A/N: I do not own Naruto, or RWBY; please support the official release.
She was sitting in the office of the Third Hokage; her shoulder length, blonde hair dropping around the sides of her young face, hiding her violet eyes, thinking over the offer she was being given. Naru Uzumaki was eight years old, an orphan who spent her entire life wondering why the people in the village ignored her. She never knew her parents; her earliest memories being how mean the lady at the orphanage was to her. She wore a loose fitting orange shirt black shorts and sandals. Sitting near her, was a kind man with black hair and silver eyes. He had come from far away, as an ambassador from someplace called Vale. One the one hand, his offer was all she ever wanted, he offered her a place in his family, to adopt her, and give her a home that would love her. On the other hand, she would be leaving her village, the only place she's ever known. The man wasn't alone, sitting next to him was a beautiful woman with long, red hair, holding a little girl, a few years younger than Naru, on her lap; they said her name was Ruby. As soon as they met, Ruby took a liking to Naru, finally meeting someone her age she could talk to and play with.
The man, Taiyang Xiao Long, had been speaking with the Hokage, when Naru entered the office followed by the masked ANBU, Inu. Taiyang had been informed of Naru's status as Konoha's Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi by the Hokage. Taiyang's wife, Summer Rose, didn't care about the beast sealed within the little blonde girl, instead she saw what she considered a crime; no child should be left to grow up without the love of a parent. Hiruzen Sarutobi mulled over the situation carefully. On the one hand, Naru would finally get the family and love she deserved, removed away from the scornful eyes of the villagers. But on the other, the only remnant of his successor, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, would be leaving, those same villagers never knowing the tie that bound Naru to their savior. It was a closely guarded secret that Naru was the only child of Minato and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki; both had died the day Naru was born. While he was hesitant to let the little girl go, he knew, in his heart, that the life these two foreigners offered would be better for her. All that was left was for Naru to decide, did she want to stay in Konoha, the only home she'd known, despite all the hostility? Or accept the offer, and be adopted by this family, and move to a place where no one knew of her burden?
"I know this is a lot to take in, Naru," Hiruzen started, hoping the girl would accept the family that wanted her in their lives; the family she deserved. "The choice is up to you."
"Will I be able to come and visit?" violet eyes pleaded.
"Yes," Taiyang answered. "As ambassadors, Summer and I will be making regular trips here, and when your schooling allows it, you will be more than welcome to come with us."
Only two in the room had yet to voice an opinion on the matter, the first being Inu, standing next to the child he had volunteer to protect, his silver hair sticking out from behind his mask at a weird angle, and the large man with long grey hair and red clothes, standing next to the Hokage. Jiraiya had made a special trip back to Konoha for this meeting, his last stay here having introduced him to the lovable brat sitting in the chair. He had found her as a group of six drunken civilians had her cornered in an ally, makeshift clubs in hand, ready to take the life of the girl. Needless to say, those six had disappeared for a full week before they returned to their families, fearful of ever crossing paths with the little demon container again. After the encounter, Jiraiya had carried the still crying child to the Hokage's tower, the trembling form of his apprentice's orphaned child clutching tightly as tears run down her whiskered cheeks. "Don't worry, little maelstrom," Jiraiya's affectionate nickname for the girl drawing her attention. "I'll stop by to visit you often to give you some training and see how you're doing," he finished with a smile towards his Goddaughter. She had earned that nickname the morning after they met, when he awoke to his face covered in paint after sleeping in, the girl hiding and giggling at the trick she had played on the older man. The two spent that day playing; seeing the joy light up in her violet eyes sparked a warmth in his heart, a warmth he had thought extinguished when news of her parents' death had made it to him. He was the one who had given her the plush toad doll she clutched to her chest; 'Gama-chan' she called it.
Hearing these words brought a smile to the girl's face, as her fear started to ebb away. "Ok, I'll go," she said, looking shyly towards the three who would make up her new family, seeing nothing but warm, welcoming smiles in return.
