It had been a few days since Naruto and Azula had moved into the house behind the Hokage monument. Azula had been mostly silent and only talked when it was necessary. He could see that Azula still didn't trust him, and he wanted to change that. He knew that it would take time, and he was willing to wait.
Azula on the other hand was trying to think straight as she looked around. It had been day since she came to this place and she had yet to lock away. She stood on guard not wanting to be ambushed and taken to a prison. The voices were still there and tormented her whenever they could. The one thing that was keeping her from ending it all was Naruto. Whenever he was around her, the voices were silent. He never left her alone whenever possible; he was there when she had her nightly torment. He just climbed into bed with her and held her. She didn't understand the gesture but it made her feel safe. She understood that a hug was a form of affection. Unfortunately, the way Naruto held her was like anything she had ever felt. Naruto would just hold Azula in his arms and she would feel safe. He was the only thing she felt sure.
"He going to leave you like all the others," Ozai voice stated in her mind with a laugh, "Like I left you."
Azula ignored her father voice but his words hurt her. Everyone who she cared for left her. Her mother, her friends, and her father all left her alone in the end. She looked at Naruto as he cooked breakfast and wondered if he would leave her as well.
"He will leave and you will be alone," Ursa stated, "When that happens, you will be nothing."
"Please leave me alone," Azula whispered.
Ozai just laughed, "Why should we leave a poor little failure like you alone?" he commented, "You need this to see what a huge failure you are."
Azula started cry, "Why do you do this?" she asked.
"This is for your own good,"Ozai stated, "As I said before, a failure such as yourself needs to be told what a big failure you are."
"Yes monsters such as yourself should be told what you are." Ursa commented and soon more tears started to flow down Azula's face. Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around Azula's petite form.
"Don't listen," Naruto said into Azula's ear. "You are not what they say you are."
Azula slowly nodded, tears still falling down her face. She turned to face Naruto, a small knowing smile on his face. He lifted one of his hands caressed her face. "It's ok, let it out."
Azula let her tears fall and Naruto just held her in the same manner he always did. It made Azula feel safe and she never wanted to leave that safety. Naruto just stroked her hair and held her, he could smell the food burning, but didn't care. Azula was more important than food. Soon the sound of Azula's sobbing lessened and the pair slowly detangled.
"….."Azula tried to say but she didn't know what to say.
Naruto gave her a grin, "I'm glad you're feeling better." He stated. "Now wait here while I try to save breakfast."
Azula watched him as he walked quickly back into the kitchen and the sound a pans and dishes were heard. She heard him curse and he walked back into towards him with a smile on his face.
"So who wants to go out to eat?" he said.
Azula just nodded and stood up. Naruto held out his hand and Azula. Azula looked at Naruto for a moment not knowing what to do. She slowly extended her hand and slowly wrapped her fingers around Naruto's hand. He gave her a soft smile and they soon headed towards the village. Azula watched as the house disappeared and they walked out onto the top of the Hokage Monument. She took followed behind Naruto as he lead her down the monument, it was in the middle of the day and the village was full of life. She watched as people walked passed and she drew closer to Naruto.
Ozai voice rang through her mind, "All these people hate you."
Azula tried to ignore his voice and drew even closer to Naruto. Naruto felt Azula squeeze his hand and he squeezed back. Much to Azula astonishment the simple squeeze the feeling of fear left her and Ozai voice seemed to fade away. They soon reached their destination and Azula saw a sign that read Ichiraku Ramen.
"Come on," Naruto said with a smile and pulled her inside. Azula looked around a saw a large counter and a row of chairs. Naruto lead her to a chair and helped her sit down. He sat next to her and gave a smile, "Hey guys!"
Azula watched a young girl with brunette hair, wearing very plain clothes and an apron. She smiled when she saw Naruto, "Hello Naruto welcome back." She said.
"Hi Ayame," Naruto said with a smile. "It's great to be back. "
Ayame nodded, then noticed Azula, "Who your friend?" she asked.
