The Girl Who Was Reckless


Before they departed for Jochi's spacecraft, which had moved to outer space, Sakura told Batman and Superman her concerns on wearing either one of their symbols. Even if they somehow produced a way for her to do so she wouldn't. She was a Haruno and a proud shinobi of the Leaf. She wouldn't pretend to be anything else.

Batman brushed off her concern. He told her, "Bat or not. I claim you as one of us. I dare anyone to say otherwise."

His response made Sakura happy. It was nice to feel like she belonged even if she really didn't.


Steel's spacecraft flew those of them who couldn't fly on their own to Jochi. Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto flew ahead of them which made sense to Sakura since if there were any traps they would be more likely to survive them.

"This thing's generating an atmosphere." Superman told them through his communicator. Sakura turned her head to Batman and nudged him slightly. He turned his head and looked at her. "Ask him if it's breathable."

Batman and Superman spoke simultaneously. "Is it breathable?"

"Yes."

Sakura smiled because she forgot that he could hear her just fine without Batman's communicators. "But it's a little messy. Steel, Batgirl. There is plenty of debris to hide in here. Deploy."

They had decided that if Sakura was going to be claimed as part of Batman's Clan then their numbers were circumspect. There were eight of them if you included Krypto, and Superman assured her that Krypto had to be included because he was more than just a dog. Sakura who was used to dealing with summons understood that. Animals that could carry their weight in a fight wasn't something new to her. It was decided that once they arrived Steel and Batgirl would go inside, disarm their weapons, and do whatever else that would help protect the Earth. The rest of them would stay and fight as needed.

"Got it." Steel answered as he and Batgirl left the ship. "We'll see you on the inside."

They left just in time because a short while later someone appeared before Superman and held a weapon at his chest. Sakura didn't think. She just left the ship unaware that Batman had called her trying to stop her.

Sakura arrived at Superman's side in time to hear him say, "We were summoned by Jochi." The weapon was lowered and the man dropped several small devices in Superman's hand. Superman passed one to Sakura who looked at it cautiously.

"What are these?" She asked warily. She didn't like the thought of holding on to something that invaders from another planet gave her. For all she knew it could explode at any second. Superman took one look at Sakura's face and she could tell he knew what was thinking. She looked at him petulantly as he plucked the device out of her hand and examined it.

"It has a tiny quantum computer inside. The only output is audio."

"Sweet translators!" Red Hood said while putting his device in his ear. Sakura blinked surprised at Red Hood's sudden arrival. She wondered briefly if he had followed her after she left the ship.

She didn't ask because she was distracted by Superman who raised an eyebrow at Sakura before he smiled at her devilishly. She snatched the communicator out of his hand and put it in her ear and the words being spoken suddenly became clear to her.

"Pze isa widt ktua must be the Earthlings that come for the sacrifice, correct?"

Sakura scowled as the words became clear to her. She turned her head and looked at Superman who merely shrugged off their words. "For all we know they could be right."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Sakura groused and she saw Superman reach to put his arm over her shoulders, but for some reason he stopped himself. Sakura frowned disturbed for reasons she didn't understand.

"Jochi is a little busy right now fighting for leadership of War World."

Batman stepped forward letting Sakura know he had abandoned caution and joined them. "I thought Jochi was in charge here."

Sakura thought that too, but then she hadn't been there when Superman met him. She could be wrong.

The guard who stopped them answered, "There was a disagreement in the Council of Lords. Now we have a full blown succession tournament. Alas, Jochi's the only one in the Council of Lords who advocated against incinerating your planet from the beginning. The judges have the big gun ready to fire whenever the new leader commands it, which should be soon. The large fellow there actually likes eating humans." Sakura briefly glanced at the fight and looked back at her comrades.

A dark look passed over Red Hood's face. "Maybe they'll just kill this Jochi and solve our problem for us."

Sakura scowled. "That's not going to solve anything, Red." If anything it was a quick way to have the Earth destroyed.

The guard smirked at Sakura and turned his head and looked at a battle that was going on. A platform hovered in the center of what appeared to be a dilapidated stadium. The roar of the crowd as well as screams for blood reached their ears. Jochi was fighting a guy maybe ten times his size and was having his hindquarters handed to him. It looked like he was currently in the middle of having all of his bones crushed in a bear hug.

Red Hood grunted. Kunoichi, Batman, and Superman turned to face each other to have a powwow.

"This changes things a bit." Superman said stating the obvious which made Sakura snort.

"Well, our plans always had to be flexible." Batman said and Sakura rolled her eyes before exchanging a look with Red Hood. He nodded when he caught her gaze and without further ado he joined the fray.

"Red Hood! Wait!" Batman shouted.

Sakura shook her head. "It's too late for that now. We have two choices. We either help him or Earth is destroyed."

Sakura then disappeared from their side and went to join Red Hood.


Kara let out a laugh and said, "Ha! Let's do this." But Superman grabbed her before she could move.

"No, Kara!"

Superman turned his head and looked at where Sakura had gone. He made a valiant effort to keep his heart from bursting from his chest. He wanted to go join Sakura himself, but he knew he had to be cautious. They were in unknown territory. He couldn't be reckless. And in the future he be damned if he let Sakura be reckless again.

Batman turned his head and looked and Superman and said, "Don't worry. She'll be fine." Before he disappeared.

Superman muttered under his breath causing Kara to turn and look at him puzzled, "She damned well better be."