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I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER OR THEIR SUCCESSORS IN ANY SHAPE OR CAPACITY. I ONLY OWN MY FICTITIOUS OC'S.
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Upload Schedule: Sundays and Thursdays
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Glossary: Scene breaks will be denoted by a line of X's
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Demonic or summons speech"
'Demonic or summons speech'
Jutsus shall be rendered in Japanese or English depending on which they are. For example, I will not be saying Almighty Push, I will be saying Shinra Tensei, or Rasengan instead of Spiraling Sphere. However instead of Raiton: Gian I will be saying Lightning Style: False Darkness
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"Going home and spending time with your family and your real friends keeps you grounded." -Jennifer Ellison
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Free Roam the chapter
Hiruzen takes some matters into his own hands against Minatos wishes or will
Minato woke with a start. His wife was not in his bed, she never woke up early unless she had been called into work, and she never left the house for that reason without waking him to reset the security seals. Minato got up from his bed and pulled his blue sweater pants on. He grabbed the tri-pronged kunai off his bedside table and slowly crept from room to room through his house. His youngest child was still asleep in his bed so he was put further on edge. Hearing footsteps Minato turned the corner and immediately calmed down. Inora had fallen asleep at the table working on a case file. Minato smiled softly to her and gently lifted her from the chair she was seated in. Minato brought her back to their room and started to help her out of her work attire however, Inora opened her eyes and cupped his cheek in her right hand.
"Mina, I need to tell you something."
Minato smiled down to Inora and placed a finger to her lips.
"You are exhausted Inora, just rest for today. It's your only day off for this week."
Inora however had other plans. She rose and straddled her husband's lap and shoved him down on the bed. Her hands on either side of his head she smiled down to him her golden hair cascading down but it was the wet drop from her eyes that got his attention.
"Mina, I'm pregnant." Inora watched his expression, almost loosing hope as he took a second to process the information. She was about to start crying when Minato crashed his lips against hers and with a yell of joy he had lifted her into his arms and spun her around on the bed. Minato set her down and kissed once, twice, thrice, and just smiled toothily to her.
"You're pregnant!"
Inora nodded as she buried her face into his shoulder her happiness nearly overwhelming the mood.
"I'm gonna have another baby. I hope it's another boy!"
"What do you mean, we need a girl!"
"No, I need another momma's boy."
"Aw, come on, I need a daddys girl! To spoil and show off to everybody and say 'That's my girl!' To." Minato laughed when he saw Inoras pout and Minato decided then and there, that today was going to be fantastic! Minato quickly realized once he had gotten to work, that this was not going to be a fantastic day, in fact this is probably the second worse day the Hokage had ever seen in his career.
"Are you sure of this?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Are you calling me a liar or a forger?"
"No Lord Third, but if these papers are real."
"I know exactly what it means, the documents clearly state intentions."
Minato looked back down to the three documents on his desk. The first was from the Lord of the Fire Nation and stated something very clear. Their time-table had been moved up, Naruto would be joining the Fire Lords children on their quest once he had gained the rank of Chunin instead of Jonin. This was not a big deal, it was the latter two that concerned him the most.
"You are sure this declaration comes from Iwagakure with the backing of the Earth King himself?"
"Once again Minato, I am no fool. I had the letter verified five times before I brought it here."
Minato groaned as he looked down at the small three sentence letter.
'Under the authority given to me, Oonoki of the Scales, Iwagakure declares open war on the Nation of Fire and their village Konohagakure. As of this day forward any and all encounters with Konoha Shinobi, Benders from the land of Fire, or civilians will be met with extreme prejudice. Starting on the tenth of October the war shall start, Death to the Fire Nation!'
Minato groaned once again before he looked warily into the eyes of his predecessor.
"This is the one that irks me the most. The Earth Kingdom had been beaten back during the war, why strike now?"
"It may be due to the Land of Lightning and the Water Nation backing them. With those two the Continent is divided in half with The Air Nomads and their village Sunagakure not helping either side. If the Water Nation or the Earth Nation got ahold of the Avatar, we will surely loose."
"What is we set up buffer lines, to delay the conflict? We could set miles worth of traps and destroy key bridges to limit the flow and stem the tide of soldiers?"
