A/N: Nice loooooong chapter for you all~!

EDIT: Look at the review section. See the trolls? Aren't they nice? T_T

I'm just going to stop if I keep getting shredded like this for no good reason. I don't get paid to do this, and I'm not going to subject myself to emotional abuse on a daily basis for nothing. Please stop with the death threats and telling me I shouldn't have been born, trolls. Can't we all just get along? Please? PLEASE?!

WARNING! This chapter is an emotional roller coaster ride. Laughter, tears, joy and sorrow both. This one's got it all.

Now let's clarify. Naruto can't bring people back from the dead indefinitely. Things have gotten to the point where its dangerous for him to do so repeatedly. Is that going to stop him? Absolutely not. He isn't the sort to go by half measures. Finally, to clarify, Boruto and Himawari never existed in this story. I thought that much was obvious by now, given that Naruto had to seal Kaguya inside himself and flee to keep her from destroying everything.

Which is why THIS iteration of Naruto finds the idea of being a father so novel. He's never had the chance to try this before, and for an immortal, new experiences are a treasure. Somebody asked who Ruby's being paired with here. Weiss, of course. Goes without saying. Naruto's too busy busy cavorting with the villains at the moment

As ever, reviews are my lifeblood. Without them, I wither and die.

We pick up right where we left of here...with a surprise.

As ever, I own no quotes, memes, or themes.

"You can't fix me. I'm a monster. We all are. All of us."

"I don't want to fix any of you. I want you to be happy. What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

~Cinder and Sage.

Don't Fear Demise

"You can bring back the dead?!"

His savior tilted their head. "Must you be so loud?"

Jaune Arc wasn't sure if he was having a good night or not. On one hand, he might call this the worst singular evening of his life. He'd died. A lucky Grimm had gotten through his guard and torn open his stomach. Even now he could still sear the tears in his hoodie, the black fabric rent apart by Beowolf claws to expose the healthy skin beneath. Only moments ago, he'd been holding his entrails. Dying was a bad thing. Jaune knew that. He'd nearly died countless times in the last month alone. Sooner or later it was bound to stick.

But the news he'd just been given -and his second life!- threatened to dash all of the misery he'd endured against the sandy sores of paradise.

It was meant to be a simple patrol beyond the walls of Haven with Ren and Nora; an excuse to stretch his legs and get away from the stuffiness of the Academy for a bit. His hair was still singed from Ruby's last explosion, poor thing. Ozpin hadn't been against the excursion; why would he? He valued the safety of Team RWBY far over that of Team JNR. Not that Jaune faulted him for his opinion. Ruby was important people ow. She was the Fall Maiden. She had to master her powers before they set out again...or so Ozpin said. He was sure there was a story to be had there, but Ozpin wasn't telling it.

Unfortunately for them, their patrol encountered Grimm. Lots of Grimm.

They'd tried to retreat back the way they came, to no avail; he'd blundered into this mess, gotten separated from his team, and been forced to fight for his life. If not for this strange man standing over him, he would have surely perished. Which was rather ironic, given that Jaune had tried to save him in the first place. What kind of man came howling out of the night after a pack of Beowolf armed with nothing more than an ax? A complete and utter madman, that's who!

Without thinking, Jaune had thrown himself between the man and the Grimm. His heroism cost him his life. Until it didn't. And as a reward for his kindness, the whiskered warrior had shown him a secret.

"That is indeed what I said, mister Arc." Naruto's shadow clone nudged the last dissolving Grimm with his foot, sending its fading ashes fluttering into the air. "You're lucky. This isn't something I do lightly. I'm just a copy; no one would mourn my passing. You shouldn't have thrown your life away like that."

Copy? He didn't understand what this man was getting at. A life was a life, after all.

"But you saved me."

"Yes, I did. And if everyone knew I could bring back their loved ones, I'd be swarmed." those mismatching eyes narrowed upon him, burning in the moonlight. "I'll have to ask you to refrain from speaking of this."

Odd. With the way he spoke, this guy almost reminded him of Ozpin but...older. Stranger. There was something ancient and unknowable in those gleaming blue eyes; as if standing in his presence would somehow impart the secrets to the universe or somesuch. Jaune didn't care about that. He'd latched onto the those last few words with all the tenacity of an Ursa. Naruto's arm? Moreso. He'd thought they'd met by chance, that this was some random encounter in the dark but this...this must be fate! What else could it be?! A man who could bring back the dead!

"Oh, um, sure. But...!" The words sprang to his lips. "Could you do it again?"

"I could do, certainly. But why?" he tilted his head as another Beowolf howled in the distance. "I don't know you. My means aren't perfect, nor is my eye." a long finger rose to elucidate him when he protested. "You died in front of me; you weren't even dead for a minute before I dragged you out of the abyss. If you want me to bring back some that's been long dead, I'd need...a sacrifice."

"A sacrifice?" Jaune wilted when those eerie orbs found his. "I...is this a test or something?" It had to be. He refused to falter here. "No. Use me. It should be me."

"No. I think not." the sage sniffed, causing the blond to stumble. "Though if there were a test, you just passed it. Do you have anything of theirs? A piece of cloth, perhaps? Anything with their DNA?"

"I...I don't know?" his hand brushed the red cloth on his waist and he scuffed a boot against the ground. "I think I could find something."

"Would you be willing to sacrifice someone?"

Jaune choked. "Do I have to-ow?!"

Tan hands seized his cheeks and pinched, drawing a whine from the young man.

"Yes!" the sage snapped at him, stretching his face back and forth like an angry rubber band. "Find a criminal or something. Scum of the earth. Someone who won't be missed. They need to be alive if you want this to work. Ah, but I digress." he released him and laid a tan hand on his shoulder. "Your friends are just up ahead to the north, looking for you. Don't give me that look." his cheeks twitched in mild anger, "They're quite alright. See your way to them, son."

"How will I find you?" a thorn of hesitation held him back from fleeing outright.

"You won't." the sage flicked his forehead. "I'll find you."

Jaune hesitated again. "How?"

