Chapter 4
A Hint
Chun, Zhen and Kuvira ran out of the restaurant, burst of flame bursting from being the. Blue and Red fire could be seen as Chun whistled looking at the fire.
"Wow, I think Lan got even stronger since the last time I've seen him," Chun smiled as Kuvira eyes wandered around the area. People were slowly starting to crowd around them and it wouldn't be long until more members of the Police Force would arrive.
She bit her lip before taking note of the Satocycle, it was pretty obvious that it belonged to the man that was after them. Without a moment of hesitation Kuvira ran up to it and started to mess with it.
"Hey, we do not not have time for that!"
"I know, I'm just making sure he cannot follow us," Kuvira bent the metal in the break wires until it snapped as well as cutting off any radio communication. Despite it taking more time than just crushing the bike it would also allow them more time to escape. After all Kuvira doubted he would radio in anyone unless he really needed it, and with this it would give them some breathing room.
"Alright, let's go," Kuvira stood up as they started to run deeper into the city.
Just as the three made their escape the entrance to the restaurant as Lan slid outside into the street. He sighed as he brushed off his jacket as he whistled to himself, the police officer slowly walked out his eyes twitching.
"Man, look at all this damage, your higher ups are going to be pissed!" Lan said as he laughed, he dodged another ball of flame from the officer before looking over to Chun and the others. They were already halfway down the street, continuing the fight any further would be pointless.
"Sorry, I don't feel like being branded as a cop killer...see ya," Lan turned his body ever so slightly as he made a complete break for it. He was heading to his own Satomobile as the officer grumbled, he wasn't going to let him get away.
Lan did a sharp u-turn and drove past the officer heading in the same direction as his brother. The officer, without missing a single beat got on his Satocycle and drove after him.
Chun looked over his shoulder to see his brother driving up to them. He couldn't help but grin Zhen groaned. Lan slowed down to their running pace before speaking.
"Hurry up, get in!"
They didn't need to be told twice, they all hoped into the 4 passenger Satomobile as Lan grumbled.
"Darn, that guy is gaining...what a pain," Lan bit his lip as Kuvira simply shook her head.
"Just turn here, I don't think he'll be able to do anything at that point," Kuvira pointed that out as Lan turned a corner, the officer tried to break as he eye twitched. Someone cut his break wire as he crashed into the side of the building.
"Gahaha," Lan started to laugh as the rode down the road deeper into the city leaving the pursuer behind.
As they drove down the road of Republic City Zhen frowned, "um, are we going deeper into the slums. I know it is to our tactical advantage to go here, but I would prefer a nice bed..."
Lan turned the steering wheel and closed one of his eyes. "What you see here is actually the middle class area, downtown was kind of blown to pieces thanks to the conquer next to me. Due to the new spirit portal the President decided to build a new area...unfortunately most people who lived downtown can't afford housing in those areas,"
"I see..." Kuvira frowned, she knew the extent of the damage. She after all, did it first hand, but she still couldn't help but feel a hint of guilt.
"If you're feeling bad than don't," Zhen spoke, "this is what happens to regular people, sometimes people are just born to be important and others are just lucky to exist..."
"You've really need to stop talking to old hag so much," Lan said as Zhen eye twitched.
"Don't speak about grandmother in such a way..."
"None of that is important," Chun finally cut in, "I'm hungry and we didn't get a chance to eat..."
"Geez, always worried about food, I sickens me that I am related to you two..." Zhen frowned as Lan sighed.
"I'll drop you guys over to the apartment I'm staying in, there is a few things I need to get done around the city. You are free to stay until as long as you want," Lan said as Chun grinned.
After what seemed like an eternity they finally arrived at the small apartment complex. Despite it being in mid town it was clean and compact, it most likely cost quite a bit to rent out as Lan let everyone out of the Satomobile before scratching the back of his head. The complex itself was only 2 floors, with the third floor looking like it was mostly maintenance.
Lan lead them to the second floor and down the hall, he unlocked the door as they all walked in. It was a cramp space, at most only really suggestible for 3 people and that was stretching it. It seemed there were four rooms in total, a kitchen a main room a bed room and what appeared to be a very small bathroom.
