Battle of Tachi Dai (Rebels & Co. Vs Fire Nation)

[jialingjin]

Already down the stairs with a brisk skip to her step, Jialing was already to leave this craziness behind her. She wasn’t willing to sit around waiting for someone who obviously wasn’t going to show up. There was no smoke on the horizon, none coming from the fields nor from the fields that lay behind the treelines that separated the fields of the down trodded city. Her flat-soled boots, with their slight heel traveled across the worn bit of dirt through the grass to the dusty, dirt road with it’s deep, crisscrossing wagon ruts. Her arms swung at her side, fingers relaxed and yet curled. She gave that loud mouth man little mind. He was an uneducated, piss poor farmer who stuck his nose in business he had no right being in.

Kinda like herself.

However, as his accent faded away, as his voice gained strength and he announced the words, ”The Rebellion.” Jialing’s mind screamed at her to stop, to not let him know just how right he was. Maybe she could fool him? But when did she ever listen to her mind? She stopped immediately, in mid step with one foot halfway off the ground behind her. Her head snapped up, for a moment the crimped bangs that circled her face bouncing as both her expressive eyebrows rose, her lower lip falling just the slightest bit opened. Er.. what now?

She whipped her head around, snapping her neck to the side as she glanced over the faded pine green of her tunic, bending the mandarin style collar against her jawline which was quickly becoming clenched. Jialing was never a master of hiding her emotions, she just had a limited number of emotions to choose from, and panic was in her repertoire. The sunlight glistened against her muddy eyes, giving them a honey glow at the right angle as she looked up the foot or so height that the tavern’s porch was raised off the ground. Mind racing, she began to think. Okay.. so.. this man was the dumb farmer she thought he was. Was he friend or foe? Judging by his body language, the way he took a step back and the way his upper lip rose into a sneer, the way he stared down his nose.. he was a foe. Almost tempted, Jialing might have just rolled her eyes and said something akin to ”Seriously? You lose it now?”. Foe if he was.. he might not have known about their greatest weapon. Sure, Maybe he knew Tachi Dai was the Earth Kingdom headquarters; not like it was a good idea to make the repeatedly ransacked town that had a reputation for defying their Fire Nation overloads their headquarters, but more than likely he didn’t know about the old mining shafts. You see, Tachi Dai sat on a lot of valuable minerals back in the day. Coal mainly, some ores and before the city had been completely trashed the first time by the Fire Nation, the tunnels had been occupied and working. Now they had been abandoned for just about three-quarters of a century for mining purposes, but they had been absorbed by the Rebellion. It was infact where they stored a lot of their equipment, weapon caches, and supplies as well where some of the higher officers remained during times of trouble. Only certain members were allowed down there, and Jialing was not one of them. Neither was Reed for that matter. But they knew about it.

Gaze shifted to Reed, who too stood looking at the man who had announced their identity. Reed’s pale, wheat colored hair was strew in his face, curling around to his jaw where it was still too short to be pulled back. He caught Jialing’s eye, glancing back to her but he did not move his head from the Fire Nation Soldier who had revealed himself. Then a moment and Reed’s eyes flickered back, this time noticing the long haired, young man standing next to, or almost behind, the stranger with the bad accent, who was now carrying a young girl. If that guy with the girl was any sort of proper Rebellion member, like Reed suspected him for, then he’d whip out a sword or something right now and lob off his head. They could hide the body in the fields no problem.

There was still the problem of the ‘fire in the fields’. If there truly were Fire Nation moving in on them, then it wasn’t necessary a problem. They came through before. Sometimes they trashed the town, sometimes they left everyone alone, and sometimes they razed the town to the ground. A fight wasn’t even guaranteed! Well not now anymore. Jialing wanted to kick herself.. now if this guy got away.. or if he reported anything sort of accurate.. they were so in trouble. It would be a raze.. and more so. Maybe they’d collapse the tunnels. Jialing didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how her reaction would effect this. Breifly, she wondered with Gengoro and Tseng Wei, both who seemed so trigger-happy would suddenly jump him. Gengoro was a traitor after all.. and Tseng Wei was crazy for as far as she knew. Yet they did nothing.. only stand.. behind her, looking back at the man with the Kyoshi Warrior, Tsuya, as if waiting for her move.

