A/N: EDIT: Flames all over the comments again. T_T
Can anyone see this? The site is being weird with 503 errors again and messing with reviews. Just gotta refresh a couple of times. Don't give up!
DOUBLE EDIT: Added some more content in the previews. Hope you like it.
Because as ever, the Embers rule remains.
If folks don't like this story? Poof! Gone! Deleted for keeps! That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days; basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts.= I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Now then, lets answers some quick questions. A handful should do this time.
Frankly this is the only way I can answer some anonymous questions, but its always nice to chat with people.
Q: Are you still taking votes for Winter's kid?
A: I was until just last night. Now the votes are in. Wendy Uzumaki Schnee has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
Q: How many applications does Naruto's blood have?
A: Many, and we've only just begun to tap into that. We've already established it as a temporary Semblance suppressant of sort in pill or bullet form, but that's highly sensitive knowledge. Ironwood already saw all mention of it wiped away; only he, Naruto and Pietro know of it.
To answer the question I just KNOW is coming, yes, James has been taking those pills to better keep Mettle under control.
Time will tell if there are...side effects.
Q: More adorable moments?
A: Sure, we've got some time. Ask and ye shall receive~!
Q: Wait, can Penny and Ciel even HAVE kids? I know they're more or less human now, but I thought I'd ask that. We've all seen Penny bleed, so she's definitely flesh and blood, but still...
A: They have all the right parts, so to speak.
Q: Wasn't Robyn's election a little bit after Team RWBY's arrival? And why do I have a terrible feeling that you're about to hit us with a fast ball? Things are going good for the good guys. Maybe even too good.
That's usually when the hammer drops.
A: Come now, you know I won't be baited that easily. But yes, there's still a bit of time before the election.
Time enough for RWBY to settle in...among other things.
Q: Wait a minute! I see you! You're going to do THAT aren't you?
A: If you're referring to a certain event involving Naruto -and I think you are!- then yes, its coming. I've got many a surprise in store here, as we finally delve into the events of volume Seven. Feels strange writing it without Jacques...bah! Who am I kidding! Killing off that impotent imbecile gave me more relief than a thousand fluffy pairings. Better yet, his death serves a purpose you've not yet seen. I could say more, but well, thar be spoilers...
Alright, I've kept you long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes!
Now, then. Are you ready? Yes? No? Maybe so? Because! Here. We. Go.
"Fear is a part of life. It breaks us, makes us, takes us.
So plant your feet. Grit your teeth.
AND FACE IT.
~Future.
Forging Ahead
"Naruto?"
"Yeah, Penny?"
"How do you make babies?"
Naruto's brain fizzled out with a low whine as all the blood rushed to his face. From there, several things happened at once. He tried to speak, tried to reply; to say something, anything, only to remember that his mouth was currently full of food. Ramen, actually. He'd been rather enjoying it at that...until is body betrayed him in a reflexive inhale, sucking both broth and pasta alike. In short?
He absolutely choked. "Penny, no-ack?!"
Blue eyes bulged as his favorite foodstuff caught in his windpipe. In a fit of panic he kicked out with both feet and lurched upright, only to lose his balance and crash to the cafeteria floor. His head struck something hard on the way down -probably a bench!- sending a dozen burning stars blazing before his vision. So this was how he died. Choking to death on pasta. Seemed a horrible way to go out...
"You appear to be choking." His partner leaned down to blink at him. "Shall I apply CPR?"
"No...I've got it!"
With a supreme effort of will Naruto swallowed, cleared his airway with a mighty heave, thumped his chest thrice for good measure, then thrashed his way upright. From there, he clawed his way back up to the table and leveled a glare at his partner in crime. Guileless green eyes blinked back at him, pure as the driven snow and thrice as innocent. Try as he might, he couldn't bring himself to shout out at her.
"My apologies." she still wilted beneath his glower. "I did not intend to startle you. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Penny." Naruto swore a blue streak as his forehead kissed the cool metal table, "Just peachy. Nearly choked to death on my favorite food. Don't mind me...
"Alright."
A beat of silence passed between the two hybrids.
"So," Penny ventured into it once more, "How do you make-
"PENNY!" Naruto felt his voice jump an octave from sheer mortification alone. "Not the time!"
