A new Avatar for a whole new World.

"People Speaking"

'People's thoughts'

"Jutsu, Tailed Beast, Summoning Speech"

'Tailed beast, Summoning Thoughts'

Hey everybody Sojiro here. I have to say it has been forever for me and I mean that literally. I don't want to go blubbering about life's woes so to keep it short and sweet life tends to kick when you're down, and sometimes that kick hits you right in the gooley's. I have had some hard times and the i-dous kicked in so I hit that proverbial wall, but thanks to a good smack upside the head from a loved one and taking some time to mull about the fanfic world I've come across an idea that I couldn't silence. I have read some damn good crossovers between Naruto and Avatar the last airbender but I figure I'm going to take a shot at this one. Now to cover it right out the gate this might be a harem and I have justification of sorts but it will be small… max 3-4 if that can even be considered a harem. Also I will be covering Korra but I want to get this out there to, haven't really watched that one so I am going to be reading a lot and looking at clips and any advice is welcome. I hope to make this one believable and get my honest thoughts out there. Yes… Naruto will be the Avatar… and that's all your getting for now, how, why, please read and find out. I would also like to take this time to send a shout out to one of my fave writers here NeonZangetsu… dude you're the man and I hope word reaches you. Have read almost all your stuff and got to say I love it all… keep it up boss. So with that time to take the plunge… see you inside guys.

Book One: Earth

Chapter 1

Finding your own path to destiny.

The Bending Countries had been an interesting place to live from the moment the people had discovered they could bend. The people were diverse and challenging, from the staunchest of the Earth-benders, to the ferocious Fire-benders, to the ever fluid Water-benders, and last but not least the peace loving Air Nomads. The lives of these people had been ever changing even before the Great War that saw the destruction of the Air Nomads. The change did finally come with the return of the Avatar… the only bender alive capable of bending all four elements. Avatar Aang was celebrated as a hero with his defeat of Fire Lord Ozai on the day Sozin's comet came. Fire Lord Ozai had planned to wipe away the Earth Kingdom as his Forefather had done the Air Nomads; utilizing the power the comet granted Fire-benders. However Avatar Aang had learned to use the four elements and with his group of trusted allies faced down the Fire Lord and brought the Great War to its end. As it always does time strode onward and soon the boy became a man, and had a family of his own. Aang and his wife Katara raised a wonderful family, but as it is said that the elements balance each other; the world has its own way of finding balance. Eventually as the Nations began to prosper and progress so too did our young hero's life…until his end finally came. And so to again was the Avatar reborn, in the young woman named Korra. Korra was a brave and often times brash young woman, born of the southern water tribe. She too like Aang found many friends and had many adventures. Many foes fell before Korra; Amon, Zaheer, the Triple Threat Triad, and a woman named Kuvira. But many do not know that the unthinkable happened to our young heroin, and fewer ever spoke of it when they learned. It has been said by many that if the Avatar was killed in the Avatar state a point of which all the previous lives of the Avatar are connected at once, that the cycle would end and the Avatar would cease to exist. True to this fashion Korra in a desperate battle with an enemy she herself could not fathom from another world altogether, was defeated and slain. But the spirits were kind that day…

Korra could feel herself falling helplessly away from everything she knew; everything she loved. It was almost as if she was falling asleep, but she somehow knew that when her eyes closed this time, they would never open again.

'So this is how it ends huh' she thought bitterly to herself as the darkness of the void began to consume her.

It was at this moment that Korra believed all was lost that something miraculous happened; the darkness was suddenly gone replaced by an otherworldly light. Images began flashing before our young heroin's eyes, a mountain with carved faces on it, and an orange masked man. So many things were bombarding her at once she thought she'd get lost in it. Again and again images bombarded her, a world on fire, so many dead, and strangely a boy with hair almost the color of the shining sun at the end filling her with the belief that things could change…but the young boy was huddled crying to himself.

'He's all alone, isn't he' she thought staring at the fading boys back.

Korra realized that she could change it but she didn't know how or why she felt as though she were looking at herself right then; she had never really been alone like that in her whole life.

'What would you say if I told you that you change those visions, and give yourself peace young Avatar?' a voice questioned her in the brightness of the light.

Korra recoiled as though she'd been struck, and slapped both of her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming at the top of her lungs. Taking a moment to collect herself she gathered her thoughts and let out the first question on her mind.

'WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE WE?' she screamed into the bright light only to realize then and there that she wasn't really speaking but thinking.

A sudden warmth flooded Korra and it left her with the felling as though she were being hugged by all those she loved and held most dear in her heart, it was so overwhelming she began to cry. The warmth began to recede ever so slowly just to give her room to breathe and then she heard it again.

'My dear child do not cry, this is not a moment to be consumed by grief. I am here to tell you that it is not yet over for you and that you can still see the ones you love again. But know that with this comes a price… the visions you have seen must be stopped. I will give you the chance to be with those you love again and even some others… for that child you saw is the key to everything. You're feeling of oneness with that young one stems from whether or not you accept my offer'

Korra idly thought about the voice and its offer and came to the honest conclusion, that she didn't care what happened so long as she got to see her loved ones again.

'I'll do it whatever it is I'll do it just tell me when I get to see everyone again and what I got to do, I'm the Avatar so it's my job to make sure none of that stuff that I saw happens anyway.' She responded to the voice confidently.

'Part of your statement remains true, you should do everything you can to stop the catastrophe that will befall this world by any mean's necessary. And I suppose in a sense you are still the Avatar, but know that this isn't really just about you anymore. I wish you luck young Korra and do take care of young Naruto for me okay… after all he's the first Avatar of his world…he. He.'

'Wait. What? First Avatar of his world? WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY?' She shouted out to the voice as she felt the warmth beginning to ebb away as she was again immersed with the sense of falling. As the short amount of time went by and she passed back into the void to only find that she could now see a light at the end of the dark tunnel she could only ask herself one question, 'What the hell kind of name is Naruto?'

Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze was for all intents and purposes supposed to be one of the happiest kids in the world. His Father was renowned as the famous Yellow Flash of the Hidden Leaf Village and was considered the greatest Kage to have lived from any of the known shinobi villages in the Elemental Nations. His mother was considered the only living pure blood Uzumaki to still be living, and was also renowned as a fierce warrior with a blade and the sealing arts. Last but not least Naruto was considered blessed to have a wonderful sister in Mito the spitting image of their mother but with the added addition of three whisker-like birthmarks on each of her cheeks. But all of these things were irrelevant as far our young hero was concerned because as it always is, there is more to this family than meets the eye. Naruto at the right old age of five was keenly aware of many things the biggest being, his Dad and Mom are great shinobi, and his sister is going to be a great shinobi. But that destiny was not for him as fate would have it. The day that Naruto and Mito were born was not just a day of joy but one of horror and strife for the Hidden leaf Village. Kushina Uzumaki their mother had been burdened with something few knew of… she was the Jinchuriki of the Nine Tailed Fox spirit Kurama. Kushina was in the process of giving birth when it was not only realized that she was having twins but that the group in the birthing center was attacked by a masked assailant. Through quick thinking Minato was able to get both of his children to safety, but then quickly had to leave to ensure the safety of his wife. After an intense battle with the Masked Man Minato was forced to teleport his two children to himself and try to seal the released Nine Tails into one of his children.

"Minato…please… just re-seal the Nine Tails back inside of me. Don't do this to our daughter." Kushina pleaded

"I'm sorry Kushina but you know I have to do this. You won't survive the process and Naruto…it can't be him and you know that." Minato said outright with a deep amount of regret and pain.

