Took some time to get to this chapter.
Had a few other concept ideas to release and then suddenly took off...
And now I have a poll running on what I want my readers to vote on to see me focus on for my anniversary of returning to writing next month.
So hope you enjoy.
*Annoyed with FFN recently. Been eating my formatting...*
*This is the chapter where Naruto is finally denoted as Naruto as most characters from this point are directly referring to him as Naruto or Uzumaki.*
The morning sun dazzled as it beamed across his face. Hardly a cloud was in the sky as he released a soft exhale, letting the moment hit him as he stepped forward, a small pack of his clothes and items resting against his shoulder. Before him stood the next phase of his journey.
An airbus that would take him to Beacon so he could complete his studies and learn to become a Huntsman.
Didn't think it was too much different from being a shinobi, but there were history lessons and other things, he supposed…
The joy of having to attend class yet again in his life. He couldn't get away from academies and school, could he?
No, seriously. Could he? He was asking a legitimate question. He was tired of having to take courses and classes. This was getting old, and despite all his experience, it was still one of the areas he still struggled with the most.
He had a sheer lack of attention span when put in that environment! There was a reason paperwork was the bane of his existence as Hokage! He understood The Third and the old bat's pain so much now…
"Fen, you doing alright?" He heard his father's voice as he patted him on his back reassuringly as he stood at his side, bringing his attention to him, and saw his smile. "I know you are nervous, but we'll be okay. We'll make this work while you are out. You are doing something far more important, and that can't be understated. Your mother and I support you in this."
"He's right, dear." His mother added her input, softly beaming at her child as she placed her on his left shoulder, trying to hold back tears. "You always have done us proud. So I have faith that you will continue to do so. Now go show everyone what I know to be true."
"Right…" He whispered, gently letting the emotions sweep over him as he looked at his parents before one more had their say.
"Big brother!" Vix rushed in, embracing her brother, who accepted her warmly as she freely shed tears. "I'm gonna miss you so much. You gotta come back and tell me cool stories, alright!"
"I'm going to miss you too, Vix." He ruffled his little sister's hair, closed his eyes, and chuckled as she tried to nip his hand. "Ah, I'm gonna miss that too. And don't you worry. I'll make sure to stop by when I can to tell you all the stories I can. But I gotta to go now, okay?"
As Vix bashfully separated from her brother, looking upset and unwilling to let her brother leave, being gently grasped by her mother and father, he slowly rose to his feet and wiped the tears trying to spill from his eyes. With their gentle and accepting smiles, he slowly turned and went to the airbus with his pack in hand.
Waiting for him at the entrance was a lone figure, her arms crossed and a briefcase at her side. Her ears twitched as she heard the rustle of his feet and her golden eyes open, brilliant sheen coming from them as they locked onto him. "Never easy, is it?"
"Is that why you never told your family when you left?" He questioned, tilting his head curiously.
She sighed, looking away in shame as her ears drooped. "No. I ran because I knew they would disapprove of my decision. That they wouldn't understand why I chose the path I did. Made it easier for everyone when they found out as there was nothing that could be done."
"I guess," He sighed before walking beside her, patting her on the shoulder and offering her a slight smile. "Ready for this, Blake? A whole new chapter awaits us. Who knows what awaits us inside."
"Heh, I'm always ready, Uzumaki," Blake smirked as she bent down and lifted her suitcase, stepping beside her partner as they took their first steps onto the airbus. "But I have a pretty good idea of what awaits us inside…"
"And it's gonna be loud with them around."
Naruto grinned.
The more, the merrier. It was starting to feel like home again.
"I am starting to question your decision-making…"
"My dear, why ever so?"
"Are you going to seriously allow a student to attempt to attend Beacon with forged records? He'll be killed in the initiation test! He'll be lucky to survive the opening fall, let alone encounter the Grimm!"
"Ah, that's why you are upset."
"Why would I not be upset about this? After you allowed three criminals to attend and attempt the test, you are now blatantly allowing someone who lacks the fundamental skills to survive the test to enter it! This is beyond acceptable!"
"Glynda, I understand why you think that. But is he not exactly the kind of person we seek?"
"What does that even mean? Of course, he isn't! He doesn't stand a chance, Oz!"
"No, you misunderstood my point. Someone like him, who is willing to risk everything by putting his life in jeopardy for a chance to protect and serve Remnant, is exactly the kind of people who we are looking for, Glynda. I would be a fool not to give him at least the opportunity. Not everyone is willing to do that, and it takes a special breed of person to do something like that. Someone not only wants to prove themself but desires to help everyone?"
