Here with yet another update.
FFN STILL BROKEN! No notifications! So not only am I not getting anything, but any time anyone updates, you are not getting anything! This is a vicious cycle! The app somewhat works, so there is that, but alas, that is the only thing that seems to be somewhat functional!
Dragonkeeper10, redlox2, codwhite162, Tera12, Alexander4443, RibaNyabom, triscythe59, R-king 93, Monster King, arkhos tou aikar, PudgySasquatch, Stonepotrice, SonicBlast4444, Crimson Riot 01, and all the Guests - Thank you so much for leaving reviews! Even if I'm not getting the notifications for them, when I see them I'm very appreciative!
Crimson Riot - Ao3 is archive of our own. Another fanfiction site that is as large and popular as FFN. Was my back for this site, but with all the problems here, well, glad a lot of my stuff is double-posted.
SonicBlast4444 - Yes, Roman was eaten by the Nevermore. However, I would feel that death would be relatively instant... I would instead not imagine the alternative. If he were to somehow survive being swallowed (imagery I really didn't want to have to think of, THANK YOU!)... I'd imagine he would be pulled into a Grimm Pool inside the Nevermore, and he would not last long after.
Stonepotrice - I think I mentioned that it was an ocean, so he couldn't pinpoint it. However, there's a reason he wasn't able to locate it after and that will be in this chapter!
arkhous tou aikar - Answered this on Ao3, which is kind of why I like their forum-like comments on the bottom. Naruto doesn't need to regenerate his old arm if he has a SENJU ARM as his prosthetic. While sure, having your old arm would feel right, this arm might actually have more benefits in the long term (even though I don't know if that canonically gets used in such a manner, which would be a shame as it's literally giving Naruto Senju DNA).
triscythe59 - Classified information. And while this is Naruto in a relationship with Hinata, this also Naruto, in another world, having to find a way home, while being pushed to explore his options to make sure Hinata is the right one. So slightly non-canon.
Guest talking about Neo - So, this goes without saying: Cinder wouldn't have been able to stop Neo at any time if this version had ever awakened. This is a concept of Neo I was working on for Infinite, and it's going to be unleashed within this story.
So, said last chapter, I might have to push the smut back a chapter if the story demanded it.
Well, the story demanded it!
...Despite actually being excited, yet anxious for that particular part of the story.
My original script was bare bones and was trying to get straight to smut.
I thought this chapter would have been when it would occur, but the scene didn't make sense for it to occur just yet.
It felt like there was a need for a bit more build-up.
So I do feel it is coming up soon and should come at the climax at this little bit of character development (pun intended).
If that is Chapter 5 or 6, is the question as I'm looking at this plan going.
Well, anyways.
Thanks for listening.
Here's the chapter!
So this place was a school. A combat school, but a school nonetheless.
It made sense now that he gleaned some information about this place and these Huntsman and Huntresses. It ran similarly to the Academy, albeit he figured there was more to it as he felt as if Ruby or her friends were anywhere near capable of holding their own against the woman that he had to take care of…
That was more than combat-ready. Perhaps they were ensuring they were mature and prepared to handle their duties before heading to the field…
Now that he thought about that, it did sound solid. How many young shinobi were unprepared for the rigors of the ninja way…
Perhaps a few extra years of seasoning and preparation combined with how they did things could work? He would have to see how they did things, but…
"Take this." Glynda extended a small object toward Naruto. "You're going to need it. It's a multi-purpose tool connected to the world's network for communication and information. Unfortunately, some of those functions are currently down, as this tower is the centerpiece of communication outside the Kingdom. Local communication is still running despite the tower's condition."
Accepting the scroll and examining it, Naruto expressed his curiosity. "Ha, cool. Sounds like the cell phone technology we've been working on. But it looks far more sophisticated. Not surprised given what I've seen here…"
A sullen expression crossed his face. He could only hope there would be a method to return home…
Glynda's shoulders depressed and grimaced. Her eyes glistened, the damaged office they were in reminding her who was missing before she took a deep breath to focus. "It is also unfortunate that the former headmaster of this school fell in the attack. If there were someone who may be knowledgeable of bizarre circumstances such as one you find yourself in with young Rose, he would be the person. Alas, he isn't here now…"
"Damn, that is regrettable he passed away." Naruto flicked his hand through his hair and sighed. "Any usual information is valuable, so at least this little tool is a start. But without any leads, it's gonna be rough trying to discover how to send me back…"
"You misunderstand the situation." Glynda frowned before her gaze turned and looked out the window, looking upon Beacon and the world outside the office. "He may have passed away, but Oz always returns. It's his curse."
