Naruko Uzumaki ran as fast as her legs could carry her, knowing if she slows down for even a moment they'll catch her and hurt her, just like all the other times.
Why, why me? I didn't do anything?! A question she asking since she was three years old
Running into an alley Naruko quickly ducked behind boxes, curling up to be as small as possible when the sound of the mob's footsteps grew closer. Holding her breath Naruko rocked back and forth and began repeating a mantra she made two years ago.
"I am no one. My family hates me. I need power, power to do anything."
When I was three-years-old a masked man attacked my parents while my mother was giving birth. Taking my brother hostage until my father saved him, then taking my mother and extracting the Kyuubi from her before having it attack Konoha. My father fought the masked man and forced him to retreat, he then planned to summon the Shinigami to seal the Kyuubi into my brother. Only for the Sandaime to take his place and seal half the Kyuubi into my brother and the other half into me.
Naruko rubbed her throat where a very faint white scar could be seen running across her throat
But that wasn't the only thing to happen. No, I was stupid enough to leave the house and encountered the masked man. I would have tried sneaking away, but he had spotted and would have done who knows what had he not heard the Sandaime approaching. Instead he slit my throat severing my vocal cords and rendering me mute. Not that anyone cared about me or that I was hurt, my parents included. Naruko scowled.
It's funny, they planned to have my brother, but not me. I was the mistake that shouldn't have happened, even though it's not my fault they couldn't keep it in their pants. It was during the Third Shinobi War when they got all hot and bothered, resulting in me. I was born during a war, but my family only saw me as a nuisance and liability. They hated me, blaming me when their comrades died. But when my brother was born their hatred turned into disgust. They thought I was to blame for everything bad happening to them. They're complete idiots.
Five years passed and Menma's arrogance inflated to new heights, from being worshipped as both the son of the Yondaime Hokage and Red Death, but also as a hero for containing the Kyuubi. And what happened to me, I was left alone and hated. The only good thing was I had Kurama to talk to, Kurama being the name of the Kyuubi. It was surprising learning the Kyuubi had a name even more so that the fox told me it. Then again I'm sure no one has also blatantly walked up to the Kyuubi and hugged it, not my fault its fur looked really soft and cuddly. Naruko was not exactly having the best common sense when she first met Kurama
That and she didn't really care if Kurama had killed her or not, what she had to lose and who would miss her.
But that was the only good thing that's happened in my life. A couple months before my eighth birthday I overheard my parents talking with Jiraiya, a perverted lecher I have desperately wanted to castrate, gouge out his eyes, cut out his tongue, and chop off his hands. I couldn't really hear them clearly, only bits and pieces about some prophecy they believed was about Menma. Personally, I think prophecies are all bullshit that only idiots follow. But one thing I did hear was that they needed to focus entirely on training Menma, this I didn't really care about, what I did care about was what they said next. They couldn't have any distractions, including me.
This, obviously, worried me as I thought they'd simply kill me, which I sometimes wonder would have been kinder. No, instead what they did was drug me and put a memory seal on me, making me believe I was just some orphan whose parents died during the Kyuubi attack. The only reason I still remember is Kurama was able to destroy the seal a week after it was placed. I didn't go back to the Namikaze family, as there'd be nothing to stop them from simply putting another seal on me, and probably tightening Kurama's seal, preventing him from helping me again. Besides in a way my parents were dead, they died long before I was even born. So, I was just Naruko, another unfortunate orphan that was hated by everyone.
That had been a year ago, I'm nine now and I've done surprisingly well. I've stolen anything I need to survive, I didn't really care who I stole from, nobody in Konoha cares about me so why should I care about them. And that's my story, a little girl abandoned and alone, with her only friend being a giant angst filled fox, who was secretly a big teddy bear.
"I heard that! I am not angst filled or a teddy bear! I am the mighty Kyuubi no Kitsune, strongest of the Tailed Beasts, a living force of nature, the very thing of nightmares! I. AM. FEAR! Fear me mortal!" Kurama roared
Love you to Kurama.
"… You know what? I fucking hate you." Grumbled Kurama
Naruko listened for any signs that the mob was still around. Not hearing anything, Naruko exited her hiding spot sighing in relief. Though her relief was short lived when something hard impacted the back of her head sending her to the ground.
"Hey, I found the demon bitch!" Someone shouted
No, no, no, no! Naruko fearfully looking behind her seeing a villager holding something in their hands, likely whatever struck her
Looking around Naruko's fear increased when she saw the mob returning bigger than before. All of them holding assorted weapons, whether it be actual weapons like kunai, knives, or anything they could grab that'd hurt. This worried Naruko even more as usually they only struck her with their fists and feet, never weapons.
No! I can't die here, I won't! I still have so much to live for, to gain power, my revenge, I won't die, I won't die, I won't! NO!
Naruko unconsciously calling on Kurama's chakra and something else inside her unleashing a blast a red chakra and a shockwave of darkness and light blasting all the villagers away before she suddenly felt the sensation of falling
Then darkness.
A girl opened her eyes, unable to see anything clearly, only blurry shapes moving in the distance.
