A/N: PLEASE read this note. I beg of you.

Hey.

EDIT: Well, it finally happened and my heart is absolutely broken.

Sorry if this seems short. I'm in mourning. My grandmother, who lived with me for so long finally passed last night...and...I need to distract myself, or I'm going to break down. I HAVE to write, because if I don't distract myself, I'm going to lose my mind. Already bashed a hole through the wall in my grief and tore up the yard. I feel spent. Empty. Dead inside. If I let this be, its going to consume me and that terrifies me.

I know that sounds weak of me, but I desperately need to keep myself occupied.

On that note, Mama Knows Best, Killing Monsters, and Just A Bit of Bread are probably going to be updated next.

Been getting some requests for new stories, "Crazy Equals Genius" in which Naruto saved a young Ren and Nora and "Practice Makes Perfect" in which Naruto's basically the patriarch of the Arc family, a.k.a. Jaune's father. but I just don't if I can write those right now..

As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one! Can't do anything about that.

So have another drabble in the meantime. I have funeral arrangements to make...T_T

...looking forward to your reviews. See you later.

"Even a cinder can spark back to life."

~?

Embers of Life

Cinder Fall was a monster.

This was undoubtedly true; and she was undoubtedly proud of her achievements, twisted though they were. For better or worse she had carved her name into the annals of history, forged a path of fire and blood through Remnant that would never be forgotten. Even when her life ended and death took her, she would be remembered. If not for her name then for deeds and titles if nothing else. She held as many as there were stars in the sky now, her newfound powers nearly unmatched.

Slayer of Salem they called her. Queller of the Grimm. Destroyer of Gods.

She held all the powers of the Maidens. Her enemies were now her allies, and those allies risen to glory beside her.

She was not merely a Queen. She was an Empress. All the world bowed to her. Those who wouldn't...well. Atlas had served as a useful example.

Cinder hadn't been able to do it alone, of course. Even the best Empress needed an Emperor by which to rule. And hers was a mighty king indeed. He had found her that awful day, helped her, guided her, shown her another path where she saw only darkness. She hadn't expected that. Then again, she hadn't expected to become a mother, either.

Destiny was a strange thing.

Truth be told, Cinder had not anticipated a child at all; it had come as a something of a surprise. Not...necessarily an unwelcome one, but a surprise nevertheless. She hadn't thought it possible. Not after all she'd suffered. She'd lost an arm and an eye, taken grievous wounds in the war and so much more. She'd crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed, gone so far until she finally dragged herself back over it. She'd torn away her Grimm arm and not taken another. It would serve as an eternal reminder of what she'd lost, yes, but also what she had gained in return.

It had been a difficult birth, but keep her she had, and she hadn't regretted it yet. This was her child. Her legacy.

The babe cooed in her arms now, commanding her attention once more. Cinder pulled the infant from her breast, a smile crossing her scarred face. With deft movements she pulled her close and burped her, stroking that tiny back in gentle, delicate movements. Still, her daughter remained restless.

"What's wrong, little one?" she cooed at the babe as she cradled her back against her chest again. "Are you hungry?"

That little nose wrinkled, face turning an ominous shade of red. Oh, dear.

"Its your turn, darling." with her lone arm, she shifted her weight and nudged the body beside her in bed. "She's about to cry."

Naruto rolled over in bed, still not quite awake. "I'm not doing it."

Cinder didn't blame him. The duties of the realm were an onerous one, but it was their responsibility to maintain peace and order for their Empire. They had saved this world together. They had stepped up when everyone else abandoned hope. They had forged the remnants of a ruined world into the well-oiled machine it was now. It was only right that they rule, it no?

"Just this once. Please? She loves you so."

A groan. "Nooo...m'tired...here...

He rolled her way, then.

Mistakes were made.

...bwah?"

Mismatching eyes of gold-and-blue looked up at him from her arms. All of a month old, her pudgy whiskered cheeks wrinkled in a confused frown as she gazed upon her parents. A wisp of dark hair crowned her little held and she wasn't sure if it would one day be blond or black. It didn't matter. To Cinder she was perfect in every way. The perfect blend of light and dark. The best of both worlds and all it entailed. She would be...glorious.

Beneath that stare, Naruto's resistance melted like so much butter in an oven. "Oh for crying out loud-fine!"

Propping himself up, he made a funny face for their daughter.

Their child. Their little Ember.

And the girl giggled.

A/N: Aaaand this drabble is done. Something quick and simple, a tale in which Cinder got a half-decent ending for herself. Doesn't seem she'll be getting one in the show, so I thought I'd try my hand at it; anythin to distract myself from the grief I'm going through right now.

As ever, reviews keep me writing; without them, I just can't seem to muster up the motivation.

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review, Would You Kindly?

And of course, enjoy the previews for future chapters...

(Previews! For different chapters!)

"Thought I'd find you here."

...its the anniversary of her death. Where else would I be?"

"Looks like you need a drink."

"Why would I want that swill? Get it away from me."

"Nah. You've gotta drink for the fallen. Drink for the glorious dead. Remember them. That's all we can do."

R&R~!