A/N: EDIT:Well, that's not much in the way of reviews. Ah, well, I tried.
Ach, I forgot Illia! Fixed that! Also had to cut the Kurama bit until a later chapter.
Hopefully this update gets some feedback, I know this is one of my less popular stories...T_T
Been a bit, hasn't it? Working the rust out, don't mind me. Let the RWBY updates continue! Away we go~!
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws near, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time. I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; holidays are HERE and basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Alright, I've kept you long enough. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it!
As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one!
Now then, folks! Heeeere we go.
"You can't change your fate, Cinder. You will always be a monster.
~?
Burning Bright
The gods were crazy!
That, or they had a twisted sense of humor.
Or maybe, just maybe, they were assholes who enjoyed watching others suffer.
Cinder certainly thought so; if only because today held all the makings of a bad joke. It had begun with breakfast as things often did. The morning meal was lovely, of course, Fluffy golden pancakes drizzled in butter and syrup, with a side of strawberries and orange juice besides. She adored them; just as much as the effort that went into the meal.
It was Naruto's absence from said breakfast that rankled her.
"...he's not here." She glowered down at her half eaten meal, grinding her fork against the plate. "Again."
Little Yang scooted her chair closer to her and patted her arm with a tiny hand. "I'm sure he'll be home soon...?"
"Yeah!" Ruby seconded, mirroring her big sister. "He's probably on his way back from Beacon right now."
Cinder felt her temper spark, golden eyes flashing with fire. "I appreciate the sentiment, but...
Illia tilted her head. "Buuuut?"
She
She saw less and less of Naruto these days. He was always off with Ozpin or Qrow, or someone and seldom here with here. Now there was even talk of them making a weapon for him. Meanwhile, she spent most of her days here on Patch. Hiding. In safety perhaps, but hiding nevertheless. All because she couldn't control her power. Even now it flickered and seethed with her emotions and while she could direct it in broad swathes, the finer points of control eluded her. She needed to be better. She had to be. It felt like she was going mad.
One year of this.
One year, and Naruto was growing by leaps and bounds.
One year and it didn't feel like she was any closer now to mastery than she'd been before.
"Cinder!' Taiyan's voice rang from the living room. "Hurry and finish your breakfast! Glynda's here for you!"
Of course she was. Goodwitch always arrived early. Heaving a sigh, she polished off the last of her meal and shoved her chair back.
Yang and Ruby must've seen the anger in her eyes; because the little girls exchanged a glance with Illia.
Cinder saw it. "No," she hissed. "Don't you dare."
They dared. "Take us with you!"
As one, the younger girls launched themselves off their chairs and gathered around her, squeezing her for all they were worth. Cinder melted into it with a sigh. Might as well. They'd never let her go otherwise. She...was fond of Yang and Ruby. She'd sooner die than speak it aloud, but she adored them. Illia as well. The way they clung to her, wanted her attention, even calling her big sister. Taiyang...well. The big brute was like the father she'd never had, puns and all. It warmed her fractured heart.
But it wasn't enough.
She didn't feel free here; because she had training of her own with Miss Goodwitch. Long, grueling training that took her away from them, that Naruto couldn't help with, that kept her apart from him. Sometimes she almost found herself hating Patch. She really, truly did. Just thinking of it made her feel guilty. These people were protecting her and Naruto and here she was sulking because things weren't going her way. Just how childish could she be? But it wasn't fair...! He was progressing too quickly! Leaving her behind! Couldn't they see that?
"Time to let go, Ruby." she nudged her first, trying to pry the youngest girl off her. "You're going to make me late."
Mistakes were made.
"Nope!" the silver-eyed girl clung to her torso all the tighter.
Cinder sighed. "You cannot simply say that and expect to win everytime."
Yang took her cue and latched onto her left leg. "NOPE!"
Cinder's face absolutely twitched. "Illia, be reasonable-
No use. She grabbed her right leg. "N~o~p~e~!"
This. This was her life now. Damn Naruto to the darkest pit for making her suffer through this. The least he could do was be here to suffer with her.
...fine.
Shuffling footsteps dragged Cinder and her "baggage" out the kitchen. Tch. The girls were heavier than they looked. They clung on like limpets all the while, never once slackening their grip. Each step was torment. Their muffled giggles didn't make her smile. No. Nay. Never. She'd burn anyone who said otherwise.
