So this is back from the dead, hopefully to be finished this time, though I know that has been said before.
I own nothing in this story. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Avatar the Last Airbender toMichael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Tales of Ba Sing Se – Rock Lee
The sun beamed down on the earthen house, the green shining like emeralds as the upper ring house twinkled in the sun light. Dew dripped off the plants and lush greenery surrounding the building, the wealth almost a presence in of itself. The neighbours had started to rise, the scent of tea hanging in the air as they readied themselves. The few in administration already locking their doors, shaking their heads as they spared a glance towards the house filled with team Avatar. The escapades of last night not sitting well with the adults. They may be the Avatar and company, but they had still caused trouble and appeared to be more then content to lie in and sleep, not being very responsible. One such adult had just finished locking his door and was starting on his walk to work. Sending a dismissive glance and tut toward the building housing team Avatar.
"Typical, they keep us up all night, but don't bother doing anything once light hits" he muttered under his breath, turning his head back and focusing on the path ahead. He raised a foot to carry on when it happened.
A sudden gust of wind knocked him straight off his feet.
After the dust cleared and he had blinked the shock out of his eyes he saw a green blur speed back round the road and whipped past him again.
"499" Could be heard echoing back from the blur before it appeared yet again. This time however turned out to be the final time as the green blur stopped and materialised into a green wearing teen, his black hair fluttering in his wake.
"500! Alright I'm done!" he cried out turning and walking over to the door, pulling it open and disappearing inside, leaving a very confused, and now slightly late, bureaucrat in his wake.
"Toph! Aren't you gonna get ready for the day?" greeted him as he walked in jumping over a spinning vessel as the force of Toph's spit sent it on a crash course out of her room and into his shins. Ignoring the potentially brewing, unyouthful, fight between the two female members of the GAang before moving in to the room belonging to him Tenten and Neji. The other two, having gotten up and ready far before the rest of their team, were now in deep conversation with each other.
"Hello my youthful friends!" he exclaimed smiling at them as they replied with their own, more subdued, replies. He pulled on his chunin vest, having left it during his work out, and made sure the pockets were filled with everything he would need. Training weights, a couple of emergency rations, other ninja supplies and less important things like the Earth Kingdom paperwork in case he needed to get in or out of the upper ring.
"I was thinking of giving Neji a tour of the upper city today and explaining what happened to us since we got separated" Tenten said with Neji nodding slightly in agreement. Lee turned and nodded "Alright that seems like a good idea" he replied "I'm going to explore the city, see what I can find". Lee moved to the door, waving bye to his teammates before following an excited Katara and a disgruntled Toph out of the front door.
The hustle and bustle of the middle ring was a much nicer environment Lee decided. The upper ring's prim and proper ness had eventually worn away at Lee's drive, he could only take so many snobby comments before leaving such an unyouthful place, the people in that ring were far too focussed on themselves and their money, at least for the most part. No the middle ring was a much better place in Lee's opinion. This was helped by this particular part of the city bearing a much greater resemblance to Konoha, or at least to the parts of Konoha that Lee was used to. Whilst Neji might feel right at home in the walled compounds of the upper city Lee was much better atuned to the middle rings atmosphere. Looking right and left he could take in market stalls, with vendors plying their wares, fruit, vegetables, bread, pottery, wooden furniture, even some meat products and other foodstuffs could be seen and more importantly smelled. The different scents of meat and cheese and fruit filled the air, making even the fullest of stomachs grumble and the thriftiest of purse strings loosen. The smells were not the only things combo-ing the senses, sounds as well assaulted the ears of passer-byes. The clamour of house wives bartering with the stall owners, and said owners shouting out and promoting their wares filled the air, being interrupted only by the laughs and shouts of children playing in the streets and around their mother's legs. A football soared towards Lee's head, causing him to lower it, making it bounce off the wall behind him, waiting to hear the thud before he launched himself into the air, spinning around mid-jump to kick the ball with his heel, sending it back towards the children who had been playing with it. Rocketing past the head of the kid sent to retrieve it, it arced past the other children causing gasps of shock as the kid guarding the goal tried to stop it, holding it in place for one second before it went flying, with him, past the marks for the goal.
"woah, that was awesome" could be heard muttered from the kids as Lee gave them his trademark smile and carried on his way.
