Yo Peeps, GMG here with chapter 12 of Ship Shape and this chapter has been deemed a Reader Request! What this means is, I had absolutely no idea what to write so I took a request and decided to use that. So, this will most likely suck... sorry. Now, this request comes from demonic1556, who has also offered to be my betareader, so this chapter has been betaread by her. Now, the request is... Burning Petals, as stated by demonic, but some of you recognize it as Falling Petals. For those who have no idea what I'm on about, it's CinderRuby.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY...

Victory lies within a simple soul. One that can bring peace to even the most hardened of hearts. Many heroes have had such souls and managed to turn even the most stalwart of foes to their side. This charisma is unmatched in both power and simplicity and knows no teacher. For it can not be taught, it cannot be learned, it is merely something you are born to have. In Remnant, another simple soul has begun to cast it's light upon those who dwell in the dark. Ruby Rose is that simple soul.

XXGMGXXX

It had started with a simple exchange of Ruby bumping into Emerald, though it soon grew to become more. She had been so innocent, Cinder mused, so naive. The young teen had even gone out of her way as to tell them where their dorms were. So kind and generous too, the perfect little saint.

Then, it became small little passes in the hall. Ruby always greeted the sorceress with a bright smile and a wave before moving on to whatever class she had to get to. Cinder hadn't known it at first, but this little routine became something she looked forward to with each passing day.

After that, the little passes became offers to hang out, the caped teen trying to spend time with her. At first, Cinder had outright denied the invitations, knowing all to well what would happen, should she become attached to the enemy, but sometimes that isn't enough. Silver eyes would dim with each denial and it brought pain to Cinder that the woman could not explain. Why did such a small thing hurt her so? Whatever it was needed to stop.

So, she accepted Ruby's offer the next time, this one a bit more foolish on Cinder's part. She knew what the plan had been, but the disappointment from Ruby had crumbled her resolve and she had told the young teen that she would accompany her to the the dance. With a bit more planning, she had Mercury take her place on the night, so the plan would still be in motion.

Oh, that night. Cinder could barely suppress a smile when thinking of it. Ruby's innocence had taken a stronger hold with the absolutely adorable outfit she had chosen for the event. That was saying something, because Cinder Fall did not use the word adorable in a manner that wasn't sarcastic... except this one time. With her Rose in her arms, the two had danced the night away, not even swayed by the madness of Team JNPR.

That night marked the start of her downfall, she mused. Ruby had now become a part of her once nonexistent conscious, causing the woman to become more withdrawn in her planning. She had been angered to hear that Roman had captured her little Rose, though relief came when she heard of the girl's team rescuing their leader. That was where it clicked, she supposed. That was where her plans all crumbled away.

Manipulating what strings she could, she began to separate her followers from those of the White Fang. Not only did this take her from whatever blame could be laid on her, she wouldn't be associated with something that caused her Rose pain. Then, she began to dismiss people, one at a time for arbitrary reasons. She knew that her partners would notice and had been ready for when they brought it to light.

Emerald had been easy to convince, in hindsight, the pickpocket a natural follower of Cinder, who would go anywhere for her. A love that would remain unrequited, sadly. Mercury, however, had been more difficult. He had wanted to remain on the path of their plan, but Cinder soon began to bring up points that even he could not deny. With their severance from the White Fang, they lacked numbers and Mercury lacked the strategic mind to play the game the way only Cinder could. Without any resources, he would be doomed from the start, so he finally conceded as well.

Which left only one task, one that Cinder had awaited eagerly. With everything taken care of, she was free to pursue Ruby Rose. It had gone from one date, to two, to three, and beyond that. From friends, they became lovers, something that Cinder quite enjoyed. Of course, the two caught some flak due to the difference in age, but it hadn't dimmed their relationship at all.

Cinder watched with a smile as Ruby graduated from Beacon, a full fledged Huntress like herself. That night had also warranted one other surprise. Ruby had proposed. With a finely cut diamond placed on a beautiful silver band, Cinder had broken into tears of joy as she accepted, hugging Ruby tightly against herself. Months later and the two had tied the knot, now Ruby and Cinder Rose.

Weiss Schnee, a teammate of Ruby, had a similar relationship with Blake Belladonna, one could say. Why is this relevant? Well, Weiss being the owner of the largest company for energy propellant, had some unexpected results. She had shown some aptitude in experimenting with dust, finding quite a unique specimen, a slight variation of surrogate birth that could replicate the reproduction of a male and female.

The dust combination had a quality that allowed it to fuse organic matter, even on cellular levels, so it allowed two eggs to be fused together, creating the full cell that brought forth life. Needless to say, Weiss was soon pregnant with Blake's child. Ruby, being her partner at Beacon, was offered the same procedure. Cinder had been overjoyed when Ruby accepted and now, there was a baby in their future.

Nine and a half months later and Amber Rose had been born. The child had black hair, like both mothers, but her eyes were a brilliant yellow color like Cinder's own. Needless to say, Cinder had never been happier than she had that day. She had a loving wife and a darling child to call her own.

XXXGMGXXX

It was a simple morning in the Rose household, both inhabitants resting peacefully in the kitchen. Ruby was getting herself a mug of cocoa, while Cinder sipped her tea at the small table in the room. "Today should be interesting," began Ruby. "Yang was talking about the mission we're going on soon."

Cinder smiled lightly. "Oh?"

Ruby grinned as she sauntered over to the table, drink in hand. "Apparently, we're bringing the beowulf population down to under one hundred, if things go well today. Then we can begin on the next Grimm species."

"I suppose that is worth celebrating, no?" Cinder purred. "Perhaps a reward after you return is in order." She did enjoy teasing her wife so.

Ruby flushed a bright red, even after the time they had together. "That'd be n-nice," she squeaked out.

Cinder stood, circling the table to stand over Ruby, a smirk in place as she looked down at her lover. "So easy to fluster," she said smoothly, using a finger to brush a stray hair from Ruby's face. "You still haven't gotten used to my games, have you?" She chuckled when Ruby shook her head. Cinder leaned down, smiling even wider as she spoke. "Then, I guess we'll have to make sure you do, dear."

Ruby gulped lightly as Cinder placed a kiss on her forehead, dreading what was to come when the caped huntress returned. Even then, it excited her too.

End...

So there ya go! I know that there was very little dialogue, but I wanted to see how well the idea panned out. I apologize if it isn't great, but I have no idea what to write, so... ALSO! News! Bloodstained Chess Board now has over 100k views! I'M SO HAPPY! Now, as always, check out the poll on my profile page. Ladybug is in the lead, hovering just above White Rose. See you on the flip side! Adieu!