I own nothing and no one

If I did my college loans would be paid off

Chapter Twenty-five

The days since Kai and Robin's first encounter had not gone well for the young vigilante. His various plans to get back at the slightly younger teen for the insult to his hair had been less than fully successful. The gypsy had quickly learned Catspaw wasn't just a thief, he was also a magician.

Robin's various tricks had a nasty habit of getting turned back on him, and that cat thing the thief carried around didn't help. Dick was sure it was some sort of demon. It was way too intelligent to be a normal creature. Not to mention he was fairly certain it had some type of supernatural powers. The thing could vanish faster than its master.

Which is not to say he hadn't gotten Catspaw a few times, he had. Robin would always treasure the sight of the other crawling out of the Gotham Harbor looking like, well like a half-drowned kitten, even if he had paid for it later.

Thus far, the thief had managed to turn his hair orange, green, purple, white, and fuchsia. Why fuchsia instead of just plain pink Robin had no idea. Any attempts to get the color out merely led to the creation of an even more outlandish look. He still didn't understand how the addition of a dye removing agent had managed to turn his hair rainbow. It had been red in the front, progressing all the way through the spectrum to violet at the back.

Dick had actually missed a day of school when he had been forced to call in sick. Fortunately, it was now Christmas Break or he would have missed more. Batman hadn't been willing to risk that one of the other Rouges would make the connection. That was another thing that irritated the teen about the situation. If one more villain mentioned the state of his hair, he was going to snap.

However, now was not the time to dwell on thoughts of his eventual revenge. Dick had work to do. Carefully, the vigilante placed a sample of an unusual substance into a collection bottle. He labeled it before slipping the evidence into one of the pockets on his belt.

"Whatca doing?" a now familiar voice spoke.

Robin didn't even look up as he continued to examine the scene. "Not now Catspaw." As long as the thief didn't contaminate their crime scene, he didn't care what the other was up to.

"No really," the voice took on a more serious tone. "I want to know."

Dick looked up to see the thief seated on the fire escape above the ally. He was supporting his weight entirely on his arms, the top of his legs a good three inches above the bar. It was a move that looked a lot easier than it actually was, and the former trapeze artist should know. He did it occasionally too.

The vigilante tilted his head to one side, regarding Catspaw thoughtfully. "Why do you want to know?" he questioned.

Kai shrugged, flipping back to stand on relatively solid ground with a move that would make some professional gymnasts jealous. "It would be nice if my parent's murderers dropped straight into my hands," he commented. "But I'm not counting on it." He looked back Robin. "And for all her skills this is one thing Catwoman cannot teach me." Neither could most of his Father's other friends.

"But I can," a deep voice spoke up from right behind the thief.

Robin smothered a smile, as the thief yelped, spinning to face the Batman. It was nice to know some things still threw the other.

"Really," Kai questioned while managing to regain his demeanor. He had thought he would have to pick up the information through osmosis.

"Really," the Dark Knight confirmed. "But I expect you to pay attention." He would only give the thief one chance.

Catspaw was already nodding solemnly. "I understand."

Something occurred to Robin then, and he quickly busied himself. "Does this mean we will be sparring?" he asked face low to the ground.

"Yes," Batman answered. "But only if I can trust the two of you to act like adults."

Dick merely nodded. He might not be able to get the other with tricks, but he also knew who the better fighter was. Robin resisted the urge to cackle. Oh yeah, it was payback time.

Omake

(To make up for absurdly short chapter)

"Sir," the attractive young woman waved Robin down from the roof. "Sir, could you please help me."

A faint frown spread across the vigilante's face as he approached. "What is it Miss?" he asked.

"It's my cat," the lady pointed to the nearby oak tree. "She's stuck."

Robin resisted the urge to groan, telling himself that it was not proper behavior for someone in his position. Rescuing cats from trees wasn't especially heroic behavior, but he didn't have anything more important to be doing. Dick looked up at the kitten's gray furry form. "Be right back," he told the anxious owner, reaching for the first branch.

"Here kitty-kitty," the vigilante tried to entice the creature towards him. "Nice kitty-kitty." She didn't seem very impressed, scooting even further away from the trunk. Carefully, Dick edged a bit closer, before lunging at the half grown creature. "Gottcha!"

The cat did not seem happy as Robin pulled her to chest, trying to ignore the prick of claws through his costume. Descending the tree, he offered the cat to her owner. Odd, the creature looked a bit familiar.

That train of thought was derailed as the young woman threw her arms around him. Robin could feel the curves of her breasts, so tightly did she hold him. "Oh thank-you," the blond gushed. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come along."

Dick could feel his cheeks turning red. Somewhat desperately, he tried to pry the girl off him. "It's fine, no thanks are necessary."

"But," she looked up at him with a pair of brilliant emerald eyes. "There must be something," the lady purred.

Err, now Robin really looked uncomfortable. No part of his extensive training had prepared him for this. "N-no," he stuttered. "There's nothing."

The beauty gave him one last squeeze before releasing him. "Oh all right," she pouted. "But you do know," a sharp, familiar smirk spread across the blond's face. "That you take all the fun out of everything."

As the lady blew Robin a kiss, a cloud of pink smoke rose around her. When it cleared both woman and cat were gone.

Dick turned even redder, but this time not from embarrassment. "Catspaw!" he screamed in rage.

PTPTPTPTPT

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