Cursing the Day <Wilderness, Earth Kingdom>

[lili]

At first Tsuya was confused. She stood and whipped her fans out from her waits band, one arm before her and one angled behind her head out of habit. There was a warning to watch your head, and Tsuya noticed Jia had a bow and arrow in hand. Did she need to watch out for the armed female? Surely she must know how to handle her weapon. Judging by her first shot Reed's warning was duly noted, unless she was simply trying to give them something to consider before taking another step.

Keeping her legs bent at the knees so she could react as quickly as possible to anything either might do, toes moving in her boots. Jia's dog was knocked aside but Tsuya noticed he didn't look too shaken. Her fans were not really for long range so she made no move to attack. Besides, apparently the man dressed in greens was ready to take them all on. She had no doubt he would be able to manage it and let the others do the talking. There was so much to make her see the pair as enemies that it wouldn't have been wise for her to open her mouth. Hazel eyes stared at the 'student'. Why had they made such a loud, careless entrance anyway?

[gandalan]

Hibiki had started to do as Reed had asked. He began washing the spoons with little interest. He didn't care what Reed said anymore, he didn't have a reason to. He just kept washing the stupid spoons. It wasn't his thing, but it was something he had to do. After all, if he didn't he might actually have to listen, and that would depress him more.

He had done this for only a few seconds when he vaguely heard Jialing shout. Then Reed shoved him over, yelling "HIT THE DECK! COVER YOUR HEAD!" Hibiki didn't understand, but Jin had apparently found somebody. Were they Fire Nation? He was scared again, suddenly. He didn't know what to do, so he helplessly stuck his hands over his head, lying there on the ground. He peeked up a bit, to see what was happening. Suddenly, Jia was his best friend again- so long as she protected him, he didn't care what happened. And Reed- Reed was like his brother. And Tsuya was... er... a second cousin. Or something. And Jin was his best pal. Just keep them away. He shivered fearfully, though there wasn't reason to. He hated being such a wimp, but he was what he was.

[tsengwei]

Gengoro took the time to examine his competition. From what he saw, he didn’t see soldiers. He didn’t even see thugs. From what he examined, he just saw a group of untrained travelers. The one with the bow looked like she didn’t even know how to use the weapon, especially from the reaction from the two with their faces barely in the sand. The one with the fans might know a few moves, but she might just be for show in case they were attacked by bandits or something.

Tseng got up from the ground and dusted himself off. He looked at the group and shook his head.

“Geez, some manners this nation has,” Tseng commented.
“You were running full tilt at them. Their reaction was appropriate,” Gengoro explained, “Especially with all the Fire Nation we are getting around us.”

Gengoro let his guard down for a bit, showing that he had no intention to harm.

“I must apologize for my friend here,” Gengoro said with sincerity, “He’s an idiot and doesn’t know better.”
“Well if you explain it like that,” Tseng remarked, not caring if the comment was offensive.
“You see, we thought you might be infiltrators for the Fire nation army. I had to make sure. From the looks of things, it doesn’t seem to be the case just by looking at all of you.”

Jin growled fiercely at Tseng. There was something about this man that is putting the dog on edge, like he held an inner threat within.

“Anyways, what are you doing out here?” Gengoro asked bluntly to the group, mostly to the one with the bow.

[jialingjin]

Jialing lowered her arms with an exasperated sigh, visibly rolling her eyes as she dryly laughed in her chest, looking away from the trespassers and up at the sky. Ha ha ha ...Oh my spirits.... "..I asked you what you want? Does it look like we're Fire Nation..?" She raised a hand to her forehead, running her dirty hand through her greying, rusty taupe colored hair that was an absolute wreck and loaded with dead leaves. Really now.... her hand paused as she sighed again and then quickly, her fingers snapped around the bow string as she raised her bow again. However, she refrained from pulling the string for now. She threw her eyes back to the two men, the color of mud after a rain shower. It was clear that at least two of them, the oldest boy and the girl with the bow had been living out in the wilderness for quite some time. Not only was her forest green vest/tunic splattered with dirt and dried bits of mud not to mention something that looked a tad like blood (Perhaps from a mis fired arrow), but there were dead leaves in her hair and the wrapped along her forearms were coming unbound and loosened. The one had a tattered region on the inside of her wrist from the snapping of the bow.

