Chapter 20: Battle at the City of Lovers
Chapter 20: Battle at the City of Lovers
Earth Kingdom, Oma and Shu mountain range
It was bright. The sun shown high in the air as the group flew on Appa's back towards the valley around the city of Omashu, currently New Ozai. The day prior, they had received word on what to do now in the Earth Kingdom. Tsunade and Shikamaru had determined that if either Ba Sing Se or Omashu were returned the Earth Kingdom, a base of power could be built that could launch devastating counterattacks could be made possible.
"With the Earth Kingdom without its two strongholds, its only a matter of time before the resistance is crushed," Shikamaru told Tsunade and Kakashi in the war room. "So, either Omashu or Ba Sing Se has to be retaken."
"It won't be easy," Tsunade said, remembering the condition of Ba Sing Se. "Which city would be the most likely to be liberated, Shikamaru?"
"I would have to say Omashu-most of its garrison is already gone, leaving it ripe for attack," Shikamaru said, and he pursed his lips. "But we have only a matter of time until the Fire Nation marches towards it again to reinforce it."
"Then what do you suppose we should do, Shikamaru?" Kakashi asked the lazy genius.
"First off, we need to get in contact with the Resistance in that area," Shikamaru said, pointing at the map. "Contacting their leadership will allow us to coordinate an attack."
Kakashi nodded. "Any idea where we should contact them, Shikamaru, Tsunade-sama?"
"The Resistance uses several bars, inns, gambling dens and even places of worship as a front for information gathering and recruitment," Tsunade replied as she handed him a map. There were several 'X's on it. "These are towns with said places in them. Try not to draw attention to yourself."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama," Kakashi said with a bow.
"You are dismissed, Kakashi. Good luck," Tsunade told him as she folded her hands under her chin.
With a puff of smoke, Kakashi disappeared from the room. Tsunade breathed out-this had to work, if Omashu wasn't retaken…the Earth Kingdom would surely stay fallen.
He glanced over at his team. Toph, Sokka, and Suki had improved a lot over the past few days-Toph of course had an affinity for doton ninjutsu, so she was being taught Kakashi's repertoire of Earth Jutsu. Sokka was proficient in non-elemental ninjutsu, so Kakashi began teaching him the basic clone jutsu and others. Suki surprised both Toph and Sokka when it was discovered she had an affinity for katon jutsu, so Kakashi had begun instructing her in several fire jutsus, including Endan (Fireball), Goukakyuu no Jutsu, and Kasumi Enbu no Jutsu. He was teaching them also how to climb trees using solely their chakra.
Kakashi's glance then went to his former student, Sasuke. He could tell that Sasuke was still at a knife's edge about some things-Itachi being the first and foremost. He wondered-when and if they encountered Itachi…what choice will Sasuke make.
His mind wandered back to the mission at hand. He remembered how they came in contact with the Resistance…
Naruto, Kakashi, Sokka, and Katara entered one of the Resistance recruitment places. It was a bar and inn in a small Earth Kingdom town which was a hotspot for 'rebel' activity on the map. Already there was a Fire Nation presence there-armed soldiers were marching in the streets and there were komodo-rhino's hooked at stalls for ostrich-horses.
The four were dressed in long brown cloaks that hid their faces well so they wouldn't be identified by the Fire Nation soldiers. Walking into the bar, the four searched for the man they had to contact to find the Resistance base, so they could coordinate their attack. Seeing a man sitting in the corner of the bar, they walked forward towards the man.
From outward appearances, he was fairly muscular, as well wearing a medium size beard under his chin. His eyes were concealed by his own cloak, and he was just sitting there, drinking a pint of beer. He looked up, seeing the four approached, and a small, almost undetectable smile formed at his lips as he drank his pint.
"The Earth that moves is best," Kakashi started, using one of the known passwords that Konoha Intelligence had found.
"Smashes through the Fire of war," the man finished and he looked up slightly. Instantly, they recognized him-it was General How! "Sit, sit."
"General," Kakashi said in a soft whisper. "You're leading the Resistance?"
"One of the three leaders, Kakashi," How said in an equally soft whisper. "Tyro of the Southern Earth Kingdom and Captain Yung of Omashu lead it with me."
Kakashi nodded. "One of our tacticians, Nara Shikamaru, needs us to retake Omashu, due to its garrison being at its weakest right now."
How nodded, stroking his beard. "I agree, that is a good move-it would give us a stronghold we desperately need…"
"Then you'll tell us where we can rendezvous with your troops?" Katara asked and How nodded.
