W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

Calavera's Household

Ruby had unlocked the surface powers of her Silver Eyes in a matter of hours, but as the sky darkened, the group decided to pause her training for the day.

Inside the cozy household, the comforting aroma of Selene & Maria's cooking filled the air.

Ruby sat cross-legged on the sofa, flipping through one of the comics she had brought along. Her lips occasionally curled into a small smile at the colorful illustrations, a rare moment of relaxation.

In another room, Weiss sat at a small desk Maria had provided, her pen moving steadily across her journal. She poured her thoughts and strategies onto the pages, her focus unwavering even amidst the day's fatigue.

Rinko and Yang shared the same sofa as Ruby. Yang had fallen asleep in a sitting position, her head drooping forward. Beside her, Rinko was scrolling through the latest news updates from Mistral on his device, scanning for anything that might prove relevant.

The buzz of his scroll cut through the quiet ambiance. The screen lit up with Qrow's name, and Rinko's eyebrows rose slightly. He answered the call and raised the scroll to his ear.

"Qrow," Rinko said, his voice calm. "Any news?"

"Yeah," came Qrow's familiar, slightly gruff tone. "Raven fed us some intel. Salem's forces took the bait, and she damaged their ship. They're stranded in a forest for now, but they'll fix it soon enough. We've got some breathing room, but not much."

Rinko leaned back slightly, glancing at the peacefully sleeping Yang beside him. "That's helpful," he said. "We'll make it count. Let me know if there's anything else."

"Same here," Qrow replied. There was a brief pause before his tone softened. "And, hey... good job with Ruby. Heard about her progress from Yang."

Rinko's gaze shifted to Ruby, who was still engrossed in her comic. He allowed himself a small smile. "She's determined. That's what matters."

"Yeah," Qrow said, his voice carrying a faint warmth before the call ended.

Rinko lowered the scroll and set it down. 

He was about to resume browsing the news when Yang's head, heavy from sleep, tilted sideways and fell onto Rinko's shoulder. 

He blinked, startled, but didn't move, unsure if she'd wake.

Ruby noticed the moment, her eyes lifting from her comic to see her sister leaning against Rinko, her head resting snugly on his shoulder.

Ruby tilted her head slightly, her expression curious as she observed the unexpected scene.

Rinko caught Ruby's gaze. For a moment, he held her look, his face unreadable, before offering the faintest shrug.

Ruby smirked, her curiosity piqued but choosing not to press further. With a small shake of her head, she returned to her comic, a knowing smile lingering on her lips.

The room settled into a comfortable quiet, the soft crackle of Selene's cooking in the background adding a homely warmth.

Outside, the night deepened, casting a serene darkness over the household. Despite the looming weight of their mission, this fleeting moment of calm felt strangely grounding.

"Rinko..." Yang murmured his name in her sleep, the sound barely audible but enough to catch his attention.

He glanced at her, her head still resting against his shoulder, her expression peaceful yet slightly furrowed, as though lost in a dream. The quiet utterance of his name made Kakashi—within Rinko—pause for a brief moment.

'What's she dreaming about?' he wondered, his curiosity momentarily sparked.

Instead, he glanced at his scroll, returning his focus to the news updates from Mistral. "Hn," he muttered softly, dismissing the thought with a small shrug.

Yang, undisturbed, shifted slightly but remained asleep, her presence a quiet reminder of the bond they all shared. Rinko continued his quiet vigil, his mind processing both the calm of the moment and the storms they knew would inevitably follow.

The room stirred as Selene entered, balancing trays of food with practiced ease. The enticing aroma wafted through the living room, drawing attention immediately.

"Dinner is served," she announced warmly, setting the dishes on the table with precision.

Maria followed behind, her hands clasped casually behind her back. She cast a critical but approving eye over the spread. "This girl certainly knows her way around a kitchen," she remarked, nodding. "One extra hand is always helpful."

"Thank you, Miss Maria," Selene replied with a polite bow, her tone humble yet pleased.

Ruby's eyes lit up as the delicious scents reached her, and she quickly set her comic down on the small side table. "That smells so gooood~!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing over to the dining table.

