A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY? 'Tis but a quick one. Sorry~!
EDIT: I've been thinking about calling it quits on this story. Its not getting a very good reception, hardly anyone reviews, and its plagued with hatemail.
Moreover it feels like one of my weaker stories and I...I just don't know if I can bring myself to continue writing this if no one's going to read it.
After all, what am I without feedback? Without it, I feel like nothing...
So...behind...still really sick... X_X
This feels like a job sometimes; like I HAVE to update on certain days rather than others. Writing used to be more fun than this. Coupled with my illness...well...
Huh. That's worrying.
Eh, don't mind me. Just rambling.
Also trying out a Young!Qrow POV here for the first time. Please have mercy.
So lets answer a few quick questions:
Q: Are you doing what I think you're doing?
A: As stated last chapter, the timeline's gone nuts thanks to "Yin" as we know her. Oh, who am I kidding? That name's about as subtle as a hammer. She's been busy running all over Remnant trying to get more and more recruits for Beacon. Result? More students than ever. Why, its almost like she has knowledge of the future and where everyone would be. As if she were trying to gather up as many strong fighters as she can and deny Salem her pawns. Nonsense, of course...? Its not as as if she's a time traveler riiiight? -_-
So I'll say this plain:
Anything. Can. Happen.
It also means no one is safe. No plot armor here!
Q: Well, we know what the main pairing, but what about the rest?! Surely you're going to pair up the rest?!
A: There will be many a pairing beside the main one, and they'll play into the story. You'll love 'em.
Q: Are you going to (REDACTED)
A: Shhhh! Spoilers! Don't say that aloud!
As ever, I own no references, themes or memes. Not a with or a one. Alright then, here we go~!
Looking forward to your reviews, they're all that keep us going in this madness.
"Mom...dad...I won't let you die again. You'll live this time. I swear it. If that means messing with things...
...eh. Already fucked up the timeline already. What's that saying again?
In for a penny, in for a pound. I'll finish what you started."
~?
The Third Fracture
So. This was Initiation, then.
Qrow found himself rather impressed with Beacon thus far, if only because Raven wasn't. His sister had been growling most of the night. At this rate she'd wind up cracking a molar or worse. He'd given up trying to calm her down long. Sis was probably just jealous of all the attention Naruto was getting. Far be it from him to interfere with that mess. If she had a problem with then she could bloody well sort it out herself. The imminent explosion promised to be a spectacular one.
He looked forward to the fire fireworks.
Only a few hours ago the Headmaster had given them some kinda speech about the perils of being a Hunter -really, who didn't know that?!- and had them herded into the auditorium with everyone else. Like the rest, they had been told to shut up, sit the hell down and find somewhere to sleep. Tomorrow their test would begin. Simple as that.
Qrow liked simple. Simple was good. Also. Hot daaamn.
Now, Qrow wasn't exactly a connoisseur when it came to women, mind you. Oh, he'd seen his fair share back in the tribe, but none like this. No stick thin, ugly bandits these ones. These were, each and every one of them, warriors. All of them strong. Each of them beautiful. There had to be at two dozen potential applicants here. A single student might give the Tribe trouble by their lonesome. But all of them? Together? They'd not stand a chance. Hell, one of those girls looked like she could snap Raven over her knee like a twig! Raven, for crying out loud!
And that was ignoring the men! Jeez! What the hell were they feeding these kids?!
"Must be something in the water." he muttered to himself, shaking his head as he leaned against a wall. "That, or Beacon's got high standards...
Naruto had noticed too, or rather he'd been noticed himself. Trapped with a sullen Schnee on one arm and a glaring Goodwitch on the other with no escape in sight, his friend looked to be at his wits end. Poor bastard. He hadn't been able to get away from them since they'd found him again.
"Look, there's really no need to fight." he heard his friend call across the room. "Lets just have the chips fall where they may tomorrow, eh?"
Raven absolutely hissed in her sleeping bag.
Qrow quirked a dark brow. "You just gonna leave him like that?"
For a moment, he thought she might. Instead she rolled over and slammed a pillow over her head.
