Disclaimer: I do NOT own Selina Kyle (Catwoman), she belongs to DC. If I did, she would have already been in The Dark Knight or would be in a third movie (let's hope!). Thanks Not Human for betaing!

Chapter Four: Patience is a Virtue

August, 1996

"Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character."

Heraclitus of Ephesus

Selina poked at the questionable piece of meat on her tray. The food in Juvi was just as horrid as it was in the orphanage. Stale, oddly coloured, and with a bizarre odour. She was seriously considering going back to the orphanage, nothing was worse than this. Constantly getting yelled at, orders barked straight in her face; they treated her and all the other girls like dogs. At least in the orphanage they pretended to like you, no matter how obvious their hatred of you was.

She had been patient, 'd suffered through life at the orphanage, and had picked pockets for Bones on the street; she'd even tried surviving on her own with Sylvia.

Sylvia…

She had not seen her in months. When they had left Alleytown, they'd been caught by the police and sent to The Gotham Youth Detection Facility. For keeping her record clean while there, they had let Sylvia go back to the orphanage. No such luck with Selina. Most of her days at Juvi had been spent in solitary confinement. She liked the solitude, though. It was peaceful; she'd really rather spend the week on her own than with the other girls. So far, this week was going by smoothly; no fights, no back talking to the guards. All was good.

Selina felt something hit her head. She turned sharply. Oh, she did not just do that!

She stood from her seat, glaring at the culprit. The redhead smirked. For the last few months that girl had done nothing but cause her trouble. No, not this time. I will not let her get to me.

Selina inhaled slowly, composing herself. She would not let her perfect week be destroyed by her.

"Hey witch, was'matter, don't feel like fighting today?" the redhead taunted. Her knuckles were turning white from clenching her fist so tightly. The other girls joined in her mocking laughter. Why not teach the bitch a little lesson?

Selina stepped over the bleacher seat, turning to face the redhead. She'd never known her name, and she'd never care to. She gave a quick smirk to the girl before throwing a punch; the other girls jumped on her in retaliation. Nothing new; she'd brawl with them for a few minutes, guards would break them up and she'd find herself back in the dark, cramped room. However, this time she had other things in mind besides sitting in that lonesome place. Today she would free herself from this hell.

The redhead responded by throwing a punch back. Within minutes half the girls were circling them. Hearing the guards, Selina pushed her way through the mass, ignoring their mockery. She bolted from the crowd of girls as the guards began to break the tangle apart. She made her way to the kitchen; she was pleased to see all the cooks had left to see the commotion. She looked around the cluttered room, trying to find the door. Last time she was here was when she had stolen a guard's keys in her last attempt to escape; the director had decided to give her the pleasure of cleaning the evening's dishes.

What fun, but that day she'd finally found a security fault. Every Tuesday, a delivery truck came to the building, bringing foodstuffs at around nine. Today just happened to be Tuesday, and if her timing was right, (the girls were usually sent out for breakfast at eight) the delivery truck should be arriving soon.

She waiting patiently near the exit; she could still hear the commotion outside. Honestly, how long does it take to break up a little teenage girl fight?

As she had predicted, two delivery men and a guard opened the secure iron door. One of the men put a potato sack against the heavy slab to keep it open. Selina bolted outside as the men came back in carrying bags of food. Jumping into the truck, she ducked behind a few wooden crates. Waiting yet again until the delivery men were done unpacking the bags, she heard the truck's door slam shut and the engine start; then the vehicle was in motion.

After what seemed like an hour, the truck finally stopped. Selina blindly moved to what she hoped was the door. Her hands felt the cold metal handle; she pulled on it, wincing at the midday light. Sliding herself out of the truck, she ran down the parking lot to the high-fenced gate. Selina climbed the fence quickly, ignoring the shouts from the delivery men. Jumping down from the fence, she waved her good-byes to the confused men and turned towards what she was sure was Robinson Park.

Robinson Park was one of Gotham's largest parks. It was a popular destination for those who loved its noble and dignified oaks and maples, street performers, and crystal clean duck-filled ponds. At least, that's how her mother had described it in her day. Now the once green grass was covered in garbage and sleeping homeless people. The once elegant trees were either covered with graffiti or mutilated.

The park looked empty, save for the sleeping homeless on the majority of the benches. She walked down the trashed-filled walkway to an impressive looking fountain. If it weren't for the grime and graffiti blanketing the structure, it would have been the most beautiful thing Selina had ever laid eyes on.

Well, the water looks clean….surprisingly.

Indeed, the water was fairly clear and free of waste of any kind. Splashing her soiled face, she looked around the massive fountain to see an armless bald man meditating on surprisingly clean grass. Just looking at his back, she could see he was incredibly muscular and fit. The man seemed almost unreal, sitting completely still, his breathing smooth and relaxed. Then he stood up, stretching his defined muscles and walking away leisurely. Selina followed him; perhaps she could sneak into his house and take some food before she found a place to hide.

After a few blocks of Selina trying not to seem suspicious to pedestrians, the man walked into a rundown dojo. It displayed a strange mix of traditional Japanese and modern architecture. Right at the top of the building, stylized lettering read 'Jinchi's Dojo'.

She slipped behind the building; as expected, there was a back entrance - wide open, just beckoning her to come in. It's not safe to try in broad daylight. I'll just wait until dark.

Selina awoke to piercing police sirens. Of all the places she could have slept in, she found herself leaning against a garbage bin. She cringed at the smell, looking at her surroundings. Night had fallen; time to borrow the nice man's food and anything else she could find. She frowned, seeing that the door had been closed. Surprisingly, though, it opened without much trouble. She walked cautiously down the dark hall, her eyes slowly adjusting to the lack of light. Finding another door, she opened it to reveal a flight of stairs. Reaching the top, a lone wooden door greeted her. Open.

Really now, this guy must have just moved here.

She grinned. It seemed this little mission would be easier than she had anticipated. Walking in without a care, she moved her hand along the wall to find the light switch. Before she could even step into what she was sure was the kitchen she felt something hard wrap around her leg. The thing pushed her down, her face against the laminate floor.

"I thought someone was following me."

Crap. How is it that I always screw myself like this?

She heard his footsteps moving around her fallen body, kneeling down next to her.

"I'll let this go; you're obviously in enough trouble as it is." His dark almond-shaped eyes glanced at her jumpsuit.

"So you'll let me go? Alright, I'll just be leaving-"

"Whoa! I am not letting you off that easily!" The armless man blocked the doorway as she pushed herself up.

"I will not inform the authorities that you're here, but you did still try to break into my house. To pay off your crime, you will work with me in the dojo." She tried to imagine nonexistent arms folding tightly across his chest to match the stern look he gave her. Before she could protest he added one more thought.

"You can clean up and sleep in the guestroom. I'll let you stay here as long as I have need of you." He started to walk away from her.

"And what if I don't wanna stay with you? I could just leave y'know." She folded her arms, matching his stance.

"Then, I'll just call the police. Shouldn't be that hard to find a teenage girl in a green jumpsuit. You should be patient and learn something from your time here." A loud growl emitted from her stomach. God, how long has it been since I last ate…

"And you'll have daily meals, too." He gave her a smile and continued down the hall.

What can it hurt? He might teach me some self-defence, which of course will be useful.

Her stomach gave another moan for food. And food…

A/n: Ah, finally chapter four! In the comic, Selina is trained under "the armless master" when she's just starting to be Catwoman. Though I thought it would make more sense for her to be trained during her teens before that. Well enjoy!