A/N: READ THIS NOTE, PLEASE. Its important.

So. Here we are. Can anyone see this? I really hope so...T_T

That said, the site appears to be malfunctioning again as of a few hours ago, reviews aren't displaying properly; case in point, I can SEE them in my amil inbox, but the site doesn't want to let them display properly for some reason. I have to go the long way round and reply via PM instead of the reply link itself.

Use the support email and let the devs know, will ya?

As for me, I am...probably not going to update for awhile until this is fixed. Again, not sure if anyone can even see this.

But what's the point of updating a story if no one can see said update?

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.

Sorry, this is shorter than I'd like it be. Dealing with a bit of a pest problem and I've work shortly. But I didn't want to leave you without an update, so Here's what I have in the meantime. Hopefully it will be enough to tide you over until I can get the next posted.

Now lets move onto your questions. They'll be brief this time.

Q: Are you taking pairing suggestions for this story?

A: At this point its basically open season, so sure, why not? Knock yourselves out. I mean it, go ahead. Give me ideas.

Q: ADAM! NO! BAD ADAM! GO SIT IN THE CORNER!

A: Come now, we all know he wasn't wasn't going to stay quiet. Sending someone to hit the CCT was only the beginning. And this time? There was no inquisitive Ruby to catch them...

As a side note, since I vaguely recall someone asking, no, Adam isn't even aware of Blake's love life yet.

That'll be a fun scene to write.

Q: How will Roman take the news that Cinder knows where he is?

A: Poorly. Recall that neither Roman nor Neo know what Sasuke's up to with Cinder. Once they do...it'll be interesting.

Q: Can we just have a fluffy chapter for once? Pure fluff? Pleeeeaaaaase?

A: Well, sure. If you want it that badly...

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.

"Well. That was a night. Lets see the damage...

~?

Like a Romance Novel (Interlude)

Blake opened her eyes.

'Alright.' was her first coherent thought. 'Where the hell are my clothes?'

Bleary golden orbs blinked and beheld the familiar ceiling of her dorm...alongside an abominable headache. So. This was what a hangover felt like. She'd experienced worse during her time with the White Fang. Her mouth was dry and the world blurry at first, but the latter began to subside as she fought her way back to consciousness. It proved something of a hard-fought battle; after last night, her body wanted nothing more than to roll over and slip back into the comforting embrace of slumber.

She shifted a little under the covers, wincing as an almost pleasant soreness pervaded her body.

There was an arm around her waist and she had a sinking suspicion who it belonged to.

She'd focus on that later. Surroundings first.

Her room was suspiciously devoid of her teammates and yet somehow, in one piece.

The clothes scattered about the floor, walls, and ceiling? Not so much. There was her little black dress, with a great tear near the hem; as if someone -likely her!- had simply lost their patience and ripped it away. Oh, dear. It had been a rental, too. She'd have to pay for that. She could see her bra hanging off Ruby's bunk and her panties -or rather the torn remnants of them- strewn over the foot of Yang's bed. Blast. So much for a quick escape.

Blake closed her eyes and mastered the ever present urge to flee.

She'd been trying to ignore it from the moment she awoke, but she could do so no longer. She looked down and exhaled. Her lead lay sprawled upon a bare chest, its strong heartbeat a gentle thud in her right ear, so comforting that she'd not noticed it until now. That didn't much bother her. Even the love bites on her partner's neck -toomanywaytoomany!- didn't evoke as much a reaction in her as they once might have. It was the face attached to said chest and neck that alarmed her. She looked the rest of the way up.

"Naruto...?"

He didn't stir; his eyes were thankfully shut; mind lost to pleasant slumber, judging by the dopey grin upon his face.

Blake timidly reached up and poked his nose, just to be sure.

Naruto snorted once. "Stop...that tickles...

Well. That settled it. This was real.

She didn't regret what they'd done. Far from it. Theirs had been a whirlwind romance in every sense of the world. Now more than ever it felt like she'd been swept up in one of her romance novels. She gave herself a quick hard pinch on the arm, still not quite believing her fortunate. Did she really deserve to be this happy? After all she'd done?

Blake's ears went flat atop her head. No. She didn't deserve this. She wasn't worth of this, none of it, any of it.

Naruto mumbled something in his sleep and pulled her closer, causing them to perk up again.

In a fit of selfishness she wriggled back down, pressing her head to his shoulder.

It would be so easy to blame the punch for all this; to explain how the two of them had fallen into bed together; gone as far as they did. But she knew that wasn't the case. This had been building between them for a long time now. Last night was simply the catalyst.

