Rolling into the next chapter.

Apologize if I didn't answer anyone this week.

I'm currently taking a break to help mentally reset and take care of a few things, so Hushed Dreams may be the only thing updated since it has a few chapters in the tank.

Updating a little early as tomorrow will be a busy day, and I won't have a moment til late.

Don't know yet, a few things have been tinkered with, but nothing really worked on when I did get on my computer.

Anyways, here is the chapter.

Enjoy.

"It was so pretty and amazing!" Ruby clambered as she bounded energetically, a new strand of her bangs elegantly dyed pink. "It was like sakura flowers everywhere!"

"Well, that's something," Qrow stated as he looked over at Ruby as she was showing off the new color in her hair before turning to Naruto. "You would know more about this than I would. You've got a better idea of her than I do."

"I've got some questions about that too." Naruto blinked as Yang was preening, showing off the flowing pink bangs with the broadest smile on her face. "It looks nice on both of you. I like it. Go show Pops."

"Gonna!" Yang bounced over toward and into the kitchen with Ruby trailing behind her. "Look, look! Isn't our hair awesome!"

"It looks gorgeous," Tai responded with a hum. "It accents you both very well, and how it was applied seems nearly professional."

With the two distracted, showing their father, Naruto stood up off the couch. Their exit from the bathroom was sudden, and their desire to show off their new look, while understandable, left him wanting to know more.

And seeing the door was still open, he carefully made his way to the bathroom. He knew far too well not to barge in, or he would suffer the consequences. But he also felt they were done if his little sisters were finished and the door was left open.

So what was taking Trivia so long?

Knocking on the ajar door, Naruto nervously chuckled. "You okay in there?"

Naruto wasn't sure what he was expecting. She was mute, after all. What response could she give him besides strolling up to the door and opening it? He felt like an idiot for even thinking that would work…

And considering she pitched her scroll into the ocean along with the car, he couldn't text her. They both realized she could be tracked through it, so it was the best decision, but now she had no way to communicate with others, and he had no option of speaking to her except through sign.

He groaned as there was no way of getting past this. So he gently pushed the door open, hoping nothing was happening on the other side. "Pardon the intrusion!"

Trivia simply sat on the stool before the mirror, combing her hair as she blissfully gazed upon the image reflected within it.

The scene nearly stole Naruto's breath as he watched her part her hair in place, separating the two halves of the colors seamlessly. She ensured it was perfect and no single strand was out of position. The brown half of her hair paired with her brown eye as the pink, while more dominant, parted with her pink eye.

This made him frown for a brief moment. That wasn't how her eyes usually were.

Despite all this effort to change her appearance, she was still using her Semblance to alter her appearance?

"Trivia." Naruto attempted to catch her attention as she absorbed into the mirror and ensured every detail was correct.

No response.

Okay, that was not what he was expecting.

Was she ignoring him? Why?

As far as he knew, he hadn't done anything to make her upset with him. They were on relatively good terms when they came home, so why would she ignore him?

"Trivia, are you okay?" Naruto asked as he took a few steps toward her, making note she seemed to be humming and entirely absorbed in making herself over. "I wanted to check in on you. Ruby commented on what happened and just wanted to ensure everything was okay…"

"You look amazing, by the way." Naruto chuckled as he stood next to her, scratching the back of his head, trying to rouse a response from her.

Glowering at the lack of response, Naruto glared at the short stack before him. She was doing this on purpose, and he knew it! She was trying to get a reaction out of him!

Was this for this morning? What did she expect? Him to just accept advances like that?

Maybe once things calmed and not in the house where his sisters could hear such a thing or walk in…

Not to mention she could irritate him to no end! He wasn't even sure if she was the one! He wanted to make sure of that first before rushing into that! Besides…

There was still plenty of time to make mistakes! From everything he heard from Pops…

"Trivia…" Naruto started before his eyes widened as glasses began to flutter around Trivia's form and shatter twice around her.

His eyes caught it for the briefest of moments, but there was a change in her appearance. It was a minor change before it reverted to how she currently was.

She responded to him and gave him an answer…

For the image he saw of her was of her with entirely pink hair.

And he looked down at his partner. His eyes were doused in confusion about what he had seen. Why would she have shown him that? What significance would that…

Unless…

"Neo?"

Turning and gazing up into his eyes, Neo's eyes lustrously sparkled as she brilliantly beamed at him. She lunged off the stool and embraced him, hanging off his neck, forcing him to catch and hold her in his arms.

As she signed contently, snuggling against him, Naruto's had a mixture of confusion and understanding written on his face as he gazed at the person in his arms. He still didn't understand what had happened here but knew somehow…

It was life-altering for her.

"This has been too easy so far!" A cackle filled the room as a man stuffing a briefcase full of lien and valuable resources, his grin broad. "I can believe these fools think they're something! They might have well just left the door open for me to take over!"

