A/N: Wow, an update on April Fools Day, AND an actual chapter!

READ! THIS! PLEASE! I know this is a long author's note, and I know many of you skip it. BUT!

Speaking' a' which, this is your last chance to vote with your reviews on the team composition here!

I dropped a lot of hints last chapter, some of which sailed right over a few heads.

So I'm going to clarify things here, since folks have been asking me a few questions. Hopefully this helps.

So once again, please, please, PLEASE read this. Or you're going to be confused when you hit the chapter. God, I'm so tired...

We've got something of an interlude here; it progresses the plot just fine, but unfortunately I've come down with something nasty and won't have a chance to update as quickly for a bit. So we've had to split the Initiation into three parts for that very reason.

Which works out and allows me to write the MASSIVE battle scenes for next chapter.

Ugh, writing while sick really took a toll on me this time around. I am now 90% certain I have that bloody virus, just waiting for the results to come back. Don't worry, I'm not gonna die. I'm quite prepared for this virus. I'm sorry if I've upset some people with the changes I've made, but I've said time and time again that this story is taking a different path. So with that in mind, as we did in last chapter, let's list some important points that folks have been asking about here in italicized font:

. Naruto and Emerald's little partnership had a ripple effect, one that we finally get to dive into within this chapter.

. Amber is out and about in the world, visiting Beacon on occasion. Cinder never got her. We'll see her again, though her role will be different.

. This chapter has some surprise guests.

. To clarify once more from last chapter! Cinder, Mercury, Illia, and Adam are all attempting to infiltrate Beacon. Two of them want to cause havoc. Two of them are searching for someone. As to how two members of the bloody white fang haven't been noticed? Like Cinder and Mercury, the authorities don't really know what Illia looks like, much less Adam with his disguise. That, and Ozpin...really isn't the most attentive when it comes to catching criminals in his school.

. I'm going to throw my weight behind the point that Adam can fight Cinder fairly without Maiden Powers. Without those at her back and call, she wouldn't be able to force him to her side. Adam is very much working for himself in this story. I wouldn't put it past Cinder to try something, but in a fair fight Adam could likely hold his own, if not win. Moreso with capable fighters like Illia backing him up. On another note, Adam hasn't sustained a scar in this story. His character is...a bit more complex here.

. SPOILERS FOR NARUTO'S SEMBLANCE FOLLLOW! SKIP IF YOU WANT TO AVOID BEING SPOILED!

Someone compared Naruto's semblance to Snatch from Seven Deadly Sins. Doh! I didn't realize I'd done that. Haven't watched SDS or read the manga in years. Ban doesn't need to touch anyone to swipe their strength, he has a hard upper limit, nor is he able to retain that power indefinitely, right?

Thankfully, I can safely say that "Reaper's Touch" is a different beast.

While Naruto IS forced to make some sort of physical contact with his enemy, there's no limit to what he can and can't take, but there's a risk of using it too much. He can't suck someone dry all at once. It takes time and repeated, sustained contact. but the more hits he gets in? The longer he holds on? The more strength he steals. For instance, our boy can keep and stockpile the strength his swipes and give to others, or even use it to heal. However! Should he overdose, there's a chance of him going haywire. The human brain isn't built to take that kind of strain, Should he manage to kill someone with it, be it accidental or intentional...

...there's a chance he might steal their Semblance. Their very soul, as it were. And you wonder why he doesn't want to use it.

That, my dear readers, is how he acquired "Flash" to begin with. He killed someone and unwittingly gained their ability. I wanted to avoid saying it, but there you are. Furthermore, if it isn't abundantly clear by now, Emerald's Semblance has been sharpened to Sharingan levels of pain. Give her enough time, and she can literally render you brain-dead. That applies to Grimm as well. Of course, using this DEVOURS hers stamina.

And that does it for the plot points everyone's been asking about!

Pull up a seat, and as always, I hope ye enjoy~!

