Meow
Disclaimer: Like usual, don't own anything except Serenity Anderson.
A/N: OH MAN! Sorry about the lack of updating last week. (ducks the rocks being thrown at her) I had a small case of writers block…well, sort of…I knew what I wanted to write but it just wouldn't…flow the way the others did, but now I'm okay. LOL. Anyway! I know you just wanna get on with the story! Hehh ;)
Thanks to all my reviewers, I love you all! Hotmail messed up my account and hopefully I respond to everybody who reviewed…if I don't just let me know!
Anime-Ronin, LOL every time I think of that, mental image of Bruce doing the Macarena, it makes me laugh. I knew as soon as I thought of it I had to put it in this fic, someway, somehow! And I think that everybody has a sense of humor, you just have to find what sets it off…;) Here's your next chap.
Kyoko Kasshu Minamino, Big Thanks about the Arkham correction. I'm going to fix that right away! Hmm…what to do with him…so many ideas, so little time (evil grin) I'll bring him back in one piece, I swear! Lol enjoy the next chappy!
NekoGuyFan, I'm glad you liked the different perspectives. What will happen between the two? You'll just hafta wait and see!
Maid of the Mer, Lol, I hope I didn't make you wait too long this time! Muffin?
Ratdogtwo, Yeay! Glad you liked it, enjoy the next chappy!
Sand Lord, hehe, you gave me lots of stuff to think about! And as for 'nice rooftop encounters with thick tension and longing kisses' you'll just hafta wait and see. LOL catnip in her bed! Oh man! Hehe, I'll keep that in mind ;)
Galaxya,I'm glad you loved it! Heh, that's what I was going for! ;) Here's your update, enjoy!
lt. commander richie, heh, thanks! I hope it wasn't too short. Just some chapters I feel like I can write more than others.
GambitGirl2008, I figured I should throw in something light hearted before I turn on the angst and seriousness. Lol.
Daylight Dancer, Ah, don't be late for band practice! Just read and enjoy my fic! hehe
Alias245, Oh no! Computer crash is horrible! Is it okay now? LOL holy POV Batman! Heh, here's your fix, here's your fix…;)
Alma Manchada, LOL, I hope your roommate isn't mad about being woken up, lol next time I'll let you know if I try to put anything funny in! Enjoy the next chappy!
Me, Sleep and work? You hit the nail on the head! I'm glad your patient, here's the next chap, enjoy!
Okay! Getting on with the story…from here on out things are going to get a little bit more…angst-y and serious…leading up into the finale! (There will definitely be one chapter filled with fluff, for those who want it, lol) So buckle up and enjoy the ride!
As always, Tell me what you think, and Have A Nice Day!
§§
The days passed uneventfully and night once again fell over Gotham City, signaling for the creatures of the night to come and play.
Narrowed golden eyes watched the movement that was going on inside the house, memorizing every detail, and double-checking each route in, and out, of the house. She was on her own special reconnaissance work, getting the lay out of her next intended target, and to make matters better she had not run into that flying rodent.
She would actually be surprised if she saw him here, considering whose house it was.
Now that she thought back on it, she surprised herself with how mad it had made her to hear that her crimes weren't "real." But than again…what, that comment was supposed to not make her mad?
She would not be put down and ignored. She was the new Catwoman damnit, and she was supposed to be taken seriously…She WILL be taken seriously.
She flicked her claws out when the lights illuminating the household finally turned off. She felt she had a good enough assessment to make her move soon. She would do a prowl around the area before returning to make her hit.
She licked her top lip as a smile slowly came over her features; tonight's hit was purely for her own enjoyment…well, that and as payback. She gave one last lingering look at the house,
"See you soon," she promised quietly before disappearing into the night.
§§
Selina Kyle let out an impatient sigh before stretching out her body on her sofa. Her many cats immediately flocked to her like bees to honey and made themselves comfortable near.
She never told Serenity how much she actually worried about her when she went out at night. But she did worry; surprisingly, she worried a lot. She knew she shouldn't of, she had trained the girl, and was continually training the girl, she was more than able to take care of herself…but still she couldn't help that small feeling in her gut when she went out of those windows at night. It was different when she had been the original Catwoman; she never had to worry about anybody else but herself…well, herself and Isis.
