Deliverance
A/N: And we're back! They called me a fool for writing yet another chapter, but I proved them right!
I don't really have much to say at the start, but this is when the ball starts rolling!
Hope you all enjoy the newest chapter.
Deliverance
Remnant was not a peaceful world. Nature itself had long turned hostile as the wilds were claimed by horrors driven with hate, malice and bloodlust. Too often were the common people of Human and Faunus alike forced into despair, fleeing a numberless horde that refused to stop until everything was reduced to ash as they lost home after home.
As if insult to injury, these monstrous beings of darkness were drawn by negativity. Any form of depression, grief, jealously or hostility would bring them crawling and slithering from the woodwork of Remnant.
It left a world unable to experience and process over half the spectrum of emotions. Repression across generations, unfixable as the world itself tried to destroy them. It was no wonder that hate permeated every inch of society. A subconscious reaction to the oppressive lifestyle that had to live.
Long had Naruto been able to feel it, locked away in the darkness. It was like a foul stench that drifted from a distant drainpipe. Gone were the days of his old world, the warmth of nature that he felt whenever he dipped into the planet was replaced with a gnawing, whispering morass of hatred.
It was wrong. A disgusting presence that reeked of rot and corruption.
He knew it was going to be tough. He had no idea where the hell to begin even fixing this shattered world, it had always worried him. Now that he had attained freedom however? That feeling had tripled in his unsure thoughts.
He didn't even think he could call it a cycle of pain anymore. This was an existence of pain.
How could you reach peace and understanding with these creatures, Grimm, if he recalled what Raven had said to him.
It was like trying to find common ground with a tsunami or a hurricane.
That was the dilemma that Naruto found himself scrying over in his thoughts while he stood atop a deceased creature of black, white and red. This scorpion-looking monstrosity had its main body caved in from the point that the blond had landed atop it, the final creature to be put down.
Natural chakra flowed through him, effortlessly intertwining with his augmented tailed-beast energy that he inherited from Kurama. A pang of sadness made him wince just for a second, but he pushed on through it. Sage mode seemed even stronger in this time, but something was wrong. This energy was… Hateful.
Combined with the naturally maleficent energy of his old fox partner that became his after the transfer? Anger flowed a little too easy, his emotions jumbling whenever he united both energies together. He felt his teeth clench when he first called it forth, even struggling at some points during the fight to keep his temper in-check. That underlying bloodlust flowed through his veins, something in him was too eager to bask in the violence. Was that going to be every fight?
Just a constant battle to contain his excitement at crushing skulls and ending lives? He knew something was wrong with this world, but this was different. Simply walking on this world once again left a bad taste in his mouth and a shake in his hands.
It was a far-cry from the tranquil feeling of his time, especially upon Mount Myoboku.
Another thought that rang in his mind. There was so much he had to scope out, important places to re-locate… No, wait! That comes later!
He had to stay focused!
Inhaling slow and easy, the fox-tailed Sage brought his hand up to tap a finger to his lips. It was dangerous going into combat like this, one slip up and there is no telling who long it'd take for him to get back under control!
There was only one answer: Holding back.
Limit himself? Annoying, but it was necessary. He needed to adjust to this world, going all out was going to be a disaster if he lost it.
The brief flash of a hypothetical terrified Raven and Yang before his uncontrolled wrath made his gut clench. The mental image spiked his temper a little, allowing more to flow. It was followed by another image, bringing his teeth to grind upon each other.
Pink hair, green eyes. The shine in those eyes gone as blood trailed down her face.
'It's not… Your fault…'
The female voice rang in his thoughts over and over.
Canines grew, his eyes flashing red for a moment. Anger exploded in his chest, spreading to every inch of his nerves as it burnt like a fire! He felt both of his hands begin to shift, claws extending as he jammed his fingers into a clenched fist and hissed at the pain in his palms. His chest heaved as his breath hiked, a vicious memory crashing through his mind as he regained control, pushing it back down. Not here, not now!
'J-Just… Breathe. Calm down. Calm down, Naruto.'
He wrestled control back, his breathing evening out as the man hung his head back atop the deceased beast. "Okay… Careful with the anger." He said to himself, hand dragging through those golden spikes to pull them back, his hissing palms already healed and fixed up.
At least, not until he could do some work with it. He needed better control. It was like the academy all over again!
Finally exiting his thoughts, the man looked around and noted the people had finally began to calm down somewhat. They were all gathered some distance away, a lot of eyes focused on him.
His hand rested against his chin, thinking over how best to approach this now. He needed to be quick and simple, Raven and Yang were waiting for him and from the myriad of emotions Raven was outputting when he left, he knew it was not going to be a fun chat when he got back.
His gaze went out across the weary and startled survivors who gawked at the towering blonde with flowing fox tails. Their terror-gripped minds had little way to comprehend him, this heroic savour, beyond labelling him as a Faunus Huntsmen who just saved their lives.
Adrenaline, terror and joy had ways of making impossible acts seem possible.
Barrelling through as a terrifying 4-tailed beast that smashed through the horde of Grimm, tails swinging and spearing through the monstrous crowd as it bit cleanly through any miserable black-furred creature that stood before it?
'That must be his semblance!' Was the collective thought.
He had no idea, but collective civilian ignorance and pants-soaking fear had 'explained' most of the things that Naruto thought he'd have to worry about when it came to question time from these poor people.
He hadn't even needed any of his arsenal, no ninjutsu or senjutsu required. Taijutsu seemed more than enough to shatter what was left of creatures after his little arrival rampage. Oh, they were going to have so many questions. Granted, he was going off Raven's response to his arrival, maybe these people would be different.
Realising he had just been standing there in silence; the blond crossed his arms as he stood atop the crushed scorpion-Grimm and smiled broadly, looking right down at the approaching crowd of civilian refugees. He watched them all approach like scared mice, looking at him in both fear and thankful adoration.
Now came all the explaining... Wait.
'Hooooold on…' Naruto thought slowly as that grin only got wider. He felt electricity spark to the tips of his fingers, inspiration hitting him. Gone was the unnatural anger, that natural dumbass happy energy flooding him again.
Was it finally time? Was this the chance he'd always been waiting for?!
Then came a voice.
"W-who are you? Please, tell us your name!"
It was time!