Well, Spirits damn it all. She wasn’t the leader here or anything!

“Eh?” Was all she managed to come up with after that little detour through her mind. And she said it, with one cocked eyebrow for emphasis.

[seru]

Slowly, on something that seemed to be a cross between a Frog and a Gecko, approached a man, who seemed to be sleeping, laying across the creatures back. His apparel screamed Fire Nation, but he seemed to be rather friendly, considering that he was walking unprotected into enemy territory. He was curled up, and laying with his head on a chest. His face was nearly angelic, appearing chipped from Marble. He had black hair, currently plastered across his chest in a ponytail. He groaned, as his mount stopped next to a stable, and he rolled off, landing badly, against a wall, before shaking himself and unsteadily rising to his feet. He yawned, and stretched, his clothing rustling, obviously well traveled in. He opened his eyes, the iris a shade of sunglow yellow that almost glowed in the light. He smiled lopsidedly, before addressing the stable master softly. “So, how much?” He frowned upon hearing a reply, and shelled out, without a word, and inclined his head respectfully, before heading to the Tavern, passing by several people in a daze. Again, ripped off without a word crosswise, he shelled out with extra, and staggered up into a room. “So tired…” He closed his eyes, knowing someone should wake him up a little before dawn, and give him a warm meal.

[Teiú]

Teiú stood still, like the child caught by its mom right after stealing the snack it was just forbidden to eat. That man really was a Fire Nation citizen and, most certainly, a soldier. At the time, Teiú just came to a state of pure nervousness, about to collapse or to run away should someone say something directly to him. His position wasn't the best one possible either, he was just between his meant to be comrades and the new discovered threat, and though he was somewhat prepared to get into the rough ways he was caught so off guard by the fake Earth Kingdom citizen's direct and sudden attitude that he lost both words and breath. The so supposed rebels behind him seemed to be doing the same as Teiú himself, glaring at the Fire Nation soldier somewhat flabbergasted.

That was, in fact, pretty bad for the young deserter for as if they probably were aware of the whereabouts around and they wouldn't move then how would Teiú himself pick the best option among the ones he had yet to discover he had. Teiú wouldn't be able to impersonate at said situation. He could run, but to where? The city was his goal, he knew nothing else other tan the route he took to reach it and that was probably the route being used by his not so friendly compatriots to reach the city. He could fight but then he would have to worry both for the message he was to deliver and for Setsuko, whose security he had put above all else ever since he found himself being the only one able to care for her. Plus, who would guarantee that the singular group would aid him? Could he beat his contender alone? Even more than that, would Teiú be up to harm a fellow compatriot?

Teiú didn't quite figure all these option with all the words. There is doubts if he even managed to figure any of these. Actually, his lack of experience was enough to drive him at that critical moment. Pretty slowly, Teiú moved two wide steps back. As gently as possible he put Setsuko down, not taking his eyes out of the menace he was facing. When her small feet touched the ground he could feel that her small hands were holding tightly to his attire. Her presence at the place was the only thing he was feeling bad about, for he had just built in himself a new resolution. He crossed an ocean and half an unknown continent. He had slept in the ground flat for nights and he hadn't had a decent meal for days, that while caring for little Setsuko and Xin, who had departed of Teiú's own peculiar group hours before he reached Tachi Dai. He was dirty, tired and had passed through much and lost much as well to be denied a "happy ending" now. He smiled to Setsuko, then seized back the two steps of distance he had opened from the man in front of him.

His right hand went left, only to hold the hilt of his MiaoDao.

"I know nothing of what you are saying. Just... we did not get... business... fighting Fire Nation, either." Teiú moved slightly to an offensive stance. His respiration was deep but adrenaline was giving him enough breath to go in a discourse and a marathon. "Question is... Do Fire Nation have business fighting us here?"

And, of course, what could be of an Earth Kingdom accent in his speech was totally lost at the moment.

[gengoro]

Slowly, the memories of the past reflect inside of Gengoro's psyche as he drank more of the wine.
He could remember the day where he met with his superiors of his "murder" of the duelist that dishonored himself in the duel he was in. The fact that the Fire Nation army was trying to get him killed in a subtle matter failed them, but still insisted that it happened eventually. Now a wanted man by the nation he loved, he witnessed the man that was in front of the group, in the Fire Nation uniform that he sported. He slowly drew his sawback MiaoDao and pointed the sharp point to the ground.
"I don't know your business here friend," Gengoro hissed, "But you are not wanted here, and you wish to start trouble..."
He drew a ling in the dirt with the tip of his blade, "Then your line will soon be forfeit."

