W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

Salem's Forces

The airship descended gracefully onto the marked coordinates, the engines whirring softly before shutting down. A lush, green field stretched out before them, dominated by a foreboding cave nestled against the base of a rocky cliff.

Mercury stepped off the ship first, his silver gaze locked on the dark entrance of the cave. "So, this is where the Fall Maiden's been hiding?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder at Watts, who remained at the controls.

Watts tapped a few buttons on his console, his eyes scanning the data displayed. "According to Leo's information, this is the place," he replied, his tone clinical and disinterested.

Emerald stepped forward, her arms crossed and her patience wearing thin. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get this over with!" she snapped, her voice edged with urgency.

In the back of the airship, Roman Torchwick lounged against the wall, twirling his cane lazily in one hand. "Oh, don't mind us," he said with a smirk, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Neo and I are just here for the sightseeing."

Neopolitan, sitting beside him, tilted her head and shot him a knowing look, her ever-present smirk mirroring his.

Watts sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Let's focus, shall we? The Fall Maiden isn't going to capture herself, and I'd prefer to avoid any more delays."

As the group gathered their bearings, the cave loomed ahead, its shadowy entrance a silent promise of danger and uncertainty.

Without further hesitation, they moved forward, their footsteps crunching softly against the grass and gravel as they approached the dark mouth of the cave.

The air grew cooler as they stepped inside, the light from the outside fading quickly behind them. The oppressive darkness swallowed their surroundings, forcing them to pull out their scrolls to illuminate the path ahead.

"Some hiding spot," Mercury muttered, his voice echoing faintly off the damp walls. The dim light from their scrolls cast jagged shadows, making the cave feel even more menacing.

Emerald frowned, her unease growing. "This doesn't feel right," she said, her eyes darting around the rocky expanse.

"Relax," Watts replied, though his tone betrayed a hint of irritation. "It's just a cave. If the Fall Maiden's here, we'll find her soon enough."

Torchwick trailed at the back, spinning his cane with practiced ease. "This better not be a wild goose chase," he grumbled, casting a wary glance at the surrounding darkness. "I hate caves." 

Neo, beside him, simply shrugged, her eyes scanning the shadows with silent caution.

As they ventured deeper, the cave opened into a wider chamber, the air thick with the scent of damp earth. The faint sound of dripping water echoed, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

And then, a low, guttural growl reverberated through the cavern.

Everyone froze.

"What was that? A Grimm..?" Emerald whispered, her voice tight with alarm.

Before anyone could respond, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows—then another, and another.

Watts took a step back, his scroll's light falling on the hulking forms of cave bears emerging from the darkness. Their massive frames, matted fur, and sharp claws glinted ominously in the dim light.

"Fantastic," Mercury muttered, his fists clenching as he prepared for a fight. "Thanks, Leo."

The largest bear let out a deafening roar, its hunger evident in its menacing gaze.

Torchwick groaned, raising his cane. "I really hate caves."

And just like that, the cave erupted into chaos.

Mistral, Rinko's Squad

Rinko, Ruby, Weiss, Yang, and Selene wandered through the sprawling lower districts of Mistral, their mission clear but their progress painfully slow. Their goal was to recruit anyone willing and capable of helping fight against Salem, but so far, their efforts had yielded only one new ally: Sienna Khan, the former White Fang leader.

The streets were quiet desperation, skeptical people roams around and one thing was clear: the places marked on Qrow's map had offered little but empty promises. Even the occasional huntsman they had hoped to find seemed long gone or just missing.

"We've been walking for hours," Yang grumbled, her arms slung behind her head in a casual but frustrated gesture. "And all we've got is one person who could probably wipe the floor with all of us. Think Uncle Qrow's squad is having better luck?"

"Hope so." Rinko replied, still looking on his map.

Ruby glanced at her sister, then turned her attention to Rinko, who was poring over their map with quiet focus. "So, Rinko... where to next?" she asked, her voice carrying both curiosity and a hint of fatigue.

Rinko didn't respond immediately. His sharp blue eyes remained fixed on the map, his expression unreadable as he traced their next route with a gloved finger. "There's one more spot nearby, the last mark we haven't visited yet." he finally said, his voice calm and deliberate. "Just a few blocks ahead. It's close."

The group moved through the winding streets, their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones. House by house, they knocked on doors, each time met with disappointment—either empty homes or residents who offered no help.

Finally, they approached the last house on the street, its weathered facade and chipped paint doing little to inspire hope. The squad paused, exchanging uncertain glances.

"Think this one's any different?" Yang muttered skeptically.

"It doesn't matter," Weiss replied, stepping forward. Her tone carried a hint of determination despite her weariness. "We're here now. Let's finish this."

