Chapter 19: What is a Leader?

Yang: (raising her fist) Goooo, Weiss!

Blake: (waving a small flag saying RWBY) Fight well!

(AN: Again, where does she get these things from?)

Ruby: Yeah, represent Teeeeam RWBY!

Weiss: (lowering her sword and looking over at her leader) Ruby! I'm trying to focus!

Ruby: (looking sheepish) Oh, um... Sorry...

Kirito: (frowning) This isn't going to end well.

Port: Alright! (next to the cage, pulling out his weapon) Let the match... begin!

The professor swings down and breaks the lock, dropping the cage door and revealing the [Boarbatusk] inside, which immediately charges at Weiss. She uses [Myrtenaster] to deflect its attack and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stands a distance away from its enemy, studying her.

Port: Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?

Ruby: Hang in there, Weiss!

Weiss is now speeding towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they meet and Myrtenaster is trapped in the beast's tusks. Weiss is still hanging on to the hilt and is tossed around as she struggles to get the rapier back.

Port: Bold, new approach. I like it!

Ruby: Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!

Weiss turns to glare at Ruby, only for the [Boarbatusk] to turn its head and rip the sword from her grip. [Myrtenaster] lands far away from its master, who is knocked back by the creature's tusks.

Port: Oh-ho! Now, what will you do without your weapon?

Weiss looks up just in time to see the [Boarbatusk] charge again, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and make it crash into a desk. Weiss rushes at her sword and slides to get it back in her hand.

Ruby: Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-

Weiss: (turning to Ruby) Stop telling me what to do!

Kirito; (yelling) Weiss! Ruby's right! There's no armor underneath it!

Weiss "tsks" in frustration as Ruby looks hurt at Weiss's rebuttal. Meanwhile, the [Boarbatusk] leaps into the air and rolls into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launches itself at Weiss. It comes closer and closer, but Weiss activates one of her blue-white circles and blocks the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again so she can drive the blade into the [Boarbatusk]'s stomach. It squeals and falls silent while Weiss gasps in relief.

Alice: (thinking) she's tired from this much? This is bad...

Port: Bravo! Bravo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! (as Weiss stands up at attention from her exhausted position and Ruby continues to frown) I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!

Weiss glares and turns away, walking hurriedly to the exit past her teammates.

Jaune: (watching her leave) Sheesh, what's with her?

The remaining members of Team RWBY look at each other with the same question.

(linebreak)

As Weiss is storming off, Ruby turns a corner and manages to catch up with her.

Ruby: Weiss!

Weiss: (turning around) What?

Ruby: What's wrong with you? Why are you being-?

Weiss: What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!

Ruby: (scoffs) What did I do?

Weiss: That's just it - you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!

Ruby: Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team.

Weiss: Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better. (turns her back to Ruby, trying to reach out but dropping her hand with the following words) Ozpin made a mistake. (walks away as Ruby looks dejected)

Ozpin: (standing right behind a surprised Ruby with a coffee in one hand and his cane in the other) Hmm... Now that didn't seem to go very well.

Kirito: (appearing next to him) I'll go talk to her.

Ozpin: (surprised) Are you sure?

Kirito: (grimacing) Teams need to be able to work together. If this keeps up...

Kirito starts walking towards the now teary-eyed Ruby.

Kirito: They'll die.

(linebreak)

Weiss is still walking around the halls until she comes across a balcony where she walks towards and begins to start watching the sunset over Beacon Academy's rooftops.

Weiss: (sighs)

Alice: I Knew I'd find you here.

Weiss: What the- Oh, it's you...

Alice: Yup, now answer me this one question. Why are you so grouchy with Ruby?

Weiss: (frowning) Better question, why aren't I team leader of RWBY!

Alice: (silent for a moment until she speaks) That's ridiculous.

(linebreak)

Ruby: But Weiss is right, I haven't done anything at all! I'm probably even weaker than her in actual combat!

Kirito: Ruby, being a leader doesn't mean that you are the best. It just means that you have the ability to lead others. You don't need to be strong to be a leader.

(linebreak)

Weiss: (now getting angry) Excuse me?!

Alice: You heard me. That's ridiculous.

Weiss: (seething now) How dare you! I'm stronger than her, smarter than her, and more mature than her! How is that ridiculous?!

Alice: You might be stronger than her, and you might be smarter than her, but you defiantly are not more mature than her. You're being a spoiled brat!

(linebreak)

Kirito: Even if I had zero combat strength if I had the ability to help everyone and guide them, then what does it matter if I'm not stronger?

Ruby: (calming down) B-but.

Kirito: Besides, being weak is okay. Being weak in combat, being weak at grades, being weak with anything is completely fine.

Ruby: (bewildered) What?!

Kirito: You heard me. It's fine to be weak. However, it isn't okay to stay weak.

(linebreak)

Alice: You are comparing yourself to Ruby, and you're like what? 2, 3 years older than her! Of course your stronger and smarter, but you definitely aren't more mature if you are comparing yourself to someone younger than you!

Weiss: (slowly getting quieter)

Alice: Besides, you don't need to be the number one leader and best at Beacon, just be number one at being who you are.

Both Ruby and Weiss smile from their respective areas, before giving a short thanks and running back.

Ozpin: You are surprisingly good at this.

Kirito: Thanks, though I wish I had some coffee. Maybe I should get my own mug.

Ozpin: Mugs? You don't say... Come with me.

There was a twinkle in Ozpin's eyes that made Kirito pale.

(linebreak)

It is now midnight, and in Team RWBY's dorm, things were happening. The door opens and Weiss' shadow is seen against the hall's light. Blake is sleeping under the covers, Yang is spread out on her bed and snoring, and Alice is alone in her futon. As Weiss lifts the blanket of Ruby's tent, she finds the occupant with her head resting on notes, a pencil in her hand, and open books all around her. Weiss, looking amazed at Ruby's determination, clears her throat and gently shakes the other girl awake, who takes a second to regain consciousness and start flailing in surprise.

Ruby: Weiss! I-I was studying, and then I fell asleep! I'm sorry...

Weiss places a hand over Ruby's mouth and puts a finger to her own so Ruby understands the need for lowering her voice. Weiss looks near Ruby's pillow and spots an empty Beacon coffee mug.

Weiss: (lowering her hand) How do you take your coffee?

Ruby: I... I don't...

Weiss: (getting irritated) Answer the question!

Ruby: Uhh, cream and five sugars!

Weiss: (sighs) Don't move. (she ducks under to her own bed and comes up a moment later with a fresh cup, offering it to Ruby) Here.

Ruby: Um... Thanks, Weiss.

Weiss: (smiles, then looks apologetic) Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader. (Ruby smiles appreciatively) Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have! (they share a smile) Good luck studying! (ducks under, only to come up and point at one of Ruby's papers) That's wrong, by the way. (ducks under again, and her voice comes from the doorway this time) Hey, Ruby?

Ruby: Uh-huh?

Weiss: (stands in the door with her hand on the knob) I always wanted bunk beds as a kid. (she starts to close the door)

Ruby, grinning at the progress with her friend, goes back to her notes, but little did they know, someone was still awake.

Alice: (thinking) It's good that they made up, but where the hell is Kirito!