A/N: EDIT: Well...hardly any feedback and heaps of flames. That's a spirit breaker.
I think its time I took a break...tired of getting lambasted like this...
So here, have your daily update.
Still feel like crap after that root canal, but I managed to finish this in time.
As ever, I live for reviews and feedback; yours are the reason this story continues.
It keeps me going in these crazy times. So by all means! Speak up! No review is too short or too small!
That said, a WARNING!
This chapter hits the ground SPRINTING.
I've been holding back a lot of things until now, so just...be prepared.
Still, writing this...took longer than I would've liked; in part because I had to wait for the deadline and tally the Team votes as they finished coming in. Now last, they have! I repeat! THE VOTES HAVE BEEN TALLIED! We have a winner! And a dark horse at that! You'll see the new team quite soon.
Now for a few quick questions:
Q: So, is Pyrrha good for an open relationship or what?
A: Pyrrha's...pretty keen on protecting her turf. It would take a lot -and I do mean a LOT- to even sway her in the least. As she said, she's going to be a bit more selfish from now on. As in, putting her interests forward more often than not. No worries, that's a good thing. She needs to live a little.
This chapter elaborates on this. That is all. Read on and find out.
Q: When can we see more of Naruto's family?!
A: Minato and the rest work in the shadows for a reason, but...ask and ye shall receive.
Q: Does anyone beside the shinobi have chakra? Gasp! Does Pyrrha?!
A: No. Pyrrha does not have chakra. Minato's not keen on sharing that secret with Remnant. Why would he be? He doesn't trust Ozpin enough, and knows precious little about Salem.
But if you think the "Shinobi" have been idle all these years...well! Recall that Minato isn't alone. He has his Team with him, not to mention Jiraiya.
Whom we finally see in this chapter!
Well, I've kept you long enough.
You came here for a story, didn't you? Don't mind the rambling of sickly man.
As ever, I own no quotes. references, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! Hope you enjoy!
"Its wonderful to finally meet you in person, Minato. I'm so glad you decided to enroll your son in my school. His records...well. They speak for themselves. You've trained no shortage of skilled students over these last few years, and many of them have made their homes here. I simply must thank you for that; your gym has done wonders, both for this generation and the next.
"They certainly have, haven't they? But before we begin, I'd like to have a word with you, Ozpin."
"By all means, speak your mind. For a man such as you, I'll gladly make time."
...alright. No more games. I know what you are. Rather, who you are."
"Do you, now? And what, pray tell, do you think you know?"
"Tell me, how fares Salem these days...Ozma?"
...I see. Yes, I suppose we should talk."
"That would be for the best."
~Beware the Flash.
Not My Destiny
"Hello, Beacon! We're finally here!"
Naruto fist's pumped into the air as they stepped off the airship, punching toward the sunny afternoon with reckless abandon. His smile wasn't at all stifled by the sight of the campus grounds; if anything it only seemed to enhance his enthusiasm and make him all the more overeager than before. His good cheer was contagious; at least Pyrrha felt it was; if only because she couldn't quite hide her own grin behind a palm. If her partner felt at all anxious, he did little to show it.
And good cheer, as they say, is contagious.
Everyone had crammed into the airship to see them off, then promptly followed them off it. Literally. They were all here. There was Uncle Obito now, drawing Naruto's aside to rub his nephew forehead whilst a rather bemused Kakashi gave him a stern lecture about being safe...a lecture that made all but invalid as Jiraiya passed his grandson a worn orange tome. She had time to glimpse an orange cover before Naruto hid it with a sputter. Odd. Hadn't she seen Kakashi reading those? Meh. Probably wasn't too important.
-remember your training." She caught the tail end of their conversation. "You've come far, but your Sage Mode isn't complete yet."
"Yeah, yeah." Naruto crossed both arms behind his head. "I got it, pervy sage."
"I thought I told you to stop calling me that!"
"You did. I didn't listen."
"And be sure to tell me all about your adventures!" the old sage cackled merrily. "I want all the details for my next book-ack?!" his words became a yelp as the boy thumped him upside the head with that very tome. "Alright, alright!" raised hands warded off the book when it cam back for a second pass. "Such a spoilsport. Guess you really do love...ow!"
