A/N: WARNING! Please read this note first, would you kindly? Thank you!

As ever, reviews are the fuel that keep me writing...so thank you for reading this little tale.

Without them, I can't keep going. Thanks again!

This chapter hits hard. Really. Folks have asked for warning like this. That's all I'll say on the matter. There. You've been warned! I'm starting to get back into the groove of updating again, slowly but surely. Of course, it helps that the doctors say I should make a full recovery. Still feel like crap though...

Now, then! lets answer your questions.

Q: So the main pairing is going to be NarutoxBlake?

A: Yes. No harem for Naruto in this story, sorry. I've written enough of those. As stated, there will be other pairings however. I've already tallied the votes. The results were...surprising. I'll not state them here; I want to surprise you all.

As to Blake and Naruto...well, we all know the way to Blake's heart is curiosity and a good book.

Naruto just happens to embody both. Yeah, he's not getting away from her; not once she figures out her feelings.

Q: ...is Cinder aware of how absolutely SCREWED she is? Naruto might show her mercy, but if Sasuke comes to Remnant...!

A: *cackles*

Q: Which would be stronger? Ninja? Hunters?

A: Shinobi aren't invincible. Neither are Huntsmen. Naruto and Sasuke are exceptional among Shinobi, just as there are a few exceptional fighters among Huntsmen.

For example, a fully realized Maiden like Freya could annihilate the average shinobi.

Conversely! Someone like Gaara or Kakashi would make mincemeat out of most Hunters, to say nothing of Naruto and Sasuke themselves.

And before anyone ask not everyone can use Kakashi's little book gateway. More will be explained about this "Book" later, but to say now would give away an entire arc. At this point, the Book is a link between the two worlds. That's not to say there aren't others...or that others haven't crossed over in the past.

Finally, as far as updates go, Remnants of Shinobi should be next, along with a few...surprises.

Right then, I think that's just about everything. I've kept you long enough. Shall we begin?

Title is a pun, of course. As ever, I own no references, themes, or memes.

Guess who's here~!

"I believe most people are good; that is, I believe they can be better than they are. They just need a chance."

~!

Cat Got Your Tongue?

It was a strange thing, preparing to leap between two worlds.

Blake held next to no experience with such things -having been unconscious for her first trip- and so when the finally came to depart, she found herself at something of a loss. Painstaking reparations were made and she watched them numbly, not sure what to expect. The proceedings were actually quite interesting for an outsider to observe. She took many notes. Shinobi put their heads together. As one, they went to work around the Book. Seals were painted around the leather tome with painstaking care. Chakra carved itself into the ground.

Forged from fire and steel, a gate began to take shape. It wouldn't be finished until long after they departed, and so she paid it little mind.

Her mind was already elsewhere.

What would it feel like, to pass through the Book? Would she be aware of it? Would it hurt? Would she feel anything at all?

Truth be told, she'd come to enjoy her time in Naruto's village. These ninja were not at all what she'd expected. Rather than refute her, everyone had welcomed her with open arms -and more than a few knowing glances in Naruto's direction!- as if she were one of their own. With news of her departure she'd found saddled with gifts. A repaired-and-enhanced Gambol Shroud stood chief among, as well as a host of more versatile weapons besides. Shuriken and kunai were surprisingly easy to use once you got the hang of them. She had a brace of each now, one for each limb, with others secreted away on her personage.

"And you're sure its only been a few days on Remnant's side?"

"Yup." Naruto grinned right back. "I checked. Thrice."

She frowned. "Not even a week?"

"Yuuup."

"But I've spent so much time here!"

Blake wasn't so certain. She'd had time enough to recover and then some, even getting a bit of training in on the side. Should she feel guilty for that? This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ninja! Actual ninja! Anyone would do the same in her shoes! She hadn't even been here three months and she already felt like she could wrestle Yang. Maybe not win, but definitely put up more of a fight than before. How powerful would she become if she actually devoted herself to training here?

Her mind gibbered at the thought. Unstoppable. She'd become unstoppable.

That settled it. She wanted to come back here someday. She hadn't even seen half the village, much less the lands beyond. Now she had to rush home and make sure everyone was alright, or risk losing her place in Beacon entirely. It just wasn't fair...

"Hey, you're trembling. You alright?" A hand alighted on her forehead, snapping her back to reality. "Got a fever or something?"

