Chapter 20 Ember Island Players Part 1
The afternoon was still young and normally it belonged to training but everyone was too busy with other things. The news that Naruto contained one of the strongest demons within him would take time to process. Naruto himself had gone to the roof of one of the buildings just to think.
"How are you doing Naruto?" asked Sakura as she landed on the roof a few feet away from Naruto.
"I am fine." said Naruto as he just looked out over the ocean. "Just thinking."
"About what?" asked Sakura as she sat down beside her teammate. "If it is about the fact that they know about the Kyuubi, they seem to be taking it well."
"No it isn't that." Answered Naruto as Sakura raised an eyebrow slightly confused about what else he could be thinking about.
"The Kyuubi told me my mother's name, Kushina Uzumaki." said Naruto with a smile as Sakura eyes widened "Kushina Uzumaki, that was my mother's name."
"Naruto how do you know the Kyuubi is telling the truth?" asked Sakura "I mean it's great but this is the Kyuubi."
"I don't know how but I know he is telling the truth." admitted Naruto "I mean he has been sealed within me since I was born so he would know how to trick me but still, he knew my mom."
"He is so exited just to learn his mother's name." thought Inner Sakura
"Most people know their mother's and father's name, Naruto-kun didn't." answered Sakura
"Sakura have you heard of Kushina Uzumaki?" asked Naruto as Sakura looked into those deep blue eyes "Kyuubi says she was famous during the last war."
"Kushina Uzumaki." said Sakura as she searched her memories "The only thing that is coming to mind is some of the stories said that she was a member of the 4th Hokage's team during the war."
"Wow she fought with the fourth Hokage." said Naruto "Think if the Kyuubi hadn't attacked I would have had my mom and dad along with knowing my hero the 4th Hokage."
"What about your dad?" asked Sakura
"He hasn't told me much about him." said Naruto "Only that he was a stronger ninja then my mother, I look like him and that I should have figured it out a long time ago."
"I see." said Sakura
"I am just wondering who he was?" asked Naruto "I mean she was on the team with the 4th Hokage how many people were stronger then here."
"Probably not that many." Said Sakura "Did the Kyuubi say what happened to her?"
Naruto lowered his head as that smile that Sakura loves disappeared.
"According to the Kyuubi she died in child birth after someone took him out of her." Said Naruto
"Your mom was the container of the Kyuubi before you?" asked Sakura as Naruto nodded his head.
"She had some sort of special chakra which helped her survive the Kyuubi being extracted but it left her too weak to survive my birth." Explained Naruto
"I am sorry Naruto." said Sakura as she caught the hyperactive ninja by surprise by wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a hug.
"Sakura-chan?" asked Naruto as he just sat there stunned as Sakura kept hugging him, he couldn't see it but Sakura's eyes were closed and her nose was in his hair as she breathed in his scent.
"This is heaven." thought Sakura
"Think we could wake up every morning in his arms." said Inner Sakura "Among other things."
"Sakura-chan?" asked Naruto again slightly loader then normal which caused Sakura to pull away but her hands remained on Naruto's back.
"Sorry if I surprised you." said Sakura while she prayed he didn't notice the deep blush which threaten to cover her cheeks. "But you just found out your mom is dead and…."
"Thanks Sakura-chan." said Naruto as he placed a hand on her shoulder before hugging her back, a hug which lasted way too short for her.
Across the island the beach was full of people enjoying the warm summer day either in the water or playing games or sun bathing on the beach. Located near one end of beach hidden among the dozens of tents was the personal tent of the Princess Azula. The tent was large enough for a small table and two small shielded changing area.
"The commander wanted us to have guards why did you turn them down?" asked Mai as she sat at the table waiting on Ty Lee and Azula to change into beach wear.
"The guards are not needed." Answered Azula as she changed into an almost extract match of the clothing she wore the last time she was on the island.
"Because of Sasuke?" asked Mai as Azula stepped out of the changing area and glared at her friend.
"You might as well admit it Azula you like him." said Ty Lee as she remained in her own changing area making sure everything was perfect.
