Arc 2 - Chapter 19 - She Want That Lovey-Dovey, That Kiss Kiss

The battle raged on amongst the ruins of some ancient structure - a church, probably? - and Cinder had opted to sit on the ridge above and watch, like a spectator at a ball game. Specifically, to gauge Jaune's progress.

Progress though it was, was mediocre at best.

The boy learned quickly. Very quickly. That was probably his strongest quality in this heart hunting business. Of course, this was hardly a surprise. Under Peach's more… maverick methods of tutelage, almost anyone could become a respectable Hunter in a half year. Cinder needed only to look at herself for proof of that. Jaune was owed some leeway, since he'd only been in this line of work for just over a month. Thinking about it like that, it made the leaps he'd jumped so far seem almost like he'd cheated his way ahead. It wouldn't have been too bold to call him a prodigy. A genius even, just as she was.

Of course, madness and genius were brothers, so went that old saying. In the case of Heart Hunters, the more screws loose, the more powerful you likely were. And Jaune Arc was a gun just waiting to be fired. It seemed no one was keen to put their finger on his trigger. Which meant it was up for the taking.

Which meant, she had to get him first.

A Minotaur Grimm came bowling through a congestion of Yeti, roaring so mightily that chunks of stone and masonry broke off from amongst the half-destroyed ruins. It dwarfed the congestion of Yeti all scattered about the field, all muscle and fur, beady red eyes, a drooling set of sword-length teeth, giant nose blowing out flames. Cinder had fought plenty of these by now - less than flies to her now - but for Jaune, this would be a suitable challenge. She grinned down at him, curious to see what he'd do.

The Minotaur was keen to get the fight going, as such a battle-hungry beast would. It reared back, nostrils flaring as it took in air, then hunched forward, blowing double jets of screaming blue flames at the apprentices.

Neptune stabbed his trident forward, unleashing a torrent of spinning water crashing head-on with the flame jet, steam shooting up into the air. Jaune took that chance to dart around, battering Grimm aside, eyes locked on the bigger one. The Minotaur saw him coming and swung its massive hand at him. There was a sound of shattering glass as that fist busted through Jaune's High Reflect like a bowling ball going through a window, catching Jaune unready, and sending him sprawling through the snow.

Cinder could only shake her head as she lectured, "Foolish, foolish. Points for aggression, I suppose."

Jaune made that blunder of his a lesson learned. He was back at the beast immediately, downing approaching Yeti while waving to keep the Minotaur's attention, while Neptune belted it with water and lightning.

That was how it went for a while, a slow yet no less effective whittling of a beast too strong for their level, but stupid enough that they two could even it out. Cinder watched with mild interest, bobbing her foot up and down as she waited for something interesting to happen.

The Gods saw fit to grant her wish. The Minotaur finally chose to ignore Jaune and blew its nostril fire at Neptune. He'd stationed himself on a wall, but managed to dive off and out of the way, leaving the wall to burst apart from the fireball's impact. Jaune smacked at the monster's foot, but he was the equivalent of an ant nibbling at an elephant's foot. Appropriately, as the beast advanced on Neptune, it kicked Jaune out of its path like a toy it had grown bored of.

Cinder smiled at this new chaos, leaning forward while stroking her chin like a scientist observing his latest lab subject. The apprentices' teamwork was now in a frenzy as the Minotaur went on a rampage, shouldering through walls, felling trees, spitting fire everywhere. She cooed as Neptune took a particular brutal slap with the back of the Minotaur's hand, sending him flopping. Such a blow could have killed him. Had killed plenty of Hunters before. But he didn't seem dead yet.

Jaune was not aware of this, however, and he dashed his friend, which unfortunately got him struck by the Minotaur's tail. He was not permitted to stay down, and he was up and dodging over and over as the monster pelted the ground with punches, so vicious as to shake even Cinder's rather safe seating. Cinder only leaned closer. What would he do? Helpless now, and with his friend down for the count. Would he seize upon that power hidden deep inside him? Or would he be killed like a nothing here in Miss Rose's fragile heart?