Naruto managed to brain him when he wasn't looking. "Say that again and I'll thrash your ass besides!"
Green eyes narrowed as she espied the cover. Wait. Was that book what she thought it was?
"Here! Be sure to dress warmly!" Aunt Rin all but materialized at her side before she could act on her suspicions, blocking her with her body. "Let the boys have their fun. I have something for you." Even as she tried to offer a protest, Obito's wife wrapped a loose amber scarf around the pale expanse of her exposed neck. "Wouldn't want to catch cold now, would we?"
"I...thank you?"
Pyrrha accepted it with mumbled thanks, momentarily distracted from her anger by this most gracious gift. The fabric was warm and soft in her hands; no, more than that, it almost felt alive. If she focused, she swore she could feel a heartbeat gently moving in time with hers. Preposterous. Fabric wasn't alive.
...or was it?
"There you go. That right there?" A finger tickled her chin. "That's chakra-woven cloth." she blinked when the older woman winked at her unspoken inquiry. "Minato's latest invention. Its good for taking a hit or two. Might help in a pinch. Be sure and keep it close, won't you?" Firm hands wrapped it just a bit tighter, allowing the fabric to fall over her heart. "Don't you look lovely?"
A small smile tugged at the ex-champion's lips as she admired herself; surprisingly the cloth matched her armor well.
"Thank you," the words sounded hoarse even to her own ears. "I'll treasure it."
"See that you do!" The brunette grinned and drew her into a warm embrace. Lips brushed her ear. "Look after Naruto, will you?" Strong arms drew her just a bit closer. "He's the best of Minato, but he's got his mother's temper."
Pyrrha's mouth clicked shut. "He's never mentioned her...
Naruto was full of stories when it came to his family; of father, his aunts and uncles, and even Jiraiya, but of his mother? Nothing. More than once she'd wondered why, and to have that dangled before her...well. Was it so wrong to try and learn a little of her?
"That's more heartache than anything else." Rin pulled back with a rueful look. "Kushina would've adored you. You have her fire."
Her ears began to burn anew.
"Speaking of parents," her adoptive aunt leaned back in with a sly smile, "I'm sure Minato would appreciate if if you could see your way to giving him some grandchildren in the near future~!"
The world ground to a halt.
For a wild moment Pyrrha actually imagined it; wild redheaded boys with piercing blue eyes, inquisitive green-eyed girls tugging at her skirts. Mine! Her mind took the idea and ran with it, conjuring names out of morning mist. Bela sounded like a fine name for a girl. Or perhaps Cassandra? Maybe even Daniela? Oh, but what about the boys? She'd need names for them, too...hmm. Leon sounded nice. Maybe...?
"Pyrrha, dear?" Rin tugged at her sleeve, snapping her back to reality. "You're drooling."
N-No she wasn't! She tossed her head from side to side frantically.
"Quite alright." Rin grinned and touched a hand to her own stomach. "I've been daydreaming about children myself, these days."
Pyrrha's eyes.
Got really.
Big.
"I...you...when?!" All her fears and worries were forgotten in an instant. "How do you even know...?!" She tilted her head, regarding the woman's still-flat stomach. No, not quite flat. But surely it was too early to tell! Rin would've said something earlier. For all her mysterious ways, Naruto's aunt was horrid when it came to keeping secrets.
"A mother always knows." the brunette preened. "I'm only a few weeks along, barely even a month."
"Does," Pyrrha swallowed once. "Does uncle Oibto know?"
"He will." brown eye eyes twinkled in quiet merriment. "I want it to be a surprise. He'll make a wonderful father, don't you think?"
"What's this about a surprise, now?"
Pyrrha jerked back with a sputter and wiped at her chin as the boys came back. And still no sign of Minato among them.
"Is he still not here?"
Jiraiya offered a helpless shrug. "That's my pupil for you."
"I don't mind." Naruto seemed oddly cheery about that. "Dad went on ahead. Its what he does."
