Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I do not own Ruby
AN: I'm angry. I type all of my stories on Google Docs on mobile as I don't own a computer, and apparently something happened so I lost about 1k words just after the beginning of my writing, then last night I lost an entire part near the end. My apologies if it seems sloppy or rushed, but I was doing my best to remember how it went, and with the already later than normal release and me getting my new ocarina in on the 7th, I didn't want to postpone it any longer.
I have started posting updates again on my profile page, near the top. If you're interested in announcements, possible challenges, or story updates, you'll most likely find them there. I didn't mention this delay because I've been too busy trying to rewrite a decent chapter into something that might pass as readable. Insert sad face here.
"Beaconship . me" If you've never heard of it, it's a pretty cool website. You are given RWBY characters and you pick which one you like better, then you get a new pair. After a few minutes, they spit out a list of your favorite RWBY characters in order from best to worst. It isn't updated for Volume 4, and there are some seemingly random additions, but I still enjoyed it. 37 characters in total I believe? If anyone does do it, or is interested, I'll post my top ten next chapter, and I'd also be interested in hearing all of your favorite. I'm sure mine will surprise some of you, but that's also not taking into account Volume 4 characters. I know at least one of them would be in my top 5.
Gotta learn how to play Zelda's Lullaby on a double chamber now, so hopefully you enjoy the chapter while I cry about increased difficulty, both in my writing and it of it. Insert another sad face.
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Reviews
Vld - When I first approached the story idea, I was planning on a Naruto x Weiss pairing, but I couldn't get a good feel for how I would have been able to write it. It's on the backburner if I ever decide to write another RWBY x Naruto fic after my collaboration.
Mediphious - First, loved the review. The early chapters did see a lot of Naruto and Blake action because I planned for them to be good friends at the very least. After this chapter, they grow closer as friends, kind of going back to how they were early on.
Yes, I suppose they may be getting too close to quick, but I promise that Naruto has thought this through, mostly, and they won't just suddenly be together. It will take many more months, maybe years, in the story before they are "serious".
The whole not compatible thing gets addressed somewhat in this chapter and will be fully addressed in the next. Hopefully I do a good job explaining it.
Thanks for the critique and I hope you continue reading :)
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Chapter 13: Good and Bad
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"A dance?" Naruto asked. It had been a few day since he had seen team RWBY, having to go on mission that took him a not longer to complete than what he thought it would. He had only just finished reporting to Ozpin when he ran into Weiss.
"Yes. Even if you aren't a student, you are the technically a teacher of sorts so you are invited." She stated. "Will you be free?"
"Depends on if I have a mission or not." He answered.
"Well, should you choose to come, you will need formal wear." She said.
"Okay." He never really had done anything like go to a dance before. He might just skip out by taking a mission and say it was unavoidable.
"You know." She sighed quietly. "Ruby and Blake would like it if you came. I know for a fact that neither of them have a date for the dance."
"Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't you supposed to take just one person to the dance, not two?"
"Of course."
"Then how exactly did they expect that to work?" Weiss rolled her eyes at him.
"You were supposed to pick one of them. They have been awkward around each other for a few days now and have been waiting for you to ask them." Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"What if I didn't want to take either of them?" Weiss didn't seem to have a response to that. "If I go, I will go alone. I won't make anyone fight for a position at my side. If they both want to dance, that's fine, but I am not going to play favorites until I have my own feelings sorted out."
"That's fair." She admitted. "So you will be going?" Naruto just shrugged. "I'll tell them you might be busy." He nodded.
"That's fine." Weiss left, leaving him walking back to his room alone.
"You humans are strange creatures." Kurama muttered from his cage. "You are supposed to become the protectors of peace, yet you waste time that could be spent training on a ritualistic gathering to move violently to music."
"It's called having fun, not that you would know."
"I do not have fun. Except when crushing your kind in between my toes."
"Yes I know." Naruto ignored the Fox's declarations and intimately disgusting story time about a village he once trampled as he opened his door.
Maybe a dance wouldn't be that bad. It may help to take his mind off of things for a bit. Before then, though, he needed to sort out his feelings about Hinata, Ruby, and Blake. He sighed as he lie back in his bed. At least he knew what he was doing today.
