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Chapter 18

A little shorter than usual, but it had to be this way.

I've been trying to update each of the stories in a sequence, it helps me deal with the monotony of writing the same story again and again. For those interested, it's in this order: 'Frosted Steel', then 'A Hawk's Plight', then 'Still Half Empty', then 'TDBOI', and then I repeat. The smaller stories on random.

This Story Will End At Some Point, But Yes, This Story Is Still Alive; Once I Finish This, I Have Other Stories I Want To See Thrive!

Chapter Eighteen: What A Beautiful Bird Am I

As it turned out, building several large walls made of sturdy stone wasn't as easy as Sasuke first thought. The first few he made were simple enough, but his throat became sore and then began this perpetual taste of dirt in his mouth, and that was only a few dozen in. After the third hundred, he had a few complaints about the jutsu.

Sasuke spat the taste of dirt from his mouth once more as he looked to the last of the new walls of Mountain Glenn. As promised, it encircled the entirety of Mountain Glenn, hundreds and hundreds of thick, stone walls standing staunchly against any potential threats that could come.

"That's the last of them, then," Oobleck commented as he looked down the long line of the new defense of the settlement. High enough to protect, thick enough to take a hit, and enough for Vale to add their own modifications to it. "In just two weeks, you've made Mountain Glenn's chances for settling skyrocket. Amazing, simply amazing."

Maybe Sasuke would've felt as excited if he wasn't spitting out gravel every so often.

"The walls are sturdy enough to hold off an invasion of Grimm," Sasuke began. "It can handle weather and time as long as it's maintained, especially if you invest in enforcing the stone with metal plates. I'm sure Vale would add a few alterations of their own later on, but regardless, this is a good foundation to start on."

All the while Oobleck didn't stop feeling the new walls. "I can see that." He turned to look at him. "Do you intend to add any of your mystical runes?" His what runes? "The ones you etched onto your dorm room door, those runes."

Oh, those. "Those are called seals, they are far too complicated than to simply be called runes." Considering how excited the man looked, and the new questions that were definitely brewing inside his head, Sasuke should've selected his words better. "And no, using those on the wall is pointless. Once they erode or even tampered with, the circulation of power would be interrupted and cause detonation, weakening the walls if not destroying it outright. Using it would be counterproductive."

"Aww." He did not just make that sound.

"Oobleck's request aside," Goodwitch quickly added, then cleared her throat. "I hope you understand that this is only the first part of your redemption to Vale."

"I'm aware of my situation and what I must do." In the weeks they've been here while he was busy raising walls, the two professors have been mostly to themselves, if perhaps the occasional moments when Oobleck try to get close to ask him questions, then get dragged back by Glynda before he could even get a word out. He looked to the late-night sky. "Should we leave for Vale immediately?"

Goodwitch followed his sight for but a moment. "At first daylight, we'll depart. It'd be dangerous to leave via bullhead at this time." Right, he was to leave with them. Sasuke just shrugged and accepted it. "I don't know whether to curse you or to thank you for giving humanity a chance to succeed in expanding."

"I'm certain enough people curse me as it is," he answered, which she didn't refute. "Regardless, this is a trade, you can thank me holding onto your end of the contract. Help my people." Or give him the peace of quiet until he learns a Fuinjutsu without the need to look over his shoulder, that worked better.

"Vale will honor it and aid them wherever they come up." She nodded. "I suppose tomorrow, you are my student once more."

"Only in image," Sasuke added, to which she nodded once more. "I'm no one's student, I hope you and your colleagues understand that."

She shook her head. "After what happened, all of us knew you were only using us." Sasuke didn't respond, she was right. "Though I suspect you had good intentions at first, that doesn't excuse all that you've done to Remnant thus far."

"No, I suppose it does not, but that doesn't change my goal. We all have people important to us, and I aim to find mine." He would have said 'no matter the cost', but he proved it even to himself that there was a line even he shouldn't cross. "I will rectify my error, I can promise you that." More so on the failed seal than his involvement in Roman's plan.

"We and the rest of Remnant will see." She fixed her glasses in place. "Before Doctor Oobleck and I head to our camp, I hope you understand there are no third chances after this. If you squander this one, all of Remnant will be hunting you, one so intense that Roman Torchwick would quiver from."

