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

EDIT: Getting real tired of those flames, can't we all just get along, sit back and enjoy some fiction in peace?

Apparently not T_T

Aaaand the daily updates continue! Sorry if this seems short, daily updates are keeping me on my toes.

As ever, reviews are the fuel that keep me writing. I can't do anything without feedback. Not a word. As ever, your voice matters. So make yourself heard!

Without feedback, 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: Update schedule, please?

A: I tend to update everyday if I can, and update each story once a month at that; more if I'm really feeling inspired. Sometimes I fall behind due to work and schedules, but I always try my best to keep at it. If its a rota you want, I...don't really have one for this month, beyond updating the older fics first. I usually have a plan for what I want to write, and drafts already written up; its just a matter of getting down to it.

And that, in turn, comes down to time. I have so little o that these days.

For example! Some stories are more centralized than others, and easier to update. "Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover" for instance, focuses primarily on Blake and Naruto's adventures. Then we have "Remnants of Shinobi" which is literally going to go all across Remnant itself and change the the world. One story has less characters than the other. One story takes more TIME than the other.

See my point?

For the really long stories, I lock myself in my office for a day or two, order food, and just hammer away at them.

Q: I see what you're doing, there! Has the prank master taken a student -see Neo!- under his wing?

A: Oh yes, the pranks will be glorious. The chaos has only just begun!

Q: Can Cinder beat Sasuke?

A: *cackles* Not on her best day. She's only, what...half a maiden right now? Even were she a full maiden with backup, she'd be hard-pressed to surprise him, let alone wound him. We all know what Sasuke's capable of; well, before he got nerfed to hell in Boruto.

Furthermore, Sasuke has something Cinder desires above all else.

POWER.

I could say more on that front, but I think I'll let the chapter do the talking for me. Hope you've got some popcorn~! 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~!

"You're already dead."

"No! You are! You just haven't realized it!

"You know, flirting was a lot less destructive in my day."

"Somehow, I doubt it was...

~!

Feel the Burn

"Blaaake~!"

Say what you would about Ruby Rose, but she loved her friends. Almost as much as she loved her team. She would do anything for them. She'd fight for them. Cry for them. Give her life for them. There could be no truer ally in all of Remnant. She had her own share of flaws, naturally -really, who didn't?- but the fact remained all the same. If you were a friend, you weren't getting away from her.

"Ruby, wait a secon-ouch!"

Blake learned this lesson the hard way; scarce had she stepped into her dorm -and deposited an insensate Yang in her bed!- than a missile of red petals slammed into her chest. The sheer impact drove her back five steps until her back struck a wall and for a moment she wondered if she'd crash right through it.

Pale hands took her by the shoulders and shook her like a leaf.

"Where did you go?!" her team leader babbled up at her, silver eyes brimming with tears. "We looked all over for you! We met this weird monkey guy with a staff and then Penny got even weirder because apparently she's super strong and can shot lasers out of her-

"Wait." Blake held up a hand to forestall further babbling from their leader. "Penny? Lasers? Explain, please."

"Apparently, Penny's a robot." Weis chimed in from her own bed. "Its something of a secret."

Ruby whined, arms flailing as her mind caught up with her. "You can't tell anyone!"

It was enough to make Blake's head spin; too much to take in at once. She'd seem marvels in Naruto's world, wonders beyond compare. But time had passed in this realm as well. Not much, certainly less than that of the Elemental Nations, but time all the same. She should've felt guilty about it. Instead she only experienced a faint sense of amusement. On a whim she reached down and pulled the failing girl into her arms.

"I won't say a word, Ruby." her chin came up over their leader's head. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Weiss huffed and looked away. "Yes, well, you'd best not! We were very cross with you!"

Golden eyes flitted to the heiress, then darted away. Memories rushed back and brought guilt with them. They hadn't parted on the best of terms, had they? They'd shouted and screamed at one another. Said such horrid things to one another. They were, the both of them, at fault. Neither of them were blameless in this. Blake understood that now. It made all her worries about the Fang -all her concerns about Adam!- feel small somehow, strange as that might sound. She'd been a brat.

Clearly, the White Fang had been led astray; if they were responsible, she would deal with them.

There was a whole other world out there, full of powerful people ready and willing to come to her aid. She had two titans with her. But that was neither here nor there.

