"Shit!..." Sakura swore, putting a finger between her lips. The metallic taste in her mouth and sharp pain made the pinkette grimace, cursing as she kicked the bottom of the counter. Pulling the bleeding digit out, her eyes narrowed, throwing the knife into the sink.

'Screw it... I'll just clean it later.'

The kitchen smelled of freshly cooked rice and teriyaki sauce, making her stomach growl more than it already was. The sun was setting, night coming faster than expected.

The fundraiser was just a few hours away, and she needed to start getting ready. Just as Bruce promised, there was a box waiting at the door when she got home from the store. It was surprising how fast things get done when money's involved... Is there anything the rich can't do?

To say the contents of the rectangular box hadn't shaken the pinkette would be a gross understatement.

A beautiful emerald green silk gown with a dropped waist bodice. The plunging neckline would have been off-putting, but the sheer black lace made it a little more...modest. She would have felt uncomfortable showing off so much skin, none of her clothes were that revealing. The gown looked expensive and way out of her price range. The full-skirt was a little more layered and frilly than she would have expected. For someone who didn't like to draw attention, it seemed a bit...much.

Alongside the gown, there was a pair of black heels, elbow-length black lace gloves and a dark mask to cover the upper-half of her face. Taking it out, the pinkette couldn't help admiring its beauty. Black feathers fanned out along the edges and the side decorated with small pink and purple flowers. The entire outfit was breathtaking.

'He really outdid himself this time...'

Sakura groaned, not knowing if she was up for this. Being around a bunch of rich businessmen and politicians... The only thing making it easier was just thinking of it as work. After all, she was there as a Wayne Enterprise employee.

'...and friend of Bruce Wayne... I guess..'

Checking the clock on the stove, the pinkette knew she had to get going. Not wanting to look like a pig at the fundraiser, it was better to eat dinner at home before heading out. At most of these kinds of events, they mostly served small hors d'oeuvres. That wouldn't fill anyone up. She would have to go tray to tray, just to avoid the judgmental looks from other people. It would just be easier to stuff her face here, than dealing with any of that nonsense. After putting the items Bruce had delivered in the other room, she started making dinner. Something simple that wouldn't take too long...

Grabbing a plate from the cabinet, she put chicken and vegetables with teriyaki sauce on one side and cooked rice on the other. She would have to finish up quickly to have time to prepare. This was a masquerade ball, everyone would be dressed elegantly. Being a representative of Wayne Enterprise, she couldn't go looking half-assed... That would be embarrassing for her and Bruce.

'I should have asked Ino to do my hair. There's not enough time now.'

Walking into the other room, Sakura almost dropped her plate.

A man was sitting at the table with his arms crossed, a frown plastered on his painted face.

"Christ! You scared me!" Her grip on the plate tightened, not expecting anyone to be there. Why does he always have to show up like that? How did he get in here without making a single noise?

"What's for dinner, dollface?" The pinkette quirked an eyebrow, looking down at the plate and back up at him.

'I guess we're eating together...again...'

"Chicken teriyaki. I didn't know you were just going to...pop-up like this." Swallowing hard, she tried to calm the nerves going haywire. Despite seeing their past, it didn't make this any less uncomfortable. If anything, it felt worse...especially knowing he's seen her naked. That unsettling thought alone was almost enough to make her drop the whole meal onto the carpet.

Apprehensively setting the plate down on the table in front of him, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her discomfort. His dark eyes danced along every subtle movement, a grin forming on his face when she wrenched her hand back like he was going to bite it.

Pursing her lips together, Sakura backed away hesitantly while she watched him, nervous about what he would do. There was no doubt that he heard her last night... When she said his name. His real name... The one the authorities were desperately trying to uncover to find out who the Joker really was. Taking a deep breath, she tried to regain her composure, walking back into the kitchen to get what was left of the meal.

"You read my note, right? I said I'd be back." The playful voice carried into the kitchen, making the stoic expression on her face crack. The corner of her mouth started curling up. Why did she have to be relived that he kept his word?

'Weird. He seemed pissed off just a second ago... And now? Those mood swings are dangerous. I'm going to end up getting whiplash from this guy.'

"Yeah, yeah... I know." Putting the plate together, she pulled open a drawer full of silverware.

'Should I use chopsticks or a fork?..'

"Can ya get me one of the big spoons, sweetheart? I don't have the, ah, patience to mess with those sticks... I'm a busy man ya know." Turning back, the pinkette's brows furrowed, tongue clicking in annoyance. How obnoxious...

He even looked through the silverware drawer...

Grabbing a spoon and fork, Sakura walked out of the kitchen towards the other room. It was difficult trying to feel relaxed in her own home, especially with the way the clown was staring at her through those hooded eyes. They were like endless dark tunnels that could draw the unsuspecting in, waiting for the opportunity to pounce. Always giving off the impression that he was able to see through everything, internally laughing at everyone else's ignorance.

Trying to shake it off, Sakura dropped the spoon in front of him, trying to keep her expression schooled. This man was good at reading people, there was no reason to give him more ammo than he already had. If the memories were anything to go by, she would be fine. Right? He obviously wasn't here to hurt her. So... What then? Was he feeling nostalgic or something? Wanted things to be like the way they were before? Feeling lonely? Or did he just want to see how life was on the other side of the fence? Chewing on inside of her cheek, she sat down on the chair across from him, putting the plate of food down.

"Thanks, dear..." Her eyes fixed on him, narrowing slightly at the pet names he always comes up with. Dollface, sweetheart, dear..

Joker was in full greasepaint this time. This was the man whose picture was plastered on the news reports and papers everywhere-attire and all. His infamous purple trenchcoat was draped over the back of the chair. He seemed to be in higher spirits now, despite the face he'd been making just five minutes ago. It felt weird looking at him like this, compared to the last time she'd seen him. Bare-faced and irritated. The clown's emotions seem to change at a moments notice, without warning or reason. That only made the pinkette feel the need to be more alert-to watch what was said and done very carefully.

This man looked a lot less like Jack and more like the psychotic clown everyone feared.

'And he's sitting in my apartment about to eat my dinner...'

It was almost laughable just thinking about it. The most wanted man in the city... The one all over the television and newspapers, who was notorious for eluding capture as he caused havoc and destruction, that Batman had failed to catch multiple times...was sitting across from her, looking at chicken teriyaki like he struck gold.

"Ahh.. I know..." Sakura choked out when he picked up his spoon, using it to stir the whole meal together into one big messy heap. Her jaw dropped in disbelief, looking over at the perfect placement she made...ruined in seconds. What the hell is wrong with him?

"Hey!" Before thinking, the words just came out. Joker froze, large spoonful of what was now mush just an inch away from his painted lips. Realizing why she looked pissed, he laughed in a way that made the vein near her temple throb. He shoveled the food into his mouth with a wide grin, not giving a shit as some of the rice fell back onto the plate.

