THE FAUNUS UPRISING 5: DECISIONS

An older Jake Leone was seen overlooking a table which had on it, the map of Mistral. He was observed to be wearing a mask that covered the right side of his face, leaving his left violet pupil to be seen looking down on the map. The mask was that of a Lion that had a scowl on its features.

On the map, were numerous markings on various locations around the Kingdom of Mistral; with small scribblings on the several locations.

The council continues to ignore the happenings that occurs at the outskirts of the kingdom. Although displeasing, it works in our favor. Their negligence would come to bite them as soon as the preparations are complete. Not to mention what happened in the bar a while ago. Who was it that killed our people?

Shifting his gaze to the door, he saw a masked messenger step into the room after pushing the door open.

"Sir." He bowed a bit to which Leone nodded in recognition. Tapping his finger on the table expectantly, Leone asked.

"What is it?"

"A message from the boss."

His lone eye narrowed. "Message?"

"Yes sir. He wishes for it to be broadcasted to the members situated in this branch regarding our progression of the mission." The White Fang messenger stepped in and gave the device to Leone who collected it. He looked at the flat device within his palm.

"What are you planning, Adam?"

…..

"So tell me, why did you do it?"

In a cave, a black haired boy looked up to an aged red-haired Naruto, trembling in anxiety with tears flowing from his eyes. It was raining, and the smell of moist and cool air in the night was balanced by the cracking fire between them. Observing the boy, it was easily noted, that he was no more than five.

"I'm… sorry." The boy spoke out, clenching his fist, before shifting his gaze to the floor. His arms were completely covered with bandages.

"It's just that… I…" He gasped out, unable to mouth off any word after that. He gritted his teeth as tears poured forth from his eyes to the cold earth below them.

A palm placed on his head caused him to widen his eyes. He looked up to Naruto to see him smiling at him.

"It's sad what happened to your parents, I understand that."

"Y…You do?"

Naruto just kept his smile, looking to the fire.

"They would have never wanted this for you, they never would have."

"But I don't know where to go to!" the boy cried out, burying his face in Naruto's cloths. "They were all I had!"

"Are you sure about that?"

The boy looked up to Naruto, his eyes showing complete and utter despair. "I don't know what to do?"

You're lost huh.

Naruto looked down at him, a fond smile on his face.

"Come with me, Adam."

…..

The members of the White Fang stood in the central hall, looking to the podium to see Adam Taurus examining each of them as they awaited his orders.

Adam had a contemplating expression on the next decision he was going to make; knowing the White Fang was going to change because of his next actions. Was it going to be beneficial, or detrimental?

He looked at the expectant expressions on their faces knowing that although most of them were going to be for it, it was going to have repercussions, one he really hoped to avoid.

"I know that you are all puzzled as to why I have called for a general assembly. Unfortunately, we aren't joined by our members branched in Mistral, but this message has been recorded and sent to them already, a message that I am going to elaborate on right now."

He outstretched his arms. "We are a family, always a family, never separated. Those were the words of someone most of us knew individually, since we never knew his name, we referred to him as… father."

Varying expressions were elicited from each of the members. Some looked down in sadness, while most of them looked to him in anger.

"When he left us, we saw the true nature of the humans in this world. We saw what they were willing to do because of fear, fear of father's presence to the point that before he left, they were willing to agree to peace between our races, and under his protection, and shadow, we were shown the good side of this world considering how dark it was for our predecessors."

"Most of you people do not know the true story of how we came to be, but you all have an idea that father was the main cause of it." He looked down in contemplation, "The truth was that he saved us and stood by us, till after the events of the war that happened decades ago, but I'm straying away."

Adam had a grim smile on his face. "We remember when he left. Without any explanation, without any reason, any reason for us to look ahead to seeing him in the future. We were… alone."

He looked down in thought before lifting his gaze to each of them.

"Then we saw everything; that they only feared his might, and that was why they couldn't act. And with his departure, they inevitably descended on us."

Adam clenched his fist. "Headed by Mistral, we were hunted and used for all manner of experiments, casted away like trash and made to look at the world in anger and solitude."

He smiled at them. "But we prevailed. We fought against that, and now, the world fears us. Still, we are met with discrimination, and hatred. Especially those who are not with us at this moment, faunus around the world who we are not able to protect."