Sure enough, she found her waiting there.
Glynda Goodwitch was the pinnacle of power and poise. Always calm, cool, and collected. She was everything Cinder wanted to be. She didn't need to speak to cow you; a single glance from her could strike fear into even the darkest heart. Hers was a cold beauty. Untouchable. Unreachable. Unmovable. Cinder wanted that-no, she needed that. The ability to command others with a look, the kind of charisma that made people want to listen to you, follow, you, obey you. Qrow had once said she'd be a raving beauty when she was older, that men and women alike would line up to do her bidding.
Looking at Miss Goodwitch, she could only hope. She could never be that cold, never truly be ice. But she could be fire.
By contrast, Taiyang Xialong was warm sunshine; greeting her with a smile and a bemused look as he beheld the pesky passengers she carried in tow.
"Well, well," he rumbled a laugh. "What have we here?"
Cinder knew they weren't truly related, not really, despite the misconception perpetuated by Qrow, but she could see a shadow of what Naruto might become someday. She liked what she saw. Strong, tall, able to lift her spirits with the slightest of smiles.
It made her miss him all the more.
Glynda's stern green eyes alighted upon her at the last, narrowing behind horn-rimmed glasses. "You've eaten, then? Good. Come along."
Cinder raised a leg and tried to shake Yang off. No dice. "
"Girls," Taiyang chided, "Let your big sister go."
"Awww..
"Boo.
"No fun...
Taiyan tousled her hair as she shrugged on her satchel. "Knock 'em dead, kid. I'll have lunch ready when you get back."
"And Naruto...?" Cinder hated herself for the wavering words.
"If he shows up early, I'll send him your way." the blond brawler winked. "Promise."
Goodwitch tutted at him crossly. "Taiyang Xiaolong, you will do nothing of the sort. Her training-
"Is very dangerous, blah, blah, blah." he chortled softly. "Cinder's missing her sweetheart. Let them have some time together."
Cinder felt her face burn red. "Hey! It not like that, you shitty old man...
He flicked her forehead, drawing a yelp from her.
"Language, young lady."
(.0.0.0.)
Ozpin handed him a small box. "Your'e certain about this?"
Naruto curled his hand around it. "Sure am~!"
"I wish you luck then. Do be careful...
(.0.0.0.)
"Are you prepared?"
Cinder huffed a little. "As I'll ever be...
Just as before, miss Goodwitch had led her to the same spot; a little grove nestled off the coast, tucked into the mountainside. Safe. Secluded. Secure. It was all of these things, or so Glynda claimed. Grand walls of stone prevented anyone seeing them out on the sea and likewise the large trees afforded them cover from any aerial observer while providing countless places to hide. From here, one could see someone approaching miles out and react accordingly.
It was, in a word, perfect...if one ignored just how claustrophobic it could be.
The benevolent trees that provided precious cover also blotted out most of the sunlight itself, forcing her to train in suffocating shadow. Glynda often made use of that very darkness for her own ends ; utilizing her versatile semblance to hurl large boulders at her, forcing her to either burn them away or dodge outright. Sometimes she got particularly creative and launched entire trees her way.
She dearly hoped that wouldn't be the case today; she had neither the time nor the patience for it. Her temper was already dangling by a thread.
"So?" she scuffed a shoe in the dirt, trying not to look surly and failing miserably. "What are we doing today? More dodging?"
"You are going to summon fire." Miss Goodwitch adjusted her glasses, flawless as ever. "And work on your self control."
Cinder felt her face screw up in a grimace. Control. It was always about control, wasn't it? She was sick of being controlled. Blasted adults. Hadn't they been children once? Did they even remember what it was like? Miss Goodwitch likely didn't. She'd probably been like this since...welll, always.
Glynd swept her weapon against a towering oak, producing a harsh crack. "Begin!"
Fine. Fire it was. She could do that.
She wiped a stray bead of sweat from her brow, closed her eyes, and raised her arms. Smoldering embers rose around her. High above the trees creaked as the wind began to pick up. As always the Maiden power came to her easily. Too easily. Therein lie the problem. She struggled not to channel it outward as a novice might, but to control it. It wanted to be free; to rush out of her body and annihilate her enemies. She just had to...let it out. Not a flood, but a trickle, a silent stream she could control, rather than the raging river it wished to be.
