A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?
Kept you waiting, huh? This chapter is told from multiple perspectives and hoo boy, its a wild one. Looking forward to your reviews~!
Once again, I'm sorry for the wait, this chapter was delayed due to multiple reasons, including Covid, a car crash, and finally surgery. I had to rewrite this chapter three bloody times before I was satisfied with it; which proved difficult given that I only have one functional arm and eye at the moment. Hmm. Is this how Cinder felt after Ruby beat her ass back in Beacon? At least I'll regain full function in them eventually...
So lets answer a few questions, eh?
Q: You've implied Naruto's been around for awhile in this story. Eternal youth and all that. Who's older? Him or Ozma? Salem, maybe?
A: Salem and Ozma have been around for thousands of years. Eons, really. By comparison, Naruto's only a few hundred or so. He wasn't there for the beginning of their conflict; hell at this point, he just wants a normal life. Hence the bakery bit.
Q: Just how storied is Naruto's past here? Will we ever see the full breadth of it?
A: I feel the need to repeat this; at one point Naruto and Raven were...not the best of people. Basically? John Wick on steroids. These two were murderers. Monsters. Killers. Yes, they did so for a good cause, but the fact remains that they aren't proud of their past. Naruto settled down. Raven is STILL settling in.
Do not wake those dragons. Lest ye burn.
Q: I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Roman's his kid! Somebody better pick up that phone because I called it!
A: Yup, that cat's out of the bag. Most of his kids seem to be redheads XD
Roman's mother will also be revealed in this chapter.
What can I say? Puns for days.
Q: Just how many kids does he have?!
Many of his encounters were simple one night stands after he and Raven parted ways. Many of them led nowhere. But some...
Well. You've seen a few already. He hasn't fathered the entire cast, but the
Q: How big is the pairing. Surely you won't make it that large...
A: Allow me to pose a riddle to you, dear reader. I'd like you remember three words. Mage. Warrior. Thief. What do they have in common? They're three different classes of course. But those words I just used? They signify three different people. You've met the "Mage". I made her quite obvious. You've already witness the "Warrior" as well. That leaves the "Thief" as it were. Confused? Good! They'll become quite clear by the end of this chapter.
Q: Can Naruto create his own pseudo-Maidens of a sort?
A: He could if he was keen on sharing his chakra. He isn't. Hell, he's very leery about teaching Pyrrha anything chakra related all. Remnant is bad enough without shinobi running around.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes.
Papa!Naruto is best Naruto, and woe betide anyone who hurts his kids.
"How busy were you?!"
"More than you'd think, less than you'd expect."
~a strange discussion.
Apples and Trees
Roman Torchwick had never been one for regret before.
To be fair, when you are a master thief -Excuse me?! Get my title right! Renowned gentleman thief and former huntsman, wanted all over Vale, thankyouverymuch!- you really didn't have time for petty feelings like regret or remorse. If he'd stopped to feel shame for every person he hurt in his storied career, he would've turned himself in a long time ago. But this?
Yeah, he regretted this. All of it. Every damn bit of it.
"Roman, Roman, Roman." A pair of strangely familiar blue eyes drilled into his across the table, their owner frowning at him like a child with one hand caught in a cookie jar. "I'm very disappointed in you."
At his side, Neon tentatively raised a hand in innocent inquiry.
"You stay put, missy!" the baker stabbed his finger at her, causing the petite girl to flinch. "You've been just as bad!"
Frankly, Torchwick was pretty damn dissapointed in himself right now. Really, blowing up a bakery? In the middle of the night? And getting caught to boot?! He wasn't a damn terrorist! He lived by a code...or rather, he used to. Morals never lasted long when someone like Cinder Fall had you by the balls.
'Just look at me now, mum.' he thought bitterly to himself. 'I'm a monster. Just like you.'
Like it or not, he hadn't had much say in the matter. He still didn't. When you were recruited by Cinder, guilt quickly becomes secondary. Survival? Yeah, that shit's primary. A broad like her gives you two choices. Obey or die. Those were your only options. You couldn't fight. He'd tried in the beginning, and she'd beaten him and Neo handily, leaving them within an inch of death. Running wasn't an option either. Vale was his home -his turf- his territory. His name meant something here. To leave that behind...nope. Couldn't do that.
Where people like Cinder were concerned, you served long enough until you could find a way out from her thumb...or they disposed of you.
So when the order came down to blow up some random-ass bakery he'd never been to? Yeah, he didn't like the idea of taking lives, but he liked dying even less. It should have been a quick in an out. They were here to set an example. By destroying a popular eatery in Vale, lil' miss firebrand aimed to sow discontent and negativity in Vale. Such had been the plan. But plans seldom survived contact with the enemy. This one had barely made it through the front door before that bloody bitch trashed it.
Now he knew better.
This was a test, or at least it had been. Roman was pretty damn sure they'd failed. Rather, he and Neo had been set up to fail in the first place. Blasted baker had cottoned on far too fast for his liking. Almost like he knew this would happen. Well, at least little miss perfect redhead here wasn't here to glare at him anymore. Pyrrha Nikos had been ushered home under the watchful eye of what he could only assume was a clone semblance of some sort. And wouldn't she have quite the story to tell come tomorrow? But that was neither here nor there. Now? Now, Roman was
"I suppose I could ask you what you stood to gain from blowing up my bakery," his captor sighed, "But I already know the answer. You didn't do this of your own accord. Someone put you up to it."
Roman's jaw snapped shut with an audible click. "No idea what you're talking about-
Naruto's fist slammed down on the table, rattling glasses and plates alike. Blue eyes blazed red. "Do not lie to me, young man!"
Killing intent. There could be any other word for it. Fear froze Roman's tongue to the roof of his mouth and stilled any semblance of speech. As if a thunderbolt had shot down from the heavens and paralyzed him where he sat, so too did he find himself unable to move. Every muscle clamped down, refusing to so much as twitch for fear of earning the ire of the being before him. Death. He was looking into the eyes of death itself; the grimm reaper reborn. An abyss without end, a force of nature that would roll right over him at the slightest provocation.
