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Post by laughingjin on Feb 27, 2007 16:16:01 GMT -5
Jin weighed the options he had acquired at this very moment. The stranger, now known as Batu, along with Lyra and the rest of them, had just driven the Fire Nation archer on the creature off, the wounded warrior had been taken out of their hands, and Batu had just asked, which Jin presumed by what seemed like his rank was more of an order, that they follow him to safety. In one hand Jin could make a run for it, bolting out into the forest to find his sister and his mother, and hopefully his father along with them. The con to that would be leaving his new found friends behind with a man who could or could not be trusted. True, he had saved them and the wounded warrior seemed to trust him, but in turn of recent events Jin was skeptical. The other choice was simple, agree to the man's terms of leadership and safety and stay with his new friends. The down side to that would be that he was with a man who could, or could not, be trusted. Jin was weak, and tired, and if the man did try something, he wasn't sure if he would have the strength to fight back.
Jin straightened up out of his stance, and whipped the paint and ash his lips with the back of his hands. Hacking coughs began to take over his body, his lungs trying to reject the debris that had fallen into them. The tall young man was nearly doubled over by the time the fit stopped. Jin weighed his chances once more. If he did run, he wouldn't last very long. He was tired, and needed clean air, considering he had none to argue with. He straightened up once more before he silently nodded to the Batu character in agreement and submission, waiting for their next step.
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Post by lyra on Feb 27, 2007 16:54:35 GMT -5
As the Rhino Rider scampered off, Lyra loosened her muscles and the boulder dropped on the spot where the creature just stood. For once a smile did not occupy her small lips, for this was not a 'happy' time. She was tired, angry, and confused as to who the newcomer was. As the man, Batu, helped up the Earth Kingdom soldier, she guessed that they knew one another by the way they spoke. When Batu ordered them to follow him, Lyra was taken aback and not quite sure she was willing to trust him just yet. She was about to ask what his plans were but Jin fell over, caughing uncontrolably. Her eyes got wide and she stood there staring at Jin, trying to think of some way she could help him. When he stood back up Lyra looked at him, her eyes filled with worry at his reaction to the smoke and ash he had inhaled.
"Sir," She said, reminding herself to use manners while speaking to him, "My friends and I are very tired and have inhaled a lot of the smoke back at the festival. What exactly were you planning by taking us and where?" She asked, running her fingers through the bush of hair on her shoulders.
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Post by nattoku on Feb 27, 2007 16:58:12 GMT -5
Nattoku watched as the man mounted on top of the rhino rode off away from them. He then turned to the man with the hatchets whom had come to fight the Fire Nation soldier and his rhino. Batu the first soldier had said his name was. He wanted them to come with him to safety, away from here and any more Fire Nation soldiers or whoever that wanted this town fall.
The teenager didn't really know what he should do. This man was most likely a friend. If he wasn't, he probably would have taken them down by now. Nattoku still really didn't know what he should do. His family was most likely with the other people in the forest, and what if they were going somewhere else away from there.
But, Nattoku knew he should probably listen to this guy and do what he said. He looked over at Jin and watched as he coughed. He was probably trying to decide what to do as well. When the older boy stayed put, he decided it would be better to stay. He would ask about his family though. He was going to ask where they were going, but Lyra beat him to the punch. He nodded, as if agreeing with her question.
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Post by boragan on Mar 2, 2007 18:02:21 GMT -5
"We're heading over to the barracks," Batu claimed, "Where the other villagers are at. They will stay put there until the Fire Nation riders are gone and the fire is put out in the village."
Bora groaned in pain as the blood continued to leak from his wound. "Quickly, we don't have much time," Batu said as he started to slowly drag Bora to the barracks.
"Damned Fire Nation," Bora grunted as he was being dragged along. A few seconds later, more of his battalion came by to assist with Bora Gan. They were really feral looking in appearance and had an aura of ferocity about them. The smell of the earth was all around them as they probably didn't bathe at all today and did drills instead. Their hair was unkempt and their clothes were torn. One of them looked at the others as they helped Bora to his feet.
"You tried to help him, yes?" one soldier asked.
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Post by lyra on Mar 2, 2007 18:53:17 GMT -5
Lyra nodded, turning her attention to Nattoku, "Your mother and brothers must be there." she said before resting her gaze on Jin, giving him a reassuring smile. "And your mother and Ayumi will be alright, they're probably at home right now anyway." She said before starting to follow the two men, brushing a lock of dark brown hair out of her face. When she removed her hand she looked down, her palm and fingertips were covered in soot and ash which smeared along her fingers.