"Weiss...you were right." her voice broke a bit as the startled Schnee turned to face her at last. "You were." Oh gods, her eyes were burning. "About so many things!" She released Ruby and scrubbed at her face, trying to hide her tears in vain. "I saw them." Just like that, the dam broke. "They were there, stealing all that dust...!" her voice warbled, and her hands strayed to her stomach, finding her recently healed wound. "I was so stupid! I thought it couldn't possibly be them!" she winced against a phantom ache of pain. "I almost died for my arrogance and...and I know that's no excuse, that you'll never forgive me, but-

Slim arms enfolded Blake, crushing her back against the wall. White hair tickled her nose.

...Weiss?"

"You're such a dolt." those pale limbs tightened around her, holding fast. "I'm just as much at fault here as you are...how can I be mad at you now...?"

"Team hug~!" Ruby threw herself around the two of them, trying her best to embrace them despite her lack of height. She didn't wholly succeed; still, it was the thought that counted and that thought alone warmed Blake more than words. It was almost too good to be true. She'd dreaded this meeting, dreaded explaining herself, feared so many things. Naruto had been right after all.

"You're not angry with me?

"Nope!" Ruby chirruped.

"But I ran...!"

"And you came back." Weiss didn't let go of her. "That's what matters. Next time," she swallowed once, a fracture worming its way into her words. "Next time, just talk to us first, alright?"

Blake was suddenly and intensely grateful Naruto wasn't lurking about. Or was he? Oh gods, she hoped he wasn't. He'd never let her live this down. He was right. She was wrong. Something told her he'd have words for her whenever he came out of hiding. Her ears flattened against her head. She'd never live this down...still, maybe it wasn't so bad.

"I won't run again. I promise." She hiccuped. "I really don't deserve you two."

"Damn straight...

Yang groaned in her sleep and flopped onto her side. Only then did they remember the blond brawler; now sprawled out cold on her cot.

"Oh, right!" Ruby drew away with a blink. "What happened to her? Did you find her like that? Is she sick or something?"

Weiss pulled back with a bit more reluctance and laid a hand to her forehead. "She doesn't appear to have a fever...

Despite her best efforts, Blake felt her lips twitch into a smile. No, Yang most assuredly wasn't sick. She'd have words of her own for her once she finally roused herself. Words for her and Naruto alike, assuming she ever managed to track him down. Not likely, that. When a ninja didn't want to be found...they couldn't be found. But when they did..

Naruto's head popped out of Neo's illusion. "Boo~!"

"Ghost!" the buxom blond foamed at the mouth and toppled backward, eyes rolling in her head.

...she was got too excited and fainted." The lie came easily to her lips. "I carried her here, obviously." her ears twitched. "Sorry for the abrupt entrance." a fit of whimsy struck in good mood, and her tongue betrayed her with ruthless vengeance. I guess you could say I came in with a...Yang...?"

Weiss planted both hands on her hips. "Blake Belladona, was that a pun?"

Yes. The Faunus looked away with a pained wince. "No...?"

Ruby snickered. "Heh...in with a Yang...

"She's infected you, too!"

Technically, it wasn't a lie. Yang had fainted. And she had been excited. Frightened, really. Same thing! It counted!

"Yeah," Remarkably, Ruby accepted the answer for what it was. "That sounds like something Yang would so. She's so silly."

"You have no idea." An awful thought occurred to her. "And please, please, PLEASE don't tell her I made a pun. She'll never let her be."

"That still leaves one last question. "Leave it to Weiss to notice the Goliath in the room. "Where were you?" She stepped forward to poke her shoulder with a stern finger. "We searched all over Vale for you!" that pale digit ground deeper, pressing against her skin. "I even called in a favor from my Father!

...its a long story." Blake winced but a little. "I can't tell you right now. But I will!" she amended at the Schnee's stormy scowl. "Its...well...you might not believe me. That's all."

Weiss subsided with a scowl. "I suppose I'll have to hold you to tha...

"Oooh~! New toys! "Where did you get those?!

Ruby barely heard her. She'd finally now noticed Blake's new attire. Moreover, the bandoleer of experimental kunai and shuriken she wore. Glazed silver eyes swept over them all, right down to the pair of shortswords that were bound at her waist just below Gambol Shroud. Frankly, it was a miracle she'd failed to notice them until now.

Her lips parted to explain-

"Would miss Schnee and miss Rose please report to my office?" Ozpin's voice cut through the speakers overhead, sparing her a lengthy story. "I repeat, would miss Schnee and miss Rose please report to my office? Miss Goodwitch wishes to...have a word with you."

Weiss latched onto their leader's hood. "Ruby! What did you do?!"

