Chapter 1

Born from Dust

There was a sound of pitter-patter all around him. It was so soft, but the beats resounded unceasingly and got louder in his mind. Then he felt it hit his skin. What was this? Rain? Yes, it was raining. When did it start raining? He couldn't, for the life of him, remember when it began.

He could feel the water hit soundlessly onto his body and feel it slide down his face. He could feel his clothes get heavier with every second that passed, the rain soaking into the fabric. He could feel the cold night air walk by. Silently. It hit him so gently that it felt more like a whisper into his ear - like it was an apology said by the most sincere of voices. It was soothing.

He could feel all these things, but nothing else. Even his own breath felt like it was not there. He didn't feel the rise or fall of his chest.

What was this phantom feeling in his right arm? It was like static. Oh, he didn't have an arm again. Wait, again? Weird.

In the distance, so far away from him, he could hear running. Was it running? He didn't know. He assumed it was if the slosh of mud and water was any indication. There was a brief pause as something - someone he came to realize - stopped next to him. The person dropped to his level, onto their knees, with a wet thud onto the fresh mud. He looked up and saw blue. Was it blue? It was dark, almost purple, and swayed down onto his face. He could feel the rain along with the indigo locks caressing his cheeks.

Oh. It wasn't just rain. It was tears. The person next to him was crying. Tears that fell from her pale, lavender eyes. It's okay, please don't cry.

"You idiot." The person's voice was soft and angelic. It was a woman, he figured. There was something in her voice he couldn't identify. "You just had to be the hero, didn't you?"

The woman laughed softly, but he heard her whimper. He felt a shift as his head was lifted slowly and gently laid down upon her lap. His breathing hitched at the familiar feeling, but why?

"Saving the village wasn't enough for you," she spoke again, "You had to go and use the Kishō Tensei. You just had to be the reckless, compassionate idiot you are!"

She laughed a little louder. It was filled with sorrow but it was so heavenly. He just had to say something. He didn't know what was going on, but he opened his mouth and spoke to her. He was sure words came out, but he couldn't hear himself, he didn't know what he said.

"Of course I'm happy you fool. You saved everyone - you gave your life for Boruto and Himawari-"

Boruto? Himawari? Who was that?

"They're going to see tomorrow because you gave them this…a second chance...They're going to live to follow their dreams and play with little Konami-chan." He hadn't thought it was possible, but she cried harder. "But their tomorrow is not going to have you."

She stroked his hair as she whispered to him. He could vaguely notice that other people had joined them. They surrounded him - did they know him too? Who were they all? He didn't know who this pretty woman was, but she was nice to him. He liked her voice. But...it felt so far away from him...

"Konami-chan turns two on Saturday. But her papa is not going to be there." She kissed his forehead, sending warmth through his body. He didn't realize he was so cold. His breathing slowed.

"Those three need you. I need you." Your voice is getting further, wait, please! "I love you, my -"

Don't go!

"OW! Oum damn it…"

Pulling his face from the floor, Naruto rubbed his red nose and turned to look at the bed beside him. He had fallen off…again. Ugh, it would not be good for him if he had to use a bunk bed.

"Itai…" He grumbled….whatever that word meant. As he got up he realized his breathing was heavy. For a second he almost thought he stopped all together.

What was that dream about? Wait, was he dreaming? He didn't remember. Ugh, he thought, this was too frustrating!

He moved his head, glancing across the room as he tried to slow his pacing heart. It was a nice room, he noted, the maids had probably cleaned it yesterday and he hadn't noticed. He turned his head towards the table and saw a clock. It read 6 am. Huh, that's new. He never really was a morning person.

Slowly, he removed the covers, getting off his bed and onto his feet. Grumbling to himself, he made his way to his personal bathroom. Living in luxury did sometimes have its kicks. Flipping the light on, he made his way towards the sink. He furrowed his brow as he realized he still wasn't that tall - his head only just came over the counter top! Life wasn't fair, why couldn't he be taller!

He knew he was only ten but it felt like he had problems with his height for multiple decades.

Sighing, Naruto pulled up a stool and proceeded to wash his face.

He looked up into the mirror. The reflection of a cerulean blue-eyed youth fronted him back. His complexion was pale but his skin was fair. His head was rounded and pudgy, common for someone his age, but the three whisker-like marks that adorned each of his cheeks was his most notable feature.

They were scars, his mother told him, that hadn't healed properly since he was a baby.

As Naruto rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes, his attention drifted to his hair. It was styled medium length, but spiked outwards in harmonious chaos. It was very different from his family's smooth, downwards hair. As he inspected his reflection, he idly wondered why having white hair felt off to him.

Standing in the kitchen - err, rather on a chair in the kitchen - Naruto made his breakfast. The stove was at an appropriate heat for him to handle and all his ingredients were laid out upon the counter top for his convenience. Despite the incessant pleas from the maids and chefs (that they would make his food for him) Naruto persisted with his culinary creations. He would give them a smile and say how he enjoyed their dutifulness but he would prefer to have his own fun. In reluctance, they would let him do as he pleased and help him reach for ingredients his young body would not allow him to.

