Chapter 2

Nathaniel stirred slowly in bed as he opened his eyes slowly to a tuff of blonde hair. He couldn't help but smile at the back of his wife's head as he sat up slowly and crawled out of bed, trying not to wake her. He snuck past Ruby's room and walked downstairs, gazing at the photos of him and Yang from their wedding as he went into the kitchen. It was Saturday which meant that he made breakfast for the two girls in the house.

The house itself was two stories and had two bedrooms with bathrooms and a study upstairs, with the walls upstairs being coated in chocolate brown. Downstairs contained the roomy kitchen, large living room, doors to the back yard and another bathroom with blue walls. Nathaniel quickly threw on some bacon and pancakes as he picked up his scroll that was resting on the counter. Sun had emailed him, with a picture along with a message saying Adam Taurus. Know anything on the guy? There was another email from the Hunter Council, assigning Nathaniel on a mission with Pyrrha and Jaune.

The Council set missions for every Hunter, with some Hunter's being busy while others got small breaks. Hunters could preference being alone or in a group and who was in that group. Nine times out of ten he was always paired with Yang considering they were married but the Council did give missions in which they were separated. Nathaniel nodded his head slowly as he read the mission parameters and grabbed the wedding invitation off the table and a piece of paper to write a small message. He quickly plated the food as he also got trays down to carry them. He peered down on the counter as he set a tray down to a photo of him carrying Yang in typical bridal style after their 'I do's' that brought back memories.

"I vow to always protect you and be there for you whenever humanly possible and I vow to love you with every beat of my heart," Nathaniel said as he looked Yang in her lilac eyes. He was wearing a black suit with a yellow tie that contrasted sharply with his black suit. Yang was wearing a beautiful white dress that flowed behind her as she held a bouquet of yellow roses he had sent to her. Her hair was falling down her back as she looked into his hazel eyes.

"I vow to be the best wife possible and to protect you until my last breath… and I vow to always love you, no matter what happens," she said with a smile as he held her hands.

"Do you?" the priest asked as Nathaniel nodded and whispered 'I do', just audible enough for Yang and the priest as he turned to Yang.

"Do you?" the priest asked Yang as tears fell down her eyes as she nodded her head and wrapped her arms around his neck quickly and kissed his lips deeply, not waiting for the priest. Nathaniel held the kiss and dipped her down to continue the kiss as their friends clapped and cheered. Nathaniel broke the kiss, nodded to their friends and picked Yang up as they walked out of the church as husband and wife.

He went into his room first and set the tray at Yang's feet with the message then moved into Ruby's room. While Yang and Nathaniel's room was auburn, Ruby's room was grey with red accents throughout as he stepped over some of her stuff and set the tray at her feet. He shook his head with a smile as he walked back to his room, grabbed a change of clothes and kissed Yang on the forehead gently.

Nathaniel walked into the study and sat at the desk, turning the computer on while grabbing his weapons and new messenger bag with black and blue accents, which carried his supplies. The study was something Nathaniel always wanted: a quiet place to train, to look over missions or just to get away, especially if he and Yang got into a fight. The desk was a dark mahogany with two chairs across sitting across from it with shelves of books behind him. He quickly pulled up multiple records on Adam Taurus, with the most troubling showing that he was arrested for murder but had not been seen in years. Nathaniel sighed slowly and shook his head, We're gonna have to deal with him eventually he thought as he turned the computer off, walked out of the house to his car and drove to the ferry to get to Atlas.

Yang stirred in the bed slowly as she felt her foot hit something. She looked down at the food and smiled as she pulled it close to her and unfolded the note.

Dearest Yang,

I've been called away on a mission with Pyrrha and Jaune. Shouldn't take too long, but I have to take the ferry to Atlas. Should be home around Sunday night-Monday morning. I didn't want to wake you, thus this note. See you in a few days.

Your loving husband,

Nathaniel Empyrean

Yang sighed and ate the bacon and pancakes slowly as she re-read the letter. Nathaniel always did that; left without a single word because she 'needed her rest'. She laid her head back as she heard Ruby slowly open her door with a pancake dangling from her mouth, causing Yang to burst out laughing at the scene. Ruby turned to her and laughed with her as she crawled into her half-sisters bed.

"I take it Nathaniel is on a mission?" Ruby asked as Yang nodded and handed her the note, "Aw, isn't he cute."

"Always is for me," Yang said with a mouthful of pancake in her mouth.

"And for me too sometimes," Ruby said with a chuckle.

"Hopefully his mission goes smoothly," Yang said as she polished off the milk and looked at Ruby, "Wanna go shopping?"

"Yes!" Ruby yelled as she ran back to her room with excitement.