Was it a threat or a warning? If there was such a hunt for him, Sasuke was confident he could deal with it. It would hamper his progress home significantly, but he'd get by. However, he was better off having them as an ally than an enemy.

"I understand," Sasuke said with a nod. "As I've stated, I will comply with our deal, as long as you all do, as well."

Goodwitch nodded. "We'll see." She then made her way to the spot the two professors designated for themselves, but she stopped mid-step and turned to him. "I hope for the both us that you're telling the truth, Mr. Uchiha." And that was it, the return to their 'official' and formal status. She walked away, not wanting nor receiving a reply.

In a sense, it was going as intended. He rekindled his relation, or what's left of it, with Vale, which extended to the rest of Remnant thanks to Ozpin's connections and position. Soon enough, the heat would die down and guards would drop, giving him ample room to move around.

Granted, he'd put his search home on pause, but he had little idea on how to get home, anyway, Fūinjutsu being that possible route. His Rinnegan was able to cross dimensions, more or less, so he had an advantage few did.

Sasuke reached his camp spot, noting the bored Neo and Suigetsu, and the diligently neutral Jūgo. Their interaction with his former teachers was non-existent, the only time being close was when he introduced them.

"So, we finally heading to Pale, yet?" Suigetsu asked.

"It's Vale, and yes, tomorrow morning we'll be leaving for the capital," he answered. "Remember, you three are to be on your best behavior." He made sure to stare at Neo for a few added seconds, who just silently waved with a smile. She knew why he looked at her longer.

"That's all well and all," Jūgo began. "But what are the chances this is an ambush? They could as easily just take your work here and attack, breaking the deal and keeping the city."

Jūgo's concern held merit, but it wasn't as though he hadn't thought about it before. "Unlikely," Sasuke answered. "There's a certain understanding between Ozpin and me, he knows I have abilities that make me hard to find, let alone fight." He shook his head. "No, it'd be advantageous for both of us to follow the deal."

Suigetsu shrugged. "If this place is like you said, it's not like anybody here could stand up to us if they tried, anyway."

"Most likely," he answered. "I've mostly fought trainees or simple police, I've not been able to gauge a seasoned veteran." Other than Winter Schnee, that was, but he had every advantage while she had none, not exactly a level playing field. Though from what he'd seen, she wasn't anything compared to him. "Either way, I'd hold off on the ego."

He told them what he knew about things like Aura and even how almost random abilities they could have as Semblances, even with some help on Neo's part to demonstrate. They took in the information with a casual shrug and a simple 'okay', they understood but didn't really care. It was good enough, really.

"Are we going by that flying craft?" Jūgo asked. "What was it, a 'bullhead'?" Sasuke hoped not, but his luck hadn't been great, lately. "To fly. . ."

Suigetsu snorted. "Your love of birds is showing."

Sasuke couldn't help but roll his eyes. . . If he hadn't, he might not have seen the dark figure on one of the rooftops. He resisted from snapping his head towards its direction for a better look in case there was a scope involved, and instead looked forward at his entourage.

"We might have a problem," he said.

"Eh? Already?" the Kiri-nin asked in disbelief. "I knew your plan was gonna go to shit quick, but I didn't think it would be that quick." Ever the damn optimist.

"Your opinion of my plan aside, I did say 'might'." He gestured to the direction with his eyes. "I saw a single figure. It may simply be added protection for the Vale delegation, or it could even be a Faunus thirsting for vengeance."

"Or an assassination team right after you finished your end of the bargain." That, too. . .

Jūgo stood straighter. "Should we prepare for combat?"

"No, not yet." Sasuke sighed out of frustration. "I don't want to ruin everything in the case it wasn't malicious." If it was, then he couldn't trust Vale. "One of us will need to investigate." He looked at the three. "Which will be me, it seems."

They just shrugged, Neo included. Jūgo for scouting was a bit of a joke and even he knew that. Suigetsu could get it done, but he didn't really know what to look for. Neo. . . Well, she was being odd.

