So one more chapter in...

The plan now is to release what I have once weekly until I'm caught up, and then we'll go from there.

So we'll probably get through September and then work on updates coming out when they're done.

Taken most of this last week off, very little writing was done outside for about 6 to 8k for Fire and Ice's next chapter.

Always got to give it up to my friend Blazeraptor54.

The man is a great help and has helped me through this last month, so any love you can send his way is appreciated.

That being said enough talk.

Time to let this chapter talk for itself.

The winds of change are upon us.

This scent was so…

Masculine.

She wasn't sure what that smell was, but it smelled like him after they were finished with their training. It was so wonderful!

And it was mixed with a hint of musk that she couldn't identify. It was so powerful. So intoxicating…

Oh, she didn't want to leave. She just wanted to curl right up…

Where was Naruto?

Why wasn't he in his bed?

Trivia rolled to the edge and sat up, her heterochromatic eyes scanning the room in annoyance, searching for her target. The room was…

Nice. Had his effects scattered on the shelves and a scroll left wide open on the desk in the corner, but it was what she expected from him. It was cozy.

But back to her complaint! She had snuck in here after being given a bed in the Abomination's room to sleep on! She was appreciative of the hospitality, but…

There was no circumstance she would ever stay in the same room with that one! Not unless she was about to kick her teeth down her throat! Or the yellow one, for that matter!

They were enemies as far as she was concerned!

So as soon as everything had gone quiet, she used her Semblance and snuck out, slipped into Naruto's room, under his sheets, and laid right next to him…

Oh, it was so perfect! Something could have happened! Just like in her romance novels!

What was the deal?

Mouthing in annoyance as she stood up from the fantastic bed she had been lying in, Trivia slowly shuffled her way out of the room. He wasn't there, so she would have to find him.

So much for having the escapade she had so wished for this morning!

A catty grin escaped her lips as she tilted her head as a thought came to her. There was always tonight, however.

Oh, how naughty! Yes, using that book's plan would be perfect!

Naruto would be wrapped around her finger by tonight!

Blinking at the sight that beheld before him, Qrow turned to Taiyang. He had a baffled expression and didn't seem to have an answer either. He simply just stared in bewilderment, cocking his head in wonder.

"Kid," Qrow groaned as he focused back on the fixation of their attention. "Since when do you drink coffee?"

"Starting today." Naruto's hand violently shook as he poured the black sludge into a cup, his eyes visibly showing veins with bags building under his eyes from the lack of sleep. "I'm either going to have to get used to a lack of sleep or trade beds as for the love of Oum, I have no clue what's going through her head."

"Those are words I did not need to hear." Tai blanched at what Naruto said, and his eyes widened. "I didn't hear anything, so please tell me nothing…"

"No! I escaped to the couch as she slept on my bed, ya hear!" Naruto snapped at his father figure as he slammed the coffee pot back into place and grabbed his cup. "Don't know what she was trying, but she slid on under my sheets and fell asleep while pressing herself up against me…"

"Hey, would you look at that Tai," Qrow quipped as he took a deep drink of his coffee and had a spiteful gaze fall upon him, knowing what was about to be said. "Kid has restraint. Maybe you could learn…"

"Qrow, we live in the middle of nowhere." Tai softly spoke as he gazed into his teammate's eyes, his voice promising swift retaliation.

"They'll never find the body."

"Statement retracted." Qrow took another drink of his coffee as he broke eye contact with Tai, noticing a new person had joined them in the kitchen. "Ah, the lady of the hour has arrived."

Trivia awkwardly stared at the two men sitting at the dining room table, having heard what was said as she walked in. A psychotic grin followed that unnerved them both.

She liked this place a lot more!

Cocking her head to the side as she sniffed the air, catching a peculiar smell, her head turned to where it was coming from, and her eyes shone brightly.

