A/N: Shorter than I'd like, but tthis will do for an interim chapter. Finally finished my Elden Ring updates for the month, now onto the rest~!
*hears talk of DLC*
Lalalalala! I can't hear you!
As ever, the Embers rule remains.
If folks don't like this story, POOF! Away it goes. Gone forever. With two jobs and rent to pay, my free time is...well, at an all time low. I'm lucky to have four hours to write a day. I can't afford to pen stories that no one enjoys. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!
Now for your questions, comments and concerns!
Q: YANG REUNION WHEN?!
A: YANG REUNION NOW! In all her chaotic glory.
Q: Naruto's going the underworld route, ain't he?
A: You might be surprised...
Q: Romance! More! We demand! Also more Genshin updates! Arcane too!
A: You'll have them, don't worry. This update should be proof enough of that. I'm going around updating everything, finishing up stories, and trying to keep a consistent update schedule. I'm sorry if that upsets some people, but I'm merely one fellow trying my best.
That said, I hope this chapter/episode puts a smile yon our face.
Aright, I think the old man's ramblling has kept you all waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're merely tributes. Away we go~!
"Blonds are bonkers. That's the long and short of things."
"Hey! We're not that bad...right?"
"You really are, kid...
~?
Everything Nice (Yang's Interlude)
Silence reigned supreme.
Kurama scoffed into the dimly lit room. "You're actually considering this."
...maybe." Naruto thumbed his chin as he considered the scheme written down before him. "I started this, and I owe 'em a debt." his finger ground down against the sheaf of parchment, digging into the desk beneath. "If someone comes for Hei and the twins because of what I did to Winchester...
"They can defend themselves."
"Against a huntress?" his fingernail bit into the desk, worrying at the wood. "Against someone like Cinder? Or Cardin's family? Yang thrashed em, and she's not even a proper huntress."
...fair. I still say they're not worthy of chakra. The bunny, maybe. Possibly the gunner. They've got some spine. But those three? Never."
"Maybe. Maybe." his fingers drummed restlessly against the desk, producing a steady cadence. "No reason I can't put them through the twins through a little test first."
"What're you thinking? Bell test? Hatake's ordeal had merit. See if they betray one another, or work together. Better yet" a pause as his old friend considered the wager. "Let them show their character before that. Maybe then I'll agree to this hare-brained scheme."
"What did you have in mind?"
Kurama outlined his scheme in no uncertain terms.
...huh. that's actually a really good idea...might piss 'em off, though."
"That would be the plan. You see the true measure of a mortal when they're angry.
He opened his mouth to reply...and paused. His senses had just lit up.
Blue eyes snapped toward the window.
"Yang...?"
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto wasn't an easy man to find.
In hindsight, Yang knew what was her fault as much as his; while her fellow blond hadn't exactly made himself scarce since their last meeting, he hadn't exactly gone out of the way to advertise his location either. Without a scroll to track him by -that she knew of!- she'd had to hunt him down in her free time.
And hunt him she had.
...she didn't have to go far.
The doors of the Club loomed before her now, same as that night. New sign, and a fresh coat of pain perhaps, but little seemed to have changed beyond that. If not for Coco's tip, she never would've tracked him down at all. A pang of bitter irony flooded her mouth, bringing with it an awful taste. Of course he hadn't left. If she'd known that, she would've searched here first!
Shame he hadn't gone to Beacon. With skills like that she would've loved to have him on her team.
'And the kiss.' a smug little voice cooed in the back of her head. 'Don't forget the kiss.'
Her face burned. As if she could! Sure they'd been tipsy as all hell and holding back -she was certain he was, at least-but it had been a fond memory, even if said memory had landed them tin the slammer. A small part of her still wondered what it might have been like. To have him as a teammate, if not a friend. Woulda been nice.
Still, she was happy with her lot in life now.
Long live Team RWBY slayers of cookies and killers of Grimm. Ruby was coming into her own, the ice queen had settled down and Blake...well, Blake was Blake. She'd come around sooner or later if she knew what was good for her, and if she didn't, Yang would see to that herself.
Right now, she just wanted to...see 'ol whiskers again and put this behind her once and for all. She needed to figure things out, see if she still felt the same while she was sober. Else, this would just keep nagging at her.
So long as dad didn't find out. Nope. All the nope. Taiyang was great, really, he was, but he could just be so overprotective sometimes. Not his fault she knew; after he'd lost Raven-not her mother, never her mother!- and Ruby's mom, she could understand his desire to keep them safe.
But a shotgun for a boy? Really?!
If he and Naruto ever met...no, best not dwell on that. Yeah, sure. It would be fine.
The doors swept open as she reached them, forcing her to step back or risk being run down.
An exhausted redhead staggered out, looking absolutely haggard. Turquoise green met hers, rolling in mild dismay.
"Hey, blondie." He looked up, set his hat and tugged on his collar to iron the creases out. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you."
Dread dawned in Yang's heart "...why not?"
"Boss is in a bad mood." the man fumbled for a cigar in his coat pocket, then flicked out a lighter. "Third time he's dragged me in there this week."
...boss? Wait!" Realization dawned as the man tugged on his bowler cap and finally his a smoke. She recognized that face from the wanted posters, weary though it was. "You're Roman Torchwick!"
"Got it in one! So nice to be recognized these days." He waltzed past her. "Try not to get killed."
Yang nearly deployed Ember Celica and lunged after him. What the hell had she missed?!
She could chase him down...or have this done.
In the end the answer was obvious.
Now or never.
She braced her hands against the club doors once more and made to push. Just get it over with. If she hesitated any longer Ruby and the rest would start to worry.
Imagine her surprise then when they flung open and bowled her over.
Naruto came storming through.
"Hey, Yang!" Manic blue orbs met hers, wide and intent. "Perfect timing." his hands came down on her shoulders. "Go out with me."
Yang's eyes. Got really big. "Wha-hold on!" she drew back, spluttering. "Wait a second! My heart isn't ready!"
"Eh? Whaddya mean?" he squinted at her. "I meant out on the town! C'mon!"
Before she could protest, he latched onto her wrist and hauled her off.
"Will you slow down?! What's the hurry?! Oi! Answer me!"
"Tactical retreat. Mighta pissed the twins off.
Laughter spilled into the night.
"Of course you did...
A/N: Aaaand here we go! Once more, the Embers rule remains.
Sorry, I don't have time to write a story folks don't like.
If folks don't enjoy this story, POOF! Away it goes. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here!
Had to cut some parts till next time. Don't worry, they'll be worth it.
Reviews are eternal. Reviews are Immortal. Reviews are precious to me.
Sooooo...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review, Would You Kindly?
No previews this time. So few seem to like them T_T
...fine, just the one. Can't give too much away.
(Preview)
A noise behind her stilled her blood.
Taiyang cocked his shotgun. "So that's him, then?!"
Yang groaned. "Daddy, no."
"DADDY YES!
...you can't choose your family."
"Maybe not. But I'm still going to kick your ass for hurting my sunny little dragon."
Naruto quirked a brow. "You can try."
Yang flung up her arms.
"Naruto, no!"
R&R! =D