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 don't have days off anymore -two jobs will do that to you- and I'm working myself to the bone.
Now, lets have your questions!
Q: Naruto, NO! You're taking Raven right into enemy territory! Don't go to the city!
A: And how would he know this? In his mind, that's the best place for her, since she all but refused Vale. Naturally he knows nothing about the greater threats out there, let alone Lionheart being a cowardly weak piece of shit who SOLD OUT his fellow huntsmen like LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER just to save his worthless hide...!
*blinks*
Oh dear, would you look at that. I'm angry. Haven't felt that in awhile.
Excuse me. I have a certain scene to write...
Q: Are you going to do what I think you're going to do?
A: That depends. AM I going to do what YOU think I'm going to do, or am I going to do what you think that I think that YOU think I'm gonna do?
Yes, that made no sense, and it was glorious.
Q: So where in the blue hell is the rest of Teahm STRQ -minus the R!- right now? Surely Qrow wants to find his niece, and Tai his daughter...?!
A: Let it be known that Summer, Tai and Qrow are still looking for Yang; though maybe not as actively as they might have. One, they don't know where to look.
Two, they don't realize the Branwen tribe has been destroyed.
Three...well, that one's a spoiler. To clarify further, Ruby hasn't been born yet, though she might come about early as a direct result of Yang being kidnapped. In his grief, Tai would cling to Summer all the more, which might well expedite things.
Huh. A seventeen-year old Ruby. That's hard to imagine. Not sure if I'll do it.
But at this time, all of the RWBY cast are either babies or toddlers. Excepting Winter. We know she's older than Weiss, but they never quite stated how much older...
Q: ...How much chaos is Naruto going to cause?!
A: YES.
Alright, I've kept you long enough.
Henceforth, the chapter titles will involve the words, "The Girl" in some form or another! Onward!
"What happens when cowards push a good man beyond his means?
A good man. A decent man, an INNOCENT man!
You have only the craven to blame."
~Future.
Heal the Girl
"What do you think this is, pal? A charity?"
Naruto heaved a sigh as his right eye began to twitch.
Ironic, really. There was just something about him the number nine these days.
Nine days wasted in Haven trying to find a hospital that would take Raven. Nine minutes in this lobby trying to convince the receptionist to let them through. Nine little words in response, and now they threatened to send his already frayed temper screaming over the now he didn't much appreciate the irony.
"Can I kill this schmuck?" Kurama agreed wholeheartedly. "I think we should kill him. No one would miss 'em."
Must resist. Killing bad. Killing very tempting right about now.
"I think this is a hospital." Naruto grit his teeth until he felt a molar crack in the back of his jaw; by the time he blinked, it had already healed. "It took us several days to get here," And really, he was never moving that slowly ever again, "I have a woman here in desperate need of medical attention." he jerked a thumb over his shoulder where a prone Raven lay on a cot, guarded by a vigilant An who held Yang close in her arms. "I've done all I can for her. Now do your damn job and help!"
The orderly, a stick thin little man, didn't bat an eyelash. "Do you have any lien?"
His twitching intensified. "Well, no-
"A job, then?"
"Like I said, I don't-
"Steady source of income?"
Naruto absolutely growled. "Let me finish!"
"I don't see much point in that." the receptionist blinked back at him, wholly unperturbed. "This isn't Vale. Now unhand me before I call security."
Naruto craned his neck back. Ann shrugged helplessly.
"Sorry." he saw her mouth the word.
A wild idea struck him.
Kurama scowled. "Naruto, no."
'Naruto, yes!'
"Let me see your patients." he blurted suddenly, releasing the man and startling him in the same instant. "I can help them. Heal them. Would that be payment enough?" His smile was all teeth. "I'm sure we can work something out."
An slapped a palm to her forehead. "Saw that coming...
Little Yang gurgled her agreement.
