A/N: Well, well!

The people have spoken! This story stays. The sheer flood of reviews helped me to update rapidly; truly, feedback keeps this ailing old man going.

Now then, a warning! This story hits the ground running. I'm going for more of a "show rather than tell" approach for this particular tale. Hope you're prepared for one wild ride. Furthermore! I must warn you, here be SPOILERS for the latest episode of Volume Eight! Ye be warned! Still here? Great! Now lets answer your questions shall we

Q: Wait. Summer's alive?! Are she and Naruto...?

A: More than you think, less than you'd expect. The chapter tells all.

Q: Naruto reminds me of Kratos a bit with that ax. Does he have a beard?

A: Nah, no beard for our boy. He'd look weird with one. Nor does he have a helmet.

Q: So Neo's definitely a Maiden?

A: Indeed she is in this story.

In other news my health is being weird; my fever has broken, but I'm still very weak. Collapsed at work today because of it, and that was a right and bloody embarrassment. I was sent home with a stern talking to and forbidden to return until I'm better. *sigh* I'd be better if I could go outside and DO something! I'm just getting weaker and weaker, wasting away inside this house...

Once again, I own no references, themes, or memes. Not a wit or a one.

As per the story, each story will have a "Heart" theme for it.

Now then...prepared yourself.

"There are things worse than death, little one. Pray you never meet them."

~?

Hearts of Silver

"He's found her, then?!"

Ozpin didn't deign to look up from his desk as the elevator swished open. There was no need. His guest had already made themselves known. James Ironwood all but burst through the half-open doors, a wide smile on his normally stern face. Ozpin couldn't help but mirror his ally's enthusiasm. And why not? The general had every reason to be pleased. Today was a grand day -for a call came through early this morning!- and a bullhead had been dispatched hours ago to retrieve them.

"I have been informed that the Fall Maiden is secure, yes."

"Finally, a victory." James slammed a clenched fist down on his desk. "A real victory."

"Victory?" A silver brow arched in mild bemusement. "We've had many of those in the last year, old friend."

"Yes, yes, I know that" The general scoffed. "I'm well aware, but this matters. With her recovered-

Ozpin held up a hand to forestall an argument. "The Relic of Choice will be secure. I know you needn't remind me, James."

It was an unfortunate truth. While the Maidens were valuable in their own right, the Relics were more precious still. Hmm. Now there was a thought. Naruto had tracked down one Maiden. Perhaps he could be convinced to find the other three. They'd been scattered by the Great Disaster. By all accounts, this one was just a child. He had a wild, fleeting image of the blond herding four tykes with glowing eyes and thought better of it. Amusing as that might be, it was unlikely. Besides, what were the chances that the remaining Maidens would be children?

"She's just a child."

He'd made many mistakes, but befriending that boy had not been one of them. Naruto was certainly no subordinate of his. More a partner than anything else. Ten years they had worked together; ten years they pooled their resources. Ten glorious years. A shining decade that had proven rather unpleasant for Salem. Most unpleasant indeed. Naruto could not be tempted with coin. He could not be seduced by the pleasures of the flesh, for his heart was hard as stone. He was ever wary and horribly difficult to kill.

Power and prestige meant nothing to one such as him; for one such as he, there was only duty. Relentless, tireless duty. His bonds were few, he spoke to fewer still, and his principles were rooted in stone.

In that, they were alike.

But in defeat, Salem was spiteful. When it became clear that she was losing ground, she struck at the cities and slew many. In the chaos, the Maidens to the winds. They'd been picking up the pieces ever since. Who knew were the next might be found? The remaining maiden could be a bunch of old crones or young girls for all they knew. Ah, but James was looking at him now, and he must give him the attention he deserved.

"I was wondering if could make use of this "friend" of yours." Ah. He'd suspected as much. "He seems to have a nose for hunting down Maidens."

Ozpin grimaced into one palm. "That...would be unwise. He doesn't take orders from me. Merely...suggestions."

"Does it matter? He cannot die. If he's so determined to help, then why not make use of him?"

And he did not regret entrusting him with that secret for a moment.

Salem could not be slain. That much was true. James had balked at that knowledge once. But she could be held back. Take away her pawns, her minions, and her pieces, and she would be forced to start anew. Without them, what did she have? An army of Grimm? They had the walking equivalent of a hydrogen bomb. So long as they remained vigilant, she would not find them caught unawares.

They had a chance, now. And he would not see him thrown to the wolves.

