Team RRYN was a loud bunch. There was one person that said little, Ren. In contrast, as if to balance their rowdiness, Blake's team was quiet.

Weiss was a picture of class and politeness, until she broke that glass with a comment. Pyrrha regarded the others that spoke to one another. Blake occasionally read her novel. Naruto stared into his cereal.

It was interesting to see Naruto's complete disinterest in everything in Beacon. On some subjects, she couldn't but feel the same way. However, he was a different person when it came to a fight.

One such example of RRYN was Nora's loud explanation of her bizarre dream of pancakes. She dragged it on until she asked everyone of their preferences.

Naruto was broken out of his spell of staring deeply into his cereal, "I don't think I ever had pancakes,"

"What!?" Like he had insulted her entire being; it was sacrilege. Somehow her enthusiasm was contagious. "Then I demand that you try it right now!"

He snorted, "Sure, okay. I don't why I keep eating this anyway,"

"Each piece must have a perfect blend of maple syrup and pancake. While each pancake is great, some are better than others. You have to try Ren's one day because it's one of the best."

"Okay."

She cut out a piece that she presented to him, but she didn't give him the fork. Instead she held it out for him, he took a bite.

"It's good,"

"Haha! See, another pancake lover."

"It's no ramen though," he muttered to himself. He seemed to notice that someone else was seated beside him. "Do they serve ramen?"

"I don't think they serve ramen in the morning," Pyrrha said.

"Well they should,"

"Not to mention, it's unhealthy,"

"That doesn't matter," he replied. He poked the box, making it teeter, "especially when they have this thing,"

"I agree with Pyrrha, we need more nutritious food,"

Blake rolled her eyes. Weiss would always voice her agreements with Pyrrha, but 'The Invincible Girl' never said anything despite her discomfort.

"Kiss ass," Naruto muttered.

She almost laughed, and somehow, he noticed that. She tried to smooth her features, but he had a knowing look. "Perfect," she said quietly.

She decided to put aside her novel for now, instead focusing on the assembled group. Naruto was being poked by Yang, until he had enough.

"I was ignoring for a reason," he lazily glanced towards the new intrusion.

"And I was poking for a reason," she replied with an easy smile.

"Hey Tiger, I noticed you haven't met someone," He sat up from his position.

Pyrrha squirmed in her seat, seemingly wanting to join the conversation, or any for that matter. Weiss seemed to be talking with Ruby, or rather Ruby was trying to talk to her.

She decided to listen on Naruto's conversation, "You're taller,"

"Aw, you're self-conscious of your height? Matter of fact, you're just like a little teddy bear,"

"You'll see, one day I'll be taller. Then you'll regret the joke,'

Blake couldn't recall much of her captain. He always seemed to fade in the background.

"What! Yang! Why are you grabbing me!" Yang grappled with her sister. She laughed as the girls' legs dangled on the table as she was forcibly brought to sit beside Naruto.

"Here ya go! This is my sister, Ruby! isn't she the cutest?"

Ruby's pale skin was flushed red, her lips trembling, "H-Hi!"

"Hello," He replied. An expected reply, he never said much when he was introduced.

"Well," Yang interrupted, rolling the word, "This is awkward, I guess this is what happens when you put a quiet guy and an awkward sister together,"

"I'm not awkward." Ruby whined.

"You couldn't say anything." Naruto said.

"But you didn't say anything either!"

"I know, but I didn't want too,"

"Well that's just mean of you!"

"Much better," Yang said, "Obviously, since I broke the ice,"

Then they got into an argument.

Blake returned to her novel. Sometimes she didn't know what to think of them, or at least, the others that didn't include Weiss Schnee. It was strange to think that this was the life that she entered. It was a lot of doing nothing.

Naruto was uninterested in lessons, often muttering on how useless it would be, an opinion that Blake would share. However, he would never do his work.

Pyrrha seemed to never disagree about anything, or she was awfully patient. At the least, her fighting skills were phenomenal.

"Stop, please, that hurts,"

She clutched the book when she turned her attention toward the commotion.

Cardin had his grasp tightly around a Faunus's ears. She didn't notice Naruto had slipped away from his seat until he was in front of them. He had been silent.

Naruto's hand latched on his wrist and he squeezed. It was enough that Cardin's grasp on the girl was let. Cardin let out a pained grunt. It was a sound that was very satisfying to Blake.

