The door clicked closed behind. A sigh escaped from her lips and she stood for a moment; earlier events being cemented in her mind. Weiss took a breath as she strode forward, there was only one occupant inside. Blake. A novel in her hand as she leaned back against the headboard of her bed. It was a common sight. While Weiss enjoyed reading on occasion, it was no where near Blake's dedication.

There was a heaviness in Weiss's mind. Cluttered and weighed down by all the thoughts of today.

Another sigh fell from her. It was not something she did much, or tried to do; as she had been told, uncouth. Sighing was a sign of immaturity or frustration.

Weiss fell flat on her bed and breathed in the fresh smell of washed blankets. She laid there for a minute, before she felt that she had to speak her mind. "I felt like such a, nightmare to Naruto today,"

"What else is different," Blake muttered. There was a glint to her eye, no doubt a different word had sprung to her mind.

"oh, Ha-ha," Weiss rolled her eyes. Sure, she was difficult to him, because of his apparent disinterest in school. "Did you know that Naruto can't read?"

Blake's eyes shot up from her boo. She blinked, the book fell from her grasp. "Oh, that, makes sense I guess."

"Right?"

Blake picked up her novel, but she didn't bother to open it. "I wonder how he feels about you,"

"Ugh, don't remind me. I wonder how that happened?"

Blake paused, "Some people aren't as fortunate, but it does make sense."

"It does?" Weiss asked. She sat up, her hands resting on her lap.

"Some of us talk to him, have you tried?"

"I talked to him today."

"About what?" Blake said skeptically. "And I don't mean talking about taking over his position."

"We discussed other things, " Weiss paused, it was hard to swallow. "The nicknames, for one,"

A smile formed on Blake's lips as she let out a laugh. "Rice and Pie."

Weiss crossed her arms as she waited. She was annoyed, but Blake had nothing to with it. "You finished?"

"You're lucky. I don't think he even remembered mine until recently,"

"Lucky? He calls me Rice. Think about that. Rice. Anyways, I found out that he calls us those names because, in his own words, 'he had been hungry'."

Blake laughed again. Weiss was so glad that she was a source of humor for her partner. "So, you said you wanted to talk to him about changing captains today, how did that go?"

Weiss frowned. Her appointment to team leader was bittersweet at best. Naruto had a good reason for his bad marks. He also had a prior discussion with Ozpin. Her argument had been made null, despite that, she was still made captain. At Naruto's discretion, no less.

"Was it that bad?"

"No, it's just…" Weiss trailed off. She looked for the words, that seemed to flutter away with each passing moment. She gazed at Naruto's bed, settled between hers and Blake's, his sheets were never fixed in the morning.

She had been excited –Scratch that– tremendously proud of the opportunity to be team leader. Whatever celebration she had in mind had been tempered. Naruto had given her the role on a silver platter.

"Ozpin appointed me captain," Weiss stated.

Blake frowned, "Did he? I expected more jumping, hopping and other girly sounds."

"I do none of that."

Blake continued, "was he upset?"

"Not in the slightest, he admitted he wasn't fit to lead, and he even suggested to Ozpin that I be made captain."

"but not Pyrrha?"

"No. I wouldn't have minded if Pyrrha was promoted, "

"I would have preferred it." Blake replied. She picked up her book and started to read again.

Weiss scowled at Blake, but otherwise paid no other attention to her. She expected for Pyrrha to made team leader, she was the closest to Naruto after all.

She leaned back against the frame of her bed. She tried to relax, a deep breath or two. A knot tied itself in her stomach, twisted and seemingly impossible to untangle.

'I hope you won't take this lightly'

Ozpin's words echoed, and continued and continued. Had she thought up of the edge to his voice when had said it? Or was it just her imagination? Weiss locked her hands together. It didn't matter, she was going to take this seriously.

All that was needed was to prove herself. Had Naruto thought about this? Did anyone else who was a team leader did? How did one instance –the team placements– show who was fit for a role?

