AN: Chapter six is here. I wanted to have this out last month, but my fiancée needed my laptop for some wedding prep. She just so happened to leave it at her mother's and shortly after that snow hit Texas. Couldn't go to get my laptop for some time. Here we are though, finally done Anyway, I won't hold anyone off any longer Let's get this thing started.

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The Way Forward

Cinder's eyes fluttered open. She groaned. A thin sliver of light was directly over her eyes, streaming in from a crack in the blinds of her window. She closed her eyes again, wishing she could just stay in bed. Cinder sighed, knowing that wasn't possible. Even though it was a Saturday morning there would be no repose for her.

"Well, look who's awake." Said Mercury. Cinder scowled at him as she sat up in bed, her covers falling away to reveal a red nightie. Mercury looked away, knowing that though Cinder flaunted her sex appeal, she wouldn't tolerate her subordinates sexualizing her.

"What do you want, Mercury?" Cinder growled. Mercury backed away, his hands up. He made sure his eyes were staring directly into her own eyes too. He wasn't looking to get killed.

"Uh… you know. Just checking up. You and Emerald didn't make it back until real late last night. Just… you know, waiting to hear our orders."

"You want to know if my loyalty still lies with Salem." Cinder deciphered, one of her legs coming from under the covers and touching the floor. Mercury took another step back, as he should in her opinion. "Are Emerald and Neo already awake?"

"Yes. Uh… they went to breakfast." Mercury replied. Cinder nodded, her mind already clearing the fog of sleep and thinking on what she must take care of today. She understood that Neo wouldn't care what they did one way or another. She and Roman were contracted to Cinder herself. They didn't know of Salem and thus her word was law. As for Emerald, Cinder had the opportunity to chat with her a bit when the girl woke up last night. There was much more to discuss, but for now the girl would do as she said. Still, Cinder supposed now was a good time to make everyone aware of the change in plans.

"Leave. And let the others know to return here after they eat." Cinder ordered, raising a hand and shooing Mercury away with it. He nodded and felt her piercing gaze follow him out of the room. Once the door was shut, Cinder sighed again, and her glare fell from her face. She ran a hand through her hair and stood up.

Mercury had a hard life. Cinder knew that. It made dealing with him as she had before much more difficult. She did not believe she could let her foot off his neck though, so to speak. Mercury was not misguided like Emerald. Mercury was much like her—or what she used to be. He wanted strength; coveted it. And above all, he was simply vile at heart. Mercury would have a choice today. She knew that Mercury had camaraderie in his heart, though she wouldn't say it was a large part of his being.

Pain and violence ruled him. That would not change any time soon in Cinder's opinion. Whether he would attempt to let go of his past demons and follow her into a brighter future, or return to Salem… that would be today's true question. She had a feeling she knew what his choice would be.

Cinder opened her window and stretched. A light breeze brushed against her skin as she looked out over the courtyard. There weren't many students walking down below. Cinder stifled a yawn with her right hand and turned away from the window, her free hand moving down to grasp the hem of her nightie. She was just about to remove it when her hands stopped midway up her stomach.

"How long have you been there?"

"Since last night," Sasuke replied casually, stepping silently into her room from the window. Cinder tensed and scowled. How? She wondered. I never noticed him at all. She turned toward him.

"I see. You watched over me all night just so you could see my state of undress?" Cinder asked as she removed her nightie completely, keeping eye contact with Sasuke the entire time. Her cheeks were aflame, but even though the part of her that was Amber was embarrassed to mortification, the sex appeal Cinder had honed into a weapon was more than just her body. It was a mindset. Sasuke narrowed his eyes, though Cinder didn't miss how his eyes raked over her. It was only once, but that was enough. "I'm flattered."

So he really is human, thought Cinder.

"I'm not foolish enough to let a potential threat out of my sight. After your meeting with your little followers, you'll be accompanying me today. Naruto asked me to look over Schnee's swordsmanship, so you'll have to join us." Sasuke replied. Cinder hummed as she turned about and made her way to her dresser. Her hips swayed with every step, showing off her poise and her figure. Her thong did nothing to hide her perfectly sculpted butt, something she showed off even more as she bent over to open her bottom drawer and grab a black skirt.