.

..

...

And maybe, just maybe, that was alright.

Blake looked left. Blake looked right. Blake made certain no one was looking. Well, if no one could see her...and if he really was sleep...?

She leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to his chest. Her arms wrapped round him, holding tight.

"Thank you." she whispered. "For putting up with me."

Frankly she was amazed he did. She was stubborn and foolish and flighty, prone to flying of the handle whenever the White Fang were mentioned, to say nothing of her other issues. And yet despite all that this baffling blond had stood by her. Supported her, even when she thought all was lost. Of course, he wasn't perfect either. None of them worth.

They each had their own faults yet they overcame them.

Naruto wasn't Adam. He would never be Adam. He would sooner cut off his arm than harm an innocent. And he certainly had more...stamina.

Her face flamed as she recalled a snippet of last night.

Warm arms hold her close in his lap, her own frantic gasps as she rode him into oblivion..

...you feelin' alright? Your face is red...

Blake went terribly still. Maybe if she didn't move he woudn't notice her. No die.

Sleepy blue eyes regarded hers open. "Morning...

He looked entirely too pleased with himself, and not at all crippled by a hangover. Really, it wasn't fair. She half-expected him to panic and flail once he realized where they were, but nothing came of it. Instead he dipped down and kissed her forehead. Her ears perked up as a pleasant thrill shot through ehr fore.

"Hangover, eh?"

She blinked. "Don't you have one?

"Nah, I don't get those." Naruto's smirk was decidedly cheeky. "Comes with being a jinchuuriki."

Blake buried her head in his chest. "Lucky you. I feel like I got hit by an Ursa."

A chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Need some help?"

"Gods, yes."

Naruto reached a marked hand out to cup her cheek and she found herself leaning into it without hesitation.

"Mmm." she sighed as his chakra flooded her aching body. "That feels nice. More?"

A spark of desire flickered in his eyes. She liked what she saw there.

She leaned up to capture his lips with hers this time.

Hers, and hers alone.

Yes, hers.

Mine.


(.0.0.0.)


Yang opened the door to their dorm and closed it just as quickly with an soft click.

Her back slammed against the door, barring Ruby and Weiss alike.

Weiss frowned. "Xiao-Long, stand aside at once-

"Nope! Nu-uh! Nothing to see in there!"

A moan echoed through the door.

Ruby squeaked.


(.0.0.0.)


Who was this beautiful creature?

Ironwood hadn't expected to find a young woman knocking at his door come morning, but he supposed there were worst ways to wake.

She was, thankfully, quite clothed and looked to be in full possession of her faculties. Which was more than he could say for himself. Once he found whoever spiked the punch, there would be hell to pay. For them, and the intruders they'd discovered. But the stranger was looking at him and as a gentleman, he must attend.

"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. I was told 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...


(.0.0.0.)


Sasuke woke next.

By contrast he didn't recognized his surroundings one bit; neither the room nor the bed in which he found himself. A dorm of some sort? He didn't remember stumbling back here. That was alarming enough, But the warm body tucked against his? He knew who he would find without looking down. He did so anyway.

Cinder Fall slept soundly, tucked into his chest, naked as he.

She looked almost...peaceful in sleep. No plots, no schemes, no lust for power -or him!- to twist her visage. Just sleepy serenity. He glimpsed the scars upon her chest and back, winced a little at the marks on her breasts; not out of disgust, but pity. Wasn't aura supposed to heal wounds? Yet those marks were old, suggesting she'd received them when she was much younger.

It didn't sit well with him.

Sasuke was a warrior. He did not panic. He did not shout or shriek, nor did he flail his arms about like a loon.

The Last Uchiha sank back into bed with a sigh.

"This." he pinched the bridge of his nose. "This why we don't spike the punch, Kakashi."

Someway, somewhere, somehow he hoped that bastard was getting his comeuppance for this.

Perhaps a substitution would be best. He could slip away and she'd never know.

He shifted a little under the sheets.

"No." Cinder's face screwed up in pain as she whimpered in her sleep. "Don't go...don't leave me...

Urk.

What was that word Shikamaru was so fond of? Ah. He remembered now.

"Troublesome."

The door smashed open.

A squad of Atlas soldiers barreled in, five in all, weapons trained on him.

"You there! You're under arrest for infiltrating Beacon!"

Sasuke's right eye flashed. "Took you long enough."

His good arm waved, fingers weaving a sign.

"You didn't see anything."

