Uzumaki's Wrath
Chapter 20
Yeah, I've been go a long time. I am sorry about that. Blame Mass Effect and laziness. Ending for ME3 sucks ass but what can you do. BUT I AM BACK!
Aang groggily woke up to strange surroundings. He didn't understand what was really going on because he was so weak. Hell he didn't even notice all the bandages around his torso and arms. "What happened?" He asked himself.
That was when he regained his senses. He noticed he was in familiar surrounds…and he as in trouble. Why? Well, he found himself in the familiar setting of a Fire Nation ship. That much he knew from being on Zuko's ship one time…that and there was a giant Fire Nation emblem on the wall behind him.
Quickly, he got up and weakly stumbled to his glider. Using it a walking stick, he hobbled to the steel door. Hobbling down the hallways cautiously, Aang looked over a corner and saw a few people. In his panicked state, he only noticed the Fire Nation armor. Never mind somewhat familiar faces.
So he flung air at them and ran as fast as he could. However, he stopped at an intersection, with one way leading outside and the other leading to a different part of the ship. He stopped because down the dark hallway, was a red cloaked figure with a strange three bladed scythe. And it was moving toward him!
Thinking quickly, he ran out of the exit, only to trip and fall face first. He looked up to see Momo being pet by what looked to be Fire Nation soldiers and he was not panicking about it! What the hell was going on? "Momo?" The flying lemur chatted before he fly to Aang and licked his cheek.
"Twinkle Toes, that's got to be you." came the voice of Toph, who looked to be in her usual outfit, but also had a red clock on.
"Aang! You're alright!" Katara voiced, who also had her one clothes and a red cloak.
"You're the one who healed him. Of course he would be alright." Naruto replied as they walked to the confused air bender. Naruto wore his normal clothes, but in place of his white trench coat, was a red trench coat with black flames and the kanji for 'Will of Fire' on the back.
"I am just glad my little brother is awake!" Katara said happily.
"Are you sure, I feel like I am dreaming." The air bender replied while rubbing his eyes.
"Nope!" Jin said cheerfully.
"You're not dreaming, you're finally awake." Katara said as she hugged him.
"Heh, I am surprised his is not a babbling mess. Oh well." Came the familiar voice of Kurama, but the Avatar didn't see the furry fox anywhere. Instead the voice came from behind him….it belonged to the cloaked figure with the three bladed scythe! The figure took down the hood and reveal Kurama familiar human form. "Yo! Sorry I scared ya wind bag."
"Kurama?" Aang asked in disbelief.
"Aang! Good to see you little buddy!" came the voice of Sokka, but it echoed somewhat in the Fire Nation armor he was wearing.
"Sokka?" He asked, still not believing anything that was happening, and for that, he passed out.
"Uh oh, somebody catch him, he's gonna-" Toph ordered, but the Avatar was already falling. Thankfully, Naruto caught him before he could hurt himself even more.
XXX
Prince Zuko stared out onto the dark night sky, mainly looking up at the moon in thought.
"Aren't you cold?" Mai voiced as she walked up to her crush/boyfriend.
"I've got a lot on my mind, its been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed…I wonder how I have changed." He said.
Mai yawned with a smile. "I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for your whole life's story." She then walked right next to him and held his face before kissing him. "Stop worrying." She then walked back to her room as Zuko continued to stare out on the dark ocean.
XXX
"Why are we on a Fire Nation ship. Why is everyone dressed this way?" Aang asked once he recovered. He was still confused, but what else was new. "And why I am the only one who is completely out of it?"
"You need to take it easy, you got hurt pretty bad." Katara replied as she sat across from him while Naruto plopped down next to them. The two shared a look before Katara smirked. "I like your hair."
"Yeah, makes you look different. A good different." Naruto replied with his own smirk.
"I HAVE HAIR?" Aang shouted as he reached up to feel it in panic. "How long was I out?"
"A few weeks." Katara supplied.
"And a lot has happened in that time frame…not just the growing of you hair." Naruto replied with a bored look.
