A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE WOULD YOU KINDLY?
EDIT: Well, this chapter only got a handful of reviews and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many death threats. T_T
As ever, work of fiction here. Lets just sit back and enjoy it, eh? Threatening me just hurts my creativity.
I own no references, quotes, themes or memes found within. Nope! Not a thing.
Just a quick heads up; we've advanced the timeline three days as of this chapter. You'll understand what I'm talking about in a moment.
Ugh, I need a vacation. Don't have time to update every day anymore and my muse is scratching at the walls. This chapter's all about cause and effect in a sense. Summer's little "chase" back in chapter three? Consequences. Naruto blowing up all that dust? Consequences. Roman and Neo choosing to throw their lot in with our wayward blond? Consequences. staying with Roman and Neo?
What as those consequences, you ask?
No, no, no! That would be telling, my dear reader.
One or two of you already guessed my plans for this story, anyway. Now onward~!
"With great power comes great responsibility? Ha! Don't make me laugh.
Those who hold the power are always, always, ALWAYS, the first to abuse it.
Meanwhile, little guys like you and me get stepped on. Now they've made you their scapegoat.
Don't you think that's a little unfair? Don't you want to make them pay for their lies? Don't you want revenge?"
~Roman Torchwick.
Partners in Peril
"I'm very dissapointed in you, Miss Rose."
Ozpin's declaration hit Summer like a slap in the face.
Despite her best efforts to remain calm in the face of this unknown adversity, she flinched all the same. Ozpin didn't raise a hand against her, he never did, but the words stung like an angry rapier wasp. It took everything she had to remain in her seat; to not fling herself over his desk and demand an explanation from her mentor. Surely he owed her that much? Didn't he?
"I don't understand." the words all but tumbled from her lips. "Why are you angry? Have I done something wrong?"
The silence that followed deafened her.
She trusted Ozpin. Believed in him. From a young age she'd thrown herself into peril for him, risked her life -and the lives of her Team!- time and time again at his behest, all in the belief that he was inherently good. That all the deeds done in his name were ever for the greater good. She clung to the notion that good always had and always would triumph over evil; that valiant acts and heroism would win the day. Her ideals were clear cut and she believed his to be the same. There was no grey, only black and white. Good was Good. Evil was Evil. That was how the world worked. Until now, quite suddenly, it didn't.
Somewhere behind her, Glynda made an outraged noise. "Surely you jest. Have you not seen the news? This is a scandal, make no mistake."
News? What news? She knew no such news. She'd spent the last three days recovering from her injuries back in Patch, recuperating with her family. Time spent with Tai and raising little Yang was always well spent. She'd never once given any thought to the news in any case. Why should she? Not like she watched television in any case.
"What? Summer blinked rapidly, lashes fluttering in surprise as she looked between the two. "Scandal? I'm sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Ozpin and Glynda exchanged a terse look, and Summer's spirits plummeted anew. To be called up to the Headmaster's tower out of the blue was nigh on unheard of. She'd hadn't been dragged here before Ozpin like this since she was back in training. Yet here she was, being taken to task like a naughty schoolgirl once again. Something told her she wouldn't be getting off with just a tongue lashing. No, not this time. She didn't even know what she'd done wrong!
"I'm placing you on probation."
There they were; those words were knife in her gut, stealing away all she'd ever known.
"You...you must be joking." her own tongue felt heavy in her mouth, choking down what she truly wanted to say.
"I have never been more serious about anything in my life." Ozpin's stormy expression said what his words would not. "Miss Rose...no, Summer." he looked furious, angrier than she'd ever seen him before. "I'll ask you this once more and I'll thank you not to play games with me. Do you have any idea what you've done?" "
"No, I don't!" she wailed. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Perhaps this will jog your memory." Glynda launched a newspaper and it landed in her lap. Summer squinted at the headline
"Rogue huntress rampages through the streets of Vale?" she read quickly, eyes bulging as her silver eyes flitted across the bold words. "Beacon to blame? Ozpin, what's going on? Who did this?"
"She really has no idea." Glynda shook her head.
"Then let us remedy it." Ozpin replied. You need look no further Summer. They're talking about you. Please, turn the page."
She did, and sure enough, a printed image of her own face stared back at her. She read on, and her heart sank.
Even then, reality didn't quite click and her mind tried to rationalize as Ozpin began to speak.
