A/N: Early update is a go!
Notifications are back again, as am I~!
Holidays are hell on my update schedule, sorry. Two jobs have me running right round the place.
Completely caught up on the JJK anime/movie which REALLY fits the ideas I had for this chapter. Onto the manga I go~!
...the parts that haven't been spoiled for me, at any rate.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing, despite depression clawing at me.
Once more, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. Nope.
They're simply tributes to legends far, far, faaar greater than little 'ol me.
You know, its funny. Someone compared Winter to Mei Mei...
"I left you alone for a few months! How did you get so many?!"
"So many what? I'm afraid I don't follow."
"RAAARGH!"
~?
Our Domain
They were improving.
Sasuke took some small smidgen of satisfaction in observing Cinder and Emerald face one another from afar; not simply watching those who served under him grow in combat, but as people. They had taken to his training regiment with a few grumbles -mostly on Emerald's part- but now months later they couldn't deny the results.
Truly, their improvement spoke for itself.
Already they were leaps and bounds better than the miserable wrecks they'd been before. Not just in terms of physical strength but speed, stamina, even aura control. He suspected some synergy on their part; Cinder had been suspiciously quick to take Emerald in, he suspected she was just grateful to have someone else that was somewhat normal here. She was First-so that put her in charge of any newcomers. Doubtless she'd be bossing Emm about before long, and any other "assets" he happened to acquire during his travels.
That suited him just fine. Let them be distracted by one another for now, so long as it kept them from chasing him.
For you see, the game was finally afoot, and in a few years time, he aimed to win it.
Wouldn't Naruto be surprised to see he had minions of his own?
A groan behind him reminded him of his current experiment. Right. He'd nearly forgotten all about that. He turned away from the balcony and raised a hand, conjuring a flame into his palm. Light chased away the dark to reveal his latest victim sprawled across a blood-stained floor.
...have you recovered yet, Hazel?"
The giant groaned incoherently where he lay, facedown in the dirt, covered in copious cuts, each oozing blood.
Sasuke tutted and marked his latest experiment as a success. The poor man was truly down for the count. "I'll take that as a no."
To be fair, he'd put up a good fight. Better than most this side of Remnant could. Watts was by no means a proper fighter, and Tyrian, while agile, couldn't take a hit from him without acting like he'd been "blessed" by Salem. But Hazel...ah, Hazel! his inability to feel pain coupled with rapid aura regeneration made him damnably difficult to face in a protracted battled. He'd been forced to strike hard and fast, then wear him down and bleed him out, striking his tendons and hitting his pressure points until the big brute just couldn't move anymore. He'd gotten rather good at that last bit.
Neji would've been proud.
Who knew? Perhaps the surly Hyuuga had reincarnated somewhere in this wild world as well. He'd perished long before them and fate could be a finicky bitch at times. Maybe someway, somewhere, somehow, something had taken pity on him and given him the same second chance they'd received. Salem's spies were ever on the lookout for interesting individuals. Or playmates, as she called them. He hadn't heard tell of any individuals with pale eyes and dark hair, but one never new...
It was an idle thought game on his part, albeit an unlikely one.
Naruto and he were likely the only ones who went through a rebirth and while it would've been nice to see a few old friends...it likely wasn't happening.
"Although," he mused aloud, stifling the flame in his fist, "If anyone's been reborn with new abilities...that might be interesting. Its rather boring out here, sometimes.
He really couldn't think of anything else that would make a Hyuuga even more devastating in combat anyway. A single touch from them could already deal devastating damage. How did you improve upon that...?
Nevermind Neji, just how powerful had Naruto become in his absence?
He sensed him in the distance sometimes. Growing stronger.
"Someday...
Hazel lumbered to his feet in the gloom and bent the knee. "My prince...?"
"Its nothing." Sasuke waved a hand his way, lost in thoughts all alone. "Rest awhile after Mother heals you. You have my thanks for helping with my training."
