Girl (Kind): Okay I'm back again with a new chapter. It's really been long since we haven't much updated along with the others. Hunting jobs and want not really take our time away, so we're planning to only post one chapter for one story each week and many sometimes one or more depending on our schedule.
Hope, you like this one. And yes, I'm gonna change Cinder's back story since it has been revealed now. Haven't watched RWBY since season 6 so… I'll try.
Disclaimer: We do not own RWBY and Naruto.
Chapter – 15
Dreamworld
When anyone dreams, almost all the time the dreamer might not remember anything or maybe at least a few times. And yet, they can't exactly put a finger on the exact detail of their dream. It always felt like a déjà-vu to them. Yes, this can be a standard thing for some humans but what about other beings?
Right now, two individuals were sharing one special dream and were even completely aware of their situation. It was to be known that both were beyond the normal dreamers.
"Milady?"
"Yes, little one."
"You're holding me too tight, Milady."
"…" A small smile came upon a woman with an unusual beauty yet darken with a presence any would feel the need to stay alert except for a little boy with beautiful golden eight fur foxtails on her lap and in her embrace.
"Yes, yes I am."
"…" Looking up from his position, the little one eyes met hers, and the boy's expression turns to a big happy smile. He can never forget how wonderful it was to be with a friend especially one who has been there for him.
*drip*
*drip*
"Milady?" The little one felt his friend's small drops of tears coming from the woman's eyes. Though her expression was calm, her red tears betrayed her.
"You've suffered long, haven't you?" It was a question for him that was repeated so many times and through the different eras of their world. Yet, the little one was asked by others because it was true and none of them would understand exactly what kind he was suffering.
"?" The woman felt the golden tails embracing her and she knew what he was going to say since it was the same answer he has always given after him such question.
"I'll be fine." His warmth and his words always reassured her and this time was no different either.
"…"
The woman let out a short sigh and let go of the guilt that was there for a few moments.
"Now, scoot off my lap, would you? We do have room to fix up."
Currently, they were in a dream both were aware of and it was in a tower where the two's friendship had started. The place might've been a cage from an outside view but to the woman, it was a place where most of the best of her moments had been held and it was all because of the little one walk into her life.
"Of course, Milady!" Excited the little one got off the woman's lap and started pulling different things around him trying to do his best.
The woman watched in amusement for it was a thing she could cherish. Normally, she would not think much about such trivial things and even the words coming from her mouth moments ago were something she would never utter but it was all different when it came to the little one.
Back at the time, she would've never done a servant's job but doing it together with the little one brought her small moments of joy.
"After, would you accompany me to the garden?"
"Oh~ berries?"
"Yes, berries. But I never would've you to be excited about it."
"There you favorite Milady, I liked them since I can eat them together with you."
"You remember?" The woman's eyes widen a bit at what the little one said.
"I *thump*" Before the little one could speak more; he suddenly fell forward with a blank expression. The world was spinning, and he didn't know why, something was wrong and yet he still endures.
"…" The woman caught him and carry him in her arms with care. She gave the little one a sad smile and stroke his soft locks.
"Milady?" Awake again, the little one was a bit confused.
"Let's go, we're heading to the garden."
"Okay!"
The world around them distorted and suddenly change as she walks with him in her arms.
Her old room now changed to a wide field with many edible vegetations around ready to be picked out.
Glynda's P.O.V
I would not know what to think when the headmaster brought him to Beacon.
It was all too strange; I was confused why even after the headmaster's explanation.
Without any detail, he gathered us on a sudden trip to Atlas only to end it by taking a child back. He describes the child as a being I had a hard time believing, for anyone to believe at the time.
Yes, I trust Prof. Ozpin but what was said was something hard to take in. That was of course after the numerous proofs the child shown, one example being the ability to speak to the dying Fall Maiden Amber and even the possibility to revive her the headmaster explained to us.
"Professor, we've arrived."
I began to believe ever since the unreal power he expressed at the time. Though the child might've only spoken with Amber I believed he could've done so much more, not just me but Qrow and James might've felt it too, that which was the presence of a godly being, yet he is not what I expected to be like.
"…."
"Honestly, to find you sleeping here."
Right now, the headmaster sent me to Emerald forest with one of the forest's caretakers in search of the little one.
