Well, this one kind of game from several suggestions and I kind of merged them as they felt similar to me.

Yet at the same time, this short would have been very similar to how I wanted to Hushed Dreams to originally start.

Roman was who I wanted as Naruto's surrogate father but due to him being in Mistral and wanting early interactions with Neo, story shifted.

No real ship set at the moment for this one. I think Neo or Emerald would be the best fits.

So let's get to the concept of Naruto being Roman's surrogate son and his apprentice in...

The Phantom Prince of Hearts.


Pink sakura blossoms gently fluttered in the chilly winter wind. They swept around Sakura Park as the busy nightlife and blaring music of the nearby clubs and joints ruined the scenery.

Not that was what he was paying attention to. But he would take any advantage he could get.

Sitting on a bench behind a flattened yet crumpled day-old newspaper, a man with vivid auburn orange hair pretended to muse about the articles. In truth, his attention was solely focused on the closest nightclub.

The Luck of the Mountain.

Their live music wasn't horrible. Their drinks were overpriced and watered down. Nah, none of that was why he was here.

The illegal gambling in the basement hidden beneath was why he was scoping the scene. People came in sober and came out sloshed with thinner pockets, sure, but they came with their guards lowered due to their inebriated states.

Honey Wine and her music had a lot to do with that. Her Semblance was seductively alluring with how it intoxicated their patrons, further lowering their inhibitions. It was across the street and sitting in the park…

Didn't want to get lured in.

A broad grin escaped his features as he chuckled. He simply had to pick the right target. A sucker that he could rob blind. Perhaps take their jacket too… Winter was harsh in Mistral.

A sudden metallic crash jostled him within his seat, snapping his emerald gaze to the offending sound. He repeatedly blinked at the sight before him as a garbage can lid rolled down the concrete path through the park.

Was that kid searching through the trash?

Blanching at seeing a kid riffle through the trash can, almost diving into it, he gagged at the sight. His eyes, however, glistened momentarily before scowling. Didn't want to be reminded of her… How many times did he have to scavenge because of that bitch…

"Kid, what the hell are you doing?" Roman Torchwick inquired with a low growl.

Popping his torso out of the trash, a young fox Faunus, who couldn't be older than ten, peered toward him distrustingly with his cerulean eyes. It took a moment for him to answer, as if he was gauging him, something he understood all too well, before the kid dove back in. "Fishing. Hungry."

Roman winced at the blunt honesty. He wasn't lying about what he was doing, that was for sure…

"Fishing, huh?" His eyes gleamed despondently before he scowled.

No. He would never again fall for such a trap. Not again… There was no room for such weakness if he was to surv…

"The hell are you doing?!" Roman jumped up from his bench, knocking a half-eaten drumstick out of the kid's head and back into the trash with his wooden cane. "Don't you know how sick you get from eating that shit!"

"It's not like I can get food elsewhere!" The fox kid angrily snarled in return, his seething gaze burning into Roman. "I tried hunting, and those damn black creatures kept chasing after me! I couldn't even catch a rabbit because they drove me out of the swamps!"

The kid was out in the swamps? Roman repressed his desire to recoil before his gaze squinted. "You escaped from Grimm chasing you down? You're lucky to be alive, brat."

"Is that what they're called?" The fox kid muttered, his tail swishing behind him while curiously tilting his head before scoffing. "They were easy to escape from. Compared to the people I have to trick back home to get away from, that was nothing!"

Roman's eyebrow snapped up at that detail. Those were unusual traits to have to learn at his age… Good skills for an orphan brat on the streets to have, however…

"Then why are you trying to get food out of the trash instead of stealing it, dumbass." Roman snarled through his teeth while spitefully glaring at the kid. He was costing him precious time… Any moment, a suitable target would stumble out of that…

His eyes shifted out of the club as a man wearing a green overcoat and black bowler hat bumbled out of The Luck of the Mountain. A broad grin graced his features as he carefully observed the man. Speak of the devil.

