Disclaimer: I, AfricanFire, a child of ten years in these Fandoms, do not and will never, ever own Naruto or ATLA. What I do own though is the storyline.


The cart heaved up and down as it went over a rather nasty pothole, prompting Sakura to spill the cold tea on her faded brown kimono top. She scowled and cursed colorfully, earning a glare from her patron. "I'd rather you hold that tongue of yours at the palace otherwise you'll be kicked out before you can bat an eyelash," the old woman sneered with a frown on her face. "I know. I'm just trying to drink this tea like a royal butthole but this cart isn't helping me with my practice," she replied as she glared at the cup like it was a contagious virus. "Plus it's not like I want to go to the stupid palace anyways. I was content with where I was," she huffed as she lifted her chin at the older woman. She shook her head disdainfully.

"You should be grateful. If it weren't for one of Fire Lady Ursa's old attendants hearing about that wretched bending skill of yours, you'd be grovelling in the streets for all I know," she retorted as she eyed the ten-year old girl who was attempting to drink tea 'royally'. She hoped that whatever behavior she had adopted from being in the streets for way too long wouldn't be much of hindrance to catch the unlucky attention of the Fire Lord, if her pink hair wasn't anything to go by. She had spent the last week two weeks beating manners and etiquette into her big head. The reason why she was going to the Royal Palace was because of her medical prowess. The pink-haired girl was a walking encyclopedia of biology and all there was to know about it. She could also manipulate Chi but not in the usual way benders did. And that was her fear. If Fire Lord Ozai were to hear of her distinct abilities, he would make sure to keep her close. She thought of Fire Lady Ursa and how she was forced into marrying the tyrant because she was a descendant of Avatar Roku.

"Sakura."

The girl looked up from her cup, watching the age lines on the older woman's face crease in seriousness. Her hair grayish hair pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head made her more intimidating. She gulped audibly, knowing that whatever she was about to say was serious. "Yes Ms. Makumi?" she replied as she sat properly with her back straight. "You have to promise me something. Whatever you do, don't catch the attention of the Fire Lord. Avoid him like a plague, his children especially," Makumi replied. "Why?" Sakura asked she cocked her head to the side. Her patron shook her head. "That doesn't matter. Just do as I say. And don't reveal your Chi bending abilities more than you already have. Healing is enough as it is," she spoke. "But I want to fight. I can't just sit around doing nothing, it'll eat me alive!" the younger girl exclaimed. "For what? What do you want to fight for?" Makumi asked, her eyes drilling holes into her. "I..." Sakura faltered, not knowing how to reply.

"I thought so," she spoke. "This war is pointless Sakura. As Fire Nationals, we don't have to fight all the other nations for the sake of one man's jealousy. If you want to fight then fight to end this war, not to push it," the older woman finished, looking out the window with a wistful look. Sakura didn't reply, instead she stared glumly at her now empty cup, its contents drenched now onto her grey pants making it appear as though she had wet herself. Her face was scrunched up in thoughtfulness as she digested Ms. Makumi's words. The only sound that remained between the two was the screeching of the wheels as they travelled to their destination.


Sakura was received at the main gates by the head medic of the palace, a man named Ping and two of his assistants. "Is this the girl?" he asked as he looked down at her appraisingly with distaste, hands hidden in his red robes. The man had a face wrinkled just as much as Ms. Makumi except his features were much harder. Plus he had a mole on his nose and a long beard. She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at him. "Yes m'lord," Makumi replied with her eyes averted to the ground. "Don't look at me you peasant. Look at the ground," Ping sneered. Sakura defiantly looked at him straight in the eye but was forced to look down when her patron bonked her head, sending her a disapproving scowl. Sakura rolled her eyes but refrained from looking up.

"Forgive her m'lord. She's not well-versed in the manners expected of nobility," the woman said, her eyes still averted. A nudge from Makumi prompted her to mumble an unapologetic sorry. "Hmph. It seems we have a lot of work in store for us but not to worry. There isn't nothing too hard for Ping, Chief Medic of the Royal Family," the man spoke proudly. "Say your goodbyes now. Our carriage will be arriving soon."