As it approached noon Lee paused to by a pasty from a nearby market vendor. Biting into the cooked vegetables and firm pastry he looked around, ducking down a nearby side street instead of staying on the main road as a carriage careened past. Walking down this new street provided shade from the overbearing sun. Light still shone down the street and whilst it wasn't the main path, it was still a street befitting of a capital city, with the houses well-constructed, flowers and trees lining the streets, providing even more shade as the light filtered down. The noise was diminished here as well. The hustle and bustle of the market growing more like a distant memory as Lee moved further and further down it. Shops could be seen inbetween the houses, wooden signs hanging from them, loosely flapping in the breeze. Furniture and fabrics could be seen as the shops left the food and produce for the market stalls crowding the main streets. A group of teenagers played in the street, kicking up a nearby rock and passing it between them via earth bending. Each pass rounding off the rock more and more until a sphere was created, at which point it was flung at another kid causing them to have to either, avoid, block or take a hit from the stone projectile. Further along from this Lee looked up to see a faded wooden sign, giving away a building with a very familiar purpose to Lee. Despite the faded paint and chipped wood the messages "Zhe's Dojo" could be clearly seen written upon it. Smiling to himself Lee took a hold of the door handle and pushed forward. The aging, but cared for wood, let out a mighty creek as he pushed it open. Stepping past the threshold and into the dojo allowed a much better view of the place. High windows allowed light to filter down into the main room, mats covering the wooden floor with a store cupboard situated at the end of the main room. The sliding door of the cupboard was only partially closed, exposing a neat pile of more mats along with other training equipment stashed away. The walls where white, allowing the room to be far brighter then would be imagined with how stowed away the building was on the street. Wooden beams and pillars arced up towards an impressively high ceiling, giving an impression of vast amounts or room. The solid wood had some markings etched upon them, some looking like cuts and some looking like something blunter had impacted there with reasonable force. Other storage cupboards could be seen around the room, with drawers and shelves positioned around the walls as well. Finally scrolls could be seen hanging from the walls, with the majority at the far end, surrounding a raised platform. An aged man could be seen in the middle of the room, presumably Zhe himself.
Zhe appeared to be in his mid to late 50s, but this would be impossible to tell merely from looking at him.. His age did not appear to hinder his movements as his eyes snapped open, showing them to be youthful and full of energy and fire. He was clad in a fine looking, dark green gi. Done all the way up and with a golden sash tied around his waist. His feet were bare, but the sandals near the door, stowed neatly on the shoe rack on the polished wooden floor clearly showed that this was not due to lack of funds. He gave a Lee a once over and the smiled.
"It's not often that I get new visitors"
The door gave away its signature creek as it was pushed open, causing Master Zhe to snap out of his meditation. It was too early for his son to be back yet, he was likely trying to impress the earth bending kids again, trying to be accepted as something he wasn't whilst ignoring the old ways. Zhe despaired sometimes worrying about his son, Wu. Ever since their mother had died he had tried to raise him by himself, and install some of the virtues of martial arts into him. Unfortunately earth bending had become incredibly popular in the area with the introduction of a new earth bending academy nearby. People had instantly flocked there to try and learn, including Wu and those who were successful were hailed as heroes by their peers. Of course this meant that the social structure of the school Wu attended was now heavily dependent on being able to earth bend and multiple attempts, and bruises, had shown Wu to be incapable of doing just that. Not that this had stopped him, both in his attempts to bend and to prove himself to those who could. Unfortunately again however this had caused him to abandon his Tetsudo training and focus solely on earth bending techniques, even if he himself could not manipulate the earth with them. Zhe had promised to himself that he would prove to his son that hard work and martial arts could overcome natural talent and that relying solely on that talent with the elements was no short cut to being victorious.
Zhe's mind went back to the matter at hand, the slight changes in air pressure and the creaking of the floorboards more than enough to tell him that this visitor was not one of the local earth bending future thugs, but instead someone who held interest in the art form. This caused Zhe to quickly open his eyes, ignoring the tight green outfit that he wore, fashion was of no interest to him and he was more interested in this teenager's stance and interest. He stood up, stretching as he gave his visitor a once over, smiling almost in approval.
"It's not often that I get new visitors" he said, his voice deep and full of life.
"Apologies" came the green clad teens reply. "I was interested in seeing your dojo and your methods" The kid smiled, showing a respect for Zhe as well as an interest in the old martial arts masters abilities.
"Well I could show you, but I can tell you are a capable student of the art form..."
The kid nodded.
"... so I think the best way for us to truly great each other is through sparring." Zhe smiled at the kid, awaiting his response. The teen nodded and quickly took off his sandals, leaving them stashed on the rack before calmly moving onto the mats.
Zhe bowed respectfully to his opponent, the bow being returned in kind by his sparring partner. Zhe followed this up by dropping into a guard position, his legs spread apart, knees bent, his weight kept on the balls of his feet. His hands were raised up, to about chest level, his hands open palmed as his eyes met with his opponents. He lowered his hands slightly, making what would almost be a double leg block as his breathing came out light. His foe had adopted his own guard position. Dropping back, one hand behind his back, one hand extended out in front of him. Zhe focussed on his opponent, taking in everything, the way his hair moved, the way his muscles expanded and contracted and he knew that his opponent was doing the exact same thing with him. A truly remarkable teen to have been taking his training so diligently. Time seemed to stand still. The kid moved one of his feet forward, Zhe moving one backwards before moving to the side and pushing forward. The kid mimicking his movements. Shifting away at the same time and for the same distance, the gap remaining the same between them. The kid backed up and twisted on his front foot, the muscles tensing in his other leg, lifting slightly before being put back down as Zhe moved one of his hands slightly, the twitch enough to discourage the attack from his opponent.
A smile broke out on Zhe's face. He hadn't had a spar like this in ages, not since earth bending had become the focus of attention. He raised a hand into a chest guard position, almost extending it forward before pulling back as the mere hint of an attack had caused the kid opposite to adjust his guard to compensate. This cat and mouse spar continued for what seemed like ages, but was in fact minutes. Every time Zhe shifted forwards, the kid would back off or slip away and in return each time the kid tensed and prepared to strike Zhe would also be no longer found in striking distance.
