A/N:...I'm really starting to hate these long shifts, they give me less and less time to write T_T
*swears angrily*
Been a bit for this story, hasn't it?
My health started cratering late last year; so I took some time away to reassess the direction I wanted my RWBY stories and...other stories to go. Wound up being a bit longer than I would've liked, but I think I've found my direction and my second wind.
Now that I have...FORWAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!
Quick refresher since its been a bit:
Young!Neo = Fall Maiden.
Young!Blake = Spring Maiden.
Young!Arslan = Summer Maiden.
Young!Weiss and Young!Winter = Two halves of the Winter Maiden.
As ever, this story remains under the Embers rule. If folks don't like it? Well...I'll not continue it. 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!
No questions again. Don't have time, and I'm writing this in a lot of pain thanks to my sodding leg. Must...perservere...
Every bit of feedback, every review, no matter how large or small, means the world to this tired old man.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Now...here we go.
"Do you ever wonder what happened to that poor boy? What made him this way? When he began prioritizing the needs of the few over the many?
I won't say its selfish. It isn't. I doubt he's even aware. He simply cannot bring himself to care about people as he did before.
Fill his life with light, Summer. Give him the peace he craves. He deserves it after all he's been through."
~Ozpin.
Hearts of Hope (The Return)
"BEACON!"
Naruto would give credit where it was due, Arslan really could run when she wanted to. The moment their airship set down she was off like a shot; leaping across the tarmac, eyes ablaze. Literally. Naruto could see them glowing with fresh fire from here. He could've echoed Summer's shout in that instant. Called for the wild child to slow down. He chose not to, if only because he understood how she felt. Poor girl had been cooped up too long after their ordeal with the Hounds. They all had. Small wonder she wanted to stretch her legs.
"Arslan Altan! You slow down this instant, young lady!"
Their girl did no such thing of course; she was a child, and children loved to run whenever they got the chance.
"You'll never take me alive!" Came the accompanying cackle. "REBELLION~!"
"Honestly!" Weiss huffed as they traipsed after the energetic girl. "I don't see the appeal of-hey! Let go of my arm!"
She yelped as her fellow maiden doubled back, caught her by wrist, and hauled her toward the distant spires of Ozpin's school.
A stoic Winter moved to follow them, then paused. Naruto didn't miss the way she glanced back at them, the way her lone eye sought his and Summer's, almost as if asking for for permission. Made him feel as responsible for her as he did those girls. Someone so young shouldn't suffer scars like that. He wished he could give her back her eye and arm.
But he couldn't now, could he? He was only good for killing. His throat closed, and for once, words failed him.
Instead he waved her on. Sure enough, she followed the girls at a sedate pace.
"And there they go." Summer cracked a rare, rueful smile. "Don't you wanna join them, Neo?"
Situated between them, the little shook her head soundlessly and clung to both their hands. Her intents were clear. She wasn't going anywhere.
...time to face the old man, then."
Naruto let Summer and Neo tug him along, gaze drifting for the foggy spires above. The tall towers of Ozpin's academy had never been more welcome than they were now. They'd be fare safer here than they'd been back at the cottage. Oz might be a paranoid old bastard, but they still shared a common enemy, no more than ever. Salem would be a fool to strike here.
And even if she did, they had the forces to rebuff her.
She couldn't be allowed to have the Maidens, now more than ever. Maidens meant Relics. Put all four of them together and...no, he'd rather not take his chances with a pair of pricks like that. He'd never met the Brother Gods. After all Ozpin had told him, he had no desire to. They needed stay far, far, FAR from Remnant. And if they came here...
He would kill them too. He was good at killing. That part of him, at least, hadn't atrophied after all this time.
If only he could find a way to kill Salem herself. This would all be so much easier.
His lips pursed at the thought-no, don't think about that.
He had a purpose here, to protect these little lights, these small seasons, until they could stand on their own. That would be...what, maybe ten more years of training, if not more? Irrelevant. He dismissed it not a moment later. matter how long it took. He had to be good for that much at least.
"Self-sacrificing as always...when will you learn?"
He grit his teeth and ignored the fox.
Ah, but there was Ozpin now. He could see the old wizard awaiting them in the plaza, hands braced upon his cane. Not alone at that; he'd brought Raven and Qrow along, too. And there was little Yang playing with Arslan and the Schnee sisters while a bemused Tai looked on with one watchful eye. No surprise there. Yang had been starved for attention just as much as his girls these past few days.
Mama Raven was a protective Raven, he'd found. Nobody was going to harm her little chick. Not on her watch.
Summer nudged him with his elbow, tugging him back to realty. He followed her gaze and found Neo looking longingly toward the other girls.
"Go on." he gave her a nudge. "Have fun."
Mismatching eyes snapped to him. She tilted her head.
