RWBY: Return of Knightmares Past
Chapter 1
Grimm Awakening
Hello all, this is a little collab that I am working on with Silvdra-zero. I have been wanting to work on a crossover in this section for some time now. I had one idea and I reworked some of it into this one instead. And coming off the heels of my last crossover in a Naruto/Miraculous Ladybug story, I thought it would be a fun challenge as well.
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy
XXXX
Two young children played together in a large backyard. Both had hair of white like most of their family. The girl's hair was in a long-braided ponytail and she wore a rather fancy white and light blue dress. The boy had short spiky hair and wore some fancy clothes as well in white slacks and a light blue shirt.
Both played a game with an older white-haired girl as she wore a white boney mask with the face of a wolf. "I gunna eat you!"
"No!" The little girl laughed with a high-pitched scream.
"I got you!" the young boy declared as he stood in front of the girl protectively with a cocky smirk. "You won't wolf me or my sister down!"
Laughter soon followed from a woman who looked like all her children but had sadness in her eyes.
XXX
"NARUTO! I AM GOING TO GET YOU FOR THIS!" A female voice screamed out in rage.
The same boy, now older at ten, chuckled as he observed a massive party going on in the large living room his family owned. He was in a three-piece white and dark blue suit that his father demanded he wore…even when the man was not around. He still had a small smirk on his face, only this time because he played a small prank of their older sister. The classic pie to the face. While his twin distracted her during his own escape down the long hallways of their mansion. He wouldn't admit it, but his older sister was scary when mad. At least his little brother thought the whole thing was funny.
Still, he found he really liked the name Naruto that his tricked his sisters and mother into calling him. He was Ares Schnee, but something deep within told him that his real name had been this strange foreign name that he instantly took a liking to.
Deciding to waste time in order for her to cool down, he casually walked down the halls and observed some of their pictures. One of his favorites was one that he was told was of his grandfather. That man was nothing like the man he called father, who was just was a shrewd businessman compared to the huntsman adventurer. The older man was his hero and loved his family when he was alive.
He was brought of his thoughts when he heard yelling. Walking over to a nearby door that he remembered was his father's den. There was a crack in the door and so he peaked in.
"WHY AREN'T YOU AT THE PARTY?!" His mother roared at their father, who looked at her dismissively. Come to think of it, he looked at all of them like that. Like they were beneath his time. "It's our twins' tenth birthday! You have been hiding yourself away more and more from us. Do we matter?"
The man, his father, had an agitated look on his mustached face. "Fine woman, no, none of you matter but the Schnee name that I am working to raise higher into the world!" He finally replied callously.
"W-what?!" His mother whispered in near-silent horror and it sparked something in the youth. Anger. He had already figured his father was a slime ball only looking for power, but he kept silent, not wanting to hurt his family with that info. Now that man just spits it out…and he could see he was right to keep that info locked away. It hurt his mother!
"Willow, you were born into this world of riches. I wasn't! I learned long ago that reputation and money are all that matters in this world. I had to claw, cheat, and murder to get where I was when I met you." He roared out with a manic look in his eyes. "I didn't want what I perceived as good to stop, so I convinced your father to let me marry you and you were such an obedient little thing too. I gifted you with my heirs as thanks. Still, it wasn't enough, so I further convinced that old fool to give me the company and look where I have taken it! The Schnee Dust Company is one of the most powerful companies in all of Remnant!" He scoffed as he gave her an annoyed look before grabbing her arm painfully. "You were just a stepping stone to my greatness and now that you know, you will continue to act your part. The reputation of the Schnee Family is mine now, so you, nor Winter, Ares Weiss, or Whitley will cause problems for me. Do you understand!?"
"Jacques, you're hurting me!"
"ANSWER ME, WOMAN!"
"RAGH!" Naruto screamed in rage as his semblance activated, the telltale glyph appearing and rammed into his father's solar plexus with the force of a rampaging Boarbatusk, breaking his hold on his mother, and laying him out flat on the ground. Seeing the man on the ground, Naruto's cold blue eyes pierced the man's, who seemed frozen at the sudden outburst and the pain he felt. "Do. Not. Touch. Her!"
