A/N: EDIT: Not a lot of feedback, eh? Ah well, I tried. *shrugs*

Preparing Game of Thrones and GOW stories, but this'll do in the meantime.

Holy...! This leaped past the early update threshold and then some! If by some miracle this makes it past 250 reviews-feasible given its already soared past 200!-, I'll be happy to update it earlier than the rest. Suppose that depends on the fan feedback.

Maybe I should look into a bloody Pat-reon after all; work is cutting hours and doing all this for free is bloody rough.

But then this would feel like a job...would that be a good thing?

I just don't know sometimes.

With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.

And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.

Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.

So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.

I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.

Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.

In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!

"Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again."

"...thank you."

~?

Equivalent Exchange

Naruto needed more.

More knowledge. Resources. Food. Clothing. You name it, he craved it.

Perhaps that was greedy of him; no, it undoubtedly was. Marcus Black had given him a slim education at best; he knew only the barebones about Remnant, its cites, its people. Whatever connections Marcus had died with him. Which left "Mercury", his so-called son, with no wealth, fame, or power...no, he had plenty of the last one. Skill and speed as well. He had his name, his memories, and the new Semblance he'd stolen from that rotten golden-eyed woman. He'd be adding more to his collection soon, taken from other ne'er-do-wells he encountered on his journey.

Sometimes, if he listened closely, he could almost hear the golden-eyed woman's voice sometimes...

"My name! Is! CINDER! I will not be silenced!"

.

..

...hopefully that was his imagination. He didn't much relish the idea of having someone living rent-free in his head. Kurama was the only one allowed that privilege.

"Don't ignore me!"

No scroll to speak of either; Marcus never trust him with one. The old man's phone was a twisted lump of molten metal back in the house. He'd have to acquire one of his own. That, and lien. Also important. Couldn't very well spend the the rest of his days living in the wilds now, could he? Well, he could, but that would be boring. He wasn't here to be boring.

"You're going to ignore me, aren't you? You rat bastard...

His sensory abilities were still intact at least. It wasn't hard to track down dinner. The woods were teeming with life. He found big buck and killed it quickly, snapping its neck before it even realized it was in danger. Just like that he'd acquired dinner. for the evening. He knew enough from his first life to skin a meal and start a firepit. Finding shelter was...somewhat more difficult given the approaching storm, but once again, he wasn't without his means or methods.

Nor was he alone for that matter.

One hundred clones were summoned; each set to the nearby trees with a will, and in an hour, he had himself a cozy little lean-to built around his fire, in which he could ride out the rain and eat in peace. Just as well he did at that; because it started pouring shortly after the lads set the roof and dispelled themselves.

With an ominous flash of lightning and a peal of dark thunder, the heavens opened up. Sheets of rain fell forth to drench anyone foolish enough not to take shelter. He heard the wind shriek angrily, rattling the trees above in childlike protest against the sudden storm.

"Hmm." he hummed aloud. "Wind's howling."

From there it was merely a matter of waiting for the venison to cook over the fire. Not like he had anything better to do but wait.

The fire crackled.

He smelled something, then. The faint scent of a fall breeze rose over the aroma of cooked meat to tickle his nose, which didn't make much sense, given it was the middle Summer. He heard something. Out there, in the dark. Sensed it. A powerful presence slogging his way with slow, determined strides. They must've seen his fire. Not a predator, but a human.

Well, well.

Maybe tonight wouldn't be so boring after all.

Naruto perked up, plastered a winning smile to his face and called out into the gloom. "Hello there, stranger~!"


(.0.0.0.)


Amber was freezing.

Tiny gasps escaped her in little plumes of steam as she clutched at herself with one arm, the other tugging her horse on by the reigns behind her. So cold. So very cold. But she couldn't stop here. It was too open, too exposed, with no cover to speak of. They had no choice but to slog on and hope for an outcropping of some sort, maybe a hollow tree if they were lucky...

.

..

...ha! Who was she kidding? She hadn't been lucky for some time now. Usually she would blame Qrow's semblance for that sort of thing.

But 'ol not-quite-uncle-Qrow wasn't here now, was he? No, she was hiding from him now, too. Him and all of Ozpin's agents.

She just wanted to be free. Was that such a sin...?

Gods, she couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten. She'd given half of her last apple to her horse, Chestnut, just to keep her going. That had been...what, yesterday? The day before? Stupid of her, she knew. Horses could graze on grass she knew, but there so very little of it up here. She was no hunter despite her title; one could hardly eat a squirrel or bird after it had been blasted apart by a lightning bolt. That wasn't meant; it was charcoal. You couldn't eat bloody charcoal. She'd tried.