Naruto snorted angrily and turned his gaze elsewhere.
"Neo, was it?" The illusionist stiffened under those eerie slitted eyes, but the baker knew no mercy. "Come here."
Much to Roman's chagrin scooted over and hopped onto the blond's right knee, eliciting a surprised grunt from him and a scowl from his companion. Roman wanted to applaud. Clever girl, playing the sympathetic angle as she was. One hand came down on the slim girl's shoulder to steady her, and sure enough, Naruto's expression softened.
Wait. She was pretending, right? Right?!
"Tell me, the one who ordered you to do this...does her name start with a "C" and end with an "R" by any chance?" when the little psycho dithered, lower lip trembling, he gave her a light tap. "Don't be afraid. I won't hold it against you. We'll protect you."
"Speak for yourself." Raven groused.
Her gaze met Roman's and with a nod, Neo crumbled like a house of cards. Not for herself, but for him. Damnit, Neo!
"So this was Cinder's handiwork, then. Good girl." Naruto patted her head. "Now, then. Roman. Enough about this awful business. Tell me about your mother." he continued. "There's a theory I'd like to confirm."
"Yeah, not gonna happen bub-urk?!" The thief's retort became a gurgle as Omen settled against his throat, its tapered tip tickling the ridge of his adam's apple. A thin line of blood sluiced down his neck to stain his coat a garish shade of red. Blast it. Total loss, that. Bloodstains were impossible to wash out. He'd have to throw it away.
"He wasn't asking, you wretch."
"Alright, alright." his hands came up, palms splayed. "Lets not be hasty here! I'm no good to you dead!"
"Raven, put the sword down." Naruto raised a hand to forestall an argument before Neo could move. "We don't do that here. Not anymore."
"Outside then." Raven countered, jerking her head toward the door. The motion sent her ebony hair swaying. A silent shiver shook Roman's soul as she continued. "We'll dump the bodies in the river and make love down by the waterfront. It'll be just like old times."
"Raven."
...fine." she swept her blade aside and sheathed it in a crimson flourish. "Spoilsport."
Roman slumped back in his seat with a gasp, massaging his throat. Too close. He'd nearly lost his head there. Neo hopped out of Naruto's lap and hastened to his side. She shot a baleful glare over her shoulder at Raven, uncowed by the burning red eyes that drilled her way. Torchwick didn't have the courage to meet her gaze. Not after that little display. What was this, the good cop bad cop routine? Nah. Probably not. Cops didn't act like this. Hell, bloody criminals didn't pull this kind of shit!
"Yeah," he croaked. "I'm fine. Just let it go...
"Roman. Buddy. Pal." Almost immediately, Naruto pinned him with his gaze once more. "Behave yourself. You cannot begin to comprehend the amount of fucks my wife does not give about you right now."
"Um...zero?"
Raven's reaction proved more vocal. "Wife...?!"
"Well, yeah." the blinked back at her. "Why the weird look? 'Course I'm gonna put a ring on it. Anyway, her feelings for you?" he continued seamlessly seeking Torchwick's gaze once more. "Zero. Might wanna watch your words."
"Less than zero," the bloody woman hissed. "Right down into the negative."
"So let's not anger her, yeah?" his captor hummed.
She'd kill them both without so much as a second thought. Blondie here was the only one stopping her. He was beginning to see why Cinder was so interested in these two. They weren't normal. Their casual discussion of murder and screwing aside, they were strong. Stronger than her, possibly. Did she want to recruit them? Was that her aim? More and more it felt like she'd hung him and Neo out to dry, the bitch.
They were a meal for blondie and the bloody woman.
"So you don't wanna talk about your mother, eh?" said blond swung one leg up onto the table and crossed it with the other. "That's alright. I can imagine why you'd be reluctant to do so." he steepled his fingers, carefully placing his chin atop them. "I've got more than enough words for the both of us."
He leaned forward and shattered Roman's world.
"Your mother is -was!- Sapphire Torchwick." Try as he might the gentleman thief couldn't quite contain the twitch that followed. "She was a murderer. Assassin. Killer for hire. But I'm sure you already know this." Roman's face twitched again and and the baker's grin grew to shit-eating proportions. "Struck a nerve, have I? Your mother was good at that. Among...other things."
"Bull." How did this punk know his mum? He couldn't possibly be...nah. There was just no way. His vision tunneled, blind to Neo, Raven, everything else.
"Sapphire...was an exceptional woman." as he looked on, the jinchuuriki leaned back in his seat, wood creaking as he did so. "Fierce, strong, and a right pain the ass to fight. She knew what she wanted, when she wanted it, how she wanted it, and woe to ye if you got in her way." Something dangerously akin to nostalgia flitted across his whiskered visage. "She was possessed of a singular purpose; commitment personified." A pause. "You have more than just her name, Roman. You have her eyes...if not necessarily her hair. But that surly personality? That's all her."
Roman blinked. Wait. Why was he talking like mum was dead? Yet he couldn't help but listen, spellbound as he was.
"When we first met, she tried to kill me." A wistful look stole over his captor's face. "Ambushed me in my bed in the middle of the night. Said I was on her list. Hardest fight of my life. Her semblance completely erases her presence and leaves her invisible, you see; making her one of the few people I can't actively sense or see, much less predict. Barely got out of there alive."
"Shame she didn't kill you." Roman bit out.
"Really?" A blond brow rose. "If she had, you wouldn't have been born."
"Ha, that's rich!" the thief slapped his knee. "For a second there it sounded like you said-
"Unlikely as it may sound, I did." Naruto cut him off at the pass before he could deny it. "I am your father."
Did he just...?
