Chapter 10
Enjoy!
Scarab's funeral was small. His hologram was put in the grotto next to Jason's.
"When was Jason a member of the YJ team?" the newest member, Wonder Girl (Cassie) asked.
"Never made to YJ." Nightwing said coldly. Nightwing had just turned 18. It was April 3, and one week ago, Scarab had died. Nightwing wasn't allowed to work out, and he actually had already been forcefully drugged to prevent him form working out. That wasn't what made the short hero mad.
Nightwing, ever since the Russia incident, kept his hair long enough for a ponytail. He had grown, half an inch. Nightwing was officially 5'10". He wouldn't grow any more. After the memorial, Nightwing had been spending a lot of time alone.
Everyone knew why, but no one would tell Nightwing they knew about Starfire's plans. That would feel like a betrayal. Three days after the memorial, Starfire left. She had told Nightwing the day before the memorial. Nightwing hadn't spoken to her since their three hour long argument where he had tried to convince her to stay. It didn't help that a possessed Raven had shown up trying to find a coffee shop. After unpossessing her, with Zatanna's help, Starfire had told her plan to Nightwing. The whole cave felt angry when Starfire came to sleep at the cave instead of at Nightwing's apartment in Bludhaven.
"You should cut your hair." Batgirl said to Nightiwng.
"Why?" Nightwing was still curt.
They need to let him work out soon. Batgirl thought.
"Well one, it looks silly. Two, to forget her."
"Shut up." That is how the argument always went. Finally, Tim just cut the hair when Nightwing was asleep.
Robin had run into the cave hold a black rope, which was actually a foot of hair, as if he were running from Joker.
"Help me!" Robin yelled. Everyone ran out to see what was happening, and were shocked to see Nightwing pin Robin. Nightwing's hair was short and choppy.
"Never cut my hair." Nightwing hissed. Then Nightwing rolled off of Robin and the two started laughing.
Barbra did hook up with Dick Grayson for a night, but she felt so guilty about it, she asked him to forgive her and forget her. Nightwing looked at Barbra and had responded to her by saying:
"Babs, I'm the one at fault, I used you to get over something making me made. I, I need to gather myself." That was the night Tim cut his hair.
By May, everything was back to normal, almost. Sometimes, if you were very sneaky, you could catch Nightwing just standing alone looking a gold ring with emeralds and a diamond…
In May, Artemis and Wally officially retired.
In June the YJ had a mission. Kaldur had a friend from Atlantis join them. Her name was Tula. Tula died to guarantee the mission was a success. Nightwing asked Kaldur to meet him in front of Tula's memorial.
"Kaldur, I know how it feels."
"Do you Nightwing?"
"Yes. I would almost say mine is worse, because I know she misses me, but is still with another man, by choice."
` "Nightwing, I'm sorry, but I do not wish to hear this…"
"Kaldur, can you hear me out?"
"I will Nightwing."
"I have a plan. It requires a lot of sacrifice."
"Are you saying that if I make a sacrifice like Tula I might feel better?"
"No. What we learned in our last mission… If you can get inside, using Tula's death as a reason, imagine how we could get one step up!"
"You are insane Nightiwng!"
"Kaldur! Please, think about everyone!"
"Nightwing, Tell me your plan let me think about." Kaldur sounded tired. Nightwing explained his plan. "I understand. Nightwing, since you are now leader, well, I will do it. For Tula, and Rocket. Man, I hope Rocket can get over me." Kaldur sounded tortured inside.
"Kaldur, have faith in us." Kaldur smiled at Nightiwng.
"Nightwing, I admire your ability to use my grief against me." Kaldur said wryly. Nightwing gave a sad smile.
"I just beg that you will be able to forgive me for asking this of you." Teth two shook hands and went their separate ways.
Nightwing awoke form his dream suddenly and soaked in sweat. He bolted up and was breathing heavily. His eyes burned. He was so nervous about tomorrow. He looked at the clock. It was 2:00 am. Nightwing sighed, and got up. He was in the cave so he had to be quiet. He took a quick shower and walked down the hallways silently. He stopped at Robin's room. He entered and the younger hero bolted up in his trained sleep awareness.
"Wing?" he said sleepily. Well, almost perfect sleep awareness. Nightwing smiled and went over to the bed. His hair was toweled dry, but still damp. He flopped on the bed next to his brother.
"Bad dream?" Tim asked. Nightwing nodded, and rolled over on his side.
"Happy 14th.' Whispered Nightwing. Both boys were exhausted, so they fell back to sleep quicky.
"Thanks Bro. Just remember, we, your team, are always there for you." Tim said as he fell asleep. Nightwing nodded and fell asleep in the comfort of knowing someone was looking out for him.
Sorry if this is really bad, but the story is over. I'm planning on writing a future fic!
Love,
Burning Bright!