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Ruby stood with her team as they watched JNPR spar with each other. Tomorrow was the dance and she was nervous. Weiss said that Naruto might be busy, but she had seen him around the academy all week, even if they didn't really talk. Did he not want to go with her? Did he want to go with Blake? Did he want to go with someone else?
She turned to look at her faunus friend. She seemed calm and collected. Was she not worried about it as much? Maybe she already got a response from Naruto.
"Hey are you okay?" Yang asked her sister. "You don't look to good."
"I'm just nervous." She admitted. "I haven't heard from Naruto in a while."
"You'll be fine." She smiled, wrapping her arm around Ruby's shoulder. "Whatever happens, he'll still be your friend. He doesn't seem like the kind of person that would just stop talking to you because of something like that."
"If you say so…" She spoke in a worried tone. Maybe she should go and talk to him, if only to figure out if he was going to the dance or not. He should know if he was doing anything tomorrow by now.
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"What do you need Weiss?" Naruto asked as the girl stood at his door.
"Are you going or not." Blunt and to the point.
"Maybe." Weiss huffed.
"You know, Ruby and Blake have both started to act really weird now. I can't get any work done with them in the room. Are you or are you not going to the dance?"
"Maybe."
"You aren't going to give me a clear answer are you?"
"Maybe." Weiss growled at him before he let out a small chuckle. "You know it is very easy to mess with you."
"Don't."
"Ah, well that's no fun." He pouted. "I thought we were friends."
"That has nothing to do with you being annoying." She glared. "Just tell me if you are going."
"I told you, I might be busy. If I get a mission, that will be my priority. Ozpin just calls me in whenever I'm needed, so I have no idea when I have one until I get called. I planned on going out to get clothes for it in case."
"Can't you just ask for the day off?" Naruto gave her a look.
"Do you really think Hunters are allowed days off, barring injury? If I'm needed, and I'm able, I will take the mission. Just tell them I'm planning on going, but if I get a mission I'll have to leave."
"Fine." She sighed. "Are you going with anyone?"
"I already said I won't choose between two people and potentially hurt the feelings of the other. I'll be going alone."
"Very well." She said. "They'll be unhappy."
"Better sad than hurt." He shrugged. "That's how I see it." Weiss just nodded before turning to leave. She was hoping this would be the last time she'd play messenger girl. Naruto sighed.
"May as well go look for a suit now."
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Team RWBY's and JNPR's female members all sat in RWBY's dorm room, getting ready for the dance. A few hours to go. Ren and Jaune gave them their privacy, staying in their own dorm room.
"Who are you going with Pyrrha?" Weiss asked as Blake struggled into her outfit.
"No one asked me to go with them." She said sadly. The rest of the girls turned to look at her.
"No one?" Yang spoke, shocked. "But you're… well, you."
"It's fine." She smiled, waving off the obvious ache she was feeling. "I'll still have fun. Who are you going with Yang?" She was quick to change the subject.
"Little miss kitty cat." She smiled patting Blake's shoulder.
"I told you to stop calling me to that." Blake hissed.
"What about the rest of you?" Yang pointed. "No one's said anything much about their dates." No one spoke, Nora stared off into space dreamily. "So we're all going alone? Except for Nora." A sad sigh seemed to be the consensus.
Once Blake had finished, Ruby began changing into her dress. A knock resounded from their door, earning a raised brow from Yang. She went to crack open the door, surprised to see a familiar blonde standing there in a tux.
"Am I intruding?" He asked, Yang not usually one to hide behind anything.
"The girls are changing. You can wait with the boys across the hall." Naruto nodded as Yang closed the door swiftly. He could make out a flurry of whispers as he knocked on the other door. Just another thing about girls he didn't and wouldn't ever understand.
Another blonde answered this door.
"Oh, hey Naruto."
"I was forbidden from entering." He pointed across the hall. "Yang said I could wait here with you and Ren." Jaune opened the door fully to let him in.
"No problem. It might be a while though." Naruto just moved to lean against a wall. He didn't know whose beds were whose and he didn't want to appear rude.
"I'm fine with waiting." He turned to see Ren resting against his own headboard. "Are you going to live through the night?" He gave a small sigh.
"I hope so." Jaune laughed as he plopped down on his own bed.
"Nora can be a handful, that's for sure." The other two nodded in agreement. "She's got good intentions though."
