Hunting or Bust: The Journey Continues
Dust 1: Restless Days and Sleepless Nights
Hello again dear viewers. It hasn't been long since we last saw each other yet it feels like forever. We get closer to a new volume every day and Ice Queendom was announced, fueling a whole new flame of side story ideas I'll take up when it finally does come out.
Anyway, if you know this story then I welcome you back with open arms! If this is the first time you're joining us, you might be jumping in a little late. This is a continuation of Hunting or Bust: The Journey Onwards. As it is one long story, there will be references and callbacks to past events that you might want to familiarize yourself with.
So go read it. I'm totally not shamelessly plugging my own story. Shut up.
Anyway…on with the show!
((((((((Hunting))))))))
It was another sleepless night spent gazing out into the barren, twisted lands of darkness that stretched as far as the eye could see. Most would think that staying up for several days made her an insomniac…
In truth, she couldn't quite place when she last felt the need to sleep. Being undying had put into perspective what was necessary and what was a luxury to live. And when you couldn't die no matter what was done to you sleeping, eating, and even drinking could be put aside as a waste of time. There were quite a few periods in the past where she had chosen to forgo all the things humans deemed necessary to survive and simply quarantined herself away from the rest of existence.
And now this was another lull in the need to sleep category. She preferred to stay awake and think about the next phase of her plans. She had gained the Fall Maiden, crippled Vale, and its Kingdom, and killed Ozpin in the process. It should have been fine to bask in the glory of the victory…
But if she was too lax right now, then the tides could change quickly.
It had happened many times before. The ebb and flow of her battle with Ozma changed constantly, with either her or him being at the advantage and losing it before they knew it. She was immortal and had killed him, but he had quickly returned and stolen from her the standing and reverence of her people. He had built up armies and cabals that aimed to destroy her, but in the end, they all fell beneath her heel. When Ozma sacrificed his magic and forfeited the only rival capable of equaling her in power, he gained four keys that were always changing and locked the Relics behind doors she could not access. And even with the mountains of dead Maidens she and her followers had created, it wasn't until Cinder had stolen Fall's power that they were able to secure access to the vault.
But now they didn't know how to access Beacon's vault, they didn't have the Spring Maiden for Haven's, and the longer they waited the sooner Ozma would return to muck things up.
Which was why she was staying up tonight to think about how things could go.
She was immortal, and thus had all the time in the world to perfect her scheme, but time didn't just magically not matter since she couldn't die. Seconds were still seconds. Minutes were still minutes. And eternity…still felt like an eternity.
And she was getting sick of it.
As Salem stepped outside and looked at the sky, she heard a commotion below that drew her attention. Looking over the balcony she spotted…
"Oh?"
"GRRAAAAOOOOWWWWWW!"
"WRRRRRRAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
Jūgo lunged at a Beowolf that slipped away from his range and then started to sprint across the ground. The large Grimm circled the hybrid as he fell to the ground and groaned in pain. The Beowolf saw this moment of weakness and chose to pounce on its prey.
Its razor-sharp claws slashed across Jūgo's back and drew blood, causing the altered man to throw his head back and scream in agony. But just after it landed the hit, Jūgo spun around and grabbed its hind leg. With a mighty roar, he lifted the larger beast over his head before slamming it to the ground. And with a ferocious twist, he broke the leg at an unnatural angle and caused the wounded monster to wail in pain.
Jūgo grabbed the upper and lower jaw of the wolf Grimm and pulled. It flailed and struggled against his grasp but with one demented roar, he yanked it apart and killed the monster. He tossed the pieces he had made in both hands aside before falling to his knees and taking ragged, pained gasps of breath.
The wound on his back had already started to heal. The black patches along his spine grew thicker as the white bone armor grew more pronounced. It was getting harder and harder to recognize this boy as being anything resembling a human. It was only a matter of time before his evolution was complete, and he became whatever it was he was destined to transform into.
"Can you not sleep either?"
Jūgo's head perked up and he looked back at her as she gracefully descended to his ground level. As she touched down and quietly stood there, he turned himself around to face her. Despite the pain and agony, he must have been in trying to adjust to a body that yearned to change into something he was never supposed to be, he still bowed his head and showed her reverence.
She still wasn't sure why. Did his body try to adapt to Grimm so deeply that it sensed she was their new leader by default? Or perhaps he looked up to her because…they were so much more similar than anyone else around him.
Perhaps he wanted someone's guidance and advice as he slowly lost more and more of himself.
She reached down and gently stroked his hair. From the way his body tensed before slowly easing up, it was clear he appreciated the action, "It's getting worse and worse, isn't it? Staying here has exasperated your problem, leaving you antsy and unnerved, which is only making your descent come faster. You can't even think properly anymore, can you?"
"A-Aghhhhh." Some pitiful attempt to mimic words gurgled its way out of his throat. He didn't even sound the same as when he arrived with the others some time ago. In Orochimaru's pursuit of finding humanity's evolution and perfection to Remnant's increasing dangers, he'd sacrificed this boy's mind and soul in his bid for knowledge. And while she could understand making sacrifices in pursuit of a goal…
Something about watching an unwilling subject fall deeper and deeper into madness rubbed her wrong.
"I understand." Salem, the Queen of Grimm, gently cupped this lost soul's chin and lifted it to look into her eyes. As Jūgo stared up at her she shook her head, "This all started with good and noble intent, didn't it? Orochimaru wished to make everyone in the world a little stronger and more capable of protecting themselves. And he thought your Adaptability was the perfect answer to that. And so, in respect for the man that took you in and gave you purpose, and for the boy that saved you and who you adored, you followed along and allowed this to happen." She smiled sadly, "But you regret it now, don't you? Even if you can't properly remember or feel it, you know you do."
Jūgo lowered his head, pushing his chin out of her hand but pressing his hair into her palm instead. The action seemed almost guilty or apologetic. Salem simply rubbed his hair softly, "It's alright. I understand. Others can say you can give your life away for a good purpose or love and that is something to be proud about. But in the end that pride and that love and all those feelings that fueled your decision fade away, and they'll leave you with nothing but regret. You'll look back and wonder…what could have made you feel…like this was worth it?"
It was a thought that lingered in the back of her mind since time immemorial.
And now here she was, comforting another fool that had let their heart and feelings turn them into something unrecognizable. And there was nothing left to do about it…
…
Salem silently stood up and walked away. Even though she didn't look back she could tell that Jūgo was following her lead. She walked, the sound of Jūgo's belabored breathing while his hands and feet clapped on the ground behind her mixed with the distant sounds of Grimm on the horizon. They walked and walked until his feet finally came to a stop.
On the edge of a black pool on the ground.
Jūgo came to a stop at her side and patiently waited for her next action. With a calm and warmth in her pale face, she bent down on one knee and faced the bulky hybrid directly, cupping his cheek and running her finger over the spot where flesh changed to a fur and bone imitation.
The pain in his eyes seemed to ease slightly with her touch. Honestly, it reminded her of days long past when she would help one of her anxious little girls fall to sleep. Such a feeling left her longing and wistful…
Enough…that she passed something on to him. A drop in the bucket for her, but enough to make a change for him.
He opened his eyes and Salem saw them glow for a moment before they faded again.
"I hope…one way or another…you can find some relief."
She shifted her hand, letting Jūgo follow her lead after it…
Until he toppled into the Grimm pool.
She stared down at the inky black darkness as bubbles came up to the top for several seconds before ceasing entirely. After a moment of pause, Salem stood back up, gently held her hands together in front of her, and made her way back to her castle.