"You opened fire in middle of a crowd, on a civilian lacking aura." Well, she hadn't known that! A civilian who, need I remind you, did not attack you first!" Also not her fault! He was acting sketchy! "A man who knocked Glynda into traffic then came back to help her." Alright, she couldn't explain that. "And you. Shot. Him." She still felt bad about that one! "Nevermind your fight with him all but burned down the docks and destroyed the dust there." Oh. Oh no. She could hear it now, the sound of her word crashing down around her ears. "The SDC is absolutely furious; I've only just now managed to placate Jacques Schnee and convince him to continue supplying us."
"I...but...I didn't...
"Thousands of lien." Ozpin's voice took on a wintry tone, shattering her stumbling words into simple shards. "That's a rough estimate of the damages, nevermind those who were injured in the blaze. Some are not expected to survive. Police are still putting out the fires, and the docks will have be rebuilt once they're done. Which will cost yet more lien." And still, Ozpin did not shout. He never did; because he didn't need to. His words cut her down all the same. "All because you chose to shoot first and ask questions later."
Summer wriggled helplessly in her seat, to no avail. Their stony faces afforded her no escape. "But he was being suspicious!"
"Was he now?" Glynda's crop slammed into her open palm. "What, pray tell, did he do to arouse your suspicions?"
"He...he was the one we saw on the recording." she babbled. "And he was acting weird!"
The disciplinarian didn't bat an eyelash. "And?"
"And he ran away when I confronted him!" Summer cried, seizing on the first thing she could think of. "That implies guilt!"
"Or fear of an armed woman with a scythe." Ozpin's counter ripped that hope from her grasp and left her clutching at nothing. "You're quite the terror when you give chase."
"I'm not that scary!"
A pale brow rose.
"Well...
The other brow rose as well and Summer whimpered.
"Isn't there any footage?" she whispered the words. "He fought me, at the end. Surely that counts for something...?"
"Some, yes. But not enough. The council wanted you strung up by your toes for this." the headmaster continued, steepling his fingers together atop his desk. "Nevermind the public's ghastly opinion of your actions. They wanted your license, your weapon, and your career."
They'd take even that from her? For a single mistake?
"But I would not allow it." his words stirred a faint ember of hope within her. "Hence, you'll be placed on probation, as stated." Ah. And there it was. That word that hurt her so much, the painful phrase that fed her equal parts hope and despair until she choked on both. "You will not take any missions for the next year, and your stipend will be halved during that time. You will remain out of the public eye. You will behave."
No missions...for a year...?!
"This will not happen again, miss Rose." Ozpin cut her off when she opened her mouth. "Should you engage in such destructive behavior a second time, I will not be able to protect you. It can be argued that you acted in a reckless way but once. Do you understand?"
"I...yes. I do." She nodded, desperately trying to stamp down on her tears. "Th-Thank you, sir. May I leave now? I'd like to-"
"No. You may not." Ozpin's words glued her back to her seat once more. "You will sit, and you will listen."
"But you just told me...?"
"He told you of the immediate consequences." here at last, Glynda snapped at her. "Not all. This aids our enemies, Summer. Salem will use this against us, make no mistake. Your actions here have eroded the trust placed in huntsmen and huntresses everywhere; trust that we must win back."
"It will take many months, if not years." a dark look flashed across Ozpin's face before he banished it. "Time in which she will grow stronger, all the while using the fear and panic to incite further unrest." he fixed her with a steely look. "Consider yourself fortunate that this young man hasn't come out of hiding and spoken against you. If he took you to court over this, we'd suffer a flood of such cases. Yours
She could only nod and hang her head. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. It won't happen again, sir."
"If you see this individual, you are not to engage him unless he attacks first." Ozpin continued briskly. "You will call for Glynda, or, if she is unavailable, myself. Perhaps even Qrow or Tai if need be. One of us may yet be able to bring him in peacefully and ask what role has has to play in this."
"But not me." she sighed.
"No, Summer. I am sorry for this."
She nodded again, giving him a watery smile.
"This is not the end of your world." Her thoughts must've shown through on her face; because the headmaster adopted a more conciliatory tone. " Think of it as a vacation. You may continue to train at your leisure, spend time with your family and friends." a small smile cracked his flinty expression. "Dote on your daughter. Be a good mother to her."
