AN/ so if you read the announcement then you knew my sister was pregnant well there is excellent news my family is welcoming home a new baby boy. it put me in a rather good mood so here is a new chapter for you guys.I also hope that you all are doing well and staying safe during this covid-19 pandemic. don't forget to wash your hands and practice social distancing. Don't follow me on twitter for any updates. Also, I have put the poll on my twitter as well as my (p) atreon posing whether i should genderbend ren. now those of you who are like but ren is a man well i have this to Say I will develop some backstory on him and i figure why not add in a bit of og mulan to. like i intend to do for nora as well. And so vote would you kindly...
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Chapter 22: bonds

When Cinder came to, she felt empty yet whole. Complete for the first time in years. Her eyes widened when a surge of power all her own. Had flowed in her veins. Yet it was not the distinct thrum of power that a maiden held. That was a sensation she knew intimately. It was unforgettable, even though she had only had half. Almost addicting in its allure. So subtle had she not given up the power, she shuddered at what it would have made her become.

While focusing on the new power she felt within herself. Cinder couldn't help but wonder why it felt so familiar. Like a part of herself she had forgotten. Yet she knew it was a part of herself she would never have willingly forgotten about. Her familiarity with it was such that it was like it the last time she had used it was yesterday.

With just a thought, Cinder had brought the power flowing to the surface. She was so caught up in the experience. She jumped from shock when Naruto placed his hand on her bare shoulder.

"Don't," Naruto said, having sensed her power rising. Yet to his mild surprise it felt like chakra mix of and Aura at the same time. Just like the ANBU he had fought earlier. Yet he could tell it was so much more than that. And knew it bore investigation at a later time.

Blinking away her shock, Cinder wondered just how much time had passed. "Naruto, what time is it?"

"It's eleven PM. while inside a mindscape time passes differently only about an hour has passed Cinder." Naruto explained.

Cinder couldn't help but let out a meek, "oh" in response.

"Lay down, I am going to form your seal." Naruto informed her.

As cinder did as she was told. She couldn't help but flush from embarrassment. Exposed and naked as the blonde focused on her form. It was as if he was looking through her very being and into her soul. Such was his concentration.

Even as his brush trailed up and down her body, Naruto never lost focus as he channeled his chakra into her. Cinder could feel his power flowing into her form with each stroke of his brush. It was an indescribable ecstasy.

While Naruto maintained his focus on forming and priming the seal with his chakra. Kurama fulfilled his own part. While communing with the other bijū along with Naruto and Sarada, they all channeled a small portion of chakra through Kurama. While he did the same shaping and moulding his chakra and the gifted portions melding them into one form.

With his task done, Kurama did not need to wait long. Naruto was done moments after him.

The two then worked in concert with one another. Their power reached its peak as Naruto burst into a golden cloak of fire like energy. His eyes shone a verdant red with concentric rings and nine tomoe. While a slit pupil rested in the center of each eye. And at his back were the famous nine truth-seeking orbs. Made of an obsidian black so dark they seemed to absorb light.

In the moments before his transformation, Cinder felt his power before she could see it. It was all-consuming power at the surface. Yet comforting and like a warm embrace in its totality. It was a terrifying juxtaposition.

Then the sealing script that covered her body from head to toe glowed a bright red as Naruto raised his hands palm up. Orbs of flame sparked to life in each hand. One an azure blue, the other a vibrant red. As he started the ritual that would change this world forever. With one goal in mind to give this world guardians that would rise. Should anything happen to him or Sarada.

As he brought his hands together he spoke aloud, "Banbutsu Sōzō no Jutsu," when they met there was a flash of light and in place of the flame was a small black fox wreathed in blue flames with nine tails. About the size of a kitten.

The flames surged forth, consuming Cinder yet not burning her. but seeping into her form as warmth filled her chest. It was only when the diminutive fox kit lept from Naruto's hands and onto her chest. Where it gazed directly into her eyes. She felt Naruto place his hands on her abdomen, four fingers on each side of the spiral seal on her navel.