"Huh?" The kid stared at him in confusion, his lips pursed. "Why would I ever steal? That hurts other people…"

"It's a kill-or-be-killed world out here, kid. Gotta do what is necessary to survive." Roman retorted, straightening his posture, his eyes gleaming. "Let me show you just what I mean…"

Without another word, leaving the kid further confused and irritated, he carefully measured his mark as he followed along the sidewalk across the road. Even in the man's inebriated state, he couldn't make his intentions noticeable. Had to look natural.

Oh, nearly struck by that car. This guy is not paying any attention. Roman thought to himself, watching the man slowly cross to his side of the street. Perfect. Don't have to go out of my way.

His timing was impeccable.

With a simple bump, his hand slipped into the man's coat pocket. As skunked as he was, he likely didn't notice a thing as he slid his wallet from his possession and into his pocket.

"Watch it," The man gruffly muttered, stumbling forward, likely heading toward the stairs for the city's upper levels.

The city's elevator didn't come to this level. It was as if it was a buffer between the populace given how many Faunus lived in this sector…

Also, to separate the haves and have-nots. Roman bitterly reminded himself of his situation, waiting until he was closer to a nearby alley to turn around and call out to the man, waving his wallet and putting on a friendly smile. "Excuse me! You dropped this!"

The man whirled around, staggering as he did, reaching into his pockets with alarm. He scowled as he patted them before scrunching his face as he shuffled toward Roman. "Where did you get that?"

"Found it back at the club." Roman lied as he enacted his plan, holding out the wallet to the man before yanking it away from the man's grasp as he tried to take it back. "Say, it's getting kind of cold. Think you could help a fella out?"

The man scoffed, eyes glaring daggers as he measured Roman. "I bet you stole that from me…"

Repressing his eye roll, Roman sighed. The man still had a semblance of reasoning, it seemed…

"Now, isn't that harsh?" Roman responded with a friendly but putting on a display of trivial acting. "Instead of being rewarded for a good deed, I get accused of committing a crime?! Wouldn't be the first time, but what is this world coming to!"

The man snarled. "I'm wise to your con. I've dealt with many people like you before. With a simple call, the authorities will be here in seconds."

"Hardly," Roman muttered, preparing to toss the man's wallet into the alley after feigning returning it to him. "Fine. Here you are…"

Roman blinked as the loud sound of something smacking against the man's skull resonated, and the man flopped to the concrete, unconscious. Instead, before him was the blonde kid holding what seemed to be a wooden ninja knife in hand, sliding the offending weapon back into his small pouch.

"Kid, did you just club him for me?" Roman incredulously stared at the fox kid.

"Yeah!" He grinned brightly, unaware of the consequences of his actions. "Wasn't that your plan? You started to raise your voice, distracting him. It looked like the distraction demonstration we got at school!"

"What school do you go to that teaches that?!" Roman hissed as he scanned the area around him, moving to lift the man up and into the alley. "Never mind! Help me hide the body!"

"Sure!" The kid bent over and grabbed the man by the ankles, causing Roman to tilt his head further as the kid easily held up his end of the weight.

How strong was this kid?! Roman kept his turmoil internal before grinning as they carefully set the man down. Well, this worked better than I anticipated…

"Help me get his coat and gloves off," Roman commanded before opening the wallet and nodding. "I'll get you a nice meal if you do that for me once we're outta here for your help."

"Can do!" The fox kid smirks, beginning to work at removing his gloves, holding him up for Roman to easily strip his coat off. "Name's Naruto, by the way!"

"Never tell your accomplice your name." Roman chastised, finding himself giving tips of the trade, which irritated him. "Plausible deniability. Can't say I know you if I don't know your name. Always got to plan on being caught."

"Oh, okay!" Naruto sagely nodded, taking the advice to heart, all the while taking the bowler hat off the man and handing it to Roman. "Want this?"

"Huh?" Roman squinted at the item, hardly thinking about it as he slid on the coat, feeling far warmer than before. "Sure…"

It wasn't his style. Roman mused, taking it momentarily before putting it on to try it out. Then again… I could get used to this look.

"Looks good!" Naruto chirped, closing his eyes happily before his ears folded on his head, and he growled, his head snapping toward the alley's entrance.

