To Prove Oneself: Final Part

"That would be quite tricky..." Azula crossed her arms in thought. "Did you have any descendants?"

"I died before I could even start a family," Yoona sorrowfully said.

"Oh... I guess it will certainly be difficult."

If they had descendants, it would have been possible to trace them due to their unique woodbending. It would have been a perfect start from there. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, so Azula would have to him herself. It would be difficult to find a corpse of Ashura in this enormous land.

They would have to scour every part of the land, but by then, his bones wouldn't be so lucky like Yoona's. It would be finding a needle in a haystack, only a thousand times bigger. Who knows how long time passed since the end of Yoona's era? It could be centuries or even millennia. Would his grave even be intact?

"That's why I won't let you do this for free," Yoona said.

"By that, you mean?" Azula raised an eyebrow.

"The knowledge of bending Spiritual Fire."

Now that caught Azula's attention. Just the name had definitely piqued her interest. Her firebending was already at a high degree, but it wouldn't hurt to learn more techniques. It would increase the overwhelming arsenal at her disposal. However, this was Azula's fire time hearing about this so called Spiritual Fire; she felt a little skeptical about it.

"Go on..."

"All firebenders can control the physical nature of their flames to perform incredible feats," Yoona explained. "But, none can control the flame that dwell inside them; their source of fire which require strict meditation."

"My source of fire..." Azula cupped her chin in thought.

She remembered Naruto's teaching about the same thing. Fire is produced from her heart and desires, whether through love and care or rage and hatred. The Will of Fire. To control the source of her flames was unheard of. Are there any differences between physical and spiritual fire? Several questions raced through her mind. Just the thought of it filled her with anticipation.

"To bend the Spiritual Fire within requires you to overcome your greatest fears and sins. To face the darkness within you, Azula," Yoona explained further. "However, once succeeded, the possibilities are endless. It will transcend your flames to new heights."

"Like what?" Azula eagerly asked.

"It depends on your imagination," Yoona replied. "Transforming yourself into fire is one way."

"That sounds incredible."

Yoona knelt down and placed a hand on Azula's shoulder, "Indeed, but it is incredibly difficult to master, dangerous even. You will feel yourself being burned from the inside out while you fight to control it. But, I believe in you, Azula. I know you can do it."

Her biggest fears... An image of Ursa appeared in her mind, and Azula bit the bottom of her lips. Azula swallowed a bit of nervousness away, "Are you going to help me?"

Suddenly, Yoona began to fade, and the white void around them slowly crumbled away to darkness. Azula looked around her with panic; she felt as if the world was suddenly coming to an end.

"Yoona!" Azula cried in shock.

"It seems my time with you is coming to an end; I can't hold this spiritual plane for too long. You will have to overcome them on your own," Yoona gave her a sad smile. "I enjoyed my time with you, Azula. I really do. When we meet again, I hope you can tell me your story."

"Yoona..." Azula felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

"This will guide you to master your Spiritual Fire," Yoona tapped Azula on the forehead. Her fingers began to glow. The glow on fingers faded, and Yoona softly embraced Azula, "Remember this: always follow your heart, Azula."

The world finally crumbled around them as Yoona disappeared. Azula bolted awake with a startled shout. She quickly sat up, shooting quick glances around her. A strong scent of damp rocks and wet tree roots wafted through the air, causing her nose to slightly twitch. She was back in the ancient, decrepit tomb. Yoona's skeletal corpse remained the same.

However, the pulsating blue light on her forehead now disappeared. Azula slowly stood up and made her way to Yoona's remains. It was awful how her fate had ended in tragedy, her spirit bound to her resting place, unable to pass on until she find answers about her lover. However, Azula was going to change that.

"Thank you for everything, Yoona," Azula bowed. "I promise that I will find him for you."

Azula bowed again in respect. She then climbed out of the hole she fell from and dusted off her dirty clothes. She looked around the forest to figure out where she was at. Unfortunately, she didn't have a damn clue where she was. Azula regretted wandering the forest like some mindless idiot. Now it was going to take hours to find her way out of here.

"Agh!" A voice cried from the distance

"That voice..." Azula's eyes widened. "Naruto!"

*****

Earlier

The earth rumbled underneath Naruto's feet as the twin brothers, Genji and Jochi, slowly lifted their arms above their heads. The ground cracked as several crevices formed below. In mere seconds, two large boulders levitated off from the ground.

"Shit, earthbenders," Naruto clicked his tongue.

He never fought earthbenders before so fighting against their styles would be all new for him. Naruto knew that they had impressive defenses and strong foundations, so they would be quite an interesting match up. He wouldn't be able to hide his firebending any longer. However, he was hidden in a forest so it shouldn't be a problem for him.

"This might be a little tricky," Tenten pulled the sanjiegun from her back. The chain that held the three-section staff suddenly retracted, connecting the triple staff into a single pole.

"Hah!" The twin brothers shouted together.

Both boulders shot towards Naruto and Tenten like streaking bullets. However, they smashed into the thick boughs of coniferous, causing the trees to topple over with a booming might.

"These brats seemed to be light on their toes, lil' bro," Genji said.

"Maybe they're some punk airbenders or somethin', yeh?" Jochi scoffed.

Out from the settling dust, Naruto pulled a pair of kunais out from his pouch. Searing golden flames appeared on the edges of the blades as Naruto took aim at Jochi. This was the perfect time to put his newly acquired skills to the test.

'This is just like training. You can do this,' Naruto narrowed his eyes and threw both kunais at Jochi.

Jochi quickly raised an earthen wall to protect himself. The kunais were easily blocked, having pierced through only centimeters of thick earth. Meanwhile, Tenten charged at Genji, readying the staff just by her waist. She dodged the jagged spikes that ruptured from the ground below. Tenten suddenly leapt high into the air with a powerful jump.