"Weiiiss!" the little reaper flailed helplessly as she found herself dragged away. "I didn't do anything! Its probably Torchwick!"

Blake waited until she was certain they the unlikely duo was gone. Only then did she turn her gaze upon the suspiciously still form of her friend.

...you're awake, aren't you?"

Yang rolled over. "Yup."

"Why pretend, then?"

"Wanted to have a word with you in private." Her partner grinned like the cat that caught the canary and slaughtered its entire species. "Sooo," she propped herself up on one arm, "Is that ghost of yours gonna make an appearance again?"

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

"Is that so? He looked pretty handsome. "Maybe I should try my luck."

A rare knot of anger twisted itself into her heart. She wasn't sure why. She had no claim on Naruto; if he wanted to stay hidden, that was fine. But for some reason, those words...stirred something in her. Too late, she realized what it was. Anger. It burned through her, hot and heady, rising with righteous indignation.

"No!" the word tore out of her before she could think to hold it back. "He's mine!"

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

...uh-oh.

"Alright, then." The shit-eating grin that followed told Blake all she needed to know. She'd been played. Her smile was positively predatory. "We need to get you a dress."

Wait, what? Her spine stiffened. "Dress? What're you talking about?"

Yang didn't dignify her with a true response. She only laughed.

Blake made angry Blake noises.


(.0.0.0.)


"Oooh, she sounds angry."

Naruto whistled innocently as he slipped through the halls of Beacon. Neo was a silent shadow behind him, quiet as the grave. In hindsight, he wasn't quite sure why the silent girl was following him. She'd not left his side since he gave Yang a fright. She hadn't dropped her illusion, either. Thanks to her cunning little trick, not a soul could see either of them. It made things easier, certainly.

Neo tugged at his sleeve.

"Eh, its fine." he waved her concerns down. "Let them have their reunion. They deserve it; an' they certainly don't need me mucking thngs up. That said," his hand slipped out as they parted to evade one unwitting Cardin Winchester. A paper came up in his palm, and tape with it, already in hand. The bully never felt him slap a "Kick Me" sign onto his back and kept on his way, unaware of the laughter that followed. "We've got a bit of free time now." a blond brow quirked at her. "Whaddya say to a prank spree?"

She cocked her head like a wary she-wolf; two fingers flitted between the two of them in an unmistakable gesture.

"Nah, not on on each other." the smile that followed threaten to split his face. "That wouldn't be any fun. I was thinking something more along the lines of...

He leaned down to whisper into her ear. Neo fell silent. Frowned. Smiled. Her eyes lit up. Quick as you please, she spun back and stabbed a thumb over her shoulder. In the same moment she simultaneously stuck out a limber and caught poor Russell Thrush by the ankle. The teen slammed facefirst into the floor and ran off, gibbering about ghosts.

"Of course we can involve Roman." Naruto laughed when her fingers flitted out again. "Did you have something in mind?"

Her head bobbed eagerly as he leaned around her and hissed in Sky Lark's ear. Poor lad jumped.

Neo shrugged and gave Dove Bronzewing a shove, sending him tumbling into his partner.

"Not bad," Naruto's head bobbed as they squabbled, "But a bit too classic for my tastes. Here. Try this." Quick as a flash he flowed around them and breathed cold air on Cardin's neck. "Caaardiiin~!" Even as the poor boy froze in fear, he tapped his shoulders with a still-unseen hand. "Caaaaaaardiiiiiin~!" He grinned offered another deep growl in Kurama's voice. "I'M HAUNTING YOU."

The result was nothing short of spectacular.

"That's it!" the leader of Team CRDL flung up his hands. "I quit! Screw this school!"

The armored boy shrieked and fled with his team as if the hounds of hell were hot on their heels.

"Well?" Naruto quirked a brow at Neo.

She sketched a low bow.

"Up top!" The blond raised his hand. In a single graceful bound, the diminutive girl leaped up slapped him a high five.

That was the thing about bullying bullies. No need to feel bad about it.

Pull that poor girl's ears would they?! Not on his watch!

See, this was why Naruto liked the world of Remnant. Not only was it fresh and new to him, but he'd already found a kindred spirit in Neopolitan. She was a the mischievous sort, and her ideas put his to shame. Putting heir earlier scuffle aside, he found her rather agreeable. So long as she didn't attack Blake a second time, he could let bygones be bygones. She'd clearly learned her lesson from the docks. And if she ever took it into her head to try and attack them a second time...well. He'd just have to kick her ass to kingdom come.