Cinder did not ooze sex appeal. She fired it out of a gatling gun.

"Very well," she replied airily. Sasuke felt as though he was going to have a long day.

Winter, Qrow, and Taiyang were tempted to accuse Ozpin, Glynda, and Ironwood of playing a prank on them. It wasn't in their nature, but the alternative was just so outlandish. Even for them. The three of them had been so busy with the fallout from the interruption at the Vytal festival that they hadn't been around in some time. They knew nothing about Naruto and Sasuke, at least not until just now. They still felt their superiors must be joking, actually. The longer the silence in the room stretched on, however, the three of them came to understand the truth of the matter.

Qrow whistled and leaned back in his chair. "Well whatdya' know. Dimension hopping God-killers. That's… well, that's something. I need a drink."

"That is nothing new." Winter scoffed.

"I really think I should get a pass when gods descend." Qrow drawled.

"Well, I wouldn't say they're gods. The two of them are beyond us, certainly, but for the most part I would say they act quite human." Ozpin replied, sipping at his coffee.

"but they aren't any older than my kids. How do you even get that kind of power at that age?" Taiyang questioned, entirely incapable of understanding it.

"I'm not sure, but they mentioned that their home world is rife with war. It must be worse there, somehow, than what we must deal with concerning the Grimm. Such power attained so young could only be through constant training and battle." Ironwood grunted.

"And my daughter wants to date one of them?" Taiyang groaned. Ozpin chuckled from his chair.

"Yes, that does seem to be the case. She's making quite the effort. And yet the one he is giving one-on-one training to today is miss Schnee." Ozpin grinned.

"Weiss?!" Winter almost shrieked.

"Indeed. She has apparently acknowledged mister Uzumaki's strength and wishes to grow under his tutelage." Glynda responded. Winter brought a hand up to her forehead and took some deep breaths.

"I need a drink…" Winter groaned.

"Ha! I told you!" Winter almost threw her shoe at Qrow for that. Almost.

It was nearly thirty minutes later when Cinder's door opened and her teammates walked in. They all paused in the doorway and stared—glared in Emerald's case—at the scene before them. Cinder was sitting at small table in their room, taking a sip from a steaming cup. She seemed entirely unconcerned with the menacing form of Sasuke lounging in their windowsill.

"Uh… should we be fighting this guy?" Mercury asked. Emerald already had her weapons at the ready.

"By all means, Mercury." Cinder replied, setting her teacup back down on the table with a soft clack. "Though I did not know you longed for death so. You should have informed me earlier." She gazed at him from the corner of her eyes and—rather creepily—Sasuke was doing much the same from his perch.

"So that's a no." Mercury responded. Cinder's evil eye moved away from him and landed upon Emerald.

"Weapons away, Emerald."

"Bu—"

"Away." Cinder repeated more forcefully, cutting Emerald off. Still glaring at Sasuke, Emerald returned her weapons to their holsters and crossed her arms irritably.

"Now that we are all being civil… sit. We've much to discuss." Ordered Cinder. Her group fell in line and took up seats. Either on their beds or, in Emerald's case, at the table with Cinder.

"Are you okay, Cinder? He hasn't done anything to you has he?"

"Well…" Cinder began, favoring Emerald with an appreciative smile. "Aside from getting a peek at me naked? No, he hasn't. I'm perfectly fine." Emerald's glare, somehow, became even more severe as her head swiveled back to Sasuke. Her hands were reaching for her weapons again. Sasuke just scowled.

Cinder smirked at him, but seeing as how he made no further reactions, she just took another sip of her tea. After swallowing and savoring both the tea and the one-sided tension, she spoke. "Calm, Emerald. It was a little joke. I was teasing him." Emerald blinked. Then she turned to Cinder and gaped at her.

