Here we are with another chapter, hopefully a good one for y'all. I think we should be keeping at a good pace, both posting and in the story so I'm banking on having another chapter out around the same time it took to do this one or so. Possibly in between I'll be posting a new story likely involving some Dragonslayer, we'll see what I finalize with it, but I do want to cover my main ships I've enjoyed with Jaune. And while I wish that Knightfall would become a driving force of the show, I think I wouldn't mind settling for Lancaster at all. But a story involving that is awhile off, just because I'm mostly focused on this.

Thanks for reading as always. Enjoy.

CHAPTER 9 - New Findings

The two future huntsmen had taken their time returning to the Arc family. Exploring their expanded boundaries and establishing new ones. Jaune had found that as much as Cinder liked to keep a repertoire as a tough, rough around the edges woman that would be independent for the rest of her life, no longer weighed down from anyone but her possible aspirations. Yet in the past couple months, the originally stout and hard to approach villainess had become a reasonably talkative, thoughtful companion that looked to be ready to stick it out with him through the thick and thin.

After a long bout of feverous findings of their limits with each others, only constrained by the unsaid rules of keeping above the collarbone, they had settled to talk. The first question, an obvious, but necessary one defined their relationship; partners, boyfriend-girlfriend. It would be either's first dip into the new opportunities life provided, both too busy, awkward, or even ready for most of their life to obtain a significant partner of their own. They had been polar opposites at the beginning, literal enemies in their trade, and somehow had whittled each other down to the heart. At the end, they found that they had more in common than they thought; a greed for results in their work, pure effort in the betterment of their craft, pride in their profession.

It would be a long discussion with Team JNPR and RWBY, well, less with Ruby and Blake. They would likely be under scrutinizing eyes for a good portion of time, but it would be worth it. Jaune knew that the future friendships and support that the teams would provide could exponentially increase Cinder's confidence in doing good for herself and others. He might have been the catalyst, but his teammates would potentially be the glue that held it together. All would come in due time, Jaune knew, only getting caught up in the fever that Cinder brought to him.

The Arc Sisters whisked Cinder away the moment Jaune returned with her, likely getting the gossip they desired out of her. Jaune was left to his own devices, seeking out his mother while his father went to herd his sisters back home. Before he even spoke he felt like the conversation had already happened. Damn that mother's intuition.

"Hey mom, sorry we were out so long." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Cinder was learning swimming so fast that she just wanted more and more stuff to learn, so...yeah, you know."

Sylver hummed happily, "Oh, I see, that's what we're going with. Well mister, please practice safe everything, and just know you better make her happy. She's a keeper, I can see it in the way she looks at you, talks about you too."

"Okay, fine. I gotcha." Jaune mumbled back, unable to argue. He was a talker, and talkers told parents too much, especially about their newly formed love life.

"But for my silence and dialing down my mom duties, like say maybe showing your baby pictures." His mother grinned, worrying him where she was going with it. "I need you to do an errand for me, just a fifteen or so minute walk from the house. One of our neighbors just moved in a few months ago, nice man with a lung problem, something nasty punctured it back in his huntsman days and he finally stopped here to retire. I want you to go over there, say hi, ask if he needs help with anything. Oh, and take something for him, a case of your fathers beer, or some food of some sort."

Jaune's arms sagged with relief, that kind of deal he could handle. "I don't see how we'll have any problem with that. Cinder and I'll get showered and changed, head right over as soon as we're done."

"In different showers or times hopefully." His mother said, walking away.

"Hey! I heard that." Jaune yelled, hoping she would keep the teasing to a minimum.

Cinder seemed to also have finished her time with his sisters, walking away with what looked to be little phycological injuries. That was positive, he noted her small smile seeing him walk toward her. "Hey, let's get showered. Mom has some errand for us to run for her, we've gotta go visit some retired hunter down the street.

"As much as I'm pleasantly surprised by your forwardness, I hope you shave because any hair will be burnt to a crisp if you try anything." Cinder looked toward where she insinuated harm.

Jaune stopped walking, "Wait, really?"

"No, but it's cute you think so." Cinder said as she passed him.

The walk was around fifteen minutes, just like Jaune's mother had said. The house they arrived at was a two-story, brick house likely built when the plots of land were first being developed. But nonetheless, it's placement on the water looked like the view made up for any mishaps the old structure would cause. The newly minted couple meandered through the sidewalk to the front door, Jaune pressing the doorbell once they arrived at the steps.

