Okay, this is my first fic for this place. It's a crossover with Naruto, though not (IMHO) idiotically like many crossovers tend to be. Please read and review!!!

CHAPTER 1: Notices

Location Unknown

Dick Grayson blinked. The invitation was, in all probability, legitimate, but he couldn't help feeling a certain sense of paranoia about it. He'd spent years, almost a decade training for this. Now, after he had given up for so long, he had a chance at attaining his dream. He had been invited, along with the other Titans, to join the Justice League.

It took a while for the message to sink in, and he didn't dare break the news to the others before he understood it fully. Before him, he held a small, but powerful letter from his old mentor, Batman, one of the few remaining JL members left on Earth. It said that, pending a demonstration of ability, the Titans were invited to become a part of the Justice League due to the recent loss of a large number of members. Dick remembered the incident well, when he, Raven, and Cyborg had cried over the graves of their fallen friends. The same night that Batman lost his left arm, the Green Lantern at the time was struck blind, and Superman was struck down for good. The day Cell had destroyed over half the JL garrison, along with numerous heroes across the globe. Finally, he was taken down by a boy no older than Dick was at the time, who even now remained unnamed. Rumors flew around that he was a Russian woodcutter, a Japanese martial artist, and a British spy, but it all amounted to the same thing. He had saved the world with his immense power, then disappeared, leaving the world almost helpless and almost heroless. The Justice League tried to keep up, and did so fairly well for almost three years. But over extension soon began to take its toll, as more and more heroes either fell or resigned from the pressure. Even the Titans disbanded after many months of intense overexertion.

So now, the Justice League was recruiting from its affiliate organizations and outside sources alike. The note from Batman said that many others had been notified as well, and that all interested parties were to gather in South Africa in one month. It was, to say the least, a strange request, and would take a great amount of effort from any who chose to participate.

Dick slid the letter on the table before him, and turned to his closet. Opening it carefully, he wasn't completely surprised when several moths flew out into the open light. He hadn't, after all, opened this particular door in two years. On the reverse side of the door hung a picture in a dusty, wooden frame. He toyed with the idea of purposely not looking, but he knew he couldn't resist. Wiping away the dust, he stared at the only picture of Starfire he had ever taken, her beautiful visage staring with fixed curiosity at the camera. He smiled and, despite himself, ran his fingers across the photo, remembering her amazement at such a 'wondrously imaginative device.' He still visited her grave, from time to time, but could never bring himself to look at her face, even though it was just on the other side of the door.

However, the photo wasn't what he was after. Hanging from the rack, torn and tattered, was his uniform. He wasn't completely surprised that the moths had found a way to eat even the fire resistant fabric to shreds, and less amazed that it was, after a year long growth spurt. Of course he hadn't felt the need to have it altered any more. Robin retired a long time ago, after all. Suddenly, a thought struck him. Why had he so quickly decided to go? Why had he assumed so quickly that the others would go as well? Sitting on the small, broken bed which sat in the center of the room, he grasped his head in his hands. The Titans were done! Robin was done! He had given up after losing her and Beast Boy, so why had he jumped so quickly on the opportunity to get back in the game? He knew he missed it, that was obvious, but he apparently hadn't known how much. He knew, no matter how much he wanted to hold onto his peace, it was only an act for his own selfish angst. He was a Titan, from the bottom of his heart, his only desire in life was to be the hero he had been raised to be. But at the same time, as he gazed up at the ripped and eaten suit he had once worn, he knew that Robin had died as he held Starfire dead in his arms. Standing, he slammed the door to his closet shut, and turned to leave. He knew where to go, for once in his life; he was going to Gotham City.

Village of Konoha

"Lee-kun!" Haruno Sakura poked the young bob-haired boy in the back, smiling at him. The girl's pink hair brushed against his cheek as she grabbed him around the neck, embracing him softly from behind.

"Sakura-san . . ." he muttered, blushing rather profusely with the vigor of youth. Barely able to think, let alone answer, he stood motionless, accepting the hug with nothing more than a throaty stammering and a very, very wide grin.

"You've been gone for so long! I thought that mission would never end!" added Sakura, reveling in the effect she had on him. Rock Lee's one great weakness, she and everyone else knew, was Sakura. Letting go of his neck, she walked around to stand in front of him, still smiling. Pointing down at his hands, and the envelope therein, she cocked her head to the left and raised one eyebrow.

"What is that, anyway?" she asked, looking at the letter intensely. It bore the symbol of the Justice League, a very powerful foreign syndicate, and seemed rather ominous.

