A/N: Well, the funeral is over and done.

...I've been crying almost nonstop ever since. Goodbye, grandma. I'll never forget you.

As ever, the sheer flood of reviews help me to update rapidly; truly, feedback keeps this ailing old man going. Without it? I just can't write.

Someone pushed me to watch Re: Zero. They said it would make me feel better. I regret everything. Now I'm even more depressed than before. WHY IS THAT SHOW A THING?! However, its given me a few ideas, so I suppose there's something to be said about that.

Now lets answer your questions shall we:

Q: Wait a minute! Are Naruto and Summer...?

A: You'll just have to read and find out, won't you?

Q: Has Ruby been born yet?!

A: To quote? Nope! But she will be.

Q: As stated last chapter, all the Maidens were lost -until recently!- thanks to Salem throwing the immortal equivalent of a temper tantrum. Raven never became the Spring Maiden; because she stayed with Tai.

And why wouldn't she? Naruto may not be able to kill Salem but he can keep her at bay. And as stated by Ozpin? Naruto. Does not. Age. Meaning, that if Salem ever thinks to set foot onto a battlefield herself, he'll be right there to deal with her. That put a right dent in Raven's fear.

Q: Wow, really going hard with "Heart of Stone" angle. Does this mean what I think it does?

A: Can't say anything save this. There WILL be deaths in this story. Ye be warned.

And with that ominous little note, its time for the chapter. Sorry to keep you waiting.

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...prepare yourself.

"Never underestimate the savagery and ferocity a child is capable of when you have taken away everyone and everything they love.

To take away a child's innocence is to unleash their strength in all its glory and horror.

And that is precisely what you've done. Don't say I didn't warn you."

~?

Hearts of Ice

"Do you have her?"

Naruto did not roll his eyes. He didn't sigh. He certainly didn't consider crushing his Scroll in his fist. Nope. Never. Not him. Not for a moment. Anyone who said otherwise was a filthy liar and a cheat. And if Neo -still perched on his back like the little spider monkey she was- happened to see the faint flicker of displeasure that flitted across his scarred face? And if she happened to giggle silently? Well. He wouldn't tell anyone. She certainly wouldn't. He shared a conspiratorial wink with her and shifted the Scroll against his shoulder.

"Nooo, I'm calling you to ask about the weather." he drawled, staring up into the cloudy afternoon sky as he walked. "Hows it over there in Vale, Oz? I hear its raining."

Neo tittered soundlessly. Summer snickered behind him. Ozpin saw it and sighed. "Sarcasm does not become you, old friend."

The ghost of a smile quirked his lips. "Then don't go asking me stupid questions. Of course I have her. See?"

Briefly switching the call to video rather than audio, he angled the Scroll over his shoulder so Neo could see the man within. She perked up and squinted at Ozpin. The headmaster blinked back, startled by her mismatching eyes, even as they trailed bits of flame. Seeing was believing, as they said. Seeing the Fall Maiden for himself would quell his paranoia more than any half-hearted speech. He hadn't felt the need to give one of those since Mountain Glenn. Bastards still had that speech playing there.

"Fair enough. Might I ask where you are?"

"Patch." the wayward shinobi thumbed the call back to audio and pressed it against his right ear. "Stopping by to check in on the runt."

"I see." Ozpin sounded a little crestfallen. "I had hoped you would bring her straight to Vale."

Naruto frowned. "Oz...

"Forgive an old man for his impatience. I simply wish to protect her."

Ozpin could be a man with a one track mind at times. While he could appreciate that from one warrior to another, even sympathize it, the fact remained that it grated on the nerves sometimes. Duty was all well and good, laudable even, but his fellow immortal was beginning to take shortcuts he didn't like. Naruto would do things at his own pace. Not before. Not after.

"Do you have any leads on the other Maidens?" Ah. And there it was.

"Oz, no!" Summer found her voice at last, arching in a reprimand. "You can't send him out again! He just got back!"

"I was not suggesting he throw himself back into the fray so soon, merely that it would be prudent to share information."

Neo quirked a brow. Naruto shrugged.