Oh gods, Yang! She'd all but forgotten about the poor girl in all this madness. She'd be happy about this, at least.
So would Tai. They could finally spend some quality time together.
A year without any missions. A year to train. A year to spend with Tai and her daughter. She tried to tell herself it was a good thing. Ozpin's punishment stung, but this wasn't the end of her career. She'd learned her lesson. She'd be more cautious in future. She wouldn't make this mistake again. Next time they met, she'd be faster. Stronger. More prepared. Really, this benefited her. But gods, a year without missions...a year without helping people...a year...angry tears burned at her eyes.
Summer choked them down, locked all her negative emotions in a box, and buried it deep.
Even then, she couldn't quite stifle the spark of anger that slipped through. A small part of her wanted to blame that blond for this disaster. To squeeze the answers out of him. To make him say it was all his fault. His. But she was above that. She had to be. She was justice. She was light. She was a good person. Wasn't she?
And yet she was responsible for this.
Her recklessness had caused untold injuries and devastation, perhaps even deaths.
Because of her, people had been hurt. Did that...did that make her a bad person? It proved a chilling thought.
(.0.0.0.)
Glynda watched Summer slink away into the elevator with a sigh.
Poor girl. She looked like someone had kicked her puppy. Summer Rose was many things, but she wasn't cruel. Just overeager. In her heart of hearts Glynda knew she meant well; that she genuinely wanted to help people; to save everyone in front of her. Many saw her recklessness and near-slavish obsession with her career as a danger, something to be wary of. Glynda hadn't been among them...until the incident. Only a few days ago she'd thought Summer to be a particularly dedicated individual.
Now she knew better.
Summer loved being a huntress a little too much. She loved it more than life. Perhaps even more than herself. The signs had always been there; they'd simply failed to see them. She never responded well to criticism and always said she was on the side of justice. No doubt she felt unjustly punished for this. That would bear watching. Grudges were a frightful thing. If she took it into her head to seek that man out...
"I think I might've been too hard on her."
Glynda didn't dare speak until the elevator was well and truly away.
The moment it was, her sharp green eyes flitted back to Ozpin and locked on with frightful intensity.
"Not hard enough." She planted one hand on her hip as she shook her head. "She's going to get herself killed one of these days. Best to stamp out such foolish behavior early."
"Perhaps." the immortal man allowed. "We cannot afford to lose her Silver Eyes."
He picked up his mug and cane as he rose from his chair.
Glynda bit down a sigh and followed him when he paced to the window. It seemed he was in a contemplative mood again.
Still, she couldn't deny it was a glorious view. Beacon lay sprawled out below them, a bustling hive of activity as students went to and fro. Even now the next generation of huntresses and huntsmen were being trained in the halls beneath them. A sign of hope. Life. Perseverance. Proof that humanity could hold fast against the Grimm...and any other threat that might come. They would not falter against the coming storm.
"What do you think of our young friend?" Ozpin asked of her all too suddenly. "Would he make a good huntsman?"
Glynda considered his words for a moment, recalling her own encounter with the whiskered menace.
He'd looked harried. Lost. Afraid. Even after knocking her into the street and doubling back to fix his mistake, he seemed out of sorts. As if her were at war with himself. She couldn't believe he'd instigated this. What little footage they'd managed to salvage from the docks had proven damning, yet also enlightening. There could be no doubt that Summer instigated their battle. But he'd acquitted himself well. While it was only natural that he defend himself, he'd displayed a dangerous level of competence. He likely woundly take kindly to being forced into anything.
Something told her things would end poorly if Ozpin pressed it.
Yet perhaps that was he needed. A firm hand. Guidance. Someone to help shape his destiny.
"I do not believe he's as violent as he appears." she said in the end. "He went back for me, when he had no reason to do so. That's not the mark of a criminal. But pushing him into a role he doesn't desire won't end well. He'd need to be convinced of it firsthand."
Ozpin raised the mug to his lips. "Is that your unbiased opinion?"
Heat rose to her cheeks and she strangled it before it could bloom. "Yes, it is."
"Then you must find him, Glynda." her old friend warned. "Before this spirals out of control."
(.0.0.0.)
"One job! You had one job!"
Naruto bit back a sigh and leaned back in bed as Roman paced back and forth, ranting all the while.