Unable to move or react save for the widening of her eyes, it shocked Cinder. When the newborn Bijū kit spoke. In a deep voice. "So father she is to be my bonded partner?!" it was a statement filled with excitement and curiosity rather than a question.

"How odd, one in your situation would show a bit of fear under these circumstances. Are you not afraid of me, human." the Bijū inquired.

The mere question filled Cinder with a sense of indignant ire.

With a widening of those animalistic eyes and a smile that showed rows of teeth. The kit barked with laughter. "Hahaha, I like you, human!" the kit exclaimed as its deep voice softened to a soft feminine lilt. Revealing it to be female.

Cinder's eyes hardened, her ire rising. As the Bijū shook with laughter. Her resolve hardened into diamond. And the Bijū ceased its laughter, quirking a single brow. As if to say really now.

"Ah, now I see that is a fine resolve you have there. With a desire to protect those who you care you have faltered on your path. Worry not with me on your side, you will never falter again. Together we shall embark on a path of discovery and truths." the Bijū kit declared.

Her eyes widened as the fox was reading her like a book. And with that damnable grin, she spoke to Cinder. "Figured it out, have you? Yes, I Can read the minds of the weak willed and sense negative emotions. But in your case it is because of our forming a bond that your thoughts are so clear to me."

As the script rapidly crept closer to the seal on her stomach, the fox kit spoke up one last time before Naruto finalized their bond. "However, we don't have long before father ties your fate with my own. Remember, this father brought me into this world to be your guiding light. You will never be alone again."

With those words, the flames disappeared. Soaked into Cinder's flesh as the bijū's tails merged into one tail tipped with an azure hue Almost fire like in its vibrant color. And Naruto placed one hand over the other, hovering over the spiral seal.

With a twist of his wrist he chanted, "Hakke no Fūin Shiki seal!" completing the culmination of his and his father's work a new version of the Hakke no Fūin Shiki. It's most important component is the ability for the Bijū to leave the seal without risk to the host. It was no longer a prison meant to contain Bijū. But a tool to help a bond form.

As Cinder stared down at the fox kit on top of her, a dozen emotions flashing through her mind. Her eyes widened once more. As thoughts that were not her own invaded her mind.

"So human now that we are bonded. I suppose I shall grant you the honor of bestowing. One as mighty as I with a name." the newborn bijū communicated telepathically through their bond.

Naruto picked up the kit by the scruff of her neck and scolded her like the recalcitrant child she was acting. "Oi, stop that."

Trying and failing to give her most innocent look. With puppy dog eyes included for added measure. But under the glare Naruto was giving his child, she soon folded. With a pouting and huffed out, "yes sir."

It was at this point Cinder passed out, her last fading thoughts despite being garbled were heard loud and clear by her bonded partner.

It took her a moment to understand just what cinder said. while Naruto covered Cinder in her robe and took her back to her room. And it brought a grin to the kitsunes face. As she thought. "Oh, I think we will be the best of friends."

]|[

As she was sitting down for dinner with her closest allies. While discussing the latest developments in the world. All felt a tremor of power in the room. It was small yet notable. Had Salem not given her most trusted followers her blessing. It was likely that even as attuned with the land as she was. Even she would have missed it. Had it not been for the constant draw yet small on their aura that her blessed gave in exchange for greater power and more abilities. It was this connection to her blessed, her pillars of power that allowed her to deepen her connection to the world itself.

It was this connection that allowed Salem to feel that it was a battle raging between two powers so close to vale. Yet the two were covered in shadows of interference produced by the stronger of the two. What made this even more galling was that she couldn't tell if it was intentional or not. The presence covered all of Vale in a shroud of power, blocking out her ability to tell precisely what was going on in the kingdom.

