"This has been a long day…" Blake muttered, ears drooping as she dragged her feet, heading toward the sliding exit of the door before glancing at her mate. "Don't suppose you have some fancy technique that won't make us sick to get us home instantly…"

"No, I'm not my father." Naruto scratched his father's head, honestly wishing he had asked about sealing while in the other world.

But now, with the Rinnegan and Hagoromo's spirit, he could communicate with the Pure World…

"Excuse me…" A woman's voice caught their attention.

Weiss stumbled and was caught by Naruto as they were about to leave the hospital's sliding doors. Blake frowned, wishing they could depart as everything had been taxing enough.

Then her ears lay flat on her head, and that thought washed from her mind as she saw who stopped them. While she didn't recognize them…

She knew those features.

Knew that scent.

And as Weiss and Naruto turned, Weiss started with a quizzical glance before stumbling once more and had to be held up by Naruto yet again as she, too, could recognize who these people were.

"Yes? Oh!"

"Sorry for disturbing and frightening you." A tall and built dusty blonde-haired man grimly spoke as he gazed upon the three standing they had stopped. "We recognized you from Jaune's Christmas photo he sent us. We saw you leaving and felt we should come and inform you before you did of the wake and funeral. We wanted to make sure all of his friends here were aware that it will be held in a few days. I already gave my information to one of your friends if you need it."

"Oh, thank you for informing us. We'll be there." Blake held a hand over her chest, biting her lip and finding what to say difficult.

She had no idea of anything else to say in this circumstance. She witnessed their child's death before her eyes...

What response could you give?

"And you have our deepest condolences," Weiss spoke, her eyes misted, but her voice measured but somber as she laced her hands before her stomach and bowed her head regrettably. "Jaune was a dear friend and comrade of ours. What happened was a tragedy, and we cannot express our sorrow to you and your family enough…"

"He was strong of heart and courageous until the very end." Naruto interrupted Weiss' response, feeling she was almost too robotic, and could only imagine it came from her father before forcing a smile as he gazed at Jaune's parents.

He would make sure they would hear what they needed to hear.

"Didn't think twice about his actions, I'm sure of it. Saw one of his best friends," Naruto's voice quivered at those words as he recognized their relationship was more and decided to change it. "Saw someone dear to his heart in need, and he didn't hesitate. While everyone else around him was in dismay and in pain, he stood up and gave everything he had when no one else could or would. He did something very few could ever do…"

"And for that, he earns the distinction of being a hero."

"Naruto…" Weiss' voice left her lips, the air rushing out of her lungs as she was swept away by the awe of his speech to Jaune's family.

Blake held a distant smile as she closed her eyes, her ears perking up. Then her eyes shifted to Jaune's parents to see his mother sniffling, wiping away the tears building in her eyes, and his father simply closing his eyes, trying to hold it together.

And then he put on a smile, embracing his wife in order to comfort her. "Thank you. It's not much, but hearing that proved he made the correct choice despite our reservations."

"I was always so worried about him!" His mother sniffled, tears welling in her eyes as she shivered. "But seeing everyone here for him and all the kind words spoken, I know now. If only…"

As her words died on her tongue and she let her sorrow grieve in sobs, her husband fully embraced her. With a quick glance at one another, having their fill of uncomfortable situations of the day, they non-verbally agreed that leaving was the most appropriate decision.

So slipping out of the sliding door, the trio let them be. There was still much they had to deal with.


"Yo, guys! Have you seen Naruto?" Pyrrha's hospital door slammed open, Yang stepped in and looked frantically around, searching for him before her eyes widened at the sight in bed. "Dammit, he's not… Pyrrha, are you okay?"

"This is why you don't just run into places like that!" Ruby's voice echoed behind her sister, causing all in the room to stiffen as she walked in, huffing at her sister and placing her arms and bowing to Pyrrha. " I am so sorry! She's still so impulsive!"

"Um, it's okay," Pyrrha muttered while she was still uncomfortable, feeling vulnerable at the sudden intrusion despite seeing it was her friends, there was something far more alarming to her happening.

And that was Ruby speaking fluidly like she had at Beacon.

Her head bowed, knowing what it meant, and she sniffled. He could fix what was wrong…

But the dead was something he could not.

