A/N: WARNING! Please read this note first, would you kindly? Thank you!
This story is under the "Embers" Rule for good bloody reason; if folks don't like this story, poof! Away it goes.
Docs still can't figure out what's wrong with my lungs; I can breathe alright, but they feel weird. Like I need to cough, but there's nothing there to cough up. You'll be fine son, they say. Just wait for more test results, they say. I! DO NOT! FEEL! OKAY!
Ugggh...
In a more positive light, someone recently introduced me to Leon: the Professional. Trying not to watch it; because I just know its going to give me writing ideas and blast it, I'm trying to suppress those! Even now I've got thirty different ideas ricocheting around in my brain, most of which I've shunted off into the plot bin.
Now, then! lets answer your questions.
Q: I see you, Kakashi! DO IT! FOR THE LOLS!
A: Trust me, you'll be laughing your ass off here.
Q: Just how dense are those boys?! Do they have any idea what they've done?!
Naruto x Blake is one thing, but Sasuke's got CINDER lusting after him! I predict explosions!
A: Naruto and Sasuke are exceptionally dense when it comes to matters of the fairer sex. Its amusing by this point. Makes you wonder how everyone else will react, no?
Q: Alright, this is going to sound rude as hell -and it isn't mean to be!- but I gotta ask you something.
Are you afraid to write intimate scenes these days?
You used to write some damn good stuff...
A: Oho? Are you challenging me? You are, aren't you?
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
Q: Well, Cinder sure flipped quickly, didn't she?! I take Sasuke has a plan. Hopefully he can convert her. If he can't...?
A: I really don't want to spoil things.
Q: Where are Emerald and Mercury? Were they hit with an illusion or...?
A: You'll have your answers in this chapter.
Alright, I've kept you long enough.
Hope you're ready for to laugh; I know I certainly did.
Title is a pun, of course. As ever, I own no references, themes, or memes.
"No more. I...I think I'm done running. I'm not going anywhere."
"Well, funny you should say that. Neither am I."
...if you're lying, I'll claw your eyes out.
~The Moment.
Spiking the Punch
Blake wanted to run.
Running was good; running was safe, running was a perfectly natural instinct when faced with peril. She'd run from her parents, run from the White Fang, run from her guilt. Maybe she should run now. Nothing wrong with a little running. Running was a good defense mechanism. After all, running had never failed her before...oh wait. It had!
Alas, it seemed running wasn't an option tonight.
Barring that, she wanted to dive into her bed, pull the covers up over head, and stay there until this madness was over. But that too, was no longer an option. For all her strength and skill, she simply couldn't escape her troublesome partner. She'd already tried! Blasted blond was quicker than she looked!
Yang had no right to be that strong, really. It wasn't fair.
"Is this really necessary?" She asked for what felt like the umpteenth time as the blond fussed over. "Its just a stupid dance. I don't see why its so important that Naruto and I attend."
"Well, it is to me," Yang tightened the sash around her waist before she could wriggle free. "I'm living my love life vicariously through the two of you. Now stop squirming!"
Blake stoke a glance at herself in the nearby mirror and huffed anew. She could at least take some small comfort in the fact that Naruto was suffering a similar fate at the hands of Weiss. Judging by the incessant grumbling she heard from across the hall, he wasn't much pleased with their current arrangement either. Was it wrong that she enjoyed his complains? Weiss was many things, but she could be absolutely relentless when it came to things like this-OW!
"Hey!" Blake jerked a little as a particularly point pin gave her a hard jab in the lower back. "Watch where you're sticking those!"
"Just making sure the 'ol Bellabooty is intact." a slap had her jumping. "Spoilers. It totally is. Naruto's a lucky guy."
A furious flush bloomed across her face. "Excuse me?!"
"Sure, you're excused."
...I am going to shave your head." her hands clenched at her sides. "In. Your. Sleep."
"Nah, you don't have a deathwish." Yang took the threat in stride as she did all things, grabbed her by the shoulders, and guided her around to the mirror. "C'mon, you look great! See?"
"I feel awful." Blake glowered golden daggers at her reflection, ears twitching with thinly veiled anger. "And so will you when I have my revenge."
