Bah. Rumors shmumors. It didn't matter that they all said the sliding pathway was one of the most dangerous to navigate... right?

Either way, it made it all ten times more fun. Zoo grinned as she leapt from one grainy sandstone rock to the next. She had been procrastinating on coming up to this place for a long time... she never had the time, it seemed. All of that late night 'working' really put you out of it. But today she was ambitious, confident, and ready to take on this so called 'deadly mountain'. Mountains had the best views, and they were always a way to challenge yourself.

Not to mention it held one heck of a rock slide - literally. A giant slide carved of pure rock that zoomed and twisted down the mountain. Zoo had heard of Shin Mountain's main attraction, the Yamiji, and heard of how those who dared to go near it said it was a breathtaking, heart-stopping sight. An endless stretch down the mountain, high speeds of surfing down the rock, and who could forget the endless rocks, rocks and more... rocks. It almost promised certain death if you flew off course. Those who ever DID take the speedy pathway (and survived) were usually earthbenders; skilled earthbenders who could control the speed (somewhat) of their slab of rock and were usually able to brush away any dangers that came up. Any other person would be defenseless.

To put it shortly, the Yamiji was suicide made out of rock.

On and on Zoo leapt, carefully timing each of her leaps and climbs. The rocks were sometimes sturdy, others felt like they would slip under her tender feet at any moment. Zoo swore as her foot landed a bit toooo hard on a rock that was a liiittle too sharp. She stumbled backwards, waving her arms wildly in the air, slowly regaining her sense of balance, just her luck that she then stumbled face forward onto the little-too-sharp rock. Thank goodness for rock walls and arms that like to save fragile bodies from being crushed on top of little-too-sharp rocks. Zoo steadied herself and sat down between two sturdy rocks, slipping her boot off of her foot to inspect the damage to her right foot.

No broken skin, just... pain. Same old, same old... nothing to worry about. Just keep moving on. With a sigh she heaved her slender form up, slipping her orange-brown boot over her leg, and resumed her efforts up the mountain. Just a few more feet.... and she'd be able to look down upon the greatest extreme thriller she would ever see in her lifetime.

Now, Zoo wasn't one to pick a fight with danger. Heck, she didn't pick fights at all. But, she did have those pesky impulsive moments.. Despite her sixteen years of living, despite everything she had ever learned on those streets, she still hadn't managed to shake off that teenage recklessness.

Sam had followed Zoo wondering what she was up to. She had follower her until the deadly Mountain.

She look shocked and out of her minds to see Zoo climbing the deadly moutain. She look up the moutain wondering if she should follower Zoo half way up the moutain and try to reconsist Zoo.

There was one problem, Sam fear was always falling to her death (Like any sane person feared). She hestated, but she knew she had to save Zoo because "It was the right thing to do."

Sam slowly climb up trying to aviod the "reach up to high and you'll fall to your death" moves. She looks up to see how ahead Zoo is from her.

ZOOO!!!!Can you hear me!!!!!

I'll get help no matter what it takes!Clothed in to the nose,Hanae groped onto the ledge and pulled herself up

She sighed, and collapsed on the ground. She pulled down her mask that reached up to her nose to drink water before becoming dehydrated. She knew this moutain was death in anotehr form. But she had to,this was the ony way to get help.

If she didn't get that help, she would surely perish.

But Hanea(Han-A)managed to put that at the back of her mind. The mountains,although deadly,were valuable. To her,only adventerous people come here,and she needed someone like that to help her.

Sadly,her problem came to the front of her mind when she felt a stabbing pain slam her ribs.

Hanea almost slipped over the ledge as she struggled to hold back tears. She had to wait for the pain to pass.

A few minutes later, the pain slowly subsided,and she was off.

Hanea was agreed to be too young to travel,fourteen is not smart. But it was dying slowly, or die trying.

Huh?

Zoo looked down mid-step. She squinted to try and see a barely recognizeable figure climbing up the mountain below her. She rolled back her shoulders, stretching a bit, then gave a huge wave to the traveller below.

Hello! Doing alright, down there? she shouted in a cheerful tone. She hadn't recognized the figure who was clearly knowledged in where she was headed and was concerned for her. She turned her attention back to the goal ahead.

Just a few more... come on.... yeeesss!

Zoo sighed with relief as she found what she was looking for - flat land. She heaved herself over the rock that was supporting her and climbed over it, finally standing up and inspecting her surroundings. It was true - this rock climbing way was a much quicker way to get to the top!

She peered over the almost cliff-like edge, staring down at the person that was steadily making their way up the mountain.

