Chapter 7. The Offer
(Nine years ago, Naruto age 7)
Slow and quietly, a jet black limousine rolled into the drop off zone for one of the most prestigious private schools in all of Metropolis. As it came to a halt some of the students walking to the academy stopped and gazed at the vehicle, trying to see who was hidden behind its black tinted windows.
Though what they didn't see was the blond haired assassin in training, who was gazing right back at them. His lifeless sapphire eyes observing the surrounding landscape of the academy. However, as Naruto looked outside in a trance like state. He was suddenly elbowed in the side, forcing his attention to the female to his left.
"What do you want Jade?" The blond asked his fellow assassin in training, while speaking in a bored tone.
"It's not what I want brat, it's what she wants." Jade quickly fired back, as she pointed to the older woman seated across from them. "And for the last time call me Cheshire."
Naruto rolled his eyes and looked to the woman seated across from him. She was an elegant and intimidating woman, with long straight brown hair that fell over her shoulders. Her eyes were a deep chocolate brown that matched her hair precisely. Naruto also noted how she held herself in a posture that screamed both confidence and guilty of having a superiority complex.
Though considering who she was that behavior was expected, as she was the eldest daughter of Ra's al Ghul. Her name was Talia al Ghul and she was the one responsible for overseeing Naruto's first assassination contract. So to play the part she was dressed in a formal business suit that hugged her athletic frame. Her part in this contract was to watch over Naruto and evaluate his performance, while also making sure he didn't mess up the contract.
Though she also had the role of pretending to be Naruto's mother. This was because her father Ra's wanted this contract to be completed in a very specific way. A way that was kept shrouded in mystery from Naruto up to this point. So the blond started to pay close attention as he watched Talia retrieve a small black folder.
"It appears I finally have your attention, so let's discuss the contract." Talia began as she opened the folder and looked at the children across from her. "The League has been approached to kill this woman."
Naruto and Cheshire both watched as Talia flashed a small picture of a women in her late forties.
"Is she a teacher at this school?" Cheshire asked, but Talia shook her head.
"No she is not, this woman is actually apart of the City Council of Metropolis." The daughter of the demon explained in a factual tone.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So why are we here, dressed in these stupid uniforms?" The blond asked, while tugging on his polo shirt that bore the school's logo embroidered on the chest. "And a better question why is Jade-"
"Cheshire." The slightly older assassin in training growled.
"Yeah whatever." Naruto replied with a wave of his hand. "Why is she here if this is my test from Ra's?"
Talia gave the two a small fake smile. "I'm glad you asked." She began while closing the folder shut. "You see this contract needs to be carried out soon, but our client stressed that this can not look like an assassination. So father devised a complex way to kill the woman while also testing your abilities Theaelab."
"Okay I'm listening." Naruto replied, not wanting to be left in suspense.
"See our target is a divorced mother of one, who's daughter attends this academy. You will befriend this girl and receive an opportunity to visit her household. This will test your ability to charm and work your way into situations, a skill that is important for an assassin to know. From there you will kill the woman and daughter, while taking fake evidence that I will fabricate to pin the murders on the ex-husband." Talia explained with a small smirk. "After all it would be believable that a man killed his ex-wife and daughter before taking his own life."
"So I have to kill the ex-husband as well?" Naruto asked in a low voice. He was shaken by the idea of having to kill two people, now there was the chance that the number was being moved to three.
Talia merely shook her head to the side. "No you will only kill the girl and her mother. Cheshire's job is to lure the husband to the house, kill him and then I will plant the evidence. After that the contract will be done and it will look like a divorced man who went over the edge and killed his family. So our employer will be satisfied and we will get payed extra for making it look like no outside force was responsible."
Naruto slightly frowned. "Surly there is a way to kill the contract without harming the daughter and ex-husband. So why must we do it this way?"
"You're right." Talia began in plain voice. "I could easily walk in kill the woman and make it look like she choked to death on her own saliva. However, this is more than a simple contract Theaelab. This is a test for both you and young Cheshire and father wants this done his way. He wants to see if you have what it takes to kill someone, while also testing your abilities to follow complex orders without flaw."
"I understand Lady Talia, how should I approach my target?" Cheshire asked respectively.