Yang stirred at the sound of Ruby's excitement, mumbling incoherently as she slowly roused from her nap. Her head slipped off Rinko's shoulder, and she blinked groggily, taking in the scene.

"Dinner already?" she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Rinko glanced at her and then at the dining table, where Ruby was already filling her plate enthusiastically. "Seems like it," he said simply, setting his scroll aside and standing up.

Yang stretched with a yawn before trailing after Rinko. "Well, if it smells this good, I'm not gonna miss it."

The sound of voices carried upstairs, and soon Weiss descended the stairs, drawn by the mention of dinner. Her journal tucked under her arm, she joined the others at the table.

As the meal began, Weiss took her first bite and gave an appreciative nod. "Maria's cooking is always impeccable," she complimented, her voice tinged with genuine admiration.

Ruby, already halfway through her plate, beamed. "Mmmm~! Delicious!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm as infectious as ever.

Yang grinned as she leaned back in her chair, her tone light. "Well, this is definitely a Yang-tastic level of food, am I right?" she quipped, punctuating her pun with an exaggerated shrug.

Weiss groaned dramatically, slumping in her chair as if physically weighed down. "Ugh... I didn't miss your puns, Yang. My evening is ruined."

Yang smirked, clearly unfazed, while Ruby snickered into her glass of water.

Rinko ate quietly, his gaze shifting between the cheerful banter at the table. His face betrayed little, but there was an undeniable warmth to the moment that even he couldn't ignore.

Selene, busy serving second helpings, offered a soft smile of gratitude at the praise. Meanwhile, Maria savored her own plate in contented silence, her satisfaction evident in the occasional approving hum.

The room buzzed with an easy camaraderie, the laughter and teasing a welcome reminder of what they were fighting to protect. For now, in the cozy glow of Calavera's household, they allowed themselves to savor the fleeting comfort of each other's company.

Menagerie, Blake, Before Adam's Betrayal

It had been months since the fall of Beacon, and Blake had been on a voyage with Sun, battling Grimm along the way. Sun sorta followed Blake because he couldn't just stand around and let her face the White Fang on her own, but Blake intervene and told him that she wouldn't be going near the White Fang, which dissapointed Sun.

She told him that he's going to her home, to Menagerie. With Sun's stubbornness, he came with her anyway, since he's already in the ship.

Their journey had brought them to Menagerie, where Blake introduced Sun to her parents. It's been a while since Blake had seen her Mom and Dad.

Ghira Belladona, the father of Blake, a former leader of the White Fang and is now the head captain of Menagerie, and Kali Belladona, was her mother's name.

Weeks had passed since Blake settled back into her childhood home.

Blake gazed at the stars, the soft hum of the ocean reaching her ears. The balcony outside her father's office was a quiet sanctuary, a place where she could think, yet tonight her thoughts were heavier than usual. Her golden eyes flicked toward the doorway of the office. She wanted to talk to her father—needed to—but the words felt stuck, unformed.

The sound of footsteps behind her broke her thoughts. She turned to see her mother, Kali Belladonna, approaching with a tray of tea in her hands.

"You know," Kali began, her tone gentle, "you could always go in and say hi." She offered a knowing smile as she neared her daughter.

Blake managed a small smile in return. "Hi, Mom... I just... I don't want to bother him."

Kali chuckled softly, setting the tray down on the balcony railing. "Oh, please. A father's never too busy for his daughter."

Blake's smile faltered slightly as her thoughts wandered. "Not all my friends would agree with you on that." The faintest hint of a smirk played on her lips as she thought of Weiss.

Kali raised an eyebrow knowingly. She handed a tray of tea to Blake, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. "Here. Go on."

Blake accepted the tray, though her brow furrowed in confusion. "What? Where are you going?"

Kali grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, I think I'd rather spend some time with that chatty friend of yours," she said, clearly referring to Sun. "He has plenty of stories to tell about Team RWBY, and I want to hear them all."

Blake shook her head, unable to stop a small laugh as Kali descended the stairs, leaving her alone with the tray.

From inside the office, Ghira's voice called out, "Kali? Is that you, dear?"

