A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?
As ever, reviews are my fuel. Without them, I can't muster up the will to write. Especially now...given what finally happened. My maternal grandmother, who lived with me for so long finally passed...and...I need to distract myself, or I'm going to break down. Her funeral's in a few days.
I HAVE to write, because if I don't, I'm going to lose my mind.
But you didn't come here for the ramblings of an old man now, did you?
Here we go, time for the good 'ol Q&A! Here we go:
Q: Do the other Maidens have a role to play in this story?
A: Yes. They do.
Q: We still following the main story, or what?
A: Rest assured, we'll see Ruby and the gang down the line. But as stated, this story is radically different from canon, due in no small part to the actions of Naruto and Emerald. We've only just begun to see the ripples they've caused. CASE IN POINT! This chapter's going to blow you out of the water. I'm sure none of you saw this coming.
Surprise, surprise, guess who appears~! No, really, guess!
You won't see this coming. I guarantee it.
Q: We demand more Coco and Velvet!
A: Rest assured, you'll get them in later chapters. Just not this one.
Q: Wait, so does Naruto have Maiden power now?! Did it split between him and Emerald? Is that even possible?!
A: This chapter will answer your questions.
Alright, then. I think I've kept you all long enough, no?
As ever, I own no references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!
Now get ready for some humor, some chaos, and...more than a few surprises.
"Its so nice to meet a kindred spirit after all these years."
"Excuse me? What're you on about? We've never met before."
"You're right. We have not. But This isn't your first life, is it? I can see it in your soul. You haven't realized it yet. Your semblance, like your life, is the pinnacle of evolution. You have adapted, overcome, and evolved. Your "gift" allows you to take, but also to give, and more. I suspect that's much like your nature itself. You have so much power, so much potential, but you don't realize it. I'm glad she never found you."
"Who's she?"
"Her name...is Salem."
~A Meeting of Minds.
To Share Power
Emerald was fine.
Their team was fine.
Everything. Was. Fiiiine.
Naruto chanted the words like a mantra in his head, reciting them over and over again in a rota. They helped him find his center. He would not bend. He would not break. Even here in Ozpin's office under so many prying eyes, he refused to show weakness. He didn't like it anymore than Emerald did; she squirmed in their seat and tried her best to breathe, but he could clearly see that this was getting to her. Her innate paranoia probably wasn't helping any. Once again, he found himself struck by the wild urge to grab her and run, leaving all of this behind.
Once upon a time, it would've been easy; a quick illusion to distract Ozpin, and they would be away.
They could still do that now...but this time there would be consequences.
But they'd put down roots. They'd made friends. Blake and Pyrrha would be heartbroken if they ran away, to say nothing of Coco and Velvet. He imagined their faces. He remembered his stern words to Blake. He'd told her to stand and find. He recalled the encouragement Emerald had given Pyrrha. They'd all fought together, been blooded together. To just walk out on them now...
No. He couldn't do that, and so he didn't. Besides, None of them were his enemies. They were friends and allies all. So. Just. Calm. Down. Breathe. Easy, right? Not so much.
He forced himself to focus and tried to temper the newfound power boiling in his veins. That proved...difficult. Life energy and the occasional stray semblance were one thing, but this? This wasn't something that he had any idea how to control. It didn't want to obey him.
'Damnit.' his mind raged. 'Stupid semblance. Really bit me in the ass this time, didn't it?'
He'd just wanted to help Emerald. Instead he'd found himself drawn into the same plight as she.
This "power" was ancient and old. So very old. Wild, too. Like wrestling a storm with your bare hands. It just couldn't be done. This strange new energy had a mind of its own. It did not want to be contained. It wanted to be free. It wanted to sing. It longed to be free, no contained in a mortal shell. His emotional state didn't much help matters. This strange new Power battered at the walls of his self-control, chipping them away bit by bit until ti felt like his head was going to explode.
It. Wanted. Out.
One look at Emerald told him she was contending with the same burden. Her eyes pulsed with the same flames, red to his blue.
It hurt, seeing her like this.
"You okay?" he reached out a hand and his partner latched onto it like a drowning woman, all but leaping into his lap. The motion startled him, moreso as her arms wound around his neck and her forehead kissed his. Not a heartbeat later she flung her Semblance at him, wrapping him in an illusion as she had so many times before. Their own silent means of communication. He watched her lips move, the sound unheard to everyone but him.
