Chapter two: Stranger not

The morning air was fresh upon his skin, the skies still looked dark as he drove on his custom motorcycle, funnily enough he stole the bike off an ex-equalist who was to drunk to know what hit-em. Naruto drove on a path that split through a field of rice, he had left Republic City about two days ago and was now on an Intel run form the chief herself. He found it amusing how they found each other again after the incident with the Red Lotus two years back though it also brought unpleasant feelings. He had just finished another bounty concerning an earthbending governor who put his hand in the cookie jar a few to many times. So what's one to do when up against a politican... go after their family of course, nothing like a bit of truth serum to set the man back on course, now the people of Gao-Ling can sleep easy with money in their pockets. Afterwards he found a diner in the middle of a town and had bite, but as he was eating he noticed several shadows pass by the roof quickly, putting his tea down he stood up from where he sat and walked down a few rows of seats before stopping in the center. Raising his hand upwards he water bent a water whip through the roof and grab hold of something before pulling down harshly, slamming the body to the ground, when the figure who clearly a cop tried to stand up Naruto pressed his foot on the man's head. Soon afterwards the windows broke open as five more Republic City cops made appearance known.

"What are a bunch Republic city cops doing in Gao-Ling city", Naruto questioned but more like asked, getting no response from any of them naruto was about act, but that's when another person made their presence clear.

"Restrian yourselves!, you five stand down!", Looking towards the diner entrance, Naruto saw the Republic city police cheif make her entrance, she made her way towards him before long only standing a few feet away from him. Looking towards the downed cop then towards Naruto Lin sighed .

"Do you think you can let one of my men go, I didn't come here to antagonize you."

"You have a funny way of showing otherwise", Naruto replied as he lifed his foot off the cops head and turned to walk back to his booth where he was eating Lin soon joining him. A loud pause ensued as Naruto sat and ate as if nothing happend, Lin not stopping him as she folded her arms across her chest, Naruto looked up towards her then back down to his plate, he then slid his plate across the table and towards Lin. She looked at him then the plate and then back at Naruto.

"You look like you haven't eaten much."

"I'm not hungry"

"Your loss... so what do you want", Naruto asked looking at Lin with no emotions, Lin had a small frown on her face as she spoke.

"Have you heard about kuvira and her upraising", Lin asked seriously.

"Who hasn't, the whole situation is being talked about everywhere in the earth nation, even the earth nation replacement king is shaking in his boots", Naruto said nonchalantly as he drank his tea.

"Not only that but a bunch of her newly recvied members are bandits that surround many key citys", Lin said, Naruto getting an idea where this might be going.

"So... what you want me to extermanite them or something"

"Yes and... from time to time work for the police and in return you'll be protected against all your current charges", Lin said as she grabbed a fork and got a piece of pie. Naruto raised an eyebrow as he looked towards LIn.

"What charges"

"Well besides being a known associate of the former Red Lotus... the Northern water tribe leader see's you as a possible threat", Lin stated, getting a humming sound from Naruto as he realized who it might be.

"The Avatar's father see's me as a threat", Naruto said looking towards Lin, who nodded response taking another bite of the pie.

"So... in essence if I refuse I remain the most wanted man ever by the water tribe and if I accept I become the polices lap dog", Lin chuckled which was a first for her officers since she never even showed another emotion than seriousness.

"I wouldn't word it like that but whatever floats your bison, besides wouldn't it be better if you didn't have to constantly look over your shoulder just a bit."

"You make a convincing point", Naruto replied as he looked out the window and into the town as the sun rose up illuminating his blonde hair, Naruto then looked towards Lin who looked at him in turn.

"alright I'll bite", Naruto said getting up from his seat and rummaging through his pockets, taking out a couple bucks he threw them on the table as he began to leave the diner the officers making way for him.

"I looking forward to work with you", Lin said, Naruto giving a thumbs over his shoulder as he walked out the diner. Now back in the present Naruto had just made it to the small town where Lin wanted to stop an illegal underground fight club. Finding a place to park, he got off the bike and looked around before walking off to explore, he had time to kill. His exploration eventually led him to a barber shop, he gazed at the entrance for a moment or two before shrugging his shoulders and entered the esablishment.

"Welcome!, how may we be of services", a staff member greeted a forced smile on her face.