"You are good" the kid said, smiling.
"As are you" the response, as both combatants shifting out of their combat stances. Bowing to each other. Zhe smiled and went to fetch a jug of water and a couple of cups, returning to find the kid looking around the dojo, almost like a badger mole in a new cave. Placing the jug on a nearby shelf Zhe poured first his guest and then himself a cup of water. Extending the wooden cup the kid, well to be more honest teenager took it and gratefully gulped it down, placing the cup back down on the shelf and giving his thanks for the drink.
"So the only thing I don't know about you is your name." Zhe stated, looking at the kid. "Rock Lee, Handsome devil of the hidden leaf" he replied, giving a huge grin and giving a thumbs up.
"Konoha? Never heard of it." Zhe replied. "Though I'm curious about the place if they train such fine artists"
Lee paused before answering. "Well not all of us focus on taijutsu, we have genjutsu and ninjutsu as well." Zhe's confusion must have shown on his face as the teen carried on when he saw his expression change. "Ah my apologies I need to explain, where I come from taijutsu refers to martial arts or other techniques that require using the body as opposed to ninjutsu which would be bending." He paused thinking. "Genjutsu does not really translate well, but the closest thing here would be to do with the spirits and the spirit realm."
"So do people focus more on your ninjutsu rather than your taijutsu?" Zhe asked, curious as to this new place.
"some people do, it depends, there are the great clans and they pretty much only focus on their clan's techniques. Everyone has to at least learn basic taijutsu, but there are also people who focus on niinjutsu and then there are prodigies with it…" Zhe felt crestfallen, he had hoped that given the skill level of his opponent perhaps this place appreciated the art form of hand to hand combat instead of placing a lot of emphasis on the elements. Lee however had carried on, oblivious to this dark thought.
"… but I will prove to everyone that hard work can overcome natural prodigies!" Lee spoke with an incredible amount of vigour, almost making Zhe feel young again.
"You think hard work can beat natural talent? With elemental abilities?"
"Of course!" the fire powering the young man was almost visible to Zhe at this point. "Just because someone is born with high abilities does not mean that I can not overcome them with hard work!"
"I think we're going to get along kid" Zhe smiled, having found a comrade spirit.
Wu returned as the sun was setting. He had tried to show off to the earth benders at school, but had again been mocked and beaten up. He stood at around 5 foot 10 and had brown hair going down to his shoulders. Bruises now littered his face and the arms of his slight build. He definitely did not look like the typical earth bender, though he wore the clothes of an earth bending student. He'd been trying to kick the rock back towards the earth benders, he'd even managed to shape it slightly with is martial arts training, but as always he had ended up thrown back and encased in earth again. As he opened the door slowly the sound of two voices hit his ears. This was strange, Wu knew the dojo had been going downhill and frankly he wasn't surprised. Earth bending was clearly better. If anything his dad should just give up and get an actual job, leave the fighting and training to people with talent. He gripped down on his shoes as he took them off, almost on auto pilot. If only he could earth bend. Then he would be popular again. He walked into the dojo, his eyes and mind snapping back to reality as he saw his father talking with a young man clad in… well Wu couldn't believe his eyes. What was this teen wearing? A green body suit with a darker green jacket? The jacket looked to be alright, the pockets certainly looked useful, but the green body suit? Especially with the orange leg warmers. Stifling a snigger he waved at his dad at the stranger.
"I'm back Zhe, who's your new friend, couldn't possibly be a new student."
"Where have you been son? You're late?" Zhe paused. "And this is Rock Lee and he's not a student here, though he would be welcome."
"uh-huh sure, not like you could teach him anything anyway"
"That is not fair" the other teen, Rock Lee spoke up. "your father is a very good martial artist and I would relish the chance to learn under him" The teen smiled, but Wu just scoffed and walked off heading towards his room with a "whatever" being thrown over his shoulder. He had crossed over the main room and was just about to head into the hallway when the door opening again made him turn. One visitor was surprising, but two was just impossible. Wu turned around and felt a cold shiver wash over him. Standing in the doorway was the main bully of the new earth bending class Ilesh. Well by main bully, the only bully as the others just went along with him, but didn't seem to be overly keen on him. He was however the earth bending masters favourite and with good reason. He was extremely strong. A natural earth bending prodigy in fact, as good as the teacher in most aspects other than stamina and experience, but he picked up everything as naturally as breathing to other people. Closer inspection showed that Ilesh was not the only person standing in the doorway. His gang of other earth benders were with him, as always, but most surprisingly was Kwong, the earth bending master of the new school.
Kwong looked to be in his mid-twenties, closely cropped black hair and he too wore a green gi, with cream trousers and a golden sash around his waist. The sleeves had been ripped off, showing his, rather monstrous muscles. Ilesh looked like he was shaping into a smaller version of his master. His hair was brown instead of black and was nearing 15 more then 25, but other than that he wore similar clothes and looked like he was training to get a similar level of muscle.
"Well here's where the pitiful little Wu runs off to" Kwong grinned. "Looks like we've finally found you"
Ilesh joined in when Wu didn't reply.
"Yea we're here to show you a lesson, you're not an earth bender and you're not a fighter" He grinned a sadistic grin, making Wu shudder. "And we're here to prove it to you."
