Darkvizardking69: Welcome back one and all to this fun story that clearly a lot of you are enjoying from the reactions I've been seeing. I'm very pleased to see such positive feedback that honestly I'm jumping back into this.

That said, since we're jumping into volume two, I might get a bit of fun with this one. Depending on where things are in the timeline they of course will be mentioned or even used, such as the events of the games like Grimm Eclipse, and even the Grimm Campaign provided it can make sense in terms of story flow.

Now before anyone asks and I know some will if they haven't in reviews by now, pairings are in fact at least considered closed in terms of me planning them, but I'll be planting seeds here and there that will eventually become something solid. Maybe you noticed it here and there and in that case, good! I want this to at least have an organic style of growth to it. Now, with this long authors note done with, let's get to the reviews!

I shou: Glad to see it's a good impression, hope you continue to enjoy it.

Dragonkeeper10: Glad to see I could catch attention with my writing, and yes, this is why I left Bloodborne as a mystery to those not in the know. It's going to make what comes next even more of a surprise. Considering a being like Salem would constitute a typical tuesday for anyone who's gone deep into the world of Yharnam.

Zero: Glad to be back, and don't worry, ironwood isn't exactly going to get done dirty like in volume 8. Hell volume 9 is partly why I started this.

Guest 23: Trust me, that M rating will very much be needed at some point, better to not hide that fact.

Volcasiron30: I might, or just redo them to make them more current to what we have going. And sure, I'll be taking a look.

And now, let's dive back into Remnant, and see what happens next.

Chapter 3: New semester, new problems.

It had been a week since the incident at the Vale docks, the White fang chapter in the city having gone more underground since, with little robberies here and there.

Though, that is not the focus, yet. That will come later.

For at the moment we see the sun rising, a familiar blonde staring out at the sunrise as he sits relaxed on the rooftop. Remembering not only his words to Ozpin that night after the incident, but what occurred the very morning after.

-flashback: one week prior-

Naruto went through his now usual morning routine, attaching his prosthetic arm, getting dressed in the coat and suit that had served him in Yharnam and always seemed to keep itself clean. What changed was seeing Glynda calling him on his scroll. Finding it odd that she would do so since he never considered her a morning person he answered. And immediately regretted it.

"WHAT IN THE BROTHER'S NAME DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT!?"

The sheer volume she was using nearly had his ears bleeding. "Okay first off, ow, bat ears, please remember that. Second, it was a time sensitive matter and we couldn't exactly have the cops showing up too early."

"You lead students, first years no less, on an unsanctioned mission against the white fang! Members who were working with a known criminal!"

"It was less me leading them and more making sure they didn't do it alone. Those girls would have done it like it or not, at least the way I handled it not only makes the school look good but considering we had aid from students of other schools it can be seen as them working together. Isn't that what the Vytal festival is all about? Unity between kingdoms?"

Silence greeted him for a moment as she seemingly was collecting herself. "The next time you think of doing something so stupid, at least consult me. I know Ozpin and you are working together for the school's sake, but you're still only as old as them. To many you're still children at least."

"Glynda, you may not believe it but the things I've seen and had to kill would make your head spin. I've fought things that would make Salem look like a joke. The Grimm? To you all they are monsters but to me? Just beasts to slaughter no matter how many times they come back. And I'm on your side. Like I told Ozpin, this isn't my world, but I've made it my home and I will defend it, and the people in it."

Glynda could only sigh as she heard the phone call end. "And I've seen too many people try to do too much and they just burn out. At least no one can question your loyalty."

-flashback: end-

Since then Glynda seemed a bit easier, she still was giving team JNPR a hard time but that was mostly due to how dysfunctional they seemed to be.

Then again, with Nora being the living battery of energy it put his legendary stamina to at least have a good second place contender.

It was partly why much like how Ruby asked for help with team training, Jaune asked to try and see if he and his team could try and make team attacks.

