So I'm getting mixed reviews about pacing. Some say it's slow enough, others say it's fast. I think I'll follow the others that say it's fast since one reviewer pointed out that this seemed more like an infodump and world building rather than a chapter that shows character development. I appreciate your honesty those of you who answered my question, and I'll take into consideration the things I need to do to extend it.

Disclaimer: first chapter

Chapter 3: A Simple Disagreement

Lupa did not say a thing. She knew that if she did, then the frustrating feeling in her heart would just come out. Either way, the lack of response or denial meant a fight. She was ready for it.

Cain took the silence as a yes. "So have I struck a nerve, grandmother?" Underneath the mask, his teeth bared into a murderous smile. "Did I call out your bluff? Feels frustrating right? All those years of wasted hiding, and now we'll kill the last Fiamma in cold blood." The younger wolf faunus cackled. "Oh how fun it will be to see his distraught face when he hears about how you lied to him about his family."

Lupa scratched her head. "Eh?"

It was Cain's turn to be confused. "What? You mean to tell me that you told him he has no family?"

"Look where you barged into, Cain." Lupa sassed. "An orphanage. If that doesn't scream "You have no parents," then I don't know what will." Lupa had a point. This was an orphanage. When she was given the task to look after Naruto, she built this orphanage for the sole purpose of hiding Naruto. I mean…no one looks for a missing heir to a famous organization in an orphanage. "If you want a fight, just say so. It's either that or you tell me something that will piss me off."

Cain scoffed. He may as well threaten his grandmother's credibility then. No doubt being the Fiamma Terzo's caretaker made her soft. "I'll make you the biggest liar of them all. I'll say to him that you raised him up to only destroy him in both mind and body." Cain declared boldly. "I will make him hate you, curse your name right before he dies." As he finished his sentence, he felt something hit his chin. The force of the hit sent the leader of the group backwards.

"There we go." Lupa snarled happily. She lowered her left fist, and moved her neck from side to side. Popping sounds in both the neck and knuckles sounded like imminent death in the silent hallway. "Ruin my character. That's how you piss me off." Cain recovered, and swept his left leg on the floor. Lupa raised a foot, and stomped on the oncoming limb. Despite Aura being able to shield most of the damage, the stomp caused some discomfort on Cain's ankle. "Aura protects a person from external damage. What happens when the damage is from the inside?!" Lupa's other foot swung down on Cain's leg, and aimed for the knee. Once more, the damage was diminished from its true power due to Aura. However, the force strained the calf muscles of Cain's leg. She raised a leg again. Two of Cain's goons swung at her with their batons. Lupa blocked them with her forearms. She took a mighty step forward, which landed on Cain's crotch. Muffled screams of pain echoed out of the mask while Lupa countered the goons with a mean left and right straight punch. The sound it made were akin to gunshots that shook the hallway. The poor goons were sent out of the orphanage. They didn't stand back up.

Lupa stood confidently as she stared down the rest of Cain's group. The members of the White Fang were uneasy. This old lady had not lost her skill in battle. Her strength was still there. They were still facing the famed Lunatic Lupa. "We're warning you, Lupa. Give us the boy, and all will be over with." One of the goons said with some confidence. It was a newbie who hadn't heard of the old White Fang's generals. Figures he'd get cocky.

"Hoh? Are you sure you have the right to say that to my face when I have your leader literally by the-" Lupa raised her leg. "BALLS?!" Her steel-toed shoe fell on the same spot once more. The pain was lessened by Aura, but it did not protect him from the sensory overload caused by the stomp. The men winced. Cain may have some trouble making a child with his wife now.

But onto more important matters. The rest of the White Fang charged at Lupa. One swept at her feet, and forced her to move back. Another jumped above the initial attacker, and slashed at the woman, who dodged it by a hair's breath. Quickly, she grabbed the swordsman's sword hand, and used her other hand to punch the guy in the face. When the hit landed, Lupa pulled on the hand with enough force to dislocate the man's shoulder. She tossed the man off to the rest of his charging friends, and followed with her arms outstretched and low to the ground. The others caught their injured ally. Unfortunately, it was only a second later that their legs were pulled from underneath them. Lupa tossed them up only to thrown them down into the ground. She stepped on their shoulder, and sent them into unconsciousness with a synchronized left and right punch to their faces. An axe kick was sent her way. She easily evaded, and turned around to slam the last lackey's face into the ground. As her final act of defiance, she repeatedly stomped on the man's head until it was visibly inside the manmade hole.