As Minato began the process to start the sealing the retired Third-Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi came upon the scene with a squad of Anbu black ops; and told Minato that he would do the sealing in his place to spare Kushina from having to be a single parent, and have his children grow up without their fathers love. Hiruzen Sarutobi died that day but in turn many a things were changed and he was remembered as a hero to all his people. Hiruzen's sacrifice gave the Namikaze family a chance to be whole, something that in another life wouldn't have happened. Yet still even with that the truth is destiny is a funny thing, and as mentioned before being a ninja just wasn't in our young hero's future. By the time the children were two they were both already speaking and walking, and it was at this time that it became clear that Mito was a prodigy destined for great things as a shinobi…and Naruto was not. Naruto suffered from something that was almost unheard of among children born from family's with a strong lineage among shinobi, his chakra coils hadn't developed. It was diagnosed the moment he was born but had finally been confirmed for it is between the ages of two and three that a spike is seen in an individual's chakra that's show's their development. For all intense and purposes Naruto had been labeled barren where his chakra network was concerned. A few years went by and the Hidden Leaf Village had prospered as it always had, trade was good and it was a time of peace for the village… or so it seemed. The years slowly rolled on to come to the present, where we find our young hero sitting at home in the Hokage estate. The estate itself was considered quite beautiful with a lush garden and plenty of space, it took up about three quarters the space the Hyuga estates did. (Which in actual distance let's say eight city blocks just to put it out there.) At five years old Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze was brighter than most, and a deal great more mature than any his age. Naruto stood at about three feet four inches tall, with a relatively lean build that many would say bordered on the malnourished. His blonde spiky hair was a bit untamed and was already at the point of being long enough that he could emulate his father and tie off a portion at the back. He could be seen wearing a light green hoodie, a light brown pair of cargo pants, and a pair of black shinobi style sandals on his feet. Unlike his sister Naruto did not have the three whisker-like birthmarks on his cheeks, and his face was more angular like their fathers, though he shared his skin tone with his mother with it being more of a cream color. If you were to look at our hero's face as he sat in the rocking chair on the back porch of the estate many would realize that his face was one reflecting loneliness and discomfort, his once bright cerulean blue eyes dimmer than they had been only a few years ago. Naruto sat knowing that today would be another one of those days, just like every other birthday had been for him that he could remember.

(A/N: I'm saying it that way because Naruto is quite cognizant of what's going on around him; it almost as if he were a 10 year old trapped in a 5 year olds body. So while he's no Einstein per say he is very smart and mature for his age group.)

Naruto sat under the awning of the porch taking in the evening smells of the leaf village perusing over a scroll detailing a map of the nations. Our young hero was always one to take in any information he could and was always found here, or atop the Hokage monument studying something or the rather. At the age of four his parents had already begun training his sister in the use of chakra and had begun to distance themselves from him. Minato was already busy with his work as the Hokage, and it seemed difficult for Kushina to train one child and keep the other occupied. Naruto was a smart boy, and immediately knew the reason for his parent's distance, his inability to utilize chakra. He had gone too them two days ago asking for training in even the more rudimentary skills a shinobi needs like stealth, information gathering, or even taijutsu so that he could start to at least interact with the other children when they would come over to visit. Both of his parents had looked at him at the dinner table with almost a disappointed look and given him the same answer they always had.

"I'm sorry Naruto but your sister needs our help, she has a lot that is expected of her and it's our job to make sure she can live up to those expectations." Both of his parents would say.

For Naruto though it was more than the fact that they wouldn't train him or even recognize that he wanted to try, it was the fact that when it came to everything else Mito was still the center of attention; almost as though he wasn't there at all. Everywhere they would go it was all about her, from what they ate to where they shopped, and even on their shared birthday like today Mito was the one everyone saw… but not him. When their birthday celebration would go off most of the clan heads and their children would attend along with the village elders Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and even some of the civilian council. Today was the children's fifth birthday and the party was in full swing, almost everyone was having a great time. Naruto walked by the big brown table laid out in the backyard that was covered with food, cake, and gifts. Upon closer inspection he noticed to his own shock and sadness that it was worse from last year, that while there were still a few gifts with his name on it most of them were addressed to Mito.

Naruto stayed at the party for as long as he could until the singing started, and he realized everyone that was singing was saying "Mito" and not even including him. In true ninja like fashion, which he found ironic, he slipped away from the party with only a few people noticing. Mikoto Uchiha, her son Itachi, and young daughter Satsumi, were among some of the only people to notice of young friends exit from the party; and upon realizing her best friend had let her own son go unnoticed at his own birthday Mikoto planned to speak to Kushina as soon as the festivities were over.

Moments later on the way up the hill to the top of the Hokage Monument, we could find our hero walking with his hands stuffed in his front pockets of his hoodie silent tears rolling down his face.

'Why doesn't anyone see me…it's not my fault I can't use chakra. It's not fair. WHY? WHY doesn't anyone SEE ME?' he raged inside his mind trying to make sense of it all.

The tears continued to roll down his face and he finally decided to try and pull himself together wiping the tears away on the back of one of his sleeves, but unbeknownst to Naruto he was being watched … and wasn't by shinobi.

'He looks so sad… it's wrong what they've done. How could they possibly call themselves parents!?' One voice raged out.

'He could have had a father like mine… Agni for small miracles I guess' another voice intoned.

