A/N: As ever, the Embers rule Remains.
If folks don't like this story, poof! Gone! Deleted! That's no joke.
I really can't write without feedback, sad as it sounds. Sorry to bother you...T_T
In unrelated news, I don't suppose anyone plays Genshin Impact? Looking to play a little co-op because I'm getting my butt handed to me. I'm admittedly a bit of a rookie.
Really, I only have one Five Star and that's Raiden Shogun...who I can't ascend again until I get to Inazuma.
Haven't even reached World Level 1 yet.
.
..
...help?
Now to answer a few quick questions. I'll keep it short this time so we can get to the chapter quickly.
Q: Star Wars references?
A: YES. And maybe the odd Genshin Impact character or two. Depends on the reception.
Q: Will Adam be more mellow in this?
A: He might be...and he may not be. Suppose that depends on the reception he receives. Naruto HAS mended his scar, make no mistake, but the wounds of the spirit are much harder to heal, as I'm sure you all know.
Q: Can we get a list of the potential pairings?
A: Currently, Neo, Satin, Sienna, and Glynda are in the running. Not Summer. She's happily married, not to mentions her black-and-white view of justice and the world at large harshly contrasts with that of Naruto's.
And why would I do that to poor Little!Blake? That would be just plain cruel.
Q: Wait, hol' up! Did Naruto just kidnap Blake and her family?!
A: More like holding them hostages; then again, its not like he's thrown them into a cell. This chapter elaborates on that...and several of the captured soldiers who defected from Atlas.
Remember those names I dropped? No? Imma do it again!
Rex. Fives. Thorn. Gregor. Cody.
Q: Is the girl Neo found who I think it is?
A: She is...and isn't. Read and see!
Q: Can anyone else see Sasuke? Is he even real?
A: *zips lips*
Q: Are Naruto and Oz enemies our allies?
A: Ozpin isn't Naruto's enemy per se. But Oz wants to maintain the huntsman academies, who are currently coming under question. Throw in Ironwood's ham-fisted tactics, and well...
Alright,, I've kept you long enough.
You came here for a story, didn't you? Don't mind the rambling of sickly man.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! Hope you enjoy!
And YES the first scene here is meant to evoke the opening one seen in Volume Eight, albeit with a less ominous tone
"Retaliation's a way of life.
You know what they say. Eye for an eye and the world goes blind.
Maybe its time we do something about, that yeah? Build some bridges, rather than burn 'em."
~Roman.
Partners in Paranoia
This was madness.
Utter madness. Stark-raving madness.
Glynda was still going through with it of course, but she felt it needed to be said.
She leaned forward and peered through the fog just outside the cockpit, trying to see what lay beyond to no avail. Only early morning mist awaited her; heavy and cloying, obscuring everything. There was no light. None at all. High above the sun was stifled by dark clouds. A low rumble of thunder shook the craft and rattled her teeth. The storm didn't feel natural; there was something off about the wind; she felt it push and prod against her bullhead with intent, almost as if it were a living creature trying to make sense of the tiny craft.
Nonsense, of course. Storms weren't alive. No one could possibly control the weather.
Mountain Glenn awaited her just beyond the storm.
Her fingernails scraped restlessly against the back of the pilot's seat; producing a steady skrtch-skrtch-skrtch as they clawed at the fabric.
The pilot -smugger!- she'd hired gave her a black look for her ministrations.
"He, cut it out." he glowered at her. "That's good leather."
Glynda didn't dignify that with a response. Instead she scowled him into silence.
"Right." the man winced. "I'll just fly the Bullhead, shall I?"
...I'm sorry, Han."
"Whatever you say, princess." the surly smuggler -and her old friend!- grumbled as he returned his attention to the console. "You owe me for this. Big time."
"I'm already paying you handsomely. What more do you want?"
He didn't look back at her. "Little life insurance would be nice. Wouldn't wanna get blown out of the sky."
Glynda flicked her weapon free from its sheathe on her thigh. "Leave the anti-air defenses to me. Assuming they have any."
Han scoffed as he adjusted a dial. "Lady, its been a week. I wouldn't be surprised if they had the city shields back up."
