A/N: A short filler chapter, not much happens. Going to have a bit of a time jump after.

-oOo-

If there was one downside to the constant guard watch over the young prince, it was that he developed a nasty habit of slipping away from view. The first time had sent the boy's mother into a frenzies. They had found him halfway up the side of a building. Despite their best attempts, and every one of their reassurances, they were unable to keep the boy under feet at all times. They had managed to persuade him to at least keep on the palace grounds.

The guards and royal family found it quiet frustrating for the child to disappear as if in a cloud of smoke. Piandao found the whole endeavor quiet humorous. Or at least he would have, if not for the fact that he was searching the boy out. He had explored every section of the palace he was allowed entrance to, and had yet to stumble upon him. Even after a reunion with Lady Ursa, and asking her, she had just sighed and stated that her son was somewhere on the grounds. She hadn't looked too surprised.

After a few hours of searching, Piandao finally found the young boy. He was in a training courtyard off in the far corner. It was an unused one, lacking any of the proper material for firebending training. A small plateform rose just a few inches from the pavement. There were two small cherry blossom to the side, flanking a small bench. It was a quiet little section off in the far west corner, away from the bustle of the palace.

On the plateform, the young prince held a wooden practice sword in his hand. He sported a form fitting tunic, and pair of loose pants. His hair was pulled into a messy knot. He moved with the grace of youth as he jutted the sword forward. His lack of training was clear from the shacking of his elbow and the poor placement of his feet.

Piandao watched silently as the young Avatar moved through the forms. He had a natural grace to his movements, but it was becoming more and more clear that he lacked the proper training needed. This became even clearer when after a clear mistake, Zuko groaned into the sky, and stomped over towards a large stack of scrolls. He searched through them, comparing his stance to whatever was on the paper. When he turned back to the training plateform, his gaze landed on the man watching him.

"May I help you?" Zuko asked, tightening his grip on the wooden blade. His eyes went to the sword resting on Piandao's hip. He learned long ago to never leave without a blade.

"I couldn't help but watch," Piandao replied, giving a formal bow. "I apologize if I have started you. Have you been properly trained?"

Zuko frowned, shacking his head. "No. Is it that obvious?"

Piandao entered the courtyard, stopping just at the other end of the plateform. "You have a natural stance, and grace to your form. But there is a clear lack of technical reform to your movements. Retake your stance."

Zuko walked slowly towards him, brow raised in hesitation. "Which stance?"

"Whatever is most natural to you." Piandao inclined his head.

Zuko looked him over once more, before deciding to follow through. He shifted his feet to shoulders width apart. Angeling his body towards the man, he raised the practice sword to eye level. He held the stance, eyeing Piandao. His shoulder's coarse with tension.

"The Gasumi. Interesting beginning stance. Tell me, why did you chose this one?"

"I don't know. Is there something wrong with it."

"No," Piandao smiled sadly. He could see the desire for praise and fear of retribution boiling behind the boy's gaze. He gently lowered the blade to allow Zuko a better view. "The Gasumi is a a rather powerful stance. It comes with quick and decisive movements."

Piandao guided Zuko's hands forward, jutting the wooden blade forward, before slowly guiding it in a downwards arch. He guided Zuko back into the original stance. The boy stepped back, putting distance between the two of them. He looked Piandao over, trying to decide on something. "Who do you think you are? I'm a prince of the Fire Nation. You can't just touch me."

Piandao wondered how much of this reaction was that of a spoiled child, and how much of it was an affect of the recent attacks upon him. He had been rather trusting of Piandao upon first moments, but that seemed to be on question now. Piandao bowed fully, hands in a traditional Fire Nation salute. "My apologies, my prince. I'm afraid I am so used to teaching, that I can't help myself but to sink into the roll. I am Piandao, Swordmaster of Jonkier."

Zuko dropped the training sword. His face broke out into a wide grin. He seemed to be one moment away from bouncing on his heels. "I've heard of you. You're famous! The best swordsman in the whole Fire Nation! It's an honor to meet you."

Paindao was surprised when he rose from his bow, to see Zuko returning the salute and a dip of his head. "It is a bigger honor to meet you, young Avatar."

"Could you teach me?" Zuko looked so hopeful as he stepped towards Piandao.

The swordsmaster could only stare. Training the child would make his mission in the capital much easier. He would now have a reason for his interactions with the prince.

"My father says he won't get me a swordsmaster," Zuko continued speaking. He was a breath away from the man. "He say's learning the sword is stupid. But if you agree to train me... the best there is... he'll have to agree. He will."

Zuko realized he had forgotten all of his decorum. He straightened, pressing his fist just below the other open palm. A solemn and controlled mask slipped over his face. He bent at the waist, bowing just as low as a boy of his status would allow for. "Please. Will you teach me."

"I will." The smile on Piandao's face was true. He returned the bow. As he righted himself, a pair of thin arms wrapped around his torso. Piandao was a reasonable and friendly man, but he wasn't one who dealt with children often; he preferred his students to be older, more mature. "That is, granted you acquire your father's approval."

Zuko drew back, nodding. "I don't see how he could say no. Not if you're teaching me."

"If I did, this will not be a quick and easy skill to learn. I will not go easy or cater to you just because you are the prince. If you wish to learn, to truly learn, then you will expect to be treated just as any other student."

Zuko's smile grew wider. "I understand."

Piandao returned the smile. Gaining access to the young prince seemed a far easier task than when he first set out to the capital. Looking upon the beaming and over excited child, he wondered what he had just signed himself into.

-oOo-

Standing before Fire Lord Azulon and Prince Ozai in the Fire Lord's own office, Paindao wondered how he had had the misfortune of being given this mission. He was merely meant to gather intel, yet here he stood in the very pits of their fire.

"The Avatar has more important lessons to learn than that of a sword," Fire Prince Ozai spoke. "His primary focus should be on his mastering of the elements. Anything outside of that is a mere distraction."

"While I agree he needs to focus on his elemental training my Prince," Paindao inclined his head towards the man, "he has sought my training. I have witnessed his skills, despite his age and lack of such proper training, I believe Prince Zuko has a natural skill that would be a waste to ignore."

Ozai scoffed. "A swordsmen is nothing compared to that of a firebender."

Paindao knew better than to rise to the man's taunts. He instead set his focus onto the Fire Lord. "The boy has a natural grace. I believe allowing his skills with a sword to be fostered will in turn allow the grace in his bending to increase as well. Mastering another form of battle will do nothing but increase the boy's growing skills."

Fire Lord Azulon nodded. "Teach him as you wish Paindao. As long as these studies no not interfere with those of his bending, I see no reason as to deny this request. Now, if this is all, I have other matters to attend to. Gentleman."

Both men bowed as Fire Lord Azulon motioned them from the room. Once outside Paindao bowed to the Prince before making his way down the hall. He stopped at the sneer in the prince's voice. "Do not hinder the boy's progress."

Paindao slide his hands into his long sleeves. He leveled a smile onto the man. "Your son is quite talented. I'm glad you are so invested in his growth."

-oOo