In all honesty, the servants enjoyed Naruto's cooking. The boy was a hard worker and loved to have fun. Surely, as well, it was the one hobby he was not forced to have: thus he enjoyed it. They gave him these moments of freedom and tried to hide it as well as possible from his father's eyes.

They couldn't lie either: the young master was just too damn persuasive!

"Cooking again, Naruto?" Said boy turned around to see a tall white haired man in a denim business suit. The man's face was angular, matured, but held the same white hair, skin tone and blue eyes (albeit a pale blue) that Naruto had. His pale hair was slicked back and stubble was apparent on his lower face. In all, he was a very handsome man for one who was only twenty-five.

"You want any, Noel?" Naruto asked, showing him his skillet filled with a fresh pancake. He and Noel were not particularly close, but unlike his other siblings, Noel respected Naruto enough to not push his buttons nor force him to do such things as endlessly study. Naruto figured because Noel had gone through that as a child, he would support his siblings' choices.

"I appreciate it," The elder brother stated, "but I'm late for a flight. I'll see you this weekend, tell mother I said bye."

"Mkay, bro."

The young white-haired cook pondered his brother as he watched him leave the kitchen. He didn't quite know where his brother was headed, but he necessarily didn't care. There was obviously no bad blood between anyone in the family, but he felt as if - when it concerned him - that tensions were high.

There was, undoubtedly, their father who pushed all of them every day. He believed in perfection, he believed in order. He unsurprisingly did not take Naruto's goofing off with a grain of salt. In his early years, he quickly cut his joker attitude and forbid him from committing any of his abominable pranks. From the moment he could remember, his father placed him on curfew and gave him tutors that took up every moment of his day.

From scholarly topics - such as mathematics, to history and to philosophy - to classes upon classes of high-class etiquette and ballroom dancing, these tutors expected him to know everything. Despite his age, he was taught subjects most teens graduating Beacon wouldn't know. If it weren't for his odd (almost inhuman, actually) ability to learn things quickly, his brain would have fried. The problem was his brain had to concentrate on a myriad of things, it couldn't just be a singular topic. He couldn't focus on one thing too clearly, but give him multiple subjects to juggle or bombard him with a variety of information, he could handle it.

But the fact was: it was all SO BORING.

That's why he enjoyed cooking so much. He could do multiple tasks at once to his delight. Even better, he wasn't forced to learn it! In fact, many times he would be told to cease the activity from his father. The man believed that since there are servant around, one of his children should not lower themselves to do such menial tasks. In frustration and rebellion, Naruto would always try to sneak in his cooking time when no one was around.

As well as banning him from cooking, his father wouldn't allow him to begin his training to become a Huntsman. He believed that he was too young - too immature - to handle the responsibility and toll. Naruto disagreed.

He found it a little unfair too. All of his older siblings had started their training around this age before they entered a junior academy. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, his dad wouldn't allow him such privilege.

He had to admit, his dad was a dick.

Wait, he's ten. Where did that come from?

Naruto would be the first to say that he was the black sheep of the family. His father was a hard ass who believed in business and perfection. He rarely had time for his children and usually sought the best tutors and instructors for them as a way to make up for his lack of involvement in his children's lives. The whiskered cook felt as if this attitude was especially thrown onto him. The patriarch of the family didn't believe Naruto had many outstanding qualities or talents, but pushed him anyways.

In contrast, Noel was the only one who didn't push him. However, because Noel worked underneath their father for the company, he rarely had time to ever be around his siblings.

The boy felt as if Noel wasn't the only one who didn't have time for him either. His two older sisters, Bianka and Clara, weren't always around either. Bianka, who was younger than Noel by three years, was more like their father than Naruto would have liked. She was stuck up, believing herself to be better than most. Not only was she rich, she was tall, talented and beautiful. She had long white hair, just like their mother's, that cascaded down her figure nicely. Their signature skin and eye colors did not hold her beauty back.

She was, much like Noel was, a "perfect" child. Responsible, strong and independent: qualities she would always remind Naruto she had so he could emulate her. She wanted Naruto to adore her. He loved his sister, truly he did, but he couldn't give her what she wanted. No way in hell!

Then there was Clara, who was again three years younger than the elder sibling. She, much like Bianka, was the epitome of a child, possessing talent and beauty in throws. Unlike her elder, she opted for a short hair style (more of a bob cut) and didn't give off the attitude of an heiress. To Naruto's relief, she was more laid back; however, unlike the second child, she outright ignored Naruto, not even giving him the time of day. He could only assume what her deal was. In all ten years of his life, he had yet to figure her out.

It still stuck with him that they were all accomplished Hunters (or in Clara's case, Hunters in training) - all accomplished adults - and they acted as if he was insignificant in their lives. He was supposed to be family!

One of the only members of his family who even gave a damn about him was his mother. It saddened him to know that the beautiful woman couldn't spend much time with him because of her duties to her husband, the company, and taking care of the infant girl of the family, Neve.

He knew as well that all of their names related to the cold, snow or the color of white one way or another. This made him feel even more of an outcast. Really, he was named after a ramen topping! What kind of name was Naruto?!