XXX
Naruto sat in his father's desk chair with a shit-eating grin. The only reason he was in here was the man was supposed to be on some business venture, engaged in something morally ambiguous, no doubt. But the thirteen-year-old didn't care despite Weiss' warning. As long as the man did not touch his mother or sisters, he was calm and didn't care much about what happened to him. Of course, Winter was already in the Atlas Military, away from them so he didn't have to worry much about her. Then there was Whitley…or as he liked to call him, Jacques' mini-me. The brat idolized their father…not caring what was the truth or not.
Anyway, Naruto was going over the extensive notes and calculations he had sprawled across a good portion of the desk, with an old tome and a map at the center. The tome itself was a text written by an ancestor and had been stored in that archive his grandfather seemed to be the only one aware of. At least until Naruto spotted him exiting it one night. The first entry of the text greatly intrigued Naruto and it had been a growing pet project over the past couple of months in his spare time.
The text started with a rather dark tale of four powerful warriors that seemed to have a connection to the Tale of the Seasons. At the time these were referred to as the Grimm Knightmares, and extremely dangerous. So much so, that the ancestor spent the rest of their days tracking down every scrap of information with the intended goal to destroy whatever remained, especially some kind of relics that defined each of these four.
The reason Naruto was smiling was because he had finished correlating everything and with a flourish marked on the map a possible location to one of these relics.
But Naruto's feeling of victory was short-lived, for Jacques soon came bursting into the study raving in rage about the White Fang, again. He was about to vent onto Naruto when the youth came into his sights, but stopped upon seeing the tome and the marked map.
XXX
Everything became a blood-red haze for Naruto after that. Oh sure. He had found one of the Knightmare's resting places, but that is where everything went wrong. There was panic, chaos, and people scrambling about. One such expedition member, in their panic, knocked him over and into a container, the one with the assumed relic belonging to the Knightmare inside it. Upon making contact, he was nothing more than a raging beast as the relic's power consumed his mind.
So lost was he, the expedition his father hired, was wiped out.
XXX
Naruto could only suffer in excruciating agony as time slowly became irrelevant, a presence he didn't have the luxury to notice, would rise and he would be slammed with memories; memories that were not his, but showed suffering not so different. This continued until the clarity came and the agony ended.
With the clarity, he soon found out the source that gave it to him, and in gratitude gave it a name, one that flitted in and out of his mind, but never had something to attach it to. And that name was…
Kurama.
XXX
Soon after Kurama advised him to go on a little journey to find some people and to train. And since Naruto was already out of reach of his father, he would play life his way. Find the people and really be Naruto. Not Ares Schnee, the misfit son of Jacques Schnee.
He soon found he was already on the continent of Anima, which already helped with his task. Near the capital of the kingdom, Mistal, Naruto soon felt a pull and followed it. The pull led him to a hidden little speakeasy for the underage that wanted to try their tastes of alcohol. At the bar sat one of Naruto's task objectives.
"Because," Naruto said, voice barely above a whisper, to that objective, "like me you'll wind up a free man."
After a hard sell in theatric song and dance form, after temporarily relocating to a stage, Naruto was soon back to being on the road again, but this time not alone.
XXX
Now it was the Sanus continent's turn.
Here Naruto and his companion of over a month, felt like they were dying from the hellish heat the sun and sand produced. Thankfully their suffering was worth it, when in a blink-and-miss moment, the next objective descended upon them.
When all was said and done, Naruto and now two companions left the scorching desert.
XXX
The last objective was surprisingly found in the Kingdom of Vale and near the destroyed settlement of Lower Carin. Along the way, the trio encountered powerful and strange Grimm, but each battle only served to make them and their eventual new addition stronger and stronger.
XXX
Four Years Later.
Ring ring
Naruto looked at his scroll and upon seeing the ID, picked up with a casual tone, "Hello Mother dearest, how are things at home?"
"Tense as always dear, but thank you for keeping in touch with me at least. You are driving Winter up the walls with your cat and mouse game and Weiss is torn between so worried for your health and wanting to kill you with her bare hands because she feels that deep down, you aren't as dead as your father proclaims. Whitley is…Whitley." Willow sighed heavily.
"What about you, mom?"
"If you weren't on my side and always looking out for us…for me…. like you always seem to do, then I feel I'd be a different woman." Willow seemed to pause for a moment and then said, "But this isn't about me, it is about Weiss. She left."
"What do you mean she left? " Naruto asked, concern and worry about to rise into panic territory.
