A/N: Hope you like this chapter better than the last, please R&R

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar (Anyone have any info on episode 312?)

Chapter 9: Challenge

Kozu came out again wearing black pants, and a loose, red shirt just as dinner was announced. Li and Jin joined Kozu and Kalaya for dinner, and talked about past adventures. Kalaya laughed as Li told embarrassing tales of Kozu's youth, to which Kozu blushed and tried to correct several times.

After dinner, Kozu trained again, thankful for the darkness that hid Kalaya from his sight. If he had seen her, he would have fallen again. She watched for a while before heading off to bed, and was soon followed by Kozu and Li.

The next morning, Kalaya woke to find a small pair of black pants and shirt waiting for her on the table. She grinned as she thought of Kozu's reaction to her dress as she changed into them. He needed to practice, and she might as well practice her own bending while he trained.

Kozu was waiting outside her room for her, and led her to the kitchen for breakfast, both happy and sad that she wasn't wearing the dress. Afterwards, they both headed to the bow to practice. Kozu trained throughout the day, only stopping for a quick lunch.

He saw Kalaya practicing with a globe of water between her hands as he finished a routine perfectly later in the afternoon. He had an idea. Routines were good practice, but there was variation in an actual battle. He talked in a low voice to Li before walking up to Kalaya as she let the water back into the sea.

"Yes? What's wrong?" she asked, seeing Kozu walk up to her.

"Nothing. I was just wondering if you were up to a little challenge." He grinned as he saw her eyes light up mischievously.

"I can handle it, but can you?" she said, grinning back.

"Only one way to find out," he said, stepping back into a fighting stance. He waited, wondering what she was going to do, and was surprised when he a drop of water coming from behind him. He jumped as a tendril of water reached to grab his foot, shooting fire at it before he landed again.

He shot a fireball towards Kalaya, which she promptly stopped with a wall of water. She brought more water around her, blocking his attacks as he dodged hers. He had to admit, she was good, but he was better.

Several of the crew had gathered to watch the battle and were cheering, mainly for Kalaya, though several, along with Li, were cheering for Kozu.

Kozu saw an opening in the tendrils of water surrounding Kalaya and blasted fire from his hand to her left. She turned that way, moving the water to block it as he landed close to her right with a fire kick. She quickly turned, bringing more water to block him, but he was too close. He grabbed her around her waist and pulled her into him, kissing her.

"I win," he whispered. She smiled at him and kissed him back.

"Maybe this time, but we'll see about next time." Applause broke out as they separated, the water heading back into the sea. Kalaya blushed as Li approached them, bowing.

"That was one of the best duels I've seen in a long time," he said, hugging Kalaya. "Good work, Prince Kozu. Now, go get cleaned up and we'll have dinner."

The couple headed back to their rooms, Kozu letting Kalaya use the washroom first, and changed before joining Li and Jin again for dinner. They exchanged legends from their cultures before retiring for the night.

The next morning, Kozu trained again while Tu Lon came into sight. When they were close, he sighed and headed inside to change into his armor. He came out and saw Kalaya in her dress, watching the docking procedures from the bow. He went to her and saw a sad expression on her face. The last two days had been wonderful, but he needed to face Zow, and for that, he needed Kalaya to be safe.

"Do I have to go?" she asked as the plank was lowered from the ship to the dock.

Kozu frowned and nodded. "If Zow finds you here, he'll take you. I need to know that you're safe."

She hugged him and he led her onto the docks and into the city. Kalaya looked around her as he led her deeper. She had not been in a city this large since she had left her home, and none of the other ports were this nice. It was a large city with stone buildings, many with elaborate artwork and murals painted on them or worked into the stone. The buildings became larger and more elaborate as they walked deeper into the city. Many vendors had their wares out and many people were out shopping. She also noticed that many people stopped and stared at them as they passed.

"Why is everyone staring at us?" she asked Kozu in a whisper.

He smiled at her. "They're not staring at us. They're staring at you, wondering who you are and why you're on my arm."

She smiled back. "I'll tell them then." She quickly kissed him on the cheek while they continued on their way and heard the buzzing of excited voices behind them. They made their way almost to the edge of town and finally stopped at a very large, very nice, inn. There was a fountain in front and a stone mural which showed a silver dragon coiled around the words, 'The Silver Dragon Inn'.

Kozu led her inside and asked for the innkeeper.

"Yes my lord, what may I do for you?" a man asked as he approached them from the kitchens. He was middle aged, with a large belly under a white apron. His face was slightly weathered, but looked like he laughed often.

"I need your best room for two nights for my lady, and I want to hire your strong man to watch over her whenever she is to be in the main room."

The man paled at the last. "That is too much, Ying can not just watch a lady. He needs to watch the whole inn."

