A/N: Better late than never, eh? So sorry. Got caught up yesterday, and my last-minute edits took a bit longer than expected. Had to get one scene just right.
Holy blonde cheerleader, Batman! Over 100 reviews? Over 50 favorites? Nearly 75 follows? You guys are great. Let's keep it going, shall we? Call it an early birthday present ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA. Just Mira and my OCs.
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Chapter Fifteen
A Tale of Mira: New Enemies
"Well? Ya just gonna stand there, or ya comin' in?" Colie's brusque drawl cut through Mira's reverie and dragged her back from the past. Mira shook her head rapidly and blinked twice. She started a bit as she took in her surroundings. Her eyes were drawn inexplicably to a certain patch of cobblestones. If she squinted and tilted her head a certain way, she could almost see the faintest of rusty red stains. Her stomach started churning and she found herself thankful that she'd skipped breakfast that morning.
"Oi!" Colie called once more. "Ya look a little green. Y'all right?"
"Just—give me a minute," Mira forced out, her voice hoarse.
Colie's eyes widened in realization and she swore. "I'm thick. This is where—" She broke off and cleared her throat. "Right," she said quickly. "I'll jus' pop in an' get Udan." She disappeared through the alley door and left Mira alone with her thoughts.
Mira found herself unable to move from the mouth of the alley. Her eyes were glued to that one spot of ground, and as much as she wanted to look away, she couldn't. It wasn't a smart idea, coming here. She'd been running for so long. Running from the law. Running from her past. Running from him.
But now her demons—the ones she'd locked up all those years ago—were starting to surface. And they were as ugly as ever. She shuddered and wrenched her eyes away from the invisible bloodstain. This was why she never stopped. Because whenever you did, whenever you took a good, long look at yourself…chances were, you wouldn't like what you found.
Mira didn't.
She quickly crossed the alley and yanked the gym door open before she could be reeled back into that night. The door slammed shut behind her, and she turned to survey the gym she'd left two years ago.
Virtually nothing had changed. A large boxing ring dominated the main room, while rows of punching bags lined the right wall. Small cupboards designed to hold clothing and gear lined the left. A narrow staircase snaked up the back wall and led to a thin upper level designed for coaches to get a distanced look at their athlete. A door tucked in the far left corner led to Udan's office and other locker rooms.
The man himself was standing in front of the ring and talking with Colie, who was gesturing animatedly. He scowled as she said something emphatically and retorted back in his trademark rough growl. He ran a hand through his graying brown hair, and his bushy eyebrows drew together in irritation. He was shorter than Colie, but his thick arms were corded with muscle, and anyone who'd received any training from him knew that he packed quite a punch (metaphorically and literally).
Colie caught sight of Mira and frantically waved her over. Mira sighed and crossed the floor until she reached the pair. "See?" Colie said, gesturing to Mira. "S'not like she let herself go," she pointed out, poking at Mira's side. "She's prolly better'n she was."
Udan regarded her with a critical eye, and instead of shrinking from his intense gaze (as she once would have), she stood tall and stared back. Udan noticed her confidence and his lips twitched slightly. "Cloak off," he grunted. "Need a good look."
He was testing her, she realized. Before, she'd have refused. Any thought of being exposed terrified her and Udan knew it was a weakness. But now…it'd been two years. And so many people had seen her without the cloak. Not having it on didn't seem like such a terrible thought now.
She undid the clasp and swept the cloak off in one smooth motion. Udan's lips twitched even more, and Colie gaped outright. "Damn," she whistled. "Girl's gettin' cocky."
Udan said nothing as he circled her, occasionally grunting as he poked at her side and felt up her bicep. "You're skinnier," he muttered as he nudged her ribs.
"You're thicker," she shot back.
Colie nearly squeaked in shock. No one talked to Udan like that. At least, no one who liked their face where it was.
His brows drew together and he glared at her for a tension-filled minute. And just as Mira thought it might be a good idea to duck and run, he threw back his head and laughed loudly. "Oh yes," he crowed. "You'll do just fine. But," he added, quickly sobering, "I still need to see how you fight."
Mira shrugged. "Won't be a long one."
A caterpillar-shaped eyebrow shot up. "Oh? Well, if you're so sure…" Udan looked over his shoulder and barked out, "Go find Oushi," to a student sitting on a bench by the cupboards. The boy nodded quickly and scurried off to do his bidding.
Colie swore loudly. "Not…Daichi, not the Bull of Banquo?"
Udan spat off to the side, but the look in his eye was answer enough. Colie swore again and turned to Mira. "Forget it," she said abruptly. "Deal's off. Yer gonna get plastered."
"Ah, Colie," Mira grinned. "You do care."
"Only 'cos I need you in top shape fer tonight," Colie muttered, but Mira could see a flash of concern in her eyes.
"Well, then, Jade," Udan said, using his old nickname for her, "Meet your assessment match opponent."
A man at least twice Mira's size stepped through one of the doors leading off from the main gym floor. He was dressed only in a pair of boxing shorts, and his massive chest rippled with bulging muscles. His hands were wrapped in fighting tape, and the sweaty sheen on his body told Mira that he'd just finished a workout. His squat nose was crooked, like it hadn't been set properly after being broken. Dark, beady eyes locked onto her, and his lips curled into a menacing leer.
It was Mira's turn to swear. Picking this monster for an assessment match? Protocol was that you picked someone similar to your fighter's size and supposed skill and see what happened. You didn't choose a hulking beast twice their size. She glared at Udan. "Bastard."
"Arrogance doesn't fly in my gym," he replied coolly. "Now beat him, or get out."
Mira glared at him for a moment longer before saying, "I'll knock him out."
"Dammit, Mira!" Colie hissed, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the side. "Ya tryin' to dig yer grave?"
"Might as well go all six feet," Mira replied. "Now go get me some tape."
Colie muttered a few more choice words under her breath before stomping off to the side cupboards. Mira tossed her cloak on a nearby bench and unclasped her belt, sliding it off before piling it on the bench as well. She pulled off her boots and found a vacant corner where she changed into the smallest pair of fighting shorts she could find. After braiding her hair tightly against her skull, she wound it around the base of her neck in a bun. When she was finally dressed for the match, she began to warm-up her muscles. While she did so, she watched Oushi out of the corner of her eye.
