"You're kidding me."

'I'm serious, Roman. He owes me big time and I plan on using him well. Make nice and do what I told you.'

"Jesus Cinder why don't you just throw me to the police now? That would be quicker and a little nicer for me to deal with instead of sailing on a sinking ship."

'Didn't we have a talk about you mouthing back?'

"I don't know. I really don't care either."

'Do it.'

With that the bitch hung up. Roman threw his scroll against the wall.

"Really Cinder? Really?" he said aloud angrily.

He honestly didn't want to work with Hei ever again. He had hired his goons once and they weren't worth shit. They couldn't even beat that short shit in black and red brat. That cute black and red brat, ugh. Why would he even think that? He shook his head in disgust as he stared at the hole he made in the wall.

"Fucking Cinder."

It had occurred to him to betray her several times actually and quite honestly he really wanted too. He honestly was mad at himself for taking her offer for "help". It wasn't when she broke him out of prison or the night trying to rob that dust shop. It was a year before that when she came strutting along like she always does; acting like the confident bitch she thought she was. He despised her and her venomous voice. Fucking cunt.

At the wonderful age of seventeen he was robbing places on his own with no problem. Until he met a beautiful girl named Emily. She was homeless and sick; she had tried taking some fruit from a store when he had run into her, well she ran into him. He had gone in to buy some typical food that a typical teenage boy was going to buy; pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs and pasta. She ran into his chest hurting her nose and dropping the apples all over the ground.

"Thank you, boy for stopping her! She tries coming in here all the time-

"I'll pay for her stuff. Here's the money. Come on, Sara," Roman said smiling at her.

The girl's eyes narrowed but she followed Roman anyways. They reached an alley where he stopped and turned to her.

"You aren't too bright stealing in broad daylight."

"My name isn't Sara."

"I'm aware of that. At least if he reports you to VCP he'll give a false name."

The girl looked shocked.

"Why did you help me?" she asked.

Why? That was a good question. He tilted his head to check her out better. She had bright pink eyes and long aqua blue hair. She had cute freckles on her cheeks even though her face was dirty. She was short at 4'11 but cute anyways. She did reek of a foul stench but he ignored it anyways.

"What is your name?" Roman asked dismissing her question.

"Emily."

"What a name; nice and simple."

"Why did you help me?" Emily asked again glaring at him.

"Why? I don't even have an answer for it. I truly don't' but you're more than welcome to come to my place and get cleaned up."

Emily made a disgusted face making Roman arch an eyebrow.

"I'm not fucking you," she stated flatly.

"For the love of Dust woman I never asked you too did I? I'm trying to be nice and your making into some kind of twisted pervert. I will never help anyone again after this, fuck," he snapped at her whirling around to leave.

"Wait- I would like a shower. Please."

Roman stopped in his tracks.

"I guess. What size clothes do you wear?" he asked staring at the cement.

"What?!"

"Emily are you going to wear the same ratty clothes or do you prefer new ones?" he asked sighing; he was rather annoyed by her accusing thoughts.

"Oh… Large shirt and size eleven pants…"

"Anything else?" he asked.

Her face turned bright pink, "I'm 36 C and size six underwear and size seven shoes."

"Ok. Here's my apartment key. You know the tall red building with the gray doors and all the flowers around it?" he asked smiling at her.

"Yea on the rich side of town?" Emily said tapping her lips thoughtfully.

"I'm in apartment 145 A. Sixth floor. Get your shower and I'll be there shortly."

Roman disappeared into the busy streets and Emily walked to his apartment.

What a woman, he thought.

He bought her some clothes and some shoes; it only took him an hour to shop. It was pretty easy to pick out clothes for someone; he had an eye for style. He would've got her stylish boots but considering she'd probably leave after she got some food it was best to get her some running shoes. He went to open the shop door to leave when a girl opened the door.

She was a foot shorter almost and she had amber eyes. Roman moved out of the way for her but she didn't budge. She tilted her head smiling at him. Roman squinted his emerald eyes; he didn't like he arrogant smile she was giving him. He frowned as he tried moving past her but she put her arm out to block the exit.

"Are you Rom-

"Yes and get out of my way I'm busy."

"So feisty. Why are you buying girl clothes for?" she asked smirking.

"Listen bitch I do what I want and if I wanted to cross dress it's none of your damn business. NOW MOVE."

The girl frowned and moved.

