A/N: ...here we go. Had to split this into two parts, or it simply wouldn't be ready in time.
Ideally, I aim to update this story every Tuesday now, and Take the Girl every Thursday now. Thursday just works better with my schedule. That said, four slots remain. Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday will be my day off to recover, unless I have a particularly productive week. What other stories would you like to see be weekly? Some may become bi-weekly, while others will be monthly. Do let me know.
Sister is being held by the hospital after surgery. They won't let me see her for some reason; I've been getting the runaround all day. Excuses, excuses...
I'll be heading over there tomorrow and woe to them if they try to stop me. They say she'll be out for about two months, which means my hours are going to double, if not triple while I struggle to pay rent. But enough about little 'ol me. Despite my injuries, despite RWBY being liquidated by Warner Bros and despite Long Covid, I'm still here. So let's get things started.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
And now...in the words of an infamous man...
Here...
...we...
...gooooo~!
"When in doubt...
~?
Throw Money at the Problem
Winter was walking.
Well, walking, running and jumping, really, which was rather surprising given how small she was.
Still! There could be no prouder moment in a parent's life than watching an offspring take her first steps.
Even now she toddled about the living room without a care in the world, under the watchful eye of Willow and the rest.
As for him? He was in charge of recording it all...
.
..
...also making sure certain psychotic scorpion faunus played nice, but they didn't talk about that.
Winter cried out and he winced. "Tyrian, be careful! Drop her, and I drop you!"
"I promise not to sting her~!"
Naruto rolled his eyes but kept his camera upright and likewise kept filming, content to let a giggling Winter dangle off Tyrian's tail, so long as the man kept his stinger sheathed in a padded pillow. Naturally, being a grabby girl, she just had to make a move for that too, precisely why they'd tied the darn thing tight around the faunus' prehensile appendage to begin with.
It was almost cute...in a deadly, murderous sort of way.
Tyrian was, of course, delighted by any attention from his niece and proved surprisingly gentle with her despite his...eccentricities. Even now as he swung her up and down -delighting in her cries for more- he kept one hand out, ready to catch the energetic child should she slip.
Heh. Uncle Tyrian. Poor fellow started blubbering every time he heard it. Made him proper proud it did; he'd come a long way from that madman in Menagerie. Sure he might be crazy, sure he was prone to stabbing their enemies, and sure he still believed that he and Kurama were gods, but he was THEIR madman.
There was a difference, thank-you-very-much!
Really, he was rather like Watts in a sense; both could be eccentric, foppish, even a touch arrogant at times, but better to put their gifts to use here in Atlas than turn them loose in the world. He shuddered to think what might happen had Salem found them first.
Nope, not having that.
"Twian!" Winter burbled up happily, drawing him back to the present just in time to see her little legs flailing in the air as soared upright. "Higha!"
"As you command!" Tyrian made pleased Tyrian noises and hoisted her high again. "Such a delightful niece! Upsy~daisy~!"
yWinter's laughter piqued into a merry squeal.
"Hey, hey!" Roman clicked his tongue at him. "Don't throw her that high, you lout!"
Sienna yawned and waved a clawed hand. "Meh, she'll be fine. She's got her aura unlocked."
Cinder sulked from where she lounged against the recliner, but otherwise refused to give her opinion.
"Don't pout," he chided softly and tousled her hair instead. "You're too big to be thrown around like that by him."
She wouldn't speak to him, but her gaze strayed is way.
Such a dishonest child.
Tyrian saw it, of course. "Aw, do you want Uncle Tyrian to play with you, too?"
Cinder scowled. "No. Only papa and mama can throw me."
Willow hid a lovely smile behind one hand. "My, my...
Hrk.
Naruto's reaction proved more visceral; he swayed a little on his feet and clutched at his chest. Even after all those years she still got him with that sometimes. Dad, daddy, father, papa and the like. He never knew which word she'd use on a given day, though she seemed to have gravitated toward the latter as of late.
"I could throw you," he allowed, tousling Cinder's hair, "But I thought you were above such things."
Her gaze sought his. "I might not be."
Right, that did it.
Handing the camera off to a shadow clone, he fixed his lieutenant with a stern glare. "I'll be right back. Guard her with your life, you hear me?"
The faunus saluted. "As my lord and savior commands!
"None of that." Willow tutted and held out her arms, gaining their daughter's attention. "Winter, dear! Come see mommy!"
The two-year-old toddled her way with haste. Naruto let her, content to watch for now.
He wasn't blind to Cinder's burning gaze on his back.
Someone was jealous.
He rolled his eyes, sat down on a nearby sofa, and patted his knee. "Come here, Cinder."
