Chapter 12 The Ember Island
The sun was high in the sky as the Avatar gang plus Naruto and Sakura entered the summer beach house of the Fire Lord. It had been over a decade since anyone had been in the place, causing it to fall into disrepair with paint falling off the walls and pieces of the tiled roof blown off by the strong hurricane strength winds that hit the area from time to time in the summer months. The storms the pound the area was no were to be found as the sky was clear blue with just a few wispy clouds high above their heads.
Well this is an interesting place." said Naruto as he looked around the remains of the fire's lord summer home.
"Look it even has a stable for Appa to stay in." yelled Aang as he opened the doors to the large stable that would have housed many different royal animals but was now abandoned.
"There is plenty of room for all of us." said Suki as she walked past an overgrown garden on a wooden walkway which was missing more than a few pieces of wood.
"Yes, with only a few adjustments this will make a perfect place for your training Naruto." said Fukasaku as he hoped into a large inner courtyard which was partly shielded.
"Naruto needs training?" asked Suki "Did you see what he did? He went toe to toe with the monster Sasuke."
"Sasuke isn't the only threat." said Sakura as she thought about the Akatsuki "There are forces out there which make Sasuke look like a kitten, we need to prepare for them."
"Well we better change into our fire nation stuff." said Katara as she moved toward her pack which was sitting on top of Appa "Before we are spotted by some passing fire nation."
"What?" asked Naruto
"This island is a popular vacation spot." explained Zuko as he remembered the times he had been here with his mother "While this part of the island is mostly left alone but they people do come around every once in a while either someone getting lost on the beach or a couple looking for a place to be alone."
"Maybe we can find a place to be alone with Naruto-kun." thought Inner Sakura with a perverted grin.
"And seeing a bunch of fire nation teenagers hanging out is an minor alarm but finding the avatar, two water tribe and two earth kingdom people and two ninjas would cause a huge alarm." said Katara "We can't afford that."
"Makes sense but they don't have fire nation cloths." said Suki as she pointed toward Naruto and Sakura who were dressed in their normal ninja clothing. "In fact apart from my prison cloths I don't have any fire nation cloths."
"We can use genjustu to make us look like fire nation." offered Sakura
"Genjustu?" asked Aang
"It's a type of justu, using chakra a person can change their form." said Fukasaku as the toad elder changed his skin color from green to a tan before changing back.
"That is amazing." said Sokka
"That is nothing." said Naruto as he formed a hand sign.
"If you do that perverted justu I will send you crashing through a wall." stated Sakura with so much force Naruto stopped in his tracks.
"Now back to using genjustu, no…that will take too much concentration and Naruto will need everything he has to master sage form." explained Fukasaku
"We need to get you some new cloths." said Katara "We can pass Sakura's and Naruto's hair as kids dyeing their hair."
"What you don't have blonde hair people?" asked Naruto
"It's very…very rare and pink is unheard of." said Katara as she looked into the money pouch only to find it nearly empty.
"Money problems?" asked Fukasaku
"Yes." admitted Katara "We just have enough for one set of cloths."
"Let me see it." said Fukasaku as Katara handed the small gold coin into Fukasaku small webbed hands. It was a simple coin with just the flame symbol of the fire nation imprinted in the gold. "This shouldn't be a problem."
"What are you talking about?" asked Katara
"Just watch." said Fukasaku as the coin in his hand disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What are you doing!" yelled Sokka "That is our money!"
"Just wait." said Fukasaku as another larger puff of smoke filled the air as five stakes of gold coins appeared all looking like a perfect match to the fire nation coin.
"How?" asked Zuko
"Where did you get the gold?" asked Sokka "Is this one of your ninja tricks?"
"In a way, I transported the coin back to my home and back home they quickly made the coins you see from our gold supply." explained Fukasaku "We are just luckily your coin size is the same as we used."
"Well now we have plenty of money." said Katara
"If you should need more, I can get some more." explained Fukasaku before the elder toad grinned "Just don't spend on it on a huge party."
Back in the Earth Kingdom Azula, Sasuke, Mai and Ty Lee where moving toward a fire nation base located along the northern coast. They were maybe an hour away from the base when suddenly Sasuke stopped in his tracks causing everyone else to stop.