"We do not want trouble, but I will not let you hurt my son so I will have to ask you to leave" Zhe said standing up.
"Aww the old martial arts master wants to fight, not knowing how outclassed and redundant he is" Kwong paused, looking at the third person in the dojo. "And who's this? Some poor sap you've convinced to join your dying art? He certainly dressed like someone who is brain dead" Wu looked over, wanting to see how his dad and Lee would react to the insults. Zhe looked serious, though he always did, and Lee's expression hadn't changed much either, though he looked annoyed. He wasn't making a move to react though, merely waiting to see what Zhe was going to do.
"I will get the constable if you do not leave. " Zhe stood up "and if that does not work I will remove you from my dojo myself for disturbing the peace."
"Relax old man" Kwong returned suddenly grinning. "I'm just here to show how inferior your martial arts is to earth bending, I mean I'm just here to challenge your dojo" At his words the other teens with him dropped a couple of crates in from outside, earth spilling out of them and onto the mats.
"Hardly a better art form if you need to bring items with you to fight effectively, but I accept your challenge" Zhe replied. "Once I have defeated you, you must all leave immediately and never return or bully my son again."
"Deal" Kwong replied, dropping into a stance. "I'll even let you go first" he grinned, moving his head from side to side, cracking his neck as he did so.
Zhe dropped back into his guard stance, his hands moving from near leg blocks or a ready position, to what appeared to be a double chest block. His legs slightly apart, but not too far to prevent easy movement, it looked like an adopted and shortened horse posture. Despite the offer Zhe did not make the first move, watching his opponent intently, as he and Lee had done so earlier. Kwong did not repay the favour, commanding his students to back off and not get in his way. Mirroring Lee's actions as he had moved to the side of the room, next to Wu, as soon as the challenge had been issued.
Wu looked from his dad to Kwong. From Kwong to his dad. Neither moving for seconds that felt like hours.
"Well I was polite and offered you the first move, but it seems like you're just rude" Kwong grinned, jumping up and spinning round earth gathering around his legs before he spun round, kicking down the earth crashing down, towards Zhe's head. Wu looked on in shock, this was one of Kwongs favourite moves, going straight for an opponent's head with the force of a badger mole, but Zhe merely sidestepped, one of his arms lightly blocking against Kwong's arms and torso as, like a leaf, he shifted to the side of the attack effortlessly. Zhe returned with the arm he had used to guard folding in and Kwong quickly had to duck to avoid an elbow strike. He ducked under the arm, the earth around his legs reforming into earthen boots around his legs, going from his feet up to his knees. He turned and launched a kick towards Zhe, who merely leaned away and moved back slightly. Wu gasped. He never knew his dad was so good. The other non benders he'd seen fight Kwong had been quickly wiped out by his earth bending enhanced kicks.
"You're getting mud all over my mats and dojo" Zhe mentioned, almost like he was in a polite conversation and not a fight for his dojo. "That's rather rude"
Kwong replied but lifting one arm up in an upper cut motion, a rock rushing up to hover in front of him, before a punch forward sent the rock arcing towards Zhe's chest. Zhe merely battered it aside and moved forwards, a spinning round kick being dodged by Kwong, before a back kick landed into Kwong's stomach, winding him and knocking him back slightly. Finally a side kick finished the combo and sent Kwong flying back. As he moved backwards however Wu watched him fling his arms back, earth forming around them before he swung them forwards, moments before he smashed into one of the walls. The earth tore through the air, but Zhe merely ducked and weaved past them. Launching himself forward to try and deliver an open palmed thrust to Kwong. Kwong in return jumped to the side and rolled away, kicking up some more earth and launching a barrage as Zhe. Wu watched as Zhe raised his arms, protecting his torso, but a few cuts could be seen on his arms as the barrage faded. Kwong launched himself back towards Zhe, launching punch after punch and kick after kick. However as Wu stared open eyed he watched each attack hit air after air as Zhe used the only true block of not being hit. Wu was nervous though, it had been a while since his dad had fought with someone other than a spar and he could see his age taking a toll on him. Whilst he dodged everything, he was beginning to slow. Zhe himself seemed to realise this as he dodged back then launched an open palm upwards towards Kwong's chin knocking him up and back, delivering a front kick to send Kwong, again, into a dojo wall.
"You have fought well, but you can not beat me" Zhe stated, panting slightly.
"I disagree, you fight with honour" Kwong gave a flick of his list. "But honour does not equate to victory" He pulled his fist back, almost like he was elbow striking the wall behind him. This had two effects, the first was that the wall behind him now had a sizeable dent in it. But secondly and more importantly a rock came flying in from outside and smashed into the back of Master Zhe's head. Wu cried out, wanting to run forwards but Ilesh stomped on the ground, earth suddenly pinning him to the wall.
"Now I'll take you out and claim your dojo, you'll wake up, but never be able to practice martial arts again" Kwong said, striding towards the downed Zhe. Wu could only watch on, helpless as Zhe looked up, before Kwong moved him round so he was lying on his back. He pulled one of his legs up, earth building around it, as he raised it before smashing it down. The earth encased leg, with more and more earth joining it arced down towards Zhe's legs, Kwong's intention clear as he made to smash Zhe's legs. Wu closed his eyes, unable to look as the leg dropped, about to cripple his dad. He felt a gust of wind from next to him, but didn't think anything of it until several gasps could be heard from around the room. Most interestingly Kwong let out a cry of both frustration and pain. Opening his eyes Wu noticed a few things.