Bless that cat.
She would always remember her first and loyal friend. After Isis had passed away it had been hard to replace her, and still to this day no cat ever would.
Selina smiled sadly, Bastet was to Serenity as Isis was to her. Nice to see that some things would still remain after all these years.
Selina glanced over at the balcony windows again and bit her lip. Would it ever get easier? Would it ever get easier watching her leave night after night and not being able to follow her?
Was this what Bruce had to deal with all those years ago when his little birdies would follow him around? She had come to the conclusion that it was not a pleasant feeling. She took a quick peek at the laptop resting on the table in front of her. Catwoman contacted Selina less and less as she got more comfortable and confident with herself. A part of her was ecstatic about that, her little blue-eyed Serenity had gained back her self-assurance and was now strong willed…what was not to like about that? But there was the small part of her that was sad that she didn't need Selina as much anymore. She remembered how the small girl had clung to her at first, seeking comfort and reassurance…
Now, now she walked among the rooftops and danced with Batman and came out more of less unscathed. She had grown into a fine young woman before Selina's very eyes. Her eyes flicked back to the windows…
But that didn't make her worry any less.
And to make matter worse, she didn't even know where Serenity was tonight. Serenity had simply said that she had something to take care of, but she said that she'd tell explain everything to her when she got back. Selina didn't like it. They had always planned out their targets together and Serenity was coming to her less and less. Maybe she could talk to Serenity about it, see if she was worrying over nothing…
The cats surrounding her seemed to sense her tension and worry and began to rub up against her in comfort.
Selina smiled softly…
This was why she loved cats; they were intelligent and could sense things in you like this. Once they befriended you they were loyal to the end. Once you earned their trust, they were devoted to your friendship.
She stroked one of the many feline heads that were residing around her and began to speak to them soothingly. Talking to her cats always made her feel better.
Then it happened.
The air in the room seemed to change. Selina couldn't describe it but felt a tingle she thought had all but died. The cats around her began to shift uneasily and some rose to start sniffing the air. One by one they rose and made there way around the room.
Soft hisses began emit through the room and Selina knew she still had her Bat-sense- up and running even after all these years…the cats around her proved it.
Conflicted emotions erupted through Selina Kyle with such a force she almost winced. Her heart thumped in her chest and her blood pounded in her ears
Anticipation, nervousness…excitement?
After all these years had he finally come to find her? Finally found out just exactly where she had been hiding this whole time? Was she ready for all this? She almost laughed; she was always ready for Batman.
This time she smiled for real and made herself even more comfortable on the sofa. She waited a beat before casually looking around the room.
"I know you're there," she said and you could hear a little bit of the old purr come into her voice.
For a moment nothing happened and Selina rolled her eyes. Typical Batman, always had to make his sudden entrance. Never would allow anybody to know he was there before he let his presence be known. Was that a Bat thing or a guy thing?
"How long am I going to have to-"
The words died on her lips as the dark silhouette seemed to materialize from the darkness, like always. Disappointment flowed through her veins and she fought to keep it from showing on her face. It wasn't the tall broad shoulders and muscular torso that she had loved to claw at. The person standing before her was still muscular, but thinner and younger.
Selina met the eyes of the person standing in her apartment and immediately knew this was going to be interesting. This wasn't her Batman that stood before her; no, it was Serenity's Batman.
§§
She returned to the intended targets house with a happy sigh. Her eyes quickly scanned the area and she nodded satisfied. Now it was all right to go inside and do what she had in mind. She would teach this…this-boy not to mess with her…
She made her way onto the roof quickly and lowered herself down onto his terrace soundlessly.
She slowly made her way to the window and put down a small sack that she had been carrying with her. She tested the window gently and almost laughed out loud because of his stupidity-he left the window unlocked. The window slid straight up and open with a soft thud.
He was making this way, way too easy for her. Leaving the window open? Where was the challenge if he just let her walk right in? Well, not walk in, but just let her in his house! He was practically begging for her to mess with him.