"Are you mad?" The orderly's expression hardened even as his own crumbled. "I'm not letting you anywhere near our patients...wait." he looked past him, noticing Raven for the first time. Beady black eyes narrowed upon her. "That woman looks familiar. I've seen a poster of her somewhere...
An stiffened.
Naruto winced.
Right, time to scarper. He didn't relish the idea of fighting off the authorities, much less turning the city against him.
The man was only just reaching for a phone when the blond scooped up Raven in one arm, then Ann and little Yang in another.
Then he booked it.
(.0.0.0.)
Leonardo Lionheart fumbled for his scroll as it ran atop his desk.
Trembling fingers closed around the rectangular device, nearly dropping it i his anxiety. The traitorous headmaster inhaled once and exhaled, willing himself to be calm, to still his hammering heart. Only then did he dare speak. Even then he couldn't quite suppress the faint quiver in his voice, nor the hitch in his words.
"Do you have her?"
"No, sir." Came the voice of his assistant. "You wanted us to call if any woman matching her description turned up. She's been sighted in a hospital downtown."
Leonardo sighed in relief. "I'll alert the authorities. Don't let her leave the city."
It took everything he had not to shout with joy. At last! Release!
Here it was, his chance for escape!
Salem had been furious at the lost of Callows; madman he might've been but there could be no denying his usefulness. Tyrian was very good at what he did. Or at least he was. He'd seen what was left of him. Raven was not a kind woman. The Faunus had died slowly, in terrible pain. And with his demise, Salem's wrath burned bright. She'd threatened to tear strips out of his hide if Spring wasn't found and secured forthwith.
And now, miracle of miracles, she was here in Haven! Within his grasp!
Was his luck finally beginning to turn...?
"Sir, that's just it." his receptionist paused, snapping him back to reality.. "The report we received...she wasn't alone. There was a man and a woman with her. Also...a child."
"Don't worry, Samantha." Another lie. He'd told so many now. What was one more? "I'll see to it that they're unharmed."
He hung up soon thereafter, alone with the roiling storm of his thoughts.
She must be told.
He hung up and rose from behind his desk. Three rapid steps carried him to the false wall of his office. A quick touch caused it to part, revealing the corridor within. He darted down it, taking the steps two at a time, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to reach the other end of the wall
Truly, he bore Raven Branwen no ill will, much less her kin. But he wanted to live. And for that to happen, she had to die.
Once the Spring Maiden was taken, and the Vault emptied, he would finally be left alone...he hoped.
Finally he reached his destination.
A sullen Seer stirred in the dark at the end of the hall, making that ghastly noise it always did. Leo shivered at the sight of it and knelt slowly. Palms splayed on either side of him, he waited for a response. An awful moment of silence filled the chamber; he wondered if the Grimm device would respond to him or worse; lash out, if its Mistress had finally grown weary of him. There were some days that he almost found himself wishing for the sweet release of death.
But it would not be this day.
Its smoky surface became clear as crystal.
Red eyes gaze back at him, set within a pallid white face.
...Leonardo." a voice like sin itself purred. "Do you have news for me?"
"Yes, your grace." he prostrated himself before the awful creature so he wouldn't have to look at the devil he'd made a deal with. "I have a report to make...
(.0.0.0.)
"Unbelievable!"
Naruto reappeared in a flicker of saffron, heels digging into dirty asphalt.
If anyone cared for the sudden appearance of a glowing man carrying two women and a baby, they did little to show it. This was Mistral. Crime ruled here. So long as you didn't shank someone in the street, most wouldn't much care. An elderly woman looked their way, shrugged, and kept moving.
An shoved Yang into his arms and tumbled into the street.
"Bleurgh!" she exhaled violently, losing what little she'd eaten this morning. "Do you have to move that fast?"
Naruto muttered a halfhearted apology, shifting Raven on his shoulder as his mind continued to whirl. A flicker of his fingers palmed the unconscious woman off to one of his clones. He tried not to look at her face; tried to ignore just how pale she was getting. How thin. He'd done his best to keep pumping her with chakra, to keep her healthy.