Trivia strolled to the coffee pot and straight to Naruto, who was trying to drink the scorching hot sludge, and found he really did not like the liquid. She huffed and puffed her chest out in annoyance as she placed her hands on her hips, glaring up at him, almost demanding an answer for where he was.

Curiosity suddenly got the better of her upon seeing his disgusted face as he tried to swallow back the liquid, and she looked into the cup. She sniffed and made several gestures of disgust as she took the cup away from Naruto and headed to the sink to dispose of it.

"Huh," Tai watched the scene develop and saw the coffee poured down the drain. "Well, I know it isn't to everyone's taste. My coffee is on the strong…"

"What are you doing?" Tai blinked as Trivia dragged a chair over to the counter and began to open cabinets around the coffee pot like she owned the house.

"Seems like she's trying to make her own pot of coffee." Qrow mused as Trivia tossed down a bag of coffee beans, grabbed the coffee pot, stepped off the chair, and headed to the sink. "Hey, whoa there! Hit me with a cup of that before you dispose of it. Almost out over here."

"Don't waste it at all!" Tai scampered out of his chair and got in front of Trivia as she held her nose, looking at Qrow and questioning his decision as she neared the sink. "As I said, my coffee isn't to everyone's taste…"

"Great for getting rid of my daily hangover." Qrow held up his cup and grinned as he slugged it back. "The pungency and its kick knock me back to reality."

"You stay out of this!" Tai roared at the corvid in annoyance as Trivia shrugged her shoulder and gave the drunk another helping of the thick and coarse liquid, frowning as she watched it ooze out.

She then signed to Naruto, mouthing while she did in disgust. Naruto shrugged. "Look, I don't drink coffee, so I didn't even know that wasn't how it was supposed to come out. I thought it was supposed to be almost chewed. I would have never thought it was supposed to be an enjoyable drink…"

"Oh, is this how this morning is going to go?" Taiyang challenged as he stared at everyone, his head darting to each of them as they turned away and said nothing. "Yeah, that's what I…"

"Gah, shut up, stupid bird!" A scream hollered from the living room from a belligerent Yang as she trudged on through. "You are always so annoying when you caw like that! Why does it sound like you are laughing?"

Qrow's hand twitched as he took a shot of his coffee as Tai grinned his teeth as he finally noted the sound. "Oh, sounds like I need to go hunting today! Raven stew sounds quite lovely!"

"Huh, the cawing stopped…" Yang muttered, half-asleep as she stumbled into the kitchen before her eyes bolted awake as they noted a presence that should not be there. "What the… You! Oh, why can't I catch a break!"

Trivia's eyes sparkled as she unwillfully put up the coffee pot, and she gleamed at the blonde girl. With a few signs, she tilted her head and gazed straight at her and menacingly began to work toward her.

Naruto intervened as he pulled her back. "No, you may not give her a break!"

"Oh, you want to go! We can go! You're the same size as me, so I bet I can kick your butt!" Yang roared as her aura exploded around her before a clone of Naruto seized her. "No, we're doing this! Let me go!"

"I feel like I'm having deja vu." Tai looked between his daughter and Trivia before groaning. "Except this girl is prone to violence and acting aggressively…"

"So is ours." Qrow retorted and caused Tai to glower at him as he glanced back at a restrained Yang. "She came in last night. She'll be staying for a little while. So do try and…"

"She's gone!" Ruby burst into the kitchen in a flurry of rose petals, looking around worriedly. "I woke up and looked around everywhere but couldn't find…"

"Welcome to the party, Rubes." Naruto yawned as he held a twitching Trivia in his grasp as she gave Ruby a glare filled with contempt upon seeing her. "You are just in time."

Ruby could only blink.

"Party? What did I miss?"

"My head is absolutely throbbing…" Naruto muttered as he massaged his temples as he walked through the store's isles next to a blonde-haired woman who was positively gleaming before glowering at her. "You are the reason for that, ya know!"