With the agreement set by all parties, all that was left was the paperwork, both Hiruzen and Taiyang producing adoption papers from their respective countries. "One last thing," Hiruzen said before they continued with the signing. "It would probably be best if her name was changed, to prevent any 'bad' people from looking for her," the 'bad' part not sitting well with anyone in the room; the two young girls being the only ones not understanding.
"What do you mean by 'bad people' Jiji?" Naru asked with her head tilted to the side in confusion.
"He means the people that may try to find you… to hurt you," Summer answered for the men in the room.
"Why would they want to hurt me?" came the response, the words tainted with fear.
"Because people like them can't appreciate how special you are," Taiyang said with a comforting smile.
"Do you have a name in mind?" Hiruzen asked calmly, already admiring how the two were already trying to protect the girl.
Taiyang and Summer looked into each other's eyes briefly before nodding and smiling. "We were thinking of the name, Yang Xiao Long," the answered together, looking over at Naru to see what she thought. After a few seconds of playing the name over in her head, the blonde girl nodded her head and smiled. With everyone in agreement, Hiruzen, Taiyang, and Summer set about signing the paperwork, releasing Naru Uzumaki from Konoha, officially changing her name to Yang Xiao Long, adding her as a citizen to the Kingdom of Vale, and the legal daughter of Taiyang Xiao Long and Summer Rose.
The last in the room to speak, the normally silent Inu, stepped forward, "Hokage-sama, I would like to request permission to accompany Naru-chan, at least until they arrive safely in Vale,"
The old Hokage regarded the ANBU with a smile, Kakashi Hatake had sworn, on his sensei's death, to protect the child, requesting the position to guard the girl. He himself had personally escorted many rowdy civilians to the prisons for attempting to harm the blonde child. He had also paid, out of his own pocket, to buy her food while she was in school; he liked to believe that he was responsible for her love of Red Bean Soup. Her love of ramen however… that came from Hiruzen and her teacher, Iruka Umino; they would take her to the ramen stand some times and let her eat to her hearts content. "Permission granted… Kakashi," he responded, smiling. With the acknowledgment, Kakashi removed his mask, turning to smile at the girl, his lower face covered by a mask, and his left eye by his head band.
As the last of the paperwork was finalized, Naru was sent off with Kakashi to pack her things that she wanted to take with her. The Hokage also sending off messenger birds to the shinobi families that had accepted little Naru for who she was, instead of what she had sealed inside her; the birds carried word of Naru's departure in the morning, inviting any willing to attend. With the final signatures signed, Hiruzen and Taiyang stood, each extending a hand forward; a firm hand shake and smile being the last seal needed. "Take care of her, she has a lot of potential," the old Hokage said.
"We will," Summer stated confidently, while holding a sleeping Ruby in her lap.
"We never turn our backs on our friends, or family… believe it," Taiyang finished with a smirk, before the two released their grip.
"She doesn't yet know of the Kyubi sealed inside her," Jiraiya began. "And I would like for her to grow up normally… well as normally as she can anyway, before she finds out," the toad sage continued, looking between the two parents. "If you let me, I would like to be the one to tell her, on her 16th birthday; that's also the day I plan to tell her about her birth parents," he finished, already planning out his spy routes so he could keep tabs on his Goddaughter, clutching a small, gold locket in his palm. Inside the locket were two pictures, one of a handsome blonde man with spiky hair, and the other of a beautiful woman with long red hair.
"That sounds fair, I just hope she doesn't resent us for not telling her sooner," Taiyang said, not wanting anything to break apart his family.
"As long as you show her the love she needs, she could never resent you," Hiruzen replied, he knew the girl well, even after everything that's happened to her, she still loved the village that had been her home her whole life.