"Oh, don't worry about him." Obito slung an arm around her shoulder. "He's probably finalizing some paperwork with the Headmaster or something. Nothing you need worry about. He can take care of himself."
Uncle Kakashi rolled his good eye and looked away. "Maybe they should. I still don't trust that man."
"You worry too much, sir grumpypants!"
"And you don't worry enough!"
"Now, now, boys." Rin bulled her way between them. "Lets not fight in front of the kids."
Both men subsided instantly. Pyrrha fel the ghost of a smile pluck at the corner of her mouth. What did Yang call this? Oh, right. Whipped. These two were absolutely whipped. Naruto shrugged and Pyrrha exchanged a rueful look with him. Truly was a wonderful thing to have such a large family. Som might call it strange to have so many people fussing over her like this. All told, she rather liked it.
Beacon's bell rang ahead, calling them to their destiny.
Hot on its heels, a woman's voice called out across the courtyard.
"Will all aspirants report to the auditorium. I repeat. All aspirants to the auditorium."
"Well," Pyrrha swallowed, surprised to find her throat dry. "It would seem this is. Fate awaits."
Naruto wavered beside her. "Be seeing you guys...
"Be safe!"
Rin wasn't having any of it; Naruto was still speaking when she dared in and drew the two of them into one last hug. Obito saw his chance and pounced, dragging Kakashi with him. It wasn't long before Jiraiya joined them - thought not with a bemused roll of the eyes that had Naruto clicking his tongue. Pyrrha felt tears sting her eyes. This wasn't the end, she told herself. Only the beginning.
Naruto slung an arm over her shoulders. Pyrrha leaned into it.
Soon all her worries were swept away.
Like cinders in the wind.
(.0.0.0.)
"Think they'll be okay?"
"Yup." Rin watched them with a fond smile. "They've got this.
"Now, then." Obito pivoted on one heel. "Let's deal with the little rat that's been following us...
Behind them, a hooded figured detached itself from the airship. It didn't get far before they gave chase. Nope. Not far at all.
(.0.0.0.)
Beacon really was incredible.
Pyrrha had heard no end of tall tales about it; but to see it firsthand...well. It was an experience. Seeing was believing and all that. Tall arched spires and grand architecture aside, it was very much as she'd thought it would be; a place of light and peace, of hope and the future..
They would be spending the next four years here, her and Naruto both.
It helped that they were very much the stragglers here; while they'd bonded with family and friends, everyone had gone ahead of the. Alone, they had ample time to admire everything as they made their way towards the auditorium. She was glad for that. Perhaps that w
"So?" Naruto nudged her with an elbow as they walked. "What do you think of team names?"
Pyrrha's neck craned toward him, somewhat startled. "Isn't it a little early to be worrying about something like that?"
"Nah." his grin outshone all her fears. "Forewarned is forearmed after all. I wanna be on a team with you, of course, but if you don't...
"No, no, no!" she lunged forward and clasped his hands with hers. "I want to be with you, too."
Their faces flames as the enormity of her words caught up to them a moment later. Pyrrha's mind rebooted. Her eyes blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Oh, dear. Was it hot out here? Naruto's face was a startling shade of red, and she was sure that had she a mirror; her own pale visage would've matched her hair.
Rin whistled from the landing zone. "That's my girl!"
"Not like that!" she jerked back with a yelp. "I mean, I wouldn't be opposed to it, but my heart isn't ready for-
Once again, Naruto's laughter spelled all her fears away. "Yeah, I get what you mean. Don't worry." his shoulder brushed his. "This'll be grand."
She took a moment to contemplate matters further as they walked side by side. She felt his shoulder brush hers and leaned into him a little. Too shy to hold his hand in public, she nevertheless reveled in the quiet comfort of his proximity as her hip nudged against his.
What team did she want?
In an ideal world she would prefer a group that would be a threat to her; mentally was well as physically. Just a band of friends or even perfect strangers if she was lucky. No Yang or Ruby or Malachites to drive her up the wall and into the ceiling. Jaune might be nice. He was a good friend.
Really, anyone but those three would do.