The squad looked him dead in the eys and succumbed like the fools they were. Of course they did. The people of Remnant had no resistance to jutsu, and soldiers or no, these men were weak. A stronger individual could have at least resisted in some small part; their inability to do so only confirmed their weakness in his sight.

Their leader swayed on his feet. "...we didn't see anything."

Sasuke's hand waved again. "You want to go home and rethink your lives."

The men mumbled an assent and marched back out the way they'd come. In short order, their steps receded down the hall. Sasuke counted the seconds. Two. Four. Six, now. Only once he was certain they wouldn't return did he dare to exhale. Obstacle avoided for now. Still, that was something they'd have to deal with sooner or later.

His attention shifted to the buxom beauty still sprawled out over his chest.

"I know you're awake." he prodded Cinder once on her flank. "Not even Naruto could sleep through that. Stop pretending."

A golden eye creaked open, half-lidded with anxiety. "I didn't do it?"

"I know you didn't." he didn't take his eyes off her. "My memory's somewhat foggy, but I seem to recall us being rather...occupied for much of it."

"I, as well." Cidner's lips pursed as she touched a hand to her head. "My apologies." she turned her head just so, and he glimpsed a circular scar etched into her neck. "I'm usually not so sloppy. Someone must've spiked the punch." she didn't see him twitch at that. "I haven't felt this bad since the Glass...

Sasuke frowned. "Glass...?"

"Nothing." Cinder clammed up. "A slip of the tongue."

For a moment Sasuke felt his heart twitch. A grown woman Cinder may well be, but here, in this moment she looked strangely vulnerable. Almost like a child in a woman's body. She didn't argue, she didn't lash out; it was like she was an entirely different person. It wasn't an act. His eyes would've seen through such a ruse. She was hiding something. Even now she kept secrets. He hated it.

Sasuke grabbed her by the hair and she gasped in thinly veiled pleasure.

"I think its high time you tell me about your past."

She grinned, and that brief glimpse of vulnerability vanished with it. "Will you punish me if I don't?"

Roman and Neo came barreling through the door before he could answer.

"Hey, boss?" the former coughed. "What's with the...ah...

Words died as he saw Cinder.

...soldiers...?!"

He brandished Melodic Cudgel with a snarl.

"What the fraggeldly-frick?!" he cried! "Who's responsible for this trick?!"

Cinder stretched languidly under his disbelieving gaze. "I could ask you the same...

Sasuke saw a pang of dark rage knot across the thief's face and knew what was about to transpire. He saw it all in his mind's eye. He drew himself upright and for the first time cursed his lack of an arm. If he had both, he could've easily held Cinder back and dealt with Roman in the same instant. As it stood, he had to settle for grappling the more dangerous of the two.

"Roman, calm down."

"I am calm. I'm going to calmly blow that bitch's head off!"

"You're welcome to try." Cinder cooed. "I'll give you one free shot."

With a roar, Torchwick opened fire. And the world blazed into violet flame.

A/N: RWBY CHIBI reference there for those who've seen it. Really, can you blame Roman, though?

Aaaand there. Shorter than I'd like, but I'll try to update earlier to make up for it.

...well, provided anyone sees this. The site's been terribly glitchy of late.

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)

"Sasuke! Do you not know how to be subtle?!"


"My little Blakey, all grown up! Oh, I'm so proud! Is this your boyfriend?! He's so handsome!"

Ghira grunted. "I'd like a word with him."

Naruto felt a slow heat crawl up his face.

Blake proved more vocal. "MOM?! DAD?! Why are you here?!"

"For the festival, of course!"

"No, I mean HOW did you find me?!"

"Oh, that?" Kali tittered softly. "Your teammates were kind enough to tell us. I believe her name was Yang. Such a nice girl."

Yang whistled innocently in the background as walked the other way.

Blake made pitiful Blake noises. Followed by angry noises.

"Excuse me, I need to commit murder...

"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!"


"You're trying to distract me. Stop."

"Hmm." she kissed his neck. "I can be very distracting...


Winter flushed to the very roots of her hair.

She was smitten.


Qrow tipped back his flask. "Now you, I like! Tell me more...


Emerald frowned. "I want to make a deal."

"Do you, now...?"


"I LOVE THIS ACADEMY! SO YOUTHFUL! SO MANY FIGHTERS!"

"Great. Lee found his way here. Anyone else?!"

The book trembled on the table.

"No, you don't!" Roman dove on it. "Stay closed!"


"May I see your world?"

"I...don't think that's a good idea."


"Why are they butting heads?"

Naruto sighed. "And I thought I was dense...

R&R~!