Graduation

This was the day she waited for. In just a few hours, she'd be a fully-fledged Huntress. It had taken lots of hard work, not to mention lots of sacrifice. But she was finally about to graduate from Beacon and realize her dream. So why did she feel like something bad was about to happen? Ruby stood near the wall of her room, fixing her graduation gown in the mirror. She mumbled, "I have a bad feeling about this.."

"Did you say something?" Weiss quipped from the middle of the room, having turned away from her conversation with Blake and Yang; leaving the two to talk to themselves.

Ruby turned and offered a smile, "Uh, nope."

Frowning, Weiss took a step towards her, "I can tell you're faking. What's up?"

Damn her for being so perceptive. "It's nothing, really. I'm just nervous."

The heiress let out a scoff, "You, nervous? Come on, this is what you've wanted your whole life."

A small, genuine smile blossomed. They knew each other so well now. They had really grown as a team since entering Beacon. "I know, I just.. What if it isn't what I thought it was? Being a Huntress.. What if.. What if I can't handle it? What if people die because I'm not ready? What if-"

She stopped as she felt her partner's hand on her shoulder. It wasn't as cold as it used to be.

"It's going to be alright. You're ready. I believe in you. Everyone does."

A tear collects in her eye, and she raises her hand to wipe it away before her team could see it. "Thank you, Wiess."


It was time for the ceremony to start. The auditorium of Beacon was packed with family members, alumni, staff, and current students. Ruby stood at the rear of the small group that had made it this far, her team next to her. Names were being called, and her classmates' numbers were slowly thinning. Glancing over, she noticed Team JNPR and smiled as Jaune caught her eye and gave her a soft smile and a nod. He really had become a fine leader. Her thoughts soon began to drift.

"Ruby Rose."

She smiled and walked onto the stage. Ozpin handed her a small item. Some sort of Hunter equipment they received for some tradition or something. She may have missed that part of the lecture. She shook his hand before looking around the auditorium. Dad, Uncle Qrow, Penny, Velvet, Coco, so many familiar faces cheering her on. Finally, her eyes then fell upon her remaining classmates. Her team was no where to be found. Ozpin's voice soon snapped her back to reality.

"I hope you remember all the sacrifices it took to get here. It doesn't get any easier, I'm afraid."

Ruby nodded as her smile faded. "I.. I won't let their deaths be for nothing."

"I know you won't. Good luck, Ruby."

Her hand slid out of his and she slowly walked off stage as Jaune's name was called. Her vision was misted over as tears began to roll down her face.