First of all was that Kwong's eyes were wide in pain, and Zhe's were wide with surprise. The second thing was the slack jawed expressions of Ilesh and the other students. The third and final and most important thing he noticed was that Lee was no longer standing next to him. In fact earth had showed down next to Zhe, with some currently imbedded in Kwong's face. Lee was standing up, his own leg raised up in a kick that many would consider beyond flexibility. Kwong backed off, his leg dropping, with a slightly limp Wu noticed, back onto the ground as Lee moved his leg back down, with far more control then Kwong.
"It is not nice to cripple an opponent's legs after you have won" Lee said, a bitterness in his voice taking over from his earlier cheeriness.
"Fine" Kwong said. "Ilesh grab this dojo's sign, we're leaving" Ilesh gave a sneer but he retrated with Kwong, grabbing the dojo's sign on the way out.
The earth fell from around Wu as they left and he rushed to his dad.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think they'd come here and do this"
"It is ok my son, it is no your fault" Zhe replied grabbing Wu's hand.
"But the dojo."
"The dojo will be fine" Wu and Zhe looked up, seeing Lee look down at them with concern. "I will help you get the sign back, if you will let me" Zhe nodded and Wu looked between them. "I would like to help as well, I can't let them get away with this."
"Finally taking your training seriously?" Zhe laughed as he got back up to his feet. "I'd like to help, but I'm not sure if I can, my head is still a little dis orientated"
Wu looked heartbroken.
"Not to mention it would take many years for me to teach you to the level to beat Kwong." Wu looked down, biting his lip, hating his helplessness, wishing he could do more.
"I can help train you" Lee said, both Zhe and Wu looking up. "It will not be what you are used to and it will be very intense, but I can help train you up to a good level in about a month."
Wu nodded. "anything, I'll train more diligently then anyone ever has"
Lee grinned and gave him a thumbs up. "that is most youthful! I like your spirit!" He paused to make sure Zhe was ok before continuing. "and get ready we will start training straight away! Do you have any weights Zhe?" he asked, his face filled with the happiness and youth of training.
A few days later Wu was collapsed at the dojo. Zhe had just finished getting him a cup of water and asking how he was when the door snapped open, Lee's shadow in the doorway. Wu and Zhe looked up at him and stopped. Unsure how he got the item with him.
"Look student, I managed to get you a youthful garment to train in!" Lee almost shouted with glee, holding up a green suit, almost identical to the one he wore.
"I am not wearing that thing!" Wu yelled back, jumping up and pointing at the fashion disaster.
Lee looked almost crest fallen. "But it is such a perfect training garment if you wear it you will soon not only be as good as me, but as handsome as me!"
Wu shivered at the thought of wearing it, then again if it would help his training.
"Alright fine, but only whilst training" he muttered, walking over and grabbing the garment before stomping off to change. Zhe's quiet chuckles following him.
Tenten came back into the house, stretching out and looking around, soot staining her clothes slightly. It had been two weeks since she had last seen Lee, she was used to not seeing him in the mornings as despite how early she got up, he always seemed to have gotten up to start training two hours earlier.
"As anyone seen or heard from Lee?" she asked, looking around the GAang.
Neji turned to look at her.
"He said something about intense training for a month so he might not be back much"
"Huh" Tenten sighed, washing her hands. "Either way Neji…" she asked, her voice becoming more sing song. "What are you doing tonight?"
"Not got anything planned why?"
"Oh, just curious"
Neji looked at the slightly blushing Tenten, wondering what he had got himself in for.
Wu gasped for breath. Even three weeks in he was still not sure how Lee could do this. He had done five hundred laps of this block, and this wasn't a small block, but Lee had done… well Wu wasn't sure how many Lee had done. He did know that he had been up for about an hour before him though, saying that he was starting him off light whilst he carried on with his usual routine. He looked up. The sun was starting to rise and the warm glow filled Wu and invigorated his spirits. The light filtered down through the trees on the sides of the street, the cool morning breeze caressing his face and hair slightly. He paused, enjoying the wind through his brown locks before he heard laughter coming from a nearby side street. A couple of girls in his class where snickering at him from behind their hands causing Wu to quickly turn and run, finding a sudden surge of strength.
As he ran off a comment that did not make much sense to the lanky teen drifted to his ears.
"It is not good to make fun of people, besides I hear the waterways are great places to take a bath"
For some reason the laughing suddenly stopped and the sounds of running finished off the exchange.