"Wha… but… you've never joked around before… or teased anyone… at least, not like that."

"Let's just say I've had a change of heart lately, Emerald. Now then, enough stalling. Let's get to it… I know you and Roman were not really aware of this, Neo but I have an employer myself. She's the one backing all of the operations we've done thus far. I bring her up to say this: we will no longer be doing any business with her. After this little meeting ends, I'd like you to get in touch with Roman and have him halt all operations."

Neo blinked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise, but nodded. Who am I to argue? Neo wondered.

"Are you sure about this? I mean… crossing the boss is kinda…" Mercy replied, trailing off. Cinder got the message.

"There is no longer anything for us to fear from Salem," Cinder replied.

"What? Why?" Emerald questioned.

"Because Sasuke and his partner are leagues stronger than Salem is, it seems. What good is fighting on the losing side?" Cinder questioned.

"You can't be serious! Him?!" Emerald nearly shouted, rising from her seat and pointing at Sasuke.

"How can you be sure?" Mercury added.

"I've seen a demonstration of his might. It was before you woke up last night, Emerald. Salem… well, I must say she isn't capable of half the things he is." For a moment, none of them spoke after Cinder's declaration, but that didn't last long with the likes of Mercury around. He leaned back into his bed, his arms crossed behind his head.

"Well, if he's strong then whatever. We'll follow your lead, Cinder." Mercury grinned.

"Smart of you." Cinder replied. That wiped the smirk off Mercury's face. Suddenly her realized refusal would have likely resulted in his death.

"If—if you say so, Cinder." Emerald mumbled, sitting back down. Cinder could see that she clearly wasn't pleased with the prospect of working with Sasuke, but ultimately Cinder didn't care. It might be somewhat irrational… in a really weird two-souls-and-sets-of-memories-in-one-body sort of way, but Cinder still didn't forgive Emerald. Not yet.

"Good. You all may leave now. Sasuke and I have some physical activities to get up to. Alone." Cinder announced. Sasuke stared at her, face blank. She smiled at him, eyes smoky.

"Wha—"

"Emerald. I do not want to repeat myself. Do as you are told." Cinder said, never looking away from Sasuke. Emerald's jaw worked, but ultimately, she stood up and left the room in a rush. Mercury and Neo were on her heels, though at a more leisurely pace. Once the door was closed, Cinder finished off her tea with a content sigh that made her chest rise enticingly.

"You're more annoying than Naruto." Sasuke grunted.

"I'll tell you a secret. I am quite a sore loser. I cannot best you physically, obviously, but demigod or not, you are still a man. So I'll just get under your skin like this." Cinder giggled. Sasuke sighed through his nose as his eyes narrowed. Standing, he approached her. She did not show her fear despite her heart being gripped by a cold hand. She wondered if she'd gone too far? Was telling him a foolish idea?

"Come on. Naruto is probably already getting started." He grunted. Before she could even stand he grabbed her around the waist and they were gone a moment later.

Naruto and Weiss walked through the halls, heading for one of the training rooms. Behind them was Yang. Naruto could admit that her pouting face was actually fairly cute. Weiss didn't seem to think so, however.

"Stop pouting, Yang." Weiss sighed.

"You're slyer than I thought, Weiss."

"Well of course I'm sly. I was raised to be a ruthless CEO for some time. This, however, is not at all me being sly. No one is trying to muscle in between you and your beau." Weiss scoffed. Naruto did not understand what that last word meant, but he didn't ask. He knew it was about him. He just didn't know how it related and he honestly wasn't sure if he wanted that information.

"I don't believe it." Yang replied. Weiss huffed and rolled her eyes.

"So you've said. Fine. I'm done trying to convince you otherwise, Xiao Long."

"So you admit it!" Yang shouted, raising an accusatory finger to the back of Weiss's head.

"There is nothing to admit, you nimrod!" Weiss shouted back.

Naruto… regretted.

"We're here." Naruto interjected before they devolved into a shouting match. Weiss turned away from Yang with another huff, her hair whipping about.

