Uzu Empire
Chapter Two; Emperor and Empress revealed; Some Familiar Faces Found
As you may or may not know I have been working together with wolfprackersson09 with several stories we have been working on together, such as this one. If you are interested then check them out, they are on his profile. Also a shout out to any reader who are artist as well. My partner and I are looking for out DevianART for our stories, both the ones we do ourselves and together. Anyone who wants to please let us know. One may even have their art be use as our cover for our stories.
If there are any spelling or grammar errors and if there are please tell me so I can fix them later. Thank you too all those who reviewed, hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer; Lets get this over with. I do not own anything Naruto or Avatar or anything else mixed into this. My partner, wolfprackersson09, says he does not own them either and unless I find anything to prove other wise I believe him.
(Story start)
Asuma Sarutobi was a man that seemed lazy at times, but he was clever. He had known something was wrong when Choji came back alone in poor spirits, and he was right again as he entered a bar and found the young chunin with a bottle of sake and tears, talking about the loss of his best friends.
"I should've stayed. I could've saved them, but now their gone. Just like him." He took another chug as he recalled the report to Tsunade just days ago. Asuma walked over to the young man, drowning his sorrows in sake.
"Choji, I know it's hard to lose friends, but there is a chance that their still alive right?" Choji looked towards the bearded chain smoker and made a small sob once more. "It's just been shit since Naruto left. Kiba's been grumpier since he left, Hinata's been a bit colder to everyone, probably more depressed, Shina's hard to read, but Hinata said that she's been down as well. It just isn't the same, and you know it." Asuma didn't have a good reply, and he had to agree. Kakashi seemed to be on time for everything and burying himself in missions. The only thing that seemed normal was his relationship with the beautiful Kurenai. Choji took a last swig before saying, "I wonder where they are now?"
"You've had enough sake for a guy your age. Let's get you home, and I'll let you know if we find anything." Asuma managed to get Choji out of the shinobi bar, and hopefully back to his dad.
(Scene Break)
The airship landed in the air field a ways away from the palace. They rode a carriage up the road and to the palace. Ino glance outside as they went on and she saw the market place that was swarming with people moving around. Many different stand and shops all around their vendors calling out to the crowd.
In no time at all they arrived at the palace and Zuko pulled them into one of the building. He turned to them, "Now before you are presented to the emperor and empress you will…"
"They won't be seeing them just yet Zu-zu" said a female voice from the end of the hall.
Zuko gritted his teeth, "Don't call me that Azula."
Two girls about their age walked towards them. One had a fair skin and dark hair in a top knot with two large bangs that framed her face and eyes that were like Zuko's. The other was darker tan skin and brown hair that flowed down her back to her hip and two small hair loops on either side of her head.
The first girl, Azula smirked, "You have been gone a while so you have not heard the news but our empress, Ko-Hana is resting as the heavens have blessed her with a child and shouldn't be disturbed then." This shocked Zuko and the other two. The other girl nodded, "I just checked her out and she is doing fine."
"Our emperor is doing some business right now and will be back later." Azula added.
Zuko sighed before he turned to Shika and Ino. "This is my twin sister Azula, chief of the elite guards and Katara head medic second only to the empress herself. This is Shika Nara and her teammate. The emperor was interested in finding her."
Azula eyed the two of them, "Due to the bad timing on my brother's part it will be a while before they can be presented to Su-Sano and Ko-Hana. I suggest that they should look around the capital city, Takamagahara, and maybe do some shopping for clothes for their stay. I will have some of my Kiyoshi Warriors as bodyguards for them."
Azula then turned and walked away. Katara sighed before turning to them, "Sorry she is not always like this and she actually wishes that it was her that was with a child as well."
Shika and Ino looked at one another not sure what to say. "In case your wondering, my sister can be quite cruel and ambitious with her ways, but it is only in private that she shows any sort of softness with family or our emperor."
"How ambitious is she?" Ino asked, hoping to gather some information with Shika to help. She felt intimidated by the other woman.
"Ambitious enough that the emperor had to have Katara as a concubine as well to make sure that he can have some peace." A new voice coming from a group of women that approached them. All of their faces were painted with a war-make up that made them beautiful. The uniform was also made to be more feminine.
"It's old gossip, and completely untrue, but many believe that only the emperor keeps Azula's wrath from his wife. It's completely obvious that she wishes for a son before Ko-Hana." The leader was a woman with brown hair and was also confident in her walk.
"So, those two were his concubines, and Azula wants to have his child. Who are you?"
"My name is Suki, and I'm the leader of the Kiyoshi warriors." Suki answered Shika, and Ino managed to follow along enough.
"I also seek to report on the emperor directly, details that certain individuals among his court would want silenced." Suki nodded at that, and then signaled a formation around the two kunoichi. With speed that would easily match genin at the least, jounin at the most, a pair of collars were slipped on their necks before the cuffs were removed.
