Chapter9

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.

Ando awoke the next morning before Azula did and let out a yawn as he slowly stood from his makeshift bed. It had taken him a while to finally get to sleep, his mind full of uncertainty after the last couple of days. Azula was still in her slumber, so he quietly maneuvered himself to the small washroom attached to their room. Pouring some water out into the small sink, Ando splashed his face before staring back at his own reflection looking back at him. The vision that looked back at him looked worn and as if he had the worries of the world on his mind. Shaking his head Ando turned, exited the washroom and sat in the corner, his eyes never wavering from the sleeping princess.

Azula awoke and noticed Ando sitting there in the corner watching her closely. Neither spoke for a moment just watched the other in silence as if waiting for the other to speak. It caught Azula a little by surprise that Ando was unusually quiet and made her wonder if he was beginning to have second thoughts, possibly planning to try to redirect their journey back towards the palace. Ando for his turn was concerned by the fitful sleep of Azula's he had witnessed the previous night and whether being out of the palace may affect the princess' mind in any way, shape or form. Their eyes met as they stared at each other many questions to be asked yet neither wanted to ask

"I'll go see about some breakfast then we'll head back to the road." Ando finally spoke standing up and leaving the room. Azula watched him go and rose from the bed to go get dressed. It would be a smart move to leave the inn now and head onwards as that would be the best option to make less hassle lest they get careless. She resolved to find out what was troubling the young man as any doubts now at this stage could lead to problems. Whether she would care to admit it he did have his uses and while Azula was confident she could avoid capture by herself it was useful to have someone around to chase after her and handle the small details.

Ando walked downstairs and approached the inn keepers' desk. No one was currently tending to it so he leaned casually and looked outside the entrance. Stretching his arms out, he felt some papers rustle underneath it then they fall to the ground. Casually Ando bent down to pick one up assuming that it was just a general everyday flyer. His eyes widened when he turned it over and discovered its true purpose. Staring back at him was his own face and across from it was Azula's image.

Underneath their pictures was a heading asking for any information on the whereabouts of the escapees from the royal palace. A reward was being offered and the only good news Ando could get from the wanted poster is that he and Azula were not to be harmed if anyone discovered them. That gave them some leeway but you couldn't be too careful as who knew how many mercenaries or worse might be on their trail.

"This isn't good" Ando muttered. Looking round he placed one of the wanted notices into his shirt and carefully burned the rest before anyone could see him. Dropping the ashes into the floorboard he hurried up back to his and Azula's room. Without knocking he entered the room and locked it behind him. Azula looked up at him and was about to ask why he hadn't brought her breakfast when Ando pulled her onto the bed and placed a finger on her lips. Azula looked at him as he produced the poster and showed it to her. Azula studied it and looked impassive. So Zuko had gotten the word out and not surprisingly wanted them captured alive. This would make things more fun she thought and smiled to herself ignoring Ando's concerned look.

"Well I guess we better leave now then shall we?" She announced getting off the bed and heading towards the door. Ando thought about protesting that they should come up with a plan but really there was no point. Grabbing their things he raced behind Azula, only stopping to drop off the key and some coins at the desk as they left. The two walked along the path with Ando keeping a look out in case anyone recognized them. He wondered if the news had even reached back home and what his family might be thinking. This made going there even more dangerous, especially as the area leading into the colony was known to be where bandits roamed and the two of them would be a prime pair to capture.

The two of them walked for hours as the sun beat down on them. Ando could feel his legs cramping and his feet blistering. Azula said nothing, being more focused on making time while the sun was out. Ando was contemplating suggesting they take a break when he looked up and saw a crowd of people standing at a rock pile next to which was a stage. On closer inspection there was a banner that read 'Fire Bending Challenge'. Ando noticed Azula get a look of curiosity on her face and take a step across in front of him towards the crowd and without hesitation moved herself to the front. A sleazy looking man was holding court backed by two imposing body guards. He had one of those loudspeakers and was doing his bit to encourage someone from the crowd to step up and take the challenge.

"500 coins to the person who can beat the champion," the voice behind the loudspeaker boomed and gazed over the crowd. No one answered and it seemed little interest was held until Azula raised her right arm up and with her left pulled Ando in front of her.

"My fiancée will take your champion on," she said and gave Ando a look that said he better do it or else there would be consequences. The crowd around them murmured as some shouted words of encouragement until the man with the loudspeaker asked for quiet. He told the crowd to head round to the back where a small circle on top of a mound of stone was waiting. Waiting was a large man being fanned by a couple of ladies while he ate a bunch of fruit. Ando looked at Azula who smiled innocently as the crowd began to take their places.

"You better have a good explanation for getting me in this mess…" Ando told her as the rules for this challenge were explained. To his relief and Azula's slight disappointment the challenge was not to be to the death. It would last three rounds unless he managed to force the champion out of the ring and onto the ground. Ando nodded and stretched his arms and legs hoping the long walk hadn't exhausted his strength.

"We need the money. Besides listen to me and you'll win" Azula whispered to him. His opponent didn't impress her one bit and if she had been in Ando's position this fight would be over before you could blink. However she figured she might as well make use of Ando while she could and besides now was the time to see what he could do when pressed into a corner. The bell for the first round sounded and Ando stepped forward only to nearly be forced back as two short bursts of flames barely missed him. Azula watched not paying attention to Ando directly but more to his opponent studying his style. Ando could barely get any of his own fire off as he fought mostly on the run until thankfully the gong for the end of the first round ended.

"You're letting him take advantage," were the first words Azula said to him as he rested. Ando frowned and explained that he had been caught off guard. Deep down he knew he could and should do better but he was afraid of drawing attention to himself as he was holding back and Azula could see right through it even if the gathering crowd did not.

"He pauses between strikes and his foot work is sloppy," Azula continued on looking across the ring. The so-called champion looked at her smugly and postured as if he felt Azula could do with a better fiancée. "Attack his legs with rapid blasts and defeat that fool!" Azula coldly spoke as the second round was signaled to start.

Ando stood and sprang forward following Azula's advice to the letter. She smiled and watched in delight as Ando showed more of what a royal guard could do. The champion was caught off guard, moved back further and further until Ando leveled him with a sweeping combination and forced him out of the ring, making him now a former champion as Ando won. The crowd gasped in shock then roared its approval and invaded the rig sweeping Ando up and carrying him off in victory.

"500 coins for the winner…and a single one better not be missing," Azula whispered as she approached the owner of the contest who looked like his life savings had been taken. Azula took the small bag of coins and walked away grinning at how successful her plan was letting Ando have his moment of victory.

2 hours later.

Tuzu angrily stormed into his office after berating the incompetence that worked for him for making him lose 500 coins in one day. When he had scouted out this area before planning this enterprise it seemed to have no fire benders of note but out of the blue one suddenly turns up with his girl in toe and the two of them bring the whole deal crashing down. Tuzu sat down at his desk and tried thinking how he'd get the money back. Just then he caught a glimpse of a wanted poster he picked up a day or two back and blinked. The pictures on it looked similar to the couple that had just beaten his challenge. Forget the 500 coins, right here was an opportunity to double …no triple that amount! He opened the door to his office and called the boys as it seemed fate now had just decided to smile upon them...

To be continued.

Hey all .1st off a big apology from myself to you all for keeping you waiting for this chapter. Real Life got busy on me unexpectedly and I also had a bad case of writers block that knocked my confidence . To all of you for sticking by this story and following and favoring it Thank You it means a lot. Rest assured I've not given up on this story and have a few things instore that I hope you'll like. Reviews and comments welcome no flames and hope to have the next chapter in soon as possible.