A/N: Sorry to keep you waiting.
PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY? It would mean the world to this tired old man.
As ever, this story remains under the Embers rule.
If folks don't like it? Poof! Gone! To the void it goes! DELETED. I simply haven't the time to write something that people don't like these days -two jobs, no days off, that sort of thing!-which leads to me being very choosy with what I do write. So by all means, speak up!
Every bit of feedback, every review, no matter how large or small, means the world to this tired old man.
Now lets answer your burning questions, shall we:
Q: Updade schedule?
A: Keeping that mostly quiet for now. Still, the people have spoken, and this got updated first.
Q: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!
A: Um...here? Where have you? I haven't stopped my daily updates. Some just take a little longer than others. Case in point, this one.
We go through a LOT of scenes here and that made it a right pain to write.
I'm also updating other stories that aren't RWBY related...though that seems to upset people T_T
Q: When will we check in with the villains?
A: Ask and you shall receive. This has been a long time coming.
Q: MORE NARUTO AND SUMMER MOMENTS! Don't hold back like you did in Just a Dust Shop! Give us the full package!
A: Calm down there, mate...
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough.
Once again, I own no references, themes, or memes. Not a wit or a one.
As per the story, each story will have a unique "Heart" theme for it.
Now then...prepare yourself. Quote is meant to be familiar.
"Because at the end of the day, that's all we have. Faith.
Hope that tomorrow will be better than today.
I have faith. Do you?"
~Future.
Hearts of Faith
"Its been some time since we last met. How fare your wounds, Watts?"
Arthur was many things, but Salem knew he was no fool. He wouldn't have lasted this long in her service if he were. He heard the reproach in her remark and didn't dare rise to the bait. Quite the contrary. He remained in his seat, staring pointedly at the table as her gaze pierced him. Credit where it was due, he only slouched a little...even if he couldn't stop scratching his left arm.
"Rather unpleasant, I'm afraid." his mustache bristled with suppressed anger. "I underestimated my quarry. It won't happen again."
"I certainly hope not." she tilted her head to regard the rest of him. "There's not much left of you to burn."
He seethed in silence.
Salem sympathized with his plight. Truly, she did. Fire was fire to be sure, but the flames of a Maiden were a different breed. Magic had a mind all its own. Magic was unlike aura. It lingered, even after death. What he once believed to be no more than a mere singing had spread rapidly to cover most of his body. His hair, already thin to begin was slowly but surely falling out as his skin became more and more inflamed. At this rate he might well loose an eye. Or an arm. Perhaps both.
Salem supposed that was his own fault. Arrogance had been the downfall of many a prideful soul and the grudge of a Maiden was a powerful thing.
Mayhaps this would teach him a lesson...or not. He was useful for now, but said usefulness only extended so far.
Tyrian tittered a little. "Poor doctor...does it sting?"
"Silence!" Watts slammed a fist down on the table. "At least I wasn't bested by that blond buffoon."
That silenced her devotee more than any rebuke. But only for a moment.
His grin returned full force a moment later.
"Well, at least I still have my hair."
Watts burst to his feet.
"At least I'm alive!"
"Enough." Salem temporized with a raised hand. "Hazel's death is a loss. I'll not have you disparage him." Really, it was. Gullible fools like him were useful to be sure, but he had been a diamond in the rough. Strong aura, insensible to pain, and with a single-minded hatred of her dear Ozma.
And now he was dead, while her former husband no doubt gloated over his ashes.
This "Naruto" was becoming an annoyance. She'd tolerated him for a time; but now he'd spirited not one, not two, but three Maidens away to parts unknown. She'd tried scrying for them since, to no avail. Hazel was dead by his hand. Tyrian required a new Grimm-tail and Amber was still recovering after her recent...enhancements. She needed time to recover. Furthermore, Arthur wouldn't be much use to her until he healed. If he healed. Those burns were eating him from the inside out; if he didn't receive proper medical attention soon he might not last the month.
Useless, the lot of them. Perhaps it was time for a change of course.
"Still, we must press on." she waved a hand, bidding them to sit. "Ozma has found himself a rather capable pawn. But he has failed to find the last Maiden.
