Night had long since fallen. He was used to being busy and working well into the night. With meetings with the council and the reports he received from his soldiers, it took quite some time to decipher everything and have it in order. Reports on project updates and scientific research advancements lined his desk.
With the Vytal Festival in Atlas this year, his duties were magnified further. He prided himself in his city's security. He wanted... Needed to show the world that Atlas was the safest place in all of Remnant.
Of course, she arrived, and chaos followed. Not that he didn't predict it would. She was a wildcard...
A very lovely joker...
However, her mess was the least of his concerns. She simply rooted a problem that needed plucking. He scoffed. If the people knew what was coming, they would recognize that such trivial matters were meaningless.
James shook his head, systematically sifting through his reports and coming to the following stack. His lips curled in amusement at seeing they were his incoming student reports. Of course, her son would be on top of the stack. He was a talent unlike others before him—someone who could already make waves as a Huntsman.
He just needed a little seasoning.
The companions who came with him were also interesting. He typically scouted and vetted his students to learn more about their abilities, personalities, and backgrounds, placing them in a unit where they would work well.
...Never knew when a spy might try to infiltrate and inflict damage onto the order...
Adam Taurus. An Atlas-borne child. An orphaned child who attempted to find work to survive. A child filled with rage. A rage that was only justified when he was scarred by a branding iron, which led to violence until the White Fang took him in.
He was an interesting case. He was not someone who he would typically admit to his Academy. James would have assumed him a lost cause. His conversation with Ms. Khan didn't even convince him. No, he decided to accept young Taurus into his academy because of the interaction he saw with Naruto.
He could be tempered. He could still be made into a soldier—someone to fight against the darkness that would fall.
Adam Taurus could still serve a purpose.
Cinder Fall. A peculiar young lady. Orphaned at a young age, adopted by a woman who despised her mother. Someone who suffered horrible abuse that slipped through the cracks of his network. ...Something that would need to be fixed...
Under normal circumstances, she would be someone else he would not have accepted into his Academy. He trusted Rhodes's word and undoubtedly believed in her skills. However, he could see she was unstable. The years of torment she suffered affected her.
But yet again, it was her interactions with Naruto that intrigued him. His words had power over her. His presence could soothe her. Focus her.
Cinder Fall could still be shaped into a soldier... Even if she had an unhealthy fixation on Kushina's boy.
He did worry if they were stuck in the same room, she might do something...
He needed another young lady on the team to keep them in line. Naruto was a wildcard, in the same vein as his mother, so he needed someone strict to pair with. And someone talented enough not to waste their potential.
His options were limited with the upcoming students. Two names stood out that he felt could match. Harriet Bree... and Winter Schnee.
The question was, who fit better schematically with this team? Decisions, decisions...
"James, we need to talk."
James' head snapped up. He was not one to startle easily. But seeing Kushina on the opposite side of his desk without hearing her enter unnerved him. However, the worry she was expressing caused his stomach to knot.
This was a woman who was not easily unsettled. Hot-tempered and brash, yes. Unsettled, no.
"I need to know everything you know about that Grimm woman." Kushina stared directly into James' gaze, observing the man turn rigid and his skin pale. "Don't spare a single detail about her. I need to know everything."
"If she thinks she can take my son from me , she has another thing coming."
[ X ]
Sleep could not come to Cinder tonight. Her muscles were tense. Her hair stood on end. A pit had developed in her stomach and fluttered and rolled uncomfortably. She wasn't even able to eat anything after lunch.
Naruto had been unsettled all night. Cinder seethed, wanting desperately to calm his nerves. But she didn't know how! What could she do to help him?
Ugh, if she was only alone with him then maybe...
Alas, there was a sliver of good news. His mother had called and asked Sienna to watch over them for the night and she would return in the morning. Still, it didn't excuse her for leaving in such a disconcerting manner! If she dared upset him again...
"Can't sleep?" Cinder was broken out of her thoughts by Ilia's voice.
Cinder glowered as she lay on a fairly comfortable bed. While she was thankful to stay somewhere warm and cozy for the night, why did the guys have to be separated? Couldn't she spend a night alone with him?
"I can't fall asleep either. Too much happened this week." Ilia lay in her bed, fiddling with something in her hands.
Tediously sitting up, Cinder sent a sharp glare toward Ilia before sighing. Ilia wasn't wrong. A lot had happened. Most of that should be weighing on her mind. Instead, all her thoughts revolved around Naruto...
