Disclaimer: I don't own either Naruto or Avatar the Last Airbender.
'This feels strangely familiar…' Naruto thought as he awoke slowly. How many times has this happened already? He was getting a bit tired of passing out.
"Mmm." His eyes slowly opened as he glanced down at his body a bit intrigued. Well at least he wasn't in hostile territory otherwise who would bandage him up so meticulously? Glancing down he shifted a bit moving the furs a bit.
They felt itchy.
Done with his self analysis he glanced around the immediate area of the room, his eyes widening at all the baskets and furs surrounding him. Many shapes and sizes and they all looked fresh too. He couldn't even recognize some. What the hell? Was he in some kind of storage room?
Moving his gaze, he glanced at the pillars blankly for a second before realizing something rather strange. One was that he was in a really really big room. He had underestimated the size as he glanced around at all the intricate carvings along with the steps leading up to his bed.
And second.
He had a statue staring him in the face.
Now call him crazy but while it had no facial features it was starting to look alot like him..
"Huh…" Naruto sighed laying back down as he looked up before his face contorted in embarrassment seeing the bubbles floating upwards. He hadn't unconsciously done that in years! Man that was embarrassing.
It was basically saying he still had the control of a toddler!
'Ugh.' The boy turned his head hoping to avoid the onslaught of memories before he was bombarded again seeing a potted plant by his bedside.
Now that by itself wouldn't be too strange true enough. However it was clear that the plant had massive bouts of spontaneous growth with the way it grew and nearly touched the ice ceiling.
"I must've been completely out of it huh?" He mused sighing. He shivered however when he remembered telling his mother he would not be doing anything like that again. Quickly checking his hair, he gulped seeing the increased length.
…how long was he out this time?!
He paused in his hair examining hearing something creak. It was loud, heavy and clearly lasted a long time before whatever it was shut powerfully. He quickly laid back down trying to get in proper position hoping whoever came couldn't tell so he could observe first.
'Wait? Why am I doing this again?' The boy tried finding a reason before he doubled down hearing the footsteps get closer. He could tell it wasn't his mom having gotten familiar with her presence.
However he stopped pretending immediately, sitting up seriously having felt a threat. It was a rather prominent presence and he simply couldn't feel safe without having his eyes on such a person. He paused however seeing who it was.
Long white hair, fair skin. She was wearing elegant flowing robes with sparse jewelry.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at the pretty girl whose head was down the entire time she crossed over to his bed with the tray in her hands. As if it was sacrilege to lay eyes upon him. Her feet made very measured strides and he could only compare it to Ty Lee's nimble footwork. Though not exactly.
It was measured and trained. Now that he thought about it, it was more Azula's than Ty Lee.
'...I hope Azula did what she promised…or she may not have considering everything that happened after.' He sighed out feeling tired.
Still he thoroughly removed the notion that he was too worthy to be gazed upon from her head.
"Hey!" He watched as she paused in deep and utter fright as her head quickly went upwards showing him her startled and soon reverent deep blue eyes, just like his.
"Great spirit?! You're awake?! I have to inform everyone that-" She quickly turned away in a flustered hurry. Everyone had been awaiting his awakening! Or well she tried anyway, not before Naruto's claw stopped her.
"Wait wait wait! What is this great spirit stuff?! And what the heck were you going to do with this warm water and towel?!" The boy's eyes widened as he finally identified what was on the tray. He thought you only used that when cleaning people!
The girl's pale face showed a heavy blush knowing exactly what was her duty to him. Shivering after coming in contact with the child of spirits she looked around with dizzy eyes as she was made to sit by herculean strength. She could already think at all.
Not that she made a point to struggle too much from his grip. The fact that the child of spirits even touched her made her want to explode. She knew many would be envious of her!
Naruto watched strangely as the girl's breathing picked up quickly. It reminded him of when he fainted from thinking about those people he killed. The very first.. She seemed at least a year or so older than him if he guessed it and he couldn't help but wonder why she was here in this…temple? Chamber?
