Ichigo (thoughts): 'Bored... Maybe I should leave early. Not really doing much anyway. Maybe practice with Zangetsu and get some light exercise to work up my muscles...'

Ichigo had just finished dancing with Yang a few minutes ago. It was odd to him at first since he never danced, but eventually, he got the hang of it. Of course, he still sucked. Yang had to leave when Ozpin came up to her and said that he needed her for something. Yang reluctantly left to see what he wanted, leaving Ichigo by himself. Now, he sits at an empty table as he watches people dance with a bored expression, not really knowing what to do.

Not really paying attention to his surroundings, he fails to notice an ashen black-haired woman with amber eyes and a formal black evening gown approach his table and sit across from him. Cinder expected him to immediately notice her thanks to her looks. She was wrong. A few minutes passed and Ichigo still didn't notice her. He was too lost in his thoughts. Cinder, getting a bit irritated of Ichigo not noticing her, coughs in her hand.

Nothing. Ichigo continues to think and completely ignore her. Getting fed up, she gets up from her chair and walks over to him, standing right in front of him. It was only then that he noticed.

Ichigo: "Umm... Hello?"

Cinder: "Hello." She puts on an alluring smile. "I couldn't help but notice you sitting here by yourself. I didn't think I would find the famous 'Blue Reaper' here." she said, hoping this conversation would give her some useful information.

Ichigo: "Uh, what? First of all, who are you? Second, what the hell do you mean 'Blue Reaper'?"

He had never heard of this term, much less it being attributed to him.

Cinder: "Oh, I'm Cinder, and I'm one of your fans." she lies. "And what do you mean? You don't know your own nickname from the general public?"

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Dear god... People are naming me now!? For crying out loud! All I wanted was to not draw attention to myself. Joining Beacon was my first mistake which led to the others! Just... fuck.'

Ichigo: "I... see. Sorry, but I need to do something."

He gets out of his chair to leave. All he wanted was to go unnoticed, but now that he's found out that the general public was already naming him, adding more to him, he wanted to get out of the ballroom as soon as possible and exercise to loosen his muscles. Hopefully that'll relieve some of the stress.

Cinder: "Wait! Can I-" She cuts herself off as he's too far away alright.

Cinder (thoughts): 'Dammit. Looks like I got nothing useful.'

Ichigo was too annoyed and lost in his thoughts as he left that didn't realize that she felt very similar to another person he sensed once.

The Next Day

It was now 4 AM. Ichigo is currently sleeping with only his boxers on since he had no sleeping clothes. He was sleeping soundly, like any other normal person.

*Knock Knock Knock*

He immediately woke up and threw himself off his bed and awaited for someone to attack him, but it never came.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Huh? What the... Right. Dad's not here. Stop waking up-' He was cut off when he heard another knock. 'Huh. Guess I woke up from that.' he thinks to himself as he walks over. 'Who would come at this time of night. Isn't it past curfew already?'

Ichigo opens the door and is surprised to see Yang standing there in her pajamas.

Ichigo: "Yang? What are you doing here? If you get caught past curfew, you could get detention." he asks concerned.

It wasn't until she didn't respond that he looked directly at her face. He saw what was probably the biggest smile he had ever seen. He also saw a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Ichigo: "Uh... Yang? Why are you smiling like a crazy person?"

He's nervous since her smile was similar to Yoruichi's whenever she teased him. Yang's not exactly like her, but...

Yang: "My, my, Ichigo. Who would have thought that you had a six-pack? Damn!" she notes with a little bit of drool coming out of her mouth.

Ichigo: "Huh? What are you-" It was then that he knew what she meant. "SHIT!"

He slams the doors in her face in embarrassment.

Yang: "Hey! Ichigo! What are you doing? I was admiring the view. Come back!" she whines from the other side.

A couple seconds later, Ichigo reopens the door with his bed sheets covering his body.

Yang: "Aww, why did you take the view away?" she playfully asks.

Ichigo: "S-Shut up."

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Perverted woman...'

Ichigo: "Anyway, why did you knock on my door in the middle of night? Or did you just do it to see me naked?" he accuses with an annoyed face.

Yang: "No, but I might have if I knew you had a six-pack." She starts walking towards him and pushes her breasts up against his chest. "Maybe you can show me some other time." she teases, trying to make him blush more.