Damnit, what was the point of having all this power if she couldn't stop a damn storm?! She could create one well enough but stopping it?

Nope. Not happening.

When she first saw the fire, it brought Amber both relief and confusion. She squinted in the downpour, trying to make sense of it all. How could one be lit in a storm like this? It was impossible. When she realized it was a lean-to she was looking at, Amber damn hear wept. Had her luck finally turned for the better?

...it had not.

As she traipsed closer her fears were confirmed, it was very much occupied.

Someone sat beside the firepit, turning the carved carcass of a dear on a spit. She couldn't see their face. But they saw her.

Gray eyes -almost silver, really- rose and saw hers across they way. They almost seemed to glow in the gloom, not unlike her own. They stared between the raindrops, gazing at one another for a long moment, for what felt like forever, until finally-

"Hello there, stranger~!" a wry grin plucked at the corn of the man's mouth. "There's room by the fire, if you like."

Amber couldn't flung herself inside fast enough; she damn near dropped her staff. Behind her, Chestnut nestled against the side of the building using it as cover against the worst of the rain. She didn't even stop to think about her poor horse and she'd kick herself for that latter. But for now she needed warmth and she needed it now.

"What brings you around these parts?"

"I'm a traveler." she forced the words out through chattering teeth as she pressed her hands to the flame. "Got a little turned around in the storm."

"You're a huntress." Came the immediate rejoinder. "Please don't insult my intelligence by lying to me."

Amber winced despite herself, too cold to argue the point. "What gave me away?

"Your clothes and armor for one." He waved a hand to hers. "Also your staff. Who else would be out here in the wilds?"

She sneezed. "And what about you?"

He tutted and made to stand. "That's my business."

Paranoia gripped her heart in an iron vice. He'd been right here, in the right place at the right time. Was he one of Ozpin's...?

Out came her staff. "Don't move!"

He granted her a flat look. "The meat will go bad."

"I said don't move!" Amber brandished her staff. "Who are you?!"

"Just a stranger passing through, same as you." the young man didn't look up from the deer he was cooking; his eyes remained fixated on his meal roasting in the fire. Nevertheless, he held out both hands, revealing open palms. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya with any sudden movements." Firelight played over a pale, whiskered face in the gloom. "Its dangerous in these parts...

Amber's stomach growled.

...as I said, there's room for you by the fire, if you like." he gave the deer carcass another turn on the spit, nodded once to himself, and started caving it up. "Plenty of this bugger to go around. You can let your horse graze outside. The storm will pass soon.

She dithered still, torn between food or flight.

"For the love of..." The young man uttered an exasperated oath under his breath. "Skittish little thing-fine. How about this? This is my fire you're warming yourself by, which makes you my guest and me the host. An' as a proper host, I promise no harm will befall you under my protection."

The Fall Maiden snorted despite herself. "That's so cheesy...

He shrugged. "It sounded better in my head." he carved off a section of roasted thigh and offered it to her. "You want some of this deer or not?"

...I still don't know you are."

"You want my story?" A bitter bite lanced its way into his words. "Fine. My old man held captive in these mountains." he shrugged one shoulder. "I killed him yesterday; been on my own ever since.

"...!" His casual admittance of murder nearly had Amber choking on her meal. She thumped her chest and swallowed quickly. "Your own father?"

"In name only." he tore off a haunch of meat and started eating. "He was scum. Beat me every damn day. Bastard deserved what he got."

At least he was able to break his cage and take his fate into his own hands. Amber envied him that. She wished she could do the same. But she never could. Ozpin was watching every town, every dock, every airport. She could hardly fight his agents, and killing them would only make him hunt her all the harder. No, so long as she held these powers, she could never truly be free. That was her truth.

Some of it must've shone through on her face, because the youth plonked down on the log beside her. "Seems like you were in a similar situation."

"I still am." Treacherous tongue! She hadn't meant to say that! "I mean...!"

"You don't have to be." he offered her more venison, which she accept all too eagerly. "You could escape, like I did.

"Escape?" A bitter bark of laughter burst from her. "If only it were that simple. I'm not like you. There is no escape for me."

"Bull-and-shit." he stomped a foot down, creating a small crater underfoot. "There's always a way out. You just gotta be clever about it."

Clever he said. She'd already run away from Ozpin. Was still running, in fact. But the man had spies everywhere. Her "host" could be one of them for all she knew; a spy ready and willing to knock her out the moment she lowered her guard. Then he'd drag her back to Vale, back to Ozpin, back to captivity in that lonely little house. She didn't want that. Anything but that. She just wanted to be free!

"I never got your name...