He clenched his teeth. "And that we cannot allow to stand…"

…..

Leone looked at Adam through the screen with an inexpressive reaction. The faunus under his command looked completely drawn to his words, musing on the travails they had went through by the humans of Remnant.

He then closed his eyes in thought, Adam's words continuing to echo.

…..

"You know, there was a time I wanted to stop all this, to end all this, because of the pain we brought on them, but I ignored that." Adam looked to them in determination. "Because I saw the pain we were living under. We will strike and conquer, and make a world out of this broken one, for ourselves in Remnant!"

The faunus looked to him in hope. "We will end it all, their hate, their anger, their discrimination!"

He smirked. "And we would no longer, be alone."

Adam looked unshaken in his stance. A thought then came across his face.

I trusted you, we all trusted you, but you left us. Things are just happening as we intend them to. You have no place here. This is our world now.

…..

Naruto was seen back in Roshi's shop, overlooking the old man's sales and transactions while slurping a big bowl of Ramen.

"Oh this heavenly goodness!"

"Why don't you marry the bowl then?" Roshi asked with a frown to which Naruto gained a thoughtful look.

"Well it would take a large amount of chakra but making Ramen come to life wouldn't be much of a hassle."

Roshi sighed. "I don't even want to know why you thought of that." Looking to the huge stack of bowls beside the blond his fingers twitched in reflex. Preparing Ramen for the blond always came at a cost.

The door was opened as another visitor came in, drawing their attention. This one much more familiar. "Hello."

Naruto arched an eyebrow at the person. "Ozpin?"

Ozpin waved at Naruto who was sitting on a large horizontal cupboard attached very close to the ceiling. "Hey there."

Roshi sighed. "You are here to take him away aren't you? Please do."

"Sorry but not really gramps." Ozpin chuckled a bit. "Just need to speak with him."

Ozpin looked to Naruto and shared a look that generated a narrowed gaze from the Uzumaki. Naruto nodded.

"Well, let me get out of your hair old man, well, the hair that's available."

Roshi's eyebrow twitched. "Just get the hell out of here!"

"He's a bit much isn't he?" Ozpin asked a grumpy Roshi with a chuckle. Naruto jumped down to the floor and walked towards the duo.

"That doesn't even come close in explaining how weird he is." Roshi sighed. "You should come more often, Ozpin. It's been a while since we've talked."

"I would do that as soon as I can. To be honest things are brewing up in Remnant right now it's-"

"Yea I get it already, no need for you to go into details." The old man waved away the comment. "I have to enjoy what I can."

Naruto laughed a bit, hitting Roshi playfully on his shoulder and gesturing Ozpin to the door. "See ya old man."

"Yea." Roshi waved the duo out and shifted his gaze to the customer who was looking in shock at the cupboard Naruto jumped down from.

"Yea he's a bit weird." Roshi supplied as he moved to the back to get his request. "Really weird."

…..

Naruto looked to the night skies on top of a huge building next to Ozpin. Ozpin looked at him, noting the expression on his face. He didn't comment, letting the moment pass by.

Naruto smiled. "It's always a beautiful sight."

Ozpin nodded his head and spoke. "It's really been a while since I've seen Roshi. He seems to be doing well."

"Yea." Naruto chuckled. "Apparently he doesn't seem to be dying anytime soon. It's like he's immortal."

Ozpin laughed out a bit and mused. "However you put it." His expression changed. "I bet you are curious as to why I came."

"Tell me."

"Ironwood is ready to move to Mistral."

"Better to strike now than when it's too late huh?"

"You know it."

"But that's not it, is it?"

"It's the faunus. Reports from our spies have determined that they are the core cause of the instabilities over there."

Naruto frowned, remembering when he clashed with Adam in Vacuo as well as when he killed a lot of them in Mistral. "I see."

"Ironwood doesn't want to involve you though."

Naruto gave a short smirk. "Let me guess. I might sympathize with them."

"He knows you already to know that would happen. While he doesn't know of your true connection to them, the fact that you are a faunus is enough for him."

"And you are telling me this because?"

"In case you want to do something about it. Ironwood, when the situation escalates might decide to use full force. Meaning he might decide to kill all of them."