She still hadn't woken since Kuroyuri.
It wasn't fair. He could run faster than light, obliterate mountains, heal from just about any wound; even heal others to some extend. Yet for all his skills he couldn't do a thing for Raven. She needed care and medicine he couldn't provide, proper supplies he had no idea how to acquire. What little lien An had on her was needed for their lodging and Yang; even if it wasn't, it was hardly something they could afford to spend.
"We could go back and force them." Kurama offered. "We both know they couldn't stop us.
It was tempting, but no.
"These are innocent people. I'm not going down that road."
Once he started he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stop. He'd already suffered one too many fools in this city today alone. If he dealt with one more, he was absolutely going to stnap
Ann tugged him aside to a nearby park bench. "What now?"
What indeed?
By this point he was at his wits end.
Raven was wanted in Mistral. He didn't know why, but he'd seen the posters. They hadn't been there the first day or so; only a few dozen here and there; by now they lined almost every block. Really, it was a miracle no one had made the connection between them yet. That, or perhaps Mistral's police force was just incompetent. He was leaning toward the latter.
"I'll find a way, he buried his face in one hand with a sigh, holding Yang close with the other. "I always do."
"Naruto, you can't just carry Raven around for the rest of your life.
His head snapped back up again. "Wanna bet?!"
She flinched and he regretted his words immediately.
"Sorry." he muttered. "Didn't mean to snap at you. I just...I need to help her."
His gaze flitted down to Yang. She tugged at his pink finger and started sucking on it. The ghost of a smile touched his whiskered visage. He'd promised, damnit. He never went back on his word. She deserved to have a mother...even if it felt like fate itself was conspiring against them.
"Pardon me," a new voice interjected in a soft drawl, "I couldn't help but overhear your predicament. Perhaps I can help."
Naruto bolted to his feet and pivoted to face the newcomer without thinking.
Mistakes were made.
He found himself face to face with a tall-yet-slender woman clad in a flowing violet dress he didn't recognize. Her hair was blond, carefully curled golden ringlets tumbling down her shoulders to frame a youthful visage in the spring of youth. The next thing he noticed were her eyes; for they were a familiar shade of lavender. Any comparison he might've made with a certain Hyuuga ended there; for these eyes held an insouciant gleam to them; a dark promise of mischief, her smile just a shade short of insolent.
Most prominent was the spider tattoo stood out on her bare shoulder, black ink against tan skin.
"Hello~!" she flicked her fingers at him in a dainty wave. "You're a hard man to find."
Ann hissed out a quick breath and shrank back. "Spider!"
"You know me, darling?" A fan flicked out, hiding a smile. "I'm touched. Didn't think a country bumpkin like you knew much of anythign."
"I know of you." the brunette reared back and spat at her feet. "Your kind were driven of out Kuroyuri long ago."
The so-called Spider tittered softly.
"Dear girl, you know how hard it its to get rid of spiders." she rolled her shoulders, causing her tattoo to twist. "We're everywhere these days."
Naruto considered her as one might a deadly insect. "Can I help you, miss...?" Malachite...?"
"Malachite." her nose wrinkled. "On second thought, don't use my last name. Makes me sound like an old woman. "Miranda will do." as he looked on it utter confusion, she offered a sweeping bow. "I happened to overhear your little tale of woe, and its moved my heart." she straightened thrice as quickly, unable to hide her smile. "I'd like to offer you a helping hand in your time of need."
...hey, now. He wasn't that daft.
"She has suspicious timing. Were we followed? If so, why didn't we sense her?
"You can help us? How?" Suspicion reared it ugly head in his heart. "We have nothing to pay you with."
That keen gaze of hers locked onto him with intent. Her smile grew. "Lucky for you that I have no need of Lien, then.
"What?"
"I deal in favors, dear." she patted his cheek. "A little bird told me you made quite the ruckus down in Kuroyuri."
Naruto went still.
