Yang's POV

Outside Beacon's cafeteria, Yang joins Team JNPR, Blake, Nemu, and Rukia, who are relaxing outside. JNPR won their match earlier after Jaune got exasperated and just told Nora to finish it with her hammer. At the moment though, Nora's currently attempting to get Nemu to budge by trying to wrestle her to the ground. This weird girl, however, isn't allowing herself to move an inch, even as Nora struggles. What is she...?

Female Student: "Professor Kurosaki was so hot!"

The mention of Ichigo's name causes Yang to turn her head towards the source. A team of girls from Haven are passing by, talking loudly amongst themselves.

Haven Girl: "He didn't even break a sweat breaking up that fight!"

Another Female Student: "I wonder if he's seeing anyone? He's our age, right?"

Overhearing this, Yang wants to find out what's up.

Jaune: "What's going on? They're talking about Ichigo."

Yang: "I'll ask." She turns back towards the girls, who are walking by. "Hey! You guys!"

They pause and turn to look at Yang, who's waving her arm at them. Yang wants to know what's going on.

Haven Girl: "Yes? Can we help you?" she asks as her and her team walk up.

Yang: "Yeah, I overheard you guys talking. Did something happen with Ichi- I mean, with Professor Kurosaki?"

Even with them being awkward, having been revealed that they're cousins and all, Yang still cares about him. If something's happened, she wants to know.

Rukia: "What did he do this time?"

Apparently, Rukia knows him well enough that he gets into shenanigans frequently, so her tone isn't misplaced.

Female Student: "This lady from Atlas and this drunk old dude were having a huge fight! They were all over the place!"

Haven Girl: "Yeah! But Professor Kurosaki stopped them in their tracks with just one arm!"

Other Female Student: "And then when he scolded them, I felt like I was about to explode! He is so MANLY!"

Nemu: "Ichigo is a very powerful and attractive male specimen. He-"

Yang: "Wait... A drunk old dude got into a fight!? Did they say what his name was!?"

No. Just no. This just- No.

Female Student: "I think Professor Kurosaki said something like 'NOT IN THE MOOD, CROW!' So maybe his nickname is Crow or something? Honestly, the way Professor Kurosaki takes no bull and has the strength to back it up..."

She blushes hard while all the color drains from Yang's face. 'Crow' isn't a nickname... That's her Uncle Qrow! He got into a fight with someone from Atlas!?

Yang: "T-That drunk! What has he gotten himself into now!?"

Ren: "Didn't you blow up a nightclub?" he accurately asks.

Yang: "NOT IN THE MOOD, REN!"

...

...

...

Nora: "Boy, are YOU two alike!"

3rd Person POV

Ichigo: "Need I remind you of where you were!? What were you THINKING goading Winter into a fight there!? And I get that she's a little stuck up, but she's part of the military! It's her job to act that way! That doesn't mean you get to take out your frustration on her!"

Ichigo's rightfully chewing out Qrow, his supposed dad, in Ozpin's office, accompanied by Ozpin, Ironwood, and Glynda, who are merely observing.

Qrow: "...I'll teach you to..." he mumbles.

Ironwood: "If you were one of my men, I'd have you shot." he directs at Qrow.

Qrow: "If I were one of your men, I'd shoot myself."

Ironwood: "You-"

Ichigo: "And don't get me started on how YOUR operative behaved, responding to his provocations the way she did. Aren't military personnel supposed to be disciplined? How is someone as high-ranking as Winter a slave to her own emotions when someone drunkenly challenges her to a fight? And then you didn't even really do anything to reprimand her afterwards!"

Ironwood: "I plan on doing so later." he stresses.

Ichigo: "I know she has a good head on her shoulders, but she takes her duty a little too far, something I know was influenced directly by you and your military. Even a lot of the students from Atlas I've seen have acted like that, like they aren't free to express themselves."

Ironwood: "First you tell me to discipline my operatives, now you're taking issue with how I do things!?"

Ichigo: "Well maybe if you weren't so goddamn rigid, you wouldn't need to discipline your operatives so much. You're basically doing things half-heartedly and setting them up for failure, not taking responsibility when that failure bites you in the ass!" His shoulders drop slightly, before he pinches the bridge of his nose. "I don't know how such supposedly competent people can be such dumbasses!"