"But I want to know!"
The blond buried his head in his arms with a gravely groan. Of course she did. Always with the questions, always the need to know more, always, always, always when he least expected it. And here he'd hoped to enjoy a nice afternoon lunch between the two of them. He found himself suddenly and intensely grateful they were alone. If anyone had overheard her, he'd never hear the end of it.
More fool he!
Clearing his throat with one last shuddering cough, Naruto propped his elbows up on the table and heaved out a sigh.
"Any particular reason why you're asking me this?" the faintest of frowns marred his face when she didn't answer. "You didn't seem to care before...
Penny hiccuped once and averted her eyes. "Perhaps I'm simply curious?"
Yup. Definitely a hiccup. She was lying.
Times like these made him wish Kurama was still around. At least that grumpy bastard made sense sometimes. Between Penny, Ciel, and Winter, his hair was going to turn white. Wait, Winter would probably like that-off topic! Focus! Worse still, Penny wasn't trying to be obtuse; her motives were likely pure, but the way she went about explaining said motives...left a little to be desired.
"Penny, no."
"Penny, yes!" her palms struck the table, startling him. "I already asked Ciel before she went on her mission with Ruby. She told me to ask Winter and-
Urk. "She did...?"
"Yes!" his freckled friend barreled on, heedless of his growing dread. "She told me to ask you, in fact."
Naruto gulped. "Is that so...?"
"I believe her words were; if you and Ciel want to try your luck, be my guest?" her brow furrowed when he made a squelching sound. "She also said something about "this baby is trying to kill me" but I did not understand that part." a finger touched her chin as she contemplated the matter. "Do children kill their parents? Its quite confusing...
THUNK.
Naruto's head struck the table with a dull crack, splitting the metal surface. Once. He reared back again. Twice now. Thrice. Unfortunately -for him!- he remained quite conscious despite his best efforts to the contrary. His only reward for all that cranial abuse was a splitting headache and a broken table. There was a pun to be had there; thankfully a certain brawler wasn't here to make it. Traitors, the lot of them! They'd fobbed Penny off on him!
He pinched the brow of his nose. "We are not having this conversation...
She chewed at her lip. "May I ask Winter again, then?"
Now it was Naruto's turn to wince. Bad idea. Winter had already made her stance clear; if he sent Penny back her way she'd probably pry herself away from the toilet long enough to throw Penny at him. That or give the poor girl a demonstration besides. Morning sickness was a terrible thing. A pregnant woman was to cajoled and bribed, not roused to anger. Best avoid the latter he could. But really? Share? He didn't think he had it in him...
Penny's lower lip trembled. "Did I do something wrong...?"
Regret and guilt writhed in Naruto's gut like a slippery snake to coil in his gut. Somehow he got ahold of it and kept himself from squawking like a fool. Right. Calm down. This was probably nothing. Hopefully. Just explain it to her in simple terms and pray Pietro didn't find out. Yup. Right. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
"No," he began slowly, "Its not your fault. You have a right to be curious, I guess."
It was the right thing to say; because Penny leaned forward with a cherubic smile; one that made his heart flutter.
On a certain level he knew what she was getting at and thus suspected the answer even if he wasn't wholly certain as to the cause. She simply had bad timing. There was an election to prepare for, dust to gather, mines to clear, to say nothing of potential evacuation plans and horde of other issues to attend. Moments like these would be few and far between in the coming days when Salem appeared. When. Not if. CRWBY and ORNJ might wish otherwise, but they knew it was only a matter of time. Now was hardly the time to be getting baby crazy.
Or perhaps it was. Who was he to judge?
"Alright. But on one condition!" he held up a finger when she tried to speak. "What's your reason? The real one." said finger booped her nose when she made to protect. "If you were curious you could've looked something up on your Scroll. But you came to me. Why?"
Penny leaned back and considered his response, allowing him to take a much-needed sip of water...
"I wish to experience what you and Winter have." She said at last. "May I?"
...so much for that!
"Pfffft!"
Naruto's head snapped to the side as he violently expelled his drink -mercifully away from his teammate!- to one side. His forehead kissed the table again, muffling his groan into the metal.
"Is there any particular reason," he chose his words with infinite care, "Why you feel the sudden and inexplicable urge to be a mother? Now? Of all times?"
