A/N: I meant to post this yesterday but this chapter fought me tooth and nail. I got it finished today. Sorry for the delay friends. T_T

Chapter summary: In which Tengfei tries to act wisely while Shanyuan is scared stiff.


49: Inform

A Kuchisake-onna. A Kuchisake-onna. Of all things to change into, that blasted Woman in White just had to become the Slit-Faced Woman. She was a dangerous and blessedly rare Spirit. It took a significant amount of hatred to change anyone into a Kuchisake-onna. It took so much more to change a preexisting Spirit into one.

So yes, Tengfei was terrified to say the least. He had no idea what to do. So he followed procedure. He left Katara in the capable hands of Master Ye Xiu. He knew the Master Healer would keep the Avatar's waterbending teacher busy with healing the ill patients from the toxic water. They would also help make sure Katara and Toph were safely warmed up.

Jet had been another problem entirely. Considering how rashly the boy had acted so far today, Tengfei wasn't taking any chances. He'd left Jet bound by his rock gloves in the Autumn Leaf Clinic under the watchful eye of Roulan. The Journeyman Healer had a good head on her shoulders and Tengfei was more than certain she could handle just about anything thrown at her.

The boy had been anything but enthused by his situation, but Tengfei didn't care. He needed Jet out of the way. The last thing he or his comrades needed was some civilian getting mixed up in a Spiritual mess, especially with the Fire Prince himself involved.

Of course, that was if Katara's word was to be trusted.

He turned and met the waterbender's gaze with his own as he walked out of the clinic. The girl may be young, but she was no doubt a Master level waterbender. Tengfei had no reason to doubt that. The Avatar himself had chosen her to train him in waterbending. Tengfei had read reports of her prowess from the Dai Li agents assigned to keep an eye on the Avatar's little gang of friends. Turning away, Tengfei stepped outside to join his comrades outside.

Nevertheless, he still found it hard to believe that the Fire Prince was inside the walls of Ba Sing Se. It was unreal and shook him to his very core. Fire Prince Zuko may not be the Dragon of the West, but he was the crown prince of Fire Lord Ozai. Although Tengfei had only read of royalty going underground as spies in Spirit tales, he wasn't about to put anything past Sozin's line. That lineage was notorious for pulling off the terrible and unimaginable.

Like wiping an entire race from existence in one day. He shuddered.

But was that really what was bothering him? Tengfei grimaced. Or was it the thought of Li being the Fire Prince? It all seemed too fantastical. He'd met Li several times now and the boy had never struck him as anything more than a fearful refugee trying to keep himself out of trouble while stumbling headlong into it every time he turned around.

Katara had been adamant that Li was Fire Prince Zuko, however. As a Master level Dai Li, Tengfei was allowed to read up on politics outside Ba Sing Se, within reason. It would never do to miss something significant, like the war suddenly ending. Fat chance, but still. He knew who Zuko was, but he also knew most uneducated people wouldn't. Zuko was a Fire Nation name and Zuko may be the name of the Fire Nation's prince, but to put those two labels on someone as awkward as Li? Tengfei could believe it, maybe. But would other people? Doubtful. Hopefully.

It was that slim hope that drove him to warn Katara to keep her mouth shut about that little tidbit. Hopefully the presence of Roulan and the other innocents in the clinic would help keep the girl silent. Tengfei needed to process the new information and think carefully on his next move. He didn't want to believe Katara was right, but on the off-chance she was…

If Li really was Fire Prince Zuko, then that raised so many questions. Just a few being: what was he doing here, how did he get here, and why did Wan Shi Tong decide to trust him enough to make a deal with him?

Damn. He still had to juggle that piece of information too. The Knowledge Seeker still hadn't shown herself since Li's arrest and that worried Tengfei. The last time he'd seen Li -or was it Zuko now?- without the Knowledge Seeker by his side, the Woman in White had attempted to entice him. The boy had banished her and warned Tengfei that the Spirit was changing. Why would he that if he was the Fire Prince? Why help the city his country had besieged for years?