He didn't pay the giant any mind as he lumbered by. No more dwelling on the past or its potential. If he allowed himself to be consumed with such thoughts he'd go mad. Moreover, it just wouldn't be any fun if he hunted Naruto down. Their reunion was something to be savored; a fine meal prepared with exquisite and extensive care, not some pre-packaged ramen cap you tossed in a microwave!
'Enough.'
Flinging himself off the balcony, he alighted in a pointed crouch at the foot of the tower. Cinder and Emerald took notice of him immediately and ceased their sparring. The former even bowed. He flicked a halfhearted wave their way and wandered out into the wastes, not bothering to give them any further instruction. If they wanted to follow, they could. No one would believe what they were about to see anyway.
He wasn't surprised when they slunk after him.
Girls would be girls, even in another life and another world.
A dark shadow swooped overhead and he smiled. His wyvern was getting restless, it seemed.
It would be time for another "hunt" soon.
Seconds dragged into minutes as he walked on, then an hour, and still his followers...well, followed. Oh they thought they were being subtle about it; hiding behind rocky outcroppings and broken bits of dust crystals, but he was a shinobi. He'd cut his teeth on stealth in his last life and his eyes could detect the slightest of movements miles away. Still, he'd praise them a little for lasting this long. He walked aimlessly for a bit longer, then finally stopped when he felt the moment and place was right.
...hmm. I think I can finally do it now.' he considered the target before him. 'If my new technique can pierce aura and flesh, then the natural next step up would be...
He looked up, regarding a massive mountain before him with a smile, placed his hands together in a eldritch seal. Chakra strained against magic, lashed by aura until his hands trembled from the strain of holding it all in. A new technique deserved a new name. What to call it...?
This was his world, his domain...aha! That was it!
Why hadn't he thought of this before?
"Domain Expansion."
The mountain, and everything around it was carved into countless pieces.
A moment of silence passed. Sasuke smiled...and began to laugh. "That's more like it! Lets see him beat that!"
He would continue to train and improve, steadily sharpening his skills. Until they day they met again, wherever Naruto had reincarnated.
(.0.0.0.)
Winter stabbed Naruto in the face.
To be fair, she really did try, put all her effort into it, really.
Her blade didn't reach him of course; it came close, but slowed just short of striking him.
Sparks skittered through the air as she struck the unyielding barrier of his Limitless and found her assault stalled. He grinned and walked forward, flaring his Semblance with every step, forcing it to expand. The more she strained against him the more he amplified the power of his soul. Something had to give.
It was her.
Winter gave ground at last, unable to stand up to him through brute strength alone. She might be older than him, taller than him, perhaps even stronger, but those aspects meant nothing here. For every step she took he advanced in return; pushing her back, back, back again now, until her spine struck a nearby tree. He pressed the advantage and immediately she found herself flattered against it, held in place
He could have killed her, then. Flared his Limitless until he crushed her against the tree and rendered her a red pulpy mass.
Instead he smiled, reached up, and cupped her chin with his left hand.
"What have we learned?"
Winter glowered down at him. Unable to push through, unable to slash him down, unable to breach what had thus far proven to be an insurmountable wall, the elder Schnee instead flicked her free hand down to her belt. Naruto watched her with one eye, made mildly curious even as her blade continued to grind impotently against his defense. A smile split her face, just as maddened as his own.
...to expect the unexpected!"
When she dropped a smoke bomb on him, he almost laughed.
Thick acrid plumes of dark haze assaulted his nose, causing his eyes to water.
It couldn't harm him of course, but it could make him cough and obscure his vision, if only for a moment. If that was all it took to make him release his semblance he would've been bested a long time ago. Still, he let her go on a lark, eager to see what manner of trick she would come up with next.
"Good, good!" he clapped, delighted as he heard her scramble into the smoke. "That's thinking outside the box! Nobody would expect a Schnee to do that!"
