A/N: Here's part 2 of this double update! Enjoy the Winter Solstice gift of two chapters ;) Get ready for a lot of mixed emotions in this chapter.

Let me know what you think!

What We Call Home

The walk back through the winding corridors was a silent one. The air was tense, heavy with the sound of footsteps, clinking weapons in their holsters, and lost leads. Qrow's frustration was the most palpable of them all, his shoulders hunched and hands tucked angrily in his pockets once more. They understood his resentment- their conversation with Professor Lionheart had essentially told them nothing, leaving no choice but to sit and wait for his word to proceed.

Nora hated it, too.

As they finally reached the entrance hall once more, she slowed to a stop, groaning, "So, what do we do now?"

Qrow sighed bitterly, turning around and pointing at the quartet behind him. "You four head back to the house," he commanded. "I need a drink." And with that, he stormed off ahead, kicking open the front door of Haven's main builing, mumbling under his breath.

Nora traded concerned looks with the others as the door swung loudly shut behind the Huntsman. "He's… not okay, huh?" she murmured.

"Oh, Uncle Qrow…" Ruby sighed, holding her hands over her heart.

Ren said, "Do you think it's wise to let him drink heavily so soon after his recovery?"

Jaune shook his head, shrugging as he began to walk towards the door. "Look," he called authoritatively, "he said we should go back to the house. I say we listen. Maybe he'll figure out what to do."

Ruby opened her mouth to disagree, then decided against it. "Yeah," she agreed glumly, "let's go back home."

With that worrying send-off, the group began to make their way back through Haven's campus, back down the lift, and back through the maze of tunnels. Rather than taking the long way around, however, Ren alerted everyone once they reached a fork in the path. "We'll use this," he explained. "It's much shorter."

"But what if I wanna look around again?" Ruby asked, but the tall boy shook his head somberly.

"Ruby," he replied evenly, voice kind, "Qrow wants us at the house. We'll go wait there in case something comes up, okay?"

And Ruby deflated yet again, following Jaune down the path Ren pointed out. Ren, however, hung behind for a moment until Nora caught up with him. Then, they walked behind their leader and friend, keeping a few paces away to let them think.

"Thank you," Nora murmured, bumping her elbow into his side.

Ren feigned innocence, but she could see the tiny smile which wanted to appear on his lips. "What do you mean?"

You always know. "You made us go straight home so we don't go through the city like that again," she said simply, trying to bite back a goofy, loving grin. "Thanks."

Ren shrugged, but when Nora reached over and tapped his nose lightly, his cheeks flushed pink and his breath caught. That was all she needed to know that he had offered that path with her in mind.

Upon returning to the same lodging house they had occupied ever since arriving in Mistral with an ill Qrow in tow, Ruby ambled upstairs without the rest of them. "I want to think," she announced, waving goodbye to everyone as she made her way to the top. They waved her off- she was just going to read comic books from the local library, and they all knew it. Normally, Nora would go bug her to see what she was reading, but right now, she had more important things in mind.

Ren noticed her quietude, but said nothing. Instead, he simply sat with her, reading a book in the living room while she slipped on her headphones and began to listen to some music on her Scroll.

There were so many thoughts racing through her mind. Qrow was a part of the Branwen Tribe, and Ruby and Yang were related to them, too- they didn't have any leads on Caelus and the rest, meaning that their status was truly unknown, and that worry gnawed at her despite herself- the trail on Cinder had gone cold, and she didn't know how to help Jaune (nor herself) deal with that-

And, right now, there was nothing she could do until some council made up their minds.

By the time dinnertime rolled around, she had only worked herself up further. Jaune had wandered upstairs over the course of the day, leaving behind Ren and Nora in silence. And, despite trying to contain her frustration, the moment her playlist ended for the seventh time, Nora bolted upright. "Ren," she whispered hotly, "we have time now. Let's go look for them!"

"Nora, we need to stay here-" Ren cut in, but she stamped on the ground, pouting.

"No, Ren, don't you see?" She began pacing the room, finally letting out all of the thoughts which had been stewing inside for the entire day. "You can't expect me to just... not take this chance! We made it to Mistral! We finally have a sort-of lead!"

"We have to wait until Professor Lionheart and Qrow tell us what's going on with the Mistral council," Ren reasoned, walking towards her.

