A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?

Hope you enjoyed the leisurely pace of this story, because after this chapter? Yeah, that ends. I'd loosely category this story as a slice of life tale, but its not going to be that way for much longer. I think we all know why, don't we?

Thanks for all the support, it means a lot to me and the gang. Really. Every review, no matter how short, keeps us going. COVID may have taken some us, but we will persevere. We must. If we, don't who will? No long author's note this time around; we don't want to detract from the chapter. As ever we own no quotes, references, themes or memes!

So in lieu of a wordy author's note...readysetgo! Did you really think I forgot about Cinder?

Moreover, do you think Cinder of all people hasn't noticed them?

Yeah...no. Naruto and Emerald aren't that lucky.

Also, bad Ozpin! Vet your students better!

Seriously, does he even do that...?

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is next!

"Welcome to Beacon. Do try not to murder one another during your tenure here. That would be...frowned upon."

"Can we at least maim them? This is a combat school after all."

...reminded me why I let you into my school again?"

"Because you don't vet your students?"

~?

Our New Life

In the end, Cardin Winchester wasn't accepted into Beacon.

Naruto wasn't quite sure why the news relieved him while he waited for his name to be called; only that it did. Bully though Cardin might have been, he'd felt obligated to at least try to help the younger boy after fate screwed him over so badly. Alas, the headmaster had taken on look at the poor boy and sent him packing with three words.

Not mentally sound.

Three little words put the boy's career to death. Just as well, too; Cardin was a quivering wreck. He'd never be the same after this. He might not even recover his mind. His father had tried to push him into the life of a Hunter a year early. While that might not seem like a lot to someone, for those trained in the art of killing? It was an eternity. If boy's friends had paid the price for his folly with their lives, then so too had Cardin's fragile psyche.

Still, the knowledge that Naruto had tried absolved him of his guilt somewhat. He'd made an enemy, make no mistake, but it was an enemy he'd be ready for come the future. More than could be said for-

An elbow nudged his ribs with firm gentleness, jarring the blond out of his dark thoughts. "You alright?"

He turned to find a familiar pair of red eyes gazing back at him, fraught with concern.

A smile creased the corner of his mouth.

"I'm fine, Em. Just thinking about the future." he reached around to wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her close as the milling crowd pressed in around them. She stiffened in surprise but didn't resist. On the contrary. Her head touched his shoulder as she squeezed in closer, heedless of the curious looks she attracted. Emerald didn't pay them any mind; she never did. His partner was many things, but shy? Nope. Never. She could spit and swear with the best of them; if only because she didn't give a flying fig what others thought of her.

Didn't stop Naruto from glaring bloody red daggers at a few "curious" boys, though. Bastards looked away soon enough.

On a whim he dipped down to kiss her forehead. Emerald made to jerk back with a sputter, then realized that would mean relinquishing her hold of him and the warmth afforded by coat and tail alike. Her nose wrinkled a little until he kissed that too. Her expression was one for the ages. For a moment he was reminded of the little girl he'd first picked up off the street. Simpler times, then.

"That's cheating." she whined, burying her head against his shoulder. "You're a dirty cheater, Naruto."

"How so?" a blond brow rose as he smirked. "You never complained when we were younger."

She stamped a foot. "I'm not a little kid anymore, Naruto."

"No, you're not." He agreed. "We've grown up."

A wistful smile stole over her visage.

...we really have, haven't we?"

A beat of comfortable silence draped itself over the two of them like a warm blanket as they watched Ozpin call yet another team to the stage. How many was that now? Three? They applauded politely for them with the others. Naruto didn't bother to remember their names or faces. He didn't recognize the young men and women standing up there, much less recall their names. Theirs would be called shortly, and with it, the beginning of a new life. It had proven a bit...rockier than he might've liked, but it was theirs.

"Do you regret it?"

"Hmm?" he turned to look at Emerald.

"Choosing me." she nuzzled against him. "You didn't have to choose me."

She was talking about the choice he'd made back in the Forest some hours ago. Silly girl. Why would he regret it? Things had admittedly been...tense for a moment back there, but in the end he'd made the only decision he possibly could. Some hadn't been happy with it, voices had been raised and weapons nearly drawn, but in the end he'd made them see sense. For better or worse -mostly better!- he'd made his choice.

"Whaddya blabbering on about? 'Course I did." This time his grin felt genuine as he pressed his forehead to hers. "Love ya."

Emerald's face turned a fascinating shade of rosy chocolate as she slapped his arm. "Don't say it so casually!"

