The results of the poll are in and the results will be revealed in this chapter. I thank you for your participation of the poll to decide what two elements Steven will have.
On a final note, I do not own Naruto or Steven Universe
"Believe in Steven!" normal speech
"Believe in Steven!" thought/mind speak
"Believe in Steven!" demon speech
Chapter 18: Discoveries and a Decision
*Konohagakure*
Night had fallen as Tsunade was preparing to head home after FINALLY taking care of the most hated enemy of all the Kages…paperwork. She was about to get up from her desk when a plume of smoke erupted before her and saw a turtle after the smoke had cleared. "This a really bad time for any sudden surprises," Tsunade threatened as for once she didn't have leftover work for tomorrow.
"I bear a message from Gai and his team," said the turtle as it reached inside its shell and pulled out a scroll, "I believe that you should really check it out." The blonde took the scroll and opened it before her eyes widened in pure shock at the news before her.
"WE'VE FOUND HIM!"
*Beach City; Crystal Temple*
Naruto was staring up at the stars of the night sky as he mindlessly plucked the guitar strings in deep thought. What do I do? Naruto thought as the question of whether or not to return to Konohagakure had kept haunting him throughout the entire day, Do I stay or do I go?
"I'd stay here if I were you," said Kurama from inside Naruto's mind, "Why help a place that treated you like garbage all because of something out of your control. You could always lead Bloodstone and the Akatsuki to the more dangerous parts of the temple; it's a win-win."
"I don't think that would be a good idea Kurama," said Minato's voice, "Even if both Bloodstone and the Akatsuki don't even go near Konoha, everyone here in Beach City will be in danger."
"Oh what do you know?" Kurama argued back towards the Yondaime Hokage, "You sealed me inside of your son and thought he'd be seen as a hero, but instead the village treated him like crap because they're too dumb to not see the difference between the jailed and jailor. If I were to decide, let Konoha be burned to the ground for its ignorance and stupidity!"
"Don't be like that Kurama," Kushina yelled towards the fox, "There are still people in Konoha that care for Naruto. Iruka, the other Rookies, Konohamaru and his friends, Teuchi and Ayame, Tsunade…"
"Okay," Kurama admitted, "so there's like what twenty-some people that are not complete ass-kissers, big deal. What about the other ninety-some percent, hmm? The same ninety-some that will treat Naruto like that damnable Uchiha brat once he steps just one foot inside the village that also happened to be most of those who abused YOUR SON!"
"Please calm down," said Amber as her voice entered the fray, "this mindless arguing will get us nowhere but giving Naruto a massive aneurism. Besides, this is HIS decision to make as all we could do is give him guidance and support. Naruto is considering the pros and cons of both decisions and even though both Bloodstone and the Akatsuki are major threats, we cannot rush his decision as it could alter his very life."
Thanks Amber, Naruto said as the voices in his head was starting to give him a small headache. Since coming into contact with everyone three years ago, Naruto set up a small mental link to both of his parents and Amber and had talked to them for guidance and advice. Their advice had greatly helped Naruto with some of his solo training and other problems the blonde had faced.
Naruto continued to look at the night sky as Amber had made a point with her statement: the pros and cons of both decisions.
Should Naruto stay in Beach City, whatever few friends he had in Konoha could end up getting killed by Bloodstone as the evil Gem would show no mercy. Also if by chance Naruto's location was revealed, Beach City could end up being attack by either Bloodstone, the Akatsuki, or even both and causing so many deaths. Their deaths would be on my hands as I would have lured both groups here, Naruto thought as he continued to pluck the guitar strings. Aside from the people his birth mother had mentioned, Naruto had never really made any lasting bonds with anyone from Konohagakure and a part of him did want the place to suffer for what they had done to him. But that would only be a hollow victory, the blonde thought as he let out a sigh, but that's not me either. I'd never do something like that for the sake of revenge.
But should Naruto go back to Konohagakure, he would be able to keep Beach City safe from the destruction at the price of Naruto's happiness. The villagers who once saw him as a monster would turn around and worship like some kind of god like the hypocrites they were. Shops giving him the best quality wares, shinobi offering to be private tutors, girls lining up to be with him. That thought then made him think of Pearl and the others. What would happen to them? Naruto thought as he imagined himself getting forced away from his family while they would be discriminated. Many others would want to know how the power of the Crystal Gems would work, including power hungry diplomats if not just Orochimaru, and even try to obtain such a power for themselves. Everyone would be in danger, Naruto thought as he angrily brought his hands to his face, and it would be MY fault!