"He's spending a few days with me in Patch." remarkably, the huntress put her foot down. "Leave off it. He's been working himself to the bone these last few weeks. Little Neo could use a break herself." she flashed the exhausted girl a wink and a grin to chase the words down. "Let it go, will you?"

"You named her?"

She scowled. "He did. Got a problem with that?

A lengthy pause followed. "I do not. Be that as it may-

Summer snatched the scroll from his grasp and snarled into it. "Let. It. Go."

"I've got a few clones wandering around, one for each kingdom." Naruto plucked it back from her and honestly, face gone a neutral mask as he spoke into the scroll. "Haven't found anything yet. I'll keep you posted."

He could hear the raised brow, such was the pause that heralded its arrival. "And your contacts in Menagerie?"

"I said every kingdom. Sandstorm popped my clone in Vacuo, though. Nasty place."

...I see. Please let me know if you find anything. I'll see you in a few days." there was a brief pang of hesitation, longer than the last. "Forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but I feel this bears repeating. Keep that girl close. Salem has begun to move. You know what this means. If she manages to secure even a single maiden...

Naruto felt Neo cling just a little tighter to him. "I won't let that happen."

"I'm sure you won't. I have the utmost faith in your abilities. I'll have a bottle waiting for you whenever you arrive."

Naruto muttered a half-hearted farewell and closed down the scroll.

The first thing he saw was Summer's red face.

"You stuck up for me." he frowned. "Why?"

Silver eyes fluttered in a brief blink.

...mily." she muttered.

Naruto paused.

"Say again?"

"I said you're family." the tips of her ears burned cherry pink. "I'm not gonna let Ozpin bully you like that...or allow you to hare off into danger without me. Not anymore."

Neo laughed soundlessly on his back.

"And I'm certainly going to be keeping an eye on you!"

This again? The warrior sighed. "I already told you, I wasn't in any danger-

"Not my point!" she stomped a boot, crossed both arms beneath her bosom and huffed. "We're a team! You're my partner!" a rare flash of anger gleamed through her gaze before she suppressed it. "Yet at the fist sign of danger you just wade right in without a care in the world. Are you trying to die?"

Was he? Not really. He had a task to attend to at the time. A mission. Besides, he moved faster alone.

"It'll take more than a few Grimm to kill me." Neo swatted his shoulder, drawing a scowl from him. "What? Its true."

Summer gave him a pitying look. "All things die, Naruto."

He shook his head and walked on. "Not me."

Summer scampered after him.

"Are you really that dense?" she drew even with him quickly and looped her arm in his. "I know you've got a heart of stone an' all, but really, is your brain thick as a brick?"

"..."

"Hey! Don't give me the silent treatment! You're not Neo!"

Naruto unbent enough to sigh as they traipsed ever onward. "Noisy girl."

"Aha! He speaks again!" her giggle filled his ears. "You won't be rid of me that easily."

Sometimes, Naruto wondered if he would ever understand Summer Rose. On a good day she was all smiles and sunshine, but beneath that she was sheer steel. Sometimes she could be a walking bundle of contradictions, at other she was pure as the driven snow. Ordinarily she would be the first to fling herself into danger -certainly when innocents were involved!- but when it came to him she became downright silly. Always touching with her. Touching, touching, touching. He wasn't bothered by it, he just found it odd. If touching his arm or holding his hand made her feel better then who was he to dissuade her?

Besides, he was...comfortable around her. As much as he could be with anyone these days. Comfortable enough to be with her, at least.

After all he'd been through, that meant something.

He didn't find her unpleasant, even if she was determined to make him smile.

It was simple logic, he told himself. Their skills paired well together. Her silver eyes made mincemeat of Grimm, while he dealt with the more human threats. They were a good team. With most of Team STRQ starting to settle down Summer was more willing to accompany him on his excursions than ever. Logic dictated that he worked better alone, but a second pair of eyes never hurt.

Right. Useful. Keep lying to yourself.

"Don't worry." her fingers threaded within his. "I'll crack that rocky exterior of yours yet. You'll help, won't you, Neo?"

In his peripherals, the little maiden flicked her a thumbs up. Neither gave him time to dwell on it.

"C'mon!" Summer dragged him by the hand and tugged him along. "We're gonna be late~!"