What? Why is everything blurry? Where am I? Who am I? The girl thought before she drifted back into unconsciousness again the last thing she saw being what looked like someone coming towards her
Scrunching her eyes the girl heard voices, two that sounded like females, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.
What's happening? Where am I now? The girl thought feeling like she was laying on something soft remembering she was laying on something hard before.
Slowly the girl opened her eyes as everything came into focus. She was in a plain looking room that didn't have much besides a desk, a dresser, a closet, a window, bedside table with a lamp, and the bed she was currently laying on. There was also someone sitting beside her bed, a woman, likely one of the two she heard. She couldn't really make out any features besides her long dirty blonde and dark blue eyes, she also looked to be eighteen or nineteen. The woman was dabbing something cold against her head and looked at her in concern.
"Oh, You're awake! Thank goodness." The woman said smiling in relief
Huh? What's she talking about? Was I hurt? Who is she?
"Hang on, I'll get you some water." Said the woman getting up and exiting the room
She returned again not too long holding a glass of water.
"Here you go." The woman offered holding the glass close to her mouth
The girl gratefully began gulping it down soothing her dry throat. Once she had enough, the girl's head rested against the pillow under her. Opening her mouth to thank the woman, but when she tried speaking the only thing that came out was scratching noise before the girl began coughing at the pain.
"Hey, hey are you okay?" The woman asked concernedly, though the girl didn't hear her as she started freaking out and hyperventilating
Why couldn't she speak, why couldn't she speak, why couldn't she speak?!
"Hey, calm down. It's okay, it's okay." Said the woman comfortingly pulling the girl towards her resting her head on her chest
The girl shivered, still freaking out that she couldn't speak. But the woman's warm presence was helping calm her down. After a few moments the girl finally calmed down enough to lie back down.
"Hang on, I bet I know what'll cheer you up." Said the woman leaving the room again
When she returned she was holding a bowl filled with something colored white, pink, and brown.
"Here you go, ice cream always cheered me and my sibling up whenever we were upset." The woman said holding out the bowl for the girl to take
Ice… cream? The girl thought not sure what that was
Taking the offered bowl, which felt really cold, the girl looked at the ice cream, seeing red chunks in the pink parts. Tentatively she grabbed some of the pink parts with the spoon and put it in her mouth. After it touched her tongue, the girl froze for a moment before immediately began devouring it, much to the woman's surprise.
"I guess you really like it huh?" The woman said rhetorically smiling as the girls rapid nodded
The woman was surprised though when the girls eyes and hair changed color. Her hair turned half-pink and half-brown, the right side being pink with white streaks and the left side being brown. While her eyes began changing between pink, white, and brown before settling on the right being pink and the left being brown.
"Wow! That's pretty cool, is that your Semblance?" The woman asked intrigued not having seen many Semblances.
The girl tilted her head to the side with a confused expression.
"Uh, your hair and eyes they're changed color." Said the woman now seeing the girl wasn't aware of what she did
Blinking, which also reversed the color of her eyes, the girl grabbed a strand of her hair and saw it was pink with white streaks and the other side being brown. The girl looked at the woman with a curious expression.
"Oh, you don't know what a Semblance is?" She asked, the girl shaking her head no
"Well I'm not too knowledgeable about it either since it's a Huntsman and Huntress thing. What I do know is that a Semblance is a special power that's unique to a Huntsman or Huntress and connected to their Aura. Aura being the manifestation of one's soul." Said the woman adding the last part quickly
The girl nodded slowly, she didn't really get all of it, just that her hair and eyes can change color because she had a superpower.
"Hey if you don't mind me asking, who are you? How were you injured? Why were you alone?" The woman asked gently
The girl frowned at the questions looking down, trying to remember what happened, but coming up blank. She couldn't remember how she was injured, she didn't even know she had been injured, why she was alone, she couldn't even remember her own name!
The only thing that came to mind was a blinding light and a black shadow. Other than that nothing.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder the girl looked into the sympathetic eyes of the woman.
"You can't remember can you." Stated the woman, the girl looking down in sadness confirming
"Hey, don't worry about it. I'll help you, me and my wife. We'll see if there's anything we can find about you and if there's anyone looking for you." Said the woman comfortingly
The girl looked at her surprised at her kindness, she already felt the woman did enough by taking care of her, now she's offering to help her find out who she is and if anyone's searching for her. The girl didn't think before wrapping her arms around the woman's middle.
Surprised at the sudden hug, the woman returned it, patting the girl on her back.
"Alright get some rest, we'll start searching first thing tomorrow. Oh, almost forgot, my name is Saphron, Saphron Cotta-Arc." Introduced Saphron grabbing the now empty bowl and heading for the door
Saphron… that's a pretty name. thought the girl as she drifted off back to sleep.
Five months passed since the girl appeared in Argus, the name of the city she learned, and saved by Saphron.
True to her word the next morning Saphron and her wife, another nice lady named Terra Cotta-Arc, began setting up fliers with a picture of the girl in her original form, before she changed her hair and eye color, listing her as a missing person, along with sending some to their families to see if anyone was missing her.