"You were merciful. Why?"

"I wouldn't call that beating merciful."

"He still lives. That, in itself, implies mercy."

"Alright, that settles it! YOU need some friends, Adam!"

"I have no need of such and...you're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Bah! I've converted my worst enemies into the best of friends. Now sit down."

~Adam and Naruto.

Butting Heads

And so it went.

Evening came with brutal swiftness, leaving Naruto and Emerald crammed into the auditorium with the rest of the aspiring applicants as they awaited the dawn. It hadn't been quite so bad in the beginning. Sure, they were all forced to give up their weapons and store them away in lockers, but that was merely a formality for those who had come this far. Naruto wanted to hope that things would only get better; from here when you started at the bottom, there was nowhere left to go but up, right? He'd wholeheartedly believed that.

That is, until Coco hunted them down. Gods, the girl had a nose like a bloodhound!

"Looking good, Whiskers~!"

Naruto didn't yelp when she slapped his arse, the impact shuddering right through his black-and-orange pajamas. He absolutely did not yelp. Yelping implied weakness. Weakness meant fear. Fear lent credence to the theory that he was afraid of the unholy, unfiltered, caffeinated terror known as Coco Adel. Which he wasn't. Not at all. His tail -now wrapped tight around his waist to stay well out of her grasp!- did not quiver with fear when she started to lay her sleeping bag next to his. Nope. Not in the least. His legs weren't shaking from fear. It was excitement. Yes. That was it. Because he was so excited to be here. Not afraid. Not at all.

Oh, who was he kidding?! The girl was voracious!

"Hey!" Emerald swooped in as he tumbled back. "Hands off!"

"Oh? You got dibs on him, Mint?" Coco planted a hand on her hip and lowered her shades. Even in pajamas, she still cut a taut figure in her nightwear; probably because she'd opted for a simple sleeveless black shirt and coffee-colored hot pants. For some reason she was still wearing that damn beret and her sunglasses. Sunglasses! At night! Who did that?! Coco did! In her head, she'd decided that the four of them were going to be a team. Screw initiation, screw Ozpin, screw the tests. It was a done thing. No objections. They'd tried to say otherwise, but the girl simply said denied their denial.

And oh gods, she'd just given Emerald a nickname.

"My name is Emerald." the girl's nose wrinkled in mild distaste. She didn't deny the claim.

"Yes, it is. And thy nickname shall henceforth be Mint." Coco grinned, rocking back on her heels.

"Why mint?!" the dark-skinned girl flung up her arms with a startled squawk. "What about me looks minty?!"

The dark-haired girl tiled her head. "Well, your hair, of course. I thought it would be obvious. You alright there, Mint?"

"Raargh!"

Naruto nimbly plucked his partner out of the air before she could claw Coco's eyes out. Then he pulled her down into his lap in a single fluid movement. Naturally, the little hellcat fought him every step of the way; spitting and squirming and struggling for her freedom until he finally placed his hands on her shoulders and began to work his magic. Emerald's body turned to jelly beneath his palms, her anger all but forgotten as she collapsed against him. It was just a simple back rub. Nothing more, nothing less. But if there was one thing Emerald Sustrai valued in this world, it was these hands.

What was it with women and massages?

"Soooo," Coco drawled as she watched him contain Emerald, "Where are you two from?"

"Vacuo, originally." Naruto supplied the answer easily enough. There was no harm in telling her that. "We got out of there the first chance we could."

"So, Whiskers and Mint, from Vacuo." she beamed, taking a seat across from them. "Sounds like the tittle of a crime drama." She was just full of personality, this one!

"This is going to be a recurring theme with you, isn't it." Naruto fixed the brunette with a flat look over his partner's shoulders as Emerald wriggled helplessly in his grasp. "You just have to give everyone nicknames."

The latter tried to speak, but her words turned to gibberish as he found a sensitive spot in her back. All that emerged was a pleased purr.

