Disclaimer: See chapter 1 and as always please don't flame.
Chapter 21: Life Goes On
/HUH/
'Seems Bruce has been thinking about our little bout with the Riddler and said that someone with our talents would be good doing consulting work for security firms to help fight against hackers. He's offered me an interesting deal.'
/What kind of deal/
o0o0o0o0o
Life goes on. Not even a fox can change that fact. Shuichi found himself moved higher management within Wayne Enterprises. He now had his own office and now he didn't have to worry about people bothering him. He had his own terminal access to everything within Wayne Enterprises, but then he already had that before the crash.
Between Bruce and a team of lawyers, Shuichi now had a sideline consulting agency to break codes for other businesses, government and military for a retainer fee of course. Wayne Enterprises was his first client. As long as he would tell how he broke in, and how to fix the hole. He was still on the FBI's list as a nuisance and if caught, he was certain Bruce's lawyers would make some sort of deal.
/This is obscene. We're becoming respectable/ Yoko grumbled more then once. /Where's the challenge in doing it for money/
Shuichi could relate to that comment. However, he was also practical, it wasn't as they would do it all the time. They could pick and chose their clients. A bored fox was a dangerous fox besides the money was good. Only a few knew he was the Silver Fox and he liked that way.
/As if we really need the money, Red./
His parents were pleased with his new status. His stepfather even threw a going away party in the office for everyone, much to his embarrassment. His mother always knew he was highly intelligent. He still visited her when work, school and Barbara would allow. Graduation from college was more of a relief for him. Now, he could get on with other things like fixing up his building.
His building. His home. The training floor was now completed. Barbara was fascinated on how he had turned one floor into a dojo. He had gutted the third floor, just under his apartment, leaving only the wiring, pipes and support beams in place. Reed mats lined the floor. A third of the floor had been partition off for a guest suite, with its own bathroom, laundry room and storage.
Barbara, even Dick would come over to spar and train in the dojo. It was roomy and comfortable. Besides, it gave them a chance to work out moves with Shuichi.
Shuichi was thinking about turning the second floor into offices and/or apartments. He really didn't want to rent out any of them. He really liked his privacy. He did decide to claim the front apartment as an office for himself. He was thinking of hooking up a small mainframe server for his little consulting firm sideline. Besides Yoko likes new technology.
/Darn right I do. They are fun to take apart and put back together. /
The store front would have to wait another year or so, he had decided. He knew what his plans would be for it but he just wasn't ready.
Yes, life goes on.
o0o0o0o0o
The bat signal filled the night sky. Shuichi made a mental note of it as he finished the last cleaning touches before heading up to the green house. He was just putting the finishing touches on his roses a communicator call sound went off.
Batman had given him a communicator some time ago explaining that if he wanted to be part of the team, he should at least have a way to keep in touch. Personally, Shuichi was only mildly interested in joining the Bat team. It kept the boredom at bay.
"Yes, Batman?"
o0o0o0o0o
Kurama arrived under the bat signal wearing his usual white fighting outfit. Strolling out of the shadows, he noticed that Gordon was there along with Batman. Robin and Batgirl weren't present. Kurama mentally shrugged. He wasn't her keeper or that matter lover.
/But we wished differently, don't we Red/
"You sent for me, Batman?"
Gordon spun around, startled. "I wish you and Batman wouldn't sneak up on me," he complained. "It's bad for my heart."
Holding out a bit of green leaf, Batman asked, "Kurama, do you know what type of plant this is?"
Kurama growled softly as he flipped the leaf over and over again. Old memories surfaced in his mind. The last time he has seen this type of plant was when he and his friends had battled the Four Saint Beasts.
Yoko spat a string of curses that would've scorched the concrete however all it did was to cause Kurama to visibly winced.
Crumbling the leaf in his palm, "Where did you get this?" he snarled.
"You've just destroyed police evidence, young man," Gordon said sternly, as Batman placed a hand on the man's shoulder.
"What's the matter, Kurama?" Batman asked.
Kurama's mind was racing through all possible answers as to why these things would be in Gotham. He knew for a fact, he was the only demon in the city. Koenma would've told him otherwise.
/These are not allowed outside of the Makai/
Agreeing with Yoko, Kurama looked up at Batman, "You are over your head in this. Someone broke Makai law. You have to trust me on this one."
o0o0o0o0o
Kurama and Batman walked through a warehouse. The warehouse was used as a clearinghouse for many nurseries in the area. It held many gardening supplies. Kurama was familiar with this particular warehouse, having done business with the company for his greenhouse.
Batman watched him as Kurama made his way through the warehouse, checking on a few spots that caught his interest. Jumping up on a stack of crates to the skylight, Kurama found another clue, another leaf. Crumbling it up, Kurama growled again.
"Whoever brought these here, will pay," he hissed under his breathe.
Batman narrowed his eyes in thought. Kurama was sounding more and more like Yoko. What does the boy know that he isn't telling? Why is he destroying the evidence?
o0o0o0o0o
High in a citadel overlooking a jungle of metal and glass, a lone figure stood in the shadows as lightening and thunder crackled outside.
'Soon Yoko. Soon, you will produce my heir.'
o0o0o0o0o
Cuteness: Well, you'll have to wait and see. A couple the YHH gang show up in this next section.
As to everyone's question on 'what deal?' I think I answered it. Thanks for the reviews. Until next time. --GF