It was almost too good to be true; this felt like fate. Destiny. And yet he found himself afraid. With hope, came fear. So much fear. What if the old man was lying to him? Alright, he wasn't old but he acted like it! Who was to say he'd ever see him again? He might vanish into the either after this for all he knew. Maybe this was all some fever dream and he really was dying-

"Ugh." The sage flicked him in the forehead again, drawing a whine from his fellow blond. "Stop that. I can sense your negativity from here."

A tan palm swept out towards him.

"Give me your hand."

Jaune complied.

"Ow!"

Pain snarled through his arm and he jerked it away thrice as fast, hissing in pain. Against his better judgement, he stole a glance at his scorched palm. It didn't so much sting as it did burn, nor did he comprehend the odd symbol that had been left behind there. He was pretty sure it was a word of some sort, but he couldn't figure out just what it was.

"You have my mark." Naruto explained as the young man baked at it. "When you're ready, find someplace secluded, push a bit of Aura into that palm and keep it there for nine seconds. I'll know if you're not alone. Now, one last question, then you can be on your way. Who are you trying to save?"

...my friend. I-I mean!" Jaune flailed his arms on the words when those hawk-like eyes found his. "Her name is Pyrrha Nikkos. She...died. Awhile ago. A woman named Cinder killed her."

Naruto went very still. "Cinder, you say? Continue."

Why did he have a bad feeling about this? "Look, I really don't think I should-

"Is that so?" Naruto growled. "Maybe I shouldn't have saved your life, then. Keep. Talking."

Jaune didn't mean to spill the beans, but his mouth betrayed him and the words spilled out like a flood, flowing from his lips before he could think to stop them. He told the man everything he knew about Pyrrha. Her likes, dislikes, her feats and fears, her ignoble death atop that terrible tower. He wasn't sure how much time passed. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? When he finally finished his eyes were burning all over again. Had he been crying? Hastily, he scrubbed at his face with the back of his hand. Gods, what an embarrassment...

"Will you do it?"

...against my better judgement, yes." the sage grumbled, palming his whiskered face. "I'm just a sucker for sob stories it seems...

"Thank you!" Jaune latched onto him like a limpet. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret this!"

"Aaargh!" the sage writhed in his grasp. "I don't do hugs, boy! Off!"

"Wait!"

"What now, boy?!"

Jaune flinched. "I just wanted to know your name."

...Naruto." the sage blew out a breath. "There, happy? Now get!"

"Thanks, old man!" he shook his hand firmly and bolted before he could take the words back. "I won't forget this!"

"I'm not that old, am I?" Naruto watched him go with a sigh. "Bah, young love. I'll never understand the like. This better not come back to bite me in the ass."

With a long suffering sigh, the clone waited until it was certain Jaune was long gone; only then did it dispel itself in a rush of pale smoke.

(.0.0.0.)

Emerald Sustrai wasn't a good person.

She knew this. Ohhhh, by the Brother Gods, she knew this.

She'd done terrible, horrible things in her lifetime; she'd killed, lied, cheated and stole from rich and poor alike. She had murdered innocents and brought the powerful low; she'd played a key part in burning Beacon to the ground. Her sins were many, her redeeming qualities few, and her misdeeds more numerous than the stars in the sky. All for her savior. The one woman whom she loved more than anything in this world. The one person who took her off the streets and made something of her. Some might even call that woman a monster.

Emerald knew better. Cinder Fall wasn't a monster. She was...complicated.

Cinder had taken her off the streets. Cinder had saved her from an awful life. Cinder had given her power.

To be fair, Emerald feared Cinder as much as she loved her. Cinder was powerful. Cinder had taken more lives than she could count. Cinder had schemes within schemes, within schemes that laid even the mighty Ozpin low. Then came the defeats. Cinder, the woman whom she'd thought eternal, invincible, undying...lost. Twice. First to Ruby Rose. Then months later to Raven Branwen. She'd survived the first defeat. Not so the second. Emerald remembered full well the pain and shock and horror she'd felt in that first moment when she'd learned her mentor had perished.

Only then did she learn that there were bigger monsters in this world than Cinder. Raven was one such monster. Compared to Naruto? She was a guppy. The man was a shark.

Anyone capable of raising the dead was not someone to be trifled with.

And yet the next morning, Emerald found herself approaching Naruto's tent once again.

All around her she head the distant sounds of people making repairs; they were a hardy folk, she'd give them that. It was only to be expected of course; they couldn't leave things as they were. Not after that attack. It only made sense that they'd build their walls taller and stronger. Another incursion like that would break this place. If not for Naruto and his clones, it would have. Good lord, she couldn't count them all. They'd already repaired half the damage overnight. She suspected the wall would be yet higher by the time the day was done.

And so, as she crept closer, she listened.

"You can revive the dead."

"Not you too!" Naruto's voice rose in dismay. "I swear, no good deed goes unpunished!"

Emerald hesitated just outside the tent flap. That wasn't Cinder arguing with him. Was she not in? Mercury might've dragged her off somewhere, but...

"Raaargh!"

A distant scream followed by an explosion drew a wince from the dark-skinned girl. Well. That answered her question. She was using the assassin to get back into fighting shape.

Emboldened by their absence she peeked in and saw Hazel's towering form within, looming large over their host as he sat at a table. Naruto didn't even deign to look at him. He was too focused on his desk, hunched over a book of some sort. She strained her senses and caught the faint scratched of a quill against the paper. He was writing something in. But what? He spoke again and she focused on the sound of his voice.

"I can." Naruto didn't look up from his desk. "What of it?"

...is there any limit to that ability?" the giant asked in return.

The faint rustling of paper followed. "There is not. But there is a cost."

"I will pay it."

Emerald hunkered down, unwilling to enter lest she be seen. Hazel might not be immune to her Semblance, but Naruto certainly was. He'd see her if she tried to enter now. It was relatively common knowledge that Hazel had lost his sister before she could become a huntress; it was one of the reasons he loathed Ozpin so and why he had joined Salem. Emerald didn't much understand the logic behind that; if his sister had died to Grimm, why join the one who commanded them? Hatred made for a sour bedfellow.

"Will you, now?" a blue eye peeked over his shoulder and Emerald flinched back when it saw her. He smiled and paid her her no mind. "Can you condemn an innocent to die for someone else?"

Hazel stepped back.