Rinko nodded in agreement, stepping up to the door. He rapped his knuckles against it, the sound sharp and deliberate.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from within. The squad tensed, their hopes wavering but still alive.

The door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman. Her diminutive stature and sharp features were framed by a cloak that hung loosely around her shoulders. 

Most striking of all were her eyes—metallic and glowing faintly, clearly enhanced with advanced technology. She looked them over with a mixture of suspicion and impatience.

The old woman narrowed her eyes—or at least, the metallic goggles that replaced them shifted slightly as she examined the group. "Huh? What do you want?" she asked, her voice raspy yet sharp. "If you're selling something, I'm not interested."

Yang stepped forward with her usual charm, raising her hands in a disarming gesture. "Oh, uh—hi! We're not selling anything, actually—"

"Then buzz off." The woman cut her off curtly and began to push the door closed.

"Wait!" Ruby stepped in, her hand catching the door before it could slam shut. The sudden move startled everyone, including the old woman, who turned her head back with an annoyed scowl.

"What now?" she demanded, her tone sharp enough to make even Weiss flinch.

Ruby held her ground, her hand still firm against the door. "J-just hear us out! Please! We're looking for help!" she pleaded, her silver eyes wide with desperation.

The old woman hesitated, her gaze lingering on Ruby for a moment. Then, she adjusted her goggles with one hand, their faint glow reflecting off Ruby's face.

"You've got... silver eyes," the woman said slowly, her tone suddenly more intrigued than dismissive. "How peculiar..."

The group froze, exchanging confused glances. Ruby tilted her head slightly, her brows knitting together.

"What about my eyes?" she asked, her voice tentative.

The old woman didn't answer immediately. Instead, she leaned closer, her mechanical lenses whirring faintly as they adjusted. A sly smile tugged at her lips.

"Silver eyes aren't just peculiar," she murmured, almost to herself. "They're rare... and dangerous."

Ruby's confusion deepened, and Weiss stepped protectively closer to her. "Excuse me, but who are you exactly?" Weiss demanded, her tone both polite and firm.

The old woman chuckled, stepping back and opening the door wider. "If you want answers, you'd best come in. You've already piqued my interest. And don't worry—I'm not selling anything either."

Rinko glanced at the others, then gave a small nod. One by one, they cautiously stepped inside, the old woman closing the door behind them with a sly smile.

Before they knew it, they were seated in her modest living room. The space was cluttered but oddly cozy, filled with old books, trinkets, and tools. The woman had handed out small glasses of chocolate milk, which the group accepted with polite, if slightly confused, thanks.

"So," the woman began, settling into an old armchair with a creak. Her attention turned sharply to Ruby. "Silver-eyes girl. I don't recall seeing you around these parts. You new here?"

Ruby, still holding her glass, nodded quickly. "Uh, yeah! We are. Actually, we're from Vale." She hesitated before continuing, aware of the woman's sharp gaze fixed on her. "We're... uh, we're here to recruit Huntsmen for our cause."

The old woman leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. "Is that so?" she said, her tone casual but tinged with curiosity. "And what, exactly, is this 'cause' of yours?"

Ruby glanced at Rinko, seeking reassurance. He gave her a small nod, silently encouraging her to handle the situation. Taking a breath, Ruby set her glass down gently on the small table in front of her.

"Well," she started, her voice wavering slightly before she steadied it. "It's... something about Haven." Ruby paused, unsure how much to reveal. They couldn't afford to share sensitive information with just anyone.

The old woman raised an eyebrow, her metallic goggles catching the dim light. "Hmm. You don't want to say too much, do you?"

Ruby froze, her hesitation clear.

The woman chuckled, leaning forward. "Relax, kid. I get it. Something bad is brewing—something big. I can see it in all of your eyes. You're doing this for a greater cause, aren't you? Something you can't just blab about to anyone unless they're willing to stand with you."

Ruby blinked, surprised. "Y-Yeah, that's... exactly it."

The woman gave a knowing smile. "Been around long enough to recognize that look. Desperation. Determination. Seen it plenty of times." She leaned back again, her tone turning lighter. "Now then, what do you need from an old coot like me?"

Ruby leaned forward slightly, her silver eyes hopeful. "Do you know anyone who can help us? Any Huntsmen or fighters who'd be willing to join?"

The old woman sipped her chocolate milk, taking her time as the group waited anxiously. 

Finally, she set the glass down and shrugged. "Nope."

The casual response made Ruby's jaw and everybody else drop, except for Selene and Rinko who remained composed. "What?!"

Yang groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Are you kidding me? After all that build-up?"