"He won't." Tyrian's new tail swayed behind him as he tittered. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
'Oh, I very much doubt that, but you'll make a useful distraction.'
"Spring yet remains." she said instead. "We must secure her. Vacuo and Vale have already been searched. We know the Winter Maiden was spirited away from Atlas...
"And Mistral's maiden is dead." Watts snarled, touching a hand to his ruined face. "Who knows where her power went?"
Salem leaned back in her throne. "Menagerie."
Both men blinked. Arthur found his voice first. "That's impossible. How could you know that?"
Tyrian turned a scowl upon him. "Are you questioning our divine savior?"
Salem's gaze fixed upon. Watts wilted.
"No," he looked away with a harried mutter, "Of course not."
"I have been scrying for some time now," she didn't deign to explain further than that. "She recently awakened to her power there." In truth she'd done nothing of the sort; no, her source was far more mundane; such a useful little spy she had on that island. Best not to reveal them for now. Arthur and Tyrian could be so very overzealous. "The matter is well in hand."
True to his nature, Tyrian leapt at the chance to prove himself. "Your grace! Allow me to-
"No. The two of you will stay here and recover. I'll be sending an agent to Patch. As for Menagerie...
Well. That was easily remedied. Jealousy might well foster competition, but Salem had no desire for such. No patience for it.
Instead she turned her gaze past her throne and into the shadows, where the final member of her entourage lurked. They'd not spoken a word. Her lieutenants followed her line of sight. Arthur recoiled. Just a bit. Just a touch. Just enough to be seen. Even now he feared her newest ally; nor did he understand why this one hid their face. They dreaded its presence all the same. As well they should. Mankind feared that which it did not understand.
She uttered but four words to them. "Bring. Her. To. Me."
The shadowy figure granted her a curt nod.
"It will be done."
(.0.0.0.)
Blake couldn't breathe.
She tried to; she really, truly did, but she just couldn't. All the world pressed down around her like a wet blanket, smothering her where she stood. It felt like a vice was squeezing her head; one that tightened with each passing moment. She clawed at her skull, whimpering softly as her eyes burned with fresh golden flame. Make it stop! She wanted it to stop! Someone! Make! It! Stop!
She didn't want this! She didn't like it! Didn't need it!
Distantly she heard her parents rush into the room, felt them embrace her, arms tight around her as she screamed. But the pain wouldn't stop. Something was burning in her chest and in her heart and in her head, it felt awful and wonderful at the same time and ohgodsherheadwasgoingtoexplode...!
And then, quite suddenly, she could breathe again.
"Gah!"
Blake sucked in a ragged breath, air coming in tiny hitching gasps as she came back to herself.
Her body curled into a ball.
"What's happening to me?!"
Mommy and Daddy held her close. So close that she heard them, even when they whispered.
"Its happening again, isn't it?" That sounded like Mommy.
Blake felt Daddy sigh against her.
...I need to make a call."
(.0.0.0.)
Ghira Belladona was a fine father.
Some might even say he was an excellent one; in that he put family before everything else. Beyond pride, honor, even his very life.
From the moment he saw his daughter's glowing eyes, he knew what must be done. Even as it killed his heart to do it.
For he had witnessed this once before; just as he'd seen the foul fate that befell the last woman with burning eyes.
That day, he stood by and let fate take its course. Not today. Not with his daughter.
And so he made the call.
(.0.0.0.)
In the dead of night, Ozpin startled awake behind his desk when his Scroll rang.
His mind snapped to immediately as he thrashed awake, drawn from the depths of dark dreams back to the present.
He prided himself on keeping an open channel with the leaders of the other kingdoms. Menagerie might not yet host a Huntsman Academy, but he hoped someday it might. To that end he'd worked to cultivate a working relationship with those in charge. More aptly, their acting Chieftain.
"Ghira?" his voice slurred only a little from sleep. "What can I do for you?"
A pause.
"Yes, I see. I'll call him. Rest assured, she'll be in good hands."
Naruto was going to kill him for this...
(.0.0.0.)
Someone was calling him.
