Disclaimer .I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Story- Set 5 years after the series ended. A young fire nation officer is given the task of watching after Azula .Can he succeed after others had failed.

Chapter 5

Ando walked into Azula's quarters and found her sitting on one of the couches and noticed she was raking her fingers over one of the arms while tapping her foot in a infuriated manner. He waited to see if her mood would calm before saying anything. She had seemed in a bad mood having seen the young Ty Lee girl. Normally Ando would have looked for the best way to excuse himself and wait til the storm of anger in the fire nation Princess calmed some before approaching her .However he did promise Ty Lee he would try to convince Azula to agree to see her and decided he better act now before the matter could be dismissed from consideration.

"Your Highness may I speak with you privately" he spoke as loudly as he could muster interrupting her . Azula looked at him and ordered her servants to leave until she called for them. They quickly hurried away as if knowing something was about to happen and it wouldn't be for the faint of heart.

"Well speak now before I change my mind" Azula snapped . She was angered Ty Lee had turned up having not taken the hint that Azula was not interested in seeing her . Seeing her in that Kyoshi get up was bad enough that Azula would have thrown the girl out herself if it wasn't that she'd go crying to Mai and Azula would be lectured by Zuko who'd threaten to send her back to the institution or worse.

"I think you should entertain that young lady for dinner she did come all the way from Kyoshi island to see you after all" Ando stated getting right to the point. Inside his heart was racing as this was the first time he'd be opposing Azula on something and that was a risk. He usually tried to avoid getting into confrontations unless it was absolutely unavoidable and Azula could be very dangerous if angered. He half expected a bolt of lighting to be blasted at him or at the very least Azula to fire him for daring to suggest such a thing. His body tensed and he waited for her response.

"How dare you I should dismiss you for questioning your Princess" Azula spoke her eyes flashing. She clenched her hands tight and glared at Ando. He just looked at her but to Azula's astonishment did not turn and run like so many had. He looked at her almost like he was pitying her either that or the young man had grown a back bone that so many that had been chosen to keep an eye on her since her return lacked. Azula turned and shot a blast of lighting into a wall cause it to smoulder and crack. Azula closed her eyes and counted to herself fighting to contain her emotions. She turned and faced Ando and swept some of her hair that ran across her face.

"I will see her however you will have to do something for me in return " Azula answered. and her lips broke into a knowing smirk Ando nodded and inside felt relived. He would have to explain to Lord Zuko about the damage Azula had done to her quarters but that was minor details. He bowed and headed off to find Ty Lee passing the startled servants who upon re-entry were told by Azula they had better make sure dinner was well presented otherwise there may be consequences. After finding Ty Lee's location Ando made sure to inform her personally that Princess Azula would welcome her to dinner to which he was given another hug of gratitude which made him blush slightly.

Two hours later.

Ando arrived with Ty Lee just as the servants had finished off preparations. They were hurried in to where Azula was waiting for them seeming to be more calm than she had been . She watched the two of them enter and they adjourned to the private dining area. .They say in silence as the servants served up the meal the two ladies staring at each other across the table. Ando sitting between them felt his eyes drifting right and left and wondering if this whole dinner idea might have been a mistake. Ty Lee shuffled uncomfortably in her seat unsure weather she should start the conversation or wait for Azula to say something. For her part Azula watched the young women shuffle around like a cat on a hot tin roof. Drinking from her cup Azula slowly almost deliberately took a slow gulp before putting the cup down and running her finger along the top.

"So how does it feel to be face to face again Ty Lee different from being behind me like the last time we were together" Azula spoke a hint of venom in her voice. Ty Lee gulped and steadied herself not surprised Azula was still harbouring anger toward her after what happened at the boiling rock. Mai had tried to persuade her out of seeing Azula but Ty Lee had been insistent even more so since Azula had been released from where she had been held after the war. Still Ty Lee wouldn't abandon her friend and maybe Azula would forgive her even if it took years.

"I'm just glad to see you again Azula you look well" Ty Lee softly responded before concentrating on the meal in front of her. Azula let out a sigh of annoyance and played with her meal still glaring at her former friend. For his part Ando stayed silent figuring whatever the issue was between the princess and the other girl it was none of his business yet it was clear whatever had occurred it was something that really strained their relationship. He did ponder broaching the matter with Lord Zuko next time he made his report but something told him that it was better to avoid the subject unless it came into direct conflict with his position.

"I see well apart from playing dress up have you learned anything useful or is your aura still pink or you stopped believing in all that ? " Azula asked directly not so much a question more observation tinged with a bit of sarcasm. Ty Lee again took a breath before looking back up at Azula . She knew Azula was baiting her she knew all to well how Azula could pick apart any enemy by getting inside their head and causing them to lose focus. Ty Lee looked back up and smiled at her and gave her answer.

