Greetings oh Grand Readers! I am so glad to be back, and I want to give an extra big thank you for coming for another chapter. Sometimes things get really bad and really hard when you're chasing your passions, and while I can't respond to everyone and your kind gestures, you are the reason I can keep pursuing writing. This year has been especially productive and I can't wait to share that with you all as well.
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CHAPTER 14
When the full expanse of Ba Sing Se came into view, the enormity of their task set in. The city was laid out like a maze with layers. Sakura voiced that whatever strategy they initially had was probably out the window. Sokka explained to her that Appa was so big that they could all ride on his back and still have legroom. However, the image of the bison was dwarfed when Sakura saw the inner city.
She didn't want to dampen Aang's mood even more, and neither did his other friends. So they kept in silence until the train pulled to a stop and stepped off to the sight overlooking the city, as the station sat at a high angle they knew they were in the heart of Ba Sing Se.
A captivating sight, but it was the one who couldn't see that voiced her disappointment with the structure they had set into. Unlike the rest of the group, she lived in a city her entire life, unable to experience anything beyond its smothering comfort. She preferred being out in the wilderness, where there were fewer people and even fewer rules. Carrying herself as a noble, with a handicap was not the most genuine experience, but one she endured for years.
Toph sighed, her tone sprinkled with sarcastic underlining, "Back in the city, just great,"
Sokka raised an eyebrow at her, walking forward to gesture to the grandeur around them. Which he momentarily forgot Toph could not see. "What's the problem? It's amazing!"
Toph pouted, absently scratching behind Momo's ears as the little creature dozed against her shoulder. "Just a bunch of walls and rules. Trust me; you'll get sick of it in a couple of days.
"I take it you don't have the best history with walls?" Sakura asked.
"You could say that," Toph replied with a smirk, her tone implying there was a story there-one she wasn't in the mood to share.
Aang with a somber expression was standing a little ways from the rest of his friends looking at the city. He took out the bison whistle from his robes and blew hard into it. He wasn't expecting Aapa to appear because of it, but if there was the slightest possibility, he wanted to let his friends know that they were there and they were coming to save him. "We're coming for you, buddy," Aang said softly, the words a quiet promise carried on the wind.
Sakura knew that this was going to delay her plans of returning home even further, but she didn't care to push them back for now. When she saw the expression on Aang's face, she thought it wouldn't hurt to spend a little more time with this group. Besides Aang admitted he didn't know that much about the spirit world even as the avatar who was the bridge between them. So she could use a well-meaning distraction.
When the hairs on her neck bristled, Sakura turned feeling eyes trailing on them but there was no malicious intent to be felt. There was basically nothing, as she turned to look at women staring back at her and the group with an open mouth smile, that strained against her face. Aside from that smile, there were no other significant features, the women had flat black hair neatly styled and wore a plain robe that struck as a uniform. But she was pristine in a way that reminded Sakura of a doll.
The woman crossed over to them, hands behind her back as she greeted them. "Hello, my name is Joo Dee. I have been given the great honor of showing the avatar around Ba Sing Se," She looked at the rest of the group, pausing in order to greet them. "And you must be Sokka, Katara, Toph and Sakura. Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?"
Sakura's face pulled back. How could this woman possibly know her name? She hadn't been with them that long, and the majority of the time had been in the forest. So somehow, Sakura realized her name managed to get back to this woman within the time that they had arrived in Ba Sing Se, likely on the walls. Someone must have sent a message when they were dealing with the drill. The possibility of being watched since their arrival gnawed at her thoughts, setting her instincts on edge. The meticulous nature of Ba Sing Se, with its pristine streets and orderly atmosphere, suddenly felt less welcoming and more... calculated.
However, she seemed to be the only one who noticed, as Sokka approached Joo Dee without any concern for discretion. He clutched the bag that held the scrolls he stole from the spirit library, "Yes, we have information about the fire nation that we need to deliver to the earth king immediately,"
Joo Dee kept her rigid smile, which was like an unyielding mask plastered on her face, not even flinching at the mention of the Fire Nation or the urgency in Sokka's reveal. It was as if she didn't hear them at all "Great! Let's begin our tour, and then I'll show you to your new home,"
The mechanical cheeriness in her voice was very unsettling, and no one commented as she turned on her heel and began walking with the obvious expectation that the teens were meant to follow her.
Sokka gave a stunned look of exasperation to his friends before rushing back up to Joo Dee for a second attempt, "Maybe you didn't hear what I said. We need to talk to the king about the war. It's important!"