Closing the briefcase, Roman was about to reach and grab the handle when something caught his eye.

It was subtle—something that would not have been noticeable in other circumstances, but he was accustomed to it.

"Oh," Roman muttered before stepping back as a bullet penetrated the ground where he stood. "Ah, I expected retaliation from Lil' Miss for leaving, but for her to find me so soon is a little unsettling. I hoped for at least a year or two of freedom before the hits rolled in. And you of all people to be the one…"

"Just makes me sick, Cammie." Roman held his cane before him as a blonde-haired woman shimmered into existence before him, her face sprinkled with discontent as her gaze met with his. "So I'm guessing she didn't take your failure to squish me before I made my marvelous escape too well, did she? Is that why you are here?"

"Always so full of yourself," Cammie muttered darkly as her eyes pierced into as he held her gun steady at Roman. "You knew very well what would happen and why I offered to come with you when you left…"

"I told you then, and I tell you now, I work better alone, my dear. I don't need a partner!" Roman brought for his cane and held it directly at Cammie, a glimmer contained within his eye. "And as I said, I was never happy. What you think we had together was only a means to an end, for I will endure. I will survive. And I will make sure everyone remembers the name Roman Torchwick!"

"You have always been so short-sighted." Cammie retorted with a snarl, her gun trained directly on his chest as he took several steps forward, making Roman's finger twitch. "Always just thinking about what you need to do next to get to the bigger picture. Never planning beyond that. It's why people like Lil' Miss have always had your number…"

"Do you honestly think I came here alone?" Cammie whispered so only Roman could hear her voice.

His eyes snapped and sparkled as he ducked beneath as Cammie shot, and he placed his cane against her side, firing a flare.

The shots impacted two members shimmering into existence, the one hit by his round exploding thanks to his newly acquired combustion rounds, and he cackled madly as the one behind him dropped. "You know, I might just take you up on that offer right about now!"

As several other shimmers hung in the air, he recognized the Atlas stealth tech and grinned manically. Standing with his back to Cammie's as they faced, he faced the assassins Lil' Miss had sent for his head. Roman could help but feel thrilled as he held out Melodic Cudgel toward them. "Maybe a partner in crime isn't such a bad offer after all!"

"Shall we have this dance, Cammie?"

Did Naruto do this every day?

Neo panted as she bowed over, panting while her arms hung limply to her side. She had never experienced such a workout before! Her world was spinning, and she felt like dry heaving!

She already lost her breakfast earlier! That was most dissatisfactory! She had only ever vomited when she was ill before!

And while he responded caringly, saying she could stop, it felt so condescending!

How could he train like this? She knew he had greater endurance than she did through all their sparring sessions and training where he never broke a sweat or labored in breathing but to this extent?

She was exhausted, and he still hadn't even broken a sweat and was pushing even further into his exercises!

What was he? Did this have anything to do with the creature he contained within him? She knew it gave some beneficial side effects, but this was bordering on ridiculous! She couldn't even dream of keeping up!

Although, in another circumstance, this kind of stamina would be pretty heavenly. The lasting power…

A scarlet blush flushed across her cheeks, and her eyes darted all around. Thankfully she was already beet-red from the training, and it wouldn't be noticed that her thoughts went there!

"You doing okay?" Naruto dropped in front of her, his grin almost mocking her as he stood like a giant. "Got plenty of water to stay hydrated! Some bananas for some potassium to soothe any cramps…"

Neo lifted her head and screamed at him, uncaring if her throat was on fire. How inconsiderate could he be?

She was dying here!

"Well, I did tell you my exercises might be a little much for ya." Naruto scratched the back of his head, trying to sound condescending. "This is only my morning warm-up, too, just for the record…"

Neo collapsed to the grass below, her eyes swirling as she felt her spirit begin to leave her body through her mouth.

This was only his morning workout?

What kind of monster was he?

He, indeed, was something beyond what she had expected.

Was this what he did all day before visiting to help her and practice sign language?

How could someone be this dedicated yet still manage to fit time into his daily schedule to have somewhat of a social life? To involve her in his life?

What was her partner, and how could he do this daily?

The question truly baffled Neo as she watched Naruto as he finished sparring with his father in hand-to-hand only to have a spar and training session with the drunk, who seemed a little tipsy, in swordplay.

And that was after their morning training session, where she was wiped out. That was followed by him studying and learning material he would need to know for Beacon, which his father would help him with the history or Remnant as with as he wasn't the best book learner, and she could tell. Well, neither was she, but…

That was because she didn't want to learn! She found all the material boring! She much rather be off doing something far more exciting! Galavanting and having adventures…

Possibly having a romantic fling…

Her face flushed! Oh, how naughty it would be if she could pull him to the forest for a moment after. Maybe, just maybe…

Ah, if only!