As she walked, she watched as another man approached the threesome. As he spoke, Lyra looked toward Nat and Jin before nodding toward the man, "Yes, we did." She said, unsure of why the man was interrogating them. Was he angry that they had assisted Bora Gan? Or was he pleased at their accomplishments? As she waited, Lyra looked uncomfortably at Jin and Nattoku, as if asking them in her mind why the man cared so much.
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Post by laughingjin on Mar 3, 2007 12:03:50 GMT -5
A weak close lipped smile slid itself onto Jin's lips. He wished desperately to say something, but that was the most he could muster. Lyra had brightened his spirits, the idea of his family safe where and that he'd see them soon was fantastic. Jin followed the group, falling behind them slightly from exhaustion. He was tired, if it weren't for the constant thought of his family in the back of the young man's mind he would have collapsed right then and there. Using his long staff as a walking stick, leverage to keep him upright, he moved on.
As more men moved in, speaking and asking question, Jin's dulled eyes turned to Lyra as he tightened the grip on his staff. They seemed as if they were helping them, but things had an awful way of turning around, especially tonight. When one of them asked a direct question to the group Jin was glad Lyra had answered. If he didn't know better he would have considered his lips sealed shut. He ha caught the uncomfortable look in Lyra's eyes as she looked at both him and Nat. The young man's lips attempted to form a reassuring smile but he was sure it had faltered. Jin didn't trust this group anymore than she had, but his mind was blanked by exhaustion and ash. He'd just have to wait it out, and see.
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Post by nattoku on Mar 5, 2007 16:08:41 GMT -5
As they had been walking along, Nattoku had been looking at the ground, hoping and praying to any spirit or god that would listen to a boy. He had been praying that his family was there, that they would all be together soon enough. When the soldier that was guiding them mentioned that there were villagers in the barracks where they were to be taken now, Nattoku looked up a bit and felt a small smile coming to his face.
When Lyra said that his family would most likely be there along with Jin's family, the boy felt like jumping in the air and whooping for joy. He felt overjoyed about it. He almost didn't want to blink in fear that what the soldier and his friend had just said would turn out to be a cruel trick. But, he closed his eyes quickly and rubbed his right eye when a bit of ash got into it.
As quickly as his joy had come, he felt some tension come when the soldier asked if they had helped the man. He could feel the tension, and didn't know if it was a good thing or not that they had helped the man. He knew Jin and Lyra must feel the same way. He looked at both of them, and gave a small smile to show them it would be okay. Nattoku just hoped it would be okay, that they wouldn't get into trouble.
Why would we?he thought. We were just trying to help him. But, I guess we did put ourselves in danger. But it was for the greater good.
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Post by boragan on Mar 5, 2007 19:51:19 GMT -5
The soldier raised an eyebrow toward Lyra and turned toward Nattoku. "That is strange, that little children were able to drive away a Rough Rider like that. Looks like Mongke is getting soft on his own," the soldier spoke. "Let us go," Batu ordered, "Major Bora needs medical attention. He stopped for a second and turned toward the other children. "We shall gladly reward you for your help as well as reunite you with your loved ones. All we ask is that you come with us," Batu announced. He then along with another soldier dragged Bora over to the barracks.
After a few minutes of travel, the barracks was just ahead. The walls of the barracks were made of pure stone. The stonework elevated to a height of at least twenty feet. The road that lead to the entrance had slintered wooden polls stuck at the side. At the top of those polls is a chain that lead to a metallic cage that hung from the poll. With a guess, this is probably where they keep the condemmed and the guilty for slow punishment. Near the entrances were many people that didn't look like the soldiers at all. Instead, they looked like the villagers, actors, muscians, and everyone else that was at the festival.
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Post by lyra on Mar 7, 2007 17:50:21 GMT -5
Lyra kept quiet as they made their way to where the men were taking them. At the sound of a reward she was about to speak up to protest, but decided not to - for Jin and Nat might want the gift given to them. When the man said about their loved ones Lyra looked happily at her companions, a wide smile crossing her face. "Nat, your family must be here, and Jin, I'm sure your mother and Ayumi will be waiting for you as well. The soldiers probably evacuated the entire village because of the smoke." Lyra wasn't sure about this, but she held her strong smile of reassurance, just in case.
As they continued to walk, she began to brush the ash and dirt off of her hands, arms, and clothing. Her clothes returned to their normal green state and her hair was free of the dirt that had gathered in it. When this was all over, she would go jump in a lake somewhere to wash off. Perhaps if all went well and the two boys found their families, the three of them could go picnic together or something. At the thought of food, Lyra's stomach growled, causing her to remember how she hadn't eaten in hours.
