A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly? Its got some important information pertaining to certain...things.
As ever, the Embers rule persists. If folks don't like this? Poof! Gone! To the void it goes.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard!
Your reviews matter! Really, they do!
That's no joke.
In other news, I'm starting to worry about my dog. Vets say he's almost completely blind now. Cataracts and what-not. Poor pupper. He's already got heart problems and diabetes to begin with, but now this? Doesn't help that he's
Next! Thanks to the reviewer SONGUE for the opening lines of this chapter. Brilliant idea, that!
In other news, I don't have days off anymore -two jobs will do that to you-
Now, lets have your questions!
Q: Wait, so who was that girl at the end?
A: Aye, that was AN REN. Not Nora's mother.
Though that's not to say we won't see her. She's a blank slate; really. You might be surprised.
Q: Timeskips when?!
A: It'll be a gradual thing, we're not going to suddenly leap ahead ten years or something like that. Rest assured, you'll be quite satisfied.
Q: Right, this is going to sound crude, so Imma just say it. All the MILFS?
A: Read and see. That's all I can say without spoilers.
Q: Alright, so let me see if I have the right of this. Raven's in a coma and barely alive, Tyrian's dead or horrifically wounded, Yang's the Spring Maiden, Li's a suspicious bastard and An is the clearly the reasonable one around here.
Did I get all that? Miss anything?
A: Quite a bit actually. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Q:...Naruto's going to wreak absolute havoc, isn't ye?
A: YUP~!
Alright, I've kept you long enough.
Henceforth, the chapter titles will involve the words, "The Girl" in some form or another! Onward!
"I may not know much about being a parent...
...but if you lay a FINGER on my girl...
...Every. One of you. Will. Die."
~Future.
Protect the Girl
Li Ren awakened to a disaster the next morning.
What disaster, you ask? A simple one.
You see, he woke up to discover that every single item he owned was now dyed orange. Nothing had been spared. From the floor to the walls and the ceiling. Even his bow. Even the string of his bow. All had been stained a hideous shade of bright ghastly amber. The only color that was not orange, however, was his hair, which was now a shocking shade of pink.
Pale knuckles clenched on the counter-top as he regarded himself in the mirror.
Pink! Why was it pink?! Of all the colors?!
Li considered himself a tolerant man. A patient man. A forgiving man. He was rigid in both world, self, and deed; someone who strove to uphold honor and courage above all this.
But this? This was dishonor.
Somehow, he knew EXACTLY whose fault this was.
A low growl built in the back of the archer's throat. "Uzumaki!"
(.0.0.0.)
Ah, the cruel cries of chaos in the morning. Nothing quite like it.
Truly, it was the sweet, sweetest of music to Naruto's ears. Served that bastard right for giving him a hard time yesterday.
"Wasn't that a little petty of you?"
"Maybe." he scratched the back of his head with a free hand. "Do I regret it? Nope."
"Hmm." An looked over her shoulder. "That sounded like Li...
His grin broadened. "Must but your imagination.
It was simple enough to settle into Kuroyuri; easier even, with Yang taken care of and a good night's sleep behind him. While thriving, the village was still relatively new compared to outlying settlements; as such it had no shortage in the way of housing. If you could claim a space for yourself and maintain it, said space was yours for keeps.
Case in point.
"This was originally meant be a summer home for a merchant from Haven." An continued as she led him over the threshold. "But he never came to claim it. You can stay here as long as you like." she drew a curtain aside for him, allowing to slip into the living room at his leisure. "Here. Have a look."
Naruto stepped in and did just that; he cast a weather eye about, considering everything in turn.
Not bad, this place. Not bad at all. The carpet was a lush green to match the walls, many of which were festooned with rich tapestries. A warm hearth burned by the mantle, secured by a metal grate as smoke boiled up into a chimney. There was even a fine little table and tea-set near the couch -where Raven's still form currently lay- where one might serve drinks to their guests. Beyond that he glimpsed a rather large kitchen furnished with a small island, all utterly foreign to him since he had next to no idea how to cook. Round the corner a seat of stairs leading to the second floor. Hopefully the beds there were better than sleeping on the floor.
