Disclaimer: Naruto and RWBY are the property of Kishimoto, and Rooster Teeth. This is a private non-commercial spinoff. If it were commercial my bank account would probably have a comma in it… All right's reserved by their original owners.


Shadows and Dust: Chapter 6

Flashback: No Place Like Home

Even after more mandatory bedrest in hospital, Naruto couldn't feel restless much less anything close to normal. It had been another week in the hospital after he and Kiba had fought in Forever Fall. Limping broken and bloody back to the ship, no one had asked either of them what happened, nor did they ask about the small bundle under Kiba's arm.

The only person to display any reaction at all was Choji. Open concern was written across the large boy's face as he walked Kiba back onto the ship, leaving Naruto to stand there alone with the guilt of what his promises had lead to. Akamaru was gone. Maybe not dead, but with no other trail it made no difference. Kiba wasn't likely to see him again unless they got home.

That thought had tormented him for days as he lay in the hospital next to a friend that had every reason to hate him. When the guilt wasn't gnawing at him, there was something else…

"Naruto, come with me."

Kakashi was standing at his bedside with a concerned look in his eye. "Shikamaru and Ozpin are waiting for us. We need to talk."

The young blond nodded as he rose from his bed, sparing a short look at the jar behind Kiba's headboard on the windowsill. Naruto's normally boundless energy was muted, his steps mechanical and sullen as he followed Kakashi through the halls of the hospital, leaning heavy on his monitor the whole way. Naruto barely registered the screaming protests of his legs as they traversed the multiple flights of stairs leading up further into the hospital.

Kakashi didn't speak either. But Naruto could tell the difference in Kakashi's movements at a glance. His sensei played the fool most of the time, being late, reading his books and seeming to play little mind to anything around him. But he was also a jonin, so when he was focused on something, everyone around could feel the tension. It was like a spark in Naruto's gut, and as they circled the stairs he slowly woke up from his stupor. Something was up, they were still on mission, and he needed to focus on that.

When they finally did stop, it was in an unadorned meeting room, similar to ones he'd seen delegates and leaders use on his trips with Jiraiya, but smaller. Ozpin sat quietly across from Shikamaru, a concerned and thoughtful expression tightening the man's aging features, while Qrow leaned on the back of another chair, gulping from his flask with a thirst to make even Grandma Tsunade proud.

The tension in the room when he limped in behind Kakashi was palpable. It wasn't until the faint click of the bolt sliding home was heard that he saw Ozpin visibly relax. It took Naruto a moment before he could sense what he realized what seemed wrong with the headmaster… he wasn't holding his mug. "I've Never seen him not holding that mug…" Regardless his moment of speculation was over as soon as it had begun.

"Ah Naruto, I'm glad you're up to task of sitting with us this evening. I hope your injuries aren't too tasking for you?"

Naruto could feel hairs rising on the back of his neck. Ozpin's voice was pleasant as always, but the man's eyes betrayed the concern hidden away behind them. "I'll be fine thanks. So what's going on?"

The blond could feel Kakashi's hand on his shoulder as his sensei added. "Sit down Naruto. Like I said, we need to talk to you both. I think you already know why."

Only after the late arrivals were seated did Ozpin continue. "You see Naruto, as I was explaining to Shikamaru, your Captain and I have been trying to reconcile the discrepancies between your home and mine. Most recently, we've been discussing the difference between Aura here in Remnant and Chakra in your Elemental Nations. I assume you both have an inkling of what I'm referring to?"

Naruto definitely knew what they were talking about now, and both he and Shikamaru nodded slowly. They'd discussed it between themselves once or twice already. Their chakra felt, sluggish, harder to mold. Shikamaru said it was like molding clay without water.

But Ozpin pressed on without waiting for an answer. "Based on Kakashi's explanation, that your chakra is effectively a combination of your stamina and your spiritual essence, I can infer a degree of overlap between the two."

The young sage was listened closely, dreading the inevitable question that would come. But what was even more intriguing for him was the rare look of intrigue and surprise slowly pushing Shikamaru's eyebrow up before the dark-haired boy interjected.