"Ren, it doesn't matter!" she insisted. However, a part of her was confused- why was she feeling so agitated all of a sudden? Yes, she wanted to find Kalian and Caelus and Howl, and yes, she wanted to find the Spring Maiden and face off against the Branwen Tribe, but…

Ren's eyes narrowed as she blazed on, continuing to wear a hole in the foyer in her pacing. "Everyone spent years hunting down the Branwens, Ren. They pillaged everyone! And- and I remember the map Qrow showed Professor Lionheart. I know where their main camp is, we don't need Qrow to show us the way-"

"You heard him, right? There's not enough Huntsmen to go around after the Fall." He reached out, grabbing her wrists and halting in her tracks. She froze at the sudden touch, relaxing slightly when his hands glowed pink and his Semblance blanketed her in warmth and safety. Once she had calmed down a little, Ren whispered, "Nora, we can't do this alone if we're really fighting a Maiden. What's going on?"

She let out a shuddering, frustrated exhale. "I-"

"It's okay," he soothed, voice gentle. "What is it?"

She slumped over, taking a moment to think. Why am I acting like this right now?

It took her a few moments to find the words. There were too many factors to keep track of, too many emotions to keep in check.

What if everyone needs help? What if Qrow was involved in everything they did back when we were helping hunt bandits? What if…

"Nora," Ren insisted, "we saw Sotz's poster, at least. He was positively ID'd, Nora. He's gone."

She let out a shaky breath. "…I know." She had seen the poster with her own eyes, after all.

Ren stated firmly, "You're not going looking for them now. We're going to wait to see what Qrow says, and we'll act accordingly."

She searched his eyes for a moment, trying to find solace. But… what if we can't find them? she asked silently.

He smiled. We haven't given up hope yet. We won't give up hope now. They'll be fine.

She collapsed back onto the couch with a groan. "Fine!" she moaned, crossing her arms angrily. "Just know that I am ready to go at any time."

From the stairway, Jaune snorted as he came to join them. The sound effortlessly broke up the tension in the room. The blond made his way towards the other sofa, looking amused, if a little concerned. "Nora, you're always ready to go."

She shrugged, flashing him a dangerous grin to distract him from the crease in her brow. "What can I say? I came to party."

Ren took a seat by her side, smiling knowingly at her.

Fine. I'll wait. But the moment we get a lead, I'm not waiting for anyone.

Suddenly, a dull knock from the door caught their attention. Instantly, the smiles slipped off their faces. Nora glanced over to Jaune, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

Magnhild was in reach. If this person was anyone dangerous, she'd take them out.

With that unspoken delegation taken care of, Jaune rose to his feet. Carefully, he reached out, unlocking and pulling open the door. Nora leaned over to Ren, trying to get a good look at the newcomer.

To all of their surprise, it wasn't an armed soldier, nor a Grimm, nor Cinder- not even Qrow. Instead, it was naught but a short, fourteen-year-old boy, dressed in the rumpled and patched clothes of a farmhand who was working through some hand-me-downs. A splash of freckles covered his nose and cheeks under large, anxious hazel eyes, bright and nervous against his tanned skin and dark hair.

Jaune glanced back at Nora in confusion, and she shrugged. She didn't know this boy. Looking over to Ren, it was clear that he was the same.

All that was left to do was to collect information. Jaune asked, "Can I... help you?"

"Um... yeah," the boy began hesitantly. "Is… there a Ruby Rose here?"

Immediately, Nora stood, with Ren following suit. She narrowed her eyes, tensing up, ready to strike out. The last time someone had been looking for Ruby, they had tried to kill her, and had nearly killed Qrow in the process. She refused to take any chances. "Why?" she growled darkly.

Flashing them an embarrassed smile, the boy said, "Well…"

Suddenly, a familiar figure fell into view from behind the other door, drunkenly teetering. He grabbed the boy's shoulders for support, a silly grin plastered onto his face. "I found him!" Qrow cheered, snorting into his hand and throwing his head back in raucous laughter.

Nora just blinked. "Um…"

Qrow stumbled into the house, barely able to maintain his balance as he made his way across the living room and foyer.

The boy pointed at the cackling man, looking highly uncomfortable at the man's earlier closeness. "I think- her uncle could use some help," he offered.

The drunken Huntsmen swerved his way across the floor until he tripped and fell backwards onto the long red couch where Jaune had been seated just a moment ago. Throwing one leg upon the armrest, he dropped his hand over his eyes. "Whoa, ugh." He sighed. "I found him," he repeated, turning away from them all.

Ruby's voice echoed angrily from the top of the staircase. "What is going on out there?!" Nora had to fight back a giggle as the younger girl stomped her way down the steps and into the living room, angrily protesting, "Can't a girl read her comics in peace?"