Neo's head bobbed in agreement. Traitor. Of course she'd side with Summer. She'd chosen her. Summer had no say in the matter.

...he kept walking.

Patch was an idyllic little island, the perfect place to raise a family. Taiyang's home reflected that well, a cozy little cottage nested between a copse of trees. Painted in pleasant and colorful hues, it rather reminded of an overgrown pinata; all bright and fest and lively. Made sense really. Tai was a cheery guy these days. Why wouldn't he be? He had a loving wife and a child he adored with all his heart. If rumors were to be believed, he and Raven were trying to give young Yang a baby brother.

Huh. Yang and Yin. Had a nice ring to it.

Yes, the Branwen/Xiao-Long family certainly had enough spirit for the both of them.

Still, he couldn't help but noticed the toys scattered haphazardly about the yard...and the patches of burnt grass. Now that brought a smile to his face. Seemed little Yang had been practicing with her Semblance. Neo wrinkled her nose at the sight, not quite making the connection.

"Don't worry." he looked back, catching the mute girl's gaze with his. "Yang's a bit of a spitfire but she's harmless...for the most part."

"She did set you on fire once." Summer hummed.

Naruto grunted. "One time! One time and you never let me live it down...

"..." Neo glanced rapidly between the two of them and smiled one of her little smiles.

"Wanna get down?" to his wry amusement, the little Maiden scowled and clung tighter. "Fair enough."

Summer released his hand skipped past them, bounded up the steps two at a time. She all but flung herself at the door. Clenched knuckles descended in rapid succession, tapping out a familiar rhythm upon the worn red frame. Naruto lingered a step behind her; if only because he knew what was to come. He'd seen their resident firecracker often enough. Not a heartbeat later, footsteps thundered down the stairs, brought on by the pitter-patter of little feet.

Neo stiffened.

Summer smiled.

Naruto sighed. "Here we go."

He'd only just spoken when someone flung the open. "Uncle Narutoooo~!"

A golden streak hurtled the rest of the way toward the three them, leaped through the air, and latched onto his now-raised right arm like a limpet. Little lilac eyes beamed back at him, framed by an impish smile and a mane of tawny yellow hair brighter than the sun itself. Little legs kicked in the air as she dangled from his limb.

"Hi~! 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? Qrow didn't leave you here alone, did he?"

"Nah, she's upstairs with daddy." the little hellion wrinkled her nose, still hanging from his arm. "Uncle Qrow said they're wrestling or something."

"Did he now...?" Naruto leaned over the threshold and found a familiar figure sprawled on the couch. "QROW!"

"What?!" a rough voice drawled from the living room. "I didn't lie...ignorance is bliss for kids these days."

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

Yang noticed at once, clever girl that she was. "Who's that?"

Neo snarled silently.

"Someone we're looking after." Summer temporized carefully.

"Oh!" Yang's gaze slid past them. "Auntie Summer's here, too! Hi, auntie! Are we having a sleepover?"

The pair exchanged a rueful look. "Something like that."

"Awesome!"

Naruto tried to smile as Yang drew them inside. He really did.

Still, Ozpin's words stuck with him like an angry thorn. It wouldn't let him be.

Salem and her minions had nearly found Neo...what did that mean for the other Maidens?

(.0.0.0.)

Children were stubborn.

Hazel knew this for a fact, if only because he'd seen it firsthand.

Gretchen was much the same, once upon a time. His beloved sister had been many things in her youth. Strong. Brave. Foolhardy. She thought herself invincible. She believed she could take on the world and win. But she wasn't. In her arrogance she let herself be deluded by a treacherous parasite. She ignored his dire warnings, brushed him off and paid the price for it.

I'll be fine, Hazel.

You worry too much, Hazel.

Nothing bad will happen to me, Hazel.

But something had happened. A training accident they said. Hazel knew better. He'd never forgive Ozpin for his treachery.

Because children were stubborn. Prideful. Arrogant. Easily manipulated. The Summer Maiden was no different. This little slip of a brunette had been arrogant at first...until he beat the pride out of her. She had fought well for one so young, with cleverness and ingenuity both. All the power in the world meant nothing when your opponent ceased to feel pain. She didn't realize that terrible truth until it was too late.

