So for all of you who don't know anything about Jason, watch Batman: Under the Red Hood. Trust me, it will help you understand the story better. A lot. So I highly recommend that you watch it before reading this fic, but if you already have, or you just don't want to, then happy reading!

This is also a side story to my Songbird Series, and I highly recommend you read it before this fic, but since this story takes place between the five-year gap, you also don't have to. If you do read it though, it will give you a better understanding of my OC in this story and the references that I make.

Disclaimer: I don't own DC Comics or anything related to DC Comics. I only own the characters that will extremely highly never become apart of the DC Universe. (This disclaimer is meant for all of the chapters in this fanfiction.)


Gotham City, Crime Alley

April 27TH 2012 10:41 p.m.

Kitsune's Pov

It was late April, but it was still chilly in Gotham. It had recently rained, making the air damp. The cool breeze warned for a Batman and I had stopped by a run-down café for a quick cup of warm coffee. We walked into the store, earning a bored look from the cashier. He stood up from his slumped seat behind the counter, or at least he looked like he tried to. His stance didn't seem to change.

I looked up at Batman and asked, "The usual?"

He gave an extremely curt nod, one that only those who were trained to be near-sighted would notice. Or someone who knew Batman as well as I did. I walked up to the cashier and said happily, "One large coffee, one milk, and a small coffee, triple-triple."

"You got it," he mumbled, yawning as he got up and waddled over to the coffee machine in the back. He didn't even react to my glowing eyes.

Bats stood still, waiting patiently. I wonder what was going through his mind. I couldn't read it though. First time I had tried, all I got was an image of Bruce standing in front of a mirror glaring at his reflection. I scowled at the memory, being the first time my psychic powers hadn't worked.

My right ear twitched suddenly. Other than the sound of Batman breathing steadily, and the coffee machine boiling, there was the sound of metal against metal. I snapped my head to my right, to see over my shoulder. Through the glass pane of the café door I could see the Bat Mobile sitting outside in the alleyway. On the right side of the Bat Mobile, there was a boy, probably only twelve years old. I turned around and gave Batman a look. "There's a kid messing with the Bat Mobile. Should I sneak out back and surprise him?"

Batman narrowed his eyes. "I'll let you handle him then; I'll be out with our coffee."

I smiled, before excusing myself and running behind the counter. The cashier didn't seem to care; he just glanced at me before looking down at coffee maker. I quickly run out the back doors and scale the building. Batman always reminded me about the grappling hook in my utility belt, but I always preferred climbing, unless it was an extremely tall building. Heights were never one of my strengths, and when I climb I always have to look up.

I jumped over to the building behind the kid, my landing quiet. I crouched low on top of the building and studied him. He had a wrench in his hand, where he was trying to remove the Bat Mobile's wheels rear right wheel. I jumped from the roof, landing in the shadows the building provided. He froze, stopping his cranking and turned slowly.

He has a keen awareness of his surroundings. I don't even wear a cape and he probably heard me. That or he feels like someone is watching him, but that's probably just instinct.

He looked to his left back at the café. I followed his gaze and saw Batman watching the cashier pour the coffee into two cups, before adding condiments. I took advantage of this distraction and ran over to the building behind the Bat Mobile, standing in its shadow. He heard me run because he snapped his neck in my direction, searching for someone to jump him. I stepped closer to the edge of the shadows where I knew the light from the neon signs and the street lamps would catch my glowing eyes. His eyes found mine and I heard both of our breaths stop; his from fear and mine from surprise.

His shirt was stained with grease and sweat. His solid green eyes looked dull and drained, with dark, tired bags sagging under them. I was right about him being twelve years old. I had read his mind. Jason Todd, twelve, and both of his parents were dead. For a kid his age, I was surprised to see that he had managed to steal almost two of the four newly designed tires of the Bat Mobile though. He was stealing the tires to sell so that he could survive. He was just doing want any street orphan would do.

He's just another Gotham street kid risking it all for a tomorrow. There were so many times when I thought I wasn't gonna have a tomorrow, and when I wasn't going to be able to give Alexis one.

"Who's there?" he mumbled under his breath. His words came out sharp and tough, but there was the un-denying sound of fear tied into them. Connor and I had countless lessons with Canary and Batman on our super-hearing.

"Batman, if you walk out now, we'll have him cornered." I held his gaze, not blinking for long periods. I was making him clearly nervous under my stare, but it wasn't like I had used my Death Glare on him. I was always proud of that power, because even though it made people faint, Batman's glare was enough to instill the same fear into your head. I considered our glares on par. "I'm on the opposite end of the alley, and the only places to get out are by turning around the building to your left or turn right from the corner behind the Bat Mobile."

"The café owner is almost done with our coffee, distract him for now," Batman answered calmly, but I could tell there was a hint of impatience in his answer.

"Already on it," I said, my reply sounding distant.

I stepped out of the shadows, the boy shooting up from his crouch by the wheel quickly. I could see that he was about to run, but he held up the wrench in a defensive position. Right-handed, but there was something off about the way he held the wrench. He was going to throw it at me. He does a good job of hiding it though.

