A/N: Read this note, would you kindly?
Resident Evil Village has me trapped in its clutches. Send help.
Did I mention I've never played a SINGLE Resident Evil game before? Haaaaaalp~!
As ever, we're sticking with the tried and true "Embers" Rule for this story. If folks don't like it, it'll be deleted. So speak up! Make yourself heard! Your voice matters!
If it wasn't obvious before now, this is clearly an AU of sorts. Things have changed with Naruto about.
Now then, time for some quick questions and answers. We'll only do a few this time, don't wanna keep ya too long:
Q: Will there be anymore offshoots of "Everybody Loves Cookies" as such? Just wanted know.
A: If there is, there will only be one more. Three is a golden number for me.
It would basically be that "Professor" fragment that was hinted at in Fragments of Remnant, but ten times better.
I'm still struggling with a title card for it. Berserker of Beacon? Butcher of Beacon? I know I want it to be "of Beacon" but I don't want it to sound like "Beast of Beacon" because that's Coeur's baby and I desperately don't want to upset him.
Q: Sooo...is Naruto going for the sisters Schnee in this story?
A: *zips lips* Read and see~!
Q: How long has Naruto been working as a chef?
A: As stated, its heavily implied he's been a Beacon for quite some time. Unlike his "Cookies" iteration he didn't wander about for all that long. He fought for a bit, saved a few people, and decided to try his hand at something he liked. As to whether he has any kids wandering around in this story...well. Answering that one way or another would be spoilers. You'll just have to read and see.
Its ironic, really. At this point he's wickedly powerful, but he has no desire to fight. His very presence serves as a deterrent to a great many foes...
...but not all. Naturally, if a fight comes knocking, that's a different story.
Q: HOLD A HOT MINUTE! Did Naruto and Salem fight?! I saw that hint! He said he was "done" fighting, which implies he fought someone powerful in Remnant! Who better than Salem?!
A: Well, I suppose I can spoil this much; aye, they fought once in the past. For an entire week. It was quite a fight.
*grins*
More on that later.
Alright, I've kept you long enough! Kick up your feet and get ready to grin. Hope you brought some popcorn~!
As ever, I own no quotes references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!
Been watching Food Wars lately as well. Its given me...ideas.
"APRON OF SHAME!"
~An Enlightened Cook.
Come All Ye Hungry
A chef is King in his kitchen. There is no one higher than he.
In this moment, true words had never been spoken. Today, the cafeteria of Beacon girded itself for war.
"Alright, people! Gather 'round" Naruto's stood stop a chair, his voice booming through the empty room as he faced the horde below him. "You know what day it is!" he crossed both arms before his chest, keen blue eyes stared his soldiers down. "We've got hungry mouths incoming this morning, and more than a few of 'em! Do we have all the ingredients we need?"
More than two dozen voices answered him in flawless salute. "Yessir!"
A blond brow quirked. "I'm sorry, what was that?" he set a hand to the side of his head. "I can't hear you!"
"AYE-AYE!"
"That's better. Now, as I'm sure you all know by now," A crooked grin plucked at his whiskered visage. "We're facing the start of a new year. With that said," he hopped off the chair and began to pace before the ranks of his clones. "We're going to have some fresh faces here, and more than usual at that. You know how hunters and huntresses are. They're picky."
"Can't be as bad as Winter...
Blue eyes narrowed. "Which one of you cheeky pricks said that?!"
His brothers rounded on the traitor, fingers pointing. "He did it! Definitely him!"
"I mean, I'm not wrong." The suspect shrugged. "Remember how choosy was when it came to eating her veggies?"
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "To the latrines with you!"
"Wait, why me?!"
Two of the cloves carried the dissident off in short order.
Naruto scowled after them and shook his head. Why the fuss about Winter. He'd only cooked her meals when she was little, taught her a few things here and there, that sort of thing...until he'd poisoned Jacques. Then he had run like the wind. Hardly the best impression. She probably didn't even remember his name.
Shelving a strange bout of nostalgia, he left the rest to their handiwork.
Blue eyes shimmered with flecks of gold as he darted through the galley, the better by which to sense the chakra at work in the air. Earth, fire, wind and water, he and his brothers were masters of their craft. They worked with an ease born from countless years of practice; an art form honed out of experience and determination alike. Of one mind and one body, they sallied forth to face the horde with the grit of true warriors. This was a dance they'd done before; though the steps might change, the tune remained the same. This was their battlefield; this was their war, no greater purpose than this could there be.
