The large rock circles of the Earth Kingdom rose up to greet them in the afternoon. The golden rays of the sun highlighted the giant rock wall surrounding the mighty city of Ba Sing Se. They landed outside the city making their way inside as the gates were about to close for the night. With a sigh of relief they headed towards the palace where Toph's children would be waiting.
"Where do want us to wait while you get Tro?" Rina asked butting in before her brother could take charge. Gyochu turned regarded the waterbending princess with something more than mere friendliness.
"There is an inn, above a tea shop the Avatar and I used to go to. It's in the Middle Ring and reputable. You guys should know of it, you grandfather used to run it before he got old. Maybe we can stay there?" He said. Lee brows furrowed a bit in concentration.
"I don't know. Wouldn't they recognize us immediately? I mean it's not exactly hard to tell that we're from the fire nation." The prince responded.
"Correction, you look like you're from the Fire Nation. We have not been to the tea shop in a long time. They won't recognize Tenu and I. We can be visiting water tribe people for all they know. But you, they would recognize instantly." Rina said challengingly to her older brother. As much as she loved Lee, she was getting rather tired of him calling all the shots. Lee looked abashed at his sister's comments until he realized the truth of them. Tenu and Gyochu wisely kept their distance from the exchange.
"Rina, give me some of the money. I'll find somewhere else to go." Rina suddenly felt very guilty forcing her brother to go a separate way but it was the only way. She counted up some coins to give to Lee, enough to pay for his lodging and more if he needed.
"Lee, maybe this is your chance. While we're getting Tro, see if you can find out more about the smugglers who took your sister. There has to be something we're missing." Gyochu looked directly into the prince's eyes. The thoughts that passed between them then were secret and knowing. Rina and Tenu were left unaware. Clasping the other's forearm the boys nodded and broke apart.
"I'll meet up with you guys here tomorrow at noon. Bring Tro." Lee said. He turned then and was gone.
Rina looked after her him, her eyes watering a bit. Beside her Tenu put a soft hand against her arm, comforting her. She looked down and smiled, wiping the little water from her eyes. She looked up to Gyochu who stood patiently waiting. He led them protectively towards the inn.
At the inn a woman greeted them and they were lucky the teashop was busy. Too busy for anyone to take too close a look at them. A woman ushered a tray along and on the way from dropping off the contents Gyochu stopped her politely.
"Excuse me, miss. Can we have two rooms for the night?" The woman smiled kindly down to them and took their money counting it half-heartedly.
"Hi my name is Jin, welcome to The White Lotus. You can have the rooms up the stairs and the last two on the right. Let me know if you need anything!" She walked off hurriedly towards the kitchen leaving the kids relieved she didn't recognize them.
The group followed Jin's instructions and headed t their rooms settling in nicely. Once settled Gyochu turned to his friends.
"I'm going to go see if I can find Tro. You guys stay here and don't leave whatever you do." Rina and Tenu both nodded knowing if they went near the palace their plans would be ruined. Toph would surely suspect something and thus felt rather useless staying behind.
Gyochu on the other hand left the inn quickly using his airbending to help him get up to the Upper Ring of the city here the most wealthy lived. There he knew Toph and Haru with their kids lived in the separate apartments for the chief advisor. He knew his way by heart but getting up to the top without being seen was tricky. The last thing he wanted was for someone to sound the alarm. Fortunately just as every other airbender was, he was extremely light on his feet. Using balls of air to propel him forward it was easy to avoid using his feet. His hands worked seamlessly in patterns he had been learning since birth.
Tro's room was one of the furthest rooms and he had to get past his parents' rooms first. It was good that the night air was cool enough to relieve him of the sweat that was beginning to accumulate on his brow. Working his way forward over the roof of Toph's room, he stopped suddenly.
A loose patch of dirt had come loose and fell. He stopped waiting and listening his air keeping him afloat.
"Did you hear that?" A deep voice belonging to a woman came from below him. He knew instantly it was Toph's and remained quiet. He knew her hearing was impeccable and held his breath in anticipation.
"Hear what?" Haru's soft voice asked. Gyochu waited silently.
"I thought I heard something on the roof." Toph said quietly suddenly suspicious. Gyochu was suddenly worried. He had met Toph on a number of occasions and although friendly he could sense the immense skill behind those blind eyes. She was not one to be crossed and suddenly he was feeling incredibly sorry for his present situation. Using the air he was twirling on his palms and feet he managed to carry himself further as slowly as he could manage.
"Maybe I should go check?" Haru said gently trying to soothe his wife's curiosity.
"And risk you falling again? Ha! No thanks, but you're definitely a whiner when you're hurt." There was a muffled retaliation but Gyochu didn't dare stop to listen as he kept moving silently forward.
When he reached the roof he knew was Tro's he relaxed visibly and jumped off the roof swinging himself into the small boy's room.