Considering Naruto couldn't help but smile when he saw how enthusiastic they were he couldn't help but agree to it. Not when he was there to see Ruby thinking of names for different combinations like Freezer burn for anything to do with Weiss and Yang to anything involving her and Blake nicknamed ladybug. He couldn't help but find it adorable, but he was starting to see the qualities that had Ozpin choose her as a leader.

With Jaune and his team however, he could feel sympathy for his fellow blonde as most of the time it seemed like Pyrrha was the only one that would listen, Nora being as wild as a broken power line and Ren having to try and keep up.

In other words, coordinating with the same sense as a fish on a deck flopping the wrong way.

But, that wouldn't stop him from trying, seeing as the Vytal festival was soon he'd need to get them in shape to hit the international stage that was Amity arena.

And as such we find them in the training hall normally hosting the combat class, it being an early day before the new semester would start in a couple days. "Alright you guys, I have a bit of a proposal for you." This caught their attention as he had just finished going over their styles of combat, with Jaune needing work but that was something he and Pyrrha were already working on.

Nora was much like Yang in terms of being a wrecking ball, her hammer was something even he didn't want to get hit with when she had it nice and ready with herself being fully charged by her semblance, absorbing lightning or electricity of any kind. However she did have a glaring weakness, her attachment to Ren, if anything happened to him she'd be set off. Honestly brothers help that boy if he didn't catch on why eventually. It really felt like a slap in the face to see someone so wise when he actually spoke be so dense.

As for Ren, for his lack of comparative stamina he made up for in using movements that seemed to waste as little as possible. It was almost like seeing a river in motion, flowing but at the same time having resistance.

For Pyrrha, her movements like Ren wasted as little effort as possible, though that was due to her striking where she needed to and doing so quickly to end it as fast as she could. Her semblance, polarity wasn't something most would catch due to how subtle she tried to make it be. A nudge here, a push there, all to try and make it seem like she wasn't able to be touched.

All in all, it wasn't a bad group. Just, needed something to help them gel together.

"I was thinking maybe see about trying to find ways for each of you to coordinate. Ruby has her team working together in pairs so they can change up things on the fly, perhaps find creative ways to do so for yourselves?"

This caused each of them to start to think, no doubt something that would continue for the rest of their day as they left the training hall to get cleaned up.

As for Naruto himself, as soon as the hall was clear, he started to use each and every weapon in his arsenal, getting a slight warmup in to make sure he was still able to use each one.

Ruby herself was in high spirits, the new semester would soon be starting, and with the upcoming free day she wanted to compile a list of things she wanted to do with her team.

Though thinking of her team also brought her to remembering the night at the docks, seeing how incredible Penny was. To think someone she knew would likely have to fight her. At least in the tournament it should be safe for all involved.

She was almost glad that Naruto was a professor, and thus wouldn't be taking part. Anyone who could keep up with Yang set the bar quite high in her eyes. Still, a part of her trembled as she remembered the spar they had. The near animalistic look in his eyes as he and Yang clashed showed there was plenty to figure out of the man they were getting to know. Even Yang seemed to get a bit fidgety when he was around. But those would be thoughts for later. For now, she needed to focus on her team, talking about how they should spend time together and why was a bit of food flying at her face?

By the time Naruto got to the garden outside the lunchroom he saw the familiar face of Sun along with what looked to be a friend of his. "Oh, good morning Sun, who's your friend?"

Neptune turned at the sound of someone who seemed to know Sun. "Oh hey, you a student here too? Gotta say those clothes are a bit old fashioned, but it works man."

Sun grinned in his fellow blonde's direction, waving to him. "Morning professor, this is Neptune, one of my teammates. I was just showing him around the campus and telling him about my new friends."

Behind the trio the sound of students running out of the cafeteria, food smacking into the windows and even Jaune was flung against the window.

Neptune for his part looked surprised, especially seeing someone their age already being made a professor at a school like Beacon. "How did you get a job here? You don't look any older than us."

Naruto chuckled as he looked to the window, seeing the growing chaos that was a food fight, literally, taking place. "That was Ozpin's choice to make, he saw something that he liked and thought I could help with the combat class. Who knows, if you two participate I'd be curious to see how we stack up."