"And you!" Ruby bounced back and pointed at her taller sister, unaware of Pyrrha's mental plight. "When will you learn the lesson? You think I haven't learned my lesson about that! I had to pick up so many ornament and decoration shards with Nora! It took hours! It's why you always look both ways and don't run into a room! What will it take to get it through your thick head? Walking into Naruto's house and finding them busy?"

"That just turns me on. Two young women with outstanding figures in their own unique ways and one of the few guys I still have a taste for. Yeah, count me in if I walk in on that." Yang flashed a lustful grin and made Ruby cringe.

"That's not how it would work, and you know it!"

"Let a girl dream, would you, Rubes!"

"Ruby!" Nora flew out of nowhere, embracing Ruby with a tackle that nearly toppled the two.

Instead, Ruby managed to stumble and find her footing. All the while, Nora happily nuzzled her cheek against hers like that of a cat. It was unnerving, and she laughed uneasily. "Uh, hi Nora…"

"I am so happy for you!" Nora detached from Ruby, hearts in her eyes as she grasped her by her hands and happily hopped in place, seeing her friend without issue. "I'm so glad to see you are okay as well! After everything, we need every win we can get!"

"A solemn truth." Ren sighed, agreeing as he softly smiled at Ruby before his gaze fell upon the despondent Pyrrha, noticing her dip in attitude. "Are you doing alright, Pyrrha? I can…"

"It's… Okay." Pyrrha took her time responding with a deep breath, her eyes clouding before closing her eyes and forcing a smile. "I'll be okay, Ren. Thank you for being so concerned. I'm glad to see everyone. Even better to see Ruby has regained full use of her speech. It's a miracle…"

"It really is…" Pyrrha muttered as she let the last words out, turning her head away and opening her eyes to look out the window wistfully.

"Pyrrha…" Ruby's heart clenched as she watched her friend stare out the window, feeling Nora's hands slipping from hers. "I know it's not much, but I'll be there if you ever need anything. So in case you need something…"

"I know." Pyrrha's eyes mistily shed a tear before she wiped it away and returned a hard-pressed smile to Ruby. "Thank you. Truly, thank you. Coming from you… It means so much more."

Flushing, Ruby found it challenging to meet Pyrrha's gaze. The comment was endearing, but the way she had said it. The flattery behind it was a little much. But there was a solemn undertone in her voice, and the look in her eyes made it difficult to match gazes even after a compliment.

Pyrrha was distraught, and she needed help. While they could offer support and comfort…

There was a limit to what they could do.

To make matters worse, an uncomfortable silence followed! No one knew what to say. To break the tension! She was just left to deal with Pyrrha's gaze…

"Yeah, I'm, um, sorry for barging in like I did. Dumb mistake on my part," Yang hung her head defeatedly before she threw it back up in anxious frustration. "But so many crazy things have happened all in such a short period, and then the news on the Holo-news hit…"

"Yang." Ren interrupted, his eyes catching hers with a severe glint. "Yes, Naruto was here earlier. He came to check on Pyrrha when she was under duress. Blake and Weiss are why she calmed down, but after that, they left."

"I think they returned home." Nora watched Pyrrha concernedly as she followed up in an anxious tone. "Can't blame them after everything that's happened, especially considering who we were talking to earlier before they came over. Thankfully, Pyrrha will be released shortly, so we'll be heading back to Beacon."

"Ah, really! I missed them! Dammit!" Yang groaned and ran her hand through her hair in frustration upon hearing that before screwing her nose and returning her focus to Nora. "What now? Are you all heading back to Beacon? Thought you were staying with us for the summer?"

"Both our team and CFVY were recalled this morning." Ren shrugged his shoulders at Yang's bewildered look. "What I can guess is Professor Ozpin wanted us out of the way once he saw what happened. He might be okay with our assistance, but he probably wants to monitor it personally, as we're still technically under his watch. With everything that's happened, I can't blame him…"

"Oh," Ruby looked shocked before cringing at the reason why it happened. "I can see that too. I hoped to continue seeing you with everything going on, especially…"

"Hey," Nora leaned over and grabbed Ruby's hand, bringing her attention to the bright and optimistic smile on her face. "We'll still be seeing plenty of each other. Don't you worry bout a thing, alright! Remember, the Professor and Naruto have mended their relationship and are working together! There's nothing to worry about! We're all in this together to the end! We made a promise, and we're sticking to it!"