"Whaddya think, kiddo?"
Yang cooed in his arms. Warm, happy and fed, she all but latched onto his hand as he touched her cheek. Truly, she was a veritable ball of sunshine. And if those lovely little lilac eyes occasionally sputtered with violet flames...well. Naruto tried not to notice that. It was probably nothing. He wondered if she could comprehend her surroundings yet. Unlikely. She wasn't even a year old. Surely she couldn't be aware of things like that yet...could she?
"Dah."
"Oi!" he frowned down at her. "Stop that!"
He could've sworn the little terror grinned a gummy grin at him.
A thought occurred to him, then. "Say, this merchant...what happened to him?"
An's smile soured. "Grimm got him. It happens sometimes, especially on the outskirts."
Naruto wrinkled his nose. "Grimm?
"Haha, very funny." She tapped his arm. "You're such a kidder."
No, really, what was a Grimm? It didn't sound like something he wanted to meet.
"Your...friend can stay in the back." she informed him with a grimace, not speaking Raven's name. "There's a nice little sitting room where she can sleep off whatever's ailing her." An cast a quick look to the comatose girl in question. "We don't have much in the way of medical supplies, but she should be able to rest comfortably here...so long as she stays out of sight."
Naruto didn't rise to the bait.
He was beginning to realize Raven was something of a known quantity in Mistral, and not the good kind. Her name inspired fear and terror; more than a few people had flinched away when they'd seen her carted through the streets. It served as an awful reminder. They weren't welcome here. Their stay could never be a permanent one. Whomever she was now, she clearly hadn't been a good person in the past. Perhaps not even now.
"And yet she begged you to save her child. We both know life isn't black and white."
He frowned a little. "That's fair...
"So!" An rounded at him suddenly, pink eyes afire with curiosity. "You can be honest with me. That woman...is she your...?"
Kurama cackled at his express discomfort. "And now we come to the meat of the matter...
Fire burned through Naruto's face, turning whiskered cheeks scarlet. Was it it hot in here?
"No, no, no!" he waved his free arm with intent. "We're not involved, really. I barely know Raven."
"And yet Yang has your hair." her eyes strayed to Yang in thinly-veiled delight. "And she seems quite fond of you. Aren't you, sweet thing~?"
A burbling coo answered. Naruto scowled. Traitor!
"I'm telling you, she's not related to me."
"If you say so." An planted one hand on her hip and favored him with a bland look. "But you're going to look after her all the same, no?"
"Of course I am." he set his jaw. "What kind of question is that? You're being weird."
"I'm trying to be kind, actually." she crooned. "I could look after her for you."
The battered blond found himself frowning at that. "You could...?"
"But of course. She's such a darling little thing. You could even leave her with me."
Right, now she wasn't making a lick of sense. "Why would I do that?"
Kurama stifled a small sigh. "Thick as a brick, this one...
"If you feel you're not up to raising her, of course.
Naruto flinched but a little. He'd given his word to Raven; his word was his bond. What was he without it? He wouldn't break his vow simply because he found himself inconvenienced. No, Yang was his responsibility. He wasn't about to give her away to anyone, even someone like An. There was a small, selfish part of him that wanted to accept...until he stomped it into oblivion.
Take the girl.
"I appreciate your offer," he shook his head. "But I'm not giving her up. Not for anything."
"Even if you struggle?" An's frown became a faint, sad little smile.
He lifted his chin and glowered down at her. "Even then."
"Even if its hard? Even if you falter? Even if you fail?"
"Failure's an old friend." he pulled Yang's tiny form closer to his chest. "I've failed more times than any man, woman or child." Blue eyes met violet, watching intently as she tried to grab at his hair again. "It just makes success all the sweeter." He wasn't afraid of failure. Never had been. "Besides, I made a promise. And I don't go back on my word." It might take some time and a bit of work, but he was determined to give it his best shot. "Got a problem with that?"
Her hand arced out and grabbed him by the chin. "Would you die for that girl?"
Stoic blue orbs met intent pink. "In a heartbeat."
Her eyes flashed. "Is that so?"