But as Pyrrha well knew, the world was not idea. Sometimes you got what you bargained for, and sometimes the world threw you a wicked little curveball when you least expected it. Still! No matter what came, she swore she would be ready for it.
She would not falter.
She would not fail here.
She was a Nikos, after all.
"So,: Naruto grinned "How does team Pineapple sound?"
Pyrrha couldn't help but giggle at him. "That sounds absolutely horrid!"
"Alright, but hear me out, how about Weapon or Napalm? They've got a nice ring to 'em...
(.0.0.0.)
A wretched explosion shook Beacon's cliffs.
Fire flashed across broken earth, baking it to clay and flinging a cloaked form to the ground.
Obita sauntered out of the smoke, whistling softly. Burning sharingan eyes regarded the twitching form at his feet.
"So you're Salem's latest pawn." he gave their trembling form a kick for good measure. "That's what, the second one this year. Rin butchered the last one of you." When they didn't rise, he dropped down to his haunches to regard them further. "Your master really doesn't train you lot all that well, does she?" he shook his head. "Really, its sad. You'll never achieve peace like this."
"Don't weep for the stupid dear." Rin walked over their broken body to perch at his side. "You'll be crying all day."
The hooded figure groaned unintelligibly.
Obito cocked his head like a bemused squirrel. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
Their victim stumbled upright, swaying violently.
"I said I'll never talk! Everything I do, I do for the sake of my goddess-ack?!
A burning blade of chakra slammed through their back and burst out their chest.
"About that," Kakashi hummed in their ear, "Your compliance REALLY isn't a factor here."
In a single seamless movement he stepped away and ripped his blade from their back, spattering the earth red.
In their dying moments, the assassin actually wept...and went into a frenzy. Flailing like a madman they their cloak free with a shriek and slammed a hooked tail up into Obito's face. It was a sound strategy. Attack the one member of the group with their guard down in a fit of petty spite. Really, it should've worked. A single blow, a single kill...until their weapon passed right through him. Literally. It phased through his flesh, leaving him utterly unharmed.
"Bad choice." Obito shook his head, swayed forward, and kicked them in the teeth. "Congrats. Now I have to kill you. Nothing personal. Can't have you messin' about with our little nephew...
He reached down.
Sharingan eyes flashed.
...so tell me everything before you die, would you kindly?"
Tyrian Callows blinked up at them with blank eyes. "Yes, of course...master...
(.0.0.0.)
Night came with all due swiftness.
In truth, Naruto hadn't paid the headmaster's speech much mind; not when his mind was focused on other matters. Really, between Pyrrha being antsy and everyone shooting him sidelong glances, he was well and truly ready for Initiation to be over and done with. Maybe then they'd have some semblance of normalcy. Ack. Bad joke. Yang was rubbing off on him.
"Are you sure this is allowed?"
He flicked Pyrrha a lazy glance as he finished setting out their gear. "Don't see why not. "It'll be fine."
He'd set his sleeping back off to one side in a corner behind some audio equipment, the better to have some manner of privacy while he slept. Naturally, Pyrrha had claimed the spot beside him. That suited him just fine; they were partners after all. If not yet in name, then in spirit.
It didn't help the glances.
No one seemed keen to save them on that front; Cardin had started a pillow fight with some ginger-haired girl and Jaune had been dragged into it on her side. Really, they were trading blows like champions. Good on him. He really needed a friend after that whole "Vomit Boy" incident back on the airship.
Not far from them and toward the center of the room, he spied Ruby and Yang engaged in a rather heated argument with a spirited white-haired girl. Was that a Schnee? She looked like a Schnee. Whoever she was, she seemed to be ranting about something. Dust and craters? He didn't much get it.
Another with dark hair sat only feet away, knees tucked into her chest, golden eyes fixed firmly upon a novel. Poor thing tried to ignore the lot of them to no avail. She sensed his gaze and looked up. Naruto saw the plight there and shrugged helplessly. Nope. Not getting involved in that.
"Sorry." he mouthed across the way, hoping she could read his lips. "Just ignore 'em."
The girl favored him with a tiny smile and blew out her candle, plunging her side of the room into darkness.
