Back Where? [AVATAR X NARUTO]

07: Red Eyes

ZUKO'S LOST MEMORY

I woke with a thud as my back ached in pain and my head rang like a bell. Once my eyes opened I saw that I was in the middle of a...desert? Just sand all around me. When did I go to the desert? This felt like I was going to the Misty Palms Oasis.

My body felt tinier and I felt shorter. I looked at my arms and legs then grunted in shocked. My body was that of my 14 year old self! The scar  on my left eye was still sadly there. My hair wasn't in the ponytail it was...it was down and bangs covered my forehead. My clothes didn't change that much, I wasn't wearing armor or a helmet was the only thing.

Anyways, I walked and trudged for who know how long while slowly becoming deprived of water. I swallowed dryly but continued walking in the bitter heat. My boots slowly got filled with sand to the brim to the point that I didn't care.

My shaggy hair blew loosely in the wind with sand getting in between strands. My lips became dryer as my throat got more parched having a thrust for water.

"Too...hot." I mumbled while falling on the desert sand.

My face touched the sand as my sweat coated my face in both grains and moisture. I was tired and hungry and thirsty too. I licked my lips and shakily stood back up, brushing the sand off my face.

"I'll...make it." I assured myself while continuing to walk.

...

Do I see...trees of green? I squinted into the distance as a grin curled on to my face. There was green trees slowly emerging in the distance. All my lost energy suddenly came back with hope.

I touched the tree bark and collapsed next to the mix of sand and grass. I was a sandy mess. But finally, finally...I found the forest.

But then I wondered, where did my crew go? Why didn't they help me? Why am I even in my small puny 14 year old body? Instead I shrugged and calmed my anger by clenching my fists. 'Calm...' I thought while remembering Uncle Iroh's ways of teaching.

I stood up and started walking into the forest hopefully to find water or food. But there was only an infinite amount of leaves and grass. With a groan I squatted next to an oak tree resting underneath it's shade.

It was dark and I just saw the sun set in the desert. So I assumed that the desert was west. Which means I'm going east.

I opened my palm as a little flame was lit and started walking again. There was a chilly breeze but the fire in my palm kept me warm.

While walking I heard the crickets chirping and birds whistling. Uncle always found nature relaxing and a good spot to have tea. It's sounds dumb but I do wish my Uncle was here...to keep me company anyways.

With a grin I look at the stars in the sky feeling relaxed for once. But I didn't know any of the constellations that were in the sky. I must be way out of the Four Nations. I don't know why I'm so calm but I just...am. It felt as if I already been here.

Anyways, I needed to find something to eat, my body feels so weak and frail without food. I could go for some flaming fire flakes right about now, that taste of crunch, sweetness and extra spice. But since I'm not even in the Four Nations I can't get any.

Then I heard...running water! There was a stream somewhere nearby! I instantly started jogging then sprinting as I didn't realize myself crashing into the water.

"Ugh!" I grunted pressing my arms and legs into water, preventing my face and torso from getting soaked.

I stood up with my pants and arms heavily drizzled in water. But then I just cupped my hands together and spooned up giant handfuls of water. Right now I wish I was a water bender so this could be easier for me. My throat wasn't parched and dry anymore so I didn't have to worry about that. But my stomach was grumbling loudly.

"Okay, I wanted to starve anyways." I mumbled to myself with kicking the grass.

"Better make shelter..." I muttered as I started grabbing supplies.

...

Grass, logs, sticks, branches, leaves and a dead rabbit were all in a pile after some time. I can't even keep track of the time since doing all of it took forever.

I groaned and laid down on the grass cracking my bones which were frozen stiff. Then I looked at the pile of wood I made and set in on fire not even making a layer of rocks around it. I took the rabbit and smelled the dead flesh in disgust. As I tied the rabbit to a branch with long grass I set it over the burning fire. Then I pulled some logs to make a tiny shelter. I set the logs against bigger trees then covered the trees in grass. I know this is temporary but I enjoy challenges. I squatted by the fire, warming myself up.

The stars were up brightly in the sky as I stared. The bits of amber sparked from the fire and flew up into the night sky. I looked at the rabbit which was roasting over the fire and quickly took it off.

I touched the burning hot meat not feeling any pain and chewed the meat. What can I say? I'm a firebender, flames don't bother me.

Then...rustle, rustle. There was something or someone amidst in the forest. I stood up and glared.

"Who's there?" I spoke in my  authoritative voice.

The rustling continued as I took my palms and was ready to firebend. I stared my legs apart and stood defensively. Then the rustling stopped. But I felt it...someone was tapping my shoulder. I instantly closed my eyes as I turned around threw a fiery fist.

The voice laughed. "You think you could fight me?".

I glared at the air. "Who are you?!" I exclaimed while clenching my fists.

"You don't recognize the person who brought you here?" The voice taunted.

I gasped and my eyes widened. Then I stood still, frozen. "...why? Why'd you bring me here?".

"Zuko..this is your chance! Your chance for something new! A fresh start...hahaha, I'm just being generous." He laughed with his deep mellow voice.

I gritted my teeth. "Are you insulting me?! Your saying my life is the worst thing you've seen?!" I sneered. "My life is going to turn around once I find--"

"The Avatar?" The voice cut me off. "From what I've seen you do for 2 years...you haven't made any progress," then he showed himself, it was a man with a cloak on. He wore an Orange mask with a swirl. "Just take this chance as a gift."

I was too drawn with his red eye to notice him fading away.
"Goodbye Zuko..." He muttered disappearing in a swirl.

I let out a sigh. "One more thing..." The man appeared infront of my eyes as I gasped. His red eyes had three black magtamas swirling in a circle. I clenched my teeth and felt myself fainting.
"Goodnight and good wishes." He said while my eyes drooped closed.

RO

Then Zuko woke up not knowing where he was but only had the knowledge that he has fire power. That man..burned away all his memories.

I looked at his last part of his memory and so did Inochi. Me and him exchanged scared looks. The red eyes with black magtamas belongs to one clan and only one.

"There's another Uchiha alive...besides Sasuke and his brother." I said as Inochi nodded.

Next time on Back Where?...

"If you really want to apologize go to Ro and ask for forgiveness."