He was an intimidating opponent, that much was true. But he was not undefeatable. He'd just come from a workout, so he wasn't fresh. His bulging muscles meant that he placed most, if not all, his value in raw strength. Made for a wicked punch, but it also meant that he might be slow in recovering after throwing one. He probably didn't think through his fights, like Mira could. He could see one action and would take it. Mira could see five and in a split second would choose the cleverest one. Her brain was the advantage here, something Udan most likely knew and was counting on.
Mira's lips twitched in spite of herself. The grizzled fighter thought she could pull this off. Her confidence, which had taken quite a beating at the sight of Oushi, began to creep back. That was definitely something she needed here. If she could really piss him off, get him angry and wild, she could outwit him.
But then again, the last time she'd done that, her opponent had ended up a lot worse than just unconscious.
Mira faltered as she stretched. No, she thought emphatically. She would not let the past affect her present. Her head needed to be in the right place. In the here and now. All that mattered in this moment was this fight. There was nothing else before, nothing else after. Only her, and him, and the ring.
"Don't die," Colie murmured as she returned with the tape. She grabbed Mira's hand roughly and began to expertly wrap it in tape.
"Your confidence is overwhelming," Mira replied dryly.
"I mean it," Colie said sharply, and for a second, her slang dropped away and Mira could truly see Temal's sister. "Temal'll never forgive me," she mumbled quickly, trying to cover up.
"Colie," Mira said seriously. "I've fought men like him before. Maybe not that big or trained, but still. I haven't spent those years away idle. I'll be fine."
"You better," Colie whispered as she switched hands. "Y'know. For the fight tonight."
"I know," Mira whispered back. Colie bit through the boxing tape and squeezed Mira's hand to secure the wrappings. When she looked up, Mira gave her a saucy wink. Colie's lips curved up in the smallest of smiles. Before she could say anything in reply, Mira had stepped away from the bench and was striding toward the boxing ring.
She reached Udan's side just as Oushi did. But her opponent didn't seem to realize that he'd be fighting her. He craned his neck and peered around, obviously searching for a man his size. When he didn't see anyone new, he looked to Udan irritably. "So? Who is he? Who'm I gonna fight?"
Udan smirked and gestured to Mira. "Oushi, meet your opponent. The Jade Hood."
Oushi's jaw went slack and his mouth fell open. Seconds later, guffawing laughter echoed through the gym. "Her?!" he cried incredulously. "She's the Jade Hood? No way. He was a legend. She's just a…girl."
Mira's mouth fell open in indignation. "She's gonna kick your ass, hotshot," she retorted. "Or y'know, you could just forfeit. Save me the trouble." She raised one hand delicately. "I might break a nail." She pouted girlishly in an attempt to rile him up.
She succeeded. Oushi's nostrils flared, and his brow drew together. "I take it back," he growled. "I'll beat you so hard you'll forget your name," he threatened.
"And I'll make you forget your mama's," Mira shot back, and she smirked in satisfaction as Oushi's face turned bright red in anger. Sometimes it was too easy with these fighters.
Mira quickly ducked into the ring before Oushi got any ideas about striking early. She backed into the left-hand corner and bounced on the balls of her feet, rolling her shoulders as she did so. Her fingers flexed to push against the resistance of the tape. She cracked her neck, swung her arms, and steadied her mind as she prepared for the fight ahead of her.
The solemn-looking referee beckoned them both forward, and Mira met her opponent in the center of the ring. She brought her fists up loosely, and she stared Oushi straight in the eye. He glared back, his hands tensed.
"And…fight!" the referee cried, before immediately backing out of the way.
Mira ducked instantly, and she felt rather than saw Oushi's meaty fist fly. She'd read the intent in his eyes. Strike first, force your opponent off-guard. Unfortunately for Oushi, he didn't realize that striking first often left you vulnerable to retaliation.
And Mira was happy to do just that. She twisted left, aimed three quick jabs at Oushi's ribs. Each one connected solidly. She swayed back seconds later, and Oushi's fist sailed inches past her nose.
She took another step back, just to be safe. She grinned mockingly and beckoned with her hands. "Gonna have to be faster than that, tough guy," she jeered.
Oushi snorted and jolted forward with an impossible speed. Mira's eyes widened and she swore loudly. The word was only halfway out her mouth before Oushi's fist was connecting with her jaw. Her head snapped back. Hot, throbbing pain exploded across her face, and she saw stars.
Damn, he had a mean swing.
Mira stumbled back, momentarily dazed. Oushi sneered at her. "Fast enough for ya, girlie?"
"Who taught ya to fight? Your gram?" Mira shot back, glaring fiercely. That would be the last punch he landed on her if she could help it.
Oushi's nostrils flared, and he advanced on her again. But this time, he moved carefully, hands up to block his face. Mira mimicked him, and they circled each other warily. They'd each struck a cursory blow to explore the other's strengths and weaknesses. Now they would be a little more cautious as they moved and lashed out.
Most people saw a fight as just trying to beat the other up as fast as you could. But the dynamics of the thing were more like a dance. The first blows told you about your opponent. You circled each other, looking for an in. You advanced, retreated. There was a rhythm to it that most didn't understand. The ones that did…they were the ones who were truly formidable.
Oushi may have been circling, but Mira could tell he was barely invested in the movement. It was more for show on his end. For Mira, it was a way to see how he moved, what sides he favored, where his possible weaknesses lay.
Such as how he held his left side a hair's-breadth behind his right. Something on that side hurt, or troubled him, and he wasn't even aware of subconsciously trying to keep it out of harm's way.
Mira swayed forward, fist swinging to connect with his left-hand ribs. Oushi grunted in pain and dodged right, right hand rocketing towards her head.
Mira dropped and frantically backed away. She didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of his punches again. She backed toward the corner, and Oushi followed after her, face grim.
Time for a more unconventional move. See how Oushi adapted to change. Mira kept retreating until her back was just pressed against the corner post. Oushi grinned, thinking he'd trapped her. Little did he know that Mira had just trapped him.