Cinder squinted. What was wrong with her? What changed? She was never this obsessed... No. She was committed to training and getting stronger these past several years. To deliver her vengeance onto Madame. She was so narrowly focused on that until he arrived... And made her believe she could have something good in her life.
Maybe... That was why?
"A lot has happened in such a short time. It's difficult to take in and make sense of it." Cinder finally broke the silence, flicking her hand through her hair before seething.
Madame constantly had her cut her hair. If she was going to move on with her life... A new look was necessary. Silence reigned as Cinder twiddled with her locks, glowering. She needed extensions. If only she had a lien to her name...
"Can I ask you a question?" Ilia broke the silence, tossing what looked like a crystal and catching it. "I'll understand if you say no, but I swear I recognize you from somewhere."
Cinder raised her eyebrow. Was she playing with a Dust crystal?
"Mantle's orphanage." Cinder simply stated, her gaze became glossy before she sighed. "I remember you well. You were the Faunus girl who detested every human there before disappearing shortly after I arrived and was adopted."
"Wait, you were there?" Ilia shot up in her bed, eyes wide. At Cinder's nod, she recoiled and grimaced. "Can't say that surprises me. That was the worst period in my life... I apologize if I said anything to you then. I was just... So angry."
"It's fine. I was the same." Cinder's gaze darkened and fell to the floor. Anger boiled in her stomach.
No, that was a lie. Her life only proceeded to get worse after. If it wasn't for the events that just occurred... Would she have had a chance of a better life? If Naruto wasn't there...
Cinder knew she would have executed her plan to kill Madame and her daughters by the end of the Vytal Festival. She had been waiting for the right moment for so long...
"Gah, fuck this place! I've always hated Atlas! I can't stand it here!" Ilia grunted irately before wearily turning to Cinder. "I don't understand how you are willing to stay in this place after what you've been through! I would want to get as far away as possible!"
Cinder frowned. What Ilia said resonated. She desired to leave this city behind. This place was only pain for her. But there was a single bright spot. And if he was staying...
"I have a reason to stay," Cinder responded, gazing across the room and toward the door.
"Naruto?" Ilia scowled and squinted at Cinder's nod. She rolled her eyes. "Oum, that idiot... I don't know what it is about him, but I get it. ...Even if I don't understand him... He just has a way of reaching people who have pain in their hearts. It's like he can express his own pain and have people understand it."
Cinder tilted her head awkwardly before looking introspective within. It made sense how he was able to talk her down. It had felt that he understood her anger... Her rage... Her pain.
She softly smiled. Someone who understood...
"What are you doing?" Cinder glowered, observing Ilia roll the crystal between her fingers. "That's Dust. It could explode with the slightest alteration of its structure if you aren't careful and know what you're doing."
"And? Like a weak explosion from this crystal would do anything more than singe a few hairs and the bed." Ilia chortled before noticing Cinder's glare. "What, you have a bad experience with Dust? Trust me, your experience can't be any worse than mine."
"Several. It took me quite some time to figure out how to melt it properly." Cinder squinted before rolling her eyes and turning away from Ilia.
"Woah, woah, woah! You're not leaving that unexplained!" Ilia snapped the Dust in her hand and sat up straight. "Why would you even try to melt Dust?! That's a very delicate process only weapon manufacturers do!"
"Boredom," Cinder responded with a shrug of her shoulders. "I wanted to see how they functioned. I would steal several crystals from Rhodes and fidget with them in the night until I figured out what it took to melt them without exploding them until the process bored me."
"Wait, seriously?" Ilai's eyes widened. Cinder gave Ilia an annoyed glare before she expressed surprise as she caught the crystal Ilia had been fiddling with. "Okay, that's something you gotta show me!"
Cinder owlishly several times at the giddy Ilia. It wasn't a complex process, so why was she so enthused?
"Fine," Cinder exhaled, holding the Dust crystal in between her thumb and forefingers.
Focusing on the Dust, she carefully began raising its temperature. It took a moment, but the crystal responded and started to glow a beautiful amber hue as it softened in her grasp. Reaching out with her other hand, she began to guide and mold the Dust as she saw fit, turning it into a sphere before allowing it to cool and condense.
"See?" Cinder held out the tiny ball of Dust toward Ilia. "Simple..."