The old woman smirked, clearly enjoying their frustration. "What can I say? Huntsmen around here are either dead, gone, or too scared to fight anymore."

Rinko's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "Then why string us along?"

The woman's lips curled into a sly smile. "Because, kid," she said, leaning forward slightly, "the silver-eyed girl here caught my attention."

Ruby blinked, her expression puzzled. "You keep mentioning my eyes. Yes, they're silver, but why are you so interested in them? They're just... eyes, aren't they?"

The old woman chuckled, shaking her head as if Ruby had just said something hilariously naive. "Just eyes? Oh, sweetheart, you've got no idea what those 'just eyes' of yours are capable of, do you?"

Ruby tilted her head, now both confused and intrigued. "What do you mean? Capable of what?"

The woman's smile faded slightly, her tone growing serious. "Silver eyes are rare. Very rare. And people who have them... well, let's just say they're a special kind of fighter. You're carrying a legacy you probably don't even understand yet."

The room fell silent as Ruby processed the words. Weiss leaned in, her brow furrowed. "Legacy? Are you saying Ruby's eyes have some kind of significance?"

The woman gave Weiss a knowing look. "More than you'll ever believe, Ice Queen. But that's a story for another time." She turned her gaze back to Ruby. "The question is... do you even know what you're capable of, little miss silver eyes?"

Ruby hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I... I don't think so."

The woman leaned back with a sigh, her expression softening just a bit. "Figures. Guess I've got my work cut out for me, then."

She took another sip of her drink, her metallic goggles glinting faintly in the dim light. "Your eyes, kid," she began, her tone matter-of-fact, "they hold a lot of power. Power that can stop Grimm in their tracks. In fact," she added, her voice dropping slightly, "those silver eyes of yours could turn them to stone."

The room fell into stunned silence. Ruby's eyes widened in disbelief, while the others exchanged wary glances.

"W-what do you mean?" Ruby stammered, leaning forward.

Weiss crossed her arms, her voice sharp with skepticism. "What exactly are you trying to imply, ma'am? Turning Grimm to stone? That sounds ridiculous."

The old woman smirked at Weiss's tone, unbothered. "Ridiculous to you, maybe. But that's because you don't know the first thing about what silver eyes can do." She gestured toward Ruby. "The girl's a walking weapon against Grimm, if she learns how to use it."

Yang raised an eyebrow, her usual confidence tinged with doubt. "And how would you know about that? You sound pretty sure of yourself."

The woman set her cup down with a soft clink, her expression growing serious. "Because I've seen it. I've done it. A long time ago, when I wasn't some old lady hiding in the slums. I've faced Grimm and used a garnet tool to behead them! Ahh good times." old woman said, a bit of enthusiasm.

Ruby's voice trembled slightly, her emotions a mix of fear and curiosity. "You mean... you have silver eyes too?"

The old woman chuckled, shaking her head. "Had. Lost them a long time ago. But I still know what they're capable of. And if you don't figure it out soon, kid... well, let's just say it could cost you."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of her words settling in.

The woman straightened up, the sharp edge in her tone replaced by a sly grin. "Name's Maria. Maria Calavera. So, what do I call you lot? Besides exhausted, that is."

Ruby perked up, despite her lingering confusion. "Oh! I'm Ruby Rose."

"Weiss Schnee," Weiss said with a polite but guarded nod.

"Rinko Schnee," Rinko added, his tone measured as he studied Maria.

"Yang Xiao Long," Yang said casually, giving a small wave.

"And I'm Selene Marbol," Selene finished, her voice calm but curious.

Maria's grin widened as her remaining eyes swept over each of them, assessing, and then acknowledging with a small nod. She turned her focus back to Ruby, her expression almost playful.

"Well, Ruby Rose, if you don't mind, I could teach you a thing or two before you go off to save the world," she said, her voice dripping with a mix of humor and confidence.

Ruby's eyes lit up, despite the lingering uncertainty. "R-really?!"

"Yeah, sure," Maria said with a shrug, unfazed. "Besides, I've got nothing better to do around here except eat, read, shit, and sleep. And hey, the service won't be free."

Ruby blinked in confusion. "Wait, what's the cost?"

Maria's grin never wavered. "Oh, it ain't money. Just clean the darn house after the training." She chuckled, leaning back slightly as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

The team exchanged glances, the proposal sinking in. It wasn't what they expected, but it seemed like a fair enough deal in exchange for Maria's guidance.

Rinko's eyes lingered on Ruby for a moment before he spoke. He didn't hesitate—his decision was firm. If anyone could help Ruby unlock her abilities, it was someone like Maria. His instincts told him the older woman was both trustworthy and genuine.