Ann turned beet red. "How...?!"
"How indeed?" much to Naruto's chagrin Malachite began to circle him, considering him as one might a fine steak. "I nearly didn't believe my ears." She cocked her head to one side. "My girls tell me they saw a man turn into a giant golden fox." A lone hand gestured expansively, sketching Kurama's likeness in the air with a bit of dust. "Like some kind of golden Grimm; one large enough to tower over that tiny little settlement with ease. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
Naruto blanched despite himself. "Well, maybe we did show off a little...
"We?" Miranda Malachite blinked. "No matter, I like a little eccentricity. But where was I? Oh, yes." her smile had entirely too many teeth. "Imagine my surprise when a man matching your description popped up in my city. I'll have you know we spent the better part of a week looking for yo."
"Does all this prattling have a point?"
"Patience, now. Good things come to those who wait. My, you're well fit." Her hand ran the length of his chest. "But is it all for show, I wonder?"
Her wrist blurred, only to find itself caught in his grasp. His fingers bit down, grinding muscle against bone.
"Strong, too." she gasped in pain. "Good reflexes."
Naruto scowled. "Don't do that again."
"I won't~!"
She looked past him then, to the clone carrying Raven.
"As I live and breathe." her eyes widened a little. "You really do have Raven Branwen. And here I thought my pets were exaggerating."
Enough. She was yanking his chain for reasons he didn't understand, and Naruto wasn't much inclined to play her games.
He turned to go. "Ann, c'mon. This is a waste of time."
"She won't get treatment anywhere else." Malachite called after him before he made it two steps. "They'll throw her in a cell.
He snorted. "They can try."
Miranda tutted at that. "So loyal."
Yang cooed softly in his arms.
Just like that, Malachite;s entire demeanor changed.
"My, my, my~!" She leaned forward, eyes alight. "Is she yours?"
Naruto pulled her closer. "Not by blood, but yeah, I'm taking care of her."
"Is that so?" a hungry look flashed through her eyes. "Lets get down to business, then. I can help your friend. My doctors don't ask questions. They do as they're told. I'd think her life would be worth a favor...or five."
A muscle jumped in Naruto's jaw. "Three."
"Four." she haggled.
"Two." He shot back.
"Ack!" His fellow blonde feigned pain and clutched at a breast. It did...interesting things to her bosom. "You drive a hard bargain, my friend!"
Naruto sniffed. "I'm not our friend."
"But you could be." she touched his chin. "I can be a very good friend."
"Just for that?" He batted her hand away. "No, thank you. I don't think we want any of your help."
Miranda looked down.
"Your daughter seems to disagree."
Yang waved a pudgy little arm at her, grabbing at Miranda's ringlets.
Naruto scowled at the tiny babe. Treachery!
It is said that children are a good judge of character. What does that say about an infant, then?
"So what's it to be, then? You helo me, I help you." she held out her hand. "In the end, we both get what we want."
"And what do you want?"
She grinned. "Everything, really." her hand caressed his cheek. "But I'll settle on you...for now."
"Naruto, no!" Ann butted up against his shoulder. "Don't do this. Don't listen to her. We can find a better way."
"What other way is there?" he rounded on her with a scowl. "You just said it yourself; I can't carrying Raven around like a sack of flour everywhere I go...
"No fair!" she glowered at him. "Using my words against me...
.
..
...
"I have conditions."
He received a giddy giggle. "Name 'em!"
"I won't kill for you." he held up one finger. "I won't hurt anyone for your amusement."
"Perish the thought!" Another pawing at her chest. "I don't want another hired thug, or some dumb muscle." her purple eyes flashed with a sudden burst of glee. "I want a man who thinks for himself. Two favors it is, then?"
Naruto grunted. "I still don't trust you."
"Good. Trust is overrated?" Miss Malachite beamed. "Whaddya say? Shake my hand?"
Ann made a noise of discontent behind him and pointedly looked way."