Such an occurrence had never happened before, ever. Not even when Oz was at his full power and she could feel him like a beacon. A brilliant flame she could practically see even from the depths of her prison. The power felt like an inescapable inferno that she could feel in her very bones. And seemed like she was standing next to it.

Then it just blinked out of existence like it was never there a scant ten minutes after it disappeared. Salem blinked blankly for a moment, then she scowled. Feeling this presence then losing it before she could even track it down was concerning.

Looking to her blessed, who were all collectively waiting for her opinion on the power they all felt.

Salem directed her attention to her most devoted. "My Slagter, where is Intrygant and Laruam?" she asked.

With golden eyes that spoke of only pain, madness, and a devotion to the woman he considered being his god. He gave Salem his answer. "I believe that they are in a village just outside of Vales borders, along with their knights. Lower Carn is what I believe they called it."

"And just what are they doing so close to Vale?" quirking a brow out of curiosity, Salem asked. "And why was I not informed of their departure?" she added.

While she knew she did not need to control all of her blessed pillars actions and movement. Salem felt that, at the very least. They should have informed her when they left the castle. She knew they were just here a mere two days ago.

"Ah, that would be our fault my lady." Salem's blessed pillar of knowledge answered. Adjusting his glasses, he continued his explanation. "Tisserande and I recently came across a breakthrough in our joint research project. And it has reached the stage where field testing was required. And they volunteered to monitor the testing. As they were free, and it was a last-minute request."

Needless to say that Salem was surprised. The project the two had been working on for the better half of six years with no signs of success. Had finally bore positive results.

From what she knew of it, the project code named cursed mud. Was an attempt at a new breed of Grimm that could adapt rapidly to combat and by absorbing biomass. It could not only mimic beings and objects. But reproduce more of its kind.

It brought a small smile to her face. Seeing in how this oversight was not on their part but her own. Salem gave a nod of her head. "I see, well inform them that when the testing is over to return, and report the results to the collective. After that we will need to adjust our plans and find out just what the power we felt was." she informed everyone.

As everyone went back to what they were doing before. Salem rested her head in her hand as she leaned back in her chair. Propping up the limb on the armrest. Pondering that surge of power. While knowing there was nothing that could be done at the moment.

It would not be until later that she would realise that the surge of power she felt. Would birth another great power from what seemed like the ether itself.

]|[

On board his flagship, the general walked down the halls to the labs of one of the pair of top scientists. His normally placid face bearing a frown. And a building headache. After he had read the report from the men, he had escorted Penny into town.

Somehow they allowed the girl to slip away. And yes, it brought a smile to his face when he thought of her that way. Despite the method of her "birth". To him and so many others, she was just a girl. Not a machine. Penny was born into this world to bring hope.

Those were the thoughts that made him change how this conversation would go. As he swiped his access card and stepped into the lab. Where he was met by the chaos that was teenagers.

"Honestly just what were you thinking Penny?"

Sitting idly on a couch fiddling "Bah, quit being such a stick in the mud chase. Our girl here did a fucken bang-up job. If yah ask me. Right, Kazoo?"

Waving an errant hand, "well Cammie, it could have been worse. I think she did well under the circumstances."' Kazu said, then went back to his guitar.

It was a pleasant change seeing the teens not even take notice of him. It was honestly a pleasant change of pace for James. Anywhere else, whenever the general entered a room. Every one focused their attention on him. Pandering to him, seeking any advantage they could get. It is why he hated politicians. And preferred the company of his men in the military.

But abruptly all conversation ended when winter noticed him. Saluting him with an exclamation of, "General Ironwood, sir!"

Everyone dropped what they were doing and gave a brief salute.

James gave them a small smirk as he said, "at ease."

As he walked into the room, he directed his attention to Penny. "Penny, while I disapprove of your actions. Sneaking away from your escort was dangerous. I however realise that this was your first time away from Atlas. Places like Vale have dangers of their own. Please don't let it happen again."

