Prologue: The Treehouse

Running through the woods with nothing but a large stick in hand, Jaune Arc felt a rush of exhilaration. He wore his favorite hoodie, snug and warm, paired with dark blue jeans that had a few scuffs from previous adventures. His well-worn sneakers crunched against the undergrowth, and the cool forest air filled his lungs. At just 11 years old, he was the only boy in the Arc family, a fact that carried a mix of pride and pressure.

As Jaune dashed between the trees, he imagined himself as a courageous Huntsman, like his grandfather. In his mind, the stick transformed into a mighty sword, cutting through the shadows of imagined Grimm lurking in the forest. He envisioned himself slaying these dark creatures and rescuing innocents from peril, a hero in every sense. It was his greatest dream to follow in the footsteps of his family, to be brave and noble like the heroes he'd grown up hearing about.

But reality weighed heavily on his young heart. His father had made it clear that Jaune wouldn't be allowed to train or apply for a Combat School next year. Despite the legacy of valor in his family, his father was adamant about keeping him away from the dangers of a Huntsman's life, at least for now. The refusal felt like an insurmountable obstacle, a barrier between Jaune and his dreams. Yet, even with this limitation, the spark of hope and determination burned brightly within him, and he vowed silently to find a way to prove himself, to show that he could be just as brave and heroic as those who came before him.

As Jaune continued through the somewhat dense forest, the rustling of leaves underfoot and the chirping of birds above filled the air. He paused, breathing in the earthy scent and taking in his surroundings. A bright smile spread across his face as he recognized where he was. To his left, a series of trees lined his path, each marked with two small crescent shapes carved into the bark. These symbols, which he had carefully etched himself, served as his guideposts, leading him to his secret destination and ensuring he could always find his way back home.

With renewed excitement, Jaune followed the marked trees, weaving through the underbrush. After a few more minutes of walking, he arrived at his destination: an old but grand treehouse nestled high in the sturdy branches of an ancient oak tree. The treehouse, crafted from what Jaune assumed was oak wood as well, stood as a testament to time, weathered but strong. A ladder, ingeniously integrated into the trunk, led up to a trapdoor in the floor of the wooden fort.

Climbing up with ease, Jaune pushed open the trapdoor and climbed inside. As he entered, he took a moment to appreciate the spaciousness of the interior. The fort was large enough to comfortably fit at least six people, with ample room for them to sleep. Along the walls, a few small drawers had been built into the structure, providing convenient storage. Jaune had spent countless hours cleaning and decorating the treehouse to his liking. The walls were adorned with posters of his favorite heroes, X-Ray and Vav, alongside the cheerful mascots of Pumpkin Pete's cereal. It was his sanctuary, a place where he could let his imagination run wild.

Pride swelled within him as he looked around at the tidy, cozy space. But then, his gaze caught something unusual—a pair of feet sticking out from behind one of the drawers.

Jaune inched closer, his curiosity piqued. The feet belonged to an older girl, perhaps around 14 or 15 years old if he had to guess. She was asleep, looking disheveled and dirty, yet to Jaune, she seemed undeniably beautiful. Her outfit was simple: a white shirt with gray laces, matching gray pants, and shoes. Her hair was tied into a single bun at the back of her head.

Jaune was stunned to find anyone in his secret treehouse, let alone a stranger. He knew nearly everyone in his village, especially the kids, and this girl was a complete mystery. Why was she here? How had she found this place?

As Jaune moved closer, intending to wake her gently, one of the floorboards creaked loudly under his weight. He froze at the sound, and the girl's eyes snapped open, wide with surprise. She quickly jumped to her feet, her stance defensive and ready for a quick escape.

Jaune took a step back, raising his hands in a placating gesture, trying to calm her before she decided to bolt or worse, attack him. "W-Wait! It's okay! I'm not gonna hurt you!" Jaune blurted out, his voice tinged with panic.

The girl eyed him warily, her expression a mix of caution and defiance. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice edged with suspicion.

"I'm Jaune," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady and reassuring.

He kept his hands up, palms open, hoping to convey that he meant no harm. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away or make her feel threatened.

"How'd you find me?" she demanded, her voice sharp and wary.

"I—I own this treehouse!" Jaune exclaimed, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "I found it, cleaned it, and decorated it."

The girl scrutinized him, her eyes narrowing as she tried to assess whether he was lying. But Jaune's innocent, worried expression seemed genuine, and she could tell he was telling the truth. He stood there, a mix of curiosity and concern in his eyes, clearly just a boy who had stumbled upon an unexpected guest.

She relaxed slightly, but her posture remained cautious. She wasn't ready to let her guard down completely. With a raised eyebrow, she asked, "You... don't know who I am?"

Jaune shook his head, clearly puzzled. "Should I?" he asked, his tone earnest.

The girl looked at him, still baffled by the situation, but she let out a long, tired sigh and sat back down, shaking her head. "No," she responded, her voice tinged with sadness. "I'm nobody."

