A/N: I liiiiive!
Having a bit of a rough time of things lately, but I'm getting there...I think.
I've had folks asking if I'll delete this and "Taking Flight" as well as "Killing Monsters" as they seem to be my least popular RWBY stories. I don't want to do that. I truly don't. Sadly the plans for the new apartment fell through as well, meaning I'm stuck with an ANNOYING roommate who won't let me be. Always lookin' over my shoulder and asking what I'm writing, always leaving a mess...
*sigh*
So! Lets answer a few questions and get on with it, eh?
Q: Just how many people reincarnated in the Elemental Nations?!
A: Not the entire RWBY cast, if that's what you're thinking. We've already established the rules. Cinder was literally reborn as an infant and had to work her way up to what she is now. The same rules apply to the rest.
Q: No massacre Uchiha plz!
A: Hey! You know I can't comment on that!
Q: Are the Brother Gods going to appear here? This reincarnation bit seems like something they'd do.
A: *zips lips*
And there we go! That's all I have to say this time around.
As ever, I own no references, themes or memes. Ha! If I did, I'd be a rich man.
Now then, I'll let you guys and gals be. Grab some popcorn, and I'll see you at the end of the chapter.
"Life goes on, Cinder. Times change. People change. And actions...have consequences."
~?
I've Come to Bargain
"I am speed~!"
A streak of crimson cloth and scarlet petals cut across the cold Suna night with a triumphant cry. Light feet bounded from one rooftop to another, hurtling ever onward. Uncaring of the silence, of the stars in the sky, of anything at all. Silver eyes danced in the moonlight as a young girl launched herself into the street, bounded over obstacles, then vaulted back to another roof before blurring away once more.
If one were to listen very, very closely, they might have heard a giggle of pierce the midnight gloom.
The girl who had once been Ruby Rose laughed; glorying in the joy of running again.
Thankfully, none were present to witness her acrobatics.
Better to stretch her legs out here, where no one could see her. No harsh words to mock her, no chiding lectures, none of it. Nope, nope, nope! Only her legs, her Aura, and her own thoughts. She pivoted in midair, kicked off a post, gathered her legs beneath her and leaped, cape flaring behind her in a bloody cloud. Wind rushed through her hair. A wild grin tore across her face as she soared over the village. Nothing beat this feeling. With an arch of her back she angled in for a landing.
"Aaand she sticks the laaaaaaaa-
Her boot slipped on some grit and her feet went out from under her. Bereft of balance, she was unable to stop herself in time and...
"Crap, crap, craaaap!"
Sand caught her.
It curled around her, but gently, softening what would have been a painful impact. Coarse and gritty though it might be, she didn't much mind. Like a giant hand it lowered her back to the ground and laid her there with the greatest of care. Unfortunately the sudden catch had done nothing for her momentum or nausea. The moment she hit the rooftop, what little food she'd eaten threatened to come boiling back up.
"Ugh...might've gone a little too fast...
Eyes rolling in her head, the little girl lay on the unforgiving ground for a long moment. Her world was still spinning when a shadow fell over her.
"Again?" A familiar voice sighed. "Sister, you really need to control yourself. You could've broken your neck just now."
Silver eyes squinted. "Hey, little brother...thanks for the save. You're the best."
She heard the redhead grumble. "You know mother doesn't like you running at night."
"But this is the best time for it!" she whined, legs flailing in her anger. "There's nobody around!"
"Exactly." Green eyes flashed. "And you should be thankful I followed you, or you would've gotten hurt!"
It was honestly a little sweet to be fussed over like this; if only because it reminded her of happier times. A simpler age, when she didn't have to worry about anything. Before the attack-before Beacon!-before anything at all, when it was just her and her sister. Just them and the family.
"Alright, alright, don't be such a worrywart." Ruby sighed and demurred with a reluctant nod, if only to avoid upsetting him. "I'll be more careful, alright?"
...that's all I ask."
She'd always wanted a brother. Yang would forever be near and dear to her heart for obvious reasons, but still! A brother! A little brother! For a girl who had once been the youngest herself -and subject to all the awkwardness and hand me downs it entailed-it meant the world to have someone younger than her...even if she'd only beat him into this world by a few minutes. She'd take what she could get.
"Truce?" she offered him her hand.
Gaara clasped her palm and pulled her upright. Ruby took the chance to haul him into her arms. Her twin stiffened only a little before he melted into her embrace. Not content with that, she hauled him closer, trapping his arms against his sides to pin him in place. Sand swirled around them, wild and agitated, but it didn't lash out. It never did.
"You're too reckless." he muttered. "Its going to get you killed one of these days."