He'd anticipated just such a thing of course; but he wasn't about to tell her that. It would take the wind right out of her sails. A flicker of movement in the smoke drew his eye and he whirled, clearing the haze with a wave of his hand. As entertaining as this little excursion was, he really ought to find her before she turned the rest of the ring to her advantage-
A swarm of white nevermore filled the entirety of his vision. An icy cage of winged death, from which there was no mistake.
Sneaky girl. He'd lost sight of her, and she'd taken the opportunity to hide, but she would-
His sixth sense shrilled a warning.
Winter didn't so much crash through the swarm of nevermore as she did dive; elegantly sweeping under her flock she swept at his legs, forcing him to block; the second he did she stabbed upward at his throat. He swayed aside in return, only to see a spark of cold triumph burning in those ice blue eyes...he'd walked right into her trap.
Ice sprouted from the dirt, ruining his footing.
Her lips parted, forming a single word.
"Gotcha."
Naruto clicked his tongue and crossed his arms before his face, for all the good it did him. Winter absolutely bombarded him with her overcharged birds, blasting him from every angle, essentially forcing her summons to commit suicide just to damage him. It almost worked, too. His Limitless wasn't perfect yet, far from it; he really had to focus to stave off an attack from every angle. But he was nothing if not a master of multitasking. A brief opening in the squall and he was gone, flickering away, leaving the blitzing birds to batter themselves apart-
Winter was waiting for him, surging forward on a road of glyphs. He parried her and grabbed her blade, yanking her in close.
Applause rose from the sidelines, though Yang squawked angrily. He paid it little heed, less so Winter's sigh.
"Of course you'd survive that...
He winked at her instead, voice dropping to a low whisper. "Should I be concerned that you flew here by yourself?"
"Mother's apathetic to it all, and I don't care what father thinks." She smiled back and tried to behead him with a vicious backswing. "Besides, I wanted to see continue our courtship."
His mind fizzled for a moment and she nearly got him.
"Ha-not bad, you almost managed to get through this time.
Winter blitzed him for that;his world dissolved into a blur of cool steel and delighted laughter as he dodged each attack. Her saber sought his face, his chest, his every vital point. Not a single one of them landed. A few all but came close mind you, yet he knew the outcome. His eyes had already shown him the way.
"C'mon, you can do it!" He lifted his blindfold to peek out at her, blue eyes shining bright, and pumped a fist in encouragement. "You're doing great!
"Am I?" she slumped and wiped a beat of sweat from her brow. "I can't seem to hit you."
"Well, we could have Neo try-
His mute partner in crime perked up on the sidelines and held up a sign etched with a single word. "Mine?"
Winter made angry Winter noises and swiped at him. "Nevermind! I'm fine!
Not his intention, but she was motivated again, so he'd take it.
Limitless was something he needed to actively maintain these days, something he could increase or decrease at will. It wasn't perfect; there were gaps and Ozpin had found ways to exploit 'em, but then again, he was Dad so that was to be expected. Against other opponents he needed to find a way to render it automatic, to make it react faster than thought, reflexive, even, but just couldn't find a way.
Still, this gave him an excuse to try some of his more esoteric techniques.
"Amplification, Blue!"
He dropped Limitless and thrust a palm forward, yanking Winter into his arms with pure psychic force.
She really was the best to test his new techniques on; Mom and Dad would just dodge them, but this way he could actually see that they could
She yelped, only for him to spin her away as one might a dance partner and thrust two fingers her way.
"Reversal, Red!"
A sphere of scarlet ignited at his fingertip. Winter saw it coming and tried to block with her saber, only for it to sizzle and sputter out harmlessly. Sparks snarled into his hand as the feedback shot down his arm, leaving a numbing tingle in its wake. Baffled by this unexpected failure, Naruto waved his palm in mild annoyance and glared at the offending limb.
What was he missing here?
"Darn." he gave his arm another shake for good measure, to no avail. "And here I thought I could do it this time...aw, well. Fists it is!"
His fist snapped through Winter's weapon and barreled into her chest, sending her sprawling.
She righted herself and flung the shattered shard at him, only for him to kick it away.
Cold steel struck the ring, shattering like so much glass.