"No. I'm not." she wrinkled her nose at him. "I don't trust the old man. I don't trust any of this."
"Neither do I," he whispered back. "But we need him. For now."
She scowled and the mirage broke.
Damn Amber. What had she infected them with? Flames still flicked at the edge of his vision even when he closed his eyes unable to be ignored. They moved whenever he turned his head, as if his face were aflame. They irritated him beyond measure. Distracted him as much as her and he knew Emerald was probably going mad. Pyrrha and Blake certainly were!
"Are you sure you're alright...?
Naruto blinked, somewhat startled to find their resident redhead touching one hand his forehead with a concerned expression. Poor Pyrrha. Always such a worrywart. Forcing himself upright in his chair and careful to keep his power at bay, he reached around Emerald to give the younger girl a swift hug. Much to his surprise he felt her bury her head into the divot of his shoulder. Alright. Maybe she was a little more than worried. He gave her back a brief squeeze and pulled away.
"We're fine, Pyr." he forced a smile he didn't feel. That, at least, lifted her spirits.
Blake twitched, ears gone flat atop her head. "You don't look fine."
The blond quirked a brow and offered her an arm. "Wanna hug it out? Might make us feel better."
She skittered back. "No."
Naruto felt a brief flash of pity mixed with pride. Stubborn, silly girl. She really was far too easy to tease. Vacuo would've eaten her alive.
He opened his mouth to tease his fellow faunus further but Emerald got there first.
"We'll be alright if someone would start talking already." Her blazing gaze nailed Ozpin to his chair.
"In but a moment." the headmaster temporized with a raised hand. "You'll have all the answers you seek and more...once Qrow arrives." a pause then, as he seemed to consider something else. His hand fell and a small smile played across his aged visage. "Do not ask about the name. He's rather sensitive about the spelling."
Their little quartet blinked. "Why?"
Pyrrha perked up and went a step further. "Do you mean Qrow Branwen?"
"Do you know him, miss Nikos?"
The redhead winced. "He's something of a legend in Mistral, though not for the reasons you might think-
As though summoned by those very words the elevator doors swept open and a lean man clad in dusty traveling leathers strode -stumbled really- through the aperture. Naruto had all of an instant to take in dark hair, red eyes, and weapon at his back -not to mention the flask at his hip!- before he was upon them. The heady stench of alcohol hit them a moment later, drawing a grimace fro the four teens. Bloody bastard smelled like he slept in a brewery!
This, Naruto realized, must be Qrow.
"Alright Oz, I'm here." the newcomer drawled, ignoring the four of them. "Why'd ya pull me outta Atlas like that...?"
Ozpin sniffed, then made a face of his own. "It rather smells as if I pulled you out of a bar."
"Well, yeah." the stranger flashed him a roguish grin. "Huntin' is thirsty work."
Emerald exchanged a bleak look with Pyrrha. "I see what you mean."
Black scoffed. Naruto was tempted to do the same.
"Well, she tried to warn us...
"Where's Amber?" Qrow ignored them -again! What were they, chopped liver?!- took a few step forward, uncaring as the elevator doors clicked shut behind him. "You mentioned her during our call. Said it was urgent." his bleary gaze roved over each of them, only to narrow when he didn't find his ward there. "Where is she?"
Here at last, Ozpin's facade fractured. "I did mention her...but its more complicated than that. I had thought it best to speak of this in person."
"Well?" Branwen's brow furrowed. "I'm here now. Spill it."
...Amber took her life, Qrow. Her successors sit here before you."
Team Nebula winced at the unpleasant reminder. Qrow scoffed outright.
"She did what...? No." He shook his head. "Not her. Now way. I don't believe you. Amber was a lot of things, but suicidal? Not a chance."
"It is not a matter of belief." The Headmaster quirked a brow. "Naruto? Emerald? If you would?"
Naruto had only just gotten his eyes under control. They flared up again the moment he lost concentration. Judging by Emerald's curse, the reverse applied to her. A gust of wind surged through the room, causing many a bad hair day before the two of them managed to reign themselves in.
"Well, shit." Qrow saw their burning eyes and spit a curse. "How the hell did that happen?" He squinted at Naruto, or rather, his eyes. "That shouldn't be possible."
"This from the drunken bird?" Naruto squinted right back, a scowl already twisting his face. "I didn't think it was possible for you to smell this bad."
"Heh." oddly enough, that made the drunkard laugh. "Least you've got some spirit. That's something at least-
"BRANWEN!"
