A/N: FYI, there's a RWBY reference in here. Sorry if that upsets anyone.

Aaaaaaaaaand here WE go! Finally got around to finish this little story, mad as it was.

This tale was always meant to be eight chapters and would've been finished far sooner; but I simply lost inspiration with the current iteration of DC. To say nothing of all that Batman Who Laughs stuff and how it was milked to death. DCeased was pretty good, though. Still, I've been going around finishing a lot of stories as of late and I keep my promises. With my health improving, I might even be able to ramp things up even further and faster as things are.

But I've kept you long enough. Lets get to it, shall we?

As ever, I own no references or quotes related to other media. Not wit or a one.

Once more I'm going to try and keep my daily update spree going for as long as I can, but I'm so busy these days...

"Any son or daughter of those ours...well, they'll probably be mad as a hatter."

...what if they're adopted?"

"Eh, same thing."

"NARUTO!"

~?

Finale

A cloud of crimson petal shot across the yard, vaulted a wall, and raced up to the roof.

"Ruby!" a woman's voice chased after it. "Get down from there right now!"

"Nope~!"

Said cloud resolved itself into the shape of a grinning girl clad in a crimson dress. Striking silver eyes danced in the full moonlight, and rich dark red-black hair lofted around her face in a perfect halo. Credit where it was due, the little one didn't dilly-dally; she alighted upon the slanting tiles for all of a moment then she was off again, tearing through the night with careless ease. Her boots hit another roof then she was off again, bounding away with supernatural grace. In a matter of moments, she'd outrun her mother entirely, leaving her in the dust.

"Heh." a smile touched her pale face as she gzed up at the clear moon. "I win~!"

Say what you would about its...nightlife, but Gotham really was beautiful in the evening. Up here the air was clear, no noisy civilians to bother her, no irritating heroes or villain or even-

Sometimes she wondered why she didn't look like Mama and Papa. It was a silly thought, one that nagged her at night. Running helped to clear her head. They'd found her as an infant and raised her as their own. A little sister was already well on the way. Yang would be a good name for her. She kinda liked the sound of that. It felt...right, you know?

Mom and Dad might not be the best when it came to names, buuuut-

"Gotcha!"

Strong arms caught her in mid-leap and reeled her in like a fish. In short order she found herself dragged into a chest smelling faintly of ramen and leather.

"Daaaaad! No!" she whined and thrashed as a rough hand rubbed her head. "Not the hair! I just brushed it!"

"And you scared your mother half to death." a low voice drawled in her ear. "So we're even. Don't be doin' that again, yeah? If you wanna race just ask me...or terrorize the Flash."

Ruby burrowed her head into his chest. "M'sorry...

"Nah, its fine." his forehead kissed hers. "Just don't do it again. I forgive ya."

A shadow fell over them both.

"But I haven't!"

Ruby had all of an instant to balk before questing fingers fell upon her stomach, ripped her from Naruto's grasp and dug in with vengeance. A little yelp tore out of the five-year-old as she thrashed and squirmed, to no avail; she was well and truly caught. Not that she made any real effort to escape, mind you. Any attempt she might've given was stymied the moment her mothe rhad her.

"Ack! Mommy, no!" a high, lilting giggle burst out of her as she flailed her legs. Mercy!"

"Mercy, eh?! Harley showed her only a little, nuzzling her cheek with a laugh. "Cheeky brat." She pulled her in close and Ruby felt her smile against the back of her head as she squeezed tight. "I'm already fit to pop with this kid; why did ya have to go running in the middle of the night?"

Ruby winced.

...um...I was bored?"

Blue eyes flashed. "Is that so...?"

"Tell you what," Naruto flicked her forehead, drawing a growl from her. "Tomorrow we'll have a playdate with Lois and Superman. I'm sure their son would love to meet you."

Ruby tilted her head. "Aren't they your enemies, though...?"

Papa scoffed. "Not if they know what's good for them!"

Just like that her fear vanished. "Yay~!"

Her parents both hugged her and she preened only a little at their affection. Again, They might not be hers by blood, but again what did that matter? They had raised her. Taken care of her. If she'd had a life before this, she didn't know it. Life was simpler that way. Ruby liked simple. Simple was good. Sometimes she wondered if she was meant for more than this. Maybe she was. Maybe she wasn't. She had no way of truly knowing who her real family was...and she had made her peace with that.

Mama loved Papa. And they both loved her.

When her little sister -Yang!-came along, Ruby would love her in turn.

Really, it went without saying. Of course she would. Crazy Loves Crazy, after all.

A/N: Ahhh, good times and an amusing reference at the end. Hope you liked the cameo, short though it was.

Nothing like a fluffy little ending to life the spirits in these crazy times. Frankly, it feels like we need more of those these days.

So...in the immortal words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

Had a blast writing this!

R&R! =D