"Incorrect, James. Unlike me, he's quite mortal. He simply doesn't age as the rest of us do. I still don't rightly know where he came from." Ozpin steepled his fingers, considering the map beneath him for a long, agonizing moment. "I don't know who or what made him the way he is now. But I know this. He's a good man. A simple soul. Do you see this?" a finger stabbed down, indicating the vast swathe of green across said map. "This young man has singlehandedly pushed back the Grimm and made colonization possible here in Vale. Mountain Glenn would have fallen long ago were it not for his deeds. SHE fears him."

"He could do the same for Atlas-

"But at what cost? No, we must act prudently in this."

A weighty silence forced itself between the two allies, no longer young men.

"In a way, he reminds me of myself." Ozpin sighed into it. "If I thought he could kill Salem, I'd gladly set him upon her."

His old friend granted him a curious look. "But you don't think he can. Even him?"

"Salem cannot be killed. Not by him...not yet at least."

Ironwood blinked. "Not yet?"

"Naruto is...very creative when it comes to high ordinance explosive and seals." he shook his head, caught in the teeth of an old memory. A fond memory. No doubt Salem was still rebuilding her tower after the blond's last incursion. "Still, I fear his actions will provoke her all the same. Salem may avoid him...but she has no shortage of pawns to serve her." he steepled his fingers and laid his chin atop them. "Now that she has been found, the girl must be protected. Quickly. Before she strikes at her."

James, bless him, was quick to see the sense of his scheme. "I can have an airship prepped and ready to meet them within the hour."

"Quite unnecessary." Ozpin granted him a grim grin. "I've already sent an agent of my own."

His face dimpled in a smile. "Summer, then. She'll be happy to see him."

The two men exchanged a knowing smile. Ozpin laughed.

"You have no idea...

(.0.0.0.)

N~E~O~!

She had a name now. It was hers and it made her happy and she would keep it forever and ever and ever. The girl sounded it out in her head as she followed her protector through the wilds of Vale, rolling it around on her still tongue until she was satisfied. It felt good to have a name. With a name came identity. No longer was she some nameless urchin grubbing about in the dark, forgotten by her parents, forsaken by the world. This? This was good. This was better.

Better still, to finally stop running.

She'd been running for nearly a year now, ever since her eyes began to glow and the strange Power had come to her. A stranger with a creepy laugh had tried to take her once, but she'd used her illusions and given him the slip. She'd avoided the big brute with the soft voice and big muscles. Steered clear of the mustachioed man and his low, lilting voice. But most of all, she'd learned to avoid the hooded woman, with dark skin and her cloak of green. They were looking for her, determined to find her, catch her, and do...well, the girl didn't know what they wanted with her, but she hadn't stuck around to find out. Vale became too hot for her and so she fled into the wilds, seeking shelter. She hadn't found it.

Grimm hounded her in place of people, chasing her from one settlement to the next.

The people in the last village had been rather nice, at least. A small family had taken her in, fed her, and nursed her back to health. They'd even tried to defend her when the Grimm came. They perished for it. But the old man had been smart; he'd hidden her down in the cellar before he fell. He had hidden the trap door well; so well that the stupid Grimm weren't able to find it. He'd paid dearly for his cleverness. Sometimes, she heard his screams in her dreams and likely would for the rest of her days-

No!

Neo slapped her cheeks until they stung. No more bad thoughts. Now she was safe.

With night long since past and a good sleep behind her, she felt brave enough to face the afternoon. The open road sprawled out ahead of them with great wooded forests rising up on either side, bringing with it the faint chirps of birds and other wildlife. Further along In the distance she spied the faint smudge of gray on the horizon. That, she had been told, was Vale. Beyond that would be Beacon promising security and safety alike. She would stay there for quite some time, until she learned to master her gifts.

All because of him.

She stole a glance up at her ally. Savior. Papa. Bringer of Food. Just this afternoon, he'd caught and cooked brace of rabbits for her. She'd devoured them greedily, then drank from his canteen again after her refilled it a nearby stream. It felt good. For once in her life she wasn't thirsty or hungry. She'd filched new clothes for herself from what the villagers had left behind and was quite chuffed with them. Gone were her ruined and bloody rags -left behind to lead any who might hunt her astray!- and in their place she wore something altogether more comfortable.

Clad in a fluffy dark hoodie with a delightfully pink shirt beneath and matching sweats besides, she was snug as a bug in a rug against the chill of winter.

She'd find herself a better outfit -one with style!- later down the line. For now? this was nice. Reeeaaal nice...

