Don't Own
The Order
In the middle of the sea a small boat sailed, aboard the craft sat Kumori with Kuro perched on his shoulder and Ishizue.
"We're never going to catch up with Azula's ship at this rate." Sighed Ishizue
"Well maybe if you would help row now and then we could go faster." Chided Kumori.
"And ruin these perfect nails, in your dreams Kumori."
"You are the one who wanted more field work Zue; welcome to the field." He said as began to row the oars faster.
"You seem awfully in a hurry to kill Azula, usually you take assignments with a note professionalism, they're never personal to you."
"…"
"Unless this is personal." Her face took on a sad look. "Kumori you think Kouseki is with her, Kumori I know he hurt you but this isn't the time for revenge."
"Shut up!" Kumori exploded. "You will never understand what he took from me, he killed my parents right in front of me, and then he did not even have the courage to finish me off." His hand traced the scar across his right eye; blind since the day it was slashed. "He gave me this instead; as a reminder that he would always be stronger than me."
"Enough with the pity party already. Don't you forget your parents were my aunt and uncle, Aunt Karin taught me everything I know about earthbending, she was more like an older sister so shut up!"
"I know it's just…" Kumori sighed but suddenly gripped his blind eye as flashes of faces and places danced in his head.
"Kumori what's wrong is it another vision?" Ishizue asked concerned.
"Yeah." He nodded panting. Ever since his eye became closed to the physical world, it began to open to the spiritual one. Every so often he would see random flashes, never specifically telling him anything but almost guiding him places. The only ones who knew about his power were the three Shadows and Ishizue. "We are changing course."
"But what about Azula?"
"We have more important things to take care of." He grabbed the oars. "We have about two hours to get there or we will miss it; it will be faster if you help row.
"Sure thing Kumori." She said grabbing the other set of oars and they began to row.
An hour or so later
Kumori and Ishizue were waiting on an abandoned volcanic island.
"So what are we waiting for exactly Kumori?" Ishizue asked in a bored fashion.
"I do not know, but it should be here soon." Whispered Kumori keeping watch.
"Whatever it is I hope it's important."
"And there it is." Said Kumori as he saw someone wash ashore onto the beach.
"Hey someone just came out of the ocean; shouldn't we help them?"
"No; wait and watch." Kumori watched the figure as he stood up leaning on a battered staff, he was a young boy with short brown hair, but there was no mistaking the tattoos on his body. "It is the Avatar."
"Really? No way every source of intelligence we have said he's dead."
"Apparently they were mistaken."
"So should…" but Ishizue was cut off by Kumori motioning for silence. Kumori watched as the Avatar looked at the lava, after several minutes a flying bison landed nearby and the Avatar's companions descended to comfort him; from the distance he was at Kumori could not here what they were saying and lip reading was never his strong point. He watched as the Avatar burned his staff. "That's so sad." Sobbed Ishizue who was a master of lip reading if Kumori's memory served him correctly.
"What is?" Kumori whispered back. Zue shifted slightly and it took the full extent of his reflexes in order to pull himself and Zue away from the pillar of rock that jutted from the ground where they stood. He looked up to see the green clad girl staring at him with what he knew were blind eyes. "Stop this we mean no harm!" he shouted over the roar of the ocean and volcano.
"Ha like we haven't heard that one before!" shouted the cocky boy in blue.
"He's telling the truth." Said the blind girl, the Avatar and his group relaxed slightly.
"But that still doesn't explain what you guys are doing out here." Asked the girl in blue.
"Would you believe the spirit world told me to come and find you?"
"Ha that's the lamest excuse…" the blue clad boy began but was cut off by the Avatar.
"Sokka bridge to the spirit world here; let's at least here them out." The Avatar advised his friend.
"Well at least some of you are civilized." Said Zue. The group then sat down on the beach.
"So just who are you two?" asked the girl in blue. "And what are you doing out here?"
"Well my name is Jin and this is my cousin…" Zue began but stopped as a rock just grazed past her head. Instinctively a long needle flew to her hand from her sleeves, but before she could do anything Kumori grabbed her shoulder and sent a mild but stunning shock through her.
"Stand down Ishizue." He said sternly and using her full name for added threat. He looked at the stunned group, the blue clad boy on the verge of pulling out his club. "Please forgive my cousin, you could say she lies for a living; and is not used to being caught so easily. But nothing gets past your lie detecting friend here." He looked over at the blind girl. "Allow me to start over. My name is Kumori Kage, and this is my cousin Ishizue Myou; you may call her Zue if you like."