Sakura watched as the men walked to stand near the guards. The reality of her situation finally hit her like a bucket of cold water, causing her to tear up involuntarily. "Are you really leaving me here?" she asked as she clutched the skirts of the woman's dress. "Sakura," Makumi spoke gently as the pinkette started to take short breaths. "Relax," she said as she rubbed her shoulders soothingly. "You have to promise that you'll do as I say," she told her. "But you never made me promise anything!" Sakura cried. "Exactly. Be strong and of good courage, I know you're meant for greatness," she reassured her. Makumi could only watch with sad eyes as Sakura cried softly, her face buried in her dress.

She was reminded of the little girl she had met four years ago in the streets, teeth bared and looking about ready to tear the older men apart like the feral animal she was. She had defeated the four grown men with exceptional strength and martial arts skills before proceeding to heal herself of the cuts and bruises she had acquired. Makumi had watched in muted shock at the display of raw strength and potential she had shown which resulted her in adopting the girl when she was six years old. Despite their seemingly hostile attitude towards each other, the duo cared about each other dearly. They were just too proud to admit.

"Be safe okay? And try not to eat too much sugar, it'll kill you. Don't be bitter about your husband, it'll make you die early. And eat lots of healthy food. Tell Mr. Feng that I liked hanging out with his nephew. And that Zara can have my garden until she can make her own."

Makumi watched as the crying young girl was taken away but she did not dare show what she was feeling inside. She let out a shuddering breath as the carriage went out if sight before a lone tear slipped down her creased face.


It was after a month at the palace that Sakura saw a kid her age. Three girls to be exact. They were playing near one of their greenhouses. Sakura had been tasked by Mei, Ping's second in command, to resuscitate their dying plants. He had heard of her prowess and wanted to see her in action hence gave her this task. She had been reluctant at first for being given such a big responsibility all alone but then she supposed that she had to live up to her fame. The young girl's hands were elbow deep in one of the plant pots when she heard children's laughter approaching her secluded building. She had quickly dusted her hands on her red robe (she loved the color red because it complemented her eyes and hair) before exiting the greenhouse and making her way to the sounds.

Her keen ears led her to three girls playing at the koi fish pond near the garden. Sakura watched as the three girls played with each other, her heart yearning to join them. She had last played a month, often spending time at the library to expand her knowledge or working on a poison and its antidote. She was yet to be called to use her Chi bending to heal.

"Who's that?"

Sakura snapped her up, discovering she had looked down as she mentally mourned for her childhood which she was about to lose. The three girls made their way over to where she was standing. Sakura guessed that they were some sort of nobility judging by the way they were dressed. Especially the girl with the brown hair pulled up into a high bun with bangs framing either sides of her face and golden-brown eyes. She had a golden hair piece which practically screamed royalty.

"What's your name?" she asked as she cocked her head to the side. "I'm Sakura Haruno," she mumbled as she ducked from their gazes, her bangs shielding her face from view. As loud and obnoxious as she could be, she was a socially constipated child. "I'm Azula and these are my friends, Mai and Ty Lee," she pointed to each of the girls respectively. Ty Lee also had bangs but they were shorter and her hair was lighter than Azula's. It was tied into a high ponytail then braided. Mai had black hair tied into two buns on either sides of her head and a fringe.

"Uh, nice to meet you," she spoke meekly as she fumbled with the sleeves of her robe. Maybe she could become friends with them."Why do you have a big forehead?" Ty Lee as she invaded her vision. Her confidence deflated at that, mentally prepping herself for the teasing remarks that were to follow. "Cut it out Ty Lee, nobody every teased you for being such a freak all the time," Azula chastised as she sent the shorter girl a glare, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her back. "I'm just curious. Plus I'm not a freak," Ty Lee defended. "Yes you are." At her friend's defeated expression, she added. "And I love you for it," she said with a smile. Ty Lee immediately brightened up.

"Sorry for being rude. Your forehead makes you look cute though," she said with a smile. "Thanks," Sakura mumbled as she touched the hair which was covering her forehead. Mai inched closer to the pinkette as Azula and Ty Lee began chasing each other around. "Don't get blindsided by Azula. She can be very kind but she can also be pretty mean too," she spoke detachedly. "Uh, thanks?" she replied unsurely as she watched the two girls playing. "I'm Mai, pleased to be of your acquaintance," she said as she stretched out her hand. Sakura shook firmly.

"Hey Mai, don't bore Sakura with your boring lectures. Come here and play!" Azula shouted at them. "At least there is a sane person just like me," the dark haired girl muttered under her breath.


