Resetting Our Lives

Summary: Untimely deaths and mourning spirits. A second chance was deemed appropriate. Now in a new world and in younger bodies, how will they adjust? How will they change things with their presence in this new world?

A/N: I warn readers for OOCness.

Disclaimer: I don't own avatar: the last airbender or naruto.

Chapter 2 - To Talk Or Not To Talk To Strangers

Figuring out that this world wasn't all sunshine and rainbows wasn't too hard. It wasn't like we woke up in paradise standards. I guess it was pretty stupid trying to be optimistic in this place when the first people we ever encountered were quick to try and kill us. When I came to again, my body felt sore and my head felt like someone split it open. I grimaced when I realized that that nearly happened for real. Now that I'm awakening to a familiar scenario, staring up a cave ceiling, feeling like I just got struck by lightning while drowning in ice water, it begs the question.

"Good. You're awake. I'm starving."

I heard Azula's semi-dry sarcastic tone. It lacked her usual energy and seemed to be a bit weak in terms of the biting factor. Like she was just really tired both physically and mentally. I turned to her and saw that she was still pint-sized as ever and she still wore our stolen vests and shirts. But, gone were the accumulating injuries from our misadventures. Heck, my injuries are gone.

"I'm confused. Did we die or what?" I asked stupidly.

I get the feeling that I should've died but didn't. But then, that's the same feeling I had before. Hence, the confusion part. Looking just as clueless as I am, Azula reluctantly let go of a shrug.

"That's not very helpful." I muttered. At that, her expression turned sour and energy seemed to return to her.

"What do you want from me? A play by play of what I barely even have memory of?" She said sarcastically, mimicking me perfectly down to the gestures.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What? It's funny." she said smirking.

I twitched. Oh, so that's how she's gonna be?

"Really now? I didn't realize you had a sense of humor." I rolled my eyes.

Though, I have to admit, that comeback was kind of clever. If it weren't so annoying.

"How rude. I'm plenty funny." she huffed playfully. She was being oddly congenial with me. But then, considering what just happened - What did happen? - a little banter sounds like a good idea.

"It's nice to see you two getting along."

My blood froze when I heard that voice echo in my head. It's the voice of the one that brought me to this confusing hell to begin with.

"Yue." I growled.

The cave was suddenly illuminated and full of unnatural cool mist. The source of light was one spot like the moon suddenly decided to join us here down on earth. Considering who this is, that's not too far. The light took a humaniod form and suddenly Yue was there, looking at me forlorn, being about as spirit-weird as ever.

Jaw tight pressed, I stared up at her and she stared at me. A storm of emotion stirred within me and it hurt seeing her again like this. Even more so with the fact that she did this to me.

Azula gave her a once over and asked with a chillingly curious and innocent seeming tone.

"You're the moon spirit?"

Her questioning gaze was directed at me rather than her. She probably doesn't realize it but that casual tilt to her head and that playful drawl mixed well with her munchkin-ness and baby voice. It's so freaky, sometimes, she seems like a real baby.

"Yes."

Yue's answer echoed in our brains rather than the cave. It was as if she sent the message straight to our minds. It unnerved me that she could me in my head. My head has had many unsavory thoughts about her nowadays. Mainly hate and feelings of betrayal.

"And you dated him?"

Yue nodded to Azula's scandalized tone, suddenly smiling as if amused. It chilled me how she could smile after what she did to me.

"Wow Sokka. You really were a lady killer." smirked Azula.

"Read the mood, brat." I said steely. It was funny before but not right now.

Azula rolled her eyes.

A white koi fish spirit suddenly shimmered into existence and swam about me, trying to be soothing. Had that been really Yue, I would've just been insulted. But, this was the moon spirit itself. The other half of Yue. The one I tolerate. It was Tui. What's she doing being all spirity? Shouldn't she be material and all that at the spirit oasis?

"We told you not to leave the cave. The people of this world tend to be hostile. There is currently a very dangerous war going on."

Yue chided. Hmph. If she really wanted to save our asses, she should've dumped us in a war-free world without too much crazy then.

"Well~"

Azula ran her fingers through her somewhat matted hair, reveling in the little bit of dignity she had left. I really didn't want to think about the fact that that little beauty issue has more to do with the dried blood and grime than the distinct lack of hair care products.

"Things couldn't have gotten out of hand had you been more proactive in turning us into cavemen. A little warning would've been nice. How were we supposed to know we were in a war zone, hm? It was like you wanted us out there."

Azula dropped all pretenses of being a people person and said those words as scathingly possible with that ever so critical smile of hers. Well, at least we're on the same page. It was a very valid accusation. If she didn't bring it up, I would've. Yue's been pulling our leg for far too long now.