Rinko leaned forward, setting his mug down with quiet resolve on the small table. "You can train Ruby. If she's able to master these unknown powers, it'll be worth the time."

Ruby looked at him, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Rinko..."

He met her gaze, his tone steady but reassuring. "If we can't recruit anyone else from the lower parts, then focusing on Ruby's training is a solid move. It's not a waste of time—it's an investment."

The words hung in the air, the weight of their mission pressing down on all of them. For a brief moment, Maria's eyes softened, sensing the seriousness in Rinko's words.

She leaned back in her seat with a nod, the sly grin returning to her lips. "Alright then. We'll make it work. But remember, it'll cost you. Clean up after our sessions, and I'll teach you" She pointed her fingers to Ruby, "everything I know."

Ruby hesitated, then nodded. There was no turning back now—this could be exactly what she needed to control her powers.

The group settled into an uneasy but resolute agreement. With limited time and their options running thin, it seemed they had no choice but to trust Maria and her unorthodox training methods.

Salem's Forces, Cave.

"How many of these damn cave bears are there?!" Mercury grumbled, kicking one of the beasts as it lunged at him.

Watts, unfazed, calmly fired his pistol-charged gun at another bear. "Mating season," he muttered without a hint of concern.

"I'm starting to think the Fall Maiden isn't here," Torchwick remarked as Neo swiftly stabbed a bear, nodding in agreement.

Watts glanced around, his face impassive. "Then we've been led into a trap. What a nuisance."

As if on cue, a bear lunged at him. He effortlessly sidestepped, allowing the creature to crash into the spiky ground. The bear howled in pain, but before it could recover, Watts shot it in the head with surgical precision.

"No point in staying here any longer," Watts said coldly, already beginning to move forward, as though the bears weren't even there. "Let's move out."

The others fought back the remaining cave bears as they followed him. Torchwick raised his cane high and fired a blast of Dust at the cave ceiling. The explosion reverberated through the cave, sending debris crashing down and effectively blocking the entrance, sealing off the bears behind them.

With the immediate threat neutralized, the group pushed forward, their exit secured—alive, but none of them were under any illusions. They'd been led into a trap, and this was far from over.

Raven, hidden high in the branches of a nearby tree, watched from above. In her bird form, her keen eyes tracked the group as they emerged from the cave, seemingly unscathed.

'This is bad,' Raven thought, her brow furrowing. If they managed to get out of the cave that easily, it would be a problem. She needed to delay them. 

Qrow and the others aren't done searching for Huntsmen, so she needs to delay them. 

Swiftly, she flew toward the far side of their ship, transforming into her human form as she landed on the ground. With practiced precision, she unsheathed her sword and began slicing through the thrusters on the ship's wings.

The sound of metal slicing through metal echoed in the air.

Back at the cave entrance, Watts paused, sensing something off. Torchwick, Neo, Mercury, and Emerald halted too, their eyes narrowing.

Watts' console suddenly vibrated in his pocket, and he quickly pulled it out, glancing at the alert. His eyes darkened. "Ship's been damaged," he muttered.

Emerald looked up at him, concern flickering in her eyes. "What's going on?"

"Someone's here," Watts said coldly, the tension palpable in his voice.

On the far side of the ship, Raven continued her work, expertly slicing the right wing's thrusters. Wires and metal shards fell to the ground as the damage mounted, but she didn't stop, determined to delay them as long as possible.

"The right wing's still being damaged! Check it out!" Watts barked. His tone was commanding, sending the team into motion. Torchwick and Neo immediately headed toward the left side of the ship, while Emerald and Watts made their way to the right. Mercury, ever the eager one, leaped onto the roof of the ship, intent on cornering whoever was causing the damage.

When they reached the right wing, they found... nothing.

A raven.

It perched nearby, its black feathers glinting in the light. Around it were the unmistakable marks of blade slashes. The thrusters had been damaged, wires were torn apart—but the perpetrator was nowhere in sight.

"What the hell?" Mercury growled, scanning the area. "There's no one here!"

Watts, his face cold and focused, stepped forward, inspecting the damage. "Whoever did this is still here. Keep your eyes open."

The tension in the air thickened, the sense of being watched all too real as the raven gave a piercing cry before taking flight. The group was left to deal with the unsettling silence—and the growing realization that they were being toyed with.

They were trapped in the wilderness, and without the right wing functioning, the ship wouldn't be able to fly. Watts' jaw tightened, his frustration palpable. He clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure, but the weight of the situation was undeniable.

"Fuck," Watts muttered under his breath, his voice laced with anger. He looked over the wreckage again, his mind racing. "We need to get this fixed, now."

[End]