Letting out another sigh, Naruto continued to stare at the stars and he couldn't help but feel envious of them. People saw the beauty that they bring, the stars just have to be there and just continue on through their lifecycle until falling out of existence…being an inspiration to those who see them. Why can't I be just like the stars? Naruto sadly thought of how stars just didn't do anything but live and yet people see the beauty in them.
Maybe either Gamabunta or Okina might be able to help me tomorrow, Naruto thought as he decided to get some shut eye in hopes of maybe some rest will help him make a decision.
Morning had arrived as Naruto and Steven were on the beach near the temple with the Crystal Gems and the shinobi on the temple's porch. "Ready?" Naruto asked Steven as he received a nod. Both teens bit their thumbs and added enough chakra as they performed the needed seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Large plumes of smoke erupted as the smoke soon cleared to reveal Gamabunta and Okina Yama standing massively before the group. "It is nice to meet you again, Steven," said the giant Lion as he used his tail to lift Steven and place him onto the sand while Gamabunta did the same for Naruto with his tongue, "To what do I owe the young cub."
"Actually Naruto wanted to talk to you about something," Steven said as he felt a little winded from the summoning. The shinobi were amazed at the size of the Lion as it appeared that they were looking at the sun due to the Boss Summon's fur and mane.
"What do you wish to talk about, Naruto?" Okina Yama asked as he saw Gamabunta, "Does it involve Gamabunta, Toad Summoner?"
"Actually," Naruto admitted as he felt a little intimidated by the Lion, "I need your advice on something." The blonde motioned towards the shinobi as he then said, "You see, I was told about some powerful people that could either attack Konohagakure or Beach City depending on what I decide. I thought I could talk to both you and Gamabunta on what I should do: Should I stay in Beach City, or should I go back to Konoha?"
"Are you talking about the Akatsuki?" Gamabunta asked as he then received a nod from Naruto, "Well, I would suggest to try and lay low by traveling all over this place, but that will only last for so long as sooner or later you will end up running into them."
"My servants had also met some of the summons that can be summoned by one of their members, Pain," Okina Yama said as he laid down on the sand, "They have told me of they saw the eyes of those…unnatural beasts. They possess a powerful kekkei genkai known as the Rinnegan, a unique ocular power that the Rikudo Sennin once possessed. I actually thought it to be just a legend, but to see those eyes myself through the crystal ball…it does cause concern for what could be. However, I also believe that there is also another threat you are also thinking of, am I right?"
Naruto nodded as he then said, "Yes. That other threat is an evil Crystal Gem by the name of Bloodstone that my ancestor and Crystal Gem warrior, Amber, had defeated once before. Now there is someone who now possesses Bloodstone's power and that person could come after me since I possess Amber's power. With both threats possibly coming after me, I could end up putting Beach City in danger if I stay."
"WHAT?!" cried a familiar voice as everyone looked to see Jenny and her friends, Connie and her parents, Lars and Sadie, and Mayor Dewey running towards them with Jenny rushing towards Naruto, "Are you seriously thinking about leaving us?!"
"Um…well…" Naruto said as he was trying to find the right words, "it is possible that I may have to since I could end up becoming a target for some powerful people."
"Those people will have to deal with us before they ever think of getting you," Mayor Dewey said before he heard a low growl from the giant Lion.
"The people young Naruto speaks of are far beyond what you could imagine," Okina Yama said as he reached inside his mane and pulled out a crystal ball. After setting the sphere before the group, the Lion applied chakra to reveal many images of different people wearing black cloaks that were adorned with red cloud designs and said, "The Akatsuki is an organization of powerful criminals that would not show mercy to those who get in their way. Even with the advanced weapons that this place possesses, these powerful shinobi could end up decimating all in their path."
Everyone saw the destruction that was brought on by different members of the Akatsuki as fear crept into their skins. "They're brutal," said Buck as he saw a silver-haired man kill another man just by stabbing himself while a red-eyed man burned another man with black fire.
"But wouldn't Naruto also be putting himself in danger because of the Akatsuki?" Mayor Dewey argued, "And besides, why would Naruto go back to a place that even treated their trash better than him. I mean, sure that a few people there that were Naruto's friends, but what's stopping the rest of Konohagakure from handing him over to that group or even just making the boy's life worse than before?"