In all fairness, he expected chagrin from An, some scorn at the very least. Her sudden line of questioning couldn't have any other end; that aside, he he wasn't much pleased with her badgering after she'd called his ability into question. Any moment now she'd call him a fool and be rid of him.
...snrk."
Or so he thought.
In that, he was only half right.
Gentle musical laughter floated through the air to reach his ears. Soft at first, little more than a snicker that she tried to contain behind a palm. It didn't last. Before long An began to guffaw openly in spite of his confusion. As he looked on the young woman doubled over and clutched at her sides, giggling like some silly schoolgirl.
Yang made a questioning noise in his arms. Naruto frowned. "Was it something I said?"
Apparently An found that reply horrendously funny; because her shoulders absolutely convulsed. She was having an absolute fit now, unable to contain her hysterics.
"Oh my gods!" she hooted! "My sides! You're such a fool!"
Confusion burned away into anger. "Hey, now!"
Abruptly, she straightened with smile.
"You pass~!"
...
...
...
"What the hell?" he stepped back when she started forward. "Didn't you just say say I was an idiot?"
"Oh, you're a fool alright. A stubborn, brave, courageous fool." she sighed and wiped a mirthful tear from the corner of her eye. "But you're a fool with a heart and the power to back it up. That makes all the difference in the world." My, my," she touched one hand to her cheek. "You really are stubborn. I like that in a man."
"Oho!"
Danger, danger, danger!
Silence stretched between them.
Naruto frowned into it. "Looks like you have something else on your mind."
"I do." she dithered, knees twisting, refusing to meet his eyes. "But you may not like what I have to say..."
"If you have something to say, say it." after that outburst, he was certain she couldn't possibly surprise him again. "I promise I won't get mad."
"Alright." An sighed once and took the plunge, giving voice to her disquiet. "I'll be frank with you, sir shinobi." Magenta eyes met azure, showing a hint of steel within. "We don't have a hospital here. Our doctor's done all she can for your friend. Frankly, you'd be better off taking your friend to Haven for treatment." another grimace stole over her features. "Or maybe even a hospital in Vale given her...reputation here in Mistral...
"No."
Naruto frowned.
"Did you say something...?"
"No," a weak rasp came from the couch. "Not...Vale...!"
Naruto jolted. "You're awake...?!"
Nine rapid steps carried him back the way he'd come, just in time to see Raven stir. Propped up on her good elbow and trembling, she glared up at him with a bleary eye, brow slick with sweat and dizzy with fever. She didn't even seem to comprehend her injuries. She just...stared at him. Through him. Like he wasn't even there.
An took one look at he and sighed. "I'll get her something to drink...
"Where's Yang?" Raven croaked, voice weak from lack of sleep and water alike. "Is she safe? Is she...alright?"
"She's right here." Naruto knelt and offered the wounded woman her baby. "See? I took care of her. Just like you asked."
...good." Here at last, a spark of life came back into that dull red eye, if only for a moment. She ran her fingers over the tiny babe's head, and those lovely little lilac eyes locked onto her. "That's good," she cooed almost to herself, offering her a finger. Tiny hands fingers wrapped around, it holding tight. "You kept your promise."
"Here." Ann materialized beside them, a ceramic cup in hand. "Drink."
Raven reached out with her maimed arm, only to frown when she realized she couldn't accept it and support herself at the same time. A flicker of horror passed through her good eye. She trembled but once before she managed to master herself and shake her head. Ann was having none of it. The younger woman all but rammed the cup against Raven's lips, forcing her to drink. Eventually, her patient did.
Naruto flicked her a quick glance. "Thanks."
An preened. "Don't mention it. Should I give you two a moment...?"
His blush brought reinforcements. "I keep telling you we're not like that...!"
Raven groaned in the same moment. "Why is it always blonds...? Every damn time..."
"Not helping, birdy!"
"I thought," the bandit swallowed and visibly struggled with something for a moment. "I dreamed," another swallow, the words wrenching themselves from her. "She was gone. Dead. Like me." Her eye began to droop. "She has the power now. Keep her safe."
Naruto frowned. "Wait, what power? Does it have something to do with her eyes?"