Today, she did.
Flashfire flared at her fingertips, erupting forth in a cone of wicked napalm. It struck a tree and barreled onward, charring it to ash. A dam burst somewhere inside Cinder and power rushed out. Distantly she heard Glynda shout at her. She couldn't make out the words, couldn't hear her over the roar of the flames. Out and out it rushed, until her eyes watered and she felt weak in the knees. Goodwitch was shouting at her in earnest now, a sharp startled cry. Cinder ignored her with a euphoric smile.
How could something that felt this good be so wrong?
"CINDER!"
The spell shattered and her legs buckled, dragging her down.
Cinder caught herself with both hands, face flushed. "There. How's that for power?"
Glynda gazed out on the blasted wasteland and sighed at the scorched stone. "So much for the forest...I do hope you're happy."
"I'm not. I want to train at Beacon." She lifted her chin to glare up at her mentor. "With Naruto."
"I'm sure you do." A wry smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "But you cannot."
This argument again!? "I'm not afraid of the fox."
"You should be." Miss Goodwitch chastised her. "The creature within him is...unpredictable. Until he learns to control it we cannot risk your safety."
"So you'll just keep us apart until then?!"" her hands balled into fists at her sides. That's not fair!"
An indiscernible emotion flashed across Glynda's face. "Life is seldom fair, child. This is for the best. You'll thank us for this someday."
Her scroll rang. Cinder didn't look away. Her mentor met her stare stoically, refusing to budge as the phone bleated on...
.
..
...and then.
"I have to take this." she raised the device to her ear and walked away. "Don't go far. Yes?" she spoke into the scroll. "Ozpin? Is everything-
She was still speaking when Cinder struck.
She flung herself backward -not forward!- with a gust of wind, launching herself out into the charred forest. Glynda made an annoyed noise but didn't pursue; even as she vanished into the smoke. Why? Did they have a means of tracking her somehow? Had they chipped her? Were they that confident? No, don't think about that. Run. Get away.
Smog stung at her eyes as she hurtled into the gloom. She wasn't sure how long she ran for. Minutes? Hours? Time was as hazy for her as the smoke.
Finally, she could run no further.
Her lungs failed her, and her body soon thereafter.
Wasted and gasping for air, hands on her knees, she leaned against a tree. An angry fist thumped it. Fire flashed up the bark and burned it to dust.
Damnit. Damn her. Damn them all for acting like this! She just wanted to be free!
Was that so wrong?!
"You will never find what you seek here, child."
Cinder pivoted, rounding on the voice. She immediately wished she hadn't. An awful Grimm materialized within the smoke. It looked like some mad cross between a sphere and a tentacled creature, the latter swimming with dark depths as it bobbed in the air. A woman's voice emanated from it once more, a soft and crooning sigh, the sound an amused matron might make toward a small child.
The soulless sound sent a shiver racing up Cinders spine. Fire flared in her hand. "And who are you...?"
"Think of me as...a friend. They will never accept you, not as you are. Surely realize this."
Her brow furrowed. "You didn't answer my question. Who are you?
"As I said, a friend. We shall meet again."
A gust of wind swept into the smoke.
"Cinder?"
She turned back. The strange creature was gone. All that remained was a pile of ash. Wait. Her eyes widened. She recognized the voice and whipped right 'round.
...Naruto?"
Her partner looked...tired. He had one arm thrust forward, having dispelled the worst of the smoke with his chakra. She didn't fail to notice the ugly bruise on one cheek, and dark circles under his eyes. He'd been pushing himself hard. Maybe too hard. Harder than her, certainly. She winced even as she thought it.
...how did you find me?"
"Sensed ya." He lowered his arm to squint at her. "Who were you talking to?"
She looked away from him with a huff. "No one."
He frowned. "Sounded like someone...
"I said it was no one!"
"Alright, alright." he raised both hands to deflect her anger. "You were talking to yourself. Fine. I get it." A tan hand reached into his pack and emerged with a small plastic container. She saw the paired ham sandwiches within and her stomach growled. "Taiyang sent me with these." had she been gone that long? "How's the training going?"