His eyes closed for a second, taking it in. His smile faded as his face went serious, a slow and deep intake of breath while gathering his energy. The crowd began to worry, watching that smile turn into a serious expression, that was until…
His face exploded into a grin as the blond man threw his right arm back with his hand splayed into the air, the left doing the same at the opposite angle as his fingers hovered just above the carapace of the Death Stalker.
In a split-second, his feet leapt up! Clapping both of his clogs together before they crashed back into the carapace and carved spiderweb cracks into the white bone as he began.
"Allow me to reveal my true identity!"
He could not contain his excitement, his skin tingled. It was finally happening.
"From the north to the south, and the east to west...!" His body lowered into a half-crouch as both hands formed two finger points with his index and middle finger, one across his chin with the other pointing proudly into the sky behind him. His tails all pressing together as they speared in each direction mentioned, flowing easily as the amazed eyes took him in. "Not even the Grimm can hope to defeat this Sage!" His eyes sparkled with delight, watching the faces of the gathered crowd, the children looking to him with utmost adoration and excitement.
"The blond-maned Fox Sage, a red-hot hunter! -" He declared, twisting his body as he pushed up and launched in a jump, the fox-tailed man doing a flip in the air before he landed on the ground before the shattered Grimm and the gathered crowd. One leg lifted, allowing him to balance on a single clog as he hoped 3 times, grin stretched wide as his eyes swept over the crowd.
"-Who strikes fear in the hearts of Faunus, Humans and Grimm alike!" He paused for effect. It was crucial. "Uzumaki…-"
Both his arms extended out, taking up a pose burned into his mind, one hand splayed directly before him and greeting the crowd, fingers pointing up as the other hand was off to an angle, palm out-stretched against the sky. His tails bloomed out, spreading out evenly to mimic a folded-out fan against his back. He leaned forward on his left leg as his knee pushed out, the right foot coming down and twisting in the dirt below him.
"-NARUTO!"
His eyes glowed gold, a thick black bar went horizontal across his iris with a vertical slit that carved through it. Ominous eyes that conveyed nothing but joy to the crowd as they stared in sheer dumb-struck amazement.
The sound of clapping and cheering soon followed up his name declaration as the gathered children went wild. A trio of Human and two Faunus kids all bounced and jumped, they couldn't hold it back as they all rushed forward and began mobbing the fox-tailed stranger.
"That was awesome!"
"WHOOOAAA! Teach me! Teach me!"
"I wanna be a fox sage! Me! Me! Me!"
"Your tails are so pretty! Will mine grow that big!?"
"I want a tail! It's not fair!"
The smile on Naruto's face could not get any wider as both his hands crashed into his hips as they formed fists, thrusting his chest out as he finally did it. He'd like to think that somewhere, that perverted old man was grinning ear to ear for him.
He looked at the relieved adults, watching them all finally come down from their fear-highs as they began to realise that nothing bad was going to happen. They were saved. People hugged, some cried and most began to help pull the children back from their mysterious saviour.
He'd proven Raven wrong. Saving people was never a waste of time.
'As if there was any doubt!' He thought with glee, watching the kids wriggle in their parent's grip as they tried to pry them away.
"Come children! Please! Don't crowd him!"
"But moooooooom!"
He was having a great day.
Deliverance
Raven was having a terrible day.
"Qrow, I get it okay?! Just calm down!" Raven exclaimed out, her face tired and it really showed. Bags under her eyes, redness all around them with wild strands of hair hanging over her face. She looked worse than after she had delivered Yang, or that time Summer spiked her thermos with enough caffeine to put down a Goliath. She stayed awake for 3 days after that.
It took 2 teams and a teacher to stop Raven from strangling Summer by that final day.
Relief had already worn off on Qrow, now that he finally had his chance to talk to his sister. Sure enough, it was the same stonewalling and indifference she always gave to them. He would like to say he was frustrated, but that word didn't begin to describe how he felt.
"Calm down? I ain't the one who flew off the handle like you did! Tai and Summer are freaking out right now and do you know how hard it was to keep that ball of sugar and anger where she was and not force me to take her along? To say nothing of Tai either!"
"Yes, I know! You've said it already! Do we have to talk about this right now? Please."
Seated atop a raised slab of rock, the fox-tailed man kept the little wiggling form of Yang in his hold while he watched the two siblings try to… Well, he wasn't really sure. Smooth things over, bicker, death battle?
His eyes were still watching Raven, the tired woman had been incredibly reluctant to leave the embrace of the clone when Qrow finally came on down and she looked like a mess. He could see it in her form, slouched shoulders, pained lower back. She needed a proper night's sleep. Oh, and less emotionally-draining encounters.
He felt guilt at what had happened, sometimes it took a hard push to get a proper breakthrough, he learned that from Gaara, but to then immediately have your own brother show up and begin demanding answers while in that drained state? The clone that got summoned shared the exact feelings of the boss as he took off to save the people in-need.
He was angry at the sheer disregard she had for those people, and it was translated to the clone the moment he summoned it. He tried to argue with himself that he shouldn't have done what he did, but he couldn't find the heart. She needed to take those first steps. Naruto knew it was going to be all up from here.
He was going to make sure of it.
"And then I find you with… Well, I ain't too sure what he is!" Qrow said, gesturing to the man whose hands held his wide-eyed niece. His eyes clearly drawn to those huge-ass tails that hung behind him. Qrow's eyes flickered to the man's own eyes, catching his breath and clearing his throat. "Uhh, no offense." Naruto just waved him off.
"None taken! Seems like she's made a lot of noise back at home for you." Naruto said aloud, gaining a half-hearted glare from the crimson-eyed woman. His tone was more amused than accusatory and the way he smiled with a wink to her only made her sigh.
Qrow could only exhale all the air he had, hand running through his black hair as he properly turned to look at the man he assumed was his sister's new… Partner? Bed warmer? Team member?
"Buddy, you don't know the half of it. Ozpin is damn-near ready to put you down as rogue and in-bed with our Big Bad Witch." He said, immediately watching Raven's eyes almost pop from her skull and her mouth start to open. Qrow threw his hand up and stopped her.
"I know, I know it ain't true. Not after what I saw. Not after seeing what was left of the tribe." Raven didn't say anything, her head turning down and her jaw visibly clenching. Her fists closed tight, shaking away.
Silence settled over the two Branwen siblings, Qrow looking at his sister with a hardened gaze while Raven averted her eyes and tried to avoid meeting his gaze. A stark contrast to the normal way it went between them.
