A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?
Owowowowowow surgery hurts. Not fun. Not at all. I feel like crap.
Fine, fine, we'll crank out an update early. Everyone's chomping at the bit for it.
Hoo, boy! Didn't expect last chapter to take off the way it did. Moreover, many of you were over the moon at the idea of seeing Pyrrha's mother in this story. Almost alarmingly so. Gods, most of ya even liked the name we gave her. I mean, we practically SEE her in canon when Jaune talks to her, we just don't get a name to go with her face.
Once again, Naruto didn't father the entire cast in this story. I won't name names, but folks have been saying that as a bit of a running joke.
Raven, meanwhile, is more tame than her usual self, but she's still vicious when it comes to claiming what's hers. I could say more, but...well. Spoilers. Suffice it to say, this is about the nicest you'll ever see her, and even then she's still a bit of a bitch.
I know folks have been asking us to update Untraveled Road more often, due to its insane popularity and we would if we could. But we can't update this as much as we'd like because the chapters are LONG. Monstrously so. The last one cleared 20,000 words. My team and I pour our hearts and soul into every tale we write, and this is no exception. Next chapter will be near the same length, and that's part of the reason this takes so long. Throw in the fact that I'm working on the larger stories like "Berserker" and well...we're quite busy.
We're working on it, don't you worry.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, or memes.
But I DO own this story idea, and I'll do my damned best to keep everyone entertained~!
"You think he's lost his edge, don't you? You think he's gone soft. Let his guard down.
"You don't see what I see. He's stronger now than he ever was back then.
Because now he has something to fight for. Something to protect.
Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough.
No, no, by all means! Wake that dragon.
I'll enjoy watching you burn."
~Vanessa Nikos.
Sugar Rush
"You found who?!"
Pyrrha flinched as the scroll squawked loudly against her ear. Not for the first time, she was glad she'd set it to audio, rather than visual. Her mother's voice was loud enough. Never in her life had she needed something so much and never known until she received it. Never in her life had she felt so PROUD as she did in this moment. She'd won many a match in many a tournament, but this? Here was a victory she could truly be proud of, perhaps for the first time in her life.
Because he was here.
Not a wraith. Not a myth. Not a ghost.
It was a strange heady feeling, knowing she had a father.
"I," Pyrrha gulped nervously, steeled herself, and repeated her words. "I found him, Mother. I found him."
A strange strangled string of syllables answered her. In hindsight, perhaps she might have been a bit too hasty calling Mother five minutes after the fact.
Pyrrha stole a quick glance over her shoulder just in time to see Naruto pat Nora on the head and congratulate her teammate on a successful first day. The bubbly girl preened happily and said something that she couldn't hear from this distance, but whatever it was made him laugh all the same. Only a few days ago, before their meeting, such a sight would've earned her ire. Now she knew better. This was simply who he was. Anyone here was family to him, from employees to patrons.
What Nora lacked in skill, she made up for in raw strength and...personality.
Now that she looked at them side by side there was certainly...something there. Neither noticed, caught up in work as they were, but Pyrrha had learned from a young age to spot such things. Could it be? Maybe. Not an unpleasant thought. She'd always wanted a little sister. She was a few months older than Nora, after all.
"I can switch this to a video call, if you like." she offered, thumbing her Scroll. "Just a moment. I'm still not all too familiar with this model...
Sure enough the screen shimmered and she held out her Scroll. Moments later, the startled face of Vanessa Niko gaped back at her with wide eyes. Pyrrha winced. Her mother was clad in a pale red evening gown and had forgone her glasses, leaving her hair down. She looked tired. Worn. As well she should be. It might be mid-morning in Vale, but it was likely near evening in Mistral. She didn't look pleased.
"I'm sorry," she apologized quickly. "Did I wake you?"
"No, sweetie, you're fine." her mother cooed. "You just...surprised me. That's all."
A thorn of guild pricked at her chest. "I'm sorry for stealing that old photograph when I left. I just...I had to know."
"Yes, I thought you'd said that." Vanessa sighed, palming her cheek. "You're forgiven, dear. To be honest, I thought he'd passed away...