Now thoroughly abashed and chastised by the disapproval of the General, Penny couldn't help but let out a meek, "yes sir." her gaze shifting to her feet.

The general then pulled his scroll out of his pocket. Pulling up the files he needed and had them displayed on the large screen in the room. "However, thanks to your actions, Penny. We have confirmation that the rumors of this Kitsune are true. And also, there are those of his kind that are opposing him."

On the screen it displayed all the information on the ever elusive Kitsune and Ryu.

And below what information they knew about the pair was a detailed list of their suspected involvement.

From an analysis of a Warehouse fire, in which the Vale P.D. found the melted remains of Atlas military grade hardware. And human shaped scorch marks.

What seemed like a failed ambush by members of the White Fang in a book store turned into a bloodbath.

"The reason I have had you brought to Vale is because of Kitsune and Ryu." the general explained. "Take this time to analyse the footage captured at the docks. Learn his fighting style and quirks." James explained as he pocketed his scroll.

"Your goal is to if at all possible capture one of them. If not, then when contact is made, give them this encoded scroll. I know what I Am asking of you is a lot. But you are all the best of the best that Atlas has to offer. You are all specialists in the ace ops division."

"Penny if you would follow me." the general said as he turned to leave. Penny quickly followed him.

"All right everyone let's get to work," Winter said as she took command and her squad studied. Everything they had on Kitsune.

It was not long before the ever curious penny noticed that they were headed to the hangar. "Sir, Why are we heading to the hanger.?" Penny asked Unable to hold back her building questions.

"We are heading there to meet your new teammates. They should arrive soon." The general answered.

After they had made it to the hangar of the Prydwen. The two did not have to wait long as a manta airship landed in the hanger.

The general stepped forwards as the side doors on the craft opened. And three girls stepped out of the airship.

Stepping to the side to give Penny a clear view of her new team. The general introduced them.

"Penny, I would like you to meet your new teammates."

As Ironwood introduced her teammates, Penny took note that all three of her new teammates were dressed in the atlas academy uniform. Comprising a white blazer, jacket and blouse. With a blue skirt.

"This is your team leader Rosaria Tempestade." when the general introduced her leader to the girl. Her most noticeable feature, aside from her long white hair tied into a ponytail, was her heteroaromatic eyes. One blue, the other silver. She waved a hand in greeting.

"And these ladies are Violet Evergarden and Ciel Soleil." James said as he introduced them to Penny.

"Salutations, I'm Penny!" she said, holding out her hand in introduction. "And I think we are going to be the best of friends."

As she shook hands with each of them with a smile on her face.

]|[

When Cinder awoke, it was morning, and the sun was shining in through the window. Next to her was the small fox kit that had been born yesterday.

She turned her head to look towards the two other presences she sensed in the room. Naruto was resting in the chair next to the door and Emerald was in the bed next to hers.

She did not know whether it was the slight fluctuation in her aura when she woke up. Or something else. But the moment she sat up in bed, the kitsune next to her awoke as well.

And its voice reverberated through her head, "ah, human, you're awake."

"It's good that you recovered so soon, human." the kitsune said.

Cinder gave the Biju one of her most withering glares. Her annoyance plain as day to see. Her ire only grew as a sense of growing amusement was transmitted. Through the bond the two shared.

"What do you not like being called human? It is what you are, after all, human." the kit goaded.

"I have a name, use it!" Cinder hissed aloud.

"Ah, so you do human. But we have yet to be introduced. And what's worse is this noble one has yet to be gifted a name." the Biju mocked. Taking on a haughty expression, her nose held high in the air.

It was that sudden revelation that made Cinder feel stupid. The only reason her bonded partner was acting the way she was. Was because she felt slighted that she had yet to be given a name.

Such a simple concept as a name was one of the few things a Biju guarded with zealous fervor. From what she knew of Naruto's past. A name is one of the few things that was never and could never be taken from them.

