Team Naples Yellow, Naruto's team, situated in the same hall as Team Ruby, Ruby's team. Next door neighbors, across the hall from both of them was Team Juniper. Currently, there was merriment to be had, Amira had her stereo on full blast.
Despite how crazy she acted in battle her choice in music was strangely just as energetic, but nowhere near as heavy as her personality. Instead, flamingo guitars and flute music filled Dorm Two-Zero-Nine.
Lapis and Rock Lee were busy situating their bed situations, while Naruto made a sketch plan of the room on a piece of paper, and Amira was offering suggestions. If anything this was the first test they believed, balanced living quarters, and group decision making.
The rooms weren't big, about three hundred square feet. Big enough to hold the four beds, but not exactly big enough to hold a massive number of things. Base essentials, a few snacks, books and study equipment.
The basics.
Going over the sketch, Naruto too measurements of the beds in his head, first glance. All of his years a miner gave him the ability to look at things and measure it, measuring was the difference between life and death in mines, it turns one into an expert really quick.
From the noises next door he could tell Ruby had already acted, likely they had all had decided to go on one thing and went for it.
Measuring the height of the room, Naruto found that it was actually tall enough for one thing, and he smiled. Writing on his paper, he placed two beds along the main wall, putting people back to back with each other.
Bunkbeds.
Situated to where the entire middle of the room was open, and as he finished the plans, he looked to see Rock Lee and Lapis doing rock-paper-scissors over something. While Amira just continued to jam, she had long stopped offering suggestions and just waited with childish anticipation.
Finishing the rough sketch, Naruto tore the paper out of his binder. Knocking the wall to signal everyone, they all crowded around him, looking at one another before looking at him. "That'll do it!"
Naruto nods, with everyone walking towards the beds, not needing a second look.
Two hours of rearranging, reconstructing, and fine tuning later.
Team N.A.L.L's room was situated, with everyone calling two drawers on a large dresser. Clothing space was limited, save for the closet, which had been regulated to school clothing and Hunter Gear. Tomorrow they would be getting measurements, along with a week supply of the uniforms they would come to know and love.
For now, placing the last nail into the beds to put their weight together and center gravity, the blonde was exhausted.
It was strange, he could battle Beowulfs, teleport him and Amira all over Emerald Forest, and then turn around and manage to hold his own against a Cyclops. Then, when it came to housework, it like a ghost or something just came and sucked the energy away.
Not that he minded it, he didn't really, it just meant they could get an early start on tomorrow if everyone was tired as well. Only, they weren't, they were far from it actually.
Sighing as they looked at their work, Lapis and Lee were the first to call their beds, which were both the top ones. While Amira took the bed further from the door, Naruto took the bed right next to it. All of them put their signatures on the posts just in case they forgot over the course of the next week.
The adjustment was now the biggest part.
Classes wouldn't start for a couple days. Allowing students, like them, to cope with the rooms, and give them time to change them around to suit their needs and explore Beacon properly.
"Man, I'm hungry." Amira states as she rests in her bed, "I wonder if the cafeteria is still open."
"It says they do dinner in a couple of hours."
"Neat…"
"Yep, so what do you think we should do?"
"I don't know, what do you think?"
Naruto was putting his clothing away, stretching as he did so. As much as he wanted to nap, he made a note to be active. He got out his location journal, making a sketch of the hallway just outside of the room.
Drawing it in an overhead, he began to make arrows pointing towards various teams. That's when they heard a knock at their door, walking over it, Naruto was greeted by a fellow blonde.
She had vibrant green eyes, a regal manner to her, she politely bowed in respect. "Hello, I'm Zelda, Team Leader of Z.L.A.D, are you by chance Team N.A.L.L's leader?"
Naruto nods, extending out his hand, and Zelda took it. Shaking it, they nodded as he invited her in. Looking around the room she was impressed by the saved space, and then looked at Naruto.
"I may have some competition this year, I was hoping to meet other Team Leaders and build a rapport between our groups." Zelda tells Naruto as his team watches their so far one-sided conversation, "and as for you, I understand that you are…mute correct?"
Naruto nods surprised she could tell straight off.
"Ah, I guess the rumors to you are true, don't take that the wrong way mind you."
Naruto shrugs, he was amongst friends, so he didn't care what this girl had to say.
"Anyway my team just got situated, and by the looks of it most of the teams in the hall got situated as well."
Naruto nods, following her as he crossed his arms, though remaining relaxed.
"So, I took the liberty of inviting everyone to the courtyard for some friendly competition."
Naruto's ears perked up at the word competition, Rock Lee hopped off his bed not long afterward, as did Lapis. Amira slowly got up, stretching. "So, what's this competition?"
"Oh, nothing super competitive, we're just aiming to build rapport with others here. See, being from Vacuo, I take great pride in seeing who I'll be studying with, and hey they interact with others. I had my team set it up. Basic things, we've got a small soccer area established in the gym, shuttlecock, or if you want just sip some tea Han made." Everyone looked at each other before looking at Zelda.