It only made Ruby and Yang squawk all the louder, which in turn riled up their companion. Good lord, the Schnee had a pair of lungs!
With a shake of his head he finished his task and reached for his lamp. "Guess we should turn in ourselves-
"Well, if it isn't tall blond and handsome!"
Naruto's blood ran ice cold.
Fate wasn't very kind tonight, it seemed.
Pyrrha smacked her head against the wall in a rare moment of anger. She seemed to share his sentiment. No. Not now. Not them. Anyone but them. Naruto knew who had called to them even before he pivoted and saw them. As ever, one wore white to bed, while the other favored red. If their garb didn't given them away, their faces did.
They were twins after all.
"Hey, Melanie." he stifled a yawn with the back of his pal and raised a hand in greeting. "Miltia. You're here, too? Didn't see ya during the speech."
Then again, he hadn't looked very hard.
"Of course we're here." the taller of the two scoffed. "Did you think we'd let you just up and leave?"
Naruto forbore the urge to roll his eyes.
In many respects, the Malachite twins were worse than Yang. At least Xiao-Long only made the occasional bad joke. These two...well, they weren't mean or rude, they were simply...direct. Frightfully direct. They'd come to the Leaf Gym weaker than most, but by the end, they'd stood in the top five. Perhaps they'd taken to Dad's methods a little too well; what they lacked in strength they more than made up for in teamwork and tenacity. He didn't mind them make no mistake, they were good friends, but this?
This was plain bad timing.
"So, lover boy." Miltia plonked down beside him. "This spot taken?"
Pyrrha plastered a false smile to her face and didn't move from his other side. "It very much is. Not sorry."
Melanie grinned. "Oh? A little fight in you. I like that. Always knew you were thirsty. Didn't realize you'd gotten grabby when we weren't looking."
Naruto coughed. "Hey, c'mon now...
"C'mon blondie, there's more than enough to go around." She winked up at him. "Sure you don't mind if I take a bite-
"I very much mind!"
A familiar red-and-bronze blur interposed itself between the two of them.
'Ohhh boy.' knowing what was coming, Naruto winced anew. 'Somebody just flipped Pyrrha's switch...
"Do you see this?" his girlfriend waved her now-clenched knuckles before Melanie's face. "This is my fist. You'll be eating this if you touch him without my permission."
If she expected the twins to finally get the message, she would be sorely dissapointed. Melanie leaned back and smoothed her hands across her pajamas. Her grin was firmly of the shit-eating variety; indeed, she looked like the cat that caught the canary and slaughtered it. Milita's was positively predatory by comparison.
"So we just need your permission, then?" she sauntered forward to tap a hand against Pyrrha's cheek. "Alright."
Miltia mirrored her sister's smile. "Good to know."
Pyrrha blinked. "What?"
"So we just have to seduce you to get to him." Melanie continued on unabated. "Always liked a challenge. Should be fun helping you lighten up a little.
Naruto's hand struck his forehead as Pyrrha began to sputter. "N-No! I never said that! I never MEANT-
Too late. The damage had been done.
"Bye~! We'll see you tomorrow."
They sashayed away, hips swinging-resist! Naruto's gaze snapped to the ceiling before Pyrrha could round on him. When she finally did, she found him admiring the skylight. Nothing else.
...you didn't look?"
"Nope. You did, though."
Her pale face turned a lovely shade of red. "I did not!"
"Hey, least I know how to seduce you now." he winked. "Just gotta put some swing in my hips."
"Snrk." Pyrrha uttered a very unladylike snort and hastily muffled it with her fist. Still, she couldn't quite keep the smile from her face. "You're trying to cheer me up."
"That depends." he leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers. "Is it working?"
"Maybe." She looked up at him through her lashes. "You really didn't look? Swear on the gods?"
"Swear on my ramen stash." He smacked his lips with an audible pop. "Who do you take me for? I'm not about to jump the first pair of legs I see. C'mon, lets go to bed."
...alright."
She took his hand with a sigh.
Naruto knew she was sulking on the inside.
He could only pray that she wouldn't start plotting.