"Yes, meet my contingent here in three days," How said, pointing on a map on the table, that he was using as a placemat. "There, we will take you to our main base so we can formalize the retaking of Omashu."
The four nodded, and How's eyes carefully scanned the area. "It is time to take our leave."
There were two Fire Nation soldiers sitting at the bar, just casually drinking. It was better not to take chances and the five exited the bar before they could be spotted. Later, Kakashi, Naruto, Katara, and Sokka returned to their camp outside the city, and told the others where to meet with the Resistance Army…
And so, for the past three days they had bided their time before finally flying off to meet How and his contingency of the Resistance. On Katara's lap was Aang's head, the young Avatar was still in his deep sleep. The Waterbender stroked his face, hoping he'd wake up soon. Naruto and Hinata were sitting near Appa's head, looking down as they scanned the ground, looking for the Resistance.
"See anything, Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked his girlfriend as he looked around.
"Nothing yet, Naruto-kun," Hinata replied as her Byakugan was stretched out to its limit. For combat, she had a combat range of 800 meters, yet she could extend it even further, all the way out to ten kilometers if the situation called for it, however, after 800 meters images became…blurry. "…wait a second…I think I see them!"
"Where?" Naruto asked as Hinata pointed east.
"You heard her Sokka!" Naruto yelled at the other teenager.
Sokka nodded, pulling Appa's reigns east. The flying bison roared, turning in the direction Sokka pulled. A short time later, they approached a mass of drab green tents. There were thousands of them, right between the mountains near Omashu. The refugees and soldiers climbed out as Appa landed in the middle of the complex.
"It's the Avatar's bison!"
"He didn't fall at Ba Sing Se!"
The people looked as two familiar looking teenagers got off of the Bison's back, followed by a group of people with strange headbands on their heads. One of them, a tall, silver haired man had a boy in his arms…and the people then realized…it was Aang, the Avatar. General How, Captain Sung, General Tyro and his son Haru made their way through the crowd to meet the group.
"About time you got here," How said as they arrived. He looked at Aang. "…I thought he…"
"He's alive, but is still recovering," Kakashi said as he placed the young Avatar to the ground.
"Haru?" Katara asked in surprise, seeing the familiar Earthbending teen smirked.
"It's good to see you again Katara," Haru said as the Waterbender ran over and gave him a hug.
"Likewise," Katara said smiling, and the two walked over to the rest of the group. "Guys, this is Haru. We helped him free his father from a Fire Nation Prison a long time ago."
"Hey, names Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said, shaking Haru's hand.
"My name is Hyuuga Hinata, it's very nice to meet you."
"I'm Haruno Sakura, you're an Earthbender too, cool."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"I'm Toph."
"I'm Suki."
"I'm Sarutobi Kurenai."
"And I'm Hatake Kakashi, nice to meet you."
Haru grinned, meeting the group. He learned that Toph was Aang's Earthbending teacher, and that the other people in the group were something called 'Shinobi'. The group dispersed around the camp shortly afterwards, and Kakashi went to the war tent. Inside he saw a massive map of the Earth Kingdom
"So what is the plan?" Kakashi asked How and Sung.
"We plan to cut off the Fire Nation supply lines to Omashu, blocking the roads with rubble," How started, pointing at the three major paths through the Earth Kingdom. "Once those are sealed up, we will go to the peaks around the city. There we will launch a barrage onto the Fire Nation garrison."
Kakashi nodded. "Do you have any troops stationed in the valley itself?"
"No, why?" Sung asked.
"We need to cause some extra confusion and panic for the Fire Nation. The easiest way I can think of is a few dozen Earthbenders at the bottom of the mountain around Omashu, and they create an earthquake. Thus, the Fire Nation garrison would start to panic with the tremors, making it easier to breach the walls."
The two resistance leaders looked at each other, and then at Kakashi. "Interesting plan…" Sung said. "…you think it will work, Kakashi?"
"Yes, I do," Kakashi said. "While the tremors go up the mountain, we'll need a center force to charge the gate."
"I'll lead that attack," Sung said and Kakashi nodded.
"We'll split up our forces like this…" Kakashi said, pointing on the map. "Toph, Sakura, Haru, and Tyro will lead a force of 5000 Earthbenders all around the mountain in the canyon, then, General How, your troops will be stationed on the mountain peaks around Omashu, launching your artillery barrage. Finally, myself, Sung, Kurenai, Naruto, Hinata, Katara, Sokka, Suki, Sasuke, and the rest of our army will charge the road to the gate. As we charge, we need you, How, to focus the barrage onto the wall to weaken the metal covering that was put over it, if not outright destroy it so we can enter."