Weiss decided that she needed to take this one step at a time. She imagined a firm grasp on Myrternaster; her head held tall, right foot forward, shoulders back. A goal, an objective that needed to be eliminated.

She had to prove to her team that she was suitable to lead them. It seemed far off. Though, an opportunity present itself in the form of the Vytal Festival. After that, in second year when they could take missions. Was there an something earlier than that?

Her thoughts went to the only male in team NPBW. Naruto had a problem that could hurt the team in the future if it wasn't settled. He had to learn how to read and write. Communication would be a vital aspect.

That knot inside untied itself.

How did he manage not being able to read? His parents or any caretaker must have neglected that part in life. All that annoyance she had felt about him since they started classes was misplaced. Ugh, he should have shared it, it would have been easy; she would have understood.

That train of thought was interrupted when the door shut close. Her eyes opened, immediately placed at the intrusion of sound. The subject of her thoughts entered the room. There was no frown that she was used to seeing, but it was no smile either.

"I feel like I could sleep already," he muttered. Naruto gave an obnoxious yawn as he crossed the room. He placed his weapon and pouch under the bed. He dived face first into his pillow.

"Hold on," she said.

"What? I woke up early today," Naruto replied, his words muffled.

"I just wanted to talk to you about learning how to read."

"Yeah, what about it?" He angled his head, enough that she didn't have to strain to try and understand him."

"Next week, we're going to town, so we can get some texts or books to help you learn."

"Are we?"

"Yes, it's important that in the future that you know how to read when we actually work as a team." Weiss replied. He should understand how deep the possible issues might be.

Naruto blinked several times before he shrugged. "Fine, I need to buy stuff too. Can you help me?"

"If it's important,"

"Clothes I don't have," he replied. His eyes were shut closed as himself deeper in his blankets. "Now let me take a nap."

"Wait,"

"What else do you want?"

"I," she paused. "just wanted to say sorry."

An eye opened, blue focused on her. "Huh, for what?"

She frowned and crossed her arms. Naruto yawned, and he neglected to cover his mouth. She decided to ignore this…for now. "For being so difficult to you since the first week of school."

"Oh that, yeah, I don't care," he dug himself under the covers and he let out another yawn.

"But, ugh," what did he mean by that?

"You didn't know anyways. Not your fault." It was like he saw right into her mind.

"Then why didn't you say that?" Weiss asked. Naruto returned her question with a shrug. "You don't know or you're not telling me?"

He shrugged again and dug himself deeper in the mess of his blankets and sheets. "Let me take a nap. It was a nice day for once…"

A minute later he was snoring.

Weiss felt better, sort of, at least he saw it from her point of view. He placed no blame on her. Weiss remembered what he said earlier today. Fiery, what did he mean by that? Did he mean passionate?

He was not upset over her behavior. He had relinquished his position, and gave it to her. It was ripe with possibilities to make her look bad, but he didn't try… Unless he was waiting.

Or

Naruto had accepted it he wasn't qualified.

"Are you paying attention?" Weiss asked. Her light blue eyes centered on him. There was no longer the annoyance. He didn't delve much as to why, but it was something –a feeling– that he would always recognize.

Weiss took his illiteracy as a serious issue; it was true, by her reasoning. His inability to read and write would be a problem when they started missions. Naruto hadn't even thought about that.

Naruto answered her, "yeah, he said semblances aren't really uh, heredit- here…"

"Hereditary,"

"Yup, that one. They're semblances are usually different too." Naruto replied. Rice taken upon herself to make sure he paid attention in class. She turned her attention back to the professor, satisfied with his answer.

Naruto noticed the students starting to pack up their notes or other things. The last class of today was about to end.

It was a good thing that he never told Weiss he could speak and write another language. Otherwise he would have to write something down. He played with a pencil in his hands, weaved it through his fingers as he spun it around.