'So this is why we're here… I feel for the boy, but I still don't understand why you brought me here' one voice said while pointedly addressing the one who had gathered the others.

'Look all of us have a part to play here I'm going to do what I have too, then it's up to each of us in order to teach him what he needs so he can survive this place.' The leader of the consciousness's finally spoke revealing young Avatar Korra.

'Hey look I get it okay he's got it rough, but most of us have and it seems like this place is just like our world. I think that once you unlock his power I should take over his training first, after all I managed yours and twinkle toes and you two turned out great.' One of the voices stated, revealing a young woman in her early twenties in a strange metal suit of armor with dark hair and pale green eyes distinguishing that she's blind.

'Personally I think me, you, and Aang should take over for the first while. Ill teach him stealth, weapons, and espionage while you two can work on his bending and keeping him in control. No offense Korra but the boy might respond to a father figure first.' One voice stated as the void peeled back to reveal a young Fire Lord Zuko about five years after his coronation as the fire lord.

'I'm a little miffed you don't think I can handle this, but in retrospect he is going to have you and Toph so maybe Aang would be the better choice for now. Please make sure he does know that I'll be showing up and what's going on until then okay?' Korra asked of the young fie lord and chief of police.

'Don't you worry Korra…We'll take good care of him and I'll be there to keep these two in line so he doesn't have that difficult a time.' Said another voice as the void peeled back again to reveal a young woman wearing traditional southern water tribe robes, with long flowing black hair, light brown skin, and beautiful light blue eyes.

'Okay Katara I trust you, hey and tell the kid I said hello.' Korra said before she was enveloped in a bright white light that consumed her body.

As the light faded it soon revealed a new person. This man was around five foot eleven with white skin, brown eyes, a shaven head, a small goatee, and blue arrow marking tattoos on his head and hands that were visible. The man was clad in an orange and yellow set of flowing robes reminiscent of what a monk of the fire temple would wear here in the Elemental Countries, and he carried a long wooden staff in his right hand.

'It's been too long everyone… I've missed you all.' The young airbender spoke to his compatriots as he approached them and the four quickly exchanged embraces.

After sharing that moment with his fellow benders and looking around to get a lay for where they were at the young Avatar set his eyes upon the boy who would bring balance to the world and Aang's once smiling visage of turned to one of sadness and slight anger. As they stood behind the boy on the monument waiting to reveal themselves, Aang could only begin to express his discomfort about all of the things that were going to and needed to happen.

'It's not fair… this boy he's even younger than I was when I found out, and what's worse is there are so many people around him and yet he's still alone.' The previous Avatar stated with no little amount of regret and sorrow for the young blonde only a few feet from him and his friends of old.

'Hey look at it this way twinkle-toes, he won't be alone for much longer now, what we need to be concerned about is where in the name of the badger moles is Sokka?' Toph questioned earning grins from Katara and Zuko, but a look of exasperation from Aang.

'Again…Toph…were not kids anymore can't you just call me by my name? And that is a great point I thought Sokka would be here.' Our bald friend stated as he turned to face the first Metal-bender.

'It's okay hunny, Sokka's actually getting a better lay of the city and what we're dealing with. I don't know if you know what Korra was planning but the first thing was to get Naruto out of here as fast as possible.' Katara stated while slipping an arm around her husband.

'Here's hoping he wants to leave otherwise training him is going to be a hell of a chore' Zuko said as he unsheathed his dual Dao swords to inspect them.

'I don't think him leaving is going to be the problem, what I'm concerned about is getting him up to snuff. You did hear what the plan was right, we have to literally get this kid to master all four elements plus the sub skills by the time he's seventeen. Now I know I can teach him but how fast he learns is up to him, not to mention were going to need money for him. I mean I know were technically back and all but he's the only one who can see us, I'm wondering if we can even interact with anything or anyone else at all.' Toph stated while taking a seat on the floor crossing her legs into a meditative position.

'Don't you worry about that, I'll make sure he's capable of getting some stuff on the way out of here remember were dividing his training time between me and you. Besides he's getting his gifts from me right now so we can get him outta here and he has a decent cover for later.' Zuko stated as he pulled out a second pair of Dao swords, a small dagger, a bow with a quiver stocked with arrows, and strangely enough a blue and white mask in the visage of a demon.

'If you guys are ready… its time.' Aang stated as he concentrated and took hold of his once faded but renewed energy. A white light began to envelope them and the last thing that could be heard from the group as they began to re-form in the world was just a little interesting.