"Who are you going with?" Naruto asked the other blonde.
"No one." He hung his head. "Weiss rejected my attempts to ask her." Naruto discreetly rolled his eyes. Jaune was as oblivious as he was when he was younger. Anyone with a set of eyes could see that Pyrrha liked him.
"Is Pyrrha going with anyone?" Naruto asked nonchalantly. Ren glanced slightly over in their direction.
"I don't know. I'm sure she had guys lining up to ask her."
"Well, if she doesn't have anyone to go with, why not go with her? Better to be together with a friend than alone." Ren cracked a small smile as Jaune pondered what Naruto said.
"That's a good idea. We can go together as friends." He smiled. Naruto shook his head at the blonde, returning to his resting position. "Why don't you go with one of the girls then? As a friend. Weiss mentioned you were going alone since you didn't know if you were going to make it."
"Sometimes… Being alone is the best course of action." He said. "I could have gone with someone, but that would have hurt someone else in turn. Hurt friends are something I never want to have again." He said it with such conviction. Jaune nodded along to his words. He wanted to protect his friends from harm too.
"Naruto, what is it like being a fully fledged hunter?" Ren was genuinely curious. He knew it would different from the academy, but how much so?
"It's dangerous. You always have a chance of dying, every mission a possible death sentence." He spoke. "As long as you grow stronger and fight to protect your loved ones, you'll live to see another day." Ren nodded, happy with the response.
A knock interrupted any further conversation. Jaune once again opened the door to see six girls standing and waiting. Yang gave a small smile and a thumbs up.
"We're ready."
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They approached the building on foot, entering it to find the dance already underway. An upbeat song was currently playing as a mass of students were dancing together in the center of the room. Weiss immediately steered clear of it. Yang, on the other hand, jumped in enthusiastically, dragging Blake with her. Nora pounces on poor Ren, following after Yang with his sleeve in her clenched hands.
"I'm going to get something to drink." Pyrrha announced, walking away from the group. Jaune just nodded as he looked back over at Weiss. He caught Naruto's eye, the blonde motioning in Pyrrha's direction.
"Uh, Pyrrha!" He called out, freezing her in place. "I'll, uh, come with you. We can get everyone drinks." He said with a smile. He didn't notice it, but Pyrrha beamed brightly as she walked next to her teammate.
"Hey Naruto?" Ruby asked, staring at the retreating pair. "Is something going on with them?"
"It's nothing too important." He waved it off. Pyrrha seemed reasonable, but even she wouldn't want every just poking around in her business.
"Huh." Ruby shrugged, turning to look at Naruto. She suddenly froze when she remembered that everyone had left, so they were alone now.
"Do you want to go and sit with Weiss? I don't know about you, but I don't want to stand all night if I have to dance." Ruby just nodded, following her blonde crush to wear Weiss was sitting.
"You look much better in this than your old outfit." Weiss noted as the pair sat down, Ruby opposite of Naruto from her as the man sat between them.
"I feel stiff."
"Then you're wearing it correctly." Weiss stated. Naruto rolled his eyes, instead turning slightly to look at the girl next to him. She seemed even more uneasy than before she admitted her feelings for him. He still didn't know what to tell her.
"By everything sacred, are you really this stupid?"
"What the hell do you want?"
"You have more power than anyone you have met in this filthy land. Simply take the two that wish to court you and make them your mates. If you can't leave, you should make your mark on this land and claim it for your future children."
Kurama did not just say what he thought he said. Naruto had to admit he did have point in that though. If he truly was stuck here forever as he had first thought, then what would happen when he eventually died? Would he just fade into their history as an anomaly that appeared one day?
"Naruto?" Ruby shook his arm, snapping him out of his trance.
"What is it?" He looked around, noticing the dance still in full swing.
"You've just been sitting like that for a few minutes. Are you okay?" Naruto glanced over to see that Weiss had gone.
"Yes I'm fine. I was thinking about… my friend."
"Your fri-" She stopped herself as she realized who, or what, Naruto was referring to. "You can talk to him with your mind?"
"We share the same body, so our thoughts often mingle as well." He whispered, eyes darting around. He didn't want anyone else to hear about him talking to the voice in his head, accidentally or not.
