The Girl Who Got Superman and Batman to Agree
Superman watched as Sakura pulled herself up and stood straight and tall. Her eyes were full of fire and he could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. She was really angry. He thought about interfering, but then he didn't want her to turn that anger on him. He'd figured Red Hood would be fine…or dead.
He was rather fond of a happy Sakura and in this instance he wasn't willing to take a bullet for someone he didn't know. Superman focused on Bruce to see how he was reacting to the little ninja and his friend who had anger management issues.
Batman had more control over his physical and mental state than any other human he had ever met but he could hear his heart pound like a thunderclap. He had been about to lose it but Sakura's interference kept him from doing just that. Superman didn't know what his history was with Red Hood, but it was obvious that it wasn't a good one. If he asked, he was certain Batman would tell him to mind his own business…but he might tell Sakura.
Superman debated whether or not he should have Sakura ask at a later time, but he dismissed the idea because he knew if she did she wouldn't tell him. Sakura was a keeper of secrets. Maybe that had something to do with her ninja background, but sometimes it was like pulling teeth to get information out of her.
"Where I come from Red, there is a Master and there is an apprentice. I don't know how things go in this world, but where I come from a Master is respected-even if they are slightly disreputable. I don't know what issues you have with Batman. In fact, I don't even care what they are, but as long as I'm around you're going to give him the respect that he deserves as being your teacher."
"You don't know anything about us. How dare you-"
Sakura flicked Red Hood's chest with her finger and Superman knew it hurt because she had done the same to him before and it had stung. Superman raised his hand and rubbed his chest in empathy.
"I dare because I care about the man at my back and I respect him as the Master he is. So climb off the horse you rode in here on and act like the man you think you are. You chose this life-and so did everyone else he mentored. This life comes with risk and he's only reminding you of that. You'd do well to listen to him. So make a decision now. Are you staying or are you going because the last thing we need is someone on our side who's a troublemaker."
Superman watched as Batman put his hand on Kunoichi's back, but had to turn and look away. It seemed painfully intimate and he didn't want to see that between them. He didn't want anything to remind him of her feelings for Batman. And then suddenly he got his own much-needed distraction.
Moving swiftly through the air was a ball of white that came hurtling towards him knocking into his chest. Superman at once realized what he had in his arms and he started to smile but stopped short as a thought occurred to him.
"Krypto! What are you doing here? Kal where have you been keeping him?" Superman didn't get a chance to answer Kara because he saw Sakura rushing to his side. He had missed Red Hood's answer, but Superman could see the tension in Batman was gone. A part of him was slightly disappointed that he missed the tail end of that confrontation.
Sakura looked at Krypto amazed and then glanced at him hopefully. "He can fly too?" Clark nodded. "That's amazing. May I pet him?"
Superman reached out to Sakura and grabbed her hand bringing her closer. Together they rubbed Krypto and Superman made sure Krypto sniffed Sakura's hand so that he could catch her scent before he answered Supergirl's question.
"He was with Superboy."
"Oh," Supergirl said softly which oddly enough drew Sakura's attention. She looked back and forth between the two of them.
"Superboy? Another part of your family?"
"Yes," Superman replied.
"What's going on? Why do you two look so down?" Red Hood inquired.
"Superboy's maybe dead," Supergirl said and Superman felt a pang go through his heart. He hadn't heard from Superboy in a while. He didn't like that Krypto came to search for him. That didn't bode well. And with Superboy on his mind, he made a decision.
"Look. It always surprises me to say it out loud, but Batman's right. This is too dangerous. Most of you…you're not going to make it. We should rethink this. Batman, Kunoichi and I can handle this on our own. " In Superman's mind, they were a part of the Justice League. They had signed on to take on this sort of danger. None of the others had. They had no right to drag them into this mess.
It was then that Krypto pulled out of Sakura's embrace and turned to him and growled. Sakura laughed and rose to her feet.
"I don't think Krypto agrees with you, Superman," Sakura said and Batgirl backed her up.
"Yeah, I don't know about everybody else, but if the dog's going, I'm sure as hell not staying behind."
Superman exchanged a glance with Batman. He was filled with a bit of dread knowing that the important people in his life were in danger.
"Don't worry, Batgirl." Sakura said, "We aren't going to make you." Sakura strolled up to him and Batman and put a hand on each of their shoulders, "Are we boys?"
Superman was no idiot. He knew they were done for if Kunoichi wouldn't even side with them on this. It was then that he looked into her eyes and he realized that what she had said to Red Hood applied to him too. They knew the risks. It was their decision to make. He had asked them for help. He had to let them make the decision as to whether they would or not.
"Kunoichi you are going to be the death of me."
It was another one of the few things that he and Batman wholeheartedly agreed on.
