A/N: I have news~!

I've got three-count 'em, THREE-! Cowriters helping me out now. One exclusively for Elden Ring, another helping with Genshin/RWBY, a third to consult with Arcane, Demon Slayer and other stuff. Not to mention and potentially a fourth and fifth joining later this year. I've vetted them all, and they're fine folks.

Feels good to have a proper Team again.

One has asked to remain anonymous, and I'll not reveal the others without their permission.

That said, things should be a bit more streamlined in the coming days, so please excuse us while we work the kinks out.

As ever, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story for the time being. Sad as it might sound, if folks don't like this,...well, we won't continue it. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? If folks don't like it? Done. 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. I'm working two jobs, trying to keep a roof over my family's head, and at the end of the day this is very much a HOBBY. I simply don't have time to write a story no one likes, and feedback sustains me...

Of course, reviewing is your choice. I can't force you.

Now lets move onto your questions, comments and concerns~!

Q: Update schedule?

A: Don't really have a stated one this week; make no mistake, I'll be working on stuff; but it'll be whatever I have time to work on. Busy season's ramping up and I'm running around like crazy.

What Could Have Been is crying for attention, as are my other stories in different genres...

Q: Wait! I gotta ask! Penny and Jaune are...cousins?

A: Huh. That's a tricky term. I suppose they are, in a sense.

Q: Can we get some more scenes with Naruto? Feels like Jaune is stealing the show...

A: Some have complained about that; worry not, Naruto's going to get more screen time going forward. Just like Jaune.

Q: Good lord, they're all going to be after him, aren't they? Poor Jaune. Rest in Pepperoni.

A: I can't speak to the pairing, but no, he's hardly about to intrigue/attract every girl he meets. That would be borderline ridiculous.

Q: JaunexNeo! I demand it!

A: Where did that come from?!

Q: Can we get some Elden-

A: Nope. Not in this story.

Q: Where's Cinder?! She only appeared in one chapter!

A: As stated ages back, the timeline's shifted a little, clearly. Cinder being in Vale early for one, is just such an example. Her presence also brings its fair share of questions. Did she get her hands on the Fall Maiden? Did Amber escape? Or is something darker at work here? Questions, questions.

Speaking of which...!

Alright then, I think I've kept you long enough.

You didn't come here to listen to an old man's ramblings, after all.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Now off we go. Hope you're ready~!

Quote is modified from Fallout. You know the one.

"In terms of strength? Its no contest...yet.

Sorry. You asked for my answer, after all. So there it is.

Put another way...I taught my kids all that they knew, but not nearly all that I do."

~Naruto.

Just a Little Fall

Naruto loved his family.

Loved them more than life he did; to the point he'd gladly give his own for them in a heartbeat. Some might say that much was obvious, but it felt it needed saying all the same. Of course, he loved them. Just as he loved his wife. Juniper Arc was an absolute marvel with the patience of a saint. How else could she help him rear so many child, much less discipline them? She wasn't afraid to mete out the more...inventive punishments when his will faltered. Truly, he didn't deserve her.

In some of his darker moments he wondered what his live would've been like without her. Without this gaggle of blondes.

Naruto... didn't like to dwell on those moments. For better or worse she'd chosen him, and he, her.

As things stood now, he couldn't imagine a life without his family.

Not without his June, not without their daughters, and certainly now without Jaune. Stubborn son or no, the boy was still family. Nothing could change that. Even if he'd run away. Even if he'd gone astray. Even if he had to drag his silly son back the ear, kicking and screaming.

Which led him to his current, shall we say...predicament.

Blue eyes drifted to the bottled atop the table.

He really shouldn't...

.

..

...screw it.

Naruto snapped the cap, knocked it back, and took a long drink. Guzzled it all, to the last drop. It burned all the way down, but the searing pain helped to settle his ragged nerves. He glared through the green glass with a sigh and scowled at the warped reflection within. The face within the bottle looked tired. Naturally. It was his own.

He reached for his scroll.

A single line of text still awaited him on the screen within, face up against the table.

