A/N: EDIT: Aaaaand the trolls come out of the woodwork again. Added some more content, not that anyone noticed T_T
Still, feels good to get back to this.
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
And still, I try my best to persist with the daily updates. Why, you ask? Oddly enough, it keeps me sane.
I really can't write without feedback, sad as it sounds. Sorry to bother you...T_T
Now for a few questions. I'll try to keep it short this time around:
Q: More Neo screentime!
A: As you wish...
Q: This...might seem like a bit of an obvious question, but just how angry is Naruto right now?
A: Angry enough. We're jumping ahead a single day to showcase that.
Q: More of Glynda's past! We demand it!
A: Now, now, I can't reveal all that at once, it would spoil the surprise...
Q: I have a bad feeling about Summer. Surely you won't...?
A: Won't what?
Q: Can we get a concrete list of who's vying for Naruto as of THIS chapter?
A: I've definitely answered this before, but sure. Presently we've got Sienna, Neo, Satin and a curious Glynda in contention.
Q: Well, I think we all know who had the Belladonas attacked. I mean really, Glynda made it obvious. We can see who benefits from more discord.
A: Do we? Do we really? And now that Glynda's accidentally outed herself...well. Read and see.
Q: Somebody snag Blake! We've got a crazy kitty on the loose!
A: *laughs* I'm sorry, that really tickled me.
Q: Salem's keeping her hands out of Mountain Glenn, right? Or is she be sending someone?
A: Strange way of phrasing that, but aye, I'll repeat what's been said. At this point? She's laughing her arse off. Her inner circle, too.
Poor, poor Cinder is in for a nasty surprise down the road if she tries to control Roman in the future.
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!
"There's nothing wrong with being angry, kid. People get pissed all the time.
Its what you choose to do with that anger...that defines you.
So you're mad. Alright. Find yourself an outlet. Simple.
Take the kids out. Go hunting. Teach em a bit.
How bad could it be?"
~Roman.
Partners in Passion
Adam watched Death dance before him.
Naruto's sword met a Beowolf in a whirl of red plasma, effortlessly bifurcating the beast at the waist, arm, and upper torso. It dropped with a yowl. That wasn't enough for the blond. A snarl tore past his lips and he raked his weapon around, lopping off the beast's head in a savage crosscut that scarred the earth beneath. Its body had only just begn to dissolve when he whirled onto the next smashing a rasengan down into the barrel chest of a Berringel. The blast carried the beast away into the trees; from the blond moved onto the next, then the next, a red riot that cut the creatures apart like wheat from chaff.
They fell before him in droves. None could stand before his wrath.
Adam was just a child. If there was a better method to describe this massacre before him he couldn't find it. Perhaps there was a another way to describe the one-sided slaughter that followed; how Naruto fought, his flips and ripostes, the graceful arcs of his blade as he scythed the enemy down. But if so, he didn't know it; only that he longed for such power. More than anything, he wanted to learn from him.
A power like that could save everyone and everything he held dear. Yet in that same vein, this terrified him.
Naruto had been in a foul mood since yesterday's failed attack on the Belladonas. Not cold, but driven. Supposedly he'd be interrogating the prisoner again tomorrow. Today he taken them out into the wilds and cut a path for them to follow. Not far from the walls of the Mountain Glenn at first, nor enough to make his point...until he'd led them deeper.
Now the trees loomed large and red eyes glowered at them from the dark.
Guarded by a squad of clones though they were, he confessed a certain sense of anxiety. He'd never been this far out into the badlands before; he wasn't sure he every wanted to again. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. Velvet and Emerald were only a heartbeat behind. Neo waved her hand in a so-so motion as she brought up the rear. Her actions earned a scowl.
"Haven't we walked far enough...? And why is SHE here?"
Neo cocked her head and blinked at him.
"Now you've done it...she'll be after you for this." Naruto sighed. His brow turned thunderous when his erstwhile partner flicked a hand at him. "No, you can't beat him into the ground. That's not why we're here. I already told you that...!"
Neo recoiled.
Velvet gulped. "Papa...?"
Naruto exhaled, and the dark specter of rage fled from his whiskered visage.
"I'm sorry." he plastered a smile onto his face in its place. "Just got a lot on my mind. In any case, I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you all the way out here."