An unpleasant thought. They'd smash right into them. "Shut up and drive, Han."
...driving."
She resumed her scratching the moment he turned his back. Strange as it might sound, the gesture soothed her. It reminded her of simpler times; of halcyon days when she could go wherever she pleased, consequences be damned. Before Beacon. Before Ozpin. Before...so many things. Before she developed a conscience. Before she felt guilt. Before she realized what a monster she'd become. Back then, when there was a problem, she'd crush it with her own strength.
Her hand tightened around the leather, causing it to buckle with an ominous creak.
Han groaned anew. "You're paying for that."
Glynda didn't hear him. Her mind was elsewehre.
But this -he!- wasn't something that could be bested with brute strength. She understood that now. Just as she understood she really shouldn't be doing this. She knew it. He knew it. They both knew it. This was madness. Some might even go so far as to call it treason. And yet here she was, preparing to do just that. Even now in her heart of hearts, she wrestled with her own myriad doubts.
Technically she was on leave.
Technically she hadn't been forbidden from leaving the city.
And technically...technically...she was lying to herself, wasn't she?
A younger Glynda wouldn't have cared a fiddle or a fig for all this sneaking subtlety; that woman would've barreled headlong into danger, consequences be damned. Walked right up to the gates of the Mountain Glenn and demanded to be let in. If they hadn't, she would have torn the walls down around their ears. Just the thought of it brought a rueful smile to her lips.
Where had that wild girl gone? She could use her confidence right about now.
Here she was sneaking into the Flame's domain like some wayward thief. She couldn't afford to be caught, neither by the authorities or his men. Her actions were suspicious at best, outright treacherous at the worst. Few would believe her story, if anyone. But she had to so it; wanted to ascertain the truth for herself; if only for the sake of her sanity. She needed to know. She must.
So she cinched her hood that much tighter and held to her courage.
"You know, I've smuggled all sorts of things before. But people? That's a new one." Her pilot flicked an anxious look over his shoulder. "Does your boss know about this?"
...nope." she drawled. "And he won't...if you know what's good for you."
For the first time in an age, Glynda fell back into her old accent; let a glimmer of her old self -her true self!-slip through the carefully crafted facade she wore. Han must've seen the anger in her eyes and the ire behind it; the intent to kill him if he made trouble; because he didn't ask again.
"You're right." He turned back to the helm with a sigh. "You're not paying me to ask questions."
She leaned back. "Good."
His console chimed, an alarm pinging on the dashboard.
Glynda stiffened. "What's that sound? Have we been detected?"
"Nah, just some interference from the storm." Hand tugged the throttle back, reducing the vessel's pace to a crawl. "We're nearly through...and try to keep a low profile once you're on the ground, yeah?" a dark brow quirked at her over his shoulder. "They find out I smuggled Beacon teacher here, I'm a dead man."
Glynda's huffed and crossed both arms beneath her bosom. "I can be subtle."
Said brow crept higher. "Glyn, you were never subtle. Never. Ever."
Her spirit writhed with embarrassment.
She'd let her hair down, removed her spectacles, then threw on a heavy cloak for good measure. She'd even gone so far as to change her outfit beneath; eschewing her teacher's uniform and pencil skirt for a pair of tight-fitting black jeans and a matching blouse besides. It wasn't much of a change. Of course folks would notice. Han was an old friend, so it made sense he'd see through her disguise, but who was to say others wouldn't? Not for the first time she wondered if she was doing the right thing.
'Why didn't I wear a mask?!'
Because she knew what that would entail. One wrong move, and they'd think her White Fang.
It would practically be a declaration of loyalty, and she wasn't certain where her loyalties lay at the moment.
In theory they should be with Ozpin...and yet Oz hadn't been himself lately. He was too concerned with Beacon's reputation as of late, to say nothing of the inquest involving James. There was something very wrong there but they'd not given her the details. Almost as if he knew something he didn't. Why? Were they keeping secrets from her?
Was Naruto in the right after all?
Only one way to find out.
All at once the mist fell away.
"Here we are." Han swept an arm forward at the once dead city. "Welcome to Mountain Glenn."
Glynda's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp.
"That's certainly something...
(.0.0.0.)