"What's wrong?" The clown talked with his mouth full, pumping his rows and waiting for a response. He damn well knew what he was doing.

"You made my food look like a hot mess!" Seeing the shocked expression on his face as he looked from the plate back up to her, she felt an unwanted grin tugging at her lips.

'Why am I finding this funny?'

"Sorry, dollface. It just looked too neat. Just, ah, wanted to add my own personal touch. It all goes down the same anyway..." Gripping the spoon, he started digging in like he hadn't eaten in days. The pinkette eyed him curiously, knowing he'd taken out a good portion of the pizza from last night.

'He doesn't take care of himself properly...'

It was odd thinking of him as the same man from her memories. Seeing this guy in clown makeup, smacking his lips together while he ate... She couldn't help being reminded of a hungry dog tearing into a slab of meat.

'I remember... Jack always did like dogs...just not the little ones.'

"Wha-t? Is there something on my face? Hmm?" Shaking her head, the pinkette felt her stomach drop, seeing the intensity behind the dark eyes staring across the table. It was...unnerving. Looking away quickly, she grabbed her fork and started eating, feeling embarrassed. "That was good... I missed your cooking."

'Missed my cooking? I've done this before? I guess that makes sense...'

Looking down at the plate on the table, Sakura's eyes widened.

The cut on her finger... It wasn't there. Dropping the fork against her plate with a clang, the pinkette held her hand up, examining it in the light.

'Impossible...'

Joker shifted his head to the side, leaning closer to the edge of the table and raising a brow. "What's wrong?"

"Earlier, I-I cut my finger when I was washing a knife, but...it's gone now..." He looked at her like she was completely delusional. The clown's forehead creased, craning his neck back like he was waiting for her to admit it was a just a lame attempt at a joke. Doubt etched across his painted features. He didn't say anything while he scrutinized her, tongue darting out and lips moving subtly.

'He's dressed as a clown, but I'm the odd one...'

"I'm not kidding... I just cut my finger, not even ten minutes ago and it's...it's gone.." Holding up a her hand, it was understandable why he didn't buy it right away. It would have seemed a bit far-fetched to anyone. Hell, she had a hard enough time and it was right in front of her own eyes... He didn't see the cut, so it would make sense to have some reservations. "Don't believe me? Look at my arm.."

His eyes widened when she pulled her sleeve up, showing the bare white skin... The spot he'd bandaged up just last night. No blood, wound, scab... No mark, not even a scar. The chair fell backwards wen he stood, jumping to his feet.

'Oh shit...'

Stomping around the table, his gloved hand snatched her wrist, wrenching the pinkette's arm up to examine it. With him being so close, it was almost hard to breathe. Too close...way too close.

The clown's face scrunched up, moving the limb back and forth, searching for the wound despite knowing exactly where it was from when he cleaned it. Second guessing himself, he grabbed the other one, yanking the sleeve up.

"No way..." It was barely above a whisper, but the pinkette heard it.

He stared at the unblemished skin, eyes wildly roaming along it in disbelief. Seeing the look on his face just confirmed it wasn't his doing, like she originally suspected.

"Hahahaaa!" Throwing his head back and cackling like a madman, Sakura pulled her arm away quickly, gently rubbing the wrist he'd been squeezing. What was so funny about this? "How interes-ting!"

Sauntering back over to his chair, he flipped it back onto its legs. A grin spread over his scarred mouth when he sat down, watching her in amusement. What was he thinking? Was there some kind of explanation that she wasn't privy to? Sometimes, it would really be helpful to read minds, then maybe she could get a better grasp on things.

Sakura shifted in her seat, waiting for him to say something...anything. Clasping his gloved hands together, he cocked his head to the side as they watched each other. It seemed like he didn't want to say anymore about her situation. Does he know anything about it? Maybe he's seen this happen before?

"So..." Sitting up a little straighter, she was almost grateful when he broke the silence. God knows she didn't have the courage to do it. There were a million things she wanted to ask, but didn't know where to even begin. "How was your little da-te with the playboy?" The smile on his face faded, looking at her accusingly. His scarred lips twitched at the corner, tugging up like he might snarl. The lighthearted mood went right out the window.

'He quickly changed the subject... Is this what was actually on his mind the whole time?' Why he seemed miffed earlier?'

"W-What?...It...wasn't a date... Just an employee walking around with her boss. Nothing more. What? Were you..Were you watching me?" Is that why he was frowning when she walked into the room? Was he angry?

'How? When?...'

"I'm always watching... Don't, ah, forget that." Part of her knew he wasn't lying, but hoped it was a joke. However, no laughter followed... Whether that was a good thing or not, it never really seemed clear with him. Something terrible could be followed up by either. Sakura might know about Jack, but the Joker was an entirely different story all together.

The words should have stunned her, made everything completely uncomfortable. Most women would have been petrified to know a man, let alone the Joker, was following them... Warning them they were always there and knew every little thing that went on. For some ungodly reason, it felt almost comforting. Perhaps the pinkette really had lost her mind, and it was all thanks to the clown.

Sitting back in his seat, he held up a gloved hand, nonchalantly looking at it from one side to the other. "I may have been walking one of my pooches at the time..." It was like he could read the pinkette's mind, knowing what she was thinking without her having to say a word.

"... I'm sure." A small smile ghosted over Sakura's lips. She just couldn't help it. This wasn't rational. Just yesterday, his name alone was enough to send her reeling. That dream from last night made everything so much more complicated and confusing. Despite the greasepaint and overly eccentric clothing, he was still Jack. Always watching...even at distance.

"You're going to a fundraiser tonight..." It wasn't a question, he was stating it as a fact. That he'd been listening and didn't have the decency to pretend otherwise. "That's a nice dress you have in the other room... Good colors."

Quirking a brow at the clown, she quickly glanced towards the door of the bedroom where the box was. He must have gone in there while she was cooking, rummaging through everything.

'That's a little much. Why does he have to do shit like that? No privacy at all...'

It seemed like he was waiting for a response, strumming his gloved fingers against the table impatiently. What was this? His attempt at small talk?

"Yeah, it's really beautiful. I love it..." A grin pulled at the scars on his mouth. "It looks really expensive. I definitely couldn't afford something like that. I kind of feel bad wearing it. Just seems too nice for me."

Joker crossed his arms against his chest, frowning as the muscles in his painted face twitched. The makeup only made it more apparent, making every little line and crease all the more visible. His fingers moved to tap agitatedly against his bare forearm, right below where the purple sleeves were rolled up. The tightness in her chest returned from watching him. She glanced somewhere over his head, opting to stare at the wall, instead of the irritated man across the table.