Nathaniel drove up to the newly built one story house and got out of his car, grabbing his bag and weapon as he closed the door and observed the house. It was a simple house stuck among the many others on the street; it was blue on the outside with white window shutters and a red door that Nathaniel knocked on. He waited for a minute until he was about to knock again and saw Pyrrha open the door.

"Nathaniel!" She said as she hugged him and led him inside the house.

"Hello Pyrrha!" Nathaniel said as he hugged her back and stood in the living room. All the walls of the house seemed to be painted white with small splashes of blue throughout, keeping the pattern from outside.

"That's a beautiful ring," Nathaniel said with a smile as he eyed the engagement ring on her finger, which was a simple diamond on a gold band. Pyrrha, like the others, had changed little in the five years since the defeat of the White Fang. She still wore what she had worn at Beacon, but had added shoulder pads for extra protection.

"Thank you Nathaniel. Have you and Yang RSVP'd yet?" she asked as she sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to her, causing Nathaniel to sit next to her.

"No, not yet," he said with a chuckle, "She forgot to mention we had gotten one. But I have it with me and I'll give it to you two personally after the mission. Speaking of you two, where is your other half?"

"Still getting ready," she said and on cue they both heard a thump upstairs as Nathaniel shook his head, "He's actually gotten better."

"I've heard that and that you have been offered to teach at your old academy," Nathaniel said.

"I have."

"Considering it?"

"It is a possibility but Atlas is quite nice and Mistral is quite far away from anyone else. I don't want Jaune to leave all that behind."

"True, but you've left things behind in Mistral haven't you?"

"Indeed I have… but I also like it in Atlas and Vale."

"Why did you guys skip over here to Atlas?" Nathaniel asked as they heard another thump.

"It's very nice and quiet over here, but I do miss Vale since everyone settled there," Pyrrha said as Jaune came down the steps.

"Jaune!" Nathaniel said with a smile as he and the blonde hugged, "Long time no see, how ya been?" Nathaniel said, smacking his back. Jaune smiled and lurched forward from the hit on his back.

"I've been great, you Nathaniel?" Jaune asked as Pyrrha walked over to him. Jaune still had the tuff of blonde hair but had updated his look with a red undershirt that matched Pyrrha's colors. He had also added armor, covering his sides and connecting the pieces along with a redone symbol on his shield, which was in its sheath form, showing two curved lines with a red spear through the middle.

"Been good. Look at you trying to be romantic and match your soon-to-be wife," Nathaniel said with a smirk as he nudged his shoulder.

"I do my best. Ready to go?" Jaune said as Pyrrha walked away and came back with her combat gear.

"All set. We're taking my car."

"Why not just take airship?" Pyrrha asked.

"I haven't been in Atlas since I was 10, I want to take a look around again. Also, I like my car," Nathaniel said with a smile as they walked out and to his car. They piled in and drove down the street to a city center. Their mission was simple: check out the area for possible gangs and then the forest for Grimm activity. They were making small talk until suddenly five people dressed in dark red and jeans ran across the street. Nathaniel immediately slammed on the brakes, threw the car into park and jumped out of the car, weapon in hand.

"Nathaniel what is it?!" Jaune asked as him and Pyrrha ran after Nathaniel.

"I saw those guys yesterday! They tried to rob me!" Nathaniel yelled back as he ran after the goons and turned a corner to see them mobbing two people.

"Hey!" Nathaniel screamed as he popped out the blades of Somber Azure, his weapon of choice that had a blade on each end. The five thugs turned to him and one of them grinned under his hood.

"Ah, the knight. And two more Hunters, perfect," he said as Pyrrha and Jaune rounded the corner, weapons at the ready. The three of them charged at the hooded men as they pulled out swords and spears. Nathaniel jumped up as Pyrrha launched off Jaune's shield into the five, separating them and engaging two of them. Nathaniel similarly landed between two, blocked their strikes and hit both of them hard with his blades, sending them back. Jaune charged, slammed his shield into a distracted member and slashed at another who was about to strike Pyrrha. Nathaniel finished off the last with his claymore with a solid hit that felled the man but was quickly back on his feet because of Nathaniel.

"Who are you guys working for?!" Nathaniel yelled in the man's face. He grinned at his question as Pyrrha raised her blade to his neck.

"Like I'll tell. I will say this however: you are being hunted knight and you will feel the fury of the Red Thorn. All of you Hunters will fall and your fall will be the hardest," he said with a bigger grin as Nathaniel elbowed him in the temple, knocking him out and letting him slide to the ground unconscious as Pyrrha looked at Nathan with care. Jaune helped the two civilians up as Nathaniel and Pyrrha walked over to them.