Naruto looked impassively to Ozpin who added. "I know how important they are to you. So, I hope we can avoid an escalation to another war between the humans and faunus. Hell, there shouldn't even be a classification on what we are." Ozpin looked seriously to Naruto who looked to the distance. "Ironwood is of good intent, but can be brash when the situation permits him to be."

"Is that it?"

"I heard of an attack at the bar in Mistral. No one knew why, and the local forces decided to chalk it up to nothing considering their demeanor towards the faunus."

"What are you saying?"

"Do you have something you are not telling me? Or, does it not concern me as to why you would kill them?"

Naruto shifted his gaze to Ozpin, noting his expression. "It's something I'm not telling you."

"Naru-"

"Thank you for telling me." Naruto interrupted Ozpin, while noting his questioning glance. "Is that all?"

Ozpin frowned. "Earlier, I asked you if you were going to kill them all. Do you know why I asked?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"I began along the lines of thought if you saw them as some sort of mistake. A bad decision on your part that led to their creation."

"They were already created when I met them." Naruto remarked. "I just, helped them because it was killing them."

"I know." Ozpin nodded. "You turned their sickness into that of strength, and they would forever remember you as the one who saved them, gave them purpose, hope in the world."

Naruto closed his eyes as he remembered his discussion with Blake.

"Nevertheless…" Ozpin continued. "I see the look of doubt on your face when you see the pain they had gone through. The discrimination, the anger unnecessarily pointed towards them. You doubt whether it was right to save them."

"I went through something similar in my childhood." Naruto sighed. "It was horrible, looked down upon by the world, to the point that it feels suffocating and restraining being held down in one place, in solitude."

Ozpin looked at Naruto with a sad smile.

"At times I questioned my existence. Why was I alive if all I was going to undergo was being looked with complete hatred?"

"You never told me of this. There is really a lot I don't know from your life, despite the huge amount I know of huh."

Naruto clenched his fist. "When I met them, they were dying. They looked so lost, so hopeless, it made me think back to my time in their shoes. I subconsciously knew of the difference between them and normal humans but I didn't care at the moment."

He smiled. "And for that moment when they were away from the world, they knew peace, they lived in happiness. But when the world knew about them." Naruto frowned. "It changed completely."

"You question your decision to save them." Ozpin remarked.

"If I had left them to their devices, there would have been no faunus, no distinction. Everything would have just been normal, and this crisis in Mistral would have been avoided."

"It's just one mistake after another." Naruto sighed in thought. Especially now that I'm trying to justify my actions after killing everyone.

"You never made a mistake." Ozpin smiled, playfully hitting the Naruto's shoulder, causing his eyes to widen a bit. "You created something wonderful, Naruto. It's all there is."

Naruto mused, before looking back to the skies. "I wish I saw it that way. I really do."

…..

"You have a mission?" Glynda arched an eyebrow as Gabriel Goodwitch, her father was looking at his weaponry in a box.

"Yup." He nodded. "Ironwood is sending Winter Schnee to pick me up and then we rendezvous at a location in Mistral."

"Mistral?" Glynda's eyes widened. "A stealth mission then."

"Why do you say that?" Gabriel asked with a chuckle.

"Considering the nature of their ruling council, it's a bit understandable."

Gabriel nodded his head, impressed. "Of course."

Glynda sighed. "Who is going with you?"

"A small number." Gabriel cryptically answered. "Despite you being my daughter, I have to respect the reason it's classified."

Glynda scowled before relenting. "Fine."

…..

The Kingdom of Mistral was one of the four Kingdoms of Remnant as well as the location of Haven Academy and Sanctum. Parts of the Kingdom especially the western side was populated by swamps. A thing to note about the Kingdom was a huge border that was closed out to the outskirts of the Kingdom which was heavily dilapidated.

The inner portion of the Kingdom was notably different from that of the outskirts, characterized by numerous skyscraping buildings that gave the Kingdom an industrial look.

Right at the center of the entire Kingdom, was the highest building, possibly the tallest in the entirety of Remnant. It was the dwelling location of the ruling council as well as their meeting venue, bearing the name, the citadel.

The ruling council took on matters pertaining the Kingdom just as their counterparts in the other Kingdoms, and at this moment, a meeting was seen to be observed by the council which were shown to be four in number.

