Hey Guys!
Kind (Girl): You know how crazy the world is being right now. It's really hard to do what you like from where we come from. And there's another problem too, my cousin/co-author Strong (Boy) is sorted got quarantine twice and thus won't be able to help with our PokemonxBleach fanfic. It's only me for now, so hope you all can wait a little more.
Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto and RWBY.
Chapter – 14
"Hmm? Making cookies again are we?"
"Mm!"
Within a common cafeteria, a white-grey hair man holding a cup was observing a young boy rummaging his hands around the kitchen part of the area for ingredients to make buttery treats.
But it wasn't his first time since it had become a habit of his to make some ever so often between days or weeks, "I asked the lady manning the cafeteria. She said it was okay."
It didn't take long for the little one under Ozpin's protection to venture out from the room made for him. Despite the many strangers around, the little one was able to befriend some of the academy's staffs mainly due to his enjoyment of lending a hand.
"…" Ozpin felt a peculiar flag was lifted upon seeing the little one's careful processing of the cookies, something more so than his other activities in this new lifestyle. Yes, Ozpin was keeping a close eye on the little one ever since his arrival in Beacon. "Might I asked, why the careful preparation on the delectable's?"
Indeed, the little one was very careful as he watched ever of his action on the dough to the amount of each ingredient. Making small treats like cookies didn't need that attention but for some reason, the little one gave his best on the preparations.
"…" The little one stops and paused as did his lush golden fox tails stop their movements.
"Naruto?"
Ozpin knew his name, his real name and ever since the little one's arrival in his academy, there did not go a day where the man worried for the little one's well being. Even though it was none of his business since it was out of his comprehension.
"I don't know why," He stated his words carefully if trying to see something or someone that were to be there by glancing left and right with a confused expression.
"I'm not sure why," His tails carefully opened the oven as he slowly starts again to another batch of dough.
"But…" After putting the tray holding several cookie doughs, the little one turns to the man with his usual small but soft smile that befits what he was and more.
"I feel as if… two others…" The little one closes his eyes trying to do something as simple as imagine two small girls standing beside him and eating the cookies he made with happiness, "…stood by my side as we happily make them and this feeling… I like it. How something really simple could bring joy to them."
His honest true words were genuine and real but the memories that made them were lost to him forever and yet the special feeling lingers with him. This made the headmaster of Beacon heartache since it was something of a recurring thing for the little one for who knows how long.
"Here, Mr. Ozpin."
"Oh?"
On his hand was a small paper bag neatly packed as well as the warmth it brought made the man realized the boy was already done as he had been looking into space enough for the little one to be done. "…"
The man look between the small paper containing the cookies and the little one who was busy placing the others into other paper bags, "Thank you."
Ozpin had to smile, he just had to as he gently grips on the paper bag.
Patch
During the day and under the safe protection of the Kingdom of Vale, most people especially children. Patch is one place where most people lived to start a family and all the things that come along with it and a place where children were in abundance and playing around and about.
"*sniff* *sniff*"
"Hey, you made her cry."
"*sniff* *sniff*"
"What was I supposed to do?! She wouldn't give me any of the cookies!"
"Of course she wouldn't, it was hers, to begin with."
"Argh! Aren't you on my side!?"
"I am, but I'm not sure if this was the right way to get your crush's attention."
"Hey, shut up! She'll hear you!"
"*sigh* Really…?"
The scene before was a 7-year-old little girl on her knees crying over a couple of cookies soak in muddy sand with two older boys around 10 with her on the sandbox. The others around didn't mind them since crying children was something normal in the local playground.
"But I didn't mean to…" The one who caused the problem slumps his shoulder over his action. He just wanted to talk to her but didn't think that it would lead this.
Yes, youth. It was at a time where some girls and boy started to understand what's-what and what's-not, particularly between genders. It was the start for most either way.
"Come on. Try to cheer her up before it's too late."
"ehh!? That's a bit…"
"Do you want to talk to her or not?"
"Fine, fine!" Both boys whispered to one another while the little girl was trying to pick up the drench cookies despite her teary eyes and sadness.
"H-Hey..." The one who caused the crying girl's current cookie despair swallowed his pride and knelt beside her to apologize or maybe help.