Lan yawned as he jumped on the couch and leaned his head against the arm rest. "There's food in the fridge for you guys, a few people are coming over later to give me some info..." Lan then slowly closed his eyes.
"OH, Lan is mom and da-" Before Chun could finish a loud snoring noise echoed through the small apartment. Lan was already asleep as Chun laughed.
"Man, wanted to ask about mom and dad, oh well, they really don't matter anyway!" Chun walked towards the fridge pulling out anything he could find as Zhen examined the box and pulled out a wooden chair before taking a seat.
"This is a fine mess we've gotten ourselves into," she couldn't even blame Kuvira for it this time. It was more of a combination of being at the wrong place at the wrong time and Chun's and Lan's brash attitude.
"Ugh, we probably are going to have to take the boat instead of a train. At least we can head directly to the Fire Nation from port instead of worrying about stops..."
Kuvira ignored Zhen's complaints as she looked out the window before looking over to Chun who was stuffing his face. Both Chun and Kuvira's eyes met for a moment, as large piece of meat hanging loosely out of his mouth.
"I didn't think the feared Fire Nation Princess would have such...odd grandchildren,"
Zhen frowned at the comment, "hmph, of course someone without royal blood would see that,"
Chun then finally finished swallowing his food before replying. "Grandma always gets really angry if you mention the Fire Lord, I think she's just mad that she got beat up and lost the title,"
Zhen bit her lip, "do no say such things!"
Chun shrugged as he continued eating as Zhen looked over to Kuvira.
"I would prefer if you kept our existence to yourself for the time being. Despite our wealth our family has been able to remain relativity hidden from the Fire Lord among other people, it would be rather complicated if the second half of our family suddenly appeared," Zhen had a point. Though the fact that they were able to remain hidden with both Lan and Chun around was a miracle in itself.
"I won't mention it to anyone else, not like I have the chance," Kuvira pointed that out as Zhen sighed.
"I wonder if there is a radio around here, it would be dreadfully boring to just sit all day..." she scanned the table to notice the small device as she clicked it on. Switching through the channels she finally stopped on what appeared to be news.
"Boo, why can't you listen to something that's fun?" Chun grumbled.
"Shut your mouth, not paying attention to current events is why you are so stupid in the first place...plus they are talking about us,"
There wasn't anything important in the news report, just regular property damage and basic reports of Chun and Zhen descriptions. However what was odd about it was that Kuvira wasn't even mentioned. Only Lan, Chun and Zhen, were brought up which was strange considering how infamous she was.
"That is odd..."
"What? Are we famous!" Chun laughed as Zhen grumbled.
"Of course that is what you are concerned about, Kuvira, do you know why they wouldn't mention you?"
"I have an idea, most likely a political move. If one of Republic City's most feared enemies was walking around the city it would make both the police force and the president incompetent," at least that is what Kuvira assumed.
"Flattering yourself..." Zhen closed her eyes as she grumbled. "Well whatever gets us less exposure is fine..."
The time slowly passed as Lan continued to sleep before there was a tap at the door as all three turned to face it. There was someone outside, a teenager, probably around 17 year old. His clothes was impossible to pinpoint an exact location. He had what appeared to be gray eyes and a smirk across his face.
Kuvira and Zhen both flinched. Was it an enemy, they would have to be complete idiots to open the window for a complete stranger.
And so it was only natural that Chun casually opened the window.
"What are you doing!" Zhen eyes widened as the teen casually slipped into the room. He was like a spider crawling on the frame of the window.
"Thanks guy," the teen's eyes wandered to Lan, "so that guy is still asleep. Are you friends of his?"
"Brother," Chun smiled before he took a deep breath. "LAN!" Chun screamed as loudly as possible as Lan body jolted from the bed as he rolled off the couch.
"Shit, what is it?!" Lan yawned as he rubbed his eyes. He then looked at the teen before grumbling, "oh it's you...you got any more information for me?"
The teen shoved his hands into his pockets, "nice to see you too... anyway, I've got the new information about you problem."
