Road To Strangeness <Ba Sing Se, Earth Kingdom>

[xun]

Odd or not, (that he was fighting beside some deserter who was still Fire Nation by blood), Xun knew the only way he would walk away from this fight alive or with few injuries was with Gengoro's help. Yet still the man had some qualms about helping this foreigner hurt, injure and even kill his people. Thugs or not they were his.

Kynagen not with standing. Wherever that big talking fighter was or went.

Whilst Gengoro gave his announcement speech, Xun, the undercover magistrate began kneeling towards the ground. With one hand he began to scoop up a large handful of dirt from upon the ground. His other hand was reaching for the cheaply made and cheaply purchased, conical straw hat upon his head. Removing it as he stood erect once more.

After a few seconds of waiting the man leading the score of thugs called forth a charge, to which five of them made a run directly for Gengoro.

As Gengoro began to take his stance, Xun stood somewhere behind and off to the side of him, waiting to see which amongst them would take the lead.

Pegging the lucky assasailant he reeled the arm holding the hat across his chest. Throwing it vertically at the attacking lead man, serving as a breifly minor distraction to aid Gengoro while Xun began to propel himself forward and attack from the side.

[paperbard]

Noticing the crowd’s sudden change in flow, Kynagen started to push against the tide of now-rushing bodies. Smart move, you stupid bastard! He thought to himself. Make it hard for me, will ya? Scowling all the while, Kynagen managed to break from the crowd.
Upon removing his hat, Kynagen was relieved to find all the gang members had their backs facing to him, their eyes focused on his ‘allies’. At least you got their attention. Kynagen silently drew his crossbows and took aim. Grinning wickedly, he depressed both triggers.
Two consecutive whistling noises were immediately followed by two slight gurgles, as a pair gang members dropped to the ground dead, a bolt imbedded deep into their necks. With a ‘devil-may-care’ flourish, Kynagen tossed his crossbows to the side, and drew his katars.
About ten gang members turned around, their crude weapons drawn. Noticing their fallen comrades, the thugs charged Kynagen. He was only able to say one thing before the brutes bore down on him. "CRAP!"
With a howl, a particularly eager thug outpaced his fellows and bore down on Kynagen with a rake. Smiling coolly, Kyangen halted the man’s charge prematurely with a swift high-kick, splintering the makeshift weapon into an unusable stub. The man stared at his weapon dumbly for several seconds, seeming unable to comprehend the fact that he was now completely defenseless. A quick jab to the throat ended his amazement, as well as his miserable life.
Kynagen grinned as the rest of the horde bore down on him. “BRING IT ON!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.

[gengoro]

"Foolish to die I see," Gengoro thought as the a few of the thugs charged forward. Their recklessness in their charge was easy enough for Gengoro to find open weaknesses. As the thugs came forward and thrusted their weapons at him, he easily stepped out of the way of their unskilled use of improvised weaponry. With a quick turn and swipe of his blade, one thug fell to his death.

"You have one last chance to turn back," Gengoro warned to the others. To no avail, they ignored his warning and continued to go at him. He managed to block all of their attacks with his maio dao and slashed forward. With a few cuts to their chest, two more men fell to their doom.

From behind, one thug snuck on him from behind and clubbed him in the back with a baton. The pain was brunt and hurt a little, but Gengoro ignored the pain. With the serrated backing of the blade, he swiped forward and imbedded the barbs into the chest of the man. With a strong tug, the flest of the thug tore from his abdoment. Warm crimson sprayed in the air as the criminal screamed in pain as he grasped his wound as he died.

[xun]

Holding a man's entire face in the palm of his hand, Xun took an immediate sweep of the area. All ready men were dying and a growl formed in Xun's throat at the thought of Gengoro murdering his own country men.

Comrade and deserter he may be as of now, but Gengoro was still Fire Nation. And despite the fact both of them were fighting a score of thugs together, those same thugs were his people.

Through the vocal noise and commotion of their fighting and the on looking crowd he was thankful nonetheless that Gengoro called for the surrounding crowd to remain at bay. Though that did not keep them from standing off to the sides to watch the fight.

Without hesitation Xun toss the unconscious man aside as the gang of thugs were seemingly breaking apart. Most turning behind them to face the sudden arrival of Kynagen while others continued forward towards Gengoro.

Much like a charging war rhino Xun sprinted towards the center of the gang. Outstretched arms at either side of him, he clotheslined and ran over any man in his way as he plowed through them. He may not be able to stop his comrades from murdering everyone in this brawl but he could keep as many as he could from dying at their hands.