Naruto looked at him, again with that emotionless voice. "What? I thought you wouldn't mind,"

Cardin had a furious look to his eye, "Why did you do that you little shit?"

The height difference was significant, Cardin towered over Naruto. A few students noticed, even those from her team.

"Oh," Naruto replied. "I guess people don't like their ears being pinched,"

Cardin reached for Naruto's collar and held him off the floor. This was going to be a fight, and Blake dearly hoped that it wouldn't end it Cardin's favor.

Naruto's foot connected with Cardin's chest. There was an aura shimmer as he was launched several feet away. He tumbled, and let out a groan.

His friend stood up, the smirk on his face had disappeared. "Try it!" Naruto shouted, like his words were laced with venom.

They knew how well he could fight.

A world of difference from the apathy moments ago. It was interesting to witness.

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. "Tell me if they bother you again." Muttering as he walked away. Blake couldn't help but smile.

"Isn't Naruto afraid that he might get kicked out?" Weiss commented.

The smile wiped away. It didn't change the fact that she had newfound respect for him.

"I don't know, Cardin deserved it," Pyrrha said. Pyrrha wasn't so courteous of everything after all.

The night carried a chill. The school was alit by the moon above. He never noticed how it looked, it was an alien sight, a reminder that he wasn't from here. It was fragmented, pieces large and small floated together.

It was a quiet, private place. Perhaps he had been going at it wrong. If he reflected on those longest days of his life, would he be better off?

Yet, he could only think about the end. How the wind-edged blade felt against his spine, heavy and cutting, he felt its phantom pain. He flinched, his spine straightening rigid. One of the last thing he remembered was its eruption and how it consumed him.

However, that unspeakable pain came with something else. He laughed until he was breathless. How Kaguya had looked then, her pain, her confusion, her trembling, her curse. If he could relive a moment, it would be that memory. No victory ever felt close.

It had been win or die

Win or die.

They died and won.

Except for him.

Naruto didn't quite know when he had found himself on the floor like some sort of animal. He supposed that he was waiting. Like when he arrived.

This is where he waited.

He thought more of their last moments, because there was nothing to do. The dust between his fingers, the dark night, and the last time he saw his village.

So…He waited, until he realized he might have been wrong about thinking of those long nights. Perhaps it would be better to try and ignore it, but he wanted those memories of them.

It was like a dam had broken.

Those times when they sat down in a restaurant. Where Sakura would fawn over Sasuke, praising him for the job well done. Where he would argue with him over something he couldn't even remember but it was over some stupid thing that didn't even matter. Times when he wondered how Kakashi managed to eat with his mask.

All those memories that could've been, that should've been. Where all those stupid fights and arguments never happened, instead they would swallow their pride and make a time to remember. Simple stupid stuff.

Yet, no matter how long he waited. He felt dry, and there wasn't nothing inside him. Hollow.

And he waited.

And he waited.

But it wouldn't come.

Which kinda sucked.

"Ugh, I can't believe him!" Weiss hopped on her bed, her arms crossed. "He skipped the entire day,"

"Really? We haven't noticed at all," Blake muttered sarcastically. Especially not after the complaints. Weiss didn't appreciate it judging by the stink eye.

"I'm sure there's a good reason." Pyrrha said, defending him.

"Oh really? What might that be?" Weiss voiced.

Pyrrha's lips parted, before they clammed shut. "I…Um…"

"Exactly," Weiss commanded. "He's literally all brawn and no brain. Is it because he doesn't care? I don't know the reason. Either way, you can't argue that he isn't committed to his studies, not even a little. That test we did a couple days ago, I didn't see him write a single thing on it."

Naruto had stared at his paper, and by the end of class he had nonchalantly given it to the professor like he had gotten a perfect score. It was admirable how he managed to do it with a straight face.

Blake sighed, "I can't deny that. This is a school that all of us worked hard to get into,"

"Exactly," Weiss said. "Yet, the Headmaster made him the leader of our team. I'm seriously doubting his decision."

Blake probably wouldn't go that far. While the Beowolves were the only source of judgement, he was quick, he was capable. Not everything had to be involved with academics.

"Pyrrha? What's your opinion on Naruto?" Weiss asked.