"To be fair," he raised his arms when his ally glowered at him, "I did what you asked. I tried to stay out of trouble. Not my fault she chased me, you know-ow!" A hand slapped his shoulder from behind, forcing him to sit up straight again with a black look. "Do you have to hit so hard?!"
This time, she dug her nails in.
"Alright, alright! Jeez! I'm sorry." the apology rolled off his tongue. "I'll hold still, Neo."
He couldn't see her face, but he suspected she was going to be downright insufferable after this.
For her part, the little minx seemed downright giddy as ever as she wound yet another strip of black cloth around his new eye. Naruto suffered with it in stoic silence, despite the discomfort it caused him. Damn thing still itched and ached something fierce, but he was sure keeping it bound would prevent anymore flareups as it had back at the docks. Maybe. Hopefully? He told himself it would. Kakashi had done something similar with his Sharingan and headband ages ago; surely this would work to the same effect?
Neo handed him a mirror.
Naruto accepted it warily and caught his reflection within as she draped herself over his shoulders. Mismatching eyes of light cream greeted him, framed by an impish smirked. Before he could think to stop her she reached over and tilted his with her hands, forcing him to turn and inspect her handiwork.
Wasn't all that bad, really. She'd used a deep blue cloth for the crude eyepatch, so dark it was nearly navy.
Almost made him look like pirate. Rather roguish, really. He'd have to keep it on until he learned how to control Sasuke's stolen eye properly. That...was going to be a bit of a pain, and he was was admittedly blind on that front. No pun intended there. At least he still had one working eye that wouldn't betray him at the drop of a hat.
Neo tapped his cheek insistently.
"Thank you, Neo." he said the words he knew she wanted to hear. "You're best girl."
She laughed soundlessly and flopped over his shoulders into his lap. Naruto grunted as his aching body protested but made no move to shove her off; he knew better than to try and dislodge her. She would be happy, he supposed. He was beginning to think Neo was the wort of person who delighted violence. She hadn't left his side after his brawl with Summer. Maybe she thought she owned him.
"What am I, a human pillow now?"
She reared up and laid a wet kiss on his lips.
Naruto sputtered and jerked back. Well! That was one way to thank someone!
"I'm sooo sorry, am I interrupting the two of you?" Roman called in a saccharine voice. "Do you want me to leave? Let you have the room to yourselves?"
Neo tilted her head, actually considering his words.
"I wasn't being serious!" Torchwick lobbed his hat at her to which she ducked nimbly.
"What's the problem, anyway?" Naruto stifled a yawn behind his palm as the little trickster sang back into his lap. "Its not like we're in any peril."
"Peril? Peril?! We're swimming in peril! You're all over the news, and not for the reasons you'd think!" Something about that tone there caught his attention, but he let the master thief barrel on. "The huntress that tried to bring you in three days ago? Well, the media got ahold of her. Girl's getting dragged through the mud for what she started." he shrugged. "Good work there, I guess. You've made yourself an enemy. She'll have an ax to grind there, make no mistake."
A flash of guilt burned through Naruto. He hadn't thought of that. Still, was that really his doing?
"However, it doesn't change the fact you've ran around Vale like a madman." a finger jabbed at the air between them. "I wouldn't surprised if half the city knows your face. You've been seen with Neo too, however briefly, and sooner or later they're going trace her back to me. For better or worse, you're stuck with us now."
Left unspoken were the words: If we go down, you go down with us.
Naruto blew out a sigh. A lone blue eyes rose to regard his ally. "I'm not going to betray you, Roman."
"Yeah?" the thief bit down on another cigar and fumbled for a light. "Well color me surprised. I wasn't aware my opinion mattered here."
Neo didn't much seem to care so long as she was kept entertained, but Roman feared him. That, or the chaos he could cause at the very least. That much had become abundantly clear over the last three days. Once upon a time that might have bothered Naruto. Now he almost couldn't bring himself to care for the man's petty fear. No. That was wrong. He should care. He needed to care. Apathy was one thing, and exhaustion another, but if he stopped caring about those around him, that made him no better than Sasuke.
"Well, it does."
Roman scowled at the words. "Is that so? Care to prove it?"
Naruto bit back the urge to rise at the bait and forced himself to nod. Why did he have a bad feeling about this all of a sudden?