Not that he minded. He loved his ramen. Thank you Oum for the blessed dish of the gods!

Wait, where was he? Oh yeah, complaining! And another thing -

"You're going to burn your pancakes."

Oh right, he was still cooking.

Flipping another pancake onto a plate and refilling the pan, Naruto turned towards the source of the voice. It was a girl five years older than him. Just like his other siblings, she shared the same features. Her hair was cut just above her shoulders and her bangs fell to the side to cover her right eye. She wore a white blouse and pale blue shorts that did nothing to hide her figure. Despite being fifteen, it was evident that the girl would grow into a voluptuous woman if her budding frame had anything to say about it.

But what did he care? He is ten. Carry on.

"What do you want, Winter?" Naruto scowled at his sister. Their relationship wasn't terrible but it wasn't perfect either. She was the prodigy child of the Schnee. Winter doted over him and nagged him about his studies. He felt as if she always took every chance she got to remind him he was better than her. She, just like Bianka, Clara and even Noel, was picture perfect and had no qualms about showing it off like the eldest Schnee daughter. She constantly poked fun at him in her monotone and flaunted all her advantaged she had over him, especially considering she was five years his senior. He had no idea why, but she felt like she was a female version of someone who pissed him off.

In essence, she was a bastard!

"Give me a pancake, runt."

Scratch that, she was a Teme!

...Whatever that meant...

"Ugh fine." Naruto pouted and loaded her plate with two blueberry flapjacks. "Are the others awake?"

"Mother is still asleep - as well as Bianka and Neve. You already know Clara is out in Vale with father on a business trip." She took the plate from him and sat down at the nearby table. "I woke up the little princess on my way here." She took a bite out of her pancake. If she enjoyed it, she gave no signs that praised his cooking. "Did Noel leave already?"

"Yeah," Naruto stated, turning off the stove and cleaning his tools, "about ten minutes ago. He told me to say hi to mom."

"Hn, well don't forget. You know how mother gets."

"What?! I have an excellent memory!"

"Is that why you're wearing your shirt on backwards?"

…Shit.

"S-shut up."

"Oh? Did my little brother stutter?"

"No! I did no such thing!"

"If only he spoke as he cooked: consistently."

Naruto huffed and crossed his arms. His ears were red from embarrassment. He wished he had better quips, but for now his child like mind couldn't come up with any remarks that would even fluster the girl. Thankfully, he was saved when someone his age come through the door.

She looked much like Winter, however her hair was tied into a messy ponytail on the side of her head. She wore pajamas that dragged along the floor and held the arm of a stuffed bear in her right hand. As she walked, the bear too dragged across the kitchen tiles as her other hand tried to rub the sleep from her eyes. The bleary look in them made Naruto chuckle as Winter observed the young Schnee with an unnoticeable smirk on her pretty face.

"Do you want some breakfast, Princess?" Said Naruto, as he placed a plate of pancakes in front of her.

The girl looked down at the plate in front of her and blushed. "F-Father said we shouldn't eat such simple foods." Despite her tiredness, the little heiress still had it in her to act prim and proper. However, Naruto still knew her weaknesses.

"But Princess, they're blueberry! I know it's not as good as blueberry frozen yogurt, but I know blueberries are your favorite!" He said slyly. He enjoyed her restlessness as she sat on her hands to prevent herself from reaching the fork. "Winter's eating them too. Besides, dad's on a trip to Vale with Clara, doing some boring CEO stuff. He won't find out." The whiskered boy winked at his younger sister.

"W-well since you made it I guess I can't let it go to waste..." The younger girl's cheeks twinged pink as she dug into her food. Naruto honestly spoiled her sometimes.

Weiss Schnee, or as he would like to call her, Princess, was his younger twin. Just like him, Weiss had a problem with feeling lonely and ignored, as well as pressured by their father. Though unlike him, Weiss was very self-conscious about making mistakes. She liked being a know-it-all, in hopes to impress their family, but the energy deriving from that personality trait didn't match the low amount of self-confidence she had within herself.

When their father found out about Weiss' extraordinary singing ability, he immediately took to nurturing that talent. He hired the best coaches and the best equipment so she could be a celebrity. Naruto had to admit, it was working, for his twin really was beginning to shine like a child star. But with all these aspects of her life being controlled, Naruto took it upon himself to try and spoil the girl. He tried to show her that she could believe in herself and make her own choices. He tried to make sure that she never felt lonely and that being compassionate and making mistakes was okay. Weiss was the only thing really keeping him tied to the family.

Despite her being such a goody-two-shoes brat.

"Oh is it good?"

"It's a-acceptable," she replied to Winter.

And in the words of Winter, she was a hardcore tsundere.

…Seriously, what language was that!?

"Now, now, sis, don't pick on Princess."

"Hmm, nope. I find it fun."

"This is why I'm Weiss' favorite!" Naruto state while glaring at his sister. He turned to his twin while beaming her a face-splitting smile. He placed a hand on her head and stroked her hair while saying, "Isn't that right, Princess?"

Weiss' face exploded in red as she stared at her brother. Let it be known that Weiss Schnee was not a bro-con. She was in no way obsessed with her caring twin!

