Chapter 6: Seven Days Of Arc And Cinder Part 2

Day 4…

It may have been his imagination or it may be because he got an earful from his mom but Jaune couldn't help but feel he's being watched. He looked around the classroom but everyone was either paying attention to what the teacher said or was goofing off discreetly. Jaune himself was only half paying attention, this was the last class of the day and he all but lost his attention span.

Now all he could do was count down the seconds until he was free, free, free~

'3…2…1…'

*RIIINNG*

Everyone all but filed out of the class and Jaune just kinda blended into the crowd. Almost everyone was headed in the same direction, the doors. Then Jaune felt eyes on the back of him and turned just in time to see a shadow turn the corner.

Jaune looked around 'nobody saw that?'

He looked at the time, he's got at least three minutes before he has to go out there. So with curiosity getting the better of him he went around the corner but no one was there and it was a dead end.

"Huh?"

Scratching his head he shrugged and turned around only to pause when something caught his eye. It was foreign yet familiar and he had the faintest sense of déjà vu. Jaune picked up the item, a music box with wind up winch sticking out the side. He flipped the lid off to reveal a spiral mirror directly under it and a clown at the bottom.

As if he were in a trance he wound up the winch three times, the gears moving as loudly as if it were amplified by a speaker. The mirror started spinning, it along with the soft chimes of the simple music hypnotizing.

His gaze was fixed on the swirls slowly moving, the music oddly soothing – a flash of red and a touch on his shoulder.

"Ragna…"

"AH!"

He spun around and stumbled back expecting the unexpected and instead got a janitor looking at him with concern.

"You okay there kid?"

His breath was oddly ragged and sweat formed at his brow.

"Y-yeah" he gulped.

"Well get outta here, I need to clean up."

Jaune followed suite and left.

\

Cinder watched him leave from her hiding place behind the school building. It has become painfully obvious that there is something wrong with the boy. At first she thought it was because the boy could be manipulated to further her mistress' goal or perhaps he would become a hindrance towards it and she needed her to sway him to their cause or snuff him out.

It is apparently not the case, there was something about him despite his naiveté, childishness and obliviousness. There was something deep, something dark, something sinister about the seemingly ordinary boy. Quite frankly it unnerved her how the feeling she got from a 12 year old boy reminded her so much of her mistress.

She watched as he made his way to an older blonde woman, the toy she left for him in the hallway safely tucked inside his bag.

'Perhaps that is the reason for her interest. But if that were the case why go through with this? Wouldn't it be better to kidnap him than go through all this song and dance?'

She took a moment to think it over before a thought occurred to her 'this is a test…and Jaune Arc is a high valued target mistress actually took the time to meticulously invest in procuring his allegiance. And I am to be the instrument in which to procure him.'

With that frame of mind this mission suddenly took on a more urgent tone. This was no longer the chore she thought it was, her master's orders aside, having him as a 'friend' could be beneficial to her in the long run just as much as it was to her mistress.

Especially if it turns out he does indeed have some power similar to her mistress.

\

She closed the door behind her with a serious expression. Throwing the bag on the bed

"I need to redouble my efforts to maintain contact with him."

She may not have been able to get in contact with him because of the added surveillance but she did manage to keep an eye on him while in school. As far as she knows he doesn't have any friends, despite his rather friendly personality people tend to avoid him.

She pictured his expression whilst eating lunch by himself practically segregated from everyone else.

'He probably doesn't even know why.'

She gave a wry smile "but I do~"

The rest of the day was spent planning ways to get him alone and putting safeguards to ensure a certain amount of time has pass. At least it would be easier since he's starved for friendship.

\

Day 5…

Jaune felt a little apprehensive today, that thing that happened in the hallway spooked him enough to not to open the toy box again. Of course the best course of action would be to just get rid of it but when the moment of truth came he couldn't so instead he hid it along with the rest of the other toys he found.

"What's up with that anyway?" he wondered while seated on the swing in the playground.

He may be young but he wasn't stupid, there was something going on here. After years of observing the people who wouldn't approach him to find a reason why, he could pick up when something isn't right fairly faster than most people his age.