"huh? *sniff*" The girl with her teary silver eyes looked up slightly to the older boy.
"I-I'm really-!"
"Hey! What are you doing to my sister!?"
Before the boy could apologize, someone very angry and easily tempered entered the large fray. And boy oh boy was she mad.
"…" Silences filled the air between the two boys and the new arrival of a very familiar girl they knew very well from their school. This girl was very well known in their class and someone they all knew not to get on her nerve even for the boys.
"*sniff* Yang?" The little girl who was sobbing turned and saw the girl was her older sister especially her very easy to spot pretty blond hair.
"…" The blond hair girl upon seeing her little sister's tears and position on the ground quickly concluded.
"!" Her eyes that were normal suddenly turned bright red as her hair turned wildly golden as she made a fast dash with one leg and her right arm ready to hit very hard.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!"
*Boom!*
"A-Ah…" The boy who was closest to the crying girl stumbles back and falls along with his friend but luckily avoided the powerful hit that blows a small hole on the sand where he was standing.
Both boys were speechless at the scary girl, everyone in their class tried to avoid angering.
"…" Yang was really in a good spirit today until this, of course, she had gotten a good score on her test and was about to show it to her little sister who promises to wait for her in the local playground. But seeing her little sister with tears did not sit well with her and being a kid with a temper did not help her calm down.
"…"
"We're sorry!"
"We didn't know she was your sister!"
They honestly did not know the little girl one of the boys had only recently been spying was actually the little sister of the scariest girl in their school. The moment her scary red eyes came on them, the boys skedaddled without turning back.
"..."
*grip*
"…" Yang felt her sister stopping her from chasing down the boys for a beat down, she quickly turned to her worried, "Ruby?"
It was a known fact that even among her classmates that Yang has changed since some year ago and stays friends with only a few as she always comes home straight like a good girl. Apart from her family, no one knows why and friends were afraid to even ask.
"Are you okay? What did they do to you? Where does it hurt?" In her anger, Yang completely forgot her crying little sister and quickly knelt to her in panic.
"No…" The little girl shook her hand, "They only made me drop my cookies."
"Are you sure? They didn't threaten you?"
"Mm…"
"I'm still gonna beat them up tomorrow."
"Yang, your eyes… they're scaring me."
"O-Oh, sorry."
Yang quickly deactivates her semblance and proceeds to carry her baby sister on her back. Her semblance activating so early was a result of her the hard work she put on her training every day since the incident that scar her.
"Yang."
"Yeah?"
"You're my hero..." Weeping all that time made the little girl tired and drowsy as she plays with her sister's hair with a happy smile.
"hehe…" It was a little childish to her likings but Yang felt a little flustered but happy at her little sister's word as she rubbed her nose.
"Might I ask another… strange question?"
"hm?"
Still in the cafeteria, both Ozpin and our little one Naruto sat on each side of a table with their beverage. The former still stayed due to a question of one or more.
"I don't mind." Naruto didn't mind and waited for a said strange question as he takes a drink of his cup of milk with cream.
"My question concerns how the students here you." Ozpin was very curious as this was the first time in many years did he see the little one before him around and inside a campus where many kinds of people occupy.
"…" The little one tilts his head and wonder why the question as he stares into the man's eyes.
"You don't have to worry about me Mr. Ozpin." He could sense the feeling from the man, how he was worried for him instantly without even glancing.
"I'll be fine… I've… always have been, I think." The little one wasn't sure why but for some reason he got along with most of the students he encountered or at least had a chance to talk with.
"Yes, yes, that's good news." Ozpins nods and smiles a little as the little one talk about the friends he made here.
He was a little concern since one of the staff told him how some of the students portray the little one as a strange Fanus because of his sincerely kind attitude to even those of that bother him. But since hearing him answer with such a calm demur, the man felt stupid for even worrying.
"Still…"
"Mr. Ozpin?"
"What do you think of the ones that have animal traits like yourself?" He wasn't comparing them for he knew the little one can never be compare but it was a little something he liked to know despite already guessing an answer.
Ozpin also felt the sinister aura that was being sent to him from inside the little one; he was well aware of the pressure from the being inside the little one but didn't bother to change his question.