As the singer spluttered and fumbled her words, Naruto took that as a sign to dote over her even more. He grabbed the girl in a tight embrace and rubbed his cheek against hers. Steam poured out of her ears and her faced burned with embarrassment.

NOT A BRO-CON!

"Common, say it Weiss!"

"Don't Weiss. A Schnee should not lower themselves to the degenerate standards of this moron."

"I'm a Schnee too, Winter!"

"That's debatable, short-stack."

"No more food for you then! You're getting fat anyways."

"You insufferable little snot!"

"Stuck up brat!"

"Whisker faced idiot!"

"Chubby, mean-faced fatass!"

"Good one, you dead brained mouse."

"At least I'm not a closet otaku!"

There was a gasp at the table as the world froze over. Winter's hand covered her mouth in shock. She reeled back with wide eyes at her brother's insult. Her face was an even more brilliant shade of red than Weiss'. Getting up abruptly, she slammed on hand on the table and pointed at the younger white haired youth.

"You take that back," she demanded, "or you'll regret it!"

"Make me, air-head!"

"This is why father doesn't let you train yet, you annoying child!"

"I'll get you for that, Winter!"

"Is that a threat?"

"No! It's a promise! And I NEVER go back on my promises!"

Jumping to his feet Naruto ran around the table in an attempt to dodge Winter's clutches.

As they ran around the table, Weiss couldn't help the smile that found its way to her face. She had to admit, her family was weird. Very weird. But Naruto always seemed to know how to lighten up her day. She ate her pancakes in contentment as she watched her older sister tackle her twin to the ground. Despite the rough noogie she gave Naruto, Winter smiled: she couldn't stay mad at her little mouse. Naruto was laughing, too, as he rolled on the floor alongside her.

It just so happened that his laughter was contagious. Eventually, all three siblings filled the room with their delight.

Unbeknownst to them, their mother stood in the doorway as she watched her darlings enjoy their morning breakfast. She smiled warmly at the sight. As she turned her eyes to Naruto, she couldn't help but keep her gaze lingering on him.

Naruto was the most different of all her children, and admittedly, the least favored by her husband. Yet, with all her heart, she only wished that he would be happy and return that genuine smile that she would see when he was but a child.

She didn't even notice the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

When Naruto awoke in the middle of the night, it wasn't sudden and pain-filled like it was in the morning. He took a moment to remember where he was – who he was. Slowly, he opened his eyes and sat up in bed, resting his weight on his elbows behind him.

His eyes flickered with an emotion foreign to him. T-that, he thought, that felt too real.

"Uzumaki," he said. It rolled off his tongue. It felt natural, but it was a word so far from him he couldn't place where it belonged.

Shaking himself out of his funk, he got up from his bed and headed to the kitchen intent on getting a drink of water. As he walked through the halls of the Schnee mansion, he made no sound. Not wanting to wake up his siblings he quickly made his way downstairs and to the kitchen to get his drink.

As he gulped down his refreshment, he placed the glass into the sink and made his way back towards the stairs. He never noticed before that, if he wanted to, he could be really stealthy. Making no noise while stepping on a hard wood flooring was quite difficult. He guessed he was just light-footed.

Silently, he made his way across the lobby and when he heard something. Was that talking? Who would be awake at this time of night?

With curiosity taking the better of him, he followed the mumbling until he came across a set of doors with green light filtering beneath the gap between the wood and the floor. It was the conference room. Who was using it?

As if he were a ghost, Naruto glided across the floor and towards the fancy entrance. He placed his hand onto the handle and, with minimum force, pulled it down. He pulled the door towards himself, enough to see through it with an eye and hear whoever was inside.

Listening closely, the words of the person talking became clearer. He realized it was a conversation. He immediately identified that the person in the room was his mother and that she was having a conversation with his father on a large screen. All he could see in this interaction was his mother's back as she blocked her husband's face on the video feed.

He guessed their discussion must be important for them both to be up and talking at this hour. His curiosity sated, he attempted to silently close the door.

"What do you mean he's not allowed to train?" He heard. He was momentarily surprised, he never heard such venom in his mom's voice before.

"Dear, you must see it my-"

"I don't care for your way! His birthday is in weeks: he and Weiss will both be eleven. You've delayed this for far too long and now you mean to tell me that he would not even be allowed to begin his training?"

W-what did she mean by that? His dad couldn't possibly…

"You must understand! He does not hold the potential to be the type of Huntsman his siblings are. Yes, both he and Weiss have not unlocked their Aura, but clearly you should be able to see by now that Weiss is more suited for the life of a Huntress."

"I don't agree with your observations. He's but a young boy: how do you not believe he could be ready? All his life all he wanted to do was be a Huntsman and you've denied him every opportunity to even begin his dreams!"

"WHAT DOES HE HAVE THEN?" Naruto flinched at his father's raised tone. "Unlike his siblings, I feel no power deriving from him. He holds no qualities that say otherwise! He is a child without the mind nor courage the other children possess. He does not even have any meaningful talents."