"Its the little things in life, Whiskers." Coco agreed. "Speaking of which!" She held out her arms. "Me next?"

Risking a glance for his partner, Naruto found blazing red eyes gazing back.

Nope! He very much valued his life!

...I don't think that's wise."

"Party-pooper!"

When met with Coco, Emerald's choice of sleepwear was almost...tame by comparison. She'd chosen a baggy mint-colored shirt and a loose pair of black sweats. Naruto approved of her choice. Baggy clothes helped you hide weapons for days. Vacuo had taught them both many a harsh lesson when they were children, but if there was one that'd stuck with them, it was thus. Always keep a weapon on you. Always. Part of the reason he'd chosen long sleeves tonight in spite of the season.

He tried not to think about what Emerald was hiding under her baggy clothes tonight. She'd crawled into his lap enough when they were little that he'd become inured to it...so long as he didn't overthink things. Anything like that and he was bound to get a knife in the groin.

No, no, this wasn't Vacuo, and they couldn't go around shanking anyone who annoyed them. Not anymore.

So when his friend made a quick slicing gesture across her throat, Naruto subtly shook his head. Rather than make the gesture again she threw her Semblance at him, leaving his ears buzzing in the form of a small voice only he could hear. It was a far cry from telepathy, but it was an excellent way of conveying messages between them.

Can I kill her?

He shook his head harder.

Please? Just a little? She'll never know.

Naruto forbore the urge to groan. "And how do you plan to do that?"

"Do what?" Coco's shit-eating-grin told all, and he realized he'd spoken aloud. Ugh.

"Nothing." Naruto fought down a sigh. "You do realize we might not be on the same team, right? Nothing certain yet."

Once again, the brunette laughed his fears away. "Don't you worry your little ears about that, Whiskers. You're family now. Might as well accept it."

...is it too late to run away?"

"Not a chance." Emerald hissed in his ear and clamped down on him. "If I have to suffer, so do you."

Naruto grimaced as he fought down the urge to bolt. There was a certain irony to be had in all things, and tonight's suffering was no exception. By rights, he and Emerald shouldn't been here. They'd gone through hell and back to forge their paperwork, with money and dubious use of her Semblance alike. Somehow, said paperwork that had stood the test of time. Which meant it had either gone through seamlessly, or the old Headmaster hadn't bothered to glance at their papers before approving them and sending them on their way. And how likely was that? Really!

Flailing, he looked around and grasped for a new subject.

Ironically, he found it in someone's absence.

"Say, where did Velvet run off to?"

Coco blinked. "Huh. I don't-

"Please, stop!"

Emerald swore.

Velvet whimpered.

Naruto sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth.

At first, the trio genuinely didn't understand what they were looking at when they rounded on the sound; if only because you'd have to be an utter fool to even attempt something like this. Least of all where everyone could see you. There were teachers watching. At least, there should have been. But when they turned to look, they found no one beyond aspiring hunters and huntresses, each and every one of whom were presently at the singular spectacle before them. Seven words summed it up nicely for Naruto.

"Why is that bastard pulling her ears?"

"That would be Cardin Winchester." Coco sighed, planting her face in a palm with a long-suffering sigh. "Bigot, racist, and all around ass-hat supreme. He's about a year younger than us, but his pop's been a big donor to Beacon for decades now." her lip curled in a snarl as the large boy tugged harder on Velvet. "Daddy dearest probably leaned on the Headmaster to get his baby boy admitted early." she paused, as though considering an ugly thought just then. "Seems he brought some friends with him."

"Is that...allowed?"

"Offically? No. Technically? Yes." Coco rubbed her fingers together. "Money talks, whiskers. The more you have, the louder you can shout." she flicked her beret off and spun it on a finger as they looked on. "Rumor has it he wasn't the only one who got bumped up a grade this year. Rumor has it we've got a celebrity among us."

"Aren't you going to do anything to help your friend?"

