A week later and Sakura is still in the Fortress. Her reasons are entirely selfish. She wants to stay with the Kal that she knows. She wants to talk to him, laugh with him, see him and occasionally touch him. It's not a healthy desire. She knows that. She thought she had been making good progress in moving on with her life without him but maybe not. Either way, Kal isn't happy with her.

"You must leave and go to him Sakura."

"Why?" It is a circular argument that they keep having, but today Sakura decides to veer the course of it. Before Kal can reply to her question, she says, "Kara offered to find more of the Kryptonite that makes you who you are."

Kal holds up a hand. "If you bring me back Sakura it will only be a matter of time before someone reverses the situation."

"This time I'll kill Batman."

"And you know how I feel about you bloodying your hands."

"If it's for you it doesn't matter."

"And if it isn't Batman it will be someone else—perhaps even Conner. Would you have it in you to kill him too?"

Sakura's mouth drops open, and she splutters for a moment before jumping hotly to Conner's defense. "Conner would never betray us like that! How could you possibly think—"

"Conner is predominately good. Just like I am predominantly evil. In the end, if it hadn't been Batman it would have been Conner. Could you kill him? Conner, who I know you think of as a son? Who is your son? You weren't meant to live this life Sakura. This world twisted you into something else, and I took advantage of that. I made you mine—and by doing so, I made you my responsibility. I protect what belongs to me."

Sakura turns away from Kal's projection. There was no use arguing that she could take care of herself. She and Kal had never seen eye to eye on that subject. "I need to know you are being cared for Sakura. I need to know you are safe. He can give you that safety."

"I don't love him."

"Then don't love him."

Sakura whirls around and faces Kal-bot. "What?"

"Did you love me in the beginning?"

A bark of laughter escapes her. "No, but you fascinated me."

"And he does not?" Sakura bites her lip and doesn't reply. "Do you remember what I told you the day we met? Those Kryptonian words that you dogged me about their meaning until I finally told you what they meant?" Sakura nods. "What did they mean?"

"You will be my beloved, and I will cherish you forever."

"Forever Sakura. Even like this, you are wanted, you are cherished. Stand at my side where you belong. I may be different, but I am still me, and you are still mine. Don't you think you should fight for us?" Sakura's bottom lip trembles. "I only ask that you try." Sakura crumbles as she often did when Kal was reasonable and not a domineering jerk. She hated and loved this side of him the most.

"Alright, Kal. I'll try." When Sakura sees the smile make its way to Kal's lips she says, "I'm not making any other promises but that. If it doesn't work out, then I expect you to give him back his Fortress Kal. I don't want him coming and bothering me about again."

"I'll consider it."

Sakura scowls and knows that's the best she's going to get. She'll take it.

Sakura returns to Metropolis, but she brings Krypto with her. She has no problem hidings the dog's massive size, and she figures he will be the best way to get her to and from the Fortress if need be. Besides—she loved the dog and missed him.

Krypto and Sakura were walking in the park which was something that simultaneously pleases and displeases Sakura. She hates putting a leash on Krypto and Krypto isn't too fond of it either, but he doesn't complain, so Sakura grins and bears it as well—although she holds the leash very loosely until she hears Krypto growl in warning. Sakura looks around and finds a familiar male was approaching her. She narrows her eyes trying to remember where she knows him from. When he stops in front of her it comes to her then.

Sakura extends a hand, and Mr. Wayne clasps it in his and raises it to his lips. "Sakura-El, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Sakura smiles slightly. "The same to you Mr. Wayne." Sakura intends to skirt around him and keep going, but he inquires, "You have a dog?" Krypto growls again warningly and to Sakura Krypto, in some ways, is just as bad as Kal.

"I do."

"What's his name?"

Sakura senses scream at her warningly, and for some reason, she says, "We're going with Dog." Krypto turns his head and looks at her dubiously. Sakura forces herself not to laugh.

"Dog?" Bruce Wayne inquires.

"He quite likes it," Sakura says straight-faced. She ignores Krypto's look.

"Ok, then. I noticed you out and about and wanted to know if you wanted to get lunch."

Sakura smiles politely and firmly before saying, "No, thank you, Mr. Wayne, but I appreciate the offer."

"Raincheck, then?"

Bruce Wayne is a very handsome man, but Sakura doesn't want to give him the wrong idea. She made a promise to Kal and she would keep it. The only man in her life besides her son would be Clark Kent. "I don't think that would be best of ideas, Mr. Wayne."

"Still in mourning?"

Sakura's lips quirk slightly thinking about Kal-bot back at the Fortress before saying, "Something like that."

Bruce smiles at her, and it rings false in Sakura's mind. "Ah, someone else, then."

Sakura doesn't answer instead she looks down at Krypto and says, "Come on Dog. Let's go."

Krypto huffs but walks along with Sakura. Sakura keeps walking until she can't see Bruce anymore then stops, leans down and wraps her arms around Krypto's neck. "Sorry, Krypto but something about that man gives me the creeps." Krypto's cold nose touches her neck, and she squeals a little before pulling back and looking at him questioningly.

"What are we going to do about your Master?"

Krypto whines and Sakura shares his sentiments.