"Oh!" Penny blinked. "I hadn't thought of that. In truth, I just wanted you to touch me. I suppose being a parent would be nice, too."
.
..
...
Naruto raised his head. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. His lips worked wordlessly, moving, but producing no sound. Times like these reminded him that Penny wasn't as naive as she seemed. For all her lack of social etiquette, she picked up on other things frightfully quick.
"Penny."
"Yes?" she tilted her head.
"I swear, you girls are going to be the death of me...
Penny blinked. "Didn't you say that about Ruby and her friends?"
"Meh," A hand waved in minor dismissal even as he kept his head pressed to the table. "I've got Harriet and the Ace Ops with them. Besides, Ciel's out there. We both know she could clear that dust mine on her own if she wanted to-no!" His mind began to whirl up again and he shook himself, ruthlessly stamped it down. "Don't distract me!"
She started at him intently.
His resolve crumbled like so much sawdust.
"Alright. C'mere." he held out a hand. "Stop fidgeting."
Penny reached out and grasped it, pale fingers threading through his as she plonked down in his lap. Naruto shifted his stance a little to better balance her weight against his and found himself struck by just how unusually she was. Only natural really; she was more or less human now. She bled as he would, cried if he cried, lived as any human would. Yet in the same vein she was so much more than human. But that was a story for another time.
With neither word nor warning Penny shifted a little, laying her head against his chest.
Almost unconsciously he moved with her, wrapping an around round her waist. Even now he could feel the heat of her body seeping into his thighs, the faint press of her rear against his groin. His fingers dug into her hips and she made a tiny noise of appreciation as his palms caressed her through the thin fabric of her dress.
"I like this." when she finally spoke, her voice was little more than a whisper. "What do you call it?"
"I believe the term is cuddling." Naruto fought down a chuckle. "Don't quote me on that."
"Its nice." her cheek nuzzled his. "Can we stay like this for a little while?"
...sure."
Green eyes met blue.
"Are we going to engage in intercourse now?"
Naruto's free hand struck his forehead with a harsh smack, "PENNY!"
Hopefully wherever Winter was, she was having an easier time of things than them...
(.0.0.0.)
Weiss stood before the door and prepared to face her doom.
She knew what -who! awaited her behind that door, dreaded it as much as she hated it. Already she felt guilt gnawing at her; guilt for feigning illness; regret for staying behind in relative comfort while her friends were out freezing in the field, but this was something she must face. Alone. Better now than later. Stalling anymore than this would make her feel a fool.
She eyed the door anew, considering what she should say.
There was so much on her mind.
Too much, one might say.
Words failed her. For all her wit and intellect she felt like a naughty child preparing for a scolding, even though she wasn't. She told herself she'd done no wrong - that she'd been busy, that she hadn't made a terrible error in avoiding this for so long. She told herself all these things, desperate to assuage her guilt.
Yet still, it persisted.
"Blast it!" She kicked at the carpet with a snarl, scuffing her heel against the thin fabric. "Why is this so hard?!"
It shouldn't be! And yet she'd been dodging this for the better part of a week now. Cowardice would avail her naught.
She was a Schnee. She could do this. She must!
Hardening her heart, Weiss planted her feet, grit her teeth and swung her arm back. Her fist struck the door with such force that the frame physically rattled in its hinges. Oops. Too hard. She blanched and made a second attempt, using far less force this time. No one answered. She almost dared to hope against hope. Maybe she wasn't in...?
Much to her chagrin, the door opened a moment later.
Weiss did a double take.
"Winter...?"
Clad in a simple pair of dark sweatpants and a faded blue shirt, her sister looked like a completely different person. Gone was the severe bun in which she kept her hair, freeing the snow-white tresses to cascade down her shoulders in a curtain of fine down. She looked...tired, all things considered. Yet for all that she practically glowed with life and vitality. And there, a little lower, a noticeable bulge in her stomach, just enough to lift her shirt and expose a pale expanse of skin. The child was growing quickly.
"Hello, sister." Her smile was strained, but strong. "I've been expecting you. Won't you come in?"
Weiss nodded numbly and allowed herself to be led inside.