"Simple, my ass! You just did something Dust manufacturers struggle with!" Ilia shrilly shouted, noting Cinder's confusion. "Do you not understand how important doing something like that is? Dust-infused material is some of the most expensive stuff on the market! You could make a fortune melting Dust down and infusing!"
Cinder raised her eyebrow, staring at the ball of Dust in her hand. Dust had more applications than wielding it? She scowled. There was still so much she didn't know... So much information was denied to her.
Something else to scorn Madame for.
But that gave her an idea. If she turned it into a thread... Cinder glanced at her dress. If Dust's properties worked within clothing...
"Do you have a sewing needle?"
[ X ]
Why the hell was it taking Mom so long to return? She had called Sienna earlier, and he knew Kurama would say something if she were in danger, so what was she doing?
He wanted to know what that negative sensation was earlier!
Naruto frustratingly paced the hallway within the hotel. He didn't want to disrupt Adam and keep him from sleeping. He didn't want to cause Sienna any issues either. He was thankful she rented another room for Cinder to stay with Ilia while he roomed with Adam, but he couldn't sleep.
Not with that sensation he felt.
And it didn't help that Kurama was oddly quiet. He knew something but wasn't telling him! If he had any information, the fox almost always volunteered for him! The only times he wouldn't was when he felt his mother was correct in that he didn't need to know.
Naruto glowered. If he could make the Nine-Tails talk...
"Ow." Naruto was brought out of his stupor, catching something wooden with his chest. Glancing down, he noted it was a training sword. "Eh, what the..."
"Your pacing is bothering me," Adam grunted, running his hand delicately through his hair as he walked beside Naruto.
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to keep you awake." Naruto grimaced.
"I wasn't going to obtain much sleep without your incessant worrying." Adam snorted uncaringly before nodding toward the entrance. "There's what I thought was a park nearby. It might be a good place for a spar."
The agitation and anxiety engulfing Naruto lessen. His expression softened, and Naruto chuckled. "I could use a bit of a workout to relieve some stress. Thanks, best buddy!"
"Don't call me that!" Adam hissed. He glared at Naruto before clicking his tongue and headed toward the exit. "I need to work on my swordsmanship, and there aren't any other options. I was sloppy the other night. I cannot allow that to happen again."
Watching Adam slowly retreat toward the entrance to the hotel, Naruto couldn't help but lightly smile. Regardless of what Adam said, he knew better. This was simply his way of showing.
"Yeah, I was too. Gotta be better than that. Too much went wrong." Naruto gripped the training sword and stepped in line with Adam. "Can't be doing that if we're gonna be Huntsman! Could lose our license for being too reckless, ya know?"
"Whatever," Adam uncaringly responded, hands in his pocket. But with a single glance toward Naruto, he simply nodded.
Naruto hid his grin, noticing the glance. Adam couldn't admit it, and that was fine.
He was a good friend, and that's all that mattered to him.
[ X ]
Where was everyone?
Sienna was not amused as she sat, dining on breakfast with only her assigned guard.
The morning had come, and everyone was gone. Adam and Naruto had vanished, and she had no clue where they were. Cinder and Ilia left immediately, saying something about finding a beauty salon. When did those two bonds so closely? She had seen she had an infatuation toward Naruto and didn't care for anyone else.
Not to mention, her red dress and Ilia's tank top were now adorned with new golden patterns she hadn't recalled on their clothing yesterday.
And what bothered her the most was that Kushina still had arrived. She had told her over the scroll she would return when dawn broke, and she wasn't here. That wasn't like Kushina.
Sienna glowered. Whatever had happened yesterday was far more serious than what Kushina was willing to say aloud. She knew her well enough that something had tripped her senses and caused her friend to panic. And that worried her. Kushina wasn't someone who was overwhelmed or worried about much despite her temper. While she was easy to agitate, she didn't dwell on it and was easygoing.
So for her to be that agitated yesterday...
"Sorry that we're late for breakfast! We had to wait for an opening, which took longer than expected." Ilia's voice brought Sienna away from her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes briefly before being genuinely surprised as Cinder and Ilia sat at the table.
"I can see that," Sienna responded, admiring what she saw before doting on Ilia. "Darling, you were already gorgeous, but I will not pretend that the cut to your hair is breathtaking."
"I know!" Ilia flaunted her shorter but still lengthy ponytail. "The cosmetologist was impressed with how long I had grown it but said I had a lot of dead ends and trimmed them out to help it keep growing."