"So… Can he hear me right now?" Naruto nodded.
"As clearly as I can." The music faded as the crowd started to disperse as a more mellow and slow tune was played. Ruby heard it and perked up, looking from Naruto to the dance floor and back.
"You know I can see you doing that right?" Naruto spoke, making her blush. "I can tell you right now that I've never danced a day in my life." He stood up, holding out his hand. "Sorry if I step on your feet."
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"I wonder what they are talking about?" Yang mumbled aloud, sitting down after her long session showing up anyone that thought they could dance better than she could. Ruby seemed to be shaking his arm, or something.
"I don't know." Weiss said as she sipped from her glass. "I don't want to be involved. Normally I would cheer for Ruby, but with Blake involved in this as well, it feels wrong. I don't want to not cheer for her either though. They both deserve to be happy." Yang just nodded as she watched the pair intently. Weiss looked around the room before turning back to Yang.
"Speaking of her, where is Blake? I never saw her leave." Yang tore her gaze away from the two as she too scanned the room for her friend.
"Over there." She pointed. The girl was watching Naruto and Ruby, looking nervous about something. She began to walk towards the pair when Naruto stood up. He held out a hand for a moment before Ruby grabbed it and they walked towards the dance floor. Blake skirted around them in a wide arc, walking back over to Yang and Weiss.
"Hey Blake." Yang gave a small wave. Blake ignored her, settling into a seat and just staring at the far wall.
"Just because he is dancing with Ruby doesn't mean they are together." Weiss said. The least she could do is try and cheer her up. "You can always have the next dance with him." She saw the faunus give a small nod to her words, so she was satisfied.
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Naruto felt out of place. He was a ninja, a protector of his village, not a dancer. He moved slowly in time with the rhythm of the song, looking down at the girl. Her hands were resting lightly on his shoulders as she stared down at the ground. Was she nervous?
"I'm glad you came." She whispered.
"Well I'd rather be here than sitting alone in my room." He chuckled. Ruby raised her head to look at him.
"Have… Have you thought about what I said?" He raised an eyebrow before he remembered the one sided confession. Simply nodding, he averted his gaze from her and chose to look over at the other pairs.
"Do you… Have you…" She struggled to find the right words.
"Ruby." He interrupted her. "I am not sure how I feel about it." As he spoke, the girl lowered her head with each word. "The only thing I can say is maybe one day. There is-" He froze, turning to the building's entrance. Ruby looked up when he stopped, following his gaze.
"What's wrong?"
"I can smell blood." He said. The two broke apart, Naruto heading towards the entrance as Ruby went back to her teammates. The other three watched as he left with a curious eye.
"Where is he going?" Yang questioned her sister.
"He said he smelled blood. I'm going to call my locker and follow him. If someone's hurt he might need help bringing them to a hospital." She said quickly before following the blonde.
"Should we go with them?" Yang asked.
"I'll go." Blake volunteered. "It won't take too long." The other two nodded, watching as Blake exited the building.
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"Naruto?" Ruby asked. "Why are we at the CCTS?"
"The what?" She pointed at the tower, making him look up at the massive structure. "The blood is coming from here." Ruby went wide eyed.
"You could smell it from the dance hall?" He simply nodded. They only took a few steps into the area before they knew something was wrong. The guards that surrounded the building were all on the ground, either unconscious or dead. Naruto checked over the first few he came across to find they were still breathing. He let loose a sigh of relief.
"What happened?" Ruby looked around the area at the fallen soldiers.
"They were attacked." He stood. "Who or whatever attacked them is either in the tower or gone, they wouldn't pass through a heavily guarded area just to move onto another location."
"Wait." She called out. Naruto stopped as Ruby began punching something into her scroll. "My locker will be here in a minute."
"I'll go on ahead." He replied.
"But-"
"Ruby." He cut her off. "I'm well equipped to handle most situations." He flicked a kunai out of his sleeve. "I'm never defenseless. Besides, you said it would take only a minute." He turned, running towards the towers entrance. As she waited, she watched the building for any signs that Naruto was in trouble.
Ruby stood, tapping her foot impatiently as her locker descended. As it touched down, it popped open, revealing her weapon. She grabbed it, giving it a short inspection for ammo before running towards the tower herself.