The inner workings of the citadel was seen to be truly a work of art. Majestic pillars adorned with numerous ornaments that made the white and red painted structure to embrace a heavenly look.

A huge chandelier was seen overlooking the large hexagonal table surrounded by the four members of the ruling council, all of them garbed in royal red robes with slight stripes of white on the arm section.

One of them was seen to be addressing them already. He was on his feet, outstretching his hands in an attempt to buttress his point. He had a pale white hair that reached his shoulders framing an angled face that held stern brown pupils.

"-and even if we decide to accept their help, it's all going to be pointless, when other Kingdoms are able to pinpoint their supply of finance towards us."

"This is the way forward, Richard." Another pointed out, scratching his beard. "We need to approach this issue with care."

"I think we have discussed in full length regarding that matter." One of the council members muttered, shown to be sitting on a more decorated chair when compared to the others. This was the Leader of the council, the one that oversaw their major decisions regarding the welfare of the Kingdom.

He was Marcus Noir, a fair skinned man who looked to be in his late forties. Apart from having short black hair, he had a goatee and faint wrinkles around his face. His teal colored eyes looked around the hall in examination.

He continued, looking down to a pamphlet. "Another matter that is gaining our attention is the rise in criminal activities outside the border."

"I don't see how that concerns us." Richard spoke, shown to be sitting opposite Marcus.

"Actually I think it's the opposite, Richard." The one beside him, Blythe Verde remarked. "They are part of Mistral no matter how we try to deny it."

"So what are you suggesting we do?" Richard asked with a scowl.

Verde pointed out. "What we initially planned."

Marcus interlocked his fingers. "Do you all think it's time for that? It's a bit of a strong decision and considering that we planned it to try and clean up the mess the outskirts have become, it may come to bite us in the back."

"We just have to make sure that it's perfectly planned and executed." Verde commented. "We have the tools, we just need it to be efficient, and when we are successful, we can begin to focus to a new undivided Mistral."

"A new and undivided Mistral huh." Marcus mused, smiling at the thought. "I like the sound of that."

"Don't we all?" Verde spoke out giving a short smirk.

Marcus nodded his head. "Let's sleep on this. We reconvene tomorrow to decide whether the decision is to be finalized or not."

"I see you are silent as ever, Arancio." Richard pointed out, turning to the orange haired member of the council who didn't bother with speaking during the course of the meeting. He was notably younger than the other members, with soft features. His eyes were closed throughout the meeting as he mused on the words of his fellow members.

He opened them to reveal his black colored pupils. "It's pointless to say anything, considering you have all spoken on every aspect there is to think about. Besides, I am here to just ensure a balance in the hierarchy of the ruling council, my words hence lack experience, something that I am learning greatly with each day."

He shifted his gaze to Marcus who narrowed his gaze at him. "And so, I would support the move to adjourn this meeting to another date, pending our decision of course."

Richard smirked a bit before sighing. "Well put." He turned to Verde. "Do you have anything to add?"

Verde shook his head to the negative to which Marcus nodded.

"Well if that would be all, the meeting's over."

The council stood up and bowed in unison. They muttered out in one voice.

"To a new and undivided Mistral."

Arancio smirked as Richard and Verde slowly made their way out of the meeting chamber, leaving Arancio and Marcus still on their feet.

Marcus arched an eyebrow, looking at Arancio in puzzlement. "You want something?"

"May I speak with you?"

"Hmm?" Marcus looked questioningly before shrugging and sitting back in his chair. "What do you need?"

"Thank you." Arancio nodded gratefully and sat on his. "Regarding the criminal activities at the outskirts, we have gained some sort of stained reputation with the other Kingdoms regarding how we are approaching this."

"What sort of reputation?" Marcus asked.

"How do I put this?" Arancio looked for the right words. "I don't know if you've noted the world's disposition towards us, but I have, and they see us as nothing more than savages."

"We-"

"I know that what the other Kingdoms think is pointless, as per the treaty we signed, but I feel it would be beneficial for us, if the world saw us differently."

"What are you suggesting?"

"I know my words will only be met with defiance from Richard and Verde, but I wish for us to find a peaceful solution to the situation."

"A dialogue?" Marcus asked to which Arancio nodded his head.

Marcus leaned into his chair. "Your father was a wise and cunning man of the council, but he was also ruthless, knowing how to get what he wanted, no matter the consequences."