[jingko]

In a split moment Jingko came near to regretting not coming into this town armed just to better achieve his disguise. But surely these half-a-dozen unwashed and untrained Earth Kingdom peasants wouldn’t hold a candle to his level of skill. Earthbender or not. The seeming half-challenge he saw this as nearly brought a vicious enough grin to his face. And in his perspective them seeming to cower in fear before him was quite gratifying. Now what next he desired was a better upperhand in this situation.

After two of them were bold enough to draw their swords—one of them seemed scared or shocked to the point that his voice seemed to change—Jingko stomped a threatening foot forward towards the crowded door to get a reaction from all of them.

He hocked a snort loudly in front of them then spat towards the one who first drew a weapon after setting down his young ward. “Business? Trouble?” He turned his back upon the entire group and slowly began edging away from them as if he were aiming to run out the tavern’s other door. Yet Jingko kept an eye on one target in particular and he had no intention of running away outright from commoners whether or not he was outnumbered, maybe even less so upon spotting someone in Fire Nation attire just entering the building. Though were he went off to next was uncertain.

Pacing himself towards the nearest table, Jingko slid a chair behind him then laid his hand upon the back of another chair. He turned his head from all of them then spoke in a condescending sigh. “Don’t be stupider than you already are.”

Suddenly, Jingko back-kicked the chair behind him towards Teiú near the doorway. Next, he spun forward with his hand gripping the other chair. It was launched into the air, following the first. The first man occupied and the others still outside, Jingko madly dashed towards the door. But his trajectory curved and his arm hooked as he made an immediate turn. Ignoring the door entirely he ran along the wall next to it. As he did, Jingko snatched the child in Teiú’s care then leapt over the bar counter with her.

Offering them only a backwards glance, Jingko squeezed the child close against him as his freehand reached for a ceramic jug of alcohol. Briefly kicking the bartender away with the bottom of his boot, the container was smashed against the countertop then a sizable shard of it was pointed at the child’s jugular.

“Hmph!” Smugly looking down his nose at them, Jingko calmly began to backpedal towards the other door with hostage in tow.

((Permission granted from Lin/Setsuko herself.))

[set]

The event seemed to happen so fast, that the child barely knew what had happened. It seemed to occur in a blur, and that was her punishment for not paying attention to what was around her and focusing only on hiding herself beside her protector the entire time. Something buzzed in her head, like the adrenaline rush of anger but only in a fringe of sudden nervousness and anxiety. It was the abrupt realization that her life was in danger, the instinct that screamed to remove herself from danger.

At the same time, it felt like an out-of-body experience that allowed her to be aware and feel what was happening to the little girl she observed. She was lifted, nearly flying, and now hovering with her feet dangling above the floor. Her sense of mind snapped back into reality—she was the one being held captive. She was the one whose life was in danger. The man who trapped her threatened to bring harm upon her.

A shriek erupted from her throat. It was a helpless cry, pleading for rescue as she struggled for freedom.

[seru]

That cry rang through Soshi. It moved through him. Striking all the nerves inside him that had died away. And in those moments, He remembered the biting Arctic Winds. And then he looked at the Armour he once bore into battle. And nodded his head. He grabbed his Jian, and walked down the stairs again. He let himself feel again. Feel the pain. He felt his heart pounding. He felt the misery. His head felt light. He felt the sorrow. It all cleared away. He felt his rage awake. He walked into the common room, his Jian in it’s sheathe, and knowing the best way to draw attention, acted on it.

“SOSHI!” Ringing through his mind was Jaya’s cry. He remembered her, and a single tear slid down his face. He started at Jingko, and growled. His mind didn’t come up with a name, but he didn’t need it. This man was scum, no matter the Nationality. Fire was Life, and Honour. No honour came of harming the innocent.

He drew his Jian. “Put. The girl. Down.”

