A/N: WARNING! PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY? Its got some important info.

This chapter gets intense...to say the least. You've been warned.

I've been updating stuff DAILY for nearly a month now; its taking a toll on me, but I have promises to keep. Just wanted to thank everyone for any feedback they give. Speak up! Make yourselves heard! Your words matter!

I can't write without feedback, I kid you not.

Finally moved into the new place! Uggggh that took so long; really miss my old house. This one is...a bit smaller than I'm used to, so its something of an adjustment. Next, we have a minor edit to the ending of the last chapter; one to flesh out Naruto x Robyn's confrontation, ending with a Grimm attack. This chapter picks up form there. Now then:

*Inhales deeply*

SCREW THAT BLOODY FINALE!

I had plenty of inspiration before, but now? NOW?! After the stunt Roosterteeth pulled?! Well. I'm fired up, right and proper! Penny also has her own song now, so that's kicked me into overdrive in vicious fashion. Listening to that right now, by the way. Its called "Friend" and good lord, the tears...

Now then, onto your questions!

Q: Wait a hot minute! Steel's name sounds a lot like another RWBY character we saw Penny with-

A: SHHHHHHHHH! SPOILERS!

Q: In an earlier chapter, you mentioned Naruto's blood had unique applications in Atlas. When will we see those?

A: Ask and you shall received. I had this bit planned for weeks...

Q: Are you going to *SPOILER* and *SPOILER* not to mention *SPOILER* with Penny and all?

A: I'm certainly not going to repeat what happened in the finale. Once more, Naruto is firmly on Ironwood's side, and doing his best to temper his more...extreme tendencies. Mettle only becomes a threat when its overclocked, as we saw toward the end of Volume Seven. I even went out and bought a copy of said Volume the other day just to brush up on a few scenes I'll be writing.

Gee, maybe KRWBY and JNOR won't make the same boneheaded decisions this time!

Q: Why not just take the staff and use it against Salem?! Atlas doesn't need to be in the air!

A: It really does, considering what's coming. You put Atlas on the ground...and Salem can just bury it in Grimm.

Furthermore, we all know the Staff it doesn't work in a weaponized capacity. For all his amazing power, Ambrosious is bound by a series of ironclad rule. He cannot bring the dead back to life. Nor can he kill. I repeat! He. Cannot. Kill. For instance, if he were to create a living being, that is, something with life, he's not allowed to destroy it. Penny stands as a prime example of this. She was clearly still around when those portals to Vacuo were made. Is that a loophole I see? Why, I believe it is!

You bet your ass Naruto's going to abuse the hell out of that.

Q: When will Team RWBY arrive?!

A: Sooner than you think. Wonder if they'll lie or tell the truth? Naruto can sense negativity and with it, a lie. Dwell on that for a moment.

If Salem cannot be "destroyed" there are other ways. We've all seen them. Launch that bitch into space, bury her, trap her in a vault, or put her to sleep. There's even a few more creative ideas that we've seen in other media to deal with the undying.

Immortal doesn't not mean omnipotent nor omniscient. Just more difficult to deal with.

Q: Oh, dear. The bad guys are in for a nasty surprise, aren't they?

A: *cackles*

Q: Penny is too pure! Must protect!

A: Well, she and Steel are sisters after all. I'd say protect them both?

Alright then, I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!

Now, then. Grab some popcorn, because here we go~!

"You don't understand! I'm not like you! I'm not even human! I'm... I'm not REAL!"

"Don't say that. We're talking. That makes ya real."

"But I'm not! I wasn't even meant to exist!"

"You're real to me!"

~The Future.

Taking a Risk

Penny could fight!

Naruto had always suspected she could of course -anyone so close in Ironwoods counsel must be able to defend herself!- but seeing was believing.

Actions spoke louder than words, and hers were loud indeed.

Limned in the wailing red lights of the city's sirens, the Protector of Mantle flitted through the skies on powerful jets of green light, picking her enemies off with callous ease. Gone was the overeager girl who stumbled over social mannerisms; in her place an angel of death and devastation soared through the night. Rings of wickedly sharped blades danced to her tune on invisible strings to weave a spiral of destruction 'round her. Not a single Grimm escaped her wrath, yet that strange, slight smile never left Penny's face.