"So much for not telling us anything," he said to Pyrrha as he turned to the two civilians, "You two okay?"

"Oh, we are quite alright, thank you," one said as the other patted him on the shoulder, "Ah! Where are my manners? My name is Orion and this is my brother Aquila. We are the Virgus brothers, one of the few armorers left in Atlas."

Nathaniel looked the two men over and realized how similar they were: both wore small-framed glasses and were bald on top with white hair on the sides of their heads and presumably down the back of it. They were both the same height as the three of them, were much more built then the Hunters and were both wearing nice but wrinkled suits from the attack.

"Well, good to hear you two are okay," Pyrrha said with a smile as Orion matched it.

"Oh of course dearie! Now, in return-"

"Oh no, we couldn't take anything, it's just another day for us," Jaune said.

"Nonsense!" Aquila spoke up, matching his brother's deep voice, "We owe you three our lives! Who knows what those ruffians would have done! If you ever need any new armor, no matter how much, come to us, promise?" he said, holding his hand out to Nathaniel which he shook.

"Of course Aquila," he said with a smile as they said their goodbyes and walked back to the car in silence, with Pyrrha placing a hand on Nathaniel's shoulder as he got in the driver's seat.

"You okay?" she asked. Nathaniel responded with a slow nod as he put the car in gear and started off.

"What happened?" Jaune asked curiously as Pyrrha removed her hand.

"One of the guys said something to me that was troubling… about a new group… how Hunter's will fall and mine will be the hardest," Nathaniel said quietly as they stopped in front of a wooded area and got out. Jaune looked at Pyrrha and then at Nathaniel, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing.

"We'll get them Nate, don't worry," Jaune said with a smile that Pyrrha matched. Nathaniel matched it and nodded.

"I hope so," he said as he turned and ran into the forest, with the other two trailing behind him.

"Come onnnnnnnn!"

"No Ruby."

"Why?!"

"Because you remember what happened when you had cookies, oh I don't know, yesterday?!" Yang yelled back at Ruby in front of the display of sweets. Their shopping day had resulted in some new clothes for both girls and they ended up in a coffee shop. They both ordered coffee and took a seat next to a window as people went about their business. Yang pulled out her scroll and looked over emails and sent a text to Nathan.

"So, what's new?" Ruby asked, taking a sip of her frappuccino.

"Nothing new… Nathaniel said he wants to help me look for my mom."

"That's awesome!"

"Yeah, I didn't think he would want to," Yang said as she sipped her coffee.

"Why not? You guys are married, you would do anything for each other."

"True."

"I wonder why he hasn't responded to your text yet…" Ruby said as she sucked down her frappuccino.

"God she sends texts at the worst times!" Nathaniel yelled as he stabbed one Grimm, separated his weapon and slashed at three Grimm that had charged at him. Pyrrha shot off multiple rounds and stabbed at other Grimm as Jaune slammed one with his shield and stabbed another.

"Yang?!" Pyrrha said as she stabbed one and threw her javelin into another as she turned and smacked one hard with her shield and brought it down on its neck, separating its head from the body.

"Aye!" Nathaniel said as he combined the ends into a claymore and stabbed at two and slashed at another that held his blade, causing Nathaniel to take out his knives and cut at others around him. Jaune stabbed two with his blade and kicked them off as the number of Beowolf started to thin out. Finally, the few remaining ran away as Nathaniel picked up his weapon and cleaned the blood off it, shaking his head.

"Phew…. Damn, that was fun," Nathaniel said as he sheathed his claymore.

"Kinda close, but good," Pyrrha said as they walked back through the forest, her and Jaune hand in hand.

"So, what did Yang want?" he asked.

"That's a damn good question," Nathaniel said as he opened his scroll and saw her text that stated how she wished the mission was going good and how she missed him. He smiled and replied as he then emailed Sun that they had to meet up.

"Seems like you're doing a lot more then texting," Jaune said as he watched Nathaniel type.

"Yeah, I know. Sun wanted me to do some things for him," Nathaniel said as he closed the scroll and unlocked the car as they piled in, the sky changing colors that was a mix of orange, red and dark blue.

"Are you going to be staying at our house this evening Nathan?" Pyrrha asked as the drive went on.

"No, I don't want to trouble you-"

"Oh please, I insist," Pyrrha said as Nathaniel drove up their driveway. They got out of the car and went into their house as Nathaniel crashed on their couch. Jaune patted his shoulder and chuckled.

"Hey, you're wife offered."

