A/N: Notifications are back at last! We're back~!

in other news depression's starting to hit real hard these days. Seriously. Like a sledgehammer paired with concrete. Sometimes I wonder why I do anything at all. can't claim to understand what's going wrong with my head anymore. I don't even know why I'm feeling this way! One moment I'm fine, then my mood craters for a few hours, then I'm back again for a bit, and the cycle repeats. On and on, round the bend, forever and without end! Its rather annoying; as though I've become a prisoner in my own mind sometimes.

Sure, what's one more mental problem on the pile. Not like I don't have enough, what with already being this old. Feels like every day is a battle sometimes. Meanwhile, my doctor insists that I'm fine. Take a health walk he says. Go fishing. You'll be fine.

But for now, I'm still here, still writing.

As ever, I own no quotes, references, quotes, themes or memes! They're simply tributes to legends far greater than I. I'm just an old man who writes as a pastime. I don't make any money doing this, not a single cent.

This is ALL done for free. Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story.

Simple as that. In other words...its up to YOU, the reader.

Alright, now its time for little miss Ice Queen...

References to the legend.

You all know who.

"I fear no man but that SMILE...

...it scares me."

~?

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

"Weiss...please. Talk to me."

Said Schnee raised her head diligently worked to conceal her scowl as she sat atop her bed. She was a prisoner in this cell. She had lost Myrtenaster. She'd even sacrificed the trust of her beloved team leader and partner on the altar of ambition. All this for what? For a fight she'd wanted no part in. She had been lied to, deceived...even used at the end by those she'd trust so much. She'd forsaken so much for her foolishness, believing she was the hero, that she was on the side of justice...

.

..

...but she wasn't, was he?

Naruto may had broken her body in battle and Ruby was even now surely shattering her spirit, but there was one thing a Schnee always kept.

Something she held to, even in her most painful moments.

Her pride.

She would not be reduced to an undignified wreck like Yang and Blake -traitors!- she would retain her quiet dignity. Her composure. Even now, when faced with Ruby's pleading face she refused to fall apart; no matter how much a small childish part of her wanted to. Someone had to be the adult in Team RWBY. Blake and Yang were clearly incapable of such, hence the need for separate cells- and Ruby...well, Ruby had discovered perhaps the most troublesome emotion of all. Love.

And so it fell to her.

She heaved a sigh and ran a hand through her hair. "Alright, talk."

It hurt to see those silver eyes light up like that; it made her think things could go back to the way they were.

But they couldn't. They never could. No matter how much she might wish otherwise.

She would, at least, have her answers. "Do you love him?"

Ruby tried to retort but managed only a small, despairing wine of a word.

"Weeeiiisss!"

Undaunted, she tried again. "Do. You. Love him?"

Ruby didn't even manage a word this time, all that emerged was a wheeze, akin to letting the air out of a tiny red balloon.

Weiss still felt it was a fair question; honest and tactful as only a Schnee could be. And besides, the slow flush of her partner's face was truly a sight to behold. At this angle she could clearly see the heat race up Rub's neck, leap up to her chin, and turn her face redder than her namesake. In an instant she was red like roses and Weiss knew the sight would fill her dreams.

...had she always been this cute?

She tried to speak, to take the initiative, Ruby had so graciously granted her, but the rosy reaper beat her to it and lurched backward in her chair. "Weiss! Don't be silly!"

"It seems to me that you're the one being silly, Ruby." she planted both hands in her lap and stared at her evenly. "That's far from a normal reaction.

Yang would have cooed over it if she were here...if things weren't so broken between their team.

"I don't know alright?!" The words escaped Ruby in a rush, another keening whine. "I didn't even like anyone like that until recently! And you keep distracting me! She thrust a finger her way, jabbing at her as she growled, rather reminding her of a small puppy. "I came here to talk about YOU not my love life!"

Something cracked in her heart. She wasn't sure why. "So you do love him."

"WEISS!"

"Alright, alright." She waved her off with a small smile and a giggle besides. "I'll stop asking."

It felt good to laugh again. She couldn't remember the last time she'd done that...or left this cell. It felt like months, but surely it hadn't been that long had it?

Time got funny in a cell and isolation was a special torture, a hell all its own.

She wanted out.

Ruby couldn't be intimidating if she tried; she was just too adorable for that...come to think of it, she'd never seen her well and truly angry before-no, no, focus.

Marshaling her thoughts, she took a deep breath to rally herself and forged ahead. "We, that is to say I, may have acted rashly.

Ruby planted both fists on her hips and leaned forward to scowl at her. "May have?"

Now it was her turn to flush." I cannot speak for Yang or Blake, but when I saw them come under attack, my first thought was to defend them. The fault is mine."

And it was. As a huntress, one's teammates came first. It was a natural reaction to leap to the defense of one's team wasn't it? Or so she'd thought at the time. But Blake and Yang and been wrong. There. She'd admitted it. That was the closest she could get to an apology without being raked over the coals. Not only had they struck first, they'd provoked Naruto beforehand. He was well within his rights to defend himself.

