A/N: Double Update Day! Whoo!
Just updated I'm Only Human a few hours ago, and I wanted to get this out the door as well.
PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY? 'Tis but a quick one. Sorry~!
I had a HELL of a time trying to sort through votes and figure out team names. Now that we've finished that, away we go!
Y'know, this feels like a job sometimes; like I HAVE to update on certain days rather than others.
Case in point, I try to update these RWBY stories monthly; and the rest bi-weekly, if only because I want to keep everything balanced. But at times I find myself slogging through a chapter; then I have to force myself past a nasty writer's block and things get muddled. To be fair, that feeling is few and far between, but still, it alarms me to feel it at all.
Coupled with my illness and my mind...well...huh. That's worrying.
I'll never be paid for any of this. Reviews are the only reward I'll ever receive. Well, that, and the knowledge that somewhen, somewhere, somehow, I made someone smile.
Now then, this chapter's shorter than I'd like; someone called out today and I'm stuck pulling a double. Apologies for that.
Eh, don't mind me. Just rambling.
So lets answer a few quick questions:
Q: Sooo...is Initiation over?
A: Its bloody well about to be~! We can finally get into the main arcs I've planned.
Q: Yin is *SPOILER* isn't she?
A: I mean really, I've been hinting at that for ages now. She's been meddling about for a reason.
Q: TEAMS WHEN?!
A: Teams now!
As ever, I own no references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one. Alright then, here we go~!
Looking forward to your reviews, they're all that keep us going in this madness.
"You don't get it. Trust is the same thing as reliance. Some say its the fault of a coward. In the tribe we couldn't trust anyone but ourselves. Naruto...Qrow...Me...there was a time when any one of us would have stabbed the other in the back for power. And then we got our assess kicked. Individually, each of us were beaten. But together? Together, we were strong. Once we realized that, we never looked back.
We'll do whatever it takes, not just to win, but to survive. So think on your words before you call us cowards."
~Raven.
The Fourth Fracture (Settling In)
"This isn't happening. This cannot BE happening."
...you needn't be rude."
"Aaaargh!"
Naruto pinched his nose and struggled to keep a stoic smile affixed to his face as he walked ahead of Glynda. For his part, his new partner -and didn't that just burn?- didn't challenge him further. She simply trailed in his wake like a silent shadow. Perhaps she sensed his anger. Maybe she felt regrets of her own. It might have been something else altogether. Who could say? He wasn't about to test her. Something told him a wicked temper lurked beneath that calm facade and he had no desire to rouse it.
"No offense," he murmured as he peeled back a branch for his fellow blond, "But I was looking for someone else as my partner."
"I see." her brow furrowed and she slipped under his arm. She really didn't. "You're talking about the girl with the dark hair? The one you were with this morning."
He grimaced. "Yeah."
"You do realize you may be able to work with her. Our team isn't complete."
Maybe not, but it would be soon. The whiskered warrior bit back a shout before it could burst free from his lips. Didn't she see?! Unless Raven somehow blundered into Qrow -unlikely given his spate of bad luck!-and made him her partner then no matter what combination they went with, he would be forced to go without one of his best friends. That burned. He wanted to be on a team with them. Nobody else. He had nothing against Glynda personally, but he just didn't know her. Trust came with time and proximity and right now they had neither of either.
A distant shout caught their ears. It sounded like Raven. Naruto sighed. "Fine, c'mon...partner. Lets see if we can salvage this."
"Allow me." Glynda withdrew something that looked vaguely like a wand from a holder on her leg. With a wave of her weapon -just what the hell was that thing?- the branches ahead of them withdrew of their own accord, pushed away as though touched by an unseen hand. A bystander would've thought the very forest itself came alive. Naruto knew better.
He was just about to remark on that when a stray Beowolf burst from cover and bounded toward them, jaws gaping wide.
"Watch out!"
He dove forward, reaching for his weapon. Glynda raised her free hand and clenched it into a cruel claw. The Grimm froze in midair with a rasping gurgle, paws scrabbling at nothing. As he looked on, his fellow blond gave her wrist a vicious twist. All around them, the air shimmered. The Grimm did not. It absolutely imploded, showering them with bits of black ash and white bone. Another twist sent the beast's ruined corpse crashing away into the emerald forest.
Glynda hummed and flicked a stray strand of shadow from her shoulder. "Shall we move on, then?"
"Huh. Neat." Despite his anger, the wayward warrior found himself whistling as he gave chase. "That's a useful semblance. Telekinesis, is it?"
"Yes." Glynda preened but a little over her shoulder, her green eyes hooded in silent satisfaction. "I've not mastered it yet, so its good for little more than brute force at present. Nothing like yours, I'm sure."
Naruto missed a step. "Excuse me?"
"Your semblance." Glynda bulled on, utterly unaware of the landmine she'd just trod upon. "It must be a powerful one indeed, for Professor Yin to take notice of you and your companions."
The reminder galled Naruto, burning him to his very bones. He winced and not just for the mention of Yin at that.
