(Earth, Land of Fire - One Month After Arrival)
It had been a long, tiring day.
They had returned to where she arrived and had set up camp. Jiraiya had summoned a scroll to study from... Somewhere. She didn't yet have a grasp of how that worked. She knew it was seals, but it was still baffling to see! It would take some time to get accustomed to...
He withdrew a simple ink pen and made a few adjustments to the designs within the scroll... And it began to change color?
"What do those seals do?" Sakura asked, intently focused on what he was doing, and frowned, unable to decipher it herself.
"It's a seal meant to interact with spatial distortions, sort of..." Jiraiya responded with a frown. Sakura gasped before he looked up and shook his head. "These are modifications of such seals that my student specialized in. ...He was far more fluent with them than I... I made a minor adjustment to them so they could detect ripples in the space around them. As you can see..."
"There's a distortion here?" Blake's eyes widened, looking upon the campsite. If there was a distortion in time and space here... "Does that mean... If we find a way to interact with them, I can possibly..."
Taking in Blake's solemn yet hopeful expression, an excited energy filled Naruto as he examined the scroll. "Well, alright then! What are we waiting for?"
"It's not that simple, I'm afraid. Interacting with spatial distortions isn't a simple process. And I'm afraid I'm not the best at it. My student was an expert, and I'm still learning from what he researched." Jiraiya exhaled before shaking his head. "But there was something I noticed when I was returning home... This scroll kept reacting like this all the way home."
"Wouldn't that mean..." Sakura pursed her lips, eyes widening. "There is more than one distortion around?"
"Precisely." Jiraiya nodded in confirmation, crossing his arms. "And from what I've noticed, this is a weak reaction..."
"So if we're going to interact with a spatial distortion, we need to find a strong one first."
[ X ]
(Konoha, Earth - Current Day)
Tsunade scowled. For the last year, she had been expecting this day. And finally, he stood across from her with the rest of his team flanking his side.
"And you haven't left to check this lead out? Why are you still here?" Tsunade raised a single eyebrow while Kakashi chuckled.
"Well, I thought you needed me here for the festival and all. You scheduled me for a speech, ya know. Didn't think you were gonna let me head out so quickly." Naruto scrunched his brow, hands in his black coat pockets.
"This is more important to deal with than a speech," Kakashi said with a straight face. His eyes then curled into smiles as his mask crinkled. "Like I told you long ago, those who break the rules are deemed trash..."
"But those who would disregard their comrades so easily are even worse than trash." Naruto finished Kakashi's statement with a nod, knowing it by heart, faintly smiling. "I know. Why I was going anyway. At least I'm giving ya the heads up this time."
"And that is appreciated, but you three get out of here and find her." Tsunade waved him off and scoffed before her face straightened. "She is a shinobi of this village, missing in action. Consider this your mission details..."
"Confirm she has either returned home so I can delist her status and retire her from the active roster or ensure her safe return."
[ X ]
(Beacon, Vale - Current Day)
Yang was frustrated. Blake, or her clone or whatever it was, had told them she was at the library. So when Yang went to track her down with the rest of the team, they found Blake wasn't there, leaving her utterly infuriated! The librarian said Blake had been there and had just left, even though she hadn't seen her leave. Did she ditch them knowing they were coming despite giving them that information?!
That left a bitter taste in her mouth. They all wanted answers, but even as Ruby and Weiss worked on their homework, it became later as they waited for Blake to return. Yang was fixated. She wanted answers for everything now. Why was her partner so distant?
Night had fallen when the door finally cracked open, and she decided to show up, casually strolling in as if nothing had happened. Yang glowered with arms crossed around her chest. "And where have you been all afternoon, huh? Your clone said you'd be at the library."
"I was." Blake sighed, expecting that there would be questioning when she returned. But upon seeing Yang's expression, she had to raise her eyebrow at how upset she was. Ruby and Weiss showed their agitation as they looked up from their textbooks, but Yang looked utterly irate. Was Yang that upset she wasn't where she said she would be? "I apologize for not being at the library. I came across Professor Ozpin, and he wanted to speak with me. I was invited to his office for some tea."
"Oh..." Yang's sour mood was immediately alleviated before grinning. "I thought you intentionally ditched us or were leading us on a wild chase! You had me worried, girl! I just wanted to talk!"
"That was never the intention." Blake repressed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head instead. Should have figured it was something simple with her.
"Professor wanted a word with you?" Ruby pursed her lips, putting her textbook on her bed before hopping down. She then nervously fidgeted and brushed the sleeves of her blouse. "Ahaha... I'm sorry about that."
"Why are you sorry?" Weiss queried, perplexed at Ruby's apology.