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

Her eyes narrowed as she lay sprawled on the dunes beneath him, wasted and gasping for hair.

He didn't even remember her name. Better that way. Better to see her as a nameless maiden than as a person; a conduit meant to open Vacuo's vault. If he saw her as anything else he might hesitate. He already felt sick to his stomach. Best to finish this quickly before her tears swayed him any further.

"Please...just go away...

"I apologize." he rumbled. "I take no pleasure in this."

"THEN LEAVE ME ALONE!" She lunged up at him, only to be backhanded to the sands.

Hazel watched her force herself up into a sitting position poised to strike at the slightest provocation. She was already wounded and bleeding badly. He didn't want to finish what he had started, but he would do his duty. Surely she would see reason. Her family was already dead, her home in ruins. She owed this kingdom nothing. It certainly didn't care for her. Would it not be better to simply bend the knee and live to fight another day? She could never have her vengeance if she died.

Maidens rarely went quietly these days. Salem would be displeased if this one perished, but she would understand if it came down to that. Some knew better than to be taken alive. This one was far too feral for her own good. She would likely keep throwing herself at him until she killed him...or he killed her. Pale fingers twitched, curling in the sand.

Hazel saw it and growled a warning. "Don't make me destroy you."

"Never!"

The young Maiden flung a sandstorm in his face and vanished among the dunes.

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

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

(.0.0.0.)

Rhodes considered himself a decent huntsman.

He liked to think he was a capable sort; he was no Qrow Branwen, but he knew his way around a fight. Life was like a card game in that regard, you had to know when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em. He knew when to be firm, and when to yield; when to stand his ground and when to run. He knew the difference between a decent fight and suicidal odds.

This was not a fight he could win.

Yet he had to keep fighting. To stop was to die. Pivoting on one heel he brought his twin maces down on the the skull of a Beowolf and shattered its skull. Claws skittered off his back, sparking against his hardened skin. Aura quivered but held. Rhodes whirled and drove his head in with an elbow.

The sharp crack of a high caliber round filled his ears and he stumbled as a bullet found his shoulder.

Their attacker had emerged seemingly out of nowhere, demanding that he hand the girl over to him. Grimm had come with him, and they obeyed his every command. One or two he could handle, even a dozen. But this? Too many. For every one he felled three more took its place. Yet he fought on. He had to. He must. If he didn't, who would?

No one. The answer galled him.

The kid was fighting like hell, just as he'd taught her. Those crazy new powers of hers certainly helped...even if she was being hunted for them. A lesser man would have turned her in for the bounty and made off with the money. He hadn't. Why would he? had taken her from that awful hotel in Atlas all those years ago. He hadn't abandoned her then and he wouldn't now. They would live and die together.

A bullet whistled pasted his ear.

"My, my do pay attention, old friend."

Rhodes rounded on them. His tormentor was a wiry bastard with dark hair, a bristling caterpillar of a mustache, and arrogance to match. Even after all these years, his fashion sense hadn't changed. The rest of him had. He was colder, sharper, an arrogant shadow of a good man. Arthur Watts had always been a bitter bastard, but this was cruel even for him.

"Look what has become of you, Rhodes." he scoffed and began to reload, uncaring for his scorn. "A rat in the woods."

"Look what I've risen above." the huntsman coughed blood and forced himself to focus. "You're a wanted criminal in every kingdom. At least I've made something of my life."

"Hmm, so you say. I've come to kill you," his old friend mused, "But perhaps it's worse to leave you here, festering in your squalor. You always were nothing compared to me. Ever the idealist." A mace swept over his head, made sluggish by hours of fighting. Arthur ducked raised an arm, and his revolver barked once, bruising him beneath his aura. "Always looking for the light in others." Another round, another spasm. "That's the difference between you and I. I've always seen the world for what it is. But you?"

A vicious sweep sent the wounded warrior sprawling.

"You have ever been a fool." Watts stepped back, evading the retaliatory swipe with a smile. "You're getting slow, my friend. How much longer can you last?"

"..."

"For the sake of our friendship, I'll give you one last chance. Surrender the maiden to me, and you can live. For old times sake."