"After we drop Theaelab off for school you will find and shadow the ex-husband. You will study his every move and formulate a plan to lure him to his ex-wife's house. Of course you must coordinate with Theaelab, as you must kill the three people together." Talia explained before something outside caught her eye. "Well your target is here Theaelab, so go make a friend. And remember don't disappoint me or my father."
Naruto looked out the window and noticed the woman he was contracted to kill. She was kneeled down and adjusting the hair of a small girl, who he could only assume was the daughter. They appeared so happy and undeserving of the fate that awaited them.
"Why do we have to do this?" Naruto asked in a low voice. "They don't deserve death, can't we just-."
"Silence Theaelab!" Talia shouted loudly while glaring the boy down. "You're an assassin you kill who ever you are payed to kill. You don't ask questions unless they help you complete your contact. So go out there are do as your told!"
Naruto gripped tightly onto the doors of the limousine and bit his lip. He debated on standing up to the woman, declaring what they were doing was wrong. Though he didn't, instead Naruto took a hard swallow and opened the door.
"Yes lady Talia." Naruto mumbled in a low meek voice, while taking a few steps out of the vehicle.
Talia smirked before giving the blond a fake eye smile and friendly laugh. "Have a first good day at school honey!" Talia shouted loudly, as she shifted into her temporary role as his mother.
Naruto gave one more glance to the two women in the vehicle before shutting the door. Then as he watched the limousine drive off he turned his eyes towards his target. Naruto still didn't know if he had what it took to complete this contract. However, as he slowly walked in the direction of the targets daughter the assassin in training knew one thing. He was walking towards a path that he couldn't return from.
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(Present day, Naruto's HQ)
It has been two weeks since Naruto and Raven's first date. Since then the two young teens had went on a few more dates and honestly Naruto was starting to develop serious feelings for the female hero. They currently were not an official couple, but the behaved like one in almost every way possible.
Though when Naruto wasn't busy trying to win over Raven'e affection. His alter ego Theaelab was occupied toppling down the criminal operations within Jump City. Of course this meant Naruto was dropping bodies left and right on a nightly basis.
However, besides spending time with Raven and fighting crime in his manhunt for Mizuki, the latter of whom he still has not found. Naruto had also been spending time training with his partner Shikamaru. They would take turns teaching one another, as Naruto would teach Shikamaru how to hold his own in a fight. While Shikamaru would help Naruto gain a better control over his powers.
Currently today was Shikamaru's turn to help Naruto work on his powers. So that is why the two teens were standing in their base of operations, both looking at a strange machine with different expressions.
Naruto was confused as he looked at the strange machine. It was a large contraption, with dozens of flashing lights and computer screens. It also had a seat and two metal rods sticking out like handlebars on a bike. Honestly, it looked like some half baked machine Shikamaru had tossed together the previous night.
"Alright you got me, what the hell is this thing?" Naruto asked with a small chuckle, while he walked around the machine for further inspection.
Shikamaru placed his hands on the machine and gave the blond a proud smile. "This is a little beauty I cooked up to help you control your powers." The blacked haired teen explained. "Well to control your ability to use lightning not wind. I decided mastering one at a time instead of two would be more effective."
Naruto nodded. "Okay sounds good, how does this work exactly?"
Shikamaru motioned to the seat on the machine. "The concept is easy, you take a seat and place your hands on those handle bars. They are actually lightning rods and you will feed them electricity with your powers."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And this will help me how?" The blond asked, as he drawled out the end of his sentence.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Okay this machine records how much lightning you're producing. So think of this as a marathon runner going on jogs to increase his stamina. Though instead you're placing your lighting into the machine at a constant pace to increase your ability to use your powers. The goal is to be able to control your lighting at a steady pace, while being able to control how much lighting you release from your body. After I feel like you have good control over using your powers we will move to incorporating your powers into combat scenarios."
Naruto blinked. "That's genius."
"Yeah it's almost like I have a genius level IQ." Shikamaru replied sarcastically.
"How could I forget?... Asshole." The blond assassin asked, while mumbling the last part under his breath.
Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders and walked over to where Naruto kept his gear. "Who knows you're kinda dense." Shikamaru began, earning a growl from Naruto. "But before we train today I have some good news, I finished the updates to your suit and gear."
