Disclaimer: I don't own Batman, Batgirl, Robin or Kurama. I'm just living out my twisted fantasy. Please don't sue.
Chapter 2: A Tree Hugger, Kurama isn't
Walking around the many cubicles in his Father's Department at the Wayne Foundation, Shuichi tried to ignore the many sighs, comments and staring. This was as bad as when he was in high school. At least his shift was done, time to head for classes at the Gotham University.
/Come on Red. Let's blow this place. /
"Shuichi, wait a moment!" called his father or rather step father, as he walked strolled up to his stepson with another man. This man was tall well built with a boyish look to him. Shuichi had met this gentleman once before. This was Bruce Wayne, Chairman of Wayne Enterprises.
Bowing slightly, hiding his annoyance at being stopped, Shuichi was ever the dutiful son and polished actor. "Yes, Father?"
"Shuichi, my son. Mr. Wayne is here to ask if we have fixed the problem that caused the hackers that find the loop hole into our system. Please reassure him."
"Why yes, Father. I found the problem and took care of it. I also sent a firm letter to the system operator of that site. There should be no more problems." It had been an annoying little puzzle but well satisfying when he return the computer worm back on its creators. Yoko had been quite pleased with the challenge and results.
The multi-billionaire stood quietly as the red-haired college student answered politely, before saying, "Well done. I understand you are a college student on scholarship?"
Shuichi nodded, "I was able to transfer my scholarship to Gotham University when Father was transferred here." Looking up at the man, he got a vague uneasy sense about him, although the man radiated an air of boredom.
/There's more to him than meets the eye, Red. He exudes samurai spirit. I could almost swear it. /
Interesting but he's going to be late for class. "I'm sorry Father, but I do have class soon. Is there anything else?" he asked, politely.
"Maybe I could give you a lift? I'm meeting Barbara for lunch. I could drop you off on the way?" Mr. Wayne offered. "It would be no trouble."
o0o0o0o0o0o
Barbara Wilson, niece to the butler to the famed playboy of Gotham City, was tapping her foot in annoyance. Bruce was late. They were to suppose to check out a new bistro near the University. As the limo pulled up, she opened the door before Alfred could get out. "Well, it's about time. . ." she stopped as she noticed that Bruce wasn't alone. Sitting next to him was the red haired man from the other night.
All she could do is stare at the gorgeous hunk sitting next to her employer/mentor as she climbed into the limo.
"Hello," came the polite soft voice of the red-head.
"Barbara, this is Shuichi Minamino. He works at Wayne Enterprises. Do you mind if we drop him off before lunch?"
Blinking, as she adjusted her skirt and shifted her weight to get comfortable. "Why no, Bruce. Not at all," she replied, down girl, no drooling. What is with this guy? I swear he must be emitting sex pheromones or something.
Shuichi just smiled slightly as he looked out of the limo's window as they pulled back into traffic. Barbara listened as Bruce explained how Minamino had fixed a nagging hacking problem.
Turning back to the conversation, the red-head shrugged, "Honestly. It was an amusing puzzle. Not much of a challenge."
"Are you into computers, then?" asked Bruce.
"Not really. I'm going for an Earth Science degree with a minor in plant science. Computers are just a hobby, an amusement."
Barbara chuckled. "Oh well. Somehow I just can't picture you as romping through the woods shouting 'Protect the trees!'" She almost froze at the look he gave her. It was almost feral in nature, wild and passionate. Ok, down girl. He's definitely not a tree hugger, but the word 'primal' did come to her mind.
Fortunately, the limo pulled up to the University's Science Building, "We are here, sir," Alfred called as he got out to let the college student out. Barbara silently screamed at the interruption. This was definitely the guy from the other night and she really wanted to know more about him.
Smiling as he stepped out, grabbing his book bag, Shuichi gave a slight bow, "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Wayne. A pleasure to meeting you both."
"Wait!" Barbara called out leaning forward so she could see him. "Can we do lunch sometime?" she asked hopefully.
o0o0o0o0o
Shuichi's mind wasn't on class today but on the strange turn of events. The girl Barbara Wilson was definitely the masked girl from the other night and she had recognized him. Yoko was practically drooling in the back of his mind. The challenge and puzzle she represented was almost too much for the kitsune.
'Calm down Yoko. I'm sure we'll meet her again. I wonder if Mr. Wayne is Batman?' he mused as he took notes. He had gotten quite adept at note taking and talking to Yoko over the years.
Yoko paused for a moment. /I don't know Red. The more I see him, the more he radiates samurai and Batman is definitely more ninja in personality. But the girl. Even masked, she would be interesting to know. /
'I'm pretty sure she knows who I am. She'll be watching us.'
/Can we play with her mind/
'I don't see why not. '
o0o0o0o0o
Barbara couldn't believe her luck as Shuichi left the limo. When Alfred pulled the limo out of the parking lot she turned to Bruce, "That's him. The guy from the other night. He could give Poison Ivy lessons in manipulating plants." Then a slight frown creased her forehead, "Anything on the rose?"
Bruce shrugged, "It's a normal rose. No radiation or chemical traces. Poison Ivy used chemicals on her plants."
"Then how did he turn a rose into a thorny whip?"
o0o0o0o0o