He laughed and squeezed her tight. "But its true!"

"Ahem."

Atop the stage, Headmaster Ozpin adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat, commandeering their attention once more. "Would Naruto Uzumaki, Emerald Sustrai, Blake Belladona, and Pyrrha Niko please come forward?"

Emerald stiffened in his arms. "Moment of truth...

Pyrrha swallowed at his elbow, jade eyes regarding the Headmaster with trepidation. "Well...that's us. I suppose its time."

Blake regarded the stage warily. Her ears twitched, easily visible without her bow. Like a skittish kitten, ready to bolt.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," she muttered. "I'm not ready for-

Emerald saw her fear and latched onto the smaller girl's elbow before she could. "Oh, no you don't kitty-kat! You're stuck with us now!"

Golden eyes widened as she gave her a watery smile. "Do you really mean that...?"

"Quick!" Naruto and Pyrrha dove on her. "Get her while she's weak!

"I've got her legs!"

"Hey!"

Together the three of them bundled the frightful faunus between them to prevent her escape as they hastened up onto stage. If the Headmaster noticed their anxiety or their antics, he didn't make a point of it. Keen eyes took them in one by one, lingering only for a moment on the last of them with a bemused smile. Not for the first time, Naruto wondered what the man was thinking, allowing known criminals into Beacon. He couldn't be that blind. He was up to something, though he knew not what.

"The four of you each retrieved the black knight pieces and earned your place here in Beacon." Ozpin gestured grandly to each of them before turning to face the crowd of students anew. "From this day forward you shall work together as Team Nebula."

A smattering of applause greeted them. Coco whistled loudly somewhere within the crowd.

"How the hell are we a Nebula?" Naruto hissed through his teeth.

Pyrrha offered him a helpless shrug. "Maybe its a color thing?"

"Shh!" Emerald elbowed them both, but it was too late.

"I'm sorry, Ozpin arched a benevolent brow at Naruto. "Did you have something to say, young man?"

He nearly did but Emerald elbowed him into silence.

"Nope." he settled for a shrug instead.

He heard Blake groan beside him.

"Very good." a hand came down on his shoulder, rooting him where he stood. "As team leader, it will fall to you to guide your allies going forward." that pale palm patted him once and came away with subtle smile. "May you continue to lead them well." Tch. He'd seem that bit of leadership on the cameras, hadn't he. Sneaky bastard. "I'll be expecting great things from you."

'And why does that not fill me with confidence? Oh gods, this is gonna be the Atlas job all over again, isn't it?'

Ozpin's words caught up with him a moment later. Blue eyes fluttered in a rapid blink.

"Eh? Team leader?" Naruto slammed a finger to his chest. "Me?"

Ozpin's smile reminded him of his own. "Indeed."

...is this a punishment?" he frowned.

"Get off my stage, please."

Naruto absolutely twitched as he all but vaulted back to the main floor. Emerald actually had the gall to snicker as followed him, leaving little Blake and Pyrrha to trail after them with baffled expressions. So. She wanted to play that way, did she? There would be a reckoning for this. Emerald was losing her cuddle privileges tonight!

And him? Leading a team? He didn't like it. Sure, someone had to lead, but why him?! Frankly, he didn't want the responsibility. Emerald he got on with alright -they knew one another's tricks inside and out!- but the idea of being responsible for poor Pyrrha's well-being, let alone Blake...

"So," Pyrrha ventured, drawing his attention, "Can we stay and see what the other teams will be?

"If you like." Naruto offered her a selfsame smile. "I don't really care one way or the other."

Blake turned pleading golden eyes on him. "Can we not? I'd rather hit the hay."

"I say yes," Emerald disagreed. "I want to see the competition."

Blake wilted, accepting defeat.

"Don't be like that, kiddo." Naruto soothed. "We'll go out for seafood later."

Aaaand just like that, she perked back up again. "Promise?"

He couldn't help but smile. "Yup."

"I say we take bets on team names." Emerald chimed in before Blake could press for more than that. "No way are we going to be the only oddballs here."

Naruto had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Em, where did you even get the money to bet? We spent most of ours."

Red eyes blinked but once. "Stole some."

A blue eye twitched. "From who?"

...just about everyone, really."

"Emerald!"

"Even us?" Pyrrha posited.

"Nah, not you two." she waved her concerns away. "You're family."

Naruto wasn't sure if she noticed the pleased noises Blake and Pyrrha made. He certainly did.