But to find him asleep peacefully with animals surrounding him as if guarding him. If it were any other normal child, I doubt sleeping in such a place would've been anything but dangerous especially if they weren't huntsmen.
"…"
I walk as the animals made a path for me to him and I sat down beside him stroking his head, "You do strange things *sigh*."
Grimms were an ever threat for humans. They do not sleep or rest but to this little one what the headmaster said was true. This little one is loved and so much that the very things that threaten our species were protecting him from anything.
"P-Professor?"
"hm?"
I have almost forgotten, why was the little one was even here in the first place?
Though, he might be a being of great power. It cannot be ignored that his appearance seems to resemble that of a Fanus child. Not to mention an unusual one, a fanus with eight golden fur tails, such only added to his appeal of course but this was also the same reason he was here.
Many humans still won't accept the fanus race; even children prosecute the other race. Thus, three students from the academy had the nerve to play unnecessary pranks on the little one.
"C-Can we go back now?" One of the two students standing beside the forest caretaker spoke out, I assumed the approaching Grimms stalking nearby might be his reason.
"No."
My answer might've surprised them, but it was an order by the headmaster to wait for the little one to wake on his own, and thus until then we won't be leaving anytime soon.
"Caretaker, you can go. Thank you for your assistance."
"Of course, ma'am."
"…" As I thank the man for his assistance, I did not wait and settle myself near the sleeping little one. I do not know how long but I do feel obliged to be near the little one.
"P-Professor, please…"
"Quiet and sit down. All of you."
Annoyed at their constant complaints, I quickly made the students sat down on the grassy surface using my semblance. They should understand what punishment was meant when I sternly gave them the word.
"…" With a wave of my hand, I creating a sit made of clean twigs and leaves to sat on before contemplating what and why I was even here and doing what I am doing. My trust in Prof. Ozpin is absolute and yet here I am watching at the one he for some reason put very high regards on.
It seems my doubts would not leave me alone. This child is kind, polite, brave… everything anyone would want for themselves or anyone. His powers are no doubt powerful even though I knew not of it especially since the headmaster would not even create a file for him.
But… No, this child's attempt to save Amber was enough for me to know. Know that at least I can put my worries away and trust him a little more.
"…" Seems like he's having a good dream.
The other day, I saw him in the cafeteria again baking sweets from the pantry. I don't know why a bowl of ramen was beside him but he seems to enjoy doing something so ordinary. If I had experienced his powers first thing, I won't have believed such a sweet innocent child was such an all-powerful being.
"Hey, it's really strange."
"What is it?
"Whisper man! She'll hear us."
"Right, so?"
"Don't you think it's weird no Grimms are coming here?"
"Now that you mention it. We've been here for at least 2 hours."
"Right! It's like this area is a safe place like one of my games."
"We could mark this place to hang out the next time they send our class here again."
"That's a great idea, a secret hideout."
"I know bro."
*smack!*
*smack!*
"If the both of you are done, I would like complete silence starting now."
"Yes, ma'am…"
"Yes, ma'am…"
Such students should realize there is no such thing as a safe place where one does not fend against danger especially against Grimms. Both of them will have a hard time after the academy with such shallow thinking.
They wouldn't have believed me if I told them that the Grimms were only staying away because of the little child sleeping here. I too am still surprised by this today, such thoughts occasionally come to me with this little one around.
"Milady…"
"…" He is awake but again, he spoke the word. This wasn't the first time, I asked Professor Ozpin who the little one was referring to but he just shakes his head with a sad smile. I wonder who it is.
"No, it's me, Glynda."
"Oh…"
He must've dreamt of that person. His sad smile tells me.
*pat!*
*pat!*
"Yosh! I need to live my life to the fullest! Milady told me so!"
Such a strange child, cheering himself up like that. It is my current duty to look out for him though it might be only temporary little perks like seeing him as this does come from time to time.
"Here, I would believe you might be hungry."
"Thank you, Miss Glynda!"
The headmaster didn't say but I brought him some healthy snacks good enough for someone that just woke up. Being a teacher and now a temporary guardian for this little one, I might never regret it.
"Here, there's a little bit."
"Ok."
Even with his powerful powers I still can't help but see this child as a child. Messy eating at times like an infant and yet I do pity this little one.
