Back for another round.

Apologize if I didn't get to anyone's reviews this week.

Coming up on my anniversary of returning to writing this year, and concept ideas were flowing.

Many things are on my mind, but can't help but thank everyone enough for supporting and reading these stories.

So with that out of the way...

Onto the story.

"How will we ever get all this out of your hair?"

A deep sigh followed as the sound of hot water drained through the tub, the ceramic white stained from the pink tones of paint draining from Trivia's hair as several suds and oils ran through it. Everything to cleanse it of the paint staining it the color she planned to dump on the Schnee heiress.

Until her change of heart.

And refusal to bend to her father's whims.

"Jim is quite livid," Carmel whispered as she combed her hands through Trivia's hair gingerly, her brown eyes shimmering as she looked at her daughter's petite form. "Trivia, I don't blame you for not following through with it. You should have never been put in such a situation in the first place, but what you did to your father's reputation, even if we could convince everyone it was not true…"

"It was damaged irrefutably with Jacq and Atlas, which will have long-term consequences that I'm afraid will be dire for us." Carmel scowled as her shoulders slumped and her tone sounded deeply disappointed. "It will surely take years for us to recover from the financial losses of losing any business deals we had or could have gained within Atlas."

A somber silence befell the mother and daughter as the mother tried to wash the sludge off her daughter.

Trivia trained her gaze on the drain, watching the mixture of water, soap, and paint flow down the drain. Her body shivered as her father ripped into her moments before, scolding her. Now her mother was chastising her as she helped cleanse her.

Her eyes were red and blistered from tears shed. Her throat was sore from screaming before her mother came in. Not that anyone could hear it anyway...

She was so tired. Couldn't she be treated fairly? Be given a reasonable request for someone her age? Be allowed some autonomy? Given a choice that didn't harm someone else?

"Trivia," Her mother's voice echoed as she gently massaged her scalp. "Of all the things to do I have to ask why?"

Biting her bottom lip, she choked back a burning sob. She knew it didn't help her cause. She couldn't think of a single reason why she did it but in the moment…

She felt alive!

And she wanted to burn it all to the ground! To give everyone a taste of what it felt like to be her, if only for a moment!

To share her pain! To inflict upon others!

And she enjoyed the very thought of it!

Trivia twitched and grimaced.

These thoughts were becoming more and more pervasive. Coming to her more frequently, and she worried. She didn't know what the cause was. It felt like Neo's voice calling to her, but they were no longer Neo's voice…

It was her thoughts! They had been her thoughts since she realized what Neo truly happened to be to her right before meeting Naruto. But now…

Accepting those thoughts as hers meant taking the blame was always hers from the very beginning.

That Trivia was always at fault for some of her past actions. And she wasn't quite sure she…

"Foul creation!" Carmel hissed, and Trivia's eyes widened, recognizing the glass-shattering noise, and her heterochromatic eyes shifted into the bathroom.

And there stood Neo.

Staring straight into her mother's eyes as she snatched the scroll off the counter, defiantly typing something into it.

We are the products of your creation, mother. Reap what you sow!

"Horrible creation!" Carmel struck faster than Trivia's eyes could imagine and silently screamed as her aura burned around her.

Watching Neo shattered by a single slap from her mother as she stood up and walked to the bathroom's exit. "I see…"

"So that's how you feel about this, Trivia?" Carmel hung her head and whispered sadly, tears building in her ears as she looked back at her daughter gasping in her tub. "I'm so sorry. I truly love you, but Lady Beat will accept you into Lady Browning's no earlier than before your sixteenth birthday."

"Jim has agreed." Carmel broke her gaze from Trivia, who scathingly seethed at her. "And there is nothing I can do about anything else, dear. Maybe, in time, he'll calm down and allow you to leave your room once and while outside your school session. It should take a few more days of cleaning to get the rest of that mess out. Pink doesn't suit you."

With the click of the door, Trivia shivered as she sobbed uncontrollably.

How could this get any worse?

"You are the last person I expected to check in on me before my surgery." Qrow narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he heard the familiar buzz in the air, and his eyes snapped to a crimson portal.

And met two crimson eyes filled with mirth as she looked down on him as she came out of it.

"Oh, is that so?" Raven glanced at the night sky out the window before bringing forth the bottle she was carrying beside her and popping the cork on it. "Now, isn't that a cruel thing to say, dear brother? And here I was about to offer you a drink before you go under before you become one step closer to becoming like the ironman."