"She finally had enough of your father and left like Winter did, but she did not join the Atlas Military. She's heading to Beacon."
"Birds of a feather," Naruto said lightly as calm replaced the near panic, "I'm on my way there myself."
XXX
Naruto awoke from his slumber with a jolt because of two reasons. The loud PA system saying the Bullhead he was riding had arrived at Beacon and the other because some blond teen in white armor tripped over his outstretched leg in his rush to go puke somewhere while a couple of girls screamed about how gross it was that they got some of their shoes.
It was….an amusing way to wake up from memory lane.
Once the ship landed and they were able to get off, the blond kid rushed out first to go and find a trash can to vomit in. Naruto had to admit, motion sickness was pretty damn rough and truthfully, he could use that in a prank if the boy ever pissed him off. Something told him he wouldn't have to do that.
But man, not even a minute here and he was already plotting and not thinking of friendship. Ugh, Kurama really got to him sometimes. What he needed to do was go and find his sister and funnily enough, he didn't have to look very long because one of the girls that got vomit on their shoes fell right onto her stuff. Crossing his arms with a smirk, he decided to wait this one out while nodding to some faces he became familiar with in the past four years. Some keeping to themselves, one in particular attracting way too much attention from the opposite sex. Go figure.
The reason for the small distance was because their curse was old and they felt that if people knew about their connection too quickly, things could go south. That and the fact that Salem's friends were always watching for a time to strike.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" the somewhat snarky voice of his twin called out to the girl that fell on her stuff. Poor kid got in early and has to deal with someone's temper this early in the morning. Naruto had to admit though, his sister looked cute in what she picked out for combat attire. Weiss wore a thigh-length strapless dress with a faint color gradation from white to pale blue at the hem. A small piece of black lace sits in the front of her neckline and the hem of the dress was scalloped and stitched to resemble snowflakes, with layers of white tulle under the skirt. Over this, she wore a bell-sleeved bolero with the same color gradation as her dress from shoulder to wrist, lined in red and with a ruffled collar. On the back of the bolero is the Schnee Crest. She also had on a small apple pendant on a silver chain and thin, rectangular silver earrings. Her boots are white, wedged heeled, and higher at the back than the front. They have a small silver decoration across the top of the foot and are lined in red. A thin white sash is tied around her waist with a pouch attached to the back. Naruto also noticed the small addition to her face, a scar above and below her right eye. That…he was going to have to ask about.
"Sorry," the girl in primarily red and black explained as she tried to get back up from having fallen on suitcases, and then the rest fell on her. He caught that her eyes were silver in her panic and it seemed to make Kurama nervous. Odd. In addition to her unique eyes, she had neck-length black hair with red tips. Her red and black clothes were a black long-sleeved blouse with a high collar and red trim on the silver, over which was a black waist cincher with red lacing up the front and matching skirt with red lining. She also had a pair of thick black stockings and black combat boots with red laces, red trims around the top, and red soles. It was topped by a red hooded cloak fastened to her shoulders by cross-shaped pins. Finally, she had a silver rose that looked to be on fire on her belt. Neat.
Clearly, both went for some speed in their battle skirts.
"Sorry? Do you have any idea of the damage you could have caused?!" His sister argued, but he could see that in a way, she was looking out for red. No doubt she had some volatile dust in those suitcases. Turns out, he was right when she open one. "This is dust, mined and purified from the Schnee Quarry."
"Uh."
"What are you, brain dead! Dust! Fire! Water! Lightning! Energy! Are you even listening to me?" Weiss went on, but with every word, she shook the vials of Dust, making them trickle down to the other girl's nose. Naruto shook his head at that. No doubt Weiss wasn't even paying any attention to that. No doubt in her anger and worries, and maybe annoyance in having to deal with someone younger than her…like Whitley, that she was one handling the Dust haphazardly. "Is any of this sinking in!? What do you have to say for yourself?!"
"ACHOO!"
Naruto had to bite his fist to keep from laughing too hard at the Dust explosion that surrounded his sister. In a way, that was her own doing. He did manage to notice a friend give the two girls a look before going about their business and into the school.
"Unbelievable! That was the exact thing I was talking about!" Weiss started on her tirade at the girl as she shuffled out of the Dust Cloud.