'What's with him? Is he annoyed about me going? Or that someone bought my outfit for tonight? Maybe it's some little infraction that only he knows about that's offended him. Doesn't seem like it takes much...'

"Either way, it was really nice for Bruce to do that for me. He's been a good boss. I really can't complain..."

The pinkette could feel his dark eyes watching her, leaning to the side to try drawing her attention back towards him. It made her feel self-conscious having someone constantly staring. She sure as hell didn't like it any other time, especially on the streets, but this felt different from that. It wasn't her strange appearance that was making him do that, it was because of their history.

'I wonder what he sees... The kinds of things he knows about me. It's weird that someone knows more about who I am, than I do.'

"Guess he's got good taste in clothes at least. For a playboy..." He grumbled under his breath, letting out a 'tsk'.

Joker folded his arms, looking up at the ceiling. Trying to finish what was left of her dinner, Sakura eyed him wearily from beneath her lashes, trying to not make it too obvious. It was interesting to see the way the muscles in his face moved. They were just as erratic as his personality. The clown popped his lips, slouched forward against the table. Snatching up the utensil on his plate, he quickly started shoveling the food into his mouth.

'Is... Is he sulking?'

The pinkette swallowed hard, not sure if she could take another bite as she watched him smacking his lips together, chewing noisily with his mouth open. It was like he was purposefully trying to gross her out...letting bits and pieces fall back onto the plate with sauce dribbling down his chin.

'My God. Can't dress him up or take him out...'

Sakura wanted to chastise him, to tell him close his damn mouth and pretend he had some sort of manners. Just like with the neighbor banging on the wall constantly, she said nothing..chickening out and taking the high-road. She let out a shaky breath, pursing her lips. It was difficult feeling this way. Part of her wanted to say screw it all and not hold back anymore. The other side was afraid of confrontation, not feeling confident enough to make any waves and forcing herself to keep her head down.

"Tch." With another large spoonful, every piece of food was gone, leaving only a little sauce left behind. Part of her almost expected him to lick the dish, at least to get another disgusted reaction. To her surprise, he just pushed the plate away, glaring at it like it had wronged him in some way. His hands kept balling up and fanning out, almost like they were trying to resist the urge to smash the glass against the edge of the table.

Nodding to himself, the chair was pushed back over the carpet as he sprung to his feet. It seemed like he was suddenly in a hurry to get going, trudging towards the door.

Was he just going to leave like that? Without a word? Sakura frowned as she watched his retreating back, purple coat slung over his shoulder. A small part of her really didn't want to be alone, even though she should have been ecstatic that he was finally getting out of her apartment. The memory that resurfaced brought so many conflicting feelings to the table, starting an unwanted war on the inside.

"Ahhh." Joker stopped, his hand only inches away from the door knob. Turning around, he stalked towards her. Startled, Sakura pushed back up against the chair, not knowing what he was going to do. The last time she talked about another man, his hands ended up around her throat.

His gloved hands shot out and grabbed the sides of her face, lacing his fingers into her pink hair. The pinkette froze, looking up at him in astonishment. Those dark orbs danced around her features from under his hooded lids, not giving away an inkling of what was going on behind them. Before she could move or say a word, his hand ran through her pink locks as he brought himself down to her height, leaning in close.

The breath stilled in her chest, heart hammering loud enough she was sure he could hear it. Heat burned at her cheeks, unable to quell the flush spreading across her face. Sakura knew she should push him away, get this man a safe distance away from her. After all, wasn't he the criminal who spent the better part of the last two weeks tormenting and stalking her? Ruthlessly killing people and terrorizing the city? Seeing the way his tongue snaked out when his eyes focused on her lips, for the first time-she had an idea of what he was planning.

Despite all of the horrible things he's done, the Joker was still Jack. The man she was willing to follow to the ends of the Earth in another life. The person she spent years with, who always protected and cared for her in a way no one else ever had. Her best friend, partner, lover. The rational side was screaming to shove at his chest, to get him away before he does something that can't be undone. Perhaps it was the part of Tasha that was afraid of him, could only see the clown as a demented criminal and sadist. Sakura, on the other hand, was brimming with excitement, almost desperate to reach out to the dirty blonde-haired man she knew and loved. Together, they were a mess of confusion and conflictment, constantly fighting on the inside, not knowing what was right or wrong anymore.

Wrapping the long strands around his fist, he yanked the pinkette's head back, pressing his lips down hard against hers. Sakura cried out in surprise against his mouth as she felt his chest pushing her into the back of the chair. The smell of gasoline and cigarettes was overwhelming, taking over her senses. Instead of being disgusted by the noxious scent, she found herself leaning towards it, wanting more of him.

The lips moving against hers were rough, just like everything else about him. The corded scars moved along her soft skin, jagged and raised, exactly how she imagined they would feel. There was a desperation behind the kiss, urgent and hungry, almost like he wanted to devour her whole... A tremor ran through the pinkette's body at the sudden contact. To both of their surprise, she didn't push him away.

It felt good...right...familiar, like déjà vu.

'That's right...'

They use to be lovers. It was only natural for her body to react to him...to Jack-Joker-whoever he was now. This man was still a part of her, even if he'd become a criminal.

Grazing his thumb along her jaw, it pulled away suddenly when he groaned into her mouth. Hearing a noise like that coming from the Joker was almost unbelievable, making the pinkette hum in excitement as his dirty nails raked against her scalp.

Sakura couldn't remember the last time someone kissed her like this. The only thing that even came close was the memory of Jack from that night years ago and it was very similar. Bold, frenzied, heated...holding on tight, like she might slip through his fingers at any moment. A growl resonated from his chest, rumbling through his throat and moving straight into her. The sound was electrifying, making every part of her feel like it'd been struck by lightening. The pinkette should have been scared, the feral noises coming from someone like him would have petrified anyone else, but it only made her heart soar in a way she never thought possible.

His bare fingers coiled around Sakura's throat, jolting the pinkette as she went to jump back. The grip on her hair tightened, refusing to let her move even an inch. Joker had taken off one of his leather gloves, his callused digits pressing against her soft skin to feel the erratic pulse pounding right beneath the surface. The clown's scarred lips curled up in a satisfied grin, reveling in the effect he was having on her.

"Heh." Biting down on her lower lip and giving it a tug, he leaned back as they both panted, trying to catch their breath. His hands moved up to trail through the long pink locks hanging low, moving them away from her face. Just barely, she could feel the slight tremble in them, before he pulled away.

Sakura's face was completely flush, feeling heated all over. It was like the Joker had set her on fire, the warmth spreading from her chest to the rest of her quivering body. Is this the effect he had on her just from a kiss?

Joker's eyes roamed over her face, darker and heavy. Letting go of her hair and standing up, he ran a gloved hand through his faded green waves, scratching the back of his head agitatedly. The side of his mouth twitched when he stared at her, the red paint around his mouth smeared into a pink blur.