Perhaps she would try and sleep again tonight.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Telling the story of what had happened to him since Beacon had been difficult when he told it to Oscar. Even though he trusted the boy now and they were friends when he told the former farmhand bits and pieces of his experience it felt like a struggle. Trusting someone new and unfamiliar with his tale had been more difficult than he expected.
So he believed that when he finally reunited with his friends again after so long, he'd be able to tell them far more easily than he did Oscar. And that there'd be some relief in finally getting it all off his chest.
He was wrong. It was so much harder telling it to people that knew him.
They remembered him as a capable fighter and loyal friend they could trust and rely on for anything. And the idea that telling them what happened to him and knowing it would change how they looked at him was…a struggle to come to terms with.
And he saw that what he said affected them. The looks in their eyes and the horror on their faces as he recounted his tale left him with a mix of emotions in the pit of his stomach. It felt good to finally tell people he cared about what happened to him, but it hurt to admit that all the things that occurred were real and not some terrible dream.
But what they had to tell him…somehow hurt even worse.
The context behind the Fall of Beacon. How their teams and friends were separated at their lowest points. Where everyone might have gone after everything was settled. The truth behind the attack and what they had to fight next.
And who they lost.
"Naruto? Are you okay?"
The whiskered Faunus looked up at his friends with tears in his eyes. He quickly wiped his sleeve over them to try and dry them but realized they were quickly replaced with another wave. Sniffling slightly he shook his head, "No, I'm not. I-I'm just - I'm trying to think about it. I…" He ran his hands down his face and took a deep breath, "I can't believe it."
"Yeah, there's a lot." Nora anxiously rubbed her neck, "Honestly we were so stressed out dragging Qrow around and getting lost and fighting a terrifying Grimm that left traumatic scars on me and Ren since childhood that we haven't gotten a lot of time to dissect it but yeah…" The ginger-haired girl nodded solemnly, "The Grimm have a mommy."
Ren sighed, "Nora I don't think she's their mother biologically-"
"Ew!" Nora squirmed and shuddered in disgust. Noticing the looks she was getting she looked between everyone, "Do you think she - like - gives birth to them or something? And do you think she takes care of them and-"
"No. No, I don't think she does."
"Yeah, it is a lot." Ruby nodded, "But it's something we'll handle. We're already taking steps-"
"No!" They flinched at the intensity in his voice as he shook his head, "That's not what I mean! I-I mean yeah that's crazy and all but…" His eyes watered again as his shoulders started to tremble in anger, "But Beacon…I-I could've done something if I just stuck around. If I didn't stupidly go charge at that damn Wyvern then the city…Beacon…Pyrrha-"
"Don't." Jaune shook his head, "You don't have to do that-"
"Jaune, Nora, Ren, I'm sorry. If I stayed around and helped-"
"You did more than you needed to help everyone. And you paid your dues-"
"But-"
"It's okay." Jaune stepped up and squeezed his shoulders, stopping him from talking as he shook his head, "Just stop. There's only one person we need to blame for what happened. That woman was behind everything. She's the reason we lost Pyrrha, and she snuck her way into this Kingdom." Naruto and Jaune stared at each other as the young Arc's eyes started to water as well, "We find her and we fix this. That's how we make up for what we couldn't do back in Beacon, okay?"
Naruto was startled to hear such resolution and strength from his formerly scraggy friend. And he could tell from the look in his eyes and the intensity of those words that it wasn't a vow made up on the spot. It was something he had promised himself to see through since that fateful day.
"Yeah," Naruto nodded, "You got it."
Jaune sniffled and stepped back to wipe his face. Naruto did the same to try and make the swell of emotion calm down. He saw Ruby step up from the corner of his eye and squeeze his shoulder, "I'm sorry you had to go through all of that alone. If we knew you were still alive I promise we all would have gone searching for you."
Naruto sniffled, "Yeah, I know. And it's okay." He gave a small grin, "It sucked but I didn't go through it all alone - OH SHIT!"
"AH! W-What?!"
"Oscar!"
"Who?"
"Oscar! I forgot about Oscar! He's lost! I was looking for him before I found you!" Naruto immediately jumped to his feet and rushed out the door, "I have to find him! Oscar! Oscar where are-"
"I'm here."
Naruto paused and looked over to see Oscar walking down the street with a surly, inebriated Qrow following after him. The sheer relief in his chest nearly made him sag over, "Oscar! You're here!" He ran over to his young friend, "I thought you ran off! Where'd you go?"
"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby followed after him with the others and addressed the older Huntsman who looked like he was struggling to stay upright, "Did you find him? How did you know to bring him here?"
"L-Look, everyone just calm down." Qrow raised his hand, his words slightly slurred as he walked by, "We got a lot to talk about and I need some caffeine in my bloodstream."
"Wait!" Nora called out to the old Huntsman before dramatically pointing at Naruto, "Didn't you notice someone?! Someone important! Kinda popped up from the dead! And you aren't gonna say anything about it!"
"Oz already told me. I'm going inside to cook up a pot. Close the door when you guys follow."
"Oz?" Naruto parroted Qrow's words before looking back at Oscar. When he looked down he saw the farmhand holding a familiar staff he'd seen back in Beacon, "Is that…?"
"Ozpin's cane?" Ruby continued, "But Uncle Qrow was carrying that around while we were traveling." She looked at Oscar warily, "Why do you have it?"
"He gave it to me."
"Why?"
"Because…it's mine." Oscar lowered the staff and took a breath before looking between everyone, "Hi, it's nice to meet you…again, I guess?"
((((((((Hunted))))))))
"Is anyone used to this place yet? Because I just don't think I'll ever get used to it."
"Of course not. My internal clock is all fucked up because I don't think I've seen sunlight in weeks!"
"And I just can't get settled while I'm here. The idea that there are Grimm around every corner and skittering just outside the walls leaves me uneasy. Not to mention the people inside this castle are just as bad."
Kimimaro walked along silently as he heard Suigetsu, Tayuya, and Karin complain about their current living conditions. Ever since the Fall of Beacon, Elysium had to operate under a shadow protocol to go dark and evade public connections as much as possible. And just recently their comrades in the attack on Vale offered them refuge in this strange land outside of any Kingdom's authority.
Since then the top agents of Elysium had been here training or helping organize the efforts still going on in other Kingdoms. The only one of them that had been given a mission since arriving here was Dosu who was assisting the woman in charge with some task in Mistral. It had been a top-secret affair and that was enough for Kimimaro's curiosity before he quelled it.
If Orochimaru wanted only one of them to know the details then only one of them would. This may have been her castle, but he was still first and foremost loyal to Orochimaru.
"Oh shit, it started." Suigetsu cursed as he spotted the doors to the conference hall were closed. Which meant the meeting was already on its way. It was clear the others were unsettled to open the doors and take the first steps in. So Kimimaro took the lead, opening the door first and walking in to join properly.
"Ah, there they are," Orochimaru said as they arrived, apparently being the last ones to arrive as everyone else was present and had taken their seats. Orochimaru was seated at one of the chairs, with Kabuto hovering close beside him as his foremost attendant.
Kimimaro and the others had been selected to be privy to their meetings, but in the end, they were supposed to simply be seen and not heard. As he and the others took their spots behind Kabuto, the white-haired warrior looked around the table.
Two spots were empty, formerly filled by the Atlas scientist and the giant man that were off on their missions. Now the table's chairs were filled by Orochimaru, Cinder who was attended by Emerald and Mercury, the red-haired man who acted as Salem's advisor, and the crazed scorpion Faunus…
Who was currently extremely worn out, covered in bruises and scuff marks, and dealing with a tail that had lost its stinger. And yet despite his poor condition, he seemed rather content and pleased to be around the table again.