"This is Azula," Naruto replied, "She new to the village, so I decided to bring her to the best place to eat in the entire village."
Ayame smiled, "Well that nice of you," she said and looked towards Azula with a warm smile on her face.
Azula was silent as she looked back at Ayame, she didn't know what to say. Back when she was in the cell she didn't have any choice in what she ate and when she lived in the palace her servants always brought her favorite foods. So now she had no idea what to do. So she remained silent.
Ayame seemed to notice her distress, "Let's just start you off with a bowl of miso ramen," she said and Azula nodded. Ayame smiled and turned toward Naruto, "I will get your usual is that ok Naruto?'
"Of course," He said. Ayame nodded and headed inside. Naruto turned toward Azula. "How are you doing?"
Azula looked back at Naruto, "I'm fine." She said with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Naruto heard the uncertainty in her voice and gave her a concerned look. "No you're not," He said making Azula flinch. He saw the flinch and gave her a soft smile, "Hey its ok. I am not going to hurt you."
Azula looked at Naruto and was silent for a bit, she didn't know how to reply. She remained silent. Naruto reached over and took her hand. Azula felt this and slowly her fingers closed around Naruto's hand.
While this was going on Ayame had came out with their food. She saw the pair holding hands and a smile spread across her face. She set the food down on the counter, "I hope I not interrupting anything," She said getting Naruto's and Azula's attention.
Naruto blushed and Azula looked at her with confusion, their hands still joined. "You're not interrupting anything," Naruto said quickly.
Ayame gave Naruto a knowing look, "Sure I wasn't," She said with a smile. "I leave you and your girlfriend to your meals."
Naruto and Azula just watched her walk away in silence. Naruto was the first to come to his senses. He was about to shout after Ayame when Azula gave him a small tug.
She gave Naruto the same look of confusion she gave Ayame, "What did she mean by girlfriend?" she asked him.
Naruto looked at her with a bit of shock on his face, but it soon faded away, "It nothing," he said as he pulled his ramen toward him. "Let's eats."
Azula gave him an angered look, "Naruto what did she mean," She said letting a bit of her old fire burn again. "Tell me."
Naruto looked at her with even more shock on his face, this was the first time he seen Azula show any emotion except fear and worry. "She was just joking with us?" he said as he lifted his chopsticks to start to eat.
Azula got even madder, "What was she joking about?" she asked a bit of steam rising off her body.
Naruto shrank back a bit from the angry girl, "She was saying we are together." He replied.
"What do you mean by together?" she asked him her anger waning a bit.
"She means together as a couple," he stated and Azula nodded in understanding a bit of a blush on her face. "Please inform her that she was mistaken."
Naruto watched her and couldn't help but smile, this confused Azula even further. "What is it?" she asked him with a bit of confusing.
"It nice to see you act out," He stated and turned to face his ramen, "Now eats before it gets cold."
Azula looked at Naruto with a bit of annoyance on her face and turned to face her ramen. She looked over the food and slowly looked around reached for her chopsticks. She slowly took some noodles from the bowl and looked at them. She watched as Naruto pulled up a several lines of noodles, blow on them and slurp them up. She slowly copied Naruto and she was presently surprised at how well the food tasted. She ate her food slowly as her formal training kicked in; she turned and looked at Naruto who ate the food with gusto. He was so different from anyone she had met. He was always so happy and caring. She continued to eat a small smirk on her face.
They finished their meal and Naruto quickly paid for the meal. They headed back into the village and headed toward the Yamanaka residence to see Inoichi for Azula's first session. They walked toward the front of the house which was the Flower shop. They enter the shop and head toward the counter. Azula saw a girl with long blonde hair sitting at the counter. She was about the same age as Naruto and seemed to reading a magazine a bored look on her face.
"Hey Ino," Naruto said getting the girl attention.
She turned and looked at Naruto, "Hey Naruto," She said with a sultry smile that made Azula frown. "How are you?