"I know she did," Jaune said with a smile as he grabbed packs of ice and handed some to Pyrrha and Nathaniel, who slowly drifted off as the two went upstairs. Morning came quicker than Nathaniel wanted as he got up slowly and grabbed his bag and keys, trying to leave before they got up.

"Morning lazy," Jaune said from the table, causing Nathaniel to jump, not realizing they were both already up, causing the couple to laugh as Nathaniel walked over to them, "Are your senses starting to fault you already?"

"Oh funny Jaune," Nathaniel said as he sat across from the two of them and rubbed his eyes, "So, how are the wedding plans coming along?"

"Quite well actually, I already have my dress and we have the venue," Pyrrha said as she flipped through a caterer's menu.

"Ah, that's good to hear, Yang and I have our outfits planned out and set to go."

"How? You said you just found the invitation," Jaune countered, causing Nathaniel to stare at him, take out the invitation, check a box and added Ruby and threw the paper at Jaune, causing the invitation to float harmlessly. Jaune and Pyrrha burst out laughing as Nathaniel grabbed the invitation and shoved it into Jaune's face.

"Bye Pyrrha," Nathaniel said as he got up hugged Pyrrha, patted Jaune on his back and walked out the door with a chuckle and drove to the ferry to get him back to Vale. Nathaniel leaned on the railings and looked out at as the sky changed colors and Vale slowly came into view. One day Yang will have a house next to the sea… with a puppy… and me Nathaniel thought with a smile as the ship came into port with the sky turning slowly again. He quickly got in his car and drove like hell to his house, wanting to be home.

"Damn it!" Yang said as she and Ruby played Remnant. Ruby had moved her army into Atlas as Yang was losing territory turn after turn. Ruby couldn't help but grin at her half-sisters reaction. Yang had long dominated their friends in the game and to be being beaten by Ruby was annoying her.

"And now I'll play Sandstorm, that will-"

"WILL YOU?!" Nathaniel yelled, suddenly appearing behind Ruby using his semblance with the shadow that was created by the kitchen light behind Ruby, causing her and her sister to scream, causing Nathaniel to laugh. Ruby and Yang punched him hard but that didn't stop him from laughing as hard as he did.

"H-Hi girls," Nathaniel said while giggling as he wrapped his arm around his angry wife and rubbed Ruby's shoulder, "Damn babe, I'm not used to seeing you lose this bad," he said as he looked at her cards and whispered in her ear. She slowly grinned as he kissed her neck and looked over at Ruby, who was looking disgusted.

"Please get a room," she said as she laid a card down and moved more units.

"We already have one, but first I'll play Legion of Doom!" Yang yelled as Ruby cried out an objection, "Which gives me the chance to use the legendary legion or have them turn on me with a simple roll of the dice! Baby?" she said as she held her hand up to Nathaniel, who kissed it as she shook the dice and rolled, getting the roll she needed.

"NNNNOOOOOO!" Ruby yelled as she banged her head on the table as Yang brought out more units and started to retake territories. Yang laughed as Nathaniel kissed the top of her head and laid down on the couch with an icepack on his arms.

"You okay love?" Yang asked as she rolled, much to Ruby's dismay.

"Achy," he replied as he watched a soccer match on the television. He pulled his scroll out and saw that Sun replied, wanting to meet tomorrow which Nathaniel agreed to in an email and gave a location. Yang got up and walked over to him and rubbed his shoulder as Ruby rubbed her forehead on the table.

"Want to come to bed?" Yang whispered in his ear that made him perk his head up.

"Well, if you're offering," he said as he walked to the freezer, threw the ice packs in there, picked his wife up bridal-style and walked upstairs smiling at her as Ruby shook her head, rolled her eyes and turned the lights off.

"How was the mission?" Yang whispered into his ear as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Good, how's it been while I've been gone?"

"Quiet and less lovy-dovey," Ruby said, eliciting a chuckle from Nathaniel as he turned, Yang in his arms and nodded to Ruby.

"I'm sorry Ruby. I'll make it up to you, I promise. Have a good evening," Nathaniel said with a smile that Ruby returned as she said her goodnights to them and went into her room. Nathaniel carried Yang into her room and closed the door slowly as he laid Yang on their bed. He quickly got out of his clothes and slipped into his pajamas as Yang did the same slowly. He crawled into bed behind her and kissed her shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist slowly. She breathed slowly and drifted off with a smile as Nathaniel nuzzled her hair and smiled as he slipped into pleasant dreams.

Okay, quick update: I've officially finished this story (finished Chapter 10 last week) and I'm in the process of editing it now. Better news is that I'm already writing up a new story that I hope you guys will like. Enjoy Chapter 2 and I'll see you guys next week with Chapter 3! Please review and fav!