"If you could, how much?" Kozu asked.

The innkeeper thought for a moment. "Ten gold pieces." Kalaya's jaw dropped. The price was outrageous.

"Eleven, to include meals for the next two days, two mounts if needed, and the promise that your man will watch over her and keep her safe until I or my man, Li, returns for her."

The innkeeper considered it and appraised Kozu. The prince would not budge and he was making a lot of money to make sure the lady stayed safe.

He nodded in agreement and took them up to the second level, showing a beautifully furnished room with a window looking out to the harbor. The room held a medium sized bed on a redwood frame, a matching dresser, washstand, and mirror. A drape stood between the main room and the tub and toilet.

"Here," Kozu said, giving the man the gold pieces. "Now if you could…"

"Of course," the innkeeper said bowing and exiting. "The key is in the door. Thank you my lord, my lady."

Kozu waited until he heard the man leave completely before sighing and sitting on the bed. Kalaya sat down next to him, placing a hand on his back.

"It'll be ok," she said, giving him a smile.

"I hope so," he replied, still looking sad.

"Now stop that," she said standing and getting irritated. "You can and will defeat Zow. If you don't, I will and then I'll beat you."

Kozu looked up at her and smiled as he saw her temper rising. A look of anger and determination was set on her face, though worry showed through her dark eyes. "Thank you." He stood up and kissed her. "You should stay here. It'll be safer. When it's over, either Li or I will come to get you. Here's enough money to get away if you need to. I don't know when Zow will arrive, but I need to do some things first. Stay safe, I love you."

He kissed her again, holding her close. He didn't want to let go of her, and she didn't want him to either.

"I will, I love you too." Kalaya kissed him once more before he backed away and left.

She saw him look back from the street up to her window before hurrying off. She went down to the main room and watched people, talking to the innkeeper, Ling, Ying the strongman and the servers as the day passed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kozu left quickly. He knew that if he stayed longer, he wouldn't want to leave at all. He looked back to her window as he left the inn and saw her outline. Smiling, he headed to the governors' house. Once there, he was shown into a large room where an older man waited. He was Li's age, but more muscular, and his face wasn't nearly as weathered. He smiled when he saw Kozu and rose to greet him, bowing.

"My prince, it has been too long."

Kozu smiled and grasped the other's arm in greeting. "I know, Governor Fong, too long."

"Please Kozu, leave the governor out. What brings you to my town?"

He led Kozu to a small table and set of chairs where tea waited for them.

"I need your help," Kozu said as they sat. "I have evidence that Admiral Zow is going to try and dishonor and force marriage with my sister, the princess Jade. I am going to challenge him when he arrives, and whether I win or lose, I ask that you take the evidence to my brother, Fire Lord Azulon."

Fong considered the information for a moment. "I will, but how did you acquire the evidence?"

"I bought it. I've heard rumors, and investigated it. A man came to me and said he had proof of the rumors and so I bought it."

Fong nodded, sensing there was more to it than that, but he wouldn't dishonor the prince by saying so. He knew Kozu very well, for he had been a lieutenant then captain under his leadership. He also sensed there was something else Kozu wanted to ask of him.

"I heard you were walking into town with a beautiful lady earlier, yet she is not here."

Kozu smiled slightly and Fong knew he had hit the mark. "Yes, she is staying at an inn until the Agni Kai is finished. If anything happens, will you make sure she and Li make it out of here safely?"

Fong studied the young mans' face. Kozu was in love, and if it wasn't for his sisters' honor, he would have been far away with his lady.

"Of course, tell me about this beautiful lady and how she stole your heart."

Kozu told Fong of Kalaya and how they had met while they waited for word of Zow's ship.

At mid-afternoon, word came that Zow's ship was approaching Tu Lon, and Kozu and the governor went to the docks to await him. Li joined them as they arrived, standing behind the prince and governor. Zow was surprised to see the prince waiting for him along with the governor when he descended from his ship.

"And what do I owe this pleasure?" Zow asked as he walked up to them, glancing at Kozu before fixing his gaze on the governor.

Kozu stood his ground, frowning at Zow. "Admiral Zow, I have proof of your conspiracy to dishonor the Princess Jade, my sister, and for her honor, I challenge you to an Agni Kai."

Zow's eyes widened in shock for a second, and then narrowed, assessing the prince. He had beaten him before, and doing so again would be a pleasure.

"I accept, today at sunset. On my ship," Zow said, turning to head back.

"No," governor Fong said. "The challenge has been made in my province. It will occur in the square so that all may witness and see that it is honorable."

Zow turned back, frowning, but nodded and bowed to the governor. He would not insult Fong, for he had been a great admiral before retiring to be a governor. He headed back to his ship while Kozu left to prepare on his own.