A/N: EDIT: Flames and insults can buzz right off. I know this chapter is short.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story.
If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
I'm not joking.
If I had my way, they'd all be 10K+ but that's just not possible sometimes. Reminding me just... hurts.
Now lets move onto your questions:
Q: Just how many pairings are in this story?!
A: *grins* YES.
Q: I sense a mutiny!
A: Yar! Well, it depends on who you're talking about, but yes, Cinder's little betrayal hasn't exactly gone unnoticed.
Q: Oh lawd, Kakashi's here. Seems the boys are snapping up all the best girls (Blake, Cinder, Glynda) who's next?! Don't tell me you have plans for everyone else?!
A: You'll see.
Q: Is...is Cinder in love?!
A: I wouldn't call it love quite yet. More lust than anything else.
Naruto and Blake had plenty of time -thanks to the Book!- to become friends, but in Cinder's case, Sasuke's all but slapped her upside the head, told her to stop her evil schemes, then beat her down when she refused to comply. With one arm, to boot!
Naturally that caught her attention, and as well all know, when forced to choose between life and death, Cinder will always choose life.
Alright them, I think I've kept you long enough.
Hope you're ready; because from this point on? Weeell...!
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Now off we go.
"Let me tell you something. Death is not the end. Loss of conviction, is the end.
Its quite a nuisance. Its hard to discern someone's conviction just by looking at them.
But sometimes one can tell by fighting that person. Me? I'd rather die embracing my convictions than live and abandon them over time.
~?
Spiking the Punch (Part II)
"Sooo...
Naruto's elbow nudged her ribs.
...wanna see how a shinobi can dance?"
Blaked jumped back like a scalded cat. What to do? What to do? Despite her best efforts to marshal her courage, Blake found herself caught out by the sudden change in atmosphere. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest, drowning out the music. All her courage fled, abandoning her in her hour of need. It was just a dance. It didn't have to mean anything. Golden eyes flitted to his hand. It didn't mean anything at all. Her fingers curled around it. They were friends. Yes. That was all. This meant nothing.
It definitely meant something!
"Bwuh?" she felt her lips move, but words failed her. Dry. Her throat was far too dry. "I mean...I...I need a drink! I'll be right back!"
"Sure...?" Naruto barely got a word in before she pushed past him.
She couldn't help but notice his crestfallen expression.
'I'm sorry!' a little voice in her head wailed!
Face burning with shame, Blake all but bolted to the punch bowl and fortified herself with a full glass. Followed by another. Another, now. Another. The world began to blur at the edges. odd. Punch shouldn't do that. Was it her imagination? Probably not. Anxiety bid Blake try another. For some reason the act drinking calmed her.
'Don't panic.' She scowled into her cup. 'You anticipated this. Just...calm down. Breathe.'
Distant laughter down the dance floor told her of poor Pyrrha's plight...at least she assumed it was, until she saw Jaune wearing that ridiculous dress. An actual dress. Hadn't he come in a suit? Blake blinked, frowned, and took another drink for good measure. Well. That was certainly something.
And had Pyrrha just...oh. Oh my.
Blake felt her ears twitch as she watched Beacon's resident redhead double over with a peal of laughter. Then she straightened and surged forward. Jaune had all of an instant to gasp, then she yanked him in and crushed her lips against his. The poor blond flailed his arms for a moment, then settled around her waist, to a great many wolf whistles.
'See?' A small voice cooed in the back of her head. 'They took the plunge. Why can't we?'
She knew why. Because she was afraid. A coward who would rather run from her problems than face them. She could talk a good game all she liked, but when the chips were down...!
"Cowardice doesn't suit you, girl."
Blake jolted. She knew that voice; disliked and distrusted it in equal measure. It had come from behind her, nor did it sound friendly in the least. Sure enough when she turned to face it Cinder Fall smiled back at her. She must've left Sasuke behind somewhere in the teeming throng of people somewhere. Which meant she had absolutely no buffer between her and the hated woman.
"Why are you here?"
"The same reason you are, I suppose." Her smile was nothing short of sly. "I'm trying to seduce a god."
Blake's ears flattened atop her head. "Naruto's no god. You're lying."
"If he's anything like the one I'm after, then I disagree."