The elevator dinged open again without warning and a blast of cold ice shot through to strike said unfortunate drunkard on the arse. He rounded to face the perpetrator with a snarl and was promptly struck in the face by a second blast right. A third struck him low in the gut, flipped him over Ozpin's desk, and slammed him into a wall, leaving a decidedly Qrow-shaped impression behind. He hung there for a moment, eyes spinning merrily in his head before he slid down with a groan.
"Well." Ozpin put his head in his hands. "It would seem we have company."
"You cheeky little shit!" a woman's voice absolutely snarled into the ensuing silence. "Did you have to hit every single button on the elevator?!"
"Crazy bitch!" Qrow massaged his hindquarters with a growl as he climbed to his feet. "Thought I told ya not to follow me up here!"
"Why, whatever do you mean?" a low laugh answered him. "I must be hard of hearing. And blind."
His eyes flashed. "You hit me with a damn icicle! No, wait." a pause. "ICICLES!"
A stranger emerged from the elevator. "You lived, didn't you?"
Clad in a loose azure dress that billowed about her frail frame she limped into the office with determination and grace, back hunched only slight with the weight of age, or perhaps some unseen burden. Naruto regarded her with idle curiosity. There was something odd about her that caught the eye. A presence. One that commanded respect. Though her hair was grey and her face lined with age, her blue eyes burned high and wild with the springtime of youth. Her sole sign of weakness was the gnarled staff of black oak she leaned upon, longer than she was tall. Damn thing certainly looked heavy enough.
As he looked on, she stubbed Qrow's toes with it for good measure.
He lurched back, clutching at his foot. "AGAIN?! Why?!"
She grinned. "For being a prat."
"My apologies." a new voice sighed. "You know how she gets when she sets her mind on something...and you did antagonize her."
"Bite me, Irondick!"
Another sigh, this one lower than the last. "Really, now you're just being crass."
Behind that curmudgeonly old womancame a man Naruto actually recognized, much to his consternation and then, dread. Any goodwill he might've felt evaporated in that moment. He felt himself wilt. Judging by her sudden stiffness in his lap, Emerald recalled him just as well. As did Emerald. It was a bit difficult to forget someone like that. He knew that face and uniform anywhere...although said uniform had been decidedly less grand since their last meeting.
"What's the freaking general of Atlas doing here?!" she hissed.
One of Blake's ears twitched.
"Shh!" Naruto shushed Emerald.
If general James Ironwood heard them he didn't show it. He only had eyes for the shrunken crone harassing Qrow.
"That's enough, Freya. Don't strain yourself."
"Let me be, Jimmy." she swatted his hand down with surprising speed for one so frail, giving the exasperated huntsman time to scramble back before she could smote him with her staff again. "I've still got some life left in these old bones and I will be damned before I miss something like...oh!" Her brow shot into her hairline as she found them at last. "Oh, my. You poor dears. You look a right mess." her lined faced crinkled in a smile. "Don't you worry. We'll have this sorted shortly."
Naruto wasn't one to blindly trust someone, but something in him wanted to believe those words.
Ozpin didn't even look surprised by this point. More resigned, really."Did you have to bring her, James?"
Ironwood offered a rueful chuckle. "She brought herself. Once she heard about Amber she all but hijacked a bullhead."
"Of course I did!" the woman cackled. "I'd not miss this for anything."
The headmaster of Vale looked like he might protest to that effect, but thought better of it. Naruto wondered what manner of secrets lurked behind that impassive mien. On the surface, it didn't seem strange for two men to meet like this, but something niggled at him all the same.
"Team Nebula," Ozpin made his introductions at last. "I'd like you to meet Freya. The Winter Maiden."
"Hello." Pyrrha was polite enough to wave at the very least. Blake just stared.
Emerald raised a hand. "Um...should that term mean something?"
A lengthy explanation followed.
By the end of it, their world had shattered forevermore.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto reeled back, brain fit to burst.
The Grimm had a leader? Magic was real? Relics were a thing?! This power was trapped in him and Emerald?! Until death?!
He dared a glance at his comrades. Blake looked to have gone into shock. Pyrrha's smile had become incredibly brittle. Emerald was still against him, her expression schooled into a blank mask. He'd seen that expression many a time before. He knew it by the tightness of her eyes; she wasn't angry. She'd gone well past it, just as he had. She was furious.
So was he. Anger coiled in his stomach and burst into anger, a twisted and gnarled root that threatened to consume him entirely.