Naruto sprung forward, his interest slightly peaked. "Alright let's see what you got for me."
Shikamaru stopped at a large black crate and opened the top. Then before Naruto could walk forward to investigate, Shikamaru grabbed a large weapon from the crate and tossed it to Naruto.
"A ChokutÅ?" Naruto asked as he held the straight one edged sword in his hand.
"So you're familiar with that type of sword, good." Shikamaru began before motioning with his hands. "Go ahead unsheathe it."
Naruto did as instructed and pulled the sword from the black sheath, revealing a clean sharp blade. Which also had a long glowing green line going down both sides of the blade.
"What is this?" Naruto asked, as he inspected the blade. "It looks like some kind of crystal lined inside the blade."
"Well you gave me near limitless resources with your family's money. So I went a little overboard with upgrades, that my friend is Kryptonite. Just in case you ever run into the big man himself." Shikamaru explained in a casual voice.
Naruto smiled and ran through a couple quick sword stances, testing how the new blade felt in his hands. "I like it." The blond vigilante admitted while sheathing the sword. "What else you got?"
Shikamaru smirked and grabbed a compound bow from the crate. "A new bow made from carbon fiber, it's lightweight and has a stronger draw strength than your previous bow." Shikamaru explained as he tossed the bow to Naruto. "I also personally crafted over 30 different trick arrows for multiple situations."
Naruto grinned ear to ear as he felt the bow in his hands, he loved his old bow. However, this new one felt much better in his hands.
"Okay maybe you were right about these upgrades. I'm liking what you've done so far." Naruto began before moving towards the crate. "What else do you got for me?"
Shikamaru laughed, his partner was acting like a small kid on Christmas. "The only thing I have left is your suit. A feat I'm quite proud of if I might say so myself." He admitted before reaching into the crate. "It's bullet proof, water, heat and cold resistant. While also being very flexible, allowing for you to have plenty of movement while wearing it."
Naruto watched with stars in his eyes as Shikamaru handed him his new suit. It was similar to his old League of Assassins uniform, but appeared more modern and metallic. While also sporting new pockets and straps to hold spare arrows, knives and other weapons. One thing Naruto did notice was the lack of two things. The new suit had a hood to conceal his hair, but lacked a face mask and quiver.
"Where is my quiver and face mask? I need to hold my arrows and conceal myself." Naruto began in a slightly disappointed voice.
Shikamaru nodded. "Here is your quiver." The teen began before pulling out a metal shaped container, that possessed a view small flashing lights. "It's a computerized quiver I created that palaces the arrow heads for your trick arrows depending on your situation. You control this quiver with a small control mechanism on your bow."
"That's amazing, you really are a genius, but what about my mask?" Naruto asked, earning a smirk from Shikamaru.
"That brings us to the final piece." Shikamaru revealed as he grabbed a black face mask from the crate. "This mask has a built in device to disguise your voice and night vision goggles built into the eyes holes of the mask."
Naruto took the mask from Shikamaru and smirked, it was a plain black mask with little flair added onto it. This of course gave Naruto an idea. "It's great, but I think I'm going to paint a red fox's face onto it. Theaelab means fox after all, I think it's fitting."
Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders. "Do what you want, it's your suit now. It's not like I spent endless hours on it or nothing."
Naruto laughed. "Thanks partner, I appreciate everything you did."
"Yeah whatever, troublesome blond." Shikamaru replied casually. "Let's get to work training, so put your toys away."
Naruto nodded in agreement and placed his new gear down. "Alright, but before I forget I'm leaving for Gotham tonight. I'm going to visit my mom and offer Jade's sister a chance to work with us tomorrow."
"I see, you think she will join up with us?" Shikamaru asked, before taking a seat at his computer.
"Who knows, but I promised Jade I would at least try." Naruto replied in an exhausted tone. "So we will see soon enough."
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(Titans Tower)
Today was a regular morning at the home of the Teen Titans. Beast Boy and Cyborg were on their sofa playing one of their favorite videos games. While Robin observed his two best friends from their kitchen table. The leader of the group was splitting his attention between his two loud teammates and the newspaper in his hands.