Amira was the first to voice her question, "isn't Han that big guy on your team decked in armor?"
"Yes," Zelda answered.
"Neat." Amira says as she walks over to the blonde, "you look familiar…um…"
"Zelda."
"Yeah, that's right, sorry. I'm from Vacuo as well, de Hyrule sounds familiar."
"It's a noble name, my family owns a stake in Vacuo's council."
"Oh, wow, why are you here then?"
"Isn't Beacon the gold standard of education?"
"I thought of it just as fun to mess with teachers."
"You're hilarious."
"I wasn't being funny hahaha."
Naruto had a bright smile on his face, he loved shuttlecock, this was going to be fun.
Naruto and his team walked into the gym, looking at the other teams standing there. He saw some people playing soccer, while others were just standing around and sipping on Han's tea. The giant armor-clad teen was sipping on this brew.
Walking over towards where the shuttlecock was, Naruto watched as Fu walks towards him. "Yo Foxy, glad you made it out."
Naruto greets her with a waive, he watched as his other teammates walk and go mingle. The girl smiles as she looks at the shuttlecock.
"You ever played," Fu asks as she walks over to it, picking it up, and smiling. "I'm a little rusty, Mistral was many moons ago."
Nodding agreement, Naruto looked around and held three fingers.
"Three on three?"
Naruto nods.
"Sure, that sounds like fun!"
Fu runs over to Han, who puts down his plastic cup, walking over towards Naruto with Link in tow. The trio from Z.L.A.D all bore a confident look in their eyes. Han extended his hand out to Naruto, lowering his mask down to reveal a tan-faced teen.
"My name is Han, Han Tashima, I'm from Mistral." He felt Naruto grip his hand, surprised at the strength the small teen was giving him in the firm handshake.
Han looks at Fu as she picks up the shuttlecock, bouncing it in between her feet. Link looked at Naruto, waiving at him, with a smile. "I'm just a beginner, take it a little easy on me."
Raising an eyebrow Naruto looked around, seeing Lapis and Lee getting ready for a soccer game. Walking over to a teen with a single pink strand of hair, Naruto waived. Turning to face Naruto, the teen looked at him.
"Yes, can I help you?" The teen asks, looking at Naruto, only to watch the blonde point behind him.
Looking towards the area, the teen dropped the cup he was holding, his face got serious. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a white bandanna, tying it around his forehead. "Sold."
Naruto fist pumped, pointing at himself he held out his hand. Th teen took it, shaking it, and smiled. "I'm Lie Ren, you can just say…well…"
Ren rubbed the back of his head, trying to come up with something, finding nothing as he couldn't exactly tell Naruto how to symbol his name. He watched as the blonde got out his notepad, opening it up and taking a pencil out.
"Namikaze Naruto."
"Well, Naruto, nice to finally meet you and talk to you…so how many are we playing?"
"Three on three."
"Well, the rest of my team is playing soccer with Ruby, Yang, Zelda, and Weiss against Cardin's team." Naruto frowned at the teen's mention of Cardin, though Ren didn't hold t against him. "So, I guess that leaves Blake I believe."
Naruto turned towards the girl, she was reading her book, but he decided to walk over there with Ren anyway.
Blake looked up from her book, looking at the two boys. "What is it?"
"Me and Naruto here wanted to ask if you wanted to play a game of shuttlecock with us, its three on three," Ren says as Blake looks up at them, she looked over at the other players that were gathered around it.
She marked her current place in the book, closing it, she looked at Naruto. "Do you know how to play?"
Naruto nods, giving her a thumb's up. She looks at Ren, and then back at Naruto. "So…whose ready to win?"
"Hyaaa!" Fu screams as she kicks the shuttlecock into the air, with Han leaping up and kicking it as hard as he could.
Ren moves in front of Naruto, kicking it up into the air, to where he saw Blake leap up and kick it back towards them. Fu dashed backward, kicking it up into the air. "Link!"
Link nods, jumping up, kicking it harder and lobbing it into the air.
A bright orange flash appeared near the shuttlecock, and Naruto spun around before kicking it with the tip of his foot perfectly. It sent the shuttlecock careening towards the ground, only for Fu to slide on her knees and catch it on her nose.
Smiling as she winked at Naruto, she flipped it off her nose, allowing Link to kick just above her face and send the game piece towards Ren. Ren, in turn, hit it with the back of his foot knocking it into the air, and Naruto flashed once more and flipped upside down as he kicked it.
Flashing back to the ground, he catches it with his foot, tossing it up and then kicking it towards Blake. Blake kicks at it, only to miss.
"Crap!" She yelled, only for Naruto to roll forwards and catch it with the tip of his foot.
Looking at him, Ren smirks, "nice save."
Giving a toothy smile, Naruto flipped his foot up, tossing he shuttlecock back into the air and back into play. Blake jumped up, kicking it harder into the air. Only this time she sent it higher, she was surprised when Fu formed wings made of Gale dust and leaped upwards.