"Nah." the beret flew in his face. "Bun-Bun's got this. Just you wait. She's vicious in a fight."

The pained whimper that followed sounded anything but vicious. Gods above, that sounded like it hurt.

Emerald flicked Naruto the merest of glances, her head tilting just so in the corner of his eye. Red eyes gleamed.

Should I? her Semblance slipped between the two of them in a whisper only he could hear. I could stop him if you want me to.

Naruto considered it. It would be the simplest thing for her to unleash her Semblance here; Cardin and his cronies were well within range and Emerald looked about as angry as he felt. No, worse than that. She wouldn't hold back. Hell, she'd probably scare the pants off the boy and end this without raising a fist. Velvet would surely be able to escape in the chaos that followed. It might even put a big dent in the brute's bullying...for awhile at least. But it wouldn't stop. Not for good. That said, he didn't want to reveal their trump card for something like this.

"Stoppit!" Velvet whined.

Naruto felt a muscle jump in his jaw. He knew the man's type. The moment Cardin thought he could get away with it...bam! This would start all over again with another victim, one they might not see. One they might not be able to help. Even now a sea of faces stared at the scene, but none made any move to intervene. Naruto watched some of the more notable faces in turn, waiting to see if any would act. He saw an absolute giant of a man looming by the window, a mere slip of a girl who barely came up to the latter's chest, and a sinful beauty with dark hair. Oh, some of them grimaced at the girl's plight, but no one said a word. Not a word.

No. in the end, he shook his head at his partner. Let me handle it.

Emerald tumbled out of his lap and patted his knee, freeing him to move.

"Hey, wait!" Coco grabbed at his wrist when he stood. "Velvet's tough. She can handle herself!"

"If your friend could handle herself," Naruto rounded on her with a hiss, "She would've gotten away from him by now."

"C'mon, just let him go already, will you?" Emerald stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. "No one's going to help her if we don't."

"She's right. I'm not going to hurt Cardin." the blond shook free with a growl. "I'm just going to talk to him. Alone. Loudly. Repeatedly. With my fists."

"That's the same thing!" Coco cried!

Naruto didn't listen to whatever else she might've said he was already away and across the room, ignoring any and all attempts to call him back. His vision tunneled as he stalked forward adrenaline keying his pulse up to a frantic pace, pulse pounding in his ears like the drums of a great hunt as he stalked toward the threat. His mind assessed the threat even as his fingernails sharpened into claws. Responding to his stress, his Semblance began to twitch. For once, he didn't stamp it down. He unleashed it, and tt surged through him like a wave of molten fire, tinging his blue eyes the faintest shade of scarlet.

For a moment, his anger began to balk. Was he going too fear? Maybe words would be enough. Maybe-

"Think the carpet matches the drapes?" Cardin crowed the words with a bawdy laugh.

"Ha!" someone sneered back. "Who knows? They all look alike, right?!"

Nope. That did it. He chose violence. Loud, angry violence.

Cardin Winchester was a big fellow. Standing a good head taller than most, well-muscled enough to fill out those hideous red pajamas he wore. He'd fought bigger, even if this one wasn't alone. At least three others -were they friends?- stood nearby the brute, each laughing with him at Velvet's plight. It made his blood boil and made them enemies. Four against one? Naruto liked those odds. Made things even. He didn't have a plan. There was no need for one...no. Wait. He told a lie. He did have a plan. Rip and tear.

Velvet saw him coming with wide eyes, her head still jerked painfully aside. Her ears perked in Cardin's grasp.

Silent steps carried Naruto the last few feet, as his right arm arced upward...

"Would you care to repeat that, you son of a bitch?"

...and clamped down on Cardin's right shoulder.

It took but a second to lay a mark there.

Then he squeezed. Hard.