"While you do bring up a point," Gamabunta said as Okina Yama placed the crystal ball back in his mane, "I will say that thanks to events due to Naruto's banishment, the villagers will think twice about what they do. I still do have doubts about some of them, but all I can do is provide advice for the gaki as I'm sure he would like to say his goodbyes if he decides to leave."
"Do not worry," said Gai as he went into his 'Nice Guy' pose, "I promise you that Naruto will be in the best protection as he would be with his true friends."
"I also promise that should Konohagakure betray Naruto, even after dealing with the Akatsuki," Gaara said as sand began to float around him, "I WILL show no mercy this time." Mayor Dewey stepped back a bit in fear and discomfort, but he could tell that Naruto would be well protected under their care.
"So Naruto," Okina asked as he looked at said blonde, "do you have what you were looking for?"
"Not really," Naruto admitted with a sigh, "but I will give this some thought. Thanks anyway."
The giant Lion nodded with a smile before he saw Connie approaching him with wonder in her eyes. "I take it you are Connie, correct?" Okina Yama asked as he saw the girl nod slowly in awe, "My son had told me how you are kind towards our summoner and you admire his many tales and talents. I can easily tell that you will be perfect for Steven and for that, I will bestow to you my thanks for being friends with both my son and our summoner. I shall grant you a special gift as a token of my thanks."
The great Lion reached into his mane and pulled out a small necklace that was adorned with beautiful golden gemstones. "This necklace was crafted by my great-grandmother who was once a powerful Hierocosphinx that was once believed to have traveled to the very sun itself to collect those gemstones." Okina Yama said as the gems on the necklace shimmered in the light, "That necklace grants protection to those who wear it...the kind of protection is unsure, but the necklace is a powerful artifact among the Lions so be careful with its power."
"Thank you," said Connie as she put the necklace on, "I'll try and take good care of it." Okina smiled and gave the girl a nod it appreciation.
"I think it's best for us to go," said Gamabunta as Okina Yama stood up and lightly shook the sand off of his fur, "I am sure that Naruto will need some time to make his decision." The giant Toad looked at Naruto and said, "Just be careful with this decision as this could change your very life."
Okina Yama looked at Naruto and said, "Whatever you decide, Naruto, you will always have the support of not just the Lions, but all of your friends here in Beach City. May the Sun Gods be with you, young cubs."
The two titanic animals vanished in plumes of smokes as Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "That did not go as I had thought," the blonde thought as he was actually hoping to at least get some sort of definite answer, "Guess I'm really on my own with this."
"Not exactly Sunny," said Jenny as she, Buck, and Sour Cream approached the blonde, "we'll be right behind you a hundred percent."
"Of course," Buck added as he looked at Naruto, "you're the coolest guy around here next to Steven."
"I'd rave to that," Sour Cream said as he smirked, "You'll always be one of us."
"Yeah," said Sadie as she approached Naruto, "You've really been a great help back at the Big Doughnut. Even though he won't admit it, Lars will miss you as the shop will be quiet without ya!"
Naruto smirked as he saw the support everyone was giving him and knew that these people had done so much for him by being the friends that he needed. I'm so lucky to find people who care about me and not just something else, the blonde thought as his smirk became a small smile, I would forgive myself if they got hurt because of me.
"Thanks you guys," said Naruto as he turned around, "I…need to be alone at the moment." The blonde suddenly shape shifted into a fox and dashed away, ignoring everyone calling him out. Steven was about to try and follow Naruto, but Garnet placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder with a look that told Steven that wasn't anything anyone could do. This was Naruto's decision and his alone.
"Say Steven," Tenten asked as she approached the boy, "you said you wanted to know what your element is, right?" Everyone quickly looked at the weapons specialist as she brought out a small square piece of paper.
"What's paper have to do with that elemental stuff?" Lars asked as he eyed the piece of paper. He may not know anything about being a ninja aside from what he has seen in movies, but since these people were from the same place as Naruto who knew what that 'little' piece of paper could do.
"This paper is actually made from a tree that's been grown and fed with chakra," said Tenten as she placed the piece of paper in Steven's hands, "It reacts to chakra and depending on what kind of reaction the paper has to your chakra, that shows your elemental affinity. Fire chakra causes the paper to turn into ash while Wind chakra cuts the paper in two. Lightning chakra causes the paper to crinkle up, Earth chakra causes the paper to crumble away into dirt, and Water chakra causes the paper to get wet and damp. Most Jonin ninja have already mastered at least two elements, but there are kekkei genkais that allow one to naturally possess a third element due to the combination of any of the five base elements."