The day had come, Lee and Wu stood outside the earth bending school. The school was a large imposing building, with an obvious wealth behind it. The green tiled roof glittered in the morning sunlight, almost like the roof was made from actual emeralds inlaid into stone. The walls of the main building were high, with green shuttered windows visible even around the outer walls. The outer wall was also incredibly impressive. A large, dark, green gate filled the gate house with large golden coloured circular handles. In fact closer inspection revealed that the handles were actually made from gold. The beige stone surrounding the gate was impressive, and was roofed in a similar manner to the main building. The outer wall was impressive, but paled in comparison to the main building towering over it, and it wasn't even fully visible yet. Wu looked to his side, the morning sunlight bearing down on him and Lee, reflecting off Lee's shiny black hair. Wu still wasn't sure how he managed to keep his hair so well-conditioned, but then there was a lot of fashion choices he still wondered about with the teen. Lee was in his green jumpsuit, dark green chunin jacket and orange leg warmers as per usual. Wu was happy that since it was the day of their dojo challenge he had finally managed to convince Lee to let him change out of the similar outfit he had made him wear during training. Wu wasn't even sure where he had managed to get it from, but he was happy at least that he was finally free of it. Wu was dressed in a dark green gi and golden sash, and he took a few deep breaths in and out, readying himself for this. He looked at Lee who gave him a nod of encouragement before walking up to the door, and knocking. One, two, three sharp taps rang out through the street.
The door opened a crack and a grin broke out on the person, a student of the academy, opening it.
"Ah you've come, Wu." A short pause later and the gate was swinging open, both doors giving way to air to allow the two visitors, two challengers to enter. Kwong was sitting, waiting on the stairs to his academy. Ilesh stood down the steps to the main building, now visible. The other students were scattered around the courtyard. The all wore the academy's colours. A green gi, cream trousers, brown shoes and a golden sash around their waist. Kwong's was slightly different in that his gi was a darker green and had the sleeves removed, but other than that was the same. The courtyard stretched out in front of them. Around 20 meters wide and 20 meters long, smalls, perfectly square paving slabs making a path from the gate to the stairs leading up to the main building. The main building itself was a tower, the door was the same shade of green and style to the shutters that lined the walls and made the windows, with ivy growing up one side of the tower. Two rectangular buildings stretched out from the two sides of the building, raised up on a higher earthen ledge. Grass and plants and gravel littered the earthen ledge and the courtyard around the stone path. The typical earth bending discs were embedded into the ground to one side and on the other a pile of rocks, clearly for training. Trees lined the path and a few other bushes and other types of vegetation littered the building and courtyard, but never in the way of a training area. Finally there was a little pond in one corner, next to the outer walls, reeds growing out of it with a wooden bamboo water feature.
Kwong waved at them.
"So you've come to challenge my academy have you?" he asked grinning and making an obvious show of looking up at Zhe's dojo's sign, mounted on the wall next to him. "I thought after a month you might have come to your senses and chickened out." He paused and turned his attention to Lee.
"And who is your friend?" his face darkened. "The one who tried to humiliate me last time.
"I am Rock Lee, handsome devil of the hidden leaf village!" Lee replied, almost shouting as he adopted one his strange thumbs up positions. He had tried to explain all the differences between them, but Wu had given up as he didn't consider the brain power to remember all the minute differences to be useful.
"Very good" Kwong said, clasping his hands together. "Well let's not waste any time, but you know…" he smiled down at the two, Wu feeling a shiver and almost taking a step back. "You need to challenge all my students before facing me, and there are only two of you." He smiled and his students laughed, Ilesh passionately, the others… well Wu thought some sounded forced. "You can still give up you know."
Lee moved forwards. "The number of your students is no matter, we will defeat you." He turned and looked directly at Wu.
"Stand back my youthful friend and comrade. I will deal with the students so that you can take out the master"
Lee heard laughter erupt from around him as the students laughed. Even Kwong laughed and it sounded genuine.
"Very good, very good joke indeed" he grinned. Well if you really think you can take all my students out then please, be my guest."
Lee nodded in reply, shifting his right leg back and around, moving it behind his left. Adopting a shortened back posture. His left hand going up, open palmed as he bent his knees, keeping his weight lightly on his toes. He glanced around, waiting for the first move.
He did not have to wait long.
First one of the students to his one o'clock position came forward with a punch, encasing his arm with earth from the nearby floor. Lee merely grabbed the opposing wrist with his left hand, pulling the earth powered attack and attached bender to his left, keeping up the student's momentum. Spinning around, his right leg coming back round he delivered a spinning elbow strike to the back of the students neck, sending him sprawling into some nearby gravel. Lee carried on spinning, jumping up and over a large block of earth that sprouted up out of the ground, sending the paving stones out of the way. He extended his leg and delivered a spinning roundhouse kick whilst in mid-air to a student who had not reacted fast enough and thought he was out of range.
Having knocked out two of the students the others joined in with more force. A rock was sent flying at his head as he landed causing Lee to drop into a crouch, the rock smashing into a tree behind him. Lee sprung forward, reaching out with one hand to grasp one of the trees trunks. He span around is and delivered a kick with both feet into another student's chest. A selection of gravel started to pelt at him causing him to run forward and up a tree, jumping off as the gravel rushed either into the tree or flung past it. Lee jumped back again, first onto his hands and then springing off his hands. His feet crashing into a student rushing him with a stone slab. The stone slab was held in front of him like a shield, the earth bending keeping it there. Or at least it did before Lee's feet went through it and send the student flying back. He had to immediately jump out of the way as another bending student used the shattered remains of the stone shield as a weapon. Landing into a roll he sprung up and struck down a charging student. Jumping out of the way as the stone shields remains were flung at him again he flipped over the offending student and delivered an open palm strike to his shoulder and neck, knocking him out as the stone shield remains went flying out of control, taking out another student's legs and knocking him down. Lee did not waste any time in appearing next to him, slightly faster than earth kingdom residents were used to. Knocking him out as he tried to rise back up to his feet.
