Well turns out I was a liar. Regardless I'm game to try this reincarnation again. As a warning I will just say that there are OCs in this chapter, perhaps they were used slightly too heavily, but none of them will appear again after this chapter. There is one fight scene which is purely OCs so if you want to skip it it's the third one.
and
as always,
I own very little in this story. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Avatar the Last Airbender toMichael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The plot of this chapter could be considered lost and the OCs were randomly generated on the fly... and with that out of the way, lets get this reincarnation going!
Tales of Ba Sing Se – Neji
The wood creaked under foot as the boat limped into the harbour of Ba Sing Se, the spray of the water loud and the smell of salt strong as the tattered sails fluttered in the wind as it docked, almost crashing into the wood as it did so. Earth kingdom refugee's swarmed from the Fire Nation damaged ship, the scorch marks still evident on the wood and in the burn marks on the sails as teams of Earth Kingdom shipwrights hurried onto the boat to survey the damage. Neji strolled onto the docks almost annoyed. The sudden attack at sea had not been appreciated and being separated from the rest of his team in this, largely unknown, world was less than ideal. He glanced around, noting the other boats readying themselves to return to the hidden port with more guards rushing on as engineers and shipwrights consulted drawings and schematics to repair the wounded craft and make sure they were sea worthy. He shook his head at a merchant, trying to sell a variety of fruit whilst another lamented the sea air and its effects on his cabbages. Quite why a merchant would try to make a business out of purely selling cabbages was beyond Neji as he continued up the cobble stoned stairs towards the large building with tracks exiting out of it. The sun deciding to be particularly unforgiving as it bore down, shining bright light on the travellers as they hurried to their destinations and supposed safety under the clear blue sky.
The low hanging sign identified it as a monorail and a brief moment was given to appreciate how organised the refugee effort was as Neji was quickly, yet calmly, herded onto a nearby train before the earth benders started it's steady progress up into Ba Sing Se. Glancing round the carriage showed a distinct change in the appearance of the people sharing the journey. Up until this point in the Earth Kingdom Neji had noted that everyone looked downtrodden and fearful, yet here they seemed to be starting to relax, the stress and fear disappearing as the monorail continued its journey. This was something Neji could find relatable, the imposing walls of Konoha did indeed inspire courage and relief in shinobi returning from long and difficult missions, then again Neji mused. They weren't unbreachable.
The blurring of the scenery slowed as the earth benders brought the tram to a halt, lining up at the station before sections of the carriage reopened to allow people to exit. Neji quickly strode out of the tram, stretching out and cracking his bones after being in transit for so long. Observing the hurried movements of people as they were yet again herded towards immigration booths as guards prepared the new citizens for life in Ba Sing Se, trying to sort out housing and food for the refugees. Neji wandered through the crowd, waving away the officials who gladly left him to it. Knowing that the avatar's appearance in the city would spread like wildfire and that would make the rest of the group easy to find. The avatar would also be likely to be gifted with a place to stay without the need to queue for the measly handouts available which was another bonus.
Wandering through the packed docks and outer city the sights and smells that could be found soon began to change. The cries of despair and of pleading changed from desperate refugees to people haggling and bartering at street merchants, the smell of the sea faded to be replaced with the smell of vegetables and cooked meat. Tall walls of stone encircled what was likely one of the poorer suburbs of Ba Sing Se. Not one of the passer-by's looked well fed and some looked downright sickly as they hurried about their business, shooting the occasional glance at Neji, sometimes curious, sometimes resentful. The guards allowed him past with narrowed glares and coin surreptitiously slipped into pockets, the small shiny objects enough to detract the questioning nature of the guards at someone obviously better off than the area he was in. The glitter of money attracted some attention from the dark alleyways and the shadows, the walls and monorail system providing ample cover as you could see richer folk staring down at the life they ignored, all seemingly guided by the same person Neji noticed, even with strict training people couldn't look and act that similar. Groups of wiry youths eyed him as he strode down the streets, none dared to confront him though, the pack on his back, whilst tempting was not worth attacking a man so confident… causing even the most daring groups to back down and slink away from the authoritative eyes.
'Not the utopia it was made out to be' Neji thought as he continued down the street, taking in the sights of the people scurrying around him. Up ahead he could see the street opening out into a courtyard, a fountain in the middle with water flowing around the chipped basin, the once fine stonework chipped and marred by time and human interference, with no one able to clean and fix it, the populace here to poor and the richer members of the city and other things to occupy their time and money. Guards kept watch over the stream of refugees at one end of the courtyard as a few others were dotted around the few market stalls, checking for thieves and making sure that people stayed safe. Meandering over to a stall, manned by a teenager of similar age and curly brown hair, Neji took in the sight of the fruit on offer, looking slightly fresher then the competitors around it he picked up a couple of apples, fumbling around for his money before the teen shook his head, dropping the requisite coins into the collection tray. Neji nodded his thanks before disappearing back in the river of people streaming about.
Lee looked at the long haired man as he strode off. His long hair held back in a ponytail swishing behind him as he took a bite out of the apple in his hand. He looked at the tray, wondering if it was the right choice, then again if he was a refugee he would need all the help he could get in Ba Sing Se at the moment. Lee looked up again, trying to find him, to advise him of where to avoid., but even with his distinctive hair and clothes he was long gone.
