Chapter 3

There was everything to see from this height. Down below, lights littered the walkways of the courtyard. It was dark, no moon hung in the sky. Clouds blocked the moon's luminescence

Some students littered the walkways below. Their incoherent conversation was heard. Another couple laughed together, it echoed in the air. There was a howl of wind behind him and he quickly looked behind; Only a dark horizon, and the door that led inside.

There was a loud hum from the light bulb.

How long had he been here now? He honestly hadn't paid much attention to the passage of time. It could have been a day, it could have a week.

What hadn't change was that he now had another team. He was the captain. That was kind iffy on Ozzy's part.

A shiver ran through him. He turned toward the light again, and leaned against the railing. Was it just him, or was the hum from the light bulb getting louder with each passing moment?

His gaze affixed, much like a moth entranced; only one way forward. There was a crack, a pop, and the glass spilled against the concrete. Tinkling as the shards fell. A brilliant flash, and the darkness invaded.

A murderer lurked in this drowned light. His peak sense screamed at him to move. He lurched to the side, crashing into someone. There was a gasp.

His eyes adjusted, the door in sight. He wanted to move, yet he seized, the shadows held him.

It was easy to think of what 'ifs'. What if he hadn't dodged, what if he moved the person behind him, and what if there wasn't any darkness? So many other possibilities that might've happened.

Laughs broke him out of the mold; the world returned to normal. His arms trembled, and they wouldn't stop. His heart felt like might leap out of his chest.

Rather on his person, he focused on excited yells down below, a laugh, a curse, more laughing. He swept a shaky hand through his hair and thought of other things.

Vale. Beacon Academy. Team NPBW. A new team as soon as he lost his old one. How strange.

Naruto focused on the chakra inside him. He couldn't feel it. Chakra was his lifeline, so it was still there, but unusable. He wondered what the extent of his injuries were, he felt back to normal. He held his hand out, his palm facing upward. The fundamentals of forming his technique came to him.

A thousands of needles pierced into the center of his stomach. It didn't stop there, it trailed up of his arms. This was all that mattered, there no was nothing but the pain; pulsating with every heartbeat.

"Fuck," he cursed. It didn't stop, he shouted more. A wave of fatigue hit him, he felt breathless. "What the hell was that?"

The air grew colder, and the night more prevalent. The talking had disappeared, replaced by distant nocturnal creatures. The feeling in his arm settled down, being replaced by an awful numbness

Naruto recalled his knowledge on chakra. Sometimes it didn't work if chakra was low, or you just died. He never recalled a stinging pain. Though, perhaps that was the full negative effects of his technique.

Better this than everyone dead, so he couldn't complain.

Free food, free bedding. All he had to do was go to classes. Though he couldn't read and write their language. He'd probably might get kicked out soon. He might as well stay.

Someone bumped into him, he didn't turn to look who it was, a mumbled apology and that was the end. Students came and went, talking and laughing, as they found their seats in the cafeteria. He was at a lost on where to go.

Someone nudged his elbow, the red-haired girl passed by, smiling, "You look lost, they're over here,"

Pyrrha had a tray of food in her hand, which reminded that he had one too. He shrugged and followed. He yawned, having barely slept last night.

Pie found a seat and he plopped down beside. He poured himself a bowl of cereal; it didn't look appetizing.

"Good morning by the way." she smiled.

Good it was not, and he was petty enough to not add to his response, "Morning Pie."

Her green eyes blinked several times. "Pie?"

"Yeah," he focused on the bites of the cereal. Sugary.

Weiss interrupted his not-so-good morning, she didn't improve upon it, nor she did make it any worse. She looked to him with her nose held high,"She has a name, "

He shrugged, and it was Blake that spoke for him. "Don't be jealous, he has a nickname for you too."

"Is that so?" she asked, her gaze turned a cold fury. "Do tell, we're no where near being that familiar with one another,"

"Rice,"

She flinched, and looked so insulted, he almost found it funny. "The nerve! Never call me that again, and don't dare speak to me unless it's an apology," Weiss turned her head, her side-ways ponytail bobbed from side to side.

Blake found this priceless. Instead he focused on his dish. He wasn't too hungry, but he had to eat something. He forced the cereal into his mouth, usually doing that gave him an appetite, but it only worsened it.

