Hunter's Moon

By Serena

A/N: I really do apologize for my lack in updates. I've been having some pretty bad health issues, so it's a struggle for me to update stories.

I think it'll be this chapter and the next, then we'll skip ahead a few years to when things really start to get interesting. :D

Another week passed. Another week when we trained. We ran, hit, dodged harder, faster, stronger. Every day, my lungs were burning. Every day, my heart was pounding, my head was aching, and my body was screaming for relief.

It wasn't until the middle of the third week that I realized I wasn't having as much trouble keeping up with my mom anymore. I was taking her hits and giving them back. I could now fight decently with a sword (I still didn't get why), a staff, and basic martial arts. Mom said she'd never seen anyone learn as fast as I did.

If I hadn't been so mad at her, I would've been more flattered and proud. But I still couldn't forgive her for her secrecy. She would get that look in her eye sometimes, that look that I'd seen before. Like she was remembering something from her past, something she didn't want to share with me.

But I never mentioned anything to her about it. I instead shared my routines and progress with Bruce, who I was actually seeing more of, almost every day. I wish I could say our friendship was easy, comfortable, and relaxed, but it wasn't. As I spent more time with him, I began to realize just how closed Bruce really was – not just to me, to everyone else. He would smile, but in his eyes I would see sparks of pain and anger. When I brought up my former friend Helena, and her background of criminals, his jaw would flex.

And when I mentioned my training progress, his eyes would glitter with anticipation and excitement.

And finally, one day, he asked me a question I knew he'd wanted to ask me for the past two weeks.

"Diana," he said as we sat on the lawn, doing our homework together, "what progress have you made with your mom?"

I shrugged and took a bite out of an apple. "Not much." I doodled in my notebook.

"Well, you said the guy in the truck knew where you lived, right?"

"Yeah."

He paused. "Maybe we could find some clues in your old apartment. Maybe there's something your mom missed."

I looked up at him, surprised. "Yeah, maybe. I guess I didn't think about that. I mean, I checked and re-checked my mom's room, but I couldn't find anything other than that sword."

"Maybe you're just not looking in the right places," Bruce said cryptically. When I raised an eyebrow, he added, "Well, think about it. That guy hasn't shown up here, has he?" When I said no, he said, "Then we should go back to the apartment. See if you missed anything."

I stared at him. "Bruce, Gotham's at least fifteen minutes away, and I don't have a car. And you're not old enough to drive yet."

"No, but Alfred is. Listen, I have to go into the city tomorrow – the library. What if we take a little more time, go look at your apartment?"

I frowned. "Bruce, I live – lived – in the Narrows. It's not safe."

His eyes darkened. "I can handle it."

"Can you? No offense, but it's not karate class with a bunch of high school guys. There are guys with guns…"

I knew immediately I'd said something wrong. His expression slammed shut back into that cool mask, and his lips thinned.

"Yes," he said coolly. "I know a thing or two about that." Before I could object, he rose to his feet and glared down at me. With his dark shadow blocking my view of the sun, he was intimidating. "If you want to come, come. If not, don't. Your choice." He picked up his books and started back towards the manor.

I watched him leave, both upset at myself and at him for acting like this. He'd never even gotten a chance to ask me what he'd wanted to in the first place. Letting out a sigh, I dashed to my feet and started after him.

"Bruce, wait."

I caught up to him faster than I imagined and took his arm. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't think, I… I just…" I studied his face frantically, not seeing his barriers go down. "It's just a bad part of town. I don't want to get in trouble and then my mom to worry."

His eyes softened a bit. "I know what you mean. But I think we'll be all right. This kinda stuff is what you're training for, right?"

I nodded. "I guess." I started walking with him back to the house.

"Speaking of which," he said. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"I wondered if you could teach me what you're learning," he said.

I halted, looked at him. "What, all of it?"

"All of it. I'd ask your mom to teach me, but I'm not sure she'd be OK with that."

"Why not?"

"Well, she might think I'm intruding."