Cinder quirked a bow toward the burnt forest. Back to him, now."
"Fair." he grinned and offered her a sandwich. "Want one?"
...no."
Her stomach whined anew.
He grinned at her, that impish little smile that made her heart flutter. "Any other way I can help?
"How can you?" Her emotions strained at their leash. "You spend all your time training with Ozpin and not nearly enough with me."
He winced. "Hey, that's not fair. I'm doing this so I can protect you.
"I don't want to be protected!" she rounded on him.
"That wasn't what I meant-
"No?" Cinder spat at the ground, not liking the wounded look in his eyes. "Certainly sounded like it...
"I don't want anyone to hurt you." he stowed the sandwich box back in his pack and offered her his hand. "I want to stand by your side. I-ugh." he looked away when she didn't budge. "I'm really making a mess of this, aren't I?"
Cinder whirled away. She knew it wasn't his fault, but she was just so angry. Why couldn't they be normal? Why couldn't they live normal lives?
It.
Wasn't.
Fair.
"Look," he laid a hand on her shoulder, trying to rally." There's nothing wrong with a little weakness. Let me help."
She rounded on him. "I AM NOT WEAK!"
Fire flashed. The smell of burned flesh filled the air.
Naruto grunted and staggered back, clutching at his right eye.
Cinder froze. Saw the seething red blisters on his cheek. She'd burnt his face. Taken an eye. Her world shattered into a thousand pieces.
"Naruto...?" she reached a trembling hand his way. "Does it hurt...? I'm sorry, I'm sorry...!" She'd burnt him. "No! No, I didn't mean to!
Her hands trembled. She looked down at them, at the flames smoldering within. This was what she was. A monster.
His fingers curled around hers. She winced and tried to pull back. "Stop! I'll burn you!"
Its alright." he rasped. Everything is alright. Look at me." As she did the angry welts faded, replaced by healthy pink skin. His eye smoldered back into place, the wound healing as she looked on. "See? I'm fine. You're fine as you are. Don't worry."
She hiccuped. He patted her head. "Good."
"I burned you!" Words rushed out of her. "You were hurt!
"Now, just calm down." he soothed. "I know you're upset, buuuuut-
No such luck. She dove on him, landed in his lap, rode him to the floor, and bawled her eyes out.
A/N: Seems like something Naruto would do.
Hope you enjoyed~!
Hope you enjoyed this interim chapter; because things are about to pick up, and fast.
As stated above, reviews are my lifeblood. Can't write without 'em.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
Here, enjoy some previews.
SPOILERS! READ IF YOU DARE!
References are references~!
(Previews)
"I actually came here for a reason."
He knelt. Her heart stooped.
No.
No, no.
No, no, no.
Yes! A thousand times yes!
A glistening sapphire set within an onyx band, it was a ring. He'd given her a ring.
...its beautiful. And this is for me?"
"You're engaged?! Already!?"
"Give up. You're surrounded. you can't win."
He rose slowly. Set her body down. Patted her head. Only then did he speak.
...who decided that?" a bloody red eye glared over his shoulder. "I've given you courtesy enough...
He reached back, tearing off his tattered jacket.
"Now I fight."
Naruto struck like a viper. One moment he was crouching over her; whispering soft word to her, nowhere near the men who had broken her so badly. In the next his foes yelped as he appeared among them. A booted foot stomped down. The ground cracked. Bodies hit the floor. He drove a knee into their leader's solar plexus. A startled grunt was his reward. They were still gasping for air when he stomped down in. A one-inch punch had them folding like a house of cards. His hands flashed out to strike either side of their head to strike their ears in an open-palmed slap, discombobulating them.
They doubled over, to which he grasped the leader's head and slammed a headbutt into their nose. Blood fountained forth.
She took some petty pleasure in the irritated snarl that followed from where she lay. Heh. Worth it...
Naruto waded in, fists swinging. "You have my attention now! I hope its what you wanted!"
It was not what they wanted. Nope. Not at all.
She was looking at another Maiden.
Amber blinked up at her. "Can you teach me to be like you?"
Cinder snorted. "There is no one like me-ow! Don't pinch me, blast you!"
"Sorry, not sorry." Naruto took his hand from her hip. "Can't have you getting a big head."
R&R~!