"Well, he looked tough… he must be if he made it here by himself so he should be alright?" He questioned no one in particular. Before checking around, looking to see if any of the Lower Se gang members were around. Unfortunately luck was not on Lee's side as Xang slinked into view round a corner of an alleyway. His old, pale brown breeches were tucked into worn leather boots with a green tunic and tabard hanging off his lean frame. A couple of leather belts crossed round his waist, a sword hanging innocently off a sword ring to his left hand side.
"Lee, how's our favourite little vendor?" He greeted, raising a hand. "Seen anyone worth going after?" he asked, grabbing an apple from the basket in front of the store and taking a large bite out of it. His mousy brown hair shifted as he regarded Lee with his amber eyes. "Well? I'm waiting?"
"No one of any worth Xang" came the reply from Lee, trying to come across as disinterested.
"That won't do Lee" Xang replied grinning. "I know that gal that was just here must be loaded, she didn't look like the refugee type." He paused, taking another bite out of his apple. "Well that and with her clothes and hair she must be worth a lot" Another pause, another bite of the apple. "'Specially if she's the daughter of an aristo. So if you could stop flirting and get them to show how much money they had on them, that would be great."
"First of all that was a guy" Lee started, wiping a bit of Xang's spit out of his face. "and secondly I'm not helping you mug the refugees anymore."
"Guy" Xang lifted one hand up, "gal" he lifted the other, before casually discarding the apple over his shoulder. "Makes no difference to me, so long as there's gold involved." He paused looking into the crowd again, his eyes tracing over the passing mob. The people milling about, creating eddies in the turbulent flow of people. "Looks like there's another boat load, we are popular today" he muttered before selecting his target. He set off, the squeak of his leather boots audible even with the milling crowd.
"You will go after him Lee... that is unless you want to find out about the rumours of the Dai Lee being true..." He trailed off, turning and grinning back at Lee. "It would be such a shame of Lei lost her brother to the Earth Bender security force, just in time to drag her off for talking about the war!" He casually waved before being swept up in the crowd mere moments after. Leaving Lee both fuming and despairing at the situation.
"Damn it" he cursed before dismantling the stall, the target already found. "I'll find a way out of this somehow" Lee muttered as he tried to psych himself up to attack the most recent customer.
As the daylight started to leave the sky Lee crouched low on the dark tiled roof of one of the lower ring houses. His target was in the pub across the street, apparently asking for any news on the avatar and his group who had apparently been stranded in the Serpent's Pass implying that he was a comrade of the avatar himself .
"A shame, maybe the avatar could have helped us out" Lee muttered under his breath. "No if he had been around we would never have been forced from our homes to begin with and made to flee here." He cursed. Well he did not make the world, and whilst he may not like it the only way to keep him and his sister safe was to stay with the Lower Se's and if that meant having to mug the poor refugees then... no don't think about it that way he told himself. Think of keeping Lei safe.
His musings were brought crashing down as he saw the distinctive form of his customer from earlier leave the pub, the pupiless eyes making him a keen target. People gave him a wide berth as he strode out, yet he never seems to get anywhere near them regardless making Lee wonder if he was able to see or if he was blind, he certainly had a confidence in the way he walked and acted which implied he had sight, but the eyes seemed to indicate otherwise.
Lee shook his head, no it didn't matter... all the mattered was taking some of his excess money and proving that he could work for the Lower Se gang, he wouldn't need to over exert himself to hurt him. Lee shuddered thinking about how cruel some of the other members could be, at least he could let the people he was forced after get off lightly.
Lee watched as the young man ran a hand through his hair before setting off from the pub, it was in one of the rougher districts, even for the lower ring so he was no doubt searching for a place to spend the night with a lesser crime rate, even if it was slight. Using earth bending to make bridges between the houses Lee followed, at least he thought, stealthily. The street soon cleared as the man made his way through the city, turning onto a more deserted side street. Lee took this as his chance, using the earth gathered under his feet to propel himself forward, crashing down in front of him as dirt was kicked up from the track obscuring him. In the defence of the man Lee noted that he didn't seem surprised, or if he was he hid it well. The torches set into the walls near doors for the pubs and houses and shops that lined the street flicked slightly, sending the shadows dancing around the street.
"So you were the one who was following me?" The man asked. More of a statement then a question.
"Yes, sorry, don't take it personally, I just have to do what I have to do" Lee replied, looking into his stoic face, slightly unnerved by his opponents demeanour.
"Yes, of course... I suppose the fresher looking produce at your stall was designed to attract the wealthier of the refugees?" Another question, Lee was aware that he might be stalling for time, waiting for the guards. Thankfully the guards patrols in the lower city were few and far between, but it was still something to be careful of.
"You catch on quick, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to take your money now." Lee paused, looking at the man opposite. "Please don't resist, I don't want to hurt you more than I have to." He finished.
The man dropped back slightly, one foot shifting behind the other, a slight bend in both knees, clearly not about to hand over his coin so easily.
"A change from earlier it seems then" he muttered.
"I did warn you." Lee sighed before kicking off from the ground, using his bending to again raise the earth under his feet, adding to his momentum as he flew towards his opponent.
