Hey everyone,

I know it's been forever since I submitted a story or updated, but I wanted to start again. I am sorry to say that I will not be continuing Slave to Your Love. It's just been so long, and maybe eventually I will get back to it. I'm sorry once again!

But I am starting a new story that I hope you guys will enjoy. And please leave a review so I know if this is something people are interested in!


Iruka nestled the baby against his chest, making sure the little one was secure. The early morning sun's heat, settled over them like a fog, and his skin was slick with sweat from traveling throughout the night. He moved quietly and sure-footed along the rocky mountain pass. Any misstep could send him plunging to his death, and the blood that stained the tips of his daggers would have been for nothing.

Although this particular summer season was far worse than their normal summers, being forced to work the fields as a slave allowed him to move freely under the sun's jarring glare with only mild annoyance. He would have never thought the years of his imprisonment would have prepared him for the journey ahead. Throughout his captivity, he was forced to work for hours-days even with no food or water. He tucked away many of his feelings, burying them somewhere far reaching inside until pain, discomfort, sadness became foreign in his own mind. Only now something caught fire in his veins and without realizing it a deep rooted anger began to fester under layers of obedience, of fear, of silence. Years of choked screams, of being beaten to near death and begging to be folded in its' arms. . Anger had finally broke free and it began to spread like wildfire. He felt it trickle down his arms to the palms of his calloused hands, descending further to his scarred legs all the while sweat licked at his honey brown skin. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand.

An irritated growl escaped his pressed lips, "For Mother's sake damn this heat" he snapped. With a shake of his head, he mentally chided himself for using the Creator's name in vain. As the former spiritual leader of the earth clan, he still held himself accountable for upholding respect and dignity for the Divine. Yet now and even then the Spirits had to know he was not perfect when they chose him of all people. He was never the best student but somehow the earth spirit chosen him to be its vessel. And yet again the spirits had chosen him to protect their people's future. But between then and now a lot has changed, even though his willingness to be of service still remained. He was not his old self. He was a shell of a human being like many of his former clans people, but he was worse because hanging over him was death. Killing one human is like killing human kind itself. He would never be fully whole as what happens when everything you belong to is ripped apart from you. His language. His heritage. His culture. Everything that makes one whole, makes one belong to something bigger than oneself, was torn away. They were only shadows of what they once were. A proud race of the Elements. A race where there were those born with the ability to call forth the power of the four Spirits that ruled the earth granted to them by the Mother. His people were meant to be caretakers of the earth but instead man's desires had manipulated the earth and stained its surface with wasted blood. He could still feel the presence of earth in his bones, even if it's' once lively essence dulled, it still resided somewhere inside.

The stirring against his chest brought his attention back to the baby. It still took his breath away when the infant looked up at him. His bright blue eyes shined like two blue gems. Three whisker like tattoos decorated either side of his cheeks a testament to his lineage. The newborn whimpered, while staring at Iruka with his nose scrunched up, as if he too was annoyed by the heat. A smile tugged at Iruka's lips, as he ran his fingers through the baby's thick, curly blonde hair.

Naruto was something completely different yet the same. He was of their people, but he was also so much more. He was the thread that would tie their people together after years of harsh treatment and slavery. He would make them whole again. The moment Iruka's fingertips brushed against the child after he pulled Naruto from his dying mother's womb images began to ripple through Iruka's mind like memories.

Earth, Fire, Water, Air-came together. A gray film of ash blanketed the sky. There was a battle field riddled with the dead-some of his people and some of the other worlders. Their blood interwoven, seeping into the earth's soil. Above it all stood Naruto with fire in his eyes and wind in his hair. The very earth and sea bowed beneath him. On either side of him stood spirit wielders.

The scene sent chills up and down Iruka's aching body and filled him with something he thought he'd never feel-hope. It was that moment he knew he needed to save the child, and he realized why the King ordered the killing of spirit users. He knew what was to come.

Iruka reminded himself to keep his thoughts guarded, not even his own mind was safe so long as he was still so close to the King's keep. He pressed forward, making sure to close his mind's door to any who wished to enter. With the door sealed no one could lead soldiers right to them and slitting their throats. He didn't even make it halfway to the forest of Khorid where they would be safe. He had no doubt that the guards had already found the dead bodies of the night watch and the missing newborn. He kept his eyes forward. It would be several days before they reached the furthest part of the forest. Each step came more steady and vigorous than the next.