Blake inhaled sharply, her grip tightening slightly on the tray. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before walking to the office door.

She pushed it open to find her father engrossed in paperwork.

"Blake! What a pleasant surprise!" Ghira exclaimed, his face lighting up as he saw her.

"Uh... hey, Dad," Blake replied, her tone soft but warm.

Ghira stood from his chair, crossing the room toward her. "Please, come in!"

Blake nodded, her nerves easing slightly as she and her father moved to the sofa. She placed the tray of tea on the table between them, her chest loosening as she settled beside him. For the first time in a while, it felt like the right moment to talk.

"I don't want to keep you waiting, Dad—"

"Nonsense!" Ghira interrupted with a warm chuckle. "I've been cooped up in here all day." He poured tea for both of them, his movements steady and familiar. "You still take sugar, right?"

Blake opened her mouth to answer, but Ghira had already dropped a cube into her cup.

"Actually, I don't—" she began, smiling despite herself at her father's genuine attempt.

"Oh—sorry! Here, take mine," he said quickly, sliding his own cup toward her, his tone apologetic.

"No, really," Blake said, picking up the cup he'd prepared for her. "It's not a big deal."

Ghira relaxed, his broad shoulders easing as he returned her smile. "Alright, if you say so."

They sat in a brief silence before Ghira cleared his throat, his gaze flicking toward her.

"Is it... warm in Vale?" he asked, a little awkwardly.

Blake raised an eyebrow, confused by the sudden awkward attempt to start a conversation. "What?"

"I just noticed... your outfit doesn't cover much," he clarified, a little hesitant.

Blake's ears twitched, and she instinctively crossed her arms. "It covers plenty!" she shot back, her voice slightly defensive as she pouted.

"I just meant, maybe a little more armor would help," Ghira said, gesturing vaguely. It was an awkward attempt at conversation, but at least it was something.

"I'm fine, Dad. I don't need armor. I can look after myself," Blake replied, turning her face away.

Ghira sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I know. I'm sorry."

Blake blinked, her eyes widening. "Why... why would you say that?"

Ghira frowned, setting his tea down as he leaned toward her. "Sweetheart, what's wrong? What did I say?"

Blake's hands trembled as memories of their last argument surfaced. She looked at her father, tears welling up in her eyes. "How... how can you still love me after everything I said to you and Mom? After everything I've done?"

"Blake..." Ghira's voice softened as he moved to sit closer to her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"I called you cowards!" Blake choked, her voice breaking. "I shouted at you, yelled at you, and stormed off. You were right, and I didn't listen." She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. "I should have left the White Fang with you and Mom. I should've listened. I'm so, so sorry."

Ghira's strong arms encircled her in a comforting embrace. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice steady and warm.

Blake pulled back slightly, shame written all over her face as she avoided his gaze. "I should've been better... I don't deserve your forgiveness."

Ghira cupped her chin gently, turning her face toward his. "Blake, look at me," he said softly. "Your mother and I have never held anything against you. Never. I never feared you would fail."

His thumb brushed a stray tear from her cheek as he smiled. "The only thing I ever feared was that you might lose yourself. And you didn't. You came back to us. That takes strength and courage, Blake. More than you realize."

Blake's voice wavered as her guilt surfaced again. "But I did fall. I stayed with Adam even after everything. I kept helping him."

"But you left," Ghira countered firmly. "You pulled yourself out, even when it wasn't easy. And you've confronted those mistakes time and again. Vale, Mountain Glenn, Beacon—you stood against the White Fang and Adam, no matter how hard it was."

"I didn't do it alone," Blake admitted, her gaze dropping as she reflected on her team.

"No, you didn't," Ghira said, his tone gentle. "But you were brave enough to lean on others, to trust them. That's not weakness—it's wisdom. And it's why I need to ask... Why did you leave Vale? Why did you leave your friends behind?"

Blake hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Because..." she began, but her words were abruptly cut off by the crash of the office door falling off its hinges.

"Agh!" Sun groaned, scrambling to his feet amidst the chaos.