"I will admit he is the most interesting man I have met." admitted Azula
"Come on Azula we all saw how you rushed to him in the water tribe you like him." said Ty Lee "I may even go as far as to say you love him."
Azula had no response as she for possible the first time in years she didn't have the will to lie, instead she simply crossed her arms and remained quiet.
"I'll take that as a yes." said Ty Lee as she stepped out of the changing room in her all pink tank top and pink pants. "I mean he is a lot like you determine, strong and deadly scary, plus he is very cut."
"The problem is that he wants to go back to this world." said Mai
"Well he wants to kill two people right and one of them is in our world with the Avatar, so maybe once he kills him he will forget about the other person, so he may stay." added Ty Lee
"He won't." said Azula knowing that like her he wouldn't give up on revenge.
For the longest time no one said anything then Sasuke entered the tent. Instantly the three girls eyes were on the shirtless Sasuke, the girls Azula included blushed at the perfectly sculpted chest. He had on a simple pure black swimsuit with a small weapon pouch containing few small kunai on his leg and his snake sword hung on a small belt.
"Well it was your idea to come to this place." stated Sasuke as he tried not to look at what Azula was wearing but found it difficult not to look at the young woman who was just over a year younger them him.
"Yes, let's go have some fun in the water." laughed Ty Lee as she ran out of the tent and toward the water.
"She is way too happy." explained Mai as she followed her friend out into the warm sun. Azula walked up and stood beside Sasuke.
"Well let's join them." stated Azula
"Very well." answered Sasuke as he and Azula walked outside onto the beach side by side.
Back at the beach house Aang was walking around trying to find Katara but he didn't know where she had disappeared to. He entered a room to find Sokka and Suki sitting and talking.
"Sokka have you seen Katara?" asked Aang
"Not since we found out what was in Naruto." answered Sokka
"Why are you looking for her?" asked Suki
"Well I want to talk to her." Explained Aang
"Sorry maybe you should ask Toph." Said Sokka as Aang kept walking around the beach house trying to find Katara however she wasn't in the beach house instead she was sitting on the beach watching the waves crash against the soft sand. The sound of footsteps behind her caused her to turn around to see Zuko standing there. She had expected Aang to be the one who found her, he always seemed to come to her to talk to her, on some level she felt like a mother giving advice to her child instead of a friend.
"How are you doing?" asked Zuko
"I am still tired and now I will have to deal with Aang asking for advice about Naruto." said Katara
"It is a turn of events." Said Zuko "But there really isn't anything we can do about it and he saved our lives, that should be worth of everyone's trust."
"Agreed." said Katara as she looked toward the beach house she could see Aang walking around one of the upper floors apparently looking for her, she shook her head in a bit of frustration "I know I should feel honored to give advice to the Avatar but sometimes when he asks I see him as a little kid."
"Well he is." Added Zuko "He may be older then all of us but that is only because he spent a hundred years frozen in ice. In reality he is a 12 year old boy who had lost everything."
"Still he is the Avatar he shouldn't have to come and ask me about all these little stupid things." added Katara as she began to spill out her frustrations "One time he asked me about some plant wondering if the fruit tasted good, it was the first time I had even seen the tree and I was supposed to be the expert."
"He trusts your option." explained Zuko "You're his rock, in fact you're the rock of this entire group without you it would have fallen apart at the very beginning."
"Why do you think that?" asked Katara "Aang is the true heart of the team, we are all here to help him."
"Yes, we are here to help him master the elements but without you holding his hand helping him like a mother he would have broken down." explained Zuko "Even the fire nation military file on you says so."
"There is a file on me?" asked Katara
"Yes, just like there is one on everyone here." said Zuko
"And you read it?" asked Katara
"I actually helped write some of it since I had the most experience dealing with your group." explained Zuko "I wrote it when I was still with the fire nation military."
"And what did it say?" asked Katara as Zuko sat down beside her.