Neither, it seemed. Two-handed, and after reinforcing his shield with a barrier, Jaune parried the Minotaur's punch with a resounding crunch, snapping the arm back and leaving the monster wide open. By then, Neptune had rejoined, all muddied and looking pissed off himself. He hurled his trident like a javelin into the Grimm's eye. But shallow of a throw, but then a wound to the eye was agony no matter the depth. It tottered back, balance broken, and Jaune was already beneath it. He used that Reject attack, forcing one of the monster's hooves to slip through the snow, then hurried out of the way as it crashed down onto its back. It did not get the chance to stand up again.

Jaune had climbed up onto one of the still standing walls, then jumped toward the monster's roaring face, shield winded over his head. With a great bellow of his own, he nailed the shield down on the end of the trident, driving it fully into the Minotaur's head. It gave one last attempt at defiance, but Jaune sealed its fate by using Reject once more, caving its snout in so deep that one might think a giant hammer had been used for the job instead.

And there it was, victory. Or something like it. The ground was a crisscrossing of half-melted snow and patches of burnt black grass, pieces of ruin scattered all over in big pieces and small like they'd fallen from the sky. All with the reek of withering Grimm corpses and burnt nature. A shard of hell, in all.

And to think. All of that, from a single Minotaur.

It would be some time yet for Jaune, but that was fine. Cinder was in no real hurry.

Cinder hopped down from her perch just as the boys were finding somewhere to sit down that wasn't destroyed. Sauntering up to Jaune as he heaved like he'd sprinted a hundred miles without stopping, hair wet with sweat and sticking to his face, beige skin glistening. He thought he'd taken quite the exercise, most likely. Silly boy. Just wait till he was in her bed.

Jaune glared at her as she came toward him, blood trickling from his nose and covered in dirt and snow. Cinder couldn't deny that look gave her a little tingle. Did he know how scary he could look? Most likely not. Still, a young man with that kind of subconscious wrath? That was useful. And in more ways than one. Cinder was poking at fire with her bare fingers by taunting him… and yet enjoyed every moment of pain.

"No need to look at me so crossly. You're going to hurt my feelings."

"Any reason you weren't helping?" Jaune growled.

"I'm the rearguard. That means I watch our rear and conserve my strength for any surprises. Besides, you boys wanted to help. At the very least, you should learn how to fight the more powerful Grimm. I could have helped…" Cinder grinned. "But then, how are you supposed to learn to survive if I'm always there to protect you? Besides, I do love to see you sweat."

Jaune turned away, cheeks tinted pink. "Whatever."

He was entirely too cute when annoyed and Cinder didn't say such words often. He was like Emerald in a way. Back when she'd been made of iron, rather than the soft and needy brat she was now. Honestly, that girl. Why had Cinder taken her in again? That semblance, no doubt. Though she wondered if even that was worth the whining. Cinder pushed her charge out of her mind. She had a newer, stronger prospect to focus on.

The boys got quite a startle when something big came flying through the wood. The ground shook as it tumbled away. Another Minotaur. Then a second one came, its body first, and severed head second, rolling through the snow like a runaway ball. As 9f that wasn't enough, another one came plummeting from the sky and crashed into the last of the ruins, its face twisted into a silent roar, still wrathful even in death.

Cinder half expected a fourth but instead got the obvious outcome. Master Peach emerged from the trees, calm and even-eyed, like a dedicated employee answering a call-in. That had always been her way, Peach. Pure business. At least, during Cinder's apprenticeship.

Peach hastened over once she saw the rough state of the boys, checking Neptune first but briefly, despite him being the more wounded. She fussed over her nephew, naturally, despite the worst of his wounds being a bloody nose. He healed quickly. That, or he was that damn durable.

"You fought a Minotaur?" said Peach. "And you didn't help them, Cinder?"

"And you should be thankful I didn't. Your apprentices needed an understanding of the task ahead, and they survived. If you're not dead, you're fine. Isn't that what you always told me?"

Peach pursed her lips, but didn't comment further. "We have to get moving. Best we cover more ground before nightfall."

"Can't we get a break? We just got our butts kicked." moaned Neptune. Cinder resisted the urge to scoff. Honestly, this boy did not have the bones or the drive for this kind of work. Why in hell had Peach taken him under her apprenticeship? Maybe the years had withered Peach's proclivity for sniffing out potential.