"Then why aren't you with Sasuke?"
"If you must know," she huffed, "I needed to have a word with my associate lest she get...ideas." a hand waved airily. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it. In any case, I saw you flee and thought I might offer some advice.
As if she'd heed it!
Blake scowled right back. "I don't trust you.
"Then you are wiser than most." a finger flicked her forehead, drawing a scowl from the younger girl. "Consider this. They are as gods to us. Yours and mine; neither of this world." Her golden gaze shifted, then narrowed when she found her partner conversing with one Winter Schnee. "Claim yours before someone else does. Best you be on the winning side." her piece said, she sashayed away. "I certainly intend to be."
Swift strides carried her back into the fray.
Blake didn't hear what was said, not from here, not from this distance, but Sasuke said something that sent the Schnee scurrying. Cinder reached him soon thereafter and linked both arms around his neck. In no time at all, she'd pulled him away into the press of people toward the dance floor once more. Damn her and her confidence. Cinder was cruel. Cinder didn't care for anyone other than herself. Must be nice.
Maybe that was the problem. She cared too much, and in caring, she gave her demons more power over her.
If she didn't learn to let go, she'd never be able to live.
Her heart burned.
(.0.0.0.)
Glynda loathed surprises.
As a huntress, surprises were the last thing you wanted to experience in the field; be they an ambush, an unexpected variable, or a split second decision. She'd spent her career trying to avoid such spontaneity; to make a neat and ordered life of a career that was, by its very definition, one great moving disaster.
And yet.
"May I have this dance?"
She considered the gentleman before her and her heart skipped a beat. Followed by two. Now three. Oh, right. Breathing. That was a thing. When had she forgotten? With a supreme effort of will she raised a fist to her lips and coughed into it, masquerading her shock as annoyance. Who was this stranger and why was he speaking to her? She didn't recognize him, though that suit and silver hair were nothing short of distinctive. She'd remember him if she had. And yet...
"Have we...met?"
"No," his visible eye creased in a small smile, "But you were looking miserable over here, so I thought I'd pay you a visit."
Had he read her so easily? These functions were always such a bore. Nothing ever changed.
"Whatever for...?"
The masked stranger laughed.
"Because you're the the most beautiful woman here."
Oomph. Smooth talker, this one. A pleasant warmth pooled in her stomach. What was the harm? Most of the students were behaving.
"I won't dance with a masked man."
"Fair enough."
He tugged down his mask and Glynda's mind rebooted. Handsome! Why hide his face at all if he looked like this?! Deep in the dark recesses of her mind, a tiny Glynda took the weal and slammed it forward. In the same moment she reached out and curled her hand around his.
'Target acquired! Forward, ho!'
Gingerly, she took his hand.
And things changed.
(.0.0.0.)
She wanted him.
Cinder Fall wanted Sasuke Uchiha as she'd never wanted anything or anyone else before. Dancing with him merely confirmed her decision; that she was right to make it in the first place. His steps were sure and his eyes sharp, not a single move missed the mark. Moreover, that gaze was steady on hers as they weaved across the dance floor, never once letting her out of his sight. Perhaps that was a bit of distrust on his past; she liked to think otherwise.
She knew she was dangerous. So did he unto her. Nothing wrong with dangerous friends.
For so long she'd lived her life in the pursuit of power. This man personified it. And with one arm, no less! She shivered to think what havoc he must have wrought with both hands intact. He seemed to be in cahoots with the blond one at the very least, even if that one seemed something of an oaf. Better for Belladona to have this one. She much rather preferred this catch, even if Emerald disagreed. No matter. She would learn to obey or she would meet the same fate as Mercury.
"You're staring."
His words dragged her back to reality.
She tilted her head just so, allowing her dark tresses to fall over one eye. "So are you."
"Hmm."
Was that the specter of a smile on his lips just now? She blinked and it was gone, leaving her to wonder if she'd imagined it. So mysterious. She liked that in a partner. Sasuke only spoken when he had something to say. When he did speak, his words carried weight. A pleasant thrill shot through her as his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her close. It had been so very long since she'd let someone touch her like this.
"You're strong, yet you hold so much back." she murmured in his ear. "Is it possible to learn such power?"
