The Sage’s Departure: Part One

Naruto and Azula stood before an angry mother with their heads hung low. A mother's wrath was always something to be afraid of.

"What on earth has gotten into you two!" Ursa reprimanded with her hands on her hips.

Ursa came outside to find out what all the commotion was about, only to find her daughter facing against an unknown child in a duel. She was absolutely livid to see her once beautiful garden nearly burnt to a crisp that she worked so hard on. It was going to take months to fully restore her garden to proper condition.

"It was her idea," Naruto pointed at Azula. "She's the one who started firebending at me for no reason!"

Ursa gazed at the mysterious blonde boy for a moment, ingraining his unique features into her memory. His face vaguely reminded her of a woman she knew from the past, but she couldn't remember who; it's been so long since she seen her loved ones. However, Ursa clearly remembered her beautiful red hair that reminded Ursa of her favorite flowers: fire lilies.

Ursa then turned her attention to Azula - her most vindictive child. Azula was a beautiful girl, but her personality was just like her father's. Cold, manipulative and cunning. Her once innocent golden eyes now had a cold gleam to them.

Ursa was afraid for her - afraid of what she might become when she reached adulthood. Agni knows she tried her best, but her father had cultivated Azula to become a ruthless warrior. Ursa could only hope to be there for Azula when she needed it.

Ursa lowered herself to Azula's height, "And what do you have to say for yourself, young miss?"

Azula crossed her arms, "We were only playing a simple game of tag, mother."

"Normal children wouldn't try to burn each other in a game of tag, Azula" Ursa retorted. "Look at what you've down to our garden."

"Yeah, princess birdbrain," Naruto chimed in. "Can't believe you did that."

Azula glared at Naruto, "Care to repeat that, Foxy?"

"Princess bi-," Naruto spoke again before he was suddenly interrupted.

"That's enough, you two," Ursa sternly said and grabbed both of their hands. "We're going to have a private talk."

Before Ursa turned to leave, she faced towards the remaining kids behind the tree, "Mai, Ty Lee, you're parents are here to pick you up. The guards will escort you both to them."

She then pulled both Azula and Naruto out of the garden and into the palace halls, heading straight for the living quarters.

The room comprised of various beautiful paintings and tapestry focusing on nature and the twelve zodiac animals. Exquisite furniture lined the walls to accommodate for a small gathering while a black chandelier with intricate engravings hung in the middle of the room.

"Care to tell me who this young boy is, Azula?" Ursa asked.

"Foxy?" Azula folded her arms behind her head. "He's just a thief we've found scouring in our garden."

"Quit lyin', princess birdbrain."

"Foxy."

"Nutjob!"

"Feral mutt!"

Both kids quickly turned away from each with angered looks on their faces.

Ursa sighed, already having enough of their childish quarrel, "What's your name, little one?"

Naruto turned to her, "Naruto Uzumaki! Most awesome badass in all of the Four Nations!" He showed off his wide grin.

Azula facepalmed at him for saying such a stupid thing to her mother. But, she couldn't help but inwardly chuckle to herself at his dumb antics. Even Azula wouldn't have the gall to use such rough language to her own mother.

"Language, mister," Ursa's face darkened.

"Sorry..." Naruto sheepishly replied.

Ursa placed a hand on his shoulder, "Can you tell me why you're here, Naruto?" Her voice soft as she stared into his cerulean eyes.

"All I know is that Pervy Sage and I were invited to see the Fire Lord when he arrived in the capital, that's about it."

Ursa wanted to ask more, but a knock on the door interrupted her.

"Come in," She said.

An old woman with grey hair styled in a traditional top knot and dressed in a long, red robe entered the room and bowed.

"Lady Ursa, The Fire Lord requests an audience with you and the one named Naruto Uzumaki," The old servant spoke.

"Thank you, Elua, we'll be right there," Ursa smiled.

With a slight bow, the old palace servant quietly left the room.

"We can talk more about this later," Ursa ruffled Naruto's blonde hair. "Let's go see what the Fire Lord wants."

Naruto nodded his head and followed Ursa out of the door. Azula's curiosity piqued and decided to follow behind them. They soon arrived at the throne room, and Ursa opened the curtain and led the two kids inside.

"Woah..." Naruto stared at his surroundings in awe.

The sheer magnificence and grandeur of the place stunned his little mind. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy in such a dark room with a giant wall of fire. He suddenly turned his attention to Jiraiya, who knelt down next to a man with long, black hair and a grim expression on his face.

"Pervy Sage!" Naruto immediately ran over to him. "So this is where you were!"

Jiraiya laughed as he ruffled Naruto's hair, "Miss me already, kid?"

"You wish, old man," Naruto said but hugged him anyway.

'That's him? He doesn't look like much,' Azula thought to herself.

He looked like an ordinary old man she'd see on the streets. But, the way Naruto showed his affection to him made her feel strange inside. Azula didn't know why she felt this way, and she didn't like it one bit. It was like an itch in her chest that she couldn't get rid of.

"Jiraiya," Ozai sternly said, "Both you and that boy need to mind your manners in the presence of the Fire Lord."

Jaraiya narrowed his eyes, "I would prefer if you mind your own business, Ozai."

Feeling angered, Ozai raised his voice, "I've grown tired of your insolence towards the royal family, you-"

"Ozai, enough," Fire Lord Azulon interrupted.

Ozai frowned but bowed his head in compliance. His eyes shimmered a cold gleam as he glanced up at his father and Jiraiya.

"Ursa, Azula, take a seat," The Fire Lord gestured.

The mother and daughter took up space next to Ozai and sat down in a formal seiza position. They remained silent as they wait for the Fire Lord to speak.