"It would not be practical. Think of it this way, the countries heart is bleeding out, what you suggest is we insert a stint into the Aorta as to slow the bleeding. With enough pressure this will not matter, these people will break through and your strategy will have kept us Isolated from any people who wish to help."
Minato nodded.
"Schedule an audience with the council, and afterwards make sure Shikaku and Danzo are both here in my office. I will need all three of you to devise a plan of action."
"As you command, my Hokage." Hiruzen gave a bow and proceeded out of the room. Hiruzen was deep in thought, on one hand there were three major powers convening on their lands to destroy them, but Hiruzen knew what needed to be done. Raising his hand and he motioned for someone to join him, a single ANBU came from the wall, his mask resembling a bear.
"Bear, take three of your men and I want you to go deep cover into the Earth Kingdom. Get into Ba Sing Se as refugees and await my signal." Hiruzen watched the ANBU member bow deeply before vanishing. Hiruzen had many plans, and many actions to take.
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Naruto had been having too much fun with this mission. Whoever decided that a Yu Yan would b hunting a feline had not been thinking right. Naruto smiled triumphantly as he lifted the small animal into his arms and began stroking its back gently. Looking over at his two team members who were covered in scratches and dirt Naruto couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, shut it match stick." Sakura loved her little nickname for Naruto, it fit his personality. He was cool and collected, until you struck his ego, then he turned into a fiery rage beast.
"Quiet Sakura, you are just jealous because you can't get a good-looking guy to stroke your-"
"Hey you two, stop flirting and get over here." Sasuke was annoyed, the two battled each other with their silver tongues every day and it was grating on his nerves quickly. Sasuke smiled as soon as Itachi landed between the team.
"Good work team, I will take Tora to the mission room today. Go home and get some rest, we have done fifteen D-rank missions today. I will see about getting a C-ranked mission."
Naruto handed Tora over to Itachi and began to walk away as his team scattered. Naruto began to walk home collecting his thoughts. Today was a major day for his guest, she got her cast removed from her arm. Though Ty Lee still had trouble sitting up and moving quickly she could walk at a slow pace relatively easy. Naruto had begun to enjoy his talks with Ty Lee, she did not look or act it, but she was a very intelligent young woman. The two of them had been able to debate philosophy, books, and movies with each other. Naruto was beginning to enjoy his time with his aunt and Ty Lee in his apartment, it almost felt like home.
"Ah! Naruto!"
Naruto turned and saw Ty Lee out on his apartments balcony and he waved to her. Hurrying up the stairs Naruto was about to open the door when the door flew open and Naruto received a bone crushing hug.
"I told you before, you need to eat something better than that ration bar in the morning. Come on in, Miss Shizune was about to remove my cast!" Ty Lee took Narutos sleeve in her hand and practically dragged him into her improvised room. Ty Lee let go of his arm and practically skipped into the room and sat on the bed next to Shizune.
"Ah, that is where she went off too. Good evening Naruto, how were your missions?"
"Pleasant enough, though I wish we would do something more challenging."
Shizune giggled at Naruto before she gently took Ty Lee's cast covered arm into her hands.
"You are going to feel a sort of vibrating feeling, it may make a loud noise so be prepared for that so you do not jump, ok Ty?" Shizune watched the girl nod but could tell she was nervous, Shizune reached out and forced Naruto to sit behind Ty Lee and almost on instinct she leaned back against him and closed her eyes.
"I'm ready." Ty Lee felt Naruto take her free hand into his and she started to hear a loud whining as her cast covered arm began to vibrate. She felt the splint slowly cracking and widening, she opened her eye and watched the white form slowly crack open, like an egg.
"Almost done, now I have to break through the mold, this is going to be loud." Shizune slowly pressed into the slit she had formed and sure enough a high-pitched squeal began to sing across the apartment. Nearly flinching herself Shizune quickly became immune to the noise as she continued to break the full mold.
Ty Lee couldn't believe how deafening this noise was! She squeezed the hand holding hers and she felt a small twinge of pain from where her arm had been broken and winced. She heard a loud crack and opened her eyes as she saw the cast split wide open, however, her displeasure was looking at her arm. It seemed paler than the rest of her skin, it had stubble growing, and there was dead skin all over.
"Very good, now did you feel any pain?"