"…" Naruto began to think about the few friends he made that had traits like lion tails, bunny ears or different skins like scales.
"I don't know…" He honestly did not know what to think of them, "…are they in trouble?" He was worried since he might've caused a problem by interacting them and never bother to guess other things like the differentiation between Fanus and humans.
"No, no, nothing of that sort. Rather… you don't see them indifferent to those that lack such traits. Am I right?"
"Mm." The little one nods, and his mind wonders how the classes here in the academy was like. He didn't bother thinking much and let himself sigh out blissfully from the tasty milk.
"…" Ozpin was happy at the little one's answers as he felt ridiculous for even doubting that time might've changed the little one whom was going to be a very important part in the future.
"But really…" Ozpin pulls out his scroll and opens a folder where several short videos of Menagerie were placed.
The videos the once pack and stuff island of Menagerie more well off than before as the land where it was 2/3 desert was now reduced to 1/3 desert with the addition of the once dangerous vegetations were now very rich and safe, even safer than most of the other continents due to the low number of Grimm.
"…" Naruto felt the silver-grey hair man's hand on his head and look to the man's gentle smile with a wondering expression.
"Truly… you are benevolent."
The man had walked through eras of the human history and endure what no mortal shouldn't but the fact that he endures through such a long time made him different but only did such a thing was due to the gods that once lived in their world. There was one thing, rather something different that made him still truly trust mankind and it was the little one before him, someone who decided to suffer for others despite a great gap.
Menagerie
"Ghiera?"
"Kali, no matter how many times I gaze upon our home, everyone's home. I almost think every time it's a dream…"
"I know dear."
The new Chieftain of Menagerie and current leader of the White fang stare at the view before his newly built wood-style mansion in the new heart of Menagerie with his wife by his side.
"Who would've thought the once dangerous and deserted lands now became the source of new hope for our people? Haha…"
"Not only that, most of our brothers and sisters that venture toward other places came back since there is plenty of space and livelihood. Hahaha!"
His wife words were very true and the man couldn't help but share a laugh. He was indeed happy that he could see so much of his people smiling and working even harder when their forefathers had come to the island.
"Even from Atlas?"
"Yes, but it wasn't easy. I had to call in a few favours from a few friends."
What the two were mostly thinking about right now were those that came back from Atlas since they had to hear about the stories of the everyday and common mistreatment of fanus especially under the Schnee Company that took in too many fanus for workers.
"But now… they won't have to worry."
"Your right, I'm glad they were able to make it safely here."
These days, life within Menagerie was good. It was better than the times where looking around anyone would feel cramp since they could only inhabit 1/3 of the large island they all lived in but after an event, any would call a miracle things changed for the better.
Yes, the once uninhabitable part of their land became a place where the fanus could live better since the resources and vegetation the miracle gave them.
"How has your friend's new company going on?"
"Ah… yes, the dust mines you mean. Bet on it being a great one in the future." One of the most important reasons why Menagerie now thriving was the fact that their land now had dust mines and this quickly leads to the building of a new dust company.
"I can say for sure that I am glad most of our brothers that were able to learn the engineering process in mining the resources came back too and now are a great help to his new company."
"Ghiera…" Knowing his husband, Kali couldn't help but be a concern since their conversation right now was just a way to temporarily escape the troubles they were still facing. Trouble not from discrimination from the humans but internal conflicts within the group the man had created for their people's future.
"Sorry, sorry, trying to run from my responsibility isn't like me *sigh*"
Upon being appointed as the new chieftain while at the same time being the leader of a movement for their cause made things a little difficult especially with his subordinates being overbearing due to the recent changes.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"I know."
Both were a great example as an honest and fair people and the fact that they were loved by their people also shows how much they work as leaders for their people but times were changing and this made their work harder than they expected.
"Speaking of here, where might you be going with that suspicious bag, young lady."
"Ahh-!"
Caught red-headed by the woman who wasn't even looking, a little girl was surprised seeing her mother caught her despite her silent steps.
"Blake?" Ghiera being the doting father wasn't sure what was happening and look surprised to see his daughter trying to sneak past them.
"Well?" Folding her arms, Kali waited for an answer from her daughter.