"Uh—woah! This isn't the bathroom—sorry to interrupt this tender family moment!" he blurted out, attempting a sheepish grin.

Blake and Ghira both stared at him in disbelief and disdain.

Ghira's expression darkened, his voice dropping to a low growl. "I really don't like you."

Outside the Office

"Rghh!" Blake's voice was full of frustration as she slapped Sun across the face. "No concept of privacy!"

"Ow!"

"No respect for personal space!" She slapped him again.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry! Will you stop hitting me?" Sun pleaded, rubbing his cheek.

Blake spun around, exasperated. "Ugh!"

Sun stepped closer, his tone earnest. "Look, I'm here for you. I promise this is important!"

Blake crossed her arms, glaring at him. "What, Sun? What could possibly be so important?"

"I was talking to your mom, and she mentioned something weird about the White Fang," Sun began hurriedly.

Blake cut him off, her voice sharp. "I'm stopping you right there!"

"But—"

"I told you," she said firmly, "I'm not here to fight the White Fang! I'm not here to fight anyone. I'm here to rest, figure things out, and be with my family."

Sun held up his hands in defense, his tone insistent. "Your mom said White Fang members don't wear masks in Menagerie, but I saw one at the market yesterday! I even got a picture—look!" He began fumbling with his scroll.

"Sun!"

"I'm trying to help!" Sun protested, but Blake snatched the scroll from his hands, her patience snapping.

"I don't need your help!" she shouted, hurling his scroll off the balcony.

"Rghnnn!" Sun groaned, glaring at her.

Before either could say more, a faint rustle in the trees below caught their attention. They froze, turning toward the sound.

A silhouette crouched in the branches, its figure shadowed by the moonlight. The mysterious figure, wearing a White Fang mask, leapt to another tree the moment they were spotted. Their skin is dark, as if it was sorta painted.

Sun's eyes widened. "A freaking ninja!?"

Blake's gaze hardened. "A spy!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

"Wait—hold on!" Sun called after her as she bolted toward the edge of the balcony.

Kali appeared in the doorway, concern etched on her face. "What's going on?"

Sun pointed after Blake, already halfway over the balcony railing. "The White Fang is evil—I totally called it, and I'm bringing your daughter back!"

With that, Sun leapt after Blake, leaving Kali standing there with a mixture of confusion and exasperation.

They chased the White Fang member through the trees, moving fast, as the mysterious figure's ponytail reflected in the moonlight. Sun suddenly dropped down from above.

"Gotcha!" Sun shouted triumphantly, tackling the mysterious figure to the ground. They crashed into the dirt below.

"Keep your grip firm!" Blake urged as she landed with a thud and sprinted toward them.

"Rghh! Get off me!" the girl grunted, headbutting Sun with a sharp force.

"Ow—hey!" Sun yelped, but before he could regain his stance, the girl sprang back up, her weapon crackling with electric energy as she jabbed it at him.

"ARGHH!" Sun yelled, his body convulsing from the shock.

"SUN!" Blake shouted, her voice full of concern. She quickly unsheathed her weapon and fired at the girl. The White Fang agent effortlessly dodged, leaping onto the branches of a nearby tree with agility that caught Blake off guard.

As the girl moved, her skin seemed to shimmer, changing from a dark tone to her natural color. Blake's heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned on her.

"It's Ilia...!" Blake breathed, her grip tightening on her weapon.

The girl's face emerged from the shadows of her mask, revealing her identity. "Blake," Ilia spoke with a cold edge.

The two stood in a silent standoff, their eyes locked. The tension between them was palpable, but it didn't last long. Ilia broke the silence, her voice dark and low.

"You shouldn't have come back," she said, her words laced with warning.

With that, Ilia vanished into the shadows, her movements fluid and fast, darting from tree to tree with eerie speed, slipping away into the night before Blake could even react.

"Sun!" Blake's voice cracked with desperation. "Sun, please wake up!"

Blake's heart raced, her mind scrambling as she rushed to Sun's side. Kneeling beside him, she gasped as she saw the deep gash beside his shoulder. Blood stained his clothes, darkening the fabric as he lay still, unconscious.