"Let's quickly begin then, Naruto." She said as they stepped into the room. "Please." She added, almost as an afterthought. They took a moment to drop their water bottles off near the bleachers where Yang took a seat. Before they could begin, Cinder and Sasuke basically appeared next to Yang with a squeak of surprise courtesy of Cinder. Yang jumped in her seat, having not expected them, though she thankfully managed to hold off from making any sounds of surprise.

Once Cinder was fully aware that she was safely in a seat again, she glared at Sasuke, wishing she could maim him with her eyes alone.

"You could not have warned me first?" Cinder grumbled. Sasuke didn't even acknowledge her, but she spied the faint smirk on his lips. "You did that on purpose!"

His smirk grew.

"Mornin' Sasuke." Naruto greeted as he and Weiss began to do some warm-up stretches.

"Hn."

"Right. Well, I'm good. Just let me know when you're ready, Weiss. I want me to come at me with everything you've got until you can't anymore." Naruto said, Weiss nodded and after a few more stretches on her part she lifted her rapier and took a stance. Naruto stood across from her casually with a smile. Eyes narrowed; Weiss took a breath. When she exhaled, she lunged.

Naruto swayed out of the way of all her attacks, his eyes following hers rather than her limbs. Her attacks were purely physical for the next three minutes. She distanced herself from him with a backwards lunge and took a few breaths. He watched her spin something on the hilt of her rapier as a white symbol appeared beneath her feet.

Weiss was upon him faster than she had been a moment ago, much faster. He still dodged the strikes and took notice of how another symbol would appear beneath her every time one of her feet touched the ground. So the speed increase comes from there, hm? Thought Naruto. His eyes slid to the blade, noting that it was glowing a reddish orange.

On Weiss's next stab, Naruto batted the blade aside with the back of his hand. He felt the burn but didn't think it was worth any worry. He spun around to see her skid to a stop and look up at him, seemingly hesitating.

"I'm fine. Keep coming, Weiss. I wanna see all of you." Naruto grinned. Up in the stands Sasuke sighed. Cinder smirked and Yang rumbled that she wanted Naruto to say that to her, not Weiss. Back on the floor below them, Weiss's face flushed a deep red and she frowned before charging again. Right as her blade flew past his face through no part of her own, a black symbol began to spread out from her leading foot. Naruto eyed it as he grabbed her and flung her into the air behind him.

As Weiss tumbled, a white glyph sprung to life behind her. Her feet touched it and she rocketed toward Naruto from his blind spot. Naruto turned to face her, but his body felt sluggish and heavy as he rose an arm to block her attack. Weiss spun the hilt of Myrtenaster again and as Naruto batted the blade aside again, he found that this time, ice had formed on the back of his hand.

Naruto hummed. The black symbol beneath him vanished and he turned to face her with all the speed he normally had. Naruto observed that Weiss was breathing just a little more raggedly now. With another hum Naruto ran at her. He made sure he went about the speed she had been going. She didn't seem startled by it, which he felt was good. Weiss rose her weapon as a Cyan colored symbol appeared between them just as Naruto flung his fist forward. He met with a shield of some sort as Weiss made a stab at him.

The shield shattered under the force of his attack, but Weiss was already in motion with her strike. She caught air and stumbled forward a bit. When Weiss caught her footing again, she looked up to see Naruto standing a few feet away from her. Weiss exhaled loudly and rose Myrtenaster again, ready to keep going. Before she could charge, however, Naruto clapped his hands and spoke.

"That's enough. I've seen plenty. I think Sasuke and I can figure out what we're working with from that." Naruto glanced up at Sasuke as he finished speaking and the Uchiha looked down at him blankly for just a few moments before giving a shallow nod.

"You guys weren't even fighting for that long… you already know what you need to do? And why does Weiss look so tired? You were only fighting for about ten minutes. I've seen her go way longer." Yang questioned. And Weiss did indeed look exhausted. She had sweat running down her face and she collapsed to her knees.