And there it was. He'd nearly forgotten about the man's ego. Arthur always liked to brag, even in their youth. He'd only grown worse with age. But he was no fool. He wouldn't dare try his hand in close combat unless he was certain of his victory. That he'd done so now was troubling. No love for old friends here it seemed.

"If you define yourself by your power to take," Rhodes' felt his voice broke for a moment as he forced himself upright, "And the desire to dominate, to possess superiority over others...you have nothing. Only your ego."

That earned him a snarl from his former friend, followed a vicious kick. "And what do you have? You're the one about to be left with nothing!"

"You're wrong." Rhodes tried to laugh, his lungs wouldn't allow it. All that emerged was a sigh. "I'm richer than you'll ever be."

Ahead of him, the kid went down, mobbed by dozens of Grimm.

Rhodes swore softly and lurched towards her. "Cinder!"

He realized the mistake even as he made it. In his rage, Arthur showed no mercy. A bullet tore through Rhodes' flagging aura and ripped into his back. For once, his semblance failed him. Pain seared through his spine. He slammed down on one knee. Another round pierced his defenses and a thin line of red ran down the corner of his mouth. Followed by a third.

"Oh, dear." Arthur laughed. "You might want to let me look at those wounds. They look quite...painful."

A wild punch caught the doctor on the chin and launched him back.

"Uncultured brute!" he clamored upright, quivering with fury. "You'll pay for that!"

Rhodes want to throttle him. To reach out and snap his neck like a twig.

But he couldn't. He hadn't the strength left in him.

So this was it, then. Rhodes exhaled in a short, shuddering breath. Not much longer now. His aura was nearly gone and his semblance with it. He'd lost too much blood. Even now he could feel himself fading. Arthur would want to take him captive of course, use him as leverage against the kid. She'd become Salem's pawn, be forced to do that monster's bidding till her dying breath. He couldn't allow that. He would not allow that. Watts would make them both suffer in the interim. It was a losing hand no matter how you looked at it.

Ahead of him Cinder fought her away free of the Grimm and burst into the air, flames firing from her feet.

Eye blazing, chest heaving, her momentum faltered for a moment and she nearly fell into the teeming black-and-white mass below. There would be no rescue there. She was even more injured than he was. Her lone eye found his, wide and desperate with panic as she gazed upon the sea of Grimm below her. She was looking to him for guidance, just as she always had. He could only think of one course that ended with her survival. She would hate him for it. That was fine. Better for her to hate him and be alive than dead.

"Cinder!" He raised his voice. If you can hear me, rain fire!"

An awful silence followed his words. Arthur scoffed into it. "What are you on about?"

"I can't! I'll hit you!" On a thread of breath, he thought he heard a voice. Her voice. "Dad...you'll die!"

"Nothing," Rhodes croaked out a tired wheeze of a laugh and continued. "Nothing can stop that now. Do it! That's an order!"

She shook her head, a constellation of tears on her lashes. "No!"

"CINDER!"

His daughter gathered her power close unto her, wrapping it around her body like a second skin. Her remaining eye flashed a molten shade of gold, trailing flames. All around her the air boiled, shivering with tendrils of luminescent light. Threading through her flesh. Weaving their way through the soil. Contorting the very air itself. A keening sound forced itself through her teeth as she tucked her head into her chest. He recognized the cry for what it was and winced...but when next her gaze rose, resolve burned there. Resolve, and sorrow.

Arthur swore and drew a bead on her. "Blast it!"

Cinder shrieked. "I'm sorry!"

Watts fired.

A fiery blast of napalm erupted like a volcano, rendering his bullet so much slag and scouring the Grimm for miles in every direction. It struck the trees and bathed them in flame, dry wood igniting almost instantly. Arthur was lucky. His aura reserves were full, he saw the attack coming and pushed the brunt of them forward to lessen the blast. Rhode's wasn't so fortunate. But that had been his intent. He lowered the last of his aura -just to be sure- and let it hit him full on.

He closed his eyes as the flames came.

The smallest of smiles creased his face. "That's my girl."

There was no pain. Just a moment of wild heat. Then he was gone.