"No," he said softly, "You didn't."

Going to be cheeky was he? "I'm Amber."

"Mercury." the youth responded. "Or Naruto." His shoulders rolled in a shrug." Haven't decided yet."

She guffawed a little. "On your name?

"Well," he granted her a wry grin. "My old man named me Mercury to be cruel, so I might as well use another one where I can, right?

Now there was an idea. "I wish I could do that." once again the words escaped her before she could think to hold them back. "Just...choose a new name and start over. Stop being hunted."

"You could and you can." he considered her for a long moment, eyes flicking up and down the length of her. They didn't linger like some leches she'd know, but instead considered her, as though imagining something in the back of her head. At length, he spoke again. "If folks are looking for you, disguise yourself. Grow your hair out, dye it, wear colored contacts, different clothes, throw your weapon away and get another.

Abandon her staff?! Amber recoiled at the thought and reflexively reached back to touch it. Never!

"Or don't." Mercury amended at the baleful look in her eyes. "Its your choice. But you'll never be free if let fear hold you back.

"And if people come after me...?"

"Then fight them." he booped her nose with a finger, drawing a scowl to her lips. "Break a few bones if you have to. Make and example of them; show them you're not one to be crossed. If they keep coming afterwards, cripple 'em. Break them. Make it too painful to even consider fighting you!"

Lightning flashed outside, echoing his shout with a deafening peal of thunder.

It sounded so tempting. To just let go, cut loose and live free.

But she was afraid. Terribly, horribly afraid.

...I can't." she shook her head. "Its a nice offer, but can't. I'm sorry.

"Don't be." the would-be assassin shrugged one shoulder and leaned back. "Just think about it. I've had enough to eat in any case. Want me to take first watch?"

"No," she shook her head, still wary of him despite his impassioned speech. "I'll take first watch.

"As you like." Mercury shrugged and settled down, tucking himself into a corner to rest.

In a matter of moments, he was fast sleep

Amber watched the storm rage outside.

Just cut and run, huh? Was it really that easy...?

Unbeknownst to her, Mercury's words had planted a seed in her heart...


(.0.0.0.)


"...?"

A shiver shot down Ozpin's spine.

He felt it. An awakening. A disturbance, for lack of a better word.

Just now, someway, somewhen, somehow, something had irrevocably changed.

Bah, it was probably nothing. Maybe he was coming down with a cold...?


(.0.0.0.)


Amber departed the next morning.

She had to; if only because she dare not linger any longer.

If she stayed she was going to get even more ideas, and her mind was already churning.

Mercury didn't seem at all surprised to see her go; he must've known she wouldn't linger long. In a rare show charity he both wrapped and offered her what remained of the venison -a good bit yet persisted despite their feast- and she was all too happy to accept the gift. She could always freeze it with her maiden powers once she was out of sight. It would keep longer that way.

Still, she felt she owed him something in return.

"Here." she held out her scroll towards hm.

Mercury blinked. "Here what?"

"I'm offering you my number, silly!" When he blinked again. Realization dawned. "You really don't have a scroll?

"Nope." he patted his empty pockets. "Held captive, remember? Old man didn't trust me with one."

Oh gods, she could feel her face going red.

...then here." Amber handed him her wallet and the generous amount of lien within. "You'll need this more than me. I can always make more by taking on odd jobs." On a whim she withdrew a pen and a scrap of parchment from her belt pouch, then quickly scribbled her scroll number down on it. "There you go." She didn't dare look at his face for fear of what she might find there. "I can give you directions to the next town too, if you like. Its not all that far off from the forest."

"Really?!" The glee in the young man's voice had her visage burning an even deeper shade of red. "Thanks!" He clasped her hands in his and shook them fiercely. "You're a lifesaver!"

Huh. She'd never held hands with a boy before. Was this what it felt like?

Mercury-Naruto?-drew her forward abruptly, pulling her into a fierce embrace. His chin came down over her shoulder and she absolutely froze.

"Don't worry." he patted her head. "I've got your back; I'll get in touch with you as soon as I find a workable scroll."

Steam. Amber could feel her face going absolutely nuclear pink.

"Nicemeetingyouseeyoulaterbye!"

She babbled out directions, followed by a quick goodbye and pivoted away from him before he could think to protest. From there she vaulted onto Chestnut's back, cracked the reins once, and they were off. She rode hard and fast, not once daring to look back.

A small part of her wondered if she would ever see him again.

Would he keep his word? Would it change anything?

...no, surely not. She wasn't that lucky..

.

..

...was she?

Oh, poor Amber.

How little she new.


(.0.0.0.)


Cinder had perished.

Salem tutted softly from her throne.

