Chapter 2

The sound of the gong alerts us that Ra's needs to have a meeting. I walk to the main room after pausing my training. I was joining formation as Ra's called us to attention. He shouts out the names of people who were to stay, while the others proceed to dinner. Hearing my name called I walk towards the front and notice something behind him. Well, not so much a something more of a someone. What appears to be a young boy is hiding behind Ra's, but I really shouldn't make assumptions about the child's gender.

Seeing how it took Ra's until I was the age of fourteen before he realized I was a girl. The doctor in the medical wing examined me and told Ra's of his findings. Thankfully I wasn't exiled because of my gender, probably because I was one of his favorite and best fighters.

After everyone else had left Ra's spoke, "The rest of you that remain are some of the best in the league and my most reliable. This," he said bringing the child to stand in front of him, "is Talia, my daughter, who I had presumed dead when I was told, by an informant, that her and my wife were killed in Pena Dura. Though this is true about my wife, my daughter has been living in The Pit. She has escaped with the help of a man, who she claims has been her guardian throughout her life. He is still trapped in The Pit. Your mission is to go and retrieve this man and kill anyone who stands in your way."

I turned around to go and get my gear when I heard Ra's call out my name.

"Alexander you will stay with Talia while I am gone. I would fill more at ease if I left her with someone I can trust and I think she would feel more comfortable with you."

I was surprised that I wasn't going, but I understood his reasoning with having me stay behind with Talia. Looking at her, I'm reminded of myself at that age, made to grow up before I was ready because of the harsh world around me. Because of our similar backgrounds and the odd connection I feel towards her, I pull the bottom part of my hood down and allow a small smile to grace my features.

She slowly returns my smile and I hold out my hand for her to grab when she's ready. She hesitantly inches her small hand forward before it's enveloped in my own. I nod at Ra's and lead her to my quarters. Upon entering I remove the black cloth from my face and start unbraiding my hair. Hearing a quiet gasp I turn to look at the girl who is now currently staring up at me with shock.

Sometimes I forget how much I look like a man with my face covered and my bindings wrapped around my chest. Part of the deal for me to stay in The League of Shadows was for me to keep my true identity a secret. Luckily some men have long hair and I don't have to cut my extremely long hair off. Once I've unbound myself and let my hair down, the fact that I'm a woman is exceedingly obvious. Even though we're currently based in Bhutan my skin has maintained its natural tan. My lips, full and sculpted, pull back into a smile as I tuck a stand of my wavy dark blonde hair behind my ear. I stare into her bright blue eyes, which startlingly resemble mine.

"Hello Talia, my name is Serenity, but outside of this room you must call me Alexander. No one is supposed to know that I am female so this can be our little secret."

She gave me a bashful look and nodded her head in acceptance.

"Why don't you tell me about this man who you said helped you escape."

At the mention of him her eyes fill will sorrow and admiration. This unknowingly makes me curious about this man.

"He is called Bane. He has taken care of me since my mother was killed. He tried to keep my identity as a girl a secret from the vile men that reside in the prison, but they soon found out. After they tried to ambush us he forced me to do the climb. He wanted to save me from the same fate as my mother. When I reached the top I looked back down to see the other men attack Bane and use him to beat out their frustration and anger. I hope he is okay. He is all I have."

Noticing the poor girl was on the verge of tears I hurried to say something that would hopefully cheer her up. I'm not the best with emotions, and I haven't ever tried to comfort a toddler.

"I'm sure he's just fine. Your father and the other members of the League will bring him out of The Pit. I have an idea, how about you and I be friends? I've never had a friend before."

She looks at me tentatively before nodding her head in agreement and smiling.

"Let's go eat some food," I tell her.

After covering my face and braiding my hair I grab Talia's hand and lead her to the mess hall. Once we arrive I grab both of our pre-made trays and lead her to my usual table facing the window that overlooks the Himalayas. Today we're having chicken, rice, and maize with the usual glass of water. Talia slides into the plain wooden chair next to mine. After curiously staring at her food for a long time she starts rapidly consuming it. Which I don't blame her, she's probably never seen any food like this before.

"Talia, dear, you need to slow down before you make yourself sick."

She looks up at me with an apologetic smile and a blush on her face before grabbing her glass and taking a big gulp of water. I wait until she slowly starts eating again before starting on my own meal.

I suppose that Ra's won't be back tonight, which means Talia will have to sleep in the spare cot in my room. I normally have the room to myself, since Ra's wants to keep my femininity a secret. Otherwise, I would probably have at least three other people rooming with me.

After arriving and pushing the door open to my room I point at the other bed, which has the same beige sheets and simple pillow as mine.

"You can sleep there until your father gets back and then he will most likely have you relocated."

After she settles into her bed I take my coverings off and unbraid my hair. I un-wrap the bindings on my chest and breathe in a big relieving breath of air. I pull on the oversized shirt I normally sleep in. Turning to my own bed, I walk across the rug and unceremoniously fall onto it. I feel sleep coming along quickly, but before I succumb to a peaceful slumber I feel my flimsy cover shift and Talia's tiny body curling up against mine.

Author's Note: I'm going to have Serenity kind of take Talia under her wing. Talia needs a womanly figure to look up to and Serenity needs to have someone that cracks the cold hard barrier she's built up before she develops any kind of affection towards Bane. Speaking of Bane, he will be in the next chapter, even though their relationship is going to develop slowly. I'm trying to make this seem as realistic as possible, so don't expect Bane to be mesmerized and fall at her feet whenever he meets her. He's still extremely protective over Talia and he won't trust her to be around 'Alexander' or Serenity, but they'll eventually come to accept the others presence.