But back to her ideas! Some of those pranks were downright fiendish. Who knew you could do that with shaving cream? Was this what it felt like to have a sibling? Sure it must be so.

His mind embraced the madness wholeheartedly. "Y'know, I always wanted a little sister...

Neo slammed into his side with a giddy grin.

A distant plume of fire lit up the night from Vale, visible through a nearby window.

"Probably nothing." Naruto rolled his shoulders and shrugged at the sight. "Sasuke's a big boy. He's got this."


(.0.0.0.)


Cinder did not have this.

Nope. Not at all.

Sasuke struck and she fell back, back, back, fighting for her very life. For every attack she retreated, barely able to hold her own. It was maddening. Infuriating. Exhilarating in a way she'd never know. Parry. Riposte. Kick out at his legs. She'd never seen a fight like this before. His blade sang, trailing sparks. She blocked it by crossing her blades, only to grimace as he simply forced her away yet again. How could someone with one arm be this strong?! It beggared belief!

Those eerie eyes met hers through his midnight-black hair. "Is that all you have?"

His heel kicked out. Cinder fell.

She crashed through the scaffolding, slammed through a bullhead, tore out the other side and hit the ground running. This was madness. A sudden spike of heat served as her only warning; then her world imploded anew with fire and flames. The aspiring maiden dove behind cover to evade it, only to find her disciples waiting for her there.

"Ma'am?" Emerald looked her way, bleeding from a nasty cut to her forehead. "What do we do...?"

She never had a chance to answer.

"Children, all of you." the specter of vengeance scoffed somewhere behind him. "You're no shinobi."

Mercury hissed. "What the hell is a shinobi?!"

"To you? It means god. Now bow."

A blade of purest light pierced Mercury's chest through cover, skewering him like a stuck pig. The assassin froze, turning trembling eyes upon his wound. Emerald gasped. Cinder balked.

"Seriously...?" he croaked the word aloud, a thin line of blood running down his lips. "Just like that?"

"Mercury!"

Emerald yelped and tried to crawl forward to help him, but it was already too late. Sasuke's blade swept up then through the assassin's collarbone, cutting through flesh and bone with the telltale a sizzle of cooking meat. Mercury was left to slump forward in a puddle of his own blood. In a single fluid movement Sasuke reversed his grip on the blade's hilt and stabbed down into his body. Mercury twitched once and fell still. His fingers did something around the hilt of his blade and Emerald toppled back, clutching at her leg.

The last Uchiha stabbed his sparking blade down into the dust.

Cinder saw it and flung up her Aura. Too late.

Cold fury burned the world white.

Sense abandoned her and she blacked out for a moment.

When she came to, the world was in ruins around her. Reality snapped back. Ears ringing, vision swimming, she thrashed her way upright, unable to make sense of her surroundings. Everything was gone. The warehouse had been immolated completely, annihilated in the explosion. Emerald lay slumped beside her, barely breathing. Or maybe she wasn't. Cinder couldn't tell. Everything was spinning. Of Mercury's corpse, there was no sign; naught of the White Fang bodies, or even the Paladin.

And then he emerged from the haze, eyes burning. "Have you learned, yet?"

Fight or flight warred in Cinder's mind, tearing it to pieces. She choose the former.

Flames flickered at her fingertips; weak, uncertain, unsteady. Her power was not complete. She was, even now, only half a maiden.

"Is this what passes for a fire jutsu in this world?" his blade cut through her fireblast like weak morning dew. "I am not impressed." that same sword flashed out, nearly taking her eye as she evaded him. "Heed my warning while you can. Turn back before its too late."

Cinder moved to meet him again, conjuring a fresh pair of blades. "And what do you know?!"

"More than you, silly girl." he parried her assault effortlessly, turning a graceful sweep into a stumbling tumble that carried her well away from him. "I once walked the very same path you do now." She spun and lashed at his back, only to meet empty air. "I know these very steps. Who hurt you?" her attack fumbled, and he drove an elbow back into her eye. "Who was it that put you on this path?"

Her world went red. "Quiet!"

No one had ever asked about her past. None dared. His questions were sharp and probing; not like Rhodes, never like Rhodes. There was no gentleness here; only vicious intent. He was worse. He picked her apart with ease, tore through her defenses as if they were made of naught but paper. And still she fought on.

They ranged about the ruined warehouse like flame itself; ever moving, never pausing, never hesitating for a moment.

No peace here. No weakness. No mercy. Only strength. One would stand. One would fall. There could be no other outcome. She wanted to win. She had to win. The alternative was unacceptable; not for fear of failing her master, but for fear of what this young man might do to her. He'd already cut down Mercury and wounded Emerald. There would be no reinforcements.

