A/N. As ever, we're following the Ember's Rule here. Sorry if this seems short, gotta work early.

If folks don't like this, it'll be deleted. That rule still holds true here. I don't WANT to do that, but I will if people aren't interested. So by all means speak up! Make yourself heard! Your feedback matters! I cannae write without them!

Next, this particular chapter is told in excerpts, though the rest will be in regular format. Hope folks don't mind that...?

Now lets answers some questions:

Q: Naruto and Cinder running through Remnant as kids...god help us all.

A: Ayup. Pretty much. This Naruto is...well. You'll soon see. He's more than he seems.

Q: Just how much is the timeline going to change?!

A: Funny thing about messing with time, even unintentionally. Its like casting a stone into water. The stone creates a ripple. The ripple spreads. The ripple becomes a wave. That wave soon sweeps all before it. See where I'm going with this, hmm? No? Don't worry. You will. To say anything more there would spoil the entire story, so I'll keep quiet.

Q: You really have a soft spot for Cinder, don't you?

A: Yes and no. I HATED Cinder until we got her backstory. Even then, I still hate the monster she is now. But... as a child, she was very much an innocent. Its what she did when she was older that made her the witch many of us loathe. If given half a chance, a friend, and a chance to escape the misery she lived through on a day to bay basis...well...what would she become?

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one!

By all means, let me know what you think~!

"The future is set in stone! You're just one boy! You can't save anyone! You can't change ANYTHING!"

"See, that's where you're wrong. I may be one guy. But WE?"

*POOF*

"WE ARE MANY."

~the Future.

Burn it Down

This world was...not right.

Naruto came to that unenviable conclusion one night during his tenure in the orphanage.

Monsters roaming the world unchecked, all this talk of aura, semblances, huntsmen...he was clearly a long way from home. He knew that now. Accepted it, even. It was an unpleasant thought to be sure, but he sulking about it wouldn't do him any good. No matter how much he might dwell upon them. In the beginning when he'd first found himself stranded in this awful place, such thoughts were never far from his mind. He'd nearly gone into a blind panic in the beginning. When he'd found himself stranded here, he'd spent the better part of a month roughing it in the wilds, living off the land.

Before the adults caught him. Bastards.

That was another problem he'd found; these people, rather, what little he'd seen of Mistral, well...they were lacking. His fellow orphans were harsh and cruel, and their caretakers little better. They'd mugged him while he was asleep for crying out loud! Fleeced him blind! What kind of shelter did that?! Sometimes he caught himself wishing they'd all just die. caretakers of the Something needed to be done about that.

There were exceptions, of course.

One such exception was tucked into his side, cuddling against him for warmth.

"Blanket hog." he muttered with a rueful smile.

Cinder nestled deeper into the blanket with him, tucking her head into his chest. "Not my fault. Cold."

Naruto looped an arm about the small girl's shoulders and didn't challenge her. He knew she'd had a nightmare again. Their blanket was barely large enough for them both after they'd hit a growth spurt, but he try as he might he just couldn't find it in himself to complain. Cinder refused to sleep alone these days. Her night terrors were all the worse when she was alone. Sometimes he wondered what she dreamed about.

"You're alright." he pulled her closer. "Just rest."

Just before he drifted off, he heard Cinder's whispered words.

"I don't want to be a monster, don't let me become a monster...I don't want to be like her...

Who was she talking about?

(.0.0.0.)

Days blended together.

Cinder wasn't sure what to make of Naruto and his strange ways at first, but in time she grew to understand him. He was an ally, if not a friend. He protected her, she protected him. They watched each other's backs when the other children were around. They huddled together for warmth at night. When she couldn't sleep, he told her stories of his world; of secrets and jutsu and scrolls and wild wondered she didn't understand.

She envied him that; to know a world where such marvels were commonplace, a world without Grimm.

Two outcasts. Two weak urchins, all but powerless against the world. Or so she thought.

At it turned out, Naruto wasn't so weak-willed after all...

(.0.0.0.)

"I'll take them."

Cinder watched from hiding place as two more children fell prey to that...woman.