Roman's gaze sharply adverted toward the entrance, and he scowled. Lovely. Miss Malachite goons… She hates poachers on her territory…

He knew these two well. Brick and Mortar. Two thugs that Malachite kept on her payroll for collection purposes.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Brick's deep voice chuckled as they stepped into the alley.

"Looks like another punk stealing from innocent civilians." Mortar's higher-pitched voice contrasted with Brick's as they menacingly sauntered toward them.

"Ah, for a second there, I was worried you boys were Huntsman." Roman laughed, tipping his new hat as he bowed to them.

"Mocking us, boy?" Brick growled, clenching his meaty fist so tightly his knuckles gave a resounding pop. "We've been looking for ya for a long time. Stealing from Miss Malachite's patrons doesn't fly here."

"I'm flattered! It's nice to feel wanted!" Roman grinned, eyes gleaming with amusement while scanning the situation. "Just as it isn't the police that want me, of course."

This wasn't going to be an easy out. They were tough, but nothing he couldn't overcome if it came down to a fight. And if it did… Roman's eyes shimmered, his eyes drawn to their pockets. All that collection money…

"If ya want to operate here, ya got to get Lil Miss's blessing." Mortar added while cracking his knuckles in an attempt to look menacing. "If not…"

"I do not need Malachite's protection, boys." Roman bitterly responded, glaring daggers at them.

This was his life. He would live by his rules—no one else's.

"We'll see about that…" Brick lumbered forward, Roman stepping to the side and avoiding his rush, catching him in the rear with his cane.

His lips twitched in amusement, watching the large man's momentum carry him over and sent him head over heels with just a little push. Didn't have to put anything into that. Next blow will finish him…

Roman had always been naturally physically more gifted than most, having to use them at a young age. Benefits of my Aura awakening young and having a larger pool than others, I suppose.

Pivoting on a dime, hearing Mortar's high-pitched roar, Roman's eyes blinked as he expected to whack the man away from him.

Only to watch a flying knee connect to the man's jaw from Naruto, the strike being packed with enough heat that it sent him careening into the alley wall head first. He slumped onto the cold cement, blood dripping from his nose and mouth, his eyes shut close.

Knocked him unconscious with a single blow? Roman's eyes flickered with surprise, his gaze fully invested onto Naruto.

This kid was an enigma! Just what in the world was he?!

"Watch out!" Naruto alerted Roman to a surprise attack behind him, Brick's scream barely registering.

But he had more than enough time to react to these goons.

He slapped the pistol out of the man's hand the moment he twirled around, seeing him pull the weapon up toward him. And with a swift counterstrike to the temple, the man dropped to the ground just like his friend. Unconscious.

"Well, that takes care of that." Roman spat on the man, kneeling over him, riffling through his pockets before turning his head to Naruto.

Squinting at seeing the fox kid beam at him, seemingly wanting praise for his assistance, Roman scowled. The kid had much to learn if he wanted to survive these streets…

But he did do good… For now.

"See what you can take from them, and let's get out of here. They would have done it to us, so let's repay the favor." Roman ordered, pulling out a thick pouch and the man's wallet with a grin. "Think I know a place around here that serves so nice hot food…"

"Maybe we can pluck a jacket from an unsuspected brat, too, while we're out for ya."


Well one more concept out of the way.

A reminder to everyone, if you enjoy the snippets and want them to become a story on their own, leave a comment.

The more traction a story receives, the likelihood of it becoming a story increases.

From Leaves to Ashes is the only story I'm currently considering as it seems to be the concept that has the most attention.

So if you really like any of these small tales and would like to see them expanded, gonna have to use your voice!

A now for a quick response to all the comments:

Just in general to all those simply saying kind words and showing support such as Crimson Riot 01, ArrowstoAthens, Kharaki Takan, JChittester, and Alanproaso1324:

Thank you!

Alanproaso1324, Kharaki Takan, Dragonkeeper10: Yeah, I already addressed this in an earlier chapter, but I just wanted Boruto to be more like his dad and with Summer as his mother instead of Hinata... I see him being a different character and this is coming from someone who couldn't connect with Boruto as a character.