Almost in response, Qrow let out a hearty burp and chuckled before falling asleep upon the sofa. Noticing him at last, Ruby sighed, putting a hand on her forehead in annoyance. "Qrow, did you get drunk again?"

The man in question seemed to start up for a moment, holding one hand above his head nonchalantly to wave off her worries. "Mayyyybe," he slurred.

"Oh," the boy at the door muttered, stepping into the living room at last. His gaze was fixated on Ruby. "You… have silver eyes."

Ruby glanced at the boy, frowning in her surprise. When she looked over to Nora and Ren, though, Nora couldn't give her any explanation. They still didn't know why a little boy was there, either.

Finally, the brunette demanded, "Who... are you?"

As if in on some amazing joke, Qrow chuckled drunkenly from the couch. Nora had to fight back the urge to throw a cushion at him, propping one hand up on her hip, unamused.

Sensing the odd mood in the room, the boy's curiosity shifted back into discomfort. "Uh," he began, "well… My name is Oscar Pine."

Qrow chirped, "Wait for it..."

The boy- Oscar, it seemed- studied his scuffed boots for a moment before bringing his gaze back up to the group. "But you probably know me as... Professor Ozpin."

Nora just gawped at him, while Ruby and Jaune gasped audibly across the room.

Qrow, on the other hand, was relishing in the sudden reveal. Chuckles quickly grew into hearty guffaws until he punched the air, all victorious bluster and pride. "I did it!"

And then, he rolled off the couch and landed face-first onto the floor with a thud, silenced at last.

Her hands flew to her mouth, and she squeaked in surprise.

Groaning, Ruby crossed the living room and hauled her uncle back to his feet, supporting his weight under her tiny form. Nora raised a brow, watching the younger girl's well-practiced movements. She had clearly done this multiple times in her life. "I'm gonna get him some water," Ruby called, muffled under the drunken burden leaning on her shoulder.

After the pair disappeared around the corner, Jaune turned back to Oscar. "You… you did just say that you're Professor Ozpin, right?"

"Well," Oscar shrugged, skirting the low table at the center of the room to take a seat on the armchair in between the two longer couches, "I mean… sort of?"

As he took a seat, Nora pointed at the object held in his hands. "Oh my god, Qrow gave him Ozpin's cane."

Oscar extended the cane in response, leaning it against the side of the armchair before settling primly in the chair. "You… you recognize it?" he murmured, almost in awe.

Jaune held out an accusatory finger. "I don't believe it."

Nora narrowed her eyes, a mischievous glint growing in her heart. "Let's test him?"

Jaune nodded resolutely. "What happened during initiation?"

Oscar's eyes bugged out for a moment, his ears flushing a deep red as he stared at his hands.

When he didn't respond, Jaune groaned, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Okay, who is this kid really? Ruby, get your uncle back in here, this kid isn't-"

"You didn't know what a landing strategy was."

Nora stilled, as did the other two. What?

Oscar took a deep breath, finally lifting his head up. "You didn't know what a landing strategy was… Jaune Arc."

Oh my god.

Instantly, Jaune paled, staggering backwards. "H-how did you-"

Nora immediately grabbed Magnhild, triggering it to open into a hammer. Brandishing it menacingly, she frowned at the young boy. "What happened to me and Ren?" she said lowly.

Oscar gulped, visibly shaking as he looked at the menacing steel of Magnhild clutched in Nora's hands. Still, he closed his eyes, breathed in deep, and then stated firmly, "You and… Ren," and he nodded towards Ren, who narrowed his eyes back at him, "found each other within minutes of landing. Glynda… I think was her name? She didn't think you were a good match but… you were. Always."

"What did Jaune wear to the dance?" Ren offered, putting a hand on Nora's shoulder. "Tell us."

The reply was faster this time, the younger boy snorting lightly as if an image just appeared in his mind out of the blue- like a long-forgotten, yet fond memory. "You… wore a dress?"

Jaune bristled, stepping back.

At that, Ruby wandered out into the living room once more. "I've got him at the table with some water. He'll be fine," she chirped. Her expression fell awkwardly as she took in the combative atmosphere in the room. "Um… guys? What's going on?"

"We're seeing what he knows," Nora explained, bringing her eyes back to Oscar.