Clearly, Wan Shi Tong had seen something in Li- er, Zuko that made him trust the boy, Fire Prince or not. Especially after firebenders had destroyed part of his library. Why would the Fire Nation do such a terrible thing? All that history, lost. And yet The Knowledge Spirit had still trusted Li. That had to mean something. Tengfei had to believe that.

This was never a situation Tengfei ever dreamed he'd find himself in nor would he wish it on anyone. He'd been honest when he told Jet his reasoning behind sending Shanyuan with Li. Tengfei trusted his Apprentice. Shanyuan may be enthusiastic, but he could be discreet. Nevertheless, Tengfei had never been so thrilled to find out Shanyuan hadn't arrived on the scene until after more Dai Li agents had arrived to help contain the Kuchisake-onna.

The Spirit may have escaped; but knowing what he did now, Tengfei wasn't surprised. It would take more than rock gloves and iron chains to put a Kuchisake-onna down. Shanyuan didn't have the training or field experience to excuse putting him on the field to face her. Once again, Tengfei felt intense relief knowing he'd sent his apprentice after Jin and Li to Lake Laogai. Shanyuan should be safe there.

"Agent Tengfei."

Immediately, Tengfei straightened and nodded respectfully to his commanding officer. "Agent Aiguo," he said.

Aiguo was a an older Dai Li with more gray in his hair than the black he'd been born with. He was very rarely fielded anymore. He'd served Ba Sing Se long enough to deserve retirement, but he'd chosen to handle intelligence distribution at a desk instead. Seeing him here meant Long Feng had taken an interest in this situation. Yu Huang have mercy.

"Did you take care of that ridiculous informant of yours?" Aiguo asked, his tone making it very clear how he felt about that little incident.

Tengfei hid a wince, but rolled his eyes and nodded. "He's brazen," he said, controlling his nervous energy with a valiant effort, "but he's efficient."

"A refugee trusting the Dai Li," Aiguo said, turning away from Tengfei to study the bloody ground when Duyi's body had been. "How very unusual."

"Not necessarily," Tengfei said, remaining where he stood. "Some refugees do trust us." He tilted his head in reluctant agreement. "To an extent."

"Oh? And who might these few be?" Dark brown eyes flashed to Tengfei.

Tengfei met his superior's gaze evenly. "Those who've met a Spirit face-to-face and survived," he said, lifting an eyebrow at Agent Aiguo's surprise. "Jet is on good terms with a Knowledge Seeker of Wan Shi Tong and," he hesitated, "his boyfriend has had dealings with the Kuchisake-onna," Aiguo's blanched in shock, "and lived to tell about it."

"Kuchisake-onna?!" Master Aiguo said, drawing the immediate attention of the other agents in the plaza. "Where did you hear his, Tengfei?" Aiguo demanded fiercely, turning to face Tengfei fully.

"Apparently," Tengfei said, aware of his audience listening with rapt interest, "the Knowledge Seeker was present when the Kuchisake-onna attacked and tried to defend her ward. The Avatar's earthbending teacher heard everything."

"Ward?" Aiguo repeated incredulously, obviously still reeling from the Kuchisake-onna bomb. "Knowledge Seekers are Spirits. They don't take Humans on as wards."

"This one has," Tengfei said firmly. "She's rather protective of him too."

Dark eyes narrowed. "You've met him," the elderly Dai Li said.

"I have," Tengfei said, tilting his head in a nod. "Three times. Never for very long. I did not think much of it the first time since we were in the library and it is not uncommon to see Wan Shi Tong's foxes there." Aiguo nodded and Tengfei hid his relief. "Then last night, the then-Woman in White tried to entice him in front of me and my apprentice. The boy banished the Spirit and set up a barrier of his own."

Interest sparked in Agent Aiguo's eyes which was a point in Tengfei's favor. Now for the delicate part of the report.