"It's because of who she is fighting." Cinder supplied. "Naruto and Sasuke are apparently frighteningly powerful. The pressure they exert on the battlefield can almost be a tangible force on its own. When fighting them it is as if your body knows you can't help but give everything you have if you wish to keep up. At least, that is what I felt from my experience."

"Well, that aside… We've got a good grasp of you, Weiss. I don't think I can teach you any of our techniques, but you and I can work on improving your speed and your endurance. I don't plan to go too easy on you wither, so your battle sense should be improving as we spar too. Sasuke will let me know what to do about your swordsmanship later. For now, you should get some rest. Can you get her back to your room, Yang? See you back here tomorrow afternoon, Weiss. That's when the real training begins." The grin Naruto favored her with did not make Weiss feel better.

"Right…" she replied.

Naruto tilted his head off to the right as Weiss's rapier stabbed past him. She pulled back and a flurry of similar blows followed. Her aim shifted from his head, to his limbs, to his torso and abdomen. He was pleased to see that she wasn't choosy about where she landed her blows in the slightest as long as they hit. Unfortunately, she wasn't having much success there. She'd yet to land a single blow upon him.

Naruto caught her wrist on her next strike. Weiss tried to jerk back and failed. His own fist darted forward and Weiss sidestepped it as she let her rapier drop from her hand, only to catch it with her free one. In a single motion she grasped her blade and made an upward thrust. She caught air and visibly saw Naruto vanish before she actually felt his hand leave her body.

"You're getting better." Naruto said. Weiss jumped and twirled around to find him grinning at her. Weiss's cheeks reddened and she desperately wished she could wipe the cheeky grin off his face.

"I haven't hit you. Not once. We've been practicing for a week and a half."

"True, but you're soaking up everything I've been teaching you. It's been nearly an hour now and you're not overly tired. Your endurance is improving." Naruto replied.

"But still…"

"Weiss. You can't compare yourself to me. Our lives have been entirely different. I've been training even harder than what I've been putting you through this past week for nearly my whole life. You can't expect to catch up just like that."

Weiss huffed, but nodded.

"You talk about your training a lot… but what was your home like?" Weiss asked. Naruto scratched at his cheek and then gestured over to the stands. Weiss nodded and followed him over to where their water bottles sat. The two of them took a seat next to each other and took long swigs of their water.

"Well… I was an orphan. And life was really hard, but despite all the hardship I don't think I would have traded I for anything. My village leader was like a grandfather to me and he made my younger years bearable. The village itself was nothing like what I've seen of Vale thus far."

"How so?" Weiss asked.

"Well, this place is… way more advanced. We don't have any technology like this. My home was a lot of new pavement and dirt roads. The buildings weren't as tall and we were completely surrounded by nature. Super tall trees, lush forest, and all sorts of scurrying animals were a typical sight. Heh, Konohagakure was like no other place in the world. Not quite."

"Konohagakure…?" Weiss questioned; her face scrunched up.

"Ah. Yeah. That's the name of my village in my native tongue. Means village hidden in the leaves."

"You… didn't originally speak our language?" Weiss was surprised even though she knew she shouldn't be in the back of her mind.

"Nah. Made trusting Oz real hard when we first met. If not for being able to sense negative emotions, we probably woulda' ended up fighting. I spent a bunch of clones learning how to understand your language before we met you guys. Oh, I learn whatever my clones learn, by the way."

Weiss nodded slowly, trying to comprehend learning an entire language in a week's time. She wondered if Sasuke learned the same way but chose not to dwell on it.

"It sounds like a beautiful place… I'd love to visit someday, if that were possible." Weiss spoke, taking another swallow of water shortly afterwards. Naruto just hummed with a small smile.

"Maybe… come on. Let's get back to it." he replied, standing to his feet and setting his bottle down. Weiss nodded and followed after him.

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That's the chapter. I thank all of you for your patience. The next chapter will come as soon as I finish up some other works. Until then, please do leave a review. I'd love to hear from everyone.

Not much to else say here. Hope you enjoyed.