On a whim, the immortal created another trio of clones and tasked them with setting the tables.
"Make sure we have enough fruit ready." he called to one of them.
The doppelganger saluted. "On it, boss!"
"And you've finished the muffins?"
"Yes, boss!"
He grinned. "Go easy on the butter for the pancakes."
"Sure thing, boss!"
Today was the first day after Initiation and with its passing he found himself...not exactly pressed per se, a man who could create an army at a whim was seldom pressed, but still somewhat harried nonetheless. Initiation was always interesting its own way, but it was what came after that truly intrigued him. For if Initiation was a storm for Beacon, then the dreaded Day After was a hurricane. He'd seen many a student pass through these hallowed halls already. It was always a nice thing to meet new people.
Guessing at their eating habits though...well. That took some learning. Speaking of new!
He pivoted on one heel as a thought occurred to him. "Where's the lamb sauce?!"
"Coming right up, boss!" A clone chirped. "We're just finishing it now!"
"Wait," another frowned. "This is breakfast. Who's gonna want-
Blue eyes narrowed on the dissident. "Hop to it!"
"Yessir!"
In his time as Chef of Beacon, he'd discovered three fundamental truths.
One! Huntsmen and Huntresses needed more than good food; just as they needed more than mere calories. They needed energy. Calories, carbs, you name it. They burned right through them like no one else in the World of Remnant; which in turn meant they were often hungry. Now, when a huntress wants to join the military? Even more complicated. By that logic alone, Winter had been a right devil to cook for when she was little. Sassy, perhaps, but rewarding.
Two! Everyone had different tastes; take Team CFVY for instance.
Coco needed extra sugar in her morning coffee. Said coffee was delivered to her room by a shadow clone. He'd already sent one up five minutes ago. She wouldn't even get out of bed without the scent of his homemade brew; and as he'd soon learned, if Coco Adel didn't get up, Velvet and the rest certainly wouldn't. Throw in a heaping helping of oatmeal and she'd be down shortly.
Yatsuhashi was less a picky eater, but he had to have his tea made just right or he wouldn't touch the stuff.
Likewise, Fox requested pure water imported from an oasis in Vacuo near Shade Academy. Pricey, but he had friends in high places.
Sweet little Velvet loved her muffins and sausages with a side of bacon. Girl liked her greasy foods. You'd never know it by looking at someone like her.
Ah, but he digressed.
Third! Never show fear. Fear was the enemy! If it was his job to keep these runts fed for the duration of the next four years; he would do so both physically and mentally. These kids would head out into the real world someday; face Grimm in all their ugly glory. Life may be beautiful, but Remnant was a cruel place. If he could impart a nugget of wisdom here and there while this lot enjoyed their meals, maybe prepare them just a little bit to face the hardships ahead...he would consider his a job well done indeed.
A distant chime caught his attention.
"Right then. They'll be here soon." Rubbing his hands together, he moved to another line of clones and began to prepare a meal of his own. "I've still got time for this, then...
Within moments, the fresh sizzle of meat filled the air, laced with by decadent spices.
At a glance it might seem strange to make steak for breakfast, but as he learned, Beacon catered to all kinds. More than a few of the later years had some energy-intensive semblances. Beacon catered to all kinds, faunus and human alike. He knew at least three students who needed copious amounts of protein just to function. Best have extra on hand just in case. Forewarned was forearmed after all.
Saffron orbs flashed as he made his final preparations and then, meal prepared, he passed it off to another clone.
A quick spark of flame from his palm sprang through the air to feed the faltering fire from a nearby stove; then he was away, mind already awhirl to the next task at hand. No doubt he'd have to learn the newfound tastes of these sassy greenhorns and adapt to that as well. He hadn't seen many picky eaters thus far, but life had a way of throwing curve-balls at him where freshman were concerned. Good. He liked a challenge.
Still small part of him couldn't help but wonder if a certain Schnee had passed her initiation. Full of fire, that one. Not unlike another team he knew-
His faith was rewarded a moment later as the doors crashed open with a thunderous crack.
"Ahoy, whiskers!" A familiar voice crowed. "I've come to bargain!"