Lan sat on the couch, his arm on his knees as he took a deep breath, a small red flame came out of his mouth, the teen continued to speak.
"Well, it seems that it takes more than just a bunch of explosive to flood downtown, even the small portion that is left of it. Shīlì gang is probably looking for something else, my guess is that they are probably going to the Sato Estate for something,"
"Oh, that doesn't matter to me... do you know where their hideout is located?" Lan said bluntly as the teen grumbled.
"Man you're bossy, yeah I know, it's near the top of the city. I don't really know anything else about it," The teen said as Lan scoffed, he looked at the window, the sun was setting as Lan got on his jacket and walked towards the door.
"Hey...Chun I'll be back later, there is something I need to check," Lan said as Chun frowned.
"What, let us come with you, it's super boring just hanging around here..." Chun replied as Lan shook his head.
"Sorry, don't want to get you wrapped up in this garbage, plus kids shouldn't be out at night!" Lan laughed as he walked out of his apartment leaving Chun to pout.
"So bored..." Chun placed his head on the kitchen table.
The teen laughed before his gaze shifted to Kuvira.
"Hmm, you wouldn't happen to be Kuvira would you?" he said that as if he was asking an old friend a name as Kuvira eyes narrowed. Despite that the teen simply laughed at the harsh stare.
"I guess that's my answer, don't worry I have no interest in you now. I just know you since you were a pretty popular hit back when you were still big," he laughed again.
"So someone set up a hit on me? And you just admitted it to my face?" Kuvira should have been more insulted at the lack of fear in him, though she probably wasn't in any position to threaten anyone at the moment.
"Well, yeah, you could say that I'm an assassin, or was. I fell out of the game recently,"
Zhen flinched, "s-so you kill people..."
The teen nodded, "yeah, and the name is Oji..."
Chun just sighed before looking at Oji. "Hey, mister hit-man...do you know where Lan is going?" Chun just asked that randomly as Oji shrugged.
"Probably going around looking for Shīlì hideout or something," Oji replied as Chun crossed his arms,
"I've decided, we are going to the Sato Estate!" Chun grinned as someone slapped him in the back of his.
"Shut up, we are not going anywhere. We are waiting here and leaving this city, no more distractions,"
Kuvira actually agreed, they had nothing to gain from going there. Not to mention she knew that Sato had a connection to the Avatar. That was the last place they should go.
"Oh, you're scared, well I smell adventure and it's like we are doing anything right now,"
"Just because we aren't doing anything right now, doesn't mean we should do something dangerous..." Kuvira pointed this out as Chun yelled.
"Bah, I do what I want! Hey, hit-man, can you drive me to the whatever-estate?"
Oji sighed as he rubbed the back of his head, "man it is a pain. I guess I can just add it to your brother's tab or something,"
"Great!" Chun jumped up, "you two can just stay here and sit around all night. I'm actually going to do something with my time,"
"Darn it Chun! Fine, I shall go with you, but only because I know you will just cause problems for me later...but we are only going to look. We are not even getting out of the Satomobile or anything like that!" Zhen said that, but Kuvira knew that despite her stern look Zhen was actually rather easy to pressure into making a decision.
"...I guess I'll go too," Kuvira got up, she knew it was a bad idea. Still, she was interested in this Shili person and wanted to know more about him if it was possible.
"Well, I guess you've all have decided, follow me..." Oji slowly crept back towards the window as Zhen crossed her arms.
"You can use the door,"
Oji simply chuckled, "Oh, I guess I'm just so use to windows that it's natural for me,"
Chun smiled. "Yeah, that happens to me a lot too, I use to love climbing trees when I was a kid. I still love climbing trees now actually!"
Zhen grumbled as Chun followed Oji out the window before she followed as well. Kuvira looked back at Lan's room before tapping her lip, there was still a lot of questions that needed answer. Though she knew they could wait until later, at the same time she had a strange feeling that the decision they had just made was going to be far more troublesome than any of them had predicted.
Author note
I kind of wanted to make Zhen out to be someone who tried her best to emulate Azula, but fails at it. Despite her harsh attitude, she is just too nice to be the same as her grandmother. Which is probably going to be a major theme of her character.