Another pin jabbed her somewhere it really shouldn't have. "There's that cutting wit I love!"
"Yang, I swear if you stick me with one more pin I'll do more then cut you."
Her partner swept away with a laugh, "Promises, promises~!"
Blake rounded on her. "Wait, where are you going?!"
"To check on your boy, of course. I'll leave you to finish up here." her scroll flashed out at the handle, sealing the electronic lock. "Lemme know when you've finished sulking. We'll be waiting~!"
Only then did Blake realize her phone was missing. "Yang Xiao-Long, don't you DARE-
"For the record, I approve~! Seems like he'll be good for you."
The door sealed shut behind her with a click.
Blake slammed a fist against it.
"Ciao~!" came her partner's muffled voice.
There had been a time before all this with her and Yang, a moment, a single sliver of a second when she'd wondered about the two of them; thought they might someday be more than mere friends. But that moment had long passed. Perhaps that was Yang's way of giving her a nudge, forcing her to find happiness. Damn her. Why did she have to be so pushy?
She turned to inspect herself in the mirror.
A stranger stared back. Her ears twitched in agitation on full display. Well, at least Yang was right about one thing. The dress was...rather nice, actually.
She'd never bothered with dances or any such pageantry back in Menagerie. Festivals were meant to be held down by the beach near the water; where you wore whatever you had to hand. Simple celebrations. None of this pomp and circumstance. She didn't do formal. And yet...
Blake pivoted.
Could see woo Naruto like this? Moreover, did she want to?
Oh, gods. Mom would love him. Dad...would probably try to kill him; that, or give him the talk.
She performed a little twirl and admired herself, watching her dress flare. A pale hand ran through her hair; she frowned a little when she realized just how long it had become. Time in his world passed quickly compared to here. She'd have to do something about it, soon. Did he like girls with long hair? Short? Maybe she should ask-NO! Bad brain! Focus on the task at hand!
Blake shook her head and took a deep breath to center her thoughts.
'Alright, calm down. Caaaalm."
She was entirely to worked up about this. It was just a dance. Sure his world had those...didn't it? What if it didn't?!
Blake buried her head into her hands and screamed. By the Brothers, she had no idea what she was doing. Courtship thy name is folly! This was so different from what she'd had with Adam and...nonono all the nope! Not going there, either! Her mind revolted violently. Stop! Don't dwell on the past!
But she couldn't help herself. It clawed at her, dragging her down.
Adam had been, and still was, a driving force in her life. Even if he'd all but driven her away by the end. He'd been older than her and that had defined much of their relationship. She still remembered following him around like a lost kitten when she was little. She had followed him through thick and thin, followed him even as he became a monster. He had betrayed all that the White Fang stood for, all that they stood for. All the while she stood by in fear unable help him, unable to change him, unable to do anything but watch as he became that...thing.
"What about the passengers?"
"What about them?"
She shivered a little at the memory of his voice and shook the thought of him away. In the end, she hadn't been able to do anything but flee; cut the cars apart and run from him as she run away from everything else. She couldn't go through that again. Never again.
Her face twisted at the thought. Yang's words came to mind once more.
"I think he's good for you."
Maybe he was. Naruto didn't lead her, nor did he follow. He didn't walk in front of or behind her, but beside her. Running away from this, from him, wouldn't change anything. Hell, if she ran, he'd probably catch her! Gods knew he was fast enough! Surely it wouldn't hurt to try. No! She would try! For his sake as much as hers, she had to try.
Be brave, you dolt. She willed the words more at herself than anything else. For once in your life, don't run.
No more. She wouldn't run from this. Her days of running were over.
"Alright, then." she gripped the doorknob in hand.
Then she knocked. Once. Thrice. Twice.
"Let me out. I'm ready."
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto didn't recognize himself.
It seemed a strange phrase for someone who had lain waste to armies, fought in the last Great Shinobi War, and bested a goddess, but there it was. He simply did not recognize the stranger starring back at him within the glass. Nope! Do not like! Do not like one bit! Rip and tear the suit! Exterminate!
