Mud

Prologue

The smell of blood and the look of death should never feel so common to you that you no longer register it in your mind. Doing so makes a part of your humanity die, leaving a soulless shell that looked at the gift of life as trivial. Once you started killing without thought or emotion, the Council of Elders should demand you retire, yet they seldom do. The Elders wanted the demons, beast, and enemies dealt with quickly and smoothly. Someone who had never killed or still felt pity for his victim could never muster the strength to strike a man in cold blood. Sung Lee was no such man. His service record and high demand was proof of his skill level and lack of mercy.

His dirty clothes smelling of decay and earth lay on a chair in his small apartment, while he bathed. He let the warm water of his shower flow over him, trying to relax his too tense muscles. The remedy never worked for him, but the smell of sweat and blood needed to be washed away. The scent didn’t bother him any, but others would gasp in horror as they passed him once he came back to the village from his mission. Then, the gossiping about him would start.

“He is a great warrior, but with his family that is expected.”

“But he doesn’t care about anything. Unlike his eldest brother, a stunning example of both family man and warrior.”

“He is an Earth Master, that is a rarity in that family.”

“He is so aloof. You would think he have some manners. He is of nobility.”

“Some say he is becoming more and more like that middle child every day.”

He scoffed at the idle chatter of others. He didn’t care what his fellow villagers thought of him. He had given up caring about his family’s opinion years earlier. His life had become simple, eat, sleep, train, and go on missions.

“You should really lock your door,” called a voice, distinctively female from in front of him. He tore open the shower curtain without a hint of modesty, berating himself for not noticing a presence there before it spoke. Upon seeing that it was an overly familiar face, he snarled and grabbed a towel to vanish the woman’s faint blush.

“Ai,” he growled, turning off the water and stepping onto the tile floor. “Most people knock before coming in.”

“I did,” she smirked, her brown eyes taking on a playful glint that she had held in their childhood. “You just didn’t hear. You are getting sloppy in your old age.” Lee chose to ignore her, and left the bathroom to go and change into clean clothes in his bedroom. Before even making it halfway to the other room, he started cursing remember he had nothing clean to wear. His last mission had been over two months long, and staying partial underground and in the muck during most of it, tended to eat through his limited wardrobe.

“Ai,” he said turning toward the woman who had been following him. “What do I owe the pleasure of your unwanted company.”

“Master Sung,” she said, reverting to her normal stoic self that she used on business. Lee didn’t like where this was going. Master only referred to Teachers and Mentors, not normal warriors. “I am here to tell you as of today that your missions will cease as the Council of Elders have decided to honor you with the position of Mentor for a team of Apprentices.”

“Like hell,” he said. “I have told you before Ai, I don’t teach! That is what you do. I fight, kill, and cause earthquakes. You take your new position and shove down some poor saps throat that would see the great ‘honor’ you wish to bestow on them.”

“This isn’t my command Lee,” she yelled at his retreating form. “I would never ask you to become a Mentor, or even suggest it to the Council. It was your father’s command.” Lee stood still, wanting to listen to what Ai had to say. “We have too many Novices graduating this year from the Academy. We have used up all our other Mentors. The team you will be put in charge of is even short one element.”

“Which one?” he asked.

“Earth,” she replied, to which he gave a sigh of disgust. She knew why, many young novices who showed Earth talent forsake the skills to become masters of Fire or Air, the two favorite and most noble of the Elements. This was a huge problem as it left them with a shortage of Earth users, and lead to many sub-standard Fire and Air users. Lee despised those people more then he did the ones who had decided that Fire and Air were the most powerful elements.

“And why would anyone suggest me,” he sneered. His father wanting him to do it was odd. Lord Sung had never thought him to have much of a talent in anything, unlike his two older brothers. His dear father had been glad when he had moved out, and now they rarely saw or spoke to each other. For his father to suddenly show some interest in him was both frightening and exciting. And that he got the Council to agree. The Elders didn’t like bringing in good warriors to fill in for lesser ones.

“Lord Sung and Lord Jen,” Ai said. “Want the best Earth Master to become Mentor to the three students.” Of course. His father and Lord Jen, Ai’s grandfather, were the best of friends. They had been on a team together all those years ago, and their eldest sons had also been on a team together. “So will you agree, or must I have the Council intervene.” Lee sighed.

“As it is a degree, I must consent,” he said gruffly. “So who are the little ‘darlings ‘I must mentor too.”

“Jen Longwei of the Fire and his twin Jen Jade of the Air,” Ai said. Lee thought that odd, normally twins were of the same element. Maybe because Longwei and Jade were fraternal that norm didn’t apply. Or the fact that Jens were never average.

“And our Water is...” he was curious as to who the pompous Lord Jen would think worthy to be on the same team as his precious grandchildren. Ai paused before moving on, looking slightly nervous at what she was about to say.

“Sung Yue,” she barely whispered, but the effect was great. In a rage, Lee hit his wall with his great fist, causing an impression to be left. His face was red with anger and his lips curled back in a grimace.

“Ai, how dare you even come here wanting me to teach that little..” He started.

“She is your niece!” yelled Ai. “And now your student. You already agreed and the Council approved the team. Come to the Academy in two days to be formally presented to your students.” Ai turned to leave, but stopped mid-step to tell himself else. “Lee, I know what you are feeling. Having your life rearranged to suit your family is painful and maddening. But don’t take it out on Yue.” He could hear the tears in Ai’s voice, and though the old him would have rushed to embrace and comfort her, the new him watched in annoyance for her to collect herself and leave.

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Author's Note: This story was the birth of an unholy union between my imagination, another story of mine, and too much Xiaolin Showdown, Naruto, and SaiYuki. Yeah, don't question it any more. The title? What happens when you mix all the elements together. Also, as this story will deal alot with Lee and his niece, the title fits better.