He turned and quirked a brow at them. "You've come to eat, more like. Morning, Coco."
Beacon's resident gunner flicked her shades down as she walked, dark eyes dancing beneath. "One of these days, you'll fall for it-mmrph?!"
Her words were subsequently muffled by a flung bagel. Like an arrow it flew straight and true. Coco never stood a chance; the missile struck her mouth in mid-sentence, snapping her head back to land perfectly between her teeth. Her diatribe never got off the ground. Her mouth closed with an audible click, brown eyes gone wide. Really, that never got old. Turns out you could throw food just as hard as a knife. Who knew? She should've learned by now.
Naruto lowered his arm. "The day I do that is the day I go to you for fashion advice."
"Mrmhmph?! I mean, C'mon," she took a hasty bite and swallowed, "You'd slay in a good pair of jeans." a slightly glazed look came over her eyes. "Not to mention a tight-
"Down, Coco." Velvet swatted her arm as she stepped past. "That's my big brother you're lewding."
"Not by blood! Good lord, you could grind mean on tho-owww!" She wilted but a little when Yatsuhashi whacked the back of her head. "Fine, fine!" her hands rubbed the back of her beret and she subsided with a whine. "Can't a girl have her fantasies?!"
The pair exchanged a wry look. "No."
"Spoilsports! Anybody else wanna rain on my parade?!" Fox raised a hand, only to subside under their leader's withering glare. "Not you, too!"
Naruto left the three of them to it and turned a bemused look upon Beacon's resident bunny.
"Well?" he cocked an eyebrow, arms spread wide. "Where's my hu-oomph!?"
Breath burst from his lungs as her head collided with his chest; not a moment later her slim arms circled around his waist in a mighty squeeze. Say what you would about Velvet, but when she hit? She hit hard; hell, she could absolutely throw down with the best of them when pressed. Her hugs were something to be a' feared. Least of all when she hadn't seen you for a month. She made that abundantly clear now.
"I missed you so much!"
"Heh." A familiar surge of warmth tugged at Naruto's chest. "Thatta girl. Missed you too." "So?" he laughed and patted her head. "How was your summer vacation?"
"Good." Velvet drew back half a pace and swayed in place, knees twisting in thinly veiled delight. "Really good. Coco and me visited my da' in Atlas."
"And it was cold up there!" Coco catcalled from the back. "Least you had someone to keep you warm~!"
Velvet flushed to the roots of her hair. "Coco!"
"Not sorry!"
Naruto quirked another brow at her. Velvet and Coco? Well, now. That was new. He'd been busy this year, so much so that he hadn't kept tabs on anyone for once. It was always so boring around these parts when Beacon let out for break. Initiation and the week thereafter often proved hectic, but it was a burden he'd long since learned to live with. After all, with classes back in session it meant said boredom would very much be a thing of the past. There would be meals to prepare, students to see, and fights to break up. Never a dull moment.
Honestly, times like these made him glad he'd turned down Ozpin's offer to be a teacher. Maybe in another life...no, that was a thought for another time.
"Oh?" Shaking it off, flicked a glance to the box at Velvet's belt. "Did your old man help you tune up Anesidora?"
"Yup." she patted her Camera with pride. "Got plenty of material up there, too."
"That so?" He cocked a brow at his foster sibling. "Anything good?"
"A few things." Her smile proved predatory.
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"Nope." she smacked her lips.
He laughed as she slipped away. "Cheeky girl."
When you ceased to age in the effective sense of the word; it was all too easy to lose touch with reality. He'd learned to counter that by throwing himself wholeheartedly into his profession. Here, it was easy to see everyone as one big family. No, perhaps that wasn't the right word. Strange as that might sound, Beacon was his family. Not children per se, bur brothers and sisters all. He'd fed -and occasionally taught -hungry masses here for decades now. After a few years it was difficult to think of anything but blood, even if they weren't related. Which reminded him!
"Any word on the newbloods?"
"They were just starting to wake up when we left." Yatsu rumbled as he sipped at his tea. "I daresay they'll be down here any...
"Fooood~!"
A cascade of crimson petals swept past them, bringing with it a mighty wind.
...moment now." he finished with a sigh.
Naruto couldn't help but smile.
"There she is. I suppose congratulations are in order...