He was not one to do this normally, but this was wrong. “What honour is there in this? She is defenseless.” He stared at Jingko with his Yellow eyes, and clenched his fist. He wasn’t a good man. Just a man, but no Man, who valued the lives of others, would allow her to be threatened like that.

[jialingjin]

Jialing’s head wipped widely side to side as first Gengoro, that horrible traitor who had insisted on following them like some lost puppy (only this puppy was.. you know huge and armed to kill) spoke to the damn man with the real bad accent. She scowled at him, scrunching her eyes as her nose crinkled and her upper lip raised in a snear. She took a step towards him, hissing at him that he should stay quiet! But it was too late. Everything was always too late. Her dark eyes jumped back as she heard the slick sound of metal once again. Another sword was drawn. This time from the long haired boy standing near the man in question. Jialing watched in mild terror, then disgust as the man hocked a lougey at Gengoro and then began to back up slowly.

“Business? Trouble?” He spoke, trying to sound easy going but Jialing wasn’t buying it. Already her mind was churning, thinking of ways to escape this. Thanks a lot, Gen. Kid. Remind me to cut off both your testicles and feed them to the harpies later. They had absolutely RUINED any chance of them getting out of here and if this guy escaped, ANY chance the rebellion had. Even SHE, dumb as a rock as she was, could see that. Jialing straightened her posture, but not after sending another death threat via glare to the hulking idiot that was Gengoro. She set her jaw tightly, her hand gripping the bow at her side tightly while her other arm hung at her side. Wait and see what happens now. That was her goal. Maybe he would assume she and Reed had nothing to do with this and they could finally escape Gengoro, Tseng and Tsuya. There was a snap of movement in the doorway, as the stranger disappeared and she saw the young man with the long hair lunge at something only to disappear behind the wall. Sounds of a scuffle ensured, pouring with a distant sound out of the open doors whose springs worked uselessly.

The lanky girl only canted her head to the side a little bit, raising her eyebrow ever so slightly. Eh? What now? She wondered, pursing her thin, mango red colored lips together as she raised her free hand to her hip, fingers curling over the rough and faded olive green that was speckled with dried mud and smears of dirt. She shifted her weight to one foot, allowing her hip to curve into her hand while her other foot provided balance through those prized rabbit skin and fur boots. She was only mildly interested in what was going on now. Obviously it didn’t affect her and really, Jialing showed little reaction as the man reemerged, with his back to them and his arms obviously wrapped around the girl. A hostage eh? Desperate man. Jialing noted as she let one corner of her mouth twitch upward into a slight curve. She heard Reed draw his breath in sharply, knowing that his body had tense while his large fists, so used to pulling nets over the sides of the ships ladened with fish, were now clenched in anger. She almost wanted to smack him upside the head and tell him to grow a pair. Infact she quickly and sharply raised her hand, palm downward and toward his messy mop-like hair when…

“Oh for Spirit’s Sake!” She groaned and also semi shouted in obviously disgust. Another Spirit-Damned Hero wannabe appeared, a straight sword drawn and in his hand as he approached the Fire Nation Soldier on the Tavern’s porch now. She had had enough of this. Jialing turned her head away with a scolding, critical sigh of condemnation as her shoulders rolled into following and she stepped in a little circle before coming back to standing face-forward alongside Reed. Then it hit her. This was enough of a distraction... her eyebrows shot up under the crimped and wavy spouts of hair that jumped from her scalp and she glanced quickly at Reed with muddy eyes wide with panic and communication. They need to go. And they needed to go now.

Her, Reed and Jin.. no one would notice them being gone in all of this. Especially not with Loudmouth Gengoro, Creepy as hell Tseng Wei and Tsuya with her clown makeup, armor and pine green dress. Already the Kyoshi Warrior had opened her golden fans.
They could sneak away… get down to the old mind-shafts that ran under the fields and the town.. warn everyone to get away, head towards the east and the river. The River marked the boundary to the old Air Nomad lands and to Earth Kingdom control. They could do it.. Abandon Tachi Dai like the Rebellions had done in the past. The City had been abandoned before, the people all knew what their responsibility was.