...you do realize I'll need a new weapon, now."
"Bah, that thing was a piece of scrap and you knew it. Mechashift for life!"
Winter flicked her broken blade out with a soft hiss of anger. Ice sprang up the hilt to replace the broken edge.
"Not bad!" Naruto applauded her efforts, if not necessarily her expression. "Still, Ruby and Yang are watching, so I want to show off a little. Oh," he hummed a little, thumbing his chin, "And then there's Neo and Blake, so I really need to make sure-
THUNK!
Winter's saber slammed into his Infinity, spraying sparks. "I only took my eyes off you for a few days! How did you get this many?!"
"This many what?"
She scowled at him. "I won't forgive you!"
"Oi, oi, oi! Forgive what! Was it something I said?!
"I'm the senior here, not you! So why do you have a harem?!"
He laughed and that did it, she was after him a storm of semblance and glyphs.
(.0.0.0.)
Ruby wasn't jealous.
Really, she wasn't.
...she was.
She absolutely was as she watched Naruto and Winter dance across the yard, because that's what this was. Not a fight, but a dance. They flitted back and forth like two performers; each move full of peerless, grace-filled poise, no attack wasted, no defense given without a counterattack. They made it look easy. Simple and clean.
And she wanted that.
Sure, she knew she was too young to throw down with the older kids yet; younger than Winter, younger than Neo, younger than Yang and Blake -the latter of who Naruto had apparently gone and adopted for reasons she didn't understand- but still! More than this, more than anything...
Her heart wanted to be out there!
She wanted to fight them both at once; use her semblance to try and get past Naruto's own Limitless while fending off swarms of Grimm from Winter. To test her limits and prove that one day, she would be just a strong, just as fast, just as awesome as these two.
And she would have...but she didn't have a weapon. Not here. Not yet. She was still building Crescent Rose. Her baby wasn't ready, no matter how much she might wish it otherwise. Mom was gonna take her to get more parts tomorrow. Building a dual-action sniper scythe wasn't just hard, it was expensive and lien didn't grown on trees.
"He's strong, isn't he?"
"Hmm?" she looked Blake's way, surprised that she'd spoken at all. She'd almost thought her mute, like Neo. "Of course he is. He's my best friend."
Yang snorted. "Nuh-uh! I saw him first!"
Ruby sniffed. "First is the worst, second is the best!"
Blake rolled her eyes. "Nonsense. Third is the one with the treasure chest."
Oooh, that meanie! She wanted to argue more, to tell them otherwise, that they were wrong.
But nooo, she couldn't do that; because Mom said she had to sit here, had to watch, had to be a good girl.
So what could she do...
.
..
...her legs moved.
Ruby wasn't even aware of her own actions until she flung herself at Winter and Naruto and swept the back of Winter's legs. The Schnee went down with a startled shriek, unprepared for the sudden strike at her flank. She righted herself quickly, but the damage had been done; Naruto drove her back with a well-placed punch.
And then she rounded on him.
"Whoa there!" Naruto dodged backward with a merry laugh, only to find himself under attack a heartbeat later. "A new challenger approaches!"
That got Yang involved, which dragged Neo in and of course Blake didn't like being left alone, so it all dissolved into one mad brawl.
It wasn't a proper fight, not really; she didn't have a weapon, and neither did Yang or Blake, but Neo did and between her and Winter, Naruto found himself pressed. Or he pretended to be. She didn't know. Maybe he was humoring them. Maybe he wasn't. But it didn't matter! Because she was finally a part of things and-YIPE!
Naruto grabbed at her with his right hand, simultaneously leaping over a lunging Blake and booting booted Yang in the back. She vanished in a cloud of crimson petals just before his fingers could brush her face; denying him his win. Neo came crashing through them to stab at his face, even as Winter struck from the other side.
Neither blow landed.
Ruby tumbled backward, blinking once.
Huh. From this angle it really did look like they were stabbing empty air.
But she could see it. A telltale shimmer just over their weapons, the sparks spitting from steel and ice as they tried and failed to break through.