"Everything OK?" A man asked as he walked up to them. Naruto didn't mind him, but Katara glared at the man.
"We're fine, dad." Katara replied.
"I'm Hakoda, Katara and Sokka's father." The man said as he introduced himself to Aang.
"He knows who you are. I just called you dad didn't I?" Katara interrupted.
"I guess you're right." The man said sadly.
"Nice to officially meet you Chief Hakoda." Aang said cheerfully as he shook the man's hand.
"It's an honor to finally meet you." He said with a smile.
"Great, great. Now you have finally met, now would you mind giving us a little privacy?" Katara asked with his glare still set in place.
"You're right." Hakoda said before he patted Naruto's shoulder and left.
"Are you mad at your dad or something?" Aang asked.
Katara lost her glare and said, "What? Not at all, why would you say that."
Naruto rolled eyes as Aang shrugged. You are going to have to talk to him sooner or later."
Aang doubled over in pain and they moved their little party down back in Aang's room. Naruto leaned against the wall, feeling useless since he didn't have much medical training. Katara was using her healing water to heal a certain spot on Aang's back. Luckily Azula did hit a Chakra Point, just nicked it while hitting a more vital area. Naruto was just glad Katara could heal the boy when he could not.
"Tell me where your pain is most intense." Katara offered.
"Ugh, a little higher." Aang said before felt a jolt and the memories came flying back. "Wow, you're defiantly in the right place there."
"I can feel your is a bit twisted up." Katara replied as she pulled at the spot with her water, causing Aang to have another revelation.
"I went down!" Aang started. "I didn't just get hurt did I? It was worse than that, I was gone, but you brought me back."
"I just used the spirit water from the North Pole. I don't know what I did exactly." Katara said simply.
"That may have been a contributing factor, but your skills are what saved him." Naruto stated, making the girl blush at his compliment. Now all she needed to do was get him to be his self. Naruto mellowed out when Aang went down. He was too serious. It was like he was blaming himself for Aang getting hurt.
"You saved me." Aang said. He didn't know what to feel. He was grateful that his sister figure saved him, but he also felt betrayed. Aluza was Azula and she was the one who did this to him. He thought he loved her, but he was not sure. There was also the strange personality she displayed. Was all that just a ploy to get him off guard, or did she really love him?
"Aang, you did die, but you're back, that is all that matters. That lightning bolt might have nicked your Chakra Point, and fired your insides, but you are back. However, I think your Avatar from is going to be hard to get into…and out of." Naruto informed his friend.
Aang nodded, but he also saw a change in Naruto. He was different somehow. Just what happened while he was out?
XXX
It was the next day and Aang was somewhat rested enough to be topside. So they started to explain what happened when Aang went down.
"After what happened in Ba Sing Se, we had to get you to safelty." Sokka informed his friend. "We flew back to Chameleon Bay where we found my father and the other water tribe men. The Earth King decided he wanted to travel the world in disguise, so he set off alone." After a grunt from Kurama, Sokka corrected himself. "Well, not really alone, he had his bear with him."
"Soon the bay was overrun with Fire Nation ships. Rather than fight them all, Naruto and the other Eight, captured a single ship and made it our disguise. The Eight split off to become a mercenary group to mess with the Fire Nation and give us cover. Oh! And Jet survived and is traveling with them along with Smellerbee and Long Shot." Sokka stated. "Since then, we've been traveling west. We crossed through the Serpent's Pass a few days ago, we've seen a few Fire Nations ships but none have bothered us."
"So what now?" Aang asked, not sure if he wanted to eat or not.
"We've been working on a modified version of the invasion plan." Hakoda replied.
"It's Sokka's invasion plan." Katara retorted.
"Yes…Sokka's plan." Hakoda said quietly. 'We won't be able to mount a massive invasion without the Earth Kingdom's armies, but the Solar Eclipse will still leave the Fire Nation vulnerable."
"So we're planning a smaller invasion. Just a rag tag team of our friends and allies from around the Earth Kingdom. We've already ran into Pipsqueak and The Duke." Sokka replied.