"I have found Jaune, grandfather! Would you like me to bring him back?"

Penny had come through quickly. He almost wished she hadn't.

Beacon. Jaune was in Beacon. Of all the places he didn't want him to be. It made a twisted sort of sense of course; Ozpin's academy was the closet after all, and Jaune had never been fond of Vacuo. Did he have any idea of the danger he'd landed himself in? No, of course not. He didn't know. How could Jaune be aware, when his own Mother and Father had spent their lives keeping him in the dark?

If this was karma for his past misdeeds, Kurama would surely laugh at him.

...you there?"

The old fox still refused to answer. Damnit. Of all the times for them to have a falling out...!

He had to answer. His thumb paused, then keyed in a quick message.

"Keep an eye on him, but don't interfere. I'm on my way."

Firm hands planted themselves on either side of the table, levering his body upright. He took a deep breath to steady himself, both in heart and for what was to come. He could make it to Beacon in less than nine minutes if he ran full tilt. Jaune would never see him coming. He'd be angry of course, but he'd understand someday. This was for the best. He wasn't ready.

The door to the kitchen creaked open behind him.

"Sir...? Do you have a moment?"

Naruto bit down on a growl.

He knew it who it was, of course. Her timing simply left much to be desired. Still...now seemed as good a time as any. Best to clear things up before all hell broke loose. He'd been meaning to have a stern word with her and Saphron for some time now, but he simply hadn't a chance.

Plastering a smile to his face, he pivoted to face her and gestured to the chair opposite him. "Terra. Please, have a seat. I've been meaning to have a word with you about Saphron...

Terra was a skittish little thing; she clearly wanted to make a good impression on him for Saphron's sake, but in the same vein she clearly didn't know how. She tried to act confident and for the most part she was; it just withered away whenever they were in the same room together.

That she'd come to him and sat down without flinching...well. He'd give her points for that. Less so for her watching him like a hawk, but still.

"You can stop staring." he sighed into the stifling silence that followed. "Ain't gonna bite."

She snapped off a salute. "Yessir!"

Naruto quirked a brow. "None of that. You'll make me feel old."

"Sorry," the dark-skinned girl grimaced and glared at her right hand as if it had betrayed her. "Old habits."

"Were you in the military?"

"No," she shook her head. "But my father was."

Color him surprised. Army brat. That explained a few things.

"Fair. You've told me about yourself already. I'd like to ask your intentions toward my daughter."

Terra squeaked and looked down into her lap, glasses hiding her eyes. Naruto sighed anew. By the log, he was too tired for this. He'd tried to shard to keep his family secret from the world, and for the most he'd succeeded. But now this? There was a small part of him that wanted to erase Terra's memories and be done with it. He was a dab hand at genjutsu these days; could even make her think this was all one big dream if he really wanted to.

Saphron would never forgive him for such an act of course; it was the only thing stopping him.

Unfortunately for Terra, it only intensified his scrutiny.

Juniper wasn't here to swoop in and save her this time; she'd taken the girls out for groceries. And yet despite knowing this, Terra had come to him.

...I love her!" she burst out suddenly, face gone rose. "I wanna marry her!" her hands slapped down on the table, startling him. "Hell, I want her babies!"

One could have heard a needle drop in the silence that followed.

Naruto could've sworn he heard Juniper's joyous shriek all the way from town. "Grandbabies?!"

Still, he blinked. He blinked hard. "Is that so? Genetics aside, you do realize my girl could snap you in half if the two of you ever..tried...

Words failed him. Terra wrung her hands in her lap and made a noise akin to steam escaping a tea kettle.

Naruto's brow climbed higher. "Oho? So that's how it is. Forward little thing, aren't you?"

She looked down again. "Please don't ask the particulars."

Not a chance in hell!