Some might call Naruto dense. Qrow knew better. That one was sharper than he let on. He knew full well why they were fighting over him and he wanted no part of it. He flicked a desperate look Qrow's way and was all but ignored for it. Heh. Bastard could stand to suffer a little for once. Puberty had hit him like a truck, giving him a roguish smile and debonair charm. Maybe his Semblance really was luck based after all. At least when it came to women.
Really, Qrow almost pitied him. He preferred his a little less...fussy. Small wonder Raven was seething. She wasn't used to competition.
And these girls were fit make no mistake about that. She'd have her work cut out for her. Nope. He wasn't going anywhere near that landmine. Blondie might make a good brother-in-law someday -assuming he managed to drag Raven to the altar!- but such a day was still long in coming. For now he'd settle in and watch the show. Shame he hadn't brought popcorn-
A hand tugged on his sleeve. "Um...excuse me?"
Red eyes met silver as the younger Branwen dragged himself upright and sure enough, he found the culprit. He found himself face to face with a girl clad in a white cloak and dark traveling leathers. Unlike the rest, she'd not bothered with her pajamas. Ouch. Sleeping in leather wasn't fun. Or perhaps she simply didn't have anything else to wear. Some people came to Beacon with naught but the clothes on their backs. An upswing of pity had him sitting up just a little straighter. At least this one had
"Well, hey, little lady." he put on what he hoped was a charming smile as he addressed her. "What can I do for you?"
She wrinkled her nose at him. "Could you tell your friend to quiet down? Some of us are trying to sleep."
Qrow's spirits fell faster than his head against his chest. Bloody blond bastard. "Yeah, sure...
"Thanks!" she sauntered away with a smile and a wink. "Good luck tomorrow~!"
Naruto staggered over five minutes later, looking rather worse for the wear. Hair rumpled and clothes disheveled, right sleeve torn and missing his left shoe, he somehow managed to look both irritated and faintly amused at the same time. Raven paid him no heed. She was already sound asleep. Qrow, on the other hand...
"Sorry about that." he scowled as the whiskered warrior granted him a jaw-popping yawn. "Couldn't get away."
Qrow lobbed a pillow at him. Naruto didn't even try to dodge. He took the feathery missile to the face with sound and aplomb and crashed backward like a fallen elm. By virtue of grace or just blind luck he landed atop his sleeping bag. Within moments he began to snore. Even in sleep, Raven sensed the movement. She rolled over to latch onto his right arm, claiming it for her own. Tch. Qrow clicked his tongue ruefully at the sight. Raven really was more honest when she was asleep.
Alone at last, the younger Branweb sighed ruefully and tucked himself in.
"The things I put up with for family...
Sleep came swiftly.
(.0.0.0.)
Morning was a rushed and torrid affair.
In the Tribe you woke early, ate early, trained early. It was a way of life. Beacon was no exception. As such, the unlikely trio secured a hardy breakfast of bacon and eggs for themselves well before most of the would-be students would even dream of rising. Early bird gets the worm and whatnot. Likewise their lockers were placed almost perilously close to one another, and as such they were able to secure their weapons with only a mere modicum of fuss. What came after however...
"Everyone got their gear?"
"Of course." Raven slammed her locker shut as she touched a hand to Omen's massive sheathe.
"Speak for yourself." Qrow leaned around his locker and fixed him with a baleful glare as he secured Harbinger to his back. "You've been glaring at that note for the for the last minute." Black brows waggled at him. "Got a secret admirer?"
Naruto glared bloody red daggers at him over one shoulder. "No."
Prophecy was lighter than it should be. He'd already checked her firing mechanism and found it squeaky clean. It shouldn't be. Someone had cleaned his weapon, sharpened its edge, and restocked what little ammo was left in the chamber. He'd been running perilously low before they came to Beacon and swore to use its long-range form only for emergencies. No longer. Now, his glower was focused upon the the bandoleer of ammunition he'd found in his locker and the note left behind. It held but three lines of dialogue for him:
Oughta treat your weapon better, whiskers.
Good luck out there today~!
~Yin.
He crumpled the note and stashed it in his pocket before Raven could see it or throw a fit. It was her again. Yin. That meddling blond woman. What did she want with him? Omen and Harbinger didn't look to have been repaired whatsoever; not by his reckoning at any rate. Which meant she'd singled him out, found his locker, extracted his weapon and done all this overnight. Why? Too many questions, not enough answers. With a long-suffering sigh, he slipped the bandoleer over his chest, ignoring Raven's questing expression. Best not to look a gift horse in the mouth...for now.
