Throughout the evening, he felt as if he was being watched. Someone was keeping an eye on him. It made him tense and rigid throughout the night, keeping a careful eye around him.
He hated that feeling.
But under no circumstance was he going to ruin her night. He was confident enough in his abilities that if something went down, he could handle it. And if it was out of his control or the situation became too difficult for him to handle...
Kurama would be more than willing to take control.
There was nothing on Remnant that could match his raw fury.
This, however, wasn't quite what he expected. He knew he had a target on his back. Pissed off quite a few people by winning every regional tournament this year. Any Anti-Faunus factions out there may have been upset enough at his record-setting year that they could hire someone to teach him a lesson.
But why in the world was someone that Cinder knew who was following and tracking them down? It didn't make any sense! Why put up such a fuss over her going out with him?
Naruto scowled. Madame was likely behind this... She was a big part of the Anti-Faunus faction here in Atlas... Not that she knew he or his mother were Faunus.
It would become problematic if she did...
However, despite the panic and fear radiating from Cinder as she pressed herself against him, attempting to put herself between him and the man she called Rhodes , he didn't quite feel threatened by him. The lax posture, perhaps? The lack of intent? His calm features?
He didn't look like he was there to cause ill intent... Or at least he didn't plan to.
"So, you wanna talk?" Naruto's face shifted into a muse scowl, banking on what he felt from the situation.
"Yeah, nothing more." Rhodes pocketed his hands, his eyes gazing over Cinder and giving her a solemn glance before turning his attention to Naruto. "Sorry for following you out here like this... Was trying to wait until you dropped her back off."
"Is that so?" Naruto scowled, feeling Cinder tense and press further against him; his gaze passed over her. "Yeah, as much as I would like to hear why you were following us... I'm not in the mood right now. Kinda killed the vibe, ya know?"
"So I'm gonna give you the chance to explain yourself now to both of us... Or I'm gonna just make ya talk." Naruto's voice gravely lowered while his gaze darkened as he bored his intent into Rhodes.
"Confident, I see," Rhodes muttered before exhaling as he held his hand up passively to show he meant no harm. "I'm not here for what you think I am... I'm here simply to warn you to be careful."
"Madame has garnered quite a few favors with people with powerful connections. If she feels she has been threatened or has been wronged in any way... Things can get quite miserable." Rhodes warned, matching Naruto's intensity.
However, he narrowed his gaze and glowered at the scoff from Naruto before he grinned. "Is that it? For someone that was stalking us... I was expecting more."
"Think what you will, but that is all that needs to be said," Rhodes responded, glancing over at Cinder for a moment and grimacing and turning away, grunting. "I know very well that Madame isn't a good person... But that doesn't mean she doesn't follow the strict lettering of the law. You would do well to know that."
"Heh, is that so?" Naruto grunted, his eyes shining momentarily, taking his words as a challenge. "Guess we shall see, huh?"
Rhodes scowled at the glimmering glint within Naruto's eyes as he turned back and locked his gaze with the boys. He knew who the boy was... Who his mother was. The fact they were both here... And disguising their Faunus features...
Glancing over at Cinder for just the briefest of moments, Rhodes sighed before completely turning around and waving. "You should get her home before Madame really gets upset... Last thing either of you want."
"And I apologize for ruining your evening..." Rhodes whispered as he walked away, his voice carrying just loud enough for them to hear.
And Cinder shrunk, her amber gaze misting. So Rhodes was only looking out for her...
Her stomach knotted and twisted, bile pushing its way up her throat, leaving an acidic, bitter taste in her mouth. To think she doubted him for a second...
"You doing alright?" Naruto's voice called to her, his arm gingerly squeezing around her waist. "If you need to stop for a moment before we head back, we can find someplace to rest. Think I saw a few drink shops nearby..."
Feebly smiling, hearing the genuine tone in his voice, Cinder glanced away and shook her head. No... She knew she would be in trouble when she got home... Rhodes was right...
Madame was likely furious and would make her life hell... And she could do it all within the letter of the law as she was legally her mother.
"I'm fine..." Cinder's eyes dimmed before letting out an exhausted sigh. "I need to think about a few things..."
"Mah... Okay." Naruto couldn't repress his frown at Cinder's slumped figure, carefully watching her as she shuffled alongside him.
He glowered... Before he let out a peppy grin and a laugh. "Fair enough! Let's get ya back home! We can enjoy the other festivities tomorrow when I take you out on the town!"
"Eh?!" Cinder's head shot up and stumbled in his grasp, lurking away in surprise.
