A/N: Aaaand we're back! Had to rewrite two upcoming chapters in my head, sorry about that~!
Having trouble breathing these days with this cough, but hey, I'm still here, still writing.
This chapter's mostly a Narutocentric one, Sasuke will have his later.
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws near, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; holidays are HERE and basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough, methinks. Enough of this old man's rambling; you're here for a story.
Once more, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. Nope.
They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I.
Hope you're ready for some surprises~!
Pun for another best girl in the title.
"What say you to a duel?"
"Sure~! What's the prize if I win?"
"My undying gratitude, scroll number, and friendship...?"
"Meh, I suppose that'll do for now. C'mon~! I know just the place...
~?
Silence is Golden
Winter was quick!
A wry grin stretched across Naruto's face and his eyes danced behind his blindfold as he swayed back, back, back again from her assault, ever dodging her blade by the merest of margins. She gave chase as he knew she would, striking for his left, right, center, now left again. There was nothing wrong with her stance. If anything she moved far quicker than someone her age had any right to.
All to the good, so far as he was concerned.
Even now she harried him with little regard for her defense; always attacking, never resting. He knew what she was after; trying to destroy his focus, aiming for his central line, hemming in his movements in the hope that he might make a mistake. He wouldn't, but good on her for trying. His "Infinity" would've negated anything that slipped through his guard, yet she was just so damn quick that he found himself evading out of sheer reflex if nothing else.
Muscle memory was a helluva thing. His still served him well in this strange second life.
When she'd asked for a spar he hadn't expect her to be quite so...capable. Oh, he knew she was training, but he found himself pleasantly surprised by her present skill level. This girl was going to be dangerous when she grew up. It was just a matter of sanding off the rough edges and polishing what lay beneath.
"Go, Naruto!"
"Kick that stupid Schnee's butt!"
"Yeah! Make that silly sow eat mud!"
Winter rounded on the shouts, her distraction broken. "I beg your pardon?!"
"Hey, now!" He drove a crushing punch into her solar plexus, one that sent her stumbling back to the edge of the ring. "Pay attention!"
She skidded down on a knee and shot him a baleful glower. "That's cheating! I was distracted!"
He beckoned her way. "Then don't be."
Her pale face turned with anger; anger she released with a deep breath. Naruto felt his mental opinion of her climb a little higher. It wouldn't be any fun if her temper got the better of her.
Chuckling softly to himself, he turned his back on his new friend, giving her time to recover.
As she did, his eyes raked across the arena.
Ozpin had been kind enough to lend them one of Beacon's spare rings for the occasion-as such they had something of a captive audience at the moment. A noisy one at that. Of course Yang and Ruby were hooting and hollering for his victory; but he didn't miss the smug looks the adults wore as he and Winter waged war against one another. Ozpin knew what he was capable of, to say nothing of Glynda. Of course they did. They were his parents after all. Aunt Summer likewise knew he'd been through hell and high water, to say nothing of Uncle Taiyang and Uncle Qrow...
"Aw, does the widdle Schnee need a break?"
Winter absolutely hissed. "Drunken louts should be silent!"
.
..
...alright, maybe Uncle Qrow was enjoying teasing Winter a little too much.
By contrast, Jacques Schnee, looked like he'd sucked on a rotten lemon. Naruto took some small pleasure in his pinched expression. Doubtless the dust mogul had expected an easy victory here; an overwhelming triumph for Winter and crushing defeat on his part; an embarrassment for Ozpin and Glynda alike. Pity he and Winter had no intention of playing along. She hadn't managed to hit him once. Not for lack of trying-ah, but his friend was getting up again, and he must attend
"Careful, now!" He hummed a little as he watched her climb to her feet. "Don't pull a muscle!"
Winter clicked her tongue, braved her blade with both hands and slammed it into the floor. From there she turned her weapon in the air as one might a key in the door. His sixth sense tingled. A grand glyph bloomed just beneath her feet and from it, a swarm of white Nevermore rose around her, surrounding her in a storm of frost. He could nearly two dozen in all. An impressive display...but not without cost.
"Not bad." He glanced back to the screen overhead. "As far as semblances goes, yours is pretty impressive." Sure enough, his suspicions were confirmed; her aura had gone into the yellow, while his remained a healthy, untouched green. "But your reserves just dropped by a fourth. How long can you keep that up?"
Her lips pursed into a thin line. "Long enough."
"Hmm." he walked forward, loping toward her at a sedate pace. "Lets find out."
The sudden widening of her eyes was glorious to behold; play-duel or no, he felt a flicker of fear from her just now.