'I hope Sokka isn't still flying right now…' Toph stated with a lopsided grin.

Naruto sat quite content to probably just fall asleep on top of the Hokage monument as he had many times before. A cool breeze swept passed him and he couldn't help but inhale a big gulp of the fall air passing through the area. Not soon after the breeze passed him he noticed something… a strange warmth accompanied by a small white light behind him chasing away what darkness was approaching as the sun set in front of him. Turning around wondering what to expect Naruto was not expecting four individual's dressed in four different ranges of clothing he had never seen before to be standing behind him atop the monument. At first Naruto started to panic but then began to take in the people in front of him.

The one man was in what appeared to be a light king of armor coated in red, gold, and black, with a pair of swords strapped to his back and what appeared to be a dagger hanging on his lower back. From what Naruto could tell his skin color was almost as light if not a little lighter than his own. The man had dark hair that seemed to hang down from a top knot done up at the back of his head down to his shoulders. The most distinguishing mark about the man though was that while one eye he could tell was a bright amber color the other half of his face was scarred as though he had been burned.

The second to his left was a woman with black hair done up in a bob that still seemed to hand slightly messy in her face. She had a very light skin tone and if Naruto's eyes deceived him he swore that her eyes were a light green but looked unfocused and reminded him of a man he had seen wandering the slum side of east end in the village, the man had been blind since birth leading him to believe that this woman was also blind. The woman's state of dress also confused him as it was that she was clad in what he could only describe as a set of armor. The armor was a jet black color consisting of small shoulder pauldrons, a pair of vambraces, a chest piece, and a set of greaves, but coincidently she wore no shoes which again confused the young blond.

The third person was again a woman and she was wearing the strangest get up out of all of them as it seemed to be made of fur. It was a mix of the colors light blue, dark blue, and white, and seemed to have a hood. The best it could be described to him was a short sleeved vest, which had a dark brown belt wrapped around the waist. She was wearing a long dark blue skirt and it looked as though she had long dark blue pants on underneath the skirt. She also had on a pair of dark brown boots and had medical tape wrapped around her forearms all the way up to a little bit below the elbow. The woman had a lighter brown skin tone and had long dark hair that seemed to hang past her shoulders with two little loopies framing the front of her face winding around to the back of her hair. She had a very lean looking face and upon seeing her eyes realized that their eyes were almost the same color, and when she noticed him looking at her she gave him a kind smile that reminded him of when he was young and his mother would look at him.

The fourth man was the plainest looking of them all. He was a relatively tall man and was shaved bald with a small goatee on his chin, dark brown eyes, and seemed to have tattoos on his head and hands that were blue and resembled arrows that seemed to disappear under his clothing. The man wore what looked like red, orange and yellow robes, with brown shoes and he carried a strange brown staff that was bigger on each opposite end. Upon finishing his inspection of the four people the bald man began to approach him, and it was at that point that Naruto began to feel a little bit of fear and started to back up to the edge of the monument. Aang immediately knowing what was going on stopped and put up both hands in a placating gesture.

"Please, we mean you no harm Naruto. We just want to talk to you." Aang said in what he had deemed his fatherly voice for when he and Katara had had their children.

"How do you know my name? Who are you people?" Naruto question as he ceased his retreat to regard the stranger with curiosity.

"I know that this will seem strange, but we're here to help you. I know that you don't know us but I'm hoping you will hear us out.' Aang said as he took a lotus sitting position on the ground and gestured for Naruto to come closer and join him.

Naruto still being a child and being as smart as he was did still have a natural curiosity and decided that it couldn't hurt to listen to the man. He slowly stepped away from the edge and came closer as four sets of eyes followed his as he took a seat to Aang's right about three feet from him.

"So…" The boy gestured with his hand waving it at the four individuals reminding Aang that he had asked a question earlier.

Aang having been trying to decide how to go about starting this conversation realized the boy had addressed him, and began to sheepishly rub the back of his head with a small grin on his face reminiscent of his youth.

"Well this is going to be a long story and it's going to be really hard to believe but I'm hoping you will keep an open mind and let me…" Aang started to say but then was quickly interrupted by his future self.