To be fair, his reflection scowled right back at him.
Clad in an elegant red suit paired with matching shoes and an black tie, he felt every bit out of his element. How could someone possibly fight in this?! Neat and clean, dressed with polish and poise, he looked like some kind of...of...
"Ponce?" Kurama chimed in.
'Yes!' he all but flung up his arms. 'That! Exactly that!'
"Well, would you look at that." Apparently, some disagreed as a demure voice somewhere behind him would suggest. "You clean up rather nicely, for an oaf."
He pivoted to glower bloody red daggers at Weiss. There would be a reckoning for this. She didn't know it yet, but ohhhh there would be one. He'd prank all of them for this. Her, Ruby, Yang, the whole school. None would be spared. Beacon would look lovely spattered in orange graffiti. Just the thought of it made him smile.
"You do realize I was called the King of Pranks for a reason."
She quirked a pale brow at him. "And?"
"Just a warning."
"Jeez," Yang's head poked into the room, "You and Blake are pretty heavy on the threats tonight."
"And as for you!"" he jabbed a finger an the unrepentant blond. "Don't think I've forgotten your part in this, Xiao-Long! You're hair's gonna be pink! Wait," A thought occurred to him when her smile didn't waver. "Were't you helping Blake?"
"I was," she crossed both arms behind her head, "But she's in a bit of a mood. So I came ta' check on you instead."
Concern reared its head. "Did something happen? Maybe I should check up on her-
"No, no, no!" his fellow blond all but body-blocked him. "You can't see her until the dance!"
"She's right!" Weiss joined her teammate, all but creating a wall between him and the door." Its tradition!"
He growled. "To hell with tradition!"
Far from being intimidated by it, Beacn's resident brawler only preened. "You really are sweet on her, aren't you? Take care of her alright?"
His irritation sputtered out, not unlike a candle blow in the wind. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Weiss slapped a hand to her forehead. "Honestly! Anyone can see she lo-mmph?!"
"Nah," Yang leaned back, a hand clamped firmly over the Schnee's mouth, "We're gonna let you two figure this out yourselves. More fireworks and all that. Should be fun to see who cracks first."
He blinked anew. "I don't get it."
"You will when Blake pins you to a wall!" Weiss snapped.
"Oi!"
"Sorry," Yang drawled, "But she's got a point call it as I see it. Just, "and here she winced a little, "Be good to her, yeah? She's my partner. So...be nice."
Why did he feel like Yang was giving her away to him?
"And if you break her heart, I'll break you."
Ah. There it was.
He very much doubted these girls could do anything to harm him on a good day, but for their sake he went along with the ruse.
"Not sure I get what this about, but I'd ever hurt her, so-
"Yaaaang!" Ruby's wail pierced the stilted silence that built itself between them. "These shoes suck! You can't make me wear them!"
"Wanna bet?!" Yang scooched past him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a little sister to corral...
(.0.0.0.)
Roman swore as the Book all but burst to life on his belt.
"No! I said no, for crying out loud! Not again!"
Someone came crashing through.
Neo tilted her head at them.
Well, well, well...
(.0.0.0.)
Ruby was forced into those shoes in short order.
She kicked and screamed the entire way.
Naruto took cold comfort in knowing he wasn't the only unhappy one tonight. From there, Yang and Weiss frog marched the two of them out the dorms -only because he let them!- and down into the courtyard. Amusing as it was to have three girls fussing over him, he still felt out of sorts the entire way down. Was this what it felt like to have sisters? He wasn't sure how anyone could stand it.
At least Sasuke had been wise enough to skip all the madness and leave early, the cheeky bastard. Why didn't he think of that?!
"Because you're you."
"Traitor! You're supposed to be on my side!"
"Stop sulking." Weiss saw him pouting and moved to adjust his tie. "You really do look rather nice...
Naruto grumbled angrily, refusing to be mollified. "I look like a prissy ponce."
"Is that so? A hand touched his shoulder. "Then how do I look?"
Blake?
He pivoted on one heel, prepared to tell her just what he thought of all this.
Instead his jaw clicked open.
"Wow."