"I agree." Ren nodded, a slight smile shaded on his lips. "This isn't goodbye like last time we had to figure out how to see each other. We'll be seeing each other shortly. I can assure you of that."

Upon hearing this, despite her trust issues with the Professor, a sliver of a smile appeared. She could live with that. She may not trust Ozpin and the witch, but they were powerful allies for what they were dealing with.

She could deal with her grudge against them later.

"Right!" Ruby let her smile shine through, placing her hands behind her back and closing her eyes. "Guess we will see everyone again shortly…"

"Wait! Hold on!" Yang stormed out of the room, leaving everyone wondering what the blonde dragoness was doing.

Their answer was shortly answered as the door exploded back open with Yang grinning like mad, holding something behind her back. And with her attention focused on Pyrrha. "Though everyone could use a little bit more living up. So I've got something to make you laugh! Hundred percent guaranteed!"

"Yang, what did you do?" Ruby narrowed her eyes as she wearily gazed at her sister and what she held behind her back. "Whatever it is, don't do it. It's in bad taste…"

"My jokes are never in questionable taste!" Yang roared defensively before returning to grinning like a fool as she walked over to Pyrrha. "So, my lady, I see you are in dire need of aid. I was wondering if it weren't possible…"

Suddenly pulling out a yellow prosthetic hand as she bowed on one knee before Pyrrha, Yang held it before. "Would you take my hand to assist and service you in this dire time of need?"

The room went frigidly silent as the horrible pun joke came out of Yang's mouth.

Ren face palmed and mouthed, "By the Brothers…"

Nora stood slack-jawed, unsure how to respond to the sight before her, looking worriedly at Pyrrha and then horrifyingly at Yang for telling such a joke.

Ruby…

"Are you serious right now?" Ruby bellowed, flailing wildly beside Yang and lightly shaking her sister's shoulders as she held her ground, grinning while watching Pyrrha's reaction. "You can't tell that joke! Not…"

A snort.

All attention was diverted onto Pyrrha.

Wide eyes filled the room while one shit-eating grin watched as she failed to contain the next snort. And the one that came after that.

And then Pyrrha's laughter, rough and coarse, came slowly after. It wasn't the pleasant laughter everyone expected, but there was relief within. Even as tears mixed in with her laughs, the pain not entirely coming from the joke…

Pyrrha looked brighter than before.

Wrapping her hands gently around the wrist of the prosthetic after wiping the tears from her face, Pyrrha genuinely smiled as she accepted the odd proposal. "I needed that bad joke. More than you know. Thank you."

"Your wish is my command. I have many more in my pocket if you ever need them." Yang bowed as if performing before standing and scratching her head. "But in all seriousness, give me a call if you need it. If I can manage it, I'll make the time. We're all here for one another."

"Now I need to try to find a blonde-haired idiot and figure out just what the hell he was doing? Just what were you thinking, Naruto?" Yang growled after a small wave, popping her knuckles and looking upset.

"Yeah! Let's make him talk!" Ruby jumped and followed her sister, the door slowly swinging close behind them.

And as it did, Pyrrha gazed gently at the odd gift in her hand, smiling softly. She wasn't sure why. But it made her happy. It was dumb. It was stupid. But…

It reminded her of something Jaune would do to try and cheer her up.

"Naruto did something to Vi, didn't he?" Pyrrha's voice gently filled the room, alarming Nora and Ren as they stiffened at the words.

Their reaction was all she needed to know was correct. He took his vengeance while she was out. Most likely when Blake and Weiss were out. It was why they were upset too…

"You needn't hide it from me. It doesn't upset me." Pyrrha simply stated, keeping her gaze on the prosthetic arm in her gaze, fidgeting with it as if it was a toy. "If anyone deserved revenge on Vi, he was already in line. Besides, I don't know if I'm capable anymore because I felt empty when I saw your response to my question. No anger, no satisfaction. No sadness or regret. Just the same thing I currently feel."