"Tuck in for the night and pretend everything is unchanged," he said. "I'll recon the area while you three keep your guard up." They nodded as they went into the building they designated as their camp.

Sasuke stretched his arms up and covered his mouth from a yawn, all theatrics as he moved into the ruined apartment and out of sight to 'sleep'. He initially picked the ground floor as a camp specifically for privacy, but also due to the few narrow sightlines and few openings. If there was any spying, even from a distance, he'd spot it immediately.

Now, the privacy would serve as a cover for him to find this anomaly without being noticed. At least, he hoped it was an anomaly when he used Amenotejikara to teleport into a nearby building. Considering how he used the Rinnegan just recently, it was no wonder it was stinging like mad to the point it needed to be disabled. Not the best, but he'd make do, so he made sure to keep his Sharingan active as he looked around.

Every step Sasuke took, he made sure to scan his surroundings with his Dojutsu, each time showing lack of life signs, nothing even standing out among the ruined landscape that could've been surveillance devices.

It would've been reassuring, and in a sense it was, it lessened the possibility of it being a small army to take him, but that still didn't prove of what he saw. White Fang came to mind, but they weren't good enough to be this stealthy. A rogue Huntsman? That's what he hoped for.

Eventually, he reached the top of a building a block away from where he saw the figure. He didn't see any movement that would indicate life, but he knew better.

Sasuke moved in closer cautiously, his eyes scanning his immediate surroundings and from any vantage point that could hold a sniper or the like. There were none, so he moved in closer, and that's when he saw movement.

From the same roof, he saw a woman walk into his view from behind what was left of the entrance to said roof. Immediately he recognized what kind of person this was from the haze engulfing her, a Huntress.

Sasuke looked around and saw no sign of others. 'If solo, then its just added protection. Not enough for an ambush or assault.' Unless this woman was particularly special. He analyzed what he saw. 'Black, long hair, cloth dressing with minimal armor for mobility, nothing I can't handle.'

Her blood-red clothes and mecha sheathed sword certainly made a sinister image.

But was she there for the protection of the professors? The more he looked at the woman's back, she didn't seem very attentive. In fact, she looked a little lax. Considering the impression he left in Vale, he thought any assigned guard should be disciplined or even nervous.

The Huntress took one more look to where he once stood with his group, huffed in what looked like annoyance, and sat on the ground with a wall at her back. As far as guards or watchers went, this was incredibly disappointing. Ozpin wouldn't have sent someone like this.

Which meant he didn't.

'A third party, then,' he concluded as he kept watch on the subject with his Dojutsu. 'White Fang? I see no discernable animal features, but that's not enough to rule them out.' Hell, with the number of people who died in Vale due to the train, this person could simply be out for revenge. 'Though, the body language doesn't support that theory.' He would know.

With that in mind, he considered the next action to take. This person was clearly a trained warrior, not sent by Ozpin, has unknown allegiances, and here with unknown intent. 'But is she alone?' He looked around, not seeing any discernable clue with his Sharingan.

Sasuke hummed and activated his Rinnegan for reassurance, probably the last time he could for the day until he recov-"Agh." He immediately slammed a palm into his eye, immediately deactivating it. 'What in the hell?' The stinging he expected and was ready for, the sudden blinding brightness he was not.

He quickly massaged his eye and quickly turned back to the source of that blinding light, who was supposed to be on a nearby roof overlooking his camp, but was instead staring back at him with red eyes of her own.

With a silent growl, Sasuke stood straight and stared at the Huntress with his Sharingan, the Rinnegan being out of commission until it recovered. The haze surrounding her form due to her Aura hiding her form just slightly like any other due to his Sharingan.

What he expected from this woman, he couldn't say. If she wanted to kill him, she would've attacked at first sight, instead she stood there, watching him, waiting for him to make the first move.

Huntsmen glowed due to their Aura, but none he had seen with his Rinnegan had Aura that burned spots in his vision, as few as that was. This one must be particularly strong, and considering the random nature of things like Semblances, likely very dangerous. Even so, he just stared at her, and she him, face somewhere between neutral and apprehensive, and as it turned out, his own felt similar.