"Just a little, near the middle."
"I see, we will have to get you a brace for now. Though that won't be a problem, I will schedule your appointment for tomorrow. Also, I need to head to the hospital to get a brace for your arm. I will not be gone for too long, but Naruto I need you to help her through some basic physical therapy. Just oversee her and if she shows any sign of pain stop the exercise. Here is a sheet of what to do, I will only be a couple hours." Shizune handed Naruto a set of instructions and she showed him to the box that had a few weird items inside of it.
"How long should she perform the Therapy? Or should we continue till you have come back?"
"I would say just thirty minutes or so if she doesn't feel pain. Just be careful, some of these exercises could put her back from recovering by a month. If you see any sign of pain, any sign, you stop immediately. Understood?"
"Crystal aunt Shizune." Naruto smiled to her ruffling his hair. He watched her walk through the door and close it. Naruto grabbed the box of items and walked back to Ty Lee's room. He had been happy of her wardrobe change after her first day staying with him. She had discarded the frilly crop top and the puffed-up pants for a simple white t-shirt and a pair of sweats. Naruto could tell she was more relaxed, but it was her hair he enjoyed. She looked very attractive with her hair down very much so that it distracted him often. Naruto was brought from his musings by a cough.
"You know, if you stare at me like that, it does make me uncomfortable."
Naruto muttered a soft apology and walked fully into the room, setting the box down next to her bed Naruto sat down and motioned for her to join him.
"So, what are all of those for?"
"Aunt Shizune wanted me to help you with your therapy. Just a test run, to see what your full range is. It won't be that bad. Though I do need you to inform me if you feel any pain, ok?" Naruto watched her nod as he began the physical therapy. The first three steps were just warm up, a small message for her forearm to loosen up the muscles, though he did it very cautiously as to not aggravate the freshly healed bone. The second step was to apply a warming gel to relax the tense muscles and ligaments. The third step was for her to lay her arm down and open and close it several times. For the next twenty-minute Naruto began to pull out equally weird looking devices and toys and gave them to her explaining to her hat needed to be done. The only time she complained of pain was when they stopped, it had been the grip strength test.
"It hurt, like an ice block in my arm, and it felt like something was snapping, but not breaking, it's hard to explain."
Naruto put all of the devices back into the box and He left to put the box back.
Ty Lee sighed as she looked to her shaking hand. She decided she needed to take care of the hair on it and the dead skin so she decided to take an early shower. She gathered her garments and left her room to go to Narutos for the bathroom. She saw him sitting on the couch with a scroll in his hands wide open and she smiled, though slightly and she did not even realize it herself she did.
"I'm confiscating the bathroom ok?" She saw Naruto look up to her and nod and once again get enthralled by the text he was reading. Ty Lee entered his room hit by the smell of mint and pine. She entered the bathroom and locked it before turning the water on. She starred into the mirror on the counter top, she looked over her body, her face, her arms and legs and she stripped her clothes off. Looking once again into the mirror she saw the bruises and the two scars. She looked at the bruises on her neck and she gently rubbed her throat as she had a flashback of the moment her father stood above her and hit her in the neck. Her eyes began to tear up as she began looking over her body, and her eyes lingered on two scars on her inner thigh. The night her father took her, and in his madness, he used a knife to remove her clothes which left those two slices on her leg. She began to sob, she quickly made her way into the shower and sat down pulling her knees to her chest as she wept into her knees under the showers rain. In this time, she had flashbacks of the last few years, and the years she had been beaten, and her heart broke. Though her crying and depression had been broken by one simple noise, it was simple, small, and filled with concern.
"Ty? Are you alright? I thought I heard crying?"
She wiped her eyes as she stood and began to bathe before shouting back out of the room making her voice sound happy.
"Yeah, no problem, I just had a twinge of pain in my arm. Nothing major, I'm alright!" Ty Lee added an extra giggle to the end of it almost sounding like she laughed off her concern before she began to have another spell of flashbacks as she covered her mouth with her hand and the rag leaning her forehead against the shower wall to hide her sobbing.
Naruto listened closely for a minute and could hear nothing else.
"Alright, well I will be in the kitchen making some snacks. Would you like something in particular, or the usual flavor?"
"Just the vanilla ice cream Naruto, I don't want to bother you with anything else."