There was no hesitation; his fearless foster daughter didn't so much move as she did pounce, hopping up into his lap without so much as a second thought. Ooomph! She landed with such force that he rocked back for a moment and had to steady himself. From there, he absently braced her back with one hand and patted her head with the other. She made a pleased noise and preened a little, cuddling close. All that trust humbled him sometimes, it really did. She'd come a long way from that feisty, fiery, frightened urchin who'd snatched his meal down in Mantle.
Roman hooted. "Ha! Daddy's girl!"
Cinder snarled and snapped her fingers, conjuring a fireball; it flew forth to clip his shoulder, sparked off his aura, and summarily sent him flying across the room, knocking him into Sienna. The pair went down with a yelp, but it was the former who howled angry imprecations at them both.
"Ohhh, you bitch! I liked that coat!
"Don't look at me, you arse! You're the one that pissed her off!"
"Language, both of you." Naruto looked back to Cinder, grasped for something to say, found it, and latched on tight. "How's your Semblance training come along?"
"Hmm." Her golden gaze gleamed, heady with triumph. "Quite nicely. I can almost use that now."
She'd nearly mastered it already? "Seems I need to step up your training."
Cinder's gaze lit up. Quite literally. He could see the Maiden flames fanning in her eyes, trailing out in wisps of heat. "I like training. Will it make me more powerful?"
"Unbelievably. But if you don't want that...
"No!" She gripped his metal arm with both hands, eyes ablaze. "I want that! I WANT ALL OF THAT!"
Kurama cackled in his head. "Of course you do...
"Can we start now?!"
"I have some errands to run with Watts and Pietro first, but you're more than welcome to come with-hey!" he heard Willow's scroll clicked behind him and scowled, realizing the photo she'd just snapped of them. Qrow was never going to let him live this down. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to delete that one?"
"That depends." she scooped little Winter up, sat beside them, and handed the girl off to Cinder. "What would you give me...?"
He leaned in, whispering into her ear to make her blsuh. "Well, I suppose I could-
Cinder made gagging noises. "Ewww. Not here, please."
Winter took full advantage and began to gum on her hair while she was distracted, of course.
"Not the hair," she tutted softly. "Naughty girl. That's not food for you."
Winter whimpered.
"Oh fiiiiiiiiiiiiine. But just this once."
She promptly began eatingher hair again, the silly girl.
Roman and Sienna snickered at the sight, the absolute traitors.
This time, Cinder couldn't do anything but scowl at them, not with her hands full. But he could.
"Tyrian," he smiled, "Why don't you take the Dynamic Duo over there out back for a bit of training?"
His lieutenant perked up. "Can we use the danger room?"
"Sure." he nodded. "Watts just put the finishing touches on it yesterday. Go nuts."
Tyrian perked up. Roman blanched but Sienna? Sienna practically drooled. "Sweeeeeet! Dibs on the Paladins!"
Roman swore. "Oi, now! Can it, you bloody masochist! If you think for a single solitary second that I'm gonna fight a buncha bots-
Too little, too late. Tyrian snatched them both up with a sinister smile and dove for the doors. "Ah, sweet training! What fun, what fun! Come, my students! Glory awaits!"
Willow kissed his cheek. "I suppose that's your cue then, dear. Have a nice day. Say goodbye to your papa, Winter; he'll be back tonight."
Their daughter released Cinder and flung up her arms with an exuberant cry. "Da!"
He smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "That's my girl...
Life was good.
(.0.0.0.)
Summer doubled over and heaved into the toilet.
"Why meeeee?! I hate getting sick like this...
It was just the flu, right?
Had to be.
Right?
(.0.0.0.)
"Your arm is coming along nicely."
"Is it?" Naruto flexed his metallic arm,tugging at the wires embedded within. "Doesn't feel like it...
"Quite so!" Watts bustled past him, snatched a wrench from his workbench and whirled to face him. "I've made several upgrades and quality of life improvements, improved the alloy, and made it lighter, to say nothing of the new features.
A blond brow rose, curiosity piqued. "Such as...?"
Arthur listed them long, loud and at length; by the end he was grinning.
"You gave me a rocket launcher?!"
"With limited ammunition, mind you!" a finger jabbed his chest. "Don't go blowing up any buildings."
His head tilted. "But it still runs on dust, right?"
"It does," he hedged reluctantly.
Then they had no problems.
"Best scientist ever~!"
"Hmm, hmm." Athur's mustache practically prickled with pride. "I'm well aware."
Poor Cinder looked bored out her mind; thankfully, Alma was quick to take her aside and start asking questions about swords, which freed the two of them up to discuss other matters. He wasn't quite sure why Arthur's daughter was fixated on the art of the blade, and frankly, he didn't want to know.