"Yes, he does! He-"

"He what? He can cook? It is mediocre by far, even by the standards of one his age. What else? He can play jovial, idiotic pranks? Face it woman, he is not ready for the life of a Huntsman: he is too immature, too weak, too yield-"

"Don't you dare!" She cried as she interrupted him. "Don't you dare say he isn't determined! The one thing you cannot deny is Naruto is, above all else, too strong willed to back down. Even if you deny him his opportunity, his resolve is stronger than yours."

The married pair stared into each other's eyes through the feed of the video. It felt like an eternity that they stared at each other, calculating the other's statements. Naruto hadn't even realized he had been holding his breath.

"When that child," his father began, "falls in the battlefield, his death will not be on my hands."

"It would be that way," the woman replied, "if you do not take his training into consideration."

There was a pause as the Schnee patriarch studied his wife. The man contemplated for a moment before his temper took the better of him as he gambled with his next statement.

"It is not my fault he does not possess the genes to be a professional."

"Do not start this, husband! He is still your son!"

"And you should not delude yourself," the edge in his voice was sharp as he spoke.

"…"

They stood in silence until he sighed.

"I know you love him like he is truly family-"

What? W-what!? What did that mean?

"-but he is not even of our blood."

Naruto clamped a hand over his mouth to prevent himself from gasping out loud. His eyes were wide and he could already feel the tears build in them. His vision blurred and the world sounded lifelessly dull around him. His body numbed as he saw his mother start to cry.

"All you do," she sobbed, "is ignore him. He is not like the other children – I know –but he's lived so long without our love that seeing him walk around like a normal boy is not okay! He must be broken but he's hiding it because of-"

"My decision is final!"

His words reverberated through the room and echoed off the walls. The outburst was so sudden and so sharp that she gaped at him in shock. The CEO's breathing was rushed, but he calmed himself. After a long pause he spoke to her again.

"He is not a Schnee. We cannot rely that he will grow to be strong when we do not even know his origins. For all we know, he may neither possess an Aura or a Semblance.

"I will not deny him the opportunity to join a junior academy when he is of age, but for now he will not join Weiss' sessions to begin her career. He will not jeopardize her future. I will have Winter and Bianka tutor her as well. I will see to it that Weiss' training schedule is balanced with her vocal coach and recitals. Goodnight."

Before his father could even close the video call, he had already turned around and fled the room. He didn't know where he was going but eventually he came to stop at another set of double doors. He opened them and softly closed them behind him. His collapsed onto the nearest door and slide down the wood in his weakness. His back planted itself flat on the wood as he tilted his head down into his hands.

He lifted his head and saw the tears that gathered into his palms.

He was…he was adopted? This entire time…he was adopted? Why didn't they tell him?

Noel…Bianka…Clara…Neve…

Winter…

They…weren't his real siblings.

Good Oum.

Weiss wasn't even his twin.

Did his father even love him? Had he ever? How could he possibly when his fifth child wasn't really a Schnee.

The young heir rocked back and worth as he sobbed into his hands.

Wasn't he good enough?

It was four hours later when Naruto regained his senses. He vaguely realized that he had collapsed in the family study, but he also didn't care. Glancing at the clock on the wall - a quarter 'til six – he realized he would have to face his…family? Was that the right word?

His brain hurt too much to care at the moment. His headache was killing him.

He looked down and studied his hands. They were cold and unfeeling. He could see the wet marks of almost dried up tears.

"Had I been crying this whole time?" He pondered aloud.

What am I going to do?

Easily Naruto could confront his mother, but he felt that would be unfair to her. She may have not spent too much time with him now-a-days, but she still treated him like her son.

He couldn't really confront his…father either. He wasn't scheduled to come back in four days.

Noel and Clara were not home. Bianka nor Winter wouldn't give him the advice he wanted to hear. Neve was three and Weiss…No, he couldn't do that to her.

He wondered if there was anyone he could talk to about this. No. There was no one. The Schnee children were often sheltered and the only interactions they had were with employees of the family or other high-society individuals and their children.

Needless to say, Naruto did not get along with those children.

Nor did they get along with his fist to their face when they dissed his ramen.

It was difficult for the white-haired boy to figure out what to do next. His life had been thrown into a loop and a wrench had ruined the gears that allowed it to function.

Did he hate his father? He wasn't sure. He wasn't so much as mad that he was adopted, but he was angrier that the old Schnee saw it as an excuse as to why Naruto wasn't good enough in his eyes.

Naruto got up from his spot and proceeded to the kitchen. He'd wash up there, make it look like he hadn't just spent the last four hours crying his eyes out.

Drying his face and hands with a hand towel, Naruto approached the stove and stared at it. He hadn't ate for hours but he wasn't hungry. There was a void within him that food could not fix. He was tempted to turn around and walk away. He wanted to go back to his room and sleep the day away.

But he couldn't. Not when Weiss and Winter would wake up soon, wondering why he had not already cooked. They always woke up earlier than everyone else so that they could catch Naruto cooking and tell him to make them something. Unlike the others, they were the only two who supported his hobby, let alone actually try his creations.

His face scrunched up in confusing. With a final push to his resolve, he got to cooking.