'Wait? My birthday should have been coming up. Did it pass?' He really needed to figure that out.
The girl's eyes slowly lost the fog from excitement as she gazed at the spirit enchanted. She didn't once hear anything he said as she simply gazed at him like a mindless zombie still not used to being in the presence of such an almighty being.
Of course make no mistake she worshiped the moon and oceans but how could she stay composed when she could still feel that scene imprinted on her mind from 1 month ago? Who could? Even the great master Pakku bent his waist to a spirit of great prestige!
To the gift he bestowed upon them! Protectors of their home land!
Sadly for her she was not in the presence of a benevolent spirit but a boy of ten years of age. A mature one granted…but a boy all the same.
And she had very thoroughly ticked off the now 10 year old little boy. After gazing at the girl for a bit , a mischievous look appeared on his face as his hand quickly shot up.
"G-great spirit?! What are you doing!" The girl eeped out keeping her hands to the side as her cheek was pinched. Naruto didn't release her but he did lighten his hold a bit.
Her eyes a bit teary, the girl listened as she was scolded thoroughly feeling embarrassed at her lack of decorum.
"Do you usually space out when people are talking to you? You sure I'm a great spirit? Maybe I'm just the air that blows between your ears? Afterall you brushed me off pretty easily. Now will you talk to me this time?" The boy asked slowly with a small smile seeing her head fling up and down quickly.
Wanting him to stop and not wanting to be scolded anymore she quickly replied. "Yes great spiri-"
"Naruto!" He let go of her cheek as he pulled water from the atmosphere.
The girl flinched seeing his hand come back up thinking she was being punished before her eyes widened feeling the comfortable touch wash over her. The chi filling her body…too much! It was too much-
"Ahhhh." The girl blissed out for a different reason feeling the tiny insignificant wounds that built up be healed all at once. The foreign chi invaded her entire body before concentrating massively speeding up the recovery of her wounds.
'Eh woops?' Naruto nearly snickered, forgetting his control was wonky as he slowly relaxed himself before regulating his chi properly slowly and out of her body.
He had flooded hers with his by accident as he tried to draw back before pausing.
'Strange..' He mused, closing his eyes feeling as if something flashed by his mind ignoring the squirming girl.
He searched for whatever it was before realizing it was long gone. However the feeling was still there as he opened his eyes, emulating it. It felt a bit like taking a piece of him and sharing it with her.
If that made sense.
After 1 minute..
Slowly he removed his chi before realizing a tiny part of his chi had broken off from him and it was inside her. After searching he realized it was gone from his senses. His eyes widened seeing the shifting in her own chi no doubt reacting to his.
Changing her.
The boy nearly pulled back confused and more than a bit scared. It was easy to tell it was gone rather than him giving it. After observing for a minute he realized nothing happened and the girl was still humming at the feeling.
Swallowing realizing he was a bit hasty he slowly used her own chi to heal her. You know like normal healers do.
However, that gave him an idea. So he could use his own chi to heal others? As in giving them some of his and allowing it to heal them? As everyone had a set amount he knew going over their limit could be bad but it was a thought for the future.
Still he would watch out for that previous event.
Anyway he easily controlled his chi. Once you learned it there was no way to forget short of brain trauma. So a little practice and….voila!
"Great spiritttt…" the girl hummed out as the hand healing her soon finished as she sighed in relief looking on enviously as the water soon went away.
Rolling his eyes, Naruto reminded her again. How many times would he need to do so? Luckily he wasn't lacking in patience. "Naruto."
She looked at him in confusion. "Naruto, Great spirit, what is this Naruto?" What a weird word…
"That's my name. Not great spirit…" He shook his head as the memories slowly came back to him.
"You…have a name? No! Of course! Of course you have a name! My apologies Great- I mean N-Naruto! It is my sincere honor to be serving you." She saw him smile at her using his name as she felt warm at the look.