Ignorance was bliss.
"And what of our latest project?"
"On schedule." Watts freed the wires from his arm and helped him out the chair. "The contributions you've made this last year alone have significantly improved my work."
"Good." Hey, it was! Really, it was about knowing what folks wanted and giving it to them
And he was nothing if not a people person.
"Speaking of which!"
"How's little Alma doing?"
Arthur Watts was not a man to gush often, but his daughter was the exception. "Quite well! Why not ask her?
Naruto craned his neck back blinked, only to find no one there. Cinder had hunkered down into a corner to meditate again, but of Alma, he saw no sign. How unlike her. Ordinarily he would've thought she was trying to hide from him again, but he couldn't even sense her. Which meant...
He frowned. "She's right behind me isn't she?"
"Above, actually."
"Uncle~!"
Alma landed on his shoulders with a giggle and vaulted into his lap with frightful ease.
He sputtered for a second, catching her. "How'd you pull that off? A semblance?"
Watts preened. "Nothing so droll. Show, him dear."
"Yes, father."
She vanished before his eyes; if it weren't for her weight in his lap, he wouldn't have known she was there at all; more than that, he couldn't even sense her presence. It was as if she had simply ceased to exist. When she laughed, a shiver shot down his spine. Scary little thing. She was going to be downright dangerous when she was older.
"How's she doing this, Watts...?"
"A facet of chakra." his scientist hummed. "Remarkable, isn't she?"
That was one word for it. "Alma, darling. Why don't you go ambush Cinder? She looks far too peaceful over there."
He couldn't see her, but he heard her laughter and rapidly retreating footsteps all the same; it gave them excuse to send her away and speak candidly, if nothing else...
.
..
...even then he waited until she was ell out of earshot. "Well done. Have you shared these results with Pietro?"
His smile died an ugly death as a still-invisible Alma scampered off to spook Cinder. "Must I? My work is miles better than anything that fat fool can produce!"
"Now, now...
Watts and Pietro would never truly be friends, but they could at least work together and foster a healthy competition between them...mostly. Penny and Alma saw to that. They were sisters in bond, if not blood. And this ability of hers was versatile; if they could expand it, perhaps give it to others...they could have entire towns masked from the Grimm!
Arthur coughed, ruining his daydream. "You're up to something, aren't you? I can see the gears turning in your head."
Well spotted. Watts was his chief scientist for a reason, after all. Maybe he shouldn't mention this to him yet.
"Salem's been strangely silent lately," he deflected instead.
Watts made an annoyed noise. "She has."
"Any word on that front?
"None." In this at least, his shoulders slumped and conceded defeat. My drones haven't been able to penetrate that far into the Grimmlands.
Even powered by my chakra?
"Fuel isn't the problem." Watts flung himself down into a chair opposite him, reached to the counter, and cracked open a bottle of brandy. "Her Grimm are." he took a long drink from it before continuing. "Anything I send in there gets bogged down and destroyed immediately; her defenses have never been higher. And those are merely unmanned drones. If we sent soldier in there, huntsmen or no...
...they'd be slaughtered. he heaved a sigh. "I don't like this. She's up to something. We need a man on the inside...
An unopened bottle bounced off his head. "Don't even think about it!"
"I'm not!" he flung up a hand to catch it. "Calm down!"
"Good." Watts deflated with a sigh and let him drink." Willow would never forgive you trying such a stupid stunt. That said, we only know one of her agents.
A smile split his face. "We do, don't we!?"
Watts clapped a hand to his forehead. "If you mean to convert Hazel, I'll ask you not to."
"Whyever not?"
"In case you've forgotten, your soon-to-be-wife nearly killed him the last time you met. Besides," another drink came and went, "The man only cares for revenge against Ozpin."
"Because he let his sister die." Qrow had mentioned it in passing. "Do we have any proof that's the cause?"
Watts granted him a strange look. "You actually want to turn him?"
"Secrecy is still our best weapon for now; at least until we know more about our enemy." he looked back to the bottle in his hand and swirled it around, seeking to distract himself. "I can slaughter Grimm by the thousands but the second I try to blitz the Grimmlands, she's going to unleash hell on Atlas."
"Not Vale?"
"No," he shook his head, "The moment she realizes what I'm truly capable of, she'll throw everything she has here." his fingers tightened around the bottle, causing the glass to creak, but not crack. "I don't fear for myself as you well know, I fear for my friends and family." when Watts didn't immediately answer, he couldn't quite keep the chuckle from his voice." I still count you among those, ya know." that got a sputter out of him, and he took just a little pleasure in twisting the proverbial knife. Winter's started walking, you really ought to visit more often you want her to remember."
Watts, much like Cinder, couldn't be honest with himself. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, is that it?"