Weiss Schnee trudged in after the hurricane of flowers, looking like she'd bitten into the mother of all lemons. Poor thing. Really, a wet kitten looked more dangerous than her. The moment she laid eyes on him however, her entire demeanor changed. She wiped her disdain away, stiffened and held her head high, chin lifted in silent challenge. He didn't miss the uniform. Well, well! Color him impressed. Seemed she knew how to fight after all.
"Well?" she huffed at him. "Do you have something to say?"
Feisty as ever. Naruto laughed and sketched a bow.
"Welcome to Beacon, princess."
(.0.0.0.)
"Princess?!"
Weiss nearly hissed like a scalded cat when she first heard that nickname. It was only an ironclad sense of self control that kept her from whipping Myrtenaster at Beacon's head chef. That and his damnable smile; a smile that told her he was waiting for just such an explosion. Well...there were worst things to be called, she supposed. At least he hadn't called her snow angel, unlike another blond who-shall-not-be-named.
There would be blood if anyone else tried that.
"Would you rather I not call you that?" Naruto remained entirely at his ease, idly watching her teammates trailed into the cafeteria. "I didn't intend to offend."
The gleam in his eyes said otherwise. He was enjoying this! Well, two could play at this game!
"I...no." she schooled her face into a smile that felt just a little too plastic for her liking. "Its fine. You needn't concern herself."
"Hoo, boy." Coco whistled. "You could cut that tension with a knife. I'm guessing you two know each other."
"Something like that." the whiskered warrior snapped his fingers and a fresh pair of clones swept up, a tray in each hand. "We're acquaintances. Nothing more. Now shoo, Coco." he nudged the second year away. "You've had your fun and I have work to do. Unless you want to lose your coffee privileges...?"
The brunette hissed and dragged her team to another table.
Weiss wondered if that was intentional.
"Look, this is really nice an' all, but food? Now? Please? I'm starving!"
...and then Ruby ruined the moment by walking right up to Naruto and tugging on his sleeve.
Bemused blue orbs met shimmering silver, widened but a little, then narrowed thrice as fast. "Just a moment."
Naruto didn't move. Nor did he flicker, or even blur at that. Even to Weiss' keen gaze he simply ceased to exist. One moment he stood before them; the next he shot behind the counter in a golden flash. A brief clatter of noise reached their ears and re reappeared with a tray of piping hot cookies balanced on one hand. Cookies! Of all things!
Ruby's eyes lit up. "Ooh! I never get to have these in the morning!"
"You do today." he paused and squinted down at her, seeing something he hadn't before. "Hmm. Silver eyes. You look familiar too...say, your last name wouldn't happen to be Rose by any chance, would it?"
Their resident reaper offered an innocent blink as she savored her early morning treat. "Yes...?"
For the first time since she'd seen him, Weiss watched Naruto recoil in surprise. It was a rare moment indeed and she felt as if she were intruding for it. Not so Naruto. He looked like he'd seen a ghost; some specter of his past come back to haunt him from the grave.
"Summer." he whispered the name with something akin to reverence. "Summer's your mother, isn't she?"
Ruby jolted. "You know mom?!"
"Know her?!" Naruto all but sputtered. "I saved her from...!" He cut himself off with a harsh cough that turned his whiskered visage red. "Well! That's a story for another time." he turned aside, muttering ruefully as a startled Ruby and Yang looked on. "Good lord. Summer had a kid." his eyes lingered on Yang, now happily chatting with a clone at the counter. "Raven too, by the look of her. I'll be damned. Why didn't anyone tell me about that?" thrice as quickly, his gaze swept to the third member of their party. "But where are my manners? I'm guessing your friend over there would prefer some food herself; rather than listen to me flap my gums all day."
Golden eyes turned upon him, framed by a rueful smile. "I wouldn't say no to tuna."
"You'll have it."
Weiss flinched aside, gripping her wrist.
Naruto saw it and turned away, only for Ruby to grab at his wrist. She looked down and kicked one foot against the back of her heel.
"Did you...?" she hiccuped but a little, then mastered herself and looked up. "Do you really save my mother?"
"She's still alive, isn't she?" at her fragile nod, he breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Haven't seen her in years." he tapped a hand to one side of his head. "We, ah, didn't really part on the best of terms." There was a look there that spoke of something tender, something almost paternal, but she didn't dare guess at it. "I wasn't able to save her left eye, but I'm glad she's doing alright-
"Thank you!"