"Hah!" Tenten swung her staff directly towards Genji's head with full strength. She hoped that he would be down in a single hit.

"Ain't to shabby there, girly," Genji blocked her staff with his forearm. "But yer gonna have to do a lot better than that."

"This might take longer than I thought" Tenten muttered to herself.

The bandit before her seemed capable to hold his own. Tenten simply snorted at him, launching a barrage of strikes towards different parts of his body. The two of them quickly locked onto close combat as they moved across the forest. They seemed evenly matched as the battle raged on with intensity. Sweat poured from her forehead as she Tenten struck his body.

However, it didn't seem to be doing much damage to him at all. Genji was durable, she'll give him that. She'd need to use a different weapon. Tenten quickly pulled a dagger hidden underneath her waist and slashed his ribs. A rip appeared on Genji's leather armor as blood seeped from his wound.

"You bitch!" Genji conjured a thick boot from small stones. "I don't think you know who you're messin' with!"

"Ngh!" Tenten crossed her arms to block as the hardened boot struck her. Tenten's feet dug into the ground as she slid a few feet away from him. Her arms stung with pain as she lowered them. This was going to be harder than she thought.

Jochi sneered at Naruto, "You really think these tiny knives will do you any good?"

"Look closer," Naruto smirked.

"What are you blabbering-"

Large burst of golden flames exploded out from the pair of kunais, shattering the earth wall that protected Jochi. The blast sent Jochi sliding across the ground.

"Lil' bro!" Genji shouted.

"This kid's a fuckin' firebender!" Bobo yelled out.

"Shit, we need ta take em' out. Otherwise, more of em' will come here," Singh said with panic.

'They don't know that we're wanted by Fire Nation," Naruto thought to himself.

A barrage of boulders shot forth like a storm of bullets. Naruto ducked and swerve as he launched torrents of fire at them. Bobo and Singh created walls of earth, easily blocking his flames. Fire and Earth slammed against each other like two apex predators.

'Maybe I should attack close range,' Naruto thought to himself.

"Ah!" Tenten slammed against the tree and fell to the ground with a thud.

"Tenten!" Naruto shouted.

Naruto rushed towards her, but Singh blocked his way with his robust body, "Where'd ya think you're goin?" Singh sneered at him.

A rock covered fist slammed towards Naruto. However, he swerved past it by a hairslength and struck a palm against Singh's stomach. Scorching golden flames erupted forth, blasting Singh away from him.

"Argh!" Singh roared with pain. He clutched the searing pain of his reddened stomach.

Suddenly, a pillar of rock smashed against Naruto's soft flesh.

"Agh!" Naruto slammed against a tree.

"You hurt my lil' bro, ya firebreathin' filth," Genji glared hatefully at Naruto.

Naruto grit his teeth as he tried to stand up, but conjured rock held his limbs to the ground, "Damn it!"

He glanced at Tenten who was held in place like him. Naruto cursed himself; he'd made a mistake of underestimating these bandits. Now, he would have to pay the consequences. Bobo walked towards Naruto with slow steps, his face showing deep contempt. Ocean blues met with pitch black as both stared at each other.

Bobo cracked his fingers, "You're deadmeat, kid." Killing intent swirled around Bobo as he slowly raised a large stone over his head, "Ya fought hard for a firecracker, but this is where you die."

"Wait, don't kill him!" Tenten cried out.

Bobo raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And why should I?"

"Please, you don't have to do this..." Tenten pleaded with him.

"You're tellin' me to let an enemy go?" Bobo's voice seethed with anger. "The ones who destroyed OUR homeland! We suffered from the hands of you bastards for far too long!"

"You can kill me, but please let her go," Naruto said. He wasn't afraid of death, but he didn't want one of his friends to die with him.

"You don't have the right to ask demands from me!" Bobo screamed. "Now die!"

"NO!" Tenten cried out.

Time slowed down for Naruto as he waited for death to strike him down. Memories flowed through his mind like a movie on replay. The village, his early childhood, Jiraiya, Ursa, Zuko and his friends. All the memories, no matter good or bad, made him to who he was today. But, Naruto's lifetime promise to Pervy Sage. That would be his biggest regret.

'I don't think I'll be able to keep that promise, Pervy Sage,' Naruto thought.

An image of Azula appeared in his mind. The girl who made him the happiest just by being there with him. Naruto always wore a mask to hide his sadness and lonliness, but with her around, he didn't to have to wear it anymore. Sadness filled his heart as he closed his eyes. He was going to leave Azula behind.

Suddenly, azure fire shot forth and knocked Genji away, "Gah!" Genji cried in shock, tumbling to the floor.

The large stone dropped near Naruto's face, and he slowly opened his eyes again. Azula stood before Naruto as she fired more flames towards the rest of the bandits. Her beautiful flames stunned everyone around.

"Azula!" Naruto shouted in shock.

The stones that held Naruto and Tenten down suddenly crumbled, and they quickly stood up. Naruto felt joyful to see Azula again; he thought she would be gone forever.

"I've been gone for a while, and you're already starting trouble, Foxy," Azula smiled.

"Hehe, you're here now, aren't cha?" Naruto scratched his head.

Tenten suddenly walked up to her. "Hey, Azula? Thanks... you know, for saving us and all."

"Thank me later, meatbun," Azula assumed a battle-ready stance. "We got some outlaws that we need to take care of."

The four men of the Northern Wolf Horde grouped together as they prepared for one last assault. The rumblings of earth and the crackling of fire echoed in the air as two sides waited to see who makes the first move.

"Get em!"