"I-It's nothing." Quickly, the girl hid the black bag behind her back and tried to shuffle her way to the door without breaking eye contact.
"Hm…" The mother kept her gaze and raises an eyebrow as the girl moves.
The girl's hand reach to the door handle without looking and slowly opens the side door before pulling back to hold the bag.
"R-Really, it's nothing… I'm… just heading out like normal, so you know-!"
The moment the little girl tried to exit, a folded hand-fan flew and close the door shut before the girl's very shock eyes.
*thud!*
"Oh, I believe you honey but let's first look what's inside that bag of yours before you go," The cat fanus woman moves forward and pick up the dropped bag and giggles at catching her daughter off guard, "Okay?"
*gulp*
"Hm?"
"M-Mom, I can explain!" The gaze her mother gave her chills.
It didn't take long for the girl to fess-up on seeing both her parents asking since as a young girl that would listen to them obediently, she couldn't hold it in and explains her reasons.
"A-Are you mad?" The little girl hesitantly asked while her ears stayed down the entire time.
Ghiera and Kali exchanged looks before chuckling at their daughter's words finding it a little funny since what they expected was way off.
"Why are you…?"
"fufufu… I'm sorry honey. I-It's just that ufufufu… you were so serious. I didn't mean to laugh." The woman couldn't contain her amusement seeing her daughter's funny secret plan.
"Blake…" The tall powerful-looking man scrunches down to his daughter after containing his laughter and places his hand on her head, "You need to know that we would never be angry when you're trying to do nice things for others."
"You're not?"
She was always hesitant around others and it came to the point that both parents were worried the girl might become a loner when she grew up but now were relief. The prospect of their only daughter finding friends to spend time with was a good sign for them.
"Of course, but no more sneaking off without telling us okay?"
"Okay." Blake was just glad her mother and father understand while enduring the skin-ship her mother kept rubbing her face with hers.
"I supposed you're going with this friend for tonight festival right?"
"Yeah, dad's gonna start the bone-fire this time, right?"
"You bet your dad is! Ahahaha!" Picking up his daughter on his shoulder the man laughs in joy.
...
It was exactly the day of the year were the people of Menagerie would hold a festival celebrating the hard times they had endured in the past was getting better as a miracle had happened two years ago on this very day.
"Dad isn't this…"
Now garb in a cute kimono along with her friend whom she gave her other kimono for the festival. Since her friend's parents were still busy unpacking in their new home, they weren't able to come until later and thus decided to hang with the Belladonnas.
What came for a surprise to them was the statue of a large fox with eight tails placed on the centre of their new town within their new home.
"That's right Blake, the one who rejuvenated our land and maybe even saved us from many future hardships."
"I kinda… get it?"
"He means Blake…" Kali steps in to explain, "Is that the Great Eight-Tail Fox made a better place for our people."
"Whoa…" The two girls now got it and were also really impressed at the likeness of the statue.
Blake and her friend Illeana certainly knew it since both had seen how the desolated inhabitable land that covered a large part of their huge island quickly transformed into a place where people could live.
Though… both only saw the transformation through the screen when it was recorded by off-land choppers. Illeana on the hand had seen it from Atlas with her parents.
To celebrate such an occasion, the festival was created by the suggestion of the previous chieftain a year ago and upon seeing that his people were finally in a better path the previous chieftain finally died of old age and without regrets while leaving the position of Chieftain to Ghiera Belladonna.
The previous chieftain was not the only one whose appreciation for the giant fox's incredible deed for them. Many had seen the miracle transformation throughout the world and almost all fanus was glad such a miracle happen since many had to leave the island due to the small space for a whole race and mostly due to the short amount of work to feed a family.
"How… do you feel? About the empty gaps in your memories?"
"Memories…"
"Yes, the memories of your pasts." Ozpin knew the boy understand him and waited patiently.
"How I feel…?" The little one never really was bothered by such questions despite the lack of memories in him even if coming to a conclusion.
But right now, the little wonders what and why the questions were supposed to mean to him until hidden feelings emerge to him as if it was a rush that was always due late.
"It…feels numb." He couldn't grasp some emotions or a feeling he has at times.
"And it's not right." He felt his situation wasn't right at all and sometimes it bothers him at the back of his mind.
