A/N: Sorry for the delay, the holidays were a bit hectic and time just got away from me.
As Bruce made his way out in to the night, a Shadow crept along behind him. It was a cool night and the air was a bit harsh as he glided through the night for the first time. The city below him was mostly empty, just a few people here or there, hustling to get off the streets at this hour. The Shadow moved from rooftop to rooftop, struggling to keep up with Bruce's glide, making a mental note to look in to his techniques and equipment.
The duo made their way to the docks, where the storage yard was being used after hours. Bruce took his place on the rooftops directly above the yard, watching over the scene. The Shadow perched on a higher landing just above, keeping eyes on Bruce. Taking note of Falcone resting in his car, he swooped in to the scene and began his night.
One by one, the vigilante took out the henchmen, striking great fear in to each of them. He swooped in and out of the storage crates, hearing them struggle to find him, one even shooting at him, unsuccessfully of course.
The Shadow watched on, trying to stay as close as possible without being noticed; continuing to move closer, watching Bruce as he surveyed the small group of men huddled in the center of the storage yard. A car door shut, drawing the Shadow's attention away from the fight. Creeping closer to the car, Falcone came in to sight; his figure walked timidly toward the chaos inside the yard. The Shadow ran towards his car, dropping from the roof and landing next to the car. Without a sound the Shadow opened door to the backseat and slid inside.
"Everything alright out there Mr. Falcone?" The driver turned, but noticed no one, "Hmph, must not have shut it all the way."
The Shadow quickly maneuvered her way around the driver, quickly incapacitating him and retreating from the vehicle barely in time for Falcone's quick return. His breathing was deep and it seemed he was holding back a shout.
The Shadow made haste to a dark corner of the storage yard; watching on as Falcone discovered his unconscious driver and truly began to panic.
In the blink of an eye Bruce dropped down on top of the car and was yanking Falcone out through the sunroof.
"Who the Hell are you?!" The Shadow couldn't see his face, but by the sound of his voice, Falcone was terrified.
"I'm Batman," Bruce growled.
The Shadow looked on with a smirk, holding back a laugh at Bruce's expense.
"He's good," she thought. "Better than I anticipated."
The Shadow crept closer towards the edge of the building, wanting a better view as Bruce strung up the crime boss to the fog light. He tore the coat just enough to create a bat like figure, showing Gotham his symbol.
He grappled away when the work was done, and the Shadow followed closely, unbeknown to him. It was a long first night and his adrenaline was running high.
The Shadow followed as he made his way to the subway station. Bruce seemed more in a hurry this time than he was earlier, making it almost impossible for the Shadow to keep up. She only caught up once he had stopped, perching above a train car that had just stopped. A young woman exited the car, followed closely by a sight made her shiver, worry drenched over her and she made her way closer, yet staying well out of sight of Bruce or anyone else for that matter. She moved to the rafters above, watching Bruce scare off the man and begin talking to the woman. Deciding to take her own route, she left Bruce and followed the fleeing man. In no time she was caught up to him, finding him cowering behind a half-wall.
"That big Bat may have let you go, but I'm not so quick to forgive," she cooed.
He scurried away from her as she rounded the corner, "What's your deal? What's with the costumes?"
"Hush little one, time for you to sleep and enjoy the shadows of the night," she grinned and set in on the man. Eagerly and skillfully knocking him unconscious and displaying him in one of the open display cases. She stood back to survey her work, "Enjoy the shadows of the night? I've really gotta figure out some one liners, I bet Bruce practices those all the time." She laughed and set back off in to the night, heading back to Wayne Manor.
Bruce fell in to a deep sleep as soon as his head hit the pillows. A light breeze blew across him from his open window, cooling the room to just the right temperature. He slept peacefully that night, undisturbed by dreams or nightmares. His deep sleep was perfect for the Shadow watching from the corner of the room. It was on official Wayne parchment that she wrote out another note for the vigilante. He looked so at peace as he rested on his soft sheets. They looked like silk; she knew they were soft and warm, from the little bit she'd sat on the bed. After finishing her note, she folded it up and tucked it in to the edge of the mirror, leaving a lone blue petal inside it.
The Shadow crept through the bedroom, making sure to not disturb anything else. Once at the window, she glanced back once more at the sleeping figure. It's like he was a different person outside of the mask. She wondered to herself what it was like to have a real life; to be able to live somewhere and be someone. But it was too late for her, this was the path she was stuck on, and nothing would change that. No matter how much she desired a home, she was doomed to endless running and hiding, always needing to be steps ahead of her pursuers. She crawled out the window, preparing to run out in to the night, or better yet early morning. The air bit at her skin more this time than when she first went out, perhaps it was knowing she was alone now that made the wind all the more harsher.