As far as private quarters went, Winter's were...new. Larger than she remembered. The General had spared no expense for her. Yet for all that newness, they were rather messy. The sight startled Weiss. Was that a crib she spied beside her bed? Keen blue eyes noted a series of parenting books and magazines sprawled across the table. A pair of shirts lay sprawled across a small sofa, wrinkled and dirty. Just the sight of them had her turning up her nose.
Since when was her sister a slob?
Winter had always been prim and proper, even before she'd run away to join the military. Always calm. Ever reserved. Not a stitch out of place. But this room was, while not filthy, not necessarily tidy, either. Had that oaf corrupted her that badly? She sniffed once, frowned when she caught the faint scent of ramen wafting from the kitchenette. Nasty food. She'd never much liked it.
"Please," Winter offered her a seat. "Make yourself comfortable."
Weiss settled onto the couch, bristling only a little when Winter sat beside her.
"Well?" she said apropos of nothing. "What brings you here? I thought you weren't feeling well."
I'm not! her mind bleated, I'm too young to be an aunt!
Funny, for all the worry and festering fear Weiss had felt over these last few days, that was the one thought that persisted above all else. How dare that...that scoundrel knock up her sister! She was tempted to thrash his hide and give him a piece of her mind besides! But she she knew Winter wouldn't like that. So. Here they were...
"You're cross." it was not a question.
Weiss huffed a little. "I am not. I simply wished to ask you something."
"By all means."
Right. Deep breaths. First question!
...are you sure you're ready to be a mother?"
She expected anger at that statement, indignation at the least.
What she received was a languid smile paired with a light laugh, airy and free. Why was Winter so relaxed?!
"I admit, I didn't give much thought to having children." her sister touched a hand to the faint swell of her stomach, caressing it as one might a fine jewel. "Yet I find myself warming to the idea. This child will have a good life. A proper life. The one we never had." She felt the sting of rebuke in her words. "They will be free to live that life as they please."
The younger Schnee frowned at that. "Father would not-
It was the wrong thing to say.
"Father was a monster." Winter's words were colder than her namesake. "I admit, I shed tears for him at first, for what he could have -should have!- been, but recent events have opened my eyes. If that sniper stood here before me now, I'd give him a great big hug."
Weiss sprang to her feet. "Surely you don't mean that!"
Her lips thinned. "I do."
This was absurd! Was she the only one to see sense in this?! Father had been murdered! Gunned down in broad daylight! She was still grappling with that horror and what it might mean for them, but Winter appeared to have moved past it entirely. Did she not realize the danger?! Was she blind? If their father could be shot by some some plucky assassin, then so could they. More than that, where was the justice! Atlas had vast resources and personnel! Why was the killer not behind bars?! Why hadn't he been brought to justice!? Why-
Someone knocked on the door before she could; a steady one-two-three tap that shattered her thoughts.
"Winter?" a male vice intoned. "Are you alright in there? I heard shouting."
"General?!" The specialist all but sprang to her feet in kind. "I'm fine, sir. There's no need to-
The door clicked open, and much to Weiss' chagrin, she found herself face to face with General James Ironwood. Her heart skipped a beat as duty warred with confusion. Should she salute him? Bow? How did one react to this?! Moreover! Why was he even here?! Her sole solace was that Winter looked just as chagrined as she did. She clearly hadn't expected this, either. Thank the gods for small mercies.
She was even more startled when the man actually gave Winter a hug!
"General." Weiss granted him a nod as her sister wriggled free. "This is...unexpected."
The weary warrior returned it in kind. "Miss Schnee. How are you and yours finding Atlas?"
"Better, sir." She had to ask. She must, if only because not doing so would drive her mad. "My father...have you arrested any suspects in his death?"
"I'm afraid not." his face creased with genuine sorrow. "We found the weapon, but there were no fingerprints."
"It pains me to say it," Winter chimed in, "But Father had many enemies."
Her heart sank. "I see...yes, I suppose it was too much to hope for...
"Your father and I...we didn't always see eye to eye, but we were friends, once." he looked away, a distant emotion in his eyes. "I mourn the man he was, not what he'd become by the end." his metal hand came down on her shoulder and squeezed once it what he no doubt thought a reassuring gesture. "Rest assured, he will not be forgotten."