What does she want from us!?

"Your ceaseless complaining wouldn't have come to an end had you not been given that dose of reality."

The new voice echoing in our heads startled me. So far, the only spirit that has verbally communicated with us was Yue while the rest chose a more direct approach with empathy links and visual flashes for mind messages.

It was obviously male and, probably, old. I was proven right when I saw an old man spirit emerge. He was obviously fire nation and had two huge dragon spirits coiled about him. He appeared across from Yue but avoided the shallow waters she was floating on. His entrance was just as dramatic with smoke and flashy lights. What is it with spirits and flashy entrances?

"Who's this?" I asked. How many more spirits do we have to entertain? The ones who watch our misery on a daily basis are already enough!

Azula's jaw dropped, clearly recognizing the old dude.

"Oh no. Please don't tell me you dated an old man."

She threw a sharp look at me.

It was unlikely, I knew. It was more like this was an old teacher or some great pre-war firebending philosopher or even some miraculously good fire sage like that Shyu guy from a while back. But, I guess I couldn't resist the jab. Hey, she started it.

"He's my great grandfather."

...

My mental processes screeched to a halt. Holy shit. It's firelord Sozin!

"S-Stand back dark s-spirit! B-Begone! Desist!" I tried to exorcise it frantically, to no avail. I should've learned more about the spirit dances from Gran Gran when I had the chance.

Damn it. I should've known Yue's gone completely mental the moment she shrunk us and threw us in some alien world with weird Avatar-like warfreaks. Of course she's tight with the biggest bad of all firebenders since ever. He's so bad, he actually managed to transcend to the spirit world. The moon spirit has totally betrayed us!

"Ugh. You desist your inane flailing. You're embarrassing yourself." said Azula.

For some reason, the evil spirit was looking at me amused.

"I see that Roku's reincarnation found humorous companions. On the other hand..." His eyes trailed to Azula with an unreadable blankness, causing her to stiffen.

The dragons start to huff and coil around each other more. If they were actually here, this cave would be a whole lot more cramped with their, uh, bickering. The late firedork sighed deeply, as if embarrassed.

"Perhaps I should be the one to explain things in princess Yue's stead." he started. I felt myself stiffen as fear began to overtake me. Yet, his focus remained solely on Azula who was starting to actually look...panicked.

"You see, bringing you both to this world had been my idea. She merely acted as the guide to be able to make it happen." He came closer to us and scooted lower, knelt, in front of Azula to come see her face to face. As in, barely two feet from each other's faces.

"As much as she wanted her friends to survive, I also wanted to give my kin a second chance to change their ways."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

I suddenly burst out laughing because. Well. That sounded almost as if he just gave her a You were naughty and must atone for it speech. I mean, that's just plain ridiculous coming from firelord Sozin.

"Okay. That was funny. Who are you really?" I asked when I finally managed to push down most of the giggles. Azula crossed her arms and frowned at the spirit impersonating her great grandpa.

"I'd like to know as well. There's no way you're my great grandfather."

Yue shared a look with the old man spirit and they both sighed. Suddenly, the more animal looking spirits seemed to take over the explaining part with the blue dragon's whiskers touching Azula and the white koi fish moon spirit version 1, Tui, nuzzling her mouth on my nose.

Then, it hit us.

"YOU'RE SERIOUS!?" Azula asked in shock.

I was just as incredulous. This...I can't process. Mouth...frothing.

The late firelord sighed deeply. "I was a very different man in my youth Azula. I have come to regret many things in my life. It was only after my death that I saw the consequences of my ambitions and methods. I never meant for things to turn out this way."

I was openly gaping at the spirit. This...This guy...How can he say all these pretty words when he's... him!?

"YOU WIPED OUT THE AIR NOMADS!" I yelled at him. It was a huge point. It was up there. It's the thing that made him hailed as the biggest bad of all baddies. He has a freaking death comet named after him!

"Fear can do many things to a frail mind. I feared that once my old friend returned, he would not be forgiving. I had crossed far too many lines and crossed even more to the point of no return. I even turned my only son into a monster."

There was real sadness and regret in his words. All of a sudden, his image before us wasn't as majestic and intimidating as it seemed before. Upon closer inspection, he looked far from pristine. He looked...dirty, actually. As if he was covered in soot. Then, there were the near invisible chains wrapped around him, dragging him down. I noticed with surprise that one of them was attached to Azula and she didn't seem to see it.

I turned to Yue and the look on her face told me what this was really about. I felt cold and it confused me to no end. But, I can't ignore what I'm seeing right now. Why oh why do these monster people have to be so complicated? They were much easier to hate back when I had less knowledge of how they were actually like. Ugh! They're making my brain hurt!