And at the head of the table, of course, was the queen herself. Salem had her hands woven together in front of her as she waited patiently for their attention. The pallid woman nodded, "I thank you all for making it."
"There is nowhere I would rather be, Your Grace." Tyrian bowed his head in reverence, "And I am eternally grateful that you allowed me back at this table." For the first time since arriving here, Tyrian's expression became sorrowful as the metal tip of his severed tail hovered in the corner of his eye, "After the mistakes I made capturing the Little Rose, I understand that you are disappointed in my performance. And I will suffer through any punishment or disciplinary action you would like to take upon me to regain your trust."
"I know Tyrian, and I appreciate your willingness to accept that punishment." Kimimaro could have sworn he could see some kind of giddy relief on the maniac's face as he was chastised by the woman of Grimm. Perhaps the idea that he was earning her favor again brought him some joy, "But don't you still need to give your thanks to Dr. Yakushi here?"
"Oh, it's quite alright. I was happy to help." The bespectacled assistant spoke up, earning an irate Tyrian's glower as he spoke in his normal smarmy tone, "I haven't gotten to work with many prehensile tails before, and it was a shame that yours was damaged to such a degree. However from what I could see only half of the stinger had been cleaved off by that girl's weapon. The other part-"
"I amputated it myself." Tyrian spat out derisively.
"Oh, well that's unfortunate. I think I could have salvaged some of the nerves if you brought it back. I understand if the pain was too much-"
"I can handle the pain!" Tyrian yelled, causing some of the others present to flinch and recede away after his volatile outburst, "It's the disgrace I bring upon myself for failing in my duty that I can't stand. Disappointing our queen…" His breath hitched as he struggled to form the words in his fervor, "I can't even begin to describe. Cutting off my mangled stinger - mutilating myself…it's only the beginning of my penance."
Kimimaro was unnerved by the man's deranged devotion. And by the expressions he saw around the room he was on the more measured side of that reaction.
"I see." Kabuto nodded as he fixed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. A telltale sign that he was intrigued and wanted to press on, "Lady Salem, should you try and create a replacement stinger from parts of a Grimm like you did for Cinder?"
"I could, however, Tyrian is partial to the use of his poison during his combat and if I were to replace his stinger it would be a deadly alternative but not as efficient. I believe it would be more prudent for Watts to return and create a replacement that replicates that effect."
"Well, when the time comes I hope you will allow me to help." Kabuto offered as Tyrian grumbled, "I don't doubt Dr. Watts' engineering abilities and expertise but when it comes to biology and anatomy…I believe I'm a leading authority here."
"I'll be sure to let you know when the opportunity arises."
"Milady," Nagato spoke up as well, "I apologize for failing in my mission as well. You trusted me to find the Relic of Choice in the ruins of Beacon but I found nothing. If you wish to punish me as well-"
"No need Nagato." Salem cut him off, "I wanted someone I trust to inspect the ruins and see if they could find anything the Grimm couldn't already. If they found nothing and you could not either then that just settles what I already suspected. Ozpin hid the Crown in a way no one else could easily reach - not even the appointed Maiden. Sneaky codger." She leaned back in her chair, "I apologize for not telling you in advance, Nagato. I simply needed a different perspective on the matter."
Nagato graciously nodded his head and remained silent afterward.
"Ma'am," Surprisingly, it was Cinder who spoke up and garnered her leader's attention. Her physical therapy and recovery have made great strides to the point where she could talk and move without assistance, "Now that I have recovered, I'd like to take over the mission from Tyrian. I will locate the Spring Maiden and hunt down Ruby Rose-"
"No, you won't."
"But-"
"Cinder, that is final." She said with authority and a stern voice. Any argument the raven-haired woman wanted to make died in her throat as the pale woman continued, "Hazel and Watts are doing their parts to prepare for our move in Mistral. Tyrian is currently recovering and you are not at full strength. Now that you can move more comfortably and have recovered, we're moving on to the next step of your training. Not just controlling your power but excelling with it." She nodded to her redhead follower, "You will be having training sessions with Nagato while I supervise for the time being. You grew quite a lot in your younger days while training with him, and with the added power of the Maiden behind you…I look forward to seeing how you've improved."
Cinder spared the silver-eyed man a glance. He nodded, agreeing with their leader's orders as the injured raven-haired woman scowled and turned her head. However, even though she seemed reluctant she didn't voice any opposition. It seemed even if they were hostile or bickered with each other, they loyally followed their leader's orders.
They were like them in that regard. Even if the members of Elysium didn't exactly get along with each other, they followed Orochimaru's order to the letter. Maybe not out of the sense of fidelity like he did but rarely would they disobey him.
"Lady Salem, may I ask what you have in store for us next?" Orochimaru inquired of the Grimm woman, "I'm sure I am not the only one waiting with bated breath to see what you have in store for us with the Mistral campaign so close at hand."
"I'd like for you and your people to stay back for time being, Orochimaru." Salem stated, "Dosu is currently doing the work necessary to make the job there easier, but he's the only one we need working at the moment. If more players were to join at this time it may start to draw attention and make it harder for us. So although I greatly appreciate your offer, please inform your people that you'll be staying here for a bit longer."
"Understood." He didn't seem annoyed or perturbed at all that they had been sidelined. He seemed elated for the chance to learn more about this place and study things he'd never gotten a chance to study before. As long as operations with Elysium were carried out normally and the plan was going ahead smoothly then he couldn't be happier, "I'll make sure to inform the rest of my people. Speaking of which where has Jūgo gone today? I haven't seen him all morning."
Kimimaro was relieved someone else had noticed that, "I'm not sure, Master. I called for him and searched the premises but he didn't show up."
"It's Jūgo. What are we worried about?" Tayuya tactlessly stated, "I'm sure he's running around, having fun, hunting monsters or people-"
"He's gone."
…
What?
Kimimaro looked at the pale woman in quiet confusion as all attention turned to her. As he stared at her Orochimaru asked, "What does that mean?"
"I mean you don't have to worry about him anymore. He's gone."
"What do you mean gone? Did he leave? Did you send him away-"
"I said he's gone…and that's the end of it."
"That is not the end of it!" As he stared at Salem silently, Orochimaru stood up in outrage, "Lady Salem, that boy was an important experiment and an asset to our group! Why would you think to kill him?!"
Kabuto shook his head, "Years of cultivating! Years of research - down the toilet!"
"YOU WILL WATCH YOUR TONE WHEN YOU SPEAK TO HER GRACE!"
"You should remember you are in her territory and granted asylum here by her kindness."
"If you know what's good for you, you will shut your mouths and sit down!"
"But-"
"Enough!" The…the thing yelled and silenced everyone in the room. Kimimaro slowly turned his head to look at it as it closed its eyes and laced its fingers together, "I made my decision. What's done is done. And that's the end of it. We're moving on and if you know what's best you'll forget about this topic."
The others at the table nodded and sat back.
Kabuto clicked his teeth and Orochimaru looked livid…yet they stepped back and sat down respectively.
And…that was it.
That was it?
Jūgo was…just gone now?
Because of what this thing masquerading as a person just decided?
And no one was going to say anything? Do anything?
Did Jūgo have to die…just like that?
"Now, with these assignments decided I want you all to-"
Salem didn't get to finish. Not after he whipped his hand out and sent projectiles of bone flying into her face. She didn't raise her Aura or defense or anything so the bullets flew into her meat and skull like wet clay. She looked surprised through the protrusions of bone sticking from her face.
So did everyone else.
Except for him…and he took that opportunity to sprout a blade of Bone from his hand.
He felt people move and react behind him but he didn't care at all.
All that mattered to him was sticking a blade to this woman in retribution.
It didn't matter what came next.