Naruto was getting used to the prospect of going to school, again. The similarities were present. Except, the people here had the decency to wait until they twenty-one to fight. Instead of almost a decade earlier. Instead of other shinobi, they fought beasts.

At least twice per class, Weiss would ask if he was paid any attention. Sometimes he would answer, because it was something he found interesting. Others, like something mathematical or random drabble that he wasn't sure that he would ever use in his life –– he couldn't answer quite as well.

Cue disappointment. Her brow would crease, disappointment would flash like he had personally insulted her. Matter of fact, it was the same when he called her Rice. She would underline her written words and continue to take notes.

Presently, he watched her scratch her pencil on notes. The alien, jumble of non-distinguishable words being written across the page. Even while everyone was putting their notes away, Weiss continued to write with fervor. Another minute passed before the Professor called the class to a stop and said he would see them next week.

Students filtered out of the class, he stepped in with his team.

It was short day. One professor had called in sick for their next class. It was cancelled, so it was the weekend now. For the first time, there was something to looked forward too. Buying clothes that wasn't just sleepwear or the uniform.

They ended back at their room before long. When they did, Weiss spoke as they put away any notes or text they had.

"There's a festival happening in town for the weekend, we should all go."

"Why not?" Blake agreed.

"I'd love too," Pyrrha said.

Weiss's posture relaxed, and the cool smile she wore brightened. "Great! I guess this is a team outing."

"Is it though?" Naruto asked. She made it sound so formal.

"It is," he replied.

Then he shrugged. Naruto found himself wondering what she liked, what she hated. Weiss hated the nickname, that was for certain. A contrast to Pie's opinion. Those thoughts also extended to Blake and Pie too.

Blake – for whatever reason – did not want to reveal her heritage. He had nothing to say about that, but he did have his own thoughts. In his opinion, everyone on the team would find out sooner or later.

As for Pyrrha, the team mattered a lot to her. She had nothing bad to say about nearly everyone. There was an energy in the people she spoke too.

"Let's meet up at the air bus at three when it arrives, I have to care for my weapon and some other things." Weiss said.

"Sure."

Blake collected one of her books and left. Weiss picked her weapon, stored under her bed, an intricate designed rapier before she exited the room. Naruto dug under his bed for whatever belongings he had left. It was limited, his headband, Kusanagi, and the Lien that he had been given.

Naruto sighed as picked up his headband, He laid it across his forehead, a familiar knot was planned, from countless times of tying it together. He attempted to tie it, before the cloth ripped in his hands. Like all his decrepit clothes, it had fallen apart. The head band survived water, fire, and years of abuse.

He ripped black cloth off the metal, the insignia was the most important part. Small scratches littered the surface. He placed it in his pocket, while he would never serve as a shinobi again, he could never leave without it; it meant too much.

The bathroom door opened, it revealed Pyrrha, freshly dressed in her bronze armor. A familiar, warm smile appeared. "Hey, did you want to get something to eat?"

"Sure,"

Her green eyes reflected the simple joy, the importance of his acceptance. Ah, he was beginning to understand.

One feature they had in common, despite the disparity in their appearances, eye color, because it was obvious that Sakura wasn't taller than him. Or as…never mind.

Pyrrha collected her things, with one being a light brown jacket that she wore on top of her armor. They exited the room and walked the halls through the halls. There were still other unfortunate souls that had class, he regarded them with pity that only students can share. As well as the satisfaction of being more fortunate than them.

"So, what's an airbus?" He asked. The question caught her off guard.

A laugh escaped from her lips, "Sometimes I forget that you're not from here."

"I blend in," he replied. If circumstances had been different, he would have reacted far from he had been to everything since arriving. For now, the only surprise he carried was that he was still standing.

"An Airbus is pretty much what it sounds like. An airship, it…flies," she looked away, like it was strange to say, "it will get us to the commercial district. They have a strict schedule."

He imagined what it might look like. Long, narrow, shaped like a boat. A top deck, maybe wings.

"We had a couple things, but nothing like what you guys have here. No firearms though."