"Can we get in on that wager?" Coco sauntered toward them, with Velvet only a beat behind. The faunus perked up when she saw the four of them, ears, standing ramrod straight as she dared a tentative little wave; one the four of them returned. Belatedly, Naruto found that recognized the young men behind her. Fox and...blast it at all, what was the other one's name? Ah! Yatsuhashi! The gentle giant saw them next and nodded a subtle greeting of his own as Fox did the same.

"You guys go ahead." Coco made a shooing gestured. "Vel an' I wanna have a few words with whiskers here."

"As you wish." Yatsu bowed at the waist. "We'll be close by if you need us."

Fox, as ever, remained curiously silent.

Naruto watched them go with a shake of the head. Those two looked might seem odd, but there could be no denying their strength. The Emerald Forest ate weaklings alive. That they were here at all spoke of their skill at arms, if not their mental acumen. reliable enough. They were strong. Coco and Velvet would be in good hands.

Still, that could've been him.

He imagined it for a moment then immediately dismissed it. Another life, perhaps.

"Sooo...no hard feelings?" he offered Coco a palm. "I don't want there to be any bad blood between us."

"Nah," The fashionista met his raised hand and slapped him a quick high five. "We're cool. You've got your girls to look after and I've got mine."

"Coco!" Velvet made a keening noise.

"All too easy, bun-bun. All too easy." she blew the embarrassed faunus a kiss before turning back to face him. "Now that we've officially survived initiation, we were thinking about a little celebration. Not now," she waved when everyone groaned, "Just a little shindig at the end of the week. Something to celebrate our new lives, eh?" she the gleam of interest in Blake's eyes and leaned closer. "How about it? Anybody up for karaoke?"

Emerald looked fit to spit. "Coco, no. First, its only Monday. Second? Bad idea. Even for you. You don't want to hear Naruto sing."

Lies! Libel! Slander! "As if you're any better than me, missy!"

"You shattered glass the last time." she scoffed.

"I was ten!"

"I can sing a little...

All eyes rounded on little Pyrrha.

To her credit, the champion didn't balk beneath the weight of their gaze. Which was something considering anyone who was anyone was currently looking at her like she'd grown a second head; and said second head had started shooting lasers from its eyes. Even Coco was looking at her.

"Really?" Velvet found her vice first.

"Father forced me to take lessons when I was younger." the redhead grimaced. "While I'm admittedly not as good as someone like Weiss Schnee...

"Who sounds like a brat." Blake chimed.

...still, I have some confidence in my skills." she finished.

"I suddenly find myself reconsidering my decision." Emerald stated.

"Ditto." Naruto seconded immediately. "I kinda want to hear Pyrrha sing now."

"I third that motion!" Coco bulled in, eyes flashing. "It's only Monday, right? So that'd be what, Saturday?"

Pyrrha shook her head rapidly, red ponytail flashing behind her head head, but it was too late to dig herself out of it now. She'd made her bed and she'd have to sleep in it. She found no pity in the eyes of her teammates, and only curiosity in the eyes of Velvet and Coco.

Naruto looked past her. "Velvet? You're alright with this?"

She turned those wide of hers on him and he wavered. "Please?"

"Every time!"

"What can I say? I'm greedy." Something sparked in the brunnette's eyes. "Speakin' of which, mind holding still for a bit?"

Naruto recognized the gleam in her eyes too late. Even as he stepped back, the brunette stepped forward and delivered a chaste kiss to his cheek. It was...surprisingly tame for Coco. So much so that he half-expected her to try something else. When she didn't, he couldn't help but be alarmed.

Not even when Emerald hissed. "The hell was that for?!"

"I didn't forget you, mint." Coco rounded on her in the next instant. "C'mere~!"

"Wait, what're you on about-mmph!" The gunner's mouth met hers, silencing her in an in instant.

Pyrrha meeped. Blake's jaw clicked open. Naruto whistled softly at the sight.

Velvet covered her face...and peeked between her fingers.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." Coco pulled away, grin growing as the illusionist balked at her. "So worth it!

Ozpin's voice saved them from Mount Emerald's eruption. "Would Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarlatina, and Yatsuhashi Daichi please report to the stage?"

"Well, that's us." Coco tilted up her shades and waved. "See you two around. For what its worth, I'm looking forward to tomorrow." Her hip brushed Naruto's in passing as she sashayed away with a less-than-subtle sway in her step. "By the way," she called back, "I'll take that bet you mentioned. Hundred lien says the Headmaster's going to give our team a kickass name...unlike yours!"