Pyrrha frowned, "I think you should talk to Naruto."

To Blake, it seemed that it was more a defense. It seemed Weiss didn't see that. "Yes, exactly. I should do that, I don't think he's fit for to being the leader of this team. The captain should be held to higher standard, and he hasn't reached that."

Blake frowned, was she attempting a coup d'etat? It was funny its own way. Was that possible? She had to choose, her preference would have to be Pyrrha. There's no way Weiss should lead. At least he wasn't filled with complaints; at least he proved himself.

Blake sighed heavily, this was an annoying day. Tomorrow should come.

"I'm going for a walk." Blake said, she gathered a book that she wanted to read and walked past both her teammates and out the door.

It would clear her head. Hopefully she wouldn't see Cardin or his little goon. Blake reached into her pocket and felt around for her little good luck charm. It was still in her pocket, and she continued to keep it inside as fiddled it between her fingers. It helped clear her mind.

Blake wandered the halls of the school. She passed by some windows. The sky a deep blue that grew darker with each passing minute. She decided to wander the school, to get used to the halls and see what it had to offer.

She had a lot of time to think about her life here. It was strange, was it going to be like this for the next four years? It was hard to answer, including when she became a full-fledged huntress. Naruto had skipped the rest of classes after that little incident in the cafeteria. Perhaps she should start doing the same, if only to annoy Weiss.

After some time, she decided that she had enough of thinking. She had a book to continue reading. It would be nice to get lost for a while. It was a large school, there were many places to be alone. So, she went for one of the rooftops.

Her steps echoed in the stairway. She liked the silence, she enjoyed being alone. Being with others, well, it could be fun. She hoped her team didn't mind it in the years to come.

When she reached the top, she was surprised to find someone else. They laid on the ground, and she was about to leave when she recognized him.

His face was blank even when she walked into his field of vision. There was only one question to ask, "Why are you on the ground?"

"Hi, uh,"

"It's Blake," They had been a team for a while now.

"Right, you were against the light, I guess." Naruto replied noncommittedly.

"You know Weiss isn't pleased that you skipped the rest of classes today."

"Oh," was his response. "How much?"

Blake chuckled, on second thought it was more humours than annoying, "Oh just a little."

"That much huh?"

Blake wondered if she was like her, a person who preferred solitude at times. She found herself leaning on the wall beside the entrance of the stairwell. Contemplating her new-found life in Beacon Academy, hopefully one that would resolve her sins.

"I'm glad you helped that girl," Blake muttered. "Brave of you,"

"I am yeah." She could have done without that, it was odd when he said that. It didn't fit of what she'd seen of his personality, "But what does it have to do with being brave?"

"You weren't concerned about defending a Faunus?"

Naruto finally decided to sit up. He squinted, an almost accusing look on his face. "What the fuck is a Faunus?"

…

She bumped her head against the brick wall. What? It was earnest, yet so confused. He looked at her with expectance.

"What do you mean what's a Faunus?" She frowned, what kind of a question was that? "Is this a bad joke?"

"No," he said plainly. "I'm from a different place, another dimension. I don't know anything at all,"

That sounded even crazier. Yet as he continued to stare at her with a straight face for long moments, she began to doubt her doubts. Was that possible? It would explain how Pyrrha was defensive of him. It would explain that he was, ignorant.

"uhm, she had those rabbit ears… That's a Faunus."

"That girl had rabbit ears?"

Now it seemed like a terrible joke, but his face felt like there was some authenticity to his confusion. "How did you not notice that?"

"I wasn't paying attention,"

"You weren't paying attention?"

"I wasn't paying attention."

They stared at each other for another few, long moments. "You do know that it sounds ridiculous, right?"

He shrugged, "Does it? That's a regular thing where I'm from, I don't know if it's normal here. Don't ask me about language because I don't know either," He said. She blinked, she can believe him, or not. But she couldn't just deny everything he said, so she might as well just listen.

Naruto scratched his head and looked contemplative, "You still didn't answer me,"

"So, you don't know what issues the Faunus face?" He gave a nod. Blake decided to humor him, as well as herself. She took a moment to think of what a good summary might be, there was a lot of things. Too much. Blake explained it, their appearances, she explained the racism they faced, how they were second-class, how an organization helped nothing with that image.