"You can't keep us here forever."
Really, that was just the king of cliched lines.
Did drama run in the Belladona bloodline or something?
Naruto was starting to think it did; that foolishness was some curse thrust upon them by their ancestors. Nevertheless, he held his tongue, refusing to rise to Ghira's bait; if only because he knew that was he wanted. In another life he would've shouted and railed at them, insisted why he was right and they were wrong. Now? He let the words roll off him like so much water off a duck's back.
Inhale. Exhale. In. Out.
Innn! Ouuut!
Breathe.
"Leave us." he cast a glance to their guards. "You aren't needed here."
The two men -loyal to Sienna, and by default, him- saluted and stepped away from the open door. A quick step carried them back into the hall, tacitly out of sight, yet within earshot if needed. When they lingered he made a shooing gesture. Only then did they truly depart.
"Can't blame them." Sasuke shimmered past. "With Sienna out raiding, they essentially answer to you in her absence. Is it any wonder they want to keep you safe."
Naruto rolled his eyes and stepped across the threshold.
'I can protect myself, ya know.'
Mountain Glenn was coming back to life, and their latest plunder had gone a long way to furnishing this place.
Really their quarters were quite nice; hardly a cell at all. As a point of pride, he'd gone out of his way to ensure their stay in Mountain Glenn was quite comfortable. Warm and well made, spacious yet painted with the wild pastel of spring colors, it was just the sort of den where one might house visiting dignitaries. He'd given them a cozy little apartment, one of the very best. Stocked with a full kitchen and two adjoining bedrooms that led into a rustic living room with an adjoining bathroom besides, it was the furthest thing from a cell they had.
There were no bars or chains here, no lock to keep them trapped; for the door locked from within. They deserved their privacy after all.
"Good morning." he plonked down in a chair opposite their couch. "How are we feeling today?"
Ghira pulled a face from where he sat. "Irritable."
"Why?" Naruto's smile became brittle. "Did something happen? Are you feeling well?"
"Even a gilded cage is still a cage. We won't be fooled by yours."
"Ungrateful." Sasuke's specter swept past him.
Naruto's smile soured.
"Look, its already been a week, now. You're making this more difficult than it needs to be." his gaze met Ghira's, unflinching in the face of the larger man's ire. "I'm not going to hurt you. Either of you." his gaze swept to an anxious Kali. "Or your daughter. Blake's been tormenting the other kids with her questions, as I'm sure you know." he gave them a pause now, allowing each to wince, doubtlessly digesting the full weight of his words. "What I'm saying is...well...you don't have to stay in this room." a hand swept to the door. "You're free to go outside.
Ghira lifted his chin. "Yet we can't leave the city."
"No, you can't." he set his jaw. "You'd have Sienna exiled the moment you got back to Menagerie."
Neither denied it.
"Are the guards really necessary?" This from Kali, ever the voice of reason and motherly concern. "We can hardly harm you."
"No?" His gaze cut to Ghira, still looming despite sitting. "I'm sure your husband disagrees."
Ghira was a very large man. Naruto could see the muscles rippling under his coat and didn't like the idea of those clawed hands around his throat. He had no doubt that he could take Ghira in a fair fight. But he didn't know the man's Semblance, or even if he had aura. He could be an untrained civilian for all he knew, or not. Desperation could drive a man to foolish things. If he thought his family was in danger he might lash out, heedless of his chances.
And that was ignoring Kali. He'd seen "harmless" women before. No, he wouldn't be letting his guard down around these two. No matter what.
"Do you want to kill me?" he steeped his fingers, weaving them together. "And here I thought you were better than that."
Here at last, Blake's father flinched with shame. "I would never attack an unarmed man."
Naruto pounced on those words."But you'd banish a woman fighting for her people."
"..."
"Look, if its really the guards you're concerned about, don't be." He turned his head to regard the space where the soldiers had stood only a moment ago. "They're here for your protection. Not mine. I have enemies, and I'm sure they'd love to pin your deaths on me."
Both Belladonas bridled.
"So lets talk. Tell me what you want from me, and I'll say what I need...
He could only hope Satin and Roman were having a better time of tings out there.