Glynda smirks at Ichigo's behavior, seeing at as refreshing. Over the years, Qrow and Ironwood's methods and behaviors have led Glynda to wonder the exact same thing as Ichigo. Seeing someone say everything that she would want to say to them without restraint and seeing Ichigo act so responsibly... She grips her skirt and bites her lip, something not unnoticed by Ozpin.

Ozpin: "Ahem." Everyone turns to him. "I think you've made your point Ichigo."

Ichigo's POV

Ichigo looks back at Ironwood and Qrow, who are both somewhat pissed off at him, though Qrow looks equally pissed at Ironwood for some reason.

Ichigo: "Fine."

Ozpin: "Good. Now then-"

Ichigo: "Hold on a sec, Oz. There's something I need to tell you."

He looks intrigued, leaning forward to listen to Ichigo intently.

Ozpin: "Go on."

Ichigo: "Earlier today, a student from Haven had asked me to show her around and I didn't really have a choice to say no." Glynda slightly rolls her eyes. "We were passing through the western part of the Commercial District, near the port, when we were attacked." As opposed to earlier, Glynda seems slightly worried. "I took care of the attacker, but he got away."

Ozpin: "Interesting... Do you believe this to have been a random occurrence?"

Ichigo: "No. First of all, we were near the warehouse the White Fang had been using for their meetings. Second, he was a Scorpion Faunus. He had two arm-mounted blades kind of like Fox Alistair's, only these had blades on both sides and the blades were a dull grey. He was strong too, like professional Huntsman strong. I don't think he was just another White Fang goon, but I think he was connected somehow."

Glynda: "And the girl?"

Ichigo: "Safe. She was slightly injured during the fight, after I had told her to hide, but I think she wanted to help me anyway. After the Scorpion Faunus got away, I inspected her wounds and offered to take her to the hospital. She refused and told me to take her back to her dorm. I offered to patch her up, but she refused that as well, saying that her Aura's always been quick to heal her. I'm going to check on her later to follow up with her."

Glynda: "Good." she smiles. "Still, it's troubling that you'd be attacked in broad daylight like that, even in that part of town."

Ironwood: "Oz, I can increase security around the city if you wish."

Ozpin: "No James, that won't be necessary. Besides, I don't believe the people of Vale nor the Vale Council would appreciate the intervention of another kingdom. The Council put you in charge of security for the Vytal Festival, but that does not extend to the city proper."

Ironwood: "...I understand, Oz."

Ozpin: "Thank you." He turns back to Ichigo. "Is that all that happened?"

Ichigo: "That's pretty much it. We went out and got attacked."

Ozpin: "Thank you. I ask that you fill out a report later so we may compare it to potential similar incidents."

Ichigo: "I guess." he shrugs his shoulders.

Ozpin: "Now Ichigo, there's something I wish to discuss with you. Qrow and Winter's fight just so happened to be a good reason for you to come up here to meet with us."

Ichigo: "Whatever. What is it?"

Ozpin: "First of all, tell me this: What's your favorite fairy tale?"

Ichigo (thoughts): 'What the- Why is he asking that?'

Ichigo: "I don't have one. Just get to the point."

Ozpin: "Very well. Have you heard the 'Story of the Seasons'?"

Ironwood: "Oz, you can't be-"

Ozpin puts his hand up to quiet Ironwood, waiting for Ichigo's answer.

Ichigo: "No, I haven't." he answers honestly.

The fairy tales of this world hadn't really been of interest to him. Sure, he'd come across a few of them when researching the history of the world, but he didn't actively go out searching for them. They just didn't seem all that important. However, Ozpin raising his eyebrow at Ichigo's answer is cause for concern, like it's something everyone would know.

Ozpin: "Very well. Allow me to tell you."

A callous old man who refuses to leave his home is visited by four traveling sisters.

The first understand his reclusive nature and urges him to use his time in solitude to reflect and meditate.

The second brings him fruits and flowers, tending to his crops and revitalizing his garden.

The third warms the man's heart, convincing him to step outside and embrace the world around him.