He stabbed forward and his bone pierced through her head completely. She fell back in her chair and he fell with her before they landed on the ground. He yanked out the white blade and stabbed it into her heart for good measure-
An unnatural pull of force yanked him off Salem, slamming his hips into the table on his way up into the air. Before he could react a Grimm arm wrapped around his neck and slammed him back to the floor. Kimimaro gagged as the gangly black arm tightened around his throat before dragging him into the wall, the window, and the door before pinning him to the floor again.
It uncurled from his throat but a weight fiercely dropped on his back and pinned him to the ground. A hand slammed his head into the floor, "YOUR TORMENT WILL BE EVERLASTING FOR WHAT YOU HAVE JUST DONE!"
"C-Calm down!"
"Holy shit-"
"Let him go!"
"We will not!"
"Did you see what he just did?!"
"Kimimaro," Orochimaru raised his voice in anger, "What have you done?!"
His breath came out in shallow, sharp bursts, "S-She killed him. Jūgo, h-he's just-"
"ONE MONGREL CAN NOT BE COMPARED TO HER GRACE!"
"Kimimaro, you do not act on your own-"
"SHE KILLED HIM!" He screamed, thrashing around under Tyrian's pin as anger and outrage filled every inch of his body, "SHE DESERVES-"
"That's enough."
Everything went silent in the room. The pandemonium immediately settled as all eyes turned to the same spot. They all watched as the black-clad murder victim stood back up and dusted herself off.
The holes in her face where she had been shot and stabbed sealed up before their eyes. And as if she was picking out a splinter she grabbed the bone blade in her sternum and yanked it out. She inspected the black sheen over the white tip before letting out a small hum, "I can't remember the last time someone directly attempted to take my life."
She held the blade between the flat of both hands and pressed them together. The chilling sound of a blade made of extra-hard bone snapping and crunching into pieces between her palms filled the room before she pulled them back and let the pieces rain down at her feet.
"Take him away."
Tyrian got off his back and roughly grabbed his arm. Nagato grabbed the other and they dragged him out of the room. Everyone else watched in silence as Kimimaro was pulled away after his sudden break.
Yet all Kimimaro could do was stare at the woman he killed that just got up like it was nothing.
It was all for nothing.
Jūgo…
For the first time in his life, Kimimaro felt tears prick the edges of his eyes as the doors closed.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Looks of utter shock and disbelief. Stunned silent as they tried to come to terms with the story they heard. Understandable skepticism as they stared at a new face spouting the same old wisdom they remembered.
Honestly, he'd been through this song and dance so many times that it felt nostalgic.
"You…you're Professor Ozpin, aren't you?"
He looked up at Ruby Rose as she stepped forward to break the silence. The look on her face told him she was struggling to comprehend what he had said. She had already heard the part about the Maidens, the Relics, and Salem's influence behind it all.
But even though they might have been able to wrap their minds around that aspect of the truth, it was clear they weren't expecting their dearly departed headmaster to come back to life. And that he'd be reincarnated into the body of a young boy from the countryside that was now sitting in front of them.
"Hey if they think it's weird how do you think I feel?"
He chuckled, both at Oscar's indignant annoyance and to ease Ruby's worries. He nodded, "Indeed, Ms. Rose, it is me. And I can't express how relieved I am to see you all okay and in good health."
"H-He sounds like Ozpin." Jaune Arc muttered to his teammates, "I mean he sounds like a kid but the way he talks…"
"I agree." Lie Ren nodded as he tried to take full stock of everything that was happening, "The way he talks and carries himself is quite different than the boy we met before. And if Qrow backs that claim up-"
"Hold on a sec!" Nora Valkyrie sprung up, the boundless well of energy and pluck she always was even faced with peculiar scenarios like this. The young ginger-haired girl stroked her chin quizzically as she leaned into his personal space and inspected him, "Anyone can just claim that they're a reincarnated man in a child's body with knowledge of all the secret, crazy evil stuff going on in the world!"
"Uh Nora, I don't think they can-"
"We have to ask him questions! Questions only the real Ozpin would know!" She turned back, eyeing him with doubtful teal eyes before she frowned, "Okay Cute Boy Oz - if that is your real name!"
"I don't believe I ever introduced myself like-"
"I got one question for you, and for your sake, you better know it!" She glared, "Did you employ underwear gnomes to search through the new arrivals' belongings when you had the gnomes and dwarves moving our luggage during initiation?"
…
…
…
"What?"
Ozpin spared a look around the room and was relieved to see no one else knew what she was talking about. Except for possibly Ren, because the way he sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose could only belong to someone who was exhausted by the topic of conversation.
"Am I still drunk, or did that make no sense when sober either?" Qrow asked, "Seriously I-I'm trying to wrap my head around that."
"Nora, ask another question. One that makes sense."
She frowned, "Okay fine. What was the color of your hair?"
"White."
"Oh my god, it's Ozpin!"
"Nora…" Ren shook his head, "Never mind."
"Was that code or something? I'm lost."
'As am I.' He coughed and grabbed their attention again, "I hope that that line of questioning has cleared up any confusion or doubt."
"Not really but I think we can move on."
He nodded, appreciating that the group Qrow came with, while still skeptical, was trying to understand his position. However, that left one outlier that still needed help understanding everything.
"Mr. Uzumaki, any questions?"
"A fucking ton running through my head right now." The young Faunus respond curtly as he stared at him with wide eyes and an almost slack jaw. He shook his head, "So you…and Oscar…you've been connected all this time? S-Since when?"
"Not long after the Fall. I slipped in and out of consciousness inside of Oscar's head for weeks until I had regained enough of a sense of self to retain my awareness. After that, I reached out to Oscar now and then to try and form a dialogue, but he was adamant about the idea that I was just a voice in his head."
Jaune shrugged, "Makes sense. Some new voice shows up in my head saying he's the headmaster of Beacon I'm gonna think I went crazy too."
"Exactly!"
"So what changed?"
"Meeting you." He answered, earning a look of surprise from Naruto, "It was his meeting with you that pushed things along. Remembering my memories of you in Beacon that he couldn't possibly know himself gave my claim a lot more credibility. After that, it was just a matter of telling him what was happening and getting to Mistral to warn anyone we could. Thankfully we got here to find friends already arrived, and we did it together."
Naruto looked like he wanted to say something but each time his mouth opened no sound would come out. The young man put a hand to his face and collected himself before finally summoning the nerve to ask his question, "So, during the whole time we traveled together, was I with Oscar or Ozpin? I mean I was with Oscar but I mean was I talking with 'Oscar' Oscar or 'Ozpin' Oscar-"
"It's okay. I understand what you intended to say." He nodded sagely and took the wind out of Naruto's sails as he sat back and waited for an answer. Ozpin nodded, "What see you right now is me being allowed to take control of the main body. To 'take the wheel' as you might say. And I only do this because Oscar consents to let me do so. During our travels together he was in charge and spoke with you the whole time. I only ever took control twice in our entire journey together. Once to landed a blow on you during a particularly heated training session."
"I knew that kick was too good to be from an amateur!" Naruto grumbled, "Damn I was wracking my brain on that for a week!"
"And another to speak with you. In the forest…before you made your choice."
Naruto's expression didn't change much but Ozpin could tell his former student understood what he meant. The tightness on his face said he was experiencing that moment in his head right now trying to recognize his influence. The blond man sighed, "All the time we were traveling together I was trying to figure out what was up. I thought you might have a mind-reading Semblance or one that lets you see the future. When I heard you talk like you were in a conversation I thought there might be a voice in your head but now…an 'actual' voice in your head."
"Yeah, I hope that puts some of my weirder moments in a better light."