"What is it?" asked Azula as she pulled her mongoose dragon up beside Sasuke.
"We have company." explained Sasuke as two spears came flying out of the brush. Sasuke didn't even move already knowing both spears were off target, landing in the dirt behind them.
"Raiders!" yelled Mai as she pulled back to protect the still injured Ty Lee. Azula responded by sending a giant wave of fire into the line of hedgerows which lined the road. The short bushes instantly light up as three Northern water tribe warriors rolled out of the flames. One had pulled out a second spear, the other had a short sword and the last one had water dancing around him.
"Why don't you handle this one Azula." said Sasuke as he jumped off the mongooses dragon and just stood there.
"You are too kind." said Azula with a smile as she moved toward the water tribe raiders and got into a stance.
"One fire bender we can handle that." said the sword wielder as he moved forward only to have Azula send him flying backwards with a flaming kick.
"A little basic but impressive all the same." thought Sasuke as he watched Azula dodge the multiple water attacks. Azula was sending wave of blue fire at the enemy "She has potential and the fact she doesn't have to do hand signs makes up a little for her lack of other element types."
Sasuke was so focused on watching Azula fight he almost missed when the water whip came flying toward him. He ducked just in time to avoid getting hit.
"Did you think we forgot about you fire nation." stated the water bender as Sasuke simply glared at him before he disappeared.
"Where did he go?" asked spear water tribe warrior
"Behind you." stated Sasuke he flicked his sword so fast that no one could follow. For a moment Sasuke held the sword in the air as a small amount of blood ran down the blade. Then before the eyes of his friends the water tribe warrior's top half fell away from his bottom.
"By the spirits!" yelled the sword wielder as rage built up in the water bender
"You monster he was my brother!" yelled the water bender
"Then you can join him." stated Azula as lightening danced around her before she sent it down range straight though the water bender's heart.
"Very nice." said Sasuke as the sword wielder dropped his sword and started running away. For a while Sasuke and Azula just stood there and watched as the water tribe warrior ran down the road.
"Do want him?" asked Azula
"No…let him go, to spread the word." explained Sasuke as they got back onto to the dragon mongooses and head back down the road. It took them only an hour more to reach the massive Fire Nation Navy base in a strange almost diamond shaped cover with a thin canal that lead out to sea. Called Dragons Spear Bay it had once been an Earth Kingdom base but had been taken in the opening years of the war a hundred years ago, now hundreds of Fire nation ships filled the massive harbor as the prepared for the invasion of the North Water Tribe which was suppose to be launched two weeks after the comets arrive.
The four mongoose's dragons moved quickly toward the first checkpoint, a simple road block before leading up to the massive walls of the fire nation base.
"Stop." yelled the guard as Azula stopped her mongoose lizard within inches of the guard, his eyes widened as he realized who was before him. Instantly he bowed his head "Princess Azula."
"Yes, now open the gate before I end your life." stated Azula as the guard rushed to pull up the simple road block clearing the road.
"The base commander should be in his office Princess Azula." said the guard
"Good." said Azula as they entered the third largest fire nation base in the Earth Kingdom.
Back in the fire nation Katara was looking in a mirror of the room she had picked out as her own, she was pulling part of her hair up into the small bun that was traditional for every member of the fire nation. It was suppose to stand for loyalty toward the fire lord or so she had been told. She had already changed into her normal fire nation cloths; suddenly a nock came from the door.
"Katara are you dressed?" asked Suki from the other side of the door.
"Ya." answered Katara as Suki opened the door and opened the door.
"I have the measurements for Sakura, Naruto and myself." said Suki as she held out a small piece of paper.
"Alright." said Katara as she took the paper. "My brother, Toph and me will head out as soon as we all get ready."
"Alright, just don't let Sokka pick out my cloths." said Suki "I may love him but he doesn't know fashion."
"I will not." said Katara with a grin
"By the way, I don't know if you noticed this or not but you looked pretty damn good in red." said Suki with a grin "Maybe you might get a boy to notice you."
"Aang like me." answered Katara as she looked down
"I know, but do you like him?" asked Suki as Katara thought about it, Aang was a good guy but he just seemed so much like a little kid at the moment.