"Dad says he's immortal." And didn't that beggar belief?
At first Pyrrha hadn't believed him; until he'd shown her proof. Ghastly proof. Proof she'd rather not dwell upon. Was he invincible? Indestructible? That implied a curse of some sort, but Father had been quick to reassure her that wasn't the case. He said he could be hurt, could be killed, could be destroyed. He simply healed quickly and aged slowly. Very slowly. Honestly, she was beginning to think Dad was a little messed up in the head.
"Did he now?" Vanessa's eyes narrowed and a spark of life came back them. "I'll have to test that...thoroughly."
"Test? I don't understand...oh. Oh, dear." Pyrrha felt a fierce heat creep up the back of her neck like wildfire. "Mother, no!"
"Mother, yes!" Vanessa's face crowded in on the screen. "Do you have any idea how long its been since I've had any nookie?! Longer than you'd think!"
In that moment, words failed Pyrrha Nikos. All that emerged was a choking sound. She wasn't hearing this. Nope. Nu-uh. Not, not not. Unclean, unclean, unclean! She'd nearly forgotten just how...crass her mother could be when she was excited. Right now? She was downright giddy.
"In any case, ask him to stay put." the Nikos matriach tucked a strand of crimson hair behind her ear. "I'll be chartering a flight to Vale as soon as I can."
Pyrrha's lips pinched in a thin line. Embarrass her, would she? Two could play that game.
"You can tell him yourself." she hummed, striding across the bakery. "He's only a few feet away."
"What?! No!" Mother went stiff, eyes widening as she caught her daughters slight, nervous smile. "Sweetie, wait! My heart isn't ready for this!"
Pyrrha pointedly ignored her and stalked up to the bar. Naruto looked up and set down the glass he'd been cleaning. Keening blue eyes regarded the scroll in her hand with idle curiosity. Realized dawned and he looked at it not as if it were some venomous viper, but with the resignation of a man marching to his doom.
"That's your mother isn't it?" he sighed, eyeing the device.
The scroll shrieked in Pyrrha's grasp. "Naruto?!"
"Well, that answers my question."
To his credit, the blond didn't flinch. Steadying himself against the lacquered wood with one hand, he held out the other to Pyrrha. The champion slapped her phone into his palm, then scurried around the counter to peek over his left shoulder. As such, she had the express pleasure of witnessing the moment their eyes met. She expected fireworks. Shouting and screaming at the very least.
She received no such thing.
"Hey, Nessie." Father scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Long time no see."
Nicknames? A tiny Pyrrha squeed happily in the back of her head. The champion let her sing.
Mother didn't do much in the way of singing. As she looked on, the elder Nikos gasped, hands flying to her face for a moment. Then she had to use them to steady herself or risk toppling backward like a fallen elm. Pyrrha flinched, just a little. It hadn't occurred to her just how poorly
"By the gods." Tears welled up in her eyes and flowed freely, pouring down her cheeks. "Its really you, isn't it? You've barely aged a day."
"Yeah, its me." Naruto dared a boyish, almost sheepish smile. "In the flesh, more or less. You look great, by the way."
A hint of crimson crept into her mother's cheeks. "Flatterer." she whimpered the word. "I thought you died...
"Me? Not a chance. I didn't know about Pyrrha." just like that, the blond laid his cards on the table -and the scroll with them- as leaned closer to the phone. "I'm sorry. If I'd known...well." the redhead in question startled a little when he reached one of his now free hands around and laid it over hers. "We made one hell of a kid, didn't we?"
This was a new feeling. Pride in someone else. Pyrrha rather liked it, all things considered. It felt grand.
"I believe you." Vanessa exhaled slowly, seeming to release nearly two decades of stress with that sound. "But look at me, I'm an old hen now...
"Old? You? Nah." he threw her own words back at her with smile. "You haven't aged a day."
Vanessa huffed angrily. "I don't remember you being this much of a smooth talker...
Pyrrha thought her mother looked half her age, frankly. Perhaps she was biased.