Qrow twitched as he watched his sister tease him as she took a full swig of the liquor before him, delighting in his discomfort. She knew how to get on his nerves and took full advantage of it. If he didn't understand any better…

"So," Raven trotted closer, almost gloating as she held the bottle. "As Tai no doubt showed you, I gave your kid a gift. I didn't feel like owing him one, so I got it out of the way."

"Trust me, the incident was noted." Qrow bitterly groaned as he glared at his sister while occasionally glancing at the liquor bottle. "Not that I hadn't figured that much out already. Can still read you like an open book."

"I can say the same about you." Raven slid the bottle just out of Qrow's reach, and his eyes narrowed as she took a taunting drink to further his annoyance. "But I came here after an observation I made while dropping off the gift. His aura had an odd interaction with Dust I wasn't anticipating."

Qrow's attention snapped from the bottle and directly onto Raven's face. He had her full attention now. The drink had lost its relevance. "Just exactly what did it do? We haven't even considered applying Dust to the kid's aura currently. Yet, here you are brazenly…"

"Figured someone had to do it," Raven responded with a huff as she took another swig before passing the bottle to Qrow reluctantly, her eyes glaring at her brother. "All of you have treated the boy like a child."

"That's what he is, Ra…"

"He's a trained soldier, Qrow." Raven retorted, her eyes glistening as she snarled. "You have known it from the start, haven't you? From simply watching his movements, you know it. Now I will say it is evident that he is still quite undisciplined, but he's capable of more than you're giving him credit for, despite the circumstances. He has surpassed them."

Qrow snarled as he stared into his sister's eyes. He didn't like how she seemed to know exactly what was happening within the home and the lives of the family she left behind. For someone that always doubted their parenting ability...

She was strangely aware of everything. How useful would that be in raising two children, he wondered?

"And is still in a fragile mental state, having lost everything he has ever known. Get to the explanation, sis." Qrow spat back, matching his sister's stare. "What did his aura do when it mixed with your Dust?"

"Something quite spectacular." Raven grinned as her eyes sparkled in fascination with the memory. "Aura usually is just an ignition for Dust and is generally directed based on how it's meant to function. Some Semblances are known to interfere with this process or enhance it, but that is generally how it works."

"I know how it works, Raven! Get to the point!" Qrow snapped, looking annoyed at his sister.

Raven only grinned, and it further irked her brother. It was almost like she did this on purpose. "So what if I told you that the aura of his attack started fusing with the Dust from Omen after I activated it? And then it naturally blended seamlessly with it? As if it was trying to harmonize with the reaction."

Qrow's eyes widened, and he nearly lost control of the bottle in his hand. But it made sense. He remembered something Kali said about one of his friends, and sensei used elemental attacks. He always assumed it was through Dust until now…

"Tell me, Qrow, do we know if the ancients had the power to control the elements?" Raven withdrew a vial of Dust and pondered for a moment. "If so, I have more questions about where Dust comes from if he doesn't recognize what it is."

"Where does Dust originate from?"

How did this thing function?

Naruto frowned as he laid out the tachi, scabbard, and weird powder vials. He wasn't sure about this weapon as he sat at the coffee table and examined each part thoroughly.

He didn't mind giving up the weapon to Pops when it was first presented to him. It was a strange occurrence, and leaving it to him at the time made sense. He was more experienced and had a few things to discuss with Crow Summoner about it.

Then he learned how the woman was, which made even less sense. Well…

Unless she somehow knew he had helped protect her daughter twice, that raised a slew of questions that needed answering. And there were far too many surrounding her as there was.

It was one of those times Naruto knew to drop his line of thought. The complexity was already driving him crazy, and he could only imagine it got more ridiculous.

He passively turned his attention to his scroll and frowned. It was usually around this time that she called, so there was that to worry about too. On the other hand, this was the third day she hadn't called. He wondered if the same thing had happened last time and if so…

Naruto scowled and tapped his fingers against the handle. He knew she would get into trouble, but he wasn't sure what he could do or what could be done. He only had his moral compass to go by, and he felt like he should be doing something.

Maybe he should check up on her? But he didn't want to leave Meow-sensei alone with all the girls while Pops was out. He had to at least wait for him to return.

Sighing as he waited for her call, as she usually called around this time of day, and if she didn't, he would call her shortly, he focused on the weapon returned to his possession. Apparently, it was a gift to him? Again, for what he questioned, but he wasn't willing to try and figure out that woman. It only brought back all those questions lingering in his head. Instead, he wanted to know the function and purpose of some features.