He felt a flash of fear from her, a nameless terror so powerful that it nearly overwhelmed him. Mindless, bleating fear. Her good arm latched onto his sleeve, knuckles gone white against the bright fabric. For a moment he thought she might say something, but no, whatever it was terrified her so much that she daren't speak it. Her lips sealed shut and she shook her head anew.
"Doesn't matter now." her lone eye fixed him, burning with singular intensity. "Don't take me to Vale. Ozpin will find me. He'll take her."
"The hell is Ozpin-no!" he shook his head. "Nevermind that!" his free hand settled on her shoulder and gave her shake when she started to nod off. "Don't you die on me. You're not allowed to die! Yang needs you!"
"No." she glared at him in a brief moment of lucidity. "She doesn't. Not a rotten woman like me."
"Like hell she doesn't!"
Something stirred in Naruto's chest. It felt like...yes, it was. Anger. Not wrath or vengeance, but pure, righteous fury. How dare she. Yang whimpered in his arms, no doubt sensing his distress. His throat closed. He didn't want to shout for fear of frightening her, but everything was so raw right now...
An nudged into his side and swept the poor infant into her arms.
"Go on." she drew away with a whisper. "Give that bitch hell."
He intended to!
There could be no purer love than what a parent felt for their child. In this moment he may was well be Yang's father. No one else had looked out for her as he had. And he'd be bloody well damned if he let some deadbeat bird die before she took responsibility for her actions.
"You're her mother, aren't you?!" He slammed his forehead against Raven's, jolting her back to the couch. You have a responsibility! You don't get to die and leave your kid behind!"
"She has you!"
"Tough! She needs you!"
"She's better off without me," Raven jerked back, unable to meet his gaze. "That thing...she won't find her here. She's safe." her shoulders slumped. "After what I've done...I should just...
Naruto's right hand blurred in an open palm, cracking across the uninjured side of her face. It wasn't even a fourth of his full might; yet it was still more than enough to send her head snapping to the right with an audible smack. The back of her head struck the pillows as she sprawled there, stunned.
Raven snarled at him, eye wide. "Why you...?! I was talking!"
"AND I'M NOT LISTENING!"
He didn't give her a chance to finish; she might've said something else, but he didn't hear it. His forehead met hers again, eyes wide, teeth all but snapping at her in his wroth.
"You do have a reason to live! Protect your daughter, damnit! Help me! Fight! Don't be a coward!"
He wanted to grab her and shake her until she saw sense. It was a terrible thing to grow up without a parent. He wasn't about to let her slip into the back just to satisfy a guilty conscience. Yang might not know what she was losing know, but when she was older, she undoubtedly would. He wasn't about to tell her he'd let her Mother pass away when he could've done something. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Who was Raven to decided who lived and died?! What gave her that right?!"
...that's all I am." her voice was a whisper, no a whimper. "A coward!"
"If you were a coward, you wouldn't have protected Yang; wouldn't have given her to me! That's not the act of a coward! That's bravery!"
Her resolve wavered. "Bravery...huh?"
"You told me to take your girl. Well, guess what? I did! And I'm taking you to a hospital in Haven." he grabbed her by her good hand and held it up before her face, forcing her to recognize their intertwined fingers. "You're going to get better, you're going to be there for Yang or so help me, I will introduce you to Kurama!"
...what's a Kurama?"
His partner's skull burst forth from him with a great golden glower and snarled.
"You don't want to know."
Raven absolutely squeaked. "Meep!"
"You'd best shut up and accept his generosity." An called over his shoulder. "Trust me. You don't want to deal with the fox. He'll squish you."
Another silence fell over them, heavy and cloying like a wet blanket.
...
...
...
...you just can't let me rest in peace, can you? Fine." Raven slumped back to the couch as a bleary smile crossed her scarred face. "M'sleepy...
Her eye fluttered and she subsided with a sigh.
In a matter of moments she was gone again, her chest rising and falling with erratic breaths. Naruto gave her another hard shake, to no avail. Her eyes didn't open. Wouldn't or couldn't remained to be seen. Still, she kept breathing. He'd take that for what it was. Maybe...maybe An was right. Maybe she did not proper medical treatment. He couldn't keep pumping her full of chakra every day. Her body was in bad shape already. Who knew what that might do to her?