A thought crossed her mind and she paused for a moment. Either he was really dumb or this was a trap, but than again how would he even know that he was her current target? He was a pretty boy, but he was an evil pretty boy. It could just be an act…
She snickered lightly. Nah, she thought but the notion however remained lodged in her mind.
…For some reason she wasn't so sure now.
If there was one thing she had learned and knew well it was that looks could be deceiving.
Case in point: You-know-who.
Even though she knew who the man was behind the mask it was still a little bit shocking. Who would have thought, right? But than again who would have thought that she was the one behind the cat?
She gently and without a sound, entered the bedroom simultaneously giving her eyes a second to adjust to the darkness. She immediately spotted the intended boy sleeping on his bed. She took a small step over and froze as a sound filled the room…it turned out it was only the boy in question snoring…and quite loudly too.
Miss Kitty gracefully leapt up and placed herself on the windowsill making herself the unannounced lookout cat. The cats sleet coat gleamed in the pale moonlight while her golden eyes scanned the area carefully. Her triangular ears twitched slightly with each sound but her body did not move.
She suppressed a chuckle as she took a couple experimental steps forward. He didn't stir even slightly. UGH! He was making this too easy for her again! This was almost too perfect! She silently moved to his bedside and flicked off the alarm on his clock.
After being positive that the alarm was off, she made her way over to the desk that was resting next to the window on the other side of the room. She quickly glanced over all the materials and curled her lip in disgust- mingled with his homework were some…adult magazines… That was one thing she really wished she hadn't seen from him. Ever.
Rolling her eyes, she turned and caught site of a piece of her punishment. Soundlessly she picked up the object and threw it out the window, intending for her to take it with her later. Leaning out the window she pulled an exact replica of the same object from the small bag she had placed there. Making sure the object was indeed suitable she switched it and put it back where the original had been lying. Tomorrow at school she would receive great satisfaction.
She looked at her hand for a moment and tilted her head to the side slightly. Should she leave him a calling card?
Nah.
Let him wonder over how it happened, who did it and when, that would make him even more angered. The effect of not knowing would drive him crazy, and that she approved of.
Just as quietly as she entered the room she exited and the room once again remained empty, except for the boy in bed still lightly snoring. The room appeared unmarred showing no signs of her presence, almost as if she had never been there in the first place.
Just the way she liked it.
§§
A grin spread across Selina's face and Batman could tell this was the woman he was supposed to find. That was definitely a Catwoman smile that she was wearing…and the fact that he now labeled it as a Catwoman smile also occurred to him…since when did he have a defined version of a Catwoman smile?
He shook the thought away as she spoke,
"Can I help you?" she questioned and he immediately noticed the husky sound of her voice, one that sounded similar to another husky sounding voice that he knew of…one that belonged to a purple cat-suit wearing female.
She had to be who he was looking for – no question.
He cleared his throat before going back into Batman-mode and Selina smiled even more, how many times in her life had she made Batman clear his throat? The answer was obvious…a lot. She was able to make even the new Batman clear his throat…
She still had it.
"Selina Kyle," he said and Selina noticed how the boy in front of her tried to imitate Bruce's deeper Batman voice. It sounded close…close but not quite. She'd know Bruce's- wait, Batman's, deep rumbling voice anywhere.
But it was a good try. And he got that intimidating posture down…too bad she was used to it and was immune.
She looked up at him with an innocent expression; one that looked believable…but he didn't buy it for a second.
"I'm sorry, I don't know whom you're talking about…Batman," she spoke and fought down a grin. Her lip twitched in amusement and she gently bit down on it to keep it still.
"Maybe you should-"
"Save it," he cut her off, not missing the flash of anger cross her eyes.
Okay, so maybe pissing off the original cat wasn't the smartest thing he should do…
..:Don't get her mad Terry:.. Bruce's voice warned in his ear confirming his earlier thoughts.