Physical contact was all but required for Reaper's Touch to take hold on someone, just so for Flash. Be a punch, or a simple grab, so long as Naruto got ahold of someone with his hands and held on, they were his. It was like drinking a glass of water spiked with caffeine. You could take a sip, or drink the whole thing. Whatever he took became his, energy to be burned at his leisure. He could even wield his Semblance in reverse and bleed the energy he stockpiled right back into a victim to heal them. Left alone, it was a subtle, insidious Semblance, like taking tiny drops from a puddle. But Cardin wasn't a puddle. He was a lake, and an aspiring huntsman at that. As such, he had energy to burn. Naruto didn't hold back, and the boy's face went ashen.

"Hey!" Cardin flailed at him. "Let go of me!"

Three seconds.

It took Cardin precisely that amount of time to bat his hand away and stumble to safety. More than enough. By then Naruto had all he needed and more. He'd already marked him. He couldn't simply knock this kid out in front of everyone, cathartic as that might be. No. That wouldn't do, not at all. An example must be made. In Vacuo, the strong thrived and the weak died. Just the thought made his ears twitch.

Lets see how Cardin liked being the weakling for a change.

"Russell, Dove, Sky!" Perhaps realizing his peril, the brute jerked Velvet back as his friends -more of a posse, really- came to his aid. "Get a load of this! Another freak!" when she tried to lash out at him he only pulled all the harder, drawing an angry hiss from the brunette. "First a rabbit, not a fox! They're crawling out of the woodwork today!"

Showoff. Emerald's semblance-enhanced voice buzzed in his head.

Naruto shrugged in a way that would made Mercury proud.

Sure enough, Cardin's boys crowded around him. One with blue hair, the other a plain bowl cut, and a third with a green mohawk of all things. He didn't bother to remember their names. They didn't matter, nor did their mob mentality. It was almost, sad really. Nobody cared if you were a Faunus in Vacuo. If you could survive, you were welcome. Times like these almost made the White Fang seem like the...oh. Wait, they were talking to him, weren't they? He'd all but tuned them out.

"Nice tail, blondie." Mohawk jeered and prodded his cheek.

Naruto twitched. Must. Not. Kill...Not even a little...!

"Aw, did the fox come to save the rabbit?" Dove tugged at his ear.

"Heh. Maybe he wants to eat her." Sky's was the worse by far. Beyond compare.

Velvet kicked out at them.

"Just let go!"

...really?" Naruto felt his mouth twitch into a smile. It wasn't a pleasant one. "Really? We're using those cliched lines now?"

Then he flickered.

Cardin never saw him coming.

He wasn't even aware of the mark Naruto had left on his shoulder until the blond barreled into him from above.

With his left hand the blond lashed out and brought five taut fingers down on the wrist holding Velvet captive; a brief targeted touch that caused the muscles there to spasm in a moment of weakness. Cardin jerked around and swiped at him with his free hand, but rather than waste the energies he'd acquired for himself, Naruto stepped into the larger boy's guard and thrust an open palm beneath the bully's chin. Cardin's head snapped back with an audible grunt. Stunned by the blow and unable to maintain his fist, much less his footing, the boy finally lost his ironclad grip on Velvet's ears. Mission accomplished! With that, he no longer need hold back. A right hook crashed into the callous boy's chin and sent him tumbling backwards into his friends like a bowling ball.

Somewhere behind him, Naruto heard Coco's scroll click as it took a picture. "Striiiiiiiike!"

It almost made him smile...until he realized Cardin's captive hadn't budged an inch.

"Velvet, what are you doing?! Move!"

When she didn't react to his words he swept his right arm out and grabbed his fellow Faunus by the waist, hauling her behind him. That snapped her out of it. The brunette didn't so much dart as she did tumble behind his back. He felt firm fingers dig into his skin as she latched onto him, followed by the faintest weight as her chin came to rest on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his chest. For a fleeting instant, her hair tickled his nose and he balked at her. She wasn't...no, she actually was using him as a human shield while she clung to him like some silly monkey. Oh gods. Why were her pajamas so thin?!

"Th-Thanks...

