A/N: Rougher than I'd like, but work calls T_T

I need a vacation before I loose my damn mind...

As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted. Poof! Gone! Every bit of feedback helps. That's no joke. I simply don't have time to write a story folks don't like, not with two jobs and the holidays breathing down my neck. That truth still holds true here.

I've had some call me a review whore for that, and while that hurts a little, I can't write without feedback. So by all means speak up! Make yourself heard! Your feedback matters! I cannae write without them!

Now, lets answer some questions. I'll keep it brief so we can get into the story.

Q: Arcane references in this story, yes?

A: Ummm...? Here and there if you squint, nothing major, and certainly no characters.

Q: The glorious misunderstanding continues?

A: Ayup~!

Q: Don't forget about Illia! Please don't discard her!

A: As if I would so such a thing!

Q: How's Ozpin going to react to all this?

A: Suffice to say he'll be taking a more active role in this story with Raven's death and working to get back into his prime.

At this point Salem and her forces are unaware that Cinder's become the Spring Maiden. They don't have much chance of tracking her either, thanks in no small part to the events in Atlas. At this point if Salem WERE to come knocking she'd find herself in for a nasty surprise.

As we all know, an angry Ozpin is NOT someone you want to fuck about with.

Canon!Cinder fought a rusty Ozpin and got nearly got obliterated.

Now imagine what he would be like if he didn't slack off?

Throw a protective Naruto and...others into the mix and Cinder's very well protected.

Alright, I think I've kept you long enough.

I think we all know what's coming...and its going to be glorious.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!

"Congrats. They're yours."

...what the actual hell. This is your semblance at work, I just know it.

"Nope. This is all you. I was in the wrong place at the right time. Have fuuunnn~!"

~Qrow and Tai.

Blood of My Blood

"No! You're not my sister!"

"Cheeky little...! I didn't even ASK to be your sibling!"

Their arrival went about as well as one might expect where two teens and two little girls were involved. In a word? Poorly.

And yet despite all that, or perhaps in spite of it, Naruto found himself smiling as leaned against a wall and he watched little Yang squabble with Cinder. In the face of the stubborn tyke's ire, his comrade's calm demeanor had cracked wide open, revealing her true fiery nature for all to see. It was kinda cute to see her flustered like this, to see her real self under the facade she worked so hard to erect in public. Yang had made the mistake of tugging her hair. Big mistake, that. Cinder loved her hair. From there on out, it was war.

He supposed Qrow was to blame for this after all.

Blasted surly bird had dragged all the way out here to Patch, kicked the door down, dumped them in the living room with only the briefest of explanations, and gone upstairs with some Taiyang fellow. Naruto hadn't even got a good look at the man before Branwen dragged him off by the ear. Whoever he was, he was clearly Yang's father...wait. Concern dawned and realization with it. Did Qrow think they were...?

"Big brother?" a small voice asked. "Why do you look so sad?"

A tiny hand tugged at his sleeve.

It didn't belong to Illia; he knew for a fact that was sleeping comfortably on the couch, utterly exhausted from the flight over. Which meant...?

Naruto looked down. A pair of wide silver eyes looked up at him without fear.

Little Ruby Rose gazed back at him "Why are they fighting...?"

He flicked a gaze back at Cinder and Yang just in time to see the former pluck the latter up by the scruff of her neck...as one might a naughty puppy. Yang went absolutely berserk, screaming and failing with all her might to no avail. Cinder looked nothing short of smug. He supposed he could leave them to it.

"Well...I guess everyone fights from time to time...

Cinder snarled as the little blond managed to drive a fist into her arm. She let Yang go with a pained noise and her victim tumbled to the floor.

Yang stomped a foot.

"I said no! You're not family!"

Young Ruby raised a tiny hand. "I dunno, they seem nice...

"Screw that!" Yang scowled at Cinder and kicked at her heel. "You're not my sister!" Her eyes flicked to Naruto, saw Ruby holding onto his sleeve. "You're alright, though. You look like daddy."

Naruto's throat closed. "Urk."