"Whoohahaha!" The pinkette jumped at the sudden burst of laughter. What was so funny, now of all times?

Leaning forward, the clown ran a finger along her lips, thumb caressing the corners of her mouth. Raising a brow, it was lost on her what could be so hilarious.

"It's a, ah, good look on you, dollface. Very sexy..." Green eyes widened as realization hit. The red paint... It must have rubbed off of him and was all over her lips.

Grumbling, Sakura turned away when he kept laughing, trying to wipe it off with the back of her hand. "Thanks for dinner, doll. I'll be back later. Don't forget this time...or else I'll have to pun-ish you." He tapped a finger against the tip of her nose as he spoke, making sure she was paying attention. The way her heart leaped at the threat made her question her own sanity. What the hell was wrong with her anymore? She'd always been so eager for him to leave whenever he showed up, to never come back...

Now here she is, hoping he'll keep his word...again.

Kissing the top of her head, Joker grinned as he turned away, striding towards the door with a little pep in his step. Part of the pinkette didn't want him to go... She wanted to find out more about everything. There were a million and a half questions to ask, that only he could answer. That wasn't all...and she knew it. That pesky woman she used to be wanted him close, was worried that if he walked through that door, it might be the last time.

"Jack..." The clown froze when he heard his name...his real name. The pinkette looked towards him, enjoying the stunned expression he quickly tried to conceal. It felt good to be able to bring those kinds of things out. How long has it been since anyone called him that, before last night? He's been going by his criminal alias for so long, no one seemed to know his true identity at all. "Be careful."

Joker stared at her for a moment, letting the words sink in. His face was blank, blinking a few times, like he was surprised that she said anything to him at all. A crooked grin broke through, part of his dimples showing near the scars. He seemed younger than the man on the news, and for the first time, she really could see Jack behind the greasepaint. The way he used to look before the world twisted him into someone else.

He let out a low chuckle, closing the door behind him.


"Miss Natasha Romov, I'd like to finally introduce you to one of my oldest friends, Rachel Dawes." A woman in a long black gown nodded, standing close to the billionaire's side. A silvery mask covered the area around her eyes, resting just above her rosy cheeks. This was the person Bruce had mentioned many times before, the one who came up with the idea of the masquerade ball.

"Bruce has told me so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman who was able to work out a deal Hiroshi... Poor Bruce has been trying to get that contract for so long..." A thin hand patted his shoulder as she spoke, smiling sweetly towards him. Even with part of her face concealed behind the bedazzled mask, Sakura could tell she had to at least be in her early thirties. The black evening gown was sleek, clearly expensive. Something simple yet elegant, exposing the warm tone of her leg through the slit running up the side. Her dark hair was twisted into a braid, wrapped around and forming a bun against the back of her head. It was a surprisingly tame look for someone so eager for a masquerade.

'So... This is the lawyer...'

Standing close to the brunette was a tall man with blonde hair, looking around anxiously. Compared to the other people around them, this person just seemed out of place... He was clearly uncomfortable, like this was the last place where he wanted to be. Even with the partial mask, Sakura knew that face from anywhere. The infamous District Attorney that everyone was talking about, who as making big waves throughout the city, Harvey Dent.

"Ah. Here is the man of the hour... Harvey Dent, himself." Bruce's deep voice made the blonde look back towards him, his frown turning into a crooked smile as he took the hand extended out towards him. The movements seemed forced, almost reluctant. It seemed odd considering where they are. Wasn't it Bruce who was throwing the fundraiser in this man's honor? So, why did this feel so tense? It hadn't escaped her notice how their hands gripped each other's tightly, knuckles turning white as they smiled at each other.

'Hmm... I think I know what's going on. Either Bruce is being overly protective of his friend, or they had something going on-and now Rachel is with Harvey. That's why they're dick-measuring in front of her. How immature...'

Sakura nodded to herself, her woman's intuition agreeing with the little assessment. As the two men broke their hold, Bruce stood next to her, slinging his arm around her shoulders. The pinkette threw a side glance at him, pursing her lips into a thin line. "This is one of my most treasured employees. The only interpreter I've had who's honest when someone calls me an ass. Haha!"

The pinkette stifled a chuckle, noticing the way Rachel was staring through her peripheral... No, she wasn't looking at her, but at the arm around her shoulders. It was uncomfortable, almost confirming the thought from earlier. Friends don't make that kind of expression in these circumstances. Letting out a loud cough, the woman's blue eyes blinked, realizing what she was doing. It took only a second for her to regain her composure, slapping a sweet smile back onto her face. "So... Tasha. That's a gorgeous dress you're wearing. That mask and gown are a work of art. It's so...striking with your hair."

"Thank you. It was a gift from Bruce, he always has such good taste." Was she complimenting her or trying to be insulting? Of course with pink hair, anything would stick out...

"Yes, he usually does... He told me before that your hair is naturally that color. It's very pretty. I think it's the first time I've seen anyone with hair like yours. Usually, someone would have to use dye to get it that shade." Despite the casual tone, there was a condescending bite to it. Folding her thin arms across the black fabric on her chest, the brunette shifted her jaw, hip jutting out to the side as she leaned towards Harvey. The words seemed innocent enough, it hadn't made the people standing around them notice anything unusual, but Sakura knew better. She could just feel it... This woman was trying to agitate her, to get under her skin with something that was a sore spot.

'Is she jealous... Why? I'm not interested in Bruce at all, but I guess she wouldn't know that. Something tells me that he might have had ulterior motives for pushing me to come tonight. Did he just want to make this woman feel some sort of way? Is that why he put his arm around me? He never does shit like that and he's barely talked to the other employees... How annoying.'

"Well, I guess I'm just a freak of nature. No dye... Just born this way." Shrugging her shoulders, she wasn't going to take the bait. This was just a way to gauge her reactions and see what buttons could be pushed to get her to act out. Sakura couldn't help wondering if Bruce had mentioned anything about it to this woman before. He knew how she felt about her hair and how much it bothered her when people made comments about it.

"Ah, Dimitri! I'm glad you could make it. I apologize for the short notice..."

A tall, dark haired man walked towards them from the group he'd been conversing with. A gold and white mask covered the top half of his face, revealing a strong jaw and bright blue eyes that stood out against the color scheme of his outfit.

"It's no problem, Bruce. I'd never miss one of your parties. Not on purpose anyway..." Sakura's ears perked up hearing the thick Russian accent. The man's sun-kissed skin clashed against the white tuxedo he was wearing. The fabric was extravagant, almost shimmering under the bright lights hanging from the ceiling.

They shook hands and laughed, turning towards the others in their small group. "Ahh... Miss Dawes. It's so nice to see again." He smiled at Rachel, before glancing over to the man standing next to her. "District Attorney, Harvey Dent. I'd recognize that face anywhere. It's all over the place these days." Extending his hand out towards him, the blonde hesitantly took it. The pinkette noticed this time, it was far more cordial than with Bruce.