"Don't thank me," Naruto hissed. "Why didn't you fight back?"

Her ears drooped as she turned her head away. "I didn't want to cause a scene...

Movement danced in the corner of his vision. "They're getting up. Let me handle this."

Reluctantly, the rabbit did as she was bade and disengaged a few paces.

"You little shit!"

Cardin might have said something else as he clamored upright. His mouth certainly moved. Naruto didn't listen, trusting to his instincts. Sure enough, the boy gave into his anger and rushed him like a bull. Sloppy. It took the work of an instant to duck a wild haymaker, slip into his guard, and sweep his legs. Cardin toppled like a tree. One of his allies -the Mohawk fellow- tried to flank him and received a bitter backhand for his efforts. Why did he think that would work?! He was standing right there! Didn't they have any semblance of strategy-

On your left. Emerald's semblance buzzed in his ear.

Sure enough, someone grabbed his tail. Naruto blew out a sigh. "Really?"

"Not so tough now, are ya?!"

He drove a vicious mule-kick into their groin without looking so much as looking backward. Whomever it was -Sky, perhaps?- released him and toppled to the floor with a pitiful croak. Three down. One to go. He found the final one trying to help Cardin up. Fair enough. Time to wrap this up. Surely one of the teachers must have noticed the commotion by now. If they hadn't, they weren't doing a very good job. If Cardin was foolish enough to pick a fight after all that...he'd get every bit of what was coming to him.

Clearing his throat, Naruto coughed but once.

"I'll say this one time. Cut the bullying." he spoke clearly and calmly, raising his voice to be heard as he approached his fellow applicant and his fallen friends. "Do that and I'll pretend this never happened." Bit of a white lie that one, but Cardin didn't need to know what he was in for later. "This doesn't need to escalate any further. Lets have bygones be bygones."

He offered his hand in friendship.

Cardin Winchester spat right in his face.

Naruto twitched. "Right then. You had you chance."

Coco, Emerald and Velvet watched in quiet silence at what followed, their heads tilted near horizontal to follow each and every movement.

Mercury sauntered over, saw the disaster, and paused to whistle softly. "Damn. Didn't know you could bend the human body that way. Looks painful."

Coco snapped another picture. "I'll say."

Naruto stormed back with sound and aplomb, Velvet cradled in his arms like a princess of yore. If the latter made a quiet keening noise between her teeth no one dared comment on it. If she looked absolutely fit to burst from embarrassment, they didn't dare speak of it. They didn't look at her face either; her cheeks were just as red as her name before she buried her head in his chest.

"Nobody messes with our bunny."

He'd only just set her down when Cardin called out to him. "You're the one who escalated things, freak! We didn't do anything wrong!"

"Is that so?" Naruto stood and tilted his head as Coco wrapped her arms around Velvet with a dark glower. "You started this when you started harassing my friend."

Velvet perked up imperceptibly, ears standing at attention, bright eyes flitting back and forth. "Friend?"

"She was asking for it!" Cardin shot back. "That damn bunny bitch didn't know her place!"

The entire auditorium inhaled sharply.

In hindsight, Naruto really shouldn't have risen to the bait; he knew it was a bad idea from the start. He knew Cardin was just being a bigot, just trying to goad him into a fight. He should have taken the high road like a sensible person. Let the words roll right off his back. But the moment that brute opened his mouth, the moment he said those words...something snapped. He'd given him an out. A chance to back down and save face, to make amends and improve himself as a person. And what had he done? Well. They'd all heard it. What he'd called poor, sweet, innocent Velvet.

"Oh?" Naruto ground the words out as he stalked forward. "Do my ears deceive me? You must have a deathwish."

"Why, I think he does!" Coco was only half a heartbeat behind him. "I call dibs on the ugly one."

"They're all ugly." Emerald reluctantly followed. "Idiots, both of you...huh? Velvet?"

Could a sleeping bag make a cracking sound? Hers just had.