"Thankfully, your feet are unharmed," said Peach. "Fighting hard is good and all, but it's important not to strain yourself and to conserve your strength. Especially in a Converged World like this. There will be more Grimm to fight ahead, and they'll be more challenging than these. Let's get going."

The boys obeyed without complaint, slogging forward. Cinder trailed after them, as was her role, and found that Neptune had pulled a bit ahead of his partner, leaving Jaune trudging slowly behind. She hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him since Peach kept Jaune by her side most of the time, and when she wasn't, Neptune occupied the rest of his time. No point in wasting this opportunity.

She crept up and considered her plan of attack. They weren't alone, so breaking the physical barrier would be a bad idea. She didn't need Peach interfering. A simpler approach this time then, a smile, some teasing most definitely. No need to rile him up. Not yet.

He looked at her sidelong as she came up, his usual frown of indifference curling into one of slight annoyance. She only smiled back, as innocently as was possible. Though she could not last remember a time when she was innocent. If there ever had been such a time.

"So," Cinder began. "Do you regret joining us on this grand adventure?"

Jaune glanced sideways at her, trying to seem unaffected, but she saw him swallow. "No," he said. "But I thought I'd be doing better than this."

"You'd best not overestimate yourself. I'm afraid you have much to learn."

Instead of looking angry, Jaune looked genuinely bothered by that. Lowering his head and sighing. Cinder felt the tiniest stab of guilt, which was rare for her. She knew what it was like - to not meet the measures one set for themself. It was in many ways worse than trying to appeal to the expectations of others. The latter you could learn to get free of, the former was akin to feeling imprisoned despite the door being unlocked. Some encouragement would help here. And would be good for making her look good, too.

"But don't shortchange yourself, either. When your aunt made a statement about your strength that day in the hospital, I did not doubt her. You're doing well."

"Not well enough."

"Well, I have generously decided to keep my offer open. I can teach you to Overshadow."

"I can't. Aunt Peach won't -"

"And her orders have stopped you before, have they?"

Jaune swallowed. "No, but… i-it's different. This is just to help my friend. That's all."

Cinder had to keep from rolling her eyes. Should have known that infant would come up eventually. Young romance, it was fittingly juvenile. All rainbows and sunshine and lies built minds yet untried by the world's cruelties. Best to nip the head of this bud of foolishness before it bloomed into utter disaster. It was for his own good, really. She'd save him from a wealth of disappointments.

Cinder raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh yes, miss Ruby Rose. She is your friend now, is she? Forgive me, but you don't strike me as the type to seek friendship."

"I'm not," said Jaune defensively. "but I have to help her. I have to."

"And once you succeed in that, you'll leave her be? Part ways and go on about your next mission?"

Jaune opened his mouth like he was about to say yes, then paused. He adopted a look of the most obvious conflict, like he was choosing between two equally painful deaths. Children, honestly. All drama and no sense. She'd thought Jaune was a cut above that, but life was full of disappointments. This did not mean he couldn't be improved, though, given the proper guidance. Her guidance.

"It will not make her romantically interested in you. You understand that, don't you?'"

Jaune turned to her. "That's not why I'm doing it."

"Is that so? Why so much effort, then? Because you care for her? Because she is that close of a friend, despite spending less than two weeks with her?"

Jaune took a long moment to answer, "And what if that is the reason?"

"I would call you a liar. Or at least, dishonest with yourself. A young man like you, drawn to risk his life for a girl he barely knows? Understand that most people will find it hard to believe… unless it is what's beneath her skirt that interests you."

Jaune's face twisted ever slightly. She was getting to him. Maybe even getting to the truth of it. Shame. "I suppose every young man wishes to be the first to pluck a yet untouched flower. But it is not the conquest you may think it is."

"That's not what I'm after."

"And it is very likely she is not who you think. A girl can look innocent and sweet, and yet have spread her legs to any man who gave her half a look. The field could be well plowed, and you are simply another shovel soon to get its turn."

His shoulders hunched and his teeth bared a little. "You don't know me and you don't know her."

"I know one thing. You are broken."

Anger was replaced quickly with surprise, almost like he was caught red-handed for a secret he'd held all his life.

"Let us entertain the idea that your beloved Ruby is as pure as a refined diamond. Let us pretend that she would be yours forever. What do you offer her? What can you provide for her?"