Little late, Batman thought to himself realizing his mistake. He had to stop underestimating these cat women. Even if this woman was as old as Wayne she could still probably move a little bit. She was probably in the same condition as Wayne himself and for his age he was still in good condition…well…better than anybody else his age.
Bruce himself was conflicted…there she was, right there. His usually hardened face softened like it usually did when it came to her. She had been practically in front of him the whole time. His eyes took in the picture Terry was sending him. It was definitely her and she still looked breathtaking…even in her old age. Actually it seemed to make her more beautiful. She was looking straight at Terry and he had a clear shot of her face. Her eyes still pierced him to his soul.
He felt himself clear his throat even though he was only looking at her image. She could still do that to him with just one look…she hadn't lost her touch.
Coming to a decision he spoke calmly to Terry,
..:Just tell her I know she's there:..
He heard Terry pause, no doubt confused.
Batman hid his frown; he had a whole speech prepared for this moment. One that talked about justice and right and wrong – and now that he thought about it, it sounded a whole lot like something that Wayne would say. He didn't hide his reactions well enough because Selina picked up on it and quickly put two and two together. Somebody was talking to baby bat.
"Is that daddy bat?" she questioned her voice getting a little huskier. Bruce noted the variety of emotions floating through her tone and felt a small smirk grace his features. He still had it.
"I know it's you," Batman stated and watched as the woman in front of him stared at him with piercing green eyes. So that was whom Catwoman got it from…no surprise…although hers were gold…
Selina remained silent, waiting.
..:Tell her we'll be watching:..
Batman narrowed his eyes and turned his head to the side suddenly and touched the spot below his pointed ear before speaking lowly.
"But I thought-"
..:Do it:.. Wayne's voice rang out with a sharp edge to it that Batman immediately picked up on.
"We'll-I'll be watching," he corrected himself and saw the woman give a small laugh but still not speak.
..:What's the matter, cat got your tongue:.. Bruce said lowly with a small grin, repeating words spoken to him from many ago. His eyes remained locked on the picture of the woman in front of him.
"What's the matter, cat go your tongue?" Batman repeated and immediately gave himself a mental slap in the face. He had a feeling he wasn't supposed to have repeated that. Almost immediately though he realized that Wayne had just made the pun…and a bad pun at that.
Wayne had just tried to be funny. What was the world coming to? Was this a sign of the apocalypse?
Selina's mouth dropped open slightly at the line that had once come from her own lips years' prior. Did he just…?
..:That's enough McGinnis, make your exit:..
Batman didn't need to be told twice, immediately as the words were spoken into his ear he melded back into the shadows and vanished from sight.
Selina stared at the spot he had stood for a few moments longer, shocked- before she smiled into the blanket of darkness that surrounded her, her eyes sparkling with immense pleasure- almost 30 years…it took almost 30 years…
But he was finally playing back.
§§
Catwoman's feet landed silently on the balcony floor. She dropped her trinket gently as well as Miss Kitty, and began her cool down stretches. It was just a few stretches to loosen her up after a good night's work…and well, just because it felt good.
She let out a low groan as she rolled her shoulders and neck. She heard that satisfying 'pop' and cleared her throat. Shaking out her muscles once more, she expelled the air from her lungs and picked up the jacket. With her free arm she opened the balcony door and couldn't help but smile gently when Bastet entered before her.
She shut the door gently behind her and with a flick of her wrist pulled her face free from the confines of her purple mask. She half-heartedly tossed the jacket somewhere to the side of her before strolling into the kitchen and pouring herself a class of water, and Bastet a little milk.
Serenity turned to head into her room but froze when she saw Selina sitting on the couch looking directly at her, watching her and by the looks of it, apparently waiting for her.
Serenity felt uneasy for some unknown reason but wouldn't let it show. There was an odd vibe in the air…
"Hey," she said casually with a grin but Selina didn't smile.
"Where were you?"
The question came out harsher than she intended but it was too late now, it was out there now and she was waiting for an answer. After the adrenaline of the Bat visit had worn off Selina had only gotten even more apprehensive.
Serenity's brows furrowed as if the question was spoken in German. Where was she? That was obvious wasn't it? She and Bastet were gone, the cat suit was gone… but what was with the tone? Why was Selina mad about it? She never got angry when she went out before.