"Heh looks like Wally is doing good." Robin mumbled in a low voice, while he looked at the smiling face of Kid Flash standing next to his mentor the Flash. "I really miss that idiot, I hope he stays out of trouble. Though I wonder how Speedy and Aqualad are doing as well. I really need to meet up with those guys, it's been too long."
Robin thought about his old friends for a moment, but the voice of someone special to him grabbed his attention.
"Morning friends!" The chirpy voice of Starfire yelled happily as she floated into the room.
Beast Boy and Cyborg both threw up their hands, giving Starfire a wave hello. Though they quickly placed their hands down and returned to their game.
Robin on the other hand smiled, as he watched the girl who had caught his affections fly over to him. "Morning Star, how are you?"
Starfire clapped her hands together and giggled playfully. "Friends you won't believe what I saw last night!" The alien princess began before looking around the room. Then as she saw the coast was clear, her smile grew even wider. "I believe our friend Raven is doing the dance of courtship."
Robin looked at Starfire with a confused look, even Beast Boy and Cyborg took their eyes away from the game on screen and looked over their shoulders to Starfire.
"Try that again Starfire." Beast Boy began, as he didn't understand Starfire's strange grasp on the English language.
"Yeah Star, what dance are you talking about? Rae doesn't dance, you know that." Cyborg added in.
Starfire shook her head. "But I saw her sneaking into her room last night. She wasn't wearing normal Raven clothes, she had earth girl substance on her face and smelled like flowers." The alien superhero explained poorly, confusing Cyborg and Beast Boy further.
"She means Raven wasn't dressed as she normally does, and she had makeup and perfume on." Robin translated, before lifting his eyebrow up. "Are you suggesting Raven has a boyfriend, or is at least seeing someone?"
Starfire nodded her head, causing the other three members of the Titans to drop their jaws.
"No way." Beast Boy gasped. "Raven dating? It's not possible."
"I'm with BB on this one, there isn't a guy alive who has the moves to earn a date with Raven." Cyborg added in, but Robin shook his head.
"I don't know guys, Raven has been disappearing a lot in her free time. Plus has anyone noticed recently she seems happy?" Robin asked his friends, causing them all to think. "The evidence all points to one thing, there is a boy and she is keeping him a secret."
Beast Boy made a fake pout. "Why would she keep secrets though? We are her friends, shouldn't she tell us if she is dating?" The green skinned hero asked, his voice sounding a little upset.
"Maybe she is afraid we wouldn't approve of the guy, or maybe she is protecting him." Cyborg tried to reason. "After all we are heroes, so someone might try to hurt the people we love to get to us. So maybe she wants to keep the relationship as private as possible."
Robin nodded in agreement. "You make some good points Cyborg, but knowing how secretive Raven is. She probably just doesn't want to share her love life with us."
"But we are going to find out what's going on?" Beast Boy asked.
Cyborg scoffed. "Hell yeah BB!" The half man chuckled before moving his hand out for a fist bump.
Robin rolled his eyes as he watched the two bump fists and laugh. "Guys shouldn't we respect Raven's privacy and leave her alone?" The Boy Wonder asked.
Beast Boy, Cyborg, Starfire and Robin all shared glances with one another. Each one coming to a conclusion if they should give Raven privacy.
"Nah." The four mumbled in unison, as they all wanted to know what was going on with Raven.
"So what should we do then friends?" Starfire asked before looking to the door. "Shall we go wake Raven and ask her?"
"Absolutely not." The three boys practically yelled together, causing Starfire to look at them with a confused look.
"But why not?" The girl asked innocently.
Robin stood up and grabbed Starfire's, then he lead the girl over to the couch for a more silent conversation. He didn't want Raven to hear what they were talking about.
"Listen Raven obviously hasn't told us for a reason, and knowing her she won't tell us if we ask. In fact she would probably get mad at us." Robin explained in a low voice. "So we will have to be a little more sneaky about this."
Beast Boy nodded. "We have to start following her when she leaves the Tower."
"I agree with BB on this one." Cyborg began before typing on his wrist. "I can set an alert with the tower systems to notify me when Raven's communicator leaves the tower. We can even use her communicator to track her movements."
"That's good, in the meantime we can beat around the bush and try to see if Raven will slip up and tell us what we want to know." Robin added in, Causing his two male friends to nod in agreement. However, Starfire frowned at the plans her friends were making.