Sakura internally groaned when Dimitri looked in her direction, already knowing what was about to happen. It always seemed like this when she first met someone. His blue eyes widened, taking in her appearance with great interest. The man was blatantly staring at the unusual colors, not even attempting to make it look less obvious. Her pink hair hung in long curls, the top layer twisted and held together with a shiny hairpiece. It felt like it took forever to do, but she was satisfied with the results. There was no doubt people would be gawking and fixated on her hair, but this wasn't for them. No... She wanted to look good for herself, to walk around with her strange color with confidence, instead of shying away like usual. There was nothing to be ashamed of, even if the reactions were irritating.

"And who is this young lady? I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of meeting you before. What a stunning woman!" Sakura's face flushed red when he took her black laced glove in his hand, bowing low and pressing his lips down gently. What a bold man...

"This is Tasha, my employee." Bruce stepped closer, moving to stand in between them. Noticing his reaction, the Russian finally let go, straightening his back.

'How funny... A showdown between playboys. Maybe they could throw money at each other.'

"Employee? Oh... How nice. You're so lucky to always have such beautiful women around, Bruce." Leaning to look around the Bruce, the dark-haired man glanced at her with a smile, showing off straight teeth. They were whiter than the fabric of his outfit. "You have such beautiful hair, miss. Is that...a tattoo on your forehead?"

The pinkette looked away feeling uncomfortable with the man's gaze and questions. This was one of the reasons why public events always made her uneasy. The comments, the questions... It was a never ending procession.

"No, it's not." It wasn't a lie. Sakura really was born that way. No one knew why she had a rhombus-shaped mark on her forehead. It was always just said to be a birthmark, but that didn't explain the violet coloring. She's didn't know if there was someone in her family that had anything similar. There weren't enough memories to go by that might explain it. Perhaps Jack would know... Just something else she needed to ask him about.

"It's natural, just like her hair. She said she was born like that." The tone and remark from Rachel made the pinkette look up in astonishment. Sakura didn't like the way she said it, not at all. To her own surprise, she felt the urge to smack the woman right across the face. Chewing the inside of her cheek, she glance towards one of the waiters walking by, refusing to look down in embarrassment at the comment. That what normally would have happened, but not this time. She would keep her chin up and head held high. There wasn't any need to give this person the satisfaction of knowing she was getting beneath her skin.

'Where's this feeling coming from? I almost acted without thinking... What's wrong with me? I would never do something like that in front of all these people.'

"That's right. Just naturally blessed, I suppose... I've always looked this way. Isn't that right, Bruce?" A condescending retort was thrown right back, directly at the brunette. It was done for a few reasons. To prod that sore spot in the woman's side, which worked from the way her lip curled up at the mention of the billionaire. It meant him and the pinkette were close and have known each other for a long time. Her words and tone made it seem like she was confident about the way she looked, even if it wasn't true at all. No one needed to know that little fact, only that she wasn't going to take their shit lying down. Finally, if she was asking Bruce to confirm it, then it must be true. There wasn't anyone here who was going to contradict him, taking his nod of agreement for what it is.

It wasn't Sakura's fault that Bruce invited her, so why was this woman acting so catty? She noticed from being around the rich, that this was how they played ball. 'Regular' people on the street threw direct insults and curses when they argued, the wealthy handled it differently, using back-handed compliments and subtle jabs with their words. Bruce was always surrounded by gorgeous women at all kinds of events... Did she act that way towards them too? Her boyfriend was standing right next to her... No wonder there was tension between the two men, it was because of this woman.

"Come on, Rach. What's wrong?" Bruce looked at the brunette, stepping closer as his brows furrowed. At least he noticed what was starting to happen and said something, stopping it before it went any further. He knew well the implications behind the brunette's words and tone, that this could end badly in front everyone. A lawyer of her calibre wasn't likely to back down on her own, wanting to have the last word or some sense of victory. His question was enough to do the trick. Rachel's mouth slowly opened and closed, realizing how she must have looked in front of the people standing there. Her face flushed with embarrassment, looking towards Harvey for support and pursing her thin lips together.

Harvey let out a long sigh, taking his hands off of his hips and grabbing her hand. "Sorry, but I'm going to steal Rachel for a bit. Excuse us." The blonde led his woman off into the crowd, disappearing to the pinkette's relief. That was not the first-impression she'd been hoping for or a good way to start off the night.

"I'm sorry... Rachel usually never acts like that. I guess it's just an off-night. She's just stressed out from everything that's been going on..." Bruce chuckled in amusement, watching the couple walking away. From the expression on his face, he must have been enjoying the woman's reaction. "Don't take it personally. She's a lawyer, always going for the throat whenever it comes to a challenge in court."

"Yeah..." A profession didn't excuse someone's behavior, especially without knowing what was actually going on. As a lawyer, it should have been imperative to get all the facts, before doing anything. Sakura watched Bruce with interest as his eyes wandered, shifting around to see where the couple rushed off to. It was clear as day that there really was something going on by all three of their reactions. Bruce and Rachel must had some sort of relationship in the past, but that wasn't any of her business, and she'd rather stay out of it. There was more than enough on her plate, without some fools dragging her into their drama.

Music played in the background, coming from a small orchestra stationed in the corner of the large hall. The musicians switched to a dark waltz from the slower minuet they were playing just moments ago. A young woman in a bright red ball gown took turns singing with another person, occasionally blending their vocals together. The man was in a black costume, with a white mask covering the side of his face. Sakura couldn't place it, green eyes narrowing in on the outfit as she pushed her lips out, scrolling through her memories. Where did she see that costume before? A movie? Play?

'Ah! He's supposed to be Erik... Should have known. Bruce is too much sometimes.'

People danced across the floor, swaying and holding hands with their partners. The room was covered in a exquisite array of colors, from the elaborate costumes and masks the guests wore, to the decor set up for the occasion. It was quite a sight... Everyone was wearing such intricate and expensive clothing, each one more impressive than the last.

The group had dwindle from five to three, after the couple had abruptly left. The two men talking began staring at the small pinkette when she stopped conversing, her attention clearly elsewhere. Green eyes flickered back and forth, taking in the scenery around them and observing the people dancing together. Waiters shifted through the open space with trays of champagne glasses, politely bowing their heads as guests took one after the other. Tables ran along the walls covered in deep red silk and large dishes with carefully placed hors d'oeuvres, the fruits of the caterers labor. Wayne Enterprise really put attention to detail for this fundraiser...