Breaking her gaze from the arm and at her two teammates, looking at her concerningly. Nora was the first to break the silence, trying to console her friend. "Pyrrha, it's understandable…"

"I've lost something precious, and in doing so, I've lost something more within me. Something inside me has changed. I can feel it." Pyrrha looked back at the hand in her grip before turning her gaze to her friends and teammate."I've made my decision. I apologize, but I'm not returning to Beacon with you. I can no longer do this."

"I no longer wish to be a Huntress."


Every morning was horrible. Despite the warmth she so desperately wanted to bask in, something had arisen. And it was getting worse. Her stomach was so upset. Her body groaned at the movement. She needed to get to the bathroom…

Something was wrong.

"Blake, are you okay?" She heard his voice call her name as she crawled away from the warmth she craved, tip-toeing onto the floor, stumbling and bumbling onto the floor as she made her way to the bathroom. "Blake? Did the medication…"

The sound of retching soon followed.

"Brothers, you really are, aren't you?" A third voice rose from the bed, her white hair flowing around her as she slept on the vacant side where Blake usually rested.

"You did it, brat! I am so proud of you! Those memories, gold, by the way!" A voice echoed in Naruto's head, causing the fox faunus to choke on his spit before his face soured. "Oh, that's just funny right there! I knew I'd get you eventually! Now, I want to see how Papa Brat works out, so go on! Get to work and take care of your mates!"

"Fucking fox…" Naruto grumbled as he recovered from his choking episode. "After talking to you all night, you do that. I will break you…"

"Um, what?" Weiss looked alarmed upon hearing that before taking in the context of what she heard and taking a deep breath, and rubbing her eyes. "Oh, this morning is off to a rough start. Blake is having morning sickness, and I forgot you told us about the fox returning to you. I'm going to make some coffee…"

"Yeah, I'll check in on Blake." Naruto nodded at the plan, moving to the side of the bed and grimacing as he deciphered what Kurama had said. "Great, he can just smell that kind of stuff. Lovely to know that's how we confirm it."

"What?" Weiss stopped in the process of slipping off her nightgown and retrieving a more acceptable outfit to wear outside, eyes widening in horror before her eyes shot to the bathroom and back to Naruto. "It can do that?"

"Apparently so." Naruto yawned, scratching his head as he approached the bathroom, hearing yet another wretch. "Well, my appetite is gonna be ruined for a few hours…"

"Oh, nice, by the way, Weiss. You look beautiful." Naruto grinned, closing his eyes as he tilted his head toward her before entering the bathroom to check on Blake.

A furious blush adorned Weiss' face as she realized she was standing before Naruto in nothing more than her undergarments, and she wasn't even covering herself…

"Stupid jerk. Complimenting me instead of heading straight to help Blake…" Weiss murmured, softly smiling as she found something light to put on out of her suitcase as there was currently no plan on leaving. "Not winning me over with your stupid compliments."

"But thank you."


"What are you two doing here?" Weiss blandly commented, sipping her coffee, as she knelt on a zabuton, enjoying the silence to start the morning as it gave her time to think.

That was until the two sisters burst into the cabin without knocking. Yang, she could understand, but where were Ruby's manners?

Hadn't she learned her lesson?

"Um, why are you in your gym clothes? I know it's summer, and it is hot, but you look like you are asking for it. Are you expecting that to happen today or…" Yang stopped and stared at Weiss momentarily, almost admiringly, before shaking her head and focusing on the task at hand. "No, brain, focus! What do you think we're doing here? We have things to discuss!"

"Yeah! So we all need to be present for this!" Ruby jumped beside Yang, putting her hands on her hip and scowling. "So where is Naruto and Bla… Oh, wow. I know that our Beacon gym uniforms were always tight, but in this summer heat, wow, Yang is right! That's almost too revealing and leaves nothing to the imagination! And I wore those! I have a new issue with that bastard!"

"Right!"

Scowling at the two, Weiss gently set a cup of coffee on a coaster on the table. Focusing on them, Weiss laced her fingers together and placed her hands on the table. "They're busy. Naruto is helping Blake with her stomach problems and having her take some medication to help with her morning sickness. I just came back after giving him a cup of coffee, so they won't be coming out for quite some time as she's being a bit of pain about it."