It could cost him in battle if he didn't know everything about his weaponry. And this weapon, despite being a sword, was utterly baffling to him.

What sword had a trigger on it? Had interchangeable blades within the sheath? Had a rotary chamber within it for these peculiar vials of powder?

It was reminiscent of the mad one's odachi, he mused. He noted that she had used the trigger mechanism several times in the fight to change the weapon and what it was doing. Or at least that is what it seemed like she was…

"Wait," Naruto muttered as he glared at the sword handle and held the tachi. "Was she demonstrating how to use this damn thing?"

"If that was what that was, what is wrong with her? I don't understand the language well, but just say that! Is that so much to ask?" Naruto snarled as he flicked the trigger a few times, noting the rotary chamber spun within.

This caught his attention, and his eyes turned to the weird color powders. At first, he assumed they were some sort of expulsion agent to ignite the blade. That burning sensation when she swung her heated odachi, and he had burning powder seemingly caught in his eyes…

But the sword blade did not feel like it was made of metal either. It was strange as it was tough as metal, and considering this was the same kind of red blade she used when she first attacked him, he figured it might have the same principles when he wielded it.

So if he applied chakra to it, would it glow like hers?

"Whoa, that's a lot redder than her blade was!" Naruto shouted in alarm as the blade heated extremely quickly, glowing from the tiny amount of chakra he applied to the weapon, small heated flakes sparkling off the blade. "And that feels extremely hot! That's not good! What did I mess up?"

Cutting his chakra immediately, the blade's glow faded, but the heat remained for several moments. Naruto's eyes narrowed, his gaze lingering upon the sword as he tilted it in his grasp, and he frowned. It was highly reactive to his chakra, but it didn't seem that way when the woman used hers.

Did she have better control? Was that it? Or was there something more to this reaction that he didn't understand?

"That was awesome!" Yang squealed and alerted Naruto to the presence of possible children as the roaring thunder of stomps coming down the stairs followed.

"Do it again! Again!" Ruby excitedly bounded the stairs, as if they had been watching from above or had just woken up from their nap.

"Is that a Dust Blade?" Blake's quizzical voice followed as she stared wide-eyed and fascinated as she followed the two sisters.

Naruto's head snapped to the final of the three as he was about to flat-out tell them no and take his exploration of his weapon outside. He recognized the dangers involved if the sword reacted like that in his hands. His head tilted in confusion at her words, and he blinked at the tiny cat girl as he had never heard something like that before.

"A what blade?"

"Dust." Kali emerged down the stairs behind the three, having taken a break while the three napped while Tai was out for the day. "Elemental energy propellant that is used to power everything you see. But it was first used as a weapon in the darkest days. Its elemental powers allowed us to keep the Grimm at bay and turn the tide when it was first discovered and humanity to fight back with the elements."

However, she stopped midway on the steps as Naruto turned his attention to her, clearly seeing his confusion. "Um, okay then? All that is news to me as I've never heard of Dust until now."

Kali's ears flattened, and her eyes slitted. "But didn't you say your friend used elemental attacks of fire and electricity? And even your sensei?"

"Yeah, but they never needed anything for it." Naruto winced, hearing her low voice while scratching his head. "They were simply techniques that could be taught and learned. I remember something about it in class where Iruka-sensei said something about certain people being better adept at other elements, but I hardly remember. His classes were boring and droned on and on. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep as Shikamaru, and I was in detention that afternoon."

"So this is honestly the first time I've ever heard of something like this Dust." Naruto grinned as Blake looked back and forth between her mom and Naruto, trying to comprehend the fast-paced conversation, while Ruby and Yang looked confused. "We had electricity, but I'm sure I would have known something about this Dust. I may be ignorant of many things, but when it comes to amazing weapons and tools…"

"I paid attention! That sounds like something I would have wanted to have!"

"Protecting Baa-chan with my life from the evil apprentice, letting his attack strike me…" Naruto slowly used his non-native tongue to tell the story, reliving the memory with a grin and taking his time to make sure his words were correct. "I, for the first time, used my ultimate…"

"And they're all asleep." Naruto softly whispered and scratched his head, chuckling as he looked upon Ruby, Yang, and Blake's sleeping forms. "Never gonna finish a story, am I?"

"Am I gonna have to write them down?" Naruto mused as he scratched his chin and silently closed the door behind him. "I mean, Pervy Sage had his books that did very well. Can't be too difficult, could it? At least once I learn the language, it shouldn't be…"

Naruto sighed as he slowly walked through the dark hall and to the room given to him for his stay there. Pops told him he was welcome to stay here for as long as he liked, and he appreciated that. He didn't have anywhere else to turn. Plus, he enjoyed Ruby and Yang's company as the chibis were adorable and funny.

