Chapter 11 : Hair problems and Third wheel

"You are good to check out and continue your work on the force Mr.Tai." I say to my last patient of the day.

"Thank you again Dr.Hanzo I don't know what I would do without you. My life would be ruined." He thanks me profusely.

"And I tell you again, no need. I'm just doing my job. But the next time you're flying through the city at high speed chasing criminals, do try to be more aware of your surroundings." I warn him before walking out.

Mr.Tai is a member of the metalbending police force. When he was chasing a group of triad criminals using those metal whips to fly through the streets he miscalculated and as result crashed into a wall at full speed.

It's a miracle he survived but as a result of the incident, most of his bones were shattered. No need to say that usually, he would stay a cripple for the rest of his life.

This is where I come in. My clinic specializes in this sort of stuff. Most of my customers are actually from the metalbending police force. Who would have thought that swinging like a spider-man for regular people is dangerous?

On a side note, I always wondered If a 'forbidden technique' like bonebending can be used for healing what other techniques can be used to help people.

Bloodbending could be used from simply stopping bleeding to forcing a dying heart to artificially beat. And how does bloodbending affect healing techniques used by waterbenders.

On a more experimental side could airbenders use just oxygen to directly charge their or other's cells? Could a firebender boost his brain by using lightning bending to manipulate the electrical signals in the head?

We are just scratching the surface of the possibilities bending the elements gives us. I understand the fear of someone misusing their power but it's only a matter of time before someone figures this out.

Just look at Amon. Because no one understood what bloodbending could achieve he fooled the whole city into believing he was chosen by the spirits to cleanse the world of benders.

By the time I came out of my daze, I already took a shower and changed out of my work outfit to my casual clothes.

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Heading out of the building I got into my car and drove to the Pro-bending Arena to see if I could catch the ending of the first match of the Fire Ferrets this tournament.

Unfortunately, I only managed to catch the end of Korra's team winning.

"All three rounds go to the Future Industries Fire Ferrets, who win their opening match of the tournament!" The arena is bursting with cheers from the match.

I head towards the back of the building to find Korra when I meet Asami in the corridor going in the same direction. But this time I don't freak out like last time.

"Hanzo? What are you doing here?" She asks me.

"I'm here to congratulate Korra on her win."

"I don't know what game you are playing but-"

"Asami! I'm really here just for Korra and I'm not playing any sort of game."

Sigh. "Listen, I know that whatever happened between us hurt us both. But I moved on with my life. I suggest you do the same." This is not entirely the truth but she doesn't need to know that.

"I did move on!" Her heartbeat sped up saying that.

"You can't lie to me Asami."

"I hate when you do that." She grumbles under her breath.

"And I still don't care. If my master-"

"Yeah yeah... If your ever-elusive master hears you stopped using your seismic sense even for a second she will beat you up within inches of your life." Asami states with a small smile on her face probably liking the outcome of the last part.

Our short conversation ends as we finally approach the door to the room where Fite Ferrets are.

Asami is the first to come in."Congratulations guys! You were so amazing out there."

While she walks away to a corner to talk with Mako I can hear Bolin try to ask Korra out for a date. But since she wasn't rejected by Mako like in the original and has a crush on me she rejects him. Too bad the guy doesn't get it.

"So Korra, I was thinking… You and me, we could get some dinner together… Sort of a date situation." He tries acting smooth.

"That's really sweet, but I don't think so. I don't feel like I'm ready to date someone."

"Are you kidding me? You're the smartest, funniest, toughest, buffest, talentedest, incrediblest girl in the world!"

"Bolin really-"

"Trust me, I know we're gonna have so much fun together."

"Did someone mention fun?!" I butt in at that moment.

Korra's eyes light up. "Hanzo you made it!"

"Yeah, but I only managed to see the end. Great work by the way. So what's this I hear about fun?"