They had a test to pass. Naruto pondered that for a moment, his gaze slipping over the milling students in the locker-room.
Dozens of applicants had come to Beacon this year. Some were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager for the fresh term ahead and the chance to do good. Others looked cold and hard, determined to triumph over their peers at any cost. Initiation would be more than fierce. It promised to be bloody, if not entertaining. Just the way Raven and Qrow liked it.
And how did he feel about that?
Part of him was glad to be out of the Tribe and its clannish ways; but their lessons were ingrained into him and not so easily ignored. They weren't here to pick fights. They were here to learn for the next four years. Then what? They'd return to the Tribe and share what they'd learned. And then? His mind continued to question. There would be more raids. With proper Huntsman training, the Tribe would become the bane of Mistral and all beyond it. They would be a plague upon the weak. None would stand in their way.
...did he want that?
"So its settled, then?" he shook the traitorous thought away as he closed and secured his locker. "Whatever happens, we'll stick together?"
Qrow heard the pleading note in his voice and nodded. "Works for me. I'd rather be on team with the two of you."
Raven rolled her eyes, but didn't deign to challenge him. "I'll have a portal ready. We'll stay together.
Try as he might he couldn't let it be; he gave her head a quick pat. "Try not to die before that."
"HA?!" she squawked and swatted his arm away. "You'd perish long before me!"
His forehead smashed against hers with a smirk. "Nu-uh!"
She pushed right back. "Yeah-huh!"
"Children!" Qrow pushed himself between them before they could come to blows. "This is my life now."
"Quite so!" A hand came down on his shoulder as new voice chimed dangerously close to his ear. "You'd best get used to it. My, but those are nice weapons! Wherever did you get them?"
The younger Branwen whirled with a yelp and thrashed his way free. "The hell?!"
"Now, now! No need to be rude~!"
All eyes rounded on the newcomer, a young man with bright eyes set in a pale face, framed by dark brown hair bound in a wicked braid.
Raven set a hand to Omen's hilt. "And you are...?"
Whomever he was, he was, he undoubtedly a faunus, made more than evident by the long chitinous tail curling behind him. Clad in a dark leather coat thrown over a strange outfit with matching trousers and black boots, he looked utterly unassuming...if one ignored his smile. He didn't seem quite right in the head, Naruto thought. He was too jovial. Too happy by half. Even now those golden orbs sparkled with a strange giddy glee; almost as if he were enjoying some great, twisted joke. His smile twisted still further as he sketched a languid bow before them.
"Why, friends! My name is Tyrian!" with a merry giggle, the newcomer straightened and clapped his hands in thinly-veiled delight. "And when I saw the three you, I just had to come and make your acquaintance!"
Naruto noted the strange knives mounted to the young man's wrists with a frown. "How so?"
"Yeah, what gives?" Qrow growled. "Start talking, or start spittin' teeth."
"There it is! That's the look! The one I've been searching for." the young man crooned, rubbing his palms together. "Its so nice to meet someone who understands. The three of you are killers, through and through. Just like me. You're not afraid to spill blood. Oh, no!" he tittered happily when the trio exchanged an uneasy glance between themselves. "With you here, perhaps things" won't be so boring for me and my goddess after all."
Naruto blinked. "Wait, did you say god-
"Tyrian Callows!" a dark blue crashed into the madman's back, sending him reeling. "I told you not to run off!"
The energetic man whined. "Awww, but Kali! You told me to make friends!"
"Not like this!" A dark-haired girl clad in darker leathers regarded them warm amber eyes and a rueful smile. Naruto had all of instant to take in the dark ears twitching atop her head -another Faunus!- before she rounded on her victim and gave him a good knock upside the head. "What were you thinking?!"
"I wasn't...?"
"Don't mind him, he's a bit of a spaz. And he's harmless. Erm...well, mostly." With one hand she reeled the wiry man back by an ear. "Come along, Tyrian. We still need to wake up Ghira and Marcus...lazy bums decided to sleep in. I'll show them what for!"
Rather than struggle the taller student capitulated shamelessly and let himself be led along. "As my queen commands~!"