"Serving me huh?" He glanced at the tray before looking at her asking slowly.
"Does that also mean cleaning me up?" His eyes quickly cut to her as she bowed her head embarrassed before nodding.
He had one word to say to that.
"Why? Where is my mother?" He asked as the girl tilted her head confused at the statement.
"Mother?"
Naruto chewed, wondering how she knew him but not his mother.
"Hama?"
"Ah Priestess Hama!" The girl said relieved as she spoke again to the bewilderment of the child.
"She's taken on some acolytes to train for your protection! It would not be good if you were unprotected!" She mused aloud remembering the other spirits who were being guarded.
"Priestess…acolytes…?" Naruto uttered completely and utterly confused as he shook his head. Dammit. He went to sleep for a bit and his mother already did something crazy!
He could have sworn they already had an understanding but clearly he was being naive! The woman was never changed!
Sighing he looked at the girl who was sitting nervously clearing sensing his irritation. He blinked releasing tension as he smiled at her wanting to ease her.
"So why were you chosen to 'take care of me'? Did you have to fight in some kind of battle to the death?" It sounded quite right to him considering his mother sounded like she was making a cult. However by the horrified look on the girl's face he realized he was quite wrong.
That and she seemed a bit to soft to beat anyone in a battle to the death.
"Of course not great spirit please dont tease me!" Naruto deadpanned at the continued name use.
"There was a long time in which you were unconscious. Many people wanted to see you up close but weren't able to due to your state! We even had festival preparations ready hoping you woke up soon. Offerings, food, entertainment we had all ready for some time but…" the girl's face turned sorrowful remembering all the disappointment she had seen.
Naruto's face twisted again. A festival huh? These people were really taking this serious. He needed to watch out.
"After you were given a temple, Priestess Hama took residence along with you. During that time the entire tribe tried to find someone suitable to help her take care of you for no one wanted to see harm done to you." The girl closed her eyes before she laid a hand onto her chest gently.
She meant that wholeheartedly. It was so nice to see everyone so worried about the child of spirits well being.
Of course how would she know while what she said was true, people also saw a real end to the war through The Child Of The Spirits.
Ever since the avatar had gone missing the fire nations advance was completely unstoppable. Even the powerful air nomads who, while their number were small were still a great power had fallen utterly.
Genocide.
The earth kingdom who was steady as a mountain was relentlessly being attacked and even the most heavily fortified place in the entire world Ba Sing Se nearly fell under the terror that was The Dragon Of The West.
And the water nation…they already faced their tragedies and it seemed the fire nation thought they were properly defanged after the massacre for the new avatar along with their neutral stance in the war.
However all due to the arrival of one child, The Child of Spirits, the fire nation this fearsome ever charging foe had retreated.
Retreated.
On all fronts!
Every town they had colonized was abandoned leaving people bewildered. Every army they were confronting was left high and dry and plentiful resources were left from the armies hasty retreat. Even their prized inventions, ships, engines, blueprints...
Every outpost, every camp, everywhere they occupied had become completely deserted! Not one front was spared in the fire lords hasty message for reinforcements!
Even the many foes they had captured were left behind!
The very action reeked of weakness!
The fire nations was hurting so bad it saw the need to recall its world wide conquest! To stop it completely!
For 100 years the fire nation had began their attack on the world to conquer it and 100 years they were unruly, unstoppable…unimpeded and yet so much progress was now gone forever…why?
No matter how disconnected they were away from it, it was impossible for people not to hear of it. It was a global phenomenon and while most were foggy on the details…?
One thing stood true for every rumor or gossip that left from mouth to ear.
That traveled through the wind and infected the hearts of those under the tyranny of the genocidal fire nation.
Gold.
The child with golden hair. No matter what iteration or divergence from the true story, the child with gold hair was always involved.