"Here, ah~ Miss Glynda!"
"Oh, thank you Little one."
I'll humor him and just accept his kind gesture. His soft smile is worth it though. The bumbling Qrow must be at the palm of this little one I figured haha…
"Dude…"
"Dude…"
"You crying too?"
"Yeah."
"I mean, she's like the scariest teacher ever but she's still the hottest female teacher. But why only him!?"
"I know…"
"Her beautiful hair."
"I know…"
"Her form fitted outfits."
"I know…"
"Her bod…"
"I know!"
"It's so unfair! WHY!?"
"I KNOW!"
*smack!*
*smack!*
"Quiet, do you want the Grimms to come here?"
I couldn't help but think and believe additional detention needs to be done for the two of them. But I am surprised by this little one's next action.
"Here, you can have some too."
"huh? Really?"
"Hm!"
"Even me?"
"Right!"
"But we ditch you here last night."
"Yeah, it wasn't even an accident too."
"I know but there's enough for everyone."
"…"
"….."
"…."
"Thank you!"
Ha, it's not that he forgives them. He just doesn't care about what they did.
"!?" This voice, where did it come from. I can't sense who that was but I know I felt it before back in the underground chamber. Something incredible powerful and horrifying.
"…" As I watch the three, I wonder did they not heard the voice while leisurely eating. Such a terrifying tone, I need to report to the headmaster.
We need to quickly get back now.
Normal P. O. V
"Mr. Ozpin! Mr. Ozpin!"
"Hm?"
Another usual day within the confines of the little one's life in Beacon Academy. Nothing usual happens well at least not when the little one would need or want to venture further within or around the grounds of the prestigious academy.
"I would like to ask something of Mr. Opzin!"
An excited little boy with a beautiful golden eight-tails fox called over for the attention of the academy's headmaster. His eyes glittering in determination and his tails sway in excitement.
"Oh, and what might that be?" The man knelt with a soft smile and look at the excited little one as if he would say yes to anything he would say without much question.
Ozpin knew well that the little one hardly ever asked for anything besides permission to venture outside or politely uses the school kitchen tools. And to personally search for him when the little one usually just waits for him inside his office means it must be more important than usual.
"You see…"
The little one stops after the two words and cautiously looks left and right as if he was about to say something really important and doesn't want anyone except the man before him to know.
"…"
The little one rushes to the man's side and quickly whispers in his ears. The man listens with surprise at first before that surprise turned into a pleasant smile as he shakes his head.
"…" Ozpin stood back after the little one finished, he might've given a surprised expression at first but he knew this was what the little one was and nods closing his eyes.
The man reminisces, the days when the land was still vast with adventures. Many were walked alone while others were with the little one before him.
Never asking for more, only desire what others would casually give a glance of interest. Haha… even to this day, you've never changed.
Ozpin just stood there watching the waiting little one for his answer. He might look like any ordinary child never lacking innocence but the amazing thing about him was that he never steps back from something others would falter.
Even to the point of never using his immense powers to change reality to his liking.
Every time the man reminisces, he always thought about what had occurred within theirs and his past.
With such a friend like him, why did you still walk that path…
"Mr. Ozpin?"
"!?" Being pulled back from his lost thoughts, the man blinks twice and pulls out some money and they weren't small bills either. He wasn't the headmaster of a famous academy for no small reasons anyway.
"Just try to be careful out there, and yes you have my permission to go off the school campus."
"Thank you, Mr. Ozpin!" The little one happily beams with a toothy smile as he received a tag that permits him to leave campus. He had been planning to go out for a while to search for something he had to make with his own hands.
"Good, good." The man then nods as he stretches out the money he took out to the boy, "Here, this should be enough for you out there in the city."
"…" Normally, anyone would be ecstatic to see such a huge amount of money to be given without any strings attached, Qrow would certainly be.
"Thank you but I have my own money I earned Mr. Ozpin. See?"
The little one politely declines as he shows the man his small purse containing money and small changes. He had helped around the academy with a menial task that his body was too small to do but he kept doing it receiving thanks and changes from both the staff and students. He was quite popular with the academy staff and female students.
"That's…" Ozpin nods happily at the little one who was very proud of his own earning even if the amount was not much. This trait of his was very similar to the man, "Very like you."