"I'm just… trying to erase his past mistakes."

"I'm surprised that you of all people is before me with a peaceful resolution. Considering your history with them."

Underneath the table, Arancio clenched his fist but calmed himself down. "It has not been easy letting go, but I am trying."

"I see." Marcus chuckled before standing up and carrying the pamphlet on the table. "Bring this up on the next meeting, we would discuss it in full length then."

Arancio nodded and got up in respect. "Thank you for listening."

Marcus just nodded and moved out of the hall a single thought within his mind. What a naïve little boy.

Arancio watched him leave and looked around to find himself alone in the meeting hall. He gained a fond expression as he stared at the seat occupied by Marcus.

Closing his eyes, he sighed a bit before moving to walk out of the meeting chamber.

…..

Sounds of collision were heard as Yang and Ruby were engaged in a hand to hand combat. They seemed evenly matched with Ruby countering successfully, Yang's punches.

Smirking a bit, the blond quickly sidestepped a bit, evading a quick punch from Ruby, before grabbing her fist and threw her away, causing Ruby to grunt as she collided with the earth, and quickly finding her balance as she used her hands to twist in a back flip, landing on her feet.

She jumped away as the ground caved in from Yang's punch which was powerful enough to create a short shockwave. Smirking a bit, she followed a trail of crimson petals, dashing after Ruby.

Their entire combat was watched by Weiss and Blake, who looked impressed with the battle.

"Don't you think Yang is a little bit excited to be sparring with Ruby?" Weiss asked with a questioning glance at the battle hungry expression on Yang's face.

"She loves a good hand to hand combat I'm guessing." Blake pointed out.

"I guess that's from training with the professor." Weiss whistled noting Ruby's improvement. She looked nervous. "I really need to see if he has any pointers to help me."

"The great Weiss Schnee asking for help." Blake spoke with a smirk prompting an eyebrow twitch from the White haired student.

"I'm not dumb you know!" She retorted. "At least even I can admit he's pretty good. I mean Ruby isn't using her weapons a single bit."

"I guess that counts." Blake mused.

"So what's up with you?" Weiss asked prompting a puzzled look from Blake.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just curious to how you've been doing so far. You seem jaded."

Blake looked stunned. "Whoa, you need help and you are concerned for my well-being. Somethings wrong."

"Haha."

Blake just smiled. "Nothing much to be honest. Things are pretty slow in school, considering we are just students, so it doesn't take a while for the boredom to settle in."

"I guess you're right." Weiss sighed. "I just need something interesting to happen. It's been dull for a while you know."

"What if we try to stop some goons in the city?!" Ruby asked excitedly causing Weiss to look shocked at her entrance.

"What the… When did you guys finish?!"

"Not too long ago, Yang won." Ruby spoke offhandedly to which Yang placed her palm on Ruby's head, ruffling her hair to her annoyance.

"The shrimp nearly had me beat." She spoke in surprise, causing Ruby to scowl, trying to straighten her hair.

"I hate when you do that." She glowered to which Yang laughed a bit.

"Well we need to head back." Blake commented, noting the rising sun. "It's almost time for classes."

Yang groaned. "I hate school."

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Duh, who doesn't?"

"Weiss probably." Blake inputted.

"Okay that's it!" Weiss screamed indignantly prompting laughter from the other three members of team RWBY.

"So I was saying we track down some goons and beat them up." Ruby brought back her argument.

"Why?" Yang asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Because school's boring." She whined. "I need to kick ass every once in a while. Have I told you of when I fought with Torchwick?"

"No." Weiss dryly made out. "Only like thirty two times."

"Oh." Ruby looked with a sheepish side glance to which Yang chuckled.

"I see your point sis, and you are right, we really need to flex our muscles a bit."

"Uh, how about no? Anyone?" Weiss asked. "It's like I'm the only one who actually notes the consequences of things."

"Stop be so uptight." Yang hit Weiss playfully on her shoulder. "It's easy! We were strolling a bit and then we saw some dudes harassing a couple of innocent bystanders and we just couldn't watch."

Weiss gaped.

"Yang's right. It's going to be alright." Ruby spoke waving the concern away. She laughed. "Besides, what could go wrong?"