That he did what the earth nation had failed. For while they only repelled the fire nation, licking their many wounds…
The child with golden hair had decimated them and their fabled army! He liberated their prisons and laid waste to the Motherland! He spat on their ancestors graves and made his mark on the world by defeating both the Fire Lord and his son in mortal combat!
He drowned the very heart of the empire into the abyss!
His first appearance in the world!
The Child Of The Spirts!
One single person had changed the direction of a entire nation's advance!
And only one person had ever done so in history! One who, when fully realized had unparalleled, unquestionable power.
The Avatar.
His name was spoken only with such reverence.
So was there a wonder why finding someone to serve him was such a momentous task?
It was headache inducing actually.
…
Not that any of these kids knew that anyway.
"That's why I volunteered myself to serve you. It was hard at first considering my age, position and the fact that I wasn't really trained for such a thing but many things helped me out thankfully."
"For one I'm already touched by the spirits since my birth making me more qualified than others, second my status while it did cause trouble also helped me..after all who better to serve you than a princess?" She nodded as if it made sense as Naruto looked suprised.
"You're a princess? Well you are really pretty huh?" He tilted his head seeing her glance at him with a shy yet happy smile.
"Thank you great spirit! I'm glad I'm to your viewing pleasure!" She smiled back feeling giddy before she continued.
"The third reason was that my parents also encouraged me and gave me the strength to fight to attend to you. With my father wishes it became much easier to fight!"
"And finally, Priestess Hama had said she had taken a liking towards me so after that?" The girl smiled and Naruto could see some innocent devious thoughts behind it wondering how someone could look so pure but clearly thinking ill.
"There was no more competition! I was not hindered in getting this position so I hope you allow me to continue serving you." She cupped her hands before looking up at him with wide eyes.
Naruto picked at the fur as he thought about it. This has gotten very much out of hand. He could see that well, and he hadn't even seen anyone yet really. He hadn't even done much yet, and he already had people scrambling to be his servant?
He also thought about her last reason. His mother was up to no good again. He was sure she saw some opportunity with having a future queen serve him and he could only sigh a bit at it.
Still he had already decided he wouldn't fall to the wills of his mother. For while she was his mother she didn't have their best interest in mind most times.
That left it to him to have a moral compass or something like it anyway. While having people think of him as a great spirit was annoying he'd rather it than them being afraid of him.
That would suck.
And it wasn't like he couldn't just leave if it got too much. With hair dye he could easily live a double life…
'That sounds like a good plan actually.' He mused before turning to the sweating girl who clearly thought he was about to reject her.
"Well…what was your name again?" His cheeks blushed when his cool speech failed right before it began. Dammit!
"Yue, great spirit. Please call me Yue." She quickly spoke up answering.
"Yue. Moon huh? Well if you want go serve me I don't mind. I doubt you guys won't stop trying if I don't take you." He sighed out before making his point.
"However if you're looking for some great spirit you better look elsewhere cause I ain't one. So if I can't live up to your expectations? I don't want to hear anything." He nodded. He knew damn well he wasn't a spirit of any kind. Just a kid with super cool powers. If they were magically expecting him to fix their problems he couldn't help them.
However clearly the message didn't get through as the girl's eyes shined brighter.
"Humble and powerful! Great spirit-" she went on and on about how she'd make sure he'd never regret his decision.
Naruto sighed.
"High Priestess!" The woman walked by the newest intiates who were practicing their bending as she acknowledged them with a nod. She spied many women among their ranks and smiled a small one.
Turning away she pressed down her long blue robes as she went on her way to check on Naruto. She did not stop once on her way to him as she glanced around the temple.
Everything was coming along smoothly. She did not need many people in their ranks…yet. With the perpetual reminder that Naruto gave them, it would never be a issue to recruit more into this little make shift order.
Of course Hama the ever paranoid only ever chose the…most devoted for the order. What was the saying? Crazy recognized crazy?