How nodded. "Got it."
Kakashi gave his smile. "We start the attack at dawn, but How, I suggest you start the bombardment at midnight. Boulders raining down during the night will demoralize the enemy."
How nodded, and he stood up and exited the tent. "You sure this is going to work?" Sung asked.
"Its not like we have much to lose," Kakashi said with a shrug. "We need to retake Omashu. The Earth Kingdom needs a stronghold."
Sung nodded, grabbing his hat and putting it on. He walked out of the tent, leaving Kakashi to his thoughts.
--
Ba Sing Se Palace
A blue burst of flame shot out at three Oto-nin. They leapt back, narrowly avoiding the deadly spray of fire. They then dodged two fists that came right out of the flame, and tried to attack the user. She gracefully leapt back, dodged, and outmaneuvered the Sound Shinobi's taijutsu attack. One took out a dozen shuriken and threw them at her, and she just shot out a blast of fire to counter…and before the blades could even reach her they had melted down to liquid metal. From the throne, a silver haired man with glasses watched, nodding next to a pale man with long black hair.
"She has improved considerably, Orochimaru-sama."
"Yes, she has, and she hasn't even used her Cursed Seal yet," Orochimaru said, his long tongue licking the fangs in his mouth. "Azula-chan is quite the prodigy, isn't she, Kabuto?"
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama, she is," Kabuto said as he pushed his glasses up. "She's mastered Kireken in a time that I didn't think possible."
Azula leapt out of the way of several more kunai and shuriken from the three Oto-ninja, and she got a feral, evil grin on her face. The Cursed Mark, in the form of three inverted commas began glowing read and a flame pattern spread onto her face. In a sudden burst of speed, she was behind the Oto-nin…and without even doing the full movement for her lightning; she sent three bolts right into the ninja's chests, killing them. Orochimaru grinned, enjoying the performance.
From the other side of the throne room, Zuko, Ty Lee, and Mai were shocked. Up until two nights ago, Azula had a fever and was bedridden…and then she suddenly awoke during one morning. A Dai Li who was taking care of her bent down and saw the dark blue chakra wafting off her body. Her eyes suddenly opened, and her hand shot up, grabbed the Agent's neck and squeezed. The man cried in pain, alerting the entire palace and Zuko ran in…and saw Azula ripping the man's throat out, killing him.
Azula then looked at the blood on her hand and felt the power circulating through her veins…and she began laughing. A haughty, confident laughter echoed through her voice as she gained control of her newfound power. As suddenly as the chakra came floating off her body, it suddenly left, and the fire tattoo pattern on her face, neck, and arms vanished right back into the mark on her neck. Ever since that day, Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee have been increasingly wary of her.
"…I…need to catch up somehow…" Zuko said out loud as he watched his sister power down. Her seal crawled back into its mark, leaving her normal looking.
"Good, very good Azula-chan, you have mastered the Cursed Mark," Orochimaru said while clapping. "Now to make it complete."
"…complete?" Azula asked as she walked over to the Snake Sannin. Ever since she had finished her training under Kabuto, as well as mastering the Cursed Mark, she had basically become the Sannin's pupil.
"Yes. We have to unlock the second level of your seal…" Orochimaru said as he paced in front of her. "You might die…"
"I don't care. The more power I receive, the better," Azula told him and the Snake hissed in satisfaction.
"Very well, Azula-chan," Orochimaru said as he took out a scroll. Biting his thumb, he scribed his blood onto the scroll, rolled it back up and did the necessary hand seals. Slamming it into the ground, and smoke puffed up…revealing a circular coffin with four ofuda scrolls scribed in blood on the ground near it. "This will allow you to survive the drug, it'll just put you in a temporary coma."
Azula nodded, and Kabuto walked over to her, and handed her a pill. "This is the Seishingan Drug, it will cause the mutation needed for your seal to ascend to the next level," Kabuto told her. "It's a painful experience…"
"I don't care. I need more power," Azula said, looking at the pill, and then she took it without a moment's hesitation. Instantly, she felt a change…and a burning pain circulating threw her body/
"Kabuto, now, place her in the coffin!" Orochimaru yelled as the Fire Princess fell to the ground. Kabuto scooped her up and gently placed her in the coffin, and put the cover on it. He flew through the hand seals, and opened his eyes. "Shikoku Mujin (Four Dark Mist Array)!"