Semblance? He wouldn't know. Raven had her portals and Qrow his luck, but his...? Whatever it was, it hadn't made an appearance. It was something of a sore subject for him, even now. Semblances weren't simply a hand trick to call on in a pinch. They were part of one's soul. They made you who you were. What did that mean then, when he'd not unlocked his? No matter what he did, no matter what he said, no matter what danger her threw himself into it never emerged. Sometimes it felt like it was right there, waiting for him to call on it, but he didn't know how...!
In the end, he settled for the truth. "I...haven't unlocked mine yet."
Something of his anger must've shown through in his expression; because Glynda abstained.
"I...damnit." jade eyes widened behind her glasses in alarm, a faint fracture etching through her stern facade. "I didn't mean to offend you." he didn't respond and anxiety flitted across her face. "And now you must think I'm an insensitive bitch with more tits than sense."
Naruto blinked. Who was this girl and what has she she done with Glynda?
"Shit, shit, shit." she spat the word three times, each one harsher than the last. "I haven't put my foot in my mouth like this in ages." At length she pinched the brow of her nose and sighed. "I'm makin' an ass of myself, aren't I?" her voice slipped but a little, falling into a more rural Valean accent he vaguely recognized. "I'm sorry." she pivoted but a little, looking at him over one shoulder. It made her look oddly vulnerable." Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Naruto blinked, somewhat taken aback by the curse.
Maybe she wasn't such a prissy bitch after all.
"Nah, its fine." he waved her down. "Couldn't help but notice the accent there, though." sure enough, Glynda stiffened and the sight gave birth to a grin. "You're not quite as perfect as you pretend to be, are you?"
Her face flamed with high color.
...can we talk about something else? Please? Anything else?"
"Fair enough." Naruto stifled a laugh; it became a snort instead. "Let's get going. We're burning daylight."
Just ahead of them the brush parted and a frazzled Raven stumbled through, gasping for breath. She saw the two of them and stiffened, back arching in distress. Naruto blinked. Raven blinked right back at him. A pall of silence fell over their unlikely reunion as they balked at one another. He winced, expecting an outburst of anger. Something. Anything.
He was not prepared.
"Save me!"
"EH?!"
His best friend all but leaped into his arms and climbed over him in her haste to escape her pursuer. "Hide me! Do something! Anything! She's crazy!"
"I beg your pardon?! Behind her, Willow Schnee emerged from the undergrowth, angry and flushed. "You're the crazy one!"
"Liar!" Raven was having none of it. "She's absolutely insane! Don't let that smile fool you! She giggles when she kills Grimm! She's evil! Evil, I tell you! Eeeviiil...!"
Glynda made a noise that sounded vaguely like a laugh. "Congratulations. I think you broke her."
Naruto exhaled in a long suffering sigh.
"This is my life now...
(.0.0.0.)
"AHA! See?!" Yin thrashed about on the ground, legs kicking and howled with laughter. "I told you it would happen! All according to plan!"
"Quite." Ozpin arched an eyebrow. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you."
"Nope!" she grinned. "Not on your life! Now pay up, geezer!
The old man sighed. "This is my life now, it seems."
It had been simpler before he'd met her...
(.0.0.0.)
"This is my life now. Someone shoot me."
Qrow wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. Maybe if he repeated the lie often enough it would stick. He might even come to believe it himself. Better yet, none of this could be real. He'd rather like that. Maybe it was just some fever dream; a story penned up by a madman in a fit of wild inspiration. Wouldn't that be a hoot?
...
...
...
...yeah, not bloody likely.
His fate was sealed the moment he laid eyes upon Summer Rose. Even it if hadn't been, the arrival of those two had cemented it further. What were their names again? He remembered the bigger blond, if only because the cheeky bastard wouldn't stop running his mouth. Taiyang. Right. He could remember that much at least. At least he kept Summer occupied. Those two chattered enough for the four of them. But Tai's companion threw Qrow for a loop.
...you're not gonna let that joke go, are you?"
"No." her growl spoke volume. All that anger could fill a bookshelf.
Qrow felt his shoulders dropp.
She was a tiny little thing with tanned skin and hair the color of spun gold...and short. Very short. She barely topped four feet even with those boots of hers. He'd remarked on her size once -once!- and she'd not stopped glaring at him since. What was her name again? Rumpelstiltskin? No! Rumpole! Xanthe Rumple. That was it. There was another joke to be made there somewhere, but he dare not make it. She would absolutely flay him alive if he went there.
'Alright, this could work. Just gotta keep telling myself that.'
Really, he was almost grateful when they found the relics first. At least then this farce would be over.
Oh gods, Naruto and Raven were going to absolutely murk him for this disaster.
Still, it like it could get any worse, right? No, surely not. It just couldn't.
Surprise, surprise! It could! He had no one to blame but himself.
(.0.0.0.)
It got worse.
Ozpin spread his arms before the student body.
"And with that said, I proudly present these four new teams to Beacon!"