"I have not, nor will I ever consider you my enemy." he temporized with a smile. "I value you and your input too much for that."
He folded like a house of cards. "...I can do some digging into Hazel's past. It won't be easy mind you, and if what you say is true, I'll likely need a link to Ozpin's personal terminal."
Easily done. He just needed to bribe one of the Branwen twins; or find an excuse to visit Vale.
Which meant interacting with Ozpin.
Lovely.
Shunting those unpleasant thoughts aside, Naruto stood and clapped him on the shoulder. "I appreciate this. You're the best, Watts."
"Yes, yes, " said scientist waved him away with a sputter. "So you like to say. Once that's done, it begs the question. How best to lure Hazel out into the open...?"
A smile split Naruto's face. "I may have a few ideas...
"No, no, no!" Watts saw it and rounded on it. "Don't say that and give me that silent smile routine. That one may be a brute, but he isn't stupid. I ask again, how do you intend to pull off this charade of yours?"
"With the best bait, of course."
"...I see." There it was; a crumb, a clue, a conundrum for him to unravel, and unravel it he did. "He won't come round for just anyone and wherever we spring this trap, it would have to be far from Atlas. You would need a Maiden, a Silver-Eyed Warrior or Ozpin himself and since I very much doubt you're willing to risk Willow or Cinder...oh." he paused, realizing what he intended. "That's clever. Mad, but clever. Its just crazy enough to work."
Naruto raised his right arm and flexed all five fingers in a lazy salute. "What can I say? I learned from the best."
Watts preened. "I suppose you did, didn't you. And speaking of the best, how fares miss Rose these days?"
Well, that question came out of nowhere. "Summer's fine," he squinted his way, baffled. "Why?"
"No reason," Watts all but drawled the second word. "Scientific curiosity, nothing more.
His brow furrowed anew. "You're up to something."
"Me? Perish the thought!"
"Watts!"
"Bah! Take the fun out back and beat it to death, why don't you?" Arthur heaved a hearty sigh and went back to his bench, where he promptly began fiddling with his gadgets. "If you must know, I've been contemplating what a child of an accomplished Silver-Eyed Warrior and a Shinobi such as yourself might be like...
Urk.
"After all," Watts rambled on, seemingly focused on his work once more. "Alma professed an interest in having another playmate. But you don't have to worry about that now, do you?" his neck craned back and a bushy black brow wriggled his way. "You and Willow are the very soul of discretion. I'm sure any rumors I might've heard are just . Unless...?"
Double urk and double damn him for guessing correctly. Heat all but flooded his face. "Not another word."
Watts walked away with a spring in his step, the mad bastard.
"As you wish...do give Penny my regards."
(.0.0.0.)
"Sal~u~tations~!"
Naruto raised his arms and surrendered with a sigh; he knew there was nowhere to run.
Sure enough, Penny crashed into him like a falling star, forcing him to dig his boots in and catch her under the arms lest he be bowled over outright. Thankfully he had plenty of practice in dealing with excitable children by now; rather than stagger, he spun her right round to bleed off momentum and set her down; or rather he tried; because his niece wasn't in any hurry to let go and clung tight onto his legs for dear life instead.
"I missed you!" she giggled as she buried her head into his stomach and shook it to and fro. "Its been forever since you visited!"
"Penny, I was here just last month...
"Still too long!"
Cinder huffed at his side, and made an annoyed noise under her breath. "Unfair."
Awww, daddy's little girl didn't like sharing attention. Still, mistakes were made; if only because her idle remark funneled Penny's attention -and excitement- down onto her with all the force and excitement of a hurricane.
"COUSIN~!"
Cinder balked and tried to retreat, but it was too little, too late. Penny latched onto her like a limpet and squeezed her tight, incidentally pinning the older girl's arms at her sides as she hoisted her into the air and swung her to and fro. Naruto held out his scroll and snapped a quick photo for posterity's sake. Cinder scowled at him for it, but she had no one to blame but herself. There was no fear of her busting out the Maiden powers here, not for something like this, but her embarrassment was almost palpable.
She set a dark glower on Penny all the same. "Let me go!"
"Why would I do that? Hugs are nice!"
"Now, now, Penny." Pietro's chair plodded around the corner carrying the man himself, "Don't break the poor girl. I'm sure she's perfectly happy to see you, too."
Cinder made angry Cinder noises until Penny released her. "Shall we play?"
His daughter fixed her dress with a sullen scowl. "Do you mean a spar...?"
Innocent green eyes fluttered in quick blink. "That is what I said, yes."
Cinder looked to him for confirmation, golden eyes gleaming. "May I?"
What was the ham? He gave her permission with a nod and she looked back with a smug smile.