Weiss wanted to scream at him as his hand fell away. But you're not doing anything to catch his killer!
But Winter was speaking again, and she must attend. "Did you need something, sir?"
"Yes." The general nodded brusquely. "A moment of your time, nothing more." his weary gaze swept back to Weiss, and this time there was a glimmer of steel lurking beneath. "Would you excuse us, Weiss?"
Winter hummed. "I'll walk you out, sister."
Weiss didn't have it in her to resist as her sister planted a palm between her shoulders and guided her to the door. She could've put up a fight, could've demanded that she stay and here what they had to say, but in the end there was simply no point to it. All the while she felt the General's gaze on her back. Not harsh, but not necessarily soft, either. Wary? Yes, that was the word.
She slipped out with a halfhearted farewell and a brisk hug, her mind awhirl.
Try as she might, she couldn't help but dwell on his words. Jacques and James and been at one another's throats before she'd left Atlas. She'd heard them all but snarling at one another on the very day she fled from the manor. They hadn't been friends by the end. No. Not even close. With Father gone and her all but disinherited, responsibility for the company would likely fall to one person. Whitley was much too young. Mother was a hopeless drunk. The less said of her, the better. With them gone, the succession was clear.
Winter would likely lead the SDC...and she was loyal to General Ironwood. Well, to him and Naruto, whom she frankly didn't trust one bit.
No doubt she'd listen to their suggestions. And through her, the assets of the SDC would follow; flowing into the military.
All that power under one man. Surely the General wold use it for a good cause...wouldn't he?
It seemed treasonous to even think of it, yet the seed of suspicion had been planted. General Ironwood benefited from the death of Jacques Schnee, almost to the exclusion of all else. With him gone, Robyn was all but a shoe-in for that council seat. From there she'd work with the General, further consolidating his grip on Mantle and her people. And all this from the death of one man.
Surely the General hadn't ordered the death of her father...or had he?
The thought haunted Weiss as she traipsed back to her dorm.
What she wouldn't give to be with her team right now...
(.0.0.0.)
Things were looking up.
Ruby wanted to believe that. Really! She did!
But it was hard, sometimes. There was just so much to do...
Ironwood had proven himself every bit as good as his word. In the weeks that followed their arrival he had turned their team loose upon Mantle and Atlas alike, tasked them with fixing problems both within and without. They were changing things. Making the world better. Helping people. She'd seen their smiling faces and known that they were doing good. That in turn, felt great. Saving people was its own reward after all. So long as she knew she was doing good, knew she was helping people, making a real difference...well. That was enough for her.
Now, out on a mission -a real mission!- for the first time in what felt like forever, she dared to hope that life would continue to improve for the better.
She winced a little as the Bullhead rocked around her.
Yang grimaced in her harness. "Rough ride."
Blake groaned, ears drooping.
Clear the Geist out of the dust mine, they said. It'll be easy, they said. We'll send backup, the said. Lies, she said!
Lucky Weiss. She got to stay in Altas while they froze their butts off.
They wouldn't fail. She refused to fail after they'd come so far.
Naruto's words plucked at her heart.
"Remember," he'd told her. "Trust is a two way street. I want to believe in you. Really, I do. But you have to prove yourselves worthy of that trust. Don't make me regret this. I've cut my teeth on people like you. People who thought they knew what was good for the world, people who claimed they were the "heroes" when they really weren't. You say you're better than that? Prove it-
"We're approaching the drop point, ma'am." the pilot's voice snapped her back to reality. "Get ready to jump."
Ruby shook her head and gathered Crescent Rose to her chest. Alright. She could do this. Just like Initiation! She was brave! She was mighty! She feared nothing...
"Why isn't Naruto here?"
...okay, she feared some things. Conflict was one of them.
Now if only Blake and Yang would stop being so surly already, they could get on with this!
"Because," Agent Ciel popped out of the co-pilot's seat with a small smile. "He's quite busy. I'm afraid you'll have to make do with me today."
Yang huffed and crossed both arms before her brightly-colored chest. "We don't need a babysitter."
Ruby made a keening noise between her teeth. 'Yaaaaang! No! Bad! Go sit in the corner!'
"Rest assured," Ciel's smile didn't waver, "I am not here to babsyit you. I am here to test you."