"He may very well be someone that changes the course of fate as we know it."
"Good to see you two!" A chipper voice greeted Naruto and Blake as the airbus slowly lifted and took off before she frowned. "Not so sure about everyone else. Didn't even know you were all going to be here! Are they just letting anyone into Beacon now?"
Elegantly striding forward, putting down designer suitcases, a set of twins carefully measured who spoke. The twin wearing a white dress, scowled as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I take offense to that, blondie. We have just as much right to be here as you."
"We have been applying for several years. We would have you know. Until this year, they have mysteriously not accepted our requests for whatever reason." The twin in a red dress retorted and huffed, flicking her hand through her hair majestically before her green eyes fell upon the two that had entered the airbus. "You were late. We were beginning to worry you would not make it on time."
A third person simply had a sadistic grin as they strutted between the two twins, giving a curtsey bow to her new friends she had been staying with for the past week. Suddenly their parasol opened, smacking both in the face as she stood up, and her heterochromatic eyes sparkled as she turned and walked away, twirling her parasol happily, whistling a silent tune that only she could hear in her mind.
"That bitch…" Militia rubbed her as she watched the tiny form of the multi-haired woman walk away. "And we helped expose what that woman did to you!"
"I suppose we're still not on the best of terms with her." Melanie rubbed her cheek and sighed. "I can't say I am surprised. I am more surprised she was willing to believe me when I sent her that photo…"
"Neo is an enigma, that's for sure." Naruto watched the retreating form of the small woman as she jumped up and perched herself on one of the windows to watch the view. "Have to wonder what's going on in that head at times."
"Stab, murder, be praised?" Blake shrugged her shoulders and held her hands as she offered her thoughts. "And I say, she is awfully like a certain blonde. Just looking for a fun time and not much going on in the head…"
"Hey, I take offense to that!" Yang narrowed her eyes, staring down at the Faunus as she insulted her. "I thought we were done with this."
"Only having some fun." Blake tilted her head and smiled back at Yang. "Got to poke fun at you sometimes. Otherwise, it's just no fun."
"Yeah, fun…" Yang grumbled before bringing her hand to her chin and pondering the thought. "Although, now that you say that, she is kind of fun, and I did like hanging out with her."
"See! You two are alike!"
"I hate you."
"My word!" An annoyed voice screeched, sounding quite annoyed with all the rumblings. "Things were quiet until you boarded. I wished they had stayed that way."
"Oh, isn't this a rare sight?" Naruto raised his eyebrows and caught who was speaking. "Well, I'll be… Daddy let you outside the mansion? And of all things, to become a Huntress, doll? Now I can hardly believe that. What did you have to do to get out?"
The owner of the voice's cold, icy eyes turned to him, a stare that would have frozen many others. However, she carefully examined him with a glance and scowled as her white ponytail flipped behind her. "Who do you think you are? Acting like you know me well enough to ask that question or take that tone with me! I'm not sure how I offend you…"
"Oh, you know exactly the reason, Weiss Schnee." Blake stepped beside Naruto, holding back a snarl as she spat out her name while her ears went rigid. "Years we tried to resolve our issues peacefully… But now your father forced us to the shadows to become the vile vermin he always thought we were."
The elegantly dressed girl, identified as Weiss, tensed. Her eyes filled fearfully as she bit down on her lip. Her hand slowly drew to the holster of the rapier on her belt as she looked at both nervously. "I assure you, my father and I…"
"Relax." Naruto placed his hand on Blake's shoulder, pulling her back and giving her a shade glance before closing his eyes and smiling at the heiress. "You too. No need to be hostile. We are no longer representatives of the new order of the White Fang. We follow the ideology of the philosophy of the original."
"And that is supposed to alleviate my fears?" Weiss defensively replied, ready to draw her weapon at a moment's notice. "For all my life, they and their order have put my family's life in peril…"
"Lies!" Blake hissed, interrupting Weiss, startling her and causing her to stumble back and look into the Faunus' sharpened eyes as Naruto put his arm back to restrain her. "My Father and my Mother made absolutely sure our protests were peaceful and well organized everywhere we went! It was your side that organized the violence and brought forth any retaliation! What brought forth this version of the Fang? Reap what you sow!"