"Friends wouldn't it just be easier to talk with Raven? I'm sure she would share things with us if we asked." Starfire tried to reason, but no one was listening.
"Trust us Star, this is the best way to handle the situation. You know how Raven can be after all." Beast Boy replied, even though he was completely wrong.
Starfire opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of a door sliding open caused her and the three boys to freeze in place. Then as they all looked towards the sound, they saw Raven slowly walking towards the coffee maker.
"Morning everyone." Raven greeted in her normal emotionless tone, before she began to make herself a cup of coffee. Though when she didn't receive a reply, Raven arched her eyebrow and looked over to her friends. "Are you guys okay."
The four heroes all began to laugh and cough into their hands nervously. This of course only confused Raven by their odd behavior.
"We are fine friend Raven, Beast Boy just finished telling one of his most funny jokes." Starfire lied not so smoothly, causing Raven to nod.
She really didn't care what was going on, she just chalked it up as her weird friends being weird. Though she was in a good mood after her most recent date, so Raven thought she should at least join in on the conversation.
"Well let's hear this funny joke then." Raven insisted before she started to slowly sip her coffee.
Everyone looked to Beast Boy who was sweating under the pressure. The green teen looked to his teammates for help, but all they did was give him a nervous smile.
"Uhhh, why did the cow cross the road?" Beast Boy asked as he scratched his head.
Raven shrugged her shoulders. "Beats me." The female hero replied.
Beast Boy held his arms out and morphed into a green cow. "To get to the udder side!" He yelled awkwardly, while shaking his cow udder towards Raven.
Robin and Cyborg both faced palmed at the lame joke, while Starfire tried her best to give a fake smile. Hoping Raven would take her bluff and think the joke was somewhat funny.
'Well that's one way to annoy Raven.' Robin thought to himself.
'I'll miss you little green buddy.' Cyborg thought to himself, as he believed Raven was going to send him flying for that lame joke.
Though oddly enough Raven only glared Beast Boy down for a few seconds, before cracking a small smile.
"That's not half bad." Raven mumbled with a small almost unnoticeable laugh behind her voice. "Maybe you can be funny sometimes."
The collective jaws of Beast Boy, Robin, Cyborg and Starfire all hit the floor. Not only did Raven laugh, but she laughed at one of Beast Boy's jokes. Hell she even admitted he could be funny, and that was something Raven never did.
"Well I'll be in my room if you guys need me." Raven explained before turning around and leaving the room.
The four remaining heroes kept silent for a moment, as they were all still in shock. Though eventually their leader was the first to speak up.
"Okay something is going on with Raven." The brightly clad hero stated, earning nods from his friends.
"Yeah she definitely seems off." Cyborg added in. "I mean she laughed and one of Beast Boy's jokes!"
The small green skinned hero jumped up onto the edge of the couch.
"I know she normally throws something at me when I tell a bad joke!" Beast boy began before placing a hand to his chin. "Whats gotten into her!"
"Well she seems happy, so I don't care what is going on. I just hope Raven stays like this." Starfire admitted to her friends, but they wouldn't accept that. They desperately needed to know what was going on with Raven.
"We will find out what's going on, but for now lets continue our regular duties. Oh and Cyborg I need your help with something involvIng Theaelab." Robin revealed, changing the subject and earning all eyes on him.
"Whatever you need Rob I'm your guy." Cyborg replied with confidence.
"Good, meet with me in my room later today. I've recently come across some new evidence regarding Theaelab and I'm making a database of information. I'm cross referencing a known associate Harley Quinn and everyone who purchased a place to live within Jump City around the time Theaelab appeared." Robin explained to his friends. "It's not much to go on, but it's a step in the right direction."
"Both those leads could take awhile, as the list of people I would have to cross reference would be in the hundreds maybe even thousands." Cyborg explained earning a nod from Robin.
"I know that's why I need your help." The boy wonder replied.
"Alright Robin don't worry I'll help you out." Cyborg promised, before the four heroes walked off to do their own respective duties for the day.
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(The Next Day, Gotham City)
Bruce Wayne was currently walking alone down a long unkept cobblestone pathway. As he walked, Bruce observed the once grand Namikaze landscape and frowned at its current state. Like the Namikaze family, their estate was left in shambles and never repaired. It truly broke his heart to see this place in such conditions, especially after all the great memories he had here with his dear friends and his godchildren.