"Nope." she grinned over his shoulder.
"Ruby, you can't just-
"Nope!"
Hugs were nice. Gaara needed all the hugs he could get. He wasn't anything like Yang. He was quiet where her sister had been loud. Dangerous in a way Yang had never was and never could be. If he wanted to, he could crush her with his sand and she'd not be able to do a thing about it. But he would never hurt her. Ruby knew that, and so, didn't fear him like the rest. In this world, he was her brother. She'd protect him. She'd keep him safe.
And no matter what, she wouldn't let him die. Not the way Yang had.
Thoughts of her dearly departed sister threatened to turn Ruby's world grey again, but the little reaper shoved those dark clouds away before they could ruin her good mood. Ruby Rose had always been a go-getter. She wasn't about to let a little something like death or reincarnation keep her down.
She was stronger now! She was mighty! She drank milk!
Yang was waiting for her. So was Weiss. Blake, too. They were out there somewhere. She just knew it. She had a FEELING. Someday she would track her family down, and when that day finally came, Team RWBY would be reunited once more. Then they'd find the bad guys -whomever they were!- and break their knees. Heh. Amber might want a part of that. If what she said was true, if their enemies truly had followed them here...well! She'd introduce them to Crescent Rose. Once she got around to rebuilding it. This world really didn't have the materials she'd grown used to. But for now?
"Sooo~?" Ruby pulled back and bounced on her heels in. "Race me home?"
Gaara did not smile. Not anymore. He seldom did these days. But he did grace her with a nod.
"Yay~!"
With a lilting giggle, The Crimson Devil of the Sand vanished in a cloud of petals. After a moment's pause, her twin pursued. Ruby gave herself to the chase and resolved herself to enjoy the temporary reprieve she'd been granted. Besides, it wasn't like Weiss or the others were in danger. They could fend for themselves for now.
How little she knew.
(.0.0.0.)
A redheaded girl raised her shield and watched lightning crackle across the sky.
Green eyes burned with flames.
She was ready.
(.0.0.0.)
A white-haired girl stood stern and proud in the face of her tormentors, her back straight, blue eyes ablaze.
"Enough of this foolishness." one said. "You are of the branch family. You will be branded."
She smashed a gigantic glyph into their faces and flattened them.
Huffing, she walked across their prone forms to safety.
"Over my dead body!"
(.0.0.0.)
"Damnit, Blake! Stop hiding! You're going to be late!"
Silence stretched out over the Naara household. No one answered.
Shikaku Naara scratched the back of his head and unbent enough to sigh.
Such a troublesome little daughter he had...even Shikamaru wasn't this bad!
"Alright!" he called. "You have until the count of three! One! Two! Thr-
A light weight settled against his back as someone landed on his shoulders.
With it, came a child's voice.
"Found you."
(.0.0.0.)
"Hey!"
Naruto's right eye twitched but he refused to open it.
"Listen!"
Someone tapped his shoulder. His left eye joined the right in twitching as he wrinkled his nose against the annoyance. Steeling himself against this latest distraction, he drowned it out and focused on the "heat" of his chakra, just as Cinder had taught him. All around him the sounds of the schoolyard faded away. There. Better. His chest heaved, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Peace. Calm. Tranquility. He was the eye of the storm. A placid lake, still and serene. Nothing could touch him here.
Something nudged his shoulder. Ignore!
He delved deeper still in search of his prize. There! A glimmer of red in the dark appeared, dancing in his peripherals. He found himself drawn to it, like a moth to a flame. Close enough to see. To touch. Despite his best efforts to suppress it, the ghost of a smile touched Naruto's lips. Cinder had been right after all. He really could touch "that" chakra if he was calm. He had but to reach out and firmly grasp it. His mind stretched towards it tentatively and cured around it.
"Oh?" Something deep inside him chuckled, low and harsh with cutting wit. It wasn't his voice. "Come to talk again have you? I'm honored."
That tiny ember became a raging flame. It burned through his soul and threaded through his chakra as it were alive, mingling with his newly-unlocked aura. The boy sucked in a sharp, shuddering breath. He knew in that moment, were he to look into a mirror, his eyes would be stained red. Here at last, he dared to open them.
He wasn't surprised to find that the world had changed.
Once, the giant steel cage and the massive freaking monster behind it might have frightened young Naruto. Now? He barely batted an eyelash. It wasn't that he wasn't nervous; he was, but the any fear he might have felt was suppressed by the knowledge that this creature was a part of him. It couldn't reach him through the bars and he had no desire to enter the cage. It wouldn't kill him, and he certainly couldn't kill it.