Well she certainly could see the obsession in the eyes of those she picked. That was why she did so, it was better to control them than people who could actually think.
She couldn't have people trying to destabilize what she built.
Of course she kept it down to a bare minimum, she didn't want the water tribe to think she was building a force from inside the walls right?
'Not that they would mind. I'm sure they'd jump to the chance to help actually.' She felt giddy at all the progress made without a single step.
And yet.
She'd trade it all if her little boy could just wake up. It was a awful month of feeding him and bending his body so his body didn't become weak due to lack of use.
Feeling a ache in her heart she finally reached the grand door before glancing at the guards. They nodding stepping to the side before pushing it open with bending as she stepped inside to…
'Giggles? What on earth is that girl doing?' Hama felt her brow twitch at the thought.
"G-great I mean Naruto please let me down! I'm sorry I won't call you that again!"
As she looked up however her eyes widened seeing the white haired princess floating up in a bubble until she hit the roof.
'But that's impossible! The only way that could happen is if..' She looked down quickly, nearly breaking her neck as she saw the blonde haired child looking up, smiling widely. She caught his eye glance as he looked at her, sending her a smile before looking up.
She quickly sped up feeling her heartbeat faster. This sly little boy! He knew his mother would be worried about him and he was here consorting with the princess of the water tribe?!
'Though it feels familiar..' she grit her teeth narrowing her eyes as she realized. She had once or maybe twice not given him the attention he wanted in the past to test how much he did want it. Nothing sinister of course but the woman needed validation some times.
Let the record show that she never called herself a good mother.
That said, the way he glanced at her reminded her eerily of those days…
She stepped up the steps trying to slow her pace not to play in his game but that didn't work quite well.
"Well Naruto? What do you have to say for yourself?" She decided to start with as she sat down smoothing out her form fitting robes as she did so. Waiting for the answer anxiously she glanced at him to see him still looking up as he rotated the girl slowly.
"Young man-"
"I've heard you've become quite a big shot here mom. Congratulations." Naruto interrupted as he still didn't glance her way.
The woman held in her flinch feeling like she was being scolded as she squirmed a bit. She did not like where this was going…
"I wouldn't say it in so many words…people look up to you now, and as your mother, it's my duty to make sure your way is paved before you even step on it. That's the duty of a parent." She didn't speak a single lie knowing he had an uncanny way of seeing underneath her.
"In this unfamiliar territory it would be unwise to not try to take advantage of everything we can. Everything I do for you is necessary…" she slowed her speech seeing him glance at her in tired fondness. As if he couldn't decide whether to punish her or hug her.
She coughed a bit, feeling her cheeks reddening.
Who was the parent here?
"Mom. How is gathering people who worship me, helping me? We didn't come here for this. We came here to be safe from the fire nation, is this one of your crazy schemes again? Do we need to talk again?" He deadpanned as he looked at her directly, raising a brow as her hair stood on ends.
"That won't be necessary sweetie. I assure you mommy has learned her lesson…" the woman shivered feeling the tentacle of water cross over her legs. She didn't even realize he had formed it yet.
She looked at it traumatized wondering how this little thing could be so terrifying. She flinched when it flicked her leg before dissipating.
"Come here mom." She heard him sigh as she moved over slowly a bit hesitant but she quickly remembered it was her son.
She felt the arm gripping her before squeaking as she was pulled in for a bear hug.
"Naruto? Strength dear!" She told him quickly, sighing in relief when he loosened up.
She threw her arms around him as well, enjoying the feel of him against her after so long. She took a deep breath in.
"Mom?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"Enjoying yourself?"
"...yes sweetie."
"Well that's nice. Now I'm not going to ask whether this is another crazy scheme for you to attack the fire nation we already know it is but…" She heard the sadness in his tone feeling her heart clench.
She did this, didn't she?