"Why did you do it Raven?"
There it was. The question she'd been dreading the most. Her eyes finally lifting to meet Qrow's paler red pair, looking at her with a gaze that was almost begging for her to give a good answer. A suitable excuse that he could use to keep the hounds off her ass.
The woman in-question felt her stomach tighten. She had hoped for a few more days to formulate what she'd say, to unscramble her thoughts since that fateful day she cut her own strings from Ozpin's plans.
She didn't have anything.
"I…" She managed out, both her hands still wound into fists as she was forced to come clean. She really wanted to throw a rock right at the encouraging face of that blond idiot, the one who dragged everything out of here like this!
Even now, he had a stupid smile on his face!
Feeling a familiar fire start to burn in her again, Raven felt her confidence return. Her eyes lifted to look at Qrow's as she showed a familiar passion. "I was scared, okay!" She announced right into Qrow's face, almost recoiling at the words he never thought he'd hear from his terrifying sister.
"I was… Am! I am still scared!" She finally admitted, feeling her thoughts start to align as she continued. "We didn't sign up for this! We came to Beacon to learn how to fight Hunters, how to defend the tribe! Not be conscripted into a battle that's been raging for thousands of years!" She exclaimed out, continuing before her brother could interject. "And you all just accepted it for what it was! That it was our sole duty, our job, to throw ourselves into this meat grinder! Its insanity! That's insane to me!"
"I wanted out and I saw my chance! Send the maiden off elsewhere to a new host, I could pass it off as a Grimm attack and vanish with Yang…" Thoughts of a smirking woman sending forth waves of Grimm then filled her mind. "And it did nothing but paint a bigger target on my back!" She then threw both arms out and into the air, her eyes focused solely on Qrow.
"I get it, okay! I screwed up! That's what you want to hear right?! Raven Branwen fucked up big time!"
She stood there, her chest rising and lowering as she watched Qrow, her brother stood there with his eyes focused on her own. He looked away for a second while one of his hands came up and began to rub his chin, feeling the whisps of stubble pushing through. He exhaled heavily. "Shit… Raven." He said to himself, his head turning back to her.
He genuinely had no idea how to respond, because she was right. Hell, Oz made sure not many people were aware of her existence because he knew it was an insane, hope-crushing story to comprehend.
However, that didn't change what she did. The political shitstorm that was brewing. The crime she committed. The daughter she killed.
"I'm sorry, but you need to come back with me."
Raven stepped back immediately, visibly recoiling as Qrow cut through her confession like that. Qrow reached his hand forward and grabbed at her wrist, eyes locked together.
"Listen to me! You ain't gonna die, and nothing is going to happen to Yang! We just need to sort this shit out! The Headmaster at Haven is freaking out over what happened, we need to present something. You did what you did on an official mission, representing Vale and Beacon! This isn't something that can be waived off as a Grimm attack! They know what you did!" He asserted.
He hoped dearly she'd see reason. Normally neither cared about the politics of the academies, the Branwen siblings were uncaring to the way this world worked but this was a big deal. He knew Oz could hold off the manhunter teams for only so long.
"Are you kidding? You'd drag me back like an animal in chains, your own sister!?" She exclaimed out, anger filling her veins as she tried to pull her hand back from him. "After everything we've been through?!" Qrow grit his teeth, leaning forward as their faces got close.
"No, I am trying to save my idiot sister from having all four academies send hunter teams out to bring her head back on a stick!"
They pulled and pushed, fighting and bickering as it devolved into heated arguments. Naruto could only turn down and look at Yang, the girl's big violet eyes just taking him in with wonder. He idly hit his clogs together as he sat on the rock's edge, thinking over his options.
He could just let this play out, after all this was a crime committed before he was even involved with this land. A crime that has some serious political after-shocks from what he heard just then.
But she had set him free. That was something he owed to her, a debt of sorts that he felt he needed to put some serious muscle into before it was squared off. He lifted his eyes over the pair some more, seeing them pull and push, arguing heatedly. He knew neither wanted to hurt each other, both their emotions were shining like sunlight and he could read it all, one was scared while the other was worried beyond belief.
There wasn't an ounce of malice or ill-intent with Qrow, he genuinely wanted to help his sister. He even felt the need to smile a little, seeing himself in the man as he tried to drag Sasuke back.
Raven on the other hand? He could read she was stressed, angry and scared. The latest additions came from his own actions, a talk that he would need to have with her again and apologize for the extra stress he'd put on the woman.
He needed to think of ways to make it up to her.
"Okay! I think I know what to do now!" Naruto called out as he snapped his clogs together to catch their attention, beaming a smile as he hopped down from the rock. His tails flexed, two of them forming a cross as a puff of smoke blasted out next to him and once again, revealed a new Naruto who eagerly took the small baby who had drifted off to sleep.
Stepping forward, Naruto approached the pair of siblings who regarded him warily but with great interest. Both of his hands rested before him, resting one palm below the other as he held them together. He only had one shot at making this worst, botching this was going to be... Troublesome to deal with.
"I think we can all say that you." His hand raised, pointing a finger right at Qrow. "Are looking out not only for your sister and your niece, but the other people who you represent, your team right?" Qrow gave him a nod.
Naruto's head turned, looking right at Raven's red eyes. "And you." His other hands pointed, now having two fingers squarely jabbed inches away from their faces. "Want to be free. You want out and not be forced to fight in a war you see as hopeless. Not just for you, but also little Yang."
"We've already spoken about this; you know what I want. Please stop wasting time like this." Raven said with a tired voice. He had saved her once, and now she was hoping he could pull it off again. She didn't want to hurt her brother, not even close, but she refused to be dragged back to Beacon. Qrow and the others were too naïve and she knew that Ozpin would have her locked away, kept on ice. He wouldn't let her out of his sight now that she was a maiden.
Naruto nodded sagely, understand her point. "Yes, I know. Believe me, I am on your side, Raven. I want to help you the most, you have my word." He assured her before he turned to Qrow, grinning with confidence. "That's why I am sure you will both love my plan! Come closer, let me tell you."
Qrow shrugged and did as asked, this blond guy seemed like a straight-shooter to him. Raven looked more than apprehensive, but that smile did wonders for her worries. She exhaled in annoyance as she did just as Qrow did.