"I'll see you around," she snapped and continued into the store.

"Oh Cinder you're back!" said the store clerk.

Roman turned a little to get one last look at her. She was pretty but something about her was off. He hated her and the way talked. Stupid bitch; trying to stop him and she didn't even say hi or introduce herself. Rude. He continued on his way to his place.

He made it upstairs to his floor and to his surprise the door was unlocked. Roman pushed it open; he was suddenly greeted by Emily and her long blue Dust sword against his throat. He had no idea why but he smiled at her. For some reason the act made him grin and he didn't even find it threatening; mostly likely because she was in a towel. She removed the blade from his neck and stepped back.

"Sorry; bad habit."

"It's amusing none the less. Here's your clothes."

Emily accepted the bag and looked inside. Her eyebrows disappeared into her bangs.

"You… These are expensive looking!" she cried out.

"it is because they were. Take care of them. What would you like to eat?" he asked walking into his kitchen.

"What?" she said.

"I'm making food; what do you like?" he asked again trying to hide his annoyed look from her.

"Steak, potatoes with onions and biscuits with gravy."

Roman let out a laugh.

"What a combination! I'll make it anyways," he said grinning at her.

Emily's face turned red and she went into the bathroom to change into her clean clothes. She opened the door and Roman turned to look at her. WOW, she is hot, he thought eyeing her. He hair curled a little at the bottom and her bangs curled inward. Her pink eyes looked brighter now and her skin was pale but flawless except for the cute freckles she had. She looked taller than before; her dark blue jeans made her look taller and her black shirt showed off her shoulders and her bra straps showed but it looked good all together, not trashy.

"How old are you Emily?" he asked setting down her plate.

"I'm nineteen."

Roman stared at her.

"What?"

Emily giggled.

"What? Am I older than you?" she teased shoveling food into her mouth.

"Yea, by two years."

Emily started choking on her food, she managed to get out a "what".

"Yea I'm seventeen."

"How in the hell do you have all this?!" she cried throwing her hands into the air.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked, grinning at her.

Emily just stared at him.

"No. I have no idea honestly."

Roman laughed.

"I'm Roman Torchwick."

Emily dropped her fork.

"WHAT!"

"You heard of me now?" Roman asked grinning like an arrogant asshole.

"Yes! Everyone on the streets has heard of you; oh my god! You're the guy that can steal shit and make it out before anyone can catch you. You're like a legend to wanna be thieves. I thought you were just some old guy but you're younger than me! How the hell did you manage all this?" she cried pulling on his shirt.

"Skills my dear."

"Teach me."

"What?" he said in disbelief.

"Roman, no one will hire me… My family… half them are Faunus and people know who I am."

"Who are you then? Emily what?" Roman asked raising an eyebrow.

"Emily Hillide."

"I've heard of them. The Hillides are one of the few families with humans and Faunus in their bloodlines and they are quite beautiful. It explains why I thought you were so hot at first. Are you the human or the Faunus part?" he asked eyeing her.

Emily glowed red.

"I-I have a tail…"

"Really? How cute," he said grinning.

"What?" she asked avoiding his eyes.

"What are you?" he asked enjoying the fact she was really embarrassed.

"I'm a snow leopard."

"Those are beautiful."

Emily nodded silently.

"Well Emily Hillide, I'll help you if you keep my identity a secret. Deal?" he said holding out his hand.

Emily grabbed his shirt collar and pulled his face to hers kissing him.

"Deal," she whispered.

Over six months they had robbed several places together. Roman had ordered a special wig and contacts to a fake address for her. She was a black haired, purple eyes thief by night and aqua haired beautiful Faunus by day. By the seventh month they had fallen for each other. Considering Roman was a virgin he was quite good in bed by Emily's opinion. Everything was perfect or so Roman thought.

"Emily, why are you upset? Did I do something?" he asked giving her a sad, worried look.

Emily avoided his green eyes; she couldn't look him in those beautiful emerald eyes and lie to him.

"I don't want to be with you anymore," she said staring at the floor blinking away the tears.

"What?" he said in total disbelief. Maybe he heard her wrong?

"Roman, it was fun but I want to go and do things on my own."

They had been in his apartment a year together and she was leaving. She left; not even giving him a straight answer on why but he found out why later. He left his apartment; bleaching everything clean. He was right; she sold him out; for almost two hundred thousand Lien. She had gone back to help her family in need, but for him she was his family. She had abandoned him.