"That while Aang was the main threat due to having all the elements to bending however you were the true heart of the team." explained Zuko "Your water bending skills is the equal if not greater than the Avatar's itself, you are the healer and that the others look to you for guidance."
"You really think I am better then Aang?" asked Katara with a small laugh.
"If it was just water bending and Aang couldn't use the avatar state then yes." stated Zuko "In time he may be the master of all four elements but as of right now he is only the master of air. He would lose in a one on one fight against all his teachers, in their elements. Water is your element you know it better than he ever will."
"Thanks Zuko." said Katara as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Katara!" yelled Aang's voice from the beach house as Katara slowly stood up.
"Well I better go see how I can be the heart of the team." said Katara
On the other side of the island Azula lied on a towel soaking up some sun lying beside her with his hand gripping his snake sword.
"Try to relax you two." said Ty Lee's voice as both Azula and Sasuke glared at her causing her to jump back a bit. She slowly walked away and into a gang of boys all wanting to talk to her or Mai.
"Relaxing isn't something I normally do." said Sasuke as he scanned the beach for threats most of the people around them were in their age group between 14 and 16 years old. A little bit more down the beach was the young families enjoying the day.
"Me neither." admitted Azula as she reached for a large glass of ice tea which was sitting in the sand. "However sometimes it is nice just to relax a bit."
"I don't think I have truly relaxed since my brother killed my family." admitted Sasuke "Now I only have to kill Naruto and Madara Uchiha."
"Then your task will be done." said Azula
"The first task yes, the second task remains." answered Sasuke as he closed his eyes.
"And what task is that?" asked Azula as Sasuke moved his head in her direction; he opened his dark eyes and looked straight into her golden eyes.
"Rebuild my clan." answered Sasuke
"I see." said Azula with a slight smile as one of her hands moved to in between the two of them, Sasuke hand started to move toward her only for him to suddenly stop inches away from hers. Instead his hand shot up caught a flying ball.
"Nice caught man." yelled a voice from behind Sasuke as two guys ran up only to see Azula.
"You…you're the crazy girl who tore apart my parents beach house!" yelled the boy
"Oh it's you…what was your name." said Azula in a disinterested tone "Chan I believe and you're his friend Ruon-Jian."
"Yes, son of Admiral Chan." said Chan as his friend nodded confirming his name "You and your crazy fans wretched the beach house."
"I think you should go?" stated Azula "Before you get hurt."
"I didn't know who you are but luckily my father is here now and you can be arrested for what you did." stated Chan before he suddenly felt a sword pressed against his neck. Faster than either of them could see. Sasuke had gotten up, dropped the ball and pulled his snake sword down aimed his sword so it stopped within millimeters of the two boys necks. The boys jumped back away from the sword as they turned toward the wielder only to look straight into the Sharingan eyes of Sasuke.
"Help!" yelled Chan as he fell down into the sand. Everyone on the beach turned to look at the boy no order then 16 holding a sword. Instantly the local military police rushed toward the area along with the guards protecting the Fire Nation Admiral whose son lied in the sand.
"Well this isn't my idea of relaxing." said Azula as she got up as they were surrounded by armed guards and local police.
"Son, what happened?" asked Admiral Chan as the balding admiral looked down at his son.
"That is the insane woman who tore apart the beach house!" yelled Chan as he pointed toward Azula before pointing at Sasuke "And that guy pulled a sword on us."
"Well then you two are under arrest." stated Admiral Chan as he looked toward Sasuke more then Azula.
"I think not." stated Azula as the Admiral finally really looked at her, his eyes widened as his blood turned to ice in his veins as he realized who he had just threatened with arrest.
"Princess Azula." stated Admiral Chan as he got onto his knees and kowtowed to the Princess of the Fire nation. All the fire nation police and guards instantly followed suit.
"What? You're the princess of the fire nation" asked Chan as Azula walked toward him and his friend with blue flames covering her hands.
"Yes, and you threaten me." Stated Azula "I could have you killed for that."
"Please Princess Azula show mercy." stated Admiral Chan as he pleaded for his son's life. "He is just a boy."