"Well, then we'll wait until…" Yang started belligerently, dropping down and sitting on an opposing zabuton cross-legged with her eyes narrowed before sputtering as something caught her attention. "Morning sickness! Wait, Blake's pregnant? Yo, what the fuck?"

"When? It was only a month ago when we heard…" Ruby exclaimed out of excitement and frustration at not knowing until now before her eyes lit up. "Oh. They didn't wear protection, did they? What are they gonna do now? With everything going on…"

"Do you think we're not aware of the circumstances?" Weiss remarked scathingly toward Ruby, making the girl flinch before sighing as she did not mean to be that harsh. "I apologize. I did not mean to come across like that. We have all been under a lot of stress, and now, at least some of that pressure has been released."

With those words, Yang's face twisted into a snarl. Her lilac eyes narrowed as she focused on the ice princess. The news of Blake's pregnancy, while significant, was nothing compared to why they had come here.

So she carefully measured her words as her eyes met Weiss' icy blues. "So you know what he's done?"

"Yes," Weiss answered, alarming Ruby while Yang gnashed her teeth and clenched her fist. "He informed me and Blake about it when he returned when I asked him about it."

"And you approve of what he did?" Yang slammed her hands onto the table, her lilac eyes shifting as she tried to restrain the anger building within. "I understand taking a life, fuck I've done it! I regret it every damn second, even if the man was a bastard, as it haunts me! But to do what he did? To…"

"Yang, look at what was happening and think about what was about to happen." Weiss coldly interrupted, her eyes frigid as she stared straight back into her friend's gaze. "Vale was about to be invaded. Gold made his intentions clear of what he would do and did not back down. He was so driven by his goal that Fate had set him upon that he was determined to bring the glory of the Mistral Empire to the world. How many lives would have been lost if no action was not taken?"

Seeing her sister flinch back from Weiss' cold remark and unflinching gaze, Ruby frowned. "I understand we were in a dire situation. There wasn't much left but to do something so drastic. There had to be another way! To have so many lives taken, I can't accept that! We could…"

"What else could we have done?" Weiss turned her gaze to Ruby, asking her simply and holding out her hand. "Take where we were before. Our plan was focused on gathering magical relics quickly to try and change the tide and fight back. We had Atlas to contend with on top of that. We were pinned and trying to find a solution to our problem when the unthinkable happened, and we lost our key piece in Naruto that sent us into disarray."

"We were going to lose people in our fight, and Naruto knew it before. So coming back to us as he is now, he did something he could not do before and changed the outcome and gave us a chance to breathe again. Take a moment and collect ourselves and grieve before thinking about what is about to come." Weiss gazed straight into Ruby's eyes. "So I ask you, Ruby. What could we have done differently? What would have happened if things kept happening as they were?"

"I don't know!" Ruby responded, frazzled and defeated, hanging her head as her eyes dimmed. "I don't know, okay? I know what he did was to protect us all. However, I can't help but gaze upon that scene and see all those lives and think we could have done something different. I understand that you can't spare everyone. That's silly. But how many people died?"

"And he did it himself. How can he withstand that guilt?" Ruby muttered, brushing her hands through her hair, finally sitting down on one of the zabuton pillows, looking weary and out of it.

"You think he is withstanding it?" Weiss lowered her head, her eyes misting over, biting her lip as her hands slid from the table and onto her lap. "No, Ruby, he's not doing well. He hasn't slept all night. The burden must be overwhelming, and as much as I want to help him, I can't. I'm not the one for him. I'm in here right now, letting him take care of Blake because she's the only one right now that can help him. I'm still not that person for him right now."

"He needs her now most. I'd only get in the way."


"I hate it. Don't make me take it…" Blake groaned, her skin pale while seated on the bathroom tile floor, sprawled out and looking like a mess.

She held a medical cup and looked up at Naruto as he removed yet another item from the medical cabinet. He took his seat next to her. "No more. I'm done…"

"Shut up, and take your medicine." Naruto stroked his hand through her hair, shaking his hand as he passed through the tangled mess. "Then I'm going to toss you into the shower. Your hair is clumping together and fraying. Probably from stress."