"Oh yes my aura is pinker than ever and yes I've learned a lot maybe I could show you one time that's if your not to busy" she spoke .Ando looked back down the table to see what Azula's reaction would be .She just merely raised an eyebrow and shook her head as if exasperated by Ty Lee's response. The meal finished Azula told Ando to go and see to desert and be quick about it leaving the two ladies alone and unattended.

"You know he's kinda cute" Ty Lee giggled after Ando left her and Azula alone. She stretched her arms out and looked around while Azula stood up from the table and tapped her fingers on the chair.

"You think every boy is cute even that water peasant's brother if I recall while we were chasing the avatar" Azula responded bluntly to which Ty Lee responded with a pout . Even after 5 years apart Ty Lee was still the same as Azula remembered before that day at boiling rock . In her room at the institution Azula had thought of all the things she wanted to do to Ty Lee if she ever saw her again and part of her was very tempted to act one of them out. A smile broke out from her lips but it was interrupted when Ando returned with three bowls of desert and set them on the table.

"Oh wow I missed this on Kyoshi island we always had good desert when we had sleep overs here at the palace" Ty Lee cheered recalling the good times from the past. She dug in as if making up for lost time while Ando and Azula ate more circumspect as if pondering the nights events . Once desert had been concluded Ty Lee excused herself as she was going to spend the day with Mai tomorrow but if Azula wanted she could join the two of them just like old times .Azula waved her away giving no indication of the sort that she consented and didn't even say goodnight as a slightly happier Ty Lee bounced out of her quarters and into the night.

"Well that went well she's nice and seems like a good friend" Ando spoke before standing up thinking he better retire to for the evening. Azula glared at him as she stood relived Ty Lee had left and resolved not to join her and Mai the next day. She looked at Ando and decided to cash in on the return favour he owed her for having to agree to this dinner. She just knew the right alternative and it wouldn't half drive Zuko crazy as well which was even better.

"Don't forget you owe your princess one and tomorrow you and I are going out of the palace I've been caged to long so need to stretch my legs " she stated a wry smile forming on her lips. Zuko had told her that she wasn't to leave the palace greatly out of concern what the sudden appearance of the sister of the fire lord might do amongst the populace. Of course she had promised him but naturally Azula was waiting for the right moment to break that promise as she hated being kept in like some kind of prisoner . Having Ando accompany her was a mere convenience in case she needed someone else to take the blame.

"But I thought your supposed to stay in the palace" Ando protested as this was one of the rules of his assignment that he keeps an close watch on Azula inside the palace. The possibility she may try and leave the fire nation capital had been of great debate between the fire lord and his council and if anything happened to Azula then he would be held accountable. She laughed and wagged her finger at him almost as if to taunt Ando.

"Silly boy besides its your job to keep a close eye on me so if I go then you must follow" Azula teased sensing his reluctance to indulge her orders. Weather Ando liked it or not he would have to obey and besides this might be fun and she would lead him on a merry dance and the thought of Zuzu having a fit was just to good to pass up and would so to those in the Fire nation that their precious Fire lord wasn't as strong as she and especially their father was.

"Very well but promise me we'll be back by sundown any later and we'll most likely have the palace guards after us" Ando finally relented knowing that it was pointless to argue and that if he didn't go with her there was no limit to what potential chaos Azula might go and cause. He prayed that they wouldn't be found out the last thing he wanted was to confront an irate Fire lord and explain why his sister had left the palace and was raising a potential army against him. He would watch her like a hawk and put out any fires she may ignite.

Azula dismissed him and triumphantly headed to bed .The night which had seemed to start out troublesome instead looked promising and she couldn't wait to venture outside the palace to see what changes Zuko had made to the Fire Nation since he took over and learn what kind of ruler her brother was. As for Ando he went to bed that night uneasy and with some trepidation and dreamed a fitful dream of a giant sized Azula shooting flames and lighting all the while cackling evilly while he chased after her pleading with her to stop. The next day drew fine and both the princess and her minder prepared for what lay ahead.

To be continued.

Hey all .1st off apologises if I kept you waiting for this chapter just after I started working on it my old enemy writers block crept up on me and nearly got me becalmed. I'd like to thank all out there who have reviewed and I hope you enjoy this chapter and will continue to review. Big thanks to RJCA27 for sending me PM's to check on what was happening with the story and giving some suggestions.

That's all for now will work on chapter 6 soon as I can. Comments and feedback are welcome no flames please.