Disclaimer: I don't own it. Do you?

Save the Date

By: athrunzala

Chapter 6: Preparations

The next five weeks were filled with panic and frustration. Ruby and Weiss were in charge of contacting catering services, and Jaune and Pyrrha were busy with decorations, until they had decided that Weiss knew how to decorate far better than Jaune. At which point, the blonde human was paired with the scythe-wielder to handle food and seating arrangements, leaving Pyrrha and Weiss on the decorating committee.

One thing that ended the panic was Glynda suggesting that they keep the ceremony smaller, limiting the guest list to close friends and family only.

"Well, with that taken care of, now what?"

Jaune looked over at Ruby, who shrugged her shoulders.

"Not a clue."

They were then approached by a familiar face that they hadn't seen in a few years.

"Ruby. Jaune. How are you?"

They looked over at the voice, and saw it belonged to their combat instructor.

"Professor Terra! How are you?"

Ruby was smiling until she noticed that the professor's appearance had changed somewhat drastically in 5 years. He was now wearing his hair completely down, and he sported a face covered in stubble, his goat-tee lost to the ages. He had replaced his white button-up shirt with a black and silver athletic shirt that was visible under an unbuttoned silver shirt. His denim pants had also been replaced with a pair of khaki cargo pants.

"Professor, you look… different."

Nero smiled a little. Hearing their voices made things a little nicer. He wasn't about to tell them everything that had gone down in their absence, as he knew what was coming up for them.

"Ruby, I'm doing well. Been better, but I'm doing well."

He turned to Jaune.

"I could say the same of you, Mr. Arc."

He then looked past them to notice Pyrrha and Weiss walking up.

"Your better halves approach."

Ruby puzzled by this until she felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist. She turned her head slightly, being met by Weiss' lips contacting her cheek.

"You guys doing alright?"

"Yup! We're good!"

Pyrrha looked over at their companion.

"Good day, professor."

"Same to you Ms. Nikos."

The four then all became slightly puzzled when Nero put a hand on his chin.

"Yeah. Ruby. Jaune. I'm taking you two on a trip."

Weiss thrust her hands down to her sides.

"Not in the middle of planning this you don't!"

Nero backed off slightly, his hands raised to shoulder level.

"Woah there. Once the plans are done, of course. And I promise to have them back in time for the events. I swear it. Just a one week thing."

The white-haired Huntress glared at him, searching his face for any hint of deception. Finding none, she relaxed. She wasn't happy about it, but she knew that Ruby might like it. So she relented.

"Alright."

She kissed Ruby, pulling her fiancé closer as she did so. As she backed off, she smiled.

"You be careful, okay?"

"Of course, Weiss. I'll be with Jaune. He won't let me get into trouble."

Pyrrha kissed Jaune before leading Weiss away from Ruby, the latter having to be dragged.

"Um… Ruby? Are you sure she'll be okay?"

Ruby stopped waving goodbye to her lover.

"She'll be fine. If not, Nora can break legs."

The pair then turned to follow Nero away from the cliff. As they walked, they began their conversation again.

"So, professor. How is your wife?"

Nero looked towards the ground at the question, his expression changing. Ruby had inadvertently hit a nerve. And it was the same issue he had been struggling with for the past two years.

"She… she and I aren't together anymore, Ruby."

"But I don't understand. You had told me you wouldn't trade her for the world."

The older male looked back at her, his expression somber.

"Yes. I did. And now, I would give the world to have her back."

"I'm not sure I follow."

They stopped to sit for a short while, allowing their former instructor to catch his breath and fill them in on the details.

"It was about five months ago. She was in the city, shopping for some things. Normal, everyday stuff, you know? And then there was an explosion. And there was smoke. And fire. And she…"

He trailed off, hanging his head again.

"Professor… I… I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"No. Ruby. Not your fault. I was told that I need to talk about it to move forward."

He then looked back up.

"She survived, but she was not the same. Like a part of her died. She couldn't care for herself anymore. She kept getting weaker. Every day. She got weaker. Less and less of her was there. And then... last month... I was there when she..." Nero trailed off at this.

Jaune picked up on the situation slightly faster than Ruby for once.

"Professor... Are you sure you're alright?"

The older Huntsman looked up. He knew that they hadn't meant to go down that path, but it had come out anyway.

"Yes, Mr. Arc. I'm fine. As long as I live, I have decided to make the world a better place for future generations. Even if it means sacrificing my happiness. As Huntsmen and Huntresses, I'm sure you understand that your wants and needs come second."

Ruby and Jaune both nodded and looked at each other.

"Professor?"

"Hmm?"

"Come on. Let's get you some fresh air and a change of scenery. You need it more than us."

They then headed off to a waiting vehicle that would take them away to their destination. Back in the center of campus, Weiss and Pyrrha were talking with Glynda.

"He seemed… different."

"He has been through a rough patch recently. He lost his wife last year. She was his world."

"Oh. That is terrible. I didn't know."

Glynda put a hand on each of the women's shoulders. She then smiled.

"I was the one who suggested he take Ruby and Jaune on a trip. He needs to get out for a bit, and I think those two will be perfect for the job. Now, as for you two, how have things been?"

To be continued…

A.n./ - Yeah. I killed a character I never mentioned. I didn't want to risk inventing a character and not having any idea of what to do with them, so I got rid of them. This is partially related to a character change for Nero that happened a little while ago, but that is not overly important.