"You mean me?" The little one looks at the man confused at his words since he could feel the man's tone was very different in a good way despite the monotone.
"…" Taking a sip of his coffee he was carrying; Ozpin's moods seem to be lifted prior from earlier before the little one came to him. He was amused at the little one again.
"Don't take too long, okay Naruto?"
"Right!" The little one nods as he quickly heads in the direction of his room with an exciting smile.
"…" The man watches the little boy run off with a sad feeling again, he knew why the little one was this way and he knew the little one was enduring more than he has. Yet, the man could never understand the reason but was glad there was at least someone like him that exist in this world of tragedy.
"Professor Ozpin, you called?" Glynda who had finished her work for the day approached the man, she would happily do her work as his subordinate after all.
"Yes, prior to what happened last time. Let's take a safer approach and watch him venture the city." The man left all emotion again as he stares off into the hall's window. He was back to his position as a man who has been tested by time.
"Of course, I will head out at once." The young woman knew what the man was talking about as she turns around and heads elsewhere by his order.
"…"
"….."
"Hm… Qrow, you too go." Without looking anywhere else, the man spokes out.
"…" A crow outside the window flaps and head toward the city as if order from the man was absolute.
…
"First, I need a very pretty flower!"
Finally arriving in Vale, the little one brimming with determination wrote down the few things he came for before marking one.
"I smell them, flowers!"
He had a way of getting around in the city and often used his sniffers for direction. Most of the time it works though as he comes out from the Academy from time to time.
*ching!*
"How may I help you?"
A distracted woman reading her scroll effortlessly greets upon hearing the door's chime. It was a slow day so she was quite lazy the day and even didn't take a glance at our little one.
"A flower please!"
"Okay, what kind….? Ah…" The woman finally pulled her attention to the customer but upon looking from her desk, she couldn't see anymore.
"Yes, there's a really good flower here, right? I liked to buy it please."
"Oh…" The woman finally looks down from the counter and saw the little one excitedly stated his some-what specific desired flower.
"Yeah, we do have different kinds. I'm not sure I can help you with only that detail so could you tell me what kind you like or better yet you could tell me if said flower is for an occasion or someone specific?"
The flower store employee spoke out the words she thinks her manager said to asked when a customer comes in or at least she thinks she said the right words. She was not good at her job.
"hm…"
It took a while but he made up his mind and request the one he saw before purchasing as well as leaving a confused employee.
Upon exiting the store, the little one glances at the dying flower in his hand with a soft smile. It was the perfect flower and his decision confused the woman especially since he still bought it despite her true recommendation words.
"I got the first one and next is…"
While the little one was contemplating where the next one on his list could be, his distraction led him to unknowingly bump into some men coming along the way.
*!?*
"Ah…" The little one was knocked over while the men just stare at him with smug smirks.
"Hey kid, watch where you're going."
"Oh, sorry…" Blinking confusingly, the little one realized he was the one who distracted walking but didn't notice they had purposely bumped into him.
They didn't stay for long and just left for reasons they only know. They were quite happy despite bumping into the little one.
"…" Without saying much, the little one gets back up like a man and brushes off the dirt. He didn't have time to diddle with an important goal for today, never noticing the empty pocket on his pants.
The three men that had headed off earlier were smirking while sitting on a public chair. One of the men was counting the amount on the small purse with big bills and small changes with a happy smirk.
It wasn't their daily life since they still were a part of society but only did such a thing when they needed the cash for something they all wanted together. Despite knowing that a crime was a crime they still knowingly did such an act without caring for the ones they robbed due to greed.
Unfortunately, they picked the wrong pedestrian to robbed and it wasn't going to end well.
"Oh yeah! Look at this cash!"
"Must be some rich fanus kid."
"Glad it was us first before anyone had the same idea. Haha!"
The three were itching to go to tonight's famous nightclub despite their empty pockets. Who knew when they needed the money some easy target came along? It was a good day for them.
"Hey, look."
"Oh, I see."
"She's walking towards us, right?"
"Must be one of those office beauties that only fool around with local strangers."
"…."
"…."
There was always the dumb one among friends, especially with a weird fetish.
"She's coming toward us."
"Hey, can we hel-!"
"…"
"….."
