Again,
Appreciate all the support and love for the story.
It means more than you know.
Have a full update and progress schedule on my profile.
Just as a note, this story obviously has more genres than the noted two.
Humor and some Angst are present in this story in good chunks.
Humor to keep uplifting and Angst to keep the story grounded.
The Romance, while a main catalyst of the story, is a slow burn.
Giving a direction of how the story is built upon.
It has some growth to go through.
Now let's get this show on the road.
Response to Y 2 g: Thank you for that information. Was that manga or anime? Never watched deep into Shippuden. If it was manga, I don't recall Sasuke doing that during the final battle against Kaguya. However, in fairness, that fight is a bit of a mess and all over the place, and I only remember the main beats of it. It's also been about ten years since I've read it, so given that I still have the recall of the main beats fairly well...
That being said, do recall, given that fact, the reverse is true, and Naruto can be summoned back as Fukasaku and Shima have that capacity. Therefore what is going to happen at the end of this chapter and the upcoming few chapters will put things more into perspective and be my answer to keep that from happening.
It had been a bit of a pain keeping his eyes on the kid since he escaped the hospital. Finding him wasn't the most difficult, as once he took flight, he held the advantage. He quickly could scope out the scene from above and find him from above. A blonde kid with spiky locks wearing a medical gown wasn't too hard to spot, even when he was doing a decent job attempting to stay concealed.
So he tailed him, seeing what he was going to do.
The kid didn't expect a thing. Nobody ever did.
Well, that didn't seem entirely accurate. He kept reacting to and noticing him, unlike many others he had kept tabs on in the past. It was startling as the blonde's awareness was definitely above average.
But he was also straightforward to distract and annoy. Too easy to rile up. It almost reminded him of Yang, and she was six! He wasn't sure if that was immaturity or if he was on edge, but it allowed him to get his attention off being noticed so much to becoming the bane of the kid's existence. And he had to say…
It was kind of funny to watch. If he could get these kinds of reactions from Yang…
Oh, he would do it. And it would be glorious.
But an afternoon watching the kid was enough to know he was harmless, if not a bit reckless. He was lost and didn't know where he was, that was for sure. He could not figure out where anything was in Vale, and he had to direct him multiple times. Ensure he managed to find his way around and to the clothing store. Saw a few more of his skills and had to say, he wasn't sure what his Semblance was still after watching him at work, but the kid was very stealthy and tricky.
And he didn't need to know he dropped in after and paid for the clothes. Didn't want him to know either. He stepped in for Ruby and Yang when they needed it. It was the least he could do.
He seemed to be looking for information, trying to figure out where he was, and having little success. For that matter, he had little clue where the kid came from. The band that he wore proudly on his head didn't give him any indicators, but it was something from his original clothing he kept, and that was still usable. Must have had some significance, but he couldn't figure out what.
Did somewhat resemble the headband ninjas wore, but what ninja would put an emblem on it and symbolize where they were from? Wasn't that counterintuitive to their purpose of not being identified? Also…
What ninja wore bright orange and made themselves a target?
Yet given he had found the kid with said kind of weapons on his person and a few left over in the snow where he was fighting the Beowolfs, it was the only conclusion he had at the moment. It also matched with the display of trickery and skillset the kid was using.
Noting it was getting late, he led the kid to the food stands in the town square. It was an excellent place to see what he could do and pay for what the kid stole after. He was simply doing what he had to do to survive.
No harm in that. Not compared to what he had to do back in his days in the clan…
The kid didn't seem like that, though. Far too gentle in spirit, and that was a good thing.
The girl was a surprise too. She came out of nowhere and seemed extremely happy just being outside when she ran into him. He had noticed her earlier wandering from the arcade and heading toward them aimlessly, but after their collision, he couldn't believe what had happened.
She communicated with him? Roughly and it didn't seem he entirely understood everything she conversed to him, but he knew some of what she spoke with sign language!
The kid knew some Sign Language! That was a start! If there was a bridge of communication, that meant it was possible to convey intent.
He let the girl drag him away, for it seemed she was ecstatic that someone could speak sign with her. She was an odd one, for sure, but he would let that slide as he found a secluded place to land and transform back into his normal state.