Naruto caught her staring at him and quirked a blond brow. "Hangin' in there?"

Her head bobbed as she limped along. Blast it. Her legs hurt.

Of course, he saw that, too. "Want me to carry you?"

Now there was a sound idea! Neo rounded on him with a brilliant smile, all her pain forgotten, eyes ablaze and bleeding flames of pink creme. Her arms shot up and she hopped in place like a baby bunny. After all she'd suffered through, she bloody well deserved to be carried! Up! Now!

...such a demanding little girl."

She thought she saw the ghost ghost of a smile touch his whiskered cheeks as he knelt and plucked the ax off his back to make room for her. In short order Neo clambered onto his shoulders like a mad monkey, locked her legs around his sides, and threw her arms around his neck. Her chin took up residence on his collarbone to secure herself further. A chuckle shook his chest when she nuzzled closer.

His smile grew an inch. "You're not gonna let go, are ya?"

She shook her head fervently and buried her glowing eyes against his neck.

They walked in companionable silence for some time after that, taking their time as the hours whittled away. She knew full well her guardian could run like the wind; that he had chosen to move at a more sedate pace suggested he wasn't in any hurry to return to civilization himself. Fine by her! Mismatching eyes flashed balefully at the thought. She longed to tell him about those hunting her, but she lacked the means to do so. She didn't even know her letters, let alone how to write. Speaking was clearly out of the question. Still, she must find a way. Papa needed to know.

They heard the bullhead before she saw it coming.

It began as a long whine in the distance, one that brought Naruto up short. Like a distant thunderclap slowly growing closer it soon became impossible to ignore. Na

Neo tapped Naruto's shoulder.

"Shh." he pressed a finger to her lips and stood his ground.

Soon enough a dark speck became visible against the waning light of day. Within moment it grew large. Larger. Largest. Neo began to fidget, fearing the worst. Naruto said not a word, but she heard the faint creak of soft leather as his gloved hand tightened around the haft of his ax.

"Don't worry." Her chaperone laughed nodded, sounding mildly amused. "This is the way."

The way? Neo narrowed her eyes in mild confusion. If the "Way" meant more food, clean clothes and a comfortable bed then she'd follow it to the very ends of the earth. But if an enemy came tearing out of that ship and tried to kill her, she was bolting for the treeline.

With a great whoosh of air, the mighty metal bird swept in and alighted in the clearing before them with peerless grace. Its pilot must be skilled indeed.

A hooded figure pushed the bay doors apart and emerged with a jaunty wave. Panic flared to life in Neo's chest like a miniature sun, burning everything away with dread. No...no. She willed herself to breathe. This cloak was red and white. Not green. She didn't have a staff. The huntress tugged her cowl up, revealing a pale face framed by red-black hair, a warm smile and startling silver eyes. Silver. Such an odd and mysterious color. Strangely enough it set Neo at ease. This was a not a bad woman, but a good person indeed.

"Hello~!" the newcomer chirruped cheerily at them as she disembarked. "I'm here to pick you up!"

Neo still frowned at the young woman. For it was most certainly a woman, and she was disembarking even now. Of the pilot she saw nothing; they seemed content to remain in the cockpit and stay far, far away from this silly grinning. Proper sense, that.

Papa seemed to agree too; because he grunted at her.

...Summer. I didn't ask for an evac."

"No, you didn't." the huntress hopped down, white cloak fluttering in the wind behind her. "Oz figured you might want one after walkin' in the wilderness."

A beat of silence. Blue eyes narrowed in realization. "He traced my scroll call, didn't he?"

"Yup." the girl smacked her lips. "Of course he did."

Then she saw Neo and all pretense fell away.

"Oh my gods! Is that her?!" One moment she was a good arms length away; in the next she was before them, a trail of white rose petals in her wake. "She's so tiny!" Neo jerked backwards, terribly startled by the smiling visage thrust before her. "So precious! So cuuuuute! I wanna pinch her cheeeeeks!"

Neo bared her teeth in a soundless hiss and reared away.

Naruto clicked his tongue. "Summer, no."

"SUMMER YES-OW!" Two fingers flicked her forehead, drawing a yelp from the exuberant huntress. She glowered at him for it. "What was that for?!"

"She's had a bad time." The Huntsman chastised her. "And you're being loud."