Who was this sexy gorgeous creature and what had she done with that surly cat he'd come to know and love?
She'd abandoned her traditional attire entirely in favor of a short purple halter neck dress split up the right side with a black collar. Translucent black mesh sheathed her shoulders, decolletage and back, while decorative black swirls covered the left side of the dress before flowing up the left strap. Black pumps completed the outfit and her bow...
Blue eyes widened.
...was absolutely nowhere to be seen.
His tongue committed mutiny immediately. "Holy hell, you're beautiful."
The slow flush of Belladona's face was a remarkable thing to behold. Her ears perked up first, then immediately flattened in embarrassment. Heat crawled through her face, leaving her mouth to work wordlessly as all her words died a horrible gurgling death. She looked left. She looked right. She looked back to im.
"Idiot." she muttered at last, all but burying her face into his side. "You weren't supposed to say that...
Ruby started clapping. "Awww!"
Yang punched the air with a triumphant cry. "Ha! I win! Pay up!"
Weiss slapped a wad of lien into her hand. "Honestly, why do I even bother...
"Aw, you know ya love me!"
(.0.0.0.)
"Do what must be done. Do not hesitate. Show no mercy."
The masked girl knelt in reverence.
"For the White Fang."
(.0.0.0.)
Arm in arm, Naruto and Blake crossed the threshold.
A sea of bodies awaited them on the dance floor, some familiar, others not. Very few to him indeed. Blake felt just as stiff at his side, her movements quick and agitated, ready to hide behind him at the slightest provocation. He supposed that was better than her fleeing at the first sign of trouble. Frankly, he'd take what he could get at this poit.
"Can you dance?"
"In a sense." he muttered back. "I'm more worried about someone seeing me."
Her ears drooped. "With me?"
"What? No! Its just...ugh, I'm not good with stuff like this." He scratched the back of his head once for good measure. "I'm pretty sure Sasuke and I shouldn't be here." They really shouldn't. "Low profile and all that. We're not exactly students here now, are we? People will ask questions."
"No, they won't." her arm linked with his.
"Eh?"
"I said they won't." Blake barreled on, reassuring him. "You're with me and he's with that...woman." her lips pursed and she made a face looking like she'd bit into a lemon. "Everything's fine."
He followed her gaze and saw the source of her discomfort. "You don't trust Cinder, do ya?"
"No." she shook her head. "Do you?"
His brow furrowed. It wasn't hard to find Sasuke, if only because he looked so surly. Cinder was another matter. She all but radiated smugness as she clung onto his arm. Nothing more. No plots, no schemes, just a lovely young woman hanging off a young man's arm, basking in the jealous stares that followed in their wake.
"I'm not sensing any negative emotions." after nearly ten seconds, he gave up. "Could be she's reformed. That, or he scared her so badly she had a mental break."
Her brow furrowed as he led her to one of the punch bowls. "And you believe that?"
Always so inquisitive!
"Remind me to tell you how Sasuke and I grew up, someday." His mouth quirked at a particularly fond memory. "Those were the days." he took a cup and drank, smiling a little when she did the same. Everything was simple back then." Said smile became a wince when she moved in and laid a kiss on the Uchiha's cheek. "Hoo boy, Sakura ain't gonna like that." another glass came and went between them. "Maybe someone should warn her...
"About what?"
Right, how to explain it? Best be blunt.
"Well, the broody bastard ain't exactly taken but Sakura's really sweet on him and-
"Familiar face on your right." Kurama chimed suddenly. "He's walking away from you."
Naruto paused, with a blink. Was that a flash of silver hair he'd seen just now? Nah. No way. Kakashi couldn't possibly be here. Craning his neck, he found no sign of the man he'd just seen. Still, the image tugged at him with a faint thorn of concern. He wasn't that much a troll...was he? What was he up to?
He had a sinking suspicion about this...
"I'll be back." Blake released his arm abruptly, claiming his attention once more. "Just need to freshen up a bit. Save some punch for me?"
"Yeah, sure." he murmured. "You know where to find me."
"I do." Half-lidded eyes regarded him intently.
She sashayed away, hips swinging.