Roman's face turned chalk white as his heart skipped three beats. Though the windows were closed and the bakery sealed, he felt a frigid breeze all the same. His world derailed. The train of his thoughts ran headlong off the tracks, pitched into the ground and perished in a fiery explosion. There were no survivors. A strange buzzing sound rang in his hears, deafening him to all else. Green eyes fluttered shut and open in a rapid blink. His mind rebooted. Shut down. Rebooted again.
"No." he swallowed at last, the word sticking in his throat. "No. No, that's not true. That's impossible. My old man was a drunk and a deadbeat. He left before I was born."
"Is that what Saph told you?" all he received was a pitying shake of the head. "She never was a very good liar."
"N-No." he slammed to his feet and stumbled back. "You're lying! You! Not her!"
"Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
"No!" he snarled. "I don't believe you!"
"I don't care what you believe." Naruto caught him and hauled him back into a chair, heedless of his protests. "Now sit down. You're not going anywhere until we've finished our business here."
Neo inhaled soundlessly through her teeth. At first, Roman thought she might be laughing at him, but then she looked at him. Back to Naruto. Back at him again. To Naruto once more. A series of quick gestures followed. At any other time, Roman might have hushed her. Now he saw what she saw. He wished he hadn't. It was there in the stubborn set of his jaw, the shape of his eyes and nose. Naruto wasn't anywhere near as pale, but there was certainly something there. Ignore it! his mind wailed! Reject it!
"Now that you say it, definitely some resemblance." Raven sulked with a shrug. "Mascara doesn't do much to hide it. Why is he even wearing it...?"
"So he's got a flare for fashion." Naruto offered one of his own. "Let him flaunt what he wants. Most of my kids are redheads anyway. If anything that proves my point."
"One isn't...
"Meh," he waved quickly. "There's always an exception to the rule...
No, no, no. They were not having this conversation!
"May I finish my story while you have a mental breakdown?"
Roman gurgled wordlessly. Naruto mistook it for acceptance and continued.
"Saph was a killer with a code. I liked that. She didn't like me at first -seeing as I ruined her perfect record and all- but eventually we got past that. One thing led to another and we decided to team up. We cut a bloody path through the underworld, just the two of us." his arms spread wide, grasping for the ceiling as though to piece through it and reach the starry sky above. "I could tell you so many stories about her. She dragged me all around the world. From Vale to Mistral, to Atlas, even Vacuo. We were feared. Respected, even. Best two years of my life." a bitter laugh tumbled out of him. "She wanted kids, you know? We kept trying for the longest time."
Raven beat him to the question. "What happened?"
"Work happened." blue eyes flicked up to meet red. "I thought we were going too far. Saph didn't. She took a job in Atlas without me and vanished. Gone." Tan fingers clicked together in a snap. "Just like that." his gaze swiveled back to Roman. "She must have had you sometime since then. Now, she must've passed away too; because I know no son of hers would act like this." Blue eyes narrowed to razor-thin slits upon him. "Sapphire killed because it was all she knew how to do; because she wanted a better life for any kid she might have had-
"She's not dead, you bastard!" Rage roared in Roman's veins, turning his world red. "Stop acting like she is!"
One could heard a pin drop in the ensuing silence.
"For crying out loud!" Raven flung up her arms! "Not another one!"
"Eh?" For the first time since they'd med, Naruto looked to be at a loss for words. "Whaddya mean she's not dead." Ha! A small, vindictive part of Roman crowed at the naked disbelief now flashing across the blond's face and all it entailed. Who was denying now?! "She's gotta be dead. I couldn't find her. I spent months looking."
Well good for him! Unfortunately, any glee he might have felt was overshadowed by all this unyielding rage.
"You no good, two-bit bastard!" Torchwick lurched upright, circled the table, grabbed a fistful of the blond's jacket and yanked him forward. "She's in a coma! She's been like that for the last five years!"
"She was...I mean, she is?" Sympathy flitted across his face. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. What happened...?"
Roman's knee slammed into his side. "None of your damn business!"
Naruto slumped.
"Sapphire was a woman of few words, but she had her moments. Here." the man who might-or-might-not-be-his-father pulled a broken silver pendant from within his shirt and held it out to him. "Take a look at this. She gave me it as a token to remember her by." Roman scowled at it, noting the clean break in the otherwise polished metal. It was one of those old amulets, the kind that were made to be split in half. "Don't suppose you'd know where the other is? It would go a long way to confirming my story."
"Nope." he snarled. "Don't know a damn thing."
He did. Mum had given it to him years ago before the wasting disease got her. He was wearing it right now. It had a torn picture of it inside. He'd not thought much on it then. But now...
Reflexively he slammed a hand over his jacket to hide it. Neo saw it latched onto his arm with a firm expression. She tugged at it insistently. Roman realized her intention at once and tried to fight her off, to no avail. For all her slight size, the little devil overpowered him and thrust a hand down his shirt, fingers grasping for the bit of jewelry he wore.
"Don't you dare!"
Her forehead smacked against his, momentarily stunning him.
Neo used the opportunity to pry the necklace loose and flung it at Naruto, who in turn slotted it against its twin. The pieces fit perfectly.
Raven leaned in to look at, only to jerk back with a start. "Bugger me." She hissed. "You weren't kidding."
Neo hopped onto her shoulder and whistled wordlessly before being shaken off.
"Do you believe now?" Naruto held up the now-open pendant before him, leaving it dangling from its silver chain.
Roman saw it well enough. Moreover, he saw the picture within, the other half of the once-torn photograph. His mother he recognized well enough; her strikingly curly blue hair just as her namesake, contrasting pleasantly with a pale face and dirty green eyes. There was a man stood beside her poking her cheek, trying to draw a smile from his mum. She didn't look much pleased with him, though she leaned against him regardless. And the man beside her...it was undoubtedly the one before him now. Armed to the teeth and wearing clothes he didn't recognize, but him regardless.
All the fight bled out of Torchwick. He felt to his knees, a puppet with its strings severed. He felt faint. If Neo hadn't been there to catch him, he might've passed out on the spot.
Even then he could barely think straight.