"You're probably right. Naruto and I have talked about it ourselves since we've been here. But you don't need us for this. Even if you did it wouldn't require all of us here at the same time nor does it explain the increased discretion compared to yesterday, so-"

"Mister Nara please, do not race ahead. These events are after all, completely unprecedented, and could have rippling effects beyond any of our predictions." The older man shifted in his seat slowly, being sure to meet the eyes of both young teens. "Your superior has told me his, chakra, has been responding differently since your group arrived. Based on your explanation it's my belief that you no longer have chakra at all."

Silence descended on the room. Kakashi's gaze was distant, much the way Naruto had always seen him when something didn't fit. Shikamaru's mind though, was obviously buzzing just below the surface; so much so, Naruto could almost see the game of shogi playing out in the Nara's mind.

Shikamaru's response was slow but deliberate. "That shouldn't be possible. It's well known, even to civilians, that a person dies if they run out of chakra. So not only should we be dead according to your hypothesis, but Naruto shouldn't have been able to use his jutsu in the forest either. It doesn't add up."

"Quite right Shikamaru. But as we've said, this isn't the first time the matter has been discussed. The way in which you claim to have arrived here is something straight out of a storybook. There are no answers, only theories, and I cannot afford to openly investigate this without inciting widespread hysteria. Now, may I continue my explanation?"

The young Chunin sat back in his seat, eyes intent as he nodded his response.

"Thank you. Now, here in Remnant we don't know of anything exactly like the chakra you've spoken of, but something similar. Aura. In simple terms Aura is believed to be the manifestation of the soul, be it human or beast. It's tied to the spirit and will of an individual, but not to one's physical prowess as you've described your abilities. That, and a person is simply exhausted if they completely deplete their Aura at a given time, not mortally crippled."

Shikamaru leaned back in thoughtfully. "The parallel is rough but not entirely impossible either. You're right, there's no baseline to compare to, space-time ninjutsu is so rare and dangerous that it's never been completely deconstructed before. But it still doesn't explain the sudden security risk, what's changed?"

"The Kyuubi."

Naruto could feel the gaze of his comrade burrowing into him at the implications. The young ninja turned to face his teacher. "You want to know if the Kyuubi is still behind the seal, right Sensei?"

"After Pein's invasion, the three of us know just what could happen. I've given Ozpin an idea too. He has a right to know the risks as long as we're here."

Naruto nodded slowly. "I'm honestly not sure."

Kakashi's voice turned icy, the way it only got when they found themselves in over their heads. "We need to know what you do Naruto. You went looking for it already, didn't you?"

"No, not in the way you think." Naruto shook his head slowly before meeting Ozpin's gaze. "You're understanding of Chakra isn't wrong, but it isn't right either. For most, like Kakashi-sensei and Shikamaru, chakra is basically like what he told you. I'm… an exception. The Kyuubi chakra I have is totally different. Using it is like dipping your hands in acid instead of water. It's… full of malice, and hate, and rage. I've felt, something like it when I was using one of my jutsu, but normally I can reach the Kyuubi directly through the seal. So far, I can't.

Ozpin's eyes darkened dangerously. "It seems Kakashi, our worlds may have more similarities than we thought." The Huntsman rose from his seat slowly, pacing with this odd cane in hand. "If this, Kyuubi, is a beast as you've described, it sounds ominously like one of the Grimm.

For the first time since they'd sat down, Kakashi looked shocked. "The Grimm? You initially said they were just beasts, monsters. Ozpin, just what are they?"

"I wasn't lying, but I can't give you an exact answer either. The truth is that we don't know. They're monsters, usually in the shape of some kind of animal. Primal and drawn to negative emotions, they're killers that only seem to target humans; predator that hunts by choice and for territory, not sustenance. But nothing on the scale of what you've described with these Tailed Beasts, and they don't have any Aura that we know of, no soul."

"What the heck are you all babbling about?"

All eyes shifted to Qrow. The drunk Huntsman had been so quiet thus far Naruto had almost forgotten he was in the room. "I'll bet his flask is empty."

Qrow leaned heavily on his chair, pointing his flask at the other Huntsman. "Ozpin, you're smarter than I'll ever be but this is far-fetched even for you, and I was there." He went to take another pull from his flask, shaking the small bottle a couple times before tucking it away. "I mean the kids tough but he's a kid. So he's got a weird Faunus Semblance, what's the big deal? He can't cause that much damage."