Aleucard: I'm still lost at what the first half of your comment meant. Only guess is that it is all about Madame and how Kushina was about to snap on her.

Dragonkeeper10: Glad you enjoyed most of them so far! And, oh, I need these snippets just to get things out of my head and possibly have a place to start with if enough people wanna see the story! Only way I could get a story with Cinder to work in my mind with Naruto turning to the dark side. You have to reach Cinder before she hits the point of no return and considering she is Cinderella, she kind of needed her prince or... Well we know how the story goes. For the Summer story, I've been racking my brain on a concept that would work in Elemental Nations and a story for her in particular after A Fairy Tale's Promise eventually went the route of Ruby being the better choice.

bednarczykmiki: First off, damn your name is hard to type! Secondly, Kakashi would indeed be proud! And finally, I don't really have one planned for Kali. Every idea that focus around her... Turns to smut. Something about her that draws out that side of me...

Chapter 1 Guest (even though your review was on chapter 2): Funny enough, I'm not exactly sure who I would have take Cinder's place on Salem's side. Emerald was not my first choice, ironically enough... No, there may have been a role reversal in play...

Chapter 2 Guest: (this is me rambling a little bit, lol) Naruto restoring Amber's powers, for me, has to come at a very specific moment. His Ying-Yang release as we can see heals the body. He doesn't have Creation of All Things, so affecting the soul is still out of his range of abilities. So by intervening at the exact second and destroying the Grimm that was draining her power, he cut off the damage, minimizing it. And Cinder would be under Ozpin's watch since he is the one still in charge of Vale's defenses as, if you remember, Vale Council gives Ironwood that control during the Vytal Festival. He's not even there so Oz is taking matters into his own hands, although rest assured, Ironwood is heavily involved.

Chapter 3 Guest: Yeas, Summer would be four years Naruto's senior. Don't really see that as an issue as their relationship would only become until after the canonical ending of Naruto, where their story would continue on to explain other events such as the portal between worlds. And while yes, poor Hinata, honestly, and this is a hot take, her relationship with him is solely because of Neji's influence. Naruto would have never noticed her without him.

Chapter 5 Guest: It's just the Yin half considering Kurama's Yang half is in the now imploded Elemental Nations. Ears very similar to Kurama's to answer the question. And oh, if Winter knew Naruto was the one that punctured through her vessel... Irony is that will never be known as Naruto will never figure it out either and Kurama isn't gonna tell him.

Raidentensho: ...That is a story into itself that needs its own fleshing out, my friend! Not sure if I would be the one to do it, but damn!

Vongola Ninja: Well as you can see, this chapter could lead to that. My problem is that... Emerald is my least favorite character in RWBY. Now, as shown, I can put aside my taste for a character and write for them (Embers of a True Hero as proof as Yang is the ship and she's at the bottom of the list of characters), but it all depends on the story. And as a master thief, honestly, I lean more toward Neo than Emerald in such a concept. And I would entirely out of my Element in that kind of sci-fi theme story with elements of Detroit Becomes Human and stuff of that nature. I lean away from that kind of material in general even if the ideas and concepts intrigue me.

AzureMask: Well, kind of already had the idea for that except it's a struggle to get that age range to properly line up given Roman and Neo are ten years apart in age and he doesn't even meet her until she's 18 and that's 3 to 5 years before canon officially begins (Yes, Neo is 21 to 23 canonically and is roughly in the same age group as Cinder and Winter). You also have to count in Roman's survive and do it alone mentality doesn't shift until he meet Neo as it forms before the events a Roman Holiday when he was framed for a crime for attempting to help a woman in a scuffle only to come to realize it was a shady deal gone wrong. So searching for a gap that Roman would take Naruto in is very small.

And one last one as a somehow missed the Guest that did comment on Chapter 1: No, Kushina didn't flee with Naruto from the Elemental Nations. Something more is at play for why they are in Remnant. I keep the two worlds separate, mostly, as the tech difference and lack of Grimm in Naruto's portion of the world would be mind numbingly difficult to integrate.

But for now, like always my friends, I will see you soon.

Peace.