"You can put the wrench down," I said, loud enough for him to hear. I held my hands up and away from my utility belt. "If you tried to throw it at me, you'd probably miss."

His eyes widened, his nose flaring. "How would you know that? Who are you anyway?"

"I know that because I can see it in your stance and the way you hold the wrench. I'm Kitsune, one of Batman's partners. Trained to catch these things, you know?"

He grits his teeth, taking a step back. His arm twisted, ready to be thrown in my direction. He was planning on using the wrench to slow me down. I smirked at the thought. "Bats, he's going to run."

He whipped the wrench at me, but I measly sent it to building on my right. He didn't notice though, he was too busy running right into Batman. I walked up to the two of them, listening to Jason's frantic heartbeat and ragged breath.

"Unreal," Batman said, shifting his gaze from the Bat Mobile, to the kid, before looking to me for an explanation. I quickly summed up what I gathered from Jason's head. Looking back down at Jason, he said, "Kitsune tells me that your name is Jason Peter Todd, and that you're an orphan."

He tensed, whipping his head around at me. He was glaring at me. "How do you know that?"

I telekinetically moved the wrench, sending it flying until it was right in front of me. I spun it around in the air a few times, before speeding it up until you could barely keep up. "Being psychic has its advantages."

He tried to run again, but Batman simply caught him by the shoulder. He looked up at Batman and asked, "I'm going to juve aren't I?"

There was something about that one question coming from him that struck a chord in both Batman and I. He was only twelve years old, parentless, homeless and stuck living in the streets of Gotham City; living in Crime Alley for goodness sakes. Then being sent to juvenile prison? This kid's life is just filled with bad luck.

"We'll see," Batman answered. Jason looked terrified of Batman.

"Well before you make your big decision, he's going to stay off the streets," I said, earning a look from Jason. I sent him a look saying that I wasn't finished talking. "It's not safe for him to live like this anymore. Besides, if we just leave him here, he'll probably go steal someone elses tires."

He balled his fists, his face purely angry at me. I only glared back. "I'm fine, I can take care of myself, and you don't have to treat me like—"

"You're right," Batman spoke up, breaking up our potential fight. He looked at me like I had done something wrong. "You'll stay at a friend's house until then, and Kitsune will walk you there."

I raised an eyebrow at Batman, not believing that he was actually making me walk. "You're not joking are you? You actually want me to walk the kid all the way to my house?"

"I'll be waiting in the alleyway." Batman handed me my coffee, before walking off to put the tires back on the Bat Mobile.

Some punishment. But I knew that standing up for the kid was the right thing to do, even if Batman probably wanted to give him one of his 'lectures'. I signed, before pointing a thumb back at the café. "Do you want anything before we start walking?"

He just looked away from me, a scowl on his face. I rolled my eyes, after reading his mind. He was starving, but what he was really craving (his favourite food actually) a chili dog.

I laughed. "I know that you really want a chili dog right now, but it's almost midnight. I promise that the people you're staying with will take you out to get one tomorrow, sound good?"

He made a pft sound, but gave me a side glance. "With extra chili?"

He was starting to talk to me, which means that he's starting to trust me and that I'm growing on him. I think that he's growing on me too. "With extra chili, just the way you like it."

We started to walk back, but I could tell that he was uncomfortable with my sai and my utility belt. He tried to fake his nervousness by bringing his hands behind his head and looking to his left. His eyes differed.

I stopped in front of Woodrow Street; the new house that I lived in was just down the street. My mom and I had moved here after she had recollected everything from our old house. She said that moving was good for us because the old house carried too many painful memories of our family. New house meant new memories of our family, starting with living without dad and Alexis.

We walked up to the house that didn't seem as dark and eerie as every other house in Gotham. I knocked on the door, noting how Jason continuously hid his emotions. I was the same, especially when I meeting strangers and people who I didn't trust.

Mrs. Henderson opened the door with a smile. "Kitsune, Gotham's Vixen, and who is this?"

I clasped my hands on Jason's shoulders and held him in front of me for Mrs. Henderson to see. "This is Jason Todd. Batman asked if you could watch him for a while until we can find a place for him to really settle."

Mrs. Henderson looked at me for a long time. She understood why Batman and I were asking her for this after we shared a brief telepathic conversation. She looked down at Jason and her face softened considerably. I haven't seen that look since she saw me at the hospital when she had woken up.

"Hi Jason, I'm Mrs. Henderson, but you can call me Mrs. H," she said, smiling at him. "Come on, I'll make you something to eat, and set up a room for you."

Before he stepped inside with her, he turned around and looked at me surprisingly. I smiled under my bandana. He wasn't sure if he should really go inside without me. Yep, he is so growing on me. "It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow, promise."

"Promise," he repeated slowly, adjusting to the odd feeling of my voice in his head.

Then the door was shut. I jumped over the railing of the stairway and walked into the alleyway by my house. Batman was already standing there in the shadows, just like I expected. His breathing pattern was always counted and precise, unlike most who just breath without a second thought.