Forcing down the meds and making a gagging noise as she did, her ears flattening on her head, Blake yowled at the taste. A purr was soon emitted at the stroking of her hair before she lightly hissed as he came across the clumps within her hair. "Only if you come in with me. Not going anywhere without you."

"Bad idea." Naruto's ears twitched, and he shook his head, feeling he'd have to deal with this issue soon. "You know what will happen if I join you. Your parents are here, and we have company, and I don't think they want to hear us…"

"Don't care." Blake purred as she leaned back into Naruto, her golden eyes glancing up into Naruto's eyes. "They can hear us for all I care. Weiss can join if she's comfortable."

"I'm not comfortable with that…" Naruto growled as he glared and looked into his mate's dreamy eyes. "I may be more accepting of this idea, but don't push things ahead of schedule. I will accept them when I am ready."

"Okay," Blake nodded, closing her eyes as she leaned against Naruto's chest, feeling her stomach settling from the medication brewing within.

A long silence fell upon them as she enjoyed his presence, letting his warmth fill her being. Purring off and on, he stroked her hair. Even began the shower water with one of his clones.

"Naruto?"

"Oh, this again." Naruto chirped, a smile on his face as he held back a chuckle. "It's been a while."

"It has." Blake flushed as she opened her eyes, gazing deeply into Naruto with a smile briefly before her face shifted and a serious tint replaced it. "I know we took our time and discussed accepting Weiss into our relationship…"

"Blake, it's gonna take time…"

"Let me finish." Blake continued to gaze deeply into Naruto's cerulean eyes despite his interruption. "I know that. But this is something that was going to happen regardless before your death. We couldn't stop it before, and now it should happen on our terms. Bring her in and accept her as one of our family by law, even if the Kingdoms don't accept the mating ritual. We're starting our own city-state eventually. We'll have our own governance…"

"Blake…"

"No, listen, Naruto…"

"I am," Naruto chuckled and brushed his hand through Blake's hair. "I think you are thinking too far ahead about this. Let it develop naturally, and let's see where this leads, shall we? I believe that's the more reasonable option."

"No need to force something when we don't need to." Naruto leaned down and locked his lips with Blake briefly. "We have a bit of time now. Let's use it."

Mewling, looking upset for a moment at the break of contact, Blake scowled. "That's not fair. You're using my weakness against me…"

"No, I'm not. I'm using logic against you and then planted a kiss. There's a difference." Naruto grinned as he helped Blake up and smiled at her. "Nothing good will happen if we rush through this. Just like we did, let's take this step by step. And I promise I'll give this my best shot, okay?"

"Okay." Returning the smile as her ears fully perked up, Blake nodded. And then a lustful gaze replaced it as a purr emanated from her as her yukata slipped from her form. "Naruto, I need you…"

"Get into the shower."


Commencing Shift

"Fucking hell, where the hell am I? What is this? Flora! Where are you?"

Dead. Like every other pawn, I wielded before.

"Pawn! Who the hell are you? Where is this place? And what do you mean by dead? Don't you dare tell me that bastard killed her…"

My Champion did as he saw fit.

And you will now do as you are told, Pawn.

You still have use, so I will squeeze everything out of you.

"You dare call me a pawn? Do you know who I am? I am… This pain… What are you doing to me?"

I need a new avatar, Pawn.

Go forth and serve your purpose.

Enacting Phase Shift.


And there is chapter III of Aftermath.

Feeling better this week, let's see how working on this, and Hushed keeps going.

Hope you are enjoying it so far, although it is meant to be a fallout Arc so it's not exactly meant to be chipper.

So a few moments here and there of relief are gold, no?

Now to some guest review responses.

No, I'm not going to kill more than one. Blake and Yang are both on the list, but I'm killing more than one, and that's because it was planned from the very beginning.

I had this thought while making the story, and I will execute it.

I had many stories I now will not complete that had ideas like this where one of Naruto's closest friends would die.

His love interest would die.

So I'm taking the concept from them and mixing it into Fox of Remnant.

Now the question is, is it one of his closest friends of his love interests?

To the guest asking about the King of Hell of keeping Gold's soul from the Pure World.

I look at it as it clearly states it devours the soul if you don't it the truth.

So it is keeping the soul to torment him instead of what it did for Pain.