"Oh…" Naruto thought for a long time, he scratched his chin. "Well that's stupid,"."

'That's stupid' was his response.

Naruto sat up, staring. "Who cares about how a person looks? But I can't really say much seeing as we had four huge wars in a short time. I don't know about history here."

"Knowing that, would you still help a Faunus?"

"I've met a lot people who looked different. A guy who used his own bones, other people with Horns, wings, no pupils, and whole lot of other things that I can't even think of. Blake, that's a normal thing there." He said. He looked back at her, still in the same position. "Is that why your bow twitches?"

She flinched. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

His face was emotionless. How did he even notice such a small detail? "Yes, you do." He looked back up at the moon again, because there wasn't much else to look at. For some reason, there was a part of her that believed him, despite how outlandish it seemed.

The book in her hand was forgotten.

"So, you told Pyrrha, it's no wonder she defended you."

"Defended me from what?"

"Weiss."

"Oh." He replied.

"Yes, the reason my bow twitches is because I'm a Faunus." Blake swallowed nervously, he had defended that girl. For whatever reason she decided that she believed him.

"Oh."

Barely a month in and she was going to reveal this to him. She was her team leader after all, and she would have to eventually show the rest of the team. Blake wanted to get along with them, even Weiss.

Her hand tugged at the knot of her bow, pulling it off to reveal the hidden cat ears. She was proud to be Faunus, but ashamed of what the White Fang had done.

Naruto still sat, his brow raised curiously, his blue eyes glanced once at her ears. It was nothing more than that, she expected more glances, even shock.

"Something tells me this was supposed to be dramatic," He said. "I don't see it."

It was almost humorous in a way.

"Still, I can see that this means a lot to you."

"Trust goes both ways, doesn't it?" Blake said. She laughed at the awkwardness that she felt. The tension she felt earlier wisp away. She really did expect something like 'You're a Faunus?' or 'Why were you hiding this?'

"You're different, aren't you?"

"I'm one of a kind Blake."

"I never really took you for the Weiss Schnee's type."

He hummed.

This other world Naruto was from, it sounded like an impossible place. Was the divide so large between Faunus that it sounded like that? Though, the large-scale wars he had mentioned. It must have its own problems.

Another day inside Ozpin's office.

They stared at one another in a game of look away or who blinked first.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Something bad?" That was his best detective skills at work.

"In a way." Ozpin swirled the cup in his hand and he took another sip. "You're in an interesting situation. Your grades, at least concerning written assignments are zero."

"Yeah, I don't hand them in."

"Or apparently not at all, may I ask why?"

"Can't read or write."

"That would explain it."

He didn't seem at all surprised, in fact he was amused. Ozpin gathered a pencil and paper and slid it across the desk before it was right before it. "Can you show me?"

Naruto gazed at the pencil for a moment before he picked up. He twirled the pencil between his hands as he thought on what to write. A brief smile appeared as he quickly wrote the characters required for, "School sucks,"

Then he presented the piece of paper. Ozpin looked for a long while as he inspected the piece of paper. "Interesting."

"Tell me, I've watched a recording of your spar with Miss Nikos. Despite having no aura, you weren't afraid in getting injured. You identified her semblance, already having a name for it. Do you possess any abilities?"

"I used too. Not any more though, I lost all that when I injured myself."

"What were those abilities?"

"Plenty. I could manipulate wind, I could manipulate fire, lava, sand. Bunch of other stuff too but I'd rather not get into it."

"You can manipulate elements just like that?"

"I guess, but I don't really know enough about Aura and Semblances to compare them. It was named Chakra, everyone had it, just not everyone became ninja."

Naruto watched Ozpin lean back on his fancy chair, it even swiveled. He wished he had a chair like that, it was probably comfortable.

"For now, I think I will let this pass." Ozzy said. "It would be in your best interest to learn how to read and write, if you're unable to return to your dimension."

He didn't know how he learned to read and write in his language, it felt like it was natural or that it was so long ago. Why didn't whatever magic that made him instantly learn their spoken tongue make him instantly learn their written word?

"That'd be smart." Otherwise he would be fumbling around staring at sheets like in the chuunin exam.

"Why?" Naruto asked.

The man smiled, like the answer was right before him. "You're a unique individual. One piece of advice, you should be careful on who you reveal your origins too.