"An invitation," replied Lee, suddenly very aware of the important message he carried. "I"m sorry, I can't talk right now. I need to get this to Tsunade-sama." Sakura laughed openly, and pulled at his sleeve happily.

"Then I'll walk with you! I have to see her too, after all."

"A . . . alright," said Lee, placing the letter very carefully in his pocket. "So how has Konoha been doing?" he asked, in a feeble attempt to divert her attention from the invitation.

"Just fine," she answered, momentarily relieving Lee. "But I still want to know where you got something from the Justice League! Did you meet some of them on the mission?"

"Well . . . yes. I was sent to meet them, actually." Lee, seeing no reason to hide anything from Sakura, sighed and spoke softly, to avoid unnecessary security leaks. "I was sent to Metropolis . . ."

"I've never heard of it," interjected Sakura, walking sideways now, eyes focused hard on Lee. Her curiosity was boiling over now, and she couldn't help but smile.

"It's a gigantic city, far away from this continent. It's in a place called America. I sailed for four weeks before I got there. Anyway, I was sent there to speak with someone named Superman. When I arrived, I found out that he had been killed, over three years ago. In fact, when I said that I hadn't heard, the boy I was speaking with seemed shocked, and called me an idiot. Apparently, this Superman was an international superstar! I'm not sure why the Hokage wanted me to talk with him, but the closest I could come was a young woman named Supergirl."

"Weird names," Sakura mused, after shifting directly in front of Lee, walking backwards, forcing people to jump to avoid her.

"Yeah, but not all of them. Well, I found this Supergirl, and told her what Tsunade-sama wanted me to tell Superman, that Konoha was looking for outside trade agreements with other continents, and not just the nations on this one. So she said she'd speak with her superiors, and then come to visit here. I waited for two weeks for her to get a response. During that time, she and I were attacked by a really odd type of ninja, using shuriken so fast I couldn't see them, and they made such terrible noises! We were able to fight them off eventually, though. Supergirl was a wonderful fighter! She could even fly." Sakura's eyes lit up at this, and she stopped cold to listen to the rest. "Well, she was impressed by my fire of youth!" Lee's eyes burned with power and confidence as he lifted his fist into the air, holding the envelope, "And she gave me this, an invitation for me, and other strong shinobi from this village to join the Justice League!"

"Unreal!" Sakura screamed, hugging herself and leaping back. "That's amazing! Did you accept!?"

"Not yet," said Lee, calming down, "I need to go to Tsunade-sama first, and then we don't meet for another month. I'll have to train hard for this! Supergirl said there will be a test of ability to make sure I'm fit for it!" Sakura grinned, unable to keep back the excitement, and turned around hurriedly. Taking off toward the Hokage's tower, she looked back at Lee.

"Come on!!! We need to go see her now!!!" The pair began down the street with renewed vigor, and soon took to leaping among the rooftops. They passed street after street, rushing like the wind through the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Suddenly, though, Sakura stopped. Lee, noticing her absence, paused as well, but Sakura motioned for him to go on. Nodding, but confused, he leapt forward again, back on his path to the Hokage.

Sakura, however, stayed perfectly still, staring down into the street. Though it was full of people, she couldn't help but notice two very familiar faces. Uzamaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata, walking hand in hand, were exiting the local dress-makers shop. She grinned, noticing the black garment bag Naruto had slung over his shoulder, and the faint blush on Hinata's face. Even now, engaged to him, she blushed like that when she was happy. It made Sakura giggle to watch them together, Naruto always laughing loudly, shouting his ambitions to the world, while his loving wife-to-be held his arm, happier than she had ever been.

"Sakura." The kunoichi flinched, knowing she'd been caught spying, and turned slowly. Behind her, Hatake Kakashi stood calmly, watching the couple over her shoulder. Tall and thin, the Jounin moved his gaze down to the girl, and smiled. "I'm glad they're getting married," he said quietly, smiling invisibly behind his permanent mask.

"Yeah, so am I. He needed someone like her." Kakashi nodded, and sat down beside her.

"Have you seen Lee-kun yet? He came back a little while ago." He motioned up toward the Hokage's office, "Headed over to see Hokage-sama, I think."

"Yeah," she affirmed, "I saw him already. I was going with him, actually, but . . ."

"You got caught up spying on Naruto?" Sakura blushed, and nodded slowly. The jounin laughed, and nodded toward Tsunade's office again. "I think they're waiting for you," he said.

"Ah," she replied, standing again, and running off toward Lee and the Hokage. As she flashed off, Kakashi moaned, rubbing his forehead.