His words turned into a stuttering mess as Ruby reversed her grip to bury her head against his chest. She rocked back and forth like a top, fingers fisting fiercely against his apron. Wait...was she...? Her ears strained as a faint sniffle reached her over the din of her fellow students. She was!
"Thank you!" Her leader all but wailed the words, bawling into his shirt. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"You're welcome...?"
Naruto looked left. Naruto looked right. Naruto found no escape. His gaze settled upon Weiss. She backed away, shaking her head with such force that she nearly slapped herself with her ponytail. A quick glance confirmed that Blake had already been given her meal by a passing clone and like left them to their fate. Fickle creature she was. In the end, he settled for a weak sigh and squeezed Ruby back. For all his fire, it seemed even he had his weaknesses. Crying girls appeared to be his kyrptonite.
Good to know.
"You don't understand!" Ruby plucked her courage and looked up once more, eyes gone red and puffy. "Mom always talked about someone on her last mission, but she never gave me any names! She," Her brow furrowed a little and as Weiss looked on, she seemed to grapple with some distant memory. "She kept saying she'd "tell me someday" or "when you're older" but she never did! It really is you, isn't it?!"
Naruto made startled Naruto noises. Weiss bridled. No. No, that was absurd. He didn't look a day over twenty. Surely he couldn't be Ruby's fa-
A distant crash claimed their attention. "What's in this thing?!"
Weiss slapped a hand to her forehead. Leave it to Yang to make a commotion. And just when it was getting good, too! Crazy fools, the lot of them! Her entire team was mad! In all honesty, she was only just beginning to realize this terrible truth. Ruby was an absolute spaz monkey apparently prone to fits of weeping, Blake had barely spoken two words until now, and Yang...
...oh, dear.
"Oh my gods!" sure enough, she found blond brawler all but writhing on the floor, clutching at a crepe she'd swiped from gods knew where. "This is delicious!" her next words were all of a moan; to which she latched out with her right arm and grabbed him by the collar. "Marry me!"
"Nope! Pass." he raised his arms to fend her off with a rueful smile. "Sorry. No can do."
Weiss felt her scarred eye twitch. "Xiao-Long! Put my cook down!"
It was the wrong thing to say. Yang pivoted. "Your cook?"
Blast it! That came out wrong! "Urk...I mean...that is to say...
"Heh." the blond thumbed her nose. "Just kidding, Weiss-Cream."
Brothers above, she'd forgotten about the puns. Why had she come here again?
No, that was a pointless question now.
She already knew the answer.
For all its quirks, this place put Atlas Academy to shame. That had never been in doubt. She'd taken one look their bland uniforms, their rigid adherence to every rule under the sun, the cold cruelty of their lessons, and decided it wasn't for her. General Ironwood...certainly meant well in all that he did, but her name was known there. Too much so. Her responsibilities stifled her enough, but she would've been surely smothered in those pale halls. By that alone, Beacon already stood head and shoulders above anything Atlas could offer.
Her name might still be known here, but at least they wouldn't treat like bona fide royalty.
If a bit of madness was the price she had to pay for some semblance of safety, then so be it. Although!
"Ruby Rose! Get off that table immediately! And put that pie down at once!
"Awww," her partner whined, "But I wanted to start a food fight!"
Yang perked up. "Alright! Go sis!"
"It is ENTIRELY too early to be doing that!"
Naruto chortled softly to himself. "So she says...
Weiss rounded on him for it. "And what's so funny?!"
"Nothing." he wiped a mirthful tear from the corner of his eye. "Just reminded of happier times." Straightforward as ever, it seemed. "Well, in any case, I'll say it again. Welcome to Beacon." He actually had the nerve to wink at her this time. At! Her! "For keeps, this time." whirling back to the kitchen, he spread his arms wide. "What'll it be? I'll make you anything you like. Within reason, of course."
That was right! She remembered now! The wager!
I won the bet! Some small petty part of her latched onto his words. He has to bring me meals! Ha!
But wasn't there another bit? Weiss felt like she was forgetting something. Hmm. It probably wasn't too important. If it was, surely she'd remember...?
But now Yang was approaching him. Again!