There were so many choices to make. That for a moment Cinder was at a loss. At least until she remembered just what the being before her promised. To be a guiding light. The phrase sparked a memory.

Cinder and her mother were lying on the roof of their home observing the stars. Her mother pointed to the brightest northernmost star in the night sky. "Dear, do you know what star that is? She asked."

The young girl shook her head. "No mama, what is it?"

With a small smile, her mother snuggled closer to her daughter. As she told her, "that is Polaris. It gets the name from being the star closest to the northern celestial pole. In the times before modern technology, we used it to aid in navigation. A guiding light if you will."

A small smile graced Cinder's face as she decided.

"You said to me you would be a guiding light and you should have a name to reflect that." Cinder said, picking up the kit and holding her in a gentle embrace.

"Polaris, that is your name. My guiding light." she whispered, yet it might as well have been a shout to the now named Polaris.

Squirming in the embrace, Polaris wiggled free. Flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and joy, she fidgeted awkwardly for a moment. Before settling down and looking Cinder in the eyes. "I would like to introduce myself to you, my bonded. In a manner befitting the first-born Biju of this generation."

With a nod and a small smile, Cinder gave her approval.

Straightening her posture, Polaris began her introduction as her tail split into nine once more. "I Am Polaris, first-born daughter of Kurama and Naruto, the nine tailed Biju and as such I Am the strongest of the nine."

With a tender smile on her face, Cinder replies. "It is a pleasure to meet you Polaris, I am Cinder Fall. and I hope our bond will only continue to grow."

It was a tender moment for the pair that ended all too soon when Naruto awoke. In truth, he had awoken when he felt their shared energies shift ever so slightly. But did not want to disturb the pair.

Naruto made a show of stretching out his limbs. To show he had just awoken. And with a grumbled, "morning" he left to get ready for the day. Leaving the pair to wake up Emerald.

It was not long after this that the ladies in his care. Followed the delightful smell of food as they headed into the kitchen.

To find three copies of the blond in his true form. No longer feeling the need to hide his appearance from them.

Emerald was immediately on guard the moment she made eye contact with the blonde. Immediately drawing her weapons, the Thief's Respite, "who are you?" she growled.

When she did not get an immediate answer from said blonde as he went back to work. She felt her next actions were appropriate. A crack of gunfire rent the air. As she shot him.

"Poof"

She blinked blankly at the spot where the blonde once stood in disbelief. Where the blonde had once stood was a quickly clearing cloud of smoke. No blonde to be seen at all.

The other two blondes came to the table, hands laden with food for the table.

It was not until the small fox that had been trailing Cinder spoke, "you know that was a rather rude thing to do to your host." that Emerald felt like she was truly losing it.

"Em, I think you should take a seat." Cinder said, directing her to a vacant seat at the table. And taking the one next to her. "We have a lot to discuss. And you need to be caught up on some things."

All she could do was nod and take the offered seat.

Once Naruto had sat down, Polaris leapt into his lap, snuggling into her father's embrace.

Upon seeing the sight, Cinder couldn't help but let a grin grace her delicate features. As she thought to herself. "Daddy's girl," knowing that her bonded would hear it loud and clear.

Proven when Polaris gave her a withering glare from across the table.

It was amidst the silent air, filled with non-verbal communication and posturing. that Emerald finally lost her cool, "would somebody please just tell me what is going on!? And who in the hell are YOU!" she blurted out.

With a grin, Cinder took a small bit of joy in the fact of being one of the few in the know. As she introduced the blonde. "This is Naruto Uzumaki, he is also our benefactor Kitsune."

And to prove that fact, his eyes flashed that vivid purple. As Cinder added, "and there is much we have to discuss Em"

Rubbing the back of his head nervously, Naruto before they added, "ah, before we begin I Am a clone. So don't pop me, the boss had other things to deal with."

It was needless to say that the collective, "what!" did not surprise him.

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