And really, where the hell had Neo squirreled off to? He hadn't seen her in days. He had a bad feeling about that...
(.0.0.0.)
Good soldiers follow orders.
Didn't they?
Rex knew they were meant to, at least in theory.
Orders made up the very fabric of a soldier's identity. They were akin to law, and what was the world without law? But his had been wrong. War made monsters of men and men of monsters. In the beginning he'd tried to rationalize it; believe the general hadn't intended to fire on this civilians. He must've been fed bad intel...or so he reasoned.
"There are no innocents! Not anymore!"
He'd seen the footage; his brothers and cousins with him. That was not the Atlas they served. If their greatest general could say such things, what did that speak for the rest of the kingdom? If his superior were to contact him at this very moment -unlikely, given his court martial- and told him to wipe out Mountain Glenn, he would've spat in his face. But for now there was work to be done. His brothers understood this. He understood it, hell, it was half the reason he'd turned his coat.
.
..
...
But did this really have to be so difficult?
Roman Torchwick was a criminal. Yet this criminal had stood his ground to protect innocents. Would a criminal be willing to venture out into the wilds with him, forrage for food, just to feed them and their children? No, the between good and evil were blurring. He wasn't sure he liked it.
A hand slapped his shoulder. "You done daydreamin' there, pal?"
Rext snapped back to reality with a frown. "This isn't just...what's been done to these people...they're suffering. There must be a better way to help them."
"I know the feeling." Roman clapped a hand on his shoulder. "That's life, kid. Welcome to the revolution. Gonna be one hell of a ride. Now help me catch these damn fish!"
Melodic Cudgel unloaded into the stream, and yet more bodies floated to the surface.
Rex waded in with the net. "I don't think this is the way you're supposed to fish."
Roman scoffed. "Semantics!"
(.0.0.0.)
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
Neo kept walking and pushed another field ration at her...what, exactly?
She touched a finger to her chin and mulled it over for a moment as she dodged through another alley. Her captive? Prisoner? Ward, perhaps? She wasn't quite sure what to call the dirty little girl she'd taken in. Meh. She supposed it didn't matter. Whoever she was was hers now. She'd taken responsibility for her. That made her well, hers!
She turned to find that the child already finished her meal and was looking to her for another.
Tough. That was her last bit of food. She offered a selfsame smile and a shrug.
Huh. Neat. Was this what it felt like to raise a daughter?
The little witch glared at her. "Answer my question!"
Neo plucked a strand of dirty hair from her head.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
What she would give to have a voice right now. Instead she settled for patting her muddy hair and tugging her alone.
Vale had proven more difficult to escape than anticipated; security was tight. Far too tight. Naruto's deeds left the police anxious, and anxious officers were the worst sort. They'd only just made it back to Mountain Glenn after days of walking. Never again! Neo despised the countryside. She wasn't meant for rural life; she thrived in cities and civilization, not in the rough. Her hair was a mess, her clothes dirty, she hadn't had any ice cream in days, she needed a bath and nopenopenope!
"Why?" her ward asked anew as she tugged her along.
Neo felt her smile slip. Just a little.
Why? Because she knew what it was to be nothing; to not have a voice, to not be heard by those around her. To be beaten. Used. Abused. Roman had saved her form that, and damnit, she was determined to save this little shit, too. Even if said brat was determined to hide her name; even if she fought her kicking and screaming.
Irritated, she whipped out our scroll and keyed in a message; one she held out for them to see.
"Because I want to. Deal with it."
Her ward blinked at that, bright eyes widening.
A shiver passed through the tiny thing. "For such a reason...?"
She stopped resisted as Neo tugged her along by the wrist, heedless of her protests.
True, the girl wouldn't identify herself, but she'd been able to draw a few conclusions based on the scarce amount of information presented. Whoever this run was, she hailed from Mistral. The accent gave it away, it not her pale skin. Underneath all that dirt, she was almost ghostly white. Tiny, too. Her eyes kept flickering with scarlet flames. Strange, that. Her ears were odd, too. Almost elven-like.
Just who was she? Red eyes and white hair, clad in battered scarlet rags. Didn't sound like anyone she knew...