Sasuke licked his teeth and considered the situation a bit more. He's facing an unknown, possibly the strongest he'd seen yet if her Aura was any indication. She has an interest in him, but maybe not to fight. To talk, then? With what's happening, it certainly seemed like it.

One of them was bound to make the first move, the seconds that ticked by with the only staring had to end soon. 'At this point, even she must know I'm considering it,' he thought. He scanned the area before, it was clear. 'An unknown who came alone, unlikely of an ambush.' If for anything else, just to know who this person was, and what she could possibly bring upon him.

Sasuke jumped two buildings forward until he was at the one adjacent from the woman, an alleyway separating them, a paltry distance, but one where he could see her entire form in case she tried anything.

"Do I have the pleasure of meeting the original Sasuke Uchiha or some copy?" the woman asked. One hand on her waist, which would have been a friendly gesture, but the other was resting on the hilt of her sword, tapping on the end with her fingers.

"You have the pleasure of being in the presence of the true Sasuke Uchiha," he answered. "But I could just as easily as be lying. And you are?"

The mysterious woman hummed. "I'll just treat you as the real one. As for who I am, I guess you could say I could be a friend, depending on how things go." Or an enemy if things went awry. "Or perhaps just a giver of advice to an individual such as yourself."

"You came to find me, so I assume you know who I am and what I've done." She nodded. "Then it is rather arrogant of you to offer yourself as a friend. Why would I ever befriend a stranger coming out of the blue?"

"Friends can come in many shapes or forms, such as givers of advice, especially with the mistake you're about to commit."

"You haven't even introduced yourself, yet you dare come here as though I'd listen to you." Sasuke placed his hand on Kusanagi, which had the mysterious woman grip her own sword tightly. "I recommend you leave."

More seconds of silence ticked by, both staring, though this time he was waiting for her to make the move. Their conversation was short, but told him a little about the situation with this woman. This was definitely a third party, and whoever this was seemed against what he was doing, which in turn means against Vale. His first thought was that they might be the group that caused the incident at the CCT during the dance.

"My name is Raven, that's all I say on that," she finally answered. "And I'm here to tell you that you're about to commit a grave mistake."

Sasuke let go of his sword, which just so coincidentally had her relax as well. "I've made several decisions, all of which I must follow through." More or less. "However, I will give you a few seconds to explain. Go."

Raven frowned but did little else to argue. "Word of your agreement with Vale has reached far, but I know the truth of it, and I'm here to tell you that Ozpin is not to be trusted."

He shook his head. "My contract is with the Kingdom of Vale, Ozpin had little-"

"Don't mock me," she snapped. "I know Ozpin, I know what he does, and I know for a fact that he orchestrated it all." She breathed to calm herself. "Ozpin likes to play his little games, seeing talent and tries to recruit it under his wing with sweet words and tricks." She gestured to the stone walls he built. "If he was worried you were among his enemies, he wouldn't even go this far to even communicate with you. Now, after all this, he surely intends to use you for his benefit."

How interesting. Whomever this woman was, she didn't like the old headmaster, but maybe not really enough to call him a true enemy, but rather someone avoided. If so, this woman wasn't even a third party, he'd wager a fourth or even fifth, at this point.

"Be that as it may," he said. "I have things that need to be done, and Vale is the only place that could fulfill my wishes. If through Ozpin is how I can gain Vale's safehold, then so be it."

Raven's frown deepened. "Then you are a fool. Ozpin cares little for your villagers, would even keep them missing if it meant you would be under his employ for longer." She moved closer, propping up a foot on the broken part of the ledge and leaned in. "However, if you come with me to my tribe, your strength would truly be respected."

Things became more interesting by the second. 'Should I even be surprised that women just come to me with suspicious offers? This is getting a bit ridiculous.' Hell, on his second day on Remnant, he met Neo with ties to the criminal underworld. Bizarre, but oh so useful and convenient. "An intriguing offer, but I have my people to think about, and Vale can meet my demands in ways you cannot."

Raven scoffed. "And you believe Ozpin would honor them? Only so far as he can use you." She jumped over the gap between them with ease, seemingly having the idea he meant her no harm. "Ozpin is a man who hides more than he shows, draws you in with one hand, and hides a knife in the other." She took a step back and gave him an appraising look. "Though I'm willing to wager you knew that."