Pyrrha could be...surprisingly sneaky when she wanted to be.
(.0.0.0.)
She nudged his side gently.
...are you awake?"
Blue eyes drifted open in the dark, staring at the auditorium ceiling. Even in the dim lighting they were sharp and keen.
"Yeah." he answered after a moment's pause. "Can't sleep."
He didn't protest when she crawled into his sleeping bag; if anything he gladly made room fo rher. It was just large enough for both of them, yet so snug as to keep them pressed close all the same. An arm coiled loosely around her waist, nothing more. Her blood boiled in her veins, singing a soft of fire and desire. Her very soul was afire.
She wriggled closer.
Naruto quirked a brow."What're you doing...?"
Her head came up under her his chin as her hands sought his face."Being selfish."
"I swear, that's your new favorite phrase-mmrph."
Pyyrha didn't give him a chance to finish; she leaned in and captured his lips with hers. He stirred against her; gentle hands ghosted across the swell of her breasts, bringing with it a feverish well of delight. Her hips rocked against his, the friction felt even through the thick fabric of their pajamas and she felt him stiffen against her, causing her heart to beat in her chest like a wild colt.
Naruto tried to pull away, tried to warn her. "We're gonna get caught...
"I don't care." She kissed him again and her pulse quickened that much more. What did she care if they were caught now? If someone tried to make a meal of this they'd get a knuckle sandwich and a thrashing besides. It wasn't their place to intrude. She wanted this. She needed this, if only to remind herself -to remind him!- of what he meant to her.
Not enough. More!
Her mouth melded with his softly, sweetly, tongue licking at the edge of his lips, questing for entry. She wasn't that same shy, polite girl anymore. He'd told her to be selfish, and so selfish she would be. Just a bit, just a little, just when it mattered most.
"When did you get this bold?" He laughed despite her fears and she pushed him down again, fingers playing with the hem of his shirt.
"You did this to me." she gasped out. "Take responsibility."
It was a fierce kiss all things considered, wild and intent, reckless with little abandon. She didn't care who saw. Close enough to matter. To mean something. She wouldn't let anyone else be with her this way; touch her this way, whisper such sweet nothing to her. She didn't want him to look at anyone else the way he looked at her. She wanted to be first.
None heard them that night; thankfully sleep came soon thereafter.
(.0.0.0.)
They woke the next morning and made ready with all due haste.
What else was there to do but prepare?
Neither spoke so much as a word as they ate breakfast; then fetched their lockers to don their armor and weapons. Theirs was a silence not born from discomfort or any such anxiety, but rather, trust. The quiet was a soft and gentle one. Comfortable, even. Everything that needed to be said had already been said the night before. Each trusted that the other would know what to do, and did as such.
"Help me with this, will you." Pyrrha held up her hair for him, offering the pale expanse of her neck unto his eyes.
Naruto felt his throat go dry.
His body betrayed him and he moved; his lips ghosted just under her left ear and she shivered a little.
"That's not fair. I need to focus."
He laughed against her neck. "Oh, I'm very focused right now."
She batted at his hand and Naruto withdrew with a low laugh of his own.
"Remember." She reached around touched a hand to her shoulder. "Together."
His turned out and clasped her arm with a radiant smile so much like his namesake. "Together."
(.0.0.0.)
It was all a blur.
Pyrrha held her tongue and listened as Ozpin prattled on atop the cliffs, espousing the importance of their test. She tried to listen. She really did. But the stress wouldn't let her. Somehow she managed to recall enough of the important bits. At least, she hoped they were important. She didn't have the patience to memorize every tenets of the test.
Eye contact once you landed got you a partner.
Get a relic, match with another, bring it back to the cliffs.
Do all this before the time limit expired and you made in. Fail, and...she didn't want to fail. The thought threatened to paralyze her. Her feet shifted restlessly on the launch pad.
Naruto winked, showing her his right arm.
He launched just before her and she tracked him with her eyes. One second passed. Two. Three. Four. Five.
In a fit of pique she flared her Semblance and triggered her pad ahead of the others.
Almost immediately, her world turned on its head.