All three men were raised upside down by an invincible force emanating from the woman who came to them with a stern expression.
"You have three seconds to hand back the purse you just stole before I do something I might regret."
Her tone was stern and yet her expression was so calm making shivers within the three levitated upside-down men. She was so domineering, she just walked up to them with a demand they can refuse especially in broad daylight.
"huh? Did I drop the purse?" The little one who was about to reach his next destination suddenly felt his pocket empty. He wanted to buy something for someone to show his appreciation today but now the boy came to a thought that it might be impossible.
His mood suddenly fell a bit but he optimistically lightly slaps his cheeks with newfound confidence. Shaking his head, the boy imagines waking up from a bad dream and decide to not give up.
"It must've been that time." He remembered falling earlier when he bumped into those men. Maybe he dropped it there and since it wasn't far from here, he might be able to find it there.
Quickly tracing back his steps, the little one heads to his new destination.
"It's here!" He smiled upon seeing that it fell despite being unaware of the many possibilities that could happen. With the purse back in his hand, the boy's smile brightens since he was now back on track.
Up high, on the roof of a building stood a crow watching with the woman from earlier. Both watch the little one with helpless soft smiles.
"Finally, I can-!" Before he could celebrate and put his money back in his pocket, the little one hand suddenly felt empty as someone magically appeared behind him and took the money before running off, leaving a confused little boy.
….
She ran and ran. It was the only thing she could do now. She was exhausted especially after the days she spent doing the thing she felt was justice to her. At her age, she was still impressionable and this got her into her current mess but she didn't have time to regret it.
It was only supposed to be a normal rally of fanus verbally fighting for their rights. They were many, a number enough to be not ignored and this was something for any movement. They were the white fang.
Menagerie had suddenly gained a blessing by creating the once tight-packed island which was only 1/3 inhabitable to 2/3 and the point that if they worked hard enough, the land could inhabit all of fanus scattered over the world to thrive.
But despite the enormous luck, there was still something that blocked their progress, the humans. They were the ones who pushed them to the large-scale island but when the island finally became enriched with many resources, those greedy humans just had to meddle.
They hampered their trading sources, killing small businesses, harassing of their kind within work areas, raising tax behind the scene, and not to mention the mysterious hijacking of cargos at sea. There was a lot more and this infuriated them.
The elders of their home shook their heads and told them to keep silent since the conflict was not what they need especially after their land expanding.
But those within the younger range of fanus had other thoughts.
Without the conciliation of their leader, the younger ranks of the White fang heads out to protest. They were the White fang, an association for the betterment of fanus. If they didn't act now, what was all the blessing of their newfound hope would be? They can't stand it and thus decided to head out to Atlas, the main place where those oppressors lived.
She was one of the youngest that could go and she knew she was going back to the place she and her parents left for a better life. But she was glad her parents decided to leave atlas and go back to Menagerie again. She was glad she could finally make friends who don't diss their fanus race. She was happy but now their livelihood was again threatened and she was sick and tired to watch it like a helpless little girl.
"I won't stop, not ever."
Yes, the younger ranks head out under the White fang banner and lead by Sienna Khan. Everything was going well until she realized upon reaching the site of protest, she saw many of her fellow kins pulling out weapons. It was supposed to be only a protest movement but this was very different than she expected.
A fight came to be and we lost. Some of us were badly hurt and many were captured by the authorities. She was one of the others that escape since those of age like me didn't know about the sudden use of weapons hid from the fight.
They chased us to even Vale, and now were scattered and hid in this city so pathetically.
She went with a group who were also a bunch of nice people but weren't aware like her. She might be the youngest but she had the least trait of fanus and thus decided to head out to get things like food and information. She hated it but she needed to do it for the nice people of her race.
She resorted to picking pocketing and her semblance helped her a lot. Her fanus trait was a chameleon and her semblance enhance it and it helped her out to get the things she needed.
"Here, you can use mine."
But her powers didn't work enough for this little fanus boy who somehow suddenly appeared before her with a nice gesture and smile.
She thought he must've chased after her since she took his money but every time, she tried to lose he was always there. It was like a never-ending cat and mouse chase.
I know I used my semblance and yet!
A little boy may be younger than her by 1 or 2 years and she couldn't help but feel flustered seeing his cute face every time.