"Is that so?" Sienna gleamed before turning her attention toward Cinder and beamed. "And I must say, I'm not one for extensions, but the swept looks stunning. I'm sure Naruto will be quite smitten with it."
Sienna couldn't hide her amusement at seeing Cinder flush a deep crimson. She barely showed any other emotion but contempt or infatuation, and it was nice to see she could be embarrassed.
"Thank you," Cinder muttered in appreciation, gently brushing her new left bangs to the side so she could see. Glancing around the table, she frowned.
"Now that you mention it, where is the idiot? Where did he and Adam head off to?" Ilia scowled and squinted, noticing the same thing Cinder had. "Don't tell me... They are out training to let off steam. Of course, they are! Those guys are so simple!"
Sienna released a sigh and rolled her eyes, refraining from palming her face. Why hadn't she thought about that? She was worried Naruto had dragged Adam to search for his mother.
"I take offense to that," Adam growled, stepping into the dining room with Naruto, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"But she's not wrong about what we're doing," Naruto laughed.
Adam grunted before turning around. "I apologize for my tardiness, Lady Khan, but I need a shower. I will take my leave."
"You may," Sienna scrunched her nose, smelling the two young men.
But Sienna could hold back her humorous smile as Naruto took the seat next to Cinder, only to freeze. His reaction was priceless as he stared at her. Ah, young love was such a thrilling sight to see.
If only there were more interracial couples like them... Something that, hopefully, one day, she would see.
"Do you like it?" Cinder embarrassingly flipped her new extensions as she shrunk under Naruto's stare.
"Uh-huh." Naruto could only muster a simple nod and a few audible sounds, stunned at Cinder's new appearance.
Cinder's flush almost matched her dress, but the stars twinkling within her burning amber eyes told Sienna everything she needed to know. She almost laughed.
She doubted she was ever going to cut her hair again.
"Okay, Romeo! Stop your staring and go take a shower! I'll give you my key just to get your sweaty butt out of here! You can admire our beauty later!" Ilia shoved Naruto, handing him their room key in the same motion.
"Uh-huh."
"Did something break in that head of yours? Ugh! The last thing you needed was to lose another brain cell!"
Sienna found it difficult to refrain from laughing. Instead, she kept it to a light chortle of amusement. However, her expression stiffened. Now, if she only knew what was taking Kushina so long.
They could enjoy this moment together.
[ X ]
Sienna never enjoyed these festivals. She glowered as she was the only one who had arrived. Ghira enjoyed such festivities, and Kali didn't seem to mind... Kushina thrived in this environment.
She never understood the appeal of why everyone enjoyed watching what was essentially children competing in a bloodsport. She despised this matter of violent combat. She hated how necessary it was. She despised having to use it to gain relevance for their movement. Or have their children fight in a tournament like this to garner recognition.
It was sickening for her. The training for such combat was meant to handle the Grimm threat. To protect the people from criminals or for self-defense. To be used in such a manner that it was a sport?
Sienna exhaled. This was what was necessary. It was yet another compromise she would make if this were what it took to lead to peace. To lead to a better world for Faunuskind and Humanity together...
"Sienna..."
Sienna recoiled and nearly leapt from her seat. Her gaze sharpened, and she hissed as she angrily turned to the person of her ire sitting beside her. "Kushina! Where have you been? You have had me worried sick!"
"I do apologize. Especially with leaving you with Naruto for most of the morning... I'll talk to him shortly. I just... Had a lot on my mind," Kushina grimaced, her head sinking.
Sienna squinted. She took in Kushina's ragged demeanor. How exhausted she appeared. It didn't lessen her concern. "What happened?"
"You wouldn't believe it if I told you." Kushina exhaled, leaning back in her chair.
"If? And what does that mean, precisely?" Sienna hissed and glared at her friend, who sighed again.
Kushina's sigh irritated Sienna. And she knew her friend could feel her piercing stare. And she only glowered at the pitying glance Kushina gave her. She refused to be denied information about what was weighing on her friend.
"What if I were to tell you what I learned is on a grander scale than anything we are doing? That I learned something so earthshaking that in contexts, the plight of Faunuskind and the White Fang are trivial in comparison?" Kushina spoke, almost as if she was pleading with Sienna to understand.
Sienna's gaze sharpened. She scrunched her brow incredulously. "I would find that difficult to believe."
