A/N: PLEASE READ THIS NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY? It contains some important stuff.
EDIT: 90% flames and hardly any reviews. Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I'm not going to write about Cinder anymore if I keep getting this kind of backlash. I mean it. I am an INCH away from canceling all of my Cinder-centric stories completely, to say nothing of the backlash this chapter received, and its vicious receptions.
Curses hurt. Silence hurts too.
I'm tired of getting lambasted for writing about Cinder.
Sorry if this seems short, burning the candle at both ends here. Updating DAILY is not an easy feat. It wears me out. Lack of reviews sap my inspiration like nothing else, and this...this has hardly received any. It really means the world to me. Your words matter! Speak out!
Well, season eight is over, and the hate for Canon!Cinder has redoubled. Honestly, its a little scary by this point, so much so that I'm afraid to write my Cinder stories at all. I mean, yeah, after what she did...hoo boy...redemption is gonna be hard, if not impossible. But cannot a villain be redeemed if someone gets to them BEFORE they commit such atrocities? Even hearts of stone can crack, given time.
Now then, onto your questions.
Q: How's the timeline going?! Any clues here?!
A: I've said time and time again, each chapter involves a timeskip. It would be boring if the story didn't progress.
Q: Wait a hot minute, has Salem cottoned onto what Naruto intends?
A: She suspects something, but she has no way of knowing what they're up to. Not yet. Furthermore, as we all known, Salem didn't even SEE a Relic until Volume Eight. Recall that she was surprised by both the Lamp and the Staff in separate instances when they were given to her. Right now, she has no idea what they look like.
Q: What's gonna happen to the Lamp?!
A: If the last chapter didn't make it obvious; I'll say it here and now. The Relic of Knowledge is firmly in Naruto's grasp. Cinder used one Question. Naruto utilized another.
One question remains.
And don't think for a second that I've forgotten about Jinn. Silent she may be, but I have plans for her that may...surprise you.
Q: Naruto...he's really going to do it, isn't he? He's going to gather the Relics and then...?
A: *zips lips*
Q: What about Cinder?! That preview bodes poorly for the heroes!
A: Cinder is willing to do whatever it takes to win Naruto's heart. Whatever. It. Takes. In this iteration he may well be her mentor and master, but she wants more than that. Much more. Her as of yet unseen question to Jinn heavily hinted at her intentions.
And when Cinder Fall wants something...she acts. There's no sacrifice she won't make, no risk she won't take, so long as she thinks it will get his attention.
Alright then, I think I've kept you long enough.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes or memes. I'm just a writer.
Get ready for some good 'ol fashioned suspense~!
Been awhile since I've tried that...
"You think you have power, child. You do not.
I see how you look at him. How you long for him. How you pine for him.
Will he ever notice your feelings, I wonder? You know the truth of which I speak...
~?
Know Your Power
Cinder couldn't stop smiling.
Even now, years after that first fateful question, she still felt like she was walking on air.
Because, you see, she knew. She knew, she knew, she absolutely knew! The truth was hers. It always would be. She, Cinder Fall had her answer. She knew the undeniable truth, bequeathed unto her by Jinn herself. All her doubts were washed away, replaced by complete and utter certainty. Here was the validation she had sought all her life, the proof that she'd made the right decision to follow Him all those years ago. And all this from a tiny little question, a seemingly harmless inquiry made two years ago.
Jinn could not answer a question pertaining to the future. But she could answer inquiries pertaining to the past and present. And so she had phrased her words with great care.
"How can I make Naruto love me?"
Jinn's answer was a light in the dark; for it had shown her the way. The genie hadn't just opened Cinder's eyes; she'd shown her everything. His past, his actions, the very deeds that had brought them together. She knew who he was and what he had came from, what molded him into the man he was now. While she might not truly understand his plans for this world, she knew why he was so keen on saving it.
And in knowing him; Cinder knew the way to his heart.