The other students were starting to back off now, forming a line as Ilesh glared at them raising their hands they all launched an attack at once. One side of the earthen path rising up and charging at Lee like an avalanche. Lee jumped up and ran along the top for a while, jumping from rock to rock before launching himself at the line. The air pressure around him letting out a slight sonic boom as the avalanche attack was split the resulting air pressure. Lee rushed into and past the line. His arms collaring two of the benders as he rushed past them. Sending them sliding along the floor the others backed away slightly and Lee swung his legs around in several round kicks. Quickly sending the students flying and landing unconscious. He looked up at Ilesh and Kwong. Ilesh looked furious. Kwong just looked annoyed.
"I'll deal with this loser" Ilesh said, glancing back at Kwong before jumping and smashing into the ground. A wave of earth flowing at Lee. Lee in return hopped off one leg and spun over the dirt wave, his back inches from the earth attack. He landed on one leg and quickly ran towards Ilesh. Lee would credit Ilesh that he did not retreat. Merely pulling stone discs up to his arms, being held on his forearms as armour. Lee launched a punch at the side of Ilesh's head. He was mildly surprised to find him stomp down on the ground, creating a pillar to rush up and intercept the attack. He pulled his arm back and sent off a back of hand strike towards the other side of Ilesh's head. Ilesh moved his leg, changing his posture and the position of the earth column. Column rushed towards fist, fist rushed towards column. Lee smiled, enjoying the fight as his fist met with air as the change of posture granted Ilesh a dodge. The column now lying in pieces on the floor Lee snapped up with a round kick towards Ilesh. The stone disc covered arm met with Lee's leg, Ilesh managing to make the earthen disc hold as Lee brought his leg down and ducked down quickly to avoid a quick forward strike from Ilesh, the stone disc spinning around and shooting down his arm to go just past his hand.
Lee Launched an uppercut towards Ilesh's chin, causing him to step back. A disc moving towards Lee's shoulders made him jump to the side. Ilesh flung out his arms, the two stone discs flying out and towards Lee along a parabolic arc. Lee grinned and did a double chest block. Smashing both discs out of the air and launching himself towards his opponent. Launching a jumping front kick which Ilesh dodged by shifting his head to the side. He was not so fortunate as Lee's knee smashed into his jaw, making him gasp and fall back. As Lee kept his trajectory moving forward Ilesh shook his head as he went towards the floor. Using his hands to push himself off the floor, flipping his way up and past Lee, sliding along the stone path, the back of his heels stopping as they touched the edges of the stairs. Lee couldn't enjoy the temporary advantage as discs were soon shooting at him from in between the trees, giving him no time as he had to dodge and weave as he tried to advance again on Ilesh. A disc rushed at the back of Lee's head, causing him to turn to smash a fist through it as another disc shot at his front. He whipped his head out of the way, but the disc clipped his cheek and knocked him back a bit. Looking up he saw Ilesh charging him, discs back on his arms. They exchanged blows for a while. Lee launching punches and kicks only to be met with a stone disc blocking it. Either held in the air by bending or shielding Ilesh's limbs. Ilesh returned attacks with discs spinning down his hands, sometimes he gripped them and tried to use them as weapons, sometimes he would use them as armour to help his strikes, and sometimes he would fling them at Lee whenever he got the chance. Lee could tell his opponent was getting more and more infuriated as Lee never let his opponent get another attack on him.
"I thank you for the good fight, but it is time for us to move on!" Lee announced suddenly hopping back slightly. Ilesh glared at him and swore loudly, charging at him, his discs moving down to hover just above his hands, spinning round with more and more dirt gathering around it, making the discs appear more like a demon shuriken. Lee merely dropped down into a crouch as Ilesh thrust both arms, and therefore discs forwards. Lee spun and kicked up towards Ilesh's chin. This time far faster than before, faster even then any Earth Kingdom martial artist could do. The blow smashed into Ilesh's chin, sending him flying up into the air. One disc crashed down into the ground next to Lee whilst Ilesh flew back, arcing, almost majestically, in the air before he crashed down in front of the stairs in front of Kwong. The second disc raining down in pieces around him as the original disc ending up embedding itself in the ground next to Ilesh's head.
Lee checked his hands and cracked his knuckles before turning to look back at Wu.
"Your time to shine my youthful pupil!" he announced beaming. Ignoring the now enraged Kwong and the slightly nervous looking Wu.
Kwong looked down towards the prone form of his student. Perhaps there was some truth in him underestimating martial artists. Kwong turned his head to gaze down stonily at the two challenging him and his school. He mentally shook his head. No it was perhaps better to say that he had underestimated this Lee person, he had been impressed at the dojo, but had clearly shown how good he truly was in the last fight. Ilesh had always thought he would instantly win against a martial artist. Kwong chuckled slightly, guess he was wrong. Either way he still had two challengers to deal with, and now with none of his students to help out. He stood up cracking his knuckles glaring down at the two. Lee didn't look affected, but Wu almost took a step back. Kwong grinned. Wu was the weak link, and Lee was even backing off to let Wu face off against him.
