A/N: EDIT: Despite the flames, I added some more content for you guys and gals.

Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story. If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that.

That said, I hope you're ready, because this chapter's packed with content...and references.

So many refeences. Worked really hard on it these last few days, can't wait to hear what you think!

Now lets move onto your questions.

Only a handful this time, really want to get into the chapter:

Q: Soooo...I may be the only one with this question, but I still had to ask.

A: First came Saphron, followed by Sable and Sabrina (Twins!) then Jaune. After him...

...well. Why don't you read this chapter and find out for yourself?

Q: More NarutoxJuniper moments! We demands it!

A: Ask and you shall receive.

Q: Will we get to see more chapters from Jaune's point of view?!

A: Jaune is a focal point of this story, yes. And unlike his canon self...well. He may be a bit of a dork, but he's a capable one in this story.

He's also a MASSIVE daddy's boy, and its bloody adorable to write.

Ha! Wait till you see his team.

Alright them, I think I've kept you long enough. Hope you're ready; because from this point on? Well.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Now off we go.

I think...we'll go with "Just" for the titles from here on out.

Naruto is best papa in this story. That is all.

Sounds, right, I think.

"We can do so much good if we only put our minds to it.

We can make the world a better place.

"If you won't, then...then I will."

~Jaune Arc, Son of a Shinobi.

Just a Little Fear

"I worry about that boy, ya know."

Juniper stifled a smile against her pillow as she felt her husband stir in bed. Such a fretful man, worrying about their son. Then again, she loved that about him. Anyone who cared enough to fret over their little horde and stay after the fact was a catch. Anyone who had this many kids and remained faithful despite it all? Well! That was a keeper. Really, they hadn't planned on having this many children...but they hadn't exactly tried to stop either. Not that they would.

But her husband was sulking. Best attend to that.

"I take it his training's going well?" she couldn't quite keep the laughter from her words. "You wouldn't be complaining otherwise."

"Too well." Naruto rolled over, revealing his face...and the bruises there. "He actually gave me a black eye today."

Juniper tried not to laugh when she saw the injury. She really, truly did. It was just too much. A snicker pierced the tranquility of their bedroom. Said snicker became a giggle, then an outright laugh as she doubled over with a merry cackle. She couldn't help herself. Naruto just looked so put-out...so unlike his usual calm self, that it simply flipped her switch.

"Hey! Jaune hits hard these days! Its not that funny!"

"It really is!" she wiped a mirthful tear from her eye and cooed as she kissed his injury. "Poor baby."

Her husband grumbled something beneath his breath but didn't resist as she spooned against him. Their bodies were warm beneath the soft sheets, skin still flushed after making love. Her eyes trailed down the plane of his back, idly admiring the many scars there. Funny how someone so hard-boiled could be an absolute softy when it came to their babies.

Such were the ways of parents she supposed.

"He's our boy, Juniper. Our only boy." she heard the concern in Naruto's voice, felt the worry for their son even as he spoke. "I don't want him to grow up like I did."

"Hmm." With a hum, she laid her head against his back. "I'd say you turned out alright."

"Tch." He grunted at her, the surly man. "Maybe I did, but I wouldn't wish my childhood on my worst enemy. If Jaune goes out there, he's going to get hurt."

Such a stubborn warrior her husband was. He could flatten mountains and make mincemeat out of Grimm, but when it came to their children he was weak as any man. Yet he was hers as she was his, and they'd sworn to support one another in all things. Even now, after all these years, she only had eyes for him, and he, her.

"Pain is a part of life, dear." She shifted a little and turned, allowing the sheets to fall forth from her chest. "It helps us grow."

He harrumphed and tucked his chin over shoulder. "I ain't denying that. Just don't like it."

"You may not," she tossed her head, pushing a stray strand of blond over her shoulder. "But you've made a difference here in Ansel. This place was little more than a village when you first arrived." her fingers traced a low circle just below his throat. "Now its a thriving town. People are happy here. We've protected them. Taught them. Trained them."

Ansel's militia certainly weren't huntsmen, and they'd never be able to use chakra, but they were certainly capable thanks to him.

So was she, but that was a story for another tie.

"Maybe so, but we've been noticed." his forehead kissed hers. "I already had to turn away "visitors" last year. They were asking questions."

Well they best scamper off and stay gone, if they knew what was good for them. Their family had gotten by on anonymity thus far, but they knew that wouldn't last forever. A quiet town Ansel might be, but it was a town nevertheless. Word traveled. One could only hide their children's feats for so long before someone talked. And a Semblance only explained so much...