Leaning in together, both pair of red-tinted eyes looked at him interest, raised brows, as the tailed blond wore a bright smile.
"Okay, so…"
A smile that turned devious.
"I am just going to do this!"
Both of his extended index fingers soon closed the mere-inch gap and pressed against their foreheads. Qrow could only blink in confusion, Raven however immediately widened her eyes at what was happening.
"N-No! Not againnnnnn…"
In the span of a few seconds, both Qrow and Raven collapsed onto the floor with their foreheads still retaining the soft glow of Naruto's chakra, lightly pulsing their brains and 'convincing' them to sleep. He pulled his hands back and slapped them together repeatedly, dusting them off for a job well done.
"Aha! Fell for it again! Ahh, these crazy kids..." He mused to himself, pressing both hands against his hips as he turned to the clone that watched him, both Qrow and Raven crumpled before him with their sleeping forms looking like puppets with their strings cut.
"Alright, let's get moving! To the Boss!"
Deliverance
"Bye bye fox man!"
"Goodbye Mr Uzumaki!"
A chorus of goodbyes were ringing out to him, the man happily waving to the departing crowd of people as they fixed their carts up and began the resumption of their journey. They had tried to reward the man, but he refused profusely, seeing how they had next to nothing left for themselves.
All he could really claim as a reward was their vehicle, their meagre supplies, or the clothes they wore. All of them in very poor taste to accept as a reward, and he didn't need his reputation being tarnished quite that quickly.
'Best foot forward, Naruto! We aced that introduction.'
Oh yeah, he was still riding that high.
Sounds of two pairs of clogs hitting the ground filled his ears.
"Yo! Boss!"
Aha, and he knew that voice anywhere! His clones had managed to get here quickly. He turned with a grin as he dusted his hands. "You guys aren't going to believe what I got to doooo…?" He paused as he properly turned to see his clones.
Naruto could only blink at the situation before him.
His tailed clone was waving at him with a big, carefree grin with two people wrapped and hoisted above in his tails, Yang was in the arms of a tail-less clone to his left who seemed to be wearing the exact same smile.
He could recognize Raven instantly with her messy bird-nest hair. But who was this other guy?
They had somehow picked up a stray in his absence?!
Behind the tailed original was the envoy of people heading off into the distance, they said they were heading somewhere secure which was only a few hours off. He could never remember all the names thrown at him.
He did, however, remember the name of the town they were heading to next and the directions he got was a lifesaver. It's not like he could ask Raven if the snores he was hearing was any clue. One look at her face told him that things did not go well after he left.
He had gotten some useful information, mainly the current situation affecting this Kingdom and how often its outlying villages and towns were falling to Grimm. A very bad situation given the number of lives to be lost each time one fell.
It was only generating more misery and pain, thus creating even more Grimm.
Yet another thing he had to figure out while also figuring out everything to do with Raven, and Remnant as a whole.
That was all for a later date. Naruto had bigger fish to fry.
"Alright, I promise I won't get mad, but who is that? What happened?"
Both clones just looked at him, the tailed Naruto placing down both Qrow and Raven while the one holding Yang stepped forward, placing the little sleeping girl in the original's hands before they both smacked him in the head.
"Just dispel us, dumbass! That's going to be easier!"
"Yeah, are you an idiot or something?!"
The original tail-bearing Uzumaki just growled out as his chakra pulsed and both clones evaporated in a shower of gold and red chakra, the tailed-clone's chakra was far denser as it lingered visibly and drew back into the 9-tailed man and back into his vast reservoir.
From there, Naruto witnessed it all. His brow furrowed.
Guilt immediately filled his senses, the warmth of his earlier heroics fading as information crashed through his brain.
The verbal duel, Raven's breakdown, meeting her brother and their subsequent fight.
And his clone's brilliant idea of just kicking the kunai further down the track.
It was stupid, but he had the memories of every word that was said, knowing full-well what was going to be waiting for Naruto once both finally woke up. The impending decision and the fight he knew would go down once Raven denied Qrow again about returning to… Beacon? Ahh, so many words and names!
And now, he had 2 comatose bodies and a sweet little Yang to carry to Kuboyuru… Kibayuzu? Oh no! He remembered it like 10 minutes ago, all this extra information wiped it out!
"Sweet Kami above, why did this day just get so damn complicated!?"
Deliverance
"W-We can't just sit here! We have to do something! We need to organise everyone, rally the troops, put out the word! We gather all the best graduates from our year together, and we'll all head on out! Oh! Oh! We'll call it the 'Raven retrieval mission' and we'll bring her home! I can call in all the favours we are owed! Oh, like the ramen stand guy! And the donut stall girl! They're both a mean pair! And what about-!"
Taiyang and Ozpin could only watch as Summer's mouth went speeds that even aircraft could only dream to achieve. Both of their heads slowly turned to look at each other as Taiyang sighed. This had been going on for the last few days, he was still amazed at the level of energy that Summer could output.
"Headmaster, have you heard back from Qrow?"
The silver-haired man swished his cup a little as his hot chocolate bubbled, staring down into the sweet drink before he looked at Taiyang's worried gaze.
"Not since he was at the remains of the Branwen Tribe."
"The remains!?"
Taiyang immediately winced at the volume that rocked the room. 'Oh no…'
Summer instantly appeared before Ozpin, both her hands gripping his sweater as she yanked him forward, mashing her face against his own, eye to eye, while she shook.
"What do you mean REMAINS?! REMAINS OF WHO?!"
Taiyang's arms were suddenly locked around her body as he lifted the smaller girl up, pulling back as she held a strong grip on the headmaster. "S-Summer! Let go! Let's calm down!" He called out, trying to pull her back as she held that iron grip on Ozpin's clothes.
"Summer Rose! Unhand him this instant!"
It took a second pair of hurried heels rushing over, a brisk crack as a riding crop smacked atop of Summer's extended right hand as the girl yelped and pulled it back, soon followed by the left as Glynda managed to restore order. The woman in-question slapped her trusty weapon against her open palm, glowering at the Huntress nursing her sore wrists.
"Some decorum, young lady!"
"You're only a few years older than me!"
Beacon alumni and valedictorian, most promising graduate who attained a job at her old school mere years after graduating, Glynda Goodwitch was firmly 'Team Beacon'.