"Jin." She warned sternly, getting the golden colored dog's attention. He turned his head back towards her, his folded over ears perking with the burrs in his hair. His black colored lips dropped and his growling stopped. For now. He turned his head back to the strangers and he resumed standing between them and the rebel members.
He kept his head down at them, his shoulder blades up and the fur along his neck and back raised.

"..None of your business what we're doing out here.. Now turn around and go back on your merry little way.." She motioned her bow and arrow towards them in a nudging manner, as if she was shooing them away. Go on now.. we don't need you telling some soldiers about us being out here...

[reed]

Reed kept his arms up. Where do all these people keep coming from!? Reed thought to himself flustered. It had just been him, Jialing, and Jin for months now, and then all the sudden, in just a few days! there were another four people in the campsite. Reed rotated his wrists in a circle allowing the blades to follow. The wind blew cold. Leaves skidded along the ground around the ankles of everyone. Obviously they didn't intend for them to just let all their guard down and invite them for a tea party. Reed listened to the stranger and Jia....reason? Maybe. Reed held his ground, grinding his right heel into the dirt before speaking up. "You're going to need to leave. Now." Reed wouldn't have minded a fight, but with all the commotion someone around would hear. And knowing their luck, they'd be Fire Nation. Reed's thoughts kept racing as Jialing continued to talk. The team would have to leave soon. If their recent visitors left now, and if they said anything, word would get out about their location. And knowing their luck.. That would happen.

[gengoro]

Even if they did do something stupid as to rush in head first into a situation like they presently have, Gengoro didn’t take lightly to being told what to do, especially to someone he just met for only a few seconds.

“You’re going to need to leave. Now,” the boy with the swords told him.

“You know, I could leave, but their would be no point,” Gengoro said with aggression, “If I leave, I’ll get caught by damned Fire Nation soldiers, tortured, then executed. Tseng would have some BS story that would fail and would be executed as well. So, if I’m going to be executed, I might as well be in a group so we can all just die together.”

“Hold on Gengoro,” Tseng interrupted, “My stories are not BS.”

Ignoring what Tseng had to say, Gengoro continued, “Besides, it would be better to go in groups for a couple of reasons. One, the chances of survival would be greater. Two, in case of a fight, numbers mean the advantage. And three, different skills would also, just like reason one, better chances of our survival.”

While trying to explain his reasoning, Gengoro took the time to examine everyone over. The one with the fans seems to have some training to her. The boy with the swords seems to know how to fight, but lacks confidence while the girl with the bow is the exact opposite with her not showing much skill but is more determined in her abilities.

“Besides, with the exception with the girl with the fans, none of you look like you could hold your own with the Fire Nation soldiers, so it would benefit you to have us with you in case something happens.”

[reed]

Reed was seriously getting annoyed by the new comer with all his I think I'll stay blah blah blah blah nonsense. Reed just listened to everything the guy had to saying rolling his eyes. -- "Besides, with the exception with the girl with the fans, none of you look like you could hold your own with the Fire Nation soldiers, so it would benefit you to have us with you in case something happens." Reed crinkled his nose and furrowed his brow. Not stand up against a Fire Nation soldier? Wow.. Even if Reed looked like an inexperienced loser, he thought the guy would at least give him a LITTLE credit.

"Okay, Man, seriously, you can shut up anytime." Reed said completely over with this conversation. "We have NO IDEA who the HELL. YOU. ARE.!!" He stated tightening his grip on his swords, "If you're so sure you'll be a great partner-in-crime talk to HER about it." He said nodding his head to Jia. Reed really didn't want to reason with this guy. If anything, Jialing could do it. If she said it's okay, then whatever; he trusted her with that.