Only a few minutes ago he'd felt bad for Amber. He had pitied a girl so filled with fear that she saw death as an alternative to being hunted. She'd manipulated him and Emerald into killing her; because in her mind, that was better than a life on the run. That bitch. That absolute bitch. He hadn't wanted to kill her then. He did now. But he couldn't, could she? She was dead and gone, out of his reach as the heavens themselves. And in her final moments, her fear had dragged his Team into a bloody shadow war!
"So that's it, huh." Laughter tumbled out of him, ugly and sharp as his fingers began to twitch at his sides. "We were in the wrong place at the right time."
"Unfortunate, but true." Ozpin at least had the good grace to look abashed. "I know you did not ask for this burden to be thrust upon you-
"No." Emerald hissed, her words colder than a Vacuan night. "We didn't. Choose your next words very carefully."
Beacon was supposed to be a second chance for him and Emerald; a chance to put the mistakes of their past behind them and start anew. A change. A chance for a new career, a new life, a new everything. So much for that! None of this was fair. They hadn't asked for this. They didn't want this.
He grit his teeth until he felt a molar crack.
Slowly but surely, the wind swept in. He saw -felt!- the moment jade flames sprang to life in Emerald's open palms. This strange new Power connected the two of them; he could feel her anger and fear as clearly as if it were his own, just as he could feel her drawing upon the Maiden's might in her rage. Part of him wanted to give into it himself, to just smash everything and be done with this. It would be so simple. He just had to let the power out. It would do the rest. But he wasn't that person.
Not anymore.
Some of his anger and suspicion must've shown through on his face, because Ozpin sighed.
"Rest assured, I am your ally." he was regarding them warily now, like a pair of skittish foxes fit to bite. Good. "I will do you no harm. Nor will Qrow."
"What, me? 'Course not." Branwen grumbled. "Thought that'd be obvious."
"Nor will I." Ironwood interjected.
"Swear it."
The men blinked. Freya tittered softly.
Ozpin found his voice first. "I beg your pardon?"
"Swear it." Emerald repeated as she climbed to her feet, eyes ablaze. "Swear here and now that you'll keep us out of this. All this Salem and Relic nonsense...we don't want anything to do with any of it."
Freya favored him with a pitying frown. "Its not that simple, lass. This isn't a duty you can forswear."
"Then we'll never use that power!"
"Even if you're hunted for it?" Ironwood interjected ruthlessly. "You will be, I can assure you of that. Even given your...unique circumstances. Such is the fate of a Maiden. You've already been told the truth. You need to be kept safe, not allowed into the wilds."
"That's not fair!" Blake burst out, eyes wide and frightful. "What do you intend to do, stick them in a cage?!"
"On the contrary. I believe they should be confined to Beacon. As should the two of you. You're a risk."
"How are we a risk?" Pyrrha frowned, somewhat taken back. "You can't do that! You've no right!"
"You're right," the general nodded. "I can't. I have no power in Vale. Ozpin, however, does."
All eyes turned to the man in question. He steepled his fingers and said not a word.
"Do you see now how they seek to shackle you?"
Naruto released a short, sharp breath of anger.
"Enough."
He climbed to his feet with great care, teeth sharp and eyes gone red. Scarlet sparks snarled at his fingertips. His newfound power threatened to thunder out of him; a hurricane ready to be unleashed upon the unwitting and the unworthy. Yet again he exercised restraint, but only just.
"Emerald's right. This isn't our fight."
"Ha!" she preened.
"However. We've been dragged into this against our will. Its not like we can ignore it." his gaze swept the room, daring an objection. When none came he bulled on. "Surely we can make some concessions here."
"And if we refuse?"
Blank red eyes rose to regard him. "Then I turn the rest of you into a tin can. Would you like that, general?"
"Easy, now!" Qrow jerked back, palms raised. "We're all on the same side here! Just calm down."
When faced with Maiden Power, Ozpin proved quicker on the uptake.
"If its an oath you want from me, I'll give you one." Before he could say more, the Headmaster's hand snapped up, another coming to rest just above his heart. "I swear on the graves of my daughters that I will never harm you or your team." his head bowed further still. "You will not be impeded in any way. Furthermore, you and yours will be free to continue your lessons here at Beacon as you please. May they haunt me if I break this sacred vow."
Naruto stilled. "You'd go that far?"
Qrow winced. "Oz, ain't that a bit much?"