[paperbard]

Kynagen couldn’t believe how easy it was to defeat the foolish thugs. These men don’t know the first thing about fighting. He plunged his katar into one man’s jugular, unleashing a spring of crimson. Almost feel bad killing them. He nimbly dodged another thug’s strike before sending the man sprawling with a vicious gash across his chest. Almost.

Kynagen just kept slashing, ignoring the cries and screams before him. Like a single-minded machine. Without pause and without mercy. He was the bringer of death, and he’d be damned if these bastards didn’t meet their maker. Drunk with battle, Kynagen just kept mowing through them, avoiding blow after blow, and responding in kind.

Finally, the last of Kynagen’s attackers fell. The last, inept thug fell to the ground before him, blood seeping out of numerous wounds. His eyes ablaze, Kyangen scanned the battlefield, looking for more targets. Seeing his friends engaged still, but handling themselves marvelously, Kynagen sheathed his weapons. He still looked about frantically, watching for any thugs who had taken flight.

His hands drenched with blood, Kyangen sheathed his blades. These men may not have been her killers… then again… they might have been. It doesn’t matter anyway, they’ll all die the same. Sweat poured down his brown as he slumped to his knees, exhausted. They deserved it anyway, right? He sighed heavily.

By now the battle had ended. Raising his head to look at his victorious companions, Kyangen smiled crookedly.

“So… what’s next?”

[gengoro]

Before Gengoro had a chance to respond, one of the wounded thugs got on his feet and took to the alleyways. With a lack of response, he pointed in the direction of the runaway thug.

"I say we follow him," Gengoro said, "That way, we could tail him and find out where this hideout is located."

A noise of broken plates was heard inside of the restaurant. Gengoro quickly ran in side with his sword ready in his hands. When he looked inside, he saw a few broken bodies on the floor and on the tables. He looked over at the counter and saw Chou with a furious look in his eyes.

"They tried to ambush me in my own restaurant," Chou said, "Fortunately, the key word is try."

"Kynagen, Xun, please try to follow that boy that took off," Gengoro spoke, "I'll follow you shorty after I tend to things here."

"No need," Chou said, "I will be fine on my own. You go help them."

"No way. You could be hurt old man."
"If you don't listen to your elders young one, you be the one that is hurt around here."

[xun]

"Kynagen," Xun was reaching behind him. Grasping for a thug that had leap upon his back. "Fol-urk!" Commanding through a gasped choke as the arm wrapped around his throat. He was able to move the thug's arm towards his mouth before biting down on it. Reaching around him he managed to lift the assailant from his shoulders.

"Follow him!" Referring to the one Gengoro had pointed out. "I can't hide in a crowd," slamming the man he had lifted from off his back onto the ground. Knocking the wind out of him then slamming his foot on the man's abdomen. "Just make sure he doesn't know that you're telling him," rubbing his neck as he turned to Kynagen. "Otherwise you may never be lead directly to where he's going if at all. Gengoro and I will catch up soon."

No time to argue, Xun scanned the area. Watching Gengoro flee inside the resturant. Ignoring the gawking crowd and moans of wounded men. Holding back a growl and glare reserved for his companions at the sight of the dead scattered about the ground. This will be hard to explain to the local constables, he presumed. Without a doubt they were probably on their way now, likely alerted the moment bloody bodies began hitting the ground.

"Gengoro," Xun raced inside the shop. "Let's go. Now! The police will be here soon. And with the bodies you and Kynagen left I doubt they'll be lenient let alone listen."

[gengoro]

"Alright then," Gengoro acknowledged Xun, "We must hurry then. If we lose track of that runaway, we'll never know where the hideout is."

Gengoro quickly pursued the runaway on foot. The crowds were thick as he traveled through the cracks of the marketplace citizens. He bumped into numerous people. Not standing around to apologize to them, he continued to hunt the thug.

"He knows this area well," Gengoro thought, "I might lose him if I'm not careful. I just hope that Xun has been following him as well."

The rattling of the sword in his scabbard ringed in his ears as he ran. The smell of the blood was faint, but still noticable to Gengoro sense of smell. The smell was all too familiar to him, he could never forget that scent. Countless people died by that special sword. Whether it was cut or ripping, the results were the same.

He then thought of the old man. Even with him being injured, he continued to fight for his shop, even when he knew that he would get in trouble for it by the mysterious Dai Li. Gengoro never knew about the Dai Li; only rumors of them being some sort of "special" police for the city.