He raised his hand, and black smoke began wafting out of his hands. It built up until it was enough that four people could have produced it, and he guided it down onto the coffin. When the smoke cleared, a barrier was now on the coffin. Orochimaru smirked, he had taught the Sound Four, his former bodyguards this technique for the sole purpose of aiding Sasuke to get to Level 2, so normally it would have taken four people. But due to his massive chakra reserve, he was able to perform it by himself. He then brought his hands together to activate the second seal.
"Fuukoku Houin (Dark Sealing Method)," Orochimaru finished, throwing the ofuda scrolls onto the coffin, and then he slammed his hands together. "There, finished. And by the time she awakens, her new level of power will be unleashed…"
--
Fire Country, Northwest outpost 10
The War had been going well for the Konoha Alliance in the initial months of the war. Despite the Fire Nation and Sound Confederation creating a massive Fortress at the Valley of the End to block the gateway into Sound and provide a way station for troops to get supplies, said fortress was taken by General Nara Shikamaru nearly five days previously. The Fire Nation and Sound had kept trying to push intoAlliance territory ever since that, yet haven't been succeeding.
"Chisei, we have the most boring post in the Fire Country," Hajima said as he sat down in the table of the watchtower of Outpost 10.
"You're telling me," Chisei said, taking a sip of his coffee. It was the early morning, and the outpost was all stirring.
Outpost 10 had a garrison of 90 Samurai, and was in a constant state of repair/disrepair. It was surrounded by a small palisade wooden wall with a platform to overlook the surrounding area, and inside there were an array of tents. The only permanent building was the general store next to the watchtower, which also held the phone and radio to Konoha and Ho, the Fire Country Capital.
Chisei put his coffee down and walked over to the table. The two samurai took out some cards and began playing. Nothing big, just a few paychecks in the future, just to have some fun while they were on their boring shift. Placing the chips down, they began playing, making it through a few hands when the table…began shaking.
"That's…strange…" Chisei said as the chips rattled and he looked at the rippling liquid in his coffee mug. The coffee mug was rattling so much…it slowly moved to the corner of the table and fell, shattering. Grabbing his sword, he immediately stood up and ran to the edge of the watchtower. His eyes widened. "Sound the alarm!"
"What?"
"Just do it!" Chisei ordered, seeing what was coming. A mass of…red was coming out of the Kusa border. Using the telescope on the watchtower, his eyes widened seeing the Fire Nation symbol, a black fire surrounded by dark red, he stepped back.
Hajima began ringing the bell, pounding the bell with two hammers, stirring the entire outpost. The samurai grabbed their weapons and ran up to the ramparts of the palisade, drawing their bows as one or two began to go into the general store. Chisei's eyes narrowed…and several bolts of flame came crashing down, making him shield his face from the explosions. Looking down, he gasped.
"They hit the store!" Chisei yelled, knowing that it was their only means of communication.
Another volley was launched, and several blasts of flame came crashing down onto the wooden walls of the outpost, throwing the men off the ramparts. Huge gaps in the wall appeared as yet another volley hit, and Chisei continued watching, not being able to do anything while the outpost was burned around him. Suddenly the watch tower was hit by a fireball, and Hajima fell out, plunging the full 40 meters down and crashing.
"Hajima!" Chisei called out as the watchtower fell, plunging the veteran samurai to the ground. He coughed up blood, and looked as several Fire Nation tanks crashed through the wall, lobbing fireballs at the survivors. His eyes widened and a blast of flame crashed into him…and it all went red…
--
New Ozai (Omashu), Midnight
A Fire Nation soldier looked on sleepily as he tried to wake up for his shift. Ever since most of the troops left to occupy Ba Sing Se, shifts had been nightmares for the rest of the garrison. Currently, there were 2000 soldiers left in the city, as well as two defensive catapults at strategic points of the city. Reinforcements wouldn't arrive for another day or so, so the watches were hell for the small number of troops. It didn't help that the one in charge, a arrogant Sound Chuunin named Kina. He was covered in bandages, and on his arms he had strange armor or something. He gave the troops the creeps.
"I can't wait to get back to the Fire Nation for the festival," one of the troops said.
"Think we'll see the Princess this time?" another asked.
"Maybe, and even Zuko too," the third finished, handing a drink over to the third.
It was a standard shift. Ever since the native population of Omashu-New Ozai, that is, escaped, there hasn't been much to do. No attempts by the resistance had been made to retake the city, so things had gotten…lax among the troops. They hadn't been called in to stop so much of a robbery in two months.
That was all about to come to an end when a massive boulder screamed into a position next to the three soldiers. Dust rose up from the impact site like smoke and the soldiers all looked where the boulder came from. Another boulder came screaming down, impacting on the wall.