Reed narrowed his eyes into a harsh glare. He REALLY REALLY REALLY HATED THEM. Not only did they just piss him off by being jerks but also, though he'd never admit it, they were severally killing his ego.

[jialingjin]

"Reed. Hush!" She snapped at him from afar, after his little outburst. She narrowed her eyes as him as she stood and began walking down from the little rise their sleeping bags had been spread out across. She kept her bow loaded, the scrawny muscles in her arms steady as they held the arrow in place, as if she did have experience with her bow if only not in the aiming department. Jialing moved slowly, deliberately between Tsuya and Reed. Jin was still in front of them all, and while he wasn't growling, he hadn't relaxed yet, the fur along his back still raised.

Jialing shook her head as she walked, the massive birdnest of hair trembling with the movement, her crimped bangs swaying. She approached even further, coming up beside her dog and then stopping, feet apart. She still held the arrow, the string ready to be drawn. She was short, small, and would be easy to break in half. Her long, horse-like face was covered with smudges of dirt, her lips the color of puce. She gave them the look over, running her eyes up and down before she twisted the corner of her lip into a grin.

"No."

She took a step back, demeanor changing back to defense. "We have our own problems and we don't need another load. You have your own issues." She lifted a lip up with a sneer at his logic. If they wanted to avoid the Fire Nation, then they were going about it all wrong. "You're safer on your own.. less people to draw suspicion." It was true. He was looking at armed earth kingdom 'travelers', two of them members of the wanted Rebellion and one of them an escape/stolen slave who looked so malnourished someone would have to suspect something, the other a wanted Kyoshi Warrior who had barely managed being captured by the Fire Nation with her comrades still in the recognizable uniform. It made more sense than what he was preaching for them NOT to join them.

"We can handle ourselves. Reed!" She snapped glancing over her shoulder. "Pack up what you can.. we're getting out of here. Kid, Help him.. Tsuya.. " Jialing spoke her name, nodding towards the girl. Yeah, Jialing had heard her give her name and remembered it, unlike Hibiki's. The nod was one that meant keep your weapons drawn if these guys try anything funny...

[gengoro]

Gengoro cocked his eyebrow a little. He expected the boy called Reed to be rude, but coming from the girl with the bow? He thought about it, considering it was pretty late in the night and everyone was tired. He lowered his stance a little.

“I still think you’re fools,” Gengoro exclaimed, “Come on Tseng. Let’s go.”

Gengoro gave a quick bow then turned 360 and walked off. Tseng gave a quick bow as well and followed him. Tseng, looking a little worried, approached Gengoro after going 50 meters off.

“We aren’t leaving them alone, are we?” Tseng questioned.
“Are you kidding? This is too much fun,” Gengoro smiled.
“What do you propose we do then?”
“Simple We are going to follow them. First off, I doubt their abilities to deal with Fire Nation soldiers. Second, like I mentioned before, bigger numbers equal a better survival rate. And third, I haven’t seen action in a while. I’m getting a little antsy.”

Tseng scratched his head for a few seconds while he thought of his last sentence.
“Alright then. How do we follow them?”
“We shall trail behind him from at least 200 meters away. If they get into any trouble, we shall help.”
“You know, I never knew you as the type of person that liked trouble.”
“I don’t, but like I said, I’m getting antsy. Besides, I want to see how well I taught you in the martial arts.”
“With all do respect Gengoro, but I just started the martial arts, I’m not sure if I could go up against a fully trained Fire Nation soldier yet.”

Gengoro turned his head toward Tseng, “Never doubt yourself. If you cast any doubt in your abilities, then you have already lost. Besides, experience is always the best teacher, and this will be a trail by fire, so to speak.”