Gengoro quickly turned his head to see if Xun was following.

"Are you keeping track of where we are going?" Gengoro shouted to Xun, hoping he could hear over the roar of the marketplace.

[xun]

Looking over the head of many in the crowd he found he notice the moving about and spreading of people. Hang left. Running through analley.

Easily able to look of the heads of many in the crowd the four men raced through, Xun was able to catch sights of the two figures he and Gengoro were pursuing. However, that made the task of chasing after them no less easier with the numerous citizens still in the way. Lesser even when Gengoro occasionally knocked someone down by accident and thus leaving an obstacle in Xun's way.

"Are you keeping track of where we are going?" Gengoro shouted to him over the numerous voices in the marketplace.

"You can worry about that later," loosing sight of Kynagen but still managing to keep track of the man the three of them were all tailing and not wanting to have to answer Gengoro. Mostly because he somewhat uncertain himself. It was possible to do so once you stopped and looked around. And if not? He could always track his way back to Chou's restaurant simply by comparing the number of the local constable post with the one located nearest to Chou's. Or simply by comparing the nearest monorail stations.

There was little to worry about compared to what was ahead, but he guessed the question was asked due to [the traitorous] Gengoro being a newcomer to this city. He probably had not been here even for a week. And despite the fact that this man he was working alongside had, supposedly, severed all ties with his nation, Xun still vexed in the matter of actually reporting Gengoro's true identity once their ordeal was over. But for now...

"Turn right," catching up to Gengoro for a moment, "he's heading into the alley."

[gengoro]

Hearing what Xun said from the back, Gengoro turned right into the alleyway. The alley was a tight sqeeze, almost touching his shoulders to the wall on each side. He had to catch up to the runaway. He had to continue.

Gengoro sees the end of the alleyway when the runaway gets to the other side. Not worrying about his own safety, Gengoro sprints forward. As he exited the alley, Gengoro took a quick look around of his surroundings. He couldn't find him. The guy he was chasing was gone. Gengoro slowly stopped as he further looked around. At first glance, he knew where he was.

"I figured as much," Gengoro whispered, "This looks to be the criminal quarters of the city. I can tell by the smell." Further examination proved his theory. The streets were less clean, the merchants had a more shady aura to them, the people carried weapons on them without much of a care, and a slight smoke smell could be sensed in the air. Indeed, this was a bad area. Looking behind him, Xun continued his way.

"I suggest we be careful around here," Gengoro suggested, "And I think we better be careful of what we say to the people around here." Gengoro clutched onto the hilt of his sword, making sure that there were no deperate or greedy hands going to touch it.

[xun]

Crab running through the (for Xun, shoulder scrapping) alleyway, Xun eventually made his exit as Gengoro was scanning their latest surroundings. Though looking at the back of Gengoro's head, Xun assumed the worse that the trail was suddenly lost.

The lawman sucked at his teeth, in contempt of their situation.

"Don't tense up," his whisper spat at Gengoro, whose hand was reaching onto the hilt of the sword. Meanwhile, Xun took a step back, leaning his back onto one of the building that created the alley they just exited from. Hoping it was somewhat dirty he to a moment to slide his back across it, followed by the back of one of his legs reaching into the alleyway. Sliding it along dirt and grim of the stones gray, rectangled stones that made up the building's foundation. Adding to the age and fade color of his current clothing used as makeshift disguise.

"Lower your shoulders and hands off your sword," he continued. Face a mask annoyed boredom. Eyes slowly stalking up and down the street in what seemed to be a harshly lower quarter of Ba Sing Sei's lower ring. Even with the sun overhead and a clear sky today this place felt dismal. Whitewash peeling from most of the buidlings while others were gray either with paint, dirt or time, cracked walls for some.

"If you have to be close to it..." Eyes stalking at the locals in this part of the city. The cheaply made clothing for many of them. Browns, grays or dull and dismal greens for many of them while a few who could somehow afford it or were simply that bold work brighter shades of green or even trims of yellow. "...keep your hands in your belt. At least a thumb at your hilt," noting those who carried weapons--visibly no less--did so without a hand near them, with hands at their belts or sash to be near the weapon or simply kept their weapon at the front of their body. Close to the thigh or crotch where it would probably be felt and was likely more visible to them as they went about their business.

"Any ideas?" Questioning Gengoro after he was unable to pick up the trail of their quarry. Where is that blasted Kynagen when you need him?