If anything, the bastard owed him rent!
"What's wrong?" A throaty chuckled swelled the seal, dark with subtle menace. "Nothing to say? You were so eager a few minutes ago."
Naruto inhaled. Exhaled. Looked upon the Nine-Tailed Fox, and willed himself to be calm. He could to this. He'd practiced the words.
"Alright, Kyuubi." Steely blue eyes rose, firmed with resolve beyond his age. "I've come to bargain."
For a moment, just a moment, the world held its breath. And then:
"HA!"
An explosive peal of mirth rattled the seal and sent water sloshing about his ankles. Naruto clenched his jaw clamped both hands over his hears his teeth against it, to no avail. The sound just went on an on; a torrent of terrible glee without end. Behind the bars the beast thrashed about, convulsing with laughter. Despite his composure, the young jinchuuriki felt his face flush with anger.
"Oh, that's rich! I never thought I'd hear the like!"
"I mean it!" Naruto raised his voice, struggling to make himself heard over the chaos. "I need to get stronger! So I've come to-
"Bargain?!" quick as a flash the fox righted itself and thrust its snout against the cage, revealing row upon row of terrible teeth. "You?! With what?!" cruel claws slashed out, rattling the bars with a sonorous gong that rattled his brain. "You have nothing I want!"
"No?" a smile vaguely reminiscent of Cinder bloomed upon whiskered cheeks. "Seems to me I have everything you want."
Strong jaws snapped at him, blasting his face with fetid breath. "Brat...!"
"Y'see, I've figured it out." confidence restored, his smile became a smirk. "You're my prisoner. I hold your keys. You can't hurt me, and I can't hurt you. We're at an impasse."
The beast stilled.
"I can think of one way to break it." Slitted eyes narrowed within the bars. "Remove this seal and you'll become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."
"Seriously?" Slim arms folded across his chest. "Did you really think I'd fall for a simple trick like that? I'm young, not stupid."
"Bah!" Expansive shoulders shrugged in the darkness. "Worth a try, I suppose. Why do you seek strength?
Naruto wrinkled his nose. "Now who's being nosy?"
Its shadowy form laid down. "Indulge me."
"I have to protect someone." his brow furrowed briefly before he managed to master himself again. "She's done a lot for me, taught me, trained me, made me stronger despite the objections of her clan...
"You act as if you're in love with her."
"I'm not!" His face burned for an entirely different reason. "At least, I don't think I am. Its just...I have a bad feeling. She's getting reckless, and she isn't the sort to ask for help." his anger stirred at the memory of her last "experiment" and just how close she'd come to bodily harm. "She's going to get herself hurt at this rate, or worse. I'm not strong enough to help her. If someone comes after her as she is now, I'll only be a hindrance to her. She's the only one who cares about me. What if something happens to her? What if she dies?" his fists tightened angrily at his sides, nails biting down to draw blood." I don't want that!"
His tenant said not a word.
"Here's what I propose." steadying himself with a shaky breath, the pariah stepped forth, bringing himself closer to the bars. "Lend me your strength. When I ask for help, answer." another step. "
"And why should I agree to these ridiculous terms of yours?"
"Simple, furball." Naruto tapped a hand to the side of his skull and relished in the snarl he received. "Because in exchange, I'm offering you free space in my head."
The fox frowned. "Explain."
"Stop ignoring me!"
A boot slammed against Naruto's back before he could, jolting him forward out of his meditative crouch. His concentration all but shattered, so much brittle glass on the wind. The world lurched back with a start, blinding and bright and so full of dirt. No, wait, that was just his face in the ground. He nearly screamed into it, such was his frustration. He'd been so close! Hours upon hours lost on this and for what?!
Someone! Just! Kept! On! Poking him!
"Hey! What's the big idea?!"
Naruto bolted upright with a snarl only to find found himself gazing down into a piercing pair of lilac orbs. They glared right back. Idly he noticed just how short she was. For someone so small, she certainly liked to wear the color yellow. Though they were certainly of an age, yet he stood a good head taller than her. Somehow, that softened his anger towards her.
"Need something, squirt?"
The girl growled and kicked his knee. Ow! For someone her size, it actually hurt. "I'm not a squirt! My name is Yang-
"Yeah, yeah, very nice." he stood, patted the blond mane of her hair and walked past. "I've got places to be and you ruined what I was doing. Whatever you wanted, I have a million better things to do."
"Hey!" she grabbed at his wrist, hauling him to a stop. "Don't you walk away from me, buster! We need to talk! Now!"
Exasperated, the jinchuuriki rounded on her and tried to tug his arm free. "What its it? I don't know you."