"You misunderstand Qrow." Ozpin didn't berate the man, only shook his head. "From what Kakashi here has said, it's not a Semblance. The closest comparison we have is they've captured a Grimm, Inside this boy's body"

This time it was Kakashi that stood and moved to the corner of the room. "It was my assumption that Naruto would be dead if the Kyuubi was able to escape the seal. But if you're right, and our chakra somehow no longer exists, then its possible the Kyuubi could have been left behind, ceased to exist, remained behind the seal… or it could be here in Remnant and free."

"And I've been sober since graduation," Qrow scoffed. Even if it were true, one Grimm can't do much on it's own inside the kingdom Ozpin, you know that."

"It would End your kingdom." In an instant Kakashi was leaning across the table, his single uncovered eye boring angrily into the stoic Huntsman. "We just told you the best Comparison we have is a Grimm. But what I'm really talking about, is something that would raze this city to the ground in a day."

"Right." Qrow glanced over at Naruto briefly. "That punk can level cities now?"

"Not me." Naruto looked up at Qrow, his face a mix of weariness, and regret. "Normally if things went that far I'd die. But nothing about this is normal. But even then It can still do a lot of damage."

Naruto could see the realization slowly creep into the man's eyes. "You're actually serious."

"Yeah." The Jonin released a brief, weary sigh. "Well Ozpin? I'm responsible for my team but without contacts, resources or any plausible way of going home it seems the next move is up to you."

"So it would seem…" The headmaster sat slowly, fingers intertwined as he considered the strange but familiar individuals before him. "As I've said this situation is unprecedented. Without any recognizable records none of you officially exist, and for now I think it's best kept that way."

"So you still agree with the plan we discussed?"

"With the added condition that Qrow or yourself is with Naruto at all times until I say otherwise, yes. It would be irresponsible to do otherwise I'm sure you understand."

Kakashi simply nodded. "We took the same approach with him ourselves under more controlled circumstances, so it's only prudent."

Qrow glared angrily at his companion. "And why am I suddenly getting demoted to a babysitter? That's Goodwitch's gig."

A brief and unnatural chill momentarily swept through the room.

"Because you're the only other person in Vale that knows about any of this." Ozpin deadpanned.

"Wait." Shikamaru waved off the two grey-haired experts from his seat. "With respect Kakashi, you're our captain but just what is it you've agreed to."

"Integrating Mr. Nara." A rare smirk had spread to Ozpin's face. "The five of you will, discreetly, be under my protection going forward. For the foreseeable future myself, and Qrow, will be trying to teach you about life in Remnant; our history, government, technology, and anything else imminently necessary for you to blend in to the ranks."

"Ozpin I am not teaching history to teenagers."

"No," Ozpin replied with a faint smirk. "But we'll need the Forge at Signal at some point."

Naruto had been quietly listening to all of it, particularly the part about his short leash. But something sounded odd here… "Ranks of what?"

"Huntsmen Mr. Uzumaki. Once you can blend in on the streets of Vale, and given your performances in the forest since your arrival, you'll be trained as Huntsmen."


By the time Team RWBY and Team JNPR managed to get back to the dorms the lamps around campus were the only lights left to guide them.

Pyrrha was in no shape to walk on her own, leaning heavily on both Jaune and Ren as the group made their way to their rooms. But the girl's pride wouldn't let any of them carry her either, so on they plodded as quickly as their friend's body would allow.

Yang couldn't decide what to make of Jaune though. The normally personable blond was quiet the whole trip back to the dorms. There was a burning heat in his eyes that was both relieving and concerning; on one hand now she knew he had some fight in him, on the other what would happen when it came out? "I hope he and Pyrrha are ok…"

Either way they were back now, and frankly she couldn't take the silence anymore. "So… I can't decide if that class was wicked in a good way or a bad one. What do you guys think?"

"That new professor did seem to be making a point of some kind." Blake was stoic as always but Yang could already tell the girl was trying to puzzle out just what had gone on.

"Hmmph." Weiss just crossed her arms in disapproval. "More like showing off. Between that dangerous dust stunt and that so-called spar with Pyrrha all I saw was a showboat."

Jaune was practically shaking as he stood beside his injured partner. "Making a point, showboating...! Did you all miss the part where a teacher nearly killed Pyrrha? On purpose! What kind of teacher does that?"

Even Ren managed to have something to say on the matter. "His teaching style does seem unorthodox, and I've never heard of him here in Vale before. He couldn't be some kind of transfer from Atlas could he Weiss?"

