To Prove Oneself: Part Three

Everyone sat around the fire with drooling lips as Tenten stirred the potted rabbit stew. The mouth-craving aroma wafted through their noses, seductively calling them to eat it like hungry wolves. Yulah handed out wooden bowls and utensils in preparations.

"Lass, where'd ya learn to use all those weapons?" Temujin asked.

"I taught myself using several training manuals as references," Tenten replied while stirring the rabbit stew. She took a small pouch of salt and sprinkled in a teaspoon into the stew.

"That's amazin' dedication!" Temujin complimented.

"You were such a training freak," Suki chimed in. "I had to stop you a couple times because you nearly passed out during one of your insane regiments."

"No pain, no gain," Tenten said with a proud face.

"Until you pass out?" Suki raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I don't think so."

"Give tha lass credit," Temujin said. "It takes someone wit alot of passion to become a master of weapons."

"Naruto's seems like a training maniac, as well," Yulah glanced at the whiskered boy. "He's been chucking those kunais non-stop for the past week."

"Naruto's, well, Naruto," Tenten looked towards him. "Hey, Naruto?"

Naruto couldn't stop looking back into the woods with worried eyes. It's been nearly two hours since Azula was last seen, and Naruto couldn't himself still; his mind only thought of Azula. His biggest fear Azula being captured by Fire Nation soldiers. Agni knows what would happen to Azula once she was captured. Naruto needed to search for her immediately.

"Is something wrong, Naruto?" Tenten asked with worry.

Naruto suddenly stood up, "I'm going to find Azula."

"But, the rabbit stew is almost finished," Tenten argued. "Besides, she might just be hanging around by herself."

"For two hours? Don't kid with me," Naruto walked away from them, heading straight into the woods.

"Two hours does seem a bit long," Yulah added in.

Suki suddenly pushed Tenten towards Naruto, "You were last seen with Azula; go with him!"

"But-"

"Don't worry, I'll watch over Temujin and Yulah," Suki interrupted. "So hurry up, Tenten!"

Tenten simply nodded and ran after Naruto who already disappeared into the woods. They searched everywhere, behind trees and large boulders and every cracks and crevices she could have possibly slipped through. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Azula. She didn't leave any traces of herself behind; no footprints or torn clothes. Nothing.

"Azula!" Naruto shouted.

No response.

"Azula!" He shouted again, his voice now echoed with panic. Yet, only the hums of the forest responded back.

Tenten was starting to get worried. She should've waited for Azula, but her emotions got the best of her. There was a high possibility that she'd been captured by bandits or Fire Nation soldiers, and it would all be her fault for letting it happen. Tenten prayed that the disgraced princess was simply lost in the forest.

"I'm sorry, Naruto," Tenten bit the bottom of her lip. "I should have waited for her."

"Then why didn't you!" Naruto shouted in anger.

"I-I was frustrated with her," Tenten bit down on her lip, her voice ridden with guilt. "I kinda went a little harsh on her because I felt she didn't help around enough."

"You- ugh, damn it!" He clenched his fists and punched a nearby tree with full strength. Pieces of bark flew across the air from his incredible power. Blood slowly dripped to the earth below as Naruto tried to calm his mind.

"Naruto, I'm- WATCH OUT!" Tenten hastily tackled him to the floor.

Suddenly, a hurling boulder flew over their heads and smashed into the tree. The boulder was cracked into pieces, and dust quickly scattered everywhere. As the dust settled, a short man with a gaunt frame walked out from the depths of the forest. He wore a sleeveless, gray tunic over brown pants. Black, messy curls lapped over his shoulders like a nest of black mambas. Bandages covered the left side of his face, hiding the mystery underneath from the world. Behind him were five other men.

"Looky what we got ere'," Bobo walked towards them. "A buncha lost brats out in the middle of bum fuck nowhere."

A giant, bald man stood next to him and spoke in whispered tones. He had simple leather armor, yet it barely did anything to hide his bare chest. The bald man had a robust frame and a thick goatee. The large scar on his right eye only enhanced his intimidating visage.

"Who the hell are you guys?" Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"Hey Bobo, that little kid lookin' a lil' strange, ain't he?" Singh pointed at Naruto.

"Kid's mom probably shat him out backwards, that's why," Bobo cackled. "What'd ya say, chief?"

A man in full leather armor suddenly appeared behind them. His face was hidden behind a black mask, but his ominous black eyes peered at the two children, searching for any signs of unwanted danger.

"A false alarm," His deep voice echoed from the black mask. " Do as you see fit; I want them gone."

The masked man disappeared into the woods, leaving his four men behind to deal with Naruto and Tenten. The four men glared at them with killing intent and malicious smiles like savage predators. Meanwhile, Naruto and Tenten stood in battle-ready stances, staring them back with vigilant eyes.

"Let me ask you again," Naruto clenched his fists. "Who are you guys?"