Sun looked to be beaming at the prospect. "Hell yeah, it'll be good to spar with another faunus. Nothing against you or the others Neptune."

"None taken, but uh, should we go see what's going on in there?" Neptune pointed at the room, Naruto sighing as he headed for it. Sun still looked excited as the Vacuo students followed in behind him, the trio just in time to see Ruby dashing through the room, creating a wind tunnel in her wake that took the left over food, cans of soda and the various fruits as well as team JNPR and had them knocked into the wall.

Who then proceeded to slide off and leave a mess, or an art piece, on the wall with their outlines still on it.

"You know, when I said for you guys to make creative ways to make team attacks, I didn't exactly expect you to have a food fight." Naruto grinned as he observed the spectacle before him, seeing Ruby with her semblance at play had him thinking about just what it was. The girl herself thought it was speed but something about it seemed more than that.

Ruby noticed he was there and admittedly looked sheepish. Yang, who for some reason had turkeys for boxing gloves, fell through the roof of the cafeteria and landed on the ground, getting up and tossed them aside. "Sorry professor, I guess you could say this, got out of hand?"

A groaning Weiss and Blake had enough energy to boo her for the joke.

He merely shook his head, both Sun and himself looking clean while Neptune was covered in the mess. "Oh it's not me you'll have to apologize to."

At that moment a very irate Glynda stomped into the room, immediately getting to work in cleaning the mess. "Children, you really shouldn't play with your food." She was speaking through gritted teeth, her frustration very clear. She even glanced at Naruto, who shook his head.

"Don't look at me, I got here a little bit before you did."

Ozpin sipped his mug as he entered the room, an amused smile on his face. "Come now Glynda, I'm sure a little fun is fine, after all, the semester is going to pick back up soon."

She sighed as the teens seemed to laugh it off, Blake and Weiss being helped up by their partners. "I just worry, they are supposed to become the defenders of the world."

"Perhaps, but for now they're still children. Let's let them play the part a little longer. The real world will still come to them all the same." Ozpin turned to leave, letting Glynda fix the cafeteria in minutes.

As for the teens, Naruto was walking with them as he seemed to be thinking. "Ruby, your semblance, it's about speed, right?"

The young reaper looked confused at the question. "I mean, that's what dad and Uncle Qrow think, why?"

"It's just that the food fight had me thinking, seeing as you made a wind tunnel with pure force alone. I can't say I've seen anyone do something like that. I'm very impressed."

"O-oh, it was just something that felt right at the moment." To say the young reaper was flustered was an understatement, her hood up a bit as she seemed to get a bit sheepish. "But, I guess it was pretty cool huh?"

Yang glanced at Blake, a sly smirk on the cat's face as she nodded. 'oh yeah, she's definitely got it bad.'

Neptune looked to Sun. "Is it just me or does he seem almost as good with the ladies as me?"

Sun shook his head, watching as the Beacon students, especially the faunus students were greeting them as they passed by. "Nah man, he's not the playboy kind of guy like you. He seems more the genuine nice guy that just draws them in."

"So, how many you think?"

"What? Come on man I'm not going to try and guess that."

"Why not? Besides I bet all four of those girls would try to ask him to that upcoming dance don't you think?"

Both Naruto and Blake felt their ears twitching as they could hear the conversation behind them, something Sun must have forgotten. Blake couldn't help but glance at Naruto, seeing him pale. Honey yellow met blood red as he gave the look of 'later okay?'

She nodded as the groups separated.

To say the time Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai spent in Vale was rather, lackluster so far.

To the duo, one saw plenty of people to pick pocket, such as the dust shop owner. To the other, people seemed rather oblivious to their actions as they left the store that was Tukson's books and trade, emphasis on the word was, as the cooling body left in the store likely wouldn't be discovered for a while as the store seemed to have little to no foot traffic.

Granted the duo seemed to have stay relatively quiet, coming back to the hideout with no issue. That is until Roman caught them coming in.