Blake jerked back with a start and caught those brilliant blue eyes star into her, fraught with concern. She didn't miss the flash of confusion within them. Blast it. Her heart skipped a traitorous beat. He had no idea what he'd just done. Somehow, it endeared him to her all the more. No one had fussed over like this in ages. Not since...no. Best not to think about Adam. So she didn't. Her mind went somewhere else instead and conjured up a filthy line from one of her novels.

The assassin climbed atop her companion, straddling him with her hips and...no! Bad brain! Behave! Treacherous thoughts!

"Blake?" the hand waved before her face now. "Earth to Blake! Anybody home?!"

Her ears flattened atop her head. "I...its nothing."

Kakashi tittered behind them as he worked. "Doesn't sound like nothing to me."

"Don't worry." Sasuke said. "I'll make sure he uses protection."

Blake felt her throat go dry.

Hatake all but quivered with suppressed laughter, shoulders quaking with quiet mirth.

"Eh?" Naruto, blind to the byplay, cocked his head like a curious fox. "What're you talking about?"

Maim! Murder! Destroy! Exterminate! Blake made angry Blake noises and flushed to the very roots of her hair. For a wild moment she considered beating the lot of them about their heads with the blunt end of Gambol Shroud, consequences be damned. Thankfully she was saved from further humiliation by Sakura before Naruto could take notice of her embarrassment, much less comment upon it. With a long suffering sigh and a less-than-flattering comment she drew Naruto aside and took him to task as a sister might their younger sibling.

"Make sure Blake takes it easy." she chastised him, digging a finger into his chest. "She should be fit to walk and fight, but I don't want her tearing anything."

"Sure thing." that same sunny smile flashed out again. "I'll keep her safe."

Blake squeaked. His teammate quirked a pink brow. "Will you now?"

"Well, yeah. She's important to me...

Just like that, all of Blake's anger and embarrassment melt into a gooey puddle at her feet. Had she possessed a tail it would've been waging. As it stood she could feel her ears twitching with giddy glee. Her lips quirked in a silent smile. Times like these reaffirmed her trust in him. Here was someone who trusted her implicitly; who believed in her, uncaring of her past or what -who!- she had been before. It was a heady feeling.

...and if someone tries to hurt her, I'll break their everything."

The faunus slapped a hand to her face, muffling the quiet groan that followed. Honestly, he could be such a boy!

"You best! And be sure to dress warmly!" Sakura reached in and cinched Naruto's cloak tight about his shoulders, fussing over him further. "Did you remember to pack yourself a lunch? Yes? Good. Do you have the salves I prepared for Blake? What about the radio? No? Well, make sure they're still there! Chop chop!"

"Sakuraaa!" Naruto stomped a foot and whined. "I'm not a kid! Quit it!" A brow quirked and his defiance flat-lined. "Alright, alright, you can be such a mom sometimes...

Blake couldn't help but feel that she was intruding on something terrible personal. Were the two of them...? She shrank back half a step. Sakura caught her by the wrist and tugged her back. Closer still now. Gloved hands fussed over her own cloak, tugging her closer yet.

Warm lips brushed her ear.

"Don't mind him." The healer murmured while their resident blond was distracted. "He can be a bit dense at times. Just be persistent."

The heat returned tenfold and bought real estate in her heart. "I...have no idea what you mean."

"Sure you don't." Sakura granted her a nudged and a conspiratorial wink. "Good luck~!"

Blake arched an eyebrow of her own. Was she trying to...? No. Surely not.

"Oh, and if you break his heart, I'll snap you in half."

...she was.

In the end Blake surrendered to the sealing team's wisdom, such as it was, and stood by as they made their final preparations. He didn't have much; but he had argued tooth and nail for her, insisting she was trustworthy time and time again. His village believed him, and so believed in her.

As she waited, she allowed her gaze to stray back to Sasuke.

While she felt she understood Naruto, she still wasn't sure what to make of the Uchiha by his side. He was quiet where Naruto was loud. Stoic where the blond always wore a smile. Quick to violence where Naruto wasn't. Naruto certainly seemed to trust him more than most, but even with his vote of confidence she felt herself ill at ease. Remnant wasn't ready for another titan. Naruto was powerful enough, and he insisted that this broody bastard was his equal.

But as stated before, she didn't have any say in the matter.