"Somebody get a shovel."

"You wanna throw down? Fine with us." Cardin started forward with a glower, his friends behind him. "We're ready for round two. There's four of us and three one of you. Bunny bitch over there doesn't count."

Velvet absolutely hissed, all traces of hesitation gone. "You no good SLEAZY-

Unfortunately, before Cardin could comprehend his imminent body peril courtesy of one very angry bunny girl, a heavy pillow sailed across over her shoulder. It was a good shot. One through with the utmost accuracy and grace. Raw speed and power personified. It struck him dead in the groin. All present parties blinked as his eyes crossed and his body bent double with a wheeze of a whimper. Nearly every boy -and more than a few girls- collectively winced at the withering wheeze that fled from his lips. Cardin Winchester did not squeak. No. Certainly not.

He definitely didn't crumple in on himself and cry for his mother. Everyone must have imagined it.

Thus did the heroic sacrifice a lone pillow bring an end to what had been shaping up to be a vicious brawl.

Coco hadn't throw it.

Emerald certainly didn't.

Velvet blinked, ears drooping.

Naruto...Naruto looked over his shoulder.

"Well." he coughed. "Didn't see that one coming."

Everyone followed his gaze; soon enough all eyes turned toward the perpetrator.

At a glance, she looked to be an awkward little thing wrapped in a bronze pair of pajamas, still gangly and growing into her full height. Her arm even now still overextended from what might as well have been a full body javelin toss for all the force behind it. She'd thrown the entirety of her tiny frame into that single motion. Scarlet hair framed a pale face from which eyes of pure jade shone, her eyes even now widened with mortification as she realized what she'd gone.

"I'm sorry!" she wailed, hands flying to her face. "He was just being so rude...and...I well...

"Ah, shit." Sky coughed, his face gone pale. "Is that freaking Pyrrha Nikos-GACK?!"

Velvet whipped a pillow into his face, sending him sprawling.

That drew everyone's attention to Cardin's remaining allies, suddenly far fewer in number and without their leader. Both boys were left quite...vulnerable, just standing there. One of them made the rookie mistake of trying to retreat. He stepped backward. Just an inch. It was like blood in the water, and everyone else were the sharks. All eyes cut toward them. Someone began to chuckle.

"What did you boys call that sweet girl?" a voice like sin purred. "Bitch, I believe it was?"

Naruto felt the beginnings of a smile curl at the corner of his mouth as he looked toward the speaker. "Bunny bitch, that was the phrase."

She smiled sensually at him, and a shiver shot up his spine as she stepped forward. Gods, that gown was...red. "Ah, yes. That was what they said. Quite rude, don't you think?"

Wow, was it hot in here or something? Still, they were in agreement on that at least.

When that gorgeous woman with her dark, dark hair and burning amber eyes hefted a pillow of her own, it triggered an avalanche in the auditorium. Dozens of hands suddenly swooped down, snatching up sleeping bags, pillows, any thing that came easily to hand. Just like that Russel and Dove's measured retreat turned into a full on rout. Alas, there was nowhere for them to run. The doors were quite locked you see, and for some mysterious reason, their chaperone had yet to make an appearance. In the end, both boys were left flattened against the wall to await their fate. They had Aura unloced. They might survive. Might.

"TO WAR!" Coco cried!

"Mercy?" one of hapless mooks gulped.

Naruto and Emerald exchanged a black look. "Nope."

And with that, all the pillows descended with singular fluffy fury.

Of course, that just left all the applicants to turn their pillows upon one another.

Truly, it was a battle for the ages! The Great Pillow Fight Night would be a night not soon forgot!

But of course, the first rule of Pillow Fight Night goes without saying. You don't talk about Pillow Fight Night.

A/N: Right, then.

Hope this made you smile.

This is your last chance to vote with your reviews on the team composition here! Trust me on this.

*Grins*

I imagine you have questions.

RWBY had a food fight, as we all know...