The heiress just rolled her eyes. "Hardly. Atlesian Specialists are trained for precision, discipline, and control. Like I said, that kind of display would never be tolerated." The rest of the group nodded in understanding. "Besides, my sister is a specialist and I've never heard mention of anything like this from her. What about Mistral Pyrrha?"

Their star classmate just shook her head slowly, taking a minute to brace herself and choose her words. "No, at least not that I recall. If he's good enough for Professor Ozpin to bring to Beacon I think I'd at least recognize him. The upside of competing was I got to meet most of the truly exceptional huntsman and huntresses back home."

Ruby was standing back, scuffing the floors uncomfortably. "He could be from Vacuo I guess, but does it really matter? I mean if Ozpin trusts him he must have a good reason, right?"

Blake started fiddling with her hair and bow, the dark silk twining between the girl's fingers. "Maybe, but it would still be nice to have a little more information."

"Wow and Blake said I was the one not paying attention…"Yang couldn't help but start snickering. "You know we could just ask right?" The blonde couldn't help but let her grin spread wider as her friends all spun to stare at her.

Weiss just glared. " And what is it you think we've been trying to do? None of us have heard of him so whom would we even ask.

"Umm… that other team from the cliffs?" Yang pumped her fist with a massive grin at the defeated looks that surrounded her. "Team RWBY's room, ten minutes. I'm sick of these uniforms already."


(Present Day)

Sleep was a first love for Naruto. When he was little he really didn't have a lot, but all that could change when he fell asleep. In his dreams he had anything he wanted; the Hokage's hat, a kiss from Sakura, even a bathtub-sized bowl of ramen he could swim through. He couldn't count the number of times he traded a waking empty stomach and bruised ribs for imaginary supper and a hug from the mom he never knew…

So when he heard a knock on their door just as he was slipping into the soft of embrace of cotton sheets, it was only natural to embed a kunai in the door at the first sign of movement.

"Sheesh is that what you call hospitality? If you could aim as well as you talk you could have scratched me there."

The young blond did his best not to flinch at the familiar voice, bolting up from his bed to the door. "This can't be good…"Naruto leaned his arm on the sturdy wood, holding it from opening any further as he fixed the girl with a hard stare. "Just what are you doing here?"

Yang attempted the briefest of pouts, but the glint in her eye left Naruto even more on edge. "Aww what's wrong Sweepy, did I ruin your nap?" The buxom boxer leaned in closer, letting her voice drop to a husky whisper. "You know; most guys could only dream of me sneaking into their room at night."

Naruto could feel his face flush as those lilac eyes burned into him with that stare. But before he could form any kind of comeback there was a rustling behind him.

"You two are as brash as you are troublesome…"

Naruto stared back at his friend, dumbstruck and horrified. "What'd I do? She's the one that just showed up out of no where!"

"Well hello to you too Grumpy," Yang smirked. Naruto watched Yang's gaze shift between them, her body tensing as she his spotting what had to be his marked shoulder. "Some us want to talk to you in Team RWBY's room. And before you ask, no, it won't wait until tomorrow."

Naruto and Shikamaru shared a glance before the Shikamaru spoke. "Fine, let's get it over with."

"You Are the smart one, aren't you?" The blonde jabbed with a grin as she spun on her heel, swaying down the hall and flicking the door open with a snide curtsy.

Both ninja's raised their eyebrows as the passed the showy blonde, but Naruto couldn't pass up a chance to get her back for that whispered taunt. "You know," he snickered, "I hope your punches are more graceful than that curtsy or-"

CRACK!

Naruto barely had time to flinch as the heavy door rocketed back towards him. He didn't feel the impact as much as hear and see it; a flash of light filled his vision as the crack echoed in his head, followed by the all too familiar taste of copper. The young sage tumbled across the floor of the room before pitching himself into a crouch, fresh blood rolling down over his lip.

"SHHH!"

Yang glared at Naruto for one more second before she blushed abashed and blinked the scarlet glow from her eyes. "Hehe… my bad."

Naruto crossed his eyes, blinking a few times as he pinched his nose. Most of the rooms occupants flinches as the blond squeezed and twisted the cartilage with an audible CLICK, licking the scarlet from his lip with a wicked grin. A quick glance around the room was enough to satisfy Naruto; Yang was miffed, and most of the others were either uncomfortable or the faintest shade of green. "Good to know I was right. You Do punch like a girl."