"No firearms?"

"Yup, this were our firearms." He held up his arm, but he couldn't summon enough will to try and flex his arm, which was his intent. Despite that he couldn't commit, she laughed. He wondered if terrible jokes were up her alley, "But I am being serious."

"Really?" Pyrrha leaned forward.

"Like semblances, just less restrictive," he replied. There was a brief flicker of an explosion that could wipe a country; courtesy of Kaguya missing him. "I can't do anything like that anymore. Like a moron, I hurt myself."

"Oh," She paused. "How was it when you first heard a gun being fired?"

He noticed the pause. It seemed she tried to avoid talking about his home. Naruto wasn't entirely sure if he was too. He wasn't sure if he appreciated it or not. He wasn't certain of a lot of things, and he felt tired of that.

"You guys had sticks and they had booming sounds, so I called it boom-sticks,"

She laughed, and pulled out her weapon. It switched and flipped, turning into a long barrel. "This one is my boomstick,"

"I wasn't feeling creative,"

She gave a hum as they entered the cafeteria. Several students littered tables, but otherwise there was a lot of room.

"What are you having?" She asked.

"Can you get me something with meat?" He couldn't help but smile as shame overcame him. "I notice you guys don't get a lot of meat."

"Oh, you can't…" Pyrrha looked around her and whispered the last word like it was forbidden to ever speak aloud. "Read. You've been ordering food without knowing that?"

"It's easy, 'I'll have what they're having' workings really well."

She ordered her food, as well as his. The lunch lady nodded. "Then, until you learn. You can always ask me."

They received their dishes and Naruto grabbed his plate. He felt his mouth water when he saw a large slab of mystery meat that he had no idea what might be. Whatever it was, he could appreciate how juicy it looked, the smell of spices entered his nose and his stomach growled. Oh man. He even felt a shiver crawl down his spine.

They found a seat somewhere in the cafeteria. They continued to talk as they ate. He savored his meal, ate it as slow as possible to accomplish that.

Two individuals arrived, both girls wearing the school uniform. One of them had a pair of brown rabbit ears, with her brown hair. While the other girl was taller than him… That seemed to happen often.

The girl with the rabbit features sparked an fragment of familiarity inside him, before he recalled that this was the girl being bullied, some unknown time ago, had it been two weeks? Her eyes looked away when he was noticed, and she made herself smaller.

There was another girl that stood alongside, who might as well the opposite of her. One hand on hip with her posture straight and demanding, dark tinted glasses hid her eyes. Her hand went behind the Faunus girl's back before she was pushed forward. A gasp escaped from the Faunus girl.

"H-hi," the girl said. Her voice was quiet, an accent to her speech. "I'm Velvet."

That familiarity grew, and Naruto immediately felt a smile form on his lips. "Naruto."

"Coco," the other girl said. Coco gave a wave, and her words were crystal clear in comparison to the other. "Took a long while for Velvet to find you."

"Nice to meet you both, I'm Pyrrha." Pie said, they finished the introductions.

"I wanted to say thank you," Velvet said. A pause, "for what you did."

"It was nothing,"

"You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"Not at all." He replied. "I wouldn't think twice about it if I got hurt for trying to help someone."

Velvet's cheeks flushed. He had simply said something he'd believed in. Right now, his mind was blank. He couldn't figure out what to say. This girl's personality reminded him of Hinata, however brief it was.

"It was nice to meet you." He said.

"We'll be seeing ya." Coco said, as Velvet waved them off.

"We should be going, it's almost time for the buses to arrive."

They took a route outside, and on several platforms, were this odd shaped buses with students piling inside. There was a lot of chatter, and a lot of tall people.

"This is the quickest way to Vale." Pyrrha placed a hand on his shoulder before she stepped forward in line to the airbus. "Do you see Weiss and Blake anywhere?"

"I don't know, you're the taller one." Nonetheless, he attempted to scout them out. He saw students loading into the air bus. Excited chatter, laughs and giggles.