What Lee was not expecting was for him to react so quickly, moving his back foot around to spin out of the way, a hand grabbing him as he did so, sending Lee spiralling forward as he used his momentum to spin around and fling him into a wall. Lee crashed painfully through the side of the thankfully unoccupied house. Pausing for a second so the stars no longer appeared around his head he went back on the attack, this time more cautiously, stamping down and punching, sending some of the nearby debris flying out of the house towards the gap in the wall. He could see the rustle of the loose clothing his opponent favoured as he jumped out of the way, leaving the earth to impact on the wall opposite, dust flying up everywhere. Lee jumped up, smashing his way onto the first floor before charging towards the window, jumping out to try and catch his opponent in the confusion of the dust, striking down at the shadow he saw, aiming to pin him to the floor and incapacitate him. He wasn't expecting his attack to cleave harmlessly through some spare cloth before a blow rained down on his back sending him earthwards. As he hit the ground with a loud cry, he quickly flipped himself over on his hands, the torches flickering as his opponent crashed down soon after, trying to pin him down in a similar tactic.
"This would be much easier if you just gave up!" Lee cried, hoping he would so he didn't have to use too much earth bending overpowering him and attracting the attention of the few guards who kept watch in the lower city.
"True, but I must meet up with my friends and the avatar, even if most people here think that is laughable." Came the reply through the dust.
"Of course the avatar can't help us now, he should have been here earlier to counter the fire nation!" Lee cried out.
"Interesting" a pause. "The way you say that seems more personal than just someone sick of the way and forced to move.
"It doesn't matter" the reply, shortly followed by a stamp, cracking and causing the ground to fracture, the man jumping to avoid the rumbling of the dirt street under him. The jump disturbing the dust and darkness allowing a few shards of rock to be flung towards him, causing him to spin in mid air, deflecting and dodging the projectiles, some of the houses nearby took hits, a few scared screams rising from some, and shouts of anger from a local tavern that had taken a hit.
"Eight Trigrams! Vacuum Palm!" came the cry as the wind projectile flung past Lee, scattering the dust cloud to restore vision to the street come battle field, the rock and dirt projectiles scattered and were knocked out of the sky as their momentum was robbed. The torches flickered again, the shadows dancing and creeping as the night started to set in. His opponent landed lightly on his feet whilst Lee was recovering from his attack.
"An air based attack? So you are the avatar?" Lee asked, grimacing. Pain and annoyance and anger crossing his face
"No, but I'm only his companion." came the reply. "I'm Neji, and what has he done to upset you so?"
"If he hadn't have left, I would never been forced to flee and join this gang!" came the reply, the red mist blinding Lee so that he gave away his secret. "and if you're with the avatar then you can help pay me and Lei so we can live in this pitiful excuse of a city." With that Lee jumped up, bending platforms out of the nearby buildings to launch himself up before jumping above Neji, gathering the surrounding earth around him before crashing down in his earth armour. Neji sprung back quickly avoiding the attach before flinging a kunai in response, the glittering tag igniting the night as it exploded, sending the earth flying everywhere. Lee let out a yell as his armour was forcefully stripped from him, raining down on the street behind him. The two combatants faced off for a few moments before the rushing of armour clad feet could be heard, Lee turned his head and cursed as he knew that the guards could no longer ignore their fight and had chosen to intervene. He whipped his head back round in time to see Neji leap off a couple of walls to vault onto a building and run off. Cursing again Lee quickly shrunk off into the shadows, using earth bending to hide himself from the incoming patrol.
"You what?" Zheng asked, looking deceptively calm all things considered. The fact that his voice was that level was in of itself an achievement for the leader of what was widely regarded as one of the most hot headed new gangs springing up in the aftermath of the refugee effort. This of course didn't mean much Lee mused, all things considered, it was most likely a bad sign that the leader appeared that calm.
Zheng was the leader of the Lower Se's, so named after the area of the city they were forced into. He was much calmer and more methodical which had allowed him to gain control of the more hot headed members and with their spirit had taken out anyone who opposed him. The fact that he knew how to use the two swords hanging loosely from the thick leather belt crossing over his upper dark green robe and helped as well. The blades were long and slightly curved, a curved hand guard, wrapping around to protect the knuckles finished off the blade before reaching the hilt, wrapped around with leather. They were deviously sharp as well, easily able to cut through flesh and bone should he wish. His dark green robe ended at his waist, with a strip hanging down in his centre on both sides of his body, with pale brown legging ending in calf high dark leather boots. His sleeves where white, hinting at a comfortable undershirt, surprising luxury for someone in such an area of the city as the one he lived in. His black hair was combed back for the most part, tied back with a piece of leather cord into a ponytail with only a few strands hanging over his face.
"I'm sorry the guards started to arrive and he got away" Lee replied slightly fearful of the leader. The sniggering of his companions didn't help either. 'Perhaps I should have tried to join with him'. Lee thought. 'Maybe I could've gotten him to help me.'
"That's hardly an excuse... you are our captive earth bender are you not?" The gentle tone of the question belied the feeling behind it, a chill spreading through Lee's spine at the reminder of his failure.
"No matter you did get some money from the stall... so I can reduce your sentence to only a few days training" The tone was like Zheng was conversing with a friend, though the laughter from Xang was loud and obnoxious.