It was beautiful. Just like her.

Somewhere in the back of his head, he heard Steel sigh. "I want that."

And just like that his thoughts soured. Of course Steel wouldn't appreciate being reminded of her deficiency.

"Sorry." reality rushed back in and he grimaced as he crushed a Sabyr's throat in his fist. "Didn't mean to offend ya...

"You didn't." Another beast bounded at him and received a Rasengan to the face for its trouble. "Its just...Naruto, I need to tell you something-

"Can it wait?! Kinda busy here!" He dove forward back as an aerial Grimm -he never knew which kind- clawed at them. Firm fingers snagged one of its talons in passing, dragged the critter down and stove in its head with a one-two punch. Its body had only just begun to decay when he kicked off it, caromed against a low wall, and tackled another to the floor. A quick punch to the skull put the beast down for good, only for a third to fall on his back, bowing it. Jagged claws skittered off hardened skin.

Somehow, he found that funny. "Sorry, big guy. I'm not on the menu today."

His head snapped back into the creature's chin with a violent crack, stunning it. He plucked another large kunai from his belt and -with a silent thanks to Pietro for enhancing the already deadly knives- stabbed backwards in a curt motion. Dust barked. Ash showered over his shoulders, gone before it could stain his jacket. Only then did he hear Steel speak.

...I suppose." Wait, what was that tone? Was she mad at him? Had he done something wrong?

"Steel?"

"It as you said." Alright, she was definitely sulking now if she hadn't been before. "We are busy."

They certainly were. Mantle's automated defenses did little to help them. If anything, they proved a hindrance. Unlike Penny and Steel, these were soulless machines, little more than tin soldiers with guns in their hands, unable to think or otherwise adapt to any given situation. They couldn't be trusted to do anything more than aim and shoot; even then most of their rounds went wide altogether before the Grimm tore them apart.

Useless tin cans.

That wasn't to say Penny's baby sister was lax; for someone with no body to speak of Steel was fantastic in virtually every other aspect when it came to keeping him alive. Her calculations had his mind moving faster than he'd thought possible; enhancing his already stellar reaction times to superhuman levels. She helped him predict enemy movements with ease, plot intercept courses and more. Her nanites hardened his skin, while her soul protected him with what little aura she had...frankly it was amazing someone so small could do so much.

He chuckled a little at the thought.

"By all means. Praise me more."

"A little help here?!" Robyn's shout broke through his thoughts.

Speaking of tearing! Right, he should probably get on that. Wouldn't do to let an innocent die on his watch.

Naruto pivoted on one heel and the world blurred as he dove back into the fray. He wasn't quite as quick as he used to be. With Kurama still absent -he still wasn't convinced of his death!- there could be no denying that he wasn't quite at his peak. But he was still a damn sight faster than most huntsman should be.

Blue eyes flashed gold.

Steel made a noise of appreciation. "So that's what it feels like...

Three quick strides carried him to Robyn's side, just in time to find her and her huntresses beset by a pack of Sabyrs. Nasty beasts, those.

Much to his chagrin Sabyrs were the Atlas equivalent of Beowolves; which is to to say the saber-toothed Grimm were just as numerous as they were rapacious. They attacked in packs, seeking to overwhelm their hapless prey with speed and numbers alike. More often than not, they killed whatever crossed them.

Unfortunately for them, they had numbers of their own.

Naruto reached the first Sabyr and yanked it down by its tail, forcing its gaping jaws to snap well short of Robyn's face...which in turn caused the beast to round on him in a snarling fury. Deadly fangs clamped down on a hardened arm, skittering off aura and the armor beneath. Sparks skittered into the air. Red eyes widened in confusion, then shock, followed by nothing at all as a dust-powered kunai pierced its skull. He kicked its corpse into his fellows and was rewarded by a fiery explosion as the fire dust detonated.

Ah. Exploding daggers. Nothing quite like 'em.

The rest soon fell as shadow clones swarmed them.