He shook his head. "I don't trust anyone but a select few, Ozpin is nowhere near to that list." He shrugged. "However, he has something I need, regardless if he has ulterior motives. You, however, are a different story." Sasuke had his Sharingan spin menacingly for emphasis. Whatever this discussion was, he was making sure she knew it was his generosity that made it last this long, and how it was nearing its end. "You have nothing I desire, I don't know who your people are, what you want, or your intentions. So far, I have more reason to ignore you than humor this any further."

She kept quiet, rightfully thinking to choose her next words carefully. He didn't intend to kill her, but if all she had were words of caution that he cared little for, then whatever negotiation she thought this might've been was over.

"There are larger players on Remnant," she finally said, folding her arms. "Ozpin is one half of it, and he intends to use whatever, and whoever, is necessary to win." She gestured to him. "As someone who was once in your position, I'm telling you from experience that your decision is about to drag you into a secret war that's been going on for centuries."

Sasuke tilted his head and held back a sigh. 'Nothing new here, I suppose.' Damn cosmic powers and their need to throw him into this bullshit again.

"You don't believe me, I can understand," she said, misinterpreting his dejection. "Ozpin has been far from honest, especially to those closest to him. Once I learned of the truth, I took the steps necessary to distance myself for an endless war where his allies are destined to die for him." She extended a hand. "Come with me, bring your comrades, and you will survive Ozpin's deception and war."

And that was her offer, a way out of all this, all the problems that allegedly Ozpin was a part of. Away from the drama, the fighting, the death, and what would at best be a bitter victory, a devastating defeat at worst. Running away from all that, and to ignore it along with this woman and her group.

If he was honest with himself, he had to admit it was almost tempting. Almost.

Sasuke stared at the hand a little while longer, then looked to Raven. "I think I'll take my chances with Ozpin, though I thank you for sharing that information." She took her hand back with a frown. "I won't be running away, I have my own goals in place, people I must see again, no matter the risk it could pose."

She shook her head. "You are a fool," Raven growled out. "Ozpin has done this far longer than you think, he's a manipulator of the highest degree. The best way to survive this is to not play his game, and you going back there will make you another pawn he would use until you become expendable."

Only a fool would accept such a deal, expecting one thing but instead to be used and lied to until your use runs out. Normally, Sasuke would've avoided it all, but in this specific case, he had more to gain and little to lose.

"Your warning is noted, but I will follow the deal I made with Ozpin." The face she made showed how she didn't like his answer. "My decision has been made, one I will not change, and now I await yours." His hand went to his sword, as did hers to her own. "Are you going to make this a problem, or will you leave peacefully?"

His generosity had run out, and she knew that now. Her disappointment was visible, clear from whatever objective she had pertaining to him, she failed to achieve. She took a deep breath, calmly turned around, and jumped onto the building she was on before.

She drew her sword, making him do the same. Instead of readying it, she swiped the air and somehow cut open what could only be described as a swirling portal that hung in midair. She sheathed her blade and drew forth a kind of mask, similar to Grimm, but far different than that of the White Fang.

Before she walked into the portal, she turned to him. "Your mistake will cost you greatly, Sasuke Uchiha," she told him. "The more you stay near that man, the more of the perfect puppet you will be all to fight her." She stuck one foot in. "The kingdoms Ozpin holds dear will shake, and you will be on the frontline of it all."

She wasn't expecting a response, not from the way she walked into the portal fully without even giving him a chance to reply. As it vanished, Sasuke waited for a surprise attack, though it didn't take long for him to know that whatever this woman used, she was gone for good.

He sheathed his blade, took a cursory glance around of the ruined city, and decided to hop back to his camp. All the while, Raven's word was echoing in his mind. It wasn't good, no secret war that lasted centuries would ever be good. He just hoped he would have left Remnant before it drew him in.

Considering his cursed luck, he wouldn't be surprised if it already had.

"Again!?" Suigetsu shouted. "It's like you and the Uzumaki are beacons for this shit!" He groaned loudly and dragged his hand down his face. "I swear to the god of this universe, if there's some immortal goddess at the end of this crap, I'm switching sides."