...as you wish."
Together they watched the girls scamper toward one of the testing rings, only looking back Pietro's way once he was certain they weren't up to no good.
He didn't like what he found there.
Penny's father had a weary air about him today, one that hadn't been the since the least visit. More than that, they were deep, dark bags beneath his eyes and his face looked to be in dire need of a shave. He looked...dare he say haggard? Not quite gaunt, never him, but he'd clearly lost some weight and in a unhealthy way.
"Everything alright, there?" He pivoted to lean against a nearby table.
Penny's father flinched. "Yes, of course...
"Pietro."
...no." He relented with a sigh, shoulders slumping. "Not at all. James has cut my funding."
The news didn't quite come as a slap in the face, but was close, enough to make him blink first. "Why?"
"Why do you think?" Pietro flung up an arm and belatedly, he glimpsed a line of scars there. "Watts and his Wonders." A faint bitter note crept into his voice. "He doesn't think the Penny Project is necessary anymore, from what he's seen. Alma has outpaced Penny. They're talking of shutting us down.
Oh, dear.
Atlas needed Pietro and the Penny Project; they couldn't afford to lose him to another kingdom, or log forbid, Ozpin himself. He could only imagine what the old man would do with a mind like Polendina's on his side or worse if Salem got her claws into such a desperate scientist. They needed to keep him at all costs.
By that very logic, the solution seemed simple. "...How much lien you have left?"
"Not enough." Pietro reached for an old gizmo-some strange blend of gears and springs he couldn't comprehend-and began to fiddle with it restlessly, fingers twitching, unable to meet his gaze. "Not nearly enough. I've been keeping the project going on my own savings, but those are nearly gone. He knew what was coming next and wasn't disappointed when Penny's father cast a pleading gaze upon him. Please, she can change the world for the better, just like Alma! If he'd only give her a chance!
He recognized the implicit plea for what it was and dithered for a moment, considering the ramifications. Ironwood wouldn't like him propping up the Penny Project any more than he would having Pietro snatched out from under him. But at the end of the day, lien opened doors. And he had money to spare. He was sure to get a scroll call for this little bout of altruism...then so be it.
"How does five million sound?"
Pietro nearly fell out his chair! "Five...?!"
Was that not enough? "I could give you ten to play with, if you like."
"By the gods...!" Penny's father wheezed and clutched at his chest; he was fairly certain he'd nearly given the man stroke. "Oh, thank you! You don't know what this means to me!"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Its been a good year for the SDC." And for him. His own "research" was paying dividends as of late. "But I expect results, Pietro. You have to make Penny the best she can be."
The man seized his hand and shook it. "I will!"
An unspoken question lingered in the air. He knew what it was.
"If I might be so bold as to ask...have you reconsidered letting me work with chakra?"
Naruto's smile died an ugly death. "Sorry, but that's out of the question. Watts is the only one I trust with that right now." and even then, he only gave it to him in measured doses. "My answer is no."
"He's an egomaniac!"
"Maybe, but he's my egomaniac."
Pietro slumped in his chair with a sigh. "You favor him."
He took the accusation with good grace. "I owe him." He held up his metal arm for emphasis and wiggled his fingers. "If not for him, I wouldn't be where I am now."
Penny's father knew a losing fight when he heard one, or maybe he just knew better than to pick a fight he couldn't win. "I'll let it be, then. You have my thanks for the funding. When will it come through...?"
His scroll chimed.
Naruto lowered his own, having opened it while he was speaking. "Just now."
Polendia opened his scroll and made a garbled noise as he beheld the contents within. "How did you...?"
He clasped the man's shoulder. "I've got my fingers in plenty of pies, Pietro. Remember that. I reward loyalty and hard work. Don't let me down."
It wasn't a threat, but a warning, and by the look in his eyes, he took it to heart. "I wouldn't dream of it."
"Good man."
Pietro bustled over to a workbench, already muttering scientific jargon that sailed over his head. Hard worker, that one. Atlas couldn't afford to lose him.
Naruto let him go and amused himself for a while by arranging different chakra elements in his hand one after the other. Water, earth, fire, and wind. He'd be teaching Winter these someday and maybe more, if she had a bloodline.
A yelp drew his attention and his gaze strayed back to the brawl just in time to see it take a turn.
Cinder might be young, but she often acted older, ever trying to emulate Willow, ever the little lady.
Which was why it amused him so to hear her swearing like a sailor.