"No." his words nearly dashed her hopes. "And there's are reasons I restrain myself."
She lifted her chin in naked defiance. "Such as?"
...you have no idea."
His left eyes shifted and for a moment Cinder saw. Perhaps it was a spell, an illusion of some sort.
Whatever it was, he forced her to see, and in seeing, Cinder knew. She saw what he had done. What he had been.
If this man before ever turned back that way, if he became the hate-filled monsters he once was and took up his sword again, Salem herself would be annihilated. No. Not just Salem. Everything would cease to be. She didn't want that. Much to her chagrin, Cinder found much rather preferred the quiet warrior before than the hurricane of vengeance he must've once been. At least she could talk with this iteration of Sasuke. His former self would've cut her down as soon as look at her.
It was more than she realized.
When she'd been but a girl back in Mistral, she had longed for simpler things. For a savior. A prince. And here he was, years too late.
She laid her head against his chest and closed his eyes.
"You're late." she whispered. "So very late...
He frowned. "What was that?"
...nothing."
They might not be equals in power but they were equals in understanding.
Yes, they understood one another.
It was enough. For now.
(.0.0.0.)
Blake was still recovering her courage when her Team took matters into their own hands.
To be fair, it began when Yang saw her across the way and flashed her a thumb's up. Blake scowled at her, but paid her partner no mind. Yang was...well, Yang. Surely she wouldn't interfere.
Then someone bumped into her back, sending her stumbling away from the punch bowl and out toward the teeming mass of dancers.
"Oh my, excuse me." Weiss whispered as she walked past. "I'm ever so clumsy tonight. Must be the punch."
Blake frowned after the Schnee, quelling her instinctive retort. Once was an accident. Twice a coincidence.
Then Ruby appeared in a cloud of crimson petals, all but dragging a startled Naruto behind her.
"Hey, Blake!" she chirruped! "Look who I found! Here you go!"
She planted both hands against Naruto's back and shoved. In the same instant Weiss came back around and did the same unto Blake. Gold and black collided. As a last desperate defense the frightened Faunus flung up her hands instinctively flung up her hands to protect herself, only for them to land squarely on her date's chest. Likewise, she felt his hands settle on her hips, catching her before she dashed her head against him. He whirled, fixing a frown on the cheeky reaper and smiling Schnee.
"Sorry~!"
Their smiles said otherwise! Traitors!
"Alright." Naruto's smile promised doom. "You're both getting pranked tomorrow. I hope you're prepared."
Ruby needed no further provocation; she all but grabbed Weiss and vanished back into the teeming mass of people. Blake scowled after them, but nevertheless felt her anger cool as she stood in Naruto's arms. Maybe they'd done her a favor after all.
"About that dance," she whispered. "I think I'm ready now...if you are."
His smile flashed out, brighter than the sun. "Well, alright then."
Then he moved.
"Whoa!"
Naruto took her hand and then quite suddenly, they were moving, through a wild waltz, nearly skipping every other step. In time she found herself moving with him, hand in hand.
"Since when can you dance?!"
"Dancing is a lot like fighting!" His voice rose in a laugh over the music. "Just gotta find the right rhythm!"
A laugh burst from her.
Her urged her on and Blake matched him step for step as the music sang on. She sprang to life in his arms, as he did hers. Theirs wasn't the most graceful dance, nor was it the best, but it was theirs, and they didn't care who saw what. She felt the eyes of others on them, heard the whispers; they were naught but a breeze in her ears. When he moved, she moved, allowing herself to be twirled out, then in. Nimble feet matched his every step; indeed it wasn't long before she began anticipating his moves altogether.
And then it slowed.
Without warning the tempo cut out, becoming a slow and steady hum that she distantly recognized. Once lively couples paired up, swaying gently to the music. Soon enough they did the same.
Chests heaving, eyes lidded, hear pounding, she regarded the young man before her. All her worries and fears seemed so small now. Distant even. Why was everything blurry?
And her tongue betrayed her.
"Never leave me."
Naruto pulled her close, his chin coming down over her shoulder. "Don't think that's possible now...
She led him off the dance floor, ignoring Yang's wolf-whistle at her back. For once in her life, he let her take the lead and guide him outside.