The last two years had not been wasted in that regard; she'd only grown more beautiful and powerful since; truly coming into the might of the Maiden she wielded. She was more than a force to be reckoned with now; she was instrumental part of Naruto's plan, destined to gather remaining maidens unto herself. She had a purpose. She had a destiny. And as she continued to fulfill it, so too would he come to love her.
Now, not even the bitter chill of Atlas could bring her down; if anything, it was a welcome one.
She had an aura and inner fire of her own, so much so that she scarcely felt the winter chill. Ha! Cold? What cold! The cold never bothered her anyway. Smoldering amber eyes rose to gaze upon the shattered moon high above as they walked. Her gaze briefly shimmered with flame.
"Soon." she murmured to herself. "He'll be mine."
This felt like her homecoming. Her destiny, come full circle. The last time she'd been here she was a mere waif, a powerless child with naught but a scrap of power to her name. Oh, how things had changed. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes she had surpassed herself; transcended her physical limits and been born anew in cleansing fire.
Cinder knew she was strong now.
In time she would become truly unstoppable. Mighty. A merry laugh made its way past her lips at the thought. Truly, if this was what vindication felt like, then she wanted to experience it every day of her life-
"Cinder?" Naruto's low voice snapped her back to reality. "You alright there? Its not like you to giggle."
"No, its nothing." the now-seventeen-year-old looked up at her mentor and master with an adoring smile. What? He was, after all. He'd taught her so, so very much. If not for him, she would still be scrubbing floors on her hands and knees, wasting away in service to that wretched woman, unable to do anything until the day she died.
"I know that look." Naruto frowned down at her, skirting a passerby in a white cloak as he did. "You're up to something aren't you?"
"Not at all." She clutched her cloak just a bit tighter. "I have the foggiest idea what you're talking about."
His frown became a smile. "No nefarious plans, alright? Don't think my heart could handle another."
Some of Cinder's glee deflated and she nearly missed a step. Had he cottoned onto her scheme? No. Surely not. She'd been careful. So terribly subtle in her advances toward him. Likely thought she would be getting up to mischief or some other childish thing. Fine. She'd play along.
"Not even a little one?"
He chortled softly at her. "No."
"Fine." she huffed. "When do we strike?"
His frown redoubled. "Its not that simple. Atlas isn't Mistral."
"Then we make it simple." she scowled at him as he led her through an alley, followed by a main thoroughfare. "You already know who the Maidens are." information he had yet to share with her, for fear she'd go haring off after them by herself and die. "We just have to find the Winter Maiden and end-
"Easy, now."
A tan hand came down on Cinder's head to tousle her dark hair. Once upon a time she'd reveled in it. Now? She scowled and wriggled out from under his hand. She wasn't a child anymore. Surely he realized that. She was a woman. If not fully grown, then she soon would be. She was nearly of a height with him now. The idea that he might always see her as that ragged child he'd rescued galled her.
His words did not.
"We have to be careful here." he didn't fight her, but took her hand and pulled her instead. "If we act too overtly, we risk uniting the entire world against us." his gaze held hers, blue eyes bright and intent. "We can't have that. If Ozpin or Salem realizes what you and I are doing, what we intend," and she shivered pleasantly at the inclusion, "They might ruin everything. I need them to be unaware...for now."
"Then we kill them, too!" her voice rose in a hiss. "We're strong! We'll kill anyone who stands against us!"
"That's no way to live, Cinder." if she was fire, then he was water, dousing her enthusiasm with but a look. "If you go around killing everyone who defies you, your world will be a cold and lonely place. Everyone dies in due time. I'll die someday, too." he mused, watching the moon as they walked. "I have to."
Cinder's world shuddered to a halt.
Dead? Him? Unacceptable. Impossible. Naruto was immortal. Eteranl.
"What?" She felt her breath hitch. "No." her mind rejected the concept wholesale. "No, you won't. You can't."
"Its the way of life." Naruto bulled on, not realizing the landmine he'd just trod upon. "Even I won't be around forever-
Frantic eyes rounded on him. "Then I'll find a way to make sure you are!"