No one wanted Naruto to go haring off to another world without backup. It was either Sasuke or a full squad of shinobi. This was by far the lesser of two evils. Better to have

She had the feeling the rest of this world was very keen to see Remnant for themselves. The same might well apply to her realm. Naruto's world was at peace. There were no Grimm here, and they had plenty of land to go around. Their technology might not be quite as sophisticated, but she suspected many Faunus would gladly trade that away for safety and security. Hmm. Something to consider for later, she supposed.

"Ready, then?" Naruto offered her his hand.

Blake accepted it, threading her fingers with his.

Sasuke reluctantly clamped a hand down on the blond's shoulder.

"Great!" Naruto grinned. "Now, whatever you do, be sure to hold on tight...and don't fall."

"Fall?!" Fear took wing in Blake's heart. "Wait, what does that meeeaaa-

Her worlds trailed away as the world burned bright.


(.0.0.0.)


Roman Torchwick jolted upright as a certain Book burst into light atop his desk.

"What the hell?!"

Unfortunately said jolt upset his precarious position. In short? It sent him crashing backward out of his chair. He spilled to the floor and his hat went flying. Instinct righted him quickly enough without any significant injury, but it was too late to save his pride. Judging by the near-silent hiss of Neo's laughter, that had already taken a mortal wound.

Under normal circumstances he would've made his partner pay for her shenanigans. Alas, he found himself very much...occupied.

Before his very eyes the Book jumped and shuddered like a thing alive. He watched the cover fly open as he climbed back to his feet, saw every page whirling with light. A strange humming filled the room, rattling his teeth, and with it came the wind, sharp and keeping. Papers flew from his desk, flying about his office as thought caught in a hurricane. Belatedly, it occurred to him that whoever was on the other side of those pages might not be happy to see him. And it that was who he though it was...they hadn't exactly parted on the best of terms.

"Neo!" he hollered! "Get your ass over here! Now!"

Too late. Something came hurtling through.

-aaaaargh!"

A dark shape rocked out of the pages and bowled Roman over again. His head struck the wooden floor with a shark crack. Aura fizzled sullenly. There was a weight on his chest. He growled and tried to push it away, only to be rewarded by a groan; one that became a growl. Roman looked up. Someone looked back.

Blake Belladona absolutely hissed. "You!"

Roman spat. "Bugger."

If she was here then...yep, there was tall bright and dangerous now, leaping from the pages as if he'd been born to them. By contrast his landing proved far more stable, a quick hope skip and a jump bled of the last of his momentum, turning his wild flight into a smooth landing. Bright blue eyes surveyed the office with confusion. Neo took one look at them and skittered back.

"So," a new voice intoned. "This is Remnant? Doesn't seem all that different."

"Trust me, it is. Wait until you step outside.

Because he'd brought a friend.

Said friend took one look at the two of them and sighed. Roman's heart shuddered to a stop. The newcomer was looking at him like one would a particularly unpleasant insect. It didn't do wonders for his confidence. Those eyes were even worse. Just what the hell were they? The sight of them stilled something his soul. Neo reached for her blade, only to wilt when the stranger did the same.

"Blake," he said at last, "Get off him."

"He's a criminal!" Gambol Shroud caressed Roman's throat, reminding him of the angry faunus still sitting on his chest. "We can't trust him!"

"Down, kitty-cat!" His arms flailed, batting the blade away. "I'm on your side!"

Her eyes narrowed to golden slits. "Prove it!"

With her sitting on him!? "How?!"

How indeed. His mind seized upon an idea. Make himself seem useful. Harmless. They'd been out of the loop. Probably didn't know about his change of loyalties either. Well, alright then. He could use that. And so Roman started talking. His silver tongue had only failed him once before -because really, Cinder was a bitch!- and he prayed it wouldn't fail him now.

His luck didn't betray him, nor did his tongue. He spoke quickly and swift. Incredibly, they listened.

Blondie even dragged his crazy cat off him; maybe things were turning around after all...?

"But hey, if you don't believe me, Cindy's got a warehouse where she's been storing loads of dust, weapons...and a stolen Atlas paladin." when no one took the bait, he sighed. "None of you know what that is. Of course not. Regardless, they're guarded by a few of my old boys and...the White Fang." Blake hissed. Ha! Got her! Mention them and she'd pounce like a cat on catnip. "Feel free to burn it. Or confiscate it. Whatever floats your boat."

Naruto thumbed his chin. "Cinder...you mentioned that name before."