Summer writhed in her teammate's arms, glaring at the esteemed favourite of Beacon. "Why aren't you out helping find Raven?! We need to go out there, she's alone with Yang and we gotta do something!" She launched into it once again, the 20th time this evening, unaware of the wince that Taiyang gave at those words.
"And we are doing something, Miss Rose." Came Ozpin's response, re-adjusting his hair and glasses as he looked at the pair of distraught team-members. "Qrow is faster without you two, he knows the land and understands how Raven thinks. Last report he gave, he was trying to pick up a trail from the destroyed tribe."
He saw the pair looking at him, seemingly begging for him to keep going. It took Ozpin a moment to realise he ended it on a grim note.
"With evidence of her being very alive, I should add."
Taiyang exhaled shakily while Summer hung her head back, pressing it against Taiyang's chest as the pair seemingly took a moment to enjoy a spot of good news.
Glynda felt it prudent to include her own words.
"And what's worse, Haven and its flunkies believe that Raven took the maiden's power. Make no mistake about it, this is a mess. We need to be cautious and must ascertain if Raven is the new maiden or not. Anything that makes the other academies believe we're just hoarding maidens for their power and the delicate balance will be broken! We must navigate through these murky waters carefully."
Sound and logical, to Glynda anyway. She had always been a reserved sort who knew that waiting until the full picture could be seen was much more effective than charging in blindly, hoping it all turns out for the best.
She had been awake into the early hours of the morning every day since the Maiden missions went up in smoke. Well, one mission to be specific, and now she was losing her mind having to restrain the other half of Team STRQ from demolishing half of Mistral to find Raven and Qrow.
The more she worked now, the more 'in-debt' Ozpin would be to her for the assistance. She could almost taste the bonus she was earning from this.
"Yes! That's a good plan! Let's assa… Asscer… Find out if Raven is the maiden or not! Headmaster, Team STRQ is deploying immediately, mission accepted!"
"Request Deni-"
But before Ozpin could even finish, Summer had already kidnapped Taiyang at the speed of sound, a window shattering as she flew out with the yelping blond man. The only evidence of their presence, beyond the shattered window, was Taiyang's boots left on the floor. A cold breeze blew in through the window as Glynda gave a rather un-ladylike sound as she marched over and began fixing the window.
Even Ozpin had to admit that was an impressive show of speed.
He lifted the mug up, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. Maybe they could help fix things. This entire situation was an unknown variable he really did not like having up in the air. This had to be sorted out quick. If she wasn't the maiden, then they had to immediately track down the new one. He would rinse his hands of this situation, work out something to make her disappear for a while until it all cooled down and she could rejoin STRQ, if all things worked out.
If Raven was the maiden? That would make things very… difficult. Raven was always a prickly sort, and now she had revealed her hand. She wasn't going to play ball with his plans anymore, meaning she was a threat. He couldn't have a maiden roaming around alone, not with Salem actively hunting them.
If she doesn't agree to work things out, make agreeable terms to help keep her hidden from Salem… He would need to convince her to play ball. It might hurt his standing with team STRQ but the opinions of 3 people mattered little to him, not when he knew the full scope of Salem's cruelty that she could enact.
'The life of one compared to that of a city, or a Kingdom.' He thought drearily in his mind. He didn't want to make such a drastic action but Salem wasn't going to let up, the worst acts of cruelty that Ozpin could think of didn't come close to the reality of Salem's vicious nature and intent.
He would trust STRQ one final time. Failure to bring Raven into the fold, or at the very least ensure the maidenhood is out of Salem's approaching claws, would be the final nail in the coffin.
"Headmaster, please, do not tell me you're actually considering letting them go help?"
The only response was a further sip and a hum from the man.
"Headmaster!?"
Deliverance
The sun had set over the vast forests of Mistral, leaving the night to settle in across the land as the night-lights in Kuroyuri began to come on. One by one, lanterns of dust and flammables began to provide light over the large town that sat in a vast clearing, curtained by a mighty wall that encircled the entire town.
A break of civilisation in the endless wilds of Anima.
"I hope it isn't stormy again." A man said to himself, thinking about the cataclysmic storm from the night before, Kuroyuri wasn't too close to the epicentre but a house or two still had their roofs damaged from the wind speeds.
Being swept off the wall would be a shit way to start his night.
'Only... The entire rest of my shift to go.' He thought as he endured the crushing boredom of guard duty. Twisting his hand along the haft of his spear, he idly activated the mechanism to flip his naginata-blade up and down through the spear, like a switchblade on a stick. It was so boring! He knew it was important to keep the village safe, early look-out and blah blah blah… But every time it was his turn, he just wanted to throw himself off the wall to end his shift early.
"Debating the easy way out again, Shu?"
He heard a friendly voice, a grin working on his face as the local guard turned his body to see another guard-duty colleague who was slowly walking towards him. The smile she had was one of his favourites to see.
Maybe guard duty wasn't going to be so bad tonight.
"Always, Min. If I throw myself just right, I can get out of this for the next few weeks, easily."
He soon sat himself against the small ledge on the wall, engrossing himself into the playful back-and-forth he had going on with his co-guard to even notice the movement by the forest's edge before the settlement.
"Pffft, yeah right. You've got too thick a skull for that, I am sure you'd be back up and being a dumbass the next day." She barked back with a teasing grin, resting her shield-bearing hand atop the wall as she took a spot near him.
"Aah I can't believe you'd say that!" He bickered back, placing a hand against his chest as the guard hung himself back a little as if recoiling from her words. His smile was still wide across his face. It was going to be a fun night at this rate.
"Hello there! Down here! Hellooooooo!"
Both guards blinked as they looked at each other, it took a few more seconds for the gears to turn before they rotated their heads. Both guards moved to the wall and peered down to the main entrance that marked the start of Kuroyuri. Standing there was the source of the noise.
A man stood, blond as the sun, both of his arms raised up to keep a firm hold of the two figures he had resting over both of his shoulders. One was a woman with jet-black hair, the mop of messy locks easily reaching the man's waist. The other was a man, much leaner than the one holding him, with a burgundy cape that was flicked over his head.
Standing to his right, however, was a blonde woman with twin-tails and the exact same smile across her face. Both sporting whiskers, both tanned and both with the bluest of eyes the pair of guards had ever seen. She was holding a baby, who they were guessing must belong to the pair of grinning blondes.
"Is this Kakuduri?!"