"Yes, I'm sure." a rusty laugh escaped him. "You've earned it."
Her eyes burned with flame as she dove in to hug him and Summer both.
Ozpin stepped to him. "You look awful."
He almost laughed. Almost. ...you should see the other guy."
A beat of silence passed between them. And then.
"Its good to see you safe, my friend." he held out a hand waiting for him. "Rest assured, you and yours will be protected here."
Naruto stepped in and clasped it, knowing they really were. With classes out for the year and a generous contingents of soldiers courtesy of Ironwood, Beacon was a veritable fortress. They had the run of the campus until 'ol Oz could move them to safer location in the interim. Plenty of time to get the kids trained up to a reasonable degree before they moved them to a secure location.
"This is the first time we've had three Maidens in...well, generations." he watched the trio race about with a bemused smile, humming a little as Team STRQ fussed over them. "I never thought I'd see the day."
He didn't much like his tone just then. Made him worry, it did. "You want to separate them?"
"After all the effort you went through to gather them? Perish the thought!"
A comfortable silence stretched between the two immortals once more.
Naruto counted to nine. And then. "You have something for me, don't you?"
...yes." sure enough, Ozpin turned to face him, looking more than a little chagrined. "I hate to ask this this of you so soon after what happened, but my spies have found something."
An irritable flash of indignation seared through Naruto's heart. As ever, he stomped down on it until it died with a whimper. "Its fine."
"It isn't!" Summer materialized at his side to grip his arm and reel him back. "He's running on fumes, Oz. Let him rest."
"Would that I could, but the news I've received cannot be ignored. We've word of a Maiden in Menagerie..
Silver eyes held his for a long moment. Narrowed. "Someone needs to go with him."
Naruto squinted her way. "They do?"
"Y~e~s~!" She gave him a furious shake until he nodded. "No going alone on this one, buster! Not after what happened last time."
"I'd be more than happy to lend my services," Ozpin interjected, "But you know what will happen."
They did. If he took to the field, Salem would to the same. It was something of an unspoken agreement between their sides; one he wasn't sure would last much longer. She was already on the losing side, and down a minion at that. With only one Maiden left to be found...who knew what she might do?
"It can't be Raven," Summer interjected, "We need her here for a portal. I'll go-
Naruto growled at her. "You can't."
"What?! Why the hell not-
'You know why.'
He fixed her with a baleful stare, thinking the words, but not speaking them. She read his intention a moment later and winced. Silly girl. Of course she'd forget about her pregnancy. He hadn't. It was early to be sure, but he couldn't bear the thought of her coming to harm. Nothing could threaten Ruby's birth. He wouldn't allow it.
"I'll go."
All eyes turned to Qrow and found the huntsman's hand raised high. He almost seemed surprised to have said it himself.
Ozpin quirked a pale brow. "Are you certain? This will not be an easy task. You may well be waling into a warzone.
"You see any other Huntsman around?" he lowered his arm and clamped a hand to the flask at his belt. "Raven's gotta stay for obvious reasons. Sum' has to keep an eye on the girls, just in case they burn Beacon down. Nicholas ain't answering his scroll, and Meg's on vacation. Yang would pitch a fit if Tai left...and frankly I don't want anyone mistaking her for a Maiden."
Raven touched a hand to Omen's hilt. "They will die if they try."
"Hey," he grinned. "You really can be a half decent mom...when you're not a total bitch about it."
"Why you...?!"
"So," he said amidst her sputter of rage, "We good? This way we have two portals in case shit goes sideways. What could possibly go wrong?"
Raven kicked him the arse. Summer smacked her forehead
Naruto blew out a sigh. He'd long since closed his heart off to all but a precious few, but even so, those words drew a twitch. "Thanks for jinxing it."
"Hey, hey! My semblance ain't that bad."
A blond brow rose.
"Pah!" He flung up his arms. "What do you care? You're practically immortal."
In another life Naruto might've agreed with him. As a boy he genuinely HAD thought himself invincible. Untouchable. Until, quite suddenly, he wasn't. Until the knife slammed into his back. Until he'd broken his trust in others and himself alive.
Now? He simply shook his head. "Not immortal. Just hard to kill..
Eternal youth wasn't a blessing. It was a curse more insidious than Salem herself.
"On that much, we can agree."
Naruto craned his neck. He knew that voice. James? Had he come with the last detachment of troops?
Now there was a man who understood what it meant to fight the good fight. When you had an enemy in your sight, there was only one course of action to b ehad. One shot. One kill. One swing of the ax. Simple and clean. Less emotional baggage that way.
Raven clucked like her namesake. "Three men to find one girl? Isn't that a bit overkill?"
"I prefer to call it a tactical response." he pivoted to face them. "I may not be able to join in Menagerie without starting a war, but I can give you my fastest unmarked craft. Would that suffice?"