It had proven...an enlightening experience. She'd thought herself strong. A true huntress.

But she wasn't now, was she? She'd not acted like one.

She was weak.

Her hands fisted in her lap, nails biting into her palms until her aura crackled. Even so, she forced herself to look in Ruby's eyes. "...could you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Ruby scooted closer, just an inch, just a tiny little step. "Weiss...

Oh, no. Nonono. She knew that tone! "Ruby, don't."

Her leader edged forward. Weiss~!"

"Don't you dare!"

"Weeeiiisss!"

Ruby struck her like a meteor, slamming her down against the bed to nuzzle her.

"Oh, fine! C'mere...dolt."

She'd missed this she realized. Life just wasn't the same without her.

"I'm really not! You should talk to Naruto He's really nice once you get to know him.

Weiss didn't want to. She really didn't want to. But Ruby was looking at her with those wide silver eyes...

"...I suppose I should try.

She had questions to ask; she must, or these dreams would never let her rest.

(.0.0.0.)

Blue eyes icy orbs.

Neither yielded.

Staaare.

"Uzumaki."

"Schnee. You look well."

Sat behind Ironwood's desk, hands clasped and chin resting atop them, he almost reminded her of the man himself. Not that she would ever say it of course. Such would only inflate his ego. It was plenty big enough already! Second in command as he was, the last thing his pride needed was another boost, the tricky bastard.

And speaking of boosts...she looked him up and down but couldn't be certain. "Am I addressing the genuine article or is this another one of your clones?" They'd passed a full contingent of them in the hall already, armed to the teeth and going gods knew where.

"Clone." He replied. "My attention is split between twelve different projects at the moment."

She scowled. "So I'm not worthy of your full attention.

"Weiss!" Ruby elbowed her sharply. "Be nice!"

Her ire died an ugly death. "I didn't mean-

"Stop." Naruto held up a hand. "You are worthy of our full attention, Weiss, the boss is just busy. Ah? He tilted his head suddenly. "Well, speak of the devil...

With a plume of smoke Naruto replaced Naruto, albeit this one held a mug of coffee in his hand and had a jacket slung over one shoulder in the other.

"How did you-

"Substitution jutsu." He winked and sat down. So? What did you want to talk about?"

Here it was. Her moment of truth. Redemption at long last.

"Did you kill my father?"

She'd already been told otherwise by Winter and Willow, but she had to know, needed to hear it from him.

"No." There was no hesitation in his voice.

"Did you have any hand in his death?"

"Nope."

"Are you glad he's gone?"

"Yes." Weiss felt her teeth come together with a painful click, but he wasn't done yet. "Jacques Schnee was a vile man and the world is better off without him. Did you know people were celebrating in the streets when they officially learned of his death?"

Weiss winced. "Truly?"

There was a parade and everything." he held up his phone. "I have scroll footage if you like."

...he was right. She didn't necessaily mourn father as much as she mourned the man she was supposed to be, the parent he ought to have been.

Time for a change of topic, then. "Ruby is very dear to me. I will be very cross if you break her heart...

"Rest assured, I will do no such thing."

"A shame you didn't show my sister such care, given she's carrying your child."

Here at least, Naruto manged a chagrined look. "Winter and I...we lost ourselves in a moment of angry passion. We're in a better place now.

"And the baby?"

"Our daughter, your niece, will want for nothing. He lifted his chin a little, as though daring her to object.

She had other concerns. "I would like a moment alone with you."

Ruby's frowned redoubled." No way-

I don't have Myrtenaster. What can I do, strangle him?

"She can try." Naruto's smile was sharp. "But sure, I'll allow it."

Ruby looked between the two of them, reluctant to leave.

Naruto touched his hands to hers. "Have a little faith in me."

...alright.

She swept out in a cloud of rose petals and closed the door behind her.

Weiss waited a second. "I know you're still there!"

"Awww...

The sound of faintly receding footsteps fell away. Only then did she dare speak.

...she loves you."

Naruto tilted his head a fraction of an inch. "And you know this how?"

Her hands slapped down on either side of the table as she leaned forward to glare pale daggers at him. "Because I know my partner! You're her first crush! Of course she loves you!"

"And you love her." it was not a question.

A strangled noise fled from her lips. "She's like a sister to me."

You don't look at her like a sister would."

Her face flamed. Why you...?!

"Hey, hey," a hand rose. "That's your mess to sort out, not mine."

...you aren't opposed to it?

"We're at war, in face you haven't noticed. Take comfort where you can, when you can, while you can.

"Do YOU love her?"

His silence concerned her but his wasn't the face of someone using another. "I'm fond of her." he sighed into his hands. "Love will come in time if we survive this."

"If? Not when?"