He absentmindedly swung a little on the swing and took out the dradle Cinder gave him. Funny, he'd only had it for two days yet he knew a lot about it. He knew it was old, knew it was made from an oak tree and he knew it was precious to him.

'But why?'

"Ah- oof!"

His gaze was interrupted when he was knocked from the swing and into the dirt. He fell flat on his face, painfully. Behind him he could hear the laughter from some people who he really wished he didn't have to deal with today or another day for as long as he lived.

He turned painfully on his back to see 'the three stooges' (as named by Cielen). They were all older than him and since he was the outcast it made him an easy target. Lenny was the tall nerdy one wearing glasses. Huey was the shorter pudgy one who couldn't run to save his life. Finally there was Daniel aka Dan the incredibly plain looking one who was like their leader and the one constantly targeting Jaune.

"Hey freak."

'Shovel face.' Jaune acknowledged with a slight shake of his head

There was a reason Dan always targeted Jaune, once upon a time he dated his sister Amethyst but then thanks to Jaune he was found out to be a real jerk who bullied her own brother.

The revelation resulted in Dan being beaten up by an enraged 14 year old in a frilly pink skirt in what could be considered the most brutal public breakup by pre-teens in the history of Arcadia. Jaune ended up being saved by his sister…again, Amethyst ended up with a gush of approval from Rouge, Joan and dad while Dan ended up running home crying to his mommy with his pants wet.

Needless to say his sisters were off limits but Jaune was fair game if he could time his approach right.

Dan looked around "what no one to protect you this time?"

Jaune looked around, none of his sisters were close by and he remembered why.

It was Rouge's turn to watch.

Out of all his siblings Rouge took to watching Jaune the least serious, often letting him do what he wanted as long as he didn't stray far. He took a look to the right an-yep she was talking to some boy and laughing.

'Seriously!?' Jaune could face palm right then and there.

"What's this?"

That diverted Jaune's attention to Huey who had the dradle in hand.

Immediately Jaune flew to his feet "give it back!"

He ran forward but tripped again and landed face first in the dirt courtesy of Lenny.

"Nice trip ya clutz" the boy laughed.

"Lemme see that" Dan snatched the toy from him and eyed it with confusion before laughing "where'd you get this, goodwill?"

Jaune gritted his teeth "give it back"

He was showing an amount of hostility that made the boys stop laugh and eye Jaune for a while. The small boy took the chance to swipe the toy but he was easily pushed away and fell to the ground.

He didn't lose his glare as he spoke "it's mine!"

"Not anymore, I think I'll keep it."

"You can't" he looked to the side to see Rouge was moving from the playground, blissfully unaware of his troubles.

"Oh yeah?" he leaned down a little "and why not?"

"Because there's dirt in your eye."

"WhaAAGH MY EYE!"

Jaune snatched the dradle and made a dash for where he saw Rouge was leaving.

"ARC!"

'Don't look back, don't look back'

Despite his own advice he looked over his shoulder to see a slightly red eyed Dan leading with Lenny slightly behind while Huey was…not a concern.

In a panic Jaune increased his speed but he was already close to tiring 'where's Rouge!?'

"ROUGE!"

He took a sharp turn and went to lose them in the alley and managed to lose him, he then took the first right after but ended up in a dead end.

"Oh, no"

He turned back but found Dan and Lenny blocking the way "end of the line Ar-"

He paused to glance at Huey who stopped by his side gasping like he just ran a marathon "I *gasp* think *gasp* I'm *gasp* dying!"

Jaune, Dan and lenny stared for a about two seconds before getting back to what they were doing, them looking menacing and Jaune fearing for his personal safety.

So Dan smacked a fist into his empty palm while slowly approaching him "like I said, end of the line Ar-"

"HEY!" a female voice shouted.

"Oh, crap" Dan muttered, the fear seeping into his voice.

Everyone turned around and about everyone was surprised because for once it wasn't an Arc. Immediately everyone's jaw dropped and the oldest boys could only sum up this newcomer's appearance in one synonymous thought.

'HOT.'

Short, black, silky hair, pale flawless skin, a modest sized chest, slim legs and actual curves, there was no doubt that despite her age this girl-no small woman was the cutest girl they'd ever met. Then she started walking or more like sauntering towards them. Dan was staring in open-mouthed awe, snot was running down Lenny's nose and his glasses fogged over and Huey was literally drooling.