God knows why he was still here. He solved it. He had nowhere to go. Wait, he had already solved this mystery some other night.

"Did I hear that right? You call the Pyrrha Nikos, Pie? Classic," it was a voice he didn't recognize.

He glanced to his right, did these other people just arrive or did he lack any sort of spatial awareness? He was supposed to be a ninja. See everything and all that crap.

It was a blonde. There was an energy as she leaned forward with a hand on her chin. She gave a playful smile. "Hi! So, this is the elusive leader of team NBPW. Don't think we've met before, names' Yang Xiao Long. Nobody told me that you were such a tiger,"

He looked at her, forcing down his food. Tiger? "Naruto. You can call me that if you want."

"Don't mind if I do," she winked. "Not intimidated by 'The invincible Girl' What would her cereal fans think?" she laughed again, which embarrassed the girl beside him.

He looked at the cereal box, a red head with the bronze gear was present on the box. He looked at Pie, then back at the box, then at Pyrrha again.

"Huh, I didn't even notice that. You'd think the cereal would be decent," the blonde had laughed.

Pyrrha strained a smile, "It's…not a healthy cereal,"

"So, I have a famous partner?"

"Not that famous,"

"Famous enough for people to ask for your autograph?" he asked. Her awkwardness increased.

"Sometimes."

Ah, he probably looked like that whenever someone had asked him for his autograph. Of course, that timeframe was after when he had defeated Nagato. "Kind of weird, right? I never got used to it."

Though, he hoped in her case it wasn't because of a feeling of Why the fuck are you smiling at me like that and why should I do this because you guys treated me like less than trash Type of deal. Yeah it wasn't pretty.

The blonde girl who's name he had already forgotten snapped her fingers, "Oh, are you famous too?"

"In my community," there was a twinkle in her eye, her mouth opened before Rice interrupted. "Like a famous baby,"

"As interesting as this is, class is starting soon."

Which killed any conversation as everyone got rid of their dishes or any garbage they had. Naruto looked at the bowl of cereal, it was empty; the taste was that forgettable.

The busty blonde chick gave her attention to the others beside her. They were having a conversation; his other teammates had been talking with them. He hadn't known any others were talking.

It was like apathy leaked from him. Pyrrha had noticed this about her partner.

One moment he looked dreadfully uninterested. He would freeze, a statue, then his face would contort in puzzlement, his brows furrowed like he was thinking hard about whatever the professors had said. Multiple times he would pick up his pen, before he set it back down. His notebook going unwritten.

Weiss had noticed this, if her remarks was of any indications. It was a daily occurrence. Like the professors' questions for him. His knowledge seemed limited, and Pyrrha tried to help.

She wondered if anyone else had observed his changes in mood. The oddity in his initial appearance was still unanswered.

As she decided to find Naruto, Jaune appeared with a grin. They seemed to have different classes, except for the one they heading to now. It had been busy for them all, they hadn't talked since the initiation.

"Hey Pyrrha, I wanted to say thanks again for catching me. I wouldn't mind falling for you again." He gave a confident grin.

She smiled. "It's nice to see you again,"

"School has kept us busy,"

She gave a nod, "I'd like to talk more, but I need to speak with Naruto."

Jaune blinked, "Uh, sure." he went forward and tried to speak with Weiss.

Naruto had been hanging in the back, walking alongside someone she recalled as Lie Ren. They didn't seem to be in the middle of a conversation.

Pyrrha slowed her pace until it matched it matched them. "Naruto, mind if we talk?"

Ren glanced at them, and walked forward with a parting remark. "I'll leave you two at it."

She watched him go, "Did I interrupt anything?"

"Hm? Nah. We were just walking next other, don't even know the guy's name."

Pyrrha didn't know where to start. "Um," then she was reminded the inexperience with dealing with others. "Why do you call me Pie?"

"That? Because that's sort of close to your name."

"It's that simple?"

"Well, I also forgot your name,"

Pyrrha blinked, "You forgot?"

He rubbed his neck, his lips forming a half smile before it disappeared as quickly as it came, "Sort of, it's just hard to say,"

"No no, it's fine." She replied, "I'm actually glad."

"Why?" He continued to look forward through the halls.