*…*
*…..*
A small smile appears as the little closes his eyes and held both his hand close to his heart.
Though at first, the little one might be confused and lost. Waking up to find new faces more than once through his life only retaining pieces of feelings and two beings the little one did not lose heart like most others would be if they were in such a predicament.
"But it's okay."
"Okay? You said that before too." Ozpin, the man already knew the answer smiles sadly. It wasn't his first time asking the little one such a question not as Ozpin though.
"Mm!"
The boy nods with an expression that radiates hope while facing upward before taking one deep breath.
"I might not remember but there will always be others who will remember and cherish them for me." The boy wasn't lying as he could tell the man before he was one of the people who held one of those lost memories as well cherish them and this example made him fine and good. "Like you, right?"
"…" Ozpin blinks widen a couple of times as the child smiles at him with a happy grin.
"Yes, absolutely." The headmaster of Beacon, the man who lives for far too long smiles as he indeed cherishes the few moments he had with the boy in the past.
Atlas
A young girl with a deep sigh face flat to her luxurious bed with a sudden thump, basically she was tired after the long day of continues classes she had to attend. It was all too much for a child but she was a Schnee and excuses weren't needed though it was words her strict father told her.
"Maybe, I could ask father to rid of a few classes?"
"No, he wouldn't agree… I think."
"Come on Weiss, talking to oneself isn't solving anything. *sigh*"
"And besides, why did she give me this? Mother…"
Pulling out a couple of documents which were quite old as well as having an old blueprint map of what she did not know. The girl then buries her face to her pillow; it was a normal day of a young Schnee girl's tiresome life.
"What is this I hear? A Schnee talking to herself?"
"Eeep!"
The little girl quickly hid the documents underneath the bed and quickly turn to the voice that suddenly appeared.
"Winter!" The girl squeaks in surprised seeing her older sister sudden appearance as well as the things she hid from her.
"Indoor voice Weiss, I hear you loud and clear."
"S-sorry."
"No matter." The older girl wave off her sister's fidgeting responses as a minor issue.
"W-Winter, do you need something?" Weiss did her best to act normal for the older girl to not get suspicious for her earlier action since she knew how her older sister can be.
"No Weiss, nothing in particular." The older had something she had to tell and it seems it was quite important to her as she took a seat beside the younger girl.
"Then…"
"I wasn't finished."
"O-oh…"
"Sister, *sigh* I did not come here to scold you." Winter could tell she had been scolding her younger sister a lot to make her be prepared or at least be cautious for her new future after all it was her decision that leads to this.
"…" Weiss who finally stop her nervousness felt her sister tone was different unlike usual.
"Instead, I came to…" In the middle of her words, Winter Schnee paused as her eyes landed on something on the foot of her little sister's bed.
"?" The younger girl blinks in confusion as she stares at her sister sudden paused before turning to the direction where her older sister kept staring.
"!?" Weiss made a mistake in her hurry to hide the documents handed to her and that was the old blueprint lying on the foot of her bed.
She couldn't let her sister see the blueprint and the girl extends her hand and reaches to it.
"This…"
Before the younger girl could even move, the older girl had the old blueprints already on her hands.
"Winter I can explain-!"
"Quiet Weiss."
The older girl gently folded the old blueprint and gave her sister a harsh glance.
"*sigh*"
"Winter?"
"I'm not sure why doodling on an old blueprint of the mansion is anyway amusing."
"huh?"
"But here."
"Okay…" The younger girl not sure as to why her sister did not say more look at the old paper.
"Go to Klein, he should be dusting the family's library. Bring what you hid with you too."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"And after finishing, come to my room. Is that clear?" Before leaving the room, the older girl gave Weiss a stern glare implying there was no room for argument.
"O-Ok!"
"Good."
"…" Weiss was left dumb folded as she faces the door where her sister just left without doing anything she had thought the strict Winter Schnee would do after seeing the old paper.
…..
"Klein? Are you here?" The young girl finds her way to their family enormous library as the Schnee name had a history of its own to have such an extensive library.
"Yes, young mistress Weiss. Just… need… to… *achoo!*" Their head butler Klein Sieben, an overweight man with balding brown hair with a large mustache sneezes.