"Thanks for the assist." Robyn wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. "You really can fight, can't you?"

"Where I come from, you have to." He realized his mistake as soon as he said it. There it was, a nugget of information for her to inspect her her leisure. He wasn't keen on giving information away to strangers, no matter how nice they might seen. Yet he'd gone and done just that, like an utter lemming.

The huntress quirked a brow. "Is that so? I'll remember that."

Beside her, a girl with messy white hair and olive-colored eyes frowned at him. Idly he noted her sheep-like ears, each bearing a small hoop earring of sorts, with a tiny bell dangling from her right ear. As he looked on, she tilted her head. "Are you not from Atlas, then?" she asked. It must be a terrible thing to fight all the time."

"No, really, s' not like that...

Hill chuckled. "Now, now, Fiona. Let the boy have some secrets...

Penny swooped down upon the Grimm like a deadly avatar of powerful grace, saving him from further indignity. Whoever said swooping was a bad thing?

"Naruto!"

His hand shot out; allowing his partner to grab it as she flew past. Penny launched him forward, all but launching him into another pack of Sabyr. An almighty Rasenshuriken snarled to life on his free hand. He let it fly, waited for the blast to clear, then dove into the aftermath. Heavy boots crunched into mask and bone alike, trampling the survivors like insects. He grabbed one of their corpses before it could dissolve, hurling it into its fellows to blow them down. More charged him out of haze, seeking to avenge their fallen comrades.

"Penny!" he called back.

She showed no mercy; green light scythed out from her blades and made short work of the second pack.

Naruto felt a grin tear across his face. They really did make one hell of a team.

Robyn and her happy huntresses put in good work of their own now that they had rallied; though he soon lost sight of them in the mad swirl of the melee. For every Grimm she and her team managed to kill, he and Penny racked up a dozen more. Soon enough he couldn't see any more of the beasts. Yet the sirens didn't abate.

...why was the earth shaking?

Robyn soon answered that question for him. "Look alive, people! We've got Goliath incoming!"

Naruto rounded on the sound. "Whats a goooohboythatisabigbastard."

Goliath indeed!

A herd of stampeding mammoth Grimm rounded the corner on either side of the street at full speed, dashing parked cars aside as they barreled towards them. Their leader -a big brute of a Grimm missing one of its tusks and easily head and shoulders above the rest- saw their little group and trumpeted a mighty bellow in wordless challenge. Every step rattled the earth. For the first time since he'd heard her voice, Steel balked.

"There's too many! We can't fight that without heavy artillery!"

"Of course we can." Naruto scoffed. "Penny?"

She alighted beside him, thrusters pulsing faintly. "Yes?"

"You take the right flank. Robyn, stay back. I'll deal with the left...and the big bastard."

Penny dithered a little, tiny glimmers of uncertainty burning in her lively green eyes. "Will you be alright?"

"Always." He rolled his shoulders as his eyes began to glow. "Trust me."

Her head bobbed. "I do trust you, boyfriend."

Naruto sighed. "Now you're just doing that shit on purpose-

Gloved hands took ahold of his whiskered cheeks and gently-yet-firmly steered him down to her. Bright rinnegan eyes widened in shock as something warm, soft, and infinitely yielding touched his lips. Little more than a peck. It still shut him down -and his argument with it!- like nothing else. His back stiffened as Penny pulled away, leaving his arms lead and dead at his sides as his jaw clicked open.

His mouth worked wordlessly before he managed to master himself. "Why did you...?"

"For luck." she beamed. "I do not wish to see you expire. Fight well!"

With a happy chirrup, Penny flared her thrusters and rocketed shot into the air before he could respond.

Naruto blinked once and touched two fingers to his lips. Steel made a faint noise akin to displeasure in the back of his head, but he paid it little heed.

"I repeat, we need to retreat!"

...until Steel started protesting again.

"What's wrong with you?" he frowned inwardly. "Its not like you to get spooked this easily."

She bleated with fear. "Retreat!"

"No can do." He marched forward. "Sorry."

She didn't seem to hear him. "Too many...too many...where did everyone go...why is there so much fire...?"