"And that means someone that may understand this situation better than anyone else is out there somewhere."
A fine mist filled the room.
Water dripped from his form.
Stepping over the porcelain tub, a hand grasping the towel from the trowel, a young man wiped the water off his body. Carrying a hearty whistle to his own tune, he dried off after a hard day's work.
"Oscar!" A woman's voice echoed from outside the door as he went to grab his clothes. "Dinner's ready!"
"Almost finished!" Oscar called, wiping the mirror with a dazzling smile. "Just got to…"
"Hello there!"
"Oh dear Oum!" Oscar slipped due to the dampness and the sudden shock of the voice and what he saw in the mirror.
Unfortunately, his head slapped to the hard floor, and his world darkened.
And the voice defeatedly sighed.
"My mistake… After thousands of years, you think we would have gotten better at this."
This was too much too quickly…
How was she supposed to handle all of this?
A sudden attack on Beacon by the White Fang and Grimm?
That was led by a shadow organization?
Running into Adam…
Yang protecting her and losing her arm…
Pyrrha fighting the person that led the attack on top of the CCT tower over some mystical power after the woman received the power and killed Professor Ozpin?
Ruby then discovers her eyes have mystical powers to not only instantly vaporize Grimm but also summon fairy tales or people from another world?
That said person goes save and protect everyone, defeat the woman behind Beacon's assault, and then regenerates Yang's arm?
Oh, and now Ruby had that woman's power as she apparently was the last woman she thought of, as that was how the power was transferred… For some reason!
That wasn't mentioning the SHATTERING OF REALITY!
Blake was having a mental meltdown, staring vacantly into the space of their dorm room that had recently caught fire due to Ruby being chosen, unable to comprehend the sheer volume of information dumped upon her.
How was she supposed to handle this?!
Gracefully?
"Think we may have lost Blake…" Yang shook her shoulder, trying to snap her out of her stupor, glancing around at their room. "Gotta say, it is a hard story to swallow… Then again…"
Raising her right hand before her face, her eyes glistened before she clenched it in a tight fist. Feeling the tension before releasing it, a small smile graced her lips. "Gotta say it's hard to dispute it when the evidence is pretty… Ruby no fire!"
"I wasn't trying!" Ruby panicked, waving her hands frantically, putting a fire out as a spark in her eyes faded. "Why did that happen? I was only happy because I saw you smiling after everything that has happened today!"
Her eyebrow twitched, and Weiss scowled as Ruby blew her hand. She studied her partner as her sister came to her aid, comforting her and pondering what she had said. Her eyes sharpened. No one told them how the powers of the Maiden worked, and she found that reckless.
With Ruby's current predicament, she figured they would have. But she thought so much was occurring that they didn't tell her due situation or…
They didn't know. And the only one that did perish…
Weiss snarled.
She hoped it wasn't that. If it were, Ruby would have to discover it on her own. From everything she was learning about her partner, she was at a disadvantage as she already had an extraordinary power she didn't have any control over and no one to teach her about.
And now she had another one to add to the list.
"Ruby," Weiss mused, calling her attention toward her. "Just now, did you feel anything different right now? Like, was anything different when the flames generated in your hand?"
"Huh?" Ruby tilted her head before concentrating on her hand; before she looked up at her sister with a warm expression. "Seeing you so happy and smiling after seeing how miserable you were made me feel warm and fuzzy. Seeing you so happy reminded me of when mom read us stories when we were little… Hey, let me go!"
"Oh, you!" Yang exclaimed, clasping Ruby's cheeks and pinching them before bellowing laughter escaped her lips as Ruby pushed her back, flushed red from embarrassment.
However, placing her hand on her hip, Yang frowned. "But that is a problem. If you were summoning this new magical power with strong emotional outbursts, that's gonna be a problem. And didn't you summon the hunk with your eyes because of that, too? What in Oum's name is happening with you, Rubes?"
Ducking her head, her shoulders slumping, Ruby bit her lip. "I don't know… I really don't understand. I didn't know that Mom and I were so special. And to know we have powers that others didn't know about… I just…"
"Hey, don't worry too much about it." Yang wrapped her arm around her sister's, nuzzling up against her. "There was no way you could have known. There also had to be a reason Dad and Uncle Qrow didn't say anything about what they knew. So we'll have to trust them as you know they wouldn't put our safety and interest at risk without reason. Look how long it took me to convince Dad to get my motorcycle license and Bumblebee or to let you join Signal!"