"Alright, then." Taking a deep breath, the Nikos matriarch recovered. "Naruto Uzumaki!" a lone finger stabbed at the screen with intent. "You stay right there, mister!" Much to Pyrrha's chagrin her mother leaned closer still, as though she were trying to physically squeeze herself through the Scroll to get at him. "I'll have words for you when I get to Vale! Strong words! Loud words! What's your address?! Where are you right now?!"
Father chuckled ruefully but rattled it off nevertheless. "I'm gonna need a new bed, aren't I?"
A spark flashed through those green orbs. "And then some!"
Oh gods, this wasn't happening. It was, wasn't it?
Naruto perked up suddenly, as though remembering something important. "Look, Nessie. There's something I forget to mention, something you should know about-
"Hello~"
A dark-haired beauty with read eyes bulled in on Naruto's right side, forcing herself into view of the scroll. Pyrrha shot the older woman a dark glower and was summarily ignored, for all the good it did her. Truth be told, she still didn't know what to make of Raven Branwen; worse, she was beginning to develop a rather strong dislike of her. Perhaps even hate.
Vanessa, thankfully, took her arrival in stride.
"Ah." she leaned back from her Scroll. "And you must be Raven." green eyes flitted across her face. "Naruto told me quite a bit about you."
Judging by the blond's strained expression, Pyrrha suspected it wasn't all sunshine and roses.
"I'm sure he exaggerated." Raven preened.
"Oh, I'm sure he didn't." Vanessa's smile turned vicious. "He told me you ran away like a coward."
Raven flinched at the verbal slap. "Did he now?"
Pyrrha stifled a snort behind her hand. She couldn't help herself; it simply escaped her before she could think to hold it back. Did that make her a bad person? Maybe so. Naruto shot her a commiserating look over Raven's shoulder when she leaned down and the champion felt the weight of her guilt lessen. Just a little.
"In my defense," said blond raised a hand to ward off the scathing retort that was sure to follow from Raven, "I met Nessie long after you left. You disappeared, Rae. I tried to find you," and here there could be no denying the shame that flitted across the huntress's face, "But you didn't want to be found. How did you expect me to react?"
"Tch." She scuffed a boot against the floor. "I came back, didn't I?"
"You did." his head bobbed. "You're not a coward anymore.
"Yes, I can see that." Vanessa clicked her tongue. "You're a bit late. Isn't that right, Pyrrha?"
"Oho?" Raven's smile was all teeth. "If you're going to play that card, then I think my daughter might like a word."
Naruto hissed. "Raven!"
Pyrrha balked. Vanessa arched an eyebrow.
"Its a bit of a recent development." Naruto shot the swordswoman a black look when she smirked. "She only told me about Yang recently."
Yang Xiao-Long?! Pyrrha's head whipped around with such force that she felt the bones in her neck creak. She knew that name. Moreover, she'd seen her during initiation. She'd been rather hard to miss. A blond girl with bright eyes and a wild personality...who ripped a Nevermore in half with her bare hands. Looking at Naruto and Raven now, she could see the resemblance, clear as day. Yang certainly looked like Raven, but her hair was just as bright as Naruto's. If not moreso.
"Not a word about that, please." Naruto stepped in quickly before she could shout. "Her family situation's complicated. She doesn't know a thing about me. We'd...prefer to keep it that way for the time being.
"I still call dibs." Raven huffed, crossing both arms before her bosom as she did. "Hope you enjoyed my sloppy seconds, bitch; because you won't be getting them ever again."
"Confident, aren't we?" Vanessa reared back, hissing like a king taijutu. "I'll just have to screw you too, then. That, or beat your ass. Whichever comes first."
Pyrrha squeaked. "Mother!"
Raven's jaw clicked open. "Bwuh?"
Naruto sighed. "Somehow, I expected that...
While the Spring Maiden reeled back, Vanessa turned her gaze back to Naruto.
"I'll see you soon, dear." she hummed. "Keep an eye on Pyrrha in the meantime, would you? She's an impressionable girl."
"Mother, no!"
Vanessa ended the call with a wink.
"Yeah, you walked right into that one." Naruto leaned back with a nostalgic sigh. "Nessie's got one hell of a temper."
Raven growled. "What, does that make you my niece then, or something? I'm not hugging you."