"Oh look, she sent the kids again, this is just like the divorce." He seemed to grab them into a group hug, a bit of sleight of hand searching Emerald's pockets.

"Please spare us the thought of you procreating." The two teens pulling away from him, Emerald looking disgusted.

"That was a joke, and perhaps this will tell me where you two have been all day." He held up a paper, one with the bookstore's address on it. Emerald started to search her pockets.

"How the hell did you-"

"I'm a professional sweetheart, pay attention and you might learn something. So why do you have this?"

Emerald scowled, her eyes narrowing. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Actually I would, now what have you two been doing all day?"

Mercury stepped forward, a cocky smirk on his face. "Taking care of your problems, one of them at least."

"I had that under control."

"Two packed bags and a ticket out of Vale says otherwise."

Roman scowled, raising his cane. "Listen here you little punk, if it up to me, I'd take you and your little street rat friend here and-"

"Do what Roman?" The sound of a lift coming down from an upper level drew their attention, showing Cinder arriving.

"I, uh, wasn't going to kill them?" He bit back a scowl, this woman not only grating his nerves but had him ill at ease.

"That's what I thought." She kept her look of superiority even as she approached. The white fang members making sure to keep their distance from the woman.

Emerald on the hand seemed to brighten as soon as she arrived. "Cinder!"

Cinder approached the group, her eyes still on Roman as she spoke. "I thought I made it clear that you would eliminate the would-be runaway."

Roman scowled as he glanced away. "I was going to."

Emerald on the other hand wasn't going to let a chance slip. "He was going to escape to Vacuo! Mercury and I decided to take it upon ourselves to kill the rat."

Mercury looked to be contemplative "I think he was some sort of cat, actually."

"What? Like a puma?"

"Yeah, there ya go."

Cinder bit back a scowl as she addressed them."Quiet. Did I not specifically instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale?"

As Cinder speaks, Roman points a finger at the pair while laughing in agreement.

Emerald looked away almost in shame "I just thought-"

Roman uses his fingers to mime having a slit throat.

Cinder kept an impassive face, her soft voice still keeping a slight edge to it. "Don't think... obey.

Emerald lowered her head, not looking Cinder in the eye as she spoke. "Yes ma'am. It won't happen again"

Satisfied, Cinder turned to Roman "And you. Why wasn't this job done sooner?"

Roman scowled as he pointed to his right, then to his left, then behind him. "Uh..? Eh..? Eh..? EHHHHH! Sorry if I've been busy stealing every speck of Dust in the Kingdom!"

Mercury merely smirked. "You're an inspiration to every punk with a gun and a ski mask." Emerald couldn't help but laughs at the remark.

Roman however didn't look phased. "Look around, kid. I've got this town running scared! Police camping out at every corner, Dust prices through the roof, and we're sitting pretty on an old warehouse with more Dust crystals, vials, and rounds than we know what to do with! Speaking of which, if you guys wouldn't mind filling me in on your grand master plan, it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother!"

Cinder approaches Roman slowly, making sure she has his attention. "Oh, Roman. Have a little faith.' She places her hand on his face. 'You'll know what you need when you need to know it." Roman seems entranced, but then looks away with a grunt. "Besides, we're done with Dust." She turns as she begins to walk away, leading Emerald and mercury out.

Roman immediately looked confused by the notion. "O-okay, then what now?"

Cinder never looked back as she spoke. "We're moving. Have the White Fang clear out this building. I'll send you details and coordinates tonight."

"Coordinates?"

Cinder finally looked back at Roman as she got near the entrance "We're proceeding to phase two."

Cinder, Mercury and Emerald begin to walk away. Roman attempts to light a cigar, but realizes Emerald has stolen his lighter. She turns back to face him and sticks her tongue out defiantly.

—-

That night, Blake would later find Naruto in his office, going over paperwork as he sighed. "Oh, hey Blake, is there something you need?"

She closed the door as she had a sly smile on her face, if looking a little tired. "This is about the dance, isn't it? You looked nervous."