"You said Jaune wants to be huntsman." when she spoke at last, her words echoed into the silence. "Did you ever consider why that might be?"

His brow furrowed. "No...?"

Juniper butted her head against his. Such a loving husband she had. Truly, she loved him with all her heart and soul. But he could be so damnably dense sometimes! He could plan a battle strategy like no other, but in the matters of home and hearth he truly amazed her at times.

"Jaune idolizes you, dear." She pulled Naruto closer and laid a kiss upon his chin. "He wants to make you proud."

Naruto blinked. "Of course I'm proud of Jaune. He's a great son. He knows that."

"Does he?" She looked up at him. "Have you said the exact words to him?

The silence proved telling.

"Well, maybe you should." her hand swatted his bicep. "Maybe then he wouldn't be so keen to run off and make a life for himself. Think about it." when he made to protest she pushed a hand against his lips. "His sisters are all so much stronger than him, and you spend more time with them...give the boy some attention.

"You're right. At least Saphron and the others don't want be huntresses." his resolve was weakening, she could just tell.

"No, of course not. They want to be shinobi, like their daddy. I suppose the superpowers help."

"They certainly help them avoid being grounded."

Their laughter subsided into silence.

Naruto broke it first.

"He's not ready to be a hunter, June."

Using her pet name now, was he? Cute, but that wouldn't save him here.

"And when will he be?" she rolled onto his chest, straddling his body with hers. "When he's old and grey?"

Naruto looked away with a rueful glower. "...not this year."

"Darling," a sigh escaped her, "I love you, but if that boy waits any longer he'll be too old to attend any of the academies." a hand flicked out to pinch his nose. "He's already near the threshold."

"What's he going to do, run away?" Naruto scoffed. "He knows I'd track him down."

Clearly they weren't going to get anywhere with this tonight.

"Enough about Jaune. Come here."

In the end she steered the conversation to safer waters, much for his sake as their boy.

Juniper pulled him toward her and fastened her mouth to his, then pushed him down into the bed. From there she climbed atop him. The last of the sheets fell away and she took a glorious moment to revel in the way those keen blue eyes roved over her. His hands trailed down her body and settled upon her waist, setting a fresh spark of heat shooting through her heart. She trailed a hand between the valley of her breasts and felt his body stir against hers, hard muscles melding with firm curves.

This was always her favorite part. Not simply the sex, but the casual foreplay before hand.

These teasing touches, the lingering kisses, the sounds she drew from him as she drew out their pleasure inch by inch. They knew one another well, enough to make each encounter even more thrilling than the last. More than that, being with him for so long, laying together night after night had...changed her. Altered the very concept of her DNA. Apparently mind-blowing sex with a demigod was good for you. Who knew? Not her. Juniper Arc was many things, but she wasn't a fool, and she certainly wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

If by some strange twist of fate she could live a long, happy, healthy life with him...well. That was worth selling her soul.

"I really do love you...

Her eyes flashed as she threaded her fingers within his. Mine. She'd let no one else touch him. And if any hussy tried...well. They'd get a taste of her Voice. Her semblance was not to be trifled with and neither was she. As far as distractions went it was a good one; together they settled into a familiar rhythm. In a matter of moments she quickened for him, her body moving against his in that particularly pleasant way she so loved and ohgodsthatreallydidfeelgooooood...

The door creaked open not a moment later.

"Mother?" A tiny voice called as a small body poked around the worn frame. "Father? Are you awake? I had a...oh." said voice piqued into a gasp. "Ewwww!"

Juniper tumbled off Naruto and yanked on a white shift, grimacing only a little as her husband yanked on his boxers. Well, at least they'd managed to enjoy themselves...this time. Concealing her frustrations behind a smile, she sat up.

Naruto buried his head in a pillow with a long suffering sigh. "Cock-blocked again...

"Are you alright, Azula?" she sat up, fixing her messy hair. "Did you have another nightmare?"

Azula Arc was a strange little thing; by far their strangest -and youngest!- child to be had yet. Her hair was dark as a raven's feathers, her eyes a proud shade of amber. That was Juniper's ancient ancestry at work. Much to her chagrin, someone in her family -several someones!- held a similar complexion. Had something to do with their ancestors if Pa was to be believed. In any case, it didn't' matter.

