Chapter 5

I wake up to the usual sound of the gong. Seeing that Bane is slowly getting up as well I'm reminded of last night. I felt content sitting with Talia and Bane. It was the first time I have ever felt that way. Talia eventually fell asleep and Bane carried her back to her own room with me walking beside him.

Her room was surprisingly the same as ours. There were no personal touches or other decorations than the usual Bhutanese decor. Her bed was the same small cot we had, with a thin scratchy sheet and one thermal blanket, for the colder nights. She had a gold Buddha statue sitting on the night stand. Bane had surprisingly laid Talia gently on her bed, and pulled the thin gray sheet up to her chin. He smoothed the hair, which was just now reaching her ears, out of her face and looked down at her with a loving gaze. I leaned over her and pulled the bottom part of my mask down, so I could place a small kiss on her forehead. Standing back up, I had looked over at Bane, who was already staring inquisitively at me, and we both made our way back towards the door and on to our room.

Waking from my daydream, I hop out of bed and start to bind, braid, and cover. Bane curiously stares at me while getting ready himself. I guess my daily morning routine must be interesting to others. We finish getting ready around the same time and we head towards the door. Before we reach the door Bane places his giant-like hand on my upper arm, ceasing my movements.

"Is Talia going to meet us there?"

"She normally does."

Satisfied with my answer, he opens the wooden door and gestures for me to leave first. I walk through the door and he follows closely behind me while tightly closing the door. We walk down the long corridor, towards the mess hall, side by side. When we reach the large room, I spot Talia already seated at our table. She waves at us while we grab our breakfast. Bane and I sit across from Talia, who's currently grinning widely at the both of us.

"I'm glad you are better Bane," she says looking at him with adoration.

"Are you nervous about your first day of training?"

"What is there to be nervous about?" he asks, his mask not blocking his obvious amusement. Knowing that this was a rhetorical question she doesn't respond. I remove the bottom half of my mask while Bane unstraps his. We eat in comfortable silence. Though Bane is obviously in pain, he doesn't show it. Today's breakfast consists of bland porridge and a glass of water. When finished with our tasteless meal we start to walk towards the door. Ra's suddenly steps out from the shadows and motions for Bane and I to follow him. We walk into his private training room and he turns towards us.

"We currently have a new recruit in training. I have already spoken to Talia about this situation. He is known as Bruce Wayne. He shows great potential and I'm hoping he will pass initiation. He does not know that I am Ra's Al Ghul, I have led him to believe that my name is Ducard and you will refer to me by this name if you are ever in his presence. He is being mostly secluded, other than when we are in the main training room, until he passes initiation. Bane, I want you to avoid him, along with Talia, until he is fully a member. I do not trust him yet, and would like to keep some things a secret. Serenity, I want you to spar with him so I can test his abilities. Bane, you are dismissed."

Bane turns to leave with his shoulders tense, which confuses me, but I don't dwell on it. I follow Ra's to a private training room where Bruce is already waiting. Ra's leads me to the middle of the room, where Bruce is currently standing. He then turns so he is facing both of us. Bruce calculatingly stares at me. I suppose he is looking for a weakness. He will be sadly disappointed.

"Bruce this is Alexander, he is one of the best in The League. The reason I chose him for you to spar with is to test your abilities and to see where you can improve."

Stepping out from between us he continues, "Now, you may begin."

My attention quickly snaps back to my opponent. We circle each other, both of us not wanting to make the first move. Apparently I have more patience than Bruce. Growing anxious Bruce darts forwards and throws a punch, which I easily deflect. He then backs up, only to strike again. I easily evade all of his hits before I start to deliver my own. He goes to punch me, but I easily grab his arm and send my left fist into his stomach. It sends him back a few steps and he looks at me with surprise.

Knowing he obviously isn't going to win in hand to hand combat, he unsheathes his sword. I pull mine out just in time to block his first swing. He then proceeds to try and decapitate me, but this swing is easily blocked as well. With his next attack he surprisingly manages to slice into my side. Growing tired of his childish attempts to maim me and becoming agitated that he actually managed to cut me, I decide to end this battle. Growing confident with his swings he doesn't suspect my next move. He tries to cut my other side, but I block it. Trying to behead me again, he unknowingly leaves himself vulnerable and I gladly accept the opportunity. I give him a slice to his side that mimics the one he had given me. Which throws him off and I continue to unarm him. I kick his hand making him release his hold on his sword. With my sword threatening to cut open his jugular, he puts his hands up in surrender.

"You lasted longer than I thought you would have, but I have seen many things you need to improve on. Alexander, you are dismissed and I suggest you clean your wound."

I turn and leave the room, not caring to listen to what they are currently discussing. I silently grumble to myself about how he managed to cut me. Finally reaching the medical wing I open the door to an empty white room and walk towards the medicine cabinet. I set everything I need on the bed beside me, before I take off my mask. I breathe in a big breath of air before I take my tunic off and slowly unbind the wrap around my torso. With it completely off I can now appraise the cut. It's not to bad, even though I should probably stitch it up just to be safe. I grab a cotton swab and dip it in the antibacterial cleanse, before dabbing it on the cut. I hiss as it stings the wound. After thoroughly cleaning it I grab the needle and thread and start sewing my skin back together.

Before I could finish, the door to my room swings open. A figure stands in the doorway and upon closer inspection I realize that it's Bruce. He doesn't have his mask on so the fact that he is shocked is blatantly apparent. Though he is also attractive, my stomach doesn't have those strange flutters that I get whenever I look at Bane. He then looks down at my hands, which have paused their sewing and realization appears on his face. His eyes then travel elsewhere and I suddenly remember that most of my torso is visible along with my bra.

"Would you like some help with that?" he says gesturing to my side.

I shake my head, "No."

"I insist. It is because of me that it's there."

Seeing the stubbornness in his eyes, I sigh in defeat and nod my head. He walks over to me and takes the needle from my hand. I avoid his gaze while he begins stitching me up. He doesn't speak the whole time, which I am grateful for, and as soon as he is finished I throw on my tunic, not caring about putting on my torn and bloody bindings. I feel Bruce's stare as I scurry out of the room as fast as my feet will carry me.

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. Now that I've been out of school it's rare for me to have access to a computer with internet. Which sadly means that updates are going to be less frequent. However, I'll try to post multiple chapters whenever I can. I'd like to say thanks to all of the reviewers, favorites, followers, and readers.