I watched as the two dragons with him coiled about him. It was almost as if they were trying to comfort him. But, giving a closer look, it looks like they're actually constricting him instead. That's when I realized it.

"Firelord Azulon started the practice of hunting dragons and hunted them to extinction." I blurted out, feeling numb all of a sudden.

I know all about it, the legends. It's said that the original masters of the elements were not people but rather those who taught them how to wield them.

Legends say that the moon was the first waterbender. It pushed and pulled the waves until the people learned how to do it themselves. I know for sure that the moon and ocean spirits were indeed the original waterbenders from what happened at the north pole. It changed my way of thinking about spirits greatly and I always did pray to Yue for our success.

Toph always said that she learned earthbending from badgermoles. Aang once said that sky bison like Appa were the original airbenders. I'm guessing for firebenders, the original benders had to have been the very dragons they culled with their own hands.

That's just...unpleasant.

"His first hunt had been his own animal guide. It was Zhen's daughter."

His hand trailed to the head of the blue, er, bluer dragon who pined sadly about the loss. Ah, so that was the bereaved. This is...awkward.

"Azulon then sired his own children. I was hopeful when the masters deemed Iroh worthy and hoped that he would undo the wrongs I have done to our family. However, Ozai took the throne with blood and was even more ruthless than my son."

The spirit looked a lot older than he actually looked which was pretty old already.

Suddenly, I heard a snort escape from Azula.

"Tell me something I don't know. I always knew that father was delusional. But at least he wasn't as embarrassing as Uncle." she huffed. The old man looked towards her with such sad eyes.

"Your brother found his way, child. I'm sure you can too." he said kindly. Azula was making a face at him.

I feel like I'm seeing something that I shouldn't.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this Sokka. But, it was the best idea I had to save you. There was no other way." excused Yue.

I shot her an angry look. Even if she had her reasons, she still had no right to do that. It was my life. My death. I chose it.

"Hate to break the awkward here but if you two can actually bring us back, why don't you just do it now and save us the trouble. I'm telling you now that this venture to trying and save monster princess' soul is pointless."

I mad air quotes to press my point. I just really want to go back to the others now. They must be worried sick. Not to mention, those idiots won't last for long without me. Who else will lead the invasion!? I'm the plan guy!

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." announced freaky firedork.

"Why the hell not?" I asked steely.

"Sokka, you already died before. Bringing you back would mean killing you all over again." explained Yue.

Tui half nuzzled to my cheeks while I felt cold. I hate this whole perfect communications link thing. I wonder if this is how Toph feels like all the time. I could tell she was dead serious. We're so screwed.

The two ex-warriors figured listening to the spirits this time would do them some good. It was really awkward for a while after learning the crazy stuff from the spirits that they saved their asses. They were sore for days too so the thought of going back out there was the last thing on their minds, spirit water magic healing or no.

Their current cave, as they came to discover, was the same as before. It was just another section of it. It was actually a whole network of caves. However, there was actually only two entrances that could fit humans, one being directed to the woods and another a small hole big enough for a grown man to crawl into leading to a cliff side in a ravine. At the bottom of said ravine were harsh rapids and pointy rocks so it was obvious which breezy window the two preferred to be near at. Still, it didn't seem to stop people from going in that way, as the pair were quick to find out.

They only barely recovered from their last fight and this time, it seemed that the spirits weren't going to lend a hand. The pair used home field advantage to decimate their home invaders. They knew they couldn't afford to let even a single one go and had been ruthless in their hunt.

Their enemies had been barely a squad, only a band of three exhausted ninja trying to escape the wrath of one Yellow Flash on the frontlines only to end up falling in the wrong rabbit hole.

The area was a common battlefront thus shinobi drifting to the area wasn't unusual. While the occasional flashy commotion from outside rattled the two residents of the cave, once people came in, they were ruthless machines. They would not have their only sanctuary defiled even if the piles of corpses continued to grow along with the worries of the few gentle spirits that try to comfort them with their presence.

The place was gaining notoriety for either being haunted, to the locals, or harboring a secret hideout for strategic retreats and positioning, to the ninja. To say that the increasing number of visits was starting to annoy and somewhat terrify the pair. But, they could only endure. In there, they had advantage. Outside, they were fresh meat.

I was snapped back to reality after Azula zapped the last guy with her lightening. I grabbed for space sword and raised boomerang cautiously and backed away from the two with the weird gravity defying hair. Sure they saved us but past experiences taught us that we shouldn't trust anyone just because of that.