The faded whisker marks caressing their daughter's cheeks were proof enough of her heritage.

As she looked on their youngest dithered in place, trembling in her red shift. Too proud to admit that she was afraid, yet terrified to turn back the way she'd come in the dark. Anyone could see the way her knees twisted to and fro as she fought the urge to bolt. Even at seven years of age, she had an ego most children lacked. It made her proud. Fragile. Fierce. Vulnerable. By the Brothers, she just wanted to squeeze and squeeze the poor thing until she stopped crying.

Juniper opened her arms. "Don't cry. C'mere, sweetie."

Hope gleamed in her amber eyes? "Really?"

Naruto yawned. "Of course you can."

Their little princess scurried up the bed and into their arms.

Her daughter. Her child. Her blood. Family.

She would protect them at all costs.


(.0.0.0.)


"Fore!"

Jaune knew those words well.

Even as the cry echoed across the yard he whirled into a ready position and brought his blade to bear. A mighty boulder filled his vision, easily wider than he was tall and thrice as large. Blue eyes bulged in surprise. Such a rock could easily crush him flat, aura or not. His first instinct was to flee; to simply duck back and make use of his superior speed to escape. Run away and live to fight another day. That sort of thing.

But running would make him a coward. and he was no coward.

Crocea Mors came up, coated in lightning chakra, burning with sparks of azure light. The muscles of his right arm bunched, swelling with chakra. With a roar he stomped one foot into the ground for balance then cut down at the impending missile. Sparks spat across its tapered tip as it bit down into the stone. Hardened granite parted like water on either side of him as he cut clean through it, leaving the severed halves to crash harmlessly into the grounds.

Across the yard, he heard his family cheer him on, his sisters whooping loudly at the feat.

As the dust cleared Naruto dove through it, ripped the sword from his grasp, and forced him into a grapple.

Father and Son strove against one another for the merest of moments. The latter reared back and delivered a vicious headutt to the former. Jaune reeled and lost his grip. A clawed hand seized him by the face, slamming him into the ground. A knee slammed into his back, pinning him where he lay. There was no pain. His aura held. An angry blue iris glowered up from the mud. Unbeknownst to him, it blazed red.

"You're making me angry, dad. You won't like me when I'm angry."

Naruto beamed back, still holding him down. "Show me."

A low growl emerged from Jaune's throat.

"Yes! Show me!" Dad cajoled, grinning from ear to ear. "Get angry! Let it all out! Show me how powerful you've become!"

Be that way, would he? Fine.

Then he bucked.

An angry thrash threw his Father off for the merest of moments. Jaune whirled on him and drove a crushing knee into his ribs, doubling him over. His father was still reeling when he grabbed him by the hair and dragged his face down into a headbutt of his own. A shove broke them apart and sent them stumbling back.

Naruto looked up into the teeming light of a giant Rasengan.

"Oh." he managed eloquently. "That's awfully familiar."

Jaune brought it crashing down with a snarl.

And it was absorbed.

Looking back, he wasn't quite sure what happened; one minute he was about to win; in the next, Naruto barked a command that sounded an awfully lot like the word "Release" and for a moment, just a moment, he could have sworn those azure orbs burned violet. There was no time to notice anything else. Without word or warning the energy of Jaune's jutsu sucked away, turning his charge into a stumbling lurch that carried him well past the Arc patriarch.

He braced himself for a finishing blow. It never came.

"That's enough for today." Naruto yielded first, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "You did well."

Jaune slammed upright, anger warring with confusion in his heart. "How did you do that?!"

"Now, now, let your old man have some secrets...

Naruto looked away and seemed to physically struggle with something for a moment. At length, he found his voice.

"I'm proud of you, son." he turned his gaze back; the look there riveted Jaune where he stood. "I always have been. I always will be. And," something dark flashed across his face, gone before the young man could make sense of it. "I'm sorry if I push you. I just want you to be the best you can be. I think its high time I told you that."

Jaune felt his throat close.

How long had he waited to hear those words? Years. And here they were. A small, watery smile graced his whiskered face. A strange feeling bubbled up inside him. Was this what pride felt like? He'd not experienced the like before. For so long he simply thought himself good enough; not particularly special, the runt of the litter. To hear those words now...they filled a hole in his heart, one hadn't even known to exist. Never in his life had he needed something so badly and never known until he received it.

"Tomorrow, I'll teach you that jutsu you've been asking about."

Joy turned to ashes in Jaune's mouth. Tomorrow. Right.