"I need a haircut"

About an hour later Naruto walks out of the shop, his hair was left spike at the top but not to much and swayed slightly to the left, with the sides of his head were cut shorter. His beard now resembled five day stubble with a sharp line up, Naruto looked to his left and began walking in that direction, what most people don't know is that people talk in places like barbershops and in small town like this the gossip about an underground fight club was bound to spill. As he walked he got strange looks from the residents all to familiar one's he was used to, nevertheless he had arrived at the buildings entrance but instead of going through the front he went through the back ally door where he came up on an interesting conversation between a man and a somewhat familiar woman.

"You're either crazy or stupid enough to face one of the top fighters tonight girl"

"Just get me into the fight"

"Like I said earlier I can't just let a newbie get in on this type of fight ex-probender or not", Spoke the man who seemed to be tiring of this back and forth conversation. The woman then grabbed the scrany man by his collar and spoke harsly.

"Just get me in the damm fight", the man squirmed under her gaze before relenting and letting her in all the while he dropped to his knees.

"Crazy woman", the man said under his breath

"You can say that again", Naruto stated making his presence known as he walked up to the downed man.

"Let me guess you want to get in on the fight too", the man spoke in a defeated tone, causing Naruto to shake his head.

"Never really liked the lime light no matter how small...no I wanna know who setup this whole thing", Naruto spoke bluntly as he crouched to get on the downed mans level. who inturned looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Wh-what are you talking about"

"sigh, this whole routien again, look make it easier for both of us and just tell me who it is afterwards you can take a trip out of town, this outta help", Naruto finished as he tossed a stack of cash at the mans feet, the man looked towards the cash then towards Naruto then back at the cash before grabbing it quickly and standing up.

"Okay, okay I don't know where he is currently", the man started as Naruto narrowed his eyes, making the man squirm slightly at his look.

"B-But, I do have a name and what he looks like", the man stated quickly, Naruto looked expectantly as the man continued.

"His name is Lee he's an ex-triple threat triad from Republic City, here's a picture", pulling out a picture from his pocket and handing it towards the blond. Naruto stared at the picture for a bit before putting it in his own pocket. He then gave a head nod to the scrawny man who ran off quickly, looking towards the door Naruto pulled up his hood and entered the building. As he walked through the building he came across many fighters but eventually he came to the stans and sat on the farthest end of the row. As the time passed the seats filled up and fights started and ended all the while Naruto looked around trying to find Lee. Eventually it came down to the last fight of the night. The two fighters being the woman from earlier and another woman who he saw when he explored the building, at first glance it seemed as if the fight was dead even, neither opponent had the advantage but when it came down to the last moments of the fight it seemed liked the familar woman had gained an advantage. Her moves were smooth and accurate, but for just a moment she froze, everyone could see it but no one knew why, her momentary pause gave her opponent the advantage as she was sent flying towards the wall ending the fight.

As the fight came to an end Naruto took notice of a fancy dressed man who was laughing aloud he was surrounded by two girls and five men possibly his private guard.

"Couldn't make it any more obvious", Naruto thought inwardly as he walked smoothly through and towards the retreating group, eventually the group made it outside and towards their sato-mobies, Naruto not to far behind yet far enough not to be noticed, about to make his move he stopped when he heard yelling from another ally.

Korra breathed heavily as she fell onto her back, her leg being caught by a stray chain, looking up she looked towards herself except her other self had glowing eyes, the clear sign of the avatar state, she was cut from her inner termoil as she raised her arm to guard the incoming chain that was sent by her other self.

"Leave me alone!', Korra yelled out as she sent out a stream of fire towards her other self, yet deep down she knew it wasn't real, deep down she knew that her other self was not there, yet she couldn't help but be scared. Korra would've kept sending out her fire but her wrist was caught and pointed upwards, stopping the fire immediately. She looked to upwards to her right expecting to see her other self but to her surprise she came face to face with a stranger. The stranger looked at her with a blank expression and he didn't say a word towards her as he helped her up to her feet, she was about to give her thanks but noticed how the stranger had already moved away from her and towards the entrance of the ally.

"You just gonna keep standing there, c'mon you look like you need a drink", she didn't know what compelled her to follow the stranger but at least she would be distracted by his company. Soon the two found themselves outside of a small market their own drinks in hand as they stood in silence Korra glanced over towards the stranger, he seemed familiar to her but she couldn't place where she had seen him.

"If you have a question you can ask it Korra", the man said already anticipating her curiosity as he took another drink from his bottle. Korra's eyes widen in surprise and she took a few steps back.

"How-how do you know me"

"We've met in passing" , the man replied calmly confusing Korra even more than before.

"But that's enough about me, I believe there's something you need", the man finished looking towards Korra.

"What are you even talking about, you're not making any sense", Korra spoke irritatedly as she crushed her bottle.