"It doesn't matter right now we have to worry about stopping the Fire Lord." explained Katara as she and Suki headed out into the court yard to find Toph and Sokka already waiting for her.
"You ready to go?" asked Toph
"Yes." said Katara
"Wait before you go can I ask something of you." said Fukasaku as he looked at Toph
"Sure?" said Toph
"Could you make a small pound here." said Fukasaku as they stood near a corner of the central court yard.
"Making a home?" asked Sokka as Toph earth bent a small 5 by 5 foot wide hole for Fukasaku.
"There, you will have to ask Katara to fill it with water. Water isn't my thing." said Toph as Fukasaku jumped into the hole.
"This isn't a water pound this is an oil pound." explained Fukasaku as he ran though hand signs before slamming his hand down. Instantly dark oil began to fill the pound as Fukasaku jumped out, a small amount of fog filled the area around the pound.
"What is that?" asked Sokka as he took a step back as the smell of the oil hit him.
"It is the scared oil of the toad." explained the toad sage "It will help Naruto master sage form."
"It smells." said Toph as she sniffed the air, it smelled like high mountain air.
"Yes, in order to bring it here without it evaporating instantly I had to put a seal around it." said Fukasaku "This supply will last maybe two days before it is totally gone and I will have to summon in a new supply. We were lucky in one way; this place has around the same temperature as my home so we don't have to worry about that."
"What does it do?" asked Katara
"You will see." said Fukasaku as one of the sliding panel doors opened as Naruto walked out into the field. Instantly Katara and Suki started to blush as the shirtless Naruto, he had almost no marks on his one step below a six packed chest only a dark circler mark on his left breast.
"Suki…I am right over here." said Sokka as Suki's eyes just followed up and down Naruto's muscles. He stood there dressed only in black and orange swim trunks and the necklace of the first Hokage around his neck. Sokka was instantly pissed off as he looked at the woman he loves look at another man.
"Alright old toad why did you want me to where my swimsuit?" asked Naruto
"It is your first lesson. Come here and sit Indian style." ordered Fukasaku as Naruto walked over and did what he was told. So that he sat in front of the oil pound "Do you remember what I told you about senjustu?"
"Something about being in balance with nature and drawing power from that." said Naruto as Fukasaku pulled out a small bowel before poring the oil over Naruto's head. Instantly Naruto's body started to change as his skin started to turn orange and scaly as he began to take on toad like traits. Instantly Fukasaku hit Naruto on the top of his head with his long staff turning him back to normal.
"What was that?" asked Naruto as the others just looked at him stunned
"The oil helps you gather natural chakra but too much will turn you into a toad before turning you into stone." said Fukasaku "Luckily my staff drains your sage chakra turning you back to normal, in time you will learn how to gather natural chakra without using the oil."
"Well we better get going." said Katara as they left to go shopping. Suki quickly head back inside to leave Naruto to his training.
Across the world the admiral in charge of the base rushed into his office to find Azula sitting behind his desk waiting for him. In the corner he could see Mai and Ty Lee talking to each other, he had seen them at one of the fire nation royal military ball when he was in the fire nation years ago. However the man standing right behind Azula he hadn't seen but he had heard about, Sasuke Uchiha
"What took you so long Admiral?" asked Azula
"I was presiding over the launch of a new warship my lady." said the admiral as he bowed down to Princess Azula
"Very well." said Azula "Now I have a new order for you."
"What are your orders?" asked the admiral
"In two days we will be attacking the Northern Water Tribe." said Azula "We believe the Avatar is likely hiding there."
"But Princess Azula in two days it will be a full moon." said the Admiral "The water benders will be at their best."
"That will not be a problem." explained Azula as she looked at Sasuke "They can have their moon, we have Sasuke Uchiha."
"I don't think one man will be strong enough to make a difference." said the admiral
"Believe me Admiral, Sasuke is all we need to take down the Northern Water tribe." said Azula
"Very well." said the Admiral "The airships are ready to go now but it will take until morning to get the fleet ready to launch."
"Very well, the fleet to set sail at dawn." said Azula
"If we do that we will reach the Northern water tribe when the moon is full." said the admiral hoping that the princess would push back the attack.