Steven looked at the slip of paper before looking at Tenten with question. "Go on…"the girl egged on, "Try it."
Everyone watched in deathly anticipation as Steven closed his eyes, both the Gems and the citizens of Beach city silently praying for Steven's element.
Water or anything BUT Lightning, Greg thought as he could imagine the water fights with his son without the risk of getting zapped.
Please be Fire, Amethyst and Jenny thought with separate hopes and different reasons.
Not Water, Sour Cream thought as he remembered the last time water was involved with Steven and his friends, we don't need a repeat of that event!
Please don't be Earth, Sadie, Buck, and Mayor Dewey thought with slight fear in their eyes, Beach City does NOT need earthquakes.
Please be a safe element, Connie and her parents thought, can't have Steven/Connie getting burned or electrocuted.
The shinobi watched as Steven focused with all his might until the paper had its reaction to Steven's chakra.
"Interesting…" said Tenten with a smirk on her face.
*Beach City; Beach*
Naruto was walking through the further parts of the beach with his mind focused on whether or not he should return to Konohagakure. One part of his mind was screaming out the obvious answer of going back to Konoha in order to keep Beach City safe, but another part of his mind was saying to stay in Beach City as Konoha was never a home to him since the beginning.
"Dammit!" Naruto cursed as he slammed a paw on the sand, "What do I do? Do I go back to that prison, or do I stay here and risk the lives of EVERYONE WHO TRULY CARED ABOUT ME!?"
The blonde jumped onto a large rock nearby and looked over the edge to see a golden fox looking back at him in the water. "What do you think I should do?" Naruto asked his reflection, "Should I stay here where I know there are people who love me…or should I go back to my former home where most of the people there once treated me like yesterday's garbage? A part of me wants to go and help Konoha deal with Bloodstone and the Akatsuki, but another part wants me to stay here as a huge majority of Konoha never even treated me with a splinter's worth of kindness."
Naruto knocked a small stone off, causing the water to ripple before he saw a familiar face.
"Lapis!" Naruto said as he jumped around to face her, but instead fell into the water.
Lapis focused her power to bring a water sphere-incased Naruto and gently let him onto the rock in front of her. Naruto quickly shape shifted back into his normal form, ready for a fight since the last time he encounter Lapis Lazuli was that he ended up fighting himself. He was about to summon his claws when Lapis tenderly looked into his eyes.
"I'm…" Lapis began as she painfully looked away, "I'm sorry…for what I did."
Naruto blinked a few times in confusion before Lapis then said, "I was able to return home thanks to you and Steven, but when I got there…it was so desolate, so empty; I was the only one there as I tried to search for the others. I only found the messages the Sages had left…messages about how everyone save a small handful had become corrupted and broken. I spent some time thinking about what you told me before I left."
"I remember," said Naruto as he couldn't forget that day…
Flashback
Naruto and Steven stood before Lapis as her dark blue eyes shone through the dark, starlit sky and wings made of water formed from her back.
"Thank you so much Steven!" Lapis cheered before she turned her attention towards Naruto, "And thank you Naruto!"
"For what?" Naruto asked as he was confused, "I disobeyed my mom when she told me not to try and climb the tower."
"True, but when I watched you try and climb the tower I saw something," Lapis said as she looked deeply in Naruto's eyes, "Even now, I still see it. The pain, the misery, and the abuse that is hidden within your past."
Naruto painfully cringed as he easily remembered what the Gem was talking about. The looks the villagers would give him, parents treating him like the plague, and the adults beating him up for believing him to be Kurama. It was painful as he has had nightmares about those days…being alone and unloved.
"You don't have to say it," Lapis said with a tender look, "it's too painful as your eyes have shown me that you have seen things that many do not."
Naruto sadly nodded and said, "Yeah. You also remind me of someone I once met that's just like me."
"Could you…tell me about him?" Lapis asked as she created a few pedestals and sat on one of them with Naruto and Steven following her example.
Naruto then began to tell Lapis about how Gaara was a jinchuriki like him and how said Suna ninja had once believed that he had to keep killing others just to prove his existence, with Gaara nearly killing Lee on a couple of occasions. The blonde had mentioned that he could only guess the kind of life Gaara had, but he knew that it had to have been similar to his. Naruto then also told them about how he would wonder what things could have been like if the roles were reverse with himself as a psychotic murderer and monster while Gaara would might have been the one person to positively change his life.