Jaune seemed to fumble for an answer. "I-I…"

"Let's reverse the roles, shall we? What can she do for you? Do you truly suppose that her touch will cure you of your ailments? That her sweet whispers will banish the horrors clawing at your mind? How will her love save you? How?"

Jaune was looking at the ground now, blinking. Blinking because he had no response. No counterargument. Cinder was right. She knew it and he knew it.

Cinder shook her head to make him feel silly. So he would understand his foolishness. "You see? The two of you would be quite incompatible. You are made of different things. She is normal and you are not. If you truly care for her as a friend, you will not risk damaging that by pushing for more. You could not make her happy, Jaune. You cannot even make yourself happy."

"But…" Jaune looked like he might say more, then stopped himself. "It's none of your business. I'm just helping my… I'm just helping my mark. Doing my job and that's all. I don't want anything else."

Cinder could tell he was lying, but then the point hadn't been to convince him to be honest. It was to plant a seed. To steer him away from a path that did not suit him. Ruby would attempt to glue his broken pieces back together, to make him normal and boring and sane. To conform to society as another mere cog in the machine, his potential to go wasted. Cinder would see him put in the forge and hardened, just like herself. That was true strength. That was true power.

Cinder shrugged at him. "If that is truly your only intention, then I believe you." She stepped closer, and Jaune looked like he wanted to step back. "However, this does not mean you will never find love. Of a sort. You simply need to find a girl - a woman - that better understands you." She stepped closer. "I think that -"

"Jaune, hey!" Neptune popped up in front of them and seized Jaune by the arm, effectively cutting between them. "I wanted to ask you something." Neptune looked at Cinder, posting up the fakest smile possible. "Sorry, uh Cinder, right? I need to borrow him for a moment. I'll bring him back, though. Promise."

Cinder had to keep from throwing a snide comment since she knew damn well Neptune was attempting to keep Jaune away from her, but she held it back. "Don't worry. I'm finished with him, for now." She grinned up at Jaune. "Perhaps we might finish this conversation alone, some other time."

Jaune did not nod or shake his head, he simply allowed himself to be pulled ahead by his partner, who'd already begun talking to fill the awkward space. Cinder did not miss the glance Neptune threw over his shoulder at her, giving her a reassuring smile that all was fine, but perhaps knowing well that Cinder knew better. Envy, perhaps? A lust-driven brat seeing his peer getting attention from a beautiful older woman? Cinder took a little pleasure from that thought, but more likely that pretty little shit did not trust her. Fine enough though. He was no one and nothing. Well, besides an obstacle.

Try all he might, but he could not stop this. She'd get plenty more opportunities later.

Jaune still owed her a reward, after all.

Several days into their little campaign, little had changed. The mountains were getting closer, of course, but often the in-between of the mission at hand was a lot of travel, a lot of repeat topics of conversation, Neptune and Peach occasionally singing awfully, and fighting Grimm.

Well into evening time now, the giant forest had thinned into clumps of trees spread out between patches of dryland. They'd left the snow behind days ago and Cinder was glad for it. She didn't do well in the cold. She was sitting on a log, warming her feet before the crackling fire, occasionally making it flare up with her semblance. That was the extent of her control of fire itself, which was scarcely more impressive than the flames she made herself, however rarely.

"Are you that cold?" Peach had managed to sneak up on her, one of the few that could, tossing her a coy smile.

"The cold and I have never been particularly friendly with one another," said Cinder.

Peach sat down beside her, closer than Cinder was comfortable with. She wouldn't make a scene of it, though. To do so would expose her vulnerabilities and that could not be allowed.

Peach sighed, which was how Cinder knew she was in trouble. Had Neptune said something? That little snitch.

"Honestly, Cindy," said Peach. "You never should have told the boys where we were going. They can barely keep up."

He hadn't told, then. Or more likely he did not know enough to snitch about. Or, the possibility that Jaune had told Neptune to keep his mouth shut. Three guesses as to which outcome Cinder liked the most. "It's a good experience, is it not? You had few conniptions putting me to the fire."

"Even Masters have lessons to learn. I'm trying to do better with training now." She lowered her eyes. "I'm trying to be better, period."

