Ch.33: Vlad Masters

Danny played with his plushies outside the door to his adopted father's boring business meeting, his coloring books off to the side. The plushies he was playing with were Zeca the Zebra (hello there again), Batsy the Batman plushy (where doesn't he take that thing?), Goonio the Goat (where does Danny get these names?), and Meev the Tangerine (don't even ask…).

The reason for being at the meeting was no one was open to watch him. There were a lot of crises in a lot of different cities, and being the Bat's kids, they were called into help. Alfred was at the store and the last time he took Danny when Bruce was busy, Danny got bored real quickly.

Just a reminder of what happens when Danny gets bored: glue hell.

A white-haired man put his phone away in his pocket as he walked down the hall. Once he spotted Danny, a cool smirk came across his face.

"Why hello there. Your name would be?" The man asked the raven-haired child. The nine-year-old looked up at the (creepy) man, smile falling from his face.

If Amity taught him anything, it was that creepy men = nothing good.

"Um… Danny…" The child answered, his hands holding Meev and Goonio slowing to a stop. Batsy watched with a blank face, staring up at his master. Zeca rested on her side, staring blankly down the hall.

"Well Danny, I'm Vlad Masters." The man said, putting his hands in his pockets. Danny just shrugged up at him, at a loss for words. He wasn't supposed to talk to creepy men.

This lesson was taught to Danny by both Bruce and Jack. Bruce's reasoning being he wanted to keep his Baby Raven safe. Jack… Well… He never wanted Danny speaking to him, let alone Danny speaking to his buddies. He usually got punished for it.

"I always wanted a son named Daniel…" Vlad commented, watching as Danny picked up Batsy and Meev and began slowly playing again. The nine-year-old shrugged again, fidgeting.

Vlad smirked at Danny's nervousness. "Something wrong, Little Badger?"

The nine-year-old's muscles tensed as he moved his plushies around. "Uh… I'm not supposed to talk to strangers… And my nickname is Raven…"

Vlad gained an annoyed frown and rolled his eyes. "Frikkin playboy billionaire…" He mumbled.

Danny looked up sharply at the white-haired man. "What?"

"Nothing." Vlad ground out through clenched teeth, faking his smile. Danny looked him up and down before focusing on his toys again tensely.

"Raven~!"

The nervousness instantly vanished from Danny's body and a smile replaced his frown as he heard his guardian's voice calling him. "Brucie!"

The nine-year old got up from the ground and sprinted over to his adopted father, bouncing around him excitedly. The older man laughed and picked his kid up. "Hey Danny. You having fun?"

"No."

Bruce laughed and spotted the one and only Vlad Masters, who was straining to smile politely.

"Mr. Masters, I'm glad you could make it." Bruce said, his smile becoming nervous as he looked between his Baby Raven and the older man.

"Mr. Wayne, I'm glad I could make it, as well." Vlad said, eyeing the nine-year-old for a split second.

It didn't take a genius to see the growing tension between the two men. Danny continued to smile at his mentor, obliviously.

"Well, we probably should get on to the meeting." Bruce suggested. Danny let out a long 'awww'. "You're gonna leave me again!"

The black-haired billionaire rolled his eyes. "This meeting won't be as long, Rae-Rae. I'll be out in a little while and then we can go play hero with your brothers and sisters."

Ah code. An amazing thing.

Danny brightened. "Okie-dokie!"

Bruce set Danny on the ground and the second-grader sat down by his coloring books and plushies again and picked up Goonio and Zeca.

"Well, let's go." Bruce said and he and Vlad walked into the meeting room. The Dark Knight didn't miss how Vlad slowed before entering the door and eyed his apprentice.

Am I the only one reminded of a rapist upon seeing Vlad's creepy smile?

Kadzait: I'm pretty sure it can't be just you. That guy is a creepy, easily obsessed psychopath!

Yeah... Anyways, I'm going to go into a little birthday rant as I have no one else to tell (get ready for lots of Batman crap): IT WAS AWESOME! I got a mini Bat-mobile, a mini Bat-signal, A Batman beach towel, two comic books (The New 52 editions), my favorite type of pens (I'm lame), a jacket with a cute picture of Danny and Cujo on the back, a white blouse (it's so soft...), another jacket with Batman's six pack on the front and the hoodie makes a mask that you can zip up (this is why I shop in the guys aisle), hair clips (I need them so), combat boots (I blame Sam), and a Batman plushy that's a foot and a half long! IT'S AWESOME.

Kadzait: Says her anyways.

Yep. Says me.

And thanks to these people for favoriting and/or following: Spawn of Nerdom, Author'sstory, and Monkeygirlz3.

And thank you Spawn of Nerdom for favoriting and following me!

Reviews:

The Keeper of Worlds: Hahaha! Glad you like my reference! I wondered if anyone would catch on! XD

EternalMadameBlaze: Hahaha! That's cool! And I'm working on Young Justice as fast as I can! XD

Sina Xiel: Hahaha! Poor Danny, can't touch the soft, fluffy kitties. HAHAHA! I wanna meet a friend like that! And I kinda wish you did stab him in the crotch... *evil smile*

IWasNeverReal: Yes, dogs are cooler than cats. They, at least, LOVE ON YOU. XD

GreenDrkness: And then I can have Dick chase them, screaming "STOP IT!" XD

Supaherolena02: Actually, my bday was Saturday but that was the funeral so we celebrated yesterday. XD And, if you do draw a pic, could it be a scene of the Bat-Family? That'd be awesome. XD Haha, I'm more of a dog person. Good thing too, cause I'm allergic to cats. :D

Crimson Leo: Oh good. Whew. *wipes away sweat* This story is gonna be pretty long... And thanks! XD

Skymuse: Watching you. O.O XD And I'm working hard on Young Justice! One guy said the same thing like this "I like this one better than Young Justice." and I was like... Is that an insult or a compliment? He never answered. And yeah, CAKE! XD

Anonymous: I did the same thing at MY COUSIN'S HOUSE! Only I was rubbing my face all over it... Wasn't pretty...

TomgirlBre: Hahaha! That's so cool! Happy early birthday! XDDD That does mean your birthday is on the 21st right, cause I put your bday on my phone calendar. XD And no biggie! Good to have ya back! XD

Ynecrolys: Hahaha! Glad you caught on to the reference! XD And I did! Thanks! XD

BringbackDannyPhantom: ...you just gave me an evil idea...

Guest(1): Thanks! And I'm so glad! XD

Grava: THANKS!