"You...you really are...
"Aaand now I feel like a shitty parent again." the baker scratched the back of his head with a rueful chuckle. "Sorry about that. You wanna hug it out?"
"Hell no!" Roman slapped his hand away. "I'm too old for that!"
"Such hurtful words~
"Alright, then. Here's what we're going to do," Naruto pulled himself out to his feet, staring down at him intently. "I'm going to pretend tonight's little incident never happened." there came a pause as he let his words sink in, before he continued. "And in return, you're going to tell me what hospital Saph's been holed up in. I'm going to there tomorrow -during visiting hours!- to figure out what's wrong with her. And once I do, Roman?" a finger stabbed into his chest, grating painfully against his ribs. "You're going to get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness. Do you understand?"
Roman managed a stiff nod. He could do nothing else. His mind was too broken to do anything more.
"Also, you're ours now." Raven stepped up beside him with resounding finality. "No more of this blowing up bakeries business. We own you."
...why did he have a bad feeling about this? "So you want us to keep working for that broad or...?
"No." her at last, her smile turned cruel. "We want you to ruin her from the inside out."
"She'll kill you. You know that."
"Ha!" Naruto an' Raven shared a look. The latter laughed. "That's cute."
"Don't worry about Cinder." the former continued. "Just keep going as you have been. All we're asking is for you to feed us information as you go. She'll slip up sooner or later."
"And when she does...
"BAM!" Naruto slapped a fist into one palm."Game over."
Neo stood up straight and snapped off a sharp salute. Bit of a mistake, that.
The moment she moved, Naruto's gaze snapped to her with all the intensity of a hawk.
"And as for you!"
True to form, the agile fighter stiffened and sought to step back. Alas, she was too slow. Everyone always was when it came to Naruto. Strong arms closed around her slim form and drew her into a warm embrace. Her spin arched in his grasp, eyes flickering rapidly as she struggled to understand what he'd done to her. No killing blow this, but something else altogether. Neo trembled against him just so. Why, if Roman didn't know better he would've sworn that she sniffled just now. Surely that was his imagination...?
"Welcome to the family."
Nope. Not his imagination. Not at all!
"Eh?!" Roman sputtered. "Family?! We're not related! She ain't my kid!"
Neo squirmed around in Naruto's arms to level a piercing glare at Roman. Urk. She had him there, didn't she? Something told him any denial on his part would lose him his living privileges. He needed those. The last thing he wanted was for her to get stab-happy again. For an angry Neo was a stabby Neo, and he had no desire to revisit that unholy horror.
Ice blue eyes locked onto him. "Did you take her in? Raise her?"
Roman wilted beneath their combined gaze. "Well, yeah, I kinda did but...
"Then she's my granddaughter." the blond jutted out his chin. "No objections. Whaddya say, Neo?"
The little minx touched a finger to her chin and cocked her head to one side juuust so. Somehow that glance alone conveyed more meaning than words could; by the gods, Roman knew it all too well. Unfortunately for one Naruto Uzumaki, he did not. Heedless of the horror he'd just unleashed, he blew out a laugh and tousled her hair.
Roman knew what was coming next.
"Sure, you can have whatever you want. Cake, ice cream, even-oomph!" Naruto's words dissolved into a grunt as the petite girl slammed into him, wrapped both her arms around him as far as she could go, and buried her head in his stomach. "Alright, alright! I'll make you a few cakes! Mercy! I need my ribs!"
"Which leaves us with one last loose end." Raven interjected as she unsheathed her blade. "Want me to take care of our little spy?"
"That depends." The smile slipped from Naruto's face. "Is he still there?" Neo blinked up at him and he patted her head. "No, no, its alright. We're not talking about the two of you."
A muffled noise outside caught their attention.
"I'll deal with the rat."
Just like that, the tension came flooding back. Neo disentangled herself from her grandfather -and wasn't that a trip?- and reached for her weapon. Roman stumbled upright, mind awhirl as he fumbled for his cane. Spy? What spy? What were they on about? Surely they hadn't been followed here. Even Cinder wouldn't...oh, who was he kidding. This was exactly the sort of thing she'd do. She didn't trust him enough to follow orders; ergo, she'd sent someone to tail him.
To see if he succeeded, or to watch him die.
"Say, Roman." Naruto rolled his shoulders with an audible pop. "I want you to watch what happens next. Watch very closely."
He vanished in a golden flash before Roman could think to question him.
"This is how your old man fights."
(.0.0.0.)
"I'll deal with the rat."
With those words, Mercury Black knew his cover was blown. Silently swearing a blue streak he jolted out of the bushes and flung himself backwards, half-expecting the window to shatter at any moment. It never did, but that didn't stop him from turning tail; he booked it right out of there. He'd heard footsteps within and had no desire to face the hunters within. Right, then. Mission failed. Time to bug out and report back to Cinder before one of those monsters found him-
The door slammed open some distance behind him.
"Ah," an unfamiliar voice sighed. "He ran off-
Ha! Idiot, he'd not catch him now-
He turned and crashed headlong into someone's chest. Blazing blue eyes glowed in the dark.
"Hello, friend."
Mercury reacted accordingly to something that terrifying and slammed a spinning boot into the mans neck. An awful crack greeted him as his victim bent with the blow, twisting his head to lessen the impact. Pearly white teeth flashed back at him and he sensed something amiss about it. That smile just a little too sharp, a little too wide to be genuine. It reminded him of his own. He leaned forward, bones creaking ominously and pressed his forehead to his.
"My family's watching." he informed him primly. "So I'm going to show off a little."
Mercury blinked. "Wait, what-
Pain.
He didn't so much see the punch as he did feel it; by then his entire body was left to fold around the fist currently sheathed in his stomach like a steel chair. Breath burst from his lungs in an explosive spray and what little food he had eaten this evening came boiling back up his throat as he toppled to his knees.
"Hey, dinner and a show." someone cackled just out of sight. "Not bad."