"Yeah, well I know you." she reeled him back in with surprising strength for one so small. "I've seen you around here a time or two. And that girl you're always hanging around with? Cinder?" her brow furrowed as though she'd bitten into something foul. "She's bad news. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from her."
Just like that, this "Yang" girl lost any and all hope of swaying him with her words
Oh, lovely. She was another one of those, wasn't she? He'd dealt with his fair share of naysayers since he'd befriended Cinder; other children approaching him to gain her favor, those who believed he had dirt on her, and still more that sought to push him out of said favor. None of them had succeeded. None ever would. No doubt this was more of the same. He refused to believe otherwise.
"I don't have time for this." his free hand clamped down on the girl's wrist, drawing a wince from her. "Let go of me."
"Well, then you'd better make time!" Yang hissed back." She's not who you think she is! She's killed people!"
A chill raced down his spine.
...what did you just say?"
"That's a pretty bold claim." a new voice chimed. "Care to back it up?"
"Damn straight I...can...what the hell?! Why are YOU here?!"
Yang rounded on the stranger to do just that...then her face went white. Naruto turned with her and blinked, mildly alarmed by the sight. She'd been plenty pale to begin with, but here and now she looked like she'd seen a ghost. Lovely lilac eyes flickered red for the merest of moments and her hair almost seemed to burn with inner fire.
The newcomer chuckled. "Hey, blondie. Long time no see."
Whatever Yang saw there, Naruto didn't see.
To him, the newcomer looked perfectly harmless. He was just a boy with silver hair, one clad in worn black slacks and a faded silver fur jacket. A little black puppy lay sprawled over his shoulder, clinging on with deceptive grace as a pink tongue lolled forth from its muzzle. It took one look at him and gave a welcome yip in greeting, tail wagging lazily.
"I see how it is!" Yang sputtered, eyes gone wild. "So you're with them! I should've known! Is he here too?!"
"Dunno." The nameless boy rolled his shoulder with a smirk. "Why don't you stick around and find out?"
Naruto shrugged. "Um...no? I've got no idea what you're talking about. You're rambling."
"You stay away!"
His words did him no credit. Yang released him as if she'd been scalded. She edged back one step. Then two. Now three, looking as if she expected to be attacked at any moment. Her left arm reached across her body to grip her right, as if she was afraid they'd take it away from her. Together, both boys watched her scramble away. She wouldn't even look back at them. She didn't walk. She absolutely fled. Naruto winced. It was honestly a little alarming.
The newcomer found his voice first. "You're a real ladykiller, ain'tcha?"
Aaaand just like that he found himself in a foul mood again.
"Look," Blue eyes narrowed upon him. "I'm in a bad mood...you better scramble like an egg before I fold you like an omelette."
"Not at all." the newcomer grinned. "This Cinder of yours...any chance you could introduce me to her?"
Naruto's scowl redoubled. "And you are...?"
The boy smiled. "A friend."
(.0.0.0.)
As a child, Cinder had only ever craved one thing.
Strength.
The strength to break her chains. Power to take what she wanted. Might, so that she might never be weak again. But as she'd soon learned in her second life, there were different kinds of power. There was strength in the physical sense of the word, then came the metaphorical. Strength of Will. Strength of Spirit. Strength of Mind. There were many kinds of strength.
Father called it politics and perhaps it was.
Her word carried more weight as the untouchable Cinder Uchiha, than the loathed Cinder Fall ever had. She was respected here. Adored, even.
Now that she had more power than she knew what to do with, she found herself at something of a loss once more. What did she want? What did she long for? Yet more strength? To what end? Did she need more power? Could one ever have enough power? Nonsense! Of course they couldn't. But
In the months that followed, she had pondered the matter further.
Itachi was no help at all; he vanished for weeks at a time and returned late at night. It felt like he was avoiding. Anbu business, or so he claimed. Cinder didn't believe him, but chose to let him be. Itachi was many things, but at the end of the day he was a good brother. He would never hurt her. Or would he?
'Where did that thought come from?'
Regardless, she had yet to find her answer. Even now it troubled her more than she cared to admit. She would be expected to become a ninja soon. Did she want that? The idea of being shackled down to one place, forced to follow orders and trapse about on missions for the rest of her days...it disagreed with her. And yet it also promised her power. One day, she would lead the Uchiha. What else was there? She couldn't simply walk out the village gates. And if she could, did she want to?
Had her enemies followed her here? And if they had...what then? To say nothing of her allies.
A small shiver stole over her. Cinder ruthlessly suppressed it. Calm. Salem couldn't follow her here. None of them could. As far as she knew, they were hale and healthy.