"Good to see you again Aang." Pipsqueak stated as he ate his food. He was that large teen they saw so long ago.
"A small team instead of a freaking army can usually get the job done." Naruto offered.
"And the best part is, the Eclipse isn't even our biggest advantage. We have a secret." Sokka whispered. "You!"
"Me? I thought Naruto would be the biggest threat to the Fire Nation, along with me." Aang replied, although, when he said that, the group got a little quiet and eyed Naruto, who just shrugged.
"Yes you." Sokka recovered. "The whole world thinks you're dead! Isn't that great?"
By the look of pure and utter shock and horror on Aang's face, it was not great at all. "Apparently not." Naruto muttered aloud as he smacked his forehead.
Kurama and Jin sighed as they smacked Sokka upside the head.
"The world thinks I am dead!" Aang shouted in disbelief. "How is that good news? That's terrible news!"
"No, it great! It means the Fire Nation isn't hunting us anymore. They also think that Naruto with the other Eight. Most of the Fire Nation is after them, taking the heat off of us!" Sokka explained. "And even better, they won't be expecting you on the day of black sun."
"No no no no, you have no idea! This is so messed up!" Aang shouted. However, before they could say anything more, the sound of another ship caught their attention. "I'll handle this, the Avatar is back!" He said bravely before he cringed in pain.
"Aang wait! Remember they don't know we're not Fire Nation." Katara stopped him.
"Everyone just stay calm." Hakoda ordered. "Bato and I will take care of this." The group nodded as they got ready but hiding Appa….under a tarp. Still it got the job done, making others think he is just a bunch of supplies.
"I hate not being able to do anything." Aang grumbled.
"Sometimes not doing anything is better than doing something and in your weaken state, screwing something up." Naruto stated with a serious face.
"Hopefully you or Naruto won't need to." Toph replied.
They watched as the other ship created a bridge to theirs and boarded. Hakoda and Bato meet the Fire Nation soldiers halfway.
"Commander, why are you off course?" The commander of the other ship asked. "All western ships are supposed to be moving toward Ba Sing Se to support the occupation."
"Actually we're from the Eastern Fleet. He have some orders to deliver some cargo." Hakoda replied.
"Ah, eastern fleet. Well, nice of Admiral Chan to let us know he was sending one of his ships our way." The man replied, clearly annoyed.
"I am sure Admiral Chan meant no disrespect, sir." Bato informed.
"I mean, how hard is it towrite a quick note and send a hawk our way." The man continued to complain.
"Next time we'll send two hawks to make sure you get the message." Hakoda replied as they bowed and went their separate ways.
However, one of the soldiers whispered to his commander, "Sir, Admiral Chan has been on leave for two months at Ember Island."
"What? Why doesn't anyone ever tell me anything?" The commander complained. "Something is not right, they should have known that. I think this a captured ship. Just stay quiet until we are safely across the ramp, then we'll sink this ship."
Naruto eyes narrowed when he heard that, but Toph beat him to the punch. "They know!" She yelled as she bent the metal ramp they were on and made them fall into the water.
They knew they had to get away and fast. So Katara made use of her water bending to separate the two ships and give them a head start.
XXX
Prince Zuko had just got seeing the people again. They seemed happy to see him, but he had not seen his father yet. He didn't know what to really do, so he was feeding the tutrtle-ducks in their pond. But when Azula made her presence known, the quickly swam away, clearly afraid of her after what she did in the past.
"You seem so down cast, has Mai gotten to you already?" Azula asked. "Though Mai has strangely been in a good mood lately.
"I haven't seen dad yet. I haven't seen him in three years." Zuko stated, voicing his concerns.
"So what?" Azula asked.
"So, I haven't captured the Avatar."
"Who cares, the Avatar is dead!" Azula said seriously, but there was remorse in her voice that Zuko didn't capture. "Unless you think he somehow miraculously survived."
While Zuko thought about the water that Katara was going to heal him with, he completely missed the hopeful look on Azula's face. Showing the world that Aluza was not dead yet, she hadn't given up yet.