Mai was beginning to regret Sakura joining their group. Sure, she was fun to be around and they had a lot of cool discussions like the adults did. But she was almost as bad as Azula. The games and pranks they pulled were menacing. "I say we create a smoke bomb that causes everyone to fart involuntarily. We'll hide in the vent at Father's meeting and when we're sure that everyone is present, we release it," Azula cackled deviously. "And we make it a colorless and smell like one of their perfumes, they'll never know what hit them," Sakura added with a smirk. "We'll make them fart for a week and have running stomachs too," Azula squealed. "And I'll pretend not to know the antidote!" At that, the two girls broke into girlish giggles and clapped their hands as they walked in the hallway.

"Let's do it!" Ty Lee exclaimed.

"Yeah!" the masterminds of the prank cheered.

Mai sighed miserably. How did these embeciles end up as her friends?


Sakura was walking to her room in the dimly lit hallway which was eerily quiet. She had stayed up later than usual as she wanted to finish reading her scroll for the test Ping was going to give her tomorrow. She had opted to cut her long hair as soon as she arrived at the palace and had maintained her short hair since. It had been three months since she arrived and still she hadn't been asked to use her Chi bending to heal. It was confusing. Wasn't that the whole reason that she was here in the first place?

She was brought out of her musings as she collided into a small warm body, sending the both of the tumbling to the ground with Sakura on top and hitting their foreheads together. "Ow," they both groaned. She found herself staring into golden-brown eyes mirroring her shock and she hastily got up. "I'm sorry. I didn't see where I was I going," she apologized with a low bow. Mei had ensured that she understood that she was below everyone in the palace hence she had to bow. "Its okay. I should apologize too. I wasn't looking where I was going," came the reply which prompted her to raise her head and look at him.

He must've been not older than her by two years with brown hair tied into a similar style like Azula except he had two cowlicks on either side of his hairline, no doubt the stubborn hair not wanting to be tamed. But what she noticed the most was that he was beautiful. Sakura blinked several times in disbelief as she gaped at him like a fish out of water. "Are you okay? I hope you aren't injured," he said as concern marred his features. "I-I'm okay," she stammered as she put a hand to her burning face. "You sure?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. She bobbed her head up and down furiously. "If you say so. Good night," he said and began walking away from her

"Wait! What's your name?" she called out, causing the older boy to stop and turn to look at her with curious eyes. "You don't know who I am?" he asked as he peered at her. She shook her head. "I'm Zuko," he introduced himself. "I'm Sakura Haruno," she replied with a smile. "I've never seen you around before. Are you new?" he asked. "Yes, I came here three months ago and don't know a lot people except Azula, Mai and Ty Lee," she replied with a slight blush on her cheeks. "You know my sister?" he asked baffled. "Who?" she asked as her face scrunched up. None of her friends ever told her that they had a brother. "Azula," he told her. "That's odd. She never mentioned that she had a brother," Sakura spoke, more to herself. "Older brother to be precise. And she likes to make fun on me and do pranks," he sighed.

"Wait, are you the one whose room she put our farting gas?" she asked in horror. "You did that? I couldn't stop farting every now and then for a week. Not to mention the same thing was done to Father and his Council," he looked at her with a new light. "Yeah, sorry about that. I made it actually, I'm training under Chief Medic Ping so sometimes I like to experiment," she told him with an apologetic smile. "It's okay. It was kinda funny though. I knew it was Azula so I spent the whole week pestering her and farting in her presence every chance I got." This sent the two into a fit of giggles.

"I probably should go. It's way past curfew and I don't want my uncle to know that I'm not in bed," Zuko spoke. "Me too. Mr. Feng is just as scary as Mr. Ping," she replied. "Good night Sakura," he waved at her and left. "Good night Zuko," she sighed dreamily with lovestruck expression.


As Sakura lay in her bed that night, she remembered the words Ms. Makumi told her before she had left.

"You have to promise me something. Whatever you do, don't catch the attention of the Fire Lord. Avoid him like a plague, his children especially."

If Zuko was Azula's older brother then that meant he was the Prince of the Fire Nation. So basically, she had inadvertently caught the attention of the Fire Lord . But she couldn't shake off the butterflies in her stomach. Her patron had explicitly warned her to stay away from them yet she was friends with Azula and was now planning on becoming Zuko's friend too. Sakura always prided herself on keeping her words and never breaking her promises. But just this once, she allowed herself to be selfish and do what her heart was telling her to.


Sorry for any grammatical errors. This will be a 15 chapter story. I hope you enjoy.

Tozoonana

AfricanFire