He called out from down below, a good 10-meter distance between the stone pathway and the higher point on the wall the guards were stationed at. Shu turned his head to Min, the woman doing the exact same as their dark brown eyes met in silence.
Slowly, Shu pressed his rear against the wall's railing, twisting on the spot so he was able to peer over the front of the gatehouse-section they were guarding and sure enough, still there, was a stone-carved sign that sat atop the entryway.
'KUROYURI'
Silence settled over the guards and the new arrivals, both parties just staring at each other as the gears began to turn. It took a few more seconds before a response came from the male guard.
"Maybe?"
Min just furrowed her brow as she rested her hips against the railing and peered over as she cast her eyes on the pair on the man's shoulder. They hadn't heard them walking up, maybe from their own negligence, but at this time? The sun had just set and as far as she was aware, they weren't expecting any caravans or envoys.
"Can you not read?" She called out, tilting her head a little. Her free hand then pointed right at him, his cargo specifically. "What's going on there? They dead? Bounties?" If it was a plan to sneak fugitives into their town, it was not going very well.
"Oh, these two? No, they're just a little hungover is all! A bit too much drinking and we had to hurry to make it here, I promise they're fine!" He called out, even shaking his torso left and right, immediately receiving groans from the male and female Branwen.
Granted, he couldn't tell them he knocked both out given how much they were fighting too much. He knew cutting things short like that was going to bite him in the ass a little, at least from Qrow. He figured Raven was going to be thankful for the sleep was able to get on their march for Kuroyuri.
Then again, she'll probably yell at him for not just knocking Qrow out and leaving her awake.
Oh well, that was a problem for future Naruto to deal with!
"But we just need a place to stay for the night! Promise, we're on our way to… Uhhh." Naruto stalled as he then stood still, his eyes going wide. "Fuck." He had completely forgotten all the names that Raven had dumped into his lap and expected him to remember. Arrggh it was so confusing! "Somewhere up north! We gotta catch a boat, I think?"
The woman just clicked her tongue at the response, turning her head to her comrade who was thoroughly confused by the sudden conversation. It wasn't unusual for Kuroyuri to get visitors, people passing through on their way to larger cities or Mistral city itself, but anyone on foot after the sun had gone down?
Out this far in Mistral's forests?
Naruto rocked on his shoes, idly stretching his legs as he leaned from left to right. 'I hope this hurries up. If Raven gets up now, this is going to be a mess.' But it seemed something was happening! He watched as the man was talking to his partner, he wasn't getting any negative feedback from what he could sense.
"Alright!" Came the voice from the wall, Shu leaned against the railing as his partner walked into the gatehouse. "We're gonna let you in! No funny business, no roaming around town! Straight down the main road, there is an Inn, old Granny Li's place. Stay there! No walking about at all, or else we'll throw you out!"
Naruto's fist raised and gave them a bright thumbs up. "Yosh! Loud and clear!"
He saw no reason to puff his chest and try to argue, he just needed to get this lot in a bed! The blond stepped forward towards the opening gate, flanked by his 'companion' who held the sleeping Yang.
Quick thinking on his part as he managed to remember some of Raven's words.
'Giant nine-tailed foxes aren't a thing on Remnant! We're going to cause panic and chaos if you show up with those big fluffy things all hanging out!'
He greatly preferred keeping his tails out, but he could recognize the logic in Raven's ideas. The last thing he needed is a scene, especially given the vulnerable state of his companion and her sibling. Granted, made by his own design but nobody could ever say that Uzumaki Naruto wasn't a quick thinker!
A smart thinker, not so much.
As the group passed through and began their walk in the quiet town, most people already inside and enjoying their meals, the pair of guards watched the group walk down the road and keeping their eyes keenly on them to make sure no sudden movement or escape attempts.
They were already more guards moving from further up to meet them. It wasn't like they could just vanish into thin air while they had this many eyes on them.
"So… Do you think that's their kid?" Asked Shu, leaning against his naginata as Min turned to him confused.
"Who, the pair of blonds? Aren't they siblings? Same eyes, same hair, same skin… No way you just meet someone who looks exactly like you and decide to make kids."
Silence settled over the pair as they watched the lead blond man wave at the approaching guards, welcoming them as they were directed and walked further into the town.
"I mean, even if they are twins or something, that doesn't mean they can't make a kid?"
His response was Min's disgusted retching, patting her chest a little to keep her dinner down as she turned back to him. Her eyes looking at him in genuine confusion and disgust.
"Ugh. Who the hell says that? Look man, when we hook up after this shift, you better not say any gross shit like that again. I swear to Oum, I will kick you out on the street." Min said, tapping her hand against his shoulder as she walked back to her post, doing her best to remove the concept of incestuous twins from her mind.
Shu stood there for a moment; his head downcast at killing the mood, he and his big dumb mouth. His mind tweaked as his head lifted back up, eyes widening. He just processed Min's words.
"Wait… When?!"
Deliverance
Naruto could only groan in relief as he sat down on the bed. Things had gone smoothly; the old innkeeper was a lovely woman and she immediately brought them in the moment she saw little sleeping Yang. She didn't even say anything about payment, insistent that they talk about it tomorrow morning once everyone had rested.
Genuine kindness that made the Uzumaki think of a grinning Teuchi and Ayame, always willing him to spot him a free bowl. They always said they'd add it to his tab, but he knew they didn't keep track.
Aww man, another sad thought.
He turned his head, looking at the prone form of a sleeping Raven, her face atop a pillow as the maiden was out like a crashed log. Poor woman must've gone into deep sleep the moment she got comfortable on his fox form while they headed to Kuroyuri, he's glad she didn't wake when they were getting ready for the gate.
His eyes took her relaxed face in, seemingly at peace for the first time since he arrived and met the young woman. He began to smile as he watched her sleep. She acted heartless, but he knew she was a good person. It was just buried, trapped underneath everything she had to endure. He just needed to break through and bring it out, like he did with Gaara.
Hopefully, minus the beatdown that he gave Gaara. He doubt he could explain that to his mom or Tsunade once he meets them again. Well, I guess 'if' would be more suited.
Ugh, more sad thoughts!
"Your wife is a gorgeous woman; poor thing must be exhausted to sleep that heavy!" Came a playful voice from the door, the elderly innkeeper, Li, pushing in a wheeled crib of wood. "Here you go, for the little one."