Walking back to see the two at the milkshake stand, Qrow drew his scroll from his pocket and navigated his contacts. Finding the person he wanted, he glanced at the screen and impatiently tapped his foot. "Come on. Pick up already. Surprised it even got past the first ring…"
"Oh, Qrow! Impeccable timing! I was thinking of heading out into town, my good friend! We haven't spoken in quite some time! Shall I call…" A fast-paced voice began to proceed on the other end rapidly.
"Bartholomew, stop talking." Qrow winced at the speed the other man was speaking. "I need a favor from you. Yesterday I called Ozpin about finding a kid that helped save my nieces in the woods from Grimm. Turns out the kid doesn't know our language and speaks a completely different one. One I've never heard before. And he doesn't seem to understand any others."
"Intriguing!" Bartholomew responded, sounding interested. "Am I assuming you need help communicating with him?"
"Obviously," Qrow responded, keeping an eye on the kids as they went over to a different stand, curiously watching their interaction as the girl took complete control of the situation. "The kid panicked and fled the hospital when Tai and I arrived with his kids to see him. Admittingly, the kid had some skills as he got away from me despite his condition, and I couldn't calm him down. The lack of clear communication is a problem, and I've been tailing the kid since…"
"That does make things difficult. Panic is a natural reaction to a situation like that, especially for a young person. I dare say most adults wouldn't handle themselves any better, unfortunately." Bartholomew added before he sighed. "But that makes your situation difficult. If he is already in a panicked state, clear communication will be quite the task."
Qrow grinned as he watched the blonde sit beside the brown-haired girl as she drank from the shake, shivering in excitement. "That's the thing. I think I just came across something…"
"The kid bumped into someone I don't think can speak and has been using sign language. And he's been responding, albeit it seems his knowledge of it is limited. And he's started to calm down since coming across them."
"Oh, brilliant! I'll be there shortly to assist!" Bartholomew jumped up on his end excitedly, nearly running off without his scroll before returning to grab it. "Wait, where are you? That information is highly critical!"
"You know where all the concession stands and food places are in the square?"
"Oh, yes, yes! Be there soon as possible!"
"Great, see…" Qrow narrowed his eyes and looked at what was unfolding before him. "Well, isn't that just great? Got to take care of this. Get here quickly."
Hanging up his scroll as he watched the three punk-dressed girls confront the mute girl, Qrow was not in the mood. This day had been annoying enough as it was, and he was ready for a drink. He could pull out his flask and take a swig…
He really needed it. It was calling for him. Echoing his name. Wanting him to take a sip…
His hand twitched, and he shook his head. He needed to focus. He could take a sip in a moment, he should intervene before anything occurs and things get out of hand. Much as he didn't like it, he wasn't sure what the kid would do in a situation like this. If things escalated, he wasn't sure what would happen, and with him intervening to protect the girl…
Did the mute girl have a Semblance?
Qrow was baffled upon seeing a copy of the tiny girl. He noticed her aura build and spike as she became upset. His attention was drawn to behind the group of girls where a copy of her appeared, but it was somewhat altered to have pink hair.
Huh. To think that the two kids possessed similar…
Those kids didn't give up, did they? Bigger doesn't always mean superior dumb brats. Now he'd have to…
Well, no, the pink-haired copy went on the offensive and took the leader out. It was a solid mimicry of herself too! And it shattered into glass! Huh, that was a unique Semblance. If he were a betting man, he would say she had a Creation Semblance that dealt with Hard-Light, which was rare. He'd have to put a note on this girl and have Oz keep tabs on her.
She seemed like she could be something special.
Crap, it must have burned her aura, and she must have never experienced it before. First time always hurts the worst. This crowd of people is certainly making things interesting. Good cover, though. It allowed him to blend in and kept the kid from noticing…
Is she panicking? Why? I mean, they are taking pictures, sure, but why is that freaking her out so much?
As sirens blared and red and blue lights flickered, Qrow grimaced. Now that was a reason to panic. Even the kid knew what that was and looked unsettled as the girl started unsteadily sprinting away from the scene.
