruct them, and the Guardian who leads. There is the unimportant family, unaware of its own secret, which provides a child to protect each Royal Heir. Only the mothers are burdened with the truth. Training begins at the age of five in a general class until the age of nine, than instruction is done with one master. It is between the ages of fourteen and sixteen that rank is achieved to serve.

The training is brutal. These children are raised to be cold-hearted, analytical, and ruthless for the protection of their charge. The best of training, one that extends outside of the usual requirements, goes to those who protect the Royal Heirs.

My mother had already given one son up before I was born to the Society. Our family is small in numbers because of the war. I was born to replace that lost brother, but much to her grief I was taken when another Royal Heir was born.

Prince Ozai, the second son of Fire Lord Azulon and Fire Lady Ilah.

I can still remember the day when I was taken from my father's ancestral home. The only home I had ever known…

At the recent age of five, I had had only the servant's children to play with. Sadly for me on that day I could not find my favorite playmate. I cannot even recall his name. My only older brother who lived was already grown-up and out serving in the war. The other brother had died before I was even born. I skirted around the corner, slipping on the paneled wood on purpose. I skidded to a halt at the sharp sound of my mother's voice. "No!"

Her voice lulled me like a song to hover near the doorway that led to my parents' bedroom. I was worried for my mother did not cry out like that, but a strange, dark voice kept me from entering. "The second son is only two years younger than him," The strange voice said briskly, "Your youngest, Tamostsu, is the closest in age. You knew this when the second prince was born three years ago."

I did not understand what was going on, but I knew it had something to do with me. Something not good for this man was upsetting my mother!

My mother's voice trembled. "I thought…there are others in my family. Why my son again? You took Renzo from me!"

The strange voice was placid with no emotion as he replied. The voice surely had to belong to a man. "This is an honor beyond any. Others in the Society would kill to have such an honor," He replied, as if he were trying to comfort my mother in the only way he knew how to. "There are no others who are suitable. When I leave this island, your son will be coming with me."

"It's not fair," My mother's voice cracked as if she were weeping.

"That is life," The man said simply. "Where is your husband?"

"Serving a tour on the border patrol," My mother whispered as if in shock.

"Good. That will make this much easier to handle," The man said. He paused. "You can come in, Tamotsu."

I walked in with a guilty face, expecting my mother to scold me. Instead, she pulled me into her arms and held my head against her shoulder. The man I had glimpsed was hooded in a dark cloak and tall, reminding me of evil spirits. A shiver ran down my spine. My mother's hand gently stroked my hair. "Tomatsu," She whispered over and over like a chant.

"Come, Akane," The man urged, not unkindly, "Let him go."

I twisted my head to look at the man, but my mother only held me tighter. "Mom!" I protested annoyed.

"Akane," The man warned with an edge to his voice. My mother's hand dropped as she pulled me away to look me directly into my eyes. I was shocked and worried at the tears that fled down her pale cheeks.

"Don't forget who you are," My mother whispered fiercely. "You are Tamotsu, son of Masato and Akane. You are…"

The man grabbed my small shoulder roughly to pull me away. My mother did not react. Her hands simply dropped to her side as she stared at me with lost eyes. "He will not be Tamotsu anymore," The man said. "Your son died today."

I looked up at the man with horrified eyes, only to see golden eyes flashing underneath his hood. He pulled me along as he left my mother's room. "Where are we going?" I cried. "I want my mother!"

The man stopped and let out a sigh. "I forget how young you are," He amended. "Forget her. Forget this, all of it." He gestured the hall we were in.

"But…"

"There are no 'buts' in this," The man interrupted me with a sharp edge in his tone. It left no room for argument. "My name is Manzo, but you may call me master. It is the proper title."

I left with Manzo soon after, not taking any of my belongings with me. That was the last day I lived at my home. That was the last time I would see my mother.

I could describe with painful detail the training that I went through, of the other trainees I learned with until the age of nine; of the bullying and competition amongst such young ones, that we were not encouraged to make friends. It was one year later after I was taken that I would swear the formal oath to my charge. I had learnt the rules over the last year and as a child away from home, I had begun to forget it. My mother. My father. It seemed like a distant dream to me and I did not question the Society, its teachers I learned from, or Manzo. Not that I saw that man often much anymore. He was a teacher within the Society. The place we dwelt at is called the Center, the home of the Society. It is hidden discretely on one of the outer islands of no importance within the Fire Nation.

When I swore my oath to my charge, he was nothing but a child with bright golden eyes at the age of four, two years younger than myself. That was the first time I had ever been to the Royal Palace…

It had taken hours by boat to arrive to the Capital. We had come into the palace through discreet servant passageways; therefore I had not seen the palace truly. Manzo stood beside me, watching me with patient eyes at the courtyard we now stood in. I tried to keep from fidgeting. Manzo is a tall man to a small child, but is truly short and stocky in build. His dark brown hair, streaked with grey, was in a top-knot with traditional sideburns. His golden eyes, the color of tree sap with a hint of orange, watched me with a critical gaze. One massive and breathtaking tree that was crooked with age with red buds of leaves starting to bloom stood at the center of the courtyard. The sky above was tinged with the incoming twilight. The courtyard's stone was designed in the shape of a flame surrounding the tree in many hues of red and gold. There was one low bench before the tree that sat unoccupied.