"Alright." Naruto wanted to say more, but he left the door and he walked back into the main room to head to the open kitchen. Naruto had begun preparing the tray and was thinking of what movie to put on the new TV he had purchased but was interrupted by a loud banging at his door. Naruto was in no mood to joke so he stormed over to the door and flung it open and was about to yell before a arm wrapped around his shoulders and began to rub their other hands knuckles into his head.
"Hey red, we missed you."
Narutos eyes widened as he took in the voice and the two others in front of him. Azula, Zuko, and Mai. All standing here in the flesh. Mei looking stoic as ever stood in her maroon dress with a black vest that extended down the front and back. Azula stood in her normal battle gear, her armored tunic covering the majority of her body and her maroon long sleeved shirt and pants. Zuko however, had changed significantly since Naruto had seen him last. Zuko stood in a simple maroon shirt with golden trim around the collar, and brown pants with his dual swords at his hip.
"How have you been Naruto? It has been a while." Zuko looked Naruto up and down taking in his form as Naruto proceeded to wrestle with Azulas arm trying to get her to release him. He sighed assisting Naruto by grabbing his sisters arm and pulling it from around his neck.
"Hey! We were just starting!"
"Azula, stop giving him hell, we just arrived."
Azula pouted before just barging into the apartment and heading to the kitchen to raid Narutos fridge.
"Good evening Prince Zuko, Mai." Naruto gave Zuko a soft bow but Zuko patted his shoulder.
"You forget Naruto, you saved my family, and because of that you will never have to bow to me or my sister."
Naruto nodded and brought them into the apartment and was about to say something when Azula smiled before she burst out laughing.
"What is Ty Lee doing here!"
Naruto spun around and there stood Ty Lee in her white shirt and sweatpants. Naruto watched as Mai and Azula walked over and they both hugged her before Ty Lee drug them into her room. Naruto looked to Zuko who shrugged.
"Ty Lee came to the Academy Azula and Mai had attended. They became friends but you were taken from guard duty not long before Ty Lee began to come to our place. So tell me, how did Ty Lee come to stay with you?"
Naruto frowned as he began to talk with the one boy his age he considered his friend before he came to Konoha.
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Ty Lee sat on the bed against the wall as her two best friends sat on the edge with her. Ty Lee had just finished telling the two what had been happening the last few years since her mother passed and her family had been moved to Konoha. Needless to say, the two girls were not happy.
"How dare he! I will rip his entrails out through his mouth! I will boil his eyes from their sockets! I-" Azula did not get to finish as Mai had popped her upside the back of her head. Azula was about to say something but she heard Ty Lee's sobbing. Azula was conflicted, she was never good at emotionally helping people, so she reached out and popped Ty Lee upside the head.
"Hey, stop that. Your dads a dick, he's in prison, it's all in the past now. Trust me when I say this though, your father is about to catch some fucking hell if the person who escorted us is picking him up."
Ty Lee looked up with a questioning gaze tears still fresh on her face.
"Who, who's that?"
Azula shook her head.
"That would be telling, he wanted it to be a surprise when he arrives, he and his bodyguards heard of a bandit camp that just set up and went to take care of it. He should be back in a few hours." Azula sighed as she wraped her arms around Ty Lee hugging her again.
"You are such a problem child you know that?"
Ty Lee managed out a laugh before she wiped her eyes and looked to her two best friends.
"You know, I-" She did not get to finish.
"Ty Lee, we've been summoned to the Hokages office, your siblings and you are getting taken care of today."
Ty Lee's eyes saddened as she sighed. A warm hand on her forehead made her relax. Though not the most talkative, Mai knew what she needed when she needed it.
"Come one Ty, let's go." Mai helped her stand and the three girls walked out of the room and saw Naruto, Zuko, and an ANBU member.
"Miss Lee, you, your sisters, and Naruto are needed by the Hokage at once. I do apologize for taking them away Lord and Lady. However, this matter is of the utmost importance."
Azula was about to speak but Zuko knoing this could go wrong if not worded correctly spoke up instead of his sister.
"We understand all too well. By all mean please." Zuko nodded to the ANBU who gave Zuko and Azula a bow before escorting Naruto and Ty Lee from the premise with Ty Lee's siblings.