...that's great, dad."

Naruto's brow furrowed. "You alright, there?"

Shit. He could sense negative emotions. "I'm fine, really-

An almighty thunderclap cut the two of them off. Both blonds blanches.

"Oh, for the love of...Jeanne!" Naruto cast his gaze further down the clearing What did I tell you about using that jutsu?!"

"Go on." Jaune dropped to the ground with a little wheeze. "I'm...just going to...lay here for a bit."

"Well, don't lay around too long." a boot nudged his ribs. "You might have another sister by the time you wake up.

Jaune winged a stray pebble off his father's head.

"Just how siblings are you going to give me, old man?! Use protection!"

Naruto absolutely cackled. "Now you see, son, when a man loves a woman very much-

Jaune clamped both hands over his ears to stifle the talk he knew was coming. "Lalalalala! I can't hear youuuu!"

His point gained, Father sauntered away with a merry whistle. Jaune couldn't bring himself to watch, not for long. Not now.

He knew there wouldn't be a tomorrow; because today was the day. Jaune knew it in his heart of hearts; because he needed to leave tonight; if he didn't depart this very evening he would never make it to the city in time let alone on schedule. Never mind Beacon. He'd delayed for too long, dragged his feet these few years in the vain hope of winning his Father's approval before he left.

And now he had.

In the end, it simply wasn't enough. He could land a few blows on Naruto now -he'd even managed to throw him that one time!- but the fact remained that dear old Dad was well and truly out of his league. He'd held the lion's share of his strength back all this time. And yet today, he'd harmed him more than any other.

Perhaps that was a flimsy excuse on his part.

He felt ready; he'd spent the better part of the last three months making his preparations.

His forged transcripts -for which he had sacrificed a great deal of his allowance to obtain!- had been sent off some time ago, and against all odds, he'd been accepted. He still remembered that night, tearing open the letter in the dark, flashlight in hand. Trembling fingers tearing open the letter of acceptance. He still had it tucked against his jacket, kept with him at all times lest he be discovered.

And tonight, it would go with him out of Ansel.

Sometimes Jaune found himself wondered if he was quite right in the head. Then again, the same could be said of his family. You see, Jaune Arc was special. Even among his sisters. It wasn't something he chose to be, mind you, it just...happened. Each one of the Arc children was special in their own ways, special in ways chakra and semblances couldn't explain.

Saphron was the eldest for a reason; because she was by far greatest of them; super strong, amazingly fast, and nigh on invulnerable. Big Sis could could leap tall buildings in a single bound, take flight, even shoot lasers from her eyes. She was the living definition of a superhero...just don't let her catch you calling her that.

Sable could walk through any solid surface, and what she couldn't walk through? She cut. She'd taken better to Mom's swordsmanship lessons than he ever hard.

Sabrina had her sealing tricks and chakra chains, to say nothing of her more...eccentric techniques.

Azula could conjure fire and lightning with a wave of her hands.

Jeanne...well, he wasn't quite sure of her, but he was half convinced she was a saint. She loved her explosions, yet when she spoke, people listened. Her voice was even stronger than Mom's. Scary. Atlas had even gone so far as to offer her a scholarship once she'd completed her schooling in Ansel. Needless to say, she'd turned them down.

Now that he thought about it, Ansel had been getting a lot of visitors lately. Hmm. Probably nothing.

He wasn't sure what to make of himself sometimes.

Even if he took a hit, he knew he'd be able to heal. Nothing short of losing a limb would slow him down. He healed faster than anyone else in the family these days, faster even than Naruto himself. Of all the Arcs, he was connected to one of the most powerful beings on Remnant. But that didn't make him arrogant. With great power came great responsibility, and he was determined to make his family proud. More than anything, he wanted to live up to Dad's legacy. After all, what better way to do so than to become a hunter?

He took one last look at his family, watching the girls dog-pile on Naruto.

Jaune's heart twitched. He wanted to tell them. He really did. But he was to afraid to broach the subject. And so he watched. Even as they spat and squabbled with one another. Even as tears stung at his eyes. He refused to let them fall. Real men never cried, right? Heroes were supposed to be tough, and he couldn't be a hero if he let something like this break him.

And so he watched, committing the scene to memory.

It felt like saying goodbye.

"I'll miss you guys...


(.0.0.0.)


He packed his bags that night.

In hindsight, it really wasn't that difficult to do; not when he'd already made most of his preparations.