His daughter chambered a kick, pivoted when Penny blicked, and drove a fist forward, stomping down to add momentum. Penny wasn't quick enough to stop her this time and doubled over with a startled gasp as her fist found her torso. Fire flashed forth; to which he clicked his tongue when he saw the furious flames flickering at the edge of her eyes. Cinder hadn't pulled out her Maiden powers quite yet, but he could clearly see she was all of a hairsbreadth from doing so. Penny had pushed her hard, it was a testament to her own training that she'd held out this long fighting as she was.
She did him proud, but he could see she was losing this fight; a fight she'd willingly handicapped herself in.
But she wouldn't use the Maiden power here; not with the promise she'd made him.
He was curious to see if she'd break her word-or pull her blades.
True enough her Kanshou and Bakuya flashed out at long last, pride giving way to anger. She surged in, filled with anger. Penny knew no such emotion; she danced back and a wall of green light bloomed as those "blades" cycled into a ring of guns, hard light condensed into a pillar of writhing energy at her fingertips. His eyes widened a little at the sight. That was an awful lot of energy.
She flung it forward-right into Cinder's startled face.
"Oh shi-
Cinder's aura went up, then she went back.
The ensuing explosion actually drew a small whistle from him; he watched with a winch as Cinder crashed out of the ring, skidded across the floor, and came to a crashing halt against a wall. He could have caught her well before that, even used his speed to blocd Penny's last attack, there. But he hadn't.
Defeat was a lesson everyone needed to learn, sooner or later.
Pride brought even the mightiest of warriors low.
And now Cinder had learned that lesson.
Not only had she handicapped herself by refusing to use her blades, but by wearing her weights as well. Penny was young but she knew next to nothing of restraint; she went into every battle and gave her all unless told otherwise. As such?
Victory was hers.
Penny pumped a fist into the air. "Victory belongs to me, cousin!"
Cinder thrashed upright. "You cheated! I demand a rematch!"
Her cousin chirruped happily. "I look forward to it!"
At least she was acting her age at last.
"Cinder!" he cupped both hands to his mouth and called out to her. "Don't hold back this time, you hear?"
She perked up, eyes ablaze. "You mean...
"Just this once! I'll allow it! Show me the results of your training."
Naruto fished out his scroll and snapped another picture for Willow as they went for round two.
(.0.0.0.)
"And did dear Cinder win her rematch?"
"Handily." Naruto sank into a seat opposite Nicholas as he finished recounting his tale. "Wasn't much of a contest once she went all out."
His father-in-law chortled softly and took a long drink from his mug. "Defeat is a blade that cuts both ways, I suppose. So long as they both learn from it."
Penny certainly seemed to have done so; she'd had a peculiar gleam in her eye when they'd bid her and Pietro goodbye for the evening; he wouldn't be surprised if she started pestering Cinder for training; which meant more morning sessions to be had from him. Watts would likely hear of this, which meant Alma would get involved. Fine by him. He didn't much mind the prospect of training up his nieces alongside the rest.
"Seems you had quite the adventure today."
"Something like that." he chuckled a little at the reminder. "But you didn't call me here for this, did you?"
...I did not, no."
"Hmm." he cracked open another bottle of wine and drank deeply. "Thought."
They'd retired to the old Schnee's study for the evening, both to have privacy and share a drink together. Willow had tucked Winter and the kids in long ago, then go to sleep herself, which was just as well; because she probably wouldn't like where this conversation was going.
The flames of the hearth crackled quietly away beside them, casting dancing shadows across them room. Flickering figures danced across the room. Some almost looked like Grimm. Perhaps that was his tipsy mind playing tricks on him.
Nicholas took a long draught of his own and guffawed heavily.
"I'm getting old, my boy. There's no denying that." he rose with an effort, and Naruto couldn't help but notice how he leaned heavily upon his cane these days, whereas he'd scarcely needed the walking stick prior. "I have the utmost respect for what you're trying to achieve here, even if I know I'll not be around to see it." he shuffled across the room, limping to his desk to retrieve something he couldn't see at this angle. "Still, I have faith in you and Willow. Together, the two of you will undoubtedly lead the SDC into a new era. And besides," he winked his way over one shoulder., "you've got the hair for it.
Naruto absentmindedly touched a hand to his once blond locks; the trace of color having finally given up the ghost long ago. It was so easy to still think of himself as blond sometimes. There were days when he got up in the morning and almost didn't recognize the stranger staring back at him within the mirror, this man with ice blue eyes, white hair, and a metal arm. The old "him" would've had a few things to say about how ruthless he'd become. But he wouldn't trade it for the world. It was precisely because of being ruthless that he'd been able to protect all he held dear.
After all, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves.
Sometimes he felt like a monster for that, and perhaps he was to some extent; some certainly saw him as such. A great golden terror to all his foes. Salem hadn't made any overt moves against him yet, but it was only a matter of time before she figured out he was housing two Maidens. Ozpin only knew of one. James was still pressuring him to share his secrets with the Atlesian military. Cinder and the kids were growing up. This quiet family life wouldn't last forever.