Oh, gods. She'd killed Ozpin. Would he be here somewhere as well?
Would Amber? Or worse still...Rhodes?
'No! When did I get this skittish?!'
With a put-upon sigh, she sprawled down in the dirt and gazed into the cloudy sky. It held no answers. All around her, children scarpered about, playing games and training. A small girlish part of her longed for their silly ignorance, for their blissful freedom; to simply lose herself in her new life. It was tempting. To simply forget who she was, what she had been, to embrace this opportunity for what it was. She couldn't. She was an adult trapped in a child's body, and never had it shown more than now.
She'd never felt so disconnected in her life
"What do I want?"
"Cinder?" Emerald -ever a constant shadow- stole a glance at her from where she lay. "Are you alright? You were muttering again...
She shook her head. "No, its nothing. Put it out of your mind."
"Heeey! Cinder!" A familiar voice plucked at her heartstrings and she snapped back to reality. "There you are!"
A spark of interest flared to life in her heart and she sat up to find Naruto approaching the two of them, trailed by a stranger she didn't recognize at this distance. Any thoughts of putting him through further training were immediately dispelled by the presence of the newcomer. She resisted the urge to turn up her nose and simply blasted said stranger with a fireball.
"Did you need something?" she asked.
"Not me." Her partner made a face and his gaze strayed to his companion. Not a companion at all she realized, but a tag-along of sorts. "This guy wanted to meet you. He wouldn't leave me alone about it."
He still had a weak heart. She'd have to do something about that.
Cinder leaned around him to inspect the newcomer and bit back an irritated sigh. Who was this, then? Another admirer? She had no time for fawning sycophants today. Frankly, she wasn't in the mood. Better to just send this one away before her impulses got the better of her. Again. It was just so tempting to hit him with one of her new jutsu. The human body tended to dance most delightfully under lightning-no, no, no. Best not do that where Naruto could see.
"I'm sorry, but whoever you are-
"Good to see you again, boss." his voice -and the accompanying whistle!- made Cinder perk up. "You're a tiny little thing. You shrink or something?"
...excuse me?" Cinder blinked.
Naruto guffawed. "I don't think I've ever seen you at a loss for words...kinda cute, really."
Cinder blinked again, baffled by the sudden heat in her face. Behind her, Emerald gagged. Still, the reborn maiden blinked, renewing her scrutiny of the boy now standing beside Naruto. Silver hair. A smug smile. That insufferable snark. She recognized him a heartbeat later and a light, lilting laugh leaped from her lips before she could think to stop it. Fate truly did seem to favor her these days. Second life or no, this was just unfair...for her foes. And was that a puppy? It was!
"Hello, Mercury." An epiphany broke like the dawn, bringing a smile with it. "You look well for a dead man."
"Eh, you know how it is." The assassin clapped slowly. "Look's like we've got the gang back together."
"Snrk...!" Emerald took a closer look at him and howled with laughter. "Ha! Look at you! Serves you right, reincarnating as one of those damn dog lovers!"
Mercury absolutely bridled, and his dog with him. "Cheeky bitch!"
The illusionist bridled. "What did you call me, dog boy?!"
"You wanna go?!"
Naruto laughed and plucked Emerald up by the scruff of her neck. Then in a single smooth movement, he performed the very same treatment on a now-irate Mercury, leaving them dangling in the air. Her training served him well on that front. He was stronger than he looked. Her allies still tried to tear into one another, the little twits. If those two had been terrible as teenagers, they were going to be downright insufferable as children. At least she had someone around to help her corral them. They would have their hands full with these two alone.
Cinder startled slightly.
Hmm. They. Not just her. She rather liked the sound of that.
A soft smile plucked at her lips, and with it came another, more insidious thought.
They. Her and Naruto...? Someday, perhaps. When they were older. It was something to look forward to, she supposed...
A/N: We all know what's coming. I desperately don't want to write THAT, but...well. Not going to say anymore at this time. I can't.
As ever, reviews keep me going in this crazy time. Without them, I just can't seem to write.
Here's the next chapter title: The Girl Who Found Fear.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And as ever:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
(Previews)
"Its time. You've stalled long enough, Itachi."
"Have you seen Cinder?"
"Um, not since she left with...!" Naruto froze. Horror dawned on his face. "No! He wouldn't!"
Without a word he turned and bolted toward the Uchiha compound. Emerald and Mercury raced after him.
The Masked Man leaned forward, filling her vision with orange porcelain. "Well aren't you a little spitfire?"
Cinder stood her ground. "I don't fear you."
"You should, dear girl."
R&R~!