A/N: This chapter is really short... I've been really busy lately and I have been writing an original novel instead. Sorry!
Rai pulled herself up, using a tree branch she was doing pull ups, flipping herself over she started to pull herself up using her legs. She had been with the Freedom Fighters for almost two weeks and she had been training solidly for almost all that time, much to the shock of Smellerbee, who had wanted her to rest. But Rai knew that she couldn't rest, she had a duty to fulfill, she had to push herself to her limits, push herself until she couldn't stand from the lactic acid.
She had tried to refine her firebending as well, she was glad she was allowed to, Jet hated firebenders but he was willing to make an exception for her. That bothered her but she did so anyway.
Her movements had become smoother and more fluid, she could now produce fire out of her feet and mouth as well as her hands, creating her own techniques had made it easier. Applying her bending to ninjutsu would prove more useful in her task ahead of her, but using it with earthbending forms would prove formidable in a direct fight. Taking a bunch of daggers from the former Fire Nation encampment, she now used firebending with her knife throwing ability.
She was almost ready.
Right now, she could hear Smellerbee and Jet up in the trees. It annoyed her, but she made sure not to show it. Allowing her emotions to get out of control could result in a forest fire, and it would certainly upset some spirit; which was one thing she didn't need.
She jumped down from the tree, landing silently on the branch below. She listened carefully, trying to pinpoint where they were, which wasn't hard in the long run. They weren't exactly masters of stealth, she could hear them talking and moving the branches. Now that she was aware of the noises it was actually quite irritating.
Breathing in deeply, feeling her connection with the elements, she leapt up. She managed to land high above where she was working beforehand, not too far from where Jet and Smellerbee were. They were more audible now, they hadn't noticed her leaving, but now she knew they had noticed her absence from their nervous, almost anxious, chatter.
Wouldn't want a rogue firebender running around unattended, now would you?
Feel nothing and watch everything.
She jumped, her movements swift and fluid and silent. She stopped above them. Her breathing pretty much silent, she listened to what they were saying.
"Jet, there's something odd about the way she moves."
That was Smellerbee.
"So what?"
There was that smirking voice that belonged to Jet.
"She isn't moving like a bender- Hey! Where'd she go?"
"I don't know, she was there just a minute ago!"
Rai chuckled derisively and landed just behind them, they turned around in shock - Smellerbee looked relieved, Jet just smirked, but he looked a little bit pleased as well. She stood her ground, not walking any closer to them.
"I've got a job to do," she said.
"What sort of job?" Jet asked.
She shrugged, "Don't know the details yet. I'll be gone a few days."
She turned away and was about to leap down when Jet grabbed hold of her wrist. She looked at him, breathing down her indignation. His eyes had lost their mocking look, instead they held an intense worry; a look that made her feel incredibly unsure.
"Stay safe," he said.
"I'll try," she answered.
Throughout her life she had been sent to self defense classes. Ling and Ari Zheng Fei had been concerned about their daughter's welfare, knowing that she was unable to earthbend, so they sent her to Master Cho's Martial Arts Academy. Her particular teacher was called Joushi, an excitable young man with considerable martial ability. He had noticed that Rai was uncommonly agile, so he had introduced her to his world; the Hidden World.
It was through his intervening that she now had a purpose, and a job.
It was because of Joushi that she could kill, that she was an assassin by training though not by practice. It was his intervention that could allow her to help the starving Freedom Fighters.
And here she was.
At the Village of Kaga.
The home of killers.
The house of shadows.
Feel nothing and watch everything.
Rai kicked up the dirt, walked up to the largest house and opened the door. Two people were in the room - a few doors led away to seperate parts of the house, the floors were shined, the screens made with the finest paper, the table the people were at was, surprisingly, made of mahogany. They were looking up at her in astonishment. The youngest man was naturally tanned and rather good looking, he was the first to speak, his voice easygoing with a slight drawl.
"Rai? What are you doing here?"
She bowed, "Master Joushi. I need a job."
Joushi spluttered out a reply, "But you're a child! You don't even have a name yet!"
She blinked at him, "Then I will make one."
"Rai Zheng Fei! No! You shall not do it! I am telling you-"
The older man raised his hand, "Joushi calm down. Now girl, why do you want a job?"
"I have to feed the people I now live with," Rai answered coldly.
"Who-" Joushi was interrupted again.
The man nodded seriously, "Then come here and tell us your shinobi name."
She walked to the table, stopping just that little bit further away, giving the distance that one would when you distrust someone. She looked the man in the eye, trying to see if he was messing with her. She could only see blank honesty. She didn't trust him.
Feel nothing and watch everything.
"My name is Noir."