He needed to head her off. Until Bartholomew was here, he needed someone to communicate with the kid, and she at least could get through to him. So he needed her here. Those punks were causing enough trouble around the area that police would take his word and book them.
Especially after that! Idiots, lunging in front of an officer…
And now they're tied up! The kid was pretty fast despite the state he was in. Saved him the trouble of having to stop them and catch her. Now he could plant himself in front of her and…
Her face smacked straight into the corner of his stomach, and Qrow grimaced. She hit him full speed, too, not looking as if she was paying full attention to the kid after the boy rounded the girls up. He felt her face flatten from the impact, and she bounced and ricocheted off him and tried to reach out for her, but…
Qrow had to hand it to the kid. He was on the ball and had her back. Didn't look pleased with his appearance, but he wasn't going to back off from helping her despite the situation. He had stuck it out with her this long. It seemed he wasn't going to back down and run now.
Hearing the officers approach and having heard them, Qrow turned his attention to the uniformed cop coming. Holding out his scroll, he activated his ID and alerted him precisely who he was. "I got everything handled here, officers. Take those three in over there, if you don't mind."
"They've been causing a ruckus here from what I've been noticing and should be charged with misdemeanor public disturbances. These two were only defending themselves."
Glancing at the badge, the officer nodded, seeing his name as the kid helped the petite girl back to her feet and stiffened, her eyes focusing on him. "Huntsman Branwen. Understood. Thank you for recounting the situation to us. It isn't the first time these three have been in trouble around here."
"Yeah, don't mention it," Qrow muttered under his breath as the police officer turned around, and for once, he wasn't drinking.
Would have made convincing the officers a tad more difficult that he was a coherent witness with liquor on his breath. Wasn't his fault he didn't lose that much of a step when fighting drunk…
The girl was extremely nervous in his presence, and the kid was warily keeping his eye on him, not trusting him. That was fair for him as he did try to catch him earlier, and he didn't know he intended to help him. Her nervousness and her reactions were far odder, so he needed to calm the situation down as the officers took the punks away and cleared the scene.
Knowing that standing tall would be an issue, he minimized his size and knelt before her to look into her eyes. A standard procedure to keep someone calm when applicable, as it diminished how much of a threat instinctively you appeared.
"Kid." Next was speaking in a calm and level voice to convey no ill intent. Had to make sure she would try to run. Didn't need her and the kid running on him. "I understand you are afraid and worried. That's understandable. I've got a few questions to ask you, but there is something more important to me…"
"I think you can help me as you have been the first person I've noticed who can communicate with this knucklehead. And I really need to talk to him and explain a few things."
Qrow could see her shoulders relax ever so slightly. She wasn't as alarmed and didn't look ready to sprint from him, so he considered that a victory. And as long as she was here, he believed the kid would stick around. He was eyeing him suspiciously, but he wasn't leaving her side.
It seemed he had some loyalty or, at the very least, kinship formed with the girl already. Maybe it was due to the fact he was able to communicate with her. Whatever it was, it made his life easier.
Oobleck would be here soon enough and could speed things along.
Seeing her pull out her scroll and type into it, she curiously tilted at him distrustingly, and he frowned as she showed it to him.
Did father send you?
What? Did this kid think he was out looking for her on a Search and Rescue? Why would she think that? That wouldn't make sense unless…
"Kid, I ain't out here for you. I'm here for him as he ran out of the hospital while still wounded before anyone could explain what happened to him." Qrow shook and tilted his head at the blonde teen beside her, trying to explain his position. "I am not bought so easily to go looking for people. My job is to take care of Grimm and deal with wanted felons. I'm not paid well enough to go kid hunting, and I'm only doing this as blondie here happened to something I'm indebted to him for. So I'd like to find some way of communicating with him, and right now, you are my best option."
"You got that?" Qrow finished as he stood up, glancing over at the ramen stand, and noticed the owner looking over worriedly at the scene that was caused. "But I believe you ordered some food, so how 'bout we talk while we eat? Sound good?"