No matter how much he might wish otherwise.
Nicholas coughed again, harsher than before, a deep rattling thing that seemed to shake his broad shoulders. He brought a handkerchief up to his mouth to muffle the noise, to no avail. Naruto stood to help him, and in doing so, glimpsed the flecks of blood on the tissue.
"I'm quite alright." he waved him off. "I'm not done quite yet. Although I wouldn't say no to another granddaughter or two before I go...
Blasted lung cancer. His time was running out. No matter how much he healed him, no matter the damage he repaired, the fact remained. He was dying. He could combat it, maybe even slow it, but not stop it. Not fully. For all his skill and strength, he wasn't perfect. How many years did Nicholas have left? Ten? Five? Less? He didn't want to consider it, but...
Nicholas laid a sheaf of papers on the table between them. "This is a copy of my will. Read through it at your leisure. I've left everything to you and Willow. Not to mention-
A crimson portal slashed open behind them, cutting that last thought painfully short.
"Ah, but you have a guest." Nicolas patted his shoulder. "Don't let me keep you."
Raven...? What could she possibly want at this hour?
Naruto considered the scarlet tether for a brief moment, then thought better of it. If he stepped through he'd probably be stuck in Vale, and he didn't fancy the idea of running all the way back.
In the end, he didn't have to; because a blade came flying through, skimmed past his face, and slammed into the wall
"NARUTO UZUMAKI!" Raven's voice howled from within the portal. "You get over here right now!"
He winced a little. "Can I not?"
Nicholas chuckled. That rather sounds like Raven.
Naruto looked away. "Nah, I'm sure its nothing."
"WHISKERS!"
How many people do you know that call you whiskers?
Right on cue, Raven stepped through the portal. Stormed, really.
Her brilliant red eyes flitted between him and Nicholas, then narrowed now as she planted a fist on her hip. "You been banging my best friend?"
The old Schnee chuckled. "More grandchildren, I take it? Willow always was the willful sort."
Naruto opened his mouth to reply-
"Nevermind!" Raven shouted him down. "I don't wanna hear; you're going to make it up to me, here and now. There's something I want to check on."
Oddly demanding of her...and desperate. A blond brow rose. "And what might that be?"
She scowled at him.
"My tribe."
A/N: You're not ready for what is to come.
Thad said, would you like weekly updates? Do let me know!
As ever the Embers rule persists, reviews are my fuel, my fire, my life. Without them, I lose all inspiration, all hope, all ability to write.
That's no joke. I have so little time to write these days with two jobs, scarcely one day off a week, and silence hurts. So by all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard! Every bit of feedback, no matter how small or large, matters! Really, it helps a lot. Its a joy to talk with you all and bandy ideas back and forth; it really is. Sorry if this seems shorter than usual, working on a tight schedule here.
Reviews are the fuel that keeps me writing. That's no joke. I really am sorry that the chapters are shorter these days, and the updates slower, but I'm trying my best. Silence hurts more than any flame...without feedback, I can't write a single world. Seriously! So speak up! Every word -and every review!- really does matter!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... ...Review, Would You Kindly?
Here, have some previews. Lemme know what you think!
And as ever: Possible spoilers! Seriously!
Mostly the same previews here.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT AHEAD!
YOU WERE WARNED~!
(Previews are condensed to save space!
It was morning by the time they arrived in Mistral.
Things weren't simple, of course.
Nothing ever was.
The path of the righteous man and defender is beset on all sides by the iniquity of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men." Naruto shook his head, grunted now as the wound closed, the bullet fell out his head and landed at his feet. "Its different when you're on the receiving end. When you're the little guy."
Then he moved.
Snap.
Crunch.
Thud.
"Bones take a while to mend, ya know? Even longer than muscle. But the mind...oh, that's a fragile thing indeed. Lemme show ya...
Tyrian tittered. "Riddle me this! what do you get when a Maiden and a Shinobi have a child together?
The answer might surprise you! Shall I give you the answer?
You get a goddess."
Calm.
She was calm.
Not stressed at all, no sirree!
She was the eye of the storm, the very picture of poise, and nobody but nothing could possibly make her talk-
"So are you pregnant or what? You've been moody all week"
Summer felt a fierce heat creep up the back of her neck like a dozen fire ants. "RAVEN WHY?!
"I'm just saying, I know that look; you're either up the spout or-
Summer tackled her with a howl.
Qrow was really starting to hate Mistral.
Bad enough that they had their crime syndicates, but this drug...no one had paid attention to it for the longest time. They'd known about it, even seen hints down in Menagerie, but this...