He had to be! She couldn't imagine a life without him! No! Nay! Never! He'd given her strength, power, affection, all these things she'd never had! To suddenly go without, to even consider the remote possibility of losing a bond like that to some stray bullet, or a semblance or even some as blase as age...!
"You can't stop death, you silly girl." his voice turned sharp, incredulous even. "Time always wins. The best I can do is push it back. Sooner or later, the Reaper will have her due" he looked away, a small grimace stealing over his whiskered features. "There's something yo should know-
"NO!" her hands fisted around his jacket, holding fast. "Whatever it is, I don't want to hear it! I won't let you!"
Passerby saw them and clicked their tongues at what they thought to be an affectionate display. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cinder wasn't being affectionate. She was furious. Seething, even. How dare he. How dare he even consider leaving her alone, throwing his life away like that! She wanted to reach up and smack his stupid face!
"Cinder, I have-
"I said no!" her head struck his chin. "You're not allowed to die!"
A beat of silence passed between master and apprentice.
"Alright." his hands came down on either side of her waist and pulled her into his chest, steadying her where she stood. "Alright." She wondered if he was lying. "Alright." the third time he said it, warm lips pressed to her forehead. It wasn't the kiss she wanted. "That's a mighty tall order you're givin' me there. All things must die, y'know."
"Not you." she growled as he pulled away. "Never you."
In that moment, something unspooled deep inside Cinder's chest. She could still feel his arms around, fingers barely touching her flank. He was being polite. Respectful. She hated that. Naruto always treated her with kid gloves, now more than ever. Like a glass slipper, one he was afraid might shatter at any moment.
For the first time, Cinder wonder if she should hate her mentor. She buried the thought just as quickly.
"What's your goal?!" she demanded of him. "What am I to you?!"
His hand came down, patting her head. "Everything."
Not good enough!
In a fit of pique, Cinder pushed herself up on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips full to his. Just like that, she gave her first kiss to him. Clumsy awkward, more passion and emotion than any real skill, but a kiss none the less. Naruto stiffened in surprise, hands turning stiff as steel against her flank. Desire sparked to life in her chest, inflaming her emotions to a feverish degree. When his lips parted, no doubt to protest, she crushed her mouth against his again and stifled them. No! She didn't want to stop here. Her very body felt aflame; craving more.
"Cinder, you need to stop-
"You're everything to me, too. Look at me." she begged, voice warbling a little. "See me." Her breasts heaved up against his chest, aching for his hands. "I'm old enough now; I'll be eighteen in a week...more than that...I want you to look at me. Me, and only me.
Naruto looked away. She steered him back to her.
"Touch me." She pushed him into a wall and took hold of his right wrist, grinding his palm to her chest. "Don't you feel it? My heart beats for you." she kissed him and imagined she heard a growl as his hands tightened painfully around her. "Everything I have is for you. Without you, I am nothing."
"Cinder...!"
She didn't have to imagine the growl this time. Naruto's mouth met hers and he spun her, crashing her body against the wall so hard it cracked. One arm tightened around her waist, the other upon her chest. She met him gladly and kissed him fiercely; and for a blissful moment, everything was right. It felt good. Pure. All she'd ever wanted.
And then it ended.
Naruto jerked back as if he'd been scalded; as if he were ashamed with himself for the slip, for giving into lust. It wounded her more than words.
It really, really hurt.
A snarl tore out of her. "Why did you stop?!"
He looked away. "I only bring misfortunate to those I care about. Its...better this way.
"You don't love me, do you?" Cinder chewed at her lip and looked down, hiding her tears. "Not like that. Not yet. I'm still just a child to you."
Naruto didn't deny it. That didn't mean the feelings weren't there. Jinn always spoke the truth. He...Cinder just had to make him realize it. Yes, that was the way! She was still young and gorgeous; in another two or three years she'd be a raving beauty. He just needed time to understand how she felt. That had to be it.
Surely it must be. The alternative threatened to drive her made.