"I could ask her." It might take some of the weight off me, I thought. And it would give me extra time to spend with Bruce. I reddened. But I didn't like him that way. And I hardly knew him. But I liked him as a friend, at least, and I wanted to see those icy barriers come down, at least for me. I knew he was still heartbroken over the loss of his parents – I couldn't imagine losing my mother. I don't know if I would get over it, either. Still, could he spend the rest of his life living in the past, haunted by the memory of his dead parents? Maybe it was too soon to tell – I didn't know.

Suddenly determined to bring just a bit of life back into Bruce, I nodded more firmly. "Yes," I added, "I'll ask her."

His lips twitched upward into a small smile. "Thanks."

It wasn't until I left for home that I realized Bruce still planned on going into the city, and I hadn't given him a definite answer. Well, I'd tell him soon enough.

Mom didn't get home until late, but she didn't look too tired. When I asked her how her day had gone, she smiled and told me that she'd gotten a promotion and was moving up in her company. We'd have more money, she said, and I could finally buy some new clothes, and we could have someone down here to help fix up some parts of the house.

She was in such a good mood, I knew this would be the time to strike.

"So, Mom," I said, taking another helping of mashed potatoes, "I was wondering... You know Bruce, right?"

She nodded, looking a bit wary now. "Yes…"

"I was just wondering… if it would be all right if he… trained with us."

There. It was out.

I watched her face closely, but her emotions were carefully hidden behind a face of cool contemplation. She, in return, gave me a long look with her sharp eyes and finally took another bite of pork.

"And why would he want to do that?" she asked.

I halted. I honestly hadn't asked him why. "I'm not sure," I said honestly. "But he's really big into martial arts and fighting. I think he wants to get better at it."

"For what reason?"

"Well… I don't know. I might ask you the same question."

"We train because we must remain vigilant, Diana," she told me sternly. "No more questions, understand? You'll learn in time. As for Mr. Wayne… I'm not sure he'll be able to keep up with us."

"Why not? He's strong and fast. You should see him – he's really good."

Mom's lips thinned. Oh, great. I already knew the answer. "I'm afraid not," she said. "This training is for you. I need to focus on you. Bruce will be a distraction, and you can't afford distractions right now. You can keep seeing him and continue to be friends, but tell him that I can't take on another student. I'm sure he'll understand."

I'm not sure he would, but there was nothing else I could do. I nodded and stared down into my food, burning with curiosity. Now, I knew the answer to Bruce's suggestion. And I also had another idea, one that I hoped he wouldn't shoot down right away.

"You want to train me?" he said, eyeing me dubiously.

I scowled. "Fine. Don't. I just offered to show you what she shows me every day. I'm still learning, so it's not like you're learning from a master. But I'm a quick learner, so I pick up things really quickly. But if you don't want to, fine." I folded my arms over my chest and leaned back into the bar stool.

We were doing homework and having a snack in the kitchen, both of us sitting at the bar counter while Alfred was busy telling some help to set up for a big party. I didn't know what for, but Bruce hadn't seemed too excited about it. Frankly, he looked downright miserable. But Alfred had shooed us out of the way into the kitchen, which was fine with us.

"I didn't mean it like that," Bruce said, swiveling his stool to face me. "I just didn't think that you would want to. It's a lot of work."

"Yeah, I know. But I don't mind. It'll give me extra practice. For what, I have no clue. By the way, why do you want to learn how to fight?"

Bruce didn't look at me, shrugged easily. "Good practice. I'm rich. Lots of people want my money. They could try to ransom me off. Better than hiring a few bodyguards, right?"

I didn't buy it. "I don't believe you."

"Then don't," he said shortly. "Not my problem."

Incensed at his behavior, I pushed myself away from the counter and hopped off my chair. "No, I guess it's not. You already have enough problems as it is." I yanked my backpack off the counter and strode away, irritated.

Disappointed as I was by his aloofness, I was even more disappointed when he didn't come after me. Crushed by the coldness of my only friend left, I glumly trudged home and finished my homework there until Mom came home. I didn't talk about Bruce with her or mention the training again.

If he was going to be like that, fine. I'd figure out something on my own. All previous thoughts of breaking through to him were quickly dissipating with every brusque word that came out of his mouth. Why couldn't he see that I just wanted to be there for him?