Naruto only gawped for a moment when she walked away. Really. Just a moment...a few seconds...maybe a minute, tops.

Emerald glared bloody red daggers at him for it. "Down, lover boy."

"C'mon, Em...it ain't like that...

"Stop staring at her hips then." she challenged.

"I'd like to see you try!" he accused. "Just look at her!"

Emerald followed his gaze with a roll of the eyes but nevertheless tilted her head to follow Coco. Tilted it further. Nearly horizontal. Coco didn't walk. She absolutely strutted. And why not? She had nothing to be ashamed of. The girl was confidence personified. She caught Emerald looking and winked over her shoulder. Now it was her turn to flush.

"Fair point." she conceded, cheeks rosy as she touched a hand to her lips. "She really does flaunt it...but what the hell was that?"

"You're asking me?" Naruto saw weakness and pounced. "I wasn't the one she tongued."

The poor thief looked fit to combust, but she saw her chance to turn the tide.

"Still, what color is a Nebula?"

"Anything, really." Pyrrha chimed in with a hint of uncertainty. "Its can be multiple colors...like us. I think its fitting, given who we are."

Naruto and Blake exchanged a wry look.

She was right in a sense. They came from all walks of life. Two former thieves, an Ex-White-Fang-Operative and a Champion all signed up to be Hunters. It sounded like the beginning to some bad joke. You couldn't get a more eccentric cast than this if you tried. Naruto's heart swelled with something. Belatedly, he realized it was pride; pride in other people.

Pure child. Must protect from everyone!.

"Shh!" Blake yanked his arm in a rare display of emotion. "The Headmaster's about to...!"

"I now present Team CFVY!" Ozpin's voice called. It was a death knell for Coco. "Henceforth they shall be known as Team Coffee!"

Coco swore a blue streak. "Oh gods damnit!"

Pyrrha's mouth twitched into a smile and Blake's joined hers.

Naruto and Emerald's reactions? Why, they were nothing short of explosive.

"Ha!" Naruto crowed, pumping a fist into the air. "Easy money!"

"Eat it, suckers!"

"If you lot are quite done down there?" Ozpin called, his voice all but throbbing with irritation. "Would the following students please report to the stage? Adam, Illia, Cinder and Mercury. I repeat, please report to the stage. Now. Preferably before I crack someone upside the head with my cane."

Naruto perked up even as Blake wilted anew. Adam and Illia were known to them, but the last two?

"What're ya hiding for?" Emerald frowned when Blake ducked behind her. "Its not like Adam's going to attack you."

Coco and Velvet had proven willing enough to forgive and forget when he refused to give the girl up. Adam would be...well, not volatile, he wasn't quite there yet, but there was a danger all the same. They'd come here to retrieve Blake and drag her back to the Fang. If he'd surrendered the poor girl to them Blake would've undoubtedly bolted.

His gaze slipped to the woman in her red dress and found he recognized her. She was the very one who'd insulted Cardin just last night. She glided up the steps alongside a silver-haired youth. Something in him screamed a warning the longer he looked at them. Golden eyes caught his from the stage and narrowed on him. A coy smile plucked at the woman's lips.

A chill shot down Naruto's spine and he lifted his chin defiantly.

Bad idea. Those blazing orbs focused oh im

"You need to kill her." a voice hissed in the back of his head. "The boy, too. First chance you get, chop their heads off. You'll be doing this world a favor, trust me."

'You again?' he turned his attention inward, trying to nail the annoying presence to a wall, once more to no avail. 'What do you want?!'

"I want you alive, for one. Which you won't be if SHE gets her hands on you. Hurry up and remember!"

Pain flared in his skull. "For crying out loud...remember what?!"

"Remember who you are!"

"Henceforth," Ozpin's voice called him back to reality, "The four of you shall be known as Team ACMI, otherwise spelled as ACME...led by Adam."

If one listened carefully, they could hear the sound of grinding teeth."

Naruto couldn't help himself. He guffawed openly.

Pyrrha slapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too little, too late. She'd snickered. The crowd caught that and the auditorium roared with laughter. Emerald bit her own palm to stifle her mirth, but within moments she joined the lot of them. And Blake? Blake actually giggled. Just like that, all thoughts of danger and distress flew right out the window. They broke the glass and kept going, rocketing straight past the shattered moon into space.

"Nevermind." Naruto snorted. I like your team name. We would've wound up as team pimple."

"That's not how you spell it!" Cinder howled!

Naruto hooted right back. "That's how I'm going to spell it!"