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Post by laughingjin on Mar 10, 2007 20:39:56 GMT -5
Jin would have graciously refused the offer of a reward, but his mouth was far too dry. He needed water. They had left the ash infested air, and for that his lungs were grateful, he wheezed in great gulps of air, trying to regain his strength. Gingerly, the young man lifted his long hand to his face and rubbed off the adulterated paint. Jin felt the tips of his fingers trudge through the filth, he needed water. His feet dragged against the ground as he continued to use his staff as a walking stick, though he was just eighteen he felt as if he were at least seventy.
The brightness began to return in Jin's eyes in continues flickers. Intently they set on the crowd of refugees, and when Lyra mentioned his family once more it gave him all the more hope. Slowly he parted his thin lips, hoping his first assumption about them being sealed shut wasn't correct. They were sticky and dry at the same time, but they seemed to work well enough. "Lyra?" Jin's voice was low and sounded more like a croak of a bullfrog than his usually bright voice. For a moment he wasn't sure if he could muster anything else out. The young man swallowed hard, searching for any dampness to soothe the burn in his throat. "Help Nat find his family, okay? I'll look for Ayumi and my mother." He heaved a heavy breath, feeling the diminishing ash roll around his lungs. "We'll meet up after we find them, alright?"
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Post by nattoku on Mar 11, 2007 13:49:18 GMT -5
As the small group of people walked closer to the barracks, a crowd of people was shown to be there already. It turned out the soldier was truly right, for there were many, many people there right then. This gave Nattoku a big burst of hope and he knew his family had to be there. He really didn't know what to say when the soldier, Batu, said they would be getting a reward for their efforts. The thirteen year old decided to go along with whatever Lyra and Jin were doing. He didn't really feel like he deserved a reward but he knew the other two might want it, so he said nothing.
Nattoku began to scout the area for his mother and brothers. He would have tried to yell their names, but his throat was still dry and it hurt. And he really didn't want to yell, for it might startle a lot of people and make them angry at him. He just looked for his mother's green dress or Kyo's tall figure. Or even looked a bit lower for Tian Tian's green cap.
He heard Jin tell Lyra to go with him while he went to look for his mother and little sister and they would meet up later. Nattoku kept intently looking for his family. That was when he saw them. His mother was sitting on the ground with Tian Tian sitting next to her, arguing about something with Kyo, who was crouching down.
"There they are!"exclaimed Nattoku, to alert Lyra and Jin where he was going. He ran off as fast as his tired legs would let him and so he could still breath okay. "Mama, Kyo, Tian Tian!"he yelled, finally getting up to them.
Lei Ming, his mother stood up and watched wide eyed as her son came running at them. Kyo and Tian Tian both stood up and watched their brother come to them. When the boy was right in front of her, Lei Ming squeezed her son into a big hug. "My baby! Don't you ever scare me like that again!"she exclaimed, still squeezing the life out of her middle child and almost in tears. "Yeah Nat, where've you been?"Kyo asked. "Nearly scared Ma half to death you did. Tian Tian too!" "I was not scared!"Tian Tian exclaimed, adding his input. Nattoku coughed a bit. "Okay Ma, I'm fine,"he said. His mother gave her son one last squeeze and then let her son out of the bear hug. She wiped the tears out of her eyes.
Nattoku looked around at his brothers and then back at his mother. They were all happy to see him, and they didn't know the half of how much relief he felt to see them. "I'll explain where I was later, but right now I have some new friends for y'all to meet,"he said, pointing in the direction of Lyra and Jin. He would introduce them all once Jin found his mom and sister. If Jin needed help with this, Nattoku would help him just as Jin had helped him out.
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Post by boragan on Mar 13, 2007 3:10:09 GMT -5
Feeling that the reunion of Nattoku's family was reward enough, Batu continued to drag Bora to the medical facility.
They got to the medical bay with a few doctors positioned at the "surgical" table. Next to them were an assortment of tools and vials of elixers ready for use.
"If we only had a Water Tribe priestess here," Batu grunted. "We must hurry sir," the doctor commanded, "With the kind of wounds he has, it could easily be infected." "Alright," Batu replied, "Help me get him on the table. He isn't considered the lightest person here."