"Not an innocent. A criminal." a pause followed. "How did you know I would ask?"

"I know many things, Hazel Rainart." a keen eye gleamed at him. "More than any man, woman or child."

"Don't act like that parasite." the giant's voice rose in a growl that made the very floor shake beneath their feet. "You're not him."

"Am I not?" Naruto steepled his fingers and laid his head atop them. "I don't send anyone to their deaths, that much holds true. Quite the opposite. I bring people back, so long as they're willing." he gestured grandly at something she couldn't see. "Over and over again, until their soul chips away. Until nothing remains. And each time I lose a tiny piece of myself to the monster lurking inside my own." a small shudder shook his shoulders before he mastered himself. "How many more times can to this before she consumes me? A dozen? Less? This is not something I do lightly. Cinder was an exception. Let the dead rest, Hazel."

Broad shoulders stiffened in defiance. "I cannot. She means too much to me."

"Yes, I can see that." Naruto granted him the ghost of a smile.

"Will you refuse me, then?"

Naruto didn't muttered something in a foreign language Emerald didn't understand. She recognized the tone all too well however; heard the bite of anger behind it. He wasn't happy. His irritation had a weight to it, though it wasn't focused upon her, Emerald flinched away from it all the same. She almost missed what followed within. Almost.

Hazel knelt.

...if you do this, I would pledge my loyalty to you."

"Stop that!" Naruto jolted upright. "On your feet! None of that nonsense!"

Hazel made no effort to rise and Emerald sucked in a sharp, soft breath of betrayal.

Something clicked in the back of her head as the final piece of the puzzle slotted into place. A coup. this was a coup. She couldn't think of any other word for it. Hazel's loyalties were in question. Mercury's loyalties were in question. They weren't just being swayed, they were actively being turned. Naruto had already given the assassin back his Semblance, and now he was actively working to subvert Hazel. Oh, he put up a front for the sake of it, but she could see that he'd all but agreed to meet the man's request.

"You're not going to budge on this," Naruto blew out an angry sigh. "Are you?"

Hazel didn't move.

"I'll need something with her DNA on it." the whiskered warrior deflated, shoulders slumping in defeat. "A hair-brush, clothing, anything will do-OOMPH?!"

Hazel burst into motion with frightful speed; the Sage was still shaking his head when giant arms wrapped around him and hoisted him from the floor. It was brief brotherly embrace, one that lasted all of a moment before the stoic giant released him. It left Emerald's mouth hanging open. Huh. Hazel was a hugger. Who knew?

"I've kept a few of her things at home." was that a note of joy in his voice just now?! It was! "I will retrieve them."

"As you said, she's been dead for some time," Naruto croaked out a breath as he popped his spine back into place, "Its not merely a matter of bringing her back. I'll need a sacrifice to tie her soul to this world. A living one at that. From there I can use my eye to reincarnate her body entirely."

"You did not need one for Cinder."

"No, I didn't." a rare note of anger flitted through the blond's voice. "When I found her, she was freshly dead. You lot weren't much better off when you crawled into my camp, if I recall."

Hazel made a noise that sounded like an apology.

"That's better." Naruto hummed. "And before you think it, don't touch my people. Snatch the scurviest piece of shit you can find. Raid a jail or a bar or something. So long as its not an innocent." Emerald saw him make a shooing gesture with his off hand, effectively ending their conversation. "I'm not your minder, but I will warn you. Your sister may not like the man you've become." a lone finger poked the man's broad chest. "If you want her back so badly, you should be prepared to accept the consequences."

"I will live with them. How long will it take?"

"Moments." came the immediate retort. "How long will you be gone? Is your home far from here?"

"Days." Hazel all but groaned the word back at him, his frustration palpable. "Will you be here when I return?"

Naruto batted his concern away with a bitter laugh. "I keep my promises. I'll be here. I need to head into town, but that's it."

"Then we have an accord."

Emerald dared to peek back into the tent again, just in time to see Hazel extended a beefy arm. Naruto's palm was swallowed in it. They shook.

That settled it. Hazel was compromised. Without a doubt. Emerald knew she should report this. She needed to report this. She didn't. Greed stayed her hand.

If she thought of Cinder as a Mother, then Naruto undoubtedly filled the role of a Father for her. He fed her. Helped her. Praised her. Taught her new things. When she made a mistake he corrected it gently; not through force or harsh words, but simple kind instruction. She wanted to be loyal to Cinder, yet in the same vein, she wanted to cling onto Naruto's teachings. He'd taught her so much about her Semblance, and his presence did wonders for Cinder's mood. Emerald didn't want to choose between them. She wanted both of them.

Emerald was a thief, after all. She liked to be greedy.

By the time Hazel emerged from the tent, she'd stepped well back. He passed her with a grunt.

"Where are you going?" she asked him, already knowing the answer.

...on a journey." he lied. "I'll return in a few days."

"Cinder won't like that."

"Hrrm." Hazel actually smiled -smiled!- at her in response. "Something tells me she'll be too distracted to care."

Emerald let him go and didn't challenge him further than that. She didn't dare. Hazel could crush her with one arm tied behind his back; if he weren't such a peaceful person -so long as Ozpin wasn't involved- she would've been terrified of him. Part of her still was. Mercury had made his choice. Hazel had clearly made his. That just left her and Cinder...and one painful question.

What did she want?

"You can come in now, Emerald." Naruto's voice called to her from within the tent. "I know you're out there."

She scuffed a foot against the ground. "No, I'm not."

...you just answered me. Get in here."

She slipped into the hut.

Naruto turned to meet her, book still in hand. Emerald jolted when she saw his face; saw that his long hair had been cut back into a familiar spiky mane. That long drooping beard had been hacked away as well, leaving a faint stubble to frame his chin alongside the whiskers tripling his cheeks. It made him look decades younger. Were it not for the crow's feet creeping at the corner of his mismatched eyes -or the weight of eternity lurking within said orbs- she might have mistake him for someone else.

"How much of that did you hear?" he asked.