She hadn't reported in for more than a day now; which could only mean that someone, somewhere, must've killed her. The Fall Maiden perhaps? Unfortunate, but not expected, given her disposition. That girl had always been too arrogant for her own good. Even a relatively untrained Maiden could catch one unaware.

"No matter. I'll find another.

And she would. Remnant had no shortage of malleable souls. After all, she had nothing but time.

It wasn't as though anything in this world was a threat to her...


(.0.0.0.)


So.

This was Vale.

How incredibly...disappointing.

Naruto wrinkled his nose at the smell as much as the people.

This wasn't even the main city, but rather one of the larger town on its peripherals. What had they called it? Slate?

Ugly name for an ugly place. Everything here was so...grey.

The walls matched the namesake and the buildings moreso; even the market itself seemed worn down. Vendors hawked their wares around him with a subdued air, as though waiting for a bolt of lightning to fall out the sky and smite them. Still, this was as good a place to start as any. He might be able to get himself a scroll here -or swipe one from a passing thug if it came down to that. Barring such an action, he could at least use a chance to re-provision himself before he set out again.

"Why pay when you can take what is rightfully yours?" An awfully familiar voice oozed in his ear. You have power. Use it."

Nope. He was hearing things again.

Craning his neck, he regarded a vendor hawking candied apples. They didn't look all that healthy, but the journey had wet his appetite enough to risk one. Five lien later and he had his prize. The delightful crunch soothed his soul. It tasted like freedom; it also gave him something to chew on while he planned his next move.

Step one, acquire a scroll and get in touch with Amber.

Step two, keep an eye out for useful semblances.

Step three...profit?

In truth, he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to once he started swiping the semblances from bad guys. Sure, he wanted it all, but to what end? What did he intend to do with it? Start his own empire? Take over the world maybe? Sounded like too much work for him. What, then? Where did it all lead to? What was his final goal?

"You cannot be serious. You don't even a plan, do you? I died to this?!"

Meh, he'd figure something out.

"...?"

He felt something settle over his mind without warning, a vague tickle in the back of his brain; he paused, stride slowing. He knew the signs by now. Genjutsu? No, this was more subtle. An illusion semblance? He felt it fall over his psyche like a shroud. Or it would have, if he hadn't known exactly what to look for. True, he didn't have Kurama to burn it out of him, but he had other ways. It was a simple matter of flooding himself with sage chakra.

Silver-grey eyes blazed gold as he looked around, and sure enough, the feeling faded.

Whoever had chosen him for a mark had evidently reconsidered. But who...?

Aha! Over there!

He craned his neck and found a girl speaking to a street jeweler of some sort; a portly man, who offered her a large ruby ring. As he looked on, she took it right out his hand and placed it in her pocket. The man smiled at her all the while and wished her a good day, blissfully unaware of what had been taken from him. As though he didn't even see her.

Clever girl.

The strange feeling came back again, and he realized she'd targeted him again. Pride, perhaps. Or maybe she just didn't like him.

Not so clever.

He feigned ignorance and pretended to consider the stands. Sure enough, he felt a hand slip into his pocket. He let it. Grinned now, as tan fingers closed around...

.

..

...nothing.

"Sorry, He turned to face the culprit, "but I'm afraid you won't find anything there."

He kept the money Amber had given him tucked beneath his shirt. Good luck getting that.

He found himself face to face with a haggard teen nearly his own age, red eyes framed by pale green hair and a look of complete and utter terror plastered across her face.

Her breath hitched. "You can see me?!"

"Sure can, little miss thief!"

"Thief?!" The jeweler cried aways behind them. "She's the one who stole my ring?! Don't let her go!"

She spat in his face. Naruto recoiled and "let" her slip free. Sure enough, she bolted.

Well, alright, then. Finally! Some excitement!

It wasn't hard to find her once he gave chase; she might've known these streets, but right now she was panicked, frightened, not thinking straight. He was faster than her. Stronger too, and well-fed. Truth be told, he could've run her down in less than a minute. Instead he let her get ahead of him, let her lead him away from the angry jeweler and his friends.

From there he herded her into a dead end of her own making.

Soon enough, high walls loomed on either side of them, leaving only one escape; an exit he even now blocked with his body. She'd have to fight through him to get out now. It was a battle she'd lose.

He assessed her again at glance.

Tall, thin, wearing the bottom half of what might've been mud-green dungarees paired with a faded top. She looked lean. Downright skinny. And yet she'd done something incredible. He considered taking her semblance on a lark...then thought better of it. This was no monster or murderer or crazy-eyed woman who craved power...

"Hey!"

