Ghost of the Branwen

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or RWBY

Chapter 14: The Maiden Festival

Madara huffed as he leaned against a tree on the ground. When he thought of choosing his training partner…well, let's just say they were still very, very powerful.

"Is that enough for today?" his partner asked.

"No." Madara placed his ripple tomoe mask back on. "I'm not done yet."

"Hoho, then prepare thy self!"

Madara then engaged with a fist fight with the old leader of the tribe, Potoo.

…It wasn't really in Madara's favour…

Potoo even allowed Madara to use his Sharingan briefly for their fists fights, but sometimes seeing oncoming attacks didn't mean that he could effortlessly dodge them.

There was a reason that Potoo lived this long.

He was strong.

The strong live, as the weak die.

It was a universal rule of the world, especially to some more than others. Some didn't like to think like that, but that was the same as closing your eyes as you try to forget what you saw.

Potoo didn't have a weapon and simply relied on his fists. He was that strong and his semblance just made him stronger.

Sure he lost a bit of his touch in old age, but the fact he was here as an old man proved how strong he was.

He was a survivor.

A palm hit Madara's stomach as the younger went for a headbutt. Potoo easily spun around and dodged the attack as Madara kicked his foot behind him.

Potoo grabbed Madara's leg with one hand and flipped him over.

The black haired teen landed on his back as the old man had his arms behind his back. "Hohoho, I say we shall call it a day." He smiled. "I mean, we've been at it for five hours."

"It's been two months since we started." Madara pointed out. "I don't feel any different."

"Then that's perfect!"

Madara deadpanned at the old man. "And how is that perfect if I can't tell how I've grown?" he asked. "Have you finally gone senile?"

"Knowing how strong you get is fine, but when you can tell the difference is when it's working properly."

"…It's hard to follow."

"What I'm trying to say is, not knowing how strong you become will shine more brightly as soon as you discover how much you grew."

"…Yeah, I think I got the main gist." The user of the Sharingan said. "While I can tell how much stronger I can get, if I don't notice right away, later when I do it will be a bigger change from what I'm used to?"

"Yes!"

"…" Madara only sighed. "Senile old man…"

"Well, we better get a move on."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"We're going on a training trip." The fossil said. "It will surely help."

Potoo walked off as Madara shortly followed.

Even if Madara hadn't noticed, he had made progress from two months ago. Sure, the display earlier may not have been much seeing as Madara only rested for about a minute before going again.

But progress was made.

He could now last longer against him than before. He was set on his long term goal of defeating him. He forgot to check the small time goal of lasting longer and beating his previous record.

"C'mon Madara. Let us be off!"

"Coming old man…"

The old man was in the front as Madara was walking behind him. They left a majority of their stuff back with the tribe.

Madara gave Garuda to Caracara to care for as well as his other stuff.

"So…is there a reason I couldn't bring my weapons?" he asked.

"While weapons can help you in fights, it's also a good idea for you to also not rely on your weapons." The fossil said as they walked. "The ability to defend yourself while defenceless is a good skill to have. Also having the skill to kill with your own hands is too."

While he could kill without using dust or weapons, Madara would choose a weapon then his fist.

However, he knew the importance of using CQC, he just found weapons and dust more effective.

He was no Potoo, but he could kill a man with his fists.

"Now let's continue!"

"…Where are we going?"

"On a training trip of course." The old man smiled.

"I know that, but where?"

"Where the road takes us!" the old man burst out laughing.

"…Seriously?"

Madara walked behind the cheerful old man as they went on their 'training trip'.

The two walked side by side as they approached a town.

"Remember Madara, when we enter, we leave the bandit nature behind." Potoo told him. "If needed, we'll use that mercenary group you made us to the public eye."

"I know, I know." The youngster said as they continued on their way while holding his mask in his hand.

The two walked into the town without any problems.

"Hm, how about we go get something to bite."

"…Sure." Madara nodded as he walked to get some food with Potoo right behind him who sighed.

"You need to learn how to lighten up Madara." He thought as he looked at the young man. "Your like a grandson to an old man like me. Sure, for the best of the tribe is good and all, it's nothing if you can't enjoy life."

"Are you coming old man?"

"Yes, yes, don't rush these old bones."

"Hn, sure."

"There are quite the lot of restaurants and stands." The old geezer looked around. "What do you recommend?"

"Inarizushi." He immediately answered.