"No. There's no way he could have survived." Zuko said while the two siblings glared at each other.
"Well, I am sure you'll have nothing to worry about." She said as she walked away. Somehow, Azula knew her brother was lying. So, there was a way for Aang to survive. That…is good.
"You bet it is!" Aluza replied in their mind.
Your still here? I would have thought you died when I struck Aang. Azula replied.
Maybe, but you love him to. That shared connection is keeping me alive. Besides, if I had died, Father ritual would have been complete and your fire would have been Black.
Can you really think that? You're more naïve then I thought… Azula replied.
Whatever you say, but just remember this. I am the real Azula.
XXX
Naruto growled when he saw the large fire balls being flung at them. However, he could not use his lightning bolts unless he wanted to let the Fire Nation know he was not with the other Eight. No one said he could not use Gravity and earth bending. So when one fire ball got to close, he subtly used Gravity bending to move it away.
"Load the Toph!" The young earth bender shouted as Pipsqueak set boulders in front of her. However, she subtly smirked when she realized what she said. That was usually Naruto's job...heh. Anyway, using her earth bending, she blasted away the rocks to destroy the launchers in the other ship.
Naruto stayed near the door to the inside of the ship and he could hear Aang's frustration as the younger boy hit his head on his staff. Shaking his head, he focused on the task at hand, which was a giant harpoon being sent into their ship to anchor it. Growling, Naruto ordered. "Katara, Ice up that whole. Toph, well need your metal bending to seal that up completely later."
"Right!" the two girls shouted as the Water Tribe girl used the surrounding water to plug the hole with ice.
"I'm going to give us some cover!" Katara shouted as she bent the nearby water into mist, giving them the perfect cover to move away. However, that didn't last long because the fire balls kept coming, blasting away their earth ammo and creating a fire on deck, which Katara quickly took out.
"How bad is it?" Toph asked.
"It couldn't get much worse!" Sokka answered before the waters behind him exploded to reveal an old friend of Naruto's. Yep, the Sea Serpent.
"The universe just loves proving me wrong." Sokka deadpanned.
"You make it to easy!" Toph shouted.
"Especially you," Naruto smirked.
However, before the Sea Serpent could recognize them, a fire ball smashed its face, bringing its rage onto the Fire Nation ship that was chasing them. Their old friend gave them enough time to escape. "Thank you the universe!" Sokka shouted.
XXX
They safely made it to port, considering they were in a Fire Nation ship, they were lucky to even be alive. Thankfully, the townspeople didn't bother them. Currently Aang was laying on his makeshift bed in the Fire Nation ship, thinking of all that he was told. It bothered him that the whole world thought he was dead…again.
Suddenly, the door opened and Naruto, Toph, Sokka, and Katara entered. "Hey Aang, we're going into town to find some dinner." Toph said.
The air bender's stomach growled at the mention of food. "Well, I am pretty hungry. Maybe dinner is a good idea."
"Here." Sokka started as he took out a head band of sorts. "Tie this around your head, it will cover your arrow."
Aang sent his friend a glare before he shouted, "I am not going out if I can't wear my arrow proudly!"
"Aang, come on, be practical." Sokka replied.
"Don't bother, he is still taking being dead pretty hard." Naruto stated stoically. He may have sounded harsh, but there really wasn't much they could do. It was not like they could force a weakened kid to join them.
"You guys go on ahead of us; we'll catch up with you." Katara suggested, hoping she could talk some sense into the Avatar. They nodded and left, but Naruto stayed outside the door, just in case he needed to play the ref. So he leaned on the wall and listened quietly.
"I think I understand why being a secret bothers you so much. You don't want people to think you failed." Katara stated softly.
"You're right, I don't, but the problem is I did fail." Aang replied.
"Aang that's not true."
"It is true. I was in Ba Sing Se, I was there! But I lost and now the Earth Kingdom has fallen for good."
"It's not for good. Remember, there is still a plan. The invasion." Katara offered.
