The Dragon in the Maelstrom
Chapter 2: Orphans
Written by Jlargent
Me: Wow! I knew that my story would be popular but I had no idea how popular it would be 9 favorites and 7 story alerts within two hours of publishing a new record for me and I promise not to let you down and please keep supporting this fic by reviewing. Typical disclaimers apply I do not own Naruto or Avatar in any shape or form.
Azula's POV
I slowly make my way through the forest being careful not to disturb the wildlife for a brief moment I took a rest trying to get a sense of direction when I notice a campfire off in the distance. I slowly make my way to it hoping that whomever was there had some food seeing as I've been traveling since the afternoon without food or water, I notice a elderly man wearing a straw hat staring into the flames as though he was in deep thought I thought to myself that it would be wrong to force the man to give me his food. As I turned away from the site I step on a twig breaking it alerting the man of my presence, I sighed knowing that I was caught I head towards the clearing the man turned around to face me.
I called out to the man "I mean you no harm." I said as I raise my hands up showing that I had no weapons, the man relaxes and motions for me to sit down on the opposite side of the fire the man introduced himself as Tazuna and he was a bridge builder and offers me some food and company to which I humbly accepted. As we ate I started to make small talk and learned that his daughter was expecting her first child, she decided to name her child Inari and invited me to stay at their home as long as I want. I thanked him and he leads me to his home.
Two weeks later.
I say goodbye to Tsunami and Tazuna as I thank them for their hospitality for being so kind to me since my arrival in Wave since they have helped me recover I repaid them by helping Tsunami around the home since she was expecting soon. While I was on the boat heading to the shore I could not help but think back to what Tsunami asking me to be Inari's godmother.
Flashback
"Azula could you please come here for a moment my dad and I would like to discuss something." Tsunami called out to me as I finished hanging the clothes out on the line since it was warmer than usual for it to be late September I walk into the house taking notice of the baby room that I painted three days ago I continue until I arrive in the family room with Tsunami and Tazuna sitting on the couch and asks me to please sit down.
"Azula me and my father have been talking and we decided to ask you if you would like to be Inari's godmother." Tsunami asks with a serious look in her eyes, I look at the two of them in shock at being asked to become Inari's godmother. I told them of my past and what happened and they told me that my past didn't matter and all that matters is the fact that I'm learning form those mistakes and is trying to redeem myself for my past actions. With a deep breath I calmed myself and looked at the two of them "I would be honored to be the godmother of Inari if anything should happen to either one of you."
End flashback
I looked at the map that Tazuna provided me I estimate that I would make it to Konoha in time for the kyuubi festival. From what the townspeople has told me it has been six years since the nine tailed fox demon attacked the village and was killed by the fourth hokage Maybe I should wait until the festivities are over before I go into the village I thought to myself as I contemplated weather or not to enter the village during a festival when my stomach made my decision for me as it growled loudly in protest of me not entering to grab a meal, while I was thinking about it I decided that I had no choice seeing as it was dark and it would be pointless to sleep outside. So with a sigh I walk into the village in search of food.
Three hours later after eating at a ramen stand I walked the streets searching for a hotel to stay in for the night, the celebration has long since died down and the various people are milling about no doubt still high on the euphoria of the festival as I take note of the buildings I could sense someone spying on me but I decided to ignore them since they're probably looking for anyone that would cause trouble when I hear a large crowd of people shouting, at first I ignore them but the shouting grew louder and louder. I turn my head in the direction of the shouting to see a six year old boy with bright blonde hair with what appears to be whisker-like marks on his face being chased by a large group of people screaming obscenities.
"Kill the monster!" was the mantra of the lynch mob all of a sudden those words struck a painful chord in my memory of my mother calling me that the night before she vanished without a trace. Hearing those words something in me snapped I rushed over to the mob who by then finally caught up to the boy and started to attack him I screamed out as I let loose a small fireball. Not lethal enough to kill but enough to give them pause as they turned to the source of the attack, by this time the boy was bleeding and was barely breathing Hold on. I'll save you. I thought to myself as I look at them with a bored expression and holding a blue fireball in my hand.
"Now I may be not from this village but even I know that attacking an innocent child is inhumane." I said as I walked towards them, one man decided to be stupid despite the obvious fireball in my hand "So what? This doesn't concern you outsider we're just removing a stain that's tainted the village for far too long." the man all but announced as his drunken friends shouted their agreements.
Just as the crowd started to advance towards me a woman's voice shouted "Ninja art: Striking shadow snakes!" the crowd dispersed as a girl my age decided to make her entrance she's wearing a black miniskirt a black fishnet shirt with a white shirt underneath it fingerless gloves and sandals with shin guards and arm guards. One of the people shouted in recognition "It's the snake whore Anko! Kill her!" to which the crowd decided to attack her to which I felt obligated to join in to even the odds. During the fight I notice that my new companion was rather protective of the boy I'm trying to save if the devastating haymaker to one man's nose was any indication.
"ENOUGH!" a voice of authority yells out as the fighting stopped all of a sudden as a old man wearing white and red robes with a pentagon shaped hat and a small group of people with him "ANBU arrest them at once, and tell Ibiki not to hold anything back on them." The man said as they quickly rounded them up and vanished as though they were never there. The man turns his gaze onto us "Anko I thank you for rescuing Naruto and you to miss…" he stated as he indicated me "My name is Azula and I just arrived here earlier this evening and was looking for a place to stay for the night when I heard the mob chasing Naruto and I decided to intervene on his behalf, then Anko showed up and we fought the mob until you arrived." I said as the man looked at me as though he was appraising me.
With a gentle smile he spoke like a thankful grandfather "Thank you Azula for rescuing Naruto and I'm sorry that I can't really help you at the moment I have to take Naruto to the hospital but you are more than welcomed to come with me and we could discuss it." he said as Anko grabs Naruto and ran towards the hospital with me following the both of them.
Moments later we arrived at the hospital, when the receptionist took one look at Naruto she did not hide her utter disgust at the boy but nonetheless placed the boy in a room. Once inside I asked a question that has been gnawing in my mind "Lord Hokage why has this boy deserved such treatment? From what I've seen he has done nothing to deserve being called a monster or a demon. In fact I see a boy in need of someone to take care of him." I ask him giving my best innocent look which is surprisingly effective despite my former attitude. With a sigh he explained that on the night that Naruto was born the kyuubi attacked the village. The ninja fought valiantly but in vain as it made it's way towards the village. And with a heavy heart he was forced to sacrifice his life to ensure the safety of the village that he loves and protected in order to seal the kyuubi into Naruto making him into a pariah in the eyes of the survivors of the attack and demanded his execution within an hour of the sealing, Sarutobi decided to make a law where harming him would be death and to not even mention his burden to him.
I sat there in rapt attention at the story and could not help but cry openly at the pain and loneliness that is associated of not knowing why you're hated. I look at Naruto's sleeping form and a plan started to form in my head; he may've been alone for the past six years of his life but that's about to change if I had anything to say about that.
"Lord Hokage I would like to adopt Naruto Uzumaki."
To be continued.
Me: There we go with chapter two. Please read and review, you cannot resist. Next time: Naruto and Azula adjust to life as a family and problems with the council.
As always Hoody Hoo!