"I am aware of that." explained Azula "Now carry out your orders."
"Very well." said the admiral as he stood up and left the room.
"Azula do you really think this is wise?" asked Mai as she looked at Sasuke "I know Sasuke is strong but risking a fire nation fleet?"
"I could take down that entire nation by myself." said Sasuke "Your fleet is just a convenience nothing more."
At the local Ember Island market Sokka, Toph and Katara where going from shop to shop picking out cloths for Suki, Naruto and Sakura.
"Do you think Suki will like this?" asked Sokka as he held up a long almost sickly golden color komodo with a lime green and orange slash. Katara tried not to look totally grossed out at the outfit.
"Sokka why don't you go pick up some food and let me pick out the cloths." said Katara as she put the komodo away as fast as possible.
"But I wanted to help." said Sokka
"Help us by going to get the food." said Toph "I will help Katara."
"How can you help you are blin…." started Sokka only to stop when he noticed how pissed off Toph was getting.
"Alright." said Sokka as he went off to get the food.
"Thanks Toph." said Katara as she picked up something she believed Suki would like.
"You owe me Katara." said Toph "Now I am going to go get something to eat, you keep shopping for dumb cloths."
With that she walked off leaving Katara to do the shopping for Suki, Sakura and Naruto all by herself.
On the beach outside Ozia's summer house Zuko was once again yelling out orders at Aang as they trained on the beach.
"Now Roar!" yelled Zuko as Aang let out a roar of flames. To Zuko's surprise it was actually pretty high; however he wasn't going to say anything in approval. "You call that a roar!"
"Sorry Zuko." said Aang "I'll try again."
"No, I need you to do some fire squads. Your core is still weak and that helps controls your fire bending." Ordered Zuko as Aang nodded his head as he placed his hands behind his head and started to squat down before standing back up.
"One…two…three." said Aang
While Aang was working out Zuko went to put some water on his face. As he reached the small bucket of water he noticed Sakura was standing on top of a tree looking out at the sea.
"Katara doesn't like you that much does she?" asked Sakura out of the blue as Zuko poured the water on his face, letting it drip off his body.
"She doesn't like fire nation and I have done things in the past." answered Zuko as he lowered his head in shame "I have done things I can't be forgiven for by anyone."
"I know how you feel." said Sakura
"Somehow I don't believe it." said Zuko
"I hurt my own friends, four years ago I made Naruto to promise me to bring Sasuke back to me." explained Sakura "I was just a foolish little girl with a dumb meaningless crush but it caused so much pain to my friends."
"I betrayed Katara." said Zuko as Sakura looked at him, "We were imprisoned together in Ba Sing Se by my sister. Katara was bait to draw in the Avatar and Azula offered me a ticket home if I helped her."
"You wanted to go home?" asked Sakura as she jumped down, landing beside Zuko. "Why couldn't you go home without her?"
"I was banished by my father for disagreeing with a generals plan to use raw soldiers to lure battle hardened vets of the Earth kingdom into a trap." explained Zuko "As punishment for challenging him, he gave me this scare."
"I see." said Sakura "I would offer to heal that for you but I have a feeling you don't want it gone."
"It isn't possible by normal means." said Zuko
"I could heal that scare in a couple of minutes. " explained Sakura as Zuko's eyes widened "I have handled worst."
"No…it is part of me it reminds me of my shame." Said Zuko as Sakura nodded her head.
"I understand." said Sakura
"You are luckily you don't have a scar to remind you of your mistake." said Zuko
"That is your wrong," said Sakura as she thought of the scar left by Sasuke's chidori from the battle of valley of end on Naruto's chest. For some reason the Kyuubi had never healed that wound totally and Naruto wouldn't let her remove it. "The scar of my mistakes are on another persons."
"You like Naruto don't you?" asked Zuko
Before Sakura could say anything a load yell of pain came from the area where Naruto was training.
"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO HIT ME SO HARD!" yelled Naruto's voice only to have the sound of a staff hitting someone's head filled the air.
"What can I say, he is my baka." said Sakura
Well I hope you liked this Chapter, I know this one and the others have been like the original version but I have added more details which I felt was very needed. Now until next time please keep reading. Thanks Wilkins75