Fire? What fire? Nothing was burning. Naruto craned his neck for a moment, unable to understand. Something was wrong with Steel; rather, something had triggered her emotions. He didn't think it was him, or even the Grimm. What set her off? Part of him longed to stop and ask, but he couldn't. Not with the enemy looming before him.

She whimpered. "It hurts...dad...where are you...?"

Naruto's stride faltered for a moment as pain blazed through his chest. His only hope was to end this quickly and see what was bothering her. Until then he could only advance. And so he did. James was right. This wasn't a dream. Life mattered here. People died when they were killed. There were no second chances here. If he screwed up...that was it. Maybe it was time he stopped holding back and finally did something about it. Time to use these new eyes of his.

He closed them as he walked, marshaling his focus.

They were so close now, every footstep had his teeth vibrating in his skull. Naruto didn't waver. He kept his eyes closed and focused, reaching deep inside of him as he'd seen Nagato do once before. Raised a hand, just as he had. A single push wouldn't be enough. Not against foes this large. He needed more. Much more.

"Broaden it more freely." he whispered to himself. "Strengthen your interpretation of the technique." chakra threaded through the air, and he lashed it to his will. "These eyes can bring back the dead. I've seen it happen. Even if I can't do that, I can at least...!

Something clicked deep inside of him. And he understood.

A voice whispered in the back of his head. It wasn't Steel, nor was it Kurama. Still, it sounded...familiar, somehow.

These are your first steps, old friend.

Violet eyes snapped open.

"Almighty Push."

Though the Grimm were nearly upon him, the beasts didn't fall. Their feet left the ground, denying them any and all semblance of traction. Naruto grabbed them in his mind's eye and pushed. As one they rocketed into the air. Over the buildings they flew, denied gravity's cruel clutches. He watched them tumble, heedless of the gasps his feat received. He waited. Counted the seconds. Smiled when gravity reeled them back in like fish on a line. Any second now...

"Penny!"

She all but materialized at his side. Green light danced from her blades, ready to be unleashed.

Naruto mirrored her and lung his hands outward, eyes shimmering gold once more, shades of saffron shimmering over violet. An angry Rasenshuriken keened in each palm. He reached up and pulled with his mind, all but yanking the Grimm back down to hasten their demise. His palms snapped together. His twin techniques became one, quite possibly the largest he'd ever created. Jade light mirrored azure as the wind keened in dreadful anticipation.

Penny met his gaze over the light. No words were needed, only a nod. They let loose. And then there was light.

An almighty roar filled the air. Cold fury burned the world white; in the ensuing explosion, the world fell silent. As sense and sound returned, shards of dead Grimm rained down upon Mantle. Bits broken more and sullen shards of unkindled ash peppered the rooftops and piled up in the street, only to dissolve just as quickly. The clouds swept away, revealing the full light of the fractured moon high above.

Robyn swallowed thickly and made a quick sign with her fingers. "By the gods...

"Whew." Naruto pivoted on one heel, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Well, that takes care of-

"THAT WAS SENSATIONAL!"

A human meteor bowled him over. Penny grinned down at him, proud and happy, wildly ecstatic.

Steel's voice floated back in his head. "Owie...my everything...

Naruto perked up. "You gave me a fright there."

...all systems online. I apologize." she sounded as confused as he felt, but there could be no mistaking the tremor in her words. "I do not what came over me. I believe I may have a...ERROR. File not found. Error? Running self diagnostic. Checking for viruses. I will be going silent for the next twenty-four hours. Please do not tell Father." her voice hitched only a little, sounding vaguely like a sob. "Th-Thank you for your time."

What had he done?

Naruto winced. "The hell was that about?"

A cough stabbed into his thoughts, distancing him from his guilt.

"As entertaining as this is," Robyn hummed, "I really do need to have a word with you two...

"This is about Mantle, right?" Naruto grinned wealy up at her. "Tell you what. I'll do you one better."

"Oh?" the huntress quirked a pale brow and set one hand on her hip. "I'm listenin'. What did you have in mind?"

Time to start making some changes.

(.0.0.0.)

"You did what?"