Though Bruce kept those feelings tucked deep within, he was here for a reason. So he needed to keep his mind focused on the reason for being at the estate. That reason was of course to squeeze any information from Harley about Theaelab that he could.
So as Bruce approached the old Namikaze mansion, he adjusted his tie and approached the decaying building.
"Here goes nothing." The billionaire mumbled, while he gently knocked on the front door.
Stepping away Bruce waited for someone to answer, as he knew Harley frequently used her old home as a hideout. However, after a few minutes and no answer, he stepped away.
"Well there is only one other place she would be at this time of day." Bruce spoke in a low voice, while he moved around the side of the large house.
As Bruce made his way into the Namikaze backyard he frowned. This particular area was where Harley kept her old garden before she went insane, but now this area also housed the graves of Minato and Mito. Though unlike the rest of the estate, this area was kept in perfect well groomed condition. This of course allowed him to spot Harley easily.
The once proud mother and wife turned criminal was seated by her daughters grave. She appeared to be reading a small book to her deceased daughter. A scene that even left the Dark Knight himself a little shaken.
Harley flipped the page of the small book in her hand and smiled. "The little dinosaur told her mother, I wish I were a T-Rex so I could be big and strong. But if you were a T-Rex, the mother began. How would you hug me with your tiny arms?"
Bruce slowly inched closer to Harley as she read.
"Then I would be an apatosaurus, so with my long neck I could look over the treetops. But if you were an apatosaurus said her mother, how would you hear me in the treetops when I told you I love you?" Harley continued in a loving voice, one that Bruce hadn't heard in eleven years.
"What makes you so special my little dinosaur isn't your ferocious teeth, long neck or pointy beak. What makes you special out of all the little dinosaurs in the world, is that you have the mother who was just right for you and who will always love you."
Harley slowly closed the book and placed it onto Mito's tombstone. She then brought a had to her lips and kissed it, before placing the same hand back onto the headstone. "Ill see you tomorrow baby girl." Harley promised before standing up, but she didn't turn around. "So want brings you here?"
Bruce placed his hands into his pockets and looked down. "I would like to say I'm here to see an old friend, but I could never get a lie past you."
Harley turned around and looked Bruce in the eyes. Her eyes were dry, but from the streaks in her makeup it was obvious to tell she had been crying earlier.
"Than what brings you by, normally my only visitors is B-man and his occasional sidekick." Harley began before folding her arms. "So what do you want Bruce?"
Bruce sighed, he had to handle this situation in a delicate fashion. "Well during your previous escape the last man involved in the GCPD Ball Massacre was brutally murdered." The billionaire began before taking a small pause. "... Did you hire the assassin who killed him."
"Of course I did." Harley answered with a deadly tone. "He was apart of the group that took everything from me, so yes I wanted him dead." The blond criminal arched her eyebrow. "Do you have a problem with that?"
Bruce sighed, he was absolutely against killing, but he couldn't lie to himself. Part of him was glad that man was dead, Minato and Mito were his family as well. So part of Bruce was glad that man finally got what he deserved.
"No I don't have a problem with it, he got what he deserved." Bruce began in a low voice, it wasn't the complete truth, but he needed to get more information from Harley. "It's just a shame, with King dead we may never know who called the attack and why."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Harley replied.
Bruce inwardly smirked, he had Harley right where he wanted her. "What makes you say that?"
"The assassin I hired interrogated King before killing him. He is currently in Jump City following a lead King gave him before his death." Harley explained in a causal tone. "I'm sure you have heard of the assassin on the news, he's been working for me this entire time." Harley lied, as her son was working mainly on his own accord.
Bruce was pleased, he got the information he wanted from Harley. Solid proof that linked her with Theaelab, but what Bruce didn't know was that Harley was playing Bruce. She wanted Bruce to place a connection between her and Naruto, as it worked with the plans the mother and son had created. Which involved as many people as possible making a connection to her, Naruto and Theaelab.
"I see, that gives me a better peace of mind knowing Minato and Mito will be avenged." Bruce began before biting his lip, there was still one question that has been bugging him for years. One that he desperately needed an answer to. "I do have one more question."