Pyrrha laughed, "I see them, over there at the third one."

Naruto spotted them, as Rice was easy to spot in a crowd. They spilled through the crowd that thinned with every moment as everyone pooled into the airbuses. They were spotted by the duo when they approached.

"There you are," Weiss said. "I thought you two were going to be late."

"Let's go." Blake muttered, she followed behind the group as they stepped inside the airbus.

It was crowded inside, most of the seats were taken so they were forced to stand. There were windows on either sides that gave a view outside. A green light appeared beside the door, and the hatch locked them inside.

"Are you guys excited for the Vytal Festival this year?" Weiss said.

"I'm not too interested in that." Blake said.

"Of course!" Pyrrha said. "It's going to be fun,"

"Oh~ I can't wait until next semester!"

He paid mild attention to it, as they lifted off the ground and sped through the air. Pyrrha and Weiss continued to talk about their excitement. He paid little attention to it, he was busy looking outside.

The view changed repeatedly.

"So, this festival?" He asked Blake. A flash of understanding in her amber eyes.

"Happens every two years, I'm guessing both want to fight in the tournament." Blake mentioned to them. "Schools from each kingdom fight, I've seen it a few times."

"Oh, I did something like that once." Naruto replied. "You're not interested?"

"I don't need to be a part of games." Blake said. It told him a little about how she was. They continued to speak to one another for a little while, before the conversation died.

Time continued to pass, but he didn't pay attention to how much.

He looked at the down below at the city. Pyrrha had said that this was the commercial district of Vale. Some buildings were tall, standing over a dozen stories tall, other wide and far reaching. He saw some other airships in the distance, flying over the glow of the city. The architecture was different from the Hidden Leaf.

"We might as well make a plan," Weiss said. "If 'we're going to make it on time to catch the festival we'll need to split up. Naruto needs some help buying clothes, but I also need to grab some books to help him learn,"

"I'll pass on helping Naruto shop for clothes, but I'll definitely go to the library," Blake replied.

"Well, books are useless to me right now," Naruto. "I can't do anything by myself, since y'know, reading issues."

"I'd be glad to help you." Pyrrha said. She gave a smile.

"That settles it then, Weiss and I will go find a few books for Naruto. While you both shop for Naruto's clothes." Blake said.

"Partners with partners," he muttered, "Alright, Pie, if you get lost we're screwed."

Her hands traced spines of the books. Some had a different texture, but the general smell of a library was pungent. Unlike the school's smell of dust, this one was fresh.

Weiss picked out a textbook that she had been searching for, she was annoyed at how long it took. Her fingers flicked through the pages, and she skimmed through the text. She wasn't a teacher, but she tried to envision on how Naruto might be able to learn.

Naruto could speak okay, if not rough and unrefined. It shouldn't be a huge task for him to learn. Learning how to read and write was something that she scarcely remembered.

She slammed the book close, all that time for something that held the same material she held in her hands.

Weiss wasn't certain if Pyrrha and Blake were willing to help. She could ask, or do it herself, or even hire a tutor. What seemed a quality that belonged to a leader?

Her musings were interrupted when she noticed Blake approach. Her arms cluttered with novels and texts.

"I assume that's not all for Naruto?" Weiss asked.

"Several for myself, a couple for our 'former captain'," she replied. Her amber eyes gazed at the small bundle Weiss carried. "One now, since I grabbed the same copy."

She placed it on a table. Weiss held three, and one more would be added. "Think this is good enough?" Weiss asked. She had several text books, each on differing grade levels. She also found a little work book that would help.

Blake said, "Looks like you're serious about this."

"I am," she huffed. What was with her disparaging remarks? "What do you have against me anyway?"

"Other than being a Schnee?" She snorted. "That's easy, you're the captain."

"What does me being captain change anything?"

"Because, to me, you're the worst choice."

Weiss frowned, "We haven't done anything that would prove that I'm incapable."