"Bloody fool!" Arthur stumbled out of the smoke, coughing harshly. "I didn't think he was suicidal! What kind of fool gives such an order-

A towering fireball split the gloom to tear his head off. It would have too, if one of the Grimm hadn't taken the blast for him. He skittered back, wary of another such blast, but it never came. A cursory inspection confirmed his suspicions; he had few wounds to speak of and most of them were minor burns. She'd expended the last of her strength just now. He could still salvage this. The maiden was right there, exhausted by her last ditch attack. He still had some Grimm left. He could take her. Salem would see praise him for his triumph and his old friend would be naught but ash.

Victory was his to claim. He just needed to reach out and grasp it.

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

Cinder exhaled in a sharp burst of anger.

And in that moment, Watts understood her. She had no desire to live without Rhodes. His mistake. Without him, she thought herself nothing. He'd saved her from a fate worse than death and in her mind it was only right she follow him into it. Perhaps that was a twisted mindset for a child to have. Clearly this one had never been a normal child to begin with. A child who lost the only thing she loved.

"Work with you? Never." A blazing amber iris narrowed upon him, gone wild with grief and despair. "There are...things worse...than death!"

Watts realized what she intended too late. "Stop her, you fools!" he commanded the remaining Grimm. "She's going to-

Cinder slammed a fist into the ground and unleashed the last of her power.

It scorched her broken body just like her namesake.

Cinder died with a smile on her face.

(.0.0.0.)

Weiss Schnee ran for her life.

She ran and ran and ran, not once daring to look back. Bare feet pelted against the cold street at a breakneck pace, little legs pumping frantically as she fled. She had to keep running. She couldn't stop. The moment she did they would be on her. They would grab her again and hold her down and...and...and...!

Crazed laughter chased aft her.

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

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~!" his tail swayed behind him, still dripping with blood." Naughty girls should be disciplined~!"

Weiss turned and fled. Behind her the Schnee family manor burned; a bright beacon in the dark. Tongues of hungry flame stretched fiery fingers into the night. Weiss liked fire. Fire was good and clean and safe. Fire kept the monsters away. But not tonight. Not for her. Tonight the night was dark and full of terrors. And she was alone. Her family was dead, slaughtered to a man. Not even the servants were spared.

This was a bad dream. A nightmare. It had to be.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!' her mind wailed as she raced around a corner and into an alley. 'Please, let me wake up! I'll be good!'

But begging wouldn't bring them back. She knew that.

"Such a shame," a new voice crooned behind her. "If they had only given you up, they might still be alive."

She wanted to turn and fight, but she couldn't. She'd tried that. She wasn't strong enough. Her family fought for her already, buying her time to escape with their own blood. Even poor Klein stood in the madman's way by the end..for all of a moment. But like Mommy and Daddy, he was gone. Winter was gone too, run through by the hooded man and the woman with him. They were all gone. Dead, because of her. Because they'd kept her secret. And they'd paid for it wit their lives.

An abrupt explosion lit the street before the last Schnee, ripping her from her feet and casting her back.

Heat scorched her face and she cried out, averting her gaze.

"Do you see now how fruitless this is, child?" a new figure strode through the smoke, clad in riding leathers, their face hidden by an emerald hood. "Surrender and this can all...be...over."

Weiss slammed upright and crawled back like a drunken crab. Her back struck a boot. She looked up, already knowing what -who!- she would find there. A chitinous tail coiled about her wrist, hoisting her upright with a painful wrench. A tiny keening cry fled from her lips.

"Now, now, there's no need for tears. We just want to be friends." Tyrian tutted, grinning down at her. "Though I hope you won't mind if I take a finger or two...?

"That's enough, Tyrian." the woman reprimanded him. "We're not here to kill her."

For a moment, Weiss wondered if he would. This man was twisted. Dark. Wrong. He enjoyed killing. She'd seen it firsthand. He wanted to hurt her. Break her. Like he had the others. Manic glee sprang to life in his eyes and her mind gibbered at the sight of it. Logic meant nothing to this man. To him, reason was naught but a word.

Remarkably, he demurred and lowered her to the ground.

"Ah, yes. So says Amber the merciful!" He laughed, swaying in place. "Amber the benevolent. Amber the beloved! Blessed by our most holy queen!"