The young girl didn't seem to trust his answer and was gauging his every movement with her eyes. He didn't like that she was so skeptical, but it showed she wasn't going to be simple to fool, and that was a beneficial trait to have. But one for so young and seemingly oblivious of everything around her to have…
He had more questions about her.
However, it seemed like she had seen enough. Turning to her taller partner, she motioned a hand gesture that almost looked like she was taking something and putting it into her mouth and then pointed at the stand. Then with her same hand, she held out four fingers and tapped them against her chin before pointing directly at him.
The blonde teen took a moment to absorb what was shown before he leerily glanced in his direction. It seemed he was correct in assuming he had some basics with sign language, and she got the point across. Didn't seem he was thrilled about the proposition, but his stomach decided for him with that loud earth-shattering roar that even caught him by surprise.
And he knew the boy was cursing in his language. He knew that tone all too well.
Qrow grinned as the kid glared heatedly at him before sighing. He then forced a gentle smile toward his peer and nodded, agreeing to sit back down with her. That seemed to lift her spirits as she beamed back at him, turning back to the stand, and began to make her return to their seats.
The kid flanked her side mumbling something in his tongue but kept a single eye on him as he trailed slightly behind and joined them at the stand. Placing his card down on the counter, he took out his flask, and finally, he savored the swig he took. He exhaled, feeling the burn down his throat before giving the proprietor his attention. "Give me the same thing you got the kids."
"Yes, sir." The stand owner took his card and ran it before handing it back to him and returning to the almost-finished cooking noodles. "Their order is almost ready. Glad you were here to clear things up. Those girls have been menaces to some of the younger customers."
"Yeah, yeah."
Another flask hit. The burn felt so good. He hadn't had a drink since before he went to check up on Tai and found the kids missing. Oh, he really needed it…
Feeling a poke in his side, he looked over and saw the girl glaring at him. Her nose scrunched up, and the kid seemed further annoyed. Oh, sticklers on adults imbibing in the luxuries of adulthood? Heh, they'd understand when they were older. If they chose the path of Huntsman, they'd know when they were seventeen; otherwise, they would have to wait until twenty-one.
Huntsman privilege.
"Right, back on track." Qrow shook his head and put down his flask as the girl annoyingly took a sip of her milkshake but didn't look elated like she had earlier. "Since you can communicate with him somewhat with sign language, I need a few things from you."
"First and foremost, tell the kid thank you." Qrow hung his head, his eyes wavering at the thought as he placed his elbows on the counter and leaned against it. "And the kiddos want to give him their thanks, too, along with their dad."
"He'll understand, trust me." Qrow waved off the confused look the girl was giving him as she tilted her head toward him awkwardly.
She did as he asked. He turned to the kid, motioning toward him before she slowly went through the signs. Seemed like she wasn't too polished herself, probably due to having a scroll and just being able to type out what she wanted to say and show it to people and most people in Vale, and in Remnant in general, not knowing sign language. It was rare when one needed to know it.
Again, the kid seemed a little lost as he didn't catch everything signed toward him. But he had a look of recognition after she was finished, and he looked over at him. There was some understanding between them at last. He wasn't relaxed by any means, but he got the message.
He was simply a thankful uncle that was glad his nieces were still in one piece when he arrived.
For once, his luck had not soured, a rarity in his life.
Then he was taken aback by the kid responding with a few gestures. Did he know enough to sign back? It took a moment for the girl to comprehend his answer, tilting her head, but she nodded. Typing into her scroll, she turned back to him and showed it to him.
Not very good with Sign. Said something along the lines of 'Your Welcome, Jerk.'
"He signed something like jerk?"
Didn't understand the word he used. The way he used it was insulting. So I chose a word for him that seemed fitting.
Qrow's right eye twitched. He then rolled his eyes and sighed before grabbing his flask and taking another drink. "Fair enough."