"On the contrary." Freya limped forward, leaning heavily upon her staff. "I don't think its enough."
As a certain general looked on aghast, she offered Naruto a weak hand.
"Don't mind James. His heart is in the right place." She favored him with a kindly smile. "If he gets uppity you're welcome to smack him around a bit. We only want the best for you, after all." A pale blue eye winked at them as she said those words. Actually winked! "Wouldn't want to ruin that second life of yours now, would you? I can promise you, we're not here to lock you away...despite what some might suggest."
Ironwood grunted. "I'm standing right here."
"Go downstairs, Jimmy." she flicked a lazy finger at him. "We'll talk later."
Remarkably, the General deferred to Freya and did just that, though his look suggested they hadn't heard the end of this.
Naruto squinted at her. Did she know who they were? It was possible. They'd worn masks during their time in Atlas and gone to great lengths to concealed their identities. He was sure he would've remembered someone like Freya at that. Beneath her gentle smile, however, he sensed a heart of steel. He felt his anger begin to subside. Ironwood might be difficult, but at least the Winter Maiden was reasonable. And clearly, she had some sway over him.
He clasped her palm and together, they shook.
...fair enough."
"Now that we've put that aside, I simply must inquire about that semblance of yours." There was a note of eagerness in Ozpin's voice now, like a boy who'd found a particularly shiny stone. "How does it work? I believe its what allowed you to contain some measure of the Maiden power in the first place."
Naruto's jaw clicked shut in silent defiance.
"Wait, wait, wait." Qrow raised his voice. "Semblance or not, none of this explains how he," he stabbed a finger at Naruto, "Has part of Amber's power. It only goes to women. We know that."
"Then let's test it, shall we?" Much to Naruto's chagrin, Freya offered him a veined hand. "Try to take some of my power, boy. Lets see if it works a second time."
"Well, she's got a pair." Emerald applauded.
Blake winced. "That...might not be a good idea."
"Seconded!" Pyrrha piped up, startling them. "You don't know what you're asking."
Naruto dithered. "Are you certain? They're right, you know. Its not a pleasant process. At all."
"Come now," Freya rolled her eyes, "I'm no spring chicken but I've plenty of life left in me yet. You won't kill me."
"If you say so...
His hand touched hers and he closed his eyes, pushing his Semblance to the fore. Reaper's Touch wasn't a passive gift. He had to activate it. This time, he was cautious. How much to take? For all her fire, Freya was an old woman. He didn't want to sap her life force at all, but she was being so damn insistent. And besides. She was right. There was only one way to tell if yesterday had been a fluke or not.
There was something there. A deep blue flame in the dark.
Naruto wrapped his mind around it, imagining a pair of invisible hands cradling the cold fire to shield it from the wind. It felt cold. Cold? How strange. Why would fire be cold? No, it wasn't fire at all. It was blizzard. Even in his mind he could feel frost creeping through his fingers. He threaded his aura through it like a fish hook and gave the gentlest tug he could-
"Ack!" Freya jerked her hand back with a hiss, shattering his concentration.
His eyes snapped open. Hers seemed a bit dimmer than before.
Emerald hastened to his side. "How much did you take?!"
"I'm...fine." the old crone pushed herself upright with a laugh. "My, my, I certainly felt that. The boy's a veritable black hole." as she spoke she massaged her wrist, forcing color to creep back into her hand once more. Naruto saw the cracked, flaking skin there and winced. "He doesn't just drain aura. He takes your very life force." for all her pain, she sounded impressed. "Small wonder he's able to snatch semblances. I suspect I'd not be able to get away if actually meant to drain me."
"Fascinating." Ozpin murmurred.
Qrow disagreed. "That's not the word I'd use...
It wasn't an insult but shame flooded Naruto's face nevertheless. He hadn't meant to hurt her. "I can give it back, you know."
That drew a murmur of confusion from everyone save his team. Of course they knew what he could do. Teammates didn't keep secrets. Certainly not friends.
Freya considered him anew. "Can you now? Well, don't just stand there gawking! Lets see it!"
Qrow scoffed. "Got a death wish, this one...
"I heard that, birdbrain!"
Quick as a flash she rounded on Naruto again, eyes narrow.
"Be careful this time, would you? I'm afraid these old bones of mine aren't as strong as they used to be."