They also began teaching (or re-teaching?) her things to see if anything would hog her memory. They told her about the four continents, Sanus, Solitas, Anima, and Menagerie, the four kingdoms, Vale, Vacou, Atlas, and Mistral, the latter kingdom being the one they were currently in. They also told her about a fifth dragon shaped continent to the west of Vale and north of Vacou, that apparently used to be inhabited but isn't anymore.
They told her about the Creatures of Grimm, known as "creatures of destruction" that lack souls, that are drawn to feelings of negativity-such as envy, sadness, loneliness, and hatred—often congregating towards the source of these emotions. The girl couldn't explain it but when she was told about the Grimm she felt a splitting headache but didn't know why.
Next they told her about the Huntsmen and Huntresses, men and women trained to fight the Grimm using transforming weapons, and a mineral known as Dust. The four Huntsman Academies where people go to train to become full-fledged Hunters, with Mistrals Academy being Haven Academy in the City of Mistral. She was also taught sign language so she could communicate besides with a pen and paper.
They told her everything they knew, but unfortunately nothing ever rang any bells for the girl. A few times she'd get a headache when certain topics were brought up, but no memories.
Even worse was that no one had called or shown up asking about her, saddening the girl even more after being unable to remember anything. While she may not remember anything about her life or herself, she was still smart enough to know this meant two things, the first was anyone that knew who she was is dead and that's why no one was looking for her. Or two any family she might have knew she was missing but just didn't want to find her.
Either way she was alone and unwanted in a world she didn't remember, except for Saphron and Terra but she didn't want to be a burden to them.
The girl was pulled from her thoughts when the door to her room was opened and Saphron and Terra came in. The girl notices Saphron holding her hands behind her back.
"Hey you." Saphron greeted, since they didn't know her name they tried to avoid calling her something and they didn't want to give her a new name in case someone showed up calling her something else which would only confuse the poor girl even more
"Did anyone show up?" The girl signed with a hopeful expression only to look down when they shook their heads
"No, we're sorry no one's shown or called." Terra said
The girl looked down in sadness but looked up in confusion when Terra and Saphron sat down on either side of her with smiles on their faces.
"But listen, Terra and I have been talking it over, and since no one has come by looking for you and it's been five months already, we were wondering if…" Saphron trailed off before showing something she was holding some papers which she handed to the girl
Confused, the girl looked at the papers only to stare in shock at what said at the top.
Adoption.
Looking between the two women in shock as they looked at her hopefully.
"How would you like to be part of our family?" Said Terra
They… want to adopt me? They want me? The girl thought feeling overcome with emotion
"You don't have to decide right now if you aren't sure, you could take all the time you need. We just figured since you've been staying for so long we'd make it permanent—" Terra was cut off when the girl threw her arms her neck
"Can we take it that means yes?" Asked Saphron rhetorically
The girl nodded rapidly as she gave Saphron a hug as well.
"Great! We already filled out everything, the only thing left is to decide on a name. We figured you'd want to pick a name out." Saphron said
The girl felt touched that they were letting her pick her own name. Taking the offered pen, the girl thought for several points on what she should pick, while knowing it had to be color related. It didn't take long before she had the perfect name and wrote it down before handing the now completed papers to Saphron.
"Neopolitan, huh? Alright then, it's settled you are now Neopolitan Cotta-Arc, though maybe just Neo for short." Saphron said smiling to the now named Neopolitan
Neo couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face or the tears that gathered in her eyes.
She had a family, she was wanted!
A year had passed. Neo happily ran through the park in Argus, while being mindful of her mothers warning to not get lost or leave her sight.
It's been a year since she was adopted by Saphron and Terra, and Neo could say it's been the best year of her life, that she knows. Saphron and Terra were the best parents she could ask for, always being kind to her and loving her. At first it was a little awkward for Neo, having previously lived with them for five months as just a guest and now being their daughter.
Though she eventually got used to calling them her moms, she called Terra her mother and Saphron her mom to better show who she was 'talking' to. But Neo was still mindful of herself not wanting to be greedy or selfish living with her new family, something Terra and Saphron took notice of and worked to help be more relaxed.
It wasn't until her tenth birthday, which they decided they'd celebrate the day they adopted her since they didn't know her actual birthday, that they took Neo shopping and said she could buy whatever she wanted no matter what it was. Neo was of course worried about getting too much, Saphron however wouldn't have any of it and all but ordered Neo to get whatever she wanted. Reluctantly Neo did as told and immediately began picking out everything she wanted.
By the time they left Neo had an entirely new wardrobe, being mainly colored pink, brown, and white, a new bed, a new dresser, a book shelf and plenty of books to put on it, a Scroll, and anything else a ten-year-old could want. The entire time Neo was worried Saphron and Terra would get upset with her for everything she was getting, but they only smiled, even when they got home and helped her set up her room, and afterwards got her a cake and wished her a happy birthday.
That was the day Neo fully accepted them as her parents.