She quickly scrambled up the post until she balanced at the top. Oushi's look of shock and confusion barely registered before she leaped into a twirling somersault. She landed facing Oushi's back, and she immediately set to work. A series of blows landed on his lower back and left side before she kicked the back of his right knee. He collapsed to his knees, and Mira wound her arm around his neck and lightly applied pressure. It was just enough to cut off his air supply and knock him out, but not enough to do serious damage.
He wheezed for breath and yanked at her arm viciously. Mira grit her teeth and did her best to keep applying pressure. This was starting to feel a little more difficult than she'd anticipated.
Oushi lurched to his feet, and Mira suddenly felt herself lifting off the ground. She swore in surprise. Compared to Oushi she was absolutely tiny, and she wasn't a small person by any stretch of the imagination. She wrapped her legs around his middle in an attempt to secure her position, but she could feel the power trickling through her hands like sand.
He stumbled backwards until Mira slammed into a corner post. A hiss of pain escaped her lips as the wood dug into her back. She'd seen this coming, but there'd been no way to avoid it. Oushi leaned forward and slammed back again, and Mira's teeth nearly rattled in her jaw from the impact. Her grip involuntarily loosened, and Oushi threw her off like a foul-tempered ostrich-horse.
Mira staggered slightly as she tried to regain her balance, but Oushi plowed into her before she could. She slammed into the corner post, but before Oushi could throw any punches, Mira's hands reached out to grasp Oushi's head. He'd sacrificed space for blows, and that gave Mira an advantage. Her knee jerked up and smashed into his face. She heard something crack, and Oushi screamed in pain. He ripped himself away and retreated, blood streaming from his nose.
Mira sucked in a deep breath and steeled herself. No more tricks, no more clever moves. This had to end before she really got hurt.
She chased after him, advancing while he backed away, not letting him rest or gather his senses. Her fist lashed out, catching him in the jaw. His head snapped to the left, but he was faster than she'd anticipated. He swung and connected with the right side of her head. Mira could feel her eyebrow split, and hot blood flowed down her face and into her eye. She blinked rapidly as she tried to clear her vision. This was just her luck, to lose her vision at such a crucial point.
Mira's fist swung out again, but Oushi caught her arm before she could land a blow. He tried to retaliate, but Mira ducked and punched twice at his ribs. His grip loosened, and Mira's hand slipped out.
No more, Mira thought desperately. This ends now.
A kind of trance settled over Mira like a warm blanket. She forgot the noise of the crowd that had slowly begun to gather, she forgot the concerned eyes of Colie and the critical gaze of Udan. She forgot the ring, her promise to fight later, her responsibility to Aang...it all washed away. Mira remembered this feeling from when she fought in the ring before. She was completely and totally focused.
She traded subtlety for speed. Everything started to blur as she lashed out again and again, switching hands back and forth as she punched left and right. She landed blows on his jaw, his ribs, his stomach, his chin. He could barely block her, his head down as he stumbled away under the force of her attack. Pinned against the corner post, there was nothing he could do to move or escape.
Mira backed up slightly, and with little flourish, she pivoted. Her foot came up and connected solidly with Oushi's head. And with that roundhouse kick, Oushi gave up. His eyes rolled back to his head, and he collapsed onto the ring.
There was a moment of shocked silence, then the gym erupted. Money exchanged hands as bets were paid, arguments broke out, and cheers reached the ceiling.
Mira blinked slowly as the trance wore off. She felt like she was underwater, and someone was slowly dragging her back to the surface. Sounds and sights gradually returned to her, and she let Colie lead her out of the ring. She wiped at her face and was unsurprised when her hand came back bloody. Her eyebrow was still bleeding steadily, and she wouldn't have been surprised if there were another cut or two somewhere. She spat to the side, happy to see only a small amount of blood mixed in with her saliva.
All in all, she'd made it out pretty well off.
"Better'n ever!" Colie crowed. "Didn't I tell ya?"
Udan regarded Mira with a blank stare. Finally, he broke out into a grin. "Never seen a fight like that," he declared. "Not since your last. Alright," he said, turning to address Colie, "I'll back her."
Colie punched the air. "Thanks. Need ta let the others know." She bolted from the gym, elbowing her way through the crowd that had gathered by the ring.
Mira gingerly began to unwrap the tape from around her hands as Udan continued speaking. "Bit of a fancy trick you pulled, with the post. Remember, you can throw them pretty little moves all you want, but when it comes down to it—"
"Your fists are what finish in the end," Mira interrupted. "I know."
Udan grunted. "So long as ya don't forget it. Now, I gotta make some arrangements for tonight." He took in her bloodied state carefully. "You want me to call Iyasu?" She was the healer down the street who often patched up the gym's fighters. Mira had seen her more than once during her past stay in the city.
Mira shook her head. "I've got someone else. Thanks, though."
Udan nodded and turned to leave. "Knew you could do it," he said gruffly.
"You're still a bastard!" Mira called after him. Udan merely shook his head and disappeared into his office.
Mira looked back down at her hands and winced as she took them in. At least one of her knuckles had cracked during the onslaught and her hands were bleeding as a result.
Ooh, Katara was going to have a field day with her.
"Spirits, Mira, what happened to you?!"
Well, she hadn't been wrong about that. After crossing all three Rings to return to the house, she was glad to once again have her cloak to shield her from unwanted stares. She'd hoped desperately that Katara was back from the spa, as she had no idea where to find it. Thankfully, they'd arrived mere minutes before she had.
"Got in a fight," she said tersely, wincing as she sat down. That knocking against the post must have bruised a rib or two.
"I can see that," Katara replied sarcastically as she visited the kitchen to fetch a bowl of water. "Some specifics, please?"
"Was helping out a friend."
Katara waited for more, but when it became obvious that it wasn't coming, she raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "That's all I get? You show up looking battered and bruised and you won't tell me how it happened?"
"Oi," Mira interjected. "It's been worse."
"You've done this before?! Tui, Mira, what have you gotten yourself into?"
Mira was silent as Katara began treating her. Finally, she said, "You have to trust me."
"Trust you?! That's rich," Katara snorted.
"I'm trying to protect my friends. From before." Mira plowed on as Katara opened her mouth to interrupt. "If they're connected to Aang in any way, what's to stop the Dai Li from questioning them? I'm tryin' to keep 'em safe. And they live in the Lower Ring. I'm just tryin' to help."