Jaune on the other hand noticed none of these things and was instead just happy to see a familiar face.

"Cinder!"

That was enough to snap Dan out of it and turn to the brat 'he knows her!?'

How? When? He would have heard if that freak was friends with someone their age, especially if she was cute. He turned back and a slight chill went down his spine when he stared into her eyes. The weird looking eyes that were the same color as an open flame narrowed at him.

How did he not notice that before?

"Move"

That one word made Lenny and Huey press their backs against the wall so hard and so fast he'd swore they were trying to become one with it. Dan didn't falter though, he got beaten by a girl once he wouldn't let that happen again!

So with his pride on the line he stood his ground, the girl stopped before him and a standoff of wills was in place. Though it was obvious Dan was the weaker of the two, sweat was forming, he trembled slightly and fought his gaze on her. In contrast Cinder stood calmly and the only change in her demeanor was the slight amused twitch at the corner of her mouth.

This was a battle of wills and neither was willing to go around or stand down though it was obvious one of them really, really wanted to.

"Stand aside" she didn't even try to mask her air of obvious superiority.

"N-no"

"No?" she raised an eyebrow.

"No" he said with more bravely.

"Move or I will move you."

"I'm not scared of you, stupid girl."

To Dan's horror she smiled and if it were possible became even more menacing, there was a glint in her eye and the temperature rose a little.

She straightened a little and clenched her fist "you will."

He had this distinct sense once before, so many months ago and he knew that the next few moments would be painful.

Before either of them could make a move though, Jaune rushed up to her "there you are! I was looking for you, well it's been fun guys but I gotta go see ya"

"Jaune what are yo-AH!"

Before they knew it Jaune had spouted a bunch of words, grabbed her hand and half ran half dragged the older taller girl from the alley in a matter of seconds.

\

This was not part of the plan.

It was a pleasant surprise that Jaune was guarded by the tall redheaded one, she was by far the easiest of the older sisters to distract for long periods. All it took was to coerce a cute boy to talk to her. Afterwards all it took was for her to talk to him alone, what she didn't expect was for him to be immediately targeted by bullies.

Unexpected yet she could take advantage of this new development, after all who wouldn't mind being saved from taking a beating. So Cinder didn't mind at all when she had to follow them. Upon closer inspection the three fools were uninteresting specimens.

Blank faced moron

A fat slob

And a plain idiot

She would've enjoyed putting them in their place.

'If only'

Jaune hadn't let go of her hand and he was still running.

'He has quite the grip' again Cinder noted Jaune Arc was stronger than the average 12 year old.

She was now easily keeping pace with him patiently, it was in her best interest since they were going further away from where his sister was. 'I think we've gained a sufficient amount of pace.'

"Why are we running?"

"Because I don't want them to hurt you!" he yelled still running.

'Does he think those boys will pursue us?'

It was an amusing thought, it was so clear those boys were intimidated by her, she could smell the fear rolling off of them…along with other things she would not deign to identify, especially from the fat one.

"No one is following us though."

This made him look over his shoulder and slow down when he didn't see them "oh."

Cinder stood next to the panting boy who spoke in between breaths "that…was..a close…one" he then looked to his savior "thanks Cinder."

She gave a charming smile "it was no problem Jaune."

'Though it would have been so satisfying if you'd let me put them in their place.'

"I was just passing through when I saw you being chased. Are you being bullied Jaune?"

Her expression set in concern made him immediately defensive "me bullied, no no, uh, those guys were just…friends yeah friends."

"Don't lie to me Jaune."

"I'm not" he said a little too quickly.

Cinder sighed "I could help if you want, I could've done it in that alley."

"No, are you crazy? There were three of them and they were bigger. They would beat you up."

Cinder giggled girlishly and not entirely on purpose "you don't have to worry about me Jaune, I've beaten things bigger than them"

She suppressed a snort 'them? beat me? Preposterous, I would tear their world asunder.'

"Like what?" he tilted his head a little looking at her.

Cinder smiled a little and leaned a little closer to his face, satisfied at the slight reddening of his cheeks.