"Chi restraining collars. Useful to keep the more fashion insistent women prisoners at bay. Lady Azula allowed us up to five silver yuan for shopping. You two do know what yuan are?" Suki looked at the two, and they nodded.
"We learned about it from some troublesome soldiers." Shika said as she rubbed her sore wrist. Having those cuffs on for day was not something she enjoyed.
The trip to the market place was short but Shika and Ino found the movement of the crowd and the fast pace of the market more exciting then they expected. Ino spot one vender with different outfits. She looked through them, "Oh this silk feels nice." She said as she feels the silk in her hands.
Shika gave her a deadpan look, "You do realize that it will be worth more then what we got and I rather not ask that Azula lady for more money." Ino froze as she pictured Azula's reaction.
Shika notice a man watching them off to the side. He wore mostly white with blue robe like jacket with a hood that was up to hide the top half of his face. Shika wondered why he was looking at them when he turned as something happen.
Shika turned at see a vendor in front of some small kids, dropped bread on the ground, "Steal from me will you? Well let see you steal from not one when I am down with you." He grabbed one of the children's arms and forces it down on the stand and held a cleaver axe to cut it off.
As he pulled his arm back it was grabbed by the man, "Lets not be hasty now. You know it is a crime to the empire to do something like that to a child." He had a deep voice but held a bit of power to it.
The man sneered, "It is the only way these orphans will learn, the empire has bigger concerns then a few thieves that need to be punished."
"How about I pay double for the bread? That should be enough for all this trouble." The man said holding up the yuan.
The man stared, "You will be willing to give me fifteen copper yuan for a bunch of brats?"
The man thought about it, "Too little? Then how about a single silver yuan?" he took the coin out and flipped it in the air getting the man's attention, "And you would not be as harsh next time to them."
The man looked at him, "Fine," he spat, "If you wish to pay for these brats then so be it." He took the sliver coin. "It is people like you that are too soft to them that make them act out."
The vendor returned to his stand and the man knelt down and help the kids gather the bread they dropped, "Next time try and get the money needed. Or at least try and not get caught. And don't worry about him;" he whispered this next part "I am sure the emperor will have his hide for attempt to harm you like that."
Some of the children went wide eyed as the got a look at his face. One of the smaller girls went up and gave the man a hug. He chuckled and returned it. "Now off with you now and be careful next time."
Shika watched as the kids ran off but when she turned to look at the man she found that he was gone.
"That was really generous of that guy. I'm not sure that I'd risk myself for some kids." Ino said as she still had the piece of silk in her hands, when she realized it she put it back quickly. Shika had a feeling that she knew him.
"Yeah, but I get the feeling I heard his voice before." Shika said, wondering where he went to.
Suki shook her head, but it was their first time in Takamagahara. "Those children are war orphans. Su-Sano sympathizes with them, and has been trying to establish good orphanages. He's also made sure that children would have a chance, and that vendor was close to being sent to prison. I have no sympathy for that vendor."
Ino wasn't sure how to feel about it, and she could guess that if he went to conquer her own homeland, then there would be more.
"It's almost time to return to the palace. Thirty minutes to shop and then we must prepare you to meet them."
"Suki, what's with the preparation talk?" Ino had looked at another silk dress as she asked. It was an easy question to ask.
"Surely you don't want to offend the man who would your lives within his hands do you? I'm speculating that you've been in a fight with Commander Zuko, forced to ride rhino's tied up, and stuffed in an airship for nearly a week. You need a bath and some clothes, and that is what the preparation is, or as the old women say before sending their daughters to the matchmaker: 'to purify your body of impurity and gain beauty so the heavens may bless you'."
Ino and Shika looked at her shocked, Shika even more so. She may be a girl but she considered herself more of a tomboy. "I am not one for dressing up." she mutters.
Ino scowled, "Please Shika I have been trying to get you a girl's night out with me and Sakura for years and you rather have one with Kiba and Shina. You think that for once acting like a girl will kill you."
"No idea but I am sure we will fine out, so troublesome." Shika muttered.
Suki laughed, "Well I am sure you won't die but no one will recognize you."
Shika groaned dreading what as to come back at the palace.
(scene change)
Once they arrived back at the palace the two leaf chunin were moved to another room with several hand maidens with a lot of make up, a fancy dress and a large tub filled with soapy water. One lady came forward looking them over. "This is what you have me to work with? Honey I seen worst."
"Hey!" cried Ino and Shika did not seem to care.
Suki gave a small laugh as the hand maidens came around the two and quickly took their closes off and undid their hair. "I will leave them in your hands then."
The head nodded, "When I am done with them then will go form sow's ears into silk purses."
"Easy with the hands," Shika muttered as she was stripped and then both girls were pushed into the tub.