"Guess I can't get it past you huh? Well, I'm not much of a dancer. Or rather, I never exactly learned how to."

"You know if Weiss heard that she'll never stop until she tries to teach you personally, right?"

"Believe me, I know, and honestly I would gladly accept her help, it's just,"

"What, are you going say that that Neptune guy had a point?"

"More like I don't want to look bad, I'm supposed to be the teacher after all." He chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. "So, what about you? Looking forward to the dance? Maybe even hoping for someone to ask you?"

She had the decency to flush and look away. "I don't have that on my mind right now. Not when something far more important is going on."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, noting how she dodged the question. "You mean about what happened with the White Fang at the docks, don't you?"

"Yes, if Roman Torchwick is working with the white fang, that's not good. They would never willingly work with a human."

"Well you would know them best, got any ideas?"

"No, I don't, at least not yet."

"Would you tell me if you did?"

She looked at him in slight shock, her tired eyes widening. "I, I would. You were right about the docks. There were way more members than Sun and I would have been able to take just on our own. So, if I find a lead, I'll tell you."

This got him to smile, approaching her as he guided her to the door. "That's good. I can help, but only if you let me. And of course don't forget your teammates. You have them with you for a reason. But would you look at the time? I think you should get back to your dorm." His hand rested on her shoulder, a shiver going down her spine.

"Y-yes sir."

To say their walk back was rather quiet, both faunus taking the time to think not only their conversation, but of the dance that was coming up.

In the bright morning sunlight, Naruto hummed as he saw the fleet of warships heading to Beacon, a call coming to his scroll. "Ozpin, lovely morning we're having isn't it? Didn't think today's weather report involved this."

Ozpin sounded like he was already tired. "Glynda isn't exactly pleased either, but I'd actually like for you to come and join us. Not only would you get the chance to meet another headmaster of an academy, you'll get to meet another of my circle."

"As long as he has your trust Ozpin, I think this might be a productive day. I'll be up soon."

"Good, honestly it's nice having another level head around for these types of conversations."

As the phone call ended, Naruto merely smiled. "Level headed huh? I think you give me a bit too much credit Ozpin, right Kurama?" Once again he was met with silence, his smile cracking as he fought down the madness that scratched at the back of his mind.

James ironwood was a man that certainly seemed the part of being from Atlas, a strict and pressed uniform, as blaring white as the snow with only splashes of color to help accentuate it. He had only just stepped into Ozpin's office, admittedly making a bit of an entrance.

"Ozpin, it's good to see you old friend."

The old man smiled, stepping forward and meeting James in the middle. "I see you haven't changed General, it's good to see you too."

James glanced towards Glynda, a pleasant tone to his voice. "And Glynda, it's always good to see you."

She merely sighed. "Oh James,' with a wave of her hand, she glanced to Ozpin. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be outside. I'll let him know to come in."

Ozpin nodded as he headed back for his desk, brewing a cup of tea for himself and James, who admittedly looked confused. "Him? I didn't know this little get together would have any extra company."

"To be fair James, most headmasters don't come with their students to the Vytal festival."

"What? You know I enjoy Vale this time of year. And besides, with you hosting it would make for an interesting time." He brought out a flask as he spoke, adding a bit of the liquid inside to it.

Ozpin saw the alert on his desk, the door to the elevator opening, surprising James as he saw what looked to be a student in an old fashioned suit, the tricorne hat proudly on his head. "Ah, here he is, the newest member of the Beacon faculty."

Naruto sniffed the air, glancing at the mugs. "Ozpin, you didn't tell me you had spiked tea on tap, what would Glynda think?"

"I assure you, that was the general's proclivity, you know I prefer to keep myself sharp and sober." He spoke with a smile, pouring another cup and handing it over. James couldn't help but notice the fact of the false hand as he watched the two interact, knowing about Ozpin as he did he saw the fact of him interacting with someone as if they were old friends, rather odd.

"I do apologize gentlemen but I would hope introductions are in order?" James felt he was intruding, despite having gotten there first.