"Oho?" Naruto quirked a brow. "You're approaching me?"
Yang's grin rivaled the sun itself. "I can't eat more of your delicious food if I don't get closer.
"Then come as close as you like!"
Weiss rolled her eyes at her teammate. "Both of you! Stop acting like that, or I swear I'll smite you!"
Naruto only laughed and posed harder. "WRRRYYYY!"
It was too much. Weiss flung up her arms. "By the brothers you can be such a child...!"
Oops. That was the wrong thing to say; she knew it the moment she said. Naruto quirked a brow. Yang grinned, looking like the cat who caught the canary and its whole family besides. She reached around and plucked up a fresh tray of hash browns with a rash of bacon besides. The Schnee skittered back. No. They wouldn't. Surely not!
"Now, now." Naruto flicked the back of her forehead. "Don't go throwin' my food around just yet. Go sit with your sister."
"Aw, c'mon." Yang tossed her hair to one side. "I'm just having a bit of fun-
"Xiao-Long." azure orbs narrowed. "Get."
Yang got.
"In all seriousness, a deal's a deal." Naruto laid one arm on the counter and set his chin against it. "I'll make whatever you like." Weiss felt herself flinch but a little at that; if he noticed her unease, he did little to show any sign of it; indeed, he pretended not to notice her anxiety entirely. "What time would you like me to come up to your room?"
Weiss choked on her spit. Right. The bet. Definitely not anything untoward here. Nay! Certainly not. Her pale face flushed.
Across the room, Coco whistled between two fingers. "Go, greenhorn! Claim your prize!"
A few accompanying hoots and whistles arose to meet her cry.
Naruto launched a plate of pancakes at the cheeky gunner for her quip. A familiar ginger-haired girl dove into harms way and snatched them with a triumphant cry of "Mine!" before landing among her teammates.
"Whenever you think is suitable." Wisely, she steered the conversation to safer waters. "I made a call to my sister last night, by the way."
"Good?" Naruto didn't seem phased by the words. "How's she doing? She still healthy?"
...you could say that."
The less said about that, the better.
In the end, her mind betrayed her, treacherous thing that it was. She'd never seen Winter fall out of her chair like that before. It had proven something of a memorable sight. In the end, her elder sister only said three words before closing the call. "Keep. Him. There." Whatever that meant. She would do her best of course, but it seemed an odd request regardless. It wasn't as if she'd rush all the way here from Atlas. Winter was the sensible sister; not one prone to flights of fancy or such. Surely nothing would come of that.
"Which reminds me." his words snapped her back to reality. "Did you make team leader, by any chance?
Weiss stilled as a pit opened in her stomach. Oh, dear. She remembered now. They'd made another bet, hadn't they? They had! A slow hear crept up the back of her neck, suffusing her pale skin with warmth. No, as much as she might wish it otherwise, she was most assuredly not the leader of Team RWBY. That honor fell to their dubiously named leader.
She could lie to Naruto of course; she knew she could; she might even get away with it for a day or two...until he asked a member of the faculty. Then she'd look the fool.
Truth it was. She wilted. "No."
His eyes lit up. "Apron of shame it is."
Weiss made a keening noise between her teeth. "Nooo...
Quick as can be, he darted behind the counter and emerged with that hideous orange cloth. It was just as she remembered. Kiss the cook indeed! She would do no such thing! He held it out to her and she swiped at it with a hand, trying to claw it away before anyone could see. She only succeeded in drawing undue attention to herself.
"I'm not wearing that!"
"Is that an apron?!" Yang absolutely howled with laughter. "Ha! It is!"
"Really, now?" Naruto leaned back, considering as one might a squalling kitten. "Does a Schnee not honor their word?"
Ruby giggled. Blake made a noise behind her. It might have been a laugh. Traitors, the lot of them! There would be a reckoning for this!
"Why you...fine!" Weiss all but ripped it from his hands. "Give me that! You owe me a lesson besides!"
"Right you are!" His eyes flashed anew and she couldn't help but wonder if he'd been after that all along. "How silly of me to forget. We've got another hour before lessons." Wait, they did?! Why had no one told her about that?! What trickery was this?! But he was already smiling, taking her by the shoulder and guiding her aside. "Put on that apron," he beamed as she did. "Great! Come on back and I'll teach you how to make one of my favorite dishes-
A distant crash shattered his smile like so much brittle glass.