At some unspoken command, her flock shot forward at him. Not a bad move. He could already see her moving to flank him while they shot forward.
Child's play. Naruto channeled a touch of chakra lapped his palms together, producing a sharp pop. A torrent of razor wind burst forth, rendering them so much mist. Gasps went up from Ruby and Yang. He ignored them, never once taking his eyes from the haze. Winter had already vanished into it. Any moment now...
His patience was well rewarded.
Winter's dagger hurtled in through the fog, trying to drill him between the eyes. He deflected it with the back of his wrist, diverting the blade well before it could reach him. In the same instant he tore it out her grasp, took a sharp step to the left, and brained the back of her head with the hilt as she surged helplessly by. The tiny squeak of shock that followed was music to his ears. She stumbled past him, dropped her swrd and hunkered down, clutching the back of her head.
Naruto flung the dagger down at her feet. "Pick it up."
She grabbed it, kicked back and landed on a glyph in midair. His eyes widened a fraction of an inch, and a low whistle escaped his lips. She dove at him, sprang off that when he dodged, and caromed off another, blurring by him in a streak of white as she struck another glyph. And another. Another still now, faster and faster, building up momentum until...
.
..
...there!
His body snapped to the right, knowing her her blade would pierce the space he'd occupied a moment before, whirled now, and flung out his arm. Winter collided with it. Aura flashed so hard he was actually blinded for a moment, then she was past, tumbling arse over elbows through the air. She landed on her rear, bounced once before momentum had its say. In conclusion? She landed flat on her face with a dull thud and did not rise again.
He heard Ozpin -Dad!- make a mild noise of approval and he could feel Glynda's approval from here. They at least, were silent in their praise.
The others...were not. All hell broke loose.
Taiyang and Qrow barked a laugh. Jacques in the same instant snarled. "Winter?! What are you doing?! Get up this instant!
Ruby hollered her encouragement, all but vibrating in place. Bless her simple soul.
"Yes!" Yang pumped a tiny fist in the air. "Ha! Knocked her ass out!"
Summer rounded on her eldest daughter. "Yang Xialong!"
"Sorry, mum!" Her smile said otherwise.
"Who taught you that word?!"
"Daddy did!"
Silver eyes rounded on him. Taiyang died a little inside.
Oh, dear. Winter wasn't moving. Might wanna do something about that.
Three long strides carried him to her prone form. A cursory glance at the board above confirmed that her was aura still in the yellow, hovering just above scarlet. Not satisfied by her stillness, he nudged her shoulder with a boot and rolled her onto her back. Baleful blue eyes glared up at him, bearing a massive bruise just shy of her right cheekbone.
Naruto planted a fist on his hip. "What have we learned?"
Winter groaned and touched a hand to her cheek. "I think you knocked a tooth loose...
He tapped his foot. "Winter."
She huffed. "Momentum is not my friend."
"It isn't, not when you're moving too fast to see." he made a come-hither motion with his hand. "C'mon." he held a hand out for her to grab. "Up you go. I won't dodge this time."
Her eyes narrowed. "Promise?"
He lifted his blindfold a little to beam at her, winking with one eye before covering it once more. "I never go back on my word~!
The pale ghost of a smile touched her lips. "...fair." she reached up and grasped his hand, letting him haul her upright.
Ohhh he could hear Jacques grinding his teeth on the sidelines. With a smile, he leaned a little closer.
"Don't hold back, yeah?"
...I shall not."
Winter let go of his hand slowly. Almost reluctantly, as if the very act of letting him out her grasp pained her. Rather than turn her back on him the girl walked backwards, a full nine paces leading her to the very edge of the ring. Her eyes never left his the entire time. Not once. She had a determined look about her now, and that small smile of hers wasn't going anywhere. If anything, her grin only grew. She hunched down and bared her teeth at him, looking almost vicious.
'I think I've created a monster here...
A glyph bloomed behind her back, shimmering a rich, radiant white. Up came her saber as she settled into a stance, blade drawn back for a single thrust.
"Alright, I'll play." He adopted a bracing stance and stomped one foot down. The floor cracked beneath his boot. "Hit me with your best shot."
Winter saw it and her smile gained several inches more, warping into a shit-eating grin. "I'll make you feel something this time!"
"That or disappointment." he shrugged one shoulder. "Go ahead. Flip that coin."
Jacques finally had enough. "Enough of this, Winter! Finish him! NOW!"
She lunged.
His chakra flared.
Her aura flashed forth.