Ichigo (thought): 'Alright, fine! I'm pretty tired of women teasing the hell out of me! Time to get some payback!'

Ichigo: "Well, you didn't ask."

Yang's POV

He leans his lips towards Yang's while wrapping his free hand around her waist. Yang was completely flabbergasted. She looks down at Ichigo's hand and back to his approaching head. It was then that she figured out what Ichigo was about to do. It was if her brain short-circuited and needed to be rebooted. It wasn't until he was about to kiss her that she finally succeeded in rebooted her brain.

Yang: "Wait! Ichigo! Don't-" She cut herself off as she was about to be kissed by Ichigo, her cousin!

Not that she minded about that too much... Time seemed to slow as she watched him about to kiss her. This wasn't supposed to happen! She was supposed to poke fun at him! And now she was about to kiss him! Well, it is just a kiss, but still! How could this happen!?

Yang, seeing she couldn't stop Ichigo in time, resigned to her fate and closed her eyes as she nervously awaited for the feeling of Ichigo's lips. However, it never came. With her eyes still closed, she suddenly felt hot breath on her right ear. That sent shivers down her spine until she heard...

Ichigo: "Just kidding..." he whispers softly in her ear.

Her brain didn't comprehend what she heard until she opened her eyes and saw Ichigo's smug smile.

Ichigo's POV

Ichigo: "What? You thought I was gonna kiss you?"

Yang's face starts heating up.

Yang: "W-What the hell I-Ichigo!? When did you turn into such a tease!?"

She turns away from him so he couldn't see her flushed face, but he knew.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Aww yeah! It feels good to finally have some vengeance.' he congratulates himself, he smile staying on his face. 'But then again, I'm not really the teasing type. Maybe I'll just tease someone when they're constantly doing it to me.'

He thinks back to all the times Yang did it to him, which wasn't a small amount.

Ichigo: "What's the matter Yang? Something wrong?"

He now understood why Yoruichi always teased him. It was hilarious seeing her reaction! Yang, the hot headed thrill seeker reduced to a stuttering mess! Suddenly, Yang turns to Ichigo with a pout while crossing her arms.

Yang: "Are you really 15? You have the body of a god already and suddenly you start poking fun at me! You don't even have any fat on you either." she states seriously, unsure if he's lying or not.

Ichigo stops his smiling and replaces it with his trademark scowl.

Ichigo: "Yes, I'm 15." he says annoyed. "Jeez, why does everyone say that?" He says that last part to himself, but she seemed to hear him.

Yang: "Whoops, Ichigo! Can I ask you a favor?" Seems like she remembered the reason she was here.

Ichigo: "Sure?"

Yang: "Thanks. So, you remember when I left you yesterday at the party?"

Ichigo: "Yeah, Oz said he needed you for something. What about it?"

Yang: "Well, actually, he wanted to tell me that Ruby was being questioned by General Ironwood about a crime she saw."

Ichigo (thoughts): 'General Ironwood?'

Ichigo: "Okay? So what does this have to do about the favor?" he questioned.

Yang: "Well, later today, Ruby is gonna talk to the headmaster and tell him if she remembers anything else. Can you go with her when she goes?" she asks with pleading eyes.

Ichigo: "Huh? Why can't you go with her?"

A reasonable question.

Yang: "Well... I kinda want to sleep in a bit. By the time you get back, I should already be awake."

Like Ruby and Yuzu, she has the puppy dog eyes that he can't resist. Truth be told, he doesn't mind helping them out. It's just that what if he wanted to sleep in too? Rhetorical question because thanks to his father, he doesn't usually sleep in.

Ichigo: "I- *sigh* Sure. Just tell Ruby to text me when she's leaving."

When she hears his answer, she gets a huge smile and proceeds to hug him in pure happiness.

Yang: "Thanks Ichigo!"

Ichigo: "Yeah, yeah, no problem." He hugs back with a smile.

Suddenly, Yang's expression turns devious.

Ichigo: "Yang, what-" He cut himself off when he saw Yang taking off her orange tank top. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?" he practically yells.

He covers his face with his hands, letting his bed sheets fall from his body, not realizing he dropped them. Ichigo then heard a purr. He ignored it until he felt something moving up and down his chest. He peeks through his hand and sees Yang, still clothed, stroking his abs with her hands while having drool coming from her smiling mouth.

Ichigo: "WHAT THE HELL!?"