"Jeez, you Atlas types, I swear. Bold and brash as ever. Fine. Far be it from me to pry into something like that." he waved a hand and pivoted to lean against the counter, back to the sink. "Saphron's clearly fond of you and you've not lied to me thus far...so let me be clear. Break her heart and I feed you yours. If you reveal the existence of this place, this family, to anyone-and I mean anyone at all!- without my express permission, I'll wipe your mind and turn you to a drooling wreck. Do we have an understanding?"

The fire in her eyes pleased him to no end. "I'd die before I betrayed her."

She would, too. Her feelings ran true. More points for her.

Blast him for being such a softy. He wouldn't wipe her mind after all. Doing so would not only deprive Saphron of her dear heart, it might break her completely. Besides, he was actually curious to see what they'd be like as parents. Life often found a way after all, and Saphron was nothing if not persistent. Wasn't there a jutsu that let you transfer your "essence" into someone? He wasn't sure. It had been a long, looong while since he'd gone through the old compendium. If such a technique existed, surely his eldest daughter would turn it to her advantage.

"Do you know how to fight?"

She lifted her chin. "I have some remedial training."

"Aura and semblance unlocked?"

Another nod.

...good." he granted her a grin. "I'll have to see what you're capable of, but for now...you pass."

He heard Terra's heart skip a beat in her chest. "Sir?"

A cup winged off her aura. "Stop calling me that!"

Pink hit her cheeks. "Then...dad?"

Naruto's own heart kicked against his chest. "Don't push your luck."

His sixth sense twitched again. Right, he'd almost forgotten about their little eavesdropper. He craned his neck back to the kitchen door, or rather, the presence he felt lurking behind it for the last minute. Of course she'd noticed. He would've been dissapointed if she hadn't.

"You can stop hiding now. I'm not going to kill her."

The frame fell inward, revealing a flustered Saphron. Terra squeaked anew.

"Which brings us to the next matter." he turned his body to face his eldest fully as she clamored to her feet. "You're going to help me track down your brother."

Saphron went still as stone for an altogether different reason. "You...know where he is?"

"I do." he felt a host of emotions race through her as he spoke. "So do you."

She squirmed under his gaze. "I didn't do anything wrong."

Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you hadn't helped Jaune run away, none of this would've happened in the first place."

She huffed. "Its his life to live, dad. He's stronger than you think."

"Not strong enough."

She quirked a brow and planted both hands on her hips. Gods, stubborn as her mother. "Not like me?"

"You're damn-near indestructible." he laid a hand on your shoulder. "The same can't be said for your brother."

...you're going to drag him back and lock him in Ansel, aren't you?"

"I am." no point in saying otherwise. "What of it?"

Saphron glanced to Terra. And if I refuse?"

"Then you're grounded."

Her eyes flashed. "I'll tell mom."

"Go right ahead." he waved her on. "She'll say the same hting."

He saw the heat rise in her eyes. "She's an angel compared to you when you get like this."

"Angel?" a bemused bark of laughter leaped from his lips. "You think your mother's an angel? She's not even close to an angel. She's death itself if you piss her off. So! When I say grounded? You are GROUNDED, missy!"

Saphron tossed her head. "No. I won't let you do this...!"

"You can try to fight, if you like." he gave a small shrug. "Its all one and the same to me; it'll end with you in timeout, just like last time."

Terra tried to stand behind him, reaching for something in her belt. Naruto flicked a glance her way. "Sit. This doesn't concern you."

His will hit hers, and her mind yielded. The girl crashed back into her seat.

"You shouldn't have done that." Saphron's brow drew down and he glimpsed a hint of that old Uzumaki-Arc stubbornness in her eyes. "My powers have doubled since the last time we fought."

"Good." Naruto felt an old, familiar smile pluck at the corner of his mouth. He could use a little light exercise. "Twice the pride, double the fall."

Her eyes went red, the telltale slits of her Kurama's chakra bleeding through alongside her heat vision. "You really don't wanna do this old man. I'll hurt you."

"What's this?" He spread his arms wide as the air brightened around him. "Little Saphron think's she's all grown up? Doesn't need daddy anymore, eh? Well, come on then." a clawed hand crooked her way. "Time to leave the nest.