"Tasha... Do you want to dance?" Bruce leaned forward, extending his hand out with a boyish grin. The pinkette swallowed hard, not sure of what to say. Honestly, Sakura really didn't dance often, especially to this kind of music or atmosphere. It wasn't like going to a club with Ino and letting loose, after a couple of drinks. She knew the steps and could keep up if she had to. It was something she learned a while ago, from back in university when they had a similar event. Before the dance, she asked a friend to give her some lessons on the side, that way she wouldn't look like a fool in front of everyone.

The Russian straightened his back, letting out an bemused chuckle. "I was going to ask Miss Tasha to dance with me, Bruce. Didn't you come with three dates already?" He raised his hand above his eyes, squinting and looking around exaggeratedly. "Where are the lovely young ladies? I'm sure they're missing you by now. It wouldn't be right to keep them waiting, my friend."

"Hah. I highly doubt that. They're in the corner, drinking champagne. Anyway..." Sakura looked down at his hand, letting out a sigh as she took it. The last thing she wanted was to make him look bad in front of his 'friend'. The pinkette already knew that if she refused him, the fool standing next to them would just badger her himself. If she had to make a choice, it was going to be Bruce. At least he wouldn't try anything that might get him slapped. It was better to have some company, than sitting alone with people gawking and staring.

Leading the pinkette out into the sea of colors, Bruce gently put his hand on her waist, the other grasping her gloved hand. Taking a deep breath, she tried ignoring his deep chuckle as they started to move together with the other people dancing, step-by-step.

'At least this is a formal dance, not like at a club... I can do this. Right?'

An image of a drunk Ino appeared, making her lips curl up into a small grin. All she had to do was try to be careful and not step on his toes. It wasn't like she couldn't dance like this, but it's been a while. A year has gone by since she graduated from university, where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree. A few months after being released from the hospital, Bruce ended up making her spend two years playing catch-up with tutors and teachers, when they realized how behind she was academically. He said she needed a proper education when he realized how much trouble she was having.

Sakura didn't know what to do back then... After waking up and having nothing to grasp on to, she just immersed herself into her studies, accepting the billionaire's help. She had no idea who she was, if there was family somewhere or a home. Bruce said there wasn't and she believed him, not knowing what else she could do. A seventeen year-old who was lonely and scared, completely ignorant of everything going on around her.

"So... What happened to the dress I had delivered to your apartment?" The deep voice smashed through the pinkette's train of thought as the waltz ended. The song shifted to one Sakura recognized right away, putting her at ease. Yes, she knew this one... The Phantom of The Opera was Bruce's favorite. There was no doubt that it would have played at some point throughout the night.

"What do you mean?" Her brows rose in confusion, looking up at him questioningly. The feathers on the mask tickled her jaw when he spun her around.

"You're not wearing the gown I had sent to your place. Not that the one you're wearing isn't beautiful... Actually, I think it goes much better with your hair, than the blue one the woman helped me pick out..." Bruce grinned, staring into her mask. They moved through the crowd as the pinkette's mind went into overdrive.

"In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came,

That voice which call to me and speaks my name,

And do I dream again? For now I find,

The Phantom of the Opera is there,

Inside my mind..."

Sakura's jaw dropped when the dots connected... The box outside of the door apartment hadn't been from Bruce...

"That's a nice dress you have in the other room... Good colors."

Joker put it there. Now it all makes sense. That's why he was acting like that earlier. It wasn't from jealousy, but him trying to gauge her reaction, to see what she thought of the outfit... If she liked it.

"Guess he's got good taste in clothes at least. For a playboy..."

A bright smile played along the pinkette's lips, her face lighting up behind the mask when she realized what he did... He must have taken the box that was delivered from Bruce and tossed it, replacing it with his own. The clown probably didn't like the idea of her wearing the billionaire's gown, but didn't say anything... Just letting her think it had been a gift from Bruce instead. After all, he already admitted to spying on them, eavesdropping on the conversation. He already knew that a dress was going to be dropped off.

'For a crazy clown, he does have style... The emerald shade would look much better on me than blue. I should have noticed it right away. The colors of the flowers and gown match the suit he's always wearing.'

"Sing once again with me our strange duet,

My power over you grows stronger yet,

And though you turn from me to glance behind,

The Phantom of the Opera is there,

Inside your mind...

"Beat it. I'm cutting in."

Bruce looked stunned when a tall man stepped in between them, snaking an arm around the pinkette's waist and shooing him away with a gloved hand. As if the host was nothing more than a bug flying around that needed to be swatted... He stood with a bewildered expression as Sakura was yanked away from him, looking around to see if anyone else saw what was going on.

Those who have seen your face,

Draw back in fear,

I am the mask you wear...

The man twirled her around, the hand gripping her hip pushing the pinkette to sway with him to the music, gliding her away from the stiff billionaire watching in astonishment. The look on Bruce's face was priceless, completely taken off-guard and stupefied at the bold move. No one here would have done that to someone like him, especially at his own event. Seeing Sakura's reaction and lack of indignation, it was clear that she had no objections to the switch. There was no reason for Bruce to cause a scene in front of his guests over something small. Straightening his back, he pursed his lips and walked off, deciding to look for the brunette from earlier.

Green eyes widened taking in her new partner's appearance. The first thing she noticed was his mask... A ghastly white apparition in the form of a jester, green and purple points hanging low from his head with a little bead on each end. His face was completely covered, but it was the dark pits that she recognized immediately. No one had eyes like his. The clown was dressed in a Venetian carnival costume, an elaborate array of deep purple with black frills around the edges and around his neck. Sakura almost choked out seeing the get-up. It was a bit much, even for him...

"You look happy to see me, dollface. The way you were, ah, smiling so sweetly at the playboy, I thought you forgot all about me again..."

Pulling the pinkette closer, gloved fingers dug into her sides as he snorted, moving in rhythm with the music without missing a beat. Who knew the Joker, the same man who ruined his dinner because it looked too neat, was able to dance so gracefully? It seemed he was a man of many talents.

"I wasn't smiling for him... It was because I realized it wasn't Bruce who sent me the box."

His dark eyes shifted away as he spun her around, but she could feel the grin on playing on his lips beneath the mask. All it took was a simple statement and his mood shifted quickly. What a strange man...

'So that's why he was acting pissy. He wanted me to realize it was him without saying anything. What a pain in the ass... I wish he would just say what's on his mind, instead of playing games.'

"Yeah?" Joker's tone was playful, more lighthearted. So far, this was the side of him that she enjoyed the most. When he's in a good mood and not trying to do something terrible.

A few moments went by without either saying a word, just swaying and moving to the music. The thought of anyone staring was the furthest thing from her mind, not caring about the other guests at all. Staring into those obsidian eyes made everything else just melt away, disappearing completely... They were hypnotic, making her unable to look at anything else except for him. No one else was around anymore, just the two of them relishing each other's company.