Spinning in the air she kicked the shuttlecock hard, sending it towards Ren who easily catches it on his nose. Flipping it off his face, he watched as Naruto flashed just above him, and sent it into a low flying path. Link leaped forward, attempting to catch it, but missed it.
"Darn it!" Link yelps as the shuttlecock hit the ground.
Bumping fists, Naruto and Ren nod at each other. Blake stood there, behind them, smiling a little bit.
"That was a good game, nice semblance you got there Naruto."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, giving Fu a thumb's up.
"That's good, have pride in it, I can shape dust for mine…hence my beetle wings."
Naruto nods, pointing at them, then giving her a thumb's up once more.
"Well, I am beat…for how short it was, it was fun."
Naruto nods, looking on as Team RWYZ dominated Team CRDL in the soccer game.
Walking over to the tea, he got some into a plastic cup and sips on it. All the while, he never noticed the several eyes that were on him in the form of Cardin, Yang, Ruby, and Ren.
"I'm saying you made a terrible error!"
"I'm not having this argument Glynda."
"You will, this is the safety of our students."
"You weren't too mad when I put the false attendant in the lead of a team."
"He's capable of growing, you're taking someone with low self-esteem and giving them a leadership position."
"So?"
"You can't just do that, he needs to be able to pull them together."
"What is this worry stemming from, is it from the boy three years ago that we admitted in? We've been over this Glynda, Chester died because he chose to go off on his own, that wasn't anything to do with his disability, it was poor judgment!" Ozpin stated as he took a seat in his chair, he sighs, pressing his thumbs together as he rests elbows.
Looking at Glynda as she took a seat, he then sighs, "It still doesn't make any less a tragedy."
"He was made Team Lead, he let the pressure get to him, then what…he left out after his sister went rouge to find her. He wanted to prove himself more and more, especially as a second-year student. The pressure killed him." Glynda argued still, taking a sip of coffee from a mug. "I'm not saying that Naruto is not talented."
"On the contrary, he's very talented." She voiced up, "he may hold more talent pound for pound than even Ruby."
"Still, I'm standing firm in my position, this is probably not the first time he's been in this situation. He worked in the hardest mine in Menagerie before coming here, his mother is supposedly a Union Steward, so he couldn't show any sort of slip up against even superior opponents. That's why I picked him, he's established himself as confident when the time comes." Ozpin told Glynda, pointing at his file.
She opened the file, looking through it, discovering that the boy's father was Minato Namikaze. He was famed Hunter from Mistral before emigrating to Menagerie. Which made the boy half Human and half Faunus if looks were to say anything.
"Still…if I start to see the past rear its head up, I'll be the one to point it out."
"So, are you going to back off and let Naruto prove himself?"
"For now, lightly, but I am interested in how he conducts himself against mortal opponents."
"Hmm, that is true, I'll bite the bullet on that. So far, other than sparring records, we've got no concrete evidence of his skill against people."
"Then it is settled, if he struggles, then I'll personally slow down his lessons till he can catch up."
"Are you going to continue arguing with him being a Team Leader?"
"How can I, you're set in your choice."
Ozpin nodded, sipping his coffee. "Good, then here's a new year."
Clanging their mugs together, the two sipped on their coffee, both going into other conversations.
Naruto was slipping out of his shirt while getting ready for bed. His scroll started to buzz, he looked down and saw it was his mother. Swiping across the screen she appeared on it in a video chat, she looked dirty and had a gash on her head.
"Hey, sweetie…"
Naruto pointed at his forehead.
"Oh, that, I'm fine…just a close call. Terry dropped the metal barring."
Naruto rolled his eyes, he hated Terry.
"So, how's your day going?"
Naruto gives her a thumb's up.
"That's good…"
"Yo, Mrs. Namikaze." Lapis hangs upside down, waiving at Kushina. "Wow, you okay?!"
"Oh hey Lapis, yeah, I'm fine. How have you been, your parents called you at?"
"No, not yet."
"Darn, probably asleep, I'll wake them up."
"Don't worry about it."
"You sure, I saw them at work today, they looked like they were working a double."
"I'm fine, really, besides you should know something."
Naruto looked at Lapis as Lee hanged upside down as well, with a bright smile on his face. "Naruto's youth was so bright that he's our Team Leader."
Squealing came from the phone as Kushina was excited, she looked at Naruto. "You better keep them in line buddy boy, well…I'm going to go take a nap."
Kushina kissed her palm, placing it on the screen and watched as Naruto did the same thing.
"Love you, young man, don't stop until you've made it to the top," Kushina told her son she then hangs up the call.
Naruto looked at the blank screen, sighing, only to have his scroll buzz. He looked at it, it was a message from Ruby. Opening it, he was almost struggling to keep his choking/laughing from being present. There was a picture of her sneaking behind Jaune, the Team Leader of Juniper wearing a bunny costume.
"He better be careful, or he'll shoot his eye out." The message read as Naruto caught the reference, struggling even more now.
Taking control, he texted back. "Wanna hang out tomorrow, between teams?"