Harley held her arms open. "Ask away."
Bruce nodded. "Naruto, you would never tell me what happened to him. I've spent countless resources looking for him. I just want to know Harley, is he okay?"
Harley smiled, her old friend truly loved Naruto and Mito, but considering the role he played in their life's it was understandable. "He is alive Bruce, I made sure years ago he was kept safe. I might be a lot of things, a criminal and psychopath for example. Though one thing I am not is a bad mother."
Bruce's eye lit up with a mixture of joy, excitement and surprise. "Where is he? Can I see him?" The black haired superhero asked, but Harley shook her head.
"Not right now Bruce, maybe one day. Just know our Naruto is safe and healthy." Harley explained in a serious voice.
Bruce nodded, though he was slightly disappointed. "I understand, I'm just happy he is alive and okay."
Harley smiled and walked over to Bruce. "I know you are, but let's go get something to eat before B-man takes me back to Arkham. Prison food sucks ass."
Bruce laughed and followed Harley, he truly missed seeing the side of Harley that wasn't insane. So he thought why not enjoy the day before doing his duty as Batman and taking her back in.
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(Downtown Gotham)
Naruto was currently walking down the streets of Gotham's poor district. Everywhere around him he saw broken builds, landmarks and even broken people. It was a heartbreaking scene, but Naruto ignored the hardships around him. He was on a time table, and he wasn't one for wasting time.
"Jade said her sister and mom lived on 27th street, in a green apartment build." Naruto mumbled to himself, his eyes looking around for a green apartment building. "There it is."
Naruto quickly walked into the building and started to walk up the stairs.
"Okay time to find apartment 507." Naruto began while he passed the third floor. "Just a few more stairs to go."
Eventually Naruto made his way to the fifth floor and found the door to Artemis and her mother's apartment. So taking a deep breath, Naruto began to think of what he should say.
"I really don't want to do this, but I promised Jade I would." Naruto mumbled to himself, before striking the door gently several times with his fist.
"I'll get it mom!" A voice yelled on the other side, causing Naruto to prepare himself.
As the door opened, Naruto smiled as he met the face of one confused Artemis Crock. The two remained silent for a moment, both waiting for the other to speak. During this time Naruto took a moment to observe Artemis.
He quickly noticed the family resemblance between her and Jade, as they were almost identical to one another. However, the major difference between the sisters was that Artemis had long blond hair that she kept tied into a ponytail. Unlike her sisters more wild black hair style.
Though, after a minute of silence Artemis raised her eyebrow and slightly leaned into her door.
"Um can I help you?" The young female asked, as she wondered what an attractive young teen was doing at her doorstep.
Naruto shook himself out of his daze and held a hand out to Artemis. "I'm Naruto." He explained in a formal tone. "Naruto Quinn."
Artemis accepted the hand and made an odd face. "Artemis Crock, and Quinn? Like the Crime Queen of Gotham?" She asked.
Naruto smirked. "Something like that." He replied vaguely. "But I'm here for a reason."
"And that reason is?" Artemis asked, as she didn't want to wait in suspense.
Naruto looked around and noticed the coast was clear, but he didn't want to take any chances. "Can we talk inside, or somewhere private?"
"Yeah come in." Artemis offered as she stepped back and allowed Naruto entrance.
"Thank you." Naruto began, as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Though after Naruto closed the door, he caught a glimpse of an older woman in a wheelchair coming towards him.
"Who is this Artemis? Is he a boyfriend you haven't told me about?" Paula Crock asked in a sweet tone.
Artemis rolled her eyes. "No mom he isn't, in fact I don't know why he is here." The blond began, while looking to Naruto. "Wanna explain that part to me now?"
Naruto nodded and released a sigh. "I'm an old friend of Jade. She asked me to come here." The assassin clarified.
Artemis narrowed her eyes and placed both hands on her hips. "Okay why did my sister send you here?"
"Because I asked Jade for help." Paula spoke up, causing her daughter to whip around and look at her mother. While a confused expression covered her face.
"What are you talking about?" Artemis asked, while bending down to her mother.
"Your sister stopped by a few weeks back. I told her about all the vigilante work you've been doing in your free time and how worried I've been." Paula explained as she grabbed both of her daughter's hands with her own. "I asked your sister to do something about it. Jade told me she would call in a favor and get someone to help keep you safe."