Her eyes flickered widely and into his beaming face. Did he just suggest... Despite Rhodes's warning...
He wanted to go on a second date?!
[ X ]
She was absolutely furious... It was a few ticks past ten, and the little witch hadn't returned.
Madame gnarled her lips and gnashed her teeth. Oh, she would give her a good verbal lashing for showing up late... Even if her daughters weren't expected to return until midnight.
She gave a strict curfew for her. One that would ensure she would return in time for the night prep before heading to...
Her eyes shifted as the front door to the hotel opened, and a boisterous voice announced himself. "I lost track of time! I completely forgot we're supposed to come back at ten!"
Despite the bottomless rage that bubbled within her stomach, Madame pursed her lips at Kushina's boy as he made their entrance to her hotel alongside her. Her eyes snapped to the red dress that adorned her body, and she repressed a scowl. She didn't own such clothing... Wait, could he have...
Now that's interesting... If he was willing to assist the witch just to get her to go on a date and do something like that for her... A sliver of a smile crept on her face as her eyes shimmered. Oh, perhaps this could work in her favor after all.
"Oh, dears, it seems you were enjoying the night activities a little too much." Madame curtly greeted Naruto, her sinister gaze glancing toward Cinder. " Oh, it isn't too much of a worry! We only just began to close up! You needn't worry, my child! Long as you both had fun, it isn't a worry."
As Cinder grimaced underneath the glance, Naruto kept the positive energy, almost like he was unaware of the glance. She wouldn't be surprised...
"Mah, it's still my fault! I tried to get us to stop at every shop on the way back!" Naruto broadly grinned while rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah... How do I ask this... Um... Is it okay that she has tomorrow off, too? I'd like to go watch the first matches with her!"
"Oh?" Madame's eyes shone, and she spoke in a tone Cinder didn't recognize, causing her gaze to lock onto her expression. "Things went so well you've come to ask me for permission for a second date? Oh, I don't know... Cinder, darling, do you want to go?"
Cinder stared perplexed at the Madame. This wasn't her usual tone. She was always so hostile toward her, and now...
That leering smile crept her out!
What was she up to?! She had never seen this side of her before!
Fidgeting under her gaze and fiddling with her bangs nervously, Cinder grimaced. Why was all of this put on her? She did want to go...
"Oh, I know that look well." Madame snorted, a broad smile spread across her features before she stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Cinder is such a diligent worker. I would miss her presence... Ah! If I only had enough people to cover..."
"I could pitch in?" Naruto quickly disguised his frown by pursing his lips queerly. "I know how to clean up... Kind of was beaten into me..."
It felt like she was playing him... And he didn't quite like it.
"Oh, that would be lovely!" Madame's grin only grew as her gaze shifted to Cinder. "Perhaps with just a little direction on how to get the job done, I could let you go out during the afternoon when the matches start."
"If," The hotel door opened, and two bickering voices resonated from outside.
"Gah, how did she get to go on a date while we had none? Ugh!"
"And with such a stud too... Did you hear he won all four regional tournaments?"
"You take my other two daughters with you for your little date." Madame's finished with a sickeningly sweet tone.
"What?" Ana and Driza looked up from their chattering as the door closed, and their sights were set on Naruto and Cinder.
And immediately, both bounced between the two, eyes gleaming as they stood on either side of Naruto. "Oh, you wish to take us on the town?! Of course, I accept!"
"We can show you the town! To all the hit places!" Driza added, a dreamy expression dawning on her face before she turned to Cinder and blew a raspberry.
"Um..." Naruto uncomfortably shuffled and leaned away from the two.
Then his gaze fell onto a glowering and bitter Cinder; jaw locked tight. Her amber gaze burned bright, shifting between Madame and her two daughters. Almost as if she was trying to incinerate them with her hatred alone.
And he winced. If this is what it took...
He would need to make a call to make this work.
[ X ]
"So, how'd my boy's little date go!"
"Gah, shaddap, would ya!" Naruto immediately jumped as he entered the room, narrowing his eyes as his mother giggled. "Where did ya go anyways?"
"Work." Kushina simply responded, her ears flicking, and she grinned wildly. "Got a few things I need to look at while I'm here. Otherwise, I would have loved to have seen how your date with that cute girl went."
Naruto glowered momentarily before a misty illusion dispelled around his head, his ears flicking while his tail coiled around his waist. "Yeah, well, I got a few things to share with you about what I learned... Think there is someone ya may want to talk to about what Madame is up to."