Some pale guy who had a sick obsession with snakes tried to save us from our unfortunate situation. The spirits who had the gal of whispering to us told us that we shouldn't trust the freak. Azula also pointed out that the guy gave her weird vibes. He felt a lot like the firelord to her and I couldn't agree more.

Azula went to my side and readied herself. I was obviously unfit to fight. The jerks from before broke one of my legs. That and I had way too many injuries. I was losing blood fast.

"Calm down. We're only here to help." said straw head. What is up with that hair? Seriously. It's blinding me. And it's so~ spiky. What's up with that?

"We've heard of that many times before swindler. They never end well." Azula snarled at them. Her tone held an underlying threat.

We've been in this world for a while now. We both reached the conclusion that anyone who wore metal plates regardless of the different markings were enemies. It didn't help that all those people did was attack us. Yep, shinobi were air bison poop.

As usual, the enemy is surprised not only of our skill in battle but also of our clear speech and smarts. Azula's mostly since she has a really wide range of colorful insults and threats to spare. My category lied more on the repartees and sarcastic remarks. And meat. I'm the meat guy. Always was, always will be.

"I assure you. We mean you no harm. We just really want to help."

Straw head had an honest feel to him. His eyes showed that he was truly concerned. So did the fidgety masked kid he had with him. I'm still not buying it though. We've learned that these shinobi are excellent liars. Probably just as good as Azula.

"I assure you. We mean you no harm. We just really want to help. Yeah right! Like we're listening to you straw head!" I copied him mockingly.

"Trust them."

"WHAT!?" I reacted out loud. The two shinobis looked at me oddly.

"These people are not evil."

'Oh, so, now you're telling us to leave the cave and trust these killers? Make up your mind! Whatever happened to your supposed xenophobia, huh? All shinobi are scum anyways!' I relayed mentally as I gripped my sword harder in frustration.

"These people will help. They will give you proper shelter and food. Their village is the safest place for you. Especially right now. You're living in a battlefield Sokka. They are your best option." Yue insisted.

Many little fairy-like spirits suddenly decided to act friendly with the weirdoes and flew about them in curious wonder. It was like a scene out of a fairytale. I felt like hurling. These jerkasses can't see them, obviously, which at least let me feel a bit superior. Though, the masked midget with the old man hair did seem to be a bit twitchy.

Azula sighed and looked at me with a defeated gaze.

'Let's just trust these people with the silly hair for now. I don't have any energy left. As much as I hate to admit it, we can't win a fight against these two. I'm not as fit as I used to be. Besides, you're girlfriend hasn't led us wrong yet.'

"She is NOT my girlfriend!"

"Fine. Ex-girlfriend." she smirked.

I glared at her. I really hate this spiritual mumbo jumbo. This whole stupid situation banked on a supposed Azula reform plan her weird genocidal but kinda enlightened ancestor instigated. And we can never get back home, ever! Because we'll die again. Which sucks.

To make matters worse, my mind has a spirit magic weirdness link with Azula of all people. We can talk telepathically with each other when we want to. It might have been cool if it wasn't her I was linked with. And only her? Really? Yue is so dead to me right now.

"Fine. But we still don't trust you ninjerks!" I yelled.

"We wish to bring you back to our village, Konoha. It's dangerous here. There, we can find you a home and keep you safe." assured straw head.

"Considering our less than perfect condition and your evident insistence, we don't really have much of a choice but do as you wish. I suggest you bound me in chains before I regain the energy to burn both of you to a crisp. This angst ridden carnivore is going to be much trickier so I suggest you don't take your eyes off him. Or better yet, drug him so that he doesn't run his mouth the whole trip." said Azula who smirked.

Again, surprisingly deep vocabulary for a two year old. Yue told us our exact ages when we arrived here a year and a half ago. Apparently, right at this very moment, I'm a three year old. Not that it matters. I'm supposed to be sixteen now. SIXTEEN!

"We're not planning on restricting you...I mean...I'm not forcing you or anything but..." straw head said uneasily. He must be feeling awkward. Especially after Azula tried to get under his skin. Which she totally did.

"Don't say I didn't warn you~" Azula said playfully.

"We're getting our thtuff first." I held my breath at the accidental lisp.

"That did not happen!" I huffed and headed back into the cave. Azula chuckled. We sometimes get speak with lisps. It's humiliating. Stupid shorter tongue.

We were not leaving behind our armors. They were all we had left of home. The sheer number of freshly, and not so fresh, killed bodies they saw when Azula followed with a small lit flame earned us a gasp. I smirked at that. Even if I'm biologically three, no one is underestimating us. Better that than the alternative.