He could feel Cinder's glare boring into his back; she was giving him all the evils. He could tell them the truth of course; because he was damn certain Taiyang wasn't his father. He couldn't be. After all, they weren't even from the same world. He might not know who his parents where, but he was certain Taiyang Xiaolong was not one of the.

And yet.

Ruby's lower lip trembled, eyes damp with unshed tears. "Is that a no...?"

Ack! His heart! How could you say no to a face like that?!

Naruto palmed his face as he felt his resolve crumble.

"S-Sure," he all but groaned into a palm. "I'll be your brother."

Ruby latched onto him with a happy chirrup. "Yay!"

In hindsight, he was doomed from the start.

But maybe...maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Now where in blazes had the adults run off to?


(.0.0.0.)


"Raven's...dead?

Taiyang staggered into a wall, looking like he'd been stabbed. Qrow gave him some credit where it was due, the blond bastard didn't faint. He was too strong for that. But only just. His old friend looked like he'd just been told the world was ending. And yet there was something more to that look, more than mere sadness and sorrow.

Bloody hell, the man looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"When?" he croaked out the word. "No, nevermind." the blond brawler palmed his face. "I need a drink."

"Not with the kids downstairs." Qrow rammed him up against a wall, and pinned him there with an arm. "Get a grip."

It was a cold day in hell when he was advocating for sobriety. Never again, Still, when Tai looked away he caught a flash of guilt in his eyes.

"You're hiding something. Spill it."

"Raven...came back a time or two. After she left." He forced the words from himself, sounding physically pained at the memory. "Usually for a night. Or when she was drunk. Never when Yang or Ruby were around," he amended once he saw his thunderous expression. "She could always sense when they were nearby...

"Fucking hell, Tai!" anger gave life to a snarl. "And you didn't think to tell Yang?!"

"What was I supposed to say?!" He rounded on him, eyes wild. "Sorry sweetie, mommy doesn't feel like coming back, but she wants some nookie?!"

Qrow felt the air tense, a live wire ready to snap. "Hey, hey! Don't go using your Semblance!" he hissed as the man's muscles began to bulge beneath his shirt. "You wanna wreck the house all over again?!"

For a wild moment he thought Tai would ignore him and fly into a towering rage; he often did on the rare occasion when he lost his temper. His semblance was a dangerous at the least and outright volatile at worst, a tool he seldom used. The angrier he became, the stronger he grew. It was part of what had attracted Raven in the first, and later Summer...for opposite reasons.

Now his old friend deflated, a shell of his former self. He gripped a trembling fist and the light in his eyes receded.

"I pushed her away the first few times. But she was so damn persistent."

How did you respond to something like that?

"I tried, you know?" he groaned into one hand. "Each time she came back, I tried to convince her to stay. A rueful chuckle escaped him. "How do you convince someone who con portal away the drop of a hat? I couldn't chain her down. Gods know I tried." Just like that, the light left his eyes. "And now she's dead. Just like Summer. Another life lost in Ozpin's war."

Qrow found himself clapping him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry. For what its worth, she went down fighting to protect those kids."

And now they came back to the meat of the matter.

"They can't be mine." Taiyang sounded beyond broken when he replied. "They just can't. They're older than Yang and Ruby."

That was the only reason they weren't having this conversation with Harbinger. "So the two of you didn't...before?"

"What?" Tai took the shove like a man; in that he barely stumbled against it. "What kind of question is that?!"

"Tai!"

"Alright, alright, just let me think!" he paced away, paused, and considered almost immediately. "Well, there was that time she disappeared for a year back in Beacon, but we'd only...it hadn't been..." he frowned. Counted on his fingers. "Or maybe it was...?"

.

..

...

The silence was telling.

"Shit." Qrow slapped his forehead. "She never did tell us where she went. Think she ditched them first? Before Yang?"

The tan man turned deathly pale. "Raven wouldn't abandon her kids to the Tribe...!"

A dark brow rose. "We thought she wouldn't do a lot of things, Tai."

...I could really use that drink right about now."

They both could, but no, they needed to be responsible, if only for today.