"…" She picked up the pace even more and after some time she thought she finally reached her destination since he hasn't appeared yet.
Yes, she felt a little guilty stealing and she knew she was going to get an earful from a parent who didn't even agree to her going but she needed to help her oppressed race in any way she thought she can.
Her best friend was also a part of the protest but she went with one of the other groups.
"Ilia, how did it go?"
"…" With a smile, she heads to the group hiding in an alley and somewhere the authorities would never find them, "I was able to get some."
"Sorry, you had to do stuff like this."
They were all apologetic since they had to entrust the young girl to do simple crimes until they can get out of the city. They were the few who felt like they never sign up for this and yet it happened.
It's okay, it's the least since all of you got into this mess because of me." They should've been already in the docks heading home but she was spotted using her trait with the white fang wrist band on her. Thus, to save her, the group here did what they can and saved her but lead them to be sitting ducks.
"*sigh* Don't think about it too much kid."
"I was able to buy some medicine too, here you guys."
"Thank you, Ilia." Some of them were injured and thus was one of the reasons for laying low. Unfortunately, due to them being in such a state. They could only rely on the girl.
One of them suddenly picked up a steel pipe and points it quickly behind the girl. "Who's he?"
"!" All of them became tense up.
"You!?" Ilea was the most surprised since she knew she shook him off her trail.
"Hi." The little boy with eight golden fox tails greeted them without being nervous of the tense air around.
After a few minutes of introduction and explanation, everyone calms down.
Since he was just a fanus kid in their eyes, they felt it was worth a shot trusting him. He only came to get his purse back which made some of them laugh nervously.
"It nice to meet you Ilea."
"…."
"I'm not giving it back okay."
"I'm Naruto."
"How did you even find me?"
Ignoring his introduction, she was more surprised since she was trained to be a fast runner but he looks so scrawny, so vulnerable, and needed to be protected. Yet, he still found her.
"You were crying…"
"!?" She realized she must've shed a little when she kept running with those thoughts she had.
"I follow those trails." The boy gave her a handkerchief again but this time maybe she didn't need it anymore.
Despite giving him the cold shoulder, the little one was excited to meet a new friend well it was one-sided for now.
"Are you hurt?" The little one's eyes blink as he saw one of them bandaging each other with the addition of ointments. He could see them groaning from time to time.
"Yeah, but it'll be better in a few days."
"You're a strange kid, worrying about strangers even if were all fanus here."
*grab* Ilea pulls the little one to the side and away from her group.
"Don't do anything funny okay? I still don't trust you."
She was responsible for their injuries and she didn't want the strange following her to do anything since she can't take the risk. Despite his adorable and harmless look, she still was worried for no reason.
"Hey-!?"
The little one grabs her hand softly and led one of his foxtails to touch it before glowing golden light.
Her hand that she ruffed up with scratches from a picked pocket and some more was suddenly healed up from the touch of his tails.
"See? I can help." The little one showed his sincere action. The girl didn't hesitate any more and nods unconsciously.
"…"
"….."
"…."
One by one, the little one healed up everyone even some of their old wounds like burnt scars and such surprising all of them.
They all gave each other happy smiles after healing up and this made the little one sadly smiled for some reason, "Companions…"
He can't remember why he was even sad and happy at the word at the same time.
"Hey, Naruto."
"Yes, Ilea?"
"Here, I'm sorry about today." The little girl handed him back his purse and awkwardly apologizes for her hasty words. She was happy that her friends were alright now from his help.
They all thought his semblance was amazing despite the little one confused expression of the word.
Not only did the little one healed them, but he also led them to a secret underground passage he learned from someone he sadly talked about. The passage led them to a strangely maze-like space mostly the sewage system of Vale.
They all for some reason trusted the little boy who led them. It was like walking behind him was just right and nice, it was a strange but very good feel for all of them.
After an hour of walking, they finally arrived at the docks from a secret entrance hidden away from sight.
"It's good that we made it this far. But none of us here have a passport or money."
"Why don't we hijack?"
"Maybe some of our brothers might still be around."
"Really? After what happened, let's not bring our hopes up."
They were still in a predicament. They might've made it to the docks but without anything on them. They can just hitch a ride.
