A/N: EDIT: well, not a lot of feedback for this chapter it seems, I know it's a shorter one, but I genuinely ran out of time... sorry...T_T
...Let's do this. I've still got some life left in me.
Bit of a switch up today, double updates! For this, and Lord of Frenzy! Looking forward to your feedback on both! Holidays have me working insane hours, which mean short chapters, which equals a sad, tired Neon.
Every word is the wind beneath my wings, so...please... ?
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
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~!
Ruby stole the show and ran away with here~!
Prepare yourself for sugary goodness!
"Dear Weiss,
Congratulations on making it into Beacon.
I never doubted you would succeed, not even for a moment.
It has come to my attention that you've established something of a reputation in Vale, however.
Mother has requested that I visit you and speak to you of a great many things.
I will be arriving in a week.
Ever your sister,
~Winter.
Sister My Sister
"Ruby! Slow down!"
Ruby Rose most assuredly did not slow down - not for anything or anyone for that matter.
Quite the contrary, if anything, the petite girl only lengthened her stride and blitzed on ahead in a storm of rose petals, all the more determined to reach her destination.
There could be no stopping her now.
The thought alone was folly.
Ugh.
Weiss flung up her arms and despaired of her team leader as she stalked after her, heels clicking against the tarmac. Ladies -and future huntresses!- did not run; they comported themselves in a manner befitting of their station. They held their heads high, acted ever with poise and dignity above all, and certainly didn't run about like hyperactive teenagers on a sugar rush.
.
..
...bah, who was she fooling?
It would be remiss of her to say she wasn't excited herself.
After all, this was something of a momentous occasion, was it not?
It had been years since she'd seen Winter, after all. Far too long in her opinion, a meeting most overdue. Ever since she'd first forsaken the family and joined the military, things between them had been...no estranged, no, never that, but a certain tension had developed as a direct result of her departure. They'd kept in touch through letters, seen each other through the occasional scroll calls, but she'd seldom been in the same room as her, really seen her. Not in the flesh. Jacques -not Father, not anymore- wouldn't allow it and had threatened to make her life most difficult in Atlas if she did.
Yet another reason to leave the kingdom of ice and snow behind for the greener pastures of Vale.
She was well overdue some time with her older sister!
Hers! Not Ruby's, no matter what she might think!
Racing after her recalcitrant reaper, she allowed her mind to wander, flitting back to the message that brought them to this moment.
The announcement had been unexpected; sudden, even. With the Vytal Festival fast approaching, Winter had announced her intent to visit, which seemed harmless enough on the surface, given that she was entrusted with the security for said proceedings. Why, one might even make the excuse that she was visiting early for the sake of work, and not family business.
Weiss knew better, and she wasn't afraid to say it.
Therein lie the rub, as it were.
She'd mentioned such to her team -to her sisters- but in doing so, she'd also made the mistake of mentioning it to Ruby.
One did not simply tell Ruby Rose that she had another sister -a big sister!- and expect her to sit still.
It simply wasn't done.
Ergo, she'd zipped right off, the wild, excitable girl that she was, forcing her to follow.
Blake and Yang had made their own excuses -something about training that blond bastard Kyojuro, who she still refused to accept as her brother- and vehemently declined her demand that they give chase, which left her to race after her alone. Their treachery would be remembered. They would rue the day. Ohhh, she'd make them pay when she had the final say. They just didn't want to deal with Ruby's nonsense. Not that she could blame the. She could be a bit much sometimes.
Now she was well ahead of her, practically hopping from foot to foot as Winter's craft swept in.
It veered past them with a rush of hot hair, angling in gracefully much like the woman commanding for a smooth landing. Weiss couldn't help but preen a little at the display. Winter always did prefer to pilot her her craft, even if she had people for that. Such was the skill of a Schnee, one she'd learned through grueling hours back at the academy.
"Is that her ship?" Ruby whispered under her breath.
"Of course it is." Weiss tapped her between the eyes with a glare. "You are such a child sometimes!"
"Literally fifteen, Weiss! Not my fault!"
"My point stands...
A few stray passerby had gathered to observe the landing craft, doubtless noticing the SDC crest adorned across it. A few even had cameras in hand. Paparazzi no doubt. Weiss gave them all the attention they were due, which is to say none at all. She had far more important concerns on her mind and couldn't be bothered to care what the common folk thought of her.
As the engines cycled down, a ramp descended and a woman with white hair disembarked.
Weiss perked up, eyes shining.
There she was! Winter!