She should lie. Naruto was worse than Hazel. Naruto didn't need to touch her to kill her. If he considered her a threat, if he took it into his head to end her...no one would be able to stop him. Mercury might even fight her if it came to that. She didn't even want to think about Hazel or Cinder. Cinder, who had become almost kind to her in the last few days. Yes. That's right. She was doing this for Cinder as much as herself. In the end, fear loosened Emerald's lips.

...all of it."

"Naughty girl." he clicked his tongue in mild reproach, nothing more. "Whatever am I going to do with you?"

Emerald dithered, hands balling into fists at her sides. He didn't look at her. Didn't need to. The weight of his regard was suffocating all the same. Like a towering wave looming over her head, ready to come crashing down at the slightest provocation. Perhaps that was just her imagination. She couldn't take it. All or nothing, then. If it had come this...!

...whatever you're doing to Cinder? Keep doing it."

Naruto didn't look up from his book. "Why, whatever do you mean?"

Emerald turned scarlet. "You know! She smiles now! Hugs me! Treats me like...

"Like a daughter?" he turned the page without so much as batting an eyelash. "Good. She should."

Much to his amusement, the teenager slapped a palm to her forehead. "By the gods, you can be such a DAD-

A peal of bemused laughter startled her and caused her hands to clamp down over her mouth. Too late. She couldn't take the words back. Bemused eyes rose as the wily doctor took his hand from the pages of his journal to favor her with a dry look. Emerald opened her mouth to refute him...and it clicked shut thrice as fast. Huh. He'd fed her, clothed her, tended to her wounds, and listened to her words. Just now he could have killed her thrice over for eavesdropping and he hadn't. Didn't parents do that? She'd already thought of him as such once or twice, but to actually say it aloud...

"Hug?" Naruto chuckled, not moving his arms an inch.

"Ugh, no!" Emerald shuddered. "You're old!"

"You're being a very bad daughter...

"NARUTO!"

In a fit of pique, the thief snatched up a book and lobbed it at his face. Naruto toppled backwards out of his chair and crashed to the floor with a peal of raucous laughter. Emerald snatched up another heavy tome, poised to pelt him with it if he embarrassed her any further. He should have been able to dodge that. He hadn't. He'd deliberately swayed just so she could hit him.

"Ha!" A delighted peal of joy greeted her as he lay sprawled on the floor. "Is this what its like to have children? I think I like it. Should I start giving you an allowance?"

Emerald discarded the book and pelted him with a pillow instead. He only laughed harder. It took her a moment to realize that she'd joined him. The realization brought with it a pang of dread. For all her talk of loyalty and following Cinder, she was compromised too, perhaps even more than the boys. By the Brothers, she was doomed. When had she come undone? Only a few weeks ago, she knew where her loyalties lay. Now? She couldn't choose between him and Cinder. She couldn't. She wanted them both. But she couldn't have them both. Sooner or later, she would have to choose. And oh gods, Salem...!

He must've seen her dread too; because the laughter stopped. Those mismatching eyes of rimmed violet and hooded cerulean narrowed upon her.

"You're hyperventilating."

Was she? A small, hysteric giggle burst out of her. "Shut up, dad. This is all your fault."

He rolled over, smile falling to the wayside. "It is, isn't it? For what its worth, I'm sorry about that."

Emerald rounded on him with a hiss. "You don't sound sorry. You can't die. You're not the one at risk here."

"There's nothing wrong with being happy, you know." Naruto offered. "I'd say you deserve that. You lot look like you've had hard lives."

"I'm not happy!" she keened. "I'm terrified!"

Her minder rose slowly, arms raised to show he didn't mean her any harm. At first, Emerald feared he might try to attack her. No. Not that. Anything but that. She'd break if he did something like that now. Shatter like so much glass. Her body went tense, ready to bolt the moment he tried to move. She thought herself prepared for any such trickery he might try. She was not.

Naruto stepped into her and wrapped both arms around her back.

"I don't normally do hugs." he apologized over her shoulder. "Then again, I'm not used to being a parent, either. Sorry if this is awkward."

When he pulled her into his arms, something in Emerald fractured and she sniffled. Hiccuped. Traitorous tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She shouldn't be overwhelmed by such a simple action. Yet she was. Sad as it might sound, no one had ever hugged her before. Not like this. Even her brief and recent embraces with Cinder couldn't hold a candle to this. His arms were gentle around her, like a warm yet rough blanket enfolding all her being. She wrinkled her nose as the faint stubble of his beard tickled her cheek.

"Stupid papa." Emerald grit her teeth and stomped down on his foot. It felt like kicking a rock and her words lacked any spite. "I hate you."

"Huh." she felt him tilt his head. "This must be what teenage rebellion feels like. Wonder if I was this bad at your age."

"I can't choose." the words tumbled out of her all at once. "If its between you and Cinder...I can't."

Naruto frowned. "Then don't."

That tore it; the fractured dam of her heat broke. Emerald buried her head into his chest started bawling like a newborn, great heaving gasps rattling her frame. Her arms, once still as stone, flew up to latch onto his coat and hold tight to him. Naruto stiffened, then relaxed. One arm rose to ruffle her hair. Without thinking, Emerald leaned her head into it.

"There, there." the ancient shinobi soothed. "You're gonna be alright little gem...

Naruto rocked her back and forth gently.

...you're gonna be alright."

(.0.0.0.)

"Hrrngh...

"That will be all, Mercury."

A muffled groan greeted Cinder as the smoldering assassin toppled to the ground. She felt a traitorous flicker of pity and stubbornly squashed it. Bah. He'd live. Mostly. She hadn't burned too badly and she had the bruises to show for it. No one could take hits quite like Mercury and he'd served his purpose well.

"Gods, you are such a bitch...

"Queen bitch, thank you very much." Cinder preened. She was too pleased with herself to hurt him anymore than she already had. "Lay there and rest for awhile, would you kindly?"

The absolute scoundrel scowled at her. "I'm telling dad."

Warm lips on hers, a soft sound of surprise...

Cinder turned incandescent at the memory and lobbed a shard of super-heated glass at the little shit. Mercury made himself scarce, leaving her to consider the latest scorch mark she'd left behind. This far from civilization, there hadn't been any real risk of setting fire to the forest; she'd been careful to control herself and extinguish any blazes before they got out of hand.

