Disclaimer- I don't own YJ.

Sorry for not updating. I wanted to wait till I got Microsoft Word (which I now have). Now there won't be any misspelled words. (I just jinxed myself, didn't I?) Please review after reading!

Question- Did you guys like getting to somewhat understand Blade's feelings?

Note- This fanfic has a few chapters left.

Note 2- The bold italics are . . . whatever you think they might be at the end.

Note 3- This site hates me.

Chapter 17

"Blade . . . You idiot!" Robin muttered to himself as his covered eyes stared at the remains of the building, trying to hold back his tears.

Kid Flash gently laid his hand on Robin's left shoulder. "Robin . . . I'm so sorry."

Robin sighed. "I should have known that he was still unstable . . . I guess that I was hoping that he would just wake up."

Kid Flash's hand squeezed. "Rob, don't go blaming yourself, okay?"

"And since when do I blame myself for another's action?" Robin asked him, turning his head to look at Kid Flash.

Kid Flash smirked, happy that Robin seemed to be okay. "Oh, I don't know . . . ALL THE TIME."

"I do not!"

"Do too."

"Do not!"

"Do too."

"DO NOT!"

"Do too!"

"Okay, break it up! We want some answers for the last frickin' time!" Artemis snapped, her confusion making her angry.

Kid Flash and Robin stopped, sighing. Robin didn't want to but he knew for the sake of the team, he was going to have to spill his guts.

But if he was going down, he was taking someone with him.

Artemis.

I think it's high time that she told the team exactly who she's related to. If I have to explain where I come from, then so does she.

"Fine, Artemis but just keep in mind that after I'm finished explaining my past, you have to explain YOUR'S," Robin said, locking his eyes with Artemis' who gave him a glare in return.

" . . . Fine."

The team's eyebrows raised in surprise at her answer, shocked that they would finally know her secret identity. But Robin had a point. If they wanted him to come clean, then so did Artemis. It was only fair.

Robin nodded, silently wishing that she had denied his request. "Then I'll explain everything . . . After Blade is buried."

The team nodded, understanding that Robin had some kind of attachment to this Blade person. Kid Flash ruffled his friend's hair, that being his secret way of telling Robin that he would be there for the funeral. Robin ducked away, that being his secret way of telling Kid Flash that he was glad for the support.

But to the team, it looked as if Robin and Kid Flash were just playing and so, they piled in the Bio-Ship to give Robin some privacy. After all, they owed him that much.

_Robin and Kid Flash_

They were now at Gotham's cemetery, Robin digging Blade's grave. Kid Flash had offered to help him but Robin refused. He wanted to do it himself.

Robin felt as if he owed Blade that simple gesture, something that he should have done a long time ago.

" . . . Wally, will you do me a favor?" Robin asked Wally as they picked up Blade's wrapped body and lowered it into the grave.

"Do you even have to ask?"

Robin chuckled weakly, Blade's death still hovering over his head. "Will you tell Batman . . . what happened today seeing as we didn't get a chance to contact him?"

"Sure . . . It's the least I can do, right?" Wally joked, dashing off to the Bat Cave so Robin would have some privacy.

_Robin_

" . . . Right," Robin's answer hanging in the air, mocking him.

. . . I should finish this quickly. Bruce must be flipping out.

Eventually, Robin had buried his old friend under six feet of dirt where his body would lay for all eternity.

" . . . I'm so sorry, Blade. I never got a chance to tell you that I wasn't abandoning you. I had found us a home with Bruce . . . But I guess you didn't have much trust in me, huh Blade?" Robin whispered as he laid a simple white stone to mark the grave, his teeth clenched to hold back his tears.

If only I hadn't wanted to surprise you . . . If only you hadn't been so unstable . . . I'm so sorry.

"Could you ever forgive me, Blade?" Robin asked the empty, night air, straining his ears to hear a reply.

But Robin never received a reply, his heart still aching.

A sad smile laced on his lips, Robin whispered, "I thought so."

And with a heavy heart, Robin was swallowed by the darkness that was Gotham and headed to Mount Justice where his friends would be waiting for his story . . .

. . . I forgive you, Shadow . . .

A/N- So what do you guys think the last line was about? Please review! This was published on 3-19-12 with the length of 934 words.