"And what if they don't have it?" Potoo asked. "Let's just go to that small stand there."

Madara looked in the direction Potoo was pointing. "A…noodle stand?" he asked.

Potoo nodded as he already walked over with Madara in pursuit. They lifted the banner and took the two seats they saw.

When they sat on the seats, the chef greeted them. "Welcome!" he said as he walked over. "Oh? I haven't seen you two before, you guys from out of town?"

Madara nodded.

"Yes, me and my grandson here were actually passing through and stopped for a bite." Potoo said.

"Ah, it must be nice to travel." The chef said. "But, might I ask, isn't it a bit dangerous for just the two of you?"

"Hohoho, no, no." the elderly man waved. "We can manage just fine."

"Forgive me. I just realized you came here to eat. What would you like?"

"I'll go for the recommended." Madara said.

"I'll take the same, but with a side of tempura." The chef nodded before he went to go make their meals.

Shortly two bowls of noodles were placed in front of them as Madara paid for the meal.

"Hm, this is good." The old tribe leader said.

"…Yeah."

"Oh, Madara, have some of the tempura!"

"Oi, don't shove it at me…"

Potoo smiled as he watched the teen he considered to be like a grandson.

He was enjoying the meal the chef provided for them, which was good. A very good thing indeed!

"Are you two perhaps staying?" the chef asked. "I ask because today is actually the Flower Festival."

"…Flower Festival?" Madara asked as he looked up from his bowl.

The chef nodded. "Yep. The Flower Festival happens once a year and it starts tonight. I recommend staying. It's a sight to see."

"Hohoho, it seems we came to this town at the perfect time."

"Seems like it."

"It looks like we're staying." Potoo chuckled.

"Hahaha, that's good to hear." The chef laughed. "You'll love it!"

The two finished their meal as they left the noodle shop.

"We're staying for the festival?" Madara asked.

"Might as well. Life is not just about getting stronger, but also enjoying the small things!" Potoo said. "Besides, it will be a fun experience, and you should enjoy your youth."

They walked around town as saw the town get ready for the festival. "Who knows, maybe you'll enjoy yourself." He continued. "Maybe see someone who catches your eye."

"I doubt it."

"I don't know how long this would go on for, so let's get us a room."

"Wouldn't it be better to train during this time?"

"It would, but the festival is happening tonight, and who knows how long it will go for. Getting a room in advanced is the better option."

"Alright, let's find a place."

Potoo and Madara found an inn and booked a room for after the festival and were given a key to said room.

As they waited for the night of the festival, they practiced out in a field.

Punches connected with each other with one on the offensive and the other on the defensive.

Madara wore his mask made for battle as his Sharingan helped with Potoo's oncoming attacks.

In old age...he was still strong.

"Come on Madara, the festival is almost here."

Madara went for a high kick only to be flipped backwards. As he was flipping, he went for a second kick with his other foot.

He missed, but easily landed back on his feet.

"Ho? I see your taking on a new style."

The way Madara was standing was similar to how Cuckoo would fight without her claws. However, he couldn't implement her feet's combat style…seeing as her feet were her faunus feature.

Madara went forward to attack the old man once again. His arm and hand movements were smooth and fluid.

"Hohoho! You're getting better!" Potoo laughed. "But, you still have a way to go!"

"Yeah." The younger agreed. "Besides, you're not using your semblance."

"Semblances aren't everything." The older said. "Just because my semblance is powerful doesn't mean I'm unbeatable. There will be a time where someone would be able to defeat me regardless of my semblance."

"That's called time old man." Madara said. "It's known more commonly as old age."

The two continued the spar as the festival got closer and closer. Potoo gave Madara a break as he smiled.

"Even though it is well hidden, he definitely has interest in the festival." He suppressed a chuckle. "That's good. That's good. Events like these, while only happening once in a while, at least once a year, is a nice change of pace and good for youths like him."

He glanced up at the sky which had gained an orange glow due to the sunset. "This festival should be good for him to enjoy his youth." He then released a sad sigh. "He needs to enjoy this…even to this day I regret not taking in the joys of life until it was too late."

Shaking his head, he turned back to Madara.

"You did well, Madara." He said. "Now, lets get ready. The festival is about to begin."

It was night in the town they had visited, the street lamps lighted the way as many stands, stalls and people were about.

The cracked moon shined down below, added to the spirit of the festival.

"You should go and enjoy yourself, Madara." Potoo said.

