AN: Hey all! I have to say I love the turnout for the OC contest. On the first day alone I had several great entries! I'm almost up to a dozen! Keep it up guys! After we get through the Badge and the Burden stuff we'll be in original territory for chapter 5. Then in chapter 6, I'll announce the winners!

Also, when it comes to this episode in fan fics I have to ask, why do people treat Port's class was the first/only class that day? The next scene has a freaking sunset after all. So it was the last class of the day. So it makes you wonder what else Ruby did all day to get Weiss to snap like that...

Weiss was dead asleep. She still hadn't fully adjusted from Atlas time, and her new bed wasn't as comfortable as her old one, so falling asleep hadn't been easy. Now she was able to finally get some much needed, peaceful sle-

"Wake up!" Ruby shouted, blowing hard into a whistle and sending her teammate sprawling to the floor in shock. "No more time to be lazy!"

"Ruby!" Weiss shouted as she stood up. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" she demanded as she tried her best to glare at...her leader. Who was already dressed in her uniform.

"An hour later than when I woke up everybody else." was Ruby's smug reply, gesturing to Blanke and Yang who were also fully dressed. "Weiss, I get that you're still on Atlas Time, but we need to ween you off that and get you on schedule with the rest of us. So I'm willing to let you sleep in a little for a couple of days, but then you're getting up with us."

Weiss grumbled. "Fair enough, but I had trouble getting to sleep last night so"

"Not my problem." Ruby snapped. "You're a big girl, you can manage your own bed time. And if you're a little tired that means you'll just fall asleep at a better time tonight. Anyway, you're up for the bathroom. Wash up and get changed, we have a lot of work to do."

Weiss glared a little, but had to acknowledge Ruby had a point. Emerging half an hour later and feeling much better she asked "So what are we going to be doing first? Practice? Study?" Her stomach growled ever do slightly, reminding her of something more basic. "Breakfast?"

"Nope. We're going to unpack our stuff and set up our room." Ruby said.

Yang looked horrified. "No breakfast?"

"We'll get it later. Look guys, we need to unpack anyway. We might as well just knuckle down and get it done while we don't have anything else we need to do. Once classes start were going to have assignments, spars, training, and studying. Our free time is going to plummet. I'd rather not have to spend it getting our stuff ready. Getting it done now means that our free time will stay free time."

Weiss had to admit Ruby had a good point, but delaying breakfast for it seemed a bit much. Still, she might as well do it. It took almost an hour to get everything unpacked, and fix the curtain Ruby had somehow sliced with her scythe. The end result was "This is a disaster. There isn't even room for our beds." Weiss was happy to mentally note she contributed by far the least to the cluster...as long as you didn't count her extensive dust store and maintenance equipment for Myrtenaster. A mechanically complex and versatile dust intensive weapon took a lot of upkeep after all. The cylinder had to spin freely and smoothly, yet lock solidly with no play. You had to keep dust residue from building up, ensure there were no dust leaks, keep the chambers filled, and ensure some of the more unstable mixtures don't start separating back into component parts. Still, all that dust and gear was necessity, not frivolity like Blake's books (including a couple of more questionable nature Weiss was sure she had spotted), or Yang's poster, or Ruby's "Is that a squeaky toy?"

"It's a stress ball." Ruby growled. "I am not a dog."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

"I have an idea!" Yang said quickly as she tried to defuse the situation. "Bunk beds!"

Ruby nodded in agreement. "Right. Let's get to work."

"Bunk beds seem a little bit dangerous. Shouldn't we vote on this?" Weiss suggested.

"No voting! I'm leader so what I say goes! And I say bunk beds!" Ruby shouted, stamping her feet a bit. "I'm in charge not you!"

"Woah Ruby chill!" Yang interjected. "You're not five, cut the temper tantrum."

"Right sorry." Ruby said, looking a little flustered. "I'm just trying to lay down the rules here. No voting, I'm in charge. Now let's get to work on those bunk beds."

Weiss sighed. This was going to be a loooong day.

Weiss resisted the urge to groan and pass out. Having missed breakfast because they had spent so long making those "bunk beds" and rearranging the room that you had to rush not to be late for their first class was a terrible start to the day. She was tired, sore, and hungry. It was all Ruby's fault. She got distracted and didn't plan things through properly. Hopefully she would learn from this and do better in the future.

Weiss's stomach growled, and it was apparently loud enough for the gray haired girl in front of her to shoot Weiss a look of wry amusement. Weiss glared back to no obvious effect, as the girl just went back to messing with a yoyo and not listening to Professor Oobleck as he gave his introductory speech. True the lecture was mainly on the syllabus and some stuff about why history was important more than anything that would be on a test, and something about kidney's but that was probably just the lack of sleep and hunger talking, but the girl could at least pretend to listen. Then again Ruby wasn't setting the best example either with her doodling.