Finally a woman strolled in elegantly, dressed in royal attire. She was the Fire Lord's wife, Fire Lady Ilah. I recognized her instantly. Everyone knows what the faces of the Royal Family look like. Their images are everywhere in the Fire Nation. She is a petite looking lady with a smaller, angular sort of face. She is still young enough to have a child, but nearing the age where such a thing becomes a surprise. Fire Lady Ilah nodded gracefully at Manzo. My six year old eyes were drawn to the grumpy child at her side, holding one of her hands. Prince Ozai made sniffling sounds of extreme irritation. He had to be no older than four. I was going to protect a baby? But he is a Royal Heir, I thought, my six year old ego became inflated. "I do apologize," Lady Ilah murmured, "He just woke up a little awhile ago."

Manzo bowed respectfully as I fumbled to do the same with masculine power. "My name is Manzo, Your Majesty," Manzo intoned with deep respect. "I am honored to be the one chosen to be here today."

"Thank you, Manzo," Fire Lady Ilah replied with a tiny smile. She looked a lot younger than the Fire Lord did in his pictures, I thought. I decided it would be best not to comment that opinion out loud. "This is him, then?" She inquired with curious eyes. Her eyes were such a dark gold…they almost looked like amber. I almost blushed being underneath her gaze, but I stared at her right back. I was not afraid.

"Yes, his name is Tadao," Manzo responded with a gesture towards me. I looked at him expectantly and took a step towards Fire Lady Ilah. I looked up to observe Lady Ilah looking at me with a flicker of familiarity. "He looks…he has Memoru's eyes," She said with an almost soft undertone. She looked back at Manzo.

He almost looked…uncomfortable to respond. "I ask that you keep this to yourself, Your Majesty," He said respectfully. "This is a more treasured secret of the Society. All those whom protect the Royal Family are kin. Memoru is a cousin to Tadao."

Fire Lady Ilah looked very interested at this explanation. "Do they know this themselves?"

"Yes."

"Does the Fire Lord know?"

"I do not know," Manzo said stiffly. "He might entirely be well aware of the fact."

Fire Lady Ilah nodded. "Don't worry, I'll respect your wish," She said kindly, "Ozai," She said tenderly. The Royal Prince looked up at her with tired eyes. "Pay attention, now." Prince Ozai looked at me for the first time. I felt the heat of his eyes. They were sharp, especially for someone two years younger than me. He had a light color of gold, unlike his mother's eyes. He looked like a perfect little miniature prince.

I bowed down onto my knee and kept my head down as I recited the oath I had learnt perfectly over the last year. "My body and my mind are your shield and weapon. I swear my oath to serve you loyally. I am your protection. I am the life that would die for you. I exist to serve you. I will always follow you." I looked up to look at Prince Ozai…my charge…

The Prince looked at me wonderingly. He opened his mouth and spoke to me for the first time. "Thank you," He said with his child's lisp lingering in his voice. "I know you will serve me well, Tadao."

I looked at his that when they met mine a chord was struck. He would be trusting me to protect him for the rest of his life, and someday his future wife and children. Of course we did not entirely understand that at the time, but then and there our relationship was formed. I would do anything to protect him.

There are yearly visits I would make to the Royal Palace every year for several days to acquaint myself with my future surroundings and charge. When I was nine years of age, I was given a single instructor to train me until I reached full status. My teacher was Manzo. Training in the Society is brutal and difficult. The training I was given went beyond that of the normal training. Since I was to be present in the Royal Court someday, there were other…skills…I was trained for.

My charge, Prince Ozai, is many years younger than his older brother, the Crown Prince Iroh. I found Ozai to be brilliant and skilled with his firebending as the years progressed. His father, the Fire Lord, whom I had not met during those early years, was a distant father and concentrated on the war. He only ever seemed to pay attention to his beloved first born. My charge had the best of everything, except his father's attention. Fire Lady Ilah was a loving wife in every form, doting on her youngest son whenever she could. As for the Crown Prince, he often was not to be found for he was twenty years older than Prince Ozai.

The Crown Prince was in every definition the perfect prince of our nation, at least in appearances from what I had seen. I can recall the first time I met him. I was eleven years of age and my charge was only nine on one of my yearly visits…

I sat beside my charge on the grassy grounds in the gardens. The sky above was a shining blue. Prince Ozai stretched out lazily beside me, staring up at the sky with narrowed golden eyes. His face was becoming more angular over the years, promising good looks. A bodyguard cannot be friends with their charge. I was not. It did not mean that there was no sort of bond though. There was one of the master and the servant, and in that bond Prince Ozai knew I would not break his trust. My loyalty was beyond question to him. Had he not know me since early childhood now?

"My father hates me," My charge said abruptly, breaking the silence. He turned his head on the grass to look up at me. "Haven't you noticed, Tadao?"

"I have not met your father."