"Oh? And what about you?" the Branwen asked. "Surely, you're not going to sit on that bench for the whole thing."

"No, no, no." the old fossil shook his head. "I'll join in later. Just go enjoy yourself, who knows who you'll meet."

Madara rolled his eyes as he walked into the crowd. Many people were dressed for the occasion, more so the women then men.

He pasted a few kimono wearing girls that had different patterns on them despite being the flower festival.

This went for everyone who dressed for the festival. The first was that of a flowery design, the second was snowflakes, the third was orange leaves and the fourth and final design was that of the sun.

They were the four seasons, well four representations of the seasons.

Red autumn leaves, or fall depending where in Remnant you lived.

Yellow summer sun, a combination of white and blue snowflakes, and finally a rainbow of colours for the spring flowers which were different per design of the kimono the girls wore.

Compared to the autumn leaves, snowflakes and the sun, the spring flower patterns was definitely more eye catching than the other three.

Madara had to admit the mood here was much better than what he was used to. He went around and tried a few of the festivities while he was there, for the sake of the old man.

He didn't want the old coot to nag his ear off…nor did he want the old coot to go as far to stop the training the two had started.

As Madara was more of an onlooker, he found a seat that overlooked the action as a four girls dressed in the four different patterned kimonos danced each holding a fan.

He wasn't seeing much of the flower in the flower festival unless you counted the flowered kimonos, food and drinks made with certain type of flowers, beautifully grown flowers from out of town being sold and the flowers in the various flowerbeds.

…Okay, maybe he could see why it was called the flower festival.

But what of the ones that were flowers?

"I see I wasn't the only one to come and escape the festivities." Madara turned his head to the side as his arms leaned on a railing.

The person who leaned their arms against the railing like his was a young woman a bit older than him.

She had a light brown complexion, with short, straight brown hair with a beauty mark below her left eye. She wore a long, green hooded cloak on top of an off-white blouse with a brown vest, corset and pants. She had a gold bracer on her left arm, two gold bracelets on her right wrist and a pair of golden armoured boots with a golden pauldron on her right shoulder as well as a shoulder strap with some pouches slung diagonally across her body.

It was her outfit that drew his interest. She was wearing an outfit that was more for battle than casual wear.

"I see you're not from here." She said.

"I can tell you're the same." He easily replied.

"Amber." She lifted a hand from the railing towards him.

He took her hand as he gave his own name. "Madara." He then relinquished his hand from the handshake.

"Enjoying the festival?"

"…I don't know. This is a first for me."

"This festival or a festival in general?" she asked.

"The latter." He said as he watched the four kimono girls' dance. "Never been to a festival before, but I'm confused to why there are things not related to flowers in the flower festival."

Amber just smiled as she pointed as the four dancers. "See those four dancers? The dance they're doing is called 'The Dance of the Four Seasons', a pretty popular dance that a lot of girls try to get in when the festival rolls around."

"Really? Why? It's just a dance isn't it?" he asked.

Amber sighed as her drooped. "Sadly, no." she said. "The…dance while important and tells of a story, became…more of a legend to some others."

"How so?" he tilted his head as she had a look of embarrassment on her face which he assumed was for the dancers.

"Since the four can only be girls, they say that if you manage to join the dance, you'll find your soulmate in the same season you danced in the cultural dance."

"Go figure."

"Yeah, but I assume that was just a marketing scheme to get more people into the dance or into the festival."

"So what is this festival really about?"

Amber smiled at that. "Glad you asked. This festival wasn't just known as the Flower Festival." She revealed. "It gained its name due to how many women favoured the spring flower designs and, well, look around at all the flowers and flower-themed stands."

"Yeah, I can see that…"

"It was originally called the Maiden Festival back in the day." She pointed back to the dancers. "The dancers each play the respecting seasons. Spring, summer, winter and fall, the four seasons and the dance is based around the old story-"

"The Story of the Seasons." They both said in sync.

Amber looked at Madara with slight shock. "You know that old story?" she asked as he nodded. "That 'fairy tale' is now a forgotten tale, it's quite amazing how you now of it."

"Fairy tale or not, it's apart of Remnant's history and should not be forgotten." He said. "They say that all myths, legends and fairy tales originate from somewhere, so why should this one be different?"

Madara missed the smile on Amber's face as she heard his words. "I got a question for you then!" she said. "If the legend does truly exist from the old story, what would you do?"