"You're correct, this is Naruto Uzumaki, you can say he's agreed to act as a teacher's aid of sorts this year at Beacon. His exceptional prowess in the art of combat makes him invaluable." Ozpin sat back down, Naruto sipping his mug before switching hands.

"A pleasure to meet you general, Ozpin has told me a fair bit about Atlas, I was hoping to get a bit of insight about how your kingdom operates."

James gently shook his hand, noting the grip of his metallic arm and finding it being matched. "I believe I can answer some questions, nothing too close to proper secrets of course."

"Not at all general, but I imagine one question everyone must be asking is, why the fleet of ships you brought with you?"

The question was asked innocently enough, but his red eyes seemed to be studying him, Ozpin also looking curious.

"I, brought them here as a matter of concern. For the safety of the people."

"And yet, if the people see big guns, they're going to wonder what they're being pointed at, don't you agree general?"

James couldn't help but glance at Ozpin, who merely stayed stoic. "He's right James. We're in a time of peace, shows of power like this can give off the wrong kind of impression."

Ironwood glanced between the two. "But if what Qrow said is true, then'

"If what Qrow said is true then it needs to be handled tactfully. The last thing we need is a panic."

"And besides, the roaches would scatter if the light gets put on them. Don't get me wrong general I understand the why, it's just a matter of the how. You're bringing a sledgehammer to something that needs a scalpel." As if to prove a point, he started to flip a dagger in his hand, one that wasn't there a second ago.

Ozpin had some hidden delight at watching James looking gobsmacked for once. He trusted the man well enough, but sometimes he thought more as a general than he did a headmaster. Having a third voice in the room was doing wonders.

"With all due respect, you seem as young as the academy students I passed by on the way here, your injury aside how knowledgeable are you with, what we're doing?"

"Don't worry, this young man knows what he needs to know, and I can say for certain his insight has been invaluable so far."

To James, it sounded like Naruto knew about as much as he did, to the former ninja however, he knew Ozpin didn't trust many in this world with the 'whole story', and for good reason.

He'd seen first hand what fear and doubt could do to morale, and that was the worst way for a fight to go. If he could ask those that once fought with him in the fourth great ninja war, they'd remember what it was like against the Zetsu army.

"I'm glad to be here too Ozpin, Vale is truly a beautiful place." He sipped the rest of his drink, a comfortable silence in the room.

James looked to be in contemplation, looking to Ozpin. "I know your stance when it comes to matters like this, training huntsmen and huntresses in the academies, but let me ask you something. Do you really think your children can win a war?"

Ozpin sighed, glancing at his desk. "I hope they never have to."

"I would give them more credit General. After all, every person that walked, walks and will walk this planet was a child once, and it's children that act as our future." Naruto hummed as he drank the last of his tea. "Having faith in that, in humanity itself, is why I'm here."

Ozpin glanced at the young man, a bit of shock on his face as he wasn't expecting that sort of remark.

James on the other hand was about to leave as he heard those words, a part of him wanting to believe that, but a deeper part was trying to find cold logic to work around. But he shook those thoughts away, heading for the elevator. "I'll be honest Ozpin, you know how to pick em."

As the elevator shut, Ozpin turned his chair to look out the window. "I think that went about as well as expected, don't you?"

"Something seemed, odd about him. I can tell he brought soldiers, but he carried the scent of oil and metal on him."

"Likely due to him having prosthetics, though a bit more extensive than what you have. His heart is in the right place, but I worry if he'll overstep himself."

"That fleet outside, I'd be lying if I wasn't already feeling at least some tension in the air. That's going to make my part more difficult."

"I can't exactly order James to take his fleet home. He has every right to bring some security for himself, though the sheer size must have made getting here from Atlas that much more strenuous."

"I'll deal with it if it comes to it, for now we should get ourselves ready for the festival. And the dance that's coming. Which reminds me, I may have to talk to Glynda about it."

"Oh? Thinking to ask her to the dance? Bold but I doubt she'd say yes."