A nevermore shrilled somewhere high overhead, eliciting a flinch from the children. Adam grimaced. He knew this training was meant to distract them; to keep their minds off yesterday's short, sharp burst of violence. In truth he considered it a fair bargain. If a bit of violence was what it took to get some actual training in, he was all for it. Even if it did bring them into Grimm territory.
"Ahem!" Naruto's cough snapped him back to reality. "Are you paying attention?"
Shoot. He'd spaced out. "Um...yessir?"
His mentor sighed. "...I'm getting off track, aren't I?"
Adam dared a nod, one mirrored by Emerald and Velvet.
"Right," the wayward warrior took a deep breath to center himself, clapped his hands, and nodded once. "I've brought you all out here for a bit of weapons training. Moreover," his gaze flitted over them, "Taurus prefers a sword, so most of this will translate well to him...
Adam cast a mournful glance to the sword jammed through his belt.
It was a crude blade without a sheathe. barely able to hold a proper charge from his semblance. Using it would shatter the steel within one swing. He'd need a proper one forged soon. Maybe a mechashift. He already had a design in mind; he'd even picked out a name for it. Alas, for now, he'd have to settle with this poor substitute.
...likewise, it would work well for Neo too, though she already has Hush...
The little minx huffed and stamped a foot.
...not that she needs any lessons."
An irritated Ursa bounded at him as he spoke; Naruto tutted, sidestepped its lumbering charge and decapitated it in the blink of an eye. Its mighty body toppled backward like a fallen elm as he turned back to them. Neo clapped her hands and bounded in thinly veiled glee, but it was not to her that Naruto looked.
"Emmy, you still want to use sickles, right? I saw you going over the designs with Sienna.
Emerald stiffened. Dark cheeks flushed at the nickname, but she offered a tentative nod. "Y-Yeah...
"I've spoken to the weapon-smiths in the Fang; there's something they might be able to whip up for you."
Red eyes shone with glee. "Really?"
"Yup. As for Velvet," his gaze shifted to the only other Faunus among them, "That photographic memory of yours gave me an idea long before this fiasco started." he held up a finger. "You might have to wait a little longer for your weapon, but it'll be worth it, trust me."
Long ears drooped atop her head. "Aw...
"Now, now," he reached out to tussle her hair. "don't be that way. After all...
Naruto leaned in and whispered something to here then; whatever it was proved too soft for Adam to hear in its entirety, but it had her perking up all the same. Something about a camera? What use would that? Sure, the flash might be used to blind an opponent, but still...?
There must've been more to it; because her eyes sparkled as he pulled away.
"For real?"
"Yup." Naruto smacked his lips.
She latched onto his sleeve. "For really real?
"Oi! I already said yes. No need to ask twice, now."
She hugged his torso tight, squeezing him for all she was worth. "Best daddy ever!"
"Urk." A rare spot of color hit their mentor's cheeks. "Damn kids are gonna be the dead of me." he coughed into a fist to master himself. "You three will make one helluva team once all is said and done. Four," and here his nose wrinkled in mild anger, "If a certain cat ever deigns to join us."
Adam flinched. He still hadn't been able to find Blake. More than that, those words resonated with them.
Still, the unlikely trio shared a curious look among themselves. With his training they would be better than any Hunter could ever be, but still the ingrained desire to attend one of the academy was there; it was something every child aspired to. Adam's mind took it and ran with it. Academy or not, there team would need a name. What would they even be called...?
Naruto stilled suddenly.
"Alright. Seems the break's over. Let the lesson begin."
The brush rustled only a yard away as their first contender emerged.
"The key is control." Naruto held up his blade and took a brisk step forward. Rose red light carved through an enraged Boarbatusk, carving through it as one would cut a cake. The beast dropped with a squeal, wounded yet still dangerous. "When ya swing, don't try to force your weapon in a given direction unless you absolutely have to. Like so." a quick step carried him forward, where he thrust his blade into the pig's thigh. It rounded on him in a whirl of black-on-white, only for a quick kick to send it sprawling. "Likewise, its best to keep your opponent off balance-
Velvet shrieked a warning as the Grimm rose behind him. "Behind you!"
Their mentor didn't even deign to look back; even when the wounded Boarba lunged at his exposed flank.