"C'mon now," Miranda prodded. "Won't you shake a poor sinner's hand?"
Naruto had a feeling he'd regret this.
But what choice did he have?
"Why favors?" he stalled.
"Because I think a favor or two from you would be a powerful thing indeed." Miranda Malachite's smile was pure poisoned honey. "You pay your debts, don't you, sweetie? You're a man of honor. I'm sure you keep your promises, too. Never go back on your word. That sort of thing."
She'd read him like a book.
He clasped her hand.
Her grin grew.
"Yesss." She all but purred the word as her fingers tightened around his. "We have an accord. Are you ready?"
"One last question." his frown deepened. "Why go this far?" she flinched a little and he pressed the attack. "You actively sought me out, hunted me down, and went out of your way to help me. All this for two favors? No." he shook his head. "I don't buy it. What's your real reason?"
"Reasons." He received a shrug. "Lets just say we have a...mutual interest in keeping your broody bird alive and leave it at that."
"Why does that not fill me with confidence?"
Another shrug. "That's your moral hangup, not mine. I have my reasons for wanting her alive. You have yours. Her eyes flitted to Yang. "You know, I always wanted girls of my own...twins, perhaps."
Naruto bridled and held his ward close. "Don't even think about it!"
"Oh, hush." she swatted his shoulder with her fan. "I'm not fool enough to try and take her from you. Something tells me I wouldn't survive the attempt."
His expression turned thunderous. "You wouldn't."
"There it is!" she crowed, dark exultation flashing across her face. "That's the look I want to see. You fight to protect what's yours. Like a good parent should. There's nothing more honest than a Father protecting his baby girl, wouldn't you agree?" when he held his tongue, she shrugged. "Feel free to stay in Mistral for a few days." once more her hand glided over him. patted his shoulder. "We'll have your woman right as rain."
"You keep saying that. She's not mine."
"Oh?" a slender brow arched. "Good to know."
Ann made a keening noise between her teeth. "Not another one!"
Another what? Naruto really didn't understand what she was getting at.
Malachite patted his cheek anew. "Lets get you lot squared away. Then we can talk business...
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. Why did he have the feeling he'd just made a deal with the devil?
He really hadn't. Just the future mother of his offspring. Well, two of them at any rate.
Wasn't that one and the same?
A/N: To clarify! This is a Young!Miss Malachite before Miltia and Melanie were born. We never had a first name for her, so Miranda was chosen.
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!
That's no joke! I can't write without feedback. Guess that makes me weak...T_T
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews!
Potential ones at that.
(Previews)
Ann wondered if she was going mad.
She rocked Yang a little in her arms. "What do you think, dear."
The babe furrowed her brow. "Ma."
Ann went terribly still.
"Oh, dear."
Hazel cracked his neck. "Time to hunt a Maiden...
Miss Malachite pivoted, her lean face alight with delight.
"Come to think of it, I'd like to call in a favor. Did you hear? There's a bigshot visiting Haven."
Naruto blinked once. "And?"
"Its a Schnee.
.
..
...
You have no idea who that is, do you? Regardless, he's here with his family.
"He owes us a debt. We helped him further SDC resources in Mistral in return for a cut of the profits. He never paid up.
"I already told you, I'm not a loan shark. I'm not about to beat up an innocent man."
"Innocent?" She ran a hand over his amr. "Trust me. When you see him, you'll understand."
And he did.
Raven opened her eyes.
"Fuckin' finally...
"A husband shouldn't treat his wife like that." firm fingers tightened around his wrist. "Apologize."
Jacques bridled. "How dare you!? Do you have any idea who I am?!"
"Nope." Naruto smacked his lips. "Now apologize."
"And if I refuse?!"
"I'll rearrange your face."
Willow yanked little Winter behind her.
A dust pistol barked. Jacques fumbled to reload.
"You have my attention, now." Naruto blinked down at the hole in his shoulder. "I hope it was what you wanted."
It was not.
R&R~!