"I'll make you love me." Cinder's head snapped up, regarding him with burning eyes. "Wait and see. When I'm older. You'll fall head over heels for me."
He looked away.
...that's why I want you to infiltrate Atlas Academy."
What?! Where was this coming from?!
Cinder stiffened, fearful at the thought of being sent away. "I...is this a punishment? I'm sorry I kissed you, I shouldn't have but-
"On the contrary. Its a reward." his hand came down on her shoulder this time, causing a fresh surge of warmth to suffuse her cheeks. "You've fought your whole life unwaveringly for what you wanted, and here I am, holding you back." he pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Befriend Winter Schnee. Get on her team, if you can." he dipped a hand into his pouch and revealed a sheaf of paper for her. "I already have transcripts forged for you. That's why we're here. You'll be applying to the Academy next month.
Not out of left field at all, then. Her eyes flashed. "Winter Schnee...is she...?"
"No." Naruto cut down that fledgling thought and marched off before it could take flight, forcing her to follow him. "She isn't. But I suspect she's being fast-tracked as the replacement. The Winter Maiden is here in Atlas, but she's near death...
Cinder paused as they passed the front of a familiar building front. Something caught her eye and she hesitated, his words falling on Wait. She stopped short altogether. Naruto saw her hesitate into her and doubled back.
"Well." he remarked, eyes widening. "That's ironic. What're the chances?"
Master and apprentice shared a rueful glance.
"Can we...
...stay here?" Naruto finished with a laugh. "Sure! Why not. It'd be a fine way to piss on their ashes."
He held the door open for her with a gallant bow, and Cinder lifted her chin as she slipped inside.
Much to her surprise, the interior of the hotel had been altered radically. There were more statues of glass Grimm, some downright garish in their size, but it was the sheer volume of people that caught her eye. Even at its peak, she couldn't remember seeing this many before...
"Hello~!" a perky dog-eared woman in a thin white uniform met them a few steps in. "Welcome to the Glass Unicorn! Finest establishment this side of Atlas!" she all but chirped the last part of the greeting, thrusting out her sizable bosom for all to see. "How may I help you?"
Naruto coughed. Cinder quirked an eyebrow. Well. That was new. The Madame had loathed Faunus. Seemed the new owners were of a higher mind...
Her eyes drifted lower.
...and skimpier clothing for their employees.
'By the brothers, you could balance drinks on those things...
"We'll be needing two rooms for next few months. Maybe a year." Whatever his feelings, Naruto didn't give voice to them. Instead flicked a wad of lien her way. "There's more like this in it for you if you make it quick."
The woman perked up, no doubt sensing an easy mark. More fool she.
"If the Sir will follow me, I'm sure we can arrange...something."
Blue eyes rolled. "Wait here, Cinder. I'll be back."
"But-
"There's nothing you can do here." he dismissed her out of hand. "Don't worry about it."
Cinder granted him a reluctant nod, and with a final longing glance slouched over to the bar.
"Red wine." her fist thumped down on the counter. "Pour quickly."
The poor barkeep did just that and she knocked the glass back the moment it touched her fingers. It didn't burn like whiskey would, but beggars couldn't be choosers. Her fist crashed down for a second time, and the man scurried back over, a large bottle in hand. Some vintage she didn't recognize. Bah. Cinder told him to leave it and drank straight from the bottle itself.
In her heart of hears, she tried not to dwell. It was impossible. And so she drank more.
She was still drinking when something moved in her peripheral vision.
"Room for one more?"
Cinder rounded on the interloper with a snarl, prepared to tear them a new one...and stopped. Fire guttered out of her hands. This newcomer was a dusky skinned woman, clad in fine scarlets silks and scents that tempted the eye and nose alike. Her eyes were pools of molten gold, not unlike her own, yet more somehow. She leaned against the counter, consider as a cat might the canary.
Cinder shrugged. "Help yourself."
The woman did just that, plonking herself down on the seat opposite her. "My, but you're a pretty little thing. What's got your smalls in a twist?"