As she entered the building, she saw the mass number of screens as normal. However, Naruto was not there.
"Naruto?" She called out. She didn't get a response. Stealing herself, she grabbed tightly onto her weapon before walking into the building.
A large crash echoes from her left as a figure slid to a stop in front of her. She didn't recognize the woman, but she looked angry.
"Why are you here?" Ruby turned to see Naruto stepping through a hole in the wall.
"You are strong, I will give you that." The woman snarled before adopting a neutral expression. "You weren't accounted for. I'll have to change my plans." She turned to see Ruby standing beside her.
"Ruby, get away from her!" Naruto yelled. Before she could react, the woman had already tripped her, forcing her to the ground. Ruby reached for her weapon, but it was kicked away quickly. As the woman raised her hands, Naruto blurred in front of them, delivering a swift lunch to her gut.
Ruby could hear the breath leave her as the woman was thrown back. She wheezed as she hunched over.
"I won't ask again." Naruto snapped. "Why are you here?"
"You couldn't stop me, even with the knowing why I am here." A bow materialised out of nothing, her grabbing it and taking aim at the blonde. "I'll make sure you fall here."
"Naruto!" He turned sharply, not realizing his mistake as Blake called out to him. He felt something pierce his thigh and he dropped to one knee, gritting his teeth. The arrow was lodged deeply inside his leg.
"Take Ruby and leave!" Naruto shouted at her, ripping the arrow out of his thigh. He pulled himself back to his feet, gently test his weight on his newly wounded limb.
"I can fight." She said, coming up to his side. He gave hr a sharp look, but said nothing as he formed a few hand seals.
"Get down." He said. "Wind Bomb!" He clapped his hands together, sending a shockwave of air blasting outward. Blake held onto the prone Ruby as they slid across the floor slowly. The faunus did her best to hold onto nothing, but it didn't help much.
The unknown woman was not as lucky. While she was a great deal farther, she was standing and in the direct path of the attack, not even bracing herself as the wind technique hit her. She was buffeted by the strong blast, sent skidding several feet before she toppled over. The force sent her slamming into one of the monitors, halting her progress. Naruto lowered his hands as he looked over at Blake and Ruby quickly.
"Take her and leave." He said, this time with a little more authority. "She is above your skill level. You will only get in the way." It sounded cruel, but it was true. Naruto was holding back a lot, based solely on their presence. While he wouldn't go as far as destroy the entire tower, he couldn't fully use his skills with them nearby. Collateral damage was too high here.
Unfortunately for him, the woman didn't take long to recover. As he spoke, she nocked another arrow, taking aim. Her shot struck home, eliciting a cry from the target.
Naruto's eyes widened as an arrow sprouted from Ruby's stomach.
We stand with you Naruto.
You can defeat him.
We believe in you.
The thoughts of his fallen comrades flashed through his mind as he saw Ruby cry out.
If anyone can win, you can.
A comrade that died early in the fight against Madara.
He said he only trusted you with it. That you would bring it back to Konoha, to his family.
The man whose journal he had in his room.
He almost missed when the arrow fired. Too late to do anything, he pushed the girl's back as the arrow pierced his back. He hissed as the pain lanced through him.
"Naruto!" Blake cried out, holding a crying Ruby.
"Forget about me! Ruby needs medical attention!" He yelled, turning back to face the woman. His eyes bled red as he held up a hand. A blue vortex appeared, churning violently against the edges of the small sphere it was contained in. Blake dragged Ruby back towards the entrance as the woman shot another arrow. Naruto shattered it with a kunai. He took off, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
"Rasengan!" He yelled, thrusting the ball forward into the woman's stomach. She cried out as it ground into her before sending her flying back across the room. The impact against the wall was hard, leaving her to flop harmlessly against the ground.
As he advanced, another figure appeared. Another girl, one with an umbrella. She gave him a small down before grabbing the woman. He flickered in front of them, drillinanither Rasengan into the woman's prone form, only for her and the new arrival to shatter like glass into nothingness. He looked up, raising his nose to the air, but found nothing.
He let out a sigh, reaching around himself and yanking out the other arrow that pierced him. Inspecting it, he let it fall and shatter against the ground. The dance was now the last thing on his mind.
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Coming Soon - Chapter 14: Details Required
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