'Hmph, so he's not completely oblivious to the opposite gender.'

"Secret~"

Immediately Jaune slumped "aw come on, tell me!"

"Nope" she walked ahead.

Curiosity caused Jaune to follow after her "hey wait, you can fight?"

"Of course, isn't it obvious?"

Jaune looked her over, she was wearing a black skirt with a red and yellow top inside a small light red open jacket.

"Not really" he scratched his head looking her over again.

Nope he wouldn't know she could fight, she looks like a normal girl to him.

'Wait'

"So are you like, a Huntress?"

Amber eyes stared into wide azure and her smile widened a little.

"No way" he waved her off "you're way too young to be a Huntress."

"I'm not really a Huntress Jaune but I am in training."

Jaune eyed her again "nope, I don't see it."

Cinder rolled her eyes the action made her spot his sister 'damn.'

"Why don't I prove it then?"

"You're on"

"But not here" she began steering him away.

"Wait, I have to find my sister."

"Don't worry, this won't take long."

Eventually they made it into the clearing he showed her two days ago.

"So what did you want to show me? Is it your weapon?"

"Actually yes I was going to show you my weapon."

Jaune's enthusiasm subsided when he realized "wait a minute, you don't have a weapon."

The hunters he'd seen, his sisters (Joan and Rouge) and father all had weapons and as far as he saw she was unarmed.

"Don't be so sure" she reached behind her pulled out a clear vial.

"What's that?"

"Dust"

Jaune gave her a look "you collect jars of dirt?"

Cinder blinked at the incredulity of the statement "no Dust as in the natural energy propellant found all over Remnant and used by virtually everyone on Remnant."

"Oh~" he nodded "Dust, hm I never saw it in black before, I thought it was regular dust, sorry" he apologized sheepishly scratching the back of his head.

"It's alright, black Dust is rare after all" she poured a handful in hand "want to see a trick?"

"Sure!"

She swept her hand horizontally while pouring Dust in a trail. The Dust hardened becoming obsidian crystals and she quickly swept her hand the opposite way causing the floating crystals to launch into a nearby tree.

"Whoa!"

'Mind blown.'

"How did you do that?"

"It's not as hard as it looks. Actually I'm pretty sure you can do it"

"Really?"

She handed him the vial "sure."

Jaune took the vial and stared at the Dust for a moment "how do I do it?"

"All you have to do is pour the Dust in your hand, imagine what you want and throw it in the air."

Jaune frowned at the explanation "just like that?"

"Just like that" she nodded.

"Okay"

Cinder made sure to back away when he poured the dust in his hand.

'Here goes'

Jaune tossed the Dust above him with a jump. Instead of what he wanted though the Dust simply rained back down on him.

"Ow, I got some in my eye!"

Jaune stumbled around about blindly and started coughing. Cinder didn't move from her spot, too captivated by the sight. None of the Dust her through actually made it to the ground, they clung onto Jaune's form, actually seeping into his skin!

'He's absorbing it.'

There is a reason why Jaune's never seen black Dust before, it's because it is an extremely rare form of Dust only found high in the Atlas mountain range where the temperature can go to -80 degrees. Of course this isn't public knowledge, the scientist in Atlas are still trying to figure out an application with what little samples they had.

Also the way in which they are formed is another problem. The Dust unlike regular crystals is formed from the frozen remains Grimm long since dead. The ashes stayed trapped in the ice where it cannot disperse in the atmosphere.

It is also the reason why black Dust is also referred to as, Grimm-Dust.

Once the cloud was dispersed Cinder made her way towards him, taking out a water Dust crystal.

"Hold still Jaune"

He didn't listen to her and thrashed a little when some water splashed onto his face. She didn't have any problem holding him down a little.

"It's okay Jaune open your eyes."

She tentatively removed his hands and was quite surprised to see his eyes, the whites of his eyes were stained a little in black. Then like water seeping into soil they sank into his eyes turning them their regular color.

"Are you okay?"

Jaune sat up a little "y-yeah" he shook his head "what happened?"

"When I said throw it in the air I meant throw it in front, not above. The Dust blinded youbefore you could concentrate on what you wanted to make" she lied expertly.