Lady Tremaine, or The Madame, as she was known around these parts, took children from this orphanage all the time. The woman paid her visits by bullhead, paid up front in cash, and always left with one or two children under her care. Usually the rowdy ones. They never came back. But the woman did. Always. Time and time again she'd returned to this place. Cinder had taken note of her coming and goings long ago. The Madame came her often. Too often.

Of course she'd avoid her! Any sane child would! Sadly, those seemed to be in short supply these days.

Cinder wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Did the children she "adopted" go on to lead happy lives? Or was there some nefarious purpose at work here?

Whatever the case, she was rich and powerful; that much was abundantly clear by her attire and attitude; so much so that the orphanage staff always bowed and scraped before her. More than a few children, too. No one wanted to be here. Many saw her as their golden ticket-their one chance to escape this awful life.

"These two." the Madame pointed at two urchins. "They look strong enough."

Cinder watched her take two such children now, a tall boy and a short girl. She didn't know their names. Didn't care to know them. Everyone here -save Naruto!- was her enemy. She told herself she didn't care about the fate of random strangers. So long as she stayed away from this odd woman and kept Naruto well at a distance she would be safe-

A hand came down on her shoulder. "Whatcha doing?"

"Yeek!" Cinder nearly jumped out of her skin. "Don't do that!"

The object of her affections blinked back at her quizzically, pure as the driven snow. She gave him a shove. As ever, he didn't budge. Really, it was like hitting a brick wall. A chatty, smiling brick wall that made her feel warm and fuzzy inside like nothing else and-treachery! Traitorous thoughts!

She hissed at him. "Quiet!"

The Madame looked their way.

Cinder ducked out of sight and dragged Naruto with her.

"Ma'am?" She heard one of the staff ask after Lady Tremaine. "Did you see something?"

There was a pause. Cinder's heart hammered out of her chest.

...its nothing." the woman said at last. "Here's your fee."

She heard the telltale sound of lien exchanging hands.

"A pleasure doing business with you." the orphanage matron tittered softly. "Please keep us in mind if you need anymore...children."

"I will."

Cinder counted to three, not trusting her senses. When she finally dared to peek around the corner, the Madame was gone, and her new wards with her. She didn't emerge from hiding until she saw the bullhead take off; even then she remained perfectly still until it whisked itself away into the afternoon sky.

Naruto wriggled free of her grasp a moment later. "What was that about?"

She kicked his knee once to wince. Ow! Solid! "You have no sense of self preservation, I swear!"

"Sure I do." he grinned and folded both arms behind his head. "I'm not stupid." There it was again, that damnable smile of his. "But nothing here can catch me if I don't want it to." His brow furrowed in a rare cloud of anger as a thought occurred to him. "Those jerks only got the drop on me 'cuz I was sleeping. Never woulda caught me otherwise." She swiped at him and he ducked back with laugh. "See! Even you can't catch me!"

Hmm. He was rather agile.

"So," he began, apropos of nothing, "I'm thinking of busting outta here tonight. Wanna come with?"

Cinder's neck produced an audible crack as she round on him. "Excuse me?"

Too late, Cinder noticed the pack slung on his shoulders. He hadn't had that before. Must've stolen it from one of the older boys. It was fit to burst, all but fraying at the seams. No doubt he'd crammed a good bit into it, but why here? Why now it had been nearly a year. Why try and escape now and not then?

"Come. With. Me." Naruto leaned forward and clasped her hands in his. "We don't need this place! Its awful, and everyone in it! I've had enough of it it! Lets burn it down and bolt!"

Cinder sputtered. "You're mad."

"Nope."

She frowned. "You can't just run, they'll catch you-

"Nope!" He laughed over her rebuttal. "Won't happen! Not this time!"

The girl's heart skipped a single treacherous beat. It was tempting. So very tempting. But where would they go? Winter wasn't coming, it was already here. Once the storms hit, they'd freeze to death out there; assuming the Grimm didn't find them first. The drifts would be deep at this time of year and there could be no passage through the mountains. They would starve. This place was horrible, but at leas they were fed. Bread and water was better than nothing...surely...?"

Fear ruled her heart and she tugged her hands free. looked away. "I can't...