The murmurs of gossip spread through Konoha like wildfire. The yellow flash brought home two children that could rival any seasoned shinobi, plucked right out of the battlefield. There were a lot of bizarre speculations about their origins and background but no one really knew. Even their age was up for debate. If they only knew how far their guesses were from the truth. Many were even under the idea that they were spies.

"This is an outrage! Those children are murderers! All the lost souls in that kami forsaken cave was proof! They killed our shinobi and must be punished!"

Koharu-sama seems really mad. I've never seen her this uptight before and she's been uptight plenty of times. She didn't like how Sokka threw his club near her head as soon as she entered their door to meet them. Then, there was the cave. There was a lot of death in there. Just standing in front of it made you feel like it's suck out your soul.

"With all due respect, they're children. Scared and desperate children left in the middle of a warzone where they were forced to survive on their own. They did not know enemy from foe and in their defense, they were attacked in their own home." Sensei seemed eerily calm when he said that. He's angry. He has to be. The sakki in here is eating me alive.

"Minato has a point but they could still be spies. To be trained so well, they must've been bred for the war." said Danzo-sama.

"They're monsters, I tell you! Bloodthirsty monsters!"

I felt like protesting. Those kids were toddlers. If they had to be spies, making them sleeper agents that would live out the rest of their lives as normal kids and maybe insert themselves in the ranks through that way would be more sensible. But, making them that lethal and wary of strangers at such a young age makes it impossible for them to be spies. They're probably more like weapons. Only, they managed to run and hide. Until us.

"Calm down Koharu. These children aren't as you say. It is true that they might've been deprived of their youth but they still have a chance. The boy is merely three years old while his cousin is barely two. It is not yet too late to let them live a proper life. Don't you think so Kakashi-kun?"

"Huh?" I pointed at myself in disbelief. I didn't really expect that they'd ask me anything but my report.

"Well, you met them first hand and have seen what they are capable of. Would you give us your opinion on this matter?"

Homura-sama, why me? "U-um..."

They're all looking at me. What am I going to say? I cleared my throat and breathed deeply.

"I think you are right Homura-sama. They are dangerous but I doubt that they're spies. They didn't seem to understand what a shinobi was and there were corpses of shinobi from almost every village that's participating in the war, not just ours. They eliminate all that they come into contact with for fear of even more coming back once they become a known element. I believe...that those two are merely casualties of war. They should be given a chance."

I looked nervously at Sensei. I felt relieved when he smiled at me with approval. And here I thought I was being out of line.

"Well said. You see? You two don't have to be so paranoid. The children are not a threat if we don't antagonize them. If we show them that we're not the vicious killers they believe us to be, then they just might accept us. Konoha can be their new home." said Hokage-sama.

"I still think they're too dangerous. We can't have them around the village without any semblance of common sense. What if they attack other children?" said Koharu-sama.

Now that I think about it, she has a point. Those two weren't very friendly when we first met. They just chose to surrender because they knew fighting in their condition was pointless. They were smart enough to see that. But, it didn't change the fact that they're still hard-wired for confrontation.

To think they understand the concept of self-preservation so well at their age. That's scary. I wonder what really happened to them. It's just sad that they're like this. It's like they were literally born for war.

"That might be a problem. However, if we keep an eye on them, we could control their violent tendencies and discipline them. I could assign ANBU guards to keep them in check." said Danzo-sama.

Is he serious? That'll just make them even more anxious!

"No. Making such children feel oppressed would only be counterproductive. They would simply implode and dislike us more. Children like these don't need rigid instruction and surveillance. They need nurture and comfort. It's only proper that we provide them with what they've been deprived of." said Hokage-sama.

Sensei smiled at that. He already told Hokage-sama his idea. Those two mini-demons won't trust anyone but us. Since Kushina Nee-san already got them in leashes, it's only natural that they take care of them.

"I believe that Minato could fulfill that role. They trust you. If we try to give them to anyone else, they might be a little less cooperative."

"I will gladly take them under wing." Sensei didn't hesitate.

"I agree to those terms. You of all people might be able to keep those children under control. I advice you remain vigilant at all times." Danzo-sama frowned as he spoke. He's met Sokka and Azula and got a burn in return.

"They must take regular psychological evaluation and must not be allowed near other children under any circumstances until they are deemed mentally stable." Koharu-sama said threateningly. I can hear her unspoken Or else! echoing in my mind.

"I don't think that's fair. They should be able to meet Kakashi and other young shinobi at least." said Homura-sama.

"Fine! So long as they can protect themselves, anyone can meet those monstrous brats." hissed Koharu-sama.

That went better than I expected. I thought they'd be caged up or studied. Or worse, killed. I guess they were lucky.