"Sound the alarm! We're under attack!" yelled one soldier as several more boulders screamed in and crashed into the wall and into the city.
Dozens of boulders rained down on the city, battering the positions as the Fire Nation soldiers ran to spring the alarm. Two soldiers finally reached the bell and began battering it, alerting the entire garrison. Suddenly the entire mountain began shaking…
In the canyon below, team three's group, consisting of Toph, Sakura, Haru, and General Tyro, were leading 5000 Earthbenders in a combined attack on the mountain. All the Earthbenders were punching the mountainside, creating an earthquake that shook the city above. It was going to be hard to keep to keep the earthquake going for at least four hours, so the Earthbenders were going to be working in hourly shifts.
"I don't know about you guys, but I sure as hell want to be in the main group!" Toph yelled as she kept slamming her palms and fists into the rock face. "We're not getting any action down here!"
Sakura looked up to see a few fireballs being launched at the mountain peaks towards General How's positions. She shook it off and continued pounding the cliff face.
In the Governor's mansion, Mai's parents were practically running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Two hours into the bombardment, the Fire Nation was beginning to lose hope within the city. They had gotten so used to having no problems running New Ozai, attacks from the resistance were almost non-existent. Their only ninja guard, Kina, the Sound Leader of the Garrison, frowned.
"If you cowards want to go ahead and surrender, fine," Kina said. "I'll be out there fighting for your sorry asses."
Just as a boulder came sailing to the mansion, the Sound Chunin raised a hand and punched it…shattering it with a sound wave. He then walked out, prepared to defend the city for his lord Orochimaru.
Finally, four hours later, near dawn, the main attack was about to start. Kakashi, Kurenai, Naruto, Hinata, Katara, Sasuke, Suki, and Sokka were all getting ready to charge down the road to Omashu's gate. Captain Sung was getting his Earthbenders and ordinary troops ready to retake the city. Behind them there were several thousand Resistance fighters, the Earthbenders in the middle, so they could go up to the walls and break them open and flood in to retake the city. Kakashi looked at the group of young people that were ready to fight in this war.
Naruto had brought out a strange board, and was looking at it. Sokka and Sasuke were sharpening their weapons, Hinata was checking to see if she had enough kunai, shuriken, and water for her flask. Suki had finished putting on her war makeup and snapped her two fans open. Finally Katara was finishing what she was taking for the battle-four flasks, all filled with water, two dozen shuriken and twelve kunai were in pouches on her waist.
Kurenai walked over to her newest student. "Before our attack starts, Katara-chan, I would like to speak to you."
Katara nodded, and followed her sensei. "What do you want to speak to me about, Kurenai-sensei?"
"I'd like to make it official," Kurenai replied, reaching into her pack and taking out…a Konoha Headband. "If you accept, that is."
"Y-You mean…"
"Yes, you'd be a Genin of Konoha," Kurenai said, smiling. "Though, its only if you want to be."
"I have a choice?" Katara asked.
"Yes, since you weren't born in Konoha nor graduated 'formally' from the Academy," Kurenai replied. "You can chose to remain allied with your homeland, or join Konoha."
Katara thought about it…and…she took the headband. "I…want to be a Shinobi of Konoha, Kurenai-sensei."
Kurenai smiled. "After the War is over, you can chose to retire so you can go back to your home in the South Pole."
Katara nodded, proudly wrapping the hiate-iti around her forehead. Tying it securely, the two kunoichi of Konoha, one born there, and one trained, arrived back at the group.
Naruto had finished checking his board over, and gave a satisfied nod. Leaning it against his body, he made sure to tie his headband securely around his forehead. Hinata walked over to him and he smiled at his girlfriend. She looked a little worried.
"Something wrong, Hinata-chan?"
"…its just…I'm worried…" Hinata started, her eyes shooting back and forth. "What if…one of us…doesn't come back?"
Naruto gave her a gentle smile. "Hinata-chan, we'll all be getting out of here alive. We'll kick some Fire Nation ass and get the Earth Kingdom their old fortress back! You'll see!"
Hinata couldn't help but smile at his confidence. He then walked over and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. She smiled, wrapping her own arms around Naruto and she leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips.
"We'll be fine…" Hinata whispered as he pulled away. Naruto smiled at her and Kakashi walked over.
"Naruto, Hinata, get into position with everyone else," Kakashi ordered and the two younger ninjas nodded.
Sung walked over, placing his hat on. "The soldiers are ready, Kakashi. They want to retake their home as soon as possible."