"I am really sorry!" Red tried to apologize sincerely and Naruto felt that he had to step in while smiling kindly at a quiet raven-haired girl walking up to them as well. She didn't react much as she stared at the other two girls with a book in one hand and a vial of Dust in the other. No doubt that had been blasted away in the explosion.
"UGH! You complete dolt! What are-"
Both girls heard a male chuckle, and then familiar voice with a teasing edge, that the one dressed in white hadn't heard in four years, "I'm a little hurt Weiss," both girls whipped around to the source, "I mean having a blast without me. We're supposed to be family."
Weiss's eyes widened as she saw the person, "Ares," she said her voice cracking with emotion, before rushing over and embracing him, "It's really you, Ares!"
"Yes it is, my dear sister," Naruto said softly to Weiss, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting fashion, "I'm back."
While a cute scene to Red, she had to admit this Ares guy looked rather imposing in the attire he picked out for himself. He wore a red armored shirt with an open, long-sleeved mid-waisted grey-blue jacket, complete with a white puffed collar and red accents, along with matching pants. He also had on a black choker and had too small wing-like attachments that acted as small capes that flowed off his back in the wind from his jacket. They were black on the inside and red on the outside. His black shoes were made for combat but looked like fancy dress shoes with red trim outlining the bottom. He also wore armored black gloves with the fingers all being red. Finally, he wore what looked like a sword hilt with no blade, with an integrated ultra-compact dust cylinder. The lack of a blade is the part that made her curiosity rise.
"So, the rumors were true." However, that curiosity would have to wait as another person decided to join in their conversation. She was a fair-skinned young woman with wavy black hair and amber eyes. She had on a black, buttoned vest with coattails and a single silver button on the front. Underneath this was a white, sleeveless, high necked, crop undershirt and white shorts with a zipper on the front of each leg, emblazoned with the YKK logo of the real-life Japanese zipper manufacturer. She wore a pair of black low-heeled boots and full stockings with a color gradation of black to purple at her ankles. Her emblem is visible on the outside of both thighs just below her shorts in white. On her left arm is a black detached sleeve with a silver cuff around her bicep, and black ribbons are wrapped around both forearms. A small, loose, black scarf is wrapped around her neck, and a gray magnetic backpack is strapped to her back, hidden by her hair. Finally, a black ribbon was tied with a large bow on the top of her head, with her cat ears hidden inside the loops and she wore purple eye shadow in cat's eye style.
Naruto turned his attention to the girl. He wondered what rumor she meant.
In a rather cool tone, she eyed both Naruto and Weiss passively but there was a small hint of annoyance, "Ares Schnee is alive."
"Sorry, who?" Red asked, relieved that most of the negative attention was not directed at her anymore. However, she was curious about the person who inadvertently saved her from a verbal beat down in the form of an angry girl in white.
The ravenette gave her a passing glance before returning to the twins. "Ares and Weiss Schnee, heirs to the Schnee Dust Company. One of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world.
"Finally, some recognition!" Weiss replied with a smile but noticed that Naruto wasn't smiling. That was right, he wasn't as proud of their last name as others are.
"Something tells me that you don't approve though." Naruto replied flatly.
"How can I when it is also infamous for its controversial labor forces and questionable business partners." The ravenette continued with a glare, but there was confusion in her eyes when she saw he looked…apologetic about that.
Before Weiss could get offended by this, Naruto smiled gently and placed a silencing hand on her shoulder. "While I can't deny anything, but all of that is on dear old dad's head, I am not him. In fact, when I was home, I often made his life harder." At that, Weiss had a nostalgic smile on her face as she remembered those days. "So the world knows me as Ares Schnee, but please, just call me Naruto." He held out a hand to shake hers with a genuine smile on his face.
For her part, the ravenette was conflicted now. Here she was, slamming the Schnee twins with the truth, and before her was the wayward son of the two, not acting like a spoiled rich kid. While rumors of his pranks did reach some ears, like those in the White Fang when they were peaceful, no one was really expecting to see a good side to the boy, especially after the incident where most of the world thought he died. Of course, the rumor mill was always spinning and often said he was alive, screwing with his father's head. People like that rumor more. Deciding to think it over, she put the vial of Dust in his hand. "Blake." She intoned before leaving. He was kind enough to give his, so she could be just as civil, right?