As she listened, Lapis began to wonder about how her life has been. She was turned into a mirror and forced to reveal whatever the person had asked for, had somehow gotten her gem cracked, and all the while hating the other Crystal Gems for what they have done. She had seen a few of her friends become corrupted and broken in the past, but nothing was done about it as not even Rose Quartz could have helped them. Have I been thinking about the Crystal Gems all wrong? Lapis thought to herself as she listened to how Gaara was now a good friend of Naruto's even after said Suna ninja had tried to kill him before, Could I just be acting off of my anger and hate?
After Naruto finished telling the two about Gaara, Lapis then stood up and looked at the stars. "I see that even you humans can have a life as difficult as mine," Lapis said as she spread her wings, "I'll give back the ocean…I need to go home now."
"Why leave?" Naruto asked as he and Steven stood up from their seats, "Why not stay here and help us? I can vouch for you and-"
"No Naruto," Lapis said as he continued to look at the stars, "I need to go home…where I belong, but I'll always think of the two of you as even though you are with the Crystal Gems…I can see you two as my friends. Goodbye."
"Lapis, wait!" Naruto called out to the Gem but was too late as she had launched herself into the deep void of space before the tower of water began to fall apart. Naruto looked at the trail of water as he and Steven began to fall towards Earth as one word had escaped his mouth.
"Lapis…"
Flashback End
"You know you could have brought me and Steven down to Earth before you had left," Naruto said as he lightly glared at the Gem before him, "We could have gotten killed since we're both still human."
"You both would have survived as long as your gems don't get damaged," Lapis countered with a knowing tone in her voice, "I've seen it happen before many times."
"Anyway," Lapis said as she decided to change the subject, "I couldn't help but overhear what you were saying. Care to give me the full details?"
Naruto thought it over a bit before he decided to tell Lapis everything about what was going on. The Gem brought a hand to her chin as she actually remembers Bloodstone as he was once a kind pacifist who loved art before becoming a twisted being that had murdered other Gems to show everyone his power.
"If it were up to me, I'd let that old home deal with their problems and just leave you out all of this," Lapis said with a slightly cold tone before her eyes softened, "But I would want to protect those that I care about, even if they're from a place that I hated. I would protect you and Steven with my very life, even if it means having to deal with those three; I care for all of my friends."
Naruto thought for a moment before letting out a content sigh…he had made his decision.
"Say Naruto," Lapis asked as she suddenly found her dress interesting, "can I…can I ask you for…a small favor?"
*Beach City; Crystal Temple*
Night had arrived and Naruto entered the front door to find Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst waiting for him.
"Hey," Naruto said sheepishly as he saw the trio looking at him, "did I miss anything?"
"Just Steven discovering his two elements," Amethyst said with a smirk, "Earth and Water!"
"Really, those two?" the blonde said with shock, "I was actually hoping he'd get Wind like me."
"I can tell you're in good spirits," Garnet said as her sunglasses flashed from the light in the room, "I take it you've made your decision?"
"Yeah," Naruto said with determination in his eyes, "Time for a little trip to Konohagakure."
"Are you sure?" Pearl asked with concern, "We are talking about a place that a majority of the people there never treated you with kindness."
"I know," said Naruto with a stern face, "but even if they don't find me here, both Bloodstone and the Akatsuki will eventually find me and endanger everyone's lives. I also have friends back in the village that I still care about after these years. I wouldn't forgive myself if I just abandoned them."
"If you are absolutely sure about this," Garnet said with a smile on her face, "then who am I to say no about a decision like this."
"Well you are my mother," Naruto said with a small chuckle, "but there's also something else that you three should know."
Confused, the three Gems watched Naruto nod towards the door before their eyes widen at the sight of Lapis walking through their front door.
"LAPIS LAZULI!"
There you go. Steven's elements are Earth and Water as Water had a great majority of the votes. It was actually close for the second element as the results of the poll were as followed:
Water: 14
Earth: 8
Fire: 6
Lightning: 6
Wind: 4
I know that some of you are wonder about Lapis and her attitude, but we really don't know much about her yet. While some of us are suspecting that she may return in future episodes of Steven Universe and be a possible threat, I'm having Lapis similar to Gaara in a way and having her be reformed in this fic. If anything, I think she's misunderstood and was just homesick and confused with how she acted in both Mirror Gem and Ocean Gem. So Lapis will be reformed and will help Naruto with handling Bloodstone and the Akatsuki.
Don't forget to rate and review!
Ja ne.