"Look, the kid has blond hair and blue eyes for crying out loud." he thumbed his chin, considering it. "No idea about the whiskers marks, though. Maybe a birthmark?"

Taiyang made frustrated Taiyang noises, but brought himself under control. "And the girl?"

"Yeah," Qrow grimaced, "That's where things got murky. "She's got Rae's attitude for sure, her hair, too.

His teammate flailed for an excuse and found none. "But the eyes...

Qrow found himself shrugging.

"Look, they might not be yours by blood, or they might not be. But!" he held up a finger. "One way or another they are her kids. Gotta be. If they ain't, I'll eat my boot."

The weary father looked away.

Qrow slugged his shoulder. "Tai!"

"Alright, alright!" he warded him off with a hand before he could thump him upside the arm again. "Its just a lot to take in, nevermind the girl they brought with them. No way she's hers."

"Nah," here at last, Qrow felt the ghost of a smile return to his craggy visage. "They stole that little chameleon out of a hotel and adopted her."

Taiyang's jaw clicked open. Closed. Opened again. "...what?"

"Look, its a long story, and part of the reason we're here. I'll tell ya over drinks sometime."

"How did they adopt her?!" Taiyang flailed his arms. "They're not even eighteen!"

"You wanna tell a Maiden no? Be my guest!"

"So its true, then? She's definitely...

"That's why we need the drinks.

"Wait. If they're hers, and she's gone...does that make them my responsibility, now?"

"Good man." Qrow slapped his back. "You know how it is."

And so the misunderstanding continued.


(.0.0.0.)


When the stairs creaked, Naruto and Cinder both jolted.

Illia slept like the grave on the couch, blissfully ignorant to it all.

Ruby and Yang looked up, argument all but forgotten in the wake of their return.

Qrow was the first down the stairs, wearing a pensive look.

"So, runts." he said apropos of nothing, "There's someone I'd like ya to meet...

"...?"

He stepped aside and swept an arm out.

Taiyang stepped past them, looking like a man marching to his funeral.

Naruto and Cinder exchanged a baffled look and shrugged.

"Is he someone important...?"

How little they knew.


(.0.0.0.)


Cinder finally cornered him later that night.

Naruto hardly noticed when she crawled into his bunk at first; although to be fair, perhaps that was his own fault; he was feeling pretty damn dazed at the moment. He'd barely remembered to tuck Illia into one of the guest beds -honestly that silly girl could sleep through anything- before falling in one himself. The little faunus would no doubt be a bundle of energy tomorrow after all the napping she'd done, but that was a bridge he would cross when it came do it.

Taiyang didn't have much in the way of space, but at least the guest beds were cozy.

Golden eyes met his in the dark. "Are you awake?"

A blue eye creaked open. "I am now."

Cinder needed no further prodding; she squirmed into the covers with him and laid her head against his chest. An angry little huff fled from her lips..

"I'm beginning to think stupidity is contagious."

"Maybe." he looped an arm around her shoulder, holding her close. "That...wasn't what I expected."

She huffed and gave his chest a light smack. "He thinks we're his kids!"

"Well, I do kinda look like him." Naruto didn't look up from the bed he lay sprawled out in. "You too, minus the whole golden eye thing." when she didn't answer he loosed a sigh of his own. "Does it matter? They'll help us, and honestly, we kinda need it.

She huffed and turned away from him. "There's no one else in the world I care about. Only us. We're the only ones who matter."

"Is that so?" Naruto quirked a brow, unable to keep the smile from his face. "Cuz I saw you playing with Ruby...

"Lies!" She hissed through her teeth and wouldn't look his way. "You saw nothing!"

"And what about little Illia?" he prodded. "Don't you care about her?"

Cinder made angry Cinder noises.

"They'll be afraid of me in time, just like the rest." she tucked her head into him, refusing to meet his gaze. ""You probably think I'm a monster too." She crossed both arms before her chest, body gone stiff against his like a broken doll. "Go on, admit it."

No, no, no. Not this again. He wasn't letting her sink back into depression.

"Nope."

Cinder gave him an evil look. "No. Not that again."