Kakashi nodded, looking over the canyon. Several dozen boulders kept raining down from How's positions, battering the walls of Omashu. A few large dents were appearing on the wall's iron incased shell, but it still wasn't enough.
"Signal How's troops to focus on the gate," Kakashi said as he pulled his headband up, revealing his Sharingan. "It's time to give the Fire Nation a broken nose."
Sung's soldiers let the signal hawks fly, and How's men changed targets. Dozens of three to four ton boulders flew from the mountain tops, launched by combined Earthbender teams. The battered the metal that kept the gate covered, a few stray ones even struck the towers that allowed the Fire Nation soldiers to open the gates. The only way to get in now was through Earthbending.
Kakashi turned to his former and current students and the soldiers behind them. He gave the nod, and everyone began marching towards the gate. Naruto grinned, grabbing his board.
"I'll meet you there!" Naruto yelled running towards the cliff, surprising everyone, except Hinata, even his old sensei.
"Naruto! What the hell are you doing?" Kakashi yelled as his unpredictable student leapt off the cliff, and put his feet on the board.
The board suddenly sprung small wings and Naruto decided to fall for a bit to gain speed…the wind was hitting his face so hard and fast. Then, he threw his arms out, creating a controlled gust that went over the wings of his board and he shot into the sky like a rocket.
Kakashi, Kurenai, Sokka, Suki, hell, even Sasuke, were surprised to see him shoot up on his board, flying skyward.
"W-Wow…" Sokka managed to breath out as the world's most unpredictable ninja did a few aerial maneuvers, and then he flew off towards the city itself.
Kakashi gave another signal after he recovered, and the army charged over the bridge towards the city. On his board, Naruto streaked towards Omashu, letting the winds take his speed up to the maximum. He crossed his fingers.
"Tajuu Kage Bushin no Jutsu (Mass Shadow Clone Jutsu)!" Naruto called out, creating nearly three hundred clones, and they all began flying around the Fire Nation battlements on Omashu.
The Firebenders tried retorting, only to be blasted back by a wave of wind. All the clones and Naruto were bending the air around them to create a vortex, making any counterattack from the garrison null. This allowed the rest of the troops to get to the wall…just as several boulders slammed into the metal plating, denting it. A few more slammed in…and a wide gash appeared in the armor, exposing the bare earth.
Kakashi gave the signal, and the Earthbenders made their way to the opening. Four shoved their fists into the exposed rock, and as one, they stepped in opposite directions…and the way to Omashu was open. On the walls, the garrison desperately tried to amount a counter attack, shooting arrows and fireballs at the now surging Earth Kingdom soldiers. Kurenai, with Suki and Sokka, took careful aim and threw several kunai with exploding tags attached, and they screamed into the Fire Nation positions.
Katara had already bent the water out of her flasks, and was lashing out at the Fire Nation soldiers, snagging their legs and tossing them into their comrades. As she was doing that, she began doing the necessary hand seals. Dodging several fire blasts, she finished the sequence.
"Suiton: Mizurappa (Water Release: Violent Water Wave)!" Katara called out, taking a deep breath and blowing a strong jet of water from her mouth at a dozen charging Fire Nation troops, blasting them away and into the wall. She grinned, this was the first Suiton Jutsu that Kurenai had taught her.
"Katara," Kakashi ordered. "You, Hinata, and Suki, secure the West Side of the city!"
"Got it Kakashi-sensei!" the three young women yelled, and they began running to the west side of the city, with about two hundred Earth Kingdom soldiers and benders behind them.
Naruto dispelled his clones and swooped over the battlements, lobbing blasts of air and kunai into the soldiers before they could react. Just as a blast of fire hit him, he heard something.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Grand Fireball Jutsu)!" Naruto glanced down to see that Sasuke was now leaping up to the battlements, blowing a massive fireball at the Fire Nation soldiers. "Hey dobe, watch your back!"
Naruto grinned. "How about you watch it teme!"
He leapt off his board just as Sasuke reached him. Stowing it onto his back, he grinned at his old friend. The Uchiha had his blade drawn and the two former teammates gave a nod, and they charged at the recovering. Sokka pulled himself up onto the battlements, seeing the two shinobi cut a swath through, and he blinked.
'Those two fighting together…they're unstoppable…' Sokka thought, and he dodged an arrow. Taking out his trusty boomerang, he let it fly at the Fire Nation archer who launched it at him. The bladed boomerang slammed into the archer's helmet, making him plummet off the wall. Sokka leaped up and caught his boomerang, and then using the jutsu Kakashi taught him, he launched several kunai, all perfectly aimed at the Fire Nation soldiers who had managed to recover from Naruto and Sasuke's charge, hitting them in the hand and pinning them to the wall. "Why don't you just relax for a while?"