"I don't think you're giving them—or us—enough credit," Katara said eventually, moving from Mira's ribs to her face. "You don't have to take care of everyone, you know."
Mira didn't know what to say to that, so she remained silent. She sat still as Katara mended her eyebrow and the blossoming bruise on her jaw. But while her face was blank, her mind was racing.
Did she tell Katara what she'd been up to? Or did she keep quiet? A vicious game of mental tug-of-war was taking place, and Mira honestly didn't know what side was winning. She needed to protect Temal and Colie as best she could, but her friendship with Katara was suffering for it. Maybe she wasn't giving either side enough credit. Colie could hold her own, and from what Mira had heard from her, Temal could handle a knife well enough. They weren't helpless.
But as it always did, silence won out. Mira kept her mouth firmly shut as Katara finished healing her wounds. When the waterbender finally did pull back, she looked slightly disappointed that Mira hadn't caved. She searched Mira's face, and when she was met with nothing more than stubborn determination, she sighed. "Alright. I can't make you tell me if you don't want to. And I trust you on this. I do." She picked up the bowl and disappeared into the kitchen.
Mira took that opportunity to slip out the front before Katara could change her mind and unleash the full inquisition. She didn't feel very guilty for leaving them in the dark. The Lower Ring was like a whole new world.
They wouldn't last five minutes.
"Make sure that you use your legs more often. Nakaru's a lot thicker'n you, and he relies on his hands. Throwing a few kicks in there every now and again should throw 'im off guard." Udan was sitting behind his dilapidated desk with his feet propped up on the corner. Mira was seated before him, and Colie was leaning against the wall.
They were strategizing for the night ahead. Part of the plan was in effect already. Colie and Udan had spread the word that the Jade Hood was back in town, and that he was a little worse for wear. That would start in setting the odds. It helped that everyone knew that the Hood had fought his assessment match that morning. Two fights in one day only made her odds drop lower. But what they didn't know was that she'd been to a waterbending healer and felt almost as good as new.
"Anything else you can tell me 'bout him?" Mira asked. "I need as much as I can. I almost lost last time, and he was just an up-'n'-comer then. He's gonna be a lot harder now."
Udan pursed his lips. "He's a lot like you. Strong 'n' clever. Not as fast as you, so there's an advantage. Thicker, like I said before. Few inches taller."
"What side does he favor?"
"Right, like you. But he works both, like you."
"Any old injuries?"
Udan shook his head. "Nothin' you could use against him."
Mira scowled. She hadn't yet heard anything that could be of use so far.
"No one knows much 'bout 'im," Colie chimed in. "Keeps to hisself. Though," she snorted, "does like the ladies, way I heard it."
Mira straightened up, a wicked gleam in her eye. "That's it."
"That's what?" Udan asked.
"My in."
"What, ya gonna seduce him into goin' easy on ya?" Colie laughed.
"Not exactly. But no one knows the Jade Hood is a girl, right?"
Udan nodded. "Everyone still thinks you're a he."
"So I won't wear the hood," Mira said excitedly. "Show him I'm a girl. I'll wear a cropped top, show off my stomach. Tight fighting pants, the works."
"You wanna distract him during the fight," Colie piped up, catching on.
"Exactly," Mira said, snapping her fingers. "Maybe it'll throw him off just enough for me to get the upper hand."
Udan snorted and shook his head. "In all my years, I ain't never seen somethin' like that. But," he admitted grudgingly, "it could work."
"Right then," Mira declared, a smirk growing on her face. "Better get to work. Col, you can get the right clothes?"
She tossed off a small salute. "You got it, Mir." She loped out of the office.
Mira looked back at Udan. "And I take it we've got some training to do."
Udan tipped his head in confirmation. "Nothing too tough. Don't want you worn out 'fore tonight." He paused, regarding her critically. "You sure 'bout this?"
"Ah, c'mon. You know I can hold my own."
"Not the fight," he said impatiently, waving his hand in the air. "The hood. You could barely take that thing off last time without pissin' yourself in terror."
"Not true!" Mira snapped. Udan merely lifted one eyebrow. "Alright, so I admit that I was a bit…attached," she said, picking her words carefully. "But it's been a while. 'Sides, no one saw me without it. Not like they'll recognize me."
"So long as you're sure."
Mira nodded. "I'll be fine."
"Well, I can't say that I'm sorry. That damn thing was a pain in my ass." He stood up with the creak of old age and beckoned to her. "Now lemme teach you how the big boys do it."
"Y'know, I kinda like it. I shoulda fought like this before."
Mira was standing in front of a full-length mirror, examining her new outfit. Colie had really outdone herself this time. She'd found an emerald green top that stretched tightly across Mira's torso and cut off well above her stomach. The fabric was stretchy enough to allow the movement Mira desired while still keeping everything where it needed to be. The shorts clung tightly to Mira's skin and cut off just above her knee. Mira stretched this way and that, and was pleased when she found no limits to her movement.
"He won' be able to keep his eyes off you," Colie teased, the tip of her tongue poking out.
Mira rolled her eyes and plopped down on the bench. "That's the point. Do my hands, will ya?" She held up the roll of fighting tape and wiggled it.
Colie plucked the tape from Mira's hands and deftly began to wrap it around Mira's knuckles and wrists. When she was done, Mira grinned at her sheepishly. "D'ya mind doin' my hair, too?"
"Am I yer manager or yer maid?" Colie complained, but she took Mira's hair in her hands and braided it against her head. "Wan' it in a bun?"
Mira stared at the mirror thoughtfully and tilted her head to the side. "What d'you think?" she asked. "Hair down makes me a bit girlier, but could get in the way."
Colie squinted and regarded her in the mirror. "Up," she finally decided. "Ya look enough like a girl, believe me. Better ta pull it back fer the fight."
"If you would," Mira asked, and Colie pinned the braid in a low bun. Mira poked at it and turned her head this way and that to make sure it was secure.
Colie watched her with a raise eyebrow. "If it satisfies yer majesty…" she drawled.
Mira sniffed haughtily. "Yes, it will do, thank you." She crossed her eyes in the mirror and stuck her tongue out.
Colie was quiet for a moment. "Yer sillier than before. S'like yer lighter."