Naruto rolled over in bed and clawed at the end-table with a snarl. Fumbling fingers found his scroll and slapped at it until it went silent. It sprang back to life a moment later. He slammed a fist down on it again, just to be certain. Only then did he finally creak a blue eye open to regard the blurry shape of the ceiling above.
Dark. His bleary mind babbled. No sunrise. Sleep.
With a low groan, he rolled over into Summer and pulled her close. For a brief singular moment he luxuriated in more pleasant things; things like the little noise she made as she nestled into him, the feel of her bare body pressing into his, the way her curves fit seamlessly against him, and her arms even now wrapping tight round his back.
Screw his scroll. It could wait until sunrise.
He was just beginning to drift off when he felt her stir. "Naruto...?"
"Hrr." he growled less than eloquently.
...are you awake?"
Against his better judgement, the man with a Heart of Stone opened his eyes. Half-lidded silver orbs gazed up at him, glowing faintly in the dark. He felt her lay a kiss on his chin; after that there really wasn't any hope of falling back asleep.
Blast it all.
"I am now."
"Morning." her mouth met his in a chaste kiss. "Ruby says the same."
He scoffed a little at that. "Its too early for her to start kicking, you know."
"Not that, silly." she swatted him on the flank, "Though I'm looking forward to that bit."
What was she on about this time? She wasn't making any sense. Naruto wrinkled his nose, not quite comprehending. "Whaddya mean, then?"
"I saw her in my dreams again." There was something about the way in which she said those words; the certainty behind them, that gave him pause. "She can't wait to see you."
Now that made more sense. "Your semblance again."
"Mmhmm." she laid a kiss on his chest. "Its usually annoying, but this isn't so bad...
Summer's semblance was a strange one; in a way it reminded Naruto of a watered down Sharingan, in that allowed her to peer into the future. She couldn't control it; sometimes it simply happened. She see minutes or days ahead, even years at a time. On occasion it even translated to her dreams. She'd make a prediction, and more often than not, it came true.
Thankfully it didn't come with any other...esoteric abilities, else he he might've been worried.
"I wish you could see her, Naruto." Her voice tugged him back to reality, bringing with it the warm caress of her hands. "She's such a strong girl; everything we could ever hope for." There was a fervor in her voice now; a note of proud parental glee that only a new mother could possibly possess. "I spoke with her. She said we're going to win."
"Win what?"
Her body pushed against his as she crawled into his lap.
"The war against Salem, silly."
Then she began to move.
He gasped a little when she quickened her pace atop him, teasing him with the movement of her hips. It wasn't enough to distract him.
"Riiiight." Blue eyes rolled. "Don't put too much stock in dreams or vision. The future is never sent in stone."
"Maybe not," she admitted, "But I'll keep my sweet dreams, thank-you-very-much!"
A sudden clamor down the hall caught his ear.
Summer must've heard it too; for she rolled off him down and nestled her head against his chest.
Naruto stifled a groan. "Such a tease."
Summer yawned beside him. "The girls are awake."
He buried his head in a pillow over with a groan. "Before sunrise, they're your girls...
His scroll vibrated anew atop the table, prompting him to glance a tit. Sure enough, the caller ID didn't surprise him.
"Ozpin...?"
Summer sighed. "Aren't you going to pick up?"
After that cheeky bastard woke him? "Nah. He can leave a voicemail."
Another crash now, louder than the last. He heard voice raised in an argument.
"I'll check in on Neo and Arslan." She tugged on her underwear, threw on a nearly translucent gown, and walked away. There was an extra sway in her hips that had his eyes lingering longer than they should have.
"Bad." she caught him staring and gave her rear a little shake, curves undulating before his eyes. "Get up and get dressed."
A shrill scream pierced their home, cutting them off.
It came from Winter's room.
(.0.0.0.)
Winter opened her eyes.
Slowly at first, little more than a twitch, but with growing strength, so too did she begin to move.
It was all Weiss had ever hoped for. All she'd ever dreamed of since they'd left Atlas behind. Finally! At last, she was awake!
Winter sat up slowly at her gentle prodding. Blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Her neck craned back to regard her. Blank, glassy orbs regarded Weiss with confusion. Framed in the faint light of the lamp, she could see the dark bags beneath her eyes; the exhaustion lurking within. She blinked again. Frowned.