"Well, since you're boutta die, might as well know the names of the guys who killed ya, eh?" Bobo sneered. "We are the Northern Wolf Horde!"

"That sounds kinda dumb, not gonna lie," Tenten's face deadpanned.

"Heh, you'll be beggin' to kiss our feet, bitch," Bobo replied. "Genji, Jochi, you know what to do."

Two men with rugged appearances stepped forward to face Naruto and Tenten in combat. They were twin brothers with short, brown hair and hazel gold eyes. It was impossible to differentiate the two brothers since they wore the same clothing and hairstyles.

"You take the puny girl, big bro," Jochi slammed his fist against a palm. "I got the little whiskers."

"This will be a piece of cake, lil' bro," Genji sneered.

*****

Azula stared at Ashura with curious eyes.

There was something about him that felt familiar to her. It was the same feeling she had with her Naruto. Azula stood closer to Ashura, gazing at his gentle smile; her eyes narrowed as she studied his face closely.

"Are you interested in him?" Yoona asked.

"Hmph, he just reminds me of someone I know," Azula replied.

Yoona smiled as she stood by Azula, staring at Ashura with longing eyes, "We were both eighteen at the time, and funny enough, we fought during our first encounter."

Yoona waved her hand again, and a younger version of Yoona and Ashura stood before each other. One had expressions of rage while the other wore a nervous smile. Tension swirled between them in a suffocating choke as they eyed each other down. Not long after, the two of them clashed in impressive fashion. Ferocities of air and fire intertwined with another in numerous bouts. Yoona gritted her teeth as she continued to force her raging fire towards Ashura.

"You're unexpectedly strong for a girl," Ashura complimented.

However, his sincere compliment only stirred Yoona's rage even more as she conjured a torrent of fire at him. Ashura summoned a storm of air to combat her ferocious flames, but he was slowly being pushed back. In seconds, his back was up against the tree as Yoona closed in on him.

"I truly believed that I had him beat," Yoona stared at the cornered man. "But he did something so unexpected. It was incredible."

"Hah!" Ashura slammed his palm against the ground and several branches of wood burst from below.

"Ah!" Yoona cried out in shock as the branches entangled her in a tight hold. She tried to firebend, but she couldn't move her arms at all. Yoona wiggled her body to escape, but to no avail, "What the hell is this?"

"Something I developed myself," Ashura said with overwhelming pride. "I mean, I kinda got help from a certain Lion Turtle... but still! My very own bending! I call it: woodbending!"

"I demand you to let me go," Yoona said, her voice laced with seething anger. She couldn't believe Ashura had caught her off guard like that.

"Only if you stop trying to kill me," Ashura walked towards her.

Yoona clicked her tongue in response, "I will if you let me go."

The surrounding branches slowly untangled around her limbs and wriggled into the ground below. Yoona fell to her knees, glaring at him with resentment. Ashura ignored her glare and raised a hand out to her with a wide grin.

"I'm Ashura, by the way."

Yoona stared at his hand. With a grunt, she quickly smacked it away and walked off. Ashura stared back at her retreating form with a raised brow. He only wanted to talk to Yoona, perhaps be friends even.

"Wait up!" Ashura ran up to her.

Yoona unsheathed the sword by her waist and pointed it at Ashura, " Don't come near me."

"Come on," Ashura lowered her sword with the tip of his fingers. "Can I at least know your name?"

"Go away," Yoona sheathed her sword and continue to make her way down the dirt pathway. Ashura simply smiled, not wanting to give up on a potential friend. The two of them walked together with Ashura's nonstop pestering.

"Is he the Avatar?" Azula asked. It was basic knowledge that only the Avatar could master all four elements.

"He was not," Yoona replied.

"Then how was that possible?" Her eyes widened with shock. No one but the Avatar could bend multiple elements. Not to mention that strange bending he did. There were no records of anyone that could bend wood like Ashura did.

"It was his trade secret, but he always told me stories about Lion Turtles."

Azula wasn't satisfied with that answer, but it would have to do. The world is large, there was bound to be some unknowns hidden away, waiting to be discovered by curious travelers. There were a myriad of secrets that the world was hiding away as well. Perhaps, some of them were not meant to be revealed to everyone.

"Hmm... and you became travel buddies with him just like that?" Azula suddenly asked. Azula was surprised how much she had in common with Yoona. The only difference between them were their path in life.

"He was annoying at first, but I slowly warmed up to him after a while," Yoona smiled.

"How did you end up like this?"

Yoona paused for a moment.

"I don't remember much," Yoona shook her head. "I only remember giant beasts of pure destruction. Then the stab wound across my chest with a strange man standing over me. And Ashura... I saw his crying face for the first time. Then everything suddenly turned black."

The land around them slowly disintegrated into nothing, leaving behind a white void.

"I knew I was dead, but my spirit didn't pass on," Yoona said. "I am bound here until I find out what happened to Ashura."

Yoona gazed into Azula's eyes, "So please, Azula, can you help me find him?"