But she still made sure to do her part and doing chores around the house, along with helping out anyway she could. Neo had also decided to eventually enroll into Sanctum and later Haven, something her moms were supportive of but still worried of her choosing such a dangerous profession, while she wasn't sure if she actually wanted to be a Huntress it never hurt to have the training.
She even already knew what she wanted her weapon to be.
All in all Neo was happy the way her life turned out and if she's honest, she no longer cared about what her life might have been like before.
Neo suddenly stopped running when she heard something, she couldn't quite place what it was, though it reminded her of the noise her mom's would make whenever they were lifting something heavy. Deciding to investigate Neo followed the sound, eventually reaching the center of the park. There Neo saw a redheaded girl, looking around two years younger than her, wielding a practice xiphos sword and shield. She was also wearing Amazonian-esque armor.
The sight was adorable to Neo, seeing a little girl practicing fighting.
Approaching the girl, getting her attention and causing her to stop fighting. The girl turned to Neo, allowing her to see her bright vivid-green eyes.
"Oh, sorry I didn't see you there." The girl apologized, Neo smiling and waving it off
"It's fine, I just heard something and came to investigate, and I found you." Signed Neo, the girl frowning
"I'm sorry I don't understand sign language." The girl said
Frowning a little at that, though Neo then took out her Scroll and typed out what she signed.
"Oh, sorry if I disturbed you." Said the girl
"It's fine, I wasn't really doing anything. By the way I'm Neopolitan Cotta-Arc." Introduced Neo
"Hello Neopolitan, I'm Pyrrha Nikos, it's nice to meet you." Pyrrha said smiling
"You to Pyrrha. So can I guess from you practicing fighting you want to be a Huntress." Neo typed, Pyrrha nodding with a smile
"Yes, I've always wanted to be a Huntress. It was something I always wanted to do, to help people and do everything I can to help the world." Said Pyrrha, surprising Neo at her words not expecting to hear something like that from a child
"What about you Neopolitan, do you want to be Huntress?" Pyrrha asked, Neo shrugging
"I haven't decided, though I plan to enroll in Sanctum and Haven, but I'm not sure if I want to be a Huntress. But it never hurts to have the skill. Also my friends call me Neo." Typed Neo
"Friends? You want to be friends?" Pyrrha said surprised, Neo nodding
"Yes, that is if you want to be friends."
"Yes! I would love to be friends with you Neo." Said Pyrrha smiling at making a friend
Neo returned the smile while hoping things didn't change from what they are now.
Unfortunately Neo would soon experience many changes in the coming years, some good, some bad, and nothing will ever be the same again.
"And the winner of the Mistral Regional Tournament, Pyrrha Nikos!" The tournament announcer said as the crowd cheered loudly
Pyrrha panted in exhaustion, it hadn't been an easy match but with proper use of Semblance she was able to secure her victory. Looking at the crowd Pyrrha offered a smile and waved politely, though searching through the crowd Pyrrha spotted someone that made her smile widen. Her best friend of five years, Pyrrha doubted she'd have come as far as she has without Neo to train and spar with her.
Neo clapped loudly for Pyrrha, as she couldn't cheer for her, even creating a large sign of Pyrrha using her Semblance, much to her friend's embarrassment who ducked her head down and left the arena.
"Okay Neo calm down, you can see your girlfriend later." Terra said watching Neo's face turn bright red to both her and her wife's amusement
"She's not my girlfriend!" Neo typed furiously
"Yet," Saphron said in a singsong voice, Neo's blush only intensifying as she lowered her head trying to ignore both her mother's teasing
The reason was rather simple given the conversation Neo and Saphron had a few months ago.
Neo went downstairs fiddling with her hands nervously. Reaching the bottom step Neo saw her mom watching TV, her mother having already left for work.
"Neo, hey! What's the matter?" Saphron said smiling before noticing the expression on her daughter
"Can we talk?" Typed Neo
"Yeah, you know you can tell me anything sweetheart." Said Saphron turning the television off and patting the spot next to her
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Saphron asked, Neo biting her lip
"Well there's someone I like, but I've also known for a really long time and don't want to risk losing them as a friend in case they don't feel the same." Neo said
"Oh you have a crush! Tell me who it is, anyone I might know, what're they like, when can Terra and I meet them?!" Saphron asked rapidly
"MOM!" Typed Neo blushing brightly
"Right sorry, got a little excited. It's just my little girl has her first crush! Alright first tell who is it?" Saphron asked
"I don't really feel comfortable telling them since they're younger than me." Replied Neo
"How much younger?" Questioned Saphron, Neo hesitating for a moment before typing her response
"Two years." Neo answered not looking at her mom
"Really that's it?" Saphron said with an unladylike snort. "That's nothing."