Jialing jerked her head the tinest movement back and once again until she caught Reed’s Attention. He turned towards her slightly, fern colored eyes widened as he caught on. Jialing mouthed the words slowly, her dirty face contorting. She took a step back, moving slowly so that the ostrich horse harness she wore across her body, with it’s straps and belt buckles and charms would jingle as little as possible. The slender arrows in her quiver did not move, resting against the side of the leather and wooden tube so carefully. Another step back… and she held her breath while the golden rod wrap around her waist swung with the movement as she placed her flat-leather soles ever so carefully on the dirt. Another step back.. Reed at her side, carefully backing away too as he clenched his jaw, letting string punga colored hair, the tips sun bleached to a gold tinted hacienda curve and fall gently around his strong face. He inhaled deeply, puffing up his chest against the ivory colored shirt whose sleeves he had long ago lost. He put a foot down and another behind him ever so carefully. With all eyes on the man holding the cloaked girl hostage, no one was watching them.

[gandalan]

Hibiki hid behind Reed, his frightened expression giving him away totally as the 'rebel' he was. Rebel? Who was he kidding? A scared little kid who happened to be able to throw rather large rocks about. That's what he was. And too scared to do the latter anyway. He'd depended on them for a long time now- sort of a parasite, but trying to help when he could- but he couldn't fool himself. Utterly useless and helpless.

He looked over at Jialing, who looked calm, at least for the situation. She jerked her head at Reed, who seemed to understand.

He was always depending on these two. As he looked back at Reed, his long hair flipped around his head a bit. Reed, looking back at him, put his hand to his lips, and slowly backed away, a step at a time. Hibiki understood- they would all run away, or try anyway.

But that poor girl! She reminded him of his village a lot. Totally helpless. He wanted to help her, but he wasn't strong enough to do that. He was just a kid. And in any case, Jia and Reed were in charge. If he wanted their protection, he would do as they told him. His fear outweighed his wish to help the poor girl- he probably wouldn't have been able to help her anyway.

He gulped, looking around. Other people seemed to be oblivious just yet. Looking back at Reed, who was still backing up, he kept it up himself. He wanted to get out of here. Alive and in one piece, without being roasted.

[gengoro]

That son of a... where does he think he could run to? That display of recklessness could get themselves could. That runner should've known that. He just inked his own death certificate.

"Tseng, scout the area. Make sure there isn't any spies," Gengoro commanded. Before Tseng Wei could reply back, Gengoro took off running after the guy with a child. He couldn't believe what the military stooped to. Kidnapping children? There is no greater dishonor than that, with the exception of killing children, which is probably what the child's fate will be if Gengoro doesn't catch up in time. It's been a long time before he had a good foot chase. Fortunately, the new boots that Gengoro bought a while back will be of benefit.

Whoever this guy is, he's a fast runner if anything. It's as if he's always one step ahead of him. The runner is making sure he's a-ways from his sword swinging range. Still, Gengoro's perserverance and natural stamina should be more than enough to at least outlast the runner. Gengoro experiences tunnel-vision as he focuses on catching up with the kidnapper.

[Teiú]

Why was he laid on the ground? What happened? The deserter tried to stay to his feet but his legs didn't obey him. What happened? His body and mind were so ready to engage combat, adrenaline was flowing through his veins in a rampage but his body wasn't responding. It was that adrenaline that was blinding his judgment, for the young man was unable to feel the pain of the cut opened just at the top of his forehead. Trying to focus, Teiú tried to recover the happenings that went through.

There he was, and he had just left Setsuko on the ground and advanced towards the supposed to be Fire Nation soldier in disguise. Something flying at him... a chair. Yes, a chair. The man he was facing threw two chairs at Teiú before advancing. In the stance to fight, Teiú first kicked one chair away, losing some of his balance. While at that, the man had just thrown another flying chair toward Teiú's head. But why did it hit? It was what the young man was thinking. He had enough agility to dodge that and then advance head on. And at that it came to him the why. Moments after dodging the chair Teiú realized Setsuko was right after him, in a line. Avoiding the chair meant letting it hit the little girl. Moved purely by instinct he jumped back to where he was, trying to regain the balance lost from undoing his move. At the same time he placed his arms in front of his head to protect it from the strike. "I must have fell with the impact!" Teiú thought, while not acknowledging the fact that the chair's foot hit the top of his forehead and he was bleeding.