"Oscar hopes that might explain a few of the odder moments from the last few weeks."
"Did you go looking for Naruto to help you get here?"
"Not at all. With the CCT down I wasn't certain of anyone's condition after the Fall of Beacon. I didn't know Mr. Uzumaki had been pronounced dead and I certainly didn't know he was still alive."
"So…you met by accident?" Jaune looked between them in surprise, "That's…insane! I mean what are the chances you'd find each other? In all of Mistral, Anima, and Remnant you found Professor Ozpin's reincarnated form and got him here! L-Like is that fate or destiny or coincidence or what?"
"In my experience, when you're looking to head on a certain path, you end up finding and walking alongside people aiming to do the same. I've found fellow partners like this many, many times over the years."
"Coincidence." Nora whispered to Ruby and Ren, not exactly keeping her voice low or subtle, "He's trying to play it up mysteriously but it's a coincidence."
Well if she was just going to ruin the mystic of it all…
"Why didn't you tell me?" He looked back over as Naruto stared at him, "All the time traveling together…I'm only finding this out now. Why?"
Ozpin stared at him in silence, his hands settling over the handle of his cane for support as he answered the whiskered Faunus, "Well, first of all, this story needs collaborators. In my experience, the claims I would make would fall on deaf ears or be met with skepticism without some form of proof. If Oscar had told you he houses the soul of Professor Ozpin in his body and then spoke to you with different mannerisms and a change in tone, would you believe it?"
"I know I didn't." Qrow piped up after swallowing a swig of his flask, "And even James had a hard time wrapping his head around it. And even if they do believe the story, they don't always end up wanting to help." His eyes looked out distantly, "It sucks when that happens."
"Indeed. And another reason…" Ozpin looked directly at Naruto as he said, "I wasn't sure that you would want to be a part of this fight. Until I was sure you were willing to join the fight, I didn't want to burden you unnecessarily. But I understand if that still wasn't fair to you." He nodded apologetically to his travel companion, "If this doesn't seem like a fight you want to be a part of-"
"I remembered what it was I've been training and fighting towards for years. I remember what's important to me and what I want to fight for. And now…" He looked around at everyone gathered before turning back to Ozpin, "It's clear that fight is here. So that's where I need to be. No question."
His friends smiled and clapped his shoulders. Ruby leaned in to give him a quick hug that he seemed happy to return. Ozpin felt deep down that Oscar was elated to see his wayward friend find his path once more. And Ozpin was relieved to see a student he knew could become one of the greatest standing by their side again, "Thank you."
Naruto smirked, "No problem."
"So then," Ren looked around, "What's next?"
"Now…" Ozpin stood up and tapped his cane against the floor, "We prepare for what comes next."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
They stood across from each other in tense silence. Each twitch and subtle movement they made went noticed by the other. And the audience watching paid apt attention to whatever came next.
"Begin."
Flames burst into being around her hands before she yelled out furiously, "WRAAHHHH!" With a thrust of her palms, she sent two giant pillars of fire directly at her opponent-
Nagato extended his hands and pushed with his Force. The flames she shot out rippled back from him no matter how hard Cinder pushed. However, the Maiden's power inside her was bursting with limitless energy and made the flames shoot out without pause. She pushed them out longer and longer-
The barrier he created from his Force finally lowered and the flames rushed in. Nagato jumped back to avoid the worst of it before he leaped over them and sailed through the air. Cinder snarled and raised her hands to follow after him.
He extended his hand again and pulled in, lifting Cinder off her feet and dragging her through the air directly towards him. She clicked her teeth and stopped the flames, summoning two obsidian blades to her hands instead as she prepared for close-quarters combat.
Nagato released his pull on her and dodged aside as the red-clad woman yelled and slashed for his neck. She landed and slid along the ground as she glared at the red-haired man she was facing. With a guttural growl emanating deep from her throat she released a burst of flames that sent her flying at him
Only to clash against a barrier of his Force that made her stop and caused her flames to coil around it. But the barrier fell quickly and Cinder resumed her ferocious assault. Her attacks forced Nagato to retreat, dodging backward to avoid the slashes and the rise of her flames that followed after him. Even though he was outmatched in sheer power he persisted with quick reflexes and zero hesitation in his movements.
Her irritation hit a boiling point as she reversed the obsidian blade in her grip before spiking it at the silver-eyed man. His head jerked aside at the last second as the white-hot blade flew by his cheek and embedded itself in the wall behind him. He held his hand out at her-
She acted first, jumping away before he could either repel or attract her to him. The last sword in her hand glowed red and thinned into a bow. With a flurry of her hand, three black arrows appeared in her palm. Cinder placed one along the line and drew it to her chest as she took a deep breath.
The instant she released it, Nagato raised his hand and forced the obsidian blade she stuck in the wall to fly into his grasp. The moment it reached his hand, he grabbed and swung it into the arrow as it exploded. Cinder clicked her teeth and nocked the next two before releasing them. Two more fiery explosions sounded off in the cloud of smoke before Cinder stood back and narrowed her eye at the dust.
A broken obsidian hilt flew out and clattered on the ground as a shadow emerged. Nagato walked out unharmed and barely even scuffed by her attacks. With a sharp glare, Cinder summoned another arrow and Nagato clenched his fist-
"Hold." Salem's words penetrated the tense silence between them and gave them pause. Arguably Salem's most loyal follower lowered his hands and stood up straight as if he wasn't just in the middle of a spar. And even though her instincts were raging to keep going, the Fall Maiden followed her orders and dismissed her magic power.
Cinder looked over to see Emerald and Mercury move from their spectating spot to see who was coming. Their dark master turned and greeted Orochimaru as he and his apprentice Kabuto entered the room. She welcomed them with a smile, "Orochimaru. Dr. Yabuki. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Well, there are a few things from that meeting I still wish to discuss with you." The snake Faunus said in an even tone, although it was clear he was subduing any annoyance or indignation while he spoke to the enigma he was faced with, "I can't say I'm over the issue with Jūgo and your straight out refusal to elaborate on why you took those actions. But I think it would be for the best of myself and my followers that I let that go, right?"
Salem didn't give a response but simply stared at him with a faint smile. The way she could silence a room and cause others to cower with just a look was inspiring. Cinder wanted power and influence over others like that. She'd gotten a taste of it when she was in charge in Vale but now back here she had to cede her influence to Salem.
She hoped to take control again out of the queen's shadow so that she could taste that feeling again.
"I thought so." Orochimaru resigned that argument and instead nodded to the pale woman respectfully, "Instead I would like to talk about Kimimaro and his actions against you during that meeting." He solemnly nodded his head, "I can't justify what he did against you and the disrespect he showed but I bet you to please spare his life until I can train him properly."
"You have a lot of nerve." Nagato finally spoke up, a switch flipped when someone didn't show the proper fealty to Salem and her ways, "After what your disciple pulled you should be glad all of your people aren't hunted out of these lands."
Cinder chuckled, "Yes, and we all know how badly Tyrian would like the honors of doing that himself."
"And the last time I checked people get down on their knees and lower their heads when they beg." Mercury noted as Emerald chuckled at his side.
Orochimaru didn't react to their jeers or mocking. He simply stood in silence and focused only on Salem and her reaction. She simply nodded her head, "Very well. He will be spared."
Cinder didn't understand why she didn't just destroy the bone-wielding fool in front of his friends and put the fear of obedience into them. As she frowned at her leader's response, Orochimaru looked relieved, "Thank you, Lady Salem. I promise I won't let anything like that happen again. Now if you will allow me into the cell you have him in I can start training him again. I thought he was a loyal follower and companion from the start but I will make sure to remove all dissent from his mind. You have my-"
"No need. He can just be released."