Wind whipped at her face and snapped at her eyes, drawing angry stinging tears from the ex-champion. She squinted against them, struggling to find a patch of sunny blond hair-there! Ahead of her Naruto flung his arms out with a whoop, long sleeves snapping against his sides. She glimpsed something shiny on his left wrist, the one not sheathed in a gauntlet.
A glimmer of metal.
He was wearing metal, when he never, ever did.
She realized why when he snapped that hand into the air.
"Now, Pyrrha!" His voice rose above the wild winds. "What're you waiting for?!
Tears stung at her eyes again for a different reason altogether. He'd known. He'd always known.
She really did love him.
Her hand flew forward and stretched out with her Semblance. Her will wrapped around the thin bracelest. A quick tug was all it took to alter his trajectory. She heard an awful pop as his arm protested against the sudden movement but he didn't cry out, nor did he deviate his path from hers. Too late, she glimpsed the wild grin tearing across his whiskered visage. Only then did she realized what he intended.
"Look out below!"
They collided and together they crashed down into the canopy. Branches tore at their aura but it held firm and they fell gracelessly to the forest floor.
In hindsight Pyrrha wasn't sure how long it took, only that it did. A wild tumble that sent them both sprawling!
She landed atop him, driving the breath from his lungs
"See?" he grinned up at her as she pulled away. "You knew what I was thinking. Didn't even have to tell ya. We're one helluva team, aren't we?" A tan hand reached up to pat her cheek, and she nuzzled against it. "Told ya I'd never leave you alone."
A lone tear ran down her cheek.
"You never go back on your word, do you...?"
Behind them, the brush parted.
"I'm sorry, a new voice called. "Am I interrupting?"
Naruto's jaw clicked open. "Well. Didn't see that coming."
Pyrrha buried her head in Naruto's chest. It was just too funny.
She couldn't help herself; she began to laugh unabated. Fate had a sense of humor it seemed...!
"Hey!" The newcomer huffed and stomped a foot. "Stop laughing!" Bright eyes flashed in indignation. "This isn't funny!"
They only laughed all the louder.
"CEASE!"
A/N: READ! THIS! PLEASE!
Is that who you think it is? Well! You'll just have to read on and find out, won't you?
Hope you're ready for the surprises! Because we'll get the team names next chapter. And it's gonna be...well, glorious to say the last.
And there we go!
As ever, read the previews before you review, please.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the preview.
SUR~PRI~SE~!
(Preview)
Yang howled with laughter.
Melanie rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"
Glynda took a sharp step backward. "BEGIN!"
Naruto deployed his gaunt and lunged forward with a roar.
Pyrrha was only a step behind him with an exultant grin of her own.
Ruby winced as they demolished the arena. "Oh, jeez. Since when can they fight like that?"
"That was a fine bout. Someone taught you well."
"And you are...?"
"Fall." the upper year smiled. "Cinder Fall. Third Year. Its a pleasure to finally meet you...Pyrrha."
Cardin slapped him on the back. "See? This is why I like you, boss. You get shit done."
"Damn straight I do." he raised a brow. "You know, there are kinder ways to tell a girl you like her than pulling her ears...
To his credit, the larger boy appeared contrire.
"Yeah, I'll apologize to her...
"What would you do if something came along that you never expected? Something, or someone, that had the potential to stand between you and your destiny?"
"Nope. Not gonna happen.
"And...what makes you say that?
"Because you're my destiny, Pyrrha. Whatever comes we'll face it together."
She found him there.
Caesar Nikos was much as she remembered. Proud, tall, and far too full of himself. That he was smiling only sett
"Hello, daughter."
"Father." Pyrrha lifted her chin in naked defiance.
"I..." he seemed to struggle with the words, "I have come to beg your forgiveness, dear daughter."
She didn't believe him. Not for a moment. Caesar Nikos did not apologize. To apologize was to admit defeat. And he never did.
"Do you still have that pacemaker?"
His pale face furrowed in a scowl. "I do, why?"
"Good. Then I can kill you without even touching you."
Naruto crashed backward with a howl of uproarious laughter. "That's my girl!"
R&R~!