Trivia ignored his complaint beneath her illusion, having seen this woman in a calendar in the house, and decided to use her visage as a disguise while going out. They needed to come out to buy her some things regardless, and as much as she trusted Naruto…

Some things were best left for a woman to buy! He wouldn't know the exact brands she needed!

Looking through the shelves, finding precisely what she was looking for, Naruto flicked his hand through his hair. Yeah, he definitely would have been uncomfortable coming out here to shop alone. And had been questioned about it as everyone here knew who he was and by proxy would think it would be for Yang…

Yang was at the age where she would need to use these products. Far as he knew, however, she hadn't quite physically matured enough for that, so he was somewhat thankful for that. He could only fear the changes in store when it started…

Placing the items in the cart, Trivia skipped beside Naruto. This felt wonderful! To be outside of the mansion! To be away from her parents and their oppressive rules!

To be out living on her terms!

Noting a look on his face, Trivia frowned. He didn't seem to be looking well. So poking him in the shoulder, she expressed her worry. She wanted to know what was the matter.

What could be bothering him?

"There are so many things on my mind right now," Naruto responded, meeting Trivia's gaze with a regretful sigh as he let his worry slip. "But the main issue is what can we do for you? We both know that very soon that your father, the police, or some hired goon squad is going to show up at our front door to collect you. And by law, they have the right to do so, so I just keep trying to figure out how to…"

Hearing his troubled thoughts, Trivia's shoulders slumped, and her head lowered.

She hadn't given it too much thought. But he was correct. The issues were enormous, and they would be coming sooner rather than later.

Could she even hide at his place? Did she really want to put her friend, who had been standing beside her, helping her all this time, in this kind of trouble? Just for her selfish cause?

For her selfish desire to…

"Ugh, this is frustrating, and now I'm hungry!" Naruto scratched his head as his stomach rumbled. "Let's finish this up and go grab something to eat, and we can solve this problem together. I'm sure with the combination of all our abilities, we can figure something out!"

Brightening at his words, Trivia nodded in agreement and stepped in stride with Naruto. She had almost forgotten that after their first meeting, once he learned of her situation…

He would have always chosen this path. That was just the person he was.

And she was grateful for it.

As they were exiting the aisle, her eyes snapped to a product. Without hesitation, it was ripped off the shelf as she gazed upon it.

Oh, this was…

"Trivia, come on," Naruto commented as he noticed that she stopped before noting several small boxes being tossed into the cart. "Hey, wait, we already got what we came for. What are you… Oh. Is that…"

A broad, toothy grin spread across her eyes and sparkled as she gazed at the product in the cart. For all her life, she had to live with her parent's choice for her.

Bought her clothes. Cut her hair and told her how to wear it and how to dress. But now…

She could make a choice!

Trivia Vanille would make her first decision on her look!

This was why they were in town! Yes, he had to go shopping and pick up the mail, but…

They had to pick up the brats! Oh, she wished she just made Naruto buy everything himself!

This was so aggravating! Too many runts to punt! Every sound made her want to pull out her hair and scream! To inflict the same pain onto them that they inflict upon her!

Naruto was failing miserably at hiding his mirth, seeing Trivia scowl and twitch at all the children leaving school. She was anti-social and did not like other people, it seemed, especially children.

He couldn't fault her for that. She had been isolated away from others her entire life. She did not understand how to handle or deal with them. And young children were difficult to deal with and could be irritating on the best of days, so it was even more relatable…

But it was still amusing to watch her be so visibly distraught! She usually tormented him with her taunts, so this was a nice change of pace!

Trivia glowered at Naruto under her illusion!

Think this was funny, did he? Oh, she would get him later tonight! Make him regret ever laughing at Trivia Vanille!

"Ugh, she's here as well!" Yang cried in exasperation as her shoulders slung as she came to meet her brother at their designated meeting spot before eyeing the other person with him suspiciously. "Why can't we have some time where it is just us like normal!"