Kept his mind off more troublesome thoughts like what he was having now. Sometimes it was difficult not to think about. While he enjoyed telling his stories to the little ones, it also left him feeling more alone as he learned more about this place.

"And now the only friend I have hasn't called in several days, and I can't help but worry about her." Naruto grimaced as he pulled out his scroll and noticed there was still nothing.

Not a call. No messages were left. No texts. No notifications…

He had to thank Blake for teaching him more about the thing, as he would have been lost without the young girl. Didn't thrill Yang seeing him hang out with her and saw the blonde mean mugging her the past couple of days, but she'd get over it. Hopefully.

Girls' minds were weird.

"Naruto?" Kali's voice drew his attention behind him, her golden eyes glistening in the night.

The elder Faunus stood behind him, looking mildly concerned as she held a hand to her chest. "Is everything alright? The girls didn't cause trouble, did they?"

Naruto shook his head as he pocketed his scroll while meeting her gaze. "Nah. They fell asleep halfway through my story. Still haven't gotten to the good bits of a single one to them."

Smiling back at his answer and closing her eyes, Kali tilted her head. "That's a relief. Somewhat of a shame for you, but one day you'll be able to tell them the full story."

"Yeah," Naruto returned the smile before he hung his head. "Someday…"

"Naruto." Kali's voice resonated once more, bringing his attention back to her as she took a few steps to him, her eyes glistening with worry. "If something is wrong, it's okay to talk about it. I can sense something is bothering you and see it in your behavior. So talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I'm that easy to read, huh?" Naruto exhaled, and Kali gave a warm, comforting smile as her ears perked up. "Guess Pervy Sage and Kakashi-sensei were always right in saying I was like an open book…"

"It's not a bad attribute to have. Sometimes it can even be a gift to express one's emotions so openly." Kali softly replied as she continued to beam at the young man, knowing he needed some positivity at the moment.

"Heh," Naruto smirked and shook his head before his eyes glistened, and he looked away. "Kakashi-sensei used to say that to me a lot too..."

As Kali's face fell, recognizing the reminiscent tone in his voice, Naruto bit his lip. "Got a lot of things on my mind right now. About home, why I'm here, and so on. Too much bouncing around, and the funny thing is…"

"For despite all my issues, I'm most worried about Trivia…"

"Uncle Qrow!" Echoed through the house as the morning sun shone through the windows.

"Whoa!" Qrow was almost caught off guard as a yellow and red blur jumped and embraced him the moment he stepped through the door before briefly chuckling at their antics. "Hey there, kiddos. Sorry for worrying you."

"But I'm good as new," Qrow ruffled Ruby and Yang's hair, causing Yang to scoff in annoyance and Ruby to giggle uncontrollably. "Just need to take it easy for a bit. Good timing, too, considering it's the Solstice Holiday, and I don't have to worry about teaching for a while."

"Hope they weren't too much to handle while I was out. It took him slightly longer than expected to be cleared after." Tai chuckled as Kali strode into the room, a warm smile on the Faunus' face seeing the scene. "Thought we would be back by nightfall, and that prediction fell through as someone imbibed before their operation, forcing a hold-up."

"Not my fault when she brought it to me to discuss things the night before," Qrow muttered, and Tai sighed, hearing about the conversation on their way back.

"Could have said no."

"Could you have if she offered that in her usual way?"

Tai deigned not to answer Qrow, for they both knew the answer. Instead, refusing to embolden Qrow further, he returned his focus to a chuckling Kali, smiling at their bickering. "Oh, the girls were terrific. With Naruto's help, there were no issues with them."

"It's him that there was an issue with." Kali frowned as she turned her focus onto Ruby and Yang. "Dears, I made pancakes and have your plates ready. Best to get it while it is still hot."

"Pancakes!" Yang jumped excitedly and bolted toward the kitchen before noticing she was the only one to leave. "Ruby, hurry up, or the pancakes will be mine!"

"And they have chocolate chips!" Blake's voice echoed from the kitchen in addition to the teasing. "Guess we'll have to eat them all by ourselves."

"No!" Ruby wailed as she suddenly sped across the floor at nearly untraceable speeds and into the kitchen. "I want mine!"

Kali sighed and shook her head at her daughter joining in the teasing while Tai bit back a chuckle. Qrow, however, focused on Kali as he stayed on the topic she had brought up before the little ones distracted them. It was rather poignant as it was connected to what he had been talking to Tai about on the way here, as that was what Raven had discussed with him.