She shook him gently, her hands trembling as she tried to rouse him. 

"Come on, Sun... you can't go out like this," she murmured, her voice quiet but urgent. Desperate, she pressed her hand over his wound, hoping to stop the bleeding.

Her breath came in shallow gasps, and for a brief moment, the weight of the situation settled over her. They were too close to something dangerous, and now Sun was hurt because of it.

Tomorrow, Menagerie

Sun stirred slowly, the soft chirping of birds outside drawing him from his slumber.

His body ached, a dull throb pulsing from the patched wound on his shoulder.

He groaned, wincing at the sharp pain. "Rghh... Ow..."

His eyes flickered open, and he scanned the room.

Blake sat quietly on the other couch, her gaze fixed on the ground, lost in thought. The tension in the air was thick, and Sun's heart sank.

"Blake?" he muttered, trying to sit up, his legs dangling off the edge of the couch. "Oof..." He winced as his body protested, but he pushed through, turning to face her.

Blake didn't immediately answer. Her silence lingered, heavy and unspoken.

"What happened?" Sun asked again, his voice softer now, concern evident.

Blake's gaze finally lifted, but her eyes seemed far away. "I'm done seeing my friends get hurt because of me," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion.

"Blake—"

"Shut up!" Her voice cracked as she cut him off, the pain in her words cutting through the room. "Do you think I like being alone? Every day, I think about them... Ruby, Weiss, Yang... Team JNPR..." She swallowed, her eyes briefly flicking to the side, "Rinko..."

Sun listened closely, his expression serious. He knew something had been weighing on her for a while, but hearing her voice crack like that made his heart ache.

"They were my friends," Blake continued, her voice shaking. "I left them like I never thought I could love anybody... And I hope they hate me for leaving."

Sun reached out, his hand resting gently on her arm. "Blake, you don't mean that—"

"YES I DO!" Blake snapped, her words sharp, like a knife. She stood up abruptly, pacing in frustration. "Everyone thinks they can help me, but they can't." She sank back onto the couch beside him. "You saw Ilia last night... and she's not even the worst."

Sun nodded, his expression solemn as he listened.

A long silence fell between them.

"No..." Blake murmured, her voice quieter now, almost defeated. "No more. They're better off without me. I made my choices, and I'll deal with the consequences. They belong to me."

Sun's fist clenched at her words, a fire burning in his chest. He turned toward her, his tone firm but soft. "You think you're being selfless, but you're not. Yeah, Ilia got me pretty good, but I'd do it all again if it meant protecting you. And I can promise you, Yang and the others would say the same."

Blake's eyes were downcast, but Sun wasn't finished.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his lap, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. "You can make your own choices, Blake, sure. But you don't get to make ours. When your friends fight for you, it's because we want to. So stop pushing us away."

Blake didn't respond immediately, her head hung low as the weight of his words settled on her.

Sun sighed, his tone softer now. "It hurts more than anything the bad guys could ever do," he added quietly, a pang of vulnerability in his voice.

The silence stretched between them once more.

"But..." Sun continued, his voice lightening a bit despite the pain. "If it makes you feel better, I'll fight that Ilia girl again— not for you, but to get even!" He winced, clutching at his wound as it flared up. "Ow..."

Blake couldn't help but laugh softly, her lips curling into a small smile. "My hero..." she whispered, her eyes finally lifting to meet his.

For a brief moment, the weight of the world seemed to ease, the connection between them stronger than the silence that had surrounded them.

"Also.. I have something that might peak your interest." Sun said as he pulled out a scroll.

"What about this scroll?" Blake raised an eyebrow.

"It ain't mine, it's from Ilia. Since she's from the White Fang, I managed to snatch her scroll off her during our scuffles. And, probably, there's some worthwhile information here that can help us against.. Hopefully, the White Fang."

She snatched the Scroll as she checked its contents.

While she was scouring around the scroll, they've found an info that shocked them.

Adam's about to betray the current White Fang leader and Attack Haven, just like Beacon. 

The White Fang, is crossing that line again.

"This is bad..!" Blake said as a bead of sweat fell from her chin.

[End]