"Ha! See, guys?" a rough voice exulted loudly. "I told you her ears were real!"
Weiss felt Naruto's hand tighten on her shoulder for the merest of moments; that was the only warning she received.
...it seems we'll have to wait a moment." he pivoted in place, already moving away from her. "There's always one in every year, I swear...
Weiss rounded in turn, following his sudden retreat with a wary gaze. Didn't take much to see why. Someone was pulling on Velvet's ears. Yanking, really. A pained whimper pierced the silence, broken only by the laughter of four boys...a quartet she was somewhat ashamed to recognize.
Team CRDL. Of course it would be them.
"Aw, shit." she heard someone whisper. "He pressed the Velvet button."
"Damn straight." another muttered, commiserating with their. "Shouldn'ta done that...
"Right, then." she heard Naruto call across the room. "You have three seconds to cut that shit out."
"What?" Cardin bridled, puffing out his chest. "What's it matter to you, old man? She's just a stupid rabbit...!"
"Oh?"
The temperature didn't merely drop. It plummeted. That was the only warning Cardin received.
An almighty crack echoed through the cafeteria, bringing silence with it.
Weiss didn't see the Chef move; but Ruby must have; because she heard their leader gasp a moment before all hell broke loose. Velvet vanished with a squeak. One moment the Faunus girl was struggling under Cardin's ironclad grip; in the next she landed right in a grinning Coco's lap.
Winchester slammed into the table, his head snapping to the right.
"A rabbit, is she?" The Chef of Beacon lowered his arm, rising to his full towering height as he did. "By that very definition you're just a man." his nose wrinkled in thinly veiled distaste. "And a bully at that."
"And you're just a damn cook!" Said boy burst to his feet. "What do you care?!"
Weiss gulped, and she wasn't even the recipient of his glare. Cardin wilted beneath it, and his team with it.
Light steps carried Naruto forward. Close. Closer. Closest, now.
"Just because I've laid down my shuriken and kunai for the time being, doesn't mean I've forgotten how to fight, son. I simply choose not to. But you?" He snapped his fingers and four clones summarily appeared at his sides. "You are unworthy of this food." they ripped their trays away, taking the food with it, much to the boy's displeasure. "You bring dishonor into these hallowed halls." a snarl tore out of him, too deep to possibly be human. "Get out. Before I have Kurama throw you out! Actually, on second thought...!"
A giant golden hand swatted Cardin Winchester into the floor. Once. Twice. Thrice.
Upon the fourth, that massive palm snatched him up and flung him clear into a wall. He slumped there like a broken doll.
"Puny huntsman!"
Coco laughed and elbowed Weiss. "Yup, saw that coming. Shoulda seen what he did to the last bully...Velvet's practically a little sister to him."
Weiss palmed her face.
At least Winter wouldn't seen her like this. She could take some small pride in anonymity and hope this would all blow over-
You really shouldn't tempt fate like that.
Twin doors parted with a thunderous crash.
"I knew it was you!"
Winchester was only just stumbling to his feet when they caught him and sent him sprawling to the floor. He slammed into the rest of his team -still frozen by fear- scattering the lot of them like bowling pins. It was an apt comparison, Weiss thought. But only for a moment. Her attention was immediately riveted by the woman standing in the archway, arms still flng wide.
"Winter?!"
Naruto looked up from the five course meal he'd already gone back to. "Me? Oh! Hey, Winter! Long time no see!"
Well! Weiss had never seen her sister falter in such a manner, let alone act like a blushing schoolgirl.
"I...yes...well!" she tore her gaze away and gripped at her wrist. "Its good to see you, too...
Weiss looked left. Weiss looked right. Weiss flung up her arms.
First time for everything, she supposed.
"Will this madness never end?!"
A/N: And there we have it.
As ever, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule. Did you like this story? Yes? No? Maybe? Speak out! Make yourselves heard! Your voice matters~!
It may seem cruel to end with that Winter bit, but rest assured, its all part of the plan.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And have some previews.
Also. References ahoy!
Because why not?
(Previews)
"Let the madness reign!"
Winter smiled softly. "Its...been awhile...
Cinder choked on her food.
"What...is this...?!"
Heavenly!
R&R~!