Naruto tried not to follow with his eyes and failed miserably. That sway had to be deliberate.
(.0.0.0.)
Sasuke considered himself a patient man.
Once upon at time he, he had been anything but. Young and bitter, full of wrath and hatred and spite toward the world, he'd sought to burn everything. He'd been a monster in all but name. He'd seen things, done terrible things, all in the name of vengeance. It had taken many trials and tribulations to turn that once wrathful young man into a bastion of calm. At least, he preferred to think so.
But tonight, he found that patience tested.
"Having fun?"
His gaze shifted to the source of his woes. Cinder really did look lovely tonight. That formal crimson evening gown etched with swirling designs on it, flowing sleeves all. A lesser man would've fussed over her like a fool. A more paranoid soul would've thought this an act, a ruse, a trick to make him lower their guard. He knew it was something else altogether. What was the word Shikamaru used? Troublesome? That was the one.
Cinder Fall did not fawn; there was no need for it. She simply basked in his presence, like a girl who had been starved of sunlight.
Ah, but she was looking at him, and he must attend...for now.
"I suppose." he grunted at last.
He felt angry eyes on him and raised his gaze.
Emerald glowered at him from across the room. Mercury was very much dead, but he'd seen fit to spare the girl at Cinder's pleading. Perhaps that had been a mistake. The green-haired girl was glaring bloody red daggers at him. Might be best to nip that in the bud and soon...
"She doesn't look happy."
His date huffed. "She will do as she's told. No need to concern yourself with her."
He shrugged. "As you say...
Sasuke knew the look of a troubled soul when he saw one; though he knew Cinder would never admit it where prying ears could hear. He'd walked in darkness once before, steeped himself in shadow until there was no way out. Until someone yanked him out out of it. Maybe that was all Cinder struck him as a hurt child. All her cravings for power and inability to trust others was naught but to hide that fear. She'd lost things and suffered deeply for it. His eye told him much, simply not the specifics of her plight. Perhaps she could yet be saved.
And if not...
...if she refused to be change course...
...his katana would be ready and waiting for her neck.
"There is one thing you can do for me." he said at last, choosing his words with care.
Golden eyes snapped to his. "For you? Anything."
"Tell me who hurt you."
Cinder barely flinched; one needed keen eyes to see the minute way in which hers narrowed, but he knew he'd struck true. His words picked at an old scar and tore it open. For a moment he glimpsed anger in her gaze, a raw and powerful hurt that he knew all too well. Had she a sword, he suspected she would've tried to run him through. As it stood, her arm merely tightened around his. His gaze held hers, refusing to relent, and in the end, it was she who yielded.
"Its...not a tale I like to tell." something cracked in her voice, leaving her sounding very much like a little girl. "Maybe someday."
It was the best he could expect from her now. And she hadn't refused him. Perhaps there was hope-
He spied a familiar crest of spiky grey hair.
No.
"Excuse me." he tugged himself free of her arm. "I think I just saw an old friend."
"Just as well." Cinder agreed. "I need to have a word with my...associate."
He didn't miss the way Emerald quailed under her gaze.
Without warning, Fall darted in. Warm lips alighted upon his cheek. She pulled away thrice as fast and walked backward into the crowd, never once breaking eye contact with him.
"Don't leave me waiting too long...
It was the matter of moments to thread his way through the crowd; those who didn't make way were discreetly nudged aside. More than a few casually cruel comments were flung his way, but he ignored him. He could do more with one arm than these fools could with all their limbs. Their words meant naught to him. No, he had eyes only for one.
...Kakashi."
Sure enough, his old sensei turned away from the punch bowl to face him, clad in a mottled silver suit. There was a rather curious flask clutched in his left hand, one he didn't bother to hide in the least. With lazy grace, he upended the last of it into the bowl and screwed the flask shut, then stowed it away on his personage.
"Yeeeesssss?" he smiled behind the mask as he clipped said flask to his belt. "Was there something you needed, Sasuke?"
In a sense. "Why are you here?"
The smile deepened. "Can't a teach check in on his adorable students? I was worried."
Sasuke resisted the urge to snarl at his mentor. "This. Is. A. Dance!"