"Brat." she turned her head and spat on the ground, frowning only slightly as dark tresses tickled her nose from the motion.

Her hair was growing out at an alarming rate; no surprise there. Nearly a month had passed since her defeat at Raven's hands. Perhaps she might keep it at this length. With her eye restored, her clothes mended, and her scars healed, she had nothing left to hide...

Her Grimm arm twitched sullenly, causing her to clutch at it.

...well, not much, Cinder admonished herself. Why hide her power? Only fools feared it.

Did that make her a fool too? For hiding away so long? With a sullen huff, she turned and stormed back to the village.

Sparring had proven...illuminating for Cinder. Her strength hadn't yet returned to its prime, but her Semblance still served her as it ever had. Better, even. Fire remained her ally and heat her friend. She took some pride in that at least. She could no longer use it to fly about, and it wasn't as mighty as it might have been without her Maiden Powers there to bolster it, but the fact remained. It was good to know she wasn't some helpless vixen without it. Perhaps her Semblance had simply absorbed some of the Fall Maiden's essence. Yest, she rather liked that theory.

She was nearly recovered now; were it not for her bad leg, she would...

Would what? A tiny, traitorous thought nearly made her miss a step. She'd leave. Put this place behind her and never look back.

Wouldn't she?

And what was wrong with that, she thought, hastening her stride. Nothing. Nothing at all! She'd always known this to be a temporary arrangement at best. She had a purpose. A destiny. One that did not involve whittling away her life in some backwater town off the map. There was nothing for her here.

Nothing but a tiny little kitten, a sad smile, and a man whom she'd come to realize was even more broken than her.

"Shut up!" she hissed at her weakness, hands balling into fists. "I don't need them! Or him!"

Part of her wanted to recruit Naruto to her side, though she knew it was impossible. He claimed to be stronger than Salem; something told her that wasn't an idle boast.

You see, at the end of the day Cinder was a very selfish woman. She liked her creature comforts. Insufferable though Naruto might be at times, there was no denying that he had his uses. He had strength. Power. Grimm couldn't touch him. She suspected it would take a concentrated effort to bring him down...if such a thing were even possible. She'd even toyed with the idea of letting him restore her arm...save for the implications that might bring about. Salem wouldn't taken kindly to such a thing and might view it as a betrayal. No, perhaps it was best to let her Grimm limb be. It wasn't as if there were any risk to it. Salem would've warned her if there was, surely-

A quiet purr claimed her attention and she nearly tripped over her own two feet before she ground herself to a halt. "You again?!"

Cinder didn't want to look down; if only because she knew what she would find there, rubbing against her legs. She did so anyway, full lips quirking into a dark scowl as she confirmed her suspicion. It was that damn kitten from last night. Blasted cat must've followed her again. She'd fed it once. ONCE! Now the damn thing seemed to think it owned her! No one owned Cinder Fall!

The little beast mewing pitifully and pawing at her leg aid otherwise.

...I hate you."

Cinder looked left. Cinder looked right. Cinder sighed. Good. No one to see her, then. Only a few men and women could be seen on the outskirts of the village, and even those seemed more occupied with making repairs to their homes and tending their crops than one wandering woman. Excellent. Cinder Fall was many things, but she would never kick a kitten.

So she scooped Ser Pounce into her arms and bolted in the direction of her hut, cursing her bad leg with every step.

Oh, she could run just fine but the blasted thing hurt. Perhaps it was time she had a word with Naruto on that. She still felt weak. Fatigued. As if something were actively sapping her strength. But what? Try as she might, Cinder couldn't understand it. She was in her prime, a bit out of practice perhaps, but still, Naruto hadn't done anything to her beyond restore her eye-

"Aha! There you are!" a familiar voice cried. "We were looking for you. You should probably slow down."

She didn't expect to run headlong into the man himself.

Say what you would about him, but Naruto was solid; slamming into his chest was akin to running into a brick wall at mach speed. It hurt. Cinder bounced right off and skidded back half a pace before she caught herself on a torn wall. Even then her bad leg was less than reliable, forcing her to lay her weight on the other to compensate.

"You alright there?" A blond brow quirked at her and she noticed he wasn't quite as scruffy as she remembered.

Without that drooping beard and the long flowing hair she barely recognized him. He'd even shed that ratty robe in favor of dark leathers and a cloak that flowed from his shoulders. He looked...young. More alive than he had ever been; more a man in her age range than some decrepit old geezer squatting in the woods. Would you look at that. He cleaned up rather well when he wanted to. Not bad. Not bad at all. As he was now, she might not mind-gack! No! Bad Cinder! Traitorous thoughts! Treacherous thoughts! Pleasant thoughts...

"I see you've found Ser Pounce once again."

Aaaand there went any and all such thoughts of him.

Cinder sputtered and released the kitten with a yelp. "N-No! The blasted thing found me! I had no part in this!"

"Indeed." Naruto's indulgent smile told her he'd led her right into a trap and summarily sprung it. "Cats often do, don't they?"

"Take care of it while we're away, would you?" he petted it in passing before it trotted off around a corner. "Em and I have some errands to run."

Only then did Cinder notice her minion lurking behind him. No, she corrected herself. Not lurking. Almost...shadowing. As if she were guarding him. It sent alarms shrieking in her head.

"You're going into town with...her?"

Emerald seemed to shrink before her very eyes.

"Need some supplies," Naruto hummed. "You're welcome to join us. I think Emerald would like that. Wouldn't you, Em?"

...could you, Cinder?"

She saw Emerald squirm slightly behind him, saw the pleased flush on the girl's face. Her scarlet eyes were redder than usual; red and puffy, as if she'd been crying. Emerald? Cry? Bah. It must've been her imagination just now. She'd taught the girl better than that. Hadn't she? She was sure she had. No, she was more focused on the less-than-subtle challenge her doctor had just issued. If she refused it now, she would look weak. Was he suggesting she wasn't fit to travel? That her injury should keep her her? In confinement?! ALONE?! Did he think she'd stay here?! Cower in safety?!

Rage ignited, sparked by pride.

"Yes," her mouth twitched into a dangerous smile. "That sounds...grand."

Naruto wanted to play that way, did he?! Very well! She'd show him. No one bested Cinder Fall!