Mystery and magic aside, it felt damn good to be home again. Really, this dump was starting to look downright habitable these days, if not quite cozy. All around her, the Glenn heaved with activity. Now if she could just find a certain blond somewhere among them before a certain cat got her claws into him-aha!
She spied a shock of blond hair among the crowd, emerging now from a nearby building.
His back was pivoted towards her; Neo knew she couldn't shout, much less reach him from here.
Naturally, she chose a third option.
Mismatching eyes spied a pebble in the street. She snatched it up and winged it at his shoulder. Naruto caught it without looking back. Even from here she could see him grind the tiny stone into fine powder between his fingers. She shivered a little at the sight.
Mine.
"There you are." When he turned to face her at last, she beheld the bags under his eyes. Was he sleeping well? "I was wondering where you went...
He saw the child beside her and frowned. His pace slowed, becoming less a jog and more a sedate walk.
...and who is this?"
He knelt before them, considering the little girl in red rags as one might a baby bird.
When face with such a visage, the poor girl panicked.
"No! Stay away!"
Neo jerked aback as an explosion of heat and light went off right in the blond's face. For an awful moment she feared the worst...until she heard him cough. The power was weak. Untrained. Naruto sputtered and waved the smoke away, his whiskered visage. only mildly singed.
"That was rude. I was only saying hello."
"You're scary!" the girl hid behind Neo. "Scary person!"
Naruto looked like he'd just been stabbed. "How am I scary...?"
Glowing eyes regarded him, pulsing with frantic flames, fear...and tears. Neo reached around to pat her head and was rewarded with a tiny sniffle. Naruto's lone eye sought hers, to which she shrugged. If she thought he was scary, there wasn't much she could do about it.
"Well, shit." Naruto swore softly. "I didn't mean to scare you, kiddo. What's your name?
The little girl regarded him warily, but she didn't attack again. Aha! Progress!
...Klee." she muttered at last. "Her name is Klee."
He sighed. "That's not your real name, is it?"
She fixed her eyes firmly to the floor, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Naruto bit back a sigh. "You hungry?"
Klee's tiny tummy grumbled in response.
Neo flashed him a thumbs up. The fastest way to a hungry child's heart was through their stomach.
"Let's get her something to eat." Naruto shrugged helplessly. What's one more outcast? The more the merrier!"
A/N: EDIT: Yes, THAT Klee from Genshin Impact. She's a cute little bugger...and a Maiden, though I'll not say which.
As ever, the Embers rule Remains. If folks don't like this story, poof! Gone! Deleted! That's no joke.
Strange as it might sound, live for reviews and feedback; without them, I simply can't write a single word. So by all means! Speak up! Really, that's no joke. Your feedback is the reason this story continues. Ever bit helps. It keeps me going in these crazy times. So by all means! Speak up! No review is too short or too small!
As ever, read the previews before you review, please.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews.
SUR~PRI~SE~!
(Preview)
"Fight me."
Naruto's brow shot into his hair.
"Sienna, no. Bad kitty. You don't want that."
"Yes, I do! I want everyone here to see what you're capable of!"
Satin stomped a foot. "Maybe I should try, then. I've been training. I'm stronger now."
"You?" the tiger faunus frowned at her with thinly veiled scorn. "You couldn't fight your way out of a wet paper bag."
Her head slammed into Sienna's. "Is that a challenge?!"
"Wanna make it one? I'll thrash you!"
Neo stomped a foot silently.
"For the love of...!" Naruto flung up his arms. "Just fight me altogether! You clearly need to work on your teamwork!"
Three pairs of eyes snapped toward him.
"Up!"
Naruto sighed and let Velvet clamor onto his right shoulder. "Greedy girl."
Emerald dithered a little, scuffing one foot against the ground.
...what're you doing. I've got a free hand."
She all but latched onto his palm.
"You're under arrest!"
"Adorable. How high is the bounty on me now?"
Glynda continued to watch from the shadows. And as she did, so too did she continue to learn.
Distrust for Beacon was at an all time high; to say nothing of other huntsmen.
Most Hunters and Huntresses were good. But for every reliable warrior, there were those that abused their power. Now those cases were coming to light.
R&R~!