Watch yourself, 'kay? Zoo shouted down. She then turned and walked off along the rock to her left, breathing in the mountain air, ignoring the dull pain in her right foot, and just feeling happy that she made it up here.

Sam clearly didn't like climbing up the pain killer moutain. Her arm was already stratch up on her arm and on her legs. Her already damage skirt got caught in the pointy rocks. She grab her skirt and continue climbing. She yell annoyed

Zoo!!!!When I get up there I'm going to...Ouch!!!!

Her left leg got a stracth again on her leg. Frustrted, she continued climbing

Who is that girl anyway? Throught Hanea

Suddenly,her eyes opened wide.

The cold air seemed to stand still,and the whole world had stopped

She might be who I'm looking for...

With more detirmination,Hanea climbed up to the strange girl,trying to make sure she applied the utmost care now that she was emerging into higher altitude.

She had reached a ledge,much nearer to the girl

You,I said.Who are you?

Sam?

Zoo had finally recognized the shouting voice, and had returned to peering over the mountain's edge warily.

I thought you said you weren't coming! she said in a confused tone. She turned her head to one side as she looked at Sam's figure struggle up the mountainside, looking both worn out and angry. Zoo took a cautious step back, so A: She could avoid impending doom from the girl charging up the mountain, B: She wouldn't lose her center of gravity by bending over and then falling to certain death, and C: She had heard a soft noise nearby.

Zoo's curiosity gripped her and she stood up straight, looking around. It had sounded like a voice... but who had said it?

Hello?

Sam finally reach the flat surface and drag herself. She striaghten herself and glared at Zoo.

I thought you were joking, this is insane!

She grab on to a rock to make sure she won't fall to her death.

Zoo, are you seriously going to do what your going to do that I think your going to do.

She frowns thinking about how much sanity Zoo has left in her life.

Oh shush, Sam. What difference does it make? Zoo stretched and walked back in the direction she was originally headed, kicking aside a small rock and casting aside her worries about the voice she had heard just seconds ago. It was no time to worry about silly, creepy voices on a mountain!

Besides. This doesn't seem half as bad as everyone says. Just you wait. I bet it'll be awesome! Zoo did a little skipping jump happily, continuing onward.

Kes humed to herself as she climbs up Shin Mountain. She had to get a rare herb for a potion that only grew on top of this mountain.

She knew she should have asked Vlad or Tagaki to go with her for protection. But what they didn't know can't hurt her[.

As she nears the top she thinks she hears voices of people. That's odd. Who on earth would be up here. Don't they know how dangerous it is?

She juses her staff as a walking stick and rounds a bend in the path, she calls out Hello?

Sam reaches out to grab Zoo to try to pull her to safety, but misses. She gives a dry sign and looks down seeing a red head woman. She yelled back down

Yes!!

Hello, Hanea said,and looked down.
Why are you here?She peered at the girl through silver eyes.
Why are so many brave souls risking their lives up here?"she asked.

...

Zoo looked up to see the girl peering down at her. She hesitated in her step, and took a double take, blissfully ignorant of Sam's discovery.

Oh, hello. I didn't see you there. I'm here to ride down the Yamiji. Zoo said politely, with a slight spark in her eyes. The other girl's appearance kind of creeped her out. But, people were people, and some were friendly; but that was quite unlike the flailing menace who was beside her, trying to ruin her fun.

If you ride down thereHanea replied curtlyYou will surely die.How old are you?"

Kes walks further up the path and can start to make out a few words of cionversation.

There is more then one person up here?


She sighs, I bet it's a group of teenagers looking for a thrill.

... They'll get themselfs killed.

She takes a deep breath and calls out, Hello

Hanea stood her ground and waited for the reply

Sam looks down. She sees that the red head girl was holding a walking stick.

Poor thing must be old.

She yells back down

Do you need a hand, ma'm!!!

Die? Bah! Zoo took a deep breath and suddenly gave a "I dare you to say it" kind of glare at the girl above. Trying her best to look taller than the pitiful four foot five inches she was, she said in a confident tone, Despite what I may look like, I'm sixteen years old, and I'm not going to let a bunch of spoilsports like you ruin my fun. She then gave a different sort of glare to Sam, took a few steps away from her direction, then stopped and looked back up at the girl.

Who are you, anyway?

Kes looks up and recognizes the voice of Sam. She sighs and shakes her head.

I should have know.

She continues picking her way up the path and comes to a stop infront of Sam

Do I even want to know why you are up here Sam?

"I am Hanea,a girl from a secret village hidden nearby." She said,tyring to be unfathomable,yet returning her glare with a scary glare of her own.