Gazing up at her sister, a slim smile crossed her lips before she softly laughed. "Yeah… They are a little overprotective. Now I'm starting to see why…"
"Well, with how crazy you two act normally as father and uncle, I would always be worried about you. How often have we gotten into serious trouble because of you two?!" Weiss scoffed, earning a glare from the sisters before Ruby flushed in embarrassment and Yang sheepishly scratched the back of her head. "Well, we just have to deal with this newest situation and our new guest and figure everything out. It will take some… Blake, are you okay?"
"Blake?" Weiss gently rubbed Blake's shoulder, noting her absent stare, and watched as Blake flopped on her bed, her eyes swirling in bewilderment. "Oum…"
"I think she's broken…"
How was he supposed to open this door?
He was given this room but wasn't given a key. How was he supposed to get in when it was locked? He didn't want to break in. Sure, he could use his skills to get in without them, but that wasn't the point!
Was this scroll the key? How did he use it? Was there some function that he needed to use…
"Hey, hey!" Naruto heard a familiar voice, turning to see a blonde bombshell in an orange tank top and black shorts exiting their dorm room, jacket in hand. "Wait, did they give you a room here? Awesome! You're one of our neighbors now!"
"For the time being." Naruto scratched his head, snapping his eyes back at the scantily clad blonde as she walked up to him with a large grin, hand on her hip. "Your Professor was quite accommodating with my circumstances. I guess due to my situation with your sister… Oh, did she explain that to you about that yet?"
"Yeah, just did! Can hardly believe half of what I heard. It is so much!" Yang exclaimed before shrinking with a grimace. "I was leaving to get some fresh air and sort out my thoughts. After everything, I just need a ride…"
"Need a what now?" Naruto stumbled with wide eyes; her terminology confused and alarmed him.
What was she looking for? She was out looking to do what?
"Huh? I said I was heading out for a ride?" Yang blinked, curious as to why he reacted the way he did, and shook her keys as it was apparent. "Any time I need to think about something, I always take a ride on my motorcycle. It clears my head any time I ride. It just feels so liberating…"
"Oh, that's what you meant…" Naruto exhaled, ignoring the snort from within, before chuckling. "Ah, that makes sense. Everyone has their own way of coping. …Gotta find a place that sells ramen…"
"I know a place! I can take you to it!" Yang proclaimed, beaming at seeing the genuine excitement igniting within his eyes. "Oh, they're probably closed now since it is so late. I can show the place to you tomorrow, though!"
"Call it a date, then!" Naruto widely grinned, his eyes glinting in pure elation. "After this day's event, I need ramen!"
"Yes!" Yang brimmed upon hearing his response, filled with energy and cocking her fist back.
Hearing that he was willing to go out on the town with her! She wanted nothing more than that! To get to know him more after what he did for her…
"Oh, tomorrow's gonna be fun…" Yang gleamed before her lips puckered, a thought crossing her mind. "Are you having trouble getting inside your room?"
"Ah, what makes you say that?" Naruto's eyes shifted, glancing at his door briefly as he tried to hide a grimace.
"Well, you are standing out here looking confused." Yang scowled, reaching out and snatching his scroll out of his hand. "Not to mention you probably don't know how technology works, so here, let me show you!"
His eyebrow twitched.
Watching as Yang swiped his scroll in front of the strange device in front of the door of the room number Glynda gave to him, Naruto twitched. The door clicked, and Yang grinned as she turned the knob, and the room opened.
It was simple!
His fury knew no bounds!
"Are you serious?! It's also my key!" Naruto blurted out, frustrated as Yang gleamed, handing him his scroll back.
She only laughed, not that she could blame him. However, seeing him sulk, she felt sheepish and hung her head. Just how hard it would be to be in another world…
Coming up with a plan, she clasped her hands together as her eyes gleamed. She didn't want him to feel too homesick, so she would do whatever it would take…
She would make sure tomorrow…
"HI NARUTO! Guess we're neighbors now!"
Nevermind…
That would put a wrench into all her plans. The one thing that messed up almost all of her plans despite her love for her.
Her dearest sister.
A bow twitched.
Golden eyes gleamed behind a cracked door.
Worry filled her when she saw Yang take her leave. She agreed and wanted some time to absorb and decipher everything. With everything that happened…
She didn't want to leave her alone. But with the way Weiss kept her eyes on her and Ruby trusting her sister…
It felt like her friend didn't trust her.
She couldn't blame her. It was a betrayal of their trust when she disappeared…
But what was this?! She went outside to randomly discover him!
Right outside their door!
Why was he out there? Sure, Ruby was the person that summoned him, and if there were a way to send him back, it would be through her…
But why was he…
Oh, he was given a room beside them…
Why was he given a room besides them?