Naruto smiled back oblivious to Ino's tone, "Great," Naruto replied, "We are here to see your dad."
"We?" Ino asked and saw Azula standing next to Naruto. "Who she?"
"This is Azula," Naruto replied, "She is new to the village and she has an appointment with your dad."
Ino nodded as she looked over Azula. She was silent for a few moments as she looked over Azula. A small frown forming on her face. "She could be trouble," Ino thought to herself, "But I will make Naruto mine."
"Follow me," Ino said and opened a panel in the counter. Naruto and Azula followed Ino into the backroom to the home area. Inoichi was sitting on the couch and saw the group walk in.
"Welcome to my home Naruto, Azula," He said as he got up.
"It nice to see your home Inoichi," Naruto said with a smile.
Inoichi nodded and looked toward Azula, "It is nice to see you again Azula." He said and Azula nodded. "Now Azula if you would follow me to my office we will start your session. Naruto you can wait here till were done."
Naruto nodded, but Azula took a small step back. Naruto noticed this, he turn toward Inoichi, "Give us a second. " Naruto turned toward Azula. He saw the worry in her eyes, "Hey its ok."
"You're not going to be with me?" she asked the fear evident in her voice.
"I am out here if you need me," Naruto replied but that didn't reassure Azula. He pulled her into a hug, "It will be ok."
Azula was silent for a moment, "All right," she said and they broke their hug.
She walked toward Inoichi and he led her toward the back office. Naruto watched them leave and couldn't help but worry about Azula, but she needs the help the he couldn't provide. He was able to help with her mindscape up to a certain point, but she needs a professional like Inoichi to help her as well. Naruto sat down on one of the couches and signed.
"I hope it goes well," He thought to himself.
"It will be ok," Kyuubi replied, "Inoichi knows what he doing."
Naruto smiled, "Thanks Kyu," Naruto said as he got comfortable on the couch. He suddenly felt another presence on the couch and saw Ino sitting next to him. She gave him a very sultry smile that made Naruto get a little nervous.
"So Naruto," Ino said scooting closer to her fellow blonde, "How have you been?"
-With Azula and Inoichi-
Inoichi sat across from Azula a warm smile on his face. "Welcome Azula, thank you for coming." He said, "These sessions are to help you heal. Since this is your first session we will take it slow." Azula just nodded, trying g to hide her fear. "Now close your eyes and we will begin."
Azula closed her eyes and Inoichi began to go through some hand signs, he finished the final hand sign. He put his hand on Azula head and slowly descended into her mind. Inoichi opened his eyes and found himself standing in a sea of broken glass and land floating about. Azula stood next to him and couldn't help but cringe.
Inoichi looked down at Azula, "Shall we be off?" he asked her and held out his hand. Azula hesitated a bit but slowly grasped Inoichi extended hand. They slowly moved through Azula's mind. Azula looked around and saw the fragments floating all over the place. Suddenly the sound of her father's laughing filled the air. Azula flinched when she heard this and looked around for the voice.
"Look who here," Ozai voice said from all sides, "Our little Azula, come to receive her punishment."
"No, leave me alone," Azula said slowly going into herself.
Inoichi narrowed his eyes as he looked at Azula, he kneeled down next to her, "Azula, this is your mind you have control," he said, "Fight it."
Azula didn't seem to hear him, "Poor, failure Azula," Ozai voice said as his voice got even louder. "You are going to be shown your failure, and when you can't take it anymore I will end it for you!"
Inoichi looked at Azula, "Azula listen to my voice," He said trying to get Azula out of herself.
Azula looked up at Inoichi her eyes filled with tears, "Make it stop," she pleaded with Inoichi.
Inoichi looked directly into Azula's eyes, "You have the power to make it stop," He said to her with conviction.
Azula just looked at him with fear, "I can't." she replied as suddenly a wall of fire appeared beside them. Azula turned and saw Ozai and Ursa standing before them.