"AND I HATE THE INVASION TOO!" Aang exploded as he ripped off the Fire Nation banner off the wall. "I don't want you, Naruto, or anyone else risking their lives for my mistakes!" The mellowed out a she bed on the bed, looking dejected. "I've always know I would have to face the Fire Lord, but now I know I need to do it alone. Just like Naruto and Kurama have to face the Old Juubi alone."
"Aang…"
"Katara, just go. Please." Aang stated, needing to be alone.
Katara looked saddened as she walked to the door and stopped. "Is there anything you need?"
"I need to redeem myself, I need my honor back." Aang replied as Katara walked out, with Naruto right behind her.
Is that how you feel Aang? One loss…albeit a major loss, and you shut down like this? I suppose I am no different. I shut down when I saw you, another friend dying. My wrath returned and I became distant to everyone…We are both at fault. Naruto thought sadly as he walked with Katara, who noticed his sad look and wondered if this affected him…if the old him was coming back.
XXX
Prince Zuko was at the entrance to his Father's war room. He just stood there, utterly nervous. He had no clue what his father wanted to talk to him about. Was it to banish him yet again, kill him for coming back, or to praise him for helping his sister betray their Uncle and take down the Avatar. He was just nervous.
Taking a deep breath, Zuko steeled himself and pushed the curtains out of the way, entering the room to decide his fate. And there he was, on his throne surround by fire. His Father. He didn't look any different from before. It was almost menacing to be in his presence.
XXX
"I brought you some food."Katara said as she entered Aang's room with a tray full of food, but the young Avatar was nowhere to be found. "Oh no…" She quickly ran out of the room to warn the others, mostly her dad.
XXX
Zuko fell to his knees and bowed to his father, best not anger him more. The Fire Lord eyed his son before speaking. "You have been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels has changed you. You have redeemed yourself my son." Zuko looked to see his father staring at him. He could not tell if his father was really that happy to see him. "Welcome home."
XXX
Katara ran aboard deck, rushing past the blond boy from the past and right up to her father, completely ignoring Bato with tears in her eyes. "I'll leave you two alone." Bato stated simply as he left.
"What's wrong Katara?" Hakoda asked with concern. He knew his daughter was mad at him, but to actively come see him? That meant something was up.
"He left."
"What?"
"Aang, he just took his glider and disappeared." Katara said distraughtly. This incendent was being back old memories, memories she didn't want. "He has this ridiculus notion that he has to save the world alone. That's it's all his responsibility! We could help him! Me, Naruto, and the others!"
"Maybe that's his way of being brave." Her father offered.
"It's not brave. It's selfish and stupid! We could be helping him and the world needs him but doesn't he know that we need him too! How could he just leave us behind!" Katara shouted, tears running down her face. She was not just talking about Aang. She almost lost Naruto because he wanted to go with the Eight, but Toph and her stopped him from doing that. No, she was not just talking about Aang or Naruto, it was about her father.
"You're talking about me too, aren't you?" Hakoda asked, ashamed.
"How could you leave us dad? I mean I know we have Gran Gran and she loved us but, we were just so lost without you!" Katara cried.
"I so sorry Katara." Hakoda stated sadly as they embraced.
"I understand why you left, I really do and I know that you had to go, so why do I still feel this way? I am so sad and angry, it hurts!"
"I love you more than anything" Hakoda replied, "You and your brother are my entire world, I thought about you every day while I was gone. And every night when I went to sleep, I would lie awake missing you so much it ache!"
From his position by the door, Naruto looked on sadly, his rage at the Fire Nation dimming a bit to let him see and hear things clearly. Katara was like this because they were all family to her, she nearly cried her eyes out, begging for him not to go with the other Eight. Now that Aang was gone, those feeling must have returned, along with her pent up emotions at her father.
Sighing he walked past them and onto the edge of the boat. "I'll find our lost family member for you." He said quietly, but the winds picked it up and carried it to Katara and her father, who looked towards him in shock as he went second form, used lightning bending to raise up into the clouds, and go cloud hoping again.