Weiss definitely needed some sleep and some food. She was drowsy enough that Professor Oobleck seemed to just vanish from one part of the room and reappear in another. If she couldn't follow one guy walking about Weiss was in for a rough day.

Blake was trying her best not to snap at this point, as Oobleck continued his introduction to the course while Ruby ignored him as if he were beneath her notice. Leaning to her partner she whispered "Okay, how are her instincts this strong that she can just throw a tantrum like that and be a dictator? I've worked with canine faunus before and they weren't that bad. Ever."

Yang sighed. "Ruby's never been in charge before, so she has no idea how to do it."

"And she's never worked with a group ever? Or worked under anyone who could serve as an example?" Blake asked, eyebrow raised to show her doubt.

Yang fidgeted a bit. "Okay look we'll talk at lunch. Ruby always goes to the bathroom before lunch."

Blake wasn't sure how to feel about the fact that her partner had her sister's bathroom schedule memorized.

"I can't believe she actually went to the bathroom." Blake said, amazed. She truly had an unbelievable partner...only time would tell if that was in a good way or a bad way.

"She's done it for years. Why would she stop now?" Yang countered.

Rubbing her temples, a sign she probably had a headache, Weiss sighed. "Look, you said you were going to talk about Ruby's instinct thing."

Blake bristled. Figures the human would refer to it as an 'instinct thing' like she was dealing with an animal.

Yang looked a bit uncomfortable. "See the thing is, Ruby hasn't had anyone to show her how to reign in her instincts, not really. It's mostly been a lot of trial and error on her part, and me and Dad pointing out when she's doing something. Ever since her mom died she...hasn't really had any other faunus in her life to help her deal with this. Add in that she's never been in charge before and you get, well..."

"Little Miss Temper." Blake said, now rubbing her own temples. "That doesn't make sense. Faunus instincts are not that extreme or strong, it's more minor influence." Seeing the looks she was getting from the two humans she quickly added "Look, I was a bit insensitive and asked about it alright? I was a dumb kid. Still it was nice of you guys to adopt Ruby after her mother died." Yang seemed like the good sort of human who could look past the species barrier.

Yang looked confused, then made a small oh motion with her mouth. "Oh no no no, Ruby is my half sister. We have our dad, Taiyang, in common. He remarried Ruby's mom and well, kid."

Blake was stunned. "Wait, Ruby's a hybrid?" That was quite rare. It was hard to find a faunus and a human who would love each other enough to be good friends, let alone marry and have kids.

"You have a problem with that?" Yang asked in a dangerous tone, leaning in sharply.

Realizing how that sounded, Blake did some major backtracking. "No no no nothing like that! I just...didn't know that was possible." she lied, praying that pleading an actually very common ignorance would cover up her shock.

Surprisingly the Schnee came to her defense. "I can understand your shock. I never heard of anything like that either. Are there any special, um, problems we should be aware of since she's a hybrid?"

Yang shrugged. "I don't think so. Ruby takes very strongly after her mom, to the point where I don't think there is any difference between her and a regular faunus besides her dad not having fuzzy ears."

Blake wanted to head desk. How could her partner be so insightful and sensitive one moment and sound borderline anti-faunus with unthinking statements the next? Why oh why couldn't she have just partnered with Ruby? Sure they were cat and dog, but first and foremost they were faunus. They were above such petty differences as Blake being influenced by the noble, proud, and graceful cat while Ruby drew influence from the dumb, hyperactive, toilet drinkers. Faunus were better than that.

Ruby chased after Weiss, their last class of the day having ended in suitably dramatic fashion, with Wriss having slain a boarbatusk. But then her partner had glared at her and stormed off, and now Ruby wanted some answers. "Weiss, explain yourself now. What is with this attitude? Tell me now."

"That! That is what my so called attitude is about!" Weiss shouted. "Oh my god even during the fight you were telling me what to do! All day it's been "do this, do that, don't comment, don't argue, just do what I say" and I can't stand it anymore!" Turning around, she got in Ruby's face. "Thanks to you we missed breakfast, which you never apologized for I might add."

"I didn't think it would take that long. And anyway, I'm in charge, I'm supposed to tell you what to do." Ruby argued back. "Weiss, seriously, what is this about? I thought we worked through this in the forest?"

"No, we worked through you being a faunus." Weiss sneered. "Nothing was said about you being a leader, because you aren't. What have you done with the position? Boss us around, make mistakes, yell at us, and not even trust us to know how to freaking fight! This is a hunting school, who could ever get in here if they can't fight!? You've done nothing to earn being leader, and since becoming leader you've done nothing to show you deserve it. Did you pay attention to one teacher? Because I don't remember a class where you werent doodling, napping, or otherwise goofing off! Ozpin made a mistake putting you in charge." And with that, Weiss stormed off.

Ruby stood there for a bit, trying to process everything Weiss had said. Then she smelled something very familiar. Pure black extra strength coffee. "So, Professor...did you make a mistake?" she asked without even turning around.