It didn't take long for the resident of the household to answer, opening the door seconds after the bell had rung. A tall, dark skinned man with grey hair and brown eyes answered the door dressed in simple shorts and a t-shirt with some sort of designs likely referencing his old job. "Yes, how can I-Cinder!?"

"Rhodes?!" Cinder exclaimed, starting to hyperventilate she took a step back. Hiding behind Jaune, she practically screeched out the rest of her response. "Y-you're, al-live? I tho-...I thought I killed you!"

Rhodes recovered quickly, giving a hearty chuckle, "Sweetheart, you know that I'm tougher than that. You don't think I wasn't aware of your capabilities at the time, I'm the one that taught you. That, and the medical procedures these days are amazing. I got my lung and everything repaired in no time, just left me with some small breathing difficulties."

Jaune looked back and forth from the retired hunter to his girlfriend shaking behind him. "I think it's wonderful that you survived Mr. Rhodes, I know Cinder is a little off right now but I'm sure she thinks the same thing."

"Of course, I understand. She always was a bit hardheaded with her emotions." Rhodes opened the door wider, gesturing to them. "Well come in, sit down in the living room and I'll make us some tea."

Within minutes, silent minutes at that, the three of them were sat in the living room. A couch, chairs, and coffee table centered off of the fire place. Cinder and Jaune sat across from Rhodes, the hunter taking his time to begin talking. Jaune considered it might be him waiting for one of them to talk, but before anything could be said Rhodes began talking.

"I hope you both know that I never truly understood the extent of Cinder's suffering, and I hope that my life up until now has properly repented for not saving her from that wretched family." Rhodes ran a hand through his long locks of grey hair, "The fact you're still here, alive and what looks to be like finally happy with your situation is a gift from the brothers above."

Cinder hadn't talked since her initial outburst, only showing emotion through the tight grasp of her hand in Jaune's. "I will admit, I am in a better spot than I once was. Jaune has been tenacious in getting me there, and its resulted in our current relationship." She paused to give Jaune a loving look, squeezing his hand to emphasize her point. "There's not much I can do to right my wrongs, only promise that no other innocents will befall your fate."

Rhodes smiled, a warm, welcoming one directed only at Cinder. "All I ask is to continue the path you've set yourself onto, you've already made me proud. There's no excuse what that family did to you, and I hope you keep that young man with you by your side for the foreseeable future. I've never seen you smile so much in one sitting, let alone at all."

"He's bearable." Cinder said, a small blush gracing her cheeks. "Right now the present is the only thing on my mind, repairing what I did to you, spending my time here with Jaune. The future can be thought about once I have made breathing room in my life. Too many bridges have been left untouched, burnt and such."

"Yet you have a partner right with you through it all." Rhodes said, "That is more than most can say, especially one that has so much in common with you."

Cinder scoffed, "He might be nice to look at, and a huntsman. But I assure you that's where the similarities halt themselves. Quite a miracle really that I managed to seduce him."

"Right, it was you who seduced me." Jaune chuckled, wrapping an arm around Cinder's shoulder's and pulling her closer. "Your competitiveness is one of your defining traits, but it's okay to admit when you lose too. I'm sure we can find something to help with the loss, maybe a nice Beowulf plushie for your room, hmm?"

"How childish," Cinder retorted, giving mixed signals as she snuggled into his side. "I have no such things in my room for a reason."

"You didn't have much of a choice of what you've been able to have though." Jaune commented, "Anything that's not bolted down so you didn't blockade the door or chuck it is things that Ruby or I have brought you. Come on Cin, something to add some flair should be a good consolation prize."

"The heads of my enemies mounted on the walls would suffice."

Jaune laughed, noting Rhodes surprise at his positive reaction. "You need a more sociable sense of humor. I'm not going to be around all the time to explain it to everyone."

Rhodes relaxed visibly, "So, Jaune, Cinder, how did you two meet. Please, I'm sure it was a story to tell if I know anything about the huntsman world."

Jaune took a sharp inhale through his teeth. This would be difficult to explain, and he knew it would come up for the next forever of their time together. It was as good as time as any to practice, because if they couldn't explain it to someone like Rhodes, how would his teammates and RWBY understand. There was a short silence before Jaune began the story, "Well, we met when Cinder was still having her quarter-life crisis. Just a misunderstanding really, but right now Ozpin our headmaster has me looking over her so no more misconceptions or misunderstandings happen."