"Don't you do it, ya hear!" Naruto barked as the disguised Trivia's leg reared back and was ready to kick Yang's head off with all the force she could muster.

Mouthing violently at Naruto, she pointed at Yang before pounding her fist into her open palm, her eyes lit with passionate fire.

Yang responded, her eyes burning with her aura. She didn't need a translator to understand what was being said. "Oh, we can fight! I'll kick your butt and…"

"Will you two stop!" Naruto commanded as he stepped between the two before glaring at Trivia. "You are older and more responsible. Act like it! She's nine and expected to be rash!"

"Yeah, so you best…"

"Yang, no dessert tonight! I'll make sure Pops knows!" Naruto cut off Yang, her eyes widening in horror.

"You, no!" Yang held her temples in her hand as her form slumped, tears welling in her eyes. "That's not fair!"

"Tough! She's a guest. You know how to behave! We've been through this before, ya know." Naruto retorted and rolled his eyes at his sister, and sighed at her miserable appearance. "You can earn it back later, okay? But it's not gonna be easy."

"Okay…" Yang sniffled as she slowly straightened and stood back up.

Blinking at the interaction she witnessed, Trivia frowned.

Was this how parenting was supposed to work? Sure, Naruto was her brother, but he knew he helped out a lot in the house, taking care of the two sisters as an older role model and authoritative figure in the household.

This was so different from anything she had ever seen from her mother and father. She could hardly recall an interaction like this. Yet, it felt…

Right.

Trivia turned her head from the scene. She couldn't watch any longer as it reminded her too much of what she was denied.

What she never had in her life…

"Why is Ruby late again?" Naruto sighed as he tapped his foot, scowling. "This isn't normal. She usually gets here before you. It's been like a week straight she's come late, so what gives?"

"I don't know." Yang frowned and looked back toward the school, seeing the crowd of kids start to thin but still not seeing any signs of Ruby. "I can go back in and see what's holding her up. She has been saying she's been making new friends and losing track of time?"

"Yeah, that's fair." Naruto smiled and scratched his head. "And I kind of made it hard for her to make friends after the incident. All the other kids stayed away from her in fear of retribution…"

"Jerk had it coming!" Yang pumped her fist into her palm, and her eyes burned. "If only I could do something…"

Yang's words died on her lips as out of the corner of her eyes, she noted something peculiar.

Wasn't her brother with that girl when she walked over here?

"Hey, where'd she'd go?"

"What?" Naruto turned and noticed they were absent a third person and cursed. "Dammit! Alright, going in to find Ruby and Trivia! This could end badly! Who knows what she'll do in there? All I know is that it cannot end well!"

"Everything she gets involved with ends in disaster!"

Why was the little red abomination taking so long?

She was making Naruto worry, and that was irritating her. That was unacceptable! He had enough to deal with already!

Trivia's eyes dulled. She was at fault for so much of his troubles recently. She was causing so many problems for not just him but his family…

Shaking her head, her eyes glimmered once more. So at the very least, she could go in and get the tardy abomination and ease his burden, if only a little!

Now where could she be? She wasn't outside where all the other munchkins were! So it was apparent she was still inside?

Bathroom maybe? She doubted a classroom as a teacher would likely be present, and she would be fine in that case.

Probably did something she wasn't supposed to and was getting lectured! Oh, she knew all too well about that!

Finding the closest bathroom, Trivia was about to enter when she heard noises within. It sounded like quiet whispering. Frowning, she slowly pushed the door agape to listen to what was happening.

"You were supposed to do all our work last night so we could stay your friends!"

"Now we're all in trouble, stupid little freak! You think you are special!"

"Oh, you're crying! Gonna cry home to mommy!"

"No, she doesn't have a mommy! Just a bully of a brother and her stupid brute sister!"

Trivia's eyes flickered in rage as she opened the door enough to see what was happening after hearing the words.