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Minato sometimes really hated his luck, he wanted to rip the head off of the courier who just dropped off this message. Muy was in town and was going to be stopping by his office the next day. Minato dreaded this moment. Minato held nothing against the man except one large thing. Naruto considered Muy his dad, even if Minato was his father. It irked him beyond all means and he did not know how he would handle Muys arrival. Right as he was about to call for an ANBU Itachi walked into Minatos office with a grim look.
"You summoned Lord Hokage?"
"Yes, you are my appointed successor. So as my successor I need to make something known to you. Earlier this morning we received a declaration of war from the Earth Kingdom, Nation of lightning, and the Water Nation. The Nomads are staying out of this conflict so we are on our own. I am assigning you and your team of Genin a three-part mission. The first part is to take a bridge builder who lives in Wave Country home. The second is to eliminate any guards who are harassing the town however, this needs to be done in the light and non-lethally. We are to paint ourselves their hero's so that the citizens will accept the Fire Nation as their leaders. Thirdly, and this mission is for you alone, assassinate Gato. The shipping magnet has been bringing drugs, slave trade, and kidnapping children for his more specialized customers. Eliminate him at any costs, and make sure that wave knows it was us. That is all I needed to inform you of."
"Three-part mission, escort, contain, assassinate. Understood and accepted, any other details?"
"Yes, I want you to seize Gatos holdings and claim them for Konoha, the money and shipping routes will go very far for us in the coming war."
Itachi bowed to Minato as Minato waved his hand to dismiss Itachi.
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Naruto knocked on the Hokages office door.
"Enter."
Naruto opened the door walking in. Ty Lee walked in behind him with her sisters quickly in tow. The ANBU who had accompanied the eight teens closed the door behind them and resumed his post outside of the room.
"Good evening girls, Naruto. It has been long enough, and it is time to decide where each of you will go. You will all be presented with three choices. One, is to return to the Fire Capitol where you all were born, you will be received by foster families and live out your days as you please. Two, you can stay here in Konoha as ninja. You would be trained to peak performance, you would be able to live a life but it would be by military command. Third, you can stay here and be citizens. If you choose this, you will be put into the foster home system and be given to families to help you until you come of age and can stand on your own two feet. You won't be bothered by the Ninja unless necessary. So, I ask you girls, what have you each individually decided?"
"I want to stay here and learn medical Ninjutsu as a Ninja." Lin said with eyes filled with determination.
"I want to go to the capitol." Lat said as she looked to the four sisters to her right.
"I want to go to the capitol as well." Lao
"Me too." Liu
"I want to also go to the Capitol." Lum
"I, I want to go home, to the capitol." Woo said, however, everyone's eyes leveled to Ty Lee who had unconsciously placed half of her body behind Naruto and she took his right hand into her right hand.
"I want to stay here and live with Naruto and Miss Shizune. I don't want to be a Ninja, but my friends just came here and I think they might be staying for a while." Ty said, with every word her grip on Narutos hand strengthened.
Minato looked to his son and the girl, seeing her hand in his. Minato knew that even though this could be taken as being a display of affection, it was more of comfort. Ty Lee acted happy, but Minato knew all too well. Ty Lee was a broken girl, and for now she clung to his son like a security blanket.
"Very well, Miss, Lat, Lao, Liu, Lum, and Miss Woo. I have a few documents and a few letters to write for the each of you. I will also be working out some transportation to send you five on your way. Miss Lin, you will be enrolled into our Shinobi program, though due to your age I am assigning you an apprenticeship with Shizune if she agrees. You will be learning from her and living with her. There is only one person better than she at the medical arts, and her master more than likely would not take a new student. As for Miss Ty, you and I have become personally acquainted over the last week and I will admit, I am fond of you. So, I am pleased to hear I will be seeing much more of you with my son. Though I have to ask, what did you mean by your friends were here in Konoha?"
Ty Lee it her lip and was about to say something after a short pause but Naruto finished for her.
"Lord Zuko, Lady Azula, and their friend Mai are all here in Konoha at my apartment." Naruto watched his father stand slowly, he opened a drawer on his desk and pulled out a manila folder filled with documents and a set of keys.