She huffed and dragged him away. "I've told you to stop calling me that!"
"Well. That happened." Naruto frowned after the aspiring hunters, idly recalling prophecy he'd been told so long ago. "That's gotta be the scorpion...
"This place is ridiculous." Raven tossed her head, dark hair swaying. "First that madwoman, then those two clinging off you, now this...?"
For once, Qrow tried to play peacekeeper. "They let us in, didn't they?"
"Bah!" Raven granted him an angry sneer. "Only because that bitch stuck her nose where it didn't belong. I'll be sure to hack it off first chance I get."
Qrow swore softly as heads turned in their general direction. Naruto slapped a hand to his forehead and muttered a curse of his own. Best put a stop to that before she said -or did!- something foolish. With a smile on his face and a scowl in his heart, he took Raven by the shoulders and steered her away from the others before her tongue could wag further. Only once he'd drawn her around a corner and out of sight did he dare speak.
"Don't say that out loud. You don't know who might be listening."
"Why not?" she shrugged him off with a huff, put out by his anger. "She's an enemy; one who owes us a debt of blood."
"That may well be, but don't go shouting it to the heavens!" he jabbed a finger into her face and her closed, stubborn expression. "We haven't gotten into Beacon yet."
His words didn't draw a wince from Raven, but they silenced her all the same. Neither of them wanted to go crawling back to the Tribe with their tails between their legs. They'd never live it down. Exile would be the least of their worries. Silas might even kill them for such a miserable failure. Of course, neither wished to admit that.
She batted his hand away. "You're a coward."
"And maybe you're too damn hotheaded for your own good!"
Raven went terribly still. All the blood drained from her face and for a moment he thought she might draw her blade on him. Instead she drew herself up, looked him square in the eye, and spat at his feet. Her position made clear, she flounced off with a huff. It was as much a dismissal as anything else. Stubborn bird. She would sooner throw herself on her own blade than admit her wrongdoing. Chasing her now would only stoke her temper to new heights. Worse, he wanted to realize those heights; to see just how far she could be pushed before she well and truly snapped.
He longed to chase her down and have it out with her, put an end to this once and for all. The kindness in him wouldn't allow it.
Maybe Raven was right. Maybe he was getting soft. In the Tribe, they would've broken bones over this.
Now, rather than pursue, he watched her go a frown. "Who put a bee in her bonnet...?"
It wasn't hard to find Qrow and share that opinion with him.
"Maybe go easy on her, yeah?" mercifully, the younger Branwen didn't rib him for it. "She's having a bad day." A long-suffering sigh escaped him when the blond refused to answer. "C'mon, we better find her before she does something stupid...
Shaking his head he turned and stalked right back the way he'd come.
He bounced off someone. "Hey, watch where you're...going...?"
His jaw clicked open.
Holy hell this girl was tall. Nearly as tall as him, clad in a blouse and combat skirt of purest amber, the better to show off her long legs and toned arms. Rich ebony hair ran down her back in curly ringlets, framing a tan face from which eyes of midnight grey shone. A pair of golden gauntlets sheathed each arm to the elbow, sparkling with dust gems near the knuckles and center. She hadn't even felt him bump into her; didn't even notice his presence at all. Perhaps that had as much to do with As he looked on, she finished attaching it to her arm and slammed her locker shut.
Qrow whistled.
"Really, Hazel?" she rounded on him with a growl, anger clouding her tan face. "You really don't need to keep an eye on me-oh." her words trailed off as she truly beheld him. "I'm sorry. I thought you were my twin. He's skulking around her somewhere."
Naruto wasn't rightly sure who Hazel was, but if he was built anything like this girl, he wasn't sure he wanted to meet the man. "And you are...?"
She smiled at that innocent inquiry, a smile so full of life and light that Naruto couldn't help but grin despite himself. She seemed alright.
"Gretchen Rainart, at your service." she clasped Qrow by the arm and shook him. "Nice to meet you! Who's your friend?"
Qrow didn't quite seem to hear Gretchen. His eyes were wide indeed. "I think I'm in love. Marry me."
Naruto couldn't help himself; he crashed backward with a wild guffaw, legs kicking at the air.
Gretchen's tan face turned seven shades of scarlet. "E-E-E-Excuse me?!"
