Disclaimer- Of course I don't own YJ!

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Chapter 9

Smoke was trailing upwards from its fiery origin that was Dick's apartment building. Fire trucks surrounded the crumbling building, pouring gallons upon gallons of water onto the fire that had engulfed the home of many. Screams, yells and cries could be heard at least a mile away, the swift wind carrying their pitiful noises across Gotham.

Beth! Please tell me she made it out!

From his spot in the shadows, Dick searched for his sister's adorable face in the crowd of people who had escaped the fire. But no matter how many times Dick looked over those faces, Beth's couldn't be found.

NO! No, no, no, NO! She can't be dead! She just can't!

Desperate, Dick acted on his feelings for once and took a dive into a burning window next to him. Once he was to his feet, he frantically ran up several flights of crumbled stairs to where his apartment was. He didn't even use his key; he just kicked down the door and ran through hot flames of fire to where the bathroom where was.

Please let her remember what I told her to do in case Slade ever did this!

_Beth's POV_

I wonder when Onii-chan will come home.

Beth sighed with a slight pout on her face. She always hated it when her brother had to go on an assignment; it meant she wouldn't get to hang out with him before she went to bed. But Beth knew that her dear brother was doing the assignments to protect her, to make sure she could grow up to have a life away from all of this.

But what Dick didn't understand was that Beth didn't WANT to move far away from him. She knew if she did, her brother's heart would be engulfed ENTIRELY by darkness and then he wouldn't be her Onii-chan anymore; he'd just be a stranger. Sure, she was only six years old but she wasn't stupid. She knew what her brother was doing was considered wrong and that he was, in all aspects, a villain.

But Beth didn't think he was . . . much. That's why she was so confused and had asked Dick if he truly was one or not. His reply hadn't been helpful and had only told her that it was indeed a complicated topic.

But if everyone thinks that Onii-chan's a villain, they'll try to take him away. Maybe if Onii-chan explained why . . . Then no one would hurt him . . . Right?

Beth sighed once again as she turned off the TV and headed towards the bathroom to brush her teeth before bed. Her thoughts were more than a normal six-year-old could even begin to comprehend so no wonder she was so confused. Even so, Beth tried to sort out what was right and wrong in the context of her and Dick's life while she brushed her teeth. But as she put her toothbrush away, Beth heard screaming in the apartments below her that interrupted her thoughts.

A/N- I could have gone on but I thought that would be a good place to stop. Please review! This was published on 7-6-12 with the length of 600 words.