Blake frowned at her. "Wait, what's that supposed to mean-
The doors swung open and the harsh roar of a blizzard stole her words away.
Ciel stepped out into it with a cheery grin
"See you below~!"
Then she was gone, swallowed up by the storm.
Ruby gathered her feet and leaped out after their minder.
One way or another, she would prove herself worthy of their trust.
(.0.0.0.)
Ciel believed in trust.
Yes she decided as she trudged ever deeper into the mine, trust was important. Vital, even. Like warmth. It could not simply be given away at will, no it must be earned. Protected. Held close. And it could only be earned through harsh work, through bonds of friendship time spent with others. That made it all the more precious.
Without it? You died.
It was a simple fact of life; Naruto had given her his trust when she was little more than a program in his head; just S.T.E.E.L. a bundle of nanotechnology in his veins keeping him alive. He, who would've had every right to rip her out of his body, had instead welcome her with open arms. He had treated as more than mere tech, but as person, until suddenly...she was one.
Now she had a body, thoughts, and feelings of her own. She existed.
She was free to live and love as she pleased.
She would repay that trust.
Perhaps that was why he'd made her the minder of Team RWBY on this mission. The Ace Ops were present too of course, but it was their task to mind ORNJ and Crow. No, he wanted her to personally observe these three, and it would have been four, if Weiss weren't recovering from her cold. He didn't quite trust them yet. That was alright. She didn't mind. Orders were orders, after all. Good soldiers followed orders.
Even then their charges became...surly.
"Do you have to follow us like that? Its creepy."
Such was the case for Blake Belladona and Yang Xiao-Long.
"Affirmative."
Ciel didn't much understand why the duo seemed hellbent on giving her a hard time. Their files were all but sealed, and what little data she could access of them did...not do wonders for her mood. Belladona was flighty at best, while Xiao-Long was wild and prone to fits of emotions. Even their leader was a bundle of nerves. Penny spoke well of Ruby, but Ciel had yet to see what her sister saw in the little Reaper. At least Miss Schnee was a more predictable sort, but then again, she wasn't here.
Too much miss data. She dislike it.
These three were adventurous. Volatile. She pitied them, but it seemed the sentiment wasn't returned.
"We're all on the same side here," the blond continued her argument as they trudged deeper into the dark. "Really, this ain't necessary."
Ciel's head bobbed as she continued to trail them at a polite distance. "I understand. Thank you for your concern."
Blake flung up her arms. "Then stop watching us like a hawk!"
"I cannot do that, miss Belladona." Ciel hid the ghost of a smile behind a thin veneer of professional courtesy. "As the three of you are still huntresses in training, it is my duty to look after you during this operation."
Blake grumbled something less than pleasant under her breath, but didn't object.
Ruby quirked a brow. "And you're a real huntress? But you're so young!"
"Correct!" speaking the words filled her with pride. "I received my license shortly before you arrived. And I have my orders." A sky-blue eye stole over her shoulder as the walked. "Rest assured, I won't let any harm come to you, so please, do not wander off."
"Don't worry, we won't~!"
Well, at least one of them wasn't giving her the cold shoulder.
"Is that all you care about?" Unfortunately, their resident Faunus took offense to that. "Orders? Can't you think for yourself?"
A curious choice of words.
"I do." she offered them a placid blink. "I believe these orders are just, therefore, I follow them. I trust Naruto."
"And why is that?" Blake challenged. "How do you know he trusts you?"
"How...?"
Ciel felt something twist in her chest. A strange gnawing sensation that grew heavier with each passing moment. Not pain nor sorrow, but something else altogether. She touched a hand to her bosom and frowned down at it as the feeling persisted. Was this anger? Fascinating. And irritating. She was beginning to realize she did not like miss Belladona. It was not her fault, of course...except it was, wasn't it? Question, question, question. Doubt everything. Trust no one.
There was a limit to such things!
"Uh, Blake?" Some of her anger must've shown through; because Yang stepped back. "I'm thinkin' you went a little too far."