"Blake, what are you doing?" Weiss called out to her, making her go rigid and slammed the door shut, turning around to see Weiss in her nightgown glaring at her with her arms crossed over her chest. "Why are you sneaking about and acting suspicious?"
Blanching at Weiss' accusation didn't help matters. It only made her scowl and apprehensive of her motives. Biting her lips, she glanced away. "Weiss… I…"
"We need to talk." Weiss exhaled, closing her eyes before taking a deep, calming breath.
Opening her icy blue eyes, she gazed upon her friend's timid figure. She knew something was wrong with her friend. She had been acting so strange these last few months. And it was amplified during the Vytal Festival. Learning a little about her after the incident with Yang and Mercury…
She seemed terrified about something, and it worried her. "Look, I know something is bothering you. With what happened, I think we're all terrified…"
"Weiss…" Golden eyes glinted before they closed. "It's more than that, I'm afraid… It's that my past has come back to haunt me. I can't get away from it…"
Tensing momentarily, Weiss' expression softened.
That was a feeling she knew all too well.
Her eyes widened when Blake continued.
"Yang… Lost her arm because of me… Because someone found me and attempted to take me back to the White Fang… " Blake opened and looked upon a horrified Weiss. "No… Not someone… A person who was so precious to me, a teacher that I thought I could trust… And placed all my faith into… And my heart."
"And I'm so afraid he'll keep coming and hurting all my friends if I stay…"
A deafening silence followed her words.
Blake didn't need to hear the following reaction, turning from Weiss, ready to exit the room and leave regardless of what she would say.
She knew all too well what it would be. It would either be sympathy or anger. A mixture of both. Neither of those was what she was looking for… What she wanted.
Even with Yang's being restored, she felt guilty for what happened. It didn't resolve her for what happened.
She needed to absolve herself…
And finish this once and for all.
"You think you can just escape your past?"
Blake hissed. Snapping around, she looked down into cold blue eyes.
What did she…
"Your past isn't the only one that haunts them." Weiss retorted, drenched with venom. "Do you know who you are talking to? What my family's past is? You, of all people, should!"
Blake's expression fell. She knew all too well what her family's recent history was. How it intersected with her…
"Don't you think for a second I am not aware of the past coming back to haunt you?" Weiss snarled, her gaze frigid as a glacier. "How many people look upon me with trepidation? See me as only my family name? And as you know, I know all too the feeling when you are the target of hatred and being targeted feels like. So don't think you are alone in this, understand!"
"I know!" Blake snapped, startling Weiss before recoiling. "I know that… But after seeing him again and seeing what he was willing to do to hurt me… And to cause harm to my friends…"
"Blake," Weiss interrupted Blake, recovering gracefully her gaze piercing into Blake's golden gaze. "Do you remember what I told you when all of this began at the beginning of the school year?"
Blake's eyes shimmered. Hanging her head, she simply nodded.
"Then stop running and come to us for help. We are here for one another." Weiss scowled, and her eyes shone in frustration. "Trust us, Blake. As a team, we will help you, just as we will help Ruby with this. We will sort all of this out, okay?"
"I…" Blake stuttered, the bow on her head fully depressed as her head hung lowly. "But I… I do trust all of you… I'm just scared."
"It's okay to be scared." Weiss gently wrapped her arm around Blake's shoulder to comfort her. "But we're here for each other. So if you need anything, just talk, alright?"
Blake simply nodded. Words failed her…
Oh, how she hated this. She just wanted to smother herself with her pillow…
"I really needed that shower!" Ruby yawned the door to the bathroom opening, their team leader walking through, arms stretching up as she walked through before she noticed Blake and Weiss at the door. "Huh, what's going on? Did I miss something?"
Weiss waved her off, a light giggle."Tell you about it later. You need to rest."
"We've got a new neighbor." Blake sighed, tilting her head toward the door as she shed Weiss' embrace. "Just got room next to ours."
Opening the door ever so slightly, Weiss' eyes widened at seeing how outside. "Oum! Professor Goodwitch put him next door to us! Oh, what am I going to do? If he's next door…"
"Um, Weiss," Ruby frowned at her friend's reaction, walking over to the door to see who Weiss was talking to before her eyes gleamed. "Oh!"
Slamming open her door and heading out with a wide grin, Ruby led the charge, with Weiss stumbling after her. "Hi, Naruto! Guess we're neighbors now!"
Blake blinked at the scene, mouth slightly agape. Releasing a sigh, she palmed her face and followed her team out the door.
She knew he was gonna be a problem.