First came rations and water for the trek to Vale, then what little funds he'd managed to squirrel away from his allowance. Next came his armor, carefully concealed in a case, one which was in turn sealed away into a lone scroll on his personage for safe-keeping.

He cracked it open now in the darkness of his room, just to make sure it was still there.

His armor was sleeker than what it might have been; a light breastplate embossed with red and gold, with bracers for his arms and shoulders, and two more for his knees. It was light armor, forged of chakra folded steel, powerful to take a strike from an Ursa and still hold strong. It would do well enough in his pack if push came to shove. Best to hide it away for now; if he was caught wearing his armor in the middle of the night...well. He didn't want to be caught period. Crocea Mors would do in a pinch. The case was closed and sealed back into the Scroll.

Jaune looked left. Jaune looked right, making certain no one was watching.

Jaune sniffled, just once, and scrubbed at his eyes.

Then he opened his window and dove out.

Alighting in a pointed crouch on the grass knoll outside, he took a moment to steady himself. He half-expected a trap to go off -Dad was rather fond of those- or an alarm to sound. There would be an explosion of light or color and he'd bee caught, dragged back into the house and made to explain himself. He expected...well, something. Anything.

Nothing happened.

Behind him the Arc household remained still and quiet in the night, utterly unaware of his subterfuge.

It hurt, knowing he would be leaving all this behind, leaving with their disapproval, but it was something he had to do. He'd spawned -and hidden!- enough shadow clones about the Arc household to distract everyone for awhile; to maintain the illusion that he was still here. It might even fool them for a few days...until they found the note. He knew Dad would sniff him out sooner or later, but that wasn't the point. They didn't know which Academy he was aiming for, and in that, he held the advantage. He just needed a head start.

No point in putting it off any longer, then. The time was now.

Jaune hefted his supplied, tensed his legs...

"Here goes."

He ran.

All the world turned to a blur before him as he shot forward; vaulting a fence, skirting the high wall of Ansel, then racing clear up when he was certain there were no guards to be found. He hit the trees and kept running, refusing to look back. If he did now, he would be undone. He just knew it. So he ran. And he ran, ran, and ran some more...

"Leaving, are you?"

...until a shadow fell over him.

He had half an instant's warning before he slammed into Saphron.

She didn't budge an inch; not so he. The impact sent him stumbling back, only to be reeled in as she gripped him by the wrist.

Blazing blue eyes met gentle cerulean.

"This?" she hissed at him. "This was your plan? I knew you were up to something, but were you seriously jut going to run out on us in the middle of the night?" her fingers tightened around his wrist, grinding the bones of his arm together. "Without even saying goodbye?!"

Jaune gulped a little. "I'm sorry...?"

"You should be, mister!"

His muscles tensed in preparation for battle. It would be a losing one, he knew. He'd never been able to beat Saphron in a straight fight. She was the very definition of what he wanted to be; strong, brave, and unafraid to pick a fight for what she believed in. If she was standing before him now, his chances of escape were next to nil. Dad could take her, but he certainly couldn't.

"This is my life, sis." his voice warbled a bit in fear, but he stood fast. "I have to do this."

Her head bobbed in mild agreement. "I know."

"I mean it! I won't let you stop me!

"Go right ahead."

"Don't make me open one of the Eight Gates-wait, what?!" he balked and edged back as her words caught up with his brain. "You're letting me go?!"

"Did I stutter?" she quirked a golden brow and planted a knuckled fist against one hip. "You're not the only one in the family who dreams of the future, Jaune."

Jaune felt his face burn with shame. No, of course he wasn't. It only made sense that his sisters might be chafing under Dad's rules. They'd always seemed so...content, you know? Happy to train their skills in secret and do as they pleased.

And yet here his Big Sis was, letting him go.

"Foolish little brother." She flicked his forehead. "I love you, but this is really reckless. Even for you."

Quick as a flash she shot forward and pulled him into her arms.

"Just be careful." she whispered. "This world isn't nice."

"You're...really letting me go?"

"Yup." she pulled back with a grin. "I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I didn't let my baby brother forge his own destiny. So? Where will you go?"

He'd given the matter no small amount of thought; but in the end, the choice was clear. Mistral was too far away to make any meaningful headway, Dad had painted a bad picture of Atlas, and Vacuo was...well, Vacuo. He would be a fool to go there. No, he'd made his decision long ago, even before he forged his transcripts.

"To Vale." he said at last.