"Look… I don't know who you are or what that light was, but since that's how you got here let's just figure I'm going to believe what you have to say because as far as I knew my father is the only one with that ability. Truth be told I also don't really have a lot of time to just sit here it is getting late so can we move this along?" the boy questioned all the while having a very no-nonsense tone of voice and a blank expression on his face.

With that being said the four newcomers all had their own thought's…

'Well… he's certainly…direct'

'I think I'm gonna like this kid'

'Poor thing… what did they do to make you this way'

'All things considered this isn't as bad as I thought he'd be, he could have been like Azula at that age'

After a few moments of silence Aang then straightened himself out by a fraction and put on his business face. He began at the beginning and gave the short version of his life and what it meant to be the Avatar. He introduced his friends and they in turn gave their own introductions, which he seemed to be taking it all in stride his face not once even shifting. After that was through Aang explained what they were told and how they there, and by the end the boy still hadn't moved.

"MmKay, so let me get this straight. You guys are from another world kinda like this one but also not, baldy here is basically a super hero, and you guys plus a bunch of others I haven't even met yet are here to help me leave the village; an all in case and purpose loser with no talent whatsoever, learn to do what you guys do and save the world? Does that pretty much sum it up?" The boy asked with a monotone voice.

"Well when you say it like that…" Aang said while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah that'll happen… right about when I wake up in a world where my parents and sibling actually remember I exist and I can use chakra…. This is gonna happen never. Night crazies!" the boy stated with obvious sarcasm and feigned happiness at the end.

"Oh for the love of Pete we Ain't got time for this!" Toph shouted and then proceeded to bend the earth the boy was standing on and send him careening into the air screaming like a loon.

"Toph what did you do, he's never gonna trust us now!" Katara started to berate the earth bender as the slab of rock began to descend back to the mountain side.

A few feet from the ground Aang use his air-bending to jump up and catch the boy and then landed light as a feather on the mountain again and set the boy down, all the while Naruto's eyes were bugged out of his head and his hoodie was now half hanging off of him from the sudden drop back down to earth. The group continued to stare at him waiting for signs of life while Katara continued to list off reasons why Toph hadn't changed a bit since they were young, until finally the comatose boy came back to life.

Naruto's expressionless face suddenly turned to one of joy and yet he had tears running down his face. Katara whirled on Toph and was about to scold her blind earth-bending friend some more when the boy lunged and latched onto said earth-bender, in a surprisingly back creaking hug. Toph eyes actually got a little bigger and she awkwardly began to pat the blondes head saying that it was okay, when Katara finally came over and helped disconnect the boy from her only to have him then latch onto her in a hug still quietly sobbing. When he finally calmed down he pulled his face from Katara's shoulder wiped his face with his sleeve, and put on the biggest grin he ever had in his short life. He proceeded to look at each of them and uttered a single sentence.

"When are we getting outta here?" The boy asked as he flashed a grin at them.

Aang then got down to eye level with Naruto and finished his explanation. He explained that he was going to use Energy-bending on him to open his ability to bend, but that after he did so he would only see himself or the other Avatars or the other spirits while in the spirit world.

He began to explain that Naruto being the first Avatar of this world could physically pass in and out of the spirit world and that when Korra was given the deal to help him and let him become the world's first Avatar, while the spirits of their friends could also help only two spirits could remain out at a time and that didn't include his fellow Avatar's. The bonus to this is that even though he would only have two teachers at a time he was the only one who could interact with them. Naruto was immediately saddened about this seeing as the few people who had come to help him had to split up, but it was at this point that Aang gave him his first lesson about being the Avatar.

"Naruto, I know things are hard right now and that life hasn't really been fair to you. But you need to understand that since you're the Avatar your never really alone, all of us are connected to you. The Avatar is the bridge between the physical world and the spirit world, and as I was once told I'm going to tell you now that everything is connected. The things that most people think separate us really aren't there, much like the separation of the four elements for you. Just because we as a people may be from different places or believe different things doesn't mean that we aren't connected, because in the end the people of the earth are one people always united whether they believe it or not." Aang said while placing his hands on Naruto's shoulders so that he could look the boy straight in the eye.

Looking at what he now understood as one of his predecessors Naruto could only just barely wrap his head around the wisdom his monk friend was trying to pass onto him. But deep down something clicked that day and it would stick with the boy forever, it was his job to save people, to unite them, to bring about great change.

"I'll do my best sensei, I promise you. I'll be remembered as the person who saved this world and before my time as the Avatar is over we'll know that things have changed for the better." Naruto said as he looked his predecessor in the eye.