How rich. "Oh, I empathize, truly. It hasn't escaped my notice though that you seem to only have changed your ways after your nephew got involved. I suppose blood buys mercy of a kind.. What a shame for the poor children who receive no such tenderness."

"There is bound to be some natural bias, I'll admit that. But I have been trying to make my training less harsh, long before he came."

Cinder hummed at that. "I'm curious about his family. What are they like?"

Peach put her hands close to the fire. "Like most. Secure and loving. His mother, father, and sisters all love him and he loves them."

"How vanilla. But every family has secrets, don't they?"

Peach frowned. "Of course."

"So what happened to him? Why is he so…" Cinder circled her hand around to find the word, "Unstable."

"I'll tell you, but I need your word that you won't tell him. You have to promise me, Cinder. He must never know, not until he's ready."

"And you will know when he's ready, will you? You know his twisted mind that well?"

Peach's eyebrows furled. "I will know when he's ready. All you need to do is keep your big mouth shut, understand?"

Cinder had no intention of telling Jaune whatever she knew in the first place. Not without being sure what effect it would have. Until she had Jaune under her spell, he was a wildcard. She'd obey her old master in this, for now. "Very well."

It was an admittedly more haunting story than Cinder had expected, and she'd heard and seen plenty of horrors in her life. Lived through many of them. This though… this truly ascended to new levels of insanity. A story of loss and love, or corruption and family, of those left behind to wallow in the muck, most especially the subject of their conversation. By the end, Cinder had to settle her rattling heart, admittedly more shaken by it all than she was comfortable admitting.

"It's possible that Qrow's heart may have manifested what happened to Jaune." Peach warned, looking toward her beloved nephew's tent far off as though he might somehow overhear. "Cinder, we both need to keep an eye on him. If you see anything that could be related to what happened, I will cut off his vision. We cannot let him see it. Please."

Again another rare stab of guilt. As much as she liked upsetting her old master, she also did not like seeing her upset, at least from outside of her influence. And now knowing what she did, she couldn't say enlightening the boy to the truth of his trauma would do her goals any favors. Cinder could be cruel when she wanted to, but even she had limits. "You can count on me." And Cinder meant it, rare though it was.

Peach wiped her reddened eyes, sniffling back tears. "Okay, well, how are things with you?"

"What?"

"You, Cinder. How's work? How's life?"

"I spend most of my time at work, so I consider that my life. I suppose it is fulfilling. At home… Well, that's private. You understand."

"Of course." Peach grinned. "So, what man do you have biting at your heels this time?"

Contrarily, Cinder was the one attempting a bite this time. It was somehow more fun doing the chasing than being chased after. But then, Cinder had always been a hunter at heart. "None. I've entertained no new man lately." Besides her nephew.

"Weren't you just seeing some fellow a couple of months ago? What was his name now? That big one. Built like a lumberjack. What was his name?"

Cinder remembered him, though the name escaped her since it had been a year past. Some swollen-bodied bouncer with an even more swollen head, and yet sweeter than a teddy bear. She had just been looking for a night of pleasure, and he'd taken that for a declaration of love, or at least he'd had hopes of such superficial things. He'd wanted to get to know her, to go on dates, to have her meet his parents and such other foolishness. Cinder had no patience for it. More than likely he was just looking for a more permanent means of bedding her. Damn idiot.

"It did not work out," said Cinder simply, hoping to move on from that subject. "I'd ask the same of you, but I think you're past romance at your age."

"I'm still spry, don't you worry." chuckled Peach, then she stared off toward her nephew's tent again. "I have no time for it anyway. There are more important things to focus on."

Cinder felt the tiniest bit of jealousy at that. To see her old master so focused on her student, her nephew who she professed her profound love for almost constantly. To think about how little of that same affection she had received during her training. "It really is a shame. If you had loved me a quarter as much as you love your nephew, I might be a much happier woman. Better adjusted, at least."

"Don't do that. I made mistakes, Cinder, I know. But I've always loved you. Always."

"If you say so, Master. If you say so." But Cinder was long past looking for love, too. Platonic, familial, or romantic. Maybe that decision was too early at twenty-one years old, but she'd seen love in many forms and she understood one thing.

Love was not enough. And sometimes, it was more punishment than blessing.