*thud!*
The butler felt on the shelf ladder he was using to rearrange certain books covered in dust.
"Klein!" The girl dash to the fallen man worried as it was a pretty hard fall.
"Oh… you be quiet. This body ain't gonna lose it vigour after a simple fall."
The butler's eyes colour change to a light red while showing a ruff expression. The man semblance was true quite a unique one to change his personality from time to time.
"Oh, Klein…" The young girl made a small smile at how silly their butler was sometimes.
"Oh, young mistress. How unseemly of me, would you like a cup of tea?" The butler stood up as the colour of his eyes turns to pink.
"I would love to Klein but…"
"Oh?" Klein watches the young girl pulls something out of her hidden skirt pocket.
"This is…!?" The old butler eyes quickly turn to a light brown colour as he quickly moves to the old documents on the girl's hand with a shocked expression.
"Do you know what these are, Klein?" Weiss asked curiously as she never saw her butler reacted so fast to anything.
"Oh… my." the man paused with widening eyes.
"If this is on your h-hands *sniff*" The man's eyes turn back to pink while tears fall from his eyes, "The Mistress must've finally come to her senses! *sniff*"
"Klein, why are you c-crying? Is something w-wrong?" The young girl wasn't sure what was going, she panics a little at the tears falling from her butler's eyes.
Unknown to the girl, the man was referring to the mother of the young girl Willow Schnee who as well as the only child of his true master Nicholas Schnee.
"Forgive me, young miss. I am just happy for the mistress."
"My mother?" Weiss was not even more confused as she could not put the dots together as it was one of the few times his butler mention something that was related to her mother.
"Yes, yes but I can't spare any details right now."
Quickly fixing himself, the man who had been with the Schnee family since his childhood and for once in a long time stood straight with more vigour due to the changed in something he had hope for so long.
"Quickly young miss, follow me."
"K-Klein?"
Not sure why but the young girl follows her butler who suddenly opens a secret entrance beside a bookshelf by using some kind of unusual key on a hidden keyhole.
The head butler who had been with the founding of the Schnee Company knew many things even the current head did not even have a single clue as some things were entrusted to him by the original head.
"Klein, where are you taking me?"
They had enters the hidden passage only to be lead to an empty corridor with a path to somewhere. Torches light upon their presence giving light to their path.
"Young miss, do you know the kind of man the head of the Schnee family name was?"
"Father? I'm not sure how to explain but isn't he a good businessman?"
"Bah! Not that wring-headed buffoon." The butler's eyes colour change anger as he huffs out words with a puff.
"Klein! I told you can't say things like that. If father hears you… he won't be happy." Despite her words, the young girl couldn't help but let out a little giggle at how her butler describes her father.
"Yes, yes, let the big old wig do as he like." The butler too smiles seeing his young miss nervousness disappear, "Anyway, I was talking about your grandfather young miss."
"Grandfather?"
"Aye, a great man indeed left and since then the true name of the Schnee family name was warp by that man."
"He wasn't like father?"
"Of course not, unlike your father who married into the Schnee name. Your grandfather built the company's backbone without resorting to such scoundrels acts which would've been impossible for many back in the days."
"…" Weiss nods as she felt fascinated about her grandfather which never comes up in the household for some reason.
"Finally, we're here."
"Klein, what is this?"
Both stare at a thick steel door which looks impossible to be broken.
"Hope, young miss."
"Hope?"
Weiss than look at the engraved two figures on the door, one whom she could guess was her grandfather but the other one was oddly familiar as it was a child with eight foxtails.
"This was made by your grandfather *sniff* the master was disheartened when his good friend disappeared that he made this hidden area to hide the truth from unnecessary attention *sniff* Master Nicholas!" At that point, Klein was weeping his heart out remembering sad pasts.
"Klein?"
"Sorry, sorry, young miss." Wiping off his tears, the butler shakes the depressing feeling off.
"Please, young miss. Place your hand on the door."
"But… there's no handle."
"Oh, this one doesn't need one."
"I see…"
The young girl than places her hand on the door like Klein did but unlike than the door starts to shake and slowly opens.
"Yes, only a true blood of the Schnee can open the door." The butler remembers his master words about such details.