...and here we have a somewhat deadly pillow brawl.

Also, lo and behold! Little!Pyrrha makes her debut! Ain't she cute~?

Its all but been said that she took the opportunity to come to Beacon a year early. Sort of like what Ruby did. To top it off, now we've got the boys of Team CRDL a year early at that thanks to the meddling of Cardin's fother. Don't worry, we have plans for them too. This story is meant to make you laugh, make you cry, make you feel all sorts of emotions.

As ever, lack of reviews murder my inspiration. If folks don't review, I tend to think they don't like a story, you know?

This chapter was a blast to write and I hope I can bring more to you all; the reviews from last chapter really motivated me and helped me to lay the groundwork for the chaos to come. Naruto, even reincarnated, is still Naruto. He's gonna do his damndest to make friends with nearly everyone he can...with very few exceptions.

I can't overstate this enough; Naruto and Emerald aren't the heroes of this tale. They're not even villains, but somewhere between the two. They're not the sort to murder in cold blood, but they're not above bloody retribution if someone hurts their friends. Coco might have come across a little brash in this chapter, but have you SEEN her personality in the show? Of course she's going to speak her mind when it suits her and woe to ye if you get in her way.

Velvet just needs to come out of her shell. She'll be fine.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review Would You Kindly?

Keeps an old man alive.

Have a preview.

Hints ahoy!

(Preview)

"Ohohoho~?"

"I'm up!" Naruto bolted upright at the first nudge, but it was already too late. Coco's smile said it all. For once, he hadn't dreamed of that damn fox. Was that a good thing? He wasn't certain it was. He soon saw why just about everyone in the auditorium was staring at them.

...why are you in my sleeping bag?"

Emerald tucked her head into his arm. "Had a nightmare."

Oh. He didn't ask further. "You do realize everyone is staring at us...?"

"Don't care." she yawned and buried her head further into his chest. "Sleepy...

"DIBS!"

The little redhead squeaked. "What?!"

"I've decided. You're just too precious, so me and Em are claiming you. You're stuck with us now."

...teach me, please! I'm begging you!"

Naruto's jaw clicked open. "Cardin say what now?"

Adam gazed at the hand, half expecting it to bite. "You can't be serious."

Naruto beamed. "Sure am! You said you were looking for someone, right? I'd like to help."

"Might as well give up." Emerald called from across lockers. "There's no shaking him when he like this."

"Ohhh, I can think of one thing I'd like to see him shake-

"COCO!"

"Drink *hic* up! We're celebrating!"

Naruto eyed the bottle like a wild Beowolf.

"Em, you're drunk. Where did you even find alcohol?!"

Coco cackled in the background. Of course. Some team leader she was!

"Nice?" Coco turned her head as she guffawed, causing Mercury flinched at the sharp bark of laughter. "Naruto isn't nice. He tolerates people sure. Even stands up for them. But there's a line you don't cross. And you? You're stomping all over it." She flicked her shades back up again, and those cold eyes were hidden by her glasses once more. "Take my advice, hot cheeks. Don't piss Whiskers off. He'll kill you."

"We need not be enemies." Cinder hummed softly, laying a palm against his cheek. "I can be a very good friend, Naruto. Your skills could be useful."

"Stay down."

...no...not...again. NEVER AGAIN!"

"What in the...are you insane?! How are you still moving?!"

"Because there's no one else! Because I have to push forward!" Naruto jolted to the right and a flickering fist thundered into the side of the brute's head to send him spinning away. "Even if my body breaks!" his enemy's weapon slashed down and bounced off a shield. "Push forward!" he cartwheeled out of the way and swept their legs. "Even if my soul shatters!" Large arms crashed down on either side of his end, but the blond staggered and surged onward regardless. "PUSH FORWARD!"

His hand snaked out to seized his foe by the face, slamming him into the ground.

"I won't lose to anyone! NEVER AGAIN!"

R&R~!