Her eyes were neary clear,and she didn't smile around starngers,so she already gave a creepy aura.

"I am here,because of reasons that no one should ever endure the pain of."She gave a faraway gaze at the girl
"What is your name?"

Sam smriks at Kes.

Hard to believe, I know, for you anyways, but I'm trying to help someone out.

She gesture at Zoo.

She has a death wish, she's trying to slide down the mountain.

Kes looks beyond Sam at Zoo and another girl. Well that's no good.

Going down this mountain is verry dangerous. Usually only earthbenders can manage that.

Doesn't mention that she's survied this mountain but by slideing all the way on her bottom, and unconsously rubs it.

well mabye between the two of us we can talk some since into her.

Zoo stood confidently, staring up at the stranger without blinking.

My name is none of your concern. Now if you'...

Zoo turned to look at Sam to see that Kes had joined her. Zoo's eyes widened and she swore quite badly, stomping her feet on the rock and turning and running down the path towards her destination.

Darn it, Kes! Way to know the PERFECT time to show up on the mountain. Well, I guess I'll just take my head start while I can. Yamiji, here I come!!

"I also believe that this girl is being a fool"Hanea said slightly harsh.

"I understand,you want the thrill and happyness. You want your endorphin levels to soar. But you are making a mistake!"

Hear's Zoo move and quickly looks back at her and swares as bad as Zoo just did.

Kes breaks into a run, Come on Sam we have to stop her!

Kes jumps over a few bolders on her persuit of Zoo, ad prayed that she didn't have to follow Zoo down the hard way to save her life.

Sam looks back at Zoo and she she has disappear. Sam runs ttrying to keep up with Kes

She runs down the same path, carefully giving a glance down the moutain and at Kes.

Hmmmmm

She shakes her head and forces on Zoo

I'll never get anywhere like this"she thought angrily and followed the two in pursuit of the crazed girl

Zoo didn't stop to look back. She didn't even look over her shoulder. She just kept running as fast as she could. On and on she went, around the many twists and turns of the path. She swore again as sne nearly tripped over a small rock.

Maaan, if you'd just let me have my fun...

Having no idea of what sort of luck she was pressing, she continued onward, ducking around a corner and finding....

Oh GREAT!

A fork in the path. Having no time for desicions, she chose the path on the right and kept to it, ducking beyond a corner and out of sight to anyone who may have been behind her.

Kes ran till she came to the fork in the road, pushing Sam to the left side she called out. Check that path I'll take this one. Call if ya find her

Hanea looked at the road.

I'va always favored my right,she thought.

She walked slowly to the right,but didn't see anything

Do you see her?Hanea asked the two girl,hoping for a reply.

Pant, pant, pant. Zoo's footsteps carried on quickly. She hadn't come all the way up Shin Mountain to be stopped by a girl, a stranger, and a healer!! No, she was GOING to ride the Yamiji, and there was nothing that anyone could do to talk her out of it.

She was close... she could feel it....

Yeeesss! she cheered, jumping in the air as she saw what she was looking for - fairly sized slabs of rock, resting snugly in a pile near an edge... and a long, winding pathway she knew was what she had came here for.

She slid down the rocks and down to the little clearing-like bit of mountain. Breathless, she looked over the fabled Yamiji pathway. The beginning seemed simple enough - a large, tube like carving of rock that seemed like someone cut the top clear off. Either way, the path continued on and on down the mountain, as far as Zoo could tell. Twists and turns were very prominent, steep drops and rises... and it even looked like the road went through a cave!

Laughing to herself at the terrifyingly beautiful sight, she grabbed one of the rock slabs. It wasn't insanely heavy, but it wasn't easy to move, either. She tested it out breifly, stepping on it and finding her balance. Satisfied, she stepped off quickly and shoved it to the edge, sticking one foot on it in preparation, and she turned to face the winding Yamiji. The wind whipped at her hair, and the anticipation of exhiliration made her soul feel about ready to burst through her very own skin.

Nothing could have made this moment better.

Hanea eyes slid into slits as she watched the girl stand on the edge
That fool,she's going to et herself killed!
I doubt it f she makes it out with no injuries. I don't mean to scare you guys,because you already know the dangers,but-sudenly her eyes turned wide,and Hanea collapsed hear the cliff that was the Yamaji,and as she writhed in pain,she was getting closer to falling off.

Hanea stopped moving suddenly.

No matter what happens, she grimaced

I am going to follow that girl,even if I die.