It took three men to lift Bora onto the table. As they positioned him on the table, they removed his armor one by one, including his famous kabuto. They noticed the shrapnel punctures immediately. They took a pair of surgical tweezers to pry the shrapnel pieces from his side. As one doctor pulled the pieces, another doctor poured a medical ointment onto the wounds. Another doctor sewed the wounds together after the ointment was applied. The sweat was beading off of their faces. Batu had to wait outside the door as they were performing.
After all of the wounds were stitched up, another doctor wrapped gauze around the areas that were most likely to bleed. The same doctor came out of the hut and found Batu waiting.
"He will be fine," the doctor explained, "He just needs to stay off his feet and don't do anything strenuous for a couple of days." "Ha!" Batu scoffed, "Good luck with that. He's the type of person that doesn't sit around for too long."
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Post by lyra on Mar 14, 2007 12:02:02 GMT -5
Lyra nodded to Jin as he asked Lyra to follow Nattoku to find his family. However, as she turned to run after the young boy, she realized that the search for Nat's family was over. A wide smile spread across Lyra's face as she watched Nat and his mother embrace one another. This almost brought tears to the young girl's eyes as she thought of her own parents and the other Abatu Bai that were probably worried sick about her. Turning back to Jin she asked, "Would you rather I come with you, now? Nat looks content with where he's at, and we still need to find Ayumi and your mother." Lyra turned the rest of her body to face Jin. It was then that she noticed how rugged he looked. Soot and ash covered his face, hair and clothing and the paint that was once covering his face was gone. Smiling, she figured that she herself didn't look her best either.
"Or would you rather you go look for them on your own? I understand, plus, I wouldn't mind washing up a bit in the stream over there." Lyra said, nodding in the direction of a small creek. As she said this, she reached up and pulled the dirty green ribbon that tied back her hair. As she did this, her dark brown locks fell past her shoulders, given her an even worse look. A small blush rose to her cheeks and she looked away from Jin, not wishing for him - or anyone for that matter - to see her so... gross.
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Post by laughingjin on Mar 18, 2007 9:54:53 GMT -5
A soft smile spread across Jin's face as his progressively brightening eyes set on Nat's reunion with his family. From within the lanky young man felt a pang of sadness; desperately he hoped his own family was alright, he couldn't think of life without them. He blinked once, long and slow, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion. Slowly he inhaled, testing the new cleaner air in his longs, his chest rising high before falling slowly. His strength was returning.
Lyra spoke next to him, and he turned to look down at her, his hands still tightly gripping on his staff. The soft smile continued to play on Jin's lips as she offered to help him, a small chuckle coming out as well when she mentioned the second option of bathing. Carefully, Jin ran his eyes up and down Lyra, the ash had dulled everything, even her skin seemed to be tinged with gray. He didn't have a mirror, but it would be safe to assume that he didn't look much better, if anything worse. Jin lifted his hand and ran it through his shaggy dark hair, pulling some of the ash away from the dark strands and letting it fall lazily to the ground beneath him, as Lyra let down her own hair. He caught the blush for a moment and arched a single eyebrow, his gentle smile turning into a slight smirk as he chuckled once more.
"Washing up sounds great right about know," the wry smirk shone through in Jin's voice as he spoke, but the tone swiftly changed as he brought the thought of his family back into the front of his mind. "But I need to find my family. You go ahead if you want." He gave a reassuring smile down to his new companion. "I'll meet you there after I find them, alright?"
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Post by nattoku on Mar 18, 2007 12:58:17 GMT -5
Nattoku smiled as he looked at his family. It was good to have found them, to have them here with him. To just know now that they were fine. He looked back in Jin and Lyra's direction. He hoped that Jin would be able to find his own family alright and be able to have a reunion like his.
He couldn't really hear what they were saying, but Lyra had pointed in the direction of a small stream off a little ways, and had taken her hair down and looked a little embarrassed, so it was safe to assume she wanted to clean up and get the ash off of her. Nattoku couldn't say he blamed her for that. He knew he must look pretty bad and probably smelled like smoke too.
His brothers brought this to face. "Hey Nat, you better get that ash out of your hair soon and clean up at least some, because I am NOT traveling all the way back to our village with you smelling like a campfire gone wrong!"Kyo exclaimed, pinching his nose for effect. "Yeah, you smell funny!"yelled out eight year old Tian Tian, agreeing with everything the eldest brother said.
"I don't smell that bad!"Nattoku said, pouting a bit and crossing his arms. "Nattoku, I do suggest you clean up in a little while. For now at least brush the ash off of you and try and shake some out of your hair,"Lei Ming suggested. The teen just sighed, but decided to stay with his family a bit longer and ask what they had done while he had been looking for them.
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