"I don't know much about him," Tengfei admitted with a hint of reluctance, "other than he's a waterbender who was able to notice the Woman in White was changing her nature before we did."

"Is that so?" Aiguo murmured thoughtfully. "Does he have a name?"

"Li," Tengfei said nodding. "Although," he added, resisting the desire to look over his shoulder at the clinic, "it would seem the Avatar's waterbending teacher has declared him… otherwise."

Instantly, Agent Aiguo's gaze sharpened dangerously. Tengfei sent a silent prayer up to Yu Huang for patience and confidence. He would need every bit if he planned on weathering this mess in one piece.

"The firebender," Aiguo said, his tone deceptively calm.

"Waterbender," Tengfei said firmly.

The elder studied Tengfei closely, gauging his words and demeanor for any sign of deception. "Why are you so sure he's a waterbender?" Aiguo asked.

Here we go. "I saw him make ice, sir," Tengfei declared. "Last night when the Spirit attacked him. My apprentice was there with me." He lifted an eyebrow. "I doubt a firebender is capable of pulling something like that off."

Truth. It was all true. Just… not. even though Tengfei still had absolutely no idea how Li had done it, the fact remained that he had. Tengfei did his best to appear firm and certain without allowing his tension and nerves to bleed through his facade.

Aiguo hummed and deliberately looked down where Agent Duyi's body had been. "And yet…"

Tengfei followed his superior's gaze. "If the earthbender Toph is correct and this Spirit really is a Kuchisake-onna," and yes, that was definitely a twitch of fear in Agent Aiguo's face, "then we need to warn Long Feng. He needs to know what we're dealing with."

"Agreed," the elder Dai Li murmured. He closed his eyes and muttered a soft prayer to Yu Huang for Duyi's departed spirit. Tengfei couldn't help but add his own silent prayer to his elder's. Duyi had been a good agent with an easy smile and clever mind. He would be missed.

"I understand your apprentice accompanied the others to Lake Laogai," Aiguo said.

Tengfei nodded. "He did," he said. "Shanyuan also saw Li make ice and witnessed the boy banish the Spirit. I suspect the boy could be a Natural." He met his superior's gaze. "Whether he is or not, this is the second time the Spirit has appeared close to him. I want to know why a Kuchisake-onna seems to have take such an unusual amount of interest in the boy. He could be a useful informant in the future or," he hesitated, "bait. Should we need such a thing. I had Shanyuan go with him to keep an eye on him."

Jet had been right. Li had proven surprisingly intuitive where this particular Spirit was concerned. Tengfei wanted to know why and if Li could be just as intuitive with other Spirits. If so, then the Dai Li could use him. Tengfei hadn't been lying about that. Naturals were too few and far between to just kill them because of what element they bent. Not without good reason, anyway.

He could only pray Long Feng didn't decide Li should be… bent into helping. Tengfei strongly doubted Wan Shi Tong, not to mention the Knowledge Seeker Zenko, would be willing to let such an intrusion pass without reprisal.

Yu Huang... Agni, hell, Wan Shi Tong, if you can hear this. Watch Li. Ba Sing Se is my city. If Li can help protect it, then I'll protect him.


A map of the underground waterways. Of all the random things to ask for. Shanyuan stared at the vast expanse of the Dai Li's library. Most of the scrolls, artifacts, and documents stored in here were carefully maintained, controlled, and studied. It wasn't the only cache, there were others scattered throughout the city in designated safe houses, but it was the only cache located in the Dai Li's command center.

Unfortunately, that meant it was vulnerable to groundwater leaking down from Lake Laogai above. Every Dai Li was trained to sense and if necessary reinforce the stone surrounded this chamber upon entry. If everything else in this base was compromised, this room must remain safe.