"Mom, please focus." Neo pleaded
"Right sorry again. Well the best advice I can give is be honest and tell this person how you feel, maybe after something like a date to give them a better idea you want to be more than friends." Saphron said before putting a hand on her daughters shoulder and giving an encouraging smile
"But Neo, trust me when I say don't wait too long as you never know when someone else will come along and snatch them away, and you don't want to live with that regret. Even if they don't feel the same about you, rejection is always better than living with a 'what if'." Said Saphron, Neo nodding before hugging her mom
"Thanks mom." Typed Neo
"No problem sweetie. Now come on who is it?" Saphron asked wanting to know who her daughters crushing on
Sighing quietly Neo knew she had no options, either not say anything which would make her mom just guessing or pestering her until she answered or tell her and then deal with teasing from both her mom and her mother.
"It's Pyrrha."
Neo deeply regretted telling her mom who her crush was, now she has had to deal with both of her parents teasing her relentlessly whenever she was with Pyrrha.
Speaking of Pyrrha, Neo had planned to ask the redhead out on several occasions but always ended up chickening out, too afraid of both rejection and losing her friend. When Neo had finally mustered the courage to ask Pyrrha out, the younger girl had told her about her plan to enter the Mistral Regional Tournament. This stopped Neo from asking her out, not wanting to distract her friend from training for the tournament.
But now that the tournament was over, Neo was not going to back down now and finally ask Pyrrha out, just as soon as they were out of Mistral.
"You really impressive, Pyrrha, the way you moved around your opponents and being able to avoid all their attacks like it was nothing." Saphron said smiling at the redhead
"It was really nothing, I just got lucky a couple times." Said Pyrrha modestly knowing a lot of her opponents and the other competitors could have beaten her, as for avoiding all the attacks she just got lucky with her Semblance being able to control metal and most weapons have at least some metal in them
"Don't sell yourself short, you trained long and hard, and more than earned the win." Said Terra, Pyrrha smiling and nodding her thanks
Saphron then noticed Neo shifting in her seat and stealing glances at Pyrrha sitting next to her. Looking at her wife, Saphron saw she noticed their daughter's behavior as well. Trading looks both women nodded before standing up.
"Well me and Terra are gonna go to the dining cart to get something to eat. Do you girls want anything?" Saphron asked
"No thank you Saphron." Pyrrha declined not feeling very hungry
"Okay. Neo?" Said Saphron, Neo shaking her head
"I'm good, thank you."
"Alright come on Saphron let's give them some alone time." Terra said, Saphron nodding while sending a wink to Neo
"Go get her." Saphron mouthed.
Nodding Neo looked at Pyrrha, who was looking out the window, and took a few calming breaths.
Okay, you can do this Neo. Just get her attention and ask her out, no big deal.
Pulling out her scroll Neo typed out exactly what she wanted to say, before immediately erasing it and typing it out again, with her repeating this for several moments.
"Neo." Pyrrha said getting the tri-colored haired girls attention
"Are you alright, you've been typing on your scroll for a few minutes." Said Pyrrha concern lacing her words
Mentally cursing herself for getting caught. Taking a breath Neo typed out a message.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out once we got back to Argus, just the two of us." Neo typed
"Oh. Sure, I'd really like that. I'd just have to tell my parents I'll be home a bit later than usual." Said Pyrrha
"Great! Can't wait." Typed Neo
For the rest of the train ride Neo couldn't keep the wide grin off her face.
When the four had arrived Pyrrha had gone to call her parents to tell them she would spending some time with Neo before coming home. Unfortunately leaving Neo with her mothers who kept sending her knowing looks and mischievous eyes.
"Please stop." Neo said
"Stop what sweetie?" Asked Terra innocently
"You both know what!" Typed Neo
"No, I'm afraid we don't. Do you know Terra?" Saphron said, looking to her wife feigning ignorance
"I'm afraid I don't." Replied Terra, Neo feeling her eye beginning to twitch.
"Remind me again, who are the adults here? Because it feels like just me right now." Neo stated, both women finally stopping with their looks but still smiling
"Alright, alright we'll stop. We're just happy for you Neo." Saphron said, Terra nodding in agreement
Just then Pyrrha came back over.
"I just talked with my mother, she said it would be fine if Neo and I spent some time together as long as I'm not out too late." Said Pyrrha smiling, glad she gets to spend some time with her friend
"That's great Pyrrha. Well we'll leave you two to it. Be safe and don't stay out too late , Neo." Terra said
"And have fun, but not too much fun!" Said Saphron smirking at Neo's blush before she and her wife left to head home
"What did she mean by that?" Pyrrha asked looking at Neo
"Nothing! She meant nothing, now let's go. I planned out what we can do." Said Neo grabbing Pyrrha's hand and leaving the train terminal.
Neo couldn't stop smiling as she walked next to Pyrrha.
Once they had left the terminal, the girls had gone to see a movie, afterwards they went to a nice diner to get some dinner. Now they were enjoying a nice stroll through the park simply enjoying each other's company. While it might not be the most luxurious of dates, but for Neo it was perfect.
"This was fun Neo. I'm glad we did this." Said Pyrrha when they reached the center of the park, the same spot where they first met
"Me too. I like spending time with you Pyrrha." Neo replied
"Well I should be getting home before my parents start worrying. See you tomorrow Neo." Said Pyrrha preparing to leave
Neo however froze up at her words, she's leaving now. But she couldn't, not yet! She still had to tell her how she felt while she still had the courage. Seeing Pyrrha turning to leave Neo didn't even think before she grabbed Pyrrha's arm stopping her from leaving.