Both girls then had a hand maiden run their hand through their hair, working the shampoo into it. "Not so rough." Shika said, but Ino took it well. The handmaidens ignored her and kept washing, scrubbing as much of their bodies as possible. "This actually feels pretty good."
"Says you, this is just troublesome." Shika said, as she had then been dowsed with water.
"You certainly needed this bath. It must be difficult to stay for days on an airship with no shower, it would be tragedy if it was a month or two on a ship." One of them said as they finished the bath. The two kunoichi were then given robes to cover their nude bodies, and they were ushered to another room, with two more that started to style their hairs.
"Wow, we're given the full spa treatment. The emperor sure knows how to treat a lady." Ino said, as she went along with the two. Shika's hair was finally settled on a feminine topknot as Ino's hair was kept in her ponytail.
"If you two weren't to see the emperor, then the matchmaker would love to meet you. I'd say that a noble or general would make you his bride." One of the hair dressers said, and motioned for the two to follow. "All that's left is make-up and clothing. Then you'll be ready to see Emperor Su-Sano and Empress Ko-Hana."
Both girls were now kneeling on mats next to one another while the hand maidens worked around them and placed make up on them. Their faces were powered, eyes were shadows lightly and lined and their lips were painted a shiny ruby red. Shika felt weird that she had this much make up on her face as she mostly goes around without any. Then their gowns were placed on them while the maidens moved around and tied the sash tight on them. They were caught by surprise as both had to catch their breath. "There done," one said and Shika let out a sigh with relief.
"Not yet," the head maiden said as she came out with a few things, "An apple for serenity a pendant for balance." She said as she gave both girls an apple and places the large pendants into their gown at the waist and Shika straighten up to feel comfortable. She then held out two jade bead necklaces "Beads of jade for beauty. You must proudly show it," she placed the beads on them and lifted Ino's head to look at her, "Now we had a cricket, just for luck. And even you two can't blow this." The little wooden cages were tied to their sashes and the maiden looked at awe at their work.
Shika looked herself and Ino over, "Well let's get this over with."
Ino did a twirl, "Wow, we look good."
(scene change)
The girls were now leaded into the throne room. It was large with many pillars around it with different marking of dragons, toads and foxes. Azula stood next to the thrones were the emperor and empress was sitting while Katara was on the other side. They had an arch over their head casing their heads in shadow. Both were dress in elegant orange and black robes and both girls could tell that the empress was starting to show a bump in her stomach where her new baby was growing.
They knelt in front of them and Azula said out loud, "Presenting our lords, Emperor Su-Sano and his wife Empress Ka-Hana. Rulers of the Uzu Empire."
Both girls raised their heads and from their angle did they get a better at their faces. Both were shocked as there was no one else that hair like that or marks like that on their face. "Naruto?" "Sakura?" Shika and Ino asked unable to help themselves.
Naruto smiled as he looked at the two. "Shika, Ino, it's great to see you two!" He said as he got up from the throne itself. He was certainly happy to see them, and he made a motion for them to stand up.
"I'm also happy to see you two, and sorry if I look like a bit of a mess." Sakura said with a smile, and Naruto assisted her from her own seat and helped her towards the two. Ino was happy to see her friend again, and gave her a large hug.
"I know, the leaf village just hasn't been the same since you two were gone." Sakura and Naruto winced at Ino's statement, but they couldn't fault her.
"If you're the emperor here Naruto, then I have a feeling I know why you'd want me." Shika had a slight accusing glance, but Naruto easily knew how she would figure things out, regardless.
"Let's not talk about missions and business right now. We should at least catch up on what's happening with us; it has been at least two, maybe three years. We can discuss such things later, and I'll let you taste my best hospitality." That was shocking to both Ino and Shika. Naruto was actually using polite tones and thinking things through.
Ino felt Sakura's belly and squealed, "I can't believe you are going to have a baby."
Sakura could not keep the grin off of her face. "I know I was floored as well when Katara checked me out when I felt sick. You should have seen Naruto. He shouted from the top of the palace and shouted it out to the whole city to hear. They cheered aloud when they heard the news and kept sending gifts. I think they are even more excited than we are to see our baby when he is born."
"So it's a boy?" Ino asked.
"Well we don't know yet, we want it to be a surprise but we figure it would be better to switch from boy and girl when talking about her rather then call her 'it'."
Ino nodded while Shika was talking to Naruto, "I am glad you are alright Naruto."
Naruto smiled at Shika, "No harm no foul Shika. I got to tell you some of the stuff I did while away."
"Like help unit these nation and made this empire?" Shika asked, "You do know that there are a bunch of rumors or where you are from among your soldiers."
Naruto nodded, "Yeah I heard a bunch of them. They are good for a few laughs. Azula actually help start the one with me being a dragon in human form."
"I did not!" Azula cried as she and Katara went and join the group.