"Well Azula it wonderful to see you," Ursa said with sarcasm in her voice, "You been such a bad girl being away from us for so long." She pulled out a set of knives. "Now come and get your punishment for making me worry."
Inoichi frowned, he hoped this wouldn't happen. He looked down at Azula and saw that she was breaking down. "Azula!" he called hoping his words were get through to her. "If you can hear me think of the place where you feel the safest and focus on that place."
A fire ball flew over the pairs head and Inoichi turned and saw Ozai and Ursa coming toward them. "This is not good." He said as he watched the pair advanced. He pulled out a kunai and stood in front of Azula prepared to fight the pair off. Ozai and Ursa charged forward going in for kill.
Suddenly Ursa and Ozai began to fade from view and another view seems to take its place. Inoichi soon found himself and Azula in the middle of a long hall with many pictures of different people who all looked similar.
"Where are we?" Inoichi asked Azula as he looked around the hall.
"The hall of the Fire Lords," Azula said the fear slowly fading from her voice. "I would always come here when I was feeling sad or lonely." She looked over the faces of the pervious Fire Lords and seemed at peace. She looked at one of the spaces and found it empty much to her relief.
"Interesting," Inoichi said as he sat down next to Azula. "So tell me when the first time you came here was."
Azula sat next to Inoichi in silence, "When I was four I was playing with my brother Zuko, we were practicing our fire bending. I was always better then Zuko at fire bending and we were sparing, I hit him in the hand and gave him a small burn. Mother came over and fussed over Zuko and scolded me. I got mad and ran away so no one would see me cry. I hated that she yelled at me, it was an accident I didn't mean too. So I ran here and cried till I had no more tears. After that this is the place where I come and show emotions that I couldn't show others."
Inoichi listened with interest, "That's good," he said, "So why here? What makes this place so special?"
Azula looked at face of her grandfather Fire Lord Azulan, "When I here I feel as if they are all watching over me, helping me be the best. Comforting me and helping me through everything."
"That is wonderful," Inoichi said. He got up and smiled at Azula. "I think that enough for today, From now on we are going to start our sessions here and move outward, is that ok with you. " Azula just nodded. He watched as Azula slowly faded away back into consciousness, he found the door out of the hallway and looked out into Azula's mind. Everywhere else were broken pieces and shattered buildings for as far as he could see. "This is going to take awhile." He cut off the jutsu and went back to his body.
He opened his eyes and saw Azula staring at him, she seemed a bit better and he was glad he could help her. "Let's go see what Naruto's doing shall we?" he said and Azula nodded. They headed out office and saw no one in the room. They headed into the flower shop and saw Naruto watering the flowers.
Naruto set the watering can down and turned to face the pair, "Hey guys how are you?"
Inoichi smiled, "Enjoy yourself?" he said and Naruto nodded. "Well were done for the day so she all yours and also do you know where Ino went?"
Naruto grabbed Azula quickly and ran out of the shop, "Sorry no idea bye!" he called as he sped off. Inoichi watched this and face palmed. He headed back into his home and found Ino asleep on her bed.
Ino woke up shortly after her father left and looked around her room confused. "How I get here?" she said to herself then remembered Naruto knocking her out when she tried to get close to him. She smiled to herself. "You won this round foxy, but you will be mine."
This is chapter five of ASC, I am fairly happy with it and sorry it took a long time to get out. I was hit with a long block of writer's block that didn't seem what to go away. I am trying to write my other stories as well and hope to get new chapters out soon, but we will have to see. I am happy with all the feedback I am getting about this story and really like to thank all who have reviewed it and help me get better ideas. I really grateful for all the people who read and favorite my stories you are great people. Please review this chapter and tell me what you think, expressly Azula's mind. As always please review and tell me what you think
Also I would like to hear your opinions on a new idea I have. This is going to be a Spiderman/Batman crossover but again not your typical one. Catwoman is somehow going to end up in the Marvel Universe and meet up with Black Cat, now Spiderman has two cats to deal with what is he to do?