"So what you're saying is I need to find myself a partner." the madman smacked his fist into an open palm. "Right, right. I'll get on that."
He was being deliberately obtuse, the cheeky bastard; which meant he was up to something. Against his better judgement, Sasuke stepped in and lowered his voice to a hoarse whisper.
"What are you even doing, anyway?" he all but hissed.
"Spiking the punch. Thought that was obvious."
A dark brow rose. "And no one's noticed?"
...they forgot about it?"
"Kakashi!"
"What?!" The look he received was utterly unapologetic. "Is an old man not allowed to have fun in his twilight years?" he leaned past him, regarding Cinder's full figure in the distance. "And I could say the same of you, my dear pupil. You had one job, Sasuke. What happened to no attachments?"
Damn him.
"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, spun him around and shot away. "Have fun tonight~!"
Naruto wandered his way soon thereafter. "Was that...?"
"Yes." Sasuke pinched the brow of his nose. "I don't want to talk about it. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Blake?"
"Eh, she went to freshen up." he received a shrug in recompense for his temerity. "What about you? Cinder? Really?"
"Cinder cares about power." Best choose his words carefully here. "Power. Big, international, non-diplomatic projected power is...something else. It lends you more might, but it doesn't have the utilities of strength. It lays eggs in you; becomes a parasite you have to feed, and feed, and FEED. Power does nothing but eat." he paused, meeting his gaze intently. "Now, who do you know who was like that."
"You cannot be serious." The barest beginnings of a smile tug at the corner of his friend's mouth, You want to redeem her."
"Redeem isn't the word I'd use...why are you hugging me, Naruto?"
"Because you've come full circle! I'm so proud of you!" he pulled back just as quickly. "And don't look now, but I think the old man's making a move...
...you cannot be serious."
"Buddy, believe me, I wish I wasn't...
Both boys followed their mentor's path with a watchful gaze. As such, they were in for quite the treat. They beheld the precise moment Kakashi Hatake tugged his mast down, sauntered right up to one Glynda Goodwitch and offered her his hand to dance. At this range they couldn't hear what was said, but whatever it was turned her face scarlet. She looked left. Looked right. Pointed at herself.
"Is he...?"
Her hand slid into his.
Sasuke felt a migraine coming on. "He is."
Naruto snorted. "
Faced with such a disaster, his pupils reached an accord.
Nope. Not getting involved in this. He could sink or swim on his own time.
(.0.0.0.)
Blake returned to find her partner shaking his head. "Did I miss something?"
Naruto only laughed. "Just...don't ask. So...care for a dance?
Without warning the music swelled around them.
Blake absolutely froze. "You're joking."
His grin set fire in her veins.
"Nope~!"
A/N: Part two is coming soon! Don't you worry!
As ever, this story is under the "Embers" Rule for good bloody reason; if folks don't like it, poof! Away it goes. Now, then.
Alas, while Cinder is away, the mice will play. Now ask yourselves, who in the White Fang is skilled in infiltration? Who can blend in with just about any given surface?
Yeah, not being subtle. Its her.
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!)
"Never leave me."
Naruto pulled her close. "Don't think that's possible now...
Kakashi woke in a warm bead, with a warmer body spooned against his.
"Oh." he blinked. "Maybe I spiked that punch a little too hard...
Roman hissed.
"Oh fuck a duck, why is she here?! Who did this?!"
Cinder sighed. "I...may have an inkling."
"Well?!" Ironwood brayed! "What're you waiting for?! Arrest her!"
"She can give her answers here." Sasuke blocked his path. "Step away, General. Now."
Cinder hid behind him.
"Somebody stop that train!"
"Alright. Done."
...what?!"
"Traitor!"
Blake recoiled, trying to shield her face.
The chainsaw blunted against Naruto's arm. Steel bent and warped, shredding itself to pieces.
"Hello, friend." his smile was truly terrifying. "Only traitor I see here is you."
Banesaw gazed upon his ruined weapon and whimpered. "Mercy?"
Sasuke swept in from the side.
"NO."
Salem tilted her head. "My, my. What do we have here...?"
R&R~!