Pyrrha kicked her ankle. "I don't like you."
Raven glowered right back at her.
"Feelings mutual, kid.
A beat of awkward silence pushed itself between them.
Pyrrha spoke into it, and quite suddenly, it was Naruto's turn to recoil.
"I'm sorry," he dug a finger into his ear. "I must've misheard you just now. "You. Want to fight. Me?"
Pyrrha perked up at his baffled tone.
At the end of the day, no matter how she might try to hide it, Pyrrha was still a championship fighter. She'd been trained to capitalize on an opponent's weakness, wherever she saw it. Her mind viewed this as a fight. Very much so. More than that, she wanted to test herself against him; more than anything, she longed for a fight where victory wasn't a guarantee. More than that. He treated her like a normal person. He didn't care about her title, her fame, any of it. She was normal to him. Just his daughter. Just...Pyrrha. She could count the number of people who treated her like that on one hand. One was Ruby. The other three were her teammates. Pyrrha couldn't help herself. She pounced.
"Please, Father?" She clasped her hands together before her chest. "Just a little? It'd mean the world to me. I'd like to see how strong you are."
"Jeez, my heart!" Naruto wheezed and clutched at his chest. "Bloody hell, still not used to hearing that...
Hesitation. She homed on it like the champion she was. "Then, how about...Papa?"
It was super effective; Naruto folded like a house of cards. "Fine...after work."
Raven shook her head. "Whipped."
(.0.0.0.)
Nora liked the cut of Naruto's jib.
He was a good boss and a good friend; he paid fairly and had thus far proved a patient teacher. He'd also taught her -after a great deal of begging- how to make pancakes. That alone elevated him to near mythical status in her eyes. Anyone who could impart the art of making the perfect pancake was someone to be cherished. And apparently, that someone was also Pyrrha's dad.
Neat!
No matter how she might play at it, Nora wasn't dumb. Energetic and a bit of a spaz perhaps, and she'd be the first to admit she wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but she wasn't stupid either. She'd seen that old photo the champion clutched to her chest, seen her take the Baker aside, and she'd heard the frenzied Scroll call that followed. Really, it was hard not to, given she was stuck working the counter with Naruto's clones.
She risked a glance over at the duo and found them much the same as before. Naruto said something that had the champion turning scarlet.
Raven swatted her shoulder as she sauntered past. "Get back to work, brat. You're not being pad to stand around."
"Neither are you, hag~!" she sang back.
Raven's back stiffened, but she didn't engage. Nora knew she wouldn't. Ha! Victory was hers!
The true victor was Pyrrha's smile. She hadn't stopped since Naruto guided her to a table and brought her a slice of cake. It wasn't a small smile by any measure, but a wide, dopey grin. She'd not told Jaune or Ren yet, since they'd have to leave for lessons, but Nora knew Pyrrha would tell them, in time. Kinda nice to see her like this, she thought. Made her seem human.
Must be nice, having a dad. A small, tiny, envious part of Nora wondered at it-having parents all. As an orphan, she only had vague memories of her mother; a blurry indistinct figure that used to sing to her as she combed her hair. A wasting disease had taken her when she was young. There hadn't been a father to speak of and Mom never talked about him.
Still...something nudged at Nora.
Working with Naruto felt almost...comfortable. Familiar. Safe. Warm. Why was that? Until recently she hadn't even known who he was, much less had a reason to care. Hmm. Probably didn't matter. She didn't need some old man, she told herself. She had Renny. She had her team. She had a job to do.
Aaaand it looked like Deery was drowning out there with all those orders.
Wait, was that Cardin with her?
Crap, crap, crap!
Bustling back out onto the floor with all due haste, Nora narrowly skirted a new arrival near the door and only narrowly managed to avoid crashing into them. She had time enough to catch sight of red hair, dark clothes, and little else. Hollering an apology over her shoulder, flashed them a quick wave and swept over to her partner in crime. She arrived just in time to hear a less than pleasant phrase.
"Wasn't aware this place hired animals." the boy didn't take a seat but chose to stand instead, leaning against a wall as he scoffed at her. "You get your shots yet, bitch?"