This was what was happened to her? This was what was holding her up?

These kids were somehow blackmailing her into doing their work? Just for friendship! And now they were berating her, slandering her and her family? Insulting her by calling her…

She wanted to smash these kids' teeth in and make them swallow them! But if she did, all it would do…

A wicked smile crossed her lips as glass began to converge, and a familiar shape strutted into the room.

"What is that?" One of the bullies around Ruby called out, seeing the door open.

"A cat?" Another responded, looking at it weirdly as it strutted toward them, its blue eyes shimmering. "Why is a cat in the school?"

"Idiot, what cat is purple? And blue?" One took point, knowing something was wrong, and pulled out a book, rearing his arm back. "It's a demon! Just look at it!"

"The Curious Cat…" Ruby muttered through watery eyes, looking in awe at the creature and recognizing it straight from the descriptions of one of her favorite stories, The Girl Who Fell Through the World, before noticing the kid about to throw the book. "Wait, don't!"

It was too late, and he had thrown the book.

The cat vanished from sight as if it was never there in the first place, leaving all the children stupefied except Ruby. She knew exactly what to look for, and her eyes widened as she saw it.

The hideous grin of sharp teeth and checkered black and white fur.

Hanging around on the shoulders of the kid that threw the book.

"Move!"

"What?" The kid cried before the cat appeared on his shoulders, his eyes boring straight past his as if it was looking directly into his soul. "Get off…"

His screams were soon muffled and replaced by everyone else in the room quickly running out of the bathroom in fear for their lives.

The last image that seared into their minds was the horrific smile as it leapt forward, clawing and scratching its way into and attempting to go down the kid's throat.

Ruby knelt and watched the scene in horror, unable to decipher what she was seeing. All she knew was…

Shards of glass filled the room, and the cat dispersed gradually and suddenly…

There was a loud smack, and the kid dropped to the ground, unconscious.

Trivia stood above him, spitting on the kid and mouthing off at him before turning to Little Red and smiling and extending her hand to help the young girl up.

She wasn't too bad after all! In fact…

Trivia could grow to like this one!

"What are they doing in there?" Naruto muttered as he sat on the couch, frowning as scroll-vision played something on the news he wasn't interested in.

Apparently, there was already someone sweeping the news circuits in Vale and had pushed Trivia's little stunt out of the public's eyes, so that was a positive. Now this Roman guy was the police's number one priority, and there was no mention of the car chase at all.

He figured her father could have swept it under the rug with his power and wealth, but that was much faster than anticipated if that was the case. And this news was something extraordinary too, considering whoever this new person was...

Had some fortitude considering the place was known to be run by the Xiong Clan, a place Huntsman didn't just walk into without knowing what they were getting into.

Qrow's frown at watching the news let him know he was thinking the same, but he didn't say anything about it as he slicked his hair back and sighed. "Kid, it's three girls in a bathroom. Who knows what they are doing in there? That is one of life's grand mysteries that I still haven't solved."

"You're saying that because every time Raven and Summer went into a bathroom together, something bad tended to happen to you immediately after!" Tai called out from the kitchen as he was preparing dinner.

"No, that was because of my Semblance! Get that straight! Bad things just happen to me!" Qrow snapped back at Tai defensively, his crimson eyes glowing luminously as he glowered at the memories.

"Well, it didn't help matters any, I am sure. But I can assure you they were actively plotting against you some of those times." Tai added, and Qrow twitched and snarled.

"Oh, oh! Me next! Me next!" Yang's voice echoed from the bathroom excitedly. "Just the tip! Just like Rubes!"

"What are they doing in there?" Tai's head poked out of the kitchen and looked at the bathroom door, slightly disturbed after hearing those words.

"Well, before we left the store, she did find a few boxes of hair dye of her favorite color," Naruto mentioned as he glanced over at the door, tilting his head in curiosity. "Could that have anything to do with it?"