The next day, after our morning training and after Mom had left for work, I was practicing a few moves Mom had shown me in the backyard, when I heard a car pull up onto the gravel driveway. Startled and wary, I crept around the house and saw a shiny black Rolls Royce sitting in my driveway.

I think I'd seen that car before…

Then, the passenger door opened, and out stepped Bruce, followed by Alfred from the driver's seat. I slowly walked into the front yard, holding my staff in one hand, my bare feet cold on the gravel.

"Hello, Miss Diana," Alfred said, smiling gently down at me.

"Hi, Alfred," I greeted with a small smile in return. Then, I looked at Bruce.

His hands were in the pockets of his dark jeans, and he wore a dark grey T-shirt and a navy jacket over that. His eyes were more expressive than I'd seen in a while. I dared to think they looked almost… apologetic.

He walked up to me. "Hey."

I stiffened all the same. "Hello." If he wanted coolness, I'd be cooler than an iceberg.

"Alfred's taking me into the city, and I was wondering if you wanted to come along, if you weren't too busy." I saw something in his eyes and knew that he was planning to go the Narrows… if I were interested, that was.

I think it was his way of apologizing. Wasn't typical, but I'd take it.

My shoulders slackened, and I shot him a tiny smile. "Yeah, sure, I'd love to." Feeling my heart rate rise when his eyes gleamed with abrupt, yet welcoming warmth, I stepped back and added, "Let me just write my mom a note in case she gets back early. I'll be right out."

"OK." He started back for the car, and I ran into the house.

Once inside, I scribbled a note, telling her that I'd be going to the library with Bruce, and that I had my phone and I'd be back for dinner. At least, I hoped so. I hoped she wouldn't kill me for this, but it was just the library. Sort of.

I grabbed my jacket, slipped on some shoes, and easily hoisted my backpack onto my shoulders, jogging outside, making sure to lock the door behind me. Alfred opened the door for me, and I slid inside next to Bruce.

"Wow," I said, looking around at the luxury vehicle. "This is really nice."

"You should see my other one," Bruce said with a grin. "It's a Porsche."

"Master Bruce, I'm ashamed of you," Alfred said from the front seat as we pulled away down the road. "Bragging about your things in front of a lady."

"I'm no lady, Alfred, I'm an Amazon," I joked, knowing Bruce would get our inside joke. "There's a difference, trust me. And it's OK. I don't mind. Bruce can brag all he wants, but he can't even drive yet. So ha." I grinned widely at Bruce, who rolled his eyes and sank back into the cushy leather seat.

"Very funny, Princess," Bruce said dryly.

Great. Back to the nickname. I couldn't hold back a smile, but I tried to hide it and looked out the window instead. However, as we entered the city, our moment of good humor quickly disappeared as we both realized what we were about to do. I could tell Bruce didn't like lying to Alfred about going to the library, and to be quite honest, I didn't either. I folded my arms over my chest, watching the cars and people pass. I liked the city and missed it more than I had thought. So many people... It was so lonely, being home all alone. I only saw people in the early morning and late afternoon, sometimes not until the evening. I missed my friends - Etta, Helena. I felt a sharp pang at the thought of my best friend cutting me off like she did. I had to talk to her, let her know that I wasn't abandoning her. I had to make things right.

So caught up in my determined resolutions to rekindle my friendship with Helena, I didn't even notice we'd stopped until Bruce touched my arm. I looked at him, blinked, then realized he'd already opened the door.

"We're here," he said, sliding out.

"What happened to ladies first?" I asked dryly as I clambered out of the car behind him.

"You would've had to crawl across my lap," he said with a lopsided smirk. "Not that I would've minded..."

What a self-righteous jerk. I scowled, socked him in the shoulder. He stiffened but didn't wince like last time. I must not have hit him as hard as before, or he was hiding his emotions better.

"Now, now, you can't solve all your problems with violence, my dear Miss Diana," Alfred scolded gently, holding Bruce's backpack out to him. "However..." His grey eyes twinkled up at me. "That is not to say Master Bruce did not deserve it."