She descended at a brisk pace, chin held high, hands clasped behind her back, resplendent in her uniform. Curious. She'd worn her hair down today. Usually she kept it bound back in a tight bun reserved for more formal occasions. Why wear it down at all? Wasn't that unprofessional of her? She didn't want to say it was gauche per se, but it still begged the question, no matter how good she looked with it down...
.
..
...she supposed it didn't matter. It was good to see her again, even if she was taller than she remembered.
Honestly, it wasn't fair. Winter had grown upward and outward.
She, however, had to fight for every inch.
Where was her growth spurt?
Unfaaaaaaiiiiir...
"Aha~!"
Ruby's squeal of delight broke through her doldrums and too late, she realized her team laeader had lunged forward.
She struck Winter in a cloud of crimson petals with a singular cry of:
"New sister!"
Winter reacted quickly, not drawing her weapon -thank the Brothers!- but catching her smoothly under the arms. The sheer momentum drove her back half a step before she steadied herself with a glyph -she could create those by touch now?!- and adeptly braced herself with all the ease of the Specialist she'd become.
Weiss stomped a foot. "Ruby Rose! Unhand my sister this instant!"
"But she's my sister, too...
Winter quirked a brow down at the rosy reaper. "Who is this small sassy child?"
"Hi!" Ruby beamed up at her, all sugar and cookies, silver eyes sparkling. "I'm Ruby! We're sisters!
Winter's brow shot into her hair. "I beg your pardon?"
"Sisters." the girl chattered at her, heedless of her imminent peril. "Siblings. Relative, kin, I mean I can keep going if you want more words...
Steel flashed through Winter's gaze. "I do not recall having such a small sister.
Weiss absolutely twitched.
She was certain Winter hadn't meant to insult her just now, but it still stung. She had feelings, too...
"What did you say your name was, child?"
"Ruby Rose. Or Uzumaki, I guess." undaunted, the reaper touched a finger to her chin, considering. "Ruby Uzumaki Rose kinda has a nice ring to it...
Winter went still as a statue. "Uzumaki...?"
"Yup."
"So then your mother is...?"
"Summer Rose. Double yup."
Winter blinked once. "Then your father would be-
"Naruto Uzumaki." came the reply. "Also yup."
It was like flicking a switch.
Winter's face softened as she noticed the faint whisker marks etched into the girl's cheeks. She scrutinized her for a moment more, considering her as one might a priceless gem. A hand pinched Ruby's cheek, not painfully but just enough to twisted her face too and fro, the better to have a good long lasting look at her.
Weiss balked. Winter never did that with her...
"I see." She ran a hand over the red reaper's head, gently patting her hair as though she were afraid the girl might shatter in her grasp. "Its a pleasure to meet you, Ruby..."
The smaller girl chirruped happily. "You too! I always wanted a cool big sister. Yang's gonna be so jealous."
Winter's face went blank again. "Yang?
"Oh, and Blake!"
The elder Schnee blinked. She blinked hard. "I have other little sisters to spoil as well?"
Weiss gnawed on her lower lip. 'You don't spoil me...
"And a big sister technically if you count Cinder...
"Who...?"
Ruby barreled on over her. "Yup again! By the way, did you steal all of Weiss' height?"
Winter snorted. Actually snorted. "Now whatever makes you say that?"
"Its just, she's so short and you're so...so...!" She gestured emphatically with her hands. "You know!"
"I am physically fit, yes."
"No, no, no, I mean you'd give Yang a run for your money with your-
Enough was enough; it was the straw that broke the Grimm's back. Or in thus case, the Schnee.
Weiss exploded into incandescent fury and stormed forward, fists clenched tight at her sides. "Ruby Rose! UNHAND HER!
"Ah, Weiss." Winter pivoted smoothly, inadvertently dragging Ruby's face into her toned stomach. "There you are. I suppose you know the truth, then."
"No!" she thrust a finger at her sister in a rare display of defiance. "I'll hear no more talk of that ruffian today! Bad enough that you've already said his name, you'll summon him at this rate! Can we please just have one normal day?! I don't want to hear another word about that whiskered wastrel!"
Winter offered her a languid blink. "Whatever do you mean? He's standing right behind you."
Every muscle in her body locked up at once as a bead of sweat ran down her brow.
"S-Surely you jest...
A hand settled upon her shoulder. "So this is where you ran off to in such a hurry...
Gah!
Instinct took over in a mindless panic; Weiss kicked backward with an explosive yelp; sure enough Naruto was there when she spun around, beaming from ear to ear. Speak of the dastard and he shall appear! Of course the man himself would show up when she least wanted him to!
"Where did you come from?!"