Naruto still had more in his routine. He was still practicing the language and communication, but not only that, but keeping his tongue fresh. He had called this young girl with short cat ears and chatted in his language and helped them communicate in his language, explaining the nuances of what she was saying and even the slang.

Then there was a whole new slew of exercises after lunch, and she didn't even bother getting involved. However, they seemed more focused on his unique aura, so she didn't think she could if she wanted to. They seemed almost like they were based on control if she had to take a guess, but it was fascinating to watch.

Walking up objects and walking on water was something she didn't know was possible!

But it seemed he was trying to do something similar to what Aura could do but was struggling. It was almost as if he was trying to make a shield around him.

At least, that is what she summarized from that exercise, given he was to block objects thrown at him by his clones.

Neo may have joined in a few times with some stones here or there to the back of the head. The curses and glares let her know he seemed aware, but she played coy.

Oh, if he only had chased her! Then she could have led him to a clearing away from everyone, and magic would have surely followed!

She was positive about it!

Now it was time for dinner, and apparently, he and his father rotated nights on who cooked? So not only did he do this, but he also cooked and, from what she knew, cleaned too!

How in the world did he have the time for all of this? He wasn't even using his weird doppelganger technique to ease the burden, so it was all the more mesmerizing to her.

Neo's eyes sparkled at the marvel that was Naruto as he finished sparring with the drunk in, what she could tell, was an even battle.

Just what was he?

"Getting better, kid." Qrow stretched after sheathing Harbinger on his back and grinned. "Quicker and sharper each time we spar. It won't be long here until I'll have to transition weapons at this rate."

"Oh, so I'll finally get to see the legendary Death Scythe if I keep pushing you harder? Ya know, I'd like to see that!" Naruto caught his breath, and his cerulean eyes glinted in delight.

"Watch it, or I'll give you more than you are ready for!" Qrow grumpily retorted, placing his hand on his hips. "Just because we both know you are more than skilled than enough to be a Huntsman right now instead of going to an academy, there is no room for complacency. There are dangers out there beyond our wildest comprehension."

"Yeah, I know." Naruto's face steeled as he locked his gaze with Qrow. "There is always new and more dangerous Grimm being found every year. Criminals willing to do whatever it takes to stay free. And to top it all off…"

"The Sacred Beasts are still out there, somewhere," Naruto spoke in a whisper, his eyes glimmering with both hope yet some fear. "And who knows how they'll react to me upon discovering I contain the fox."

Neo was immensely enjoying the back-and-forth banter between the two. She had been silently laughing, but suddenly Naruto's mood shifted, and she focused.

Sacred Beasts? She had read that tale before! It was a very unique and interesting one, from her recollection.

Wait, were they connected to the demon within him? Or perhaps, maybe it was one?

Giving Naruto a puzzling glare as he somehow had become an enigma to her, Neo walked over to his side to join him. Tugging at his elbow to grab his attention, he glanced down as she signed her question.

"Wait, you've read the story before?" Naruto seemed alarmed, and the drunk was alerted. "But how? It is an ancient tale, and only a few copies remain. Even Oz…"

"Kid," Qrow cut Naruto's ramblings short as he glanced at Neo with intrigue before focusing on them both. "It's obvious that somehow, someway, through his wealth Jim was able to obtain one of them. He's known to collect rare and expensive items to show off, so it makes sense. What I'm more interested in is exactly what was written, as even Oz only vaguely recalls what was in the book. So that either means we have to find a way to go in and get to it…"

Holding up her finger, Neo grinned as she paused the drunkard. She formed a few signs to communicate with Naruto, her eyes glowing as she felt helpful. "You remember everything in the book?"

"As helpful as that is, it's not exactly what I'm looking for." Qrow shook his head at the teenager. "It'll bring some closure for Naruto, but we might miss something in the details of the words, so having a researcher like Bart review it would be more effective. We would miss something unless you somehow knew every last word…"

"Why are you smiling like that?" Qrow narrowed his eyes as Neo had the broadest of grins. "There is no way you can recall it word for word."

Neo nodded her head furiously, her grin unceasing as her eyes sparkled. She had the book so many times she knew it by heart! It was true for all her favorite stories that she could retell them and read them to herself without the book being necessary!

And the tale was so whimsical! So if it were somehow to help Naruto in any way, she would gladly oblige!

Cracking her knuckles, she extended her hand to Naruto as if demanding something be handed to her. Pulling out his scroll, he placed it in her hand, and she immediately began to go to work with her eyes burning with a passionate fire.

She would have this done for him in no time!