"Hope you enjoy your 'training'" He laughed, making air quotes with his fingers. "Hopefully you should learn that our organisation doesn't tolerate failure this time round."
Lee hung his head, at least Lei would be safe for now, but he'd have to get through the training and hope he still had his morals... though he needed a way out of the gang and quick.
Lei walked through the crowds, pushing through to get to the market. She was slightly worried for her brother. Being forced to earth bend against some of the better members of their gang was going to help him out when they finally left the Lower Se's... if the left. But at the same time it would be tiring for him. At least she could see him at night, so she was determined to help out as much as she could. She recalled him mentioning the source of his loss, the strange man who was apparently a companion of the avatar. She doubted it at this point, with the hopelessness of her situation, but if she could convince him to help her and her brother... Well if he was with the avatar it must be worth a chance right? But she'd have to find him first, and with such a large number of refugees streaming in he would be almost impossible to find and that's if he had stayed in this section of the city.
She shook her head, her brown ponytail swinging. There was no point dwelling on possibilities. Lee would be tired due to his training so she would just have to make sure he had food when he finished. She hurried through the market, the small amount of gold held in a leather bag clutched tightly in her hands. She carefully manoeuvred her way through the crowds surrounding the few stores and stalls she trusted not to rip her off to buy a few loaves of bread and some vegetables and fruits. Including a cabbage from a strange man with a cart full of them. As she was contemplating what a weird business choice that was she accidentally walked into a someone and was knocked down. Lei grumbled for a bit before picking up some of her scattered food.
"Hey, watch where you're goi..." she trailed off as she looked at the person she had walked into, he seemed to be the same age as her and her brother, his long brown hair pulled back and his white and gray clothes seemed very clean considering the area. What was most striking however was the pupiless eyes that gazed down at her, though it almost looked like there was a spark of recognition in them.
"I'm sorry are you alright?" he asked pulling her up and handing her the rest of her stuff. Lei nodded her thanks, wondering if this was the man Lee had been telling her about, it seemed unlikely, but so did the idea of there being multiple people with pupiless eyes in the same place.
"Wait!" Lei cried as she looked around to see that he'd disappeared, the crowd still flowing around her, the only viable sound the cries of the man trying to sell his cabbages to passer bys.
"Wait? Why would we wait when such a wonderful target has appeared here?" A loud voice came from behind her. She turned looking at the figure. He was tall, taller than her brother at around maybe 175cm with tan hair, messily falling out of his green bandanna. His dark green tunic didn't hide the muscles of his well toned body and his dark green trousers reached down to his black boots. A halberd was slung carelessly over one shoulder making the crowd give him a wide berth. His two lackeys to his side sniggered at her shocked expression, their swords held loosely in their grip, one a katana, one a slightly less curved mercenary sword with a wavy hand guard.
"One of the lower Se's and if I'm not mistaken it's the little earth benders twin sister... this would be useful to make him work for us wouldn't it lads!" He cried, shifting the halberd on his back.
"Get away from me I'll never work for you" Lei replied, slipping her stuff into a canvas bag slung around her and reaching back to draw out a few knives.
"So it seems the cat has claws" He replied. "Still even with a few throwing knives you won't scare us away like the other thugs around here." He smiles as Lei threw a knife at him only to be batted away by a swing from his halberd. His grin grew as he approached, swinging the pole arm around himself as he knocked more of the knives away from him, sending the crowd scurrying as the guards looked disinterested at what appeared to be a gang fight, the small bag of coins handed to the captain by one of his lackeys ensured their inaction.
Lei flinched as he closed in, closing her eyes and turning away from him, raising her arms in a futile gesture as he readied his halberd to swing down. The attack never hit her and she cracked open her eyes and the sound of his gasp. At first she wasn't sure what was happening but in a sudden moment clarity descended as she saw a palm striking him in the stomache, the man, no teen from earlier grimacing before shifting his weight and sending the halberd armed teen flying back to crash heavily into a nearby cart.
"MY CABBAGES!" was heard with despair lining the voice from the background as the teen straightened up, dusting some imaginary dust from his clothes.
"Are you ok?" he asked looking at the other two lackeys who were grimacing and readying their swords.
"Yes, are you Neji?" Lei replied cautiously.
"Yes, you remind me of someone who attacked me yesterday, but he didn't seem to have the same mindset behind his attacks as other members of his gang."
"Yes, he was only in the gang to protect me" Lei cast her gaze to the side. "We had to flee here when our parents will killed in a Fire Nation raid, we were forced into working for the gang so we would have a place to stay and have protection from the other gangs and thugs."
"I see, it would make sense that he would resent the avatar for not being able to help him then." Neji seemed to nod to himself. "Well you two know me, so you hold me at the disadvantage..." he trailed off.
"Sorry, I'm Lei and my twin brother is Lee" Lei replied shaking Neji's hand.