Roman turned twenty-one when he ran into Cinder again. She had longer hair and she seemed… more different than she had previously in the clothing shop. He was going to walk right past her but she stopped him in his tracks throwing glass shards at his feet. He whirled around pointing Melodic Cudgel in her face glaring at her.

"What the hell do you want with me?" Roman demanded.

"I want your help."

Roman flicked her off and turned away from her.

"What's wrong Roman? Emily Hillide leave you high and dry, leaving you bitter?"

The words made his blood boil. He whipped around to face her.

"Excuse me bitch?"

"The name is Cinder."

"I don't give two shits who you are. How do you know about Emily?" he spat getting into Cinder's face.

"I'm the one who offered her the money to sell you out."

Roman grabbed Cinder's throat squeezing it.

"You fucking care to repeat that?" he yelled.

Cinder's eyes flickered to fear just for an instant.

"You heard me," she coughed out trying to sound confident.

Roman threw her onto the ground.

"Leave me alone."

"I know where she's at."

Roman froze; his heart pounded furiously in his chest.

"What…"

"I know where she's at. If you help me I can tell you exactly where."

"I already know where she's at," he said quietly squeezing his cane.

"Really? Then why don't you go after her?" Cinder asked raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"Love doesn't betray you," he whispered and started walking away.

"How much will it take for you to work with me?" Cinder asked loudly.

"You don't have enough."

"Try me," Cinder dared.

"I want 20 million Lien."

"Done," she said holding out her hand.

"Really, you have that kind of money?" he asked.

"I have one-third of it right now. I can tell you what I want if you accept the money. Though why would you need a large amount?" Cinder asked tapping her lips.

"I want to retire within the next ten years or at by thirty-five with a scrubbed clean record."

"That is quite farfetched," Cinder said crossing her arms over her chest.

"It… was out dream, but now it's just mine. I promise you this: do not to push me or I will kill you."

Cinder laughed evilly.

"You are too fun. You think you could kill me?" she asked.

"Apparently so if you think of coming to me for help," he stated making Cinder shut her mouth.

"Hmmm."

"I'll meet you at the café that opens at four in the afternoon. Night Cinder."

"Night Roman," she said sweetly and turned away.

Of course he remembered so well. Roman felt shut off from people making it easier to kill if he had too. He needed that money to retire… and to search out Emily even though he knew how she was. He had hired someone to find her once a year and see how she was; so far she was great. She still had her long, aqua hair… She sometimes wore the clothes he had bought her years ago.

Roman rubbed his face.

Part of him hated her for what she did to him but did he blame her? He never asked her why she wanted to steal in the first place; he just took her up on her offer. He shouldn't have been so surprised when he found out where she went. He felt his heart wrench at the thought of her smiling; the thought of her with someone else. She was his first everything and it cut him deeply."

He picked up his phone and dialed Hei's number.

"Hey jackass; I'm coming over."

'Who is this?'

"Wow really? Cinder picked a smart one didn't she?" Roman said glaring at the wall.

'Roman?'

"Bingo. I'm coming to your club for a drink and we can make nice; at least so Cinder doesn't kill us. How's that sound?" Roman asked.

Hei became silent.

"Did you hang up?"

'I'm here. Ok, come on down and make sure you aren't followed.'

"I'm a pro Hei."

'Really? I keep hearing about kids stopping you from Dust shops-

"You want me to hit you when I get there?" Roman spat gritting his teeth.

'Just get here and fast.'

Roman entered the club looking around. It looked a like different than the last time he had been there. Did something happen? Did Hei piss someone off and they wrecked his place? Most likely. Roman walked slowly to the bar staring Hei down. Hei was one hell of a tall man at 6'11. Roman sat down and waited on Hei to finish serving one of his customers.

"Asshole," Hei said.

"Bastard."

They stared at each other.

"What does she want from me?" Hei asked wiping out a glass.

"She never told me yet. She wants us to play nice. By the way; it looks a lot different?" Roman questioned.

Hei squeezed the glass shattering it in his bare hands. Roman arched an eyebrow at him.

"A girl came in here shortly after you left the first time and wrecked the place."

"I assume she beat your ass."

"You guessed right… unfortunately. "

Roman looked to his right and saw the girl in red like last time.

"Who's she?" Roman asked.

"That's Militia. The one in white is Melanie. They are my bodyguards."