"They're all here, that's for sure," Naruto muttered as he looked over his scroll, scanning what Neo had written with a soft frown. "Definitely a tale that writes them in a far better light than they were seen in my time. Never would have thought they would have been humanity's guardians from the demons of light and darkness…"

Scowling at that, wondering further why the fox was so silent on the events that led to what came here as he learned more about the world around him and the old world, Naruto sighed. Eventually, it would have to open up. Maybe if he meditated later and tried to see if the Fuzzbucket was willing now that he read this tale.

Probably not, but it was worth a shot.

Two heterochromatic eyes shone upon him vividly from his bed in wonder as she lay on it. He twitched as he looked back away from his desk to see Neo lazing about, sprawled on his bed, her intent focused upon him.

He scrunched up his nose, and his eyes squinted at the odd girl. "Just what are you doing?"

Neo shrugged, all the while grinning at him. This only furthered his twitch.

It was like she was purposely trying to rile him up! To make him…

That was her game! She was a devious little…

Taking a breath so he wouldn't fall for her clever ploy, Naruto flicked his hand through his hair while Neo pouted, seeing her tactic failed. "I appreciate what you did. Being able to recreate that book so easily and write it from scratch, well, at the very least, I got something out of it. Send it to the coffee addict so if he can make any headway on any useful information within it, but even still…"

Brimming with happiness at hearing his heartfelt appreciation, Neo stood and gleamed at him. Then a sliver of a grin crept on her lips as a thought crossed her mind. She was all but ready to initiate her plan.

But a ring at the door stopped everything.

"Huh, someone is here at this time of the day?" Naruto frowned, looked outside, saw the setting sun, and scowled. "And ringing the doorbell? Who could this be?"

An empty pit filled their stomachs as their eyes met, and a similar thought crossed their mind.

Someone had come for Neo.

"Cloak and hide," Naruto ordered as he went to the door of his room, prepared to go downstairs to see what was happening. "If it is what I think it is, they won't be able to find you under the guise of your ability…"

Glass shattered, and Neo dispersed, disappearing into the air as she was ahead of Naruto. But feeling her bated breath behind him, he worried she was too eager. He wished to tell her it would be alright…

Yet he wasn't sure himself.

Opening his door, he traveled the short distance to the stairs, feeling Neo following him carefully behind. But as he reached them, he saw Taiyang standing at the doorway, talking to a strange woman he had never seen before.

Who was this tall, slender woman with a beehive hairstyle?

Why was she here?

And why were her eyes drawn to him as he walked down the stairs, and why could he see a sliver of recognition within them?

"I am terribly sorry for intruding so late at night, so I shall make this quick so I won't be a bother to you for any longer than I have to." The woman elegantly spoke as her attention returned to Tai. "My name is Lady Beatrix Browning. I am the headmistress of Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy For Girls. I am here because one of my newly enrolled students is here, and I came to collect here."

"Trivia Vanille."

"Again!" Hei snarled as he slammed his fist on his desk, his eyes seething with hatred. "This upstart hit another of our establishments after we pushed his name into the public eye! And we still haven't found anything useful on him yet?"

"No, sir!" The bald henchmen flinched, unable to withstand his boss' presence when he was like this. "However, we may have a new issue…"

"Another?" Hei's eyes glowed dangerously, and all present in the room felt it hard to breathe.

Finding it hard to swallow as the boss of the Xiong family's focus was entirely centered on him, the bald henchman tried to find his voice. "A-at the establishment that was hit, w-we found he may not be alone after all…"

"What?" Hei's stood from his chair, and everyone in the room felt the hair stand on end as he rounded his desk and stood directly in the face of his henchman. "Stop stuttering and tell me straight! Or shall I have to extract the information from you?"

"No, sir!" The henchman frighteningly responded, shivering in fear. "There were several other unconscious bodies and corpses found on the premises that no one could identify! But upon expectation…"

"They had the Spider tattoo marked on each of them."

"Spider is in Vale!" Hei's voice boomed, and his eyes sparked with hatred. "And they are moving into my territory! Is that what you are trying to tell me?"

Gulping at intense pressure being placed on him as he gazed into his boss' eyes, all the henchman could do was nod in response as he found his voice once. "It seems that way, sir."

"Then why are any of you still here!" Hei demanded as he looked upon him and the rest of his men. "Get out there and inform the rest of the situation! If they want a turf war, they're going to get one! No one steps into Vale and takes my empire from me!"

"And if Lil' Miss thinks sending this arrogant prick is going to bring me down, she's got another thing coming!"

Chapter 29 Preview *Spoiler Warning/Heart Break Ahead*:

Neo couldn't let him get hurt before of her.

So she absorbed every last detail of his face.

She wanted to remember every last bit of it in case this was the last…

No, she wanted something more…

Standing beside him, she placed a hand on his chest. Using it to hoist herself a little higher with strain, she stretched on the tip of her toes and…

Planted a soft, ginger kiss on his right jaw.