"Yup. Real bad bitch."

"Is this warehouse important?" There was tall dark and broody again, just...staring at him. Beneath those eerie eyes, Roman couldn't help but be honest.

"Enough to put a serious dent in her operations, if she hasn't moved it."

"And this Cinder woman?" he leaned in. "Will she be there?"

"Maybe? I don't know." his shoulders rolled in a weak shrug. "She never put down roots as far as I knew."

Sasuke smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. "Tell me where to find this warehouse."

"I'll do you one better! I'll draw you a map!"

Roman didn't miss Naruto's frown as he scurried past and pulled out his materials; he just...ignored it while he worked, that was all. Whiskers might be a good guy, but his partner in crime seemed to be of the opposite persuasion. He had no doubt that this swordsman could fillet him seven ways to Sunday without breaking a sweat. Typical good cop-bad cop routine. Except these two had the bite to back up their bite.

Thankfully it only took him a minute to sketch the route. "Here you are!"

Naruto frowned at the map. "Sasuke, no. Bad idea, even for you."

"Sasuke, yes." The last Uchiha plucked it from Roman's hands, read it over once, nodded, and tucked it under his arm. "Let me have this, Naruto."

Another sigh. "You're gonna use Amaterasu, aren't you?"

The silence that followed proved telling.

"That or Susanoo. I've not decided."

"You know what? Fine!" Naruto flung up his arms. "You wanna smoke out a buncha bad guys? Go nuts. But!" he stabbed a finger forward, jabbing his ally in the chest. "This better not come back to bite us. We're supposed to be making a good impression here. Not smashing everything in sight!"

"I feel like I'm missing something here." Blake frowned. "What's an Amaterasu?"

Sasuke wasn't the sort to cackle. But his smile deepened.

Roman only looked away for an instant. A second. A sliver of time. When he looked back, Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. Bloody creepy, that.

"Did he just...?

"Best you don't know." Naruto yawned. "You got a couch here, Roman? Wanna put my feet up for a bit," he blinked, noticing something the rest of them hadn't. "Well, after we deal with our little eavesdropper."

Blake stiffened.

The door shuddered violently. Everyone froze.

"Knock, knock~!" a familiar voice chimed. "Anybody home?"

Their spy didn't given them time to answers before she kicked it open.

"Well, well, well!" Yang Xiao-Long waltzed in, grinning from ear to ear. "Look who the cat dragged in. Heya, Blake! Let's talk."


(.0.0.0.)


Blake wanted to cry.

Why did it have to be Yang?!

Ruby she could shoo away, Weiss she might be able to distract, but Yang? She was indomitable. Insatiable. Other words that ended in able. Ruby's sister could not be cajoled, she couldn't be distracted, couldn't be bought or even bribed. This was going to end poorly, she just knew it.

Thankfully, a quick glance over her shoulder allayed her worst fears.

Naruto had vanished to parts unknown once again, no doubt squirreling himself away as he'd gone before. Thank heaven for small mercies. If Yang saw him now, the teasing would be legendary. But where was Neo? Perhaps had miss Belladona looked overlong, she might've noticed a bit of displaced air where Naruto and Neo had been. Alas, she did not, and that moment of inattention left her very much as the mercy of another blond.

"Roman."

The thief gulped. Actually gulped. "Yeah?"

Lilac eyes flashed red. Flames burned through her hair. "Get."

"Gone!" He all but shot out the door, leaving Blake to her ignoble fate.

...maybe Yang wasn't angry?

"Hey, partner." the fiery blond bumped the door shut with her hip. "I missed you, partner." she locked it for good measure. "Where the hell were you, partner?"

Alright, she was angry. She had every right to be. Steeling herself, she struggled to speak. "I can explain-

Yang seized her by the shoulders. Blake barely had time to tense, expecting a punch. It never came. Strong arms dragged her forward, pulling her into a bruising embrace. The blonde's chin came down on her shoulder to trap her in place. Just like that she could herself caught, arms bound at her sides, helpless to do anything but balk.

"Yang...?"

"We were worried, damnit!" her partner pulled away and gave her her a rough shake. "You just vanished after that scroll call! Where were you?!"

Could she trust her her with the truth? Her ears dropped. "I...can't answer that. Not right now."

"Fine, be that way." Yang's grin returned full force. "There's something else I wanna ask.

There was a silence. And then. "Sooo, where is he?"