Jaune raised an eyebrow, perplexed by her self-deprecation. He was about to ask for her name when a loud grumble interrupted his thoughts. The girl's face twisted in pain as her stomach protested loudly.

Realizing she might not have eaten in a while, Jaune sprang into action. He dashed to one of the drawers, the one he had designated as his snack stash. Rummaging through it, he found a pack of peanut butter cups—his favorite treat—and hoped she would like them too. He quickly grabbed the snack and walked back to her, extending it with a gentle smile.

The girl eyed the peanut butter cups warily at first, but hunger won over suspicion. She reached out slowly, then snatched the package quickly, half-expecting it to be a trick. But Jaune's hand remained outstretched, his smile unwavering.

She tore open the packet with haste, peeling off the wrappers and savoring each bite as if it were a feast. As she ate, she glanced at Jaune, who watched her with a happy smile, clearly pleased to see her eating.

The girl's confusion deepened. Why was this boy, a complete stranger, being so kind to her?

After savoring the sweet little snack given to her by the blonde boy, the girl tilted her head, a curious frown forming on her face. "Why did you do that?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Huh?" Jaune blinked, clearly taken aback.

"Why did you give me the snack?" she pressed, her eyes narrowing. "Do you... want something from me?"

Jaune shook his head, his expression earnest. "No, I saw you were hungry and I gave you some food, that's it," he replied simply.

"That's it?" Her skepticism deepened. "No blackmail? No debts? Nothing?"

Jaune nodded, maintaining his gentle smile.

"Why?" she repeated, her voice softer this time, as if she couldn't quite believe his motives.

Jaune shrugged, his smile never wavering. "Because it was the right thing to do," he said, his tone filled with sincerity.

The girl seemed to stiffen at his words, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her features. She hesitated for a moment, then pushed past whatever was holding her back and fixed him with a sharp gaze. "Are you going to tell anyone I'm here?" she asked, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability.

Jaune gazed into her eyes, noticing the fear that shimmered within them. It tugged at his heart, making him feel a deep sadness. He couldn't help but wonder about the hardships she had faced to end up in such a state. Initially, he had intended to inform his family about the girl, but seeing how terrified she was, he quickly changed his mind.

"No, I-I won't tell anyone," Jaune stammered, shaking his head earnestly. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

The girl eyed him skeptically, yet there was a flicker of relief in her gaze. "You don't have to worry about me staying here for long. I'll leave soon," she said, her voice laced with resignation.

Jaune's face contorted with worry. "Do you have anywhere to go?" he asked softly.

The girl shrugged, her expression turning bitter. "Does it matter?" she replied, her voice flat and detached.

"Of course it does! It's dangerous out there!" Jaune exclaimed, his concern evident.

She glared at him, her eyes narrowing. "And what do you suggest?" she challenged.

Jaune, despite his age and naivety, made a bold suggestion. "Well... you could stay here," he offered with a bashful smile. "I could bring you whatever you need! Clothes, food, anything you need!"

The girl's brow furrowed in confusion, trying to comprehend why he was so willing to help. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice tinged with bewilderment. "I'm a stranger."

Jaune chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with the simplicity of his belief. "Mom says strangers are just friends you haven't met yet," he said with a grin.

The girl stared at him, a mix of incredulity and skepticism in her gaze. She couldn't decide if he was naive or just plain foolish.

"Anyway! You know my name, but what's yours?" Jaune asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

The girl continued to scrutinize him, her mind racing with doubt. Should she reveal her name? What if he went to the cops? Did she really want to place her trust in this boy? She weighed her options, torn between the fear of being caught and the need for a safe haven.

"You can run, but you're gonna be running for the rest of your life. Or, you could find another way to handle it."

His words echoed in her mind, making her hesitate. Despite her reluctance, she had to admit there was a kernel of truth in them. Running forever wasn't a solution. Maybe, just maybe, she could use his hospitality to her advantage. He had offered her a place to stay and promised to bring her whatever she needed. It was an opportunity she couldn't easily pass up. For now, it seemed like her best and only option.

So, despite the warning bells ringing in her head, she decided to take a leap of faith.

"Cinder... My name is Cinder," she said, her voice steady despite the inner turmoil.

Jaune's smile widened, his eyes filled with warmth. "Nice to meet you, Cinder," Jaune greeted.

Cinder nodded, "Yes, nice to meet you as too, Jaune," She greeted back

As the two sat in the treehouse talking and eating snacks, neither of them could know what the future held for them, and had no idea the choice they would make and where those choices would lead them to.

But it would be nothing but tragedy...

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Oh yeah, btw just gonna let you all know to be ready... if you haven't seen my Tumblr talking about this story... well, it's gonna get pretty dark. Like the relationship between these two is gonna get pretty fucked, trust me.

Don't worry, the next chapter is gonna be longer while also showing the start of how their relationship begins to get toxic.

Anyway, thank you and I hope you enjoyed this little prologue and are eager to see what happens next!

Have a good day/night!