Orochimaru was startled by her answer and he wasn't the only one. Everyone looked at the pallid, fear-inducing woman in shock as the Faunus voiced his confusion, "Lady Salem I have to insist that you give me time to reorientate him. If his disloyalty and refusal to listen aren't trained out of him then it would be irresponsible-"
"You will release him. And not touch a hair on his head. My Seer will show you the way." With a wave of her hand, the floating orb with tentacles flew to her side and started to make its way back through the entrance, "Once you've collected him, send him to me, will you? I'd like to have a word."
Kabuto looked to Orochimaru for guidance but the snake Faunus looked simply flabbergasted. He reluctantly nodded and turned to follow the Seer-
"By the way Orochimaru, were you upset that your most loyal follower ignored your orders and attacked me? Or that even after he did it turns out killing me isn't going to be so easy?"
He paused and said nothing before walking out of the room.
After he was gone Cinder looked at her benefactor and then at the snake she just let walkout, "Your Grace, I-I don't understand?"
"Oh? What is it Cinder?"
"That boy assaulted you, and Orochimaru shows little remorse, shame, and as you pointed out probably hoped that the attack would have permanent results." Cinder shook her head in confusion, "T-That kind of dissent in our ranks should be punished! If you made an example of that boy or punished Orochimaru in front of his followers, they'll know you're the one to follow-"
"Cinder," Salem interrupted her with a murmur. The powerful witch shook her head, "You have to understand that there is still value in an asset even if it doesn't succeed or benefit you on first impressions. Certainly, you should keep a firm hand to make sure failure isn't the norm but tossing it aside completely isn't the right way to go either."
"But where is that firm hand?" Cinder inquired, "You just let them off with a stern word and nothing else? Do you have a punishment in mind? Some goal for all this?"
Salem gave her a bewitching, knowing smile. One that put a chill through Cinder's spine as she realized she couldn't begin to understand how deep the witch's mind worked, "Well…that's just something we'll have to wait and see, won't we? Maybe it will bear fruit or maybe it was a waste of time. We'll find out at some point."
"Milady," Nagato stepped forward, "If you believe we can benefit from their allegiance like this then I will follow your lead." But the silver-eyed redhead shook his head, "However I ask that you apply just a little caution and allow me to keep an eye on them. I know they can't hurt you but they could endanger your operation if they believe they have a chance to jump their station."
"Hmm," Salem hummed in thought before nodding, "I see. Well, I wasn't too worried about what they could do but I will trust your diligent eye to watch over them." She nodded in agreement and Nagato stood a little straighter, "Thank you, Nagato."
"Of course."
It baffled Cinder to no end. This man was no slouch by any means. He was a capable fighter with an exceptionally powerful Semblance who could probably have led a life as some pompous, self-gratifying Huntsman if he had wanted to.
Not like his power was anything compared to hers now, and even more so to a beast like Salem. But what confounded Cinder was that eye of his. That damn silver eye that could threaten and ruin so much they had prepared. For so long Salem had set a precedent that if they met someone with silver eyes they had to be beaten and taken out. She had heard stories about countless silver-eyed warriors that had been killed by her hand over the years.
Yet she kept one here? So close to her and part of her inner circle? Nagato was capable but he wasn't so special or irreplaceable that it warranted a risk like this. No matter how Cinder tried to rationalize it she could not come to a conclusion.
If she had the power Salem had, she wouldn't let any risk to that power reside - let alone so close to her. And hopefully, when she was finished collecting the other Maidens, she would have that kind of power at her disposal.
Once she was the one with the strength, she would not let anyone threaten her.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Naruto," She knocked on his door and waited to see if he was awake, "Are you in there?"
"It's open." Ruby took a breath and opened the door. She saw her newly revived friend sitting on his bed in a set of comfy PJs Jaune had gone out and bought for him. The sheets and blanket looked like they had been pulled out and flailed around but Naruto looked a lot happier to be sleeping in a set of warm clothes, "Hey Ruby. What's up?"
It was still a surreal sight that the friend she thought she lost months ago was sitting right in front of her, alive and well. She knew from his stories that it hadn't been an easy process to go through to get here but the fact he was alive and breathing made her heart jump in joy.
"Ruby?"
The silver-eyed Huntress realized she had stayed quiet for too long and quickly spoke up, "Uh, where's Oscar? Wasn't he staying here with you?"
The house they had decided to live in had quite a few rooms to spare. Enough that two of them could occupy each. She shared one with Nora while Jaune and Ren shared another. Qrow had a room to himself and now Naruto and Oscar stayed here together. However, she noticed a distinct lack of Ozpin-possessed farmboys around the room.
"Ozpin said he wanted to talk with Qrow a little more so he was going to spend the night going over things with him." The whiskered fox lounged back on his bed and yawned, "So what's up? Did you wanna talk about something?"
"Can I sit with you?"
He scooted down the bed and patted the space beside him. Ruby smiled as she dropped down on his bed and got comfy, "Man, these beds are so nice! It's so much better after the sleeping bags we've been staying in. What about you?"
"Uh," Naruto paused before quickly nodding, "Yeah, you're right." She felt like something was off with his answer but he rubbed his neck and asked, "So what's up? Did you need something?"
"Oh, just wanted to check on you. Make sure you were okay." She patted the bed a few times for emphasis, "And - y'know - a few hours talking with you doesn't feel like enough. There's still so much I want to talk with you about."
He chuckled and shook his head in amusement, "You know, you can just wait until morning. I'm not going anywhere."
She knew he meant that and that it was silly to think anything terrible would happen between now and morning. But after the tragedy at Beacon, she didn't want to take his return lightly. Ruby shuffled and shrugged, "Would it bother you if we talked a little?"
"Nah." He grinned, "I think I'd like that too." She brightened up and gave him a huge smile as he shifted in bed so he was further in and sat crosslegged, "So what do you wanna talk about?"
Ruby crawled in and pulled her legs up to her chest, "How about what we were doing while going around Anima?"
"Yeah, that sounds good."
Ruby and Naruto started sharing more in-depth stories about what they did while making their way to Mistral. She told him stories about the people they helped along the way and how she worked with the others to make the impromptu Team RNJR the best it could be. His stories were of how he had to make his way across the southern part of the continent after being dropped off in the west, and how he didn't know what to expect without being able to reach anyone.
She went into depth about what it was like fighting Tyrian and how terrifying it had been. The way his eyes lit up and his expression brightened when he attacked or talked about whisking her away for whatever purpose Salem wanted her for still left chills up her back. And of course, she couldn't forget about how the fight had left Qrow in such a state he was barely conscious when they fought the Nuckaleave.
He told her about how he ended up meeting Oscar in his travels. She noticed how much his voice lightened up when talking about the basic training he put the young farmhand through and smiled as he did. There was a roaming tribe of nomads that picked them up in their travels. And he mentioned how terrifying it was to face Raven Branwen in battle.
It still made her stomach twist to think that Yang's biological mother and her father's first love could become the kind of person they referred to. The idea that someone her parents and uncle trusted and loved so much had turned out like that made her feel sad beyond description.
But she weathered it and smiled at Naruto to lighten the mood, "You know I think we were traveling pretty close to the south too while making our way over here. I know the reception out there was pretty bad but if you tried calling you might have gotten a signal through."
"Wouldn't work. My Scroll broke during the attack and I haven't gotten one since."
"You haven't had a Scroll for months?!" She nearly shrieked so loud it went through the walls. But she covered her mouth and looked around in a panic before continuing, "I can't imagine not having a Scroll for so long. When mine broke I had to get a new one pretty quickly." She gave a resolute nod, "Okay, we need to get you a new Scroll."