She quirked a brow. "That close? If you're going to run away from home, at least make it count."

"Easy for you to say! You can take dad in a fight! After all, you're-

-Invincible?" Saphron cocked her head to the side, reminding him of a lounging dragon regarding a small creature atop its scales. "I'm really not."

His left eye twitched. She really was. "I watched dad kick you through a mountain on that last vacation. You walked it off."

"Nah, I'm just sturdy."

"Not my point!"

She planted both hands on her hips. "Do you want my help or not?!"

Better that than having to fight her! "...yes?"

"There's a good little brother." she beamed and reached for him. "Now hold tight. Wouldn't want to drop you, ya know."

"Come again?" Jaune balked as she swept him into her arms. "Hold onto what? What're you doing?!"

"Giving you a head start, silly!"

"I don't think that's a very good ideeeaaaaaaa~!"

His words trailed off into a startled shriek as his sister crouched down him and rocketed off into the night sky at speed.


(.0.0.0.)


Naruto found the note not two days later. Two lines awaited him within.

"...I'm sorry." it read out. "I have to try."

"Stubborn boy!"

Juniper swore.

"Oh, I'll have his hide!"


(.0.0.0.)


Beacon was amazing!

Putting a near-bout of airsickness aside -no vomit boy here!- Jaune found himself poleaxed by the sight before him. A yard that sprawled for miles and miles in every direction, resplendent with tall towers and splendid spires, it was everything he'd imagined and more. This was his future...assuming dad didn't chase him down and drag him back by his short-hairs. That was still a very real possibility here. Saph had dropped him off in Vale and all but sped back; he could only assume she'd have to suffer his ire as well. Really, he couldn't possibly thank her enough for helping.

Maybe he'd get her a gift-basket or something. Girls liked those, right?

"Alright." he went through a mental checklist. "Don't show off too much, try not to attract action. You're a normal guy. Normal knees. I can do this!"

He strode down the gangway, chin held high. People noticed and subconsciously made way for him. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. Dad had been right. Just a little confidence and people would part for you.

THOOM!

A mighty explosion shook the earth and rattled his ears.

Jaune whirled, fearing he worst.

"I can't do this!"

His first fear was for his Father; that Naruto had tracked him to Beacon and come to hunt him down. But he found the space behind him quite bereft of any such blond. Instead he espied a rather cross-looking girl in white berating another girl in red; by the sage he could hear those two from here! Really, they reminded him of his sisters. Sable and Sabrina were always squabbling about something or other. His brow furrowed at the memory if only because it reminded him of home. They shouldn't be fighting at all.

He took a tentative step forward-

Someone bumped into him and nearly knocked him sprawling.

"I'm sorry." A soft, strangely familiar voice arose in his ears. "Are you alright?"

His spine stiffened. This was it! His first real interaction with someone in Beacon! Play it cool!

With exaggerated slowness, he pivoted in place, preparing what he hoped was a suitably impressive retort on his tongue...

"Bwuh?"

Failure thy name is Jaune!

Words abandoned him completely; indeed, his mind faltered the moment he laid eyes on her. For this was most certainly a member of the fairer sex. Startling green orbs blinked back at him, framed by hair the color of blood and a smile so fragile he thought it might shatter at any moment. Made him want to give her a hug, you know? Bronze was her armor and she wore it fell. She was also wearing a mask. Not an actual mask, but one of a different sort.

Now, Naruto and Juniper hadn't raised a fool. Jaune knew what girls where.

But this was the first time he'd met someone so...wow.

She quirked a crimson brow at him. "You do speak the common tongue, don't you?"

"I speak pretty girl." he babbled out.

Another brow joined the first. Doh! Foot meet mouth.

"You're a strange one." she smiled a little. "Who are you...?"

This was his chance!

"Well the name's Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it." He all but thrust his hand at her in a frantic attempt to salvage the situation. "Just a normal guy." added almost as an afterthought, "Nice to meet you, miss...?"

Nice to see you again, said Jaune's foot unto his mouth.

Jade orbs flicked down to his hand. Back up to his face. Her lips parted, said something he didn't quite hear. After a moment's pause, the redhead seemed to recover her wits.

"Pyyrha." she reached out and clasped his hand at last, sounding strangely resigned. "Pyrrha Nikos."

She said as if he should recognize her. He didn't. Was that a bad thing? Ansel was a small town, and he didn't watch television all that much. Not when there was training to do, chores to be done, and sisters to corral. He felt a little guilty though; she was looking at him so expectantly; he had to say something...