"So that's what happened…"
"My dear children, did you think I would blame you for this? No, you would never have known something to this extent would occur. This failure belongs to no one. But now you work directly under me, and I require information. Go back in and get it for me. Succeed, and I can offer you the world. Fail…"
"Well, I can only be kind for so long. So please don't fail me too often. My patience is running out."
"And you don't want my patience to wear thin."
Emerald shivered, glancing into her partner's nervous eyes. Seeing Mercury's gulp, their plan was set. If they were going to get any information for their new mistress to keep her pleased, they had to start somewhere.
And they would need to start with the most obvious suspect first…
The Invincible Girl.
Why did the sky look so…
So different from usual?
The dirt and ground was soft yet rigid. There didn't seem to be any rocks or rubble beneath her.
Curious.
The grass swayed and tickled, yet felt cutting. Tree branches of trees she had never seen rocked, and strange leaves fluttered and swayed in the wind. The same wind gently ruffled tailored clothing.
Carrying a special item that belonged to him just beyond her grasp…
That she was too feeble to grasp for.
No…
Why was life so cruel? Why did it have to take everything from her?
Take what little happiness she ever received? Couldn't she have peace for once in her life? Be given that freedom that was denied from her for so long and that she lusted for?
Live with the man who granted her freedom from the chains that bound her?
Why did he have to be taken away from her?
She would have sacrificed anything else! Given up her life if she had to!
He was her everything…
Why should she go on? Without him…
"Hi there!" A mischievous voice purred, a heavy weight pressed upon her chest and made it difficult to breathe. "Looks like you've seen better days!"
She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Life didn't stop, did it? It continued to pelt her with its cruel irony.
Make her know just how low she had sunk…
"You might want to move." The voice thrummed, several small taps poking playfully into her bosom. "I must warn you that the foliage here is… Quite volatile."
What? Plant life? Volatile?
Looking down at the pressure on her chest, heterochromatic eyes stared in confusion, locked in with blue eyes with dilated yellow iris.
Was a talking purple cat kneading her bosom and gazing curiously upon her?
Wait, why could it talk? Hold on, that sounded awfully like a book she read…
Something tight wrapped around her waist, arms, and legs, poking and tearing into her with its grasp. The cat, with expert reflex, leapt from her in the instant she was violently yanked into the air.
Vines!
Ripping and tearing into her flesh. Through her clothes. Wrapping around her throat tightly, she elicited a silent gasp as the spines dug into her flesh. Her Aura should have been protecting her…
But it was spent. And she was exhausted.
Giving her soul, weeping for what was lost.
She couldn't muster the resistance to fight this strangling her. Tearing into and pulling her apart. She knew she should be able to overpower it…
But her strength sapped. Gone…
Just like he was.
"Oh dear," The voice of the cat sounded almost pedantic about what was occurring before it, watching the incident inquisitively, almost seeming amused. "I did warn you, my dear. Oh, will I witness an Ascension today? How purrfect."
What was the dumb cat even talking about? Ugh… It didn't matter!
Nothing mattered…
Limply lapsing in the hold of the vines, providing no resistance, her eyes closed as she felt the cold embrace of darkness slowly enclosing her being. The faintest of smiles graced her lips.
Now she could be reunited…
I'll do what I do best…
A drowning sorrow filled her. Tears welled in her eyes.
That voice… No…
Roman!
She knew that voice! It was his voice! Oh, how she wished to hear it one more time! And now…
Lie, cheat, steal, and survive!
Her eyes widened.
Those words! Those were his…
His way of life. Above all else…
And now he…
No!
She snarled.
He was taken from her! Taken before his time!
By her!
If she hadn't come into their lives and disrupted their lives! Made out like bandits as King and Queen Vale's Underground!
Settled down once they fulfilled their wildest desires…
Maybe have a daughter of her own and give her the life she never got to experience!
The happiness of being cared for and loved by a father and mother without any strings attached! Not being their supposed heiress or the perfect assassin…
If it wasn't for her…
He would still be here with him! He would have never run into that girl.
The girl of roses!
Her eyes snapped open, burning with raw hatred. Her Aura crackled around her. An unyielding rage coursed through her veins, mixed with the sorrow.
Her body shook as it tensed against the vines, buckling against her straining muscles. The thorns pushed back against her regenerating flesh.
Eyes shimmered, and raw passion glinted within.
And a muted scream left her lips.
The vines shattering…
As the world shifted and warped around Neo's feet as she gently stepped onto the blades of grass. Her gaze fell upon the stunned cat looking upon her. "Oh… You are like them, aren't you?"
"How interesting."
R&R