He smirked. "Behind you, of course. And saying such hurtful things...that's coal in your stocking, missy."
Ruby waved weakly from Winter's embrace. "Hey, dad. Could you ask Big Sis to let go? I can't breathe...
That Winter pointedly refused to do spoke of her attachment.
"Father." she inclined her head smartly.
"Winter," he greeted her just as curtly. "How have you been?"
By way of answering she released Ruby, walked into Naruto's chest, and buried her head into his coat.
Winter! Her own sister! How could she?!
Weiss positively despaired. Her sister was a grown woman; she did not pout, she did not stomp her feet...and yet she was doing all that here and now.
Her grand mental mural of Winter was being torn down, brick by brick...
"Aggravated," Winter buried her head deeper into Naruto's chest -she would never call him Father!- and huffed, stomping her foot. "I've been beset by this ruffian who won't let me be."
"Oh?" Naruto patted her back, unable to hide his chuckle. "You've got a boy chasing after you? Why haven't I met him? What's his name?"
Winter looked up at him, mouth drawn into a thin line of displeasure. "Qrow Branwen."
The name sailed right over Weiss's ponytail.
Not so Ruby.
Her "sister" gasped, hands flying to her face. "Uncle Qrow?!"
Naruto's smile died an ugly death. "That rat bastard...
"W-Wait a moment!" Winter flung up a hand before he could vanish and go on the warpath. "I had hoped we might spend some time together...
Naruto, not Father, never Father, paused, torn between vengeance and her please. "We can do that right now if you like.
Winter tilted her head. "How so?"
...whaddya say to a spar? Let's give the people of Vale a show."
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I...I think I'd like that.
Ruby clapped her hands. "Yes! Fight, fight, fight!"
Naruto raised an arm, settling into a stance.
Winter drew her saber.
Weiss despaired of them both.
"Idiots! I'm surrounded by whiskered idiots!"
(.0.0.0.)
Roman reluctantly opened his eyes.
Well, eye, he supposed
Go figure.
He immediately wished he hadn't; because he found himself strapped to a table. Arms bound, legs shackled, one hand thrust out on a metal plank apart from a the rest. In truth he was surprised to be alive at all after that incident at the docks; again, when his vision cleared, he was not.
One of Naruto's shadow clone set a knife to his fingernails, eyes blazing like balefire. "Tell me about the White Fang in Mountain Glenn."
He balked, good eye rolling in his head. "I can't!"
"I believe you'll find that you can."
The knife dug in.
Roman's shrill scream echoed in the dark.
(.0.0.0.)
A red-faced Pyrrha stared at Cinder across the rooftop. Cinder stared back.
Jaune found himself caught helplessly between them.
Sparks flew from their eyes, promising pain.
That settled things; it was war.
He was the prize.
A/N: We'll explain how that last scene came to be next chapter, among others!
Aaaaand scene. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Better yet, would you like weekly updates? Do let me know!
As ever, the "Embers" rule remains in effect for now. If folks don't like this...well, I won't be able to continue it. Truly, it pains me to say that, but I work two jobs, and days off are a thing of the past for me as of late. Reviews are the fire that keeps me writing. Without them, I cannot put pen to paper. Simple as that. Every bit of feedback matters, large or small~! Your voice matters! Speak up! I repeat, every bit of feedback matters...even if people think it doesn't. And there we have it.
So in the immortal words of Atlas... ...Review, Would you Kindly?
Here, have a preview! Hope they make ya laugh.
(Preview)
What the hell is he?!"
He was a one man blender, that's what he was! A human meat grinder ripping through the gang. He shot one man dead in the head, crushed the skull of another underfoot, and impaled a third on his fist. All this without a sound. No reaction. Just that same, eerie, blank look upon his face. Gunmen opened fire, only for him to whirl, using his latest victim as a shield against their hail of bullets. Their body bucked and slumped. Someone tried to reload. That was a mistake; the moment they did, he surged forward. A single leap carried him the rest of the way and then he was among them, leaping their makeshift barricade.
He threw the corpse at them. "Catch."
A faint beeping reached their ears.
And then. There was fire.
He strode through it, trailing shadow and flame.
A wise man once told me something. There's a monster inside all of us. Its a simple matter of knowing where to look. Now, then...
All the smoke, huh?" he turned his head aside and spat out a bullet. Blue eyes gleamed red as a wide grin spread across his face. "Alright. You've got my attention. I hope its what you wanted."
It was not.
...TIME TO LET THE MONSTER OUT."
"Oi."
"What have you done?"
He grinned. "Scorched earth."
R ~!