"My dear, I have made more mistakes than any man, woman, or child on this world, be they human or faunus." Ozpin replied. "Appointing you leader wasn't one of them. I do however think I know what mistake you made. If an expert in mistakes could give you some of his hard earned knowledge?"

"Sure. You're supposed to learn from mistakes right?" Ruby said, ears slightly drooping as she admitted she needed help.

"The mistake you are making is that you are acting like an alpha and not a leader." Ozpin took a long sip of coffee and let that sink in. "Tell me Ruby, do you know what an alpha is?"

Ruby cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Um, yeah. It's the dog or wolf that leads the pack."

"Wrong. Understandably wrong, but still wrong." Ozpin took a smaller sip before he continued. "An alpha dog is the strongest, biggest, meanest in the pack. He is an unintelligent beast in charge of other unthinking beats. He is a tyrant, his rule enforced by physical violence against his weaker subjects. None of them are his superior in the only way that matters. Raw brutal strength. A leader is a far different beast. For starters, they are not a beast, but a thinking person. As is the people they lead." He total a longer drink, and stood there quietly.

Realizing he wanted some feedback, Ruby asked "But isn't a leader still the one in charge?"

"Yes, but it is a very different sort of "in charge". A leader must prove they are worthy of being in charge. Raw strength doesn't matter as with the alpha. The people you lead can form opinions, and cast judgement on your calls. Unlike the alpha who can just beat down all opposition, you have no way to make them listen to you. You have to make them want to listen to you." A coffee sip. "A true leader is one who makes others come to them because they want to listen to them. An alpha's influence only extends as far as their fangs. As a leader you have to be an inspiration to others. How can you expect your team to work hard if they don't see you working harder? How can you expect them to listen to you unless you've proven you have sound judgement? Being leader requires you you to be a better person than you were than the day before."

"I...I'm not sure I can do that." Ruby admitted hesitantly. "I...don't know how."

Ozpin took another long sip before her replied. "Ruby, dear. No one is born knowing how to be a leader. It is only after they don that most prestigious badge that they learn if they can handle the burden. But when you've born it for long enough, you get a sense of who else can carry that great weight. I believe you can do it." And with that the enigmatic headmaster left.

It was only when she was halfway to the library that Ruby realized she still didn't know what Ozpin smelled like, just his coffee. She had the weirdest feeling this was on purpose, but she couldn't imagine why.

Weiss took a look at her partner, passed out in the top bunk, worksheets and books spread out in a late night cram session. Additional books from the library with titles like Better Communication, The Art of Leadership and How to Delegate proving that Ruby had been willing to listen to her earlier temper tantrum. Professor Port had been right, she hadn't given Ruby a fair chance, judging her an unfit leader on her first day when none of them had bothered to tell Ruby they had a problem with the way she was running things. As soon as she was made aware of the problem, she'd assigned herself extra work to figure out how to fix it. Weiss had seriously underestimated her.

Waking up from Weiss's gentle nudging, Ruby looked shocked. "Weiss! I get you where right now I mean I was just yelling and-"

Weiss cut off any more babbling with a raised hand. "How do you take your coffee?"

"Huh?" Taking a large sniff Ruby's eyes widened. "When did you have time to-"

"Speed brewer. Makes a pot in less than thirty seconds. How do you take it?" Wiss repeated. So Ruby had a good sense of smell? That was nice to know.

"Uh, four creams and sugars?"

"You are such a kid. Hold on." Weiss went over to her unit and expertly whipped together Ruby's "kiddie coffee"in only seconds, delivering the mug to her still stunned leader. "Look, I...did not handle things the best way they could have been. I should have sat down and talked with you instead of letting things keep on going until I exploded like that."

"Weiss, you were right too. I wasn't being a leader, I was being an alpha."

Ruby said. "But I promise, no more being an alpha. I'm not going to bite the heads off people that don't listen to me, I'm going to be the kind of person you want to listen to."

"You're off to a good start I'd say." Weiss added as she looked at the piles of books, a very slight smile gracing her face. She wasn't fully sure what Ruby meant by "alpha versus leader", but the gist was easy enough to understand. "And if you promises to be the best leader you can be, I promises to be the best teammate I can be."

"Deal." Ruby said with a smile. "We both have a lot of work to do don't we?"

"Oh you know it." Weiss said with a chuckle. Walking to the bathroom to change into her sleepwear, she added "You know, I always wanted bunk beds growing up." She wasn't sure why she shared that. Maybe it was part of that trust that Professor Port spoke of as a natural consequence of following someone else. Or maybe it was a natural consequence of their little bonding moment. Or maybe she was going crazy. Oh well, only time would tell. And worst come to worst she could probably make a straight jacket look fabulous. White was so totally her color after all.

Yeay team bonding! And for now we are done with the canon, break out the new material! Up next, action! Ruby has her first duel in Beacon, and her opponent is...