"Hey! Why you-"

"That's not what he meant." Shikamaru was tucked on the other side of the doorway, eyes passively bored while his hands stayed in their signature rat hand sign. "Enough Naruto, you've had your fun."

Naruto smirked. A tiny sliver of black was all that connected him to the raging fem fatale in the doorway. The shadow-user glanced drolly at the other blonde. "I'm going to let you go now, and we're going to sort all this out so I can go back to sleep. Right?"

Yang's eyes were wide, but she managed a nod before her whole body was finally able to relax. "Well that was all kinds of creepy. Are you going to tell me what just happened?"

"Not right now I'm not."

"How about what his smug ass Did mean?"

"Not without sleep."

In a flash of petals, Ruby was on Yang's arm. "Aaaand we're moving on!" The young captain was doing her best to drag her sister up to her covered bunk once the jutsu was released. "Yang, sit! Naruto, umm… sorry about that hehe. Thanks for coming?" The young girls face was flustered, an arm locked around her sister's neck to keep the blonde from descending off the mattress.

Naruto flashed his signature grin and a quick thumbs up. "So, what's up?"

Uncertainty flitted across Ruby's face as she glanced between the two shirtless boys now in her room. "Well uh, see we were wondering…"

"About Kakashi's class tonight," Shikamaru finished. The dark haired teen eased the door shut before leaning against it with a yawn and crossing his arms.

"How would you know that already?" Weiss exclaimed, eyes flashing at the apparent dismissal. "If you knew we'd ask why not just say something after class?"

The young Nara glanced at the heiress incredulously. "Really? Isn't it obvious." The arrayed blank stares inspired a sigh as he continued. "Troublesome… Well first, I was hoping I'd be able to sleep before giving a seminar. Second, Naruto admitted to working with Kakashi before, and it was fairly obvious that our team knew what was going on the whole time."

Weiss crossed her arms over her nightie, "hmmph."

Jaune leapt from his seat, pulling at the team as the two girls held him back. "So you Knew that was going to happen? Pyrrha could have died! He didn't even explain, why Pyrrha when you guys were in on it."

"It had to be Pyrrha." Naruto's gaze was soft as he glanced between the redhead and her Captain. When no one spoke up, he pressed on. "Pyrrha is a celebrity, an accomplished fighter and the poster girl of everything combat school teaches, right?"

Ren and Weiss slowly nodded before Blake jumped in. "He was making an example of her. But why?"

Shikamaru nodded soberly. "He already told you. Like Naruto said, Pyrrha is famous. On paper she's the most accomplished fighter in our year. Kakashi needed to make a point of showing all of you that even your best isn't always enough."

"You say that like you're not students like the rest of us." Yang was sprawled on her sister's bed, chin resting on her hands as she shot daggers at the two boys, a hint of cleavage peeking between her arms.

"If we weren't familiar with his style you wouldn't be keeping us here right now would you?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes as the rest sat in silent contemplation.

Naruto was silent, doing his best to neither let his gaze drift to the perfect curves not so subtly revealed above him, nor pace out a scene for his latest chapter. "She probably doesn't even she's doing that!"

But Jaune was insistent. "That still doesn't explain that explosion! He's a teacher he shouldn't have gone far and hurt a student. Pyrrha's lucky she-"

"If Kakashi-sensei wanted to hurt Pyrrha she wouldn't be sitting here." Naruto barked as he glared at his fellow blond.

Shikamaru glanced around the room resignedly. "Did any of you even try to piece this together before waking us up again? Or even listen to him afterwards?" The two teams exchanged blank looks before shaking their heads unanimously.

Even Naruto was getting tired. "It needed to be decisive." More blank stares. He couldn't help but wonder what they were going to do when Kakashi stopped pulling punches. "Kakashi wants to shake you. He's not worried about form or technique or how good you are at tests. He'll push us to our limits and then push harder, exhaust our Aura and make us keep fighting so we'll know how to do it when we have no other choice."

"That's… Insane!" Anger and despair danced across Jaune's face as he stared at Naruto. "How is he even allowed to do that?!"

"It does seem a bit extreme." Ren added

Nora was practically bouncing. "EXTREEEME! I love it!"