"Oh"

With a sigh she looked to the spilled bottle of black Dust

"Aw I'm sorry Cinder."

"It's alright" she collected the bottle "maybe we can work on it some more tomorrow?"

Jaune looked a little hesitant "uh I don't know…"

"What is it? Could it be you don't like hanging out with me?"

"What? No you're really awesome Cinder, it's just that mom's going to be watching me tomorrow."

'Well that would certainly derail my plans a bit.'

"And she kinda told me to stay away from you when we first met."

"…I see."

That certainly puts things into perspective about how the woman felt about her.

"Then I guess another time then?"

"Yeah…" his voice was laced with uncertainty.

Together they both exited the forest and headed their separate ways.

\

Day 6…

Today the weather seemed specifically aimed to reflect the mood, well not his mood per se but the overall atmosphere because if Jaune were to be honest he felt perfectly fine. He couldn't say the same for anyone else on the playground though. For some reason it seemed that the life was being sucked out of them.

It wasn't right, he only saw this type of atmosphere in Mrs. Oakfield's history class *shudder* and this was recess! Kids aren't allowed to be depressed and mopey at recess! It goes against the natural order!

Taking a final glance at his friends trying to have fun he glanced at the sky "stupid weather"

He looked back down only to turn his gaze to the left when he heard the flutter of wings. Blue eyes blinked owlishly at the little black bird perched beside him. What was really weird (aside from the encounter itself) was how the bird was just staring at him with its oddly red eyes and

'Is that a mask?'

Most people (especially children) would've been scared or at least freaked out by this.

"Hi"

Jaune was not most people.

The bird said nothing, did not react and Jaune was starting to think this bird wasn't normal. The bell rung soon after and Jaune figured it was in his best interest to get away from the creepy bird.

\

Later during the day Jaune had this weird feeling, it was like this tingle at the back of his skull. The first time he didn't even notice it, the second time he scratched the back of his head but by the third time it came more as a buzz that he was a little annoyed. Then he caught something from his vision's peripheral before glancing at that direction.

At the sight of beady red eyes Jaune's jaw dropped and everything else seemed to turn into background noise as he and the bird engaged in an intense stare down. It was so intense that Jaune didn't hear the teacher call for him until she was about two feet away from him.

*CRACK*

"HAH!"

His outburst at the sound of a ruler hitting his desk gave him a few laughs from his peers and a very unamused glare from the instructor.

"Well I'm sorry that my lessons are so boring that you have to resort to daydreaming Mr. Arc."

Jaune glanced out the window only to see that the bird was gone. His attention was directed back to the teacher who continued.

"Perhaps you'll be more interested after class while serving your detention."

Jaune's reaction was much like a lone Huntsman whom was surrounded by hordes of Grimm with an empty clip. He sagged in defeat and accepted his fate like a man but he dared not complain because it could've been worse.

He could've ended up like Elmer who chose to fight it with a groan and ended up mopping floors with the janitors on Saturday.

*Shudder*

The rest of the day went on like it always did except now he had to stay back for a few hours to do his homework. The teacher informed his mother about the detention.

*Sigh*

'Mom's not gonna like this'

\

Now Jaune found himself in the precarious position of being stuck in a classroom with only a teacher to supervise him.

'Figures no one would be here'

Since he'd always found himself alone Jaune would always try to find something else to occupy himself with. At first he would bring his portable games to school but then the teacher would confiscate them and call his mother so he stuck to observing everyone around him but after a while he got bored (and jealous) and for amusement he scraped the bottom of the barrel and picked up a book.

Jaune was by no means scholarly but reading the boring books helped pass the time…or bore him enough to actually fall asleep. Either way by the time he looked up from a book an hour would pass and he could get on with his life. The same thing applied to homework or any schoolwork in general. It's a huge sacrifice (for a 12 year old) but at least he has the added benefit of having one of the best grades in class…most of the time.

Today was different though, for some reason Jaune felt agitated, the clock couldn't be any slower despite being in the last hour. Another sigh escaped his lips as he leaned back to look at the overhanging lights on the ceiling.

Beady red eyes met his own.

*Blink*

It was gone.

Jaune looked around the ceiling half panicked, he looked around the room and out the window.