"Nope, nope."

"I'm serious! Cease that drivel at once!"

"Nope, nope, nope." Naruto reached down into the blankets, found her hands, laced his fingers with hers and held tight. "Not happening." she made a frustrated noise when his forehead kissed hers. "You're safe now, so there's nothing to worry about. And besides," a crooked smile touched the corner of his mouth. "If you have any nightmares, I'll just chase 'em away."

Her pale face lit slow, from her neck to her chin, followed by her cheeks and nose, then finally her forehead.

"Dolt!" She looked away with a snarl. "You're soft!"

Naruto absorbed the full force of her words and for once, stopped smiling.

"Nah, I've figured it out."

Cinder squinted at him. "Figured what out?"

"Your problem." He sat up slowly, reminding her of a lazy fox she'd one seen sunning itself. "It isn't me that's got you so riled up. Its this." A finger thrust forth and jabbed her hard in the head, eliciting an annoyed whine from her. "You're afraid. Terrified, really. Of all this."

Se squawked. "I most certainly am not!"

"You are." the blond's head bobbed in disagreement. "You need to let that fear die." when she flinched he reached out and caught her by the wrist. "So that fear will no longer control you. Fear of pain, fear of loss," and here he saw a spark of something flash through her face, "Fear of betrayal, even."

He offered her his hand, palm splayed for her to grasp at her leisure. She just had to reach out.

Cinder shifted ever so slightly, scooting closer.

"You're strong now, just like you were always meant to be." Naruto kept his hand out, waiting for her to come to him. "Who you become from here on out? That's your choice. I can only help you make it. I know you're not fond of your name. Cinder." he chortled a little when her brow darkened. "A mockery of Cinderella. But to me?"

Her fingers curled around his; he took the chance to tug her closer.

"Cinder is perfect." He patted her cheek, unafraid as her eyes blazed with golden flame. "No one is ever going to hurt you again."

She sniffled. "What makes you so sure?"

His arms enfolded her in a fierce hug and she froze, her defiance crumbling. His chin came down on her shoulder, all but locking her in place.

"Because," and although she couldn't see his expression, he willed her to feel the fervor of his words all the same, "I won't let them." His arms squeezed her a little more. "Stop worrying about what might happen and just enjoy the present, alright?"

A faint hiccup trailed through the tail. "Someone betrayed you once, didn't they?"

Now wasn't that an old memory? Someone had, though he barely thought of Mizuki anymore, much less dwelt on it.

Naruto drew back and held her at arms length. She watched him. He watched her right back. She probably expected ire, a flash of raw anger, something hurtful. Instead she received a smile.

"Yup." he said candidly. "Some cheeky teacher thought he could use me to steal a scroll."

Cinder's breath caught in her throat. "What happened?"

He grinned. "Kicked his ass with a thousand clones."

In hindsight, he really couldn't be blamed for what came next; he expected a scathing retort, some cutting comment.

He received tears. It was too much. She warbled and broke. "I don't deserve you...

"Course ya do. We're partners, aren't we?"

"Promise me." she whispered. "Promise me you'll never betray me."

"Sure." he held out his pinkie finger. "Speaking of promises, how do you feel about Beacon in a few years...?"


(.0.0.0.)


Come the next morning, Qrow took them to meet the man behind it all.

Apparently said man was the headmaster of Beacon.

Who knew?

Cinder realized it a beat before Naruto did late as the the elevator opened. Was this a trap?! She tried to dig her heels in, but Qrow wasn't having it; he placed a hand between each of their shoulders and nudged them forward. A man with greying hair awaited them in the room beyond, sat behind a desk, with a lonely cane resting against it. He looked up at their arrival and favored them with a careworn smile.

"Welcome." his voice had an almost pleasant hum to it, one that instantly put her on edge. "You must be exhausted. Care for some tea?"

Qrow coughed into a fist. "Oz, its kinda early. Lets just get this out of the way so they can relax for the rest of the day."

Naruto clicked his tongue. Cinder scoffed. They weren't that young.