Neo intercepted it a heartbeat later. A surgical swipe carved through the beast's tusks and sent it tumbling to the floor.
Emerald was still taking notes; Adam heard the faint skritch-skritch-skritch of her pen against paper. She'd been at it since he'd started. From one urchin to another, he admired her dutifulness. Her semblance was better suited to subterfuge and distraction; as such, she'd left nothing to chance.
...you don't have to take notes, kiddo."
Naruto paused for a moment to let their subject recover and cocked his head to the side, perhaps listen for some unheard voice. At length, he nodded.
"Your weapon must be an extension of yourself." he intoned. "Not a separate entity. Don't think of it as such."
Steam burst between his teeth as he swung out again. For a moment, black fire almost seemed trail after his blade. No, wait. Adam's good eye widened. That wasn't his imagination! Mindless to the end, the Boarbatusk lunged. Somehow, it managed to dodge the first swing...or so it seemed.
Something sparked in the air and bits of black ash spattered the ground.
"Special techniques aside, its all in the breathing." Naruto straightened with a grunt, breath frosting in the cool air. "Find your center, trust your instincts, and you'll be just fine."
A harsh crash drowned out the rest of his words.
Soon enough the source revealed itself; an absolutely massive deathstalker burst through the trees to challenge them. The girls screamed. Adam held his ground even as his heart quaked in anticipation. In his peripherals Neo cocked her head, considering it as one might a fat turkey. Adam was not of the same mind. He'd never seen such a large beast before. Where had it come from?!
Naruto hummed. "Perfect timing. Adam, draw your sword."
Instinct compelled him to obey; trembling fingers latched onto his hilt and drew it free. The giant scorpion took offense and clicked its pincers at them.
Naruto gave a sharp whistle. "C'mon, ugly! We're waiting!"
A furious hiss pierced the misty air.
Emerald drew back. "Dad...?"
"You mentioned your semblance lets you charge up energy in your blade." Naruto ignored her and knelt beside Adam. "Hold it out for me."
Adam complied - and immediately flinched as his mentor slammed a clenched fist into the blade. He caught the punch on the flat of the weapon with a grunt and took its energy in, driven back a pace from that single blow alone. Nevertheless his weapon burned a cherry red, not unlike the blond's own weapon.
"There we go." Naruto hummed. "Now raise you sword.
In the background, the Deathstalker charged forward, tearing up the ground in its wake.
Naruto didn't budge; not even when Velvet darted behind him and Emerald did the same. Neo plonked down beside him, content to watch the spectacle. There would be no help there. Adam found himself retreating half a step, fear overtaking him at last. He couldn't do this! There was just no way-
"Don't retreat, Adam."
Naruto's voice held him. His hands came down behind his back, helping him lift the blade well over his head.
"Cast off your fear." his mentor spoke calmly, uncaring of the beast barreling toward them. "Look forward." calloused hands helped him settle into the proper stance. "Never stand still." Just as quickly, they moved to his shoulders, nudging his position yet further. "You can do this." Adam nearly faltered when his mentor stepped back. "Retreat and you will age."
His horns and hair pulsed scarlet.
"Hesitate and you will die."
His semblance pulsed.
"Now strike!"
He did.
At some point his arms must've come down; because he was vaguely aware of the ringing in his ears, of a flash of scarlet light, and the fact that his weapon was no more. The blade burst in his hands, peppering his aura with shrapnel. It didn't matter. With a single strike he'd unleashed his semblance, overcharged to the point of sheer annihilation. A crimson crescent carved forth, splitting the Deathstalker down the middle. Momentum carried it forward, leaving its severed halves to topple away on either side of them, where they crumbled away into ash.
Time snapped back like a rubber band.
Naruto clapped slowly. "And there you have it. See what you can do when you put your mind to it?"
Adam balked, still clutching his shattered hilt. A jagged inch of steel jutted from the blade, no more. Around them, the ruined halves of the Deathstalker continued to crumble.
"I...did that?"
"Yup." Naruto's smile was all teeth. "That was your semblance at its peak. Pretty impressive, huh?"
That word...didn't even begin to describe this. Realization crashed down on him in a cleansing wave. Adam pumped his fist into the air whooped in triumph. Distantly he became aware of Neo patting his back, Velvet all but glomping onto him, and Emerald shouting her own encouragement.