Cinder bared her teeth. "Not pretty enough, clearly."
"Oh, I very much doubt that...
The Spring Maiden set the bottle down and turned narrow eyes on the...what was she, a dancer of some sort? One could hardly call that a uniform; it left her long legs bard to the elements while presenting tantalizing glimpse of her bosom, to say nothing of the delicate silk veil she wore. Her very presence words held power, a different kind of strength she'd not seen before.
This strength was different from the strength she'd seen.
Naruto's power lay in words and deeds. Salem wielded fear like an art form, she used terror and vengeance to control those that served her. Raven's power had been rough, little more than a blunt instrument for striking down her foes. But this...
...this was different.
"Samara." the woman offered her hand. "And you are?"
Reluctantly, she reached across the counter and grabbed the proffered palm. "Cinder. What do you want?"
"Its a pleasure to meet you, Cinder." dusky cheeks dimpled in a smile. "As to what I want...well. I couldn't help but notice that argument just now."
An alarm went off in the back of the Maiden's head. "Its none of your concern."
"Ah, but I think it is!" Bell-like laughter tinkled through the air.
Cinder knew she could kill this woman; it wasn't pride or even arrogance on her part. It was simply the truth. She had trained well, and whatever her talents, Samara's clearly didn't lay on the field of battle. But she didn't want to kill her. Men and women looked at her. Men desired her. Women wanted to be here. She could summon one with but a glance and banish another with merely a frown.
"You think you have power, but you do not. No," Samara shook her head, sending her dark tresses swaying. "Not real power. That is why you failed back there."
Her pride prickled, stung by the insult. "I have more power than you can possibly imagine; I could kill you where you sit."
"You could." the woman shrugged. "But you will not."
"And why is that...?"
"Because," Samara smiled, and it was just the wrong shade of triumphant. "My words ring true, dear girl. I know the look of a pining maiden when I see one."
Cinder hissed, furious at having been caught out, but she didn't utter a word.
"That man you came in with, I have seen the way you look at him." a slow, lazy smile spread across Samara's face. "You want him." she rolled the third word on her tongue. "You crave him as you crave nothing else." Her words had Cinder shivering. "But he does not look at you." her fingers flicked dismissively, drawing a scowl from her. "To him you are but a child. It is not a child he desires, but a woman."
If her earlier remark had stung, this one burned.
An angry fireball snarled to life in Cinder's palm. "Shut up!"
"Do you even know how to properly please a man?" Samara merely smiled. "No? I thought not. You strike me as a virgin." Cinder sputtered and another peal of laughter graced her ears. "Ah, the things I could teach you if I but had the time...
Heat suffused the younger girl's cheeks.
In truth, she'd never thought of a woman...that way. Why would she? Her attention had always been elsewhere. But for all her attempts to earn his eye, Naruto had not shown the least bit of interest in something like that. He remained fixed on his goal, to the exclusion of nearly everything else.
'If I looked like her, acted like her, I could win him...
Samara caught her staring and leaned forward, offering her a tantalizing glimpse of her bosom through the thin cloth she wore.
"Interested are we?" she leaned forward, lips brushing her ear. "My room is on the second floor. Door nine." the words were murmured on a thread of breath. "Don't keep me waiting."
She stood and sashayed away, hips swaying.
Despite herself, Cinder found herself staring. Her head cocked to one side. Not for the reasons one might thing. She'd felt an odd tug in her soul just now, like the faint caress of the faintest breeze. What was that? A stray Semblance perhaps? Was she a Maiden? She had no way of knowing. Nevertheless, it confirmed at least one of her suspicions. This woman was dangerous. The sensible thing to do would be to stay far away from her, pay her offer no heed, and leave this place.
And then Naruto materialized beside her, eyes hooded. Cinder saw a hickey on his neck.
"Change of plans." he muttered, rubbing angrily at the mark left him by the faunus girl. "This place isn't really a hotel. Its a-
"Brothel, yes." Cinder muttered, face gone rose red as an epiphany struck her. As dis Samar'as words. "And I think someone just propositioned me."