"You see her don't you", the man asked looking away from Korra, on instinct Korra flinched as she realized what the man was talking about and looked in the other direction, a long silence quickly took place.

"How did you know", Korra finally asked quietly.

"We share the same burden in a way", the man replied as he turned to look towards Korra who still hadn't looked back him.

"how can you even say that!", Korra said turning to face the man with her fist clenched.

"You've got no idea what I've been through!, and even if you did, you wouldn't have made it as long as I have!, who are you to judge!", throughout her entire outburst the man kept his face stoic, when she stopped and began to take deep breaths, the spoke calmly.

"I can't claim to say that I know what you've been through and I most likely never will, not everyone lives the same live's but I do know that you have people that are willing to help you if you let them", the man stated still stoic but his voice a tone of reassurance.

"I have to do this alone, my friends... my family... they already have things going on and I don't want be the one to hold them back", Korra said sadly as she stared at the puddle at her feet.

"I think they would disagree"

"How can you be... so sure"

"The path your on has two different endings avatar, one of whichs ending stands Infront of you and the other which will benefit you, the choice is your's to decide and for your sake as for the world's... make the right one", the man stated with finality as he turned to walk away. The avatar turned to look at the man's retreating back as she contemplated his words.

"You were there weren't you, the day I almost died... I never got your name" , Korra stated and finally asked.

"I never mentioned it", the man replied walking away.

SOMETIME LATER

It didn't take much to find the sucmbags from earlier a quick bit of asking around and he manged to find a two story building that was more industrial then fancy and was connected to a back ally. Two men stood guard in front of door with the only source of light being the light above the doors frame. Decideing to forego stealth Naruto turned a corner and into the ally his hood up and shadowing his face, as he walked the two men finally to notice of his appearance.

"The hell!, hey! get lost asshole!"

"Yeah!, you know who's turf you on!", both men stated with anger as one of them covered his hands in fire and the other forming rock gauntlets. There preparation was all for not as to quickly for them to react two seprate water wips shot out and clung tightly around their necks. Quickly they were pulled towards the hooded figure their faces being grabbed harshly before both were slammed into the ground, knocking them out. Moving past both mens bodies and to the door he grabbed the handle and froze it before yanking it out. Making his way in he came up on what seemed to be the garage of the building with a few different auto-mobiles and bikes.

"Might have over estimated the amount of people in the building", Naruto thought to himself as he found a stairway that led to the second floor, peaking through the door's window. It seemed as if the room was a cross between a collection of weapons and an apartment, Naruto also took note of the amount of people in the room four gangsters including Lee and the two women from earlier. Naruto shook his head at Lee's arrogance to believe that only three benders could stop an attack. Finishing his thoughts he preped his entrance by standing behind the door and breathing in concentrated breaths, quickly he did a spin kick and struck the door sending it flying and into one of the guard's back knocking him out quickly. Rolling left and out of the hallway and into cover to dodge a rock projectile he peaked out quickly and sent water a projectile towards the earthbender with his leg. Reacting quickly the earthbender raised a wall to defend himself, looking at the situation in front of him Lee got the hint and decided to escape, beginng to run towards the only exit in the room Lee soon found himself frozen all the way up to his neck. When he turned to look towards the perpatrator he stared at the ice cold eyes of Naruto, a slight bit of hope rised in Lee's eyes as he saw one of his guards sneak behind the blonde man, but to his utter horror the blonde man outstreched his arm back whilst forming a blade of ice and stabbing the guard through the throat. Quickly reacting once more Naruto spun around with the man's dead body and used it as a shield to stop a stray rock projectile tearing the body apart, Naruto then threw the remains at the earthbender which momentarily stunned the earthbender due to the bodies intestin's covering his body. Using the distraction Naruto closed the distants between him and his opponent, when the earthbender tried to retaliate with a large swing, Naruto dodged left smoothly and formed a sharp pointed ice pick and jammed it striaght through the man's head making it come out the other side. Letting go of the ice pick, the earthbender's body fell to the ground, turning back towards the frozen form of Lee, Naruto encased his arm in a water blade and aimmed his arm towards Lee's neck.

"I've had a long day Lee, so let's cut to the chase where's the runway that house's some of kuvira's milatry vehicle's, I know that you trade with her and that you give her ex-equalist vehicle's, in return she funds your underground cage fights", Naruto finished pushing the water blade closer towards Lee's neck.

"Okay! okay! okay! it's next to serphant's pass i-it's a s-small camp amoung the s-shoreline, you can't miss it", Lee quickly stated with a shriek getting an eyebrow raise from Naruto.