[gengoro]

Gengoro scratched his head as he pondered about his next move. It would take a while to find just one person in a big area like this, especially if that one person or the group he is with has some pull in this district.

"I'm not extirely sure," Gengoro told Xun. He knew this would be difficult, but he didn't relize he would lose that kid so soon.

"I wish the old man was here," Gengoro grumbled.

The area was getting busy again and the sun started to set behind the very large walls of Ba Seng Sei. He knew it would be futile to find this person or the group for that matter in the dark, especially with all the riff-raff roaming around here.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed a faint trail of blood on the ground next to his feet. It wasn't enough to rely on, but the trail is leading to a small and dark alleyway. Going alone would be dangerous in this environment, and having company would make things inconspicuous. The crowd also started eyeballing him as he presented himself different to the area.

"We better find him soon," Gengoro told Xun, "Do you know this area well?"

[xun]

Xun scoffed at his comrade's remark, though not looking directly at him. "That depends," he began. Quickly he halted his next words. About to say to Gengoro: 'How well do you know the Fire Nation?'

"How well do you know this place yourself?" Xun asked him instead. "My knowledge here is as good as yours," the Earth Kingdom lawman shook his head. "Sometimes areas like these in any given city or large town could look the same. Or share some similar features..." he mused outloud. Or at least loud enough for only Gengoro to hear. But if he was right then that should be of at least some small help.

Slowly he bit the side of his lower lip. Frustration setting in at their lost quarry.

"We can obviously guess he went to get help," Xun resumed.
"Just wish there was a clue about from where and from whom. If he's meeting up with the rest of the gang then they have to be hold up somewhere," pondering.

"I want to doubt they're held up in some secret hideout and instead some place of business. Legal or illegal they use as their front and base of operations." Thinking back to who hired to begin with. His society sister who ran a legitimate business while her underworld activities were plotted from the backroom if not over tea across the street. Judging where he and Gengoro was, it would likely to be at least a brothel or gambling den maybe.

[gengoro]

Gengoro scratched his chin as he pondered. Where could that boy have gone to? Not even the blood on the ground suggested any sort of direction to where he went.

The scorching sun of the afternoon wasn't making this job any easier. The beads of sweat poured down his cheek. He could see the waves of the heat flowing in the air as he looked around for the boy. He walked forward and away from Xun for a minute to look around the perimeter.

"Did you see anything?" Gengoro asked. The sting of the sweat went into his eyes. He raised his right hand to his eye and rubbed the closed eye lid to comfort the irritation.

As his hand lowered, Gengoro felt a sharp force on the back of his head; followed by pain. He quickly turned around to see who it was only to get hit again by a shadowy figure. Gengoro fell to the ground dazed and shunned from those two blows.

"Now you got no one to help you now boy," the voice called out from the shadowy sillouette. With his dazed confusion, he saw behind the figure ten more shadowy humanoids, waiting to make Gengoro's day a bad one.

Gengoro grabbed for his sword and tried to pull it out of his scabbard in vain only to have a foot stomped onto his hand. Gengoro let out a slight cry in pain as his wrist smudged into the ground.

"No wise tricks pal," the shadowy figure said, "We're not even going to let you fight."

[xun]

Lips parted, Xun puffed forward an exasperated sigh. Annoyed at the lost of their quarry amongst the crowd. For a moment Xun began to the think that the task was a bust, that they should return and regroup at the restuarant. Wait for Yao's gang to come for them. Searching them out now, especially with the lost Kynagen, seemed to be a failure at the moment.

Still hanging back in the alley Xun watched Gengoro tepidly step out into the street. Trying to follow the deserters line of sight he picked up a trail of blood. Xun smirked at a likely chance of the trail being picked up, yet suddenly a creep overcame his demeanor.

A feeling like the hairs on the back of his neck began to stand on end. The sense bringing a cold shudder down his spine. Xun's body involuntarily shook as he slowly began to take a few steps out of the alleyway. As he did, he heard a slight "hup" followed by a heavy blow between his shoulder. Just below the nape of his neck. It was a sting but nothing to daze him, yet Xun followed along with it as he heard the sound again and was struck in the same spot again. He buckled his knees just as someone the back of his shirt was grabbed and pulled. A strike in the back of his head soon followed.

Tensing and dazed in pain Xun decided to fall forward onto the ground. He kept his eyes closed, pretending to be unconscious as a scuffle of feet moved about him.

The large man heard a question from Gengoro as he tried to lay there motionless. Not answer, nor helping as his comrade was attacked as well. Himself waiting for an oppurtunity.