All four of his companions could only smile then, knowing in their hearts that things would get better for this boy, and that while it would be a labor it would be worth it. As they were finishing up a man that looked much like Katara joined them at the top of the Hokage Monument as the sun was finally ebbing away. The wan wore what would be considered a modernized suit version of his peoples clothing, same color scheme as Katara's. It was revealed to Naruto that this was Sokka Katara's older brother and that he had been granted form for a while and took that time to borrow some supplies for the new son to be Avatar. He handed Naruto a ruck sack which had a few apples, a map of the nations, a pack of flint rocks, two spare changes of clothes, and underneath it all was a large wadded up amount of Ryo notes. (A/N: To make it simple as I'm sure I did for my other story 1 Ryo is the same as one USD to be simple and safe)

As soon as Sokka handed the pack to Naruto, Zuko stepped forward and offered him the gifts he had brought for him. Zuko explained that he and Toph were going to take the first while to train him and what they would both train him in. At the prospect of learning not just Earth-bending but Metal-bending when he was ready and all the arts Zuko promised, Naruto realized that in time he'd be his own brand of shinobi. The thought actually made him a bit giddy but then it reminded him of ho his parents looked at him, and it was then he made a solemn vow.

Taking the dagger Zuko had given him he quickly slit his thumb much to everyone else's shock and then clenched his hand a few times, and allowed his blood to gather in the palm of his hand.

"I swear by my blood that I'll walk my own path, I'll never quit, I'll never run away, and I'll never turn my back on the people who need me!" the boy declared with conviction. It was in that moment that the others knew…

'He's gonna do it!'

After the gifts and supplies had been given and Toph made cover for Naruto to change into his all black outfit (Zuko's old outfit when he wears the Blue Spirit mask), Naruto gave Aang, Katara, and even Sokka hugs and thanked them and promised not to let them down. Sokka and Katara began to fade back into the white light that had brought them and they promised that they would see Naruto again soon. As the light had almost fully enclosed around them both they heard Sokka mumble something…

"Please don't let me wind up falling two stories again okay universe…" Sokka said with a small bit of fear in his voice.

The last of the group gathered up and it was Toph and Zuko that first turned into orbs of light and crashed into Naruto. When he asked Aang what happened he heard the other two tell him that when it was time to train they would come back out, but that for the moment they would reside inside of him so that they could guide him mentally. Finally it had come to the moment that Naruto most dreaded; he still believed he would be alone again. Aang again took a knee and place d a hand on the blondes shoulder, and look him square in the face.

"Remember you don't have to be afraid, our first meditation will be in a few days when you get to settle down somewhere to train. After that someone will always be by your side to help you. I know that you're scared, but I want you to remember that no matter what happens there is always hope." Aang said as he brought the boy in for a brief hug.

Aang then stood back up and spread his feet shoulder width apart. He took his hands and placed one on Naruto's forehead, and the other at the center of his chest. Aang's eyes and tattoos began to glow as he briefly entered the Avatar state, and as quickly as he did this Naruto's head snapped up and his eyes took on the same otherworldly white light as his bending was unlocked. As the light began to fade away and Naruto could see again he could see Aang slowly disappearing turning into the same white light and the boy found himself overcome with emotion, as tears threatened to fall from his eyes again.

"Don't be gone for too long okay baldy…" the boy said wiping vestiges of tears from his face.

"I will always be with you Naruto, and I believe in you… we all do." Aang said with a smile on his face as the last of his essence transferred into the energy that made up the Avatar state.

The boy slowly gathered his thoughts as the light began to fade and then did a quick double check of all his supplies. He had all of his clothes, all of the Ryo notes, his dagger, his Blue Spirit mask, and everything else that had been given to him by his new friends. He had no idea what was in store for him now and wasn't sure how it would turn out, but if he was honest with anyone he was excited. He knew he was gonna change the world, and that today would be the start of his journey. Naruto quickly turned around and bolted as fast as he could down the stairs that had brought him to the top of the mountain, quickly descending all 700 steps it took to reach the top. Naruto quickly ran in a full out sprint down the main thoroughfare straight for the main gate that lead into the village. It took Naruto fifteen minutes to reach the main gate to find the gate guards asleep; observing this Naruto took no chances and tiptoed passed the napping guards. After passing through the gate Naruto quickly looked up and saw the full moon illuminating the road ahead away from the village, and then began to run again without so much as a glance back.