Nothing…

He gave a relieved sigh before his head hit the desk 'great, now I'm seeing things.'

Deciding that the stress was getting to him he went to take a short nap, unaware of his surroundings as he fell into a deep sleep.

Only to be roused from it a few minutes later.

"Huh?" he looked up with a little drool dribbling down his cheek.

"It's time to go now Jaune"

The boy blinked at the teacher who admittedly didn't look so good. He was a little haggard, more than pale and his eyes were bloodshot and there was this weird little twitch he had despite staring at him impassively.

His eyes strayed to the clock "um, there's still some time left"

Actually there was actually almost 45 minutes left.

'Wait why did I say that?'

Any other kid would have already left at the prospect of ending detention early, except Jaune was a curious one. As someone who is used to people behaving a certain way he is naturally going to be very inquisitive when they don't do things they would normally do in a given situation.

Mr. Abbot is very much a stickler for the rules so he would never end detention early even though Jaune is the only there, and he finished his homework and both of them were certainly almost bored to death.

At least Jaune felt that way.

Abbot stared at him and Jaune could have sworn he saw something in those bloodshot eyes of his.

"I'm not feeling so well and its clear you've learned your lesson, so think of this as a get out of jail early card Jaune."

"…okay" he packed his tuff and headed for the door.

Well that certainly sounded like something Abbot would say, yet Jaune could help but narrow his eyes suspiciously at that last word. Abbot called him 'Jaune' he's never called him that before, he's never called any student by their name before, it's usually 'you' or 'brat.'

The last time he had a talk with the older man he called him 'kid.' Before he closed the door behind him Jaune looked over his shoulder and saw abbot staring at him. Jaune felt a chill go down his spine looking at his eyes, were they that big before?

Were they that red before?

Taking a small gulp, Jaune closed the door behind him and headed to the door. Jaune had never noticed how creepy the school looked. Then again, it was a giant empty building and he had just left a room with a decidedly creepy teacher acting out of the norm.

Walking down the suddenly bigger halls Jaune idly noted how this scenario reminded him of a B-rated horror movie.

Pause

In hindsight maybe he shouldn't have thought of that since now his senses seemed to make him overanalyze everything around him to the point where every pathway, every door, every closet seem to be the catalyst for his neurosis.

What's behind that door?

What's behind me?

Is there something on the ceiling!?

What's going to pop out in the next corner!?

With these questions his mind raced with frantic answers based on every twisted scenario he'd ever seen for being forced to watch those movies by a sadistic older sister.

'Stupid Rouge! You're the worst older sister EVER!'

So as it was Jaune ran as fast as his legs could carry him in a daze, looking over his shoulder and about the place in a bout of paranoia, it was all he could do not to suddenly scream.

The sound would no doubt alert whatever imaginary creature sent from the pits of hell to feast on his bone marrow.

*Creak*

What the heck was that!?

Probably nothing, just a…

Burgular?

Demon!?

FREDDY KRUGAR!?

CTHUULU!?

'Shit'

"Shit!"

A swear word courtesy of his potty mouth sister Rouge but he could care less, he's not dumb enough to stop and wonder like some dumb teenager.

He's twelve not sixteen, stupidity through hormones hasn't kicked in yet.

Jaune practically dived through the door as if he were the winner of the 100m dash at the Olympics. He jumped the two feet worth of steps, landed then tripped over his untied shoe laces but through surprising reflexes.

Having caught himself Jaune allowed himself to get up and make his way far from the building towards the gates at which point he bent down to tie his shoe laces. Then his eyes caught a familiar face across the street.

"Cinder!?"

He couldn't believe it, he wanted to but until the girl stopped and looked around before her eyes settle on him did he accept it.

"Jaune"

She looked as equally surprised as he was to meet her. So eager he was that he didn't wait for her to come to him, as she most certainly was and instead rushed to her.

The further away from that murder trap called his school as become the better.

"I didn't think I would see you here so late" she spoke only mildly perturbed when the younger boy ignored her and started eyeing the windows.

Curious she too let her eyes go over the windows until they settled on a form staring directly at them. Jaune must have spotted the man as well because he took her arm and dragged her along.

"Uh, let's go!"