"Actually it's kind of inspired." All eyes were on Blake as she fixed her gaze on the two members of Team SINA. After a moment she shifted to the other students in the room. "How many of us have much real fighting experience? We won't be able to just stop a fight when our Aura is low in the real world."

Everyone nodded thoughtfully, save Jaune. "Well I'm going to talk to Ozpin anyway. There's no way he could know about this."

"Jaune..." Pyrrha's voice was soft as she tugged on his sleeve. "This is a good thing, trust me."

"But-"

"Jaune. For the first time in, years, I'm not the Invincible Girl. I like it, and I want to keep learning from Kakashi-sensei."

"Who Cares!" Nora's eyes were sparkling as she dove for the other two members of her team. "Weren't you listening? We finally have a teacher that understands me! We get to push it! Hurt things! Break stuff…"

The way that last comment trailed off, everyone that could shuffled away from the hyperactive ginger in the room. There was a look in her eye even more crazed than normal. Even Naruto leaned back a bit. "Is this what I'm like when we start training…?" The blond shrugged before refocusing on the conversation.

Jaune shook his head with sigh before glancing at the two former shinobi. "Well I guess that's that… Thanks guys." On queue, Team JNPR rose and filtered out of the room. Pyrrha's arm slung across Nora as they made their way to bed, with Shikamaru quickly following suit.

The door abruptly creaked shut as Naruto tried to leave, Blake's hand on the heavy wood panel. "Not so fast."

The temperature in room seemed to drop, the air suddenly heavy as a chill rolled up his spine. Naruto gulped, "what's wrong girls?" He could feel the killer intent spike as Team RWBY surrounded him at the door. "Something tells me even if I escape right now this isn't going to end…"

Yang leaned in close, dangerously close. Her smile and voice Way too sweet to be sincere. "Why do you have that on your shoulder there Hotshot?"

"Oooh! I hate it when she does this...!"The blond scanned the faces around him, looking for any kind of clue as to what he could say to leave the room intact. He followed the gaze to the shoulder RWBY were all staring at, eyes flaring in realization. "It's a team thing, Shikamaru has one too. Didn't you see it?"

"Of Course We Saw It!" Weiss was visibility shaking, and livid. No sooner were the words out of her mouth than she had her rapier in hand, the tip leveled dangerously at her classmate's chest.

Naruto couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the heiress's outburst. "Really Snowflake? This is dramatic even for you."

The young Schnee pressed her blade too the blond's chest, stopping just before parting skin. "If it's a team thing… Then why do we have one?"

Naruto's eyes widened as the question sunk in. "Aww crap he he…" The ninjas features stretched into a sheepish grin as he reached his arms back, completely ignoring both the sword and flushed looks as he stretched out his heavily toned torso. "Is That what you girls are all upset about? It's just a seal."

Blake's eyes piqued with cautious curiosity. "What is that, a Semblance?"

Weiss flicked her blade irritably. "Whatever it is, I want it gone!"

"Yeah!" Ruby piped up, her eyes oddly panicked. "Our dad will kill me if he finds out I got a tattoo already!"

Naruto turned to Blake. "Not quite, closer to those scrolls we used in class today, and…" Naruto shifted his gaze back to the rather heated Ice-Flower. "… it's just Aura, not a tattoo. But if they were a problem you could have said so days ago!"

"Aura?"

"DAYS AGO!"

The blond flinched as the girls answered in unison. "Well yeah, you got them when we got off the airship, duh." He tried vainly to clear the ringing from his ears. "You mean neither of you noticed them in the dozen times you changed before now?"

"Do you think about my sister changing clothes a lot?" Yang asked, a dangerous edge to her tone as she crowded him. It did not help that there seemed to be glints of red in her normally lilac eyes.

"No!" Naruto snapped, crowing Yang right back.

Ruby started flailing her arms, panic creeping back into her eyes. "Guys, guys...! People are trying to sleep."

"You two are about as subtle as a pair of Boarbatusks," Blake added.

Naruto simply glared at the girls as he pressed his back into the door, hissing between his teeth. "Well I'm sorry I'm not a very considerate hostage!"

All four girls blushed briefly at the reproach.

"Naruto...?" Ruby had planted herself on the floor across from him, her eyes wide and bright as she whimpered. "…you can get rid of them right?"