Lee walked silently down the alleyways of the Lower Ring until he reached the toughest inn he could find. Gulping a bit he stood up straighter and took a deep breath. He knew he had to prove his worth tonight. He must not be afraid or at least look it. He was the prince of the Fire Nation and he was his father's son. His father would never have been afraid and so he should not be either.
Moving in he made sure he could feel the weight of his swords on his back. They clanked against him making a soft ringing metallic sound. Inside the inn sat many burly men and more than a few shrewd looking men. Most of them looked scarred from multiple skirmishes they had come in contact with and survived. Suddenly Lee was not so sure of himself now. He felt uneasy knowing full well his skin held very few scars, with all due thanks to his mother's attentions. On the outside he would not look so tough, so he had to do everything he could to convince the men otherwise.
Many of the roughnecks turned regarding him with suspicion as he walked towards the bar. The bar tender looked up, a sizeable man, and lifted an eyebrow. Lee knew he should not show much money and offered some of the smaller change he had for a night's rest. The bartender gave him a smile at his money and produced an iron key.
"Anything you'd be having to eat?" Lee nodded shoveling out the last bit of spare change he had. As the inn keeper turned to get the food another man came to sit beside the boy. His lean figure was tall but especially muscular. He twirled his mustache between his fingers a bit in anticipation.
"Now what's a pretty boy like you doing in a place like this?" He asked his voice deep and rough. He spoke a bit under his breath as the inn keeper turned to him. Turning away the inn keeper ignored the exchange. As long as there was no damage to his inn he didn't care.
Not trying to seem intimidated Lee sipped at the drink set before him. He wouldn't give the man the benefit of his gaze. Instead he kept the man in the corner of his eye watching his every move.
"Someone took something from me, I intend to get it back." The fire prince said roughly. A smile appeared on the other man's face showing missing teeth and others on their way to being so.
"You're Fire Nation aren't you? I can tell by those eyes. A Fire Nation soldier once crossed me, he didn't even live long enough to regret it." Lee rolled his eyes knowing very well this man's tactic. He was trying to scare him. The prince would not be swayed however.
"See here, look. He gave me this scar. I keep it to remind myself Fire Nation scum can't be trusted. Let me guess, pretty boy, you've never even seen a fight, have you? Just been released from your momma's breast ain't ya?" He laughed a nice throaty laugh, completely unaware of Lee's tough appearance. Lee turned his head a bit as some of the other men were beginning to become interested, a little too interested.
"Did you ever stop to think the reason I have no scars is that no one has ever even gotten close enough to give me one." It was a proud boast and little varied from the truth. The man stopped laughing his eyes narrowing. He was suddenly beginning to feel threatened from the boy which made Lee proud as well as uneasy at the prospect.
"Well I'd like to test that then." The man said challengingly.
"I wouldn't bother with you, not unless I get something in exchange." The prince said calmly a plan beginning to form in his head. The other man's eyes widened in glee. To him this was a game, a mere show of muscle and power.
"Depends, what you want, pretty boy, and what I get in exchange." The man said wanting to bargain his share as well.
"There are some smugglers that have been illegally smuggling from the Fire Nation. A new shipment just came in a few days ago. I want to know where they are and who is in charge." He noticed instantly the inn had become slightly quieter. It lasted only for a split second as everyone else began about their conversations. Lee bit back a smile. They had what he needed and he had no intention of leaving until he got it.
"Alright boy, I'll tell you what I know if you can beat me in combat. If I win, you will bow before me and serve me like the pathetic Fire Nation scum you are." Lee looked to him finally, the first time meeting the other man's gaze.
"The rules?" He asked sternly.
"Two weapons, no seconds, first man down on his back loses." Lee narrowed his eyes a bit at the rules suddenly concerned of the fairness of the competition.
"How can I trust you to keep your word if you lose?" He asked cautiously.
"I will keep my word. Let every man here bear witness." The man grinned maliciously. Lee smiled slyly.
"Fine, but only on one condition. No bending. First one to bend forfeits." The man's emotions betrayed a sudden anger. He had been found out. Some snickering behind Lee told him this was normal. Finally after a grumble the man agreed and Lee followed him out of the inn to one of the back alleys. Interest peeked, the other men filtered out hoping for a good fight to go with their meal.
Standing before his opponent, Lee gauged the man up and down as the man undressed. The man took off his tunic showing bare muscle, trying his best to intimidate the boy by flexing and showing his scars proudly. Lee on the other hand took off his vest making sure to keep his money hidden in his tunic. He still had no trust for these ruffians but in order to get the information he needed, he had to earn their respect or their fear. Whichever came first.
"First one down then?" Lee said as he brought out his double blades. They had belonged to his father and he was sure to put them to good use now. He stood up after stretching nimbly regarding his opponent with the famous golden eyes. The other man's dark brown eyes narrowed a bit until he grinned.
"Bring it pretty boy."