She felt his gaze sear into her back. "You cannot be serious."
Her bottom wriggled on her seat.
"Maybe I am."
Naruto made an irritated noise and a little thrill shot through her. Did this bother him? Was he...jealous? It was almost too much to hope for. Samara had been right. This was power. With but a shift of her hips and a stray remark, she had his attention.
"You said it yourself, you're going to die one of these days." she flung the words at him like a dagger, forcing a flinch from him. "Why should I care?"
She did care! She cared more than anything in the world! Spirits, she was just so angry with him right now...
...I'm going to give you a choice. A golden eye flashed over her shoulder, burning into his blue. "You can either follow me upstairs, leave me with a woman you don't trust...and or take me to a room yourself." she ran a hand down her flank in what she hopped was a coy manner. "Your choice. Either way, I-
Naruto stood stiffly, cutting her short.
...you might regret this." sapphire orbs met burning gold. "I'm cursed, remember? You won't be happy with someone like me. I'll just bring you misfortune."
"You won't." Cinder pleaded, taking hold of his wrist. "I want you. You're the only one I'll ever want."
Naruto didn't say a word...but he still let her drag him upstairs.
A/N: Don't worry, not skipping. We'll get some spicy bits next chapter...if that's what folks want to see. Speak up! Make yourself heard! I can't write in silence!
And now comes the conflict...or does it?
Tread veeeery carefully there Naruto, wouldn't want to upset our little yandere now, would we? Though she's clearly not so little now...
As ever, reviews keep me going despite my health.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly? It means the world to us.
And of course, enjoy the previews. They're...well, startling, to say the least.
(Previews)
It felt...wonderful.
Cinder threw back her head and luxuriated in her triumph.
"Its nothing personal, Winter." she hummed at the ceiling, happy to be alone at last. "You were never worthy of this power. But I am. And I will TAKE what is MINE."
She was in. On Winter Schnee's own team no less. And its Leader! Fate truly favored her. How fortuitous. Team F.W.Z.E. certainly had a nice ring to it. At the end of the day, Winter, Vine, and Elm all answered to her. This was power of a different sort. She needn't beat them into submission. No, a more subtle touch was required...for a time. She would gain their trust. She would befriend them. Make them hers. And then. They would follow her, be loyal to her, obey only her...
Well. She wouldn't say no to a few assets.
Naruto would be proud of her.
So she swore.
"Fancy meeting you here, Arthur. Its been too long."
The two masterminds clasped palms like a pair of long lost comrades.
"Quite." Watts quirked a brow as they parted. "Thank you for the timely intervention. That was nearly...unpleasant."
"It was nothing." Naruto stifled a small smile and leaned against the alley wall. "I'm no fan of Atlas myself. If you're here to cause chaos then by all means. I won't get in your or Salem's way. Now if you'll excuse me-
"Hold a moment." a hand came down on his shoulder, stopping him cold. "Now that you are here, what say we pool our resources? I'll not step on your toes if you don't step on mine."
Naruto stole a glance over his shoulder, regarding him with a burning blue iris. "What did you and Salem have in mind?"
Arthur's smile was just the wrong shade of vicious. He raised a hand, rings glowing on his fingers.
"Up for a game of sabotage, old friend?"
Naruto mirrored his smile.
"You're on."
Sometimes, Naruto wondered if he'd created a monster.
Then he remembered. He already was one.
It helped him sleep at night.
All around Atlas and Mantle, systems went haywire. Ironwood was left pulling his hair out.
Naruto felt the breath leave his lungs at the sight before him. "Cinder...what have you done?"
She stepped back with a hopeful smile, letting him survey her handiwork. Her eyes blazed with fresh flame, high and wild in the night.
"They were going to kill you. I stopped them." There was blood on her face. It wasn't hers. "Do you love me now?"
EDIT! No! I didn't bloody well kill off her team like that! Who do you take me for?!
R&R~!