'So I know its dumb to ask now but its night time, and I figure I have to head to Tanigakure and that's miles from here so how am I gonna make it before anyone realizes I'm gone… if they do they'll send people after me to bring me back guys.' Naruto said to his current head guests.

'Let twinkle toes worry about that one Goldie locks, we'll be outta here in a jiff' Toph said to her new friend.

As if on cue Naruto felt a strange sensation and could fell a third consciousness pushing on his head and let it in. In that moment Naruto felt an indescribable amount of power flood through him. Aang unlocking his bending had made him feel different without a doubt… but THIS… he couldn't even speak.

'Relax Naruto; I won't let anything happen to you. Just let me take control for a while and when you wake up we'll be where we need too, I promise.' Aang said to his reincarnation.

Naruto allowed himself to look back once at the gate and walls of the village in which he was born…

'If I come back and that's a big if… things are gonna be different, believe it!' the boy said mostly to himself.

As the power of the Avatar state took hold over Naruto's body the energy in the air spiked to peak level's, and after it settled with a loud grunt of effort Aang took control of Naruto's body and began to earth skate away from the village ripping up the main road as he went. They started out at about a sprinting pace but slowly as the moments passed the tree's started to blur by one by one as they increased their speed, and then finally with one final grunt of effort our young Avatar and his spirit companions took off down the left fork in the road headed for parts anew for all.

Back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves…

The party was now coming to a close and half of the guests had left, and young Mito was looking around curiously. The spitting image of her mother with just the added birthmark like whiskers on her face, turned her light purple colored eyes over every inch of the party goers that were left and found herself confused. Where had her big brother gone, where was he, he had been here just a moment ago right? She quickly turned and her bright yellow sundress fluttered as she spun to turn and quickly jogged up to her mother and father.

"Mommy, Daddy, where's Naruto? I wanted to show him my new bear Jiraiya gave me." She said with a big smile on her face.

It was at that moment that Minato and Kushina both seemed stumped and they began looking around for their son. He would usually be right here next to them albeit a little ways back, when had he left. They both began to subtly call out for their son only to get nothing, the boy didn't come running up not even an "I'm right here" as if he'd been hiding right under their noses for some time. It was at this point that Kushina began to panic a bit and turned to her friend Mikoto to ask her if she'd seen him.

"Mikoto have you…" Kushina started to say only to have a hand thrust up and cease her speaking.

The Raven Haired beauty had a look of disappointment on her face and was giving her friend a stern glare. Kushina had very rarely seen her best friend like this, and it was beginning to worry her.

"Before you ask you should know that you outta be ashamed of yourself Kushina, I'm surprised at you… how could you just completely overlook your son on his birthday. You of all people I never expected this from, you who always talk about family being first. Where was that person today, you were more than happy to fawn over Mito but what about your son? Hmm? Oh I know he left just like he did the past two years, and that's saying something considering he was only three and four those other times. Kushina I'm disappointed with you. I expect you to find him and make amends you and Minato's behavior is inexcusable." Mikoto said all the while at each point poking her best friend square in the chest.

Kushina immediately told Minato and he summoned the Anbu Black Ops. His last surviving student Kakashi summoned his ninja hounds to aid, and his group split off in two different directions. The Anbu began searching the village while Kakashi and his ninken began searching between the Hokage Monument and then wound up meeting up with the Hokage and his wife and heading back to the village's main gate. Upon arriving at the main gate he informed his teacher of the situation….

"Sensei… the trail ends here, there's something off about Naruto's scent here. It shouldn't just stop… I can't explain it." Kakashi said with a deep amount of regret in his voice, feeling that he had failed his father figure and Naruto someone who could have wound up being a little brother to him.

At this Minato put together a squad a prepared them for the next morning, where he would have them scatter to search the surrounding area for his missing son. He and Kushina didn't sleep that night and were both left wondering…where was their son? Where was Naruto?

250 miles west of The Village Hidden in the leaves…

If one were to look down from the sky they would see a rolling dust cloud heading off west at an incredible speed, and if one were to actually peer into said dust cloud they would see a young blonde haired child riding the ground as if it were a surfboard, and if one were to really pay attention… they would see his shining white eyes and his bright smile as he earth skated off into the wide world.

End Chapter One.