If felt weird how comfortable she felt doing this with him... Like they were almost normal, yet so far from it. A few days ago, just the thought of him would make her jump right out of her skin...or fall from a bridge. Now, they were dancing together with his arm around her.

Joker watched her in amusement, noticing the way Sakura was smiling and eyeing his costume. It looked expensive, very well-made. She couldn't help wondering where he keeps getting these things from.

'Maybe it's better if I didn't know...'

"I gotta say...you, ah, look quite lovely." Glancing up at him, Sakura's chest tightened from the smoldering look he was giving her from those hooded eyes. It made her face flush, feeling almost embarrassed and the mask couldn't cover it. They didn't shift anywhere else, just gazing down at the pinkette the entire time.

"Thanks, Jack..." It was a soft whisper, one only he could hear. Twirling her around, his grip tightened as he dipped her backwards, refusing to break their eye contact. A gloved hand reached up, pulling his mask up a little as he leaned in, gently pressing his lips against hers. The kiss wasn't rough and desperate, like the way it was in the apartment earlier. This time was different...

Sakura closed her eyes, willingly kissing him back. It was so and tender, making her heart flutter, skipping a beat. She almost couldn't believe it was the clown terrorizing the city beneath that mask and it wasn't-it was Jack. The pinkette's hands moved to grasp his shoulders, losing herself in the moment. It was strange how different she was able to feel towards him in just a day, knowing who they both were now. Everything he'd done up to this point was seen in such another light. It was his own unorthodox way of trying to reach out to her. There were methods to his madness and she could finally see that.

"Hey... Hey!... What are you doing?" The Russian accent grated on the pinkette's ears. Someone was beside them, trying to interrupt the intimate moment they were having. "You danced with her long enough, I've been watching. The song's over... Time to switch partners." The dark hair man straightened his back, eyes narrowing in the jester. From the previous events the pinkette had attended that Bruce thrown, people would change partners periodically or after a song, but it wasn't a rule or anything. Just something to switch it up and make things more interesting.

Joker didn't seem to know or care about such things, groaning out in frustration as his head swayed to the side. The pinkette jolted in his hold when it suddenly twisted, cracking his neck loudly. From the close proximity, she could see the way his eye twitched, knowing something bad would follow it.

'Christ! How can he do that without breaking his neck?'

Pulling Sakura back up to her feet and yanking his mask down, Joker turned towards the man who was interrupting them. Shifting his head to the side, the pinkett held her breath, knowing that posture from experience. It was when he was about to explode, just like that night in the alley, after the club shooting.

'Shit. Shit. SHIT!'

"What's your problem? It's my turn, have some manners. I already asked and was waiting for Bruce to get done with her." Dimitri folded his arms across his chest, staring straight into the clown's eyes. Seeing the jester costume, he was probably thinking of him as nothing more than joke.

"Hahh... Ya see, there's just one tiny, little problem with that... No one else gets a turn, except for me."

In quick motion, Joker slid a gloved hand into the outer coat of his costume and pulled out a pistol, shooting the man in the head. It so fast, Sakura's eyes could barely register what just happened. She yelled out in shock as blood sprayed into the air, the crack of the shot echoing over the music, and drawing everyone's attention. Dimitri was flung back from the force, eyes wide when he hit the floor with a loud thud.

"HohahahaHAHAHA!" The people around them started screaming, grabbing onto each other in the panic sweeping over the entire hall. Curling his lip as he watched everyone's reaction with amusement, the clown pointed the gun upwards, firing a shot at the ceiling.

"Sakura. Get into the corner with everyone else. NOW." He growled out low enough for only her to hear, not trying to draw anyone else's attention.

Without having to be told twice, she turned away from him and rushed towards the group of people starting to huddle against the wall, the furthest area away from the gun wielding maniac. He was too close to the exit, no one was willing to take a chance and run for it, knowing they would only get the same treatment as Dimitri.

The pinkette's ears were ringing from the sound of gun going off so close. Her hands shook as they gripped the fabric of her gown, in shock at what he'd just did. How could he just shoot someone that easily? There wasn't any hesitation...

'It's not the first time either...'

This is who he was now. Jack was completely possessed by the Joker... The image of him stabbing his father violently came to the forefront of her mind, making the pinkette feel sick.

'No. Maybe this was always in him...but that time was different...'

The doors of the hall were suddenly kicked open. Over a dozen men wearing clown masks barged in, guns pointed in every direction. Some of them were wearing beat-up jumpsuits and boots, others dressed in a strange assortment of shabby hoodies and street clothes.

'What the hell is he doing?'

"Good evening, ladies and gentle-man!" Joker walked towards the center of the room, all the guests huddled by the tables and against the walls. They were frozen in fear, not knowing if this would be their last moments. The clown had been going on a rampage throughout the city, leaving bodies everywhere he went. "We are tonight's entertainment!"

"I only have one question..." Grabbing an hors d'oeuvres from the table, he bit into it while he strode around, tossing the toothpick over his shoulder. "Where. Is. Harvey. Dent?" Smack dab in the middle of the room, he stood there chewing with his mouth open, smacking his lips together.

'Does he always have to eat like a pig?'

The clown shifted his head from one side to the other, staring around wildly as his men spread out around the hall. A handful started walking around, fanning out and yanking the masks off of the guests, looking around for the District Attorney,

The pinkette pulled hers off with a shaky hand and slid it under her arm. She'd rather do it herself than have one of those hoodlums to do it for her as they moved closer. Person after person, they roughly ripped everyone's masks off. Some of the guests were crying, others squealing in terror when it was their turn.

One of the men wearing a clown mask came close, coming down the row of people. He was tall and muscular, with a shoddy 'Misfits' tattoo on his neck. That was the only recognizable trait compared to the others with all their faces concealed. Gray eyes glanced down at her, trailing towards the pink curls hanging low. In a split-second they quickly looked away, moving on to the next person and roughly grabbing them. Even the guests who already took theirs off were getting shoved or had a thug in their face, inciting mass terror with their creepy covers and makeup.

Pulling off his mask and tossing it to the floor, Joker revealed his own war-painted face. A clown beneath a clown... His gloved hand opened the outer coat of his costume, making a scene of pulling out a sawed off shotgun, ensuring that everyone could see it. With a crooked grin, he quickly pointed it at the guests as he walked by, reveling in their whimpers and the way they recoiled in his presence. Grabbing a glass of champagne from the table, he continued down the row of people, sneering and deliberately making the drink spill out from his erratic movements. As a testament to his enjoyment of dramatic flair, he brought the empty glass to his lips, pretending like he was drinking before smashing it on the floor. Glass shattered and flew across the smooth surface, eliciting a high-pitched scream from a woman standing near him.

