Golden Flames

The five kids huddled around in a small circle underneath the apple tree. The chirping of baby birds echoed throughout the silent garden as they waited for their mother's arrival, and in the fountain pond, the turtle ducks swam without a care in world.

"I'm sure you're already familiar with the rules of the game, Naruto," Azula said.

"Who doesn't?"

"Just making sure," Azula smiled. "But, I was thinking of twisting the rules a bit to make it more enjoyable."

Zuko anxiously gulped, "I don't like the sound of that." He whispered under his breath.

Knowing Azula by heart, Zuko knew his malefic sister was concocting up some rather evil scheme. He could only pray that Azula's attention focused entirely on Naruto.

"Well, I do love some more fun," Naruto curiously thought.

"Oh, me too! Me too!" Ty Lee hastily said, her arms cupped around Naruto.

Azula clapped her hands together, "Well, isn't that just perfect."

"First thing's first. Since I'm the princess, I'm going to be it," Azula stated matter-of-factly.

Naruto giggled in response, "Whatever you say, princess."

"That sounds wonderful," Ty Lee said with joy.

"Whatever," Mai yawned.

"Sure, do what you want," Zuko finally said.

Azula smirked, "Excellent. Then let's begin the game, shall we?"

"Huh?" Naruto raised his eyebrow in confusion. "You didn't even explain the new rules, princess."

"I didn't?" Azula covered her mouth in fake shock. "Then here, let me explain it to you, Foxy."

Azula threw her fist out and launched a scorching ball of orange fire directly at Naruto.

"Oh shit!" His eyes widened, and Naruto quickly rolled out of the way of the incoming flaming projectile. The fireball missed its intended target and seared the bark of the apple tree instead.

"Run!" Zuko shouted in fear. "Azula's gone crazy!"

And just like that, the rest of the kids scattered like roaches exposed to sunlight. Azula chased after Naruto, sending streaks of fire at the poor bastard.

"What the hell is wrong with you, princess!" Naruto shouted as streaks of fire narrowly missed him.

"I believe a little bit of fire would spice our game a bit, Foxy," Azula replied, shooting another ball of orange flames at him.

"Try not to get 'tagged' too soon, would you?" Azula taunted him.

Unexpectedly, Naruto threw her a smirk, "Che, if you think you can touch me, then you have another thing comin', dattebayo!"

Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee hid behind the tree as they watched the scene unfold. They stared in awe as a ballet of flames danced through the air.

"We need to stop them," Ty Lee said, chewing her thumb nail in anxiety.

She was genuinely afraid for Naruto's wellbeing. Azula was one of the best firebenders that Ty Lee knew and still remained undefeated to this day. Azula could easily hurt Naruto if she wanted to.

"How?" Zuko rebutted. "The three of us combined won't even be a match for that prodigy maniac."

Ty Lee quickly ducked under a fireball, "I don't know, but we have to do something!"

Mai shook her head, "I think Naruto's going to be fine."

"What do you mean, Mai?" Zuko asked.

"Naruto seems very relaxed. I could tell by his body language." Mai answered. "Just look at how the way he moves."

Ty Lee squinted her eyes a bit. She watched as Naruto danced around Azula's flames like an experienced acrobat, "You're right! The way cutie is dodging is like... like..."

"Like flowing water?" Mai finished for her.

"Right! like flowing water!" Ty Lee hugged Mai.

Meanwhile, Azula and Naruto continued their deadly game of cat and mouse around the royal garden. Naruto laughed without a care in the world while Azula's face was marred by a frown.

'How is Naruto so fast?' Azula angrily thought. 'It's been nearly ten minutes, and he still hasn't slowed down at all.'

The way he kept laughing had been really grinding her gears. Oh, how Azula wish she could burn that smug look off of his cute, little face.

"You can't keep running forever, Foxy," Azula taunted him again. Maybe she could get him riled up to lower his guard.

"La la la la la. You can't catch me," Naruto wiggled his ass at her.

"That's it," Azula furiously clapped her hands together and summoned forth a wide arc of deadly flames towards the whiskered boy.

Naruto's eyes jumped out of their sockets at the incoming danger. He quickly used his powerful legs to jump over the attack just before it narrowly struck him.

"Holy crap! That was a close one," Naruto wiped the nervous sweat from his forehead.

Azula halted her attack, "What's this? Afraid of a little fire, Foxy?"

"Pfft. As if, princess," Naruto retorted. "You're not the only one who's a pro at firebending!"

"Is that so?" Azula looked at him curiously. "Why don't you give me a little demonstration, then?"

The two of them stood to a halt as they locked on to each other's gazes.

"What are they standing there for?" Zuko suddenly whispered.

Mai quickly smacked him against his ribs, "Shh, shut up!"

"Ow! You didn't need to hit me!"

"Then be quiet."

"Fine. Sheesh," Zuko crossed his arms. He went quiet and continued to watch the scene unfold.

Black scars riddled the garden with two kids standing right at the epicenter. The wind blew leaves past the two children as they eyed each other down.

Naruto scratched his head, "I don't know, princess. That kinda defeats the point of this game."

"Oh, trust me. It won't hinder me at all," Azula confidently said.

