Castiel walked into the door only to have Dean topple over in front of him.
"Lisa, what happened?"
"He found out he was still in the Air Nation and just lost it. Tried to escape out the front door before he fainted. You were right, he is exhausted... What did he do to drain that much energy?"
He shrugged. "He was already to the point of exhaustion when we met in the forest." Calling out the names of the two Anbu agents, they appeared before him. "Please return him to the bed in the other room."
They watched as the earthbender was carried back to the room. "Kazekage."
Castiel shifted his gaze to Lisa, who was biting her lip nervously.
"I hate to ask you again Kazekage... But are you sure this is the best house for him? You must understand I'm concerned for my son..."
"He will not harm your son." Castiel's mind flashed back to the earthbender saving the child from the paper bomb. Though he felt certain of this, he posted two Anbu agents to watch the outsider. If the need ever arose, they would interfere. Though he would never tell Lisa, her son was the reason he chose Lisa's house to hold the Earth shinobi. The child would serve as a means to keep the earthbender in check. "I will keep close watch on him, and if it seems he is too dangerous for this house I will move him. Does that sound agreeable?"
Lisa slumped her shoulders but nodded.
Castiel sat in his office, examining the bags of the two Earth shinobi on his desk. Each had the standard materials for a mission; small medic kit, portions of food, spare kunai knives, rope, etc. In one bag he found an excess amount of extra weapons; he found the stone dagger most interesting. Stone usually wasn't a medium to make a blade from, but in the hands of an earthbender he suppose it made sense. If he had to guess, which he did, he would say this bag belonged to the shinobi at Lisa's house. Castiel remembered when the earthbender was first brought to Lisa's house; when he was stripped of his clothes to be healed, they found a hidden weapon just about everywhere. He also had an identical stone dagger strapped to his leg. He was clearly skilled in the art of combat.
He switched his attentions to the other bag. Digging further into it, he found maps. Of course shinobi villages could not be found formally on any maps, but there was a drawn in circle around the area his village was found. He set the map aside; it was nothing interesting. The next item he found piqued his interest. It was a journal. His excitement was lost, however, when he attempted to read it. It made absolutely no sense. He would have to get one of his intel shinobi to decipher the code. If it was written in code it was clearly something worth hiding. Though gathering Earth Nation secrets was not his purpose for keeping his captives, it would be irresponsible of him as Kazekage not to look into what he can.
A crash outside tore his attention from the journal. It came from the direction of Lisa's house. He immediately grabbed his staff from beside him and sent an air current through it, causing the sides to fold out to reveal the fans. Every Air shinobi was given a glider once graduated from the Academy. He quickly walked out onto the balcony and took off, hoping the earthbender had the good sense not to do anything foolish.
When he arrived the earthbender was at battle with the two Anbu agents assigned to him. Castiel was briefly impressed that he was taking on two of his shinobi injured; however, defense was a prominent skill among most earthbenders. His agents had to mind the village as well, shielding the people and the buildings from the Earth shinobi's attacks. He turned to one of his shinobi beside him. "Get the other earthbender and bring him here. Quickly."
"Stop," Castiel called out to both his agents and the earthbender. A sense of deja vu hit him, as this was the second fight he diffused for the Earth shinobi. The earthbender cast suspicious eyes to the source that called back the agents and a look of recognition struck. Rage emanated from him as he sent a quick attack at Castiel. But it wasn't nearly quick enough. With a swift swing of his staff, the boulder was sent directly back at the earthbender with a blast of air. "I said enough. On your knees."
"Make me."
Castiel raised his eyebrows at the arrogant and somewhat childish challenge. "Very well." He directed his attention to the side, where the other earthbender was being dragged to the area, arms bound behind his back. As soon as they were next to Castiel, a blade was whipped out and raised to the earthbender's neck.
The Earth shinobi with the arm injury turned his entire focus to his comrade. It was just as Castiel had thought; the two were close.
"I'm waiting, earthbender."
The earthbender growled, clearly torn between being stubborn and the safety of his comrade.
"De-" the earthbender with the injured leg began but was quickly cut off.
"Hey!" the surrounded Earth shinobi barked, clearly a warning.
Castiel frowned as the other bit his tongue. Seeing them interact, the earthbender with the shorter hair was clearly superior. Castiel had thought they were of equal ranking, which is why they could fight so effortlessly together.
Castiel watched as indecision flicked across the earthbenders face. A grunt from his comrade from being held in the position for so long seemed to make up his mind. He knelt to the ground and raised his hands. His right hand shook from the strain of lifting his arm with his injury. As soon as his hands were bound behind his back, the taller earthbender was released and fell to the ground, his bad leg unable to support him. The shorter began to rise as if to help his fellow earthbender, but a firm hand on his shoulder reminded him of his place. Castiel wondered if he should have used the opportunity to get more information out of the earthbender, but his regret was short-lived. He wanted the earthbender to tell him of his own free will.
"Take him back to the medic," Castiel commanded, nodding at the taller one.
A look of helplessness overcame his captive when the other was carried back into a building. "If you hurt him I swear-"
"Neither you nor your companion will be harmed as long as you show us the same courtesy. Now can I trust you not to act in violence?" When he received only a glare in return, he returned to threats. "It would be better for the health of your companion if you agreed." At that the earthbender growled out an agreement and the hand on his shoulder was removed. He slowly got up, glaring at everyone in his line of vision.