"'S'been a while," Mira answered, smile fading.
"I like it," Colie said softly, avoiding Mira's gaze as well. "Ya were too serious before. Ya never laughed. I dunno who yer with, but they done good by you."
"Are we really doing the emotional talk right now? Before the fight?" Mira said suddenly, looking up.
Colie lifted her hands in defense. "Fine by me." She paused, a smirk crossing her face. "Bitch."
"Jerk," Mira shot back, and she chuckled.
Udan poked his head in the room and frowned. "You can stop that laughing. You're up."
Mira sobered quickly and rose from the bench. She gathered up her shiny silk fighting robe and tied it loosely around her waist. The hood settled around her face. Now she could see, but she wouldn't be seen until it was time. She turned to Colie. "Whaddaya think?"
Colie pursed her lips and nodded. "He won' know."
Mira held out her hand. "'Til the end, then."
Colie smiled and gripped Mira's forearm. "I'll be in yer corner." A flicker of unbearable sadness appeared in her eyes, but was gone before Mira could really wonder about it.
Udan grabbed Mira's elbow and began to tug her outside. "Remember—"
"Udan," Mira interrupted. "I know. If you really want to help psych me up, you can shut up."
He looked vaguely insulted, but shut his mouth nevertheless. Mira took a deep breath in as they entered the main gym. A huge crowd was packed inside, and bleachers had been set up on every side. Fighting was a huge part of the Lower Ring lifestyle. But it wasn't adult fighting that the gangs craved. No, it was putting two teenagers in the ring and watching them knock the stuffing out of each other that really sold the bets. They were young, still slightly impressionable…completely susceptible to a cunning gang leader with a slippery tongue. Promising money, fame, girls, and never delivering on any front. Well, the girls sometimes came of their own accord. But longevity definitely wasn't included on the list.
Mira felt a prickle of worry creep across her skin and immediately clamped down on her morbid thoughts. She would do fine tonight. Yes, she was anticipating her fair share of lumps and bruises. But that was it. She could win. She would win. She had to, for Colie and Temal.
Udan lifted the middle of the three ropes surrounding the ring and Mira slipped inside. She stood tall in the shadow of her robe as the referee announced her. Nakaru was already across from her, as the defending champion was always announced first (technically, Mira was the defending champ, but her disappearance from the previous match and subsequent prolonged absence ruled her ineligible).
Nakaru was clad in a pair of blue fighting shorts and nothing else. He stood only a couple inches taller than Mira but was much bulkier than her. His trademark dark brown dreadlocks were tied back in a low wolf's-tail, and his skin was much darker than Mira's. It wasn't quite as dark as Katara and Sokka's skin, due to Nakaru's diluted Water Tribe blood (he was third-generation, not first). But his heritage was played up for the ring and made him seem more fierce.
"Introducing the challenger, from parts unknown," the referee bellowed out. "The Jade Hood was undefeated in his previous reign in the Ba Sing Se underground. A harrowing victory against the Wolf of the North was his legacy, as he vanished into the night. But now, years later, the Jade Hood has returned to stake his claim on the championship!"
Mira smirked under her hood. This would be fun. She untied her belt and slid the fabric off her head and shoulders in one fluid motion. The silk pooled at her feet as silence fell across the gym.
"Um…excuse me. The Jade Hood is back to stake her claim," corrected the gob-smacked referee. All eyes were on her, but Mira's were trained on her opponent. This was the moment of truth. If Nakaru didn't go for it, she was utterly and royally screwed.
In a carefully executed move, she placed one hand on her hip and shifted her weight to fully showcase her bare, flat stomach. Her mouth twitched into a satisfied smirk as Nakaru's light blue eyes followed her every movement (against his own will, it seemed). She had him hooked.
But she couldn't get cocky. Even a distracted Nakaru was a dangerous one. This fight would still take her all.
She retreated into her corner as Nakaru did the same. His eyes were still watching though, so she put a little more sway into her hips than she normally would. Colie lifted an eyebrow knowingly as she approached. "Tease."
"He likes it," Mira said triumphantly. "Time to see how much."
"You got this," Colie said seriously. "Don' screw it up."
"Got it, chief," Mira tossed off as she turned back. She took her place by the ref and brought her fists up as Nakaru mirrored the movement. He didn't look terribly enthusiastic about it, though, and Mira had to bite back a grin. He really wouldn't know what hit him.
"And…fight!" the ref called out, but there was no immediate need for movement this time. Nakaru was cleverer than Oushi. He wouldn't immediately lash out as he tried to figure out his relatively new opponent. That, and he was probably somewhat conflicted about hitting a girl. Female contenders weren't unheard of in the league, but none had ever really made it into the spotlight. Nakaru had never (knowingly) hit a girl in his career. And it looked like he was reluctant to start.
Well, Mira wasn't having any of that. She grinned at him and winked saucily before beckoning him with one hand.
Nakaru scowled and swung his right hand rather half-heartedly. Mira swayed back to dodge and followed through with a tight jab to his jaw. Nakaru's head jerked right, and Mira used the opening to land two punches in his gut. As he doubled over, Mira leaned down to whisper in his ear. "I ain't holdin' back, honey. Seein' as how you had me seein' stars last time… frankly, Pup, I'm disappointed."
Nakaru's head snapped up suddenly, it was only through sheer luck that Mira caught the blow on her mouth and not her nose. As it was, Mira could feel the crack reverberate through her skull as bone met bone. Her lower lip tore, and blood began to flow down her chin.
She swore loudly and staggered back. She wasn't sure he'd planned that entire maneuver, but he certainly had taken advantage of the opportunity. This showboating was making her careless. Colie was turning into a bad influence.
"Happy now?" Nakaru answered, hands already up and shielding his face.
"Why don'tcha come over here and see how pleased I really am?" Mira taunted back, shaking off the shock and reverting to her banter. She bounced on the balls of her feet, nerves tensed as she watched his every move.
Nakaru began to circle to the left, and Mira followed him to the right, matched his pace exactly. This was the dance Oushi had been missing that morning. Hands up, eyes watching, body coiled like a spring and ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Nakaru knew the intricacies of this partnership. The only thing he hadn't counted on was Mira's gender and outfit. His eyes were wandering, though he really was doing his best to keep them in line.