"You want to avenge your father and dojo, very well" Kwong said, leaping up and crashing down in front of Wu. Earth kicking up as earthen dust flew up into the air and stone blocks joined the earthen wave travelling towards Wu. Kwong looked on as Wu jumped backwards, the earthen wave surging underneath him as he landed back on his hands. Kwong launched himself after Wu, holding an arm out to try and smash into Wu's waist. Wu in turn pushed himself up and away from the attack, landing on a tree. He propelled himself forwards but Kwong merely deflected him with a swipe of his arm. Spinning round slightly on his heel to launch another punch. A rock shard flew towards Kwong's opponent's head, causing him to grin as it glanced off him, Wu stumbled back, drops of blood splattering down his dark green gi. Kwong offered no quarter. Using earth bending to catapult himself forward and towards Wu. Wu leapt up, Kwong could feel his feet on his back as he ran along him and Kwong's eyes widened as he barrelled into a stone wall by himself. Kwong gathered the earth with his bending so that the wall rose alongside him. Shards of rock all around him before he launched wave after wave of earthen debris towards Wu. Wu managed to dodge a few, but one caught him in his shoulder, sent him spinning round and falling down. Kwong did not notice this however as he was too busy getting a couple of the larger stone discs. Creating a stone platform in-between them. Driving it forwards as he used bending to turn the stone discs as wheels. He jumped off at the last moment, leaving the earthen vehicle to smash into Wu. Kwong grinned, but he felt his grin drop as the crowd of dust kicked up from his attack dissipated to see Wu standing there. Somehow managing to have gotten back onto his feet. Closer inspection revealed that the vehicle had been chopped in two, the stone platform Kwong had been standing on destroyed.
Kwong watched as Wu stood there, panting slightly. He knew Wu was watching him back, knowing that he two was panting, albeit slightly. Or at least less then Wu was. Wu's next move was different however. Well different for Wu, he moved his heel back, raising his front arm as he adopted a shortened back position. A very similar back position in fact. Kwong grinned however.
"Getting serious then! I will too!" he flung his arms out, the emerald green roofing tiles flying towards him, forming around him like armour. He braced himself for a second before rushing forward. Using his bending on the ground to drive him quickly towards his opponent. Charging forward like a bull-rhino. Wu however disappeared. He felt a kick smash into his chin, sending him flying, the green tiles that were there shattering and falling down as he was launched into the air. As he was arcing through the air, reaching the peak of his flight he barely had time to recognise the presence behind him before he felt a kick slam into the side of his torso. More green tiles shattering and falling from Kwong as he felt his bending fade as he could no long control it, the kick hurting despite the armour and his own physical training. Barely seconds later a second kick slammed into the other side of his torso, making him gasp. The kicks clearing out the tiles he soon felt arms wrap around him before he was pulled back, recognising the move as a suplex, albeit a much more extravagant one. He tried to struggle, but his body wouldn't respond properly. This wasn't helped by the tiles now getting in the way as his earth bending armour lost its effectiveness now that he could not control it properly. Kwong felt his struggles fail and he let out a long trail of swear words before darkness engulfed him.
Wu landed hard. Pulling himself up gingerly, one arm hanging limply before he could cradle it. He saw Lee run over as he held onto his broken arm, stumbling slightly and collapsing onto Lee.
"You have done well my student, but you have pushed yourself too far" Lee said, keeping Wu steady. "Sorry" Wu heard gasped out, before his brain reminded him it was in his voice. "I got carried away." Lee nodded and turned, Wu feeling himself get hoisted onto his back, slumping on him as Lee walked over to the boards picking them up.
"Guess Kwong will not be needing these anymore" Lee said, the boards for both Zhe's dojo and the earth bending academy in his hands. Wu let out a laugh, before cringing as his body reminded him just how much pain he was in.
Wu leant onto Lee as they left the dojo. Kwong's body slumping back down slightly as they closed the gates.
Lee ducked his head under the door as he entered the tea shop. Hearing murmured mutters of a much better tea shop opening up, called something like the Jasmine Dragon. Lee ignored this and made his way towards the smiling and waving Wu, calling him over. Wu had recovered slightly, although his arm was still heavily bandaged. He was surrounded by friends, some of them students from the earth bending academy, no long under the bullying influence of Ilesh, and some were other classmates and more happily, students of Zhe. Lee smiled as he sat down, a cup of tea being quickly poured and given to him by Wu as he exchanged pleasantries with the students. The conversation was brought to a halt as Ilesh himself walked in. Heavily bandaged and still bruised from his fight. He paused and looked ashamed slightly as he approached the table.
"I would like to apologise for my actions" he said, his head bowed. "I wish to make it up to you Wu, you have shown me that natural abilities are not everything" He bowed low.
"I forgive you, it is the youthful thing to do isn't it Lee?" Wu replied, turning to look at him. Lee nodded and gave a trademarked nice guy smile and thumbs up.
It was at that point that Tenten and Neji rushed in.
"Lee we have a problem, it's Katara"