"Thank you." Katara whisper to the winds, knowing that her Naruto was coming back and with Aang. Toph will be happy as well.
XXX
"I proud if you Prince Zuko." The Fire Lord stated as he circle his son as he talked. "I am proud because you and your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested, by your treacherous Uncle, you did the right thing and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment. You slayed the Avatar!"
That set off warning bells for the Prince. H eknew he didn't kill the Avatar, that was Azula. "What did you hear?"
"Azula told me everything? She said she was amazed and impressed with your power and ferocity at the moment of truth." The Fire Lord replied. Zuko now knew something was up. He intended to find out.
XXX
Zuko walked right up to Azula's door and demanded, "Why'd you do it?"
"You're going to have to be a little more specific" Azula replied as she rose up in her bed.
"Why'd you tell father that I was the one who killed the Avatar?"
"Can't this wait until morning." Azula replied and Zuko noticed something was different. Her voice was a little different somehow.
Ignoring that fact for that moment, he stated, "It can't."
Sighing, Azula full got out the bed to talk to her brother. "Fine. You seemed so worried how father would treat you because you hadn't captured that Avatar. I figured if I gave you the credit, you'd have nothing to worry about."
"But why?"
"Call it a generous gesture." Azula replied simply. "I wanted to thank you for your help and I was happy to share the glory."
"You're lying." Zuko replied, knowing his sister too well for that, but despite that, he noticed something as she walked towards him. She looked sad and there were tear stains on her face. What brought that about?
"If you say so." Azula sighed tiredly.
"You have another motive for doing this, I just haven't figured it out yet." Zuko replied, trying to get her to tell the truth.
"Please Zuko, what ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for defeating the Avatar. Unless somehow, the Avatar was somehow alive. All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness, but you said yourself that was impossible." Azula said, which got under her brother's skin and he started leaving. "Sleep well Zu Zu."
Zuko growled at his defeat, but he had caught the look on his sister's face. It was hopeful, like she wanted the Avatar to be alive. What was she planning and was it connected to her emotions?
XXX
Aang thought he did well. He swiftly avoided detection of a blockade by going underwater and then using a piece of driftwood and his staff to use for wind surfing, but then the storm hit and he lost his staff. Now he was just holding on for dear life, even in his weakened state.
After moment of calm….in a storm on the ocean, Aang surfaces and murmured, "I'm not going to make it. I failed." There was a sudden of strike of lightning and Avatar Roku appeared in his spirit form in front of the weakened current Avatar. "Roku?"
"You haven't failed Aang." The spirit replied.
"But everyone thinks I am dead again. They think I've abandoned them. And I am losing this war; I'm letting the whole world down." Aang said dejectedly.
"If anyone is to blame for the state of the world, it is me. I should have seen this war coming and prevented it. You and the second coming of the Sage of Six Paths have inherited my problems and my mistakes, but I believe you are destined to redeem me, and save the world."
"I don't know." Aang replied. He was just a kid after all.
"You already saved the world." came the voice of Yue, the Moon Spirit as moon light covered Aang. The boy looked up to see the girl. "And you can save the world again. But you can't give up."
"She's right, Aang." Came a familiar voice as another lightning bolt came down a few feet from the Avatar and it reveal the Neo Sage of Six Paths, Naruto Uzumaki. He glared down at the young air bender and said, "I never know you to be a quitter. So get off your ass and show the world, no show me you haven't given up!"
Aang stared at his friend from the past and nodded. "You're right, I won't give up! Now when I have friends backing me up!"
"Good." Naruto said as he stood on the water before the lighting supercharged his body and he was floating yet again and zipped off just as Aang created a huge tidal wave to get to nearby land. They had work to do, but they would have to wait for their friends.
Yue smiled at them as they left. It seemed that Naruto's rage was quelling and for the better. Still, it would have been nice to get to know him. Oh well, she had a seal to look after.
XXX
"We could have land on a more…stable land mass." Naruto deadpanned as he looked around the island they settle on. Aang was dog tired and he was not sure if his lightning transport would hurt the boy more. The island they landed on had an active volcano, which meant they were in the Fire Nation.