"Here's the deal. I want you to hit me as hard as you can."

She growled. "Don't tempt me-

"Now hold on." he held up a hand to forestall her protest. "Not half as hard, not some arbitrary percentage," with one hand he reached up and tore off his coat, exposing the tight orange shirt beneath. "I want you, to hit me, as hard. As you. CAN."

Saphron grit her teeth. "And if I won't?"

"Then I guess you're not strong enough to protect Terra-

Stars.

Whole galaxies flashed before Naruto's vision as head snapped to the right, neck creaking pleasantly. His gaze shifted a little and belatedly he realized Sapphron had smashed her heel into the side of his head. A tiny grin touched his lips. She'd gone for a knockout blow, just like he'd taught her.

It wasn't enough.

"Consider that nerve touched." he caught her by the ankle before she could draw back. "But we both know that wasn't your best."

Planting his feet, he whirled and whipped her through a wall. Timber and plastered cratered, leaving a decidedly human-shaped impression behind. With but a thought, he flickered after her and retaliated with a kick of his own, catching her in the ribs. She hurtled up into sunny blue sky with a yelp, pierced a cloud, and kept going.

Distantly, he heard Terra clamor outside. "What did you do?!"

Naruto quirked a brow. "Didn't I tell you to sit...?"

She glared at him.

"Relax, she'll be fine." he touched a hand to his brow, shading his eyes. "She just broke the atmosphere. Good thing I taught her to hold her breath...oh! Here we go!"

Sure enough a distant red light bloomed in the sky. Terra whimpered. "Oh, no...

"Hold that thought." Naruto's palm rose.

Saphron's fist fell like a falling star.

With a ponderous groan, the earth cratered underfoot as father and daughter grappled with one another. A subtle earth jutsu on the former's contained the shockwave and prevented it from decimating the yard-as well as the house behind hit. Terra stumbled back and landed hard on her rear, eyes bulging. Naruto quelled a tiny pang of guilt as he beheld the terror in her eyes. Poor girl. He'd frightened her. He would've preferred not to expose her to something like this...

Oh, well. Making the mother of all omelettes here. Can't fret over every egg.

If he had to play the bad guy every now and again to make his kids strong, then so be it. The difference here, was that Saphron stood strong and rose to the challenge. Jaune...had not. He had more potential, true, but he held himself back with his grand notions of heroism and honor and normalcy...pah! Normal?! They would never be normal!

Saphron would happily fight -and kill!- to keep what was hers. However...

A frustrated growl reminded him of his eldest, even now straining against him.

"Better, he slammed a knee into his daughter's stomach, blasting the breath from her lungs. "But still not good enough. That's two strikes, now."

She wheezed and folded over his leg. Naruto gripped her by the face, reared back, and smashed his forehead crashed into hers. The impact sent her sprawling in the dirt.

"See, sweetie?" he called after her. "That's what you get for not listening. But since I know you have trouble following directions, I'm gonna give you one last chance." a moment's pause now, scarcely enough for her to get up again, "You. Me. Hard as you can." She muttered something incomprehensible, to which he quirked a brow. Are we clear?"

Saphron raised her gaze, golden hair fallen over one eye, the other steaming with rage. "...crystal.

With but a single word the temperature rose, spiking furiously.

Wild eyes swept past him with singular intent. "Terra."

The poor girl squeaked. "Yes, dear?"

"Behind me. Now."

Terra got.

Golden light burst from Saphron's body as her intended took shelter behind her back. Black lines trailed the length of her slender figure as she called upon the entirety of her strength. Motes of dappled saffron-on-scarlet built in an outstretched palm, growing larger with each passing second. When she thrust the other hand forward, Naruto felt a tiny flare of pride. He hadn't taught her how to make a tailed beast bomb. This was every bit her. A stray spark shot past, scouring the ground to lash at his face. Blood sluiced down his cheek, lending his smile a crazed air.

"That's much better!" his laughter rose against the wind. "I can actually feel that!"