"You old hag…" Cain groaned out. "You're not taking us seriously at all."

"You know…this isn't even my style of fighting. It's the Fiamma Terzo's." Cain's eyes widened. "Apparently whenever he fought a criminal with an Aura, he just thought that person was just difficult to take down. So he made a style comprised of arm/leg/back/neck and all sort of limb breaking madness with the intent to do harm internally. Aura doesn't really protect anyone from internal harm, does it? Certainly helps deal with pesky Aura users, don'tcha think?" The grandson did not answer. "This is a small show of what he could do to you even without his flames." Lupa said nonchalantly. "I hope you've got better men, or they'll just be fodder to him." Finished with her demonstration, she returned back inside her orphanage to finish cooking lunch for her children. She closed the door silently, and left the defeated White Fang members to the police.

"Granny?" A voice asked from one of the doors in the hallway.

"What is it Rom?" A tiny head peeked out into the hallway. His red burgundy hair overshadowed his eyes.

"Who were those mean people?"

Lupa walked next to him, and went down on her knees to see at eye level. The little boy wore a black, loose shirt that covered the length of his body. His khaki shorts were hidden under the large top. "They were people trying to look for big brother Naruto. They wanted to hurt him."

"Why would they want to hurt big brother?" Rom asked. "Big brother is awesome!" He exclaimed in his meek voice.

"I'll explain it to you when you're older." Lupa answered with a reassuring pat on Rom's head. "If any person asks for your big brother, call me okay?"

"Okay."

"Where's your brother, Rem?"

"He was watching you fight them from upstairs."

"SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!"

"Gah! Damn kid, don't piss on me!"

"Don't listen to him, Remus! Keep doing it!" Another child shouted above a sudden chorus of childish cheers.

"That's what you get for messing with Granny Lupa!" Rem shouted.

"I wanna join too!"

"I'm game for this!"


Naruto was in the library diligently reading a book about Aura and its various applications. Since it was the "For Dummies" version, he got the idea, but not without it taking some time. He read vocally, which angered some people there. It's not his fault he needed a good grasp on the idea by reading it aloud with some definite pronunciation errors. What he read was just as true as his boss and Granny Lupa said. All he needed was to unlock his Aura, and he could use Cielo Fiamma's true power! Yet despite finding the answer he needed, he continued further. Application wasn't his strong suit. Unfamiliar words started popping out. Word after word swam on by. He had to consult the dictionary more times than it was supposed to be needed, and it nearly caused his mind to blow. His fourth grade reading level couldn't keep up with this!

The young man placed his head on the table to soothe the pain of cramming so much ideas in one sitting. "Owwww…"

"Something wrong, Mr. Uzumaki?" The young man sat up straight to see who called out to him. He was greeted by the indifferent, bespectacled face of Glynda Goodwitch. "You look like you have a mild headache. Will a simple painkiller work?"

"Ms. Goodwitch!" Naruto exclaimed in surprise. "Ah I-"

Glynda looked confused by the reaction. "Now what might be the matter?"

Naruto calmed himself down. "No…it's nothing. What brings you here?"

"I'm here to pass the time by reading a book." The Huntress replied. "Is it safe to assume you're doing the same?" Naruto eagerly nodded. "I see, and you're reading about…" The woman glanced at the title of the book, and found it amusing to see the boy completely go against his words a week ago. "You're reading about Aura. Why would a custodian want to read about something like that?"

"It's just research!" Naruto said in a panic. "That's all there is. It made me curious when one of the freshmen was tossed straight into a pillar and didn't die on impact." Glynda appropriated herself into a moment of pondering. She agreed that to a normal civilian, a circumstance like that would rouse curiosity from one who had never heard of Aura in general.

Glenda took a seat on the other side of the table in front of Naruto. She sat cordially, and asked the young man, "And what have you learned, if I may ask?"

"Aura is locked normally." Naruto started off. "It needs to be unlocked by a person with an unlocked and controlled Aura or must be faced by a deadly event. The second one pushes a person's limits out in one last burst of energy that affects the soul." Naruto's expression tensed. "In both cases, the physical…man-manifus-"

"Manifestation"

"Manifestation of the soul is pushed outwards into the real world." Naruto finished the sentence, but did not stop there. "Aura is mainly used for defense and healing. They act like a second skin that lessens the power of an attack, or if more Aura is applied, completely stop the attack." Glynda was surprised by Naruto's ability to understand that from just reading it. Maybe the boy in front of her is a diamond in the rough.