My charge grumbled something nonsensical. "He only loves Iroh. What has he done? It's not fair!"

"Hello Ozai," A warm voice rumbled into the air. I looked over, too late to notice his presence…the Crown Prince. Prince Iroh was a young man, rather short and stocky in build, but with muscles. He had the same ebony hair as his brother, but with their mother's dark golden eyes. His face was squarer in build, while Ozai's is sharper. My charge sprang up to his feet upon his brother's greetings. I did as well.

"Back from the Earth Kingdom so soon?" Prince Ozai asked acidly. "Father must be pleased."

Iroh grinned at his brother. I could see something…soft…in his eyes. Did this man love his little brother? From what I had observed Prince Ozai was in his shadow, loving and hating him at the same time. "He is, but then so is mother," Prince Iroh added. "I thought you might be happy to see me."

Prince Ozai looked startled and confused. "I…who's that?" He asked, changing the subject as he pointed to the shadowy figure clung to the Crown Prince's side. My eyes were instantly concentrated as the man stepped up closer behind the Crown Prince. The man was taller, leaner sorts of man but with a broad enough build to not be a pathetic stick. His lanky build almost reminded me of my own. I would soon start to enter the teenage years at long last. His eyes…when they met mine they widened before returning to normal…they were the same eyes as that of my father whom I could barely remember. He had my eyes!

"This is Reizo," Prince Iroh said with a gesture towards the man. "He is my bodyguard. You don't remember him?"

"No, I don't," My charge said shortly.

Reizo bowed towards my charge without saying a word. His face was expressionless. He is from the Society as I am…and must be of my kin protect a Royal Heir. I wondered if he was…the brother that had been lost to my mother before me… Reizo looked to be around the same age as the Crown Prince. Prince Iroh looked at me curiously for seemingly the first time, but I knew he had noticed me earlier. "Who's this?" He asked.

Prince Ozai had a haughty expression on his face. "I get to have my own bodyguard too," He said with bragging in his voice. Was he displaying me like some prized toy? I almost snorted at the thought. "His name is-"

"Tadao," I said, cutting off my charge's bragging. It did not suit him as a prince to do such a thing, especially to his older brother who would one day be the Fire Lord. I bowed to the Crown Prince.

"A pleasure to meet you, Tadao," Prince Iroh said politely. He looked back at his brother. "I will see you at dinner then." He nodded and left as quickly as he had come. Reizo followed him like a silent shadow.

Prince Ozai was glaring at me when I turned to look at him. "Let me handle my family, Tadao," He said angrily. "I don't always need your protection!"

My charge was a boy, and later young man, who thirsted for more than what he could have. He envied Prince Iroh. He hated and loved his father and brother. The more Prince Iroh ever tried to express affection when he was around at the palace, the more Prince Ozai scoffed and hated him. The Fire Lord was a cold and distant figure to his youngest son. As for Fire Lady Ilah, she passed away in my charge's eleventh year, from a life-taking event that happens to woman all over the world. The baby had been a daughter.

As for myself, I completed my training at the age of sixteen. The ages of initiation goes from fourteen to sixteen. I was at the usual age for it. My firebending would never be truly that of a master's, such as the legendary skills of the Fire Lord, but enough to compete with any who would dare to attempt to harm my charge. The Society has some of the best. Firebending runs strong in my family. I met the Guardian, the leader of the Society, the only one who can give full status to a trainee, the day I was to leave the Center for good…

I stood in the study room that belonged to the Guardian. The room was simply square with two slotted windows across from the entrance. The walls were a bland grey stone. Both joint walls were stacked with shelves of books and a banner of the Fire Nation hung between the two windows. One round carpet with an imprint of a map of the world covered the chilly stones. At a low table sat the Guardian. I was surprised to not see some wizened old man, but a young man in his twenties to look at me with intelligent dark eyes. He pointed at the cushion across from him at the table and I sat without a word.

"Surprised at my age?" He asked. I was again shocked to hear…humor…in his voice? "Do not worry. I have only been the Guardian for a short time now." The Guardian tilted his head as he looked at me with a serious face. "I know your eyes…" He commented as if to himself. "I should have expected that, you are brothers after all."

"Do you mean Reizo?" I asked, speaking out of turn. I should not have opened my mouth.

The Guardian nodded as if he had not heard me. "Yes," He responded thickly. He looked back at me. "Now it is your turn to be a full bodyguard. You will go and swear again your oath to your charge."

I nodded.

He nodded sharply. "Once you do that, it is done. Go back to your charge at the Royal Palace."

I sat up to leave, but paused at the door. I looked back at the Guardian who stared at me. I had not expected such a man to be the leader of the Society. "How do you know Reizo?" I asked calmly.

"We grew up together here," The Guardian responded. "Tell him that Keitaro sends his greetings."

I returned to the Royal Palace and took my oath once more to my fourteen year-old charge. I now knew the Reizo was my brother, but I did not know him. I recall looking at my charge's eyes, withdrawn and somehow trusting when I had given my oath. My charge was the only family in a way I had. We were both strangers and distrusting of our brothers. I did not give the message to my brother from the Guardian.

I did not trust him.