"O-Oh! We're uh, not married!" He blurted a little too loudly, already moving to help as he pushed up onto his feet. "Here, let me help." Taking over for the woman as they pushed it against the edge of Raven's bed.
"Is that so? You could've fooled me." She just gave him a smile, watching him lift the lightly woken baby and carefully place her down in the crib, secured near her mother as little warbling Yang began to drift back off once Naruto got her comfy. The old matron couldn't help but let a little laugh escape, rubbing her chin all the while.
Naruto could only pat the top of the crib's railing, shaking his head. "I haven't known her that long! Cut me some slack granny, this Uzumaki ain't the type to swoop in on a taken woman!" He declared, he had to assume she had a partner, and that little Yang had a dad that was worried about her.
Approaching Raven about the subject seemed unwise, double-so given how little they've been comrades for. Then again, that hadn't stopped him when he confronted her trauma with the grace and subtlety of a tailed-beast bomb.
"Oh, my mistake young man. I only assumed from how protective you are of the pair." She said, that playful grin still on her face.
He could only sigh as he looked down at the sleeping little baby, turning his head to look at the older woman who had been adoring her as well. The silence was welcoming, and he could even hear the rain starting to hit the windows. It was a peaceful atmosphere.
"Besides, granny, I am the worst type of guy she should get with." He said, following on, looking down for a moment as his eyes softened. "Not only an age thing, but I am just walking bad luck. Once I made sure she's safe, and I have paid her back for the debt I owe, the safest bet for her is to part ways with me."
He then turned back to look at the older woman, her eyes were focused on Raven before she drifted them back to Naruto's own blue pair.
"Because she likes to act all mean and tough, but she's a good person! I promised I would fix all that hate in her and even though she acted all mad, I know she was happy on the inside to hear it. I can just feel that she's going to do a lot of good, I guarantee it!" He said aloud with infectious grin as the older woman just shook her head and rubbed her hands together, her face carrying the same smile as his.
"Ah, dear me. You're such a lovely young man. You should be careful dear, such genuine confidence like that could make any woman fall for you, even taken ones." She said with a hand waving at her face, her eyes looking down at the snoozing little baby for a few seconds before she looked back at the man, her smile was motherly, but it still held an air of mischief as she smirked just a little.
"But you said you just met her, yet you care about her that much?" She asked him back, giving a gentle push for the conversation.
Naruto could only nod with that big dumb grin, "Of course!" He asserted, rubbing his hand along the edge of the crib as his smile lost a little enthusiasm as he continued. "We, uh, had a bit of a fight before we got here… And we revealed a lot to each other, personal and painful history." His hand was nervously squeezing the wooden railing a little as he thought back to their verbal spat on the river's edge.
"But I guess you could say that we're quite alike!" He grinned wider as laughed to himself. "And she'd probably object to this, but I get the feeling she hates asking for help, like reeeeeally hates asking." He joked out, shaking his head as he recalled the indignant face she gave when he was about to take off.
"The funny thing is, I am just like that as well. Too many times I was a dumbass, running in to keep everyone safe by doing it alone and throwing myself into the fire." He laughed to himself, recalling the many times that he was a self-destructive idiot.
"And I did that exact same thing right in-front of her, barging off to be the hero. It ended up with us in an argument." He said in a low tone but continued. "One that helped, I am sure of it, but it still must've hurt her a lot. It brought up a lot of… Painful memories." His hand clenched, the clone's memories vividly hearing the sounds of Raven in his embrace.
"That does sound like a tough choice, sometimes the best course of action can be the most painful." Came the older woman's response, listening intently as she waved her hand above the half-focused little baby, giving her eyes something to look at as she tired herself out. She looked back up at him, noting the look in those eyes.
"Go on dearie. Sounds like you've got something on your mind as well."
"Heh, you have a good eye for this huh?" Naruto exhaled, looking at her with an amused smile as the words formed in his mind. Telling this to a stranger was weird to him, but there was something about this old woman that eased his troubles.
"You could say it's in my nature to read emotions dear, raising kids helps you get good at spotting troubled faces." She re-assured as she focused on him further.
His gaze was cast on Yang, missing the subtle glowing in the older woman's eyes. Tensions easing further, maybe she was right, venting could help. He took a breath, realising the words that he wanted to say as he finally said them aloud.
"I am worried that I am going hurt them. That I am going to lose control."
His chest still remembered the anger from earlier, the blistering heat of fury that ripped through his body and demanded vengeance. The bloodlust that filled him while he crushed Grimm without mercy, revelling each time he felt one shatter below his fists. The effort he had to use to bring himself back in, to not be a danger to the terrified civilians he was there to save.
"I am a destructive person, and it is getting tougher to keep that in-check." All it took is one slip up and he was sure that new maps would be needed. "I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I lost control and hurt them, or even worse." He led off under his breath. "I owe her a debt, I take those seriously, but I don't know if she or the little one are going to be safe with me like this."
Even now, he could still feel it. Just bubbling below the surface, ready for the slightest issue to arise so he could let loose. Almost eager at the opportunity to take his anger out on something or someone who deserves it.
It wasn't him, that wasn't who he was. Was it Kurama's lasting influence, the very nature of his primordial chakra being that of malice and hate? Was it this world? The sick and hateful miasma that hung all around nature, it was like a voice whispering in the back of his head.
Or was it both, caught in a vile feedback loop that only made him worse?
He had desired his freedom so much, to make things right, but he didn't expect to be dealing with this. He felt nothing like this when in his isolation, his prison. Here, he was now experiencing the raw brunt of nature's emotions. What an absolute mess.
So lost in his thoughts that Naruto jumped a little when two aging hands pressed atop his own, his head turning to see the smiling face of the old woman.
"That sounds like a serious issue dearie, but I think you're missing out on one crucial thing."
His eyes softened at the genuine smile across her face, her eyes seeing straight through him. They glowed a soft green, almost startling him but he felt nothing but comfort from them and his senses didn't pick up a single ounce of ill-intent.
"That no matter what, remember that you are a good man." Li asserted, that warm smile across her face bringing a flash of a red-haired woman to Naruto's mind. He squeezed his hand as he shook his head, doing his best to fight the rising emotions.
"How can you tell, we've just met?" He asked, the irony of his words completely lost on the Uzumaki.