Ruby joined the trio in front of Oscar, watching him curiously while the rest bore daggers into him. Oscar flinched visibly under the scrutiny, curling into himself. Suddenly, however, the boy's eyes flitted back up to the four of them. Before they could ask another question, his eyes flooded with tears- but these weren't tears from the pressure, or the newness of the situation, or the discomfort.

They were tears of guilt.

Ruby softened first. "What… what's wrong?" she asked, kneeling down a little to peer up into his face.

Oscar's mouth opened and closed a few times, unable to find the words. Finally, he whispered, "I… your friend." He turned to look at Jaune. "She… she danced with you that night. She's not here."

No one responded, watching him carefully.

Nora's grip on Magnhild loosened as she watched the young boy's face twist in sorrow. He looked so lost and helpless and confused, unable to comprehend what emotions he was clearly feeling inside.

Ren put a hand on her shoulder. "Put it away, Nora," he murmured. "I… I think he's telling the truth."

Those words seemed to be enough to dispel the unease in the air. Oscar was crying for Pyrrha. He didn't know Pyrrha, but he was crying because she wasn't there with them. That was enough to prove his good heart.

She complied, setting the hammer down once more. "…Well… I guess if magic is real, then…"

The younger boy sniffled and wiped his eyes on the back of his hand, clearly trying to calm himself.

"…no, that still doesn't make sense. Even if magic is real, why is Oz such a little cute boy?" She paused, tilting her head. "Is that weird of me to say about Ozpin?"

"So it really is him?" Jaune breathed, stepping closer once more.

In just a second, everyone was standing right in front of him, barraging him- and each other- with questions.

"Did he age backwards?"

"He's possessed!"

"Or reincarnated!"

"Oh! Isn't it weird?"

Oscar clasped his hands together on his lap, dropping his gaze clumsily. He was clearly overwhelmed by the sudden influx of questions, not knowing how to respond. At last, he croaked out, "It is very weird, yes."

"Okay, okay," a husky voice chided from the kitchen. "Let's all just take a second and remember that this is very overwhelming for everyone." Qrow stepped out around the corner, blinking bleary eyes at them. In his hands was a cup- presumably of water, thanks to Ruby- and, despite looking dishevelled and slurring his words slightly, he looked fairly coherent again. How are you even standing so quickly? Nora glanced over at Ruby, but the girl seemed unfazed, as if her uncle always recovered that fast.

Together, the four of them took a step back from Oscar's chair, flashing him wry, nervous smiles and laughs. Oscar glanced back over his shoulder, flashing Qrow a quick smile and thanks.

Nora tugged Ruby's arm, and the two of them took a seat on one sofa while Qrow settled into the other. Ren stood by Nora's side, while Jaune remained on his feet across the living room from Oscar. Nora's focus was Qrow- the man staggered still, but he seemed ready to have a proper conversation at last. Like I'll trust you, she thought on instinct. A beat later, however, she sighed internally. No. I've gotta stay positive. I've gotta wait for news. Then we can figure out what to do.

Out of the blue, Oscar blushed. "Ah, sorry! It's just… I've never really met Huntsmen and Huntresses before."

Ruby smiled empathetically. "Well, uh… we've never met a person with two souls! So, first times all around."

Oscar smiled shyly at her and Nora, visibly relaxing until Qrow cleared his throat. "Not to break up the whole 'getting-to-know-you' game," he explained apologetically, "but we need to have a talk. Mind showing us your little parlor trick, kid?"

Any comfort Oscar may have felt faded away. He groaned, slumping over in his chair. "Yeah, okay. Just so you know, I'll still be here."

Nora traded a confused look with Ren, but he didn't know what to expect, either. So, they all focused their eyes on Oscar as the boy sighed, lowering his head and closing his eyes. Then, as if a surge of electricity had risen through him, the boy's body straightened up in the chair, his entire form enveloped with a mixed white and green Aura.

Oscar opened up his eyes, and Nora gasped lightly. His formerly hazel eyes shone a brilliant gold, recognition flitting behind his irises until a smile grew upon his face.

Nora shifted uneasily in her chair. Something in the air had changed- something in Oscar had changed.

She didn't need to wait long for the answer, however, as the boy relaxed, placing his arms on the armrests. He took in a long, calm breath before he spoke- and when he did, it no longer sounded like Oscar. Instead, it sounded like multiple voices- a million voices, all layered on top of one another in perfect harmony.

They all recognized the most prominent voice, however.

Before their very eyes, Oscar's lips opened, and Professor Ozpin- their deceased professor, the former headmaster of Beacon Academy- murmured warmly, "It is so very good to see you again, students."