"Oh…shut up, that was all the energy I had left." Aang replied tiredly. He then turned his head to Naruto and thought that since they had time, he might as well ask his friend what happened. "So…what happened to you Naruto? When I woke up, it seemed that you lost touch with everyone. You lost that cheerful and smart ass attitude."
Naruto looked at his younger friend for a moment before he sighed and plopped down next him. "Noticed that did you?"
"Kind of hard to miss." Aang replied.
"Right." Naruto said as he looked at the sky. "You see, I honestly thought he had died, with you being comatose for so long. It brought back the memory of that old man who was killed point black in front of me when I was younger. It was like I lost an important friend….an important family member. That and all those memories brought back my Wrath against the Fire Nation in full form and I lost myself to it."
"I started to distance myself from the others, like I did back then, even though I had Kurama on my ass all the time. However, this time, Katara and Toph were having none of that. So I tried leaving to focus my anger on something worthwhile. I assembled the other Eight and formed a Mercenary Gang to make life hard for the Fire Nation since you were out of it. That also took the pressure off of our friends. I tried joining them, but Katara convinced me not to. Saying something about not losing another family member like her dad." Naruto said.
Aang raised an eyebrow at that. Katara's dad must have just left like Naruto tried to do, so that was why she was mad at him! "So…you were just going to leave them?"
"Yeah, stupid reasoning on my part." Naruto said with a sigh. "So instead of me being the secret leader…even though I am…I had Jet lead the Eight. Smellerbee and Longshot are with him. Last I heard, they were doing pretty well."
"That's good, at least Jet is alive," Aang said happily. "So…are you going to continue acting all Sasuke like?"
Naruto's eyes widened before he laughed. It felt good to laugh after so long. "Since when did you get a sense of humor." Aang gave the blond an annoyed look. "No, seeing you act like that after one loss, I finally got how the others felt in my presence. I am sorry. My wrath can wait a little longer."
"Good to have you back." Aang replied as he fell asleep.
Naruto stared out on to the night sky as it cleared up. "Good to be back."
XXX
Morning came around and Naruto woke up before Aang. He looked out onto the morning sky and saw the familiar site of Appa, the flying Bison. That meant the others had been looking for them all night. Deciding to make their search easier, he shot a bolt of lightning out into the sky, catching their attention.
As soon as they landed, Momo landed on Aang and licked him awake. Groggily Aang woke up just in time for Katara to embrace him and Naruto. "You're ok!" She turned to Naruto and kissed him on the lips. "You kept your promise!"
"Of course I did. I always do." Naruto said happily. The group widened their eyes when they saw Naruto's attitude had changed.
"Yeah! Doom and Gloom Naruto is gone!" Sokka cheered.
"About time, I was getting annoyed." Toph retorted with smirk.
Aang smiled at them before saying. "I have a lot to do."
"You have our help." Katara said warmly.
"You didn't think you could get out of training just by coming to the Fire Nation, did you?"
"Yeah, your training is about to get intense!" Naruto laughed evilly. "After all, not only do we have the Fire Lord to deal with, but also the Old Juubi and there really is not plan for that, just teamwork."
"Right." Aang said, a little afraid. "What about the invasion?"
"We'll join up with my dad and the invasion force on the day of the Eclipse." Sokka replied.
"Hey, what's…oh, it's your glider." Toph stated when she felt something poking at her feet. It was Aang's ruined staff.
"It ok, if someone saw it, it would give away my identity." Aang said before he turned to Naruto. "I guess we have to treat our secret like a stealth mission."
"Got that right Aang." Naruto said with a smile.
Aang nodded before he tossed it into the nearby flow of lava.
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For some reason, I had a hard time getting this out. My computer is overheating a lot for some reason when I have multiple tabs open in Fire Fox and Word open….or maybe I am just over taxing this old thing.
Oh well, I am back. Hope you like the additions I made. Also, not all episodes from Book 3 will appear. Fair warning.
Review!