"It's just…Many people know me, but not really. It's feels good that someone doesn't know me," their gazes met, but he broke it.

"I'm not from around here. Is there something else you wanted to talk about?" It happened again. Like all emotion drained from him.

Ah, fantastic. They were supposed to talk whatever might have happened to him, not about her. Awkward. "I wanted to ask if you are well. Especially when we first met, it's just…strange,"

Naruto stopped his pace, and she did too. Pyrrha heard the other steps becoming distant. Her and Naruto went unnoticed, and the halls looked to be devoid of any one else.

He met her eyes again before they averted. "I can explain that, I guess, you were in danger because of me,"

"That was absolutely no problem. Any one would have helped you."

He was silent for a moment, his eyes not meeting her own. "The truth is that I'm not fine at all. You just reminded me of a friend, somehow,"

"Oh," Well, she didn't quite know what to say. Saying if he was okay didn't seem like the best thing to ask. Especially when he said he wasn't fine. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

He started to walk, his hands in his jacket. Pyrrha walked alongside him, and waited for his response. "No idea."

She frowned, but he continued.

"The reason I don't know your name is because I'm from an entirely different world. Which is why I randomly appeared there."

"A different," She paused. "world?" It sounded way out there.

"I wouldn't blame you if you didn't believe me, but that's why it might seem weird,"

She gave an uncomfortable laugh, "Well, the test did start, and it looked like you went through a lot,"

"It felt like it," a hollow chuckle.

"I believe you," She replied. "It makes sense in a way, if you don't know who I am, and of the questions the professors ask of you,"

"Are you trying to convince yourself?"

"No, if you say you are, then I have no reason not too."

It was silent, there was no else in the halls. Naruto sighed, "You don't have to worry about me. You don't have to do anything at all."

"We're partners, for the next four years. Would you stop me if I tried?"

"No. Being alone has never–No." Naruto hung his head, but despite his words his tone didn't change, "Thanks, eventually, eventually I'll get better."

He stopped again, and he took a quick look around. There was an inkling of a smile. "Do you know where we're supposed to go? I'm lost."

It took her a moment to realize that he was talking about which classroom they were supposed to be in.

"Oh, um, It's this way." She replied. It wasn't.

Everyone filtered out the amphitheatre. There was a lot of seats, turned to the stage with a huge television hung above it. The professor called everyone to change into their combat gear and return.

Eventually, he was the only one here, minus the professor; the same woman from when he arrived. Witch, or along that lines. She stood at the base of stage.

She was tall. Seriously, it seemed everyone was taller than him by a decent margin. Pie towered over him, with only Rice noticeably shorter. Hopefully, he would grow taller over the next few years, 'cause he was feeling mightily inadequate. They must have grown them differently here.

Damn. Like school all over again.

"Are you settling in okay Mister Uzumaki?"

"As much as I can be yeah,"

"Are you not going to fetch your weapon?"

"Pie said she'll grab it, seeing as I don't have a change of clothes for fighting." He replied. He had his jacket, but it was in bad shape.

Her brow raised, "A nickname? It seems you're already getting familiar with your team."

He shrugged, if she counted calling nicknames because he forgot their actual names and calling them the first thing that popped into his head getting familiar with his team then okay.

Now that was a thoughtful.

The door opened behind him, instead of students that came through, it was Ozpin. This guy was tall too, taller than the woman.

"It's nice to you again so soon young man," Ozpin said.

"Well, I haven't left or anything."

"Indeed. I'm glad to see that,"

"Good morning Mr. Ozpin." Goodwitch said.

"Good morning, Uzumaki? Please walk with me." Naruto followed his command like the lost little dog he was. "Yes, it's nice that you continue to stay. But I must say your potential is unknown because of your unique predicament. Have you told any others of your circumstance?"

"One person so far," Naruto replied. They reached where Witch was standing, it was likely she knew about the dimension gap between them. It wasn't like his circumstance was some deep dark secret. Nor did he tell Ozpin to keep it hidden.

"Good. I'll have to ask you from freely sharing this information other than your team," he said. "Have you noticed disparities?"

"Some I guess." He did learn about Aura, about how it was essentially Chakra. There was also something akin to Bloodlines limits here, called semblances.

Ozpin nodded, "Glynda, would you do the honors?"