"Okay! How about we all calm down?" Yang suddenly jumped in between the three, holding out her hands calmingly toward both sides. "Look, I don't understand the reasons for the tensions, but I understand there are some issues. But we are here now, heading to a school meant to bring good to the world. So whatever those reasons were, shouldn't they be secondary? Especially when we might be on a team together and have to spend the next four years with one another?"
"What?" Weiss' attention snapped to the buxom blonde, and her scowl deepened. "How do you know we will be on teams? This is the first I ever heard about this!"
"Our parents graduated Beacon," Ruby announced, somewhat timid after seeing the argument that almost blew up into a fight before her. "Our dad married our moms…"
"Could have phrased that better, Rubes…" Yang winced as many eyes widened at the context while many guys on the airbus held a smug look while looking at the two.
"Ah! Not like that!" Ruby gripped her head before waving her hands all around her. "No, no, no! Different circumstances! Get your minds out of the gutter! Stop listening in on our conversation over here!"
"Too late for that… Most of their minds were already there." Naruto rolled his eyes at all the peering eyes, wishing there weren't so many people on board. "So yeah, the reason why trying to alleviate your fears and concerns since you oh so kindly interjected yourself into our gathering, princess. We aren't here for you or to cause you any harm. Far from it, actually. As long as you are here to help the people of Remnant, far as I can see…"
"You are already leagues better than your wretch of a father," Blake spoke through clenched teeth, crossing her arms, turning away, and refusing to gaze at the Schnee any longer than she had to.
Weiss clenched her fist at the insult aimed at her father. She wanted to retaliate and say some choice words of her own. Instead, she knew discretion was the better option. They already had an opinion of her because of him, so she would not lower herself further. "Fine! As long as you stay out of my way…"
"Did you not get the thing about teams?" Yang raised her point again, holding out her hand, and questioned. "Because if you pass initiation, you will end up with three other people for four years, and I will say this right now… Half of the people on this bus ain't gonna pass."
"That's just how it always goes." Ruby chimed in, closing her eyes and smiling brightly. "Dad said that almost everyone in his initiation group failed outside of four teams! And that's about average!"
"Y-you're joking! Right?" Weiss flinched back, holding her arms in her chest, dismayed at what she heard.
"Nah, that's true." Yang held out her hands and apathetically shrugged.
'Then why aren't you more concerned!" Weiss stammered, trying to regain her confidence.
Yang only gave a cocky grin and closed her eyes. "Because failure is not an option. Gonna get through whatever they put in my way and work with whoever they throw with me."
"It is for none of us." Naruto nodded in agreement, a smirk on his lip. "Got too much invested into becoming a Huntsman. Can't afford to fail here."
"Life depends upon it. There is no going back." Blake added, still refusing to look back at the Schnee heiress.
"I was given this opportunity early, and my backing down from this challenge. I'll show everyone I deserve to be here." Ruby chimed in, her silver eyes radiating with confidence.
"Applied for years to be accepted into Beacon after Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy went under." Militia started, and Melanie finished.
"We refused to let this opportunity go to waste. We will show we belong and no longer need Mother's guidance."
I am here for fun and have plenty of time to kill, so eh, this would be something to do for a change of pace!
"Sounds about right…" Naruto responded to Neo's abrupt reintroduction to the conversation as she held out her word screen on her scroll, grinning before she typed further. "What are you…"
Want to break her. Reminds me of those in Lady Brownings… Hate rich girls and heiresses…
"You were a rich girl and an heiress… To the most profitable company in Vale before it went under." Militia squinted her eyes at the grinning shortstack and the mortified heiress of SDC. "Or did the fire purge that out of your memory?"
"She what now?" Naruto caught this tidbit of information, his eyes widening as a recent conversation suddenly brought forth in his mind, and he started to realize he was much closer than expected.
"Wait, were you right about everything you said?" Yang sounded alarmed, remembering that conversation, eyes widened while taking a step back from the multi-haired woman.
A sadistic grin slipped on Neo's face at them, making them pale as she silently laughed with her hand covering her mouth. Then with a spin, she skipped away again, leaving everyone to question her sanity.
However, one particular set of eyes was drawn to her as she walked away, finding her calm demeanor after hearing everyone's words. The group was strange, loud, and annoying…
And she didn't like any of them, but something was interesting about them. Felt their passion and desire to succeed was much like her own…
A cold set of eyes trailed her skipping form, now curious about the woman shorter than herself. Perhaps, if there were to be teams, maybe she was…
"Could it be…" Weiss whispered to herself. "Are you perhaps the long, lost Vanille…"
Her thoughts were interrupted by something that made her stomach turn. Being bumped and sent stumbling forward, she nastily looked toward the perpetrator to see a blonde hair boy rush past her. Her eyes widened as he stood over a trash can, and the noises that came next mortified her.