Blake blinked. "Where is who, now?"

"Your boyfriend! I heard voices!"

Blake was careful not to look at the Book, still sprawled out on the table.

...I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Holding out on me, eh? We have ways of making you talk!" Yang smelled weakness and all but pounced. "Seriously, where is he? There's no point in hiding him."

Blake blocked the Book with her body. "I'm not hiding anything.

"See, ya say that, but I smell bullshit."

Behind her, the air shimmered. Naruto's head poked out of Neo's illusion. Just his head. Nothing else. Blake nearly swallowed her tongue at the sight. Because he was smiling. Oh, dear. She knew that smile. She'd seen it a time or two in the village and each time it promised utter chaos for those involved.

Yang caught her eye and followed her gaze. "What're you staring at...?

She rounded on him and froze. Naruto's "head" grinned back.

"Boo."

Yang's shrill scream split the afternoon.

"GHOST!


(.0.0.0.)


Everything was burning.

Black fire licked across shipping containers; tongues of shadow and flame devouring all they touched. Nothing was spared. The warehouse burned. There was no mercy. Only flame. Only death. Only power. The battered and broken bodies of the White Fang lay sprawled about the yard, dead or dying. And still the fires raged ever on.

Cinder balked at the raging inferno of darkness. She blinked Once. Twice. Thrice, before she found her voice.

"Emerald."

Her pawn straightened and stood at attention, trying -and failing!- to hide the fear she felt. "Yes, ma'am?"

...I believe I just fell in love."

A man stood unharmed among the flames, clad in naught but a dark cloak and faded traveling leathers. He appeared to possess but a single arm, the fingers of which idly ran through the contents of a container. A fine red powder ran between his fingers. My, but he was pleasing to the eye. Dark of hair and fair of face, with strange yet mismatching orbs, he was handsome in a roguish way she'd not anticipated. Her heart skipped a beat, then another. And another. Another still.

'Well!' the realization startled her. Apparently I have a type.'

"So this is dust. Interesting." he picked up another handful, considering it was one might a fine gem. "We could use this."

He noticed her a heartbeat later and gazed down at her from the scaffolding. "Are you the one they call Cinder?"

She preened. "And if I am?"

He looked at her.

"Burn."

Her sixth sense shrieked a warning and she flung herself aside. Just in time. An inferno erupted where she'd stood only mere moments before, spreading even faster than its brethren. Within moments its blazed through to to the ceiling, threading through the walls, creeping toward the paladin itself. And yet, despite the horror of it, Cinder felt no fear. None at all. A different feeling stirred in her. Naked envy, wild and keening and fierce, like a keening voice, unable to be ignored. This...this put the power of the Fall Maiden to shame.

Three words escaped her in a low, purring whisper. "I want that."

"No." Sasuke drew his blade with a scowl. "You don't."

Then he was upon her and Cinder had to survive.

A/N: Felt lovely to get back into this.

Looking forward to reading your reviews!

As ever, said reviews keep this old man's engine alive, so I'll be looking forward to them.

Soooo in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review...Would You Kindly?

And enjoy the Previews!

As ever:

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

PLOT DETAILS AHOY!

YE BE WARNED!

Read at your own risk!

(Previews!)

Ozpin's brow shot to his hairline. "Ambassadors from another world, you say?"


"Is this what passes for a fire jutsu in this world? I am not impressed. Heed my warning. Turn back before its too late."

Cinder hissed. "And what do you know?!"

"More than you, silly girl." he parried her effortlessly, turning her graceful sweep into a stumbling tumble that carried her well away from him. "I once walked the very same path you do now. I know the pain in your eyes. You seek power to prove yourself; to never be weak again. In that, you've made a mistake. You think you're entitled to everything just because you've suffered, but suffering isn't enough. You can't just be strong. You have to be smart. You can't just be deserving. You have to be worthy. But clearly, all you have ever been...

"QUIET!"

...is a petulant child. And I will tolerate your arrogance no more. Prepare yourself."


"Sooo..is that ghost of yours gonna make an appearance again? Maybe I should try my luck."

"No! He's mine!"

"Oh~?" Yang's brow shot into her hairline. "Is that so?"

The shit-eating grin that followed told Blake all she needed to know. She'd been played. Her smile was positively predatory.

"Alright, then. We need to get you a dress."

Blake made angry Blake noises.

R&R~!