Only his eyes moved to look at her. "Nothing." He told her. "I can't do anything about the power the old man gave the four maidens, but if I knew a maiden I would protect them."

"Why would you protect them? Is it for personal gain or something else?"

"The maidens could help bring peace to this world. To stop this endless cycle of hatred that consumes us. Soon, we'll become the things we despise the most."

"Huh? I wasn't really expecting that answer." She admitted truthfully. "But it's better than what I thought you would say."

"And would I have said in your mind?"

"That you would find a way to harness the power of take control of each individual maiden." She bluntly said.

Madara's eyes looked back at the dance below as it came to an end. "Power is nothing without control, but power is also useless when you don't have a goal to strive towards." He said. "It's also pointless without willpower and desire to also reach your goals or even dreams, but in the end power is not will, it is a phenomenon of physically making things happen."

He titled his head up slightly to the cracked moon. "It doesn't mean that only a sort of power can reach your goal. As long as you have power, no matter what type it is, coupled with the strive and conviction to reach your goals, then it doesn't matter if you have the power that everyone else has or a power a select few are able to harness."

"So you're saying you could reach your goal without having the powers of one of the maidens?"

"I never really said that, but yes, I would."

"…You're quite interesting you know that."

"I wouldn't call myself interesting…"

"Nah, your pretty interesting." She said. "So…you would strive for peace?"

Madara nodded. "Peace…is not easily obtained."

"You got that right." She agreed. "And then there's the fact that peace might not last for long…"

She then tapped her chin. "I wonder how you'll make peace a reality. Perhaps showing people's true heart to one another?"

Madara shook his head. "That will not work, especially with the more violent faunus treatment and White Fang attacks." He said. "People cannot show each other their true feelings. Fear, suspicion, and resentment never subside."

"…Now that you mention it, we are a very violent race…" she gained a sad look on her face. "…Peace must be far off and possibly not in our time…seeing as we can only be violent with one another."

"Especially seeing as it's been eighty years, or roughly eighty years since we had a large war."

"Talking about peace whilst spilling blood, it's something only humans and faunus can do." He said. "Besides, we're both species that crave for war, no matter how pointless. I believe, this is just the calm before the storm."

"That's…very disheartening." She admitted.

"Let's talk about this maiden festival, we've been sidetracked and derailed."

Amber nodded at that. "So…what would you like to know?"

"You seem to know a lot about this…this is not your first time." He said as he turned his head to her. "You've been in the dance?"

A light pink tint covered her cheeks before she turned away. "…Yeah." She admitted. "I played the embodiment of fall."

"…Ah…"

"What's with that look on your face?!" she asked.

"Did you find your soulmate?" he asked with a small cheeky smirk that made her go red, red enough to pull her hood up.

"N-No! Besides it's just a damn scheme to make girls attend and try to join the dance!"

"Enough to get you to join the dance, right fall maiden." He smirked.

She gasped at him when she heard her nickname before she calmed down. He had to admit, her facial expression amused him. "He couldn't have known…oh!" she then shook her head at him at realizing the nickname. "Calling me a fall maiden due to me playing the roll of fall?"

Madara shrugged. "Why not." He said. "I do wonder though…"

"W-Wonder what?" she asked slightly nervous.

"If you still have those graceful dancing moves."

She slightly pushed his arm as Madara didn't move an inch. There was no real weight behind the push, just a friendly one.

"Guess the old buzzard was right, maybe there is something to enjoy during festivities like this." He shook his head as he stopped leaning on the rail, seeing as there was no more point. "Come on, I'll buy some of the cherry blossom dango for 'teasing' you too much."

Amber looked at him briefly before she too stopped leaning on the rail. "Sure! But beware, one dango is not even for an apologizing."

"Good thing I'm not apologizing then."

"Hey!"

As Madara and Amber walked off to join more in the festivities as well as buying some dango.

"Hohoho." A familiar voiced laughed as he watched Madara walk off with a young slightly older girl. "It seems he's enjoying it. That's good." He whispered.

With his arms still behind his back, Potoo turned his head behind him to a tree that didn't have any street lamps near it.

It was simply by chance he saw Madara talk to the girl and enjoy the conversation, but now the tree caught his attention before he too, walked off, presumably back to the inn or at least around the town to give Madara some more time alone.