This close, she could see her. Weiss glimpsed a bit of the woman's face beneath that worn cowl. What she saw there had her crying out in fresh fear. Her skin...it looked...wrong. All wrong. Tan on one side and pale upon the other, veins of scarlet scrawling through her visage like the blackest corruption. Strands of brown hair were flecked

"Stop your prattling." The monstrous woman rasped. "Now are you ready to come with me?"

Weiss shrank back. "Come with... you...?"

"Your family's gone now dear girl." the hooded woman regarded her intently, amber eyes flashing beneath her cowl. "You no longer have any reason to be here." a tan hand was offered to her, palm over. "Come with us and open the vault; then we can be done with this." a pause, as she considered the matter further. "Or I can take the power from your corpse. Either way, this farce will be over. Its your choice."

Weiss twitched. Farce?

Mother died for her. Winter died for her. Father. Died. For. Her. And she dared to call this a farce? She bit her lip and clenched her teeth, grinding them together until she tasted blood in her mouth. Something cracked in the back of her jaw. She ignored it. The woman was still speaking to her but she could no longer hear her. Everything was faint. Distant. Muted. Her eyes burned anew. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. She was going to be killed no matter what she did. Deep inside her soul, something cracked. It was her sanity.

Baleful blue eyes rose, brimming with wrathful flame. Tyrian saw it. So too did the hooded woman.

"Die."

Tyrian released her wrist and swayed backward, spine contorting at a horrific angle. A towering spear of ice slammed into the space he'd vacated a heartbeat before. Bereft of its target it howled past and eviscerated a nearby building. With a put upon sigh the faunus straightened his back and stood. His smile had returned. "How rude!"

Weiss couldn't hear him. "Die. Die!"

She brought her hands together and gigantic palms of ice manifested to clap down on either side of her, forcing her foes back. Weiss saw her chance and stumbled to her feet. She raised her hands, and the frozen palms obeyed their mistress. One caught Tyrian in midflight and crashed him against a wall. Amber intercepted the other with a raised hand and it withered away like so much ash.

"Really, you're only delaying the inevitable-

"Die. Die. Die!"

Spikes of ice perforated the air like a murder of crows. Tyrian came flying back at her, only to be caught by a wicked spike under his knee. Weiss saw it and pounced. All her grief, all her rage, all her sorrow. All of it, let loose in a single instant. Unleashed now, upon her foes.

"Dieidiediediediediedie!"

Wind howled and a storm shrieked into existence in the streets bringing with all the fury of a little girl who had lost everyone and everything she'd ever loved. Weiss didn't let up. She battered them against the walls of the alley, smashed them against the ground, rammed them into one another. She didn't dare relent; if only because she knew what awaited her if she stopped. The moment she dropped her arms they'd be on her. There would be no second chances.

"Enough!" Amber raised her voice and leveled her staff, fire flickering at its tip in the gale. "If you want death that badly I'll-

"Mind if I step in?"

Weiss jolted as rustle of cloth interposed itself between the three of them.

There was no transition between one moment and the next; first there was empty frigid air before, and then quite suddenly, she found herself staring at a broad back. The sudden sight of someone - a masked man?- standing between her and her adversaries jerked the little Maiden out of her searing rage. And with the loss of her anger, so too went her control. Her power slipped away through her fingers, the bite of a bitter winter slipping away. She couldn't see much of him beneath the worn grey cloak. Even if she had, she wouldn't have noticed. Her attention was already drawn elsewhere.

Weiss yelped. "Winter!"

Because there, slung over his shoulder like a bag of wheat, bloodied and battered, was the last living member of her family. Her mind balked at the gentle rise and fall of her elder sister's chest. That shouldn't be possible. She'd seen them die. They'd been run through. Gutted like a pig. Yet here she was, sporting a clumsy crimson bandage around her torso.

Amber reaction proved more explosive. "You?!"

A low snarl filled the air.

"Me."

Quick as a golden flash, the masked man ripped a long rifle from his back and unloaded on them, his weapon bucking with each discharge. His rifle barked and Tyrian shot backward, squealing like a stuck pig as one of those blue bolts caught him in the chest. Unfortunately, the hooded woman was quicker on the uptake and managed to get her staff around in time. She swatted the first shot aside, then a second, followed by a third, intercepting each with callous ease. She wasn't prepared for him to abandon the weapon entirely and bring his hands together in a sharp clap.