"Don't lie to him Jaune," Cinder bumped him with her shoulder, "Rhodes doesn't deserve anything but the truth after what I put him through. Weak beings might deserve lies to keep them sated, but not ones with the willpower to live."

Rhodes chuckled, "I've already told you Cinder, I understand. It was a simple battle between hunters, nothing more needs to be said. I fought for Cinder to have a better life, to show her what to stand for at the time. So, seeing what she has ended up as feels like a win at the end of the day."

"Well, nonetheless, I need to give you your request." Cinder said, "It's the least I can do, especially after this dunce tried downplaying everything."

With her dismissal of Jaune's attempt at avoiding the full story, she began earlier than he expected. Her story from after her encounter with Rhodes wasn't one that he hadn't before. It still didn't make hearing her journey into the underworld of Remnant any better to hear. Her description of her interaction with Roman and his enterprise made him pull her closer to him, though Jaune wasn't sure if it was for himself or Cinder.

Cinder seemed to summarize most of her time with Roman, keeping the intricacies to a minimum and moving her storyline to the Attack on Beacon rather quickly. She described the battle and its events the most out of the whole story, keeping everything up until the explosion from Ruby. There was a short pause as she turned to Jaune and gestured for him to fill in the blanks.

And he did, describing in detail her situation that Jaune found her in. The emotion that flooded through him while he described healing her aura and helping bring her back from the brink almost overwhelmed him. This time, he felt Cinder run her hands along his side, keeping him planted. There might have been a relatively short time since they had been really getting comfortable with each other, but it had been packed with so much that they had quickly bonded faster than Jaune would have ever considered. Jaune scarcely noticed Rhodes' reactions during his story, but he did once he finished.

Rhodes lent forward, a peculiar look on his face. "I'm just making sure I got this correct. You transferred Cinder your aura, not only that, but boosted its healing properties so much that it healed mobility altering injuries?"

"Uh, yeah?" Jaune said, a little confused. "I mean I initially thought it might be some weird situational thing because of us , but then I just figured it was just the semblance's attributes or whatever. Cinder probably would have gotten there eventually, but we had another healing session a little while ago. And honestly, I think with enough I might be able to fix most of the damage. Maybe even restore her sight if we're lucky, not to be too optimistic."

"I see," Rhodes leaned forward, placing his head on his hands, supported by his knees. "Jaune, I think you might be the first case of a light aura connectivity. It's been theorized that because of the infinite amount of semblances that one would come along with extreme properties. But the caveat, just as all powerful semblances have, was that it would only fully work on those that had aura connectivity. Which is another theory, ranging from the idea that those whose soul is connected through any manner can unlock the aura in its entirety to any sort of connectivity, as little as a bond forged through a similar suspension bridge effect. Considering what you've told me, I would guess the later. It's up to you to find out and decide if it's anything more."

It was a lot to take in, and Jaune could only glance to Cinder to see her reaction. Her usual stone cold face she wore in front of others was failing, breaking to reveal a plethora of emotions crossing her face. The blush on her face told one story, but the nervousness from her darting eyes told another story. Jaune leaned forward this time, investing himself fully, "So is there any way other than time and healing sessions that could let us find more about this."

Rhodes rubbed his chin, the scratch of skin against stubble creating the only noise in the room for the moment. "I don't think so on your end. I might know some old contacts that can get me some more knowledge on the subject, like I said this is the first time the theory has ever been put into practice. I'll look around, how long will you be here?"

"Another week and a half," Cinder answered, looking like she was trying to do anything to break herself out of her stupor.

"Good, if I can't find anything before you leave..." Rhodes fumbled around his pockets, producing a scroll. "Put your contact information in here, I'll call you if I find anything. And please, don't be a stranger. Come by anytime you like, I'm sure there's more to be told about your short time together."

Jaune smiled, "There is, don't worry. Thank you Rhodes, it's been great talking."

The couple said their goodbyes to Rhodes, reiterating their promise to come back again. It was a quiet walk, Jaune knew it was a moment to let Cinder talk, and to not ask until she was ready. He cursed having seven sisters most of the time, but dealing with Cinder's intricacies did tend to bring out the positives. With them halfway to go, Cinder spoke.

"Jaune."

"Yeah?"