"Good, good." he clapped his hands. "But there's something you fail to realize. The harder you try to negate my technique the more I have to push. Which means!"
Ruby sensed the sudden spike of aura and flashed away with her semblance.
The others weren't so fortunate or quick enough to dodge.
Naruto blasting them all clean off their feet.
He rounded on a recovering Neo and drove a crushing knee into her gut. She dropped with a silent wheeze. Winter leapt to her defense, only for a hammer blow to send her sprawling as well. Yang had only just found her footing when he grabbed her by the head and smashed her down into the mat. Her aura nosedived into the yellow. Blake leaped onto his back and clawed at him before he could let go. He didn't even deign to retrieve her, instead driving his skull backward in a stern headbutt. She crumpled with a gasp, momentarily out the fight.
Still smiling, Naruto round on Ruby, looking mightily pleased with himself.
He clapped his hands. "Care to try again?"
She squeaked. "Meep."
Winter and Neo jumped him again and she dove after them.
It was the best day of her life. Better than cookies, even! Well, maybe not cookies...
Mom and Dad found them like that, everyone tangled up in one another, laughing their heads off.
It was also the beginning of the end.
(.0.0.0.)
Apparently Winter liked to text...even if she was pants at it.
Naruto wasn't shy about that.
Really, she was.
So much so, that she texted him at all odd hours of the day, even at night. Especially at night.
Such was the case with which he found himself at this very moment.
"I didn't upset you today, did I?"
He stifled a yawn behind his hand and considered not replying.
Really, he wanted to sleep. But...
"Nah.
"You're not lying?"
Don't respond immediately, oi! She really was bad at texting.
He keyed in a quick response. "We had a long day. Why are you even up...?"
"I can't sleep."
Naruto quirked a brow. "Why?"
"Nightmare."
Ouch.
His smile died and ugly death. "And what do you want me to do about that?"
...can I come over?" it was practically a plea.
"Sure, I guess, but how are-
His window opened.
"Winter?" he balked at the familiar figure even now slipping into his room. "How did you-
"Walk up the wall? I took a page out of your book." She granted him a small tremulous smile as she closed the latch behind her. "Glyphs."
His eyes bulged and a smile dawned across his face. "You can walk up those?"
She preened a bit, but it was decidedly subdued. "When I want to...
He grinned, delighted. "We are going to do so many pranks."
Her smile fracture and she tried to laugh, only to hiccup a little.
..."Uh, but not tonight. Did you want to...?"
Winter nodded once, ever so softly.
"Here." he beckoned to his bed.
Schnees liked to cuddle. Who knew? Apparently the cold hands warm hearts saying was true. She didn't even try anything, bless her. The moment he beckoned her over she practically leaped into his bed, dove under the covers snuggled up against him and...
.
..
...well.
She was sound asleep within moments.
Naruto heaved a sigh. "What am I going to do with you...
He'd just settled down for sleep himself when he felt it. His ear twitched.
Someone had tripped the perimeter seals he'd set up. But who...?"
Sitting up, he closed his eyes...swapped himself with a pillow...
...and vanished with barely a flicker.
(.0.0.0.)
He was waiting for her.
"Where do you think you're going, auntie Summer?"
Summer didn't know how, didn't know why, only that he was.
Why was he here? How had he arrived ahead of her? How did he know about her mission. So many questions, not a single answer to be found. He was just...standing there. Leaning against a battered old tree, idly fiddling with his blindfold as though it were some sort of toy, grinning as though this were some sort of game.
And perhaps it was to him.
She swore softly.
Damnit.
"Well?" he crooned at her. "Where do you think you're going so late at night? You promised to take Ruby out for weapon parts tomorrow morning."
Ozpin's son was a strange one. She'd be the first to admit it. Naruto was something of an odd duck, even amongst the children of hunters and huntresses. At a glance he seemed to have inherited nearly all of Ozpin's eccentricities and none of the common sense of his mother, but Glynda's iron will it reared its head at the strangest of times. Most days she thought him harmless, a mere boy trying to find his way in the world.