Oddly enough, that sounded rather nice for Sasuke as well. He had fought enough deities, thank you. "I doubt I'd be so unlucky," he scoffed. "However, this news of a secret was is very troubling." He looked to the playing-mute Neo. "Do you know anything about this?"

She shook her head vehemently, the look on her face saying it was news to her as well. Well, both of them worked for the White Fang, not exactly a secret war if you knew the sides fighting. Though that unknown employer of Roman's was what Raven might be alluding to.

Still, he wasn't and refused to be involved. Secret, century-long wars might've been an Uchiha thing, but he had enough of those as well.

"Still," Jūgo began. "It is awfully similar to our ordeal back home. That is if we choose to believe this Raven woman. Do we?"

That was a good question. "Her words alone aren't enough," he answered. "But from my experience here, I wouldn't be all that surprised. Ozpin is very cryptic in his speech. His actions are both cautious and ambitious, enough to take a stranger he found into his school." Being him, but not without some limitations. "If he is a man in a secret war, then his actions suit it."

"Then wouldn't taking this deal involve us in it?"

And that was an even better question, with an answer he didn't really like. "It might. . ."

Suigetsu threw his hands in the air. "Fan-fucking-tastic! Not only are we in a world with another shadow war, but Sasuke here is also gonna be throwing us in a situation that'll force us into it." He dropped his arms, sighed, and looked to him. "All right, what's the plan?"

Plan? He only found out about this damn thing minutes ago, there's no damn plan, and there's no damn time to make one just yet. "I share your irritation in the situation, but things were already set in motion. The best we can do is follow the plan, and approach whatever offer that may come our way with apprehension."

"That's not much of a plan."

No, it wasn't, but it was all he had. "The plan is as solid as before." Which isn't saying much. "The only thing that's been changed was our approach to any further deals." It didn't inspire confidence, even to him. "All we need is time and their complacency, if only these, then they could do whatever they wish, we won't be here to change anything about this war of theirs."

"That's the thing, ain't it? The entire plan depends on the Snake Sage and you learning a seal to work." He scratched his head irritably. "And even then, it might do the same damn thing again and spit someone here. That pet snake of yours said it himself, balancing energies and all that crap."

Tatsuya, he meant, and he was right. According to the Snake Sage, the thicker and stronger Chakra energy tried to balance the lower energy pressure of Remnant, which sucked in these two instead before the portal itself ran out of energy to remain.

"The same seal won't work, and the Snake Sage is taking particular care in his selecting his Scrolls." Which made their tedious stay last even longer. "At this point, the Sage's wisdom and my Rinnegan might be our best bet in creating a seal that works, hence why we need time and calmness." He'll remain in contact with Tatsuya and Ryūchi, having him study some Fūinjutsu. "It's not like we can wish for a way to know the way back, this is all we have and it'll have to do."

Jūgo accepted his answer, not happily, but content. Suigetsu groaned and nodded begrudgingly, likely knowing they had little choice in getting back home and away from all this nonsense. Neo, on the other hand, just shrugged, either not caring or not fully understanding their ordeal.

Suigetsu just fell into a sitting position and leaned on the wall. "I mean it, if there's some goddess at the end of all this, I'm fucking switching." He sighed "All right, how long until we leave for that Beacon place?"

Jūgo looked out to the sky. "I'd say five more hours until morning breaks." He looked to Sasuke. "Considering your work on the walls, you must be fatigued. I'll keep guard for the night."

It's been weeks, and Jūgo had shown impressive improvement in his mood swings, though there were a few close calls here and there, he never went all out. "I recommend keeping an eye on the rooftops more than before, just in case," he answered. With a nod, Sasuke took his spot in their makeshift camp.

He laid down on the towel he was able to scavenge, knowing exactly what a few hours from now would bring. More playing with words, playing with deals, promises, and favors. After all he did, all he helped bring to fruition, it was time to face the music.

No more trivia, I'm out of it unless you want my jokes, and you don't want that, believe me. Next chapter. . . the REUNION! WOOOO! I'M SO SLEEPY!

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