"Even in your old age, you still almost noticed me. That was close." A black haired woman leaned back out from behind the tree to 'monitor' the progress of her son. "…Two months, it seems progress has been made, but the longer the more powerful it seems."

"Ten more months?" she reasoned with herself. She would think of a proper time later, however she noticed Madara talk to a girl. "…I suppose it's that age for him…"

She…didn't know how to feel about this.

Was she supposed to play the supportive role and allow this to happen, or was she supposed to play the overprotective role and stop this from happening?

She had no idea.

What path…gave him more power?

Madara had paid for the pink dango, which was fairly popular, and the two had begun to eat the first stick of dango.

"…It's actually pretty good." Madara said. "But, nowhere near Inarizushi." He added afterwards.

"This type of dango only produces once a year…" Amber told the Branwen. "It's a shame because it's pretty good."

"Why don't they make more for when the festival is off if its good." He asked as they past a stand selling dango…and was out of the ones they were eating. "I see they run out quick…"

"If you sell something like that any time of the day, it'll lose its touch and yet another reason to not come to the festival."

"Does that include the dance?"

"S-Shut it! No more talk of the dance."

"Fine, fine…but where are we going?"

"We're going to get the best seats in the house to watch the fireworks!"

"…Alright."

Madara had followed the fall seasoned dancer as they found some comfortable spots further away from where the fireworks would be launched. It gave them plenty of room and a lot of space to see.

They both heard the countdown of the multiple people down in the town, hundreds if not thousands.

Soon, the fireworks began…and didn't stop.

Madara had activated his Sharingan through out the discussions with Amber, and at the festivities of the festival.

He didn't know if he would come back for another one, but it would be good to have these memories if this was his first and last time.

The teen learnt from Amber, that theses fireworks went on for ages. At least two to three hours.

He also heard music played loudly, namely the newer releases and popular ones as the fireworks continued.

However, it was a chilly night and would only get colder.

Two and a half hours later, the fireworks ended as they stood up. It was practically freezing now.

Madara's eyes glanced at Amber before his eyes returned to normal.

"Here." He said as she looked to see his purple, high collared, long sleeve mantle to her. "It's cold tonight, and your cloak won't keep you that much more warm."

"But-"

"Don't worry about it. I'm used to the cold. I trained in it to build up some resistances."

Madara was now left with his form-fitting undershirt. "Are you staying at an inn?" he asked.

"I am…" She said as she put on the purple mantle. "This…is warm."

"I did just wear it." He told her with a small amused smile. "I'll walk you to the inn."

"But what about this?" she gestured to his clothing she was wearing…for some reason, he liked it.

"I'm staying at an inn too. Don't know if it's the same, but I am leaving in the morning."

Amber was about to say something after their walk in silence. "Is this it?" he asked.

"It is."

"Then this is as far as we go."

"What-"

"If it's my clothes, then you can hand it back before I leave."

Madara stopped walking and turned his head enough to look back at her. "Oh…and have a nice autumn night, fall dancer."

She would have said something but decided not to as he had already walked away.

Madara had made it back to the inn where he stayed with the old senile man. "Hohoho! Did you have fun boy?" Potoo asked as he stood up and walked to their lodging. "What was her name? Did you have fun? I see you gave her your warm clothing of a chilly night like this."

"Potoo…I'm cold and tired. Let me sleep."

"Oh dear, tuckered out?" he asked. "What did you do during those fireworks? I'm not prepared for another kid in the tribe."

Madara only groaned as he got into bed as Potoo chuckled loudly. "It's good to see he enjoyed his time. Something Raven couldn't really do to being far too serious…Qrow on the other hand…"

Qrow seemed to have taken the 'enjoy your youth' far too much to the point where he left the clan for good.

"Those two darn kids of mine…" he thought while silently chuckling. While he wasn't their biological parent, he was their adoptive one, seeing as he brought them into the clan and helped them who became who they were.

Raven, loyal to the tribe and far too serious at times.

Qrow, the one who abandoned the tribe and far too lax, carefree…and drunk from what heard at times.

Now, he had a third one, Madara. Loyal to the tribe like his mother, and hopefully will get him to enjoy his time too without going too far one way or the other end and rather be in the middle to create a balance.

Potoo decided to get some sleep in to, he didn't want to sleep in otherwise Madara would scowl at him like his mother used to back when she wanted to get stronger.

"What type of training shall we do next?" he wondered as once his head hit the pillow...

…he immediately began to snore…