For the first time in a terribly long time, she was alone.

Cinder flung a wave of glass at her attacker; it landed well short and detonated, kicking up a cloud of dust and flame.

She vanished into it, trusting in the haze to hide her movements. He heels clicked against the grit and she kicked them away. Lightning flashed after them, incinerating the shoes even as they tumbled in the air. She flung another wave of jagged glass after him, and was rewarded by a grunt of annoyance. Not pain. She slipped aside as a fireball pierced the gloom, nearly immolating her on the spot.

All the while her heart hammered, like prey before a predator.

"I know the pain in your eyes." his voice followed her in the smokescreen, stern and firm. "You seek power to prove yourself; to never be weak again. In that, you've made a mistake."

"And what mistake is that?"

She crept up on his exposed back, glass dagger in hand.

He rounded on her and caught her by the wrist. Now! She lashed out with the other, seeking to take advantage of his weakness.

Black flames blossomed across the length of her arm. Cinder crumpled with a shriek, clutching at it.

"You think you're entitled to everything just because you've suffered, but suffering isn't enough." his visible eye fixed on her, sharp and piercing as she writhed in agony. "You can't just be strong. You have to be smart." he leaned forward, well into her personal space. You can't just be deserving. You have to be worthy." his forehead pressed against hers, stealing her breath away. "But clearly, all you have ever been...

"QUIET!" she dove at him, to no avail.

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

He pinned both arms above her head and slammed a knee against her stomach. Breath burst from her lungs and her back arched in a frantic attempt to escape. His grip held firm despite her efforts; until he wrenched her down and slammed her to the floor. A weak wheeze fled from the aspiring maidens lips as she lay there. The flames ravaging her arm guttered out, leaving the limb horribly burned.

His sword tickled her throat. "Do you truly wish to die that badly?"

A keening whine fled from Cinder's lips. She didn't. She wanted to live. Death meant the end of everything. All her plots, all her schemes, all of it undone by the single stroke of a sword. She'd lost to a one-armed man. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been bested this thoroughly. Not even Salem herself had humiliated her in such a fashion.

But this one had. Was it possible to learn such power?

He'd awakened something in her. Even with full power of the Fall Maiden, she didn't think she'd be able to best him. Even with help. She wasn't sure she wanted to. Was it possible to learn such power? His victory over was complete; she lay broken at his feet, and he'd barely broken a sweat. She hadn't landed a single blow. By the brothers, he didn't even look tired!

There was only one way out of this disaster; one singular path in which she lived to fight another day.

Cinder raised her hands. The blade left her neck. She moved slowly, carefully, so as not to draw his ire down upon her. Before she eyes she bent a knee, bowed her head, and pressed her right fist to the scorched floor. He didn't move. She went a step further and prostrated herself before him full pressing her forehead into the ashen dirt.

Two words were spoken; a single set of syllables.

They changed everything.

...I submit."

A/N: Oho~? The plot thickens!

But will Sasuke accept her surrender? And who's to say that wasn't all a genjutsu he put Cinder udner? Uchiha are right tricksy bastards.

Next chapter, we get into the juicy bits everyone's been clamoring for.

Felt lovely to get back into this. Looking forward to reading your reviews!

As ever, said reviews keep this old man's engine alive; literally can't write without them. So speak up! Your opinion -and your voice!- matters!

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!)

Naruto slapped his forehead. "Sasuke! What the actual hell?!"


Salem flounced back into her throne and regarded the silent Seer with an angry huff.

"Am I being ignored?" she planted her chin in one hand as she sulked. "No, surely not. I'm the antagonist. They wouldn't ignore me...!"


...how do I look?"

Naruto's jaw clicked open. "Wow."

Yang punched the air and hooted. "Ha! I win! Pay up!"


"Pain is perspective." Adam drew his blade. "And perspective is pain. The plan continues."

Blood for blood. The debt would be paid.

Beacon would BURN.


Kakashi pinched the brow of his nose. "You had one job, Sasuke."

"To be fair," the Uchiha countered quickly. "I didn't anticipate this. You certainly didn't."

"Well, on your head be the consequences." his mentor clapped him on the shoulder. "Have fun tonight~!"

"KAKASHI!"


"I'll be back. Just need to freshen up a bit."

Blake sashayed away, hips swinging.

Naruto tried not to follow with his eyes and failed miserably. That sway had to be deliberate.

R&R~!