A/N: EDIT: Real classy with the flames...*sigh...*

As ever, the Embers rule remains for this story.

If folks don't like this story, POOF! Away it goes. That's no joke.

So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!

So lets answer some questions, comments, and concerns:

Q: So...Yang raising a mini-Cinder? What does she look like?

A: Cinder shark, but less feisty. Go on. Look it up. You'll have a laugh.

Q: More timeskips, when?!

A: We're about to have one, we're skipping ahead about a week here.

Q: When will we see Naruto go all out?

A: Careful what you ask for. Remember, this isn't a reincarnated version of him. He landed in Remnant as a child, was found and summarily raised by the Branwen Tribe, and now he's just starting to tap into his powers.

And once he does...well. There be spoilers.

Q: Oi! When are we gonna get some new stories?! Like Weapon Masters of Remnant, or a story where Naruto goes around giving people chakra! Do some crazy shit!

A: Don't tempt an old man. I'm trying to hold back on new stories and focus on updates.

Q: Are you abandoning this story?

A: There are times when I've thought of it; this, Killing Monsters, Rags to Riches, and Wolf in Sheep's Clothing are some of my least popular fics. While "Wolf" and "Monsters" each have only a single chapter left, sometimes it just gets hard.

All Things Must Die is nearly done as well, with one/two chapters left.

Q: ...I think Yang just might erase herself from existence at this rate. Thoughts?

A: Well, to quote TFS? Multiverse theory's a bitch. Like all things, time travel has consequences. Whether Yang landed in an alternate reality or not; it doesn't change the fact that she's ensured the future she lived, the future she got away from won't happen. Sure, "she" will be born in this timeline. That's a given at this point.

She's changed things. There's no going back. I mean bloody hell, she went out of her way to recruit a LOT of people, to say nothing of Maria! Who, yes, is still very much in her prime!

Little miss time traveler's got quite the loyal following at this point.

Q: Good sir, I must ask. Does Taiyang exist in this story? I can't recall if he was mentioned or not. And if so, is he...?

A: Come now, that would be spoilers.

Q: Oi! When do we get see some big arcs! This slice-of-life is nice an' all, but we! Want! Adventure!

A: Adventure you shall have, but

Q: Where the hell is Jacques?

A: He's around, but Yang managed to coerce Willow into going for Beacon...and away from his grubby little hands.

HA! Jacques in Beacon. I'd pay good money to see that disaster.

Oddly enough, that's given me an idea for later.

...*grins*

Alright, then. I've kept you long enough.

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.

Minor verbatim for the board game Remnant here, just a quick FYI.

"You're gonna die, Salem. Maybe not this year, maybe not the next...

...hell, maybe not even ten years from now, but you will.

I've seen it. I've lived it. I've. Already. Caused it.

"Ain't no stopping this train now, bitch!"

~Future.

The Seventh Fracture

Lilac eyes fluttered open with a start.

Yang blinked once. Yawned. Stretched beneath silken sheets.

"Alright, then." she sighed at the ceiling, "Guess I live to die another day."

As ever, the whirling fan above held no answers for her; it seldom did. And so she sat up, winced a little as her joints protested -stop that, body! You're not that old- then slung herself out of bed. Bare feet padded against the worn black carpet of her apartment. A pale hand snatched up her prosthetic arm and hooked it into the slot at her elbow. From there she fumbled into a white shift as she made a beeline for the hall.

She caught sight of herself in the mirror and winced at the bags beneath her eyes.

"Coffee and food first, soldier." she grumbled at the sleepy specter as much as her messy hair. "Then shower."

There comes a time in a warrior's life when they look back on their choices. Everyone reflects upon their actions...and their mistakes. Did I do the right thing, they wonder? Should I have changed this instead of that? Was it right for me to save him instead of her? Can I save everyone? Should I try at all? Maybe they should all...just...

Questions like that gnaw at you. Like dying of a thousand cuts. They'll bleed you dry, if you let them.

Yang was no exception to this age old fear. She was simply better at hiding in than most. She'd had years to practice. Meddling with the past, altering the present, destroying the future, she felt guilt for each action she made, every day. Every morning she woke up and wondered if she'd seen her last sunrise. If she'd simply fade out of existence for what she'd done. It wasn't a matter of choice on her part, but rather, consequences of her actions. The flow of time was a delicate thing, and the universe didn't like its peas mixed with its porridge.