Qrow and Tai quickly exchanged glances upon hearing those words. Tai followed with a curse, and Qrow palmed his face. "That explains everything…"

"Yeah, they're gonna be in there for a while," Tai muttered as he returned to the kitchen to finish cooking. "And my daughters are going to come out with highlights in their hair, lovely."

Giving an owlish blink at the two men in the household, Naruto looked at Qrow in confusion. "Huh, didn't know that was such a big deal."

"Kid, for some women, it's just something they enjoy as it makes them stand out." Qrow sighed as he leaned back on the couch. "I remember when Summer showed Raven she could dye her hair. Tai and I were used as human guinea pigs for a week until she found the color she wanted…"

"Then we didn't have access to the bathroom in our dorm for an entire day as she dyed her hair!" Tai complained, the memory never settling in his mind and still stung to this day.

"So yeah, it can be imperative for some women. Especially younger ones that like to show off." Qrow nodded and glanced over at the bathroom, hearing giggles. "And in this case, I think…"

"She desperately needs it."

Humming silently as she lathered the bangs of the yellow one, she smirked as she caught a glimpse of herself through the mirror.

It was perfect.

That lovely shade of pink she had always desired! It mixed so well with the brown.

She didn't have the heart to wash it away thoroughly, so she left some of it as a memory.

To remind her of who she once was. The person that she no longer would be after today.

Petals of pink glass began to peel from her body as she hummed happily, continuing to lather the yellow one's hair and make sure she obtained the look she desired as she looked into the mirror.

"Oh, like that!" Yang grinned as she refrained from giddily bouncing on the stool brought into the bathroom, looking straight into the mirror. "Everyone in class is going to be so jealous!"

Laughing silently at her proclamation, covering her mouth as she did, a gasp caught her attention.

Little Red was pointing at her. What was it?

Oh, her Semblance was activating without the acknowledgment again? Irritating, her emotions must be in flux…

Beautiful.

Her eyes shimmered, seeing a display of pink glass petals peeled from her and slowly congealed, unlike any other time a creation of hers had formed.

And the image of her friend's face formed from within, smiling at her. But the smile wasn't simply just happy. It seemed…

Fulfilled. Satisfied. But with a hint of sadness…

Reaching out to the glass petals, she gently brushed her hand across her friend's cheek and smiled knowingly at her. She had done so much for her and acknowledged everything she had done…

But it was time. There was no looking back.

From this moment onward, she was no longer Trivia Vanille.

The face within the petals smiled, and glass shards shattered, falling into hundreds of tiny pink fragments. Suddenly they swirled elegantly around her, engulfing her briefly and fading.

Taking a deep breath…

It was time.

Neo was ready to move forward with her life.

Notes - In A Roman Holiday, and in RWBY in general, Neo is constantly using her Semblance to dye her hair pink. The event happens unconsciously, and I'm not going into detail about it but suffice to say, it is a reflection on showing her wish to be unique and stand out and when she truly began to break free in the story. So, for now, dye will be used... She's going to be using her Semblance later to keep her style as in canon.

Those that have watched Volume 9, when Neo's construct of Roman disperses for the last time before she makes her departure for Ascension, his dispersal is executed in a similar manner to (and I'm certain was meant to draw inspiration from) on how Neo's was in A Roman Holiday when Trivia comes to accepts things in her life and changes, starting her descent into becoming the Neo we come to know.

Chapter 28 Preview:

Who was this tall, slender woman with a beehive hairstyle?

Why was she here?

And why were her eyes drawn to him as he walked down the stairs, and why could he see a sliver of recognition within them?

"I am terribly sorry for intruding so late at night, so I shall make this quick so I won't be a bother to you for any longer than I have to." The woman elegantly spoke as her attention returned to Tai. "My name is Lady Beatrix Browning. I am the headmistress of Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy For Girls. I am here because one of my newly enrolled students is here, and I came to collect here."

"Trivia Vanille."