Azula's Bodyguard

Chapter 1: Preparation for Ba Sing Se

(Shino's Pov)

94 AG, A few miles from Ba Sing Se

The Siege of Ba Sing Se, this is what we trained for. Since I joined the army three years ago there has not been a single major battle. They say this will be will be the biggest battle since the beginning of the war and that it also will be its last. When the Earth Kingdom's capital falls the war will be over. But many soldiers believe that the Avatar, who has been missing since the beginning of the war is hiding in Ba Sing Se. And will help the Earth Kingdom fight off our forces. Soon we will find out if this is true.

A few miles from Ba Sing Se we made camp for the night. I was thinking about tomorrow until I was interrupted by the Colonel who wanted everyone to gather in front of him.

Col. Mutsohito: "If I could have everyone's attention!"

We all stopped what we were doing and gathered in front of the Colonel.

Col. Mutsohito: "Tomorrow is the day many of us have waited and trained for, for many years. We will finally lay siege to the Earth Kingdom's capital. But believe me when I say this won't be an easy fight. Ba Sing Se is the biggest city in the world and the people of the Earth Kingdom are a proud people. They will not surrender until their last fighting soldier falls. They are to arrogant to release that our army is far stronger than theirs. They will regret not surrendering soon enough!"

Soldiers start cheering around me. It's not like I didn't like the Colonel's speeches. I just couldn't stop thinking about the idea that he wouldn't be fighting alongside us at the front lines. He would be miles behind us assisting General Iroh. Iroh is the High General of this attack, meaning that he is the one in command. Many of us including myself were happy and proud to serve under General Iroh. He is a legend amongst the soldiers. He has lead many successful battles and he even fought and killed dragons. Earning him the nickname (Dragon of the West).

Col. Mutsohito: "We will move out at first light so try to catch as much rest as you can."

After the Colonel was done my good friend Kaoru came walking over to me. Kaoru was one of the first friends I made when I joined the army. He is one of the most sarcastic people I have ever met. He is a good guy but you can clearly see that he has had zero experience in combat. Although I am confident that we will take Ba Sing Se he does not seem the realise the dangers that lie ahead.

Kaoru: "Try to catch as much rest as you can, funny."

"Why is that funny?"

Kaoru: "I have guard duty tonight. So there won't be much rest for me."

"Relax, if everything goes to plan we might be lying in a nice bed tomorrow night"

I wasn't sure about this but I had high hopes that we would take Ba Sing Se or alteast the first wall with minimal effort.

Kaoru: "Oh yes that would be lovely. I have missed my bed ever since we left home. I can't wait for tomorrow though. Our first chance to fight against those Earth Kingdom rats."

"We will finally have our revenge for everything they have done to us."

Kaoru: "To us and the rest of the world. First wiping out the Air Nomads and then declaring war on us. Their corrupt goverment thinks they can do anything."

"They won't be corrupt for much longer. Once Ba Sing Se falls the war will be over, and we will install a new better goverment in the Earth Kingdom. Yet I am worried we might fail, not even Chin the Conquerer succeeded in taking Ba Sing Se."

Kaoru: "But he had Avatar Kyoshi breathing in his neck. We have no Avatar to worry about."

"No not yet anyway. Although I have heard rumours that he might be hiding in Ba Sing Se."

Koaru: "But why would he be helping them, they murdered out his people."

"I suppose so, you would think the Avatar knows what the right thing is to do."

Kaoru: "I wouldn't worry about it to much. He hasn't shown his face in 94 years, why would he show it now?"

Koaru did have a point. The Avatar had been in hiding ever since the Earth Kingdom killed his people. But why? Why wouldn't he come out and help us? Was he afraid? Or was it indeed true as some said that the Earth Kingdom succeeded in ending the Avatar line? These were questions that have raced through my head for many months. I just hoped that whatever happened the Avatar wouldn't be helping out the Earth Kingdom. If so then we wouldn't stand a chance.

Kaoru: "But hey, I have to go, so I will see you tomorrow."

"Make sure you are not too tired tomorrow, otherwise we will capture Ba Sing Se without you."

I continued to walk to my tent to catch some sleep but my mind kept me awake. Honestly I was slightly scared of tomorrow. The only combat I ever took part in was fighting small groups of Earth Kingdom soldiers. Nothing on this scale but that counted for all of us. My father had told me many things of his years of service. He described it as both the best and worst years of his life, even though being a soldier got him killed. And with those thoughts I finally fell asleep.