"As fun as this all is" came the annoyed cry from the remains of the cabbage cart. "But I was in the process of acquiring her services in getting me a captive earth bender so if you don't mind getting out of the way" The opposing leader stood up, striding out of the ruined wood, trying to maintain as much dignity as he could. "Getting those two will help me reach the top of this lower city, and maybe even help me escape it, so I won't let you interfere" He said spinning the halberd around a few times, limbering up to face off. "I can tell you're tough, but they say they can judge a man based on the enemies he's defeated, so when I, Tang defeat you I will finally get the respect I deserve!" He lowered the halberd and sent a lightning quick stab at Neji and Lei causing them to jump apart, his lackeys charging in towards Lei as he quickly followed up with a couple of thrusts at Neji, before going for a leg sweep driving Neji back slightly. Lei threw a knife at the lackey with the katana diverting him off in time for her to draw her dagger and deflect the sword aimed at her arm, a blow designed to incapacitate more than kill.
Lei desperately parried a couple more swings, using the momentum to spin around off the blows, her dagger unable to hold with the sword for more than a few moments. She lashed out with a kick to the back of his knees but was forced back when the katana wielder swung at her. He forced her back to a wall before pinning her against it and going for a thrust to her shoulder. A kunai knocked the katana off course and made it plunge into the stone behind Lei as Neji jumped past a halberd swing, running a hand along the wooden shaft as he swung over it before landing next to Tang and delivering a couple of quick palm strikes to his chest making him stumble back and cough. Lei kicked the man away from her as Neji turned to deflect the mercenary sword now rushing towards him. He jumped up from a low swing and kicked off his chest to flip over Tang before being forced back from a few frenzied swings of the weapon still clutched desperately in his hands. Neji rocked back a few steps, alternating from foot to foot as he took in his opponents. Lei was still duelling with her opponent on the other side of the street, the katana making her unable to get in range to disable him.
"What did you do to me?" Tang wheezed out, short of breath. "I shouldn't be this out of breath already"
"I closed a couple of chakra points around your lungs, not enough to damage you too much, but enough to restrict your breathing." Came the calm reply.
Lei looked over from her fight. She had sustained a cut on her forehead, which was starting to bleed and get in the way of her left eye. The canvas bas lay on the ground from where a slice had taken it from her. She gasped looking at the thug facing her, the katana held loosely in his grip as he surveyed her, panting lightly as well. He quickly raised it and went for a strike towards her chest causing her to jump back, reaching back for a knife in the leather pouch behind her only to draw up a blank. Lei jumped back again before readying her dagger, with a quick flick of the wrist she sent it soaring towards the thugs left temple, the katana moving up to meet it, deflecting it as he raised the hilt above his head with the blade pointing down. This move was to be his undoing however as Lei used the dagger as a distraction to charge forward, spinning around and launching a side kick into his stomach. The katana grazed her leg as her kick sunk in, pushing the thug back and winding him, causing his arms to drop as he gasped and moved to grab his stomach. Lei wasted no time, quickly pulling her leg back and jumping to her other one to deliver a roundhouse kick to his head, knocking him to the ground and out. She looked up in time to see Neji flip over Tang and deliver a few quick strikes to the thug before spinning around to attack Tang again, the blows slipping past his slow guard before spinning past a clumsy counter attack. She could barely keep up with his hands as he finished the thug to his rear with a few more quick palm strikes, before he turned, ponytail flying up and delivered a final palm strike to Tang, breaking through the halberds shaft as he did so.
There was a stunned silence surrounding the group, no one wanting to talk or make a sound as soon as the bodies hit the ground unconscious. There was a few seconds of stillness before the crowd erupted in a panic, fleeing away from the scene. The guards, unto this point not interfering started moving in causing Lei to run, leaving most the throwing knives were they lay, having no time to collect them.
"This way!" She shouted to Neji, praying that he was following her, wanting to talk to him, to ask for help, before she turned tail and fled down a nearby alleyway, sliding under the too close grasp of a guard. Lei ran, her green tunic and leggings not providing an easy are to grasp for the guards chasing after her. Their metal armour may have offered more protection, but in the confines of the alleyway she was at an advantage, jumping over fences and boxes, easily gaining distance from them. After a while she stopped, round the back of an old tea house if she remembered the area correctly. The dirt alley was packed with boxes and crates, which provided ample cover and seating after fleeing through the labyrinth of the back streets. The cries of frustration in the distance alerted her to the guards, futilely looking for her or Neji, before they grew distant as they gave up and left back to their guard house, having to report the fight.
"Neji?" She called out unsure, looking around for him, letting out a tired sigh and running a hand over her face when she couldn't see him. Cursing lightly as she leant back on the box, her head lightly touching the cool stone wall behind her as she closed her eyes. The sun that made it through the winding collection of buildings and ropes warming her face.
She was startled when a light thump could be heard from the shadows and her eyes snapped open to gaze upon his form, his clothes still somehow as pristine as always.
"There seems to be an interesting story here." He said, leaning against a wall. "Someone who seems kind, but then attacks me, though his will is not behind his blows..." Neji trailed off, looking at her.
Lei sighed.
"It all started when we were forced out of our home in front of Fire Nation troops. Our parents were killed but we managed to make it to the ferry..." She paused, looking at him for a moment before turning away.
"It got worse from there, we made it here but we were robbed, we had no money so Lee borrowed some." She clenched her arm. "He borrowed it from a group called the Lower Se's and when we couldn't pay them back they said he'd have to either join or sell me to them." She looked up, noting that Neji had tensed slightly at the last comment, though he was doing a good job at hiding it.