However, the cry of a girl was enough to take him out of his dull state. His eyes opened wide when he saw Setsuko in the hands of the small man he was facing. Out of his mind, roaring more than shouting, Teiú said, after jumping from the ground as fast as a rabbit-leopard: "LET HER GO!". And he advanced like a madman towards the threat, without even realizing the stream of blood coming from his forehead and splitting in two at his nose

[jingko]

Even though Jingko knew the girl would more than likely scream once he had her, that made her actual screaming no less annoying. Rather than yell her into silence he chose to clamp down on her. Unprotectively hefting the child against his hip, Jingko next slid his free arm around neck until she was squeezed in a chokehold between elbow and bicep. Preferable to have her gasping for air rather than screaming her head off—a chance for him to think clearly.

The med from just moments ago, clad in the reds of Fire Nation appeared downstairs with jian in hand. What would have been a smirk at incoming aid now turned into a scowling hatred as the man instead revealed himself to be a traitor.
"I must have stumbled into some rebel meeting place", the conclusion flashed into his mind. And in those seconds something became clear to him and he surmised that this was, in part, a fact why this building had better upkeep than the rest of this dung heap excuse for a civilized town. If not a headquarters then this was some safehouse for these insurgents.

From behind the bar counter Jingko barked at the three men and the Kyoshi Warrior that attempted to rush him seemingly all at once.

“Idiots!” In reflex, he shuffled backwards closer to the rear door, the jagged shard touching somewhere along the child’s face pushed further into her skin.

And it appeared that gesture did little to halt them. Hampered with the child, he would not be able to take them all at once. If Jingko had time he would have further browbeat them.

"Outnumbered but not outclassed!" Snarling at these brutes. Immediately he lifted his leg and swung it across one of the shelves behind him laden with alcohol. A messy distraction of bottles, glasses and jugs falling onto the floor and flying over the countertop in every direction or broke upon meeting the speed of his foot. And just as quickly, his still upraised leg swept back across the shelves in a roundhouse kick to offer his assailants a second helping of the tavern’s wares.

Jingko next crouched, ducking his head in trained foresight and eye-to-eye height with his young hostage, scrambled for the backdoor. The bottom of his stolen boot slammed against door’s latch, breaking it open. He hardly noticed that the palm of his hand was bleeding, clutching onto the broken shard that was currently his only weapon. He also had no time to notice how well organized the tavern’s store room was, but free of clutter he saw the doorway outside clearly and dashed for it with Setsuko still chokeheld between the crook of his elbow and bicep.

Rushing outside he knew she could still be a useful hostage in case anyone still attempted to halt him from leaving town. But what was more important now was to get a flare in the air. His people had to know and the rebels already discovered his identity, maybe knew they were already here. The attack had to begin now.

Escape first! Knowing that his pursuers were still on his tail. Aha! Spotting an ostrich-horse tethered along the tavern’s side. Releasing Setsuko from his grip, Jingko nabbed the child again from behind and threw her atop the creature’s saddle. Snatching the reins he then stabbed and kicked it until the baying animal was fleeing down the street with just Setssuko slumped alone across the saddle.
As for Jingko? He darted around the corner to lose his pursuers then kept running. Let those idiots chase after the child, hands desperately fumbling amid his pockets until he finally produced two fire stones and small rocket, dampening the fuse with blood from his hand.

[seru]

Soshi's eyes flared, and he whirled his free hand around. "HYAAH!" Unleashing a blast of fire, the debris in his way exploded outwards, just missing Jingko. "FOLLOW ME!" He slammed out the door, and skidded, feet marking deep markings in the dirt as his body shifted, going low to the ground, and then as his free hand touched the ground, he set off in a run. He was a minute behind Jingko, a few feet at best, when he saw the mount. "DAMNIT!" He unleashed another Fireblast, the chakra flaring out from his hand as he let his rage pour into it. "LET THE GIRL GO!" The blast followed behind the horse as it took off.

Looking at his mount, Soshi growled. "Far to slow." He set off in a dead run after the Ostrich horse. He only needed to get into range behind him to kill the man. He had proven an honourless swine, and as such, deserved no honour. But maybe he could try something. "I CHALLENGE YOU TO AN AGNI KAI!"

There. Maybe, just maybe, he was a Firebender, and if he was? Then he would have no right to refuse this challenge.