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto regarded the room with wary resignation.
It wasn't all the large really; if anything it proved downright cramped for their little quartet. Four beds did not a large space make, certainly not when three girls were involved. If it were just him and Raven he would have been quite content sleeping on the floor, but here there was a very real chance of being trod upon. Even if he didn't, they would all but trip over one another to get anything done. Unfortunately there was another pressing matter that demanded his attention.
...why is everyone looking at me?"
"You're in charge." Glynda adjusted her glasses, prim and proper once more. "The headmaster did name you the leader of Team G.R.W.N. after all. Where should we begin?"
"Question!" Naruto's hand shot up. "How in the hell does a "G" spell crown?"
Glynda looked away. "Well, it was better than brown."
"Or sun." Willow chimed. "That's been done."
Raven shrugged. "It could've been green."
"How would that even work?!"
Ozpin had chose the team names, so he supposed there was some method to his madness...somewhere, but really, it wasn't fair. The other three teams -one of which contained Qrow!- at last had proper monikers given by the letters of their team. STRQ, GMBT, HNGV, that sort of thing. But GRWN? Really, what had he been thinking? Maybe it was better to let teams choose their own names...no, that way lay madness as well. No matter how you sliced it, none of them were happy with their given title.
At a loss, Naruto cast his gaze about their dorm. "So...what now? We're not gonna be able to move around like this."
Willow looked to him patiently. "I'm fine with whatever you decide."
Raven tore her gaze away with a huff. "Of course she is."
"I'm sorry, did you say something?"
"N-No! Not at all!"
There it was again. That feeling. They were all looking to him for guidance; barely a team for five minutes already expecting him to make decisions. He didn't much like that. The mantle of leadership wasn't one he'd asked for, rather, one he'd had thrust upon him. He didn't want the onus of responsibility. Ozpin argued he was the only one fit for it. Why? Willow and Glynda could be perfectly competent leaders. Raven...no, he could see why she'd not been chosen. She'd be leading them on raids by the end of the day.
Which still left the matter of their room; he couldn't avoid it any longer. At a loss, he tossed out the first word that came to mind.
"Bunk beds?" he ventured. "Maybe that would give us some more room to maneuver around here.
"Bitchin'." Ravens slammed a fist into her palm with a grin. "Bunk beds it is."
"Oh!" Willow perked up. "I have some rope in my pack! Let's use that!"
Glynda quirked a brow. "I suppose I could utilize my semblance...
Everyone went mad.
What followed was a mad blur of dust, semblances and improper construction. Beds rose and fell. Posters went up. Books slid into shelves. Weapons were stored into racks -summoned by one of Raven's many portals!- as the four of them flitted to and fro. Raven laid claim to the leftmost bunk by right of conquest and Naruto pounced upon the one below it, leaving Willow and Glynda to choose the remaining beds at their leisure. Voices were raised in discussion, even argument, but no weapons were drawn, nor was blood shed.
Somewhere in the madness, Naruto realized he was smiling.
He watched the three of them squabble and smiled as Laughter spilled out into the hall.
Well, it wasn't as bad as he'd feared.
Not bad at all, really.
A/N: There we go! The die is cast!
First and foremost, we have the newly formed Team GRWN (Pronounced as Crown) Comprising of Glynda Goodwitch, Raven Branwen, Willow Schnee and Naruto.
Second comes Team STRQ (Pronounced as Stark) Comprising of Summer Rose, Taiyang Xiao-Long, Xanthe Rumpole -yes, she's canon!- and of course, Qrow.
Third, we have Team HNGV (Pronounced as Honey) Comprising of the sibling Hazel and Gretchen Rainart, Nicholas Arc and Vanessa Nikos.
Last but not least is Team GMBT (Pronounced as Gambit) Comprising of Ghira, Marcus Black, Kali Belladona and Tyrian Callows.
SURPRISE~!
And there we have it! Hope you're ready for the insanity to come!
I'm sure many of you are wondering where Salem is and what she's up to. Ask and you shall receive.
As ever, without reviews I cannot write. 'Tis a simple, yet painful truth.
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)
Salem scowled. The girl knew too much.
Time and time again she'd intervened, time and again, she taken useful allies from her. Perhaps it was time someone remedied that.
"Merlot."
"Yes, my queen?"
"Bring me one of the prototypes."
Qrow groaned. "I hate being leader...
"To our team! Drink up!"
"Aren't we a little young for alcohol?"
"Bah!" Naruto slapped her on the back. "Don't be a party pooper!"
"So did you need something, boss?"
Ozpin pinched the brow of his nose. "There's been a murder in the dorms."
Yin sighed. "Aw, crap. Don't tell me it was one of the kids...?"
"Worse."
"Alright, brats! Welcome to combat class! Otherwise known as the meat grinder! Step right up!"
"Devil, she's an absolute devil...
"I heard that, whiskers! Just for that, you get to face...lets see...aha! Your team can fight Kali's.
"WHY?!"
R&R~!