"But I should buy it-"
"Nonsense!" She shook her head and then, "You made it all the way here and found us again. We can celebrate by getting you a new Scroll. It's no big deal."
Naruto scoffed before chuckled, "Okay, I appreciate the offer. But if I can, do you mind if I use your Scroll tomorrow?"
"What for?"
"I want to contact my dad. I didn't get the chance today because we were so busy and now it's so late but I need to tell him-"
"Oh."
"What?"
"I think we tried that." Ruby told him, "We've been here a few days so I reached out to Tenten and Mr. Minato because they were supposed to be here but we didn't get a reply. Uncle Qrow wants to go visit Skyggen in person to try and recruit them for the mission he has in mind but we haven't gotten to reach your dad yet."
"Oh…" Naruto looked across the room, a wistful smile on his head, "Okay, I guess that makes sense. It'd suck to talk to him again over a Scroll anyway. I guess I - I just wanted him to know I was…" He didn't finish his sentence as he nodded, "Yeah okay."
It was clear from the look on his face that he was disappointed he couldn't reach out to his father again. Ruby looked down sadly before her eyes widened, "Oh god, I-I forgot!"
He flinched from the loudness of her voice, "What? What is it?"
"Your mom!" His eyes widened and he sat up in surprise, "Your mom was there in Vale the night of the attack! Sasuke saw her!"
"She was there?"
"Yeah, she was in the White Fang. When his hand was getting hurt he spotted her in the crowd, and when he and Gaara started fighting back she turned on the other Noble Guards and fought back too!"
The way his eyes lit up when she said that made her so happy, "She did?"
"Yeah. And Sasuke told her that you and your dad were looking for her. She left after that and Beacon fell not long after. I'm not sure what happened to her after that but…" Ruby shuffled in place, "I just remembered that. And I thought you should know."
"Mom broke away from them." Naruto muttered in disbelief. The smile on his face shifted as Ruby could see a ton of emotion play out while he considered what that meant. He chuckled, "That figures. She finally gets free of those bastards and I end up…" The sentence trailed off as he sighed, "Dammit."
…
She reached out and touched his arm. When she did he looked down at her hand then up at her, but she was too focused to notice. Ruby felt his shoulder, squeezing the skin and muscle under the fabric to feel his warmth. Her voice shuddered, "I can't believe you're here."
"Ruby?"
"When I saw you in the street I thought I was hallucinating. But when I walked up and touched you, I-I," She gulped and shook her head as her vision started to haze over, "I thought it was a miracle. Dealing with things after Beacon was - was so bad." She stuttered as her voice came out in a weak gasp, "Everything looked so bad. It felt like we lost so many people and there was nothing we could do." Ruby's breathing trembled as she tried to keep talking, "A-And when we lost you, I-I thought it because I didn't stop you-"
"Ruby! Ruby hey," He grabbed her shoulders and tried to get her to stop as her sniffling and hiccups had stopped her from making even a full sentence. Tears ran down her face as she looked up at him, "That wasn't your fault. I tried to do something about the Wyvern when I didn't have a full plan. I just-"
"B-But it is! Because I was worried for you a-and thought we should think about a better way but I couldn't think of anything! So I-I let you go up there and fight and w-we thought you died!" She gasped as her shoulders started to heave, "And Weiss - s-she probably blamed herself-"
"It's not your fault, okay? Ruby, you have to tell me you know that."
"N-No! No, it is-"
"It's not-"
"B-Because I couldn't help Pyrrha either."
"Pyrrha?" She nodded and lowered her head, "But you heard Jaune earlier. We can't blame ourselves-"
"B-But I was almost there!" She yelled out. Ruby looked at Naruto, startling with the intensity in her voice and eyes as she sobbed, "If I just ran a little quicker a-and got there a little sooner, I-I-I could have helped her! Instead, I-I got up there, a-and it was just ash! I-I-"
Ruby was pulled in sharply and found herself enveloped in his embrace. Naruto was hugging her so tightly she could barely move her head from out of his shirt. But instead of struggling against it she leaned into his hug and wept into his shirt, letting all the heaves and sobs work their way through her system. Even when she didn't make a sound, she cherished that her long-lost friend was here at this moment to help her.
"Naruto," She finally spoke up after a few moments of nothing but sobbing, "Please don't disappear again. If we lost you like we did at Beacon, or if you died this time-"
"I won't." He whispered gently as she hugged him back, "I don't want that to happen again. I don't think I can handle it. And I…I don't even want to lose control of my Semblance like that ever again. Nothing good comes of it. I promise it won't happen again."
She sniffled and nodded into his chest as his hug tightened around her once more.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Salem stood on the balcony looking out over the horizon of her domain. She took a deep breath and stared into the twisted lands of Grimm she controlled.
"I thought we had already discovered that won't do anything to me."
She turned around and found the distraught white-haired man approaching her from behind with a bone blade in hand. Unlike the regular stoic and unbreakable expression he had plastered over his face, this time he looked so haunted and resigned that it was almost pitiable.
"Or do you want to fight me?"
"I'm not sure." Kimimaro answered with no life in his voice, "I know it's pointless…but I didn't want to face death without a fight."
She laughed, "Please child, do you think I'd go so far as to tell your master to free you without punishment just to kill you myself? And deny Tyrian his eager bloodlust just for that?"
"Then…why?" Kimimaro questioned, lowering his blade as he waited for an answer from the invincible witch, "Why are you letting me go without punishment?"
"Well, it depends on what you consider punishment." Salem said ambiguously. She saw his expression strain in response and she smiled, "What were you going to do for Jūgo?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you upset that I killed him? Or that it wasn't you that put him out of his misery?"
He recoiled in horror at her inquiry as she smiled slyly, "Let me rephrase that then; would you have preferred he continue to live his life as the beast he was? Or ending his suffering even if it meant you never got to see him again?"
"I-I don't-"
"When I last talked to you about the state he was in, you said that he was like that because of you. I asked if Jūgo could've still spoken, do you think he would agree to stay in the state he was in? And you…" She turned and noticed Kimimaro's gaze lowered to the floor, "You didn't have an answer for me. So does this indignation and loss you feel stem from his untimely death? Or that you've lost someone you loved having around even at their own expense?"
His answer was to slowly look up at her with a focused, enraged gaze as his hands curled into fists at his side. Salem watched as his clothes shuffled over his body before spiked points made of bone started piercing the fabric. Whether he remembered she couldn't be killed or not, he looked ready to risk it all and shred her apart for her words.
"I'm not saying this to rile you up or torment you." Salem said calmly, unaffected by the pointless threat of attack from the white-haired man, "I've been on both sides of this experience. I've been the plaything of cruel monsters with no regard for what their actions would do to me. And I've been a lovestruck fool who didn't see that I was making a mistake. Believe me…I've seen how both play out in the end."
Kimimaro remained motionless standing across from her with bone spikes sticking out of his body. However, after a few moments, he raised his head slightly to look at her through the curtain of white hair framing his face. And slowly the protruding bones started to recede into his body and bring his clothes back down to skin level.
Kimimaro shrugged, "So what then? What do I do now?"
"Take solace that even though it was unfair, hopefully, this has ended his suffering. And start thinking about why it is he ended up in that state, to begin with." She said, before turning back out over the landscape and pointing down at one of the pools, "It was that one down there. In case you wanted to give your respects for him."
It was a few moments of weighty silence before she sensed him walk away. Salem closed her eyes again and took a deep breath before looking out over her domain.