"He gave me his all." Ciel clenched her teeth, jaw grinding with audible anger. "I have this body, this life, because of him." her eyes flashed as she stepped forward. "When I was at my lowest, he didn't abandon me; on the contrary, he lifted me up. Protected me. If that is not trust, then I do not know what is. And you would question me? ME?"! Her voice piqued into a shriek as Belladona backpedalled. "For what?! What have we done to you?! Nothing! Think very carefully before you question my trust in him, or his to me! You've done nothing to earn either!
Blake bridled. "We've done more than you can possibly imagine!"
Oh, she wanted to play that game, did she? Fine. It took two to tango, after all.
"I'm sure you have, hypocrite!" Ciel's forehead slammed against hers, driving back yet another pace. "Remove the beam from your own eye before you judge me on the splinter in mine!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ruby interposed herself between the three of them but it was too late; the damage was done. "Don't fight! We're all the same side!"
Ciel wanted to believe that. Truly, she did. But Blake's question was too fresh, too raw for her to think properly. For an awful moment she genuinely considered striking her-but no, she was a huntress. She must set a good example. It was only that and her own code of honor that stopped her from lashing out. A code this upstart clearly lacked!
"Are we?" the hybrid absolutely hissed at her. "I have nothing more to say to those who would doubt the man I love!"
With a huff, she flounced away into the mine, leaving her charges to balk at her rapidly retreating back.
Yang watched her go with a sigh. "Well, we screwed that up...
A/N: Here we go, we're creeping closer and closer to doomsday...or are we?
Not trying to bash Team RWBY or anything, but it stands to reason that their blase we-do-what-we-want attitude wouldn't fly in Atlas.
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story? Poof! Gone! Deleted for keeps! That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with virtually no days off. That makes my free time terribly limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like.
Reviews are my fuel. I can't write without them~! Not a wit or a word!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews!
And as ever:
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
BEWARE~!
(Previews!)
"They passed."
Naruto looked up as Ciel flung herself down on the bed. "That's good?"
"Considering I nearly strangled them? Not so much." she flung her beret onto a nearby hook and sprawled out beside him. "Ruby has potential, though...
Willow blinked. "I'm going to be a grandmother?!
Winter winced. "Oh gods, here she goes...
"I MUST TELL EVERYONE!
The door slammed open with a harsh crash.
"Rise and shine, Huntresses! There's work to be done!"
A series of groans, curses and pleas arose from the four bunks.
"You rise! You shine!"
Yang all but whipped a pillow at him. Naruto caught it and flung it right back. It struck her dead in the face, launching her out of her bunk with a squawk.
He grinned.
"Anyone else wanna go?"
Winter rolled over with a groan. "This baby is trying to kill me."
"Miss Schnee? There's a letter for you...
In hindsight, he wasn't sure who moved first, only that someone did. Penny shifted herself in his lap, no longer sitting atop his legs but between them.
...I was hoping I might have a word with you.
"Oscar?"
"Not quite." there was something different about the way he held himself. "I wanted to thank you...
"We've got more important work to do." He unfurled a map upon the table. "Here's where we'll be needed. Maximum security for the election."
Nora winced. "The people of Mantle might not like that...
"Tough. That sniper is still at large. Robyn's a shoe-in at this point. If they're going to make a move, it'll be tonight." he growled a little at the memory. "Lets not take any chances."
His gaze swept past her and found that of a bellow blond.
Slowly, gradually, an idea took shape.
"Arc, you can boost someone's aura and their semblance, right?"
"Well, yeah, but I have to touch them and maintain contact for it to work...
Oh? Ohhh. He could work with that. "Care to test it on chakra? I've got a nasty idea...
"Sir? What's chakra?"
He told them his plan.
"You all know your roles. Team ORNJ will provide support with me, Ciel and Penny." he tapped a finger on the map. "CRWBY will be watching the rooftops and alleyways. People will be antsy tonight." His eyes met each of them in turn as he clasped both hands behind his back. Be careful. Be safe. Come back alive."
"Why trust us?"
"Because ya didn't lie to my face. For that, I'll throw ya a bone. Guard her with your lives."
Ren saluted. "We won't let you down."
Those keen eyes met his for a moment. What he found there reminded him of an old friend.
"No," he granted them a nod. "I don't think you will...
The harsh bark of a sniper rifle echoed through the night.
Naruto quirked an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, but since when were you in control?"
R&R~!