"He joined, but when they were trying to toughen him up they realised he was an earth bender, they've been using him to escape and navigate around the lower city to avoid the guards and attack their rivals easily, using me as black mail to make sure he behaves."
The silence stretched out between the two for what seemed like a long time, sitting uncomfortably in the air before Neji broke it.
"I see, that's why he attacked me and why he seemed so annoyed at the Avatar." he paused thinking. "I dislike people who force people into servitude, fate should not work that way." Lei looked up surprised. "I will do my best to make sure people who can avoid that fate will... and besides I like the Avatar and since I'm part of his group I should try and help people shouldn't I" He gave her a reassuring smile.
"Here's what we're going to do" he said, before beckoning Lei over and forming a plan.
Lee crashed back, crying out as Xang withdrew his leg. He hit his head painfully against the rock of the cavern behind him. The rattle of metal chains attached to his wrists could be heard as Lee tried to stand up again, the coppery taste of blood in his mouth,
"C'mon Lee, you gotta be tougher to survive in this part of Ba Sing Se" Xang smirked to the guffaw's of the other members surrounding him. "If you wanna protect your sister you're going to have to do better than that."
Lee let out a growl of frustration, sending out a kick followed by another, clumps of earth and rock flying out towards his tormentors. Xang ducked under one before batting the other away with his sword.
"You can earth bend better than that can't you?" He asked, waving the metal blade around. "No? Perhaps we made a mistake in bringing you into our group then, perhaps we should just sell you or your sister off hmm? To pay back the money you owe us."
Lee growled again glaring at Xang before turning to regard Zheng as he strode forward from the back of the cave.
"Play nice Xang, he is still our valued comrade, as is his sister" Zheng smiled before turning to look at Xang. "Regardless I have some other business to attend to so I'll see you later." Zheng finished and walked towards the stairs leading out of the caverns. The lanterns glittering on either side, casting an eerie glow into the room that the few crystals couldn't dispel. The ceiling was high with notches cut out from excavation attempts with debris crowing the floor. Zheng ascended up the stone steps, into the light of the house upstairs and an overall more pleasant environment.
Xang took that moment to charge back in, causing Lee to jump up and out of the way of a fast horizontal swing. Xang leaned down, jumping up onto one hand before propelling himself off to deliver a drop kick towards Lee making him jump back again. The long chain hindering his movements. He stamped down, catching a few badly shot arrows in a wall of earth as one of Xang's goons decided to join in, the fletches flying off as they impacted in their sudden target. They were distracted by a sudden sound going off from the house upstairs, a flash of light and a crumping sound echoing down into the cave.
"Looks like someone's blown up the kitchen again" a goon spoke up before the general attention was returned to Lee. Xang swung his sword around a few times, getting ready before charging in, Lee ducking and spinning past the attacks, the heavy metal around his wrists slowing him down before he managed to catch Xang's sword in the metal links. A few more bangs could be heard from up the staircase as Lee and Xang exchanged attacks, sword met chain, kicks met blocks and the archer let off a few more shots, arrows sticking into the ground or bouncing off forming columns of rock until soft footsteps coming down the staircase distracted them. They all turned to regard the person casting a shadow into the cave.
"Lee, we're leaving the gang" came the statement as Lei walked into the room. Xang and the other members turned to glare at her.
"Well at least one of you has gained confidence, shame it's in the wrong area" Xang commented as a thug charged Lei with his sword drawn. Lee kicked up a chunk of rock before roundhouse kicking it towards him, hitting him squarely in the back of the head and sending him sprawling to land at Lei's feet. Lei in return reached back and drew something from her bag, throwing it at the crowd behind Xang, the paper containers splitting on impact and letting off small explosions. A gas seemed to emit from the containers as the thugs that were nearby soon collapsed, leaving only Xang standing, facing off against the twins.
"Clever girl" Xang muttered, removing the sleeve from his face as he observed the sleeping forms of his men. "though I wouldn't get your hopes up about leaving the gang!" He cried, charging in again, swinging his sword wildly at Lei forcing her back. This shocked Lee out of his stupor and he pursued after him. Xang swung down with his sword forcing Lei to the side, her dagger deflecting off the blade and making her move to disengage. Lee leapt at Xang's back, trying to wrap the chain round him, but Xang noticed and thrust a kick backwards to land squarely in Lee's stomach, forcing him away.
"Lee!" Lei cried out drawing his attention, seeing her slide a key along the floor, Xang reached down for it before he saw his sister thrust her dagger at him, forcing him to block.
'Oh no you don't' Lee thought as he saw Xang move to kick away the key, sliding a foot forwards to earthbend away his footing and send the key speeding towards him before being catapulted up into the air. He hastily grabbed it and unlocked one of the manacles, before hearing a cry and looking up to see Lei fall back and Xang raising his sword. Quickly he slammed a piece of rock towards him before swinging an arm, the unlocked manacle flying towards him, the earth throwing him off balance before the metal hit into Xang's hand, causing him to cry out in pain. He staggered back, clutching his sword hand in the other as he glared across at the siblings.