Startled silver eyes flitted back to Neo with renewed interest. Not pity -she had a feeling this little waif wouldn't take kindly to that!- but a different sentiment altogether. Understanding. Empathy, even. Summer dared a quick step forward, only just now noticing how painfully thin and gaunt the poor girl looked. Poor thing. She touched a hand to one of the field pouches on her waist and withdrew a chocolate bar from within. Neo saw it at once, her eyes gone sharp and slitted. What? She liked chocolate.

"M'sorry." Summer's smile returned, softer this time. "Here, sweetheart. Are you hungry?"

Neo's hand snaked out over Naruto's shoulder to snatch it up. She crammed it into her mouth and ate quickly, never once taking her eyes off the huntress.

Said huntress quirked a brow. "Quite attached to you, isn't she?"

Naruto shrugged. "She'll grow out of it."

Neo balked at him; she most assuredly would not!

The huntress saw that too, damn her and her clever eyes. "Whatever you say~!"

Summer bumped Naruto with her hip. He didn't push her off; instead he looked away as she leaned her head against his chest. Silver eyes looked up, seeking his.

"I really did miss you, you know...

Naruto muttered something that might've been along the same lines. Neo choked down her unexpected meal and renewed her scrutiny of the unlikely duo from her perch. Waitaminute. Were they...? They might be. She couldn't be sure. Though she was but little, she wasn't stupid. She knew the signs. You didn't grow up in the streets of Vale without learning a few things. They looked comfortable with one another sure enough; Summer was downright at her ease with him. Neo wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"Let's go home."

That she liked. It didn't feel safe out here. The sooner they boarded the bullhead and got out of here, the better.

A dark shape burst from the treeline behind them.

Neo barely saw it; whatever it was, it was fast. Too fast. Long and sleek, twisted and wrong, white, jaws gaping wide...!

Naruto spun and she lost sight of it as he raised an armored arm. His gauntlet barked and the Grimm -she certainly saw it now!- flew back with a startled yowl. Another arm came up and a jet of flame erupted from an odd device there, bathing the beast in a torrent of naked napalm. Incredibly, it thrashed upright. A clawed paw swept out at Naruto, causing him to scramble back lest he risk Neo.

Summer saw it and scowled. "Oh, no you don't!"

Mighty light burst from her eyes and the beast crashed backward with a yowl, clawing at its masked face. It surged upright again with a bawdy howl and lunged. Another blast hit it in midstride, sending it crashing through the undergrowth. A third put it down. Its body toppled backward with a noise that could only loosely be called a scream.

"Well!" Summer turned with a huff, scrubbing at her eyes with the back of a hand. "That was bracing. Lets be off before more-

Behind the creature shuffled upright with an awful crack, a broken puppet without strings.

Neo saw its face. Had she possessed a voice. She would've screamed.

Wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! It was all wrong!

Its body was Grimm, that much was certain. But where the beast's head had been...a human stared out at them. Warped and disfigured, half their visage gone grey by Summer's eye blast. Black tears ran from their visible eye, but it nevertheless had a face beneath the blackness. A human face. Hideous and twisted,barely recognizable, but still painfully real. A bleary silver iris glowered out at them as an inky black limb stretched out and set itself with an awful crack.

And then. Incredibly. It spoke to the three of them. "Take...the girl."

Naruto's tan face turned ashen. "What in the world...?!"

It lurched forward. "Take the girl."

Summer stilled. "Did it just...?"

Neo wanted to whimper. Grimm didn't look this. Grimm weren't human. Grimm didn't speak. Yet this one did. A lone eye fixed firmly upon her quivering form, to the exclusion of all else. It didn't even seem to see her guardians. It only had eyes for her. What had it said? Take the girl? Take her?! What did it want with her?! She didn't want to find out!

"Take...the girl." It flailed upright, growing a new arm. "Take. The Girl."

Neo dropped off Naruto's back and scuttled behind his legs.

"Take the girl!" the creature rasped guttural at them.

Naruto and Summer moved to meet its charge.

"Take the girl! TAKE! THE! GIRL!"

Naruto hit it first.

His ax ripped and tore into his horrible hide, but the beast tore right back, snarling and spitting like the monstrosity it was. Blood spurted in the air. Naruto's left eye vanished in a red mist, alongside half his face. It regrew a heartbeat later and he reared back, driving his skull into the beast's snout. It recoiled, badly startled by the glow and he took the chance leaped onto the beast's back and lock both legs around its neck. His ax arced up in a frosty arc and came down thrice as fast, slamming into the abomination's chest with a dull crunch.

The Hound howled in pain.