"What's the issue with the kid?" Qrow gingerly walked across the floor, using a crutch, before sitting on the couch to rest his leg. "All I know since returning is that he's been doing well outside his trips to the Vanille estate. Which is unfortunate for what happened there, but…"

"It has to deal with them again." Kali's ears dropped as she exhaled. "At least, considering the way he has been looking at his scroll the last few days from getting back on his excursion to their estate to help her…"

"Help her with what?" Qrow looked alarmed at hearing that, his eyes darting between Kali and Tai. "Look, I have to know what he did as I have that stupid agreement. Not to mention I'm invested in figuring out what the Vanilles are doing as something doesn't feel quite right in that house. There is something shady going on there, I'm sure of it."

"Never expressed what the plan was. Didn't ask. Just knew paint was involved, and the girl contacted him about it." Tai stated as he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Most likely a prank of some kind, from what I'm guessing. Some sort of hijinx a kid his age would get into."

"That's what it was meant to be." Kali sighed and drew the men's attention. "He told me last night what happened as I saw he seemed despondent and off. I wasn't expecting it to be directed toward her as they both couldn't follow through with the plan her father wanted her to accomplish."

"That doesn't sound good." Tai cringed, and his eyes traced the stairs. "Noted he isn't up yet either, which is odd. Usually the first one down."

"What the hell did the rat want his daughter to do?" Qrow snarled as he didn't feel comfortable about any of this, keeping his voice as low as possible so the kids weren't alerted in the kitchen. "I mean, if she enlisted the kid's help, there must be more to it…"

"Naruto!" Yang's voice echoed as she ran out of the kitchen, interrupting their conversation as she headed to the stairs. "Breakfast! Wake up, silly!"

"Don't make me come in there!" Yang knocked on his door in frustration.

Kali took a few steps close to Tai and Qrow before finally speaking so Yang couldn't hear, which was unlikely due to her knocking. "To depose the Schnee heiress in front of her father and all their guests."

As Tai's eyes widened, Qrow mouthed a curse and threw his head back as he wanted to scream and barely refrained. "Of course, it would be. Gain a leg up on the competition. Makes sense. Probably promised her something she wanted to…"

"Naruto's gone!"

"What?" All three adults turned to Yang as she opened the door to his room.

"Oh no, you don't think…" Kali held her hand over her mouth and looked worriedly at Tai and Qrow.

"Yeah, the kid is heading there!" Qrow growled as he picked up his crutch and moved for the door. "Going after him."

"Not in your condition!" Tai tried to stop Qrow, who snarled at him. "I'll do…"

"Yeah, no! I am still better at this as there is one thing Buckethead made sure of about the prosthetics in my leg." Qrow limped and opened the door, his crimson eyes shimmering. "He made sure they worked on that part of me. It's why he was working specifically on the project."

"Leave this one to me. Kid is my responsibility anyways!"

Everything was deathly silent.

Nothing mattered anymore.

She wasn't even allowed to go out for breakfast anymore! New locks on her door that Neo couldn't figure out. She was stuck in here as her meals were brought to her. Materials were brought to her.

Trivia sobbed silently as she lay in bed, not caring about the tray of food on her dresser.

What was the point? She didn't have a choice in any of this! She was confined to this room, alone besides Neo to comfort her. But nothing her friend did mattered.

This was all her choosing. She chose this path because she refused to bend to her father's will.

And she would do it again. What point was there if she didn't have a choice? Instead, she made a choice and saved that girl…

At least she wouldn't suffer a similar fate from her father. No one deserved that…

Neo, not now. Lamenting. Stop pointing at the window. There is nothing…

Okay, fine. What could be so crucial that…

Naruto?

Snapping up in her bed, Neo shattered out of existence as the mostly brown-haired Trivia's eyes watered at the sight before her eyes.

A sly grin and tilt of his head as he held out his outstretched hand.

Naruto came for her?

Tears of joy soaked her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably. Her throat burned, but she didn't care. She leapt off the bed and tightly embraced the blonde boy to ensure he wasn't an illusion she had created.

He was here for her. He was still there for her. A true friend to come to her in her time of need…

Like the knights in the tales. Just a lot shorter, but she couldn't complain.

Chapter 22 Preview:

Naruto?

Wait, why are you in my room? Oh wait, yes, that's right. You're coming over now until I get my scroll…

Why are you looking at me like that?

Wait…

No! Bad!