And the fourth and final sister begs him to look at all he has and be thankful.

In return for their kindness, the man grants the maidens incredible powers, so that they may continue to help others all over the world.

They graciously accept, and promise to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days.

Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The Four Maidens.

It was a short story, but from the sounds of it, it's one of those myths for explaining the natural world. Ichigo recalls hearing a similar story from Greek mythology back from his own world.

Ichigo: "I've never heard that before. So why tell me?"

Ozpin: "Allow me to answer your question with a question: Would you believe me if I told you that story was true?"

What? What does he mean? That the seasons of Remnant exist because of this story? Considering this world is different than his own, it could be possible. But again, why would he tell him? Could the story be common knowledge, but the truth of it not?

Ichigo: "What do you mean?"

Ozpin: "What if I were to tell you that the Four Maidens from the story exist in this world and could wield tremendous power without the use of Dust?"

Ichigo looks around the room, staring at the others. The way they're looking at him indicates they're studying him carefully.

Ozpin: "To be honest, Glynda and I thought that you were such a Maiden, up until you showed us that your power comes from your sword."

Glynda: "Remember how I accused you of being a woman when we were out on patrol? That's because only women can become Maidens. I never got to apologize for that, so I am sorry, Ichigo."

This is just too weird. Why are they telling him this? What's going on here?

Qrow: "Yep. First time hearing it's pretty crazy. But I think you can handle the truth."

Ozpin: "Indeed. Ichigo, what we are trying to tell you is that the Four Maidens actually exist and that they have tremendous powers unique to them, magical abilities."

Glynda: "The Maidens have existed for thousands of years, but, much like in nature, the seasons change. No two summers are alike. When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons are never lost and that no individual can hold onto the power forever."

Ichigo: "I'm with you so far... So why are you telling me this? What do I have to do with any of this?"

Ironwood: "I agree. Ozpin, I-"

Ozpin: "We're telling you this because the Maidens are in danger. The Maidens act as tremendous forces of nature throughout the world. They are like incarnations of the seasons themselves. But just as life exists, so too does its opposite. There is a person, a force, whatever you want to call her, that wishes to take over the world and the Maidens are the key. It is our job to protect the Maidens from her and keep the world safe."

Now that was a bomb to drop. Ozpin doesn't look like he's lying either. He's 100% serious. The others are answering to him. But Ozpin and Ironwood are technically of equal rank, being Headmasters of Academies. So why does Ozpin act like he's a step above that?

Ozpin's always been aware of his authority, having used it in several circumstances to either help Ichigo or hinder him. Ironwood would have the same authority as Ozpin, so why does Ironwood seem to bow to Ozpin?

Ichigo: "So to sum it up, you're saying that there are four women with magic powers and your job is to protect them from this woman who's evil incarnate because with their power, she'd be able to take over the world?"

Ozpin: "Precisely. You can understand the importance of-"

Ichigo: "Is one of these 'Maidens' here beneath the school?"

Everyone's shocked, nobody saying anything. Ozpin's grip on his mug tightens, though his face remains unchanged. It seems they weren't expecting that from Ichigo.

Ichigo: "I can sense her, you know. Wasn't sure what, or I guess now, who it was until now."

Glynda: "W-What do you mean!?" she asks, worriedly.

Ichigo: "Her Aura. It's different from everyone else I've met so far. It has a different feel to it, probably because of the Magic. But..."

Glynda: "But what?"

Ichigo: "It also feels... broken. Not like when a person's Aura breaks, but like it's fractured, like it's not all there."

Ozpin puts his mug down, staring at Ichigo.

Ozpin: "I might as well tell you. The person you're able to feel is the current Fall Maiden, Amber. She was attacked and part of her powers were stolen. We don't know much about the Maiden powers, but we do know that they're tied with the Maidens' Aura, their soul. When her powers were taken, part of her soul was taken with them."

Ironwood: "Oz, are you certain it's okay? Telling him this much?" he objects.

Ozpin: "It's fine, James. He knows where she is and by the look on his face, he isn't too surprised." He turns back to Ichigo. "That said Ichigo, if you've been able to sense her all this time, why haven't you gone down there?"

There's more to that question than he's letting on, though Ichigo doesn't know what. Best to play it safe.