Confused by this Pyrrha turned to ask what's wrong, only to be met by Neo pressing her lips against her own. This, of course, shocked Pyrrha that her best friend was kissing her, however before Pyrrha could really register the kiss Neo pulled back.
"I'm really sorry! It's just you were about to leave and I didn't want you to yet, because I wanted to tell you I really, really like you for a long time, and I really hope you like me too!" Neo typed with look that was equal parts nervous of her response, mortified at her own action, and hopeful
Pyrrha looked between the message and Neo processing this.
"Neo, I'm flattered really. But I'm not sure if I feel the same or if I like girls that way. It's just really sudden and everything, I think it best if we just stay friends." Pyrrha said apologetically
She was flattered, but it was still sudden for Pyrrha and she'd need to sort out her own feelings, and maybe yet in a few years, before she decided if she liked Neo that way. She only hoped Neo could understand that.
Neo though felt both her world and heart shatter like one of her illusions. She had been prepared for a rejection, even expected it, but that didn't mean it hurt any less.
"O-oh, I see. Yeah that's, that's fine we can stay friends. I'll just… go now, sorry for the kiss." Said Neo
"Wait Neo—" Pyrrha said reaching out to touch her but Neo's form immediately shattered like glass showing it was just an illusion
Pyrrha watched in sadness as the remnant of the illusion faded away. With no other choice Pyrrha began walking home, while hoping she didn't just lose her only friend.
The real Neo meanwhile had immediately run home, leaving behind an illusion in her place. Reaching the front door Neo went inside, locking the door behind her, seeing her mother's still up having waited for her return.
"Hey you're back! Tell us how did it go?" Saphron asked eagerly
Ignoring both of them Neo slowly went up the steps, her parents only catching a glimpse of her downtrodden expression and tears glistening in her eyes. This obviously worried them both as they instantly went upstairs to check on their daughter but when they reached her door Neo had already gone in and locked the door.
"Neo. Is everything alright?" Terra asked knocking on the door lightly
"Did the date not go well, did something happen? Neo, please talk to us." Said Saphron
Neo ignored what they were saying from her spot curled up on her bed, while she finally let her tears fall freely. Closing her eyes Neo went to sleep, wanting to forget today ever happened.
However even when asleep Neo was plagued by images of herself being chased, attacked, and insulted. When it was over Neo desperately tried to call out for help, but no one ever came.
She was alone.
Neo had a solemn look on her face as she packed her bag.
Three months have passed since her failed confession to Pyrrha and things have just gone downhill from there.
Now whenever they hung out, which was less and less nowadays, it was awkward and tense, neither of them knowing what to say or talk about, mostly just sparring or working on their weapons then parting ways. It got worse as nearly two weeks ago Pyrrha stopped showing up to their meeting spot, this saddened Neo as she believed the redhead no longer wanted to be friends with her.
Her mothers didn't help the matter, both trying to get her to talk about it. But Neo didn't want to talk about it and simply ignored their attempts to get her to open up. Neo didn't want to brush her mother's off like that, but Pyrrha's rejection combined with her no longer wanting to see Neo, was making the ice cream girl more than a little irritable.
It didn't help everytime Neo closed her eyes she was assaulted by those same images of herself being chased, attacked, insulted, and left alone. She wasn't sure if it was some long forgotten memories or just her mind playing tricks on her, and honestly Neo didn't care.
This led to Neo making a difficult decision.
She was leaving.
It wasn't an easy decision to make, mostly because she didn't want to worry her moms or hurt them, but Neo couldn't stay in Argus, not while everywhere she goes she's reminded of her.
Plus she hoped some time away would help the nightmares go away.
Finishing packing Neo grabbed her bag and the one thing she wouldn't put away, her weapon. It wasn't the most intimidating weapon, given it was an umbrella with pink, white, and brown lace used to make the canopy. But that's exactly why Neo picked an umbrella as her weapon, as it made opponents more likely to underestimate her.
She could use it as a melee weapon, a shield when opened as when she made it she infused Dust into it to increase its strength and resistance, and there was a thin sword hidden in the handle that could also emerge from the top.
Neo was rather proud of her weapon, the only thing she hasn't done is name it, not having thought of a name for it. She'll think of a name at a later time.
Finishing packing Neo next wrote a letter to her moms explaining why she was leaving, along with asking that they not look for her.
Now finished Neo looked around her room for what would likely be the last time in a long while, before exiting it and leaving her home.
Her mother was at work and her mom was out shopping, so Neo will have a good head start and she has plenty of Lien and supplies to last until she gets out of Mistral.
I love you and I'll see you soon. Neo thought giving her home one last look before departing to the terminal
She didn't say goodbye, she hated goodbyes.
Neo exited the train with a frown on her face.