It didn't take him long, he needed to go to his bed and think about what happened the night before. He placed their breakfast onto portable trays and held one in each hand. He planned to walk into their rooms and placed one nearby, vacating as quickly as possible to not wake them up.

After finishing his delivery to Weiss' room, he approached Winter's with the food in hand. Opening the door, Naruto noiselessly snuck into her room and placed her breakfast on the nightstand beside her.

He stood there for a moment. Gazing at her sleeping face, Naruto felt a pang in his chest. Sure, she wasn't always nice to him - actually, sometimes she was downright mean – but he still cared for her.

He saw sleep without a care in the world. Even fast asleep her hair was tidy and flowed behind her head. No strand was out of place as it was all neatly splayed on her pillow. Their personalities were so different, but they looked so alike. Yet…she wasn't his real sister.

Does she know?

If she did, she never showed it. She treated him like an annoyance, but he couldn't deny that he loved when she was around. Even when she treated him like dirt he knew she didn't really mean it. He didn't want Winter to not be a part of his life…but he knew there were choices he'd have to make soon…

"I love you – even if you're not my real sister."

He stepped out of her room and closed the door with an almost inaudible click. His eyes lingered on her door briefly before he made his way back to his room. The moment he laid his head down onto his bed, he felt heavy.

He had an idea what he was going to now…but he would sleep on it.

Yawn

Sleep did sound good to him.

This time, he didn't dream.

Weiss was humming to herself as she practiced her next piece for her upcoming recital. Unlike before, she would play her own accompaniment with her song – her coach felt she was ready. She sat at a large grand piano in her family's social hall while playing the ivory keys. Practicing her chords, she sang perfectly executed runs with her drills to warm up her voice.

To her left, Naruto sat on a tall stool and had his arms crossed on top of the piano. He was lying his head with his eyes closed. His cheek was pushed up and red from him resting it on his arms.

Weiss smiled. She liked this moments. No one to tell her to do anything or bug and annoy her. Just her and her twin.

Her eyes softened as she looked at the sleeping boy. He probably tired himself out from studying all day. Today's lessoned consisted of government structure and simple politics. He also woke up early to prepare her and Winter breakfast so it was no wonder he needed this nap.

While she wouldn't admit it out loud, and especially not to him, she loved his cooking and thought it was adorable that he tried to hide it from everyone. She knew Winter, as emotionless as she appeared to be, also thought Naruto's actions were adorable.

The ten-year old caught herself staring at the boy's sleeping face. His whisker marks were clearly visible from this distance and his pudgy cheeks make it even better. He looked peaceful and-

Cuteee~

Weiss snapped herself out of…whatever place she had just been in. Her face heated as she went back to practicing her piano playing. Just because he looked like a cuddly little kitten didn't mean anythingnoitdidnotbecause-

As her thoughts rambled on, the poor girl's face went cherry like a tomato. Her playing became more sporadic. The sudden change from the shooting sound woke Naruto up when he heard the misplayed keys.

"Princess are you alright?"

"Y-yeah I'm fine!"

NOT A BRO-CON!

"It doesn't look like you're fine." He moved closer to her and placed a hand on her forehead. "Do you have a fever?"

"NO!" She practically screamed but she heated up more realizing how she sounded. "It's okay, Naruto, just let me practice."

"Hmm, mkay Princess."

He smiled at her as she calmed down. Taking deep breaths, she felt herself come back into control and she resumed her practice. She started singing along with the melody as her eyes scanned the music sheets in front of her.

"You're really good at this, yenno."

She blinked at his compliment. In the years they've grown up together, he had always supported her, but this time that statement felt different.

"Thanks Naruto," she said, her cheeks rosy, "but father makes me practice every day so I don't see how I wouldn't be."

"Eh, yeah but I wish I could be good as you!"

"Huh? But you are good at singing. We used to sing all the time!"

"Then dad found out about your singing talent. We haven't sang too much since then."

"I don't understand why he didn't train both of us. We're twins, of course we'd both be good at it."

She never noticed him wince as her eyes were locked onto the keys.

"Princess, you're the one who's good at all the musical stuff!" He eye smiled at her. "You'll become a famous artist and be a great Huntress too. Me? I'm not good at anything – especially music related."

"That's not true! You can sing and play the drums."

"Like dad would ever bring in a set of drums into this house."

"How about that guitar Noel bought you?"

"When the strings wore out and broke, dad wouldn't let me get a new set. I haven't practiced in months."

"B-but-"

"It's okay, Princess! We all know dad is a big jerk!"

Though it was an insult to their father, Weiss couldn't help but giggle when she saw the ridiculous smile plastered across her twins face. He then stood on his stool and tried to intimidate the old Schnee. His funny faces were too much for the poor girl as she burst out into laughter as tears came to her eyes.

Naruto smiled as he saw the effect he had on the talented heiress. He plopped back down into his chair and waited for her to calm down.

"Weiss," he said. She looked at him oddly, he never used her first name.

"Yeah?"

"You're the best little sister ever."

"I know." She tried to act tough, but she blushed at his praise. She couldn't help it when he said things like that. Something in her mind told her to grab this memory and lock it away in a safe place.