He proceeds to push Yang out of his dorm and shut the door in her face. Again.

Yang: "Ichigo, what are you doing? I was enjoying touching-"

Yang's POV

Ichigo: "GOOD NIGHT!" he yells from the other side of the door.

She laughs at his embarrassment and starts walking back to her dorm.

Yang (thoughts): 'So Ichigo, you know how to play the game then. You were just not playing there. Let's see who wins...'

Ichigo's POV

Ichigo (thoughts): 'What the hell is wrong with that woman? I might have to tease her more... Wait. I never teased anyone before. Well, not like that. Never so... intimately before. Huh. Now that I think about it, I'm not really as hot-headed as I used to be. I think. Zangetsu did say that I would combine with him and my hollow. Could it have changed my personality slightly too? Hmm...' he thinks as he gazes at the ceiling, lying in bed.

9 AM That Morning

An hour ago, Ichigo had woken up, but decided to sleep in due to his unexpected night visit. Ichigo was surprised to learn two days prior that would travel with a Huntsman or Huntress, but he never paid it any mind. He did, however, wonder if he would go with another team or just go by himself with the professional.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'I'll just ask Ozpin later.' he thinks when his 'scroll', which was basically a phone, went off.

He grabbed his scroll from the floor and sees a text from Ruby saying she was going to be ready in fifteen minutes. Ichigo, getting out of bed, walks towards the bathroom, takes a quick shower, and puts on his clothes, which were previously owned by Tensa Zangetsu. As he finishes dressing and putting his weapon on his back, he checks the time and sees that he finished just in time. He exits his dorm and waits for Ruby outside hers. A minute later, she comes out with her usual clothing and weapon.

Ichigo: "Ready?" he asks her.

Ruby: "Yep! Let's go!" she says with enthusiasm.

Ichigo: "So... You remember anything else from the crime?" he asks as they navigate their way towards Ozpin's office.

Her mood instantly drops.

Ruby: "No... not really..."

Ichigo notices her change of mood.

Ichigo: "Hey, it's alright if you don't remember everything. Realizing that you've made a mistake means that you have the ability of self-awareness. Not a lot of creatures are capable of such a simple act that we take for granted. Animals can be disciplined or tamed, but they can't learn from their mistakes in the same way we can. Self-awareness is an invaluable tool so that we can learn from our mistakes and know how to do it right next time. Because of this, we can achieve great things, because we're human after all."

Ruby stops walking and just looks at Ichigo. Notice her stopping, he looks at her and sees just a blank expression. He must've broken her with his words of wisdom.

Ichigo: "Ruby? Earth to Ruby? Hello?" He waves his hand in front of her face and she snaps out of her daze. "Ruby, you alright?"

Ruby: "Y-Yeah. Everything's fine! Let's go before the headmaster gets impatient." she says as she continues walking in front of him.

Ruby's POV

None the wiser, Ichigo follows behind her. The real reason Ruby didn't let Ichigo see her face was because she was blushing like crazy.

Ruby (thoughts): 'What's this feeling in my chest? I... I like it... Thanks, Ichigo...'

She's so happy that he brightened her mood. Despite his attitude sometimes, he's a very kind and sweet person. Thinking about him when he's like this makes her feel all warm and happy inside in a way she hasn't felt before for some reason.

Ruby (thoughts): 'Wait a second... What did he say?'

She loses her blush and her unknown feelings were replaced with mild curiosity.

Ruby: "Ichigo? What's an 'Earth'?"

Ichigo's POV

Ruby: "Ichigo? What's an 'Earth'?" she asks innocently.

Ichigo: "Dah... E-Earth is just an expression, Ruby. Don't worry about it." he lies, knowing he messed up.

Ruby: "Oh, okay!" she simply says as she smiles again as they continue walking.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Stupid, stupid! I have to watch what I say or else. No offense to Ruby, but thank god she isn't the smartest girl or that could have ended very differently.'

Unbeknownst to Ichigo, her being smart enough or not isn't exactly the reason why she believed him.

Ozpin's Office

The elevator doors to Ozpin's office open, with Ichigo and Ruby stepping out. Ichigo immediately notices someone he hasn't met before. He guesses this person to be the 'General Ironwood' that Yang mentioned before due to his uniform and the air of authority around him.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'This guy looks like a douchebag.'

Also in the office is Ozpin and Goodwitch, who are waiting patiently for Ichigo and Ruby's arrival.