"Did you even think of me once when you did it? Be honest please. I'd rather you tell me the truth no matter how hard. That way I can see how much more work I need to get you to be my mom fully." She felt her heart tingle as he shifted from her chest looking up at her in the eyes.
'Naruto…' The woman felt her heart constraining, realizing exactly what he saw her as.
What she really was.
"And away from the woman whose only purpose is to cause pain and suffering." He sighed and sniffed as he looked to the side ready for it.
"..." Hama wondered what to do in this situation so she closed her eyes and looked down thinking. Not of a lie but the truth no matter how harsh.
She already damaged this little boy enough. Not only had she forced him to kill … what she supposed…were innocents…for fire nations citizens anyway.
She also knew he was carrying the burden of the no doubt many people he killed back during the escape. Oh she knew he was trying not to think about it but she could tell his smile wasn't quite what it used to be.
So even if she couldn't give him the childhood he deserved, she could give him the truth.
….
The truth was…
"I…yes I did it to get back at the fire nation." She felt him flinch against her harshly as his arms lost strength. Still she held onto him tightly molding him to her in a mothering embrace.
"A private squad of people under my control is just too tempting. If I can train them enough I'm sure we can hit them where it hurts when it matters because of you there is actually hope to beat the fire nation. There will be chaos soon enough and we need to take advantage." She felt him pull away a bit feeling her heart ache deeply. Still she kept him there as she wasn't finished.
She hadn't even known why she truly did it until she looked deeper and she was glad that they were having this conversation. No matter how difficult.
"However…" She mused playfully and felt him perk up as his watery eyes looked up into her's. She smiled leaning down pecking his forehead like when he was little.
She saw his eyes squint and chuckled. He looked just like a fox squirrel.
"You, my adorable little blonde, are the world's hottest commodity and for good reason. Everyone wants a piece of you. Whether to mix their bloodline with yours, to keep you as a exotic pet, a military asset, or even just as a stud to make more just like you." She told him the harsh truth as his eyes narrowed.
It was better for him to know the exact outcome of what would happen if he was caught unaware. He would be better for it in the long run.
"You and I both know that you aren't some infallible spirit. No. In fact not even spirits are infallible. Even the avatar has been killed by mortal men many times." She sighed squeezing him tighter. Everyone knew the hype around the avatar and being reminded they were human too?
That just made everyone else feel weaker.
"And with the avatar gone, who's the most powerful in the world right now?" She saw his eyes turn a bit confused.
"Twe fiwe nawion?" His answer was muffled in her chest but she still picked up on it.
She shook her head quickly. "No! You! Nobody but me and you know all the details of what happened that day but you and I know that you wouldn't have been able to take on that entire nation. Not as you are now…" she trailed off as her eyes narrowed at the thought of his potential.
He was only 10. He should have plenty of time to grow into his power but…
"You have the raw power to end them, and the thought of what you can accomplish at even older ages? Don't forget at your age most children are only now able to showcase themselves from others. This is where the gap between a good bender and the best is made." She mused from her own experience.
"As you refine your craft even further and away from what you learned from me? That's when you'll fully bloom into a monster and that terrifies them but it won't last long. It never does. Fear then turns to anger and anger will cause them to move against you." She saw him listening raptly and she finally felt like a parent again.
It was good.
"Take me for example." She sighed softly, slumping.
"You know I'm terrified of them right? Those monsters." she felt his slow nod.
"And yet my actions tell a different story huh? That's what's going to happen. I knew I was out matched and I knew I would most likely die and yet I still did it." Silence reigned as she let the statement stand.
"Humans are strange aren't they?" She removed a hand from him ruffling his soft hair.
"They'll come when you aren't aware." She started feeding him some paranoia, unable to give up her bad habits completely. She of course knew the fire nation was not some deity and couldn't come and go as they chose.
If they could the war would over long ago but she still told him of the cases she heard of before.
The only way to be best wasn't to be the best but to be better than those behind you.