That's still really strange. Neo thought looking at the train in confusion
Neo could remember every time she's been on the Argus Limited, whether it was accompanying her mother on a business trip, she and her mom visiting the latter's family, or just a simple vacation. And out of all those times Neo realized something.
Not once was the train attacked by Grimm.
Sure it wouldn't be that odd for the train to travel without incident between Mistral and Argus. But the odds of a person riding the train and not experiencing at least one Grimm attack was highly unlikely, given the train travels through Grimm infested territory.
Not to say Neo wanted Grimm to attack the train, she just found it strange that it was always whenever she was on the train it was never attacked. Maybe Neo was just assuming things and it didn't involve her but given the amount of negative emotions she was likely putting off she should have seen at least a Gryphon fly by or something.
Shaking those thoughts Neo left the station entering the city while wondering how she'll get Vale. She had thought long and hard about which kingdom she wanted to go to.
Vacou was out as Neo, while confident in her current skills, didn't fancy walking through a desert.
Atlas was immediately dismissed, Neo wasn't the biggest fan of authority, plus the Atlas base commander in Argus soured any positive opinion Neo might have had about the kingdom, her and those twin morons.
Though Neo still snickered remembering the time she broke into the base to steal some parts and Dust she used to make her umbrella. Not her fault some of the parts she needed weren't sold in any weapons shop she visited.
It also wasn't her fault if she may or not put itching powder in all the uniforms, glue in the shampoo, and thumb tacks on all the chairs.
Nope, totally not her fault.
Shaking those memories, Neo looked for somewhere she could buy a map to find a port town to catch a ferry to Vale.
Three days later. Neo entered a fuel station called "Just Rite" to stock up on supplies having started to run low and still being a few days away from Higanbana, the nearest village she can stop and rest at. And she'd rather not risk running out while on the road.
Looking around she only saw two other occupants, the bartender and a shady looking man whose appearance just screamed bandit. Dismissing the guy Neo began grabbing some snacks and food for her trip.
Once she had the items she went up to the bar.
"Aren't you a little young to be drinking?" Asked the bartender
Neo felt her eye twitch, she was fifteen Oum damnit, nearly sixteen! Yet people always thought she was younger because she was short.
Just a water. Neo showed one of the many saved messages, she's created a lot of saved messages and texts to any standard questions she might be asked so she didn't have to type everything up.
"Ohhh. Sure. I'll also ring this up for you." Said the bartender ducking behind the counter
"Are you telling me you're too young to drink? You look like a regular Huntress." Said Shady, as Neo now dubbed him
Giving him a blank look, Neo again dismissed him.
"Seriously. Not too bulky. Not too lean. You're…" Shady said undeterred walking towards Neo
In response Neo shoved her hand in his face stopping him in tracks. Unfortunately people just don't know when to learn.
"Though a little short for my taste…" Said Shady reaching to touch Neo, only for Neo to grab his wrist in a vice-like grip
If there was one thing Neo hated, it was someone mentioning her height.
Looking at the idiot Neo was unaware her eyes turned pitch black with a crimson glow.
"Huh? What the—"
Shady didn't even finish what he said before Neo, taking advantage of her flexibility, cartwheeled delivering a kick straight to his jaw sending him to the ground. Neo didn't stop there though as she, still holding Shady's wrist, dragged him to the door before throwing him out.
With that done Neo dusted off her hands and went back to the counter where the guy came back with her water.
"This one's on the house. He's been driving me crazy." The man said setting the bottle down
Nodding in thanks Neo paid for her other things and put them in her bag.
"So, what brings you around these parts?" Asked the bartender
Catching a ferry to Vale.
The bartender chuckled nervously at that.
"That's good, it's not really safe around these parts. Not too many people come out here. Too far from the Kingdoms. Only person worth noting around here is… well, Ra—" The man said hesitating on the last part.
Raven Branwen.
Neo was aware of just who occupied this area, Raven Branwen, leader of the notorious Branwen Tribe. Neo was scared of her or her group of thugs, if she did encounter them she can always use her Semblance to help fight them.
Once she had everything Neo exited the station, passing by Shady who was picking himself up off the ground.
"Hey, girlie!" Shady said, Neo rolling her eyes
Did this guy just enjoy getting his ass kicked or something?
"You better get the hell out of here while you can. Cause when Raven finds out what you did—"
SHLING
Shady instantly shut up and gasped for air. Looking down he saw Neo's sword sticking out the top of her umbrella and having sliced his inner thigh.
Pulling the blade out Neo flicked the blood off and returned it to its sheathe.
"When Raven finds out, I'll tell her she should keep her dogs on a shorter leash. Also I just cut your femoral artery, you have maybe five minutes to get it patched up before you bleed out." Typed Neo before turning on her heel and continuing on her way, while the guy paled dramatically and quickly went back inside the station to get some bandages
Neo meanwhile took a sip of her water acting like she didn't just give a person an injury that'd kill them slowly and painfully. She always had a sadistic side, it was just usually turned towards more humiliating pranks on those that annoy her, now however she was letting shine through.