"He's a really good kid, but I think his criminal life in Gotham at such a young age will affect him in the future," I commented. "He has potential. His street skills are because of that."

"He reminds you of yourself in a way." Batman paused, thinking briefly. "You're suggesting that he becomes Robin."

"I'm not suggesting anything," I said. "All I'm saying is that this might be a chance to prove that we've all moved on."

Batman didn't comment. He knew what I was implying, so there was no need to press the topic any further. Instead, he changed it. "I've already sent in the application form for the boarding school, and just in case, have set aside the registration form for the Wayne Foundation."

"Next year, you're planning on starting one for orphaned girls right?" I asked, remembering when Bruce had started the ones for boys. He was questioned by everyone about starting one for girls. Heck, even I was asked about my opinion of the idea.

"That's the plan," he answered. "I've already made sure that you'd be my partner in the charity campaign."

I smiled a full-out toothy one, one that I knew Batman could see through my bandana. Batman's lips curved on one side as well. The memory of him smirking will always be one to treasure. "I better get going, gotta make sure that my mom isn't having any trouble with the kid."

"Good night, Kitsune," Batman said.

"Night, Bats," I said. I jumped and caught the bottom of my fire escape. I swung myself up on to it. I didn't need to look down, but I did anyways only to find that Batman was still standing there for once.

I rolled my eyes and watched him disappear further down the alleyway. I had read his mind. He was thinking about why and when I had started to call him 'Bats'. I slid into my bedroom window, taking off my bandana and letting my powers shut off after a short, but eventful night of patrol.


Gotham City, Henderson Residence

April 27TH 2012 11:38 p.m.

Karie's Pov

When I walked downstairs after a quick, hot shower, and changed into pajamas, I heard Jason laughing. It was a real laugh. I leaned against the door frame to our small cozy dining room. Jason was smiling up until he saw me. He can't tell it's me, good. "I was taking a shower upstairs, who's this mom?"

"This is Jason, Batman asked to take care of him until he can find him a place for him to settle," mom answered, leaning on the dining table. "Jason, this is my daughter, Karie. Karie, Jason."

"Hi," Jason mumbled. He was all washed up and in an old t-shirt and basketball shorts. There was a plate sitting in front of him with a half-eaten chili dog on it. I wonder when my mom had bought those when she was grocery shopping?

I smirked. "Hi. Chili dogs? I guess they must be really good if you're eating them this late."

He was trying not to crack a smile. "I haven't had a chili dog since forever." He took a large bite out of the chili dog, causing mom to laugh. "This chili dog tastes pretty good."

Up until just over midnight, the three of us just sat there talking and laughing. Jason fit right in; he always knew how to make you laugh and what to say. 'A smart-mouth,' Dick would probably call him. I know I still call Dick that.

We decided to call it a night after Jason started yawning. Mom asked me to tuck him in, while she washed the dishes. Jason didn't complain; he was too tired to. He quickly climbed/rolled into bed, quickly pulling the covers over him.

"I haven't slept in such a nice bed in forever," he said, sighing in relief. "Can you sing me a lullaby?"

I was taken aback by his question. Sing? I've never sang for anyone before. I didn't sing in general; I was always the one with the guitar. Alexis was always the one with the voice.

"Please?" I looked down at the tired green-eyed boy looking up at me with a charming smile.

I couldn't help but smile down at him. "What do you want me to sing?"

He shrugged, shifting under the covers. "My mom never sang any lullabies to me. Just sing me anything."

I nodded, wracking my brain for a song. I shouldn't have struggled to come up with a song, I wrote them all the time. I decided to sing a non-original song because I knew it was the perfect lullaby for Jason. Before I sang though, I told him, "I've never sang for anyone before, actually, I've never sang at all before. Consider yourself lucky."

Jason mumbled a slur of words, but I knew that he had heard me. I breathed as I started to sing softly. Just as I finished singing the verse, Jason was fighting off sleep, his eyes trying so hard to stay open.

"Lucky," he whispered, giving me one last smile when he finally gave into sleep.

I smiled, ruffling his hair a little before shutting off the lamp on the nightstand. I stood at the door way, smiling at him. He looked nothing like the nonchalant kid I had met in the alleyway. Instead, he reminded me so much of Alexis. A second chance is what he is; a chance to move on. I was so distracted by the thought that I didn't even realize that I had finally accomplished to read Batman's mind.


The song that Karie sung to Jason as a lullaby was Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift, of course, I do not own the song. I think that this song is the perfect lullaby for Jason though, besides, I have something planned with this song (it'll be really important later).

Hope you guys enjoyed my take of Jason being introduced. I really wished that he was introduced into the Young Justice universe, because after I watched Batman: Under the Red Hood, Jason became my second favorite Boy Wonder (behind Dick of course). I just feel as though he needed a flashback, even if he said one line. They did reference to him though; Dick said to Tim, "Just don't die, okay?" That was enough to make me tear up.

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