"They'll use all sorts of tactics: poison, spys, ambushes, hired mercenaries. They'll even turn your own against you." She ticked them off seeing him nod. She knew he could take all that but she was sure he wasn't prepared for…
"And they'll use anyone near you to get you. Without hesitation." She saw him pause before his eyes looked up into hers. They were dilated.
"Oh you didn't know? That's a common tactic of the fire nation. They'll take your family while you're unaware and use them against you. Granted it's an expensive tactic but I'm sure you know that you're worth the price." She saw his eyes trembling.
In rage. Good.
"And what will you do if they ever get me? Don't answer I already know. They'll have you in their clutches the very next day..."
"If you don't comply? Heh. I'm sure you can figure out what can happen next. I won't explain it." Letting people come to their own conclusions was nearly always better than describing it.
Words could not match imagination.
….
….
She glanced at the massive ice pillar that cracked then shattered into tiny ice particles before looking back at her blonde.
She patted his head.
"Calm down! Nothing has happened. I'm only telling you a hypothetical situation. Who do you think I am? If it wasn't for the fact that I had no clue about that…lightning generation technique I would have killed everyone on that entire balcony!" She still felt a bit sore about it. She had timed her attack with the fact that fire wouldn't have reached her so quickly but the lightning had completely thrown her off.
What a deadly technique. She was sure most would die if they came unprepared. So fast and just one hit was near guaranteed death...
After it the only thing left for her was to die…
"With all that said? What do you think I had in my mind when I wanted to gather others who wish to worship you?" She saw him turn away with embarrassed red cheeks. He was a smart boy and even a fool would start to get what she meant by now.
However she wouldn't allow him to get away without admitting it. Not when she just realized it herself!
She wanted validation dammit! She did not care how it looked. She wanted him know she did this for-
She squished his face pushing him away as he looked away trembling. She pulled his face towards her but he still didn't look at her.
"Look at me, Naruto. Won't you entertain an old woman?" She smiled seeing him slowly drag his eyes back to her.
She looked at him directly before looking at his face. She'd have to make sure to protect him in the coming years.
From the fairer gender that is. Her little baby was as tough as steel but there was a reason why seduction was still a prominent tactic even though everyone knew about it.
"What do you think I had in mind now? After I told you all that? A private force of trained benders?" She grinned seeing the boy close his eyes embarrassed.
"..m…"
"Heh?! What's that? I couldn't hear you!" she giggled feeling far more free than before seeing him struggle.
"I said…"
"Na-ru-to?"
The boy looked down and sighed as his shoulders slumped.
Not tired, but relieved.
He looked back up with hopeful eyes looking into her happy ones.
"...for me. Y-you did it for me mom."
"Hmm? Was that so hard~? Yes mommy did it for you! All for you! My little man." The woman leaned down peppering his face with kisses as he turned away, shifting red faced but still allowing it. Clearly her child did not expect it at all and she reveled in the feeling of surprising him.
She would cherish it forever.
"Ugh okay mom! Won't you stop already?" The boy slowly moved the woman away as she tried resisting before she realized he was far stronger than her.
"Tsk!" The woman faked being angry as she turned away. She glanced grumpily seeing him poke his head from the side looking at her sheepishly.
"Heh. You've been looking really reliable old lady!" He jested snuggling into her as she softened rubbing his cheek.
"It would seem so wouldn't it? My little Child of Spirits." She smiled softly seeing his cheeks reddening. Still she flinched when he said.
"So you're still obsessed with the fire nation huh." She heard the statement for what it was and didn't have anything to rebut it. Looking down feeling a bit sad she looked up feeling the arms encircle her neck.
"Naru-?"
"That's fine mom! Since you're trying so hard I'll just have to try harder!" She saw his shining eyes and felt a bit lost seeing the resolve shining.
When did her child get so big?