...this was just a girl, trying to survive. And besides, he was curious. "How did you do that?"

The girl growled and went for her weapons holstered behind her back.

"Don't." Naruto tutted, weaving a warning into his words. "Unless of course, you want them to hear you."

Sure enough, her hands fell away. Her angry scowl did not. ...what do you want?"

"Already told ya, greenie." By the brothers, that was a bad nickname. He'd need a better one. Mint, maybe? "C'mon now, don't make me repeat myself. How'd you do it? Was that your semblance?"

Oh, yes it was. He could see the panic in her eyes now. "I didn't do anything, just leave me alone!"

"Hmm, hmm." his head bobbed, ignoring her demand completely. "I've known my fair share of liars and thieves. Burglary is an art of patience, coordination, and in a pinch, slight of hand." He flicked a lien card between one finger to another as his smile grew another inch. "But you didn't take that ring in your pocket." her eyes widened as he spoke and she reflexively grasped at her belt, to no avail. He wasn't finished with her. "That nasty old jeweler gave it to you, right before my eyes. And he smiled."

She gulped. "Who are you?"

Plenty of things, none of which he felt like telling her at this moment.

"She could be an asset. You should recruit her."

He ignored the voice again. Mind was playing tricks on him. Must be. He didn't want to consider the alternative.

"Think of me as...an interested party." he said instead. "But for now," he reached into the pouch behind his back, "Here."

The would-be-thief scowled at him. ...what the hell is that?"

"Its just a bit of bread." he held it out to her. "Eat it or starve. Your choice."

She hesitated. He could see the hunger in her eyes. Eventually, it won out. Tan fingers curled around the loaf. It was still warm, fresh from the bakery he'd raided during their short-lived chase. She looked to him, then the bread, back to him again now-doubtlessly fearing he'd take it from her. When he didn't, she ripped it from his hands and all but shoved it into her mouth.

"Slow bites, now." he cautioned her. "Don't choke. There's plenty more where that came from."

She obeyed hesitantly.

"Thatta girl." He patted her head, mussing up her hair. "Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again. What's your name?"

"Emerald." she gasped out the word between famished bites. "M'name's Emerald...

"Nice ta meetcha, Emerald. I'm Mercury. Lets get along, eh?"

In that instant, he gained any ally for life.

A/N: The plot thickens!

Hope you enjoyed this little ficlet.

As ever, the Embers rule still persists. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something no one likes. That's no joke. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! I'm literally working every day now, so I have less and less time to write. Daily updates might...slow down in the interim, but I know that would upset a lot of people.

So, in the Immortal words of Atlas...

...review, would you kindly?

And of course, enjoy the previews! Rough, though they are...

(Previews)

Adam leaped after her.

A shadow surged up and kicked him away.

"For crying out loud! THE ONE TIME I RIDE A TRAIN! AND SOMEONE TRIES TO BLOW IT UP!"

A red sword whistled in at his head. It met a metal-shod shoe.


"Huh. Not a bad Semblance. This one's a keeper."


"You're a good singer. Might wanna work on that temper a bit, though."

Excuse me? Who are you?"

No one important. Have a nice night~!"


Ruby squeaked. "Meep!"

The boy tilted his head. ...that's your name? Meep?"

Shame. Embarrassment. Ruby's face burned redder than her namesake.

Oh gods, she wanted to curl up and die. "N-No! That's not it at all! I'm Ruby! Ruby Rose!"

"Huh." That actually got a grin out of the silver-haired warrior. "Neat. Like the color, I'm guessing?"

"Yeah! So how did you do that?" her confidence surge gack waved her hands excitedly, mimicking the motions and high kicks alongsdie the punches she'd seen him use. "You were all "hyah!" and "boom" and "kapow" back there!"

...you saw that, huh?" For some reason that seemed to embarrass him and set him to scratching a whiskered cheek. "Practice, and not the good kind. These idiots didn't even have aura or semblances...they weren't worth my time."

"You mean someone taught you to fight like that?!"

"Well, yeah, like I said before, it took practice-

Ruby latched onto his leg. "Teach meeee~!"


"Hmm...going to a school full of beautiful women like you? Sounds fun buuuut I'll have to decline." he crossed both hands behind his head and walked away. "I'm not a fan of being stuck in one place for one year, let alone four. Hard pass. Later, firecracker."

"Ha?"

"Sorry, school just ain't for me."


Roman took one look at the ruined city block and shook his head.

"Nope. Not getting involved with that. Neo! Time to go-

A hand settled on his shoulder. "Hello...friend."

Ahhh, crapbaskets.


EDIT: Hope you enjoyed~! Have a great day/night~!

R&R~!