"You understood all that from reading it once." Glynda remarked with a little awe in her voice.

"It helped that my boss told me similar info." Naruto admitted while scratching his head. "That and the book really is made for dummies like me. Until it lied and gave me these really big words that just hurt my head…" Naruto cradled his cranium as he recalled the frightening words that pained his brain.

Glynda smiled. It was nice to have a one on one chat with someone with a drive to learn. "Well it's good to see that you're taking advantage of Ozpin's offer." She said to him. "Have you been researching anything else?"

Naruto stiffened. Could this be his chance? Could he ask this woman to unlock his Aura? Will he be able to find out the extent of Cielo Fiamma's power? All these questioned haunted his mind. 'No.' He thought. 'I shouldn't take advantage of her. I'll find a new way to unlock my Aura.' But could he share a piece of truth to the woman? The young man refused again. Naruto did not see or feel any ulterior motive from her, but he was wary. Granny Lupa told him to always be careful when it came to talking about Cielo Fiamma. The weapon was infamous in its own right. Though he didn't know what it was infamous for, casually talking about it would breed more consequences than good.

He finally answered with, "Not really. I've been reading the dictionary and a grammar book just so I can have a proper chat with someone really smart."

"I say you're well on your way when it comes to conversation." Glynda uncharacteristically praised. Naruto smiled at the acknowledgement of his brain. "Though your pronunciation and reading skills might need some improvements. In due time, you will catch up."She stood up, and was ready to leave. "If you need anything, you can always ask me for help, and I will try to aid you in any way possible."

Naruto looked down. "Is it really okay? I'm not a student of this place. Would you really go out of your way like that?"

"You've displayed some surprising advances to me today. Given the right topic, you have a drive to learn. I see you as a student, Mr. Uzumaki." Naruto gave a small smile. "I will continue seeing you as a student as long as you persist on learning, understood?"

"Yes ma'am!" Naruto answered eagerly.

"Good. Now I do believe it's dinnertime. Don't you have work over at the cafeteria?"

Naruto looked at the clock. "Oh not again…"

"I'll return the book for you." Glynda said. "Now go. You're late, aren't you?"

"Thank you, Ms. Goodwitch!" Naruto bolted out of the room to quickly do his duty.

Glynda took the book Naruto read, and returned it to its shelf. Moments later, her Scroll vibrated. She took it out, and was ready to answer whoever called her. It was Ozpin. "Yes?" She asked.

"Didn't think you had it in you to be sosupportive or motherly for that matter."

"Ozpin…" The woman growled out the Headmaster's name.

"I'm just stating observation." The man promptly ended the call to not incite even more of Glynda's wrath.

Naruto was stationed in the cafeteria the freshmen occupied. He was busy mopping up a trail of vomit from the floor. He had a feeling that it had to be Jaune who did this, but it was a bit mean to target him instantly. Ultimately, he didn't ask who caused this; he wasn't being paid to be an investigator. He's here to clean.

"Oh. Uzumaki, how did your little research spree go?" The boy turned around, but did not stop mopping.

"Well…I guess. Turns out you were right on the money, Boss!" He said happily. "Almost word for word, your explanation hit the main points of what I read." The older janitor smiled, and left the boy to continue his work. He pulled his mop back to clean the cleaning tool and restart anew.


Yang sighed. She searched the cafeteria for that hunk she saw yesterday, but he wasn't here. 'Could he be an upperclassman?' She thought to herself. 'Where is he?' She internally whined. He was her Adonis. Part wild, part mannered and kind, and all around hottie. She shivered at the thought of making out with such a guy. Yang wanted him badly. Which is totally unnatural, to which Yang agrees. Something about him just pulled her in. She was attracted to him physically, that she can admit, but she hardly knew the guy, and she wants to make out with him. 'There's more to that guy. There just has to be. Yang Xiao Long does not easily fall in love!'

"Yang? You okay?" Ruby asked her elder sister.

"Hm? Oh, I'm all right, Rubes." Yang answered normally.

Ruby crossed her arms, aware of Yang's inner turmoil. "Did you find another guy to hound on? Like Smithy Sauce?"

