Ok, guys I'm back with another chapter.! :D Thanks heaps for the reviews! Thanks Yuka Muntou, Writer'sInsanity (glad you liked it ;), Ansa88 and Violet 1313.
Sit back and enjoy! :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice.
'Where on earth is my darn hairbrush?!'
She searched frantically through her draw, tossing aside different clothes until she finally found it. Hastily she pulled it through her long blonde hair. Oh how she hated social balls and other events of the kind where she had to dress up pretty and look all elegant and graceful and respectful. It made her gag. She hated the dresses and the makeup and fake smile.
A rap on the door brought her out of her thoughts. "Come in!" She called around the hairbrush that was being held in her mouth.
A Vietnamese woman wearing a long black dress walked in. She gave slight laugh at the sight of her daughter. "Come Artemis, sit. I'll do your hair." The lady motioned toward a chair in front of the mirror. Artemis let go of her hair and handed the brush in her mouth to her mom.
Gently her mom tugged the brush through the girl's hair. The two were silent for a while, neither speaking to each other. Finally one of them spoke up. "Do you ever Think about or miss the villain life?" Artemis asked out of the blue.
"No never. I'm glad I left that life behind. I didn't want that life for your sister and I don't want it for you." The older lady stopped and put the brush down, then grabbed bits of the pulled the hair up.
Artemis gave a slight nod. She knew her mom was happier now that she had given up her villainous job, divorced Lawrence and devoted herself to raising Artemis even if it only was in the last year.
A sigh came from Paula as she put the last pin in Artemis' hair. She looked at the resemblance between her daughter and her ex-husband. They had the same fine blonde hair, the same fair complexion and skinny yet mucular build. The difference was in those eyes, those beautiful gray eyes. The eyes that held so much strength, defiance and power yet filled with courage, emotion and innocence. It made her tear up as she thought about her daughter.
Artemis noticed with alarm that her mother was on the verge of tears for some reason. She quickly stood and wrapped her arms around her. "What's wrong?" she asked soothingly handing her mom a tissue.
Paula wiped her eyes and smiled at her daughter. "Nothing's wrong, it's perfect." She grabbed Artemis' hands in her own and stared into her eyes again. "I'm so proud of you."
A grin spread across the girl's face. She sighed. "Oh mom…."
Paula cut her off though. "I really am so proud of you Artemis. You're so strong and brave. My little dear you really have grown up… too fast." They both smiled at the last part. The lady reached around her neck and took off the locket that hung there. She looked at it then put it around her daughter's neck. The old gold locket hung perfectly. With her blonde hair done up nicely, the locket and her ravishing green dress, she really looked dazzling.
"Thank you." Artemis whispered. She was almost at a loss for words. Paula wiped her eyes then walked towards the door. She paused at the doorframe. "Come on, hurry up or you're going to be late."
Artemis smiled. 'That's more like it.'
Gracefully, or as graceful as possible, she made her way towards the ball room. As she entered the room, all eyes turned to gaze at her. She heard people murmur things like "My she's gorgeous!" and "How she's grown." Artemis stared confidently ahead, smiling the whole time. This was almost routine; she had been doing it since as long as she can remember.
She moved forward into the people and everything returned to normal. A couple of people complemented her on how beautiful she looked as she passed and some even stopped to chat to her. She'd been there 10 minutes and she was already bored out her mind.
Her night didn't get interesting until she spoke to Bruce Wayne, one of Gotham's richest Gothamites. He started off like all the other people she had talked to that night. "So grown up and stunning, just like your mom." She smiled politely at his compliment. "How old are you now, 15?" He asked. Artemis nodded. "How's school been?"
His next question caught her off guard. She was so used to the Gothamites talking about themselves and stock exchange, charity, business, etc. but Bruce seemed genuinely interested. "Good thank you."
He smiled and continued, talking about how he heard she was doing well in archery and then asked a few more questions. It felt good to talk to someone who was actually listening.
After saying good-bye she headed towards the balcony. She breathed in the crisp night air with a sigh of relief. The silver stars filled the dark sky with abundance, glowing like millions of little diamonds. The half-moon shone overhead, illuminating the flower-carpeted floor of the courtyard below. The white fountain bubbled and flowed continuously in the middle of that courtyard. It was peaceful outside.
Artemis leant against the rail and gazed out at the stars, enjoying the peace and quiet. She closed her eyes and let the slight breeze brush against her face. A million thoughts buzzed through her head. 'What will I do?', 'Who will I be?', 'I hate dad!', 'Where's Jade?', 'I hope she's safe and out of trouble', 'I don't want to be here!', 'My life is so messed up!'. The smell of the night air and the garden flowed around her, flooding her senses, soothing her and putting her mind at ease.
There was a click behind her and she tensed her muscles. Instinctively she dropped into a fighting stance, just like she'd been taught. She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed again when it was only her mother. Living and training with her dad for years meant it was instinct for her to be on edge at the tiniest of sounds. Calming her nerves she went back to leaning against the rail staring out into space. Her mom stood by her side. "Artemis, what are you doing out here?"
"Just thinking…."
Paula took a step closer. "About what?"
Artemis tuned to look her mother in the eye. "Everything."
A look of understanding crossed the woman's eyes. She smiled. "How about I fill in and do your speech?" Artemis nodded gratefully. It was such a relief not to have to speak in front of all the guests. She wrapped her arms around her mom tightly and Paula returned the hug. The two broke apart and Paula started walking away. She smirked as she was leaving. "This is the only time though, and only because it's your Birthday."
The blonde sighed and continued to stare at the scenery. She could hear the crowd inside quieting, signaling that the proceedings were beginning. Her dad would be so mad at her for skipping her speech, but she didn't care. He'd just have to get over it. It's not like she lived with him anymore.
There was a rustle above her. Startled, she went to drop into her fighting stance. She gave a sigh when a brown pigeon flew above her. 'Stupid Pigeon!' She cussed mentally. 'Why am I so jumpy tonight?'
"Artemis Crock." Shocked she spun around and tripped over backwards. A small black-haired kid in a domino mask was perched on the rail across the balcony from her. She looked at the red tunic, the black cape slung around his shoulders and the 'R' insignia on his chest.
"Hero!" She hissed; her words laced with venom. Artemis rose to her feet. "What do you want Robin?" She spat his name out.
He ignored her hostility completely. "Your life is in danger. Say nothing to anyone. You must leave the city immediately and not return. I Repeat: say nothing…"
She looked at him as if he was crazy. 'If he expects me to just believe him and leave my town without saying anything then he's got another thing coming!' "If you think for a minute that….."
Her words were cut off when the balcony started shaking and a large explosion erupted from inside. A wave of panic surged through her as the screams of people inside reached her. She looked toward the door then turn back to find the hero had disappeared, just like a ninja. She ran inside and looked around frantically for her mother. The middle of the stage seemed to be the center of the explosion…. 'Right when mum would have been doing my speech.'
A pained scream escaped her lips and tears slipped from her eyes. Her mom would have been in the force of the explosion.
Another chapter out of the way. Thanks forr reading! Please review, I really want some feedback. :) Have a great day! New Chapter: Tomorrow