"We hardly done anything for Naruto to prove incapable,"

"It's-"

"There's more to a captain than just being good at school," she spat. "You're probably the worst choice of us all,"

She was stunned at this declaration, "Excuse me? You're suggesting that Naruto would be the better choice as the captain? He also made the decision?"

Blake snorted, her head shaking as she looked away. "Oh Weiss, Leaders can be wrong too. At least I trust him,"

"You trust him?" Weiss asked, disbelieving. "In this short a time?"

She didn't hesitate, "Yes."

How was that possible? Naruto barely interacted with anyone. What could he have possibly done to earn her trust? Blake was her partner, not his.

"If you're bothered by it Blake, then why didn't you say so before the change in leadership?"

"Because I expected Pyrrha,"

"It was Naruto that suggested it, and it was Ozpin-"

Blake interrupted, "Tell me what you've done, all your pettiness and complaints, a bitch who throws a tantrum when she doesn't get her way,"

Whatever words that Weiss had on her mind was wiped. Blake threw her books on a table and walked away.

Weiss didn't realize how tight her fists were wound up. Her knuckles white and sore. She took a deep breath to calm herself. It accomplished little with how her blood boiled.

She recounted her steps, one step back, a firm grip, but not too tightly. Back straight and all those other things. It didn't help.

She picked up the book intended for Naruto, it didn't matter what be in them. She stomped her way through the library. Her disposition apparent to others as they kept clear. If she didn't have her trust, then she would gain it. She wouldn't bend, not like Naruto had done.

She pulled out her scroll. The touch screen hammered by her fingers as they texted Pyrrha.

Weiss bought the books, and hopped on the nearest bus towards where Naruto and Pyrrha was. Her time on the bus allowed her to cool down.

Blake didn't trust her. Despite the length of time since school started. They got no where. This would be harder than she thought. The others didn't trust her, they didn't believe in her, what could be done?

Her thoughts came to an end when her stop came. She stepped off, and was greeted by the sight of the remaining members of her team, Naruto and Pyrrha. They had been waiting for her.

There was a smile on Naruto's lips, and Pyrrha laughed at whatever he had said. It seemed that he was smiling more often, instead of the perpetual frown he carried. Judging on their mood, they had a better time than she did. Blake wasn't the most talkative person. Filled with curt replies or silence.

Weiss was noticed.

"Hello Weiss,"

"Hey, where's Blake?" Naruto said. He looked different, comfortable, even. An unzipped black jacket and pants, the only color being an orange shirt. He had a proper scabbard holstered on his back instead of the horrid cloth.

She pressed her lips together at the reminder, "She went off on her own," she changed the subject, "It seems you've gotten proper clothing,"

He nodded, "The rest are being brought to the school,"

There was shine that got her attention, a metal band on the holster hidden underneath his jacket. A symbol that resembled a leaf. "What's that plate anyway? I noticed you carrying it around,"

"A trinket of mine," he replied. He fingered the plate.

The festival grounds were interesting. Settled on several blocks of streets, vendors and decorations littered the side walks and poles and everything that a road possessed. There was even a stage on a plaza or park that he had seen.

Then there was the food, and lots of it. People too, it was crowded.

Blake had rejoined them, but only after an hour at being at the grounds. Blake had looked at Weiss with disapproval. Otherwise, nothing else was said between them. Whatever it was, it couldn't be too bad, they can settle it on their own.

For now, let him enjoy the abundance of different food. Sugary stuff, sweet food, meats and fried food. So many that he couldn't name them all. Despite all that, there was no ramen to be found anywhere. What kind of place didn't have that? It wasn't a real festival until there was ramen.

"I'll be back, I'm going to check out that way."

Pyrrha nodded, her attention focused on a vendor game in which she competed against Weiss. A fake gun settled in her hand as small pellets fired out of it. Targets going down quickly, the other competitors stood little chance against them both.