A geyser of frozen dirt and dust burst between them, briefly obscuring his vision. When it cleared he found his fist wedged against Winter's cheek, her saber pressed flat against his heart, sparking harmlessly against the red barrier of his willpower. A tiny tinge of disappointment pricked at what passed for his soul these days. As expected, her blade couldn't reach him. Infinity wouldn't allow it. She'd at least managed to push him back a step. He'd done more than that to her; as he looked on, the last of her aura fizzled and died, leaving her to slump at his feet.
High above them, he heard the screen bleat his victory.
Her brow furrowed. "What...what was that? That wasn't aura just now. What did you do?"
"Sorry," he held out his hand ,"But you'll have to work a little harder to get past this. "Why didn't you use your semblance more often? You might've won if you used more summons. Maybe flanked me or something." Not that it would have done her any good. "Were you holding back after all?"
Winter's face colored as she climbed to her feet. "I can conjure Grimm I've slain. I've only killed Nevermore."
"That's it?!" Well that was absurdly broken! "Wanna hunt some in the Emerald Forest?"
A curious expression flashed across her face. "You've been there before?"
"Sure, I go down there all the time." With a friend, but that was neither here nor there. "Here," he proffered his scroll to hers. "Hold yours out."
Winter never moved so quickly in all her life. She had her Scroll out in an instant, touching it to his. A faint chime echoed between them.
"There." he hummed. "You have my number now. Whaddya say? Wanna go tomorrow?"
Her eyes lit up and she scooted closer in a rare moment of girlish glee. "I-
"Will do no such thing!"
Winter yelped as gravity reversed and her feet left the floor. In short order she found herself dangled upside down before him, her face against his own, nose brushing his. Ice blue eyes widened, growing almost comically large as her pale visage went a remarkable shade of red. Something brushed his lips in the chaos, little more than a feather's brush. It might've been Winter's, judging by the noise she made.
Naruto rounded on the culprit. "Mom!"
"Oh, dear." Glynda lowered her weapon, dropping Winter like a sack of potatoes. "I must have misjudged the distance. How silly of me."
Bah! She was enjoying putting him on the spot. He would remember this indignity. He looked back to the sidelines and saw hearty stack of lien changed hands between Jacques and Ozpin. The two must've made a wager when he wasn't looking. Qrow slapped him on the back; the act of which sent the elder Schnee staggering their way with a pinched expression.
"Yes, well!" he huffed, tugging at his clip-on-tie. "That will be all for today. Winter, come! We are leaving."
She garbled a quick thanks, sketched a bow, and bolted after her father.
Naruto heaved a sigh. "Did you have to do that?"
"Don't sulk." Glynda pinched his cheek to stifle his protest. "You'll get wrinkles. The two of you were dancing around each other like a pair hawks and besides, you'll have to find a partner for yourself someday." She watched the fleeing Schnee with faint amusement. "You could do worse for a wife.
Naruto coughed into a fist, exhaling in a long-suffering sigh. "Wives, with my luck...
His mother looked his way. "Pardon?"
"Nothing." He sighed.
Oh dear, he could see Yang sulking on the sidelines. Someone was jealous; he had an inkling why after that chaotic display. He made to approach her, but she glared at him, lilac eyes burning red. He hesitated. Just for a moment, a second, a sliver of time. She looked..angry. Hurt even. Oh dear, indeed. Maybe he should do something about that.
Ruby rushed him before he could.
"THAT! WAS! AMAZING!" the little reaper struck him in a scarlet streak of petals, giggling now as he caught her by the waist and spun her around to bleed off excess momentum from her semblance. "You were all bam, pow, wow!" She gushed. "I wanna do that! How can I do that?!" tiny fists latched onto his jacket, holding tight. "Teach meee~!"
He heard Summer laugh from the sidelines. He'd find no sanctuary there.
"Well," he gulped," you've gotta drink a lotta milk-
Innocent silver eyes sparkled up at him. "Can I eat lots of cookies?"
His heart twisted. Pure child. Must protect at all costs. "Sure. But there's more to it than that. You've gotta do pushups, situps-
"And drink plenty of juice!" she chirruped happily. "I know, I know! You always say that!"
...so I do." Naruto looked back and found Yang stomping off with a concerned Taiyang and Qrow in tow. Ozpin followed them after a moments pause, lingering long enough to nod his way, the absolute traitor.
Glynda sighed. "...you're not going to go after her?"
"Trust me, its better if we let her burn this off. I'll talk to her in the morning." he tousled Ruby's hair, drawing a giggle from the girl as he looked back to his mother. "When did you know about Winter?"
"Long enough." She wore the ghost of a smile. "Jacques won't be happy that you've gotten under her skin like this."
This time he couldn't quite hide his smile. "Ohhh, I think I'm about to be the least of his worries.