"Of course you can! You keep talking about all this predator and prey stuff. Well?!" he scowled at her as she withdrew and crossed both arms before his chest. "Which are you?"

Cinder bridled, but her temper failed. "That's not fair...

"Is so!" His forehead struck hers, startling her with sheer proximity. "You can be anything you want, Cinder. You just have to choose. Just take a chance!"

She wanted to a Predator, not Prey. She wanted to fight. She wanted to lead. But that wasn't her destiny. No matter how she railed against the truth, she simply wasn't strong enough to chance her fate. She loathed it like the orphanage itself hating it with every fiber of her being. Truly, it wasn't fair at all..

Cinder looked left. Cinder looked right. Cinder sighed. "We'll die."

"No." he grinned at her. "We won't."

She scowled at him. "What makes you so certain?"

"Determination!" he thumped a fist against his chest. "We'll steal some food and heavy cloaks tonight, then we'll bolt." He opened a pouch. "See?" It was heavy with lien. "Robbed the bastards blind; bit by bit, so they had no idea. They won't know what hit 'em until its too late."

Cinder blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice now.

By the brothers, that was a lot of money. Had he spent the last year gathering it all? It wasn't enough to live on, not for long, but it was an admirable start. Her heart twitched. Freedom. Could it really be possible...?

"And the fire...?"

He grinned. "Leave that to me~!"

There were times when Cinder wondered if she should hate Naruto. Now was such a time. He lived without regret, without fear, without a second thought. Once he made up his mind there could be no swaying it. A part of her longed for that. Envied it. Craved it. Would that she could live such a life for herself. To simply cast aside her fear and become what she was destined to be. And right now? Fear was all she felt. What if he left without her? She'd be alone again. Alone, vulnerable, unprotected. Easy prey for anyone who found her. And so she made her choice.

Her hands closed around his.

Later that night? The orphanage burned.

All of it. Every bit. Burned right down to cinders.

No one noticed two children slipping away in the chaos.

And with that, the world of Remnant changed just a little bit more.

A/N: Remember, Embers rule. This will be deleted forthwith if folks don't like it. Forthwith! So speak up! Make yourselves heard!

Not to much to say here...but Little!Cinder is just too adorable to bully. Lets see if she can have a normal life this time around. After all, with Naruto around, there's no way she can possibly turn into the monster we see in canon...right? *takes a look at the next arc* Oh dear...

As stated above, reviews are my lifeblood. Can't write without 'em.

Next Chapter title: Love the Way You Lie.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

And enjoy the previews.

(Previews)

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

Cinder kicked out with both legs, to no avail. "Get! Off!"

Hands closed around her throat, trying to choke the life from her. No! Not like this!

A chain pierced the back of her attacker and burst through his chest, spattering her face with blood. Cinder looked up. Behind them, Naruto exhaled harshly. Blood ran down his face. His blue eyes were red. He yanked on that wicked weapon with a snarl, reeling it in like a fishing line.

"GET OVER HERE!"

Cinder's tormentor didn't scream. Calling it a scream would've been generous. It was more of a surprised croak as Naruto yanked them back into his grasp. A clawed hand closed around the back of their head with furious force. Clawed fingers dug into their skull, uncaring of their resistance...and squeezed.

Something popped.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

"I want power!" Cinder's fist smashed into a wall. "I never want to be weak like that again!"

"Alright." the woman cocked her head, regarding them as a goddess might an ant. "I believe we may be able to help one another."

Naruto frowned and shifted half a step backward pulling Cinder with him. "How so...?"

Cinder matched it with a scowl of her own. "And just who are you...?"

"Persistent little things, aren't you? Even wounded as you are, you'd fight me to the death." Their mysterious benefactor chuckled behind their mask. "Very well. You've proven your strength." firm hands reached up and plucked the ghastly facade free from her face. Red eyes gleamed back at them, sharp and intent, set in a pale visage. "There. You've seen my face." She planted one hand on her hip and smirked. "Do you recognize me now?"

Naruto and Cinder exchanged a baffled look. "No...?"

Their savior snarled. "Brats!"

Things were looking up.

EDIT: Is that who you think is? Well, you'll just have to stick around and find out, won't you?

R&R~!