Credit where it was due, Deery held her ground. "If you're not going to place an order, I'll have to ask you to l-leave...
"Nah, I don't think so." the larger boy leered, heedless of Nora's approach. "Maybe you should, freak."
Oh, dear. Was that workplace harassment? That was a big no-no.
Nora swept up behind him, silent as the grave.
Cardin Winchester was well known for having...certain views when it came to Faunus. She didn't fancy the flighty girl's chances when faced with someone like him. Deery might be plucky, but she wasn't a huntress. Deery was soft. Deery was squishy. Deery was a civilian. Deery was but a small sapling, and Cardin towered over her like a mighty elm. When faced with such a predicament, Nora did what any upstanding huntress would do. If she happened to be a little forceful about it, well. She'd just claim she didn't know her own strength.
She tapped Cardin's shoulder.
Cardin turned and met her sweet smile.
"Would you care to repeat that, you sonuvabitch?"
(0.0.0.)
Adam Taurus observed the beautiful disaster as he slipped into his seat. And he smiled.
He'd been all of a moment from intervening himself...but this? He found himself glad he'd decided to step back.
Watching a lone huntress turn a racist inside out proved to be the highlight of his afternoon. He didn't know the human body could bend like that, much less contort into a ball and survive the experience. Watching that big oaf be swatted about like a golf-ball by a giant hammer? Glorious. Watching him fold like a pretzel? Priceless. His cries were just icing on the proverbial cake, as it were. Had she been a Faunus, he would've welcomed her into the White Fang on the spot. As things stood he was still considering it, if only because she amused him.
A soft clink drew his attention and had him looking up.
"H-H-Here."
Adam regarded the small cake before him with baleful eyes. Chocolate. It was a decadent thing indeed. His mouth watered at the sight of it. His mind protested, however.
...I didn't order this." he growled the words.
"You didn't." the poor girl stammered out. "I was told to give it to you."
Why? He didn't know the owner of this establishment. He'd come here on a whim.
"By whom?" He fought the urge to look around, knowing he wouldn't find the one responsible-
"By me."
Adam looked up just in time to see a man with blue eyes and striking blond hair seize Cardin's twitching form, lift him into the air, and deliver a sharp kick to his posterior. It was a good kick, he thought; one that sent the armored boy sailing out the door, squealing like the pig he was. A few customers laughed at the fools plight-moreso when he didn't return. For once, Adam found himself among them.
"And stay out!" the proprietor shouted after Cardin. "If I see you in here again I'll chew your ear off and give you a thrashing besides!"
Ah. Music to his ears.
Unfortunately for Adam, Deery took one look at his pleased expression and mistook it for something else. Whatever she saw there had he scuttling back behind the counter like the frightened foal she was. Adam felt his lip curl. Coward. Either unwilling to risk her position here or simply unable to stand up for herself. She wouldn't do well in the Fang. Oddly enough, she seemed intent to keep the blond between her and him at all times. That implied a certain trust. Anyone willing to hire Faunus, pay them a decent wage -let alone stand up for them!- begrudged a bit of respect. Just a bit. After all it was quite late and his sweet-tooth had been bothering him all week. The thought stirred an odd pang in his chest. Blake had always enjoyed sweets...
Ah, well.
Waste not, want not.
With a ferocity born of his background, the redhead swiftly tucked into his meal.
"Aren't you going to charge me?" he asked between bites.
"Nope." Naruto granted him a small smile. "Like she said, its on the house."
"I don't believe that for a moment, human." Adam swallowed. What do you want from me?"
"Not a thing." His immediate answer nearly floored the faunus. "You just remind me of an old friend...
Before he could think to talk, the blond pulled up a seat opposite him. Adam fought down a flinch. He hadn't been recognized, he told himself. No one cared who he was until he put on his mask; even without it...well. Only a handful of people knew him. None of them were here. Surely a simple human baker wouldn't care about a Faunus with a scar-
Tan fingers drummed against the table, bringing him up short.
Keen blue eyes rose to met his own, and held them.