"Boys his age are fighting and dying on the front lines every day." stated Azula before the fire disappeared from her arms "But maybe death is too much."
"Thank you Princess Azula." stated Admiral Chan
"However they should be punishment of some kind." said Azula "Sasuke I'll let you decide."
Sasuke grinned as his Sharingan changed as the boys eyes widened. A few seconds later Sasuke's eyes changed back to black before the boys fell to the ground in the fetal position.
"What did you do to them?" asked Admiral Chan as he looked at his shell shocked son.
"I showed them their deaths." explained Sasuke as he and Azula started to walk away, the crowed parting ways as they walked.
"Well that wasn't what I planned." said Azula
"When is this play we are going to anyhow?" asked Sasuke
"In a few hours." explained Azula
"Then let's get something to eat and then go to this play." recommend Sasuke
"A great idea but let's go to dinner, just the two of us." said Azula as Sasuke nodded his head before doing something he had never done before he offered his arm which Azula took. The two left arm in arm.
A few hours later Naruto, Sakura and team avatar head up in the cheap seats of the local theater on the ember island. To hide themselves Naruto and Sakura had put hedged over themselves so both of their hairs were black, a blonde hair man and a woman with pink hair would stand out even more then Aang's arrow tattoos. Aang himself was wearing a hat and long sleeve shirt to hid the arrows. Even Zuko had to be hidden however his discuss was only having the hood up on his traveling cloak.
"Why do we have to have such cheap seats?" asked Sokka as he and Suki sat down beside each other one of the small private boxes which made up the upper ring of the theater.
"Because has the easiest escape route." explained Sakura as she and Naruto sat down in the back row. As they sat down Aang rushed toward the middle row were Katara was sitting only to find Zuko had taken the only seat beside her.
"Ah Zuko could you move?" asked Aang
"Why, there are seats up beside Toph and Sokka." said Zuko as Aang lowered his head before moving up and sitting beside Toph. The moment they sat down a man walked out onto the stage.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I would like to welcome you all to the theater and the opening showing of The Boy in the Iceberg." stated the man "I would thank you all for coming to this sold out show, it us our honor to share this evening with four very special guests. The daughter of our fire lord Princess Azula and her special guest one Sasuke Uchiha. Also Mai and Ty Lee who are the daughters of two of the highest noble families in our Nation."
When the man had finished everyone had gotten to their feet as Azula walked out of the royal box located only yards away from them and down a level. She was dressed in a deep red dress robe; she sat down as Sasuke who was dressed in a pure black robe stood beside Azula as everyone clapped. Behind them dressed in their own robes where Ty Lee and Mai.
"We have to get out of here." Whispered Sokka
"No…if we leave Sasuke will notice an empty seat and investigate." explained Naruto
"He will see us." said Sakura
"He already knows we are here." said Naruto as Sasuke turned his head as his eyes locked on Naruto. Sasuke's eyes turned Sharingan for a moment before they turned back to normal. Sasuke, Azula and everyone else sat down and turned his attention to the stage.
"Why isn't he attacking?" asked Sakura as she gripped a kunai in her weapon pouch.
"I don't know for sure." answered Naruto "But if we run he will attack us."
"So what do we do?" asked Katara
"Enjoy the show and try to figure out why he isn't attack us." said Naruto
Down in the royal box Azula sat beside Sasuke.
"So they aren't running." whispered Azula
"Naruto knows if they ran I would go after them at once." explained Sasuke as he rested his hand on the arm rest "So when do you want to attack them?"
"Not now." answered Azula with a grin like a cat that had caught a mouse and is playing with it before the kill, before resting her hand on top of Sasuke's as the lights dim as the curtain rose "Lets enjoy the show first."
Well I know some people may like how I gave Sasuke and Azula some emotional but I feel that even though they are cold and heartless people that they have some emotions. Some may wonder why Sasuke/Azula didn't attack Naruto and the others right away and it will be explained in later chapters. Now until next time I thank everyone who reviewed and I ask that you keep on reading. Thanks Wilkins75