Naruto got up from his chair. "Move over, Princess." He slid into the spot next to her and started to play the lower noted accompaniment to her piece.

Hey, they were twins who spent every day together, so of course he'd pick up on how to play the piano. Weiss smiled as she begun to teach him her song. They would come up with a harmony together.

For the first time in three years, the Schnee twins sang a duet without a care in the world.

I'm sorry, Princess.

It was 1 am in the morning when Naruto finished packing his bag. Three days had passed since he learned the knowledge that he was not a Schnee. He had come to a decision that relied upon the response of his father. He would be home in 24 hours. Naruto could not wait.

Naruto looked towards his desk at a piece of paper and brought it towards his bag.

Three sets of clothes? Check.

Instant ramen cups? Check!

A good sum of Lien? Check.

Umbrella? Survival Gear? First-aid? Check, check and doubly check.

Good Oum, how can this bag fit all of this stuff?

As Naruto continued down the list, he was relieved to find all the necessities were there (especially the ramen). The relief, however, didn't lighten the pressure on his chest or the sadness in his heart. There were too many doubts that lingered in the back of his mind.

Placing the bag next to his door, Naruto changed into an ensemble of outdoor clothes. He wore a hooded varsity styled leather jacket that was just the right size for his frame. The arms of the jacket were white while the main body was a dark orange. Under this he wore a plain white t-shirt and white khakis.

It would be best, he had thought, to not wear clothes that identified him as a Schnee.

Being careful to not wake up the house dwellers, Naruto took his bag and placed it on his back while moving through the mansion. Briefly, he stopped at Weiss' then Winter's doors to quickly open them and see them sleeping soundly.

Continuing his mission, he headed towards the first floor. He travelled through the halls of his home before coming to a stop at a familiar set of double doors. Silently, he pulled one open without bothering to close it. Inspecting the room, he quickly found the video conference device sitting at the head of the table on the opposite side of the room.

With every step towards the machine, Naruto's heart quickened. By the time he got to it, his heart was beating almost painfully. He was sweating. Was this the right thing to do? No, he had to see this through. For his own sake.

He needed to do this to become his own person.

Gathering up every one of his courage, he scrolled through the contacts list until he found his dad's. He pushed call.

As he did so, the screen enlarged and he stepped back, briefly surprised.

It took ten seconds for the call to be picked up, but it felt more like hours.

"Hello?" In the next moment, a face appeared on the translucent screen. The face showed a hint of shock at recognizing the caller. "Naruto? What are you doing awake at this hour? You're passed your curfew."

Said boy stood there for a brief moment to contemplate his words. Beads of sweat drifted from his brow and he gulped to find the will to continue.

"Hey dad," he said, "I just wanted to talk since you haven't been home in a while."

"I am well aware. I don't see what's so important that you had to call me at this hour when I would be home tomorrow night."

"But it is important," he replied, "Don't you have time for me?"

The CEO stared back at his son blankly. He spent a moment in silence before he talked back, "What is it you want?"

"I-I was wondering if I could start my Huntsman training with Weiss next month. It is our birthday and I thought-"

"No."

"E-excuse me?"

"I said no. Naruto, you are unprepared for the responsibilities being a Huntsman in training comes with. It is a serious matter. I will not allow you to train while acting as you do around Weiss."

Naruto looked down as he clenched his fist tightly. The entire time he bit his lip in frustration and his bangs shadowed his eyes from view.

"Why? Why do you say it like that? Am I too young? Immature? Am I a danger being around Weiss? Or am I just not good enough to be training at the same time Weiss is!"

"Naruto that's not what I-"

"That IS what you meant! You don't want me to train but you'll let Weiss do it! Noel started when he was nine – Winter started when she was eight! Then what about me?!"

"Did you hear about this from your mother?"

"No I didn't! She didn't need to tell me anything. You never thought I was important enough! You think I'm just some fool that likes to cook! You think I'm an embarrassment to the family name!"

"NARUTO! THAT'S ENOUGH!"

"NO, I'M NOT DONE!"

He was floored. He had never heard any of his children raise their voice at him like Naruto had just done. They only attempted to do so when they were adults. He was just a boy of ten. If he had been a lesser man, he would have flinched at the look in Naruto's eyes. They were harsh and cold and bluer than he had ever seen before.

It was the piercing look of pure anger.

"You never loved me! You never cared! You never taught me anything but always expected for me to learn on my own. Tutors don't replace your ability as a father. You were never there…" The young boy was openly crying now and his voice was cracking. "I tried so hard…but you never say anything good about me. You always call me immature and irresponsible and all I wanted to do was be like Winter."

The man was speechless as he heard the young man's concerns. It was true, he was rarely there for his children, Naruto especially, but that didn't mean he didn't care. Naruto he…he just wasn't ready!

"Naruto, as your father I-"

"Shut up!"

For the third time tonight, the old CEO was shocked. His eyes went wide.

"You're not my father." Naruto's eyes steeled as he glared into the orbs of the man on the screen. "You made it clear when you said you didn't believe in me because aren't the same blood!"