He grabbed her arm and with surprising strength for a boy his age and size started to drag her along, looking over his shoulder every once in a while as if something was about to pop up and get him.

"Is something wrong?"

This was an honest question and she was curious as to what could make him act this way.

"Uh, yeah-no, it's nothing just" he stopped when they were thoroughly out of sight from the school "weird stuff was happening back there."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Well…" he looked around "there was this weird bird that kept staring at me"

Cinder blinked "a bird?"

Jaune nodded "yeah it was black and had these weird red eyes"

*Twitch*

"…I see, anything else?"

"My teacher was acting really weird too" he sighed "I'm never getting detention again. School is scary when no one else is around."

"Hm" Cinder rolled her head slightly "I wouldn't really know"

"What do you mean?"

She looked to him "I don't go to school because I train in private Jaune" at the questioning tilt of his head she elaborated "you know, to be a Huntress."

"…oh so what are you doing here?"

"I was going to my hotel but I guess it's out of the question now."

Jaune's mind went back to how he saw her walking before… in the opposite direction.

"Aw gee I'm sorry Cinder."

Cinder waved him off "don't worry, it's a Huntress' job to protect people right?"

Jaune brightened "right!" then he pouted at the implications "hey…"

The older girl chuckled at his expression.

The next few minutes were spent talking amicably to each other until they reached as close to his house as Cinder was willing to go

"I think this is far enough or do you want me to escort you all the way"

Jaune opened his mouth to reply, pause and narrowed his eyes at her which only caused her smirk to widen.

"I can walk the rest of the way just fine. And I was not scared back there."

She held her hands up in surrender "I didn't say anything."

Jaune had to give her that, though he didn't take it without some grumblings about 'stupid girls.'

Cinder sighed wistfully "I have to go and pack"

That got his attention.

"Pack?"

"Yeah, tomorrow's my last day here, after that I'm leaving."

"O-oh…"

Jaune didn't know what to say to that, except for the fact that he didn't like the sound of that. Aside from his family the only other person he'd ever have non antagonistic frequent contact with was Cinder.

Which begs the question

"Hey Cinder…"

"Hm?"

"Are we like…friends?"

Cinder mulled over the words even looking up to contemplate it and Jaune couldn't help but feel anxious.

"Yeah, I guess we are" she offered him a genial smile.

Jaune returned the smile, though hesitantly then frowned.

"What's wrong?"

He scratched the back of his head "tomorrow is Saturday…"

She raised an eyebrow "yes?"

"And I'm not really doing anything"

"and…?"

"Wanna hang out or something?"

Cinder found his reaction amusing, not in the sense that he's acting like a flustered teenager asking a pretty girl on a date but the irony that he's acting that way yet clearly doesn't have any romantic feelings for her.

For once she indulged herself at his expense "do you have a crush on me?"

Jaune blinked "…what?"

She leaned in closer with a teasing smirk "do. You. Like-like. Me?"

"What!? Ew! No, why would you think that?" Jaune looked equally flustered and affronted with his response.

"Well you sounded like you were asking me out on a date."

"No, I meant hang out, like hang out, you know?"

"You mean, taking long walks around the area, visiting the arcade, getting a bite to eat and watching a movie together?"

Jaune nodded vigorously "yes, exactly."

"That's what people do on dates Jaune."

Cinder had to admit, she was having more fun than should have with this but the face he was making was so priceless and the strangling noises were a bonus. The moment was so hilarious she wished she could capture it forever…

In fact…

*Click*

Jaune blinked at the sudden flash that caught his eye "I think I'll keep this as my new screensaver"

She showed him picture of himself doing his best interpretation of a fish being hanged by a noose.

"Gimme that!"

Jaune tackled her, at least he tried but Cinder simply held his head at arm's length while he swung his arms trying to pry himself free.

Eventually he grew tired of it "you're stronger than you look"

Like seriously, her arm feels like a tire iron.

"I can't fight the monsters of Grimm if I'm weak now can I?"

"…I guess."

She saw his eyes on the scroll and rolled her eyes "I'll tell you what. I will delete the picture if our 'date' goes alright."

"But…"

"You did say you weren't doing anything tomorrow."

"But…a date?"