But boys will be boys, and for the first time in her life, Mira found herself grateful for one of man's baser instincts. She watched him carefully, waiting for his eyes to slip once more.
One flicker of movement, and Mira launched forward. Her knuckles connected with his jaw, and Mira ignored the dull protest from her hands. Her left hand was already up and heading straight for Nakaru's nose.
He recovered quickly and dipped out of the way. But Mira hadn't thrown her whole weight behind the punch, so she wasn't off-balance as she recovered. Nakaru was quick though, and didn't need her off-balance. He was already slipping behind her and trapping her right arm behind her back as his free hand went to work on her ribs.
Mira jerked her head back just as Nakaru had minutes before, and was satisfied to hear a muted crunch as skull met skull. She stomped down on his instep, and yanked herself from his grip, spinning away to face him before he could grab her again.
"Was that a knife in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" Mira quipped, unable to help the wince that passed over her face. He'd really done a number on her side. She was lucky he hadn't cracked a rib.
"Body like that?" Nakaru tossed back. "You tell me."
Mira's eyebrows lifted and she scoffed. "Oh, stop it. You're making me blush."
Nakaru's eyes roved down her body. "Gimme an hour and I could do so much more."
Mira was appalled to feel her cheeks redden at his comment. She shoved down her embarrassment quickly. "An hour?" she shot back in disbelief. Her eyes did the roaming this time before she met his gaze. "I don't think so. You strike me as more of a five-minute man."
Catcalls and raucous laughter echoed from the bleachers surrounding the ring, but Mira ignored the noise to take advantage of Nakaru's temporary humiliation. She dropped her hands, pivoted, and suddenly her foot was connecting with his side. His breath whooshed from his body, and he stumbled to the side.
Mira followed him, determined to finish the fight, but the hollow ding of a bell marked the end of the first round.
"Dammit," she growled as she stalked back into her corner. "I was building up momentum, too."
"He caught a lucky break," Udan agreed. "You need to end this quickly."
"Whaddaya think I'm tryin' to do?" Mira barked, snatching the water skin from Colie's hand. She allowed herself a brief mouthful, but shoved it back into Colie's hand before she could gulp down any more. Her mind worked furiously, trying to find a quick way to end the fight.
Mira started as an idea hit her. It was simple, yet effective…but it required a rookie mistake on Nakaru's part. She wasn't sure if he'd go for it, but she was quickly running out of options. If it didn't work this round, she'd change tactics.
She quickly mopped the sweat from her face and the drying blood from her chin with a damp cloth. Her lip was stinging like crazy, but she could worry about that later.
Mira assumed her fighting stance as the bell rang for the second round. Nakaru apparently, had decided to switch tactics as well. Mira leaped back, but still caught the edge of his fist on her jaw. Her head snapped back, and she let her body follow the momentum. She spun away, quickly getting her bearings as she faced him once more. Nakaru swung again, but Mira ducked under his arm and popped up behind him. She tagged him three times in the ribs (in the same spot where she'd kicked him) before he could turn and block her.
Mira dipped, dodged, and ducked. She jabbed him here and there before dancing away. He landed a few punches on her, sure, but she landed just as many on him. But the point was, she led him on a merry chase around the ring. He may have been quick and clever, but his endurance wasn't quite up to snuff. He'd grown complacent in his victories. Probably hadn't gone more than one round with anyone in years. He was sweating profusely by the time the bell rang (though Mira was doing her fair share as well).
"The hell are you doin'?" Udan hissed as she took a small sip of water. "You're s'posed to finish him, not dance with 'im!"
"I'm workin' on it," Mira answered mildly. She jerked her head over her shoulder, and Udan's gaze drifted over to the opposite corner. His eyes widened, then narrowed. "You tricky little devil," he muttered with a grudging admiration.
"Toldja," she said cheekily. "Back in a mo."
It was Mira's turn to go on the offensive as the third round started. She went straight for his stomach, head down and fists a blur as she landed blow after blow. She caught a punch to her ear that left her head ringing, but her focus didn't break. Right, right, left, right, right, left, left. Nakaru doubled over, groaning in pain. Mira bounced back a step or two, but Nakaru didn't move. His dreadlocks hung over his sweating face, and he swayed on his feet.
Mira gripped his shoulder and forced him up. Nakaru met her gaze with a tired resignation. He recognized her trap, and realized that he'd fallen straight for it. He was beaten, and he knew it.
Well, Mira wouldn't prolong this. She pulled back her right fist, and connected solidly with his ear. Nakaru fell sideways to the floor as he abandoned what was left of his balance, and lay wheezing on the floor of the ring. He wasn't unconscious, but if he didn't rise in ten seconds, the match was Mira's.
She watched him anxiously. If he rose and shook off the pain (and she had no doubt that he could), the fight would drag out longer than she wanted. She may have been standing over him, but a few more well-placed blows and she could be lying beside him on that floor. Her lip was split and still oozing, her chin was bruised, her ribs ached, there was a mild cut on her forehead and by her ear, and her knuckles had cracked again. The sooner she was out of the ring, the better.
Nakaru looked up and saw the anxiety in her face. He nodded in a tight, quick gesture. And in that one moment, they understood each other.
Both driven to the ring by external forces, yet both embracing the lifestyle. Both a bit arrogant in their success. And yet, despite their pride, they understood the importance of knowing when to back down. And that was exactly what he was doing now. He yielded the fight to her. And in that simple gesture, he was ensuring they both walked away (relatively) unscathed.
Mira nodded back, and only vaguely heard the referee announce her victory. She ignored the explosion of sound from the gym around her and climbed down from the ring.
"We did it!" Colie crowed. "We won!"
"'Scuse me?" Mira cried indignantly as they left the gym and made their way to Udan's office. "Who's this 'we'? I was in there throwing and taking the punches!"
"And I was yer moral support," Colie said breezily as she pushed open the door. "That was a brill move, with the water."
For that had been Nakaru's downfall. Mira had worn him out in the second round, something he wasn't used to. He'd sucked down most of his water pouch during the break period (which is what Udan had caught sight of over Mira's shoulder). His stomach was full of water and little else, and that was a bad mix for a fighter (and that was the principle Mira had been relying on). A repeated series of blows to the midsection would drive the breath from his body and leave him feeling nauseated and weak. It was simple to knock him down after that.