"Whose side are you on, anyway?" Bruce intoned with a raised eyebrow, taking the backpack from him and hoisted it over his shoulder.

I grinned and exchanged glances with the old butler. "You're the one being a pig, Bruce." I slapped him on the back and loosely saluted to Alfred. "Bye, Alfred! See you later!" I once again felt horrible for lying to him and swallowed. Alfred waved, shot Bruce a "behave" look, and drove off into the traffic-filled street. We both watched him as he disappeared; and once he had, we looked at each other. An awkward silence followed for a moment, but Bruce collected himself and rolled his shoulders back.

"Where to?"

I licked my lips and nodded behind him. "That way. It'd be quickest to take the subway."

"Right," he responded tersely, and, without another word, turned around and started down the sidewalk.

Feeling a pang of unease, I hesitantly followed him. We made our way down to the subway, got on, and sat beside one another as it departed for the Narrows. I'd been on this subway before, so I knew that it wasn't the safest place in the world. I shot a quick look around our cabin and noticed a few shady looking characters eying us, especially me. Then, I glanced carefully at Bruce. I was startled to see his eyes a dark hue, almost black in the flickering overhead light. He was tense, too, like a stiff board, and his jaw was constantly clenching and unclenching. I wondered if it was because of the shabby state of the subway, which he wasn't used to, the precarious company, or the fact that we'd be going into the dark heart of Gotham - a place that held so many horrible feelings and memories for him.

I hadn't asked him to come with me. I had nothing to feel guilty about, apart from lying to Alfred. It was Bruce's decision. I wondered if he was just coming to protect me, like an older brother would do. When one of the other men in the cabin leered at my chest, then my legs, Bruce's posture straightened even further, and he glared icily at the man. Honestly, I'd never seen him look so frightening. The man shot Bruce a wary glance, then looked away.

But was Bruce feeling brotherly feelings... or something else?

In any case, I felt the need to help alleviate his discomfort, and I reached over and slid my hand into his. To my delight, his strong fingers curled around mine. He didn't let go, even after the subway stopped at our destination. He rose, still holding my hand in his, and led me out of the decrepit subway station. We hurried up the steps to the city, and he paused, looking to me for direction.

"Just a couple blocks up," I told him quietly. "Not far. Follow me." I gently tugged his hand and started down the sidewalk, shooting a sorrowful glance to the homeless man sleeping on the pavement.

It was like a completely different city. Here, in the Narrows, the pollution was horrible: a constant, muggy fog shrouded the area with a brownish-gray hue. It was overcast, too, which didn't help to soften the harsh effect. The streets were dirty, filled with trash, and more than one person eyed Bruce and me as we walked silently past. Shadows seemed to mist out of the dark, dingy alleys, but I wasn't bothered. I'd grown up here. This had been my home, my stomping grounds. Despite the filth and the poverty, I felt an odd connection to this place.

But then again, I'd always had Mom to protect me, which she had on more than one occasion. Now, it was just me and Bruce. But strangely enough, I was not afraid at all. I felt a confidence that had been growing on me with each passing day of training. Granted, I couldn't fight off a gun, but I might be able to disarm the attacker.

I then wondered how Bruce was holding up, and I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. What I saw shocked me completely.

He didn't look upset. He didn't look frightened, or worried, or even as tense as he had in the subway. To my astonishment, he looked almost... relaxed. Almost as if he had come home. His jaw was looser, although his shoulders were still held high. However, it was not out of fear or anxiety. He looked almost... dare I say it: proud. Confident. Like he had a purpose in life. Like he knew right where he belonged, and he now was relishing in that newfound clarity. Like he'd found something he'd been looking for all his life, even though it was so familiar to him it was like breathing. Like a king who had just claimed his newest prize, or a warlord returning home to his land.

A dark knight recapturing the shadows to which he belonged.

It was there, on this day, that I saw the true face behind the mask of Bruce Wayne.

It left me breathless.

-TBC-

Yep, that's all she wrote for now. :) Hope you guys are having a good summer so far. The next chapter will definitely have some action! :)

- Serena