Artemis looked over her shoulder to Naruto. "Is this true?"
Naruto closed his eyes and nodded. "I'm an ex-member of the League of Assassins, a group your sister is still apart of. Though I'm currently in the vigilante game myself, I'm hunting the people responsible for my family's death. While also protecting the people of Jump City from drug lords, thugs, rapists and the list goes on." Naruto explained as he opened his eyes and locked his gaze with Artemis. "Because of this and my skill, your sister asked me to take you under my wing. She wants me to train you so you won't get yourself killed running around at night."
Artemis remained quite and studied Naruto for a moment. Though after a minute or two a memory clicked in her head. She knew who Naruto really was and that set her on edge. "You're him, the man I've seen on the news!" The young girl exclaimed in surprise. "You've been killing people in Jump City for weeks!"
"I've only killed criminals." Naruto justified in response. "I'm making Jump City a safer place for the people who live there. Hell if it wasn't for me do you know how many criminals and killers would be walking free? The answer is a shit ton, because the cops and the Teen Titans don't do the their jobs properly. And the world isn't a forgiving place, criminals don't change. So instead of giving them another chance to hurt someone I put them in the ground. And now I'm giving you a chance to train and be apart of the solution to stopping crime."
Artemis stood to her feet and tightened her fists. "How can you justify fighting crime when you have committed dozens of murders?"
"I can justify it by knowing I've killed terrible people. I can justify it by knowing those terrible people will never harm anyone again. I can justify my actions Artemis by knowing I might have saved a small boy from watching his father and sister get buried in the ground like I had to!" Naruto yelled loudly while taking deep breaths to steady himself. "I don't care if you want to join me, I only came here as a favor to Jade. Nothing more, nothin less."
Artemis was slightly taken back, as she didn't expect that kind of outburst from Naruto. Though she had to admit to herself, even though she thought killing was wrong. The world was better off without the people Naruto had killed.
"Artemis honey." Her mother began softly, while reaching out and grabbing her daughters arm. "I like your father have done horrible things in my past. As such I've dealt with a good deal of dishonest and terrible people. Though when I look at and listen to young Naruto here. I see a young man with a difficult past trying to make things right. Give him a chance."
"I don't kill people." Artemis began, but stopped as Naruto raised his hands up.
"No one said you had too." Naruto pointed out to the girl. "I kill because it's what I was taught to do, I don't always kill, but I won't shy away from it. It's an effective way to insure a criminal will never harm anyone again. Though if you worked with me I wouldn't expect you to kill. I would only expect you to not get killed."
Artemis looked down and thought over her options. On one hand she would get the training to become someone who could make a difference, while also helping people. Though on the other hand she would be a criminal, who would be an accomplice to a killer.
I wouldn't have to kill anyone?" Artemis asked in a low voice, earning a nod from Naruto. "But I would have to leave Gotham and my mother."
"Yes." Naruto stated in a simple tone. "But I would make sure your mother is properly taken care of."
Paula laughed. "Neither of you children worry about me, I'm not some helpless lady in a wheelchair. I can take care of myself, I just want my daughter to be safe."
Naruto nodded, he respected the woman's strength even with her disability. "I can see where Jade gets her strong personality from." The blond noted with a small chuckle before locking eyes with Artemis. "So what's your decision? Will you come with me and make a difference in this world? Or will you stay here and get yourself or even your mother killed?"
Artemis bit her lip and rubbed her shoulder. "I'll go with you, we may share different views on justice. However, you do help a lot of people and my sister and mother both seem to trust you. So I'll train under you and be your partner."
Naruto nodded and held his hand out. "Sidekick." The blond clarified with a snicker.
Artemis rolled her eyes and accepted Naruto's hand, she knew working with him would be challenging. She also didn't fully trust Naruto, as he was a killer. Though what she didn't know was today was they day she made a lifelong friend who she would always stand by.
Chapter End
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Merry Christmas you beautiful bastards! (or merry whatever other holiday you celebrate, I don't discriminate)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I wanted to get it ready today as my gift to all of you for your amazing support! Thanks for everything and making this story such a success. Drop a comment and tell me what you think and I hope to see you all again soon!