Cinder took a breath, turning to face him, "Do you think this strange bond or connection, whatever Rhodes called it, came from your necessity to save a life or because of some ethereal connection we didn't even know of at the time? Is this relationship built off of a suspension bridge effect Jaune, will you get tired of me in a few months after you no longer are obligated to oversee me?"

"Cin, please." Jaune's heart ached, because he knew with the fiber of his being that their paths had crossed for a reason. Especially after all they had been through in such a short time, he couldn't imagine what awaited them. "I do know for certain what I feel when I'm with you isn't some sort of artificial suspension bridge effect. You've shown me sides of you that I want for myself, and I assure you that I want to keep them for as long as I can. We'll find out someday what this connection is, but for now I think it can be defined as a simple label of boyfriend and girlfriend, yeah?"

Cinder grabbed at the tips of his fingers, dragging him closer into a hug. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she replied, "I don't know how such a label can be true if the boyfriend is such a pig to not even officially ask their girlfriend out on a date."

"Of course," Jaune laughed. "Cinder Fall, conqueror of Beacon, fiery warrior, and hopefully my future girlfriend." A bow came with his request, "Would you be so kind to accompany me on a date?"

"I think that would be acceptable." Cinder giggled, "We'll see if a lowlife like yourself is enough to be associated with."

Jaune reached down, gripping Cinder with a little more force, spinning her around while her beautiful laugh rang in his ears. "Awesome! You won't regret it, I'll make sure of it!" He stopped the spinning, pulling her up to his level, and sealing the deal with a kiss.

It continued for a moment, the warmth of her lips drawing his attention away to invest in Cinder fully. This time he took the initiative, pushing her lips open with his to provide entrance for his tongue. His initial attempt was stopped by her grabbing it with her mouth, only to retaliate with hers. Even in loving kisses and embrace, Cinder had to try to get the upper hand. Which was of no problem to Jaune, giving him almost more lust toward her from the intensity.

The two broke away after breath became a more important commodity. Jaune kept Cinder close, "Is that answer enough to keep you around for the long term."

Cinder gave him the most genuine smile he had seen yet, causing his heart to swell. "I think your terms are acceptable. But our contract will need to state that you break this to Team RWBY and JNPR."

Jaune laughed, "Okay, that sounds reasonable. Let's get back before mom starts worrying too much."

The rest of the walk was quiet, but somehow it was perfect. Their time together was just starting, and for now all it needed was some simple hand holding and kisses. Maybe it would require more, but Jaune looked forward to the challenges it would bring. Because as far as he could tell, any challenge that Cinder Fall produced paid plenty of dividends.

With this we're now in the next half of this arc. I think we've finally closed up the different threads from the beginning, and what I've wanted to establish Cinder's character as. As I mentioned before, I wanted Cinder to have no kills under her belt that weren't justified. Granted, she still attempted to kill Rhodes, but we can chalk that up to some character in the character, sure.

We'll be moving into finishing up their first year at Beacon, so interrogations from the other teams, some one-on-ones with both of them with everybody, and a date is still on the table. So I hope you'll stick around to see what else is coming up. Thank you for reading, and feel free to skip the upcoming chapterly ramble as usual.

Reputation matters.

This is something you might have heard here and there. It's a defining motto, and I tend to live by it in my profession and in life. For the story, it wasn't just a guideline, but a rule. How characters would react and how the story would progress was dictated by what Cinder's reputation was at the time. As RWBY progressed, hers became worse and worse. Which does tend to surprise me as to why authors choose to go further and further into the story for her case, based off her reputation alone at least.

Something like reputation has many facets to gaining or losing, or even having. It's completely dictated from a group, or single mentality of other people. You might have an effect on it, but at the end of the day you depend on other people to cause the reputation to be good or bad. And you'll be surprised how often it comes into play, whether it's how much capital you have with someone and need something done (reputation effects the amount of capital you have with that person, and therefore how much you can ask for) or decisions that other people make without you present (that usually include things that will affect your career).

What I'm getting at is that I've experienced and used this idea of reputation matters in my profession on the daily so something like this is a backbone to the story. I want to apply it at least at certain points to keep it believable, and what better way to use something that I know well. Hopefully, you'll start picking up what I'm saying in your day to day, realizing how much the first impression before a first impression matters through reputation and how the second and third order effects from it affect you.

Thanks yet again for reading my story, I appreciate all follows, favorites and reviews of any kind.