Naruto sighed as she walked away. He figured he'd have an uphill battle with people once he fully came out of hiding. Seems he would just have to prove himself. That was fine. Turning to Red, he offered his hand as well…after passing the vial over to Weiss that is. "I know my sister means well, but she can come off a bit strong sometimes. Give her a chance for me."
"I can do that, I am Ruby, by the way," Red replied shyly but with more pep in her voice as she continued.
"Enough about that!" Weiss finally exploded on him and started dragging him into Beacon. "You need to tell me what you are doing here and why you choose to come out of hiding now!"
"Well for one, I knew you'd be here, so I wanted to make sure you were ok and spend some time with you out of our father's sight and reach," Naruto replied as he waved a silent goodbye to Ruby. She looked like a good kid, so he wasn't as worried about her, especially when the blond from earlier was going over to greet her. They'd be fine. Right?
"How did you know I'd be here?" Weiss asked curiously. She was happy to see him of course. But he never made it back home and so he shouldn't have known that she came to Beacon, right?"
"You can thank mom for that." Naruto replied with a lopsided smile.
"Mom knew you were alive and didn't tell us?!" Weiss nearly screamed in shock. "Winter has been using Atlas resources to find you!"
Naruto scratched his cheek with a slight smirk. "All part to the game to stay out of Father's sight. Plus, it was fun leaving traces for her to figure things out. Pretty sure we'll see her at the Vytal Festival this year."
Weiss stopped them and embraced him once more, actual tears were welling up. "I missed you. I really thought you died, especially when our connection cut out for a while and then came back weak. What happened?"
Naruto sighed as he comforted the girl. "I can't…tell you a whole lot. Mostly because my memory is a bit fuzzy of the whole thing on account that I woke up somewhere else entirely, but thankfully it was near Mistral."
"You can't remember? Naruto, Winter told me they found a massacre! We feared the worst or that you were held captive somewhere. Plus, there were reports of a massive horde of Grimm that hunters and huntresses had to wipe out before actually being able to go there and find out what happened. You…you are the only survivor." She cried as she pounded his chest.
"I know," Naruto replied with a sigh and a broken look in his eyes that Weiss felt was entirely out of place on his usually happy face. She found she really hated it. "I get flashes but because of that, I am not really eager to know the truth. And Father got his prize."
"What do you mean?" Weiss said after wiping her eyes and leading them in the building.
"Me gone," Naruto laughed a little at that while Wiess had a hurt look. "Again, I really should have kept in contact with everyone, not just mom. I am sorry."
"You're forgiven, but you are spending some quality time here with me! I want all that lost time paid back. Also, what did you actually find?" Weiss replied, she figured he stayed away from their father. Winter did it, Naruto did it, and now she is doing it.
Naruto held up the hilt of a sword with a cheeky grin. "The last remnant of a powerful warrior. So, I reforged it into something I can use." It was best not to tell her the whole truth yet. He honestly feared what she would think of it. Of him.
"Father sent you out to some ruin, only to find a broken weapon?" Weiss replied flatly. "I bet this news would really rattle him…I love it."
"Oh? Am I rubbing off on you already?" Naruto asked with a sly smirk.
"Maaaaybe." Weiss replied in kind. "But I am serious about spending as much time as we can, Winter will for sure murder you for real at the Vytal Festival."
"Good one!" Naruto laughed. It seemed his sister hadn't lost her sly edge while he was away. "Wait, real death? You sure about that?" Weiss just started walking away with a giggle. "WEISS?!"
XXX
"Oh look, Red's here already," Naruto said as they walked into the auditorium where orientation was being held for all the first years.
"That's right…" Weiss said quietly before her eyes took on a certain shine. "I still haven't yelled at her properly!"
"You're kidding," Naruto said flatly as she watched his sister go after Ruby. "Apparently not."
Observing Ruby with a blond girl, he had to admit she was pretty cute…before his attention was brought to a familiar voice. "Ah great, where am I supposed to find another nice quirky girl to talk to?" The blond boy complained. Naruto shrugged and walked over to him while noticing a certain redhead eyeing the blond.
"Ah, don't worry about that Chuck," Naruto said as he stood next to the blond with a smirk when the boy jumped a bit at his 'sudden' appearance. That was telling. "Keeping being yourself and some girl should sweep you off your feet."