Raven observed with narrowed eyes the girl one of her tribe members told her about. When Shady had shown up, with blood leaking down his leg from a sloppily dressed wound and told her about how he was beaten by a little girl, Raven had considered reopening the wound he got to teach him a lesson.
After that she went to locate this girl and… well Raven hasn't decided if she wanted to kill her, as an attack on a member of her tribe was as bad as an attack on herself, or try and recruit her, as apparently the girl knew who she was and yet still attacked Shady. That took guts or stupidity, given her reputation.
Now seeing the girl sleeping in her makeshift campsite from her perch on a branch, Raven couldn't really see her being all that threatening, she looked barely older than her daughter Yang.
Then again looks can be deceiving. Thought Raven
It'd be easy enough to dispose of her right now or knock her out and take her back to the tribe. However the decision was taken out of her hands when Raven noticed a pack of Beowolves beginning to surround the girl's position. Seeing this Raven prepared to leave, knowing the girl would be torn apart, however before she took flight Raven saw something that surprised her.
The Beowolves were completely surrounding the girl's location, it'd be easy enough for them to jump out and kill her before she even realized what happened. But what surprised, even shocked, Raven was when the Beowolves turned outwards rather than inwards to the girl.
What are they doing? Raven wondered
Not once in her life has Raven seen Grimm not attack a defenseless human, unless they were being controlled by Salem. But what would Salem care about one girl, she definitely isn't a maiden otherwise the Grimm would try taking her to Salem or some of her followers would have grabbed her by now. She didn't have Silver Eyes, as from Shady's description her eyes were pink and brown that changed between the two eyes.
So, they aren't being controlled by Salem, there are none of her followers in the area, why aren't they attacking? Unless they can't attack her or is it they don't want to attack her.vThought Raven narrowing her eyes at the girl her interest in her slowly rising
Who was she that the Grimm wouldn't attack her when they have the chance.
Or better yet, why they're protecting her. Raven realized now seeing the way the Grimm looked around as if watching for potential threats
Now isn't that interesting.
Just who are you? Wondered Raven watching the girl's tent intently
One thing for sure, Raven's going to be keeping a close eye on her. And if possible, get her to join her tribe before Ozpin or Salem discover her.
A human the Grimm protects.
Neo jumped off ship and began sneaking her way out of the docks all while reprimanding herself.
She had miscalculated the amount of Lien she had taken with her. When she had tried booking passage on a ferry she came up short, so she had to resort to stowing away on a ship bound for Vale. It made her thankful that she had an illusion based Semblance, it allowed her to disguise herself as a crewmember and walk freely around the ship and if someone was suspicious or a problem, all she had to do was change her appearance again.
Once she got away from the docks Neo began looking around Vale, seeing how different it was from Mistral, along with making a mental list of what she had to do.
'Let's first I have to get more Lien, should be easy enough given the amount of people out. Next, finding a place to stay, which will be easier once I get more Lien. Then getting a lay of the land and finding out anything of interest. Neo thought
The young teen then directed her attention to all the people. Blending in with the crowds Neo used her Semblance on herself to make herself look less noticeable. Moving silently between the masses Neo carefully pickpocketed several people, occasionally changing her appearance after ducking out of sight, then resuming the process.
Like taking candy from a baby. Neo thought smirking looking at all the Lien at she collected
She had ducked into an alley after she felt she collected enough Lien and began counting all of it.
"I must say that was a rather impressive kid. A little sloppy, but given that Semblance I saw, I suppose one can afford to be a little sloppy." Said a male voice
Stiffening at the voice, Neo turned to see who it was, seeing a well dressed guy that looked a good couple years older than her, maybe mid twenty. The guy had slanted, dark-green eyes and bright, long, orange hair, with long bangs covering his right eye. Black eyeliner traced his visible left eye. His attire was a red-lined white suit with long black pants and black shoes. His accessories included a small gray scarf, black gloves with buckled sleeves, and a black bowler hat with a small feather tucked into its red band.
Neo also saw the cane he was carrying, not doubting that was his weapon.
"Still you got potential, with the right teacher." Said the guy walking towards Neo and looking her over, though not like Shady did
More like the way Huntsmen look at a weapon, or something like that.
"And let me guess you're that teacher." Said Neo
"Ah a mute, or at least someone who doesn't like to talk much. But yeah, I may not have a degree, but I can say I'm the best there is at what I do. Stick with me kid and you'll be a master thief in no time." The man said spinning his cane by its handle before resting it on his shoulder
Neo contemplated the guy's offer, he seemed honest and she couldn't sense any negative intention from him. Plus he seemed like the type of guy who knew his way around the city and its underbelly, and Neo could use an ally in a strange new place.
Holding out her hand the guy smirked before shaking.
"Great, partners it is then. Though I suppose we should know each other's names, Roman Torchwick." Introduced Roman
"Neopolitan, just Neopolitan. My friends call me Neo." Neo typed deciding not to include her last name
"Well Neo, I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship. We're gonna turn this city on its head." Roman said smirking
Neo couldn't help but smile at that, knowing they'll be causing all sorts of mayhem.
And it'll be a hell of a time.