"And yet it is a reality," Kushina closed her eyes momentarily before looking into the cloud sky. "There's a threat beyond the Grimm that threatens everyone's existence...
"And it is the cause of why Naruto and I have come to this world."
[ X ]
Naruto was attempting his best to enjoy his time window shopping with Cinder.
And more surprised when she could afford several of the trinkets she wanted. He didn't know where she obtained the lien, but if it made her happy, it was okay for him. Somehow, he felt Lady Khan was involved...
His mood soured. He saw his mother return and enter the White Fang suite in the tournament arena and wanted to bust in there and talk to her. But he respected Lady Khan and knew she let his mother have it on his behalf.
Besides, knowing his mother was safe was the utmost priority. He still wanted to know what it was she and Kurama found out! He swore that if one of them didn't speak to him...
Kid...
About time, dammit! Naruto internally screamed at the Nine-Ta before immediately scrunching his brow at the sensation he felt within.
Did Kurama recoil from his yelling? That only pissed him off further.
Kid, after what I learned last night, things will change. Kurama growled. I haven't trained you seriously. That changes. You need to be ready. I need to be ready.
Naruto couldn't hide his visible concern while he trailed behind Cinder. Whatever it was that Kurama had learned about last night, it had him this concerned? Mah, what's the hell happened last night...
We learned that someone brought us to this world. Someone whom is unaffected by typical methods to defeat. Someone whom sealing may be worthless against. A threat that could take the power of Ashura within you to triumph over. Kurama sneered before expressing his concern. A being who is more than willing to take away everything we love to get what they want.
Naruto froze in place. A threat that could very well require... That power? What did his mother come across last night? What could require that kind of power to defeat?!
"Naruto?" Cinder's voice drew Naruto from his conversation with Kurama. "Is something the matter? You look pale."
A cold shudder traveled down Naruto's spine as he looked into Cinder's concerned amber eyes.
"It's okay. Just a bad thought!" Naruto laughed, attempting to alleviate Cinder's worry.
Cinder's frown bothered him. He could tell she didn't believe him. But she wasn't willing to press him further and simply nodded. "Should we head back?"
"If you want. I'm fine with... Did you buy a collar?" Naruto blinked, noticing the new apparel proudly displayed on her neck.
Had he been so absorbed in his own thoughts he didn't notice? And why a collar?! After what she went through?!
"It's a choker!" Cinder hissed, pushing memories out of her mind. A crimson blush spread across her face as she covered her mouth.
Naruto grimaced as several people looked toward them, and he quickly moved to deflect the attention with a smile and a laugh. "Ah-ha! Sorry, my mistake!"
Cinder glowered, puckering her lips as she glowered at Naruto. She huffed and turned away, annoyed with him. Naruto hunched over, knowing what that look meant, and winced. He and his big mouth...
"Do you like it?" Cinder flushed despite trying to seem agitated with him.
"Yeah," Naruto nodded, flashing a mild smile. "It looks great on you. Don't know why, but something about it pairs well with your outfit. Looks natural."
"It... It does?" Cinder squeaked before flushing an even deeper red. She tucked her head timidly and nervously twitched. Somehow, despite this reaction, he got the distinct impression that she was satisfied with his answer.
Naruto squinted before shaking his head. Girls were weird.
"Thank you," Cinder finally lifted her head with the brightest expression he had seen her with. "Are you hungry? I would like to thank you for helping me all this time, and I heard there is a nice cafe nearby... And now that I have a little bit of money..."
"Sure!" Naruto chirped before frowning. "That being said, I am a bottomless void. You might regret offering a free meal to me."
"I've seen," Cinder smirked, nearly laughing in response. "Don't forget that I waited and busted your table."
"Fair enough! Lead the way, my fair lady! I'm in your care." Naruto laughed, motioning for Cinder to take the lead.
A devilish smirk flickered on Cinder's lips before she confidently strode ahead, leading the way with an almost hypnotic strut to watch. If this were what she was like when she was in charge, he wouldn't mind hanging back...
Naruto's expression darkened, Kurama's words returning to him. A threat. A threat willing to take away what he loved. He gnashed his teeth. He clenched his fist.
That was something he could not ignore.
Whatever you have for me, Kurama, I'm more than ready to tackle it. I'm not gonna sit back and wait for my friends to be in danger.
Bring it!