"Not like that you ass, more to make sure I don't embarrass myself." He shook his head as he left the room, leaving the headmaster to his work.

—--

Glynda seemed to have been busy with her own paperwork after she left the meeting, likely to try and distract herself from the fact Ironwood had visited. So engrossed in her work that she was surprised to hear a knock at her door. "Yes, hello?"

"It's me, mind if I step in? I promise it'll only take a second." The voice of a familiar blonde being behind the door had her curious, a wave of her hand and the door opened. "Okay, I won't lie, that just seems fun to have."

She allowed a soft smirk to cross her face. "Save the complements, what has you coming by? I would have thought you would still be dealing with Ironwood with Ozpin?" Her tone lessened as she spoke, as if trying to not think about it.

'Sounds like history, best not pull the pin on that grenade.' "Well, that just ended actually. I sort of came to ask about that upcoming dance."

If she was surprised, she wasn't going to show it. "I'm not going to be your date if that's what you mean."

"No, respectfully I wouldn't be asking you, I, may have someone else in mind.' He looked a bit flushed, looking away. 'i, just don't know how to dance. And I don't want to embarrass myself or her by looking stupid. I figured to come to you because if anyone would know and not say anything, you would."

She seemed to be studying him, before nodding at his words. "Alright, I can respect that much at least. I'll help you, in exchange however you need to help me with the paperwork I have to handle. Organizing the Vytal festival will take more time, so if I could get a little help with the classwork it'll make things easier."

He stood in front of her desk, a hand out to shake. "It's a deal, especially if it'll be worth it in the end."

Glynda seemed to smile as she shook his hand. "So, who is it that you're thinking of asking?"

Ruby felt herself sneeze in the middle of the card game her team was playing, careful not to be looking at the board as she did so. Weiss admittedly seemed to be getting far more into it the more she played, a stark contrast to Blake who just seemed to be in her own head.

Ren and the rest of his team were at a table away studying, or rather trying to over the chaos of the game going on.

This was the scene Sun and Neptune walked in on, the faunus of the pair looking happy as always. "Oh hey, you guys look like you're having fun, got an extra spot?"

Neptune sighed. "Aren't libraries more for studying?"

"Thank you!" Ren looking relieved to have someone else agreeing with him.

"I mean yeah if you're a nerd." Sun snickered, drawing a look of disgust from Neptune.

"Excuse you, try intellectual thank you."

Blake sighed as she put her cards down, still looking tired as she got up. "You can take my spot Sun, I think I'm going to go get some work done." She stopped before turning the corner, looking to Ruby and her team. "I'll let you guys know if I find anything."

Sun looked surprised at her attitude, wondering if a certain bat had anything to do with it. "I see she's still being, well her."

Yang shrugged as she looked to her cards. "At least she's telling us if anything comes up. But if she goes too far, I'll talk to her."

Ruby laid her cards down as she felt her scroll going off. A text from Naruto on screen, 'Can we talk?', making her cheeks a bit red. "I'll be stepping out too, I'll see you guys later."

Neptune looked to Sun, as if to say 'you don't think?' making the monkey faunus shrug in his seat. Though Yang and Weiss both looked a bit conspiratorial at each other.

Ruby moved to a different aisle, texting on her scroll. 'Sure, where are you?'

A few moments later, one came back. 'My office, that okay?'

She felt her heart racing as she headed for his office, feeling nervous for what he might want to talk about and not knowing he was just as bad if not worse. A knock on his door had him answering, telling her to come in.

He was sitting at his desk, looking a bit as if he was fidgeting. "I'm glad you could come see me, I, I have something I was hoping to ask you about."

She closed the door, turning to face. "Um, sure, what's on your mind?"

"Well, there is the upcoming dance, and I know team CFVY is going to be in charge, knowing Coco she'll have it be quite the event." He seemed to be nervous as he spoke, something he was kicking himself for. He fought a goddess, eldritch beings and hordes of crazed killers without fear, but this was what had him nervous!?