Wait, he had heard that? That wasn't-

"All you care about is your business and reputation! Just admit that you never believed in me in the first place! You always pushed me but never in the right direction! You didn't bother to see if I had talent. You never assumed that I could be better. I wasn't a Schnee so I was worthless to you!"

"H-how did-"

"It doesn't matter now." Naruto wiped his tears with his sleeve as he gathered every ounce of his strength. "I don't care that I'm adopted…I don't care that I'm not really siblings with the others or twins with Weiss…"

He took a breath to temper his beating heart. He had to stay calm.

"I didn't care that you weren't my real mother or father…but I wanted you to see me as your son. You never thought I could accomplish anything and that…that's what made you a terrible dad."

He paused before he placed a hand over the disconnect button.

"All I wanted to do was become a Huntsman and make you proud…Goodbye."

Before the man could reply, Naruto cut the call. In the moments afterwards, he stood in silence as the light cut out of the room, leaving him in darkness.

He planned for this, he had to see this through.

He walked out the door, into the hallway, and out of the compound.

Where was he going to go? He didn't know but he needed to leave.

He couldn't be here much longer. Eventually his father would react and call his mother to check up on him. He couldn't allow that to happen.

Packed and ready to go, he started to take steps to walk off the Schnee property line and into the city.

Maybe he'd find a job somewhere or get into a Hunter's academy. Maybe he'd travel to Vale or Vacuo and see the sights…

It was raining out. It seemed it had been for some time seeing as the world was soaked around him. He didn't bother to put on his hood. He'd let his tears mix in with the water falling from above.

It'd be like tiny minutia washed away by the rain and out of time.

He was almost out of their lives, he just needed to pass the-

"WAIT!"

Naruto was shocked. Who was it? Did his father already get hold of his mother? Or was it one of the maids?

As he turned, Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. It was Winter. She stood out in the pouring rain in nothing but a nightgown. Her hair was drenched and stuck to her skin and her feet were covered in mud. She ran here barefoot.

"Winter! Why are you out here?"

"Why are you out here, you idiot?" She's crying, he realized. He was stumped, she never cried.

"Now's not the time to explain…"

"Don't leave…"

Naruto stared at his adoptive sister before he looked down towards the dirt. He felt ashamed.

"I have to."

He couldn't do it. He couldn't look her in the eyes.

He felt something slam into him and weighed him down. His face was brought into his sister's chest as her arms wrapped around his shoulders tightly. She placed soft kisses on the top of his head and onto his wet hair. Her white locks draped both of them as they stood in the downpour.

He started to cry too.

"Why? Why are you leaving?"

"I can't be here any longer, Winter. Please don't make me."

"You're going to get yourself hurt."

"I won't. I promise. And I-"

"Never go back on your promises…I know, Naruto."

She called him by his first name. She…she did care…

"I don't know why you're leaving," Naruto wouldn't come to know for close to a decade that she had been lying about this statement, "but please take care of yourself."

"I will, Winter."

They stood in the cold weather for another minute, content with just their embrace and nothing else. Reluctantly, Winter pulled back and handed him a small bag.

"Inside is a scroll. It's built in with my contact. You have to promise me you'll always message me…"

She looked at him with a smile on her face. The smile was betrayed by the tears that streamed down her eyes as she looked at Naruto with all the love she could muster.

Throughout his childhood he always wanted to see Winter cry, to get back at her for her meanness. Now he realized he hated that sight. He never wanted to see her cry ever again.

"There's also something in there for you. I was saving it for your birthday for when you and Weiss started your training."

As she said this, she noticed his flinch, but thankfully he didn't notice hers.

As he grabbed the bag and finished securing it to his back, Winter pulled him into another hug.

"Winter?"

His voice was cracking.

"Yes my little mouse?"

"Take care of Weiss."

"Of course, Naruto, I know."

"And Winter?"

"Mhmm?"

"I-I-"

"I know, Naruto. I love you too."

Even if you aren't my real brother.

For years he would never know that she eavesdropped on Naruto's conversation with their father. It was a shock to her but…but she stilled loved her little mouse. And she didn't want to wake up every morning wondering if he was safe. Not if she had anything to say about it.

With reluctance, Winter let Naruto pull away. She watched him run into the night as the rain stormed down upon her.

Only when he was gone she realized there was an ache in her heart. It was okay though. He would always come back. He kept his promises.

Nevertheless, she smiled. He wanted to prove himself to their family. He wanted to be a Huntsman. She knew he could do it.

Of course he can do it, she scoffed to herself, how could he not?

After all, he was a Schnee.

And that's a wrap for the first chapter!
I love RWBY, I love Naruto, and so I thought, why not? NarutoxRwby Fanfics are amazingly compatible. I also have a lot of time before my next semester in college starts up.

I wrote Fanfics almost a decade ago. I had a lot of followers and got good reviews. But obviously, I was a child and hated my writing. I scrapped all of my works and hadn't wrote a Fanfic 'til this little baby was begging to come out for the past week.

It won't be until Chapter 8 that we see the start of the canon, so hopefully you all stick around until then!

It will be a 5 girl harem that will be revealed through Chapters 3 to 7.

Would you kindly review? And have a nice day!

(Updated 8/20/15: 8817 words; 8817 words total)