"Actually we kinda did." Katara argued with a blush, "We kinda were overheard by a guard when we were talking to our friends and you said that Naruto, 'was as big as a dragon'. It grew from there."
Shika and Ino blushed before they look at Naruto, who was not looking in anyone's eyes. "So they know the truth I guess they know the truth as well. I am surprise that you have concubines and Sakura kept you intact."
"Well Katara is Sakura best friend her and was train in healing arts with her. Azula was more her rival and both girls loved me and were alright with Sakura being my wife even if Azula wanted to be the one. Sakura was the one that suggested the concubine thing to us and with her approval they jumped at it."
Azula recovered then and turned to Naruto, "Oh and Zu-zu wishes to talk to you later about Zhao. Something about insubordination and not following orders."
Naruto sighed, "I will talk to him later about it I rather not talk about that pain in the ass right now."
"So, I heard you were able to summon a dragon, when did that start?" Ino asked, and Naruto chuckled at that. "Oh, that was during my travels to learn how things are done here, and I wind up learning how to use fire from dragons. The boss dragon summon, Kohryu, liked me that he let me sign the scroll. He and Gamabunta talked it out on letting me sign a second scroll. Summons tend to not like anyone sign multiple contracts."
"Wow, everything is different here, but I'm guessing you want my ability to think of strategy for an invasion. I won't hold it against you, after what happened, but do you really intend to start a war?" Shika asked, grasping her cup of tea, and Naruto sighed.
"I guess it's true that I'm going to conquer the Elemental nations, but I intend to at least give them a chance to ally with me. I've already contacted Wave, and I intend to personally discuss a possible treaty with granny for the village. I still have good memories there. You, Kiba, Choji, and Shina are there, and it's not like they won't have time to prepare. Mustering an invasion takes time and troops, but I intend to make sure some of the wrongs are made right."
Shika sighed, "Well you might have Lady Tsunade agreeing if she knows it is you. But with how things are you might have to fight the village as some would rather fight then ally themselves with you."
Naruto nodded, "Yes I figure as much but hopefully granny has enough control of her men for a cease fire at least. I already sent word for the land of snow and I might get her to agree to be allies."
Ino glanced around and asked "So who knows the truth of who you really are?"
Naruto thought of it, "Well our teachers for one as well as close friends with Zuko's Katara's families. Toph knows as she is a friend and partner in her work plus our spiritual master monk Aang. Other then that no one else knows."
Shika thought about it. "How much stronger are you Naruto?"
Naruto smirked, "Like you never would believe. I master the sage art the toads wanted to learn and from what I hear I went farther then pervy sage. Then I master Kurama's charka and can even go into full beast form if I need to."
"Kurama?" Shika question but then realize who Naruto meant, "You mean the fox?"
Naruto nodded, "Yep, I take it everyone knows about it?"
"It was slipped out and nearly everyone knows you held it back. 'Caused a rife to form as some thought you were a monster while the younger generation does not see you like that."
Naruto sighed, but would understand. He then thought about something that he thought was important.
"So, how's everyone doing? I haven't seen them in a long while." Shika and Ino sighed and bowed their heads for a bit.
"To be honest, not that great. Kiba's just being more aggravating and has simply dived into training and mission work, she keeps saying you'll come back stronger and that she has to keep up. Shina's depressed, but I can't really tell with her. It's hard enough to tell that she's a girl with all the clothes she wears. Hinata seems to flip from being a general ice queen to being so depressed that everyone has to keep an eye on her."
"What do you mean Ino?" Sakura asked, worried about the Hyuuga heiress. They weren't exactly friends, but she could see that Hinata was strong.
"Her father and Neji-san had stopped her from hanging herself once after you left, and she was stopped from running away from the village as well. She took it hard." Shika answered, it was a tough thing to talk about either way, and the two were shocked at the fact that someone they knew attempted to kill herself.
Naruto felt guilt building up. He missed his friends ever since he was banished and he hated hoe it had affected them. He did not know Hinata very much but to try and kill herself. Sakura placed a hand on his, "It's not your fault Naruto."
"But…"
"But nothing," Sakura glared, "You have nothing to be blamed for. If you must blame someone then blame the one that force you and me away. But right now we have to focus. To fix the world, to unite the world we have to work to do it."
Naruto looked at Sakura and knew she was right. Bowing his head in shame will not fix anything and if he was going to unite the world he must focus. There were many evil things in the elemental nations. Orochimaru was one and the group that was after him was another, not to mention those behind the dark shadows in the leaf village. He was going to bring peace to the world, to end the darkness that was spreading and they knew this was the only way. The only question was would his old home fight with them or fight against them. Naruto was not sure which choice worried him more.
Hope you all enjoy this. If you like this story, then check out some of my other ones. Make sure you check out the one me and my partner worked on, they are on his profile. Please review