He glimpsed Roman's sneering face a moment before impact.
Ah. So that's how it is. "No good traitor-
"Nothing personal, kid. Survival of the strongest."
A young woman stepped up beside the man, her eyes burning with scarlet flames.
Mercury balked at the sight of her. Maiden. His mind hissed frantically. Danger, danger! Shit on a stick.
He couldn't hope to face a truly trained Maiden alone. They hadn't been able to face Fall years ago and she'd since vanished to parts unknown. Had she been slain by this one? Yes? No? Maybe so? Whoever she was, she looked like she knew how to use that blade of her. Damnit, Em. She would've been useful right about now. Cinder needed her somewhere else tonight however, and that somewhere wasn't here.
"Do you need help?" she asked.
...he was going to die here, wasn't he?
"It'll be fine, Rae." a light laugh twisted the blond's gentle smile into something cruel. "After all...he's weak."
Mercury went terribly still. Something snapped in the back of his mind. All his arrogance, all his bluster, all his pride, all of it came crashing down. There it was. That word. That damn word. It slapped him dead in his face, more brutal than any blow. Weak. As if this bastard knew exactly what to say to him. Weak. It burned more than any attack ever could. Set his very heart ablaze. And still that big blond bastard just stood there. Taunting him. His father had been much the same way. This is a crutch. This make you weak.
Weak.
His legs broken.
Weak.
His semblance stolen.
Weak!
His very soul warped by abuse.
"Don't underestimate me old man!" "A low, shuddering breath fled from his lips. "I'll have you spitting teeth!"
"No." said man tilted his head. "You're a hundred years too young for that."
Mercury flew at him and rammed an iron boot into his face.
"Honestly, children these days." Naruto didn't even grunt as the metal caromed harmlessly off his whiskered visage. "I'll kill you, I'll murder you. I'll wreck you. You'll spit teeth. Bah!" he caught the fist that followed and broke it like so much kindling, ignoring the pained shriek that followed. "Not inventive at all. Back in my day, things were different."
"Aaargh!" Any retort Mercury might have given was swallowed by the pain he felt. He spun and slammed a boot into Naruto's face.
Blue eyes narrowed. "Put a little more force into it, would you? I didn't even feel that."
"Wha...?!"
"Do you have any idea just how many people have said threatened to kill me?" his tormentor sighed, heedless of the metal boot digging into his cheek. Quick as a flash he reached up, grabbing him by the very leg he'd struck with, danging him in the air like some prize catch. "Assassins. Maidens. Monsters. Over hundreds of years." His hand tightened into a fist, buckling the metal in his grasp. "And guess what, boy? I am still here."
He spun and slammed Mercury into the street, shattering it like so much glass.
"Their threats?" a scoff. "I barely remember them. And I'm still here."
The whiskered warrior ripped him free and did it once again.
"Their bodies have become ash. And I'm still here."
Mercury lashed out with his sole remaining leg.
"And when your very memory is forgotten...
It shattered on the blond's forehead.
"I! Will! Still! Be! Here!"
With a roar the immortal swung Mercury up over his head brought him back down, a meteor ramming him into the earth to leave a human-shaped crater behind. The entire street ruptured for miles in every direction. The assassin couldn't even bring himself to cry out this time. All that emerged was a pitiful squeak of sound as he looked up at his tormentor. Having this difference of power thrust in his face galled him. He'd thought himself strong...until he wasn't. Only now did he realize how weak he truly was.
"Damnit," he all but rasped the word. "What the hell...are you...?"
"A baker, a father, a hero." The blond dipped a hand into his belt holster and tugged an ominous shape free from it. "Take your pick."
Bitter tears gathered in Mercury's eyes. Not like this. He didn't want to go out like this. He was meant to die with a bang, not a whimper. This couldn't be his end. It just couldnt.
"Really? Tears? You're going to cry now? And here I thought you had a pretty good plan." Naruto shook his head slowly. "Short. Brutish. Simple." he held the item in question aloft, watching his eyes widen. "Just like you. No doubt you were meant to follow Roman, make sure he completes his task, or barring that report back to your boss if he refuses. Brutal really. But you made one critical mistake." he cocked the weapon back with an almost lazy grace. "You tried to take away what was mine."
The gun rose in his hand with an ominous click.
"You know, I really don't like using these things." he remarked, gazing at the cold metal barrel with quiet disdain. "They're so uncivilized. But you can't deny they're efficient. One shot. One kill. One message delivered. For what it's worth, I'm sorry to do this...but Roman's my kid, which technically makes Neo my granddaughter. Small world, isn't it?" his smile turned grim as he raised said pistol. "Cinder's annoying enough, but I want to deal with her. You, however...well, I just can't abide anymore harm coming to them. And I can't have you running back to your master."
The barrel pressed against his skull.
"Any last words?"
Mercury spat in his face. "Screw...you!"
Naruto sighed. "You're shit at dying, you know that?"
Here at last, something broke within the assassin. "Wait! I have information!"
"I'm sure you do." An eerie click filled the air. "Unfortunately for you...I simply don't care."
He squeezed the trigger and a single round slammed into Mercury's forehead. His head snapped back.
(.0.0.0.)
Raven couldn't take it anymore.
The very moment the body was buried, she grabbed Naruto.
"Upstairs. Now."
"Alright, alright." To his credit, the blond let himself be dragged toward the stairs. "See you later, Roman. We'll be in touch."
Raven didn't linger to hear whatever Torchwick said; she was too busy hauling him up the steps. And he let her, the absolute bastard. He could have snapped her wrist like a twig. Could've kicked her clean outside just as he had nearly done to Mercury. Instead he let himself be tugged along like some kind of naughty puppy all the way to the door. Didn't even look worried, the cheeky little bugger.
No sooner did they reach the bedroom than she spun about and gave him a shove; to which Naruto toppled back onto the bed with a laugh.
"Easy!" he chuckled. "You're gonna break the bed at this rate-
Omen came up under his chin, lifting his head just so.