Naruto struck again forsaking his ax to draw a pair of wicked-looking daggers from his sleeves. They slammed down onto between the beast's shoulders. It yelped and a third arm burst from its back to claw at the blond's exposed face. He toppled back with a snarl and slammed a strange blue sphere into its spine. That only enraged it further as it bore him down to the ground. Man and monster grappled with one another, thrashing upon the ground like a pair of mad devils.

Summer cried out. "Hold on!"

She vanished and her weapon flashed out in a blinding arc; Neo couldn't quite see it. What was it? A sword? A scythe? Some beautiful blend of the two. It didn't matter. Her weapon found purchase and caught the beast by its left flank. A limb sailed away in a stream of jet black darkness. Naruto kicked out with both feet, hurling the beast away. Summer swooped in to support. His ax came up and hacked down. Her weapon carved a path of brilliant light, making quick work of its claws. Still the beast didn't fall.

A clawed hand stretched towards Neo. "Take...the...girl...!"

"SHUT! UP!"

Naruto's axe crunched into its ribs. The Hound -for Neo could think to call it nothing else- buckled with a roar. Summer's sword met in on the other side and its twisted spine hunched further. Hunter and Huntress shared a meaningful glance and moved as one. Together, they cleaved the abomination in twine low at the waist. Its severed halves flew apart with nary a sound. The beast's upper torso sheared off and went flying away into the forest; its legs were left to slump listlessly without their better half. They didn't stay to see if it survived.

"Bullhead!" the blond roared! "Now!"

Neo was already three steps ahead of them.

Together, the unlikely trio clamored aboard and the engines howled to life as the frantic pilot spurred the craft into the sky. Within moments they were away.

No one looked back.

Neo, unable to think of anything else, found herself forced revised her opinion of Summer Rose as the world shrank below them. The woman had stood for her. Fought for her. She could've easily fled to the bullhead and abandoned them. But she hadn't. Instead she had stood her ground and fought in spite of her fear. That meant something. She meant something. Resolve hardened in her little heart. She tugged her sleeve and looked up, made sure Summer was looking back. She mouthed a single word. Naruto saw it, even if he couldn't hear it.

"Mama."

Summer sputtered. "EH?!"

And that, as they say, was that.

A/N: Bad hound! Down you go!

Found it morbidly amusing to write THAT scene, this time from Summer's perspective. Bloody chilling. On another note; a bunch of children maidens? Yeah. That can't possibly happen. Keep saying that, Ozpin. Not like you're tempting fate or anything.

As ever, reviews keep me writing. They're the only form of payment I'll ever receive. Without them...I can't write.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review...Would You Kindly?

And of course, enjoy the previews.

Surprise, surprise~!

(Previews)

"Uncle Narutoooo~!"

A golden streak flew down the stairs and latched onto his arm like a limpet. Little lilac eyes beamed back at him, framed by an impish smile and a mane of tawny yellow hair.

"Did you miss me?!"

"Nope." The barest hint of a smile followed, drawing a giggle form the girl draped across his raised limb. "Where's your mother?"

"She's upstairs with daddy." the little helion wrinkled her nose. "Uncle Qrow said they're wrestling or something."

"QROW!"

"What?! I didn't lie...

Summer turned rose red. Neo scowled at Yang. Naruto reached around to pat her head.

Yang's gaze slid past him. "Oh! Auntie Summer's here, too! Hi, auntie!"

"You are beaten." The giant stared down at her, his face shadowed by the blazing sun. "It is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be destroyed as your predecessor did."

The young Maiden flung a torrent of wind in his face and ran dove beneath the sand dunes.

Hazel scowled and stormed after her. Another dust crystal came and went.

"Foolish girl. No one had to die today...

"Come now, must you be difficult? Join us, or die." he offered his hand to the Spring Maiden. "You're already down an arm and an eye. Do you truly wish to die like this...?"

"There are...things worse...than death!"

She slammed a fist into the ground. The world erupted.

Weiss Schnee ran for her life.

Crazed laughter chased aft her.

"Little maiden, little maiden, come out and play~!"

"NO!"

She pivoted on one heel and flung a hail of ice at him. It struck the street before him and shattered on contact, kicking up a cloud of steam. Wild white hair flashed in the breeze, framing ice blue eyes burning with azure flames as her chest heaved for breath. She clutched her side, wincing at the wound there and dared to hope. T'was not to be.

Tyrian Callows emerged, tutting softly.

"Now, now, that wasn't very niiiice little Schnee~! Naughty girls should be disciplined~!"

Naruto pulled the mask down over his face.

"Time for work."

R&R~!