"Way to jinx it Ruby."

"Wait, are we actually going to do this?" Blake asked, blinking a bit to which Weiss sighed in defeat.

"Apparently."

Yang and Ruby grinned.

"Yea I highly doubt that. Not when I've heard all about your plan."

The four students blinked and turned to see Naruto waving at them with a smile.

And he was right at their side.

"Professor Naruto!" Weiss spoke out in shock and nervousness.

Naruto groaned at the name, wrinkles appearing on his features.

"How long were you here?"

"Long enough. We were strolling a bit and then we saw some dudes harassing a couple of innocent bystanders and we just couldn't watch, was it, Yang?" Naruto asked with an amused glance towards the blond haired student who blushed in embarrassment.

"Hehe… my bad."

"I told them it was a bad idea Professor! I was totally not part of this."

"Wow, way to betray your team Weiss." Ruby spoke dryly to which Weiss folded her arms, looking to the side indignantly.

Naruto laughed out a bit. "Well, I guess I could let you guys do that."

"Really?!" Two asked in excitement, while the other two asked in puzzlement.

"Yeah sure." Naruto waved. "I was like you guys, I know that school sucks."

"Then why are you a professor?" Yang asked to which Naruto laughed.

"Good question."

"Um thanks Naruto." Ruby spoke out with a smile as she nervously scratched the back of her head prompting Naruto's smile to widen.

"Sure thing. There would just be a slight hiccup to your plan."

"Hiccup?"

"I'm going to be taking Blake with me on a slight trip."

Blake blinked. "Huh?"

Her response was perfectly mimicked by the rest of her team who were also puzzled by the announcement.

"Huh?!"

"U…um, f…for… for what exactly?" Weiss stammered to which Naruto smirked.

"It's between us. That is if she wants to." Naruto replied, directing the last part to the faunus who looked stunned.

L…Like a date?! Weiss thought in alarm before looked with a gaping jaw to Blake.

Ruby blinked, curious as to the events happening before her.

"So, what do want to do Blake?" Naruto asked. "Come with me or stay here?"

Blake nodded in understanding before closing her eyes and sighing. "I'll go with you."

"Good." Naruto smile before turning to the full team. "See ya in class! And don't be late!"

Naruto vanished into thin air prompting puzzled glances from the group.

Yang blinked. "I don't think I'm going to get used to that."

"Really freaky right?" Ruby asked in agreement to which Yang looked to Blake.

"So Blake, anything you want to say?"

Blake looked down in thought, before biting her lip. She stood up from the roof of the building they were on. "Not now. It's… complicated."

"Complicated?" Weiss asked questioningly. "We are your friends, and I think-"

"She thinks you should tell us when the time is right." Ruby interrupted, smiling at Blake who smiled a bit and nodded her head.

"Sure thing, thanks."

Weiss folded her arms and looked sideways in total disagreement, but decided not to push the matter.

Yang blinked before looking at her watch. "Oh shit! We are going to be late!"

Ruby quickly sped up, followed by her team as they headed to the dormitories to clean up.

…..

Adam looked forward to the screen before him, Leone seen looking back at him.

"How are things going over there?"

"Everything's ready."

"Good."

"Is there something you are not telling me Adam?"

"You saw through that huh."

"We have been friends since we were kids. What's wrong?"

Adam looked conflicted. "Do you know I intended to end all this?"

Leone looked forward impassively. "What are you saying?"

"I wanted to stop it, everything we had done till this moment. That speech I gave earlier, was an intention to stop it."

"I see… So, what changed your mind?"

"I saw their faces, their expressions, and I understood. It's either this… or we die trying."

Leone gave a short smirk. "We have met pain beyond understanding, and now, we are ready to answer the world on the question that has been asked of us since they knew about us. Who exactly are we?"

Adam nodded his head to which Leone looked at him in observation. "Tell me Adam, what happened in Vacuo?"

Adam looked to the side in contemplation. "I met him, I met father."

Leone looked completely rooted on his spot as he clenched his fist. The emotion on his face was enough to show the pain and anger within his eyes. He swallowed. "I see."

"He wasn't pleased."

Leone looked forward nodding with a humorless smile. "And you have made your decision?"

Adam removed his mask, looking forward in complete determination. "Hell yeah."

CHAPTER END