The next morning came quickly, the sun peeking over the trees that surrounded the hidden village. At the western gate, a small group was gathering to send off the little blonde girl. The Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Inuzuka clans, as well as Iruka, Jiraiya, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen and his daughter, and the Hokage all gathered to see little Naru off on her new adventure with her new family. One by one each of the children came up, said their good byes, hugged, and gave gifts to the girl that had been their friend. Shikamaru gave her a strategy game for children, a copy of one they played together. Ino gave her a scarf, orange, Naru's favorite color. Chouji handed her, and Ruby, some cookies his mother had baked for them. Kiba's gift was a puppy that the two girls instantly fell in love with; they instantly named the dog 'Zwei'. Iruka knelt down and gave the blonde his Hitai-ate, smiling as the girl clutched it tightly in her hand. Jiraiya was next, handing Naru her plush toad doll, having repaired the tears and replacing the missing parts, seeing her eyes light up brought a smile to his face. Teuchi and Ayame, of Ichiraku Ramen handed their favorite customer a booklet of coupons for their stand. Finally, the Hokage stepped forward, showing her a small bundle of scrolls, "Naru, these are for you when you're a little older; they have different techniques that should help you out with your training. I want you to know, that no matter how far away you are, you will always have a home here, and a place in our hearts," the old man said as the violet eyed girl wrapped her arms around the man she considered to be her grandfather, tears in both of their eyes.
With all the goodbyes said, the family, with their new addition, and Kakashi set off towards the clearing where Bullhead Airship rested. As the ship's engines turned on, and the craft started to lift off, one thing went through Naru's mind, 'Today, I am no longer Naru Uzumaki, from now on, I am Yang Xiao Long.' With that thought, the ship sped off towards the Kingdom of Vale, and towards her new life.
The trip took several hours, the dull hum of the engines luring Yang's eyes closed, her restless night prior slackening her grip on consciousness. Soon she was in a deep sleep, laying on the seats of the Bullhead, with her head resting peacefully on Summer's lap, that fact bringing an affectionate smile to the woman's face as she idly examined the features of her new daughter. The adoption of little Naru had been for political reasons, to help secure a treaty between Konoha and Vale, but the woman was more than happy to accept this new addition to her family. Hearing the story of this violet eyed girl from Hiruzen had caused an ache in her heart; part of her was mad at the village leader, couldn't he do something to help the girl? She didn't understand the politics of the shinobi world, all the assassinations, the espionage, the cold war they seemed to have going on at all times. Then there was the shinobi academy, training children to be killers at such a young age; while the huntsman academies weren't too much better, beginning training at 12-13 years, but by that time, the shinobi academies were graduating children into their military ranks. As it was, Naru… no Yang, had already been through two years of shinobi training, enough to survive in the village, but nowhere near enough to survive the harsh world she was born into.
Summer was brought out of her thoughts when she noticed little Ruby climb onto the seat next to her new sister, laying down while Yang instinctively wrapped her arm around the smaller girl. Taiyang and Kakashi were talking about differences in culture, training, and types of missions, when they glanced over, seeing the two girls sleeping peacefully together, a smile on both of their faces; Taiyang's for seeing his family grow; and Kakashi's for seeing Naru safe and at peace. 'Minato-sensei, Kushina, your baby girl is finally going to get the love you always wanted to give her,' Kakashi thought as the aircraft continued on course.
The trip was long, but finally the island of Patch was in sight; in the morning Taiyang and Yang would travel to Beacon to finalize the adoption paperwork with Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster of the prestigious academy, getting her added as a citizen of the Kingdom of Vale. Tonight though, tonight was the first night their newest family member would spend in her new home. The negotiations had been going on ever since the two cultures had discovered each other's existence. The first demand for the treaty had actually been a political marriage, one to tie the two nations together, but both Taiyang and Hiruzen had been against the idea. They wanted the girl to grow up normally, well as normal as an eight year old, orphan, demon container, moving from her less than appreciative home, to another country, on another continent, to start a new life, could hope to be. Political marriages rarely ever concerned the happiness of the two actually being wed, leading to a strained relationship of two people who eventually grew to resent and hate each other. They wanted Yang to marry someone she loved, not someone she was forced to be with.
After they landed, Taiyang picked up Yang, and Summer picked up Ruby, carrying the two sleeping girls inside the Xiao Long house while Kakashi carried and two of his Shadow Clones carried the baggage they had brought with them. The house was big, more than enough for the couple, the two children, and guests. For the time being, they elected to put Yang in Ruby's room, at least until they finished setting up Yang's room; they wanted to let her pick out the paint color and bed spread. "We have a spare bedroom that you can use, until you head back to Konoha," Taiyang offered, Summer smiling her agreement from beside her husband.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality, if it is alright, I would like to accompany you to see this 'Headmaster' tomorrow," the silver-haired shinobi responded while looking down at the girl that was like a niece to him.