"Arranged a meeting for you and Robyn." As James looked on aghast, Naruto stabbed both hands in his pockets, utterly unapologetic for his deeds. "You'll be meeting with her next week, once the inquest ends. It'll do the both of you some good and go a long way to easing tensions in mantle."

He'd come up to his office full of fire and fury the very next morning and declared his intent.

At least he was alone. Thank the brothers for small mercies. He wasn't sure he could handle Penny's enthusiasm right now.

...did you tell her anything?"

"About the Amity Plan." a blond brow quirked. "Nope. Not a word. I wouldn't betray your trust like that."

With those words, Ironwood felt something unspool deep inside of him.

"Loyalty always matters." he muttered the words aloud, taking strength from them. "I...for what its worth, thank you. For not telling her. It means more to me than you know."

"Yup. Sure does." the whiskered warrior granted him a cheeky grin. "I wouldn't be working with you if I didn't trust you, James. I'm with ya." his smile became just a little crooked. "Whatever comes. So give me a little trust, yeah?

"And you truly think this is the best course of action?"

"I do." Naruto pulled his hands free and thumped his chest with a fist. "You have my word."

Perhaps there was logic in his words...even if his semblance disagreed. Robyn was a stranger, it said. She couldn't be trusted, it said. It...it said so many things, so few of them pleasant.

"Maybe it would be best to bring her to the table. She's going to get that seat." he steepled his fingers and forced himself not to dwell on it. "With the death of Jaccques, there's hardly anyone left to challenge her. A few dark horse candidates perhaps, but no one of any particular renown...unless you'd like to throw your hat into the arena?"

Naruto choked, composure shattering like brittle glass. "Me?! Go into politics?! Never!"

A smile quirked his bearded visage. "You'd be good at it."

"How so?!" poor boy looked like he'd swallowed a fish.

"I don't think anyone else could've convinced me to try this harebrained scheme of yours." his migraine made itself known again, angrily pounding at his temples. "Alright. I'll talk to her...if you accompany me."

"Deal." Naruto's hand came across the desk and they shook on it.

Anxiety reared its ugly head a heartbeat later.. "But if she's working with Salem-

"She isn't." Uzumaki saw the fear in him, perceptive boy that he was. A quick stride carried him forward, where he laid his hands down on the desk. "Don't be paranoid, James. Now that I know this is is real, I'm ready to act."

A bitter chuckle forced itself out of him. "Took you long enough to realize that-

"Yes, well," the blond looked away with a flush, "Please don't tease me about that. I was talking about Salem. I'll flatten her." his fist crashed down, denting the corner of the desk. "I usually try to avoid killing as a rule, but for someone like her? I'm willing to make an exception. Penny and Steel agree with me. I don't care if I have to bury her, freeze her, or shoot her into space. I'll find a way."

"You sound so certain."

"What can I say?" His smile was just the right shade of dangerous. "I'm a creative guy."

Truly the brother gods had smiled when they'd sent him this boy.

James rose from his chair, wincing a little as his knees protested. He'd scarcely had time to sit down as of late. His gaze turned toward the window, and the city below. So many people. It all seemed...distant from up here in his office. Easy to forget just how many lives depended upon him. And they did depend on him. It all fell to them. Mistral's huntsmen were gutted. Beacon was destroyed. Vacuo...no. There would be no help from that kingdom.

This boy was their hope. He could save Atlas. Or destroy it. That speed of his would be a fearful thing if he turned on the people. Perhaps a collar-no! Never! James shoved his semblance aside and steadied himself with a scowl. He wouldn't go down that path; for in doing so he may well turn an ally into an enemy.

He turned back to find the blond looking upon him with pity. "Its a difficult thing, isn't it? Your semblance. I'd take it away if I could."

James hung his head, feeling more hunted than ever before. "About that...

His ally frowned. "James?"

...your blood can. Take away semblances. Temporarily. Its not something I want to rely on of course," he amended hastily upon seeing the blond's baffled look. "You know we experimented with your blood. In small doses it possesses healing properties. But the early tests...

Naruto's face twisted. "Tell me you didn't."

"We did not." Those words weren't a lie. "The research was never implemented. I wanted to run it by you first."