Shanyuan spread his chi into the stone, feeling for any weakness or vulnerability in the stone. Thankfully, there were none that he could detect. Satisfied, he moved to the map drawers. The map of waterways in the various sectors of Ba Sing Se was in the third drawer from the bottom. Shanyuan carefully pulled out the map, checked it for any damage, rolled it up, and tied it securely with one of the ribbons from the available pile.

He made sure to bend the stone down behind him when he stepped out into the tunnel, sealing the cache chamber. Clutching the map close to him, Shanyuan hurried down the tunnel to the main chamber of the underground bunker. He had to pull up short when he saw a Joo Dee approaching. The mindbent woman was smiling unnaturally broadly and escorting a glassy eyed young girl.

Jin. Shanyuan grimaced and braced himself as he strode towards them. He didn't think he'd ever come to terms with seeing someone as young as Jin in a mindbent trance. It may be part of the job, but… Well, it wasn't pleasant. Knowing there was always the lingering chance that he would have to either subject someone else or be subjected to mindbending himself haunted his nightmares. It may be necessary, but that didn't mean it was even remotely pleasant.

"Good evening," the Joo Dee said politely.

He nodded in reply and strode past them. He couldn't help but look back at the women's retreating backs before the sound of moving stone pulled his attention away. He looked at the source of the sound and was startled to see several Dai Li run out into the main chamber. Unsure and confused by the unusual actions of his comrades, Shanyuan stopped walking and tried to make sense of the abrupt jump in activity.

"What's going on?" he asked the first Dai Li to run close by him.

The agent paused just long enough to answer. "The Woman in White. She's here."

"What?" Shanyuan gasped. "But... But that doesn't make sense."

He watched the Dai Li's retreating back, trying to understand what was going on. They weren't anywhere near the canal. Then again, that well in the Lower Ring wasn't anywhere near the canal either. Unless…

He undid the tie and unrolled the map of underground waterways, swiftly finding the Woman in White's canal. He drew his finger along the waterway, noting where the flow dipped back underground before joining a subterranean reservoir, directly below the well in the Lower Ring. But… Jumping back to the canal, Shanyuan followed the waterway back uphill to its source. Lake Laogai.

Damn. She could travel using the waterways. But how?! Women in White were locked to the general area where they died, lingering until they had killed their unfaithful spouse or, if they hadn't received the proper rites, until their bodies were properly disposed of according to their heritage's culture. The Dai Li had scoured the canal for the Woman in White's body, but had come up empty every time.

There were too many inconsistencies with this Spirit. That boy, Li, had said the Spirit wasn't a Woman in White anymore. Shanyuan had dismissed the notion. Spirits didn't change. Ever.

But this one clearly had. Her previous victims had all been drowned, but Agent Duyi had been nearly decapitated. Shanyuan swallowed back to bile that soured the back of his throat. Something had definitely changed.

He had to tell Long Feng and Master Tengfei. He had to warn the-

A shriek jolted him out of his burgeoning panic. Whirling around, Shanyuan froze. She was here. She was here.

The girl Jin had been the one to shriek. Her hands covered her mouth now, muffling her terrified whimpers and staring with wide, unglazed eyes at the Spirit standing directly in front of the Joo Dee. The Spirit murmured something softly to which the Joo Dee replied with an enthusiastic, "Of course."

Then… then… Shanyuan felt sick because how did he miss that?! The slash cleaving the Spirit's face from ear to ear. Jin screamed again, staggering backwards. Shanyuan wanted to go to her. He wanted to help her, wanted to move but he couldn't. He was too scared. Too cold. He'd been training for this. He should react not freeze up like this.

"How 'bout now?" the Spirit purred and Yu Huang help him, Shanyuan found himself helplessly leaning towards the voice.

"Oh yes," Joo Dee replied. Was that fear in her voice? "Most definitely."

The Spirit smiled and Shanyuan choked because her whole face split apart in a macabre facsimile of something that should have been alluring but chilled the blood in his veins. Then metal sang and earth rumbled and green eyes flashed-