"Now, young miss." Klein gestures his hand to the new open path and also implying that he could not go further.
"What is this all about Klein?"
"Like I said before young miss, its hope."
"…"
"Please use the old blueprint since it's a map leading to the truth."
"This…"
Weiss glance at the old paper and wondered if this was actually really happening. She also saw that some new lines were drawn and wondered if her sister was the one since she remembers nothing of herself doing it after her sister took it for a short minute.
But remembering her sister expression as well as her negligent mother, the girl resolves herself and push on onward.
…
"…"
"So, you've returned."
"Yes, sister."
"How was it?" Finishing putting a stack of clothing in a suitcase, the older sister of the Schnee family turns to her sister whom was covered from head to toe in dust and cobwebs.
"Did you know?"
"…" The older girl shook her head, "I only had guesses but nothing enough like solid proof. If it weren't for Klien. I might have shaken it off as being delusional."
"Than… the Schnee company… it wasn't just grandfather but someone else was there too."
"Yes, I had my guess but the documents handed to you by mother as well as the others you found are proof."
"I-I…"
*hug*
Winter saw her sister confusion and quickly embrace her, both might be young but they were girls born in a rich environment and both had to grow up earlier with an understanding of their situations.
"Don't let it bother you; it isn't yet our concern."
"B-But this isn't…"
"Shush… this was not the reason why I called you here."
"huh?"
Knowing her sister and her earlier hints, the younger girl could've honestly guessed she was her to talk about the secret of their family's history.
Carefully cleaning her younger sister's dirty face, Winter smiles happily to see her sister able self.
"You should already be aware of my decision to enter Atlas military academy, full time."
"I know…"
"And this means my title as the heiress transfers to you right?"
"Yes…"
"And that is why I planned to leave earlier than scheduled since father's meddling won't end until I leave."
*drip*
Weiss, already knew but she felt it was too soon since she would be incredibly lonely without her older sister. It was tough even for her but she sucked it in and yet tears fell.
"Before I leave I want you to always remember to never lose hope for yourself and our family name. You must've heard details about grandfather from Klein right?"
"…" Weiss nods at her sister words while trying to wipe off her tears.
"I want you to be someone just like him, someone who brings brilliance."
"What about you? Your-!?"
"No Weiss, I'm not. But you are, do you understand?"
"I understand *sniff*"
"Good."
"Winter…"
"Enough, with your tears," The older girl stood up with a smile and sighs at her younger sister, "Now, come. See me off would you?"
"Okay!"
Both went out of the room while holding their hands tightly and lovingly like they were the only ones they had.
"…"
From afar and unknown to the two girls, a woman watches her two daughters with a solemn expression. Normally, she would still be inside drinking but after all that had happened a year ago with a certain little one she changes her daily routines and such, one example being watching her children from afar.
"Mistress, wouldn't it be better to see your daughter before she goes?"
"I'm not sure what you're suggesting Klien."
Turning around the woman left with her maid and their Head butler smiles softly at how his true master's daughter was finally showing some care toward her own children.
"Mr. Ozpin, you're still here? Do you need me for something?"
As if waiting for the little one who came back from delivering a pack of delights the man with a powerful but calm aura still stayed in the cafeteria kitchen with a cup of coffee and crumpets.
"Oh yes, I do didn't just came down my office to talk but for something else too."
"Okay?"
"Come, walk with me."
Naturally, the words the man used might've been suspicious especially when talking to a child-size boy with an adorable level of an angel but since the little one was no normal being he didn't feel any reason to refuse. The little one also trusts the man for some reason he couldn't remember.
"Could you wait? I can't leave the kitchen a mess after using it from the nice ladies."
"Haha… Of course, no need to rush."
It didn't take long since the boy used both hands as well as his extendable golden foxtails to finishing cleaning up in no time. Ozpin was smiling gently the whole time as he saw the little one acting like usual, no one would understand why the little one was so endearing to him like a certain woman.
….
"Naruto."
"hm?"
Changing the location to Beacon Tower, both the elevator. The staffs nearby saw the two off to the tower as if something was unusual.
Upon entering, the headmaster Ozpin lead the little one to an unknown level which none but an inner circle would know about. It was indeed a secret floor underneath Beacon tower.