"Winter...?"
Pale hands clamped down around her throat to choke her.
"Who the hell are you?"
Weiss screamed.
Someone shook her awake from the nightmare. "Wake up! Its just a dream!"
Weiss thrashed her away awake like a hellcat, all but leaping out of the sheets in her haste to escape her nightmare. She kept fighting even as strong arms settled around her. Eyes burning with pale blue fire, she went absolutely berserk. Scratching and clawing, biting and swearing. It took her the better part of a minute to calm down.
"You're okay." His hands settled on her shoulders, stilling her hammering heart. "Breathe. Just breathe."
Her chin came down on his shoulder and she held tight.
"Naruto...?"
Weiss heard him grunt in mild annoyance. "You're alright. You can stop trying to make a popsicle of me, now."
The little Maiden blinked realizing she'd frozen the better part of his left arm in her madness.
"She tried to kill me," she babbled. "My own sister...
"That wasn't here. It was just a bad dream.."
Blinking terrified tears from her eyes, she held tight and squinted against the darkness. Someone had turned on a lamp, allowing for faint lines of light to trail the room. She cast a furtive glance about, struggling to make sense of it all. Sure enough, Winter lay in her cot, still as the grave.
Weiss blinked.
Wait. What was that?"
Frowned. Blinked again now.
There was someone in the window beside her, looming over her sibling like death itself. Her heart skipped a beat and she scrubbed at her eyes, but no, it was still there. A dark shape, far too tall to be human, bent at horrid angle. A dull crackle of lightning echoed outside, illuminating its body for all of an instant. Slavering jaws parted wide. There was something clenched in its hands. Fear lodged in her throat. But only for a moment. Then she screamed.
"Behind you!"
Naruto whirled, shielding her with his body.
And their world erupted into a torrent of scalding napalm.
A/N: And the plot thickens!
As ever, this story remains under the Embers rule.
If folks don't like it? Poof! Gone! To the void it goes! DELETED. I simply haven't the time to write something that people don't like these days -two jobs, no days off, that sort of thing!-which leads to me being very choosy with what I do write. So by all means, speak up!
Every bit of feedback, every review, no matter how large or small, means the world to this tired old man.
EDIT: As ever, flames make me not to write. At all. Anything. So does silence. Keep that in mind.!
So lets clarify!
Neo = Fall Maiden.
Blake = Spring Maiden.
Weiss = Winter Maiden.
Arslan = Summer Maiden.
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.
References for daaaaaaaays!
Surprise, surprise~!
(Previews)
Weiss recoiled, clutching at her face.
Another crack etched into Naruto's heart of stone.
The fracture became a fissure, a deep canyon bubbling with rage.
"You come into my home!" a vicious backhand sent them sprawling. "Try to lay hands on my girls?!"
His hand closed around their face and squeezed. He flung them outside.
"OUT OF THIS HOUSE!"
Something stabbed into his chest. In his rage he didn't feel it. By the time he comprehended it he had already healed; red light bubbled up from him, twisting his expression into something furious.
"No more! Not one more!"
Arslan whistled. "Daaaaaamn. Dad's strong...
Blake's ears flattened against her head. "You're not my daddy."
A rough hand descended. She winced, expecting a blow. It never came. That calloused palm tousled her hair instead, gently rubbing her ears. A pleased purr almost escaped her before she realized she was supposed to be afraid of him. Golden eyes flitted up, meeting world weary winter blue.
"No," the scary man granted her a nod. "I am not. But he asked me to protect you. And I will."
Alright. Her young mind could accept that much. So long as he didn't try to supplant mama and papa.
His hand came away from her head. By the time she realized he was walking away, it was already too late to stop him.
"Where are you going?"
He glanced over his shoulder, eyes ablaze with light.
"To talk with the people who want to hurt you. Loudly. Repeatedly. With my fists."
Neo clapped happily. Best papa ever.
"Help me!"
"OF COURSE I WILL!"
"Your bonds...this so-called "family" of yours...they will be the death of you."
"This from a Mother who couldn't even protect hers?"
"YOU LITTLE RODENT!"
R&R~!