"How many." she all but hissed the words.
Naruto blinked. "How many what?"
"Don't you play coy!" Wind flared flared, rattling the very room. "How many women did you screw while I was gone?!"
"Ah." His eyes sharpened. "I though it might be that."
A fireball leaped to Raven's palm, ready to be flung at the slightest provocation. Rather than panic, Naruto calmly batted the blade away from his throat, reached over, laid his fingers over the blazing sphere and closed them around it. Denied the oxygen it sought, the fire guttered out harmlessly. Not even ashes remained of its might. Only then did he deign to meet her gaze.
"Don't go blowing holes in my house, now." he chided as he leaned back. "I just fixed the place up." when she didn't wave, her exhaled in a long-suffering sigh. "You're not going to let this go, are you? Alright. How many one night stands after you ran away, or how many women did I actually care about...?
"The latter." she bit out.
"Fair enough." His eyes went distant for a moment. "Excluding Nessie and Saph? Three." he held up a trio of fingers. "Of those three, one died in my arms. Another vanished in Menagerie. The last said she never wanted to see me again. And no," those same azure orbs flashed in a sudden burst of heat, "I haven't been in contact with them or anyone else since. I'm not about to go sleeping around again. I'm done with that."
"Why should I believe your words?" She regretted them the moment they left her mouth. "You could have more kids running around. Like Adam."
Something bitter burned in his gaze. "Because I'm not you."
Raven jerked back, eyes burning.
"One slip." she stabbed a finger at him." One. And you're never going to let me live it down. I was wrong, alright?!" she flung up her hands, fingers sparking as her emotions slipped their leash. "Is that what you want to hear? Damnit, Naruto! I was drunk and scared out of my wits! I don't even remember that night with Tai-
"Which is why I forgive you for it." His rocked back on the bed, that selfsame smile turning to a flinty scowl before her very eyes. "That's the only reason I haven't gone and knocked Taiyang's block off." Quick as a flash, his smile returned. "I like to think I'm better than that. Unlike you, I'm not some silly kid who pitches a bitch fit when their toy is taken away-
Her hand rocketed into the side of his face.
Naruto caught it easily, wrenched her wrist aside and flung Raven over his shoulder in a single seamless motion. There was no transition from one moment to the next; her The mattress cushioned her fall. It did nothing to stop him from climbing atop her and pinning her to the bed.
"Careful, now." his forehead pressed against hers, breath warm on her face. "I know you're angry, you have every right to be, but I'm not gonna sit around and let you beat up on me."
"Is that all I am to you?" she thrashed in his grasp. "A toy? Someone you're just going to throw away?!"
"No. Never." His expression softened. "You taught me the truth about this world. You were...ah, damnit." he looked away suddenly, cheeks gone rosy. "You really want me to say it that badly? Do I have to?"
Her head bobbed in a nod.
"You were my first love." he hissed the words through clenched teeth. "The one person I felt a real connection with since I came to this world. Hell, you still are. The only reason I was with anyone at all, was because of you. When you left...I felt empty. Hollow. I thought you weren't coming back. I tried to fill the void you left behind with pleasure and...other things. It didn't work." Here at last, he looked away. "I didn't plan to have kids. Never did. But I'll not abandon them. Don't ask me to."
Well. There it was. That was precisely what she wanted to hear. Why, then, did it leave her so miserable?
"I hate you." her words lacked rancor as she gave him a watery smile. "You make me weak."
"Heh. Love you, too."
His lips graced hers in a chaste kiss and this time Raven leaned into it willingly. Love. How long it had been since she'd heard those words. She did love him. He made her feel foolish and weak and soft, yet also fierce. Fiery. Young in a way she'd almost forgotten. He brought out the best in her and she in him. They were both flawed. But wasn't love flawed by its very nature? They'd had something good together once and in her fear, she'd nearly gone and ruined it. Her weakness had nearly undone them both. Lovable oaf. He'd cut off his own arm if someone asked him do. She'd spent so long running. Hiding. No more.
"No more." she said as much.
"Eh?" Naruto blinked, leaning away. "What're you on about? I already told you I haven't been with anyone in years-
"I mean no more damn kids!"
A laugh answered her. " I haven't been that busy."
Raven surged upright and kissed him again, then pivoted her hips and tried to push him down as he had unto her. Naruto didn't allow it; she loved him for that, too. He was a fighter. Just like her even as they fought and scratched and clawed at each other, she found herself laughing. She tore apart his jacket and his fingers tugged at her pants, dragging them down. Her fingernails dragged at his bare back, legs locking around him.
"If you're really that -mmf!- keen on having such a large family...
She gasped in his grasp, hips slowly moving against him.
Glazed eyes met his as she took him within her.
...then I'll give you one."
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto hissed like a scalded cat as a stray sunbeam struck his face.
It must've been bad luck or something; because it slipped through a crack the curtains and struck his eyes at just the right angle to wake him instantly. His first instinct was to roll over and go back to sleep. Unfortunately for him, someone had a death grip on his left arm and prevented him from doing so. Which left the sun blazing down into his face. Naruto tried to ignore it. He really, truth did.
"Ugh, my head...what did I drink last night?"
He sniffed once, inhaling deeply. Ah. He knew that scent.
"Shaddap will ya?" someone pawed at his chin. "I'm tryin' ta sleep...
Sure enough when he turned his head he found one Raven Branwen spooned up against him. She wrinkled her nose beneath his gaze and realization dawned. Blue eyes flitted upward, beheld his ruined apartment and the vast litany of clothing scattered about the four corners of the room. A familiar black lace bra hung from a lamp and...yup. Those were his trousers flung over the couch; a couch that looked to have been snapped in half. As he continued to take stoke of his ruined room, a faint bead of sweat ran down his brow.
Ah. Now he remembered.
When he glanced down, he found her blinking back up at him. "Sleep well?"
"Hmm." she graced him with a sly smirk. "I'm damn sore."