"You got lucky," Udan proclaimed, pointing one finger at her as he took his seat behind the desk.
"And I'm good," Mira prodded, collapsing into a chair. "You can say it. It's okay, my ego can take it."
Udan merely raised an eyebrow. "Next time you'll have to be more careful."
"No next time," Mira said abruptly, sitting up straight. "That was it. My last fight. I'm done."
Udan was silent for a long moment. "Be a shame," he said finally. "You really were one a my best."
A wide smile broke out on Mira's face before she could stop it. But it died with his next words. "Y'know. For a girl."
"Bastard," she muttered for the second time that day. He scowled at her, but his dark brown eyes danced merrily. "Wait a mo," she said suddenly. "Where's Colie?"
"Prolly out gettin' her earnings," Udan answered. "Got quite a chunk a change tonight."
Colie burst through the door, beaming at Mira. She waved a large leather pouch in the air. "Got it!" she crowed. She shook the bag, and the clinking of gold was unmistakable. "Let's scoot!"
They left through the back door in Udan's office. Mira had no desire to elbow her way through eager well-wishers (though it was more likely they'd be ill-wishers. Not a lot of money had been placed on her that night). Mira sucked in a deep breath of night air, and the brisk spring breeze began to alleviate some of the soreness.
The two girls walked side-by-side, Colie with a spring in her step and Mira with a wearied gait. They were just outside Temal's apartment when Mira brought it up. "Alright, I got you your money," Mira said thickly, blotting at her split lip with a rag she'd snatched from Udan's office. "Now will you please give it to Ret and be done with him? I'll walk you there if you like."
Colie's grin melted off her face, and the sadness and guilt Mira had caught in her eyes earlier returned with a vengeance. She sighed with a defeated air and closed her eyes, and Mira knew instantly something was wrong. "It's not for Ret, is it?" she asked, crestfallen.
"No," Colie finally answered.
Mira threw the bloody rag to the ground. "Dammit, Col, what did you do?"
"I need ta pay off a debt. I didn't think ya'd fight fer me if I told ya the truth, so I told ya it was ta get out."
"You have no intention of getting out, do you?" Mira asked dully, already knowing the answer.
Colie remained silent.
"Who do you owe?" Mira asked quietly. When Colie didn't answer, she tried again. "Who do you owe?" Colie kept walking.
In a flash Mira had grabbed Colie's shirt and had her pressed against the cool stone of the alley. She winced as the action jolted her arms and tweaked her ribs, but her rising anger squashed any pain she was feeling. "I will only ask once more," she threatened dangerously, mere inches from Colie's face. "Who. Do. You. Owe?"
"…Chien," Colie croaked out.
The word hit Mira like a physical blow. She staggered back, and Colie slumped against the alley wall, gasping and glaring at Mira. But Mira ignored her indignation as she stared at the girl in front of her. She knew that name. She'd never actually met Chien personally, but his reputation preceded him. She saw his handiwork scattered across the Lower Ring every day. Chien was Ba Sing Se's main ringweed supplier. He ran a cartel that was directly responsible for most of the drug trafficking in the city. There were only two reasons Colie would owe him money: she was using ringweed, or she was dealing for him. Mira tossed out the first option immediately. Colie wasn't using. She didn't show any of the symptoms. Which left…Mira didn't want to think about it.
But she had to. For Temal and Ryo. So she forced open her mouth and asked, "Why do you owe Chien money?"
The look on Colie's face said it all. She stared at Mira defiantly, chin sticking out, daring her to make an accusation.
She was all too happy to oblige. "I knew you had ambiguous morals, Colie, but I didn't think you were that heartless."
"'S'not my fault," she mumbled, but she lacked conviction. "I needed the money."
Mira was so angry, she couldn't even speak. She just stood there, staring at Colie, mouth hanging open in disbelief. Colie was a rogue who did things her way, sure, but Mira had always believed that when it came right down to it, she would do the right thing. But it seemed that Mira had misjudged her.
"Tell Temal," she finally said, her gaze rock hard.
Colie snorted. "Don' be stupid. She couldn' handle it."
"She's stronger than you think," Mira retorted coldly. "You tell her, or I will."
"You wouldn' dare," Colie challenged as she regarded Mira carefully.
Mira's hand slipped into Colie's pants pocket before the girl could stop her. She seized upon a small cloth packet, and Mira could tell immediately that it was a ringweed pouch. Seconds later, she was bursting through the door to Temal's apartment and tossing the packet onto the dining room table.
Colie was hot on her heels, a string of curses tumbling past her lips. Temal appeared instantly in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed. "I know you're not using that language in this house," she said sternly, eyebrow raised. In an instant, she took in the anger in Mira's face and the fear in Colie's. She followed Mira's pointing finger to the little packet on the table, and her eyes widened. "What is that?" she asked warily.
"Why don't you ask your sister?" Mira spat. "She's been selling 'em on street corners."
Temal looked at Colie, pain and disbelief on her face. She knew what it was, but she didn't want to believe that Colie was responsible. Her warring emotions were clear for all to see.
"I was doin' it fer you," Colie defended. "You never asked."
That sent Mira over the edge. "Son of a bitch, Colie!" she thundered. She snatched at her collar, ignoring Temal's weak protests, and dragged her back outside and back into the narrow alley. Once they were tucked away and out of sight, Mira threw Colie against the wall and began to pace back and forth. "What were you thinking?!"
"I was tryin' to help 'em!" Colie cried angrily. "You make all this fuss 'bout me doin' my part, supportin' Temal an' Ryo, but you don' want ta know how I do it!"
"There are other ways!" Mira insisted. "Dealing drugs? I never thought you'd go that far," she muttered, shaking her head.
"Don' you dare!" Colie bellowed as she pushed off the wall, hazel fire in her eyes. "You'da done the same if you was me."
Mira rounded on Colie, eyes blazing. "Dammit, Col! You know that's not true."
"What was I s'posed to do then?" Colie spat. "We was about to get kicked out! Temal was outta rent and was about to pick up a second job. You know as well as me she couldn'ta done it. So I asked Ret how ta make some extra, and he tol' me ta find Chien. Ya think I actually like doin' this? It makes me sick! But I keep goin' cos I have to. Fer them."