Cinder had watched Jaune train every night the past few days since discovering him on happenstance, and tonight was no exception.

He had found a spot a ways off from the others, a generous flatland sat before a dark stream, all bathed in the dim moonlight. He did basic things - practicing movement and footwork, swinging at imaginary enemies, breath control and all. Then he'd practice his semblance, pulling off his current skill set with a natural, unconscious feel to it. No longer having to think so much.

Then, from what she could tell, Jaune was trying to test if he could forge a weapon out of his internal energies. Entirely possible, Cinder supposed, since she did much the same thing with her tephrakinetic abilities, but Jaune was having trouble in that department. More trouble than seemed right. It really shouldn't have been so hard to simply make a weapon. It was one of the first things she'd learned.

Cinder wouldn't interrupt him though - after all, she hadn't been joining when she said she liked to see him sweat. Maybe tonight, despite having a clear opportunity, she'd stave off her attempts to seduce him. Part of her wondered why, though. He was a young man with raging hormones and there was no denying the way he looked at her, the way she made him look at her. Why, all she'd need to do is make the offer and the game was won. Fuck him in his own tent, or right there on the grass if it was necessary. Then he'd be hers. He'd come to her for more, motivated by lust mistaken as love, and she'd readily oblige. Him none the wiser that she had him twisted around her finger. She could do it.

But not now, not tonight. She strangely wasn't in the mood.

For a while, Jaune struggled on, trying and failing and finding only frustration. Eventually, it got embarrassing to sit and watch, so Cinder hopped down to point him in the right direction. Never let it be said that she didn't do anything for anyone. "You need to change your mindset."

Jaune did not look surprised to see her, indeed because he probably already knew she'd been watching for a while now. He continued to ignore her.

"You cannot pretend I'm not here. I'm trying to help you."

Silence

Cinder rolled her eyes. "Fine. If you wish to stay a weakling, who am I to crush your dreams?"

She began to walk away, then smiled when Jaune called after her. "What do you mean change my mindset?"

She dropped the smile when she turned around so he'd know she wasn't playing him. This time. "You need to have the intent to harm. Shields are designed to protect. It is not a weapon. If you mean to fight, you need a weapon. And so you must have the mind of a warrior. A conqueror. You must want to harm your enemy."

Jaune frowned. The resemblance to Peach's frown was uncanny. There could be no doubting their relationship, even if it was never in question. "My job isn't to hurt, it's to help."

"And this kindness of yours extends to the Grimm as well? I'm not saying you have to intend to hurt a real person, but you must draw upon your ability to. You must intend harm on your opponents so that you can dispatch Grimm more effectively." And other people, necessary. Because, of course, not ever Hunter was on the same side, despite them all having a common enemy.

Jaune stood his ground. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

Cinder stared at him, and he was forced to look away like he might get caught for lying. "You don't? You've never wanted to hurt anyone? No one at all?'

"Well, I have but not like that. I wouldn't swing a sword on anyone, if that's what you mean."

Cinder crossed her arms and took a few steps closer, enhancing her presence, but not yet trying to make him feel uncomfortable. "I heard of your fight. On the very first day of school. You at least can't tell me you didn't want to hurt your opponent, then."

"That's different. He was hurting someone else."

"And you are simply the shining knight, riding in on the white charger with sword a-flashing? You were not, perhaps, seeking a reason to fight? A reason to hurt someone?'

Jaune's fists curled and he hissed out a threatening, "No."

Cinder decided to offer some honesty, which was, naturally, a rare occurrence. Jaune really was making her work for this. "I have. Perhaps not the same way as you, but I sought ways to harm those that caused harm to me. Sometimes, I succeeded. Sometimes not. It feels good, doesn't it? When you hurt them?"

Jaune didn't answer. His blue eyes stared back daringly.

Cinder ventured on, taking two more steps closer. "It feels good to see those people get what they deserve. I know that feeling, Jaune. It's better than anything. Better than good food, better than money," Another step. She unfolded her arms, so as to appear honest and genuine. "Better than sex, even. Well, almost."

Jaune did not answer, but she saw his eyes, his rapt attention. That glint of silent understanding. He knew she was right, about herself and him. They were both violence-hungry, battle-joyous, and ever seeking the next scrap to get in.