"Not even a goodbye. Sometimes I think they don't like me."

Gotham City

Dick wasn't sure what to say, standing on Bruce Wayne's doorstep. He'd been gone for years, but he wasn't entirely sure that would offend him. On the other hand, on his way out, he'd been rather angry and offensive toward his mentor. Still, he couldn't let that stop him. He needed help, and Bruce was the only one who could give that to him right now. Pressing his finger on the doorbell, he waited, wondering if this really was the best decision. Soon, though, the door swung open, and an elderly man, severely balding (presumably from the considerable stress of his position), stood before him.

"Master Dick, it's been a while," said Alfred, as warmly as he ever had when Dick was just a boy.

"Hello Alfred," replied the younger man, brushing his shaggy hair away from his face. "I'm surprised you remembered me." He chuckled softly, knowing that he had disappointed Alfred as much as the owner of the house.

"In my line of work, I meet so very few good people. I like to remember them," said the butler, laughing with more gusto than Dick had. "I'm so glad to see you again, sir." Dick raised his hand, shrugging off the honorific.

"You don't need to call me that, Alfred. I don't live here anymore." Again, the old man laughed, and motioned for him to come inside.

"One moment then, mister Grayson, while I fetch Master Bruce."

It was a cold few minutes in the drawing room of Wayne manner. He thought idly of the first time he had been here, how excited he'd been to have such a wonderful home. He also thought, with a great deal more regret, how he'd grown to hate the place, and the constant rules and orders from Bruce. He longed for the early years, the simplicity and happiness of being just a boy, and not the Boy Wonder.

"Dick!" Bruce shouted, clapping him on the back with his remaining hand. On the billionaire's left side, a short nub shot out for balance. "I'm so glad you came to visit." Dick, his face colder than he meant it to be, stared at his mentor.

"I'm sorry, Bruce, but I'm not here to visit." He realized too late how dark and terse he sounded; the levity was gone from Bruce's face instantly. The hand was off his back, and back in the pocket it normally occupied.

"I figured," he replied, his voice no longer that of the jovial Bruce Wayne. He was Batman now, and he motioned toward the tall grandfather clock in the middle of the back wall. Dick walked to it, and slid the hands of the clock into position, causing it to slide to one side, opening the door to the bat cave. As both men began their decent down the stairs, Batman grunted, and leaned his head back.

"Why are you here, then, if I can ask?"

"I need help. I've decided to take you up on your offer, but I can't get ahold of any new equipment, let alone a new suit." Dick blushed lightly, and thanked every deity in every religion that he had his back to Bruce.

"Hm," Bruce sighed, "I suppose you can use one of the older suits. Tim's was a bit bigger than your last one, I think." Dick didn't like hearing about his replacement, but that was the least of his problems right now.

"No," he said, quietly, "I'm not Robin anymore, you know that."

"I suppose you're right. Well, how about one of my older suits? Paint it all you like. Noone will know the difference." Dick wasn't happy with this, either, but it was a much better option.

"Fine." They reached the end of the stairs, and found themselves in a large, dark cave, heavily laden with computers and gadgets of every imaginable type and design. But it was far off to the right that Dick was interested in. There, a long line of glass tubes extended from floor to ceiling, each containing a different suit. Each with a different design and function, it was an amazing sight to behold. His eyes, against his will, were drawn far to the left, where his own, original costume rested. He was amazed he could ever fit into those small, red tights, but he had, hadn't he? It was a surreal experience, being back in his own personal hell, and feeling so damned nostalgic about it. But that wasn't the suit he wanted. He walked down the line, stopping momentarily to inspect each piece, until he found the one he needed. It was simple, a solid black pattern, with small metal pauldrons on each shoulder, and a simple metallic utility belt.

"Bruce," he called off to the old man, who had apparently taken to checking the computer for any particularly heinous break-in or murder. Once he looked up, Dick asked, "Can I have this one?" Bruce nodded, smiling.

"I thought that would be the one!" He laughed lightly, fading back into Bruce Wayne mode, "I never wore that one!" Dick hadn't realized it himself, but that was why he'd chosen this particular suit.

"Then it's perfect," he smirked sarcastically. Bruce walked over, and clapped him on the back again, with much more mirth this time.

"Well, it's yours." They both stared at it, if only for a minute, before Bruce leaned in close to his young protegee. "It is nice to have you back, if only for a bit."

"I can't say it's horrible being here," Dick smiled, "but I can't stay long. I need to go visit a few people."