(.0.0.0.)

Mistral was...enlightening, to say the least.

It wasn't crowded, but it wasn't pleasant, either. Cinder loathed the press of bodies against her, loathed the hood she wore, loathed the bandages hiding her Grimm arm, loathed slinking through the alleys like some stray cat even more. Necessary evil, he'd said. Just a precaution, he'd saind. Bloody blond bastard had been right and he'd been insufferable ever since.

In hindsight, she knew her crimes in Haven hadn't gone unnoticed by the authorities. How could they? They'd allied with the White Fang, tried to blow up the bloody academy, and steal a Relic for Gods sake. Something like that couldn't be swept under the rug in a month. Not even by Leonardo...assuming he was still alive.

Something told her he wasn't. Headmaster or no, Salem wasn't the sort to tolerate failure on that level. And from what she'd been told, Lionheart had bungled things. Badly. Very badly indeed. He'd all but fled the fight against Qrow and Ozpin. That fool would be lucky to escape with his life; his reputation would be in tatters after this.

What does that say about you, then? A small, nasty voice prodded her as she slunk along after Naruto. You're no better than that coward.

Somehow, the wanted posters surprised Cinder. She was getting soft.

She could still see them now; all of their faces staring back at her from a giant screen as a reporter continued to drone on about their horrific crimes. Herself. Emerald. Hazel. Mercury. There was a sizable bounty on each of their heads. Such a shame she couldn't turn herself in. Remarkably, Raven's face was there, too. Good. She'd gladly gut the bitch if she had the chance. She'd cost her everything. Ruby Rose was on her list to be sure, but the Branwen woman was right behind her.

Naruto had come to the same conclusion. Thankfully it wasn't a violent one.

"You're both wanted." Cinder felt her face flush as he palmed his own. "Of course you are. Why am I not surprised."

"You're not going to turn us in, are you?" the question came from Emerald before the former Maiden could muster a scathing retort.

"As if I would turn my darling daughter over to the authorities." Naruto clutched a this chest and feigned dismay. "Why, who do you take me for?"

Daughter?!

Emerald made a pleased noise and swatted at his head. "Best dad ever."

"Bwuh?" Cinder asked eloquently. Had she missed something?! They weren't like this before!

"Oh, this? Its quite simple." Naruto declared with a finality only someone like him could possibly muster. "Poor little Em here, she just couldn't bear the thought of choosing between you and me." With one hand the blond subtle tugged up his own hood, then reached around to do the same with Emerald's green one. "So I decided to adopt her, too. Of course, she said I have to marry you." he slung an arm over her shoulder. "Guess that makes us one big happy family now. Anybody you wanna invite for the wedding?"

"We are not, nor will we ever be, a family." Cinder bit down on her rage -and something else!- when it bubbled up to the surface and shook herself free. "And I'm not marrying you! Release me!"

"Aw, but think of the children!" Naruto cried!

"Yeah, mom. Think of me."

Emerald did a remarkable job of schooling her face into absolute stoicism when Cinder glowered at her. Anything else and she would've had words for her. Strong words. And fire. Lots of fire. Blast him. What had he done to her? Nevermind. She knew. He'd gone and emboldened her. That was the only explanation for...this! Thank the gods Mercury wasn't here. He'd be a right scoundrel about this.

"Speaking a' which," Naruto drawled suddenly, capturing her attention once more. "Better do something about your faces for the time being. Hold still."

He pushed a hand toward Emerald and the girl jolted as a faint plume of smoke subsumed her body whole. She emerged just as quickly, arms flailing. When it cleared, she was much changed; her hair now a vibrant shade of blond and her skin pallor easily matched that of Naruto's. He'd even given her a faint on either cheek to match.

"Huh." the whiskered warrior whistled. "Not a bad look for you, Em. Whatcha think?"

Emerald saw the changes and jolted. "What did you do?!"

"Relax, its only an illusion." the sage patted her head. "Try not to get hit. It won't hold up in a fight."

Cinder recoiled when he tried to do the same to her. "No." she slapped his hand away with a hiss. "Don't you dare!"

"You sure?" the blond tilted his head as Emerald gazed over herself. "You'd look good as an Uzumaki. And you need to hide your face."

"I need no such ruses." she drew herself up as he regarded her. "Look at the poster. The woman in them has one eye and short hair. No one will recognize me."

It was a flimsy truth and they both knew it.

"Alright," the blond raised his hands in defeat. "Have it your way, your majesty."

She brushed past him with a coy smile. "I will."

He didn't look much bothered by it, but Emerald flashed her a look that was almost...challenging. Oh? How bold of her. She'd have to step up her game. Not with force, but affection.

Cinder scowled as she slipped through an alley after her ally, Emerald only half a step behind. And if the girl was pleased? She pretended not to notice. She wasn't hiding she told herself; just biding her time and waiting for the opportunity to strike. She hadn't failed, either. No. Not yet. She would gather information while they were here, track down Ruby Rose, and take her revenge. She would become a Maiden again, she would wreak hell and havoc on all those who had laid her low and then she would...would...

You don't know, do you? the voice of her inner self came back again, needling her relentlessly. Fool. You've gotten soft. Where has your fire gone?

"What are we looking for?" Remarkably, Emerald's words saved her from her own self doubt.

"I," Naruto clarified with a flick of his fingers, "Am here for medical supplies. Bandages. Gauze. That sort of thing. I only come into the city once a month, and even then I usually send a clone."

"Why not this time?" Emerald quizzed.

"Because I have my family with me?" he shrugged carelessly.

Cinder saw the opportunity for what it was and seized it, choking down her anger. She knew he'd said those words to rile her. She wouldn't let him. This was her chance. Not to escape -she'd never make it- but to enact her revenge. She had no idea where Team RWBY had gone. They could be halfway to Atlas by now for all she knew. Or even Vacuo. Nobody cared about Vacuo. It would've been the perfect place to hide. Didn't matter. She'd hunt that girl wherever she'd gone. But she knew Naruto wouldn't let her out of sight for a moment, and Emerald wouldn't either.

"I need a favor."

Mismatching orbs of blue and violet narrowed upon her. "Cinder...