He was still laughing when they finally reached their new dorm room.

(.0.0.0.)

"Bunk beds?"

"Bunk beds." Naruto beamed, stringing the last one of the rigging up. C'mon, don't

Emerald recoiled with visible disdain as she eyed the four beds before them, one standing atop the other. She wanted to burn them. Burn them with fire. Whoever invented the hated concept of those...those things? Yeah, they deserved to be strung up by their toes. In her eyes, beds were meant for sharing warmth. She loathed the idea of sleeping alone. So she said as much.

"I'd rather sleep with you."

Pyrha squeaked. Blake made a choking sound.

Emerald squinted at them, baffled by their response. "Was it something I said?"

"And you say I have a filthy mind." Naruto shook his head with a bemused wink. "Now, now. Lets not scar our darling daughters."

"Eh?"

"I beg your pardon?!"

"Well," slim shoulders rolled in a shrug as he stowed the last of his gear, "Em and I are clearly going to be looking after the two of you, given that you're both a year younger than us, sooo...might as well. Pyrrha's pure and needs protecting, and Blake's...well...Blake."

Pyrrha granted him a watery smile of her own. "That sounds grand."

Blake folded her arms. "I'm not calling you daddy."

"You wound me!" the blond howled!

Emerald looked away for a second as she kicked her shoes off; just a second. That was all. In that second, Blake cried out. The former thief whipped around to find the dark-haired girl standing on the very tips of her toes and Naruto holding up a dark red book as though it were the holy grail itself. His triumphant expression suggested otherwise. Uh-oh. She knew that look all to well. That look was nothing good.

"Em, look!" Naruto feigned a sniffle. "Blake's got porn! Our little girl's growing up so fast-GACK?!"

The smaller faunus tackled him to the floor.

"Its fantasy, not porn! Give it back!"

Emerald watched the chaos unfold with a tiny smile as Pyrrha tried to separate the two, only to be dragged in herself. So, this was her new life. It was official now. There could be no turning back. She'd gone from a starving street urchin to an accomplished thief. Now here she was, aiming to become a huntress. She'd found a partner and fallen in love, even if he didn't quite realize it yet. And now, quite suddenly, she had friends aplenty -daughters, if she wanted to play Naruto's game- and so much more.

Emerald observed the three of them for a moment more watching them banter back and forth like children.

Then she waded in. "Alright, alright, lemme see the book...

This was her new life. She would fight to keep it. Because for the first time in her life, this was something she hadn't stolen. She'd earned this. She had made it her own. She would kill to protect it. To protect them. If anyone tried to rip away their happy new life together, if anyone took it into their head to break apart her team...well. They'd have a bad time. They were family, after all. You didn't steal from family. Family was...well, family. And that meant no one got left behind.

Felt damn good to say that.

A/N: READ THIS LEST YE BE CONFUSED!

This is the last slow chapter. Events take off like a ROCKET after this. Hope you're prepared.

The gang and I were spinning our wheels trying to find a proper name for Cinder's so-called team, so I went for a gag name instead. Rest assured, its likely a temporary one. I'm prepared to change it if someone finds a suitable acronym for

Coco is pure confidence. That is all. Heh, she's fun to write.

Cinder, no. Bad Cinder! Bad girl! Don't make me bust out the newspaper!

We're going to do our best to make this story move faster, these last few chapters were for the sake of world-building, but that'll soon change. Furthermore, we're going to be cutting down on the number of previews here, they're becoming a bit too spoilery for my liking. You can expect to see the ones from last chapter in...well, the next one.

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?

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... ...Revieeew... Would You Kindly?

They keeps an old man alive. And enjoy the (potential) previews!

References are references and I own nothing.

Next chapter: Gimme That Fire

Which do you like?

SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

PLOT DETAILS AHOY!

(POTENTIAL Previews)

"Naruto and Cinder to the ring, please." Miss Goodwitch called.

Pyrrha stiffened.

"Oh, dear...

"You could be so much more than this. Join me."

Naruto felt his lips curl into a snarl. "Nah. You join us. We have our own plan."

Cinder laughed. It was a soft, sensual sound. He didn't trust it for a moment. "Do you, now...?

Nope. Nothing. Not a thing.

There is an old saying among thieves in Vacuo. When in doubt, bullshit your way out. Naruto wasn't willing to give up his carefree new life for anything. He and Emerald had thrown their old life behind. Anyone who tried to threaten that...wel. He was ready and WILLING to bullshit his way out of this.

R&R~!