Mercifully, the loudspeaker spared her further embarrassment.
"Will all applicants please report to the cliffs for Initiation. I repeat; all Beacon applicants please report to the cliffs for Initiation...
(.0.0.0.)
And so it began.
Everyone was ushered outside to the cliffs in short order, and bid to stand upon a series of strange metal pads overlooking the Emerald Forest. Naruto saw the Headmaster awaiting them and wasn't at all surprised to find Yin standing at his side. It stood to reason someone like her would have Ozpin's ear. She was more than he'd thought. She saw them and flashed him a saucy wink their way.
Raven growled at her, all but spitting sparks.
Before them, the headmaster rattled off of a quick speech that most didn't bother to pay attention to, focused on the forest below.
"For years you have trained to become warriors." the distinguished warrior spared each of them a keen look. Some flinched. Others didn't. "And today your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
Naruto , even a child could figure that out. Some of the applicants were children. He was fairly certain one or two of them had to be underage. He spied a girl clad in a white cloak who barely came up to his chest. Tiny little thing. She couldn't have been older than sixteen at best, and that was stretching it. She caught him looking and dared a tentative wave. Naruto returned it, feeling like a clod for staring.
"Alright brats, I'm know a lotta of ya are probably wondering about team assignments." Yin stepped up beside Ozpin to continue where he'd left off. "Well, don't worry! Everyone's getting a partner...today."
A nervous murmur passed through the applicants. Raven spat on the floor.
"These teammates will be with you for the remainder of your time at Beacon." Ozpin rose to the occasion. "So it is in your best interests to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said," he continued, "The first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
Qrow gulped.
"After you've partnered up," the headmaster bulled on relentlessly, "Make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything or you will die."
Naruto pinched the brow of his nose. But still, the Headmaster wasn't finished.
"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation. But our instructors will not intervene unless one of your is in imminent peril." his words were a death knell to their hopes. "Being rescued by them will, of course, result in immediate disqualification. I suggest you prepare yourselves."
To his left, Qrow drew Harbinger. On his right, Raven brandished Omen. Other took head and readied their own weapons.
Naruto flicked Prophecy from her sheathe. The blade warmed in his grasp, ready for her bloody work.
"You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path, containing several relics." the headmaster's gaze was like a dagger now, cutting into each and every one of them. "Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, upon which you will be graded appropriately." without warning, a smile broke through his glacial facade. "In the meantime, feel free to use your own landing strategy."
Naruto's blood ran cold. Landing strategy. Ohhh this boded poorly. A few paces down, Gretchen grinned.
"Finally, and most important of all, there are a limited number of relics." Yin's words dashed that grin. "There's more than three dozen of you here today, and we only have so much room in Beacon. So lets set some ground rules." Lovely lilac eyes flitted from one student-hopeful to the next, seeking them out in turn. "You don't get a relic within the time limit? You fail. You leave the forest without a relic, you fail. Try to cheat and you guessed it, you fail! Any questions?
A few hands rose. In blatant defiance of said questions, Yin raised a remoted and pressed a big red button within. More than once.
"Too bad!" a peal of delighted laughter filled the air, drowning out the shouts that followed. "Ready! Set! Go!"
Naruto dropped down on his haunches and tensed his knees in preparation of what was to come.
He was not prepared.
All the pads went off at once, catapulting everyone into the air in a cacophony of startled cries. Chaos ensued. Doubtless everyone expected to be launched one by one in a neat, orderly sort of fashion. Not this year. Some were unlucky and suffered a short, sudden drop to the forest below. Others collided with one another in midair and went crashing to the ground. And others...
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH~!"
Naruto shot into the air with a wild whoop and arrowed into the distance, grinning like a madman.
This was it. This was his moment. This was what he lived for.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
(.0.0.0.)
Qrow hit the tree and swore a bloody streak all the way down.
"Shit, shit, shit!"
Aura crackled angrily as he crumpled to the forest floor with a bloodied nose, well short of the others. High above he heard the harsh crack of broken branches and angry ammunition as the others forged their own landing strategy. No help came for him. Raven could cut a portal to him if she really wanted to, but he didn't think she would or could while soaring through the air like this. She was being bitchy. Her head wasn't on straight. No scroll reception call her, either. Beacon really had thought of everything. Against his better judgement, he decided to stay put and wait for his sister to come her senses.