The entire situation in Omashu came chaotic. The defending Fire Nation soldiers were caught completely off guard and in total disarray, it was only a matter of time until the city was recaptured for the Earth Kingdom.
Katara, Hinata, and Suki lead the charge into the Western Districts, fighting as one to get through. The two waterbenders would use their combined water reserves to slam, then freeze, the enemy soldiers into the walls of the city, and if any got by, they were dealt with by Suki's fists. Suki's hand-to-hand skills had improved, Kakashi had taught her a few styles that could eventually counter the enemy acrobat known as Ty Lee. She still had a long way to go though.
Suddenly, the soldiers stopped, clutching their ears in pain. "What's happening?" Katara yelled, looking back as the men behind the three.
"That would be me," a voice said and all three kunoichi looked around.
"There!" Hinata yelled, acquiring the source of the sound with her Byakugan, pointing at a man, covered in bandages with two…gauntlets on his hands.
"It's a high frequency sound wave, that I manipulated with my chakra…" the man said, tapping his gauntlets together…and the soldiers behind the three kunoichi all fell to their knees. "Anyone who doesn't have the chakra manipulation higher than a standard Earthbender is affected by my tome…"
Suddenly, Suki felt sick as a ringing echoed through her ear. The man was tapping his gauntlets together faster, and the Kiyoshi Warrior fell to her knees.
"Now that the odds are in my favor…" the man said, leaning back. "I'll begin."
He targeted Suki first. Despite the feeling of sickness she was having, she managed to avoid the punch he launched, and the next. He was…fast. Probably faster than Aang would be if he was healthy. She could tell he was smirking, and panted weakly.
"What? You m-AH!" Suki yelled as her eardrums popped, and she fell to the ground in agony.
"My movements are faster than the speed of sound. Just because I missed, doesn't mean I can't hit you…" He raised his fist and prepared to finish Suki off when he was blasted in the chest by a torrent of water.
"Stay the hell away from her," Hinata said, her eyes narrowed dangerously, and she recognized his style. "You fight…and you walk and look like the Oto Ninja that was in the Chuunin Exams three years ago…"
"Ah…I think you're referring to Dosu Kinuta. He was my student," the man said as he rose to his full height, yet he let his legs hang like they were lame. "I am Kina Tschou, master of the Sound Amplification Technique…"
"Those…bells on your wrists focus the sound…enabling you to channel your chakra through them," Hinata finished for him, sinking into a Jyuken stance. "Katara-chan, lets hit him together."
Katara nodded, drawing her water back into her flask. The Sound Shinobi chuckled arrogantly, and launched himself at the two of them. Katara gasped at the speed, but Hinata sidestepped and slammed her palm, hard, into Kina's chest. He coughed up blood, staining the bandages around his mouth. He gritted his teeth just as Katara shot a tentacle of water at his leg, and launched him into the air.
He slammed his gauntlets together, creating a sound wave that made Katara and Hinata drop to their knees. He landed on his feet, charging both of them. Katara managed to get up first…and lashed out with her feet. His movements were slower now, due to Hinata's Jyuuken hit, but he was still fast. He easily avoided her foot, and slammed his gauntlet into her face.
Katara practically screamed when the sound waves rippled through her body, and made her left eardrum burst. Kina finished off the combo with a kick to her face, sending Katara crashing down onto the city floor. Hinata charged at Kina, her palm slapping into his jaw…and she shattered it. He gurgled in pain as Katara weakly got up, and used her remaining water to encompass his gauntlets…and then freeze them.
"W…What?" he mouthed in shock, unable to make the necessary sounds.
"E-Even if…you shatter the ice…internally it's still frozen…they won't be working for a good long while…" Katara said, spitting the blood out of her mouth, and wincing at the ringing in her left ear. "You're beaten…"
"And…you're in the range of my divination…" Hinata added, getting into her stance. "Hakke Rokujuyon Sho (Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palm)!"
She launched herself at Kina, and the Oto Ninja could only stand there. "Two palms!" She sealed off two points on his shoulder. "Four palms!" she sealed off four more on both arms. "Eight Palms!" He coughed up more blood as his chest was hit by eight sealing strikes. "Sixteen Palms!" his entire body felt numb as more of his tenkatsus were closed. "Thirty-two palms!" Kina stumbled back as thirty-two more of his chakra points were closed. "Sixty-four palms!" She finished, sealing his entire body and cutting himself off from his chakra. He fell back, and immediately fell unconscious.