"I think Yang would be happy to have you with us, having something familiar around when she goes to a new place, especially one as… different from what she's used to as Beacon," Taiyang answered, closing the door to the room as they left the girls to sleep.
The next morning found Kakashi sitting outside on a tree branch, watching the sun rise, while lost in his thoughts of the past eight years. Inside the house, Taiyang and Summer walked quietly to Ruby's bedroom, opening the door softly while peeking inside. To their delight, they saw the two girls, asleep on one bed, Yang with her arm protectively over the younger Ruby, the doll, Gama-chan, tucked in between them. The two adults gently shut the door, before walking towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast; they had a couple hours before they needed to leave for Beacon. The girls woke to the smell of breakfast cooking, the delicious aroma wafting through the space between the door and the floor. Violet and silver eyes cracked open slowly, barely recognizing each other before both started to drift closed again. Ruby's eyes shot open with a start, not yet realizing who it was in her bed, and with a yelp of surprise, she scooted backwards before falling off of the small bed onto the floor with a thump. The smaller girl's yell awoke Yang, who in turn cried out as well, before she too fell off of the bed. As the two girls, now fully awake, stood up from the floor, they turned to the window, as they heard the sound of someone chuckling. A plume of spikey silver hair was bouncing with the sound of the laughing. Violet eyes narrowed as recognition hit them, Yang's hand reaching for the nearest object she could throw at Kakashi's head.
He knew that the stuffed toad doll was flying at his head, he could dodge it easily, but for the sake of the two little girls in the room, he elected to let the toy hit his head. Without turning around, he tossed the toy back onto the bed before walking off towards the front of the house, "Breakfast is almost ready, better hurry before it's all gone," he said with a smile and a hint of tease in his voice. Both girls looked back at each other as the words sank in, both girls hurrying to get dressed and get down to the food waiting for them. After breakfast, everyone spent time getting ready, bathing and getting dressed for their trip from Patch, to Vale and Beacon Academy. Summer stayed home with Ruby, while Taiyang, Kakashi, and Yang loaded up onto the Bullhead airship and took off from their little island home.
This flight took much less time than the one from the elemental nations, Yang spent the whole flight marveling at the wonders of Vale and it's technology; Taiyang spent the time going over the events of the negotiations in Konoha. Professor Ozpin had told him of the Counsels decision to seek a political marriage between the two countries in the aim of 'creating peace' between them. But after the call with the Counsel had finished, Ozpin, in his typically cryptic way, had let Taiyang know that he was to use his judgement and make the best choice. The ambassador had sent back communications on Ozpin's private line, letting him know how the negotiations had been going, and what choices had been made. Taiyang could only hope that the Counsel wouldn't be too outraged by how the events had played out.
As their ship came in to land on the Headmaster's personal landing pad, they could see two individuals waiting for them; one was a tall, thin man, he had grey hair, dark glasses that sat down on his nose. He wore a dark green suit, and carried a cane and mug of coffee. Next to him was an almost equally tall woman with blonde hair and green eyes. She wore a business-like outfit with a cape. When their ship landed, its three passengers disembarked, Taiyang in the lead, with Kakashi and Yang following him, Kakashi holding Yang's hand to keep her from running off.
Taiyang had sent pictures of the little girl ahead of them, so Ozpin was curious of this other mysterious visitor that had accompanied them. He was a tall man, grey hair, like his own, his lower face covered by a cloth mask, while his headband was pulled down to hide his left eye. The man stood with a relaxed posture, but Ozpin could tell that the man was observing everything around him, discerning any possible threats and calculating strategies to counter them. "Mr. Xiao Long, it is good to see you again, my old friend," Ozpin opened the conversation with a smile, sparing the man who somewhat resembled a scarecrow, a sideways glance. "I am Professor Ozpin, and this is my assistant Glynda Goodwitch; and you are?" the Headmaster asked, turning to fully face the unexpected guest.