"Huh, oh you're the guy that slept the whole time on the Bullhead." The blond replied with wide eyes before they clouded in confusion. "My name's Jaune. Jaune Arc. Not Chuck." Jaune was as tall as the Schnee, with messy blond hair and dark blue eyes. Naruto could just tell the boy didn't have much experience fighting, his connection to all things War gave a view in that. Jaune wore a black short-sleeved hoodie with detached reddish-orange sleeves and a dark brown image of the bunny rabbit Pumpkin Pete trimmed in white with cute black round eyes. Whatever was on the hoodie though was obscured by a white diamond-shaped chest plate cut off above his lower abdomen, and placed over his shoulders are a pair of white spaulders with reembraces set under them. Below, he wears blue jeans with a white patch placed on the left knee and black sneakers which have "left" and "right" written in black on the respective shoes' soles. His weapon seemed to be a sword he strapped to his left hip.
Clearly, the boy wanted to be here for a reason despite his lack of skill, but maybe Naruto and a few others could subtly help him. After all, it was with teamwork that battles were won.
"Oh lighten up Chuck," Naruto replied with a cheesy grin at his own joke that took a minute for Jaune to get, but there were a few the got a good laugh out of it. "It was just a fun nickname, better than Vomit Boy. Anyway, nice to meet you Jaune. Call me Naruto."
"Huh, that is a bit more tasteful." Jaune chuckled nervously. "So you don't mind talking to me?"
"Nah," Naruto replied with a relaxed stance. "I could honestly use more friends and you seemed to stand out. I am sure we can help each other in the long run."
"Oh thank god," Jaune replied. "Growing up with 7 sisters made it a bit hard to get actual friends that weren't into them. I am just glad you talked to me, even though my mom says I need to have more confidence when I speak to people."
"She sounds like a smart woman. I'd listen to her." Naruto replied honestly. Sure, he was a mama's boy, but with a father like Jacques, could you blame him? Then he heard his sister blowing it at making friends with the Ruby girl, but she did mention Jaune as a 'cute' boy they could talk about, getting said blond's attention. A smirk crossed his lips, something if Weiss saw, she'd know there'd be trouble. "Speaking of confidence, you could try at catching my sister's attention."
"You know, you're right. It would also be nice to have a girlfriend, so I just might. Confidence is key!" Jaune replied psyching himself up for all the flirting he was going to do later.
He, of course, didn't know of the flame that entered the white-haired boy's eye. He might be doing this a subtle prank on Weiss….and to further mellow her out, but if Jaune ever broke her heart, there would be hell to pay. Jaune also questioned the sudden chill up his spine.
"I'll keep this brief." A voice rang out, catching everyone's attention. It turned out to be Professor Ozpin, the Head Master of Beacon on stage with another teacher next to him. Ozpin was a middle-aged man with tousled silver hair and thin brown eyes. He has a light complexion and sharp facial features. He wore shaded glass spectacles and a small, purple, cross-shaped pin on the cowl around his neck. His outfit mainly consists of an unzipped black suit over a dark green, buttoned vest, and green shirt. He also wears black trouser shoes and long, dark-green pants. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you are finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people."
Naruto eyed the man on stage with a sense of unease. Like he had met the man before somehow and was wary of his power. Kurama also warned him to not reveal too much too soon to the man. That was fine with him. There was something odd about him.
"But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy…in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
Naruto had to admit that was a good speech, but he saw one of his friends scoff at his words. He knew that to her; knowledge meant a lot. To her, knowledge and power kept you safe. Seems that while here, they would gain both, even if their past lives already gave them much. Doesn't hurt to get more.
Ozpin quickly walked off the stage after that, he felt his part was done. So the blond teacher next to him took center stage and continued for him. Naruto thought someone say her name was Glynda Goodwitch. Interesting, she didn't look like much of a witch. Instead, more like a strict disclination. He found that funny.
Glynda seemed to be middle-aged too, but her age was more graceful as there were very little grays in her blond hair, which was tied in a bun in the back with a curl hanging down the right side of her face. She had green eyes that were covered by thin ovular glasses and teal earrings dangling on her ears. She had on a white long-sleeved, pleated top that had a wide keyhole neckline and gauntlet cuffs that flare in pleats at the wrist. Her lower body was covered by a black high-waisted pencil skirt with bronze buttons and black fading into brown stockings. On her feet, she had black boots with bronze heels and a cape that was purple inside and black on the outside. The cut of the cape was stylized to end in flames and arrows, with a row of diamond-shaped bronze beads on the back. Above this line of beads appeared an emblem of a tiara that is her personal symbol.