"Here, since they have arrived ahead of schedule take this. The house is located at 56709 Palmetto in the Shinobi sector. It is also on the edge of the clan's grounds. I thank you all for your time, but with this development I need to get back to work. I do apologize, and Naruto, I will be by the house tomorrow night, ok?"
Naruto nodded to Minato, taking the folder and keys he opened the door for the Lee family and was about to leave when Minatos hand stopped him.
"Naruto, I need to speak to you, as a Hokage to a ninja, but also as friends. I need your advice after I assign you your mission." Minato watched as Naruto told the girls what happened but Ty Lee stayed outside the office waiting for Naruto.
Naruto made his way back to the chair in front of Minatos desk and sat down.
"I have a mission for you, one you are more suited than anyone to fulfill. It is an S class mission. Do you accept?"
"Parameters?"
"Assassination."
"I will accept." Naruto watched Minato dig a folder out of his desk and lay it down on the table. He slid it forward to Naruto.
"This man is going to be at the location of your next mission. You are to terminate him without it being linked back to Konoha. That means a quick, clean, unidentifiable kill. The targets name is Mizuki. He turned tail from Konoha and took with him several important documents of which he sold. This is your mission."
Naruto bowed his head and then looked back up as Minato leaned back in his chair.
"I need advice Naruto, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. One action is what the council wants and will bring us more power, but the same action will hurt some people who are close to me. What do you think I should do?"
"It depends on what the action needed is. You need to look at this with the eyes of other people. Does the means justify the outcome? If not, then do not, if so then do it. That is all that you can do. However, if this is a personal action, you need to look at the people affected. Will this hurt them unneededly? Or will this make their lives better even if it does not make them happy? Once you can find your answer to either of those questions, make your move but move forward with care. If you sleight someone you love, or someone that loves you, you may just loose them forever."
Minato nodded, it was the same advice that Shikaku gave him, and it was sound. Minato looked into Narutos eyes and smiled.
"I needed to hear that, thank you Naruto." Minato watched Naruto stand and bow and leaves his office. Before the door closed he saw Ty Lee take Narutos hand once again.
"Even if you hate me for it, I must do it. I love you, Naruto." Minato opened a folder that had Narutos name on it and stamped it.
"I just hope one day you can forgive me for it."
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The royals question Naruto about what has happened in Konoha so far and his team - Naruto answers his door and is shocked to find 6 clansmen and his father there - Naruto and Muy speak about Zarehyas premature labor and the state of the baby - Muy tells Naruto about his plan of making Naruto heir - Naruto and Zuko set off for the training field down the block to spar and get out of the house for the girls
Azula was annoyed beyond belief, she arrived here to visit her friends and she finds out her friend was abused. She found out her other friend was taking care of her friend, and that they didn't know each other. It was annoying. Then she was annoyed even more by the Hokage taking her friends away from her for what was supposed to be an hour, turned into two and a half! Her patience was wearing thin, and it was getting late. She was stirred from her thoughts by the door opening an both Naruto and Ty walked in the door.
"About damn time!" Azula stood up and started stomping over till she saw Naruto hold up a bag of several small boxes.
"We went to the store and bought some dinner."
Zuko nodded and took the bag and went to the kitchen to set everything out on the table. He watched everyone interacting with a critical eye. Naruto didn't seem to change, maybe quieter, Mai was Mai, she was just, grey, but he loved that about her. Azula was a drama queen as usual, but it was Ty Lee that had him worried. Her actions screamed bubbles, but her body language, her eyes, and how she clung to Naruto made him see through her mask. She was insecure, terrified, and she was clingy to her protection. Zuko sighed as he whistled to the crew.
"What Zuzu?"
Zuko rolled his eyes at his sister's nickname.
"The table is set, let's eat." Zuo pulled hairs out for everyone and took a seat himself. The four teens enjoyed the simple meal together and the idle chit chat that accompanied it. From how they all had been, to family, friends, even sports in Azulas case. It was a nice atmosphere, until a rapid knck hit Narutos door.
Naruto got up from the table and walked over to the door, he opened the door and for the second time during the day he got grabbed by the person. Though this time in a hug.
"It is good to see you again my boy." Muy felt Naruto stand ramrod before embracing his father. Letting Naruto go he took a knee and looked Naruto once over and he smirked as he used his thumb to trace Narutos scar.