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of my business?" Kushina snarled, her hair fluttering up into nine braids. "I keep telling ya you are not to join the White Fang, dattebane! "
"I'm gonna do what I want, ya hear!" Naruto spitefully retorting, refusing to back down. "I've seen the hate that goes around toward our people... And I ain't gonna stand for it! If I can do something, I'm gonna!"
Kushina glowered at her son's stubbornness. While she felt pride for her son standing fast to his beliefs, he had no idea what was coming in this situation. "Naruto... It's not simple. The White Fang is changing and will not be the same for much longer. There's a sect within the White Fang seeking violence, and I don't want you to get dragged into it like your best buddy has. "
"What?" Naruto leaned back, a sensation of surprise welling within him before it was replaced with worry. "Whoa, whoa, whoa... That's something Lord Ghira wouldn't..."
"He's not going to be High Leader for much longer, Naruto." Kushina exhaled weakly before sitting back on the corner of the bed she had taken. "There is... A lot of change is coming, and I don't want you to get swept into it... You are better than all of it... You and your friends are..."
"Naruto, you gotta make me a promise," Kushina's nearly violet gaze stared into her son's. "This isn't for just you... It's for everyone that you are friends with..."
"Keep them safe from what is to come."
[ X ]
Why was someone calling this late at night...
He had just got away from that loud, miserable carnival. How he hated it here.
"At least she had a good time," He muttered, his eyes glowing in the darkness of the room, the ocean swells piercing through the night.
"Talking to yourself again, Adam?" A grin spread across the lips of his roommate, causing him to glower.
"Why did we have to share rooms?" Adam picked up the scroll and rolled his eyes before narrowing his gaze at the scroll. "Oh no... Not you... How do you know I'm here?"
"Oh, I know who that is!" His tanned-skinned roommate hopped up from her bed, her grin only increasing. "Let me answer! If you don't wanna talk to him, I will!"
"No," Adam simply responded before bringing his scroll up to answer. "What do you want..."
"Hey, best bud! How ya doing?!"
Adam twitched after pulling his ear away from the scroll, ignoring the giggle coming from his roommate... Why did Lady Sienna put them in the same room? Anyone else would have been fine...
"I will strangle you with your tail if you ever call me that again," Adam growled.
"Ah-ha, right..." Adam twitched at Naruto's nonchalant response to his threat.
Not that he expected anything else from the fearless blonde... Nothing scared him. Hardly anything could keep up with him...
He was the perfect person to measure himself again. To keep getting stronger... Just so he could finally wipe the smile off his smug...
"I need a favor from you... I noticed Sienna, so I knew you were here since she sponsored your membership in the Fang... I could use your help."
"You need a favor from me?" Adam raised his eyebrow. "The Wunderkind that has caused a stir through Remnant needs my help? Why am I not surprised. "
"Oh, what trouble did he get into this time!"
"Is my wing-girl there too?! Good, I need both of ya!"
Adam's eyes narrowed. When he was calling Ilia his wing-girl...
"No." Adam was about to flip his scroll off when it was snatched from it was ripped out of his hand.
"Count us in! Where do you want to meet up?!" Ilia beamed, causing Adam to blanch at her energetic response.
"We?" Adam laid his head back on his bed and shot Ilia a cold glare.
"Yes, we." Ilia squinted back. "So where do you need us, Naruto?"
"Ya know that expensive hotel that we aren't allowed in..." Naruto responded with a nervous chuckle.
Ilia scowled before she started giggling. "Oh! I think I understand... We'll be there tomorrow morning."
"You're the best, Ilia! Best Buddy!"
Adam scoffed and turned his head away from the conversation held over the scroll. "Whatever..."
"Why do I get the distinct feeling you are about to burden me with something I don't want to do."
[ X ]
Amber eyes shimmered through the darkness of the basement. This night had been fantastic... Despite the ebbs at the end, it turned out far more fabulous than she could have anticipated.
And it didn't seem like it was going to end... Despite Madame burdening her with his sisters' presence tomorrow.
She would put up with them if he were willing to put up with them... Put up with helping her...
He seemed so perfect... And he wanted her! So he would be hers!
A sinister, crazed smile stretched on her lips, her hand grasped around a tight handle of the training sword she kept safely stored. With a glance upstairs, her eyes gleamed with intent before she swung the blade in front of her with practiced ease, imagining her target. The image of her sisters coming to mind.
Oh, how she waited for her prince charming...
And she wouldn't let anyone take from her.