She felt his arm loop round her waist and draw her in, a protective band of warm steel that held her close. It was the pebble that set off the avalanche. From there her imagination took flight. Her skin tingled where he touched her and her knees twisted, rubbing together. Naruto wasn't Adam. He would never be Adam, and that was good. She didn't want Adam. And she was so very tired of running. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth, the words there, but slowed, slurred by something.
Realization dawned. "Naruto...?"
"Yeah?" she caught the faint scent of punch on his breath.
"I...I think," she swayed a little, "Someone might have spiked the punch."
He blinked.
Blake mirrored it.
When he laughed, she couldn't help herself; her giggle joined his soon enough. Blake clapped a hand over her mouth to hide her smile. She leaned closer, felt his body stiffen against hers. He could have escaped her in any number of ways, instead he kept close, refusing to retreat, even as she edged cloer.
"I want to be selfish."
"Blake?"
Maybe it was cliche. Maybe it was all that spiked punch burning through her veins. Maybe she didn't deserve this at all, but here and now didn't care. Her hands settled on the taut plane of his chest. Naruto didn't budge. Golden eyes flicked up to blue.
In hindsight, Blake wasn't sure who moved first; only that someone did; because quite suddenly, he was just there.
His mouth was warm on hers, tentative, careful, afraid to break her. None of that. She kissed him fiercely in return; pouring out all her stress, all her ire, all her passion in a single instant. Everything fell into a red haze as his hands settled against her waist, rocking her slowly. Her lips parted on a growl.
"Stop that."
Naruto pulled back. "Stop what...?"
"Stop being gentle." she smacked his chest. "I'm not going to break."
He kissed her again, bolder this time. She angled her head and leaned into it with a sigh.
We should stop. The small, logical part of her brain argued against it all. People will see. They'll talk.
To hell with that. She didn't want to stop. She wanted his hands on her body, his lips on her, and that warm feeling that burned in her core. It had been so long; while she'd never gone quite that far before, she was in no mood to pump the brakes. Something awoke deep inside her. She wanted this. Needed it.
"I want...
His lips fastened to hers again, and she gasped.
A shadow moved in the corner of her eye toward the CCT tower. Blake ignored it and pulled her love closer. Let someone else deal with it! She was so close. She just wanted to let go. She was imagining things. Must be. This wasn't her responsibility. For once in her life, just once, just this one time...
Her hands pushed up under Naruto's jacket, seeking purchase.
His palms tugged at the fabric of her dress.
"My room." she growled at him. "Now."
(.0.0.0.)
Kakashi woke in a warm bed the next morning, with an even warmer body spooned against his.
"Oh." he blinked. "Maybe I spiked that punch a little too hard...
Then he made the mistake of sitting up. And looking down.
There was someone else there. A second woman, thankfully clothed, sitting in his lap. Though judging by her expression, that wouldn't lastl ong.
Kakashi blinked.
Neo blinked back at him.
One word surmised his existence. "Bugger."
A/N: No, he didn't sleep with Neo. But she's curious~!
Ahhhh, sweet madness.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story.
If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.
Seriously, I work EVER DAY now and feedback keeps me going.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review..Would You Kindly?
And enjoy some previews!
(Previews)
Yang opened the door to their dorm and closed it again thrice with an audible crunch.
Her back slammed against the door, barring Ruby and Weiss alike.
Weiss frowned. "Xiao-Long, what're you-
"Nothing to see in there!"
Sasuke sat up.
"Well. That happened."
Naruto shrugged.
"Really, who else is there to worry about?"
Miles away, Adam Taurus felt a sudden and violent need to stab something.
"Might I have your name, miss?"
"Sakura." The pinkette tilted her head just so, green eyes alight. "And you are?"
...James."
"Hello, James." she flashed him a dazzling smile. "Actually, I'm looking for someone. Perhaps you could help me...
Ironwood coughed. He could feel the weight of her regard like a physical thing. No weakling was this. She knew how to handle herself. For all that she seemed harmless he'd felt her strength when she gripped his hand. He was no fool; he felt the corded strength within her palm and knew at once she was more than she seemed.
Curiosity reared his head.
"But of course...
R&R~!