But here and now...he frightened her.
It was the eyes, you see.
Those damn eyes.
He'd elected not to wear the blindfold tonight and his blue eyes shone in the moonlight, glimmering like doors to another world. They were sharp. Too sharp for her liking. In an instant she knew why he was here. He must have found out from Tai, or maybe he'd been watching her this entire time. She couldn't be sure which. Regardless, she knew what he wanted.
He was going to try and stop her.
She couldn't have that.
Not now. Not ever.
"I have to go on this mission," she tried to explain, to reason with him before they came to blows. "They need me."
He frowned at her, deeply disappointed. "Ruby needs you more. So does Yang. And everyone else."
Damnit, he wasn't listening! She'd just knock him out and rendezvous with Raven.
Her hand scythed into his gut...and he burst into so much smoke.
Warm air struck her ear. "Points for effort, there."
She whirled. "Wha-
Naruto's fist thundered into the back of her head. Summer never saw it, only felt it.
She dropped like a sack of potatoes, gasping as her body went limp.
"Sorry, not sorry. She heard his voice sing a her. "Sleep well...
The darkness swam in as Ozpin's son crouched over her.
Humming softly, he slung her over his shoulder.
Distantly, she watched him turn his head.
Then she knew no more.
(.0.0.0.)
He was looking at her.
Right at her, directly at her.
How? How in blazed had he noticed her?!
Raven couldn't think. Couldn't blink. Could barely even bring herself to breathe. Breathe, breathe, breathe. It was okay, to breathe, wasn't it? He wouldn't kill her if she breathed, right? She had expected Summer tonight, not for Ozpin's brat to walk right up to their meeting place with her slung over his shoulder. It was ruined. All of it, ruined. Their goal, their plan, their scheme to take down Salem, all of it lay in ashes now. Because that little shit, that brat, that damn monster, was smiling at her.
"Remember what I promised you?" He held up a finger. "Less than a year, now. You're running out of time...run along now."
His words triggered Raven's fight or flight response and triggered it hard.
She cut a portal in the air, dove into it, and ran like hell.
A/N: No running off to get yourself killed, Summer! And just like that, canon is shattered.
Is the mention of Neji a fakeout? You'll just have to wait and see.
*cackles*
Aaaand scene.
Hope you enjoyed it. Not at my best at the moment.
So, what say you? Did you enjoy it? By all means, let me know~!
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll delete it and consign it to the void should it come to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
And as ever, Le warning!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
A tournament?"
Winter and Neo perked up.
Yang was practically drooling. "I call dibs!"
Blake wore a thoughtful look that promised trouble and Ruby-
"Sorry." he tussled her hair. "You're too young for age bracket, and your weapon isn't ready-
"It is!" she bleated at him! "I'll show you!"
He looked to Taiyang, only for the girl's father to shrug. "If she wants to compete...
"Hey, firecracker. You alright...?"
"You don't think I can win. Is it because I'm weak?
You're not weak. She's just older than you.
Then I'll get stronger!
He thought about telling her otherwise, but he could see this was important to her.
"Alright."
"Ha?"
"Get strong." he flicked her forehead. "Strong enough to hold your head high and never be afraid again.
A faint shattering of glass echoed at his flank.
How long have you been standing there?
Trivia hefted the bucket and flicked him a thumbs up.
"Hey, hey!" Naruto flicked her a chastising look. "Don't go playing pranks without me!"
Naruto leaned over the couch with a yawn. "What happened now...?"
Then he saw the newspaper.
"Gimme that!"
...you must be pretty tough, huh?"
I know my way around a fight...why do you ask-ACK?!
"Put more aura into it when you strike me! Lets use the open space some more!"
Another one?" Salem crooned. "Delightful. Do keep up the recruiting, son.
Sasuke heaved a sigh.
"One year, Raven. Do you remember? TIME'S UP!"
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Looking forward to chatting with you all~! Have a great day~!