"I'm glad you did." The ancient human quirked a brow. "You said aura and semblances were part of someone's soul. To take that away...it doesn't feel right."

James was in complete agreement, of course. An overdose was a terrible thing. He'd seen the side effects. That was dark research and he'd ordered it destroyed...well, most of it. The last of it was locked away in Pietro's head. He'd sworn the man to silence, never to write that knowledge down. But to have Salem's allies, stripped of their semblances and aura, leaving them vulnerable, however briefly? That was a heady idea. All that power stopped by a tiny little bullet, just a trigger squeeze away.

There could be public outcry if word got out, of course. To take away a semblance, however briefly, was to invalidate the very soul. To say nothing of Aura.

"Are you going to use it?"

That was the question, wasn't it?"

...its your blood. I'd rather you have the final say."

Naruto pinched the brow of his nose. "Alright."

Ironwood looked up with a start.

"You're serious?"

"In measured doses!" A finger stabbed down into his desk. "I want everything vetted at the highest level; and when I say that, I mean me or a clone observing every step of the process. You said it was temporary, right?" James granted him a nod. "Good. Don't take the research any further than that, or we'll have problems."

"Understood. You have my word."

Well. That...went better than expected. Still, this knowledge had given him some insight.

In all likelihood, Naruto was a primordial human, an ancestor from an all too distant age of Remnant. Before Ozpin. Before Salem. Before so many things. His existence may very well predate the Brother Gods themselves, strange as that might sought. When injected into the body, his blood returned the host to a healthier, more powerful state. A time before aura, before semblances, before the mystery of magic itself. That he'd been frozen in ice only lent further credence to the theory.

Could his blood give someone chakra? Could it weaken Salem? Kill her, even? So many questions. So little time.

Still! To have hope! It was a heady thing indeed. Dangerous, too. He must take care that this didn't consume him. Great care indeed.

"Until recently I believed it was impossible to truly turn the tide against Salem." he pushed such thoughts aside and willed himself to focus. "Ozpin has pushed her back, has kept victory out of her claws, but she will keep returning, stronger and stronger...unless we destroy her. Until then, Mantle is a secondary concern." he winced even as he said it. "I'll speak with Robyn," a hand rose to forestall Naruto's argument, "But I can't promise she'll agree with me. Sometimes...doing the right thing means making tough decisions."

He would've liked nothing more than to evacuate Mantle to Atlas, but that just wasn't feasible. Putting the inherent risk of infiltration aside, the city simply couldn't sustain the Mantle's population atop their own. It would be a logistical nightmare. Even with Naruto's numbers, it simply could not be done.

Well, not unless the boy magicked up a way to create food from chakra. Unlikely, that.

"It does." Naruto's head bobbed in agreement. "Trust is a risk, James. There's no denying that. But there's nothing wrong with a little risk. You took one when you thawed me out of the ice. I took another when I chose to stay here. You took a second, sticking your neck out like that." taut knuckles tapped his head. "I'd trust you to give me a smack if I do something stupid."

Another rusty chuckled stole out of him. "Assuming you held still long enough."

"I would do the same for you if Mettle acts up." The blond didn't miss a beat. "In the end, its all about trust. I trust you." he held up a finger. "I trust Penny and Steel." Two fingers joined the first, followed by a lonely little pinky." And, well, maybe I'm starting to trust Winter, too. Hard not to, after seeing her bawl her eyes out. No way she's involved with Jacques death."

...don't let her hear you say that." James said. "She'll never let you live it down."

"Don't I know it!" Naruto grimaced and looked away, scratching at a whiskered cheek. "I've sent a reinforced clone to talk with her. Less chance of me getting stabbed."

James unbent enough to wince. "It might be best if you go yourself. She'll kill a clone."

"Fine, fine, force my hand why don't you...

"I...appreciate it." one less thing to worry about. "We cannot afford to be at each other's throats now."

"I couldn't agree more! Which brings me to my next point." here at last, he hesitated, perhaps realizing the enormity of what he was about to ask. "James...I need to use the staff for a minute...and then I need to see Pietro afterwards. There's something I want to test."