His grin grew imperceptibly. "That a yes?"
"Stop fishing for compliments." Her hand struck weakly against the scarred plane of his chest as she nuzzled her head into him. "Won't do you any good."
"Wouldn't have to if you weren't so damn prickly."
Funny thing about Raven. She might be a bit of a tsundere, but when she latched onto something? She latched hard. You'd need a dust-powered crowbar to have any hope of prying her off. Perhaps that was a bit of her upbringing shining through. Raven was a warrior, born and raised among bandits. When she wanted something? She took it. Woe betide whoever tried to take it back.
"You know you love it." she tossed her head, flinging the dark curtain of her hair over one shoulder.
Naruto saw weakness and pounced. "Speaking of love...weren't you the one screaming my name last night?"
"Hey!" Raven's pale face flushed to match the color of her eyes. "Bastard. You really haven't changed at all, have you?"
They had, the both of them, but neither wanted to admit it. Raven was calmer now, less prone to making rash decisions and more keen on attachment. He'd become tethered to this world and those living here; just as he had begun to see eternal youth as less a curse and more a blessing. He wasn't invincible by any means or measure...just hard to kill. And besides, huntresses aged real slow. Maidens? Even slower. Raven didn't look a day over thirty. Not that he'd say such a thing. She was a bit touchy about that.
"Depends on your definition of the word." he pressed a kiss to her forehead instead. "But you're certainly better, I'd say."
"Hmm." she snuggled closer. "Flattery will get you everywhere. By all means, praise me more."
His eyes drifted down. "Well, you've got a nice ass."
"Idiot." she dragged his face down to hers and kissed him roughly.
They lay like that for what felt like an eternity, simply luxuriating in the feel of one another.
"Cinder's going to attack Beacon, you know." Raven pulled away and 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." Fifty-fifty on that one, honestly." Roman didn't know enough of her plans, but he could make an educated guess as to her intent. "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 somehow 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."
She granted him a fiery smile. "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 at heart. Just because he'd eschewed the old way didn't mean he'd forgotten it. If came to a fight, their enemies would be sorely surprise. Just as Mercury had been. Cinder had no idea who she was messing with. But she would. In time.
A distant clamor downstairs caught their attention.
"Uh, boss?" one of his clones called from below. "Might wanna come see this."
"Nope. Still sleepy." Naruto stifled a yawn into Raven's shoulder. "Can't you handle it?"
"We could," his doppenganger called, "But I'm pretty sure you'll want to see this. Qrow's awake. Also, we've got company..
"Finally woke up, did he?" Raven laughed into his shoulder. "Go on." she gave him a nudge. "I'll be here. Come back to bed when you're ready."
Blue eyes met red and he stayed for a long, lingering kiss. "Lazy bird."
She flipped him off with a laugh.
(.0.0.0.)
Qrow Branwen was indeed awake as Naruto stumbled downstairs, but he wasn't the one shouting.
"You can't take her!"
"For crying out loud, you're too damn noisy...
"Silence!" Came the answering cry! "I'll have you both arrested!"
Naruto stifled a yawn with the back of his hand as he descended the stairs.
He saw Deery first, all but hiding behind the drunken bird's shoulder. Pyrrha stood before him, arms splayed wide as she warded off a man Naruto didn't recognize. Adorable. Deery aside, Qrow didn't need any protection. Whoever this was, they'd bit off more than they could chew. The reason for her anger wasn't immediately apparent, however.
"Mornin', Pyrrha." he called into the chaos. "What's going on?"
Jade orbs snapped to him with relief. "Dad! Do something! He's out of control!"
"And he is...?"
As he drew closer, he beheld a stout-looking man clad in a creme-colored suit, raging at the invincible girl and hungover huntsman alike. All told, the fellow appeared to be in his late forties. Wasn't much to look at, either. All quivering jowls with thin greying-red hair framed by dark eyes with garish sideburns tapering up into a bristly handlebar mustache. He looked like he might pop out of that suit at any moment. Meh. A small, nasty voice chirped away in the back of his head. Port's was bigger. In better shape, too. And that was saying something!
"You there!" the whale took one look at Naruto and started pointing fingers. "Do you work here?!"
"Something like that." the blond uttered another jaw-popping yawn. "We just opened. Ya need something?"
"I am Franklin Winchester," the man sputtered loudly, "Scion of the Winchester household! I would have words with you!"
Ugh. Too early for this, it was. He dug a finger into one ear, wishing he could just ignore the fop before him. "And I should care because...?"
The man stabbed a finger at Deery. "Your employee assaulted my son, Cardin!"
Deery whimpered and tucked herself further behind Qrow. "No, I didn't!"
"Silence, wench! You'll never work in this city again!"
Pyrrha bit back a growl. Naruto waved her down before she could say something to implicate herself. Wait. Winchester? He knew that name. Upon closer inspection, he noted some resemblance to Cardin, fleeting though it might be. He looked like him. Well, he would've if Cardin had completely let himself go, stopped exercising and gained two hundred pounds overnight. Blech. Moreover...what he'd just said...
"Oh? Is that the lie he told?" A lie, if there ever was one. Coward. Cardin didn't want to admit that he'd been manhandled by Nora. "This faunus beat him up?"
Deery wilted. "I really didn't...
"Indeed!" Franklin missed his sarcasm as he looked up at him, heedless of the difference in height. "This filthy vagabond broke my boy's arm!
"That's a lie! She never laid a hand on him!"
"Quiet, you wretched little upstart!" Winchester blustered right through Pyrrha's denial. His gaze snapped back to Naruto. "You, there! Boy! I demand to speak to your manager at once!"
Pyrrha froze.
Deery perked up.
A wicked grin split Naruto's face.
Qrow swore softly to himself. "Ah, bugger."
"He wants to speak to the manager?" a clone chuckled.
"Did you hear that?" Another echoed. "He wants to speak to a manager."