His mother sent him a long, sidelong look bordering on concern. "What did you do?
Naruto grinned up at her. "Preeetty sure I just gave Winter a reason to rebel.
Glynda looked back to him and understood.
Her eyes widened. "Oh, dear."
Ruby blinked.
"Rebel...?"
(.0.0.0.)
The harsh sound of a slap filled the room.
Winter's head snapped to the side, a stinging red handprint throbbing against her cheek. She didn't resist. Her silence only infuriated Jacques further.
"What were you thinking?!" he struck her again when she didn't respond. The gall! He'd never been so humiliated in his life!
The very moment they'd returned to their hotel, he'd dragged her inside and locked the door. Damn this city. Damn her for embarrassing him. He couldn't stand it! They were laughing at him. All of them! Each and every single one of them! Laughing! Ozpin and his hunters, even their children! He'd been made a laughingstock! And still, she didn't respnd!
"ANSWER ME!"
Winter caught her father's wrist before he could strike her again.
"No." she rasped. "You're a terrible father. Blind, too. You don't realize that I want him.
Jacques briddled. "I see...?"
"No." a curious, icy calm had fallen over his daughter's pale visage as she repeated the word. "You do not." her fingers tightened around his wrist, grinding against nerve and bone to draw a startled gasp from him. "I want him to be more than my friend, I want him to be my future. If you get in the way of that future again...
...you'll what?" Jacques scoffed. "Kill me?"
Winter blinked for a moment, as though the notion hadn't even occurred to her.
"Yes." Then her eyes went cold. "I will." The way she said it left no doubt in his mind. "I'll kill you."
Jacques sneered. "Then you will be branded a murderer, dear daughter of mine."
He'd meant for the words to cow her. They did not.
"Accidents happen all the time, father." A little girl's eyes should not shine with such hate. But hers? They burned with malice. "And the next time you lay hands on me...will be the last time you have hands."
She squeezed his arm. Jacques yelped as his wrist splintered under her grip and shielded his face with the other hand, fearing another blow.
It never came. Winter was already walking away.
Bloody girl. Someone said Schnees loved too hard. They certainly did.
For the first time in years, he feared his daughter.
As well he should.
(.0.0.0.)
"You're treating me to lunch?"
Glynda stifled a smile behind her hand as she slipped into a seat. "Can I not spoil you once in awhile?"
"You can," Naruto planted both elbows on the table and frowned her way as a server came to take their order. "But what's the occasion?"
"Well, you acquitted yourself handsomely against Winter today...
"I did," his frown didn't lessen in the least, "Ah." he looked back to the expectant waitress. "Two bowls of miso ramen, please."
"Two...?"
He shrugged. "I'm hungry."
Glynda allowed it with a nod and requested a side of pasta for herself. She'd chosen a scenic little venue in east Vale, a humble establishment known for catering toward curious tastes. Ramen for one. The quickest way to her son's heart was through his stomach. The same could be said for little Ruby Rose; thankfully she'd scarpered off with her mother to train.
Good. She didn't want that precious child to hear what she was about to say.
Green eyes shifted back to her boy as they settled into to wait for their meal.
Such a sharp son she had. She could see Ozpin in him, but bits of herself as well. His wit. His will. His determination to right wrongs wherever he found them, no matter the cost. He was...sensitive to such things. Under any other circumstance she might've thought it his Semblance. These days she knew better. He simply had an innate talent for being in the right place at the right time. Her boy was drawn to trouble like a magnet. It was simply his way. And she feared for him. An attitude like his earned you enemies. Powerful enemies.
"I wanted to warn you about-
His right ear perked. "Hold that thought!"
When her son turned his head, she followed him. As such, she had a prime view of what followed.
Naruto whistled once, a quick three note tune she didn't recognize. Someone whistled back from somewhere; someone she couldn't see. The table she'd chosen was empty, and there were no other patrons around to speak of. "So where...?
He grinned. "You can stop hiding now. Mom's not going to hurt you. Honest."
Silence reigned supreme.
"C'mon, now." he chided. "I even ordered a bowl for you."
Glynda glanced at her son askance. "Who are you talking to? Your imaginary friend?"
"Nope." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Her."
She looked back now. "I don't-gah?!"
Blinked, now. Blinked hard.
A girl was quite suddenly...there. Standing beside her son, as though she'd always been present from the very beginning. How had she snuck up on them? A semblance? Or had she simply failed to notice her? The girl herself looked near of an age with Winter, perhaps a little less. Her left eye was pink, her right eye, brown. Her dark hair was styled in pigtails, the left of which had a long curling thread of pink through it; her tiny form was clad in a mud brown dress bearing dark cuffs and a white collar with a black ribbon. All things considered, she was pretty as a picture...