"Ilea?"
"Ah, it's nothing Naruto. You already did so much." The girl reassured him that they were fine and it was only something temporary.
"…" The little one could sense their distraught.
*grab*
"Naruto?"
"Come on, everyone. I know someone who can help."
The little one pulls Ilea and the others follow not sure why but hope for the best since none of them had any idea or plan.
"Captain! Captain!"
Upon arriving near one of the ships settling on the port, the little one while pulling the girl calls out to a pale man with a white beard wearing a black sailor uniform and a white hat.
"?" The man spotted the little one with a happy grin calling out to him. He responded with a wave and started walking down from the ship to greet the little one.
"Well, if it isn't the little boy that's too nice for his own good."
"Captain, are you about to head out?"
The little one laughs along with the man. He had occasionally come here before to spend time looking over the horizon and feel the breeze of the sea which later made his encounter with the Captain of the ship.
"That right, heading to Menagerie this time. I've got quite the passengers too haha!"
The old man said it out loud to gloat at his rivals around the docks who all could only grunt at his obnoxious display.
"Last time you said you owed me a favor, right?"
"Yes, yes, what you did fixed the pain in my back I've had for 2 years. So, you want to help these folks get to Menagerie, right?"
"Mm!"
The captain of the ship could already guess with the news going around. He could only sigh at the current world where humans still have amenity with the fanus race and their forceful actions and insults weren't helping either.
He also did owe the little one before him not just for healing his physical pain but also gave him soles just from a few words.
"If you coul-!?"
"It's okay."
Ilia wanted to say something too since she was desperate and just want to go home but her words were cut short as the man fully understands. Unlike many, he wasn't one that hates fanus rather he sees all of them as just normal people trying to live.
"No need to say anymore, I've already been secretly helped the others that came too. I and you leader are acquaintances you know."
*pat* The man pats on the little one's head and grins proudly, "You just too good for your good, and don't forget. This Sailor still owes you one."
"Thank you, Captain!" The little one smiles and bows his head once.
"Thank you." The others too follow suit and thank the man beforehand for allowing them despite their current predicament.
"You can thank me later. I suggest going in now and avoid any wandering eyes. Just ask any of my crew for direction and also mention that I send all of you."
As by his words, the group of fanus slowly head inside while saying they're thanks to the little one with eight golden foxtails. They were glad none of them got caught and were on their way home.
"Ilea?"
"…" The girl looks at him and again at the city before looking at the human ship captain helping them. Her expression changed with sadness as she looks at the little one who she thinks was a fanus like her.
"I get that there are some like this ship captain but will our kind ever be accepted by humans?"
"Ilea…" The little one words suddenly felt soft as he hears her before he closes his eyes and nods his head, "I don't know why but as long as you believe. I'll believe too. One is better than two, right?"
He didn't understand when she said about the strained relationship between humans and fanus but he was sure he used the right words to at least cheer her up.
"…"
"….."
"hehe…" The girl couldn't help but giggle. What he just said to her made little sense to her question but it lifted her spirit and she finds it funny.
*grab*
"Come with us, Menagerie is wonderful. Their lots of space now and a lot more stuff too!"
The girl wanted him to go too since he was just too kind and nice. She wanted him to be her friend or second-best friend in her mind. At the same time, she was worried about a naive fanus like him in a city filled with humans.
"Sorry Ilea, I can't leave." The little one shook his head.
"!?" She finally realized her unnecessary question since she realized that the little one must have a family. She would also say the same thing if she was asked to go to another place without her family.
"Sorry about that. That was a weird question."
"I guess, I'll head out now." She felt embarrassed and flustered at her sudden words and turns to the ship awkwardly.
"…" The girl then walks toward the ship before turning around to look at it with a happy grin of her own.
"Thank you, Naruto!"
"Bye, bye!" The little one waves back as she shouts to him.
"Did you have fun?"
"Fun? I guess, I did."
The little one smiles at the woman who came to get back to the academy, he wasn't all that surprised since she always picked him up when he goes out of school and today was no different. He appreciated her gesture and give him a good impression of her.
"But I wasn't able to finish the reason why I went out today." He was a little down since his reason for going out today was unaccomplished.
"That's unfortunate, best left it for another day I suppose," Glynda assured the little one since she felt a bit sorry.