"Loook ouuuut!"
Someone crashed through the canopy overhead. Literally. Against his better judgement, young Qrow accidentally looked up.
A blur of white and red burst from the branches to dangle by her bootstraps like some kind of mad puppet. Hang upside down, dark hair a halo across her face, a visage which soon turn red as blood rushed to her cheeks. Qrow's mind gibbered. Close! Way too close! Her nose nose brushed his, a bright pair of familiar silver eyes mere inches from his own. Silver orbs met red. The former blinked thrice. Narrowed. Widened.
Summer Rose tilted her head and managed an awkward wave. "Little help, here~?"
Qrow Branwen buried his head in his hands.
"Me and my bad luck...
(.0.0.0.)
Damn Qrow.
Damn Naruto.
Damn them both!
Raven seethed as she hacked her way through another Beowolf, only to find herself faced with a second. And a third. Followed by a fourth. Then a fifth. Omen howled in her grasp, its blood-red blade cutting them apart like wheat from so much chaff. This was her bother's semblance at work, she just knew it. What else could it be?! She'd been set upon the moment she landed and the Grimm hadn't let her be since.
She could cut a portal to them right now, but she knew they'd never let her live it down. Qrow might not care, but Naruto? After they fight they'd just had...?
Raven imagined his laughter. His small, satisfied smile.
"Oh? I thought you didn't need my help?"
Braving her blade with both hands she divested an angry Ursa of its head, slashed away a Boarbatusk's calves and whirled into another Beowolf. All the world dissolved into a red blur and she knew naught but the bloody thrill of battle. She became a whirling dervish, ripping and tearing through all who opposed her. Help? Who needed help?! Not her! She was Raven Branwen! She needed no one! She'd find the relic on her own and show that bloody blond bastard who was top dog or die trying!
A dark shape burst out of the foliage behind her, jaws gaping wide.
"Shit!" She rounded on the Ursa, already knowing she wouldn't make it in time.
The beast froze. Literally.
Glistening ice crystals burst across its form, rendering it a statue of purest ice. Instinct had her turning, pivoting on one heel to face this new threat.
"Thanks-
Pale blue eyes met red.
Willow Schnee blinked back at her, rapier in hand.
A soft smile bloomed across her face. "You're welcome."
Raven threw her head back and howled her fury to the world. "AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto hit the ground running.
"Gotta find Raven, gotta find Raven, gotta find Raven!"
Of course, that was easier said than done. They'd been launched in all manner of directions. He hadn't even seen where she'd touched down. North? it felt like north.
All the world blurred by as he ran, reduced to a mottled whirl of brown and green. A stray Beowolf blundered across his path and he smashed through it, leaving its severed halves to crash down to the floor. By the time they dissolved he was long gone. In the distance him he heard the sounds of combat. He actively went out of his way to avoid each and every one of them.
Raven and Qrow needed to be on his team. They had to be. He didn't want anyone else.
Sure, Gretchen seemed a decent sort, but he barely knew her. To say nothing of the oddball Tyrian or the noisy Kali. Not that he had anything against Faunus mind you. Beneath all the smile and snark, they might be perfectly nice people. But he wasn't about to seal his future with them. Glynda and Willow...nope, all the nope. They'd kill each other if he didn't kill himself first. They weren't family; weren't part of the tribe. He couldn't trust them to have his back, not in the way Raven and Qrow would.
"You may not have a choice."
Blasted voice. He'd been hearing it an awful lot lately.
Without warning, the brush fell away and he beheld someone before him. They heard him coming and turned. He saw...something. More a blur than a real person. Blue eyes squeezed shut instinctively before he could discern their identity, unwilling to make eye contact. He'd not risk himself. Not a chance in hell!
"Get outta the waaaaay!"
Too fast! He flung up his arms in vain and hollered a warning, both unable and unwilling to stop. They wound up in his arms instead. He bristled as something warm and soft pushed against his chest. His hands got a good handful of something they really shouldn't have and by the time he realized it, really, it was already too late. His legs were still carrying him forward, and whomever he'd snatched up was too startled to react. Branches and brambles tore at his face, all the while
He knew it wasn't Raven.