A drug that boosted semblances. Sounded great on paper, right?
It wasn't.
Using the damn thing killed you eventually. Semblances were meant to grow and evolve naturally. This...whatever it was, forced that evolution.
"Well, shit. Oz ain't gonna like this...
"We still haven't tracked down that semblance booster yet?
Evidently its cropped up in Mistral now.
"Lovely."
Target in sight.
She'd been so careful these last few days, making sure no one saw her, that no one suspected. This was her time, this was her moment! Her day was now!
"Ruby Rose! You put that cookie down! No desert before dinner!"
Buuusted.
Mommy was best mom, but she really did keep a close eye on her cookie jar...
Daddy was better. He let her have sweets all the time!
"Again."
Winter climbed to her feet. Cinder waited her, golden eyes shining with flame. Roman knelt to retrieve his hat, dusted it off, and brandished his cane at her. Sienna cracked her knuckles.
"Pick up your sword. We're not done yet, little sister...
"What's gotten into you, Winter?"
She wouldn't look at him. She mustn't. She refused.
"I heard what you said to mother." Father arched an eyebrow at her, and in the absence of his words, child though she was, she found the strength to continue. "You think I'm weak because I'm not like you, like Cinder and Sienna, or even Roman." she stomped a foot and looked down, unwilling to meet his eyes. "I know I was never what you wanted, but I thought after all this time, maybe things were different.
His stoic gaze drilled into her. "When did you get the impression I didn't want you? You don't know everything kiddo...
"No, she sniffled, "but at least now I know the truth.
"The truth, eh?" he thumbed his chin. "Alright." a quick shove pushed his chair out from behind his desk. "You want the truth? C'mere." A metal hand patted his knee. "I'd wanted to wait another three years, but I suppose now's as good a time as any."
Her legs betrayed her and she found herself climbing into his lap. At the end of the day he was still her father and she was only five.
She tilted her head up to get a better look at him. As such she saw the moment his sapphire eyes snapped into scarlet.
Winter gasped despite her best efforts. "What did you do?! Is that a semblance or...?
"Nope. I'm a jinchuuriki, girl." she watched golden light dance across his face as he spoke, burning bright. "From another world, far from here. When I first met your mother I chose to be who I am now. To be more than a fight, but a leader as well. But the truth is, I'm far from perfect." he held up his false arm from her to see. "I killed my best friend. It wasn't something I wanted to do-that's how I got this arm. Even after that, I destroyed many who were deserving...and many who were not."
"That still doesn't explain why you think I'm weak-
"You think you're weak, Winter? No, no, no." he shook his head, setting his pale hair swaying. "You're strong; the only other person on this planet with chakra besides me. Hell, you're probably going to be even stronger than me, once you grow up. Which is why you must be BETTER. I didn't want to tell you any of this until you were ready."
"Why not tell me all this before?"
"Because it could go to your head. Because strength without experience can create a lifetime of tragedy if you're not careful. I also wanted you to have a normal childhood."
She scowled at him. "How is anything about my life even remotely normal?"
He granted her a small smile.
"Fair enough...
Winter wasn't cut out to be a big sister. Truly, she felt she wasn't. She'd been born broken. She only knew how to fight and kill. That was why she seldom spoke. Why she shunned others.
It was precisely why she was hesitating now, as the mewls of a newborn infant filled the hospital room.
"Oh, stop that. Come here and hold your baby sister. Weiss won't bite."
...you're gonna be a daddy again.
Naruto fell out his chair!
...why do I laugh, you ask? I laugh because you have no idea what you've unleashed. There are things far worse than death."
Something tore the roof clean off above them; the roar of a beast split the air.
"Ah, right on time."
Winter scowled. It was a very impressive scowl she felt, easily capable of causing even the mightiest of Grimm to quaver in its boots.
It had no effect whatsoever on Big Sister Cinder. Her sister was everything she wanted to be; poise, power, and perfection. It didn't matter if they weren't related by blood. They were sisters. Anyone who said otherwise was getting an ice spike through the eye.
Now, now, there's no need to make such a face. You're only four, after all. What troubles you?
Daddy is busy again.
Cinder's face lit up. Really? Then I suppose we'll have to change that.
EDIT: Good 'ol Jason Statham here...
I asked twice. He started it. He's a bully.
...maybe this is my fault. I taught her to defend herself.
You think its a good idea teaching a little girl to fight?
Fight, no. Defend herself though? Definitely.
"Naruto, stop! This isn't you! This isn't who you want to be! They need to face justice!
Rationally, yes. But he wasn't feeling very rational right now.
"They came for my family. This is justice."
He squeezed their neck harder.
CRACK.
R&R~!