"You sure about that?"

Azula snorted, "Even more so."

"Alright, don't say I didn't warn ya, dattebayo."

*****

Throne room, Fire Nation Royal Palace

The throne room was eerily dark and empty, save for the prominent wall of fire that blocked the visage of the Fire Lord. Ornate gold decorated the wooden ceiling and walls that radiated a distinct, noble flair. The ceiling was held up by rows of thick pillars with beautiful paintings of a spiraling dragon.

In the throne seat, on a separate stage high above the floor, sat Fire Lord Azulon as the shadows of flames flickered across his aged face. Yet, the shadows couldn't shroud the intimidating aura around him which exuded out supreme authority.

His ruthless ambition stemmed from his father, Fire Lord Sozin. During Azulon's reign, many lands in the Earth Kingdom fell under his rule, and the near destruction of the Southern Water Tribe had been done by his hand. It was some of many atrocities that he had committed during his reign.

His stern, golden eyes gazed down upon a man half his age who knelt before him. The man had a long white ponytail with long bangs parted by a metal headband. He wore an open red vest over loose black attire underneath and a pair of wooden sandals.

"Jiraiya," Fire Lord Azulon finally spoke. "It's good to see you after many moons."

"It has, hasn't it, my Lord," Jiraiya chuckled. "I hope you're still in good health."

Fire Lord Azulon sighed, "I feel death creeping closer with each passing year."

"Ai, don't say that!" Jiraiya laughed. "You'll only bring misfortune much earlier."

"I lived a long and successful life," The Fire Lord folded his hands. "l await for Iroh to come back after his successful siege of Ba Sing Se to coronate him as the next Fire Lord."

"Bwahaha! Old General Fatty?" Jiraiya asked, wiping a tear away from his eye. "I haven't seen that old fool in ages."

Fire Lord Azulon raised an eyebrow, "I wasn't aware he had such a title."

"It was a personal title that I gave him after he took position as general." Jiraiya explained.

Jiraiya scratched his lower back, "Heard he goes by the title 'Dragon of the West' nowadays. Too long of a title, if you ask me."

"A very impressive one, nonetheless," Fire Lord Azulon leaned back against his throne. The Fire Lord sighed, "You've could have been so much more, yet you chose a foolish decision to retire early, Jiraiya."

"I chose to abandon that life, Fire Lord. I wish to enjoy peace through my retirement."

"A retirement spent gazing at young women. Absolutely pitiful," Fire Lord Azulon scoffed. "So, tell me, what brought you and your godson back to the capital?"

Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, his somber eyes glancing towards the wooden floor. He didn't want this, but he knew this was necessary for Naruto.

Jiraiya took a deep breath and kowtowed, "I wish to have Naruto live in the Royal Palace."

The wall of flames suddenly burned brighter, shining the darkened throne room with an orange radiance.

"And what makes you think I would heed to your request so willingly!" Fire Lord Azulon exclaimed. His authoritarian voice rumbled throughout the the throne room.

Jiraiya grit his teeth but continued anyways, "It will only be for a while. Please, I beg of you. Heed this fool's request for this one time, my Lord."

The wall of fire dimmed a bit, and the room darkened once more.

"Hah... you were always so stubborn, Jiraiya," Fire Lord Azulon calmly said. "Very well, I will accept your request. However, I will only do it on one condition."

"Anything, my Lord."

"I want you to find any information on the whereabouts of the Avatar."

Jiraiya's eyes widened, and he looked up again to face Fire Lord Azulon, "But, he's been dead for nearly a century."

"I don't believe so; I know he's out there somewhere."

"What makes you say that?" Jiraiya questioned.

"Call it a hunch, if you will," The Fire Lord merely stated. "I have a feeling the avatar may rise again and throw a wrench in the Fire Nation's conquest."

"But, I don't even know where to start." Jiraiya grimly stated.

Fire Lord Azulon chuckled, "You were our best shinobi once, Jiraiya. So, I expect you to use that head of yours."

*****

Azula had never seen anything so beautiful in her life. Yet, there it was right in front of her - a golden radiance. It was incredible and majestic unlike anything she'd seen: a flame of pure gold. Her eyes followed the hands that guided the golden flames ever so slowly.

Azula was caught in a trance, focusing on nothing else but the shining gold before her. Her orange flames felt so ordinary compared to the heavenly fire that Naruto had conjured up.

"It's so beautiful," Ty Lee muttered out.

"I didn't know that fire can be gold," Mai said in shock.

"So what? It's only golden fire." Zuko said with a hint of jealousy.

Naruto continued to guide the golden flames before adjusting himself to a lower stance.

"You still want to go through with this, princess?" Naruto asked.

Naruto's voice shook Azula out of her trance state. Seeing Naruto's golden fire and hearing his subtle taunt had quickly stirred the competitiveness side of her.

Azula copied Naruto and lowered her stance, "I hope you won't regret it when I beat you."

"Heh, I'm gonna put you flat on your butt, dattebayo," Naruto smirked.

However an angry voice interrupted the two of them before they had a chance to battle.

"I believe that is enough from the two of you!" Ursa yelled.