Naruto laid a hand on hers and dredged up his Aura. Now this, he felt more comfortable with. He rather liked this aspect of his Semblance. Yes, it could be used to harm and hurt, even kill, but it could give back what had taken. And more. He'd been stockpiling energy for quite some time now, and the Maiden energy had only bolstered that. It was the easiest thing to hook his aura into hers and send it racing back the way it had come. An easy task indeed.
The tiniest thorn of guilt pricked at him and held him back.
"I wouldn't, were I you."
He ignored the voice.
His mind plunged back into the black and he found himself staring at that strange blizzard again. He was beginning to realize what it was. Her soul. It looked fainter now, like a storm dashed against the slope of a mighty mountain. On a whim he cradled it with his hands gain. This time he gave her a little more than he should, nearly a fourth of what he'd been accumulating for the last year. Not aura, but pure life energy. It would tap his reserves a bit, but he could always take more from an enemy or a Grimm. He felt no compunctions with sharing what he had taken.
A faint scarlet shimmer spread from his hand and suffused itself across Freya's palm. Soon it spread to her elbow. Her shoulder. Followed by her entire body.
"Well, this is strange." The Winter Maiden frowned within the scarlet shroud. "I really don't feel anythiiiiiiiing!"
Her words piqued into a surprisingly girlish yelp as power poured out of him and into her.
Naruto felt the moment her Power latched onto his. Like an infant at the teat it suckled greedily. There. That should be enough. Time to stop. He reached in to cut the tether between them...and failed. A startled hiss tore out of him. He couldn't. Somewhere deep inside of him a dam had burst and now the floodwaters poured forth.
Wind picked up and brought every other element with it. Fire and ice melded to make steam, shrouding the room in an ethereal haze.
Freya gasped in surprise, but rather than push him back she pulled him in. He suspected it wasn't intentional on her part; because her hand gave a sudden spasm and clamped down around his, tightening most painfully. She couldn't release him. He couldn't let go, either. His legs buckled as a jolt of weakness shot through him. Emerald reached for his shoulder, only to buckle as an uncontrolled burst of wind forced her back.
Frantic, he slapped his free hand forward and pushed.
It worked a little too well. The Winter Maiden shot backward, vanished into the haze, and struck a wall. Her body slumped with a groan.
Qrow all but slid to her side. "Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine, birdbrain." Was it just him, or did her voice sound different? Lighter, somehow?
Coughing but once, Freya shook her head and emerged from the fog, revealing rosy cheeks and a small smile.
"Well!" Pearly white teeth flashed in a cheery grin. "That certainly had some oomph to it! Be more careful next time!"
Naruto's jaw popped open with an audible click. "What."
Emerald joined him, eyes wide. "The."
Pyrrha leaned back. "Actual."
Blake gasped. "Hell."
The rest...stared.
"What?" Bright blue eyes blinked. "Ozpin? Qrow? Everyone? Why're you staring at me like that?"
Freya was nowhere to be seen. A stranger stood in her place. Where had the old crone gone? This woman looked thirty at worst , her once loose robe and cloak now clung scandalously tight across a curvaceous figure that would make even Glynda Goodwitch green with envy. Color had bled back into her hair as well, banishing the silver from her cropped tresses...which weren't short at all now, spilling down her back in a crimson curtain lush and vibrant with life. Huh. She'd been a redhead. Who knew?
Qrow flushed and coughed into his fist. "Freya?"
The redhead blinked. "Yeah, birdbrain?"
He averted his gaze and pointed.
She looked down. Blinked.
"Wait, what?" Blue eyes bulged. Her hands rose to cup something that...had not been there before. "Bloody hell! I've got tits again! When did that happen?!"
Emerald swore. "You've gotta be kidding me...she's stacked!"
"What in the world...?! My voice!" The Winter Maiden touch a hand to her mouth, then raised it and balked at the flawless skin there. "What have you done to me?!"
Fatigue hit Naruto like a truck and he reeled back, feeling vaguely nauseous. Not from the sight before him, he was a healthy red-blooded male after all. No, it was a deeper weakness that had him gasping for air. He hadn't meant to give her that much energy at all. It just happened. His eyes were still burning, brighter than ever. The power within him sang high and happy and wild in the presence of its kin. Beneath that his soul ached, throbbing with a vaguely unpleasant sort of pain.
"I'm not sure." he admitted, wincing at just how weak he sounded. Blake and Pyrrha had to help him sit until the tremors passed. "That's never happened before."