"In a moment, old man," Saphron's growl was nothing short of feral, "All you'll be feeling is defeat!"

"That or disappointment." he took a bracing stance. "Go ahead, kiddo. Flip that coin. Make your dad proud."

...RAH!"

Saphron screamed.

And the world became so much light.

A/N:Ahhhh, the TFS is strong with this one.

We'll be back with Jaune next chapter, don't you worry~!

To be clear, the Blake Arc has already begun; you'd be surprised how much has happened in Beacon during Naruto and Saphron's little spat...

As ever, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule.

If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular, if folks don't like it...well, I'll not continue it. 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. I'm working two jobs, trying to keep a roof over my family's head, and at the end of the day this is very much a HOBBY. I simply don't have time to write a story no one likes, and feedback sustains me...

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.

POTENTIAL ONES!

Soooo! Tell me what you want to see~!

(FUTURE! Previews)

"Have you seen Blake?"

Of coure he had. He'd run away from her.

Jaune tried not to wince at Ruby's inquiry.

"Its just, she and Weiss had an awful fight and she ran...

Why do I always run when things get tough?"

"Jaune?"

"No, its nothing. I'll let you know if I see her...

"We can do better than that and you damn well know it. Find her. Fix this."


She wasn't hard to find.

Blake glared golden daggers at him. "You don't understand! I didn't just hurt them! I betrayed them! I-

"Ran away?" Jaune tilted his head. "Yeah, I pretty much did the same. Wasn't a terrorist, though. You've got me beat there. So, about this crusade of yours...

Her very soul tensed. He'd tell Ruby where she was; or barring that, drag her back. She'd have to fight him. Could she win...?

...you want some help?"

Blake blinked. "Eh?"

"Help." Jaune offered her his hand. "Do you want it?"

"Meh, its fine."

Blake's jaw clicked open. "Excuse me?"

He'd ferreted out her secret and that was all he had to say?

"I mean, I ran away from my family, too." Jaune shrugged. "We can be runaways together."

Her lower lip trembled.

"Blake? You alright?"

"No." she warbled. "I'm not...

"Let me go, blast you! I want to be alone!"

He had FAR too many sisters not to know that lie. "...no, I don't think you do."

Strong arms wrapped around her.

"People really should talk to other people everyday. "Jaune held her close, despite her struggles. "Even if it's just small talk. Otherwise their hearts grew dark and sullen." his arms tightened around her, not harmful, not firm, but gentle all the same. "Talking to others build bond of friendships and relationships, it broadens the mind and it makes you feel grateful to be alive. That's the kind of creatures we humans are. So," he swallowed a little, "Talk to me. I know we don't know each other very well, but I want to hep."

She sniffed into his shoulder. "You're just full of wisdom, aren't you?"

"Nah, my dad told me those words." he beamed. They fit, right?"

Tears burned her eyes, a crack in her resolve."Maybe a little...

"You can cry if you want. I won't tell anyone."

She warbled and the floodgates opened.

"I...its just not fair...


"Hello, friend of Ruby!"

They jolted apart.

Jaune leaned back. "Hello? And you are...?"

"My name is Penny! It is a pleasure to finally meet you." green eyes shone with thinly disguised glee. "Your family has told me so much about you!"

"Wait. Family?!"


"Let me help you."

"I can do this by myself!"

...you really can't. Even I can see that."


Torchwick tugged his hat down.

"These kids just keep getting weirder...


There's nothing wrong with being yourself, Jaune.

Ask yourself this: Who are you? What's your dream? How will you achieve it.

I can't answer those questions for you. You'll have to find the answers on your own. I'm sure you will.


"Take a seat, Mr. Arc.


"Wait, we have a Professor Peach? Who is she?"

The woman smiled and kept walking.


Port chortled softly. "See? What did I tell you? Remarkable, isn't he?"

"Hmm." Professor Peach offered a quiet hum, her eyes narrow. "He's more than he claims to be."

"Aren't we all, my dear?" His bushy brow waggled. "Aren't we all...?

R&R~!