"They seem kind of young?" Roman said grinning at Hei.

"They are but they are just my bodyguards. Nothing more."

"Do they do anything-

"No and keep your hands off them."

"Ok," Roman said looking disappointed.

"So, how do we make nice?" Hei asked.

"Hmm… wanna play a couple card games?" Roman asked.

"You're serious?"

"Yea. You can learn a lot about a man when you play cards with him, as long as your bodyguards are willing to watch the bar for you. Would you like to get a booth?" Roman asked smiling evilly.

"Sure. Melanie, Militia; watch the bar."

Melanie rolled her eyes and Militia nodded.

After several hours they had completed ten poker games, five go fish (requested by Hei) and three games of speed; Roman winning nearly all of them. They were both buzzed but they were having a good time. They were in the middle of a discussion about the hot, young blonde that had destroyed his club and whooped his ass. Roman was rolling in laughter.

"You really thought she was gonna kiss you?!" he said in complete disbelief.

"Like I said; she was hot. Excuse me for being a man," Hei said grinning.

"She almost ripped off your junk!"

"Like I said; excuse me for being a man," he said rolling his eyes receiving another laugh from Roman.

Roman felt his scroll vibrate but he ignored it.

"You have a woman Roman?' Hei asked dealing out the cards.

"I did once."

Hei stopped and looked at the Roman; his bright green eyes clouded over with sadness.

"That bad huh?"

Roman nodded.

"I'm sorry man. How long ago?"

"Almost four years."

"It isn't healthy to mope that long Roman," Hei said.

"I know that Dr. Xiong."

Hei shook his head.

"You like anyone else?" he asked tilting his drink to his mouth.

"Eh… She's too young. I'm interested but it wouldn't work."

"Different morals?"

"yes," Roman said laughing.

His laughter was cut off short by a black gloved hand hitting the table they were sitting at. The hand belonged to Neopolitan. She looked really pissed off and Roman took a guess that she was the one who had called him and he didn't answer. He smiled meekly at her making her glare more intense.

"Sooooooo Neo what's up?"

Neo pulled out her scroll and typed on it.

I called you! Why didn't you answer?

"I'm doing what the broad asked me to do," he stated receiving a smiled from Neo.

I see that. Can I join you after I call what's her face of what you're doing?

"Of course as long as Hei is ok with it," Roman said pointing to his new best friend.

"Call me Junior."

Roman smiled and nodded to Neo.

Be right back…

Neo left them alone.

"She can't talk?" Junior asked.

"She has selective mutism. Basically to me she's really fucking shy unless she's telling Cinder off."

"Really?" Junior said completely unconvinced.

"Yea, she's rather vicious for a pint of ice cream."

"Tell me how," Junior said teasing.

Suddenly Roman's face became very serious and his eyes darkened. Junior sat back staring at Roman's sudden change of expression, it scared him because he couldn't read it. Roman folded his hands together on the table and leaned forward. Junior looked around and leaned forward too.

"She is and I'm not joking. She could take down Cinder if she wanted."

Junior sat there stunned.

"You're shitting me."

Roman shook his head.

"Neo is incredible. She makes Cinder look like a mere ant. I didn't believe it at first but she… Can take down some powerful hunters and huntresses."

Neo returned with a big smile on her face.

Hey are you guys ready to get your ass whooped by me?

Roman snorted when he saw her message.

"Please Neo. You're only half as good as me."

Junior shook his head.

"I'm definitely not gonna win then."

Neo let out a giggled shocking Junior.

"Wow, you sound really cute," Junior said smiling.

Neo's face deepened to a dark pink, "Thank you Junior."

Roman laughed.

"That's great; one of the most powerful fighters in the world is rendered pink because a compliment."

Neo turned red and hit Roman's arm really hard.

"Shit Neo! You're gonna break it!" Roman yelled rubbing his soon to be bruised arm.

"I told you not to make fun of me didn't I?!" she squeaked.

"Ok-OK no more!" he cried out from the pain in his arm.

They stayed like that playing cards until three in the morning, laughing, playing cards and Neo repeatedly hitting Roman in the arm making Junior laugh. Roman was rather grateful Cinder had forced this on him, he was enjoying himself a lot and Neo had taken a quick liking to Junior which was unusual for her on that part. Later that night Neo crashed in Roman's bed and Roman made it to his recliner and he was out for the next twelve hours.