"You are going to pay for that one Lee" he growled rushing forwards again, sword behind him before he leapt forward swinging it sideways. Lee ducked under the swing before using a pillar of earth to throw him back again.
"Are you ok Lei?" he asked his sister, worried.
"Yes and don't worry, I found Neji, he's helping us get free from this gang"
"Really, he's still here and helping us!" Lee replied.
"Yea, you made quite the impression on him brother" Lei smiled before the approaching form of Xang distracted them.
"I'm not going to let you leave" he growled brandishing his sword and pulling a dagger out of his belt as well.
"We'll talk later" Lei shouted as she ran at Xang, cart wheeling before launching herself over him, landing and spinning round to deliver a round kick towards his head. Xang ducked under and moved to strike with his sword, but had to stop and guard when Lee sent a blast of earth at him, forcing him to cut it in half. He jumped away from Lei, vaulting over a wall of earth to thrust at Lee, turning with the blade so that it barely glanced across his chest, ripping the fabric slightly. In return Lee wrapped around the chains of the manacles, trapping the blade. Xang jumped up, kicking off Lee's chest as Lei tried to strike him from behind, soaring over her before landing and punching her in the back sending her stumbling forward into Lee. He tried a follow up strike with his dagger in his off hand but was met with a rising column of earth that knocked it out of his grasp. A manacle flew round the earth, trying to hit him, but Xang simply grabbed it and yanked on it, pulling Lee into the mud wall he had just erected. He cried out in pain as Xang hastily went to reclaim his weapons. Lei took the time to free her brother.
"Thanks" he grunted out, flexing his wrist before swinging his hips forward to fling a punch out, earth from the wall behind him breaking off and flying towards Xang who merely cut it out of the sky as he charged. He slashed down towards Lee making him jump back before side kicking Lei in the stomach, sending her flying back. Lee looked towards his sister, seeing her did her feet in as she flew backwards grimacing. He soon had to divert all his attention to Xang though as he charged again, his sword a blur as he lashed out with it, much faster than Lee had thought he could. Whilst the swings were wild, they also had a large amount of force behind them so Lee moved back, barely avoiding anything more serious then ripped clothing. He felt the cavern wall hit his back and he stiffened before ducking under a blow that would have taken his head, before replying with a shoulder barge to Xang's stomach, sending a shot of rock out of the wall at his head, hitting him back further and stunning him. He looked up to see Lei try and press the advantage, jumping at him with a round kick only for Xang to duck. Lei landed in front of him and spun on her heel, moving round with another spinning kick to his neck before having to pull back from the dagger moving towards were her leg would have gone. Lee rushed forwards, earth shooting up from the ground and flying towards Xang, his called warning alerting his sister who jumped to the side and out the way, leaving Xang to dodge and weave through the projectiles, stopping his rush with a sword travelling up towards his chin.
Lei took this moment to swing her dagger down, disarming Xang again as he blade knocked his from his grip. Lee decided this was his opportunity and rushed forwards with a well placed knee to Xang's abdomen causing him to gasp and drop his dagger. The fight soon ended when Lei managed to knock him in the small of his neck, dropping him to the ground and finishing the fight.
The two siblings collapsed and spent some time on the floor, gasping and just looking happily at each other.
"It's finally over." Lee muttered, looking gleefully at his sister.
"Can you be so sure?" A deep voice from the stairs asked, a figure approaching them.
Night filled the sky, the moon in full dominance high above the town, casting it's eerie glow down, combining with the fluttering torches to make the shadows dance around the streets and alleyways.
"This is the place?" Neji asked, turning to look at Lei standing slightly behind him.
"Yea this is it, but there's usually a couple of guys acting as a lookout"
Neji nodded his acknowledgement before activating his Byakugan. Two senbon were flung. Two sentries dropped from their posts hidden on the building opposite, not dead, just knocked. Neji turned to Lei.
"Take these bombs, I'll distract the guards up top, but if there's anyone in the cavern where your brother will be use them to knock them out" He watched as Lei nodded, taking the bombs carefully. Neji turned back to the tall town house. It's stone walls had seen better days, but the verandas had worked for the sentries now lying limp on them. Neji strode up to the wooden door, beckoning Lei over before he firmly rapped his knuckles on the door three times.
"What do you want?" came the gruff reply as the door opened a crack, the light from inside igniting a small sliver of the dark alleyway they stood in. Neji smiled at him.
"I want to see your boss please, I need to talk to him about a couple of people in his employ."
"Well too bad, he ain't got nothing to say to you"
Neji looked taken aback for a moment.
"So much for the easy way" he muttered before striking forwards, hitting the thug in his abdomen, flooring him instantly. Gasps could be heard from inside as Neji slipped a few more paper spheres inside.
"Get back!" he warned Lei before pushing her back as the door and part of the wall behind him erupted in a flash of orange light and fire, sending the wall and splinters of the door flying out.
"Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation!" came his reply, spinning around to deflect any debris heading their way before slowing to a stop and looking into the new entryway to the building.
He could see a couple of men still standing, one was sitting down behind a table, looking slightly annoyed at the man who had just blown up his hideout.
"I am Zheng I believe you wanted to speak to me?" he asked getting up, pushing a couple of Thugs off him. "You certainly have my attention, did you wish to join us?"