If one were to stand by and do nothing, the past would repeat. If she had left things be, let fate run its course...no. Unacceptable.

Dad would die.

Mom...would probably run.

Ruby would die. Blake would die. Weiss would die.

Jaune. Nora. Pyrrha. Ren. And not just them. Everyone.

And so she'd taken a risk, better the devil you know than the one you don't. Salem would find new pawns in time, but that was just it; time. In finding all those who might have served her, she'd delayed her. Not for long, maybe only a decade or two. But it was enough. Time to train up a proper fighting force and take the battle to that crazy witch. Time enough to change everything. Even if they never knew her, the real her, that was fine.

So long as they lived.

Yang gripped her wrist as she skidded down the steps and slid into the kitchen. She would fulfill her promise.

She reached the kitchen and froze.

...you're awake?"

As ever, Yang felt that telltale tightness in her gut when she saw little Cinder in the kitchenette. Perched on the stool furthest from her, she watched her as timid squirrel might a hungry tiger. Anger sparked and for a moment Yang saw that awful witch in her place, not the helpless wretch she'd taken in. She shook her head and banished the vision. In the future Fall was a monster; a wretched witch responsible for so much pain and misery. But now...

She wasn't even ten. Seven at a stretch. Looking at her now dulled that pain.

And really, the Grimm Shark onesie she wore did a great deal to make her less menacing. Girl loved her pajamas. Thinking on that helped and slowly, gradually, that black pearl of anger melted in her chest.

"Morning, squirt. Sleep well?"

...yes." a quiet voice answered, lisping only a little. Golden eyes regarded her intently. Fearfully. Warily. "I was bored. Read a little."

Yang glanced back, noticing the picture book she had planted on the counter...and the distinct lack of food thereof. There were crumbs there, clumsily hidden. A loaf of bread was missing.

A golden brow arched. "And did you eat breakfast yet?"

Cinder's pale visage darkened with shame.

...no?"

"Look," Yang palmed her face. "I'm not gonna hurt you. I meant that when I took you out of that awful place. You're safe here. You don't have to steal food."

Cinder lifted her chin. Of course she was wary; anyone in their right mind would be. She'd only had her for three months. Trust wasn't something that could be forged so swiftly. Least of all for someone like this. Really, Yang knew she had no one but herself to blame. She'd sworn to undercut Salem at every turn, and when the chance came, she had. She'd seen the opportunity. Taken it.

Jinn had told her all she needed to know, and she'd used that knowledge ruthlessly since.

Tyrian would never worship her as a goddess. Hazel never lost his sister. Watts...well, she hadn't been able to find him yet or Emerald's parents yet, but she was certain she would in time. Jinn was never wrong. They just weren't where they were meant to be. Yet. Mercury would never be born to an abusive father. And Cinder...the awful Cinder Fall...the bane of Remnant, responsible for so much death, so much terror...was just a child, not yet the monster made in Atlas, not that horribly betrayed girl who'd been beaten until she broke.

The faint growl of a small stomach pervaded the kitchen.

"Still hungry?"

Cinder nodded. "Yes?"

"Ah!" Yang held up a finger. "Manners. Now what do you say?"

Grave golden eyes rose to regard hers. "Please? May I have some more?"

Yang nearly swayed on her feet.

Urk! Must not squeal. Adorable or not, this...child had still been her mortal enemy once.

"...good girl." she said at last. "Tell you what, how about I whip us up some eggs. Just the way you like 'em?"

"Eggs?!" A thin line of drool trailed from the corner of Cinder's mouth, forgotten in her glee. "With extra bacon? And chicken nuggets?"

Meat lover, this one!

"Sure, why not." She patted her daughter's head, caressing her dark hair fondly. "Come on up here and I'll show you how to make an omelette."

Cinder all but hauled a stood to the stove and perched upon it like a raven, amber eyes fixed on the stove. Yang tried not to smile. She really did. Time was a rare and precious commodity for a woman out of time, and she didn't know how much she'd left. Really, she knew she shouldn't be wasting hers on such menial things. But surely a little bit of kindness here and there wouldn't hurt. If it changed the future even a little...then she considered it well spent. Even if it cost her soul.

Her scroll rang while they made breakfast.

A mere glance brightened her morning tenfold.

Yang stabbed it with a thumb, setting it to speaker mode.