"What do you want from us?"
Lips curling into a smile, Castiel said, "Come, take a walk with me." The earthbender gave a twitch of annoyance at his question being ignored and grudgingly followed. When two of his warriors began following him he turned and dismissed them. Their eyes flashed toward Dean and they began forming their objections. Castiel raised his hand and their objections ceased.
"I will be fine. He would not dare harm me when we have his fellow earthbender at our mercy. Would you?" he finished, turning to Dean. His meaning was clear enough. He hoped he had judged the two earthbenders relationship well enough that he was correct. Dean gave a nod, his hatred almost palpable. As they walked through the village, Castiel remained silent, watching as Dean eyed his surroundings. Castiel was not worried about him seeing his village; it was a village like any other. The earthbender would be able to gleam no Air Nation secrets.
Walking through the village, the Earth shinobi seemed to hold such contempt for the village and its people. Furrowing his brows, Castiel wondered if strong hatred of other nations was taught in the Earth Nation or if it was personal. They passed through the main street, the people of his village peeking out to see the Earth shinobi. When they reached the outskirts of the village, Castiel stopped and turned to inspect the earthbender. He seemed to realize he was being scrutinized and raised his chin.
The earthbender soon grew impatient when Castiel said nothing.
"Just do it."
"Excuse me?"
"Get on with it. If you're going to torture us for information just do it, don't heal us first you sick bastard."
"You are certainly eager to put yourself in harms way."
"Cut the bullshit."
Castiel smiled. "What is your name earthbender?"
"What's yours?" he countered.
Castiel paused. "You're right. I have been discourteous. When asking someones name you always tell them yours first. I am Kazekage Castiel, leader of this village. And you are?"
The Earth shinobi's eyes widened at learning his title, though his old demeanor quickly returned. "Pissed off. Why am I here?"
"Because I did not want to talk in the village, where others could overhear."
With a growl of frustration, Dean stomped his foot to the ground, sending a boulder into the air.
"Calm yourself earthbender."
"How about you give me some straight answers you son of a bitch," he demanded.
Castiel turned to face the soldier. "My people are not accustom to seeing levitating rocks."
"What?"
"My people are not accustomed to see levitating rocks. I suggest you lower the stone before my guards think you are attacking me."
After a moments deliberation, the boulder crashed back into the earth.
The earthbender let out a breath and appeared to attempt to swallow some of his anger. "Whatever you want... I'll give it to you. Just let," he hesitated, "let the other earthbender go."
Interesting. "Hmmm... No, I don't think I will." Castiel raised an eyebrow as he felt a small tremor in the earth.
"Why?" he asked with a contained rage. For some reason, his attempts to control his anger amused Castiel.
"You demand many questions from me, yet you will not answer mine."
They stood in silence while the earthbender deliberated.
"I'm not anybody important. You'll gain nothing by holding me hostage or learning my name."
"I would like to hear it all the same."
The earthbender stared at him, as if he could decipher his motives if he stared hard enough. "Dean. Dean Winchester."
Castiel considered this new information. "And your companion. What name does he go by?"
Again, Dean seemed to weigh each word carefully. "Sam."
"Sam...?" When Dean made no move to finish the name, Castiel moved on. At this point he considered himself fortunate to get a second name without the hassle of the first.
"How long have you known Sam?"
"Who wants to know?"
Castiel sighed at his defensiveness. "I am merely curious. The way you two fought together was quite the spectacle."
"Just met him a week ago."
Castiel turned to look at his captive. "I do not like lies, Dean Winchester."
"Well I don't like airbenders; I guess we'll both have to deal."
Castiel inclined his head. "Yes, I suppose we will." Blood running down his captive's, arm caught his attention. He took a step forward and outstretched his hand in attempts to check the wound, but Dean jerked back, narrowing his eyes. Castiel pulled back his hand. "It appears you've opened your stitches. How does your arm feel?"
Dean looked at him bewildered. "It's... I want to see Sam."
"And your burns? Are they healing alright?"
"I want to see Sam."
"I cannot allow that right now."
"Why the hell not?" he snapped.
"I don't trust your temper."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Who's to say you won't have a violent response to seeing your comrade with his injuries?"
Dean's jaw tightened. "I won't."
"Then swear it to me. On the life of your comrade."
Dean gritted his teeth. "Fine."
"I urge you to understand that any mishaps caused by you will be dealt with swiftly and severely."
"Yeah, whatever, let me see him."
"I have another condition." The earthbender's eyes narrowed. "You will come to my office, once every other day, to have a conversation with me."
Disbelief crossed Dean's face. "A conversation. You're joking, right?"
"I do not joke. Do you accept?"
The Earth shinobi looked at him with growing contempt. "Fine," he eventually grit out.
Castiel nodded, satisfied. "Then the village is yours to explore. Though I leave you with this warning: harm any member of my village and I will personally see to it that it is returned to you tenfold."
"Wait, aren't you going to take me to Sam?" Castiel didn't miss the hint of desperation in his voice.
"Tomorrow, after our conversation, I will take you to your comrade. Until then you are prohibited from trying to find him. Any contact you try to make will be forcefully stopped."
"You son of a bitch, you said-"
"I don't think you quite understand your predicament here. You should be thanking me that you still have a comrade to visit. Give me one reason to end his life and I will not hesitate. I trust you remember your way back to Lisa's house; I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Good evening."