"Your not lying to me are you"

"N-No no I swear to all the spirts, I'm telling the t-truth", a moment of silence past before Naruto pulled his arm back and uncased the water around his arm and began to move away.

"W-Wait aren't you gonna free me", Lee asked with fear, Naruto ignoring the man's plead making his way to the only exit in the room, that was before a weapon's casing caught his eyes. The weapon was a simple Jian but the material used for the sword was darker, with guard being gold plated and the handle being wrapped in leather. The sheath was also dark but was accented with gold engravings, still ignoring Lee's plea's Naruto broke the casing glass and grabbed both items inspecting them for a bit before sheathing the sword and leaving the room. Eventually Naruto found his way to his motorcycle and settled up on the bike placing the sheathed sword on his lap before taking off.

TWO DAYS LATER

Begining music play - Keystroke by Jazz in Pink, Gail Jhonson

The night was young as the city lights of Republic City shined with a brilliance that only it could pull off, the rumbling noise of his motorcycle purred smoothly as he entered the city. Making a left turn and onto a different street he passed the police station and kept moving forward passing several more blocks he pulled up next to sidewalk he kicked up the stand on the bike and turned it off. Getting off he looked at the apartment building Infront of him, it was a mix of modern and traditional design and was robust in looks, making his way inside he nodded towards the clerk at the desk who nodded back already used to his random appearances related to the chief. Pressing the button to call the elevator Naruto didn't have to wait long as the elevator doors opened, making his way in he pressed the button that would allow him to get to the tenth floor. Once on the proper level Naruto made his way down the fancy hall and stopped when he came across a certain door, knocking twice he waited a few seconds before the door was opened just as fast as he knocked and saw the familiar face of Lin.

"In a hurry are we", Lin scoffed at Naruto's remark as she let him in the apartment.

"I was expecting you a few hours ago", Lin stated gazing towards Naruto as the made their way into the living room.

"Ran into a bit of a blockade and the weather was pretty rough"

"hm... so did you get the info that we needed", Lin asked grabbing some tea she made earlier and sitting down on one of two couches, Naruto sat on the other couch and removed the Jian attached to his hip. Lin raised an eyebrow at the weapon before shrugging it off as a spoil of combat, Naruto sighed lowly as he relaxed on the couch before looking towards the cheif and getting a serious face.

"From what he told me the runway is a part of a small encampment that runs along a shoreline near serphant's pass"

"That's really close to Ba Sing Sa", Lin stated with apprehension as she looked into her tea cup, Naruto hummed in confirmation as he spoke next.

"And it doesn't seem like the new 'king' is doing anything about, probably busy with his own heuberis", Naruto said with an eyeroll, making Lin chuckle at the blonde's response.

"Still thank you for the information, it'll be useful for the United allies and their future plan attacks", Lin said greatfuly.

"Hey it was part of our deal anyway, I help you and the allies with these kinda of issues, in return I don't have to look over my shoulder", Naruto stated in a nonchalant manner, though Lin could hear the sincerity in his tone. She smiled slightly at the blonde's reaction, much like her the man always kept up the appearance of a no nonsense and blunt person, she couldn't recall a time where she ever saw the fausad break not even with the Red Lotus incident. Yet she could see it, she could see how he conveyed his emotions in his own way and it reminded how she used to deal with her own emotions.

"Lin?"

Lin shook herself out of her own thoughts and looked towards Naruto with a face of confusion.

"Zoned out there for a bit huh?", Naruto stated as he yawned.

"I was... just thinking", Lin replied taking a sip of her tea, Naruto nod clearly seeing she wasn't saying everything, Naruto coughed and got Lin's attention.

"So what's the next assignment"

"There isn't one", Lin stated bluntly getting an eyebrow raise from Naruto.

"Really?", Lin nodded at Naruto's respone as she continued.

"When offered you this deal, it was at the beginning of Kuvira's revolution, there were so many unknown's and Zao-fu was already compromised, so when the idea of outside help was brought up I agreed, at first we went to the other nations for help but..."

"They didn't want to get their hands dirty", Naruto finished Lin's sentence getting a nod from the chief.

"So that's when I came", Lin nodded as Naruto looked in thought.

"So what happens now"

"Now we wait for the meeting with all the nation's leaders, till then relax"

"That's shocking coming from you... but good idea"

"Have any idea what your gonna do next", Lin asked, Naruto looked at his reflection in the tea as he was deep in thought.

"No clue yet maybe i'll head north, might be more jobs down there"

"No rest for the wicked"

"Know me to well but *yawn* rest first", Naruto stated as he got off the couch and stretched.