'What do you want me to say, Weiss?" A haunted look flashed across his face. I'm taking on this burden so James doesn't have to. He might break under the strain. Atlas can't afford to lose him. But me? he leaned back in his chair. This isn't my era. I'll do my best and take down Salem even if it kills me.

"Why tell me this?"

Had he a hat, Weiss suspected Naruto would've tipped it Instead he just granted her a small sad smile." Because I wanted to get that off y chest...and no one will believe I said anyone of it to you.

She scowled at him." You're some kind of asshole, you know that?"

Maybe. Still, I'lll do my best to survive and I'll take good care of her.

"You'd best or you'll answer to me!"

He laughed at that. "Sassy Schnee! Just like your sister."

Weiss winced a little despite his smile. For you see, she had another question. "Will the two of you ever...?

"Ah." Naruto hid his eyes behind his hand. "That slipped out, didn't it. The two of us are like fire and ice in a way. "Even I can't say- His eyes widened. Ah, crap."

Saaaaal...

...uuuuu...

...taaaaations!"

The door burst open a heartbeat latter with a thunderous crash. Penny rode it down like a surfboard, grinning from ear to ear like the cherubic angel she was...with a terribly embarrassed Ruby draped over her shoulder like a sack of flour.

Naruto flung up his arms. "Oh for the love of-Penny! Would it kill you to knock?! That door was locked for a good reason!

"Was it? I didn't notice"

"That's the third door this week! And why is Ruby hanging off you like that?"

She giggled. "Because I love her, too! She is my friend!

The poor girl squeaked. Penny beamed, only now noticing Weiss. "Is she part of the harem now?"

Steam. Her face went through every shade of the color spectrum and all her thoughts fizzled.

Naruto palmed his face. Penny, why...

A/N: Aaaaand scene~!

Weiss really stole the show. She has a tendency to do that. I wanted to devote some time to Blake and Yang buuuut it just didn't work out.

As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story, welll...it won't be continued! That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with virtually no days off. That makes my free time terribly limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like.

Reviews are my fuel. I can't write without them~! Not a wit or a word!

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review, Would You Kindly?

And enjoy the previews! They're mostly the same.

Wouldn't do to spoil things, now!

And as ever:

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

BEWARE~!

(Previews! First one is condensed for a reason.)

"We already have Tyrian in captivity, but not his accomplice. Only one man could infiltrate our systems so easily. He even left us a calling card of sorts...

He slid a picture across the desk, revealing a dark-haired man with a mustache.

She tilted her head, considering. "You believe it to be Arthur Watts?"

"I do. Who else could mess with the code in Mantle so easily? Then there's Hazel, and this girl...

She might be.

SHe might not be.

"I've lost people too, Weiss. I know what its like to wish for

"I am me."

Wasn't she?

Her thoughts were jumbled.

IT IS TIME.

No, no

Pyrrha gripped her skull and doubled over, pressing her head to the table. "Hurts...

Jaune stood up and circled the furniture quickly, reaching her in an instant.

Her nose was bleeding. So were her ears.

Proximity alert.

His blood ran cold. There's something massive on the radar.

He knew the answer already, though he dearly wished he didn't. He stalk past her to the window and gazed out at the cloud behind. Dark and gloomy nimbuses, crackling with red light. Hope warred with disbelief. No. It couldn't be. Not here. Not now. Not yet...not this soon.

But it was.

Salem. She's here..

"Y'see, I find this business rather fun." Naruto gripped the brute by the shirt and hoisted them upright. "I don't want your assistance or your adulation...

A punch blasted his prey through the wall.

...what I want is your disintegration!"

Huh. That rhymed. Well go figure.

"Come on, then!" he spread his arms wide. "Call your friends! Two against one, or three, or four?! No! MORE!"

"Is one life not worth peace?"

"You'll never stop at one!" he crushed a Grimm's throat and flung it into a Berringel, bowling dozens down. "I'll take you all on!"

Are you ready, Emerald?"

"Y...e...s...

"Listen to yourselves! None of this matters right now!"

"LOYALTY ALWAYS MATTERS!"

Penny squeezed his hand. "I do not like this plan. Please be safe. I love you."

She rushed the last bit out, freckled face red.

Naruto laughed a little. "Love you too."

"Excellent! Can we have a child now?"

"Penny, why?!"

Watts smiled. "Ready?"

"Always."

...go. Now!"

Neo smiled at Emerald.

Emerald scowled back. "Get out of my way!"

Neo shook her head slowly. And behind her, the world...shifted.

"Take...the...girls!"

"You won't take them." he stalked down the stairs to meet the abomination, nanites already swarming around him. "You won't hurt them. You won't touch a single hair on their heads."

The Hound snarled at him, baring its fangs. "TAKE!"

Naruto snarled back. "COME ON THEN!"

A massive paw swiped at his face. He caught it. Then the other. They grappled with one another, arms straining...

EDIT: Hey, you made it!

Do let me now if you enjoyed this~!

May you have a great day filled with luck and laughter.

R&R~!