Realization struck Adam like a thunderclap as a woman with dark hair and bloody red eyes soundlessly slid into the chair on his right. Cutting off his escape, he knew. If he tried to bolt right now, she'd be able to grab his arm and reel him back in like a hooked fish. Unbidden, his hand flew to to the hilt of his sword. No one made a move to draw their weapons. No one noticed. No one seemed to care. If they saw him as a threat, they were being remarkably calm about it.
"Now, now." Naruto's voice washed over him in dulcet tones, "Lets not do anything we might regret. I just want to talk."
"Frankly, I'm fine with chopping you into bits." Raven hummed. "Give me an excuse."
"Raven," the blond admonished, "We don't kill customers."
"Seriously?" red eyes rolled. "You're such a soft touch.
"What do you want?" Adam ground the words out.
"A moment of your time, nothing more."
They knew.
In hindsight, Adam wasn't sure how they did; this man appeared to be a simple baker, and while the woman was clearly something more. No more, no less. Appearances could be deceiving. Regardless, he didn't favor his chances. The woman looked like she knew how to use that blade of hers, to say nothing of the blond she deferred to. What did they want with him?
In the end, curiosity won the day and his slice of cake went forgotten.
Adam reluctantly pried his fingers from the hilt of his sword.
"Wonderful!" Naruto beamed. "I knew you'd see reason."
This smiling, he leaned back in his chair.
"Let's have a chat, Adam."
A/N: Worry not, you'll have that Pyrrha fight scene next chapter.
Everyone was a treat to write, but the Nikos family really stole the show here.
Adam makes his debut, and he's not quite the maniac we all know. Not yet at least. Meanwhile, Nora's realized something's up. If anyone's wondering where Qrow is, he's sleeping off his hangover AND Raven's beating in the grass. We'll see him next chapter. He was never meant to be in this one. This one was another slice of life bit, but a needed one nonetheless. It felt good to get this out, even if I'm still out of sorts from surgery.
We'll be digging into some heavier stuff soon enough...
That aside, its been HEAVILY implied that Pyrrha's mother knows how to fight, though we know precious little of her style, much less her Semblance. Nevertheless, the gang and I have concocted something for her, and we're sure you'll like it.
As ever, reviews are my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
They keeps an old man alive.
And enjoy the previews.
As ever:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Get ready to smile~!
(Previews!)
"I demand to speak with your manager!" Cardin's father snarled.
Naruto smiled. It was not a pleasant smile, Cinder thought. "I AM the Manager."
"I'M QUEEN OF THE CASTLE!"
"Nora, why?!"
Vanessa laughed. "Lively place you have here."
Qrow gave her a black look. "Why did you come back?"
"You can't just go around adopting everyone with a bad past."
"Can. Am. Will. And If I can't," his grin had her chuckling, "Then I'll just hire 'em."
"Roman, my boy...
Naruto spun a chair out for the thief.
A clawed hand beckoned to said chair with graceful poise.
...lets have a little chat." It was command, not an invitation. "Whaddya say?"
"Cinder's going to attack Beacon, you know." Raven prodded his ribs beneath the sheets. "If she thinks the Fall Maiden is here...
"Hmm." Naruto granted her a sigh. "Yeah, she probably will, assuming I don't talk her out of it. Maybe she won't."
"You're counting on it." Not a question. An accusation. "You don't think she'll listen to you."
"She's stubborn and believes she holds all the cards. Its a shame really. She doesn't realize she's got a losing hand." he wrapped an arm around her and in a rare moment of tenderness, Raven allowed it and moved closer to him. Dark hair brushed his bare chest as they cuddled beneath the sheets. "You can take her, right? She's not a Maiden...yet. Even if she becomes one, you'd still win. You're more experienced."
"I would...but what about you? No mercy for a poor unfortunate soul?" she threw his own barbs back at him. "No second chances for little Cinder? None at all?"
"No." there was an edge to his words now, one she recognized. "If she attacks, the kids will be in her line of fire. She tries? She dies."
Yesss. There it was. This was the reason she'd fallen in love with him. "That's more like it."
Her lips danced across his neck, finding their way to his chin, and finally, his mouth.
Naruto was many things, but at the end of the day, he was still a warrior.
Cinder had no idea who she was messing with.
R&R~!