"Amateur." It wasn't hard to hear the sneer in his voice. "Dark swamp."

With a wretched squelching sound the very street turned to mud beneath Amber's feet, sucking and cloying at her boots. She snarled and reached down to tear herself free, only to find an arm likewise trapped. Her staff came around, only to be caught by the cloying tendrils as well. She was still struggling when the masked man removed his mask. Weiss glimpsed blue eyes and blond hair framed by whiskered cheeks. Then her unlikely ally roared and fireball burst from his mouth and plow into the noxious gases within the fallow mire he'd created.

The blast that followed was nothing short of spectacular.

That hideous swamp didn't simply explode; it absolutely erupted. Still caught in the muck, her tormentor shrieked in pain and vanished in the blaze. Weiss managed to close her eyes in time and she still saw the blast burn behind her eyelids. Head spinning, ears ringing, she dared to creak a blur iris open. Nothing remained of the alley. No, wait, she told a lie. But a burning wasteland really couldn't be called something now, could it? Of Tyrian and Amber she saw no sign; she didn't know if they'd fled or been obliterated by the blast. She hoped it was the later. Spirits, she hoped it hurt!

Then the once-masked man rounded on her and she had something else to fear.

Weiss shrank back half a pace, eyes wide.

He'd dealt with her attackers. Would he turn on her now...?

"Quickly!" No attack came. Instead he hissed at her, offering her his hand. "Come with me if you want to live!"

Weiss flicked a glance to Winters prone form, still draped over his shoulder. Her breathing had grown irregular. "Will you save her?"

"I...yes." Whiskered cheeks pinched in a scowl. "I'll do everything in my power, but I'm just a clone. I need to get you out of here while I still have chakra. Now." a blond brow quirked, surveying the ruined alley and the still burning street just beyond it. "Unless you'd rather take your chances here?"

Weiss balked and shook her head, sending her hair swaying. Stay here?! Alone? At night?! In the cold? No, thank you!

There was nothing left in Atlas now. Naught for her but pain and misery. The SDC? Irrelevant. She'd never had a chance at inheriting. That honor would go to Winter...if she survived. She had to survive. They didn't dare remain here. Her wounded heart cried out at all she'd lost, but she couldn't bring herself to shed anymore tears. They had frozen for a time, just like the rest of her, but even now her anger was beginning to thaw in place of her sorrow. There would be time for tears later. Right now, she just wanted to curl up in a warm bed and sleep. And if that meant trusting a stranger? So be it.

Pale, trembling fingers curled around his calloused palm.

He granted her a careworn smile. "Good girl."

Then they ran like hell.

A/N: Well, I warned you. People. Will. Die. This story won't be pulling punches.

As many guessed it, Cinder doesn't really play a role in this story. She's gone and likewise, the power's fled to another, who will prove more pivotal to this story. But hey, at least she had a few happy years with Rhodes before her death. Its heavily implied he got her the hell out of Atlas when she was a kid. Which is what any sane person would do.

So lets clarify!"

Neo = Fall Maiden.

Weiss = Winter Maiden.

I've already made plans for Summer and Spring.

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's awesome! He's a superhero!"

Naruto palmed his face. "Ninja. I'm a ninja. Definitely not a superhero."

Neo LOVED ice cream.

Naruto rolled over in bed. Summer's chin came upon his shoulder, her body spooning against his.

"Morning...

"Hmm."

She bit his ear.

"Ow!"

"Don't you hmm me, mister!

Ozpin offered his hand.

Neo bit it.

Like mother like daughter it seemed.

Naruto leaned forward. "Are you done?"

Her tormentor paused. "Eh?

"Hey. I'm ASKING if you're done talking. Are you?" his fist rose, and something in those eyes turned cold. "If you are, then piss off, asshole."

His fist blurred forward and Neo's bully lost all their teeth.

"Alright. Now, for the rest of you...ever seen what a disruptor rifle can do?

"No...?"

"Good. Because if more word comes out of your mouth, you're going to see it firsthand."

"Please...help me...!"

R&R~!