"Well, you see, I went to him yesterday to ask him for advice on some of the struggles I have been having... And I may have mentioned having issues with team bonding, especially with Blake... Sorry." Ruby nervously laughed while rubbing her head.
"Why are you sorry? That's not what he wanted to talk to me about." Blake responded with a faint, closed-eyed smile. Approaching her bed, she sat down and shook her head, withholding a chuckle. "I know I haven't been very open since our team was constructed. I should be the one who is sorry. I know you have been struggling to run the team. I can imagine my quiet and secluded nature or always being alone and doing my own thing doesn't help when you are trying to figure out how to lead."
Ruby relaxed upon the words. She still sheepishly smiled, her eyes shifting to Weiss momentarily before she laughed. "Yeah... Still getting used to this. And it hasn't been that much of an issue... It's just one of my many problems I'm getting adjusted to."
Weiss glowered as she stood up from her bed, sending Ruby a nasty look. She was giving her the benefit of the doubt! Wait, was it about something else? What other issue did she have with her?!
"I have seen." Blake amusedly retorted, causing Weiss to send a glare in her direction. She absorbed it and only smiled before exhaling. "I still have to apologize for my part... This is simply who I am. I'm a quiet, introverted person who doesn't go much. And when I have a goal to achieve, I become so hyper-fixated with achieving that outcome that it is often detrimental... Learned that the hard way."
"Guess that explains why you are out all the time..." Yang frowned, hand on her hip, before her eyes narrowed, and she glanced at the library of books she kept here. "And why do you have all these around... Introverted doesn't even begin to describe this..."
"Why did the Headmaster want to speak with you?" Weiss redirected the conversation, refocusing on the matter at hand.
"The same reason you were trying to find me," Blake stated. Weiss scoffed and scowled. Blake rolled her eyes, took one of the many books off the shelf nearby, shifted entirely onto her bed, and opened the pages so she could read. "Whether or not you believe my story is irrelevant. The simple fact is, I was missing for over a year, and no one knew where I was. He wanted to hear my story, and I told him precisely what I told you."
"It's up to you whether or not to believe the tale or not."
[ X ]
(Kuo Kuana, Menagerie - Current Time)
Tonight was a gorgeous night.
Ghira exhaled contentedly, standing and leaning against the railing of his porch. The night sky illuminated the city even as the lights dimmed and faded, many of the citizens retiring for the night. He, however, was still awake. Despite the tranquil air, plenty of work still needed to be done.
His work never ended.
"But I should retire for the night myself," Ghira chuckled, tearing his gaze from the beautiful view and sliding the door open to his study. There was always work to be done, no matter what. Without rest, he would be useless to his people... "Oh? I thought you would be in bed already, my dear."
Sitting on one of the couches in his study, his wife Kali lay on its cushions. Her attention was buried in the book she was reading, almost oblivious to his approach. He would have thought she didn't hear him if it weren't for the twitch of her feline ears. However, the sight of her enthralled with the book caused him to repress a chuckle. Like mother, like daughter, he supposed.
"I was just waiting for you," Kali said, lifting her head upon her husband's approach. Finally, she tore her attention from the book, a very faint smile on her face as he approached.
However, as content as she appeared, Ghira knew his wife better. He frowned. He could feel her anxiety, and he would have none of it. Shifting his massive frame, he slid onto the seat next to hers and placed his hand gently on her thigh. "You can't hide anything from me. What troubles you?"
Kali let out a sullen sigh. Setting the book down on her lap, she shared her trepidation with her husband. "I didn't mean to worry you. It's just after Blake left... I took her advice and started reading the series she had been so absorbed in before his disappearance. I wanted to see why she... Well, you know."
"The one about ninjas??" Ghira pursed his lips, thinking about what book his daughter was heavily invested in. He was invested in her interests, and she had a fascination with ninjas for as long as he could remember. She always gravitated toward those kinds of stories...
And had even started training with those kinds of weapons, particularly swords...
Ghira scowled. He had heard directly from Sienna Blake hadn't joined the White Fang. He wouldn't have doubted the woman to cover it up, but he had his doubts. He knew her well enough to know she would have used the Belladonna name to her advantage in some fashion if Blake had joined... And for a year, she didn't...
Exhaling, he shook his head and glanced at the book in his wife's hands. "The same one she stated she had fallen into when she was having doubts about joining the White Fang?"
"The same," Kali confirmed, looking down at the book with concern. Then, with a tearful gaze, she gazed up at her husband and shivered before pushing the book toward her husband. "Ghira... I don't know how to explain this, but the more I read, the more I realize... Blake was telling us the truth."