Ruby: "Ah! Sorry it took so long. Someone accidentally hit all the buttons on the elevator on the way up here." she explains as she looks at Ichigo.

Ichigo: "It wasn't me." He points at Ruby.

Ruby: "Hey!" she yells, betrayed that he would rat her out.

Ozpin: "Thank you for coming Ruby. How are you feeling?"

Ruby: "Umm... Okay, I guess." she expresses nervously. "I'd feel better if my bad guy catching record wasn't 0 for 3..." she says with a slight chuckle, but no one else laughs.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Jeez. Guess they are serious about it...'

Ruby: "Okay, so that's the tone we're setting... Got it..." she softly says.

Ironwood: "Ruby, I feel it's appropriate to let you know that I think that what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntress is about." He walks forward while speaking, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You recognized a threat, you took action, and you did the very best you could." he continued.

Ruby: "Thank you, sir." She looks up at him.

Ozpin: "Now, the general has already informed us of the events that transpired last night. Now that you've rested, we were wondering if you had anything else to add." he explains from behind his desk.

Glynda: "Was anyone else with her? Did she look familiar to you at all?"

Ruby: "I... I don't know. She was wearing a mask. And she never said anything to me, but I know she fought with glass." she testifies.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Glass? Hmm...'

Ruby: "I don't think that was her Semblance though. Her clothing lit up whenever she attacked." she adds, recounting everything she could remember.

Glynda puts her hand to her chin.

Glynda: "Save for the glass, that sounds like the woman I fought the night I met Ruby..."

Ichigo (thoughts): 'So Ruby has met this person before? And she can control fire it seems... Or at least being able to put Dust into clothing.'

Ironwood: "Embedding Dust into clothing is an age-old technique, it could have been anyone." He gestures to Ichigo and his glowing clothing.

Ruby: "Wait, you think this girl is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?" she asks.

Ozpin: "It's possible." He puts his hand on his chin. "But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together."

Ruby: "Actually, I-I think I remember her saying something about a hideout or something... in the southeast!" she says suddenly.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow while Ozpin simply smiled.

Ozpin: "Interesting."

Glynda: "I thought you said the intruder never-"

Ozpin: "Thank you for you cooperation, Ruby." He cuts Glynda off. "Why don't you go spend some time with your team. You have a big day ahead of you." he suggests.

Ruby: "Anytime!"

She starts to walk away to head out, but looks behind her when Ozpin starts speaking again.

Ozpin: "And Miss Rose, please try and be... discrete about this matter." he requests.

Ruby: "Yes sir!"

She starts walking away again, but stops when she notices Ichigo not moving.

Ichigo: "Actually Oz, can I ask you something real quick?" he asks while ignoring the glare Glynda was giving him.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'Jeez, what's she angry at me for now?'

Ozpin: "Of course. What is your question, Ichigo?"

Ichigo: "For the missions today, well... Since I don't have a team, will I go with another team? Or will I just go with the Huntsman or Huntress by myself?"

Ozpin: "Ah, a sensible question. Do not worry about that, Ichigo. Find me after I call the students in the amphitheater."

Ichigo: "Alright then. Later Oz, Glynda, Ironwood."

Ironwood's POV

Glynda: "Will he ever listen to me!?" she yells, very pissed Ichigo keeps calling her name so casually and not professionally.

Ironwood: "Is he the one that the council's talking about?" he asks Ozpin.

Ozpin: "Indeed he is."

Ironwood (thoughts): 'Huh. Reminds me of Qrow for some reason. Must just be my imagination.'

Ichigo's POV

Ichigo: "So what was that about?" he asks Ruby in the elevator.

Ruby: "What are you talking about?"

Ichigo: "The whole 'I heard her say something' thing." he clarifies.

Ruby starts sweating bullets.

Ruby: "W-W-What are you talking about!?" she erratically asks.

Ichigo: "...Never mind."

Ichigo (thoughts): 'She doesn't have to tell me if she doesn't want to.'

Later

After separating, Ichigo went back to his dorm before the announcement, thinking to himself.

Ruby: "ZWEI!" he suddenly hears from RWBY's dorm.

...

...

...

Ichigo (thoughts): 'I heard nothing.'

Glynda then gets on the intercom to summon the students to the amphitheater. Ichigo grabs Zangetsu and heads off.

After Ozpin's Speech