"You can stay the night if you want it's pretty late already", Lin said as she got up from the couch as well and went to her room, Naruto looked in the direction Lin left and shrugged before grabbing a pillow and laying down on the couch in a more comfortable position, it didn't take much for him to fall asleep as he was pretty tired.

"Before you take off tomorrow morning I wanted to give yo-", Lin stopped talking as she saw the sleeping form of Naruto who was slightly snoring. Chuckling she took a spare blanket into her arms and layed it across the sleeping form of the blonde.

*End music*

"Sleep well Naruto", Lin said a small smile appearing on her face as she reached out to the blonde's face but stopped herself and left the room and slept herself. Morning followed slower than most yet was just as radient, Lin's eye lids opened slowly as she yawned and noticed the time.

"25 minutes to 5", Lin thought to herself getting out of her bed and preparing for the days work ahead, as she exited her room she noticed the vacant couch looking around she soon came to the kitchen where she noticed a plate that had food. She looked down at the plate of food and smiled sadly.

"I didn't even give him-", Lin stopped talking when the bathroom door opened and Naruto stepped out his hair a little damp and it seemed his clothes was washed.

"I thought you left", Lin said bluntly yet with a hint of relief.

"I'll be out of your hair soon, just give me a few"

"No no that's not what I-"

"I'm just teasing Lin", Naruto stated his tone holding mischievousness as Lin got a tick mark on her head. Grabbing hold of the sheathed sword he attached it to his hip and puts on his boots, turning to Lin he looks at her irritated face with questioning face.

"Aren't you gonna eat"

" *sigh* I will after I see you off", Naruto shrugged as he finished getting everything he needed and left the apartment Lin following behind him, soon the two found themselves on the sidewalk.

"I guess it'll be awhile the next time we meet, try not to get into any trouble, can't protect you all the time"

"I'll try but it always seems to find me", Lin chuckled at Naruto's response as she then held out a box that she had carried from the box and hand it towards Naruto who took it in his hands before looking towards Lin.

"Consider it as thank you from me you've... helped easy off the burden of protecting the people of Republic City"

"Don't mention it, you helped me too in your own way", Naruto finished with a grin. As he opened the box he saw two forearm protectors the same one's that the police used the main difference being that it was outlined in a dark yellow like Lin's.

"How many regulations did you break to give me these", Naruto asked.

"I'd like not to think about it", Lin responded nonchalantly as Naruto unwrapped the boxing tape around his forearms starting with the left. But the more he took off the more lin could see the burn scares that marked his forearm slightly worrying her, Naruto must've noticed her change in demenor as he spoke.

"Don't worry they don't hurt as much anymore", once the tape was off he grabbed hold of one of the forearm protectors and slid it on and tightened it making Lin flinch at the possible pain Naruto was in, though Naruto didn't notice as he did the same with his right forearm. Once they were on Naruto did a few quick movements and punches to get a feel for the forearm protectors.

"Snug as a glove", Naruto stated as he turned towards Lin and although she had a stoic face he knew she was still worried after seeing the burn marks on his forearms. Moving towards her he laid a hand on her shoulder for reassurance.

"I appreciate your worry Lin really I do, but I'm fine like I said they don't hurt anymore", he finished with a smile. And she didn't know why but his smile caused her to smile in return, that's when another thought came to her mind.

"Oh if your thinking about going to the north I have one more thing to give you", Lin said as she made her way to her sato-moblie across the street and popped the trunk, she searched for a moment or so before pulling out a long piece of clothe's. When she got closer the piece of clothing turned out to be a black trench coat.

A.N: Think about Spiderman Noir's trench coat

"All these gift for me and I've got nothing for you", Naruto said bashfully as he was handded the coat by Lin who shook her head.

"As I stated earlier you've helped me plenty already I'm just repaying the favor", when she finished Naruto had the coat on with both sleeves up to help fit the forearm protectors and in her opinion he looked very riveting.

"Thank you Lin, I hope we meet again in a less professional setting", Naruto finished as he outstretched his hand for handshake which Lin gave in return, turning away Naruto got on his bike and as he did he never noticed how Lin was about to reach out towards him but at the last second stood in place. Turning back to her Naruto gave a wave and turned on his bike, the roar of engine sounding out through the small city block, revving it twice he took off slowly before turning a corner and increasing the speed.

"Till we meet again Naruto"

END

A.N: Alright another chapter down hopfully this one was just as good as the last and I hope you all enjoy it and if there are any mistakes, I'll try to correct them next time, anyway's see y'all later.