She could say she was just teasing but who said Cinder Fall was a good girl?

Instead she leaned closer "yes Jaune, a date."

'Is it getting warm here' he gulped, standing ramrod straight.

"Is that alright?"

"Yeah, I guess" he averted his eyes "so what do people do on dates?"

'Oh, for the love of'

"Don't think of it as a date Jaune we're just two friends 'hanging out' it's easier for both of us that way."

"But you said…"

"I know what I said, I was just teasing" she flicked him harder than what was necessary.

Jaune seemed hardly fazed "oh, oh~ okay why didn't you just go with that in the first place? Why did you have to make it weird?"

'Because it's fun to tease you'

"Because, I like you Jaune."

"Uh…"

"I'm kidding! Geez have you ever talked to a girl before?"

"Ye…"

"Besides your mother?"

"Well-"

"Or sisters"

"No not really"

"That explains so much"

"What?"

"Huh?"

He gave her a suspicious look "well I've got to go"

"Where do you want to meet tomorrow?"

"How about in front of the school after 12:00?"

"Why there?"

He grinned deviously "no one would ever expect a kid to show up near a school on the weekend."

That actually made sense 'well aren't you a budding clever boy.'

"Alright then it's a date"

'And this is the part where I go before it becomes awkward again' Jaune thought to himself.

They both went their separate ways with Jaune pondering how he was going to sneak out of the house.

"Hey there bro~"

And just like that Jaune's veins turned to ice before an arm was draped over his shoulder.

"We heard some very interesting things just now"

Then another hand was draped over the other hand.

Jaune's eye darted between his two older sisters Amethyst and Rouge.

"H-how much did you hear?"

Rouge grinned brushing the bangs reddish-brown hair "oh~ just that you have a date~" she practically sang

"With an older girl no less"

His eyes turned to Amethyst who had a teasing smirk.

Jaune chuckled nervously

"We should get him ready for his big day don't you think Rouge?"

The older girl nodded sagely "it wouldn't do any good for him to fu…dge up his first date."

As Jaune was dragged into the ninth circle of hell that was his house by the two demon spawn sisters only one thing ran through his mind.

'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'

To Be Continued

Author's Notes: Okay so I pulled one over you guys again and ended up not giving the full days but to be honest I well and went over the word quota so I felt the need to stop. Plus can you tell me that doing an entire chapter focusing on Jaune and Cinder just doing stuff together isn't more appealing. Especially since they have now officially become friends, Yay!

So next chapter (whenever that will be) I will do just that and at the end..well.

I just realized that this entire chapter didn't feature Salem, well that just won't do.

Omake…

Cinder walked towards her hotel room and chuckled to herself when her thoughts strayed to her aforementioned meeting with Jaune Arc.

'If tomorrow goes as planned then I'll have completed this mission and one step closer to my goal'

Her monologue was cut short when she opened the door to reveal

"M-mistress Salem?"

The Grimm mother herself sat idly on her throne that was also in the room…somehow.

"Do close the door Cinder, we don't want anyone to asphyxiate from the atmosphere now do we?"

"O-of course!" she closed the door at once.

"I take it you must be wondering why I'm here?"

Cinder nodded, too shocked and fearful to trust her voice.

"Well you see, a little birdy told me some hussy thought herself good enough to take my son on his first date."

Cinder's eyebrows shot up, her shock momentarily overcoming fear she blurted "son!?"

That can't be, the only boy she knew was…oh…

Shit.

"Shit"

"Language" Salem's smile was saccharine as she slowly stood, a shadow looming over the cowering girl.

"Naturally as his true mother I felt it was my duty to personally evaluate the girl who thought herself so highly"

The dark room became eerily darker as Cinder visibly shook.

"Now then, shall we begin?" her eyes glowed menacingly.

Cinder's response was to make pathetic whimpering noises.

The End

Author's Notes: Poor, poor Cinder, I hope you like my first attempt at an Omake, I mean I wrote that last scene with Jaune and his sisters and then I thought what's good for goose right? Then I had to put Salem confronting Cinder about it too, no way Jaune was going to be the only one grilled for their friendship date.

I think I might do more Omakes which may or may not be canon to the story, who knows right?