"That's a nice name...?

Her eyes narrowed and for an awful moment Jaune wondered if he he'd stepped in it again. Girls got scary when they were angry.

...you don't know who I am?"

"Should I...?" he shrugged helplessly. "You're just a normal student. Like me...right?"

Her eyes widened.

In hindsight, he had no way of knowing what he'd done, nor the switch he'd just flipped. How could he? He was just a simple country boy. No delusions of grandeur -besides becoming a Huntsman, but really, that didn't count!- and no wild aspirations to be had here. Nope! Not a one!

"I...yes." she said after a moment's pause. "Normal." she repeated the word once. That's all I am. Normal, just like you." her hand released his almost reluctantly, as though she were afraid he might evaporate into mist if she let go. When he didn't, she dared a tentative smile. "It was nice to meet you Jaune. I'll see you later-

"Wait!"

Pyrrha jolted.

"Wanna be friends?" he threw the words out almost desperately.

It was a foolish thing to say and he regretted it almost immediately; but he was just so lost here!

"That's unexpected." She blinked, somewhat startled by his bold request. "We barely even know one another."

That wasn't a no!

"I mean," Jaune scratched the back of his head. "Well, my mom always says, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet, and I don't really know anyone else here...

"Really?" Pyrrha tilted her head, regarding him anew. When she smiled again, this time, it felt genuine. "I think I'd like that, Jaune. Do you know your way to the auditorium?"

...not really?"

"Here," she looped an arm in his. "Allow me. I'll show you."

Before he could even hope to protest she strutted off, dragging him with her. He stumbled at first as her swaying hips brushed his, then matched her step. Had he just made a friend? He had! Nothing could keep him down now! He sauntered toward the stadium with a swagger in his step.

Jaune felt a dopey grin stretch across his face. "I think I'm going to like Beacon."

Yes sir, things were looking up for Jaune Arc.

Until.

Quite suddenly.

Up became down.


(.0.0.0.)


"Are you kidding meeee~?!"

The pad beneath his feet erupted violently, catapulting him into the air at speed.

"What kind of Initiation is this?!"

Stupid Headmaster. Stupid Initiation. Stupid Pad! A wild rush of wind whipped at his face like an angry Ursa, threatening to blind him completely as he spun helplessly in the air. Teary eyes squinted against the gale to no avail at first; he couldn't make heads or tails of up or down. But that was a lot of green rushing up to him very feast...

'You can do this. Remember your training. Focus!'

Blue eyes lit with a faint spark of red. He reached back for his sheathe and deployed it into a shield. Wind ripped at the sturdy metal barrier, bodily yanking it -and him!- backward by proxy. His fingers shrieked in protest, but his grip held and he bled off precious momentum. What was once a terminal fall merely became an uncontrolled one.

The tree rushing at his face, however, didn't seem to care.

Even slowed as he was, Jaune could see what would happen next.

Aura was all well and good, but if he hit that at this speed, he'd be a greasy red smear.

A sweep of his arm brought his free hand back. Firm fingers clenched into a claw. Chakra swirled to life at his whim, forming a coruscating azure sphere within. Larger, he willed at it. Larger! His outstretched arm drilled into the tree like a falling meteor, boring through bark and sap alike. His eyes snapped shut against branches as they scraped at his face and rode the jutsu down, trusting in his aura reserves to win the day.

And then, quite suddenly, he found himself alighting in a pointed crouch upon the forest floor.

"Perfect landing." he muttered to himself as he extinguished the jutsu. "Now I just need to get a relic, find a partner, and get to the cliffs...

"Look out below!"

A crimson meteor crashed down beside him, causing the young man to jump. Somehow, he knew who he would find even before he turned about. Call it fate. Call it destiny. Call it just blind bloody luck, he had a feeling about this. He pivoted on one heel as the dust cleared. Sure enough, he recognized the young woman even now rising on bendt knee.

Pyrrha Nikos beamed back him.

"Hello, Jaune." the champion smiled then, a real, genuine smile that set his heart racing. "Fancy meeting you here." A gloved fist planted itself on her hip. "You wouldn't happen to have a partner now, would you?"

Her words drew a smile from him, and a laugh besides. He was dense. Not blind. "Hey, Pyrrha! You have great timing...

One objective down. Two to go.

Maybe, just maybe, this would work out...?