Joo Dee just turned to him with that same unbreaking mask, and replied in a way that made Sakura's spine shiver, "You're in Ba Sing Se now, everyone is safe here,"
Sakura was convinced something was wrong with this woman, something unnatural. Tsunade taught her to observe people, recognize their patterns, and realize their intentions, trying to see the full picture. But Joo Dee seemed more like a blank canvas. When she walked her posture remained the same, her steps were even, her shoulders straight and she even appeared to blink in a rhythm. The whole mannerisms were mechanical about this overly polished demeanor and dismissive nature. There was no genuine emotion.
"What's the matter Sakura?" Toph asked, noticing that the girl's rhythm had changed.
"Just speculation on something, don't worry," It wouldn't do any good to raise concerns when they had other problems to deal with.
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The carriage rattled unevenly along the unpaved road as they entered a new area of the city. With a worn-down feel, opposing the polished exterior of the city's outer walls and even the carriage being carted by an ostrich horse. The buildings huddled together, the brown tiled roofs faded and uneven. The streets were full of people, but not as lively as you'd expect. So many with weathered faces, similar to what they had seen back at the entrance for the faerie.
Joo Dee sat poised and still, as she gestured to the surroundings outside, "This is the Lower Ring."
Katara gestured to the other wall that stood looming over the air, and Joo Dee explained that Ba Sing Se was not a city of a single wall, but many. The outer ring acted as protection from any threat that would threaten it as a whole, and the interior walls maintained the order. But she didn't specify what this 'order' was.
"The lower Ring is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftsmen and artisans, people who work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively."
So the newest arrivals would be the refugees, who had come to the last stronghold. They were all people hoping for a better life, but it was clear their struggles were only beginning.
From outside the window, they saw between an ally two men, one holding a particularly big sword. "You do want to watch your step though,"
"Why do they have all these poor people blocked off in one part of the city?" asked Katara.
Aang glanced out the window solemnly, "This is why I never came here. I was always told it's different to how the monks taught us to live,"
Sakura, leaning her head on one hand as she watched the scene unfold outside, gave a soft nod. "Yeah. I can see why,"
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They continued their journey deeper into Ba Sing Se, passing the lower ring, which would become a reminder that this safe haven and stronghold was far from perfect. Their tour continued travelling through the walls to what was called the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se. The buildings were as clustered and maintained well enough to weather storms without leaking or paint peeling.
"This is the Middle Ring of Ba Sing Se; home to the financial district; shops and restaurants and the university."
Sokka looked at Joo Dee, in hopes that this time he might get her to realize the purpose for them coming here and the severity of it. "Yeah, we met a professor from the university he took us to an ancient underground library where we discovered information about the war that is ABSOLUTELY crucial for the king to hear!"
Despite the invasion of personal space by Sokka, Joo Dee did not waver, looking outside the carriage, and not failing to deflect Sokka's intention to steer the conversation to their mission. "Isn't history fascinating? Look here's one of the oldest buildings in the middle ring Town Hall."
Sakura hit her head against the side of the carriage as they came to a stop and Joo Dee left, whether it was from exasperation or relief that she was gone if only monetarily, she kept lightly hitting her head back.
"Is that woman deaf? She only seems to hear every other word I say?" Sokka said in disbelief.
"It's called being handled get used to it." Toph sighed, folding her arms.
Joo Dee's nonchalant attitude and evasive responses concerning the war were only nurturing the group's frustrations as she signed for nothing more than a delay for their goals.
"I don't think there's any point in trying to get this woman to listen to us," Sakura stated, sharply crossing her legs and nearly slamming herself to the back of her seat.
"We have to. It's the only way we'll get to see the Earth king," said Katara
"Good luck then." Sakura said shaking her head "It'd be easier to break into the palace."
Toph gasped with a bright smile, ignoring the underlying sarcasm in Sakura's statement, but Katara quickly interjected,
"She didn't mean it Toph!"
Sakura interjected, "Actually, would that be an option? I could probably do it. Infiltration is a shinobi's specialty,"
Katara touched her chin into her neck, "We'll call that plan B. Guys we just got here, if we cause any trouble, it might become harder for us to get information on Appa."
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The Upper Ring was their last stop on the tour, much to their relief, and as Joo Dee revealed would also be where they could find their lodgings. Apparently, someone had already made arrangements for them. The Upper Ring didn't need much explanation after seeing the other two, but it certainly stood on top of whatever food chain existed in this ecosystem of Ba Sing Se.
It didn't take a lot of effort for Sakura to realize that the ranks of the rings were best at the top, as they arrived in the Upper Ring. The carriage didn't rattle along the roads that were well paved with stones making for a smooth ride. Details exuded wealth, and the area was meticulously curated to represent the pinnacle of Ba Sing Se. The homes were in pristine condition that showed constant attention.
And this would be where they would be living for the duration of their stay. The avatar was considered a highly regarded figure that he was prominent enough for a place in the highest ring of Ba Sing Se. In any other situation, it would've been a flattery, but the dire situation wouldn't allow them to get comfortable.