Ichigo: 'Didn't really have any need or reason to. It's not like I was looking for her or anything. I just noticed that something was down there and figured it was part of the school or something. Considering the feel of your Aura is different in the same way and you're the Headmaster, I just thought it was something connected to you."

Ozpin's eyes widen more.

Ozpin: "How long have you known? I mean, how long have you been able to feel my Aura?"

Ichigo: "Since I met you. I haven't always been the best at feeling Aura, but I've gotten better recently."

He recalls his intense training in the Dangai, followed by fusing with Zangetsu. He's gained much more control over his spiritual pressure, and with that control came the ability to better sense a person's spirit energy and their spiritual pressure. Since Aura's very similar, he can sense it as well.

Qrow: "That's another thing I wanted to ask. How can you 'feel' Aura? Have either of you ever heard of such a thing?" he asks Glynda and Ironwood.

Glynda: "Never. I didn't know it was even possible."

Ironwood: "To my knowledge, nobody has ever been able to feel a person's Aura. Our instruments for detecting Aura levels directly tap in to the Aura of the person using it, using sampling to estimate their Aura levels. That requires a sensor, like what's in a scroll, being in direct contact with the person's Aura. What you're describing is being at to sense it from a distance, without direct contact, which should be impossible."

So it's supposed to be impossible, is it? Ichigo didn't account for that. He didn't think that people in this world had that ability, but he didn't expect it to be such a problem.

Ichigo: "I've been able to see and feel Aura ever since I could remember. My mother told me it was a rare gift."

A quick half-truth. He's been able to see spirits ever since he could remember, though to his knowledge, his mother never knew. Really, the only person who asked him about it when he was a kid was Tatsuki, and even when she asked, he denied it.

Qrow looks downward at the mention of Ichigo's mother, as his belief that Ichigo is son is still distracting him.

Ozpin: "We can have that discussion at a later date, but for now Ichigo, for what we have discussed today, please be... discreet. You're smart enough to know how this information could cause a panic if it got out, and-"

Ichigo: "And panic brings the Grimm, I figure?" he interrupts.

Ozpin: "Correct." he confirms.

Ichigo knows he could take care of the Grimm if they were a problem, but that would probably require doing something drastic. With what they just told him about this great evil, he doesn't need to be doing that. He's of a different world, after all.

However... he's lived in this world for a while now and even he'll admit that he likes it. Besides that, people should know what they're up against. Such information might bring people together against a common enemy... or could make them even more divided out of fear. Grimm exist and people still fight. Just look at the Great War as an example.

Ichigo: "Alright, I won't say anything."

That'll be true for most people, but the women from his world should know. After all, they shouldn't be blindsided in case Ozpin decides to try something with them, like recruiting them for his cause like what he seems to be doing now.

Ozpin: "I thank you, Ichigo. We'll have much to discuss in the days after the tournament, but for now, please continue to watch over the students. If I have anything else for you, I'll let you know."

Ichigo: "Alright. Thanks, Oz."

He starts to leave, but stops just shy of the elevator, turning around to look at his 'Dad'.

Ichigo: "Oh, and Qrow." Qrow raises an eyebrow. "Don't do that again."

After chastising Qrow once more, Ichigo leaves through the elevator. The way Ichigo did it was ironic, as it was the same as if he were a father chastising his child.

Ozpin's POV

With Ichigo gone, they can relax and talk slightly more freely. They told him most of what is kept secret from the rest of the world, but not quite everything. What's more is that they were watching his reactions.

Ironwood: "Oz, I still think that was a bad idea. He's an extremely suspicious boy. Who knows what his actual plans are? He knows about Amber now."

Ozpin takes a drink from his hot chocolate, wetting his throat with its deliciousness.

Ozpin: "Had Ichigo known about the existence of the Maidens previously, the fact that he could sense her all this time only proves he isn't with Salem. If he had been working for Salem, he not only would have known, but could have gone down there any time and we'd be none the wiser."

Glynda: "The entire time the Headmaster was explaining the legend or while Ichigo was talking, I didn't see anything that indicated he was trying to lie."

Qrow: "He looked surprised, but he also sorta looked like he didn't care."