His response was the old woman smirking as she brought a hand up and tapped it against her nose, winking at him. "A mother's and a grandmother's intuition dearie, us oldies just have a nose for it. You just happened to meet the most qualified woman in Kuroyuri for it." Her confident tone brought a warmth to the blond man as he shook his head again. "And let's just say that I can feel the good in you. You are a good soul."
"Hey now! I am pretty old myself; I know a thing or two! Getting lectured by a young lady like yourself is just embarrassing." He said with a cheeky grin, widening even further as the old woman playfully tapped her hand against his own, clearly enjoying the compliment. His chest felt warm from her words, a boost that he didn't know he needed to hear.
Naruto knew those eyes were something else, he remembered Raven did say something about people having different abilities, almost like every single person had the capability to unlock a bloodline limit of sorts, a reflection of their soul or something like that.
Figured he only remembers the things about powers and strength. He really hadn't changed.
'I guess that makes sense why I felt so comfortable.' He thought, he should be a little annoyed at her for that, but his mind couldn't help but drift back to Raven on that riverbank and what he coaxed out of her. Does he have the right to be upset?
"If you can't sleep, come with me dear, we can have some tea. I got this lovely import from Vacuo and its just divine." She turned, walking towards the door before stopping with her hand on the doorhandle, looking back. Naruto stood up, turning his head to look back at the stationary Raven. He lingered for only a few seconds before he turned back and grinned at her.
"Sounds good! Everyone else is all knocked out, let's have some tea."
Li could only smile wider as she ushered him out, staying by the door as the tall man walk towards and then through the doorframe as she spoke. "You can consider it a part of the payment for staying the night; hearing this old woman talk about her grandchildren over tea."
"You drive a hard bargain, granny. No wonder you own this big-ass building. Oh wait, do you have any ramen by chance?!" Naruto's voice could be heard as he walked down the hall, growing distant.
The elderly innkeep could only sigh in a content manner. Goodness, these two really wore their hearts on their sleeves. Well, that was a lie, her Semblance did most of the heavy lifting and detecting there. She could never stop herself from trying to help and she could never turn away honest, good people.
She turned her head back, a smile across her face as her aging green eyes, glowing once more, looked upon closed eyes, a face that was doing its best to assume a natural, relaxed sleeping pose. She would've been fooled; if she didn't sense her 'sleeping' guest's emotions churning like a hurricane every time the man spoke during their talk.
"You aren't as subtle as you think you are, dearie. I hope that little push helped with your own troubled thoughts." She said with a wry smirk, enjoying the shocked look as those red eyes snapped open in worry.
Li didn't need to know the pair for long to get the general gist of things, she could only imagine how fantastical it must have been to have that man come to her rescue. Oh, to be young again…
"And you really should be more honest with yourself dear, you'll start to look like me if you keep it all bottled up." She saw the outraged look immediately fill Raven's face, as if ready to argue back.
"Mother's intuition, no arguments" She said with a cheeky smile, cutting off any chance of that, her hand reached in and twisted the switch as it brought the dust-powered light down so she could sleep, the door pulling as she did so.
Raven could still see those glowing green eyes, filled with the same energy as that damn grinning whiskered blond. Heat was across her cheeks. The door shut closed, leaving Raven alone in the room, albeit with a snoozing Yang at the foot of the bed.
She heard those footsteps leave and some distant conversation, but she disregarded it all. Her hand pressed into the pillow and squeezed, her mind replaying the words he said. Her eyes unfocused as she heard his voice.
'I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I lost control and hurt them.'
Raven bristled against the bed, her fingers clenching into the pillow. Did he think himself so above them that they were just weaklings to look after, something he's burdened with? Raven was no dead weight; the mere suggestion brought an old fire into her soul, aura flaring up subconsciously.
These last few days, she'd been like a floundering fish. Out of her depth and every situation out of her control, a foreign feeling to one of Beacon's most promising prodigies. She refused to let this be the status quo from now on. That was changing right now, effective immediately.
He was strong, she couldn't deny that, but she was going to catch up. She now had a new goalpost to aim for, a new rival. Her target was clear.
'I'll get stronger. Stronger than anyone, strong enough that you can't deny me my place on the battlefield, right next to you, Naruto Uzumaki.' She swore to herself, giving a huff of annoyance as she turned over and got comfortable.
And then, she would be the one coming to his rescue. It would be Raven Branwen who sweeps Naruto off his feet. Oh, it would be a sweet victory!
Raven finally drifted off with a smile slowly crawling onto her face, her mind envisioning scene after scene where a thankful tailed blond sung her praises, boasting about her strength and declares her, Raven, the strongest woman he's ever met! Visions of her strength and the subsequent praise made her feel good.
"Have no fear… The Heroine is here…" She said, a smile across her face as she fell fast asleep.
Deliverance
A/N: Sheeeesh. Another chapter done. I got caught up and ended up staying to near 3am writing that. Love it, hate it? Feel free to let me know in a review!
Naruto's main issue has been established and the seeds of Raven's change are starting to show growth.
'Boo, Naruto should be an unstoppable demigod that has no issues or challenges, boo Mr Author. Boo' Bruh. Get that bad take out your mouth.
Challenges make everything more interesting. People having natural faults and they learn to overcome them, maybe even finding love in the process? I live for that shit.
And yes, you are correct. Naruto and Sasuke being made two-pair Ninja Jesus was not taken well by me.
Now, I am pleased to say the SadTimes™ are wrapping up. From here on out, I want to start speeding things up and keep this ball rolling, as I imagine a few of you are asking yourselves 'How will this affect Ozpin's or Beacon's fate?', 'Will Tailed Beasts change how Menagerie/White Fang act?' or 'How will the fall of Argus affect Lebron's legacy?'
All of these are valid questions.
There will be one big confrontation between Raven and her team, obviously, but that is going to be stretched out for later. A confrontation that will most likely decide on the role that Yang will play as well. It is hard for me to think how anyone would carry a baby around all of Remnant while trying to fight Salem. If I take Yang away from Ruby, that changes so damn much.
Its honestly the biggest thing I am facing with this story. If I diverge too much or go AWOL with certain characters, I have to plan how people are going to act/react.
If Kuroyuri isn't destroyed, that alters Ren and Nora. If Naruto suddenly appears and kills Jacques, Taiyang or Ghira, that radically alters a lot characters. If Cinder Fall gets adopted by a loving family and escapes her fate, that maaaassively alters how things play out in RWBY.
Until next time, you all stay safe!