"Maria, buddy, pal!" Her grin was practically feral. "Right on time! I need a favor...


(.0.0.0.)


"You're mad."

A card came and went.

Naruto quirked a golden brow.

"I think we've all established that, Glynda."

"Have we?" his partner laid another card down on the table. "Or have I simply failed to realize the depth of your deviousness?"

Raven flicked a card to match hers, drawing an aggravated growl from the blond. "Someone's a sore loser."

"I most assuredly am not." A rare spot of red hit her cheeks. This game is simply...rigged."

"Technically, it isn't." Willow chimed, her soft voice echoing through the library. "After all, the objective of "Remnant" is to conquer Remnant, that is to say, the board, by successfully acquiring control of all four kingdoms on the board map." she gestured grandly to the forces arrayed between, eliciting a twitch from the bespectacled blond. "Starting with one region, a player navigates, attacks and defends against other players who control one or more other regions on the board, using various strategic card-based actions...

"Willow, I understand that-

The Schnee prattled right on, ignoring her.

...each player controls and defends a wall, which protects their respective regions, and a conglomerate army for invading other players' walls. Raven is about to breach yours, by the way." Her words had Glynda grinding her teeth. "Players also receive specific enhancements based on whichever par Remnant they control or their "Class" for that matter. Really, its quite simple." she sniffed. "You just have to listen."

...I pity your children, Willow."

Raven's partner frowned as the jab sailed right over her head. "Whatever for?"

"You'll see. Alright, Goldilocks." Raven overturned a card bearing the likeness of a snarling beast. "I deploy White Fang Mercenaries! Now discard your hand and gimme five cards from your graveyard!"

With a long-suffering sigh that promised bloody retribution, Glynda discarded her hand and watched as it was snatched up by her foe. Naruto ceded his turn and drew another card. Willow did the same, allowing Raven yet another turn. It wasn't wasted. Red eyes flashed as she summarily drew and laid down another card from her neck.

"I play giant nevermore!"

"And I counter with Atlesian air fleet." Willow cooed, revealing a face down card of he own. "Bye-bye, birdy. No Grimm swarm for you." she moved her pieces forward. "And I'll just take this land...

"Traitor!"

"All's fair in love and war~!"

Naruto bit his lip to hold back a smile.

Say what you would about Schnees, but they didn't like to lose. Well, that, and they were vicious when it came to board games. Glynda had laid claim to Vale while Willow had chosen the side of Atlas for herself, leaving Raven with Mistral and him...Vacuo. Nobody liked Vacuo.

Just as well too, because with that move, Raven's forces had been split in half.

"My dark army!" Raven buried her head in both hands. "I was going to rule the world!"

Naruto considered his own hand with a frown. A small part of him considered quitting outright before he thought better of it. Really, the girls were getting into this. Best play it safe, then. It was just a board game for crying out loud. Yet they were treating this like total war. He knew what was coming next. He'd be a fool not to.

Glynda's leg nudged him beneath the table. "You'll ally with me, won't you, Naruto?"

"Nonsense," Willow huffed. "He's going to help me. Vacuo has ever held strong ties with Atlas."

"Yeah, ages ago." Raven rolled her eyes. "That shit doesn't count. Clearly, he's going to help me. We're family, after all."

Naruto gulped. 'I'm in danger, aren't I?'

"..."

Three pairs of eyes met his from opposite ends of the table, red, green, and blue. One angry, the other smug, and the final pleading. He couldn't help himself. He had to choose between them. That was just how war worked. Anyone who wasn't any ally inevitably became an enemy. That was how war worked.

Or was it?

An idea dawned, and Naruto slid a card across the table, followed by the pieces behind it.

Willow made a noise of confusion. "You cannot be serious."

"You're attacking all of us?!" Raven guffawed. "At once!? You'll never survive!"

"Agreed." Glynda frowned and adjusted her spectacles. "This seems foolish, even for you."

"I find your lack of faith disturbing." He considered the cards in his hand, plus the one he'd laid on the table, then turned the latter over when Glynda made her move. "Also, you just activated my trap card...! I play desert raiders!"

What followed was an absolute disaster...for them.