The carriage continued through the streets until it entered a vast courtyard. In the distance another wall loomed, but unlike the ones before it was elaborate and eye-catching. Adorned with intricate patterns and ornate decorations.
"What's inside that wall?" Katara asked, leaning forward to get a better view.
As the group peered out of the window, they noticed men in dark, ceremonial robes stationed at the entrance. Their expressions were cold and unmoving when they locked eyes with the carriage, their faces like stone.
"And who are the mean-looking guys in robes?" Sokka quipped.
Joo Dee didn't hesitate to explain, her face just as unmoving keeping that signature smile that was growing tired to look at. "Inside is the royal palace. Those men are agents of the Dai Li, the cultural authority of Ba Sing Se. They are the guardians of all our traditions."
Sakura squinted at the men as the carriage passed and she felt unnerved. Not a fearful experience but something that set off her instincts, like when hearing a twig snap in the forest. Although you couldn't see it, you would know something was there. Likely something unpleasant. Their rigid postures and sharpness in their eyes reminded her of shinobi on a mission.
Aang sighed, leaning on his hand and he asked Joo Dee, his voice holding impatience instead of its usual compliance. "Can we see the king now?"
"Oh, no. One doesn't just pop in on the Earth King," Joo Dee replied with a slight chuckle as if the idea were absurd.
"This is ridiculous," Sakura clicked her tongue, "This isn't some random visit, we have an actual emergency that he needs to address for the sake of turning tides in this world's war. It's not something that should be put on the back burner."
Sakura was trying her best to remain calm and respectful throughout this exchange, but gripping her patience this tightly was making her fingers bleed.
"I will have a form sent to process your request," Joo Dee said, with attempted reassurance but Sakura only saw it as an attempted platitude.
Her head needed to avert, to avoid Joo Dee looking through her eyes and seeing the impatience and anger behind those windows. She was tempted to enter the palace right then and there just to challenge Joo Dee's composure and see how long she could hold it when Sakura went flying over the walls but she held back knowing it would only make things harder for the rest of the group if she acted rashly.
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Their true ended with Joo Dee bringing them to the lodgings of the Upper Ring, and introducing them to their temporary home. It was a decent house, that appeared un-lived, and unmoving, not a stone out of place, condition pristine. The teens were all eager to hop out of the carriage and explore, more precisely they were eager to get away from their guide's stitched smile. While they were admiring the exterior of their accommodations, a man came running up to Joo Dee and handed her a scroll. She only unfurled it for less than a minute before addressing the group again, giving them unsatisfactory news.
"More good news; your request to see the Earth king is being processed and should be put through in about a month."
Everyone froze, disbelief written plainly on their faces.
"A month?" Sokka exclaimed, his voice rising with incredulity.
Joo Dee tilted her head, correcting herself, "Six to eight weeks, actually."
"Oh, well that just makes everything so much better," Sakura quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes. She turned on her heel and headed into the house, muttering something under her breath. Her friends followed after her, hoping there was something in their new home that would wash out the sour taste of this day.
Inside, the house was just as well-maintained as the exterior promised. The sitting room was spacious yet cozy, with soft cushions arranged around a low wooden table in the center. The decor was understated but elegant, with minimal furnishings and neutral colors that added to the serene atmosphere. Several closed doors branched out from the sitting room, presumably leading to their own rooms and bath area.
Sakura slumped down onto one of the pillows around the table, resting her elbows on its edge as she watched the others settle in. Katara sat beside her, looking contemplative, while Toph claimed a spot on Sakura's other side, her hands behind her head in a relaxed pose.
Sakura glanced at Joo Dee, who was still standing near the door with her unwavering smile, and suppressed the urge to grimace.
"Isn't it nice?" Joo Dee stated more than asked, "I think you'll really like it here."
"We'd like it a lot better if we weren't staying here so long." Sokka commented, "Can't we see the king any sooner?"
"The earth king is very busy running the finest city in the world but he will see you as soon as time permits,"
Sakura sighed heavily, throwing herself back onto the floor, her arms spread out behind her, biting her bottom lip to hold back her comments.
"If we're going to be here for a month we should spend that time looking for Appa," Aang said looking out the window.
Joo Dee bowed to him, "I'd be happy to escort you anywhere you'd like to go."
"We don't need a babysitter," Toph stated. Her annoyance was clear.
"I second that notion," Sakura said raising her hand.
Toph and Sakura stood up before heading towards the door.
"Oh, I won't get in the way," Joo Dee said while blocking their path "And to leave you alone would make me a bad host. Where shall we start?"
THAT'S ALL MY LOVELIES! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and remember to stay strong and keep reading!
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- (Bleach crossover) Kunoichi amongst Reapers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
-Commission: Demon slayer x My hero academia (PART 1 & 2)
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