"Oh, that?! Bolin invited me to some dinner. As a teammate for winning our match of course!" Teammate? Sure…

"Really? Well from what I heard Bolin lived in the Republic City for most of his life so he must know some good places." I turned to him. "You don't mind if I join you guys right? I came with my car so I can drive us."

Korra answers for Bolin who looks like he stepped in shit. "Sure! The more the merrier!"

"Great! Let's go." I and Korra head out while Bolin is forced to reluctantly follow us.

Before walking out I catch the gazes of both Mako and Asami. I wonder what's that about?

*Dongo's authentic water tribe food*

"So how do you like it?" Asks Bolin with his mouth full of noodles.

"It's delicious! And totally authentic." Korra replies with her mouth full of noodles too.

"It's missing tea." I state after swallowing my food.

"But nobody eats the Water tribe food with tea. Would it even be good?" Bolin asks doubtfully.

"Everything is good with tea!" I tell them the truth and nothing but the truth.

"I didn't take you for a tea person, Hanzo." Korra inquires.

"Everyone becomes a tea person when they grow out of just pouring boiling water on tea leaves." I teach my students.

"Hey, who's that creepy guy over there that keeps glaring at us?" Asks Korra.

"That's Tahno and the Wolf-bats." Our resident pro-bender expert explains.

"Reigning champs, three years running. Don't make eye contact." He warns us.

Korra makes eye contact. And Tahno's group proceeds to stand up and move towards us.

"Uh oh. Here he comes. Now don't mess with this guy, he's a nasty dude." Bolin seeing them closing in on us hides his head in the noodles pretending to just eat.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the Fire Ferrets. Pro-bending's saddest excuse for a team. Tell me, how did a couple of amateurs luck their way into the tournament? Especially you, Avatar."

Tahno leans in way too close. "You know, if you'd like to learn how a real pro bends, I could give you some private lessons."

Korra stands up. "You wanna go toe to toe with me, pretty boy?"

"Go for it. I'll give you the first shot." He taunts

"Korra, don't. He's just trying to bait you. If you hit him, we're out of the tournament." Bolin warns Korra.

"Good thing I'm not in the tournament." I say from behind Tahno.

He turns around and replies with a smirk. "And what a nobody like you is going-"

Before anybody can react I take a good clump of Tahno's hair including that annoying strand at the front and cut it with a knife I carry with me for emergencies.

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I throw the hair in front of him before slapping enough money to cover the bill on the table and take my stunned friends with me. Before leaving I see Tahno fall to his knees and gently hold up his cut hair with shaking hands and look at it.

"My hair! NOOO!!!" A broken man's scream can be heard for miles.

Needless to say, we were long gone before those guys got their bearings.

I stop at a nearby alley and fall out of my car laughing. My companions are no better. It took a good ten minutes before we could stop laughing.

"Haha...ha what I wouldn't give for a picture of his face when he realized what happened!" Korra says.

"I wonder if Tahno's going to seek revenge?" Bolin asks in concern after getting the laughs out of the way."

"Don't worry about him, and if his gang does cause you trouble just hit me up. Most people shit themselves when they first see lava coming at them at high speed." I reassure him.

Later that evening we toured the city and I told Korra about a few of my adventures while I was still an active bounty hunter. She especially likes the ones outside the water tribe territory. Can't blame her though, she did spend most of her life surrounded by endless snow.

While I and Korra enjoyed our time the same couldn't be said for Bolin. I could see that he was feeling like a third wheel in this situation. Although I do pity him the sooner he understands that Korra isn't interested in him the better.

Bolin is a good guy and he does get Opal Beifong in the end so not all is bad. Besides, I think I know how to make it up to him but it might take some time.

After dropping Bolin at Pro-bending Arena and Korra at Air Temple Island ferry I went home.

It's good to have some fun before shit hits the fan. Amon will soon make his first real move and Terrlok is going to start showing his real face. I just hope my existence will make a difference in this world for better and not for worse.