"If you're that keen on proving yourself," the thief continued amicably, "I'd say now's the time to hit that target I told you about earlier. The media may be distracted with this huntress bullshit, but they're going to come down on us soon enough once the truth gets out. Best to move before then. They'll never notice what we're doing; they'll think it a random break-in."
"No murder?"
Roman turned his head and spat. "I told you, kid. We don't do that shit."
Naruto met his eyes for a long moment, unable to sense so much as a sliver of deceit.
...if we're going to do this thing, I want to make some changes. We're going to do it proper." he put heavy emphasis on the nect word. "Properly."
"Alright," Roman allowed with a selfsame smile and shrug. "What did you have in mind, partner?"
Neo perked up in his lap and looked to him for answers.
There it was, the second challenge, a gauntlet thrown down for him to pick up if he chose. Naruto knew if he took back his words and said the three of them weren't partners, he'd be seen as little more than a liar and fraud. Someone not to be trusted. His pride wouldn't allow him to back down here; not only would it mean going back on his word -and he'd never do such a thing!- but he'd hate himself for it. He didn't want people to fear him. He didn't, never had, never did. He just wanted to get along with everyone. Always had. Always would.
"Well?" Roman tapped his cane against the floor. "We're waiting."
Naruto willed himself to exhale, bleeding away his reluctant with that slow and heavy breath. Right, then. He could do this. Play the part. Play to his strengths. That was all he needed to do. Just one job. Repay a simple little favor, then he'd leave. How bad could it be? This Winchester fellow was a bad person. Roman truly believed that, and he'd no sensed a lie or any negative emotions in his words. No need to feel guilty for this then, right? So long as he played it safe and held back, he could prevent any disasters. He wouldn't screw up this time. He could do this. Disguise himself. No one would know it was him.
A simple in and out.
What could possibly go wrong?
"Weeell...I'm thinking something along the lines of this...
A/N: Well, that's ominous. Bad Naruto! You never say "What could possibly go wrong!" that's just asking for it!
Now then, its all coming together.
And to think, we're still in the first arc. *cackles*
Now that I've finally finished the build-up chapters, we can leap into the meat of this story. The gang and I have plans for this one, grand plans. I could wax poetic about them, hint and tease and toy with a few things, but where's the fun in that? No, I'll let the chapter -and the previews!- do the talking for me. I do hope you're prepared? No? Then be prepared~!
As ever, reviews are a mighty wind beneath my wings.
Without them...well. I just can't seem to fly.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And one last thing:
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read if you dare!
(Previews!)
The Winchester estate wasn't much to look at.
For a family who espoused themselves as being the pride of Vale, their home wasn't all that large. It was an ugly, squat brown building that looked like little more than a townhouse or the distance cousin of a mansion. It was almost sad really. All that pomp and arrogance for this? Naruto wasn't much looking forward to meeting the man.
"Remember the plan."
"You sure this is gonna work?"
"C'mon, Roman. Have a little faith...
Neo looked fit to stab the both of them for his so-called "plan".
"We meet again."
"Glynda, right?" Naruto wasn't sure if he should be surprised or wary. He settled for the former. "You look well...?"
Piercing green eyes regarded him. "Might I have a moment of your time?"
His eyes flicked back to where Neo was hiding.
"I don't think that's a good idea...
"Neo's sweet on him."
"Because she knows what the boss is like, and she LIKES what she sees." Roman snatched up a cigar and bit down on it, hard. "He's broken. Just like her." Trembling hands fumbled for his lighter. On the third try, he finally succeeded. "That kid's got a dark side, Junior. Trust me." he exhaled a plume of smoke and fought down a convulsive shudder as he relived the memory. "He might seem all sunshine and smiles, and he does a damn good job of hiding his true nature, but its there. I've seen it. Someone screwed him over once, and that left its mark on him. Don't fuck about with him. He'll kill you."
"By the way, some broad in a red dress was asking after you...
"Whoever she is, she can piss off." Roman flicked his words away with a growl. "I'm busy."
"The SDC put a bounty on me." Naruto repeated the words, blinking owlishly at the poster before him. "You've gotta be kidding."
"After the money you've cost him? Jacques Schnee is howling for your head. He's calling you a dust terrorist."
The whiskered warrior flung up his arms. "How does that make any sense?! I've never met the man!"
R&R~!