"Of course, please stay still." Glynda approached him, and Naruto had to lilt his head up. She placed a hand on his chest and on his shoulder. She closed her eyes in concentration. One moment. Another. Another again. Her brow creased.

"Was something supposed to happen?" Naruto asked. That was anti-climatic.

"Yes, but it didn't, care to explain?" Ozzy said.

Glynda took several steps back, and began an explanation, "Aura is the physical manifestation of a person's soul. With that in mind, it can also protect the person. It can be visible in some circumstances, taking form of a color around a person. You might notice this in today's lesson."

It was like chakra, and his was yellow. He had learned a few things since he arrived. The difference was that chakra didn't provide a layer of protection. That would be have been useful to have.

Life saving, even.

Glynda adjusted her glasses and continued, "You have no physical manifestation of Aura. Which should be impossible, unless you have no soul,"

"No soul, that's gotta suck," he replied. He was ignored.

"However, there is something which possesses a different feeling than that of Aura, but still familiar. This only lends credence to your claim. I suppose that power takes form differently from you're from."

"Well, I had no reason to lie," Naruto replied. He placed his hands in his pockets. "And yeah, I'm not excited to be a special case again."

From housing a once terrible power, to having none. Quite the contrast in specialness. Also, where the fuck was Kurama?

Honestly, he should be dead if Kurama was gone. Who saved him and placed him in this dimension? The last sight was the moon. Thinking more of this would only give him headaches.

"Nonetheless, I look forward to discussing this in further detail in the future." Ozpin said, before he turned to Goodwitch. "For now, please continue with the classes."

"Are you certain?" Glynda replied, her lips settled into frown. Naruto heard the door open repeatedly, students began to fill the amphitheatre. Some of their gaze curiously set on them.

"Of course, this is a school dedicated to training future huntsman and huntresses. It should continue as such, regardless of circumstance. If individuals cannot withstand the dangers here, then they should not have chosen this occupation."

Glynda gave a nod, and Ozpin walked toward the exit.

He had one thought. Was he going to fight someone?

Judging by the fact he was now standing on the stage, yes, yes, he was. Witch had told him to stand there, and now he was the focus of the class.

"Mr. Uzumaki had volunteered to be first opponent. The first order will show, Naruto Uzumaki versus Pyrrha Nikos. Miss Nikos, please join him on the stage."

Pyrrha joined him on the stage. She heard whispers of 'The Invincible Girl'.

"I can't think of a reason why that is," Naruto said. He found her gaze, and she gave a smile.

No offense," Weiss interrupted. "But I'm certain you will be no match for Pyrrha,"

"Thanks for believing in me, Rice,"

"Stop calling me that!"

Pyrrha hid her smile as she stepped up to the stage,

"Your jacket, Naruto, but fight well you two." Blake said, her book on her lap. Naruto followed on her suggestion, and discarded it on the corner.

Pyrrha wasn't sure what to say, so she didn't. Glynda looked at them both, and gave a frown. They both heard the furious tapping on Glynda's scroll.

"Now," Witch said. "The match will be over when I say it's over. Once I give that signal, you will stop immediately, understood?"

"Understood."

"Good. You may begin when I say so."

The professor stepped off the platform, she could feel the start, just a breath away.

The students knew it too. There was a cheer for her, calling out her name, and then another, which led to a few more. Naruto shifted his weight, an eye gazing into the stands, and looked back and raised a brow.

Simple actions that spoke volumes. He was not the favorite coming in, and he was not deterred by it all.

"Hey Naruto!" Yang yelled. She leaned back against her seat, a leg rested on her thigh, like she wanted to enjoy the view. "Go get em tiger," He cracked a smile, and shook his head. At least, there was one person cheering for him.

"Let's do our best. Any guide lines?" Pyrrha said.

"No…" he trailed," firearms?"

Pyrrha smiled, and nodded. "That's fair,"

She drew her own weapons, sword and shield. Its weight was such a familiar presence; an extension of her limbs. She missed how it felt in her hands.

Naruto drew his own, or rather tired too. He fumbled with it as he tried to take it out. There were a few quiet laughs, and even Pyrrha had to restrain herself.

"Take care of your weapons!" A girl yelled out in anger. Ruby Rose, Yang's little sister. "Get a proper scabbard!".