"I do not want to force you and after so much… but I beg of you… please, keep believing in us."
The man words were low as if he was whispering but even so, the little one heard ever single word as his blue ocean eyes shimmer for a second.
"I will." The little one wasn't too sure why the man was saying something out of blue but nods since he could somewhat understand what the man mentioned in his words.
Ozpin closes his eyes and felt at peace for a second understand that the little one beside him must've let some of his powers around for a second.
"Here we are."
Finally arriving both stood in what seems to be a spacious hall underneath the tower and it was quite heavily built.
"Hey kid, finally came out of the cafeteria?"
"It is good to meet you again Naruto."
"Please, if you must. Be sure not to push yourself."
They weren't the only one as Ozpin trusted comrades were already there waiting. Though both Qrow and Ironwood were surprised at the sole female of the group to be so concern of the little one since this was not what she had acted when upon meeting the little one before.
"It'll be okay."
The little one Naruto had spent most of his time with Glynda upon his arrival to the school since she was the only one who had experience in looking after someone but mainly due to the reason of the others being busy or weren't up to the task. The little one indeed loves his time with the kind lady and loved learning many things under her guidance.
"Her name is Amber."
Ozpin interrupted them as he gestures the little one's attention to one of the two pods in the floor. A pod containing a girl whose life looks to be hanging by a thread.
"…" Wasting no words, the little one approaches the pod where the girl name Amber lies in.
The little one eyes into the girl's close eyes for a few seconds while ignoring everything around his surroundings.
"Kurama, I need your help."
"…." No answer from within him and yet the little one got his answer.
*!* Glynda and Ironwood were a bit surprised by the sudden emergence of golden mist trailing around the little one though Qrow has seen it and stays compose while Ozpin remains unaffected as he kept his eyes on the little one and Amber.
The trialling mist of golden hue started to cover Amber's body before both the little one and Amber seems to have a single trail of the golden mist connecting them.
"Hi."
"…Hello."
They could all hear the words exchange between the little one and the girl in the pod. But that was all they could hear as the two kept exchange words without being eavesdrop anymore.
"…"
"It's okay."
After a while, the golden mist trails dim and all resided back into the little one.
"How did it go?" Ozpin was the first to ask with anticipation hidden in him.
They had all but given up when even the incredible technology of atlas couldn't recover the girl's dying body and all wondered if the little one could do something about. Ozpin knew the little one has the power but he also knew it depends on certain factor for things to go smoothly mainly the little one's willingness.
"…" The little one shook his head sadly.
"I… see."
"She's too scared Mr. Ozpin. I couldn't force her to accept life again."
The little one Naruto could only lessen her distraught emotion as the girl reject the idea of living again due to her powerful fate and yet her bodies still lives for the meantime due to the machine supply her life. He could only comfort her dreams to stay stable before her life runs out.
"Ozpin." Ironwood was the first to speak out and wondered what was going on.
"It was a failure."
"But earlier, didn't you say-!"
*thump!*
"I said it was a failure." A powerful wave of aura burst out of Ozpin as if anger by the man's questioning gaze on the little one again.
"…" None of them spoke as it was not like him to force others to be quite. It frightens them quite a bit.
"Glynda, carry Naruto back to his room."
"Sir?"
"Go."
The woman wasn't satisfied but upon seeing the little one swaying unsteadily trying to stand, the woman quickly activates her semblance to bring him to her arms. He looks tired despite seeing no bad signs.
"So… what's the deal with the kid? Dozing off suddenly like that."
"*sigh* His mortal body can only do so much. Even resting won't help either and… there won't be any future attempts." He saw the limits, limits put by her and the reason why such a thing was possible was due to the little one cares.
"?" Qrow and Ironwood sort of understand it but not completely and due to Ozpin's behaviour they won't ask more.
The headmaster of Beacon annoyance was not subsided as memories and thoughts kept piling up inside him. Especially a woman who had done too much despite her claims of caring for her dearest friend.
"How long will this selfishness last." He wasn't sure when but he knew he had repeated this same word for centuries describing a certain woman.
And done…
I know it might not seem like much romance is happening right here but we have a reason. We like slow pacing stuff like this until they can bloom.
Anyway, bye!