"And Summer wondered why I didn't want to settle down with a nice girl and have kids. Wonder why, Summer? Maybe kids are assholes?" Qrow took another stiff drink before placing his hand on his temple as he put down his flask and massaged it, and exhaled regretfully. "Of all of us to disappear…"
He could see the two look at each other, the blonde looking quizzically at the girl who shrugged. Yeah, his outburst threw them off. Rolling his eyes at their actions, he watched as two large bowls of noodles were placed in front of both of them and raised his eyebrow at the large serving. There was no way they were going to handle that kind of…
"What in the world did I just watch?" Qrow blinked as the bowl in front of the blonde kid almost evaporated before his eyes, and the kid bowed politely to the owner, grinning ear to ear. "Did he just inhale all of that? I've heard of inhuman feats before, but that tops many of them."
The girl tilted her head but only beamed at the sight. She seemed excited at the prospect of the food if he enjoyed it that much to engulf it all so quickly!
"Don't try to match him in speed! Chew and swallow! Savor the flavor!" Qrow cried as the girl suddenly dug in voraciously like a lunatic. "What freaks of kids did I run into?"
"Ah, Qrow! I found you!" A familiar quick, paced voice echoed from behind him.
He didn't even need to turn as he knew it was Bartholomew Oobleck. Yet that didn't ease his concern as that would only amplify the insanity as the man…
Had quite the reputation for being a little off-kilter.
"Probably why Oz hired him on his staff," Qrow muttered before noticing the kid tense at the new presence, as did the girl. "Wait, hold on, you two…"
"I called him earlier for a favor as I wanted a translator more fluent in sign language, as all Professors at Beacon have to be, and that has dabbled in various ancient languages. Thought it could be helpful considering the kid spoke a dialect no one could understand." Qrow tried to calm the two as he could see their nerves rising again.
"Indubitably," Oobleck responded, wanting to assist in any way, shape, and form he could. "You see, while I'm a historian, languages are an invaluable tool to understand the world around us. Upon hearing this young man speak in a language my friend had never heard before, it intrigued me. There are hardly any spoken languages left in Remnant accounted for since humanity has united to battle Grimm. At least from what we've found recorded. The few remaining are spoken by those who teach their children their ancient language so it may live on, and we scholars desperately seek out those individuals to understand more of the ancient world."
Qrow could see the girl frown as the boy was still on edge. She didn't like anything she heard, and even he didn't like what Bartholomew had just said. "Wait, the kid doesn't seem to acknowledge or act like he knows our language."
"Which is most troubling, indeed," Oobleck responded before turning to the petite lady as he pulled out his scroll and pulled up several images. "Young lady, dare I ask your permission to ask this question through you. He trusts you more at this moment than Qrow or me."
A deep scowl filled the young girl's face, but seeing her partner's face at the situation, she nodded at his request. "Thank you, my dear. Can you ask him if he recognizes any of the languages on these tablets and parchments I have on these photos? They each represent languages of long since dead language only carried forth by their ancestors."
Her eyes widened, and Qrow's narrowed. This was not what he was expecting. He was expecting a translator or help. He wasn't expecting the kid to panic more! That was the last thing he needed! "Oobleck, what are you doing?"
"Trying to solve a mystery, my friend. If this kid does not understand our language, where does he come from? One that does not understand the common tongue in this day in age should not exist, yet here we are." Bartholomew responded, his face stern for once as he looked over at his friend.
The girl, trembling, turned to the blonde and signed to look at his scroll. And while he was apprehensive about the whole situation.
The kid did it and…
Qrow hated Oobleck as he could see the fear in the kids' eyes. He recognized something he saw in it. And it alarmed him as he started to speak in a high-pitched tone. But then, to his surprise, Bartholomew noted the image he stopped at. It looked like a withered, torn paper scroll used in days past preserved to last as long as it had.
Decidedly ancient. How it survived as long as it how was beyond him.
Then Oobleck began to speak very slowly, and Qrow's eyes narrowed.
It was the same language the kid was using.
The kid stopped panicking, at the very least.
Instead, he fainted.
Dammit, Bart.
Chapter 6 Preview:
Something was wrong.
The fox was there, but…
It lay down deeper within its cell, as far away from him as possible.
And convulsing as if it was in agony, red chakra convulsed around the terrifying beast in its cage.
"What?"
"What's going on?" Naruto took a step back, the water around his ankles rippling.