"Okay, for real this time," he said, with sword in hand. He held his hand out, for whatever reason, before he blinked and withdrew. She didn't understand, but nodded all the same.

Glynda interrupted, "You may begin."

Those were the magic words. It was like a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her heart calmed, and all the uneasiness from moments prior washed away. There was only her, and the opponent; nothing else outside the ring mattered.

She noticed the change in him too. A normal sight to see a hung head, an almost general dreariness that hung about him; It disappeared, replaced by a spark in his eye and confidence unseen before now.

Pyrrha cracked a smile, her heart fluttering. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen that look. She waited in stance, quietly gauging him.

She recalled the times in tournaments. Her opponents would be eager, or even nervous. She would have seen it, but there was nothing here.

Pyrrha made the first move. closed the distance between them. Blade met blade. She disengaged for a moment before going back in with stabs and swipes of her sword.

Pyrrha pushed forward, pressing him back from her onslaught. She made her maneuvers complicated, but even as she put more strength and speed behind her attacks, they continued to meet.

He retaliated, knowing he was a few feet from edge. His foot shot forward, and met her shield. Clang! She gasped, her arm went numb and staggered back a several steps from the force of the blow. Naruto didn't give her the time to react as he amped up movements and strength.

He was aggressive, trying to set the pace as he swiped and stabbed and blocked. She couldn't help but smile. She nicked him a few times with her shield during their fight, but no solid blows.

She was kicked in the stomach, and staggered back. The yellow shimmer of her aura surfaced for a moment. She grunted at the pain; he hit hard.

They stared at one another, circling around the ring. Weapons in hands to clash once again. There was frown to her smile, and he narrowed his eyes. There was a lull to break and he was the one to do so.

In the midst of their trades, he disarmed her. The blade clattered to the ground, she jumped back. Her hand reached out and her sword returned to her grip.

Naruto froze, eyes widened. Pyrrha calmed her breath, some of her limbs felt sluggish but she could keep going.

He smiled, "Oh, I get it now, you control metal so no wonder I couldn't hit you."

He sheathed his sword, albeit with some difficulty. Pyrrha was surprised that he figured it out so quickly.

She finally responded, "You figured it so quickly. It's no wonder you're the captain."

He frowned, "It's just experience."

"Then all the more deserving."

Naruto didn't reply, instead he stood in a hand to hand stance. Next thing she knew, he was on her. She cleaved, and he sidestepped, a swipe, and he stepped back. He threw his weight against her shield. He held firm, clinging to her shield.

He pulled, he pushed. Pyrrha twirled the blade in her hand, a backwards grip, and tried to stab to shake him off. A knife appeared in his hand, and stopped it.

Something swept her off her feet, and she fell to the ground. Unrelenting, he kicked her in the stomach was sent several feet away.

"That's enough!" Glynda announced.

The enchanting trance was broken. The spotlight turned off, and the students appeared from the darkness.

She lost. A smile.

Naruto's hand appeared, and helped her stand. "Thanks," she muttered. It appeared again, another gesture he made with his hand before he withdrew.

"Sorry, just some old thing."

"Oh, how does it go again? Like this?" she insisted. She tried to mimic what she saw. She waited, he pressed his lips together and completed it with some other gesture. "Does that hold any meaning?"

"It means after a fight, that's we're still," a pause. "Friends."

"That sounds like a nice tradition," she replied, smiling.

He finally smiled. "Yeah."

"Come here," Glynda said, Pyrrha nodded and went over to the professor. After they were done, they returned to their seats as another couple took the stage.

Weiss didn't look at him, but seemed begrudgingly impressed, "that was…a surprising outcome. I apologize for doubting you,"

"She wasn't giving it her all," He replied.

"Neither were you," Pyrrha countered. "I used my semblance, while," she paused, and hummed.

He tilted his head, "I don't have one,"

Blake was the one to speak, "Perhaps you'll awaken it one day."

Glynda announced another team that would fight. There was a difference, portraits appeared on the screens and Glynda said that she would show them how they would get their Aura levels on their scrolls.

"I would like to guide this process, so please take out your scrolls and follow along. You will likely do this again in the future."

His teammates took of their own respective scrolls. Weiss noticed he didn't bring out his. "I forgot mine."