"Well," Naruto stood with an effort, "Haven it is, then."
Ann sidled up to him and returned Yang to his arms, pausing just long enough to look down at Raven's still form. "She might not be in her right mind...
But she had been, there at the end. So much fear. Not at him, but something else. What was she so afraid? Would someone come for Yang? Who was Ozpin? Did that name matter? Was he an enemy? A threat? Or did she simply think that way? Too many questions. Not enough answers. But when had that stopped him before?
"She's certainly intense...
Yang whimpered and waved her pudgy little hands.
"Shhh, she's going to be alright." Naruto reached down and touched a hand to Raven's forehead. "I'll take her to the city myself. Just need a map."
An's hand trailed across his arm a moment later. "You could do so much good here; are you sure you won't stay?"
In all honesty, the notion tempted him. He wanted nothing more than to rest his tired bones. But he couldn't. Not yet. Maybe once everything -everyone!- was safe and secure, but for now he had no choice but to forge on as he always had.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have to go."
"Alright, then." he turned in time to see An sweeping a bit of preserved food into her knapsack. "I'm coming with you." she seemed to realize the weight of her words a moment later."Erm, well, that is to say...you need a guide, right?" she looked away, hiding a faint hint of color in her cheeks. "I'd be happy to show you the way."
Naruto blinked. "Really, you don't have to do that...
An fixed him with a faintly bemused look.
"Can you even change a diaper?"
Kurama coughed. Just once.
Naruto winced a little.
"No?"
"That settles it, then." She hefted her pack. "You need me."
In the end, Naruto had no choice but to give in. He needed a guide. An was willing to provide. Well, that and save him from diaper duty. And from that decision...well. Things would change. It would be the beginning of a grand journey, one that spanned all of Remnant. In the years to come some would call the series of events that followed a miracle, others a disaster, and still more, something else entirely. Looking back, he might have seen the look in her eyes and realized how wonderfully, beautifully complicated his life was to become. But really, how was he to know that?
This was merely the first move; the first domino of many to come.
A single misguided act of kindness would change the world.
For better or worse...well. Who could say?
A/N: READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?
Remember! Embers Rule! If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted and consigned to the plot bin.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!
As to why Raven is struggling so much, the answer is simple.
Tyrian's poison literally liquefies your organs. She took THREE doses of that. Naruto fixed most of that, but its a matter of her finding the will to live. Which he just gave her. Even then, it promises to be a long recovery with a lost eye and a limb. She still has her dominant sword arm thankfully, and as we've all seen, that's all she really needs.
Worry not! That Willow scene is coming...just couldn't fit it in here.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews!
Potential ones at that.
(Previews)
"Hospitals cost money, pal."
Naruto smile was all teeth. "I'm sure we can work something out."
An slapped a palm to her forehead. "Saw that coming...
Little Yan gurgled he agreement.
"Did you hear? There's a bigshot visiting Haven.
"Think its a Schnee?"
"Might be...
"Find. That. Maiden!"
Lionheart whimpered. "It will be done, my queen...
They say time waits for no one.
Neither man nor beast.
Not even a shinobi.
"Daddy!"
Isn't it remarkable, that one can have all the power in the world, and yet the words of a single child can stop your heart. Case in point; Naruto could run faster than a lightning bolt, obliterate mountains and stand toe-to-toe with gods. And yet the moment he heard little Yang call his name he clutched at his arm and stumbled across the threshold of his home.
"Urk." he groaned less than eloquently. "Still not used to that."
A streak of gold collided with his left leg and latched on with all her might.
Which, given her powers, actually proved quite considerable.
"Found you!"
"Oomph!" he grunted. "So you did!"
All of three years old, her lilac eyes were sharp and bright, shimmering with flames, to say nothing of her hair. It really was getting quite long, already down her shoulders in a curtain of spun gold. She'd need a hair cut soon...or not, he winced, recalling his last attempt. Instead, he smiled.
"Here, I brought you a present...
R&R~!