"Help out some other way!" Mira pleaded, her anger starting to abate.
"How, Mir? What d'ya suggest? Look 'round," she said, throwing her arms out. "'Cos I got so many options," she drawled sarcastically.
"You try," Mira stressed, suddenly feeling bone-weary. "You look for something that isn't going to hurt others. You swallow your damned pride and shut your damn mouth!"
"You suggestin' I sell myself on street corners?" Colie fired back. "Cos I dunno what you think a me, but I won' do that."
"That's not what I said," Mira retorted irritably. "And you know it. I mean, you need to find legal work. Even if you think it's below you."
Colie remained silent for a moment, her wide eyes searching Mira's. "That may work fer you," she said quietly, "but I'm not like you." Mira finally, for the first time, heard the gruff slang disappear completely from Colie's voice. She sounded so small and vulnerable without it.
"Not anymore." Mira took in the position of the moon in the sky and sighed. "I can't stay. I've got to get back."
Colie slid against the stone alley wall and rubbed her temples. "I'm stuck, Mir," she muttered, her voice breaking. And for once, Mira had a glimpse of the girl Colie always tried to hide. Mira's fury continued to subside, until all she could really feel was pity. Colie had really done the only thing she could think of under the circumstances.
"Then unstick yourself."
"It's not that easy."
"And that's why I've got to leave," Mira said softly. She left Colie sitting against the wall, head buried in her hands. Mira reentered the apartment to find Temal was sitting at the kitchen table, ringweed pouch in hand. Her eyes were red, and tear tracks glistened on her face.
"I didn't ask," she said hollowly. "She was bringing home more money than usual, but I never asked where it was coming from. Daichi," she groaned. "I'm so stupid."
"No," Mira said sharply. "Don't say that. It's not true."
"Why didn't I ask?" Temal questioned desperately. "I could have stopped this!"
"Don't think about things like that. Trust me, I know. Just focus on what you can do moving forward," Mira urged. "You'll get through this."
"Sometimes I wonder if I will," Temal admitted, her gaze vacant. "Sometimes it gets so dark I wonder how on earth I put one foot in front of the other."
Mira pointed to the door that led to Ryo's room. "That's why," she said firmly. "You do it for him." Her arm swung around until it was pointed at the front door. "And for her. But let her help you. You let her in. She's not a kid anymore, and she's trying to prove it in all the wrong ways. Don't lock her out for this," Mira said, forcing the words out. "Be angry, yes. But you've got to move on, as a family."
Temal nodded and wiped her tears away. "I can't promise anything, but I'll try." She studied Mira for a moment. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Where do you go from here?"
Mira exhaled loudly. "Back to my friends."
"You'll be alright?"
Mira flashed a false, tired smile. "I'm always alright."
"Me too," Temal whispered, and she stood to wrap Mira in her arms. "Thank you," she said as she pulled back.
"For what?" Mira laughed mirthlessly. "I just tore apart your family."
"But some things need to be broken before they become stronger, yeah?" Temal said knowingly.
Mira gave a sad smile and left quietly. She didn't look back at Colie sitting in the alley, and it wasn't until she reached the Upper Ring house that she realized she'd forgotten once more to say goodbye to Ryo.
She slipped quietly through the thick front door and eased it shut behind her. She doubted anyone would be up this late, but a flickering candle sitting on the floor of the sitting area revealed a dozing Katara.
Mira took a few steps forward, and a floorboard creaked underfoot. Katara's eyes flickered open, and she sat upright groggily. "Mira?"
"Sorry to wake you," she whispered. "Go back to sleep."
Katara squinted and titled her head to the side, peering at Mira through the darkness. Mira tried to shrink back and hide her battered condition, but Katara was up and across the floor with the candle before she could.
"Tui and La," she breathed, eyes wide. "You're a mess." She firmly took Mira's hand to guide her to the sitting area, but her fingers wrapped around Mira's bleeding knuckles. Mira hissed in pain, and Katara immediately recoiled. "I'm sorry," she apologized.
"'S'okay," Mira muttered, and her eyelids fluttered wearily. She allowed Katara to guide her to the back of the room and tried not to trip over her own feet. Her legs quivered underneath her as she gingerly plopped down on a cushion and sighed deeply as Katara busied herself with fetching a bowl of water.
"Is everything alright?" she asked carefully as she kneeled in front of Mira.
Mira opened her mouth to lie, to say that everything was fine, and that she was alright, but as the events of the day crashed down upon her, the words caught in her throat. "No," she admitted finally. "I'm not. I'm hurt, I'm angry, and I am so, so tired of discovering the worst in people. I want what you have," she groaned. "I want to see the best in people. I don't want to walk around and see all the evil that I do. I'm sick of it."
"But you do," Katara said quietly as she fixed Mira's split lip. "See the best in people," she clarified, taking in Mira's quizzical look. "Where most people avert their gaze when they see a beggar on the street, you see a person. You see someone who can be redeemed. That is such a gift," she said earnestly. "You have compassion, Mira. You never give up on someone. That's more than some people can say."
"What if I should?" Mira wondered as Katara moved to her hands. "Some people can't be saved," she added darkly.
"Are you sure about that?" Katara questioned. "I don't think you could give up even if you tried. And the day that you do…well, that will be a very dark day, indeed." She ducked her head as she finished the healing in silence. As she stood up and turned around to dispose of the used water, Mira watched her go, eyes shining.
"And I hope that the day that you give up on me never comes."
A/N: And this is where I take a slight leave. My Muse is being a stubborn, willful thing. I need a few weeks to wrestle her under control. Plus that, and summer has given me more things to do, and as a result, this story gets shafted quite a lot. But I'll do my best to fix that these upcoming weeks.
Also, I now have a Tumblr. Don't really know what I'm doing right now, but I will start to post updates on how the writing's coming. So you could check on when chapters are coming out. The link's on my profile.
And, as always, please review! I love hearing what you have to say, especially with these more AU chapters. It also helps me fix things that you guys notice, but I don't (shout out to TheInkBender for that. Definitely helped in this chapter). I love hearing from anyone and everyone!