Something screamed back.
No, not a scream. A shriek. His siblings paused, their moment of short-lived. "...what was that?"
Naruto swore softly as another shape emerged from the trees. "Something that shouldn't be here in the first place."
Adam's brow shot into his hair. "Nuckelavee!"
It most certainly was an Elder Grimm, a ghastly caricature straight out of nightmare; a twisted unison between man and horse. It cantered forward slowly at a languid pace, drawn by the destruction, or perhaps the sheer fear they were radiating. Even so, it was a good distance away, and the trees shielded them for now. It didn't see them-
"SKREEEEEEEE!
Until it did.
Its shrill shriek pierced the air, forcing the lot of them -even Neo!- to grimace and cover their ears.
Adam slammed down to a knee. The pain was unlike anything he'd ever felt.
Naruto flicked a wrist and the beast's cry cut off into a pitiful warble. Through squinted eyes, Adam raised his gaze and saw a kunai jutting from the rider's throat. It pawed at it with a spindly arm, to no avail. It lacked the fine motor control to rip the weapon free and succeeded only in digging it deepe. Those hateful red eyes fixed onto him with a furious leer.
"I'm sorry," the blond brayed, drawing its attention yet further. "Did that hurt? Looks like it does."
The Grimm's mount whinnied in anger and surged forward.
"This thing's a little out of your league." Naruto spoke over the ringing in their ears, extinguished his blade, then held the inert hilt at his side, miming a sheathing motion. "Watch closely now."
His eyes closed and his lips moved. In his peripherals, Velvet's right ear twitched. Adam strained his sense as well; in that moment, that sliver of a second, he caught a fragment of his words. Some strange eldritch phrase he didn't recognize; it didn't sound anything like the language he knew. But he recognized the word at the end.
"Burn."
This time there could be no denying the black flames that burst from the plasma blade; it was a smooth cut, simple and clean...and far, FAR beyond anything he could hope to accomplish at his age. The Nuckelavee never saw the black blaze of Amaterasu until it was too late. The dark haze of flame struck it head on. Death was instant. Rider and mount collapsed bonelessly; their shared body falling away like so much dust. Its corpse gave a single, futile twitched and lay still, crumbling before their eyes.
Velvet cooed softly. "Pretty...
"Pretty, she says." Emerald rolled her eyes. "Terrifying, more like."
Naruto considered his handiwork for a long moment, then sheathed his blade.
"C'mon, that's enough for one day...time for bed...
(.0.0.0.)
Later that night, Adam finally gave voice to his frustrations.
"Its not fair! How are you this strong?!"
"Life seldom is." For his part, Naruto down by his wayward pupil as he tucked him into bed. "Way I see it, every life is a pile of good thing and bad things." Velvet bounded up beside him and wriggled into her cot. "The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don't spoil the good things or make them unimportant.
Emerald plonked down in her own bed. "Is that why Atlas is blaming us?"
He was about to say more, but he caught Velvet staring at him.
"Alright." he gave up. "Bedtime it is, then! Lemme tell ya a story...
(.0.0.0.)
Glynda knew a thing or two about discipline.
Granted, she was more accustomed to meting it out than receiving it, but the phrase held true all the same. When correcting the behavior of a wayward student she often chose the stick over the carrot; if only because she couldn't afford anything less. She was strict because she must be; not simply for fear of lapsing back into her old ways; but because if she wasn't, those under her care would make mistakes.
Mistakes got Huntresses and Huntsmen killed everyday. Or in the case of Summer Rose, disgraced.
It was a strange contrast then, to find herself trapped in the role of the one being disciplined rather than the disciplinarian she styled herself. Even now a small part of her squirmed as she hadn't since she was a child; her knees fidgeted restlessly, rubbing against one another as she awaited her fate.
After the madness in the town square, she'd been escorted to a well-furnished room. From there she'd been told to wait.
That had been twenty-four hours ago.
She knew she could break free at any time; they hadn't even taken her weapon from her, not that she needed it with her Semblance. A mere thought would rip the door from its hinges and obliterate the men standing guard without. Few in the Glenn could hold a candle to her, much less stop in her in a fair fight. So, yes. She could leave whenever she wished. But in doing so she'd burn what little goodwill she had here. Any escape attempt she made would damage her already tarnished reputation beyond repair.