[jialingjin]

Jialing kept her head low. She didn’t want to draw attention as she took the small steps backwards. Screw them all. Spirits damn them for making those huge mistakes but at least they’d serve as distractions while Reed and her ran for the secret entrances, for those who protected them and the town’s secrets. She noticed that Hibiki, the poor, starved teen who had hung about with them was still at Reed’s side, sticking to him like glue. He was going to slow them down.. her mind hissed at her, scolding her for not making sure he was stuck with the others. He better be able to run fast…

Jin meanwhile wasn’t exactly sure what was going on. Why was she backing up and the two men with her? He did not watch them, but his flopped over ears were perked and the short hair along his spine raised into a ridge. His muscles were tense, as he kept his large paws with their worn-down claws planted on the ground while his tail was low, but not inbetween his legs. The dog kept the ground between the cluster of chaos with the Soldier holding the girl hostage and his retreated mistress and comrades.

Jialing meanwhile reached out a hand, her long spindly fingers brushing Reed’s lower arm covered with fine hair to encircle his wrist in a gentle grip as she stepped closer to him. Her mouth barely moved, a startling contrast to her usual loud and boisterous way of speaking as she quietly whispered. “On my count.. turn.. and run. Head for the Shrine’s bell..” The Shrine. One of the older structures of Tachi Dai was an old rundown shrine near the center of town. It was a collapsing shack-like building, covered with scared ribbons and paper and rope that was decaying over the ears. A large bell, maybe the size of a small child was hanging inside the shack-like building which was octagon in shape and open on all sides, set onto a stone platform. It was a number of blocks away… and it was the only signal that could be heard through all of Tachi Dai.

If they were going to save as many people as they could from a sudden Fire Nation raid.. they’d need that bell. It wasn’t like it was a signal, but it was something loud enough. Something that was rarely rang.. It would get their attention. That was all she needed.

“3..”

“2..”

“1..”

And then Jialing bolted. She whipped around, away from Reed and released his wrist. Her hair whipped into her face as she gritted her teeth and turned into the motion. The harness against her chest clinked and clunked, the arrows in her quiver rattling. She had no time to set her bow even if she wanted to. She sucked in a deep breath of air as she began to run, trying to stretch out her legs into long strides. Reed followed a moment later, running behind her with heavier footsteps as his body mass came down heavily on each step. They had limited time to get away. He’d notice them for sure. Jialing ignored the shouts that came, ignoring what was going on and fighting her curiousity. She did not know that Gengoro and Tseng were going to stand their ground. She did not know that the boy with the luxurious hair in the cloak had his forehead split and was now bleeding down his face but willing to fight for his female friend. She did not know that the outnumbered solider had thrown the child-girl on to the ostrich horse only to send it running off to distract them all.

She had to get to the bell! And while she ran, she began to shout, yell, scream at the top of her lungs. “FIRE NATION! FIRE NATION!” Her voice screeched, already hoarse as her chest began to sting, to hurt. Reed behind her was quickly catching up, running in longer strides as he too shouted. Along their path, homes with their crooked doors, worn our porches and drawn windows came to life. Fathers poked their heads out the door, Women started to gather their children. Orders to children were yelled, screams were shared, and things were gathered. This was not a drill.

[gandalan]

Hibiki had kept backing up, but stopped when Reed stopped. Jia had grabbed his hand for a moment. Hibiki wondered what Reed thought of this- he was pretty certain the older man liked- loved?- Jialing, and he was happy for Reed for a second. But it seemed this was a whispered conversation. Usually boring, not for him... and he wanted to see what was going on.

Hibiki looked back at the building they'd stepped away from. Why had they stopped, he wondered, when that man was still there? He thought he heard a commotion inside the building, but he couldn't be sure. Then he saw an ostrich horse run off. What on earth was going on? This was all so strange, all happening too fast for his young mind to process.

And suddenly, Jia, Reed, and Jin were gone. He had turned, expecting to see them there, and they were gone.

Gone.

His face went white. His protectors, his only friends, were gone- worse, had deserted him! Why? WHY? He shook himself out of his daze, looking for them. His search was not aided by the sudden panic of the people looking for their children, trying to escape. Hibiki had no idea how to help himself. He screamed out Jia's name, Reed's... he even tried Jin's, but they were far away by now.

He gulped, and clenched his fists. He had to help himself now... he had to try.