In that moment, any pity Naruto might have felt shriveled up and died. Ohh...this was going to be one of those days, wasn't it. Fine. He erupted into an ear-piercing shriek of laughter then; a deep, throaty sound that left Winchester on the back foot. Three quick strides carried him forward. Another placed him well within striking distance. A fifth saw his forehead pressed against Winchester's now-puce-colored face. Here at last, a faint look of alarm passed across the portly man's sweaty visage.
"I AM the manager, little man." Behind him, Pyrrha preened, but he wasn't done. "Your boy's a bigot. He was harassing my employees, so I threw him out. Deery didn't so a damn thing. Also...
He lurched forward, grabbing a fistful of the man's coat.
...that's my darling daughter you just insulted."
Clenched knuckles blurred upwards.
(.0.0.0.)
Such a homely little place, this bakery.
Vanessa Nikos had glimpsed it from afar and knew she had arrived.
Nestled in the very heart of Vale, Baker's Dozen was immediately visible to the naked eye. Easily accessible off a main thoroughfare, she recognized the sign immediately. This must be the place. After all, her daughter's directions had matched with those given by Naruto, and neither were the sort to lie.
But with each step she took toward it, her heart began to hammer.
Even from here she could hear a lively commotion within. What if they didn't want to see her?
No! Stop! She shook her head fiercely, crimson hair flying about her head like a halo. Focus. She could do this. She just had to reach out...grasp, the handle...
She'd only just done so when someone came crashing through the wooden frame and breakneck speed. Instinct took over, years of poised reflexes compelling her to act. She lashed out, backhanding the brute before he could collide with her and ruin her outfit. A meaty thunk greeted her ears and then he was gone, crashing past her. Only then did she realize what she'd done. Chagrined, she looked backward.
"I'm sorry!" she called out after him.
Franklin Winchester didn't answer; rather, he lacked the capacity. He was already halfway across the street, tumbling like an oversized boulder and squealing all the while. Vanessa briefly considered assisting him before she thought better of it. Meh. He had Aura. He'd be fine...probably. Besides, that looked like a Winchester, and everyone knew the Winchester family was a big 'ol bag of dicks. No love lost there.
Humming
Vanessa hummed softly as she stepped over the broken timber and into the shop.
"My, my." she sighed. "I didn't expect this place to be quite so...rowdy."
Pyrrha's voice greeted her almost immediately. "Mom?!"
Vanessa saw her daughter for all of a moment; then she saw the man standing behind her. Blue eyes bulged. Jade orbs narrowed. The world ground to a halt. Any lingering reservations she might have felt in that moment burned to ash as she laid eyes on him. He saw her. She saw him. He...He was just as she remembered. A switch flipped in the back of her head. Naruto saw it; knew what was about to happen, and made no move to flee, nor did he try to stop her. Good boy.
Target. Acquired.
"Hey, Nessie." he raised a hand. "How was your flight-mmph!"
Vanessa didn't speak. There was no need for words here. Her arms flung themselves around the back of his neck, hauling him forward. Her mouth crashed against his, silencing any hope of protest. Naruto stiffened for all of a moment before he melted into her, gently cradling her waist and her heart soared for it. She felt like a young girl again, wild and spirited and free...even as she forced herself to retreat.
"Quite nice, thank you for asking." the warrior purred as she pulled away. "This is a lovely place. Needs a bit of sprucing up, though."
"Wait." Pyrrha noticed the large case slung over her shoulder and regarded it with something akin to dread. "Did you...really bring your weapons?"
"Of course I brought them along, dear." Vanessa smiled sweetly and patted her head. "I've got a man-stealing hussy to slay...or seduce. Whichever comes first, I suppose. Now, where is that little birdie...
A distant crash above her answered immediately. "Is that who I think it is?!"
Vanessa's smile turned malicious. Second target. Acquired.
"Right on time."
A/N: Fight next chapter. Ask and ye shall receive!
Well, well, well! A lot happened this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it.
Clearly, I've been watching Jujutsu Kaisen. Helluva show, that. Sadly, I had to save the Blake's little "counseling" bit for later. Would have felt forced here. Mama Nikos is here and, it seems she's here to stay, to say nothing of Torchwick and Neo. The story is picking up, folks!
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~!
Obvious references are obvious~!
(POTENTIAL! Previews!)
By all means, tell which ones you like~!
What can I say? This iteration of Naruto likes to troll others.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
"A hundred on the red-eyed beauty!"
"Wha? No way! The redhead's got this in the bag!
"There." Naruto pulled his hands away, and the green glow of chakra reluctantly abated. "All done. It might take a bit for her to wake up...
Dirty green eyes fluttered open at once.
...or she could wake up now." he palmed his face with a sigh. "Damnit, Saph. You never make things easy, do you."
Her gaze shifted. Locked onto him like a laser. "Hello, lover." she whispered. You look like fucking shit."
"Didn't miss that foul mouth of yours. You don't look much better...here. Drink."
Roman choked as the man who claimed to be his father pressed a cool glass of water to his mother's mouth. He swore again when she allowed the close contact and drank greedily. Shit. He hadn't been lying. He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Hey, mum."
His mother shifted among the pillows and briefly blinked up at him, blinking away the cobwebs of slumber. She blinked once. Twice. Thrice. Then her eyes widened. Recognized him. Beheld the blood on his jacket. She did not move. She blurred. Her body all but exploded out of the hospital bed, latched onto his right ear, and yanked his forehead down to hers.
"Who are you," she snarled, "And what have you done with my son?!"
"Owowow! Mum! Quit it! You're embarrassing meee~!"
"You killed one of my agents."
"Did I?" he didn't look up from his meal. "I can't recall."
"Mercury!"
"Ah yes, the one with the metal legs...
"I'm not above taking you over my knee."
Glynda's confidence died an ugly death. "You wouldn't dare."
A blond brow rose with subtle menace. "Don't test me, young lady."
Somewhere in the background, Raven Branwen absolutely howled with laughter.
R&R~!