Naruto passed by the numerous people, the children, the elderly. Smiling, or laughing. He was sure that they hadn't explored this section of festival. He was on a mission, to find the elusive food vendor that sold ramen. He felt his mouth water at the brief thought of those noodles going into his stomach.

He could envision it, clear as day. The glimmering broth, the taste of the noodles in his mouth, how filling- Okay, time to stop thinking about it and find it, so that he could experience it.

Naruto continued to search for it. He might as well have the Byakugan because his eyes missed nothing.

Despite how little that happened today, it was a good day. Once he found the ramen, it would be a great day. Perhaps his teammates would enjoy a bowl with him. Yeah, that would be the stuff.

Naruto spotted someone above on one of the rooftops. No else was on the roofs, it was hard to not notice him. He wore a porcelain mask, much like the Anbu wore back home. This one had crimson painted red eyes, with a small single horn protruding from the forehead.

The person noticed him, his arms crossed. They stared at one another for a moment, and the person gave a small wave. He walked away.

Weird.

Naruto heard the explosion then. Perhaps, more accurately, experienced it. The harsh blinding light; it's terrible heat, and the weightlessness. His ears rung, and his body numb.

He wasn't here anymore. But somewhere else, abyssal and consuming.

A voice that was no longer there shouted at him to get up. Any slight movement made his head pulse with pain. His skin felt like bugs feasted on it.

He felt his heart racing, stampeding through every part his body. it was like time stopped and moved faster simultaneously.

In the darkness, he had found his teacher crumpled and broken. It had felt forever, but it wasn't long.

You're the one who keeps his word

He lunged for breath. With an instinct that never died, his body moved.

His hands found the ground and the direction of the world settled. Pure agony shot through his right hand, he glanced at it, a large shard of glass through his palm.

Naruto ignored it in favor of his surroundings. A stampede of screams. A tempest of dust filled the entire plaza. He glanced in every direction, rocks, wood and other debris littered the sidewalk. Several people walked on about in a daze, disorientated. Several froze, petrified from the panic. Others ran in horror, pushing others. Others, laid motionless on the ground.

Another explosion erupted down the street. Naruto seen the fire in the air. More deafening screams.

His uninjured hand went to his Scroll. The others had green across the board, except for his.

He pulled Kusanagi from it's scabbard. His gaze searched the wreckages, the broken in window of a building, looking for any source of danger. He noticed a man hiding under a turnover cart. A wailing child clutched in his grasps as he looked about in a panic.

There was a person beside Naruto, trapped under a cart as she tried to escape. He was about to help, until he noticed someone with a weapon on their hands. He stood frozen regarding him with hesitant and eyes filled with anxiety.

Naruto held onto his own weapon, this person might have something to do with it, or he might be someone just like him. There was a silent stare down. Before a realization set it that they were both harmless. He was a huntsman, and had no mask –– it was enough to trust him.

He took a careful breath before Naruto helped the woman trapped under a cart by lifting it, she freed herself, hugged her knees and cried. Other people needed his help, but first he needed to get this glass shard out of his hand.

One end of the glass was stained red from his blood. Drips of crimson edged from his wound. His hand pulsed pain repeatedly.

It was like ripping out a band aid. Except, it didn't feel like that at all. He ignored it in favor of helping other people strewn about.

"There he is, I found him!"

Naruto heard the familiar sound of Pyrrha's voice behind him.

"Thank goodness."

Pyrrha ran to him, her weapon extended and poised in her hands. Weiss and Blake quickly joined her, their gazes sweeping over the surroundings. Their own weapons in their hands as the crossed the street to where he was. Looks of concern etched on their faces.

Weiss gazed at him. Blue met blue. Her lips pursed, and her voice quiet. "You need to sync your aura to the scroll,"

He was silent, and he couldn't figure out on how to reply to that. He focused on a more pressing matter.

"I'm fine, lets see if anyone here needs help,"

Naruto felt the cracks of glass beneath his feet, various debris of paper or other materials fell from the sky. So much like ash.

All he heard was the screams.