He tried to look away. "Damnit, not the puppy dog look!

Blake was incredulous. "You mean that actually works?"

"Only if you're adorable." Yang brooded.

Naruto pushed himself to his feet, eyes flicking towards Weiss. "She's not going to like it."

The Schnee's eyes widened. "You don't mean...!"

"Uh-huh."

"No!"

"You're call."

"You filthy, rotten, no good-!"

"Hunk?" He finished.

"SCOUNDREL!"

"Wait." Blake's hands shot out to either side, muffling them both. Amber eyes were bearing down on Naruto. "Care to share with the rest of the class?"

He felt himself shrinking into the door, eyes darting between the less than friendly faces arrayed against him. "They… only come on the same way they go on."

Weiss flushed scarlet, while Yang looked like she was having a second birthday. "Weiss, you Tease! What would the people in Atlas sa-"

Yang froze. All eyes shifted to Ruby as the young girl stayed sitting on the floor. Naruto worries he may lose control of himself. "I am the master of my own bladder. I am the master of my own bladder…."

Her voice was sweet. Too sweet. "Ruby… where's Your little mark?"

The blond shinobi was silently panicking as his mind raced backwards through the last couple days, straining his five senses to try and remember just where he had…

The young squad-leader rose to her feet slowly, both hands reaching around to adjust her pajamas to reveal the strange inky pattern just above her hip.

"That was close…"

Yang's entire body seemed to relax, her lilac eyes shifting back to the boy trapped in her room. "That could have been very bad for you, you know that right?" She couldn't help but smile at his emphatic nods. "Good."

Naruto couldn't help but stare at the picture of righteous feminine fury that was sent Yang Xiao Long. She was a batch of crazy he'd never quite seen before. Softer than Coco, more laid back than Sakura and-

He pushed the last image from his mind. "Maybe I need to take up Kakashi and Ozpin about that brain/aura scan thing. It doesn't seem healthy to find fits of rage, sadism, or right hooks attractive…


A few minutes later Team RWBY finally had their room to themselves. With all day's excitement it was the first time they had had to unwind and do their own thing. For Ruby, that meant, well, napping; For Blake, it was curling up with one of her books; For Yang it was just a few minutes to relax and brush her hair. Which left Weiss… pacing?

The young girl's eyes were furtive as she shuffled back and forth between the beds, her hands tucked under her arms. "I feel… dirty."

Yang couldn't help but smirk from her bunk. "Because someone touched you, because it was a boy, because he was cute, or because you asked him to?"

I'm an instant Weiss's arms her at her sides, stomping her foot as she leaned towards the blonde. "All, -er, None of them!

"Well done Yang, at least you'd admit he's cute." Blake's voice was flat, but she managed to make her point without missing a beat or looking up from her book. Not that it saved her from the large pillow wrapping around the bunk to connect with her passive face.

"Don't start."

Weiss finally yielded and slumped into her bed. "Even if he is attractive, that doesn't make him any less incorrigible. What do you think Ruby?"

The would-be Huntress startled awake briefly at her name. "Hehe, huh, what...?"

"Oh come on Weiss," Yang interrupted. "We all saw him; you can't say you weren't impressed by that body."

"He is incredibly fit even by Huntsman standards." Blake added.

Ruby meanwhile was struggling in vain to separate herself from her pillow. "Wha-what are we talking about?"

"Naruto," the others answered in unison.

"Oh… hmmph. I like him. He's kinda what I imagined having a big brother would be like…"

Yang's face softened listening to her sister as the young girl slipped back into her dreams. "Of course you would think like that Ruby…" All small smile graced Yang's lips as she thought back over the antics of past few days. As she thought more about the boy behind some of their most interesting moments she could see why Ruby would say it. Then an image of their dad crept to mind. "Nope! Not a chance, that is Not something I need in my head right now."


AN: My most sincere apologies to all of you that this has taken so long. I could give you half a dozen reasons why I haven't updated but it really comes down to writer's block, and then being without my regular computer. Its not fun being a windows guy and then having to write (and edit) with either a Mac (shiver...) or on a mobile phone lol. Hopefully you all enjoy this update, it's a bit subtler than normal but hey, if we fought monsters every chapter they'd get far less exciting right. Anyway, as usual please feel free to follow, fave, and REVIEW. Later Nerds!