"That depends." his craggy visage hardened. "Will you put it back?"

The cheeky warrior clutched at his heart and feigned collapse. "What do you take me for?!"

Anyone else would have been refused outright. Anyone. Not even Winter, originally intended for the power of the Maiden herself, would've been allowed such. This boy had shed blood sweat and tears for the sake of this city; he had fought Grimm and stepped into questionable territory for his sake. Black and white wouldn't save this city. Grey would. James understood that now.

And if that meant taking a risk here and there...so be it.

Naruto must've read his intent; because his smile became positively sunny.

"Great! Now, then." He plonked down on the corner of his desk and swung a leg over it. "Run me through Amity Communication Plan again. I still don't understand how a Scroll works...

(.0.0.0.)

Winter's door slammed open.

Naruto screwed up his nose and fought down a grimace. The first thing that struck him was the smell. Not of refuse, but wine. Empty bottles of ambrosia lay sprawled across her quarters in haphazard fashion, now even more a mess than before. He found Winter on the bed. Her face was carved from grief itself even in sleep, her hair down and a tangled mess. It shamed him to say that there were tears staining her cheeks. He didn't want to wake her. Truly, he didn't. But if he let this be, it was only going to fester.

The blond cleared his throat.

"Up and at 'em Schnee." he clapped his hands, startling her awake. "We've got a war to win."

Winter stirred slowly. Bleary blue eyes opened, bloodshot and haggard. For a moment, she didn't recognize him.

Then she saw his face. "You!"

"Me."

She sprang up and glowered bloody red daggers at him. "Go away. This is all your fault! Leave!"

"I will not, dear girl. Surprised?" for the first time since they'd met, there was iron in his voice. When her brow furrowed in challenge, he only smiled. "I was in that ice for thousands of years. As far as I'm concerned, I'm your senior. Maybe its time I acted my age. But enough about me." he sidestepped the glyph she flung at him and slipped inside. "Why are you mourning a father who never loved you?"

She tore her gaze from his with a scowl. "There was a time when I thought he did."

"No, I don't think he did." his words had her bridling. "I met the man, remember? The only thing he loved was-

His hand snapped up, intercepting an empty wine bottle before it could crash against his face. Was this what she'd been reduced to? It horrified him.

...money." he finished, setting the bottle down. "He doesn't deserve a daughter like you."

"I'm becoming just like Mother." Winter gripped her face with one hand and tittered bitterly. "You'd like her. Both of you choose to escape reality; the only difference is that she drinks to get away. You just deny it."

Ouch.

"Alright." he winced. "I deserved that. But I'm-

She sprang to her feet, face twisted with rage. "You deserve more! He died because of you!"

"You have every right to blame me." against his better judgement, he stood his ground, ignoring his instincts. "If I hadn't picked a fight with Jacques, he might've-

CRACK!

Her palm struck his face, snapping it to one side with a vicious crack. Naruto turned his head against the blow and resisted the urge to close his eyes against the pain; if only because he knew she'd strike him again. In the end he needn't have bothered. Winter did.

CRACK!

"Its all your fault!"

His head snapped in the opposite direction.

CRACK!"

"I wish you'd never been born!"

Winter's arm swung back for a fourth strike, and Naruto's patience slipped through his fingers. He caught it and reeled her in, commencing a grapple between them.

"Stop. I didn't come here to fight you!"

She struggled against him instead and lashed out with the other. He caught that too.

"Don't patronize me!"

"Alright, then." he plonked down at the foot of her bed and forced her to do the same, heedless of the angry shriek she gave. "You think you had a shitty childhood?" he flung her down and released her, watching her bounce against the bed. "At least you had parents! At least you had resources, a sister, a roof over your head!" when she swiped at him, he knocked her down again. "You say you had a bad parents?! Let me tell you all about mine! You'll love 'em." He scoffed, recalling a painful memory. "They had the best intentions for me, and I love 'em, but their "choice"...well...lets just say it was complicated."

Winter's brow furrowed, thunderous with anger. "Your parents cannot be worse than mine."

