Disclaimer: Still borrowing this. Because I have to finish the story.
Save the Date
By: athrunzala
Chapter 7: Side Stepping
The trio sat in the back of the ATV, silence holding sway over the assembly. They hadn't said much since they had departed from Beacon, and nobody was sure what to do to break the unnerving hush that had gripped the vehicle. Finally, the creepy calm was broken by an announcement from the driver.
"We're approaching the destination."
As they drew nearer, they arrived at what appeared to be a traditional building from a martial arts film.
"So… Uh… why are we here?"
Nero lifted his head, his hands remaining clasped.
"To relax for a couple days. The three of us need it."
They exited the vehicle and entered. As they did, an older man walked over to Nero. As he reached the Huntsman, he pulled him into a hug.
"But I… I don't understand."
"You didn't fail, Nero. You merely were not able to prevent nature from taking its course. Do not worry about that. I do not blame you."
He then ushered the trio inside.
"Uh… Professor?"
The older man beat Nero to the answer.
"I am his father-in-law. I don't fault him for my daughter's untimely departure from our world. He feels blame for it though. Which I wish he would not. She would not want him moping as he does."
Ruby extended a hand.
"Pleasure to meet you. I'm…"
"Ruby Rose. Daughter of Taiyang Xiao Long and Summer Rose. Graduated from Beacon Academy. You are preparing for your wedding to the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company."
The black-haired woman was stunned.
"How did you…"
"Know all that? Secrets do not keep long in the world. But I am being rude. Do come in. All of you."
They entered and were shown to their rooms, where they began to discuss how far they had gotten on their end for the wedding.
Back on campus, Glynda was talking to Weiss and Pyrrha.
"I know it seems like a lot hasn't been accomplished, but Professor Ozpin has assured me that you will have the use of the ballroom again. And there is very little for you to fear from other students wandering in. They will be away on vacation. So we have a safety margin."
"But professor…"
"Ms. Schnee, please. Know this: You are leaving this alone for a couple days. I'm certain that Ms. Belladonna can handle things for a while."
Pyrrha put her hand on Weiss' shoulder.
"I'm with her on this one. Come on. Let's take a break and relax. What's the worst that can happen?"
Relenting once more, Weiss gave up her protests, and went along with the other two women.
Back at the hot spring, the group was pleasantly surprised to find that it was unisex. There was a pre-marriage section that was designed to separate the groom from the bride, but the circumstances of their wedding being different, Ruby was also a groom. So she was in with Jaune and Nero.
They were sitting submerged in the boiling water, letting the heat and steam relax their muscles and ease their minds. They were calm and collected until they heard a trio of voices that sounded awfully familiar. Without looking back, they immediately moved to submerge as far as they could without needing to hold their breath.
"I know this location seems antiquated, but you have to trust me. There is no better way to unwind."
"Weiss, there is nothing wrong with relaxing every once in a while."
"I know that. I just thought I saw a familiar pair of shoes back there."
"Ms. Schnee, many people wear red and black. It isn't only a color combination favored by Ms. Rose"
Nero paled. He hadn't thought that Glynda would choose to bring Weiss and Pyrrha to the same location. He looked over at Ruby, who slumped a little lower, bubbles escaping into the water as she blew air from her mouth. Jaune, meanwhile, had gone completely stiff, his body not wanting to move. As Nero moved to pull Jaune lower in the water, he was spotted.
"Nero?"
He turned around, a nervous grin on his face.
"Hello Glynda."
Weiss then noticed the top of Ruby's head. Pyrrha had also noticed the statue that was her fiancé. While the heiress moved into the water to greet Ruby, Pyrrha almost fell over laughing as Jaune, in a moment of sheer terror, lost his balance and fell off the ledge and made contact with the water face first.
Once everything had calmed down, everybody was situated in the hot water and calmly discussing the events that had gone down.
"We were here for about a day. What made you decide on here?"
"Nero," Glynda said, in a matter of fact voice, "You and I both know that there are benefits to hot springs. Knowing the location of one is not exactly a hard thing to do."
Jaune, meanwhile, was doing his best not to stare at Pyrrha, her current attire being a revealing red two-piece that left very little to the outsider's mind. For Jaune, it was just more of a not wanting to mess up and do something in the middle of a group of people type scenario. He didn't know what would be allowed, but he was fairly certain that being with his fiancé like that was among the things that he wouldn't be doing.
Ruby, on the other hand was sitting next to Weiss, and they were relaxing, allowing the heat to penetrate their bodies, relaxing them. They definitely needed the relaxation, as their globe-hopping trip after graduation had involved working as well, so they hadn't done much in the way of vacation. And they didn't see it happening any time in the future after their wedding, as Weiss was going to be brought in as the head of the Schnee Dust Company. Her father was stepping down. And she had plans to make things better all around.
They would end up spending the remainder of the week at their location, calming down and helping Nero get over things. After the week ended, they gathered their things and prepared to leave. But they wouldn't be able to without the owner providing some advice of his own.
"Remember: In the contract you are about to sign, you both give one hundred percent. Anything less, and you all fail."
To be continued…
A.n./ - Yeah. I had to delve into Nero's past a little more. I wanted to make sure it was 100% clear that he wasn't at fault for his wife's death. Let's see how many taboos I can break in the coming chapters.