Upon hearing his wife's claim, a skeptical look twisted on Ghira's features. He raised his eyebrow, still doubtful, before furrowing his brow. His daughter's action upon returning... He exhaled, picking up the book pushed in his direction, pulling out his glasses, and looking at the page she had left it on.
His eyes sharpened after a glance. "Hm? This character... She..."
"You see why I'm confused." Kali lowered her head and grimaced. "It's not just Blake's name or even her features... After Blake left again, I recalled the conviction in her voice when she told us where she had been... I picked it up, and I discovered this character. One with her name and features... Her mannerisms..."
"It does seem odd..." Ghira frowned, looking across at his wife. "Why go through such an elaborate cover-up just to cover her tracks?"
"At first, I thought the same... So I went and bought another copy... And then another..." Ghira's neck snapped as he jerked his head up, alarmed as his wife kept a steady gaze as she shivered. "I don't think this is some sort of elaborate prank, Ghira."
"She's in every single copy of the book."
[ X ]
(Earth, Land of Fire - One Month After Arrival)
It had been another long and tiring day. They hadn't made any progress. It was frustrating, and she just wanted to go home! Even if this place had a lot of amazing things... She wanted to see her friends...
See her family...
"Ow!" Blake's attention snapped out of her stupor. Her eyes narrowed at Naruto, who sat across the campfire from her. What was he doing?
With narrowed eyes, her ears perked up as she could hear a whistling in the air. Her eyes sharpened as she focused on his outstretched hand. Was that a leaf jostling in his hand?
"Come on, cut you stupid thing," Naruto grumbled, intently concentrating as the blue hue of chakra interacted with the wisps of wind around his hand.
She found herself mesmerized by the jostling of the leaf hovering inches above his hand. Was he manipulating the wind? Had he begun to learn about nature manipulation? He was taking the next step in his training? Why was it so late compared to someone like his friend...?
With intent concentration, Naruto seemed only focused on the leaf in his hand. Wisps of wind shot from the palm of his hand, yet all they did was lift the leaf further and further up, causing him further frustration as he let the leaf settle back into his palm. He took a deep breath and glared at the leaf. "Come on... Cut you stupid thing... Hm? Are you interested?"
"Eh!" Blake jumped back at Naruto, suddenly calling her out and glancing over the fire at her. Had she been starting that hard, he had noticed? She flushed in embarrassment. "No! Well, I, uh... It's just that chakra is so different from Aura I couldn't help it..."
"Is that so?" Naruto frowned at first. Then, a broad smile crossed his features. "Tell ya what! I know you're interested, and I gotta admit, I want to know more about your world, too! So how about this? You teach me about your energy, Aura, right? And in return, I'll teach you about chakra! We'll see if we can even learn how to use the other! Sound like a good deal, no?"
"Well, hm..." Blake furrowed her brow. She already knew quite a bit about chakra from how it was described in the books. But there was a world of difference from reading to witnessing it...
And here he was, asking if she wanted to learn! Of course, she wanted to, but there was no guarantee she could. They came from different worlds... But if she could...
Her face straightened, hiding the excitement she felt within. Oh, if she could learn how to use the elements to... She wouldn't even need Dust! How much that would blow everyone's minds back home...
If she could return...
Her ears curled, and she winced. The thought of being stuck here forever had long crossed her mind. Even as they discovered these distortions... The idea that none of them could return to her home...
"I would like that..." Blake nodded, offering her hand to strike a deal. It was a practical decision. She needed to know as much about this world as possible... For if she was stuck here... She needed to be prepared to handle everything that could be thrown at her.
"Cool!" Naruto grinned widely and laughed as he accepted her hand. He, however, immediately recoiled and winced. "Ow, what the..."
"That's what I was going to say!" Blake grimaced, holding her left hand back and glaring at Naruto. "What did you... Huh? Why do I... Feel... Strange..."
"No, no, no!" Naruto jumped over the fire as Blake woozily swayed and stopped her from falling into the fire. "You gotta stop fainting, girl! I'm beginning to think you and Hinata are... Hm? What's that?"
Squinting as he laid Blake down, he retracted his right hand, clenching it several times. He wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't caught her, as it had nearly faded away...
What was that strange mark on his hand? Did he have another seal he wasn't aware of?
[ X ]
(Beacon, Vale - Current Day)
"Ruby... Remnant to Ruby. Come in, Ruby."
"Eh!" Ruby snapped her head from the cafeteria table, looking around in a brief panic. She scowled at an uproar of laughter, causing her gaze to fall upon her sister as she sat beside her. "Not funny, Yang!"
"Oh, yes, it was." Yang wiped a tear from her eye before pushing over a second tray she had collected toward her tired sister and grinning. "You need some coffee or something? It's always best to start the morning off with a Yang!"