"Send one of your clones if you don't trust me, then." she sniffed, turning her nose up at him. "Surely you can do that much for family."

"Are we family?" the blond tilted his head. "I believe you just said you didn't want anything to do with me."

Cinder winced, realizing she'd been outmaneuvered. "I didn't say that-

"Emerald?" A blond brow rose. "Exact words, please."

The disguised girl studied her nails with intense scrutiny. "We are not, nor will we ever be, a family. I believe she said that."

Traitor!

Damn him. Damn her. Damn them both. She couldn't tell if they were playing her or if they were actually upset with her earlier insinuation. Naruto was unreadable as ever, but Emerald...even in her disguise, there could be no mistaking traitorous twitch of her lower lip. Oh blast, she had hurt the poor girl's feelings. Why did she care? She shouldn't. A month ago she would've told the girl off for being such an uppity little thing. She would have to say it, then. She didn't want to say it. Damn. It.

...ily."

"What's that?" Naruto placed a hand against his ear. "Didn't quite catch that."

"I said we're family!" Cinder Fall threw her head back with a shriek, cowling fluttering away from her face as she howled the words to the heavens and sent passerby running for their lives. "Happy now?! Because I swear, if you make me say that again! I'll gut you!"

Emerald couldn't hold the ruse anymore and toppled backward with a mad giggle.

"You're getting a spanking later, young lady!"

The thief only laughed harder.

"Now, now," Naruto soothed, "What did you need?"

"Information." Cinder glowered over his shoulder as Emerald writhed on the ground, legs kicking at the air. "I want to know-

"You're looking for the one who took you powers." the blond cut in as her visible eye widened. "Fair enough. I know a gal who can get you that information...for a price. I'll ask for your silver-eyed Maiden."

"Just like that?" Cinder balked. "How did you know about Ruby?"

"Just like that."

Naruto favored her with a small, sad smile, all traces of his earlier mirth vanishing as she looked on in quiet confusion. Unbidden, she realized the street had grown dark and quiet around them; passerby giving what they no doubt viewed as crazed individuals a wide, wide berth. She ignored them, focusing instead on the smiling shinobi before her. Something in her black, black heart lurched again at the sight of that expression and Cinder stamped it into sullen submission. Naruto knew something. Something he wasn't telling her. But what?

"These peaceful days won't last much longer, Cinder." his words struck a chord and she winced. "Might as well make them memorable."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

Rather than answer, he flicked a pouch of gold to a freshly summoned clone, one the doppelganger caught nimbly

"Go. Find Little Miss Malachite." he instructed sternly. "Tell her I need a favor."

Cinder scoffed to hide her guilt. "Perhaps you're not so useless after all-

A faint shattering of glass was her only warning. "Down!"

Naruto's shout came a heartbeat too late; for though Cinder ducked, Emerald jerked upright and rounded on the sound, Semblance flaring. Said semblance did nothing to prevent the brick from sailing into her face with a vicious crack. Aura sparked furiously and she went down with a yelp, eyes spinning in her head. Thus did the carefully crafted illusion sputter and die around Emerald's groaning body.

Someone screamed and bystanders fled like doves before a Nevermore.

Naruto swore and dove after the thief's prone form, leaving Cinder to contend with the threat alone as an approaching silhouette emerged from an adjacent alley. She wasn't sure if she she should be proud or offended by his absence, but she stepped toward it all the same. She needed to kill something to rid herself of this guilt. Now.

"I don't know who you are, but you've got some nerving picking a fight with...

A parasol tilted back, exposing a frightfully familiar face lurking beneath it. She knew that pink-brown hair anywhere, moreso the visage it framed. Stiletto heels clicked harshly against the cobblestones as she strode forth to meet her before pausing well out of reach.

...the three of us." she trailed off.

Confusion dawned, followed shortly thereafter by realization as she beheld the black bowler-hat the girl wore, that pointed look of condemnation upon that once impish face. She'd only seen her a handful of times before, but it was enough to cement the memory in her mind. She knew this girl. Mort aptly, this girl knew her.

Neo.

Roman Torchwick was undoubtedly dead, and so his little floozy had come seeking revenge. Not that she cared. The man had been a pawn to her, a means to an end, nothing more. If by some miracle he'd managed to survive the chaos of Beacon, Cinder would have killed him herself, if only to ensure his silence. Left alone, he would have been a loose end. But it didn't change the fact that she hadn't killed him. That was all Little Red. Neo didn't know that. Neo likely didn't care. Neo was looking for someone to hurt. And Cinder? Cinder was a prime target for Neo to vent her fury upon.

What had Roman called that umbrella of hers? Hush? Cinder would be hushed if she lowered her guard here.

Midnight's twin blades flicked out at her sides, coiled and ready to strike.

"I don't have time for your misplaced guilt, girl." she warned. "I didn't kill your boss. Take that up with Ruby."

She'd thought to calm her down with those words; distract her, channel her rage elsewhere while Naruto tended to Emerald in the background. They had the opposite effect. The girl made a sharp gesture across her throat that couldn't possibly be mistaken for anything less than bloody murder. She didn't bow. She didn't smile. Her eyes shone with furious, unshed tears.

Then she flew at her.

Cinder met her in a whirl of blades and immediately regretted said decision; because Neo all but turned into a whirling dervish of pink and white beneath her. She fought, but she didn't stand her ground. She fled, but she didn't run away. Hush came perilously close to slitting her throat within the first seven exchanges while she wasn't able to do anything more than score a thin graze on the girl's cheek. Neo? No such luck. Every miss-timed attack was an opening for her, every mistake a lethal opportunity to get in close and hammer on her.

"Stop!" Cinder retreated, rubbing the nape of her neck. Too close. "I didn't kill Roman!"

She may as well have spoken to the wind. Neo's stern visage descended on her with a soundless hiss.

No. She fought back, but her leg betrayed her, hampered her movements. Not like this. She refused to die here. She refused! She-

A large fist closed around the blade and wrenched its owner up and away.

Mismatching eyes met mismatching eyes. "There you are. Now lets calm down and talk like-aargh?!"

The little terror reared back and kicked him dead in the face with her heels to bloody his nose. Then she tried to cut open his groin.