There was no way, just no conceivable way this could blow up in his face...


(.0.0.0.)


It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Naruto took one look at the soldiers currently standing on his doorstep and genuinely considered slamming the door in the faces. Might be worth it. Then again, it might not.

Not with his family at his back.

They'd come knocking this morning with sound and aplomb, demanding to be seen. That alone was enough to put him off immediately. But the ultimatum they'd just given him?

No.

Nope.

Not happening.

"Vine, was it?" he dug a finger in his ear, "You want me to come to Atlas? Nope."

...respectfully," their spokesman continued, "That wasn't meant to be a request. We've been watching you for some time now. Our country has need of you."

Was that meant to intimidate him? Of course he'd been aware of them. He just didn't think they'd be so foolish as to actually try something. Not here. Not now. Not with his temper fraying as it was. It would be so easy to just reach out and give them a push; send them flying back the way they'd come. They were only a few specialists and a band of soldiers. No one had drawn their weapons...yet.

They wouldn't if they knew what was good for them.

Naruto drew himself up in the doorway, keeping himself between them and the girls.

Their youngest shrank back behind Juniper's skirts. Jeanne mirrored them, blue eyes widened with fear. "Daddy...what's wrong?"

"You're family's with you?" Vine leaned around him, his neutral expression never wavering for a moment. "Good. They can come with you as well."

Juniper absolutely hissed. "We will go nowhere with you."

Vine blinked. "With all due respect, your compliance is not a factor here, ma'am.

An awful pall fell over their group.

"Dumbass!" Someone shouted from the back of the Atlesian entourage. "Don't say it like that! You'll piss him off!"

Too late.

Naruto exhaled slowly, his breath emerging as a thin plume of steam in the morning mist. "First Jaune runs off...now this...

The specialist stepped back half a pace. "I'm afraid I must insist. Men. Detain them."

They weren't prepared for the laughter.

"I cannot believe this is happening again." Naruto tittered softly bringing them up short. "Its absurd. I just can't...believe it." he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do you keep doing the same thing expecting a different result. Isn't that the definition of insanity? Are you mad? You must be...

His eyes were red now, Juniper realized, his body beginning to glow.

"You know," his voice deepened into a low snarl as black marks burnished across his now golden form, "One day the last one of you Atlas idiots will ask me, Naruto, why did you wipe our continent off the map?" his head rose, eyes slitted and intent like nothing Vine had ever seen. "And do you know what I'll say?

Juniper yanked Azula back.

Naruto bared his teeth in a snarl.

"Its because you're all so fucking rude!"

His fist slammed forward and the specialist crashed backward, bleeding from a dozen wounds.

A/N: Well, you pressed that button. Jaune's team is a mystery. Care to cast your votes in the reviews? I'm listening.

No, seriously. Can't update again until I hear from you guys and gals.

Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule.

If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. A lot of folks are asking if Jaune's gonna get himself a harem. Should that be a thing?

Had to cut some things until next chapter, would've felt too rushed to force them all in at once here.

Yes, this was THAT "Azula" one known and feared. For good reason! She's a little thing here, but all the more dangerous. And yes, that was indeed Jeanne of Arc from FGO.

Once again, reviews are my fuel. Without them I simply cannot write.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review...Would You Kindly?

And enjoy the previews.

(Previews)

Combat class. Alright. He could do this. Shouldn't be hard.

"Jaune Arc will face...hmm. Miss Schnee, you seem eager today. Why don't you try your luck?

The girl absolutely glowered at him. Well. This boded poorly.

Pyrrha squeezed his shoulder. "Fight well."

"Its not the fighting I'm worried about."


"YOUR SWORD TRANSFORMS?!"

"SHHH! Ruby, no!"

The little weapon addict giggled. "Ruby, yes! Show me, show me, show meeee~!"

Yang shrugged. "You brought this on yourself. She's never gonna stop now until you give up the goods-ack?!"

"Yaaaaaang! Don't say it like that!"


"You really are a uppity little thing."

Jaune blanched. "Kurama?! Why are you in my head?!"

"Why do you think? Someone needs to keep an eye on you."


"Blake. You're drooling."


Saphron gulped. "So, ah, dad...there's someone I want you to meet."

Naruto quirked a brow. "What're you up to...that is a person."

Terra waved meekly. "Nice to meet you, sir?"


"Huh. So this is my team...


Naruto glared up at the battleship.

Raised a hand.

"Burn."

R&R~!