Whatever it was, he had no intention of ever doing that again! It felt like someone had taken sandpaper to his soul! And then some! As if he'd shaved years off his lifespan!
"I did try to warn you." that odd little voice mocked him.
Ozpin rose from his desk, eyes wide. "Remarkable...
"You've given me back my youth!" Freya was oblivious to it all, pivoting in place to admire herself. "And then some!" She ran a hand down her flank and Naruto found himself gulping. That robe was way too tight for decency's sake. "I haven't felt this good in...well!" She paused and genuinely seemed to consider the matter for a moment. "Forever! This is amazing!" As everyone looked on aghast, she bounced once. Twice. Thrice.
Qrow clapped slowly. "Hot damn. Not bad for an old braod-
An icicle shot past his face, tearing a thin slice in his right cheek.
"Repeat that again and you won't be having children." Freya lowered her arm, eyes narrow. In the same beat, she resumed inspecting herself. "Was I always this tall?" she wondered aloud. "Feels weird when you've spent all those years hunched over. Oooh! That's still firm at least~!"
Naruto clapped a hand over Blake's eyes. Emerald did the same to him. Pyrrha averted hers with a squeak, face gone rosy.
Without warning Freya rounded on them -on Naruto!- eyes ablaze with blue flame. He froze, a deer in the headlights. Naruto wasn't sure he liked that smile of hers. All bright and high and wild, it was nothing at all like the fading shadow of a woman he'd begun to respect. Here was a young woman in the springtime of her youth, fierce and fearsome as a winter storm. He shrank back half a step.
She saw his weakness and pounced.
"That settles it!" Said revitalized woman cast her staff aside and swept Naruto up into her arms, crushing his face against her bosom. "You're adopted!"
Naruto felt his ears twitch. "Eh?"
"You and that girly of yours." she hummed, crushing him tighter. "Adopted! Hell, I'll adopt your entire team if you want! Or better yet! Marry me!"
"Absolutely not!" Oddly enough, that reactivated Blake. "Not you, too!"
Pyrrha stumbled upright. "Isn't it a bit sudden for that?!"
Emerald sputtered. "Now wait just a second...!"
"Don't run off!" Ozpin flung his arms up before they could all descend into collective madness. "This is unprecedented! We need to run some tests before you do anything else!"
"Fine by me." Freya preened, holding him tight. "Lets take this down to the vault. Its nice and quiet down there. No prying eyes to watch us."
...a sound argument."
Naruto coughed weakly, still trapped in her powerful embrace. "Don't suppose I get a say in this...?"
"Nope!" she grinned at him. "If I'm young again, I plan to enjoy it while I can!"
Freya whirled and dragged him toward the elevator with a mad giggle.
Naruto was helpless but to follow. Emerald gave chase.
And with that event? The world changed.
A/N: READ THIS LEST YE BE CONFUSED!
Don't mix maiden powers with a volatile Semblance. Strange things happen! This was the plan from the very beginning. Wonder if folks will see where I'm headed with this...
Now Naruto and Emerald have themselves a Maiden mentor. Why not Raven, you ask? Because I have other plans for that crazy little birdy.
And just like that everything changes.
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?
As ever, enjoy the previews! And of course!
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
(Preview)
Naruto hummed softly.
He still held a trump card, one he had kept secret from the others. He'd not used it in...well...years -for good reason, due the the caveats that came with it!- but a thief knew better. It was always best to keep an ace up ones sleeve. A power like that was dangerous in the wrong hands, downright intoxicating in others. He'd seen firsthand what that kind of power did. No. His ironclad rule held. This was something he would only ever use on an enemy, and only when word of it couldn't be traced back to him.
He hadn't let Jax's mind-control semblance die with him back in the deserts of Vacuo.
It was degraded, weaker than before, but still powerful in its own right.
Emerald would be furious with him if she knew the truth.
Emerald gripped her wrist until she felt the bones creak beneath her grasp. "Please...never leave me."
Naruto laughed. "Nope! Never. You're stuck with me. Till death do us part."
...didn't you say you were gonna live forever?"
"HA! Then that's what we'll do."
"Training begins now!"
"Owww!"
Freya laughed. "See? Told you. Ya weren't ready."
Blake sighed softly. This was fine. She was...not neccessarily content, not with Adam's presence in Beacon, but she was happy with her team at least.
She would fight to keep them.
They needed her help. She couldn't abandon them.
It was in that moment that Pyrrha decided to fight for them.
R&R~!