Ozpin nodded. "That would be sufficient, yes."
Qrow rolled his eyes and raised his flask. "Whatever you say, Irondick."
Steely eyes cut is way. "Branwen, if you were one of my men, I'd have you shot."
"Ha!" a bark of laughter chased down the whiskey. If I were one of your boys, I'd shoot myself!"
Yang's hand speared into the air, cutting off the man's thunderous retort. "Can I come?"
Raven bobbed her head. "Absolutely...not."
"Moooom!"
"And that goes double for you girls!" Summer cut in, seeing Weiss and Neo raising a hand.
Arslan huffed and kicked at the dirt. "Awwww...
"See, mom?!" Yang remaind insatiable. "They wanna go, too!"
"That's enough out of you, fiery child of mine." Raven, much to Naruto's relief, wasn't having it." You can run missions when you're strong enough to beat me, and not a day sooner."
Tai chortled softly. "Wouldn't she still need a Hunter's license?"
"Irrelevant. Her strength is what matters."
"Whatever you say, love...
Yang turned a pouty look Naruto's way. He knew it well, and what she wanted from him. "I'll bring you back some souvenirs."
She beamed a gap-tooth grin at him. Huh. She'd lost another one of her baby teeth. "Best uncle evah!"
Qrow hissed. "Oi!"
"Be safe." Summer enfolded him in a tight embrace before they could come back to blows. "Come back to me." she touched a hand to her stomach. "To us."
The words caught up to her a second later.
Raven's brow damn her shot up into her hairline. "Us...?"
All eyes cut to Summer, her face slowly suffusing a deep crimson.
Qrow found his voice first, the words emerging as a startled rasp. "You got a bun in the oven?"
Summer whined. "You weren't meant to hear that...!"
Naruto was wise enough to step back. Just as well too; because everyone went mad. The kids absolutely swarmed Summer;
"This is wonderful news!" He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Ozpin this happy. "I never thought I'd see the day!' the man whirled away, already pacing, cane taping restlessly against the stones. "Any child with Silver Eyes is a boon to be sure, but one possessing Naruto's strength and stamina, his regeneration...
Raven clicked her tongue in mild admonishment. "You're doing it again, old man. Stop focusing on the future."
"Yes, ahem." he coughed into a fist and looked way. "Forgive me. I'm just so terribly excited!"
Naruto blew out a sigh. "I really did get involved with a bunch of oddballs this time...
Another fracture etched itself into his heart of stone, joining a third, a fourth, followed by a fifth.
"Aha!" Summer materialized at his elbow. "You're smiling again!"
He touched a hand to his face. "...so it would seem."
(.0.0.0.)
Blake looked left.
Blake looked to the right.
Blake didn't see a single soul in sight.
She didn't like practicing where Mom and Dad could see here. They were afraid of this power -terrified really- after her last demonstration. They loved her, but they feared the gift she'd been given. She didn't blame them. It was only natural to fear that which you did not understand. Humans and Faunus were no different in that regard.
It made her want to understand it.
...alright. Lets see if I can do that trick again."
Slowly, she raised a hand. Her Maiden power responded in a strange way.
The shadows stirred at her feet, responding to her will, rising like a dozen grasping hands.
Her eyes burning with golden flames, the little girl made a fist. The dark tethers didn't so much skewer the wall as they did crush it.
"Huh." she grinned, a rare flicker of hope breaking through her melancholy. "Neat...
"I'll say." A new voice cooed behind her.
Blake whirled and caught sight of a stinger.
Her eyes widened. A burlap sack slammed down over her head.
A/N: Did you really think it would be that easy?
Aaaand there we go. As ever, this story remains under the Embers rule. If folks don't like it? Well...I'll not continue it. 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.
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?
Previews are back by popular demand.
As ever, (Potential!) spoilers ahead.
YE BE WARNED!
(Preview)
Blake kicked out and screamed. "No! No! Let me go!"
"You go take his left, I've go right."
"Your bonds...this so-called "family" of yours...they will be the death of you. In the end, your family will crumble
"Oh, Salem." A bark of bitter laughter escaped him. "This from a Mother who couldn't even protect hers?"
Salem drew herself up, dark robes flapping in the mist. "YOU LITTLE RODENT!"
EDIT: Ah, but is it a Seer manifestation or the genuine article?
"I won't go with you. I refuse to go with you!"
"A little fight in ya, hmm? I like that."
"...then you're gonna love me."
"He's behind me, isn't he?"
Watts threw his head back and laughed. "Ha! Do you see now?! Simple strength is no match for an intellect such as mine-
A familiar hand clamped down on his throat and squeezed, crushing his windpipe.
Blazing red eyes leered at him. "Don't get cocky...you inferior creature."
And then there was pain.
R&R~!