Dimitri's corpse was still on the floor, just a few feet away. Dark eyes glanced over towards the body, lips curling up in a snarl as his eye twitched. Pointing the shotgun towards him, another bullet was fired off at his face, completely shattering his skull. Shrieks bounced off the walls of the hall with blood splattering everywhere, his head exploding like a rotten tomato.

"Hahaha!" Cackling like a madman, he spun on his heel away from what was left of Dimitri, pointing the weapon back towards the guests. He strode around, leaning forward and making a show of looking wildly at their unmasked faces.

"You know where Harvey is? You know who he is?" Walking past people, the clown smacked a hand against a few faces, scanning for his target. He knew full-well after his little 'demonstration', that no one was going to have the guts to do anything.

Sakura glanced around, not seeing the blonde or his date anywhere... Bruce was gone too. Despite feeling afraid, she knew that out of anyone, she was the least likely to be shot or beat-up.

'Well, at least I hope...'

From way the thug looked down at her and quickly moved on, it must have meant that Joker probably told them not to hurt her. Not only that, but he ordered the pinkette to go with the rest of the crowd, so she wouldn't be associated with him.

Griping a man's face, the clown leaned in towards the terrified guest, who was stiff as a board. "Do you know where I can find Harvey? I need to talk to him about something. Just something little. Hmm?" Putting a gloved hand on the guy's head, he peered down with his eyebrows raised, as if he expected an answer before pushing him away. "No."

Stepping up to an older man with white hair, the Joker grabbed another hors d'oeuvres from a plate, smacking his scarred lips together while he chewed. "Ya know, I'll settle for his loved ones."

Standing tall, the older man pushed his chest out, staring him straight in the eyes. "We're not intimidated by thugs!"

Sizing up the man, the clown cocked his head to side, lips curling up into a sneer. Even from where the pinkette stood, she could see that glint in his dark eyes when they narrowed in on the guest.

"Ya know... You remind me of my father." Slamming the shotgun down on the table, he quickly reaching into his pocket. Suddenly, he lunged forward and grabbed the man by the back of the head, holding a knife to his face. "I HATED MY FATHER."

A chill ran down Sakura's spine, watching the scene. Remembering the past, she trembled as she could feel the clowns rage when he spoke. The man's face did looked similar to Jack's dad, even if it was much older. Seeing something that reminded him of that one terrible night sent him spiraling straight down the rabbit hole

"Okay. Stop!" The woman from earlier stepped out from the group of people alongside the opposite wall, a look of indignation across her unmasked face. Even though the brunette had been irritating earlier, one had to admire the guts it took to stand up in this kind of situation.

'She's brave...or really fucking stupid.'

Pushing the old man aside, the Joker zeroed in on the woman standing up to him. "Well, hello! You must be Harvey's squeeze." He jabbed the blade into the air, pointing it in her direction as he stepped closer.

Circling around Rachel like a shark in the ocean with its prey, the clown kept his knife in sight while he glared down at the frightened woman. Standing in front of her with the weapon, he leaned in, with his eyebrows raised.

"Well, you look nervous. Is it the scars?" Grabbing her face, he held the blade against her skin. "Wanna know how I got them?" The brunette breathed out hard, trying to desperately look away from his marred mouth, but his grip tightened, not letting her move. "Ah-ah. Look at me!"

Hissing like an angry cat, Rachel brought her knee up, hitting him right in the groin. It was enough to get him to let go, taking a few steps back. The clown laughed, slightly doubled over as he grabbed himself.

"Hohahaha!" Standing up straight and regaining his composure, he slicked his faded green hair back, angrily stalking towards her. "A little fight in you... I like that."

"Then you're gonna love me."

A fist came out of nowhere, sending the clown flying with a right hook as people cried out in surprise and relief. The Batman... No one wanted to see anyone harmed and there was no doubt the brunette was going to be next, especially after what she pulled.

Sakura covered her mouth in shock, seeing Joker slide across the floor. The mask wearing henchmen attacked the cape crusader, who easily fought them off, punching and kicking them to the floor.

Getting back to his feet, the clown grabbed one of the underlings holding a gun at the guests and shoved him towards the Bat. The man's fist came crashing down and knocking him to the ground. Joker took advantage of the situation to kick him, while he was on the floor. A blade popped out of the tip of his dress shoe as he went to kick him again, only for the crusader to push him back with a heel to the stomach.

"Hahaha!" It only took a second for Joker to get back to his feet.

The pinkette almost couldn't watch... Afraid of what was going to happen. If it had been 24 hours ago, she would have been cheering on the Batman enthusiastically, wanting the clown to be clobbered into a bloody heap and hauled off to Arkham where he belonged. Now... She could barely stand watching him being punched, grimacing and wanting to look away. The tightness in her chest was suffocating, every nerve going haywire.

Batman flipped the henchmen holding onto his back and turned, punching Joker right in the gut, sending him across the floor again.

"Oh no..." Sakura looked on in horror, her dainty hands clasped together tightly, upset at the scene unfolding. The throbbing in her head returned, making her green eyes wince as she tried to keep them open. Why did this have to happen now of all times?

Crawling across the floor, the clown quickly grabbed a gun that had been dropped earlier and lunged for the brunette, who was standing there in shock. Without hesitating, he put the weapon to her head, making Batman freeze on the spot. Backing up with his arm holding the woman against him, he laughed seeing the caped crusader's reaction to his hostage.

"Drop the gun!"

Dragging Rachel with him, he stepped in front of one of the large windows that overlooked the dark city of Gotham. "Oh, sure! You just take off your little mask and show us all who your really are! Hmm? HAHAHA!" Without taking his eyes off the man, Joker pointed the gun behind him, shooting the window out. With a haughty grin, he yanked the brunette closer towards the edge, watching how that Bat's demeanor completely changed. In only seconds, it switched from righteous fury to panicked desperation.

Scarred lips widened into a toothy smile, grabbing on to the brunette's wrist, letting her dangle over the edge. The only thing from stopping her from falling was his gloved hand. Without him holding her weight, she would drop all the way to the bottom.

"Let her go!" Batman took a step forward, distressed and trying to plead with the clown. The Joker doesn't know such mercies, one life was meaningless to him in the scheme of things.

"Very poor choice of words." Shaking his head, he let go of the woman's wrist and cackled, letting her fall from the edge of the building. There was no way anyone could survive a fall from that height...

"Hahaha!" Joker backed away as the Bat ran to the window after the woman, flinging himself out over the edge to try to save her. He didn't hesitate for even a moment when he saw the brunette fall, jumping right after her.

People screamed as they watched the District Attorney's girlfriend being dropped. A few of the guests ran towards the window when the Joker backed away, trying to see what happened.

Sakura was pushed back as the guests ran in different directing, being tussled around. Some went straight for the exit, others towards the window. A few people had their phones out, calling the police.

Turning back and forth, her green eyes scanned the room, looking for the clown in the purple suit... He was already gone...