"So you decided to stop hiding yourself."
"I did, I also have a new one, to remind me of an important lesson." Naruto showed Muy his palm and the long scar going across his hand.
"Did you learn your lesson well so that it sticks?" Muy watched Naruto look back into the apartment, once he looked back to Muy he nodded.
"It stuck."
"Good, now are you going to invite me in? Our clansmen are going to meet their charges now."
Naruto stepped back into the apartment and Ty Lee was about to ask him who it was but the next person through the door shocked her. A tall man walked through the door wearing the traditional Yu Yan garb and his eyes looked to hers and she felt as if she stared into the abyss.
"Lord Muy, you returned, that is good. How did it go?"
"Very well, there was not that much of a fight. You three made it completely safe?"
"Of course, two of us are benders and Mai can take out multiple benders like it was nothing."
"Azula, your overconfidence will be the undoing of you." Muy saw her snort and he turned to Naruto.
"So this is the young Miss Lee I heard about." Muy squatted down in front of the couch that she sat on and smiled extending his hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Ty Lee, I hope my son has not been too brash. We never taught him how to treat a lady." Muy saw her face light up like a Christmas tree and he knew at once Naruto had her attention, now to make sure he kept it.
"Please Miss Lee, treat him nicely. He may be naïve, may seem quiet or cold, but he really does have a good heart and cares with reckless abandon. So, be gentle with him, please?" Muy watched her reaction and she fell for it hook, line, and sinker. He loved playing with his son and his life, as long as he did not go too far.
"Must you father?" Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose in between his fingers and sighed. HE heard Muy chuckling and the royals laughing at his father's reckless teasing. However, all games stopped when he looked to Naruto and pointed to his room.
"We need to talk, alone." Muy walked into the room and when Naruto entered the room he shut the door and sat on the bed.
"What's wrong father?"
"It's Zarehya and the baby."
Narutos eyes widened as his mind raced over the worst and best outcomes.
"What happened?"
"Zarehya started bleeding three nights after you left, and she went into premature labor. The doctors did their best but Zare is in the Capitols hospital right now in critical condition, and the baby was born premature. The baby is in critical condition as well and they do not predict her making it through the next month. They don't see Zarehya making it through the month either." Muy looked to Naruto and watched him, seeing his shoulders shaking but not from crying, from rage.
"She can't go, she promised. Neither of them can go, please don't let them go dad." Naruto felt a hand on the back of his head and Muy smiled softly to his son.
"Don't worry, your mother is a woman all her own. I don't think even death could take her without a good fight on its hands. However, the baby is another story. The doctors say if she makes it through the month she has a better chance of surviving, but she will have medical problems all through her life. So, I need you to know Naruto, that when you reach the rank of Chunin, or you reach sixteen years of age. You are my successor." Muy wrapped his son in his arms and just let Naruto absorb the information before Naruto stood and nodded. Naruto had always been this way, he was in deep pain and worry, but when you put a duty in front of him he pushed it all aside just to focus on doing his best. So, it was no surprise at his next words.
"I will make you proud father, I promise." Naruto bowed at his waist and he stopped when Muy ruffled his head roughly.
"You already have Naruto, beyond words." Muy stood and stretched his back out before leaving the room.
"I have to go now, I need to have a chat with the Hokage in the morning and then I must leave to join your mother in the capitol. Don't worry, everything is going to be alright." Muy stood and walked out of the room and with a short goodbye he left the apartment.
Naruto stayed for a minute just staring at the floor before he looked up hearing the door open to his room.
"Come with me, we're going to work this out." Zuko saw one of his oldest friends in turmoil and knew he needed to work this out. So, he followed Naruto out of the apartment to leave the girls to talk so he could be with his best friend.
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Naruto comes in from training at the training ground with Zuko when Mitokado intercepts them and the three talk - Homura gives Naruto the first set of scrolls and some pointers on how to perform the jutsu - Homaru gives Naruto some advice not to trust Danzo, Hiruzen, or his father because they have something planned, given proof by a document Mitokado had smuggled from the Hokage
Naruto huffed as he sat on his knees Zuko standing before him with his fist pulled back and open knife hand at Narutos throat.
"I yeild." Naruto looked up and took Zukos hand to help him up.