Another night without sleep.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Naruto looked down at the exhausted, peacefully sleeping Huntress on his bed. After the flood of emotions and sadness she had just gone through, Ruby's fatigue finally got the best of her and she was sleepily napping on his bed. He didn't want to wake her after everything she had just gotten through so he would let her use his bed for the night. Which meant he could stay in the other bed instead…
He opted to step out for a bit.
The house seemed completely dead. Everyone was in their rooms and probably asleep at this hour. So he made his way down to the living room and just stared at the interior of the house.
It was…Oscar's house, right? The last time he was in someone's actual house for a few hours. The last few weeks - and in truth the months since Beacon - his living situation had mostly been roughing it outdoors or in unfamiliar places. It was strange to think that he'd be staying here for the foreseeable future until the work with Headmaster Lionheart panned out.
The fox Faunus let out a long sigh and dropped back on the couch. Crossing his arms over his chest and getting comfortable, Naruto looked up at the ceiling and tried to unfocus his mind. This couch was kinda firm but it would probably work. There was something about those beds that just weren't working for him. Ruby said they were comfy but…
He shook his head and closed his eyes.
Sleeping should have been easier here. Just close your eyes, let your mind drift, take slow breaths-
"Are you trying to sleep? Cause your face looks like you're trying to lay an egg."
Naruto's eyes snapped open and he looked up to see Nora smiling at him from over the back of the couch. He sat up and saw the short orange-haired girl in her PJs as well, "What are you doing up?"
"Midnight snack." She said, patting her belly as it started to grumble, "Plus I thought Ruby would've gotten back to our room by now after she said she would talk with you."
"She got tuckered out so I let her stay in there for the night."
"Oh, okay." Nora beamed a smile and nodded, letting that be all the explanation she needed before she went running into the kitchen for something to eat. Naruto fell back into the cushions and closed his eyes, "So why aren't you using the other bed?"
"Uh…well-"
"You can't sleep on them, right?" His eyes opened in surprise as he sat back up and saw the hammer-wielding girl smiling around a mouth full of pretzels. She came back over and he pulled his legs up so she had some room to sit, "You're trying to go to bed but can't because it feels like you're sleeping on a marshmallow, doesn't it? And not the fun kind you can eat but the one that feels like you're slipping in and can barely move, right?"
Naruto stared at her in surprise as she continued to shove pretzels into her mouth, "Yeah, t-that's pretty close." He had been tossing and turning in that bed for nearly half an hour before Ruby knocked on the door, "How did you know that?"
"Been through it. Going through it now." The bubbly girl said with a grin as she offered him the bag of pretzels. He shrugged and reached his hand in, "We've been on the road for months now so those beds took some getting used to. And even before that, I've had cases of finding it hard to sleep."
Naruto scoffed, "You? Seriously? I'm pretty sure I saw you napping while we walked from Port's class to Mulberry's. Literally sleepwalking." He chuckled as she just shrugged in response, "How did you find it hard to sleep exactly?"
"Well, when I was younger I had to sleep wherever and whenever I could when I wasn't looking for food." She shrugged with a faint smile, "I used to be homeless before I met Ren. And I guess we were kinda homeless after we met too." She looked up curiously, "I think I've been homeless longer than I've had a home. Well, anyway, I know what it was like roughing it and sleeping where you could. And the first time I slept on a bed and got comfortable…" She stared ahead before shaking her head, "I couldn't take it. It was just too comfortable and warm. Felt like I was suffocating. I mean it's nice and cozy but you know what I mean."
Naruto watched her curiously before nodding, "Yeah. Feels like you can't go back to sleep in the comfort of a home after you spent so long roughing it."
"Exactly!" Nora nodded emphatically before shoveling a handful of salty treats into her mouth. He watched her chew for a few moments before she swallowed and wiped her mouth, "But you know, it might take a while, but you get used to your bed again. It might not seem like it but that bed starts feeling normal again."
"You sure?"
"Positive." She grinned, pulling her legs in so she could get cozy in the crook of the couch, "And you know if you still can't sleep, you can ask us to stay up with you." She grinned from ear to ear, "We want to talk with you and hear about everything you did while you were away if you'll tell us."
He felt his cheeks start to warm up from embarrassment as he could imagine his friends staying up to keep him company. But he shook his head instead, "I don't think I can talk much more tonight. I've sorta worn myself out."
"Then can I talk? Because we have gone through a lot of stuff and I need to get some gripes off my chest." She shifted around to face him, "Would that be cool?"
He chuckled, "Yeah, that's fine."
"And if you get sleepy just close your eyes and nod off. No need to be considerate or anything."
With a small chuckle, he nodded and promised to do so if he got tired. So he sat back and listened as the energetic ginger went into more depth about the monstrous Grimm they faced in the ruins of their hometown.
Naruto was relieved to know he was in a safe place in Mistral, and with his friends around it would be a familiar home too. It was a little difficult to get used to…
But it didn't look like he had to worry about any sleepless nights in the future.
((((((((Extra: Familiar Patterns))))))))
"I can't believe you and the kid had a run-in with Raven." Qrow grumbled in disappointment the next morning as he and Oscar made their way through the halls. As the anger he felt towards his sister settled into a bubbling mass at the bottom of his gut, he looked down at the fresh-faced farmhand, "She didn't realize who you were, did she?"
"I-I don't think so?" The way he answered didn't inspire much confidence in the grizzled Huntsman, "I mean she noticed me when I tackled her lieutenant to the ground but I don't think I did anything else she would have cared about. She was more focused on Naruto and Neji to pay me any mind."
"Hmm," Qrow hummed before shrugging, "Well if she noticed you were carrying Oz around I doubt she would have let you walk away. So the fact you're here means she probably didn't."
"That's good."
"Yeah, and you guys got a good look at her forces which is even better. Because I'm gonna need you and Minnie's kid to clarify a few things." Qrow walked up to Naruto's room and knocked on the door, "Kid, you up? We need to talk." He waited a few seconds and didn't get an answer, "You still sleeping in there or what? Let's go!"
"That's weird. He's usually a light sleeper."
"Well, a great time to be slipping." Qrow groused as he was about to knock again before the door opened. However, instead of a grouchy whiskered blond, he found-
"Mmmm," Ruby grumbled and rubbed her eyes with wild disheveled hair, "Uncle Qrow?" She smacked her lips and yawned, "What's up?"
Qrow swore he heard something break in his psyche.
"Isn't this our room?" Oscar spoke up in the silence, "Where's Naruto?"
"Uhhh," The groggy girl looked back, "He was here last night."
"Sorry Ruby didn't mean to disturb. Just looking for your dead friend."
"No, he's not dead anym- Uncle Qrow where are you going?" Qrow marched with a vicious purpose to find Minato's spawn of Darkness that would have done something to his precious niece. He didn't want people to consider him a mother hen or helicopter uncle but dammit if you touched his kids he was gonna-
"Ughhhhhh," He walked into the living room and found his intended target lying on the ground with a pillow under his head. And on the couch was another victim in his path. That bubbly ginger laid on the couch with her shirt running up to her navel, some pretzels and salt over his pants, and a deck of cards messily thrown about the floor. Nora blearily moaned in her sleep, "Suck that, I won you loser. Gehehehe."
…
Qrow scowled, "It's always the fucking blonds. I swear to gods."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Done
Qrow getting some PTSD there. Haunted by the terrible days when Tai was after the 'entire team'.
So starting off pretty simple with just catching up to two parties. The main heroes and the main villains. And surprisingly their experiences aren't that different from one another's.
We'll be getting into more of the meat soon with peeks at what the others are doing around the world. I need to carefully plan out an outline for this volume otherwise it could go on for awhile switching between POVs.
But anyway…I'm so glad to be back with all of you. And I hope you stick around and enjoy the next leg of the journey.
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Thank You and Bye