[lili]

Nodding slowly in response to Jialing's unspoken command, Tsuya kept the fans in her tight grip. She stood straighter, though, and lowered her arms slightly so they were still bent at the elbow. The other female didn't need to say anything, Tsuya would have kept her weapons ready no matter what. But the fact that she had made a move to reinforce this made Tsuya even more wary of the strangers. She had found his offer, if it could be called that, presumptuous and unsettling. Granted, they were right about numbers. Tsuya needed help rescuing the other warriors, and Jia had already said their small group would stand little chance of being successful....No. The two could not be trusted.

Watching them until they were out of site in the trees, Tsuya let out a deep breath she hadn't even realized she was holding. She took a few steps toward the girl with the bow and drew in a breath to speak. "Do you think they're gonna leave it at that?" She asked softly. Behind her were the sounds of things being packed up but she wanted to hear something that might give the strangers position away. "It was too simple, how they just came and left so easy."

[jialingjin]

Jialing looked at Tsuya, her brows knitted together, her crimped strands of hands hugging her face. She stared in silence for a moment and then she shook her head to the side once, closing her eyes as she did so. "Hell no." She glanced out, finally removing the arrow from her bow's notch and letting her arms drop the side. She continued to lean close to Tsuya, talking in hushed tones. "They're still around.. that was too easy. We need to lose them. We're Rebellion.. " she paused, quirking an eyebrow as she reflected for a moment on all the Fire Nation encampments she had been in and the forts and the service she gave some of them. "Well... being paid as ones anyway..and you're a Kyoshi warrior.. We both can't afford to be caught." She said, shaking her head as she turned inward, still leaning towards her as she looked back towards Reed and Hibiki, both men having moved away and hopefully.. starting to pack up.

She liked having them under her thumb.

"C'mon Jin." She murmured, looking on the two young men approvingly. Well at least Reed approvingly. The verdict was still out on the weakling of a Kid. At least there another girl in the group now though Jia was sure she could hang with the guys no problem. She began to trudge from the edge of the forest, the dried grass sparse on the dirt ground that was damp and cool from the river running nearby, to the crackling and smoldering fire that was still breathing. She lifted her arms to the side, still holding the bow and the arrow as the tall woman dug her toe in to the dirt.. and then kick! The sandy dirt flew over the fire, working to smother it. Another kick.. and another and the fire sputtered out. Jialing rocked back, kicking the charred sticks with her heel just for good measure as she headed up the rise to grab her sleeping bag and her quiver of arrows.

[tsengwei]

The middle of the day was young as Gengoro and Tseng Wei pack up their valuables to follow the group that they were just facing. Gen still thought of the girl that pretty much told him to get lost. That part didn’t bother him. What bothered him was the fact that they aren’t trained to fight, so he felt a little leery leaving them to roam around with the Fire Nation army around. Unlike him, they aren’t very forgiving when confronted.

While Gengoro was in thought, Tseng continued to pack his things. In his haste, he dropped his heavy book onto the ground. Gen noticed it as Tseng rushed to put it into his bag.

“What’s that? I didn’t know you read,” Gengoro asked. Tseng Wei looked around nervously, then replied nervously as well.

“Well, uh, it’s a novel of sorts,” Tseng nervously said. His head started to sweat a little.

“Oh? What’s it about?” Gengoro continued to question.

“Umm, it’s about a man that decided to corrupt the world through methods that are beyond human comprehension.”

“But didn’t a human being write that book?”

“What is the reason why we are following that group?” Tseng quickly asked to change the subject.

“It’s simple. I’m following them so that for one, we can protect them and two, in case we are close to the Fire Nation army, we can study them for weaknesses.”

“A little dangerous isn’t it?” Tseng asked.

“Dangerous? Life itself is dangerous. I’m so use to danger that it doesn’t bother me too much anymore. The only way to gain peace from danger is death itself. However, I haven’t earned that peace yet.”

Gen and Tseng are out[/u]