"Perhaps that makes me a monster, but I can't say I care. And I don't think you do, either. The best way to defeat monsters is to become one yourself. It's a necessary sacrifice. There are many monsters I wish to destroy. I'm sure the same applies to you, correct?"

No answer.

"Maybe we can fight these monsters together. Are we friends, Jaune?"

Jaune swallowed. "I… don't know what we are."

"Well, let us start as friends if you'll grant me the honor. Friends now, yes? So, would that mean you'd be willing to help me,?"

Jaune threw down his shield and stormed toward her. For the second time being the one to break the distance between them. Like a shadow, he looked over her, his eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, the moonlight seeming to glow a little wider. He spoke softly and yet gruff, as if to make a threat. "What do you want from me? What do I have that you could want?"

Cinder bit her lip now, and not on purpose either. Where she was the one to usually try and get him excited, Jaune was probably unaware of what flames he had stoked in her. The idea that he might attack her, might hit or choke her, might kiss her fiercely, even bite hard enough to draw blood. That was the right means to get her, well, lascivious. She had to be careful not to fumble her words with her heart thumping in her chest. "You wish to know what I want, Jaune?"

"I asked."

Cinder reached up and pressed her hands to Jaune's chest plate, wanting to dig under it and reach the flesh underneath, but she restrained herself, even if it was an effort. She tilted her head up and felt the tips of their noses just barely touch, their lips not much further apart. She felt him breathing hard. Maybe she was breathing a bit fast herself. "Isn't it obvious? I want you, Jaune."

Maybe Jaune had suspected it all along, for there was no hesitance in his response. "Why?"

"Because you and I are the same. I understand you. Better than anyone you currently entertain the company of, in any case.." Then she dropped her voice low, sensual yet soothing. The proverbial fishing line lowered into the lake waiting for a bite. "I can provide everything you need. Everything you want. I can show you how to awaken to your greatest potential. Perhaps, in turn, you will help me achieve my meager goals."

"Which are?"

Cinder brushed her lips across Jaune's. Felt him tingle, felt herself tingle. How she wanted to push him down and have him right there. To fight him there on the ground, two beasts driven with fury and lust, drawn to each other like flies to honey. "There are people who have hurt me. People who have not been punished for their wrongdoings. Never will be, if things remain as they are. I want you to use your power to help me punish them, Jaune." Closer. "I want you to help me destroy them."

Jaune seemed to lean closer to her, his lips brushing hers. She wondered if he might bite her. Wondered if she might like it. "Who are they?"

"Does it matter?"

He didn't answer, but that was as good as saying no anyway. People like Jaune and she did not look for reasons not to fight, after all. Nor did they care who was their opponent. Send upon them the army of a hundred nations and they would be at the battlefield first.

It took considerable effort for Cinder to step back, far and out of Jaune's reach. Jaune seemed to hold his arms out a little as if he craved her touch, demanded her to return to him. The lust in his eyes reflected in her own. It seemed neither of them would get what they wanted tonight, though. That would have to come later. And come it would. Or well, they would, if all went well.

"I suggest you think about it. Think hard about what it is you want," Cinder stepped back again. "And as I said before, you must visualize harming your opponent. It is that simple. Intend your foe harm and you will gain the means to harm him, I guarantee it."

And she sauntered off, making sure her hips swayed just a bit more temptingly than usual, leaving Jaune alone in the night, watching after her.

The battle raged on in those low brown hills, and Cinder was just standing aside, watching it all unfold. Specifically, to gauge Jaune's progress.

The boy shouldered a Beowolf and knocked it to the ground. He raised something high, then drove it biting deep into its skull, cleaving its giant face nearly in half. The tool had no solid form, being made out of pure white energy and pulsing like it had a heartbeat. But there was no mistaking its shape. A longsword. Jaune ripped it free with ease, then chopped through the chest of a leaping Beowulf, cleaving it in half before it could even touch the ground.

Cinder detected just the faintest trace of a smile across his lips.

It made her smirk spread all the wider.

The alternate title of this chapter the EmperorLuffy and Dean Dedication. This is Cinder's first real chapter, even though you do get a POV from her in the Neptune arc, and damn she is endless fun.

ISA