Oh gods, Ozpin. Once he realized what happened...
The door creaked open abruptly, startling her.
Naruto slipped through. His eye was bound again - he didn't look much pleased for it- but he still held the door open for his associate. Just as well too; because Roman stalked in after him, chain smoking like no tomorrow would be coming. The latter closed the door almost as an afterthought.
It echoed with a hollow clang, sealing her fate.
"Were you able to find anything?"
"More than I expected, less than I wanted." He pulled out a chair and collapsed into it. "Managed to get some half-decent intel from them yesterday." his body language proved telling in a way his face wasn't; pensive in the worst way. "They were zealots, the both of them. Someone tipped them off." he ground a cigar into the table. "Said it was chance to put the "animals" in their place."
Her mind recoiled from his words as if he'd struck her. "And this means...?
"It means we have a traitor." Roman bit out at last. His gaze shifted to her. "Or at the very least, a nosy woman."
"I had nothing to do with this!" Glynda put in. "If you press him, I'm sure you'll find your answers.
Naruto shook his head.
...no, I won't be getting anymore."
Her hopes deflated like a spent balloon. "Why not?"
"Bastard killed himself." Torcwhick rasped, palming his face. "Neo found him this morning. False tooth. Cyanide capsule. Real hush-hush stuff."
Glynda recoiled. "I didn't realize he was that dedicated."
"Neither did we." Roman grumbled. "Not a total loss for us, though."
"How so?"
"The boss here garnered plenty of goodwill, throwing himself between the Belladonas and that blade. Folks caught the whole thing on their scrolls." here at last, a smile touched his haggard visage. "We didn't have to do a damn thing. People are lapping it up."
"Speaking of people." Naruto's gaze snapped back to Glynda. "So you followed me all the way here?"
She scowled at him. "Don't read into it."
Naruto smiled. "I'm doing all the reading. Now, what are we going to do with you?"
Glynda felt her throat close. "I was never here...?"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Roman wagged a finger at her. "We can't just let you go."
Her brow furrowed. "What do you intend to with me, then?"
Naruto and Roman exchanged a glance.
Their smiles worried her to no end.
A/N: And there we go. Next time: Partners in...?
As ever, the Embers rule Remains.If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. 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)
Ozpin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh, Glynda...
...who are you talking to?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Just a parasite."
"Oi!" Sasuke snarled. "PARASITE?! Apologize!"
Satin stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Naruto sputtered.
Glynda felt the faintest thorn of frustration prick her heart.
It was war.
He wanted nothing more than to do just that.
I can't sleep yet. I need to find Blake.
He expected anger. An outburst, at the very least.
A hand came down on his head, patting him just between his horns.
The smile he received was warm as a sunbeam. "If you see her, don't let her go, Adam. Never let her go."
"You're trying to corrupt me, aren't you?"
Sasuke's specter smiled. "I prefer the term...enlighten.
The silence proved telling.
"I'm not going to betray you, Naruto. I meant that." he waved hand through the air, fingers ghost through a wall. "I can't take control of you; I wouldn't, even if I wanted to. Although...
"Although?"
"I'm thinking you ought to up the ante."
His brow furrowed. "What did you have in mind."
"These targets you're considering, who do they all have in common?"
They hit without warning.
The councilor never saw them coming.
"You've changed things, kid. There's no going back. See, to them, you're just a freak.
Like me, like Neo, even the bunny over there.
So own it. EMBRACE it."
"Go away...
Adam found her in the corner.
"There you are." he crouched down beside her. "You had me worried."
"Its alright." Adam tucked her head into his chest. "You're alright. I could never hate you."
"I'm sorry." she sniffled against his dark shirt. "I just...I wanna go home..
"And you will. Everything's going to be alright. Naruto and Sienna will make sure of it.
"Will they let us go?"
He nodded. "Of course they will."
She crooked out her littlest finger. "Pinky promise?"
The older boy hooked his in hers without hesitation. "I swear it."
She slumped a little, and he caught her.
"Lets get you some food. Would you like that?"
"Do...do they have any tuna?"
"You're in luck." he smiled. "Rex and Fives caught some just this morning...
R&R~!