"My mom is a crazy lady who just can't help herself so I'll just have to be strong enough to save you everytime! Until I'm strong enough that you'll never fear anyone with me by your side. That's why you're doing it isn't it? Cause you're still scared! Scaredy cat!" He grinned a boyish grin as she felt the tears gather looking down after hearing his changed voice. Unguarded.
So he was accepting this broken down old lady after so long huh? She could hear it in his voice. That childishness he hadn't quite shown her in some time.
It was liberating.
"Anytime you do something crazy I'll be there to bail you out! Whenever you punch someone clearly above your weight class I'll come and beat em up! When your stupid schemes catch up to you I'll beat em up too! So!" He kissed her on the cheek giving her a big smooch as the old woman closed her eyes softly.
He smiled a silly smile. It was goofy, carefree and completely pure. As if he just figured out something grand.
"Go wild mom! Be exactly what you are. A crazy revenge filled monster and if you go too far don't worry I'll just beat you up and bring you back home too! That's a promise of a lifetime!" What crazy words for a child to say to his mother and yet…
The woman sniffed as she looked down. Finally letting the tears flow said monster felt herself encircled in small arms. Yet they seemed so much bigger…
So this was what she needed huh?
"So until I'm super duper strong try staying alive okay?! I can't be doing all the heavy lifting in this relationship!"
Indeed she was still afraid. Still a little bird in that cage. She was free yet her mind was still in the fire nation's cell.
"I'll be really tall too! That way you can uhh get shade from me or something?!"
That's why she tried to assert her power over them in any way possible. Desperately trying to free the last shackle they had on her.
"So just rely on me until then okay mom? You protected me and now it's my time to help you heal!"
The woman looked down at her cupped hands feeling her vision blurry. She saw the hand touching them softly before gripping them. She looked up at the little boy in a daze.
He grinned.
"You're looking a little out of it mom! Maybe you should go to sleep? Don't worry I'll be here to protect you! The entire time!"
The woman blinked before slowly nodding, feeling her heart beat faster. That sounded lovely…
She slowly rested her head onto the boy's lap. The last thing she would see was the grinning face reassuring her the entire way.
"Good morning mom!" He jested one last time.
"Good morning…my sun." She finally went to sleep.
It would be the best she'd have in years.
"Hmm." Naruto looked down at his mother's sleeping face with a smile before he looked around. Getting the bundle of fur he placed her head onto it before he moved away.
Well he couldn't really go anywhere considering he did promise so he sat with a grumpy face. He was not able to sit in one place for a long time without entertainment but he could do it easily now.
Not that it changed that he was about to be bored soon. However he blinked looking up feeling something strange. A slight tugging. His eyes widened when he remembered the girl as he saw her looking down in resentment pawing at the bubble.
'Uh oh...' He began sweating.
He slowly floated the bubble down and popped it. The girl got up narrowing her eyes at him as he scratched his head with a chuckle.
"Sorry?"
"Great Spirit?"
"H-hmm?"
"You suck."
"Ahhhh."
Seeing her slump he smiled knowing she was acting tough and couldn't help but chuckle getting her to pout at him.
"And what's so funny mister? Let me in on the joke please."
"Ah it's nothing but you…can't act well can you?" He smiled seeing her huff crossing her arms raising a brow.
"You have a lot of guts for someone who left me in a bubble."
Naruto scratched his head looking around for a solution to her anger. He blinked before finding one.
He made an orb of water.
She flinched.
He smiled apologetically before he said. "Touch this. It won't do anything to you but I want to see something."
She looked at him suspiciously but sighed and still came forward. She could tell he didn't mean to leave her so she wasn't too mad…
She touched it.
Naruto blinked. He had released his control over it right before she did and took it back again. The bubble had stayed formed when she touched it without his control...
He looked up at her intrigued. She did not seem the type but what would he know? "You're a bender huh? A pretty strong one too."
Yue blinked in deep and utter confusion. "Heh?"
I found a way to move forward with this. And yeah cult stuff. Couldn't avoid it no matter how much I tried.