Huh, a lot of people had those personal symbols, his family included. Maybe, he could alter his later.
"You will all gather in the ballroom tonight, tomorrow; your initiation begins. Be ready, you're dismissed."
XXX
"Jaune, please tell me you are joking." Naruto pleaded as he looked upon Jaune's nightwear. Seriously? A onesie?! Ok, maybe he wouldn't bother to prank the blond in the future because he was pranking himself. Why Jaune didn't just wear a T-shirt and shorts to bed as most teens confused him. After all, his red shirt and black shorts were really comfortable!
"What?" Jaune asked as he looked himself over in his blue onesie with feet. "These are my usual PJs and they were quite comfortable."
"Jaune, look around," Naruto said as he gestured to the people all around them. "They have different PJ themselves, but none have something to be worn by kids. I am only saying this to save whatever love life you wish to have."
"Thank you, Naruto, but I think it will be fine for one night. I have other PJs, but I thought this would be fine." Jaune replied with a shrug, but even he saw that quite a few girls were laughing at him and he wondered if he already ruined his chances with them. Despite his confidence, he would need to work on himself as well.
"That is good to know at least." Naruto shook his head before smiling when he saw one of his friends. The other two were probably off doing their own thing. That one of them was in the group of boys. Shaking his head, he led Jaune over to the friend he spotted earlier today and honestly, his best friend.
"Hey, Sid." The white-haired Schnee called out.
Caught in the middle of a silent conversation with who he knew as Blake, said boy turned his attention to him while Blake just stared. The boy was pretty lean and had tan skin like those of South America, showing he also got out a lot. Short black hair that was slicked back. His usual attire was taken off in place of a mint green shirt and black shorts. Oddly enough, he wore a yellow belt with black spots.
"Naruto. Good to see you are making friends, but I doubt he would survive even the Gates of Mictlan."
"I didn't know you read the Aztec Hero as well. Seems your interest in my book is not just the person reading it." Blake replied with a curious tone in her voice. Honestly, she thought he had been flirting with her or something.
"The stories of others often interest me," Sid replied. "That is why I was an actor back in Mistral. I got to experience the views and beliefs of others through them. However, I was in a bit of a rut until Naruto showed one day and strong-armed me into training to become a huntsman." Sid then turned to Naruto and Jaune with a somewhat stoic expression. "But I see why you introduced him to me. He will need all the friends he can get. I am Sid Evergreen, by the way."
"Come on guys, you make it sound like am socially awkward." Jaune joked.
"You are," Naruto replied bluntly as he pointed at the boy's attire in a room full of teenagers. That was humiliation waiting to happen. "But as your friends, it is our job to make sure you get on the right track."
"And as Naruto's friend, I will do my best to help him not corrupt you," Sid replied with a small smirk directed at Naruto, who squawked in disbelief. Turning back to Blake, who seemed to take interest in the both of them for a moment, he said, "It was nice getting to know you, Blake. I hope you will let me borrow that book when you are done." He paused for a moment, contemplating what he should do about her hiding her Faunus nature. She probably had her reasons. "Or if you even want to talk, just make sure the cat doesn't have your tongue." He winked at her and left with the other two boys.
Blake blinked owlishly at that until she saw Sid's belt twitch. That threw her for a loop. Ares Schnee was best friends with a Faunus? Huh, maybe he really wasn't like his father as after all.
The rest of the night went pretty well. The three boys got along pretty well despite their distaste for Jaune's nightwear. Naruto did keep an eye on his sister who slept with the other girls on the other side of the ballroom. Blake had been doing fine until Ruby and her blond friend bothered her with something. Then his sister got into it with Ruby again. He would have to do something about that. He just didn't know what. As the commotion died down, he saw the blond girl glance at him and wink.
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And done for the first chapter...or more like a tease. In a sense, he is still Naruto and I am sure some of can guess how. It is not all cut and dry here. Also, some of you will like the pairing, others won't.
Would you please review, it tells me if anyone is interested or not