"Hey I do not harass guys I like! And don't call him 'Smithy Sauce'! It's rude to purposefully pronounce his name wrong." Yang retorted back at the younger girl's offensive remark.

Ruby waved it off, and focused on the main point of this conversation. "So you sigh like a damsel instead?" The younger sister suggested.

"No. I did-"

"Yang." Ruby interrupted. "You were like this: Haaaaaaaah" Ruby easily emulated Yang's tone of disappointment and somewhat lovestruck at the same time. "Whoever you're crushing on this time should not be crushed on in the near future. Duck Butt Smithy Sauce should be the only victim." Ruby sternly told her elder sister.

Blake had to add to that. "What do you mean by that? Who is this...individual?"

"It was Halloween, and Yang and I went to a haunted house. We were on an upper floor that had the tape that said 'do not cross.' We thought it was part of the props, so we didn't listen. Next thing we know, Yang fell through the floor, landed on her crush, and crushed his legs. He had a duck's butt for a hairstyle." She added the last part as an afterthought.

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "What a eerie sequence of events. That had to be staged."

"Tell that to the guy that won't accept Yang's apology. He's still mad that he can't get out of a wheelchair. It's been more than seven years now."

"Rubes!" Yang yelled indignantly. "I thought I told you to not tell anyone else about that!" She grabbed her little sister into a headlock as she proceeded to noogie her little sister's head, thus messing up her hair.


"Yang! Stooooppp that!" Naruto heard a shriek come from across the room. Naruto looked for the source, and saw a fighting Ruby in the grasp of that bombshell of a woman. It was nice to see the girl in red doing well. It made his day to see someone's day was eventful. He was done with his work, and placed his mop on the mobile bucket of vomit and cleaning solution. He placed a Wet Floor sign on the site, and happily walked away with the idea that nothing could go wrong today.

How wrong he was.

He felt something step on his bucket before it thrashed wildly onto one side. The immediate yelp of some poor soul caught his attention. The resulting sound of a splash and a body hitting the ground reached his ears. "I hate my luck…" Three people stood up and shouted at him.

"Hey! Watch it, Jumpsuit!"

Naruto scowled and placed his hands in his pocket. "I have a name. I suggest you learn it before you give me nicknames." Naruto had this situation happen to him several times. He was prepared for some fists to fly.

"Like we care." Said one of them.

"I'm sorry, but your guy stepped on my stuff." Naruto explained. "He's at fault for not looking." He pinned the blame of the guy that swam in vomit and cleaning solution. "I couldn't exactly just yank it away fast enough without the vomit spilling out." One of them walked up to him, and pulled at his collar while lifting him up.

"You think you're a hotshot, Sir Mops-A-Lot?"

"No. I'm a Janitor. You're a Huntsman-in-training. You're more talented than I am." Naruto casually replied. "By the way, I have a question…"

"What?"

"Who told you you could touch me?"

A chorus of screams alerted the first years to an amusing scene: a blond janitor broke bones of Team CRDL for the simple reason of one of them touching him without his permission. Team RWBY was astonished by the violent grapples the Janitor did. Each of them recognized him. To R, it was awesome to see her savior from embarrassment kick ass. To W, she was glad that she did not anger the Janitor yesterday. To B, he was her target. To Y, her Adonis finally showed. To J, or Jaune, he wondered if Naruto was overly modest, or did not truly know his strength. To Ozpin and Glynda, they agreed that Naruto needed a proper combat instructor to polish his abilities. Videos were captured, photos memorialized it, and jokes were made throughout the Dustnet. The headline of one article?

Come to Beacon: Where even our Janitors can kick ass!

And that's it for this chapter. How did I do on this one, does it pace a bit better? Obviously I wrote Naruto rejecting Glynda's offer to help to extend his role as a Janitor. For those of you who called Naruto weak or implied he is, I said that because to him, he hadn't met anyone weaker than him so far. All his fights have been a struggle, and he made a style that focused on brutality to override the Aura defenses. To him, it looked like shoddy struggling, and it was, but to others, he is decent.

I have a plan when I will have Naruto meet Blake to reveal his origins and unlock his Aura. I'm sure it'll be obvious when I'll do it, so I won't say any more. For the moment, it'll be a bout of slice-of-life for Naruto until I deem him ready for plot advancement.

Review, follow, favorite, I don't care.

This is Azure signing off.