"Myou!" the blind girl exclaimed. "That's one of the largest noble family's in the Earth Kingdom; dad's been trying to get on their good side for years."
"Really now?" asked Zue who had stowed the needle back in her sleeve. "Just who are you?"
"Toph Bei Fong." Answered the blind girl.
"Ahh yes the Bei Fong family." Zue pondered.
"But enough about that." Said Kumori. "We have told you are names; and I know you wish to know why we are here; but I would like to know your names so both I and my cousin may more politely address you."
"Jeez Kumori do you always have to be so stuffy and proper?" griped Zue
"Well I'm Aang." Said the Avatar proudly.
"I'm Katara and this is my brother Sokka." Said the girl in blue.
"Alright look we meet two random people in the middle of nowhere, and we're sitting down chatting." Exclaimed Sokka. "One even tried to attack Toph."
"Ah I see you have a naturally suspicious outlook; a useful thing in today's world." Kumori sighed. "What I am about to tell you is the absolute truth; for as I said before lying would be useless due to Lady Bei Fong."
"Please just Toph." Interrupted Toph.
"Yes, but as I was saying. What I am about to tell you is true; but you must swear to secrecy do not let this information get out."
"Kumori you can't tell them; you'll be punished." Zue said concerned.
"We cannot lie in their presence; and our situation calls for it, as members of the Triad secrecy is at our discretion."
"You mean like Kouseki."
"Never compare me to him!" and the temperature on the island seemed to raise a considerable amount along with Kumori's temper. However in moments Kumori composed himself and the temperature returned to its normal state. "I am sorry for losing myself like that; nobody got burned I hope."
"You…You're a Firebender." Sokka once again exclaimed.
"Sokka calm down let's hear him out." Chastised Katara.
"Yes it is true I am a Firebender. Think of me what you will; I only ask that you listen to me." Kumori took a long pause to compose his thoughts. "To understand I must start at the beginning; my cousin and I are part of a… a secret society you could say known simply as The Order. The Order is an alliance between the three nations and three families; the Kage family of the Fire Nation, the Myou family of the Earth Kingdom, and Yami family of the Water Tribes. We are shadows only existing long enough to fulfill the jobs assigned to us."
"What do you do?" asked Aang.
"We are soldiers, bodyguards, spies, saboteurs and perhaps most importantly assassins." Kumori paused again. "That is why we are here; we were on a mission when a vision from the spirit world told us to come here. I guess to meet you."
"What was your mission?" asked Katara.
"We were assigned to intercept a Fire Nation ship and carrying Princess Azula and Prince Zuko on board, and kill them hopefully the blow would be enough to end the war." Aang and the others looked on in amazement; that someone could talk about taking a life so casually was almost appalling. "But we abandoned that mission to come here, for what purpose I do not now. Perhaps to protect you, or maybe guide you through the Fire Nation or even to teach you Firebending.
"We'll have to discuss this." Said Katara and her and the group walked a distance away.
"Kumori…" began Zue but Kumori motioned for silence, and then proceeded to make more motions with his hand.
"It is okay Zue I told them the truth for now because lying will get us nowhere; but we can still lie; I already have." He motioned in the sign language of The Order.
"What do you mean?" Zue responded in kind
"I told the truth; but I also said we could not lie due to Toph. However that was a lie; she senses the heart rate and breathing of others and that is how she can tell; you just have to control yourself better; you rely too much on your charm and beauty Zue you must lie without lying; tell half truths if you must."
"But why tell them everything; about the Order. They'll never trust people like us."
"They will, because I was forthright about who and what we are they will trust us and believe there to be no secrets; but for now Zue be careful with your emotions; when we reach the Fire Nation I want you to leave me and deliver the news of the Avatar's survival to Lord Kagemaru; he will know what to do."
"Sure thing Kumori." It was at this point the rest of the group.
"Alright we've reached a decision." Said Katara
"You can come with us." Aang added.
"But don't think I won't be watching you Firebender." Sokka warned.
"I would not have it any other way Sokka." Kumori said with a slight smile. "You keep that suspicious attitude, it just might save you one day." Kumori then made a slight motion with his hand. "Just as planned." Zue narrowed her eyes.
'Kumori just what are you planning?' she thought worriedly.
So for good or for ill Kumori has joined the group.