Ruby smiled as she seemed to think about it, while it wasn't her type of thing Yang and Weiss were very enthusiastic about it, each for their own reasons, but they each seemed to be planning something. "Yeah, it would be my first one actually."

"Same here, my former school wasn't exactly one for dances." To say nothing about even if the ninja academy did, he'd only foolishly try to ask Sakura. The dull phantom pain in his head from her responses only proved it wouldn't go well. Maybe that was why he was nervous now, he was afraid of her answer, despite knowing full well that Ruby was nothing like the pink haired girl.

Ruby was both curious about what he was talking about, the question likely on both of their minds as the silence ticked for a few moments. It wasn't long until they both looked to each other and said "Would you want to go with me?"

They both blushed as they realized what they just said, Ruby breaking the following silence. "Sure, I mean, I'm surprised you're asking me. I would have thought you'd ask Yang." She glanced away, Naruto vaguely remembering what Neji said a long time ago about how the eye movements worked, that she was looking away out of shame towards herself.

"Well, you said it yourself, this would be our first dance, so why not go with someone we know? Besides, you're one of the first friends I made here." He stood up from the desk, patting her head gently, before touching her shoulder, a kind smile on his face. "And I didn't forget what you did after the last time we talked."

That got her to go near atomic red as she remembered kissing his cheek, something she did on impulse but wouldn't ever take back. "Y-yeah? Well, I didn't forget either. But we can't let the others know, not until the night of okay?"

He nodded, a look of amusement on his face. "Right, knowing Yang she'll never let us live it down, would she?"

Ruby couldn't help but giggle, nodding her head. "Yeah, she definitely won't. Even worse if she tells dad about it. He'll probably charge down here to see for himself."

"Right, no doubt your parents will be wanting a word." He immediately realized his mistake as she sadly nodded.

"Yeah, though dad will be speaking for them both."

"I'm sorry, that was rude of me."

"No, it's okay, Yang and I don't exactly talk about it much. I do visit her sometimes though."

Naruto felt like kicking himself, especially when he thought of how often Kakashi visited the memorial stone in the village. He was surprised when he felt her hands on his.

"You know, the next time I go, you could come with me? I think she'd like to meet you." She was still smiling even then.

"I'd be honored to, though I'm not sure how far it would be otherwise I'd offer to fly you over."

"Considering it's a bit of a trip via bulkhead, it might be a bit much for you. But I'll definitely keep that in mind."

With a smile she stepped to the door of his office, him walking her out as she whispered to him. "See you later?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

She left his room, stopping to peck his cheek before vanishing in a flurry of rose petals, heading back to her dorm and leaving him to wonder just what was going to happen next.

Ruby was blushing a deep red and lost in her own thoughts as she made it back to her dorm room, not realizing she was near her room when she bumped into a trio of students.

"Oh, sorry about that!"

"It's alright, you seem like you've got a lot on your mind." A soft, attractive voice reached her ears as she looked up at the woman who spoke. The yellow eyes giving Ruby an odd feeling behind them.

"Thanks, I guess you're right. I haven't seen you guys around, are you here for the Vytal festival?"

Cinder gave a small smile, Mercury and Emerald behind her. "You can say that yes, we were just looking around the school grounds, wondering where our dorm room is supposed to be. Do you know?"

"Sorry, guest dorms are in a different building, you're looking for the southern dorms."

"Thank you, I hope we see each other around campus." Cinder led her 'teammates' forward, Ruby not seeing the kind front falling away into a cruel smirk behind her back.

"Sure thing! And welcome to Beacon!" She waved, still feeling happy about before, and meeting new people. It was looking to have been a good day so far.

Time will tell if the chill in the air was more than just Fall arriving.

Darkvizardking69: And so we close out another chapter with a few introductions, and some pieces moving forward. I wonder how far the tides will turn.

And yes, we're getting some of that sweet sweet fluff going forward! Don't think this is the only bit of chaos I have in store. After all a little dance between friends as things may start to bloom? I figured it would be an interesting way to not only get something going, but spur others as well.

So of course, review, let me know what you think of the story so far!