.
...
...and Glynda had no clue who she was.
Naruto pulled out a chair for her. "Out adventuring again, are we?"
The girl's head bobbed as she hopped into the seat.
"You know her?"
"This is Trivia. She's a friend." He patted her head, drawing a silent hum from the girl in question. "Might even say we're besties. She likes to hide." she flung herself out the chair and landed on his knee, drawing an amused noise from him. "You seem to be in a good mood today." he bounced the limb in question, babying her. "Your parents still away on that business trip of theirs?"
Another silent nod. Curious. Why didn't she speak?
"Great." his smile gained an edge. "Lemme know when they come back, yeah? I still need to have a word with them."
And didn't that just set off all the alarms in Glynda's head?
"A friend, is she?" She frowned at her wayward son, wearing the look of a faintly exasperated mother who'd caught her son with one hand in the proverbial cookie jar. "I don't recall meeting her before."
Trivia waved cheerily.
"You haven't." Naruto's grin grew as the waitress returned with their meals; as promised, he passed his second ramen bowl over to her. "I found her "adventuring" when I snuck out into town awhile back."
Her frown deepened further still. "And when, pray tell, did you do this?"
"Awhile back." he repeated with a cheshire grin. "Why?"
Trivia nodded as she tucked into her meal.
"Naruto."
His grin gained a sheepish quality. "I may...have snuck out a night or two."
"Oh, hey!" he touched one of her pigtails, noting the tiny streak of pink therein. "You've started dying your hair? You really should ditch the pigtails. You look better without them."
Glynda heaved a sigh. He wasn't going to give up on this, was he? No, she should've known better. He was her son, after all."
Trivia Vanille. In another life, she would've been known as Neo. A girl with an absurdly broken semblance.
Her son had no idea whom he'd just befriended...nor what he'd just gone and changed.
And so the madness marched on.
A/N: Say hello to Little!Neo!
She's an adorable little bugger in Roman Holiday...
Surprisingly, you can whistle if you're mute. Who knew~?
So, what say you? Did you enjoy it? By all means, let me know~!
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll delete it and consign it to the void should it come to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
And as ever, Le warning!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Apparently Winter liked to text. Even if she was pants at it.
Trivia hefted the bucket and flicked him a thumbs up.
"Hey, hey!" Naruto flicked her a chastising look. "Don't go playing pranks without me!"
The girl wasn't eating.
Sasuke supposed she had every right not to; given her upbringing. Even.
"What's your name, girl?"
"Emerald." the little urchin whispered, trying to master her fear and failing utterly. "My name is Emerald...why did you help me?"
"Eat first." he gestured to the feast arrayed before her. "Then we can talk."
She quavered. "...its not poisoned?"
Sasuke quirked a black brow. Message received!
Emerald attacked her plate like a starving Beowolf. "Thank you!"
She looked past him. Saw Tyrian. Squeaked. "That's Tyrian Callows!"
Oh? You know me?
Emerald foamed at the mouth and passed out.
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This is my life now...
"Hey, firecracker. You alright...?"
"You're fighting with her, not me. Is it because I'm weak?
You're not weak. She's just older than you.
Then I'll get stronger!
Another one?" Salem crooned. "Delightful. Do keep up the recruiting, son.
Sasuke heaved a sigh.
"One year, Raven. Don't forget."
"Why're ya crying? You lost or something?"
The girl sniffled, rubbing at her scabbed knee. Dark hair. Golden eyes. Were...were those cat ears?
Naruto sighed.
"C'mon, up ya go."
"What're you doing?!
"Givin' ya a piggyback ride, silly."
"Jimmy, don't!
"Quiet, Carmel! I don't care! She's disgraced us long enough!" he thrust the pistol in her face. "Speak, blast you! You're not mute!"
Trivia stared at them for a long moment. She made her decision. Then she whistled.
"Aha!" Her fool of a father brayed at her, teeth bared. "See, she can make noise!"
"Dear, just because she can whistle doesn't mean she can speak-
The window behind them shattered.
"You rang~?"
"I have to go on this mission. They need me."
"Ruby needs you more."
She whirled. "Wha-
Naruto's fist thundered into the back of Summer's head. She dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Ruby tugged at his arm. "He's my friend!"
"Nuh-uh! I saw him first!"
"First is the worst, second is the best!"
"Nonsense. Third is the one with the treasure chest."
Naruto sighed. "This is my life now, isn't it? Guess this is what I get...
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Looking forward to chatting with you all~! Have a great day~!