Katara and Hinata limped to where Suki was lying. Both of her ears were bleeding, and the Kiyoshi Warrior groaned in pain. "We…need to get her to Sakura-chan immediately," Hinata said as they looked at their troops. Some were beginning to get up, some were still unconscious. No more Fire Nation soldiers were in the area.
At the bottom of the canyon, Team One's signal had been received and the Earthbenders were climbing up the mountain to secure the city. It was easy…since they were all practically skiing up the mountain. Toph was grumbling.
"I hope they saved some action for me!"
Sakura sighed next to her Earthbending teacher. "I'm sure not all the Fire Nation in Omashu have been…" she looked up…seeing one Fire Nation soldier waving a white flag. "…spoke too soon…"
"Why does it feel we to jipped…?" Toph asked with a groan.
Sakura shrugged, not having an answer as they reached the peak.
A few hours later, everyone had gathered in the center of Omashu. Naruto had…destroyed Ozai's statue rather thoroughly. He loved it when he was given permission to do a prank, and destroying the statue of Ozai…was really satisfying.
The Earth Kingdom Army had freed King Bumi, whose neck cracked and he smirked crazily. "I love laying down as much as the next guy, but in a metal box? It's too much!"
"King Bumi-sama," Kakashi said, bowing low. "We return the city of Omashu into your capable hands."
Sung merely grunted, he was still holding a grudge against his ruler for the original defeat of the city. Sitting there and doing nothing…letting the city fall…surrendering? He gritted his teeth, but he did nothing.
A little while later, the Earth King of Ba Sing Se, Kuei entered, to greet Bumi. He bowed low. "Bumi…I have heard of you all the way from Ba Sing Se…and…I humbly request…you teach me to be a better ruler."
"And why do you think you're a bad ruler, Earth King…?"
"I had absolutely no idea on the condition of my people, or of my city. I let Long Feng rule while I became…a Figurehead. I didn't even know what was happening on the outside world…" Kuei bowed lower. "Please King Bumi, teach me to be a better ruler."
"Very well…" Bumi said and he leaned in. "I'll teach you to be a mad genius!"
Kuei blinked. He had no idea what he was getting into…but he'd be a better leader, a much more effective one because of it.
--
Fire Country, Konoha, Hokage Tower
Tsunade was going over the latest scouting reports. The Northern outposts had all been wiped out by a mysterious force, and it was only due to the efforts of Shino, his father Shibi, Kiba, Akamaru, Tsume, and Kuromaru had scouted out what happened. They…found something shocking. Shino was able to get the exact numbers, and Tsunade's mind was racing.
'60,000 Fire Nation soldiers…four thousand tanks…nearly 1,170 enemy shinobi…heading like a dagger right to Konoha…' she thought, breathing out. 'How long will it take them to get here…'
Shizune walked in. "Um…Tsunade-sama…"
"What is it…?"
"There's a plume of smoke on the horizon…" Shizune said as the Hokage got up and looked out the window…seeing the smoke.
"Shizune, send orders to evacuate all the civilians into the bunkers. Provide them with plenty of food, and get all the shinobi we can possible onto the walls."
"What? Why?"
"We are about to be attacked…hard. Harder than any attack in Konoha's history…" Tsunade replied, rising to her feet. "Get the reserves organized; take shinobi out of their retirement. But we need all available forces on the walls as soon as possible."
"Yes Hokage-sama!" Shizune yelled, and she went out to spring the alarm.
--
Appa's back, a day later
The next course of action, after the retaking of Omashu, was to get to Chameleon Bay to tell the new invasion plan that Sokka had came up with to his father, Hakoda. Suki was still a little shaken up from her wounds, but Sakura had heal them well.
"I can't believe I missed you flying on that board," Sakura said with a groan, looking at Naruto who was grinning.
"Sorry Sakura-chan, I just thought it would be a good place to show it off," Naruto replied with a grin. His board, which he affectionately named 'Kazekami'-Wind God, was strapped onto his back.
Sakura smiled, and she looked over Aang's body again. "He should be up any day now."
Naruto nodded and Sokka eagerly looked down…and saw a Fire Nation ship docked in the bay. His eyes widened with horror…but it was replaced with joy-seeing the Water Tribe flag flying from the mast…
To Be Continued…
--
Author's Notes:
Sorry it took so long to get this up. I've been having computer and motivation problems. I was practically Shikamaru for a couple of weeks in regards to the fic. Well, I hope you liked this. Please read and review.
And now off to Awakening!