Naruto spun stepped in and caught the blade on his forearm this time, uncaring of the rent it left in his light armor as he stepped forward to meet her. In the same movement he rammed a clenched fist into Neo's stomach and battered her solar plexus. It was a vicious hit by itself, a debilitating blow created for an ugly purpose. Breaking ribs and everything within.

Neo shattered like glass and vanished.

Cinder swore. "Tricky little...!"

"Move!" he shoved her aside as a sword eviscerated the space she'd just occupied. "She's after you, not me!"

And so she tumbled away as the angry pair engaged in a vicious waltz that would have made Tyrian Callows weep with envy; bodies bending and twisting at impossible angles to strike at one another with heels and palms and fists alike. There was a graceful beauty to their brawl, a raging cyclone set free yet restrained here in the alley.

They fought with visceral tenacity; never pausing for a moment, constantly moving, ever seeking to slay the other. Naruto made use of his longer reach where he could but Neo's deceptively small form made for a slippery opponent and she was in rare form today. Time and time again she wriggled out of his grasp, shattering or dodging back into the fogs whenever Naruto's onslaught proved too pressing. Cinder could see it in her eyes, she knew was she was doing.

She couldn't afford to take a single hit, while whatever meager damage Hush inflicted on Naruto was summarily shrugged off. He could have rendered the street glass with his strength, yet he reigned himself in. When an angry white heel slammed toward his face he batted it aside, caught her up and flung her into a wall. She bounded right back at him, blade drawn. No. No one fought for her.

Cinder stepped in and settled the matter with a wave of napalm that caught the angry girl in midleap. Aura crackled and the colorfully clad girl slammed her singed parasol against a wall.

Naruto flickered her the merest of glances and went right.

With a long suffering sigh, the former Maiden surged to the left. Neo tried to track the both and ended up cross-eyed for it. Her mouth set itself in a snarl once more as she danced backwards again, this time away from them both. Faced with a double pronged assault, the smaller girl went berserk, flinging herself at the two of them with a wordless intake of air. Either unable or unwilling to retreat, she fought on.

Neo knew Naruto was stronger than her, knew he could capitalize on the smallest opening to capture or kill her. So she didn't give him one. She targeted Cinder instead actively going for her weak side, seeking what she thought was the weakest link in the chain. She wasn't wrong and it galled Cinder, burned her down to her very bones. Time and time again she tried to go for her and that forced Naruto to stop her, take hits he otherwise shouldn't have.

She gave as good as she got, but the outcome was never in doubt. Enough of this!

Cinder pulled on her Semblance hard and pulsed, slapping the girl in the face with a wave of molten glass.

She thrust just a touch too high in trying to deflect them and Naruto caught Hush by the handle. Cinder swept in after him with a triumphant roar and disarmed her. Literally. Neo tumbled backwards with a shocked gasp that both actually heard and landed right on her rear. She stumbled quickly, mismatching eyes wide and flickering as she gaped at the severed stump of her right hand. She began to twitch. Naruto dove at her before she could think to bold and tackled her to the ground.

She went wild in his grasp, kicking and snarling soundlessly until finally five fingers scythed into her side and she dropped.

Naruto plucked her up with an irritated growl. "Alright, you little hellspawn. Talk."

Neo pantomimed with her remaining hand.

"She can't." Cinder informed him.

Naruto only sighed.

...lovely."

A/N: Don't worry Neo, you'll get your hand back.

Felt good to focus on the baddies. Sorry Raven. They keep stealing the show. Now the gears begin to turn.

Cinder's on the verge of realizing where Ruby -and her powers!- are hiding. It simply hasn't occurred to her that they might've stayed in Mistral. As far as tactics go, its not the wises of decisions. Eh, I'll chalk that one up to Ozpin. Ironically, Naruto's encampment isn't all that far from Haven itself; which is part of the reason he found Cinder so swiftly when she struggled out of the Vault.

As ever, reviews keep this old man alive during this dark and crazy time. I ain't joking.

Seriously, we're all locked away anyways these days, its all that sustains me.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... Review...Would You Kindly?

And enjoy these previews! Remember those hints?

Yes? No? Hope you paid attention. Because!

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

Read at your own risk!

(Preview)

Emerald was livid. "I'll kill her!"

Neo snapped up a finger.

"Keep acting like that and I won't bring your boss back."

The injured little minx flopped back in her bed with a wordless sigh.

"No, you can't go out and kidnap some random mook. Either a bad guy, or no one at all."

Neo gestured again, her hand movements going considerably more crude with each pass. "No! Not one of those."

Naruto began to wonder when he'd started to adopt all these misfits. He didn't think it would stop anytime soon. Not bloody likely.

"I know my destiny."

"Is it your destiny?" Naruto slammed a hand against the wall, forcing a flinch from her. "Or is it a destiny Salem forced on you? That arm is killing you!"

Her chin jutted out in defiance. "Its mine. That power belongs to me."

"You don't need it!"

Sparks skittered in her palms. "Watch your words!"

"I'm begging you, Cinder!" He took her by the shoulders, heedless of her burning golden orbs as they narrowed on him. "Its time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you?!" Amber eyes met blazing cerulean, as he shook her. "And what do you want?! Answer me! Is it power?! You have your own skills and Semblance! I've seen you fight! You're not weak!" he pinched her chin and forced her eyes to meet his when she tried to turn away. "Is it comfort, then? You have that. So what is it then?! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"

Her hands balled helplessly at her sides.

"I...

"Such a merry band of misfits! And what's this? Oh? Oh!" Tyrian giggled, dancing from one foot to the other. "Oh, my~! Has our dear Cinder been, tamed? I never thought to see the day!"

"Quite so," Watts didn't smile, but his mustache twitched. "Domesticated. How quaint."

Cinder practically spat fire. "Domesticated?! I'll burn you both ALIVE-

Naruto blew out a breath. "Leave. You don't want this fight."

"Ah, but we do! And we brought friends!"

"More Grimm?" he growled.

Tyrian only grinned.

"Better."

A bolt of lightning ripped Naruto from his feet and sent him crashing into a tree.

EDIT: NO! That is not Sasuke! I'm not doing that here!

R&R~!