Nobody cared about the Vacuo faction, but when played by a master, they were devastating. And he'd had nothing but time to practice in the Tribe. Willow wilted first. Raven fell next, her forces already weakened due to a certain Schnee's sabotage. Glynda put up a fair fight, really she did, but it was a foregone conclusion. Nine turns later, he'd found himself on the verge of winning. Really, there was just something about him and the number nine; it just seemed to be a lucky number for him.

Naruto stifled a small smile as he watched them squabble with one another, each blaming one another for their impending doom. His team.

Only a few weeks in and already he'd become...what was the word? Comfortable? There it was.

Which begged the question; did he want to go back?

Back to the dirt, back to the beatings, back to that rough life without so much as a shred of happiness or comfort? Did they have to? Should they? He stole a glance over his shoulder and contemplated the matter further. Raven might very well want to someday. She'd taken to the tribe's philosophy more than most.

But in the end, the choice belonged to them.

They were growing stronger every day. Soon enough they'd be stronger than Silas. He wouldn't be able to force their compliance; he certainly couldn't find them if they didn't want to be found. Mistral -and the Tribe!- was another world away. And four years to grow stronger...to train...to help the innocent, to protect them, rather than prey upon them.

Yes, the choice was theirs.

He caught Qrow's gaze across the way and returned it with a rueful grin.

There was no real hurry. They had four years after all.

What could possibly go wrong?

...you just had to say it."

A hand clamped down on his shoulder, hauling him backwards in his chair.

There was neither word nor warning for what came next; one moment he was contemplating the future; in the next, someone hauled him back into the present.

Azure pools fluttered in a slow, lazy blink.

Naruto looked up and found himself starting into a pair of startling silver eyes set in a dark face framed by chestnut brown hair. Really, she looked rather familiar. He tilted his head just so, not quite comprehending what the stranger wanted. Who was she, a teacher or something? She certainly looked old enough to be one, yet the stern scowl of her face promised nothing short of murder. Raven saw it and surged upright, only for a sweep of a kick to send her sprawling into the others.

...can I help you?"

"Cheeky little thing, aren't you." Naruto's would-be-killer glowered at him. "Yes, you can." The young woman's scowl became a bloodthirsty grin. "Prove yourself or die."

His brow furrowed. "I really don't see what I have to prove to someone like ya-hey!"

A scythe slammed down a this face. He caught its bladed edge in one hand. Blood bubbled between his fingers and distantly -ever so distant- he heard someone shout. He stood slowly, dragging the hooked weapon up in one hand, rising to loom over his aggressor with his full towering height.

Silver orbs widened up at him. "Well, damn. She didn't tell me you could do that...

Naruto growled. Blue eyes flashed red. Then he moved.

Clenched knuckles barreled into Maria's face and hurtled her through a wall.

"Alright, miss Maria." He cracked his knuckles as he stalked out into the aperture after her. "Just remember. You wanted this...

A/N: Training never ends~!

As ever, the Embers rule remains.

If folks don't like this story, POOF! Away it goes. That's no joke.

So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!

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)

"See, that's the thing." Yang snapped the fingers of her false arm. "I don't have everything figured out. Hell, all my meddling just might ERASE me from existence. Or it might not. But I'll be damned if I don't try.

"Then why go this far?"

"Because my old man made me a promise before he sent me back. That," and here those lovely lilac eyes burned with flames, "I'm a spiteful, spiteful woman, Ozpin. Salem took everything from me. So. I'm going to take everything from her. And when she dies, when all her schemes crumble down around her, she'll know she has no one to blame but herself. She'll have lost to the same "little girl" she mocked in the last life.

"When we met, you asked me if this was personal. I said it wasn't. I lied."


Qrow flipped him the bird. "Caw caw, motherfucker."

"Hey!"


"You don't belong here, Willow. You're better than this ilk. Come back to Atlas!"

"Is that so?" She turned her nose up at him. "And you are you to say where I belong, Jacques? My life is my own." when the young man opened his mouth to protest, she thrust her blade into it, caressing the inside of his cheek with cold intent. "One more word and I'll carve you a smile you'll not forget!"

Raven frowned. "Do you think we should...?"

"Nah." Naruto waved her down.

"She's got this."


"You think you're hot shit, don't you?!"

Naruto turned his head and spat out a tooth.

"I'm going to remind you in advance, that I'm very sorry and apologize for the inconvenience of me... NOT GIVING A FUCK... about what you think."


"Serve me."

"Yeah, no. Go shag a cactus."

R&R~!