Serenity raised and eyebrow and cocked her head slightly confused before answering slowly, as if making sure each word was spoken clearly.
"I was out."
"Where were you?"
Serenity was confused and a little put off. Why was she being given the third degree? She felt a stab of annoyance but pushed it down. This was Selina, she'd understand once she explained.
"Getting a little bit of payback," Serenity relented pulling each individual finger from her gloves before pulling off the gloves themselves. She turned to look at Selina and saw that she was still watching her, waiting. Serenity walked and bent over, picking up the jacket that she had discarded onto the floor earlier and tossed it into Selina's lap. As soon as the material was in Selina's hand Serenity took a seat next to her on the sofa.
"I was just doing a switch tonight- simple in and out exchange…nothing stolen."
Selina looked at the material in her hands and realized that it did look familiar to something she had seen lying around in Serenity room the prior week. She met Serenity's gaze.
"You took his jacket?"
Serenity nodded her head before nodding down at the garment in question,
"He prizes that over everything else." She smiled sneakily before continuing, "This was pretty much just for some amusement. You know I don't steal each night I go out…"
"You've been going out every night this week-"
"I'm just having some fun. It's no big deal." Selina watched as Serenity turned her eyes to her lap as her thumb began to smooth out the soft purple leather that covered her legs.
"I was worried," Selina admitted softly, playing with the material of the jacket between her fingers. The rough material was a major contrast to the smoothness of her skin.
Serenity immediately softened at the quietly stated words. For Selina to openly admit that she was worried was…not rare, just not completely common. Around there home it was the old adage that actions spoke louder than words. So in response she took Selina's hand in hers.
"I was fine, I was doing it on my own…"
"I know, it's just that, Serenity," she waited until Serenity met her gaze, "you are my family."
In that moment something clicked in Serenity's brain. One word rang in her ear, Family. How could she have forgotten? Family. How could she have been so blinded by rich shiny things and Batman instead of focusing on what was important- family. Her family.
Realizing that she hadn't responded to Selina's heartfelt statements Serenity broke from her thoughts,
"You're my family too, and you've done so much for me…"
Serenity's thoughts drifted. Selina really, really had. She had taken her in when Serenity had nothing and nobody. She was forever in Selina's debt. She couldn't of have a better person to look out for her and make her who she was today- and because of that she knew what she had to do…
"I was hoping that maybe you could take some time off from wearing the suit," Selina interrupted her thoughts but she didn't really hear her.
To finally achieve some closure to help heal her internal scars…
"Just have a little time to yourself, no training, just fun-"
She has put it off long enough by distracting herself with other, more appealing, things. But now it was obvious to her, she couldn't deny it any longer … She knew what she needed to do…
"Maybe we could try some of that normal female bonding stuff they show on T.V. like shopping or something-"
She was going to find the Jokerz that killed her mother and brother and get retribution. She didn't care how long it took, or how much digging she would have to do find them.
"Maybe we could take a trip somewhere, you've never been out of Gotham City and there's so much more out there-"
She couldn't take a night off, not now. She would after everything was dealt with, but not now…not yet.
"Maybe-" Serenity spoke up stopping Selina's ongoing list of suggestions, "we can try some that normal female bonding stuff, that might be nice."
Selina gave a soft smile before nodding, glad Serenity was going to comply.
"Okay, well, I'm going to let you clean up and head off to bed. We can talk more tomorrow."
Serenity nodded and watched as Selina rose gracefully from her seated position on the couch and made her way to her bedroom, but not before coming back and kissing Serenity on the forehead and hugging her. Both woman closed there eyes as the embrace and just enjoyed the comfort each other gave off.
"Night."
"Good night."
Serenity sat for a long moment after Selina retired to her room and thought, staring at nothing. Making up her mind, her glittering blue eyes locked on the night sky and each star that gleamed at her. She spoke lowly in the stillness of the night but her vow was firm and unwavering,
"I will have my revenge…" her eyes narrowed slightly, "the hunt has begun."