"Very well." much to Cinder's chagrin the headmaster turned his head just so and favored her with a wrought iron stare. "Dear girl, you're the Spring Maiden, are you not?"

Cinder's jaw snapped shut with an audible click. "How do you know?"

"I created the Maidens. he chortled softly even a they tensed. "I know their power better than any other."

"If that's true," her eyes flashed with flame. "You can teach me to control it. Can't you?"

"I can," his head bobbed, "If that is what you wish."

"Now wait just a second." Naruto stepped up beside her. "We barely know you, and you're already offering to help us?"

"Oz is like that." Qrow laid a hand on his shoulder. "He's done right by me before. Trust me, he'll do the same for you."

Cinder didn't much trust the surly bird, but if the old sage was offering what he thought he as...

"I'll show you how to master your gifts. Both of you." his gaze slid to Naruto. "With my training, I daresay the two of you will be untouchable."

Fire flared in Cinder's heart. It was all she'd ever wanted. To be strong, not solely for herself, but for the sake of the one she held most dear. She was plenty powerful now, but if the Headmaster of Beacon himself trained them, taught them mentored him.

They'd be powerful beyond imagination.

"Yes!" Cinder bulled forward, only to realize the enormity of what he was offering. "Wait." her face closed down a moment later as said realization soured. "What do we have to give you?"

Naruto stilled at her side, ready to act.

Ozpin smiled. "Nothing."

"Bullshit." her brow furrowed, even as Qrow chortled. "People don't give things away for free. You must want something."

A beat of silence passed through the office, broken only by the sound of clicking gears.

"Hmm." Ozpin sighed into it at last. "If I had to name something, it would be this." A lone finger rose to elucidate her. "I wish for you...

Aha! She knew it was too good to be true.

...to live."

Naruto guffawed. 'That's it?"

"Quite." the headmaster favored them with a fatherly smile. "I wish for the two of you to live long and successful lives. I wish for you to attend Beacon someday, to master your powers here, and make friends." he bulled on before they could interrupt. "And when your time comes, I wish that you both die together in bed at a ripe old age, surrounded by your children and their children, and their's children's children." Naruto sputtered at that, and Cinder felt herself blush down to the very roots of her hair, but he wasn't yet done with them. "In short?"

He spread his arms wide.

"I wish for you to be all that you can be."

Cinder wrinkled her nose at him in mild confusion. "You really are an odd old wizard."

"I'll say," Naruto muttered. "Anybody every tell ya you're a little crazy?"

Qrow sighed. "Might've gone a bit too far there, Oz."

Ozpin guffawed at that, a rare genuine sound.

"Forgive me, I'm simply terribly excited."

He offered the two of them a hand.

"Shall we begin?"

A/N: Little!Ruby and Little!Yang are too pure. Must protect.

And there we go.

Lets see if this story has a happy ending.

As stated above, reviews are my lifeblood. Can't write without 'em.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

And enjoy the previews.

SPOILERS! READ IF YOU DARE!

(Previews)

"You have great power within you, Naruto. Why do you not use it?"

The blond winced. "That...may not be a good idea. The fox and I aren't on good terms."

Ozpin hummed. "Then let us have a word with him.

He flicked two fingers and touched his forehead.

Naruto opened his mouth to protest, only for the the world to blur.

And he saw him.

Furious red eyes regarded him behind the bars. "What have you done?"

Fascinating. Ozpin stepped up beside him, marveling at the seal. "So this is the source of your power...


Illia squealed with glee. "Faster, faster!"


"Surrender the children."

"You're making me angry." Taiyang wiped a line of blood from his mouth and looked up. "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry...


"Your sister is eeeeevil."

A young Ruby patted Cinder's head. "There, there...


"You absolute...!"

Cinder was silent for a long moment.

Then she dove on him. Her mouth crushed against his.

"Never do that again!" she hissed between kisses. "You scared the life out of me!"


"Again." Ozpin tapped his cane on the bedrock.

Naruto dragged himself upright, clutching his ribs. "Ruthless bastard...

"Not ruthless my boy. Merely pragmatic. You asked for this training, and so training you shall received."

R&R~!