The Fennec Faunus behind her flinched as his ears curled. "Ah, come on, man! Some of us don't have a choice but to listen! There is a bathroom on these things!"
"S-sorry…" The slim blonde tried to apologize, wiping his chin but still looking queasy. "Not feeling very… Urgh…"
Weiss' eyes widened as he looked straight in her direction as he spoke, and she stumbled back, "Don't you dare! No!"
"Don't get that on my shoes, you disgusting, vile cretin!"
Stepping off the airbus and taking his first breath of fresh air, Naruto looked upon the campus for the first time. It was something else. He had to admit.
Was he really ready to spend the next four years of his life here? Away from his family as they struggled to make ends meet?
He knew he would be earning a small amount of money through missions here once he made it through in initiation and could send lien their way. But he was also worried about Vix…
"They'll be okay. You know that." Blake's voice echoed beside him, softly smiling as she tried to comfort her friend, knowing what was troubling her friend. "They are resilient. Been fighting all their lives and know how to get by. I think you aren't giving them enough credit."
Letting his ears curl, knowing she was right, Naruto released a deep sigh. "Just worried. And now, with White Fang activity within Vale, I have to keep an eye on things more than ever…"
"Then we'll do it together." Blake's eyes shimmered, her head bowing momentarily before taking a deep breath. "You aren't the only one with unfinished business with them. So consider that a promise. Believe it."
"Did you…" Naruto narrowed his eyes at the grinning cat Faunus before pushing her away. "Unbelievable! Quoting me!"
"You are no longer moping, so it worked." Blake quipped, tilting her head and looking forward at the students walking amongst the premises of Beacon, and her eyes widened before pointing at a rabbit Faunus. "Oh, oh! I think I have found you a nice girlfriend already! She's perfect! You could take her home to Ze, and she'll accept her in a heartbeat!"
"Dammit, Blake!"
"Yo!" Yang's indignant voice came from behind and drew the attention of the two Faunus, and she could see her and Ruby looking miffed. "You just gonna leave us behind here! Thought we were gonna go through this introduction as a group! At least try to get through together as a team to increase our chances!"
"Oh, that's what you are angry about, is it?" Blake hid a smirk as lilac eyes steamed in her direction before she flicked her hair back. "Yes, but you guys got held back… Where are the twins?"
"Sorry for the delay," Militia stated, following behind Ruby as she wiped her hands of dust. "We had to…"
"Take care of some trash." Melanie followed with noted disgust as she cleaned her boot, wiping a smear of blood from it. "Think they could hit on us…"
"Far below our standards." Both simultaneously stated, holding their noses in the air haughtily as they picked up their bags.
"Um…" Yang started before noticing a few people that were still on the airbus, one looking like a large knight, was laid out unconscious and bleeding. "So that's what that scuffle was about. Should have joined in…"
"Don't think you would have needed to." Naruto shook his head, seeing the damage dealt before shrugging, seeing the Airbus doors close, uncaring that potential students were still left on board. "They're more than capable of taking care of themselves. They are quite deadly, and if they ever awaken their Semblances, they could be a force to be reckoned with."
The twins preened at Naruto's comment. However, Ruby frowned upon hearing that. "They haven't activated their Semblances? But shouldn't that be the norm for attending a Huntsman academy…"
"Not as often as you'd think." Blake shook her head. "We're the abnormality, actually. Most of the time, it takes years of training to unlock your Semblance. Many Huntsman didn't get it until their final years of training or even when they were officially Huntsman. It has started to become more and more frequent in recent years, this current decade, that trainees have been showing up with their Semblance already discovered."
"It is because training has become more effective and that the newest generation of talent has reaped the benefits of the older generations surviving to train them," Naruto stated as he held out his hand toward the two of them, knowing they were the children of Huntsman and Huntresses. "You two should know that better than anyone."
As Ruby had the decency to blush, Yang scratched the back of her head and laughed. "Yeah, that makes sense. Dad trained me a lot when I was younger. Didn't help Ruby, though… Was upset when Uncle Qrow helped train her…"
Sharing a quick look with Blake, both frowning, Naruto left the thought alone. There was something up with that, but there was no point in pursuing it. It wasn't like he could get an answer.