"Good as always, you gave me a run for my money." Zuko heard Naruto click his tongue as he shook his head.
"Let's be real Zuko, if you were serious you would have had me in the first few moves. It seems General Irohs training is paying off in great amounts."
"It has, with my uncle's assistance I have managed to reign my temper and think with a cool head, the physical training doesn't hurt either." Zuko laughed as he began to walk with Naruto, the two lost in mindless conversations about the state of the nation, what the both had been doing since their parting years ago. They were interrupted by a man falling in line beside Naruto.
"Good evening young Yu."
"Good evening councilman, how is your evening?"
"It is going very well, and Lor Zuko, it is a pleasure to see you once again." Mitokado smiled to the young prince as he saw Zuko smile to him.
"A pleasure as always, if I may ask. What brings you to us tonight?" Zuko eyed the man warily, his father always told him never trust Mitokado, Sarutobi, or Danzo.
"I have come to help my young charge here. We have had a deal for the last week and due to his training, I have determined what jutsu and his elemental disposition is." Mitokado reached into his sleeve and pulled out two scrolls one small and one thick. HE handed the two scrolls to Naruto who took them gratefully.
"If my sensing abilities have not waned, as I suspect they have not, you have a natural disposition to Water and Lightning. A combination of your mother and father I do believe. The smaller scroll is some exercises for your water and fire manipulation so you may practice bringing forth your chakra of the elements. The second is two techniques of lightning and two of water. The lightning techniques are known as Jibashi, and Raikyu. The water techniques are Suiben and the Suijinheki. The instructions of how to perform these Jutsu and their hand signs are located within the scroll. I encourage you to learn the defensive technique and one offensive technique first." Mitakado smiled down to the young boy and briefly nodded to him.
"Thank you for these scrolls Elder Mitokado." Naruto placed the two scrolls into his shirt.
"I also must issue a warning to you. Your father and Sarutobi are scheming with Sarutobi's old teammate Danzo Shimura. Be wary Naruto these old men never get involved together unless something major is going to happen." Mitokado went to continue but was interrupted by Zuko.
"If you do not mind me asking Elder, why would you warn him, and what proof do you have to back your claims?" Zuko was watching the elder wearily.
"I have this document to back my claims, and I do care for his wellbeing. After all he is going to be the heir of the Yu Yan clan after all." Mitokado internally smirked knowing he had diverted the point of what HE got out of this and chalked it up to helping a future leader. Though Zuko already knew better.
"Thank you for the assistance, may I see the document in hand?" Naruto took the document with Mitokados permission and began reading its contents around.
"Is this true?"
"As far as I have been able to find out, yes, it is."
Naruto growled out before he handed the document back to Mitokado."
"I am afraid I must part from your company, another day young Yu, Lord Zuko." Mtokado left the two teens to their devices and before Zuo could say anything Naruto kicked a rock so hard it dented a trashcan.
"Woah, what happened?" Zuko saw the anger and hurt in Narutos eyes and he walked over to his friend placing a hand on his shoulder.
"We agreed Naruto, you are to be my closest friend and advisor when I take the throne. So that means no secrets between us, what's wrong?" Zuko saw the turmoil in his eyes increase.
"Minato is making an appeal to the Fire Lord to have his right as my biological father reinforced and to tear me from the Yu Yan Clan. Worst of all, today my father told me about my mother and little sister being in critical condition after the birth, and on top of that I am the heir apparent for th Yu Yan clan. What am I going to do?" Naruto looked to Zuko looking for answers but all he saw was his friend placing his hand on Narutos shoulder.
"I will send a message to my father, he will take my request into consideration and I will ask him to reject Minatos appeal. If you have been proclaimed heir by Muy, then you need to remain in your seat of power till your ascension. Also, Naruto, whatever you do, do not trust that man. My father has warned me to never be caught in his machinations, he leaves bodies in his wake." Zuko chuckled as he saw Naruto biting his lip.
"Stop biting your ip, you are going to make another scar on it."
Naruto huffed but his mind couldn't leave the letter he had read and the two returned to the apartment for their last night residing in it.
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Well, I think that went well, what do you think? Remember to leave a review of the chapter and your opinions or ideas that could be addressed. Till Thursday.
~Ardent Chronicler