Kes sees Zoo grab a rock slab, and her worry grows. She knows that her nature as a healer is going to make her go down the Yamiji after Zoo. For if Zoo didn't do it right she was going to need medical attention as fast as possible.

Silently Kes thanked Vlad for teaching -- well more of demestrating and leting her figure it out mostly on her own --- how to rock slide. Well if I use a slab I should have to go down it on my but again. If she used her staff to help clear obsticals and hopefully help with the turns as well she should be alright.

She called out one more time as she saw Zoo try to move a slab in possition. Zoo, please don't do this. You have no idea how dangerous this is.

Zoo turned back to look at everyone who was slowly getting closer and closer to her. She pushed the rock slab a centimeter forward, and teeter-tottering it with her foot.

Dangerous? Oh, I know that, Kes. Zoo's grin widened. I understand that part crystal clear. She turned to face the winding pathway again, letting the wind blow through her hair once more.

Taking a deep breath and bracing herself, she forced the rock slab forward and over the edge with her body, pulled her left foot on top, and with a loud cheering yell she began sliding down.

Kes let out another string of curses and uses her staff to do a pole vault and lands where Zoo just was.

Zoo I'm going to kill you when I reach the bottom if ya aren't already dead.

Kes looks around her for a slab. She spots one and hits the back of it with her staff sending it over the edge then leaps onto it and starts to follow Zoo down, using her staff and a balance in her hands.

Down and down Zoo started to go, the slab of stone making a constant, welcomed rumbling noise of rock on rock as she increased speed. At first, Zoo was quite clumsy with the turns - she nearly fell off the edge at a rather sharp turn near the beginning. After a short while, though, she quickly grasped the concept of shifting her weight - like she had any to shift! She began to maneuver the rock slab more gracefully, though the increasing speed hardly made her movements graceful.

For one moment, as she zoomed down a steep hill and entered a large curve, it seemed as if Zoo was about ready to fall over. She had leaned to the left a bit TOO much. Zoo was nearing the point where she was almost standing at a right angle to the surface; she temporarily paniced and she almost lost control.

Woaaah! she yelled, though it was mixed with laughter more than fear as she regained her balance.

Okay... yeah... don't do that again... she thought, as she bent over into a more bullet-like position. She could have laughed at herself. Despite the fact she was riding down one of the most dangerous mountains in the area, she felt oddly rid of all fear. Maybe it was because the bottom half of the Yamiji didn't look as forbidding as the top... but she didn't know that she didn't quite get all the details of the pathway. The top half of the path was relatively tame compared to what was in store near the bottom.

Kes squinted as she watches Zoo get further and further away from her. How is that even possible, shouldn't I be catching up to her since I weigh more?

She sighs as she leans around a sharp bend using her staff to keep herself upright. She looked very graceful never once losing her balance and occasionally using the staff to push off and give her a boost of speed.

Just ahead of her was the curve that nearly took out Zoo. Kes's slab started to get out of control and slid up past the 90 degree mark. Kes quickly calculates that if she jumps off the slab should flip back onto the corse correctly. If she could only land on it again she might get a boost large enough for her to catch up to Zoo before the obsticals ahead.

Kes says a small prayer then once again uses her staff as a pole vault. The slap flips over Kes as her weight is removed from it, but she is traveling faster then she thought she would be.

She catches the slab before it hits the course again. When it finally hits she starts falls off. But somehow after struggling for a few moments manages to stay on.

When she regains her balance she squints her eyes again to see that she's gaining on Zoo. She yells ..... Zoo! You Must Stop. You Don't Know What's Ahead!!! I Do!!

Don't know, don't care! Zoo called over her shoulder; she could barely hear Kes over the grainy noise of the rocks and over the distance between them. As she turned back around, she saw a small boulder sitting snuggly in the middle of the path - straight in front of her.

Gah! Zoo swerved to the right, placing her hand firmly on the boulder and pushing against it. But the boulder suddenly was pushed away from her - it wasn't stuck in the ground like she thought. Her hand seemed to cling to the rock and the slab kept wanting to go forward, and so for a second she seemed to stretch out. She suddenly got a hold of herself and let go of the rock, falling backwards on her back and slamming it onto the fast-moving slab, that felt like it was about ready to spin out of control. It had slipped under her feet while she was falling and had turned sideways, its momentum not broken yet.

Feeling uncomfortable riding the Yamiji on her back, she twisted herself around and turned herself over, crouching down on her hands and knees and pulling the slab straight forward again. She slowly lifted her body up onto her knees, but the path was starting to get more twisted - and with all the curves and drops she didn't feel comfortable enough to stand.