"Don't we need to be heading to the auditorium?" Ruby looked puzzled as she pulled out a pamphlet, scanning through it. "Yeah, says something about a speech all initiates need to be there for…"
Everyone blinked at one another before noticing the rest of the first years had dispersed. Naruto sweat dropped, and chuckled. "Say, since you have the map there, Ruby, care to show us the way?"
"Wait for me…" A weak voice cried out, stumbling from the airbus, having made it off just in time. "Oh, I hate these things… Get sick all the time…"
"Oh, he made it. That's a surprise." Naruto quipped before shrugging his shoulders as he waved the blonde over, much to the chagrin of everyone in the group. "Eh, tag along then."
"Thanks!" The tall blonde staggered toward him while Naruto earned the ire of everyone as they stared at him. "Man was hoping to meet someone who is at least kind of cool, so thanks!"
He responded in the simplest fashion he could.
"What? He's got a day to last before the initiation. Might as well let him think he has a chance."
"That was the most… Uninspiring speech I ever had to attend before." Naruto muttered as he lay on his sleeping back, looking back at the ceiling and groaned. "And I've heard many before. And that one takes the cake."
"Could have been worse." Blake mused as she flipped through the pages of her book, reading by candlelight.
"Way worse." Yang agreed, lying on a pillow before grinning. "Could have been my dad talking about my clothing choices again."
"You do have questionable tastes." Militia threw shade at the blonde, purposely setting her sleeping area as close to Naruto as she could have.
"Indeed. We were not wrong to call you a hustler based on your appearance…" Melanie added before she felt the furious gaze of Yang fall upon her. "Oh my, is someone upset?"
"Ready to kick both of you to the curb again!"
"Any time!" Both chimed, ready to start a brawl despite what tomorrow was.
"Can this wait?" Ruby cried, stepping between her sister and the volatile twins, wishing it wasn't always fighting she had to get in between. "We have tomorrow and… Are you trying to bait them?"
Neo vigorously nodded as she held out a sign, twirling it around. Where she got a sign that mysteriously said, 'Beat the shit out of each other!' Ruby didn't have a clue. But she stared down the diminutive mute. "Not helping!"
Not trying to! Embrace the chaos!
"No! You are so frustrating!"
"It's you all again being so loud!" A familiar screech reached their ears.
Naruto simply waved as the visage of a nightgown-wearing Schnee made her appearance, looking quite visually upset. "How you doing?"
"People are trying to sleep!"
"Well, this is how loud we usually are. Better get used to it. As the crazy one said, embrace the chaos." Naruto grinned as he looked up at the Schnee heiress, his ears perking as he closed his eyes.
"Wish it were quieter," Blake muttered, rolling her eyes in frustration as she couldn't read and put away a Man with Two Souls. "But she's got a point. It's better to rest for tomorrow. Who knows what they're going to throw at us tomorrow? Especially with the rumor they're going to make us pair up with someone."
"Yeah, heard about that." Yang sat up, a puzzled expression crossing her features. "Must be the first part of putting together teams. The person that you get paired with, if you pass, will be part of your team for the next four years, I'm guessing. Now how they figure out the other two is anyone's guess…"
"Guess we'll have to wait and see for tomorrow. But we really should rest." Ruby beamed before waving at Weiss. "Good seeing you again! Hopefully you get a good partner tomorrow!"
"Um, uh, yeah…" Weiss was taken by surprise by the caring attitude as the group wound down and frowned, noticing once more just how odd this group was.
Now for the second time… She felt more curious as to why she was drawn to them.
"So the fool was captured, I have come to learn?"
"Indeed she was. But they are currently afraid to make any moves with her, unsure of what would happen if they were to do anything to her."
"Ah, a wise decision in any other circumstances. Not having the answers, it would be foolish to act hastily."
"Which is why I have called you. I require more information on the one who brought the one down… And to recover her as quickly as possible before my dear Ozma realizes he can recover Fall's powers before it's too late."
"Oh? A single person defeated her? Now that is a surprise. Dare tell me, how did you come about this, my mistress?"
"I have eyes everywhere. It was only a matter of time before he became known to me. But who he is is still a mystery, and I am curious and want you to indulge me in my request further as I feel there is more than meets the eye on this one. I feel something…"
"Special about this boy called Fen Aryl."