"Ugh..." Weiss groaned, palming her face. "That was horrible... You too?"
"What?" Blake glanced up from her novel with a thin smile at the sour expression Weiss was giving her. "It was funny. It reminds me a little bit of home."
As Weiss faltered and grimaced, Ruby tilted her head. She hadn't slept well last night. The thoughts of what Blake had told them yesterday ran rampant through her mind. The story was wild and unbelievable. But the conviction and nonchalance with which Blake told it... The melancholy expression and longing she had when she talked about it...
It felt like she was telling the truth despite the absurdity of such a tale...
"Please let go of me!"
Ruby tensed, and she scanned the room in a panic once more. Was someone in trouble? Here? In the middle of the cafeteria! Ruby gasped, quickly locating the source of the cry.
It was Velvet... And Cardin had her in a headlock, jerking on her ears with his team surrounding them, laughing at her plight...
"Oh, that jerk." Yang snarled, slapping her hands on the table as she stood up, eyes fixated on Cardin. "Someone needs to teach that guy and his cronies a lesson... Eh?! What the..."
"Ah!" One of Cardin's cronies, Russel, screamed as he was suddenly plunged through the cafeteria floor, leaving only his head visibly struggling beneath.
Ruby's eyes flickered and shone as, in a quick session, each member of Cardin's team was pulled underground in the same manner until only he remained. However, despite the speed and fluidity with which they were dragged under, she saw everything—and saw the slender hands grabbing their ankles and dragging them into the ground.
She looked over at a stunned Weiss and Yang and frowned. Blake was missing...
"What is going on?!" Cardin recoiled in fear, looking at his friends while tightly holding onto Velvet.
"Let her go." A tunnel parted through the floor, and Blake emerged directly behind Cardin, dirt clumps falling from her frame as she suddenly snapped her hands around his neck in a similar headlock to Velvet, one hand yanking on his right ear.
Cardin yelped and instinctively let go of Velvet. Still, Blake held on; her sharp gaze pierced into Cardin's as he looked back into her seething gaze. "Doesn't feel good, does it?"
"No!" Cardin whimpered as he pulled back into Blake's grip even tighter. "Please let me go!"
Blake hissed. The bow covering her ears twitched, worn only while she was in public. She could hear the fear in his voice, and it only made her stomach boil. This wouldn't change anything...
Tossing him to the floor, Blake scowled, sending a sharp, detestable stare at Cardin. She scoffed before moving toward Velvet, kneeling beside her and checking on her, offering her hand to help her up. "Are you okay now?"
Velvet stared strangely at Blake for a moment, tilting her head before nodding and gingerly accepting her gesture. "I'm okay now... Thank you."
"No problem. We have to look out for each other, right?" Blake chuckled, assisting Velvet to her feet.
Velvet's head jerked back, and her eyes widened in recognition. She thought her name sounded familiar...
"Look out for each other?" Cardin growled, attempting to get back onto his feet and stumbling as he did. "You are just like her? A Faunus"
"Yes. Yes, I am a Faunus and proud to be one." Blake sighed, turning her attention to the bully and his friends, her expression shifting sternly. With a simple tug on her bow, it fell from her head, revealing her feline ears, before she held out the bow. "And that shouldn't matter, and I'm tired of hearing it does. We aren't really any different than everyone else. I shouldn't have to wear this to be accepted in certain stores and by other people! We have the same feelings! We feel the same joy! The same fears! We are all the same, you know?!"
Blake scowled, stepping right in front of Cardin and looking directly into his eyes, even as he faltered at their proximity. She knew just talking wouldn't be enough to express her feelings. She wasn't anywhere near as good as he was... And a lot of the time... Blake tightened her hands into fists before a confident smirk graced her lips. "And if I have to, I'll make you understand just what we feel..."
"That will be no need for that, Ms. Belladonna." Professor Ozpin's voice separated the two and drew all attention onto him as he stepped toward them, a furious Professor Goodwitch striding beside him. "If you wouldn't mind releasing them from your traps, we'll take it from here and get this situation sorted out."
Blake frowned but complied. With a simple hand sign, she released the rest of Cardin's team from their earthy prisons and pushed them back onto the floor using the earth. Blake scowled as they scampered up and away. She knew better than to believe anything would get changed... She had seen it many times before.
But with a sigh, she walked past Ozpin and Glynda. "I've heard that many times before..."
"I know you have, and I'm sorry..." Ozpin whispered, his gaze falling onto team CRDL as she passed by. Ozpin glanced back at Blake's fading form as she returned to her table. "Change is a difficult thing... It starts from the heart, and it is not always easy to reach others..."
"But perhaps you are the one to reach and change everyone's heart."