Fire Lord Azulon cleared his throat, "I brought you all here today for an unusual favor."

"What is it, father?" Ozai asked.

The Fire Lord took a quick glance at Jiraiya before speaking, "I've ordered Jiraiya to take care of some business for me, so he won't be back for quite a while."

"Does this have any sort of connection with us?"

The Fire Lord slowly nodded, "I ask that you care for Naruto in the absence of Jiraiya." He answered in a clear-cut manner.

"What?"

"What!" Naruto exclaimed. "That has to be a lie, Pervy Sage!"

"I'm sorry, Naruto," Jaraiya slowly said.

That can't be true; Jiraiya wouldn't just abandon him here. They were supposed to explore the world together, beat down bad guys and eat all the ramen they could eat. Naruto felt his own world crumbling down.

"Y-you're lying, Pervy Sage..."

Naruto's heart sank as he looked back at Jiraiya's saddened expression. He searched for any kind of deceit on Jaraiya's face, but he couldn't find any. He felt a sudden wave of emotions pouring out.

"Why?" Naruto's voice cracked. "Didn't you say we would explore the world together?"

"We will, Naruto."

"Then why!"

Jiraiya sighed and placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. He really hate seeing his godson like this.

"Naruto, there are some things I need to do, and I can't bring you along with me," He firmly said.

Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes, "But, I'm strong! I can be alongside with you!" He begged.

"No, it's too dangerous for you," Jiraiya shook his head, "You'll... you'll understand when you're older, Naruto."

Naruto slapped Jiraiya's arm away from him and ran out of the throne room. He accidentally knocked over Zuko who was watching the whole incident behind the curtains and ran through the halls.

"Naruto!" Jiraiya reached his hand out. "Damn it."

"It seems that your godson is emotionally weak," Ozai snidely remark.

Jiraiya growled, "I don't have time for your nonsense, Ozai."

Azula watched Naruto leave in tears with a mix of emotions. On one hand, she should be laughing at him for displaying such weakness. But, she couldn't bring herself to do that.

Then, what was she feeling? Pity? Sympathy? Damn those rotten emotions to hell; her father told her such emotions were for the weak - an imperfection of a true warrior.

Azula wondered where Naruto was heading to. Perhaps, she should follow him just to make sure he won't do anything stupid.

"Mother, I'm heading to my room now," Azula said.

Ursa nodded, "That would be for the best, Azula."

*****

Azula wandered around the palace to find the whiskered boy but came up short. So, she walked into the royal garden to see if he was there and suddenly spotted Naruto crying by the pond.

Should she walk over to him? Azula had never dealt with crying people before since she found it to be bothersome. But, seeing Naruto crying like that doesn't feel... right with her. So, she walked over to him.

"There you are, Foxy," Azula placed her hands on her hips. "I've been looking all over for you."

"What do you want, Azula?" Naruto said between sniffles.

Azula sat down next to him, "My mother wanted to make sure you don't do anything stupid, so she sent me to find you." She lied.

Naruto gazed at his own reflection in the pond, "Hey, Azula?"

Azula turned to him, "What is it?"

"I'm scared."

Azula raised her eyebrows at that. The happy-go-lucky kid, the boy who could bend golden flames, the one who claimed to be the most badass in the world was scared?

"Why is that?" She asked.

"I'm... just scared to be alone," Naruto replied in a hoarse voice.

"I don't understand."

Naruto wrapped his arms around his knees, "Ya know, I'm jealous that you have parents, Azula."

"You're an orphan?" Azula asked in shock.

Naruto nodded and closed his eyes for a bit. He remembered the painful days of wandering the cold streets of Konoha in search of food. He remembered the makeshift shelter in the alleyway where he used to sleep. But, Naruto would never forget the villagers that tried to kill him.

Naruto opened his eyes again, "I was always alone back then. Lived on the streets for most of my life."

Azula didn't know what to say. She never understood how a kid as happy as him have such a lonely childhood. Azula stayed silent as she watched the sun set over the evening sky. Bright orange clashed with the coming darkness as time slowly ticked.

"But, Pervy Sage came into my life," A faint smile graced his face. "Took me in and gave me something to live for."

Azula listened, not letting an ounce of information fly out of her arm's reach. His way of life was completely foreign - a complete opposite of her privileged lifestyle as a princess of the Fire Nation.

"I wouldn't know where I would be without Pervy Sage." Naruto continued. "That's why I'm scared of him leaving me behind."

Azula thoughts were in scrambles as she tried to find the right words to say. She'd admit, she wasn't as emotionally perceptive as she thought she was.

'Oh, Agni, why is this so hard?' Azula cursed.

Azula shuffled her feet a bit, "I think... your godfather still cares about you. Why else would he be worried about your safety?"

"You really think so?" Naruto looked at her with hope.

Azula laid on the grass with her head resting on her arms. "Besides, even without him, you still have me around to keep you in check."

Naruto wiped the tears from his eyes and giggled, "Hehe, I guess that wouldn't be too bad."

Naruto laid on the grass next to her and watched the clouds drift across the sky. They watched in silence while the crickets played their chirping instruments.

"You know," Azula suddenly said. "The 'most badass in the world' wouldn't cry like a baby."

"Sh-shut up!" Naruto cried out. "I'm still a badass, dattebayo!"

The two laid in sudden silence before the echoes of laughters erupted in the royal garden.

Hidden out of view, Ursa watched the two kids laughing with a smile.

"I hope you can change her heart, Naruto Uzumaki."

She quietly disappeared into the darkness of the palace halls, leaving the two kids all alone.