"No?" Naruto laughed; it was a sharp, ugly sound. "You think so? Let me show you."

He offered her his hand. She regarded it like an asp. "What madness is this?"

"Chakra conveys memories." he curled his fingers before her, forming a loose call. "If I start talking we'll be here all day. Best just to show you. C'mon. Take my hand." when her scowl redoubled, he rolled his eyes. "Look, I know we've had our differences, but I am NOT your enemy." she didn't budge. "Fine." his legs tensed as he prepared to stand. "I can see you're going to be a child about this. I don't know why I thought you'd listen. I'll just tell James you slapped aside the proverbial olive branch-

In a fit of pique, Winter grabbed his hand and squeezed tight.

Mistakes were made. Because then she began to see. Slowly at first, but then the memories came. A gasp tore out of her. The anger began to drain from her face. She tried to cling on it, but it slipped through her fingers like so much water all to easily. All her pain, all she'd seen, all she suffered, it seemed petty and paltry before this. She began to tremble. Winter saw. She saw it. She saw it all.

In a heartbeat she plunged into his memories and lived them.

A/N: Don't worry, I'm not skipping things. Next chapter title will be Trust Love.

Had to cut this in half, moving's left me exhausted and I can only do so much. Clearly, Steel is more than she seems.

*SPOILER* A lot more.

As ever, reviews are the lifeblood that keep me alive. Without them, I'd just go back into hibernation. Simple as that. All this incredible feedback helps keep us inspired and helps us to sustain the crazy updating pace we've been at thus far.

Without them we just wither away in the silence...

So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

Have some previews!

And a warning.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

SPOILERS FOR VOLUME EIGHT AHEAD!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK LEST YE BE SPOILED!

(Preview)

Steel whimpered. "It hurts...make it stop...

Ambrosius laughed. "Then ready yourself, to witness my artistry!"

"Oh, that is just not fair!"

Naruto laughed and feigned a flex. "Nanomachines, son!"

Winter blinked rapidly.

...who was this young man and what had he done with Naruto? The incorrigible prankster was nowhere to be seen. He looked crisp and calm tonight in Atlas colors, the very picture of confidence. Like he'd finally decided to take things seriously. She rather liked that. Her heart did a flip in her chest.

Oh, dear...

"Welcome to Atlas!" the blond pushed the doors open ahead of them." Team RWBY, was it? And you must be Weiss. Lets get those restraints off you...

The Schnee in question blinked. "You know me?"

"Winter speaks highly of you." Beside him, Penny bowed. "I'm sorry about your father. You have my condolences."

She missed a step. "My...father?"

...you did not know?"

Ruby barely heard her partner. Silver eyes snapped to his belt. The lamp! It was still there! He'd taken it off her down in Mantle when his squad took them down. He still had it?! No, calm down. Breathe. He didn't know how to use it. The secret was safe-

"Thank you for Relic, by the way." Naruto smile proved telling. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of it." His grin grew another inch. "I had a fascinating conversation with Jinn. I'll be sure to tell James all about it."

No. No, no, no. The blood froze in her veins. "How did you...?"

"Know her name?" he tittered softly. "Ambrosius is a chatty fellow. Loopholes are a curious thing. So long as you don't ask her a question, she's quite talkative."

Qrow swore softly. "Snarky little shit, aint'cha?"

The single quality that is common across every living creature on this planet...is fear.

It's funny then that as common as fear is, we so easily underestimate its power.

Fear of growing close to someone, the subsequent fear of loss, fear of failure; and as more people depend on you, those fears can take on greater power.

But the fear itself isn't worthy of concern, it is who we become while in its clutches. Will you be proud of that person? Will you forgive them? Will you understand why they felt the need to do the things they did? Will you even recognize them? Or will the person staring back at you be the very thing you should have feared from the start? I suppose we all find out sooner or later."

...

...

...was that supposed to scare me? I grapple with fear every day. But I won't let anyone fall to it. I refuse. I'll die first."

You want a fight, Salem? Come get us. We're ready for you."

Let me show you what I think of your immortality.

"Hello, Tyrian Callows."

Green eyes flashed.

"And goodbye."

R&R~!