She watched him all day from the shadows with Qrow and saw what he did. His actions made her proud, always proving how kind he can be despite his unbelievable existence. Even, the reason for his unaccomplished goal for the day was due to his kindness.
"I wonder, why weren't you able to finish your goal today?" The woman asked already knowing what he did.
"…" The little one gestures to come closer as he whispers with a giddy expression into the amused woman's ear.
"It was an investment."
"I see. A very smart decision."
"Really?"
"Yes."
The amused woman only said it to humor the little one, she knew he only gave it to a fanus man who was trying to start a book store business. If not for the acquittances the fanus man had with the little one as well as his honest demeanor she would've come out and stopped the boy from giving it all to the man. She knew the boy was giving the man not only his earnings but also all the money Prof. Ozpin secretly stash into the little one's pocket.
"But I do know you had other reasons for giving away such a sum."
"I'm caught!" The little one yelps as she easily points out his other reason for his so-called investment.
"hehe…" She was glad he was showing more emotions and expressions.
She knew his predicament, how his memories always disappear as if rested with an interval of a few years. Ozpin made it very clear why and how such a thing was unknown to him and any modern inspection of him shows no sign of irregularity apart from his unnatural healthy conditions. Back when they brought him back, he was at first very unaware of many things and sometimes lacks certain things but he has gotten better.
"I like the books he chooses and his love for them too."
"I see."
"Was it, was it wrong of me?" He wondered if he had done something wrong with his actions and asked the woman her thoughts on it.
"Of course not. I believe your judgment was…" Glynda smiles softly, she wouldn't lie to him but his decision was something not a lot of people would do especially someone around his age. But he wouldn't need to know how nice his act was. "…right."
"Ok." The little one nods, relief from her confirmation.
"…"
The little one saw they were finally about to reach the academy and he then decides on his next course of action.
"I was only able to buy this."
He pulls out a dying grey flower from his bag.
"O-Oh…" Glynda was not sure how to respond as she felt she might hurt his feelings upon seeing the dying flower.
How could she tell him it was just a withering flower and he was con?
"May I see you stick?"
The little one look at her and again she was confused at his choice of word.
"You mean this?" She nonetheless did as he asked since she could at least do something he asked after the day he had gone through. If it were any other day, she would make an excuse and decalin showing him but just for today. How dangerous would it be under someone else's hand other than hers?
"Hold it there, it's a surprise."
"Okay?"
The little one nods and told her to just hold it towards him as he holds the dying flower towards her.
"!" She was then surprised as the dying flower on the palm of his hand started glowing with a very faded golden light.
"Little phoenix flower, little phoenix flower. It's time to rise, it's time to rise. I asked of you, I asked of thee to protect and to help."
The little one whispers gently to the dying flower in his hand.
He sometimes doesn't know what he is doing and only knew the results of it. This was the same as he picked it due to something special inside the flower and he knew he could do something from it before it dies.
"…" No one was around to witness the unusual scene.
"?" Her weapon slowly floats a few inches away from her and towards the dying but glowing flower.
The light from the flower then slowly enters her weapon as if it was being enchanted. She didn't take any action since she knew it was probably okay and she was just mesmerized for a while to act.
"This is…" As the light finally all went into her weapon, it flew back to her.
She could feel it, there was power inside it and she could activate it as her aura was attracted to it. It feels, even more, better on her hand as if it was made for her to the very core.
"It was supposed to be a really good present for you, Miss Glynda."
Despite the woman's happy emotion, the little one felt a little guilty.
"For me?"
"Yes, you're always there when I need something and give me advice just like Milady used to do. Keeping me company and…"
He had used his powers again to extract power from the dying flower to her weapon. Despite knowing such an action would tire him due to his mortal body, the little one still did to give her a present for her company and kindness.
"You've been nice to me."
He fells forward for the woman to catch him quickly. Thoughts like wondering what would've happened if he has gotten all the things he wanted to buy and presented it like now, we're all pushed asides as he was currently more important to her.
"It's my present to you, Miss Glynda."
"Naruto."
She picks up the now sleeping little one and carries him back with a sad smile. On the way, she felt two of his golden fluffy tails embrace her from the cold evening wind.
"Such a considered child."
And done!