Awoken: Final Part

Zabuza's eyes shot wide open as a lush forest greeted him. Memories of his last battle came back to him, and Zabuza felt his anger boiling. That blonde brat. He had severely underestimated that kid and completely paid the price for it. That kid's power was unlike anything he had ever seen before; it was pure chi manipulation at its core.

Zabuza tried to sit up, but the pain made it impossible to do so. Letting out an annoyed groan, Zabuza plopped onto the floor again. He was not happy about this at all.

"It's good to see that you are awake, Zabuza," The bushes rustled as Haku revealed himself from the thick of the forest. Zabuza shuffled himself against the ground to get a better look at Haku.

"Ah, please don't move around too much. You might reopen that wound," In his hands was a woven basket filled with medicinal herbs. His mask was no where to be seen to hide his beautiful face. Haku sat on his knees beside Zabuza and set aside the basket. He dragged a stone grinder closer to him that was laid across not too far away.

"You saved me," Zabuza slowly said. The only thing he remembered was being plunged into the river before passing out.

"I did what I must," Haku replied with a small smile. He toss the medicinal herbs into the grinder and began to mix them into paste. Clashes of stone echoed in the quiet forest as Haku worked diligently to concoct a herbal treatment for Zabuza's wound.

"It seems that the boy with whiskers had a few tricks hidden up his sleeve," Haku frowned. He assumed that Zabuza had everything under his control, so that's why he had remained hidden. However, that spiraling vortex of pure chi had completely caught him off guard. If he had sensed it earlier, perhaps Zabuza wouldn't have ended up like this. Haku felt ashamed of himself for allowing this to happen.

"That brat... I could have ended things when I had the chance."

"What do you suppose we do now?" Haku suddenly asked.

Zabuza looked away from Haku, turning his attention to the sky above. He could simply give up here and take up on other bounties, however, Gato's money was too great to leave it as is. His village desperately needed it; his money was large enough to bring prosperity to his people.

"Gato's money's too good to give up now. We'll have to go after them again," Zabuza replied. Another round of pain suddenly course through him, and he winced. "Well, after I heal, of course."

Using a wooden spoon, Haku scooped up the herbal paste and dropped it onto a tiny plate, "I'll be removing your bandages now."

Zabuza merely nodded his head. Haku supported him by the shoulders and slowly held him up.

"Agh! God damn it, can you do it a little more carefully?" Zabuza complained.

"My apologies, I'll be more careful next time," Haku carefully undo the bloodied bandages around Zabuza, revealing large scabs and red skin.

"This will only hurt a little," Haku scooped up the medicinal paste by hand.

"Just do it alrea- AGGGGGHHHH!" Zabuza's scream echoed throughout the forest.

*****

"The heck was that?" Naruto looked at the forest with his head wrapped with utter confusion. Was he hearing things or was his mind playing tricks on him? Eh, whatever, must have been a boar or something.

"Naruto, are you even paying attention?" Azula grimaced at him.

She sat directly across from Naruto under a tree in a lotus position. Azula had brought him to this secluded area for her own training. He was going to be an important role for what she needed to achieve.

"Of course I am!" Naruto replied.

"Then what was I talking about then?"

"Uh... how much awesome of a girl you are?"

Azula facepalmed herself, "Why do I even put up with you? But, that is true, though."

"So, what were you sayin' again?" Naruto asked.

"I need you to help me to attain my Spiritual Fire," Azula was finally ready for this. She held it off due to fear, but now, she was willing to take it on. However, Azula wanted Naruto to be there for her just in case anything happens to go awry.

"Your spiritual what now?" Naruto raised an eyebrow. What the heck was she talking about? Is that some new religious scam Azula had gotten herself into while he was unconscious?

"How do I explain this in a way your small brain could understand?" Azula rubbed her chin thought. "I guess I'll start from the beginning..."

Azula retold her story; the time she fell into an ancient ruins to the moment she met Yoona. Her story detailed and vivid, leaving Naruto in awe as Azula finally finished.

Naruto drew closer to Azula with squinted eyes, "So, you're telling me that ya fell in a hole and stumbled upon an ancient ghost?"

"Mhmm."

"And she gave ya some sort of knowledge about Spiritual Fire?"

Azula sighed. She knew it all sounded so out-of-touch with reality, but she didn't know how to explain it to him in a 'normal' way. Hell, she wouldn't even believe it herself if someone else experience it.

"I know it sounds like something out of a Xianxia novel, but I can assure you that it was all real."

"I believe you."

Azula deadpanned at him; she knew that Naruto was obviously lying, "You don't believe me, do you?"

Was he really that easy to read? Naruto chuckled nervously, "Okay, maybe you might be going a little bit crazy. Just a teensy-weensy bit." He pinched his fingers together to emphasize his point.

Azula suddenly tackled Naruto onto the ground and shook him wildly, "Damn it, Foxy, why don't you just believe me!"

Naruto could already feel his head spinning with dizziness. This was going to be all a long day for him.

*****

How many times had this young man been trying to capture him? Iroh had already lost count. Currently, Iroh had the young man tied up against a wooden pole. He did not look older than fourteen if Iroh had to guess his age.

Iroh wasn't the one to judge, but the child have some incredibly bushy eyebrows. And his hair... Iroh would have mistaken it for a regular bowl to eat from. In a sense, he looked like a comical character. However, the boy had some amazing tenacity and perseverance, that's for sure. Perhaps, a lot of earth kingdom natives were born this way.

It had been weeks since his old friend, Jiraiya, had recruited Iroh into the Order of the White Lotus, and they had gone their separate ways since then. Each day had been a wild ride for the gentle, old man; Bandits and shinobis all came for him no matter the location. It was like everyone and their mothers had a grudge against him. Iroh knew someone was after him, but he didn't know who. Iroh sighed to himself. He really needed some time to relax these old bones.

"I can't believe I fell for that trap," The boy sighed out.

Iroh set down his teapot and glanced at the depressed boy, "Care for some tea, young man?" Iroh asked.

"Ah... no thank you," The boy politely refused. He wasn't expecting Iroh to be so kind to him. He heard from some acquaintances that this old man was supposed to be some bloodthirsty warlord who only crave flesh and blood. However, the old man in front of him seemed so gentle. Maybe they were all wrong about him.

Iroh poured himself some jasmine tea and happily drunk from it, "Ah~ that really hits the spot. You don't know what you're missing out on."

"I sure am," He replied. "Perhaps, if you untie me, sir..."

Iroh let out a hearty chortle, "You're quite the joker. What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?"

"It's Rock Lee, sir."

"Rock Lee, huh?" Iroh strokes his grey beard thoughtfully. "Can you tell this old man why you are so determined to capture me?"

"Unfortunately, that goes against my contract, mister."

"Well, I happen to know a way to fix that," Iroh

cracked his knuckles and slowly walked towards Rock Lee with calm steps.

Rock Lee let out a nervous gulp as Iroh's plump figure blocked out the sun.

"Wait! Perhaps, we can talk this over some tea?" Rock lee nervously asked.

"Should have taken the offer when I asked."