If it had been her, she would've given him a black eye by now and a broken jaw besides. He hadn't carried her since she was little, and even then it had only ever been piggyback. The memory brought a small, fond smile to his face. It was dashed not a moment later when his current captive began to wriggle and rail in his grasp.
"What are you doing?!" a new voice cried! "Stop, stop, stop! You're going to hit a tree!"
Naruto dared to open his eyes a sliver to see their approaching doom. He slammed them shut just ad quickly, kicked off a mighty bough and skidded to a halt between its towering roots. Even then he didn't dare open his eyes. Not Raven. Definitely not Raven! As long as he didn't make eye contact, he was safe. His arms locked up, refusing to release whomever it was he was holding for fear of retaliation. The faint aroma of vanilla and honey filled his nose when he inhaled. It wasn't an unpleasant scent.
"I beg your pardon," that same, familiar voice spoke softly now, little more a breathy whisper. "But would you kindly put me down?"
"Nope." he smacked his lips in a resounding negative. "No can do. Just pretend this isn't happening."
...could you open your eyes at the very least? You're being rude."
Naruto shook his head. "Sorry. Saving myself for someone."
His captive didn't take very kindly to that. A sharp inhalation was his only warning. Someone flicked his forehead, bringing with it a sudden starburst of stinging pain. His eyes shot open reflexively to glare at the
"Ow! What the hell?!"
Blue scowled into green and all his hard work was undone. Glynda Goodwitch stared back at him with narrow eyes, lidded and intent. Her golden hair was frazzled free and strewn with leaves, glasses hanging askew down the bridge of her nose. Much to his dismay, her cheeks were a pale and pretty pink. Naruto soon saw why.
Oh, dear.
He was still holding her of course but until now he hadn't realized just how he was holding her. One arm hand taken up residence under her legs while the other supporting her back like a groom carrying his bride, tucking her breasts against his chest; like some dark knight carrying a princess straight out of a fairytale. The young woman balked at him. Naruto balked right back. His shoulders slumped, even as a spark of anger flared to life in his chest. Eye contact. Blast it. Of all the people...! For what felt like an eternity, neither blond moved. Neither blinked. Neither breathed. Quite suddenly, someone did.
Naruto set Glynda down and stalked over to the nearest tree trunk he could find.
Upon reaching it, he placed both hands against the bark and reared back.
He smashed his head against it. Repeatedly.
A/N: Well, I did say to expect the unexpected.
Last chance to cast your votes for teams! Because Initiation is OVER as of next chapter.
So lets clarify! Thanks to the efforts of "Yin" and her meddling we have Hazel, Gretchen, Tyrian, Kali, Ghira and Marcus in Beacon. And those are just the ones you've seen! No OC's here! Those are all actual characters from the show. Even Marcus. I'm sure some of you may recognize him.
There are more you've not see. Rumpole for example, whom we will see in the next chapter, hails from the latest RWBY novel.
Aaaaaand there we go. Beacon ahoy! That's right! Wham! Bam! Over and done! Honestly, its the bane of my existence. I HATE writing initiation for RWBY. Not quite sure why, its just a major pet peeve of mine, and I can never seem to get it to flow the way I want. There's a reason I tend to avoid it like the plague. Just A Bit of Bread was one such example; in that initiation dragged on way too long for my liking! So I decided to make things short, sweet, and simple.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review Would You Kindly?
Oh, and before I forget. One last time!
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS BELOW!
BEWARE!
(Preview)
Naruto pinched his nose.
"This is not happening...
Qrow wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry.
"Well, I guess this works...
"Best team ever!"
Raven sulked. "Speak for yourself."
"Maiden...?!"
"Yup. And I won't die here. I will rip and tear." Lilac eyes burned with violet flames as she climbed back to her feet. "Until it is done."
A wordless gurgle greeted her.
"Don't be a sore loser, hun." Yin flashed her a saucy wink. "All's fair in love and war. My old man taught me that. And this?" She snarled and gave her victim a good hard kick between their broken ribs. "This is war." Bereft of balance, they toppled over the cliff with a wordless shriek and vanished between the trees. Unsatisfied, Yin leaped down after them, her hair burning gold.
"Don't go runnin' away now!" he voice rose over the thunder high above. "We're just gettin' started!"
R&R~!