"Kakashi Hatake, shinobi of Konoha, pleasure to meet you," he responded, performing one of his signature 'eye-smiles'.
Taking a sip of his coffee while he processed this information, Ozpin knew that Glynda, his assistant, would be far more direct in the situation… well and that she greatly disliked surprises.
"And why did your village send you here, Mr. Hatake?" the tall blonde asked, gripping her tablet tightly.
"I requested to come, I had been assigned to guard little Naru since she was born. Her parents were very dear to me," the seemingly lazy shinobi responded, the last line drew attention from Ozpin, Glynda, and especially Yang.
"You knew my parents?" the little girl asked, hope filling her eyes.
"Yes, but there is little I am allowed to tell you, regrettably," He said, kneeling down to her level. "I can tell you that they loved you more than life itself, and that if they had been able to, they would have given anything to be there with you," he told the girl, his hand resting gently on top of her head, a sad smile on his face. "On your 16th birthday, you will be told about your parents, I promise," he stated, before standing back up into his lazy posture.
"Why, may I ask, can't you tell the girl about her parents?" Ozpin questioned, he knew of the girl's burden, but the Hokage would not divulge the girl's parentage to him.
"The law put in place to protect her from her parents' enemies," Kakashi responded. "If word got out that little Naru was who she is, there would be a line of assassins coming to take her life," he finished, taking note of the shock evident on Glynda's face.
"Well, little Naru," Ozpin started.
"Actually Headmaster, her name is Yang now, Yang Xiao Long," Taiyang interrupted, kneeling down next to his adopted daughter.
"… Little Yang then, will be safe," Ozpin finished, taking no offense at the interruption. Pulling on the door handle, Ozpin ushered his guests inside, with Glynda entering last and moving to stand next to the Headmaster's desk. "Well then, I am sure that you are all eager to get back home and enjoy what time you have left before the school semester starts," Ozpin said, after he had taken his seat behind his desk. "Taiyang, do you have the paperwork?" he asked, knowing that his ambassador would never forget something this important.
"Yes, sir, I have it right here," Vale's ambassador said, as he produced the documents that would secure the treaty with Konoha, and officially make little Naru Uzumaki his daughter, and rename her as Yang Xiao Long, citizen of Vale. The signing went quickly and a copy was handed by Ozpin, to Kakashi, to take back to the Hokage.
"Kakashi, was it?" Ozpin asked as the group was heading back towards the Bullhead airship that would take them back to Patch.
"Yes," the man said, turning back towards the Headmaster.
"I take it you plan to visit little Yang in the future?" came the question.
"Yes, I plan on visiting when I can," Kakashi said, glancing towards the little blonde girl.
"Feel free to drop by for coffee and a chat, whenever you're in town," Ozpin offered, extending his hand forward. Smiling, Kakashi extended his own hand, taking the Headmaster's in a firm handshake, before the two men nodded their respect to each other. They had learned much during their time together, through words, both spoken and unspoken, body language, and most importantly, through their concern over the little girl that was leaving one life behind, and starting a new life at the same time.
"What do you make of this Kakashi Hatake?" Glynda asked, checking over her Scroll again.
"He is a man who has lost a great deal, and has sworn to protect what he has left," Ozpin replied.
"So he leaves the girl he has been protecting her entire life, with people he barely knows, in a country he's never been to before?" she asked, the idea sounded absurd to her.
"If he didn't trust Taiyang and his wife, or us for that matter, with the safety of that girl, there is nothing we could do to stop him," came the blunt reply.
"Stop him from what?" the obvious question asked.
"From killing anyone and everyone that threatened her life," the Headmaster stated.
"How would he do that? My Scroll shows he brought no weapons with him," the blonde said, not believing that one man could pose such a threat to two of the strongest Huntsmen in Vale.
"That man is a weapon, a weapon that has been forged in war, sacrifice, and loss," Ozpin said in his typical cryptic manor. "We can only hope that we never give them a reason to question that trust," he finished, taking another sip of coffee while looking out of his office window at the departing aircraft.