"No, I want you to uncage this girl and her brother."
"I regret to inform you that freeing them is no longer possible." a hand strayed idly to play with the hilts of his swords. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave now, though you can leave her"
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Neji replied stepping into the building, Lei following cautiously behind him.
"I had a feeling you might say that" Zheng replied, indicating to the other still standing member of the room, indicating him to shoot. The man nocked an arrow and loosed it towards Neji who grabbed Lei and jumped out of the way, landing on a table that collapsed underfoot, letting out a loud bang. He jumped forwards again as another arrow hit a nearby table, upsetting it and causing it to collapse as well. Neji threw a nearby remnant of table at the archer, hitting him on the head and taking him out of the fight before letting Lei down.
"Run, help your brother" he commanded, staring down Zheng. He heard Lei run out from behind him, rushing to the stairs before Zheng moved to intercept her, swiftly pulling out one of his swords and sending a precise swing at her in one fluid motion. Neji leapt in the way, kunai clashing with steel blade as he blocked the strike.
He heard Lei gasp and turned slightly before seeing her rush off down the stairs. Zheng choose this moment to push off against Neji, disengaging slightly and drawing his other sword with practised ease.
"Such a shame that I'm going to have to kill you now" He muttered facing off against the Jonin. The room was still for but a moment before both combatants tensed and twisted their feet leaping at each other, kunai clashing with steel as they traded lightning quick blows, kunai turning aside sword, sword catching fabric and fingers brushing past exposed flesh as they both searched for a way to end the fight. A quick thrust sent Neji back before he jumped up onto a wall to the left of Zheng, pushing off it to land behind him and spin trying to deliver a back of hand strike to his head. Zheng rolled forward dodging the strike before rising and turning readying his blades.
"You're good" Zheng muttered, the slight clink of his blades echoing in the ruined room.
"As are you" Neji replied before running to the right, Zheng mirroring him to the left. The wooden stairs creaked as Neji ran up them before jumping over them, flinging three shuriken towards Zheng who deftly blocked them. As the closed Zheng tried to use his blades guard to his Neji in the face, causing him to flinch back as the metal passed close by his nose. A palm strike landed to Zheng's shoulder as a pommel smashed into Neji's stomach causing both combatants to stumble back and reassess each other. Rubble fell from the ruined ceiling, crumbling down onto the stone floor as the remaining wood beams creaked and the stone buckled slightly from losing a wall. The torches stood half extinguished from the fight at this point, cloaking the remains of the room in shadow. The fight paused as the listened to the sounds of fighting emanating from downstairs.
"Looks like this gang as well as hideout is finished" Zheng commented, almost conversationally
"Can't say I'll mourn" Neji replied keeping reading, letting go of his abdomen.
"True" commented Zheng before rushing forward again, his left hand sword leading the way in a thrust aimed at Neji's chest. Neji spun to the side, before the Byakugan flared as he rushed chakra to his fingers, delivering a few strikes to the blade, ducking under the follow up sweep from the right hand sword to end up behind Zheng. There was a clatter of metal as the blade fell, rattling away uselessly on the stone floor before Zheng turned, the curved hilt ramming into the back of Neji's skull, sending him stumbling forwards with starts coming into being around his head. Neji recovered enough to avoid the leg sweep sent his way, jumping round with a crescent kick to know the remaining sword out of Zheng's hand, wasting no time as he rushed in, delivering a few quick blows to Zheng's chest before finally delivering the final blow and sending the former gang leader sprawling to the ground.
After checking on his fallen opponent Neji went to the stairs, the sounds of fighting stopped and a wave of silence emanated up from it. He carefully strode down the stairs before he heard voices.
"It's finally over." he heard a mutter claim.
"Can you be so sure?" He replied. smiling as he walked into the room and seeing the siblings, tired, but only a little worse for wear.
"It's alright I defeated Zheng and the guards will soon be coming to investigate this commotion. He won't be able to come after you, especially if you come with me to a higher ring.
"Would you really do that for us?" The tired and hopeful reply.
"Yes, now let's leave quickly, before we get tied up in the guards work here" Neji commanded, before leading the three out of the ruins.
The sun kissed city seemed even brighter the next day as Neji left the two at an orphanage in the middle ring of Ba Sing Se, the two luckily being young enough to conceivably be taken care of at such a place. The guards at the gate from the lower city had questioned him at first, but when under fire from the full sense of the Hyuga nobility had quailed and let him pass with them in tow. He looked up and smiled as he saw a monorail car move towards the upper city. A distinctive flying lemur circling it.
"Well looks like they made it after all" he smiled before hurrying towards the gate. Quickly getting past as the guards recognised him from the rumours spreading from the lower city about a strangely dressed teen who had cleared out one of the larger gangs. He managed to make good time into the upper city, to see his friends disappear into a large noble house.
Neji quickly strode up to the door and rapped his knuckles against the wooden door, waiting for a brief moment before the door opened onto a beaming Sokka.
"Neji you made it!" He cried as Tenten and Rock Lee rose to greet their friend.
"Yes, and you must tell me how you got such a fine house." Neji replied, moving into the building.
"It's a long story" Tenten sighed, letting Neji sit down before telling the tale. She had barely started however when they heard another knock at the door.